19 



male chickens there was an average infection of 3.06 per cent in 1927-28, 

 as compared to 1.62 per cent in 1928-29. It is interesting to note that 

 each year the percentage of infection among females was slightly more 

 than double that among males. 



Progress in Eradication of Pullorum Disease in Massachusetts 



In previous rei^orts, control instead of eradication has been stressed. 

 This year, for the first time, eradication in preference to control is em- 

 l?hasized. Enough progress has now been made so that all future work 

 should be done with eradication in view. Annual testing of the entire 

 flock; retesting infected flocks within the season, until a non-reacting 

 report is obtained; an increasing number of poultrymen buying new stock 

 from non-reacting 100 per cent tested flocks; and a continued yearly 

 increase in number of birds tested, with a constant increase in the per- 

 centage of poultry population in non-reacting flocks, all point to progres.^ 

 in eradication. 



That eradication is possible is evidenced by the results obtained during 

 the past season, as compared with the previous seasons. Tables VII, VIII, 

 and IX, and Figures 3 and 4, are included as indications of progress. 

 Table VII compares the 1927-28 results with those of 1928-29, using as 

 a basis for comparison the 1925 poultry population. Figure 3 depicts 

 these data for 1928-29 by counties, showing a comparison of percentage 

 of poultry population tested, with the percentage of poultry population 

 in non-reacting flocks. 



Every county in the State except one had an increase in number of 

 birds tested and correspondingly in the percentage of poultry population 

 tested. Even more significant is the fact that every county increased the 

 percentage of poultry population in non-reacting flocks. With the ex- 

 ception of two counties, the average percentage of infection was lowered. 



Norfolk County probably made the most outstanding progress, since 

 11,005 more birds were tested in 1928-29 than in 1927-28, and the average 

 percentage of infection dropped from 11.01 to 2.84 per cent. Norfolk 

 County ranks first in percentage of poultry population tested, and also 

 in percentage of poultry' population in non-reacting flocks. 



Barnstable County, though having less birds tested in 1928-29 than in 

 1927-28 made a remarkable gain in percentage of poultry population in 

 non-reacting flocks, as well as reducing the average amount of infection. 



Berkshire County showed marked imijrovenient also, though the fluctua- 

 tion is partly due to one large flock being tested for the first time in two 

 years. The reduction in average infection is even greater than tliat of 

 Norfolk, but probably less significant because of the fact that it is due 

 to the one large flock being tested and having less than one per cent 

 infection on the first test, and non-reacting on retest. 



Essex County deserves special mention because of the increase in num- 

 ber of birds tested in 1928-29 over the number tested the previous season. 

 This increase was 14,902 birds, making the percentage of poultry popula- 

 tion tested increase by 8.16 per cent. There were nearly six times as 

 many birds in non-reacting flocks in the County in 1928-29 as in 1927-28. 



The progress made in eradication of pullorum disease in Massachusetts 

 for the past six years is summarized in Table VIII, and Figure 4. These 

 indicate the progress in eradication based on the 1925 Poultry Census. 



