162 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



the agricultural deijartment, feldspar was compared with potash 

 salts for grass and clover, and several series of fertilizer tests with 

 different families of crops were conducted in field experiments. In 

 addition to these experiments tests of muriate and sulphate of potash 

 for potatoes, raspberries, asparagus, and other crops were made. 

 The regular field experiments in progress for many years and the 

 pot culture work comparing the availability of different sources of 

 nitrogen were continued. Three cuttings were made of alfalfa grown 

 at the station. Cooperative work with alfalfa was carried on in 

 about 24 experiments distributed in different parts of the State. 

 As a result of the methods advocated by the station, the crop made an 

 excellent start in all localities. 



The horticultural department studied the influence of stock and 

 scion on the apple with special reference to color, and carried on 

 pruning experiments with apples and other orchard fruits as well as 

 small fruits. In cooperation with the agricultural department, the 

 effect of high-grade and low-grade potash fertilizers on fruit trees 

 was studied at the station and elsewhere. 



The def>artment of vegetable physiology and pathology made 

 microscoi^ic examination of samples of seed to determine the possible 

 contamination from plant diseases, work on the perfection of seed- 

 separating devices for cutting dodder out of alfalfa and for other 

 similar purposes, and studied plant diseases, including malnutrition, 

 together with methods for their prevention and control. In this con- 

 nection market-garden crops and a large number of ornamental 

 l^lants were given attention. Experiments relating to the chemical 

 treatment of soil were continued for the purpose of observing the 

 effect of formalin and other chemicals on the prevalence of potato 

 scab. 



The entomologist studied methods of treatment for cabbage maggot 

 and methods of control of the Marguerite fly. Cooperative spraying 

 experiments were conducted to determine methods for the better 

 control of onion thrips, and the dates of hatching of the young of 

 the oyster-shell scale, scurfy scale, and pine-leaf scale were observed 

 to determine the best time for spraying. The control of wireworms 

 on corn was given attention, and a parasite of the asparagus beetle 

 was studied with reference to its life history. 



The veterinarian gave some attention to bovine tuberculosis in 

 attempting to transmit the disease to calves by feeding them skim 

 milk, and to the transmission of Japanese farcy in horses by 

 inoculation. 



The following publications were received from this station during 

 the year : Bulletins 129, Bee Keeping in Massachusetts ; 130, A Sum- 

 mary of Meteorological Observations; 131, Inspection of Commer- 

 cial Fertilizers; 132, Inspection of Commercial Feed Stuffs; Meteoro- 



