12 P.D. 123 



fair inspection reports, letters and news releases sent out by fair secretaries and 

 managers, and contributions for the issue have been received from the State College, 

 the State Fairs Association, Extension Service staff, and from other agencies inter- 

 ested in agricultural fairs. Speakers have been supplied when requested to address 

 groups of fair ofificials, civic and other organization meetings. Studies of fair activities 

 and departments have been made in order that the department might render every 

 assistance possible which would tend to increase the value of fairs to agriculture and 

 the agricultural interests of the State. A printed list of dates of all major fairs 

 has been compiled and printed, and copies made available for distribution upon request. 

 Radio broadcasts have been given from time to time, stressing the educational and 

 agricultural value of fairs, and the service which they render in encouraging boys 

 and girls to become interested in agriculture. 



Special assistance in revising and improving premium lists, the introduction of 

 new classes, and in the arrangement of exhibits, as well as suggestions for programs 

 and special features, has also been given, and many fairs have availed themselves 

 of this service. 



The State Buildings on the Eastern States Exposition grounds at West Springfield, 

 and the Brockton Fair Grounds, Brockton, are under the direct supervision and 

 control of the department. The care of the grounds, including lawns, plant outs, 

 flower beds, gardens, etc. on which these buildings are situated and the care and 

 maintenance of the buildings is also included. 



The division has cooperated with and actively assisted Boys and Girls Work. The 

 4-H Club members have received not only cash prizes for their exhibits at fairs, 

 but have also been awarded medals, ribbons and trophies, and the Massachusetts 

 4-H Club Summer Camp at Amherst has received financial assistance which has 

 made this activity possible. Students in vocational schools and departments in high 

 school have had funds made available for many features of their work where there 

 is competition and where prizes are offered for meritorious achievement. 



The Vocational Agricultural school student and the Future Farmers of America 

 have also received cash prizes and awards for public speaking and for judging con- 

 tests. The Department considers the work with young people to be one of the most 

 important activities connected with fairs, and encourages all fairs to extend every 

 opportunity possible to boys and girls to take a prominent part in fairs. 



In the State buildings at Brockton and Springfield the Department installs each 

 year very elaborate and extensive educational, agricultural, industrial and recreational 

 exhibits. 



The exhibit in the State Building on the Eastern States Exposition grounds, West 

 Springfield, included agricultural exhibits, showing the importance and value of the 

 cranberry, onion and apple industries to the State. A cranberry bog complete, showing 

 the vines, water for flooding, ditches, etc. coupled with a fine display of varieties 

 of berries, equipment, pictures, cranberry products and canned berries made up the 

 display, and over 15,000 booklets on the uses of cranberries were distributed. The 

 onion exhibit showed a harvesting scene with painted background. This was one 

 of the most realistic exhibits which has ever been set up in the Massachusetts Build- 

 ing, and the figures shown in the exhibit, coupled with the onions growing, pulled, 

 topped, graded and bagged, showed step by step how onions are grown, harvested 

 and prepared for sale. 



The apple exhibit featured family packages, showing a large variety of containers 

 holding from six to a dozen or more apples, and also a display of apple products. 

 Mcintosh was the variety used principally in the display. There were, however, one 

 or two other varieties shown in lesser quantity. 



The Department of Conservation installed a most complete exhibit, beautifully 

 landscaped, showing a waterfall pool and trout brook well stocked with fish. The 

 work of the Recreation, Parks and Beaches, Forestry, and Fisheries and Game 

 branches of the Department of Conservation were all shown in the exhibit. 



The State Department of Education, Vocational Division, occupied one whole 

 wing and showed what the trade schools are doing to train young people for industry. 

 Classes of boys and girls were in attendance daily and actually carried on their 

 work, just as though they had been in school. 



