FOLLOW-UP WORK 



As the farm bureaus are established in the different counties of 

 the state, the need for follow-up work on the part of the Bureau 

 of Farmers' Institutes ceases. During the past year most of this 

 work was dl)ne by Mr. D. P. Witter in the counties of Tioga, 

 Steuben, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates, in none of which 

 were there farm bureaus except Tioga, which was organized in 

 January, 1916. Unquestionably, the organization in that county 

 was the result of Mr. Witter's work. That such work is effective 

 is indicated in the following recital of a few of its results: 



In the year extending from June, 1915, to June 1916, Mr. 

 Witter made 283 visits at 135 farms in Wayne, Yates, Cattarau- 

 gus, Chemung, Lewis, Ontario, Steuben, and Tioga counties. 

 Some of the farms where assistance was most needed were visited 

 on several occasions, and the length of each visit varied from five 

 minutes to four hours. The nature of the advice given differed 

 greatly in different localities. 



In Wayne County, which is in the fruit belt, 49 farms were 

 inspected and 122 visits made, and 95 per cent of the informa- 

 tion given related to the care of orchards. The remaining re- 

 quests for aid concerned the laying of tile drain and the improve- 

 ment of alfalfa, rye, and vetch crops. The great mass of work, 

 however, consisted in orchard improvement. The burden of Mr. 

 Witter's teaching everywhere was the need for thorough spraying. 

 Aphis, scale, and redbug were fourid about equally, but to a lesser 

 degree apple tent caterpillar, oyster-shell bark louse, or one of the 

 leaf rollers were at the seat of the difficulty. In one instance 

 scale was detected as the source of infestation when the farmer 

 himself had not even known of the existence of such an insect. 



A sample report from- one farm- indicates the work and results : 



" September 10, 1915. Some scale on fruit. The spraying, which 

 has been done by hired help, has not been thorough. A promise of 

 better work next year was given. Apples with mildew were taken 

 for information. 



[4!)21 



