16 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



their affairs to actually place tangible means of help before 

 them. Then, too, there has been demonstrated the value of 

 the tractor in our State, and this has probably been of untold 

 help in giving to our farmers some idea of the place the tractor 

 occupies in agriculture. 



While this was purely a war measure, and the question of 

 continuing the work comes up for discussion now that the war 

 is over, we must not lose sight of the fact that we have en- 

 couraged many farmers to put in grain and cereals, giving them 

 to understand that they would have the help of this machinery 

 in the coming year to help harvest the crop. The question, 

 therefore, comes up as to whether or not we can let this work 

 drop and not help out these men who have responded so 

 loyally to the call for greater production. 



The State should certainly purchase and operate at least two 

 tile-laying and ditching machines. These machines can be kept 

 busy during eight months of the year, and, judging from the 

 experience which other States have had, this is one of the most 

 important aids to agriculture. I would recommend that this 

 be done. Receipts from the farm machinery project up to 

 November 30 were $14,020.17. Twenty-six machines were 

 leased and the following work done : — 



Harvested (acres), 334 



Hay baled (tons), 287 



Plowed (acres), 2,719 



Harrowed (acres), 3,892 



Threshed (bushels), 33,346 



The American Plant Pest Committee. 

 After the white pine blister rust made its appearance in the 

 country, and its spread became a cause for alarm, there was 

 organized a committee known as the White Pine Blister Rust 

 Committee of North America, and its membership was made 

 up of pathologists, foresters and other State officers having 

 forestry work under their jurisdiction. This committee has 

 been successful in arousing people to the danger from the 

 spread of this disease, and through its efforts control work is 

 well under way all the country over. 



