16 P.D. 123 



blue — was displaj^ed by 47 stands under the 1933 lease agreement. Users of the 

 sign formed an association principally for advertising and pubUcity purposes and 

 the group plans greater activity in the future. 



Statistical Information 



Growing interest for information on Boston food supply, the principal sources, 

 seasons and sources of competition for native produce is manifest in the increasing 

 demands for the mimeographed annual bulletin "Receipts and Sources of Boston 

 Food Suppl3\" Requests for the publication represent varied interests including 

 farmers, farmer organizations, marketmen, retail store concerns, homemakers, 

 research workers, economists, transportation agencies, students, teachers and wel- 

 fare agencies. "Receipts and Sources of Boston Food Suppty" is a compilation 

 and tabulation of amounts and sources of the principal foodstuffs coming to Boston. 

 Terse, supplementary review's relating to and explaining the situation of many 

 of the products accompany the statistical data. Information gleaned from personal 

 interview's and study and analysis of past records produces the information for 

 these summaries. The publication presenting much detailed information in concise 

 form, easy for reference, is used repeatedly in connection with department activities, 

 such as fairs, farmer market plans, special market investigations, department talks 

 and general publicity. 



A complete, detailed summarj^ of the weekly receipts and average prices of 

 important locally produced vegetables sold in Boston market was prepared for the 

 1932-33 season as in previous years and published as a guide to market gardeners 

 in planning their crop operations. 



In connection with special investigations and studies conducted during the j'^ear 

 and in response to requests for particular information much statistical information 

 was tabulated, such as crop production, market receipts, retail and wholesale prices, 

 seasonal and sectional trends and comparisons in amounts and prices. 



Greater Use of Native Products 



The division continued to encourage increased use of native products by various 

 means. Lectures and radio talks were prepared and given, newspaper and magazine 

 articles on such subjects as canning, fish in the diet, roadside markets, and indi- 

 vidual nati^•e products were written and information for more articles given news- 

 paper representatives. Also, a native season chart was arranged showing periods 

 during which market supplies of local products are most hberal, quality best, and 

 prices moderate. Mimeographed copies of the chart were distributed to familiarize 

 consumers with the native fruit and vegetable seasons and to guide budget planners 

 in taking complete advantage of the native se?,sons. 



A brief study of canned milk business with relation to fresh milk with special 

 reference to use of both by city welfare clients was made in Worcester at the request 

 of the Worcester County Extension Service, prompted by the Worcester County 

 dairymen. 



Cooperative Relations 



The division has enjoyed a continuance of pleasant cooperative relations with 

 public agencies and with trade organizations. 



Through cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture radio 

 market news has been broadcast daily over Station WBZ. This has provided 

 timely information for producers, distributors, and consimiers. The wide coverage 

 provided by the radio service is very helpful in facilitating the distribution of farm 

 products by keeping growers in close touch with market conditions and by keeping 

 housewives informed as to the kinds and varieties of locally grown products avail- 

 able. 



Crop reports, valuable sources of basic information, have been continued in 

 cooperation with the New England Crop Reporting Service. 



The work of the division with groups of farmers during the past year has further 

 emphasized the value of joint action on the part of farmers. Such organized effort 

 provides excellent opportunities for thorough discussion of mutual problems and 

 makes possible a much more effective expression of opinion than can be secured 

 through individual action. 



