of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 305

In the broad field of agriculture, distinct progress has been made in many
lines of work.

In soils conservation there now is being actively directed a joint soil-and-
water conservation program involving 1, 700, 000 acres of land which lie within
the five organized conservation districts of the State, which is more than one-
fifth of all the farm land in the State. Although four of these five districts
did not begin operations until last spring, 298 conservation plans, involving
55, 273 acres, have been prepared. These plans include a soil survey of each
farm, showing the extent of erosion, types of soil, slope of the land, crops
grown, with recommendations for the best method of working each farm.

Additional appropriations were made in 1939 to help in the control of Bang's
Disease and other diseases of animals. As far as bovine tuberculosis is con-
cerned, the State is now regarded as an accredited area. For Bang's Disease,
42 per cent of the cattle in the State are under test. This represents 180, 000
head of cattle in 25, 000 herds. Certificates have been issued as accredited
Bang's Disease free herds to 3, 050 herds containing 70, 000 head of cattle.

Poultry diseases have been given increased attention. Pullorum disease
constituted the bulk of this work. Approximately 460, 000 Pullorum tests have
been made.

Regulations against the importation of diseased livestock have been en-
forced with increased vigor.

Control of insect pests and plant diseases has been carried forward and
a special effort is being made, through a special appropriation, to promote
work on the eradication of diseases of bees. Seven hundred and forty apiaries,
numbering 5, 183 colonies have been inspected by reason of this new appropria-
tion.

Considerable progress has been made also in the enforcement of the Fresh
Egg Law and the Poultry Sale and Transportation Law, and in research in the
marketing of cantaloupes and other agricultural products. In Baltimore and
vicinity, for instance, there have been inspected and certified so far this year
890, 183 dozens of eggs.

Work in agricultural research has progressed and one of the best men in
the Country in the coordination and integration of agricultural activities, Dr.
Roger B. Corbett, has been brought to Maryland to head the Agricultural Ex-
periment Station.

State Department of Forestry—As a result of the $100, 000 appropriation
for acquisition of forest lands, made by the General Assembly at the last
session, and through cooperation with the Federal Government, acreage of
State forest properties has been increased from 55, 000 to 110, 000 acres. In
other words, we have doubled our holdings in two years.

To protect the forest lands from fire, 32 lookout towers, strategically
located, have been provided, with forest guards for quick response to calls, and
650 forest wardens employed, who with helpers, are available to handle the
larger fires. There are on an average about 1, 000 fires each year, which have
been controlled without excessive damage.

There are now eight State forests, comprising 106, 000 acres in six counties,
that are being intensively developed by the CCC camps, in 'the building of roads
and trails to make them accessible; the erection of buildings for administrative