Part I.] 



REPORT OF SECRETARY. 



29 



Su77imary of Deer shot during the Open Seasons of 1010 and 1916. 



County. 



1910. 



1916. 



Barnstable, 

 Berkshire, 

 Bristol, 

 Dukes, 

 Essex, . 

 Franklin, 

 Hampden, 

 Hampshire, 

 Middlesex, . 

 Norfolk, 

 Plymouth, . 

 Worcester, , 

 Total, , 



1,281 



999 



A bill accompanying this report for the removal of protection 

 from the starling should be favored. This bird is increasing 

 very rapidly in the State, and as its food habits are now known 

 it promises to be a most destructive pest. Flocks of these 

 birds, ranging from 500 to 2,000, are not infrequent, and when 

 they get to the point where their common food is scarce they 

 will attack all kinds of fruits. 



Alfalfa and Cover Crops. 



We are glad to report continued interest in the growing of 

 alfalfa. Indeed, the increased acreage of the crop is very 

 marked throughout the State. Very much good work has been 

 done along this line by the county agents. Very large yields 

 have been common throughout the State this year, and while 

 our climate often makes it difficult to dry the crop, in most 

 cases it may be fed green. 



The Alfalfa Growers' Association has had much to do in 

 keeping up the interest in the crop through meetings and 

 demonstrations. 



The exhibit at Springfield by this association, in connection 

 with the Massachusetts exhibit, was most interesting, and 



