MARYLAND. 127 



ec-ononiictil iiu'thods for improviiit^ the koopinfr <iii;ilitios of milk with- 

 out th(! use of preserviitivo materials. Tlie dairvuian is now studviiH"- 

 the eheTuical elian<^es in the eompo.sition of milk with advanein*,^ lacta- 

 tion, ineluding in the determinations the casein and all)umen, as well 

 as the total solids and fat. Attention is also being given to the l>reed- 

 ing u}) of a dairy herd and the growing of forage crops for dairy cows. 

 Alfalfa has been produced quite extensively in the State and gives 

 very satisfactorv results. 



The station is experimenting with various methods of seeding and 

 inoculating the soil and has taken up work with alkali soils, which are 

 said to l)e (piite prevalent in the State. The chief work of the veteri- 

 narian has been in connection with an outbreak of tuberculosis in the 

 herd. About 27 animals are now <{uarantined, this number including 

 (piitt' a number of young cattle which have been secured in a series 

 of l)reeding-up experiments with the ordinary cattle of the State. In 

 the horticultural department the practice of growing green crops and 

 composting them has proved very satisfactory as a means of keeping 

 up the greenhouse soil. The entomologist and vegetable pathologist 

 continue to carrv on incidental investigations in connection with the 

 horticultural inspection work in the State. The station is cooperating 

 with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this Department in making 

 cereal investigations, variety tests of sweet potatoes, and studies of 

 the influence of origin of red-clover seed on yield of crop; with the 

 Bureau of Chemistry in investigating the gluten content of wheat 

 and the influence of environment on the sugar content of musk- 

 melons, and with the Bureau of Soils in a chemical stud}- of soils and 

 in making a soil surve3\ There have ))een a numl)er of changes in 

 the staff during the year, due to resignations to accept positions in 

 this Department or in other stations. 



There is increasino- evidence that the work of the Marvlaiul Station 

 is influencing the practice of the better farmers of the State, and the 

 $5,000 appropi'iation given it by the last legislature was evidence of 

 the ap})reciation in which it is held. It has considerable work in 

 progress, which is being developed along a few safc^ and iin])ortant 

 lines, and there is good opi)ortunity for undertaking important in- 

 vestigations in several other lines. The horticultural interests of 

 the State ai'c vei-y large, and some of the i)i'ol>lems affecting them are 

 in need of investigation. This is especially truc^ of diseases and insect 

 pests affecting horticultural crops and problems in truck growing, 

 particularly the application of irrigation to the production of market- 

 garden crops in the vicinity of large cities. At the ])resent time, 

 however, the funds of the station are not suliicieut to enable it to 

 undertake additional work. 



