REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 7 



ing that a small flock of hens intelligently fed and cared for will 

 add an appreciable amount to the yearly income, and in some 

 sections the business is carried on quite extensively, with good 

 success. 



THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. 



The dairy interests of the State have received much atten- 

 tion during the past year, and we are pleased to note a marked 

 progress in this line. The quality of our dairy products and the 

 methods employed in their production have steadily improved. 

 Through the efforts of our efficient State Dairy Instructor much 

 has been accomplished for the benefit of both producer and con- 

 sumer. The milk supply of the principal cities and larger towns 

 has been thoroughly investigated, and the illegal sale of imita- 

 tion dairy products carefully looked after. The inspection of 

 creameries, and of dairies as far as practicable, has been con- 

 tinued. Much has been done in the line of promoting a spirit 

 of cooperation between the creamery operator and the patrons. 



The report of the Dairy Instructor, which appears in this vol- 

 ume, will give in detail the work of the year. 



INSECT PESTS. 



The work of disseminating information in relation to, and 

 suppressing, dangerous insect pests, has been faithfully carried 

 on. All nurseries and many orchards have been inspected, and 

 much work done among the schools and granges. A vigilant 

 educational campaign against the brown-tail moth has been kept 

 up. Cities and towns, as well as individuals, in the infested dis- 

 trict, as a rule have manifested much interest, and many of them 

 have done excellent work in the destruction of this pest. A 

 very large number of winter nests have been destroyed, thus 

 preventing immeasurable ravages among our fruit and shade 

 trees. While we cannot expect to completely exterminate this 

 insect or entirely check its spread, until some parasite is found 

 to aid in its control, if every city, town and individual owner of 

 infested trees will use their best efforts to keep their property 

 free from the pest, its devastations will be greatly reduced. 

 A continual warfare must be kept up. 



In August Dr. L. O. Howard, Entomologist of the United 

 States Department of Agriculture at Washington, visited this 



