110 THE LURE OF THE LAND 



The placards which have been posted in the public 

 library at Washington have attracted a great deal of 

 attention from visitors. The Postoffice Department 

 has also established relations with existing organiza- 

 tions in Washington whose purpose is the betterment 

 of household conditions. Particularly have they es- 

 tablished a system of cooperation with the Housekeep- 

 ers' Alliance of Washington. In regard to this 

 cooperation the Postoffice authorities make the follow- 

 ing statements: 



It is realized that the method of shopping, by sending the 

 market basket direct to the farm, is to some extent experimental 

 with both the consumer and the farmer, and for this reason the 

 Housekeepers? Alliance of Washington has consented to co- 

 operate with the Washington Post Office to the extent of try- 

 ing out as many farmers as possible, with the view of deter- 

 ming the following points: First, whether the business meth- 

 ods of the farmers make it practicable to deal direct with the 

 producer; second, whether the method of packing, character 

 of produce and intelligence shown in mailing, meet the require- 

 ments of the city consumer; third, whether the transportation 

 service by the Post Office Department and the Washington Post 

 Office insures delivery of parcel post matter in fresh and satis- 

 factory condition. 



In order to arrive at a fair determination of these matters 

 and to be able to render a practical service to the consumers 

 of Washington generally, the Housekeepers' Alliance desires 

 to have sent to Committee on Cooperation, Housekeepers' Al- 

 liance, P. 0. Box 476, Washington, D. C., by postal card or 

 letter, a specific report by any person in the city who has had 

 parcel post experience, answering the following questions: 



(1) Name and address of farmer. 



(2) Articles purchased and prices paid for them. 



(3) Who (farmer or consumer) furnished the container 

 and how well were the products packed. 



(4) Was the farmer's service prompt and satisfactory. 



(5) In what condition did parcels arrive and how 

 promptly were they delivered by the post office. 



