12 P.D. 123 



States, wherein we have benefited in the exchange of views on topics dealing 

 with our Dairy or Animal Husbandry fields of endeavor. 



The progress of the division made in the past year can rightfully be 

 accounted for by the fact that the personnel of the division has been loyal 

 and co-operative, enabling the director to perform the functions of the divi- 

 sion with ease. 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OP MARKETS 



Massachusetts Apple Crop 



Our apple crop in Massachusetts is a major commercial farm crop today 

 with an approximate value in 1937 of $4,000,000. We have made rapid strides 

 in the development of our orchards during the past twenty-five years and we 

 are especially concerned now with the marketing of the apple crop. To be sure, 

 the cash value of this important farm crop has made a noticeable increase, but 

 another factor that cannot be overlooked in speaking about Massachusetts 

 apples is the improvement in quality. The problem of our fruit growers has 

 not been an easy one because it has been necessary to combat constantly the 

 insects and diseases that have infested our orchards. 



Our progresive fruit growers understand full well the importance of raising 

 apples that are clean, attractive and free from insect injury and disease. Our 

 State College, agricultural schools and extension services in our different 

 counties have given much attention and valuable assistance to our fruit 

 farmers in the production of high quality apples. Each year the fruit growers 

 strive with additional effort to stamp out the insects and diseases that are 

 persistent in their yearly attacks on our orchards. 



The apple industry, however, is handicapped in certain districts by the 

 presence of neglected orchards or small orchards in the hands of men who are 

 not familiar with the problems of insect control. It is our purpose to study 

 these problems more closely and co-operate with the progressive fruit growers 

 in a plan that will bring about a better control of those orchards that now 

 offer a breeding place for destructive apple pests. We anticipate no great 

 difficulty in impressing upon those who are at fault in neglecting their orch- 

 ards the importance of control measures in combating insect enemies that 

 spread from the neglected orchard to the clean orchard and cause great finan- 

 cial loss to fruit growers who have spent large amounts in trying to produce 

 clean fruit. 



Our fruit growers will find it to their advantage to concentrate further on 

 clean fruit, and the Department of Agriculture will make an additional effort 

 to place a premium on good grading and packing and to impress upon the 

 owners of neglected orchards that there is no place for wormy or diseased 

 apples on our markets. If failure to take necessary control -measures brings 

 about a crop of inferior grade fruit, the place for this fruit is not on the open 

 market, but in the cider mill or other place for manufacturing by-products 

 of apples. 



Inspection of Eggs 



Two years ago the Massachusetts Legislature passed a fresh egg law. 

 Before that time we had no definition of a fresh egg. Now the requirements 

 are definitely set forth and if an egg is sold as fresh, it must meet the re- 

 quirements. 



Other New England States have similar legislation, and I might suggest 

 that all New England States should get together on uniform legislation relat- 

 ing to the sale and distribution of fresh eggs. 



Our inspectoi's are visiting some 15,000 stores during the course of a year 

 and inspecting the fresh eggs. Some places are inspected several times during 

 the year. Our first inspections indicated that many eggs of poor quality were 

 ■sold as fresh, but today we are convinced that a big improvement has been 

 made. 



Consumers are entitled to quality eggs when they ask for fresh eggs, and 

 pay the price. Local eggs at present prices constitute one of the most economi- 



