No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xxxiii 



The law regulating the distribution of this bounty was 

 amended so as to conform more nearly to that applying to the 

 agricultural societies. The limitation of the period w^ithin 

 which associations must hold their shows was extended from 

 three months to the whole year and June 30 was set as the 

 close of the year. The date of filing returns was definitely set 

 as July 10, and bounty was made payable in August instead of 

 September. The basis on which the bounty due each associa- 

 tion is to be reckoned was changed from the amount of entry 

 fees taken in to the amount of money paid out in State prem- 

 iums for such breeds and strains of poultry as the Board con- 

 siders most worthy of encouragement. The term "State 

 premium" was defined as a premium described in the premium 

 lists of the associations as being offered by the Board through 

 the association. By a ruling of the Board associations can be 

 reimbursed only for first premiums. 



Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Work. 

 The Legislature granted $1,000 additional for this work last 

 year, and the immediate results are very apparent, inasmuch as 

 over 40,000 boys and girls were enrolled in potato, corn, 

 canning and other clubs. State-wide contests in all branches of 

 garden and farm work have been held, and a great stimulus to 

 the youths of our State to go into agriculture has been given. 

 Professor jMorton, of the agricultural college, who has had 

 charge of the work under Professor Hart, will report to you 

 more fully. 



Special Exhibitions. 

 A number of exhibitions of farm products have been held by 

 the Board during the past year, and at several held by other 

 organizations the Board has offered prize money or cups. Two 

 noteworthy points about all these exhibitions should be 

 mentioned: first, the high quality of the entries has shown that 

 the best of our Massachusetts farmers can produce as good 

 corn, fruit and dairy products as any State in the Union; 

 second, a comparison of the exhibitions of this year with those 

 of five and six years ago shows that there has been a rapid 

 improvement in the quality of exhibits. 



