Extension Service

The Extension Service was established by Federal and State laws
in 1914. The service is represented in each county of the State by
a County Agricultural Agent and a Home Demonstration Agent. The
Extension Service is supported by Federal, State and county funds.
Scientific and economic agricultural information for rural people,
assistance in promoting better marketing conditions, cooperation with
rural groups and associations and the encouragement of the market-
ing of home supplies by rural women are all a part of the work of
the Extension Service. In addition to work with adults, the agency
works with rural boys and girls through the 4-H clubs. Short
courses in various fields are also conducted by the service (Code 1939,
Art. 2A, secs, 11, 12).

Agricultural Experiment Station

The Agricultural Experiment Station was established in 1888. It
is an enterprise of the State with extensive Federal grants. The
work of the station centers at laboratories located at College Park
where studies of insects and diseases, soil fertility, botanical and
other problems are undertaken. The livestock and dairy barns with
their experimental herds are also located at College Park. Research
in soil fertility, plant breeding and general horticultural problems is
conducted at a plant research farm located near Beltsville. An ex-
perimental farm, located near Upper Marlboro, is given over to the
problems of tobacco growing and curing. Near Ellicott City, there
is a farm which is devoted to livestock problems. Research in the
problems of broiler producers and the growing of various vegetable
crops is conducted at a farm near Salisbury (Code 1939, Art. 2A,
secs. 13-15).

Maryland State Department of Markets

The State Department of Markets was established in 1924. It
operates as an agent of the State Board of Agriculture under State
laws and the Federal Research and Marketing Act. It functions
in four fields: (1) Extension Education, (2) Marketing Services,
(3) Statistical and (4) Regulatory. The activities of the Depart-
ment include grading and inspection services, market price reporting,
market surveys, a marketing information and service program, ex-
tension marketing and consumer information.

The agency is responsible for the enforcement of the following
laws: (1) The Maryland Apple Grading Law, (2) The Maryland
Fresh Egg and Egg Grading Law, (3) The Poultry Sale and Trans-
portation Law, (4) The Cantaloupe Maturity Law, (5) The Trade-
mark Law, and (6) The grading and inspections laws (Code 1939,
1947 Supp., Art, 2A, Sees. 22-40; Art. 48, secs. 144-150, 168-173).

The Department is also authorized by law to perform certain func-
tions concerning the inspection and regulation of weights and mea-
sures (1951, Ch. 666).

State Inspection and Regulatory Service

The State Inspection and Regulatory Service is responsible for the
enforcement of the State Laws relating to feed, fertilizer, agricultural
liming material and agricultural insecticides and fungicides. These
laws are classified as the "Correct Labeling Acts". The agency's
work in the enforcement of these laws is divided into five parts: (1)
registration of brand names, (2) collection of samples, (3) chemical
analysis and examination of samples, (4) publication of results of
tests and (5) prosecution of violators (Code 1939, Art. 48, secs. 103-
128; Art. 61).