1920.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 9a 



ment has consequently been limited to some minor problems 

 in marketing and in farm ownership in which data could be 

 gathered by students and temporary assistants. 



There are numerous problems in agricultural economics 

 which should be investigated as soon as the means of the 

 station will permit. 



In the department of agriculture the field experiments with 

 fertilizers and crops were rearranged at the beginning of the 

 growing season, and it seems unnecessary to print a detailed 

 report until another year's results have been secured. An 

 important development in this field is the demand for definite 

 information about the efficiency of various natural sources of 

 fertility, such as pulverized minerals, peat and various forms 

 of bacteria, which are being promoted by interested parties 

 with somewhat extravagant statements of results obtained by 

 their use. 



The important projects of the department of horticulture 

 with apples and peaches progressed favorably. A section of 

 horticultural manufactures was instituted late in the year, but 

 must await additional appropriations before any extended in- 

 vestigations can be conducted. There are exceptional oppor- 

 tunities for expansion in horticulture, as shown by the following 

 statement submitted by Professor Waugh: — 



Extensive work in the manufacture of fruit products ought to be taken 

 up at once. The need of work in these lines is very great and very pressing. 



Several lines in floriculture ought to be put under way. We have 

 really never done much of anything for the florists. The new and drastic 

 regulations with regard to plant importations have very seriously upset 

 their business. Extensive experiments in the propagation of plants and 

 in the substitutions of new varieties for old will be necessary in making 

 their readjustment. We ought to be at work on this immediately. 



Additional experimental work in hnes of market gardening should be' 

 taken up at the earliest opportunity. 



A project is already on file for experimental work in pomology to be 

 carried on in eastern Massachusetts. 



Meteorological records are continuous and become more and 

 more useful each year as dependence on them is getting to 

 be common by the public. Lawsuits and damage claims are 

 frequently influenced by the positive facts regarding weather 



