No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xi 



crops Avere favored with more congenial conditions than the 

 early ones. 



Tobacco was fully up to the average in both quantity and 

 quality, and a slight increase in acreage is indicated. The 

 cranberry crop was not especially good, owing to frost and 

 worm damage combined. The poultrymen in the State are 

 quite optimistic and in general have had a very satisfactory 

 season, despite the high prices of grain and feeds. Prices for 

 all farm products for the year ruled about an average, with a 

 slight tendency upward, which, however, was more than offset 

 by the increased cost of materials which the farmer must pur- 

 chase. 



Roads. 



The State of Massachusetts ranks far ahead of most other 

 States in the percentage of "improved" roads to total mileage 

 of all roads. This means that the State realizes the value and 

 the importance of good roads. But there is one feature that 

 should be brought to your attention. While we ha\"e many 

 miles of macadam or so-called "State road," the majority of 

 our country roads are unimproved. The main arteries of 

 travel, the through highways, are the ones which have been 

 im])roved; and they should be. But at the same time the result 

 of this improvement is an unjust tax for their construction and 

 their maintenance upon the farmer. Not only must he pay his 

 proportionate tax upon the improved highways, when in the 

 majority of instances he receives but little, if an}', benefit from 

 them, but he must also meet that very present assessment of wear 

 and tear on equipment which poor roads entail. The constant 

 and increasing use of the automol)ile on the town roads, ne- 

 cessitating a larger outlay for their maintenance, is the source 

 of further hardship to the farmer. Your secretary suggests, 

 for the relief of this situation, that .the tax on automobiles be 

 increased, and that this additional revenue be put at the dis- 

 posal of the towns which would be willing to co-operate in the 

 matter of road improvement, in addition to what is already 

 available from the State. This method, coupled with the con- 

 tinued policy of road improvement throughout the Common- 

 wealth, will in time remedy the present unjust situation. 

 Good roads mean much for the country, larger profits for the 



