Department of Flant-Breeding. 43 



4. Organisations. — This department was instrumental in the organiza- 

 tion of the New York Plant Breeders' Association. The object of the 

 association is to bring together seedsmen, practical farmers, and horti- 

 culturists who are interested in organizing, improving, and disseminating 

 varieties of farm and horticultural crops. The department's connection 

 with this association is a good means for the dissemination of knowledge 

 of the improvement of plants. 



5. Fellowship. — A fellowship has been placed at the disposal of the 

 Departments of Plant Pathology and Plant-Breeding by the Chemung 

 County Agricultural Association and Chemung Valley Fruit Growers' As- 

 sociation, the school boards of Elmira Heights and Horseheads cooperat- 

 ing. The fellowship provides for both research work and extension teach- 

 ing. Mr. I. C. Jagger has been appointed fellow, and although he conducts 

 a field laboratory on the Chemung County Fair Grounds for the purpose 

 of investigations in Plant Pathology and Plant-Breeding, yet much of his 

 time is consumed with work of a propaganda nature. Methods of breed- 

 ing potatoes, corn, wheat, etc., are being demonstrated before the people 

 of that region in a convincing manner, 



6. Educational exhibits. — This division, in cooperation with the ex- 

 perimental division of the department, has prepared exhibits for several 

 fairs, including the New York State Fair. It has also shown educational 

 exhibits on various other occasions, such as Farmers' Week. 



7. Literature. — Several papers on the breeding of plants have been 

 written during the year, notably a series in the Rural School Leaflets 

 on the breeding of corn. 



PLANS AND recommendations. 



This division plans to enlarge its work of instruction, investigation, and 

 extension as fast as funds will permit. The field of breeding New York 

 State crops is almost untouched. Through the leadership of this depart- 

 ment, this long-felt need should be rapidly satisfied. We can do this 

 in two ways : by training students to be leaders in the work in the open 

 country and by coming into direct touch with the country people our- 

 selves. To do this we should have more assistants and more funds. A 

 careful study of the varieties of New York State crops should be made 

 with the object of improving the varieties already existing or of pro- 

 ducing new and better ones. The production and use of good seed is 

 one of the most important factors in obtaining satisfactory crops. In- 

 vestigation and instruction in this line rightfully fall within the sphere 

 of this department. It is hoped that proper facilities and means will be 

 provided to meet this just demand from students and growers for better 

 instruction in the production and use of good seed. 



