BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS. 175 



tion relative to the efficiency of various methods of purchase and 

 sale. The material is almost tabulated and the preliminary release 

 about ready for publication. 



ANALYSIS OF COTTON MARGINS. 



Collection of data which will enable us to compute and analyze 

 the margins received by various functionaries in the marketing of 

 cotton and cotton cloths is now under way with the cooperation of 

 the Division of Cotton Marketing. The field work has been com- 

 pleted and a preliminary publication is about ready for release. 

 This publication will discuss the margins of the various agencies for 

 the period beginning 1915 and ending in 1922. A great deal of 

 interest has been manifested in this forthcoming report, and a large 

 number of inquiries have been received concerning it. Additional 

 margin studies which are now in progress will be continued. In- 

 cluded in these is the margin study in connection with the operation 

 of Center Market, Washington, D. C. 



TERMINAL MARKET CONDITIONS AFFECT COSTS OF MARKETING. 



Probably the most important work undertaken b}^ the division 

 during the year is the study of marketing fruits and vegetables in 

 New York City, with special reference to the factors which control 

 the costs of distribution. One mimeographed report has been issued, 

 entitled Terminal Conditions in New York as They Aifect the Costs 

 of Marketing Fruits and Vegetables. It is planned to publish fur- 

 ther information on this subject in the near future. These studies 

 are conducted in cooperation with the Port of New York Authority. 



ADMINISTRATION OF CENTER MARKET. 



C. W. Kitchen, Superintendent. 



Administration, C. H. Walleigh ; Meclianical Section, C. R. Mullen ; Cold 

 Storage, W. J. Capner; and Inspection, L. A. Delwig and G. A. Anthony. 



Operation of Center Market was undertaken by the department 

 on April 1, 1922, pursuant to an act of Congress approved March 

 4, 1921. The appraisal commission appointed by the President 

 under the provisions of this act filed its award on March 31, 1922, 

 in the amount of $960,250, covering the purchase of the buildings 

 and improvements at Center Market which had been made at the 

 expense of the Washington Market Co. Upon the date of filing the 

 award, 75 per cent of the amount was paid to the Washington 

 Market Co. and 25 per cent held, with interest at the rate of 5 per 

 cent per annum until paid, pending settlement of an appeal which 

 was immediately noted by the company. Briefs have been pre- 

 pared and filed by both sides with the Court of Appeals of the Dis- 

 trict of Columbia, but the case has not yet been heard. Informa- 

 tion obtained from the Department of Justice indicates that the 

 case will be set for hearing some time in October of this year. 



COLD-STORAGE WAREHOUSE AND REFRIGERATION SERVICE. 



Refrigeration is furnished by the Center Market power plant for 

 approximately 600,000 cubic feet of space. Slightly more than 



