ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Again we know that color is not in itself an indication of fertility, 

 and colored water running from the barnyard may contain but little 

 fertility — which statement we sometimes make — but yet is it not 

 w ise to impress the fact that while color does not necessarily signify 

 fertility, if colored water is sweeping /rem the barnyard or from 

 any place in proximity to manure, it is safer to assume that it may 

 contain it and thus avoid the appearance of evil. Wrong impres- 

 sions are often left as a result of failure to appreciate some of these 

 details. 



Conservatism, especially with reference to some of the more recent 

 developments in the field of agriculture, is desirable. While much 

 that might be said may be based upon actual fact, yet statements 

 are likely to be made upon insufficient evidence, the practical de- 

 tails have not been sufficiently worked out or too strong statements 

 with reference to some of these matters may mislead those who are 

 not entirely familiar with the facts. Experiments conducted by the 

 United States Department of Agriculture in Florida, by the Experi- 

 ment Station in Conn., and by the Lancaster County Tobacco 

 Growers' Association, in conjunction with our own Experiment Sta- 

 tion, have shown that Sumatra wrapper leaf of fine quality may be 

 grown under canvas, and if this can be done successfully it will prove 

 to be of great advantage to our tobacco growers. While these ex- 

 periments have in some cases proven quite successful as a whole, the 

 results are not sufficiently comprehensive to make it possible to 

 safely advise anj'one to attempt the growing of tobacco in this way 

 commercially. Therefore at the present time even though it has 

 been done — it is well to take conservative ground and await further 

 developments rather than attempt to advise its use. 



Again, much has been said recently about soil inoculation. We 

 believe in bacteria and in soil inoculation, but too broad statements 

 may lead many to believe that inoculation is all they require to grow 

 large crops of clover and other legumes and they may waste con 

 siderable cash in learning that inoculation is not the only condition 

 required and that even where it may be needed, can not be done 

 successfully unless the other conditions are what they should be. 



And, finally, the institute man is supposed upon all occasions and 

 under all circumstances, to preserve his equanimity and support with 

 dignity his position. 



The CHAIRMAN: The subject is now open for discussion. 



MR. NORTHUP: Mr. Chairman, I am sometimes troubled with a 

 gift of continuance, but I am going to talk just five minutes now, 

 and then stop. I want to talk about the county chairman, with the 

 exception of Lackawanna county. I won't say anything about that, 

 but T believe they are the best class of men that you can get any 



