264 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



livestock counties. All members of the Farm Crops Department, in ad- 

 dition to the regular Extension men, are aiding in the alfalfa worlv. 



The immediate success of alfalfa and better clover campaigns were 

 made possible, largely due to the excellent seed supplied in quantity from 

 dependable sources by the Farm Bureau Seed Department. Over two 

 hundred and eighty thousand pounds of Grimm alfalfa and approximate- 

 ly three hundred thousand pounds of northern grown common have been 

 distributed in Michigan. Home-grown alfalfa seed played an important 

 part in increasing the acreage in many counties under favorable seed 

 producing conditions of last year. Over 150,000 pounds of Michigan 

 grown alfalfa seed was used in JSIichigan, the first time that home-grown 

 seed was of importance. 



CROP VARIETAL STANDARDIZATION. 



Mr. H. C. Rather reports as follows : 



The work of crop improvement in Michigan is carried on in close co- 

 operation with the Michigan Crop Impro\-^inent Association, the Seed 

 Department of the Michigan State Farm Bureau, and County Agricultural 

 Agents and their supporting organizations. During the past year, there 

 have been held demonstrations in seed production, selection and im- 

 provement with more than 300 farmers. Along with these demonstrations 

 there has been given information concerning proper cultural practices, 

 treatment for disease, and various other matters relating to crop produc- 

 tion which make for greater efficiency and economy in this phase of 

 agriculture. 



Seventy-five of these co-ioperators successfully met the pedigree.] seed 

 requirements of the Michigan Crop Improvement Association and thereby 

 made available 10,000 bushels of Rosen, 6,500 bushels of wheat, 14,000 

 bushels of oats, 2,000 bushels of barley, 3,000 bushels of beans, 1,000 

 bushels of soy-beans, and 1,500 bushels of corn, grown from improved 

 varieties developed or approved by the Michigan Agricultural College, 

 ]»ractically all of which was used for seed purjjoses. In addition, thous- 

 ands «f bushels of seed of these varieties, but a generation or so remove.l 

 from certified seed, were planted and are exerting a potent influence for a 

 more profitable crop production. 



A mailing list of 700 including farmers, county agricultural agents, 

 elevator and seed houses, received from this department during the year 

 six news-letters, eight printed circulars along with other matter relative 

 to seed improvement. The circulars have a wide dissemination other 

 tlian the regular mailing list and 5,000 copies of each were sent out. 



The message of better seeds was carried to visitors at county fairs all 

 over Michigan. Standard exhibits on improved varieties, weed control 

 and other seed topics were furnished to thirty-eight county fairs by rout- 

 ing them over five different circuits and a larger and more comprehensive 

 exhibit, attended by crops specialists, was shown at the Western Michigan 

 Fair at Grand Rapids and the Michigan State Fair at Detroit. 



An exhibit extending over G8 feet of wall space and showing the co- 

 operation of the Michigan Agricultural College and the Michigan Crop 

 Improvement Association in the development and dissemination of im- 

 ])roved croijis varieties was shown at the International Grain and Hay 

 Show in Chicago. Michigan farmers themselves, most of whom had i^- 



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