178 ANNUAL, REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGEICUL,rURE. 



present calendar year of the importance of keeping adequate records 

 of their business transactions in Center Market. Inadequate cost 

 records are believed to contribute largely to the hazards of retailing, 

 and it is felt that this requirement will be helpful to the dealers 

 in addition to furnishing useful data to the department. 



As an indication of the importance of Center Market in the dis- 

 tribution of foodstuffs in this city, these reports show that gross 

 sales, wholesale and retail, during the calendar year 1922 aggregated 

 $14,594,984. This amount does not include sales made by approxi- 

 mately 200 farmers using spaces on the farmers' line. No record 

 of tlieir sales is obtainable. 



MODERN EQUIPMENT REPLACING OBSOLETE STANDS. 



Nine stands wi-re remodeled at a cost of approximate!}^ $5,000 

 during the past year. A fish stand and bottled-goods stand were 

 constructed, and a wholesale meat stand enlarged and remodeled. 

 Four bakery stands, modern in every respect, and requiring the dis- 

 play of bakery products under glass, were recently completed. Re- 

 placement of depreciated and obsolete market stands with modem 

 equipment will probably form the chief item of expense in the per- 

 manent improvements at Center Market in the next few years. It- 

 is planned to install this much needed equipment as rapidly as earn- 

 ings warrant expenditures. 



MAKES FAIR RETURN ON INVESTMENT. 



From a financial viewpoint, the operation of Mie market has been 

 successful and a fair return upon the investment has been returned 

 to the Federal Treasurv. 



DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL FINANCE. 



V. N. Valgren, In Charge. 



Rural Private Finance, G. F. Cadiscii ; Rural Public Finance, C. O. Brannen ; 

 Rural Public Utilities, PI. S. Beardsley. 



AID IN FORMULATNG CREDIT LEGISLATION. 



Information and assistance was given to Congress during the year 

 in formulating and promoting the agricultural credit legislative 

 program which resulted in the agricultural credits act of 1923. This 

 act, based on very wide study, is of great benefit to farmers, as it 

 makes available personal credit at reasonable costs and for periods 

 of time needed to cover the relatively sIom^ tunlo^■er of crop and live- 

 stock production. 



AID IN IMPROVING STATE RURAL CREDIT LAWS. 



General studies of agricultural 1 credit and insurance have been 

 made in South Carolina in cooperation with Clemson College. In 

 connection with this work practical assistance has been given in im- 

 proving rural credit conditions in the State by proper amendment of 

 the laws, and the organization of additional farmers' fire insurance 

 companies in counties where none had hitherto existed. Siinilur 

 woi'k has been carried on in a number of other States. 



