BUEEAU OF ]\[ARKETS AND CROP ESTIMATES. 507 



from tlie inauguration of shipping-point inspection services by several 

 of the States. It is of the utmost importance that uniformity be ob- 

 served in the interpretation and application of the grades, so that they 

 may have a national influence in the orderly marketing of farm 

 products. 



EESEARCH STUDIES 1-N THE MAKKETING OF EBUITS AND VEGETABLES. « 



A study is being made of the organized fruit auction companies, 

 of whicli there are approximately 20 in the larger city markets. 

 Although it is estimated that auction companies handled about 

 $150,000,000 worth of fruit during the past year, very little is known 

 of the details of their organization and the extent to which they differ 

 in the functions performed or services rendered, or of their relative 

 efficiency in the handling of different classes of products. The ques- 

 tion of the extension of credits by auction companies and innumerable 

 details connected Avith their business management need to be brought 

 to light in order that their usefulness may be measured and that re- 

 forms in their control or methods may be brought about, if necessary. 



An intensive study is being made of the subject of the flnancing of 

 of the production of fruits and vegetables by distributors. The pur- 

 pose of this study is to ascertain to what extent and in what regions 

 growers are financed while producing a crop, either by distributors 

 and dealers or by banks, stores, or fertilizer companies; what crops 

 are so financed; what is the effect on distribution and prices; what 

 is the effect on production; and what is the relation of such financing 

 to growers' cooperative associations. 



Studies are being made also which aim to secure detailed informa- 

 tion on problems of production, supply, distribtition, and consump- 

 tion of various agricidtural commodities. These studies will enable 

 the department to furnish more timely and helpful forecast data to 

 serve as a basis for intelligent decisions on the part of producers in 

 the marketing of their 'products. 



MARKET NEWS SERVICE ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 



The division leader was assisted in this work by E. W. Stillwell. 



The telegraphic market news service on fruits and vegetables has 

 completed its seventh year of operation. During 1921 the program 

 of shipment reports included 36 important fruits and vegetables, but 

 this number was later reduced to 20, so that the work of the past fiscal 

 vear covered onlv the following commodities: 



Apples. Honey Dews. Spinach. 



Cabbage. Lettuce. Strawberries. 



Cantaloupes. Mixed deciduous fruit. Sweet potatoes. 



Casaba melons. Mixed vegetables. Tomatoes. 



Cauliflower. Onions. Watermelons. 



Celery. Peaches. White potatoes. 



Grapes. Pears. 



On 14 of these products complete daily market rejDorts were 

 issued in season. On the remainmg commodities only daily ship- 

 ment information was published. The complete reports include car- 

 lot shipments by States, the arrivals, cars on track, jobbing i)rices, 

 and general conditions in 10 or more of the leading markets, as well 

 as the f. o. b. prices and other shipping-point information. 



