10 - P.D. 123 



price. The Roadside Stand Association is making a systematic attempt to 

 stand for fresh products, although as yet its membership is not large. 



Apple Grading Law. 



The Massachusetts Apple Grading Law, designed primarily in order to 

 bring about standardization of grades of apples and thus to establish a repu- 

 tation for apples packed and branded in accordance therewith has now been 

 a part of the law of our state for ten years. 



During this entire period the administration of the provisions of the Law 

 has been largely along educational lines. While the possibilities for its use 

 along educational lines should never be overlooked, it seems reasonable 

 to assume that extensive publicity has given the apple industry of the state 

 an ample opportunity to become fully acquainted with the requirements of 

 the Law. 



In order, therefore, that objects of the Apple Grading Law may be attained, 

 a policy of increasing stringency of enforcement seems advisable. 



Studies in Marketing. 



Retail Food Price Study. During the summer an investigation was made 

 of retail prices of selected perishable foods in thirteen Massachusetts cities 

 in order to determine the differences which existed in such prices in different 

 parts of the state, and to ascertain the causes of such variations. The price 

 differences revealed by the investigation were studied from the standpoint 

 of the farmer, the retailer, and the consumer, with the object of suggesting 

 improvements. The lowest price area proved to be in the northeastern part 

 of the state, and the highest in the western part. 



Study of Prices of Staple Goods in Different Types of Retail Grocery Stores. 

 A comparison between retail prices of staple goods in grocery stores of differ- 

 ent types was made in 1925. Prices were corrected simultaneously in 

 twelve cities in Massachusetts in sixty-nine stores, some cash-and-delivery, 

 some charge-and-delivery, and some cash-and-carry. It was found that 

 organization was an important factor affecting price, since chain stores ren- 

 dering the same services were cheaper than non-chain, but it was also seen 

 that services are probably a more important factor than organization, since 

 those stores rendering greater service showed a marked increase in price over 

 those giving less service. 



The results of the study are intended primarily to give the consumer some 

 idea of the amount she saves or does not save by trading in different types 

 of retail stores. 



Fruit and Vegetable Commodity Study. Our food supply from many states 

 and foreign countries gives us products of great variety throughout the 

 season. It is important for growers and distributors to know the source, 

 season and volume of this supply. 



In [order that information may be available regarding some of these 

 products, we have during the past year as opportunity permitted, carried on 

 studies of several of our principal fruits and vegetables as they appeared on 

 our markets. This work has attempted to determine facts relative to quality 

 and condition of product, use of brands or labels, size and types of containers, 

 units of sale, market handling, trade preferences, etc. 



As much of this as has been compiled is on file for use as basic information 

 in our market news work, as well as other purposes. 



Worcester Egg Study. A study of the supply and distribution of eggs in 

 the city of Worcester has been conducted for the purpose of making available 

 to growers and distributors some facts relative to market requirements and 

 methods of handling. 



The Use of Milk in Metropolitan Boston. A study of the use of milk in 

 Metropolitan Boston was prepared in 1925 by the Massachusetts Department 

 of Agriculture, Division of Markets, cooperating with the U. S. Bureau of 

 Agricultural Economics under the auspices of the New England Research 

 Council. 



