34 



Report of the Acting Director. 



and demonstrations were given on dairying, cow-testing, butter-making, 

 poultry-raising, alfalfa-growing, improvement of pastures, and other 

 important agricultural topics. A special poultry exhibit was arranged 

 and presented in one car of this train. 



3. A Farm Special over the New York Central lines in northern and 

 northeastern New York. Four days, May loth to 13th. Attendance, 

 8000. Special lectures and demonstrations on dairying, pastures, forestry, 

 etc., as above. 



4. A Farm Special over the Lehigh Valley Railway in central New 

 York, Two days, May 9th and 14th. Attendance, 1711. Special lectures 

 and demonstrations as above. 



5. A Farm Special over the Ithaca-Auburn Short-line. One day, 

 May i8th. Attendance, 887. Special lectures and demonstrations as 

 above. 



The experience gained in the special train teaching indicates that espe- 

 cially good results follow the demonstration and exhibit features. The 

 outfitting of the trains at Ithaca enables the inclusion of illustrative 

 animals, as cows, poultry, etc., and apparatus for demonstration. 



In so far as possible it has been the plan to run these trains in coopera- 

 tion with the State Department of Agriculture and the agricultural schools 

 of the sections traversed by the trains, and we are pleased to acknowledge 

 the efficient aid furnished by the State Department of Agriculture, the 

 State School of Agriculture at St. Lawrence University, and by the State 

 Forest, Fish and Game Commission. I desire in this connection to call 

 special attention to the service to the State and to this institution which 

 the various cooperating railways have rendered. The train service in all 

 cases has been furnished free of expense to the State or the College, and 

 this generous, public-spirited policy on the part of the railways of the 

 State is worthy of special commendation. 



The other features of the extension work, such as special lectures, co- 

 operative experiments, Farmers' Week, and the like, are being constantly 

 extended, yet we are ever reminded that the work falls far short of what 

 it should be and what is imperatively demanded to accomplish the results 

 which the conditions require. More work should be done with individual 

 farmers. Demonstrations on their own farms in spraying, growing 

 alfalfa, renovating pastures, selecting and improving corn and potatoes, 

 and the like, bring the lessons home to them. Numerous cooperative 

 experiments of this nature should be arranged in various parts of the 

 State for the benefit of the immediate communities. The College is 

 earnestly endeavoring to enlarge its service to the State in this direction. 

 The available funds, however, are insufficient to allow the work to be 

 expanded to fully meet the obligations resting upon us. 



