Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-12-21
Of Benefit to Producers and
Consumers, Says Depart
ment of Agriculture.

Prepared By the United states Department
Of Agrieuhure.)
The orderly marketing Of farm
products that is proving of direct bene-
ct to both producers and consumers
is being greatly stimulated by the
Improved marketing practices extend
ed BY federal market investigators
during the past year. the United States
Department Of Agriculture announces.
Among the improvements that have
shown the greatest expansion are the
inspection Of farm products at ship
ping points, use OF standard grades,
Increased use OF warehouse facilities
under federal supervision, cooperative
marketing, and prompt distribution Of
market news.
The shipping point inspection serv-
Ice enables farmers to have their
products inspected at loading points
by state inspectors licensed and super
vised by the Department Of Agricul-
ture. Cooperative arrangements for
such service have been made in 25
states. providing inspection at more
than 600 leading shipping points IN
spections during the past year totaled
more than 1900 cars of fruits and
vegetables. OF this number, lnspec-
tlons In Colorado aggregated $4,000
cars; California was next with $4,000
cars; Idaho. 1900 cars; Washington,
1900 cars, and New Jersey, 1900 cars.
Keeps Out inferior Products.
The shipping point inspection serv-
Ice Is exerting a large influence in
keeping inferior quality products out
Of the channels Of trade, In addition
to providing shippers with an official
record that is recognized in United
States courts as prima facie evidence
Of the condition Of the products, the
department says. The result is bet
ter use Of transportation. better dis
tributlon. lower cost Of marketing.
higher net returns to farmers, and
higher grade Of food to consumers.
The service is also tending to place
marketable products on shipping
point purchase basis.
Tentative standard grades were pre-
pared during the year for prunes.
apricots, boxed pears and boxed ap-
pies. and studies were made looking
toward the preparation of grades for
sweet peppers. The total number OF
fruits and vegetables for which
grades have been prepared was thus
brought up to II. Approximately 81
per cent Of the national potato crop is
now sold on the basis Of the federal
grades, the department says. The de
partment's aim Is to prepare grades
for all farm products so that a com
mon trade language can be evolved
that will be understood in al parts
Of the country. Much confusion that
has tended to increase waste and mar
keting costs has resulted from the
use of multitude of terms TO describe
the various grades and quality Of farm
products.
Use for More Warehouses.
There has been greater use of ware
houses for Farm products and larg-
er increase in the number Of ware
houses coming under federal super
vision under the terms of the United
| States warehouse act, than ever be-
fore, the department announces. Cred
1t for this healthy development that
makes for more orderly marketing as
determined by consumptive needs Is,
given largely to the bankers Of the
country who have Indicated their will
ingness to lend money to farmers, the
loans being secured by warehouse re
ceipts. Demands are pouring in on
the department for the licensing of
warehouses for products such as po-
tatoes, beans and broomcorn. and
work in that direction is now being
undertaken.
Approximately 10000 farmer coop
erative organizations with a member
ship OF more than 100000 farmers
are now actively operating in the
United States, the department says
As result Of the departments stud
les Of cooperative principles and prae-
tices both in the United States and
abroad. the principles Of successful
cooperation are now fairly well IN
derstood, and food producers all over
the country are applying them TO their
business. The department is regarded
as the leading authority on this sub
ject. the Information developed being
widely disseminated through agricul-
tural extension services. county
agents. and the press.
Farmers Keep In Touch.
Extension Of the federal market
news service by telegraph and radio
during the year now makes 1t pos
sible for farmers anywhere TO keep