EXTENSION DIVISION. 181 



Some of the specific things which we have been attempting to encourage 

 through the putting into effect of the potato project work are: 



Section I — To demonstrate the advantage of: 



(1) The tuber unit method of improving the seed. 



(2) Hill selection of tubers for seed. 



(3) Greening or green sprouting of the seed. 



(4) Seed treatment to prevent scab and black scurf, (Rhizoctonia). 



(5) Testing different growers' seed. 



(6) The proper use of commercial fertilizers. 



(7) Close planting on productive soils to increase yield and to re- 



duce the percentage of oversized tubers. 



(8) Spraying with Bordeaux to prevent blight. 



Cooperation with County Agents: This w(5rk has been carried on al- 

 most entirely in cooperation with county agents. In each instance the 

 agent selects the men with whom the work is to be done; advertises meet- 

 ings; and assists the extension specialist in getting to and from the meet- 

 ing place. 



Field Meetings: The number of field meetings which were held during 

 the year was considerably reduced for the season, because of the fact that 

 the growers did not have the time to give to these meetings. There were 

 ten meetings held during the year, with a total attendance of one-hundred 

 fifty-three. 



Standardization of Varieties: One of the achievements of the year was 

 the accomplishment of what had been encouraged since the work began 

 in the matter of the standardization of varieties. The formation of the 

 Michigan Potato Growers' Exchange, largely through the efforts of Hale 

 Tennant, was a means whereby it was possible to bring about this result. 

 The exchange which is composed of over five thousand growers, voted to 

 make the late Petoskey (Golden Russet), the standard variety for Michigan 

 in all sections where the soil is of a sandy nature. In this way many of 

 the varieties which had been grown heretofore in certain sections were 

 given up in favor of the iate Petoskey. 



Cooperation with the Potato Exchange: The potato project work as a 

 whole has received the hearty support of the officers of the Exchange as well 

 as of the individual members of the local exchanges who apparently showed 

 more interest than ever before. Work was also done in an effective manner 

 in cooperation with various Gleaner exchanges. 



Field Demonstrations: While it is realized that field demonstrations 

 are among the most important features of the potato work, it was thought 

 best not to urge the growers to engage in this sort of work to any great 

 extent during the period of the war because of the shortage of labor. How- 

 ever, many growers have carried on certain practices which have proved 

 profitable in the previous demonstration work. 



Vegetable Work: The demand for work along vegetable fines has been 

 chiefly in connection with the Boys' and Girls' Club work, and the Home 

 Vegetable Garden work. There has been a considreable amount of work 

 carried on in cooperation with the greenhouse men of the state. Such re- 

 quests for help as came to the office were taken care of through corres- 

 pondence or personal visits. 



