P.D. 123 21 



The nature of these soils indicates that most of them were laid down earlier 

 than the present surface soils on the mainland and that the islands were not 

 affected as much as the mainland by the ice sheet in the last glacial period. 

 It is expected that these seven varieties of soils will prove to be similar to 

 varieties already mapped in Lonsf Island, New York. 



As during several previous seasons, the work was conducted by Mr. W. J. 

 Latimer, soil specialist of the Bureau of Soils of the United States Department 

 of Agriculture. He has been assisted as previously by Mr. M. O. Lanphear 

 of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. No additional soil survey re- 

 ports were received during the year, although material is in process of prepa- 

 ration for reports on Worcester, Berkshire and Middlesex counties. The 

 Department still has copies of the combined report on Barnstable, Bristol 

 and Norfolk counties for distribution. 



FAIRS. 



Allotments of agricultural prize money were made to one hundred and 

 eight Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, Grange and Community 

 Fairs, Poultry Shows and other organizations holding fairs and special 

 exhibitions in Massachusetts, 



The Division cooperated with the Union Agricultural Meeting, State 

 Armory, Worcester, January 6, 7, 8 and 9, 1925 and with the New England 

 Fruit Show in Horticultural Hall, Boston, October 29-November 1, with 

 the Eastern States Exposition, Springfield, September 20-26 and with the 

 Brockton Fair at Brockton, September 29-October 3. The vegetable 

 exhibit in the Massachusetts Building, Eastern States Exposition grounds, 

 Springfield, was the most complete exhibit of vegetables ever put on by 

 the Department covering all branches of the industry. 



In connection with the New England Fruit Show in Boston besides paying 

 all premiums won by Massachusetts exhibitors the Department also fur- 

 nished the services of its employees and helped in paying the expense of 

 staging the show. 



At the request of the Educational Fuel Committee of the New England 

 Governor's Fuel Commission arrangements were made and special exhibits 

 of low volatile semi-bituminous coal were made at the following fairs: — 

 Bristol County at Segreganset 

 Brockton at Brockton 

 Eastern States Exposition, Springfield 

 Essex Agricultural Society, Topsfield 

 Franklin County Agricultural Society at Greenfield 

 Gardener Agricultural Society at Gardner 

 Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Agricultural Society, 



Northampton 

 Housatonic Society, Great Barrington 

 This was a great help, in view of the coal strike, in showing the public how 

 to use substitutes for anthracite coal. 



The Fairs have been inspected by the Director or Assistant Director of the 

 Division and a detailed record of the number and character of the exhibits 

 kept. 



The illustrated lecture on fairs has been kept up-to-date and new slides 

 made. The Department this year purchased a motion picture camera and 

 as a result has a library of films made from pictures taken at the different 

 fairs during the season. The season of 1925 was a most unusual one. The 

 weather was wet and the temperature so low that the attendance was 

 affected. 



Department ribbons have been offered more extensively than in the past 

 and the demand for this type of award is increasing in popularity. 



Medals. 

 Gold medals for superior achievement were awarded on January 7, at the 

 Union Agricultural Meeting at Worcester, and silver and bronze medals 

 have been awarded through the fairs and other organizations. 



