REPORT OF SECRETARY. 



Gentlemen of the Board of Agriculture : 



In the cycle of time the day is here for reviewing the work of 

 the year, that we may know what has been accomplished and make 

 plans for future improvement. The crops for the year 1908 have 

 not yielded so bountifully as for some other years, but after all 

 damage from a bad season, overflow, and the ravages of insects, 

 we find that the Missouri farmer has produced sufficient for home 

 use, and some to spare. The aggregate product of all farm crops 

 is considerably less than for the previous year, but on account of 

 better prices the aggregate value is about the same. Our reports 

 show a marked tendency towards greater diversification of crops, 

 more definite systems of rotation, and the introduction of crops 

 that will produce a greater food value per acre. These things have 

 been taught through the publications of the Board and of the 

 Agricultural College and Experiment Station, and farmers' insti- 

 tutes, and that our teaching has been sound is evidenced by the 

 fact that thousands of farmers are taking up the methods demon- 

 strated by the Experiment Station to be good. 



During the year, this office has arranged for and conducted 

 260 farmers' institutes, at which 35,000 farmers were in attend- 

 ance. In addition to the regular institutes, the State Highway 

 Engineer has held a number of road meetings which were usually 

 attended by a large number of farm.ers and road officers. Also, 

 almost every week, articles on timely subjects have been prepared 

 by some one connected with the office and sent out to the agricul- 

 tural and county weeklies of the State. The 40th Annual Report, 

 a book of 507 pages, and twelve numbers of the Monthly Bulletin, 

 have been published during the year. These publications have 

 contained information on practically every subject relating to crop 

 growing, on dairying and on breeding and feeding farm live stock. 

 The wide range covered by the twelve bulletins is indicated by the 

 following titles : 



(21) 



