P.D. 123 13 



The regular inspection work was carried on throughout most of the season at 

 city markets, leading shipping points, and in cold storage warehouses. 



Market Reports 



Reports on the farmers' produce markets in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield 

 have been issued daily throughout the year. 



The Special Apple Market Report was issued through the winter and spring 

 months on a weekly basis and was resumed in August when the new crop became 

 read}' for marketing. Extra reports placing this source on a twice-a-week schedule 

 were maintained, as heretofore, during the peak of apple movement in the fall 

 months. 



Shipping Point Inspection 



The shipping point inspection service carried on under a federal-state cooper- 

 ative agreement has had a very active season. Under the cooperative plan, in- 

 spectors of this department after passing the required examination, are authorized 

 to issue federal-state certificates showing quality and condition of the commodity 

 inspected. Most of the inspections are made at the farm or packing house. These 

 certificates are prima-facie evidence in all courts of the United States. This service 

 is in effect on apples, pears, onions, and is available for potatoes. 



Favorable apple markets in Great Britain and to a less extent in other foreign 

 countries resulted in a sharp increase in the demand for this inspection service on 

 shipments of apples into the export trade during the fall months. 



Upwards of 40,000 bushels of apples were inspected. Approximately 90% met 

 the requirements of foreign governments and were consequently certified for export. 



Fees are charged for these certificates at rates which are intended to make the 

 service virtually self supporting. During the past season, it was necessary to draw 

 on the Governor's emergency fund to the extent of $437.61, but $508.25 was re- 

 turned to the state treasury so that the entire project was handled without any net 

 increase in expense to the Commonwealth. 



It is estimated that Massachusetts apple growers received an added income of 

 .$15,000 through the assistance given them by these inspections and certifications. 

 This amount represents the difference in net return received by growers for their 

 exports in comparison with what the same grades of fruit netted on domestic 

 markets. This export business was also very helpful indirectly in relieving local 

 markets of a substantial volume of fruit which could have been absorbed only with 

 great difficulty. 



Prior to the inauguration of the shipping point inspection plan, most inspections 

 of apples intended for export had to be made at the dock. This discouraged apple 

 growers inasmuch as they ran a chance of having their apples rejected for shipment 

 after the fruit had been transported to the ship. 



The shipping point inspection service was available to onion growers through a 

 resident inspector stationed in the Connecticut Valley throughout the active 

 shipping season. 



Apple Maggot 



Damage to apple orchards caused by the apple maggot became so serious during 

 the past year that it was necessarj' to take further action toward the control of this 

 pest. 



This insect is responsible for the present restrictions on American apples which 

 are now in effect in Great Britain and many other foreign countries. In fact many 

 countries have threatened to invoke complete embargoes against apples grown in 

 this country because of this pest — a serious threat indeed when it is realized that 

 exports of apples from the United States have an average annual value of over 

 $15,000,000. 



Because the need of suppression of this pest is so closely connected with the 

 marketing of the crop, this division has participated in several control projects. 



One of the principal obstacles in the way of adequate control is the fact that, 

 regardless of how well an individual orchardist sprays his trees, his fruit is likelj'' 

 to be infested bj'- the spread of the insect from adjoining or nearb}^ properties con- 

 taining less well cared for apple trees. 



