14 P.D. 123 



branches of agriculture in Massachusetts. Field studies were made of the 

 feeding habits of many birds at cranberry bogs, including stomach examina- 

 tions of birds collected. In this investigation the Department worked in 

 co-operation with the Massachusetts Cranberry Experiment Station, and 

 was also assisted by workers of the New Jersey Cranberry Experiment 

 Stations. As a result Department Publication No. 133, "The Cranberry 

 Growers' Interest in Birds," was prepared and printed for free distribution 

 among cranberry growers in the State and to others interested. 



Colored Bird Plates Available 

 The Legislature of 1931 passed a resolve authorizing the printing of an 

 edition of 10,000 sets of the colored plates of the "Birds of Massachusetts." 

 These valuable illustrations will soon be available to the public at a nom- 

 inal cost. Public documents Nos. 112 and 116 on "Bird Houses" and 

 "Methods of Attracting Birds" were also revised and new editions printed 

 for general distribution. 



Increasing Demand for Bird Information 

 The Division still handles much correspondence relating to the three- 

 volume work on the "Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England 

 States," sale of which is handled by the office of the Secretary of the Com- 

 monwealth. The Department of Agriculture recently mailed several 

 thousand circulars regarding these volumes, with the result that the sale 

 of these books jumped more than five hundred per cent in three weeks' time. 

 As has been customary in the past, representatives of the Division fill 

 numerous lecture engagements on birds before Granges, Girl Scouts, Boy 

 Scouts, Campfire Girls, and similar organizations, and in schools. The 

 economic value of birds is always stressed in such lectures, as well as methods 

 of protecting and increasing the bird population. 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF PLANT PEST CONTROL 



Benefits of Nursery Inspection 



The Massachusetts nurseries are at this time in excellent condition and 

 recent inspections have shown them to be apparently free from insect pests 

 and diseases. All crop producers, of which the nurseryman is one, soon learn 

 that their greatest hazard is damage or destruction of their crops by pests. 

 The inspection of nursery stock is designed to prevent the sale of stock 

 infested by insects or disease, liable to kill or seriously injure it. The in- 

 spection benefits the nurseryman in that it calls to his attention infestations 

 that might result in serious loss. At the same time it protects the public 

 and assures it of purchasing only good clean stock. There are more nur- 

 series in Massachusetts now than ever before. Many of these are small, 

 but with the opportunities offered in this healthful occupation and the 

 chance of disposing of ornamental stock in thickly populated areas near 

 home, it is not surprising that more lovers of horticulture are taking up 

 this line of work. 



Certificates and Licenses Granted 



The Division of Plant Pest Control has this year issued 332 certificates 

 to growers of nursery stock, and 294 agents' licenses to persons dealing in 

 nursery stock but who are not growers. The conditions in the nurseries 

 hold true in the properties adjoining them, and these have shown a marked 

 improvement in the past five years. 



Infestations of the gypsy moth were practically negligible in the nurseries, 

 and consequently we were able to complete our inspections and issue all 

 certificates at an early date. 



Corn Borer Quarantine Extended 

 The European Corn Borer quarantine has been extended westward to 

 include most of Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. The infes- 

 tations of the two-generation corn borer in these counties are extremely 

 light, and it is hoped that control measures will be successful in keeping 

 the damage at a minimum. 



