TENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Agricultural Experiment Station
OF THE
A. & M. COLLEGE,
AUBURN, ALA.
MONTGOMERRY, ALA.:
THE BROWN PRINTING CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS.
1898.

ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (A. & M. COLLEGE),
AUBURN, ALA., February 10, 1898.
Governor JOSEPH F. JOHNSTON,
Executive Department,
Montgomery, Ala.
SmI:-I have the honor herewith to transmit to you the
Tenth Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion of this College.
The report of the Treasurer herewith included, is for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1897.
This report is made in accordance with the provision of
the act of Congress (approved March 2, 1887), establishing
Agricultural Experiment Stations in the several States and
Territories.
It contains the report of the Botanist, the 
Chemist and
associate, the Veterinarian, the Agriculturalist, the Biolo-
gist, the Horticulturist and the Entomologist for the year
ending December 31, 1897.
Respectfully,
WM. LEROY BROUN,
President.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.
COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES ON EXPERIMENT STATION.
I. F. CULVER ....................................... Union Springs.
J. (-. GILCHRIST................................Hope Hull.
H. CLAY ARMSTROFG ............................. Auburn.
STATION COUNCIL.
WM. LERoY BROUN.................................... President.
P. H. MELL..................................Botanist.
'B . B . R oss ................................................. Chem ist.
C. A. CARY, D. V. M .............................. Veterinarian.
J. F. DUGGAR...........................................Agriculturist.
F.. S. EARLE........................Biologist and Horticulturist.
C. F. BAKER.................................... Entomologist.
J. T. ANDERSON...................................Associate Chemist.
ASSISTANTS.
C. L. HARE........ .............. Second Assistant Chemist.
R. G. WILLIAMS ...................... Third Assistant Chemist,.
T. U. CULVER..........................Superintendent of Farm.
fl'The Bulletins of this Station will be sent free to any citizen
of the State on application to the Agricultural Experiment Station,
Auburn, Alabama.
TRUSTEES.
His Excellency, JOSEPH F. JOHNSTON, President ........ Ex-offlcio.
J. 0. TURNER, Superintendent of Education...........Ex-officio.
J. G. GILCHRIST .................... ............... Hope Hull.
TANCRED BETTS ..................................... Huntsville.
WALTER C. WHITAKER ............... *............... Tuscaloosa.
JONATHAN HARALSON ................................ Selma.
Tuos. WILLIAMS .................................... W etumpka.
J. A. BILBRO ...................................... Gadsden,
I. F CULVER ....................................... Union Springs.
T. H . FRAZER ..................................... M obile.
H. CLAY ARMSTRONG ................................ Auburn.
R. H . DUGGAR ...................................... Gallion.
J. T. GLENN, Treasurer.
J. H. DRAKE, M. D., Surgeon.

REPORT OF TREASURER.
TREASURER OF A. & M. COLLEGE,
In account with U. S. Appropriation,
Hatch Fund for the year 1896-97.
To cash received from U. S. Treasurer for the fiscal year
ending June 30th, 1897.....................
CR.
$15,000 00
By Salaries....................................$ 7,829 97
Labor ............................ 1,070 66
Publications............................... 1,325 94
Postage and Stationery................... 241 37
Freight and Express.................... 378 66
Heat, Light and Water ................ 203 55
Chemical Supplies.. .................... 399 13
Seeds, Plants and Supplies............... 788 32
Fertilizers ........................... 320 62
Feeding Stuffs ......................... 209 52
Library.......................... .... 848 84
Tools, Implements and Machinery.......... 59 17
Furniture and Fixtures .................. 14 63
Scientific Apparatus.........................237 12
Live Stock............................. 64 95
Traveling Expenses..................... 259 55
Contingent Expenses........................ 5 00
Building and Repairs..................... 743 00-$15,000 00
E. T. GLENN,
Treasurer A. & M. College.
THE STATE OF ALABAMA,
Lee County. Personally appeared before me, Charles
Gachet, a Notary Public in and for said county and State, E. T.
Glenn, known to me as Treasurer of the Agricultural and Mechanical
College of Alabama, who, being duly sworn, deposes and saith that
the above and foregoing account is true and correct.
Witness my hand, this 8th day of Feb., 1898.
CHARLES GACHET,
Notary Public and Ex Officio J. P.
This is to certify that I have compared the above account with the
Ledger account of the Treasurer, and this is a correct transcript of
same.
Wm. LERoY BROUN,
President A. & M. College.

REPORT OF BOTANIST.
Dr. Wtmin. L. Broun, President:
I have the honor of submitting herewith my annual report
for the work done in the Botanical Department of the Experi-
ment Station of Alabama for the year 1897.
The experiments on the improvement of the cottons have
been continued and a bulletin on the subject was published
in June: No. 83, termed Hybrids from American and For-
eign Cottons. This bulletin shows the effects produced on
foreign cottons by transferring them from one country to
another, where conditions of soils and climate may be materi-
ally changed. It discussesalso the steps required to secure
perfect results in hybridization. A synopsis of the botani-
cal characteristics of American and foreign plants is also
given and conclusions are drawn concerning the results of
the combination of the American and foreign cottons. The
experiments so far conducted with the cottons indicate that
a superior grade of long staple, well matured and adapted
for upland cultivation will be secured. Another year's ex-
periment, however, seems to be required to estabilsh the
types.
Considerable 
work in 
grass cultivation 
has been 
carried
on in the Botanical garden to determine the species which
are suited to Alabama, particularly in sandy soils and dry
regions of the State. A large number of the wild species
have been tested, besides many from foreign lands sent by
the United States Department of Agriculture and also secured
by the assistance of correspondents in Australia, Egypt and
other lands. One hundred species of native trees and shrubs
have been planted in the Botanical Gardens and quite a num-
ber of foreign seeds of trees have been sown to germinate
for future transplanting.
10
The excellant Herbarium attached to my Department has
enabled me to satisfactorily answer numerous letters from
correspondents all over the State enclosing plants to be
named. This Herbarium has grown considerably during
the past year by the additionof many species of plants from
Alabama and Florida.
As Librarian of the Station Library I have the following
report to make: The Reading Room is receiving through
subscription nearly all of the leading journals on agriculture
and bulletins of experiment stations published in this country
and abroad. Besides this the list is greatly enlarged through
exchanges with agricultural journals and publications of
many of the leading scientific societies in the United States
andCanada. During the year there wasadded to the shelves
of the Library 558 bound volumes and 225 pamphlets.
It gives me pleasure to mention in this connection the effic-
ient service of Miss Reese, the Assistant Librarian. Besides
other numerous duties pertaining to the Library she has
made out a full and comprehensive index of Yolume IV of
the Alabama Station Publications and is now engaged in
completing the card index of the Library.
During the year the following bulletins have been issued
by the Stations and turned into the Library:
Number 76. Experiments with Cotton.
77. The San Jose Scale and other Insects.
78. Co-operative Fertilizer 
Experiments with Cot-
ton in 1896.
79. Some Horticultural Suggestions.
" 80. APreliminary List of Alabama Fungi.
81. Meat Inspection.
82. Corn, Cowpeas and Wheat Bran for Fattening
Pigs.
83. Hybrids from 
American and-Foreign 
Cottons.
84. Turnips.
85. Japanese Plums.
" 86. More about San Jose Scale, Sweet Potato Pest,
Carbon Bisulfied, Insecticides, etc.
11
Number 87. Soil Inoculation for Leguminous Plants.
" 88. Experiments with Corn.
These comprise Yolume V, consisting of 502 pages.
Permit me in closing my report to express my thanks to
you for many courtesies and acts of kindness shown to me
during the past year.
Respectfully,
P. H. MELL,
Botanist Experiment Station.
REPORT OF CHEMIST.
Dr. Win. LeRoy Broun, President.
SIR:-I beg leave to submit the following statement with
regard to the extent and character of he work performed
by the C(hemical Department for the year just closed:
A large proportion of the total analytical work of the
laboratory consists of the chemical examination of the fer-
tilizers sold in this State, and in the last Fertilizer Bulletin,
issued in August, there were reported about 560 quantita-
tive analyses of fertilizers and fertilizing materials.
In addition to these analyses, a large number of quantita-
tive analyses of soils, foods and feed stuffs, marls, mucks
and various agricultural and horticultural products have
been made.
This Department is now completing the work of investi-
gating the composition of foods and food materials sold in
this State and has made analyses of all the principal food
products found upon the markets. The results of a portion
of this work has already appeared in a bulletin issued by
the United States Department of Agriculture and the full
results of the investigation will be embodied in the bulletin
to be issued shortly by the Experiment Station.
It is intended to continue these investigations with a
-view to determining the extent and nature of the adultera-
tions of the principal articles of food consumed in this
State, and already some work in this direction has been
commenced.
A number of samples of oleo-margarine have also been
analyzed in conformity to the provisions of the State law
prohibiting the sale of butter substitutes so colored as to
imitate the genuine article, and the laboratory has recently
added to its facilities for the examination of dairy products
of all kinds, as well as the adulterations of the same.
13
A number of analyses of grapes grown on the Experiment
Station were made during the past season, and the results
will be included in the bulletin on foods above referred to.
Several analyses of insecticides and fungicides were also
made for the Entomological Department, with a view to de-
termining their adaptability to the requirements of this
section.
A series of investigations have been conducted by Mr. C.
L. Hare, Assistant Chemist, with a view of determining the
influence of the presence of formalin in foods (particularly
milk) upon the digestion of animals, and some of the
chemical work in connection with these experiments is still
in progress.
In connection with the Agricultural Department of the
Station, this laboratory is investigating the nature and char-
acteristics of the fat of pigs fed on a number of different
kinds of foods, special attention being given to a compari-
son of the results obtained from feeding on corn and pea-
nuts, respectively.
In addition to the Annual Bulletin on Fertilizers prepared
for the Department of Agriculture, this department has
issued a press bulletin upon the subject of the manufacture
of syrup by improved methods, and has in preparation
another press bulletin upon the subject of the economic
utilization of crude aud commercial fertilizing materials.
Respectfully submitted,
B. B. Ross,
Chemist.
REPORT OF ASSOCIATE CHEMIST.
Experimental Work in Progress during 1897, and proposed
for 1898.
BY JAS. T. ANDERSON, ASSOCIATE CHEMIST.
1. A study of the availability of Plant Food in the soil.
Metal cylinders imbedded in the soil in the open field are
employed, and the amount of available plant food in the
soil is determined by actual cultivation tests, using the
cotton plant therefor. Each important constituent is tested
separately, and care is taken to preserve the normal fertility
of the soil as regards all other constituents by proper fer-
tilization. Began in 1896, and to be continued.
2. A study of the Water Requirements of the Cotton
Plant. Done in Metal Pots in the Vegetation House. The
problem sought to be solved is, What is he optimum amount
of water in the soil to insure the vigorous, healthy growth
of the plant, and the .production of a maximum harvest?
In this connection is studied the probable relation of the
amounts of moisture in the soil to certain diseases of the
cotton plant, particularly to "shedding." To be repeated
during the season of 1898. With the co-operation of Prof.
Earle.
PLANNED FOR 1898.
3. A critical study of the sources of Nitrogen for legu-
minous Plants. A determination of the relative amounts of
this valuable constituent furnished by the atmosphere and
by the soil, is employed as a means of determining in de-
finite terms the value of leguminous crops as soil renovators.
15
Done in metal pots in the Vegetation House and with the
co-operation of Prof. Duggar.
4. The Determination of the availability of the phospho-
ric acid in the several sources from which this constituent
is obtained for the fertilization of soils. Undertaken with
the purpose of testing the relative value of these phospha-
tic materials as sources of Phosphoric acid. The experi-
ments are conducted in clay cylinders imbedded in the soil
in the open field. Known weights of soil and sub-soil in
these cylinders are fertilized with the several phosphatic
materials, and the facility with which they give up their
phosphoric acid to the plant is determined by cultivating
plants in them. Before we are ready to begin the tests
proper, it is necessary to exhaust the soil of all available
phosphoric acid already in it, by growing such plants as
make a heavy draft on the phosporic acid, and continuing
this until plants refuse longer to grow for lack of phospho-
ric acid. While this exhausting of phosphoric acid is being
done, care is taken to preserve the normal fertility of the
soil as regards all other constituents by proper fertilization.
Respectfully submitted,
JAs. T. ANDERSON,
Associate Chemist.
REPORT OF VETERINARIAN.
Dr. Winm. Leroy Broun, President.
Sir:-The following is a brief summary of work done by
this department during the year 1897.
In May a Bulletin on "Meat Inspection" was issued.
The object of the bulletin was to give plain and brief
directions for inspecting animals on foot (ante mortem) and
at the staughter (post mortem). In this bulletin the most
common diseases were discussed-giving in detail their
symptoms and pathological lesions. As far as possible,
directions were given for condemnations at the slaughter
and on foot. A brief review of the most common animal
parasites, as found in or on- domestic animals, was given
with illustrations of each parasite. It was our aim to adapt
this bulletin to the needs or conditions presented in Ala-
bama, and encourage the undertaking of meat inspection in
the larger and smaller cities of this State. Whenever re-
quested we gave our aid to the establishing and regulating
the system of meat and dairy inspection in the city of
Montgomery. So far the inspection in Montgomery has
been very satisfactory to the officers in charge and to the
people. We earnestly hope that Mobile, Birmingham,
Selma, Anniston, Gadsden and all cities of Alabama, having
a population of over 2,000 will establish efficient systems
of meat and milk inspection. We offer our assistance to
any municipality in Alabama that will establish Dairy and
Meat Inspection.
During the year we have made in our laboratory and
furnished the cities and veterinarians of Alabama over
2,500 c.c. of tuberculin. This is done with agreement that
reports of all tests will be sent to us as soon as com-
pleted.
17
During the year several tests have been made by feeding
to pigs, cotton seed and cotton seed meal, with a view to
determine why they are toxic or produce death. If the
work progresses favorably we expect to make a report, in
bulletin form, on this work in the near future.
This department has also continued to collect animal
parasites and data upon the diseases of this State. It is
our aim to make a complete biological survey of the animal
parasites that infect domestic animals of Alabama.
We have made a number of experiments upon cases of
"big-head" (osteo-parasis) in horses and mules. So for no
treatment has given as satisfactory results as intra-venous
injections of barium chloride. One gramme or 15 grains of
barium chloride is dissolved in 10 c. c. or about 1- drams of
sterilized distilled water and injected into the jugular vein
with an hypodermic syringe. This is done once or twice per
week. .The horse or mule is fed oats and allowed to run
at pasture for 3 or 4 weeks. As a rule his treatment will
remove all stiffness and lameness, and harden, (but not
remove) the bony enlargements of the face, lower jaw, etc.
While such a recovery is not a complete restoration of
normal health, it is the best that can be accomplished with
our present knowledge of that disease.
We have attended, and delivered lectures at, nearly all of
the farmer's institutes that were given in Alabama, under
the direction of the State Commissioner Agriculture.
Our Saturday free clinic has been continued for the
benefit of stock owners and the students in the agricul--
tural course.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. CART,,
Station Veterinariari.
REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST.
Dr. Win. LeRoy Broun, President:
I have the honor to submit the following statement with
regard to the work of the Agricultural Department for the
past year.
The experiments made during the past year have covered
a number of subjects. Much of the work has been a repeti-
tion of that of the preceding year, for repetition is needed
in all field experiments in order to obtain trustworthy re-
sults. As stated in the last annual report, the main lines
of permanent investigation mapped out for this Department
are the following:
(1). The economical improvement of worn soils, involv-
ing an extended study of the most promising leguminous or
renovating plants.
(2). Cotton culture.
(3). Pork production.
Other subjects on which extensive investigations have
been made are corn and oats. Experiments have also been
made with rye, cowpeas, peanuts, sweet potatoes, artichokes,
chufas, Kaffir corn, and other sorghums,'taro, tropical 
yam,
cassava, etc., etc.
Among the indications furnished already by the study of
leguminious plants are the following: The means of in-
creasing the yield of clover, vetch, alfalfa, etc., on soils pre-
viously regarded as unfit for these plants; the resistance of
)beggar weed to attacks 
of nematodes and its 
probable value
as a substitute for cowpeas on fields where this pest
abounds; the value of velvet beans for soil improvement;
the suitability of different varieties of cowpeas to different
purposcs; the character of silage made from cowpeas and
19
peanuts; and the proportions of leaflets, stems, kernels and
Ihulls of peanuts at different stages of growth.
The results of last year's work with cotton are now in the
hands of the printer.
Feeding experiments with pigs have developed many
points of interest and have been especially concerned with
the following questions:
The financial returns from an acre of peanuts, cowpeas
and sorghum, when converted into pork; the relative nutri-
tive values of rations made up of corn, cowpeas, peanuts,
and of mixed rations of corn and cowpeas, corn and pea-
nuts and sweet potatoes and cowpeas; and the effect of
these foods on the proportion of fat and lean meat.
During the past year encouraging progress has been made
in collecting data, which in time will be useful in the prepar-
ation of a map of the State showing the character of the
fertilizer chiefly needed on the most extensive soil belts of
the State. With this end in view and with the hope of aid-
ing farmers in many portions of the State to buy only the
most appropriate fertilizers for their respective soils, thir-
ty soil tests or fertilizer experiments with cotton were con-
ducted in 1897 under the direction of this department.
The following bulletins were issued by this Department
in 1897:
BULLETIN NO. 76.-EXPERIMENTS WITH COTTON.-In this
bulletin are recorded results of tests of varieties, seed of
different ages and from different latitudes, effects of rolling,
barring off and subsoiling and fertilizer experiments.
BULLETIN NO. 78.-CO-OPERATIVE FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS
WITH COTTON IN 1896.-Giving the results of tests made in
twenty-one localities to determine the manurial needs of
these soils and to ascertain the relative values as fertilizers
of cotton seed and cotton seed meal and of acid phosphate
and Florida soft phosphate.
BULLETIN No. 82.--CORN, COWPEAS AND WHEAT BRAN FOR
FATTERNING PIGs.--Discussing the results regarding the
relative economy of the several rations and their effects on
the quality of flesh and on the richness of the excrement.
20
BULLETIN NO. 87.-SoIL INOCULATION FOR LEGUMINOUS
PLANTS.--In which were discussed soil improving plants
and the means which proved effective in increasing the
yields of some of these plants on soils not naturally adapted
to their growth.
BULLETIN No. 88.-EXPERIMENTS WITH CORN.-Giving the
results for 1897, with varieties, fertilizers, character of seed,
method of harvesting and thickness of planting.
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. DUGGAR,
Agriculburist.
REPORT OF THE BIOLOGIST AND HORTICULTURIST.
Dr. Win. Leroy Broun, President:
Sir :-In the Horticultural Department work has been
continued on much the same lines as in 1896. The work on
turnips mentioned in my last report as begun in the Fall of
1896, was continued during the Winter and the Spring of
1897, and the results obtained were published as Bulletin
No. 84.
A line of work with tomatoes was undertaken with the
view of issuing a Bulletin on this important crop for the
Southern truck farmer. Unfavorable weather in the Spring
so much interfered with some features of this work that the
publication of the Bulletin was deferred until a portion of
the experiments can be repeated another year.
Work has been continued with the late Summer and Fall
planting of vegetables to determiee what kinds can be safely
recomended for increasing the home supply of such foods
during the Fall and early Winter. The worst drawback to
this work is our frequently occuring fall drouths. Owing
to the varying character of the seasons these experiments
will need to be frequently repeated, before anything like
final results can be obtained.
A number of experiments with celery have been tried
during the year, but owing to the dry nature of our soil, the
lack of a sufficient water supply for irrigation, and the ex-
treme susceptability of this plant to the nematode root
knot disease, all have so far ended in failure.
The vineyard again produced a satisfactory crop on most
varieties. No serious trouble was had from rot, mildew or
any of the common leaf or fruit diseases, but an increased
number of vines died from the obscure "root rot" disease,
mentioned in my previous report. This vineyard is rapidly
passing its period of usefulness and I have therefore made
3
22
plans for planting a new one during the present Winter.
The old one will however be retained for a time for the
purpose of studying farther this peculiar root disease.
The young orchard (planted spring of 1896) has made a
very satisfactory growth. The plums and peaches are well
set with fruit buds and promise a nice crop for 1898.
The Japanese plums in the old orchard gave a full crop
this year. Some valuable notes were secured that are em-
bodied in Bulletin No. 85 issued during the summer. It
was discovered after the plums were in bloom in the Spring
that'this orchard had, unfortunately, by some unknown
meansbecame infested with the San Jose scale. It was
then too late to apply any of the Winter sprays usually
recommended. I therefore had the runks and-largelimbs
painted with undiluted kerosene emulsion. 
This, however,
only gave-temporary relief and finding after the crop was
gathered that the scale was rapidly increasing it was de-
cided to cut down the trees and clear he ground in order to
make room for the proposed new vineyard. This was done
the more readily since the varieties of plums were all du-
plicated in the new orchard on the other side of the farm and
the few peach trees were of small value. Many of them
being injured by root knot and by an application of "Den-
drolene," a substance extensively advertized as a remedy for
peach borer, but which proves very unsafe to use, at least
in this climate.
The apple orchard joining this old plum and peach
orchard was also found to be badly infested with the scale.
The trees were so large that the chance for ridding them of
the scale by any known means of treatment seemed very
small and it was advised to cut them down also. This, how-
ever, was not approved by the trustees, so the orchard has
been retained and will be used for testing certain lines of
treatment for the scale after first removing some of the
largest trees and giving all a heavy pruning. This decision
was acquiesced in since there are no commercial orchards
near to be in danger of infection from our grounds.
23
Plans have been made for considerable additional orchard
planting including some seventy or more varieties of ap-
ples, ten or fifteen of cherries, fifteen or more of figs, a few
plums and the fifteen kinds of peaches required for the co-
operative test of the different races of peaches proposed by
Prof. Price, of the Texas Experiment Station and endorsed
by the association of the Agricultural Colleges and Experi-
ment Stations and by the Division of Pomology of the U.
S. Department of Agriculture.
A co-operative experiment in forest tree planting was un-
dertaken on the invitation of the Division of Forestry of the
U. S. Department of Agriculture. Seeds of black walnut,
bur oak, honey locust, hackberry, box elder and ash from a
number of widely different localities were planted side by
side for the purpose of noting the behavior of tha seedlings
as to comparative vigor of growth, hardiness &c. Some in-
teresting notes were secured tending to show that southern
grown seed of these trees made a more vigorous growth
than northern grown seed. A portion of each lot of seed-
lings has been transplanted to a spot where they can stand
for some years in order to note their future comparative be-
havior, and another lot of seeds has been planted.
Three Bulletins have been issued from this department
during the year. No. 79, called "Some Horticultural Sug-
gestions," dealing with a number of topics of general horti-
cultural interest including soils, fertilizers, methods of
marketing and transportation, &c. No. 84 on Turnips, and
No. 85 on Japanese Plums.
In the department of Biology much time was consumed in
the early part of the year in completing the "Preliminary
List of Alabama Fungi," mentioned in my last report.
When ready for publication in April the list enumerated
over eleven hundred species of Fungi as known to occur in
the State, besides giving much historical and other matter
of interest in connection with the study 
of our Fungi. This
was published as Bulletin No. 80, but was headed" Science
Contributions," and a limited number of copies were
24
printed. It was not forwarded to our full mailing list but
only to such persons as it was thought would be specially
interested in the subject.
At the beginning of the year the "Alabama Biological Sur-
vey" was organized by the members of the faculty who are
interested in Natural History Studies. Large collections
have been made during the season, mostly in the neighbor-
hood of Auburn, in all groups of plants and the lower groups
of animals. The mosses, lichens and fungi collected bythe
survey have been deposited in the herbarium of this depart-
ment. A careful estimate shows that this material aggre-
gates over ten thousand specimens which at the low price of
five dollars per hundred would be worth over five hundred
dollars. About half of this material has been named, placed
in envelopes and labeled ready for making exchanges. The
remainder is being worked over as rapidly as other labors
will permit.
My last report showed that 9,882 specimens of fungi had
been mounted in the department herbarium. During 1897
there have been added to this 1,272 specimens of fungi from
various sources, 530 algoe, 452 lichens, and 200 mosses and
hepatics, making a total now in the collection 12,336 speci-
mens, besides the large amount of exchange material 
men-
tioned above, that will enable us to rapidly increase our col-
lections during the present year.
Numerous diseases of cultivated plants have been under
observation in the field and laboratory during the year.
Diseases of cotton have received particular attention. 
The
"Black Rust" was unusually prevalent and destructive 
in,
this part of the State. Numerous observations of 
its be-
havior under varying conditions suggested the idea 
of the
intimate relation between this disease and the exhaustion
of the soil humus. In order to gain more light on 
this im-
portant subject a circular letter was prepared 
and sent to
cotton growers in all parts of the South suggesting 
a co-
opperative experiment to .test the effect of applications 
of
barn yard manure and of kainit; in preventing cotton 
rust,
25
and also asking for the past experience of the growers with
this disease. Many very interesting replies have been re-
ceived and it is intended to publish a Bulletin on the results
of the investigation at the close of the present season.
In connection with the Entomologist work has been con-
tinued on the nematode Root Knot disease that has long
been so troublesome on our grounds. Some results of
value have been secured. The work will be continued
during the present season, and it is hoped enough progress
willbe made to justify the publication of the results of
our numerous experiments.
Four public addresses have been given at different points
in this State during the year and one before the Georgia
State Horticultural Society. Portions of two Press Bulle-
tins have been prepared and some articles contributed to
various Horticultural papers. The great increase in my
Station correspondence and the 
frequent calls for the Bulle-
tins issued show a gratifying increase of interest in the work
being done by the station.
Respectfully submitted,
F.S. EARLE,
Biologist and Horticulturist.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY.
Dr. Win. LeRoy Broun, President:
SIR:--I have the honor to present the following report of
work done, under way, and projected, in the Department of
Entomology:
A careful study of all injurious insects occurring in this
locality is carried on by both the field and laboratory
methods. Work has been done and is now in progress in
connection with the cabbauge worm, cabb(ge louse turnip
Worm, tomato worm, San Jose scale, peach borer, fruit
bark beetle, cotton mite, and with the insects instrumental
in producing rot of cotton bolls. Field experiments in the
application of various remedies and preventives, have been
constantly in progress.
Now that the turnip is coming into unusual favor as a
field and garden crop, a serious pest in the form of the
turnip worm is also making its appearance. It will require
careful study and experimentation.
The spread of the nematode worm continues. The pres-
ence of this root attacking pest over such wide areas in this
State is a matter of the gravest possible nature. We are
now no nearer the discovery of a remedy applicable on a
large scale than we were a year ago, but our results now
show that it is probable we have a remedy which can be
used over small areas by the market gardener, and in the
treatment of cold frames, hot beds, greenhouse benches,
etc. The experiments in connection with this pest has been
carried out in conjunction with Prof. F. S. Earle, according
to the following schedule:
I. Starving out (in field).
a- By leaving land entirely fallow.
b. By continuous cropping with various plants nearly
or quite immune from the attacks of the worm,
27
II. Trapping (in field).
By planting crops most readily affected, these to be
harvested entire and either fed out entire or burned;
also to be rapidly maturing crops and harvested as
often as possible.
II. Killing the worm directly by use of various substances
which may act as 
vermicides (in pots).
a. By use of any commercial fertilizers.
b. By use of Carbon disulphid, Hydrocyanic acid
gas, Benzine, 
or Sulphur.
The office work is the most time-consuming of any in
connection with this department. Few of the many letters
received relating to insect troubles can be answered without
more or less extensive office and laboratory investigation.
Three bulletins have been prepared: No. 77 with con-
tents as follows :
I. The San Jose scale.-A Warning to the Fruit-
growers of Alabama.
II. Some other Insect Pest.
a. , The Tomato Worm.
b. Grape Leaf-hoppers.
c. Cabbage Worms.
No. 83, with contents as follows:
I. More about the San Jose scale.
II. A Sweet Potato Pest.
III. Regarding Carbon Bisulfid.
IV. Insecticides and Pumps in general.
No. 90, with contents as follows:
I. The Peach-tree Borer.
II. The Fruit Bark Beetle.
It is greatly to be regretted that better facilities cannot
be afforded for getting about over the State. The 
greatest
market garden, orchard, nursery, and farm interests are in
other portions of the State. Insect outbreaks are usually more
or less local. Where the nature of these outbreaks is but
little known, field work on the spot is absolutely necessary
to the understanding of the case and safe recommendation
of: remedies. I have been enabled to make a few important
trips through the assistance of the State Department of
Agriculture, and through the kindness of the officials of the
Louisville and Nashville -ailroad and the Western of Ala-
bama. I have visited Huntsville twice in the capacity of
Acting State Entomologist, .inspected the large nurseries
there and issued certificates 'o the nurserymen, admitting
their stock to such States as New Jersey, Delaware, North
Carolina, etc., which have laws governing such matters. In
this way many hundreds of dollars worth of stock have
passed out of this State under my certificates. A trip to the
country surrounding Mobile was made for the purpose of
investigating some matters relative to the terribly destruc-
tive pear blight. Several days were spent in the vicinity of
Dadeville, investigating the boll rot which caused a loss of
one-fourth or one-third of the crop over an area twenty-five
miles long by some ten to fifteen broad. It is of the ut-
most importance that much more time in the field, be given
all these subjects. The small expenditures necessary for
sich investigations, are more thaun amply justified by the
thousands of dollars annual loss sustained through these
agencies by our horticultural and agricultural communities.
Respectfully submitted,
C. F. BAKER.
Entomologist.