78 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



large amount of time, as many of the letters contained a dozen or more 

 questions, some of which could not be answered off-hand. In numerous 

 instances it has been possible to refer the writers to bulletins that have 

 been issued by this or other experiment stations, for a fuller treatment 

 of the subject than could be given in a letter. The Farmers' Bulletins 

 of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, have been found especially 

 valuable for this purpose. 



Although no regular press bulletins have been published during the 

 year the same purpose has been, when letters have been received that ask 

 for information along topics that are of especial interest to the general 

 public, by sending copies of the answers to a number of the papers that 

 circulate in sections where the information will be most valuable. 



L. R. TAFT, 

 Horticulturist. 

 Agricultural College, Mich v 

 July 31, 1902. 



REPORT OF THE BACTERIOLOGIST AND HYGIENIST. 



Director C. D. Smith: 



For the past year we have been concerned with a study of "Aeration of 

 Milk," and the results are now in a process of publication. It is not 

 necessary to enter into a discussion of the work in this place unless it is 

 pertinent to briefly explain the character of the investigation. Our efforts 

 may be considered persistent in seeking the fundamental facts underlying 

 the process. To accomplish this technical science became an essential 

 weapon, consequently our work appears somewhat difficult for perusal 

 by dairymen who are not trained scientifically. This difficulty I have 

 endeavored to overcome by giving the principle practical results in popular 

 form. What else is of worth will eventually seek the light in popular 

 dress and the minds of the least trained in science will learn the facts. The 

 studies heretofore have been scarcely analytical and have thus fallen short 

 of ascertaining the problems involved. Too frequently this is the case with 

 many of our agricultural experiments. Popular en masse experiments are 

 generally unreliable unless preceded by thorough analysis through experi- 

 mentation. A simple tickling of the fancy must be regarded as repre- 

 hensible. Knowledge cannot come without effort from him who seeks, and 

 be poured down as a glass of lemonade. 



The routine work of this department is growing to that degree which 

 requires much attention. Such work keeps us in touch with the needs of 

 the State, consequently we trust that it will redound to the benefit of 

 all concerned. Many specimens find their way to this laboratory during 

 the course of the year. 



The generous granting of a new laboratory to this department by the 

 Board will materially broaden the scope of the experimental work which 



