2142 Farm Bureau Circular No. 6 



have had to turn to farming. As it is a dairy community, it seemed 

 necessary to obtain an outlet for milk and to encourage the farmers to 

 produce milk, w'hich would help bring up the fertility of the soil. 



In order to obtain a closer relationship between one farmer and another, 

 between sections, and between the people of the county and the farm 

 bureau, a paper called The Delaware County Farmer is published. This 

 paper is used to emphasize certain kinds of farming that are of interest 

 to the farmers in Delaware County. Through the medium of this ]oa]oer 

 several animals have been bought and sold by farmers, and several men 

 were placed on farms as laborers. 



The interest in pure-bred stock is increasing through the efforts of a 

 holstein-friesian breeders' association that has been formed. 



In sections where potatoes and apples are grown for commercial pur- 

 poses, potato and apple shows have been held, showing varieties and the 

 effects of breeding. 



The top-dressing of pastures has demanded considerable attention, and 

 much interest has been shown in the work of renewing old pastures. 



Reforestation has been demonstrated on several farms, and considerable 

 attention is being given to this line of work. 



One project that seems important deals with giving boys and girls an 

 equal opportunity to stay on the farm; this is being done through boys' and 

 girls' clubs in cooperation with the district superintendents of schools and 

 the farm bureau. It seems to be the best way to reach many farmers, and 

 besides it gives the boys and the girls an incentive for work and good living. 

 Two such clubs were foiined in this county, and great enthusiasm and 

 interest has been shown, especially in fruit, vegetables, poultry, sewing, 

 bread making, and general cooking. It engenders thoroughness, accuracy, 

 and business ability in the ypung people, so that they are recei\'ing train- 

 ing for their future work. 



The holding of meetings in district schoolhouses during the winter 

 months, will tend to bring about closer cooperation and will give an oppor- 

 tunity to reach the farmers in groups rather than as indi\dduals. 



When we can reach the farmers in groups and can get them to cooperate 

 with us, the educational value of the farm bureau will be doubled, and 

 the most effective work will be accomplished. 



T. M. Avery, 

 Farm, Bureau Manager of Delaware County. 



DUTCHESS COUNTY 



The Dutchess County Farm Bureau was organized July i, 19 13. The 

 work so far has been one of pioneering and of developing a spirit of co- 

 operation. 



Briefly we will call attention to what might be termed steps in agricvil- 

 tural progress within the county during the year, in all of which the fann 

 bureau is deeply interested, and in the bringing of which to their present 

 status the farm bureau has been more or less instrumental. 



A freight rate of $1 per ton, reduced from $1.60, on ground limestone 

 was secured to all stations in the county on the Central New" England 

 Railroad. This greatly encouraged the use of lime and has saved the 

 farmers, to date, $18 per car on forty cars, or $720. Fair prices as well 



