OPEN TYPES OF PUBLIC MARKETS. 9 



exists near a city or where the neighboring lands have not been de- 

 voted to any great extent to the production of foodstuffs, conditions 

 are unfavorable for the immediate establishment of an open public 

 market of any considerable size. The concentration of available sup- 

 plies, however, and the admission of hucksters selling shippecl-in 

 products will often make possible the creation of a small curb market. 

 Such a market, if intelligently operated, will stimulate additional 

 production by demonstrating that near-by production is remunera- 

 tive ; and the increased production will in turn make a larger market 

 feasible. 



A proper location for the market, determined with reference to 

 economic conditions, is essential to its success. Errors of location are 

 probably the most common errors made in establishing public markets. 

 Ease of accessibility to the greatest possible number of producers and 

 consumers is the central consideration in determining location. The 

 essential truth of this principle is evidently not so easily grasped as 

 might be supposed, however, and all too often markets are situated at 

 a given point merely because a certain lot happens to be vacant or 

 because an available site is in a certain ward. A market located in 

 such a haphazard fashion usually demonstrates the importance of 

 location by becoming a hopeless failure. 



The importance of market facilities varies in relation to the type 

 of market under consideration as well as in relation to certain local 

 factors. In temperate climates curb markets with practically no 

 special equipment may be entirely satisfactory. In hot regions some 

 sort of protection from the sun becomes desirable, and in most regions 

 protection from rain is necessary. Markets on special market prop- 

 erty should be paved and raised curbs against which vehicles may be 

 parked should be provided. On markets of considerable size rest- 

 rooms and comfort stations are a real necessity. On many public 

 markets appropriate rooms are provided and leased for use as restau- 

 rants in order that the patrons of the markets may obtain meals with 

 little loss of time. 



In addition to the economic and physical conditions essential to the 

 success of open public markets the matter of management and 

 methods of operation is of great importance. Markets with practi- 

 cally all other conditions for success present are in many cases pre- 

 vented from realizing more than a partial success because of the 

 unintelligent manner in which they are operated and managed. A 

 market, the existence of which is justified by economic conditions, is 

 capable of being an institution of great importance to the com- 

 munity, and it should be placed in charge of a manager with ability 

 to bring out its full possibilities. The placing of market establish- 

 ments — often in effect business enterprises representing investments 

 60762°— 21 2 



