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Public Document
No. 123
®l)c iUcmmonroealtl) oi itta00acf)U0ctt5
fmSY ANNUAL EEPORT
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE YEAR 1919
BOSTON
WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS
32 DERNE STREET
1920
Publication of this Document
approved by the
Supervisor of Administration.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction, 7
Massachusetts Crop Situation in 1919, 9
Fertilizer Situation, 12
Seed Situation, 14
Poultry Situation, 16
Milk Situation, 17
Nursery Inspection, 19
Apiary Inspection, • • • .21
Dairy Division, 21
Demonstration Sheep Farms, 22
State Ornithologist, 23
Apple Grading Law, 24
Farm Machinery, 24
Marketing Work, 25
Soil Surveys, 27
Farmers' Institutes, 27
The Drainage Board, 28
Agricultural Fairs and Societies, 29
Boys' and Girls' Club Work, 32
Exhibitions and Contests, 33
Eastern States Exposition and Dedication of Massachusetts Building, 34
Meetings of the Department, 35
Commissioner's Travel, 37
Work of the Office, 38
Work of the Library, . . . 38
Trespass Signs, 39
Publications, 40
Bulletins, ^ 41
Legislation for 1919, ' 42
05 Legislative Appropriations, 43
Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture, .... 43
Labor and Agriculture, 44
Land Settlement, 45
d Publicity and Information, 47
2& Our State Farms, 47
Looking Ahead, _.• • ■ 48
Index, 50
Cvi
CNI
Depaetment of Agriculture, 1920.
Commissioner of Agriculture.
ARTHUR W. GILBERT of Belmont.
Advisory Board appointed by the Governor and Council.
Term expires
November 30,
JOHN BURSLEY of Barnstable (Post Office, West Barnstable), . . 1920
STUART L. LITTLE of Newbury,
LESLIE R. SMITH of Hadley, .
EVAN F. RICHARDSON of Millis, .
HERBERT N. SHEPARD of Warren,
J. HOWELL CROSBY of Arlington, .
1920
1921
1921
1922
1922
Organization of the Department.
President, JOHN BURSLEY of Barnstable.
Vice-President, EVAN F. RICHARDSON of Millis.
Secretary,
LESLIE R. SMITH of Hadley.
Director, Division of Plant Pest Control, . R. HAROLD ALLEN of Fall River.
Director, Division of Ornithology, EDWARD HOWE FORBUSHof Westborough.
Director, Division of Dairying and Animal Husbandry,
O. M. CAMBURN of Arlington.
Director, Division of Markets, . . . WILLARD A. MUNSON of Walpole.
Director, Division of Reclamation, Soil Survey and Fairs,
LESLIE R. SMITH of Hadley.
Director, Division of Agricultural Information, JOHN W. PLAISTED of Cambridge.
®l)c Commontoealtl) of itlas^acliuaetts
FmsT Annual Eeport of the Department
OF Agriculture.
REPORT OF WILFRID WHEELER, COMMISSIONER,
1919.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Since the close of the war the spirit of unrest which has been
world-wide has to a certain degree been communicated to the
farmers, not to the extent of drawing the agricultural people to
the various forms of radicalism which have been sweeping over
the world, but has rather reflected itself in a decreased produc-
tion, due not alone to the labor situation and the cost of doing
business but rather to the uncertainty of a profitable market.
Many farmers rather looked for a speedy resumption of normal
conditions and a rapid return to pre-war conditions, not realiz-
ing, perhaps, the world-wide extent of the upheaval. We have
looked, also, to a quicker return to the normal transportation
conditions to equalize the distribution of agricultural products,
not realizing the enormous losses sustained in the shipping of
the world.
Food stored in many out-of-the-way places and predicted to
be available as soon as the war w^as over has not been forth-
coming. Labor conditions, which w^ere thought to become more
normal, have gone to the extreme of scarcity, and plans of
farmers who looked forward to normal production have not
materialized. Production has been on an increasing cost basis,
and this in face of the fact that influences have been at work to
depress prices to the farmer without any attempt to consider
the cost of production. Such efforts, while they serve to satisfy
8 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
the multitude for the present, are in the long run disastrous
alike to consumer and producer. Few people seem to realize
what a severe interruption to agricultural production means;
that price on hogs below the cost of production drives many
farmers out of hog production; and, when the price takes an
upw^ard turn, it is not immediately possible for the farmer to
get back into the business again, even though he be inclined to
do so. What is true of hogs is true of all other animals and
crops. Already the sudden depression of the hog market the
past summer is having its effect in lessening the breeding of
hogs for next spring. In contrast to this, it will only be neces-
sary to recall the remarkable response of the country to the
guaranteed price on wheat, for, in this case, the farmers planted
in an unstinted way, feeling assured of a fair return; not that
we believe in guarantees, but only to show that if some definite
contract basis could be worked out whereby the farmers were
assured of a profit, there would be little doubt of there being
enough food produced. Not alone have food products been and
are scarce, but textiles of all kinds were never in so short sup-
ply. Cotton has reached a new high level, restricted planting
and insect damage being largely responsible for the short crop.
Wool, too, has remained high, and while sheep have increased
in America to a considerable extent, the world-wide number
has decreased, and the demand for wool products is still far
beyond the visible supply.
Very few countries of the world report farmers as being un-
usually prosperous, owing to the prevailing high prices. Those
that do so report are the smaller countries w^here agriculture
has been and is largely conducted on the one-man farm basis,
and therefore more or less independent of outside labor.
This country as a whole has produced enormous crops of all
kinds of products, valued in dollars and cents higher than any
other year's production. Yet adverse conditions have had a
tendency to reduce production in many places, as severe
droughts in the northern wheat area; too much rain in eastern
United States; and heavy insect damage in certain other sec-
tions. Favorable winter weather conditions were general over
all the country, although many sections reported severe frost in
spring, with consequent late plantings.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 9
New England conditions were, on the whole, favorable, and
for our own State most crops had a fair season. Farmers can
undoubtedly look forward to a few more years of relatively
high prices, although it must be borne in mind that these high
prices do not always mean high profits. It is doubtful if those
farmers who keep books can show a more creditable profit on
this year's prices than they could on pre-war conditions.
Massachusetts Crop Situation in 1919.^
The past winter (1918-19) was comparatively mild, so that
fall-sown crops and fruit wintered well, including meadows and
pastures. There was no very injurious freezing in the spring to
hurt meadows, pastures or new seedings. The spring remained
cold and backward until quite late, thus retarding the planting
of most crops and vegetables somewhat beyond the usual dates.
At the end of April came the cold snap with frost and freezing,
which was then thought to have damaged heavily prospective
crops of peaches and apples; however, both these fruits hap-
pened to be in a stage of development where they were not
seriously hurt. Although the spring held cold and backward,
there was gradual increase of temperature and no severe late
frosts" occurred.
The first half of the season, in fact until July 1, was acutely
dry in many sections of the State and was unfavorable for
grains, pastures and meadows. This condition was made worse
by some periods of unusual heat. The second half of the season
was wet, there being rather frequent rains and much cloudy
weather. This interfered with haying, although noticeably in-
creasing the hay crop. A good, heavy rowen crop resulted, so
that the total hay crop is well up to the usual. The fall months
continued very wet and cloudy. This seriously retarded har-
vesting and threshing operations; however, these conditions
develop the meadows and pastures well, so that they go into
winter in excellent condition. The fall has been mild with no
harmful temperatures to December 1. With the farmers fairly
well satisfied with their season's returns, the usual amount of
fall farm work and plowing has been done, except, perhaps, that
i Statement furnished by Bureau of Crop Estimates, United States Department of Agriculture.
10 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
threshing and husking are somewhat behind. On the whole, it
was a fairly favorable year for farmers.
With the war over, and scarce, high-priced and often unsatis-
factory labor demanding ever shorter hours, farmers naturally
tended to let crop acreages become normal again-, with resulting
increases for oats and potatoes and decreases for beans, buck-
wheat, corn, hay, onions and rye, and no change in barley,
cranberries and tobacco.
The agricultural crop of apples, i.e., the entire crop, is esti-
mated at 3,240,000 bushels as compared with 2,430,000 bushels
last year; while the commercial apple crop is placed at 335,000
barrels as against 300,000 barrels last year. The fruit has been
of good, quality and has sold unusually well; the demand for
apples for by-products has been especially strong and at good
prices.
Peaches were somewhat disappointing because of the wet,
muggy weather at harvest time and due to the sugar shortage,
which lessened demand. The crop was of good size and many
growers sold their crops at good prices. The crop is estimated
at 136,000 bushels, or 80 per cent of a full crop, as against a
practical failure last year, due to the winter of 1917-18.
Cranberries are estimated at 340,000 barrels as against
195,000 last year. The demand ia New England markets has
been poor much of the time, due to the sugar situation : but the
demand in western markets is reported as fairly good. Labor
was more or less restless and control over the pickers was less
effective than usual, with the result that greater wastage of the
cranberries and more damage to the vines are reported by the
cranberry growers.
Pears, although a minor crop in importance, were consider-
ably better than average, while nearly all berries were plentiful
in most sections.
The acreage of beans fell off from about 5,000 last year to
about 2,500 this year, but the yield was higher and the produc-
tion is estimated at 40,000 bushels against 70,000.
The acreage of field corn was about 43,000 as against 45,000
last year; but the season was unusually favorable, resulting in
high yields. Silage corn is estimated at 32,900 acres as against
35,300 acres last year; and the crop was one of the heaviest in
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 11
years, due to the absence of fall frosts. There were 150 acres
of sweet corn for canning; and the acreage of corn for sale green
is estimated at about 4^900 acres.
The acreage of hay apparently is decreasing slowly with the
decrease in numl)er of horses; and although the main hay crop
was rather light, the rowen crop came on well under the gener-
ous rains and made the total production fully up to normal.
Oats as a grain crop have shown some gain in the west end
of the State, as is the case rather generally over New England.
There were about 15,000 acres as against 12,000 last year, but
the yield was less; however, the production during each year
was about 500,000 bushels. • ^
The onion acreage was 4,250 as compared with 4,600 last
year; average yield was 340 bushels as compared with 475 last
.year. Hot, dry weather at the end of July, followed by thrips,
cut down the crop seriously.
Soy beans in mixture with silage corn had an acreage of
1,464 as compared with 1,100 last year. This crop seems to be
gaining in popularity.
Under the war stimulus spring wheat reached about 2,400
acres last year, but fell back to 1,300 this year. It has been
found poor farm economy to try to grow this crop extensively
because of so many adverse conditions. Winter wheat is of
small importance, there being about 450 acres last year and
about 600 this year. Much of it is for hens and is not threshed.
There were some 10,000 acres of tobacco both in 191S and
1919; the avera.ge yield last year was 1,500 pounds with a pro-
duction of 15,000,000 pounds as compared with an average
yield this year of 1,540 pounds and a production of 15,400,000.
There was little hail damage to the crop this season, practically
all being in Whately, Hatfield and Deerfield. The crop was of
fine quality, but excessive moisture during the curing season
caused a small amount of pole sweat.
The potato acreage was 33,000 acres as against 34,000 last
year. The growing season had been only fairly favorable; and
at the end of August late blight spread rapidly over the State,
followed by weeks of hot, wet weather, which caused very
heavy rot to develop, so that about 40 per cent of the crop was
lost either before or after digging. The larger part of the crop
12 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
is grown on comparatively small acreages, spraying is often not
effectively done, and poor and infected seed is too often planted.
The net production of potatoes, after allowing for the rot, is
about 2 970,000 bushels this year as compared with 4,564,000
last year.
Fertilizer Situation.
The fertilizer outlook is not as bright as one might wish.
Appreciable relief from the existing high prices and shortage of
supply of 1919 does not appear to be immediately forthcoming.
A well-informed fertilizer authority comments on the situation
in part, as follows: —
The strike called in the rock phosphate fields of Florida last May is
still nominally in force. These fields furnish 77 per cent of the rock phos-
phate produced in the United States, and practically all of that used in
the New England territory. The mines have to be guarded, and quite
recently it has been necessary to place guards in rock phosphate trains.
For a time the workings were tied up absolutely. The supply of phos-
phoric acid for wheat fertilizer was decreased, and because of shortage
of this material, factories were idle during the time when they should have
been laying up stocks against next spring's demand. Indications seem
to point to a shortage in the spring of 1920.
A further difficulty has to do with a ten weeks' strike among the miners
of the Alsatian potash fields. This has now been settled, but the resulting
shortage cannot be made good. Moreover, Europe is in a much better
position than the United States to make use of the raw salts from these
mines. Very few of the mines are as yet sufficiently equipped to refine
the salts for export to the United States.
Another complicating factor is that our domestic producers curtailed
operations last winter, fearing that they would be swamped by competi-
tion from Europe. Perhaps that fear had its origin in the fact that farmers
had been assured of a plentiful supply from Alsace and to a certain degree
were discriminating against domestic production. Unless conditions
change, it will still be some time before quantity production and cheap
potash is resumed.
Labor troubles are imperiUng our supply of ammoniates. A shutdown
in our coal mines and the resulting tie-up of ocean transportation reduces
both the supply of domestic produced sulphate of ammonia and of im-
ported nitrate of soda. At the present time these two materials furnish
the great bulk of nitrogen used in commercial fertilizers. In addition,
more and more, during recent years, packing house by-products have
been used for animal foods instead of fertilizers. Similarly, just now, there
is a tendency to make such use of fish refuse. This change is certainly
economical, but, equally, it diminishes the supply of ammoniates during
the time when readjustment is being made.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 13
Little relief is anticipated from the hif;;h prices of mixed fer-
tilizers which have prevailed during the past few years. Al-
thou^di some manufacturers have not as yet sent out their
traveling agents, there seems to be very little difference between
prices of the sime quality of fertilizer quoted by different man-
ufacturing companies. It seems to be a good year to favor
home mixing. Savings to the farmer of from .fl5 to $17 per
ton on a 5-3-5 mixture (ammonia, available phosphoric acid,
water soluble potash) which is used largely for tobacco, in
about the same proportion on a 4-8-4 mixture which is used
for onions, are predicted by men prominent in this specialty.
This will probably hold true with most mixed fertilizers.
To summarize the situation, it seems that there is not a lib-
eral supply of raw materials. Particularly is this true of acid
phosphate, due to the long-continued strike in the South. It is
questioned whether the high price for this important material is
entirely due to a shortage in the supply. The foreign demand
for sulphate of ammonia has so increased the demand on our
fertilizer concerns that the supply is nearly all sold. Cotton
seed meal and animal ammoniates, such as dried blood and
tankage, are not in liberal supply.
Potash compounds are certain to be more freely offered than
last season, although market reports indicate that the supply of
domestic potash has been fairly well sold up until the first of
January. The labor situation in the potash fields, and the coal
shortage with resulting curtailment in shipping, does not prom-
ise much relief from this quarter.
In view of the fact that potash and nitrate of soda are both
bound to be somewhat lower, it does seem as though mixed
fertilizers ought to be below the price asked for them in 1919.
There is question whether the increased cost of acid phosphate
and the new labor and transportation troubles with which the
manufacturers have to contend will counterbalance the low cost
of potash and nitrate. At any rate, prices for mixed goods, so
far as can be ascertained, lead one to conclude that such mix-
tures are likely to be held somewhere near the price asked for
them a year ago.
The abstract below, taken from a summary of the fertilizer
industry. United States Bulletin 798, hits upon a phase of the
fertilizer problem which is indeed interesting: —
14 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
The fact that from three-fourths to seven-eighths of the mixed fertil-
izer sold to farmers consists of inert matter which does not contribute to
the fertility of the soil, but on which freight must be paid and which must
be ground and bagged and transported, is one of the fundamentals in the
fertilizer industry. If a means were devised by which farmers could buy
practically undiluted plant food and make up their own mixtures, an
enormous saving would be effected, and any method that would decrease
the amount of inert matter carried in fertilizers would be of great benefit
to the agriculture of the country. The quantity of filler used is only a
minor phase of this problem, but perhaps the part of it which is most easily
susceptible of improvement while the present general methods prevail in
the industry.
If a scheme could be devised to eliminate these inert ma-
terials, the saving in transportation charges, time and labor
should substantially reduce the cost to the farmers and grinders.
There are at present between 900 and 1,000 grades of fertil-
izers on the market. Many of these vary so slightly in their
composition that no perceptible difference in plant growth could
be determined. A trade agreement along the line of restriction
in the number of grades of commercial fertilizers would be ad-
vantageous both to the manufacturers and to the farmers. This
phase of our fertilizer problem should command our serious
attention.
Seed Situation.
Seeds are the capital stock of the farmer or planter. He is
both a broker and an investor. In his production and consump-
tion of seeds, it is important that he have cognizance of the
market situation. The increased seed production of the United
States, stimulated by war conditions, causing a marked advance
during 1918 over the figures of 1917, has not undergone an ap-
preciable change during the period of reconstruction we are now
experiencing. A slight falling off in certain imports has been
compensated in our own increased production.
Men familiar with seed growing and market conditions concur
in the opinion that the supply of field, general vegetable, grass
and clover seed is ample. The outstanding exception lies in the
deficiency of garden peas and beans. Although the acreage of
seed garden peas planted this spring was about equal to that
planted a year ago, adverse growing conditions, principal among
them being the drought sustained on account of the light snow-
No. 123.] RErORT OF COMMISSIONER. 15
fall during the previous winter and the consequent inadequate
irrigation, have cut production from 2.5 to 50 per cent of normal.
This condition is aggravated by the absence of the usual "carry
over" from the previous season's crop, which will necessitate
complete reliance upon this year's yields for our supply.
The crop of garden beans is only 50 to 75 per cent of normal,
but there is an appreciable "carry over" from last year. Con-
sequently, there will be no serious shortage in the garden bean
seed trade.
Growers in the South Atlantic and Southern States report a
shortage of 25 to 55 per cent on the locally grown seed oats and
rye. The field and seed corn, by far the most important seed
crops raised in Massachusetts, are reported as having had a
favorable out-turn and quality. The season was long and
adequate to insure maturity.
The grass seed trade seems to be assured of a sufficient sup-
ply of fair quality, but good samples are reported scarce by
many seedsmen. An increase in price is predicted, chargeable
to increased labor costs. Millets are short, excepting Golden
millet, which appears in good supply. The total receipts of red
clover up to June 30, 1919, as compiled by the United States
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Markets, show a reduc-
tion of about 12 per cent on the figures obtained a year ago.
Prominent Massachusetts seed firms are agreed in their predic-
tion of a short supply of red clover seed, and, further, that the
price will probably be equal to that of last year, when red clover
seed prices were about as high as known. The quality of this
year's clovers does not vary materially from previous years.
Heavy importations in crimson clover were experienced during
July, to which, no doubt, decline in price may be attributed.
On July 1 the total available supply exceeded by 300,000 pounds
the figures reported at this time last year.
The onion seed crop in the far West is considered to be aver-
age and of good quality, whereas the Middle and Eastern States
report slightly lesser yields. The general condition is average.
With the possible exception of both field and sweet corn,
Massachusetts is dependent upon the rest of the country and
foreign countries for its seed supply. There is oft'ered here a
broad field for trained men to develop this branch of agriculture
in Massachusetts.
16 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
Poultry Situation.
Undoubtedly, never has there been such a situation as has
developed in the poultry industry of the State the past year.
As the war ended it was generally believed by poultrymen that
there would be an immediate return to pre-war conditions, with
cheaper grain and materials. With this in mind, our poultry-
men got ready for a big season. Orders were place 1 for chicks
and eggs in larger numbers than for the past two years, and the
poultry business began to look up. Much of the poultry stock
held over on the poultry farms has not been as carefully se-
lected and cared for as during pre-war conditions; hence, there
has been a general deterioration of this stock, and chicks
hatched from it have not been as strong. Consequently, there
has been a heavy loss to persons purchasing day-old chicks.
Added to this loss was an increase in the price of grain, which
brought the poultryman to a point where, in June, he found his
young stock had cost him about double what he had counted
upon. Many decided to sell out at once, while others held on
for a while and then sold out, so it would seem at this time as
if there are fewer persons in the business than last year. Add
to this the almost total disappearance of the backyard flock,
and we are indeed in a very serious situation in regard to
poultry.
A day's ride through the former poultry districts shows more
unused houses than have been noted for years. It is estimated
by careful observers that Massachusetts has probably lost 80
per cent of the poultry which she had before the war. This
situation has had the effect of forcing eggs to prices unknown
before, for few persons ever believed it possible for eggs to sell
for $1.25 per dozen, and yet this price was reached in Decem-
ber of 1919. It is a common saying among poultrymen now,
that any one who keeps books will not stay in the business.
There is not much in sight to encourage the return to the busi-
ness another year, for with high prices for all feeds, building
material and labor, to say nothing of the scarcity of stock, few
but the most venturesome will try their luck again.
There has been a marked return to the raising of turkeys
throughout New England, and much credit is due to the New
England Turkey Breeders' Association and particularly to Miss
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 17
Margaret Mahaney of Concord for her work in this direction.
Turkeys are really becoming plentiful again, although the stage
we are now going through will not place many of these birds on
the market as dressed poultry, for there is too large a demand
for breeding stock, which is selling for fancy prices, certain good
birds often bringing $100 each.
There also seems to be a revival in the production of geese
and ducks in small flocks, although it is difficult to explain why
this is so.
The future outlook is not very promising, unless the grain
situation changes, and this is not likely for some time, due to
export demand and short crops in this country. That New
England will ever become enough of a grain-raising section to
make itself independent of the West is extremely doubtful, and
yet to lose our poultry industry because of grain prices would
indeed be a serious calamity to our agriculture.
Milk Situation.
Conditions attending the production of milk in Massachu-
setts during the past year have been more satisfactory than in
recent years, although the reports from assessors indicate that
there are 2,000 fewer cows in Massachusetts than there were a
year ago. The work of the Federal Milk Commission in fixing
prices which farmers should receive for their milk formed a
starting point for the year's prosperity. These prices were fixed
as a result of sworn testimony on the part of a large number of
farmers as to their costs for producing milk. It was found that
the average cost of producing milk in Massachusetts was higher
than in any other State in New England. This is probably due
to the nearness of Massachusetts farms to industrial institutions
and the wage which the Massachusetts farmer has to pay in
competition with other kinds of labor, and it is due, also, to the
fact that the valuation of land in Massachusetts is somewhat
higher, on the average, than in other States.
An extensive campaign for advertising the food value of milk
has been inaugurated in the larger cities of the State under a
co-operative agreement of the New England Milk Producers'
Association, various Boston milk distributors, the Massachu-
setts Department of Agriculture, the Massachusetts Agricul-
tural College, the Boston Chamber of Commerce, and other
18 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. [Pub. Doc.
civic organizations. The purpose of this campaign has been to
teach consumers the food vahie of milk, that milk at present
prices is a cheaper source of animal food than any other ma-
terial on the market, and that it is indispensable to a sound diet,
particularly for growing children. This campaign has notably
increased the consumption of milk in this State.
There is a strong tendency for the large milk contractors to
buy less milk in Massachusetts and more milk in the northern
States, particularly in Vermont. This is probably due to the
fact that they are able to more easily obtain their supply from
certain intensive dairy regions and ship this to Boston in car-
load lots. It is also due to the greater prevalence of Jersey and
Guernsey herds in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, which
supply a higher grade of milk than our prevailing Holstein
herds. The gradual tendency for milk dealers to buy Massa-
chusetts milk on a straight can basis, without offering a bonus
for increased fat content, has led the Massachusetts farmers to
purchase Holstein cows, which give a larger quantity of milk,
regardless of its richness, as these men have never received a
larger price for rich milk, and the inducement for the produc-
tion of such milk has been lost sight of. A careful study should
be made of this situation to see if it is not possible to increase
the production of milk by a change in this practice.
The raising of heifer calves from best cows and pure-bred
bulls should be encouraged. There is a tendency for the large
farms near Massachusetts cities, many of which have unusually
fine herds, to sell their cahes at birth, and buy mature cows
when they are needed. The practice of raising these calves
should be encouraged. In order to bring this about, a plan is
being encouraged whereby young calves can be sent to other
parts of this State or to other States where there are creameries
and where farmers have plenty of skim milk to feed to the
calves the first year and plenty of cheap pasturage to raise
them to maturity. It is hoped that a co-operative arrangement
of this sort will bring about a change in this condition.
Cow-testing associations should be established throughout
Massachusetts to encourage the breeding of better cows, and
this should accompany the more extensive raising of heifer
calves.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMINIISSIONER. 19
Nursery Inspection.
The work of the nursery inspection service has been chiefly
concerned with the nursery inspection proper, the white pine
bhster rust and the European corn borer. The usual inspec-
tions for pests and diseases have been made in the nurseries,
together with inspections of interstate and foreign shipments.
The nurseries were found to be in excellent condition, and the
interstate shipments in most cases up to our standard. The
Federal Horticultural Board made effective quarantine No. 37,
which prohibited after June 30, 1919, the further importation
of foreign nursery stock. This naturally increased the amount
of stock brought in this spring and necessitated a larger inspec-
tion force. Many insects were intercepted on this stock, and
while some of them were already established in this country,
others were entirely new and might have caused serious depre-
dations if allowed to enter.
The white pine blister rust work was conducted under the
direction of Mr. Carl C. Perry. Considerable work was done
in the eradication of Ribes in the town of Marshfield; also the
co-operation of the director of the School of Forestry of Har-
vard University was secured and §500 was contributed through
his efforts for the examination of the lands owned by the uni-
versity in Petersham. In connection with this work on the Har-
vard Forest similar work was performed on an adjoining estate,
for which $125 was appropriated by the owner. By an arrange-
ment with the State Forester, $500 was made available for con-
trol work on certain plantations set out in 1909 by the Forestry
Department.
In the town of North Andover an appropriation of $450 was
pledged by certain property owners for the protection of pine
upon their estates. In this co-operative work the funds of the
local co-operators were met by an equal amount by this De-
partment, and, in addition, Federal funds were available to
match the combined appropriations of the local co-operator and
the State Department. This co-operation on the part of in-
dividuals is very gratifying, and it is to be hoped that it will be
continued while funds are available for this purpose.
An active campaign has been carried on against the European
20 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
corn borer. Besides the actual clean-up work in the field, a
great deal of publicity work has been conducted through exhib-
its at fairs and public meetings and by distribution of circulars.
Various organizations, especially the Massachusetts Nursery-
men's Association, Boston Market Gardeners' Association and
the National Association of Commissioners of Agriculture, have
been instrumental in securing legislation and appropriations to
carry on this work.
The corn borer is now known to be present in 113 towns in
Massachusetts, besides two small areas in New York State.
There is, of course, the possibility that it is present in other
localities, but as yet not discovered. During the past season
the spread in Massachusetts has been great, but the area deter-
mined by the 'government last year, comprising 34 towns, was
later found by our inspection to be far from accurate. It is
therefore impossible to state just what the increase has been
this season. Scouting under the present conditions is extremely
important and should be carried on as carefully and thoroughly
as possible.
With the very open winter in 1918-19, it was possible to do
considerable clean-up work, more than could be expected under
normal conditions; however, a great deal of this work remained
to be completed in April and May. To meet this the Legisla-
ture made available S100,000, which was expended under the
supervision of L. H. Worthley, employed by the Federal
government.
Scouting was continued all summer, and immediately a town
was found infested it was quarantined and corn grown in that
town was prohibited leaving the quarantined area. By the time
the corn in this section was ready to market, the infested area
included several large markets, such as Newburyport, Haverhill,
Lawrence and Brockton, so that very little hardship was ex-
perienced by the growers except those who catered to the sum-
mer trade in Maine and New Hampshire. In the last Legisla-
ture a bill enabling the State Nursery Inspector to establish
such quarantines, and providing a penalty of $25 to $300 for
violation, was passed.
A more intensive method of clean farming and a more thor-
ough clean up than is ordinarily practiced would assist greatly
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 21
in checking this pest. It is evident that in order to exterminate
or control the European corn borer large appropriations must be
made available at once, and, as this is a national problem, the
expense should be borne by the Federal government.
Apiary Inspection.
In accordance with the recommendation in the annual report
for 1919, the apiary inspection was carried on by the nursery
inspection service. The work was conducted along, the same
general plan as in previous years, with the assistance of the
three deputy inspectors who had previously acted in this ca-
pacity. The Department also had the advantage of the serv-
ices of Dr. Burton N. Gates, former State Inspector of Apiaries,
whose advice was much appreciated, and who gave great aid to
the beekeepers in the distribution of sugar.
The results of the inspection show a remarkably low loss dur-
ing the winter of 1918-19. The status of brood diseases shows
no appreciable change. The wet autumn and resulting lack of
stores, together with the shortage of sugar, do not promise an-
other winter for the bees comparable to the last.
Dairy Division.
The work of the Dairy Division has gone smoothly during the
year. Fewer violations of oleomargarine and renovated butter
laws have been found than for many years. The usual number
of investigations by agents has been made.
Special investigations have been made regarding the condi-
tion of milk, cream and condensed milk as sold in various cities
and towns. In the milk investigations the beneficial results of
the Clean Milking Contest carried on by this Department for
several years are manifest. Usually condensed milk has been
found to be sold according to law. In cases where the law has
not been strictly complied with, the manufacturers have
promptly rectified the condition upon notice. Cream is fre-
quently found to be sold at prices not indicative of its fat con-
tent. Why light and medium cream should be sold at the same
price is not clear. To be sure overhead charges are the same,
but it seems hardly right to sell two qualities, one containing
double the amount of milk fat, at one and the same price.
22 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
The Grade Heifer Calf Contest conducted by the division was
a decided success, showing an increase of entries over last year,
and should be continued. Three of the prize-winning calves
were shown at the Eastern States Exposition at Springfield and
attracted much attention, furnishing a splendid object lesson of
the benefits of using pure-bred sires of superior merit.
The division has co-operated with the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, the Agricultural College and other organ-
izations in a State-wide "Use More Milk" campaign. This has
been done for the reason that it is believed that the average
consumer is benefited both physically and financially by using
more milk, it being pointed out to him that these benefits come
both directly and indirectly. The part played by this Depart-
ment in the campaign was the furnishing of milk folders and
leaflets written by the general agent. These circulars have
proved very popular not only in this State but in other States.
Almost daily inquiries are coming into the office from all parts
of the United States and Canada concerning the illustrated
folder entitled "Food Value of Milk."
Demonstration Sheep Farms.
The demonstration sheep farms, which are to serve the State
as demonstration centers for those desiring information regard-
ing sheep husbandry, have been selected with great care. In
their selection the conditions governing sheep husbandry of the
district they serve have been ever in mind. Farms have been
chosen as follows : —
Ashfield, Mr. John W. Howes, Manager.
West Brookfield, Mr. C. D. Richardson, Manager.
Richmond, Mrs. H. A. Dorr, Manager.
South Hanson, Mr. Marcus Urann, Manager.
West Tisbury, Mr. Johnson Whiting, Manager.
Topsfield, Mr. Dimon Lockwood, Manager.
Typical farms have been chosen, each combining sheep with
other branches of agriculture, such as hogs, orcharding, poultry,
cranberry culture and dairying. Much of the time since making
the final selections of the demonstration farms has been taken
up with the purchase and forwarding of equipment it seemed
No. 123.] RErORT OF COMMISSIONER. 23
advisable for these farms to use in their work. In tliese sup-
plies have been included drenching outfits, with which to give
the bluestone treatment, shearing machinery both hand and
gasoline engine power, dipping tanks, docking pincers and a
variety of other equipment, all to be used by the managers and
to be loaned to interested parties with the expectation that in
this way a better standard of sheep husbandry may be ob-
tained. Although the demonstration farms have been in opera-
tion only a short time, some very interesting reports of service
rendered have been received. Dipping demonstrations have
been held, and not only has the dipping tank been liberally
used in one case for fall dipping, but it is also being engaged for
next spring's work. The shearing outfits, especially the power
shearers, which have been located where the greatest number of
sheep are at the present time, will without doubt be kept very
busy next spring.
State Ornithologist.
The State Ornithologist has published his annual report, a
leaflet for distribution in schools of the Commonwealth on
Arbor and Bird Day, two circulars on methods of attracting
birds, one on the English sparrow and means of controlling it,
and' one on bird study for beginners. A part of his time has
been given to an experiment in attracting birds by means of
nesting boxes. Many data have been collected and recorded on
the distribution and migration of birds in Massachusetts.
These data were obtained largely by correspondence with about
four hundred observers, continued through the year. Much
material has been collected for a bulletin on the utility of birds.
An investigation has been made regarding the causes of the
periodical decrease of the ruffed grouse, and an inquiry made
regarding the destruction of bird life by the severe cold wave
and storm of March 28. Also, the Ornithologist has assisted in
the development of several reservations for the protection of
bird life, has taken a census of the heath hen, has visited and
inspected the principal colonies of sea birds along the Massa-
chusetts coast, has made recommendations to the Massachu-
setts Commission on Fisheries and Game regarding additional
protection to these birds, and has lectured on the conservation
of birds.
24 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
Apple Grading Law.
The enforcement of the apple grading law up to June 1 was
in the hands of Mr. R. E. Annin, Jr. Since that time, owing to
Mr. Annin severing his connection with the Department, the
work has been directed by Mr. A. W. Lombard. ]\Ir. F. H.
Greeley of Salisbury, Mr. Karl M. Perham of Chelmsford, Mr.
Walter E. Piper, Jr., of Quincy, and Mr. C. E. Rogers of New-
bury served as inspectors in the field.
The policy of the Department in enforcing this law has been
the same as in previous years, viz., along the lines of education
and instruction. Two additional regulations have been adopted
during the year: one, making the slatted box and basket closed
packages; and the other, requiring commission dealers and
others who cover open packages intended for resale to brand
the same in accordance with the apple grading law. Both of
these regulations have been found to be necessary owing to the
large number of boxed apples being sold, and as a result of their
adoption a campaign of education has been carried on to aid the
growers and dealers affected by these rulings.
The need of a standard bushel box is being felt more keenly
than ever, as the only box now in use is the Boston bushel box,
which contains approximately 20 per cent more than the United
States standard bushel.
Six cases which were entered in court last year have been
disposed of, and in all cases convictions were secured.
Inspections of truck loads of apples and "lots" of apples in
storage, before release from storage for purposes of sale, have
been made during the entire shipping and storage season.
The growers, packers and shippers are now apparently be-
coming familiar with the law, and less trouble should be en-
countered each year in its enforcement.
The apple grading law is proving to be a benefit to the apple
industry, and it deserves the hearty and united support of all in
its enforcement.
Farm Machinery.
The law establishing in the Department authority to pur-
chase and operate machinery to aid crop production during the
war became inactive this year, but an appropriation was secured
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 25
to continue obligations assumed during 1918 and also to sell out
what machinery there was on hand in 1919. The whole of the
machinery has been sold under this arrangement and the work
stopped.
The value of this experiment has been well demonstrated. It
has given the farmers of the State a chance to see the place of
the tractor in their operations, and it has also given them an
insight into general use of labor-saving devices on their farms.
Certainly, more machinery than ever before is in use on our
farms, and while labor conditions have forced this, still the
demonstration of this State-owned machinery has done much
toward bringing this matter to the farmers' attention. While it
would no doubt be unwise to continue this work as during the
war period, still the State should own and operate some heavy
machinery, as ditching and dredging machines, and, possibly,
at the various State farms, some of the best types of tractors.
Marketing Work.
It should be a source of great satisfaction to realize that at
last this Department is to have a Division of Markets. We
have been very much behind other States in this respect, but
should now come into the field with a chance to profit by their
examples and avoid many of the mistakes made by these de-
partments in the past few years.
In July, when the United States Department of Agriculture
dropped the co-operative city market reports, this Department
was able, through an arrangement with the Boston Market
Gardeners' Association, to continue, this work, and it has been a
source of much satisfaction to have done so. Mr, Harry Camp-
bell, who carried on the work with the government, was re-
tained to do the reporting, and while it increased the work in
the office very considerably, there has been a very great willing-
ness on the part of all the office employees to help get out the
report.
Most Massachusetts farmers need the assistance of a Division
of Markets, although farmers have got to be classified in order
to come within the definite scope of this work.
Farmers near cities can be assisted greatly by making better
marketing conditions within the cities they serve, also by in-
26 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
forming the large farmers of conditions in other cities. This
class of farmer should, however, look forward and work for a
co-operatively controlled market which they themselves shall
run.
There is also a very large body of small farmers throughout
the State to which a Division of Markets can be of great assist-
ance. Most of these farmers grow a small amount of farm
produce which is difficult to sell, chiefly because of the expense
in getting it to the consumer. To these farmers a Division of
Markets should be of assistance by rounding up all of their
produce and finding a buyer for it, or, better still, by getting
these small farmers to grow enough of one thing so that they
can dispose of it themselves through a co-operative association.
The Market Division should find out what products are in
demand and encourage their growth within the State, and also
be able to furnish information to outside purchasers or dis-
tributors as to the condition and demand of our markets. The
question of running an exchange paper is very debatable.
There is grave danger of becoming too much like an auction-
room sales bill, and, perhaps, the larger question of the danger
of being placed in the position of guaranteeing something which
it is impossible for the division actually to see. There is also
grave danger that the public will demand that the division serve
their interests to the exclusion of all others, that it maintain a
price schedule in the papers and in the market, and that it also
attempt to regulate prices. A Division of Markets which tries
to do this is bound to fail and will not benefit greatly either
side. The final question of price must be left to the parties
who are bargaining and to the law of supply and demand. A
market news letter service should be maintained in the principal
markets of the State, and every effort made to get to the
farmers such market information from other sections as will aid
them in the movement of their crops.
Marketing is the basis of our agricultural prosperity. The
proper distribution of our food supply is also the basis of con-
tented, prosperous people, and the whole process should be alike
of interest to both the producer and the consumer.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 27
Soil Surveys.
An appropriation of $5,000 was made by the Legislature of
1919 for soil survey work this year. Assistance of the United
States government was obtained and two expert soil survey men
were sent up here by the government. The Department has
furnished two assistants in this work as well as two automo-
biles. Work was begun late in May in Bristol County and this
was finished in September, when both parties went into Barn-
stable County and finished it late in October. Considerable data
regarding the agricultural features of the county were gathered,
and it is hoped to put these data in such shape that they
will be readily available. Soil surveys, while technically valu-
able, are of little use to the farmer or would-be settler unless
they are translated into practical language. It would therefore
be advisable to make an additional survey of each county in
connection with this work, with the special purpose of getting
such definite agricultural data together which can be published
in a bulletin of each county, this being used particularly to as-
sist in advertising the section in other parts of the country.
Soil surveys should go on until the whole State is covered, for
this i-s only one step in a State-wide plan which we need in
order to bring into full use all the resources of the State. Soil
surveys are not only valuable to the farmer and land purchaser
but to the forester as well, and the work has the added value of
making it possible to compare different parts of the country
where land similar to ours is being developed with crops which
we had not thought of raising on such land here.
It is recommended that a larger appropriation be made this
year in order that a larger area may be covered next summer,
and it would be advisable to employ at least one experienced
m.an in the field and for publication work as well, preparing the
data gathered in the summer.
Farmers' Institutes.
The department was called upon to furnish speakers for 53
institutes, or 56 sessions, at a cost of $876.02, This figure does
not include the cost of the speakers of the union agricultural
meeting, which amounted to $785.98. Twenty of the institute
lectures were on general agriculture, 8 on dairying, 7 on sheep.
28 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
5 on birds, 4 on fruit, 3 each on poultry and vegetables, and 1
each on marketing, flowers and blasting.
While some of the meetings were very poorly attended, a few
drew unusually large crowds, making the aggregate attendance
for the year, exclusive of the union meeting, 7,122, or an aver-
age of 127 per session.
The Drainage Board.
This Board as now organized is made up of Dr. Eugene R.
Kelley, chairman, Wilfrid Wheeler, secretary, X. Henry Good-
nough, engineer, and R. W. Harwood, clerk.
Very little work has come to the Board this year, although
four different problems have been considered, namely, Salisbury
marshes, Marshfield marshes, Barnstable dike lands and Barn-
stable North River.
The most important of these has been the Salisbury drainage
area, the owners of which have formed themselves into a drain-
age district and the Board has made the preliminary surveys.
Unfortunately, a part of the area of this marsh lies within the
State of New Hampshire, where a dike already built would, if it
were possible to make some arrangement with the State of
New Hampshire, simplify the draining of this area and cut the
cost of the work in two. So far as applying the present law to
fit this case, it seems impossible, and it is with great regret that
the Board has had to report adversely on this project, as it un-
doubtedly seems to be the best one yet brought to our attention.
The Board has acted in an advisory capacity to many persons
seeking information on matters connected with land drainage.
The Board feels that much more work of a preliminary nature,
such as making surveys of such places where eventually drain-
age work will be done, should be undertaken. The present
drainage law, while in many ways satisfactory, should be
amended in order to give an easier method of financing drainage
districts. It might be possible for the State to make the loans
direct, or at least to guarantee the bonds issued upon the
undertaking.
The Drainage Board should be able to employ an engineer
permanently in order that new work may be laid out and as-
sistance rendered to those in need of advice in regard to
drainage.
No. 123.] RErORT OF COMMISSIONER. 29
Agricultural Fairs and Societies.
The tremendous effort on war drives, relief work and in-
creased production, put forth by our public during the war,
consumed much of the resources normally expended on educa-
tional and encouragement work embodied in such institutions
as agricultural societies. In addition to this mobilization of
effort, the influenza epidemic constituted a further influence to
lessen attendance and interest. In fact, five agricultural so-
cieties were forced to cancel their shows. However, with the
return of peace a marked renewal of interest and enthusiasm
was exhibited by the public. I regret that I cannot state that
the same degree of enthusiasm was shown in the exhibits of live
stock and farm products. Markedly is this true of many of the
old-line societies. I do not hesitate to state that the small fair
situation constitutes a problem which is demanding our atten-
tion. The work is to be taken over by the director of the re-
cently established Division of Reclamation, Soil Survey and
Fairs, I look forward to a new era of co-operation and inti-
mate association with the agricultural societies, by which we
may be of greater service in the assistance and encouragement
of agriculture in our State.
The amount of allotment made through the agricultural so-
cieties was determined for 1919 from the data and the reports
submitted by the inspectors in 1918. It is regretted that the
scoring of these societies cannot be completed by a single indi-
vidual, thus ensuring uniformity and an equitable criticism
brought about by a single point of view. It is obviously im-
possible to accomplish this, as the societies are widely distrib-
uted and their dates in many instances conflict. With the pur-
pose of obtaining, as far as possible, a single point of view, the
inspection of the agricultural societies was made largely by
members of the Department, making up the Committee on
Agricultural Prizes. A score card was drafted by members of
this committee, and through their intimate relationship a high
degree of uniformity was obtained, to the end that an equitable
distribution of the agricultural prize money is established for
1920. Much delay is entailed in our present system of pay-
ment of agricultural prize money. The Anti-Aid Amendment
30
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
makes it necessary that prize money be paid directly to prize
winners, instead of any one payment to the society manage-
ment, as was formerly the case.
An effort has been made by the Department this year to en-
courage the sheep industry through the offering of special
prizes. A premium list prepared by the Department was sent
to the fairs to which these premiums were offered. The socie-
ties listed below, which received this money, were selected both
with respect to their geographical and economic location as
regards the sheep industry.
Allotment to Fairs of Sheep Prize Money, 1919.
Name of Society.
Allotment.
Brockton,
Essex,
Franklin,
Housatonic, .
Martha's Vineyard,
Nantucket, .
Worcester North, .
Worcester South, .
Total,
r
$500 00
500 00
500 00
500 00
100 00
100 00
250 00
250 00
S2,700 00
Fifteen poultry associations have already signified their in-
tention to conduct poultry shows during the season 1919-20.
The Department expects to devote $2,000 to the payment of
poultry prizes through these societies. A certain portion of the
prize money regularly allotted to the payment of prizes through
agricultural societies is also paid to winners of poultry premiums.
Chapter 241 of the General Acts of 1918 authorizes the State
Department to offer prizes for competitive exhibits of certain
agricultural products. There was $35,000 appropriated by the
Legislature of 1919 for this purpose. The following list shows
the manner in which this money was expended: —
No. 123.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER.
31
Agricultural Prize Money.
Society.
Amesbury and Salisbury,
Barnstable County,
Blackstone Valley,
Boston Fair, Inc
Brockton, .....
Deerfield Valley, ....
Eastern Hampden,
Essex Agricultural,
Franklin County
Greater Lynn, ....
Groton Farmers' and Mechanics',
Hampshire,
Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden,
Harwich,
Heath,
Highland
Hillside
Hingham,
Hoosac Valley, ....
Housatonic, .....
Lawrence, .....
Lee Grange,
Marshfield
Martha's Vineyard,
Massachusetts Horticultural,
Middlesex North, ....
Nantucket,
Oxford,
PljTuouth County,
Quannapowitt, ....
Rehoboth Grange,
Rockland Grange,
Sandwich Agricultural,
Union
Warren Grange, ....
West Taunton, ....
Allotment.
Awarded .
S300 00
750 00
700 00
250 00
500 002
800 00
700 00
1,300 00 ^
1,400 00*
100 00
350 00
100 00
900 00
100 00
100 00
700 00
775 00
525 00
250 00
1,300 00 <
100 00
75 00
450 00
700 00 1
700 00
350 00
700 00*
500 00
600 00
900 00
50 00
100 00
100 00
700 00
25 00
400 00
S639 50
656 25
_i
98 003
739450
-I
778 00
1,305 00
100 00
256 50
_i
900 00
73 00
81 00
635 50
775 00
517 00
250 00
1,062 00
100 00
55 00
447 50
521 00
700 00
-1
699 25
441 00
514 00
-I
50 00
100 00
77 50
700 00
16 25
325 75
' No fair held.
2 Allotted for sheep prizes only.
3 And cups.
* Includes allotrhent for sheep prizes.
32
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
Agricultural Prize Money — Concluded.
Society.
Allotment.
Awarded.
$450 00
$450 00
200 00
200 00
900 00
858 50
950 001
772 00
700 00
679 50
950 001
681 50
800 00
800 00
$23,300 00
S18,055 00
Westport,
Weymouth, .
Worcester,
Worcester North, .
Worcester Northwest, .
Worcester South, .
Worcester County West,
1 Includes allotment for sheep prizes.
Boys' and Girls' Club Work.
The Department of Agriculture set aside $3,000 of the agri-
cultural prize money appropriation to be awarded through the
junior extension service of the Massachusetts Agricultural
College.
Ten projects of work have been carried on during the year,
the enrollment being as follows: —
Corn,
Potato,
Home garden, .
Canning, .
Market garden,
Poultry, .
Pig, . . .
Calf, . . .
Home economics.
Onion,
76
195
35,127
2,756
1,346
1,014
1,231
111
2,513
22
The junior extension work has been planned in such a way
this year that several phases of the work might rei::^eive special
emphasis.
1. TJie Organization of Clubs with the Holding of Regular
Meetings. — Time has shown that this is an excellent means of
keeping up the interest of the young people through the time
given to a project.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 33
2. Tlie Working Out of a Program covering a Period of Two,
Three or Four Years. — This retains the interest of those who
have previously done this work. We have found that simply
to repeat what has previously been done causes loss of en-
thusiasm.
3. The Training of Demonstration and Judging Teams. — We
feel that no exhibit is complete unless teams are given an op-
portunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the work they are
doing, and to show the visiting public that they have the ability
to judge the quality of the products shown. Inter-town and
city contests have been held to select the county champions.
County teams representing the various projects were sent to
the New England Fair at Worcester for competitive tryouts to
determine the teams which should represent the State at the
Eastern States Exposition. Ten States were represented at this
exposition, and I might say in this connection that out of 22
possibilities, Massachusetts teams won first place in 11 of the
22. The winning of 11 first prizes out of a possible 22 shows
not only that there must have been local interest, but that the
teams representing Massachusetts must have been well trained
by the county leaders.
The Department of Agriculture money has been used for
prizes as follows: —
Washington trip. Banners.
Camp. Pins.
Books. Printing (certificates, etc.).
Exhibits.
Exhibitions and Contests.
At the first annual Public Winter Meeting of the State De-
partment of Agriculture, held in conjunction with the union
meeting of the leading Massachusetts agricultural organizations
at Horticultural Hall, Boston, February 11 to 14, inclusive,
prizes aggregating $352 were offered for exhibits of field corn
and $150 in prizes for vegetable exhibits.
In addition, later in the year, two orcharding contests were
held: one, a "Thinning Contest," in which prizes amounting to
$115 were offered, and the other, a "Marketing Contest," in
which an assignment of $150 was made.
34 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
At the meeting of the New England Turkey Breeders' Asso-
ciation, held in Concord November 15 and 16, $50 was offered
by this Department; and at the New England Fruit Show,
held at Providence, Rhode Island, November 10 to 13, inclu-
sive, a silver cup was offered in the "Students' Team Judging
Contest."
In addition to the corn and vegetable shows held in connec-
tion with the Public Winter Meeting, interesting exhibits were
put up by the various divisions of the Department, showing
their respective activities, viz., dairying, apiary inspection, boys'
and girls' club work, farm machinery and ornithology.
The largest exhibit of farm crops ever attempted by the
Department was made in the new State building on the Eastern
States Exposition grounds in West Springfield during the week
of September 15 to 20, inclusive. A State exhibit of apples,
honey and apple products was shown at the New England
Fruit Show at Providence, Rhode Island, November 10 to 13.
The Department of Horticultural Manufactures, Massachusetts
Agricultural College, furnished the apple products exhibit.
Easteen States Exposition and Dedication of Massachu-
setts Building.
The return by the government of the grounds of the Eastern
States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition to the manage-
ment was marked by the finest exliibit of live stock, farm tools,
machinery, and other exhibits ever brought together in the
East, and for a week the grounds were crowded with interested
spectators from all over the New England States. Special em-
phasis was given this year to State exhibits, and these were
very nicely arranged in the machinery hall with the exception
of those of Massachusetts, which had its own building.
On Tuesday, September 17, 1918, the dedication exercises of
the Massachusetts Building were held, and a splendid program
was carried out as follows: —
Program.
Wilfrid Wheeler, Commissioner of Agriculture, Presiding.
Singing by Audience. Led by E. E. Chapman.
Address of Welcome. Theodore N. Vail, First Vice-President, Eastern
States Exposition.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 35
Dedicatory Address. Lieutenant Governor Channing Cox of Massa-
chusetts.
Five-minute speeches by visiting Governors or representatives of the
Dei)artnients of Agriculture.
DeUvery of keys to Massachusetts Building by John K. M. L. Farquhar,
chairman of building commission, to Wilfrid Wheeler, Commissioner
of Agriculture.
Singing of "America." By Audience.
It was of special value to have the Governors of the different
States or their representatives present, and the speeches made
dwelt especially upon the need for a new development in agri-
culture and a closer affiliation among the group of New England
States.
The dedicatory address by Lieutenant Governor Cox was
most fitting to the occasion and highly approved by the audi-
ence. After the exercises the guests inspected the exhibits and
building and expressed themselves as very much pleased with
the arrangement of both building and exhibits.
The building was completed early in the winter of 1918-19 and
was in splendid condition for the exhibits in September, The
grounds were also in excellent condition.
The exhibit was in charge of Mr, A, W, Lombard, and great
credit is due him for his good taste in the arrangement of the
display. The wings were occupied by the Massachusetts Fish
and Game Commission and by the Forestry Department, while
the main hall was given up to a general exhibit of the products
of the State.
Meetings of the Department.
The first annual meeting of the Department of Agriculture
was held at the State House, Boston, December 19 and 20,
1918, at which time the reports of the various ofiicers were pre-
sented and accepted, and officers for 1919 were elected.
Leading agricultural organizations of the State co-operated
with the Department in the biggest agricultural meeting ever
held in Boston, February 11 to 14, at Horticultural Hall, when
such groups as the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association,
36 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
Massachusetts Dairymen's Association, Massachusetts Federa-
tion of County Farm Bureaus and others held their meetings.
Much interest was taken in the competitive corn and vegetable
shows held in connection with the meeting, and there was a
very large attendance at the lectures, a list of which follows : —
"Fruit Packages," by H. E. Montague, New York City, and J. H. Putnam,
Greenfield.
"Spraying," by Dr. T. J. Headlee, New Jersey Experiment Station.
"Winter Injury of Fruit Trees," by U. P. Hedrick, Horticulturist, New
York State Experiment Station, Geneva.
"Fruit Market Possibilities:" (o) Export, by A. W. Otis, Boston;
(6) New England, by H. W. Selby, Springfield.
"Small Fruit Culture," by S. P. Hollister, Connecticut Agricultural
College, Storrs, Connecticut.
"Uses of Fruit," by Miss Elizabeth C. Nickerson, Assistant Emergency
State Home Demonstration Leader, United States Department of
Agriculture.
"Wintering Bees," by Dr. E. F. Phillips, Bureau of Entomology, United
States Department of Agriculture, Washington.
"Eflficient Management of Labor on the Fruit Farm," by Prof. F. C.
Sears, Amherst.
"Orchard, Berry and Vegetable FertiHzers," by Dr. H. J. Wheeler,
American Agricultural Chemical Company, Boston.
"Why we started a State Association, and what we believe it should do,"
by J. Winthrop Stone, Watertown.
"What a Co-operative Farmers' Exchange has done to handle Locally
Grown Products," by Porter R. Taylor, General Manager, Provi-
dence Farmers' Exchange.
"Taking the Risks out of Farming," by E. S. Brigham, Commissioner of
Agriculture, State of Vermont.
"A Method of Safeguarding Milk Supplies," by William G. Bissell, Di-
rector of Laboratories, Buffalo, New York.
Address by Ernest Kelly, in charge Market Milk Investigation, Dairy
Division, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington.
"Women's Work in Agriculture," by Miss Helen Holmes, President,
Woman's National Farm and Garden Association.
"Testimony from Employers," by David A. Ellis, Westwood, and Henry
S. Upham, Ipswich.
"A Forward Look — Agriculture as a Vocation for Women," by Miss
Margaret Hamlin, Supervisor of Agricultural Courses for Women,
Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst.
"Work of the Woman's Land Army of America," by Mrs. William H.
Hubert, Federal Director Woman's Land Army of America, Wash-
ington, D. C.
Moving Pictures.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 37
"Wliy the Fanner should be a Greenhouse Man, and why the Greenhouse
Man should be a Fanner," by William H. Elliott, Brighton.
"Roses Out-of-doors," by Robert Pj'le, West Grove, Pennsylvania.
"Producing Pork in New England," by J. C. McNutt, Massachusetts
Agricultural College, Amherst.
"Problems of the Eastern Sheep Breeder," by J. C. Duncan, Lewiston,
New York.
"Tuberculosis-Free Accredited Herd Plan of the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture," by Dr. E. A. Grossman, Inspector in Charge,
Tuberculosis Eradication in New England, United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
"The Opportunities for Dairymen's Association," by C. R. George, Sec-
retary, Indiana State Dairymen's Association.
"Can Massachusetts Dairying Survive Competition?" by Prof. Benjamin
Southwick, Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst.
"The Dairy Situation in New England," by Dr. A. W. Gilbert, Federal
Milk Administrator.
"The Development of a Dairy Cow," by J. C. McNutt, Massachusetts
Agricultural College, Amherst.
"The Place of Corn in New England Agriculture," by J. L. Hills, Dean,
University of Vermont, Burlington.
"Reconstruction of the Poultry Industry in New England," by George
V. Smith, West Willington, Connecticut.
"Turkey Raising in Massachusetts," by Miss Margaret Mahaney,
Concord.
The July meeting of the Department was held at Falmouth,
July 16, for the purpose of giving an opportunity to the mem-
bers of visiting Coonamessett Ranch, North Falmouth, the
following day. The visit to the ranch, which is being developed
in an extensive manner, proved of much interest, enabling the
associate members to get some idea of the possibilities of this
section.
The regular Summer Field Meeting was held in co-operation
w^ith the State Grange at Hillside Park, Colrain, August 15,
when Mr, John C. Ketchum of Michigan, lecturer of the Na-
tional Grange, and Mr, Chas, M. Gardner, past master of the
Massachusetts State Grange, addressed the gathering.
C0MMIS.S10NER 's Travel.
It has been almost impossible to do much traveling outside
the State the past year, due chiefly to lack of money available
for this purpose.
38 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
Your Commissioner has, however, made three trips to Wash-
ington, chiejfly on corn borer work; one to Chicago, to attend
meeting of commissioners and secretaries of agriculture; and
one trip to Albany, New York, on corn borer work. A good
deal of travel inside the State has been necessary, chiefly to
attend meetings and for other engagements.
There should be an adequate sum set aside for this purpose,
for the Commissioner should be in a position to attend such
agricultural gatherings and make such investigations outside of
the State as would assist the work here.
Work of the Office.
Although the office work long ago outgrew its quarters, no
additional space has as yet been provided. The work of the
stenographic and clerical force has increased very materially the
past year, and the need for more help is urgent.
On June 1, 1919, Mr. R. Edwards Annin, Jr., who has been
with the department since February, 1914, first as second clerk
and since June, 1918, as first clerk, resigned to accept a position
with a law firm in New York. ]\Ir. Ralph W. Harwood, Massa-
chusetts Agricultural College, '18, who served with the Twenty-
sixth Division in France, was appointed in Mr. Annin's place.
Since July 1 the titles of first and second clerk have been
abandoned in accordance with the standardization act which
then went into effect and classed them as executive and senior
clerk, respectively.
Work of the Library.
During the year 1919 fifty-two new books were added to the
library at a cost of $83.92. About $88 has been exjDended for
periodicals and $47 for binding. No attempt has been made to
include the new books on agriculture, only those being added
which were necessary to keep the library up to date on the va-
rious branches of the subject.
The card catalogue has been revised to include all the books
in the circulating section of the library, the circulars and bulle-
tins of the State Department of Agriculture, and the Farmers'
Bulletins and department bulletins of the Federal Department
of Agriculture. The Agricultural Lidex, issued by the H. W.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 39
Wilson Company, indexes the publications of the departments
of agriculture, of the agricultural colleges, and of the experiment
stations of other States. This index also includes the leadiner
agricultural periodicals of the country.
The interest in things agricultural, aroused during the war,
was manifested by the increase in the number of patrons, and
has been well sustained this last year. In fact, there has been a
decided increase in the number of steady borrowers from the
library. Most of these are men engaged in some commercial
line of work in the city, but who are looking forward to owning
a small farm of their own later on. Meanwhile they are reading
all they can find on the subject of farming. The demand has
been mostly for books dealing with fruit culture, live-stock
raising, especially swine, poultry culture, beekeeping and
vegetable growing.
The question of more room for the library is a very urgent
one. Aside from the fact that there is no place where one may
take advantage of the facilities of the library for study or re-
search work, there is no room for the proper storage of the
publications that are received daily. As this is the logical li-
brary for the people in this part of the State to look up agri-
cultural matters, both scientific and popular, and as the depart-
ment spends quite a little money and time in collecting the
material and making it available for the public, better library
space should be provided within a short time, especially if it is
intended to keep up this line of work. At the present time
many valuable publications and books of historical interest are
in a deplorable state, due to the lack of room.
Trespass Signs.
Five thousand cloth posters, containing the extracts from the
trespass laws, were printed the first of the year at a cost of
$686.69, but the supply was exhausted the first of August. To
meet the demand, 2,800 paper signs were printed at a total cost
of §20.81. Two hundred and eleven cloth signs were sold to
persons requesting more than their allotment of five, $21.83
being thus realized. At first 6 cents a poster was charged, but
on May 1 it was necessary to increase the price to 13 cents to
cover the cost of printing.
40
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
Publications.
The following publications were issued by the Department
during 1919, and may be obtained on application to this
office: —
Name of Publicatiox.
Pages.
Number.
Agriculture of Massachusetts, 1918,
Report of Commissioner, 1918,
Report of State Nursery Inspector (seventeenth annual report).
Report of State Inspector of Apiaries (ninth annual report),
Report of State Ornithologist (eleventh annual report).
Report of Boys' and Girls' Club Work (fifth annual report).
Report of Superintendent of Farm Machinery,
Circular No. 34, Household Accounting, '
Circular No. 50, Apple Grading and Packing, ^
Circular No. 50, Apple Grading and Packing, 3
Department Circular No. 2, Food, Feeding and Drinking Appli-
ances and Nesting Material to Attract Birds. ^
Department Circular No. 3, Report of the Entomologist for 1918,
Department Circular No. 4, The English Sparrow and Some Means
of Controlling It.^
Department Circular No. 5, Turkey Raising, ....
Department Circular No. 6, Factors Affecting Hardiness in Fruits,
Department Circular No. 7, Fruit Market Possibilities in the Ex-
port Trade.
Department Circular No. 8, The Efficient Management of Labor
on the Farm.
Department Circular No. 9, Control of the Principal Insects Inju-
rious to the Apple above Ground.
Department Circular No. 10, Bird Houses and Nesting Boxes, ^ .
Department Circular No. 11, Orchard, Berry, and Vegetable Fer-
tilizers.
Department Circular No. 12, Outdoor Bird Study. Hints for
Beginners.'
Department Circular No. 13, Plants that Attract and Shelter Birds
and Some that Protect Cultivated Fruit.
Department Circular No. 14, Agricultural Legislation, 1919,
LeafietB (Milk),8
Leaflet C (Milk), 8
Leaflet D (Milk), 8
Leaflet E (Milk),8
Leaflet J (Milk), 9
Leaflet K (Milk),ii)
164
52
16
12
24
8
12
16
24
24
36
8
20
8
12
8
12
12
28
16
52
32
20
1,500
500
500
1,200
3,000
1,000
500
2,500
1,000
2,600
2,500
200
2,000
1,000
2,000
1,500
1,500
2,000
3,500
1,700
3,000
5,000
500
5,000
5,000
5,000
10,000
7,000
27,000
' Fourth edition.
2 Fourth edition, revised.
3 Fifth edition, revised.
* Second edition, revised.
6 Revised edition of Circular No. 48.
' Supersedes Circular No. 47.
7 Supersedes Nature Leaflets 22, 23, 24, 25,
"Hints for Outdoor Bird Study."
' Reprint.
9 Two reprints.
1 0 Three reprints.
No. 123.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER.
41
Name of Publication.
Pages.
Numljer.
Leaflet M (Milk), »
50,000
Leaflet N {Milk),i
68,000
Leaflet O (Milk), 2
48,000
Leaflet Q (Milk),^
10,000
Leaflet R (Milk), 2
60,000
Leaflet T (Milk),^
50,000
Leaflet U (Milk),"
120,000
Leaflet V (Milk),"
30,000
Leaflet AA (Milk), 3
150,000
Leaflet BB (Milk), 3
150,000
Leaflet AA-BB (Milk
), Italian, 3
20,000
Leaflet AA-BB (Milk), Polish, ^
20,000
Leaflet AA-BB (Milk), Yiddish, 3 .
20,000
Food Value of Milk, 2 . . .
50,000
Manual of the Dairy Laws,
72
400
Dairy Statistics, ....
12
300
List of Institute Speakers,
12
300
Directory of Agricultural Organizations,
16
200
Arbor and Bird Day Circular,
8
15,000
List of Useful Books on Agriculture, ^
12
500
Land Drainage, ....
12
500
House Bill No. 290, Relative to the Improvement of Waste :
and to provide Farm Lands for Persons who have served
Armed Forces of the United States.
House Bill No. 329, An Act to create a Division of Markets
State Department of Agriculture, a Division of Reclamation
onization and Soil Survey in the State Department of Ag
ture, and to codify the Agricultural Laws.
House Bill No. 330, An Act to provide for the Purchase and C
tion of Farm Machinery by the State Department of Agric
Bulletin No. 4, Small Fruits, ^
-jands
n the
n th«
,Col
ricul
pera
ultur
4
40
4
150
100
100
100
5.000
1 Three reprints. ' Reprint. 5 ge
cond elition, l^e^
^ised.
2 Two reprin
ts.
* New;
one
-eprir
it.
6 Fc
)urth edition, rei
lased.
Because of a ruling of the Supervisor of Administration that
the lectures and discussions of the Public Winter Meeting do
not come within the annual report classification, Part II of
"Agriculture of Massachusetts" is no longer being issued. The
lectures, however, have been printed in separate form, as in the
past.
Bulletins.
Two of the bulletins — one on "Grasses and Forage Crops"
and the other on "Small Fruits and Berries" — have been out
of print the last year. There is a continued demand for these
42 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
bulletins as well as for one on orcharding which would deal
with pears, peaches, plums, and like fruit. The bulletin on
"Small Fruits," which has been revised, is in the hands of the
printer and will be available the first of the year.
Legislation foe 1919.
The outstanding feature of the agricultural legislation for
1919 was the passage of the so-called reorganization bill.
Among the changes brought about by this act are the reduction
of the advisory board from fourteen to six members and the
creation of certain new divisions.
Owing to the tardiness of the national budget, our Legislature
was called on to pass special appropriations amounting to
$100,000 for the suppression of the European corn borer.
An act was passed directing the sale of farm machinery, pur-
chased under the provisions of chapter 90 of the General Acts
of 1918, the sale of the same to be completed not later than the
first day of November, 1919.
Chapter 256 (General Acts) authorized the Department of
Agriculture to establish demonstration sheep farms. Certain
amendments to the existing nursery inspection law were brought
about by General Acts, chapter 331.
Buildings and improvement for Bristol County Agricultural
School (General Acts, chapter 225) and for Norfolk County
Agricultural School (General Acts, chapter 240), together with
an act (General Acts, chapter 350) placing the trustees of the
Massachusetts Agricultural College in the Department of Edu-
cation, constituted the legislation for 1919 bearing directly upon
agricultural education.
An amendment to General Acts of 1918, chapter 223, "An
Act to provide for county aid to agriculture," was passed, re-
quiring that one of the trustees shall always be a county com-
missioner. General Acts, chapter 75, provided for appointment
in the county of Suffolk of trustees for county aid to agricul-
ture. The powers and duties of the State Drainage Board were
enlarged through General Acts, chapter 98. A sum was set
aside to provide for the testing of poultry for disease by the
Massachusetts Agricultural College.
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMAIISSIONER.
43
A minor change was made in General Acts of 1912, chapter
218, so as to conform to the Constitution as amended. A bill
to provide for the collection of agricultural statistics failed of
passage.
Legislative Appropriations.
Object for which appropriated.
Administration : —
Commissioner's salary,
Clerical and other assistance,
Associate members, .....
Commissioner's travel,
Incidentals
Inspection and encouragement: —
Nursery inspection, .....
Apiary inspection, ......
State Ornithologist,
Disseminating information
Farm machinery, ......
Dairy Bureau: —
Personal services, .....
Expenses,
Encouragement of dairying, ....
State prizes for agricultural exhibits.
Establishment of demonstration sheep farms,
Special : —
European corn borer, .....
Survey of soils, ......
Appropriation.
Used.
$3,000 00
8,000 00
3,500 00
500 00
6,000 00
15,000 00
2,000 00
3,500 00
9,000 00
25,000 002
3,570 00
5,430 00
2,332 68
35,000 003
5,000 00
100,000 00
5,000 00
S23 1,832 68
$3,000 00
7,704 13
4,139 101
327 35
6,000 00
14,995 50
1,802 23
3,488 35
8,953 92
17,100 50
3,585 001
5,428 70
2,329 42
30,117 04
2,277 74
79,232 74
3,067 64
$193,549 36
' Overdraft paid from deficiency appropriation.
2 There was $2,950 allowed from deficiency appropriation to meet 1918 expenditures.
5 There was 8361 allowed from deficiency appropriation to meet 1918 expenditures.
Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture.
Owing to the acceptance by the people of the constitutional
amendments, and in this connection the one which had to do
with the consolidation of State departments, it became neces-
sary to have a second reorganization of this Department within
two years.
It was the hope of many who have agriculture vitally at heart
to effect an organization which would embrace all those depart-
44 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
merits which are essentially agricultural, and it was hoped to
bring within its scope animal industry, forestry, and fish and
game. However, the Legislature thought otherwise, and two
departments were formed: one, agriculture, and the other,
conservation.
The agricultural department has retained all of its old work,
and under the bill adopted has been able to start new work
along lines for which the Department has been working for
years, and with the establishment of these new divisions the
Department should have a very complete organization. There
has been a very strong movement over all the country among
departments of agriculture to get their work on a similar basis,
and it is indeed unfortunate that Massachusetts should not
have seen the problem as it really existed and have tried to
build on constructive lines.
In the new organization the board is merely advisory, and
the Commissioner is the final and real authority. This polic\^
is in accord with the general line of the entire State reorganiza-
tion.
Labor and Agriculture.
The past year has been marked with great unrest among
working people. Strikes have become so common as to cause
little comment. Demands of certain elements in labor organiza-
tions have become so extreme that organized labor has hurt
itself in the minds of many people and a general reaction against
labor has set in.
Many of the demands of labor have been poorly advised and
made with little thought as to their effect on labor itself. It
has not seemed to occur to labor that an increased price for its
work simply means a general lifting of prices for all things, and
that instead of shorter hours and more pay, the country needed
greater production per man. All of this agitation has, of course,
been felt by the farmer. It at first would seem that strikes
would benefit the farmer, at least to the extent of furnishing
more help, but this has not been the case, as the striking men
seem to prefer to loaf, and there also seems to be plenty of
money for them to spend.
Agriculture depends very much on labor, particularly at cer-
tain times of the year when there are crops to be put in or
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 45
harvested, and usually a farmer's production limit is determined
by the amount of labor which he is able to command at harvest
and planting time. To deny him this labor is to limit produc-
tion, and this seems to be what has happened the past year.
Another phase of the matter which should be considered is
the quality of labor. Practically all farmers complain of the
poor labor which they get. When high factory wages drew the
men from the farms, it took our best men. These men have
made good under factory conditions and are naturally inclined
to stay at their factory job where they can earn more than on
the farm. The poorer help are released from the factory, and
they naturally get back on the farm and are even less efficient
here than they were in the factory.
The attempt to draw the farmers into organized labor is an-
other indication of the conflict between labor and capital. If
there is to be an organization of farmers throughout the coun-
try, this organization should not affiliate with any other group
except to protect the interests of the greatest number of our
people. While we realize that there is bound to be a shorter
working day for all labor, we believe that all should be treated
alike, and so essential an industry as agriculture should not be
made to compete in the market, with its products produced on
a ten to twelve hour basis, with those of industries produced on
an eight-hour basis.
Undoubtedly agriculture has got to come to paying wages in
competition with other industries. It should therefore be en-
titled to a profit on products produced under these new condi-
tions. The public must therefore expect tg pay more for food
in the future. While there will be an increase in the use of
labor-saving devices on the farm, these devices have their
limitations, and without effective labor agriculture will decline.
L,\ND Settlement.
A great deal has been said and written this past year on land
settlement, and particularly as it relates to use of land by sol-
diers and sailors of the Great War. Practically all of the allied
governments but our own have made it possible for soldiers and
sailors to obtain land for homes and farms under easy terms.
It is impossible to tell as yet the success of any of these propo-
46 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
sitions. Probably the Canadian government has come the
nearest to success in this line of work, mainly because Canada
has considerable good land which is still available for settle-
ment and also because many of the men have had farm expe-
rience. Practically all of the Western States have made some
provision in their State governments for land settlement work,
not for soldiers alone, but for any one who wished to use land.
Aside from the merits of the question of soldier land settle-
ment, there is the other and larger side which no State with
waste and unused land can long ignore, especially those States
which have to import most of their food supply. Massachu-
setts is in this latter class, both with respect to large areas of
unused land and in the importation of her food supply, and
therefore should seriously consider the problem of land settle-
ment and the re-establishment of her agricultural industry. The
soundest method of bringing this about is to encourage and
assist our present farmers in every legitimate way, and their
prosperity will inevitably cause others to go on the land and
begin farming here. The present farmers of the State should
not fear the advent of more farmers, as our State will become
prosperous agriculturally only when we make more of a business
of agriculture. Those industrial operations are most successful
where there is the greatest concentration of the same industry;
so it will be with agriculture. Competition develops business
ability. It also brings the buyers. There should be provision
in the Department of Agriculture for having accurate data on
hand at all times about farms for sale and large and small areas
which may be used for agricultural purposes. Sections of the
State where land should be developed should be carefully
studied, and also the progress of this work in other sections of
the country.
There is a large population in this country constantly seeking
new places for farms. There is also a growing number of people
coming here from foreign countries who, if they had the oppor-
tunity, would settle on the land. To these people Massachu-
setts should offer a chance to become land-owning citizens.
The encouragement of farming offers an answer to the problem
presented by the prevalent general unrest.
No. 123.1 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 47
Publicity and Information.
This Department should at all times be in a position to give
definite information to the public on matters relating to agri-
culture, because it now has many resources for acquiring infor-
mation which it could readily make available. The Depart-
ment should act as a clearing house for agricultural information
at this end of the State, for not only is it in touch with State-
wide affairs but national and interstate news and material come
to it. It has become quite popular iii this country for State
departments of agriculture to publish monthly papers, and re-
sults from these have been very satisfactory. In this State,
where so many county farm bureaus are now publishing such
papers, there might be a duplication of effort. The county
publications tend to cover the same field and are often sent to
the same people from different counties. It would certainly be
in the interest of economy if the Department could, in con-
junction with the farm bureaus, publish one paper which could
be circulated to all. Further, to get matters before the public
quickly, as is necessary in many cases, important news should
at once be made public through the daily press. Other States,
also, wish to know about us, and through both of these medi-
ums information could be quickly presented to them.
The public desires and is welcome to call at the office for all
kinds of agricultural information. During the year, thousands
of persons avail themselves of this opportunity. It has been a
severe tax upon the present office force to meet this demand
adequately in addition to their regular work, and it is rather
surprising under these conditions that few complaints have been
made. A bureau of information and publicity concentrating on
this work would give better service, and this bureau could also
take charge of the Department's publications.
Our State Farms.
There are something over twenty farms in the State operated
by and in connection with the various State institutions. There
seems to have been an idea prevalent among State officials that
an institution could not be established unless it had a farm in
connection with it, no matter what the surrounding conditions
48 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc.
were. Some of these State farms should be abandoned; others
should be enlarged and made more productive. In. order to
accomplish this to the best advantage, these farms should be
gone over carefully by some one who knows or by a small group
of persons, and they should then be rated and a general plan
for their future adopted.
As a first step in the general development, the Department
of Mental Diseases has already started a system of oversight,
which, no doubt, has many points of merit, particularly in the
buying and disposition of supplies and crops. This should,
however, be carried still further and all the State farms be
brought under the Department of Agriculture on a similar basis
to that adopted in New York State.
Looking Ahead.
Agriculture will undoubtedly meet its obligations in peace as
it did in war. The wastage of material brought about during
the war is made daily evident in the price of food. Increased
production alone will remedy this condition. We fought and
sacrificed as a nation. We now face this reconstruction period,
each carrying his share of the burden as before. The true test
of our patriotism is now being made. Not only agricultural
production but industrial production must be increased. Our
farmers no longer have the tangible crying appeal that they had
during those trying days to spur them on to greater effort.
Our appeal must rely upon the prospect of a profitable enter-
prise to call forth an adequate response.
Two factors will inevitably operate against this program, —
cost of material and cost of labor. With regard to the former,
it must not be forgotten that the farmer is a buyer as well as a
seller, and the cost of cattle feed, farm machinery and other
farm necessities determine in considerable measure the extent
of his operations. The supply of adequate farm labor is vital
in quantity production of farm products. The abnormal high
wages in other industries are reducing materially the available
labor supply for the farms. The expected surplus on the labor
market, predicted on return of our demobilized army, has not
occurred. Every indication points to retrenchment and not to
an increase in acreage to be planted during the next year;
No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIOx\ER. 49
therefore, every possible assistance and encouragement should be
given farmers during the next few j'ears, as a shortage of food
would be disastrous in these days of social unrest.
With the advent of the reorganized dejoartment, we are
launching upon a broader, more workable basis by which we
may assist in the development of Massachusetts agriculture.
Already we are feeling the effects of the revitalization of the
live-stock industry. This, I hope, will increase as our work
goes on. Much careful guidance must be administered in the
reclamation of our unused lands and undrained marshes, of
which there are many acres which should be producing food for
us.
With one-fourth of the nation's population within 300 miles,
our farmers need not want for markets. However, this very
proximity seems to have operated adversely in the main to the
grouping of our producers into commercial marketing organiza-
tions and to systems of economic marketing. Much helpful
work lies before us in this field. Consumers as well as farmers
must be benefited as a result of straightening out somewhat the
tortuous route through which farm products now go in their
travels from producer to consumer.
INDEX
INDEX
Agricultural fairs, the, .......
information and publicity, bureau of, need for,
labor, concerning, .....
legislation for 1919, .....
societies, prize money to, .
Agriculture, future of, . . . . . , .
Massachusetts Department of, lectures at winter meeting of,
legislative appropriations of,
library, work of,
meetings of, .
personnel of, .
publications of,
publicity and information,
garding,
reorganization of,
report of commissioner of,
work of office,
Apiary inspection, concerning,
Apple crop, 1919, ......
Apple grading law, regarding,
Barnstable County, soil survey of, regarding, .
Bean acreage, ......
Boys' and girls' club work, concerning, .
Bristol County, soil survey of, regarding,
Club work, boys' and girls', agricultural, concerning
Commissioner's travel, concerning.
Contest, grade heifer calf, regarding,
marketing, . .
orcharding.
Corn acreage, ....
Corn borer, the European, regarding.
Cow-testing associations, recommendation regarding
Cranberry crop, ....
Crop situation in 1919, .
Dairy division, ....
Dairying, recommendation regarding,
Dedication of Massachusetts Building,
Demonstration sheep farms, .
Drainage Board, the
PAGE
29
47
44
42
29,31
48
30
43
38
35
5
40
47
43
7
38
21
10
24
27
10
32
27
32
37
22
33
33
10
19
18
10
9
21
18
34
22
28
54
INDEX.
Eastern States Exposition, concerning,
European corn borer, the.
Exhibitions and contests held in 1919,
Fairs, the agricultural, .
prize money, allotment to,
Farm machinery. State-owned,
Farmers' institutes, concerning.
Farms for sale, recommendation regarding
Farms, State, concerning,
Fertilizer situation, the,
Hay acreage, .....
Information, agricultural, need for bureau of.
Institutes, farmers', concerning,
Labor and agriculture, ....
Land settlement, regarding, .
Legislation, agricultural, for 1919, .
Market reports, regarding,
Marketing contest, regarding,
work, concerning, .
Markets, division of, value of,
Massachusetts, agriculture, bulletins on, .
Building at Eastern States Exposition, dedication of
crop situation, the.
Meetings of the Department of Agriculture,
Milk situation, the,
use more campaign.
Nursery inspection, concerning,
Oat crop, the.
Onion acreage.
Orcharding contests,
Ornithologist, the State, work of,
Peach crop, the, .
Pear crop, the,
Potato acreage.
Poultry situation, the, 1919, .
Prize money, agricultural, 1919,
Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture,
Seed situation, the, .....
Sheep industry, encouragement of, through State prize money,
demonstration farms, ....
Soil surveys, co-operative work in, .
Soy bean, acreage, .....
State farms, regarding, .....
Surveys, soil, of Barnstable and Bristol counties.
INDEX. 55
PAGE
Thinning contest, •••••••... 33
Tobacco yield, ••■••..... 11
Travel, commissioner's, regarding, ........ 37
Trespass laws, extracts from, printed on cloth and paper, regarding, . . 39
Turkeys, increase of, in Massachusetts, ....... 16
Weather conditions, 1919, ......... 9
Wheeler, Wilfrid, first annual report of Commissioner of Department of
Agriculture, by, .......... 7
White pine blister rust work, ••...... 19
DIVISrON OF INFORMATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
136 State House
ARTHUR W. GILBERT, COMMISSIONER
BOYS' FARM PLACEMENT BUREAU
Boston, itoss. ,
March 15, 1981.
FARM LABOR INVESTIGATOR
Mr. Charles ?.. Green, Librarian,
I.i. A. G. ,
Amherst, Mass.
Dear LIr. Green:
Your inquiry of March 12 about the annual re-
ports of this Department for 1918 and 1919 brings
out the fact that the title pages of both these re-
ports are incorrect.
You will remember that the old Board of Agri-
culture was abolished in 1918, the act taking effect
on September lof that year. By that act the new de-
partment was legally entitled "The State Department
of Agriculture", rhe report for 1918 was not, however,
the annual report oi the State Department because
the old State Board continued to exist until Seoteraber
1, so that the State Department could properly claim
only three months of that year. Since the Department
was in existence at the end of the year, however, the
report was gotten out as the first annual report of
the State Department.
I'he next year, 1919, the Department v/as reorganized,
the act taking effect from and after December 1.
Since December 1 was the first day of a new state year,
the report for 1919 should have been entitled "The
First AJinual Report of the State Department of Agri-
culture" because it was the first and only year during
whiCii the State Department existed and acted through-
out the twelve months. The report for 1919 was, how-
ever, published by the present Deoartment of Agricul-
ture and, through inaccuracy, was published as the
first annual report of the Department of Agriculture
instead of as a report of the otate Department of Ag-
riculture. As the reoort for lyxb was the first annual
ORG No. 2 Z/\5/Zl
report of the State Department the report for 1919 should
have been the second annual report of the State Departraent.
At the time it seemed that the two reports were for the
Department in tv/o different forms; consequently, the;? are
hoth called "first annual reports ". Strictly as i have
tried to point out, neither title was correct because the
year 1918 was divided between the old aoard and the new
State Department and the year 1919 was occupied entirely
by the State Departraent before the reorganization law
tooj: effect at the beginning of the state year 1920. i
suggest that you mark the title page of the 1919 report
by changing first ' to "second".
Hereafter the annual reports of all departments will
be designated by year alone and not by number and year as
heretofore, that is, the report of this Department for 1920
will be entitled "Annual .report of the Department of Agri-
culture for the year 1920" and will not be otherwise des-
ignated, the Supervisor of Administration having ruled that
the numbering of annual reports is superfluous and mis-
leading, it has also been arranged that the year of pub-
lication shall not appear on the covers of any reports, but
only the year which the report is supposed to cover. Here-
tofore it has been the practice to put both on the cover
so that we have had, for example, reports for 1918 with the
numerals 1919 below. Hereafter only one figure will appear
on the cover of any report, if the Supervisor's ruling is
carried out, as it undoiibtedly will be. un this basis
there will be no third annual report of the Department and
no similar designation of any report by any department or
institution.
very truly yours.
'i(2uiXei(
DIRECTOR.
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