26 AC.KICL'LTURK OF MAINE. 



2nd. By carrying on such investigations and experiments, 

 and by growing and disseminating such new and superior 

 varieties of farm seeds and plants as shall be of benefit to all 

 parties interested in progressive agriculture. 



3rd. By distributing literature bearing upon the work of the 

 association and other agricultural investigations. 



4th. By holding an annual meeting for the discussion of 

 topics and experiments beneficial to the members." 



This association is becoming a power for agricultural better- 

 ment in the state and should be recognized as such and given 

 every assistance and opportunity for development, by the De- 

 partment of Agriculture. 



One of the most important steps taken the past year has 

 been the successful installation of a system of seed certification. 

 The need of such a plan has been recognized for several years 

 by men familiar with the difficulties concurrent Avith the pro- 

 duction and marketing of first quality seed stocks. The need 

 of a system of inspection, under the supervision of the proper 

 authorities, leading 'to certification, or a guarantee of purity as to 

 variety, freedom from disease and ability to produce a large 

 yield, particularly of potatoes, was focussed and brought 

 strongly to the attention of both seed producers and seed buy- 

 ers, by the discovery of the presence of powdery scab in Aroos- 

 took county early in the year. With the aid of members of 

 your department and of the United States Department, the 

 Director and Pathologist of the Experiment Station, the execu- 

 tive committee of the Maine Seed Improvement Association, 

 and prominent potato growers in the state, a plan wasi formu- 

 lated whereby a joint guarantee of the merits of the seed was 

 to be made by the association and by your department. A state- 

 ment was made through the press giving an outline of ithe plan, 

 and the necessity for its adoption, and the certification standard 

 which had been approved by the committee. A rather complete 

 outline of the plan follows: 



POTATO INSPECTION STANDARD. 



There shall be three inspections during the season : 

 The first, during the time of bloom ; the second, as late as 

 possible before harvest ; the third, between harvest and ship- 

 ment. 



