EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 171 



During Dr. Boujoiicus' abseucc his place will be temporarily filled 

 by Mr. P. E. Karrakcr. Mr. Karraker will have general direction of 

 the obsei-vations above referred to, but will devote the major part of his 

 time to a new line of soil investigation. This will be a study of some 

 of the factors involved in capillary movements of soil water. 



Mr. Spurway's time has been so fully employed with teaching and ex- 

 tension work that he has been able to do little in the way of investi- 

 gation. From time to time in his instructional work questions have 

 been suggested which have called for some work along this line, and 

 have perhaps bared clues which may lead later to interesting conclusions. 



For some years past this department has felt the need of greenhouse 

 facilities for carrying on certain of its soil investigation work. The 

 need for such facilities is increasing. It is to he sincerely hoped that 

 some provision can be made in the very near future by which this de- 

 partment may be equipped, even though in a limited way, with such 

 facilities. 



In submitting this, my last report, I desire to express my sincere 

 appreciation, of the uniform consideration and kindness received at your 

 hands during the years of our association. 



Very respectfully, 



'jOS. A. JEFFERY, 



Soil Physicist. 



East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1913. 



REPORT OF THE BOTANIST. 



Director R. S. Shaw. 



Dear Sir — I herewith submit the report of the work of the Botanical 

 division for the year ending June 30. 1913. 



The staff has been the same as at the close of the preceding year, 

 viz : Dr. R. P. Hibbard. Research Assistant in Plant Physiology and 

 Professor G. H. Coons, Research Assistant in Plant Pathology. 



Professor Coons was absent on leave to study at the University of 

 Michigan a portion of the spring but returned to work about the middle 

 of eTune. 



The w^ork that has been undertaken and accomplished by Professor 

 Coons and Dr. Hibbard is reported on more in detail in special reports 

 from these two which are herewith appended and made a part of my 

 report, together with an article by Professor Coons on the use of the 

 pneumatic chisel for pruning purposes Avhich I would recommend 

 be printed with the report. 



Considerable apparatus along the line of plant physiology has been 

 added so that the equipment along that line is very excellent. 



Rospectfullv submitted. 



ERNST A. BESSEY, 



Botanist. 



East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1913. 



Prof. Ernst A. Bessey. 



Dear Sir — At your request I submit a report of the work done during 

 the past fiscal year. "My Avoi-k, aside from the work done in the col- 



