NEW JERSFA'. 108 



nitrogenous feeds in rations for dairy cows. The results- thus far 

 obtained from different feeding experiments point to the practi- 

 cability and economy of thus using alfalfa, and the experiments in 

 cooperation with farmers throughout the State have shown the adapt- 

 ability of the soils of New Jersey for the growth of this lejruminous 

 crop, successful fields haying now been established in nearly eyery 

 county in the State. The station is also cooperating with this Depart- 

 ment in testing seed of alfalfa grown in different parts of this country 

 and of other countries. The other coojjerative work with farmers 

 in the State includes a study of the light brown soils of southern New 

 Jersey with reference to their improyement by means of green man- 

 ures and chemicals, and their adaptability to the growth of various 

 forage crops. 



An elaborate pot experiment on the general subject of nitrogen 

 assimilation and the fertility and needs of different soils has recently 

 been undertaken in which chemical, physical, and bacteriological 

 studies are made. One hundred and sixteen glass pots have been set 

 in a wooden frame, constructed with double Avails to prevent heating 

 (PI. V, fig. 1), and provided with portable cloth shelters (PI. V, 

 fig. 2). A peculiar and simple device has been made by which the 

 pots can be readily lifted and weighed (PI. Y, fig. 3). Among other 

 lines of work recently inaugurated is the chemical investigation of 

 the composition of carbohydrates in different feeding stuffs. 



The entomologist is continuing his work with the San Jose scale 

 and other insects, but is devoting special attention to developing 

 means for eradicating the mosquito pest. As a result of his work 

 under a special State appropriation of $10,000, the State legislature 

 has appropriated $2,500 for 1905 and $3,500 for 1J)0() for a continua- 

 tion of investigations, and $4,000 for 1905 and $G,000 for 1.900 to 

 enable the station to give State aid (not exceeding/25 per cent of the 

 total cost) to municipalities and other communities engaged in eradi- 

 cating mosquitoes under the direction of the station olHcers. The 

 work of the Xew Jersey stations has steadily progressed during the 

 past year and continues to combine to an unusual degi-ee scientific 

 accuracy with practical efficiency. The influence of these stations on 

 the agriculture of the State is more widely and effectively felt than 

 ever before. 



LINES OF WORK. 



The principal lines of work conducted at the New Jersey stations 

 during the past year were as follows: Chemistry — study of carbo- 

 hydrates in feeding stuffs, chemical composition and relative value 

 of the various kinds of lime used in the State, methods of examining 

 insecticides, studies of the losses of nitrogen in barnyard manures 

 and of the assimilation of nitrogen in soils; biology — oyster cul- 



