8 Report of the Acting Director and Chemist of the 



3. Investigation of several subjects pertaining to forcing vegetables. 



4. Comparison of different lines of treatment in combating some 



plant diseases of economic importance. 



3. Special Work in the Second Judicial Department. — During 

 the season of 1895 a series of twelve farmers' meetings was held, 

 reaching localities in six counties. At these meetings addresses 

 were given by members of the Station staff, assisted bj specialists, 

 Agricultural and horticultural topics of local interest were discussed. 

 A stereopticon was employed in illustrating the different forms of 

 insects and fungous diseases, spraying machinery, etc. These 

 meetings were well attended, and were considered instructive and 

 interesting. The impression made was so favoi-able that there was 

 a very general impression that the meetings should be repeated 

 another year. In addition to this series of meetings, numerous 

 informal meetings were held in several localities during the summer, 

 at which topics pertaining to injurious insects and plant diseases 

 were discussed by members of the Station staff. Mr. Y. H. Lowe 

 and Mr. F. A. Sirrine, Jaave carried on the entomological investi- 

 gations, and Mr. F, C. Stewart has given his attention to the study 

 of plant diseases and remedial treatment for the same. Detailed 

 accounts of the work of these specialists are found in their annual 

 reports, published in this volume, Mr, Paddock, Assistant Horti- 

 culturist, carried on experiments in treating leaf blight and fruit rot 

 of cherries in Orange county. This is contained in the report of 

 the horticulturist, 



A co-operative field test of different brands of commercial fer- 

 tilizers for j)otatoes was conducted in Suffolk county by the chemist 

 of the Station, and the results of the test are published in his report. 

 Two circulars tiesigned to give information about destructive insects 

 were issued so as to call attention to these pests just before they 

 were expected to appear. Circular No. 1, by F. A, Sirrine, treated 

 of the cabbage maggot, and ]^o, 2, by V, H. Lowe, treated of the 

 corn worm. Circular No. 3, issued May 15, 1895, gives a brief 

 account of the progress of the work. Besides these circulars the 

 following bulletins have been issued : 



Bulletin No. 86, by S, A, Beach and W. Paddock, on treatment 

 of injurious insects and fungous diseases. 



Bulletin No. 87, by F, A. Sirrine, on the San Jose or pernicious scale. 



Bulletin No, 93, by L. L. Yan Slyke, on comparative field test of 

 commercial fertilizers used in raising potatoes. 



