No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xv 



Milk Legislation of 1912. 

 An act relative to the labeling of containers of condensed, 

 concentrated and evaporated milk and skimmed milk, and an 

 act to regulate the use of utensils for testing the composition 

 or value of milk and cream, were the only laws relating to the 

 dairy industry passed in 1912. The former perfects the labeling 

 act of 1911, while the latter insiu-es that all utensils used in 

 testing milk and cream be accurate. 



Legislative Plans for 1913. 

 At the special meeting at South Framingham, on December 

 3, the Board voted to present to the Legislature the following 

 projects: — 



1. A bill to provide for three years an annual appropriation 

 of $15,000 for the encouragement of dairying by offering prizes 

 for the best-kept stables, the lowest bacteria counts and best 

 quality of milk ; by demonstrations; by instruction by agents; 

 by literature; or otherwise. 



2. A bill providing for an open season on pheasants, and 

 allowing farmers or other persons to destroy pheasants found 

 injuring cultivated crops. 



The Board further voted to support the bill, submitted by 

 the Massachusetts Association of Beards of Health, providing 

 for the protection of the public health by establishing a limit 

 of bacteria permissible in milk intended for sale. 



The first-named bill is drawn in the identical form in which 

 both legislative committees on agriculture and ways and means 

 reported it to the last general court as "ought to pass." It 

 is presented in the belief that business of any kind profits, and 

 may be boomed, by education and encouragement, and that 

 eternal inspection and no reward would, in time, drive even 

 the most profitable industry out of the State. 



Other bills, drafted by your secretary, are called to your 

 attention under the headings to which they relate. 



Work of the Office. 

 The widespread awakening as to the possibilities of agricul- 

 ture in Massachusetts and New England continues to be felt 

 in the ever-increasing demand upon the office of the Board for 



