i® ';^fiji;|';;W;!-v:; \ i n ■•ji.X ^f»- ^.?> OK V 7 V' / 1^ K5S SAPIENTIA UNIVERSAIIS tX LI8RIS UNIVERSITY OF NEWHAMP5HIRE DISCOVERY INVENTION INSPIRATION EXPERIMENT STATION LIBRARY CLASS (j It ^ xT 3 NUMBER I^S"^ "Tl^UuVl litit* ? '^'S ACCESSION ^1 S S t I M 1i C IS ui^n LiDHMnr Bulletin No. 222 3 ^LDD DDbifi ^tD^a June, 1926 NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION '*CAN NEW HAMPSHIRE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT SHE EATS?" AN ECONOMIC SURVEY OF THE DEMAND FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES AS INDICATED BY THE PURCHASES OF RETAIL STORES, HOTELS AND CAMPS WITHIN THE STATE By H. C. WOODWORTH, L. B. LINCOLN and H. I. RICHARDS How New Hampshire Divides Up Her Store, Hotel and Camp Purchases op Garden and Field Crops THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DURHAM, N. H. '^'^S (2. £ol,l PEJ^CENT OF TOTAL PlJflChA5E5 OF FAf^M FR0DUCT6 Ff^OM FAi^tlERd AND 0THEfe5 potatoes cabbage: BEET5 CARf?0T5 TUFeNIP5 PAR.5NIP3 5WEET CORN DISY BE/1N3 DRY 0NI0NJ5 TOMATOES 5TRING BEANS PEAd CAULIFLOWER CUCUMBER BEETS BuNCh CARROTi BONCH 5P)NAC>^ SHELL BE/4N5 CLLEfeV A5P/AR/^SU5 BUTTER EGG5 CHICKENS TURKEYS STfeAWBERRIES ieA5P8£fef^lES BLACKBERRIES BLUEBERRIES APPLES ^ mmmsmmiif^-^yjimigii: w//////M^//m'M'//m>m//////A KEY- L0C4L F-4f?ME[? COMPETING 5E/150N. NON COMPETING 5EA50N. Figure 1 — Local farmers furnish most of the beets, carrots, sweet corn, squashy peas, shell beans and blueberries purchased by stores, camps and hotels. The bars on the left represent the purchases from local farmers ; those on the right, which are divided into competing and non-competing season, represent the purchases from other than local farmers. -3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ■Summary 4 Introduction 5 The State Situation 8 Potatoes 12 Cabbage 16 Dry Beans 20 Dry Onions 21 Squash 21 Sweet Corn 21 Beets, Carrots, Parsnips and Turnips 22 Bunch Beets and Bunch Carrots 24 Tomatoes 25 String Beans 27 Celery 28 Asparagus 29 Peas. 30 Cauhflower 30 Cucumbers 31 Spinach 31 Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Blueberries 31 Apples 33 Poultry and Eggs 35 Butter 37 White Mountain Hotel District 37 Problems of Marketing 41 Need of Further Study 44 -0 go 6'^* t^ SUMMARY 1. A personal survey was made of retail stores throughout New Hamp- shire in 1925 to determine what amounts of certain commodities are being bought outside the state. 2. The survey shows that New Hampshire ships in large amounts of vegetables, although in the case of many of these a high percentage is brought in during the non-competing season of the year. 3. Large amounts of potatoes are shipped into New Hampshire markets. It seems probable that an increased production of both early and late potatoes in most sections of the state could be marketed locally. 4. The demand for cabbage during the competing season is greater than the production, particularly in the northern counties. 5. The production of celery could be increased without over-supplying local markets. 6. The local markets of New Hampshire are nearly supplied by local production with beets, carrots, parsnips, peas, string beans, to- matoes and cucumbers during the competing season. 7. Local production of asparagus could be increased slightly and still only supply the local market during the competing season. 8. The local demand for tomatoes during the marketing season for tomatoes grown in cold frames is much larger than local production. 9. Hotels in the White Mountains buy most of their vegetables outside of the state. 10. Hotel demand for poultry and eggs in the White Mountains is much greater than local production. 11. Large amounts of dry beans, onions and butter are shipped in, but the advisability of local production on a commercial scale may be questioned. 12. Producers must give more attention to marketing problems. "CAN NEW HAMPSHIRE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT SHE EATS?" An Economic Survey of the Demand for Certain Commodities as In- dicated by the Purchases of Retail Stores, Hotels and Camps within the State By H. C. WooDWORTH, Agricultural Economist, New Hampshire Agri- cultural Experiment Station; L, B. Lixcolx, Assistant Economist, New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, and H. I. Rich- ards, Assistant Economic Analyst, United States Department of Agriculture INTRODUCTION The question which gives the title to this bulletin has been much dis- cussed. Before it can be adequately answered, definite information is necessary on two fundamental points: What foodstuffs possible of local production are being shipped into New Hampshire? Of these foodstuffs which ones can advantageously be grown here with greater profit than our present uses of land and labor afford? In an attempt to answer the first of these questions a state-wide survey was undertaken in the summer of 1925 as the first research project in rural economics made possible by the Purnell Fund.* The purpose of this bulletin is to give the results of this survey and to discuss, so far as our present knowledge goes, the second question raised above in the light of these findings. So many diverse factors enter into this latter problem that more detailed commodity studies will, in many cases, be advisable. The present study has been planned only to give the general picture. It has been necessary to leave many problems unsolved. It is, in fact, surprising how little has been known as to the extent of our markets. With local farmers furnishing but a small portion of some commodities the stores become dependent upon outside sources and pay little or no attention to local supplies. This has created a condition where a farmer who raised about 2,000 pounds of beans each year was under the impression that even a slight expansion in bean-growing would flood the market and was surprised to learn that his town shipped in about 45,000 pounds. How the Survey Was Made The demand figures in this report are based largely on the summary of estimates secured from retail stores, hotels and camps in every county of New Hampshire, and on the data received from railroad records as to freight shipments and receipts in large consuming centers. The study includes the following products: * The survey has been made by the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station in co-operation with the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture. 6 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 Potatoes Tomatoes Asparagus Cabbage String beans Butter Beets (Cut) Peas Eggs Carrots (Cut) Cauliflower Chickens Turnips Cucumbers Turkeys Parsnips Beets (Bunch) Strawberries Sweet corn Carrots (Bunch) Raspberries Dry beans Spinach Blackberries Dry onions Shell beans Blueberries Squash Celery Apples Meat, milk, canned fruits and vegetables were not included in this study. Stores Practically all the retail stores in the state handling vegetables or fruit were visited and estimates obtained from proprietors as to amounts of each product shipped in and amounts purchased from local farmers. In a few cases the desired information could not be secured, and the investigator made estimates for the^e stores by comparing with similar stores. While each of the 1,229 store records is an estimate, few stores having complete records, it is thought that the results obtained in sum- mary fairly represent the situation. When checked with data from other sources such as railroad records, no large discrepancies appear. Hotels and Camps The hotels were visited and estimates secured as to products purchased from local farmers and from others. It was planned to secure records from all large hotels in the state, but while practically all of these were visited, we were unable to secure records from all the summer hotels before they closed for the season. In this case an adjustment was made in the final summary to cover hotel records not obtained. This was done by multiplying the total of each commodity b^^ a correction figure which was worked out on the basis of total capacity of all operating hotels as com- pared to hotels where records had been obtained. Since the records ob- tained represented about 70 per cent of the total capacity of all the hotels, the corrected figure for purchases of all hotels is thought to closely represent the situation as to hotel demand. The purchases of very small hotels or small restaurants were not obtained because they buy practically all of their supplies from retail stores. The state has many camps for boys and girls, and the number is rapidly growing. Estimates on purchases were secured from 35 camps, and from these the total purchases of all camps were estimated on the basis of capacity. Since these camps are usually located in inaccessible or isolated places the estimates were secured by correspondence. Seasonal Distribution The seasonal distribution of receipts throughout the year was obtained by analyzing the actual purchases of a few retail stores and wholesale companies and freight records of receipts at a few important centers. At Fabyan practically all receipts for a number of hotels came in by a special freight car and records of these receipts were obtained and June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT ^ E EAT? summarized to study when the different commodities were purchased. Daily records of purchases were also obtained from retail stores, in Nashua, Concord, and Littleton and wholesale companies in Manchester and Portsmouth. These records were then tabulated by weeks and plotted on graph paper. These graphs showed the trend of purchases from other than farmers verj^ clearly for most products, but the weekly purchases were irregular since individual stores often buy sufficient sup- plies of many farm products to last more than a week. From the data obtained it seemed evident that if actual weekly records could be obtained from all stores, the graph would resemble a smooth curve. A smooth curve was therefore fitted to these data with an area inside the curve equal to the actual record of purchases. Weekly percentages of total yearly purchases from other than farmers were then obtained for these trend figures. These weekly percentages were then multiplied times the total purchases from other than farmers as obtained from retail stores. This method, it is believed, should give a close approximation of the sea- sonal distribution; but it should not be taken as an accurate record of weekly purchases. Seasonal Distribution of strawberry purchases from Other Than local farmers, by Several new Hampshire stores AND wholesale COMPANIES. 1925 PER CENT OF TOTAL YEARLY PURCHASES 25 20 10 " \ . '•' Nut Brown Grocery, Nashua i .» Opening harvesi dafe in Southern N.M. I3ZS 2 9 '6 £3 ;C e 13 20 27 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 JAN FEB, MAR. APR 8 IS 22 2S E i2 I9 26 MAY JUNE »u»i»u c« •SK icooexws-uscr" *g« Figure 2 — Curves such as this, representing actual purchases of commodities by certain stores, were used to estimate the time of shipping in products. Railroad Records The sources of these food products purchased outside the state were determined by analyzing the railroad freight records at Berlin, Laconia, Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Dover and Keene. These are the princi- pal wholesale centers in the state, and the source of receipts coming into these cities should represent very closely the source of receipts for the entire state. The freight shipments were also used to check on the total purchases of imports in the case of a few commodities. 8 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 In addition to freight receipts, considerable amounts also came in by express and motor truck. It was impossible to get any reliable records on the amounts shipped in this way. Definition of Terms "Purchases" of farm products will be understood in this bulletin to mean the purchases of retail stores, hotels, large restaurants and boys' and girls' camps, as obtained in the survey. "Competing season" means the season during which local products can be sold on the local market with the usual methods of production and storage. "Non-competing season" means the season when local products are not available for sale on the local market with the usual methods of pro- duction and storage. THE STATE SITUATION Agriculturally, New Hampshire is not self-supporting. With a large in- dustrial population, small amounts of tillage land and short growing season, she consumes a much larger quantity of food than she produces. Apples, whole milk, eggs and chickens she ships out in large quantities, but in the case of all other commodities she imports more than she ships out.* The amount of farm products coming into the state, however, does not give any indication as to whether local farmers should produce these commodities. It merely indicates the size of local markets and the amount that local producers can increase their production without apparently having to ship out to other markets. Whether or not the farmer should produce a larger supply to meet the local demand is a separate question in the case of each commodity. The summary figures, of course, do not indicate total consumption, since many farmers sell direct to consumer and since many consumers have their own gardens. Neither do they include the large amount of products sold as canned goods which are practically all shipped in. Of the approximately $3,357,000 in purchases of vegetables and field products by retail stores and hotels, $1,220,000, or 37 per cent, was paid to local farmers, and $2,137,000, or 63 per cent, was paid to others. (See Figure 1.) In money value the outstanding imports are butter $2,805,- 000, potatoes $656,000, chickens $339,000, dry beans $330,000, asparagus $165,000, strawberries $294,000, and dry onions $200,000. The records of shipments in and of purchases from farmers for the various commodities in the state as a whole are shown in Table I, and the per cents of each commodity purchased from local farmers and from others are shown in Figure 1. From this chart it may be noted that over 94 per cent of the butter, dry beans, turkeys and dry onions purchased by stores and hotels were shipped in, and on the other extreme that 92 pm cent of sweet corn was purchased from local farmers. The purchases from outside, however, in the case of some commodities * There are a few instances of shipments within the state, but the amounts are be- lieved to be small. The amounts of products reported as purchased from other than local farmers, but which may have been grown within the state, are difficult to estimate. It is definitely known that a few apples were shipped from Rockingham county to Lan- caster merchants, that considerable sweet corn was trucked or expressed to the White Mountain region from Claremont and from Strafford county, and that a few cars of potatoes arrived on the Manchester market from northern New Hampshire. June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 9 do not present a fair picture of the home market possibiUties for local farmers. The amount of certain products coming into the state during the season of the year when they can be supplied by local production with ordinary methods is the important factor. This amount is shown in the case of some crops under the heading ''Competing Season" in Table I. The competing season may vary greatly from year to year, being affected by the season and by the adoption of new cultural practices, by location and soil. The separation of imports into amounts coming in during competing and non-competing season is intended here only as a rough approximation in order to more fully study the situation. The difference in amounts of total imports and of imports during the local competing season illustrates the danger of encouraging local pro- duction on the former basis. Care must also be taken in pointing to the receipts of vegetables even during the competing season as a basis for increased production. These receipts may be during the early part of the harvest season; and since many vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and string beans do not reach their maximum production until a week or more after harvesting begins, an increased acreage to supply the early part of the season would mean an oversupply on the market later. Table I — Purchases of agricultural products in the State of New Hampshire by retail stores, hotels and camps from farmers and from others in 1925, during competing and non-competing season Unit Amounts of purchases Estimated value of purchases From farmers From others From farmers From others Commodity Total Com- peting season Non- compet- ing season Total C ompeting season Non- competing season Potatoes Cabbage Beets Bus. Bbls. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. 10 doz. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. Bus. Bus. Bus. Boxes Bus. Doz. bunches Doz. bunches Bbls. Bus. Crates Doz. bunches Tubs Cases Lbs. Lbs. Crates Crates Crates Crates Bus. 223,560 25,160 9.853 13,076 10,165 3,824 35,127 815 2,729 9,963 20.617 9.278 9.705 7.362 12.306 32,740 29,653 6,898 4.408 8,829 52.813 6.904 62.829 966.453 13,987 14,273 649 521 12,070 86,476 435,460 14,950 3,463 6,129 13,641 3.295 3,469 39,271 48,015 2.156 16.726 5.756 1,604 5,527 12,515 21.655 19.465 12.283 1.201 25.707 43.055 103,882 82,035 969,840 255,547 29.730 246 227 1.924 38.296 304.240 8.760 3.463 6.129 13.641 3,295 2,000 39.271 48,015 2,156 3,288 1,475 800 3.316 3,406 8,165 6,655 1,200 1,201 6.951 14.361 103,882 82,035 969,840 255,547 1,138 246 227 1,924 26,530 131,220 6,190 ' V.469 13,438 4,281 804 2,211 9,109 13,490 12,810 11,083 18,756 28,694 28,592 'l'l',766 $313,000 63,000 16,000 20,000 13,000 7,000 70.000 7,000 11.000 48.000 35.000 13.000 29,000 11.000 12.000 25.000 22,000 14,000 6,000 29.000 158.000 186.000 942.000 338,000 7.000 100.000 9.000 4,000 77,000 108.000 $656,000 44.000 6.000 9.000 17.000 6.000 7,000 330.000 200.000 10.000 73.000 12.000 6,000 12.000 30.000 19.000 18,000 24,000 2,000 84,000 165,000 2.805,000 1,230,000 339,000 128,000 294,000 3.000 2.000 12.000 96.000 $426,000 22,000 6,000 9,000 17,000 6,000 4,000* 330,000 200,000 10,000 6,000 2,000 3,000* 6,000* 3,000* 6.000 5.000 2.000 2,000 23.000 50.000 2,805.000 1,230,000 339,000 128,000 8,000 3,000 2,000 12,000 66,000 $230,000 22,000 Carrots Turnips Parsnips Sweet corn Dry beans Dry onions Squash 3,000* Tomatoes String beans Peas 67,000 10,000 3,000* Cauhflower Cucumbers Beets (bunch) . . . Carrots (bunch) . Spinach Shell beans Celery 6,000* 27.000* 13,000 13,000 22,000 61.666 Asparagus Butter 115.000 Eggs Chickens Turkeys Strawberries .... Raspberries Blackberries Blueberries Apples 286.666 30 666 Total estimate d value $2,693,000 $6,639,000 $5,731,000 $908,000 * Competing season not clearly defined on these crops. 10 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 Then, too, it must be remembered that the shipments into the state during any one year indicate only the situation as to demand at the pre- vaihng price of that season. The demand might have been much greater had the price been lower. This is especially true where the fresh vege- tables have strong competition in canned products. The quantity of products shipped into a state, however, is only one measure of the difference between local production and local consumption. Quality is another measure that is often very important. Local pro- ducers may be able to obtain a higher price for their best grade and quality of product in outside markets than local consumers are willing to pay. Eggs, of very high quality, for example, are being shipped out of some communities in the state at the same time that eggs of a lower grade are being shipped into those communities. The difference in price obtained from these two methods of sale justifies their shipment into and out of a market at the same time. In other cases the quality of products de- manded by local consumers is higher than that supplied by local pro- ducers; and retail stores and hotels catering to this demand are compelled to order the quality of products that they want in outside markets. In making adjustments of local production to local consumption we shall, therefore, have to consider the quality of products demanded. Bearing these reservations in mind, the results of the survey may be considered by commodities. For purposes of discussion the state has been divided into seven dis- tricts as shown in Figure 3 : District 1, or Upper Coos, includes the upper part of Coos county includ- ing Berlin and Gorham. This district has a short-growing season. Wholesale fluid milk and potatoes are the chief sources of income. District 2, or White Mountain, includes southern Coos county and northern Grafton county. Wholesale milk is the chief source of income. District 3, or Lake Region, includes Carroll and Belknap counties, also the Pemigewasset Valley in Grafton county. A region of small farms. A large summer population. District 4, or Sullivan, includes Sullivan county and southern Grafton county. A region of general farms, wholesale milk being the major enterprise. District 5,* or Cheshire, includes Cheshire county, a region of small farms. District 6, or Merrimack Valley, includes Hillsboro and Merrimack counties and the western half of Rockingham county. These districts contain the three largest cities of the state. An area of small general farms; dairying, poultry and fruit. District 7, or Coast, includes Strafford county and the eastern half of Rockingham county. A region of small general farms; dairying^ poultry and fruit. The market demand for each product will be considered separately by districts. In the case of the White Mountains, where a special problem is presented, separate treatment will be given. * Records for this district were taken from Cheshire county survey by H. I. Richards and H. A. RolUns, New Hampshire Station Bulletin No. 217 except for butter and dry beans which were estimated from Sullivan county. June, 1026] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 11 New Hampshire OH rifiOU TM Figure 3 — The state was divided into seven districts. 12 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 Some discussion will be attempted in each commodity as to production, although the lack of definite information will necessitate only very general statements. For the state as a whole, potatoes, some cabbage and celery, and large amounts of dry onions and dry beans are shipped in during the time local products could be marketed. In the case of other commodities the production and consumption show a very delicate balance and any in- crease in production would probably oversupply the local market. How- ever, in the case of certain markets the local growers seem to be furnishing a larger per cent of products used than in other markets, a condition which suggests that skilled vegetable gardeners may find opportunities around certain cities. For instance, Dover seems to be supplied better than most cities with local celery and asparagus. A few men in the vicinity of that city make a specialty of these crops. A study of the records for different cities, which are given in the appendix, suggests that this same opportunity exists around other towns. Then, too, in order to have the real situation well in mind, it is important to realize that there are large cities just over the line in Massachusetts, Haverhill with 54,000 people, Lowell with 113,000 people and Lawrence with 94,000 people within easy trucking distance of many southern New Hampshire growers. POTATO PURCHASES FROM FARMERS AND OTHERS Classified by Districts, 1925 BUSHELS THOUSANDS zoo 150 100 50 3 4 5 DISTRICTS Figure 4 — The Merrimack Valley (District 6), Cheshire (District 5) and Coast (District 7) depend largely on shipped-in potatoes. POTATOES Perhaps the most outstanding figures in the records are those of pota- toes. As shown in Table II, 435,460 bushels of potatoes were purchased from other than local farmers, as compared to 223,560 bushels purchased from local growers. Of the potatoes imported 131,220 bushels, or 30 per June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 13 cent, were purchased during June and July, the non-competing season.* Table II — Potatoes — purchases from retail stores, hotels and camps from farmers aiid from others District 1. Upper Coos 2. White Mt 3. Lake Region 4. Sullivan 5. Cheshire 6. Merrimack Valley 7. Coast Total Potatoes (bushels) From farmers 21,150 26,340 32,890 29,280 14,050 75,660 24,190 223,560 From others Total 18,630 14,050 62,720 24.700 47,840 221,430 46.090 435,460 June and July 2,830 3,890 23,960 7,610 14,790 57,700 20,440 131,220 Aug. and Sept. 470 2,410 14,000 1,900 3,770 31,160 5,510 59,220 Oct. to May 15,330 7.750 24.760 15,190 29.280 1.32,570 20.140 245,020 BUSHELS THOUSANDS Seasonal Purchases of potatoes from Other than LOCAL Farmers Classified by Districts. 1925 lOO 50 UJ f^on-Compefipg Season |l . 'I Competing Season Eorty Potatoes June andOuly V tI August and September Contpeting Season Late Potatoes October to May ■ U* tCOMMK^U 1 e€^ *«a FlGUHE 5 — The Merrimack Valley (District 6) would [seem to be an outstanding potato market for both early and late potatoes. These new potatoes come mostly from Virginia, New Jersey and New York. Thirteen per cent, or 59,220 bushels, were purchased from other than local farmers during August and September in competition with our early potatoes. They come mostly from Virginia, New Jersey and Maine. From October to May the purchase of imported potatoes in competition with locally grown late crops amounted to 245,020 bushels, or 57 per cent of total purchases from others. The Merrimack Valley district shipped in 31,160 bushels of potatoes during August and September in competition with local early potatoes, * All the potatoes handled in June and July, however, are not early potatoes.. Some old crop potatoes come in from Maine at this season. 14 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 New Hampshire Figure 6 — Map showing carloads of potatoes purchased from other than local farmers by stores, hotels and camps from October to May. (One dot equivalent to one carload.) and 132,570 bushels from October to May inclusive * in competition with our late crop. Thus, the production of approximately 200 acres of earl}' potatoes (yielding 150 bushels per acre) and 660 acres of late potatoes (yielding 200 bushels per acre) were shipped into this district during the competing season. Large quantities of potatoes are also shipped into other districts of the state. The coast area, district 7, imported over 5,000 bushels in August and September and over 20,000 bushels from Oc- tober to May. Cheshire, district 5, shipped in nearly 3,700 bushels in * From the railroad records it was found that in 1924, 2.3 cars of jwtatoas, or about 16,000 bushels, arrived in Manchester from New Hampshire shipping jx>ints. June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 15 August and September and over 29,000 bushels from October to May. The Lake region, district 3, shipped in 14,000 bushels in August and September and over 24,000 bushels in October to May. Even the Sulhvan area, district 4, which is largely rural, shipped in 17,000 bushels during the competing season. The city of Berlin shipped in about 10,000 bushels from October to May. During the same period Man- chester shipped in 60,000 bushels, Nashua 25,000, Concord 15,000, and Dover 10,000 bushels. ... That the shipment in of potatoes is not a temporary situation in the year 1925 is shown by the regularity of potato receipts by freight in the larger cities as indicated in Table III, which shows the carlot receipts of potatoes by months for a period of six years on the Manchester market. Table III — Receipts of potatoes on Manchester markets, for a period of six years, by carloads Month 1919 20 1920-21 1921-22 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 20 18 22 24 14 12 15 15 14 It) 17 20 15 19 18 25 t) 10 11 n 10 11 11 21 19 16 23 19 8 12 15 14 14 26 16 16 24 18 16 19 11 17 17 17 29 20 16 24 31 14 24 25 10 16 13 23 20 13 17 17 16 17 October 28 November 10 December 10 18 Febniarv 18 March 16 April 14 May 21 June 26 J uly 19 Total 207 166 198 228 223 213 The foregoing figures do not give an entirely accurate idea of the state situation. New Hampshire as a whole produces a larger amount of po- tatoes than the purchases show, but in the process of marketing, the sur- plus-producing areas such as Colebrook and Haverhill ship direct to" Boston, while other areas especially in southern New Hampshire ship in potatoes from Aroostook county, Maine, and other surplus-producing regions. Producers in each of these areas consider this method of market- ing the most profitable under present conditions. The adjustment of production to consumption within the state is therefore largely a market- ing problem. Carlot shipments from Maine to the seven districts for the period Sept. 12, 1923 to March 31, 1924 were as follows: District 1 19 cars District 5 40 cars 2 2 " " 6 257 " 3 ... 29 " " 7 49 " 4 16 " From such estimates of the cost of production as are available, there is good reason to beheve that, even excluding the high price season of 1925- 1926, the New Hampshire farmer in deficiency-producing areas on a good farm, fully equipped with machinery and with good methods, should be able to produce potatoes with some margin of profit above cost, including wages at 40 cents per hour. One important factor is the use of labor at seasons when the present organization affords very little profitable use of time. On this account little extra labor need be employed in growing 10 acres of potatoes. 16 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 In the present surplus-producing districts of the state such as Colebrook and Haverhill, the farmers have little advantage in location as to markets over Aroostook county. Both must depend largely on Boston and other large markets, and the advantage in freight rates in favor of northern New Hampshire is only 10 cents per 100, or 6 cents per bushel. However, the Wholesale: prices of potatoes on the Manchester. concord,and boston markets, 1921-1925 SON. DJFM. AMSOND. J. FMAMSOND. JFM-A. M.S. O N D J F M A M S O N D. J F MAM 1 92 1 -'22 l922-'23 1923-2^ l92A-'25 1925-'26 PUHUU OF »SI) UOMOMK&USC'CFIMW Figure 7 — The Concord and Manchester price of potatoes closely follows the Boston market. (Source of data, New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin.) farmers in these areas are limited in crops that may be grown; and pota- toes fit in with the organization of dairy farms and can usually be grown with little additional hired labor. In the southern part of New Hampshire there is an advantage of about 40 cents per hundred in freight charges, as compared to Aroostook county, or about 24 cents per bushel; and there is further advantage in eliminating commission and other charges which the long distance shipper cannot well avoid. On certain farms well located, with good potato soil, with favorable topography and reasonably free of obstructions, potatoes may be grown advantageously in New Hampshire. To what extent other farms can profitably grow this crop will require further inquiry in some detail as to cost of production under different conditions. CABBAGE Of the total purchases of cabbage by stores, camps and hotels. Table IV shows that 25,240 barrels, or 63 per cent, were from local farmers, and 14,950 barrels, or 37 per cent, were from others. Of the imported pur- chases approximately 6,190 barrels, or 41 per cent, were received during April, May and June, a non-competing season; 3,980 barrels, or 27 per June, 1926J CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 17 cent, in July, August and September in competition with local early cabbage, and 4,780 barrels, or 32 per cent, from October to May in com- petition with our late crop. In the northern part of the state a consider- able amount of cabbage is imported. The Upper Coos district shipped in 3,070 barrels, or 90 per cent, of its purchases; the White Mountains district shipped in 2,210 barrels, or 74 per cent, and the Lake district, 2,670 barrels, or 50 per cent, of total purchases. The amounts shipped into these districts during the competing season of 1925 represent the average production from 13 acres of early cabbage and 14 acres of late cabbage, indicating that a few growers might well look further into this market. In southern New Hampshire, as indicated by districts 4, 5, 6 and 7, very little cabbage is shipped in during the competing season, and {my marked increase in production would necessitate shipping out to other markets. Table IV — Cabbage — purchases by retail stores, hotels and camps from farmers and from others Cabbage (barrels) District From farmers From others Total Apr. to June July to Sept. Oct. to May 1 . Upper Coos 340 770 2,710 950 790 10,390 9,290 3,070 2,210 2.670 660 1,140 3,770 1,430 680 580 610 430 750 2,470 670 980 1,230 990 50 90 300 340 1,410 2 White Mt. 400 3. Lake Region 1,070 4. Sullivan 180 5. Cheshire 300 6. Merrimack Valley 1,000 7. Coast 420 Total 25,240 14,950 6,190 3,980 4,780 There seems to be a very great difference in the amounts of cabbage handled by stores in various towns. Berlin (see tables in appendix) storekeepers purchased 2,584 barrels of cabbage or 161 barrels per 1,000 population, shipping in 93 per cent. On the other hand, Claremont stores purchased only 22 barrels per 1,000 people; the stores of Manchester purchased 77 barrels per 1,000 people, of which 68 per cent were from local growers. Cabbage receipts in New Hampshire cities from outside the state come largely from Boston. Most of the early cabbage received during the local competing season is produced in Massachusetts, while most of the late cabbage comes from both New York and Massachusetts.* The price of cabbage in the Boston, Manchester and Concord markets for the last five years is shown in Figure 10. Manchester and Concord prices have averaged during this period much higher than Boston's wholesale prices. This is especially true of early cabbage, which is difficult to ship and store, and shows the advantage in price which local growers may expect to receive when they are able to deliver direct to the retailer. There has also been a steady downward trend in cabbage prices on the Boston market during the last five j^ears which is not reflected in Manchester and Concord prices. The prices in these markets reflects very closely the amount of cabbage produced locally. Boston, of course, * "Receipts and Sources of Boston Food Supply," by D. H. Goodwin, Mass. Dept. of Agri., Feb., 1925, Table IX. 18 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 Cabbage Purchases From Farmers and Others, Classified by districts, 1925 DISTRICTS! 2,000 4,000 PURCHASES 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 Y//\ Farmers Others euRCAU or ;>S1I ECCMOaiCSUA^EPTAOa. FitiURE 8 — The fanners in southeastern New Hani])shire, District 6 and 7, very largely supply the market demand for cabbage. Purchases show number of barrels.. Seasonal Purchases of Cabbage from Other than local farmers BARRELS Classified by districts, 1925 HUNDREDS 20 15 10 0 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 DISTRICTS Non-Compe-ting Season-April-June l.'.j Competing Season-Earlij Cabbage- Julg-Sept ^^1 Competing Season-Late Cabbage- Oct. - Marcti ■ UDt.U rX "CR CC0N0HIC3 U 5 Oi»^ «C" Figure 9 — Northern New Hampshire, Districts 1, 2 and 3, ship in cabbage during the competing season. June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EATi 19 furnishes an outlet for any surplus of local production over the demands of local markets that can be shipped in carload lots. Poultry producers feed considerable amounts of cabbage to chickens, and would probably use much larger quantities if they could obtain it at Boston wholesale prices. The number of poultry growers in New Hamp- shire has increased rapidly during the last few years, and they should furnish a market for at least the poorer quality of cabbage raised, making it necessary to sell only cabbage of the best quality to retail stores. Farmers in New Hampshire according to the U. S. Census produced 254 acres of cabbage in 1924. An increase of 39 acres to supply the entire deficiency of local production to meet local demand during the competing season for both early and late cabbage would therefore mean only a small addition to the total acreage. Any general expansion in production would soon necessitate shipping cabbage to outside markets at a lower price. It may be feasible for certain farmers, however, to grow cab- bage for shipment to outside markets. It must be remembered that this would bring our growers into direct DOLLARS PER BBL. WHOLESALE PRICES OF CABBAGE ON THE MANCHESTER, CONCORD, AND BOSTON MARKETS, 1920-1925 _i__i ' '- I A50NDJFMAAS0ND. JFMAASONDJ. FMAAS0NDJFMAA5ONDJFMA, 1920-21 1921-22 l922-'23 1923-2'V l924-'25 •uuiuoocN (COMOoiuu Figure 10- -The price of cabbage on the Manchester and Concord markets, while sensitive to the Boston market, is usually higher. (Source of data, New Hampshire Weekly Market Bulletin.) competition with the late cabbage-producing centers in Massachusetts and New York, and over a period of years production costs would have to be very low. But since certain markets are importing some cabbage during the competing season, the place of this crop in our farm organization and the cost of producing it become of interest. Cabbage, like potatoes, fits into a general dairy farm organization pretty well, as the peaks of labor re- quirements come in June and October, thus avoiding the haying season. In some cases the farmer's time could be better distributed than at 20 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 present by producing cash crops. While we may expect cabbage to fluctuate greatly in price, on the general dairy farm a small acreage could always be utilized as feed in a bad price year, thus eliminating the chance of complete failure due to price. Very little data on cost of producing cabbage in New Hampshire is available, and any detailed discussion as to the costs or margins of profit even on good farms will have to await further study. The greatest opportunity in supplying the present demand would seem to be in the northern districts 1, 2 and 3. The early cabbage demand in the White Mountains and the late cabbage demand in Berlin may offer opportunities to a few farmers favorably situated. DRY BEANS The purchase of dry beans from local farmers as shown in Table V is insignificant. Of the nearly 40,000 hundred-pound sacks of beans pur- chased in the state, only 815 were produced locally. The 39,000 remain- ing sacks of beans, or 65,350 bushels, is equivalent to the production from 4,350 acres with a yield of 15 bushels per acre. Expressed in still a dif- ferent way, about 100 carloads of dry beans from outside sources are re- quired to supply the demand in our state. Most of the dry beans received were produced in New York, Michigan or California. Bean production on a commercial scale has shifted to rather definite areas where the climatic conditions are especially favorable. Probably our climate is much too damp and cool at harvest time, and production on a large scale would involve much hand work in drying and curing vines. In very favorable districts like western New York, bean production with machinery requires only about 35 hours of man labor per Table V — Dry beans, dry onions, squash, and sweet corn — purchased by retail stores, hotels and camps from farmers and from others District Dry beans (100 lbs.) Dry onions (100 lbs.) Squash (100 lbs.) Sweet corn (lOdoz.) Farmers Others Farmers others Farmers others Farmers others 1. UDoer Coos "62 188 159 31 220 155 3,193 1,825 6,478 3,127 1,576 17,526 5,546 'ii4 129 55 454 1,195 772 3,709 3,088 6,423 3,676 3,170 23,252 4.697 178 285 686 649 602 5,936 1,627 286 404 707 127 82 348 202 2,627 1.256 4,565 2,348 1,845 16,840 5,646 211 2. White Mt 1,542 3. Lake Region 4. Sullivan 358 599 5. Cheshire 6. Merrimack Valley . . . 7. Coast 209 375 175 Total 815 39,271 2,719 48,015 9.963 2,156 35,127 3,469 acre. And since a product like beans can be stored and shipped in car- loads very cheaply, it is doubtful if we can expect to meet the market de- mand by local production. However, a few men have been very success- ful in producing a small acreage of beans, by using a large area of barn space in drying and curing the vines. It is of interest to note that the per capita consumption of beans as indicated by store purchases is very large, being for the state as a whole nearly 10 pounds. Berlin stores handled 1,578 cwt. or 10 pounds per June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 21 capita; Manchester, 5,825 cwt. or 7.7 pounds per capita. This compares with an estimated consumption of 6 to 7 pounds per capita for the nation as a whole. DRY ONIONS The purchase of dry onions by retail stores and hotels closely paralleled these purchases of dry beans. (See Table V). Many stores handled ap- proximately 5,000 pounds of each. Of the 50,000 one-hundred pound sacks of onions purchased, 96 per cent, or 48,000, were shipped in. This is equal to the production of over 500 acres with an average yield of 200 bushels. Most of the onions shipped in were produced in Massachusetts and New York, although some come from Bermuda and southern states in crates. The production of onions in ^Massachusetts has developed into a specialized industry employing much cheap hand labor. Such districts can produce so cheaply that it is doubtful if the New Hampshire farmer could afford to compete with this crop. At least it would be necessary to approach such districts in labor cost and use many of the methods in production that are employed there. Moreover, onion production has in recent years suffered from over- production due to available cheap labor in certain districts. SQUASH Local farmers evidently supplied most of the squash consumed in the state, since the stores and hotels (as shown in Table V) imported only 2,156 cwt., or 18 per cent of total purchases. The southern part of the state, as indicated by districts 4, 5, 6 and 7, ships in very little of this commodity; in fact it is believed that some squash is trucked to markets to the south. In the northern part of the state, as indicated in districts 1, 2 and 3, some squash is shipped in. Berlin (as shown in tables in appendix) imported 186 cwt., or 63 per cent of its total purchases, and Plymouth imported 120 cwt., or 54 per cent of its total purchases. Other towns imported only a small amount of squash, the large city of Manchester shipping in only 61 cwt. and Nashua only 7 cwt. Any increase in local production of squash in southern New Hampshire must therefore be on the basis of shipping to outside markets, and since the squash market is periodically flooded, expansion in acreage is some- what risky. SWEET CORN The purchase of sweet corn from other than farmers was found ex- ceedingly small. (See Table V.) Probably much of that which is im- ported comes in before local farmers are able to harvest. Quarantine regulations prevent shipments from certain areas, and, no doubt, more out-of-season corn would be brought in if it were not for this. The summer hotels in district 2 ship in a large amount, much of which comes from Sullivan county where a few growers are making a specialty of early sweet corn. It is interesting to note from the tables in the appendix that Claremont and Laconia shipped in no corn, and that Manchester- shipped in 2,700 22 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 dozen, Nashua 200 dozen and Berlin 500 dozen, a very small part of the total purchases. The demand for early sweet corn is shown in the high prices paid. The price the second week in August has averaged 35 cents for five years as compared to 18 cents for the second week- in September. Since considerable sweet corn is grown for canning factories there is usually a reserve supply available which has a tendency to keep the market stabilized. The factories can use the crop, so that there is no surplus, and if the price is exceedingly high some of this corn grown for the factory finds its way to the market. BEETS, CARROTS, PARSNIPS AND TURNIPS Since these crops are somewhat similar in production requirements and are interchangeable to some extent as to demand, they have been con- sidered as a group. The purchases of these crops by retail stores and hotels from farmers and from others are shown in Table VI. Of the 13,316 bushels of beets purchased, 74 per cent were from farmers and 26 per cent were from others. In the Merrimack Valley (district 6) the stores purchased 6,844 bushels, of which only 15 per cent were im- ported. The Lake district purchased 2,007 bushels through stores and hotels, of which 54 per cent were imported. It is of interest to note (see tables in appendix) that stores of Concord shipped in 414 bushels of beets, Nashua 35 bushels, Manchester 288 bushels, indicating that local farmers were supplying the demand. In fact the purchases of beets by bushels in any one town were not large. Table VI — Beets, carrots, turnips and parsnips — -purchases by retail stores, hotels and camps from farmers and from others District Beets (biis.) from Carrots (bus.) from Turnips (bus.) from Parsnips (bus.) from Farmers others Farmers others Farmers Others Farmers Others 1. Upper Coos 287 529 923 718 429 5,848 1,119 344 427 1,084 352 134 996 126 278 614 1,008 577 494 8,381 1,724 820 453 1,577 844 334 1,825 276 . 1,073 1,082 1,132 481 715 3,965 1,716 2,807 763 2,498 408 408 5,799 958 10 163 236 163 241 2,284 727 120 2. White Mt. 437 3. Lake Region 4. Sullivan 450 432 5. Cheshire 6. Merrimack Valley .... 7. Coast 160 1,363 333 4 Total 9,853 3,463 13,076 6,129 10,164 13,641 3,824 3,295 Of the 19,205 bushels of cut carrots purchased, 68 per cent were from local farmers and 32 per cent from others. District 7 in southeastern New Hampshire shipped in only 276 bushels, or 14 per cent of the total pur- chases. On the other hand. Upper Coos county in district 1 shipped in 820 bushels, or 74 per cent of total purchases. District 3, or Lake area, shipped in 1,577 bushels, or 61 per cent of total purchases. The Merrimack Valley, district 6, shipped in 1,825 bushels, or 18 per cent of total pur- chases. The stores in Nashua shipped in only 72 bushels of carrots, Manchester 537 bushels, and Concord 596 bushels, while Berlin imported 719 bushels, which was 86 per cent of the total purchases. The local June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 23 production for the crop year 1924 did not fully supply the market, and there may be a chance for some expansion near certain centers. Of the 7,119 bushels of parsnips purchased by stores and hotels 3,824 bushels, or 54 per cent, were from farmers and 46 per cent were from others. The northern part of the state, as indicated by districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Table VI, purchased 72 per cent of its total purchases from others. It would seem that local farmers are not meeting the demand in WHOLESALE PRICES OF CUT BEETS, CARROTS, PARSNIPS, AND TURNIPS ON THE Manchester Market, 1920- 1925 CENTS PER BU. 300 250 200 50 100 50 ^ J. A J O J A J O J A J O. J A. J O" J A J 0 J A J 0 J. A J 0 J 1920-21 1921-22 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 Figure 11 — Carrots, beets, parsnips and turnips are seldom low in price at the same time. these districts. However, the quantities shipped in are rather small, being 120 bushels, 437 bushels, 450 bushels and 432 bushels respectively in districts 1, 2, 3 and 4. In the southern part of the state local farmers furnish 53 per cent of total purchases. The Merrimack Valley, district 6, shipped in the largest amount, or 1,363 bushels. With the exception of Manchester and Concord, where the stores imported 339 and 552 bushels respectively, the shipments into any one city are very small. Of the 23,805 bushels of turnips purchased by stores and hotels of the state, 43 per cent were from local farmers and 13,641, or 57 per cent, were from others. The Merrimack Valley, or district 6, shipped in 5,799 bushels, or 59 per cent of its total purchases. This is equivalent to about 10 carloads or production from 20 acres. Upper Coos shipped in 2,807 bushels, or 70 per cent of its total purchases. District 3, or Lake region, shipped in 2,498 bushels, or 69 per cent of total purchases. The purchase of turnips through stores seems to vary greatly in different cities. In the case of Manchester 3,992 bushels, or 90 per cent, were shipped in, while in case of Nashua only 191 bushels, or 11 per cent, were shipped in. Berlin shipped in 1,025 bushels, or 68 per cent of total pur- 24 UNIV. OF N. H. AGE. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 chases. The one store at Lincoln purchased one car for use in lumber camps. There is a deficiency of local production of turnips in every district, and some expansion in production could be made before supplying local de- mand. However, there seems to be some question in the minds of the retailer as to the quality of local products. Much of the turnips shipped in come from New Brunswick, and the average retailer interviewed seemed to prefer these on account of their reputation for good eating qualities. Prices of these products on the Manchester market for the last five years show a striking similarity in yearly changes and direction of changes throughout the season. The average price for the last five years has been as follows: beets, $1.67; carrots, $1.55; parsnips, $1.96, and turnips, $1.25. Expressed in terms of acreage required to produce the amount pur- chased from other than local farmers, with average yields, parsnips would require 13 acres, carrots 21 acres, beets 14 acres, and turnips 46 acres, or a total of 94 acres. The production of beets, carrots, or parsnips cannot be increased very much without making it necessary to ship to outside markets at a con- siderably lower price than is now received locally. Any extensive ex- pansion, therefore, must be estimated on the basis of Boston or New York markets minus freight and handling charges. This would necessitate very efficient production. BUNCH BEETS AND BUNCH CARROTS Of the total purchases of bunch beets, 32,740 dozen bunches, or 60 per cent, were from local farmers and 21,655 dozen bunches were from others. (See Table VII.) Of the latter only 8,165 dozen bunches were shipped in during the growing season. The largest importation during the competing season was in northeastern New Hampshire, as indicated by district 3 in Table VII. While the amounts of bunch beets shipped in are not large in any one city, the great variation in different cities is worthy of notice. Of the beets handled by stores and hotels, Plymouth purchased 1,787 dozen bunches, or 73 per cent, outside; Newport, 4,560 dozen bunches, or 71 per cent, outside; while Dover purchased only 158 dozen bunches, or 7 per cent of total purchases, outside. Manchester purchased 1,148 dozen bunches outside, or 16 per cent of its total purchases. It would seem that with the exception of a few towns such as Newport and Plymouth, the demand is well supplied by local farmers. Of the total purchases of bunch carrots 19,465 dozen bunches, or 40 per cent, were imported, and 6,655 dozen bunches of these were brought in during the local harvest season, which was estimated to be from July 9 to October 1. Districts 3 and 4 were the heaviest purchasers of shipped-in bunch carrots. This is rather difficult to explain, but perhaps in many of the smaller centers no one is making a business of providing vegetables to the trade. As in the case of bunch beets there was great variation in dif- ferent towns. Plymouth purchased 1,792 dozen bunches, or 84 per cent of its total purchases, outside; Newport, 4,415 dozen bunches, or 70 per cent; while Dover purchased only 147, or 6 per cent, outside. There is little danger of loss due to overproduction since only those beets or carrots which are in demand need be harvested. The remainder can be allowed to mature and sold later as cut beets or cut carrots. June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 25 Table VII — Beets (bunch) and carrots (bunch) — purchases by retail stores, hotels and camps from farmers and from others Beets (dozen bunches) Carrots (d ozen bunches) District From farmers From others * From farmers From others Total Compet- ing season Non-com- peting season Total Compet- ing season Non-com- peting season 1. Upper Coos 2. White Mt 3. Lake Region 331 760 4,022 2,513 2,579 15,033 7.502 364 793 4,881 5.240 905 6,861 2,611 243 533 3,263 1,350 289 1,892 595 121 260 1,618 3,890 616 4,969 2.016 3 412 2.566 2.373 1,428 16,184 6,687 275 816 4,165 4,926 613 6,268 2,402 148 459 2,249 2.660 85 770 284 127 357 1.916 2,266 5. Cheshire 6. Merrimack Valley. . . 7. Coast 528 5,498 2,118 Total 32,740 21.655 8.165 13,490 29,653 19,465 6.655 12,810 TOMATOES New Hampshire growers are only furnishing a little more than one-half the demands of retail stores and hotels for fresh tomatoes during the year as a whole. In 1925 the imports amounted to 16,726 bushels, compared with 20,617 bushels purchased from farmers. During the period, how- ever, when tomatoes can be produced without forcing in this state, which was estimated to be from August 15 to October 1 in southern New Hamp- shire and from August 22 to October 1 in northern New Hampshire, only 3,288 bushels came in from outside. This represents the average produc- tion from approximately 10 acres, whereas the total acreage in 1924 of Seasonal Distribution of Tomato Purchases from Other Than LOCAL Farmers. BY Three Companies. i925 PER CENT 15 10 A veroge opening hardest date for outdoor tomatoes Southern. N H 1925 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT NOV DEC ■uii(«uo•— Jl r^ Tn. \ VK- / .^' Vw I U / ^^ \ \ .y^ 1 ' ^^ ^'" ^-^^ i^\. ^ \ ^^^ •"' <^r \ \ ^ 1 N>--^ \ n - .-' 1 1 12 i9 26 3 10 17 2', 31 7 1^ 21 JUNE JULY ■U ECOflOa'CI U S DIPT Act AUG. ^r II 18 SEPT Figure 20 — Demand for vegetables in summer hotels is greatest in the middle of July. mean that local farmers can profitably supply this market. Production costs, as well as price received, must be considered. There are at present a few commercial gardeners producing for these hotels. In fact, several j^ears ago a co-operative arrangement was entered into by a group of farmers to market vegetables. This failed largely be- cause the producers did not grow the products in sufficient quantity to keep a regular supply available. Most of the farms supplying vegetables for this region are located in the Connecticut River Valley, where the growing season is fairly long. The soil here is well suited to vegetable s e ^ pa »— t 1 1—4 • • • -00 -IN • • -1-1 . . .-H ^ • -(N • • ■ (N a 01 OQ ■S rf ■ • • .rtOSOJ •Tj(00ii5 • • -OCDOO .^ a C<3iM 1—1 00 • ■ . . O ■.CO i-ir^U5iM . 00 ■-< Tf O 00 M N (MiOO < 05 10 CO t>. ■iOC<30000O)-*CCi-*. XLO>ocoTjir*»-4^HTjit^iNO-^c^cooiOTji IN l-( i-i rH f-i -H to ^ 3 00 lO CO M< M to IN M -H i-i Tj( lO CO 0> 03 t-i CO O ■* -^lO O OS k! >i tONiNO-^iO >-l CO "O Tt* lO O CO t^ O •* CO .-1 l-l-Hr-l (N COIN .4^ 3 1-5 Oco o S IN r- I— ( CO • • ■U300-*lNO'-i-*iO03tOlNOtOifl fe , to • • -TjIlN r-l CO CO ■-! CO IN C^ »0 IN t^ CO rH r-*rH i-( O CO 3 1-5 to IN 1— ( O I— t •O • • • 03 to ■* O t^ "3 to — 1 >H lO CO >-l (N O >1 (N . . .(NO »-i (N r-i ■.!< N -^r-it^co r-t .-IrH OOO 3 1-5 cort m CO • ■ • lO -H TjH O 0> ■>!< O to i-l lO CO lO CS lO . ■ . ., >) 03 • ■ -OOO .-,>-l-HtO ■*(N03IN ■-I OtO 1-5 IN^ to C>) 1)1 • ■ -lOTflNtO -INOOUS • •CO'Ortt^ to . • -0310 . r-t • .Tfi^O^H d O^ 3 oo'i-T 1-5 03 . . . -cOiO^iO . .to • • • -oo-* (U • ■ • OOIN COOlrH C toco 3 IN 1-5 (N t-H a • • ■ -O -HiO ■ --^ 00 C • • • ■ t^ • •-< 3 1-5 „ Tf-i-*'-i COIN cocoes Tt< ©IN O-*(Nrt00 to to COOOt^NlNt^t^ tOi-i-HtOC^)!^ ^iO-*cOlNt»rtrH-!tOCOCOtOOJC->J'r-iK5— lO H r-<.-l r-lOtO ■-! xJlrtr-ilNI^ 8=^ [fi c o 03 T}0 »-i cocococo-^i-icscocoioto cot^ -^-^ o^-^ t^ t-*-^ Tji" rH f-7 O •-( lO rH OQ to..-..^-. ,— , D . . OJ OJ in a, . N x■S--~'^ 1 (era (era erat prat 1 xes) nch oun oxes oxes 37 o 3^ tfj^ ■o 6 E o trawberries* lackberries* aspberries* ( lueberries* ( abbage (bbls omatoes (bo eets (doz. bu arrets (doz. ucumbers (b auliflower (b pets+ rhiis "^ . pinach (bbls. ring beans ( iell beans (b pples (boxes mckens Obs. :=! -1— " ,- cox |1 sparagus (bu arsnips (bus urnips (bus. 3ua8h (100 n otatoes (bus nions (bags) elery (boxes (veet Corn (] ears (boxes) utter (tubs). u 1 MPqWWC )t- 3 cl JD J3 r« T3 C ni 03 XI OQ C5 J2 =3 a; O.03 3 a 53 ^- Xi o O 0 .2.2 3 3 QQ June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 41 production, and any increase in production for the White ]\Iountain hotel market is Ukely to be in this part of the district. It is evident from even a hasty survey of the situation that the in- dividuals who attempt to supply this market must have considerable business ability as well as special skill in market gardening. Planting dates for each vegetable must be carefully worked out in order to supply the market with the least surplus. The truck farm organization and acreage of each crop must also be considered with relation to the amount and time of labor demands. Poultry Local farmers furnish only a small part of the poultry and eggs pur- chased by summer hotels in the White ^Mountain area, as shown in Table XVI. In 1925 the hotels in district 2 purchased 54,720 pounds of poultry, no turke}' and 1,450 cases of eggs from local farmers, compared to 260,422 pounds of poultry, 36,000 pounds of turkey and 7,070 cases of eggs pur- chased from others. The purchases of poultry from other than local farmers, according to the estimates of a few hotels, consist of the following kinds: Per cent Pounds Broilers . ... 32 24 44 82,700 Roasters Fowl 62,800 114,900 Total 100 260,400 The trend of weekly purchases of poultry from other than local farmers in the White Mountain district is shown in Figure 18. The estimated amounts of these weekly purchases are shown in Table XVI. Purchases of eggs would probably follow the same weekly trend, as in the case of vegetables. The hotels must purchase from a source where the supply is dependable. They have not been able to depend on the local farmers to supply this demand and have, therefore, shipped in most of it from Boston. Many of the hotels use from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of poultry per season. They want dressed instead of live poultry, because it is much easier to handle and less expensive under their conditions. Although this large demand is for only a limited period of two months per season, it may be entirel}^ possible for commercial poultrymen to meet the situation either by shipments from poultry centers in southern New Hampshire or by men located within the district. The first would be a marketing problem in the establishment of a centralized agency to gather, ship and dress, and deliver poultry as needed. The second would require a production program of establishing well-organized poultry farms near the hotels. Both methods are worthy of study. PROBLEMS OF MARKETING If the New Hampshire farmer is to supply a larger per cent of the prod- ucts consumed in the state, or even to hold the present market in the face 42 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 of ever keener competition, he must solve some of the difficulties that now obtain. In the course of the personal calls on over 1,200 stores and 30(> hotels, many problems were suggested by retailers and others, and it would seem that a review of some of these would be in order here. 1. Quality. Some of the retailers catering particularly to a special market ship in certain vegetables, because the local products will not satisfy this high-class trade. So while the figures may show that the pro- ducer nearly supplies certain markets, there is, after all, a production problem in getting high quality products to certain stores. The skilled gardener grows more than the trade actually needs and sells only that which will look attractive. The attractiveness of the products, however, is not entirely in the hands of the farmer. In visiting the 1,200 stores the investigators noted great differences in the display of vegetables. In some cases stores had featured vegetables, and people purchased these commodities because the methods of display made them look appetizing. On the other hand, there is a demand, especially at certain seasons, for low quality products, such as storage eggs, on account of low prices. 2. Quantity. The retailer is primarily concerned with selling, and feels that his main energy should be spent in working out merchandising meth- ods. He does not have the time to deal with a large number of very small farmers who bring in small amounts of vegetables. He frequently states that the cost of buying under these conditions is too high. If he needs something, he can order from one source and know that it will be delivered. If the local producer wishes to sell to the larger stores he must produce in sufficient quantities to really establish and hold the market. The retailer sometimes ships in products because he has less trouble with his trade when he has uniform (juality products over a period of time. If he should have some especially fine local products one day and a poor quality the next day, his trade would be dissatisfied. Many of the retailers discouraged the production of vegetables in small units on this account. With each producer marketing only small amounts it is difficult to ship to other markets in case of oversupply on the local market. Systematic Marketing Many retailers claimed that they were not always able to buy local supplies to meet the demand because farmers were unwilling to market regularly. Of course, if the farmer prefers not to sell potatoes this week the retailer must get them elsewhere, and if the retailer ships in potatoes this week there may be a surplus later in the season. When production and consumption are in a delicate balance the shipping in of a few carloads may cause all local potatoes to be marketed at a lower price. The systematic marketing of farm products brings up the whole ques- tion of storage of products either on farms or in public storage houses. Certain crops by special storage methods can be held for special n\arkets. Celery can, no doubt, be stored for the holiday trade. Many of these questions will have to be worked out if we are to supply more of our own market. According to other retailers, the local products are not well distributed as to harvest time. This situation could be helped somewhat by more care on the part of farmers to make several plantings. June, 1926] CAX WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 45 Relations between Producer and Retailer The relations between producer and retailer in most instances are happy and businesslike. The retailers as a class were sympathetic and inter- ested in soMng the difficulties of local production to supply the market. However, since the many retailers buy from many farmers, many things happen that approach sharp practice and which serve to discourage local production. For instance, a retailer buys from a farmer paying market prices for a certain commodity only to find that his competitor purchased the same- thing, the same day, and from the same farmer at a much lower price, which enabled him to feature this commodit}^ at a low price. Naturally^ on the next occasion the first retailer attempts to buy below the market price, in order to protect himself. This sort of procedure in different variations means losses for both producers and retailer. In some in- stances it has become the practice for both retailer and producer to falsify concerning prices and demand. Contrasted with this condition is a market gardener who sells to the retailers at the market price. Through favorable experience they have come to respect his business ethics. They know that they will all be treated alike and that the price will be about right considering local supplies and Boston market. The retailer collects a margin above cost and is satisfied. The producer gets a fair price and in the end the con- sumer is better served. To build up such relationships as this is good business judgment. Price Many retailers, who were especially interested in this whole problem^ stated that many times the}' were forced to buy outside because the local producer was unwilling to adjust himself to the Boston market. In the keen competition between rival stores they found it necessarj^ to ship in vegetables to hold their customers, for a rival store underselling vegetables would draw trade. Since the demand for vegetables during the competing season is pretty well supplied by local producers, it is more often a problem of lowering the cost of growing the vegetables now sold than in growing more. Ordinarily at present the vegetables are grown in small units and with methods that require much labor. While vegetables will require considerable labor per unit of product, the use of the most modern equipment and best methods should lead to lower costs. Criticism of Retailer The greatest criticism heard against the retailer was that occasionally he may break the local market by shipping quantities of certain products at harvest time. Sometimes it is claimed this is done to secure a supply for storage at a low price, but more often it is merely the individual re- tailer's method of advertising or drawing attention to his store. That he may lose money on every unit sold does not seem to concern him if this loss results in larger sales of other products. He little realizes that tampering with the market in the case of a crop like strawberries works 44 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 an injustice on the local producer and in the long run discourages local production and makes prices higher to the consumer. It probably works little hardship on year-round manufacturers when a product is put on sale by retailers at a loss; but in the case of strawberries and other crops where the results of a year's work are put on the market within a brief time, the local producer may have to accept prices below the actual mar- ket possibilities. Thus, the retailer, in jockeying for a position of ad- vantage over other retailers, often discourages local production. NEED OF FURTHER STUDY As stated in the introduction, this study was intended only as a pre- liminary survey to get a general picture of the situation. From a study of this survey it would seem that there are several outstanding problems which require detailed study and analysis. 1. Under what conditions can our producers afford to meet the market demand for potatoes? Large amounts are being shipped in. Is it feasible or practical to grow them locally? 2. Large quantities of poultry are being shipped in to summer hotels. Would this demand be attractive to our producers? Could they furnish poultry for this market? What is the best way to supply this large demand? 3. Can local producers profitably supply the White Mountain vegetable demand? 4. There is a demand for celery in nearly every district of the state. Can this be grown locally to better meet the demand? Can the demand for local products be further accentuated by storing for holiday trade? -5. Can the demand for cabbage be profitably supplied by local pro- ducers? And after supplying the local demand can cabbage be profitably grown for outside markets? 6. Can the vegetables which now practically fill the demand be grown with less labor and perhaps by fewer men? 7. Can the New Hampshire producers profitablj' force cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables in order to take advantage of the early price? 8. Can local farmers produce dry onions in competition with present production areas? 9. To what extent can we afford to meet the demand for dry beans? 10. What can be done to accelerate the marketing of local products? How can better trade relations be established between producer and retailer? How can unfair practices on the part of either retailer or producer be changed? These questions raise problems that cannot be adequately discussed in this study on account of lack of definite information. It is important that studies be made to secure such information as is necessary to satis- factorily discuss the problems. This will involve commodity studies in production and marketing under our conditions. In the case of potatoes, a survey of the conditions on 500 farms producing potatoes for the market should indicate not only something as to cost of production under varying June, 1926] CAN WE PRODUCE MORE OF WHAT WE EAT? 45 conditions and the feasibility of producing potatoes, but also may suggest changes in method which will enable the farmer to supply the market profitably. The problem of the White Mountain situation will involve a study of quality demanded, prices paid, willingness of hotel managers and stewards to purchase locally, and also possible methods of supplying the demand. The need of a detailed study of such production and marketing con- ditions as enable some local producers to supply a large part of the products used is also apparent* The district around Dover seems to be handling this situation especially well, and a study of conditions on that market should reveal some facts of significance for other centers. Table XVII — Estimated percentages of shipped-in products by stores during the competing season as compared to total purchases from others. An approximate idea of the situation in any one city in the tables on the following pages may be had by multiplying the total shipped in by the percentages for that district Commodity District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 Potatoes Cabbage Tomatoes String beans Strawberries 85 78 oi 3 85 76 35 50 3 63 78 19 18 69 34 19 18 69 66 19 18 74 34 19 25 15 56 51 1 2 TA3I.E XVIII — Purchases of agricultural products in sixteen New Hampshire cities and towns by retail stores from farmers and from others in 192o Unit Manchester Nashua Concord Portsmouth Commodity From farmers From others From farmers From others From farmers From others From farmers From others Bus. Bbls. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. 10 doz. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. Bus. Bus. Bus. Boxes Bus. Doz. bunches Doz. bunches Bbls. Bus. Crates Doz. bunches Lbs. Cases Lbs. Lbs. Crates Crates Crates Crates Bus. 6,394 3,980 1,768 3,679 449 663 6,426 25 62 1,398 5,466 2,056 806 1,111 3,566 6,180 8,154 2,462 698 3,699 5,518 200 2,970 193,365 500 1,104 50 56 1,475 14,258 100,125 1,880 288 537 3,992 339 270 5,825 8,343 61 3,318 808 114 592 2,085 1,148 1,466 1,608 97 4,044 7,312 1,709,833 14,880 68,375 31,720 4,310 30 ' 21 3,683 8,066 2,090 1,616 1,858 1,590 578 4,661 '850 3,754 1,204 679 624 1,941 2,. 356 2,384 834 732 463 8,991 2,500 2,735 130,890 1,308 786 11,992 42,177 424 35 72 191 20 20 2,990 3,466 1,571 410 60 279 908 918 848 844 50 2,631 1,765 642,900 7,338 31,343 32,9.30 1,610 ' ' 3 901 12,262 1,410 346 289 480 140 1,407 56 20 1,047 1,315 413 603 1,018 319 2,257 3,274 339 257 418 2,774 490 1,880 42,271 600 468 11 6 565 7,914 25,099 319 414 596 516 552 50 2,007 2,962 68 541 586 66 746 763 1,695 1,657 1,184 134 2,004 3,464 384,158 3,061 19,015 18,878 1,902 "3 4 424 11,806 887 158 505 257 281 1,532 35 381 626 749 492 465 569 490 2,187 1,647 584 363 623 9,152 1,161 59,575 925 25 45 438 6,730 16,492 Cabbage 349 Beets 29 Carrots 86 Turnips 514 67 Sweet corn Dry beans Dry onions Souash 15 1,220 1,448 71 Tomatoes String beans Peas 493 224 86 Cauliflower Cucumbers Beets (bunch) ....'. Carrots (bunch). . . . Spinach Shell beans Celerv 135 337 937 683 765 5 408 Asparagus Butter 6,944 200,135 Effffs 1,799 22,925 Strawberries Raspberries Blackberries Blueberries 594 "67 495 Unit Berlin Dover Keone Laconia Commodity From farmers From others From farmers From others From farmers From others From farmers From others Bus. Bbls. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. 10 doz. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. Bus. Bus. Bus. Boxes Bus. Doz. bunches Doz. bunches Bbls. Bus. Crates Doz. bunches Lbs. Cases Lbs. Lbs. Crates Crates Crates Crates Bus. 12,300 175 103 113 475 2,229 "i67 755 180 80 346 747 331 ""e 12 100 600 '285 11,600 '465 'i63 4,611 11,835 2,409 251 719 1,025 50 50 1,578 1,751 186 1,763 153 10 35 902 104 '2.39 18 630 1,600 290,800 5,098 5,750 2,100 1,390 "60 2,132 7,937 763 371 422 600 211 1,385 17 76 387 843 423 351 455 349 2,138 2,419 289 148 753 2,942 4,000 2,076 19,375 850 660 460 3,300 17,028 152 12 105 118 32 1,928 1,574 19 355 160 25 64 303 158 147 272 '46i 5,.596 206,798 1,840 11,995 • 2,350 371 4,703 3,590 498 209 281 418 152 1,250 31 476 410 250 '296 26 252 1,572 1,348 180 276 334 108 1,750 357 16,131 6,500 750 80 41 1,279 1,062 18,566 355 80 174 261 112 150 1,576 1,716 12 179 '44 18 244 620 406 682 325 1,680 92 163,750 1,267 2.500 12,908 1,474 '462 7,592 560 238 252 255 27 1,388 36 "i32 318 101 265 1.54 182 494 375 100 132 20 300 14,100 1,459 29,850 300 490 10 5 501 2,151 17,696 302 Beets .... 112 164 136 ParsniDS 140 Sweet corn IDry beans Dry onions 1,068 1,895 66 Tomatoes 271 String beans 217 15 Cauliflower Cucumbers Beets (bunch) Carrots (bunch) . . . Sninach . . . 178 259 322 357 470 Shell beans 30 489 Asparagus Butter 1,895 243,876 1,876 Chickens 4,600 3,380 Strawberries Raspberries Blackberries Blueberries 1,682 50 709 Table XVIII — Purchases of agricultural product? (continued) Unit Rochester Claremont Somersworth Franklin Commodity From farmers From others From farmers From others From farmers From others From farmers From others Bus. Bbls. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. 10 doz. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. Bus. Bus. Bus. Boxes Bus. Doz. bunches Doz. bunches Bbls. Bus. Crates Doz. bunches Lbs. Cases Lbs. Lbs. Crates Crates Crates Crates Bus. 2,622 4,204 58 139 135 30 365 "45 85 635 251 125 251 103 580 524 52 45 418 162 551 11,380 "in "82 640 3,913 629 37 23 41 60 11 48,300 55 14 87 110 41 13 118 212 233 92 456 1,025 74,088 729 2,620 385 106 3,015 193 105 90 323 113 710 3,108 5 291 171 213 109 82 102 449 369 84 44 170 1,890 48,5.30 3,226 27,225 3,.5.50 761 9 6 1.38 2,070 10,565 33 80 80 128 99 157,607 895 31 79 156 "22 138 25 25 138 6 295 130 232,670 1,076 1,2,50 4,700 1,145 2,795 2,964 2,702 150 166 184 57 461 395 "91 242 183 96 55 203 172 165 72 47 99 30 "2i4 7,880 '343 '25 699 6,046 "5 30 3 45,405 188 ' 41 70 "'3 42 1 10 ioo 55,366 567 2,920 "3 "44 1,850 5 5 2 '"'3 700 "22 7 "■5 4 1 "1 7,860 653 100 "29 '267 190 Cabbaee 5 Beets 10 Parsnips 5 Sweet corn Dry beans Dry onions Squash 9,110 203 Tomatoes String beans Peas Cauliflower Cucumbers Beets .... 3 Carrots 20 Shell beans Celery Asparagus Butter 26 4,450 Eggs Chickens Turkeys Strawberries Raspberries Blackberries Blueberries Apples "si . . . . "65 Commodity Potatoes Cabbage Beets Carrots Turnips Parsnips Sweet corn . . . . Dry beans Dry onions . . . . Squash Tomatoes String beans . . . Peas Cauliflower. . . . Cucumbers . . . . Beets (bunch) . . Carrots (bunch) Spinach Shell Beans . . . . Celery Asparagus Butter Eggs Chickens Turkeys Strawberries . . . Raspberries . . . . Blackberries . . . Blueberries . . . . Apples Unit Bus. Bbls. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. 100 lbs. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bo.xes Bus. Doz. bunches Doz. bunches Bbls. Bus. Crates Doz. buncheB Lbs. Cases Lbs. Lbs. Crates Crates Crates Crates Bus. Lebanon From farmers 6,985 95 49 70 45 24 285 8,200 'i67 92 42 73 91 38 50 52 11 22 621 50,670 886 16,825 450 203 215 1,579 Newport From From others farmers 2,725 258 90 90 164 82 162 66,350 547 30 106 61 15 51 165 225 158 199 15 336 706 76,742 881 2,000 1,920 461 100 699 From others 5,400 5,470 200 62 327 30 257 95 156 75 62 57 570 255 3,108 157,607 794 155 29 320 196 96 123 208 5 83 33 72 795 1,797 4,560 1,825 4,415 100 213 21 6 57 530 1,782 3,225 22,750 80,800 1,548 320 13,825 750 2,300 209 647 "'3 201 1,125 1.220 Plymouth From farmers 1,430 320 113 89 54 16 453 1,240 'i62 137 35 78 29 75 700 330 3 1 50 1,230 214 9,700 116 164 687 From others 2,120 250 67 71 160 84 6 14,960 100 120 311 125 42 42 295 1,787 1,792 137 55 160 125 15,970 108 500 '488 383 Derry From farmers From others 2,420 317 118 158 116 29 661 700 107 175 447 79 178 159 190 1,250 250 50 140 700 500 825 38,100 354 186 3,505 7,238 145 21 21 154 120 93,985 1,091 10 350 107 'i28 301 1,051 100 461 hiz 750 145,150 873 2,000 582 1 115 V