No. 4.] REPORT OF SPX'RETARY. xvii 



edition of the bulletin for July was 4,500, because of the 

 special demand for information on the gypsy and brown-tail 

 moths, particularly the gypsy. It was thought that this 

 number would suffice for the demands of another year, but 

 the edition is now nearly exhausted. The crop report has 

 been entered as second-class matter at the Boston post-office 

 under the authority of act of Congress of June 6, 1900, 

 with the result that an appreciable saving has been made 

 in the cost of mailing. 



Nature Leaflets. 

 The following illustrated nature leaflets were issued 

 during the year: "Massachusetts weeds" and "Potato 

 rots," by Dr. Geo. E. Stone ; and " Hints for out-door bird 

 stud3%" in four parts, by Edward Howe Forbush. There 

 has been an increased call for these leaflets by teachers in 

 the public schools and by pupils in the normal schools. 



Extracts fro:m the Trespass Laws. 

 Chapter 444 of the Acts of 1904 requires that the secre- 

 tary of the State Board of Agriculture cause to be printed 

 such extracts from the trespass laws as in his opinion will 

 tend to prevent depredations on farm and forest lands, on 

 durable material, and to furnish not less than five copies to 

 any reputable person applying therefor, and to send one 

 copy annually to each post-office in the Commonwealth. 

 There being no appropriation made for the canying out 

 of the provisions of this act, a full compliance with its 

 requirements has been impossible. One thousand copies of 

 a cloth poster were printed, at an expense of $40.48, and 

 paid for from the appropriation for incidental and contingent 

 expenses in the office of the secretary, and the necessary 

 postage was paid from the same appropriation. The posters 

 were received on July 18, and since that date 7(59 copies 

 have been distributed, — 210 to residents of cities and 559 

 to residents of towns. Lack of funds prevented the send- 

 ing of a copy to post-offices. Letters calling for the extracts 

 have complained bitterly of depredations on the property 

 of the writers, and it is hoped that these posters Avill act as 



