70 EEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



The veterinarian continued the study of the bacterial flora of the 

 cow's udder, giving special attention to pathological lesions. 



The study of the physiology of the fruit of the persimmon pro- 

 gressed, and preliminary reports were published. It is believed that 

 the tannin occurs in the fruit as a colloidal mass rather than as a 

 precipitate. The investigation of the physiological activity of the 

 cotton plant was continued, and data were recorded with reference 

 to transpiration, evaporation, sun and shade temperatures, the effect 

 of wind, light, intensity, and other factors. 



A number of different lines of work were carried on progi'essively 

 with the Hatch fund. The work of the horticultural department 

 included cultural and other tests on potatoes, beans, cabbage, and 

 other garden crops, and orchard work with pears for blight resist- 

 ance, pruning, and grafting as a means of orchard renovation, and 

 studies on citrus hybrids, Satsuma oranges, and other fruits of this 

 class. Cooperative work was in progress in several of the more 

 important trucking regions of the State, and attention was given to 

 the advancement of the culture of pecans and Satsuma oranges in 

 Alabama. 



A large amount of miscellaneous work in progress in agronomy 

 included variety studies of cotton, nitrogen experiments with various 

 crops, experiments with phosphates, observations on forage plants, 

 especially clovers and soy beans, soil improvement, the effect of soil 

 treatment on subsequent crops, testing the use and value of concrete 

 tile, and other lines of work of a similar nature. 



The chemist carried on laboratory and field experiments with open- 

 hearth basic slag, averaging about 12 per cent of phosphoric acid. 

 He also gave some attention to the manufacture of cane sirup in small 

 quantities. 



In addition to his connection with Adams fund work the veteri- 

 narian studied osteoporosis in horses, intestinal parasites of poul- 

 try, dogs, and other domestic animals, and the value of trj^panblue 

 as an immunizing agent against tick fever. 



The department of animal husbandry continued its cooperative 

 work with this department in cattle feeding, the special points con- 

 sidered being the raising of beef cattle, wintering steers, and fat- 

 tening cattle on pasture in Alabama. Attention was further given 

 to calf feeding in winter, early lamb production, and the effect of 

 cottonseed meal when fed to ewes. 



The Alabama station conducts extension work under the appro- 

 priation mentioned above and in cooperation with this department. 

 The station continued to give assistance in farmers' institute work to 

 boys' corn clubs, girls' tomato clubs, and to teachers of agriculture 

 in the public schools. 



