practical talks on sanitary milk, potato production, fertility of the soil and insect pests. Blanks have been furnished for making farm reports to your department and copies have been sent to us. These reports will be of great value in determining the results accomplished and will serve as guides to future development. Quotations on feeds, fertilizers and farm machinery have been furnished upon request, together with the names of dealers or manufacturers. Milk produced and purchased has been tested twice each month from samples sent to this department from the different institutions. This department attempts to encourage in every way the home production of supplies needed by the hospitals by means of the most approved methods, hoping to furnish better food at less exRespectfully submitted, CALVIN J. HUSON, Commissioner." pense. (Signed) LEGAL WORK FOR THE COMMISSION CONDUCTED BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL The transfer to the Attorney-General's Department in 1911 of all legal work pertaining to the State hospital system has resulted year by year in gratifying financial results. The deputy in charge has prosecuted the work of enforcing the payment of unpaid maintenance claims with energy and thoroughness during the year, as shown by the appended report. Action for the appointment of committees was begun in 372 cases. In 333, committees were actually appointed, and from such committees the sum of $105,163.46 for the support of patients was collected and, in addition, the sum of $4,742.45 in costs and disbursements was obtained and transmitted to the hospital authorities. 66 The report of the Attorney-General is herewith submitted: ALBANY, N. Y., December 12, 1914. State Hospital Commission, Albany, N. Y.: Gentlemen. In pursuance to your request, I have the honor to submit herewith summarized statements showing the volume. of business transacted by this office on behalf of the State hospitals during the fiscal year of your honorable body, beginning October 1, 1913, and ending September 30, 1914: The maintenance from committees appointed by this office and collected from estates amounted to the aggregate sum of $105,163.46 and costs received in committee proceedings totaled $4,742.45. In addition, a large number of opinions have been rendered at your request and to the various State hospitals; also habeas corpus proceedings, and an endless amount of detail, incident to investigation of the various matters arising in connection with legal papers served on incompetents, have received the careful attention of this office. Please accept my gratitude for the cordial cooperation, which has continued since my former report, between the various departments of your honorable body, the superintendents of each of said hospitals and their staffs, and this office. MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS COLLECTED FROM COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL This official has personally or by deputy made the statutory examinations of State hospital buildings and those of the private institutions during the year, and practical suggestions have been submitted for the Commission's consideration. While lack of funds has prevented complete compliance with Marshal Ahearn's recommendations, such of them as did not encroach unduly on the Commission's appropriations for maintenance or for miscel laneous improvements were given prompt attention. The plans forwarded by private institutions in connection with their applications for new licenses or for modifications of old ones have without exception been submitted to the Fire Marshal, and no |