xviii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



received for our goods does not compensate for cost of pro- 

 duction. 



The first step in good marketing is good grading laws, and 

 the second is strong selling organizations. 



The products of our Massachusetts farmers, subject to no 

 grading laws or regulations, come in competition with those of 

 other States where either State laws or co-operative association 

 regulations have fixed a standard which insures the buyer 

 against careless handling and poor grading. The regeneration 

 of Massachusetts agriculture will not come until we make 

 some attempt to better the marketing conditions. It would 

 therefore seem proper at this time to request the Legislature to 

 establish a bureau of markets, whose duties shall be the fixing 

 of standard grades, enforcement of grading laws, assisting in 

 the formation of selling organizations, giving the farmers 

 reliable information in relation to markets not only in this 

 State but in others. This bureau should become a clearing 

 house for information on all marketing questions, and would 

 be of untold value to our farmers. 



The question of a law to license commission men has come 

 up several times during the past year, and a bill was introduced 

 into the last Legislature relative to the subject. This bill was 

 not supported even by its introducer, and it would therefore 

 seem as if the case were not sufficiently acute to warrant any 

 such law. Investigation of this question ought, however, to 

 go on, and if such a law is necessary, it should be enacted. 

 Many of us are far too apt to feel that a middle man is not 

 necessary in the sale of our products, little realizing that we 

 often act as our own middle man and far too often to the 

 detriment of our growing crops. Sales companies and co- 

 operative associations controlled by the farmers should be 

 established, with the State Bureau acting as a clearing house 

 for them. 



A bill to require all cities and towns of over 10,000 inhabit- 

 ants to provide suitable marketing places where farmers may 

 sell direct to consumers has been introduced on recommendation 

 of a member of the Board. 



