30 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 430 



Better poultr\ ranges and a sufficient amount of green feed crops will provide 

 better sanitar>- conditions and also reduce the dependence on imported feed. 

 The question of feed may become one of the most crucial factors in the ability to 

 compete with the outside product. Moreover, grain prices are likely to be sup- 

 ported for a considerable time and this may provide some disadvantages, inas- 

 much as the Massachusetts producer will have to sell his product on a market 

 very sensitive to consumer demand. High prices are likely to result in smaller 

 volume of sales. 



Reduction in cost of production and added efficiency will require careful 

 planning in the use of labor. Generally speaking the plant will have to be so 

 organized and labor-saving devices used to such an extent that the number of 

 birds kept per man can be increased, thus reducing the cost per unit and increas- 

 ing the total farm income. 



There are numerous ways in which labor-saving devices could increase the 

 efficiency of poultry farms. A recent film prepared for poultrymen shows such 

 details as methods of unloading feed, feed room arrangement, feed carriers, water- 

 ing devices, nests, roosts, methods of maintaining dry litter, ventilation, disposal 

 of manure, home dressing including the picking machine, waxing, and semi- 

 scalding, egg rooms, and egg grading. Some of these factors have a direct rela- 

 tion to sanitation and safeguarding the health of the bird. The reduction of 

 mortality has always been one of the main concerns of the poultryman and gives 

 the greatest promise of further cutting of costs. Where facilities are available 

 and labor is not fully utilized, poultry farmers will do well to diversify their pro- 

 duction by taking on some additional enterprises. 



Of equal importance is a well-organized system of marketing. In some areas 

 af the State cooperative marketing has proved to be of distinct advantage and 

 might well be expanded. Sales of eggs direct to stores and other selling centers 

 should be further extended. Where possible, direct sale to consumers either 

 through stands or home distribution will undoubtedly prove the most profitable, 

 as in the past. In the final analysis, it will be necessary for the Massachusetts 

 poultryman to provide, at a reasonable price, a product equal or superior to that 

 which can be obtained from other sources. 



Vegetable Crops 



Market-garden products are grown in Massachusetts in great variety and under 

 diverse conditions. In general, there has been some shift in vegetable growing 

 from older sections in the eastern part of the State to other sections, including 

 the Connecticut \'alley. The total acreage in market gardening in prewar jears 

 has been varioush' estimated, but the general agreement is about 40,000 acres, 

 including both large-scale operations and small commercial gardens. In wartime 

 the supply of vegetables from commercial areas has been augmented by the prod- 

 uce of Victory gardens which added substantially to the total volume of output 

 in the State. With a general increase in vegetable consumption over a period of 

 years, it ma}' be expected that Massachusetts producers will find it profitable to 

 extend their market garden operations, increasing their acreage by about 10 

 percent. A great deal will depend on possible changes in the competitive situa- 

 tion in the field of vegetable growing, processing, and marketing. It is not likely 

 that yields will be further increased by means of heavier fertilization. 



There is, however, considerable room for improvement in the way of using 

 better varieties and in combating plant diseases bj^ more adequate dusting and 

 spraying. One of the greatest promises in the way of safeguarding vegetable 

 crops and securing better returns to the producers is found in the recent improve- 



