164 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



deterioration in yields. The work on swamj) fever was actively 

 prosecuted with (l horses and an attempt was made to produce im- 

 nnmity hy inocuhilion with eciuine bhxxl. 



Under the Hatch Act, the chemist <j:ave considerable attention to 

 the storin*; and milling of wheat, the sweating of grains in bins and 

 stacks, the study of yeasts, and an investigation of paints, oils, and 

 varnishes. The work on paints was supported by a fund of $4,000, 

 contributed by parties interested in the manufacture of paints. The 

 inspection service of this department is quite extensive, including 

 foods, drugs, and waters. A new law provides for sanitary examina- 

 tion of the buildings used for slaughterhouses, food factories, 

 bakeries, fruit stands, hotels, and other business establishments. 



Hog-cholera studies were taken up owing to an outbreak of the 

 disease at the station, and the preparation and distribution of hog- 

 cholera serum was followed actively. The poultry work included 

 especiall}^ the keeping of records of egg production and the breeding 

 up of grade fowls. Breeding experiments with reference to local 

 conditions were also made, and efforts put forth to devise a poultry 

 house suited to the local climatic and farm conditions. The breeding 

 and feeding experiments were continued along the lines reported 

 heretofore, and experiments upon exercise versus confinement were 

 instituted. 



The agricultural department made a study of barley and corn 

 for pig feeding in continuation of the work already under way. 

 Work on the cost of production with dairy cows was carried on and 

 field crop breeding trials with wheat, oats, barley, corn, flax, alfalfa, 

 and clover at the station and the 4 substations were continued with 

 a view to improving the crops for the different districts of the State. 

 Cultural methods also constituted a feature of the work. Much 

 attention has recently been given to demonstration farms and sub- 

 stations. Nine additional demonstration farms were opened this year 

 with funds received from the State, and field work was instituted at 

 the substation of Langdon and the substation for the Hettinger 

 district was located and a farm selected. The substations at Dickin- 

 son and P^dgeley are well equipped and did useful w^ork. The soil 

 work of this department includes determinations of nitrogen and 

 moisture for the farms at Fargo and elsewhere in the State, with 

 special reference to the effects of rotation. Continuous grain crop- 

 ping about Fargo is being given up, and the effects of corn and 

 legumes were studied more fully during the past year. Special at- 

 tention is also given to corn breeding, the introduction of corn culture, 

 clover growing, and to winter wheat. 



In animal husbandry, experiments with pigs have special reference 

 to the economy of grain feeding, the utilization of waste products of 



