•l6 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



Agent for Moth Work. The demand for the improvement of 

 seeds and plants led to the establishment of the office of Field 

 Agent for Seed and Plant Improvement, a work now in charge 

 of the Assistant Dairy Instructor. The work of state certifi- 

 cation of seeds introduced this year requires the employment 

 of half a dozen men as inspectors for a period of several weeks. 

 The law of 1911 made the Commissioner of Agriculture the 

 State Sealer of Weights and Measures, and this work was 

 placed in charge of a Deputy Sealer. 



The legislature of 191 3 made an appropriation to study 

 market conditions, which led to the establishment of the Bureau 

 of Marketing and Purchasing Supplies. In the same year the 

 legislature placed the execution of the law for grading, packing 

 and branding apples with the Commissioner. This required the 

 employment of five inspectors during the shipping season. The 

 same legislature placed in this department the execution of the 

 laws demanding the inspection of fertilizers, feeds, seeds, insec- 

 ticides, fungicides, drugs and foods. The Bureau of Inspections 

 was organized, with a Chief Inspector at its head, and under 

 him several deputies. 



Thus is briefly outlined the growth of the department in late 

 years. The department should be removed from political influ- 

 ence as far as possible. We recommend that the term of the 

 Commissioner be made six years instead of two years. 



W^e wish to acknowledge here the hearty support given our 

 work by the Governor and Council, the State Grange, the 

 Pomona and subordinate granges, the College of Agriculture, 

 the Experiment Station, the press of the state, the various 

 boards of trade and chambers, of commerce, the Dairymen's 

 Association, the Pomological Society, and various other farm 

 organizations. In fact, all the people of the state have coop- 

 erated whenever opportunity offered. 



I am deeply indebted to all the members of my staff, clerks 

 and stenographers, for their cheerful, faithful and loyal work. 



