26 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



forming the large farmers of conditions in other cities. This 

 class of farmer should, however, look forward and work for a 

 co-operatively controlled market which they themselves shall 

 run. 



There is also a very large body of small farmers throughout 

 the State to which a Division of Markets can be of great assist- 

 ance. Most of these farmers grow a small amount of farm 

 produce which is difficult to sell, chiefly because of the expense 

 in getting it to the consumer. To these farmers a Division of 

 Markets should be of assistance by rounding up all of their 

 produce and finding a buyer for it, or, better still, by getting 

 these small farmers to grow enough of one thing so that they 

 can dispose of it themselves through a co-operative association. 



The Market Division should find out what products are in 

 demand and encourage their growth within the State, and also 

 be able to furnish information to outside purchasers or dis- 

 tributors as to the condition and demand of our markets. The 

 question of running an exchange paper is very debatable. 

 There is grave danger of becoming too much like an auction- 

 room sales bill, and, perhaps, the larger question of the danger 

 of being placed in the position of guaranteeing something which 

 it is impossible for the division actually to see. There is also 

 grave danger that the public will demand that the division serve 

 their interests to the exclusion of all others, that it maintain a 

 price schedule in the papers and in the market, and that it also 

 attempt to regulate prices. A Division of Markets which tries 

 to do this is bound to fail and will not benefit greatly either 

 side. The final question of price must be left to the parties 

 who are bargaining and to the law of supply and demand. A 

 market news letter service should be maintained in the principal 

 markets of the State, and every effort made to get to the 

 farmers such market information from other sections as will aid 

 them in the movement of their crops. 



Marketing is the basis of our agricultural prosperity. The 

 proper distribution of our food supply is also the basis of con- 

 tented, prosperous people, and the whole process should be alike 

 of interest to both the producer and the consumer. 



