1Y4 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



the nitrogen content of wheats and flours, especially the gluten, and 

 also of the volume and quality of the loaf when produced from 

 different flours; also the relation of phosphorus compounds to mill- 

 ing and baking, the effect of tempering grain on the quality of the 

 flour, the relation of moisture to milling qualities, effect of frost, rust, 

 bin heating, and other conditions. 



The work in the department of agriculture was all supported by 

 Hatch and State funds. The plant-breeding work of this depart- 

 ment was considerably extended during the year, embracing work 

 with alfalfa, wheat, oats, barley, flax, rye, corn, and potatoes. Nur- 

 ser}^, centgener, and field trials were conducted to detennine hardi- 

 ness, yield, adaptability, quality, and other characters. Less varia- 

 tion was noted in the strains under investigation and a number of 

 varieties were distributed for farm trial. Experiments on rotation 

 and fertility were continued and laboratory studies on moisture, 

 nitrogen, and other soil factors were in progress. The rotation plats 

 were observed as beginning to show the benefits of previous crop- 

 ping, and a study was inaugurated on a series of long rotations with 

 and without live stock. Much of the agronomy work was carried 

 on at the five substations and the 24 countv demonstration f^rms, 

 thus giving a wide range of conditions. Special studies in main- 

 tenance of soil fertility and methods of seeding crops to secure the 

 best results, and of the cost of producing various farai products were 

 in progress at the station and elsewhere. 



In animal husbandry the economy of feeding for early maturity of 

 pigs and the value and different methods of feeding peas, rape, bar- 

 ley, oats, and other feeds in comparison with dry-lot and grain feed- 

 ing were studied. The question of cost of production Avas given 

 considerable prominence. Wintering brood sows and sheep, cross- 

 breeding sheep, and differences in wool production were given attend 

 tion, and experiments with beef cattle to detennine the value of corn 

 when pastured off, the amount of stock various pastures will carry, 

 and the cost of milk production under station and farm conditions 

 were carried on. The station endeavored to interest fanners in 

 better dairy stock and the assistant dairyman tested cows and had 

 charge of the advanced registry of dairy cows in the State. The 

 record of the station herd for five years was published in Bulletin 

 91. With poultry the principal line of work was breeding hens for 

 high egg production, and studying methods of housing and feeding 

 fowls. The records of the station showed a number of hens that 

 produced 200 eggs per year. 



The horticultural department used the new greenhouses in breeding 

 work, especialh' pure-line breeding with lettuce and tomatoes. Selec- 

 tion experiments Avith sAveet corn and nuiskmelons were begun with 

 the intention to continue them as pure-line races. Similar work with 



