THE YOUNG FARMER 



that affects general trade conditions. Great 

 improvements have been made in methods 

 of transportation and methods of preserva- 

 tion. Cold storage and canned goods have 

 been the direction in which progress has 

 been notable. 



WASTEFUL METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION 



Owing to customs and traditions there is 

 frequently a great waste of effort in some of 

 the methods of trade. The meat trade of 

 France is an excellent illustration. Certain 

 sections of France make a specialty of rear- 

 ing cattle. At a suitable age these animals 

 are purchased by other farmers who fatten 

 them. Many of the small towns maintain 

 market places at which fairs are held to 

 facilitate these negotiations. Frequently 

 there is a shipment from one region to an- 

 other, which is conducted by a middleman. 

 When fattened the steers are collected by a 

 stock buyer, who may ship them to La Vil- 

 lette, the live stock market of Paris. Here 

 they are placed on sale through commission 

 men. There are the usual charges for 

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