Nov., 1910.] ANNUAL REPORTS. 23 



pletc knowledge of the diseases of the state. By this means the department 

 has had the franking privilege for specimens of diseased plants and has thus 

 often been able to secure more material, larger specimens and a better knowl- 

 edge of the diseases as they occurred. 



Relations to the Public. 



A number of Rikcr Mounts have been prepared illustrating the most serious 

 plant diseases of this section. These have been sent out to fairs, horticultural 

 meetings, etc. The department has had a series of lantern slides made showing 

 the diseases of the apple and the results from spraying. These have been used 

 in illustrating lectures upon this subject. 



The correspondence of the department has had a marked increase within 

 the past two years. Most of the inquiries have been in regard to the 

 identity and prevention of diseases, but there have been frequent requests 

 for the identification of weeds and other plants. 



Needs of the Department. 



One of the great needs of the department is an opportunity to become more 

 familiar with the conditions of the state. Its slat ion expenses are met almost 

 entirely from funds that must be used for research work and there is, therefore, 

 little opportunity for its staff to give time to demonstration work, to the pre- 

 paration of illustrative material or to a study of conditions in various parts 

 of the state. Much of the time of the department is required to meet its 

 teaching obligations and there have frequently been calls for the investigation 

 of diseases reported to be serious at times when the college and research work 

 required the entire time of its staff. A small increase in the amount of money 

 paid to the department for salaries would enable it to place one member of 

 its staff entirely on station work. This, together with a fund that could be 

 used in extension work, would enable it to be of much greater service to the 

 public by making it possible to visit different parts of the state, to learn about 

 diseases as they occur, to carry on research work in harmony with the needs 

 of the state, to make demonstration experiments, and to give more time to 

 the preparation of demonstration material. 



REPORT OF THE DAIRY DEPARTMENT. 



FRED RASMUSSEN. 



During the past two years the Dairy Department has not been officially 

 connected with the Experiment Station, for the following reasons: 



(1) The equipment and facilities were inadequate for doing experimental 

 work. 



(2) The department staff consisted of one man whose time was required 

 for teaching and for work on a new dairy building, which lias just been com- 

 plete! 1. 



The department has, however, taken care of considerable correspondence, 

 supervised the official testing of dairy cows and execution of dairy laws. 



