48 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Co-operative Relations. 



The Division of Markets has continued to maintain the same 

 cordial co-operative relations with the agencies who are con- 

 ducting similar lines of work. Increased unity of effort has 

 been brought about with the United States Bureau of Agri- 

 cultural Economics through the extension of the research 

 studies which were started a year ago. 



The program for 1922 includes a study of the market costs 

 of Connecticut Valley onions; a survey of the methods entered 

 into for the distribution of Maine potatoes in Massachusetts; 

 a study of traffic congestion in Faneuil Hall Market districts; 

 a study including various factors influencing the demand for 

 milk; further studies on the marketing of Massachusetts 

 apples; also a study of the influence of the push-cart vendor 

 on the relief of flooded markets; as well as margin studies on 

 several principal commodities sold in the Boston markets. 



The Division is co-operating with the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, in 

 conducting an investigation of the grading and practices in the 

 marketing of leaf tobacco. Co-operative relations with this 

 Bureau are also maintained in the operation of a shipping point 

 inspection service for onions. In market-news work we rely 

 on this Bureau for the furnishing of that portion of our Boston 

 farmers' produce market report w^hich quotes supplies and 

 prices on shipped-in fruits and vegetables and for the price 

 on butter and eggs. We are also co-operating with the local 

 office of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics in furnishing 

 to radio broadcasting stations a complete program of Massa- 

 chusetts agricultural market new^s. The Division is the 

 authorized representative of the Department in maintaining 

 co-operative relations with the Bureau of Agricultural Economics 

 Crop Reporting Service, New England States co-operating. 



As in previous years we are co-operating with the Boston 

 Market Garden Association in issuing our Boston Price report, 

 with the Worcester County Extension Service, and with the 

 Hampden County Improvement League in the issuance of 

 reports from Worcester and Springfield. The Boston Chamber 

 of Commerce has made available price figures on hay and grain 

 which we disseminate through our Boston Produce Market 

 Report. 



