102 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



system of pot-cultiire experiments, to determine the depth to which 

 phmts feed, has been started during the year. Breeding experi- 

 ments with wheat, oats, and clover have also been inaugurated, and 

 corn-breeding experiments have been extended to cover a great variety 

 of points, including the breeding of corn upon some of the poorer 

 lands of the State. The laboratory for soil analysis has been enlarged, 

 and some new and larger laboratories have been provided for investi- 

 gations in farm mechanics (PI. Ill, fig. 1), soil physics, and crop 

 production. 



Studies are being made with swine to determine the protein re- 

 quirements, with sheep to determine the proper ratio of roughage to 

 concentrates, and in fattening draft horses for market. The breeding 

 of beef cattle of a dual-purpose type for economy of production is 

 receiving attention, and studies of market conditions are continuing. 

 A field agent is traversing the State to ascertain from actual observa- 

 tions leading problems in cattle feeding and to introduce improved 

 methods. A building for swine feeding, costing about $2,000, has 

 been completed. 



The horticultural department is studying, with the aid of a chem- 

 ist, changes in the composition of spraying materials after applica- 

 tion, and is conducting a large amount of demonstration work with 

 vegetables and fruits at various places in the State. Studies of the 

 bitter rot, drainage, fertilizers, renovation, storage, etc., have been 

 made with reference to local conditions in each case. 



The dairyman is conductiiig feeding experiments to show the 

 value of clover. He is meeting with good success in an endeavor to 

 build up the station herd by the use of a high-grade Holstein bull. 

 He is testing herds in the State, to show the diH'erences in individ- 

 uality of cows, and is also studying the milk supply of the larger 

 cities. 



During the year 5 bulletins, 12 circulars, and an annual report 

 were received from the station, as follows: Bulletins 102, The con- 

 struction of silos; 103, Comparison of methods of preparing corn 

 and clover hay for fattening steers; 104, Field experiments and ob- 

 servations on insects injurious to Indian corn; 105, The farmer's 

 vegetable garden ; and IOC), Spraying apples — relative merits of liquid 

 and dust applications; Circulars 90, Sampling of milk for composite 

 tests of individual cows; 91, 92, 94, and 98, Present methods of beef 

 production; 93, Should dairy cows be confined in stalls? 95, Sug- 

 gestions for the improvement of dairy barns; 9G, Soil improvement 

 for the Illinois corn belt; 97, Soil treatment foi' wheat on the poorer 

 lands of the Illinois wheat lu'lt : 00. The gist of 4 years' soil investi- 

 gation in the Illinois wheat belt; 100, The gist of four years' soil 

 investigation in the Illinois corn belt; and 101, Methods of testing 

 \:iriai)ility in coin; and the Annual Keport for lOOo. 



