96 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



euthu-sitisin over the tubercle bacteria associated with leguminous crops. 

 In order to rationally present the matter to the farmers of Michigan, much 

 work is necessary. It is unfortunate that this subject should reach the 

 farming classes before it is firmly secured in its application by abundant 

 experimentation; but the very excitement created may perhaps be the 

 means of earlier conclusions. In the meantime, there will be many who 

 will try inoculating and will fail; as a subsequent action these individuals 

 will condemn through ignorance, which is the worst form of condemnation 

 to counteract. The future will establish the worth of these soil or seed in- 

 oculations; the present should be devoted to detailed observations and 

 very careful experimentation with suspended judgment. I am glad to 

 report that Mr. L. T. Clark has prepared a bulletin in which will be given 

 some facts and the present status of the work. 



Mr. W. G. iSackett has prepared a bulletin of a popular character in which 

 he calls attention to some of the bacterial diseases attacking plants. This 

 has been called out by a general unfamiliarity with these diseases. Inci- 

 dentally, in connection with his other work, Mr. Sackett is able to carry 

 on limited studies with some of these diseases and he looks forward to a 

 closer or more intimate knowledge of these troubles found in this state. 



While Mr. Wright is not ready to report out any technical woyk, I am 

 able to say that he is studying Michigan cheese and has already accumu- 

 lated some data. It is hoped that by this work our knowledge will be more 

 intimate and our respect greater for this highh' prized article, so much 

 praised and so much condemned, before it has passed into various mongrel 

 forms through inbreeding and foreign admixture. It seems to me that 

 it deserves consideration and its individuality should be maintained at 

 least in part. 



During the past year it has become apparent that there is a desire to 

 know about the management and manipulation of starters. This is a some- 

 what dillicult matter to explain, because it implies technical operations 

 which are essential to complete success. Last winter Mr. Wright succeeded 

 so well in presenting this subject to the short course students by labora- 

 tory methods which he has made practical that I have asked him to give 

 his work in the form of a popular bulletin. This I shall take pleasure in 

 presenting at the time of completion. 



Some interest for the last two or three years has been manifested in the 

 inhibitive action of fruit and vegetables upon germs, lioth from its bearing 

 upon hygienic problems and from its significance in connection with their 

 preservation. Dr. Wetmore has been studying this problem and has inter- 

 esting data at hand, but she has not progressed to the extent where pub- 

 lication would seem warranted. There are valuable lessons to be secured 

 from these studies and we trust that at least a ])relinunary statement will 

 be possible at no distant date. 



It will be seen from the foregoing that many thanks are due Messrs. 

 Sackett, Wright, Clark, and Dr. Wetmore for their loyalty, patience, and 

 persistency in the work of this department. It would also be unfair to 

 neglect the contributing and most useful value of Mr. Parker. I take this 

 opportunity to publicly acknowledge the gratituile of this department, 

 and my personal gratification for being associated in work with them. 



Respectfullv submitted, 



CHARLES E. MARSHALL, 

 .\,gric.ultural College, Mich.. June 30, 1905. Bacteriologist. 



