P.D. 123. 19 



products at home. Roadside markets are an economical asset to the State when 

 they are conducted by actual producers. This method of selling eliminates 

 transportation and distribution eharg-es and enables both the grower and con- 

 sumer to profit thereby. Moreover, the consumer has his choice of a supply of 

 fresli products that have not been bruised by a trip to market. 



Prices received during the past at some roadside markets were cheeked by the 

 Division and found to average those received in city wholesale markets. A com- 

 mon mistake often made is the belief that transients are glad to buy any grade 

 of produce direct from the farm even at an increased price over that charged in 

 the city stores. Transactions of this kind discourage roadside buying among the 

 public. It is the repeat orders that establish the business and insure the success 

 of the enterprise. 



Apple Grading Law. 



Four important amendments (Chap. 119, Acts of 1924) were made to the 

 Apple Grading Law. The first makes possible the use of attractive labels in 

 marking packages under the law. Formerly only a black and white stencil could 

 be used. The second fixes the time when closed packages should be branded, 

 namely, "At the time of packing, repacking or closing." The third brings under 

 the provisions of the law open packages of apples marked according to the stan- 

 dard. The fourth prohibits the practice of "overfacing" open as well as closed 

 packages of apples. The act was approved March 20, 1924. 



Because of these important changes it became necessary to modify the rules 

 and regulations governing the law. Practical operation under the regulations 

 since 1915 also brought out the necessity for some changes. Six meetings (Shel- 

 b'urne Falls, Si^ringfield, Worcester, West Acton, Newburyport and Boston) 

 were arranged for the discussion of the amendments. 



On May 13th the commissioner of agriculture, under authority granted by 

 section 110, Chapter 94, General LaAvs, modified the rales and regulations. The 

 new regulations represent the average opinion of the fruit growers of the state 

 as expressed at these meetings. Two thousand copies of the amended law and 

 regulations have been distributed to the fruit growers and trade. 



During the summer and fall a series of meetings were held for the purpose of 

 discussing and demonstrating the grading of apples in order that everyone might 

 have an opportunity to become acquainted with the iirovisions of the law and 

 also meet the men who administer its provisions. On Sept. 12th a group of 

 county extension leaders met at the farm of Mr. John Chandler, Sterling Jet., 

 Mass., in order that they might become sufficiently acquainted with the details of 

 the law to answer the questions of the apple growers in their counties. 



At the request of the county extension service workers of the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural College, meetings were held in th.e following places: Middlesex 

 County — Billerica, Westford, Groton, Littleton, Stow, Marlboro; Worcester 

 County — Lunenburg, Westboro; Franklin County — Colrain, Heath; Hampden 

 County — Granville, East Longmeadow. Exhibits of the standard grades were 

 shown at the New England, at Worcester, Deerfield Valley, Charlemont, Franklin 

 County at Greenfield, Acton, Groton, Bai-re, Brockton, and Segreganset fairs. 

 Over 200 growers by actual count attended the demonstrations, and it is esti- 

 mated that over 200,000 people witnessed the exhibits of grades. 



The opinion of the trade and growers is unanimous that the grading and 

 packing of local apples has never been as good as this year. Two factors have 

 undoubtedly contributed to bring this about, the unusually good quality of the 

 fruit, and the law which has forbidden "overfacing-" or "deaconing'' of all 

 packages. The Division has been particularly active in its educational ijrogram 

 on apple grading this year. 



Produce Market Study. 



The farther we progress from the barter system to specialization in marketing, 

 the greater becomes our interest both as producers and consumers in the efficiency 

 of the distribution system. Massachusetts is concerned with her problem of city 

 marketing not only because 90 per cent of her population is urban and must 



