Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-01-11
BUREAU OF FARM MARKETS

|
body--are interested in the question
OF marketing. Everyone is CON
cerned with the price of food stuffs,
and so, indirectly, in methods of
marketing Marketing has become a
public function rather than "a private
one. Realizing this, the last legis-
lature created the office of farm
markets with power to investigate
and promote economical and effici-
ent distribution of farm products
The office is cooperating with the
State College. the State Department
of Agriculture. and the United
States Bureau of Markets, thereby
unifying all state and national mar
keting efforts for the State of Wash
| ington.
An announcement setting forth
the projects of the office has just
been issued, stating The services it
is performing, and is ready to per-
form for the people of the state.
One of the projects of the office is
to furnish the people with informa-
ton on marketing matters. Where
can | find market for peas? Where
can | buy alfalfa in carload lots?
| How shall | pack my products in
order to get the highest price,"
| These are some of the questions
asked of the office Whenever the
information is not at hand, by writ
ing to the United State Bureau of
| Markets, other state marketing
agencies, or people in the trade. the
office will attempt to get first hand
| information or put the person max
ing the inquiry in touch with the
proper party
In many cases little can be done
to answer such questions or recon-
mend changes in present methods of
marketing until an investigation is
made. Before a reform can be sug-
| gested in the marketing of any pro-
| duct it is necessary to know what
agencies are concerned with bring
ing this product from the producer
to the consumer, what work each one
performs. and whether it is being
done in the most efficient way. Even
though this may have been worked
out for Wisconsin or Kansas, the
same conditions do not obtain for
Washington. A part of the work of
the office of farm markets, therefore,
is to make such investigations so
that reforms may be recommended
| based on sound analysis of condi-
lions involved.
| Not only are methods of market
ing important, but the producer is in
terested in the prices and conditions
in various markets. The shipper of
potatoes wants to know every day
what Seattle pays, whether the mar
ket is glutted there, or whether it
is likely to be when his potatoes ar
rive. He wants to compare the mar
| ,
Spokane Omaha or Chicago before
shipping. The United States Bureau
of Markets will furnish market in
formation free of charge, by mail,
on the principal agricultural pro-
ducts. The office of farm markets
will gladly help anyone in getting
the United States Market News serv-
ice on the products he has to market.
Very often the solution of the
marketing problem lies through or
ganized marketing The experiences
of our apple, potato, and hay grow
ers show this. There must, however,
be a good economic foundation, suf-
ficient produce, a proper market,
and the proper cooperative spirit
| before any farmers organization will
on enthusiasm, sentiment or good
| intentions merely, will not live. So
| while the office of farm markets is
prepared to assist farmers to organ
iZe buying and selling associations
it will do SO only after thoroughly
going over the field to see if there is
an economic justification for organi-
zation. If there is not, farmers will
not be encouraged to organize. Or
ganization work is carried on with
the county agricultural agent when
ever possible.
The office of farm markets will
also investigate com plants arising
out of the sale of farm products,
Usually the case is like this. A pro-
Queer ships a carload of potatoes to
a dealer who reports that the car
arrived in bad order or perhaps froz-
en-, and offers the producer a much
lower price than he expected. The
producer has no way of knowing
whether the car arrived in good con