BUREAU OF MARKETS. 447 



As reported last year, a ropresentative of the hiircan was sent to 

 Europe in June, 1916, wliere he made preliminary studies for several 

 months in the United Kin^jdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, and 

 Spain, in cooperation with Amei'ican diplomatic, consular, and com- 

 mercial officers in Euroi)e. The studies inchided tlie prevailinj^ 

 market conditions, tradesmen's organizations in grain, cotton, and 

 other commodities; warehouses, wharf facilities, and central and 

 retail markets for meats and other perishable products. The market- 

 ing of American grain, cotton, fruit, and nuts received special atten- 

 tion. 



Throughout the year, by arrangement with the State Department, 

 reports of Italian lemon shipments to the United States have been 

 received by cable and disseminated in the United States. 



Early in June a representative of the bureau was sent to investigate 

 the fresh, dried^ and canned fruit markets in China, Japan, Eastern 

 Siberia, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. Tlie investi- 

 gation is being made in cooperation with the Consular Service of the 

 Department of State and the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com- 

 merce of the United States Department of Commerce. The limited 

 supply of suitable tonnage for this trade has been a discouraging 

 factor. Through the efforts of the representatives of the bureau, the 

 Canadian Pacific Line, foreseeing a reflected benefit in the Canadian 

 fruit industry, agreed to cooperate with the bureau by making avail- 

 able to the shippers of the Pacific Xorthwest sufficient tonnage for 

 their requirements during the coming season. 



FRUIT TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE. 



Pending the transfer of the work on fruit transportation and 

 storage, under Mr. H. J. Ramsey, to the Bureau of Markets, the work 

 has been conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant In- 

 dustry. The work for the fiscal year 1917 will be rej)orted by that 

 bureau. 



MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS. 



The following publications have been issued in connection with 

 the work on marketing and distributing farm products: Service and 

 Eegulatory Announcements No. 21, Suggestions for an Act to Es- 

 tablish a Division of Marketing in Any State (in cooperation with 

 the Office of the Solicitor) ; Markets Document 5, The Marketing of 

 Canning Club Products; and Markets Document 6, Distribution and 

 Utilization of the Garden Surplus. 



FOOD SUPPLY INVESTIGATIONS. 



In accordance with an item contained in the last agricultural ap- 

 propriation act, plans have been formulated for an investigation, in 

 cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission, of the cost of pro- 

 duction and of the marketing, manufacture, and distribution of live 

 stock and meats and the principal grains entering into food. Data 

 concerning the cost of production are being collected from records 

 of the department, the State experiment stations, and producers in 

 various parts of the country, and representatives are in the field 



