378 DEPARTME]SITAL REPORTS. 



keep a careful watch for any change in conditions that may affect the 

 sale there of American products. Within the past few years the 

 countries that are our most active competitors in tlie Britisli market, 

 and especially Australasia and Canada, have taken additional meas- 

 ures to develop their agricultural expoi't trade, and with sucli success 

 as to render their comx)etition a more serious matter than ever before. 



AGENT STUDYING BRITISH IMPORTS. 



In view of this growing competition the office has sent an agent to 

 the United Kingdom to investigate at close range the present trade 

 situation there, and especiallj^ the relative status in that market of 

 exports received from the United States and from competing countries. 

 The facts brought out by these investigations will be published in 

 special reports. It is hoped that much timely infoi-mation will thus 

 be made available regarding the steps our competitors are taking to 

 secure a larger share of the British trade and that suggestions will be 

 offered of decided helpfulness to American exporters in meeting such 

 competition. 



IMPORTANCE OF AGENTS ABROAD. 



As the competitive struggle for foreign business increases it becomes 

 necessary to regard more carefully the special requirements of the 

 markets sought and to give closer attention to the details of trade 

 methods. It is believed that properly qualified agents stationed 

 abroad can render valuable service in supplying information needed 

 along these lines. 



Not only should there be expert agents in the leading countries of 

 importation to study and report upon the condition of the markets 

 there and the opportunities they afford for trade extension, but it is 

 likewise desirable to liave competent representatives of the Depart- 

 ment in the principal exporting countries for the purpose of procuring 

 exact information as to the methods employed by our competitors in 

 preparing produce for shipment and also regarding the measures they 

 take to preserve that produce in good condition during transit from 

 place of origin, to final destination. 



The leading agricultural countries with which we are obliged to 

 comf)ete are adopting this plan. The}' are sending their agents not 

 only to the principal importing countries for the purpose of keeping 

 in touch witli the changing conditions of foreign markets, but also to 

 the foremost exporting countries in order that they may profit by 

 having knowledge of the latest and best export methods used by their 

 competitors. The United States would undoubtedly find a similar 

 policy of decided advantage. 



In this connection it should be stated that the special agent the 

 Department recently sent to Argentina for the purpose i^rimarily of 

 investigating the cattle industry there has incidentally rendered this 

 office considerable service by securing information regarding Argen- 

 tine export methods. 



All possible steps will be taken by the office to extend its facilities 

 for conducting investigations of this character in order that informa- 

 tion obtainable only b}^ personal inquiry abroad may be placed at the 

 disposal of our exporters. It is doubtful if the means provided for 

 carrying on the work of this office can be more profitably utilized 

 than in the quest for such information. 



