Commissioner of Agriculture 319 



Attention is particularly called to the detailed report of the 

 women's work. Never has it been so well systematized, nor has 

 the force been so efficient and so well adapted to meet the needs of 

 rural life, and never has this work been received with like favor. 

 No phase of the various lines of the work carried on by this bureau 

 has given greater returns, or promises more for the future. After 

 more than a decade of honest endeavor along this line, the women's 

 home work is now firmly established, and occupies a place in no 

 way second to that pertaining to the farm. The system of reports 

 of rural conditions, by the women workers, has given a detailed 

 knowledge of matters pertaining to rural life in the various parts 

 of the State, as well as the names of local workers, which will ad- 

 mit of more efficient service along this line than ever before. As 

 soon as the way is clear a woman assistant will be installed in 

 charge of the women's work, thus prosecuting it with more intel- 

 ligence and vigor. Some special work of this sort has already 

 been done, Mrs. Harrington having visited five sections where 

 institutes had been held, continuing and extending the work. 



The Agricultural College, Experiment Station, secondary 

 schools, Conservation Commission, 'Syracuse State College of For- 

 estry, and the State Education Department, have given freely of 

 their best in the futherance of the work. State Entomologist Felt, 

 in cooperation with, this Bureau, has undertaken a series of experi- 

 ments in combating the codling moth in Monroe. Orleans, and 

 Niagara counties, details of which will be presented a year hence. 



The close relations between the institutes and farm bureaus 

 have not only been maintained but strengthened. In January 

 last, Hon. Calvin J. Huson placed the farm bureau work, as it re- 

 lates to the State Department of Agriculture, in charge of this 

 Bureau, which has helped to " strengthen the cords and lengthen 

 the bands." 



As shown under the special divisions of this report, the cow- 

 testing work, farm bulletins, State Fair exhibit, individual cor- 

 respondence, have all been maintained, and their scope and effi- 

 ciency enlarged. 



The Bureau was represented at the National Dairy Show at 

 Chicago by Mr. D. P. Witter. The National Association of Farm- 

 ers' Institute Workers at Washington, D. C, was attended by 

 Director van Alstvne. bv two of the women workers. Mrs. Ida S. 



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