28 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



of high freight rates and long-distance hauls. Massachusetts 

 offers these opportunities. 



A large number of city people, located in or near Boston, 

 have been seeking small tracts of farm land for the purpose of 

 raising poultry. The majority of such inquiries have come 

 from families of limited means who prefer to raise their present 

 standard of living by more independent activities outside of 

 the city limits. A previous experience in farm life and a 

 present knowledge of retail prices in city markets encourage 

 this class to enter farming on a small scale and to feel sure of 

 success in this field. 



Thirty farms have been reported as sold. Several other 

 sales are pending. Fifteen farmers, whose farms have not yet 

 been sold, have notified us of the assistance given them through 

 advertising in the bulletin. The supply of bulletins was ex- 

 hausted the last of August, and information relative to farm 

 properties was given by mail, and, wherever possible, by oflBce 

 appointment. Photographs of farms are not published in the 

 bulletin, but are kept in the office files for reference. 



Massachusetts State Institution Farms. 



As stated in the last report of the Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture, late in October, 1921, the Commissioners of Correction, 

 of Public Health and of Public Welfare asked the assistance of 

 this Department in studying the 13 farms connected with in- 

 stitutions in their departments. This study, begun by the 

 writer November 1, 1921, continued to occupy his full time 

 until he was appointed Director of the Division, March 15, 

 1922. Immediately upon his appointment the Commissioner of 

 Agriculture directed him to "continue the co-operative and 

 advisory work which you have begun with the Department of 

 Correction, of Public Health and Public Welfare as fully as 

 they may desire and your other duties will permit." 



The Commissioners of these departments, the superin- 

 tendents of the institutions and the head farmers have given 

 hearty co-operation. It has been a pleasure to work with them, 

 and much in the way of unifying the work and systematizing 

 the management has been and is being accomplished. With 

 the sympathetic co-operation of the division chief of the State 

 Auditor's office, who audits the institution accounts, a system of 



