SEED IMPROVEMENT MEEITING. 20$ 



work and in the development of superior strains of corn from 

 which later could be selected one or more strains that would 

 best answer the needs of Maine farmers than any other plan 

 he could think of. Dr. Twitchell was asked why he preferred 

 selecting his seed when the tips of the husks are dry and the 

 body green rather than from an ear fully matured. The answer 

 was that he had been so advised by Mr. James J. H. Gregory — 

 the veteran seed man — and had found by experience that it 

 was the best plan, but that it was, of course, a thing for others 

 to try out and demonstrate for themselves. 



At this time ]\Ir. Frank Lowell, special committee on pota- 

 toes, made an informal report which was accepted by the 

 Association. Tt is impossible to print this report as no manu- 

 script has been furnished the Secretary. 



This report was followed by demonstrations in Corn Judging 

 conducted by Professor W. L. Slate, Jr., University of Maine, 

 and in Oat Judging conducted by Mr. E. A. Stanford, Farm 

 Management Expert, West Kennebunk. 



A judging contest in corn and potatoes for the Bell-Merrill 

 cup was held in Exhibition Hall, which was participated in by 

 nine of the members present and was won by Mr. Guy C. 

 Porter, of Houlton, with an average score of 90. 



Evening Session 7.30 O'Clock, 



The evening session was given over to a most interesting 

 paper by Professor >\I. F. Barrus, of Cornell University, which' 

 follows. 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISEASE RESISTANCE IN 



PLANTS. 



The extent of our natural resources appeals to the pride of 

 every American citizen. We are proud of our extensive grain 

 fields which keep not only ourselves but the whole world from 

 hunger, of our splendid orchards producing many varieties 

 of fruits of both temperate and tropical regions, of our mag- 

 nificent, forests which supply us with the timber needed for 

 building and for use in the industries. We take pride in our 



