BUREAU OF MARKETS. 441 



stock^'ards or dealing in live or dead stock at stockyards and was 

 useful in planning and directing the stockyards' supervision service. 



A survey of the marketing of purebred live stock in the United 

 States was begun early in the fiscal year in order that the Bureau 

 might be prepared to render assistance in reestablishing the live- 

 stock industry in the devastated countries of Europe. As a result of 

 this survey, information was made available showing the location 

 by counties of the majority of breeders engaged in the production of 

 each of the principal breeds of live stock. This information is being 

 used to aid buyers and sellers in both domestic and foreign trade. 



The detailed study of the problem of marketing soft, pork which 

 was begun during the latter part of the last fiscal year was continued 

 in order to determine a basis for the difference in prices which should 

 be paid for live hogs classed as ''soft" or "oily 'and those classed 

 as ' firm." The results of this study now are being prepared for pub- 

 lication. 



An investigation was made in cooperation with the Bureau of Ani- 

 mal Industry and the Bureau of Chemistry to determine the reasons 

 for numerous complaints regarding the country hide situation, espe- 

 cially with reference to the physical condition of country hides and 

 skins and the apparent discrimination in the prices for these products, 

 both at the farm and on the market, and to ascertain what improve- 

 ments could be effected. As a result of this work a bulletin was pre- 

 j)ared and educational posters bearing general instructions regard- 

 ing proper methods of skinning, curing, and marketing hides were 

 printed for distribution. 



A preliminary, country-wide study has been made to obtain defi- 

 nite facts relating to the various types of retail meat stores and more 

 complete information relative to the costs of distributing meats at 

 retail. 



Careful studies were made of the present commercial grades for 

 wool, and a collection of samples was made preparatory to the de- 

 velopment of tenttive standards for various grades of wool. Cir- 

 culars were prepared and distributed suggesting better methods of 

 pieparing and marketing wool, and direct marketing was encouraged 

 where possible by putting wool producers into possession of informa- 

 tion regarding direct channels for marketing their clips. During the 

 war active cooperation was maintained in connection with this work 

 with the War and Navy Departments, the Council of National De- 

 fense, War Trade Board, War Industries Board, Shipping Board, 

 and Tariff Commission. 



GRAIN MARKETING INVESTIGATIONS. 



Emergency activities of pressing nature made it necessary to re- 

 strict in a measure this investigational work. Mr. C. S. Cole super- 

 vised the project during the past fiscal year. 



Studies of the methods of marketing grain sorghums, the kind 

 marketed, and the demand for and uses of such grains were carried on 

 ill the principal producing and consuming sections. These investiga- 

 tions show that milo and kalir are the principal grains used to feed 

 all classes of live stock in producing sections, and also are used in 

 practically all mixed poultry feeds in the leading poultry sections of 

 the United States. These grains also are used in the manufacture of 

 starch and alcohol and for human food. 



