36 Report of the Director. 



though somewhat increased in variety and extent. The three main 

 objects of the work that have been Icept steadily in view are: 



1. To gain information in regard to the soil and crops experi- 

 mented with. 2. To extend the educational influence of experiments 

 both to the farmers doing the work and to their neighbors who 

 observe them. 3. To promote closer relationship, and a better 

 understanding between the farmers of the state and the College of 

 Agriculture. Positive advantages are being made toward the 

 attainment of each of these objects. 



While perhaps little of the data obtained from these experiments 

 may be classed as scientific and is hardly suitable for publication in 

 bulletin form, yet to the farmers doing the work and to their neigh- 

 bors it has a highly practical value. But of more importance than 

 the gaining of a few facts is the establishment of the habit of asking 

 questions of the soil and of the crops and watching carefully for the 

 answers to those questions. The more complex and difficult the 

 agricultural conditions become, the greater the necessity for habits 

 of close observation. Experimentation cultivates such habits. 

 Many farmers have been encouraged to undertake on their own farms 

 the solution of problems of personal, practical interest to them. 

 An effort is made to visit each experimenter during the season. 

 These visits to the farms and the exchange of letters in connection 

 with the experiments lead to the discussion of many subjects outside 

 of the experiment that are of vital importance to the farmer. The 

 farmer learns where he may obtain information bearing upon his 

 problem, while the college gets a view of many questions from the 

 farmer's standpoint and is better able to adapt its work to meet 

 his needs. 



As the farmers and institutions of the state having agricultural 

 interests become more familiar with the college and its facilities for 

 rendering them assistance, the college receives an increasing number 

 of applications for personal visits to the farms that the problems may 

 there be considered and the possible solutions suggested. Inasmuch 

 as improved methods adopted by one farmer become the subject of 

 observation and imitation by others, it is considered legitimate, 

 so far as possible, to comply with these requests. 



Investigations along the following lines are in progress, but as 

 reports have been received at this writing from but a small portion of 

 the experimenters, it is not possible to state conclusions. 



Alfalfa. — A study of the adaptation of the soil and climate of 

 New York to the growing of the crop. The experimenter to report 

 the conditions existing, the manner of treating the crop and the 



