34 a EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



total crop produced about 40 per cent, is usually stored. The 

 average cost of storage, inclusive of shrinkage, is about 14.6 

 cents per bushel. The March price during the years covered by 

 the investigation (1914 and 1915) has averaged about 51 per 

 cent, higher than the September price and 61 per cent, higher 

 than the October price, these advances affording a good margin 

 of profit on storage. 



Department of Microbiology. 



Since this department has thus far worked without adequate 

 laboratory accommodations and equipment, the work along 

 such lines of investigation as have been undertaken has been 

 mainly of a preliminary character. 



The department has published one bulletin of a highly tech- 

 nical character. No. 167, which presents the results of a careful 

 study of the relation of hydrogen ion concentration to the pro- 

 teolytic activity of a few species of bacteria. It is believed that 

 this work will prove of value as a basis for investigations hav- 

 ing very direct, close and important relation both to the pro- 

 ductive capacity of soils and the sanitary qualities of milk. 



Department op Meteorology. 

 The usual weather observations have continued. Weather 

 signals received from the United States Weather Bureau have 

 been displayed. The usual monthly bulletins have been regu- 

 larly published. 



Reports and Bulletins. 

 The reports of the treasurer and of the different departments 

 immediately follow the director's report. The bulletins to 

 which reference has been made will be found in Part II. of the 

 annual report. 



WM. P. BROOKS, 



Director. 



