20 Director's Report of the 



It is well to bear in mind that while field experiments for the 

 purpose of studying fertilizer needs, methods of culture and so on 

 are useful, they very seldom and perhaps never answer any funda- 

 mental questions. Such experiments must be regarded as tests of 

 business methods. They do not generally furnish information 

 which is useful for general application, as the results have at the 

 best only a regional applicability. As a matter of fact, each farm 

 is an individual business proposition and the methods of culture 

 and of fertilization should be adapted to it in accordance with con- 

 ditions which may be unlike those of any other farm. What we 

 should seek for are general principles which may be incorporated 

 into farm practice according to prevailing conditions. 



experimental work conducted outside of the station 

 laboratories and grounds. 



There are many lines of investigation and experimental effort 

 where the conclusions reached are of general application. This is 

 particularly true of conclusions concerning the control of injurious 

 insects and fungus pests. It is fair to conclude that any method 

 which proves efficacious in controlling apple scab in Ontario County 

 will have practically equal value in Niagara County. The same may 

 be said of the use of an insecticide. There do not enter into experi- 

 mental work of this kind, conditions as complex or as indefinite as 

 is the case with cultural or fertilizer experiments. 



The experimental work which the Station is carrying on in various 

 parts of the State should not be regarded as mere demonstrations. 

 While it partakes of this character in a certain sense, such work is 

 instituted primarily for the purpose of acquiring information. It is 

 fortunate, however, that it may also furnish object lessons to those 

 farmers or others who take the trouble to observe it carefully. 



During 1914 the Experiment Station has carried on experimental 

 work of various kinds touching 30 problems with 109 cooperators 

 on as many farms in various parts of the State. Below may be seen 

 a statement of the subjects under investigation with the name of 

 the cooperator and the location of the experimental work. Not 

 only the Station but the farmers of the State are under obligation 

 to these cooperators for the opportunity given to the Station for 

 studying important problems. 



