326 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



MARKETS AND MARKETING. 



Outline of remarks of John C. Orcutt, Boston, Mass. 



I. Introduction. 



Before becoming connected with the Boston Chamber of 

 Commerce as Secretary of that organization's Committee on 

 Agriculture some two years ago, I Avas actually engaged in 

 farming in Windsor county, Vermont, where I had considerable 

 experience, not only in the producing of farm products, but in 

 the selling of milk, cream, butter, eggs, hay and potatoes in the 

 smaller towns in the southern part of Vermont and in the Bos- 

 ton market. I am somewhat familiar, therefore, with many of 

 the difficulties that a producer has to run up against. The Com- 

 mittee on Agriculture of the Boston Chamber of Commerce has 

 as its policy, to help New England agriculture in practical ways 

 where it can be of assistance and not duplicate the work of any 

 existing agency. Our particular province seems to be the coor- 

 dinating of the work of the various state and private agencies 

 already in existence and giving especial attention to the mar- 

 keting end. 



For the past two years I have tried to become familiar with 

 some of the practices in the distribution of food products, and 

 with representatives of the so-called ^'commission houses." I 

 do not feel that I am competent to discuss the situation from 

 all its phases as an expert, but will tell you something of the 

 market conditions as I have seen them. I have planned to talk 

 for about half an hour on the general subject, and then will be 

 glad to answer any questions which you may have in mind, as 1 

 came here to learn some of your problems as well as to tell you 

 of some of the conditions in the market so that we, in working 

 together, can perhaps bring out light which will guide us towards 

 planning more efficient ways than are in force at present. 



