P.D. 123 . 11 



Massachusetts Turkey Growers' Association because of the fact that market in- 

 formation is scarce one month or more previous to the beginning of November. 

 After that time newspapers usually carry the desired information. 



Asparagus — Three nights a week inspections were made of asparagus from 

 the Middlesex Asparagus Growers' Asseciation at the warehouse of the First 

 National Stores. Records were kept of these, as well as of the inspections made 

 in the field. A special committee of the association made inspections of each 

 member's asparagus, which resulted in a more uniform product and a better 

 feeling between members since each knew how the other was packing his product. 

 Valuable information was gained by the members through such contacts. A 

 summary of the information collected was presented to members of the asso- 

 ciation. 



Farmers' Roadside Stands — Fifty shields were distributed to roadside stands 

 which complied with official regulations for fresh produce of high quality mainly 

 locally grown and honestly packed. The stand must be clean and the parking 

 space adequate. A charge was made to cover part of the costs of signs and 

 inspections. The Department assisted the Massachusetts Farmers' Roadside 

 Stand Association in its reorganization, arranged for its speakers' program at 

 its annual meeting, and for a radio address. News releases were sent to all of 

 the dailies and weeklies in Massachusetts. Certificates which explained the mean- 

 ing and which were an aid in advertising the sign or shield were awarded 

 members. 



Home Canners — The Department cooperated with the Massachusetts Home 

 Canners' Association in formulating grades and standards for home canned 

 fruits and vegetables. Ajrangements were also made for exhibit space at the 

 South Station and assistance given in setting up the display. 



Statistical Information 



Prevailing economic conditions provoked unusual interest in and demand for 

 the annual mimeographed report "Receipts and Sources of Boston Food Supply". 

 The statistical data, basis of the report, is obtained from various agencies, tabu- 

 lated, and summarized. Feeding a city the size of Boston is a titanic proposition 

 for not only is Boston the nucleus of a large consuming area, but it also serves 

 as a distributing center of many foodstuffs for a large part of New England. 

 Trends and changes in food supply and distribution, while barely perceptible, 

 to market people frequently prove of vital importance in judging probable 

 future trends and making plans practicable and feasible for operation. This 

 publication and the detailed summary of weekly receipts and average prices of 

 locally produced vegetables sold on the Boston market were of particular use 

 in the Boston Market Study. 



Summaries of receipts of native products in Boston market and the average 

 prices, with the carlot supplies of corresponding and similar shipped in products 

 were prepared weekly for the Farmers' Market Report. 



A summary of monthly retail prices on certain food products was compiled 

 from Boston Retail Price Reports 1928-1934. 



In addition to regular statistical tabulations, various other statistical informa- 

 tion was prepared on milk price data, cold storage holdings, market receipts of 

 apples, and farm mortgage holdings. 



Investigations 



In the summer a brief study of the cheese market situation was made for the 

 Milk Control Board, the primary purpose being to study the practicability of 

 cheese manufacture as a use for sectional seasonal milk surpluses. 



Boston market, hotels, and restaurants were approached in a preliminary 

 survey conducted by the Department on the demand and use for fish. 



Retail Market Report and Consumer Information 

 Weekly issuance of the Boston Retail Price Report was resumed in October, 

 due chiefly to the greatly increasing demand for more than monthly retail market 



