June, 1919] ANNUAL REPORTS. 17 



The object of the experiment is: 



1. To find what returns can be obtained for ordinary native hay when fed 

 to beef type of cattle. 



2. To determine whether the fertility value of the manure accumulated 

 during the winter would balance the labor necessary for their care during this 

 period. 



3. Whether a satisfactory growth can be maintained during the -winter in 

 calves of this age, from ordinary native hay supplemented with a Umited 

 grain ration. 



Progress and Results Obtained. 



The experiment was begim on December 1, 1917, with ten steer calves 

 averaging 343 pounds in weight. 



In planning the ration it was assumed that the most profitable returns 

 would be obtained from the hay if balanced mth sufficient of a highly nitrog- 

 enous concentrate to offset the low protein content of the hay used. This 

 result was theoretically obtained by giving, per head, 3 pounds of a meal mix- 

 ture consisting of 2 parts cottonseed meal and 1 of wheat bran. The animals 

 were carried on this ration of meal -nith all the hay they would eat from Decem- 

 ber 1, 1917, to May 15, 1918, after which they were put on pasture till October 

 26, 1918. 



During the summer, or pasture period, the net profit, as calculated on in- 

 crease in Uve weight and on the basis of current market values, was about $27 

 per head. 



A bulletin giving the financial statement covering the operation for the year 

 has been prepared for publication. 



As the steers are only eighteen months of age it was deemed advisable not 

 to fatten them for market at this time but to continue the operation for 

 another year. 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY. 



O. R. BUTLER. 



Diu-ing the fiscal year ending June 30, the work of the Department was 

 mainly carried by the botanist, the position of assistant botanist, which became 

 vacant with the resignation of Mr. W. L. Doran on November 1, 1917, not 

 being filled during the remainder of the year. 



As in previous years the correspondence of the Department related mainly 

 to the diseases of our economic plants and their control, and the number of 

 inquiries received indicated an increasing reahzation of the value of this service 

 by the farmers of the state. 



During the course of the year, the disease survey carried on in collaboration 

 with the Plant Disease Survey, United States Department of Agriculture, was 

 more fully developed than hitherto and suppHed much useful and valuable 

 information on the relative distribution and economic importance of parasitic 

 fungi. 



