No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 13 



cussed at several meetings and will be organized where an in- 

 terest develops. 



At the Eastern States Exposition an exhibit was made of 

 three calves fed varying quantities of milk, to show the effect 

 of milk on the health and growth of young animals. 



Thousands of milk leaflets have been sent out to encourage 

 the use of more milk. The Division has published a Shepherd's 

 Handbook, a Directory of Breeders of Pure-bred Dairy Cattle, 

 Dairy Statistics, and has reprinted the milk leaflets. 



Detailed reports were made of eighteen cattle auction sales, 

 which show^ed that many of these are not herd dispersals but 

 sales by cattle dealers, and that by-bidding is prevalent at 

 such sales. 



Studies are being made of the weekly market quotations in 

 dairy products, feeds and live stock. 



Demonstration Sheep Farms. 



The demonstration sheep farms have been of considerable 

 service in their respective territories. During the year they 

 have had 1,160 visitors, and have given 31 demonstrations. 

 Outside work has consisted of 321 calls, 39 demonstrations, 

 1,393 sheep sheared, and 215 treated for worms. 



In addition to the visits, demonstrations and assistance 

 given, there have been many calls at several of the farms for 

 information of various kinds, inquiries for breeding stock, as- 

 sistance in marketing wool and early lambs, and many in- 

 quiries about ailing sheep and lambs. They are becoming more 

 and more centers for information. 



Bird Work. 



The Division of Ornithology has issued eight publications 

 during the year, and has three more in process of preparation. 

 A list of oflficers and officials of Massachusetts organizations 

 interested in the study and protection of birds has been pre- 

 pared. 



The director has been interested in promoting treaties with 

 Latin-American countries for the protection of our birds in 



