MISSOURI. 139 



OENERAI. 0I:TI,00K. 



The work of the, Missouri Stutioii has progressed steadily and in a 

 very satisfactory manner. In the department of animal husl)andrv 

 cattle-feeding experiments of considerable importance, partly in coop- 

 eration with the Bureau of Animal Industry- of this Department, have 

 l)een conducted to determine the economy of using- cotton-seed meal 

 for fattening cattle and the efticiency of Missouri ])luegrass for tinish- 

 ing prime cattle. Breeding experiments with guinea pigs, mice, and 

 pigeons have been undertaken to determine, among other things, the 

 influence of birth weight upon development and maturity. It has been 

 found that a heavy birth weight is distinctly favorable to vigorous 

 development and early maturity. Other problems in breeding will be 

 undertaken and given prominence in the work of the station. The 

 horticulturist has continued his investigations on the culture and care 

 of fruits, and is doing considerable work in grafting and selecting. 

 The relation of color of twigs to hardiness of peach trees is l)eing 

 investigated, also problems in the irrigation of strawberries, garden 

 vegetables, and nurser}' stock in cooperation with this OfBce. In 

 dairying some of the problems studied are an improved method of 

 testing cream for fat, the effect of spaying milch cows, and the eco- 

 nomic value of fly repellents. In the chemical department a dry Bor- 

 deaux mixture has been devised. The agronomist is studying rotations, 

 alfalfa culture under various soil conditions, and northern and home- 

 grown seed of wheat, oats, and corn. He is cooperating with farmers 

 in growing alfalfa and in testing fertilizers for corn and soil inocula- 

 tions. A part of this work is also in cooperation with the liureau of 

 Plant Industry of this Department, with which the station is cooperat- 

 ing in testing the formation and management of meadows and pastures 

 and the influence of origin of red-clover seed on yield of crop. With 

 the Bureau of Chemistry the station is studying the available plant 

 food in soils and investigating the gluten content of wheat. 



The Missouri Station is growing rapidly in lunnber of investigators 

 and material equipment. Its building operations of the past year, 

 which have included the completion of a fine new !i^4( 1,000 stone build- 

 ing for horticulture, botany, and entomology, a stone building for vet- 

 erinary science and animal husbandry, including a laboratory of animal 

 breeding (PI. IV, tig. 2), and new barns and feeding sheds, have tempo- 

 rarily interrupted its work in some lines, l)ut it is in better shape than 

 ever before for work of high grade. It is making an int(Mesting and 

 very valuable study of "bal)y beef" production. Dairy work is being 

 tiiken up and has a close connection with work in b(>ef production. 

 The fruit interests of the Stjite now exceed those of an}' other State in 

 area of orchards, and its work in this line is a prominent feature. The 

 station continues to take quite a prominent part in the farmers' insti- 



