P.D. 123 19 



made it possible to carry on and accomplish commendable results in locating and 

 eliminating Ribes from areas where they might be a menace to nearby white pines. 

 The blister rust had become evident on white pines in 341 of the 355 cities and 

 towns in Massachusetts, according to the records of the division compiled to 

 November 30, 1932. 



In the 1932 work assistance was rendered to 800 property owners in the exami- 

 nation of 161,606 acres of white pine lands and areas immediately adjacent thereto. 

 On this total land area 334,353 wild Ribes were found and uprooted. In a few 

 instances, it was necessary to destroy cultivated Ribes, because of their location 

 within infecting distance of valuable white pines. In this phase of regular control 

 work, 3,071 bushes were destroyed. 



The special control project involving the complete elimination of European 

 black currants in Massachusetts, because of the unusual susceptibility of this 

 variety of Ribes, was continued in 31 townships. The canvass involved the careful 

 search of 33,599 properties. In 386 locations, patches of black currants totalling 

 2,147 bushes were found and eliminated. In this special control work, 239 owners 

 cooperated in the actual elimination of these susceptible bushes without the assis- 

 tance of this division. 



The experiences of the year indicate conclusively that the wild Ribes population 

 will surely persist through the germination of seed in the soil, and the development 

 of seedlings, and, therefore, continued vigilance will be needed to eliminate such 

 regrowth of Ribes before the individual bushes reach a menacing size. Experience 

 has also demonstrated that a small percentage, perhaps 10%, of the white pine 

 owners in the State will, of their own accord, make such periodic searches for 

 Ribes as are necessary. The remaining 90% of the owners will require the leader- 

 ship, advice, and assistance of this Department in meeting the problem of prevent- 

 ing damage to the white pine forests of the Commonwealth by this serious fungous 

 disease. 



Messrs. Earle M. Brockway, William Clave, G. Stanley Doore, WiUiam T. Roop, 

 and Ralph E. Wheeler, planned and directed the 1932 informational, service, and 

 control work, under the guidance of C. C. Perry, Federal blister rust control leader, 

 assigned to this cooperative project in Massachusetts. 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, SOIL SURVEY AND 



FAIRS 



Massachusetts Fairs in 1932 



Agricultural fairs in Massachusetts, as elsewhere, during the past few years have 

 felt the constantly increased burden of operating costs and the lack of increased 

 patronage and income to offset the same. However in spite of this, together with 

 the reduced spending power of the general public and inclement weather, in some 

 instances, our agricultural fairs in Massachusetts present a very creditable showing. 



During the year there were nineteen major, twenty-four community, eleven 

 poultry' and rabbit shows and forty-three granges holding agricultural fairs in 

 which this Department cooperated. This is practically the same number held the 

 previous year in spite of the fact that four of our largest fairs cancelled their dates. 

 The increase of small community fairs is very noticeable. 



Noticeable Improvements in Exhibits 

 One of the most satisfactory and encouraging aspects of agricultural fairs in the 

 Commonwealth is the very creditable improvement in the number, quality and 

 arrangement of the agricultural exhibits. The Department has for years been 

 working on this project by actual demonstrations, group meetings with fair offi- 

 cials, illustrated lectures, conferences and otherwise. The response by those in 

 charge of exhibits at the various fairs has been most gratifying, resulting in a greater 

 interest in display arrangement, labeUing, color schemes, decorations, etc. 



Special Exhibitions by the Department 

 It has been the custom of the Department for a number of years to hold special 

 agricultural exhibitions in various sections of the Commonwealth. This year the 



