NEBRASKA. 143 



comparison of mulching and cultivation in potato culture, and 

 breeding work with the apple and peach. Considerable demonstra- 

 tion work in orchard s[)raying was done with state funds. The 

 department of soil agronomy made moisture determinations in the 

 station fields and tested the growth and use of sweet clover in corn 

 fields. 



The department of agronomy continued its work on wheat im- 

 provement. Thus far the data secured seem to show that i)rotein 

 content is not inherited, but some families were found to have :i 

 higher average of protein, and some selected strains showed a higher 

 protein content. This work also includes an efl'ort to improve the 

 metliods of breeding. 



The department of entomology built a new insectary, which makes 

 a larger amount of winter work possible, and pursued special studies 

 on the melon aphis, strawberry leaf-roller, squash-vine borer, and a 

 grass scale injuring hay fields. 



The work in animal husbandry is very largely a continuation of 

 previous enterprises. Eesults seem to show that at present prices, 

 linseed meal and cotton-seed meal for fattening cattle are of about 

 equal value, and that cotton-seed meal made by a new process is 

 quite satisfactory. Good results were also obtained by making a 

 ration of half roughage and alfalfa without a concentrate for 2-year- 

 old steers. 



Experimental work in forestry is carried on at Lincoln and other 

 places and has reference mainly to varieties, rate of growth, soil con- 

 ditions, eflect of different spacing, fertilizers, and similar problems. 



The general plan of work at the North Platte substation was about 

 the same as heretofore, including tests of varieties, crop rotations, 

 soil moisture studies, experiments in forestry, orchard, and orna- 

 mental plants, the wintering of cattle on different kinds of rough- 

 age, feeding hogs on different grains, and the use of alfalfa for 

 pasturage or hay. 



The station cooperates with this Department in seed testing, wheat 

 breeding, and hog cholera investigations, in observations on rota- 

 tions and tillage on the crop production, and in forest planting 

 at the substation at North Platte. With farmers, cooperation is 

 carried on with orchard spraying demonstrations, testing varieties 

 of corn and small grains, determining the efTect of different fer- 

 tilizers on grain production on impoverished land, and in studying 

 farm management. Station workers cooperate with the farmers' 

 institute department,- which is supported by an annual state appro- 

 priation of $10,000. 



The publications of the station received during the year were as 

 follows: Hulletins 107, Foods supplementary to corn in fattening 

 pigs. The effect of food on breaking strength of bones; lOS, Milk- 



