ANNUAL REPORT, 1946-47 67 



added. However, hatchability increased only 26 percent when Soludri regular 

 was added, either with or without fish meal. It seems, therefore, that the neces- 

 sary hatchability factor(s) could be provided by the addition of distillers' fer- 

 mentation products to a ration of Type I, and that in some cases fish meal does 

 not contribute additional hatchability factors. 



The value of the supplements was less pronounced in raising hatchabilitj' on 

 rations of Type II. The basal ration maintained hatchability at 63.5 percent 

 level. The addition of Soludri increased the hatchability 16.5 percent; but, in 

 order to obtain a good hatchability (87 percent), it was necessary to add 2.5 

 percent of fish meal in addition to 5 percent Soludri. In this case, the unknown 

 hatchability factor(s) could not be produced without adding a protein of animal 

 origin. 



This study suggests the need for further attempts to work out a basal formula 

 for high hatchability laying rations deriving their protein from vegetable sources 

 only. Apparently soybean meal rations of Type I can be used successfully when 

 supplemented with Soludri, especially Soludri 3N, possibly because this supple- 

 ment may create favorable conditions for microorganisms and synthesis. 



SEED CONTROL 

 Frederick A. McLaughlin in Charge 



The Massachusetts Agricultural, Vegetable and Flower Seed Law was amended 

 in 1946 and became effective on August 24 of that year. More comprehensive 

 requirements of the amended act, together with a growing appreciation by the 

 public of the merits of tested seed, resulted in a greatly increased number of 

 samples received by the laboratory over any previous year. From July 1, 1946, 

 to June 30, 1947, 5,853 samples were received and worked in the seed laboratory; 

 an increase of 679 samples over the previous year. The laboratory also received 

 and cleaned 100 lots of tobacco seed. 



Enforcement of the Seed Law, together with an increased interest in good seed 

 on the part of seedsmen and the public, has resulted in more correctly labeled 

 and better quality seed being offered for sale. In 1947 only 1.94 percent of the 

 vegetable seeds sampled by a State inspector and tested at the seed laboratory 

 were found to be below standard. There has been a marked increase in the 

 number of samples above standard each year since 1936 when 28.36 percent 

 were found below. 



Operation of the Seed Law is reported in an annual bulletin issued for that 

 purpose. 



DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 

 J. B. Lentz in Charge 



Poultry Disease Control Service. (H. Van Roekel, K. L. Bullis, G. H. Snoeyen 

 bos, O. S. Flint, F. G. Sperling, M. K. Clarke, O. M. Olesiuk, and E. M. Allen. 



1. Pulloruni Disease Eradication. During the jear 1946-47, a total of 1,271,^ 

 378 blood samples was tested — 1,238,983 from chickens, 19,796 from turkeys 

 and 12,599 from other fowl. A total of 651 chicken and turkey flocks was tested 

 The percentages of positive tests were 0.13 for chickens, 0.51 for turkeys, and 

 for other fowl tested. There was a slight increase over the previous season in 

 the number of flocks and samples tested. 



