No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 27 



on the State Drainage Board (chapter 289 of the General Acts 

 of 1918). While the Drainage Board has three petitions filed, 

 no action has been taken beyond tentative investigation be- 

 cause of proposed changes in the above act by the recess com- 

 mittee. Now that the revised act has been authorized, the 

 petitions will be acted upon. 



Division of Reclamation, Soil Survey and Fairs. 



Soil Survey. 



In co-operation with the United States Department Bureau 

 of Soils, a soil survey of the State is being taken, county by 

 county. 



In 1919 the counties of Bristol and Barnstable were surveyed 

 and this year the county of Norfolk. Plymouth County was 

 surveyed in 1911. As soon as the Bureau of Soils can com- 

 plete its field notes, copies of the soil survey map, together 

 with the published key, will be available. 



In addition to the regular soil maps, the agent of this Di- 

 vision has prepared a set of notes and photographs which will 

 make a valuable soil manual of each county. 



Fairs. 



The sum of $25,000 was appropriated for the season of 1920 

 to be awarded as State prize money and to pay for special ex- 

 hibits for the encouragement of agriculture. 



The following exhibitions were held in 1920: — 



1. Franklin County Agricultural Society, Greenfield, September 14 to 16. 



Market garden display exhibit. 

 Bank of Mcintosh apples (50 flats). 

 Apple-grading law demonstration. 



2. Eastern States Exposition, State Building, Springfield, September 19 



to 25. 

 Exhibits by Division of Markets. 

 Exhibits by Division of Ornithology. 

 Exhibits by Division of Dairying and Animal Husbandry. 

 Exhibits by Division of Plant Pest Control. 

 Exhibits by Division of Information. 

 Exhibits of fruit, cranberries, onions, tobacco, dahlias and cereal 



crops, model community center, high school boys' camp, mystery 



fountain, etc. 



