P.D. 123 25 



reached the suburban population with a combined circulation of 150,000. This 

 gave the producer a definite picture of the market, the day of release. Radio 

 stations WSPR and WMAS broadcast the reports daily at noon time, which 

 was considered the most desirable period, when the grower would be able to 

 tune in without loss of time. The reports allowed growers to make more 

 careful preparation for the following day's market. 



A weekly review of the Springfield Wholesale Market was released on Sat- 

 urdays, giving a report of the volume of business, condition of the market, 

 price report and summary of what happened of interest to growers in their 

 marketing program. 



A retail price report was released twice weekly after a canvass of the 

 retail stores, giving information to consumers of the best buys at the counter 

 and roadside stands, with the object of relieving the market of products in 

 heaviest supply during the season when each commodity came into heavy 

 bearing with resulting reasonable prices. Consumers aided in this program 

 and purchased at a substantial savings. Growers likewise moved a greater 

 volume of their products, which increased their net returns. 



A special market article was released each week giving canning recipes and 

 menus of locally grown products. This service was originated to encourage 

 the use of growers' produce and fruits during the season when they were at 

 their height and suitable for canning and preserving. These articles were 

 prepared by the Home Bureau of the Hampden County Improvement League 

 staff, and released through the press and radio. 



Wholesale Egg and Poultry Auction Reports were prepared on Mondays and 

 Thursdays, and released through the press and radio. 



A special apple report was issued daily in conjunction with the Wholesale 

 Produce Market Report, prepared to give a clearer indication of market values 

 and possible marketing factors which would help in moving the abundant 

 offerings. Cold storage figures were released the first of each month, with 

 comparisons for the benefit of producers. 



Marketing Counsel or Promotional Work 

 As to the third phase of the work of this division, there we enter upon new 



fields rich in possibilities and capable of producing enormous returns for the 



labor involved, but fraught with dangers if not prosecuted honesty, carefully 



and systematically. 



The promotional work is dependent for its success on the foundation work 



carefully done in inspection and market reporting. 



Inspection of Surplus Crops 

 During the early fall months serious surplus problems arose in respect to 

 the apple and squash crops. 



Apple Inspection 



The Mcintosh apple crop was the largest ever produced in the state, result- 

 ing in a burdensome surplus, which threatened to disrupt the normal mar- 

 keting procedure of our fruit growers. 



Because of this unusual situation the Federal Surplus Commodities Cor- 

 poration came into the market with a buying program in early October. Be- 

 cause of the F.S.C.C. requirements that all purchases carry a federal or 

 federal-state certificate showing grade, condition, etc., it was necessary for 

 this division to employ six emergency apple inspectors to handle this work. 



Fees Charged 



These men worked under the co-operative agreement in operation between 

 this department and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, which has been 

 in effect for several years. Fees were chai'ged for the inspections at rates 

 varying from one to one and one-half cents per box, depending on size of 

 shipments. Up to the end of the fiscal year purchases had totaled about 

 180,000 boxes, all of which had been examined and certified by our inspectors. 



