112 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



investigations have been continued without changes either in aim or 

 method to interrupt the successful prosecution of the work. 



No conspicuous clumges have been made in the equipment of the 

 station. 



The report of the superintendent of the Upper Peninsula Experiment 

 Station shows that the year 1003 made possible the successful growing 

 of few crops in that northern latitude by reason of excessive wetness in 

 some mouths and a period of drought in others. The late frosts of spring 

 and the early frosts of fall continued during this season and made 

 hazardous the growing of such garden crops as strawberries and such 

 fall crops as corn and beans. While the present climatic conditions con- 

 tinue the resident of the Upper Peninsula will be compelled by these 

 unfortunate frosts to devote his attention to the production of such 

 crops as the frosts will not seriously injure. 



Some notable im])rovements have been made at this sub-station. The 

 land south of the house on both sides of the creek has been cleared 

 of stumps and has been drained. This work has involved a large ex- 

 pense but was absolutely necessary both for the appearance of the 

 station and for the continuation of the plot exx>eriments. 



No changes are noted in the equipment of the sub-station at South 

 Haven. The trees are now in full bearing and the records of yields are 

 invaluable to the fruit growers along the shore of Lake Michigan. 



The reports of the several divisions of the station work filed herewith 

 will exhibit the work accomplished and planned. 



The horticultural work of the station is embarrassed by the fact that 

 the horticulturist finds himself burdened with other duties entirely 

 unconnected with the station, which must necessarily occupy the bulk 

 of his time. It is particularly unfortunate that in a State like Michigan, 

 where the fruit industry is so prominent in the" list of agricultural 

 resources, that the organization of tiie station does not permit of an 

 arrangement by which one trained man may devote his entire time to 

 experiments and investigations in this most promising field. Just now 

 the fruit growers are environed by so many difficulties, their orchards 

 are troubled by so many diseases, the lack of fertility of the soil is bring- 

 ing about sterility and economic conditions, the inability to get at rea- 

 sonable prices suitable and intelligent labor, combined with the com- 

 petition from other fruit growing sections, that it seems to be incumbent 

 upon the station to help the fruit grower by every means within its 

 |>owTr. When the fortunate time shall arrive w^herein one man may 

 devote his entire time and energy to this field then the fruit interests 

 of the State will receive due recognition and a still inadequate i>ropor- 

 tion of the funds of the station. 



During the winter the investigation as to the relative merits of silage 

 and dry corn fodder was continued, using a carload of steers purchased 

 in Chicago, fed through the winter and sold in May. AVhile Michigan 

 will not in the immediate future become a beef-producing State, still so 

 large a number of steers are fattened annually within her borders that 

 the question of the proper method of handling the corn crop to secure the 

 greatest profit in beef production is one of prime importance. It is im- 

 possible to present to the man who has no experience in experimental 

 work the difficulties that environ a question of this kind. If all steers 

 were alike, we should have a measure which would be uniform through- 



