144 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



To spend his entire time in the interests of improved fanning in tlie section, 

 studying the methods and j)ractices of the most successful farmers who are 

 following the Aarious types of farming; to visit the farmers on their farms, 

 study their plans, and aid them iu formulating better plans. 



To study every phase of all the farms he visits, so that he may know what 

 methods, crops, and systems are best for the locality, and .-it all times, wherever 

 he goes, to give the faruK'rs the benefit of the information he gets, including 

 the results of scientific investigations conducted by the various experiment 

 stations and the United States Department of Agriculture relating to all kinds 

 of farm practice. 



The first of these county agencies was established in Bedford 

 County, Pa., three years ago. Agi'icultural conditions were at a low 

 ebb. Reports for the past season show that 8,000 acres of corn have 

 been grown by improved cultural methods and the use of selected 

 seed, with an average increased yield of 5 bushels per acre; 6,400 

 acres of clover from inoculated northern seed; 1,500 acres of soy 

 beans, a crop wholly unknown before this work started ; 200 acres of 

 rape for hog pasture, replacing either grass pasture or none; and 

 300 acres of alfalfa. No attention had ever been given to the apple 

 crop before this work began. The orchards were neglected. Now 

 the trees are being pruned and sprayed under the agent's direction, 

 and the fruit is carefully graded, packed, and shipped under label. 

 This affords an instance of where a latent industry may be developed 

 under this plan. The value of the results of improved methods in 

 this county for the past season is not less than $135,000. 



The next county agent was located in Broome County, N. Y. In 

 this case the Binghamton Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware, 

 Lackawanna & Western Railroad are cooperating financially toward 

 the work, which is directed jointly by the New York State College of 

 Agriculture and this department. 



This method of cooperation with business organizations has met 

 with general approval, and the demand for this work is far beyond 

 the ability of the department to meet. At the last session of Con- 

 gress $300,000 was appropriated for this work. There are now 

 about 75 county agents in various parts of the country, and others 

 will be established as fast as means and competent men can be had. 



The methods of cooperation here mentioned are similar to many 

 that have since been established. In every case the work in the State 

 is conducted in cooperation with the agricultural college or experi- 

 ment station, either with or without aid from other organizations. 



ENTOMOtiOGY. 

 EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH OF SERVICE. 



Sixteen years ago the entomological service of the department was 

 ranked as a division, and it had on its rolls 21 employees ; the statu- 



