22 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



tion on shipments was also given to market centers. The 

 results of this work satisfied the growers, and at the close of 

 their season they asked that it be continued. The work was 

 continued during the season in other berry-producing sections, 

 and later in the season in various tomato, cantaloupe, and peach 

 producing areas. 



As a result of the successful experiences of last year, it was 

 believed that a general market news service was practicable 

 and early in 1916, arrangements were made for the service to 

 include more than half a dozen crops in addition to those 

 reported on last year. This enlarged service has been in opera- 

 tion since early spring, dealing with crop after crop, as the 

 shipping season was reached in each chief producing center. 

 Onions from Texas were added in April; asparagus was given 

 a limited service ; southern watermelons were taken up in early 

 summer ; and a partial service was rendered the pear and prune 

 shippers of the Northwest during the height of their shipping 

 season. Other crops which have been included are grapes, 

 peaches, cantaloupes, apples, and white potatoes. We feel that 

 the service as it now stands, although slight modifications at 

 times may be necessary, gives promise of meeting the needs of 

 the future as it grows in breadth and scope. 



It is the aim of the market news service to give information 

 of as many factors affecting marketing as practicable, to all 

 persons and organizations interested in the products reported. 

 The machinery of our office for collecting and distributing this 

 information consists of a staff of representatives in the prin- 

 cipal producing areas, another staff in the chief market centers, 

 and a central office staff in Washington. 



The division superintendents of all the railroads report by 

 telegraph to the Washington office each twenty-four hours, the 

 number of cars billed out in their respective divisions. The 

 field staff in the producing areas advises the Washington office 

 daily by telegraph of the general conditions in the area which 

 they are covering, including the weather, f. o. b. buying, con- 

 dition of the crop, prices paid, and any other information 

 which they consider pertinent to the deal which they are ob- 

 serving. The staff in the central market districts, of which 

 Boston is a fair representative, report daily to Washington the 

 arrivals, market conditions, weather, wholesale prices, and any 



