Part I.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. 57 



Work of the Office. 



The work of the office in all directions has shown a normal 

 increase. More inquiries on a wider range of subjects requiring 

 considerable investigation have been received than in other 

 years. Many interviews have been held by the secretary and 

 other officials of the Board. Correspondence is heavier than 

 ever before, and calls for publications exceed the supply. In 

 addition to the continuance of activities carried on in previous 

 years, new functions have necessitated greater efforts and much 

 overtime work by the clerical and stenographic staff, as well as the 

 employment of temporary assistants from time to time. Of these, 

 the administration of the apple grading and white pine blister rust 

 inspection laws, and the preparation of an exhibit of Massachusetts 

 products at the National Dairy Show at Springfield, while involv- 

 ing field work chiefly, have brought greater pressure on the 

 thought and time of the office force. The correspondence, re- 

 cording and filing necessitated in these new fields have added so 

 much to the normal activities that it will be necessary to add a 

 permanent stenographer another year. 



The personnel of the office force has remained the same, ex- 

 cept that jNIr. Timothy J. Lehane, messenger, left in June for 

 service with the militia. This position has not been filled,, but 

 the work has been performed by the employment of Miss Evelyn 

 Towle of Cambridge, a few days a week as needed. A permanent 

 messenger is required, however, if the work of receiving and 

 shipping the publications of the Board is to be done efficiently. 



The library is becoming better known and more widely used 

 for reference and circulation. Since the new recording system 

 was put into effect a year ago 85 persons have taken out borrow- 

 ers' cards and 200 books have been lent. The greatest demand 

 is for publications on fruit, live stock and vegetables. Sixty 

 books and 10 periodicals have been added to the library, while 

 33 volumes of pamphlets have been bound. Card cataloguing 

 has continued throughout the year. A "visible" index has been 

 purchased. Altogether SI 82.56 has been expended for books, 

 periodicals and binding. 



