(S:i)e Commontpealti) of fllas(£(aci)us(ett8 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUI/TLRE 



To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives: 



In compliance with the provisions of Chapter 128 of the General Laws, I am 

 herewith making my annual report for the year ending November 30, 1937, 

 f«r the Department of Agriculture. 



Respectfully submitted, 



William Casey, Commissiorier. 



PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT 



Commissioner of Agriculture — William Casey, Spencer. 

 Executive Secretary to the Commissioner — Michael J. Carroll. 



Advisory Board Appointed by the Governor and Council 

 John Bursley, Barnstable (West), Term expires November 30, 1938. 

 James O'Brien, Lee, Term expires November 30, 1940. 

 John T. Goggin, Seekonk, Term expires November 30, 1940. 

 Louis A. Riordan, North Abington, Term expires November 30, 1938. 

 George A. Wells, Worcester, Tei-m expires November 30, 1939. 



Divisions and Organizations 



Livestock Disease Control — Director, Charles F. Riordan, Sharon. 

 Dairying and Animal Husbandry — Director, Lester T. Tompkins, Essex. 

 Markets — Director, William F. Madden, Boston. 

 Plant Pest Control — Director, R. Harold Allen, Taunton. 

 Reclamation, Soil Survey and Fairs — Director, Robert F. Cross, Osterville,- 



Assistant Director, A. W. Lombard, ARLINGTON. 

 Agriculturist — Daniel J. Curran, Marlborough. 



State Reclamation Board 



Chairman, Daniel J. Curran, Marlborough. 



Edward Wright, Dedham. Robert F. Cross, Osterville. 



Secretary, George R. Stratton, Hopkinton. 



REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONER 



It has been the policy of the Department in 1937 to emphasize the import- 

 ance of producing only quality farm products and applying sound marketing 

 principles to the sale, distribution and advertising of these products. The 

 marketing of agricultural products becomes a more serious problem as compe- 

 tition frorA every section of this country and from foreign countries increases 

 on our Massachusetts markets. Farmers are constantly faced with important 

 questions relating to the marketing of their fai-m products. They are seeking 

 information that will guide them in planting crops that will meet the con- 

 sumer demand. They are looking for advice on the volume of certain crops 

 that can be marketed safely with a reasonable assurance of profit. Our 

 farmers are especially interested in matters of when and where to sell the 

 farm products to the best advantage. We are making every effort to solve 

 these problems and we must depend for the most part upon conclusions and 

 deductions drawn from available information concerning conditions affecting 

 markets and prices. Our market repoi'ts and our market news is an essential 

 and vital factor to an intelligent marketing program. Current information 

 concerning conditions and prices in the markets prevent much waste in mar- 

 keting, and this condition is most often found in markets for perishable foods, 

 especially fruits and vegetables. These products are subject to frequent 

 changes and demand, and if a surplus reaches a given market, prices will drop 

 to such an extent that it may not even pay to market a major portion of the 

 crop. We compile our market reports and send our market news of important 

 significance with the thought in mind of giving the best service possible. 



