20 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. No. 123. 



no careful consideration and encouragement. While the agri- 

 culture of the State is improving, the farmers have many 

 difficulties to combat, and are in reality going through a very 

 critical period. I recommend that the Legislature give all 

 possible consideration to their problems. 



The Department of Agriculture is planning to meet these 

 new conditions by strengthening its work in every possible 

 direction, limited only bj' the funds at its command. It has a 

 well-trained staff w^hich should be increased in numbers to 

 meet the serious problems which come up constantly, and to 

 plan new lines of work to assist farmers, dealers and con- 

 sumers. It should be emphasized that the Department of 

 Agriculture does not exist for farmers alone, but may be of 

 very great help to all citizens of the Commonwealth. 



It is my hope that all citizens of the Commonwealth, par- 

 ticularly members of the Legislature, will become conversant 

 with the work of the established agricultural agencies. I recom- 

 mend that the valuable publications of the Department be given 

 greater publicity and circulation, particularly through members 

 of the Legislature who are in a position to place them with per- 

 sons who will make best use of them. Some members of the Leg- 

 islature are already taking advantage of this opportunity. 



We should no longer look upon Massachusetts as a non-agricul- 

 tural State. The amount of food which it is possible to produce 

 here is three to five times the present production, and this pos- 

 sibility can be realized if proper steps are taken to stimulate 

 farmers and to bring producers and consumers nearer together. 



I recommend that the Legislature make a careful study of 

 tuberculosis among cattle in Massachusetts. The United States 

 Department of Agriculture is doing a great work in co-operating 

 with the States in the eradication of this disease. It is well 

 known that one of the great sources of tuberculosis among 

 human beings is of bovine origin. I recommend that the Com- 

 monwealth of Massachusetts co-operate w4th the United States 

 Department of Agriculture in every possible way to eradicate 

 this dread disease from this Commonwealth. 



Respectfully submitted, 



ARTHUR W. GILBERT, 



Commissioner. 



