VERMONT. 211 



The project on the microorganisms of maple sap and sirup was 

 continued, and considerable work was done during the- year on the 

 fluorescent and pink organisms occurring in maple sap, including 

 a green sap organism giving a dark sugar. The results of a study 

 on the Fusarium causing the damping off of coniferous seedlings 

 were published in Bulletin 157 of the station. The life history and 

 habits of the fungus were studied and the most effective preventive 

 measurements were determined. Sterilization of the soil by means 

 of live steam did not give results warranting its general adoption, 

 and the best preventive measure was apparently the disinfection of 

 the soil by the use of a one-half to 1 per cent solution of formalin 

 used at the rate of three-fourths gallon per square foot. It was found 

 that after this treatment the bed should be allowed to air for at least 

 a week before sowing the seed. 



In pursuing the work on potato scab the cork layer in potatoes and 

 its development was studied and the relation of the potato scab 

 fungus to the soil organisms was investigated. No work was done 

 the past year on the project on potato diseases, but the results already 

 on hand were arranged for publication. The work on disease resist- 

 ance of potatoes was continued but was interfered with to some ex- 

 tent by the nonappearance during the year of certain fungus diseases. 



Work was also taken up the past year on the stimulating effect of 

 Bordeaux mixture in plants, especially the potato and the effect of 

 age and climatic condition upon the efficiency of Bordeaux mixture 

 and other fungicides as shown by the inhibitory effect upon the ger- 

 mination of spores. These problems were made the basis of spray- 

 ing experiments with potatoes. The effect of copper salts on the 

 plants was studied and laboratory and greenhouse experiments were 

 made on the physiological effects of such salts on the foliage. The 

 fungicidal action of Bordeaux mixture also received considerable 

 attention. 



The study of the effect of feeding different amounts of digestible 

 protein to cows for a long period, which has been in progress for 

 several years, was carried on according to a comprehensive plan, and 

 a large number of. data were secured. About 60 cows, mostly Jerseys, 

 but including some Holsteins, have been under experiment for the 

 past 5 years. The attempt was made to make the protein the single 

 variant of the ration fed. 



Studies on the nutritive value of milk of different kinds were con- 

 ducted with pigs. These experiments have also been in progress 

 nearly five years, and over 150 young pigs, selected and arranged with 

 great care and fed exactly, have entered into the experiment. Homo- 

 genized milk, condensed milk, and corn oil were used in the rations 

 with varying results. The carcasses of the pigs were analyzed and 

 the effects of the different foods were compared 



