No. 4.] REPORT OF THE DAIRY BUREAU. 291 



were examined in the month of September. Answers to per- 

 tinent questions were obtained, photographs of premises 

 taken, and samples of milk run through absorbent cotton, 

 and the cottons examined later for sediment. The prizes 

 were awarded September 30 and were made public at the 

 Brockton Fair. In the western section there were 114 en- 

 tries. These dairies were examined in the month of October 

 and the prizes awarded later. The names of the winners 

 were announced at the State Board of Agriculture meeting 

 at Springfield, December 1. In the contest for dairies best 

 protected from flies there were 18 entries. These dairies 

 were examined early in October, and the announcement of 

 the prizes was made at the Springfield meeting. So far as 

 we know, these were the first prizes ever offered along these 

 lines, but the results have exceeded our most sanguine ex- 

 pectations. The successful contestants have cheerfully 

 signed the following expression of determination : — 



Consideration of the generosity of the Commonwealth in offering 

 liberal prizes for the production of clean milk, together with my own 

 interest in the matter, leads me to express my determination to con- 

 tinue the means adopted in this contest, and to add thereto from time 

 to time such improvements as appear practical, to the end that the 

 present high standing of Massachusetts milk may be maintained and 

 its quality improved. 



Many contestants have voluntarily stated that they learned 

 more about the production of clean milk in this contest 

 than they ever knew before. 



For details in the protection from flies contest, reference 

 is made to Circular No. 10 of the series now being pub- 

 lished by the State Board of Agriculture. Further details 

 in regard to the clean milk contest will be found in Circular 

 No. 13 of the same series. 



It is hoped that during the coming year even more far- 

 reaching results may be realized from plans already in 

 contemplation. 



The Bureau takes this opportunity to express its appre- 

 ciation and thanks for the services of Prof. Samuel C. 

 Prescott of the ]Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 

 and Mr. E. H. Forbush of the State Board of Agriculture, 



