4a P.D. 31. 



has caused the closing of the greenhouse for the winter season. The problem, there- 

 fore, resolves itself into an attempt to develop ways and means by which the head- 

 ing of greenhouse lettuce, grown during the short days of midwinter, may be con- 

 trolled. There are three main lines of attack: fir.st, through the use of artificial hght 

 to lengthen the growing day; secondly, through control of nutrient conditions; 

 third, through breeding lettuce suited to the abnormal conditions of deficient sun- 

 hght. 



The department of Agronomy has undertaken a comprehensive study of the 

 effect of cropping systems on the growth and development of stalk-cut tobacco. 

 This work' will take some years to complete, for despite the fact that need for this 

 study became apparent about a quarter of a century ago, very little has been done. 

 In developing plans for this research, the Connecticut Experiment Station has given 

 significant assistance. It is, in fact, essential that Massachusetts and Connecticut 

 co-ordinate their studies, for the problems in the two states are much the same. 



An intensive study of onion thrips control was instituted during the year. This 

 insect has caused serious damage to the onion industry of the Connecticut Valley. 

 During the past two or three years it has been particularly damaging. The results 

 of the first year's study are highly encouraging, for they have demonstrated that a 

 certain degree of control is at least possible, even though somewhat costly. 



A survey of current practice in feeding of garbage to hogs was instituted during 

 the year and carried through to successful completion. Mr. Glatfelter of the College 

 had charge of the work. This was most productive in showing that, on account of 

 the varied nature of the industry, a formal study of this problem is impracticable. 



On account of the change in work brought about by the retirement of Dr. Goodale 

 and the taking over of this work by Dr. Haj^s, the projects in Poultry Husbandry 

 were reformulated. The old projects are still being carried on, and in addition 

 three new projects, respectively on "A Genetic Study of Rhode Island Red Color", 

 "Determination of Genetic Laws Governing Results in Inbreeding of Poultry" 

 and "The Hatchability of Eggs", all under the immediate direction of Professor 

 Hays, have been undertaken. These are based largely on records made during the 

 ten years over which the poultry breeding work of the Experiment Station has 

 been continued. As time goes on the data so painstakingly collected will be in- 

 creasingly valuable. 



Other new work undertaken during the year includes a vegetation test to study 

 the availability of the nitrogen in certain grades of mixed fertilizers, under the 

 immediate direction of Mr. Haskins of the Fertilizer Control Service; and, in 

 co-operation with the United States Department of Agriculture, a study of fruit 

 harvesting and storage, under the immediate direction and leadership of Mr. 

 Raleigh of the College Department of Pomology. The Department of Veterinary 

 Science and Animal Pathology has instituted a fundamental study of bacterio- 

 phagic specificity with special reference to B. puUorum infection and therapeusis, 

 with Dr. Pyle in charge. 



A preliminary study of the immediate effect of fertilizer as applied in varying 

 quantities on the germination of onion seed was carried through. Despite the fact 

 that this work indicated occasional delay in germination through the use of large 

 quantities of chemicals, it will not be continued in 1924. The conditions under 

 which the work was carried on are not such as to warrant its continuation. 



An indicative feeding test, without formal project organization, has been under 

 way for some months, in testing the value of hydrolyzed sawdust for dairy stock. 

 This work is in co-operation with the Forest Products Laboratory of the United 

 States Department of Agriculture, and supplements work being done in other 

 parts of the country. The indications are that sawdust treated in the way indi- 

 cated has a definite food value, and that a definite project study of the problem 

 should be undertaken. 



MORE IMPORTANT RESULTS OF THE YEAR'S WORK. 



Definite proof of the fact that higher food costs of Massachusetts are due to 

 factors within the control of the State, rather than to either the geographical loca- 

 tion of the State or the amount of agriculture in the State, was developed in the 

 prosecution of Dr. McFall's project "Boston Food Supply Study." The whole- 



