EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 217 



were so striking that in the spring of 1921 some 100,000 pounds of pure 

 northern grown Grimm Alfalfa seed were sold to Michigan farmers through 

 the State Farm Bureau seed department. It is believed that the alfalfa 

 seed demonstrations have accomplished a great deal for Michigan agricul- 

 ture in that they have brought about the success of thousands of acres of 

 excellent alfalfa stands, the value of which is inestimable. 



The soy-bean demonstrations have added much impetus to the soy-bean 

 production this year, especially to the growing of the superior varieties and 

 to the producing of pure seed of the same. 



Farmers in general are anticipating the planting of an exceptionally large 

 acreage of soy-beans next year due to the failure of their clover seedings this 

 year. In that Michigan is now producing a large acreage of pure seed of the 

 best adapted varieties, it is thought that the extension service rendered with 

 soy-beans will prove to be of considerable value to our farmers next spring. 



This year the Farm Bureau seed department found that a great per cent 

 of clover seed produced in Michigan is not of the desired high quality, 

 consequently every effort is being made to raise the standards of the 

 growers by encouraging the eradication of weeds, preparation of good seed- 

 beds, and the use of lime and acid phosphate. 



It is impossible to measure the extent of interest in much of the field work, 

 as these demonstrations are teachers whose lessons are constantly being spread 

 in the conversations of the many interested persons who visit them. 



In order to more fully emphasize the lessons which the various demonstra- 

 tions teach, special farm crops tours are being planned in cooperation with 

 county agents. On these tours farmers will visit the various fields in groups 

 while the extension specialist explains the purposes and results of the demon- 

 stration. One county tour has already been held and seven more are sched- 

 uled for the summer. Demonstrations emphasized are seed, forage, and 

 green manuring uses of Hubam clover, variegated and common types of 

 alfalfa, alfalfa cultural methods, sweet clover for hay and pasture, variety 

 tests and demonstrations of pedigreed grains, demonstrations of corn improve- 

 ment by the ear-to-row method, etc. 



Considerable time has been spent in conference with county agents in plan- 

 ning yearly crops programs, and particularly in carrying the methods of 

 experienced agents to those just beginning work. 



Great emphasis has been laid upon education by means of crops exhibits. 

 I^arge crops displays, educational in nature, and with one or two members of 

 the Farm Crops department in attendance, were shown at the State Fair, 

 Detroit, the Western Michigan Fair, Grand Rapid^, the International Grain 

 and Hay Show, Chicago, and Farmers' Week at M. A. C. It has been the aim 

 to emphasize some important phase of crops work in these displays by high 

 quality material, enlarged photographs and a few short but emphatic signs. 

 Large detailed charts have been avoided as expensive and unattractive to 

 the great majority of people who visit these fairs, and must of necessity receive 

 their impressions hurriedly. In addition to the large displays, fourteen 

 county fairs were served with smaller exhibits emphasizing the importance of 

 pedigreed seed. 



During the coming season large education displays will again be shown at 

 Detroit, Grand Rapids, Chicago and M. A. C, and the work with county 

 fairs Avill be greatly enlarged. Already plans for exhibits are under way to 

 meet the needs of thirty-four county fairs which have requested them. 



Last spring a start was made in corn improvement work throughout the 

 State by the ear-to-row method. The difficulty has been to get improved 



