2144 Farm Bureau Circular No. 6 



In 19 13 the county siiffered a heavy loss from oat smut. Last spring 

 we printed and distributed 2000 cards giving directions for the control 

 of this disease. Next spring we plan to follow up this work with a large 

 number of actual demonstrations of how to stamp out this disease. 



Directions for spraying have been given to those desiring them. A 

 new apple insect, the redbug, appeared in large numbers for the first time 

 last spring. We disseminated information relative to its identification 

 and control. Farmers will be on the lookout for it next spring, and will 

 be prepared to use control measures if necessar}^ 



In the county, a serious potato disease is prevalent regarding which 

 there is very little accurate information. We have arranged with the 

 State College of Agriculture for the establishment of a field laboratory 

 within the county next summer for the study of the disease, provided the 

 required sum of $250 can be raised. 



We have cooperated with the State College of Agriculture in the studv 

 of forest conditions in the county, and the college is preparing a bulletin 

 giving the findings of the survey with recommendations for the improve- 

 ment of our wooded areas. 



We have on very numerous occasions brought State and Government 

 experts to the county for special work and published such of their findings 

 as would be of interest to the public. 



F. H. Lacy, 

 Farm Bureau Manager of Dutchess County. 



ERIE COUNTY 



(Work begun February i, 19 14.) 



Although the farm bureau of Erie County has been organized for onl}- 

 eleven months, much has been accomplished during that time. It was 

 necessary first to get in touch with the agriculture and the people of the 

 county in so far as we could. The manager accomplished this by attending 

 the local granges and other meetings, which had been arranged, and 

 describing a farm bureau and its work. 



One of the first duties of the manager was to get out an announcement, 

 of which approximately 3500 copies have been distributed. Later a 

 supplement was issued, of which 1500 have been distributed. 



At the beginning of the growing season, a series of five orchard demon- 

 strations were held, at which actual demonstrations of pruning, spraying, 

 and other orchard practices, were given. The total attendance at these 

 meetings was 189. 



The manager soon learned that there was a great deal of interest mani- 

 fested in the county in the starting of alfalfa. Farmers in many places 

 who had not been successful in starting this valuable forage crop were 

 visited on their farms, and instructions were given according to the best 

 and latest knowledge available, especially according to the practice of 

 the men in the county who were growing alfalfa successfully. Because 

 so many asked the question, " What is the best kind of seed for me to 

 procure," it was decided to procure a quantity of the hardy Black Hill 

 alfalfa seed from the Dakotas and to try out experiments in different 

 parts of the county, comparing this seed and its resultant crop with the 



