1915.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 15 a 



There appears to be a feeling among market gardeners, who 

 point to the analogy of the action of the State in the interests of 

 cranberry growers, that the State should make special provision 

 for the establishment of a substation to be devoted to their in- 

 terests. Numerous important reasons may be urged in favor 

 of such action and doubtless it should ultimately be taken. I 

 believe, however, that for the present the needs of the market 

 gardeners can be fairly met if funds be appropriated for the 

 employment of a suitable man who shall spend his time, during 

 the jDeriod of active oiDerations at least, on the market gardens 

 in different parts of the State. Our market gardeners are 

 among the most intelligent and progressive of our farmers. 

 They understand the practical details of their business and apply 

 to them a very high degree of intelligence. They do not par- 

 ticularly need assistance along these lines. The troubles which 

 they experience and those in which they need the assistance of 

 the experiment station are in my judgment for the most part 

 connected with abnormal or disease conditions affecting their 

 crops. They most need the assistance of a plant physiologist 

 and mycologist, — a man able to diagnose plant diseases, to de- 

 termine whether they are physiological or mycological in origin 

 and who can advise on the proper course to be pursued. Such 

 a man will undoubtedly in many cases discover diseases not yet 

 fully understood. 



If the policy of a substation be adopted it will be necessary 

 to provide an expensive laboratory and equipment ; for pathologi- 

 cal, mycological and bacteriological work are impossible without. 

 Such a laboratory and equipment we now have at the station in 

 Amherst ; and a suitable man working among the market garden- 

 ers would be able to collect and send material for investigation 

 to this laboratory, where specialists already employed would be 

 able to give it prompt attention. 



This traveling expert would also be able to study and make 

 records of the local conditions. He should of course be a good 

 man — a man of considerable experience as well as careful 

 training. A man, however, might be found thoroughly qualified 

 for work of the kind under discussion at a lower salary than 

 would be needed for a man fitted to carry on laboratory investi- 



