P.D. 123. 33 



III FAIFS AND EXHIBITIONS. 



Prize money allotments were made to 115 agricultnral societies, granges and 

 poultry associations holding fairs and shows in Massachusetts this year. Out 

 of this number, 96 fairs and shows held exhibitions, and 19 returned their allot- 

 ments eitlier because those in charge of the fair did not deem exhibits worthy of 

 State prize money or because for some reason the fair could not be held. 



Special exhibits were installed in connection with the Union Agricultural 

 Meeting, Mechanics Building, Worcester; Brockton Fair; Hancock Community 

 Fair; Worcester Fair; Eastern States Exposition and Woburn Exposition. An 

 extensive exhibit showing the milk problem from beginning to end was shown in 

 the Massachusetts Building at the Eastern States Exposition this year, which 

 proved as interesting and effective as the apple industry exhibit shown a year 

 ago. Eaeli fair and poultry show was inspected by a representative of the De- 

 partment and a detailed record of inspection, giving the number and character 

 of exhil)its, is on file. 



The fairs' lecture is in good demand and many new lantern slides have been 

 added during the year so that the lecture is kept up to date. 



The fairs were very well attended and the exhibits both in quantity and quality 

 were very good. The increased attendance at the large fairs and the quality of 

 the exhibits would seem to indicate the continued and growing interest of the 

 people in the agriculture of the State and to warrant an increased appropriation 

 to carry on the work. Request has, therefore, been made for a larger appropria- 

 tion for next year. 



Special ribbons were awarded at all the Grange fairs for the best exhibit of 

 canned goods, the best exhibit of fruit and the best exhibit of vegetables. In a 

 few cases, these ribbons were given at other agricultural fairs. 



Medals. 



In 1924 the Department decided to make a permanent annual award of gold 

 medals for outstanding agricultural achievements. 



These medals, awarded to man or woman, boy or girl, as the ease may be, 

 repi'esent the highest reward of merit that is conferred by the Department. 

 These medals are awarded only after the most careful study by a Board of 

 Awards, consisting of the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, the 

 Director of the Division of Reclamation, Soil Survey and Fairs, the members of 

 tlie Advisory Board of the Department of Agriculture, the President of the 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College, the Master of the State Grange, the Presi- 

 dent of the Massachusetts Federated Farm Bureau and the Editor of the New 

 England Homestead. In 1923 and again in 1924, six awards were made. A per- 

 manent record is being compiled, showing photograph of the recipient and a 

 description of the accomplishment. 



In addition, silver and bronze mv^dals and eu]is are given each year at the dis- 

 cretion of the Commissioner of Ae:rieulture and Director of the Division of 

 Reclamation, Soil Survey and Fairs. 



Camp Gilbert 



The Department cooperated in the conducting of Camp Gilbert at the Massa- 

 cluTsetts Agricultural College this year and paid the expense of Boys' and Girls' 

 Club Work amounting to $1,747.30. ' " > 



Expenses of Special Exhibits 



Union Agricultural Meeting $519.63 



Brockton Fair 43.59 



Hancock Community Fair ......... 2.94 



Worcester Fair ........... 7.42 



Eastern States Exposition 3,246.05 



Woburn Exposition 81.93 



$3,901.56 



