BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 443 



the yield on demonstration farms was from 100 to 000 per cent 

 greater than on adjoininiz; farms where the instructions of the depart- 

 ment were not followed. As in former years, demonstrations in 

 many localities were conducted on lari^e acreajres, and high yields 

 were obtained on farms ranging from 100 to 1.000 acres in size. 



A practically complete restoration of confidence in ability to grow 

 cotton successfully under boll-weevil conditions has followed as the 

 result of demonstration work in the infested territory in the past few 

 years. The methods and practices followed on the demonstration 

 farms are fast being adopted by farmers generally, many agents 

 reporting that 50 per cent of all farmers in tlieir territory follow 

 instructions almost as closely as do the regular demonstrators and 

 cooperators. 



Corn DE:NroNSTRATiONS. — The corn crop of the Southern States 

 was considerably less in 1911 than in 1910, owing to the long-con- 

 linued drought, which was especially severe in Texas, Oklahoma, 

 Arkansas, and Louisiana. Notwithstanding this fact, the average 

 yield on all demonstration farms, except in Texas and Oklahoma, 

 was but little less than in 1010 and generally larger than in 1909 or 

 any previous year. That the South produced as large a crop of corn 

 as it did in 1911 w^as largely due to the influence of the demonstra- 

 tion work. 



Grass DE:sroNSTRATioxs. — A new and very promising line of work 

 begun during this year is that of demonstration in grass. One hun- 

 dred demonstration farms of 1 acre each were established in 20 

 counties in South Carolina. An average yield of 3,146 pounds of 

 cured hay at an average cost of $23. GG per acre was produced, and 

 in some instances as much as 5.000 or 6,000 pounds of cured hay 

 per acre was harvested. These highly satisfactory results have stim- 

 ulated great interest in grass growing, especially in South Carolina. 

 A vigorous grass campaign has been started in North Carolina, Vir- 

 ginia, and other States. It is expected that 5,000 or more alfalfa 

 demonstrations will be started this fall in Virginia alone. 



Work ix flooded territory. — In the overflowed section of the 

 Mississippi Valley, conditions have been very bad. When the water 

 receded it was often impossible to get labor and stock back on the 

 land in time to plant crops. When planted the crops in many 

 places have been totally destroyed l)y insects. The demonstration 

 agents in this territory have endeavored to aid the people in every 

 po.ssible way. In connection with other ofTiccs, a bulletin on emer- 

 gency conditions was prepared and distributed. Demonstration 

 agents have been able to render much assistance in collecting and 

 distributing seeds and plants for those who were unal)]e to replant 

 without such assistance. In cooperation with the director of the 

 experiment station and the State relief committee, agents in Loui- 

 siana distributed about $30,000 worth of suitable seed, and mucli 

 work of the same character has been done by our agents in the other 

 States. Every effort is being made to encourage the planting of fall 

 and winter crops, in order that the people of this section may be 

 able to live and carry their stock through the coming winter. 



FAi;>r PRACTICE. — The general improvement in farm methods and 

 practices and in rural conditions, noted in other years as among the 



