Ci)e Commontoealtl) of ^a00ac|)U0ett0 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER 



Recommendations for Legislation. 



1. Apple Grading. — The law on apple grading and packing, -which appears 

 as sections 100 to 114 of Chapter 94 of the General Laws, has been in force 

 for eight years. Experience indicates that some amendments to the law are 

 desirable. Complaints have been made against the requirement of section 102 

 that other marks than those indicating the grade shall not be more conspicuous 

 on the package than the marks required by law, because this requirement limits 

 the use of colored brands, labels and private marks. It seems sufficient that 

 the marks required by law shall be according to the law and the regulations made 

 by this department pursuant to the law, and the repeal of the requirement in 

 question is therefore recommended. 



As the law now reads, it does not state specifically at Avhat time and by 

 whom closed packages shall be marked. An amendment to section 104 is 

 recommended to make such marking obligatory upon the packer or repacker at 

 the time of packing or repacking. 



2. Inspection of Dairy Products. — The division of Dairying and Animal 

 Husbandry finds its authoritj' under section 14 of chapter 128 of the General 

 Laws inadequate for the enforcement of laws relating to substitutes for but- 

 ter. It is recommended that this section be strengthened so as to make the 

 work of the department in this field more effective, and that provision be made 

 for the issuance of search warrants for oleomargarine in imitation of yellow 

 butter. 



3. Marking of Milk Cans and Containers. — By sections 2 and 3 of chapter 

 45, acts of 1921, the use of cans or containers not marked with their capacity 

 and properly sealed, in the purchase or sale of milk or cream at wholesale, is 

 forbidden from January 1, 1924. A considerable number of unmarked cans, 

 purchased before this law went into effect, are still in the possession of milk 

 dealers and contractors, and will not be all beyond usefulness at the time 

 when their further use is forbidden. Most of these cans are not used as 

 measures, but simply as containers for milk purchased by weight. New cans 

 supplied for the wholesale milk business are all marked and sealed as the law 

 requires. In order to avoid imposing a hardship upon such dealers and con- 

 tractors as have not been able to dispose of their former style cans, it is recom- 

 mended that the time limit on their use in connection with purchases or sales 

 of milk and cream by weight be extended until January 1, 1927. 



4. Report on the Birds of Massachusetts. — In order that the illustrations 

 for this report, authorized by chapter 5, Resolves of 1921, may be completed, 

 and the first volume published, further authority is necessary. It is also de- 

 sirable to provide for the distribution of the report. A resolve to meet these 

 requirements is accordingly recommended. 



5. Amendments to the Reclamation Law. — No extensive changes in this 

 law, passed at the last session, appear to be desirable. The law now requires 

 a majority of the proprietors of a tract subject to the law to sign the petition 

 to the Reclamation Board, and to vote at the organization meeting. The re- 

 quirement that a majority shall petition seems unnecessary, and it is proposed 

 to change this provision so that any two or more proprietors may do this. 

 The requirement that a majority shall vote on the question of organization is 



