No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xvii 



Roads and Transportation. 



The State should extend its highways as rapidly as possible 

 in order to connect sparsely settled districts with large centers. 

 INIiich of the transportation of the future in our hill towns must 

 be done by motor truck and auto, and the use of these vehicles 

 and the consequent better service to the people in these districts 

 should be hastened by the construction of better roads. Not 

 only should the State construct better main highways, but it 

 should assist the towns in building better connecting roads by 

 reducing grades, improving bridges and culverts, to accommo- 

 date the new methods of transportation. 



The report of the Massachusetts Highway Commission 

 says : — 



There are now in the State 1,039.07 miles of State liighway. During 

 1914, 76.16 miles of State highway were constructed. Under the provisions 

 of the "small town" act, roads were constructed in 91 towns, and con- 

 tracts were made but not completed in 18 towns. 



Engineering advice has been given in 48 cities and toAvns on work 

 where the State made no financial contribution. 



Work has been done, under the provisions of chapter 525 of the Acts 

 of 1910, in 66 towns. 



The total number of to^^^ls and cities which have received aid from 

 the State during the year 1914. either by the construction of State high- 

 ways, construction of roads under the "small town" act, or the improve- 

 ment of roads imder the provisions of chapter 525 of the Acts of 1910, 

 is 207. 



The increased use of the auto truck is very apparent through- 

 out the State, and in many places it has already taken the place 

 of the horse for hauling farm produce to market, and we may 

 look for a greater use of the truck just as soon as roads are 

 extended and new land developed. 



Markets and Marketing. 

 This subject, which is far too apt to be a secondary one when 

 considering agricultural operations, is really the key to success 

 in the whole question. We may grow good crops, pack them 

 well, and get them to the market, but if we do not have the 

 ability to sell, or the market acquaintance, very often the price 



