REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 5 



mote a fuller and more attractive rural life, add greatly to the con- 

 venience and economic welfare of all the people, and strengthen the 

 National foundations. 



BUREAU OF MARKETS. 



I have recommended in the estimates for the fiscal year 1918 that the 

 name of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization be changed to 

 " Bureau of Markets." The importance of the work and the size of 

 the organization fully justify this change, and there is widespread 

 sentiment throughout the country in favor of it. It is in the interest 

 of simplicity and convenience and will give the organization a title 

 by which it is already generally known. 



The work of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization has 

 developed very rapidly, and some notable results have been secured. 

 Definite assistance has been rendered to the fruit interests of the 

 States of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. An organiza- 

 tion composed of cooperative associations, corporations operating 

 for the producers, and individual growers was formed during the past 

 year. The purpose of the organization is to secure broader distri- 

 bution through the establishment of uniform grades and marketing 

 methods. Through it the fruit industry of the Northwestern States 

 should be placed upon a more efficient business basis. It comprises 65 

 per cent of the northwestern fruit industry, representing an invest- 

 ment of $150,000,000, and supporting approximately 20,000 growers. 

 This is probably the most important single activity in forming co- 

 operative organizations that has yet been undertaken by the depart- 

 ment. 



Well-tested systems of accounts and records for primary grain 

 elevators, for live-stock shipping associations, and for cooperative 

 stores have been issued. Systems for country creameries and cotton 

 warehouses have been devised and are being tested under commercial 

 conditions. Systems perfected by the department for farmers' coop- 

 erative elevators and for fruit and produce associations already are 

 in extensive use. A plan for adapting farmers' grain-elevator com- 

 panies to the patronage dividend basis has been worked out and 

 published. 



The issuance of monthly cold-storage reports on apples has been 

 continued, and the work has been extended to include butter, eggs, 

 and cheese. These reports show the cold-storage holdings through- 



