18 p.D. 123. 



Crop Reporting. 



Of the two ijrice determining factors, supply and demand, supply is by far 

 the more important. On the average, the demand for agrieukural commodities 

 is fairly stable, although it is not so stable that it is unnecessary to study it 

 closely in order to detect changes. Accordingly, just to the extent that we re- 

 gard demand as stable, relative supply becomes the i^rincipal price determining 

 factor. 



Crop statistics constitute a basis for a market reporting program. Complete 

 and accurate crop infonuation both currently and for a period of years is nec- 

 essary to the individual who has something to sell or to the agency rendering 

 marketing service to him. 



Because of the close and fundamental relationship between crop reporting 

 and marketing, the Dei^artment of Agriculture has entered into an agreement 

 with the United States Department of Agriculture. "The objects of the agree- 

 ment are to conduct a cooperative crop reporting service, to improve and extend 

 it to special local needs and to coordinate, so far as practicable, all efforts 

 directed to providing such service, thereby avoiding duplication of work by the 

 parties." 



Crop reports reach our farmers through a mimeographed summary known as 

 the l\ew England Crop Repoi-t, which is enclosed with or quoted from on the 

 daily reports of the Division of Markets. The report not only deals with the 

 local situation, but also covers crop conditions in competing areas. Crop reports 

 .are also sent out through the press and by means of radio. 



The subject matter of these reports may be classified under the following 

 lieadings : feed crops, potatoes, apples, cranberries, milk, livestock, certified 

 .seed potatoes, maple products, onions, sweet corn, tobacco, and truck crops. 



The crop reporting service, in addition to the regular work, has taken a census 

 of the Massachusetts onion acreage and computed the yields, production, prices 

 and storage. A census was also taken of the tobacco acreage and average ^delds 

 by varieties. A complete report was made on the hail damaged tobacco for the 

 year. A census of the Massachusetts cranberry bog acreage was made. This re- 

 fiort was classified by varieties and by the amount of bog which could be flowed. 

 The base figures for commercial apple crop in Massachusetts were analyzed and 

 a new figure arrived at. 



Roadside MaplKets. 



Special investigations of roadside marketing were made by the Division at 

 the I'equest of 200 roadside owners. A report on this subject has been prepared 

 and distributed. Farmers are finding that the roadside stand is a very satisfac- 

 tory method of selling their produce. On Saturday or Sunday an average busi- 

 ness amounts to $35., reaching its height on Columbus Day, when certain stands 

 sell as high as $150. w'orth. The seasonal sales vary from a few hundred dollars 

 for small stands, to as much as $12,000. for the largest. The average of seasonal 

 sales is between $l,500-$2,500. 



- A few years ago there were only occasional "For Sale" signs on the roadside, 

 usually offering fresh eggs. The increasing use of the automobile, aided by im- 

 proved roads, has changed the opportunities available to the small farmer and 

 offered new methods of marketing to the large growers. Roadside selling has 

 X»rompted growers to cultivate new products. Instances are common where 

 fanners keep bees, poultry and small fruits simply because they have found a 

 way to dispose of small lots of produce without a trip to market. 



Eai-ly attempts at selling by sign adveriising did not produce the results 

 ■which the exhibition of fair samples of products within easy view of the auto- 

 mobilist has accomplished. Placards specify the prices on most of the stands. 

 Roadside markets are becoming more popular witli car owners, which has re- 

 sumed in keener competition. 



Massachusetts has nineteen trunk lines and many other good roads extending 

 from her cities into productive farming sections, and bordering on these roads 

 one can count as high as forty roadside stands within six miles, which is suf- 

 ficient evidence that some farmers have found a method of disposing of their 



