P.D. 123 15 



This work has been carried on in cooperation with the county extension services. 

 In addition to this, inspectors of this department have examined numerous samples 

 of apples for the purpose of assisting growers in checking up on the eifect of control 

 measures. 



The apple maggot control program now in its fourth year of operation under a 

 special legislative appropriation and having as its aim the control of this most 

 serious apple pest, has seen partial fruition of its goal during the past year in the 

 apple pest control program conducted by the Civil Works Administration under 

 the supervision of this department. 



The investigational work, the mapping of badly infested areas, and the other 

 fact finding activities carried on by this department were used as a basis for the 

 control program approved by the civil works board. 



The elimination of neglected trees under the Civil Works project has been of 

 great assistance in checking the spread of the maggot. However, large work yet 

 remains to be done. The Civil Works project was carried on only with the per- 

 mission of land owners. While in general the owners of land containing pest breed- 

 ing trees were very cooperative, there were some instances where such land owners 

 would not permit the removal of apple trees. The present seems a strategic time 

 in which to capitalize on the favorable results of the Civil Works project by an 

 intensive check up in the sections which were not completely covered. There is 

 also considerable agitation among growers for more stringent compulsory spray 

 legislation in order to control the spread of the maggot as well as some of our other 

 apple insects and diseases. 



Standardization Work 



Egg inspection work was continued throughout the year under the Farm Products 

 Grading Law. Records were kept of inspections made at both the Springfield Egg 

 Auction and the Brockton Egg Auction. These reports were later analyzed for 

 the purpose of checking or determining the practicability of the present state grades. 

 This information was later presented to the directors of the Brockton Auction for 

 discussion. 



Educational material was collected and disseminated on the various methods of 

 retaining egg quality. A bulletin was also compiled which included such informa- 

 tion as was available on egg marketing, standards and grades, laws and regulations 

 and other valuable data pertaining particularly to Massachusetts poultrymen. 



The department also cooperated with the Farm Bureau, Egg and Poultr^^ Com- 

 mittee, on egg and poultry legislation. Proposed Fresh Egg Laws and Poultry 

 SeUing and Transportation Laws were drafted. 



Inspection work on turkeys was done during the Thanksgiving and Christmas 

 marketing periods. Two special reports were issued on turkey market information, 

 including Worcester, Springfield, and Boston. A turkey crop survey report, as well 

 as a survey on distribution or method of sale was released. 



Market information on asparagus was collected reaularly throughout the season 

 for analyses. This type of information has been gathered in years of high prices 

 and low prices in order to determine the effect of certain quality factors on price. 



Inspections of graded Massachusetts asparagus were made three nights a week. 

 Inspections of graded strawberries were also made in season. In all inspection work 

 it is the purpose of the department to promote improvements in methods of mar- 

 keting. Suggestions for improvements are offered whenever possible. Any new 

 information which is available is passed along to producers so as to keep them in 

 touch with changes in methods which are taking place. 



Roadside stands which carry a state shield were also inspected frequently. The 

 purpose of this work is for the benefit of producers and consumers alike. These 

 stands are inspected for cleanliness, quality of produce, and quaUty of display. 

 Again all available information regarding new methods of marketing or advertising 

 are offered. 



Farm Roadside Markets 

 The inspection service of farm roadside markets leasing the state sign was main- 

 tained throughout the season. A new metal sign of the same design but more durable 

 than the original and with colors reversed — a background yellow and markings 



