Farm Bureau Work in New York State for 19 14 2143 



as freight rates on lime have been established, so that lime is now available 

 to all stations in the count}^ at a price, in some cases, not over one-third 

 to one-half the amount paid only a short time ago. Two thousand copies 

 of a local bulletin have been printed and distributed, gi\nng information 

 relative to sources, rates, and the like. vSince the organization of the farm 

 bureau, at least one hundred more cars of lime have been used in the county 

 than were used during the preceding equal period. 



Following the organization of the farm bureau, there was an imperative 

 demand for an improved cooperative purchasing and selling service. To 

 this end the Dutchess County Cooperative Association has been organized. 

 To date, its work has been mainly in the purchase of supplies, such as 

 fertilizer, feed, coal, lime, and the like. Lowest wholesale prices have 

 been obtained, and the goods have gone to the farmers at cost, only one 

 per cent being charged by the association to cover the cost of conducting 

 the business. 



A local holstein breeders' association has been organized for the pur- 

 pose of improving this breed of cattle in Dutchess County. 



Two village high schools, at Pine Plains and at Millbrook, have employed 

 special teachers of agriculture for the ensuing year, and the school author- 

 ities at Poughkeepsie are interested in the project. There was no special 

 teacher of agriculture in the county last year. We are cooperating with 

 both of these schools, and shall work with them on some definite projects 

 next year. 



The Arthursbvirg Lycetun, an association of farmers, has been reorgan- 

 ized after being dormant for many years. 



An annual farm demonstration school has been established in the county. 

 The first meeting was held last winter at LaGrangeville, the second meeting 

 will be held at Arthursburg this winter, and another school has been organ- 

 ized at Pine Plains. This work was never taken up in the county previous 

 to the organization of the farm bureau. 



Organized cow-testing work has been started, one association operating 

 in the town of Northeast. Much interest has been displayed in other 

 places. 



A branch of the National Housewives' League has been established 

 in Poughkeepsie. This is a consiuners' organization, which benefits both 

 consiuners and producers. It is backed by a large number of the most 

 influential women in Poughkeepsie. 



The boys' and girls' club work in the rural schools has been placed on a 

 more permanent basis than formerly by being made more local and by 

 the plan of holding several exhibits in the county rather than only one as 

 formerly. This work is supervised directly by the district superintendents 

 of schools. 



Canning clubs for girls have been started at fifteen points in the county, 

 over two hundred girls being registered. A capable instructor has given 

 lessons in canning and jelly making to each group. 



A large number of persons are trying out hardy strains of alfalfa in order 

 to determine if possible whether or not some strains may be better adapted 

 than others to our conditions. 



More chemicals for the home mixing of fertilizer have been used during 

 the past season than ever before. This has resvdted in a great financial 

 saving. 



