BEPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 7 



mary and discussion of the returns, together with data on economic 

 factors affecting the cost of marketing and distribution, has been 

 published. A preliminary investigation of the sources, accuracy, 

 and use of market reports on live stock and meats has been made. 

 The results of this study also have been published and have been 

 utilized in the development of plans for the organization of a 

 demonstration market news service for live stock similar to that 

 now conducted for perishable crops. An appropriation of $65,000 

 has been made available for the purpose. Other subjects which 

 received attention are public abattoirs, transportation of live stock, 

 organization and methods of the wholesale meat-packing industry, 

 and local marketing of live stock and meats. 



Surveys have been made of the marketing facilities for agricultural 

 products in nine cities and advice has been given regarding the loca- 

 tion, establishment, and management of municipal retail and whole- 

 sale public markets. Detailed studies also have been made of local 

 conditions in other cities. The department now is prepared to fur- 

 nish a model design for a public retail market, with the cost, fully 

 equipped, estimated on the basis of square feet. Designs of model 

 steel sheds for use on open farmers' markets also are available. 



Investigations concerning methods of handling and grading per- 

 ishable products and the practicability of the standardization of the 

 products and their containers have progressed rapidly. Tentative 

 grades for sweet potatoes of Arkansas and Bermuda onions of Texas 

 have been worked out and adopted by the local growers' associations. 

 Several standardization laws, Federal and State, have been enacted 

 during the year. The most significant Federal legislation in this 

 field is the United States Grain Standards Act. Congress also has 

 established the 2, 4, and 12 quart sizes, with certain dimensions, as 

 standards for Climax baskets for grapes and other fruits and vege- 

 tables, as well as the dry-measure one-half pint, pint, quart, or mul- 

 tiples of the quart as standards of capacity for baskets or other 

 containers for small fruits, berries, and vegetables. 



Preliminary plans have been formulated for the investigation of 

 foreign markets for American farm products and for assistance in 

 the development of the export trade under normal conditions. A 

 representative of the department recently conducted investigations 

 in Europe along this line. The work, in so far as possible, will be 



