DEPARTMENT REPORTS 55 



this work. A total of 369 students includiug regular, federal and short 

 course have received instruction. 



The second type of work that has been given special attention is the 

 production and distribution of pedigree stock and eggs. The department 

 is unable to produce sufficient stock to meet this growing demand. Over 

 500 breeding males and 1,000 settings of hatching eggs, were distributed. 



The greatest need of the department at the present time is for addi- 

 tional pedigree houses. The practice of mass mating such as we are 

 forced to conduct, handicaps our work in breeding for increased produc- 

 tion, size, color, hatchability of egg, resistance to diseases and numerous 

 other problems of vital importance to the industry. 



The poultry department of M. A. C. is the only laboratory in the state 

 where such important problems of breeding can be carried on, and these 

 problems, which are of economic importance, should be given serious 

 consideration. 



Mr. C. M. Ferguson and R. D. Ure of the Extension Division have 

 devoted their time to lecture and demonstrational work, emphasizing all 

 factors involved in economic production. Demonstration farms are now 

 in operation in practically all counties under the direct supervision of 

 the poultry extension division. These farms will be used as auxiliary 

 breeding stations to demonstrate flock improvement by selective breeding. 



I desire at this time to commend to you the splendid co-operative spirit 

 and enthusiasm of the various members of the staff. We appreciate the 

 interest you have taken in our efforts to build up a department respected 

 by both students and farmers of the state. 



Respectfully submitted. 



E. C. FOREMAN, 

 Professor of Poultry Husbandry. 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOILS. 



To the president : — 



Sir: — It is with pleasure that I submit to you a report of the progress 

 tl! the Soils Department. From an educational standpoint the year has 

 been highly satisfactory. The students have manifested much interest 

 in the courses offered and the quality of the work done by them has been 

 much appreciated by the members of the teaching staff. 



There is a rapidly growing interest in soils problems throughout the 

 State. A large and increasing number of soil samples are received for 

 examination and in addition many inquiries regarding the use of lime 

 and fertilizer and for other information relative to methods of increasing 

 the productivity of the soil. 



One of the most perplexing problems of the Department is how to meet 

 the requests from county agents, farmers clubs and others for talks on soil 

 management. The members of the staff have met all such requests tfeey 



