NORTH CAROLINA. 169 



be determined. The investigation of a disease attacking cabbage 

 and other cruciferous plants was undertaken. 



Work on the cabbage worm was held in abeyance because the pest 

 did not make its appearance during the season. The melon-worm 

 investigations were practically finished and the results were pub- 

 lished in Bulletin 214, which deals with the pickle worm {Diaphania 

 nitklalis) and the melon worm {Diaphwiia hycdinata). Work on the 

 corn billbug was well started and studies on its life history were in 

 progress. Hibernation records were made and the relation of Sphe- 

 nophot'iis callosus to other species was studied. The insect was found 

 on species of Cyperus in one locality and a smaller species was ob- 

 served on nut grass. 



The veterinarian gave considerable time to the cottonseed meal 

 project, performing post-mortem examinations of pigs, rabbits, and 

 guinea pigs, and making clinical studies of the same. The animal 

 pathologist cooperated in this project and made quantitative feed- 

 ings of various extracts of cottonseed meal, the residue, and of pyro- 

 phosphate of sodium to obtain material for further study. Results 

 with rabbits and pigs appeared concordant, and death followed feed- 

 ins: the residue as well as the fresh cottonseed meal. The animal hus- 

 bandman also cooperated in this work and carried on feeding ex- 

 periments with cottonseed meal for hogs and worked much of the 

 year with meal made from Sea Island cotton seed. Experiments were 

 also begim with feeding cottonseed meal to sucking pigs to study the 

 effect of early feeding. These feeding experiments Avere intended to 

 supplement the laboratory investigations. 



Studies on the relation of soils to productivity and their fertilizer 

 requirements, and the cause of development of suckers and their effect 

 on the yield of corn were continued. Data showing the effect of 

 different fertilizers on the nitrifying power of soils and also on the 

 humus, nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid in soils have now accu- 

 mulated during six years. Among other facts, it was established that 

 the presence of suckers did not decrease the yield of corn. The pro- 

 duction of suckers was found to vary with varieties, fertility of soil, 

 and distance of planting. 



The horticultural department determined the cause of double flower 

 and sterility in blackberries and dewberries, the results corroborating 

 those of the Delaware station. A study of methods of control was in 

 progress. In the study of self-sterility, all but three varieties of dew- 

 berries were found to be self-sterile, but when two varieties of self- 

 sterile varieties were planted together they readily fertilized each 

 other. Most varieties of blackberries also appeared self-sterile. The 

 studies of the Rotundifolia grapes indicated that practically all the 

 cultivated varieties are self-sterile. One vine was under observation 

 to determine its possible self-fertility. Some of the results of this 



