MONTANA. L45 



sheep. In conjunction with this investigation crossing experiments 

 were carried on with range sheep. 



The results secured in the study of cement were published in a 

 bulletin. The causes of disintegration and the means of overcoming 

 them were the principal topics of this investigation, which is to be 

 carried further. 



Under Hatch and other funds the department of entomology in co- 

 operation with this department continued its work on the spotted- 

 fever tick. In addition a new grain aphis was studied, and spray- 

 ing experiments for devising means of combating grasshoppers and 

 insects attacking cabbage, sugar beets, and apples were carried on. 



Studies of pear blight were made mostly under the State horticul- 

 tural inspection law and a report on this work was made in Circular 

 2 of the station. Culture experiments were conducted with celery 

 and tomatoes, special attention being given to methods of blanching 

 celery and of growing celery seed, and to the irrigation of tomatoes on 

 heavy soil. Pruning experiments with cantaloups and cucumbers 

 showed that the pruned plants were relatively advanced in their 

 season of growth. Experiments in pruning were also carried on in 

 the station orchards on young and old trees. With small fruits, 

 variety tests were continued and studies were made of methods of 

 winter protection. The orchard work conducted at the substation 

 in the Bitter Koot Valley included variety tests and methods of 

 keeping up soil fertility by clean culture, potato cropping, small 

 cover crops, field peas, the use of clover left on the ground as hay, 

 and the growing of peas and beans. 



Feeding experiments were conducted by the department of animal 

 husbandry with different kinds of stock. In experiments with dairy 

 cows clover silage was compared with clover hay and corn silage, 

 corn meal was compared Avith shorts in a mixed ration in pig feeding, 

 and feeding tests with beef cattle were conducted to determine cost 

 of production. The inbreeding of pigs was continued and the results 

 have shown the weakening of offspring and the splitting up of colors. 



Among other work the department of chemistry carried on studies 

 with alkali and other infertile soils in cooperation with the depart- 

 ment of agronomy. Pot experiments were made with soil deficient 

 in available lime. 



The experimental work in agronomy on the station farm was con- 

 tinued along the same general lines as the year before. This depart- 

 ment has charge of the demonstration work in different parts of the 

 State, including 18 localities. The agronomist also cooperates with 

 this department in work on crop rotations, including rotations with 

 susrar beets and in cereal studies. It has been found that blue hull- 

 less barley is successful in different regions of the State, and 5 acres 



56096°— 12 10 



