P.D. 123 5 



The Department is prepared to carry on an effective inspection service 

 and eliminate as far as practicable the fraudulent packing and marking of 

 packages of apples. The successful growers have been in full sympathy 

 with our regulatory work in connection with the Apple Packing Law and 

 have given wholehearted support in our policy of enforcing the provisions 

 of the law. 



We have dealt rather harshly with violators who have been intentionally 

 fraudulent in packing and selling apples and a decided improvement has 

 been evidenced during the past few years. 



Better Cranberry Prices 



Cranberry growers are rejoicing at their accomplishments since the war. 

 More than three-fifths of the entire production of the United States is 

 produced in Massachusetts, and approximately one-half of the nation's 

 supply of cranberries is grown in Plymouth County. 



Price per barrel has steadily increased and the outlook for continuing 

 prosperity is exceedingly bright. New marketing features give assurance 

 that the cranberry industry will maintain high price levels. An increas- 

 ingly important part of the cranberry crop is being canned each year. This 

 extends the season over which the crop can be marketed, and facilitates the 

 disposal of large crops without the deterring factor of low prices. 



Educational Aspect of the Fair 



The agricultural fair has increased its usefulness to all classes of community 

 life during the past ten years. The youth of the State is more in evidence, — 

 4H Club members, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other organized groups of 

 boys and girls find in the fair a splendid opportunity to display those quali- 

 ties of leadership that are to play an important part in our community prob- 

 lems of tomorrow. The agriculture of Massachusetts is dependent upon 

 the further development of that progressive leadership that these youthful 

 leaders so well exemplify. 



1929 found a higher grade of livestock and farm products on display 

 than in 1928, and that same finding has been in evidence for the 10 pre- 

 ceding years. The educational aspect of the agricultural fair has not given 

 way to a more commercialized plan of satisfying the pleasure-seeking craze 

 of a million or more visitors. 



There is, in fact, strong evidence to support the contention that the 

 industrial displays, the agricultural displays and exhibits, the judging con- 

 tests, the horse-pulling contests, the flower shows, all have a distinct educa- 

 tional value, and the resulting effect on Massachusetts agriculture is becom- 

 ing more pronounced each year. The attendance at thirty major fairs in 

 Massachusetts in 1929 including the Brockton Fair and Eastern States 

 Exposition, was greater than a million people. 



Our fairs are attracting more people each year, and it is safe to assume 

 that this fact bespeaks of a growing interest in Massachusetts agriculture. 



Summer Tourists on Our Farms 



Many of our farmers have been helped financially because of a publication 

 on "Summer Facilities" issued each year by the Department. In practi- 

 cally every community there are several farm homesteads that combine the 

 richest beauties of nature with the more utilitarian purpose of farming for 

 a living. In the cities there are thousands of busy work-a-day people who 

 are longing for an opportunity during the summer months to find a restful 

 place in the midst of nature's quiet charm and fascinating scenery where 

 the strain of long months of arduous city employment could be relieved by 

 the complete relaxation of mind and body in the environment of a quaint 

 New England farm. 



The Department of Agriculture tries to assist both of these groups by 

 acquainting each with the mutual benefits that could be derived from a 

 closer relationship. Our selected farm homes receive an added income and 

 our tired city visitor returns after a few weeks in the country with a recondi- 



