DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 105 



The Michigan Milk Producers' Association was formed at the College, 

 May 23d, as a direct result of this department's activity. The organiza- 

 tion was formed at a meeting attended by nearly 500 milk producers from 

 44 dairy centers of southern Michigan. One hundred producers became 

 charter members and contributed .$500 to the organization fund. Since 

 the initial meeting this department has had frequent conferences with 

 the officers of the state association and has helped to elaborate plans for 

 putting a field secretary at w^ork and for organizing locals in all milk 

 producting sections, after plans proposed by the Federal Office of Mar- 

 kets, and rural organizations. 



Early in the crop season of 1916 the fruit growers in the Michigan 

 grape belt called upon this department for aid in forming a federation 

 which would reduce the" amount of competition among local marketing 

 associations. Five conferences have been held and a general program 

 elaborated which, it is believed, will result in a strong central organiza- 

 tion that will direct grape marketing so that both producer and con- 

 sumer will profit. 



Aid has been rendered the live stock shippers of the State by laying 

 before transportation officials and members of the State Railroad Com- 

 mission, vital facts bearing upon the handling and shipping of Michigan 

 live stock. Conditions at the Michigan Central yards have been im- 

 proved. 



Grading rules and regulations from different parts of the country and 

 for different products have been collected, that the information may be 

 at hand, and can be used as a basis for the standardization of Michigan 

 farm crops. A tentative set of rules for peaches has been prefjared and is 

 the subject of conferences with the peach growers of the State. 



Under the statute 74 agricultural meetings and conferences of those 

 interested in cooperating market organizations have been attended. 



Five formal bulletins have been issued. The topics covered in these 

 were : 



(1) The Bean Outlook; (2) The Wool Market; and (3) Suggestions 

 for Forming Milk Producers' Associations. 



Four circular letters have been mailed to producers; and seven news- 

 letters to the newspapers of the State; and more than a thousand per- 

 sonal letters have been written. 



Mailing lists for the different projects taken up have been compiled, 

 and other lists for projects soon to be taken on, are under way. 



Beginning May 1, 1016, the apjiointment of Mr. R. H. Elswortli was 

 made, as Assistant to the Director of Markets. His experience in pub- 

 licity matters and services in cooperative marketing are valuable to the 

 office. 



That tlie P\'deial Office of Markets is recommending the general plan 

 of tlie Michigan stitute in state and federal agencies of agriculture, is 

 a strong approval of the plan of the legislative act creating this office. 



The total expense of the office of the Director of Markets for the past 

 fiscal year was .*ii'2,521 .84. The items making up tlie amount are: 



