6 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



visited, testify to their appreciation of this branch of our educational 

 work and the value of the service rendered. 



An important part of the educational work of the Department 

 consists of special investigations made and the reports upon the 

 same which from time to time are published by the Department, 

 such for example as soil and climatic conditions in different parts 

 of the State and their adaptability to the production of certain crops, 

 farm buildings, including economy and utility of construction and 

 ventilation, breeding and caring for livestock, and a wide range of 

 other subjects of special importance to farmers. 



Within the last two years an exhaustive survey was made, com- 

 pleted in 1914, of the soils found in the different localities of the 

 State, and investigation was made as to the specific crops to which 

 they are best adapted, the report of which, being too large for a 

 single volume, has been divided into parts, first and second. Part 

 First has come from the press and is now being distributed, while 

 Part Second is still in the hands of the State Printer*. This report 

 will be of inestimable value'to the agricultural interests of the State. 



BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY 



The work of the Bureau of P>onomic Zoology, to which has been 

 assigned also the special work of the Department in the line of 

 fruit production, is both educational and administrative. It is well 

 organized and all its operations are conducted upon definite and 

 well defined plans, carefully followed out under the direction of the 

 Economic Zoologist of the Department. 



Original investigations are made for the discovery of successful 

 means for suppressing diseases and destroying insect pests to which 

 fruit trees and fruit producing shrubs and plants are subject, some 

 of which are now being used not only in our own State, but are be- 

 ing recommended and used by Economic Zoologists and Entomolo- 

 gists in other states and countries. 



Demonstration orchards have been established by this Bureau of 

 the Department in every county of the State, making it possible for 

 any citizen of the Commonwealth who is interested in fruit growing 

 to reach a Model Demonstration Orchard in less than a half day's 

 drive from his home. 



This special work was, so far as we are able to learn, originated 

 in this State; and while other states have since taken it up, there 

 are at this time as many such Demonstration Orchards in this State 

 alone, as there are in all the other states of the Union combined. 



In order to be able to do this demonstration work in which ap- 

 proved methods of fertilizing, cultivating, pruning, spraying, etc., 

 are shown, it was necessary, in the beginning to take under special 

 training a corps of intelligent men, who had the advantage of some 

 experience in fruit growing, until they became fully qualified for 

 the work they had to do. This force has been kept up by adding to 

 it new men from time to time to take the places of such as drop out. 



During the last twelve years, all the orchards of the State, old 

 and young, have been inspected, the work being done with a view to 

 reach all classes of owners, from the wealthy farmer with ample farm 

 orchard and the extensive fruit grower with his commercial orchard, 



♦Part Two, since the above wss written, lias been publisUed, 



