506 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



for securing information as to condition and production of crops in 

 various foreign countries ; an analysis of the economic situation in 

 the live-stock industry and the development of plans leading to the 

 more orderly marketing of live stock ; a study of fruit auction com- 

 panies; the expansion of the work of collecting statistics of live- 

 stock production; the formulation and perfecting of grades and 

 standards for farm products; the inauguration of a shipping-point 

 inspection on fruits and vegetables; the development of the radio 

 news service; the inauguration of a grain news service; and the car- 

 rying out of the greatly increased activities under the United States 

 warehouse act. A detailed report covering the various activities 

 follows. 



DIVISION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 



The work of the Division of Fruits and Vegetables, which was 

 directed by Wells A. Sherman, included the following activities : 



Marketing of fruits and vegetables. 



Market news service on fruits and vegetables (including peanuts and hoi!i)ey>. 

 Market inspection of perishable foods (fruits and vegetables). 

 Enforcement of the standard container act. 



MARKETING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 



Tender this project are included two groups of investigations, those 

 relating to the formulation and promulgation of grades and stand- 

 ards for fruits and vegetables, conducted under the direction of 

 H. W. Samson, and research studies relating to the marketing of 

 fruits and vegetables, under the direction of A. D. Miller and Dr, 

 A. E. Cance. 



GRADES AND STANDARDS IN\'ESTIGATIONS. 



As a result of extensive field investigations and of tests under ac- 

 tual commercial conditions. Federal grades have now been formu- 

 lated and recommended for the following 14 products : 



Barreled apples. Cucumbers. Strawberries. 



Asparagus. Lettuce. Sweet potatoes. 



Cabbage. Bermuda onions. Tomatoes. 



Cauliflower. Northern-grown onions. White potatoes. 



^Celery. . Peaches. 



Tentative grades have also been recommended for shelled Spanish 

 peanuts. Studies are now being made on the basis of which it is 

 expected that grades for honey will be formulated. 



Investigation of standards for packing various products has been 

 continued. The general subject of preparing fruits and vegetables 

 for market has also engaged the attention of this project. Material 

 along these lines is being prepared for the use of extension workers, 

 as well as for classroom work in agricultural colleges. 



The technical staff has spent much time in the field assisting grow- 

 ers and shippers in the proper interpretation and use of grades which 

 have been promulgated. This work was carried on both indepen- 

 dently and in conjunction with State or local authorities. Demonstra- 

 tions'of the grades have been made at prominent shipping points in 

 a number of States, and the number of requests is increasing for such, 

 educational and practicaJ assistance. Much of this work has resulted 



