tests, and Norfolk County had an increase in tested birds only. Plymouth County 

 shows approximately a 50 per cent decrease in the number of tests. The remain- 

 ing counties show decreases in tested flocks, birds, and tests. This is true also for 

 non-reacting flocks with one exception: namely, that Hampden County shows an 

 increase. 



While the decreases in some counties were slight, in other counties they were 

 more marked. Such circumstances may lead to a situation where some counties 

 may not be able to meet the demand for pullorum disease-free stock, due to a lack 

 of disease-free flocks in the county. 



The fact that four counties show an increase in percentage of positive tests 

 and the remaining counties a decrease demonstrates that persistent testing is the 

 only effective means of establishing and maintaining disease-free flocks. The 

 average percentage (0.47) of positive tests is the lowest attained in the testing 

 history. Whether such a low percentage can be maintained depends largely upon 

 the economic condition and attitude of the poultrymen. 



Suggestions 



Since the most outstanding feature of the season is the decrease in volume of 

 testing, it is essential that everyone concerned with pullorum disease eradication 

 revive interest in establishing and maintaining pullorum disease-free flocks. 

 It should be recognized that economic conditions have had a disappointing 

 influence upon the testing work; but economic conditions are not responsible for 

 all of the decrease in testing. Some flock owners entertain the idea that annual 

 testing is not neceasary to maintain a disease-free flock. It is accepted that the 

 agglutination test is not a disease preventive but a diagnostic means which is 

 used to determine the disease standing of a flock. This test is timed to detect 

 infected individuals in the flock early enough so that economic losses and disap- 

 pointment may be avoided during the hatching season. The flock owner who 

 adopts the intermittent system of testing may sooner or later find himself in 

 trouble. This has been observed frequently during the testing history of this 

 State; and in some of these cases the livelihood of the poultryman has suffered 

 because of disease troubles which could have been avoided if annual testing had 

 been practiced. Assurance of disease-free flocks is made possible by annual test- 

 ing and strict observance of eradication measures. 



Frequently poultrymen report that chicks can be purchased more cheaply out 

 of the State than in Massachusetts. This may be true when one compares only 

 quoted prices, but not the quality of the stock. Pullorum diseased chicks sub- 

 mitted to our diagnostic laboratory can usually be traced to out-of-state flocks or 

 to untested flocks in this State. Poultrymen who buy new stock are advised to 

 buy as near home as possible, so that disease hazards may be reduced to a mini- 

 mum. They should obtain the latest testing information concerning the source 

 before the purchase is made. Such information may be obtained from the local 

 countj' agent or from testing officials in other States. 



\^'hile Massachusetts has made great progress in pullorum disease eradication, 

 there is still much to be accomplished. It is hoped that the trend to omit testing, 

 which was evident this past year, will be only temporary. One who is vitally 

 interested in the pullorum disease standing of Massachusetts flocks for the future 

 will agree that the following measures should be observed by flock owners at all 

 times in order to progress in the right direction : — 



