60 STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 



further reduced without loss to the gardener, as a large part of them are 

 less valuable than many of the old sorts. 



DISTRIBUTION TO SUBSTATIONS. ' 



As our supply of nursery trees increases we are able to do more in this 

 line, and in 1893 the number of persons supplied was more than twice as 

 large as in previous years, and the increase in the number of trees was 

 even greater. The propagation of the trees affords excellent practice for 

 the students, and by sending them out as above we are not only able to 

 secure a careful trial of the trees in various parts of the State, but are able 

 to place them at points from which they can be distributed among the 

 farmers of the different localities. 



SOUTH HAVEN SUBSTATION. 



The work at this point has been continued under the care of the well- 

 known pomologist, T. T. Lyon, and as the trees first planted are now com- 

 ing into bearing, from this time on, the value of the results will gradually 

 increase. In addition to the variety testing, much valuable work has been 

 done the past year in the line of fungicide tests. The report for the year 

 is now in the printer's hands and will be published as Bulletin 104. 



Some of the trees and plants, notably the cherries, raspberries and 

 strawberries, were more or less injured by the extremely wet weather of 

 the spring of 1892, but they have now nearly, if not quite, recovered. 

 During the year we have increased the number of tile drains where it has 

 seemed necessary, and no further trouble is anticipated. 



The trees in the station orchard at Grayling have made a fair growth 

 <3onsidering the conditions, and thus far appear to be entirely hardy. 

 While it is not likely that any large proportion of the Russian varieties 

 will prove valuable in most sections of the State, their superior hardiness 

 may make them desirable at the north. 



In my experimental work I have been aided by Mr. H. P. Gladden and 

 Mr. R. J. Coryell, who have acted as assistants for several years. The 

 work has for the most been divided befween them, and, with the help of 

 the students of the upper classes, the crops have been grown by them and 

 the notes taken. 



Very respectfully. 

 Agricultural College, ) L. R. TAFT. 



Dec. 31, 1893. 



