8 P.D. 123 



cases, without drastic action. Adjustments were made with the farmer and dealer 

 which were acceptable to both. 



Several dealers voluntarily retired from the milk business after conferences with 

 this department. The businesses were sold in such a way that the producers affected 

 did not lose their market. Other dealers were induced to buy their product from larger 

 dealers and the farmers affected were given a more substantial market. 



Collateral was reviewed and the books of the department were audited. 



Bonds of seven dealers were distributed, and approximately $10,000.00 was distri- 

 buted directly to Massachusetts milk producers. The proper legal procedure was 

 taken before the collateral was seized. 



REPORT OF DIVISION OF MARKETS 



Market Reports 



Daily market reports are published five days a week covering the Boston, Worcester, 

 and Springfield wholesale and vegetable markets. 



For the first full year, the Boston Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Report has been 

 broadcast from WEEI at 6:45 a.m. and from WBZA at 6:55 a.m. Thus 1940 has 

 been the first year when farmers could get up-to-the-minute prices before starting 

 the work in the fields. The wholesale prices are again broadcast at 12:15 and at 

 1 :30 p.m. Th number of radio stations carrying the report has increased, and it 

 definitely is reaching thousands of additional listeners. 



A special report dealing with apples and other fruits has been issued regularly 

 through the principal marketing season. 



Inspections 



The inspection of fruits and vegetables was done by one permanent and five tem- 

 porary inspectors. The season of 1939-1940 was an active buying season for the 

 Surplus Marketing Administration, and Government purchases of 326,000 bushels 

 of apples were inspected by our men. The division's permanent inspector spent what 

 time he could in the inspection of commercial packs of apples for sale in the state. 



Fresh Egg and Egg Siting Laivs. — The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture 

 is continuing its regulatory functions in connection with the so-called Fresh Egg Law 

 and the Egg Sizing Law. From the results obtained following several thousands of 

 inspections, it very definitely appears that the consumer is reaping the benefits of such 

 legislation. When the law first was enacted, our inspectors found in some cilies as 

 many as 50 violations in 100 inspections. At the present time there are, on the average, 

 not more than 5 violations in lOO inspections, taking the state as a whole. 



Turkeys. — The inspection of turkeys at Thanksgiving and Christmas is becoming 

 more of a problem each year, and is handled by the egg inspectors. The turkey inspec- 

 tion, in policing the grading of New England "Blue Tag" turkeys, has been a large 

 factor in the sales of Massachusetts turkeys. 



Massachusetts is producing in the neighborhood of 275,000 to 300,000 turkeys per 

 year. This represents approximately $1,000,000 gross income. 



Co-ordination of Advertising of Farm Products. — For many years some agricultural 

 products, such as cranberries and oranges, have been widely advertised and the results 

 have been outstanding. The producers of other farm products have found that although 

 the human stomach is rather inflexible, it is necessary continually to inform the public 

 of the value of any commodity to attain its normal sales. 



Just within a few years the advertising of farm products has increased by leaps 

 and bounds, and a large part of most commodities are sold under brand names and 

 with extensive advertising. Most Massachusetts crops are not yet sold under brand 

 names, and producers and groups of producers have not the capital or knowledge of 

 advertising necessary for an extensive advertising campaign. 



With the intention of leading the way in starting an advertising campaign for 

 Massachusetts farm products, the Development and Industrial Commission, of which 

 the commissioner of agriculture is a member, has appropriated substantial sums which 



