P.D. 123 13 



leaves of currant and gooseberry plants technically referred to as Ribes. This dual 

 requirement of the fungus means that if the currant and gooseberry host plants can 

 be eliminated in pine growing areas, the spread of the disease to white pines can be 

 definitely prevented. 



Activities during the year were conducted primarily in cooperation with the Bureau 

 of Entomology and Plant Quarantine of the United States Department of Agriculture 

 through a grant of funds from the Works Progress Administration to that Bureau. 

 During the winter and fall months, the field personnel was engaged in the preparation 

 of maps definitely reterding 61,290 acres of white pine in control areas aggregating 

 179,846 acres. These maps are prepared for use in the direction of subsequent control 

 activities. In connection with spring and summer activities, Ribes were cleared from 

 a combined control area of 117,774 acres of land. In this work 924,695 wild and 4,071 

 cultivated Ribes were uprooted. 



In the combined activities of the year, relief workers were provided with 105,965 

 man hours of useful employment. Seven temporary employees of this division worked 

 4,378 hours during the approximate period from May 1 to October 15. 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, 

 SOIL SURVEY AND FAIRS 



All signs pointed toward making 1938 a banner year for the Division of Reclama- 

 tion, Soil Survey and Fairs until that memorable day, September 21, when that great 

 catastrophe — the hurricane — struck us. The fairs showed a very marked improvement 

 over 1937 up to this time. The total exhibits and the total attendance at all the fairs 

 which were held before this time showed an increase over 1937. 



Let us compare the total attendance at the fairs during the past three years. In- 

 cluded in these figures are the Eastern States Exposition at Springfield and the Brock- 

 ton Fair at Brockton:— 1936—657,632; 1937—805,657; and 1938—555,179. This fall- 

 ing off in attendance was caused by the hurricane which reduced the attendance at 

 Springfield by at least 200,000, it occurring after the Eastern States Exposition had 

 run for three days and those first three days showing an increase over previous years. 

 They were unable to continue and sutifered a severe loss estimated at approximately 

 $80,000. Many of the smaller fairs suffered losses from which they will doubtless 

 never be able to recover. The Sturbridge Fair suffered an estimated loss of about 

 $12,000. 



Now to compare the exhibits : The total agricultural exhibits at the fairs numbered 

 in 1936, 75,194; in 1937, 78,512; and in 1938, 72,190. Again the falling off can be 

 laid to no other cause but the hurricane. 



Let us consider the report of the fairs held previous to the hurricane. Previous 

 to September 21 when the hurricane struck Massachusetts, the eleven fairs held 

 showed a decided increase both in attendance and agricultural exhibits displayed. 

 Some of the figures taken from our records for the 1937 and 1938 reports of the eleven 

 fairs held, which I am sure will be of interest to you, are as follows : 



Attendance— 1937— 11 fairs „ 131,942 



Attendance— 1938— 11 fairs _...._ _ , 143,743 



which gives us a total increase in attendance of 11,801 over 1937. The agricultural 

 exhibits also show a decided increase. In 1937 there were 19,953 agricultural exhibits 

 and in 1938, 22,215 agricultural exhibits — an increase of 12,262 over 1937. Another 

 increase was shown in the total number of exhibits — in 1937, the total exhibits at the 

 11 fairs were 24,596 and in 1938. 27,915, an increase of 3,319. These figures show 

 increases from the eleven fairs prior to the date of the hurricane and do not include 

 the Brockton Fair or the Eastern States Exposition. 



The Division assisted, in 1936, 109 fairs; in 1937, 110 fairs; and in 1938, 105 fairs, 

 with allotments of State prize money. The Division has the allotting of $29,000 of State 

 prize money and this allotment in 1931 was $35,000, and back in 1914 the Department 

 paid in bounties to agricultural societies as high as $44,000. The Division during the 

 year awarded 320 ribbons to grange, community and major fairs, garden clubs, etc.; 

 and also awarded 85 medals and 44 trophies for agricultural accomplishment. As a re- 

 sult of the Act of 1937 we are now allowed to offer prize money for the suppression of 

 insect pests. 



The Division is responsible for the care, m.aintenance and upkeep of two State build- 

 ings — one on the Eastern States Exposition grounds at West Springfield and the other 

 on the Brockton Fair grounds at Brockton. The grounds upon which these buildings 

 are situated cover approximately an acre each and have been suitably landscaped with 

 lawns and flower beds as well as hedges and base plantings and are taken care of by the 

 Department. The Division also installs in these buildings, during the weeks of the East- 



