Notes  from  Department  of  Foods  and 
Markets 
The  second  annual  report  of  the  New  York  State 
Department  of  Foods  and  Markets  is  now  in  print. 
Farmers  everywhere  will  want  this  report,  as  it  con¬ 
tains  the  results  of  the  first  work  of  the  kind  ever  un¬ 
dertaken  in  this  country,  and  on  a  plan  not  approached 
anywhere  else.  T  nless  an  extra  edition  is  printed  there 
will  not  be  enough  to  go  around.  Applications  may 
be  made  to  lion.  Thaddeus  C.  Sweet,  Speaker  of  the 
Assembly,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  or  of  your  own  Senator  or 
Assemblyman. 
Only  last  week  we  announced  the  decision  of  the 
Paclcer  to  refrain  from  further  criticism  of  the  New 
York  State  Department  of  Foods  and  Markets  on  the 
ground  that  its  criticisms  had  only  resulted  in  benefit 
to  the  Department  and  loss  of  revenue  for  itself.  Per¬ 
haps  the  announcement  was  preparatory  to  the  large 
advertisement,  of  the  Produce  Exchange  of  Rochester, 
N.  \ .,  which  the  Parker  published  last  week,  contain¬ 
ing  the  assurance  that  the  auction  sales  of  the  Eastern 
Exchange  in  the  City  of  New  York  would  be  conducted 
under  the  supervision  of  the  Department.  Not  long 
since,  the  Parker  told  its  readers  that  the  Department 
was  dead.  Now  it  tells  them  that  the  Department  will 
supervise  the  auction  sales  of  one  of  their  largest  and 
most  responsible  advertisers.  We  do  not  say  this  in 
criticism  of  the  Packer,  Quite  the  contrary.  This  js  in 
commendation  of  its  good  sense  in  the  change  of  heart 
on  the  discovery  of  its  error  from  a  revenue  stand¬ 
point.  The  Eastern  Fruit  Produce  Exchange,  which 
is  an  organization  of  Western  New  York  growers,  has 
announced  in  the  Parker  advertisement  that  it  is  pre¬ 
pared  to  sell  at  auction  in  a  dozen  of  the  large  cities 
of  the  country,  and  that  in  the  City  of  Now  York  its 
sales  will  be  conducted  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Department  of  Foods  and  Markets.  This  is  a  pro¬ 
gressive  move  on  the  part  of  the  Exchange  and  its 
progressive  and  competent  president,  Seth  .T.  T.  Rush. 
It  marks  one  of  the  progressive  steps  in  the  system 
of  marketing  the  products  of  New  York  State  farms, 
and  the  Packer  is  to  be  congratulated  cm  its  change  of 
heart  and  on  its  new  policy  of  helping  in  the  develop¬ 
ment  of  a  modern  system  of  distribution. 
The  New  York  apple  market  has  been  unfavorably 
affected  for  some  time  through  cold  weather  and  frosted 
condition  of  t.he  fruit  and  by  delays  in  transportation 
and  delivery,  due  to  storms  during  the  last  week.  There 
seem  to  be  few  apples  left  in  the  hands  of  growers. 
What  remains  now  is  largely  in  the  hands  of  dealers, 
and  quite  a  large  holding  yet  remains  in  some  of  the 
np-State  refrigerators.  As  the  dealers  soil  entirely 
through  private  sales,  and  the  growers  are  practically 
sold  out.  the  apple  season  for  the  auction  market  is 
practically  over,  though  some  small  shipments  are  yet 
coming.  Last  week  one  shipment  of  grade  A  Bald¬ 
wins  .sold  on  the  auction  market,  at  $3  and  $3.35.  The 
latter  was  the  highest  price  reached  in  New  York  dur¬ 
ing  the  week  for  grade  A  Baldwins.  A  few  fancy  or 
extra  fancy  from  special  orchards  at  private  sale,  may 
or  may  not  have  done  better :  no  one  can  tell  except 
the  parties  concerned,  but  $3.35  topped  the  market  for 
this  grade  and  variety  of  fruit.  One  day's  auction  sales 
follows : 
APPLES.— 2  bids,  Newtown  $2:  2  Russet  $2.10;  3 
$1.05;  2  Rambo  $1.05:  155  Ben  Davis  $1.05;  4  $1.50; 
54  $1.45;  3  75c;  1  Greening  $2.25;  105  $2.15;  5  $2.25; 
22  Baldwins  $3.35  ;  28  $3. 
SWEET  POTATOES, — 12  baskets  40c;  3  15c. 
The  egg  market  lias  continued  steadily  on  the  de¬ 
cline,  bests  grades  ranging  from  22  to  20  cents  dur¬ 
ing  the  week.  The  interest  of  the  dealers  and  specu¬ 
lators  who  will  soon  be  putting  eggs  into  storage  nat¬ 
urally  is  to  drive  the  price  down  as  low  as  possible  at 
this  season  of  the  year.  Their  hope  is  to  get  the  price 
down  as  near  as  possible  to  20  cents  a  dozen  in  ac¬ 
cordance  with  the  purpose  expressed  in  their  recent 
Kansas  City  convention.  These  dealers  meet  daily  on 
the  Mercantile  Exchange  in  New  York  City,  behind 
closed  doors.  Their  employees  gather,  at  great  ex¬ 
pense.  information  as  to  the  number  of  cases  in  the 
different  large  markets  of  the  country.  This  is  posted 
on  the  boards  of  the  Exchange  for  the  information  of 
everyone,  and  enables  the  dealers  to  size  up  the  situa¬ 
tion  and  the  tone  of  the  market.  They  know  about 
how  many  eggs  are  consumed  daily.  This  information 
tells  them  how  many  eggs  are  on  hand  to  meet  the  de¬ 
mand,  and  the  real  or  fictitious  sale  of  a  few  cases  be¬ 
tween  themselves,  at  a  price  below  the  prevailing  price 
for  the  previous  day,  establishes  a  new  low  record. 
The  members  then  go  out  into  the  street  and  the  price 
is  announced  for  the  day  and  dealers  who  are  receiv¬ 
ing  the  eggs  by  express  are  obliged  to  soil  on  the  basis 
of  the  prices  fixed  on  the  Exchange  during  its  morning 
session.  No  one  will  buy  until  the  price  for  the  day 
is  announced.  It  is  this  system  of  fixing  prices  on  the 
Mercantile  Exchange  that  led  Judge  Jayeox,  in  his 
famous  decree,  to  pronounce  the  system  "untruthful, 
wilful,  deliberate,  intentional,  systematic  and  fraud¬ 
ulent.” 
As  yet  the  Department  has  been  able  to  exercise 
little  influence  to  break  up  this  system  of  fixing  prices 
for  eggs.  It  has  been  able  to  keep  consumers  informed 
as  to  what  retail  prices  should  be.  This  lias  kept  retail 
prices  nearer  to  the  wholesale  price  than  ever  before, 
and  increased  consumption.  In  return  this  has  stiffened 
the  price  to  the  producer,  and  the  dealers  will  in  con¬ 
sequence  probably  be  forced  to  pay  more  this  season 
for  eggs  to  store  than  ever  before.  The  Department 
Stte  RURAL  NEW-YORKER 
is  getting  to  be  one  of  the  largest  receivers  of  fresh 
eggs  by  express  in  New  York  City.  The  receipts  have 
ranged  as  high  as  75  cases  on  some  days.  With  the 
receipt  of  100  cases  and  the  means  of  establishing  an 
egg  market  of  its  own,  it  is  believed  that  the  Depart¬ 
ment  would  be  able  to  exercise  considerable  influ¬ 
ence  in  the  making  of  honest  prices  in  Now  York  City 
for  fresh  eggs.  At  any  rate,  it  is  willing  to  try.  It 
has  not  attempted  to  sell  eggs  at  auction  because  the 
auction  is  not  practical  for  the  sale  of  small  ship¬ 
ments  of  eggs.  Its  sales  are  made  through  a  whole¬ 
sale  house  under  the  supervision  of  an  employee  of  the 
Department.  With  these  facilities,  the  Department 
cannot  out-sell  henneries  that  have  established  a  pri¬ 
vate  trade  either  direct  or  through  a  regular  dealer, 
provided  the  dealer  treats  the  shipper  honestly.  But 
the  Department  can  and  does  sell  the  eggs  for  all  they 
will  bring  on  the  market  at  the  time  of  receipt,  and 
the  producer  is  sure  of  getting  all  that  the  eggs  sold 
for.  less  expressage  and  5%  selling  charge.  It  is 
hoped,  as  the  business  develops,  to  secure  a  more  direct 
trade  with  large  consumers,  and  to  make  better  re¬ 
turns  to  egg  producers.  The  record  of  recent  sales 
follows : 
Eggs. — 1  case  30c ;  5  cases  28c ;  1  case  20c ;  1  case 
27  Cm ;  I  S  cases  27c;  20  eases  20c;  35  cases  25c;  12 
cases  24c;  3  cases  23%e:  1  case  23c:  1  case  22 *4 e. 
Miscellaneous. — 1  bid.  beans.  180  lbs..  $9.75;  1  bundle 
of  furs.  5  coon  skins,  $1.50:  1  box  radishes  $1  :  bas¬ 
kets  radishes  $2.15:  1  calf.  110  lbs.,  10c:  25  lbs.  butter 
33c;  1  tub  butter  27e;  4  packages  butter  80c:  1  pail  but¬ 
ter.  10  lbs.,  85c;  1  calf.  184  lbs..  10t/,c;  1  calf.  02  lbs., 
151/.C  •  1  fair  0’>  lbs  15Ue 
Advantages  of  the  Land  Bank 
The  Federal  Government  is  proposing  a  farm  credit 
system  for  mortgage  loans  to  farmers.  Several  States 
have  already  adopted  some  measures  for  the  same  pur¬ 
pose.  None  of  these  lias  yet  approached  the  advantages 
of  the  Land  Bank  system  adopted  by  the  State  of  New 
York.  The  advantages  of  the  New  York  plan  are  these: 
1.  It  encourages  savings  of  the  boys,  girls,  hired 
men  and  renters  with  a  view  of  becoming  owners  them¬ 
selves. 
2.  It  keeps  the  money  of  a  neighborhood  employed 
locally  where  it  belongs,  and  brings  in  outside  capital 
when  needed  for  mortgage  purposes. 
3.  It  keeps  t Do  management  of  the  funds  in  the  hands 
of  those  who  save,  it,  and  teaches  them  to  use  money, 
and  its  earning  capacity. 
4.  It  brings  the  people  of  a  community  together  in 
an  organization  where  the  strong  may  help  the  weak 
with  profit  to  both  and  absolute  safety  to  both. 
5.  It  builds  up  the  neighborhood  industries,  and 
adds  to  its  general  prosperity. 
6.  Mortgages  may  be  secured  up  to  any  amount  on  a 
property  that  the  men  in  the  neighborhood  think  safe. 
The  standing  of  the  borrower  among  his  neighbors  will 
be  a  necessary  factor  in  the  amount  of  the  loan. 
7.  One  loan  is  all  the  borrower  need  ever  ask.  The 
term  may  be  made  up  to  40  years,  with  a  small  annual 
payment,  and  the  privilege  of  paying  any  or  all  at  any 
time.  An  annual  payment  of  1  %  per  ccnt.will  cancel 
the  mortgage  in  less  than  30  years. 
S.  It  saves  money,  saves  expense,  encourages  saving, 
promotes  neighborhood  co-operation,  and  furnishes  the 
means  by  which  men  of  some  means  at  profit  to  them¬ 
selves  and  perfect  safety,  can  help  others  earn  a  home 
or  a  farm. 
Where  saving  and  loan  associations  exist  farmers 
should  write  and  become  members  or  form  new  asso¬ 
ciations  of  their  own. 
The  Rural  branch  of  this  system  has  already  accumu¬ 
lated  about  $8,000.  One  mortgage  of  $0,500  is  earning 
0  per  cent.,  and  another  is  about  to  be  placed  at  same 
rate.  Anyone  who  wishes  to  become  familiar  with  the 
system  can  become  a  member  on  payment  of  any  sum 
of  $1  or  more  which  may  be  increased  or  decreased  at 
will. 
The  Needs  of  Milk  Producers 
For  several  years  the  cost  of  producing  milk  has  con¬ 
stantly  increased,  farm  labor  is  higher  and  harder  to 
get.  It  costs  more  for  feed,  and  implements  and  over- 
head  expenses  generally.  Everything  that  goes  to  the 
production  of  milk  has  increased  in  price  to  the  farmer. 
\\  it D  this  extra  cost  for  the  materials  of  production  has 
also  come  a  demand  for  milk  of  higher  quality,  which  in¬ 
volves  greater  expense  of  labor  and  capital  in  its  pro¬ 
duction.  The  boards  of  health  and  dealers  constantly 
make  new  demands  fur  sanitary  requirements,  and 
higher  standards  in  milk.  Every  new  requirement  adds 
to  the  cost  of  production,  yet  the  price  to  the  producer 
is  less  this  year  than  it  was  last  year,  and  it  was  less 
then  than  the  year  before.  At  no  time  in  30  years  bas 
the  producer  of  milk  for  the  New  York  market  received 
a  fair  return  for  his  labor. 
Just  now  we  are  in  a  season  of  general  prosperity. 
Manufacturing  and  business  interests  all  over  the  coun¬ 
try  are  active  and  successful.  Men  engaged  in  such  in¬ 
dustries  are  making  money.  Even  farmers  in  many 
lines  are  prosperous.  Farmers  who  produce  wheat,  or 
Corn,  or  other  cereals,  are  receiving  good  prices  for  their 
products.  The  cotton  growers  of  the  South,  and  the  fat 
cattle  producers  of  the  A\  est,  arc-  prosperous.  Pro¬ 
ducers  of  poultry  products  and  fruit  growers  share  in 
the  general  revival  of  business.  The  milk  producer 
alone  is  growing  poor  in  the  midst  of  general  prosperity, 
lie  accepts  what  the  dealer  chooses  to  pay;  or  goes  out 
of  business.  The  result  is  reflected  in  the  decline  in  the 
value  of  dairy  farms  in  the  State. 
561 
We  all  know  this  cannot  continue  indefinitely.  With 
the  constant  increase  of  city  population  and  relative  de¬ 
crease  in  the  number  of  cows,  the  supply  of  milk  will 
shortly  not  equal  the  demand,  and  prices  to  the  consumer 
will  be  further  advanced  to  restrict  consumption  and  in¬ 
crease  profits  to  the  dealer.  Serious  as  the  situation  is 
to  the  producer,  it  is  of  still  greater  concern  to  the  city 
consumer.  The  farmer  can  live  on  his  own  products, 
and  turn  to  other  crops  for  his  revenue.  City  children 
must  have  milk;  and  unless  the  supply  is  maintained 
the  consumer  will  be  obliged  to  pay  more  for  it. 
The  best  milk  dealers  admit  that  it  costs  too  much  to 
get  a  quart  of  milk  from  the  farm  to  the  city  table. 
They  admit  waste  and  extravagance  and  want  of  eco¬ 
nomic  system  in  distribution.  The  dealer  suffers  from 
these  conditions  in  common  with  producer  and  con¬ 
sumer;  his  business  would  be  more  stable,  bis  profits 
more  secure,  and  liis  mind  more  at  rest  if  the  abuses  of 
distribution  were  eliminated,  and  the  business  standard¬ 
ized,  yet  the  big  dealer  opposes  reform  in  the  business. 
He  prefers  the  power  and  control  over  the  business  that 
the  old  system  gave  him.  The  smaller  men  in  the  system 
are  helpless.  They  accept  its  code  of  ethics  or  disappear. 
Dealers  frankly  admit  that  the  farmer  is  not  getting 
a  fair  price  for  his  milk.  They  also  admit  that  great 
savings  can  be  effected  through  co-operation  in  the  sav¬ 
ing  of  waste  in  bottles,  the  loss  of  cans,  and  in  distri¬ 
bution  to  families.  An  open  central  market  under 
8tate  supervision,  as  proposed  by  the  Department  of 
Foods  and  Markets,  where  prices  would  be  established  on 
(In-  basis  of  supply  and  demand,  is  a  recognized  neces¬ 
sity  by  a  large  element  of  the  dealers.  The  plan  is  en¬ 
dorsed  by  the  Dairymen's  League,  and  produces  every¬ 
where.  Farmers  see  no  other  hope  for  their  industry, 
and  consumers  welcome  it.  The  State  could  establish 
this  reform  at  trifling  expense,  and  with  profit  to  itself. 
Anything  that  increases  the  prosperity  of  such  a  large 
industry  must  work  to  the  advantage  of  the  .State. 
While  milk  is  produced  at  a  loss  the  value  of  farm  lands 
must  be  low.  Their  taxable  value  increases,  with  the 
prosperity  of  the  producer. 
With  an  open  competitive  market  for  milk  and  cream, 
a  factory  to  take  care  of  the  surplus,  and  an  economic 
system  of  delivery,  farmers  should  get  a  cent  a  quart 
above  present  average  prices,  without  any  advance  to 
the  consumer.  The  producer  is  entitled  to  this  advance. 
It  is  necessary  that  he  get  it  3u  order  to  keep  up  the 
present  supply,  and  prevent  advance  of  cost  to  the  con¬ 
sumer.  The  cost  of  the  equipment  is  trifling,  and  this 
cost  can  be  easily  repaid  to  the  State.  The  plan  needs 
the  recognition  of  the  State  and  its  moral  support 
even  more  than  the  trilling  sum  of  money  needed  to  put 
it  in  operation.  Officials  at  Albany  may  express  soft 
words  fluently  to  farmers  at  approaching  elections,  but 
acts  now  speak  louder  than  words.  We  want  support 
for  this  milk  market.  We  want  it  now.  The  Governor 
and  the  Legislature  can  deny  it  only  through  want  of 
appreciation  of  the  milk  situation  in  the  State,  or 
through  indifference  of  the  sore  needs  of  milk  pro¬ 
ducers.  Next  Fall  is  a  new  election. 
The  Outlook  for  Peaches 
The  condition  of  peach  buds  throughout  New  Jersey 
is  quite  variable.  In  a  general  way  varieties  of  the 
Crawford  type,  such  as  Reeves,  Early  and  Late  Craw¬ 
ford  and  Mountain  Rose  have  suffered  much  more  in¬ 
jury  than  such  sorts  as  Greensboro,  Carman  and  Belle. 
Elberta  also  shows  considerable  injury.  The  varieties 
that  are  inclined  to  start  into  growth  quickly  upon  the 
approach  of  warm  weather  are  the  opes  most  severely 
damaged.  Where  the  orchards  are  located  in  sheltered 
spots  from  50  to  80  per  cent,  of  the  buds  upon  tender 
varieties  have  been  killed.  Some  orchards  that  have 
not  been  well  cured  for  have  very  few  birds,  and  prac¬ 
tically  all  of  these  have  been  killed.  On  the  other  hand, 
orchards  upon  elevated  sites  often  show  very  little  in¬ 
jury,  and  the  buds  failed  to  make  any  growth,  during  the 
warm  period  in  January. 
In  general  the  crop  of  mid-season  yellow  peaches  is 
almost  certain  to  be  considerably  reduced  from  that  of 
last  year.  The  crop  Of  early  peaches  may  be  fairly 
good.  Orchards  here  and  there  will  show  very  light 
crops,  while  others  will  produce  good  yields.  Since 
there  was  a  very  heavy  crop  of  peaches  last,  year  one 
might  expect  that  peach  insects  and  diseases  found  an 
exceptional  opportunity  to  increase,  and  if  peaches  ex¬ 
perience  a  severe  attack  by  their  comniou  enemies  good 
spraying  will  need  to  be  practiced  if  good  yields  and 
good  fruit  are  to  be  secured  this  year.  m.  a*  BLAKE. 
New  Jersey  Station. 
Reports  vary  very  much,  but  the  impression  prevails 
that  there  are  enough  live  buds  at  this  time  for  a  fair 
crop.  Elbertas  are  hurt,  some  estimate  up  to  50  per 
cent.;  Carman  in  pretty  good  condition.  One  report 
just  received  from  a  careful  estimate  gives  three  live 
buds  to  a  foot,  of  wood,  which  would  not  leave  many  to 
fail.  Spring  work  at  a  standstill,  waiting  for  weather 
to  start  the  spray  rigs ;  almost  none  done  yet.  The 
pear  buds  are  swelling,  so  time  will  he  very  limited  in 
which  spraying  can  be  done.  But  little  frost  in  the 
ground  on  light  soils,  and  snow  nearly  all  gone.  Raining 
this  morning,  March  22.  II.  G.  TAYLOR. 
Sec.  N.  J.  Horticultural  Society. 
Hen-,  as  far  as  I  can  see,  peach  buds  are  badly  hurt : 
from  GO  to  9(1  per  cent,  are  gone.  I  am  anxious  to  know 
how  they  are  elsewhere.  c.  s  ai 
Middle  Island,  N.  Y. 
The  peach  crop  will  be  quite  spotted  in  this  section, 
enough  Elbertas  and  to  spare  in  the  best  locations,  none 
in  the  valleys  and  poor  locations.  Caiman,  Champion. 
Stevens  and  Sal  way  have  fared  better.  The  present 
prospects  are  for  less  than  half  of  last  year’s  crop. 
Middle  Hope,  N.  Y.  E.  w.  B. 
Greensboro  and  Carman  peaches  in  fair  condition,  fit) 
per  cent,  crop  in  sight.  Other  varieties,  such  as  Stump. 
Oldmixon,  Ml.  Rose  and  Fox  Seedling  badly  damaged  in 
this  section,  perhaps  only  15  per  cent.,  if  any.  Elbertas 
hurt  more  than  any,  some  orchards  entire  failure;  others 
<;>  to  90  per  cent,  damaged.  c.  f.  s. 
Glassboro,  N.  J, 
