4 P.D. 123 



products in the daily diet. Several years ago the marketing officials of all the 

 New England States agreed upon a proposed law that would bring about a 

 uniform grading and labeling of farm products throughout New England, and 

 in practically every state a farm pi'oducts grading law was enacted. This law 

 provided for the establishment of grades, and labeling of such graded farm 

 products with a New England label. Hearings were required prior to the 

 establishment of all grades and the right to use the label could be obtained 

 from the Commissioner of Agriculture of each state. Massachusetts grades 

 have been established on eggs, turkeys, asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes, 

 beets, carrots and several other farm products, and we are now continuing to 

 sell many eggs under the Massachusetts Special label. This marketing program 

 with its rather unique advertising plan was well thought out and a more 

 universal use of the grades and labels would have been beneficial to the 

 farmers, but it appears that the enthusiasm with which this program started 

 waned and our farmers have not received the full benefit that the marketing 

 officials had in mind when the farm products grading law was presented to the 

 Legislature. In all of our advertising programs it will be necessary for us to 

 keep alive the initial enthusiasm and be forever alert to the underlying prin- 

 ciple of keeping the old customers and constantly adding new customers. 



We are all mindful during this day and age that the automobile is playing a 

 very important part in the progress of every community. Our farmers on the 

 main highways are constantly in touch with thousands of consumers who pass 

 daily. The appearance of the farm will often create a lasting impression in the 

 minds of visiting consumer friends. Especially is this true in our dairy farms, 

 as more and more people have an opportunity to inspect personally the farms 

 that produce milk for their city or town. The cleaner and neater the farm the 

 greater advertisement for quality milk and increased consumption. It is there- 

 fore important that every farmer, whether located on the main highway or on 

 some less frequently traveled road be prepai-ed for consumer inspection at all 

 times. It might be conceivable that some attractive sign with the words 

 "Welcome. Quality farm products produced here" might be displayed where 

 it would show to advantage on many of our farms on the main highways. 



Progress in Poultry Farming 



Poultry farming in Massachusetts today is one of our major agricultural 

 industries. In 1910 the income of our poultry products was approximately, 

 $6,000,000, and our recent census figures estimate the income of this important 

 phase of our agriculture as over $10,000,000, This development is the result 

 of hard work on the part of our progressive poultry farmers. We excell in a 

 constructive breeding program. Only the best hens and selected males are 

 permitted to take part in our improvement program. Our poultry farmers 

 are constantly watching and battling against the disease problem. We must 

 have healthy birds in order to maintain high producing flocks and go forward 

 to better records. 



The Department of Agriculture is vitally interested in further development 

 of our poultry industry. I am quite sure that many farms in Massachusetts 

 are especially adapted to raising poultry for profit. Long ago we relinquished 

 that type of farming that required vast level fields for successful accomplish- 

 ment. The raising of grain and livestock is now definitely located in the middle 

 west and southwest. We must build our Massachusetts agriculture on special 

 crops and special types of farming that ai'e adapted to our soils, climate and 

 character of farm lands. 



Our farmers are combating disease successfully. They have been assisted 

 by every agricultural agency in their respective states. New bi-eeds have been 

 developed and old ones perfected. Improved methods of sanitation and more 

 efficient farm management have paved the way for more healthy flocks and 

 greater production of eggs. 



The Production of Quality Milk 

 We have followed during the year 1937 a definite policy of inspecting our 

 dairy farms carefully in order that the cleanest and safest milk be supplied 



