P.D. 123 5 



Likewise the numbers of farmers and their wives who earn considerable 

 sums through the rental of rooms in summer are increasing. 



Many school teachers, mothers with young children and others prefer to 

 rest in the shade of an old-fashioned elm, enjoy fresh food and breathe 

 fresh country air. The cost of a summer respite is often reduced. 



As this movement grows, farm homes become increasingly more modern- 

 ized and better equipped. The possibilities of mutual helpfulness are almost 

 unlimited. 



Recipients of Awards for Agricultural Achievement 

 The Advisory Board constitutes a Board of Awards who select each year 

 from a large list of recommended candidates, five or six persons within the 

 Commonwealth who have made some outstanding contribution in agricul- 

 ture and rural life. 



For this year the following were chosen and will be presented with their 

 honors at the Union Agricultural Banquet in Worcester on January 7, 1932: 

 Harry A. Ford, Community Service, Dalton. 

 Harvey F. Tompson, Market Gardening, Seekonk. 

 Mrs. Barbara E. Goff, Community Service, North Grafton. 

 Douglas J. Hayes, Duck Raising, Sterling, 

 Marjorie Armstrong, Club Work, South Braintree. 

 Gordon M. Cook, Club Work, Hadley. 



REPORT OF DIVISION OF DAIRYING AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



Milk Quality Improvement Work 

 A program for the improvement of the quality of milk produced on 

 INlassachusetts farms was conducted by taking samples of the milk as it 

 was brought into the plants of 384 dealers located in forty-nine cities and 

 towns. The purpose of this work is to determine the quality of milk pro- 

 duced, to improve the practices in the production of milk, decrease the losses 

 resulting from low quality milk, and to extend the market by stimulating 

 consumption through the production of high quality milk. The samples 

 taken were tested for keeping quality by the methylene-blue test, which 

 gives an approximation of the bacteria count, and by the sediment test, 

 which gives an indication of the amount of visible sediment in a pint of 

 milk. In a few cases butter fat tests and total solids were also taken, as 

 well as temperatures. The results of these tests are returned to the farmers 

 on quality test report cards. When possible, the farms producing the poor- 

 est quality milk are visited and assistance rendered in determining the cause 

 for the poor condition of the milk. An attempt has been made to interest 

 milk dealers in carrying on similar work so that a permanent improvement 

 may be affected. 



In several instances plans have been worked out with dealers to put their 

 producers on a basis of payment for quality, rating them according to kind 

 of milk they actually produce. The result of this practice is to encourage 

 the production of clean milk with a low bacteria count. Local boards of 

 health, county agricultural agents, and milk dealers have been active co- 

 operators in this quality milk improvement project. 



Milk Dealers' Financial Reports 

 For the third year financial reports have been required from milk dealers- 

 purchasing milk from producers of milk in the Commonwealth. A larger 

 list of dealers was circularized and more reports submitted up to November 

 30 than during the previous year. There was more demand for the informa- 

 tion contained in the reports. Milk producers seemed to realize their value. 



Oleomargarine Inspections 

 A larger number of stores were inspected for compliance with the oleo- 

 margarine laws than ever before, but the number of minor violations was 

 relatively small. The eastern half of the State was quite completely cov- 

 ered by the inspections, which totaled 6,896 in stores and 161 in restaurants. 



