322 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



farmers. Another especially valuable feature of live-stock improve- 

 ment has been the transferring from one community to another of 

 sires of worth. Nine hundred and sixty-nine such animals were 

 saved from being sent to the block. One hundred and forty-three 

 cow-testing associations, 90 live-stock breeding associations, and 142 

 hog-cholera control associations were organized. In those districts 

 where hog cholera was epidemic, the agents were active in promot- 

 ing control measures. Through the influence of the agent, 204,304 

 hogs were vaccinated for cholera either by veterinarians or by 

 farmers. 



Work in Relation to Fertilizers. 



The agents gave instruction in the home mixing of fertilizers on 

 6,779 farms. Correction of soil acidity was an important problem 

 in many sections. Agents developed 310 local sources of lime and 

 introduced 77 limestone crushers or grinders. These small mills are 

 frequently owned by a cooperative association. A total of 160.618 

 tons of limestone was used during the year on the suggestion of the 



agents. 



Work in Relation to Farm Business. 



One of the most important projects undertaken by the county 

 agents during the past year was that relating to farm-management 

 demonstrations or assistance given to the farmer in determining the 

 factors that make for success or failure in his farm enterprises. This 

 project was developed in cooperation with the State farm man- 

 agement demonstration work. Four thousand four hundred and 

 seventy-five farm analysis records were taken by county agents. 

 Four thousand six hundred and nineteen farmers were induced 

 to keep farm accounts, either partial or complete. Another impor- 

 tant phase of the work was the promotion of the organization of 

 local farmers' exchanges to facilitate the interchange of products 

 between farmers. The total value of business done through these 

 exchanges amounted to $341,110. In addition to this the exchanges 

 performed a valuable service in the renting of farms, securing of 

 labor, etc. One hundred and ninety-three farms were rented through 

 these exchanges and 2,935 farmers supplied with farm labor. In 

 many counties the problem of marketing farm products is a most 

 acute one. The agents encouraged and gave assistance in the or- 

 ganization of cooperative marketing and purchasing associations. 

 One hundred and sixty-four such associations were organized by 

 agents during the past year. These organizations did a business of 

 the amount of $3,575,373, effecting an approximate saving of 

 $377,975. The most important marketing associations have been in 

 connection with the shipping of live stock. Two such associations, 

 one in Michigan and one in Minnesota, each marketed through its 

 associations in excess of $500,000 worth of live stock. 



Work in Relation to Farm Homes. 



Many of the county agents have had definite projects relating to 

 the improvement surrounding the farm home. Probably the most 

 important of these is one relating to the installation of water-supply 



