KANSAS. 113 



The Adams fund work of the station is represented by eight proj- 

 ects. Much time was devoted to the wheat and alfalfa breeding inves- 

 tigations. Three years' work on variations and correlations in wheat 

 have been concluded, and studies were in progress on the third and 

 fourth generations of wheat and emmer hybrids, this breeding being 

 largely for rust resistance. In the alfalfa-breeding work drought 

 resistance was sought, and a number of pure strains was grown. 

 Several hybrids between common alfalfa and other forms of Medicago 

 were under observation. In cooperation with the chemical depart- 

 ment the botanist studied the physiological relations of yellowberry 

 in wheat. 



The veterinary department continued its investigations on cere- 

 britis in horses and confined its efforts largely to a study of moldy 

 corn in its relation to this disease. The effect of feeding moldy com 

 was studied, and experiments with cultures of the fungi were made. 

 In connection with this investigation studies were conducted on the 

 blood, brain, and tissues of the animals under observation, and 

 arrangements were made with the veterinarians of the State to send 

 in for examination all brains of horses dying of the disease. 



The study of the factors influencing the keeping quality of eggs 

 received much attention. Special apparatus was constructed and 

 daily bacteriological examinations of eggs were made. The investi- 

 gation included studies of eggs while in the process of formation, 

 when newly laid, and at different stages of incubation and storage. 

 The earliest period at which putrefactive infection of the egg may 

 occur was sought, and the influence of tiie health of the hen on the 

 keeping quality of her eggs was investigated. The influence of the 

 bacterial content of eggs on their hatching quality was also studied, 

 and an improved method for the bacterial examination of eggs was 

 worked out. 



In entomology the study of climate and en\dronment on certain 

 injurious insects was carried on in incubators in order to reduce the 

 variable factors as much as possible. Work was pursued on the tem- 

 perature and moisture factors to determine the optimum of these 

 relations and their effect on the common parasites of the insects. 

 The determination of the fatal temperature of the pests and its effect 

 on their parasites, together with a study of the causes of their peri- 

 odical appearance, formed a part of the work. In connection with 

 the investigations on stored grain and mill insects, a new method of 

 combatinsT these insects was devised. 



The study of the influence of nutrition on the form and growth of 

 animals was carried on during the year with three lots of steers, each 

 on a different feeding basis. The development of the skeleton as 

 affected by the method of feeding was studied at the close of definite 



56096°— 12 8 



