220 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion of tree and small fruits covering the whole question of tree and small 

 fruit cropping, sod mulching in connection with the use of commercial ferti- 

 lizers, and the use of these forms of plant food to supplement the stable 

 manures. Next in importance has been the problem of insect and disease 

 control. But few demonstrations were given in spraying. Large numbers 

 of pruning demonstrations were asked for in sections where little spraying 

 was practiced, and spraying was far more important than pruning. 



Fertilizer demonstrations have been carried on largely in Berrien and Van 

 Buren counties, but some demonstrations have been put on in sixteen other 

 counties. 



POTATOES AND VEGETABLES. 



The main purposes in view in promoting potato production are lower 

 cost of production, better quality of seed and table stock, more stable market, 

 greater net profit to growers and greater value per dollar for the consumer. 

 The methods of attaining these results are, hill selection of seed, planting 

 seed plots, green sprouting of seed, seed treatment to prevent scab and scurf, 

 comparative tests of seed from various sources, use of fertilizers, closer plant- 

 ing on fertile soils, spraying with Bordeaux mixture and poison, and careful 

 grading and storing. 



Ten of the highest yielding strains of the late Petoskey or Russet Rural 

 potato have been isolated and developed. Over 1,000 bushels of this 

 high grade seed has been distributed to potato growers who will compare it 

 with their own seed, and who will furnish the records of yield, etc. 



The Michigan Potato Producers' Association through the assistance of 

 the Potato Specialists inspected 269 acres of potatoes for certification. 

 Of this number 192 acres passed the inspection and were certified. Ap- 

 proximately 26,000 bushels of certified potatoes were sold during the year. 

 The primary object of the inspection and certification service is to im- 

 prove the quality and yield of the potato crop in Michigan by eliminating 

 low yielding strains, diseases, and undesirable varieties from the seed stock. 



During last season six hundred bushels of Michigan certified seed potatoes 

 have been placed in southern Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa in 

 demonstration plots. Through the cooperation of the Michigan Potato 

 Producers' Association careful records will be kept of each plot. The 

 object of this work is to compare the Michigan certified seed with seed from 

 other sources. 



In connection with the certification work 131 strains of Russet Rural and 

 Green Mountain potatoes are being tested in a ten acre demonstration plot 

 in one of the southern counties of the State. 



Through the cooperation of the Michigan Potato Producers' Association 

 ten bushels of Select Early Ohio and Irish Cobbler seed were secured from 

 Minnesota and Wisconsin. Ten demonstration plots are planted with this 

 seed. An effort is being made to develop a high yielding, disease free strain 

 of early potatoes, 



A variety test demonstration consisting of 29 varieties is planted on the 

 horticultural grounds at the Michigan Agricultural College. Through the 

 cooperation of the county agricultural agents over 20 seed plot demonstra- 

 tions and four tuber-unit plots have been planted. Four seed treatment 

 demonstrations; three planting date tests and four seed cutting demonstra- 

 tions are planted. Five fertilizer and planting distance demonstrations have 

 been started. Six spraying and three dusting demonstrations are being 

 conducted. 



