No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 23 



THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF 

 FARMERS' INSTITUTES FOR THE SEASON OF 1906-7. 



Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 1, 1908. 



To the Honorable N. B. Critcbfield, Sec7'etary of Agriculture: 



Sir. — I have the honor to present herewith the Thii'teenth Annual 

 Report of the Division of Farmers' Institutes. 



In presenting this brief report of institute work for the past year, we find the 

 field constantly expanding, the interest on the part of the farmer deeper and 

 more intense. This conclusion is not arrived at alone from the vast numbers 

 that attend the meetings, but also from the deep interest manifested on the part 

 of the audiences, who ask questions of the instructors and join in the discussion 

 of problems confronting them in their farm operations. Were it possible to pre- 

 sent in this report a panoramic view of the progress made by the Pennsylvania 

 Farmer within the past decade (largely as a result of teachings at the Farmers' 

 Institutes) the picture would be more striking than words can demonstrate. On 

 every side we see the old-hap-hazard methods, that formerly answered the pur- 

 pose, abandoned and in their stead installed modern and approved methods. 

 This statement is evidenced most emphatically in the discarding of old and out- 

 of date machinery and purchasing the improved, which by the scarcity and high 

 wage scale performs so important a part in all farm work. The careful cultiva- 

 tion of the seed bed for all crops. The growing of the various leguminous 

 plants, most valuable not only for animal feeds, but also for enriching the soil. 

 In Animal Husbandry whatever be its distinctive line, we find the stock bred 

 and fed for a special purpcse; if it be the dairy cow, she bears the dairy type 

 and her feed is of the quality intended to stimulate milk production. The old 

 substantial high walled but dark Pennsylvania barn is being remodeled, prap- 

 erly lighted and ventilated, and new barns, when erected, more fully conform 

 to all the sanitary requirements so essential to the health of the animal and 

 purity of her product. Sheep Husbandry is at present on the increase, greater 

 attention is given to selection of flocks for special purposes, the growing of early 

 lambs for market is an inviting field for persons located near the larger cities. In 

 other portions of the State the Delaines and other wool producing breeds are 

 measurably profitable. Perhaps the greatest enemy of this important line of 

 animal industry is the dogs. We earnestly urge upon the Legislature the ne- 

 cessity for more stringent laws restraining aM dogs from running at large, when 

 not in charge of their owners. It ill becomes a State so well adapted to sheep 

 husbandry to permit so great an industry to be driven out because of being 

 overrun by a pack of worthless dogs. 



Possibly in no direction had greater advancement been made than in the man- 

 ner of handling poultry; the old dung-hill flock has been replaced by the 

 thoroughbred, of some one of the leading breeds, the well equipped house has 

 superseded the old cherry-tree, as a roosting place, carefully prepared rations 

 are regularly given results obtained are the most satisfactory, demonstrating 

 that for money invested greater profits are obtained than from either horses, 

 cows, swine or sheep. From reasonably accurate reports during the past year 

 eggs to the value of $15,000,000 were produced. 



So earnest have the farmers become in learning the best manner of growing 

 fruit, especially the apple for the growth of which Pennsylvania is better 

 adapted than most states of the •^Jnion, our institutes are teaching how to 

 plant, cultivate, prune and spray, also the varieties suited to the different soils, 

 altitudes and climatic conditions. Under intelligent direction our State is des- 

 tined to pass from the second to the first rank in Fruit Growing. 



Through the agency of the Farmers' Institute the farmer is rapidly learning 

 how shamefully he has for the past century treated "Mother Earth," taking 

 from her year after year the crops she bore and giving back nothing in return 

 until she became unproductive. He now studies the soil he cultivates, know- 

 ing full well that properly handled it becomes an active moving, living force, 

 inhabited by insect creatures and bacterial agencies working day and night, 

 summer and winter for his best interests. Yes, the farmer now knows that 

 his occupation Is joined to the great natural forces that move the world and as 

 he ■works in harmony with these forces will he succeed to the highest degree. 



