VIRGINIA. 163 



experiments, variety tests of cereals, rotation experiments, soil im- 

 provement, etc. 



The veterinarian is working on spinal meningitis in horses which 

 has been assumed to be due to mold on feed. As yet it has not been 

 found possible to infect animals with the disease from this source. A 

 device for the treatment of milk fever has been perfected which sim- 

 plifies the method of treatment and reduces the cost of the necessary 

 apparatus. 



The chemical work has been given more definite form and is better 

 differentiated from the college work than formerly. A study has 

 been undertaken of problems relating to the fixation of various min- 

 eral elements in soils as influenced by crop rotations and by the 

 addition of chemical elements. The investigation is being carried on 

 with soils of different types in the State. 



Cooperative experiments have been undertaken to a limited extent 

 with farmers of the State. The station is distributing cultures for use 

 Avith legumes, ferments for the making of cider, and a limited quan- 

 tity of the best varieties of grain. The principal extension work has 

 been through the farmers' institutes, which continue to grow. More 

 than 1,000 farmers visited the station during the month of July. 

 Various members of the station staff have given lectures on elemen- 

 tary agriculture, nature study, and related topics before schools and 

 colleges in the State, and teachers in summer normal schools. This 

 work is having a wholesome effect, and as a result there is greater 

 interest in the teaching of elementary agriculture in the public 

 schools. Considerable improvement has been accomplished in the 

 rural schools of the State, and in the establishing of consolidated and 

 high schools giving instruction in agriculture. 



The publications received from this station during the year are as 

 follows: Bulletins 154, The inoculation and cultivation of alfalfa; 

 155, Meteorological data and bloom notes of fruits; 156, Gluten and 

 cotton-seed meal with silage, hay, and stover for dairy cows; 157, 

 Silage, hay, and stover in beef making; 158, Milk fever — its causes, 

 symptoms, and successful treatment; and 159, Soil inoculation with 

 artificial cultures; and the Annual Report for 1905. 



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

 follows : 



United States appropriation, Hatch Act $15,000.00 



United States appropriation, Adams Act .5, 000. 00 



Miscellaneous 142. 60 



Total 20, 142. 60 



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. 



