Rki-ori- (IF Till-: President. xv 



best resist rust, the experiments to improve the corn crops by 

 proper selection and to secure early strains adapted for cultiva- 

 tion in this State, the experiments in the breeding of oats and 

 wheat, experiments in potato breeding, etc. All this work looks 

 toward improved varieties, but the work conducted by this de- 

 partment under the Adams Act is recjuired by the text of the 

 law to be limited to investigations of fundamental scientific 

 nature. All the research carried on under this act is, therefore, 

 along the lines of fundamental laws of breeding, — investigating 

 the causes of variation, the laws of inheritance, the accumula- 

 ti\e action of selection, studies in mutation, etc. 



(c) It has been found necessary for investigators always to 

 keep in fairly close touch with the farmers of the State in order 

 to appreciate what problems are of the most importance. For 

 this reason, the extension work of the department during the 

 year has included about 25 lectures given in various parts of the 

 State, exhibits at county and State fairs, and co-operative work 

 in the breeding of corn, grains, and potatoes. 



IV. Department of Plant Physiology. 



(a) This department has offered seven regular courses which 

 were attended by a total of no students. In addition 36 grad- 

 uates registered for advanced work in the laboratories. 



(b) Among the lines of research inxestigation that have been 

 carried on are, first, an attempt to secure a complete record of 

 the action of nutrient solutions of different composition upon 

 plant growth; secondly, observations on the influence of en- 

 vironment upon plant growth ; thirdly, a study of the fixation 

 of nitrogen by fungi ; fourthly, special studies in certain physio- 

 logical diseases of plants, notably the gum diseases of drupaceous 

 and citrus fruits, etc. 



(c) Owing to lack of funds the extension work has been neces- 

 sarily confined to correspondence and to co-operation with the 

 work of the regular extension department of the College. 



V. Department of Plant Pathology. 



(a) Five new courses were offered during the year making 

 seven regular courses besides two winter courses. About 120 

 students registered, nearly twice as many as in \(.)oy-ie;o8. 



(b) The research work of this department is naturally confined 

 mainly to the study of plant diseases. Tm])(irtant work has been 



