KANSAS. Ill 



Fiirther work was done by the department of chemistrj' on the 

 digestibility and nutritive value of Kansas feeds. Digestion experi- 

 ments were conducted with 4 sheep fed alfalfa and prairie hay in 

 various combinations and a report on the work was prejnired. The 

 nitrogen balance was determined in addition to other data collected 

 in a digestion experiment with two steers. 



The wheat-breeding work was carried forward as previously 

 planned. More ground was allotted for the work, and laboratory ap- 

 paratus was designed for special color tests and for testing the hard- 

 ness of grain. A special system of treatment was devised and atten- 

 tion was given in particular to the inheritance of characters. The 

 yellow berry of wheat was studied in this connection to determine its 

 true character and the extent to w^hich it is hereditary. The possi- 

 bility of breeding pure strains of wheat free from the yellow berry 

 under all conditions was discussed in a bulletin. 



In a number of other lines supported by Hatch and state funds 

 substantial progress was made. The veterinary department in addi- 

 tion to regular work carried on some experiments relating to opsonic 

 index and contagious abortion in cattle. The new veterinary build- 

 ing furnishes better facilities than heretofore for that department's 

 work. 



The department of entomology and zoology paid special attention 

 to the corn earworm. An etfort was made to determine the most 

 injurious broods, and trials were made of methods of repression. 

 The damage done by moles and mice, particulaly in cornfields, was 

 considered together with means for reducing or preventing injuries 

 of this kind. Certain phases of the Hessian-fly work were con- 

 ducted in cooperation with this Department, and a station was main- 

 tained for the purpose at Wilson. The mound-building prairie ant, 

 which is troublesome mainly in alfalfa fields, was studied, and a 

 description of its habits, together with directions for its destruction, 

 published in bulletin form. 



The department of agronomy conducted fertilizer experiments 

 with corn, wheat, oats, and alfalfa, together with work on the prepa- 

 ration of the seed bed and the cultivation of wheat and corn. Other 

 activities of this department included variety tests, selection, grading, 

 and distribution of seed and rotation experiments. 



A feeding experiment by the dairy husbandry department pointed 

 out the efficiency and low cost of feeding alfalfa hay and corn silage 

 as compared with mill feeds. Studies were also made relative to 

 the cause of irregidarities in results secured with the Babcock test 

 and to the moisture content of creamery butter. The animal hus- 

 bandry department conducted feeding experiments with cattle, hogs, 

 and sheep to determine the relative values of alfalfa hay and meal, 



