BUREAU OF MARKETS. 435 



MAIL RKPORTS OF SHIPMENTS. 



The reports of carload movement of fruits and vegetables in the 

 United States have been continued and extended. Eighty commodi- 

 ties are now covered, and it is estimated that these reports represent 

 from 75 to 80 per cent of the total movement of fruits and vegetables 

 in this country. 



MARKET PREFERENCES. 



Investigators and the progressive element of the trade have al- 

 ways been convinced of the importance of market preferences in 

 marketing and distributing perisliable fruits and vegetables. These 

 preferences have developed largely through custom, and yet it is 

 unwise for a shipper to disregard market preferences in placing upon 

 the market varieties, packages, or grades other than those to which 

 the consuming public in a given city or territory is accustomed. A 

 study is under way covering the following commodities: Apples, 

 potatoes, peaches, onions, cantaloupes, tomatoes, grapes, sweet po- 

 tatoes, and grapefruit, as it was felt that the markets have developed 

 distinct preferences on these commodities. The points upon which 

 information was secured included the demand in each city for varie- 

 ties, colors, sizes, grades, and packages. 



CONSUMING CAPACITIES OF DIFFERENT MARKETS. 



Records have been collected in 12 cities on 12 commodities, and in 

 20 cities on 8 of these commodities, which will form the basis for an 

 interesting and useful further statistical study of consuming ca- 

 pacities of different markets. The records already collected are being 

 tabulated and placed in shape for future use. 



METHODS OF MARKETING 



A study has been made of the prevailing methods of marketing 

 employed in the most important producing regions for peanuts, 

 beans, and potatoes, as well as the distribution of Northwestern boxed 

 apples, as shown by detailed figures secured during two marketing 

 years. The detailed records of receipts and prices have been con- 

 tinued and the list of commodities covered has been extended. 



During the year two publications have been issued as a result of 

 these marketing investigations, Department Bulletin 401, Marketing 

 and Distribution of Western Muslnnelons in 1915, and Department 

 Bulletin 477, Mjirketing and Distribution of Strawberries in 1915. 



:market grades axd standards. 



Under the joint direction of ^Mr. C. T. More and Mr. ^Y. M. Scott, 

 the grades and standards work has been extended to cover more 

 territory and additional crops, including a more detailed study of 

 fruit and vegetable packing houses and packing-house equipment, 

 and the effect of different methods of handling upon the physical 

 condition of the fruit. Also, experimental and demonstrational in- 

 spection work has been conducted to encourage better handling 

 methods and to facilitate the marketing of certain crops. 



