RKPOHT OF BOTANIST 



Wright A. Gardner 



Auburn, Ala., January 15, 1918. 

 Prof. J. F. Duf^i^ar, 



Alabama Experiment Station, 

 Auburn, Ala. 

 Sir: 



Having taken charge of this department September 1, 1917, 

 I make a report from notes left by my predecessor, Dr. Wil- 

 liam J. Robbins. 



(1.) Under the Soils Toxin Project, which is carried on un- 

 der the Adams Fund, Bulletin 195, The Cause of the Disappear- 

 ance of Cumarin, Vanillin, Pyridine and Quinoline in the 

 Soil, was published in June, 1917. An investigation has been 

 made which shows that bacteria decompose vanillin. Studies 

 are in progress to show the effect of the addition of vanillin 

 on the bacteria flora of soil, and on the conditions determining 

 the digestion of vanillin. 



(2.) No projects have been definitely outlined under Hatch 

 funds. Some work has been done on each of the following: 



1st. Control of nematodes by the application of formalde- 

 hyde and carbon bisulijhide. 



2nd. The effect of aluminum nitrate on the root growth of 

 red clover and sorrel. 



3rd. The effect of certain factors on the digestion of cellu- 

 lose by Penicillium species. 



(3.) The list of Station projects are: 



1st. Soil Toxin Projects, Adams Fund. 



2nd. Miscellaneous Botannical Investigations, Hatch Fund. 



Respectfully submitted, 



WRIGHT A. GARDNER, 



Botanist. 



