xxii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



this work was materially increased by the Legislature of 1907, 

 and the work has been amplified to a considerable degree over 

 that formerly undertaken by the State Forester. 



Massachusetts Agricultural College. 



The work of the Massachusetts Agricultural College shows a 

 gratifying rate of progress, both in quantity and quality. The 

 number of students regularly in attendance in the four-year 

 course shows an increase over any previous year, while the in- 

 stallation of the summer school of agriculture has done much 

 to popularize the work of the college, and to acquaint the teachers 

 of the State with the possibilities of the institution. If this sum- 

 mer school work develops as it bids fair to do, I do not doubt 

 but that we shall see a marked effect in the more favorable 

 attitude of the teaching forces in our high schools, in all proba- 

 bility leading to an increased number of those who go from 

 these schools to the college for their higher education. 



The greenhouses now on the grounds have been in use for 

 over forty years, and are no longer proper buildings either for 

 purposes of economic production or for teaching purposes. An 

 entire new set of glass houses is needed, if the college is to give 

 proper instruction in the line of work in which Massachusetts 

 stands pre-eminent among the States of the Union. This has 

 been asked of the last two Legislatures, and has each time been 

 postponed for what seemed more pressing needs. It seems as 

 though the time had come when the greenhouses should have 

 the right of way in the legislative appropriations. There are 

 of course many other things needed at the college, if it is to con- 

 tinue to properly grow and develop; and it is recommended 

 that this Board favor all reasonable appropriations for increased 

 efficiency in instruction at the college, with particular emphasis 

 upon the necessity of the greenhouse work being properly pro- 

 vided for. 



The Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths. 



The work of suppressing the gypsy and brown-tail moths has 



been carried on during the year on the same lines as since the 



resumption of work against these insects. We are confident that 



all has been done that is possible to be done; but the increased 



