ALABAMA. 77 



mining the egg-laying capacity of fowls and the fertility of eggs; 

 the cause of deca\' in eggs ; and an investigation into the factors influ- 

 encing wool production, the scouring of avooI, and related topics. 



While this list is in no sense a complete one in scope or extent, it 

 serves to show something of the variety of topics undertaken and 

 indicates in a general Avay the character of the undertakings. It 

 will be evident that the subjects have been selected in a discriminating 

 manner and are being attacked in a way to give a scientific answer 

 which will disclose the various factors which are operative and some- 

 thing of tlieir relative importance. Coni^idering the r-onditions under 

 which the first year's work had to be planned, the difficulties of secur- 

 ing men. the lack of uniform standards, and the like, the programme 

 must be regarded as a verv satisfactorv one. 



REPORTS ON THE STATIONS. 



The following reports on the work and expenditures of the individ- 

 ual stations are, like previous reports, based on three sources of in- 

 formation, viz. the reports of personal inspection of the work and 

 expenditures of the stations, the annual financial statements of the 

 stations, rendered on the schedules prescribed by the Secretary of 

 Agriculture, and the printed reports and bulletins of the stations. 

 The personal inspection of the stations has been made by the Di- 

 rector, the assistant director (E. W. Allen), W. H. Beal, and Walter 

 H. Evans, who during the year visited all of the stations and reported 

 the results of their examination. Mr. II. L. Knight has assisted in 

 the compilation of the statements regarding the individual stations 

 under direct supervision of Dr. E. W. Allen, the assistant director. 



ALABAMA. 



Agricultural Experiment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 



Auburn. 



Department of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. 



.J. F. Dlggab. M. S., Director. 



An experiment was made al the Alabama Station during the year 

 in growing tomatoes under glass, with results which indicate that the 

 commercial growing of vegetables in greenhouses may be a profitable 

 industry in the State. Studies of poultry, of cultural questions rela- 

 tive to the oat crop, and of the shedding of the squares and bolls of 

 cotton have been brought to a close. A feeding experiment with beef 

 cattle was completed b}- the sale of the cattle in New Orleans. As 

 this experiment was successful as a commercial enterpri.se, it is be- 

 lieved that it will prove of service to the animal industry of the State. 

 The availability of fertilizers is being studied, particularly as to the 



