The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
RADIO BEING USED. BY MANY FARMERS F0R MARKET NEWS
Greatest Interest Shown in Grain Reports, Commerce Department Finds-En-
 tire Country Covered

WASHINGTON, March 1S.--Farm CTS are making use of the radio in obtaining market reports. Nation wide practical use of these reports sent broadcast by the United States department of agriculture is indi- cated in a survey just completed. Nearly 50 per cent of the hundreds of returns to an inquiry sent out by radio were from farmers who had radio receiving equipment. The re- mainder of the returns were from grain dealers, mills, elevators, banks, telephone companies, cooperative organizations. farm bureaus and other agencies which disseminate the reports among large groups Of farmefs.
 Greatest interest was shown in the grain market reports, which inform farmers of wheat, corn and oats prices at the leading grain markets. Next in importance came the live stock reports of prices and move ments at principal live stock mar kets of the country. The weather re- ports came next, followed by reports on poultry products. fruits and vege- tables, dairy products, hay, cotton and other farm crops
 Used in Grain Beits.
 Radio had developed more rapidly in the middle west in the corn, wheat and live stock growing regions than in other farm sections. the survey shows. Missouri, Illinois and Iowa lead in nurber of responses. Many farmers in this territory own radio equipment. and praise the practical value of the service. In other sec tions farmers congregate at central points to get the radio reports, but an increasing disposition toward in- stallation of sets for private use is indicated.
 This is the. first survey made by the department to determine how widely it's radio market reports are being received and used by farmers, and affords much valuable informa- tion for developing the service to the maximum of efficiency. It has been known in a general way that the service has been of value to producers and other agricultural in- terests in the marketing of crops and to consumers through the regu- lating of market supplies. but defi- nite data were not available until developed by the present survey.
 O O o
 Covers Country.
 The department practically covers the country with it's radio market hSW SS any ldlHCIo every WHCT0 are using the service to aid them in con- ducting the business end of their industry. In the replies numerous farmers gave instances of specific savings resulting from use of the information, one farmer declaring that he regarded radio as direct gift from God" Numerous general stores and banks in small towns say that establishment of their places of business as a central point for re- ceiving the reports had resulted in tremendously increased business in many directions. The service has had far-reaching results other than re- moving the isolation which sur rounds rural dwellers by reason of their location from centers of &C., tivity, and the bringing of vital mar ket data to farmers with almost inn measurable speed.
 The survey shows there are now few places in rural districts where people congregate even in small groups that are without the benefits of radio. Agricultural leaders see in this the development of true com munity spirit which forms large part of the base of agricultural pros- .perity. The department of agricul- ture is much gratified at the popu- larity and practical value of the radio market news and is now mak- ing plans for the further develop ment and utilization of the service.