430 AXNUAL r.EPOETS OF DEPAETMEXT OF AGRICULTURE. 



COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AND MARKETING. 



This work during tlie latter part of the fiscal year ended June 30, 

 1911), was supervised by IMr. O. B. Jesness, succeeding Mr. C. E. Bas- 

 sett, who resigned "in December, 1918. 



Personal assistance has been given in the solution of many organi- 

 zation problems : for example, assistance Avas given to dairy farmers 

 in New England in preparing organization plans, and work of the 

 same character was done with peanut growers in Virginia and North- 

 Carolina, bean producers in New York and Colorado, and potato 

 growers in Michigan, 



Organization problems were discussed and explained at a numlicr 

 of general gatherings, such as farmers' week and farm bureau meet- 

 ing's. Existing organizations were lielped, and information relative 

 to organization questions was supplied to a large number of individ- 

 uals in this way. 



A number of cooperative marketing organizations were visited to 

 obtain information with regard to their form of organization, method 

 of operation and problems encountered, and the general survey of 

 cooperation in tlie United States, started some years ago. was con- 

 tinued. 



State cooperative laws were studied and suggestions in regard to 

 such legislation were given upon request. The suggested cooperative 

 law published in Service and Regulatory Announcements No. 20 

 (1917) has formed tlie basis for at least two State laws in force at 

 the iDresent time, and the legislature of a third State has passed a 

 similar law v.diich has just been approved by the governor. 

 Similar legislatio]i has been under consideration in other States dur- 

 ing recent sessions of tlic legislatures. 



CITY MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION. 



Concentration of public interest on the high co.st of food during 

 the past year has caused a number of municipalities to take under 

 consideration the matter of publicly owned retail markets as a means 

 for obtaining lower prices and more efficient distribution. As a 

 result, the project " City Marketing and Distribution," under the 

 leadership of Mr. G. V. Branch, has been called upon during the fiscal 

 year for surveys, information, and advice in regard to food distribu- 

 tion problems. Work of this nature has been carried on in Cleveland. 

 Akron, and Toledo, Ohio; Jacksonville, Key "West, Miami, and St. 

 Augustine, Fla. ; Indianapolis, Ind. ; Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Rich- 

 mond, Va. In the city last named a comprehensive program for 

 th.e betterment of its public market system was formulated and 

 plans were furnished for the improvement of existing structures 

 and for the installation of refrigeration and cold-storage facilities. 

 The results of this work should be useful in solving comparable 

 problems in other communities. Information and advice also have 

 been given to other municipal governments and to market commit- 

 tees, farmers' organizations, and others. 



Studies made in various cities indicate that meats and dairy prod- 

 ucts may be handled in their public markets at less expense to tlie 

 dealer than in outside stores. Th.e problem remains, and is receiv- 

 ing earnest attention, to see that the consumers p«uticipatc in the 

 savings effected bv ihe dealers. 



