30 P.D. 123 



City of Northampton in the towns of Whately and Williamsburg; a re-check 

 of 67,641 properties in 28 towns in Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties, in 

 connection with the state-wide condemnation and elimination of the European 

 black currant; and the re-examination of the environs of two State Forest 

 Nurseries and four privately-owned nurseries, to insure the production of 

 disease-free white pine planting stock through the maintenance of Ribes-free 

 conditions. 



Unusually heavy infection on Ribes was reported in all sections of the 

 State. This fact emphasizes the urgent need for the continued efforts to 

 eliminate Ribes from white pine producing areas in order to adequately main- 

 tain the control of the disease. 



REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, SOIL SURVEY 



AND FAIRS 



(This division was consolidated with the Division of Plant Pest Control 

 into a new Division of Plant Pest Control and Fairs, effective November 

 3, 1939.) 



Agricultural Fairs 



The season of 1939, from an agricultural fairs standpoint, was a most 

 favorable one. Weather conditions were unusually good during August and 

 September when most of the fairs are held and attendance figures showed 

 a marked increase over those of 1938. A portion of this increase was due 

 to the fact that the hurricane of 1938 reduced fair patronage, especially at the 

 Eastern States Exposition and at fairs held after the day of the hurricane. 



The total attendance at all fairs in Massachusetts in 1938 was 555,179, 

 while in 1939 this number increased to 759,688. This shows that 204,509 

 more people visited fairs in 1939 than did in the previous year. The total 

 number of agricultural exhibits also showed an increase from 61,100 in 1938 

 to 62,489 in 1939. These figures do not include the number of agricultural 

 exhibits at the Eastern States Exposition at Springfield or the Brockton Fair 

 at Brockton. Again leaving out the Eastern States Exposition and the 

 Brockton Fair, the total number of all exhibits was 75,763, an increase of over 

 3,000 for the year. 



During the year 1939 the Department received applications for an allot- 

 ment of State prize money from 134 organizations and associations. Of this 

 number 111 held fairs. State premium checks to the number of 2,281 were 

 sent out and of this number boys and girls received 614 for entries in junior 

 classes alone, while young people also entered in the open classes and won 

 many prizes when competing against their elders. 



The Department also awarded 269 special two and three streamer blue 

 ribbons; 129 bronze medallions (all of which went to boys and girls), one 

 gold and four silver medals, one certificate of merit and 40 special trophies. 



Six fairs had light harness racing and two pari-mutuel racing with running 

 horses. Three fairs had horse shows and draft classes for horses and oxen 

 were put on at twelve fairs. 



The Eastern States Exposition received an allotment of State prize money 

 this year for the first time to help in making up the tremendous loss which 

 the Exposition suffered as a result of the 1938 hurricane. 



Fair inspection work was carried on as usual and statistical and other 

 data compiled as a result of this work. 



The Monthly Fairs Letter has been sent out and information furnished not 

 only to fairs requesting a prize money allotment, but also to garden clubs, and 

 local groups holding exhibits and shows. Speakers for group meetings have 

 been furnished and studies made of local conditions in order to assist fairs in 

 their operation and management. 



A list of dates of all fairs has been compiled and that for major fairs 

 printed. The lists of dates of grange and community fairs have been mime- 

 ographed and distributed upon request. Radio broadcasts have been prepared 



