Pullorum-disease eradication has benefited greatly from the educational work 

 carried on by the Extension Service and other agencies. A persistent and far- 

 reaching educational program will result in great monetary saving for the Massa- 

 chusetts poultry industry. 



Due credit should be given to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture 

 which has made possible the official recognition of "Pullorum Passed" and 

 "Pullorum Clean" flocks. The publication of lists of flocks free from pullorum in- 

 fection has served as a guide for the buyer in the purchase of pullorum-clean stock. 



Distribution of Tests and Reactors 



Twelve counties received testing service during the season. Table 1 gives 

 the number of tests and reactors for each breed and each county. A new high 

 total of tested samples (615,205) was established for the nineteen-year testing 

 period. 



The average percentage of positive tests was 0.34. Two counties, Hampshire, 

 and Suffolk, had no reactors among their tested birds. Only one county, Berkshire, 

 had more than one percent positive tests, while the majority of the remaining 

 counties revealed less than one-half of one percent reactors. Norfolk, Middlesex 

 and Worcester led in the number of tested samples. The following breeds and 

 varieties were tested: Bantam, Barnevelder, Barred Plymouth Rock, Black 

 Minorca, Brown Leghorn, Game birds, Light Brahma, New Hampshires, Rhode 

 Island Red, White American, White Leghorn, White Plymouth Rock, White 

 Wyandotte, and Cross-breeds. No reactors were detected among the Bantam, 

 Barnevelder, Black Minorca, Game birds, and White American breeds. 



Of the total number of samples tested, 560,092 were from females and 55,113 

 from males. Of these 0.35 and 0.24 percent respectively were positive. 



Flocks Should Be Tested Annually 



The effectiveness of annual testing is pointed out by results shown in Table 2. 

 These results strongly emphasize the fact that the majority of poultrymen realize 

 the value of annual testing in the establishment and maintenance of pullorum- 

 clean flocks. It is understood that testing alone is only one phase of a pullorum- 

 disease eradication and prevention program. Whether or not pullorum infection 



Table 2. Annual Testing Versus Single and Intermittent Testing 



