The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-21
AID IN MARKET
ING NEEDED
Secretary Favors Extension Of
Work in This Field

a private or governmental agency
OF national range to supervise or dl'
rect the marketing of the nations
farm products would probably break
down-of. its own weight, in the opinion
of David T. Houston, Secretary Of Az
rieulture. He calls attention, in his
annual report, to the fact that meas
sures to this end have recently been
introduced in congress and that the
present time is especially fruitful OF
proposals of large and novel ma
ture designed quickly TO solve. market
ing. problems.
In the field OF. distribution, as well
as IN the field of production" says
the secretary, the farmers of the ma
ton must assume the main tasks OF
Improvement. The government should
furnish. all possible aid i'll the way OF
I information and suggestion. create IA
vorable. conditions under which pro-
duction and distribution may take
place, and especially see that the
channels Of trade are open and that
abuses do not exist.
There is no question: continues
the secretary, that everything which
can legitimately be done to eliminate
waste in marketing and 10 promote
orderly distribution should be done.
But the view Of the most experienced
students Of the matter seems to be
that we must approach the problem
in simpler terms. work along lines
which have clearly proven to be feas-
ible, and promote existing tendencies
and practices.
Certainly we can proceed further
by State, Federal, and individual ac-
ton in standardizing the production,
the handling, and flle packing of farm
products and in promoting the use Of
standard containers and proper stor-
age on farms in transit and at market
centers. We can continue to fur
nish assistance in the preparation and
installation of accounting systems and
more extensively and accurately gath
er and furnish TO the farmers Of the
nation all pertinent statistical infor-
nation. I need scarcely emphasize
the paramount importance Of making
available daily to producers facts as
to market prices, supplies. and de-
mands The market new5 services OF
the department of agriculture have
already clearly proved their value.
The department now conducts and
operates an inpsection service on
fruits Nand vegetables covering 1s4
markets. It publishes reports on the
supply, commercial movement. and
prices Of most OF the important pro-
ducts, and. in cooperation with II
States. is issuing exchange. marketing
lists which make known to county
agents, breeders. and feeders in these
States where Surpluses Of live stock,
feeds. and seeds are 90 be found. 1t
is estimated that last year through
such service the farmers in Iowa
alone made local exchanges having, an
estimated value of &s1.500.o90.
Particularly must the federal and
State agencies omit nothing TO pro-
mote farmers cooperative associations
along right lines. Already, within
generation, many such bodies have
appeared and rapidly expanded. 1t is
estimated that they now market an
nually approximately $500, ,ooo, 00V
worth of commodities. They are OF
very diverse forms and sizes. For the
most part, where they have been sue
cessful they have centered their &C
tivities on some one product. or on
related products IN given area Inc
indications are that with the contn-
ued success of these enterprises and
with the proper educational effort and
direction they. will develop even more
rapidly in the future. Through bull
letins. news articles. and lectures the
department Of agriculture has en-
deayored TO stimulate these efforts.
Tt has furnished suggestions for State
: legislation governing their organlza-
ton. and. in cooperation with % states
it has employed trained specialists to
advise extension workers. including
county agents and others, with ref
erence to cooperative marketing.
LAS I have said the rational pro-
gram would seem TO be to expand
these activities. which have clearly
demonstrated their value, 10 follow
the scent. as it were, and further TO
develop the machinery through which
increased assistance may be furnished.
There should be in every State one
or more trained market specialists OF
the department Of agriculture, work
ing in cooperation with the proper
State authority. to stimulate coopera-
tive enterprises and TO aid farmers
IN their marketing work by helpful
suggestions as to plans and methods
These experts could very effectively
aid the extension workers. County
agents generally have the assistance
Of specialists in many other lines but
at present they have not the requisite
aid in distribution. They can not be
expected to be expert in all asricul-
fural matters or to be omniScient. The
department is requesting Increased
funds 10 make this extension possible
and will take the necessary action
promptly if the appropriations arc
made
VencrcaI Expert in Columbia.
Columbia. jan 15.-Dr. George "