ANNUAL REPORT, 1943-44 5 



As a result of these studies and the recommendations developed therefrom, 

 daily savings in mileage for four cities now approximate 1329 or 8.4 percent. 

 The range is from 3.9 percent in the Boston market to 25.8 in Brockton. 



The Development of Statistical Data as Controls to Livestock Production 

 Programs. (A. A. Brown.) Development of the sample areas has been com- 

 pleted for the State. Attention is now being focused on the usefulness of the 

 square mile grids as a means of sampling Massachusetts agriculture. In Hamp- 

 shire County where the checking is nearing completion, there appears to be some 

 doubt as to the uniform relationship between land distribution and farm dis- 

 tribution. 



Organization and Management of Poultry Farms in Massachusetts. (C. R' 



Creek.) Poultry farming was more profitable in Massachusetts in 1943 than 

 in any of the previous four years, according to the summary of Poultry Account 

 Records. For the farms reporting, net farm income averaged $3660 per farm, 

 which was 53 percent greater than in 1942, double the return in 1941, more than 

 three times greater than in 1940, and two and one-half times greater than in 

 1939. The size of the laying flock was about 750 birds each year, but the type 

 of business has changed. The proportion of cash receipts from the sale of hatch- 

 ing eggs, chicks, and pullets has more than doubled in the past two years over 

 1939 and 1940. Some increase was noted in broiler sales in 1943. Other factors 

 responsible for increased returns were higher egg production per hen, much 

 higher prices for eggs in 1942 and 1943, and a more favorable feed-egg ratio 

 because of these higher prices. 



The one-third of the farms most profitable in 1943 earned net farm incomes of 

 $6740 per farm, while the one-third least profitable earned only $940 per farm. 

 Some of the reasons for the higher net incomes are: size of business three times 

 greater, a greater proportion of cash receipts from hatching eggs and chicks, 

 an average production of 44 more eggs per hen, 7.5 cents a dozen higher price 

 received for eggs, 4 cents per dozen lower cost of feed, 1.5 less dozens of eggs 

 required to purchase 100 pounds of feed for the laying flock, and more efficient 

 use of labor. 



Records for 21 identical poultry farms for 1942 and 1943 showed average net 

 farm incomes of $2530 and $3685. The more important reasons for the higher 

 returns in 1943 were: an increase of 12 cents per dozen in average price received 

 for eggs, an increase of 56 percent in sales of broilers, an increase of 112 percent 

 in sales of chicks and pullets, an increase of 67 percent in sales of hatching eggs, 

 a more favorable feed-egg ratio, and more work accomplished with less months 

 of labor. 



Labor Saving Methods and Practices on Massachusetts Farms. (C. R . Creek.) 

 Studies made during the 1943 season on Iceberg lettuce indicated that a 3-man 

 harvesting crew (2 men cutting and 1 packing into crates) was the most efficient, 

 fastest, and least fatiguing method of field harvesting. In the packfng shed a 

 6 to 8 man crew operating a "line-system" for washing, icing, fastening crates, 

 and loading crates was the most efficient. Output in crates per man per hour 

 was highest and the work was much less fatiguing than by other methods where 

 the crates were lifted and carried back and forth several times during the packing 

 shed operations. 



The "line-system" was used in harvesting broccoli in the field as well as in 

 the packing shed operations on a farm where all work was accomplished with a 

 minimum of effort and high output per man. The broccoli was lifted from the 

 ground once (when cut). Tables and roller conveyors were used to eliminate 



