State Department of Markets

The State Department of Markets carries on a number of programs
designed to serve the every day needs of the farmer in marketing
his products and to insure an equitable flow of these products in the
marketing channels. The Department offers a grading and inspection
service, market price reporting, and a marketing service and informa-
tion program. In some of this work, it cooperates with the United
States Department of Agriculture. The Department enforces the
Egg Grade, Size and Labeling Law, the Weights and Measures Law,
and Cantaloupe Maturity Law and issues licenses required under the
Poultry Sale and Transportation Law (Code 1957, Art. 66C, secs. 65-
83, 104-10; Art. 48, secs. 160-166E, 184-89; Art. 97, secs. 1-63, 66-70).

State Inspection Service

The State Inspection Service enforces the State laws relating to
feed, fertilizer, agricultural liming material and agricultural pesti-
cides. These laws are classified as the "Correct Labeling Acts." The
agency's work consists of registration of brand names; collection,
chemical analysis, and examination of samples; publication of re-
sults of tests; and prosecution of violators (Code 1957, 1962 Supp.,
Art. 48, secs. 116-128; Art. 66C, secs. 471-485).

Dairy Inspection Service

The Dairy Inspection Service administers the dairy inspection laws
of Maryland. It issues permits to dairy plants and operators of bulk
milk tank trucks; examines and licenses milk and cream weighers,
samplers and testers; checks calibration of the glassware used in
testing milk and cream; check-tests milk and cream samples of plants
and commercial laboratories; checks accuracy of weighing and measur-
ing devices in dairy plants; and checks calibrations of farm milk tanks
(Code 1957, Art. 43, secs. 569-97).

Seed Inspection Service

The Seed Inspection Service enforces the Maryland Seed Law. All
seeds sold within the state must be properly labeled and inspected,
sampled, and analyzed to insure compliance with label declaration.
The Service checks samples for purity, noxious weed seed and ger-
mination. It also analyzes seeds on request of firms and individuals
(Code 1957, Art. 48, secs. 148-59).

State Department of Drainage

The State Department of Drainage, established by Chapter 465, Acts
of 1937, promotes and encourages drainage of agricultural lands, cor-
relates activities of local drainage organizations, and cooperates with
State and Federal agencies in the development of a permanent pro-
gram of improved drainage (Code 1957, Art. 66C, sec. 64).

NATURAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE

The Natural Resources Institute replaces the former Department of
Research and Education (Chapter 776, Acts of 1961). It is responsible
for increasing knowledge of the resources of Maryland and their best
uses, with special emphasis on the tidewater and inland resources.
The research program is maintained in cooperation with the depart-