242 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



KEPOKT OF EXTENSION WOKK IN HORTICULTURE. 



BY J. H. CARMODY. 



At the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1, 1916, a definite horticul- 

 tural project Avas outlined to be folloAved out as closelj^ as possible dur- 

 ing the ensuing year. The following project was outlined in accordance 

 with the provisions of the Smith-Lever Act : 



Section 1. To demonstrate the proper methods of pruning apples, 

 peaches, plums, grapes and other fruits at the proper season. 



Section 2. To demonstrate the advantages (1) of using standard 

 contact insecticides, (2) of spraying peaches at the proper season for 

 Curl Leaf, (o) of summer sprays for the control of fungous disease in 

 orchards and small fruit plantings. 



Section 3. To demonstrate proper methods of grafting and top work- 

 ing orchards. 



Section 4. To demonstrate the proper methods and advantages of 

 thinning fruits. 



Section 5. To demonstrate the proper use of cover crops in orchard 

 practice. 



Section G. To demonstrate proper methods of packing fruits. 



Section 7. To hold orchard field meetings to discuss orchard dis- 

 eases and to acquaint orchard owners with the methods of control. 



The work during the year has been conducted almost entirely through 

 the County Agents. The agents are closed in touch with local condi- 

 tions and as a result, the work can be performed to better advantage. 

 Where there is no agent, as far as possible the Avork is conducted through 

 some local organization such as the grange, gleaners or farmers' club. 



Demonstrations are arranged as far as possible in a regular series in 

 order to cover thoroughly the proper seasonal activities. Pruning dem- 

 onstrations are given early in the spring folloAved by sprajdng, thin- 

 ning, cover crops and packing where such a system can be followed. Al- 

 though pruning work is one of the oldest known horticultural practices, 

 it still seems to be the most popular phase of horticultural demonstra- 

 tion work. 



Particular emphasis was placed, during the past year, on the subject 

 of proper packing of Michigan fruits. Marketing and distribution looms 

 larger in the fruit industry with each succeeding year, but the basis of 

 the industry must always be quality and attractive packing. In this re- 

 gard, a law was passed during the last legislative session providing for 

 a standard i^ack of Michigan fruits. 



Many requests are received for farm visitations. Visitations direct 

 to individual farms from the office are discouraged as far as possible 

 unless there appears to be urgent need for such a visit. 



Assistance was given at seven farm schools during the winter season. 

 At these schools a regular series of lectures pertaining to horticultural 

 subjects was discussed. These meetings are of particular value in that 

 they pave the way for definite demonstration work later on. t;:..- V^. 



