166 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



trials of cover crops with orchardists have been continued. A plant 

 disease survey has been made of the State. 



Among other investigations completed during the year are studies 

 of nitro cultures and an examination of the limestones and salt brines 

 of the State, the latter with special reference to cattle poisoning. 



The chemist has resumed his studies on the effect of pressure on 

 the preservation of fruit juices, using pressures as high as 30,000 

 pounds to the square inch. Juices so treated have been kept without 

 deterioration for tw^o years. An attempt is being made to obtain 

 a noncorrosive can lining. A new pressure machine is being con- 

 structed for the station w^ork which will enable larger quantities of 

 juice to be treated. The chemist is also continuing his studies of the 

 production of nitric acid from the atmosphere by means of pressure. 



The entomologists are working out the life historv of the woollv 

 aphis and the relative immunity of apple trees to it. A single tree 

 has been found which seems to be immune, and some immune stock 

 from Australia has been imported for grafting. The snout beetles 

 infesting nuts, especially the chestnut and hickory, are also being 

 investigated and the egg-laying process of the hickory weevil has 

 been worked out. 



Commercial problems form the main features of the work of the 

 agricultural department. A house holding over 700 hens has been 

 built for poultry raising on a large scale. An Ayrshire-Jerse}'- cross 

 is being developed for milk production, the objects sought being a 

 larger yield and smaller fat globules. A refrigerating plant and 

 complete modern dairy equipment have recently been installed, 

 mainly for demonstration of improved methods in marketing milk 

 for city trade and studies of the changes in milk at low temperatures. 



From this station the following publications have been received: 

 Bulletins 94, Diseases of melons and cucumbers during 1903 and 

 1904; 96, A report on plant diseases of the State; 97, Commercial 

 fertilizers; 99, Experiments with fertilizers; 100, The grape curculio; 

 104, The ripe rot or nnmimy disease of guavas; and 105, Tubercles 

 on legmnes with and without cultures; and a report on nursery and 

 orchard inspection, 1904-5. 



The income of this station during the past fiscal year was as 



follows : 



United States appropriation. Ilatcli Act .$15,000.00 



United States appropriation, Adams Act .5,000.00 



Fees 9, 066. 94 



Farm products 3, 672. 54 



Total 32,739.48 



Reports of the receipts and expenditures for the United States 

 funds have been rendered in accordance- with the schedules pre- 

 scribed by this Department and have been approved. 



