10 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Milk Situation. 



The milk situation in Massachusetts has been more satis- 

 factory during the past year than for many years. This is 

 reflected in the increased number of cows in the State. The 

 reports of assessors show the greatest number of cows since 

 1912, an increase of 4,000 over last year. There has been 

 more co-operation among producers, dealers and consumers 

 than ever before. Through the educational campaigns the 

 public has come to learn the food value of milk and has a 

 better idea of the costs of milk production and distribution. 

 The result has been a better understanding and a tendency to 

 increase the use of milk even though the price has been raised. 

 Newspapers have shown an intelligent conception of the situa- 

 tion and their assistance has been no small factor in securing 

 a better knowledge of conditions. 



The consumption of milk has increased notably in the various 

 Massachusetts cities. This is true not only in homes but also 

 in schools, factories, stores, and elsewhere. The Department 

 of Public Utilities reports 165,000,000 quarts of milk shipped 

 into Boston during the past year. This is an increase during 

 the year of 10,000,000 quarts, or approximately 1 pint per 

 person per month. 



The quality of milk has increased also as evidenced by the 

 reports of milk inspectors in the various Massachusetts cities. 



Plant Pest Control. 



The w^ork in the Division of Plant Pest Control is concerned 

 chiefly with nursery inspection, European corn borer and 

 white pine blister rust. The usual inspections for various 

 pests and plant diseases have been made in the nurseries and 

 conditions w^re very satisfactory. Due to the fact that the 

 Federal Horticultural Board now prohibits the importation 

 of nursery stock, the Division has had more time to spend on 

 the inspection of interstate shipments. A large number of 

 these shipments have been examined, including many carload 

 lots. 



