No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIOx\ER. 49 



therefore, every possible assistance and encouragement should be 

 given farmers during the next few j'ears, as a shortage of food 

 would be disastrous in these days of social unrest. 



With the advent of the reorganized dejoartment, we are 

 launching upon a broader, more workable basis by which we 

 may assist in the development of Massachusetts agriculture. 



Already we are feeling the effects of the revitalization of the 

 live-stock industry. This, I hope, will increase as our work 

 goes on. Much careful guidance must be administered in the 

 reclamation of our unused lands and undrained marshes, of 

 which there are many acres which should be producing food for 

 us. 



With one-fourth of the nation's population within 300 miles, 

 our farmers need not want for markets. However, this very 

 proximity seems to have operated adversely in the main to the 

 grouping of our producers into commercial marketing organiza- 

 tions and to systems of economic marketing. Much helpful 

 work lies before us in this field. Consumers as well as farmers 

 must be benefited as a result of straightening out somewhat the 

 tortuous route through which farm products now go in their 

 travels from producer to consumer. 



