REPORT 



INTRODUCTION 



RECORD OF WORK 



The work of the Department for the fiscal year was continued 

 under the direction of Commissioner Huson from October 1, 

 1914, to April 5, 1915, at which time the present Commissioner 

 of Agriculture assumed duty. 



During the year, the efficiency of the Department in enforcing 

 the provisions of the Agricultural Law has greatly increased. 

 Not only has the number of cases of violations reported been 

 greater for the latter six months, but the number per agent has 

 materially increased, indicating a progressive activity on the part 

 of the men in the field. 



Notwithstanding this increase in work done, it has been pos- 

 sible to decrease the running expenses of the Department, due to 

 a reorganization of the employees and a centralization of the 

 work of the agents, as well as to a reduction in the force. Re- 

 adjustment of the work has made it possible to dispense with the 

 services of fifty-four employees without handicap to the opera- 

 tions of the Department. Of this number thirty-five were so- 

 called laborers, dispensed with at the request of the Civil Service 

 Commission. 



FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE 



At the time the present Commissioner took up the work of the 

 Department, the epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in this State 

 was at about its height — perhaps waning a little — and the atten- 

 tion of the veterinarians of the State was directed almost wholly 

 to the eradication of this dreaded disease, which threatened to 

 wipe out a large percentage of our cattle, as well as other animals 



