244 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ers iutlie neighborhood are invited to be present. At these meetings a 

 general talk is given along cnltural lines, including the identification of 

 insects and diseases. Control methods are also given. Such meetings 

 are very well received as the growers are enabled to get first hand infor- 

 mation about man}' things of which tlieir knowledge is limited. 



These meetings are held so far as possible on farms where one or more 

 demonstrations are being carried on. There were fifty-seven such meet- 

 ings held during the year with a total attendance of eight hundred grow- 

 ers. 



Field Inspection: The work of inspecting certain portions of potato 

 fields for the purpose of seed improvement was continued on the same 

 general plan as it was conducted in 1915. Much more of this kind of work 

 was done by County Agents during the year than heretofore. The agents 

 having been with the Extension Specialists when the inspection work 

 was done have become sufficiently familiar with the work to enable them 

 to do it without the specialist being with them. Many potato growers 

 have learned as a result of this work how to do their own inspecting. 



Field Demonstrations: More and more emphasis is being placed on 

 field demonstrations as the work is progressing. Had it not been for 

 the war a very large number of these demonstrations would have been 

 carried on in 1917. Even under war conditions practically every regular 

 County Agent has been able to get a number of demonstrations started 

 and the prospects are that much more of this work than before will be 

 completed. 



The State Potato Association: The Michigan State Potato Association 

 has been used as a means of securing the cooperation of the potato groov- 

 ers of the state in the potato imiDrovement work being carried on by the 

 College. The annual meeting was held at Escanaba in 1916. The 1917 

 annual meeting will be held at the College during Farmers' Week. A 

 potato show will, also, be held at that time. 



Local Organizations: The potato development work has been carried 

 on very largely with a view of working with groups of men rather than 

 with individuals. Local potato associations have been maintained in 

 many communities. In some cases the work has been carried on through 

 an organization already formed instead of attempting to organize a po- 

 tato association. The "Community Plan" of working has been the 

 thought uppermost in the minds of those responsible for this work, what- 

 ever the method of getting the growers together. 



The Vegetable Work: Because of the demand for work with potatoes 

 the Extension Specialist has not been able to give a great amount of 

 time to other vegetable crops. Bequests for help have been taken care of 

 either through correspondence or personal visits. The vegetable growers 

 are, however, beginning to realize that they may secure help from the 

 College if they make the effort. With the additional facilities for carry- 

 ing on the work Avhich we will have during the coming year much more 

 should be accomplished along this line. 



Lectures: There were fifty-two lectures given during the year at 

 which a total attendance of 5,122 was recorded. This included the Exten- 

 sion Schools, Institutes and special meetings. 



Farm Visits: There were 220 visits made during the year. Many of 

 these were to call upon greenhouse men and inspect their crops. This 

 seems to be the most practical way of helping this class of producers. 

 At the same time these visits helj) to keep the Extension Specialist in 



