P.D. 123 7 



during the past two or three years when there has been a considerable movement 

 of population from other areas to this State. Since the World War the price of 

 western land and the cost of producing farm products there has been so inflated 

 that many good farmers have found it necessary to sell out their properties and go 

 elsewhere. Some of these have come East to buy our farms which are much nearer 

 markets, and offer in many instances a greater opportunity for success than the 

 lands which they have left. 



There is a definite tendency for decentralization of our industrial population in 

 Massachusetts. Many persons living in urban centers have sold or rented their 

 properties and moved into the suburbs, where they find it possible partially to 

 maintain themselves and their famiUes by raising a limited amount of food in 

 their own back yards. This movement has called for an unusual demand for the 

 location of properties which are for sale, and many of them have changed hands 

 during the last five or ten years. 



The properties which change hands quickest are, of course, the smaller and less 

 expensive ones, but our records would indicate that a considerable number of large 

 farms have also been sold through the medium of this bulletin. 



Farm Labor 



Farm labor activities in this Department have been little called for during the 

 past year because unemployment has provided ample labor for farmers in their 

 own localities. A large number of persons have applied to the Department for 

 work, but it has been very difficult to place them in positions because of this abun- 

 dance of local labor. The price of labor has dropped very noticeably, first, because 

 of the inability of the farmer to pay the customary higher wages; and second, the 

 desirability of the former to work at any price which may be secured. However, 

 some employers have succeeded in procuring excellent managers and other assistance 

 through us, as usual. 



Summer Vacations 



This Department has continued to publish its bulletin "Vacation in the Country," 

 which lists farm homes which are available for summer vacations for people living 

 in urban centers. This bulletin has been in greater demand than ever. During 

 this depression, a considerable number of persons have found it impossible, because 

 of the cost, to spend their vacations on the sea shore and at other similar resorts. 

 They have, therefore, turned to farm homes. Here they have found increasingly 

 good facilities, to the extent, apparently, that manj^ of them have decided that 

 the greatest satisfaction for a real summer vacation can be secured in the country 

 where fresh food is abundant and opportunities for recreation and rest are always 

 present. 



The increased use of our excellent highwaj^s has also stimulated the development 

 of overnight facilities by farmers who live along these roads. 



Through the helpfulness of this Department, the Massachusetts State College 

 and other agencies, as well as the impetus of the owners themselves, there has been 

 a marked tendency to improve these country facilities during the last two or three 

 years. They have been modernized, made more sanitary and attractive. 



This bulletin has been sent to thousands of persons in various parts of the country, 

 particularly in the cities of the East. Many school teachers have taken advantage 

 of information contained in it to procure a suitable place for a summer vacation. 

 Families with children have found farm homes to be well adapted to their require- 

 ments. 



Several talks over the radio have tended to increase interest in this type of sum- 

 mer vacation, and have resulted in an increased number of inquiries to this De- 

 partment concerning it. We believe that the use of farm homes for city dwellers 

 has great possibilities in this Commonwealth. 



Awards Recommended for Agricultural Achievement 

 The following were recommended for special recognition at the time of the 

 Union Agricultural Meeting in Worcester to be held on January 4, 1934: 

 John G. Ellis, Lee, For the Improvement of Animal Husbandry. 

 Edward Dwyer, Weymouth, For Creditable Accomphshments in Dairying. 

 Clarice Jones, Stoneham, For Accomplishments in 4-H Club Work. 

 Chester Pilch, Feeding Hills, For Accomplishments in 4-H Club Work. 



