ILLINOIS. 131 



horse husbandrj'^, and R. B. Howe and I. S. Brooks, assistants in 

 pomology ; C. H. Myers, assistant chemist ; D, L. James, assistant in 

 dairy husbandry; and L. Ilegnauer, assistant in crop production, re- 

 signed during the year. After the close of the fiscal year, H. P. 

 Rusk, formerly of the Indiana station, was made assistant in animal 

 iiusbandry. The only increase in the funds of the station in addi- 

 tion to the increase in the Adams fund was for soil investigation, and 

 this amount was used largely to extend the work of the soil survey. 



Five of the station's projects were maintained in part by the Adams 

 fund. Three of the projects deal with problems in breeding plants 

 and animals. The experiments on inbreeding of pigs and corn have 

 given evidence that long-continued inbreeding of corn is followed 

 by the appearance of strains that flourish comparatively w^ell under 

 close breeding. The purpose of the work in inbreeding of pigs is 

 not to study the results of the investigation upon general averages 

 alone, but also to secure individuals which may not suffer under in- 

 breeding. A large amount of data has accumulated in the various 

 inbreeding investigations. Especial attention w^as given to the 

 proper methods of analyzing the data, and the likelihood of the ap- 

 pearance of false correlation in the study of the heredity problem 

 was established. 



The transmission of characters in apples, sweet peas, strawberries, 

 and Rubus was also studied. Special attention was given to the 

 behavior of color transmission in sweet peas, and some significant 

 although not yet quite conclusive data bearing upon this point were 

 secured. 



The chemical study of the composition of various spray materials 

 was continued, particularly Bordeaux and lime-sulphur mixtures 

 prepared in different ways, and of their effect on foliage under 

 various conditions. The results up to date show no evidence indi- 

 cating danger to orchard trees from the accumulation of copper 

 sulphate in the soil as a result of spraying. The trouble known as 

 yellowing of leaves did not appear to have any relation to weather 

 conditions and to the use of Bordeaux mixture. It was shown that 

 copper sulphate solutions cause yellowing when of sufficient strength. 

 These solutions, varying from 1 : 100 to 1 : 1,000, wdien absorbed by 

 trees through wounds invariably killed the leaves on the particular 

 part affected and caused them to turn brown. In one case absorption 

 of a solution 1 : 25,000 was followed by yellowing of the leaves. 



A large amount of analytical data has also accumulated in the 

 investigations on the digestion and utilization of feed in mainte- 

 nance, . growth, and fattening, carried on with steers, swine, and 

 sheep. 



A large amount and variety of work was also performed under 

 the Hatch and other funds in addition to the Adams-fund projects. 



