320 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATlf N BULLETIN 247 



Factors Responsible for Variations in Physical Production and Economic 

 Costs of Milk in Massachusetts. (R. L. Mighell and Marian Brown). A 

 deterniination of the influence of different ]irodiK-tion practice.s on milk 

 production, and how these practices would need to be chanjred under 

 changing economic conditions, is the object of this project. 



An initial study has been made of Herd Improvement Association 

 records in the State. This will be continued, and further study will be 

 made of the records of the College and Experiment Station Herds. 



Other Activities of the Department. Both the Research and Extension 

 Specialists have been members of the College committee on the Economics 

 Status of Massachusetts Agriculture, and in this capacity contributed freely 

 in the publication of Extension leaflet No. 119, Potatoes in Massachusetts 

 Farm Economy (16 pages); and Extension leaflet No. 20, Dairy Replace- 

 ments in Massachusetts (16 pages). While not imder a definite research 

 project these publications called for the collection and interpretation of 

 many data and were published in response to a definite need. 



During the last year the Departments of Farm Management and Agri- 

 ciiltural Economics have cooperated in starting a monthly publication called 

 "Farm Economic Facts". Although published by the Extension Service, 

 material has been contributed by the Research as well as the Extension 

 Staff. 



During the summer of 1928 the department cooperated with the de- 

 partments of Agronomy and Plant and Animal Chemistry in potato trials 

 on the College Farm covering five different spraying mixtures, and dif- 

 ferent amounts of seed and fertilizer. The latter was suggested by the 

 findings in the survey work upon which Bulletin 240 was based. The re- 

 sults of the spraying M'ork are being reported by the Department of Plant 

 and Animal Chemistry. Due to soil variations and the unfavorable sea- 

 son, results on seeding and fertilization were inconclusive and the work 

 will be repeated. 



FEED CONTROL SERVICE 

 Philip H. Smith in Charge 



The work of Feed Control Service comprises not only feed inspection 

 but several other activities, as listed below: 



Feed Control (General Laws, 1920, Chapter 94) 



Seed Control (General Laws, 1927, Chapter 94) 



Dairy Law (General Laws, 1920, Chapter 94) 



Advanced Registry Testing 



Miscellaneous work 



Feed Control. (P. H. Smith, H. R. DeRose, J. W. Kuzmeski, M. M^ 

 Goodwin, F. A. McLaughlin). During 1927, 1602, and 1928, 1600 samples 

 of feeding stuffs were collected and examined in our laboratories. No local 

 prosecutions for violations of the feeding stuffs law were attempted. Acting 

 as Federal inspectors, our agents have drawn about 30 samples of interstate 

 shipments of feeding stuffs which previous analysis had shown to be below 

 guarantee in protein, fat or fiber. These samples are submitted to the 

 Food, Drug and Insecticide Administration Laboratories of the Federal 

 Government who, if action is thought advisable, proceed directly against 

 the manufacturer. It is thought that this is a more satisfactory method 

 of procedure than to prosecute the local dealer who is in all probability 

 selling the goods with the belief that they are as represented. 



