The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-15
Common Carriers, Farm
Market Units Cooperate

potatoes to New York city. But be-
fore he ships, he likes to know how
many potatoes are already en- hand
at that market. If the Jew York
market appears to be glutted it may
be more profitable for him to ship
to Philadelphia or Boston. The in
formation furnished the market
reporters by the carriers is
promptly and widely disseminated by
the Agricultural Marketing service.
"A mail service is conducted
whereby the Agricultural Marketing
service receives direct from local
station agents monthly mail reports
of the forwarding of II commodities,
including those reported by wire,
Which makes it possible to map the
entire country SO as to show exact
points of origin of the more import
ant classes of fruits and vegetables,
accurate quantities shipped of each
class for each shipping point in
every producing area, and statistical
information which is invaluable in
the distribution of farm products.
These data are the basis for the
state, county, and Billing Station
Report-one of the most important
sources of statistical information
used by the fruit and vegetable in
dustry.
"All of the 'carlot shipment re-
ports include quantities of fresh
fruits and vegetables carried by rail
or boat in intra- and interstate COM.
merce. For example, potatoes Ship
ped b. boat from S~earsport, Maine,
to Baltimore, Md, would be shown
on the daily or weekly report as car
lot shipments;' that is, the total
number of sacks is converted to the
carlot equivalent on a uniform basis.
Actually, these boat shipments rep
resent quantities that are hauled to
the docks trucks, for any rail
movement to the docks in reported
by the railroads.
"In addition to the reports on
fresh fruits and vegetables, the
transportation lines report to the
livestock market news offices of the
Agricultural Marketing service the
carlot shipments of livestock re-
ceiVed at Chicago, Kansas City,
Omaha, st. Paul, East st. Louis, and
Fort Worth. This information is
the basis for an early morning live
stock market report showing re-
ceipts of cattle, hogs, sheep, and
mixed livestock. The report
further broken down to show re-
ceipts Of salabIe livestock and total
stockyards unloads.
"AIany efforts are being made to
get similar information ON move
ment by trucks. But truck informa-
ton is difficult to obtain. Hundreds
of companies operate only a few
trucks. Many truckers engage o1ly
in intra-state commerce, and IL !
only for short haulS. A large num-
Der operate for only a few months
OF the year. The Agricultural Mar
keting service does collect from the
trucking companies the quantity of
fresh fruits and vegetables unloaded
at u important markets. These fig
ures cover practically all of the re-
ceipts by truck at both the Nhole-
sale and the farmers markets in
each city. 1t is impossible, however,
to obtain either actual or estimated
figures Of stocks hauled direct to
consumers or retail stores. The
gathering of more complete statistics
on truck shipments is q big prob
lem that remains to be solved, but
progress is being made.
1.-THE carriers are frequently call
ed upon to furnish special types of
information not included in the reg
ular reports. Perhaps it may be a
request for statistics dealing with
the quantity of a commodity shipped
only in Interstate commerce. Or if
may be diversion of passing-point IN
formation that is needed. Prompt
cooperation in complying with these
special requests has been an irvalu-
able factor in formulating individual
and public marketing plans and pro-
grams.