246 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



rotations and the cooperation of a bacteriologist detailed from the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, In the experiment so far carried on it 

 was found that the nitric nitrogen tends to accumulate in the lower 

 foot sections during winter and spring. On alfalfa land the concen- 

 tration was found to be low, and cultivation seemed to increase the 

 amount of nitric nitrogen, but this effect did not seem permanent. 



The requirements of nitric nitrogen in the soil differed greatly with 

 different plants. There was a steady decrease in the concentration 

 of the nitric nitrogen content of potato and corn land from period to 

 period, while that on alfalfa and fallow land remained nearly con- 

 stant. On oat land the nitric nitrogen disappeared rapidly during 

 the last few weeks of plant growth. On the gliadin project a study 

 of methods was made, and milling and baking experiments were 

 conducted with other funds. 



The poultry department conducted the incubation and poultry- 

 breeding work as outlined. Special stress was laid on the incubation 

 project. A large incubator with several tiers of egg cases was con- 

 structed and fitted up with electric devices, thermometers, etc., for 

 measuring carbon dioxid, moisture, and temperature. With this 

 new incubator it is hoped to overcome most of the difficulties expe- 

 rienced in the operation of the ordinary machines. Experiments 

 have indicated the machine to be superior for experimental work to 

 anything yet tested. In the pedigree breeding work the number of 

 hens increased and the work was extended to the third year of the 

 chicken's life. Careful records were kept of every factor entering 

 into egg production and the vitality of stock. Results have shown 

 the value of selection in developing a laying strain of fowls, a 

 marked correlation having been found in every case between high- 

 laying mothers and their progeny. No special features were brought 

 out in the study of the cause of the extensive losses of chicks during 

 the first few weeks after hatching. 



In addition to the Adams-fund work, a number of lines of investi- 

 gation were carried on with Hatch and State funds. The depart- 

 ment of chemistry studied the effect of dry farming on nitrogen 

 formation in soils, and prepared the results for publication. In 

 connection with irrigation investigations on peaches, the dry matter 

 and relative proportions of flesh, skin, and stone were determined, 

 and special work was done on milling and baking tests and on soil 

 nitrate problems. The chemist also cooperated with the department 

 of agTonomy in studying the effect of formalin on the vitality of 

 seed grain. 



In the department of agronomy experiments were conducted for 

 the improvement of alfalfa hay by making selections with reference 

 to hay qualities from seven strains obtained from this department 

 and by crossing and growing individual plants. Studies were also 



