P.D. 123 15 



This survey will be continued in 1931 and should be valuable in furnishing facts 

 for use in consideration of improving the present market facilities or in consid- 

 ering relocation of such markets. 



Apple Package Weighing Tests 

 During the spring months a series of tests were conducted on various types of 

 apple packages to determine the weight of contents for the purpose of giving 

 growers information regarding relativ'e capacities of the numerous types of con- 

 tainers which are now used in the marketing of apples. It is planned to continue 

 this work on several different varieties at various seasons of the year. 



Partridge Damage Investigations 



Because of the increased amount of damage to apple trees done by partridge 

 during the winter of 19'-29-1930, there was considerable agitation during the early 

 Spring for legislation providing payment of damages for such injury to apple 

 trees. This division co-operated with interested parties and conducted investi- 

 gations of amount of damage. In view of the extension of the open season on 

 partridge in effect in the fall of 1930, the suggested legislation along these lines 

 was held over to see whether or not the longer shooting season would take care 

 of this situation. 



Christmas Wreath Industry 



A group of people selling Christmas wreaths requested some information on 

 the standardization of wreaths and market for them. An attempt was made 

 to learn the type of wreaths produced near Boston, the type sold on the wholesale 

 market and the kind sold by florists and others. Because of the large regions of 

 evergreens in northern New England, the bulk of the greens sold in Massachusetts 

 will probably always come from these states. There are, however, limited sec- 

 tions where farmers with their own woodlots still make a practice of producing 

 and shipping wreaths each fall. Berkshire County, the northern part of Worcester 

 County, and some sections south of Boston towards the Cape are the places where 

 this industry still prevails. It was found that there are two types of wreath pro- 

 ducers in the state, those who attempt to do a volume of business making up 

 wreaths at a very low price, and others who specialize and make fewer wreaths, 

 which are of high quality and sell at an increased price. 



There are producers of wreaths in Massachusetts who are definitely interested 

 in making contacts with markets other than Boston wholesale handlers. It was 

 also found that many florists did not have any source of good wreaths. It, there- 

 fore, might be wise at some future time to arrange meetings between wreath 

 producers and florists to see if both parties might not be better satisfied with 

 present conditions. 



Onion Demand Survey 



Many comments were received by the Department of Agriculture and others 

 that there had beem a change in the demand for different types of onions. Conse- 

 quently a survey was made in Boston, Worcester and Springfield markets to find 

 out just what the trade demand for onions seemed to be. Questions were asked 

 as to the amovmt and different kinds of onions used also as to whether they were 

 Connecticut ^'alley, western, Spanish or Texas, or white varieties. Specific 

 amounts of these different varieties used by stores and markets were collected 

 and additional information was sought as to the kind of onions used in salads, 

 sandwiches, side dishes and for flavoring. 



Information obtained from buyers showed that Spanish and Texas Bermuda 

 onions are used mostly for salads and the same are bought for sandwiches largely. 

 For side dishes, soups and flavoring, either Connecticut ^'alley or western onions 

 are used, with the latter being used in a little greater quantity. 



Another question asked was as to whether or not grading influenced the kind 

 of onions bought and all stores agreed that onions should be well graded. It was 

 almost universally stated that buyers preferred to use western onions because they 

 are better graded as to size and quality. In fact reports from (52 of the larger 

 stores, markets, restaurants and warehouses in these cities showed that 25% of 

 them would return to buying Connecticut Valley onions if the grades were im- 



