Part L] REPORT OF SECRETARY. 31 



possible. Attempts were made by the committee to guarantee 

 satisfactory prices for some of the crops grown, but these efforts 

 have not been entirely successful. The main efforts of this 

 committee were confined to the production end for upon the 

 appointment of the Food Administrator, about the middle of 

 July, the activities of the committee ceased, and its work was 

 largely taken over by committees appointed by the Food Ad- 

 ministrator. This committee has now been asked to act in an 

 advisory capacity to the Food Administrator. 



Massachusetts Building at the Eastern States Agri- 

 cultural AND Industrial Exposition. 



The Legislature of 1917 appropriated S50,000 to construct 

 an agricultural building on the grounds of the Eastern States 

 Agricultural and Industrial Exposition, and made provision 

 for a building commission. This commission was appointed 

 by the Governor late in the summer, and consisted of John 

 K. M, L. Farquhar, Edward P. Butts and Wilfrid Wheeler. 

 J. H. Ritchie was employed as architect, and plans for 

 the building are now complete and bids for construction 

 offered. 



The building is to be modeled somewhat after the old State 

 House in Boston, except that two wings are added. It is hoped 

 that this building will prove of great value in displaying the 

 agriculture of the State to visitors at this exhibition. 



The second exhibition of the Eastern States Agricultural and 

 Industrial Exposition was one of far-reaching character, for in 

 contrast with the first, which was restricted to the dairy show, 

 this one embraced all branches of agriculture, and there have 

 never been brought together in this section such splendid ex- 

 hibits in many classes, particularly sheep, swine, cattle and 

 horses. The occasion also brought together many organiza- 

 tions of national importance. The objects of this exposition, 

 which are mainly to reawaken interest in the agriculture of this 

 section and cement the northeastern States into one large body 

 whose interests shall be mutual, are not alone confined to the 

 exhibition of products, but their work embraces such practical 

 subjects as marketing, advertising, credits, banking and the ex- 



