Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-23

OF peanuts ana apples among tho
states Of tho Union. While there arc
twenty eight States that have more
acreage under cultivation than the
Old Dominion. only twenty ar. ahead
OF her in the total value OF all crops.
Last year Virginia produced more
than half Coz per cent? OF the total
early lr'eh potato crop. having
shipped more than 5000 cars The
Eastern Shore Is the mos: important
early potato section In the United
states. Virginia was only surpassed
in production of tobacco by Kentucky
ana North Carolina. Accomac and
northampton Counties are the richest
agricultural counties in the United
states. In fact. it may he claimed
that they have the highest crop-yalte
per acre OF farm land OF any county
IN u entire country. although there
arc Wty counties having 4 total crop
and 1.-Two stock value greater by viz
tue OF the fact that they have n great
er area in farms. The 1870 census
reports the value per acre OF all crops
and live stock in Accomac, sl2l.24. In
{l36.72. against ssl.i5
In Los Angeles County. Cal. and
Se3.io in Aroos;ock. Maine.
The State Department OF Agricul-
tEre is In close touch. through its
mailing list. with 5000 farmers In
Virginia. To these farmers IL scntis,
monthly bulletin, containing the
analysis OF fertilIzers and seeds, prac-
teal advice on farm work for the
month, and marketing Information
on an educational type together with
the FOR sale" list OF the Market Divi-
sion anording an opportunity for ex-
change OF farm products among the
farmers OF the State.
CO-OpcrntIve 3furkctinE.
virginia was the fifth State 10 in
troduce marketing of farm products
ms an official activity. There are now
r"aus of markets. The State Depart
ment OF Agriculture took the initial
steps for the enactment OF this inn
portant measure in Virginia Its COM
missioner was active In attendance
upon conferences seeking to present
scheme which, II adopted. would
substantially do for the farmers OF
me United states what the chambers
OF commerce and boards OF trade do
Tor commerce and finance. With
othc- pioneers seeking TO solve the
difficult agricultural conditions. he
believed the key was cooperative
marketing methods. Through tho
monthly bulletins. the press, the per-
soma! contact with the farmers OF
the state, no laid the foundation for
mo virginia Division OF Markets c.-
tablished within the Department az
Agriculture aud Immigration under
inc act OF the General Assembly Cch.
a'i' approved March 90, 1879 gen
efouSly ioStcrcd by members usi,:.
their best endeavors to serve farm
constituency. Tho director of tho
Division OF Markets is authorized TO
investigate the market demand for
the products cf Virginia farms; tie
location or the most profitable mar.
Eets' the transportation facilities:
the beat methods of packing, Eradir;v.
storing ana standRrdizing agricultur-
. products; 10 aid In the organiga-
tion or co-orerative associations
among farmers, and to disscmlnn;.
all possible information to farmers
as TO market prices.
To fulfill the end for which the
Division of Markets was crcated-tne
successful system OF marketing farm
prooucts-its management agreed
that organization comes first .rlrois
the preliminary activities OF the U-
vision were directed along the lines
or educating the people or leading
the farmers TO n realization or the
economic advantages OF organization.
Growers must organize before thew
can successfully market produce
with other great industries function
ing as unit. the farmer can no long
er pay the price of playing the lone
hand.
Before marketing as an Official ac-
tVity OF the Department OF AgrIcul
ture was authorized. there was thar
splendid organization on the Eastern
Shore OF Virginia. known az The
Eastern Shore OF Virginia Produce
Exchange" which was an ever-stimu-
latinG example to groups seeking 10
effect commodity organization for n
like economic advantage.