THE FARMER AND THE PARCEL POST 103 



engaged as middlemen in the distribution of food 

 products. 



The postmaster at Washington has hit upon a unique 

 plan for bringing to the notice of the consumers the 

 names of farmers who are willing to engage in the 

 parcel post business for agricultural products. To this 

 end the public library of Washington has been secured 

 as a means of publicity. There is posted in the public 

 library a list of farmers within the first and second 

 zones, that is, up to a distance of one hundred and fifty 

 miles, who are willing to come into contact with con- 

 sumers in the city of Washington in the shipment of 

 food products. Any intending consumer who wishes 

 to get in touch with farmers can get their names and 

 addresses in the public library. 



The postmaster at Washington has also prepared a 

 circular to send to intending shippers, giving instruc- 

 tions to the farmers as to how the particular product in 

 question is to be prepared and packed for shipment. 

 Also, there is posted a list of manufacturers of packing 

 boxes and containers for the shipment of farm products 

 by parcel post, and this is also made available to the 

 farmers in order that they may secure the proper kind 

 of packages for their use. In addition to this, a 

 special delivery system has been devised, so that prod- 

 ucts which come into the city by morning shipments 

 may be distributed at once to the consumer, without 

 lying over for hours waiting for the ordinary delivery 

 to take place. In fact, the Postoffice Department has 

 done everything possible, in so far as knowledge of the 

 problem extends, to inaugurate a service which will be 

 of a practical character, and which promises to develop 

 into a system of mutual benefit to consumer and to 

 fanner. 



