264 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



1919. Mr. Gersliberg assisted me in the field and laboratory work this 

 past year as in the previous year. A more earnest, more exact, and more 

 careful scientific worker among the younger investigators would be 

 hard to find. His work is above reproach and his interest in the problems 

 is much above the ordinary. 



STATE FUND WORK. 



As noted in my last report, a new problem was started under this 

 fund. Mr. Young, who was then appointed a Research Associate in 

 Plant Physiology, was assigned the new work. The formal statement of 

 the problem is as follows : ''The physiological etfect on life processes 

 of certain selected plants when growing under deficient or improper nutri- 

 tive conditions." Little was done on this problem, since Mr. Young en- 

 tered the army shortly afterward. On his return last September the work 

 was actively pursued. Tlie sugar beet was the crop selected and the effect 

 of the various salt ratios on the sugar content of the beet the first phase 

 of the problem attempted. The plants were raised -in water culture and 

 sand culture. It is too early yet to report on definite conclusions. Mucli 

 has been learned in regard to methods and difi'erences have been noted 

 in sugar content under different conditions, but considerable has yet to 

 be learned about the general problem of growing root crops in water 

 culture and sand culture, 



COOPERATIVE WORK. 



In addition to the work mentioned above, the division of Plant Physi- 

 ology is cooperating in three problems — (1) To study the effect of nitro- 

 genous fertilizers under different conditions and the physiological 

 changes resulting from these applications on the vegetative growth and 

 fruit production of apple trees in their unfruitful condition. (2) The 

 determination of the salt requirement of agricultural plants. (3) A soil 

 temperature survej'^ of the United States and Canada. 



The scope of these problems may be outlined as follows : 



In regard to the first problem, this department is cooj^erating with 

 the Horticultural and Soils departments of the College. This problem 

 has been in force since early spring. Several trips have been made by 

 Mr. Young and myself to the particular apple orchard in question and 

 various studies made and many data collected. This problem will be con- 

 tinued for a longer ])eriod of time than the present season so a more 

 complete report can be given later. 



In regard to the second problem (in cooperation Avitli the National 

 Researcli Council) considerable progress has been made during the 

 past year. In view of the fact that the outline of work sent out by the 

 Council showed a similarity with lines of work being conducted liere 

 we found very little difficulty in taking on this extra work. Three 

 phases of the four which the Council outlined have been completed. 

 The results of the first two were embodied in one report of about thirty 

 typewritten pages and forwarded to the Chairman of the committee in 

 May, and the third phase will be written up for publication as soon as 

 possible. 



The third problem is carried on in cooperation with the Ecological 

 Society of America. In regard io tliis, progress h;is also been made. 



