4 BULLETIN 1002, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
pense he can j:>ersonally conduct sales. A properly operated public 
market makes possible the free interaction of the' forces of supph 
and demand and places the operation of such forces more or less 
under the observation of the producer, and so furnishes one of the 
best possible opportunities for arrival at -a fair "market price.*' 
When producers peddle their wares from house to house or store to 
store their opportunities to judge the fairness of prices offered are 
obviously poorer than when they sell on a properly operated public 
market. 
From the point of view of consumers who wish to patronize public 
markets their function, when properly operated, is to make available 
for choice larger quantities of fresher produce than can be found 
at ordinary stores, at lower prices, and in some cases under more 
satisfactory sanitary conditions. In addition to looking to markets 
to furnish lower prices themselves, consumers also see in such agen- 
cies a force which tends to bring about an indirect reduction of prices 
throughout the community by furnishing an active competition. 
From the point of view of the community, properly operated 
public markets perform more fundamental functions in addition to 
those mentioned. By furnishing trustworthy outlets for miscella- 
neous food products they tend to encourage the farmers of the 
vicinity to produce more ; they tend to help solve the city's problem 
of making available an adequate food supply at reasonable cost, so 
as to keep at home a greater proportion of the money spent by the 
citizens for food ; and in general they tend to increase prosperity and 
improve living conditions, both in the city and in its immediate trade 
territory. 
RETAIL AND WHOLESALE MARKETS. 
Reference has been made to open markets as distinguished from 
inclosed markets. Such open markets may be for the purpose of 
sales at retail, at wholesale, or by both methods. On the other hand, 
inclosed public markets in the United States are almost always retail 
markets. 
Open retail markets constitute the simplest and least expensively 
operated of all types of public markets. In its simplest form a 
market of this type may be merely a designated length of curb, a 
section of a broad street, or a vacant lot. where under slight super- 
vision farmers may group their wagons and sell to consumers. In 
its highest development such a market may consist of a paved tract 
with raised walks covered with substantial sheds to protect teams, 
wares, buyers, and sellers from the weather. The sheds may even 
be of a type which in periods of inclement weather may, by the 
operation of rolling doors, be practically made into inclosed build- 
ings. A few cities have erected sheds along street curbs for the pro- 
