Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-07-22

sdvancements along the lines Of agricul-
ture, there 10 still one phase which has,
90 far, been sadly neglected, but which,
nevertheless, affords great opportunities.
refer to market exhibits at the various
public gatherings such a. national, state,
and county fairs. So far, We have had
exhibits of practically every kind, but
strangely enough, but very few pertain
to the marketing Of the various farm
products, and believe that We easily
agree that the marketing is fully, or At
least nearly 50, ss important as 10 the
production.
When one has an opportunity to visit
the various markets and note how the
different farm products arrive, he feels
very strongly that there Is field for i'm
provemeut along those lines. Far too
mauy are the cases where improper
packing has been responsible for loss of
the product to the producer; other cases
where the material has not been proper
Iy prepared before it was put into the
package; still Others where the material
has been properly prepared, but not suf-
ficiently graded in order to meet the
market requirements and bring the high
est returns; and lastly, too often, the
markets have not been picked properly
in accordance with the requirements that
the goods clipped are able to fill. To
illustrate. Very often butter OF poor
quality has been shipped to markets
where Q very high-class product was re-
auired and vice versa-good butter has
been shipped to places where the trade
did not demand, nor was willing to pay
for as high-class product. In packing,
not infrequently, the boxes have been
only partly filled with print butter, and
for that reason been jsmmed together in
transit, resulting ina loss to the pro-
Queer of several cents pound.
White and brown eggs are often put in
the same packages without regard to
color, and for that reason are sold for
cent or two less per dozen. Separation
of the different colors makes it more at.
tractive and solicits . higher price and
so on.
Last year at the Rutland County Fair.
Rutland, Vermont, the Vermont Depart
ment Of Agriculture had small market
exhibit and illustrated some OF the ways
in which losses might be prevented by
proper grading, labelling, and packing OF
the various farm products. The exhibit
vas made up from local produce and
dealt With the needs of that particular
community. Vegetables were put to-
gether in the proper order and ARRANGED
according to size, shape and color. This
REQ ouires but little work and makes
great deal of difference in the selling
value of the goods. Apples we're shown
iu the different sizes and qualities
There is perhaps no better way to make
money than to separate apples into vari-
Gus grades. Good apples always look
we'll when together with their own KIND
and sell accordingly for 3 high price.
Medium quality of apples do not look 30
bad when they are put in With Others OF
the same kind because they all appear
alike and there is nothing to detract
from their appearance because there are
none better to compare them With, con-
quently they sell at q good price. Inc
poorest kind of apples appears fairly
we'll and sells accordingly as long as they
are put iu with others of their own kind:
Eggs were shown both properly and
improperly packed. Some OF the dirty
eggs wers mixed in with the clean, and
then labeled to the effect that the seller
would lose several cents per dozen be-
cause Of that fact.
Two bales Of bay Of equal quality were
shown, but one bad been exposed to
moisture on one side and had nodded,
and consequently the selling value was
reduced several dollars per ton. This
fact was pointed out by means OF pia-
cards. =,
A small exhibit OF wool, showing the
various grades and the proper and im-
proper method of tying the fleece to-
gether was illustrated and attention
called to the desirability of the same.
PIacards calling attention to the main
rules necessary in order to market 10
best advantage and reasons given Tor
same were displayed.
Although this exhibit Was brought to-
gether on short notice, and not up to
what 1t really should have been, it at
attracted considerable attention and re-
ceived many favorable comments. The
Vermont Department OF Agriculture
hopes to have several exhibits this year
and trusts that others may have some as
we'll, because ii does seem as II 1t Would
be we'll worth while to point out the
facts that are really essential for good
commercial marketing in an economical
and efficient way. The time has come
when the farmers must pay more atten-
ton to the marketing and to carrying 1t
out as nearly as possible in . perfect
manner.-Mogens r. Tolstrup in Hoard .
Dairymsn.