P.D. 123. 15 



Publications. 

 Adhering to the policy which the Commission on Administration and Finance 

 established when they came into office relative to publications by this Depart- 

 ment, no publication which could be refused has been accepted by them for 

 publication. 



List of Publications in 1924. 

 Department publication No. 



127 Rules and regulations governing the allotment of State money through the 



agricultural societies and poultry associations. 4 pp. 



128 Annual report of the Commissioner. 34 pp. 



129 Bird migration and distribution during year ending November 30, 1923. 



8 pp. 



130 White pine blister rust. 8 pp. 



Many mimeographed publications on various topics have been issued. These 

 are of a fleeting nature and serve as partial substitute for the publications on 

 agricultural subjects for which the farmers of the State make request. The 

 mimeographed market reports keep the market men and growers in contact with 

 the Division of Markets of the Department and the weekly L.O.I, mimeographed 

 series of about 500 words each serve as a medium for making public some of the 

 more general activities of the Department. These go to all of the papers of the 

 State, to Grange lecturers, and all agricultural instructors in the State. 



The Library. 



As stated in the two last preceding reports the Library has largely been com- 

 bined with and shelved with the State Library. The subject index cards have 

 been kept up to date. 



Distribution of Agricultural Information. 



The usual matter relative to Department activities has been furnished to the 

 press. The answers to inquiries on agricultural matters from eorresiDondents, 

 while time consuming, are apparently helj^ful and appreciated. From a supply 

 of Extension Service Publications furnished by the Massachusetts Agrieultiiral 

 College and of Farmers' Bulletins of the United States Dei^artment of Agi-icul- 

 ture supplied to us through the courtesy of the United States Senators and 

 Members of Congress from Massachusetts, we are able to furnish correspondents 

 with both College and Federal publications on animal industry, farm home, 

 farm labor, field and garden crops, orchard management, poultry and allied 

 subjects. 



Listing and Advertising Massachusetts Farms for Sale. 



This work has been continued with as much efficiency as has been possible 

 without permit to publish in bulletin form the descripdon of the farms listed 

 with the Department. Mimeograph descriptions have been used as much as is 

 practicable. It is difficult to very accurately estimate the number of farms sold 

 through the activities of this office. But letters of appreciation indicate that 

 many people find the activities useful. 



Massachusetts State Institution Farms. 



The cooperative work with State and to some extent County institution farms 

 begun in 1922 has been continued. The relations with the farms connected with 

 the State Departments of Correction, Public Health and Public Welfare are very 

 close. 



This year it has been possible to make a beginning in Avork combining the best 

 features of the cow testing association with registers of performance of the 

 cattle clubs. This with the institution herd books, which have been in operation 

 for about two years, make toward unity of the dair\- work at the dozen farms 

 and the over eight hundred animals. It is hoped that it will be practicable to 

 continue this work, which will add much to better breeding and herd development. 



