EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 205 



Cue of the most important phases of the work of this Section is with 

 the great ponltry disease problem of the State. The problem is not 

 peculiar to Michigan, and it is not being investigated alone in this 

 State, but we have onr full share of the various diseases of poultry since 

 the industry is extensive, and it is only proper that we do our full share 

 in contributing to an understanding of the troubles. It seems impossible 

 to do adequate instructional or extension work in poultry husbandry 

 without accompanying research. We are fortunate in having in Dr. 

 Stafseth a man, not only well trained, but one possessed of tremendous 

 energy and an unusual vision of his tield. He should have more and 

 more assistance in both research and in lield work. His report conclu- 

 sively demonstrates the magnitude of the task. 



Report of Research Associate H. J. Stafseth. 



During the year of 1922-1923 my time has been taken up largely by 

 routine examination of specimens sent in for diagnosis and by teaching. 

 Last year IIG specimens were examined bacteriologically or pathological- 

 ly. This year we examined 080. There were 2,779 blood s-Mnples tested by 

 the agglutination test during the fall of 1921 and winter of 1922. The 

 fall and winter of 19224923 show an increase to 5,297. 



Responses have been made to sixteen calls from poultry associations 

 and county agents to visit various sections of the state for the purpose 

 of investigating outbreaks of poultry diseases and giving instructions 

 relative to prevention and control. The very extensive correspondence- 

 connected with this work has demanded a great deal of time and thought. 

 Farm papers and poultry journals have sent in numerous requests for 

 information which has been given in the form of articles or answers 

 to specific questions. Inquiries regarding poultry disease problems 

 have also been received from Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, 

 California, Kansas, and Ontario. 



Graduate assistants, Miss Dorothy Yakeley and Mr. R. C. Thomas, 

 have rendered valuable assistance. Miss Yakeley has spent about one- 

 half of her time on her major problem, "A study of the microflora of the 

 intestines of normal chickens." Mr. Thomas has not selected a problem 

 but has spent about one-quarter of the time to the study of the patho- 

 genic bacteriology and immunology preparing to take up a problem in 

 this branch of bacteriology. 



It is apparent that while the work that we have had to do has greatly 

 increased, the assistance availa.Tble has been less than that of the previous 

 season during which time I had a technician devoting about three-quart- 

 ers of his time to my work, besides the help which I was able to get 

 from a senior student. 



The following table shows the results of 080 autopsies; 



