118 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



effect of a siiccnleut factor (roots) in the ration on (1) qnalily and 

 (jnantitv in wool production, (2) size and vigor of lambs at birth, (o) 

 ability to produce milk and (4) effect on quantity and quality of meat 

 jiroduced. Thus far sixty breeding ewes and forty lambs have been 

 used in the experiment; the first of the series of three tests in this ex- 

 ])eriment is complete. 



I regret to report that the exjierimental work with swine was stopped 

 entirely by an e{)idemic of swine disease which broke out about the 

 first of the present calendar year and continued for about two months. 

 The first of a series of experiments Avas in ])rogress to determine the 

 relative cost of jtroduction with extreme bacon, lard and intermediate 

 1y[)es of hogs. The I'ohmd China was chosen to reini'smt the bird lyi»e, 

 and Tamworths and Yorkshires the bacon type. Tlie intermediatt' sorts 

 were ja-oduced by using Poland China, Duroc Jersey and Berksliire 

 boars on Tamwortli and Yorkshire sows. As these crosses cannot be 

 bought in the mai-ket but must be produced here, this work cannot be 

 })ut under way again before the spring of 1908. Large numbers of ]>igs 

 of the various types were being used in the tests which are to run through- 

 out tliree series. 



In tliree different localities in the state at private farms, work was 

 undertaken to determine the efficiency of dried beet pulp as a sup])le- 

 ment to failing jjastures for dairy cows. Further work along this line 

 seems necessary before i-eporting. One great obstacle in the way of 

 carrying out this work resulted from the lack of available wagon or 

 stock scales iu farming communities. 



Eespectfullv submitted, 



II. S. STIAAY, 

 Experimenter with Live Stock. 

 Agricultural College, Mich.. June 30, 1907. 



KEPORT OF THE CHEMIST OF EXPEIUAIENT STATION. 



Director C. 1). Smith, College: 



I submit herewith a brief report of the work of the chemical depait- 

 ment for the year ending June oO(h, 190". 



The work of the dejtartment is divided naturally into two kinds, 

 namely, investigational and loutine analytical. The greater part of 

 the time of the department is taken uj) with llie latter and must nee 

 essarially be so under the }»res<'nt conditions for several reasons. Onr 

 laboratory facilities are inade(iuate to accommodate more than two 

 (•hemists working at tlu' same time and then, only when they are doing 

 work of a similar nature. A considerable nund>er of sami)les of feed- 

 ing stuffs, fei-tilizers, sugar beets, soils, etc., are sent iu for analysis and 

 when it is jiossible to <-om|»]y with the reipiest it is always done. AVe 

 have also Ikhmi called upon to do more or less work for the other deitart- 

 meuts. All this consumes a lai-ge portion of onr time, and, tliongh it 

 is legitimate and necessary work it reflects but little credit, i>ublically. 

 to this department, and conscMiuently leaves but small opportunity for 

 investigational Avork. 



