The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-10-16

Up to four years ago but little sys,
United States toward the promotion of
the interests of American farmers in
export trade. Occasionally experts
were sent abroad to study demands
and methods In foreign countries. but
the information furnished was frag-
mentary and of a general nature.
Then the United States department
Of agriculture organized a division of
foreign marketing Investigations as an
adjunct of the bureau of markets. De-
signed to assist normal trading and
the development of foreign markets for
American agricultural products, the
divisions work during the war pc
Rod was devoted largely to prepare
ton for conditions after the cessation
of hostilities. An extensive survey
Of the fruit markets of the far East
and Australia was made; and certain
phases Of the live stock, meat, dairy
and wool industries of Australasia
studied.
Plans Got Unoer way.
With the signing of the armistice
the bureau of markets got under way
plans for more extensive work in for
eign countries, such as investigations
Of the European seed markets and an
extensive survey Of the live stock,
meat and dairy situation. The bu-
reau Of markets has the cooperation
of the bureau of foreign and domes-
tic commerce and of the consular serv-
ice of the department of state.
There are more tremendous OppOrtu-
mites than ever before for the estab-
lishment of American trade in agsi-
cultural products In foreign markets.
In 1910 the total foreign trade in ag-
ricultural products Appropriated 81
O16,OOO,OOO. In 1919 the business
totaled $4,257 100000. Allowing for
the difference in the buying power of
the dollar in 1910 and in 1919, these
figures still show an increase of more
than 100 per cent. In fOodstuffs alone,
l. e.. dairy products, meats and bread
stuffs, the increase in the quantity ex-
ported during the period from 1915 to
1919, inclusive, showed an increase of
about 100 per cent over that Of 1910
1914.
OF course this tremendous increase
was produced largely by war condi-
lions and conditions which resulted
from the war, but every effort should
be made to maintain this business and
to increase it. The bureau of markets
Is actively engaged to the limit of its
capacity in obtaining the fullest in
formation as to the opportunities for
the expectation of all surplus farm
products and in placing these data be-
fore the American farmer.
AS an example of what has been ac-
complished, purebred live stock to the
value of 100000 have been purchased
In this country during the past six :
months by South American buyers to
whom the bureau gave assistance lead
Ing up to the sales.
Buys Purebreds in This Country.
Buyers of purebred live stock
throughout the world are coming in
increasing numbers to the United
States, where they are finding the
greatest number Of breeds and assur-
ance of every facility for obtaining
exactly the animals desired.
The general subjects of investiga-
ton by the bureau are:
1. The supply of agricultural prod
ucts in foreign markets and the ex-
port surplus in the principal foreign
countries with which the United States
completes.
2. The consumption and demands in
the principal importing countries.
8. The market preferences as to
kinds of products and the require
ments as to grading, packing and
branding.
4. The channels Of trade through
which the products pass and the bust
ness practice involved.
3. The methods and costs Of mar
keting both American and foreign
products.
6. Methods Of financing export
trade in agricultural products.
Z. The export forwarding, storage,
transportation, and insuring Of agricul-
tural products.
8. The economical conditions influ-
encing the marketing Of American ag-
ricultural products In foreign coun-
tries.
8. Trade opportunities for Ameri-
can agricultural products.
While few individual producers are
In a favorable position. on account Of
the limited volume Of their produce, to
enter foreign markets, growers who
are members Of cooperative organiza-
tfons find the bureaus service of great
value Not only Is general informa-
ZION accorded them upon request, but
sDacjfic jnOuirips are constantly an