Farm Bureau Work in New York State for 1914 2129 



This, in brief, is a story of our work, which is seeking to unite local 

 farm interests, to develop local agriculture, and to make farm life more 

 profitable and country life more enjoyable. 



H. K. Crofoot, 

 Farm Bureau Manager of Cattaraugus County. 



CAYUGA COUNTY 



(Work begun April i, 1914.) 



The first and perhaps one of the most important things accomplished 

 by the manager of the farm bureau was the organization of the county 

 association, which is officered and directed by the farmers of the county, 

 to take the place of a committee of nine men by whom the work was 

 begun. This was accomplished by holding a series of meetings through- 

 out the county for the purpose of acquainting the people with the functions 

 and purposes of a farm bureau. As a result of these and other meetings 

 the Cayuga County Farm Bureau Association was organized, and two 

 hundred and four farmers have become members. 



From April i, to the present date, a period of eight months, the manager 

 has been called to 271 faiTns in response to inquiries regarding alfalfa, 

 soy beans, vetch, and general crops, lime and fertilizers, spraying, pruning, 

 and care of orchards, breeds and breeding, feeds and feeding of live stock, 

 plans for the construction of farm buildings, marketing, storage, and 

 a large variety of questions pertaining to general fami practice. Two 

 hundred and ninety-six farmers have called at the office with similar 

 inquiries. A record of the correspondence shows that 2055 letters have 

 been sent out from the office. Addresses on various topics of interest- 

 have been given at 56 meetings held throughcmt the county, with an 

 aggregate attendance of 3399 ]iersons. Six thousand six hundred miles 

 were traveled in order to do the work. 



In order that the farmers might see some of the most recent theories 

 of agricultural scientists put into practice, nineteen dcinonst rations of 

 the following description were held: three to show that by proper treat- 

 ment of seed, smut in oats may be eliminated; five to show that mustard 

 may be eradicated by the use of iron sulfate; two to show that the tent 

 caterpillar and the codling moth may be controlled; six to study potato 

 diseases and to discuss methods of cultivation and fertilization; one to 

 show methods of subsoiling, ditching, and blowing up stumps and bowlders 

 by means of dynamite; two potato seed plots to show the difference in 

 the individuality of potatoes and to show that the yield per acre could 

 be greatly increased by selecting the seed from the fields. In response 

 to a movement started to improve varieties of com in the county, fifty- 

 two farmers stated that they would begin to improve their com by selecting 

 their seed from the fields. 



The farm bureau had an exhibit at the Moravia fair at which over 

 seventy-five farmers made inquiries. In connection with the exhibit 

 the manager held a stock judging contest in which fourteen boys entered. 

 Material was furnished for the exhibit at the State fair. As a result 

 of suggestions made by the manager at teachers' meetings of rural schools, 

 six exhibits have been held. The purposes of these exhibits have been 

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