MINNESOTA. 169 



increased and the opsonic index was lowered. Much attention was 

 given to the study of the effect of imperfect ventilation upon disease 

 resistance b}' investigating the phagocytic power of the leucocytes. 

 For the purpose of this project a urine harness was made together 

 with other equipment, and a stall fitted up in which the urine could 

 be collected. 



The work on the rusts of cereals is conducted on a 2^-acre field 

 where a large number of individuals and hj^brids are grown from 

 which selections are made. An accurate system of causing a rust 

 epidemic was developed, and laboratory experiments were conducted 

 particularly with reference to spore germination. Various physio- 

 logical and other experiments Avith regard to rust questions were car- 

 ried on, and a bulletin prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry was submitted for publication. 



In addition to the Adams-fund projects, many lines of work sup- 

 ported by Hatch and other funds were in progress. The department 

 of botany and plant pathology continued its work on diseases of 

 plants, botanical features of weeds, and on weed seeds and seed mix- 

 tures. A large number of hybrids of cereals were tested for their 

 rust resistance. Some of the experiments on smuts of cereals were 

 completed and the results prepared for publication. Extensive ex- 

 periments were also conducted on aster blight, damping off of conif- 

 erous seedlings, potato diseases, particularly internal brown rot, 

 fruit rot of tomatoes, and an unknown cucumber disease. A large 

 number of botanical determinations of weeds were made during the 

 year, and spraying experiments for the destruction of weeds were 

 conducted. About 800 tests for purity and germination of seeds 

 were made. 



The chemical department conducted cooperative fertilizer experi- 

 ments on 15 farms* in the State, and made a survey of 22 demonstra- 

 tion farms and -1 substation farms as to soil type and inherent fer- 

 tility. Equipment was installed and preparation was made to begin 

 the study of the effect of time of cooking on the composition of cereal 

 breakfast foods. This department was also ready to undertake ex- 

 periments in the production of alcohol from the cheaper plants and 

 residues. 



The entomologist worked on the life history of the clover-seed 

 chalcis and of the confused flour beetle. He also made observations 

 on the San Jose scale to determine whether it would withstand the 

 winters, on methods of combating grasshoppers in the field, and 

 on the efficiency of insecticides. 



The principal investigations and experiments conducted by the 

 agriculturist during the year were along the lines of plant breeding, 

 crop rotation, cost of crop production, and quack-grass eradication. 

 Under the special appropriation for the eradication of weeds, a 



