P.D. 123 9 



According to reports from commission houses there has been a tremendous 

 improvement in the grading of the crop in the past two years. 



Inspection of Blueberries 



A proposed grade for blueberries was made for the Granville Blueberry 

 Growers' Association. This grade was used during the season by twenty 

 members. Records were also kept of the inspections made and individuals 

 instructed accordingly. 



This project was not entirely one of inspection. It was more one of find- 

 ing out facts of grading blueberries to see if a grade could be established. 

 It was pioneer work, since there are no federal grades established and the 

 only State grades adopted anywhere are for blueberries for canning or for 

 cultivated blueberries. 



The results of the trial seem to show that the grade as written was suit- 

 able to berries when picked by hand, but not of much use when the berries 

 were picked by a scoop. 



By organizing and standardizing their product these blueberry growers 

 have overcome problems which they could not have done as individuals. 



Assistance Given to Other Commodities 

 The Division of Markets assisted other organizations by designing labels 

 for them and suggesting different forms of advertising material in the shape 

 of posters and different inserts and pamphlets. Especial attention was 

 given to this form of service to the Bay State Egg Producers and the New 

 Salem Raspberry Growers, and the Worcester County Grape Producers, 



As in other years, turkeys carrying the New England label were inspected 

 both at the farms and in receiving markets. 



Various Market Surveys 



At the request of a New England committee this Division assisted in 

 making a survey of the live poultry marketing situation in Boston and adja- 

 cent shipping territory. It was found out that the Boston market is quite 

 limited in its demand and that New York dominates the price for live poultry 

 from our Massachusetts farmers. 



Complaints have been received from time to time relative to the quality 

 of eggs sold at roadside stands so that a check up was made of over 100 stands 

 in the eastern part of the state. Eggs purchased from these stands were 

 candled and weighed. The results show that the quality of most of the eggs 

 was good and that although complaints were justified in some cases, on the 

 whole the eggs were of good quality. However, purchases made of other 

 eggs at such stands which were competing with the Massachusetts Specials 

 showed that the eggs carrying the official grade mark were far superior to 

 the former lots. 



During the fall there was much interest by rabbit producers in the ques- 

 tion of marketing their product and the Division co-operated with them in 

 conferring with buyers, commission merchants, stores and restaurants to 

 see if the market for rabbit meat could be increased. Results of interviews 

 showed that certain improvements in packaging would need to be made 

 and that other meats furnished such competition that a substantial increase 

 in rabbit production would be questionable at present. 



Changes in Apple Grading Law 



The many changes in the Apple Grading Law, which were enacted by 

 the 1931 legislature and which became effective July 7, made it necessary 

 to carry on an extensive educational campaign during the summer and fall 

 months in order to acquaint growers, packers, and dealers with the new re- 

 quirements of the law. 



Representatives of this Division gave demonstrations and talks in practi- 

 cally all the important apple districts of the State. Representatives of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture assisted at these meetings in 

 explaining the United States grades, which are now a part of the State 

 grading law. 



