ILLINOIS. 103 



The corn -breed inor work during the past ten years was summarized 

 in a bulletin durin<^ the year. Starting with a sin<rle variety it has 

 been possible in ten generations to increase the jirotein content from 

 10.\)'2 per cent to 14."2() per cent, and by breeding in the opposite 

 direction the protein content was reduced from 10.92 to 8.04 per cent. 

 Similarly, the oil content was increased in one strain of the original 

 Aariety from 4.70 to 7.30 per cent, and decreased in another strain 

 to 2.<)G per cent. 



Particular attention was given during the year to a study of the 

 molds or ear rots of corn. Two species of fungi were found asso- 

 ciated with this disease and they appear to winter over in the old 

 cornstalks. A new fungus disease of wheat is under observation 

 and some diseases of apple trees are also receiving attention. 



Work is in progress on about twenty-five experiment fields in dif- 

 ferent parts of the State. About one-half of this number of fields 

 is at present under permanent lease and two or three have been deeded 

 to the institution free of cost. The policy of the station to have 

 at least two representatives at each farmers' institute held in the 

 State is upheld, and is proving a very efficient means of bringing 

 the results of research to the people. Only the results of station 

 investigations are discussed bv the station officers. 



The i)ublica.tions received from this station during the year were 

 as follows: Bulletins 126, Distance between hills for corn in the 

 Illinois corn belt; 127, A study of the factors influencing the im- 

 provement of the potato; 128, Ten generations of corn breeding; 

 129, Market classes and grades of sheep; 130, Experiments with 

 repellents against the corn root aphis, 1905-G; 131, Habits and be- 

 havior of the corn field ant {Lasius niger americanus) ; 132, The 

 effect of selection upon certain physical characters in the corn plant; 

 133. Ear rots of corn; and 134, The insect pests of clover and alfalfa ; 

 Circulars 118, Cows versus cows; 119, Washing of soils and methods 

 of prevention; 120, Spraying apple orchards for insects and fungi; 

 121, Lighting country homes by private electric plants; 122, Seven 

 years' soil investigation in southern Illinois; 123, The status of soil 

 fertility investigations; 124, Chemical principles of soil fertility; 125, 

 The sheep industry from the market standpoint; 120, Food require- 

 ments of growing and fattening swine; 127, Shall we use natural 

 rock ph()S|)hate or manufactured acid ))hosphate for the permanent 

 improvement of Illinois soils; 128, Abstract of the proceedings of 

 the conference on animal tuberculosis at the University of Illinois, 

 October 15, 1908; 129, The use of connnercial fertilizers; and 130, 

 A phosj)hate problem for Illinois landowners; and the Annual Report 

 for 1908. 



