Niagara County: Its Agriculture and Its Farm Bureau 2099 



6. By giving advice on various agricultural subjects. From the first, 

 the farm bureau has been called on for advice concerning a great range of 

 farm matters. Such questions as relate to fertilizers for given crops demand 

 both a knowledge of the required elements for crop growth and a familiarity 

 wdth the soils on which they are to be grown. Questions regarding spray- 

 ing require knowledge of insect life, of fungous diseases, and of spray 

 materials, besides a knowledge of the resistance of plants. Questions 

 on marketing require a knowledge of proper methods of packing, crop 

 conditions, and market preferences. It is only by having considerable 

 practical experience in fruit growing and in general farming, together with 

 technical training in agriculture and the assistance of a good agricultural 

 library, that the manager has been able to answer these questions. 



WORK accomplished BY THE LOCAL BUREAU 



On entering the county, the first effort made by the farm bureau 

 manager was that of becoming acquainted with the farming of the county 

 by a study of the soils, the topography, and the organizations representing 

 farmers. The next step was that of studying the best methods of farming 

 in use in the county by personal visits to some of the most progressive 

 farmers in each locality, and of becoming familiar w4th their methods of 

 farm management, the crops grown, the fertilizers applied, and the stock 

 kept. The next effort was that of getting acquainted with farmers. 

 This was accomplished by attending farmers' meetings, by newspaper 

 articles, and by personal calls at farms. From the first, the granges, 

 the farmers' club, and the newspapers of the county have cooperated 

 with the fann bureau in its work. 



As the manager became better acquainted with the conditions, certain 

 needs became apparent, and he has been working toward the solution 

 of these more important problems of general interest to the farmers. 

 Among them are included cooperative marketing, seed selection, drainage, 

 better orchard management, use of lime, growing of alfalfa, and agri- 

 cultural education for the farm boy and girl. 



It has been the practice to respond to personal calls for farm visits 

 whenever possible. At first all requests could be met; but for the past 

 few months, neither time nor funds would permit responding to all calls. 

 The method of travel is by train and livery, and the area covered, with 

 the time and money available, is necessarily small. 



In order to come in contact with a larger number of farmers, the bureau 

 has adopted the plan of sending to farmers letters containing timely 

 advice on important subjects, and also publishing " Timely Hints to 

 Farmers " in the county papers. 



Summary of the principal results of the farm bureau during the first twenty- 

 two months of operation, ending December ji, 1914 



Four hundred and twenty farmers have been visited on their farms, 

 and the manager has received 425 calls from famiers at his office. 



Forty-one farmers' meetings have been addressed, with a total attend- 

 ance of 5971 persons. 



Thirty-four agricultural article? have been furnished to and published 

 by the papers of the county. 



