IM9] SURAL BOOXrOMIOB. 489 



appliances for handling Ice and Id the location and proper construction of icing 

 platforms. Pish, milk, live poultry, and live stock each require a type of 

 vehicle and other facilities different from those required i>y fruits and vege- 

 tables, and there is a lack of special markel trains for fruits, vegetables, and 



dairy products. <Mher reforms in transportation management are also dis- 

 cussed, and a bibliography Is appended. 



The economic value of the auction as a distributor of perishable commodi- 

 ties, v. K. McElhkny, jr. (Proc 2. Pan Amer. s<-i. Cong., 1915-16, vol. S, pp. 



740-748, pis. 2, fig. 1). — The author explains the prejudice against auction sales 

 of fruit and gives data on the large proportion of foreign auction markets. Be 

 discusses the distinctive characteristics of the auction method and maintains 

 thai the auction is an increasingly necessary factor in distribution. Among the 

 advantages claimed for this method he enumerates the following: It relieves a 

 glutted market, returning full market value for all grades when the crop is 

 short ; it insures stability of price and speed in delivery; it widens the area of 

 distribution and gives equality between large and small growers; It prevents 

 combinations of buyers; and is suitable for both perishables and other kinds of* 

 food products. 



Influence of supply on prices, A. U. Chaney {Proc. 2. Pint Amer. Sot. Cong., 

 t915-16, vol. S, pp. 735-740). — The author discusses the principal factors which 

 cause supply to influence price and the need of improved and economical 

 methods of marketing. He contends that these improvements can be effected 

 through a system of jobbers with large capital, through national standardiza- 

 tion of weights and containers, and through close cooperative control of the 

 supply and Government regulation of distribution, thereby insuring stability of 

 values. 



Car-lot distribution, .7. S. Orutchfield (Proc. 2. Pan Amer. Sci. Cnng., 

 1915-16, vol. 3. pp. 425-.' f 30). — This article explains the method-; of car-lot dis- 

 tribution in vogue for fruits, and emphasizes the many advantages of a stand- 

 ardized product. 



The effective use of the Panama Canal in the distribution of products, 

 0. J. Brand (Proc. 2. Pan Amer. Boi. Cong.. 1915-16, vol. 3. pp. 911-915). 



The extent and possibilities of cooperation, C. E. Bassktt (Pror. 2. Pan 

 Amer. Sri. Cong., 1915-16, vol. 3, pp. 4->6-459). — The author states that co- 

 operation as an economic principle is a corrective measure that will do much 

 to place the agricultural industry in this country upon a solid basis, that suc- 

 cessful marketing of a highly specialized crop grown In a narrowly restricted 

 area is largely limited by the willingness of producers to stand together under 

 all discouragements, and that several States have secured legislation that fixes 

 the simple standards of cooperation and provides for the control and protection 

 of cooperative organizations. He also discusses the methods of management, 

 financing, standardizing, auditing, etc., that have proved successful in this 

 country. 



Fourth annual report of the Cooperative Organization Branch [Saskatche- 

 wan], 1917-18, \V. W. Thomson (Saskatchewan Dept. Apr., Ann. Rpt. Coop. 

 Organ. Branch, 4 (1918). pp. 44- pi- !• fi' ,H - &)• — This report continues the data 

 regarding cooperative organizations in Saskatchewan previously noted (E. S. R., 

 38, p. 90), adding statistics for the year ended .May 1. IOT.8. 



Agricultural credit societies (Imp. Dept. Agr. West Indies. Rpt. Agr. Dept. 

 St. Lucia, 1917-18. pp. 28-34). — This article is the second annual report of the 

 agricultural credit societies of St. Lucia, dealing with the year 1917-18. There 

 is a list and a short description of the new organizations, and statistics of the 

 produce shipped. The report states that these societies have had a marked 



