16 P.D. 123 



proved. The undesirable features spoken of in buying local onions were attrib- 

 uted to the onions being soft, having too much dirt, thick necks and immature. 



Local Products for Local Consuiiers 

 Massachusetts consumers are partial to nearby or locally produced goods. In 

 fact when they buy, they ask repeatedly whether the goods they are purchasing 

 are produced in the state or otherwise. On the other hand, they do not always 

 have the opportunity to obtain local goods. In the selling of certain products 

 it has been found that the retailer is apt to stock those goods which are adver- 

 tised extensively and which he can obtain with little trouble. 



At the same time Massachusetts farmers are growing fresh quality products 

 which in season cannot be matched for flavor and freshness and some program for 

 making known that local products are plentiful and readily available would be of 

 great aid to increase the consumption of our fruits, vegetables, milk and poultry 

 products. For instance, this year the orchards of this state bore more apples, 

 especially Mcintosh and Baldwins, than the demand would consume locally and 

 in some cases the crop was not harvested. If through advertising and publicity^ 

 attention could have been called to this fact, a very slight increase in the demand 

 of apples would have prevented such conditions. However, to be most effective 

 in advertising the goods should be identified so that the consumer can see at a 

 glance that such products are local. Already certain Massachusetts products 

 are labelled in such a manner, including celery, asparagus, eggs and turkeys. 



Extending this program of advertising and bringing to the attention of the con- 

 sumer whether with a distinct official label or by other means, would help solve 

 this question of surplus products. It would mean getting the locally grown 

 product into the hands of the nearby consumer when the product is plentiful. 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ORNITHOLOGY 



During the past year much of the work of the Division was in relation to the 

 study and distribution of Birds within the Commonwealth and adjacent areas. 

 The public have been exceedingly co-operalive in submitting to the Division timely 

 matters of interest in relation to bird habits as they came to their attention, from 

 which the Division gathered a great deal of helpful material for the monthly 

 issue of "Items of Interest." This bulletin, which is mailed to a large number of 

 regular correspondents, as well as the press, appears to be well received and is an 

 excellent means of extending bird information. 



Special Bird Studies 



The Division has always endeavored to carry on research in various matters 

 pertaining to Bird life. During the year special emphasis has been stressed re- 

 garding the food habits of birds with particular reference to hawks and owls. A 

 large number of pellets composed of the indigestible portions of the food of certain 

 owls have been examined and special study given to their food habits. When 

 these studies have been sufficiently computed it is the intent of the Division to 

 publish a bulletin on the economic status of these interesting birds. 



Birds and their relation to the Cranberry Industry is a further study being made 

 by the Division. This study was started during the past season and will be car- 

 ried on through such parts of the coming year as may be necessary. A somewhat 

 similar study of the relation of birds to the orchard is also under way. 



Increasing Demand for Bird Literature 



The three-volume book on "The Birds of Massachusetts and other New Eng- 

 land States" continues to have a steady and consistent demand, as attested by 

 letters received by the Division. The colored plates found in these volumes are 

 sufficiently outstanding to seem to warrant reprinting at some future time, in 

 order that more general distribution may be made in response to the growing 

 demand. 



The bulletin entitled "Arbor and Bird Day" was widely distributed, especially 

 through the schools of the Commonwealth, where in many cases it was used as 

 a text. This bulletin was prepared through the co-operation of the Audubon 



