2&Z RURAL NEW YORK 



readily reduced and by whicli the other elements, such 

 as continuity, advertising and general market knowl- 

 edge, arc best secured. These liave not been touched 

 by state or municipal provisions except as some begin- 

 nings have been made to encourage cooperation in 

 marketing. 



The second means of securing higher marketing 

 eflficiency, that of private organization of the pro- 

 ducers of a line or group of commodities, may next 

 be considered. These have been slow to develop and 

 liave not reached any very large or widespread pro- 

 portions, but significant beginnings have been made. 



In all lines the larger and more aggressive pro- 

 ducers have sought to establish direct relations with 

 consumers and efficient distributors in the centers of 

 population. Sometimes, stores have been established, 

 such as milk stores. This has been most practicable 

 for, the special or higher grades of product such as 

 certified milk. The best known example in recent 

 years of the efforts of the producers of a single com- 

 modity to organize adequately to handle and to se- 

 cure a fair price for their product is represented by 

 the Dairymen's League. Stimulated by the success 

 of the so-called milk strike for better prices in 

 Chicago in the spring of 1916, and backed by 

 abundant figures collected by a variety of State in- 

 stitutions and investigating committees, the League 

 organization developed to a condition of strength in 

 the fall of 1916, whereby terms of contract could be 

 dictated to the milk dealers of New York City. 

 By subsequent action the principle of collective bar- 



