y^gSfSTLnssB:. 1364 Issued September 14, 1911. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ANNUAL REPORT LlKieAitT BtSW YIH(t 0#TAW«IAL or THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1910. WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1911. If JO ' JOINT RESOLUTION Providing for printing annually the Report of the Director of the Office of Experiment Stations, Department of Agriculture. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That there be printed eight thousand copies of the Report of the Director of the Office of Experiment Stations, prepared under the supervision of the Secretary of Agriculture, on the work and expendi- tures of that office and of the agricultural experiment stations established in the several States and Territories under the act of Congress of March second, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, for nineteen hundred and three, of vrhich one thousand copies shall be for the use of the Senate, two thousand copies for the use of the House of Represeutatives, and five thousand copies for the use of the Department of Agriculture; and that annually hereafter a similar report shall be prepared and printed, the edition to be the same as for the report herein provided. Approved, April 27, 1904, THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. A. C. True, Ph. D., Sc. D., Director. E. W. Allen, Ph. D., Assistant Director. Mrs. C. E. Johnston, Chief Clerli. Sabah L. Sommers, Record Clerli. E. Lucy Ogden, Librarian. Relations with State Agricdltural Experiment Stations. The Director and Assistant Director. W. H. Beal. W. H. Evans. J. I. Schultb. Experiment Station Record. E. W. Allen, Ph. D., Editor. H. L. Knight, B. S., Assistant Editor. W. H. Beal, A. B., M. E.. iMeteorology, soils, and fertilizers. B. W. Tillman, B. S. Agr.J W. H. LiVANS, Ph. iJ". ^Agricultural botany, bacteriology, and vegetable pathology. W. H. Long, A. M., I C. F. Langworthy, Ph. D., Foods and human nutrition. J. I. SCHULTE, B. Agr., i„. ,, J. O. RANKIN, A. B., B. S. A.,Fi^Id <^'^0P«- D. J. Crosby, M. S., Agricultural education. J. B. MoRMAN, M. A., Rural economics. E. J. Glasson, B. S. a.. Horticulture and forestry. W. A. Hooker, B. S., Economic zoology, entomology, and veterinary medicine. E. W. Morse, B. A. S., Zootechny, dairying, and dairy farming. L- W. Petzer, Ph. D.. M. D., Agricultural chemistry, agrotechny, and veterinary medi- cine. William Henry, Indexing and proof reading. Experiment Station Work. W. H. Beal, Editor, with the assistance of the staff of Experiment Station Record. Insular Stations. W. H. Evans, Ph. D., Chief. ALASKA experiment STATIONS. C. C. Georgeson, M. S., Special agent in charge, Sitka. A. J. WiLKUS, Assistant at Sitka. G. W. Gasser, B. S., Assistant at Rampart. M. D. Snodgrass, B. S., Assistant at Kodiak. Laurence Kelly, Assistant dairyman at Kodiak. C. W. Heideman, Jr., Herdsman at Kodiak. J. W. Neal, Assistant at Fairbanks. HAWAII experiment STATION. E. v. Wilcox, Ph. D., Special agent in charge, Honolulu. J. E. HiGGiNS, B. A., M. S. A., Horticulturist. C. K. McClelland, Agronomist. W. P. Kelley, M. S., Chemist. D. T. FuLLAWAY, A. B., Entomologist. W. T. McGborgb, B. S., Assistant chemist. Alice R. Thompson, B. S., Assistant chemist. C. J. HuNN, B. S. A., Assistant horticulturist. Valentine Holt, Assistant in horticulture. C. A. Sahr, Assistant in agronomy. 4 BEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. PORTO RICO EXPERIMENT STATION. D. W. Mat, M. Agr., Special agent in charge, Mayaguez. J. W. VAN Leenhoff, Coffee expert. W. V. Tower, B. S., Entomologist. P. L. GiLE, A. B., Chemist. C. F. KiNMAN, B. S., Horticulturist. E. G. RiTZMAN, B. S. A., Animal husbandman. G. L. Fawcett, B. S., Plant pathologist. T. B. McClelland, A. B., Assistant horticulturist. C. N. Ageton, Assistant chemist. W. E. Hess, Expert gardener. GUAM EXPERIMENT ST«'ION. J. B. Thompson, B. S., Special agent in charge. Island of Guam. Peter Nelson, Assistant. Agricdltural Education. D. J. Crosby, M. S.. Specialist in agricultural education. F. W. Howe, Assistant in agricultural education. John Hamilton, B. S.. M. S. A., Farmers' institute specialist. J. M. Stedman, B. S., Assistant farmers' institute specialist. Nutrition Investigations. C. F. Langwgrthy, Ph. D., Expert in charge of nutrition investigations. R. D. Milner, Ph. B., Assistant in nutrition investigations. S. C. Clark, B. S., M. A., Assistant in nutrition laboratory. W. P. Garrett, B. S., M. A., Assistant in nutrition laboratory. Irrigation Investigations. Samuel Fortier, D. Sc, Chief of irrigation investigations. R. P. Teele, M. a., Assistant chief. Irrigation engineers and irrigation managers. — A. P. Stover, M. S. in C. E., in charge of work in Oregon ; C. E. Tait, B. A., in charge of work in southern California ; S. O. Jatne, B. S., in charge of work in Washington; Frank Adams, M. A., in charge of work in California ; W. W. McLaughlin, B. S.. in charge of work in Utah ; P. E. Fuller, in charge of work in Arizona and of power investigations ; W. L. Rockwell, C. E., in charge of work in Texas ; M. B. Williams, B. C. E., in charge of work in humid sec- tions ; D. H. Bark, B. S., in charge of work in Idaho ; C. G. Haskell, C. E., in charge of rice investigations ; V. M. Cone, B. S., in charge of work in central California. ' Scientific assistants. — F. G. Harden, A. M., R. D. Robertson, B. S., and S. H. Beckett, B. S. Agent. — J. W. Longstreth, in charge of work in Kanasas. Expert mechanician. — E. J. Hoff. Irrigation farmers. — J. H. Gordon, R. G. Hemphill, B. S. ; W. H. Lauck, R. E. Mahonet, and John Krall, Jr. CoUahorators. — O. V. P. Stout, C. E., in charge of work in Nebraska, University of Nebraska ; G. H. True, B. S., in charge of work in Nevada, University of Nevada ; W. B. Gregory, M. E., in charge of rice investigations in Louisiana and Texas, Tulane Univer- sity ; F. L, Bixby, B. S., in charge of work in New Mexico, New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Drainage Investigations. C. G. Elliott, C. E., Chief drainage engineer and chief of drainage investigations. A. D. Morehouse, M. E., Office engineer and acting chief in absence of the chief. Assistant office engineers. — R. D. Marsden, B. S. ; H. H. Barrows, C. E. ; N. B. Wade, B. S. in C. E. Draftsmen. — G. F. Pohlers, II. B. Artley. Drainage engineers. — W. J. McEathron ; S. H. McCrory, B. S. ; H. A. Kipp, B. S. in C. E. ; F. F. Shafer, B. S. in C. E. ; O. G. Baxter, B. S. in C. E. Assistant drainage engineers. — G. M. Wasrln, B. S. ; D. L. Yarnell, B. C. E. ; J. V. Phillips, B. S. ; L. A. Jones, C. E. ; F. G. Eason, B. S. ; C. W. Oket, B. C. E. ; J. R. Haswell, B. S. a. ; W. J. Schlick, B. C. E. ; A. G. Hall, B. S. ; C. W. Mbngel, B. S. Drainage engineers for irrigated lands. — D. G. Miller, B. S. ; R. A. Hart, B. S. ; W. W. Weir ; S. W. Cooper ; W. A. Kelly, B. S. Engineers available for special irork. — A. E. Morgan ; S. M. Woodward, M. S., M. A. ; C. F. Brown, M, S. ; L. L. Hidinger, B. C. E. ; J. T. Stewart, B. S. in C. E. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Office of Experi^ient Stations, Washington, D. C, March S, 1911. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the annual report of the Office of Experiment Stations, the publication of which is author- ized by joint resolution of the Fifty-eighth Congress, second session. This includes a report on the work and expenditures of the agri- cultural experiment stations established under the act of Congress of March 2, 1887, and further endowed under the act of Congress of March 16, lOOG, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1910, in compliance with the following provision of the act making appropriations for this department for the said fiscal year : The Secretary of Agriculture shall prescribe the form of the annual financial statement required under the above acts, ascertain whether the expenditures are in accordance with their provisions, and make report thereon to Congress. Very respectfully, A. C. True, Director. Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture. CONTENTS. Page. Work of the OflSce of Experiment Stations 15 Relations with the agricultural experiment stations 15 Insular experiment stations 18 Alaska stations 19 Hawaii station • 22 Porto Rico station 26 Guam station 30 Nutrition investigations 32 Irrigation investigations 37 California 37 Washington 38 Idaho 39 Nevada 3G Utah 40 Arizona 40 New Mexico 40 Colorado 41 Wyoming 4^ Montana 42 North Dakota 42 Kansas 42 Texas 42 Irrigation of rice 43 Irrigation in humid sections 43 Drainage investigations 43 Improvement of farm lands 45 Drainage of swamp lands 47 Reclamation of overflowed lands 48 Drainage of irrigated lands 51 Collection of technical data 52 Preliminary and reconnoissance work 53 Dissemination of information 54 Promotion of agricultural education 54 Farmers' institutes and extension work 56 Publications 58 Income 60 Work and expenditures of the agricultural experiment stations 61 Review of the year 61 Changes in personnel 66 Dr. Charles A. Goessmann 67 Prof. William H. Brewer 69 New lines of work 69 Increase in funds and equipment 71 Investigations under the Adams Act 75 Station administration 76 7 8 CONTENTS. Work and expenditures of the agricultural experiment stations — Continued. Page. Publications of the stations 79 Some noteworthy results of station work 80 Progress in foreign countries 85 Inspection of the stations 89 Alabama College station 89 Alabama Canebrake station 92 Alabama Tuskegee station 93 Alaska stations 94 Arizona station 96 ArkaUvsas station 98 California station 102 Colorado station 106 Connecticut State station 109 Connecticut Storrs station 112 Delaware station 114 Florida station 116 Georgia station 121 Guam station 123 Hawaii station 124 Hawaiian sugar planters' station 126 Idaho station 127 Illinois station 130 Indiana station 134 Iowa station 138 Kansas station 141 Kentucky station 146 Louisiana stations 149 Maine station 153 Maryland station 156 Massachusetts station 159 Michigan station 163 Minnesota station 166 Mississippi station 172 Alissouii College station 175 Montana station 179 Nebraska station 182 Nevada station 186 New Hampshire station 189 New Jersey stations 193 New Mexico station 196 New York State station 199 . New York Cornell station 202 North Carolina College station 206 North Carolina State station 209 North Dakota station 210 Ohio station 214 Oklahoma station 219 Oregon station 222 Pennsylvania station 225 Pennsylvania State College Institute of Animal Nutrition 228 Porto Rico station 229 Rhode Island station 231 South CaroUna station 233 South Dakota station 237 CONTENTS. '^ Work and expenditures of the agricultural experiment stations — Continued. Page. Inspection of the stations — Continued. Tennessee station 240 Texas station 242 Utah station 245 Vermont station 249 Virginia station 251 Virginia truck station 254 Washington station 257 West Virginia station 258 Wisconsin station 261 Wyoming station 267 Statistics of land-grant colleges and agricultural experiment stations, 1910 271 Summary of statistics of land-grant colleges 271 Summary of statistics of the stations 273 Statistics of the land-grant colleges and universities 275 Statistics of the agricultural experiment stations 300 Progress in agricultural education, 1910 315 Summary for the year 315 Educational work of the Department of Agriculture . 316 Educational work of the Office of Experiment Stations 319 Relation to American institutions 320 Relation to foreign institutions 321 Africa 321 Argentina 322 Australia 322 Belgium 323 Brazil 323 British Islands 324 British West Indies 325 Canada 326 China 327 Columbia 328 Finland 328 France 328 Germany 328 India 329 Japan 330 Mexico 330 Roumania 330 West Indies 331 Educational work of the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Sta.tions 331 Work of the National Education Association 338 The Graduate School of Agriculture 344 Purpose of the school 345 Equipment of Iowa college departments 345 Agricultural engineering 345 Agronomy department 345 Animal husbandry department 345 Botany department 346 Dairy department 346 Economics department 346 Department of horticulture and forestry 346 10 CONTENTS. Progress in agricultural education, 1910 — Continued. Page. The Graduate School of Agriculture — Continued. Requirements for admission 347 Courses of study 347 Conferences 347 Faculty 347 Instructors in plant physiology and pathology 347 Instructors in agronomy 348 Instructors in horticulture 348 Instructors in animal husbandry 348 Instructors in poultry husbandry 348 Instructors in dairying 349 Instructors in rural engineering 349 Instructors in rural economics and sociology 349 The agricultural colleges 349 Historical 350 Appropriations 851 Buildings 353 Work of the colleges 354 Courses for teachers 355 College extension and short courses 358 The colleges at the International Live Stock Exposition 360 The colleges at the Fourth National Dairy Show 364 The secondary schools 365 Recent progress by States 366 Arkansas 366 California 366 Colorado 366 Idaho 366 Illinois 366 Iowa 367 Maine 369 Maryland 370 Michigan 370 Montana 370 New Mexico 371 New York 371 Texas 372 Vermont 372 Virginia 373 Wisconsin 373 High school extension work in agriculture 374 The Baltimore County plan 374 The Stockton plan 377 Agriculture in normal schools 378 Agriculture in the State Normal School at Athens, Ga 380 The elementary schools 382 A model rural school 383 Farmers' institutes in the United States, 1910 387 Institutes held 387 Sessions 387 Attendance 387 Appropriations 387 Agricultiiral college and experiment station aid 388 CONTENTS. 11 Farmers' institutes in the United States, 1910 — Continued. Page. Special institutes 388 Agricultural college extension work 389 The American Association of Farmers' Institute Workers 390 Institutes for young people 391 Institutes for women 392 Fair associations 393 Agricultural instruction trains 394 Reports of local managers 394 Economy in institute expenditure 397 Improvement of the institute service 397 Work of the office 398 State reports 399 Statistics of farmers' institutes, 1910 418 The results of agricultural extension in Belgium 425 Introduction 425 Extension supervisors 427 Province of Antwerp 429 Province of Brabant 433 Province of West Flanders 434 Province of East Flanders 437 Province of Hainaut 439 Province of Liege 441 Province of Limburg 442 Province of Luxemburg 443 Province of Namur 444 Origin and development of the nutrition investigations of the Office of Experi- ment Stations 449 Introduction 449 Early nutrition work in the United States 449 Origin of the nutrition work of the United States Department of Agriculture . 450 Organization of the nutrition inquiry 453 Scope of the nutrition investigations 454 Technical reports, popular bulletins, and other nutrition publications. . . . 457 Results of the nutrition work and conclusion 459 Irrigation under the Carey Act 461 Conditions leading up to the passage of the Carey Act 461 The Carey Act and its amendments 463 Operation of the Carey Act 467 The Carey-Act States 468 Idaho 468 Wyoming 474 Montana 476 Oregon 479 Colorado 482 Nevada 484 The value of the Carey Act 486 Development of methods of draining irrigated lands 489 Introduction 489 Causes which produce seepage 490 Methods of draining in the Bear River Valley, Utah 491 Progress and difficulties in western Colorado 493 Collecting pits and sand traps 494 Special relief wells and discharge drains 495 12 CONTENTS. Development of methods of draining irrigated lands — Continued. Page. Steam land dredges 496 Maintenance 496 Cement drain tile 497 Wooden box drains 497 Cooperative drainage 498 Beneficial effect of draining on alkali land 499 Pumping drainage water from Bumps into irrigation ditches 499 The Guam Agricultural Experiment Station and its work for the fiscal year 1910 . 503 The station 503 Improvements 503 Forage crops 505 Vegetable experiments -.-..-..- 506 Grain stoiing experiments 507 Hedge plant studies 509 Plant introductions 509 Implements 510 Imports and exports of the island of Guam 510 ILLUSTRATIONS. PLATES. Page. Plate I. Fig. 1. — New laboratory building at the Connecticut State station. Fig. 2.— Main building of the Florida station 108 II. Fig 1. — Laboratory at the Louisiana rice station, Crowley. Fig. 2. — Sheep feeding barn at the Montana station 152 III. Fig. 1. — New dairy building, New Hampshire College and station. Fig. 2. — Sheep barn at the New Hampshire station 188 IV. Fig. 1. — Experiments on the accumulation and utilization of atmos- pheric nitrogen, New Jersey stations. Fig. 2. — Feeding experi- ments with hogs. North Dakota station 194 V. Fig. 1. — New greenhouse laboratories, New York Cornell College and station. Fig. 2. — New dairy bams. New York Cornell College and station 202 VI. Fig. 1. — New dairy barn at the Oklahoma station. Fig. 2. — New sheep barn at the Oklahoma station 220 VII. Fig. 1. — Administration building of the West Tennessee substation at Jackson. Fig. 2. — Bams and silos of the West Tennessee sub- station 240 VIII. Fig. 1. — Dairy laboratory building, Wisconsin College and station. Fig. 2. — Buildings of the new poultry plant, Wisconsin College and station 262 IX. Fig. 1. — New dairy bam. South Dakota College and station. Fig. 2. — Concrete silo at the Wisconsin College and station 262 X. Fig. 1. — Cow fed wholly on com products. Fig. 2. — Calf from cow fed on corn products 262 XI. Fig. 1. — Cow fed wholly on wheat products. Fig. 2. — Calf from cow fed on wheat products 262 XII. Fig. 1.— Millbank Agricultural Hall, Tuskegee Institute. Fig. 2.— Laboratory for zoology and entomology, Massachusetts College 352 XIII. Hadley Hall, the administration building at the New Mexico Col- lege. Fig. 2. — Wilson Hall, the New Mexico agricultural building. 352 XIV. Fig. 1.— Boys' dormitory, New Mexico College. Fig. 2. — Y. M. C. A. building, New Mexico College 352 XV. Fig. 1. — Ceres Hall, the women's building. North Dakota College. Fig. 2. — Veterinary laboratory, North Dakota College 352 XVI. Fig. 1. — Dormitory, California Agricultural School, Davis. Fig. 2. — Dairy barn, California Agricultural School 366 XVII. Fig. 1. — Horticultural building, California Agricultural School. Fig. 2. — Horse barn, California Agricultural School 366 XVIII. Fig. 1. — Agriculture taught in new $125,000 high-school building, Texarkana, Tex. Fig. 2. — One of the review classes at the Georgia State Normal School making purity test of crimson clover seed. . . 372 XIX. Fig. 1. ^Junior nf)rmal pupils recording plat notes. Fig. 2. — Section of senior class judging corn, Georgia State Normal School 380 13 14 ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. Plate XX. Fig. 1. — Sheep judging at Farm Boys' Encampment, Clarinda, Iowa. Fig. 2. — Children starting home from model rural school, Kirksville, Mo 382 XXI. Fig. 1. — Concrete retaining wall, north side of Twin Falls Canal. Fig. 2. — Waste gates, north side of Twin Falls Canal, Milner Dam in the background 472 XXII. Fig. 1. — Main canal head works, Dechutes Irrigation & Power Co., Deschutes, Oreg. Fig. 2. — Main canal flume of Deschutes Irriga- tion & Power Co., in process of enlargement 480 XXIII. Fig. 1. — Effect of seepage and alkali upon a bearing orchard in the Yakima Valley, Wash. Fig. 2. — Country drain-tile factory in the Bear River Valley, Utah 492 XXIV. Fig. 1. — Trenching for tile drains by steam power. Box Elder County, Utah. Fig. 2. — Difficulties of constructing drains by hand labor, Montrose, Colo 492 XXV. Fig. 1. — Steam trenching machine equipped for soft land, Roswell, N. Mex. Fig. 2. — Ditching with a steam land dredge, Moxee Valley, Wash 494 XXVI. A drainage ditch made with a steam dredge in the Yakima Valley, Wash. Fig. 2. — Hand-excavated drainage ditch curbed to pre- vent caving, Simnyside, Wash 496 XXVII. Views of the Guam Experiment Station. Fig. 1. — General view. Fig. 2. — Entrance to experimental grounds. Fig. 3. — Squashes. 504 XXVIII. Crops grown at the Guam Experiment Station. Fig. I. — Pigeon pea. Fig. 2. — ^Jerusalem corn. Fig. 3. — Nursery, showing plants in bamboo pots 504 XXIX. Fig. 1. — Caribao and native plow, Guam station. Fig. 2. — Caribao and disk harrow, Guam station 510 TEXT FIGURES. Fig. 1. Tanks for soil investigation at Florida station — section 118 2. Tanks for soil investigation at Florida station — general plan 118 3. Basement plan of model rural school 384 4. First-floor plan of model rural school 385 5. Attic plan of model rural school 386 6. Collecting pits in connection with tile drains as used in Montrose County, Colo 494 7. Plan and profile showing relief drainage wells as used in Otero County, Colo 495 8. Grain-storage tank, Guam Experiment Station 508 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS, 1910. WORK OF THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The general character of the work of the Office of Experiment Stations was not changed during 1910, and included the supervision of the expenditures of Federal funds by the agricultural experiment stations in the several States; conferences and correspondence with station officers regarding the management, equipment, and work of the stations; the collection and dissemination of information re- garding the progress of agricultural education and research through- out the world by means of technical and popular bulletins; the management of the agricultural experiment stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, and Guam ; the promotion of the interests of agricultural colleges and schools and farmers' institutes through- out the United States; special investigations on irrigation and drain- age, conducted largely in cooperation with experiment stations, educational institutions, and other agencies in different States and Territories; and the investigation of problems relating to the food and nutrition of man. RELATIONS WITH THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The relations of the office to the work and expenditures of the experiment stations continue to increase in volume and variety. While these center primarily on the Federal funds, as a matter of fact they extend to practically all phases of the station activity, including organization, administration, and general policy. The popularity of experimental work and confidence in the sta- tions have led to increasing appropriations to them for a wide range of duties in the field of investigation, demonstration, and inspec- tion. The multiplicity of their present duties and the pressure upon them for all forms of extension enterprises have raised a large num- ber of administrative questions, and required the outlining of a more fixed policy as applied to the use of the Federal funds. The department's administration of these funds has been modified with a view to meeting the requirements of the changed conditions due to the broader development of the stations and the colleges with 15 16 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. which the stations are connected. This has led to a more exact limitation of expenditures from these funds to those directly con- nected with experimental work and the publication of the results thereof. In February, 1000, announcement was made through a circular letter that, beginning with the fiscal year 1000-10, no ex- penses could be permitted from Federal sources for extension work or the issuing of extension bulletins. This has led to a closer scru- tiny of the accounts for such expenditures during the past year, and in places where there has not been a clear understanding to occa- sional readjustment. In a number of instances disallowances have been necessary as a result of inappropriate charges, and in less serious cases promise has been required of a change of practice before the financial reports have been approved. One important result of the year's inspection, therefore, has been a clearer understanding as to the elimination from the Federal funds of all expenses for extension enterprises, and a putting into practice t)f the policy of confining the use of the Federal funds strictly within the limits of conducting experiments and investigations and reporting the results of the same. The treatment of the station work in the text of popular bulle- tins, in such manner as to distinguish such bulletins from mere compilations of information from general sources and to give the station credit for its work, has received considerable attention. This has been strongly urged as desirable from the standpoint both of the reader and of the station, for it shows the source of the experi- mental evidence on which directions or generalizations are based and definitely connects the preparation and issuing of such bulletins with the station's work. The public, which does not usually distinguish between these different branches of activity, should be led in that direction as far as possible. To meet the demand for studies of problems involving special or local conditions, the work of the stations is being scattered over the States more broadly than formerly. There has been increased activity in the establishment of demonstration and experimental farms under State appropriations, and in a number of States such work is now organized on an extensive basis. Aside from this, the station experts are extending their investigations to particular locali- ties where special problems or conditions are presented. ^Vliere the Adams fund has been expended in connection with such outlying investigations, it has been desirable to include these in our annual inspection, and this has increased the time required for an examina- tion of the station work. During the year several cases have arisen which have called for an unusual amount of attention from the office. These have usually been associated with the removal of the director of the station. There RELATIONS WITH THE STATIONS. 17 Aas been rather more than the usual amount of unrest and unsettled conditions growing out of the relations of boards of control with directors. AVliere the efficiency of the station work under the Federal funds has been involved, it has been necessary for the department to interfere and to prescribe conditions which must be recognized and met by the local authorities. In some instances this has resulted in the temporary withholding of the Federal funds, and in the enforce- ment of the principles which must govern in the selection of station officers and in the management of the institution. As long as boards of control continue to have a wrong impression of their duties to the station and a wrong attitude toward its conduct, the office will be called upon to deal with these matters, and to restrain the local authorities from action clearly detrimental to the station. The practice of boards in interfering in the conduct of work after the general plans have been approved, and with the expenditure of funds for the purposes necessary to carry out such work, is a misconcep- tion of their duties Avhich it has been necessary to combat firmly in a number of instances. It has also been necessary to urge with greater emphasis that the nature and extent of the station work now require that the directors, as well as members of the staffs, shall be men well trained in agri- cultural science, and that their tenure of office shall be as perma- nent as that of the heads of departments in our best colleges and universities. Questions relating to the administration of the experiment stations demand increasing attention. At the present stage this is one of the most important matters relating to the stations. In many instances the magnitude of the enterprise, when there is coupled with it the direction of the college of agriculture, the extension work, and the State inspections, has clearly outgrown the old form of organization. Provision is needed by which more attention and consideration will be given to the conduct of the station on the business side, and in the direction of its experimental and other work. A large majority of the difficulties which the office encounters in its administration of the funds are attributable to the lack of such provision. In some of our largest agricultural institutions it is now very desirable that the immediate management of the stations shall be" committed to officers specially charged with that function. For this purpose an increase of the administrative force should be made and the duties of administrative officers further differentiated. The tendency to leave important administrative matters to clerks, accountants, or other persons not acquainted with the character and purpose of the station work is much to be deprecated. One result of the broadening activities of the stations is a too gen- sral use of the Hatch fund for administrative and similar expenses 91866°— 11 2 18 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. without sufficient definite experimental work. The office has main- tained that the Hatch fund should not be largely drawn upon to provide for the general administration of the stations operating with liberal State appropriations, but that it should be used mainly for definite experimental work in much the same way that the Adams fund is. It is more and more evident that those stations which have no regular State appropriation will find increasing difficulty in meeting the calls upon them in the way of simple or local trials, the giving out of general information, answering miscel- laneous correspondence, preparation of popular bulletins, etc. The States have been increasingly liberal in the matter of appro- priations for maintenance and for buildings and equij^ment. The revenues of the stations for the year aggregated nearly $3,000,000, and fully half of this came from State and local sources. But these revenues are frequently not available for meeting general expenses for maintenance, being provided for special purposes; and this fact has unduly increased the burden for maintenance against the Hatch fund. "V^liile the office is following closely and criticizing frankly the work and expenditures of the stations, it is also deeply impressed with their increasing scientific and practical strength and the im- portance of their operations, as well as the growing appreciation of the results of their work by the agricultural people throughout the country and abroad. The gi'anting of Federal aid to original re- search through the Adams Act has materially raised the level of scientific aim and accuracy, and established new standards for thoroughness and fundamental work. Instead of minimizing their more practical work, this has led the States to increase largely their funds for substations and special experimental work. The x\merican system of agricultural experiment stations is, therefore, more com- prehensive, far-reaching, and permanently established than ever before. INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. It is a i^leasure to note the growing appreciation of these stations and their work, as is shown by the more frequent requests for aid in the solution of individual problems, local contributions toward the expense of experiments, and greater demand for the publications. This aj^preciation is not confined to the immediate constituency of the stations, but the published results of their work are being sought by other countries having similar problems, and recently formal per- mission was granted a foreign government to reprint certain of their bulletins. The work of the Hawaii and Porto Eico stations on trop- ical fruits, the Hawaii investigations on rice, cotton, and manganese soils, and the Porto Rico studies on the cause of the so-called " sick soils " and means for their improvement have all attracted wide INSULA.R EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 19 attention. These are connected with fundamental problems of trop- ical agriculture and the results can be applied under like conditions anywhere. No change has been made in the policy of any of the stations, diversified agriculture being the aim of each, and some results are beginning to be apparent. The first commercial crop of cotton in Hawaii in half a century was produced during 1910 as a result of the showing made by the experiments of the station. The growing of leguminous cover crops is being adopted in Hawaii and Porto Rico. The value of windbreaks as a protection to orchards against the trade winds is also becoming appreciated, and they are being planted by the more progressive horticulturists. The suggestions of the Alaska stations regarding the preparation of the soil, methods of planting, varieties, etc., are being quite generally adopted. In Guam, where work was begun only a little more than a year ago, the value of some of the new crops has been recognized and many requests have been received from the natives for material for planting. The adoption of a small cultivator introduced by the station shows the open- mindedness and willingness of the ranchers to adopt new crops and methods when their superiority is demonstrated. The increase in buildings and equipment kept pace with the in- comes of the stations, and the facilities for carrying on investigations are fairly adequate for the problems now in hand and the means for work will compare favorably with institutions in other countries similarly situated. The various bureaus and offices of the department continue their generous assistance to the work of the several stations by supplying material and information, and it is desired to acknowledge here their cordial cooperation. The administrative business of this office in its relations with the insular stations continues to be under the charge of Dr. Walter H. Evans, chief of the division of insular stations. The character, scope, and results of some of the lines of work of the stations are summar- ized below. ALASKA STATIONS. The early part of the season of 1910 was not favorable to field and garden crops in Alaska, but from midsummer on the climatic condi- tions became more satisfactory and the favorable conditions contin- ued until late in the fall. This made it possible to grow many plants to a better degree of maturity than often happens, and the success reported with some crops was all that could be desired. The work at the several stations has been continued along the lines described in previous reports. The principal investigations at the several sta- tions are hoi-ticulture at Sitka, grain growing and cereal breeding at Rampart, general farming and adaptation of crops at Fairbanks, 20 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. and stock breedings at Kodiak. Other lines of work are being con- ducted at each station, and data are being rapidly accumulated that will soon make possible the answering of questions relating to pos- sible crop production in all of the more important regions of the Territory. The reports received from the different stations are most satisfactory and reflect credit upon those who are carrying on this important work. At Sitka, where the principal work in horticulture is carried on, the season was favorable to vegetable growing, and excellent results were obtained with all the common hardy kinds. In the plant breed- ing work the success with strawberries mentioned in previous re- ports has been maintained. During the past year nearly 2,000 hybrid plants were under observation, and it is believed that at least a score of them will prove thoroughly adapted to the coast region of Alaska. Most of the hybrid strawberries jDroved to be shy bearers, but occasional plants were found to be exceedingly prolific, one pro- ducing 200 berries. A large proportion of the plants produce berries comparable in size with the average strawberries of the markets, and in addition they partake of the flavor and firmness of the wild berry. A few plants of the hybrid made between the salmonberry and the cultivated raspberry have fruited, but the fruits did not show any improvement over the parental types. The attempt to secure the hybridization of the native Alaskan crab apple w^ith pollen from early and hardy varieties of apples from the Northern States has been continued, but some years will have to elapse before results can be obtained. As in former years, considerable work is being done in testing bush fruits of various kinds, and these are being propagated and distributed over the Territoiy for trial as rapidly as possible. Currants, raspberries, and gooseberries have been found to succeed nearly everj^where, but the apple and cherry trees that have been distributed have made but little, if any, growth. It seems almost certain that none of the present varieties of these fruits can mature in Alaska, and the only way to success lies in the development of varieties from hardy wild species. Some work is being carried on with ornamental plants, and the Tartarian honeysuckle and Japanese rose [Rosa rugosa) have been established and are doing remarkabl}^ well. In addition to the experiments with fruits, the testing of many varieties of potatoes with a view to selecting those best adapted for general culture is being continued at the Sitka station. At the Rampart station, where cereal introduction and breeding are the chief lines of investigation, the success reported in previous years was repeated. At this station, which is located in the Yukon Valley at 65° 30' N. latitude, practically all the winter wheat, winter rye, and spring-sown barley and oats matured. Spring-sown wheat INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 21 failed to mature. Frosts that injured potato tops and other tender veo;etables did not appear to appreciably hurt the cereals. It is gratifying to be able to report the practicability of growing hardy, early maturing varieties of barley, oats, winter wheat, and winter lye in the interior valleys of that Ten-itory. Systematic work is being conducted on cereal breeding at the Rampart station, and by cross-fertilization new varieties of barley and oats have been pro- duced that from their first season's growth appear very promising. This work will be continued to provide varieties of the important cereals that are especially adapted to local conditions. Some addi- tional land was prepared for cultivation at Rampart, so that about 25 acres are now available for experimental purposes. At the Fairbanks station results similar to those described for the Rampart station were secured. This is very gratifying, as the work there was only recently begun and immediate success was not ex- pected. The work is chiefly that of maintaining a general farm. Sixty-five acres are under plow and some 40 or 50 acres cleared for meadow. The princijDal work during the past year was the growing of oats for feed and grain, the object of the experiments being to determine whether hay and grain can be profitably grown in the interior of Alaska. In order to more efficiently care for the crop a self-binder reaper was added to the equipment of the Fairbanks station during the year. It is believed that this was the first machine of the kind taken to Alaska. An experiment on growing potatoes on a commercial scale was undertaken, 11 acres being planted to that crop. Frost caused considerable injuiy to the plants on the lower flat lands, but the potatoes planted on the slopes suffered but little injury. After providing seed for future planting there remained of the crop over 300 bushels to be sold. Ten acres additional land were cleared and plowed during the summer, and progress was made toward the erection of some much-needed buildings. The superin- tendent of the Fairbanks station devoted some time during the sum- mer to a reconnoissance of the Tanana River Valley with a view to determining roughly the agricultural capabilities of that region preliminary to a detailed regional survey by the Department of the Interior. The stock-breeding work is all done at the Kodiak station. The Galloway cattle brought there three years ago are doing well and are proving adapted to the climate and the country. The station suf- fered no material losses in cattle during the past year, and although the snowfall was the heaviest on record, the stock kept in excellent condition throughout the winter on native hay and silage put up on the ranch. The object of this experiment is to test the adapta- bility of these cattle to Alaskan conditions, to develop their milk- ing qualities if possible, in order to make them an all-purpose breed, 22 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. and to produce surplus stock to be sold to settlers at prices not much in excess of those for which common cattle can be brought into the country. At the end of the fiscal year there were 61 pure-bred Gallo- ways of all ages at the station. The work for the past year was highly successful, and a late communication from the superintendent in charge of that station states that the cattle had been fed but once up to December 4, 1910. The autumn having been an ojDen one, the stock maintained themselves on the ranges. Their condition was reported as excellent. The efforts to develop a milking strain of Galloways are being continued, and it is desired to add to the herd by purchasing additional cows that are known to be fairly good milkers. The sheep-breeding work is a new feature, having been introduced during the past year by the purchase of 40 ewes. Most of these sheep have been bred in Alaska and are thoroughly acclimated. The sheep are mostly Cotswold and Merino grades, and it is intended to intro- duce rams of a large breed, such as the Lincoln. At the end of the fiscal year the flock of sheep had been increased to 74 by the birth of lambs. The cooperative work with farmers and gardeners was continued, the station distributing seeds and plants for trial throughout the Territory. Reports are received of the successes and failures, and in this way it is possible to quickly determine the value of new introductions. HAWAII STATION. A new office building was erected during the year from funds supplied by the Territory of Hawaii, and the old concrete building with some modification was turned into laboratories. An additional area of about 10 acres, situated at an elevation of about 250 feet, has been brought under cultivation and is planted to cotton, bananas, and papayas, and some planting has been done about the office and other buildings. The principal buildings of the station are situated on land formerly reserved by the Navy Department and occupied by the Department of Agriculture by agreement. On March 25 an Execu- tive order was issued transferring this tract to this department for use as an experiment station. Cooperative experiments with corn, cotton, pineapples, rubber, rice, sorghum, and a number of miscel- laneous forage crops are being carried on at very slight expense to the station on a number of large plantations with very satisfactory results. The investigations of the agronomist on rice, cotton, and forage plants progressed very favorably. Assisted by the chemist, a rational system of applying fertilizers to the rice crop has been worked out. Extensive fertilizer experiments with rice have been carried on, and INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 23 it has been demonstrated that the proper time to apply fertilizers for rice is before planting and not with the irrigation water during the growth of the plant, as has been the practice. The rice plant was found to take up its plant food early in its growth, and the stool- ing or tillering was greatly increased by the early application of the fertilizers. It has also been found that ammonium sulphate is a better source of nitrogen for rice in Hawaii than sodium nitrate; in fact, there appears to be some evidence that the rice plant, especially when submerged, does not use the nitrates directl3\ During the year the agronomist visited Japan and China for the purpose of studying the rice industry in those countries. The Japanese, who make up more than 40 per cent of the population of the islands, prefer Jap- anese varieties of rice even though they cost more than the domestic ones. To produce this type of rice, seed of about 150 varieties were obtained for experimental purposes, and of four a sufficient quantity of seed was secured to test their qualities when grown on a consider- able scale in Hawaii. The experiments with cotton, begun three years ago, have yielded such striking results that 500 acres of commercial plantings have been made with every prospect of increased areas being devoted to this crop in the coming year. It has been definitely determined that cotton can be grown at any elevation up to 1,600 feet above sea level and with a precipitation varying from 25 to 100 inches, although a moderate rainfall gives the most favorable results. The experiments are principalh^ Avith sea-island and Caravonica cottons, and as these plants are perennials in Hawaii it is necessary to control their growth to prevent their becoming too large. Experiments have shown that the form of the plant and the time of crop production can largely be controlled by pruning, and that the prunings can be utilized for propagating. Although this method may not prove a commercial success, it has proved valuable in the propagation of pure strains of cotton where the possibility of crossing could not be eliminated. The tendency to heavy production of cotton was shown in a field of sea island, where the plants averaged TOO bolls at six months, and some individuals bore as many as 1,200 bolls. This heavy load, especially on the lateral branches, tended to bend the plants to the ground, in- juring the lint, and as a consequence experiments are in progress to secure plants with shorter limbs and of a more upright habit of growth. The Caravonica plants are stronger and more upright in habit of growth, and while the yield of lint during the first year was very small, the second year a heavy crop was obtained. The strong growth, greater ease of picking, and high percentage of lint make this a desirable crop, and there is little choice between this and sea- island cotton. Some strains of Egyptian cotton experimented with grew vigorously and yielded better than sea island, and it is probable 24 EEPOKT OF OFFICE OF HXPERIMENT STATIONS. that Egyptian cotton can be added to the types grown in Hawaii. In experiments on the use of fertilizers for cotton, tlie value of phos- phates in increasing production has befen clearly shown, increases of two or three fold over check plats being obtained. Attention is being given to corn breeding, broom corn, etc. Through the influence of the station there is considerable interest in the growing of leguminous plants for cover crops and for forage. Pigeon peas, cowpeas, and jack beans are being extensively gTown, the i^igeon pea and jack bean doing exceedingly well. Cowpeas are subject to attacks of j^lant lice, but where these pests have been absent the crop has been one of the best. The success attained with leguminous jjlants has led to the adoption of rotation of crops, espe- cially where pineajoples are grown. An experiment with sugar cane has also shown that rotation for this crop is profitable, at least under some conditions. A fertilizer experiment on a plantation that has been in taro for fully 200 years was begun, and an opportunity will thus be given to determine the fertilizer requirements of this crop. The station chemist continued his pineapple investigations, the studies including the effect of manganese on the plant, the process of ripening of the fruit, and the utilization of the by-products from the canneries. The injurious influence of manganese on pineapples has been mentioned in previous reports. Studies were undertaken to ascertain what crops, if any, could be grown in rotation with pineapples or to replace them on manganiferous soils, but with little promise of success. Where less quantities of manganese are found in the soil, the addition of fertilizers composed of superphosphates, sulphate of ammonia, and sulphate of potash will overcome the injurious effect to a considerable extent. These investigations have led to the discovery that the most serious drawback to pineapple culture in Hawaii is a lack of proper aeration of the soil. The soils contain large amounts of iron, and as a result they are easily puddled after a rain or irrigation and air can not penetrate to the roots. Pre- liminary experiments have shown the value of drainage in increasing the aeration of the soil. A study of the ripening processes of the pineapple has shown that the sugar content of the fruit is directly influenced by the degree of ripeness when cut, there being no increase after the cutting of the fruit, although a green fruit may turn yellow and become soft. The large waste of materials about the pineapple has led to investigations which have shown methods whereby they can be profitably utilized. The horticultural investigations were continued along previous lines, the attempt being made to induce a more general growing of improved varieties of tropical fruits. Satisfactory progress was made in propagating mangoes and avocados, and the method for mango propagation described in the previous report of the station INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 25 continued to give good results. Some attention is being giv^en to the varieties of avocados in the Territory, and four have been found ta have especial merit and they will be propagated as rapidly as possible. Experiments are also in progress in improving the papaya. It has been found that by the use of the pistillate plants in an orchard the nonbearing staminate plants can be eliminated. Enough perfect flowers are produced for the purpose of fertilization and the seed' lings from such fruits are either all pistillate or perfect, and the results of crossing are eliminated. Marked differences in quality, shipping, etc., have been noted and the experiments are being con- ducted to improve these characters. Shipping experiments w^ith sweet potatoes were undertaken during the year, and it was found practicable and profitable to ship them to San Francisco during the early summer before the California crop has begun to come in. The entomologist continued his studies of insect pests of agricul- tural croj3S with a view to their control. Especial attention has been given the insects attacking sweet potatoes in Hawaii, and a bulletin prepared on the subject. Attempts are being made to introduce para- sites of the algaroba bean weevil, but the results thus far can not be safely forecasted. Extensive additions were made to the collections of economic insects, and much work in breeding and life-history study is in progress. The cooperative work on the rubber plantations was continued. The commercial plantings have all been made at elevations of 1,400 feet or below, and satisfactory growth is reported. The Ceara rub- ber trees continue to grow more rapidly than the Hevea trees, and the extensive planting of Hevea trees will depend on whether the yield of rubber will ultimately be enough larger than that of Ceara to warrant the longer waiting for the first tapping. The advantage of clean cultivation of rubber plantations is shown by the much more vigorous growth of cultivated trees. ^Vhere cultivation can not be practiced owing to the rocky nature of the soil it was found desirable to destroy the weeds by other means. Spraying experiments were tried for the destruction of weeds among the rubber trees, and it was found that the ground could be cleared of all weeds by spraying with arsenite of soda. About 400 acres were successfully cleaned in this way at a cost of about $1.25 per acre. The work of the station continues to be of great practical im- portance, and the relations with the people of the islands are most cordial and helpful. In order to bring the results of investigations within the observation of many who can not otherwise be reached^ the station has taken up the problem of establishing demonstration farms in different parts of the islands. The funds are suj^plied by the Territorial government, and it is proposed, as far as possible, to work through the most successful farmer in the different homestead ■26 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. communities. The work will be planned and directed by the station, and the results can be interpreted by the man locally in charge. The work for the present will be largely on better methods of cul- tivation, rotation, and the introduction of neAv crops. PORTO RICO STATION. The office and laboratory building provided from insular funds \vas occupied and the installation of the equipment completed during the past year. The building has proved a model of comfort and convenience. The station and its work are being more appreciated each succeeding year, if the increased number of visitors, the growth of correspondence, and requests for advice and assistance are any i^riterion of the estimate placed upon it. While, of necessity, much W'ork is done that is of an elementary and demonstrational character, efforts are continually being made to draw the work into more defi- nite lines relating strictly to tropical conditions, with a view to de- termining some of the fundamental principles underlying a rational system of tropical aginculture. One of the lines to which especial attention is being paid is soil investigations. The climatic conditions in the Tropics have a peculiar effect on the soils. It was shown in the previous report that certain anaerobic bacteria tend to accumulate in the soil, and the products of their activity are detrimental to plant growth. It has been found that disinfecting the soil with chemicals, burning, or fallowing tends to correct these injurious conditions, and the station is working on cheap and efficient methods of partial soil sterilization. The physi- ologist of the station, who discovered that the areas designated as ''sick soils" contained abnormal amounts of butyric acid resulting from an accumulation of anaerobic bacteria in the soil, has continued his investigations, studying especially the role of protozoa in soils and methods for the economical disinfection of soils. The experiments on disinfection were conducted with soils that had become so infested with butyric-acid organisms as to render the cultivation of lilies im- possible. A number of disinfectants were tried and the best results were obtained with carbon bisulphid and chlorid of lime. The re- sults indicate that chlorid of lime is one of the best and cheapest soil disinfectants known. The chemical department during the past year carried out a large amount of analytical work on new varieties of sugar cane, waters, limestones, guanos, and other fertilizing materials. The research work was chiefly devoted to studies on soils and plant nutrition. Among the subjects of soil studies were the formation of calcareous hardpan, injury by alkaline waters, lime requirements of soils, etc. A larffe amount of work has been done on the causes and means for correction of the chlorosis of pineapples in certain districts of the INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 27 island, which appears to be due to unfavorable soil conditions. It appears that a content of more than 2 per cent of calcium carbonate in Porto Rican soils renders them unsuited for the gi'OAving of inne- apples. Treating the chlorotic plants with iron sulphate resulted in restoring the normal green color to the leaves and in stimulating the growth, but it is doubtful whether such treatments can be made com- mercially profitable. In connection with this investigation a study has been begun on the lime-requiring plants and those which do not thrive in the j^resence of lime. In view of the results of these investi- gations it is recommended that other crops, as tobacco, coconuts, pigeon peas, etc., be planted where the proportion of lime is found injurious to pineapples. Some studies on the lime and magnesium ratio for plants have been begun, and a series of water cultures is in progress. The entomologist continued his studies on the insect pests of citrus trees and has prepared a bulletin describing the principal insects and suggesting means for their control. In the preparation of this bul- letin it was necessary to test the methods of combating insects in other regions, and in many instances some modifications in the formulas for preparation of the insecticides or their application was necessary to adapt them to Porto Rican conditions. By fumigation, spraying, and the introduction of windbreaks about the trees, so as to permit the rapid gi'owth of beneficial fungi, it has been found practicable to keep the insects in check on most orchards. An investigation has been begun on the injury to coffee trees by ants. The ants live pref- erably on the shade trees, but colonies were found on coffee trees, where they do some damage. Experiments with repellents have shown that some may be found defective. An extensive study has been made of Lachnosterna sp., an insect resembling the May beetle. Its larvae are particularly troublesome in cane fields. The beetles feed principally on certain weeds, and spraying the weeds with arsenate of lead was found to destroy the most of the beetles. Carbon bisulphid injected into the soil destroyed the grubs, and experiments are in progress with lime and other fertilizers to prevent, if possible, the depositing of the eggs in the cane. A parasitic mite has been found on the larvae of the beetle, and its work is being watched with great interest. Studies have also been made of the insects attacking guavas, and the life history of a number of species is being vrorked out. Through the activities of the station a deep interest has been aroused in beekeep- ing, and a number of nuclei of broods have been disposed of to go to coffee plantations. At one time the station was instructing 15 persons in the handling of bees, methods of raising, and the production of honey. The entomologist made a visit to Cuba during the year to compare some of the insect problems of that island with those in Porto Rico. 28 REPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The plant pathologist studied the diseases of a number of eco- nomic plants; among them were those occurring on coffee, cacao, pine- apples, citrus fruits, sugar cane, and bananas. It has been found possible to control the coffee-leaf blight by spraying just before the beginning of the wet season. Experiments are in progress looking to the control of the coffee disease due to Stllhunb fiavidum. The effect of trenching about trees to prevent the spread of a root disease is being tried. The experiments on soil disinfection for the preven- tion of the Fusarium on pineapples have been so successful that the treatment on a field scale was made during the past year. Experi- ments have shown that spraying with Bordeaux mixture can not be depended upon to control citrus scab in Porto Eico, as is claimed to be the case elsewhere. A study has been begun on the fungi causing root injuries to sugar cane, in which the fungi have been isolated and as far as possible identified. A disease of bananas, apparently due to a species of Fusarium that enters the plants through the roots, is under observation. It has given little trouble until the present year, and studies of methods for its control have been beffun. A bud rot of coconuts has been found in a few locali- ties, and as a somewhat similar disease is very destructive elsewhere in the West Indies it will be given attention. The work with coffee, in addition to the experiments in the renova- tion of old plantations and establishment of new ones, includes in- vestigations with foreign coffees, methods of transplanting, viability of coffee seed and means for preserving it, methods of fertilizing and cultivation adapted to different types of soil, etc. Among the foreign coffees introduced by the station a number of trees have borne and the station has limited quantities of seed of Padang, Maragogype, Preanger, a Ceylon hybrid, and the famous Blue Mountain coffee of Jamaica that may be had for planting purposes. These are among the highest-priced coffees of the world, and 3-year-old trees have yielded over a pound of cleaned coffee to the tree. The work with coffee will be considerably extended. Severe windstorms caused many of the coffee berries to fall from the trees, and as a result the crop was considerably less than it otherwise would have been. Experiments have been begun on the value of windbreaks in con- nection with coffee planting, and some of the species planted are ready for testing. The result of the renovation experiment of the old plantation for 1910 showed a production of 260 pounds per acre, the cost of which for the year was $5.^5 per hundred pounds. Practically all the seed produced on the new plantation was dis- tributed for planting or used in testing, and no financial statement for the year is possible. The horticulturist devoted much attention to a study of some of the problems of citrus fruits, as that industry is developing quite INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 29 rapidly in Porto Rico. An experiment to determine the losses in transit of carelessly handled fruit showed that 22 per cent of bruised fruit, 11 per cent of fruit pulled from the stems, 38 per cent of fruit cut by clippers, and only 6 per cent of sound, carefully handled fruit had decayed after 14 days in storage. This shows that the great losses of citrus fruits are due to careless handling. The variety plant- ings of citrus fruits began bearing during the past season, and within a few years the relative value of the more important varieties for planting in Porto Rico should be definitely known. The value of growing cover crops in orchards has been given attention for some time, and it is becoming a common practice to grow them during the period of heaviest rainfall. Tests are now being made of a large number of leguminous cover crops to determine which are best suited to the prevailing conditions. Considerable additions were made to the collection of mangoes, and the station now has growing 62 distinct varieties besides numerous &'eedlings. Experiments are in progress with various methods of proiDagating the mango, and the most satisfactory method, at least for old trees, is by bark grafting. Plantings of additional species of rubber-yielding trees have been made and a tapping trial of some 8-year-old Castilloa trees was conducted, the herringbone system be- ing used, but this method does not appear suitable to this species in Porto Rico. Plantings of vanilla, cacao, and other economic plants Iiave been made, and the station's collections of these plants are being rapidly extended. A study has been begun on the reasons for the rapid deterioration of vegetables grown from northern seed, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, okra, radishes, beets, and cantaloups being experimented with. The Avork in animal husbandry has been largely confined to the introduction and acclimatization of improved breeds of live stock, and some results of the introductions are beginning to be shown. Some trouble has been met with in the introductions of stock by reason of diseases, but methods for overcoming them have been learned. Horses have suffered from osteoporosis, but in several cases the dis- ease has yielded to treatment. Glanders affect horses and mules of the island, but the station stock has thus far been free from it. Ticks infest cattle at certain seasons and tend to keep them somewhat emaciated, but otherwise do little damage. The progeny of x^merican saddle-bred horses bred to native mares have matured into handsome animals that command very high prices. The station has introduced eix more horses during the year to continue the work. The cross-bred zebu bulls introduced by the station in 1909 have developed splen- didly, and they will be used to improve the size of the native cattle. The woolless sheep introduced from Barbados a year ago have proved well adapted to their surroundings, but need some improvement in 30 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. their meat-yielding qualities. The breeds of pigs and poultry intro- duced by the station are proving adaptable to Forto Rican conditions and the surplus is in great demand by planters and breeders. Con- tinued experiments with cane tops and corn as silage have shown the importance of the silo as an adjunct to stock keeping. A study is being made of various stock feeds, concentrates being but little used in Porto Rico. There does not appear to be much prospect for the local production of concentrated feeds and more attention should be given to those forage crops which can to some extent supplement the present scarcity. This must be done by the planters before there can be a very extensive improvement in the stock situation. During the year more sanitary and commodious buildings for the farm live stock were erected. GUAM STATION. The purchase of the tract of land leased by the station from Juan Torres was completed and the transfer of the property made accord- ing to the laws and customs of Guam. The purchase price, $1,300, is considered very reasonable, and the station now has a permanent location. The land was cleared of its tropical growth and fenced, some roads were constructed, and necessary buildings were erected or are in course of erection. Of the 32 acres that are adapted to general agriculture all but 5 or 6 are now under cultivation. In order to supply the station with water for irrigation and other pur- poses a well was dug that gives an abundance of good water, and an engine, pump, and pipes were secured to convey the water to points where it is needed. The work of improving the station has proceeded exceedingly well, when it is understood that nearly all supplies must be sent by trans- port from San Francisco, and all the planning and much of the overeight of the work devolve directly on the special agent in charge. A capable foreman has been secured and the burden somewhat lightened. The greater portion of the available land has been planted to forage crops of various kinds. One of the lines of work which it is desired to take up is the introduction of better live stock, but before that can be done a regular supply of forage must be assured. On this account especial efforts were given to the production of forage, and Kafir corn, Egyptian corn, broom com, sorghum, milo maize, Johnson grass, Guinea grass, Paspaluni' dllatatum.^ peanuts, mung beans, jack beans, cowpeas, soy beans, and velvet beans were intro- duced and are under comparison. Kafir corn produced large yields of green feed when planted during the dry season, and when cut the plants sent out new shoots and quickly produced a second crop. The rattooning habit was found to apply to a number of crops in INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 31 Guam that are ordinarily grown as annuals elsewhere. Among the grasses, Paspalum dilatatmn, a native of Brazil that has become established quite extensively elsewhere, gives promise of the greatest value. Guinea grass, that was introduced from Hawaii, is also promising and it is believed that under more favorable circum- stances it will yield heavily. Johnson grass, which was introduced into Guam some years ago under the name Samoa grass, Avas planted at the station, but it has thus far shown no superiority over the two other species mentioned. On account of its tendency to spread and to hold the ground, even against cultivation, it will not be distributed for general planting until its habits in Guam are better known. The experiments with leguminous plants proved quite successful, so far as growing the plants was concerned. Cowpeas and velvet beans were found to grow readily and yield a large amount of for- age, but where it was desired to enrich the soil by plowing them under the native plows would not answer the purpose. A variety of bush Lima beans w^as secured that produced an immense amount of leaves on fairly good soil and it was more easily plowed under. The soil of the station, although formerly in cultivation, has, through the common methods of cultivation, been depleted of much of its fertility. It is, however, typical of much of the farm land of Guam, and offers a good opportunity of demonstrating methods of enriching the soil through the use of leguminous crops, etc. Some attention was given to corn culture and methods for improv- ing it. Considerable corn is grown in Guam and it forms a staple article of diet, being largely used in the form of corn cakes. The special agent in charge introduced a small hand mill for grinding corn to take the place of the usual laborious method, and he is ex- perimenting with the ground seed of Kafir corn as a substitute for maize meal. An experiment is in progress to determine a practicable method of storing corn and other grains. Great losses are occa- sioned by weevils and rots due to the excessive humidity, and as a result only limited quantities are commonly stored. A method of kiln drying and sealing in tanks was successfully tried as a means of preventing loss and providing a supply for future use. A number of the fruits and vegetables introduced by the station are giving excellent results. Pineapples and avocados introduced through the Hawaii Experiment Station are thriving, the first avocados pro- duced on the island being from seed sent to Guam from Honolulu for planting in the governor's garden some four or five years ago. Several varieties of sweet potatoes were introduced from Hawaii and they proved superior to anything previously grown in Guam. Experiments are in progress with a large number of other field crops and vegetables, and with some considerable success has been attained. 32 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The station is striving to gain the confidence and interest of the people in its work, and for the short time it lias been in operation the results seem quite satisfactory. The people seem anxious to obtain seeds of plants the value of which they can see, and some are quite interested in the implements and methods of cultivation that have been adopted. One of the most successful implements introduced was a small cultivator that cost about $5. "With one of these and a carabao a man can do more and better work in the field than 10 men can do with the native implements. The ad- Vantages of this cultivator were quickly perceived, and arrangements were made to supply a limited number of requests for them at cost. The introduction of these will doubtless be followed by a demand for other agricultural implements and tools and a decided advance in agriculture will be brought about. The introduction of some improved live stock and the study of some of the more important insect pests and plant diseases are problems that are to be taken up as soon as possible. For the present the important problem is to interest the people in agriculture and get them back upon the farms. It is believed this can best be ac- complished by simple experiments in which the elementary prin- cii^les of agriculture are taught through ocular demonstration. NUTRITION INVESTIGATIONS. Foodstuffs of all sorts, both animal and vegetable, are agricul- tural products. Through its nutrition investigations the Department of Agriculture studies many questions which pertain to the utiliza- tion of foods, with a view to benefiting the producer, the distributor, and the consumer. As a whole the nutrition enterprise involves co- operation with other bureaus of the department when this seems desirable, and the supplementing, but not the duplication, of their Avork, During the past year attention was given especially to experi- ments with the respiration calorimeter, and particularly to matters which have to do with meat and with cheese, to the application of the results of technical experiments to the preparation of food, to the preparation of bulletins, both technical and popular, and to meet- ing in other ways the public demand for data on nutrition topics. The study of many of the practical everyda}^ problems having to do with the nutrition of man as well as the investigation of complex problems necessitate the accurate measurement of the income and outgo of matter and energy and related factors. From time to time various methods have been joroposed for accomplishing this end, and apparatus of a variety of types which would measure one or more of the desired factors has been devised. It has been generally con- NUTRITION INVESTIGATIONS. 33 ceded that the respiration calorimeter, devised and perfected in con- nection with the nutrition investigations of the Office of Experiment Stations, adequately meets the requirements of the case and that the perfecting of the respiration calorimeter represents a great advance in experimental methods of importance in studying agricultural and other problems. The respiration calorimeter, which has been installed in improved form at the Department of Agriculture, has been carefully tested and found fully satisfactory. During the year some accessory appa- ratus was installed which is of decided value since it very materially lessens the effect of external temperature upon the calorimeter, a matter of importance in connection with its use in warm climates and in localities subject to varying temperatures. The problems studied with this apparatus during the last year have to do particularly with the relative ease of digestion of cheese and of meat as parts of a simple mixed diet. The results as yet ob- tained do not show that significant differences exist when the quan- tites eaten are comparable with those observed in the usual diet. This work was undertaken to round out investigations carried on in coop- eration with the Bureau of Animal Industry on the relative nutritive value of cheese made and cured in different ways and of cheese of different sorts. From these experiments it has already been learned that cheese is digested very thoroughly by the average individual and that it is not a common cause of physiological disturbance as is often claimed. As a whole the work has demonstrated the high nutritive value of cheese and the possibility of its use in quantity in the diet as a source of both protein and fat. Many tests have also been made of preparing cheese and meat for the table, to supplement the more technical work referred to above, and that which has been undertaken earlier with respect to the rela- tive nutritive value and digestibility of different kinds and cuts of meat cooked in various ways. The results of the technical and prac- tical studies with meat were embodied in a Farmers' Bulletin on the economical use of meat in the home, and the preparation of a similar bulletin dealing with the use of cheese as an economical and nutritious part of the diet was undertaken. It is also proposed to studv the relative value as sources of energy in the body of beef fat, vegetable oils of different kinds, butter, lard, and other edible or culinary fats, since experimental data on this subject are much needed in considering questions which are at the present time of special interest to the Department of Agi'iculture. It is also expected that some special studies of the nutritive value of honey will be undertaken, for which a demand has arisen. The economical use of cereals, fruits, nuts, and vegetables, and products made from them can be studied by methods now available, 91866°— 11 3 34 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. which would inchide work with the respiration calorimeter, and it is believed that such studies and the supplementary work along these lines which has already been done by the department could not fail to yield results of importance in discussing the available food supply with reference to economical and rational living. It seems fair to say that the recent adaptation of the respiration calorimeter to experiments with vegetable products marks a decided advance in agricultural investigation. In work imdertaken in coop- eration with the Bureau of Chemistry studies have been made of ripening fruit (bananas), in which the gaseous exchange and energy output were measured during the ripening period. The results are of decided interest theoretically, and also for their bearing on prob- lems relating to fruit handling and storage. Plans have been formu- lated for other investigations which have to do with questions of vegetable physiology in which the department is interested, the work to be undertaken in cooperation with other bureaus. There are many problems concerned with the relation between food consumption and the production of useful work on the farm and in the home which are of great importance and special interest at this time, when so much attention is being directed to the problem of efficiency in the production of useful labor. Work already under- taken shows that such problems can be studied with the respiration calorimeter as readily and as satisfactorily as the relation of fuel to the production of work in an engine can be determined by the lab- oratory methods commonly used in the study of such a question. Indeed, it would seem that the respiration calorimeter or some similar device is a necessity if certain data are to be procured which are fundamental to the adequate discussion of problems pertaining to the production of useful work. The question of insuring satisfactory luncheons for school chil- dren, and the related problem of supplying under municipal and philanthropic auspices food for needy school children, are assuming great importance and a widespread interest is manifested in this whole subject. Data regarding many phases of this question are frequently requested from the Department of Agriculture and can be supplied from the accumulated results of past experiments. However, some additional information should be sought by the improved methods of experimenting which are now available. Requests are also frequently received from institution managers for advice and suggestions regarding food problems which arise when a large number of persons are fed under more or less uniform condi- tions. It is possible in this case also to supply a large amount of in- formation derived from facts accumulated in connection with earlier experiments of the department. Here, too, additional data are much needed and could be readily accumulated. NUTRITION INVESTIGATIONS. 35 The department investigations in nutrition and in kindred lines have a vital relation to the work of the agricultural colleges and experiment stations. In response to a Avidespread demand from farmers and others, the agricultural colleges are oti'ering courses in home economics in which instruction regarding the nutritive value of different foods and ways of handling and cooking them constitutes an important feature. The colleges have always looked to the department for aid in this line, and are now doing so more than ever. The agricultural colleges have been stimulated by a recent act of Congress to organize courses for teachers along this line as well as other branches of agriculture and mechanic arts. Secondary and primary schools all over the United States are taking up the work and the demand for teachers and for information exceeds the supply. Students, teachers, investigators, and interested individuals recognize the importance of the nutrition investigations of the department in this connection and turn to the department in increasing nmnbers for information and suggestions. This is only one phase of a great movement for improving living conditions in country and town by means of education directly re- lated to home economics and the vocations of the people. It has long been understood that work of this character has been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and the demand for information con- tinues to increase. Owing in large measure to the interest which the Department of Agriculture has taken in such questions, many of the experiment stations have devoted part of their resources to the study of nutri- tion problems and the interest in such lines of work is growing. One of the most interesting features of the Department of Agri- culture work is that the department is so generally regarded as a bureau of information by the public as a whole, and this is as marked with reference to nutrition matters as with other branches of agri- cultural work. The number of farmers' waves and other house- keepers and teachers and individuals who submit their problems to the department and ask for data and suggestions regarding food, nutrition, and other home problems is very large and constantly in- creasing. This means that directly and personally, as well as by means of its publications, experimental work, and its close relation with agricultural colleges and other educational institutions, the department comes in touch with the people of the United States and is able to demonstrate that its nutrition work is of interest and prac- tical value as well as of scientific importance. The results of the nutrition investigations, in accordance with the usual policy of the department, have been published in technical bul- letins in limited editions, while the general deductions of popular interest which have been drawn from experimental work, have been 36 EEPOKT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. summarized in Farmers' Bulletins and other popular publications designed for general circulation, a total of 60 technical bulletins and 46 Farmers' Bulletins and jDopular summaries having been published up to the present time, together with numerous reports of progress and similar articles. That the data thus reported are of general interest is indicated by the fact that the demand for technical bulletins almost always exceeds tlie supply, while the requests for popular bulletins can only be met by reprinting them at frequent intervals. Of 22 Farmers' Bulletins on nutrition topics now avail- able, the department records show that a total of over 7,000.000 copies have been distributed and almost entirely upon request. During the past year 1 technical bulletin, a series of 15 colored food and nutrition charts, 3 Farmers' Bulletins, and 1 circular were issued. The technical bulletin reports the results of studies of calcium, magnesium, and phosphoiiis in food and nutrition. The food charts, which are of a size suitable for classroom use, are de- signed to show in graphic form the composition and nutritive value of a considerable number of food materials in common use in the American home. Outline figures representing a variety of food mate- rials are divided in such a way that the proportions of water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and ash are indicated and colored, so that the kind of nutritive material present and the relative amount may be seen at a glance in much the same way that the proportion of land and water in a country and the general character of the surface may be seen from a map. The Farmers' Bidletins have to do with the economical use of meat in the home, with bread and bread making, and with the care of milk and its use in the home, the last-mentioned bulletin having been pre- pared in cooiDcration with the Bureau of Animal Industry. The circular describes briefly the organization and extent of the nutrition investigations, the methods of distributing nutrition bul- letins, and lists and describes the publications issued in connection with the enterj^rise. It is designed particularh^ to meet the requests for information received from investigators and other interested per- sons in various countries. In addition to the above, a technical bulletin, a Farmer's Bulletin dealing with the economical use of cheese in the diet, and a circular discussing food in American homes have been prepared for publi- cation, while several special articles and technical reports are ap- proaching completion. As a part of the regular work in nutrition, abstracts of the cur- rent literature on the general subjects of physiological chemistry and nutrition were prepared for the Experiment Station Record, as well as popular summaries, particularly of work carried on at the Ameri- can experiment stations, for publication in the series of Farmers' Bulletins entitled " Experiment Station Work." IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. 37 As has been the case for many years, many requests for information along nutrition lines were received from Members of Congress, teach- ers, institution managers, home makers, and others. The work connected Avith nutrition investigations, as heretofore, has been in charge of Dr. C. F. Langworthy. IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. For a number of 3^ears after this division of the office was estab- lished the headquarters of the field force were for the most part at two central stations. One of these was located at Cheyenne, Wyo., and represented the Eocky Mountain States; the other was at Berke- ley, Cal., and represented the Pacific Coast States. This arrange- ment necessitated too much travel and was in other respects undesira- ble. Accordingly, during the past three years a reorganization of the field force has been undertaken by Dr. Fortier, the chief of this division. This readjustment consisted in placing an agent in charge of irrigation investigations in each State of the arid region. Already 10 State agencies have been established, and as soon as sufficient funds can be secured agents will be appointed in the other Western States. The wisdom of this plan has been fully shown by the results obtained since the change was made. It has been found that the agent whose duties are confined to a single State has a much better opportunity to become familiar with local conditions as regards irrigation and its allied subjects. This knowledge is necessary to one whose business it is to advise and instruct farmers and the officers of irrigation enter- prises of all kinds with a view to bringing about better methods. If he is the right kind of man, the longer he represents a State the more knowledge he will acquire regarding its conditions and possibilities, and the more valuable will his services become. In the following paragraphs are given a brief description of the work undertaken during the past year and of some of the more prom- inent irrigation features in each of the fields of ojseration. CALIFORNIA. The work in this State is under the general supervision of Frank Adams, with headquarters at Berkeley. He is assisted by V. M. Cone, in charge of the San Joaquin Yalle}^, and by C. E. Tait, in charge of southern California. The State cooperates with this office in the work by contributing one-half of the funds necessary to carry on the investigations. A tract consisting of about 15 acres on the university farm at Davis has been set aside for experiments in irrigation. This tract is subdivided in such a way as to illustrate the various methods of applying water and in the channels which supply water different devices for the measurement and division of water 38 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. haA-e been installed. Experiments have likewise been conducted to determine the duty of water on alfalfa, wheat, and corn. Some interesting results have been obtained from experiments on the canals of the San Joaquin Valley to determine the eii'ect of velocity upon seepage losses. In southern California the investigations have included the meth- ods and cost of cleaning canals, a study of the organization of mutual water companies, cost of pumping water, and the storage of flood water in the gravel beds of the Imperial Valley. In addition to this work a study is being made of the conditions in Eussian River and Napa River Valleys, in northern California, and in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, in southern California, to show the advantage of irrigation in regions where irrigation is not essential to crop production. The Berkeley office is headquarters for instruments under the charge of E. J. Hoff, where instruments from all parts of the Union are sent for repairs. Here also new devices for measuring water are tested and both new and old current meters rated. The published reports ^ of the agents in California during the past year comprise a bulletin on the Delivery of AVater to Irrigators, by Mr. Adams; a circular containing a review of irrigation investiga- tions in California, by the same author; a bulletin on Irrigation in the San Joaquin Valley, Cal, by Mr. Cone ; a bulletin on the Use of Underground Water for Irrigation at Pomona, Cal., by Mr. Tait; and a bulletin on Irrigation in California, by Mr. Roeding. WASHINGTON. Mr. S. O. Jayne has been in charge of the work in this State for the past seven years, with headquarters at Spokane. He has been engaged for the most part in advising settlers regarding irrigation, although some experiments have been conducted at the Sunnyside sta- tion to determine the duty of water, evaporation losses, etc. A care- ful study has been made of the methods in vogue in districts where all the available flow of streams is now diverted for irrigation pur- poses with a view to bringing about a more economical use of the water and thus extending the irrigated area. The excessive use of water in some of the most fertile valleys has caused thousands of acres to become waterlogged, making drainage necessary. In other sections the soil is extremely porous and requires large quantities of water, and the problem there is how to prevent deep percolation be- yond the roots of the plants. Through the efforts of this office much improvement has already been made in irrigation practice. Large areas of land in Washington are well adapted to fruit rais- 1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Buls. 229, 236, 237, 239 ; Circ. 108. IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. 39 ing, and expensive systems have been installed for supplying water to this land which makes an economical use of water of prime importance. In eastern Washington a section of country is being settled and farmed by dry-farming methods, and these new settlers are becoming convinced that they must have a supplemental water supply to irri- gate small areas as an insurance in seasons of extreme drought. Our agent has investigated the cost of installing and operating small pumping plants in this section. Mr. Jayne has assisted Mr. Byron Hunter, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, iii the preparation of a cir- cular entitled " Suggestions to Settlers on the Sandy Soils of the Columbia River Valley." ^ IDAHO. Don H. Bark, located at Boise, is in charge of the investigations in this State. The work is carried on under a cooperative arrange- ment between the State experiment station, the State land board, several large irrigation enterprises, and this office. About two years ago a farm of 40 acres was established at Gooding, with John Krall, jr., in direct charge. Excellent results have been obtained at this station in determining the effect of different quantities of water on alfalfa, grain, potatoes, and other field crops. Large areas of new land are being brought under irrigation in Idaho, and a great many farmers from humid sections wholly ignorant of irrigation methods have settled on these new farms. Our agents have done much through the local press, farmers' insti- tutes, by exhibits at county and State fairs, and by personal visits to teach proper methods of preparing land and applying water. An extensive investigation of the duty of water has been begun, embracing a variety of soil conditions and including all the standard crops. The investigations are carried on under field conditions, and it is believed the results will show the actual amount of water neces- sary for maximum yields under varying conditions and economical use. The results so far obtained have been published in the biennial report of the State engineer of Idaho.^ NEVADA. Prof. Gordon H. True, of the University of Nevada, is in charge of this field and is assisted by F. L. Peterson. The work is under a cooperative arrangement between the State experiment station and this office and consists chiefly of experiments to determine the evap- oration from irrigated soils and investigations of duty of water on grain and alfalfa. 1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Cir. 60. 2 Eighth Bien. Rpt. State Engin. Idaho, 8 (1909-10), p. 220. 40 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. UTAH. Prof..W.W. McLaughlin has charge of the work in this State, with headquarters at Logan. The State cooperates with this office through the experiment station, one-half of the expenses of the work being paid from State funds. This being the oldest irrigated section of the country, the work is naturally of a more technical and scientific nature than in the newer sections. A study has been made of the lateral and downward movement of the water in soil with different amounts of water ai^plied at different times and with different methods of cultivation. In this connection studies have been made to determine the proper length, dej^th, and distance apart of furrows in order to produce maximum yields with minimum quantities of water. The investigations have shown that light early irrigation and heavy late irrigation tend to a light production of fodder or straw and a heavy production of seed, while heavy early irrigation and light late irrigation cause the reverse. The number of irriga- tions during a season have been found to have a very important bearing on the yield. In the iiTigation of sugar beets it was found that merely by a better handling of the same quantity of water the sugar content was increased 2.1 per cent. Considerable work has also been done in peach and apple orchards to determine the effect of different quantities of water and different times of application on the growth of the trees and the growth of the fruit. In peach orchards it was found that the most rapid gi'owth of the tree and the stone is made in the fore part of the season, while that of the peach is made in the last part of the season and liberal applications of water in late summer resulted in large yields. Prof. McLaughlin has recently prepared a Farmers' Bulletin on the Irrigation of Grain. ^ ARIZONA. P. E. Fuller, located at Phoenix, has charge of the work in this State and also has general charge of investigations of power for irrigation throughout the West. His work in Arizona has consisted chiefly of giving personal advice to irrigators, especially in the instal- lation of pumping plants. Mr. Fuller has prepared a Farmers' Bul- letin on the Use of AYindmills in Irrigation in the Semiarid West.^ NEW MEXICO. F. L. Bixby has charge of this field in connection with work in the agricultural college. A careful study is being made of irrigation conditions throughout the Territory, and it has been found that the methods in practice for the most part are very crude. The chief work HI. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 399. - U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 394. IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. 41 of our agent is therefore of an educational nature, to induce bet-ter and more economical methods of growing irrigated crops. Consid- erable areas in New Mexico are irrigated with pumped w^ater, and data have been obtained regarding pumping plants which will be of value to those who contemplate installing new plants. Measurements have also been made on a number of canals to determine roughly the amount of water being applied by present wasteful methods and data have been collected showing the yields which have been obtained under such conditions. Experiments with evaporation tanks to de- termine losses of moisture from irrigated soil have been carried on at the New Mexico station for the past three years. COLORADO. The work in this State of late years has been largely experimental. A demonstration farm 40 acres in size is maintained at Eads under the direct charge of W. H. Lauck. The work consists in part of a comparison between dry farming and irrigation, the use of small supplies of pumped water as a supplement to dry farming, and the proper handling of the soil to prevent the damaging effects of high wnnds. Experimental tracts are also maintained at Rocky ford and Canon City, of which R. G. Hemphill is in charge. At Rockyford com- parisons have been made with different methods of irrigating sugar beets, such as the every and alternate row irrigation, rapid and slow irrigation, and different number of irrigations. At Canon City the Avork has consisted of comparisons in a 4-acre apple orchard of clean cultivation and light irrigations versus intercropping and heavy irri- gations. The results here seem to favor clean cultivation in bearing orchards. WYOMING. In this State the work has been confined to tw^o experimental farms, one located at Cheyenne, under the direction of John H. Gor- don, and the other at Newcastle, under the direction of R. E. Mahoney. The Che3'enne farm consists of TO acres and was the first of its kind established by the office. The chief lines of work have been to demon- strate the advantage of having a small supplemental water supply as a supplement to dry farming and of utilizing the flow of streams dur- ing the winter months by irrigation in connection with thorough cul- tivation. Comparisons have been made of different types of wind- mills, and experiments wath various materials suitable for lining small reservoirs have been made. The work at Newcastle is along practically the same lines as that at Cheyenne. Two circulars ^ have been published giving the results obtained at these two stations. lU. S. Dept. Agi-., Office Expt. Stas. Circs. 92, 95. 42 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. MONTANA. Experiments to determine the losses of water from soil by evapora- tion have been carried on for the past three years in cooperation with the State experiment station at Bozeman. L. F. Geiseker has charge of this work. NORTH DAKOTA, Experiments similar to those described for Montana have been conducted in cooperation with the State experiment station at Willis- ton, with E. G. Schollander in charge. KANSAS. The greater part of the irrigated land of Kansas is in the extreme western portion of the State in the Arkansas Valley. J. W. Long- streth is our agent in this territory, with headquarters at Lakin. He has investigated the present irrigation practice in the Arkansas Val- ley and in other sections of the State where irrigation is practiced and has made a special study of pumping plants, since fully one-half the irrigation is done with pumped water. Experiments have been conducted to determine the proper method of applying pumped water to sandy soils in order to secure a uniform distribution and prevent excessive losses by deep percolation. Small applications applied at frequent intervals seem to be the best method under such conditions. Some good results have been secured by winter irrigation with ditch water and it is believed that, owing to the large flow in the Arkansas River during the winter months, considerable areas can be irrigated profitably in this way. TEXAS. W. L. Rockwell is in charge of the work in this State, with head- quarters at San Antonio. Rapid development is being made in irrigation and consequently large areas are being put under cultiva- tion by farmers unfamiliar with irrigation practice. Our agent has therefore devoted the greater part of his time to visiting the sec- tions where irrigation is practiced and giving advice to new settlers. In some of the older irrigated sections very crude and wasteful methods are employed and he is endeavoring to bring about a reform in these methods which will result in extending the irrigated area and increasing the crop returns. There are a large number of pump- ing plants in the State, and these are also being studied. DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 43 IRRIGATION OF RICE. The investigation of irrigation problems" in the rice districts of the vSoiith has been under the charge of Prof. AV. B. Gregory, of Tulane University, New Orleans, for a number of years, who has divided his time between this office and the university. Owing to the increasing interest in rice growing and the many complex prob- lems Avhich have arisen, it has been found necessary to place another agent in the rice district who could devote his entire time to the w^ork. C. (t. Haskell has been, given charge of this work with tem- porary headquarters at Stuttgart, Ark. The ravages of the boll weevil haA^e made the growing of cotton less profitable than formerly and the farmers are turning to rice growing. This necessitates the installation of pumping plants, the building of levees, etc., and the cotton growers are usuallj' entirely unfamiliar with such things. Prof. Gregory has recently prepared a circular ^ on the cost of install- ing small pumping plants which is designed to meet the needs of this class. IRRIGATION IN HUMID SECTIONS. Milo B. Williams is in charge of irrigation investigations in the Eastern and Southern States, where irrigation is practiced as an insurance in times of drought and for intensive farming of truck crops and small fruits. In some parts of Florida during the winter months the rainfall is frequently quite light and irrigation is prac- ticed for the growing of truck and citrus crops. Considerable areas are also irrigated in the artesian region of Alabama and Georgia and to a limited extent in isolated sections in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and a number of other States. The soil and climatic conditions in the East are so entirely different from those of the arid region that western methods of irrigation can not as a rule be followed. The principal methods employed at present are the overhead spray system and subirrigation from pipes, and our agent is devoting the greater part of his time to a study of these systems. It is highly desirable to find cheaper methods of applying water to the soil than those now in vogue, and it is believed that this can be accomplished when conditions are fully understood. DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. There has been no material change in the scope or general conduct of the work pertaining to drainage investigations during the year, but the field has widened as public interest in agricultural drainage has increased. Investigations and surveys were made in twenty lU. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Circ. 101. 44 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. different States and Territories during the year by engineers of the office, some of the work being done in cooperation with local interests which contributed a part of the expense. The chief of drainage investigations directs a regular staff' of 25 office and field engineers and 2 draftsmen. The entire time of one engineer is given to the work of tile drainage in various parts of the humid region where special information and advice upon that subject are needed, and five are stationed in the Western States to. study the problems which arise in attempts to drain irrigated lands and to assist the owners Avho desire to reclaim tracts which have become injured by seepage or by alkali. Other field engineers are employed in examining and reporting nj^on the status of drainage in various localities, such examinations being made upon special requests which are filed from time to time with the office, Thev are also charged with the duty of advising engineers, farmers, and others regarding the best practice in drainage, of collecting practical and technical data pertaining to methods of reclaiming land, of giving assistance to land owners in the organization of drainage districts, and of sug- gesting preliminary plans for reclaiming areas of farm lands or those subject to j)eriodical overfloAv, all of which may be made useful for agriculture. The office engineers reph^ to inquiries received by mail concerning perplexing drainage problems. They also examine plans which are transmitted by mail or in person, and in many instances suggest improvements or modifications which are of great value. They review, check, and edit the reports jDrepared by the field engi- neers upon the various projects which they have worked out, and dis- seminate as far as practicable the information obtained by the entire staff of engineers. Some of the special problems encountered in farm drainage are the rate of percolation of water through heavy, compact soils, such as buckshot and river-bottom silts, the proper drainage and conser- vation of moisture in peat and muck soils, the comparative value and econom}^ of large tile drains as compared with open ditches under the A'arious conditions of soil and of agricultural development, and the best and cheapest methods of constructing small ditches for water- courses and digging trenches for tile drains. Problems connected with the drainage of iiTigat^d land require a careful study of the movement of the ground water in order to develop practical and efficient methods of restoring injured lands to their former value for cropping purposes. Thorough investigations show that in some instances a single drain may intercept the under- flow and prove efficient. In others it is found that several drains are required to properly reclaim the injured fields. The accumulation of alkali which results from seepage in many localities is a serious menace but is removed by draining the land which shows injur}' of DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 45 that kind. The assistance given to farmers in the far West by the office inchicles examinations and surveys of seeped hinds made upon the request of the owners, and sometimes the supervision of the con- struction of the drains, as well as their design, in order that the methods of draining such land may be demonstrated for the benefit of localities where similar conditions j^revail. The technical data which the office endeavors to secure include measurements of run-off from drained areas and representative water- sheds, measurements of the discharge from artificial drainage chan- nels, the efficiency of drains in different soils, methods of regidating the moisture of peat and muck soils, a study of machinery which is adapted to the construction of levees and ditches of different kinds, and investigations of pumping plants for drainage purposes. The assistance rendered in the inauguration of drainage works in- cludes preliminaiy field examinations followed by oral or written reports to the people who are concerned in each project; surveys, upon request, of representative areas, and the preparation of working plans Avhich are presented in a report accompanied by maps and other necessary drawings, together with estimates of cost; and con- sultation with engineers and commissioners of drainage districts regarding the effectiveness of drainage plans which are not prepared by the office. Where surveys are made, district authorities or local landowners sometimes pay a share of the cost. This enables the office to extend assistance to a larger number of fields than it other- wise would be able to do. The work is being done under the immediate direction of C. G. Elliott, chief of drainage investigations, and may be classified and described under the following headings : (1) Improvement of farm lands now under cultivation. (2) Drainage of swamp lands. (3) Reclamation of land subject to frequent overflows from streams. (4) Drainage of irrigated lands. (5) Collection of general and technical data on drainage. (6) Preliminary and reconnoissance work. (7) Dissemination of information. IMPBOVEMENT OF FARM LANDS. A survey was made of the Ivedclen farms, comprising 740 acres, near Redden, Del., by L. L. Hidinger. Plans were prepared for a system of tile drains and open ditches for a part, including the improvement of the Mifflin Ditch, which is the outlet for the drainage of the larger part of the farm. A survey was made, by J. R. Haswell, of the farm of William R. Marrs, near Hebbardsville, Ky., which contains about 300 acres, 46 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. more than 260 of which are cultivated, and combines the very rolling topography of the upland country with the wet draws of the flat bottom lands. A complete sj'stem of tile drains for the lowland was laid out, and also an experimental sj^stem for the hillsides, to test the value of underdrains for preventing erosion by the surplus water from the hills. The work of installing the drains will be started at once by Mr. Marrs, and the farm will serve as an excellent example of the efficiency of underdrainage for these purjDOses in the silt and clay loam soils of that region. An examination was made, without an instrumental survey, of Mrs. Adam Rankin's farm of 400 acres near Henderson, Hy. A report was prepared outlining the drainage needed for those lands. L. L. Hidinger made a survey of the farm of the Princess Anne Academy, a school for colored people near Princess Anne, Md., used as the eastern branch of the Maryland Agricultural College. A plan was prepared for a sj'stem of tile lines to drain about lOG acres, and instruction was given to the principal and local manager in the prin-. ciples and practice of farm drainage, that they might be taught to the students. The engineer's assistants were pupils of the academy. A survey of the Cumberland farm, consisting of 2.500 acres, near Portsmouth, Va., was made by George H. Boyd. The system of ditches that had been constructed by the owners of the farm had not given the desired efficiency, and plans were made for improving the drainage by modifying the old system, and by the construction of some new ditches and a low levee to intercejjt the water flowing from adjacent higher land as well as to remove more promptly that falling upon the farm. The owner at once purchased machinery and began the construction work recommended. A system of tile drains was arranged for about 50 acres of wet land on the farm of John A. Bechtel, near AYilliamsburg, Va. Notwith- standing the fact that this tract occupies a high elevation, careful artificial drainage is required. The Arkansas State Normal School acquired a farm of 80 acres to encourage the teachers of the State to become familiar with the principles of scientific fanning. F. F. Shafer made a survey of the farm and prepared plans in detail for a tile system to drain 25 acres of the farm that are too wet for cultivation. Old rice lands on the farm of J. F. Shoemaker, near Crowley, La., have been abandoned for rice growing, and rotation of crops is needed to restore their fertility. To permit this change in cultiva- tion, especially in the very close soil of such land, the drainage must be carefully planned. A. M. Shaw made a survey of 210 acres of these lands, and laid out farm ditches in such a manner that after a few years the land can again be made suitable, at small expense, for growing rice. DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 47 DRAINAGE OF SWAMP LANDS. Along the coast of the South Atlantic States are considerable tracts once devoted to the production of rice, but now abandoned because this crop can no longer be raised profitably in competition with that from lands more favorably situated. It would be of value to know whether such lands can be economically drained and cultivated to dry-land crops. Surveys and plans were made by George M. Warren and D. L. Yarnell for draining 340 acres of such land on the Orton plantation and the Garrell tract, near Wilmington, N. C. The con- struction of levees, the excavation of ditches, and the installation of pumping plants seem the most practicable method of reclamation. Near Belvidere, N, C., is a tract of 3,500 acres, which the owners have attempted to drain by ditches without success, owing largely to lack of proper outlets. George R. Boyd made a survey of the tract and reported the changes and additions that should be made to the old ditch system. A survey was made by J. V. Phillips of about 2,200 acres in Wash- ington, Hyde, and Beaufort Counties, N. C, drained by the Pungo River. The river channel has not sufficient capacity to remove the water promptly. A new main outlet ditch was planned, following the river channel closely, the location for the ditch was marked in the field, and the size and approximate cost were determined. The area drained by the Scuppernong River, including the water- shed of Lake Phelps, in Washington and Tyrrell Counties, X. C, was surveyed by George R. Boyd. Plans were made for enlarging the river channel and extending it to Lake Phelps ; for the construc- tion of new drainage ditches and the enlargement of some of those previously constructed; and for the control of the lake to prevent overflow. The construction of the work which has been recom- mended Avill benefit 75,000 acres. A watershed survey of the territory between Albemarle and Pam- lico Sounds in Beaufort and Washington Counties, N. C, was made by George R. Boyd, assisted by J. V. Phillips and F. G. Eason, the John L. Roper Lumber Co. paying one-half the cost. The survey established the natural watershed lines in this area, and connected the surveys in these counties and that of the Lake Mattamuskeet project in Hyde County, previously made by this office. The ap- proximate area is 158,000 acres, exclusive of that in the territory covered by earlier projects. A new ditch was located along Broad Creek, in the southwest part of the district, to furnish an outlet for 19,500 acres. The location was determined also for a main ditch to drain 36,300 acres in the northwest part of the district and discharg- ing into Conaby Creek near Plymouth. D. L. Yarnell made a survey of a tract near Norfolk, Va., known as Berkeley Swamp, which borders the Great Dismal Swamp. A 48 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. system of ditches was planned to drain about 2,400 acres of this wet land. Contracts have been let during the summer of 1910 for the con- struction of the drainage improvements planned by this office in 1908 for reclaiming swamjD lands in Bolivar County, Miss. S. H. McCrory assisted the engineer of the district- in preparing specifica- tions for the work. The board of commissioners of the Tallahatchie drainage district, in northwest Mississippi, requested this office to lend assistance in perfecting the plans for draining that area of 1,800 square miles by sending an engineer to act in a consulting capacity. Drainage engineers of this office are especially acquainted with the conditions of that district, having previously made surveys of parts of the ter- ritoiy. A. E. Morgan examined the plans and the district in detail, and thoroughly studied the methods that seemed feasible. His sug- gestion to divert Cold Water River through a shorter route into the Mississippi River has been adopted by the commissioners and engineers. RECLAMATION" OF OVERFLOWED LANDS. The flat bottom lands between the Black River and Cury Creek, in Independence County, Ark., are subject to frequent overflow from those streams. A survey was made of the lands, and plans were prepared by W. J. McEathron and W. W. Weir for protecting about 14,000 acres. The plans include the construction of levees to pre- vent overflow from Black River; the diversion of Cury Creek by a new channel from the foothills directly across the bottoms to the river; and the excavation of a ditch to intercept the water that now flows upon the low area from the higher land on the west. S. H. McCrory and D. L. Yarnell conducted a survey of about 140 miles of the Marais des Cygnes River, west from the Missouri-Kansas State line, to determine some method for preventing the injurious flooding of the bottom lands. The report upon that project presents plans for 22 levee districts, which will protect 33,365 acres of fertile land if the recommended work, including that of clearing the river channel and constructing one cut-off, is carried out. A survey was made by W. W. Weir of lands subject to overflow along the Little Caney River in Montgomery and Chautauqua Counties, Kans. Owing to the hilly character of the upper water- shed, the rate of run-off is large, and the tortuous and restricted chan- nel of the river has so little capacity that serious floods are of fre- quent occurrence. Plans were prepared for levees, a large relief ditch, several cut-offs, and clearing the river channel, to benefit 8,435 acres. A survey was made by L. L. Hidinger to determine what works should be constructed to protect and drain the lands in Grant Town- DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 49 ship, about Lawrence, Kans., that are subject to overflow from the Kansas River. A levee was phmned along the ri^er, and drainage ditches within the district, the construction of which will reclaim and improve 7,500 acres of valuable land. The Sellars ditch, near Henderson, Ky., is a cut-off 1 mile long on Canoe Creek, that does not fulfill its purpose of preventing the flood- ing of the bottom lands. A survey was made of this ditch by J. R. Haswell, who prepared recommendations for constructing a diversion dam in the creek at the head of the ditch, and for enlarging this chan- nel so that it and the creek will provide a sufficient outlet for the drainage basin which has an area of 13,750 acres. Investigations were made and a preliminaiy report prepared by C. G. Elliott, A. E. Morgan, S. H. McCrory, and L. L. Hidinger on the drainage of the fifth Louisiana levee district.^ The area com- prises 1,562,000 acres in the northeast part of the State, of which not more than 300,000 acres are cultivated, the balance being Avood- land. Very neiirly the whole area suffers from lack of drainage, owing to the flatness of the country and to the crooked and obstructed character of the natural streams. The report outlines the necessary work for providing the required main drainage systems, the lateral drains, and the levees, and gives an approximate estimate of the cost of this work, besides making recommendations concerning drain- age organizations and suggesting methods of conducting a complete survey of the district. In Johnson County, Nebr., the bottom lands along the Nemaha River have been overflowed so frequently in the past few years that their cultivation has become quite hazardous, and about 2,500 acres formerly cultivated have been abandoned. A survey of the lands was made by F. F. Shafer, and a plan was prepared showing the ditches and other improvements which would be necessary to protect from overflow about 13,000 acres in the valley. The overflowed lands along Wahoo Creek, in Saunders County, Kebr., were surveyed for drainage purposes. A large ditch was designed by "\Y. J. McEathron to assist the creek in carrying away the water from the upper part of the drainage basin and to pro- vide a good main drain for the low farm lands from which the water does not flow readily into the creek. In the upper part of the valley cut-offs are planned to shorten the creek channel and in- crease its capacity. These works when constructed will benefit more than 16,000 acres. A report was prepared by A. D. Morehouse, based upon a pre- liminary examination by L. L. Hidinger and data from local sur- veyors, for improving the channel of Lower Creek, in Burke and Caldwell Counties, N. C. The work recommended is the enlarge- lU. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Circ. 104. 91866°— 11 i 50 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. ment of the creek channel, to prevent the floodirg of some 2,600 acres. The Lower Creek drainage commissioners have made plans to undertake the work at once. The Deep Fork of Canadian Kiver, in Oklahoma, is typical of many streams in that and neighboring States. The j)recipitous char- acter of the watershed area causes a high rate of run-off, and the crooked channel of the river has insufficient capacity for removing the water as quickly as it gathers in the valley. The consequent overflows can be prevented only at considerable expense. A survey was made by F. F. Shafer and F. G. Eason to determine whether it would be feasible to undertake the reclamation of the inundated lands on this river in Lincoln and in Okmulgee Counties. In the former county a straightened channel was located and its proper size was determined; in the latter, eight levee districts were planned. Estimates of cost were made for these improvements, which would benefit 26,000 acres in Lincoln County and 11,740 acres in Okmulgee County. A survey was made of bottom lands along the Big Sioux Eiver, in Iowa and South Dakota, by F. F. Shafer, to determine the best plan for preventing the inundation of these lands during periods of floods in the river. The construction of levees and of cut-offs to shorten the river channel have been planned to protect 5,100 acres in Iowa and 6,595 acres in South Dakota. In accordance with a cooperative agreement between this office and the State geological survey of Tennessee, an extended examina- tion was made by A. E. Morgan and S. H. McCrory of the lands overflowed by the North and Middle Forks of Forked Deer Kiver and Rutherford Fork of Obion River, in Gibson County, Tenn. A general plan for the drainage of these lands w^as made, with an out- line for the survey that must precede the construction of the drainage improvements. L. L. Hidinger examined the plans made for the Ellis County drainage district No. 1, near Waxahachie, Tex., and reported to the officers of the district concerning the efficiency of the plans and the improvements that might be made in them for reclaiming the lands from the overflow of Chambers Creek. W. J. McEathron consulted with the commissioners of a drainage district formed to protect 70,000 acres of overflowed land in AMiite County, Ark., lying between the ^^liite and the Red Rivers. His report gives advice concerning the conduct of the survey then in progress and the planning of the drainage improvements to be made. The assistance of this office was requested in perfecting the plans for i^rotecting from overflow the low bottom lands about Pattons- burg. Mo. An examination of the district was made by L. L. Hidinger, who reported a general plan for the work that would be necessary. DKAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 51 W. J. McEatliron responded to the request of residents of the Elldioni Valley for advice in protecting their overflowed lands by visiting- the district and outlining a general drainage plan. The engineer antl connnissioners of the Inlet Swamp drainage dis- trict, in Lee County, 111., requested assistance in revising the plans for that district. The area of 30,000 acres was at one time a swamp, but ditches have been constructed that have effected partial drainage. W. J. McEathron examined the district and the plans, and recom- mended changes to reduce the cost of the work necessary to complete the reclamation of the land. DRAINAGE OF IRIIIGATED LANDS. The investigations in Texas begun by L. L. Hidinger in March, 1909, were continued until the fall of that year. A survey was made of the Ohio and Texas Sugar Co.'s plantation of 1,885 acres near Brownsville, and a plan for the drainage was prepared. Tile drains were planned for a badly seeped area of 18 acres; also for an experi- mental tract of 30 acres, to determine the proper spacing of under- drains in certain soils of the Brownsville region. A survey and a plan for tile drainage were made for 105 acres damaged by seepage and alkali on the Yal Verde Irrigation Co.'s farm near Del Rio. The owners of this property are desirous of undertaking at once such works as are necessary to remove the salts and excess water from the tract and to prevent injury to other areas. Many j)lfices were visited in the Rio Grande and Pecos River Valleys, farm lands being examined and suggestions given regarding the proper methods of draining and of removing the salts when such are present in the soil to an injurious degree. A report upon The Drainage Situation in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Tex.,^ has been prepared for dis- tribution. Investigations in the Pecos River Valle}^ in New Mexico w^ere be- gun in April, 1910, by Sidney W. Cooper, to assist and instruct owners in reclaiming their lands that are injured by seepage and alkali. Examinations have been made of tracts near Dexter, Ros- well, Ilagerman, and Artesia. In the Big Horn Valley, Wyo., investigations were begun by W. A. Kelly, who has examined areas needing drainage in the vicinity of Lovell, Cowley, Byron, and Burlington. With -headquarters at North Yakima, Wash., J. C. Carpenter has begun investigations of irrigated lands injured by seepage and alkali in the Yakima River Valley. The work in Utah and Colorado has been continued throughout the year by C. F. Brown, R. A. Hart, D. G. Miller, and H. R. Elliott. A plane table survey of a considerable tract near Oasis and Hinckley, 1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Circ. 103. 52 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Utah, "uas made to map the areas of land injured by seepage and alkali in this district. Further assistance has been given in the con- struction of extensions to the drains previously installed on the Geary tract at Huntington, and the Washington field at St. George, Utah. The extensions on the Geary tract have been comjDleted, but those at St. George have been delayed by unfavorable weather and by the irrigation of adjacent higher lands. Many other examinations have been made in this State, including a survey and the design of a drain- age sj-stem for the farm of G. D. Williams, near Syracuse. The drains on the Jensen tract, near Murray, have been installed under the supervision of Mr. Hart. In Colorado, examinations and surveys were made of various tracts in the valleys of the Grand, Gunnison, and Uncompahgre Rivers, and assistance was given in the installation of drains. A survey was made of 3,600 acres near Parma, in the San Luis Valley, and plans for the drainage of the tract were prepared. Plans were also pre- pared for the Arnell tract of 3,000 acres in the same valley, and assistance was given in the organization of the La Jara and Hooper drainage districts. C. G. Elliott visited the Yakima Indian Reservation, Wash., to confer with the chief engineer of the Indian Bureau concerning the plans for the drainage of the lands injured by seepage and alkali on that reservation. COLLECTION OF TECHNICAL DATA. A series of experiments was made in Florida by H. xV. KijDp and F. F. Shafer to determine the maximum and the optimum moisture contents of muck soils and the amount of water that should be re- moved from saturated muck to bring it into good condition for crop growth. From five tracts near Kissimmee, one tract near Miami, and seven near Fort Lauderdale, a total of 121 samples were taken, both of ]'aw and of cultivated soils. Five weeks were required for testing the samples. Exj^erimenls to determine the moisture content of saturated muck soils of the wet prairie lands of southern Louisiana, and the amount of water in the soils when they are in gaod condition for cultivation, were made by C. W. Okey on tracts near Lockport and Raceland. These investigations furnish data of much value in determining how thoroughly such soils should be drained, also in estimating the storage capacity of the ground and its effect upon the maximum rate of run-off to be used in planning drainage systems. The investigations of run-off in southern Louisiana, begun in the spring of 1909, were continued until the end of May, 1910, by A. M. Shaw and C. W. Okey. Tests of pumping plants and some gagings of flow in ditches were made; records were obtained of the periods DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 53 during which the pumps were operated, with the quantities of water removed, and the rise of the water table in the soil after storms was observed as it was indicated by the elevation of the. w^ater in the ditches. In connection with these investigations data were obtained concerning the tropical storm of September, 1909, particularly the lieight to which the water was raised along the Gulf coast, which seems to be above any high-water records obtained during the last 100 yeai-s. The frequency and severity of storms that raise the water level along: the coast above the normal water level will affect mate- rially the drainage of considerable areas in the southern part of this and neighboring States. The examinations of drained tidal marshes were continued by George M. Warren. Reports have been prepared on laaids of the Arthur Colburn estate, of the St. Georges Marsh Co., and on the Little St. Georges and St. Augustine marshes, in Newcastle County, Del. ; also on the lands of the Mauricetown Banking Co. and other tidal marshes in Cumberland County, N. J. A study of improved methods of excavation, as used in digging the New York Barge Canal, was made by A. E. Morgan. The informa- tion obtained related to the kinds and arrangements of the machin- ery, the class of work to which each kind is adapted, the advantages and limitations of the various types, and the cost of work done by each. This information was obtained by consulting the designers and the operators of the machines, and by a thorough j)ersonal ex- amination of the excavators in operation. PRELIMINARY AND RECONNOISSANCE WORK. Other than the work included in the projects already enumer- ated, a large number of examinations of a preliminary or reconnois- sance nature have been made. The purpose of these is to offer helpful suggestions to people wishing assistance in undertaking drainage improvements, or to obtain information concerning the status of drainage in various localities. Areas covered by the more important of such investigations are the following: Swamp lands along the Cache River, in Illinois; Nahunta and TurnbuU swamps, in North Carolina ; wet and overflowed lands along various streams in Pasquotank, Perquimans, Rockingham, Iredell, Rowan, Robeson, Cabarrus, and Forsyth Counties, N. C. ; overflowed lands on Big Spring Creek, near Huntsville, Ala. ; lands overflowed by the Verdigris and Falls Rivers, Kans. ; overflowed lands on Black Bear Creek, Okla. ; overflowed lands on the Red, Suljohur, Brazos, Elm Fork, and Trinity Rivers, Tex. ; examinations of drainage needs in Bryan, Chatham, Clinch, Echols, Glynn, Lrberty, and Mcintosh Counties, Ga. 54 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION. Mucli. general information is disseminated by correspondence, and the reports upon the various projects contain much that is of gen-^ eral as well as special application. Further information is given by addresses and lectures at conventions to those interested in the general subject of agricultural drainage and at meetings of land- owners wishing to undertake the drainage of particular tracts of land. Publications issued during the fiscal year 1910, relating to agri- cultural drainage, are as follows: The Drainage of Irrigated Lands in the San Joaquin Valley, Cal. (Office of Experiment Stations Bulletin 217) ; Drainage of Irrigated Lands (Farmers' Bulletin 371) ; Preliminary Eeport on the St. Francis Valley Drainage Project in Northeastern Arkansas (Office of Experiment Stations Circular 86) ; Organization, Work, and Publications of Drainage Investigations (Office of Experiment Stations Circular 88) ; Kecla- mation of the Southern Louisiana Wet Prairie Lands (Office of Experiment Stations Docmnent 1315) ; and Preliminary Eeport upon the Drainage of the Lands Overflowed by the Xortli and Middle Forks of the Forked Deer River and the Eutherford Fork of the Obion Eiver in Gibson County, Tenn. (issued in cooperation Avith the State Geological Survey of Tennessee). PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. In the year 1910 the movement for the promotion of agricultural education was world-wide. As will be seen from the detailed report of the specialist in agricultural education of this office (pp. 315-386) , agricultural colleges and schools were established or other projects in agricultural education were inaugurated in Africa, in Australia, Canada, and several other countries in the British Empire, in China, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and several countries in South America. In the United States the nmuber of institutions listed by the office as teaching agriculture increased from 515 in October, 1908, to 875 in May, 1910, a gain of 330, or more than 60 per cent, in 19 months. The agricultural colleges again surpassed all previous records in the number of students enrolled and in the number taking courses in agriculture. There were 10 per cent more students in agriculture than in 1909 and more than eight times as many students enrolled in teachers' courses in agriculture. Forty-six of the agricultural colleges maintained teacher-training courses in agriculture. In more than half of these institutions the teachers' courses are four years in length, and in 29 of them summer schools for teachers were held. The in- come of these institutions was larger by three and one-half millions than in 1909, and they added more than seven millions to their per- manent endowment and equipment. Important agriculture and PROMOTION OF AGEICULTUEAL EDUCATION, 55 science buildings were comiileted in Alabama, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Indiana. The number of secondary schools teaching agriculture (including colleges oli'ering secondary courses) was G30, and the number of nor- mal schools and colleges conducting teacher-training courses in agri- culture, 214. There were 58 agricultural schools and 28 public high schools receiving State aid for agriculture, 432 unaided public and private high schools and academies, 46 secondary schools for negroes, and several colleges and schools on private foundations. Extension work and short courses were successfully conducted by a number of the high schools and also by normal schools. Thirty-six colleges and universities in the United States now give entrance credit for high- school agriculture. As in former years, the most effective agricultural teaching in the elementaiy schools has been done where the classroom instruction has been combined with some form of competition, such as boys' corn clubs, potato clubs, and poultry clubs, and girls' domestic-science clubs and canning clubs. In the South several of the agricultural colle'ges have cooperated with this department in employing school- extension agents. The number of boj^s engaged in corn-growing con- tests under the joint ausi^ices of these colleges and this department was this 3'ear (1910) more than 4G,000. The rapid progress in all phases of agricultural education has naturally resulted in heavy demands upon the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture. All bureaus of the department have felt this, and particularly the Office of Experiment Stations, which has con- tinued to act as the general agent of the department for the promotion of agricultural education. The director, as the official representative of the department in its relations with the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations, has taken an active part in all the plans of the department and the association for pro- moting gTaduate, collegiate, secondary, and elementary courses in agriculture and home economics. He has continued to act as bibliog- rapher of the association and as chairman of its committee on instruc- tion in agriculture, and has accepted the deanship of the fourth session of the Graduate School of Agriculture. The agricultural education service of the office has continued to be under the immediate direction of Mr. D. J. Crosby, who has had the assistance of Mr, F, W. Howe as assistant in agricultural education and of several clerical assistants. Gratifying progi-ess was made in the preparation of publications for the use of teachers and in the study of some of the many problems arising in connection with the rapidly developing movement for instruction in agriculture. The rapidity of this development and the consequent heavier demands upon the agricultural education service for publications and for advice concerning teachers, courses of study, equipment, methods of 66 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. instruction, and, in general, the relation of their work to the practical problems involved in agricultural production and the satisfactory development of home and social life in rural communities, prevented any great deviation from the policy of previous years. There has been, as formerly, cleai'ing-house work for these institutions, coopera- tion with them and with associations representing their interests, and expert services in connection with the inauguration of new agri- cultural educational institutions, courses, and projects. The specialist in agi-icultural education and his assistant have attended many conferences and large educational gatherings and have assisted school officers and teachers in many ways through corre- spondence and personal advice. The agricultural education service has also occasionally employed other experts of the office and experts from other bureaus to give addresses and to render technical assist- ance to agricultural schools, and would employ this very effective method more freely if funds for travel were available. Cooperation with other bureaus of the depai-tment has also taken form in the preparation of educational bulletins and circulars. One circular prepared in the Forest Service has been published, and a bulletin on rural school consolidation, j)repared by a special agent of the Bureau of Statistics, has recently come from the press. Cooperation along these and other similar lines might well be extended, with result- ing great benefit to the colleges and schools that are endeavoring to carry in an effective way to the people living upon the land the results of investigation on the part of this department and the State agricultural experiment stations. FAHMERS' INSTITUTES AND EXTENSION WORK. The work of the office of the farmers' institute specialist during the year was in the direction of securing information resj^ecting the condition and progress of farmers' institutes and agricultural exten- sion in this country and abroad, conducting correspondence, and in preparing copy and editing for publication bulletins, circulars, and reports upon farmers' institute and agricultural extension work. Farmers' institutes were held in all of the States and Territories excepting New Mexico, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii. The total number of regidar institutes was 5,651 ; these were made up of 3,539 one-day meetings, 1,940 two-day, and 172 three-day or more. The whole number of days of institutes in 1910 was 7,935, an increase of 801 over 1909, and the number of sessions held was 16,586, or 1,051 more than the previous year. The attendance reported at all of the regular sessions was 2,395,908, and the average attendance at each session was 144. The appropriations from all sources amounted to $432,374.25, or $86,707.76 more than in 1909. The agricultural colleges and experiment stations furnished 480 lecturers from their faculties and station staffs for institute service, representing the FARMEES' INSTITUTES AND EXTENSION WOEK. 57 agricultural colleges and experiment stations in 43 States. Thirty- nine of the States and Territories report the days of service con- tributed by their lecturers at 4,780, an increase of 21 lecturers over the number furnished in 1909 and 1,399 more days of service. In addition to carrying on the work of the regular institutes the States have been maintaining a number of special meetings of insti- tute character. Of the various forms of institute activity the movable school of agi-iculture is perhaps most promising. Four hundred and twenty-three sessions of these schools were held, attended by 65,977 persons. Special subject institutes, round-up meetings, picnics and harvest-home meetings, field demonstrations, women's institutes, in- stitutes for young people, agricultural instruction trains, and other forms of institute activity were reported w^ith an aggregate attend- ance of 537,330, making the total attendance of all kinds for the year 2,933,244, an increase of 74,365 over the year before. Cooperation with the agricultural colleges in their extension work has been continued. The reports received by the institute office show that extension departments have been organized in these colleges in 32 States and Territories by 35 institutions, and that in 3 other States departments have been partially organized. One hundred and thirteen persons were employed during the year for their full time in extension work in connection with the colleges and stations, and 189 other persons contributed part of their time. The appropriations for carrying on the work amounted to over $400,000. The farmers' institute specialist has been acting also as secretary of the American Association of Farmers' Institute Workers. This organization held its fifteenth annual meeting in Washington, D. C, last November. At this meeting there were representatives from 37 States, the District of Columbia, and three of the Provinces of Canada. The sessions continued during two days. The principal lines of discussion were in the direction of establishing institutes for women separate from those for men, but in affiliation with the pres- ent institute system, and also in considering the propriety of establish- ing institutes for young people between the ages of 14 and 18 years. The discussions brought out the fact that institutes for women were being successfully conducted by a number of the States. The Prov- ince of Ontario, however, was the most notable example of organiza- tion of institutes of this character. Over 600 separate institute societies for women are already in operation in the Province of Ontario with an enrolled membership of over 16,000 persons. Five thousand four hundred and eighty-three sessions of women's institutes were held last year in that Province, with an attendance of 140,388. As an outcome of the discussion of the organization of institutes for young people between the ages of 14 and 18 a resolution embody- ing the sense of the association was adopted recommending the sev- eral directors of farmers' institutes to make the experiment within 58 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. the next year of holding some institutes for young people. This new field of effort was recognized as belonging specially to the farmers' institute organization, and as being in great need of immediate at- tention. In aid of this movement the Office of Experiment Stations has published a circular entitled " Farmers' Institutes for Young People,'" in which suggestions are offered for organizing and conduct- ing this kind of extension work. The papers, discussions, and reports of the standing committees of the association have been assembled by the institute specialist and prepared for publication. The use of agricultural instruction trains is growing each succeed- ing year. Twenty-four of these trains were reported as having been run during the year ended June 30, 1910, by IS States with an at- tendance of 189,645. An investigation now being made into this new method of disseminating agricultural information shows that the transportation companies have awakened to the possibilities for increasing agricultural production by this means, and are exerting themselves to bring about this increase as soon as practicable. In response to inquiries sent out to over 3,000 local managers of farmers" institutes in -10 different States, information of most con- vincing character has been received showing approval of the move- ment for sending out movable schools of agriculture, and of the ap- pointment of itinerant advisers and instructors to visit farmers and give them advice respecting improved and more economical methods in farm operations. Appreciation of the value of the itinerant ad- viser was specially emphasized. Of the whole number replying to this quer3% 698 were in favor of the itinerant adviser, 99 were unde- cided, and only 149 against the plan. The institute specialist has cooperated with the American Associa- tion of Farmers' Institute Workers in the preparation of its pro- grams, reporting its proceedings, and in preparing them for publica- tion. He has also cooperated with the Association of American Agri- cultural Colleges and Experiment Stations in collecting and tabulat- inof information for the use of the committee of the association on agricultural extension, and in conducting correspondence as secre- tary of that committee. He also took part in the program of exer- cises of the Graduate School of Agriculture at Ames, Iowa, and he and his assistant have attended and addressed various other meetings held in the interest of agricultural extension throughout the country. The detailed report of the farmers' institute specialist will be found on pages 387^24 of this report. PUBLICATIONS. The publications of the office (1) review the progi^ess of agricultural education and research throughout the world, and (2) report the results of special investigations with reference to nutrition, irriga- tion, drainage, and agi^icultural education, with which the office is PUBLICATIONS. 59 charged. To keep pace with the rapid increase of scientific literature rehiting to agriculture and to properly present the results of the special investigations conducted by the office it was necessary to in- crease to a marked extent the number and volume of publications issued by the office during the past year. During the fiscal year ended June 80, 1910, the department pub- lished 86 documents, aggregating 4,824 pages, prepared by this office, not including revised reprints, separates, and minor miscellaneous publications. These documents include 20 numbers of Experiment Station Record, 12 technical bulletins, a report of the Alaska experi- ment stations, 2 reports of the office, 17 Farmers' Bulletins (including 5 numbers of Experiment Station Work), 17 circulars, 12 monthly lists of experiment station publications, 2 farmers' institute lectures, and 3 lists of publications of the office on irrigation, drainage, and agricultural education. Two other numbers of Experiment Station Record, 3 technical bulletins, 1 annual i"eport of the office, 3 Farmers' Bulletins, 1 article for the Yearbook of the Department, and several miscellaneous documents containing about 1,050 pages were prepared and submitted for publication before the close of the fiscal year. Twelve separates of individual articles contained in larger reports, aggi'cgating 436 pages, were reprinted in editions of varying size to supply requests for the articles. Several of the earlier technical and Fanners' Bulletins prepared b}^ the office were exhausted during the year and were reprinted with additions and corrections. In addition to the above, 2 reports and 5 bulletins of the Hawaii* station and 2 reports and 3 bulletins of the Porto Rico station, although printed locally by the stations, were edited in the office. The most important increases in the publication work of the office were in the case of Farmers' Bulletins, 17 of the 45 bulletins of this series printed by the department being contributed by the office, and in Ex]Deriment Station Record, of which 2 volumes were issued dur- ing the year instead of 1 as heretofore, each volume consisting of C monthly and 2 additional or abstract numbers, with the customary author and subject indexes. This plan of publication of the Record has the advantage of securing more i^rompt, complete, and convenient review of agricultural literature. The value of the Record as a great repository of information pertaining to agriculture otherwise avail- able only by an extended exauiination of the enormous mass of liter- ature which has been published is being more generally and fully realized. The 22 volumes thus far issued contain references to no fewer than 78,698 articles, besides editorials, special articles, and notes. The experiment station reports abstracted have alone num- bered 914, the station bulletins and circulars 7,401, and the publi- cations of this department 3,540. The vast store of agricultural information which the Record contains is made available bj^ carefully prepared and very full indexes. 60 • REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The increase in P'armers" Bulletins was due mainl}- to the fact that the various lines of investigation in nutrition, irrigation, drainage, and agricultural education carried on by the office have now reached a stage justifjang wider pojjular presentation in the form of Farmers' Bulletins. In addition to Farmers' Bulletins of this class, the office continues its bimonthly review of progress in the more practical lines of investigation at the experiment stations in the Experiment Station AVork series of Farmers' Bulletins. This series now comprises 63 numbers, each containing from G to 15 short condensed summaries of work done in one or more of the State experiment stations, and •iggregating over 500 articles on subjects of interest to practical farmers. During recent years this series has increased in popu- larity, and there is every evidence that its value is quite generally appreciated by fanners. The report of the Editor and Chief of the Division of Publications for the past jenr shows that of the 4,034,000 copies of publica- tions of this office issued by the department 3,000,000 were Farmei*s' Bulletins. The supervision of the work of preparing the publications of the office, in case of all publications except the Experiment Station Record, is one of the lines of Avork of INIr. W. H. Beal. The management of the Record is in direct charge of Dr. E. W. Allen, Assistant Director. INCOME. The income of the office during the past fiscal year, derived wholly from aj^propriations by Congress, was as follows: For the general expenses of the office $74,000.00 For the Alaska experiment stations 28, 000. 00 For the Hawaii Experiment Station 28,000.00 For the Porto Rico Exjieriment Station 28,000.00 For the Guam Experiment Station 15,000.00 For investigations on agricultural schools and farmers' institutes 10, 000. 00 For nutrition investigations 10,000.00 For irrigation investigations 75, 0(X). 00 For drainage investigations 81, 160. 00 Total 349,220.00 In addition to the above there was derived from the sale of agri- cultural loroducts at the insular experiment stations the following amounts: Alaska experiment stations $741. 42 Hawaii Experiment Station 3.3.40 Porto Rico Experiment Station 1, 706. 56 Guam Expei'iment Station 23.41 Total 2, 504. 79 Total income 351,724.79 WORK AND EXPENDITURES OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. By E. \V. Ali.kn and J. I. Schulte. REVIEW OF THE YEAR. One of the most noteworthy features of the year has been the move- ment in the direction of a differentiation of experiment station work proper from the various features of extension work. The latter lines, including the issuing of popular bulletins, running of coopera- tive demonstration tests, operation of special trains, maintenance of a bureau of information, etc., which have largely developed with and out of the experiment station work, have now reached large pro- portions. It has been evident for several years that separate provi- sion Avould need to be made for this enterprise, m order that the sta- tion men might devote themselves primarily to the work of experi- ment and investigation — i. e., the acquisition of knowledge and the maintenance of the fund of information on wdiich the college instruc- tion in agriculture and the extension teaching are very largely based. Material progress was made during the year in working out this differentiation in function, and in many States funds have now been provided wdiich make this feasible. The ruling of the office against the use of the Federal funds for defraying the expense of any of these fonns of extension work, which went into effect with the beginning of the past fiscal year, has fur- nished a strong argument to the States for providing funds and facilities for it. In a number of States it has been organized under a separate head and in others has been taken over by the college. It has been difficult, however, for the stations, from the nature of their relations to agricultural advancement, to entirely escape the growing- burden of extension teaching. In several of the States they are still intrusted with such work as is done, and the demand for it, even in the absence of any special funds, has required a closer scrutiny of all expenditures, and in several instances disallowances have been made. Under the present restrictions surrounding the Federal funds for the stations and the imperative demands within the States, the lack of a considerable State appropriation available for more general use has become a very serious embarrassment to an experiment station. The office has clearly differentiated the function of the experiment sta- tions organized under the Federal acts, and during the past year has insisted upon the restriction of the expenditures from the Federal 61 62 KEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. funds to those directly connected with the conduct of actual experi- ments and investigations and the publishing of the results of these inquiries. This action has been indorsed by the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations. At the last con- vention of that association its committee on station organization and policy j)ointed out that — There never was a time when the stations needed to be more circumspect and look more closely to their scientific reputation and even public apprecia- tion than now. * * * i"o maintain a high and reliable grade of work is a principle incumbent upon all stations, not only for the general cause but for their own safety as well. Neither the demonstration ^vork nor the police work, it was urged, must be allowed to encroach upon the acquisition of knowledge, but there must be a clear distinction betw^een propaganda and investiga- tion, between the discovery of principles and the dissemination of their applications to practice. The station administration must ever keep in mind that the reason for ex- istence and the chief usefulness of the stations depend upon their keeping true to the main purpose for which they were established — the scientific investiga- tion of the problems relating to agriculture. With a better understanding of the necessity for fundamental studies in agriculture and the ultimate application of such investiga- tions, the conditions surrounding such work have been improved and the opportunities for it materially strengthened. It has not always been realized that the principles underlying an agi'icultural problem must first be studied before the problem itself can be solved, and this has led to some public impatience with the methods of exj)eri- ment which have been followed. The jiroblems of agriculture are unusually intricate and involved, as they are affected by many con- ditions which are variable and not readily controlled. It is very easy, therefore, to draw unreliable conclusions or make unwarranted generalizations from a few" local tests and experiments which do not disclose the factors which are in operation or the real nature and cause of the phenomena observed. Exact and reliable information for agricultural practice must rest on scientific investigations which are fundamental, and develop facts Avhich are definitely proven and understood. There is much encouragement in the present attitude toward such investigation. But in providing for this fundamental research the need of more practical experiments for local conditions and the application or adaptation of methods and crops to particular localities has not been lost sight of. Special provision for such enterprises has increased, special appropriations being made for particular lines of work and for the maintenance of branch stations. In California the university EEVIEW OF THE YEAR. 63 and station came into possession of the new farm at Fresno, known as the Kearney estate, which inchides 5,400 acres, with fine bnihlings, and is valued at about $1,000,000. This was the gift of Mr. M. T. Kearney, and affords unusual facilities for experiments of interest to the San Joaquin Valley. In the Imperial Valley of California a substation was operated with a State appropriation of $6,000 for the biennium. The climatic and other conditions are so different in this valley from other parts of the State as to afford opportunity for work of great usefulness. In Idaho three branch stations have been provided for, their work to be directed to the study and demonstration of local problems. One of these has been located at Clagstone, in the cut-over district of northern Idaho, where a tract of 200 acres was contributed bv an individual for the use of the substation. Another station for work in irrigation was located at Gooding, in southern Idaho, and work there successfully inaugurated. The third station, for dry farming, was located at Idaho Falls. The substation at Caldwell, which has been in operation for several years, is continued. Cooperative experi- ments with the fruit, dairy, and grain farmers of southern Idaho are being planned. The appointment of three field men for extension work in horticulture and entomology, irrigation and general farm- ing, and dairying has been authorized. Minnesota has made generous provision for this popular effort. The various divisions of the station are provided with funds for field and demonstration work from the current expense appropria- tions of the university, or by special appropriations for siDecific cases. The division of dairying and animal husbandry, for instance, has a fund of $2,500 a year for special investigations in dairying and poultry lines, the division of entomology $5,000 for field work in entomology, the veterinary division $2,000 for hog-cholera work, the chemical division $1,000 for soil investigations, the agricul- tural engineering division $2,000 for drainage investigation ancj demonstration, the division of botany and plant pathology $4,000 for plant diseases and $1,000 for the eradication of noxious weeds, and the agricultural division $2,000 for tobacco culture. The engineering division of the Minnesota college and station supervised the drainage of an 80-acre demonstration farm at Belle- plaine, Minn., and installed a sn>all tile drainage experiment on heavy clay lands at Meadow Lands, Minn. Field work was also conducted in some of the potato-growing districts, consisting of lectures, demon- strations, etc., with the idea of getting the potato growers interested in better seed selection and cultural methods. These demonstra- tions were all well attended and proved of value. The outside corn- breeding stations were continued, and proved to be important as trial stations as well as for developing new varieties of corn adapted to 64 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. restricted localities. TMiile no varieties were originated at these sta- tions, the local varieties superior for each locality were discovered and new ones were introduced where conditions seemed to justify it. In addition to these funds a sj^ecial aj^pro^Driation of $50,000 for the biennium was granted by the legislature for extension and demon- stration work and a correspondence course in agriculture. This has enabled the organization of a special extension division, which co- operates with the different divisions of the station and in all kinds of extension work. Among other duties laid down for this division is the publication of home-education bulletins, which are to give in plain and practical form the results of investigations of the State experiment station and the substations of the universit}'. Twenty demonstration farms, scattered throughout the State, are conducted by the extension division with the cooperation of the agri- cultural and other divisions of the station. Each farm is surveyed by soil experts, drainage maps are supplied where necessary by the engi- neering force, and cropping systems and farm organization are sup- plied by the division of agriculture and farm management. The station furnishes the advice and the direction and the farm pays all the bills. The results so far secured promise success for the move- ment. The university and station cooperated in exhibits and demon- strations at the State fair. A special feature was the lectures illus- trated by moving pictures. In Montana the Fort Ellis Reservation of 640 acres was turned over to the custody of the experiment station for experiments in dry farming. At the substation in Fergus County $5,000 was invested in improvements and buildings, and for the horticultural substation in the Bitter Root Valley $2,000 was allowed for buildings. Two additional county demonstration farms were organized in Missouri during the year under the act of 1907, one at Clayton, in St. Louis County, and the other near Lewiston, in Lewis County. The chief lines of work undertaken were the testing of corn, wheat, and oats, with some attention to fertilizer and soil fertility experiments. In Nebraska j^rogress was made in the equi^^ment of the new sub- stations located at Mitchell and Valentine. At Mitchell special at- tention is to be given to work in irrigation and dry-land agriculture, and experiments will be conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department. The land and a portion of the improvements were furnished by the United States Reclamation Service. The Valentine substation is to study the crops and agricul- tural methods adapted to the sand-hill region of the Stf.te. North Dakota has five substations, with a State appropriation of $5,000 each, and 24 demonstration farms which are provided for in a continuing appropriation. The work on the latter is largely rota- tion experiments, with some trials of new crops. These farms have REVIEW OF THE YEAR. 65 been very iDopiilar and helpful. They are supervised by two men who are kept in the field continuously and visit them at frequent intervals. Farmers' institutes and picnics were held at several of them during the summer. Under an act passed in Ohio in the spring of 1910, the commis- sioners of each county are required, upon petition of 200 or more taxpayers, to submit to a vote a project for establishing a demon- stration farm. If such a farm is decided upon, a tax not to exceed one-fifth mill for any one year may be levied for its equipment and maintenance. The experiment station at Wooster is to cooperate in the selection of sites and the conducting of experiments. The Khode Island station has inaugurated a series of cooperative experiments with farmers through the State, which are largely in the nature of demonstrations. The station now has about 150 of these cooperative experiments under way, the cooperators being organized into an experimental union which holds an annual meet- ing for the discussion of the residts of the experiments. Seven new substations authorized by the last Legislature of Texas were located during the year as follows : At Pecos in Reeves County, at Lubbock in Lubbock County, at Spur in Dickens County, at Denton in Denton County, at Temple in Bell County, at Beaumont in Jefferson County, and at Angleton in Brazoria County. The last two named are to give special attention to rice problems. The localities in which the several stations are situated have contributed liberally for their establishment, in some cases donating the land and erecting the necessary buildings and improvements. An experiment station was organized under the auspices of the Association of Sugar and Sugar-Cane Producers of Porto Eico. The association, formed in 1909, is financed by a tax of 25 cents on each ton of sugar refined, or 2^ cents for each ton of cane produced. The agricultural committee of the association has for one of its duties the establishment of model farms, experiment stations, and a technical sugar school. J. T. Crawley, former director of the Cuban station, has been selected as director of the station, and it is planned to secure a plant pathologist and entomologist and a field oxjiert. D. W. May, special agent in charge of the Porto Rico Fed- eral station, was appointed an honorary member of the agricultural committee and is acting in an advisory capacity to the station. The Washington station has an appropriation of $17,500 for ex- tension work, and $2,500 for dry farming. With these appropria- tions it conducts two branch stations and maintains a considerable number of demonstration farms which are conducted on the farms of private owners. The Wisconsin station has 25 county and asylum farms (all State or county institutions) under its management. These are made local 91866°— 11 5 66 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. centers for suj)plying- farmers with seed grains, for demonstrations of better management, etc. Meetings are held on the demonstration farms during the season. The station also had 1,G00 pedigreed- barley centers the past year, where enough seed was sent to grow an acre of the improved seed, for purposes of distributing it. Provision has been made in Wyoming for dry-farming demon- strations by an appropriation of $5,000, the adaptability of soil and climate for the production of different classes of grains and grasses, and for the growth of shade, ornamental, and fruit trees under "Wyoming conditions to receive special attention. Seed-testing laboratories for testing seed for farmers have been located at several of the experiment stations by the Department of Agriculture, and are conducted in cooperation with the stations CHANGES IN PERSONNEL. The year was marked by important changes at several of the sta- tions, in a number of which the welfare of the institution was tem- porarily involved. Prof. C. H. Fernald, for 24 years entomologist of the Massachusetts station, and for many years previous connected with the Maine Agri- cultural College, retired from active duties in the station and the graduate school of the college, being succeeded by Dr. H. T. Fernald ; and at the Michigan college and station Dr. AV. J. Beal retired after 40 years of continuous service as botanist, being succeeded by Dr. E. A. Bessey, of the University of Louisiana. Prof. Harry Snyder, for many years in charge of agricultural chemistry at the Minnesota University and station, resigned during the year to engage in commercial work. Prof. AV. L. Carlyle, formerly of the Colorado college and station, was appointed director of the Idaho station, and entered upon his duties January 1, 1910. Prof. C. P. Gillette, entomologist of the Colorado station, was appointed director to succeed Prof. L. G. Carpenter, resigned ; and in New Hampshire Prof. J. C. Kendall, of the Kansas college and station, was appointed director of the station and entered upon his duties September 10. J. W. Fox succeeded W. L. Hutchinson as director of the Mississippi station, and Prof. H. G. Knight was appointed director of the Wyoming station, vice J. D. Towar. The necrology list is an unusually long one. It includes two notable figures in the history of agricultural education and research in this countr}^ — Dr. Charles A. Goessmann, of Massachusetts, and Dr. William PI. Brewer, of Connecticut, who passed away soon after the close of the year. Notices of these two men are given hereafter. Col. W. M. Liggett, who retired from the position of dean and DR. CHARLES A. GOESSMANN. 67 director of the Minnesota College of Agriculture and station in 1907, died xVugiist 29, 1909 ; Prof. J. S. Newman, prominently connected with the Alabama and South Carolina stations, having served as di- rector of the latter station at two periods, died May 11, 1910 ; and Prof. John A. Craig, lately director of the Oklahoma station and formerly connected with the departments of animal husbandry in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Texas, died August 9, 1910. Other deaths included Prof. A. J. Bondurant, formerly agriculturist at the Alabama station and professor of agriculture in the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, on March G, 1910; Prof. C. F. '\Mieeler, formerly assistant botanist of the Michigan Agricultural College and Experiment Station, on March 5, 1910; Prof. S. B. Green, for many years at the head of the horticultural and forestry work of the Minnesota University and sta- tion, on July 11, 1910; and Dr. W. M. Munson, horticulturist of the West Virginia University and station, on September 9, 1910. DR. CHARLES A. GOESSMANN. Dr. Charles A. Goessmann, of Massachusetts, who died September 1, 1910, in his eighty-fourth year, had long been one of the most con- spicuous figures in agricultural chemistry in this country. For nearly 40 years he had been an active member of the faculty of the Massachusetts Agi-icultural College, his service covering almost the entire period since the college was established. One of the earliest pioneers in agricultural investigation, his work had been not only a contribution to knowledge but an inspiration to others and a potent influence for the development of agricultural experimentation. It exhibited unusual activity and breadth of knowledge, and was characterized by a thoroughness and conservatism wdiich gave great reliability to his conclusions. Almost immediately after going to the college Dr. Goessmann took hold of the agricultural problems of the State, both practical and scientific, and made them the subject of investigation. He was a pioneer in every sense of the word, and he brought to his studies a broad training in science, full confidence in its ability to reveal the laws upon which agriculture depends, and the true scientific spirit, which seeks only the truth. In 1873 he was appointed chemist to the State board of agricul- ture, and then began a series of reports and lectures which continued almost to the time of his retirement. In the early seventies he made extensive investigations of the beet as a source of sugar, and demon- strated the feasibility of growing beets for sugar in certain sections of the State and the practicability of developing it into a profitable industry. His work upon the sugar beet was epoch making, and furnished a starting point for the more recent studies and propa- 68 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPEEIMENT STATIONS. ganda in that line. He also made an important study of sorghum growing and the value of that crop for sugar. His conclusion that the presence of a large amount of grape sugar in the juice rendered the separation of the cane sugar impracticable on a commercial scale was verified much later by extensive commercial experiments. His investigation of the salt marshes of the State and plans for their reclamation were embodied in a number of valuable papers. He also made extensive studies of the chemistry of the corn plant, the preservation of corn in the silo, the chemistry of fruits and the relation of fertilizers to their culture, etc. His study of the ferti- lizer industry, at that time in a most unsatisfactor}^ condition, led to securing the first State law for the inspecton of fertilizers, which became operative October 1, 1873. As State inspector he made his first report under the new law that year, and he was in charge of this inspection from that date to the time of his retirement in 1907. Dr. Goessmann early began the advocacy of an experiment station at the college, illustrating by his studies the practical value of such an institution to the agriculture of the State. A station was started in 1878 with private contributions, and while studies were continued with the proceeds of the fertilizer inspection, it was not until 1882 that the State made definite provision for a station. He was then appointed director and remained at its head until it was merged with the Hatch station of the college in 1895. Under his direction the station became an efficient aid to the farmers and to the agricul- ture of the State, and was from the first one of the leading institu- tions of its kind in the country. Feeding experiments with dairy cattle and pigs, and fertilizer experiments with a wide range of field and garden crops were continued through long periods. In the latter he made noteworthy studies of the action and value of different forms of potash, phosphoric acid, and nitrogen, and their s]3ecial effect on crops. Dr. Goessmann was modest and without ostentation in all that he did, and was content to let his work justify itself by its merits. He sought no other reward ; and his devotion to his study prevented his turning aside into commercial channels, which would have yielded greater pecuniary return. The product of his activity is not measured in monetary terms, for the value of a movement which looks to the development of an industry on a more intelligent and secure basis is bej^ond such measure. It is found rather in a changed popular attitude which appropriates thousands for experimentation where hundreds were hesitatingly given before, in an unconscious change of practice, the real origin of which is rarely known, and in the lives and activities of a band of students who received from him their first encourage- b PROF. WILLIAM H. BREWER. 69 ment and inspiration, their standards and conception of values, and an outlook which has in large measure furnished the basis of their success. PROF. WILLIAM H. BREWER. Prof. William Henry Brewer, for 40 years professor of agricul- ture at the Sheffield Scientific School and long associated with the Connecticut Experiment Station, died November 2, 1910. Prof. Brewer was a pioneer in agricultural instruction, having been connected with the early attempts to establish agricultural teaching at the Oakwood Agricultural Institute and at Ovid College, in New York State, in the early fifties. He became professor of agriculture in the Sheffield Scientific School in 1864, and occupied the position until 1904, when he retired as professor emeritus. Dr. E. H. Jenkins, director of the Connecticut Experiment Sta- tion, has said of him : His sympathy with farm interests was always active. Pie was a professor of agriculture uot ouly iu the Sheffield Scientific School but throughout the State. His addresses at farm meetings through many years, which were pub- lished in the reports of the State board of agriculture, did much to make its early reports sought after everywhere as an encyclopedia of farming. He labored with his associate and friend, Dr. S. W. Johnson, for the establishment of an agricultural experiment station in Connecti- cut, the first station to be organized in the United States. He was a member of the board of control of the station from 1877 until his death, and served for many years as secretary and treasurer. He was an ardent advocate of the care of the forests of the country, and was a member of a commission appointed from the National Academy of Sciences to prepare a plan for their preservation and in- crease. A scholarly man, with an unusual breadth of information and interest in scientific matters, he represented agriculture, his teaching subject, in its true scientific relations as well as in its practical as- pects. He thus exemplified the trained scientist in agricultural teaching, a conception by no means universal in his day. The high standing which he long maintained among men of science carried with it a recognition of the subject which he taught, and helped to a better understanding of its importance. He was 82 years of age at the time of his death, having been bom September 14, 1828. NEW LINES OF WORK. At the Kansas college and station a department for the investi- gation of problems dealing with the handling and milling of grain was established. An experimental baking plant is to be operated 70 EEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. which will have the twofold purpose of testing the bread-making capacity of flours from diiferent kinds of wheat and of conducting experiments in the technology of baking. Later it is hoped to erect an experimental mill for use in conducting studies on milling quali- ties of wheats and of milling operations. The new department will cooperate with the entomologist in studies of insects damaging stored wheat and flour in transit, with the botanist in the control of plant diseases which affect the quality of flour, and with the agronomist in the distribution of improved seed wheat. Much interest is being manifested in the new clejDartment, and the millers of the State are actively cooperating in the work. At the Nebraska University and station, L. W. Cliase, of the de- partment of agiicultural engineering in the college of agriculture, was added to the station council with the title of agricultural en- gineer, and is conducting investigations in farm drainage and sani- tation and the use of cement for farm purposes. In Ohio the assembly authorized the establishment of the depart- ment of dairy husbandry at the station and appropriated $8,000 for its support. Among the lines of investigation which are contem- plated are the production of daiiy stock, including feeding and breeding, utilization of food, the effect of special foods, notably those deficient in phosphorus, the quality of the milk, the birth weight and the vigor of the offspring, and the pathology of the dairy with special reference to tuberculosis. The dairy herd, buildings and equiioment, and a portion of the station pastures are to be trans- ferred to the new department. It is exjDected that the pathological work will be organized as a separate department. Special work in the line of wool investigations under the direction of the department of animal husbandry was recently authorized at this station. By an act of the last legislature of North Carolina the duties of the State Crop Pest Commission were transferred to the State board of agriculture. A seed-inspection law was passed, the enforcement of which is left to the State board. The board is further given the authority to sell any of its test farms and to invest the net proceeds in similar farms elsewhere. In Washington a feeding-stuffs law was enacted by the last legis- lature, the enforcement of which is to rest with the director of the station. The expenses of the inspection are to be defrayed by the sale of stamps and labels. A seed-inspection law was enacted in Wisconsin, which placed the station in charge of the enforcement of the act. In Arizona the station entomologist serves as entomologist of the newly established Territorial horticultural commission, which is charged with carrying out the provisions of a rigid crop pest law providing for inspection and quarantine. INCREASE IN FUNDS AND EQUIPMENT. 71 A short course in horticulture was held at Davis, Cal., April 26 to May 20, at which a special feature was a preparatory course for pros- pective horticultural commissioners and inspectors under the new State law. The course was preceded by a three-day conference of Pacific slope entomologists at Berkeley, for the consideration of the special insect problems of the region. At this conference a perma- nent organization was effected under the name of Pacific Slope Asso- ciation of Economic Entomologists. Active membership is restricted to official and professional entomologists of the Pacific slope. C. W. Woodworth was elected president and W. B. Ilerms secretary-treas- urer of this new association. The enforcement of the new stallion inspection law in North Da- kota was placed in charge of the North Dakota college and station, and immediately under the head of the animal husbandry division. Stallion registration laws are now in operation in 15 States. The object of these laws is to exclude unsound or diseased animals from service, and guard against fraud in the case of animals claimed to be pure bred. An organization of officials charged with the administra- tion of these laws, mainly college and station men, was formed in the summer of 1910, with a view to securing unification of the State laws. At the second annual meeting of the Association of Feed Control Officials of the United States, which is composed largely of experi- ment station men, the importance of enacting and enforcing uniform and just laws relating to the manufacture and sale of feeding stuffs was discussed, and a draft for a uniform State feeding-stuffs law rec- ommended by the executive committee was adopted. A list of defi- nitions of terms used to describe by-products used as feeding stufi^s for live stock was also discussed and adopted. Under an act signed by President Taft April 26, 1910, the manu- facture, sale, or transportation in interstate commerce, the District of Columbia, or the Territories, of adulterated or misbranded Paris green, lead arsenate, and other insecticides and fungicides is prohib- ited after January 1, 1911, at which time the act goes into effect. An association of college and station workers interested in the sul)ject of farm management was formed during the course of the graduate school at Ames, Iowa, and a society of milling and baking technology has also been organized. INCREASE IN FUNDS AND EQUIPMENT. The revenues of the stations for the year aggregated nearly $3,000,000. Of this amount $1,344,000 was received from the Federal Government and the balance was contributed by the States and from local sources. These local agencies are, therefore, more than doubling the funds of tlie stations from Federal sources. 72 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. A few cases remain in which the States make no specific appropria- tion for the station, but in such cases the restrictions surrounding the Federal funds make it very difficult for the stations to meet all the varied demands upon them. Among the new a^Dpropriations for the year the following may be mentioned : The Oregon college and station received among other appropria- tions $20,000 for the purchase of additional land; $2,500 was made available for dry-farm experiments, and $3,000 for irrigation experi- ments, both in cooperation with this department; and $15,000 was granted for the maintenance of the eastern Oregon substation. In Wyoming $7,500 was jjrovided by the legislature for experi- mental work in dry farming. In Connecticut $4,000 was given for maintenance of the Storrs station, and $8,500 for the purchase of an additional farm. The appropriations made by the General Assembly of Ohio to the station for the ensuing year aggregated $166,295, an increase of nearly $50,000 over the previous year. Some of the principal items were $26,300 for administration, $16,475 for agronomy, $15,000 for animal husbandry, $10,900 for botany, $20,470 for cooperative ex- periments, $5,000 for entomology, $10,000 for forestry, $10,500 for soils, $3,700 for chemistry, $10,950 for horticulture, $4,000 for nutri- tion, $17,000 for comjDleting the nutrition building, $3,000 for the ex- tension of the jDOwer house, and $4,000 for the purchase of land. In addition to this there was an appropriation of $8,000 for the new department of dairy husbandry. In Texas a State appropriation of $1,000 annually for the cur- rent biennium was made for tobacco investigations, in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department at its tobacco station at Nacogdoches. Under an act passed by Congress the State of Colorado may pur- chase 1,600 acres of public land in Larimer County for the use of the college and station. In this way it is hoped to obtain considerable tracts of land in reasonable proximity to the college, too broken and rocky as a whole for agriculture, but containing parcels of from 1 to 4 acres, at various altitudes, which can be used to advantage for experimental and demonstration purposes. The Colorado Legislature also appropriated $50,000 for work in agi'icultural extension, which will be largely sjjent in holding one- week extension schools throughout the State. During the j'ear 34 such schools were held and it is hoped to double this number during the coming year. The New York Legislature in making its appropriations for Cor- nell University included an increase of $2,000 for extension work and $90,000 for a poultry building. INCREASE IN FUNDS AND EQUIPMENT. 73 The Kentucky Legislature appropriated $2,000 for the preparation and distribution of hog-cholera serum by the station. In Massachusetts an appropriation of $15,000 was made for the purchase of a cranberry bog and for buildings and equipment. A bog was purchased at a cost of $12,700, and a small building for use in handling the crop and to provide quarters for office and laboratory work is to be erected. The research laboratory of the Connecticut State station was destroyed by fire on January 1, 1910, the most serious item of loss being the valuable chemical laboratory and the animals which had been under experiment for five months. The more valuable records were in a fireproof vault, which was uninjured. The legislature has made an appropriation of $30,000 for a fireproof addition to the station laboratories to replace this building. According to the plans for the new structure, the basement contains a laboratory, rooms for machinery, sampling, storage, and spraying apparatus, and a fire- proof vault; the first floor, a large chemical laboratory with offices, storerooms, and library, the forester's office and workroom, rooms for the botanical library and collections, the botanist's offices and laboratories, and a second fireproof vault ; and the second floor, three chemical laboratories with an office, library, and storerooms, and rooms for the entomological collections', library, office, and labora- tories. Outside of this building but connecting with it is to be a two-story addition of glass and concrete, including an insectary and greenhouse for the study of plant diseases. Among the new buildings to be erected at the Connecticut college and station is a poultry plant to cost about $5,000. A brick annex to the botanical building at the Michigan station, 33 by 61 feet, with two stories and basement, costing about $13,000, together with a greenhouse, 24 by 40 feet, was erected. The erection of a tool shed and workroom and a laboratory building for spraying materials was authorized at the Virginia truck station. A horse barn, costing $5,000, was erected on the Wyoming University stock farm. Considerable progress was made at the Guam station in clearing station land, laying out roads, and building fences. During the year nearly the entire station area has been brought under cultivation, and a small plantation of coffee comprising approximately 1 acre of hill land was established for the purpose of demonstrating the practicability of cultivating the relatively large areas of land of this class which are now unused. Funds were allotted from the Hawaii Territorial income tax to erect a new office building for the station at Honolulu. This new structure is to be provided w^ith rooms for the library, storage space for bulletins, and offices for five or six members of the staff. The 74 EEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPEEIMENT STATIONS. old office building is to be turned over to the joint use of the chemist and bacteriologist, and the quarters now used by the chemist will be used for storage i:)urposes. At the University of Missouri the new agricultural hall was dedi- cated during the sixth annual farmers' week, on December 28. The Ehode Island station completed a hospital building for use in the investigation of the diseases of poultry and methods for their control. At the North Dakota college and station an excellent new veteri- nary building was completed and provided with equipment. A new chemistry building is being built to rejolace the one destroyed by fire last year, a seed house at the Dickinson substation to cost $3,500, and a residence at the Hettinger substation. The station sheep barns have also been enlarged. At the South Dakota station a very complete fruit-breeding house was erected, to be used entirely in the work of originating hardy fruits for western conditions. This is reported to be the largest structure for conducting breeding studies to be found in the world. The Ohio station has let contracts for the erection of a soil labora- tory 23 by 30 feet in size, one and one-half stories high, and also for a one and one-half story brick power house, 34 by 39 feet. A dwell- ing near the main building was purchased for office purposes until funds can be secured for additional office and laboratory structures. At the Florida station $7,500 was allotted for the equipment of the new station building. At the Nevada station, one wing of a new greenhouse was erected at a cost of $5,000, and a room for the station library added to one of the buildings and equipped. The new buildings erected during the year at the Colorado station include a number of structures costing about $2,000, for use in the station poultry experiments, and a model potato cellar costing about $800. About one-third of the space in the new irrigaton engineer- ing building, which was completed during the year, is provided for the experiment station. A new building for the departments of entomology and geology at the Massachusetts college and station was completed and dedi- cated soon after the close of the fiscal year. The appropriation for this building was $80,000, to which has been added $15,000 for equipment. The Minnesota station erected and equipped during the year a new vaccine building, at an aj)proximate cost of $10,000. This building was equipped especially for the manufactvire of virus. The dena- tured-alcohol plant provided for last year was erected and equipped for experimental work on the production of alcohol and will be ready for operation in 1911. The cajDacity of the plant is 50 proof gallons of alcohol per day, and its cost was $6,000. Further, a IISrVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE ADAMS ACT. 75 thoroughly modern baking and testing laboratory was installed and equipped with electric baking and drying ovens, sponge cases, experi- mental flour mill, and other necessary equipment for investigations in connection with wheat and flour chemistry and technology. A new dairy building was completed at the New Hampshire station, and the dairy stables were remodeled at an expense of about $3,000. At the Puyallup (Wash.) substation a new building with a small greenhouse attached was erected, at a cost of about $4,500, aj^pro- priated by the State. INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE ADAMS ACT. During the year work on 335 projects under this fund was con- ducted at 50 stations. The same high standards are being insisted upon as formerly, and the requirements of the act are becoming more generally understood, so that the supervision of the fund gives less difficulty. There is still a tendency, however, to place on this fund too large a number of projects, and in several cases to include matters which are rather trivial as subjects for an investigation fund. In some cases the projects proposed continue to be of much too broad and indefinite a character. They embrace the whole field of research rather than any specific and definite phases of tlxe subject; they aim, not at the scientific solution of a project in agriculture, but rather at the attempt to secure some practical method or result of immediate application without regard to a thorough understand- ing of the scientific basis for the method or the generalizations. A recent example of a blanket proposal for studies covering a wide range of subjects is a suggested project on indigenous species of insects attacking agricultural crops. This proposition lacks both the definiteness and the restriction in scope which should characterize a subject for investigation; and as far as any control of the work is concerned, it could be interpreted to cover the whole field of economic entomology as applied to the particular locality. Obviously only occasional observations could be made, for it would be wholly im- practicable with the facilities at the command of any single experi- ment station to investigate this subject as a whole in any systematic or thorough manner. A desire is frequently encountered among certain station workers to outline so broad and general a project that they will be free from limitations and can follow their inclination from year to year as to the particular course of their investigations. But in the light of experience it is evident that from the standpoint of the investigation itself, as well as of the administration of the work, men should be held to carefully considered subjects of reasonable scope, definite scientific character, and directed along original lines. 76- REPOKT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. There is still a tendency at some stations to be satisfied with in- conclusive and incomi^lete work. Projects are selected and outlined with considerable definiteness, and then after a year or two's work interest in them appears to be lost or difficulties are encountered which there is a lack of inclination to work out, and it is then proposed to abandon the projects. It must be evident that such work is unproduc- - tive and unprofitable, and illustrates a tendency which should be dealt with by administrative officers. Not all men who are useful station workers are fitted to conduct research work. It should be evident before a man is encouraged to outline a project that he has some research ability which warrants assigning such activities to him. It should be further evident that the investigation he outlines is a practical project in the present stage of knowledge, and is one which he is competent to attack. There must necessarily be many failures to work out in comj^lete and final form the projects which are entered upon, but a disposition to work only on the fringe of a subject and to abandon a project when real difficulties begin to be encountered or when some other matter attracts the interest, will defeat the purpose of serious investigation and should be discountenanced by adminis- trative officers. Taken as a whole, however, the Adams-fund projects present a strong list of agricultural investigations, outlined in a thorough manner, with a disposition to derive fundamental facts. The spirit of the men working under this research fund has improved from year to j^ear, and their attitude toward it has become in a large per- centaere of the cases that of the true seeker after tinith. Already many important results are coming out of these investigations, some of which are ready for publication and others merely marking the passage of a certain important stage. Nothing could be more help- ful than a suitable organ for the publication of these investigations, which would stimulate to higher effort and more clearly illustrate the character of agricultural research, as well as give publicity to the findings. STATION ADMINISTRATON. The question of adequate provision for the administration of the experiment station is a highly important one. Administrative duties are at present quite complex. They involve the intimate super- vision of the internal affairs of the station — the work of the indi- vidual men, the facilities for promoting their efficiency, their rela- tions as a body, the publications of the station, and its financial management; its relations to the institution of which it is a part, to this office, through which general supervision of the Federal funds is exercised, to the people of the State, and in a broader sense to agri- STATION ADMINISTRATION. 77 culture as a science and an art. The station should present a strong effective front, and should be developed and conducted on the basis of carefully matured plans. With competent heads of departments and a clear policy relating to the work and expenditures, a high de- gree of efficiency can be maintained in individual departments. But in many respects the station should exist as a unit, and not merely as an aggregation of several independent departments. Without plans and direction, the formulation of definite policy, and provision for meeting the needs and requirements of the institution as a whole, the conduct of the station will be haphazard and unbusinesslike, and aside from a lack of the highest efficiency embarrassing difficulties will be encountered Avith the finances and otherwise. All but two of the stations (Nevada and North Dakota) are now presided over by separate directors; in these two exceptions the president of the university or college holds the position of director. In a consider- able number of other cases the position of dean of the college of agri- culture and director of the experiment station is combined in a single officer, who frequently has other duties assigned to him, such as charge of the domestic science department, general supervision of the extension work, etc. The growth of the stations and the complication of their activity makes the need of effective direction increasingly imperative. That this need is not always being fully met is evidenced by the inspec- tion conducted by this office and by its various dealings with the stations. This is a fault of the present system rather than of the men working under it. These men are usually overburdened with responsibilities. They are trying to cover too broad a field and to administer too many different classes of undertakings, and the or- ganization is not such as to relieve them sufficiently of responsibility for details. As a result many important matters fail to receive the attention or consideration which good administration demands, and the actual touch with the work is often not close. At many institutions the instruction work in agi'iculture, the new extension features, and the inspection, demonstration, and investiga- tion work of the experiment stations have developed so rapidly and to such magnitude that the combination dean and director can, in the nature of the case, give but little attention to any of them in detail. The administrative work has outgrown the ability of a single man to handle it, except in a most general and supervisory manner; and to meet this no adequate provision has been made for an associate or executive officer to represent the dean in looking after the details of administration. In the early history of the stations it was not uncommon for the president of the college to act as director of the experiment station. 78 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. This plan was found generally unsatisfactory, for the reason that the president had many other duties and interests, and was frequently not particularly adapted by training or experience to the direction of an experiment station. The history of the stations has shown that plan to be ineffective, and it has been almost entirely superseded by the appointment of separate administrative officers for the stations. The combined duties of the deanship and the directorship have reached a point in some of the larger institutions where the condition is quite analogous to that prevailing when the directorship was in the hands of the president of the college. While the combined dean and director usually has special fitness for administering the station work as a result of training and experience, the extent of the enter- prises assigned to that dual officer at a number of the institutions is at present considerably greater than was the administration of most agricultural colleges 10 or 15 years ago. The station's appro- priation is frequently larger and its working force greater in num- ber than was the case with the agricultural colleges at that time, and the manifold activities and relations of the station make heavy calls on the time of the administrative officer. The coming of the Adams fund, with its special provision for research as distinguished from other grades of activity, and the increased State appropriations for the development of special lines of experimentation, branch stations, etc., has complicated the station management and made intelligent supervision essential to the highest effectiveness. Granting the largest measure of academic freedom in experiment station work, the activities of the different departments are promoted by a general following up of their progress and their relations to other lines of duty. The matter of providing suitable permanent records of the work calls for attention and should receive more than it often does; and the preparation of various reports calls for rather intimate knowledge in regard to the progress in various lines. These and manj^ other things are in the function of the station director. Taken as a whole, the proper administration of an experiment station is in itself a large undertaking. While the advantages of combining the collegiate, the experiment station, and the extension work in agriculture under a single admin- istrative head may be recognized by the office of dean, it seems clear that the time has come in the larger institutions when provision should be made in the organization for an officer who will directly perform the functions of station director and represent the dean in the carrying out of details and the execution of general polic3^ Such an executive officer would enable the dean to give his personal atten- tion to the larger matters pertaining to the institution as a whole, and the correlation and development of its work. PUBLICATIONS OF THE STATIONS. 79 PUBLICATIONS OF THE STATIONS. The publicity work of the experiment stations increases from year to year. The growth of extension work has led to a large number of popular bulletins and circulars wdiich have been issued in the ex- periment station series, although paid for out of special funds. In accordance with the ruling that the Federal funds should be relieved from all kinds of expenses incidental to extension work, special attention has been given to the character of the publications assigned to the Federal funds. In the majority of cases care has been exercised by the stations to charge to the Hatch fund only such publications as clearly report the results of their work. In some cases insufficient attention has been given to this matter, with the result that publications clearly of elementary and extension character were charged against the Hatch fund, when there w^ere State funds to wdiich they might ha^'e been assigned. Such a practice has necessitated a disallowance of the ex- penditure for the particular publications involved. In other cases the States have not yet made adequate provision for extension worli or for publications of that character, and many popular bulletins have been printed from the Federal funds. This has led to no ques- tion when the bulletin was based on the station's work, and was in effect a popular presentation of the results of such work, with such explanatory matter as the necessities of the case seemed to make rea- sonable; but the subject matter has not always been so worded as to bring out the station's connection with the discussion, and this has led to much correspondence wdth the stations relative to their popular publications, and in some cases to a final refusal to allow the charge for the publication. It is maintained that at the present stage the station bulletins should present the experimental evidence on which their conclusions and directions are based in such manner as to show clearly the sta- tion's contribution to the subject. The reader is entitled to this and the station is entitled to credit for its work. Such a form of presen- tation detracts in no way from the interest or value of a bulletin, popular or technical. Unless this is done it is impossible even for the well-informed reader to distinguish between what is new and what are merely generalizations from experience and the common fund of information. The stations have been strongly urged, therefore, to restrict their charges against the Federal funds to such publications as report the results and applications of their work, and in the popular accounts of station work to clearly credit the station with the work which it has done. 80 EEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. SOME NOTEWORTHY RESULTS OF STATION WORK. The increase in the fnnd of knowledge and its application as a result of the stations' work grows rapidly from year to year. New facts are brought out which help the investigator to a clearer under- standing of his problems and bring him nearer to a solution ; and a vast amount of experimental evidence is accumulated to assist prac- tical men in improving their methods and overcoming natural difficulties. Xo other business or profession has such an organized and aggres- sive system working for its advancement in both theory and practice. The outcome in every branch of agriculture is enormous, and it is only possible to cite a few of the results to indicate the nature and scope of the j^rogress. The development of new varieties and their distribution among the farmers of the States continued during the year with much success. A new variety of winter wheat developed at the Minnesota station, known as Minnesota No. 529, and three varieties of oats, Minnesota Xos. 261, 281, and 295, which outyielded the ordinary grains by 15 to 25 per cent, were distributed. Minnesota No. 169 wheat. No. 26 oats, No. 13 corn, and No. 25 flax have become commercially known and are now quite widely grown in Minnesota and the adjoining States. It is estimated that the increased value of farm crops in Minnesota, on account of the use of varieties of grain developed at the station, has reached the sum of $6,500,000 annually. The pedigreed strains of corn developed by the Ohio station are thus far yielding 5 to 14 bushels per acre more than the original Tarieties from which the}^ were selected and bred. Pedigreed strains of oats and wheat are yielding 3 to 6 bushels in advance of the original stock, and improved strains of soy beans 2-|- to 6 bushels. The North Dakota station has also achieved success in establish- ing new varieties of field crops and distributing them throughout the State. In corn-breeding work, the ear-to-row corn yields have been very outstanding, ranging from 96 bushels per acre to 37.7 bushels for the different ear rows. Golden Dent No. 950 seed corn has been widely distributed through sales direct from the institution, through the demonstration farms, and the school children's contests. It has proved very popular through the State and has added greatly to the corn area. No. 316 blue-stem wheat was put out through the medium of the demonstration farms the past year. It is the result of 17 years' work. The yield of this new wheat during the very dry season of 1910 was '27^ bushels per acre on a field plat of over 5 acres in size. The winter rye developed by the station is proving hardy and a better yielder than the common varieties. NOTEWORTHY RESULTS OF STATION WORK. 81 In one county of the State of Missouri corn yields have been in- creased 16-^ bushels per acre and clover yields If tons per acre by the application of results discovered by the station. Good soil manage- ment on one of the experiment fields increased the clover yield from one-half ton to 2 tons per acre and the net profit by $G. On the soil- experiment fields in southwestern Missouri the station has shown that corn may be increased from 20 to 45 bushels per acre and wheat 12 bushels per acre. In soil experiments carried on in northeastern Missouri the yield of wheat was increased by 50 bushels per acre, with a coiTesponding increase in the net profit. The results of the timothy-breeding experiments at the New York Cornell station are becoming apparent. Some very marked hay and pasture strains have been developed. What is probably the largest fruit-breeding station in the world is well under way in Minnesota. The object is to secure hardiness and resistance to several prevalent diseases, and the extensive and systematic scheme which is followed promises valuable results. The very large amount of material now growing furnishes opportunity for extensive breeding studies. The fruit-breeding work of the South Dakota station has resulted in obtaining hybrid varieties from the Japan and De Soto plums and the native sand cherry. Three promising crosses have also been se- cured by the union of the native plum and the Chinese apricot. Two new hybrids, of which the sand cherry is the female parent and the De Soto plum the male parent, were sent out in the spring of 1910. A monograph of the plums of North America has been completed by the New York State station, based on its extensive and long-con- tinued studies of varieties. This work is on a scale comparable with the excellent monographs on apples and grapes, previously issued. At the Anzona station it has been found that elate ripening may be hastened by spraying the immature fruit with a solution of acetic acid, thus causing choice varieties to ripen in that region. In a study of tuberization at the same station, greening the tubers prior to plant- ing resulted in the formation of a larger and better crop. Checking the growth of tops by any means had a similar effect. The experiments on the effect of high pressures on preserving fruits and fruit juices, which have been in progress at the West Vir- ginia station for a number of years, have been completed, and it has been found that high pressures, continuous or intermittent, and at natural tempei-ature or in connection with heat, destroy the organ- isms responsible for the spoiling of canned fruits, etc. Attempts to breed poultry for high egg production have resulted, in many disappointments. The cause of this, as the Maine station has shown, lies not in the fact that high production is not trans- 91866°— 11 6 82 EEPOKT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. mitted, but rather in the wide differences in abilit}^ of individuals to transmit that quality. This ability is found to be a family trait, some families of high production having it and others not. High egg production is shown to be inherited in pure lines, within families having the ability to transmit it. This faculty is the keynote to breeding, and has furnished a new method of selection for high per- formance, which is working out satisfactoril3\ The same has been discovered to be true with corn. Superiority in respect to a quality is not necessarily accompanied by ability to transmit that quality ; this is a family trait and, like the high quality itself, is transmitted within family lines — a very significant fact to be reckoned with in all breeding for improvement. The important question as to whether such crops as corn, oats, etc., profit by the ability of legumes to assimilate the free nitrogen of the air, when grown in connection with them, has at length been answered in the affirmative by the New Jersey station, in an ingenious series of investigations. The manner in which the interchange of material takes place is a subject for further study. At the Cornell station it was found that the growth of a legume with a nonlegume gave the latter a greater protein content than when it was grown alone. The growth of alfalfa was found to in- crease the nitrifying power of the soil. Both legumes and non- legumes were shown to have a definite relation to the nitrogen con- tent of the soil on which they were grown, the relation differing with different crops. The absorption of nitrate nitrogen by wheat plants grown in a rich soil was found not to be proportional to the growth of the plants but to increase with a decrease in the soil moisture content and consequently with a decrease in the crop. This result is considered as a probable explanation of the high percentage of gluten in wheat grown in semiarid regions. In studying the rela- tion of lime to the growth of alfalfa it was observed that the protein content of alfalfa grown on lime soil was markedly greater than that grown on soil in need of lime. In these experiments the difference amounted to 88 pounds of protein per ton of alfalfa hay. The significance of sulphur as a plant food, not heretofore taken account of, is indicated by studies made at the Wisconsin station with a new method of analysis. By this, grain crops, for example, are found to remove nearly as much sulphur from the soil as they do of phosphoric acid, Avhereas the soil supply of sulphur is far less. This fact must evidently be taken account of in plans for main- taining fertility. A new disease of cucumbers and muskmelons in the greenhouse was worked out at the New York State station, and its cause deter- mined. The fungus has since appeared upon tomatoes both in this country and in Europe. In cooperation with the Vermont station NOTEWORTHY RESULTS OF STATION WORK. 83 the pathogenicitj^ of the organisms causing the soft rots of a number of fruits and vegetables has been thoroughly worked out. The cause of a new disease of alfalfa has been worked out at the Colorado station, which was found to be due to bacteria. Only the first crop is seriously affected, and this was found to be due to late frosts causing a cracking of the stems, the bacteria finding entrance through the injury. The Maine station reports the presence of the blackleg of potatoes in several portions of the United States. The disease is of bacterial origin, and in Germany, where it was first noticed, it has proved very troublesome at times. The Ohio station has reported a number of important new diseases of i^lants, among them a bacterial disease of cereals and grasses, in which there seems to be a communism between two distinct organ- isms. The same station has demonstrated the efficiency of spraying with solutions of common salt for the destruction of poison ivy and other weeds. A new standard for feeding dairy cows has been worked out by Prof. Haecker in Minnesota, which is more practical and economi- cal for American conditions than the German standards. In this study large numbers of animals have been used, under natural con- ditions, and an immense mass of scientific data has been accumulated. The Pennsylvania station, following up the results of experiments in the respiration calorimeter, carried on in cooperation with the Bureau of Animal Industry of this department, found that steers made as good gains when fed in a dry, open lot sheltered on the north and west sides as did a similar number of animals fed in a warm, well-ventilated stable. The Oklahoma station determined the fact that Kafir corn ranks close to corn as a feed for cattle and hogs, and also as a raw material for the manufacture of alcohol and glucose. A preliminary report of experiments at the Ohio station showed marked differences in the availability of organic and inorganic forms of phosphorus when fed to pigs. The method of making cheese from pasteurized milk with the use of commercial acid for ripening the milk has been perfected at the Wisconsin station. This eliminates the difficulty due to defects in the milk, and reduces cheese making largely to a mechanical process which can be controlled at the various stages and carried out by definite rule. The cheese made in this way is mild in flavor, does not require to be ripened at a low temperature, and keeps well on the market. The West Virginia station has constructed a device enabling the handling of milk in the cooling process in such a way that con- 84 EEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. tamination through contact with the air in an open room is pre- vented. The station has shown by experiments that the bacterial content of the milk is very greatly increased by the usual methods of artificial cooling in an open room, and its device avoids this. In connection with the investigations of the bacillary white diar- rhea in chickens, the Connecticut Storrs station in cooperation with Yale University claims to have isolated the organism which causes the disease, and thus definitely determined the cause of this trouble. Suggestions are made for its avoidance. Much success has been secured in the use of serum against hog cholera, and in several States the stations are preparing the serum under State ai^propriation. The Minnesota station reported no failures when full doses of tested serum were given in herds not already affected, and when herds already infected were treated the results were as satisfactory as could be reasonably expected. Up to March 1, 1910, 1,004 individuals in infected herds were vaccinated, of which G9 died, while 70 out of 76 not vaccinated died. In sound herds 982 were vaccinated with a full dose of tested serum, of which 12 died. All vaccinated hogs were tested by inoculation or exposure. During the year data were also secured indicating that pigs from immune sows are born with very high resistance to cholera. This natural immunity is gradually lost, but is sufficient up to five weeks of age to permit such pigs to be inoculated with very high virulent blood with an unimportant percentage of loss. The Indiana station reports the discovery that normal salt solution which has been injected into the abdominal cavity of a hog affected with cholera can be substituted for virulent blood in the preparation of hyperimmune hogs. This has cheaj)ened the treatment fulh'^ one- third, and is held to be the most important discover}^ since the present method of treating hog cholera was introduced. In these experi- ments a normal salt solution was injected into the abdominal cavities of a number of hogs used in the work. Two hours later these hogs were bled and as soon as the animals had died the virulent salt solution was removed. Eleven hyperimmunes were produced with this normal salt solution and all of them yielded potent serum. The deterioration of cement under the action of alkali has been studied at the Montana station. The action of alkali salts destroys the binding material of the cement (calcium hydrate), and also increases the volume of the mass, making it bulge and crack and crumble. This is a matter of great importance in the alkali regions in connection with the construction of irrigation works and farm buildings, as well as other structures. Means for preventing the de- terioration have been proj)osed. PROGEESS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES- 85 PROGRESS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Efforts are being put forth to provide national encouragement of British agricuhure and forestry, with an increase of the national grant to agriculture by $1,000,000 with a view to more extensive de- veloi^ment of the resources of the country. Such projects as the institution of schools of forestry, the purchase and preparation of land for afforestation, the maintenance of experimental forests, in- creased aid to scientific research in agriculture, experimental farms, the encouragement of agricultural cooperation and better transporta- tion facilities, sj^stematic extension work, and the aiding in a general way of a movement back to the farm are contemplated. An extensive afforestation project has been receiving considerable discussion. It is estimated that 9.000,000 acres are available for the purpose, and an annual afforestation of 10,000 acres would afford employment to 18,000 men temporarily and 1,500 permanently and would eventually yield a large revenue. The new^ agricultural buildings for Cambridge University were made ready for occupancy during the year. The cost, with equip- ment, is estimated at about $87,500. The agricultural and road development act passed by the British Parliament provides for aiding and developing agriculture and rural industries by promoting scientific research, instruction, and ex- periments in the science, methods, and practice of agriculture. The president of the board of agriculture and fisheries has appointed a committee of 15 to advise the board on all scientific questions bearing directly on the importance of agriculture, and especially as to meth- ods to be adopted for promoting agricultural research in universities and other scientific schools, aiding scientific research workers, and insurinof that new scientific discoveries are utilized for the benefit of agriculture. A society was organized under the presidency of the Duke of Devonshire for the purpose of raising $25,000 for the purchase of about 200 acres of land adjoining the present experimental fields at Rothamsted, and erecting buildings for feeding experiments with crops to be grown there. The appropriations for Canadian agriculture authorized for the ensuing year include items of $185,000 for the maintenance of experi- mental farms, including an increase of $45,000 for the establishment of additional farms, $10,000 for the publications of the experimental farms, $5,000 for five stations for the fumigation of nursery stock, $100,000 for the development of the dairy and fruit industries, $82,000 for the establishment of cold-storage warehouses and the experiments in cold storage for fruit, $52,000 for the development of the meat 86 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPEEIMENT STATIONS. industry, $250,000 for animal diseases, $50,000 for the seed-inspection work, $20,000 for the enforcement of the meat and canned foods acts, $5,000 for tobacco investigations, and $10,000 for the International Institute of Agriculture. J. 11. Grisdale, of the Experimental Farm, was appointed Dominion agriculturist, with supervision of operations at all branch stations and at the Central Farm in both animal hus- bandry and field crops. An experimental farm under the general supervision of the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa is being established on Prince Edward Island, a tract of 65 acres having been selected close to Charlottetown on which experiments will be con- ducted on cereals, fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs, etc. J. A. Clark was appointed superintendent. The Canadian Pacific Railway estab- lished a demonstration farm at Strathmore, Canada. Considerable activity was shown in the establishment of experi;nent farms in Australia. In New South Wales the Nyngan Experimental Farm was opened, together with a viticultural station near Raymond Terrace, where work was begun on the growing of phylloxera- resistant stocks. Experimental worlv was also inaugurated in various parts of Kangaroo Island. An experiment farm of GOO acres was established at Loxton, in South Australia, where work along dry- farming lines is to be taken up. Steps were also taken toward the establishment of a poultry experiment farm in South Australia, and between Petersburg and Yunta experimental dry-farming work was commenced on a 3,000-acre tract, attention being first given to fallow- ing operations. An experiment farm was also established at Shannon, on Eyre Peninsula. The botanical department of agi'iculture in India has laid out a farm and erected a building with a view to studying the decline of the Tasar silk industry, and for the purpose of fostering the same. Four stations, including one sericultural station, were established in Indo China. In Germany the Dairy Experiment Station and Institute at Klein- hof-Tapiau was removed on April 1, 1910, to Konigsberg, where it is housed in recently erected buildings of the Konigsberg Cooperative Dairy Association. The Agricultural Experiment Station of the Chamber of Agriculture of the District of Cassel was removed in June from Marburg to Harleshausen, near Cassel. An institute for animal physiology was established near Greifswald, on the small Baltic Island of Riems, under the direction of Prof. N. Zuntz, of Berlin. One of the principal lines of work to be taken up by this in- stitution is bacteriological investigations for the control of foot-and- mouth disease. This institute will be under the control of the Uni- versity of Greifswald. Steps were taken during the year for the organization of an asso- ciation of agricultural experiment stations in Austria, and at a pre- PROGRESS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 87 liminary meeting of representatives of the stations of that country it was decided to form such an organization, and a committee on organ- ization was appointed. An organ of the association has been selected. In France an experiment station for refrigeration was established at Chateaurenard, the center of a large fruit-growing district, where experiments are to be made with respect to the transportation of per- ishable produce. The (lombloux station in Belgium was reorganized and is now composed of a state chemical institute, and the experimental and informational services connected with the state agricultural institute, which gives special attention to dairying, phj^topathology, and ento- mology. The administration of the station is to be by council com- posed of the directors and chiefs of the different sections. The Khedivial Agricultural Society of Egypt has acquired an ex- periment farm of about IGO acres near Cairo, and effected an arrange- ment with the state domains adminstration whereby a considerable tract of land is set aside for the raising of cotton and wheat seed of good quality. A committee was appointed to investigate the diminished yield of cotton in proportion to the area sown. A cottonseed farm was established in British East Africa during the year. In Portuguese East Africa, an experimental farm was established at Huambo and one at Libollo in the Province of Angola. The agricultural station established at Tuyen-Ouang, China, has given special attention to the culture of manila hemp, and has also become a center for silk culture. This station was established under contract with the Government to continue during the three years 1908-1910. In Spain, the establishment of an experiment station has been ordered by the Government at Fonsagrada, in the Province of Lugo, and an enological station was recently established at Jnmulla in the Province of Murcia. A model experiment farm for the purpose of studying irrigation methods was opened at Seville, and a station for vegetable pathologj^ at Burjasot, near Valencia, as a part of the school of j)ractical agriculture located at that place. The Venezuelan Government has ordered the establishment of a section of plants and seeds under the agricultural division of the ministry of commerce. This section is charged with the importation of seeds and plants approved by the minister. The seeds and plants are propagated and distributed to farmers with full cultural instruc- tions, and a report is demanded from the parties taking advantage of this arrangement. A tobacco experiment station was recently established in Honduras. 88 EEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. In Peru a cotton experiment station was provided with wliich later was associated a sericiiltural station. A bureau of agricultural inspection was organized in Brazil with the special duty of studying agricultural conditions and suggesting opportunities for improvement. Among other duties this bureau is charged with the introduction of new crops or the extension of those already under culture and the inspection of experiment stations. The country will be divided into 12 districts with an inspector in charge of each. An expenditure of $3,000 was authorized for the introduction of dry-farming methods. The establishment of experi- ment stations for the cultivation and extraction of rubber was also authorized. Subsidies were authorized for wheat growing, produc- tion of beans, exportation of wine, rubber culture, sheep raising, and wool production. The Brazilian National Museum was reor- ganized, and provision was made for the study of fiber plants, insects harmful and beneficial to agriculture, plant diseases, and other lines of work of agricultural importance. The State of Para established propagation and acclunatization gardens, and the botanical gardens of Rio de Janeiro were ordered by Government decree to take up experimental work as outlined by the minister of agriculture. A de- partment is to be maintained for the study of trees and other plants grown for commercial purposes and especially of native fruits. The commission to demonstrate rice culture was discontinued, and suc- ceeded by a commission to experiment with wheat and its culture at Moreira Cesar in Eio Grande do Sul. A zootechnical station was established at Porto Alegre in the same State, the work to be car- ried on cooperatively with the central association for the promo- tion of scientific interests in the State. In Sao Paulo a poultry experiment station was located at Pindamonhangaba. The Cuban agricultural budget for 1910 included an item of $100,000 for cattle breeding, one of $30,000 for subsidies to experi- mental farms, and one of $20,000 for the purchase of plants and seeds. An agricultural lecturer was sent by the Mexican Government to stimulate interest in better farming in the State of Sonora. The Government also provided a bureau charged among other things with matters pertaining to agricultural experiments and the dissemination of agi'icultural information. A new station was established near Oaxaca. The buildings are to cost about $225,000 in Mexican money. Separate orchards of peaches, olives, oranges, and other fruits have been set out, and a pipe line 1,000 meters long has been constructed for irrigation purposes. A sugar mill has been set up and is ready for experimental work. This is the third station established in the country, the first having been established in San Luis Potosi in lOOG. The station is located 4 miles from Oaxaca and has 2,000 acres of INSPECTION OF THE STATIONS. 89 bottom and hill land at its disposal, i^lthough the third station to receive the Government grant, it was about the first to begin actual experimental operations. INSPECTION OF THE STATIONS. In accordance with the usual practice of the office, a personal inspection was made during the 3'ear of the Avork and expenditures of every exiDcriment station receiving Federal funds. In connection with this inspection a large amount of first-hand information was secured in regard to the progress of these institutions, and the oppor- tunity was embraced for conference with the local station officers in regard to the work and administration. This inspection was partic- ipated in by four members of the office force, namely: The Director (A. C. True), Assistant Director (E.W. Allen), W. IT. Beal, and Walter H. Evans. The following reports upon the several stations are based on the results of this inspection, together with the annual financial state- ments of the stations rendered on the schedules prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture, and the printed and other reports received from the station officers. ALABAMA. Agricultural Experiment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn. Department of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. J. F. DuGGAK, M. S., Director. The year's work at the Alabama station was carried on without many changes in the station staff and without any marked departures from the lines and methods of investigation followed last year. J. C. C. Price was appointed assistant in horticulture and J. E. Toomer assistant in chemistry. During the year the new agricul- tural building, costing about $75,000, was occupied jointly by the college and the station, and a new greenhouse was constructed at a cost of about $1,500. The station had an interest in the State horticultural fund amounting to $1,500, which was used for nursery inspection in charge of the horticulturist. The department of animal husbandry received $2,700 from State funds. The Live-Stock Sani- tary Board has an annual appropriation of $4,000 for tick eradica- tion, and the station veterinarian is connected with this work. Progress is reported in the work on the various Adams-fund projects which the station has under investigation. In agronomy the plant-breeding work with cotton, corn, and oats was continued as heretofore. Detailed records for individual plants were kept, and numerous photographs were taken in connection with these investi- 90 EEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. gations. The oil content of a considerable number of samples of seeds from the cotton-breeding plats was determined by the chemist. In studying the insecticidal efficiency of hydrocyanic-acid gas and carbon bisuli^hid, chief emphasis was laid during the past year on the investigations with the bisul2:)hid. This work was done in co- ojieration with the chemist and the botanist. The effects of the gas on plant life and the influence of light and other factors on the resistance of plants treated with the gas were studied. It was found that the insecticidal power of carbon bisulphid was only a little over GO per cent and that moisture in relation to its effi- ciency was not so important as temperature. Both plants and insects were observed to show differences in resistance. In evaporation and diffusion tests with the gas it was found that it had penetrated verti- cally to 10 feet in depth of shelled corn and cottonseed in 24 hours, but horizontally only 3 feet in the corn. As the height of the con- tainer increased, the evaporation of the gas was found to be slower. The rice-weevil investigations included studies of life histories and feeding habits, the effect of weevil injury on the germinating power of corn, and of methods of handling and storing corn to reduce the ravages of the insect. It was found that there is a safe margin of heat between the destruction of the insect and injury to corn. It was also observed that severely cold winter weather reduced the number if insects. In connection with the study of fertilizer requirements of the soil for cotton by analysis of the cotton plants grown upon it, soil sam- jales were collected from field experiments with the crop in different parts of the State. Analyses were made of cotton plants at the four- leaf stage with special reference to potash. The results secured indi- cated that on some soils the fertilizers used increased the potash content of the plant much more than on others. For a further study of this project experiments with three types of soils placed in cyl- inders 20 inches in diameter were begim. In the study of the effect of different foods upon quality of pork, cottonseed meal, tankage, soy beans, peanuts, corn, and other feeding stuffs were fed, and the fats in the pork produced were studied chem- ically. Fifty or sixty pigs were used in this work at Auburn, and for the coming year arrangements have been made to carrj^ on this work in cooperation with tlie Bureau of Animal Industry and to use from 300 to 400 pigs in the experiment. The work on the toxic effect of cottonseed meal on hogs was expanded to include work with 2 horses and 1 mule, which were fed on cottonseed meal and hulls, to which afterwards hay was added. Considerable work was also done with pigs, and the results were studied with reference to their relation to the work of other investigators. ALABAMA. 91 The project on the pathogenic and nonpathogenic flora of the cow's udder was continued, and the results of the work were in part prepared for publication. In the peach-breeding work about 1,800 crosses were made and over TOO set fruits. Spraying work was con- ducted in connection with the project and the results of lime-sulphur were quite promising. The study of certain physiological functions of the cotton plant included considerable work along anatomical lines. Progress was also made in the different lines of work carried on with the Hatch fund. The agronomist tested improved varieties of corn and cotton and also made observations on the value of crimson clover for Alabama conditions. The entomologist made studies of miscellaneous insects and gave some attention to the method of fac- ing the boll-weevil problem in Alabama when it presents itself. The botanist studied the guayule rubber plant under a grant from the Carnegie Institution and prepared a report on this work. The botanical department was given space in the new greenhouse. The horticulturist carried on experiments with tomatoes in the green- house and the field, and also did field work with potatoes, cabbages, etc., with especial reference to late-grown crops. The horticultural department conducted the nursery inspection with State funds. The chemist conducted laboratory and field experiments with basic slag made by the open-hearth method. Studies on cane and water- melon sirup were continued. Cylinder experiments with rye, tur- nips, and other crops were made to determine the effect of decayed nitrogenous matter on the availability of phosphoric acid. The chemist also aided in the fertilizer inspection. The veterinarian studied a form of paralysis in pigs occurring especially in southern Alabama and appearing to be quite an im- portant factor in the hog raising of that section. Studies on osteo- porosis were continued and the results are approaching readiness for publication. The animal husbandman carried on experiments with beef cattle in cooperation with the Bureau of Animal Industry, The work in- cluded the study of methods of maturing beef in winter with the use of foods supplementary to pasturage and silage. In the western part of the State 250 head were fed in this test in cooperation with farmers who furnished the feed and had the profits of the sale. Co- operative experiments with hogs were begun in March, 1910, at an outside point to determine the best use of the field crops of the region. Station feeding tests were made with hogs and sheep in the same way as heretofore. In sheep feeding special stress was laid on the use of cottonseed meal for ewes with reference to the produc- 92 KEPOKT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. tion of spring lambs. An account of this work was published in bulletin form. In addition to the cooperative work mentioned the station followed similar work in the breeding of hardy oranges, and conducted local fertilizer experiments in cooperation with farmers. Assistance was also rendered by the station in farmers' institute work and to teach- ers of agriculture in the public schools. The more popular work of the station during the year was published through the State department of agi'iculture, and some of its more scientific work through this department. The following publications of the station were received during the year : Bulletins 146, Facing the Boll-weevil Problem in Alabama ; 147, Crimson Clover; 148, (1) Raising Lambs in Alabama — Mainte- nance Rations for Ewes, (2) Feeding Cottonseed Meal to Pregnant Ewes; 149, Test of Varieties of Cotton in 1009; and the Annual Reports for 1908 and 1909. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows: rnited States appi-opriation. Hatch Act $14,200.00 Tnited States appropriatiou. Adams Act 12. GOO. 00 Balance from United States appropriations for 19000. 00 State appropriation IS, 500.00 Individuals 8, 817. 18 Fees 10,300.00 Farm products 160.81 Miscellaneous 594. 42 Total 52, 372. 41 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States fimds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. Lines of work at the Connecticut station of much interest to science and of high value to practical agriculture are pursued steadily, and are gaining for the institution the increased confidence and loyal sup- port of the people of the State. Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, Storrs. Department of the Connecticut Agricultural College. L. A. Clinton, M. S., Director. No new lines of work were taken up during the year at the Con- necticut Storrs Station, and aside from satisfactory progress no changes occurred in the different lines of investigation. The biennial State appropriation for the use of the station amounts to $4,000. The station staff remained practically the same as the year before. The Adams-fund projects in hand were carried forward during the year and a report on some of the work was made. A prelimi- nary report on the bacillary white diarrhea of chicks was made in Bulletin GO of the station, which states that the specific causative agent is the organism Bacillus- puUorum. The disease was found to have fairly uniform symptoms and post-mortem appearances. Chicks were infected by subcutaneous injection with pure cultures of the organism and the disease was also transmitted through infected food supply. The original source of infection seemed to be the mother hen, and a certain percentage of the chicks in infected j)laces were observed to have the disease when hatched. The disease seemed most prevalent among artificially hatched and brooded chicks, but hen- hatched chicks were not found to be immune. CONNECTICUT. 113 The cheese investigations were continued, special attention being given to troubles encountered in the manufacture of Roquefort cheese. In a study of the specific action of salt on the organisms in Roque- fort cheese it was found tliat it does not inhibit the growth of Peni- cillium but does check the growth of O'idiimi lactis. The work of breeding beans and melons for disease resistance was pursued as pre- vipusl}^ outlined. "With beans certain color correlations in stems, flowers, etc., have been established in this connection. The relation of lactic-acid bacteria to cheese making and the bacteriology of incu- bating eggs were given further attention, and tlie part played by micro-organisms in silage fermentation was studied. Biological soil studies were also taken up during the year. Amonff the lines of work carried on with the Hatch and other funds were farm management experiments, feeding experiments with cows for milk production, feeding of high and low protein rations for cows, ice-cream studies to determine the nature of the overrun, test- ing cream for age, acidity, etc., as influencing the quality of ice cream, supervising the testing of cows for advanced registry (at the ex- pense of owners), studying the lime factor of soils, culture experi- ments with corn, introduction of alfalfa, and determining the effi- ciency of lime-sulphur spray on potatoes. The chicken-breeding ex- periment for the production of a breed of hens having superior size and vigor and which lay white eggs was continued, and an experi- ment on the cost of feeding heifers in the college herd from birth to 2 years old was completed. The cooperative work of the station is limited to the cheese in- vestigations, which are carried on with the Dairy Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry. The extension and demonstration w^ork is largely confined to orchard management and is done by the college, station men as a rule giving little time to this feature. The following publications were received from this station during the year: Bulletins 56, Control of Insects and of Plant Diseases; 57, A Study of Some Connecticut Dairy Herds; 58, Camembert Cheese Problems in the United States; 59, Bacterium lactis acidi and its Sources; 60, Bacillary White Diarrhea of Young Chicks; 61, Apple Growing in Xew England; 62, Apple Growing in New England; 63, The Cost of Feeding Heifers ; and the Annual Report for 1908-9. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation. Hatcli Act $7,500.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act G, .500. 00 State apin-npriation 1. OHO. 00 Miscellaneous 701. S-i Total 16,651.84 91866°— 11 8 114 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules pre- scribed by this department and has been approved. The work of the Storrs station is steadily prosecuted along several important lines, and the results secured are proving valuable to agriculture in general as well as to the agricultural industries of the State. DELAWARE. The Delaware College Agricultural Experiment Station, NewarJc. Department of Delaware College. H. Hayward, INI. S. Agr., Director. No important changes in this station took place during the year. The farm purchased by the State a few years ago is entirely under the control of the station, practically all of it being employed either for experimental purposes or for supplying feed for the work stock. The State appropriated $10,000 for farm buildings, with which a new barn was recently completed, a new silo erected, and the old barn reconstructed. Considerable progress was made on some of the projects supported by the Adams fund. The work relating to the functions of tannin in plants was practically completed. This investigation has brought out the inhibitory effect of tannin on the germination and growth of spores of man}^ species of fungi. The results seem to indicate further that the action of tannin is complicated by the presence of enzyms in plants. The horticultural department continued its work on the functions of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash in the growth of apple and peach trees. Leaves were collected for analysis and measurements of growth were made. It is believed that some differences, due to the kind and amount of fertilizer apj^lied, can be noticed with peaches, while with apples no results have thus far become apparent. The study of the effect of the different fertilizers on bud production of peaches is to be taken up. The veterinarian did no further work on glanders and concluded his investigations on anthrax, the results of which are regarded as showing the possibility of bringing about passive immunity through inoculation with serum. It is claimed that an immunizing serum producing immediate immunity from anthrax, which can be used in controlling the disease in cases of outbreaks, and a single vaccine of practical value and reducing the time in gaining immunity by one- half, have been secured as a result of this work. A bulletin giving the results in detail was prepared. Experiments on in-and-in breed- ing with dairy cattle was begun by the station during the year, and a study of the effect of variations in physical characters and chemical DELAWARE. 115 composition of the corn kernel upon the vigor of the phmt was taken up. Under the Hatch fund the phmt pathologist tested seeds, studied a Botrytis disease of roses, and began work on a bud study of peaches affected with yellows. The efforts of the horticulturist included numerous variety tests of orchard fruits and vegetables, fertilizer and rotation experiments with potatoes and tomatoes, and tests of fer- tilizers and cover crops in orchards. In agronomy the work included variety tests of corn, wheat, oats, cowpeas, soy beans, and other crops, and fertilizer studies with com- mercial lime and stable manure in connection with four-year rotation experiments with corn, wheat, oats, and grass. The value of different forms of lime and phosphorus for crops and the stooling habits of about GO varieties of wheat were also studied. Decided differences were found to exist among varieties of wheat in their response to fer- tilization and in the quantity of phosphoric acid, potash, and lime taken up. It was further observed that some difference is apparent in the effect of the various forms of lime on the decomposition of organic matter in the soil. Further data in the continued study of crimson clover, with refer- ence to its rate of gaining nitrogen, show that the crop may gain nitrogen rapidly during the last month preceding its bloom, in some cases, while in others it gains little. Crops yielding much nitrogen a month before full bloom Avere found, as a rule, to gain fewer pounds during the last month than crops poorer in nitrogen at this stage. Approximately each additional pound of nitrogen at the earlier period reduces the later gain by about one-half pound. It is stated that a fall growth of crimson clover may furnish 50 to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre and be profitable even though the crop is winter- killed, and that the first month's growth in spring usually produces about one-third of the final yield of nitrogen. It was determined that when the crop was removed 35 to 40 per cent of the nitrogen is left in stubble and roots. The entomologist studied the life history of the apple-leaf miner and the blackberry-leaf miner and gave some attention to methods of their control. The most efficient method for the control of the apple- leaf miner consisted in the destruction of the larvae or pupse while in the leaves on the ground by burning or smothering. This insect is now generally controlled in infested orchards by plowing under all infested leaves in the fall or early in the spring before the moths emerge. Gathering and destroying the infested leaves, especially those of the first brood of the blackberry-leaf miner, is considered the most feasible method of combating the pest. In work on the curculio it was found that three sprayings of arse- nate of lead were equally as valuable as the same number of sprayings 116 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. with self-boiled lime-sulphnr used with the arsenate. It was further found that self-boiled lime-sulphur used without arsenate of lead gave practically the same results as where the two substances were applied together. The spraying with areenate of lead alone pre- vented a large amount of injury by the curculio. Spraying with self- boiled lime-sulphur filled the wounds made by the curculio and thus prevented the growth of spores in these wounds. The veterinarian did some work in testing commercial toxins and antitoxins, and began an invastigation of autogenetic serums. Some work was also done for the State board of agriculture on hog-cholera serums. The animal husbandman reported that in in-and-in breed- ing exi:)eriments with hogs thus far no evil effects have been noticed. The station has no definite cooperative work with farmers or other stations, but the station veterinarian is working in cooperation with this department. No well-defined extension work is done, as funds have not been provided for it, but occasionally members of the staff deliver addresses at institutes or farmers' gatherings. On Farmers' Day, June 13, 1910, a large number of visitors inspected the station. The following publications were received from this station dur- ing the year: Bulletins 86, Crimson Clover — Its Eate of Gaining Nitrogen; 87, Two Important Leaf Miners; and 88, Annual Report of the Director for 1909. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13, 000. 00 Farm products 608.42 Total 28,608.42 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The Delaware station is making good use of the funds at its dis- posal in the conduct of experiments and investigations of substan- tial character. Its relations with the instruction work of the college are such as to allow its staff to devote their attention very largely to the station activities. FLOHIDA. Agricultural Experiment Station of Florida, Gainesville. . Department of the University of tlie State of Florida. P. H. Rolfs, M. S., Director. At the Florida station the year Avas marked by further improve- ment in equipment and general progTess in the lines of investigation pursued. The new station building provided by the State at a cost FLORIDA. 117 of $47,500, including equipment, was practically completed (PI. I, fig. 2). This 3-story brick building provides quarters for the sta- tion stafi' and for tlie extension and farmers' institute force. All of the exjoerimental work of the station is organized on a project basis, each project being submitted to the director for approval before being taken up. A number of changes, mainly in the minor positions on the station staff, occurred during the year. Progress was made on all Adams-fund projects. In the soil- project work the pineapple investigations were practicall}^ brought to a close. A bulletin published on the study reports that the amount of sugar and acid in the juice of pineapples is not sufficiently affected b}^ the fertilizer used to influence the eating quality of the fruit. The large fruits examined contained a greater percentage of sugar and a slightly smaller percentage of acid than was found in the small fruits, and the ratio of reducing sugars to sucrose was greater in the large fruits than in the small ones. In addition to securing these results a survey of the principal pineapple soils of the State, including the analyses of soil samples from nearly all of the pine- apple-growing sections, was made. Seventeen varieties of pineapples were described and 12 varieties were analyzed. The results of fertilizer experiments further showed that fine- ground steamed bone and slag phosphate were the best sources of phosphoric acid; cottonseed meal, dried blood, and castor pomace, the best sources of nitrogen; and high-grade and low-grade potash, the best sources of potash. The analyses of a large number of pine- apple plants showed that they contained sufficient plant food to make them valuable for fertilizing purposes. The nitrates in the soil increased with an increase of nitrogenous fertilizers and were found most abundant at the immediate surface, the amount below 1 foot in depth being very smaU. "Wliere the surface of the ground was not protected, the nitrates were much less abundant than where plants and decaying leaves covered the soil. Similar work to that with pineapples was inaugurated with citrus fruits at Lake Harris, where favorable soil and climatic conditions prevail (figs. 1 and 2). Additional problems studied in these experi- ments were the influence of organic fertilizers on the quality of oranges, the proper time for the application of fertilizers, the effect of lime on the quality of fi'uit and on the availability of phosphoric acid applied as a fertilizer, and the effect of clean culture. Obser- vations were also regularly made on air and soil temperatures and on rainfall. Studies of scaly bark, gummosis, and stem-end rot formed the more prominent features of the work on the diseases of citrus trees undertaken the past year. It was found that both scaly bark and stem-end rot are due to fungus attacks. The investigation of the 118 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. r^m^mimmimmm^m Fig. 1. — Tanks for soil investigation at Florida station — section. The tanks arc of heavy galvanized iron, 5 feet 3i inches in diameter, with a maximum depth of 4J feet, painted within and without, and a surface area of =j^ acre. Fig. 2. — Tanks for soil investigation at Florida station — general plan. FLORIDA. 119 scaly bark disease included field and laboratory operations and co- operative experiments on 200 trees, and was about completed for the final report, a preliminary report having been nuide a j^ear ago. The plant physiological investigations were carried on from the standpoint of nutrition and malnutrition. The results of the nutri- tion studies gave evidence of the toxicity of nitrate of soda to the citrus tree when applied in maximum amounts, and of the counter- action of this toxicity by the use of acid phosphate. The malnutrition studies included the citrus diseases known as melanose, die-back, and yelloAv spotting. About 2,500 microscopic slides of healthy and dis- eased tissue were prejDared and studied in part. Chlorosis of cassava was also investigated by this laboratory. Results indicate the dis- ease to be physiological, brought on by certain unfavorable soil con- ditions, and that it may be prevented by planting upon a rich soil to insure a more favorable grow^th. Work on the w^hite-fly project was continued. Spraying experi- ments showed that the fly was most readily destroyed by the use of weak solutions at an early stage in its life history. Experiments were made on a large scale by spraying and applying fungi in orchards for the purpose of determining to what extent the insect may be con- trolled by the use of fungi which attack it. It was found that spring and fall spraying is more effective than winter spraying, and that the use of the fungi costs much less than the application of insecti- cides. In the hottest weather, however, spraying with insecticides was more effective. In the pupal stage the insect Avas apparently immune to fungus attack. The use of laundry-soap solutions was found effective against the fly. A second species of white fly was distinguished and additional food plants of the insect were dis- covered. Work in plant breeding was begun as a new project. This new work is carried on with the velvet l)ean and its allies and with corn. The work carried on with the Hatch fund was largely along lines of animal husbandry and agronomy. Feeding experiments were made for beef and milk production. In feeding for beef, a ration consisting of 8 pounds of corn, 10 pounds of cottonseed hulls, and 12 pounds of velvet beans in the pod gave an average daily gain of 2.92 pounds per head for a period of 8-1 days at a cost of 7|- cents per pound of gain. As compared with this result, a ration of 6| pounds of cottonseed meal and 25 pounds of cottonseed hulls gave a daily average gain of 1.85 pounds at a cost of 12 cents; one of 10.5 pounds of corn, 3.75 pounds of cottonseed meal, and 13.5 pounds of crab- grass hay, an average daily gain of 2.68 pounds at a cost of 9 cents; and one of 6 pounds of corn, 5 pounds of cottonseed meal, 20 pounds of sorghum silage, and 14 pounds of cottonseed hulls, an average daily gain of 2.68 pounds at a cost of 10.6 cents per pound of gain. 120 KEPOKT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. In the experiments on milk production, milk produced on cotton- seed meal as a protein feed costs 17 cents per gallon, and on coconut meal 18 cents. With sorghum silage as a source of carbohj^drates the milk cost 19 cents per gallon, and with sweet potatoes 22 cents. Two tests were made with cottonseed meal and velvet beans in the pod. In the first test, when feeding velvet beans, the cost per gallon of milk was 16.7 cents, and when feeding the cottonseed-meal ration 18 cents. In the second test the velvet-bean ration produced milk at a cost of 17 cents per gallon, and the cottonseed meal ration at 20.5 cents per gallon. In cattle-breeding experiments 5 native cows were bred to a Here- ford bull, 5 to a Shorthorn, and 5 to a native Florida bull. Two calves from each bull were kept until from 2 to 3 years old for com- parison. The average birth weight of the calves from the different bulls was as follows : Shorthorn, 56 ; Hereford, 47.9 ; and native, 48.6 pounds. At 1 year of age the calves from the Shorthorn bull aver- aged 447.5; from the Hereford, 405 pounds; and from the native, 447.5. The results obtained with Japanese cane have shown this plant to be one of the best forage crops for the State. Yields of from 18 to 27 tons per acre were secured at a cost of approximately $15 per acre. The station carried on cooperative work with citrus growers, espe- cially in stem-end-rot investigations, and in treating the white fly with fungus. In this work the station acted in an advisory capacity. Extensive work Avas carried on in connection with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department, especially in testing new forage- crop introductions. Extensive plans were inaugurated by the university for carrying on extension work, which was placed directly in charge of the direc- tor of the station. The farmers' institute work was made a part of the extension work. The State appropriated $15,000 for extension work during the biennium. The publications received from the station during the year were as follows: Bulletin 99, Milk Production; 100, Corn; 101, Pine- apple Culture — VI, The Effect of Fertilizers upon the Quality of the Fruit; 102, The Velvet Bean; and the Annual Report for 1909. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13. 000. 00 Fees S5. 00 Farm products 1. 058. 79 Total 29. 143. 79 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has befen approved. GEORGIA. 121 The Florida station is well managed and its work is energetically and systematically prosecuted. Its business is entirely separate from that of the agricultural college. The new equipment is gratifying evidence that the work of the station is much ax^preciated. GEORGIA. Georgia Experiment Station, Exucrimciit.^ Department of Georgia State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. ]M. V. Calvin, Director. At the Georgia station no changes in the lines of work occurred during the year. L. J. Herring, appointed animal pathologist and veterinarian, entered upon his duties Januaiy 1, 1910. After the close of the fiscal year, P. N. Flint, animal husbandman, left the station to take up similar work at the Arkansas station, and H. P. Lykes was appointed in his place. Some progress was made in nearly all of the Adams- fund projects undertaken by the station. The Texas-fever project was followed up by the veterinarian during the season, but owing to a scarcity of material little work was done on the problem of white scours in calves. In connection with the study of Muscadine grapes 1,000 seed- lings were planted and 200 crosses were made. Considerable work was done by the horticulturist in cooperation with the bacteriologist on Japanese plum wilt und tomato rot, and tests were made of the use of sprays and fertilizers as a means of controlling them. AVork on the tomato rot was carried on during the winter in the green- house, and a bacteriological study was made with a view to deter- mining the causative agent of the disease. The investigation of the influence of manures upon the bacterial flora of the soil was continued, and work on the cotton red spider was also carried forward. Experiments were made with reference to the maintenance ration, and especially the protein requirements of calves. For this work 23 calves were used, and in addition to the nutrition study digestion experiments were conducted in which the chemist cooperated. In the cotton-breeding work a number of hybrids were planted and their character studied. Observations were made on a large number of varieties of cotton with regard to their resistance to anthracnose, and inoculation experiments were carried on, together with laboratory work, on the effect of disease on the plant. The study of nitrogenous compounds of the cotton plant has resulted in an ac- cumulation of data about to be published. Investigations on the potash and phosphoric-acid compounds were taken up during the year. 1 Telegraph, freight, and express address. Griffin. 122 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Under the Hatch fund the horticulturist conducted variety tests and fertilizer experiments with cabbage, with special reference to securing fresh cabbage in winter. Experiments were also conducted with watermelons, figs, sweet potatoes, celery, peaches, and pecans. The effect of clean culture in orchards was compared with sod and no cultivation, and an effort was made to determine the possible influence of the reduction of vigor in apple trees on the prevalence of blight. Spraying experiments were made with lime sulphur and Bordeaux mixture on grapes and with different solutions on peaches. AVork was also done on the control of the twig girdler and on methods of blanching celer3\ In animal husbandry experiments were made with sorghum and corn meal as a source of carbohydrates for dairy cattle, and Spanish peanuts, so}' beans, and skim milk were comj^ared as supplements to corn in pig feeding. The best returns were from feeding corn and peanuts. Hog breeding was begim by crossing the razorback with the Berkshire, with a view to gi-ading up the stock. The agronomist conducted the customary fertilizer and field tests with corn and cotton, and continued the tests of varieties of cotton. In addition fertilizer experiments were made with tankage, cottonseed meal, nitrate of soda, and nitrate of ammonia as sources of nitrogen, the largest yield being with sulphate of ammonia. Other experi- ments in agronomy included a variety test of oats, a comparison of sumac sorghum with Link hybrid, the growth of vetch and rye and crimson clover as cover crojDs, and a comparison of 30 varieties of soy beans tested in cooperation with this department. The following jjublications were received from the station during the year: Bulletins 84, pt. 1, Corn Culture; 85, Some Studies on C oUetotnchuni gossypi'i; 8G, Sorghum v. Corn Meal as a Source of Carbohydrates for Dairy Cattle; 87, Spanish Peanuts, Soy Beans, and Skim Milk as Feeds Supplementary to Corn; 88, Com Culture; and 89, Cotton Culture. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15, 000. 00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 33,000.00 State appropriation 710. 10 Farm products 5,760.51 Balance from previous year 1, 830. 17 Total 36, 300. 78 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States' funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. At the Georgia station there was general improvement during the year and lines of work of interest to the agriculture of the State were followed. BEPOBT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 123 GUAM. Guam Agricultural Experiment Station. Under the suporvision of A. C. True, Director, Office of Experiment Stations, United States Department of Agriculture. John B. Thompson, B. S., Special Agent in Charge. The Guam station now owns the property on which it is located, the sale having been completed during the past year. The land has been cleared of its tropical growth, fenced, roads constructed, and some necessary buildings erected. Of the 32 acres adapted to general agriculture all but 5 or 6 are now under cultivation. A water supply for the station has been secured by the digging of a well, the con- struction of a reservoir, and the installation of an engine, pump, and pipes. The greater portion of the available land has been planted to forage crops of various kinds, and comparisons are being made of Kafir corn, Egyptian corn, broom corn, sorghum, milo maize, John- son grass, Guinea grass, Paspahim dilatatum, peanuts, mung beans, jack beans, cowpeas, soy beans, and velvet beans. Kafir corn has produced large yields of green feed, and when cut the plants send out new shoots, quickly producing a second crop. This rattooning habit has been found to apply to a number of crops in Guam that are ordinarily grown as annuals. The experiments with leguminous jjlants are proving quite successful, so far as the growing of the plants and the amount of forage produced are concerned. A variety of bush Lima beans has been secured which produces a large amount of forage and at the same time is more easily plowed under than cowpeas or velvet beans. Some attention is being given to corn culture and methods for improving it, and the special agent has introduced a small hand mill for grinding corn to take the place of the usual laborious method. Experiments were conducted to determine practicable methods for storing corn and other grains, and it was found that by kiln-drying and sealing the grain in tanks it could be preserved against loss for future use. The introduction of fruits and vegetables will be made an impor- l ant part of the work of the station. A number of varieties introduced through the Hawaii Experiment Station have proved superior to anything previously grown in Guam. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation $15,000.00 Sales and other funds 23.41 Total 15, 023. 41 124 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The work of this station has progressed exceedingl}^ well, consid- ering the limitations under which it has been carried on. Its sup- plies to a large extent must be obtained from San Francisco, and tho special agent has had but one skilled assistant during the time when much of the pioneer work was in progress. The people of Guam appear interested in the Avork and are readily adopting new crops and methods when their superiority is shown. HAWAII. Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station, Honolulu. Under the supervision of A. C. True, Director, Office of Experiment Stations, United States Department of Agriculture. E. Y. Wn.cox, Ph. D., Special Agent in Charge. A new office and library building was erected during the past year from funds supplied by the Territor}^ of Hawaii. This building gives better library facilities than the old one, and in addition contains offices for the special agent in charge, clerical force, entomologist, and agronomist. The concrete building formerly used as office building and chemical laboratory has been remodeled and is now wholly occupied as laboratories for the chemist and horticulturist. By an Executive order of March 25, 1910, the land on wliich the principal buildings are situated was transferred from the Navy De- partment to the Department of Agriculture, and the cultivated area was extended by the clearing of about 10 acres at an elevation of apjjroximately 250 feet. Most of this new area has been planted to tropical orchard crops of various kinds. The principal lines of work are conducted with a view to diversify- ing the agriculture of the Hawaiian Islands. The agronomist has continued his work with cotton, experiments being carried on prin- cipally with Sea Island and Caravonica types, which are planted as perennials. The results thus far obtained have been so successful that more than 500 acres were planted during the past year for the com- mercial production of fiber. The experiments with this crop include pruning, propagating, fertilizing, and cultivation. The work begun some years ago Avith rice has been extended, the agronomist visiting Japan for the purpose of stud^dng the rice industry in that country, and also for the introduction of varieties of Japanese rice. Some of the tj'pes introduced liaA'e appeared adapted to Hawaiian culti- vation, and the grain is better suited to the demands of the Japanese population. The fertilizer experiments with rice, which have been carried on in cooperation with the chemist, have demonstrated that the fertilizers should be applied before planting and not with the irrigation water during the growth of the plant, as is the usual prac- tice. It has also been found that ammonium sulphate is a better HAWAII. 125 source of nitrogen for rice in Hawaii than sodium nitrate. In addi- tion to the crops mentioned above, some attention is given to corn breeding and the value of leguminous plants when grown for cover crops and for forage. The station chemist has continued his pineapple investigations, giving particular attention to the effect of manganese on the plant, the process of ripening of the fruit, and the utilization of the b}^- products from the canneries. It appears probable that where man- ganese in considerable quantity is present in the soil the cultivation of pineapples should be discontinued, but investigations are still in progress to ascertain whether the application of fertilizers might not overcome the injurious effect of the manganese. In connection with these investigations it has been found that one of the most serious drawbacks to pineapple cultivation is a lack of aeration in the soil, and this subject is being given especial attention. The horticulturist has perfected methods for the propagation of the mango and avocado, and is continuing his efforts in building up collections of desirable varieties of tropical fruits. The entomologist has given especial attention during the past j^ear to insects attacking sweet potatoes, and attempts are being made to introduce parasites of the weevil that has proved so destructive to the algaroba bean. The station is carrying on cooperative experiments with a number of crops in different parts of the island, and has begun the establish- ment of demonstration farms, the funds for which are supplied by the Territory. The publications of the Hawaii station during the past year w^ere the Annual Report for 1009; Bulletins 19, Experiments in Tapping Ceara Rubber Trees; 20, Shield Budding the Mango; 21, A Study of the Composition of the Rice Plant; Press Bulletins 25, Carbon Bi- sulphid for Killing AVeeds; 2G, The Algaroba in Hawaii; and 27, The Use of Insecticides in Haw^aii. The revenues of the station for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1910, were as follows: Uuitetl States appropriation $28. 000. 00 Sales and other funds 380. 29 Territorial appropriation 7, 500. 00 Individuals ^ 393.50 Total 36, 282. 79 The work of the Hawaii station for the diversification of agriculture is making steady progress. The aid that it has given in studving various problems has resulted in the establishment of cotton planting as a commercial enterprise, as well as an extension of a number of minor industries. The appreciation of the work is readily seen by the increased interest and support given the station by the people of the islands. 126 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Hawaiian Sug'ar Planters' Experiment Station, Honolulu. C. F. EcKART, M. S., Director of Division of Agriculture and Chemistry. The most important entomological work of the year was the con- tinuation of the attempt to introduce and establish the parasitic fly which destroys the grubs of the cane borer throughout the Moluccas, New Guinea, and other regions infested with this pest. The parasite was actually introduced, and its breeding freely in captivity in Ha- waiian borers has given promise of its establishment. Work in the introduction of the horn-fly parasite, Bathymetis, was also continued, but this insect has been found difficult to rear in confinement. Re- ports were prepared on certain sugar-cane pests, the Angoumois grain moth, the corn leaf-hopper, and the cotton-boll Gelechia, and studies made of the cane leaf-roller and various flies as spreaders of disease, especiall}'' typhoid fever. In the pathological work 22 distinct fungi were isolated from dis- eased canes and grown in pure cultures. This work also included similar studies of the diseases of pineapples, with which 9 distinct fungi were found to be associated. Results of observations seem to indicate that the fungus Thielaviopsis is responsible for all the more serious diseases of j)ineapple plants, being apparentlv the direect cause of the soft rot of the fruit, base rot of cuttings, and the decay of many roots. It was demonstrated that even in its most resistant forms this fungus is killed within a few hours by exposure to direct rays of the sun. Attention was also given to diseases of leginninous plants and to the cane disease known as iliau. It was found that iliau is caused by a parasite fungus, a new and undescribed species of Mel- anconium. A study was also made of a serious cane disease prevail- ing in the Fiji Islands. A considerable amount of inspection work was also performed. The forestry Avork of the station included experimental planting of tree seeds on a small scale at Kailua, Maui. Arrangements have been made to obtain seeds for this work from British East Africa, Mauritius, the Philippines, West Indies, and the southern United States. The department of chemistry and sugar technology made a total of 3,107 analyses during the year and published the results from re- search investigations in six different bulletins. The different prob- lems studied in this connection were the influence of the structure of cane on mill work in sugar factories, the determination of sucrose in molasses, the composition of bagasse with special reference to sugar and moisture, sulphate scales in evaporators and their preven- tion, biochemical processes in Hawaiian soils, and the inversion of cane sugar under the influence of acids and neutral salts. A series of lysimeter experiments were started with two different types of soil IDAHO. 127 for the purpose of studying the action of different forms of lime on nitrification and the effect of different fertilizing elements, alone and in combination, on the nitrogen in the soil and that supplied in the fertilizer application. The usual control tests were made at a number of mills during the grinding season and detailed reports were submitted to the parties interested. During the year ending September 30, 1910, 43 compiled statements of weekly mill reports were issued by the station. The results secured at the plantation substations brought out the distinct merits of Demerara seedling 1135. This cane gave remark- ably good results at all the substations, at three of which it surpassed in yields the best of 20 plats of the standard cane and Lahaina and Yellow Caledonia grown for comparison. A number of plantation substations were started or projected during the year. In an experi- ment conducted for the purpose of securing suitable leguminous crops for green manuring in the various districts of the islands, 110 vari- eties were planted in the station fields during the year, and of these 26 gave promise of warranting their further trial on a larger scale. The genera which appeared to furnish the best varieties for this pur- pose were Stizolobium, Dolichos, Canavallia, and Vigna. The following publications of the station not noted in last year's report were received during the year: Division of agriculture and chemistry. Bulletin 30, The Influence of the Structure of Cane on Mill Work in Sugar Factories; division of pathology and physiology. Bul- letin 6, Fungus Maladies of the Sugar Cane ; division of entomology. Bulletins 6, The Hawaiian Sugar Cane Moth {Ereunetis flavistriata) ^ with An Account of some Allied Species and Natural Enemies; 7, Army Worms and Cutworms on Sugar Cane in the Hawaiian Islands; and 8, A Bibliogi-aphy of Sugar-Cane Entomology. This station receives no direct aid from the Federal appropriations. W. J. Hartung was appointed an assistant chemist to succeed F. T. Dillingham and F. Evans was appointed agriculturist to replace E. G. Clarke. R. C. L. Perkins, director of the division of ento- mology, returned from a year's leave of absence in May. A plant house, 17 by 25 feet, with screen sides and glass roof, was erected for the isolation of plants in infection experiments by the division of plant pathology. IDAHO. Agricultural Experimemt Station of the University of Idaho, Moscow. Department of the University of Idaho. W. L. Carlyle, M. S., Director. As an outgrowth of the administrative difficulties which occurred the year before, the Idaho station was under the direction of an acting director during the first half of the year. Director W. L. 128 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Carlyle not entering upon his duties until January, 1910. Other- wise there were no changes in the station staff during the year, but with reference to the supervision of the substations some rearrange- ment was made. There was no increase in the State appropriations over previous years, and the building operations were limited to the erection of a section of the greenhouse. The station engaged in several new lines of work in addition to those already in progress. Work on the Adams-fund project, including several new lines of investigation, was actively pursued. In connection with the apple- breeding project, which was enlarged in scope, over 5,000 pollinations were made, of which about 50 per cent were successful. The mutual affinities of varieties were taken into consideration for the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the principles involved, and incidentally of determining how varieties should be mixed in plant- ing orchards to obtain best rasults in pollination and the setting of fruit. About 80 apple hybrids were under observation. The studies of the duty of water in irrigation which were trans- ferred from Caldwell to Gooding were carried on in cooperation with the irrigation investigations of this office. Different measured amounts of water were used in the culture of oats, wheat, barley, milo maize, sorghums, grasses, corn, and some other forage crops, and soil-moisture studies were made and data collected on the pro- portion of grain to straw and other parts, fruiting periods, and other jDhases of growth and production. The evaporation of water from a free surface was studied by means of an evaporation tank, and the determinations of soil moisture were made in a small labora- tory fitted up for the purpose. Some of the results of- this work, although as yet incomplete, indicate that in many instances far more water is used in irrigating crops than is desirable for best results. At Caldwell, the effect of different methods of cultivation on evaporation in comparison with a free water surface was studied by means of eight water- jacketed soil tanks. These tanks were irrigated with as much water as the soil would take up and then given different treatment as to depth of cultivation for a j^eriod of eight weeks and the air temperature and the soil temperatures to different depths were determined. The effect of subsoiling on the absorption and retention of soil water was studied on an acre of alfalfa which was subsoiled three years ago to a depth of 3 feet. No difference has as yet been observed between the subsoiled land and the check plat. In the work on the gluten content of wheat with reference to cause of deterioration and methods of improvement, the effect of irrigation and of row culture versus field culture was studied at Gooding, and samples of wheat from different parts of the State were milled to ascertain where wheat highest in gluten is produced. The samples coming from the southern part of the State were found to be highest IDAHO. 129 in gluten, and wheat rotated with potatoes, clover, and peas was found richer in protein than wheat grown continuously with summer fallow. Three strains of Turkey red wheat, two of them coming from Kansas and Nebraska, were grown. The first year these strains held up but the next year, which was very wet, they declined in quality. Wheat from Minnesota was also grown and the effect of cultivation tested. A record was kept of the moisture in the plats, and nitrate and nitrite determinations are to be made. The project includes a study of the milling qualities of wheat and the flour from the milling tests was analyzed and baking tests were made. The effect of adding sugar to the flour w^as studied, and also the effect of the amount of sugar in the flour on the size of the loaf. Sugar im- proved the baking quality of flour from wheat grown in the north- ern part of the State, but it did not have this effect on flour fro^m wheat produced in the southern part. A study of the relation of calcium and magnesium in the growth of wheat was also taken up. In the new project on the keeping quality of butter as affected by different factors in their relation to bacteria and other organisms carried on jointly by the dairy and bacteriological departments, about 10 experiments were made representing 350 pounds of butter in 10 tubs, paraffined and placed in cold storage at from 10 to 14° F. The factors studied are pasteurization, salting of butter, and the ripening of cream to different degrees of acidity. At the end of 189 days of storage it was found that some of the butter was deteri- orating, and that the bacteria had all disappeared and molds and yeasts were the only organisms present. About 150 species of bac- teria were isolated and identified. Chemical analyses of the samples were made and the butter was sampled and scored by experts every month. Under the Hatch fund the agronomist conducted ear tests of corn to obtain material for breeding, work with soy beans and also with field beans to take the place of summer fallow, and tested varieties of wheat, barley, and field peas. Soil samples were taken in the plats and moisture tests were made. At Gooding, trials with seed- ing alfalfa with different amounts of seed and cultural tests with a number of forage plants- were conducted. In animal husbandry, feeding experiments were made with hogs to test the value of soy-bean meal brought from Manchuria and Japan, and of tankage obtained as a by-product from the Portland slaughterhouses. In steer-feeding experiments, wheat, barley, and corn were compared, and while there was not much difference, corn gave the best results, followed by wheat and then barley. The hvjrticulturist carried on variety tests with strawberries, com- mercial experiments with muskmelons and tomatoes to determine the best methods of marketing, and a culture experiment with onions. 918GG°— 11 9 130 EEPORT OF OFFICE OP EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Training and pruning experiments with orchard fruits were also in progress. The chemist made chemical and mechanical analyses of soils from different parts of the State, selecting soils from localities where dif- ferent types exist. A study was also carried on at Boise on the com- position of fruit grown under irrigation. The results of several years of study on the same varieties of fruit grown in northern Idaho without irrgation are on hand. In this work attention was given to the causes affecting the quality of fruit, particularly the soil as it influences the ash and sugar content. In dairying, observations were made on the shrinkage of butter in pound lumps and in 90-pound cubes when kept in storage. The station cold-storage plant can be held at about freezing with the refrigerator system. The creamery is run the year round as a sepa- rate establishment from the station. Little cooperative work other than that already mentioned is fol- lowed. The station officers took part quite extensively during the year in work at farmers' institutes and movable schools. The ap- pointment of three field men for extension work in horticulture and entomology, irrigation and general farming, and dairying, respec- tively, was authorized to relieve the staff from this class of work. The following publications were received from this station during the year : Bulletins 66, Alfalfa ; 67, Better Dairv^ Methods ; and the Annual Eeport for 1908. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation, Hatcli Act $15, 000. 00 United States appropriation. Adams Act 13, 000. 00 Farm products, including balance from previous year__ 4, 355. 17 Total 32, 355. 17 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The Idaho station is recovering from the effects of the disruption of last year, and under the present regime is strengthening its organ- ization, extending its lines of work, and improving its prospects in general. ILLINOIS, Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Illinois, Urbana. Department of the University of Illinois. Eugene Davekport, INI. Agr., Director. Few changes were made in organization, personnel, or lines of work during the year. The changes made on the station staff were as follows: J. L. Edmonds succeeded E. C. Obrecht as associate in ILLINOIS. 131 horse husbandrj'^, and R. B. Howe and I. S. Brooks, assistants in pomology ; C. H. Myers, assistant chemist ; D, L. James, assistant in dairy husbandry; and L. Ilegnauer, assistant in crop production, re- signed during the year. After the close of the fiscal year, H. P. Rusk, formerly of the Indiana station, was made assistant in animal iiusbandry. The only increase in the funds of the station in addi- tion to the increase in the Adams fund was for soil investigation, and this amount was used largely to extend the work of the soil survey. Five of the station's projects were maintained in part by the Adams fund. Three of the projects deal with problems in breeding plants and animals. The experiments on inbreeding of pigs and corn have given evidence that long-continued inbreeding of corn is followed by the appearance of strains that flourish comparatively w^ell under close breeding. The purpose of the work in inbreeding of pigs is not to study the results of the investigation upon general averages alone, but also to secure individuals which may not suffer under in- breeding. A large amount of data has accumulated in the various inbreeding investigations. Especial attention w^as given to the proper methods of analyzing the data, and the likelihood of the ap- pearance of false correlation in the study of the heredity problem was established. The transmission of characters in apples, sweet peas, strawberries, and Rubus was also studied. Special attention was given to the behavior of color transmission in sweet peas, and some significant although not yet quite conclusive data bearing upon this point were secured. The chemical study of the composition of various spray materials was continued, particularly Bordeaux and lime-sulphur mixtures prepared in different ways, and of their effect on foliage under various conditions. The results up to date show no evidence indi- cating danger to orchard trees from the accumulation of copper sulphate in the soil as a result of spraying. The trouble known as yellowing of leaves did not appear to have any relation to weather conditions and to the use of Bordeaux mixture. It was shown that copper sulphate solutions cause yellowing when of sufficient strength. These solutions, varying from 1 : 100 to 1 : 1,000, wdien absorbed by trees through wounds invariably killed the leaves on the particular part affected and caused them to turn brown. In one case absorption of a solution 1 : 25,000 was followed by yellowing of the leaves. A large amount of analytical data has also accumulated in the investigations on the digestion and utilization of feed in mainte- nance, . growth, and fattening, carried on with steers, swine, and sheep. A large amount and variety of work was also performed under the Hatch and other funds in addition to the Adams-fund projects. 132 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The comprehensive work of the station on the soil survey of the State, soil fertilitj^, and improvement of soils was continued and extended, and a more certain knowledge of the comparative char- acter of lands in different parts of the State, as based on the results of this work, was gained. A comparison of drilling and broadcast- ing oats, carried on for three years at two j^laces and two j^ears at another showed a net gain in favor of drilling. Feeding experiments were made with horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs. In a comiDarison of methods of feeding short-fed steers, the use of chopped hay mixed with the grain and fed through a self-feeder gave more rapid gains and at slightly less cost per pound than when the same feeds were fed separateh^ twice per day. In studying the relative efficiency of different rations for fattening horses for marketing, a mixed grain ration of corn and oats when fed with clover ha}^ was more efficient than a single grain ration of corn, and although more exi^ensive than corn and clover hay the gains made its use more economical. Clover hay fed with a mixed-grain ration of corn and oats produced 58 per cent more gain than timoth}^ hay. A nutritive ratio of 1 : 10 was found too wide for best results, which were secured with a nutritive ratio of 1:8. Investigations were made on the viability of the bovine tubercu- losis organism, and work on contagious abortion Avas continued. A study of the composition of butter disclosed no difference in com- position due to the season of the year or the localit}^ of manufacture, and the variation in composition of samples taken from the various creameries was not greater than in the samples taken from any single creamer}^ The pasteurization of the cream gathered from farms was found, as a rule, to have improved the keeping quality of the butter to some extent, and did not affect the body or texture of the butter, but the curdling of cream as a result of the treatment increased the loss of fat in buttermilk. Observations made on the economy of the round dairy barn show that this type of structure offers greater convenience in storing, handling, and distributing feed, and gives much greater strength to the building with less lum- ber. It is stated that material for rectangular barns costs from 3-i to 50 per cent more than for round barns of the same capacit3^ Along horticultural and botanical lines, studies were made of molds or ear rots of corn, apple canker, and spotting of maple leaves, and considerable cooperative work was carried on with spraying, drainage, and with fertilizers for fruits and vegetables. Experi- ments were also made with melons, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce and with fertilizers for carnations. It was shown that for the produc- tion of earl}^ tomatoes on the particular field where the tests were made a mixture of steamed bone, dried blood, and potassium sulphate was superior to other fertilizers used and that the leaf spot of tomato ILLINOIS. 133 can be controlled by spraying with Bordeaux mixture. Attempts to ward off early frosts by use of the smudge pot in the orchard pointed out the greater difficulty of employing this method in open country than in inclosed valleys and mountain pockets. The demonstration work of the university and station continued to increase during the year. Eleven additional demonstration farms were secured, making the number of siich fanns now in operation about 36. These farms contain about 20 acres and are used for the demonstration of methods of farm management and permanent soil improvement. Two additional tracts for horticultural purposes, one a 20-acre orchard and the other a 76-acre farm near Olney, were acquired. At a number of these points in the State individuals have clubbed together and secured pieces of land which they have deeded to the university for the purpose of soil or crop experiment fields. In a number of instances the university assisted local enterprise in planning and executing schemes for the maintenance of community demonstration fields, generally in connection with a school. The following publications were received from this station during the year: Bulletins 135, Bordeaux Mixture; 136, Methods of Seeding Oats, Drilling and Broadcasting; 137, A Study of Factors Influenc- ing the Composition of Butter; 138, Pasteurization as a Factor in Making Butter from Cream Skimmed on the Farm; 139, Composi- tion of Market Butter; 140, Dairy Suggestions from European Con- ditions as Seen in the British Isles, Holland, and Denmark; 141, Relative Efficiency of Different Eations for Fleshing Horses for Market; 142, Short Fed Steers: A Comparison of Methods of Feed- ing ; 143, Economy of the Eound Dairy Barn ; 144, Growing Toma- toes for Early Market; Circulars 122 (rev.). Eight Years' Soil In- vestigation in Southern Illinois; 131, Handling of Cream and Mak- ing of Butter on the Farm; 132, A Portable Panel Fence; 133, Feeding the Pig; 134, Cow Index of Keep and Profit; 135, How to Fix up the Yard : Some Kinds of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, and AMiere to Plant Them; 136, Directions for Making Spray Mixtures; 137, Results of Spraying Experiments, 1909; 138, The Small Home Yard; 139, How to Grow Muskmelons; 140, The Live Stock Situa- tion in Illinois; 141, Crop Rotation for Illinois Soils; 142, European Practice and American Theory Concerning Soil Fertilit}'^; and 143, Conservation of Energy, and its Relation to the Dairj^man. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15, 000. 00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 1.3.000.00 State appropriation 13S. 000. 00 Farm products 14, 546. SI Balance from previous year 21,393. 11 Total 201,939.92 134 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The Illinois station is conducting a large amount of scientific and practical work, organized on an extensive scale in many departments. The Federal funds are liberally supplemented with State funds, and the work of the station now covers the State in a quite comprehensive way. INDIANA Agricultural Experiment Station of Indiana, Lafayette. Department of Purdue University. Arthur Goss, M. S., A. C, Director. The year was one of great activity at this station in developing the work on soil and crop improvement, dairying, poultry raising, animal husbandry, hog cholera and other animal diseases, and horti- culture, for which largel}^ increased appropriations were made by the last legislature. The terms of the law which makes these appro- priations, aggregating $75,000 annually, are very broad, namely, " to aid in acquiring and disseminating among the people of the State useful and i^i-actical information on subjects relating to agriculture and to promote investigations concerning the principles of agricul- tural science," and '^ for the purpose of providing the necessary equip- ment and paying the expenses of conducting experiments and investi- gations and otherwise acquiring information and disseminating said information by means of publications, lectures, and otherwise." The act provides that the investigations shall be carried out along lines agreed upon by the director of the station and an advisory com- mittee of five persons representing (1) the State Corn Growers' Association, (2) the State Dairymen's Association, (3) the State Live Stock Association, (4) the State Horticultural Society, and (5) the State Poultry Fanciers' Association. The appropriation is con- tinuous and provides for general maintenance of the station and for extension work as well as for the special lines of investigation named. The station acquired about 32 acres of additional land for horticul- tural and poultry experiments, and considerable plantings of apples and small fruits were made upon a portion of this area. A new greenhouse for the use of the botanist and a seed and fertilizer house for the agronomist were completed during the year. An area of about 5 acres better suited for the work on hog cholera and other animal diseases was acquired for the veterinarian. The management .of the dairy herd was transferred from the department of animal husbandry to that of dairjdng. INDIANA. 135 Increased provision was made for extension work by the station. The policy with reference to this work is to have in each main de- partment of the station at least one man who ordinarily takes part in the regular work of the department under the direction of its head, but is subject to call from the head of the extension department of the college for work under his direction Avhen needed. In accord- ance with this policy, several extension assistants were added to the station staff during the year and others are to be apj^ointed. Additions to the station staff during the year were made as follows : F. G. King, associate m animal husbandly; A. G. Philips, associate in poultry work; W. R. Wright, assistant dairy bacteriologist; J. W. Wellington, Morris W. Richards, and J. G. Boyle, assistants in horti- culture; C. R. Orton and Mary A. Fitch, assistants in botany; Otis Craiie, extension work in poultry; D. O. Thompson, extension work in animal husbandry; and Helen H. Henry, assistant in extension work. Since the close of the year H. P. Rusk, assistant in animal husbandry, resigned to accept a similar position in the Illinois station. Little change was made during the year in the lines of work carried on with the Adams fund. The work on rusts was continued, and among other results it was found that there are two distinct species of rust on the clovers, one with red clover and the other with white clover as the principal host. In greenhouse work more than 300 collections of rust material were used and inoculations were attempted on more than 500 host plants. The work on the factors influencing condensed milk was completed and standards for evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and condensed skim milk Avere worked out. It was pointed out that the Federal standard of evaporated milk is too high and can be complied with only under the most favorable conditions, and a new standard for evaporated milk is recommended. The studies on moisture con- tent of butter and conditions affecting it were partly completed, and important work was also done during the year on the keeping quality of butter made from raw and pasteurized cream. The results of some of these experiments show that the percentage of olein in butter fat is highest during the summer months and lowest during the win- ter months, that the glycerids of the soluble and oleic acids, having a low melting point, are capable of absorbing and retaining over twice as much Avater as the fats of high melting point, that the period of lactation and feed largely control the relative proportion of hard and soft fats, and that the moisture-retaining property of butter is largely governed by the percentage of soluble and oleic acids present. A first report was issued on the hog-cholera investigations. This work during the year was confiued largely to the ]n'oduction of hog- cholera serum and the improvement of the methods now employed in its production. Experiments were beg"un for the purpose of 136 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. increasing the amount of serum obtainable by injecting a normal salt solution into the abdominal cavities of a number of hogs used in the work. The injections were made two hours before the cholera hogs were bled, and as soon as the animals had died the virulent salt so- lution was removed. Eleven hyperimmunes were produced with this normal salt solution and all of them produced potent serum. A large amount and variety of work was carried on during the year with Hatch and State funds. In agi'onomy the experiments with different systems of cropping and fertilization were continued, and" experiments were further conducted in crop breeding, testing grain and forage crops, together with cultural methods, and in the use of cover crops following small grain. In the crop-breeding work most attention was given to the improvement of corn, wheat, and oats. Barley, cowpeas, soy beans, alfalfa, and timothy received some attention on a smaller scale. The results of continuous selection of seed corn from sucker-bearing stalks indicate that this practice is not injurious if the seed selections are made from otherwise vigorous stalks. In studying the effect of the shape of the seed ear upon the yield of corn the results of four years of continuous selection indi- cated that a moderately rough, medium size, rather cylindrical ear of Eeid Yellow Dent, which was the variety under test, will give the best results. As the ear of this variety is normally a rather cylin- drical type, a similar experiment was begun with Leaming corn, which has a rather tapering type of ear. The value of alfalfa, cowpeas, and soy beans for Indiana has been demonstrated and the best cultural methods for these crops have been determined. Good results were secured from the use of cover crops after small grain. The green weight of the produce above ground on September 29 was found to be 10.8 tons of cowpeas and 9.3 tons of soy beans per acre. The cooperative work in this depart- ment in 1909 included G-IT tests of 5 varieties of corn, 106 tests of 5 varieties of winter wheat, 53 tests of 3 varieties of oats, 81 tests of 4 varieties of soy beans, and 69 tests of 3 varieties of cowpeas. In animal husbandry, records of feed and growth were kept on 12 stock farms. Feeding experiments, mainly with silage rations, were made with cattle, sheep, and hogs. Studies were made of the in- fluence of age of animals, on gains, of nitrogenous supplements in cattle rations, short and long feeding periods, maintenance rations for brood sows, forage crops for hogs, and maintenance of fall and winter pigs. A report was made during the year on the use of dairy by-products as supplements to corn for fattening hogs. In connec- tion with the poultry work a 16-acre tract of land was purchased, a poultry building, fencing and other necessary equipment erected, and experimental work on the value of high and low protein rations for laying hens was begun. INDIANA. 137 Investigations on eradication of weeds and on treatment of grain smuts in elevators were continued. Of six different chemicals used, common salt was found most convenient and effective for the eradica- tion of Canada thistle. It is further found that, under certain con- ditions, white top in timothy nieadows may be controlled by the use of chemical sprays, and that red sorrel and broad plantain are very greatly affected by sodium arsenite as a spray. Tests were made at the station and near Terre Haute of strains of the Stone tomato for canning purposes. Methods of spraying for canteloup rust were tested and a comparison was made of a single spray versus three sprays of arsenate of lead. The horticultural department made plantings of catalpa and locusts for fence posts at the station and in different parts of the State. With funds provided by the State, 16 acres of land were purchased for this department, fenced, and partly set in fruit trees as an ex- perimental orchard. An extensive experiment to test sod mulch as compared with clean culture was laid out. The search for valuable native seedling pecans has resulted in the finding of several more valuable varieties. A large amount of demonstration work in orchard improvement and management was carried on in different parts of the State. The cooperative work of the station in testing varieties, methods of culture, and fertilizing is very extensive, over 1,000 farmers tak- ing part in such work. The station gave particular attention during the year to the study of unproductive soils and the methods of im- proving them in about fifty different places in the State. Coopera- tion was also carried on with this department in seed examination and the study of grain insects. The extension work, which is now organized on a separate basis, included district farmers' short courses, fair exhibits, agricultural meetings and exhibits, horticultural dem- onstration meetings, and work in connection with an educational train, rural school of agriculture, and young people's contests. An educational train was run in the interests of the dairy industry and 2,558 persons heard the lectures given in this connection. The following publications were received from this station during the year: Bulletins 136, Winter Steer Feeding; 137, Dairy By-prod- ucts as Supplements to Corn for Fattening Hogs; 138, The San Jose Scale — Some Sprays for Its Control; 139, Eesults of CooperatiA^e Tests of Varieties of Corn, Wheat, Oats, Soy Beans, and Cowpeas, 1909; 140, Hog Cholera; Circulars 16, Agricultural Extension; 17, The Farmers' Orchard ; 18, Agricultural Extension. — II, Corn Shows and Selecting, Preparing, and Scoring Exhibits; 19, Agricultural Extension. — III, Industrial Contests for Boys and Girls: 20, Agri- cultural Extension. — IV, Milk Production, III, Economic and Sani- tary Milk Production; 21, Agricultural Extension. — V, Spraying the 138 REPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Orchard ; and 22, Agricultural Extension. — VI, The Loose Smut of Oats and Stinking Smut of Wheat and Their Prevention; and the Annual Report for 1909. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows: United. States appropriation, Hatch Act $15, 000. 00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13, 000. 00 State appropriation 75, 000. 00 Fees 22, 837. 21 Miscellaneous 41, 93.3. 40 Balance from previous year 11,477.77 Total 179, 248. 38 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. With the liberal appropriations available, the Indiana station is rapidly extending its work to cover effectively all phases of agricul- ture in the State, and is thus winning the cordial support of Indiana farmers. IOWA. Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station, Ames. Department of Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. C. F. CuRTiss, M. S. A., Director. The work of the Iowa station was extended during the year mainly along lines previously pursued. The extension work of the institu- tion was enlarged as a separate department. The new agricultural building, equipped, furnished, and occupied during the year, pro- vides very complete and extensive equipment for instruction and experimental work in the different branches of agriculture. The station equij^ment in general was further improved by other impor- tant additions. Many changes occurred in the station staff during the year. I. G. McBeth, of this department, who was appointed experimentalist in soil bacteriology, resigned, after several months of service. J. H. Gordon was appointed assistant dairy bacteriologist and S. C. Guernsey assistant chemist. H. C. Pierce, poultryman, resigned to accept a position with this department in connection Avith market poultry investigations. J. H. Criswell accepted an appointment as agronomist at the Winona College of Agriculture in Indiana, and was succeeded in the farm crops department by H. D. Hughes, of the Missouri station, and H. B. Potter, of the South Dakota station. A. W. Dox, of the Connecticut Storrs station, was appointed station cliemist, and J. M. Evvard, formerly of the Missouri station, was appointed experimentalist in animal husbandry. IOWA. 139 In addition to the four Adams-fund projects already in progress at the station, studies were begun during the year on a project with reference to humus and its relations to the physiological activities of the aj^ple. In the apple-breeding project, several thousand seedlings have been grown and crosses were attempted in the spring of 1910, but on account of untoward weather conditions did not meet with success. Progress was reported in the cattle breeding and feeding projects, as well as in the study of the relation of humus to crop pro- duction. The station has followed the policy of concentrating atten- tion upon a few important lines of work under the Adams fund. The activities of the station further included numerous lines of work conducted with other funds. The work in animal husbandry embraced experiments on the relative merits and profitableness of dif- ferent methods of preparing corn for feeding hogs, and a bulletin publishing the data points out that the most satisfactory results were secured from feeding dry ear corn until the hogs weighed about 200 pounds. For hogs above 200 pounds soaked shelled corn gave the most economical gains of all the forms in which corn was fed. Experiments were also made to compare the value of corn, oil meal, cottonseed meal, and gluten feed in work-horse rations, the points receiving special attention being the health of the horses, degree of spirit maintained, ability to endure hard work and hot weather, main- tenance of weight and flesh, and the economy of the ration. A feeding test with fattening lambs, in progress for three years, was made for the purpose of comparing a ration of grain and hay with rations containing succulent feed, comparing sugar beets, man- gels, turnijjs, rutabagas, cabbage, and corn silage as sources of suc- culence in this connection, and determining whether succulent feed is essential to rapid gains, high condition, and quality of finish. In collaboration with the department of chemistry, studies in progress for five years were continued on the influence of feeding sugar beets and mangels to breeding animals, with special reference to the forma- tion of renal and urinary calculi. A comparison of the value of stock foods foi swine, also made by these departments cooperatively, showed that the foods in question had no beneficial eflect on the digestion and that they did not appre- ciably^ affect the gains secured when these preparations were fed together with corn. The dairy department conducted experiments on pasteurization and use of starters in butter making, investigated the causes of metallic flavors in butter and of losses in butter making, and gave attention to the problem of shrinkage in butter and to the prepara- tion of ice cream and similar foods. The horticultural department, among other lines of work, carried on experiments in spraying for fruit diseases, especially of grapes 140 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. and for blight of jootatoes, made observations on the injury to apples by lime-sulphur wash and Bordeaux mixture, experimented in top- working apples, and tested varieties of potatoes, together with cul- tural methods. Varieties of plums generally grown in Iowa were studied, described, and classified ; experiments in the cold storage of Iowa-gi*own apjoles were .conducted, and the results of observations as to the storing quality of different varieties were reported. Ex- tensive plantings have been made of orchard fruits, mainly apples, but also pears, plums, and grai^es. The entomological work of the year embraced investigations on the oyster-shell scale and the apple leaf-hopper, and experiments in spraying for the codling moth. In the study of the apple-leaf hopper, special attention was given to its life history, classification, destructiveness, distribution, feeding habits and food plants, control measures, and natural enemies. The station veterinarian completed and reported the results of tests made during several years for the detection of tuberculosis in cattle, and, in cooj^eration with the department of animal husbandry, studied the influence of infected cattle on the hogs following them, and the effect of feeding infected milk to swine. Observations were also made and rejoorted on tuberculous cattle held in quarantine. The botanist of the station had charge of the enforcement of the State pure-seed law, and in connection therewith made studies of the weeds of the State, and the means of eradicating them. The results of experiments on the eradication of weeds by means of chemicals or herbicides were published, together with observations on the ger- minability of seeds as affected by being kept in compost. Attention w^as also given to experiments in cultural methods for destroying quack grass. Work on fungus diseases of plants was also carried on, and the results of observations on certain plant diseases prevalent in 1908 were published in bulletin form. The publications of the station received during the year were as follows: Bulletins 104, Some Plant Diseases of 1908; 105, Notes on Eradication of Weeds, with Experiments Made in 1907 and 1908; IOC), Preparation of Corn for Hogs ; 107, Tuberculosis and its Detec- tion; 108, Cold Storage for Iowa Apples; 109, The Value of Corn, Oil Meal, Cottonseed Meal, and Gluten Feed in Work Horse Ra- tions; 110, Roots and Cora Silage for Fattening Lambs; 111, The Apple Leaf-hopper (with popular edition) ; 112, The Influence of Feeding Sugar Beets and Mangels to Breeding Animals, with Special Reference to the Fomiation of Renal and Urinary Calculi (with pop- ular edition) ; 113, Influence of Condimental Stock Foods on the Di- gestibility of a Corn Ration Fed to Swine (with popular edition) ; and 114, Plum Varieties (with popular edition). KANSAS. 141 The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as fol- lows: United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 State appropriation 40,000.00 Fees 15.00 Farm products 10,973.76 Miscellaneous G61.20 Balance from previous year 1,747,40 Total SI, 397. 42 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance witli the schedules prescribed by tliis department and has been approved. The Iowa station continues to do a large amount of work of great practical benefit to the State. It is especially active in disseminating the results of its work in popular ways. KANSAS. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, Department of Kansas State Agricultural College. E. H. Webster, M. S., Director. During the year a milling department was organized, with L. A. Fitz, formerly of the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department, in charge. A State department of forestry with headquarters at Man- hattan was established, and C. A. Scott, formerly of the Iowa State College, was placed in charge. A. M. Ten Eyck, formerly agrono- mist of the station, entered upon his duties as superintendent of the Fort Hays substation; and after the close of the fiscal year, W. M. Jardine, of the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department, was appointed agronomist to fill the vacancy. C. W. Nash, formerly of the Maryland station, was made assistant in agronomy, and Turner R. H. Wright, assistant in animal nutrition. AV. E. Davis, D. H. Rose, R. W. Graff, and Miss Anna Monroe, were appointed assist- ants in botany, A. R. Nystrom assistant in dairying, and J. W. Cal- vin assistant in chemistry. L. M. Peairs, of the Maryland sta- tion, succeeded T. H. Scheffer as assistant entomologist, the latter resigning to accept a position in the Bureau of Biological Survey in this department. W. E. King and R. H. Wilson, bacteriologist and assistant bacteriologist, respectively, of the station, resigned to enter commercial work. F. S. Jacoby was appointed assistant in poultry work, with D. E. Schreiner as foreman of the poultry plant. A. G. Phillips, assistant in poultry husbandry, resigned to take charge of the new poultry division of the Indiana Experiment Station. 142 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The operations of the station have been greatly extended with the aid of the State appropriation of $30,000 for the biennium 1910-11. The veterinary building was completed and to a large extent equipped during the year. Dairy barns were remodeled and additions made to the poultry plant. New silos were also built and the station herds of live stock were enlarged, A large amount of work was done during the year on a number of imiDortant Adams-fund projects, largeW, however, in continuation of well-established lines of investigation. Many of these projects have now progressed to a point where they are jdelding results of great scientific value and are indicating important new lines of work. The new projects to which attention was given during the year in- clude investigations on the green bug and the influence of nutrition on the form of growing animals, the latter, however, being a continua- tion and extension of investigations pursued for a number of years by President Waters at the Missouri station. The investigations on the green bug dealt especially with the be- havior of this insect under varying conditions of temperature and moisture. A similar line of investigation was followed with the Hes- sian fly and plant lice injurious to wheat and corn. Ingenious pieces of sj^ecial apparatus have been devised for the prosecution of these inquiries. The investigations on cerebritis in horses were extended during the year to include observations on cornstalk disease, but no decided progress was reported. The bacteriological studies of hog cholera were confined largely to inquiries as to the possibility of using a horse serum vaccine. The supervision of the inoculation experiments was turned over to the veterinary department, which gave a large share ot its attention during the year to the pre]3a ration and distribution of serum for the prevention of hog cholera according to the method proposed by the Bureau of Animal Industry of this department. The wheat-breeding investigations were continued as heretofore on an extensive scale, the botanist cooperating Avith the chemist in a study of the relation between hardness of wheat and protein con- tent. In connection with this work it was ascertained by a thorough investigation of two pure strains of wheat, the one hard, the other soft, that a correct average or mean crushing point accurately ex- pressing in grams the degree of hardness of the particular races under investigation, was reached by taking the mean of the crush- ing points of 350 kernels. The mean crashing points for the two strains under investigation were 6,817 and 11,802 grams, respectively, for a total of 2,700 kernels each. The accordance of the results in these two cases indicates that the facts disclosed are probably gen- eral. A machine was designed for use in connection with this work, which, while accurate as to results, it is realized must be modified to KANSAS. 143 admit of greater rapidity of operation for practical commercial purposes. Studies were made during the year of the effect of various chemicals, bran, and bran extract on the baking (juality of wheat Hour from different sources, and of the relative digestibility of alfalfa stacked green, stored as hay in sheds, and in the form of meal. A large number of additional lines of work Avere carried on with other funds. These included the preparation and distribution of hog-cholera senmi on an extensive scale; the fattening of cattle with rations of cottonseed meal, corn, and alfalfa ; comparative tests of different types of hogs, and dry-lot feeding versus pasture for hogs ; tests of rations of tankage, shorts, and alfalfa for hogs; crossbreeding of sheep ; comparison of different kinds of roughage for sheep ; incuba- tion, mating, and feeding experiments with fowls; corn fodder as compared with silage for dairy cows; ozonization of stale cream ; use of artificial starters in butter making; investigations on the acidity of fresh milk; a study of the kind and functions of bacteria in milk and the associated action of such bacteria ; opsonic action and germi- cidal properties of milk; field observations on the Hessian fly, in- cluding a study of methods of control; investigations on methods of control of gophers and moles; extent of infestation and methods of control of the San Jose scale ; observations and cooperative experi- ments on the control of the codling moth and curculio ; experiments on maintenance of soil fertility; rotations; culture of wheat and com; water requirements of different crops; chemical examination of typi- cal Kansas soils; production and distribution of improved seed of cereal crops; methods of curing alfalfa; observations on varieties, hardiness, and methods of culture of fruits, vegetables, and forest trees ; and experiments in summer pruning and protection of orchards from frost. A preliminary report was made on the influence of depth of culti- vation on soil bacteria and their activities. The results suggested that plowing from 8 to 10 inches deep tends to increase the number of soil bacteria in both sandy and silt soils, and also tends to increase bacterial activity, as more ammonia is produced, and apparently de- creases denitrification by the reduction of nitrates and the liberation of free nitrogen. An increase in soil temperature increased bacterial activity, and an excess of moisture reduced the number of bacteria and was detrimental to bacterial activity. The maximum number of bacteria was found within the fifth and sixth inches of the soil. It was further observed that different species of bacteria were present in the soil at different times and in predominating numbers, and that bacterial life and activity seem to rise and fall with more or less regularity and to a certain extent independent of moisture and 144 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. temperature, which is considered as jDossibly due to the presence of bacterial by-products. The investigations with reference to the com-ear worm showed that in Kansas this pest has three full broods and one partial brood. The larva? of the first three feed mainly upon the corn and the lat- te]> part of the third and all of the fourth brood feed upon various weeds and alfalfa. The w^ork on chinch bugs pointed out that this pest winters extensively in the clump-forming grasses of the badly infested parts of the State, and that most of the bugs can be destroyed by running fire over these infested grasslands in such a way as to burn the clumps down close to the ground. The bugs not destroyed by the lire are thus exposed to the rigors of the winter. The agronomist published the results of several years' work with the cowpea, in which the varieties "VVliippoorwill, Mount Olive, Kew Era, and Gray Goose proved best for hay, "V^Tiippoorwill for ensilage, and Xew Era as a catch crop after wheat. The best time for planting the crop in central Kansas was found to be June 23 when grown for seed and about one week earlier than this when grown for hay. "VVlien grown with corn for silage the combined crop planted about June 1 gave the best results. A report was also made on a test of varieties of oats and barley, the improvement of small grains by selection and breeding, and the distribution of improved seed grain. The four best producing varieties of oats were Red Texas, Kherson, Sixty-day, and Burt; and Tennessee winter barley yielded 15| bushels more grain per acre for 5 years than the best- producing variety of sjDring barley. Spring wheat was inferior in production to barley, oats, and emmer. Durum wheat yielded about 50 per cent more than the ordinary spring wheat. Winter wheat and Avinter r\'e produced more bushels and more pounds of grain per acre than any of the other grains. At the Fort Hays substation an area of 1,820 acres was under culti- vation during the year, 1,500 in native grass, 180 in timber, and 300 acres leased. The experimental work canned on there included wheat breeding, tests of varieties and methods of .culture, effect of ex- change of seed and soil, production of improved seeds for distribu- tion, and tests of varieties and methods of seeding oats, barley durum wheat, and speltz for sj)ring culture, and of rye, emmer, and barley for winter culture. Tests were also made of various other field crops and their culture, of trees for windbreaks and park improvement, and of vegetables and bush and orchard fruits. The experiments in dry-land farming carried on in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department were continued during the year on the same lines as in previous years. The cooperative work of the station with farmers of the State was mainly confined to the eradication of insect pests. The station also KANSAS. 145 cooperated with this department in ]ilant-breeding work, but nothing very extensive was entered upon during the year. A large amount of extension Avork was undertaken in dilFerent parts of the State with a view to getting the fanners to follow some definite method of oultui'e or some program in their feeding oi^erations. In this work the farmers record such data as can best be kept and report the same to the extension department of the institution. The extension department of the college was greatly enlarged dur- ing the year with the increased funds available for this purpose, and movable schools on different subjects were organized. E. L. Holton, of the Teachers' College of Columbia University, was added to the extension department during the year, for the purpose of introducing industrial training into the public-school system of the State. The publications received from this station during the year were as follows: Bulletins 158, Analyses of Registered Feeding Stuffs; 159, AnaWses of Eggs; 160, CoAvpeas; 161, The Influence of Depth of Cultivation upon Soil Bacteria and Their Activities ; 162, The Mar- keting of Eggs ; 163, Hog Cholera and Vaccination ; 164, The Selec- tion and Feeding of Laying Hens; 165, Report of State Forester upon Forest Conditions in Central and Western Kansas ; 166, Spring Grains; 167, A Quantitative Method for tlie Determinations of Hardness in Wheat ; Circulars 2, Preparing Land for Winter Wheat; 3, Improved Seed "Wheat; 4, Prairie-dog Situation; 5, Chinch Bug; 6, Variety Tests ; 7, Corn-ear Worm ; 8, Investigation of the Vitality of Kansas Seed Corn; Feeding Stuffs Bulletins 1-9, Registered Feeding Stuffs ; and the Annual Report for 1908. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15, 000. 00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 State appropriations, including those for substations 37, 400. 00 Fees 7, 499. 53 Farm products 7,152.02 Miscellaneous 11, 258. 54 Total 91, 310. 09 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The continued improvement in the organization of the Kansas station, together with the assistance the State is now giving the insti- tution, is resulting in a broader sphere of action and in a greater efficiency in its various lines of endeavor. 91866°— 11 10 146 EEPOKT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. KENTUCKY. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington. Department of the State University. M. A. ScovELL, M. S., Ph. D., Director. During the year the agricultural college of the State University was organized, with the director of the station as director of the col- lege of agriculture. Few changes in personnel were made. T. R. Bryant, formerly assistant in animal husbandry, has been placed in charge of the extension department of the college. George Roberts, formerly chemist in the fertilizer division and agronomist, was made head of the division of agronomy of the station. B. D. Wilson was appointed assistant chemist, fertilizer division, vice AVilliam Rodes, resigned. D. J. Healy was appointed bacteriologist and microscopist with the beginning of the fiscal year 1910-11. A very complete laboratory was fitted out for the bacteriological and microscopical work of the food and drug division of the station and for other bacteriological work, especially that connected with the study of milk fever under the Adams fund. Progress was made in laying out for experimental purposes the $7,000 addition to tli« station farm. With a State appropriation of $2,000 the construction of a plant for the manufacture of hog-cholera serum was begun. Arrangements were made for cooperative work, especially in dairy- ing, on a large stock farm near Lexington. In this way observations and experiments can be made on a large number of selected animals under favorable conditions. In the Adams-fund projects, considerable progress was made dur- ing the year in defining the differences in the root nodule organisms on different species and groups of leguminous plants. In this con- nection a study of the morphology and relationships of bacterial organisms producing nodules on the roots of alfalfa, sweet clover, red clover, white clover, soy beans, and cowpeas was made. The addi- tional data secured seemed to give further proof that the organism of alfalfa is identical with that of sweet clover and is transferable from either plant to the other but not to red clover, white clover, soy bean, or cowpea; and that the organisms cf red clover, white clover, and alsike clover are identical and can be transferred from any one of these species to any one of the other two, but can not be trans- ferred to cowpea or soy bean. The organisms of the soy bean and the cowpea appear distinct. The number of broods of the corn-ear worm was established and the organism involved in a hitherto unidentified bacterial disease of growing tobacco was detemiined. In the soils KENTUCKY. 147 project, attention was given mainh^ to the development of reliable methods for determining potash, accepted methods for this purpose proving unreliable. The work on contagious abortion tended to throw doubt on the identity of the organisms stated to be the cause of this disease. The study of milk fever of cows was not taken up during the year except in a preliminai-y way. The work with Hatch and other funds included numerous lines conducted at the station and in different parts of the State, fre- quently in cooperation with farmers and other agencies. In agronomy, exjDeriments with forage crops were continued and special attention was given to soy beans, of which the station has a number of promising varieties for Kentuclcy. AVork with corn included breeding experiments, ear-to-row tests in different localities, yield tests with seeds from different parts of the ear, and from graded and ungraded seed, and tests of rates and methods of seeding. Breeding work was also carried on with wheat, timothy, and clover, and culture tests were made with alfalfa and other leguminous crops. As a result of selection and cross pollination of wheat, a variety quite resistant to lodging, of good quality and yielding capacity has been obtained. Fertilizer experiments on clover, tobacco, and wheat were carried on principall}^ in the western part and experiments with forage plants in the mountain regions of the State. The work in tobacco breeding is progressing favorably in the development of a type with desirable leaf characters. A test was also made of the use of ferrous sulphate for the destruction of weeds. The chemical division gave special attention to the analysis of forage plants to determine the influence of soil fertility on their comi^osition, of tobacco raised in different parts of the State, lime- stones for agricultural purposes, and soil samples obtained from different sections of Kentucky. In addition studies were made of methods for determining carbon dioxid in soils and iron and alumi- num in the ashes of plants and in phosphate rock. Attention was also given to the removal of potassium from the soil by the tobacco crop. In animal husbandry, swine-feeding experiments were conducted principally for the purpose of comparing the economy of feeding hogs in dry lots and in pastures, and to compare the efficiency of grasses and leguminous plants as pasture crops for swine. These feeding experiments indicated that green rye, oats, barley, and wheat, when the plants are young and tender, are from about 6 to 12 inches high, and are as efficient as leguminous crops for supplementing corn in economical pork production. By analyses it .was shown that in these very young grasses, dry matter contained about as large a per- centage of protein as the dry matter of leguminous crops. 148 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Other lines of work at the station during the year induded studies of various insect pests and plant diseases, bacteriological examina- tions of potable waters, investigations relative to contagious abortion in mares and cows, and the prejiaration, distribution, and application of hog-cholera serum. The inspection work done by the station, which is large but separately provided for, now includes fertilizer, feed, food and drug, nursery, and seed inspection. A very satisfac- tory seed-t€sting apparatus was devised and described in station Bulletin No. 148, together with a report on the results of some experi- ments upon the effect of light on the germination of grass seeds. The entomologist made a study of the life history of Kentucky grape insects, and sufficient material has been gathered for a rather complete bulletin on this subject. The station carried on cooperative experiments with farmers in tobacco spraying, in testing fertilizers with clover, tobacco, and wheat, in work wdth forage crops, in reclaiming unproductive land, and in the control of hog cholera. Cooperative work with this department was conducted with systems of rotation, tobacco breeding, culture, selections, and crosses of oats and selections of winter and spring barley, and with the use of sulphur in making up tobacco dips in the treatment of sheep for scab. It was found that the addition of sulphur did not increase the efficiency of the dip in destroying the scab mite. Soil studies were carried on in cooperation with the State Geological Survey. The publications received from this station during the year were as follows: Bulletins 144, Information Concerning Food and Drug Inspection and Investigation ; 145, Some Lessons from the Corn Shows — Corn Pests ; 147, Common Insecticides and Fungicides, with Directions for the Treatment of Farm Pests ; and the Annual Report for 1908. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation. Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 State appropriation 15,456.77 Balance from pi-evious year. State appropriation 8, 181. 14 Fees, incUiding balance from pre\ious year 41,121.94 I'arm urodr.cts, inclmling balance from previous year 12, 082. .51 Miscellaneous i 423.17 Total 105, 2G5. 58 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance w4th the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The work at the Kentucky station covers many lines of importance to the agricultural industries of the State. EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 149 LOUISIANA. No. 1. Sugar Experiment Station, Audubon Park, New Orleans. No. 2. State Experiment Station, Baton Rouge. No. 3. North Louisiana Experiment Station, Calhoun. No. 4. Rice Experiment Station, Crowley. Department of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. "W. R. DoDsoN. A. B., B. S., Director, Baton Rouge. The work at the Louisiana stations the past year was largely along lines previously described and the changes in the station staff were few in niunber. S. E. McClendon, assistant director of the State station at Baton Rouge, took charge of the substation at Calhoun as superintendent. The State appropriation for the biennium was $10,000 annually, but in June, 1910, the amount was raised to $17,000 for each of the next two years. Progress was reported in most of the Adams-fund jjrojects. The results of a long series of laboratory experiments with reference to the nonsugars of sugar cane indicated ways and means b}'^ which a decided improvement in the methods of clarification may be achieved. A report was made on the bean anthracnose investigation in Bul- letin 119 of the station. In connection with life-history studies of the disease it was found that the fungus will not stand a high per- centage of acid in the medium in which it is grown, thus differing from any other anthracnoses. It was further found that it does not stand high temperatures and is killed out during summer in Louisi- ana. Certain soil organisms, especially Fusarium, were found to act against the disease. Valuable data regarding the mode of infec- tion of the different organisms causing the cotton-boll rots were obtained, and the study of fig diseases was completed with the prepa- ration of the results for publication. Owing to a very dry spring, red rot, rind disease, pineapple disease, and root rot of sugar cane were troublesome during the season, and considerable time was de- voted to the study of their life history, their distribution, and the methods of combating them. The progress made in the alfalfa dis- ease project has pointed out that the cause of the so-called stem girdle is insect injury, and that the infecting fungus is identical with the one causing sore shin of cotton and damping off in certain plants. The study of rice smuts was turned over to representatives of this department. The bacterial work on raw sugar and sugarhouse products brought out the new and important fact that in the destruction of sugars by microscopic organisms, an optically active body is formed, whose presence in the sugar produces an error in analytical determinations 150 EEPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. commonly practiced in the chemical laboratories. It is stated that the presence of this body in sugars makes the ordinary Clerget determinations of the sugars as unreliable as the single polarization methods. Work was continued on the hyperimmunization of sheep for the purpose of producing a protective serum against anthrax. The results, as a rule, have thus far been somewhat uncertain, and it was found that the serum has a tendency to deteriorate rapidly. The investigations on combustion in bagasse furnaces were con- tinued during the year, and Bulletin 117 Avas published on this sub- ject. Among the facts brought out in this investigation was that the heat value of dry bagasse per pound, which averaged 8,375 British thermal units in the tests made, varied but little and that the varia- tion is ai^parently due to differences in ash content. Studies were made of the amount of air supplied through stack dampers as related to the amount of bagasse used for fuel, and an effort was put forth to determine the theoretical considerations which should govern the construction of bagasse furnaces, with si3ecial reference to the rela- tion of consumption of bagasse to the amount of air supplied in the furnaces. Investigations supported by Hatch and other funds were carried on by the different stations. At the State station at Baton Rouge the work was largely along lines previously reported. With cotton tests of varieties under boll-weevil conditions were made, and cul- ture, fertilizer, and rotation experiments were conducted. Similar work was done with corn and oats. The forage-crop work was con- tinued and enlarged, and attention was given particularly to tests with soy beans, cowpeas, peanuts, sweet potatoes, fodder beets, ruta- bagas, and other forage crojDS. Pasturage and feeding experiments were conducted with steers, pigs, and sheep, largely with reference to the use of various forage crops, including Lespedeza hay, and also with reference to the establishment of a satisfactory system of farming by which green crops may be grown the year round and protein supplied in cheaper feeds than cottonseed meal. The work in horticulture included variety tests of garden crops, the determination of shipping qualities in vegetables, and the intro- duction and testing of new varieties. With tomatoes experiments were carried on to determine the canning qualities of some of the most productive sorts and their yielding capacity under different conditions of culture and when planted at different times. The work of the veterinary department was largely of an advisory capacity in connection with the department of animal pathology and in aiding to establish a hog-cholera serum plant. Attention was also given to the execution of the plans for the eradication of the cattle tick and the suppression of infectious diseases. LOUISIANA. 151 The fertilizer and feeding-stuffs laboratory gave attention almost exclusively to routine work, comprising miscellaneous analyses of soils, fertilizers, feeding stuffs, waters, and other products. More analyses than during any previous year in the history of the station were made. The experiments carried on by the sugar station at Audubon Park covered fertilizer, culture, rotation, and planting tests, and the study of factors influencing stubble cane, the ell'ect of continuous cane culture on the soil, methods of irrigation, and tests of varieties and seedlings originating in Louisiana and in the Tropics, and also of introduced varieties of sugar cane. The work of the sugarhouse was primarily devoted to a study of methods of clarification as mentioned above. In addition to these investigations forage crops, fiber plants, semitropical fruits, vegetables, and other plants were tested, and facilities were provided for testing cane harvesters and agricultural implements. The annual demonstration of the Loui- siana Sugar Planters' Association was also held at the station, in connection with which various kinds of agricultural implements, such as cane loaders, cane cutters, and other machines and devices of interest to the sugar planter, were on exhibition. This meeting was the most largely attended of its kind. At the North Louisiana Experiment Station at Calhoun practi- cally all the experiments previously outlined were continued with certain modifications. The work in general embraces rotation ex- l^eriments with cotton, corn, oats, and cowpeas, culture and variety tests with cotton, testing soy beans, especially with reference to the influence of time of planting on maturity of seed, testing miscel- laneous forage and fiber crops, and studying the influence of fer- tilizers on the quality of sirup from sugar cane. In addition, culture, variety, and curing tests were made with peanuts, and the grazing value of different crops devoted to the production of pork was com- pared. A new line of work was begun in an effort to establish a succession of grazing crops throughout the year for pork production. Attention was also given to growing corn for silage. The horticultural branch of this station has now over 600 trees of seedling peaches under observation, besides seedling apples, pears, plums, and grapes. Breeding work with beans, cantaloups, and watermelons gave some good results and will be continued. Methods of cultivating j)each orchards and utilizing winter cover crops were also under way. With potatoes, the question of home-grown versus northern seed was studied, and an effort was made to work out means by which northern Louisiana may grow potatoes to be used for seed farther south. Studies were also made on the germination of tubers from the second crop. 152 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. At the Rice Experiment Station at Crowley a buildilig was con- structed at a cost of $3,500 without the completion of the interior. (PL II, fig. 1.) A 60-horsepower double-cylinder gasoline engine was installed at a cost of about $2,500 for pumping water for irriga- tion. The work during the past year consisted of fertilizer tests, rotation exiDeriments, and comparison of different methods of flood- ing, soil j)reparation, and irrigation. Of the GO acres at the disposal of the station about one-half is used by the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department in testing over 300 varieties of rice. In the rota- tion experiments, peas, oats, spelt, clovers, Lespedeza, and rape were tried to determine their value for rotative cropping with rice. In June, 1910, the legislature made an appropriation of $7,500 per year for the next two 3"ears for the maintenance of this station. The station cooperated with this department in studies of varieties of rice, rice insects, evaporation, and irrigation in rice growing, the study of insects infesting sugar cane, and in testing plants contrib- uted by the department. The station staff participated to some extent in the organization of corn clubs and other local agricultural societies, conducting farmers' institutes, and giving special lectures to farmers. The extension work is in charge of a separate officer, and is carried on in cooperation with the State commissioner of agriculture and with this department. The following publications of the stations were received during the year: Bulletins 115, The Principles and Practice of Feeding, In- cluding our Available Stock Foods; 116, Preliminary Eeport on the Anthracnose or Pod Spot Disease of Beans; 117, An Experimental Study of Bagasse and Bagasse Furnaces; 118, Corn; 119, Bean An- thracnose ; Geological Survey Bulletin 8, Oil and Gas in Northwest- ern Louisiana, with Special Reference to the Caddo Field; Fertilizer Report 1908-9 ; Feed Stuffs Report, 1908-9 ; and the Annual Report for 1909. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13, 000. 00 State appropriation 13, 737. 60 University apportionment 600. 00 Fees 4,500.00 Farm products 2,918.87 Miscellaneous 882.62 Total 50,639.09 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The work of the Louisiana stations was systematically prosecuted during the year along the lines well established and of particular importance to the agricultural industries of the State. An. Rpt. Office of Experiment Stations, 1910- Plate II. Fig. 1 .—Laboratory at the Louisiana Rice Station Crowley. Fig. 2.— Sheep Feeding Barn at the Montana Station. EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 153 MAINE, Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, Orono. Department of the University of Maine. C. D. Woods, Sc. D., Director. The Maine Experiment Station celebrated its twenty-fifth anni- versary March 9, 1910, with appropriate exercises. Dr. G. E. Fel- lows, president of the University of Maine, retired at the close of the college year and was succeeded by Dr, Robert J, Aley, professor of mathematics at the University of Indiana, The station came into possession of the new farm at Monmouth, and experiments were again taken up along certain lines of orchard management which had been held in abeyance as a result of inadequate facilities. This farm will also offer facilities for other lines of field work. Miss E. M, Patch, at her request, was made associate entomologist, with Dr. O. A. Johannsen as the head of the department. In addition to an appropriation of $4,500 for the printing of sta- tion bulletins and reports, the institution receives $9,000 a year from the State for all the inspection work, and has the fees from testing creamery glassware. The different lines of Adams-fund work of the station were con- tinued, and good progress was made. In the work with poultry by the department of biology the growth of the organs of reproduction in connection with egg production was studied in its relation to the growth of the chick. The histology of the oviduct was worked out with the result that a much more complete and exact knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the Qgg tube was gained than has ever existed. The questions of age and weakness in relation to prog- eny and the transmission of dominant qualities under favorable phys- iological conditions also received attention. An extensive experi- ment was carried on in the reciprocal crossing of Barred Plymouth Rocks with Cornish Indian Game for the purpose of combining into one strain the desirable characteristics of the two breeds. Observa- tions on the growth of hybrids as compared with pure races were made by this department with corn and poultry. In connection with its poultry-breeding work the station has shown that egg production is inherited in pure lines or within families showing the ability to transmit that quality. Biometric methods applied to the study of the factors which influence the hatching of eggs resulted in data indicating a small but still sensible correlation between fertility and hatching quality of eggs. It is believed on the basis of this result that if a hen under a given set of conditions produces eggs high in fertility, the fertile eggs will also run high in hatching quality, and vice versa. Other statistics collected in this 154 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. connection indicated no correlation whatever between winter egg pro- duction and fertility of eggs during the hatching season, and also showed that the higher the winter egg production the lower the per- centage of fertile eggs hatched, and vice versa. In corn-breeding work the isolation of the genotype in sweet and dent corn was followed by testing out different heterozygote types and rejecting the undesirable forms. Careful measurements of growth of the corn plant were made and accurate and full data on the growth of corn under Maine climatic conditions were collected for publication. The work of the entomological department during the year was largely with plant lice, and especially with two closely allied species of Macrosiphum, which are often very difficult to distinguish. The only reliable basis of distinction of these two species, so far as known, was detennined by this department during the year. Many of the food plants of the species were also determined. The life history of the alder plant louse was studied with a view to finding out whether the life cycle is completed without going onto the maple. Four rare aphid genera, Sipha glycerice^ Mindarus abietimis, Symdohius oh- longus, and Mastopoda pteridisy were described during the year, and work on the gall aphids of the elm was also published. The investi- gations on the Chermes of Maine conifers were completed during the past season. The systematic and morphological work on the fungus gnats was also finished, and the extent of injury of certain species to the potato in connection with the development of potata scab was investigated. The maggots of diptera, including those of the house fly and the birch leaf bucculatrix, were also under observation. The department of plant pathology continued work on the apple- disease project, giving attention particularly to the interrelation of several diseases and taking up new lines of work, specially on fruit spots and leaf spots of the apple. A new species of Endomyces which was isolated from decaying fruit of the apjDle in Maine was described and the results of inoculating apples with the fungus, its cultural characters, and a comparison of the species with other spe- cies of Endomyces and with species of other closely related genera were reported. In the continuation of the potato-scab work, scabby potatoes were fed to different animals and the manure was applied to sterilized soil to observe the possible transmission. On some of the horse manure plats the potatoes were scabby, but on none of those where cow manure was applied. The treatment of infected soils by grow- ing diiferent kinds of crops was under test. Considerable progress was made in the study of the blackleg disease of the potato, especially with reference to the life history of the organism and the methods MAINE. 155 by which the disease is spread and by which it may be controlled. The variation of fungi as a result of environment was observed inci- dentally to the studies of blackleg, rots, and other potato diseases. Among the experiments carried on with the Hatch fund may be mentioned the work of rejuvenating an old and run-down orchard of 700 to 800 trees of Baldwins at Monmouth. Spraying work with Bordeaux mixture and other sprays entered largely into this under- taking, and good results were secured with lime and suli^hur. Cul- tural methods for use in orcharding were jDut under test and high ridge, modified ridge, and flat culture for potatoes was begun. A top-dressing experiment with fertilizers on grass was also in progi'ess, and a breeding experiment Avith oats Avas inaugurated at Monmouth. Observations by the department of plant pathology made in the white-pine area of the State indicated that the so-called white-pine blight during the past season was not due to an active parasite, but was only of a transient nature, resulting from adverse weather con- diti.ons. This department during the year noted for the first time the occurrence of a yellows disease of the fall dandelion. At the request of this department a bulletin, published as one of its Farmers' Bulletins, was prepared, giving a complete account of the methods of managing poultry in use at the station. Exact and de- tailed records were made of all matters concerning the poultry plant, including autopsies of all birds dying, etc. Plans for testing some of the promising new sweet-corn strains developed by the station in cooperation with the sweet-corn packers of the State were worked out. The station performs no extension work. The following publications were received from this station during the year: Bulletin 168, The Fertility and Hatching of Eggs; 169, Two Epidemics of Potato Blight and Hot; 170, Apple Diseases Caused by C orynewm folncoliun and PJioma mall; 171, The Pine- leaf and Green-winged Chermes; 172, The Fungus Gnats of North America; 173, Chermes of Maine Conifers; 174, Blackleg — A Bac- terial Disease of the Irish Potato; 175, Finances, Meteorology, Index; 176, The Ligaments of the Oviduct of the Domestic Fowl ; 177, Insect Notes for 1909; and 178, An Endomyces from Apple. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 State appropriation 14, 500. 00 Fees 10, 500. 00 Miscellaneous 2, 5GG. 55 Total 55, 566. 55 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. 156 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The Maine station has established many of its lines of investigation on a high-grade research basis and is successfully pointing out the application of the results to the needs of the farmer. MARYLAND. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, College Park. Department of Maryland Agricultural College. H. J. Patterson, B. S., Director. The lines of work pursued by the Maryland station during the 3'ear were essentially the same as those previously reported, and favorable progress was made. The changes in the station staff in- cluded the resignations of C. W. Nash, assistant agronomist, C. L. Opperman, associate poultryman, and the appointments of T. R. Stanton as assistant agronomist, C. O. Appleman to the position authorized in plant chemistry and physiolog;\% and E. H. Waite as associate poultryman. G. E. Gage was promoted from associate biologist to biologist. The additions to the equipment made during the year included a new operating room and hospital for use in con- nection with the poultry disease investigations, a laboratory for work in plant physiology, two new greenhouses, and a cement-block mush- room house. One of the new greenhouses is set aside for research work in horticulture, wdiile the other will be devoted to rose culture. Considerable progress was made in a number of Adams-fund projects and certain lines of research were well advanced toward completion. In connection with the project on the rate of diffusion in the soil of different forms of lime, the study of the amounts of lime carried off in the drainage waters w'as continued and the labora- tory work was checked with field experiments. Considerable time w'as devoted to the problems relating to city milk supplies, special attention being given to the precipitation of the casein as a measure of differentiating the milk of different breeds of cattle and as determining the degree of its digestibility for infants and invalids. The study of the effect of leucocytes in milk combined microscojDical and chemical work, and some of the results obtained were nearly ready for publication. The poultry-disease investigations included the study of a tape- worm disease and the determination of methods for its control, as published in Bulletin 139 of the station, an investigation of the bacteria and animal organisms in the intestinal contents and mucosa of healthy chickens, ranging in age from those just hatched up to fowls two years old, and observations on the effect of complete cecu- nectomy upon the metabolism of the domestic fowl to determine the part which the ceca performs and its relation to disease. MARYLAND. 157 The entonnological project on parasitic Hymenoptera was continued during the year, and many facts with reference to the life history of certain species were worked out. Work on the projects in plant physiology consisted of investiga- tions regarding the effect of chemicals injected into plants on their physiology and structure, the effect of chemicals on weeds to deter- mine methods for their destruction, and the relation of chemicals to mutations in plants. The effect of chemical treatment of pollen was also studied and observations were further made on the use of fertilizers in relation to mutation and changes in cell structure in a large number of varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The station also had in progress under the Hatch and other funds a large number of other experiments. The work in the horticultural department was divided among the workers, each one being placed in entire charge of certain lines of work. Under this arrangement C. P. Close worked extensively on nut trees, especially walnuts and pecans, and worked out a successful method of bench grafting. In addition, attention was given to peanut and mushroom culture, orch- ard heating, apple breeding, fertilizers, and cover crops for apple orchards, and experiments with the sweet cherry. In the orchard- heating work, carried on in the spring of 1910, the temperature of the orchards was raised 8 degrees over the adjoining regions. Breed- ing work with geraniums and pears, culture tests with strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and muskmelon, testing preserving fluids for fruits, propagating apple and pear by cuttings, feeding plants with copper solutions for disease resistance, the study of reciprocal in- fluence of scion and stock, and experiments with peaches were in charge of W. R. Ballard. T. H. White conducted experiments with asparagus, cabbage, celeiy, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions, made observations on the variation of plants due to excess of plant food in various forms, made fertilizer tests with gooseberries and currants, and devoted some time to the study of carnations, chrysanthemums, sweet peas, roses, and violets. In agronomy the work was grouped under three heads: Soil and fertility tests, experiments with cereals, forage and green manuring crops, and tobacco experiments. Tests were made of different forms and sources of j^hosphoric acid and of various nitrogenous fertilizers, different forms of lime were compared, and a study was made of the use of gi-een manure, deep ploAving, and of farm manures for renovat- ing soils and maintaining their fertility. The particular crops used for green manures included coAvpeas when followed by wheat and corn, and crimson clover when followed by corn. In this connec- tion some nonleguminous crops were grown for the purpose, and the value of lime was tested when used for growing green manuring crops. Breeding work, variety testing, and culture experiments were 158 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. conducted with corn, wheat, oats, barley, spelt, emmer, alfalfa, clover, cowpeas, and sweet corn. Hairy vetch was grown to determine the profitable production of seed. The tobacco work conducted in co- operation with this department comprised tests of varieties, im- provement of the crop by seed breeding and selection, fertilizer tests, residual elfects of fertilizers applied for tobacco on the yield and value of other crops in the rotation and tests of other crops as a sub- stitute for tobacco in the rotation folloAved. The dairy work consisted of studying the effect of the system of housing of cows on milk production and health, and studies of bovine tuberculosis, the relation of services to abortion, milk substitutes in calf feeding, and means for cheapening the cost of production of dairy jDroducts. Cooperative work with farmers in testing cows was also carried on. Work in animal husbandry was principally confined to swine and the experiments in progress related to the cost of raising pigs to the weaning age, the comparison of dry feed in hoppers with the same feed as slop, the comparison of soft coal, wood charcoal, and tonic mixture as a supplementary feed or corrective, and the deter- mination of a balanced ration as indicated by the hog's appetite. Entomological work was largely carried on in cooperation with the State horticultural department. Experiments were made for the con- trol of the San Jose scale, the dipping of nursery trees and seedlings in different insecticides for the control of insect pests was tested, and observations on the agencies and means by whch San Jose scale is distributed were made. Studies were made of the life history and of the methods for controlling the codling moth, the peach-tree borer, the corn-ear worm, and the plum curculio. Attention was also given to the destruction of woolly aphis and green ajohis, and to the relation of the house fly to disease and the means for its suppression. This de- partment devoted much time to the orchard and nursery inspection provided by the State horticultural law. In this work over 700 nests of the brown-tail moth were discovered in imported nursery plants and were destroyed to prevent distribution. . The studies relating to plant diseases had reference to their distri- bution and methods of control, particularly the use of Bordeaux mixture and concentrated lime-sulphur as sprays. The effects of treatment for the control of potato scab on germination and the effects of seed of diseased plants on the product were also observed, and a study was made of the diseases of roses in the gTeenhouse. The botanist gave attention to the distribution of weeds and grasses, the determination of the variation within the species of some wild plants and whether the variations are hereditary, and to the determination of the purity and vitality of seed. In the pathological and chemical studies at the station considerable attention was given to peach yellows, water core in apples, spraying MASSACHUSETTS. 159 solutions for combating plant diseases, including peach yellows, develoi^ing perfectly safe fungicides for fruits, methods of destroy- ing weeds, and the selection and testing of seeds. It was discovered that a 5 per cent solution of formalin used for disinfecting the seed tester retarded germination. The results of work on the spraying of weeds shoAved that when some sprays are soon washed oft' the weeds will recover, while with strict poisons that was not the case. The plasmolyzing sprays acted best in dry and warm weather. It was further found that vapor from phenol-impregnated fertilizer may be injurious to plants, while a similar fertilizer containing naphthalin had no injurious effect. The following publications of the station were received during the year: Bulletins 133, Cabbage Experiments and Culture; 134, The Brown-tail Moth— The House Fly— the Mosquito; 135, Butter Making in Maryland ; 136, Whipped Cream ; 137, The Angoumois Grain Moth ; 138, The Poultry Industry in Maryland ; 139, A Tape- worm Disease of Fowls ; 140, The San Jose Scale and the Osage Orange Hedge; 141, Corn — Variety Tests — Seed Breeding, Selection, and Testing; 142, The Codling Moth; 143, Plant Diseases and Spray Calendar; and 144, Apple Culture. The income of the station during the past fiscal year w^as as follows : United States appropriation. Hatch Act $15, 000. 00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13, 000. 00 State appropriation 11,500.00 Farm products 8, 189. 46 Balance from previous year 116. 91 Total 47, 806. 37 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The Maryland station made steady progress during the year, but with the growing interest in agriculture in the State the demands upon the institution are increasing to such an extent that a broader organization will be required to keep up the amount of experimental work the station is doing. MASSACHUSETTS. Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, Amherst. Department of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. W. P. Brooks, Ph. D.. Director. At the Massachusetts station the new entomological building, pro- viding increased facilities for experimental and research work, was completed during the year. In addition to the appointment of B. N. 160 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPEEIMENT STATIONS. Gates as apiarist, the station staff was increased by appointing assist- ants in horticulture and in botany and plant pathology. C. H. Fernald, for 24 years entomologist of the station, retired from the position, and H. T. Fernald was appointed as his successor. Several other changes in the minor positions also took i:)lace. The State legislature made an appropriation of $15,000 for the purchase of a cranberry bog, and a tract of 23 acres, including 12 acres of made bog, was purchased at East Wareham, and possession was secured after the close of the fiscal year. The tract has ponds on three sides and is provided with a pumping plant with sufficient capacit}' to flood the bog in seven hours. A demonstration farm was started at Sandwich by private benefi- cence. A local physician left about $25,000 and a small farm for conducting experiments and demonstrations for the general benefit of the people. The director and the pomologist of the station and the director of extension work constitute an advisory committee to the board of trustees of the fund. Under the Adams fund the work with asparagus included a study of the effects of fertilizers on rust and on the composition of the roots. It was found that the increase of nitrogen in the fertilizer up to a medium amount was accompanied by an increase in nitrogen in the roots. A study of the carbohydrates and ash content of the roots was also made. In cooperation with this department, work on rust resistance by means of selection and crossing was carried on. In the work on cranberry insects special attention was given to the fireworm and the fruit worm, and the food plants, life history, etc., of a new species of Gelechia tnaTbamiacidella^ which attacks the cran- berry, were studied. Efforts were made to determine the most vul- nerable point in the life of the fruit-worm pupse, and the effects of different methods of treatment were observed. A study was also made of the pupse of the girdler and of methods for its destruction. An experiment to determine the relation of bees to the fertilization of cranberry blossoms seemed to show that bees were necessary in this connection, and that bumblebees were more efficient than honeybees. The study upon the principles underlying the use of fertilizers in cranberry culture was continued, and for this purpose an artificial cranberry bog, enabling the more thorough control of conditions in experimental work than is ordinarily possible, was constructed on the station grounds. In the milk-secretion project, further attention was given to more accurate methods for separating the different fatty acids as prelimi- nary to the study of milk secretion. The results of a study on the effect of molnsses on the digestibility of hay indicated that molasses causes a distinct depression in the digestibility of the other feeds MASSACHUSETTS. 161 in the ration. In connection with this project the effect of lactic acid in the ration was also considered. The project on arsenicals and their injury was confined to the i:)reparation by the chemical department of practically pure Paris green with the amoimts and kinds of impurities actually known. xVrsenate of lime was also prepared practically pure, and similar work on arsenate of lead was taken up. The digger wasp was studied during the year mainly from the standpoint of its economic im- portance. The investigations on the relation of climate to the development of crops in health and disease included the study of light, particularly as related to greenhouse construction, the relation of moisture to blight of lettuce and melons, and the relation of heat, light, and moisture to wilt. Attention was further given to the development of methods for determining the amounts of heat and light required in crop production, and to malnutrition and overnutrition in relation to disease. The study of Mendelism was continued with 18 varieties* of beans variously crossed, in tracing principally the factor of color in the flowers, the plant in general, and the seed coat, and of stringiness in the pods. Similar studies were also made of the color in the leaf and floAver of nasturtium, and biometrical work was carried on with peas. The effect of variation in the apple, as due to climatic influ- ences, was studied, and in this connection it was found that variation in form, as due to climate and most often to proximity to bodies of water, was very marked. Under the Hatch fund, the chemist studied the digestibility of various samples of prize corn and found that no practical differences existed. Determinations of the amount of dry matter in large leafy varieties of corn and in smaller-leaved sorts indicated that the ixmount of dry matter in the leaves and ears of both types is about the same and that the larger varieties show an increased yield in stalk and in the amount of water. The digestibility of alfalfa and clover at different cuttings was studied, and feeding experiments were made with dried-molasses beet pulp and ordinary beet pulp in comparison with corn meal for cows. Work was continued on the protein requirement for dairy cows, the quantities used in the test ranging from 1^ to 3 pounds of protein per day. Cooperative experiments were carried on with this department and with two tobacco growers in the State for the purpose of comparing one of the new varieties of Habana with the ordinary varieties, and of priming with the usual practice of cutting the stalks and hanging them up for the leaves to cure. A study was also made of the degree of maturity for priming. Among other lines of work conducted by 91SG6°— 11 11 162 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. the agricultural deijartment, feldspar was compared with potash salts for grass and clover, and several series of fertilizer tests with different families of crops were conducted in field experiments. In addition to these experiments tests of muriate and sulphate of potash for potatoes, raspberries, asparagus, and other crops were made. The regular field experiments in progress for many years and the pot culture work comparing the availability of different sources of nitrogen were continued. Three cuttings were made of alfalfa grown at the station. Cooperative work with alfalfa was carried on in about 24 experiments distributed in different parts of the State. As a result of the methods advocated by the station, the crop made an excellent start in all localities. The horticultural department studied the influence of stock and scion on the apple with special reference to color, and carried on pruning experiments with apples and other orchard fruits as well as small fruits. In cooperation with the agricultural department, the effect of high-grade and low-grade potash fertilizers on fruit trees was studied at the station and elsewhere. The def>artment of vegetable physiology and pathology made microscoi^ic examination of samples of seed to determine the possible contamination from plant diseases, work on the perfection of seed- separating devices for cutting dodder out of alfalfa and for other similar purposes, and studied plant diseases, including malnutrition, together with methods for their prevention and control. In this con- nection market-garden crops and a large number of ornamental l^lants were given attention. Experiments relating to the chemical treatment of soil were continued for the purpose of observing the effect of formalin and other chemicals on the prevalence of potato scab. The entomologist studied methods of treatment for cabbage maggot and methods of control of the Marguerite fly. Cooperative spraying experiments were conducted to determine methods for the better control of onion thrips, and the dates of hatching of the young of the oyster-shell scale, scurfy scale, and pine-leaf scale were observed to determine the best time for spraying. The control of wireworms on corn was given attention, and a parasite of the asparagus beetle was studied with reference to its life history. The veterinarian gave some attention to bovine tuberculosis in attempting to transmit the disease to calves by feeding them skim milk, and to the transmission of Japanese farcy in horses by inoculation. The following publications were received from this station during the year : Bulletins 129, Bee Keeping in Massachusetts ; 130, A Sum- mary of Meteorological Observations; 131, Inspection of Commer- cial Fertilizers; 132, Inspection of Commercial Feed Stuffs; Meteoro- MICHIGAN. 163 logical Bulletins 24G-257; Circular 17, An Act to Regulate the Sale of Concentrated Commercial Feed Stuffs; and the xVnnual Report for 1908, parts 1 and 2. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows: United States approin-iation, Hatcli Act $15,000.00 United States approitriatiou, Adams Act 13, 000. 00 State appropriation 13,500.00 Individuals 544. 17 Fees 5, 970. 00 Farm products 3, 208. 73 Miscellaneous 6, 387. 84 Balance from previous year 5, 538. 50 Total 63, 149. 24 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department, and has been approved. The field of activity of the Massachusetts station continues to grow, and with it the demands upon the station are steadily in- creasing. "With the extension work organized on a broader basis, the efficiency of the station in pursuing experimental and research work Avill be materially enhanced. MICHIGAN. Experiment Station of Michigan State Agricultural College, East Lansing. Department of Michigan State Agricultural College. R. S. Shaw, B. S. A., Director. The year was marked by important improvements in equipment, changes in organization, and additions to the staff of this station. The new^ agricultural building was completed and furnishes excellent office and laboratory facilities for several of the station departments. fA greenhouse, 24 by 40 feet, and a brick annex to the botanical build- ing, 33 by 61 feet, with two stories and basement, and costing about $13,000, were constructed during the year. Dr. W. J. Beal, long connected with the college and station as botanist, was made professor emeritus and was succeeded in active charge of the deiDartment b}^ Dr. E. A. Bessey, of the Louisiana University. V. M. Shoesmith, of the Maryland station, was ap- pointed head of the department of field crops. J. F. Baker was appointed forester, W. A. Wentworth investigator in soil bacteri- ology, and O. B. Winter assistant chemist. A. R. Potts was made field agent in soil and crop extension work, and M. A. Yothers, assistant entomologist, resigned. The organization of the agricultural work in the college and station now consists of the departments of animal husbandry, dairy hus- 164 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. bandry, poultiy, soils, forestr3\ and farm mechanics. As at present organized forestry and poultry are not full research departments. This arrangement on the whole, however, secures a definite and effi- cient organization of the agricultural work. The larger administra- tive and business affairs of the station are in charge of the director, and the scientific work is under the immediate supervision of the vice director, Dr. C. E. Marshall. An additional section of land was devoted to the Chatham sub- station, and the work there was enlarged during the year. Prelimi- nary steps were taken to revive work at Grayling on the jack-pine plains, where some exjDeriments were made several years ago and where settlers are now being induced to locate. The Adams-fund work is confined to a comparatively small number of projects, on which good progress Avas made. Two technical bulle- tins were issued during the year as a result of the study upon the bacteriological factors influencing the keeping quality of butter. Investigations on hog cholera were also actively prosecuted. Some of the results of this work, particularly those relating to the agglu- tination reactions of hog cholera during the process of serum pro- duction, have been published, and a second report on the same subject is ready for the press. A study of the Grand TraA^erse, or Lake Shore disease, was reported upon during the year. The infor- mation secured showed that the trouble is dietary, and it is thought possible that improved methods of feeding and caring for stock may either prevent or cure this disease. The cooperative study of agents rendering available the insoluble constituents of soil was enlarged, especially on the chemical and bacteriological sides. The botanist planned to take j^art actively in this investigation from the stand- point of plant physiology. Pot experiments were begun during the year on changes which go on in mixtures of peat and light sandy soil from the jack-j^ine j)lains, under different systems of fertilizing and management. The chemical study of the organic nitrogenous compounds in peat was reported upon during the year. It was found that there are no nitrates in the different types of Michigan peat soils examined and that practically all the nitrogen in the peats is of organic nature, largely in tha form of monamino acids, about one-fourth in the form of amids, and the rest represented by diamino acids. It was further found that through weathering the organic nitrogenous bodies in brown peat change quite slowly, but that the amount of water-soluble nitrogen is somewhat increased thereby. Work was continued on fungus diseases of insects and on the rela- tion of the respiratory system of insects to the action of contact insecticides, but owing to the illness of the entomologist no very MICHIGAN. 165 marked progress was made. Parasites of larch and tamarack insects received special attention. Among the lines of work conducted with other funds, the prepara- tion and distribution of hog-cholera serum received special attention. On account of the shortage of funds for this work the serum is now being sold at 4 cents per cubic centimeter, to cover the cost of prepa- ration and distribution. Experiments w^ere continued in breeding and feeding farm horses of the Percheron and Clydesdale breeds, breeding up a grade dairy herd, herd testing, trials of home-grown and supplementary feeds for hogs and of succulent rations for sheep, and in determining the rela- tive merits of farm poultry houses. Experiments were also carried on in the rearing of calves on skim milk and supplementary feeds and the production of baby beef. It was found that baby-beef pro- duction by the skim-milk method was much cheaper and gave better results than by the suckling methods. Wlien marketed at an average age of 18 months, calves raised on skim milk weighed 966 pounds, while those that had suckled their dams weighed 995 pounds. The skim-milk baby beef Avas produced for $5.23 per hundredweight, as compared with $6.73 per hundredweight for the others. In a feeding experiment with horses it was found that a ration made up of shredded cornstalks, oat straw, and hay for roughage, together with ear corn, oats, and a mixture of dried-beet pulp, bran, and oil cake for concentrates, in addition to a few carrots daily, may be profitably substituted for a ration of oats and timothy hay in win- ter feeding. Studies were made of the chemistry of lime-sulphur mixtures, on soil temperatures, on the construction of silos, and on soil drainage. Extensive breeding experiments with plants were carried on, in- cluding breeding of wheat, oats, alfalfa for seed and forage, clover, cowpeas, soy beans, and field beans. Tests of varieties of com were begun at the station and at different places in the State. Tests of varieties of wheat were also made at the station, and an extensive series of plats to study questions of soil fertility in connection with a rotation of com, wheat, and clover were laid out on a new area for the purpose on the south farm of the college. Additional land was also assigned to the forestry department, which already has extensive plantations on this farm. Experiments with fertilizers for potatoes were undertaken at the station and in cooperation with farmers, and work was also con- ducted with sprays for potatoes; fertilizers for apples, peaches, and grapes; cover crops for orchards and vineyards; on cold storage of apples; propagation of apples from suckers, from fruiting wood, and from selected trees ; propagation of peaches from pits from diflferent 166 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPEEIMENT STATIONS.. regions; strawberry breeding; and with resistant strains of peaches. A study of faulty pickle fermentation was made during the j^ear. The station has been active in joromoting the formation of live- stock and other farmers' organizations and getting in touch with those already organized, in this way increasing its influence through- out the State. It is planned to add assistants to the staff to relieve the members in charge of research work from the growing and heavy correspondence and extension work. Five classe<^ of publications are now issued — regular bulletins, special bulletins, technical bulletins, circulars, and annual reports, all of which are printed by the State. The following j^ublications were received fi-om this station during the year : Bulletins 254, Wintering Farm Horses ; 255, Cement Silos in Michigan ; 256, Fertilizer Analyses ; 257, Rearing Calves on Skim Milk and Supplementar}^ Feed; 258, Insects of lield Crops; 259, Bean Growing; Special Bulletins 49, Grape Spraying Experiments in Michigan, 1907-8 ; 50, The Grand Traverse Disease or Lake Shore Disease; Technical Bulletins 1, Keeping Qualities of Butter; 2, Keep- ing Qualities of Butter; 3, Studies of Agglutination Reactions in Hog Cholera during the Process of Serum Production; 4, Organic Nitrogenous Compounds in Peat Soils; Circular 6, Hog-cholera Serum ; and the Annual Report for 1909. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 State appropriation 6, 122. 07 Fees 4, 080. 00 Miscellaneous 345.22 Balance from previous year 1,634.32 Total 40, 181. 61 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. With an improvement in the equipment and an increase in available funds, both the scientific and practical work of the Michigan station has been greatly broadened and strengthened. MINNESOTA. Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota, University Farm, St. Paul. Department of the University of Minnesota. A. F. Woods, M. A., Director. A number of changes took place in the station staff during the year. Harry Snyder, of the division of agricultural chemistry and soils, re- signed, and Ralph Hoagland, formerly of this department, was placed MINNESOTA. > 167 in charge. J. A. Hummel and A. D. Wilhoit, assistants in the same division, resigned, and their places were filled by the appointment of R. M. West and G. W. AValker. John Spencer was placed in charge of the hog-cholera investigations, vice C. A. Pyle, resigned. E. C. Higbie was appointed superintendent of the new substation, estab- lished in connection with the agricultural school at Morris. William Robertson, superintendent of the Crookston substation, died in Janu- ary, and C. G. Selvig was appointed to fill the place. After the close of the fiscal year, on July 11, occurred the death of S. B. Green, connected viith the institution since 1888 in the Capacity of horticulturist and forester, and the work of the department was temporarily placed in charge of Leroy Cady, and that of forestry in charge of E. G. Cheyney. The work in animal husbandry and dairy- ing, formerly under separate heads, was combined under T. L. Haecker, and Andrew Boss was placed in charge of farm manage- ment. During the year a new vaccine building was erected and equipped especially for the manufacture of virus, at a cost of approximately $10,000. Considerable new equipment was added to the soils labora- tory, and a denatured alcohol plant was provided at a cost of $6,000 and equipped for experimental investigations in the production of alcohol, the capacity being 50 proof gallons of alcohol per day. A thorouffhlv modern baking and testing laboratory for studies in con- nection with wheat investigations was installed, wnth electric baking and drying ovens, sponge cases, an experimental flour mill, and other necessary equipment. The old Indian school at Morris, in the Red River Valley, was turned over to the State to be used for an agricultural school and experiment farm. The State has appropriated for the current year $5,000 for the school and $5,000 for the farm, which contains about 400 acres. The citizens have agreed to supplement this appropriation up to $15,000. The various departments of the station are provided with funds for necessary field and demonstration work from the current expense appropriations of the university or by special appropriations for specific cases. The department of dairying and animal husbandry has $2,500 a year for special field work in dairy extension and the same in poultry extension. The department of entomology has a special State f tuid of $5,000 for field work in its line. The veterinary department has $2,000 for hog-cholera work, the chemical department $1,000 for soil investigations, the agricultural engineering department $2,000 for drainage investigation and demonstration, the department of botany and plant pathology $100 for investigating plant diseases, and $1,000 for the eradication of noxious w^eeds, and the department of agriculture has $2,000 for tobacco culture. A special appropria- 168 REPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. tion of $50,000 for the bieimium was granted by the last legislature for extension and demonstration work and a correspondence course in agriculture. . Progress during the j^ear in the investigations under the Adams Act is reported. In the study of food requirements in milk and beef pro- duction, a vast amount of data is being accumulated as to the use made of the feed and its bearing on standards for feeding. During the year 18 animals were slaughtered for complete analysis. The work in the chemical department was interrupted hj changes during the year, but studies were made on the humus in the series of rotation plats as compared with those cropped continuously with grain, and investigations were made on the combination of mineral matter with humus in its relation to cropping, the idea being to determine the effect of the growing crop on the humus content and on its content of mineral matter. The entomologist continued his work on Bruchophagus funebjns^ and inaugurated and used a successful method for accomplishing the fertilization of clover blossoms rendered immune to the attacks of insects, by using bumblebees inclosed with the blossom in cages. It is believed that this is the first time that clover has been fertilized in this artificial way. The work on Empoasca mail and Macrosiphiirrh grmuma is practically closed out, and the results secured in the study of the cabbage maggot were prepared for publication. The breeding project in horticulture was continued on the fruit- breeding farm at Excelsior, an 80-acre tract about 25 miles from the station. This farm is surrounded by lakes and is said to be one of the best localities for orcharding in the State owing to the equi- table temperature. The farm was purchased by the State, which makes an annual maintenance appropriation of $2,000, and a special appropriation for horticultural crops of $1,000. A large number of strawberry seedlings were planted and selections made from them. About 1,500 crosses of strawberries were made in the greenhouse and the seeds planted. Several thousand plum and rasj^berry seedlings are grown for comparison. Careful records are kept for the purpose of securing data regarding inheritance of various morphological and physical characters in the species and varieties under investigation. As compared with its original outline, this project has broadened to include a considerable number of fruits and has become very exten- sive in scope. In the investigation of stable ventilation during this year, evidence was obtained for the first time that an animal is apparently injured by close confinement in an excessively foul stall and atmosphere. In one animal there appeared quite regularly during the confinement periods, various abnormal constituents in the urine, the most impor- tant of which were blood and albumin. Viscosity of the blood was MINNESOTA. 169 increased and the opsonic index was lowered. Much attention was given to the study of the effect of imperfect ventilation upon disease resistance b}' investigating the phagocytic power of the leucocytes. For the purpose of this project a urine harness was made together with other equipment, and a stall fitted up in which the urine could be collected. The work on the rusts of cereals is conducted on a 2^-acre field where a large number of individuals and hj^brids are grown from which selections are made. An accurate system of causing a rust epidemic was developed, and laboratory experiments were conducted particularly with reference to spore germination. Various physio- logical and other experiments Avith regard to rust questions were car- ried on, and a bulletin prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry was submitted for publication. In addition to the Adams-fund projects, many lines of work sup- ported by Hatch and other funds were in progress. The department of botany and plant pathology continued its work on diseases of plants, botanical features of weeds, and on weed seeds and seed mix- tures. A large number of hybrids of cereals were tested for their rust resistance. Some of the experiments on smuts of cereals were completed and the results prepared for publication. Extensive ex- periments were also conducted on aster blight, damping off of conif- erous seedlings, potato diseases, particularly internal brown rot, fruit rot of tomatoes, and an unknown cucumber disease. A large number of botanical determinations of weeds were made during the year, and spraying experiments for the destruction of weeds were conducted. About 800 tests for purity and germination of seeds were made. The chemical department conducted cooperative fertilizer experi- ments on 15 farms* in the State, and made a survey of 22 demonstra- tion farms and -1 substation farms as to soil type and inherent fer- tility. Equipment was installed and preparation was made to begin the study of the effect of time of cooking on the composition of cereal breakfast foods. This department was also ready to undertake ex- periments in the production of alcohol from the cheaper plants and residues. The entomologist worked on the life history of the clover-seed chalcis and of the confused flour beetle. He also made observations on the San Jose scale to determine whether it would withstand the winters, on methods of combating grasshoppers in the field, and on the efficiency of insecticides. The principal investigations and experiments conducted by the agriculturist during the year were along the lines of plant breeding, crop rotation, cost of crop production, and quack-grass eradication. Under the special appropriation for the eradication of weeds, a 170 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPEEIMENT STATIONS. 40-acre farm was rented for a 5-year period to test and determine methods for the eradication of quack grass. In connection with this work spraying did not prove very effective. Crop improvement and plant breeding were carried on with spring and winter wheats, fall rye, oats, barley, flax, corn, sugar beets, mangels, alfalfa, clovers, timothy, cowpeas, soy beans, and hemp. A series of about 15 corn- breeding stations was maintained in different localities of the State, Under the direction of this department numerous experiments are in progress on methods of developing va.rieties or strains of the cereal crops. The development and distribution of new varieties among the farmers of the State were continued during the year with much success. A new variety of winter wheat, Minnesota No. 529, and 3 varieties of oats, Minnesota Nos. 261, 281, and 295, which out- yielded the ordinary grains by 15 to 25 per cent, were distributed. Among the earlier varieties originated and sent out by the station may be mentioned Minnesota No. 169 wheat, No. 26 oats, No. 13 corn, and No. 25 flax, which have become known commercially and are now quite widely grown in Minnesota and the adjoining States. The agi'iculturist is also in charge of the farm-management work on the demonstration, farms. The farmer who allows his farm to be used for demonstration receives an outline of the plan of farming from the station, and keeps reasonably complete business records. In addition to these demonstration farms there are about 30 farms on so-called statistical routes where the cost of production was given special attention. The statistical work i^ pursued in cooperation with the Bureau of Statistics of this department, which defrays part of the expense. From these two sources considerable data with ref- erence to farm management was accumulated. A feature of the animal -husbandly work was a study of the feed consumed by each cow in the dairy herd in relation to the milk, butter fat, and solids-not-fat produced. A bulletin covering the record of the dairy herd for a period of 10 years was prepared for publica- tion. A record was also kept of the feed consumed and growth made by the calves and heifers in the dairy herd, covering the period from birth to the completion of the second year. The veterinary department gave special attention to hog cholera and swamp fever. The hog-cholera serum produced gave very prom- ising results. The actual results up to March 1, 1910, were as fol- lows : In infected herds 69 out of 1,604 vaccinated hogs died, and out of 76 un vaccinated animals in infected herds 70 died. Of 982 sound hog-s treated with a full dose of tested serum 12 died. All vaccinated hogs were tested by inoculation or exposure. The total amount of serum produced up to February 8, 1910, was 98,189 cubic centimeters, or enough to protect 4,800 average hogs. MINNESOTA. 171 It was observed during the year that pigs from immune sows appear to be born with very liigh resistance to cholera. This natural immunity was found to disappear gradually, but was sufficient up to at least 5 weeks of age to make it possible to inoculate such pigs with very high virulent blood with an unimportant percentage of loss. A new operating table with hoisting apparatus was devised by this department, by means of which hyperimmunization and serum production is much facilitated. Work was also done with antituberculosis vaccine, and its actual working efficiency under ordi- nary farm conditions was further studied. The swamp-fever work was carried on in cooperation with the Minnesota State Live Stock Sanitary Board and the Bureau of Animal Industry of this depart- ment. The station conducted cooperative work with farmers in experi- ments to control hog cholera, in the spraying of plums and apples, in combating grasshoppers, and in the study of special types of farm- ing, such as potato growing, ensilage, feeding, and the cost of opera- ting large farms in plant breeding with different farm crops. Coop- eration was also conducted with the Bureau of Plant Industry in the study of rust of cereals and of sorghum smut, as well as in mak- ing a plant-disease survey of the State. At the request of the Bureau of Entomology of this department the station acts as deputy in- spector of all nursery stock imported into Minnesota. The station also performs the State nursery inspection. Cooperative plant- breeding work is carried on with the Bureau of Plant Industry, and in this connection studies are made to provide a systematic nomen- clature of varieties of barley. A special State appropriation has made it possible to organize an extension department which cooperates with all the other depart- ments of the station in all kinds of extension work. This depart- ment publishes a periodical for the farmer's library for which mate- rial is furnished for the various departments of the station and which also furnishes material to the papers of the State and prepares special articles for the general press and for agricultural journals. Matters bearing on special subjects are treated in special extension bulletins and circulars. Twenty demonstration farms scattered throughout the State were conducted by this department in coopera- tion with the station. Each farm was surveyed by soil experts, drainage maps where necessary were supplied, and cropping systems and farm organization were outlined. The station through the ex- tension department furnishes only the advice and direction, -and the results so far secured seem to promise that the plan will be successful. The following publications of this station were received during the year: Bulletin IIG, Report of the Northeast Experiment Farm at Grand Rapids, Minn. ; and the Annual Reports for 1908 and 1909. 172 REPORT OF OFFICE Of'' EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The income of the station for the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation. Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 12, 774. 58 Balance from United States appropriations for 190S-09_ 225. 42 State appropriation 40, 185. 87 Farm products 6,212.19 Total 74, 398. 06 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed bj" this department and has been approved. The scientific work, together with its aj)plication to agricultural practice accomplished by the Minnesota station, is of the greatest value to the State and to other sections of the northern Mississippi Valley. The results of the work will unquestionably assure the con- tinued support and appreciation of the people. MISSISSIPPI. Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, Agricultural College.^ Department of Mississippi Agi'icultural and Mechanical College. J. W. Fox, M. S., Director. During the year W. L. Hutchinson was succeeded as director by J. W. Fox, assistant director of the Delta substation, and was ap- pointed director of farmers' institutes and professor of animal hus- bandry. J. A. McLean resigned as animal husbandman and was succeeded by E. R. Lloyd, formerly director of farmers' institutes. A. Smith, who had been placed in charge of the Delta substation, accepted a position as assistant in animal husbandry in the extension division at Clemson College, South Carolina, and was succeeded by R. L. Shields. W. R. Perkins, agronomist, resigned to accept a simi- lar position at the South Carolina station. The poultry work was placed in charge of W. F. Kirkpatrick, of the Rhode Island station. Lender a new State law, a single board of trustees was appointed for several of the State institutions, including the Mississippi college and station. The Adams-fund project, involving studies on the breeding of mules, was continued as originally outlined, and detailed records of the progeny were kept. Data on the cost of feeding mules were col- lected incidentally as the work was carried on. The animals were kept in first-class condition, and the feed for them was grown on the station farm. In the cottonseed-meal project, pursued by the bacteriologist and the dairyman, physical observations were made on cows, and their 1 Telegraph address, Starkiille; express and post-oflBce address, Agricultural College; freight address, A. and M. College Station. MISSISSIPPI. 173 blood, urine, etc., were subjected to microscopical and bacteriological examinations. Some influence with reference to the numloer of red and white corpuscles of the blood was observed as a result ap- parently of feeding the meal. It was also indicated that feeding cottonseed meal affects breeding unfavorably. This work was ex- tended to hogs, where it was found that the effects of feeding the meal included a marked decrease in the red corpuscles of the blood, and that the length of resistance to the injurious effect varied in different animals. In the cotton-anthracnose project studies were made of the physi- ology and ecology of the disease, and in connection with the work selection of varieties for disease resistance was folloAved. The entomological department pursued work on its several proj- ects, recorded the data secured, and prepared some of the material for publication. Studies of scale insects were made in the insectary. Special work Avas done on a number of species attacking pecan trees, considerable time was devoted to the investigation of the peach-tree borer, and some work was done on the bean-leaf beetle, but no atten- tion was given this year to the sugar-cane beetle. The different departments of the station also pursued various lines of work under Ihe Hatch fund. In animal husbandry experi- ments with beef cattle were made to determine the cost of wintering, and steers were fed cottonseed meal while on pasture. Pig-feeding experiments were conducted to determine the relative merits of a number of pasture and forage crops. Some of the results secured shoAved that cottonseed meal can be fed to beef steers on grass with profit and that grass is a much cheaper fonn of roughage than cot- tonseed hulls for feeding with cottonseed meal. This department has a large acreage at its disposal, but all the land is not actually re- quired for experimental purposes. Feeding tests were also made in dairy husbandry to compare wheat bran with corn silage as a feed for dairy cows, and an experiment was begun for the comparison of soiling, pasturing, and the use of purchased feeds in dairy farming. In these tests 1 ton of silage was about equal to 292 pounds of wheat bran. Data were also collected on the cost of raising heifers on purchased feeds. Work in agronomy was pursued along much the same lines as heretofore. A large share of the land assigned to this department was in use for rotation experiments. A change in its leadership occurred during the year, as mentioned above, and the work is now in charge of the director of the station. The entomologist made observations on pine-nursery insects, saw- flies, chinch bugs, and other pests. The results of observations on the spread of the boll weevil obtained in cooperation with this de- 174 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. partment were prepared for publication. In addition to the experi- mental work, from 5 to G weeks were devoted to nursery inspection. The horticultural deiDartment of the station carried on variety tests with strawberries, peaches, plums, apples, pecans, grapes, ornamentals, and other horticultural crops, and made spraying tests for the con- trol of curculio, brown rot, and other insect pests and plant diseases. SjDecial attention was given to the strength of solution adapted to local conditions. The poultry department concerned itself principally with growing good fowls under ordinary conditions and breeding them for fancy jDoints, Trap nests were kept for several breeds, and some tests to determine loss in dressing poultry were made. Bulletins of a popu- lar nature on turkey raising and on the general management of poultry were prepared. No very definite experimental work was attempted. The botanist conducted some nursery work in forestry and on shrubbery, with a view to determining the requirements of nursery work in forestry in Mississippi. No experimental work for the station was done. The veterinary department reported some work with hog-cholera serum, for which the legislature made a special appropriation to the Live Stock Sanitary Board. The jDublications of the station received during the year were as follows: Bulletins 121, Experiments in Feeding Beef Steers; 122, Eeport of the Work at the Holly Springs Station for 1908; 123, Inspection and Analj^ses of Commercial Feeding Stuffs on Sale in the State; 124, Pecan Culture; 125, Inspection and Analyses of Com- mercial Feeding Stuffs on Sale in the State; 126, Inspection and Analyses of Commercial Fertilizers on Sale in the State; 127, In- spection and Analyses of Cotton-seed Meal on Sale in Mississippi; 129, Sugar Cane for Sirup Making; 130, Peanuts; 131, Snap Beans; 132, Soils of Mississippi; 133, Inspection and Analyses of Com- mercial Feeding Stuffs on Sale in the State; 134, Broom Corn; 135, Cotton, 1909; 13G, Feeding Beef Steers on Cotton-seed Meal, on Pasture; Circulars 20-2G, Inspection and Analj^ses of Commercial Fertilizers on Sale in the State; and 30 and 31, Inspection and Analyses of Commercial Fertilizers on Sale on the State. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation, Hatch Act .$15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13. 000. 00 State appropriation for substations 16, 425. 00 Fees 00.00 Farm products 28. 799. .57 Miscellaneous 3, 577. 26 Total 76, 891. 83 MISSOUKI. 175 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The year was one of many changes in personnel at the Mississippi station, but otherwise the conditions remained much the same as de- scribed in last year's report. It is hoped that the changes in the staff may result in strengthening the work of several departments and of the station as a whole, MISSOURI. Missouri Agricultural College Experiment Station, Columbia. Department of the College of Agriculture and INIechanic Arts of the University of Missouri. F. B. MuMFORD, B. S., Director. The new agricultural building of the University of Missouri, which was dedicated December 28, 1909, contains the administrative offices of the dean and director, together w4th the station library, and further affords quarters for the departments of agronomy, animal husbandry, farm management, rural education, and the instructional work in agricultural chemistry. The offices of the State board of agriculture, the drug and food commission, the State veterinarian, and the State highway engineer are also located in this building. The construction of a veterinary hospital and hog-cholera serum laboratory was begun with State funds. A heating plant was built and the furnishing of the agricultural building was completed. A project system was begun during the year which enables the director to keep more closely in touch with the various lines of work in progress than has heretofore been the case. The State appropria- tions for the biennium ending December 31, 1910, were enumerated in the last report, w ith the exceptions that appropriations of $7,500 for outlying experiments, $10,000 for the animal husbandry department, $5,200 for the department of horticulture and botany, $15,000 for the experiment station, and $1,000 for the agricidtural library were not mentioned. The Adams-fund work of the station was continued, with addi- tional equipment and an increase in the number of assistants. The results of the completion of certain phases of Adams-fund projects were reported during the year. The study of the influence of maturity on the yield of constituents of timothy, begun in 1908, Avas completed. The results of the study of the dormant period in trees showed conclusively that the great majority of species indigenous to tem- perate climates do not have a firmly fixed winter resting period from 176 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. ■svhich they can not be awakened. The species most difficult to rorce were Carya aqnatica, C. ^>o7'(?m.«., Fagus sylvatica^ Fraxinus araei-i- cana, F. excelsior, F. ornus, Juglans regia, Liriodendron tidipifera, Qvercus alba, Q. coccinea, and Q. olivaformis. In connection with the ixivestigations on the properties of milk it was ascertained that the cause of wide variation in milk production by dairy cows is the dilTerence in the quantity of food they are able to consume and use above that required for maintenance. The work on the nutrition of steers was practically completed, and substantial progress was also made in the studies on the influence of age on the breeding powers of animals, the nutrition of heifers, nutrition of apple trees, and on hog cholera. In addition to the Adams-fund investigations, numerous lines of work were carried on by the different departments of the station. The animal-husbandry department continued its pasture experiments with steers which have been going on for 15 years, studied winter rations for cattle, including the use of silage for fattening cattle, the influence of age and condition of cattle on economic efficienc}^, eco- nomic pork production and farm management, forage rations for hogs, and maintenance requirements for brood sows. The results of the study of specific effects of rations on the development of swine called attention to the importance of the ash constituents generally, and to phosphorus in particular, in the rations of growing animals. In the horticultural department experiments were made in the home canning of fruits and vegetables, breeding asparagus, straw- berries^ tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables, methods of frost protection, comparison of apple stocks and scions, forcing vegetables, and methods of spraying. Peach trees pruned according to the methods advocated by the station were made to produce 2 addi- tional crops in 8 years. Last year the Jonathan apple orchard on the horticultural grounds returned over $300 per acre, while un- sprayed Jonathan orchards in the neighborhood had almost no mar- ketable fruit. As a demonstration experiment, the college last year sprayed 1 acre of Jonathan apples in a commercial apple orchard near Columbia and this sprayed acre produced more marketable apples than the remaining 139 acres which were not sprayed. In connection with the asparagus work it is reported that one-eighth acre of asparagus on the horticultural gi'oundshas given an average return of $80 annually for the past 5 years. Forestry, which has heretofore been combined with horticulture as one department, was made a separate department during the year. Experiments with extensive plantings of catalpa and locust, especially in the Ozark region, are in progress. The work in agronomy included rotation experiments in progress for 21 years, corn breeding with respect to yield, and composition MISSOURI. 177 tests of varieties in breeding of wheat and oats, experiments with winter oats, barley, cowpeas, soy beans, alfalfa, and other forage plants, tests of methods of seeding, and studies in soil fertility. In 1 county of the State corn yields have been increased IG} bushels per acre and clover yields If tons on each acre by the application of results discovered by the station. Good soil management on one of the experiment fields increased the clover yield from one-half ton to 2 tons per acre, and the net profit by $G. On the soil experiment fields in southwest Missouri the station has shown that corn may be in- creased from 20 to 45 bushels per acre. In the same locality the wheat yield has been increased 12 bushels per acre. In soil experiments car- ried on in northeast Missouri the yield of wheat was increased by 15 bushels per acre, with a corresponding increase in the net profit. Experiments were made on the effect of high and low rations on butter-fat production, and experiments were begun on the trans- mission of tuberculosis from cattle to pigs. The college inocu- lated 40,000 hogs during the past year, 85 per cent of which were saved from hog cholera. Fertilizer inspection and miscellaneous analyses were made by the chemical department. The cooperative experiments of the station in 1910 were quite ex- tensive. In 105 counties of the State 366 persons cooperated with the central station at Columbia in experiments to determine the best methods of farming. In carrying forward this work 3,000 dif- ferent packages of seed were used and more than 20,000 pounds of fertilizer. Former students of the college of agriculture and farm- ers of the State have organized the Missouri Experiment Associa- tion, which has for its fundamental purpose cooperative investiga- tions with the college and station. The results secured have already demonstrated that alfalfa can be grown successfully in every county of the State, and that the best varieties of corn from Missouri are Boone County White, Reid Yellow Dent, Johnson County Wliite, and St. Charles AVliite. The horticultural investigations have in- dicated the best fertilizers for orchard, bush fruits, and vegetables. Cooperators in dairying have, under the direction of the college and station, increased their profits, in some cases more than 20 per cent. Field experiments on typical soils of the State in cooperation with the soil survey were continued and extended, and are now conducted on fields in 96 of the 114 counties of the State. The soil survey was continued, partly in cooperation with the Bureau of Soils of this department. Two additional county demonstration farms were organized dur- ing the year under the act of 1907, one at Clayton, St. Louis County, and the other near Lewiston in Lewis County, with E. L. Newton as superintendent. The chief lines of work undertaken at these 918GG°— 11 12 178 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. demonstration farms were the testing of corn, wheat, and oats with some attention to fertilizer and soil-fertility experiments. An extension department was organized by the university which will also have charge of extension work of the college of agi'iculture. E. H. Emberson was appointed professor of niral education and has charge of the extension work for rural schools. During the year 5 men from the college of agi'iculture in 11 days' time gave in- struction on agricultural to2:)ics to 28,000 people. This was accom- l^lished by means of sjoecial trains furnished by 3 ditferent rail- roads interested in the State. Instructors from the college and station also taught agriculture to 2,300 persons at special night schools in St. Louis and Kansas City. During the past year in the 114 counties of the State -IGO addresses were made to 100,000 farmers in attendance. A series of research bulletins to serve as a medium for the publica- tion of the results of the more technical results of the station was begun during the year. Decided jDrogress was made in the general publication work of the station. The publications received from this station during the year were as follows: Bulletins 81, Specific Effects of Rations on the Develop- ment of Swine ; 83, Soil Experiments on the Upland Loam of South- east Missouri; 84, Soil Experiments on the Prairie Silt Loam of Southwest Missouri; 85, Inspection of Commercial Fertilizers; 86, Soil Experiments on the Rolling Limestone Upland of Southwest Missouri; Circulars of Information 31, Hardiness of Peach Buds, Blossoms, and Young Fruits as Influenced b}' the Care of the Orch- ard; 32, Missouri ApjDle Growing; 33, Hotbeds and Cold Frames — Their Preparation and Management; 34, Instructions for Spraying; 35, Protecting Orchards Against Frosts and Freezes; 36, Cooperative Experiments of the Department of Agronomy; 37, Variations in Cream Tests; and 38, The Principles of Maintaining Soil Fertility. The income of the station during the jDast fiscal year Avas as follows: United States appropriation, Hatcli Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13, 000. 00 Fees 10, .580. 20 Farm products 5,052.30 Miscellaneous 14. 15 Total 43. 646. 65 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The Missouri station is carrying on a large amount of carefully organized and well-managed work of fundamental importance to the agriculture of the State. ^Vith liberal State aid it is widely dis- seminating the practical results of this work. EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPEEIMENT STATIONS. 179 MONTANA. Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Bozeman. Department of the Montana College of Agriculture and Meclianic Arts. F. B. LiNFiELD, R. S. A., Director. The Montana station continued to make steady progress during the year in its work and in the improvement of its equipment. The new sheep barn (PL II, fig. 2) and the new steer-feeding barn, for which the State appropriated $10,000, were nearly completed during the year. The State appropriations for the year 1910-11 are as follows: Maintenance, $12,000; dry-farm experiments, $9,000; Fergus County substation, $2,000; horticultural substation, $1,250; and the donations for dry-farm work — Xorthern Pacific Railway, $7,500; Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway, $4,000 ; and the city of Helena, $1,500. These appropriations did not include the grants of $10,000 for buildings at the home station, $5,000 for buildings and improve- ments at the Fergiis County substation, and $3,000 for buildings and equipment at the horticultural station made for the biennium" 1909-1911. The work at 2 permanent substations, 9 temporary dry-farming stations, and 3 horticultural substations is under the supervision of the director. During the year the governor of the State turned the Fort Ellis reserve of 640 acres OA^er to the experiment station. This is a dry-farm tract with 300 acres plowed and the rest in pasture. About $1,000 was invested in improvements on the place. This reserve is located near Bozeman, and the station has begun experi- mental work upon it. Good progress was made in nearly all of the Adams-fund projects upon which the station is at work. The cement investigations have already been completed. The chemical change in the breaking down of cement when act-ed on by alkali has been determined and a bulletin on the results is in preparation. It was found that by the action of sodium sulphate the calcium hydrate or the binding material of cement was changed to calcium sulphate, which increased the volume of the substance and caused crumbling. The sodium hydrate set again, but was not as strong. As a remedy it is recommended that the cement be made less absorbent and more resistant to water, and for this purpose a 1 per cent soap solution was used, which gave an insoluble calcium stearate and palmate. The strength of natural cement was increased by using solutions of aluminum sulphate or soap solution in place of tap water in mixing up the cement. The recent work on the incubation project was with reference to temperature, and additional equipment was provided for the more complete control and measurement of the conditions surrounding the eggs. Especial attention was given to the influence of temperature on the respiration of the chick and the development of carbon dioxid. 180 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Studies on the life histories of sugar-beet insects were continued, and the army cutworm and other species of cutworms were inchided in the list. It Avas observed that the root louse could be kept out by keeping the land free from weeds in the early spring. A pajDer was }iublished on the oyster-shell scale, but studies on the life history of this insect as well as on the parasites attacking it are continued. In connection with the investigations on arsenic poisoning of fruit trees, the disease known as collar rot was studied. The effect of arsenic was observed by its application to clean, healthy roots of fruit trees, and the results indicated that under some conditions f,rsenic corroded the bark. Apparently arsenic spraying results in injury wherever the bark of the tree has been opened, while on older uninjured bark there is but little effect. The orchard-disease work was mainl}^ upon apple canker, which is a Montana disease, black heart, and the collar rot in connection with the arsenic investigation. The results in the soil-moisture project, as well as those in nitrate Avork, are reqdy for publication, although further work along these lines will be conducted. It ajjpears that where the moisture content is good the nitrate formation is relatively high. In these studies it has been shown that the great benefit from summer fallow is due to the nitrates accumulated in the moist soil during the fallow season, which gives a rapid growth the following year, so that the crop usually has advanced be^^ond the stage of liability to serious injury before the dry period of the year arrives. The moisture studies were carried on under dry-farming conditions at the substation at Forsyth and on the Fort Ellis farm 3 miles east of the station. Moisture de- terminatons are made every 10 days throughout the cropping season to a depth of 5 feet, and at the beginning and end of each season to a depth of 12 feet on plats handled under different rotations. The nitrate determinations are made on samples taken to a depth of 3 feet on the same plats every 20 days. In the seepage projects T different soil types are under observation. These soils are placed in tanks and the movement of water through them is studied. In addition to this laboratory work the seepage on canals running through the different types of soil is studied during the growing season. It has been found that the governing factor in seepage is the nature of the soil, and that each particular soil type must be dealt with separately. In the wool project a start was made with 20 pure-bred Ram- bouillet ewes. The variations in the wool were observed to be very wide. Tests were made of samples from different parts of the fleece to find the most representative part. In microscopical and histolog- ical studies of wool the diameter, crimple, luster, etc., are determined. The various departments of the station also report progress during the year in the various lines of work conducted with the Hatch fund. MONTANA. 181 In the entomological department during the past season grasshop- 23ers received considerable attention. Control methods by means of spraying and improvement in the spraying solutions used were Avorked out. The head of this department also worked on the spotted fever and its propagation, under a State appropriation as State ento- mologist and in cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology of this department. The agronomy department has an area of 42 acres in experimental work. The variety tests conducted included 40 varieties of oats, 32 of spring wheat, 12 of peas, 40 of barley, and 28 of grasses, clovers, and crop mixtures. Rates of seeding ranging from 4 to 4 bushels per acre were tested witli wheat, oats, barley, and peas, and a study was made of the best time of seeding by commencing as early as the ground is in condition in the spring and continuing for 9 weeks with these same crops. A comparison of size in plats was made by grow- ing grain planted under identical conditions on plats ranging from 0.01 to 0.25 acre in area. Rotation tests were made on GG plats, and various mixtures of wheat, oats, barley, and peas were planted in du- plicate, one set being cut for hay and the other for grain. This department cooperates with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department in dry-farming work and with this office in testing the efficiency of various mulches. In addition the department has charge of the work at the permanent dry-farming station at Mocca- sin, in Fergus Count}', and of twelve 40-acre tracts on which work of demonstration grade is in progress. These demonstration farms are held under 5 -year leases, and the work is supported by the State and two of its important railroad lines. In animal husbandry, experiments were made on the effects of dif- ferent amounts of various grains fed with clover on the gain of steers. In pig feeding the effect of varying amounts of dry matter on the gain was studied, and the results were found less satisfactory with the more bulky feeds. A comparison of clover silage with clover hay as a feed for dairy cows was made during the past winter. Inbreeding work with hogs carried to the fifth generation indicated a loss in strength and fecundity. The horticultural work was in charge of the new horticulturist who entered upon his duties at the beginning of the year. This depart- ment has about 5 acres of orchard at Bozeman and a substation of 20 acres in the Bitter Boot Valley. The variety tests in progress were continued, and work was done on pruning tomatoes, cantaloup, squash, and watermelons to hasten maturity, on methods of irriga- tion of potatoes, etc. Tests were also in progress with varieties of apples and methods of culture and soil improvement. 182 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The new veterinarian of the station took up work on contagious abortion. The cooperative work of the station, as has already been mentioned, was largel}^ confined to experiments carried on by different bureaus of this department and to dry-farming studies in different parts of the State. About 10 of the station officers gave from one to three weeks to farmers' institute work and to lectures on agriculture and related sciences at from one to four high schools in the State. Similar as- sistance was also given at the school of horticulture in Ravalli County and in connection with a demonstration train. The agronomy de- partment gave considerable time to the work connected with the dry- farming congress which met at Billings. The following publications were received from this station during the year: Bulletins 77, Fruit Tree Planting in Montana; 78, Steer Feeding; Circulars 1, Home Cheesemaking ; 2, The Pear and Apple Blight in Montana ; 3, Dry Farming Practice in Montana ; and 4, The Army Cutworm. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as fol- lows: United States appropriation. Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 State appropriation 32, 990. 48 Individuals 7, Oil. 26 Farm products 6,384. 34 Total 74, 386. 08 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The Montana station is in a prosperous condition, and its course is marked by steady progress. The material equipment of the sta- tion is fairly complete, and an effort is made to use these facilities for the assistance of agriculture throughout the State, and particu- larly in certain sections where special problems present themselves. The attitude toward the station of the State, the railroads, the cham- bers of commerce, and the population in general is most encouraging and gratifying. NEBRASKA. Agricultural Experiment Station of Nebraska, Lincoln. Department of the University of Nebraska. E. A. Burnett, B. S., Director. Steady progress was made during the j^ear at the Nebraska station in the development of well-established lines of work. A few changes :were made in the organization and the personnel of the station. NEBRASKA. 183 L. W. Chase, of the department of agricultural engineering in the college of agriculture, was added to the station council as agricul- tural engineer, largely for the purpose of conducting experiments in farm drainage and sanitation and the use of cement for farm pur- poses. G. H. Coons, adjunct professor of agricultural botany, was appointed assistant in agricultural botany in the station, and toward the close of the year W. L. French, adjunct professor in dairy hus- bandry, was aiDpointed assistant in dairy husbandry in the station. Two new substations authorized by acts of the last legislature were located, one near Mitchell, in Scotts Bluff County, and the other near Valentine, in the sand hills region. For the station located at Mitchell, which is to give special attention to irrigation and dry-land work in agriculture, the State appropriated $5,000 for the biennium ending April 11, and about $2,000 of this sum was expended for 13ermanent improvements. This station is conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry upon land furnished by the United States Reclamation Service. This department expends $1:,000 annu- ally in connection with this work, and the Eeclamation Service expended $5,000 in the erection of buildings. Fritz Knorr, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, was appointed superintendent. The Valentine substation, for which the State appropriated $15,000 for the biennium, is to investigate the crops and agricultural methods adapted to the sand hills region of the State. Of the total appropriation about $9,000 was used for improvements, includ- ing a dwelling and a barn, both constructed from concrete blocks. James Cowan was appointed superintendent of this substation. At the central station at Lincoln a steer-feeding plant to house 60 steers for experimental feeding purposes is in process of erection. The barn will be built of hollow brick, rough cast with cement, and will cost with equij^ment about $10,000. The station at Lincoln ex- pended during the year about $17,500 of State funds, including $5,500 appropriated for special purposes. Xo new Adams- fund work was undertaken during the year, but the 2)rojects in hand were continued and certain phases of the investiga- tions were completed. The work on the relation between leaf area and the use of water in corn was actively prosecuted and extended to include isolation of high-leaf and low-leaf strains of corn, trans- piration at different periods and under different conditions of humid- ity of the air and soil, and evaporation from the soil under natural conditions. The results of these investigations indicated that the water required by the growing plant is proportional to the relative leaf area rather than to the relative dry weight. The loss of water by the plant was found to be correlated with the loss of Avater from a free surface, the plant apparently not exercising control in this case. The transpiration studies, together with field tests, indicated 184 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. that narrow-leaf types selected from Hogiie Yellow Dent were more drought resistant than broad-leaf t^^pes. The strains w^ith a high- leaf area yielded 43.G bushels per acre, while those with a low-leaf area j)roduced 52.1 bushels. A report of j^rogress was made on the investigation of the soils of the transition region, or the loess area of the State. In this con- nection changes in the comjoosition of the loess soils of Nebraska caused by cultivation were studied, and it was concluded that with their chemical composition as a basis these soils are very fertile and are likely to maintain their productive capacity for a long time if they are kept in good physical condition, and are well supplied with nitrogen and organic matter. Investigations relating to hyperimmunization and the possible use of a horse serum for hog cholera were continued during the year, and some observations were also made on the transmission of swamp fever by means of flies. The immunization of pigs in utero was studied in connection with hog-cholera work. Considerable work was done on winter injury of fruit trees, and many pieces of apparatus were devised for these investigations. A large amount of data were also secured in the continuation of studies on heredity in plants. The plant-disease projects receiving atten- tion during the year were a new Fusarium dry rot of potatoes, internal brown spotting of potatoes, and potato scab. Work on the effect of close-breeding in maize and on thickness of stand on cereal plants was continued along the same line as hereto- fore. During this season, corn inbred the previous year decreased in yield by about 50 per cent as compared with the same corn either naturally fertilized or artificially crossed. This result may not have been due to inbreeding alone and several years of work are required before positive results will be obtained. In studying the effect of thickness of stand on cereal plants it was shown that when thick planting is practiced a certain percentage of plants are crowded out and fail to produce seed. Plants from strong, vigorous seed were more likely to survive, and plants from the small, shrunken seed more likel}^ to be crowded out. With corn a higher yield was obtained under thick than under thin planting. The investigations on the effect of feed on the strength of bones in pigs were continued with new combinations of feeds. Work was also begun on the study of the relation of type or conformation to gaining capacity in steers. In addition to Adams-fund projects, extensive experiments were carried on, as in previous years, with field crops, more particularly in acclimatization and improvement in wheat, a special object being to increase the yield and extend the area of winter wheat in the State, improvement of varieties and methods of culture of corn, acclimatiza- NEBRASKA. 185 tion and improvement of oats, and adaptation of winter barley to Nebraska. The effect of croj) rotation and continuous cropi^ing on Nebrahka soils was studied at the central station and at the North Platte substation. The best variety of corn for the silo in central and eastern Nebraska is also under investigation. Work was con- tinued on the duty of water from the natural precipitation in crop production, the elFect of fertdizers on Nebrasl^'a soils, the effect of soil inoculation for alfalfa, the value of sweet clover as a green manure, and the cost of producing crops in Nebraska. Some experiments Avere also carried on in seed germination, on the influence of soil types on the root and form development of seedlings, the effect of spacing in plantations on the quality and quantity of growth of certain Nebraska trees, the effect of cutting back hardy catalpas at difl'erent ages as compared with seedling growth not cut back, and on methods of sowing seeds of various species of trees. Tests of varieties of potatoes and of the relative value of seeds from different regions were continued, demonstrating the superiority of seed grown locally under a straw mulch. Cooperative spraying demonstrations were continued with results showing the profitableness of the spraying of orchard fruits. Experiments Avere carried on demonstrating tlie value of alfalfa in rations for fattening cattle. The dairy department continued records of the dairy herd begun 14 3'ears ago and of calves from birth to ma- turity, compared beets and silage for cows, and dry feed versus pas- ture, studied the relation of conformation to performance in dairy animals in cooj^eration Avith five other stations, the time of maximiim l^roduction in the lactation period, the etl'ect of sires on daugiivevs in breeding experiments, and the feeding of skim milk to calves. The life history of a number of insect pests, including seed wheat Eleodes, the parasites of the Avhite-marked tussock moth, melon aphis, squash borer, cucumber beetle, squash bug, pine-tip moth, corn-ear worm, potato-stalk borer, and straAvberry-leaf roller, were studied during the year as well as methods for preventing their depredations. In all of the entomological Avork special attention Avas giA^en to insect parasitism. Work at the North Platte substation, as in previous years, included tests of varieties of cereals and forage plants adajited to dry-land conditions, crojD rotations, studies of methods of conserving soil moisture, tests with forest trees, orchard fruits and ornamental plants, exj^eriments in wintering cattle on different kinds of roughage, tests of grain for hogs, and the use of alfalfa for hay. The station cooperated Avith this department in a number of lines of Avork, including breeding and selection of improved varieties of wheat, testing the milling and baking qualities of Avheat, the main- tenance of a seed laboratory, and testing of crops and methods of 186 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. culture suited to dry-land farming at North Platte. Cooperation with farmers is carried on extensivelj^ in a number of lines, including orchard-spraying demonstrations, tests of varieties of corn and small grains, exjjeriments with fertilizers for grain, farm management, and forest j)lantings. Some of the station men assisted during the year in farmers' institutes held in different parts of the State. The publications received from this station during the year were as follows: Bulletins 110, Report of the Nebraska Seed Laboratory; 111, Changes in the Composition of the Loess Soils of Nebraska Caused by Cultivation; 112, Experiments with Corn; 113, Oats; 11-1, Storing Moisture in the Soil; Circular 1, Cooperative Experi- ments in Forest Planting ; and Annual Report for 1908. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15, 000. 00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13, 000. 00 State appropi'iation, central station, amount used esti- mated 17, 500. 00 State appropriation, amount used for Nortti Platte substation 24, 994. 93 Farm products 28, 511. 73 Balance from previous year 2, 345. 75 Total 101, 352. 41 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The work of the Nebraska station was broadened and strengthened during the year, and the institution extended its operations and its influence throughout the State by means of cooperative experiments and by the establishment of substations made possible by liberal State aid. NEVADA. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Reno. Department of Nevada State University. J. E. Stubbs, D. D., LL. D., Director. Few changes occurred on the staff of the Nevada station, the prin- cipal ones being the transfer of S. C. Dinsmore, the former station chemist, to the food and drugs inspection work, and the appointment of Dr. C. A. Jacobson as research chemist for the station early in the year. The farm for dry-farming experiments, for which the State made a maintenance appropriation, Avas purchased and donated by Elko County at a cost of about $2,000. Possession was secured in June, and the work of clearing off the sagebrush and of breaking the land was begun. The conditions on this "farm are favorable for dry farming, which has been practiced very little in that section. It is NEVADA. 187 tyjoical of large tracts of land in the valley in which it is located. The new food and drugs act, with its supervision and enforcement in the hands of the station, went into effect January 1, 1910. A special building for the station library was erected during the year at a cost of about $1,200, an animal house Avas built for the use of the depart- ment of biology, and one wing of a new greenhouse was erected at a cost of approximately $5,000. P. B. Kennedy, the station botanist, continued to act as chairman of the board of control of the Lincoln County experiment farm. A report on the operations of this farm for the biennial period ended December -31, 1910, is in course of preparation. In the Adams- fund work on the genus Trifolium, with special ref- erence to the economic value of native species, seeds of 47 species were secured and cultivated with many others for comparison. All but one of the 47 species were native, and some of them from the sage- brush land are very dry and tough, and the hairy ones are very drought resistant. The species were worked out as they were found in different localities, and the life habits and their method of propa- gation were studied. TrifoUurrh Tnajiis, a native species ordinarily collected in California, attains a very dense growth, with spreading stem 2 to 3 feet high, and bears an abundance of seed. 7\ vanegatum is of low but dense growth and T. worrrhskjolcUi has been found to be an exceedingly vigorous plant, growing thick masses and spreading readily by underground stems. The value of the different species for forage purposes as well as for ornamental planting was studied. In following up the alfalfa-breeding project, it was found that when the plants grew too closely they failed to produce seed. The research chemist studied the relation of nitrogen to the organic constituents of the alfalfa plant and isolated certain of these con- stituents. Two distinct nitrogenous substances were isolated, which will be studied in relation to different stages of growth and the stage at which the largest amount is present. In connection with the poisonous-plant investigations, work was started on the water hem- lock and special attention was given to the chemical constituents of different parts of the plant with a view to determining and isolating the active jDrinciple. The meterological and climatological studies on Mount Rose were largely confined to the conservation of snow. Snow was measured with a sjiecially devised sampler under various conditions of slope, compass position, and protection by timber; its density when it first falls, the increase in density, etc. It was found that the character of the forest exerts considerable influence in this connection, and a study of the best conditions for snow conservation was begun. The temperature of snow at different depths was measured, as was also the evaporation of snow due to high winds. 188 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Some work was clone on the entomological projects, especially on the parasitic and preclaceous enemies of the codling moth. Work was also continued on the study of anemia in horses, the pathologi- cal anatomy being worked out. Inoculation experiments carried on in this connection gave varying results, and hence the infectious character was not established beyond question. Under the Hatch fund, progress was made in various lines of work. The station herbarium now numbers 11,190 si^ecimens, and is used largely in advising ranchmen about the native plants. Experiments in smuding to prevent frost injury indicate that fruit can be suc- cessfully grown even in the low-lying valleys where conditions are very adverse to the production of a crop. A number of ornamental shrubs grown in the arboretum have been found well suited to the climatic conditions of the State. The chemist did considerable miscellaneous analytical work on soils, water, feeds, etc. A report was made on digestion experi- ments conducted on the range, and it was found quite feasible to determine approximately the feeding value of the various plants under range conditions. Soils from Las Vegas containing 15 per cent of gypsum were examined, and jDot experiments were made which indicated the unproductiveness of the soil to be due to the gypsum it contained. In agriculture and animal husbandry sheep breeding for early lambs was carried on, oats and peas were grown for pig fattening, and some work was done in the methods of irri- gating and cultivating alfalfa, including the selection of varieties for drought resistance and for pasturing. Variety tests were made of sugar beets, Kafir corn, winter wheat, and similar crops; and evaporation studies were made in tanks in which the soil was culti- vated to depths of 2, 4, and 6 inches. The effect of time of applica- tion of irrigation water on oats and wheat and the number of applica- tions before and after heading were studied in relation to softness of the grain. Breeding work with potatoes was followed, and the study of the effect of proper cultivation and of irrigation was included. Tests were made of various plants grown for forage and for pastur- age, and a dairy herd of 8 cows was secured for the purpose of study- ing the cost of butter-fat production with different feeds. The entomologist studied the alfalfa cutworm and tested the use of irrigation water run down the furrows at night when the worms are out as a means of their control. Means of stamping out the Mediterranean flour moth were tested in a local flour mill, an uniden- tified parasite of the insect was studied, and the investigation on the European elm scale was followed up. The following publications were received from this station during the year: Bulletins 68, Equine Anemia; 69, A Report on Irrigation Laws and Litigation in Nevada; TO Food and Drug Inspection; 71, An. Rpt. Office of Experiment Stations, 1910. Plate III. Fig. 1.— New Dairy Building, New Hampshire College and Station. Fig. 2.— Sheep Barn at the New Hampshire Station. NEW HAMPSHIRE. 189 Digestion Experiments on the Range; Circulars 1, Glanders; 2, Ice Cream; 3, Flavoring P]xtracts and Soda Fountain Sirups; 4, Coloring Matter in Food Products; 5, Inspection of Nursery Stock; G, Spray- ing Trees for the Elm Scale; 7, Labeling of Food Products Artificially Colored ; and the Report of Lincoln County Experiment Farm, 1907-8. The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows : United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 Farm products 2, 945. 23 Miscellaneous 7. 33 Balance from previous year 610.68 Total 31, 5G3. 24 A report of the receipts and expenditures for the United States funds has been rendered in accordance with the schedules prescribed by this department and has been approved. The interest in the work of the Nevada station is increasing in proportion to the growth of agriculture within the State. The sta- tion has a good field and is at work on problems important to the development of agriculture in its region. NEW HAMPSHIRE. New Hampshire Colleg-e Agricultural Experiment Station, Durham. Department of New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. J. C. Kendall, B. S., Director. Several important changes occurred at the New Hampshire station during the year. The resignation of the directorship by E. D. San- derson took effect January 1, 1910, when the jDresident of the college assumed the duties of the office pending the appointment of a new director. E. D. Sanderson retained the position of station ento- mologist until the close of the year, when he was succeeded by "W. C. OTvane. A number of changes also took place in the corps of station assistants. After the close of the fiscal year J. C. Kendall from the Kansas station was appointed director, entering upon his duties in September, 1910. During the year the dairy stables were remodeled at a cost of $3,000, and a new sheep barn for use in the sheep feeding and breeding experiments and a new dairy building were constructed. (PI. IIL) Progress in all the Adams-fund investigations was reported. The sheep-breeding work, pursued to discover the inheritance of charac- ters as based on Mendel's law, reached the F^ generation, and 190 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. preparations for breeding the F^ generation were made. Hampshire, Southdown, Shropshire, Dorset Horn, Leicester, and Rambouillet sheep are used in this work, and an elaborate series of measurements and records taken. It is chiimed that ah'eady the manner of inher- itance of many characters can be distinguished and the result from such crosses predicted. A study was made of the different crosses with regard to their adaptability to the production of early lambs. Coincidently the inheritance of the characters of twin bearing and multinipples was taken up for investigation. Another line of observation taken up during the year in connection with this project was the determination of postnatal variation in the growth of sheep and in the gi'owth of large bones of the extremities. Dr. C. B. Daven- port, of the Station of Experimental Evolution, Carnegie Institution, is a collaborator in this research in sheej> breeding. Results obtained this season in the fruit-bud formation project showed that the rate of wood growth in plats cultivated every other year was approximately double that of plats not cultivated, and in plats cultivated every year the rate of wood growth was double that of plats cultivated every other year. No marked differences appeared in rate of Avood growth between unfertilized cultivated plats and fertilized cultivated plats. Together with cultivation, the presence of certain fertilizers, often in excess of normal amounts, seemed to stimulate the formation of fruit buds. Plant-breeding work was continued with squashes, watermelons, and carnations, and studies of correlations in the strawberry were again pursued. In the experiments with carnations pure types were sought, and valu- able and useful variations were looked for. During the past season pure color types were isolated and crosses made between them for the purpose of determining Mendelian proportions. One valuable new crimson carnation was discovered in connection with this work, and its propagation was begun. The correlation studies on the strawberry included the records on the fruit and foliage of 931 seed- ling plants. Measurements of the leaves were made in order to determine whether correlations exist between the size of leaves and the size of fruits, and the total amount of foliage and the total amount of fruit. Considerable advance was reported in working out the life history of the fruit-spot diseases of apples. The effects of temperature and moisture upon the fruit-spot of apples in storage were studied, and observations were made on the leaf spots, three species of SphcTropsis being studied. Inoculation and spraying experiments were made to determine the time that leaf -spot infection takes place, and the results indicated that there is but little spread of the disease after June 10, but that on water sprouts and other tender growths infection may NEW HAMPSHIRE. 191 occur throughout July. It was further found that a Large-spored species of Sphseropsis was much more vigorous in producing leaf-spot and was also more conmion on cankers than a small-spored species under investigation. The study of the physiological disease known as the point rot of the tomato was entered upon as a new project. Experiments on heavy and light watering of tomato plants in relation to the occur- rence of this disease showed that poorly watered plants were a little more susceptible to the disease than others, but not sufficiently so to indicate that drought is the cause of the malady. Apparently an excess of horse manure in the soil may favor the disease. In the dej^artment of entomology, the i^roject on the relation of temperature to the transformations and mortality of insects was prac- tically concluded and the work was discontinued. Considerable progress was made on the better understanding of the factors of tem- perature and moisture on insect life. In connection with the apple- maggot project, attemj)ts were made to determine the length of time that the larvw remain in dropped apples before pupating, this fact having an important bearing on the control of the pest. Poisoning the adult flies with sweetened arsenicals before egg laying gave some valuable results. The results secured in the project on the availability of potash in strong clay soils were published in part in Bulletin 142 of the station. The indications are that for the heavy clay soils of the State, as shown by the water-soluble potash present, the amount of potash in the crop, and the amount of soil water required to produce the crop, potash fertilizers are not essential for the production of good crops of clover and grasses. This same line of work was extended to some of the lighter soils, and experiments were also begun to determine the eifect of tillage on soil potash. "With Hatch funds the department of agronomj'' carried on variety and fertilizer tests with corn, and experiments with alfalfa, together with meadow and pasture improvement work. This was the fourth season the improvement of Minnesota No. 13 corn was continued, and the results so far indicate that early maturity can be induced, the yield increased, and dent corn kept from assuming the characteristics of the flint type by isolating it from flint varieties. In the fertilizer experiment on grass land begim in 1907, the average yield this season without fertilizer was 1.89G tons of hay per acre, while tne heaviest yield, 3.41 tons, was secured with 400 pounds of nitrate of soda, and the lowest yield, 1.G2 tons, with COO tons of land plaster per acre. An alfalfa plat seeded in July. 1909, yielded this year in 3 cuttings a total of 3.45 tons of hay per acre. On another plat different rates of liming and seed inoculation were tested. An alfalfa nurserv for 192 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. testing seed from different sour6es as well as individual plants was started this year. In a pasture improvement experiment begim in 1909, various treatments such as harrowing, reseeding, fertilizing, liming, plowing, and sheep pasturing were tried. The horticulturist continued variety tests of plums, apples, and lettuce. The work with apples included the renovation of an orchard formerly in sod by bringing the land into good tilth. Fertilizer tests with lettuce were made in the greenhouse and the value of Romaine and head lettuce for greenhouse culture was compared. The prepa- ration of a monograph on varieties of lettuce was continued ; and the influence of different top-dressings in growing carnations on raised benches in greenhouses with reference to the keeping quality of the flowers were studied. In animal husbandry, the results of feeding experiments with sheep showed that the use of clover hay produced greater and cheaper gains than the hay mixture ordinarily fed in the State; that turnips fed with grain and hay appreciably reduced the cost of mutton produc- tion ; and that silage Fas not as valuable as turnips as a feed for sheep. The entomologist demonstrated the possibility of controlling the black fly in the "\Miite Mountains by treating streams where these flies breed with a suitable soluble oil which kills the larvae without injury to the trout in the stream. Studies were also made of leaf hoppers, blister mites, and other insects. The station carries on cooperative experiments with farmers in the hay-land improvement work, and with this department in testing 25 strains of soy beans with reference to period of maturity, yielding capacity, habits of growth, and general adaptability. The study of the nutritive ratio of corn and soy-bean silage mixed in the proportion of 2:1, as compared with pure corn and pure bean silage, was also pursued cooperatively. Part of the station work on soil potash is in a measure cooperative with farmers. The station made examina- tions of 238 samples of grass and grain seed and analyses of 135 sam- ples of feeds and 110 samples of fertilizers for the State board of agriculture. The following publications were received from this station during the year: Bulletins 111, A Study of Farm Buttermaking in New Hampshire ; 112, The Availability of the Soil Potash in Clay and Clay Loam Soils; 113, The Codling Moth and How to Control It by Spraying; 111, Some Apple Diseases; 115. Variety Tests of Oats, Barley, AMieat. and Rye; 116, Analyses of Fertilizers; 117, Analyses of Feeding Stuffs: Circular 7. Some Essentials in Farm Butter- making; Scientific Contributions 3, The Oblique Banded Leaf ■Roller — A New Insectary; 1, The Relation of Temperature to the Growth of Insects; and the Annual Report, 1907-8. NEW JERSEY. 193 The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as follows: United States appropriation, Hatch Act $14,250.00 United States appropriation, Adams Act 13,000.00 Balance from United States appropriations for 1908-9_ 750. 00 Miscellaneons 3, 873. 37 Total 31, 873. 37 A report