4 P.D. 123 



Roadside Markets 

 The marketing of farm products by way of the roadside stand in Massachusetts be- 

 comes a very important phase of our agricultural activity. A group of our prominent 

 market gardeners and other farmers have associated themselves together into an asso- 

 ciation of roadside market operators and the Department of Agriculture upon request 

 established rules and regulations for the orderly management of these roadside stands. 

 The Department also designed an attractive sign that is leased to certain roadside 

 markets that comply with the rules and regulations. The sign was approved only on 

 stands where homegrown produce is featured. The Department sign is a neat, yellow 

 shield which can readily be seen at a distance by automobile drivers. In the middle 

 of this sign is the New England Quality Farm Products Label, under which are the 

 following words — -"under supervision of the Massachusetts Department of Agricul- 

 ture." Across the top of the sign in large letters are the following four words "Bay 

 State Farm Products." The Department makes periodic inspections of these stands in 

 order to see that the operators are living up to the regulations. Tn order for a road- 

 side stand operator to retain the official sign, he must keep the stand clean and neat ; 

 the produce must be fresh and of good quality ; the produce displayed must be of the 

 same quality at the bottom of the container as at the top. In other words, a box of 

 berries should not be overfaced with the best quality, or the poor auality camouflaged 

 on the bottom of the paclcage. In addition to the above requisites, there must be 

 adequate parking space, and the prices must be comparatively reasonable. Produce 

 purchased from outside the state, or raised on another's farm, should not be repre- 

 sented as having been grown by the operator. 



Co-operation With Agricultural Fairs 



The Department of Agriculture has consistently followed a course closely co-oper- 

 ating with the agricultural fairs and in sponsoring developments that would bring 

 about a more prosperous agriculture in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts is a great 

 industrial state and it will always be the purpose of its leaders to expand our industrial 

 activities. This expansion means bigger and better markets for our farmers who are 

 diligently applying themselves to the task of producing quality farm products to meet 

 the consumer demand. It was with the thought in mind of co-operating more effect- 

 ively with some of our larger fairs that a State building was erected on exposition 

 grounds at Springfield and on the fair grounds at Brockton, wherein agricultural and 

 other exhibits could be displayed for the purpose of emphasizing those phases of 

 modern agriculture and allied industries that could be adapted most effectively to a 

 general plan of agricultural progress, and I am satisfied that the original expense and 

 the cost of maintenance of these buildings was a profitable investment. Everywhere 

 throughout the spacious fair grounds at Springfield and Brockton one can observe the 

 influence which these two fairs have had upon our farming population. However, I do 

 not intend to limit that influence to these two larger fairs, because all our agricultural 

 fairs, large and small, have been instrumental in stimulating a greater degree of 

 achievement among our agricultural groups. 



Each succeeding year brings a notable improvement in the quality of our farm pro- 

 ducts. Every new year brings livestock of superior quality to compete in this arena 

 for special recognition. In every branch of endeavor on our farms there is a definite 

 trend toward the production of better grade farm products. A high grade product 

 brings a better price, and a more prosperous agriculture results. Our farm homes 

 show an improved appearance, more attractive houses, better facilities, all of which 

 combine to give our rural population the advantages they rightfully deserve as a re- 

 ward for their greater eflfort and greater application of the principles of scientific 

 agriculture. 



It has always been of special interest to observe at these exnositions the accomplish- 

 ments of our 4-H Clubs and Junior Achievement Leagues. These boys and girls have 

 worked faithfully and have demonstrated in their tender years a capacity for planning 

 their wc^k carefully and carrying out their plans to a successful conclusion. They 

 have evidenced a practical and intelligent understanding of farm problems and the 

 continuing success of our Massachusetts agriculture appears safe in their hands. 



Agricultural Legislation 

 Durinsr the year 19v38 several rather important legislative bills were passed by our 

 General Court and received the approval of His Excellency the Governor. Massachu- 

 setts his expended, during the past 16 years, more than $4 000.000 in payments as in- 

 demnitv to rattle owners in the eradication and control of bovine tuberculosis ; and a 

 health problem which is receiving serious consideration at this time is the control of 

 Bangs disease. New legislation provides for the vaccination of cattle not less than 



