44 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



into two shifts of three days' each, thus allowing as many 

 dependent persons as possible work for a short time. 



The supervision of this work was carried on by the regular 

 force of the State Forester, thus making it possible for the 

 money allotted to go directly into the hands of those for whom 

 it w^as intended. 



The State Forest Commission has purchased the first State 

 forest, located in the towns of Winchendon, Royalston and 

 Templeton, which consists of about 1,700 acres. This is to 

 be called the Otter River State forest. Other tracts are being 

 surveyed, and will be purchased shortly. 



The harvesting and marketing of forest products, so that the 

 farmer or owner of forest property may realize the returns upon 

 his investment, and also establish better forestry principles for 

 future success by growing better species, etc., are receiving 

 attention from this department. 



Poultry Premium Bounty. 



The new basis on which bounty due the several incorporated 

 poultry associations applying therefor is reckoned, established 

 by act of the Legislature of 1914, became operative for the first 

 time. Yet, in spite of the precaution taken of notifying the 

 secretaries of the several poultry associations of the changes in 

 the law, and the adoption of revised regulations pertaining 

 thereto, only 5 of the 13 societies applying for bounty were 

 found to have complied strictly with the law. These 5 were 

 each promptly reimbursed to the full amount of ''State first 

 premiums" paid out. 



One reason or another for failure to comply with the regu- 

 lations was advanced by most of the other associations. Be- 

 cause of such remonstrances and because of the losses sustained 

 by several associations on account of the foot-and-mouth 

 disease quarantine restrictions, it was deemed advisable to 

 apportion the balance of the appropriation amiong not only the 

 8 remaining associations in proportion to total first premiums 

 paid on the breeds specified by the Board, but also those of the 

 5 associations complying with the law who had paid first 

 premiums other than "State first premiums" in proportion 

 thereto. 



