20 P.D. 123. 



therefore pay for the cost of distribution in its food bill, but also because the 

 producers are benefited by efficient distribution methods. 



It has been the practice of the Division to conduct studies on the various 

 phases of distribution in order to shed light on the facts involved. There is 

 under way a study on the "Cost of Distributing Selected Farm Products Based 

 on a Retail Unit," which is being conducted cooj^eratively by the Massachusetts 

 Department of Agriculture and the United States Bureau of Agricultural Eco- 

 nomies. 



As a part of the general survey of the New England milk market situation, a 

 study has been continued to establish the importance of the various factors in- 

 fluencing the demand for milk in Boston with sj^ecial attention to advertising 

 and publicity. 



In order that the trend of the greenhouse vegetable business might be analyzed 

 statistically^, a study has been made of the trend in the cost and selling price of 

 garden truck to greenhouse operators located in the vicinity of Boston. A sum- 

 mary has been prepared and distributed to gi-eenhouse operators, explaining the 

 results and illustrating the work by charts. No attempt will be made here to 

 give the comj^lete findings. It may be stated, however, that the greenhouse oper- 

 ator is working under a handicap of high costs, especially labor costs. 



Massachusetts producers are evidencing an increased interest in the competi- 

 tion which they must meet in their markets. A research project entitled "Compe- 

 tition Between Areas Supplying Apples, Onions, Lettuce, and Other Products to 

 the Boston Market" is now being conducted cooperatively with the United States 

 Dei^artment of AgTiculture. Reports for most of the important fruits and vege- 

 tables on the source of supjily, the amounts received, period of receipts, shipping 

 periods of competing areas, trend of acreage and production in these areas, and 

 other i^ertinent facts relative to competition have been jjrepared. The story of 

 the sources of supply, the amounts shij^ped to Boston and the jDeriods of supply 

 has been prepared in graphical fonn for the summer, fall and winter su])ply of 

 apples, for asparagus, and for strawberries. These reijorts have been distrib- 

 uted to" those interested in the marketing of these commodities. 



As practically one-third of the family budget is spent for food, and we now 

 depend largely upon areas outside of Massachusetts for our food, it is of great 

 importance to us' to know of the sources of supply. Pertinent facts regarding 

 all food commodities coming into our cities are discussed in the Boston Food 

 Supply Bulletin, published by the Division. It is interesting to note that it 

 takes 50,000 carloads of fruits and vegetables to supply Boston and its distrib- 

 uting area for one year. Of this amount New England contributed 18.000 car- 

 loads, or about 35 per cent. If we consider only the crops that can be grown in 

 Massachusetts, we find that this state supplies but 25 per cent of the Boston 

 market requirements. Practically all meat and meat products, as well as poultry 

 and poultry products, originate from sources outside of Massachusetts. A large 

 supi^ly of our butter and cheese comes from outside of New England. We de- 

 pend upon practically every state in the Union and fifty foreign ports for our 

 fruits and vegetables, grain, meat, eggs, butter and cheese. 



Publicity an-d Advertising. 



During New England Week (Sept. 15-20) the Division, in cooperation with 

 the Boston Chamber of Commerce, aroused considerable interest among fruit 

 growers, commission men, retailers and consumers in New England grown 

 agricultural products. 



A market window display contest featuring apples was conducted in Brockton 

 during the Fair Week by the Division in cooperation with the Brockton Cham- 

 ber of Commerce and Plymouth County Farm Bureau. Eighteen stores com- 

 peted and ribbon prizes were awarded by the Massachusetts Department of 

 Agriculture. 



The celebration of National Apple Week (Oct. 31-Nov. 6) proved more suc- 

 cessful than the previous year. Twenty-four chambers of commerce through the 

 Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce cooperated with the Massachusetts De- 



