208 STATE BOARD OF AORICITLTURE. 



solution, the quality and intensity of the light, etc., besides the control 

 already frequently used for salts, salt proportion and total concentration 

 of the solution. 



The project entitled "The Physiological Effect on Life Processes of 

 Certain Plants Growing under Deficient or Improper Nutrition Condi- 

 tions" was continued under the guidance of H. C. Young. In its present 

 form it is directed towards a study of the effect of various fertilizer 

 applications on the variation of sugar content in the sugar heet. In addi- 

 tion, a study is being made on the variation in sugar content as influenced 

 by the unbalanced condition of the fertilizer salts. From studies in the 

 laboratory it has broadened out to studies in the field. This present 

 summer makes the second summer the project has been conducted in the 

 field. Some very important results have been obtained, the details of 

 which will be deferred until the present season's work is done. It is 

 also wise to carry the work further since it is very desirable to get con- 

 clusive evidence over a series of years, if possible. 



The experiment station work, besides that mentioned above, includes 

 three projects carried on in co-operation with, other organizations. 



1. Co-operation with the Horticultural Department, M. A. C. The 

 project under this co-operation is as follows : Fertilizer Experiments on 

 Apple Trees. The object of this investigation is to study the influence 

 of nitrogenous fertilizer under different conditions and the physiological 

 changes resulting from these applications on the vegetative growth and 

 fruit production of apple trees in tlieir unfiaiitful condition. 



The work was begun in 1920 and during my absence in 1921 was under 

 the direction of H. C. Young. Many good data have been collected along 

 the lines assigned to us, especially in (1) growth, (2) carbohydrate 

 determination, (3) Nitrogen determination, (4) Carbohydrate production 

 of the leaf, (5) leaf area and color, and (G) fruit setting. 



2. In co-operation with the Ecological Society of America we are col- 

 lecting soil temperature records. This season is the fourth season in this 

 co-operation. During my absence, 1921-1922, the work was kept going 

 as it took only a little time to change the record sheets on the instru- 

 ment eacb w^eek and only entailed a small financial outlay to get a 

 year's supply of record sheets. 



3. In co-operation with the National Eesearch Council a study ol the 

 salt requirements of agricultural crops was undertaken late in the year 

 1918. Considerable data have been collected and sent to the committee 

 in charge in the form of detailed reports. During the year 1921-1922, 

 on account of my absence, co-operation was discontinued. 



The work in the College included, as usual, graduate and under-graduate 

 instruction. With my absence at Johns Hopkins University this in- 

 structional work fell to Mr. H. C. Young and the large classes he handled 

 and the enthusiasm he instilled into the students certainly showed good 

 returns for the year's work in plant physiology. 



For your sympathy, co-operation, and willing assistance in all the 

 varied interests of jilant physiology, I wish to give you my many thanks. 



Respectfully, 



R. P. HIBBARD, 



Plant Physiologist. 



