182 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Leclures: There were fifty-two lectures given during the year at which 

 a total attendance of three thousand four was recorded. This included the 

 extension schools, institutes and special meetings. 



Farm Visits: There were one hundred eighty-eight visits made during 

 the year. Many of these were to call upon greenhouse men and inspect 

 their ci"ops. While it is against the extension policy to carry on work 

 through individuals, there are many cases where it seems this is the logical 

 way to do effective work. By helping certain individuals many nearby 

 neighbors will be benefited. 



Correspondence: The amount of correspondence during the year has 

 been very heavy, the extension specialist having practically all of the cor- 

 respondence in connection with potato and vegetable work. 



In addition, timely articles have been prepared monthly in mimeograph 

 form and mailed to each of the county agents. These in turn have been 

 printed in the county agent bulletins, local newspapers, and used in 

 other ways. A large number of articles have been prepared for the use 

 of the publicity department of the College. Many articles have been 

 written for various agricultural papers. 



Potato Work in the Upper Peninsula: This report does not include the 

 potato work shich has been done in the upper peninsula. J. Wade Weston 

 has had this work in charge. His report will include the work done there. 



ANNUAL REPORT OF EXTENSION SPECIALIST IN 



MUCK CROPS. 



BY EZRA LEVIN. 



The muck problems of the State have become more definite and a 

 clear conception of what is to be accomplished can be had from the resolu- 

 tions adopted by the Michigan Muck Farmers' Association, during their 

 last session which was held Farmers' Week at the College. It was 

 pointed out that the muck problems were distinct from highland problems 

 from almost every point of view, and that these problems could best be 

 solved by men who would give their special attention to muck questions. 

 In Europe they have reached this policj^ where peat experiment stations are 

 common, and peat research is made a special subject. 



The reason for this is apparent when we recognize that in every respect, 

 peat soil differs from high-land soil. To bring this out clearly, it is only 

 necessary to call attention to the actual experience which the writer has 

 had this last year. It was found that not only do the muck farmers of 

 Michigan feel that they have been neglected in the matter of the solution 

 of some of their very important problems, but they have received very 

 often advice which was not accurate nor correct, and which was based 

 on high-land experience. 



All muck and peat soils arc different from high-land soils in these very 

 essential respects; first, while the problem of deficiency in nitrogen is the 

 serious one in all high-land work, it is not at all a problem on muck and 

 peat soils. In fact, the matter of replacing the rapid release of nitrogen 

 is a problem on muck and peat. Secondly, high-land soils are to a 

 great extent made up of mineral, at least more than 90% is of a material 

 which is practically unchangeable, and which has today, and will have 

 for unlimited years, practically the same general chemical and physical 



