REPORT OF SEED IMPROVEMENT WORK. 39 



Oats. The plan for improving the oat crop is a rigid system 

 of fanning and grading, and through selection the isolating of 

 superior strains of seed. Report blanks are filled out, giving a 

 detailed record of the raising of this crop as in the case of corn 

 and potatoes. There are members working with oats in nearly 

 every comity in the State and the detailed information received 

 from them regarding the growth and yield per acre will be of 

 immense value in securing superior strains. 



Beans. Owing to the fact that so many members were inter- 

 ested, and desired to practice selection of the bean crop, a report 

 blank has been made similar to those for the other crops. 



Other grains and garden crops. At the present time, there 

 is no report blank for these crops, but as the interest in them is 

 increasing, the Association will undoubtedly take steps along 

 this line in the near future. 



VISITS TO MEMBERS. 



During the summer months I have visited nearly all of the 

 members. The number doing work, with the different crops, 

 is as follows : 



Number of Members. 



Ear-to-the-row method plots of corn 45 



Mass selection of corn 84 



Potatoes 51 



Oats 24 



Beans 7 



Wheat 5 



Barley 3 



Garden crops 3 



At all times when visiting the members I have endeavored to 

 make a special study of conditions and to help in the solution 

 of the various problems which arise. A discussion of the pur- 

 poses and aims of the. Association has been held in order that 

 there might be a better realization of what the work will mean 

 to the agriculture of the State. 



The results of the first year's work have been very satisfac- 

 tory. Much interest is expressed by the members and the re- 

 port blanks have been well kept. Some very interesting and 

 instructive facts have been brought to the attention of the farm- 



