MARYLAND. 125 



a strip J:0 feet by 300 feet for experiments with vegetables. A test 

 of the use of orchard heaters for protection against late frosts was 

 extended to include two points in western Maryland, one on the East- 

 em Shore, and one in the experiment-station orchard. A test was 

 also made of these heaters for protecting strawberry beds. 



The botanist identified a large number of plants sent in for that 

 purpose and determined the purity of many samples of seed. He 

 gave considerable time to the study of tomato variations in conjunc- 

 tion with the work conducted in the horticultural department. 

 Studies of the leaf-mold fungus and the leaf-spot fungus of the 

 tomato were also carried on. A bulletin was prepared covering all 

 phases of the weed question and including the results of tests on 

 the eradication of certain weeds made during the past 9 or 10 years. 



The work of the department of entomology was continued along 

 the same lines pursued the year before- The results of spraying, 

 fumigating, and dipping for the control of San Jose scale were sum- 

 marized and published in bulletin form. It was found that the pest 

 can be very successfully controlled by thorough applications of the 

 remedies recommended. A study was also made of the distribution 

 of the terrapin scale within the State and the results of methods 

 tested for its control were compiled and published. It was found 

 that a standard miscible oil, employed at a strength of 1 : 15, applied 

 just as late in the spring as possible before the buds open is quite 

 effective in controlling this pest. A cooperative study of beekeep- 

 ing in Maryland was carried on with this department and the re- 

 sults, which are largely statistical with reference to the industiy 

 in the State, were published in bulletin form. 



The poultry work of the station was pursued along the same lines 

 outlined in the last report, but in addition the value of feeding mix- 

 tures composed of grains produced on the farm was tested; rations 

 composed of corn and wheat products were compared as to their 

 influence on the quality and quantity of the eggs ; the length of time 

 required for eggs to become fertile after the male is placed with the 

 hens and the length of time eggs will remain fertile after the male 

 is removed was determined ; and the effects of age of eggs on incuba- 

 tion were studied. The department cooperated with the college in 

 giving a 10-day special poultry course, and also prepared several 

 poultry exhibits. 



New lines of w^ork in animal husbandry included experiments with 

 pigs and cooperative dairy field work. Experiments were made with 

 different rations and with different methods in feeding pigs, and 

 attention was given to the construction of two types of hog houses. 

 In cooperation with this department the station has been instru- 

 mental in the forming of cow-testing associations and dairy-breeding 

 associations. At the station the results of keeping cows in an open 



