Thirty-Second Annual Report
OF THE,
Agricultural Experiment
Station
OF THE
Alabama Polytechnic Institute
Auburn, Alabama
January, 1920

ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Auburn, Ala., Jan. 23, 1920.
Governor Thomas E. Kilby,
Executive Department,
Montgomery, Ala.
Sir:
I have'the honor herewith to transmit to you the Thirty-Sec-
ond Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station of
the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
This report is made in accordance with the Act of Congress
approved March 2, 1887, establishing agricultural experiment
stations, and the Act of Congress approved March 16, 1906,
known as the Adams Act.
Respectfully,
B. B. ROSS,
Acting President.-

Auburn, Ala., Jan. 22, 1920.
Dr. B. B. Ross, Acting President,
Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
I herewith submit the Thirty-Second Annual Report of the
Experiment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919.
It contains the detailed report of the Director, the Agricul-
turist, the Agronomist, the Plant Breeder, the Treasurer,
the Chemist, the Veterinarian, the Botanist, the Horticulturist,
the Entomologist, ,the Plant Pathologist, and the Animal Hus-
bandman, for the year ending December 31, 1919.
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. DUGGAR,
DirectOr, Experiment Station.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
His Excellency, Thomas E. Kilby, President -----. Ex-Officio
Spright Dowell, Superintendent of Education ...... Ex-Officio
H. D. Merrill -Anniston, Ala.
-Harry Herzfeld----------------------Alexander City, Ala.
Oliver R. Hood ....- Gadsden, Ala.
C. S. McDowell, Jr.-------------------------Eufaula, Ala.
W. K. Terry-- Birmingham, Ala.
W. H. Oates--------------------------------Mobile, Ala.
T. D. Samford------------------------------Opelika, Ala.
W. F. Feagin _Montgomery, Ala.
J. A. Rogers -- Gainesville, Ala.
C. M. Sherrod_ Courtland, Ala.
P. S. Haley--------------------------------Corona, Ala.
STATION STAFF
B. B. Ross, Acting President of the College
J. F. DUGGAR, Director of Experiment Station
AGRICULTURE:
J. F. Duggar, Agriculturist.
E. F. Cauthen, Agriculturist.
M. J. Funchess, Agronomist.
J. T. Williamson, Field Agt.
H. B. Tisdale, Associate
Plant Breeder.
0. H. Sellers, Assistant.
VETERINARY SCIENCE:
C, A. Cary, Veterinarian.
CHEMISTRY:
B. B. Ross, Chemist.
E. R. Miller, Chemist
Soils and Crops.
C. L. Hare, Physiological
Chemist.
BOTANY:
W. A. Gardner, Botanist.
Robert Stratton, Assistant.
PLANT PATHOLOGY:
G. L. Peltier, Plant Patholo-
gist.
E. F. Hopkins, Associate.
HORTICULTURE:
G. C. Starcbir,
Horticulturist.
J. C. C. Price, Associate.
C. L. Isbell, Assistant.
ENTOMOLOGY:
W. E. Hinds, Entomologist..
F. L. Thomas, Assistant.
J. M. Robinson, Assistant.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY:
G. S. Templeton, Animal
Husbandman.
E. Gibbens, Assistant.
G. L. Burleson, Assistant,
F. W. Burns, Assis!ant.
EDITOR:
Leslie L. Gilbert.
REPORT OF HATCH AND ADAMS FUNDS FOR 1918-1919
Receipts.
Hatch Adams
To amount from U. S. Treasuy (Net) --$15,000.00 $15,000.00
Disbursements
By Salaries ------------------------- $ 7.740.19 $10457.60
By Labor ---------------- 31085.72 1,193.01
By Publications------------------------.899.72
By Postage and Stationery ------ 202.33 89.45
By Freight and Express---------- ------ 218.08 317.70
By Heat. Light. Water and Power --- 313.82 233.07
By Chemicals and Laboratory Supplies 79.84 447.95
By Seeds, Plants and Sundry Supplies 281.33 205.49'
By Fertilizers - - - - - -- - - -- - 274.55 158.98.
By Feeding Stuffs ----------- 678.59 740.02-
By Library - - - - - - - - - - --- 408.20 9.31
By Tools, Machinery and Appliances 247.92 187.26,
By Furniture and Fixtures ------ 60.00 15.75
B y Scientific Apparatus and Specimens- 114.29 422.59.
By Live Stock - - - - - - - -- - - -
By Traveling Expenses --------- 137.26 466.43-.
By Contingent Expenses---------------- 20.00
By Buildings and Land ---------------- 281 55.40,
Total------------------- $15,000.00 $15,000.00
Respectfully,
M. A. GLENN.,
Treasurer.
State of Alabama:
Lee County.
Personally appeared before me, B. L. Shi, a Notary Public.
in and for said county, M. A. Glenn, known to me as Treasurer'
of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, who, being duly sworn_,-
deposes and says the above foregoing account is true and-
correct. Witness, my hand this 9th day of January, 1920.
B. L. SI.
Notary Public, Lee County.
This is to certify that I have compared the account with 'the-
ledger account of the Treasurer, and this is a correct transcript-
of the same.
B. B. RBOS S..
Acting President Alabama Polytechnic Institute,.-

REPORT OF DIRECTOR
Auburn, Ala., Jan. 22, 1920.
Dr. B. B. Ross, Acting President,
Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
I herewith submit the following report for the past year of
the work under my charge as Director of the Experiment Sta-
tion:
PUBLICATIONS
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, the publications of
the Experiment Station consist of the annual report, four bulle-
tins, three circulars, four press bulletins, and two indices, mak-
ing a total of fourteen publications. Below are given their.
titles and the authors:
Bulletin No. 205: "Variety Tests of Wheat;" by the Agricul-
turist.
Bulletin No. 206: "Grazing Peanuts with Hogs versus Market-
ing a Crop of Peanuts;" by the Animal Husbandman. (From
the Local Experiment Fund).
Bulletin No. 207: "Local Fertilizer Experiments with Cot-
ton in South Alabama, 1914-1918, Inclusive;" by the Field
Agent and Director. (From the Local Experiment Fund).
Bulletin No. 208: "Comparison of Peanut Meal, Cotton Seed
Meal, Velvet Bean Meal, Ammonium Sulphate, and Nitrate of
Soda, As Fertilizers for Corn and Cotton;" by the Agriculturist..
Circular No. 39: "The Argentine Ant and How To Control
It;" by the Assistant Entomologist. (From the Local Experi-
ment Fund).
Circular No. 40: "Annual Report of the Director of the Ex-
pe iment Station on Work Done Under the Local Experiment
Law in 1918;" (From the Local Experiment Fund).
Circular No. 41: "Late Planted Variety Tests of Corn;" 
by the
Agriculturist.
Press Bulletin No. 95: "Conserving Alabama's 
Corn Crop;"
by the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 96: "Tests 
of Varieties of Corn in 1918;"
by the Agriculturist.
12
Press Bulletin No. 97: "Tests of Varieties of Cotton in 1918;"
by the Agriculturist.
Press Bulletin No. 98: "Velvet bean Seeds: Results of Germi-
nation Experiments;" by the Director and Plant Breeder.
Index Volume XXIV.
Index Volume XXV.
'Thirty-First Annual Report.
MAIN LINES OF WORK IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
The attached reports of heads of departments show lines
of experimental work in progress in each. Allusion is here
madel briefly only to some of the most out-standing of these
investigations.
Plant Breeding As in previous years, plant breeding has
been a line of work that has occupied a considerable propor-
tion of the time of the staff in the agricultural department of
the Experiment Station. The plants that are subjected to sys-
temnatic courses of improvement, both in the process of study-
ing the principles underlying the improvement of plants and
in making these particular plants more productive, and of
better quality, are chiefly cotton, corn, oats, and to a smaller
extent wheat.
During the past year Spanish peanuts has been added to
,this list.
Cofton-Improvement of cotton through plant breeding has
been concerned chiefly with the Cook and Cleveland varie-
.ies, and with numerous hybrids made at Auburn.
Having attained in large part the desired increase in pro-
ductiveness and uniformity, as indicated by the high posi-
tion in variety tests taken 
by the strains of cotton 
evolved on
the Alabama Experiment Station farm, increasing attention is
now being directed to an improvement in the length of lint
,of Cook and Cleveland varieties.
It is gratifying to report that the farmers of Alabama are
making extensive use of the strains thus bred up at Auburn,
though it is difficult to collect statistics showing the exact
acreage planted in such seed. All seed of such origin is in ur-
gent demand for planting. Indeed in many neighborhoods
where these strains have been tested for several years the
13
seed produced locally from them has displaced other varieties
of cotton on the farms of the most progressive farmers.
The testing of old and new varieties continues to receive
attention as a means of informing the public of the value of
new varieties, and also as a means of protecting the public
against the excessive claims made on behalf of so-called new
varieties that are often only new names for well-known va-
rieties.
Oats-Among the results thus far apparent from the breed-
ing of oats are much greater uniformity and larger yields
from strains bred-up at Auburn. Probably the most hopeful
indication from the work in hybridizing oats is the creation
of a hybrid that is giving continued proof of increasing hardi-
ness toward winter killing.
Experiments are continued in the successive planting of
strains of oats in the spring as compared with the planting
of the same original strain continuously in the fall. A con-
tinuous record is also being kept of the average difference be-
tween sowing in the fall as compared with sowing in Feb-
ruary.
Forage Crops-Among the forage crops which have figured
most extensively in experiments at Auburn are varieties of
velvet beans, including the new bush velvet bean; varieties
of soybeans, both for seed and for hay; and varieties and
species of vetches.
Soils-Professor Funchess has continued his study of the
causes of soil acidity, and of the relation to infertility of man-
ganese and other elements sometimes found to be toxic.
During the past year he has been engaged in a determina-
tion of the amount of lime required, as indicated by labora-
tory tests, for numerous samples of soil taken from repre-
sentative areas in widely scattered parts of Alabama. Other
properties of these soils are also being investigated.
Insect Pe/sts-The department of entomology has continued
to make the weevil injuring corn its principal experimental
project, and is investigating the value of sodium cyanamid for
the treatment of soils witl a view to the destruction of nema-
tode worms causing root knot on a wide range of useful plants.
Horticulture-Among the experiments in progress are va-
riety tests of pecans, peaches, apples, raspberries, and straw-
berries. An important investigation in progress in this de-
14
partment is a. study of the optimum conditions both at harvest
and during storage for the keeping of sweet potatoes in sound
condition throughout the winter.
Plant Diseases-By utilizing the more expensive equipment
of an institution in another state the plant pathologist has
been enabled to make important contributions to our know-
ledge of the influence of temperature and humidity on the
growth of the organism causing citrus canker. Scientists be-
lieve that thel results found true with this organism will proba-
bly havel application in the control or treatment of other
plant diseases.
Changes in the Sweet Potato during Storage-The botanist
has made progress in determining the changes in the sweet
potato caused by low temperatures.
The research chemist has given his almost undivided at-
tention to the study of the composition of the velvet bean, with
special reference to finding some cause for the reported in-
jurious effects of the feeding of velvet beans to pregnant
sows.
The physiological chemist has assisted the animal husband-
man in studying the effects of peanuts and other feeds on the
hardness of pork by determining the melting points of lard
produced. He has also made extensive analysis of cotton
seed to determine the possibility of increasing at will the
percentages of oil and other constituents.
Feeding Experiments at Auburn-With hogs these have been
concerned chiefly with the effects on quality of pork and rapi-
dity of gain from using various proportions of peanut meal as
compared with a ration of whole peanuts and of mixed con-
centrates. Fish meal has also been compared with tankage.
The hogging down of a field of corn and soy beans has been
compared with the results from hogging down corn alone.
An experiment with dairy cows, not yet completed, is in-
tended to ascertain the value of velvet bean meal as compared
with wheat bran.
Animal Dise'ases and Parasites-Under the veterinarian's
direction experiments have been conducted with hogs to de-
termine the prevalence of any certain means of preventing
some of the common parasites of hogs.
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. DUGGAR,
Director.
REPORT OF AGRICULTURIST
E. F. CAUTHEN
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 27th, 1919.
Dicector J. F. Duggar,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
I respectfully submit the following brief 
report of the ex-
perimental work done in field crops under Hatch and Adams
funds at the Alabama Experiment Station in 1919. The work
-was in the main along the lines-pursued in previous years.
Cotton-The variety tests included a coniparison of eighteen
common short staple varieties and of seventeen less common
,ones. The results of these tests are published in press bulle-
tin No. 100. The regular test of long staple varieties was re-
peated. The effect of early and late thinning on amount of
fruit, type of plant, and the time of setting bolls was studied;
also the effect on earliness from planting seed on a level, on a
high bed, and in a water furrow.
The test comparing the effect on yield, earliness, germina-
tion and strength of young plants from planting "light from
light" and "heavy from heavy" cotton seed was continued to
verify or nullify some conclusions reached from the study of
the results of former years. This phase of the plant breeding
work is about finished.
The breeding of the Cook and Cleveland varieties was con-
tinued in plant-to-row tests, and data along the same lines as
in previous years were taken. A small plant-to-row test of
Cook 588 was begun in 1918 and repeated in 1919 to see if
certain objectionable characters, such as black seed and oc-
casional green seed which have crept into this popular strain
since it left the Experiment Station, might be removed. The
results of the two year's test suggest that they can be worked
out. Cook No. 1110 proved very promising this year,
and surpassed the next most productive variety in the
regular variety test by 62 pounds of lint cotton per acre. Seed
of promising strains were placed among farmers for multipli-
cation as a part of the work done under the Local Experiment
law.
16
Corn-On the Experiment Station Farm sixteen varieties of
corn were tested in an early planting, and seven varieties in
a late planting. The different methods of planting and culti-
va-:ing corn, known as the Williamson test, were repeated,
and data covering eleven years are now being prepared for
publication. The breeding work with corn under Mr. Tis-
dale was carried on along the lines pursued in 1918. Some
of the more important strains were multiplied as largely as
the limited space on the Experiment Station Farm would per-
mit.
Oats-Especially promising strains of Fulghum and Red Rust
Proof oats from the nursery rows were multiplied in rod and
sixteenth-acre plots. In comparison with plots planted from
unimproved seed of these varieties, the selected strains showed
more uniformity in type and made larger yields of grain. The
seed from the most promising strains were placed for multi-
plication with farmers agreeing to make local experiments.
The regular fall planted variety, test of oats, including the lead-
ing southern varieties, was repeated; the.same varieties, includ
ing the more promising for spring seeding, were planted late
in February.
The fall-versus-spring-planting test of the Red Rust Proof
and Burt oats, which has been in progress many years, was
repeated.
Hybrid oat No. 651, mentioned in my former report, showed
its resistance to' winter killing and promises to become a val-
uable hardy variety. It is now planted in the regular variety
test for comparison of its yields with standard varieties.
Wheat-The regular variety test, consisting of twelve prom-
ising varieties adapted to southern states, was repeated. The
Alabama Blue Stem showed a considerable increase over Ful-
caster and other widely grown varieties. The fact that it was
ten days earlier than the common varieties gave a decided ad-
vantage this year. Many promising selections were planted
in rod plots in 1918, and the seed from the most promising
rods were planted in 1919 in sixteenth-acre plots. About
twenty bushels of pedigreed strains were turned over to the
Local Experiment Division for testing in various parts of Ala-
bama.
Soy Beans-The principal work with soy beans was a regu-
17
lar variety test for seed, and a similar test for hay. A test of
soy beans, cowpeas, corn, peanuts, etc., was made to get com-
parative amount of grain of each and to compare the residuafl
soil effect of each crop on succeeding crops. The test of dif-
ferent rates of seeding soy beans and cowpea mixtures fon
forage was repeated.
Rye-A regular variety test that included the leading south-
ern varieties was made, and careful notes on habit of growth
and resistance to anthracnose were taken. Rye was planted
widely on the Station Farm as a cover crop; it was combined
with vetch, crimson clover, and Canada field peas for forage
and with different varieties of vetch.
Varieties of Vetch-A collection of vetches that offered
promise for southern conditions was furnished by Bureau of
Plant Industry and planted in 1918 and repeated in 1919. Ore-
gon vetchi No. 13420 did not lodge badly, remained green ta
the ground, and showed little stemn disease. A strain of An-
gustifolia did not shatter badly when pods ripened. Both
Oregon and Hairy vetch were tested in various mixtures with
different kinds of small grains for forage.
Commercial Fertilizers The fertilizer experiments of 1918
were repeated in 1919. The results of different dates of apply-
ing nitrate of soda to, cotton agree with those obtained in pre-
vious years; largest yield coming from the application made
before planting. A comparison of cottonseed meal, peanut
meal, velvetbean meal, ammonium sulphate, and calcium cy-
anamid with nitrate of soda as a source of nitrogen was re-
peated with corn and cotton. When nitrate of soda and cal-
cium cyanamid were applied on coastal plain soil under corn
at planting and as a side dressing at different stages of growth,
the nitrate of soda gave approximately 150 percent increase
and the calcium cyanamid gave only 50 percent; but when
they were applied to cotton in the same manner and on the
same character of soil, they gave nearly equal increases.
When 240 pounds of duplex basic slag and 240 pounds of 16
percent acid phosphate per acre were applied on 
old poor
upland coastal plain soil under corn, they gave practically the
same increase. The tests of acid phosphate and ground 
rock
phosphate under corn, cotton and oats were continued.
In the twelfth year of the test of different 
sources of nit-ogen.
18
the acid condition of soil resulting from the continuous use of
ammonium sulphate, produced decidedly injurious effects on
the summer sorghum crop for forage and is now injuring the
growing oats.
Potash from different sources was tested under wheat, corn,
and cotton on coastal plain soil with results that indicate little
preference to any particular kind or source. "Nitrapo" ver-
:sus nitrate of soda and alkali salt under corn and sorghum for
-forage gave approximately equal increases in yield of crops.
The dressing of equal amounts of nitrogen from nitrate of
:soda, calcium cyanamid, and ammonium sulphate, applied at
-different dates in the early spring on fall planted oats, gave
the largest increase from that made March 
3rd both from sul-
phate of ammonia and from nitrate of soda.
In addition to the above experiments, the following tests
'we-:e made on the Alabama Experiment Station Farm 
in 1919:
Alfalfa fertilizer test.
_Alfalfa with a nurse crop.
-Canada peas for forage.
t Crops, limed versus not limed.
-Clover, species of.
Grasses, tests of species and varieties.
Japanese sugar cane for forage and for syrup.
Kudzu to smother nut grass.
Effects of kudzu for soil improvement.
Fertilizer test on wheat.
Methods of planting oats after cotton.
Melilotus and black medic for hay.
Oats, Tangier peas, and vetch for hay.
Acid phosphate versus raw phosphate.
Peanuts, variety test and spacing test.
Rotation of crops, heavily fertilized and moderately ferti-
lized.
Sorghum, test of varieties for forage and for syrup.
Subsoiling.
Treatment of bur clover seed, hulled versus not hulled, etc.
Velvet beans, variety test and seed from different sources.
Respectfully submitted,
E. F. CAUTHEN,
Agriculturist.
REPORT OF AGRONOMIST
M. J. FUNCHESS
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 11, 1919.
Director J. F. Duggar,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
Herewith I submit a progress report of the work done with
Soils under Adams Fund during the year 1919.
Further studies on the toxicity of soluble manganese in acid
soils indicates that manganese is to be regarded as a very good
indication of an acid condition; but that of itself, it is not
likely to produce harmful effects unless present in very large
amounts. The toxicity of certain soil extracts is apparently
due more to the acidity of the solution, or to the combined
effect of acid and aluminum, than to the manganese which is
frequently found. The results obtained by means of seedling
cultures in soil extracts indicate that manganese carbonate
may lower the acidity of such extracts, and thus render the
solutions better mediums for growth.
Efforts to determine whether salts of aluminum were toxic
more because of the acidity of such salts than because of the
direct effect of the aluminum, gave disappointing results, since
the aluminum could not be kept in solution when the acidity
was destroyed.
Certain plants, like velvet beans and peanuts, appear to be
more able to throw the aluminum out of solution, by neutraliz-
ing the acid, than other plants, like clover or Melilotus seed-
lings.
In recent work, several soils from north Alabama gave very
acid extracts after incubation with dried blood. The samples
of soil used were too small to permit a detailed study of the
extract therefrom; it was shown, however, that each of these
soils from which very acid extracts were obtained, supported
nitrification of dried blood, and that soluble manganese was
present in large quantities, in most cases. The work is con-
sidered very indicative, and will be extended during the next
season, when it becomes possible to secure bulk samples of
soil for this study.
Respectfully submitted,
M. J. FUNCHESS,
Agronomist.
REPORT OF PLANT BREEDER
H. B. TISDALE
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 15, 1919.
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
The following is a report of my work under the Adams and
Hatch funds for the year 1919:
A study of the correlation of the different ear characters
and several plant characters of corn is being continued with
the two prolific varieties; Experiment Station Yellow, a yel-
low flint variety, and Whatley, a white dent weevil-resistant
variety. A special study is being made of the weevil resis-
tant quality of corn to ascertain any effect it may have on the
yield and other characters, and to find out the characters
that may serve as a guide to the best yielding strains in field
selection. The ear-to-row method is used on the two varieties
to test strains of corn with characters showing high corre-
lative coefficients, and to isolate, strains best suited to Ala-
bama conditions.
A study of the different strains of White Spanish peanuts
has been started to determine any effect of selection on pea-
nuts and to find out the' different characteristics of high yield-
ing strains. About 200 individual plants of White Spanish
peanuts were selected and tested in a plant-to-row experi-
ment on the Station farm.
A considerable number of ge rmination experiments were
made with velvet bean seeds, the results of which were pub-
lished in press bulletin No. 98. Other germination experi-
ments were made with peanuts. 
It was found that the vitali-
ty of a large percentage of peanuts is weakened or destroyed
by commercial peanut shellers.
Respectfully submitted,
H. B. TISDALE,
Plant Breeder.
REPORT OF BOTANIST
WRIGHT A. GARDNER
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 22, 1919.
Director J. F. Duggar,
Alabama Experiment 
Station,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
I herewith submit a brief report of experimental work con-
ducted by the Department of Botany during the past year.
Adams Fund Projects.
(1) Soil Toxin Project. The investigations of last year
were continued and extended to include a larger number of
soils with wider distribution.
(2) Sweet Potato Project. Progress has been made on this
project. An attempt was made early in the year to determine
what effects subjecting cured sweet potatoes to chilling had
on the sugar and starch content as well as on the concentra-
tion of the cell sap. The results obtained indicate that the
physiological changes induced by chilling well cured sweet
potatoes are negligible. Further work along this line has been
planned. Sweet potatoes have been harvested and cured un-
der various conditions and the effects on their composition
and metabolism are being determined. The preliminary re-
sults are very suggestive.
Hatch Fund Projects.
No extended projects have been definitely outlined under
the Hatch Fund. Some work has been done on each of the
following:
(1) Manganese poisoning of plants.
(2) Sprouting of early Irish potatoes for second 
crop.
(3) Nut grass eradication.
(4) Nutrient solutions.
Respectfully submitted,
WRIGHT A. GARDNER,
Botanist.
REPORT OF PLANT PATHOLOGIST
GEORGE L. PELTIER
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 30, 1919.
Prof. J. F. Duggar, Director,
Agricultural Experiment Station.
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
I am herewith submitting a brief statement of the work
now in progress in the Department of Plant Pathology.
(1) Under the Adams fund the Citrus-canker project has
been continued along two principal lines.
a. Susceptibility and resistance to Citrus canker of the wild
relatives, Citrus fruits, and hybrids of the genus Citrus.
b. The influence of temperature and humidity on the
growth of Pseudomonas citri and of its host plants, and
on infection and the development of the disease.
The first problem has been continued in cooperation with
the Office of Crop Physiology and Breeding Investigation, Bu-
reau of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agricul-
ture, both in the greenhouse and field. A field laboratory and
isolation field is maintained for this purpose at Loxley, Ala.,
iMr. W. J. Frederick, Ass't Pathologist, Bureau of Plant Indus-
try, being in charge. The results obtained up to Nov. 1, 1919,
are now ready for publication.
The second investigation was carried out for the Alabama
Experiment Station in the Plant Physiology Laboratories of
the Department of Botany, at the University of Illinois. As
noted in my last report a four months stay in Illinois secured
for this investigation the use of these laboratories that are pro-
vided with unusual facilities for this line of work. The re-
sults obtained during my stay at the University of Illinois are
now in shape for publication.
Beginning July 1, 1919, under a cooperative agreement be-
tween the Alabama Experiment Station and the Bureau of
Plant Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, the Patholo-
gist will devote all, his attention to a study of Citrus-Canker
during the present fiscal year. Thus, a more thorough study
23
of this problem is possible, and arrangements have already
been made to develop and complete the work begun at the
University of Illinois last year.
It is sufficient to state here that both lines of work are well
under way and some fundamental principles have been de-
veloped, which will not only have a decided bearing on the
eradication and prevention of Citrus Canker, but which can
also be applied in the prevention and control of other serious
plant diseases as well.
(2) In cooperation with the Plant Disease Survey, U. S.
Department of Agriculture, a very intensive survey of the State.
was made by Mr. L. E. Tisdale for the dreaded European po-
tato wart, which has recently been discovered in Pennsylvania.
Fortunately no signs of this disease were found in Alabama.
The rest of the work under the Local Experiment fund this
year has been confined to continued observations on a number
of troublesome plant diseases, some of which are new or little
known in Alabama.
On Sept. 15, 1919, Mr. E. F. Hopkins accepted the, position..
of associate Plant 
Pathologist. He will 
investigate especially
the diseases of forage crops and their 
control.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. L. PELTIER,
Plant Pathologist.
REPORT OF HORTICULTURIST
G. C. STARCHER
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 30, 1919.
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Director Alabama Experiment Station,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
In response to your request, I herewith submit a report on
the progress of the work in this Department done under the
Hatch fund for the year 1919.
Pecans-We are continuing our work on the variety tests
of pecans. Some very interesting results were obtained this
past year.
Peaches The notes on the varieties of peaches in the old
orchard have been continued, along with some new varieties
that have originated here. The work on spraying and the use
of various spray materials was continued this past year. Some
very striking results were obtained. A new peach orchard of
thirty varieties was planted to continue the work of testing de-
sirable varieties for this State.
Pears-The notes on the varieties of pears, with special
reference to susceptibility to Blight, were continued as usual.
Strawberries The planting of twenty-nine varieties of
strawberries gave some very interesting results this past year
and will be continued for the coming year.
Raspberries-The notes on- the varieties of raspberries were
continued. Some good results were obtained. The notes on
five varieties of blackberries, the Lucretia dewberry and logan-
berries were continued. Some of them look promising.
Sweet Potatoes-The work on harvesting and storing of
sweet potatoes is being continued with 
reference to different
times of digging and the effects of frost upon the curing and
keeping. The past year's notes gave some very striking re-
sults and are being duplicated this winter. Some work was
done this past season in testing several different fertilizers on
sweet potatoes.
Tomatoes-The variety tests of tomatoes this past year were
25
a failure due to a very bad season.
Melons-The work on melons was continued but no results
were obtained due to a very bad season.
Apples-All of the varieties of apples in the old orchard that
proved to be worthless were removed and a new orchard was
planted this past year. This orchard will include varieties of
Southern origin for testing and special attention will be paid
to the finding of suitable varieties for the extreme Southern
end of the apple belt.
Grapes--A new grape vineyard was planted this past year.
The ten varieties that gave best results in the old planting were
selected and large plantings of each were made in order that
the test may be continued on a larger scale.
Some work was begun in the greenhouse with the treatment
of soils with sodium cyanide for Nematode. Some very strik-
ing results are showing on the crops now in the greenhouse.
Our work has been very much hindered due to the fact that
we have such a limited quantity of land for this Department's
use and the unevenness and roughness of the soil we have.
Our work on the testing of fertilizers is very limited and it
will be impossible for this Department to do any work of any
great importance until our funds and equipment are increased.
Respectfully submitted,
G. C. STARCHER,
Horticulturist.
REPORT OF ENTOMOLOGIST
W. E. HINDS
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 20, 19190
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
Below I submit a brief report of the principal items of work
in the Department of Entomology under 
Hatch and Adams
funds during the year 1919.
1. Rice Weevil-This insect has been unusually abundant
this season, -and promises to do very serious damage to the
1919 crop. Further work has been done in the field 
control
of this serious pest, and arrangements have been made to car-
ry control of the rice weevil into the sphere of the Farm Dem-
onstration work so that a large number, of farmers may put
into practice the very simple and effective measures of control
developed by this investigation. The first important 
fac-
tor is the selection of a weevil-resistant type of seed ear,
that is, ears which have an exceptionally tight-fitting shuck
so that the tip of the ear is fairly well covered and protected
against the first entrance of this species. The second point is
the utilization of the trap plot method of concentrating the
first generation of rice weevils in the field so that they may
be controlled economically by proper handling of the small
amount of corn that is grown on this trap area. Decided prog-
ress has been made in the work along these lines.
The study of weevil-resistant varieties in the field could not
be continued in the fall of 1919 on account of the pressure of
other field work under way at the time. This work should be
continued further.
2. Arsenate of Lead-This project has been held in abey-
ance the past season on account of the scarcity of labor and
the requirements of other phases of the work under way.
3. Fumigation-Work in soil fumigation has been continu-
ed and the value of Sodium Cyanide treatment of greenhouse
soil, particularly, has been further developed. In a large
scale outdoor study, using a variety of test plants, the results.
27
have been so conflicting that additional study Will-have
-to be made before any conclusions can be reached. A
laboratory study is under way to determine the possibility of
destroying nematodes which have become embedded in the
roots of growing plants without injuring the plants themselves.
The results of this work will throw a good deal of light upon
the question of the practicability of soil fumigation.
Respectfully submitted,
W. E. HINDS,
Entomologist.
REPORT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDMAN
GEORGE S. TEMPLETON
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 29, 1919.
Prof. J. F. Duggar, 
Director,
Alabama Experiment 
Station,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
I.beg to submit herewith a brief report of the experiments
conducted under the Hatch and Adams funds by the Animal
Husbandry Department during the past fiscal year:
ADAMS FUND PROJECT
This experiment is a study of the influence of some south-
ern feeds upon the properties (melting point, iodine value,
keeping qualities, and color) of lard. Six lots of hogs were
fed as follows:
Lot 1-5 hogs, corn 8 parts, tankage, 1 part.
Lot 2-5 hogs, corn 7 parts, peanut meal, 1 part.
Lot 3-5 hogs, corn 2 parts, peanut meal, 1 part.
Lot 4-5 hogs, corn 1 part, peanut meal, 1 part.
Lot 5-5 hogs, corn 2 parts, peanut meal, oil free, 1 part.
Lot 6-3 hogs, whole peanuts.
This experiment was planned with a view of determining
the influence of various amounts of peanut meal on the car-
casses, and the changes that might occur in the carcasses due
to extracting the oil from commercial peanut meal by the gaso-
line process.
The hogs were on feed from December 28, 1918 to April
14, 1919, a period of 107 days. They were shipped to the
Birmingham Packing Company, Birmingham, Alabama, and
slaughtered. After the carcasses were chilled for thirty-six
hours samples of kidney fat were collected and notes 
made on
the relative firmness of the carcasses. The fat samples were
turned over to Professor C. L. Hare of the Chemistry Depart-
ment to determine melting points and iodine values:
Lots 1, 2, and 5 were firm and entirely satisfactory to the
packer. Part of th( hogs in Lot 3 killed out firm and part
medium soft. All in Lot 4 classified medium soft. The 
hogs.
29
in Lot 6 were very oily and were docked accordingly.
The averag( melting points for the lots were as follows:
Lot 1-40.3.
Lot 2-39.9.
Lot 3-40.5.
Lot 4-39.7.
Lot 5-42.4.
Lot 6 Semi-fluid.
HATCH FUND PROJECT
HOGS
Experiment No. 1
A comparison of fish meal and forty percent tankage as the
protein supplement to corn in a fattening ration for hogs:
The tankage used was purchased from the Birmingham Pack-
ing Company, Birmingham, Ala. The fish meal was made
from Menhaiden fish on the New England Coast, and was fur-
nished by the Department of Agriculture at Washington to the
Animal Husbandry Department.
Eight purebred Poland China gilts out of a litter of eleven
were used in this experiment. They were divided equally
into two lots, and fed 127 days. Lot 1 received fish meal one
part and corn six parts. Lot 2 received tankage one part and
corn six parts.
The analysis of the feeds used was as follows:
Fish Meal-Protein, 56.56; Fat, 6.89.
Tankage-Protein, 36.19; Fat, 21.68.
The pigs in Lot 1 made an average daily gain each of 1.37
pounds, and required 373 pounds of feed for 100 pounds gain.
Those in Lot 2 made an average daily gain of 1.27 pounds,
and required 404 pounds of feed for 100 pounds gain.
The individuals in the two lots averaged 631/2 pounds in
weight at thq beginning of the experiment.
The ration containing fish meal produced a slightly larger
average daily gain than did the ration containing tankage.
Both rations proved very palatable and entireily satisfactory.
Experiment No. 2.
The object of this experiment was to determine the rela-
tive amount of pork per acre of a crop of peanuts as compared
with a crop of soy beans and corn planted in altepnate rows,
30
-and to determine the influence of the soy beans on the quality
of the carcass of the hogs grazing the combined crop of corn
and soy beans.
The grazing part of the experiment lasted 38 days, at which
time the five hogs that had hogged down the, acre of corn
were put into a dry lot and fed corn and tankage 
in self feed-
er. The seven hogs in the corn and soy bean field were al-
lowed to continue grazing for 26 days, consequently the
seven hogs had free access to the corn aild soy beans in al-
ternate rows for a total of 64 days.
At the close of the experiment the hogs were shipped to
Swift & Company, Andalusia, Alabama. All of the hogs were
entiret satisfactory to the packer and brought top prices on
the date marketed. There was, however, on close examina-
tion a slight difference in the relative firmness in favor of the
corn and tankage lot. Samples of kidney fat from the hogs in
these two lots were turned over to the Department of Chem-
istry to determine melting points and iodine values.
DAIRY CATTLE
An experiment was started during the year to determine the
relative feeding value of velvet bean meal and wheat bran as
a part of the concentrat ration for milk production. Ten
pure bred Jersey cows are being used in this test. The test
is divided into two parts, pasturd and dry lot periods.
This experiment has not continued for sufficient length of
time to draw any conclusions.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. S. TEMPLETON,
Animal Husbandman.
REPORT OF VETERINARIAN
C. A. CARY
Auburn, Ala., Dec. 18, 1919.
Director J. F. 
Duggar,
Experiment 
Station,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
The following is a brieif report of work done during the
year 1919.
(1) Tests were made on the use of Oil 
of Chenopodium
for intestinal worms in chickens. Five drops of oil of cheno-
podium in 20 drops of olive oil were given once a day for
four days. All food was kept away from the chickens for
twenty-four hours before the first dose was given. The treat-
ed chickens were fed eight hours after the second, third, and
fourth doses. Round worms from the intestine were passed
without giving a purgative. The chickens were killed and
in most instanced all the intestinal parasites had been re-
moved.
(2) Tests were made to determine whether or not hog
lice would transmit hog cholera. Lice were secured from a
hog having acute cholera. The lice were the common blood
sucking type known as the Haematopinus suis.
(a) One pig four months old in normal condition was se-
cured. Seventy-five lice were repeatedly washed in sterile
wate)r and then macerated and the product injected subcuta-
neously into this pig. Pig was kept by itself in small pn.
Temperature was taken every day. On the 
seventh day tem-
perature was 105.4 Fahr. On the ninth day it refused to cat,
was drowsy, trembling and unable to stand. It wa. then
killed and the common lesions of cholera were found.
(b) Upon another pig four months old, in good condition,
from same source as (a) were put 150 hog lice obtained from a
hog having acute cholera. In 14 days the temperature rose
and on the 18th day this pig exhibited symptoms of cholera
and was killed and post mortem findings were characteristic
of hog cholera.
32
(c) A third pig, same age and size and from same source
:as (a) and (b) was kept 
in another pen as a 
check for 41
days and then it was given virus and developed hog cholera..
This test will be repeated.
(3) Post mortem examinations of 50 virus 
pigs ranging
from 40 to 90 pounds in weight, and from two 
to four months
old, were made to determine 
the prevalence of the various
intestinal worms in pigs. The ordinary 
round worm (ascaris
suis) that resembles the earth worm was found in the 
in-
testines of 40 out of the 50 
pigs. In other terms, 80 per cent
of the pigs were infested. When we noted 
that one stage in
the life history of this worm is spent 
in the lungs and there
it often produces pneumonia, the importance 
of this para-
site becomes paramount.
In 32 out of the 50 pigs were found the large 
thorn head
worm. This worm is from 4 to 15 inches long and 
attaches
itself to the intestinal wall. It irritates, infects 
and sometimes
penetrates the entire intestinal wall. It was 
found in 60 per-
cent of the pigs examined.
In 11 out of the 50 pigs Spiroptera 
scutatum was found.
This is a thread worm in the mucus membrance of 
the
oesophagus.
In 25 out of 50 wero found the oesophagostoma 
dentatum.
They are found usually in the caecum 
and colon and may
cause anemia, 
emaciation, etc.
(4) Tests were again made by feeding 
nuts, leaves, stems
and blooms of the Aesculus pavia, 
red buckeye.
(a) Two pigs were fed daily 7 
ounces of pulverized nuts
for 19 days. This was mixed 
at first with oats, and mixed
feed and later it was mixed 
with a bran mash. There were
no changes in temperature, pulse, 
respiration or mucous mem-
branes, no changes in the blood 
counts or hemaglobin dur-
ing or after the test.
(b) Two shotes were fed leaves, 
stems and flowers for 18
days, as much as they could be 
induced to eat. No patholo-
gical or toxic effect was produced. 
It may be possible that
there was no saponin or toxic glucosides 
in the nuts or plants
fed because the condition of the 
plants or nuts was not in
some way acted upon to produce 
toxic products.
33
The Farmers Summer. School was held at Auburn, August
2nd to August 9th, 1919. There were 507 in attendance from
45 Alabama countieds and 8 different States. Special efforts
were made to give instruction 
to girls and women 
on home,
economics., sanitation, decoration, etc. The attendance and
interest were very good.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. CARY,
Veterinarian.
REPORT OF RESEARCH CHEMIST
E. R. MILLER
Auburn, Ala., Jan. 19, 192t.
Professor J. F. 
Duggar, Director,
Alabama Experiment 
Station,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
I submit herewith a brief report on the chemical composi-
tion of the velvet bean, an Adams fund project.
Beans from the Early Speckled variety: ash, 2.8-2.9 per-
cent; calcium, 0.13-0.15 percent; magnesium, 0.14-0.16 per-
cent; phosphorous, 0.4 percent; sulphur, 0.31 percent; chlorine,
0.021 percent; ether extract, 6.5 percent; protein, 20 percent;
carbohydrates, principally starch, 30 percent; alcoholic ex-
tract, 12-13 percent. The alcoholic extract contains a pheno-
lic substance.
Stems and leaves of the Early Speckled variety, collected
when the fruit was mature. Stemns, ash, 2.96 percent; Leaves,
ash, 11.9 percent. From plants in bloom. Stepis, ash, 4.37 per-
cent; calcium, .0.71 percent; magnesium, 0.319 percent.
Leaves, ash, 5.85 percent; calcium, 1.433 percent; magne-
sium, 0.214 percent; phosphorous, 0.187 percent.
The beans from several other varieties have been analyzed,
but the results do not differ much fromni those of the Early
Speckled variety.
Respectfully submitted,
EMERSON R. MILLER,
Research Chemist.
REPORT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMIST
C. L. HARE
Auburn, Ala., Jan. 2, 1920.
Prof. J. F. Duggar, Director,
Alabama Experiment Station,
Auburn, Ala.
Sir:
Work in this Department for the year 1919 included study
in cooperation with the Animal Husbandry Department of
the effects of peanuts, peanut meal, peanut meal oil free, corn
and tankage upon the carcasses and fat of hogs receiving those
products in various proportions in the rations.
In the study of the composition of cotton seed it has been
found that high percentages of lint are associated with low
percentages of oil in the ginned and in the unginned seed
(seed cotton) and with small amounts of oil in unit number
seeds.
There is no marked relation between percentages of lint
and protein in the ginned seed, tho high lint percentages oc-
cur with sded showing a small amount of protein in unit
number of seeds.
There seems to be no definite relation between percentages
of lint and percentages of meats or of ash in the seeds. When
results are expressed in terms of "Lint Index" or the amount
of lint on 100 seeds, rather than in percentages of lint, it is
found that high lint index is associated with large quantities
of oil, protein and ash in unit number of seeds.
Respectfully submitted,
C, L. HARE,
Physiological Chemist.