EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 



253 



laboratory^for analysis. At^the present writing a very short rod-shaped 

 organism has been isolated;. which produces a sliminess when inoculated 

 into sterile milk tubes. The farmer has been advised to thoroughly sterilize 

 all his utensils and to avoid getting any water into the milk during cooling. 

 It is not known whether the instructions are being carried out. 



"(8) Considerable investigation has been made of a serious trouble in 

 a dried milk plant. The trouble consists of excessive foaming of the 

 separated milk and of subsequent burning on the coils of the vacuum pan. 

 The trouble is still being investigated and the partial results secured 

 should not be reported at the present time." 



Research Assistant C. G. Nobles returned and resumed his work in Jan- 

 uary of this year, but resigned April 1st to engage in farming in New York 

 state. He was a good worker and carried on his investigations and routine 

 duties faithfully at all times. We were fortunate in procuring immediately 

 the services of Dr. Robert M. Snyder to carry on the project without any 

 halt or delay. Dr. Snyder reports as follows: 



"The work with the symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixing 

 organisms has been conducted by Mr. Charles G. Nobles up until April 

 first of this year. The research carried on by Mr. Nobles concerned it- 

 self primarily with the influence of soil type and soil fertility on nodule 

 formation. This work is being continued now after an unavoidable 

 interruption due to the war. Field studies have been outlined for this 

 summer which will, it is hoped throw further light on this problem. 

 During the coming year nitrogen fixation studies will be undertaken in 

 connection with Adams project 2c. 



"Only a few reports on legume inoculation have been received this 

 past year from farmers and others to whom cultures have been sent. 

 In order that more information as to the exact measure of success at- 

 tending the inoculation of certain legumes may be obtained, it seems 

 desirable that those using cultures be more forcibly impressed with their 

 obligation to report the results. Efforts will be made to obtain this infor- 

 mation through county agents, and by circulars sent to the farmers at the 

 close of the year." 



*Alf., alfalfa; S. C, sweet clover; R. C, red clover; A. 0., alsike clover; W. C, white clover; F. B., field bean; S. B., 

 8(^ bean; G. B., garden bean; F. P., field pea; C. P., cow pea; V., Vetch; G. P., garden pea. 



