OPEN TYPES OE 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 shipped-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 
