32 P.D. 123. 



The educational work as conducted by the federal agents has consisted 

 primarily of personal interviews with pine owners and others; supplemented 

 by talks on blister rust; the placing of special exhibits in local store windows 

 and at some of the agricultural and grange fairs; conducting demonstrations 

 with individuals and groups; the distribution of printed information about 

 the disease; and the insertion of news items in local publications. 



Field work involving the eradication of currant and gooseberry bushes has 

 been carried out by this department along practically the same lines as last 

 season except that more use has been made of the system of preliminary 

 scouting. The purpose of this type of field work is to eliminate all areas on 

 Avhich currant and gooseberry bushes do not grow in any abundance, and thus 

 reduce the extent of the area on which Avork must be performed by a crew. The 

 proper handling of the removal of cultivated Ribes always has been and very 

 likely will continue to be, one of the most troublesome phases of blister rust 

 work. The policy followed at the present time is to use persuasion as far as 

 possible rather than compulsion and to make every effort to avoid the bitter 

 feeling and antagonism which has been so detrimental in the past. The results 

 of this year's work in handling this particular phase of the problem justify 

 the statement that the procedure followed is at least a reasonable one, for, 

 altho 14,887 cultivated bushes were removed during the year, only 10 compen- 

 sation claims have been received. 



Ribes eradication work has been performed on a larger area than ever 

 before in Massachusetts, 198,631 acres of land haAdng been examined during 

 the season of 1923. Much of the increased acreage results from the fact 

 that extensive areas have been found to be practically free from Ribes and, 

 therefore, the pines have been protected by scouting without resort to the 

 expense of crew work. The average cost per acre was thus reduced to the 

 unusually low figure of 12(^. In this work 1,056 property owners cooperated 

 and expended the equivalent of $6,894.90 as their share of the cost of the work. 

 Wild Ribes to the number of 1,558,107 and 14,887 cultivated Ribes were 

 removed during the field season. 



From the above records, it is believed that the work of the year 1923 has 

 been marked by commendable progress in the campaign of presenting in a 

 calm and sensible, yet convincing manner, the important facts concerning blister 

 rust and its control ; and that every effort is now being made to take the 

 necesary measures to prevent further damage from this disease in white pine 

 producing sections and thus assure the protection and perpetuation of white 

 pine as ** one of the Bay State's best natural resources." The experiences 

 of the past two years during which the present plan of Avork has been in 

 operation gives assurance that this will be accomplished, if reasonable appro- 

 priations continue to be made available for a few years longer. 



The Avhite pine blister rust Avork in Miassachusetts has been carried on under 

 the direction of Mr. C. C. Perry, and much of the success attained in this work 

 has been due to his untiring efforts and thoroughness. His work deserves 

 the highest commendation. 



Apiary Inspection. 



The accomplishments of apiary inspection during the past season have been 

 quite satisfactory, altho the season has not been Avithout its trials. The sudden 

 automobile rate restriction temporarily delayed the work at a critical period; 

 but Avhat at first Avas thought to be a limitation and hardship Avas soon over- 

 come and the work proceeded. Probably more territory was covered this 

 season than any other previous season in recent years, thanks to the addi- 

 tionable funds available. ToAvns Avhich had not heretofore been inspected, 

 at least for seA^eral years, Avere again covered. Territory south of Boston for 

 Avhich the additional appropriation was particularly requested was well in- 

 spected. Dui'ing the next year the same territory should be gone over again 

 for the purpose of checking up any remains or re-occurrences of disease. At the 

 same time, it Avill be possible to extend inspection to small towns and to 

 remote districts which it was found impossible to reach during the past year. 



