16 P.D. 123 



been received from consumers during the past year. A similar program, spon- 

 sored by the Massachusetts Fisheries Association, was broadcast daily over 

 WHDH from 10.50 to 11.00 a.m. The Department is cooperating with the 

 Association in these programs. 



Public Exhibits. — Fishing Exhibits were placed in the state buildings at 

 Brockton and Springfield during the past year as part of our annual exhibits. 

 At these exhibits we showed as many of the commercial fish as could be 

 procured at the time. Another section was devoted to practically all kinds 

 of processed fish, and another section to live fish. These exhibits proved very 

 interesting and helpful, not only to the consumer, but the retailer. 



REPORT OF THE DmSION OF PLANT PEST CONTROL 



The activities in the Division of Plant Pest Control change very little from 

 year to year. A considerable time this past summer was spent in the nurseries 

 inspecting the growing stock for injurious insects and plant diseases. Pests 

 liable to occur have been kept well under control of the nurserymen and the 

 inspectors have aided in locating infestations where they were not known to 

 exist. In only one nursery were conditions found to be such that the division 

 did not feel justified in issuing a certificate. In this case it has been necessary 

 to maintain an inspector at the nursery, and each shipment of stock must be 

 examined before being offered for sale. In general, however, the nurseries 

 are in excellent condition. While most of our work is of a regulatory nature, 

 we are continuously endeavoring to be of sei'vice in the giving of advice with 

 regard to plant pest control problems with the purpose in mind to reduce to a 

 minimum the damage to plants and plant products that are grown within the 

 Commonwealth; either by the nurseryman, the fruit grower, the farmer, the 

 timberland owner, or the modest backyard gardener. 



In all pest control problems it is essential to be able to promptly detect and 

 actually diagnose outbreaks of insects of plant diseases. This is necessary in 

 order that proper and adequate control measures may be applied to prevent 

 irreparable damage to the plants and plant products raised in the State. Delay 

 in the proper recognition of the potential danger involved, often results in 

 failure to control the pest before considerable damage has been done. 



On December 1, seventeen inspectors were assigned to check up the viola- 

 tions of the European corn borer law. All violatoi's reported wei'e summoned 

 into hearings where the law was explained and the benefits to be derived from 

 its enforcement were pointed out. This work was in the nature of an educa- 

 tional campaign. Should, however, the same person be reported repeatedly, 

 we would feel obliged to bring the violator into court. 



The Dutch Elm Disease which is very prevalent in New York, New Jersey, 

 and Connecticut, has not been found in Massachusetts. This disease was first 

 discovered in this country in 1930 in Ohio, and in 1933 was found to be firmly 

 established over an area extending 30 miles from New York City. It is thought 

 to have been brought into this country on elm logs that were to be used for 

 veneer. The disease is fatal to elms — the entire tree may die in one season 

 or may live for some time. The first indication of this disease is the wilting of 

 the leaves after which the foliage usually turns yellow or brown before falling. 



A small bark beetle is responsible for the transmission of this disease, 

 and as this beetle is present in Massachusetts, it is believed that should the 

 disease be established here, it would spread rapidly. The nearest known infec- 

 tion to Massachusetts is at Old Lyme, Connecticut. 



The United States Department of Agriculture has spent millions of dollars 

 in an effort to locate and remove diseased trees, as well as weak and dead 

 elms which are favored breeding places for the elm bark beetle. 



A survey was carried on in Massachusetts this past summer under the super- 

 vision of Professor A. V. Osmun of the Massachusetts State College in cooper- 

 ation with this department. Thousands of elm trees in nearly every city and 

 town in the Commonwealth were inspected. As this inspection failed to dis- 

 close any trace of the disease, it is probably safe to state that the Dutch Elm 

 Disease is not present in Massachusetts. 



