62 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



instructive display for the purpose of reducing the wastage 

 caused by improper shipping methods. Incidentally, egg losses 

 amounted in 1920 to $1,287,000, most of this loss being due to 

 improper packing and handling methods. 



Review of Massachusetts Crops in 1921. 



The crop season of 1921 opened quite early, and spring farm 

 work began sooner than usual; but April was cold and slowed 

 operations down to normal. Repeated low temperatures at 

 the end of winter and during spring months killed many fruit 

 buds and cut down the apple crop over the State. 



Drought prevailed during May and most of June over most 

 counties. Heavy rains, especially in eastern sections, came at 

 the end of June and in early July, but rainfall after that was 

 barely sufficient to allow fair to good crop growth. 



Crops adversely affected by weather, and consequently of 

 short production, include apples, hay, pastures, onions and 

 cranberries. Grain crops gave fair yields, while corn turned out 

 better than average, due to sufficient heat and a long season for 

 maturing and ripening the crop. 



Under legislation enacted during the sessions of 1920-21 in 

 the New England States the New England Co-operative Crop 

 Reporting Service has been established since July 1, 1921. In 

 this service the six States here, through their departments or 

 boards of agriculture, co-operate among themselves and with 

 the United States Department of Agriculture in conducting the 

 joint service through one central organization. The purpose of 

 this service is to supply to all concerned the most trustworthy 

 and timely information possible regarding crops and live stock. 

 Important extensions and improvements are to be made during 

 1922. Producers, dealers, others concerned and consumers are 

 giving more and more study to crop production and market 

 information, as well as to all influences bearing upon the supply 

 and demand sides of the market. 



The following figures on acreage and production of crops are 

 reported by the United States Bureau of Markets and Crop 

 Estimates as of December 1, 1921. They are based on the 

 United States Census of 1919, which has lately become avail- 



