EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 223 



Station, also the same is true in regard to several greenhouse insects. In 

 the southern part of the State the chinch-bug demanded some attention as 

 also did the leaf-hopper on potatoes and some household insects, and mill 

 insects. About two days of each month were expended in an effort to control 

 the flat-headed treg-borer in cooperation with the Experiment Station. 



Apiculture. 



The purpose of this work has been to give instructions in all lines of bee- 

 keeping, with special reference to disease control. This instruction has been 

 given to groups of beekeepers when possible, both by lecture, conversation 

 and demonstration. Special effort has been made to give instructions in 

 an apiary where various conditions could be pointed out, and suggestions 

 made. Those present have often seen disease for the first time at such meet- 

 ings and a demonstration of its treatment. The results of this work extend 

 beyond those present, for when one man in a neighborhood learns to detect 

 and treat disease, to use better methods, his neighbors, learning of his success, 

 also adopt better methods. 



During the winter months, one and two-day beekeepers' schools were 

 held in twenty-four counties. The schools held early in the season, which 

 was especially favorable to farm interests, were not largely attended, but as 

 the season advanced the attendance and interest increased. Even a small 

 group of beekeepers, giving two days to lectures and demonstrations means 

 better beekeeping in that county. Miniature appliances, the blackboard 

 and such equipment as we could secure from local beekeepers, were used for 

 demonstration. In several places, young people from the high school attended 

 the school. This suggests that some time of the specialist could very profit- 

 ably be given to such schools as have agricultural instruction. This could 

 be made a time and place to rally the local beekeepers. 



This has not been so much a year of organizing, as strengthening and direct- 

 ing the activities of counties already organized. One county has been 

 organized, which makes thirty-six counties with beekeepers' organizations. 

 Other counties should be organized, esjDecially in the north. 



Several automobile tours have been made, with instruction and field demon- 

 strations along the way. The interest taken and the opportunity will 

 warrant much more of this kind of work. 



HOUSEHOLD ENGINEERING AND DRAINAGE. 



The drainage work which has been carried on during the last two years 

 in St. Clair county was completed last year and has already shown results. 

 About 22 carloads of tile were shipped to that county this last winter to be 

 put in this spring, where, during previous years, practically no tile was ever 

 used in the county. Four traction ditching machines are now operating in 

 the county. The demonstration plots have produced very favorable results 

 agriculturally. 



Similar work has been started in Sanilac county this spring. However, 

 economic conditions are somewhat adverse to arousing interest in this work. 

 The price of tile has not become adjusted to the prices for farm crops and the 

 farmer is naturally somewhat slow to purchase tile under present conditions. 

 However, three or four demonstration plots have been lined up in that county 

 and one meeting has been held and we expect by continuing this work we will 

 arouse more interest in drainage. 



