xii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the State. The .secretary has been present at nearly every 

 meeting, regular or special, since ho became your secretary, 

 and therefore speaks with knowledge in approving the work 

 and connnciuling the faithfulness of this Bureau. 



The secretary would suggest to the committee of this 

 Board, to whom the revision of the agricultural laws is in- 

 trusted, the consideration of the improved efficiency of the 

 Bureau which would come from the constituting of the 

 secretary a member of the Bureau as well as its executive 

 officer, as now provided, so there may be no question of his 

 votinir ri<dits on all matters cominc' before it. Your secre- 

 tary would furtlier suggest to the same conunittec the wis- 

 dom of electing the members of this Bureau at the annual 

 meeting, in place of their appointment by the Governor 

 of this Commonwealth. 



Nursery Inspection. 

 Section 1 of chapter 495 of the Acts of 1902 reads as 

 follows : — 



The state board of agriculture shall annually appoint some per- 

 son qualified by scientific training and practical experience, to be 

 state nursery inspector, and he shall be respousible to the board 

 for the performance of his duties as prescribed in this act. The 

 said inspector may appoint such number of deputies, not exceed- 

 ing three, as he may deem necessary or expedient. 



In accordance with this act, the Board, at a special meet- 

 ing held July 22, appointed Dr. Henry T. Fernald as 

 nursery inspector, and his report will come before you. 

 The condition of the nurseries of the State was indeed seri- 

 ous, and the Avork of inspection and destruction or disinfec- 

 tion by fumigation greatly needed. The work has been 

 well done, and no certificate has been given except after 

 careful examination, repeated if necessary, to insure perfect 

 safet}'^ to the purchaser of nursery stock from any nursery 

 within the State. "We believe it is for the interest of the 

 Board and this work that Dr. Fernald be continued as State 

 Nursery Inspector. 



The following amendments to the law should be inserted 

 to perfect it : — 



