WEST VIRGINIA. 221 



determined, and a study was also made of the variation of the germ 

 content in the different quarters of the udder. Attempts to reduce 

 the germ content artificially were not very successful. 



In connection with the poultry project the time of molting in its 

 relation to the production of chickens of high vigor and the effect of 

 the lack of phosphorus in the feed on the composition of the egg, 

 particularly the shell, vrere studied. Some analyses were also made 

 of the chicks after hatching. 



The studies on the effect of pressure in the preservation of fruits, 

 vegetables, and milk have resulted in getting the death point of bac- 

 teria and other organisms under pressure and as related to time and 

 temperature. The effect of pressure on chemical reactions was also 

 investigated. New apparatus of increased efficiency was devised and 

 constructed for further Avork. 



In the work on the artificial fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by 

 means of electrical discharges, the nitric acid yield as the result of 

 the use of a new apparatus was increased to considerably more than 

 has been secured by other investigators. 



The study of acidity in soils covered the various methods for deter- 

 mining acidity, and work was done with soils from different parts 

 of the State. The effects of oxidation and aeration on the acidity of 

 soils were studied, but in this connection difficulty was encountered 

 with the methods at hand for measuring small changes in acidity. 



The life history of the woolly aphis was worked through from the 

 winter egg to the insect of next season, but sufficient material to se- 

 cure the winter eggs was not procurable, and this point still remains 

 to be investigated. 



Other activities of the station supported by Hatch and State funds 

 included experiments in spraying potatoes with Bordeaux mixture, 

 special attention being given to the preparation of the spraying mix- 

 tures. The needs of lime for certain crops were determined and these 

 results were of value also in the study of soil acidity. 



Horticultural work continued from previous years comprised a 

 test of varieties, pruning experiments, trials with cover crops, and a 

 study of the cost of production carried on cooperatively in an apple 

 orchard at Lost Creek. A demonstration apple orchard was set out 

 at Berkeley Springs, in which some experimental work will be done, 

 and a plum orchard was established at the station for the study of 

 varieties and culture. The potato work at Reidsville, in cooperation 

 with this department, was moved to Terra Alta, which has an eleva- 

 tion of about 3,000 feet. Hill selection, breeding work, and fertilizer 

 and variet}^ tests were pursued and work was begun to demonstrate 

 the possibility of growing seed potatoes for certain southern localities, 

 and thus to make the use of northern-grown seed unnecessary. Ferti- 



