14 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



THE WORK IN HORTICULTURE. 



The work in horticulture has been similar to that of previous 

 years. Studies in plant breeding continue as the most import- 

 ant of the lines of inquiry. This work includes a consideration 

 of plants as affected by different conditions of soil, climate and 

 culture, the effects of crossing and of heredity, as well as the 

 improvement of promising wild types. In the forcing houses 

 the study of the tomato has been continued and the culture of 

 other fruits and vegetables, as the currant, radish and let- 

 tuce has received attention. 



The small fruit plantation has been extended and the differ- 

 ent varieties are coming into bearing. Many of the fruits sent 

 to Aroostook county are beginning to bear. Some of the 

 field notes made by the Horticulturist concerning these are given 

 in another part of this report. Experiments on the propagation 

 and culture of the blueberry from selected wild stock are in 

 progress. 



Spraying experiments for apple scab have been continued. 

 The season of 1896 was unfavorable for the growth of scab 

 and the results of the experiments are reserved till further trials 

 have been made. 



TUBERCULOSIS IN COWS. 



Realizing the importance of a better understanding of this 

 disease, the Station has during the year devoted a good deal of 

 attention to the study of bovine tuberculosis. An affected herd 

 of ten animals has been kept isolated from all other animals 

 under as good hygienic conditions as possible. A small barn, 

 28x40 feet, was erected for their accommodation. The points 

 being studied are: (1) the progress of the disease in affected 

 animals; (2) the conditions under which tuberculin will cause 

 a rise of temperature in tuberculous animals; and (3) the effect 

 of good hygienic conditions on the progress and outcome of the 

 disease. The work is still in progress and other phases of the 

 disease will be taken up. A report of progress is given by Dr. 

 Russell in another part of this report. 



