370 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



for success in the conducting of these enterprises a complete analysis 

 of the entire business career was made of the 21 representative can- 

 neries. The information thus obtained shows clearly that the busi- 

 ness of a cooperative cannery is ordinarily a hazardous one, and 

 that there are certain fundamental requirements, such as the neces- 

 sary amount of green goods, proper management, and sufficient 

 capital, to make the organization a success. The material collected 

 in this survey is available for those considering the establishment 

 of a cannery. 



Material was also secured from which a cost system of accounts 

 for fruit and vegetable canneries is being prepared, the lack of proper 

 accounting systems being one of the weakest points in these organi- 

 zations. By securing a simple yet comprehensive and complete 

 cost system of accounts which can be used by the smaller canneries 

 generally, this business will be placed upon a much more stable basis 

 and accurate statistics can be secured, the analysis of which will 

 indicate changes necessary for the improvement of the business opera- 

 tions of these organizations. 



MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES. 



An investigation was made of one of the oldest and most successful 

 cooperative cheese-selling associations in the United States, as it was 

 thought that a knowledge of the method of conducting this business 

 would be of great value to the cooperative cheese factories through- 

 out the United States. A plan was outlined for the organization 

 of the hop growers in the States of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho 

 into three State associations which are affiliated into a central selling 

 association, this work being done by the field agent located at the 

 Oregon State Agricultural College, working in cooperation with this 

 office. 



The aim of all the activities under Marketing Business Practice is 

 to increase the business efficiency of individuals, cooperative organi- 

 zations, and concerns engaged in the marketing, distributing, and 

 storing of agricultural products. Any improvement in business 

 methods means more economical conduct, resulting in smaller mar- 

 gins and better returns to producers and a lessening of costs to con- 

 sumers. 



The work of this project has been directed by Mr. W. H. Kerr, 

 assisted by Messrs. G. A. Nahstoll, J. E. Humphrey, J. W. Boies, 

 field agent, and Dr. Hector Macpherson, field agent, the last two 

 being located in Oregon, in cooperation with the Oregon State Agri- 

 cultural College. 



MARKET SURVEYS, METHODS AND COSTS. 



STUDY OF MARKET METHODS. 



Procedure. — During the summer and fall of 1914 surveys of mar- 

 keting conditions were made in 23 important central and northern 

 markets. A study was made of the machinery and marketing meth- 

 ods employed in each market to determine the usual and necessary 

 number of handlings before farm products, especially perishables, 

 reach the consumer. A special study Avas made of the methods of 

 handling and marketing cantaloupes and apples. 



