18 



rate has been charged to farmers selling. This flat rate has 

 run from 25 cents to $1. It is suggested that instead of a flat 

 rate a sliding scale on a percentage basis be adopted, as it does 

 not seem fair that the farmer who sells only $15 worth of stuff 

 should pay as much as the farmer who sells $60 or $70 worth. 

 The percentage charged can be reduced as the growth of the 

 business of the market increases. The following scale of rates 

 is suggested : — 



Scale of Rates. 



Gross Business per Day. 



Income. 



$200, 

 300, 

 500, 

 1,000, 



In other words, the more successful the market, and the 

 larger the amount of business done, the smaller the burden on 

 the farmer. 



If a city wishes to construct buildings for indoor markets, 

 the cost of this will have to be met by the city, but the rent 

 charged for stalls should be made large enough to cover charges 

 on the investment. 



7T'. Date of Opening. 

 In 1917 the public market movement did not begin until the 

 season was well advanced, and few markets opened before 

 August 1. Massachusetts farmers, especially growers of fruit 

 and vegetables, are ready to market lettuce, spinach, early 

 beets, peas, strawberries, raspberries and currants in June, 

 and it would seem wise that the markets should be opened at 

 the earliest possible date that there is sufficient marketable 

 produce to warrant it. And farmers should know early in the 

 season whether or not there is to be a public market in their 

 vicinity, in order that, if they wish to take advantage of it, 

 they may plan their plantings accordingly. Testimony from 

 many quarters forces the conclusion that the knowledge that a 



