of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 453

A general recommendation Which was made included the following sugges-
tions:

More extensive education, demonstration and research are desired and
necessary to aid growers in proper culture, curing, stripping and packing of
their tobacco to insure the best possible prices for the cropUpon the submission of the report of the committee to "me, I immediately
laid it before the members of the Legislature. It was naturally late in the
session when it was possible to submit the report and in the confusion of the
legislative, mill it was not possible for any special legislation bearing upon 'the
recommendations of the Committee to be enacted.

In the wisdom of the Legislature a joint resolution was adopted as follows:

"To cause a comprehensive study to be made by the Agricutural
Extension Service of the College of Agriculture of the University of
Maryland with respect to the marketing of tobacco in Maryland, in-
cluding the functioning of the State Tobacco Warehouse in Baltimore,
the Loose Leaf Auction Markets in Southern Maryland and Transfer
Buyers; and to report to the General Assembly at its session in 1943.
» the recommendations of the 'Council with respect to tobacco marketing
together with any necessary bills to carry out such recommendations. "

I hope it will be possible for the Committee, in cooperation with the Ex-
tension Service, to make a further study of the problem and to submit recom-
mendations for the consideration of the Legislative Council.

I am glad to report that progress is being made in the control of tobacco
diseases resulting from the appropriation of $4, 500 allowed in the first budget
under my Administration. The maintenance of the industry is dependent upon
the control of tobacco blue mold in the plant beds. I am informed that as a
result of this work hundreds of Maryland farmers this spring treated their
tobacco plant beds with gas and spray materials which made it possible for
them to transplant most of their tobacco crop during the more favorable early
season. Demonstration meetings were held in all parts of Southern Maryland
and the County Agents and the tobacco disease specialists showed large groups
of farmers how to effectively use the control materials.

Over 15, 000 square yards of tobacco plants beds were sprayed this year for
blue mold control. This means that over one-third of the tobacco crop set this
year had been subjected to blue mold control treatments.

I was acquainted with the request for a study of curing tobacco, but in the
enormous demands made upon the State for different purposes, it was not pos-
sible for us to allow funds for this purpose this year. I am pleased to know
that the Experiment Station is endeavoring to set aside some funds to inaugu-
rate this study pending a time when we will be able to supplement it with
further funds later on. I realize the problem of curing tobacco is a mighty
important one and one that should receive exhaustive investigation.

Your State Administration will continue to give its attention to these im-
portant problems affecting so many of our citizens. In addition, we feel the
obligation to make other efforts in the interest of the people of Southern Mary-
land. Good roads are essential for the development of the counties, and for the