64 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



going on in the average barn yard, by leaching out, washing away and 

 heating. In a careful estimate the loss from these causes alone to 

 the farmer amounted annually to over sixteen millions of dollars. 

 As a result of careful teaching on the part of Farmers' Institutes 

 during the past few years, great improvement has been made in the 

 handling of this most valuable product of the farm — in the construc- 

 tion of the stable by using absorbents, and in better grading and 

 cementing of the barn yard, thus preventing the leaching out and 

 washing away of vast quantities of valuable fertility so urgently 

 needed upon the farm. Even the casual observer cannot fail to notice 

 the awakening of farmers through the medium of institutes. He is 

 rapidly learning that upon ihe fertility of his soil depends his hope 

 for an abundant and remunerative crop. The condition of his soil 

 must be studied and known; its wants supplied, and the seed bed 

 prepared properly with reference to the supplying of moisture and 

 fertility (in solution) from which the plant may receive nourishment 

 and bring forth fruitage. 



So diversified is the farming of Pennsylvania, that no branch of 

 animal industry can be omitted from the scope of topics discussed at 

 our- institutes. The dairy cow, her food, care and management; the 

 bai'n, how ventilated in order to procure pure air and preserve a uni- 

 form temperature; the proportions of protein, carbohydrates and fat 

 contained in feeds, in order to produce the greatest quantity of milk 

 to a profit. Great numbers of cattle are being fed this winter for 

 beef, and feeders are confronted with the problem of high priced corn 

 (70 cents per bushel), hay (|14 per ton), oats (oO cents per bushel), with 

 brans and concentrated foods correspondingly high; yet a reasonable 

 profit seems to be in store for the feeder should beef continue to sell 

 at present prices. Fruit growing is scarcely second in importance; 

 vegetables and small fruits; the insects that prey upon them, how 

 controlled and subdued. All of these vital problems are made the 

 subject of careful consideration at our meetings. Hence the farmer, 

 handling the things of nature, can only hope to succeed, in so far as 

 his work is carried on, in strict conformity with the great natural 

 laws which enter into soil fertility, plant growth, animal life, etc. 



To the dissemination of such truths, scientific and practical, as will 

 openuptohis mind the best methods to be followed in his chosen lines 

 of farm operations, is one of the important functions of the Farmers' 

 Institutes. During the entire season of 1900-1901, there were held 

 835 days of institutes and 848 sessions, with an average attendance 

 at each session of 170, and a total attendance of 144,328. The total 

 cost, embracing hall rent, local management, advertising, etc., was 

 $37.00 per day. Herewith is appended the dates and places, in the 

 five different sections, where institutes were held, also names of 



