PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 25. 13 



Game Farms. - - During the past three years five new game- 

 rearing plants, at Wilbraham, Sandwich, Marshfield, Sharon 

 and Norfolk, have been established, and the efficiency of the 

 Sutton game farm has been increased by the enlargement of the 

 yards and the establishment of a laboratory for the investiga- 

 tion of bird diseases. At these farms pheasants, quail (bob- 

 white) and mallard ducks are being extensively raised, while 

 ruffed grouse, wild turkeys and various species of ducks are 

 being bred experimentally. From these farms are annually 

 distributed large numbers of pheasants, quail and ducks for the 

 coverts of the Commonwealth. 



Reservations. In addition to the heath hen reservation on 

 Martha's Vineyard, a number of reservations have been estab- 

 lished under chapter 410, Acts of 1911, and more are under 

 consideration. This law gives a group of landowners or the 

 selectmen of towns the right to petition the commissioners to 

 close certain areas against shooting. On these tracts trespass- 

 ing and shooting are prohibited for periods of not more than five 

 years, and the birds and quadrupeds are given an opportunity 

 to increase under natural conditions. The policy of this de- 

 partment is to place under the provisions of this act those areas 

 which have been or now are depleted, with the hope of restoring 

 the natural supply. 



National Activities. Your commissioners have not merely 

 confined their activities to Massachusetts, but have been prom- 

 inent in national problems relating to fish and game, and have 

 held or now hold responsible positions as president or vice- 

 president in organizations such as the National Association of 

 Shellfish Commissioners, the American Fisheries Society, the 

 National Conservation Congress and the National Association 

 of Game and Fish Commissioners. Activities of this sort are 

 for the best interests of the Commonwealth, and add to the 

 prestige of Massachusetts. 



State Associations. - - Every encouragement has been given to 

 the fishermen and gunners of the Commonwealth to form asso- 

 ciations. The commissioners have been interested in the forma- 

 tion of new associations, and have been ready always to 

 any way within their power. It is through the 



