304 STATE BOARD OF AGRIOULTURiE 



previously been arranged and advertised by county agents. There has 

 also been considerable interest in selection demonstrations with the live- 

 stock judging at county fairs. This interest seems to be on the increase 

 and will do much to fix correct type in the minds of beginners and 

 breeders that do not get out to the larger stock shows. County breed 

 associations are a great aid in extension work. 



The greatest factor in putting across this work has been the work of 

 county agents. Practically all meetings and demonstrations have been 

 arranged by them or in co-operation with them. Some time was spent 

 in training Bo^'s' and Girls' Club Members in live stock judging in co- 

 operation with club leaders. 



Considerable time has been spent recently in working up material for 

 an extension bulletin on Swine Feeding. 



From the U. S. Department of Agriculture assistance would particularly 

 be appreciated along the line of methods of extension that have proven 

 successful elsewhere. Much literature has been available to me which 

 is greatly appreciated and any personal help will be gladly accepted. 



REPORT OF EXTENSION WORK IN HORTICULTURE 



BY T. A, FARRAND 



The more important lines of work followed during the season of 

 1922 were: 1st, general orchard and fruit fertilization, with demonstra- 

 tions and experiments as to its economic use in fruit growing. 2nd, 

 Spraying for the control of insects and diseases. 3rd, Pruning in which 

 case a large number of field meetings were asked for and held. Along 

 other lines a few grafting demonstrations were asked for in the Upper 

 Peninsula, top-working some undesirable varieties into sorts better 

 adapted to that section for market purposes. 



Some very important work was done in making surveys where grapes 

 and other fruits were being planted in relation to sites, elevation, etc., 

 to avoid continuous losses from low temperatures in winter months and 

 also to lessen the danger of damaging frosts in late spring and early 

 fall. A plant disease survey of raspberry plantings was made in Van 

 Buren and Berrien Counties. The party was made up of specialists 

 from departments at .Washington, Michigan Agricultural College, County 

 Agents, representatives from the canning industry, and a large number 

 of growers. 



The conclusions reached after this survey were: 1st, the disease con- 

 ditions were such that the life of the red and black raspberry industry 

 in Michigan Avas threatened. 2nd, the extension service should assist 

 and, if necessary, formulate such plans as wonhl help eradicate the 

 diseases. 3rd, The extension service should stimulate interest in better 

 cultural practices through fertilization, cover crops, and a general soil 

 building program, because observations indicated that many plantations 



