38 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



quality obtained from certified seed potatoes this year bring 

 out strongly the advantages of using it. Such seed gave yields 

 ranging from 150 to 300 bushels and averaging around 175 

 bushels compared with only about half as much on home- 

 grown, unselected potatoes. 



Tobacco area shrunk from 10,180 acres last year to 9,379 

 this year, due mainly to low prices for Broadleaf. Average 

 yield, 1,325 pounds per acre; production, 13,250,000 pounds 

 against 13,700,000 pounds last year. 



Onion Grading Law. 



For many years it was believed that if onions were graded 

 there would be a decided favorable reaction on the part of the 

 trade toward Connecticut Valley onions. As a result of this 

 feeling men interested in the growing and marketing of onions 

 were instrumental in having passed an act (chapter 438, Acts 

 of 1922) providing for a grading and inspection service for 

 onions. Hearings held in Northampton and South Deerfield 

 indicated that it was advisable for the Commissioner to 

 establish standard grades for onions. The Massachusetts 

 Commissioner of Agriculture has, therefore, established and 

 promulgated as the official Massachusetts grades for onions the 

 United States recommended grades for northern grown onions, 

 as the representative attendance and interest seemed to warrant 

 the establishment of standard grades and the inauguration of 

 the service. 



Certification and inspection of Connecticut Valley onions, 

 provided for by the Massachusetts Division of Markets co- 

 operating with the United States Bureau of Agricultural Eco- 

 nomics, went into effect September 5, 1922. This service 

 establishes a standard basis for intelligent dealing, enabling 

 onion receivers to deal directly with growers, thus reducing 

 distribution costs, inasmuch as a certification service gives onions 

 of the same quality a uniform standing. The receiver is thus 

 placed in a position to know the quality of goods he shall have 

 for resale. Sales made on grade facilitate trade, prevent waste 

 by reducing the shipment of unmarketable products, and save 

 expense of sorting at market centers. Furthermore, the es- 

 tablishment of those grades and the accompanying service 

 enlarge the marketing possibilities of the Connecticut Valley, 



