OPEN TYPES OF PUBLIC MARKETS. 3 
of division of labor in distribution, are more likely to prefer com- 
mercial or "middlemen" distribution agencies to the more direct 
agencies such as public markets. 
Some consumers in nearly every walk of life decidedly prefer to 
purchase the fresh produce which their families consume as nearly as 
possible directly from the producers. Such consumers usually pre- 
fer, if it is possible, to make their purchases at a public market rather 
than from producers who peddle from door to door, since it is possible 
in the former case to choose from a larger assortment and to consider 
comparative values. Similarly, as between individual shops and 
public markets, consumers who prefer to buy at the latter state that 
the markets afford greater opportunities for choice and for making 
a comparison of values, and that in general they feel that they obtain 
greater satisfaction for the money expended. 
FUNCTION OF PUBLIC MARKETS. 
From what has been said in regard to the economic justification 
of public markets it- is apparent that their function is not to replace 
all other agencies in the distribution of fresh produce but only to 
supplement them where conditions are such as to make supplemental 
agencies desirable and their operation practicable. Diverse condi- 
tions are encountered in the production of food products, and a 
variety of forces and factors make up the demand for such supplies. 
It is natural, therefore, that in the machinery of distribution, which 
exists to meet the needs of both producers and consumers, there are 
various agencies. Public markets, constitute merely one type of 
agency. Originally under simpler conditions of production and de- 
mand they were of great general importance ; at present, under more 
complex conditions they are of relatively less importance ; but they 
are of considerable importance, nevertheless, to large groups of 
producers and consumers in many localities, and under such circum- 
stances may well be maintained to meet the needs of such groups. 
AVhere the establishment of public markets is proposed, retail 
grocers often oppose the plan with the statement that an effort is 
being made to displace them as distributors of farm produce. As. a 
matter of fact, the establishment of public markets seldom injures- 
grocers and often builds up their trade in supplies bringing greater 
profit than farm products. If grocers realized that public markets 
are merely supplemental distribution agencies, and that because of 
the demand of many consumers for service, markets can not monopo- 
lize the trade in farm produce, much futile opposition to markets 
would be avoided. • 
From the point of view of the producer the function of public 
markets is to furnish an easily accessible place where there is a con- 
siderable demand for his goods and where at relatively slight ex- 
