Department of Plant Physiology. 37 



this will be made a prominent feature of experimental work of one 

 assistant during 1908-9. In connection with this work, an examina- 

 tion of the effects of commercial preparations of leguminous bacteria 

 has been made, and some methods of preparing the bacteria are being- 

 studied. 



(g) A problem in enzymatic action has been undertaken, dealing 

 with the organisms required and the conditions favoring the fermenta- 

 tion of tannin in commercial products. 



(h) Material has been collected for studies on the dytology of some 

 hybrid agricultural plants. 



Extension Work. 



The extension work has necessarily been limited because of the 

 necessity of utilizing a very considerable part of the available funds 

 for equipment. The department, however, has co-operated in every 

 manner possible with the Extension Office, and plans to assist in the 

 preparation of leaflets for the graded schools and for the Farmers' 

 Reading-Course. 



Staff and Equipment. 



Mr. Lewis Knudson, assistant in the department during the season 

 1908, has been appointed instructor for the year 1908-9, and the 

 staff' has been increased by the appointment for the same year of 

 Mr. M. M. McCool, B. S. A., University of Missouri, as assistant. 



During the period which this report covers, the department had 

 temporarily teaching and investigation headquarters in a part of the 

 laboratory of Field Crops. This temporary arrangement prevented 

 the installation of apparatus required and made it difficult to push 

 vigorously the general work of the laboratory. During the late 

 summer, however, a rearrangement of quarters has been effected 

 whereby the Department of Plant Physiology has been transferred 

 to the laboratory space on the first floor of the Agronomy building 

 formerly occupied by the Department of Soils. This must afford for 

 the season 1908-9 satisfactorv facilities for the teaching work. 



I 



Recommendations. 



It is urged that the efficiency of the wOrk in Plant Physiology, and 

 it is believed that the efficiency of the work in plant industry gen- 

 erally, would be greatly enhanced by the establishment and mainte- 

 nance, as soon as possible, of a plant industry garden. The special 

 experimental plots of the diverse departments seem only to fill special 



