1921.] rUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 13 a 



employees, hut wliich has gradually passed into the hands of 

 the employees, the firm now having nothing to do with the 

 conduct of the store, and supplying nothing but the quarters 

 which it occupies. 



This brief study revealed an increasing interest in co-opera- 

 tion among consumers. Stores are being opened by all classes, 

 but chiefly among factory employees. Labor leaders are 

 interested in the movement, which is especially strong among 

 foreigners, particularly the Italians and Finns, the latter having 

 sixteen stores of various kinds in the State. 



A number of requests were received for assistance in securing 

 farm products for these consumers' associations. These were 

 turned over to the Extension professor of the department, who 

 has taken steps to render the assistance asked. 



Farm Ownership in Massachusetts. — The second line of 

 research which has been carried on throughout the year is a 

 study of farm ownership in ^Massachusetts. A questionnaire 

 was prepared and has been filled out by 650 farmers of the 

 State, some of the schedules being secured by mail and some 

 by personal visits. The county agents of several counties have 

 rendered most valuable assistance in this matter. Although the 

 study is yet incomplete, some interesting facts with regard to 

 the steps to farm ownership are already in hand. It is ex- 

 pected that a bulletin embodying the results of this study will 

 be ready for publication within the year. 



Onion SnppJy and Distribution in the Connecticut Valley. — 

 The department is bringing up to date the data on onion supply 

 and distribution in the Connecticut valley previously published 

 in Bulletin No. 169. The supply, weekly shipments, destina- 

 tions, prices, storage stocks and recent developments in prepa- 

 ration and marketing are the principal data studies. It is the 

 purpose of the department to publish during 1921 a supplement 

 to Bulletin No. 169 embodying these new data. 



Proposed Research Work for the Coming Year. 



Supply and Distribution of Connecticut Valley Tobacco. — It 

 is proposed to gather similar information with reference to the 

 supply and distribution of cigar leaf tobacco in the Connecti- 

 cut valley to supplement Bulletin No. 193 published in 1919. 



