22 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The motor truck express has certain characteristics which 

 make it the logical short-haul transportation agency. Not 

 only is this method of transportation used in the carrying of 

 farm products to near-by market centers or rail heads, but also 

 as a means of short-haul distribution between our large cities. 



The value of this service extends to both producer and 

 consumer, for each producer finds it an agency which directly 

 collects and delivers his products, thus giving him more time 

 to devote to his specialty. To the consumer it brings a larger, 

 fresher and, ofttimes, cheaper supply of farm products than 

 may be found in markets without this form of service. 



The size of the farmer's load and the rate at which it can 

 travel are directly dependent upon the type of road he has at 

 his service. With the increased use of the rural motor truck, 

 there comes a demand for better roads from those interested 

 in the distribution of food — and this includes all of us. 



Storage. 



Marketing of surplus is perhaps the most perplexing problem 

 confronting producers and market men. Although involving 

 all the factors of better distribution, the solution of this 

 problem has as one of its features proper and adequate storage 

 facilities both at points of origin and at market centers. 

 Farm products, unlike the products of industry which may be 

 offered for sale during practically any period of the year, have 

 the peculiar characteristic of being ready to market in bulk 

 during a short season. It may well be said that adeciuate 

 storage facilities are a safety valve to this situation. We 

 already have a highly developed storage system which is ap- 

 parently sufficient to meet our present needs, but our work 

 is to assure its further development to provide for future 

 requirements. 



Storage should be supplemented by sufficient handling 

 facilities at terminals, the want of which results in extra costs, 

 either in wastage or added handling charges for diversion 

 storage. 



