Annual Report -6- 



now comes froni Italy, always a large producer, and from France 

 where production has increased sixfold during the past 10 years. 



The devaluation of the pound and the Common Market situation 

 have imposed further economic obstacles. 



It is essential that foreign markets not only be maintained 

 "but increased as our own domestic crops reach fulfillment in pro- 

 duction, otherwise domes tic markets will he in jeopardy. 



Most of the apples exported were handled hy "containerization" 

 vessels this year as they were last year. By this method the 

 trailer itself is lifted off the truck chassis onto a specially 

 designed boat and becomes the container on the vessel. It is then 

 put onto another chassis at the foreign port and so arrives at its 

 destination with practically no handling of the fruit. This results 

 in the final consumer getting a better and more useful product. 



This year, for the first time, the Port of Boston was used 

 exclusively for the containerization shipment of apples, using the 

 huge Castle Island's crane. The use of this excellent port has 

 saved shippers the extra cost of shipment of this perishable cargo 

 to New York. 



Potato inspections held at almost the same level as last year 

 but all indications point to a greater use of this service next 

 year. 



Since agricultural crop yields are subject to the whims of 

 Nature, it is often difficult to determine in advance just where 

 our inspection services will be needed in an upcoming season, but 

 by careful attention to crop estimates, weather conditions and other 

 technical data, the Division has been able to cover all inspections 

 with a minimum of delay to shippers and receivers even though the 

 inspection service is badly undermanned. 



