14 P.D. 123 



packed the best barrel, basket, and box of apples. The school was gratify- 

 ingly successful and similar schools have been suggested for the coming 

 year. It is believed that the practical demonstration of grading methods 

 and the interpretations of the law have led to a better understanding 

 than ever before of the proper method of packing and grading and will 

 lead to improved quality of fruit. 



The inspectors of the Division have made inspections of apples in the 

 markets and at country points, and have reported all cases of violation 

 of the law. There have been fewer cases of misbranding than usual this 

 year, but the large amount of insect injury this year has led to a number 

 of cases of overfacing. All such cases have been reported and hearings 

 have been held in order to acquaint growers with the meaning of the law 

 and to make certain that future shipments would be packed according to 

 requirements. 



A few minor changes in regulations were made this year to provide 

 for allowing light colored Gravensteins in A grade and to bring the regu- 

 lations into closer conformity with the Federal regulations and the vari- 

 ous state regulations in New England. The increased use of the Western 

 Apple Box may require additional changes during the coming year. 



Wholesale Market News 



Farmers' Produce Market Report: The farmers' produce market re- 

 port is issued daily at Boston, Worcester, and Springfield. Representa- 

 tives of the Division of Markets visit these markets every morning dur- 

 ing the early trading hours and interview wholesalers, commission men, 

 jobbers, and buyers. In this way they obtain the facts concerning the 

 prices of farm products offered for sale and also the volume of these 

 products on the market. 



The investigator then makes a report for the day. This report is dis- 

 seminated by mail, newspapers, and radio. These reports are followed 

 carefully by a large and increasing number of farmers and dealers in the 

 state. They provide an unbiased and reliable picture of market condi- 

 tions, and afford the producer a good basis for judgment as to the time 

 to market his products, and the type of products to sell. 



The increasing use of the radio and the newspapers as means of dis- 

 seminating market reports has decreased the importance of the mailed 

 reports to some extent. The mailed reports in Springfield have been dis- 

 continued because it has been possible to supply the needs of the local 

 producers by other means. 



Special Reports: The Special Apple Market Report has been continued 

 and is filling a real need of the Massachusetts fruit growers for detailed 

 information concerning supply, demand, and prices of varieties and 

 grades of apples. The report summarizes market conditions in Boston, 

 Worcester, Springfield, and Providence, and also in country points. 



Two special asparagus reports were issued during the 1927 season. 

 These reports have been valuable to asparagus growers and similar re- 

 ports for other commodities have been suggested from time to time. 



Suppleynentary Reports: The supplementary market news service, in- 

 eluding weekly reports on the Brighton Livestock Market and the hay, 

 grain, straw, and feed prices, has been continued throughout the year. 



Retail Market News 



Retail market reports for consumers are published in Boston, Worces- 

 ter, and Springfield. These reports indicate the prices of food products 

 in the city stores and suggest the best time to buy certain products. The 

 consumer is kept informed of the market conditions and is able to benefit 

 from periods of low prices. This also helps to relieve glutted conditions 

 and therefore is of value to producers. The reports contain useful in- 

 formation as to the proper time to buy for canning and storage and also 

 suggest new recipes and menus. 



The retail reports are disseminated by mail, newspaper, and radio. 



