Fertilizer Program : 



842 labels of fertilizer and limestone were reviewed and registered. 

 Tonnage taxes were assesesed and collected semi-annually. Assessment penalties 

 in shortage of guarantee level were levied and $7,101.30 in appropriate fines 

 collected and either turned back to the farmer or submitted to the 

 Commonwealth's Treasury. 



Seed Program : 



566 brands of seed, including agricultural lawn mixtures, vegetables, 

 flower tree and shrub seeds were collected and tested for truth in labeling. 48 

 stop sale orders were issued on violations, covering 1,716 packages. Seed was 

 removed on account of poor germination, noxious weeds, or because it was unfit 

 for seeding. 



A major change in the state's lawn seed labeling regulation was implemented 

 on January 1. Massachusetts becomes the first state in the country to move for 

 a uniform seed label that will be accepted in all shipping areas. 



Lime Program : 



32 limestone brands and grades were registered and checked for conformance 

 to label during the year. 



Branding Law : 



Inspections were made at wholesale, retail , roadside, and farm level to 

 enforce the apple, potato and native laws. Misbranded products are relabeled or 

 removed from sale. Over 3,000 retail stores were inspected, several hundred 

 wholesale and packing house operations were inspected. 



Storage Laws : 



Records are kept on cold storage and controlled atmosphere apple rooms in 

 order to attest to their compliance with such laws and so to allow such stored 

 products to move into certain prohibited market areas of the country. 



The Bureau, through strict adherence to laws, grades, label reviews and 

 other essential data, has done much to upgrade the quality, condition and grade 

 of the final farm product being offered for sale in Massachusetts. 



The programs are continuous and reflect the general agriculture crop con- 

 ditions and the current market situations. The uniform laws and grades allow 

 for the free movement of theses products in interstate and export commerce with 

 a minimum of difficulty. The honest label approach insures the consumer of an 

 accurate farm product of good quality. 



Programs are becoming more accurate and more smoothly administered due to 

 better management and informed and trained personnel. The use of a word pro- 

 cessor for the registration of feed and fertilizer brands and the recording of 

 the collection of fees and tonnages has improved the programs in general. 



Working with other states, USDA, FDA and the various regulated industries 

 has insured a quality farm product that is more easily marketed by the producer 

 and the shipper. 



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