xx BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Also, $150,000 was appropriated to be used in the exter- 

 mination of the gypsy moth. An appropriation of $200,000 

 for this work has been asked of the Legislature of 1896. 



Nails for marking Trees. 

 The work done in this line has been of the same charac- 

 ter as in past years. The appropriation for this purpose 

 was $200, which has been used as follows : — 



14 kegs M spikes, S\ inches, 2f inches and 2J inches, at $6, . $84 00 

 950 pounds galvanized-iron washers, at 12 cents, . . . 114 00 

 Freight and cartage, 1 34 



$199 34 



Xails and washers in varying quantities have been sup- 

 plied, on application, during the year, to the towns of Bil- 

 lerica, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Holliston, Lancaster, 

 Lincoln, Natick, New Salem, Pepperell, Shirley, Stow, 

 Sunderland, Templeton and TVestborough. 



Since the work of supplying these nails was begun, Dec. 

 26, 1891, 3 cities and 49 towns have availed themselves of 

 the provisions of the act. In all there have been furnished 

 to date 7,026 three and one-fourth inch nails, 56,535 two 

 and three-fourths inch nails, and 44,958 two and one-fourth 

 inch nails, making a total of 108,519. 



Abandoned Farms. 

 A summary of the work of this office on the matter of 

 abandoned farms shows the following results: the "Act 

 authorizing the State Board of Agriculture to collect and 

 circulate information relating to abandoned forms " was ap- 

 proved May 4, 1891 (Acts of 1891, chapter 280). Under 

 this act five editions of a catalogue of such farms have 

 been issued, in all aggregating 11,000 copies. The follow- 

 ing table indicates the work done and some of the results 

 secured : — 



