590 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



scattered over the State it has so slight a foothokl that the effort 

 to dispossess it is worth making-. This can best be done by destroy- 

 ing all affected plants, or at least burning the "brush" or dead tops 

 in the fall of the year. 



Spraying for plant diseases, as well as to destroy predaceous in- 

 sects, has been of great benefit in numerous cases, but it should not 

 be forgotten that its greatest benefit comes when it is done so early 

 as to anticipate the attack. Coincident with this should be an eye 

 quick to observe what individuals or Vvhat kinds are weak-growing, 

 and hence easy subjects for disease, and what are strong and resist- 

 ant. Unfortunately the latter, desirable as they may be, because 

 of their ability to resist disease or their immunity from insect attack, 

 are sometimes not producers of the best quality or quantity of use- 

 ful product, while the former may be particularly valuable for this 

 reason. Such a contingency raises the most difficult question which 

 the gardener and fruit grower have to meet, and must be decided 

 according to the peculiar conditions appertaining to the case. The 

 Kieffer pear is a vigorous growing, productive variety and but lit- 

 tle subject to disease; the Bartlett less vigorous and productive, 

 and more subject to disease. Under these circumstances whether 

 to grow Kieffer pears or Bartletts is a puzzling question. 



Other inquiries were of miscellaneous character and of less gen- 

 eral interest. To all of them it is my purpose to reply so fully and 

 definitely as I am able to do, and my services and the facilities of 

 my department are always available to reasonable requests. 



The CHAIRMAN: The report of Dr. Frear, Chemist of the Board. 



The SECRETARY: There has been no report handed to me. 

 (The Secretary subsequently wrote Dr. Frear asking him to send 

 his report to be printed with the proceedings of the meeting.) 

 The following is Dr. Frear's report: 



REPORT OF TliE CHEMIST. 



By Dk. Wim.ia.m Freau, Chemist. 



Among the cattle foods recently introduced in large volume upon 

 the market have been dried brewers' and distillers' grains. Numer- 

 ous inquiries have been received respecting the composition and 

 feeding value of these preparations. During the past twelve years. 



