ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 



STATION— 1946-47 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 

 AND FARM MANAGEMENT 



A. H. Lindsey in Charge 



Development of Statistical Data as Controls to Livestock Production Program. 



(A. A. Brown and Elaine M. Roberson.) The 6 percent areal sample proved 

 satisfactory for estimating the total number of farms. The estimate was within 

 one half of one percent of the map count. Errors of estimate ranged from a low 

 of 3.97 percent for number of farms to 19.47 percent for the number of chickens 

 on commercial poultry farms. The estimates differed substantially from census 

 data or crop reporting service data. The usefulness of the method to Massachu- 

 setts could be improved by type-of-farm maps, improved sample design, and im- 

 provements in field procedure. 



It is not the intention, however, to carry the work any further. The Crop 

 Reporting Service has recently begun to use the areal method for selected items; 

 and, until the results of this experience become available, this project will be 

 held in abeyance. 



The Effect of Public Regulation of Milk Marketing Upon the Organization of 

 the Milksheds of Massachusetts Markets. (A. A. Brown.) Attention was given 

 during the past year to the movement of supplemental milk supplies from the 

 North Central States to eastern markets, especially Boston. Data were assembled 

 covering routes, rates, and service. 



Normally milk cars are handled as head-end tonnage on scheduled passenger 

 trains; the rule being to put them into the first available connection. During the 

 fall months, in recent years of heavy shipment, several of the carriers have set 

 up a "Milk-Extra" so as to better handle the traffic. 



Through rates exist between many shipping points in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, 

 and Wisconsin and principal eastern markets. Commodity tariffs applicable to 

 milk and cream moving in Passenger Train Service are effective. Most of the 

 rates are on a ten-gallon can basis. Only a few special gallon rates are published 

 for movement in tank cars. When milk moves in tank cars between points having 

 only the can rate, the amount to be charged is based on the rate per gallon of the 

 ten-gallon can rate. 



Among several selected shipping points in the dairy states, there was a range 

 of 20 cents per can in the rate on a carload minimum of 2500 gallons (250 fortj'- 

 quart cans). Madison, Wisconsin, had the lowest rate to Boston of $1.39 per 

 can, and Minneapolis the highest at $1.59 per can; both rates before tax. 



This short study will become part of a more inclusive one dealing with price 

 and volumes as well as transportation of the supplemental supplies. 



A Study of Farm Real Estate Taxation, Methods of Taxation Refcrm, and 



the Effect of Such Measures on Farm Income. (A. A. Brown and Judith E. Rosen- 

 thal.) Farmers would get a greater return on their curiosity if in addition to 

 scrutinizing their property taxes they studied their valuations. The differences 

 among farms in land, building, livestock, and machinery valuation are substantial. 

 These differences may be interpreted as logically reflecting the assessors' applica- 



