REPORT OF BUREAU OF MARKETING AND SUPPLIES. I5I 



REPORT OF BUREAU OF MARKETING AND 



SUPPLIES. 



To Hon. J. A. Roberts, Commissioner: 



I have the honor to transmit herewith the annual report of 

 the Bureau of Marketing and SuppHes. 



The educational work in which the department has been 

 engaged since January, 1912, resulting in the organization of 

 60 local unions ; the organization of a state central body, known 

 as the Farmers Union of Maine, a wholesale feed and grain 

 business, and the Farmers Union Distributing Company of 

 Boston; the erection of 17 potato houses; the establishing of 

 three grocery stores, and the bringing about of better business 

 methods relative to the conduct of the financial end of farming, 

 took on a new life at the beginning of the year. The farmers 

 suddenly awoke to the fact that there had come among them a 

 force for good that was exceeding their fondest expectations. 



As a result of this increased interest the ability of the depart- 

 ment was taxed to such an extent that the dates for meetings 

 had to be fixed two or three weeks ahead. Finally, by the 

 direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. O. B. Abbott, 

 president of the North Penobscot Produce Exchange, Spring- 

 field, Maine, was secured as an assistant. Mr. Abbott rendered 

 valuable aid and as a result the work was carried along rapidly. 



In evidence of the great interest manifested by the growers 

 of the state it is interesting to note that since April i, 191 3, no 

 effort has been made to increase the number of unions, neither 

 have the farmers been solicited to join the association. The 

 reason for this can be seen by noting the dates of the unions 

 organized from January i, 1914, to planting time. 



UNIONS ORGANIZED FROM JANUARY I TO DECEMBER 3I, I914. 



Name of Union. Date of Organization. 



Morning Light Grange Farmers Union 



Sec, Frank P. Clement, Monroe, R. F. D. Jan. 5, 1914 



