BUREAU OF MARKETS. 533 



other means for effectively and graphically presenting the work in 

 iill parts of the country. 



The Market Reporter. — The first issue of The Market Reporter 

 appeared on January 3, 1920. Its publication was undertaken be- 

 cause it was desired to have a medium for the presentation in con- 

 venient form of marketing information of both general and special 

 interest, and of current as well as permanent value for the use of 

 producers, dealers, and consumers. The large number of favorable 

 comments received from the readers of the publication is very en- 

 couraging, and although it is only a few months old, it has clearly 

 demonstratetl its usefulness and has come to occiip}- an important 

 place as a source of market information that heretofore has been 

 inaccessible, or not available in convenient form. For the time being, 

 it is sent free to anyone who individually requests it and indicates a 

 need for it. The information contained in The Market Reporter 

 reaches a great many readers because its articles are copied or quoted 

 Avidely by magazines, rural and trade papers, and by the daily press. 

 As the bureau desires to make The Market Reporter of maximum 

 practical value, an inquiry will be made to determine the use that 

 is made of the information published in its columns and the occu- 

 pation of its readers. Wherever this study may indicate the desira- 

 bility of so doing, changes in form or in character of information 

 published will be made. 



Studies of the cost of marketing. — Information regarding the cost 

 of marketing must be available to supplement data concerning the 

 cost of i)roduction. Exact, dependable information should be at 

 hand showing what proportion of the consumer's dollar is received 

 by the producer and the various marketing agencies, and indicating 

 the economic justification for the existence of each link in the chain 

 of marketing. 



The retail marketing of meat is now being studied and it is hoped 

 that this work can be completed at an early date. A survey of the 

 nuirketing of milk and potatoes which has recently been instituted 

 will be prosecuted with all possible vigor, and efforts will be made 

 to determine the cost of marketing certain products through farmers' 

 cooperative marketing associations. Effective steps should be taken 

 to obtain information which may make it possible for cooperative 

 organizations to improve their operating methods and it is believed 

 that a comparison of their marketing costs Avith the costs of in- 

 dividual firms or corporations .selling the same product may throw 

 much ligiit on the relative efficiency of the two. 



The use of uniform, suitable accounts by various types of market- 

 ing agencies would be of great assistance in obtaining dependable 

 data regarding the cost of marketing and should be the means of 

 effecting important economies. Every effort, therefore, will be made 

 to promote the use of the accounting systems already published and 

 to hurry to completion those which have been partially finished. 

 Suitable forms of accounts will be suggested to the industries whose 

 costs are studied. 



Compilation of market statifitics. — Realizing the desirability of 

 having in available form up-to-date, accurate, and complete sta- 

 tistics concerning the marketing of agricultural products, steps 

 weio taken during the year to foi-m a statistical section in the Imreau. 

 In the coui'so of oni' work, (^specially in connection with the market 



