456 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and Fertilizer Materials in the United States as Reported for October 



1, 1917. . ' . . ■ V 



In addition to this general survey, a special inquiry was made, in 

 cooperation with the States Relations Service, through the county 

 agents, with regard to the immediate requirements for nitrate of 

 soda 



COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AND MARKETING. 



This work, which is under the supervision of Mr. C. E. Bassett, 

 has followed the lines laid down in previous years. The complexity 

 of the marketing problems to be solved by producers has been greatly 

 increased as a result of the war, and in many cases a solution can be 

 reached only by cooperative effort. 



Personal assistance in the solution of organization problems has 

 been given in 25 States as follows: To vegetable growers in Florida, 

 Rhode Island, and Alabama; potato growers in Montana, Nebraska, 

 and Pennsylvania; onion growers in Texas: citrus fruit growers in 

 Florida; dairy farmers in Maryland and Rhode Island; fruit growers 

 in the Pacific NortliM'est, Michigan, Maryland, and the New England 

 States; tobacco growers in Connecticut; honey producers in the 

 Intermountain States; hay growers in Now York; bean growers in 

 Colorado and New Mexico, and cotton growers in Arizona. In a 

 large number of instances assistance was given also by; means of 

 correspondence. Organization questions were discussed and ex- 

 plained at a number of farmers' meetings, short courses, conferences, 

 and conventions. • - 



Tiie organization of a number of farmers' grain elevators was 

 studied, and information was secured to be used in rendering assis- 

 tance to such organizations in the future. 



The survey of the extent of cooperation in the United States whi<?h 

 was started some years ago was continued, and information was 

 secured from a large number of farmers' organizations not hitherto 

 listed. This survey supplies valuable information relative to the 

 cooperative movement in the United States as a whole. 



, Ij MARKET SURVEYS, METHODS, AND. COSTS. 



of the work conducted under this project is done in con- 

 nection with the market news service on fruits and veietables, 

 that service having been based upon the information obtained in 

 the^e investigations. Tnis project is supervised by Mr. Wells A. 

 Sherman. Oving to the groat volume of work coincident with the 

 expansion of the market ne.vs service on fruits and ve.otables, these 

 investigations necessarily have been greatly restricted of late.' 



Through arrangements with the common carriers the Bureau of 

 Markets receives daily mail reports of shipments of fio^h or dried 

 fruits and vegetables originating on all of the important railroads 

 arid boat lines in the countjy. Approximately three-quarters of a 

 million carloads of 100 diflo'ont commodities uie now reported in this 

 manner each year. Tho^e re[)oi'ts are first assembled at seven of th« 

 permanent market stations at central points, and the totals are wire (I 

 tO' Washington for publication. A seniivvoekly bulletin is issued 

 regarding the shipment of all fruits and vegetables not covered by 

 the telegraphic market new;^ seivice. 

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