P.D. 123. 5 



retained, but on account of the large number of non-resident members of dis- 

 tricts, it is recommended that provisions be made for proxy voting at the 

 first and subsequent district meetings. 



Changes in the Staff. 



In June, 1923, Mr. P. M. Harwood, who has been connected with the State 

 Department of Agriculture in various capacities for a great many years, reached 

 the retirement age. Mr. Harwood has been a faithful servant of the Common- 

 wealth and, through his valuable service, has in many ways encouraged its 

 agriculture. Much of the efficient regulatory Avork, particularly with the oleo- 

 margarine law, is due to him. Mr. Harwood has kept the present Department 

 in close touch with former members of the State Board of Agriculture and 

 through him there has been a close working relationship between the new regime 

 and the old. 



Mr. Francis W. Small, a former inspector of the Division of Dairying and 

 Animal Husbandry, has been promoted to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Har- 

 wood's retirement. 



Cooperation Among Agricultural Agencies. 



During the past year there has continued the close cooperation among agri- 

 cultural agencies which has been so noticeable for a few years past. There 

 has also been close cooperation with business interests of Massachusetts. The 

 Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, the 

 Associated Industries, and other organizations have been of invaluable assistance 

 in the solution of the agricultural problems of this State. During a recent apple 

 selling campaign these organizations, through their various members and eon- 

 tacts, played a most important part in this Avork. This Department offered 

 prizes for the best window display of home-grown apples in the various cities 

 of the Commonwealth. This was supplemented in some cases by prizes offered 

 by Chambers of Commerce and other local bodies. 



Daylight Saving. 



In spite of the noticeable upward trend of Massachusetts farming the day- 

 light saving law has been the outstanding handicap which farmers have had 

 to face. I strongly recommend that this matter be placed before the voters 

 of the Commonwealth at the earliest possible moment to get their opinion on 

 the matter. 



Cooperation with Members of the Legislature. 



I have felt for some time that members of the Legislature should be better 

 Informed of the work of the State Departments. I have invited members of 

 the Legislative Committee on Agriculture and others to visit this Department 

 to review its work and its facilities. I wish that it might be possible to invite 

 the entire Legislature to do this. If an exhibit could be placed in one of the 

 rooms of the State House within easy access of members of the Legislature this 

 would help in considerable measure for the latter to visualize the work of the 

 departments. The more the citizens of the Commonwealth can learn of the 

 work and plans of these departments the better work will be done and the 

 more extensive the results. This is particularly true of departments whose 

 duty it is, among other things, to carry out encouragement work. 



Food Problem of Massachusetts. 



I strongly urge the formation of a food commission to study the present food 

 situation in Massachusetts and also the work of the various state agencies 

 which have been gathering material for some time on this matter and which 

 have at their command a considerable amount of information on this most 

 important question. If the work of these agencies, together with any necessary 

 new information, could be correlated and brought together it would give the 

 citizens of the Commonwealth an inventory and view of the present food situa- 



