USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westborough > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Westboro for the year ending 1940 Dec. > Part 4
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James Jeremiah Keating
Helena Bertha Kemp William Arthur Kendrick
Charlotte Belle Kimball
Helen Virginia Laverdure
Frank Leonard Lekberg
Elizabeth Patton Eva Mary Paul Wilfred Donald Penney Shirley Helen Ada Pickering Richard Stanley Piper Robert Harry Piper Sarah Gertrude Russell Vivian Eulalia Sansoucy Helen Mary Sowa Eleanor Lorraine Spear Lorraine Isabelle Temple George Francis Thomas Joan Marie Trank Katherine Marie Wagner
Marjorie Arline Watson Raymond Edward Welsh
Gordon Alfred Whitney John George Wozny
HONOR STUDENTS
(Those having A or B in at least 12 of the 16 units required for graduation)
First Honors-CARL ALBERT GERDEN Second Honors-HARRIET CATHERINE BRUCE Third Honors-CATHERINE EILEEN GANNON
Elizabeth Patton
Alice Beardslee John Hamlin Burroughs
Wilfred Donald Penney
Audrey Dearing Shirley Helen Ada Pickering Chester Lawrence Fenno Vivian Eulalia Sansoucy Gladiola Joanna Giefing Eleanor Lorraine Spear John Alfred Heywood Joan Marie Trank Helena Bertha Kemp Katherine Marie Wagner Marjorie Arline Watson
Helen Virginia Laverdure
CLASS OFFICERS
JOHN ANDERSON HALEY, President GLADIOLA JOANNA GIEFING, Vice President GEORGE FRANCIS THOMAS, Treasurer MARY WINIFRED PATRICIA O'NEIL, Secretary
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List of Teachers January 1, 1941
Teacher Position Education Home Address
J. Harding Armstrong; Supt. of Schools and High School Prin .; Bridgewater Teachers' College, Harvard; Westboro, Mass. Junior-Senior High School:
Clyde E. Riley; Science; Colby College; Westboro, Mass.
Albert J. Doran, Jr .; History, Com. Law; Boston University; Westboro, Mass.
Pearl K. Gibbs; French, Com. Geog .; Mt. Holyoke College, Westboro, Mass.
Edith C. Wilson; Comm. subjects, Mod. History; University of Chicago; Belfast, Me. Ruth Wadleigh; English; University of New Hampshire; Milford, N. H.
67 Ruth Perry; Mathematics; Wheaton College; New Bedford, Mass.
Mary B. Conroy; English, Latin; Boston University; North Brookfield, Mass.
Paul B. Moran; Man. Tr., Mech. Dr., Civics; Fitchburg Teachers' College; Worcester, Katharine E. Devin; English, Jr. High; Framingham Teachers' College, Westboro, Ralph M. Clark; Mathematics, Jr. High; Trinity College; Westboro, Mass.
Alton C. Bennett; Anc. History, Sr. High; History, Jr. High; Tufts College; Wake- field, Mass.
M. Elizabeth Kane; Geography, Drawing, Vocations, Jr. High; Worcester Teachers' College; Westboro, Mass.
Mabel H. Stead; Physical Training, Typewriting; Posse Nissen School; Worcester. Frances A. Scott; Special Class; University of Vermont; Westboro, Mass.
Teacher Position Education Home Address
Eli Whitney School:
Sara W. Gibbons; Prin., Grade 6; Framingham Teachers' College; Westboro, Mass. Lena M. Cummings; Grade 6; Framingham Teachers' College; Westboro, Mass. Marjorie I. Chamberlain; Grade 5; Worcester Teachers' College; Westboro, Mass. Martha E. Manahan; Grade 5; Lowell Teachers' College; Methuen, Mass. Catherine E. Crowe; Grade 4; Framingham Teachers' College; Hopkinton, Mass. Margaret Gleason; Grade 4; Worcester Teachers' College; Westboro, Mass. Celia Lawry; Grade 3; Farmington, Me., Normal School; Farmington, Me. Marjorie E. Knight; Grade 3; Fitchburg Teachers' College; Gardner, Mass.
Harvey School:
Florence K. Black; Prin., Grade 1; Beverly Training School; Westboro, Mass. Irene M. Kelleher; Grade 2; Framingham Teachers' College; Northboro, Mass. Mae J. Chapman; Grade 2; Framingham Teachers' College; Westboro, Mass. Bertha M. Ainsworth; Grade 1; Framingham Teachers' College; Grafton, Mass. General:
Harold F. Fisher; Physical Director; Springfield College; Westboro, Mass. Frances L. Andrews; Music Supervisor; Lowell Normal School; Westboro, Mass. Dorothy M. Ling; Drawing Supervisor; Providence School of Design; Providence, R. I. Helen L. Schuhmann; School Nurse and Office Asst .; Newton Hospital; Westboro. Dr. Walter F. Mahoney; School Physician; Westboro, Mass. W. L. Rinehart; Penmanship Supervisor; Cambridge, Mass. Janitors :
James H. Higgins; Eli Whitney and Harvey Building.
E. Lee Enman; High School Building.
Katherine Merchant; High School Building.
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Library
TRUSTEES
ESTHER S. CAPRON Term expires 1941
LUCY G. NASON
Term expires 1941
CHARLES H. REED Term expires 1941
FLORENCE F. AYER Term expires 1942
HAROLD G. CHAMBERLAIN Term expires 1942
FRANK W. FORBES. Term expires 1942
KATHARINE MAYNARD Term expires 1943
FRANCIS X. REILLY Term expires 1943
RUFUS M. SHAW Term expires 1943
BOARD OF ORGANIZATION
LUCY G. NASON, Chairman
FLORENCE F. AYER, Vice-Chairman
KATHARINE MAYNARD, Secretary
RUFUS M. SHAW, Treasurer
FINANCE COMMITTEE
FRANK W. FORBES FRANCIS X. REILLY RUFUS M. SHAW
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ESTHER S. CAPRON CHARLES H. REED
HAROLD G. CHAMBERLAIN
BOOK COMMITTEE
FLORENCE F. AYER KATHARINE MAYNARD LUCY G. NASON
ART COMMITTEE
FLORENCE F. AYER ESTHER S. CAPRON FRANCIS X. REILLY
LIBRARIAN
OLIVE BRAMHALL THOMSON
ASSISTANTS
GLADYS E. AINSWORTH, Children's Librarian
ANN HAYWARD
JANITOR
FRANCIS DODD
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE
WESTBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY :
The report of the librarian for 1940 is herewith sub- mitted.
The total circulation of books during the past year was 39786 volumes, which was a slight decrease over that of 1939. However, I call attention to the fact that the cir- culation of children's books has increased by 1,500, and by 2,500 over that of 1938, which shows how much more
71
interest the younger children are taking in the library.
During the year 529 volumes were purchased for the li- brary, while there were gifts of 116 volumes. We have made a special effort to build up our scientific and tech- nical books, which have been somewhat out of date, and which we feel will be much in use in the present world emergency. The problem of selecting books for a small library is always difficult, for while we must always try to satisfy the demands of those who wish to read the latest best-sellers, we must also try to build up the permanent collection and supply material to the students. We wish to express our appreciation for gifts of books by the fol- lowing donors : Mr. Donald Homans, Rev. Clyde Robbins, Miss Charlotte Denfeld, Mrs. Katharine Maynard, Mr. Charles Spear, Miss Dorothy Taft, Mrs. Brittan's estate, and St. Luke's Church.
During the summer months the main rooms on the first floor of the library were redecorated and modern lighting fixtures were installed, which has greatly improved the ap- pearance and the efficiency of the library.
In March Mrs. Eldridge resigned her position as assist- ant librarian. Miss Gladys Ainsworth was made assistant librarian, in addition to her duties as children's librarian. Miss Ann Hayward, then a member of the senior class in high school, was made part-time assistant, and since her graduation has continued working in the library. Mrs. Eldridge has continued as art librarian, and has arranged the exhibits that have been held each month in Library Hall. In July the Camera Club held a very successful two-day exhibit in the hall.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVE BRAMHALL THOMSON,
Librarian.
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LIBRARY STATISTICS
Number of volumes in library Jan. 1, 1940
24,516
Increase of volumes by purchase 529
From Curtis Fund. 5 vol.
From Farnsworth Fund. 25 vol.
From Belknap Fund. 29 vol.
Increase of volumes by gift 116
Increase of volumes taken from Rental Shelf 57
Number of volumes discarded 318
Number of days library has been open
290
Number of volumes loaned 39,786
Daily average. 138
Smallest number loaned on one day, May 1
50
Largest number loaned on one day, April 13 348
Number of active borrowers
2,145
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PERIODICALS ON FILE IN READING ROOM
Weekly
Life *London News Saturday Evening Post
Time *Westborough Chronotype
Monthly
American
American Boy
American Cookery
* American Girl
* American Legion
American Magazine of Art
Atlantic Monthly
Better Homes and Gardens
Boy's Life
*Commonweal
Current History
Field and Stream
Flower Grower
Good Housekeeping
Harper's
Harper's Bazaar
Hobbies
House and Garden
House Beautiful
Hygeia Jack and Jill
Ladies' Home Journal
Library Journal
National Geographic
*Nation's Business Nature
*Our Dumb Animals
Popular Aviation
Popular Mechanics
Popular Science
Radio News
Reader's Digest
Reader's Guide
Saint Nicholas
Scientific American
*Specialty Salesman
Woman's Home Companion
Quarterly
* Bell Telephone Quarterly
Yale Review
Daily Papers
Boston Herald
New York Times
*Christian Science Monitor * Worcester Telegram
* Gift
CIRCULATION STATISTICS
Non-
Total
Juv. . Non- Total
Total
Adult Fiction
Pay
Fiction
Adult Fiction Fiction Juv. Circulation
January
2067
136
704
2907
723
185
908
3815
February
1961
183
606
2750
726
175
901
3651
March
1956
185
641
2782
935
209
1144
3926
April
1858
178
686
2722
830
173
1003
3725
May
1516
166
509
2191
793
185
978
3169
June
1490
202
445
2137
594
129
723
2860
July
1411
137
394
1942
522
89
611
2553
August
1710
151
509
2370
582
79
661
3031
September
1544
161
484
2189
654
136
790
2979
October
1738
171
519
2428
779
230
1009
3437
November
1776
169
566
2511
903
224
1127
3638
December
1536
159
541
2236
618
148
766
3002
Total
20,563
1998
6604
29,165
8659
1962 10,621
39,786
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Inspector of Animals
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
GENTLEMEN : I have the honor to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
As per the direction of the Director of the Division of Livestock Disease Control of the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Agriculture, I have made report to that body as follows :
Purebred cows 37
Purebred young cattle
27
Purebred bulls 9
Grade cows
679
Grade young cattle
314
Grade bulls
30
Sheep
10
Goats
16
Swine
1,141
All of these animals appear to be free from tuberculosis, lump jaw (actinomycosis), barn itch (mange), and other contagious diseases.
The conditions of the stables, as to cleanliness, light, ventilation, etc., is noted and report made.
There has been brought into the town from other states, cattle to the number of 570. These have been identified by ear-tags and checked for the tests required, i. e., tubercu-
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losis and Bangs abortion disease. These cattle are for re- placement in our herds and the quality is a vast improve- ment over that of former years.
We are fortunate in having no "sleeping sickness" among our horses during the past year.
No case of rabies has appeared among the dogs. There are now between 400 and 425 dogs licensed. A number of these have been given the anti-rabic vaccine, but every dog in the town should receive the preventive treatment.
There have been 27 persons reported bitten by dogs and probably as many more not reported, as only those who apply to local surgeons for attention are reported to the Inspector. These 27 cases were investigated and the dogs confined for a period of 14 days. A large per cent of these cases were of children bitten in their own homes by their own dogs.
Thirty years ago at least 55% of the cattle and a still larger per cent of the swine in town were afflicted with a contagious disease transmissible to man. Today there is not a case.
During the period between 1911 and 1939, or 28 years, the Metropolitan Lift Insurance Co. states that the infant mortality from tuberculosis has been reduced from 45.2% to 5.5%. The Southern Worcester County Health Asso- ciation has stated that tuberculosis is killing 175 persons daily, or one every eight and one-half minutes. Only those who have looked upon the long rows of little graves in our older cemeteries can realize the truth of this fact. The children of Westborough are protected by the activities of the Division of Livestock Disease Control from diseases of animals transmissible to man, and our local Board of Health is giving protection to Westborough children from contamination of the products of animal life to an extent second to none in New England.
DR. CHARLES H. REED,
Inspector.
.
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Moth Department
The past season has been an exceptionally good one for our shade trees. Weather conditions were favorable to maintain excellent foliage throughout the season.
No stripping of foliage was noted in any part of town except by the Elm Leaf Beetle on wild scrub elms grow- ing along the fence rows where they had not been sprayed during the past two seasons. Elm Leaf Beetle still re- mains our major pest and while very little damage was seen on our shade trees along the highways, even where no spray was applied this past season, yet this pest was very plentiful on the wild elms and may increase to a dangerous infestation during the coming summer. This pest must be watched carefully and if found necessary an arsenate of lead spray applied the first part of June to the elm trees in danger of defoliation. The only shade trees that it was found necessary to spray this past season were the elms on Flanders Road where the spraying could not be done the previous year because of new road construction. Many of the large elms in adjoining towns showed the browning along in July and August, due to an uncontrolled infesta- tion of these Elm Leaf Beetles. On warm sunny days during the winter months these adult, greenish, yellow, striped beetles will appear at the windows of our homes, but fortunately can do no damage until they start feeding on the elm leaves in early summer.
Gypsy and Brown Tail Caterpillars were not plentiful
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at any time and seem to be very near the low point in their cycle of abundance. The same applies to the Forest Tent Caterpillar, which seems to be very well controlled by its natural enemies, parasites and disease. Because of these fortunate conditions no control work was found necessary and the town was saved from this expense. The only work done was very careful scouting in many sections of the town so as to keep posted on just what conditions were. From the results of this scouting I recommend that no con- trol work be done for another season for these pests.
The Dutch Elm Disease situation remains about the same as reported last season.
I recommend that twelve hundred dollars be appropri- ated in case it is found necessary to spray our elm trees.
Appropriation $100.00
Total expenses
44.00
Balance
$56.00
H. P. GILMORE, Supt. Moth Dept.
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Special Tree Pruning Appropriation
SELECTMEN OF WESTBORO :
I wish to report to you regarding the tree pruning pro- ject, an appropriation for which was voted at the Annual Town Meeting last, March.
According to my letter to you dated April 3, 1940, the F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company was selected to do this work for the town as they seemed to be the best quali- fied to carry out the work. They started work on April 15th with a crew averaging about six men and completed the work to the extent permitted by the appropriation on June 7th.
The number of hours worked was 1,976 at the rate of about $1.25 per hour. The total number of trees pruned was 1,006, making the cost for pruning $2.421/2 per tree. In addition to this the amount of $415.00 was paid to the town for trucks and labor for trucking away the brush and $145.00 to the Tree Warden, Mr. Hayden, for his help and supervision. making a total of $3,000, the amount of the appropriation, or just under $3.00 per tree.
Work was started at the junction of Milk Street and the Turnpike and all the town shade trees were carefully pruned on all the streets out as far as Chestnut Street on West Main Street and Hopkinton Road on South Street, leaving the section of the town between East Main and Milk Streets yet to be done. Of a total estimated number of shade trees within this area of 1,312 trees, 1,006 trees have been pruned which includes some trees not included
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on the Westboro Tree Plan, leaving some 300 yet to be pruned. There are also about 1,000 shade trees on the main highways of the town outside of this area that should be pruned as soon as possible to protect them from more serius damage caused by the hurricane of 1938.
In the pruning of these trees by the Bartlett Co., first all broken and damaged branches were removed and the wounds treated and then the trees were thinned out and shaped. While the Bartlett tree experts were in town some trees were pruned for private property owners at a rea- sonable cost to the owner. There are about 950 Sugar and Norway Maples, 200 American Elms and 175 of other va- rieties within this area. There are also about 103 trees still standing that were either seriously damaged by the hurricane or are in such poor condition from other causes that it is a waste of the town's money to try and restore or save them and they should be removed as soon as pos- sible so that new trees can be planted in their places. All these trees are located and a description given on the West- boro Street Tree Plan as prepared by Mr. Victor G. Otto, July 1939.
I strongly recommend that the town appropriate money to finish this tree pruning work and also that arrangements be made to take down the 103 worthless trees. If these worthless trees are removed it will then be possible to go ahead with a tree planting project. There are in all about 560 replacements needed to fill in the gaps where trees have been lost and these replacements can be made at no further cost to the town.
Respectfully submitted,
H. P. GILMORE.
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.
Board of Public Welfare
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
Westborough, Mass.
GENTLEMEN : The annual report of the Board of Pub- ic Welfare for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1940, is herewith submitted.
The year 1940 has shown a definite improvement in the relief situation, and although the number of families aided has not been reduced, the amount of aid granted has been less due to the fact that the need has been of shorter dura- tion in most cases.
W. P. A. and N. Y. A. continue to help reduce the Wel- fare rolls and private industry has absorbed some of the unemployed. Unemployment compensation has proved to be one of the greatest aids in keeping families off Pub- lic Relief, as it tides over the periods of unemployment that have so often made Welfare aid a necessity.
Forty-four families, representing 147 persons have been aided under Public Welfare during 1940. Of this number, 19 families are State cases or have settlements in other cities or towns and Westborough will receive full reim- bursement. In addition to the above number. 11 persons have been cared for at the Town Infirmary during the past year.
Ten families have received Aid to Dependent Children during this year and ten were receiving this kind of aid as of Dec. 31, 1940. Old Age Assistance has been granted
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to 153 persons during the year and 134 were receiving it at the end of 1940. On these two last forms of aid the town receives partial reimbursement from the State and Federal Governments.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation of the co- operation it has received from the stores, organizations and other Town Departments of Westborough.
A full detailed financial statement of this department will be found under the Town Accountant's report.
Very truly yours, JOHN R. HALEY, A. F. HITCHCOCK, W. M. BUXTON,
Board of Public Welfare. EDNA H. BULLEN, Clerk.
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Board of Health
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
The Board of Health respectfully submits the following report for the year 1940:
There were 162 cases of contagious diseases reported this year as follows: Erysipelas, 1; Pulmonary T. B., 1; Chicken Pox, 104; Dog Bite, 20; German Measles, 1; Pneumonia Lobar, 4; Measles, 18; Mumps, 2; Scarlet Fever, 7; Septic Sore Throat, 1; Whooping Cough, 3.
RABIES CLINIC
As has been the custom of the Board of Health the last few years, a clinic was held at the fire house for the innocu- lation of dogs as a preventive against another outbreak of rabies.
The serum for this was furnished by the Board with Dr. Boswell administering it. Although the clinic was held for a two-day period there were in all only 47 dogs innoculated out of a possible dog population of 550. The Board feels that this is a very poor showing and hopes that next year the people will be more responsive and will bring their pets to the clinic. Although there has been an appreciable decrease in dog bite and no positives (clinical) have appeared it is the hope of the Board that all citizens will cooperate to help eliminate this disease from our town.
CABINS
The Board of Health has issued four licenses to maintain
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Overnight Cabins in the town of Westboro in compliance with the new State Regulations. This new regulation is to insure the traveling public of clean and sanitary, prop- erly managed cabins in which to sleep. All cabins will be state inspected and checked in regard to their water and sewer systems and to the moral qualifications of those who manage them. All cabins in the town are governed by a set of laws set forth by the local Board of Health. We feel that this will help to set a high standard throughout the Commonwealth.
CANCER CONTROL AND EDUCATION
In cooperation with the State government, Westboro has joined with other communities in the drive to educate the general public in the control of cancer. In our town the general committee has the duty to see that in 1941 programs are arranged and held in all the fraternal organizations on the topic "The Control of Cancer." The local doctors have very generously offered their services as speakers. It is the hope that every organization in the community will endeavor to hold their meeting early and to cooperate in this worthy cause.
MILK
In the past six months the Board of Health has innau- gurated a new system of laboratory test of all the milk that is produced in this town for retail and that which comes into Westboro to be retailed. Large charts are kept and each producer's milk is catalogued on it. At a glance one can see whether or not the producer's milk is up to the pre- scribed standards.
PLUMBERS AND PLUMBING
According to the rules and regulations of the State,
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Westboro must have licensed plumbers. A meeting was held at which the State presented its case to all the local plumbers. Because there were only two licensed men in the town, and not wishing to incur any hardship on any cne particular person the town was given to the end of the year to allow all local plumbers to take the examination and get their licenses.
TUBERCULOSIS
There are at the present time two patients from our town taking treatment in the out patient department at the county hospital and one regular patient.
WELL CHILD CONFERENCE
This conference is sponsored under the District Nurse Association under the local Board of Health. This year. the State Department of Health sent out doctors to co- operate with the District Nurse and the School Nurse to hold this conference on April 2-5, at this time 82 children between six months and school age were examined. There were so many more who desired to have another conference that another was held on May 7 to 10, at which 78 more children were examined, this brought the grand total up to 160. There is held on the third Wednesday of every month a monthly Well Child conference. There were over 211 children at this in 1940. The Board is very proud of the work of these conferences and we feel very grateful for the stellar work of our agent, Mrs. Ruth Tyrrell.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
This clinic is under the supervision of Dr. Walter Ma- honey and School Nurse Helen Schuhmann, R. N. It has done excellent work in 1940. It is held every Wednesday in May at the Eli Whitney School. The number of children taking this is listed below :
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Three doses: Under 1 year, 5; 1 year, 12; 2 years, 14; 3 years, 10; 4 years, 2; 5 years, 10; 6 years, 11; 7 years, 9; 10 years, 1. Total 74. Less than three doses: 1 year, 1; 3 years, 1. Total, 2.
The totals show that there were 19 school children im- munized and 57 pre-school age children were taken care of.
In order that a more complete program may be had for the years to come the Board of Health has had long con- ferences with district doctors. We are planning to hold a complete survey of the town in regard to all things dealing with the health and happiness of the citizens. This will also give to future Boards something to work with. We hope that it will increase the value and efficiency of the Board.
We wish to extend our thanks to the various town de- partments for their cooperation with us.
Sincerely,
PHILIP J. BUTTERFIELD, Chairman. RUSSELL E. WILLIAMS. WILLIAM M. ELLIOTT. Clerk.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF
MILK, MEAT, FOOD AND SLAUGHTERING
Westborough, Mass., December 31, 1940. TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH :
GENTLEMEN : I have the honor to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
SLAUGHTERING
During the year I have inspected and stamped the car-
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casses of two hundred and twenty-one swine, five cattle, four sheep, seven veals and one goat.
While there has been produced a greater number of pork animals than ever before, the condition of the market has been such that our producers have found it more profitable to dispose of them alive and they have been slaughtered in the great abattoirs nearer the market.
MEATS AND PROVISIONS
For many years Westborough has demanded a high quality of food stuffs, and they will take no other. Fre- quent visits to our retail stores give plain evidence of this fact.
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