EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 251 



the huckleberry ; at the Graham Station a similar collection is being as- 

 sembled of the improved hardy nut varieties. 



At present, adequate facilities are lacking for a laboratory study of 

 samples of fruit, fruit spurs, leaves, roots and other tissues from cul- 

 tural, fertilizer and other experimental plots. However, it is expected 

 that such facilities will be provided in the research laboratories of the 

 new Horticultural Building. 



An effort has been made to meet the increasing demand on the part 

 of growers' organizations and other horticultural interests for lectures, 

 demonstrations and various other types of service. This is a type of 

 extension work, but it has seemed desirable for some of the resident 

 instruction and experiment station staff to devote a small portion of their 

 time to it. 



Much of the investigational work of the department is conducted 

 away from East Lansing, an effort being made so to locate it as to reach 

 the largest number of growers and work under conditions typical of the 

 particular industry or problem. 



Kespectfully submitted, 



V. R. GARDNER, 



Horticulturist. 



REPORT OF THE SECTION OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY. 



To the Director: 



Sir: — ^I herewith submit a brief report of the work of the Section of 

 Poultry for the year ending June 30, 1923 : 



Complete reports of the experimental poultry work are not available 

 at this time owing to the fact that the poultry year is operative from 

 November 1st, to October 31st. 



The First Michigan International Egg Laying Contest, which is now 

 in operation will be concluded the last day of October. Complete trap- 

 nest records on one thousand hens in competition and an additional 

 one hundred in reserve, are being recorded. The entries include thirteen 

 popular commercial varieties of poultry entered by prominent breeders 

 in tifteen different states. 



The following information of real economic importance is being ac- 

 cumulated : 



(1) Complete records on feed consumption including grain, dry and 

 wet mash, milk, grit, shell, and charcoal, are made on all pens. 



(2) The time and duration of the moult and its relation to yearly 

 records. 



(3) Weight of eggs by breeds at different seasons of the year. 



(4) Graph showing curves representing production, by breeds, and 

 the influence of weather on seasonal egg records. 



(5) Symptoms and autopsies by H. J. Stafseth of the Division of 

 Bacteriology' of all mortalities occurring during the contest year. Meth- 



