26 P.D. 123 



Collection of fees were practically equal to the extra expense of carrying 

 on this emergency work, so that the service was self-supporting. 



Clerical Work 



As a part of this work, it was necessary for us to establish a temporary 

 district office at Concord, where we were provided office space without charge, 

 at the Middlesex County Extension Service. Much of the clerical work was 

 handled at this Concord office, and the additional expense of clerical personnel, 

 as well as that of the inspections, was covered by the inspection fees. 



Check-Loading 



Our inspectors also served in the additional capacity as check-loaders for 

 the F.S.C.C., for which we were reimbursed by the Corporation at the rate of 

 ^/4(^ per box or approximately $1.50 per carload. 



Squash Inspection 



The squash situation became acute in mid-October. Supplies on the farms 

 of the Commonwealth were fully 50 per cent larger than average. Because 

 of the fact that production had been unusually heavy, and because much of 

 this had been grown by new producers who did not have adequate storage 

 space, a serious problem arose regarding the prompt movement of this crop 

 before hard freezing weather set in. 



F.S.C.C. Purchases 



The Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation started buying in November 

 and in a period of about three weeks purchased 1100 tons of Massachusetts 

 squash, a large part of which came from the Connecticut valley sections. 

 Here again it was necessary for this division to perform this inspection work. 

 For this purpose five additional inspectors were hired and the clerical work 

 was handled in conjunction with the apple work from the Concord office. 



Fees for squash inspection were charged at the rate of 60 cents per ton. 

 Inspectors also acted as check-loaders as in the apple deal, for which we 

 were reimbursed at the rate of 13c per ton. 



Consumption — the aim and purpose of production 



Low farm prices and lack of balance between industrial and agricultural 

 incomes prompted local agricultural food producers to take sei'ious interest 

 in the consumer end of their business. With the realization that agriculture, 

 like any industry, depends on demand for and consumption of the products, 

 Massachusetts farmers now strongly support the Division's consumer infor- 

 mation and promotional work which, as conducted, sometimes takes on an 

 advertising character. Consumer demand for more information had already 

 given impetus to this phase of the Division's work, but it was special promo- 

 tional programs for relieving market situations on eggs, apples, and some 

 other Massachusetts products that demonstrated to local producers the possi- 

 bilities of this means for helping the agriculture of the State. Success of the 

 "squash campaign" in the fall of 1939 was convincing proof. The squash 

 program involved the efforts of the Division of Markets, the State Extension 

 Service, and the cooperation of other agencies and consumers. 



Market facts that encourage consumers to buy products when seasonal 

 supplies are liberal and moderately priced benefit more than consumers. 

 Guiding demand according to supplies helps stabilize the market and prevent 

 extreme price fluctuations. While the natural tendency is to concentrate 

 attention on native products, the viewpoint of the consuming public must not 

 be slighted and the market situation as a whole must be fairly considered. 



Consumers, bewildered by the mass of consumer material thrust upon 

 them, turn to state agencies for market facts and ask for grades by which to 

 judge and compare values. Various means of disseminating the information 

 are used — (1) publications such as retail market reports, Fresh Food Facts, 

 special releases, and inexpensive illustrated material. (2) i-adio broadcasts 

 and talks to g^roups. (3) exhibits at fairs and in windows. 



