Smyrna times., 1928-12-19
STATE MARKET BUREAU PROVES
OF GREAT VALUE To GROWERS
MARKETING OF DELAWARE PRO-
DUCE MADE EASIER BY SURVEY
Grading of Fruit, Standardized Con-
tainers, and Apple Branding Law
and Improved Shipping Facilities

and Improved Shipping Facilities
There have been increased activities
in each line of work conducted by the
Bureau of Markets, of the State Board
of Agriculture, and all lines have
been greatly expanded during the past
year according to w. T. Derickson, di-
rector of the bureau. The market
news service, standardization of grad
es, the Organization and transporta-
tion assistance, shipping point inspec-
tion, apple grading and poultry work
conducted by the Bureau of Markets
have made splendid progress during
1928. Daily calls are made upon the
bureau to furnish assistance in mark
ing crops and this has resulted in
furnishing a great stimulant to farm
ers and the marketing of their pre-
news service, Mr.. Derickson said: "Be-
ginning with asparagus and continu-
ing throughout the produce season,we
furnish special market information,
which is received regularly by tele-
graph, telephone and radio from the
largest receiving centers throughout
the East, as well as many of the
smaller cities. This information var
les according to the commodities In
which Delaware growers and shippers
are interested, and covers the number
of cars on track of any given product,
the prevailing prices, whether the
supplies are light or heavy, and
whether the market is strong or
weak"
Methods to Aid Farmers and Brokers
In speaking of the methods used to
aid farmers and produce brokers, to
get together, Mr.. Derickson said:
Through our organization assistance
we are in position to furnish, and do
furnish upon request, specific infor-
nation regarding the organization
and operation of various cooperative
organizations. We make a supreme
effort to place full information before
any group of growers who contem-
plate forming an association in order
that they may be fully acquainted
with the causes of failure and the
causes of success, and may thereby
receive the benefit of the experience
of other organizations formed along
the same lines which they contem-
plate: In our transportation assis-
tance, we are frequently consulted by
shippers regarding the many prob
lens such as routing, icing, procuring
of cars, and delivery of cars. We ex-
ert every effort to obtain the best and
most efficient transportation, so that
Delaware growers may have the adj
vantage Of getting their products to
market in the best condition and in
the shortest possible time"
Standardized Containers and Branding
In commenting on the value of
Standardization of containers for farm
products, Mr.. Derickson spoke of a
bill fixing standards for hampers
passed by Congress at its last ses-
sion. In his opinion, this standard
greatly reduces the number of odd
sizes and should simplify the pacg-
age problem. In speaking of stand
ardization of grades is an important
problem in the marketing of farm
products as well as in the marketing
of any other product We believe that
shipping point inspection has been of
the greatest possible value in this
work, and the fact that an ever in
creasing amount of graded products
is being shipped from this State is
concrete evidence of the success of
our efforts" According to Mr.. Der
ickson, the apple marking or branding
law passed by the last Legislature,
which compels every apple grower to
GRAND the baskets with the owners
name and address and the true variety
of the apple in a closed container, has
met with the immediate approval and
support of practically 100 per cent of
the growers. This, in spite of the
fact that the law has only been in
force one year