South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-15
MARKETS BUREAU
DOES GREAT WORK
SeC'y Houston Tells of COntri-
button to War Success by
Handling Problems.

B How the bureau OF markets has
organized and expanded its work
in order better to aid farmers tc
meet unusual marketing conditions
is described by David f. Houston
secretary of agriculture, in his an
nual report just made public.
Many of the projects of the
| bureau were redirected in order 70
deal more effectively with emer-
gency problems The market news
I service for fruits and vegetables. be-
gun during the fiscal year 1915. as
we'll as that for live stock and
meats, which was inaugurated in
the fiscal year 1917, was developed
as rapidly as possible early in the
season with available funds. The
reports were particularly valuable
in connection with the shipment OF
perishable products, and large num-
bers took advantage of the timely
information furnished by them. Dur
ing the fiscal year 1917 approx
mately 100000 bulletins regarding
cart-IOt shipments and jObbing prices
of fruits and vegetables were dis
tributed TO more than $4,000 indi-
viduals, including shippers Jobbers'
distributors. and receivers.
An appropriation of $2,522,00o
provided for i'm the food produc-
ton act made possible a marked
expansion of the machinery of the
bureau. The news services for fruits
and vegetables and for live stock and
meats were still further developed
and were extended TO include hay,
grain. and seeds, and dairy and
poultry products Three general re-
porting services, one daily and two
weekly. are conducted for perish
ables at % stations. as well as a
local service for truck crops in
certain cities.
The first quarterly report of the
supply of wool was issued on July
80, and represents. it is believed, the
most complete inventory ever COM
piled of the wool supply in the
United States. The reporting serv-
ice for cold storage holdings was
rapidly enlarged and now includes
AZ commodities.
Branch offices are now maintain
ed at II important market CEN
ters to collect and distribute current
information relative to supplies of
live stock and meats, demands,
prices, and other market conditions.
Information on wholesale meat-trade
conditions is secured daily from
several of the largest eastern meat
consuming and distributing centers
and a summary is Immediately for
wardeG TO the central livestock
markets in the west. More than
90 livestock companies report their
current livestock receipts and ship
ments, and summary of the
figures is issued after the first of
each month Biweekly reports are
make on hay and grain for certain
sections. A semiweekly statement
of bean prices, demand, and move
ment is made, and plans have been
completed for issuing one each
month on farm and garden seeds.
The food production act authoriz-
ed the secretary of agriculture to
investigate and certify 10 shippers
the conditions as TO sOundness of
fruits and vegetables and other food
products when received at the inn
portant central markets. Rules and
regulations for carrying out this
provision Of the act were publish
ed oct. 81. and the inspection serv-
ice was inauguarated promptly in
"a of the large markets. This inn
partial and disinterested inspection
service will, the secretary believes,
lessen the uncertainty surrounding
the marketing of perishables and
stimulate economical prodr lion.
In addition 10 its nationwide food
surveys now in progress, the bureau
is making an effort 10 secure ac-
curate information regarding the
supply of fertilizer materials on
hand, the probable production and
consumption, and other facts re-
lating 10 fertilizers.