242 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 280 



Moldy Corn. (C. S. (Jibbs). The feeding of moldy corn did not produce 

 watery eyes or laryngotracheal symptoms, as has been reported. Severe intes- 

 tinal reactions occurred in all of the chickens when first placed on the moldy 

 corn ration, and one died of enteritis. After feeding on moldy corn continuously 

 for four weeks, the chickens apparently developed a tolerance and did not show 

 any further ill effects. 



Infectious Bronchitis. (C. S. Gibbs). A streptococcus has been found in 

 baby chicks apparently responsible for an epizootic with symptoms resembling 

 infectious laryngotracheitis. The microorganism is a new species and attacks 

 the bronchial tubes of baby chicks. This disease should be called infectious bron- 

 chitis, and it should not be confused pathologically with infectious laryngotra- 

 cheitis, which is due to a filtrable virus. 



Avian Paralysis. (C. S. Gibbs and G. L. Dunlap). A limited study of avian 

 paralysis has been made. Nutritional, parasitic, and neoplastic types have been 

 recognized. These three types are distinct entities. The first two forms are 

 preventable and sometimes curable. The neoplastic form of paralysis is not so 

 well understood and presents a real problem to poultrymen and pathologists. 

 Our studies have been confined largely to this type and are being conducted 

 along two lines. 



1. Two groups of breeding fowls have been selected for mating to deter^ 

 mine if the disease is transmitted through the egg. One group of these fowls 

 has a definite history of paralysis, while the history of the other is free of the 

 disease. One hundred and ninetj'-nine chickens hatched from these matings are 

 under observation. 



2. Sixty-four chicks have been inoculated by different methods, using neo- 

 plastic tissues from affected fowls to determine if this material is infectious. 

 Some of these birds are still under observation. 



THE WALTHAM FIELD STATION 



(Waltham, Massachusetts) 



Ray M. Koon in Charge 



The research work of this Station has been conducted principally along the 

 same lines as in 1930. As rapidly as results have been obtained they have been 

 released to the commercial growers for application to their problems, without 

 waiting until the completion of the entire project. 



The use of the Station as a center of practice demonstrations and as a bureau 

 of horticultural information has shown a marked increase. During the year 

 1400 persons visited the Station seeking individual assistance from members of 

 the staff; Field Day attracted 860 more; the attendance at the School for Com- 

 mercial Florists was 140; and 657 registered at the School for Home Gardeners. 

 Thus the Station has served some 3000 visitors who have come for one reason or 

 another. Telephone queries have numbered 1345, and 2450 letters (not circular) 

 have gone out in answer to requests for information. 



A strong interest has been manifested by the commercial nurserymen in 

 having the Experiment Station institute investigations in their behalf at the 

 Waltham Station. A bill for an appropriation to provide for this work is in the 

 process of drafting and will be presented to the legislature during the session of 

 1932. 



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