36 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



clusively that the estabHshment of a market bureau by the 

 State could materially assist in solving many of the problems 

 with which cities are confronted. 



Secretary's Travel. 



The secretary has not traveled very much outside the State 

 this year, but has largely confined his efforts to getting better 

 acquainted with certain problems within the State, such as 

 drainage, markets, fruit growing and organization. An ex- 

 tensive study of the Cape country has been made with the idea 

 of recommending some action looking toward a greater develop- 

 ment of that section. Some interesting facts stand out prom- 

 inently in relation to that part of the State. 



The fisheries along the coast and the harbors where fishing 

 vessels bring their catch are abundant. In the process of 

 dressing fish for coolers and market much fish scrap is made. 

 There are also quantities of fish below market grade which are 

 not utilized. In this same section large quantities of seaweed 

 may be found. Taken together these materials would seem to 

 form the basis of a very cheap and high-grade fertilizer, the 

 processing of which ought not to be very expensive. Added to 

 this store of plant food there is in this section large quantities 

 of land which only needs the elements contained in such 

 fertilizer to make it produce abundantly. Much of this land 

 lying between the hills of this region is amply protected from 

 sweeping winds, — generally the drawback to successful farming 

 in this section. Markets are abundant, and an ever-increasing 

 summer population promises much to the person who will 

 venture in Cape Cod farming. 



Travel in the State has been about 8,000 to 10,000 miles; 

 outside State visits have been made to New York on apple- 

 grading law and white pine blister rust; to Vermont on the 

 New England Fruit Show; to the New Hampshire State College; 

 and to Connecticut. 



Mr. P. M. Harwood represented the secretary at a meeting 

 of the secretaries and commissioners of agriculture in Wash- 

 ington, in May, when a National Association of Secretaries and 

 Commissioners of Agriculture was formed. This association hopes 

 to bring the problems of the various State departments in closer 



