64th and 65th
ANNUAL REPORTS
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
of the ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
January I, 1953-December 31,1954
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
Pricing Efficiency of Slaughter Cattle at Alabama Livestock
Auction Markets. (M. J. Danner.)-An extremely wide spread
was found between prices paid for the different grades of slaugh-
ter cattle at six Alabama auctions in 1953 and 1954. During the 2
years, nearly 11,000 animals were graded at the six auctions. The
range in spread varied from 50 to 100 per cent between Utility
and Choice grades during any one season. For the fall grading
period of 1954, the average price per hundredweight paid at all
markets was $10.94 for Utility steers and $17.80 for Choice steers.
During the fall of 1954, steers grading Choice or better accounted
for less than 2 per cent of the total number graded. Utility and
lower grades accounted for more than half of all steers graded
at the six auctions. Auctions selected had different volumes, but
3 of the 6 were large auctions.
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
Engineering Phases of Supplemental Irrigation. (Loyd John-
son, H. S. Weaver, and F. A. Kummer.) - Previous data on physi-
cal properties of selected Alabama soils were summarized in a
special report. These data were used in preparing a sprinkler
irrigation guide for Alabama. A bipod to prevent toppling of
high risers for corn irrigation was developed. A method of mov-
ing lateral lines in row crops was developed by omitting 2 rows
at 80-foot intervals and constructing a pipe rack for a tractor-
drawn trailer. Seventy-five years of monthly rainfall records
were assembled, analyzed, and presented in table form to, estab-
lish a guide for rainfall expectancy. Cost analyses were made on
the operation of the irrigation system on the Agricultural Engi-
4 - ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
neering Farm at Auburn. Measured values of evapo-transpiration
from corn, cotton, and pastures at two locations in the State were
compared with evaporation from a water surface and compared
with computed values.
The Effect of Various Vegetative Covers, Rotations, Mulches,
and Seedbed Preparation on Runoff Water and Soil Losses from
Various Slopes. (F. A. Kummer and Loyd Johnson.)- A sys-
tem of field layout for complete mechanization on sloping land
was developed on the Agricultural Engineering Farm. Outlets
were constructed so that machinery could operate across them
with ease. This, in effect, made continuous rows possible even
though the fields were divided by outlets.
Point rows and sharp turns were eliminated, and the use of
parallel rows was made possible. Whenever possible, terraces
were constructed parallel to a key terrace. All rows were laid
out parallel to the terraces. Where parallel terraces were not
possible, rows were laid out parallel to one terrace, and areas
where point rows occurred were vegetated.
All terraces were constructed of sufficient width to permit 4
rows between the channel and ridge. Twenty-foot borders were
provided to allow easy access to rows and turning of equipment
in the field without damaging crops. A parallel-row system per-
mitted use of multiple-row equipment, approaching conditions
usually encountered only on nearly level land with long continu-
ous rows. Acreage unsuitable for row crops was seeded to per-
manent vegetation.
Mechanization of the Harvesting of Cotton. (T. E. Corley,
C. M. Stokes, and F. A. Kummer.) -Harvesting tests were con-
ducted at three locations in the State and with three commercial
machines (spindle picker, brush stripper, and steel roll stripper).
The average harvesting efficiency of the strippers was about 3
per cent greater than that of the spindle picker, but the stripper-
harvested cotton contained about four times as much trash as
the spindle-picked cotton. A ribbed plate attachment increased
the spindle picker efficiency 2.7 per cent in fluffy cotton and 5
per cent in hard-lock cotton.
Auburn 56 variety had a significantly lower preharvest loss,
a high yield, and a high harvesting efficiency, resulting in sig-
nificantly more cotton (240 pounds per acre) harvested by all
machines. There was a significant difference in efficiency be-
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 
5
tween machines for some varieties but not for all varieties tested.
Plant population had little effect on harvesting efficiency of
the three machines. Increased plant populations gave significant
decreases in plant height and limb length at 
all locations, yield
at one location, and significant increases in height of 
fruiting,
preharvest loss, and trash content at all locations. 
Cultural treat-
ments had no, effect on yield and harvesting efficiency, 
but the
rotary-hoed and chemically-treated plots 
required 50 per cent
and 80 per cent less hand hoe labor, respectively, 
than the hand-
hoed check.
Defoliation had no effect on yield, staple, harvesting 
efficiency
of the three machines, and grade of spindle-picked 
cotton. Desic-
cation resulted in a lower grade for both strippers.
Processing and Storing of Seed, Grain, and Hay. 
(J. L. Butt,
H. S. Ward, Jr., and F. A. Kummer.)- 
Experiments were con-
ducted comparing machine-harvestable 
yield of corn picked at
approximately 20 per cent noisture 
with corn field-cured to
about 12 per cent moisture before picking. 
In 1953, rains and
high winds between early and late harvest 
resulted in a reduction
in yield from 4,176 pounds for early- to 2,686 
pounds per acre for
late-harvested corn. The 1954 test plots, 
which were irrigated,
averaged 66.5 bushels per acre, but 
excellent weather prevailed
between early and late harvest, and there 
was no measurable
difference between the yields of early- 
and late-harvested corn.
Oats containing 11 per cent moisture 
were stored in a tight
plywood bin and a tight steel bin from September, 
1952, to July,
1953, with no changes in moisture, weight 
per bushel, or germi-
nation except that indications of a slight reduction 
in germination
appeared in specific, small areas.
Engineering data were obtained on coefficient 
of friction, angle
of flow, and emptying angle of repose for 
several Alabama crops.
The angles above the horizontal required 
for certain crops to
flow from a smooth wood surface were: oats, 
22.90; shelled pea-
nuts, 24.10; sudangrass, 23.00; corn, 
20.30; unshelled peanuts,
22.40; and rescuegrass, 25.40. The angle 
between the horizontal
and the surface of grain when the grain was 
permitted to flow
from a container was: oats, 34.10; shelled 
peanuts, 34.60; sudan-
grass, 26.00; corn, 26.30; unshelled peanuts, 
41.70; and rescue-
grass, 73.50.
A hay-drying and self-feeding structure for 
chopped hay was
designed in cooperation with the structures 
project. The hay
6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
was handled mechanically from field to mow to animal with a
minimum of labor used. Cost of drying the partly cured hay was
$3.16 per ton. The hay was self-fed to animals from the drying
moW.
AGRONOMY and SOILS
Minor Element Status of Alabama Soils and the Requirement of
These Elements for Plant Growth. (John I. Wear.) -Water-solu-
ble boron was determined for 133 soil samples selected at random
from samples sent to the State Soil Testing Laboratory. The
results of the analyses were subdivided on basis of soil regions
and soil types. Order of increasing amounts of water-soluble
boron present in the soils by regions was: Lower Coastal Plain,
0.057; Sand Mountain, 0.069; Upper Coastal Plain, 0.073; Pied-
mont Plateau, 0.109; Black Belt, 0.116; and Tennessee Valley,
0.156 p.p.m. Order of increasing amounts of water-soluble boron
present in soils, according to texture, was from lighter to heavier
soils.
Correlation of Soil Test Results with Yield Response on Peanuts.
(C. E. Scarsbrook.) - Laboratory tests were made on soils from
southeastern Alabama where peanut fertility experiments were
conducted during 1952-54.
Gypsum applied to unfertilized plots at the rate of 500 pounds
per acre gave an average increase of 159 pounds of peanuts
where calcium was low. No increase was obtained where the
soil test for calcium was medium.
Gypsum applied to plots fertilized at the rate of 40 pounds of
P
2
0
5 
and 60 pounds of K
2
0 per acre gave an increase of 343
pounds over plots that received fertilizer but no gypsum when
the soil test for calcium was low. When calcium was medium,
the average increase was 77 pounds. A high test for calcium was
obtained at only I of the 18 locations. No increase was shown
from gypsum on this location.
Sixty pounds of K
2
0 increased the yield an average of 153
pounds per acre where the soil test was low. No increases were
obtained when the soil tested medium. A high test for K
2
0 was
not obtained at any of the locations.
Forty pounds of P
2
0
5 
had no effect on yields, regardless of the
levels of P
2
0
5 
in the soil. Therefore, a relationship between pea-
nut yields and soil-test phosphorus could not be shown.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 7
Behavior of Potassium in Soils. (1) EFFECT OF MOISTURE CON-
TENT AND TEMPERATURE OF DRYING ON CERTAIN EXCHANGE CHAR-
ACTERISTICS OF VAIDEN CLAY. (R. D. Rouse and E. M. Stickney.)
- A study was made of the effect of moisture content and tem-
perature of drying on some exchange characteristics of Vaiden
clay to obtain a clearer insight into the phenomena of potassium
release and fixation of soils.
The cation exchange capacity decreased on drying and ex-
changeable potassium and sodium increased. Exchangeable cal-
cium and magnesium were not affected by drying. In this study,
temperature had no effect on these exchange characteristics if
the soils were dried to a comparable moisture content.
At present no theory of soil chemistry explains this increase in
exchangeable potassium and sodium on drying. However, these
findings emphasize the need for uniform drying of samples of
these soils before making a correlation analysis for soil testing
purposes.
(2) EFFECT OF SODIUM, CATIONICRATIOS, AND AERATION ON
EARLY FRUITING AND YIELD OF COTTON. (R. D. Rouse, A. B.
Ernest, F. L. Selman, and W. F. Sowell.) -The effects of sodium
and root aeration on the cotton plant have been studied in the
greenhouse using solution culture techniques during the past 4
years. Addition of sodium to the nutrient solution hastened
blooming and boll setting of cotton grown under conditions of
poor root aeration, but this effect was not generally obtained with
cotton grown under conditions of good aeration. However, cer-
tain cationic ratios appear to be critical for maximum boll setting
of cotton even when none of the essential elements are deficient;
the addition of sodium to solutions containing these critical ratios
resulted in increased boll setting even under good root aeration.
A plant growth chamber has been constructed and further
studies are being conducted under controlled conditions to estab-
lish specifically the critical ratios so that likelihood of their occur-
rence in the field can be determined.
In two field experiments, one conducted on Norfolk loamy
sand and the other on Kalmia sandy loam, no value from the
application of sodium was found when potassium was adequate.
At inadequate potassium levels, however, sodium was found to
substitute for some of the potassium needs of the cotton plant.
8 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
(3) THE EFFECT OF MINERAL PLANT NUTRIENTS ON THE MAIN-
TENANCE OF CLOVER IN PASTURES ON BLACK BELT SOILS. (R. D.
Rouse.)-A 5-year study has been made to explain the disap-
pearance of clover in clover-grass pastures on Black Belt soils.
Field experiments during this period were relatively uninforma-
tive because of adverse weather conditions, but a combination
of greenhouse, field, and laboratory experiments and observations
of pastures permits the formulation of a theory with considerable
confidence as to its validity.
Two greenhouse experiments on Sumter clay, one using a white
clover-Dallisgrass mixture and a second using a Ladino clover-
Kentucky 31 fescue mixture, provided data showing that a high
nitrogen level at low potash hastens clover failure. These studies
also show that a high phosphorus level increases iron deficiency in
clover and, when this was not corrected by iron sptay, clover
failure resulted during the summer.
In a greenhouse study on Vaiden clay, potash became deficient
after a few clippings when phosphorus was added. This soil had
given only a slight response to, potash 
in a field test. All studies
also showed that grass could produce good growth at a lower
level of available potassium than clover. Laboratory studies indi-
cated that both the acid and lime soils have a relatively high po-
tassium supplying power; therefore, the available potash may
be maintained under low production or when the forage is not
removed from the soil.
These studies indicate, and this was borne out by field observa-
tions, that when pastures are first established on these soils and
weather conditions are favorable, phosphorus fertilization alone
may produce good clover growth on all Black Belt soils except
the high lime soils where potassium is needed for establishment.
However, continued applications of only phosphorus can create
potash deficiency as a result of forage removal even on the least
potash-deficient soils of this area. Since grass is able to grow at
lower levels of available potassium than clover, it continues to
thrive after the clover stands are largely lost. The grass is stimu-
lated by the nitrogen build-up by the clover, and this growth
provides further competition for reestablishment of clover in the
undisturbed sod. On the lime soils, clover failure may also be
hastened by the application of phosphorus even with adequate
potassium application because of the tie-up of iron in the surface
soil.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS- 9
It is recognized that the effect of these factors on clover failure
is intensified by an environmental condition that favors grass
over clover, such as the hot dry summers of the past few years.
Some Factors Affecting the Adsorption of Sulfate by Alabama
Soils (Cooperative with TVA). (L. E. Ensminger.) - Results from
numerous field tests show that cotton often responds to applied
sulfate. However, results from several locations show that deep-
rooted legumes such as sericea and alfalfa did not respond to
sulfate applications. The sulfate content of a number of soils
was determined by extracting with various solutions in an effort
to explain the differential response obtained in field experiments.
Approximately the same amount of sulfate was extracted by
neutral sodium acetate, sodium acetate buffered at pH 4.8,
KH2PO4 solution containing 100 p.p.m. phosphorus, and KH
2
PO
4
containing 500 p.p.m. phosphorus. However, 0.1N HCI solution
extracted little or no sulfate. The samples contained only small
quantities of water-soluble sulfate except where sulfate had been
recently applied.
The results show that sulfate is retained to a considerable ex-
tent by most soils. The heavier subsurface layers usually contain
more sulfate and are capable of adsorbing more sulfate than the
surface layers. The capacity of soils to adsorb sulfate is affected
by certain soil treatments. Increasing amounts of superphosphate
applied to a Cecil clay loam resulted in decreasing amounts of
soluble sulfate. Superphosphate decreased the capacity of this
soil to adsorb sulfate from a CaSO4 solution. Liming also re-
sulted in a decrease in the retention of sulfate.
The sulfate adsorption capacity of a number of materials was
determined in an attempt to show what fractions of soils may be
responsible for the retention of sulfate. The data show that de-
hydrated Al
2
O adsorbed much more sulfate than any of the
other materials. The iron minerals adsorbed rather small amounts
of sulfate, whereas Davidson colloid, kaolinite, and bauxite were
intermediate.
Analysis of soil samples from areas where response of alfalfa
and sericea to sulfate was tested shows that the subsurface layers
contained appreciable quantities of sulfate. Evidently, deep-
rooted crops can obtain sufficient sulfate from these layers.
Factors Affecting the Nature and Behavior of Native and Added
Phosphates in Soils: (1) RESIDUAL EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PHOS-
PHATES AS MEASURED BY YIELDS, P-32 UPTAKE, AND EXTRACTABLE
PHOSPHORUS. (L. E. Ensminger and R. W. Pearson.) - In 1930
an experiment was started on a Decatur silt loam and on a Green-
ville fine sandy loam to compare the efficiency of seven sources of
phosphorus in a rotation of corn and cotton with vetch. At the
end of 16 years, phosphate applications were discontinued in
order to study residual effects as measured by yields. In 1950
and 1951, 24 pounds of P
2
0
5 
per acre from tagged superphos-
phate was applied to all treatments. Available phosphorus based
on P-32 uptake was calculated and expressed as A values.
For the Greenville fine sandy loam, A values show that super-
phosphate had a greater residual availability than rock or col-
loidal phosphate applied at the same rate, but not as great as
basic slag. The availability of the 96-pound rate of rock phos-
phate was greater than for the 48-pound rate but not as great as
for 48 pounds of P
2
0
5 
from superphosphate. The A values for
24 pounds of P
2
0
5 
from superphosphate plus periodic applica-
tions of either slag or rock phosphate were considerably greater
than for 24 pounds of superphosphate alone.
For the Decatur silt loam, A values show that superphosphate
had about the same residual availability as the raw phosphates,
concentrated superphosphate, and precipitated tricalcium phos-
phate applied at the same rate of P
2
0
5
, but less than basic slag.
The A value for the 96-pound rate of rock phosphate was greater
than for 48 pounds of P
2
0
5 
from superphosphate. The A value for
24 pounds of P
2
0
5 
from superphosphate alone was 76 as com-
pared with 313 for 24 pounds of P
2
0
5 
from superphosphate, plus
periodic applications of rock phosphate.
Yield data for the first 4 years of the residual period show only
a general relationship with A values. Soluble phosphorus was
determined by three different extracting solutions to determine
the amount and nature of the phosphorus accumulated.
(2) RESPONSE OF COTTON TO PHOSPHATES IN RELATION TO pH.
(L. E. Ensminger.) - To study the effect of soil reaction on the
response of cotton to phosphates, results from 109 field tests were
divided into three groups on the basis of soil pH. The soils were
divided into groups as follows: pH 5.0 or less; pH 5.0 to 5.5; and
pH of greater than 5.5. Average yields for unphosphated plots
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION10
were 610, 704, and 908 pounds per acre of seed cotton for soils
of pH 5.0 or less, 5.0 
to 5.5, and greater than 
5.5, respectively.
Increased yields of seed cotton from the use of 60 pounds of
P
2
0, from superphosphate averaged 264, 231, and 183 pounds
per acre for the low, medium, and high pH groups, respectively.
Concentrated superphosphate, dicalcium phosphate, and trical-
cium phosphate were also included in these tests; the effect of
soil pH on response of cotton to these phosphates was similar to
results obtained with superphosphate.
The use of dolomite along with superphosphate and concen-
trated superphosphate increased yields of cotton on soils with a
pH of less than 5.5 but had little or no effect on the response of
soils with a pH greater than 5.5. Sufficient dolomite was used to
neutralize residual acidity of the nitrogen applied.
Effects of Manure, Vetch, and Commercial Nitrogen on Yields
of Cotton and Corn. (J. T. Cope, Jr.) - In 1925 an experiment
was begun at Auburn to compare the effects of 5 tons of manure
annually, vetch each winter, and 52 pounds of nitrogen annually
from sodium nitrate on yields of cotton and corn in a 2-year
rotation. These treatments were applied for 18 years and dis-
continued for 5 years to determine their residual effect on yields.
After the residual study, all plots were planted to corn and re-
ceived 80 pounds of commercial nitrogen annually from 1948
through 1952. Yields are presented in the table.
Manure produced 271 pounds more seed cotton and 3.5 bushels
of corn more than did 825 pounds of NaNO3 for the initial 18-
SUMMARY OF COTTON AND CORN YIELDS FROM MANURE, VETCH, AND COMMERCIAL
NITROGEN AND TI-EIR RESIDUES, 1925-52
1925-42' 1948-472 
1948-521
Treatment Seed Corn Seed Corn Corn
cotton cotton
Pounds Bushels Pounds Bushels Bushels
No nitrogen .........----------------- 892 7.9 214 5.6 45.8
5 tons manure annually -------- 1,713 42.1 1,027 29.0 53.7
825 lb. NaNO3 annually --- ---- 1,442 88.6 468 14.4 48.5
Vetch each winter .---------------- 1,858 82.8 524 16.0 49.9
No nitrogen ------------------ 489 6.6 671 24.2' 47.9
x All plots received 600 pounds of superphosphate and 100 pounds of muriate
of potash per acre annually.
SResidue study, 1943-47. All plots received 800 pounds of 0-14-10 annually.
SAll plots were planted in corn and received annual applications of 400 pounds
of 4-10-7 and 200 pounds of ammonium nitrate.
' This treatment received 225 pounds of NaNO3 annually from 1948 through 1947.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
11
12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURALEPRMN TTO
year period. Vetch produced 84 pounds of seed cotton and 5.8
bushels of corn less than did the NaNOa. Average yields from
vetch were low because of large fluctuations in amounts of vetch
produced from year to year. Average yields of green vetch turned
were 7,000 pounds for cotton and 6,351 pounds for com. Yields
of cotton and corn on plots that received only phosphorus and
potassium were extremely low.
During the residual study, the effect of manure was outstand-
ing. The average residual effect of manure for 5 years was 813
pounds of seed cotton and 23.4 bushels of corn. Sodium nitrate
and vetch had about the same residual effect but much less than
the effect of manure.
When 80 pounds of nitrogen was applied to all plots in 1948,
yields were increased tremendously on all plots. Check plots that
had averaged 6.3 bushels of corn for 23 years produced 50.6
bushels of corn in 1948. The effect of manure was still present
in 1950, 8 years after the last application.
Soil Testing Studies. (Clarence M. Wilson.) -The soil testing
laboratory was put into operation February 1, 1953. During that
year 3,840 soil samples were analyzed as compared with 9,118
samples in 1954. All samples were tested for available phosphorus
and potash and for pH and lime requirement. Exchangeable cal-
cium was also determined on all samples when peanuts were to
be grown.
A summary of the results of analysis for the 2-year period for
all samples (except unusual samples such as for gardens) showed
that 73 per cent of the samples had a pH of 6.0 or less, and 35 per
cent has a pH of 5.5 or less. Fifty to 60 per cent of the samples
were low to medium in available phosphorus as compared with
80 to 90 per cent for potash. This indicates that potash 
is more
often a limiting factor in crop growth than is phosphorus.
Cotton Breeding and Improvement Investigations. (H. B. Tisdale
and A. L. Smith.) - Plains and Auburn 56 varieties 
of cotton
developed by the API Agricultural Experiment Station were re-
leased for commercial production in 1949 and 1952, respectively.
These varieties were planted in alternate rows in partial isolation
to determine possible hybrid vigor from natural cross-pollination
between two high yielding varieties of. cotton. The 
two varieties
were harvested together in bulk and the mixed seed were grown
in partial isolation for three generations - 1952, 1953, and 1954.
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION12
A part of the seed from each generation was entered with the
parental material in all variety tests over the State in 1952, 1953,
and 1954. The second generation showed a significant increase
of 7 per cent over the parental material in yield of lint per acre
in 1953. The first and third generation seed gave no increase
over the parental material in 1952 and 1954. The results indicate
that in favorable seasons seed grown from a mechanical mixture
offer a practical method for using hybrid vigor from natural cross-
pollination for commercial production of cotton.
The inheritance of resistance to fusarium wilt in upland cotton
was found to be determined by a single dominant factor. This
resistance was enhanced by undetermined factors for increased
root-knot nematode tolerance. Seabrook sea island cotton (Gos-
sypium barbadense), when crossed with upland Rowden (G.
hirsutum), was found to have two dominant factors for fusarium
wilt resistance. Sea island resistance amounts to essential im-
munity to fusarium wilt and is not reduced by nematode activity.
White Clover Improvement: (1) EFFECTS OF SOIL MOISTURE
AND CLIPPING ON THE INCIDENCE OF DISEASES AND THE PERSISTENCE
OF WHITE CLOVER UNDER ALABAMA CONDITIONS. (Foy Campbell
and Pryce B. Gibson.) - The relative importance of stolon and
leaf damage to the persistence of white clover growing in a Dal-
lisgrass sod under the following treatments was studied: (1)
irrigated and harvested for seed, (2) irrigated and clipped to
simulate grazing, (3) not irrigated and harvested for seed, and
(4) not irrigated and clipped to simulate grazing.
A uniform stand of Dallisgrass was obtained by setting plants
on 1-foot centers over the test area. Forty different clonal lines
of white clover were used. Twenty of these were of the inter-
mediate type and 20 were of the large type or Ladino clover.
This latter group included 10 lines that produced few or no
flowers and 10 lines that produced some flowers under Alabama
conditions. The 
white clover 
plants were spaced 
4 feet apart.
A plant of each of the 40 clonal lines was set in each plot. The
test area was limed and fertilized for optimum clover growth.
Ethylene dichloride was applied to the soil in an effort to elimi-
nate nematodes as a variable.
The persistence of the white clover was measured in terms of
damage to leaves and to stolons. Since the value of white clover
depends on the production of foliage, measurements of damage
to both leaves and stolons were reported in terms of foliage lost.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 13
Damage to stolons was found to be more important than dam-
age to leaves in the persistence of the clover. The greatest 
amount
of damage occurred on the nonirrigated plots that were clipped
to simulate grazing. Apparently, high soil temperature was an
important pre-disposing factor to the stolon damage. The least
amount of damage occurred on the irrigated plots that were
harvested for seed. Under all conditions the nonflowering large
type plants persisted best; flowering large type plants, second;
and intermediate type plants, third.
(2) ROOT SYSTEMS OF LADiNO AND INTERMEDIATE 
WHITE CLO-
VER GROWN AS SPACED PLANTS AND IN SOD. (Charles Cooper King,
Jr., Pryce B. Gibson, 
and L. E. Ensminger.) 
- In an effort to
determine the cause of the variation in the persistence of white
clover, root systems under spaced plants and sod were studied by
measuring the roots in the soil under the plants and by placing
radioactive phosphorus at vertical intervals of 6 inches in the soil
to a depth of 30 inches. Cores of soil in 3-inch intervals 
to a
depth of 24 inches were taken with a steel cylinder sampler. The
roots in the cores were separated from the soil and weighed.
Root penetration as measured by the uptake of radioactive phos-
phorus was checked at weekly intervals with a survey meter.
The readings were taken by wrapping a clump of leaves at each
placement location around the tube of the field survey meter.
The root systems under spaced plants of intermediate white
clover, Ladino plants that produce none or very few flowers, and
Ladino plants that produce some flowers under Alabama condi-
itions were studied. The study of the root systems under a sod
was limited to plots planted with seed from one source of in-
termediate white and from one source of Ladino. These studies
were conducted on a Norfolk sandy loam soil.
The differences in the root systems under the white clovers
included in this study were too small and insignificant to indicate
that the persistence of a variety of white clover could be pre-
dicted by studying its root system.
Breeding of Sericea Lespedeza. (E. D. Donnelly.) - The 
seri-
cea breeding project was begun in 1950. In 1951 and 1952, studies
were made to determine: (a) effects of temperature, types 
of
containers, and length of storage period on the tannin content of
ground leaves of individual plants; (b) relationship of tannin 
in
leaves to that in stems of individual plants; and (c) relative
14 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 1
effects of plant genotype and environment on the tannin content
of a given plant from year to year and between clippings within
a given year.
Results of tests conducted in 1952 indicate that both stem
type and tannin content affect palatability of sericea.
In 1953 and 1954, experiments were conducted to determine
the effects of season, stage of plant maturity, and plant height on
the selection of low tannin plants, and effects of heterosis on
forage and seed yields.
Data from these tests indicate: (a) tannin content increased
as mean day temperature increased and as precipitation de-
creased; (b) tannin content did not decrease in the cuttings
taken during the latter part of the growing season; the third cut-
ting was as high or higher than the preceding cutting; (c) stage
of maturity has a considerable influence on the tannin content
of sericea; (d) plant height apparently is not associated with
tannin content; (e) chasmogamous (either cross- or self-pofi-
nated) progeny of 10 randomly selected individual plants yielded
more forage and seed than cleistogamnous (self-pollinated) pro-
geny; the former produced 25 per cent more dry herbage and
40 per cent more seed than the latter. The range of this in-
crease between types of progeny varied from no increase to 41
per cent for forage, and from no increase to 52 per cent for seed;
(f) families varied considerably in forage and seed yields and
in persistence; (g) no difference between the stands of the two
types of progeny was indicated at the end of the fourth year in
the field; (h) forage and seed yields were not closely associated.
Corn Breeding. (F. S. McCain.) - Several promising 
corn in-
breds have been developed. Three of these go into Ala. 3212,
an experimental variety. Data from tests conducted in 1952 and
1953 indicate that Ala. 3212 possesses a satisfactory combination
of yielding ability, lodging resistance, weevil resistance, and
quality of grain that make it suitable to central and southern
Alabama. This hybrid has yielded as much as North Carolina 27
and has been as resistant to lodging as Dixie 18, the two top-
performing hybrids in these respects. Ala. 3212 is made up of
inbred lines Ab 2, Ab 12, Ab 8, and F44. Several seed produc-
tion problems must be solved before this hybrid can be released.
Soil Fumigation Studies with Corn. (F. S. McCain.) - "Gall"
or "sand" spots in fields at the Plant Breeding Unit sometimes
is
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
interfere with the selection of good locations for corn yield tests.
Attempts to eliminate these spots by fertilizer applications and
other methods have failed. A test was conducted in 1958 to
determine if these "gall" spots might be caused by the presence
of nematodes in the soil. Four rates of Dowfume W85, 1, 2, 8,
and 4 gallons per acre, were compared with no soil fumgiant for
the control of nematodes attacking corn. Each rate of fumigant
resulted in a small increase in yield of corn (approximately 4
bushels per acre) over the next lower rate. These differences
were not statistically significant except between zero and 4 gal-
lons of fumigant per acre. The difference between treated and
untreated plots was most striking in the early stages of growth.
Plants growing on untreated plots showed a definite stunting and
yellowing effect as compared with normal plants growing on
treated plots. As growth progressed, the plants on untreated
plots recovered from the stunted effect and appeared normal.
The corn on untreated plots silked and tasseled about 8 days
later than that on treated plots. At no time during the growth
period was there any visible difference between plants growing
on plots receiving different rates of fumigant.
Comparison of Feed Produced by Oat Varieties Clipped to Simu-
late Grazing with the Same Varieties Not Clipped. (C. C. King
and F. S. McCain.) - Clipping tests to simulate grazing were
superimposed on the regular small grain variety tests at several
locations in the State. Three years' data (1952-54) indicate that
greater feed value is obtained when small grains are grazed and
then allowed to produce grain than when managed for grain
FEED PRODUCED BY OAT VARIETIES CLIPPED TO SIMULATE GRAZING AND BY THE
SAME VARIETIES NOT CLIPPED, 1952-54
Yield per acre
Item Clipped Not clipped
Bushels Equivalent Total Bushels
bushels' bushels'
Average of 8 varieties in
northern Alabama 66.2 29.7 95.9 64.1
Average of 10 varieties in
central Alabama 49.7 49.6 99.8 68.9
Average of 12 varieties in
southern Alabama 26.7 56.8 83.5 41.8
SEach 100 pounds of dry forage 
evaluated as worth 8 bushels of 
oat grain if
utilized by cattle as green pasturage.
' Sum of grain plus grain equivalent of forage from clipped tests.
16 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
only. Clipping until March 1 did not affect grain yields in nor-
thern Alabama, but yields were materially reduced in central
and southern Alabama as a result of clipping until the same date.
Forage yields were greatest in southern Alabama and decreased
progressively to northern Alabama. Greatest total feed units
were obtained in northern and central Alabama. It appears that
the exceptionally good growth of forage produced in southern
Alabama must be utilized by cattle if small grains grown in this
area are to compete satisfactorily with those grown in other
areas of the State.
Adaptation of Forage Crops to Alabama Conditions. (1) TEM-
PORARY GRAZING CROPS. (W. R. Langford.) - In tests of winter
annual grazing crops, adapted varieties of small grains produced
more forage during fall and early winter than any other annually
seeded winter crop. Abruzzi rye, Coker 47-27 wheat, and South-
land oats have been among the most productive fall grazing
crops. Crimson clover, ryegrass, and rescuegrass each produced
as much total forage, but the growth was much later than that
of rye, wheat, or oats. A high percentage of the growth made
by crimson clover, ryegrass, and rescuegrass was produced after
late February.
Crimson clover planted with well-fertilized small grain made
little growth, but in mixture with ryegrass it constituted about
one-half of the forage.
(2) SERICEA-GRASS AND ALFALFA-GRASS MIXTURES. (W. R.
Langford.) - Rescuegrass planted on an established stand of
sericea and nitrated in the fall and late winter increased the total
forage yield, but it thinned the stand and reduced the sericea
yield during the summer.
Addition of orchardgrass or tall fescue to sericea also thinned
the stand and reduced the sericea yield during the summer.
Orchardgrass, tall fescue, and rescuegrass each failed to per-
sist in mixtures with alfalfa that were mowed each time alfalfa
reached early bloom.
Pasture Studies. (1) RESPONSE OF PERMANENT PASTURE 
TO
IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZATION. (E. M. Evans and L. J. Chap-
man.) - A 3-year average increase in dry forage yield of 2,800
pounds per acre was obtained from supplemental irrigation 
of
replicated grazing paddocks at the Lower Coastal Plain Sub-
station on Leaf fine sandy loam soil seeded to a mixture of tall
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
17
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
fescue, Dallisgrass, and white clover and fertilized with ade-
quate amounts of lime, phosphorus, and potassium. Additions
of 120 pounds of nitrogen per acre from ammonium nitrate split
equally between February and September applications did not
increase forage yields of irrigated paddocks on which white clover
performed satisfactorily. Additions of nitrogen to nonirrigated
paddocks caused a shift in the botanical composition to a pre-
dominantly tall fescue pasture and increased the yield of dry
forage by about 2,200 pounds per acre. Irrigation of nitrated
paddocks resulted in a yield increase of 1,400 pounds of dry
forage per acre, lengthened the grazing season considerably, and
maintained a good botanical composition. The pastures required
some supplemental irrigation during the period of June to Octo-
ber each year. The average amount of water required was enough
to bring the total of rainfall plus irrigation for the 5-month period
to around 35 inches, or about 5 inches per month. About one-
half of this amount was supplied by irrigation during the period
under study.
(2) RESPONSE OF PERENNIAL WARM-SEASON GRASSES TO NImo-
GEN UNDER GRAZING. (W. R. Langford and E. M. Evans.) - Two
years' results from a replicated grazing experiment on Norfolk
sandy loam soil at the Wiregrass Substation shows Coastal Ber-
mudagrass to be more responsive to high rates of nitrogen and
more productive at all levels of nitrogen than common Ber-
mudagrass or Pensacola Bahiagrass where other fertilizers were
adequately supplied. With no supplemental nitrogen, Coastal
Bermuda produced 6,113 pounds of dry forage per acre, common
Bermuda produced 2,212 pounds, and Pensacola Bahia produced
8,742 pounds. Addition of 80 pounds of nitrogen from ammonium
nitrate increased production of each species by about 1 ton of dry
forage per acre. The second 80-pound increment of nitrogen,
giving a rate of 160 pounds per acre, increased the yield of dry
forage from Coastal by about 2 tons per acre more than the
80-pound rate, but increased the yield of common Bermuda
and Bahia by only 1/2ton. The average yield of Coastal Bermuda
at the 160-pound rate of nitrogen was 6 tons, the yield from
common Bermuda was 8 tons, and that from Pensacola Bahia
about 81/3 tons.
The amount of dry forage produced per pound of gain by
yearling steers was 23.1 for Coastal Bermuda, 20.6 for common
Bermuda, and 17.0 for Pensacola Bahia.
18
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 19
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY and NUTRITION
Vitamin E in Farm Animal Nutrition. (E. L. Hove.)- When
fed certain rations in dry lot, young growing swine need a vita-
min E supplement to prevent liver damage and sudden death.
This has been shown by the results of experiments in which
weanling pigs were fed a ration containing 12 per cent soybean
meal as the protein source, complete 
minerals and B-vitamins,
carbohydrate, 6 per cent lard, and 2 per cent cod-liver oil to
supply vitamins A and D. The rate of gain on this ration was
only 0.67 pound per day, although the animals appeared to be
in excellent condition. Of the six pigs on this diet, three dropped
dead, with no warning, between the second and fifth month after
weaning. They had acute hemorrhagic necrosis of the liver, with
some hemorrhage into the stomach, colon, and lymph nodes.
When slaughtered, the remaining three animals had badly dam-
aged and nodular livers, yellowish back-fat, and poorly developed
genitalia. With 0.02 per cent vitamin E added to the ration, five
litter-mate control pigs lived to slaughter age and had no liver
damage. Fresh green grass, clover, and alfalfa are among the
best known sources of vitamin E.
The Comparative Nutritive Values of Corn of High and Low
Protein Contents. (H. E. Sauberlich, Wan-Yuin Chang, and W.
D. Salmon.) -- A series of grain corn samples ranging in protein
content from 6.8 to 13.6 per cent were tested in feeding experi-
ments with laboratory rats and chicks. The protein contents of
the low-protein varieties (6.8 to 9.1 per cent) were increased
markedly (9.5 to 13.6 per cent) by high nitrogen fertilization.
The high-protein corn samples were superior to the low-protein
samples when fed in equal proportions in the diet. The low-
protein corn was found to be deficient in at least the following
amino acids: lysine, tryptophan, isoleucine, threonine, and valine.
In contrast, the high-protein corn was deficient in only lysine
and tryptophan, although not as severely deficient as the low-
protein corn. However, when the corn was fed on the basis of
equal protein content in the diet, the high-protein corn was
slightly inferior to the low-protein corn, reflecting a greater pro-
portion of zein in the protein. Studies on the supplementation
of corn diets with various natural protein materials indicated
that soybean meal is the most satisfactory of those tested. The
corn samples also were analyzed for 18 amino acids.
Investigation of the Changes in Chemical and Physical Prop-
erties of Pasture Herbage That Influence Their Utilization and
Nutritive Value for Grazing Animals: (1) SUMMER GRASSES -
RATES OF NITROGEN GRAZING EXPERIMENT - WIREGRASS AREA.
(W. B. Anthony, W. R. Langford, J. G. Starling, C. A. Brogden,
and C. M. Martin.)- The grasses included in this study are
common and Coastal Bermnudagrass and Pensacola Bahiagrass.
Although white clover was seeded in all paddocks, the swards
as grazed were almost pure stands of grass.
The experimental design is the randomized complete block
with two replications, and the paddocks are 1.75 acres in size.
Common Bermuda and Pensacola Bahiagrass were treated with
0, 80, and 160 pounds of nitrogen per acre; Coastal received an
additional treatment of 320 pounds of nitrogen per acre. The
experimental animals were Good to Choice feeder steers and
weighed about 500 pounds each at the beginning of spring graz-
ing. The paddocks have been grazed for 2 complete seasons, and
results for the 2 years have been combined and summarized.
Beef gain produced annually on Coastal Bermuda totaled 308,
383, 476, and 675 pounds per acre, respectively, for nitrogen
treatments per acre of 0, 80, 160, and 320 pounds. Pensacola
Bahia produced 259, 334, and 369 pounds of gain when nitrogen
was 0, 80, and 160 pounds per acre, respectively. Comparable
data for common Bermuda are 77, 200, and 291 pounds of gain.
For the three grasses, animal daily gains were satisfactory in the
spring and early summer but were unsatisfactory in late summer.
Dry matter digestibility was similar for the three grasses and
was greatly improved by nitrogen. Protein content of the grasses
was adequate in the spring but declined in late summer.
(2) IRRIGATION-FERTILIZATION GRAZING EXPERIMENT - FESCUE-
WHITE CLOVER-DALLISGRASS - CAMDEN AREA. (C. M. Martin,
W. B. Anthony, E. M. Evans, and L. V. Brown.) - Irrigation was
effective in increasing beef production and carrying capacity and
extending the length of the grazing season. Quality of forage, as
determined by digestibility, was maintained satisfactorily in hot,
dry periods with irrigation.
BOTANY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY
Cause and Control of Collar Rot of Peanuts. (J. A. Lyle.) -
Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of soil
treatments for the control of collar rot of peanuts in southeastern
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION20
Alabama. Effectiveness of collar rot control was determined by
(1) increases in stand, growth measurements, and yield; and (2)
indices of collar rot and root-knot nematode.
Only one soil treatment, ethylene dibromide (EDB), gave
significant control of this disease in 1953 when rated by these
standards of control. The material was applied broadcast and in
row treatments. EDB, applied broadcast at the rate of 4/ gallons
per acre, gave an increase of 1,025 pounds of peanuts over no
treatment. EDB at the rate of 9 gallons broadcast and 2 gallons
and 4 gallons in the row gave an increased yield of 772, 925, and
663 pounds of peanuts, respectively. Control of collar rot was
directly correlated with control of root-knot nematodes, Meloido-
gyne hapla in particular.
In 1954, severe drought conditions prevailed. However, EDB
again gave significant control of collar rot when measured by
the various disease control standards. This material, applied
broadcast at the rate of 41/ gallons per acre, gave an average
increase of 689 pounds of peanuts in two experiments. Penta-
chloronitrobenzene (PCNB), applied broadcast at the rate of
45 and 90 pounds per acre, resulted in significant increases in
stand and decreases in incidence of collar rot, but no increases
in yield.
Control of Foliage Diseases of Peanuts. (J. A. Lyle.) - Investi-
gations were conducted to determine effectiveness of (1) different
fungicidal materials and (2) time of application of sulfur-copper-
toxaphene dust in the control of foliage diseases of peanuts. All
of the different fungicidal materials used were applied as dusts
at regular intervals to the foliage.
Each of the different fungicidal materials gave significant con-
trol of peanut foliage diseases. Vancide 958 and 5 per cent Crag
plus sulfur gave very significant 
control of these diseases.
Five and two applications of sulfur-copper-toxaphene also gave
significant control of foliage diseases of peanuts. One application
of this dust material applied late in the season, although it did not
control foliage diseases, resulted in significant yield increases of
peanuts when compared with the two former treatments and no
treatment.
Investigations on Diseases of Forage Crops, Grain Crops, and
Legumes. (J. A. Lyle.)-Tests were conducted to evaluate ef-
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 21
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
fectiveness of chemical seed protectants in the control of head
smut, Ustilago bullata, of rescuegrass, and Victoria blight, Hel-
minthosporium victoriae, and leaf blotch, H. avenae, of oats.
Disease control in rescuegrass was based on (1) increased emer-
gence and (2) absence of smutted heads at maturity, and in oats
on increased emergence.
Laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments were correlated
to show effective control of head smut in rescuegrass seed with
use of Agrox, Ceresan M, Orthocide 75, and Thiram 50. Results
of greenhouse tests at Auburn and field tests at six locations in
the State showed that Agrox and Ceresan M were effective in
controlling Victoria blight and leaf blotch of oats. There was
some evidence that disease control could be correlated with
forage and grain yields of oats.
Causes of Variability in the Activity of Herbicides. (D. E.
Davis.) - Experiments were conducted on the phytotoxicity of
the alkanolamine salts of 2,4-dinitro-o-secondary butyl phenol
(DNOSBP), isopropyl N 3-chlorophenylcarbamate (CIPC) and
1:1 mixtures of these two chemical compounds under various
environmental conditions. These chemicals were applied as a
preemergence spray for cotton grown in a Norfolk sandy loam
soil in which crabgrass, Digitaria spp., and Florida pusley, Rich-
ardia scabra, were the most important annual weeds.
In these experiments, cotton stands were more often reduced
by DNOSBP than by CIPC or mixtures of the two. Nevertheless,
injury was produced by mixtures containing as little as 2.5
pounds of DNOSBP per acre (broadcast basis) when the tem-
peratures were over 1000 F. Florida pusley was controlled more
effectively by DNOSBP or by the mixture than by an equal rate
of CIPC alone. Crabgrass was sometimes better controlled by
CIPC than by DNOSBP, but the results were inconsistent. The
mixture did not seem to be any more effective than an equal rate
of DNOSBP alone.
A Study of Factors Affecting the Phytotoxiciy of Preemergence
Weed Killers. (D. E. Davis and F. L. Davis.) - The alkanola-
mine salts of 2,4-dinitro-o-secondary butyl phenol (DNOSBP)
were used as a preemergence herbicide for cotton grown in a
Norfolk sandy loam soil under various environmental conditions.
These experiments were concerned with the effects of rainfall
and lime on the phytotoxicity of DNOSBP to cotton.
22
One-half inch of simulated rain had three different effects on
phytotoxicity: (1) When rain fell within a few hours after the
cotton was planted and before it had germinated, it leached suffi-
cient DNOSBP down around the seed to retard germination and
reduce stands if a high rate (9 pounds per acre) of DNOSBP
was used; this effect was not observed at the 4.5-pound rate.
(2) When rain fell after the cotton had germinated but before
emergence, cotton injury was decreased due to a decrease in
active chemical on the surface, which could volatilize and burn
the emergent cotton. (3) When the first rain occurred 3 or 4
days after the cotton 
had emerged, cotton injury 
was greatly
increased by increasing the vaporization of the chemical.
When 50 pounds per acre or more of slaked lime was applied
to the chemically-treated surface anytime before 3 days after
cotton had emerged, cotton injury by vapor burn was greatly
decreased.
Conrol of Diseases of Fruit Crops. (Urban L. Diener.) - Ex-
periments to control peach bacteriosis, scab, and brown rot by
fungicidal sprays were conducted at the Chilton Area Horticul-
ture Substation. Zinc-lime-sulfur and captan gave significant
control of bacteriosis and scab on peach fruit in 1953. None of
the treatments gave significant control of bacteriosis in 1954,
although trees sprayed with captan, Agrimycin-sulfur, and zinc-
lime-sulfur yielded less diseased fruit than trees sprayed with
sulfur only. In the experimental Elberta orchard, there was vir-
tually no brown rot in 1953 and 1954, little scab in 1954, and
the incidence of bacteriosis in 1954 was the lowest in 3 years.
Control of Diseases 
of Vegetable Crops. (Urban 
L. Diener.)
- Investigations were conducted on the effectiveness of soil
treatments in the control of southern blight, Sclerotium rolfsii, of
tomatoes and peppers at three locations in 1953 and 1954. PCNB
and captan dust applications to the furrow before planting gave
consistently lower counts of diseased plants when compared to
untreated check at all locations both years, although the results
were seldom significant. Shell CBP and drench applications of
PCNB also reduced disease losses in some instances.
The effectiveness of fungicidal slip treatments and resistant
varieties in the control of stem-rot of sweet potatoes was evalu-
ated at three locations. In 1953, Spergon, Phygon XL, Semesan
23
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
Bel, and Dithane D-14 gave significant disease control. At two
locations in 1954, Goldrush and Allgold averaged 95.9 and 88.8
per cent healthy plants, respectively, as compared with 41 per
cent for the Porto Rico variety. In these same experiments the
best slip treatments, captan and Spergon, averaged 59.9 and 51.8
per cent, respectively. Slip treatment results varied widely with
weather conditions, soil type, and location.
Studies on seed extraction, processing, and treating were ini-
tiated in research on gummy-stem blight of watermelon. Two
years' data indicated that mercuric chloride caused watermelon
seedling injury. Field stands were less affected than germination
counts. One to 3 days fermentation of seed and pulp from ma-
ture watermelons had no detrimental effect on germinability.
Application of the fungicidal treatment at extraction time or
after the seed had dried 2 weeks had no effect on the germina-
bility of 1- or 3-day fermented seed. The addition of diseased
leaves and vines and cultures of the gummy-stem blight fungus
to seed and pulp during fermentation failed to infect the seed.
Fermentations in vats at high temperatures for as long as 10 or
12 days reduced viability to 2 per cent.
Plant Disease Survey and Exploration. (Urban L. Diener.) - A
summary of the plant disease record showed that 116 plant dis-
ease specimens were received, causal agent diagnosed, and con-
trol measures recommended by the staff of the Botany and Plant
Pathology Department in 1954.
Methyl bromide fumigation was found to be toxic to damping-
off fungi, Sclerotium rolfsii (the causal agent of southern blight),
insects, nematodes, and weeds in tomato and sweetpotato seed-
beds and garden areas.
The Ecology and Parasitism of the Principal Fungal Pathogens
of White Clover in Alabama. (K. H. Garren.) - Investigations
were conducted to determine the ecologic nature of pathogenic
fungi attacking leaf and stolon tissue of white clover. A method
was developed for rating disease damage by visual estimates of
leaf damage plus measurements of dead areas. The results of
periodic isolations from diseased plant tissues indicated that five
"societies" of fungi were active on white clover. These were des-
ignated as the high temperature society on leaves and stolons,
the low temperature society on leaves only, the all-year society on
24 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
25
leaves only, the medium temperature society on stolons only,
and the debility indicators society. Colletotrichum destructivum
and Stemphylium spp., fungi in the all-year society, were the
principal causal organisms in disease damage to leaves. Species
of Rhizoctonia and Fusarium, fungi in the high temperature so-
ciety, were most prevalent on dying stolons. Stolon damage was
greater than leaf damage. The low rate of vegetative growth of
white clover from July through December was attributed to
stolon damage. An increase in stolon damage following high tem-
peratures suggested that heat injury was a predisposing factor.
Processing and Storing of Seed, Grain, and Hay. (H. S. Ward,
Jr. ) - Hygroscopic moisture 
equilibria curves were 
established
by the method of saturated salt solutions for watermelon and
fescue seed. The curves were of the sigmoid type, as was shown
previously with blue lupine, crimson clover, and lespedeza sericea
seed. From these curves and germination behavior, safe storage
moisture contents for watermelon and fescue seeds were 8.4 and
11.2 per 
cent, respectively.
Viability of watermelon seed after storage for 1 year was showI-
to be determined by maturity and number of days the seed re-
mained in the fermenting pulp. Highest germination was for
seed from mature and postmature melons that were fermented
for 3 days. Seed that remained in contact with the fermenting
pulp for more than 5 days had 50 per cent reduction in germina-
tion. The pH of the fermenting pulp was 3.5 on the third day
and remained at this level for 10 days. It appears that water-
melon seed allowed to remain in this highly acid pulp will lose
their viability.
Oat seed of 11.8, 
10.46, and 9.0 
per cent moisture 
contents
were stored for 1 year at 760, 86', 950, 990, and 1040 F. At
temperatures above 860 F., loss in germination did not occur at
9.0 per cent moisture content except at 1040 F., where a 14 per
cent reduction occurred. At seed moisture content of 10.46 per
cent and above, germinations were reduced 54 per cent to 100
per cent by storage temperatures of 950 F. and above.
After 6 months of storage, crimson clover seed were analyzed
for sugars, starch, protein nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen, and cell-
wall carbohydrates. As seed moisture content was increased, total
'Joint project between Departments of Agricultural Engineering and Botany
and Plant Pathology.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
sugars and nonprotein nitrogen increased while starch and pro-
tein nitrogen decreased. Cell-wall carbohydrates did not change.
The Effect of Method of Curing on the Quality of Peanuts. (H.
S. Ward, Jr., and J. L. Butt. )2 - Peanuts harvested at kernel mois-
ture contents ranges of 30-35, 20-30, 15-20, and 10-15 percent
were artifically dried by forced 
air and heated air at 100, 1100,
1200, 1300, and 140' F. Artificial drying of peanuts at the above
moistures and temperatures did not cause the total oil, free fatty
acids, and carbonyl content to differ from that of naturally cured
peanuts. Peanuts artificially cured from moistures 
above 20 per
cent had less total sugars and proteins than did naturally cured
peanuts.
At kernel moistures above 30 per cent, artificial drying will
cause reductions in germination. At kernel moistures of 15 and
30 per cent, heated air at 1100 F. did not cause a loss in viability.
Peanuts harvested at less than 15 per cent kernel moisture were
dried with heated air at 1200 F. without lowering germination.
Peanuts harvested at moisture contents above 25 per cent could
not be artificially dried by either unheated or heated air without
increasing mechanical damage (splits plus skin removal) by
machine shelling. At moisture contents of less than 25 per cent,
mechanical damage was not greater than naturally cured peanuts
if dried by heated air of 1100 F. or less. Mechanical damage was
increased from 5 to 44 per cent above naturally cured peanuts by
heated air at 1200 F. or above.
Free fatty acids, carbonyls, and peroxide number did not differ
for peanuts cured in stacks, piles, and windrows. Mechanical
damage was slightly higher for peanuts cured in the windrow.
Germination of peanuts harvested in 1952 and 1953 that were
cured in stacks, piles, and windrows did not show consistent
differences that would indicate either of the three methods of
natural curing as being superior for producing seed peanuts.
DAIRY HUSBANDRY
Effect of Grass and Sanitation on Rate of Growth of Young
Calves. (George E. Hawkins, Jr., and K. M. Autrey.) - Under
controlled feeding and management conditions, the growth re-
sponse of calves raised in a conventional calf barn was similar to
2Joint project between Departments of Agricultural Engineering and Botany
and Plant Pathology.
26
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 27
that of calves raised in portable outside pens. However, the total
digestible nutrient requirements per pound of gain by calves
raised in portable outside pens was greater than that of calves
raised in conventional housing.
Calves raised in portable outside pens located on an area fre-
quented by older cattle made less gain in body weight and in
height at the withers than calves raised in similar pens on an
area that was not accessible to older cattle. Differences in coc-
cidia infestations did not appear to be great enough to account
for the differences in growth of these two groups of calves. Also,
a spot check of the feces of calves on the area frequented by older
cattle indicated that the stomach worm count was low.
The growth rate of calves fed 1 pound of freshly cut grass daily
was similar to that of calves fed the basal diet.
Performance of Dairy Cows on Immature Oat Forage. (George
E. Hawkins, Jr., and K. M. Autrey.) - The lactation response of
dairy cows fed green oat forage, 6 to 12 inches high, was com-
pared with that of cows fed alfalfa hay in three trials. Crude pro-
tein content of the oat forage ranged from 12 to 27 per cent.
Mean digestibility of dry matter of the alfalfa hay was 58.8 per
cent and that of the oat forage was 79.4 per cent, similar to
digestibility of the concentrate fed. During the experimental pe-
riods, digestible dry matter from immature oat forage was sub-
stituted at 0, 50, and 100 per cent levels for digestible dry matter
provided by alfalfa hay during the preceding standardization pe-
riod. Persistency index of milk flow in Trials 1 and 2 averaged
88, 99, and 99 per cent for the 0, 50, and 100 per cent levels of
oat forage. Cows fed alfalfa hay as the only roughage did not
consume their full allowance of hay. Production of 4 per cent
fat corrected milk per pound of digestible dry matter consumed
above maintenance requirements was similar for all diets.
At the end of Trial 2, one-half of the cows assigned to each
diet were turned on oat pasture that was approximately 12 inches
high, whereas the other cows remained on the same diet as in
Trial 2. The cows that were turned out to graze produced more
milk than the cows that were barn-fed alfalfa hay, clipped green
oat forage, or a combination of both. This greater milk flow from
the grazing cows probably was due to a greater intake of digesti-
ble nutrients under grazing conditions.
Supplements to Sericea Pasture. (George E. Hawkins, Jr., and
K. M. Autrey.) - A grazing experiment involving 85 cows was
conducted to investigate practical methods of using sericea les-
pedeza as the basic pasture for lactating cows. The methods in-
vestigated were: (1) irrigation of sericea to produce a plant of
maximal quality, (2) feeding oat hay as a supplement to sericea
grazing, and (3) grazing a millet-sudangrass pasture during the
day and grazing sericea pasture at night. In addition, one group
of cows grazed sericea and another group grazed alfalfa.
During a 6-week grazing period, which extended through a
drought, cows in all groups declined in milk production. The
level of milk production remained relatively constant during the
next 6 weeks, except for cows on alfalfa, whose level increased.
The persistency of milk production by groups at the end of 6 and
12 weeks, respectively, was as follows: sericea, 56.0 and 58.6 per
cent; irrigated sericea, 50.9 and 50.8 per cent; sericea supple-
mented with oat hay, 62.0 and 60.7 per cent; sericea plus millet-
sudangrass grazing, 73.6 and 70.9 per cent; and alfalfa, 76.6 and
83.1 per cent.
The results of this study show: (1) sericea is inferior to alfalfa
as a grazing crop; (2) irrigation of sericea and feeding oat hay
as a supplement to sericea were not profitable; and (3) sericea
pasture may be utilized in a dairy program without depressing
milk production significantly provided the cows have access to
a high quality grazing crop during a part of the day.
Johnsongrass Silage and Johnsongrass Hay in the Ration of
Dairy Cows. (W. B. Kelley, L. A. Smith, and George E. Haw-
kins, Jr.) - Johnsongrass hay and Johnsongrass silage cut from
the same field on the same date were compared as roughages for
lactating cows. The moisture content of the ensiled forage was
66.8 per cent when stored. The dry matter content of the silage
was 60 per cent digestible, whereas that of the hay was 57 per
cent. The crude protein content of both hay and silage was
approximately 7 per cent.
The 27 cows involved in this study were assigned according to
milk production to three groups of nine cows each. The roughage
rations of the three groups were: I, Johnsongrass silage; II, John-
songrass silage and Johnsongrass hay; and III, Johnsongrass hay.
Concentrate feeding was equalized between the three groups.
The roughage was fed free choice to the cows in individual stalls.
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION28
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 29
Cows in Groups II and III produced significantly more milk
than cows in Group I. Analysis of the milk production data with
forage dry matter intake as a covariable indicates that differences
in production of 4 per cent fat corrected milk between groups
were related to differences in forage dry matter intake.
During the first week of the study, cows fed Johnsongrass silage
as the only roughage consumed only 0.64 pounds of forage dry
matter per 100 pounds of body weight. However, 6 weeks later
the same cows were consuming an average of 2.22 pounds of
silage dry matter per 100 pounds of body weight, which was
greater than the 1.82 pounds consumed by cows on Johnsongrass
hay as the only roughage.
Consumption of Alfalfa Silage. (George E. Hawkins, Jr., and
K. M. Autrey.) -Considerable interest has developed in the
storage of silage in horizontal silos designed to permit self-feeding
of silage. A study was conducted to compare consumption by
dairy cows of hand-fed long alfalfa silage with that of the same
silage self-fed from a horizontal silo. Six lactating cows 
weighing
between 675 and 1,025 pounds were assigned at random 
to the
two systems of feeding. During the first period, three 
of the cows
were hand-fed and three self-fed. The method of feeding during
the second period was switched, thus each group of three 
cows
was subjected to both methods of feeding. The quantity of al-
falfa silage consumed during hand-feeding was weighed, 
whereas
the intakes during self-feeding were estimated 
by the chromic
oxide method. The moisture content of the silage averaged 79.2
per cent.
The average daily consumption of the long alfalfa silage per
hundredweight of the cows.was 8.32 pounds and 9.08 pounds
during the hand-feeding and self-feeding periods, respectively.
During hand-feeding, consumption of the silage per hundred-
weight by all cows was relatively uniform; however, the intakes
varied greatly among individual cows during self-feeding.
Self-feeding of silage required less labor than hand-feeding,
but the amount of silage wasted was greater when the cows were
self-fed.
Palatability of Sericea Lespedeza from Five Locations in Ala-
bama. (George E. Hawkins, Jr., and E. D. Donnelly.) - Dairy
steers weighing approximately 600 pounds each were fed sericea
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
hay grown at five locations in Alabama to determine the effect
of geographic location of growth on palatability of the forage.
First and second cuttings of hay from each location were used in
this study. The mean daily intakes of sericea hay by the steers
per 100 pounds of body weight from the five locations were as
follows: Auburn, 2.6 pounds; Camp Hill, 2.7 pounds; Belle Mina,
3.1 pounds; Winfield, 3.2 pounds; and Crossville, 3.2 pounds.
The daily intakes of forage varied markedly from steer to steer
on hay from the same location. Differences in consumption as-
sociated with location of growth were not statistically significant.
The mean intake of all first cuttings of sericea hay was 2.95
pounds per 100 pounds of body weight of the steers as compared
with 2.96 pounds for the second cuttings of hay.
Steers used in this study had received sericea hay for an ex-
tended period. The intakes of sericea hay from all locations was
similar to consumption that would be expected on a good forage.
Since the steers were in a thin state of flesh, however, the intakes
per 100 pounds of body weight were approximately 20 per cent
greater than they would have been for the same steers in good
flesh.
FORESTRY
End Joints in Southern Pine Lumber. (D. B. Richards) - Va-
rious methods were studied for curing the glue in fingered scarf
end joints. For the Auburn joint, hot pressing cycles of 20 to 30
seconds produced satisfactory joints, but joints of the highest
strength were not produced in less than 40 to 45 minutes in the
hot press. Heating cycles using a radio frequency electrical field
did not give any shorter cycles than did hot pressing.
Studies on the end-jointing of normal heartwood of southern
pines indicated that the Auburn joint gives about 70 per cent of
the strength of clear wood when tested in static bending. Prac-
tically no adhesion or strength is obtained if very resinous heart-
wood (so-called "lighted pine") is used.
Two by fours can be made from short I X 4's by simultaneously
end-jointing and laminating I X 4's in a cold press. When placed
on edge and broken as a beam at one of the joints the strength
of such a 2 X 4 is about 70 per cent of the strength of a clear,
solid control beam. This strength ratio is high enough to allow
this type of jointing to be used in No. 1 and No. 2 grade dimension
30
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 31
lumber. Under 1953 price conditions it would be economical to
salvage No. 2 grade 1 X 4's as short as 15 inches by end-jointing
and laminating them into 2 X 4's.
A cooperative study with a private company investigated the
strength of an end joint that they had designed using some, but
not all, of the ideas developed at Auburn for the design of end
joints. Their design employed fairly broad tips and fairly closely
spaced fingers. This combination of conditions resulted in such a
high concentration of stresses at the tips of the fingers that the
joints broke largely in the wood near the tips of the fingers but
gave strengths of only about 50 per cent of that of solid controls
when tested in static bending. These results indicate the im-
portance of the spacing and design of the tips in end joints of
the fingered scarf joint type.
Cold Soaking of Fence Posts With Preservative Materials. (K.
W. Livingston.) - In the first test of fence posts treated by cold
soaking, the posts had been in service 6 years and 2 months at
the last annual inspection. Included are southern pine, sweetgum,
and post oak posts of two size classes (3 to 41 inches and 4
to 6 inches top diameter) treated with a 5 per cent solution of
pentachlorophenol in fuel oil, with untreated pine posts set along-
side the test fence to serve as checks. All 58 untreated posts have
failed. Their average life was less than 2 years. All 28 large and
85 small treated pine posts were good, as were the 26 small oak
posts. One of 27 large oak posts was damaged by decay but still
serviceable; the other 26 were good. Of 27 small sweetgum posts,
21 were good, 1 was serviceable but damaged by insects, and 5
had failed. All 28 large sweetgum posts were good.
The second test had been in existence 4 years and 10 months
at the last annual inspection. All posts are of southern pine, with
25 posts of each size class treated with 5 per cent pentachloro-
phenol in fuel oil, 25 of each class treated with a solution of cop-
per naphthenate in fuel oil containing 0.5 per cent copper, and
25 of each class untreated. Only one small and two large un-
treated posts were serviceable, and these showed damage from
decay or insects. One small copper naphthenate-treated post had
failed after 3/2 years. The other 24 were good at the last in-
spection. All large posts treated with copper naphthenate and
all of both size classes treated with pentachlorophenol were good.
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
The Influence of Certain Soil Management Practices in a Forest
Tree Nursery on Loblolly Pine Seed Germination and Seedling
Development. (Jack T. May.) - The effects of methyl bromide,
Karmex W, sawdust, and mineral fertilizers are being tested in
the Auburn Nursery.
Methyl bromnide, applied at the rate of 1 pound per 100 square
feet, did not significantly influence the germination of loblolly
pine seed or the survival of pine seedlings in the seedbed.
On a fallow area having a heavy stand of nutgrass, Johnson-
grass, and miscellaneous weeds, Karmex W was applied 9 months
prior to sowing pine seed. Application rates were 
6.8, 13.6, 27.2,
and 54.4 pounds per acre. Seed germination was excellent on
treated plots and check plots. Within 60 days after germination,
seedlings on the plots receiving the two heaviest treatments began
to die. The lateral roots were killed at a depth of 2 to 3 inches.
Seedlings that did not die remained stunted and undeveloped.
The mortality of seedlings on plots receiving the two lightest
treatments was no greater than on the check plots. The percent-
age of cull seedlings was 12.0 for the check plots, 15.0 for the
6.8-pound treatment, and 25.2 for the 13.6-pound treatment. Only
the 54.4-pound application was effective in killing some of the
nutgrass. The applications at other rates were partially effective
on Johnsongrass and weeds.
Sawdust was tested as a seedbed mulch and as a form of
organic matter incorporated in the soil. In 1953 and 1954, ger-
mination under %-inch sawdust mulch was, respectively, 8.7 per
cent and 10.4 per cent higher than under pine straw and burlap
mulches. Under a sawdust mulch, appreciably lower maximum
surface soil temperatures occurred than where no mulch was
maintained after the germination period. A '/
4
-inch sawdust
mulch reduced mortality of established seedlings.
Sawdust was incorporated in the soil at rates of 15 tons and 30
tons per acre. When sawdust was throughly mixed with the
soil and sufficient amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and po-
tassium were applied, seed germination was not significantly af-
fected. An application of 30 tons of sawdust resulted in a lower
seedbed survival (85.4 per cent) than 15 tons of sawdust (90.6
per cent) or no sawdust (90.1 per cent). The shoot to root ratio
was decreased by 15- and 30-ton applications of sawdust. When
the sawdust was not thoroughly mixed with the soil, seedling
growth was stunted and pronounced deficiency symptoms de-
32
veloped. Within 1 year the organic matter content of the soil
increased from 1.81 per cent for plots receiving no sawdust to
1.99 per cent and 2.16 per cent, respectively, for the plots re-
ceiving 15 tons and 30 tons of sawdust.
Fertilizer levels were 150, 300, and 450 pounds of P
2
0. per
acre and 80, 160, and 240 pounds of K
2
0 per acre. Phosphorus
and potassium were applied prior to sowing of pine seed or prior
to sowing of a cover crop. Nitrogen was applied prior to sowing
of seed and again during the growing season. Between these
levels of phosphorus and potassium, there was no significant dif-
ference in the germination of seed or the development of plants.
After one growing season the available phosphorus content of
the soil was 89, 103, and 108 p.p.m., respectively, for 150, 800,
and 450 pounds of P
2
0
5
. The available potassium content of the
soil was 86, 98, and 102 p.p.m:, respectively, for plots receiving
80, 160, and 240 pounds K
2
0.
First-year survival of outplanted seedlings was practically the
same regardless of treatments applied to the nursery seedbeds.
Survival was 97.9 per cent in May and 77.2 per cent in November,
although rainfall between planting and the November survival
count was about 50 per cent below normal. Results to date indi-
cate that high-quality nursery stock can be produced in the Au-
burn Nursery using smaller amounts of fertilizer than shown
above.
Survival of 2-Year-Old Pine Seedlings. (Jack T. May and A. R.
Gilmore.) - The objective of this investigation was to determine
whether seedlings that remained in the nursery for 2 years sur-
vived better after outplanting than 1-year-old seedlings. Long-
leaf and loblolly pine seedlings were left in the nursery beds for
2 years. Some seedlings were root pruned at the end of the first
growing season. Other seedlings were not root pruned.
Longleaf pine seedlings naturally develop a long tap root with
few laterals. Roots of 1-year seedlings that were pruned fre-
quently did not callous over during the second growing season.
Some new lateral roots were developed after pruning, but an
extensive lateral root 
system did not develop.
Root-pruned and nonroot-pruned 2-year-old longleaf seedlings
and nonroot-pruned 1-year-old longleaf seedlings were outplanted.
Two-year-old and 1-year-old loblolly pine seedlings were out-
planted. Two of the outplanting sites were on a sandy clay loam
and three sites were on a deep sand.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 33
34 ALABAMA AGRICULTURALEPRMN TTO
Survival percentages after 1 season in the field were: (1) 2-
year-old root-pruned longleaf, 20.4 per cent; (2) 2-year-old non-
root-pruned longleaf, 24.0 per cent; (3) 1-year-old longleaf, 42.6
per cent; (4) 2-year-old loblolly, 49.8 per cent; and (5) 1-year-
old loblolly, 69.8 per cent.
Effects of Site Preparation and Culivation on Growth of Old
Field Plantings of Yellow Poplar. (Frank F. Smith) - Yellow pop-
lar seedlings were planted on an old field in alluvial sandy soil.
The planting stock was poor, averaging only 0.41 feet in height.
Two soil preparation treatments and a check were tested: (1)
Seedlings were planted in rows to permit a tractor-drawn disc
harrow to cultivate the middles; (2) a furrow 4 inches deep and
16 inches wide was plowed with a middle breaker and seedlings
planted in the bottom of the furrow; and (3) seedlings were
planted in rough, undisurbed soil. Each treatment was repli-
cated 4 times. The cultivated plots were plowed and hoed 8
times annually to control competing weeds and grasses. The
other plots received no treatment after planting.
Survival was poor and height growth was limited in all 3 tests
at the end of the second year. A late killing frost and a dry sum-
mer the first year and another extremely dry summer the second
year account for the high mortality and poor growth. All seed-
lings that died the first year were replaced. Average survival
by treatments at the end of the second year was: cultivation,
89.6 per cent; furrow, 8.7 per cent; and no treatment, 2.9 per
cent. Average height at the end of the second year was: culti-
vation, 1.86 feet; furrow, 0.94 feet; and no treatment, 1.11 feet.
Survival and height growth were extremely poor as a result of
adverse weather conditions. Two years' results indicate that
control of competing weeds and grasses during the first 2 years
greatly increases both survival and height growth of yellow pop-
lar seedlings.
HORTICULTURE
Studies of Fertilizers, Organic Materials, and Culture for Vege-
table Crops: (1) EFFECTS OF RATES AND TIMES OF APPLICATION
OF NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS, AND POTASH ON YIELD OF POTATOES.
(L. M. Ware and W. A. Johnson.) - Rates of application were
1,500, 2,000, and 2,500 pounds per acre of a 4-10-7 fertilizer.
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION34
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 3
Fertilizers were added in single and in three applications. Side
applications of nitrogen, potash, and phosphorus were individually
omitted from the 2,500-pound rate after 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000
pounds of the complete fertilizer had been added.
The amount of rainfall greatly influenced the effects of dividing
the fertilizer application. In the dry year, 1954, yields were
increased about 20 per cent by dividing the fertilizer application;
in the very wet year, 1953, yields were increased about 500 per
cent, and in 1952, a year of average rainfall, about 100 per cent.
Increasing the rate of fertilizer from 1,500 to 2,500 pounds did
not significantly increase yields where all fertilizer was added in
one application. Yields were significantly increased by increased
rates where the fertilizer was added in three applications.
Yields were reduced by omitting side applications of phos-
phorus, or phosphorus and potash, or nitrogen, phosphorus and
potash from the 2,500-pound rate after 1,000 or 1,500 pounds of
a 4-10-7 fertilizer had been added.
(2) RECOVERY OF NITROGEN, POTASH, AND PHOSPHORUS IN PO-
TATOES AT HARVEST TIME FROM DIFFERENT RATES AND TimEs OF
APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER MATERIALS. (L. M. Ware and W. A.
Johnson. ) - Plants and tubers were analyzed for nitrogen, phos-
phorus, and potassium. The amount of nitrogen recovered was
not affected by different rates of complete fertilizer (4-10-7) when
all was added at planting time. The amount of nitrogen recov-
ered was significantly increased (1) by increased rates of a
complete fertilizer added in three applications, (2) by side ap-
plications of nitrogen alone, or (8),by side applications of nitro-
gen and potash. The addition of potash as a side application,
when only 70 pounds K,20 had been added in the initial applica-
tion, greatly increased nitrogen recovery.
Potash recovery was very low in plots receiving high side ap-
plications of nitrogen but a low amount of potash in the initial
application and no side application. Side applications of potash
along with nitrogen gave significant increases in potash recovery
over a side application of nitrogen alone.
Phosphorus recovery was markedly increased by increased ap-
plications of phosphorus in three applications but not in one
application. Recovery of phosphorus was greatly reduced by a
high rate of nitrogen in side applications but increased by a side
application of nitrogen and potash.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
35
36 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
(3) EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT RATES AND TIMES OF APPLICATION
OF FERTILIZER MATERIALS ON YIELD OF POTATOES ON SOILS OF DiF-
FERENT TEXTURE. (L. M. Ware and W. A. Johnson.) - The soils
were a Cecil clay and a sandy loam Chesterfield. Rates of ap-
plication were 1,000, 
1,500, and 2,000 pounds 
per acre of a 6-8-4
fertilizer. Yields from single applications of a complete fertilizer
in 1953, under conditions of high rainfall, were 300 per cent
higher on the heavy soil than on the light soil; in 1954, with low
rainfall, there were only small differences in yield between the
two.
In 1953, yields from split applications of fertilizer on the light
soil were increased 100 to 300 per cent over those from one appli-
cation. Yields on the heavy soils were increased only a small
extent by dividing the application.
In 1954, with low rainfall, yields were about the same on the
two soils from the several fertilizer rates whether the fertilizer
was applied in one or in three applications.
(4) EFFECT OF PLANT SIZE AND SPACING ON YIELD OF GREEN
ONIONS UNDER INTENSIVE METHODS. (L. M. Ware and W. A.
Johnson.) - All plots received 2,000 pounds per acre of 8-10-7
fertilizer, 12 tons of animal manure, and irrigation. Spacings were
1, 2, and 4 inches in the drill in rows 12, 24, and 36 inches apart;
sets were of three sizes. Average yields over a 8-year period
varied from 1,948 pounds per acre with small sets at widest spac-
ings to 22,643 pounds with large sets at the closest spacings. Each
factor affected yields with each combination of the other factors;
closer spacing and larger sets increased yields with all combina-
tions. Weight of sets planted per acre varied from 97 pounds for
the smallest sets with the widest spacings to 5,894 pounds for the
largest sets and closest spacings. Costs of sets varied from $11
to $68 per acre.
(5) EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER RATES, ORGANIC MATERIALS, IRRI-
GATION, AND SIZE OF SET ON GREEN ONION PRODUCTION. (L. M.
Ware and W. A. Johnson.) - Fertilizer rates were 1,000, 1,500,
and 2,000 pounds of 8-10-7 per acre; organic materials consisted
of animal manure, vetch, and rye; irrigation consisted of 1 inch
per week if rain did not supply this amount; sets were of three
sizes. The 3-year average yield from large size sets varied from
9,547 pounds to 41,602 pounds as the several treatments were
added. Yields for the medium size sets ranged from 6,269 to
81,398 pounds and for the smallest sets from 3,178 to 22,860
37
pounds. Yield from the largest sets and from 1,000 pounds of
fertilizer was 9,547 pounds. When successively added, 12 tons
of manure increased yields to 17,291 pounds, irrigation to 28,968
pounds, vetch to 32,110 pounds, 500 pounds of additional fer-
tilizer (1,500 total) to 39,729 pounds, and a second 500 pounds
of fertilizer (2,000 total) to 41,602 pounds.
(6) EFFECTS OF RATES OF FERTILIZER, ORGANIC MATERIALS, 
AND
IRRIGATION ON YIELD OF CANTALOUPES. (L. M. Ware and W. A.
Johnson.) - Results are based on marketable yields from 1952
through 1954. When fertilized with 1,000 pounds of a 6-10-7
fertilizer per acre, marketable yields were increased 953 pounds
per acre by irrigation, 11,884 pounds by 12 tons of manure, 22,859
pounds by irrigation and manure, and 24,597 pounds by irriga-
tion, manure, and vetch.
Irrigation increased yields 953 pounds without organic mate-
rials, 8,097 with 6 tons green vetch, 8,184 with 6 tons green rye,
10,975 with 12 tons of manure, and 17,199 pounds per acre with
12 tons manure and 6 tons of green vetch.
(7) EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION, FERTILIZERS, AND ORGANIC MA-
TERIALS ON WATERMELONS. (L. M. Ware and W. A. Johnson.) -
Results are based on yields obtained in 1953 and 1954. Fertilizer
rates were 400, 800, and 1,200 pounds of 6-10-7 per acre. Organic
materials were animal manure and vetch. Each treatment was
used with and without irrigation. Rainfall was high in 1953 and
very low in 1954. In 1953, yields of melons 20 pounds or over
in size were increased from 6,464 to 26,496 to 49,760 pounds per
acre without irrigation and organic materials as the fertilizer rates
were increased from 400 to 800 to 1,200 pounds per acre; in 1954,
the respective yields were 6,160, 11,744, and 26,352 pounds per
acre. At the 800-pound rate of fertilizer and without irrigation, 6
tons of manure increased yields from 26,496 to 53,792 in 1953,
and from 11,744 to 28,131 in 1954. A similar increase was ob-
tained from 6 tons of vetch. With 800 pounds of fertilizer and
6 tons of manure, irrigation increased yields of marketable melons
from 53,792 to 57,408 pounds per acre in 1953 and from 28,131
to 73,344 pounds per acre in 1954. In 1953, the highest yield of
melons, 72,704 pounds per acre, was produced from treatment
receiving 1,200 pounds of fertilizer, 6 tons of manure and irriga-
tion; whereas in 1954, the highest yield, 73,344 pounds, was pro-
duced from treatment receiving 800 pounds of fertilizer, 6 tons
of manure, and irrigation.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
38 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Freeze Concentration Process for Making Fruit Jellies and Jams.
(Hubert Harris.) -A new process has been developed for mak-
ing fruit jellies and jam with high retention of aromatic flavors.
Retention of these flavors is accomplished by a freeze concentra-
tion process that eliminates the conventional boiling process.
By the new process, the fruit is concentrated by separating a
dilute icy fraction from partially frozen juice, pulp, or whole
fruit after it has been removed from frozen storage and condi-
tioned to a suitable temperature. The concentrated fraction, rep-
resenting approximately 60 per cent of the total batch, contains
approximately 90 per cent of the total solids and practically all
of the volatile flavor constituents. This fraction is never subjected
to boiling. The dilute fraction of juice or pulp, containing the re-
maining 10 per cent of fruit solids, is boiled to remove excess water
and returned to the concentrated product. In finishing the jelly
or jam, the concentrated juice or pulp is heated rapidly in an
open kettle to 1900 F. and maintained at this temperature while
pectin, sugar, and acid are added and dissolved. The product is
then packaged and sealed as rapidly as possible.
Flavors in blackberry jellies and jams have been further im-
proved through the extraction of desirable flavor constituents from
the seed. This extraction may be made by boiling the seed with
the dilute fraction of juice or pulp and pressing or pulping to re-
move the seed.
Hydrocooling Peaches. (Hubert Harris and R. L. Spigner.) -
During 1953 and 1954, studies were made at Auburn on hydro-
cooling peaches to obtain basic information on the relationship of
cooling rates to fruit size, position in basket, temperature of cool-
ing water, rate of circulation of water, addition of wetting agent
to water, and other factors. These studies have shown that,
when water was circulated at the rate of 8 gallons per minute
per square foot of conveyor belt surface and no wetting agent
used, the fruit in the middle of the basket cooled very slowly.
The cooling rate throughout the basket was comparatively low.
The addition of 250 p.p.m of the wetting agent Triton to the
cooling water, with the same rate of circulation, resulted in
considerably faster cooling and more uniform cooling through-
out the basket. The rate and uniformity of cooling were also in-
creased by increasing the rate of circulation of water without
the wetting agent, but it was necessary to increase the water rate
64th and 65th ANNUAL EPORTS 3
to approximately 24 gallons per minute in order to obtain as good
results as were obtained with 8 gallons per minute with the
wetting agent. Foaming that was caused by the wetting agent
was satisfactorily controlled by using a commercial anti-foam
material.
The cooling rate was increased by maintaining a comparatively
low temperature in the cooling water by crushing the ice finely.
Small fruits cooled more rapidly than large fruits.
New Processes for Making Frozen Sweetpotato Products. (Hu-
bert Harris.) -In laboratory tests, the jumbo grade of sweetpo-
tato has been used for making a sugar-blanched, frozen strip that
has proved excellent for candying purposes. In laboratory and
pilot plant tests, jumbo, No. 2, and cull grades have proved satis-
factory for making frozen puree. This puree has been prepared
by baking or by cooking in a sugar medium. It has been tested in
local dining halls and school lunchrooms where it has been rated
as excellent for making souffles and puddings.
In pilot plant studies involving approximately 50,000 pounds of
sweetpotatoes, a considerable amount of data has been obtained
on methods, labor requirements, recoveries, and costs for the
different grades of potatoes. In one test of 21,822 pounds pre-
pared by the sugar-cook process and packaged in 60-pound cans,
the requirements per 100 pounds of frozen puree were: 124
pounds of sweetpotatoes (No. 2 grade, 87 pounds trimmed
weight), 14.4 pounds of sugar, 1.56 hours of labor, 84 cents for
cost of can, and 12 cents for cost of utilities. The total cost on
these items was $8.18 per 100 pounds of puree. Twenty per cent
of the labor was required for unloading, peeling, and washing; 35
per cent for trimming; 30 per cent for cooking, pulping, and pack-
aging; and 15 per cent for miscellaneous services.
Effect of Irrigation, Manure, and Fertilizer on Qualities and
Yields of Blackberries. (Robert L. Spigner.) - This study was
conducted at the Main Station to determine the effects of sup-
plementary cultural and fertilizer treatments on the qualities of
the fresh berries and processed products.
The fertilizer treatment in common use by commercial growers
in Chilton County was used as the standard and applied to all
plots. The supplementary treatments applied singly or in com-
bination consisted of irrigation at the rate of 1 inch per week
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
39
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTSTATION
when needed, 12 tons of animal manure per acre, and 200 pounds
of sodium nitrate, applied during summer.
Properties of fresh berries and finished jellies were determined
by standard laboratory methods.
Irrigation as the only supplementary treatment resulted in
larger and firmer berries with slightly lower soluble solids when
compared with the standard treatment. Neither manure nor
summer applications of nitrogen used supplementary to the
standard affected the properties of the berries.
When manure, summer nitrogen, and irrigation were used in
combination supplementary to the standard, the berries were
larger and firmer but lower in soluble solids than those of the
standard treatment.
There were no differences in the quality of jelly prepared from
berries of different treatments.
The highest yield of total solids was obtained from a com-
bination of all three supplementary treatments. This treatment
produced 1,190 pounds per acre. The standard treatment pro-
duced 538 pounds.
Relation of the Nutrient-Element Content of Pecan Leaves to
the Yield of Nuts. (T. B. Hagler and W. A. Johnson.)- Leaf
samples were collected from the 176 pecan orchards surveyed in
1951 and 1952. These samples were analyzed in 1953 and 1954
to determine the relation of nutrient-element content to the yield
of nuts. Each sample was analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, po-
tassium, calcium ,and magnesium. Seven yield classes were set up
on basis of the average yield per tree for the last 5 years or more.
The highest yielding class produced 56 pounds or more per tree;
the lowest class produced 5 pounds or less per tree. The other
yield classes were separated by a difference of 10 pounds per tree.
Data from the foliar analyses show that nitrogen and calcium
increased in the leaves as the average yield of nuts per tree in-
creased. There was quite a variation in the calcium content of
the leaves between the different yield classes. Even some leaves
from trees in the low yield classes had a relatively high calcium
content. This probably was due to increased use of legumes and
fertilizer in the orchards, but these improved practices had not
been in effect long enough to affect the yields.
The potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus contents of the
40
foliage were not significantly different between any two of the
yield classes. There was a slight increase in the potassium con-
tent of leaves from the lowest yielding class to the highest yield-
ing class, indicating little response to potassium.
Magnesium Deficiency in Pecan Orchards. (T. B. Hagler and
W. A. Johnson.) - Leaf deficiency symptoms similar to those
reported for other crops with a lack of magnesium were found
on many of the trees in southern Alabama pecan orchards.
Results of the leaf analyses indicate that the magnesium con-
tent of the leaves may be satisfactorily used to determine the
magnesium status of pecans. The magnesium content of the
foliage varied more than leaf content for any other element. This
was particularly true for the sandy soils of southeastern Alabama.
The magnesium content on a dry weight basis ranged from 0.002
per cent in leaves from trees showing extreme magnesium de-
ficiency to 0.630 per cent in leaves showing no magnesium
deficiency symptoms. From 0.25 to 0.52 per cent magnesium in
the leaves is considered optimum for normal growth and produc-
tion. Nineteen per cent of the leaves analyzed had a magnesium
content below 0.25 per cent.
Commercial Production in Alabama of the Better Adapted and
More Promising Bulb Crops: (1) LIQum FERTILIZATION OF GLAD-
IOLUS. (Henry P. Orr and Tok Furuta.) - Applying fertilizer
dissolved in the irrigation water to a field of gladiolus was shown
to be practical. Sodium nitrate was found to be a better source
of nitrogen than ammonium sulfate. Ammonia fertilizer in any
form reduced yields.
(2) FORCING OF THE EASTER LILY. (Tok Furuta.) - The short-
est Easter lily plants at flowering resulted when the following
treatment was given: After potting, the plants were grown in
full sun at 500 F. with very little water. The amount of water
was increased to normal as flower bud initiation began, and the
temperature raised to 600 F. to insure flowering for Easter. All
plants were grown in full sunlight. Approximately 100 days were
required from potting to flowering.
Developing and Adjusting Precision Methods of Growing Pot
Plants and Cut Flowers for Southern Conditions: (1) CARNATIONS
IN ALABAMA. (Tok Furuta.) - Although carnations are not an
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 41
important greenhouse crop in Alabama today, experiments con-
ducted during the past 4 years indicate that more can be profit-
ably grown. Excellent quality is possible, especially during the
months of November through April. Careful selection of varieties
is necessary as tests indicate that some of the leading varieties
do poorly under local conditions. The chief difficulty to date
has been low production to the point where the crop may be
unprofitable.
(2) YEAR-ROUND SNAPDRAGON CULTURE IN GREENHOUSES. (Tok
Furuta.) - Snapdragons can be profitably grown in Alabama
greenhouses throughout the year. Some of the newer F
1 
hybrid
varieties were not as good as many of the older inbred varieties
for Alabama conditions. The length of time from seeding to
flowering varied from 2 months in the summer to 4 months in
the winter. Quality decreased as the temperature increased.
(3) PHOTOPERIOD AND FLOWERING OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS. (Tok
Furuta.) - The photoperiod at which chrysanthemums initiate
flower buds and at which flower bud development is most rapid
varied with the variety. Maximum rate of development required
shorter photoperiods than initiation. All initiation resulted in
photoperiods of 13 hours or less, and development at the maxi-
mum rate resulted at 12 hours or less.
(4) YEAR-ROUND GREENHOUSE ASTERS. (Tok Furuta.) - Ex-
periments showed that the China aster can be grown successfully
and profitably in a greenhouse throughout the year. The growing
temperature was not critical as equally good flowers were pro-
duced at 500 and 600 F. The time to flower was also the same
at both temperatures.
The Propagation, Culture, Storage, and Marketing of the Ca-
mellia: (1) INFLUENCE OF BORON ON CAMELLIA. (Tok Furuta.)
- Pink Perfection variety of camellias was tolerant to applications
of boron. In Norfolk sandy loam, an application of 40 pounds of
borax per acre was necessary before damage occurred. In De-
catur clay loam, an application of 80 pounds of borax per acre
was necessary before damage occurred. Poultry manure treated
with borax, at the rate of 4 tons per acre, caused damage. When-
ever the foliage was damaged, leaf abscission resulted, but the
plants survived and continued to grow normally.
42 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 4
POULTRY HUSBANDRY
The Effects of Light on Gonad Development and Sexual Maturity
of Chickens. (Fred Moultrie and G. R. McDaniel.)-Three
groups of broiler strain New Hampshire chicks grown from 1
day of age with 7.5, 15, and 22.5 hours of daily light showed no
significant between-treatment differences in the gonad weights
of birds killed at the end of each 4-week period through 24 weeks
of age. Also, there was no significant difference between treat-
ments in age at first egg. These ages for treatments were 143,
142, and 140 days, respectively.
At 12 weeks of age, a sample of birds was taken from the 7.5-
hour group and grown to maturity with 15 hours of light daily.
At the same time a similar sample was reduced from 22.5 to
15 hours, and a third sample that originated from the 15-hour
group was left on 15 hours. Under 15 hours of light, females that
received 7.5, 15, and 22.5 hours of daily light up to 12 weeks
averaged 137, 147, and 153 days, respectively, at age of first
egg, these differences being statistically significant.
Double-Shift Method of Management of Laying Hens. (D. F.
King.)- It was found that a modified laying house could be
used for a day-shift and a night-shift flock of laying hens. One
flock roosts while the other flock utilizes the remaining area for
feeding, laying, and exercise. The roosting area must be dark-
ened and fan-ventilated for the flock that sleeps during the day-
time. Artificial lights are used in the feeding-laying area during
the night. The flocks are shifted daily at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. This
results in doubling the capacity of the house and equipment and
practically doubling the income since the hens laying at night
produce at about the same rate as the normal day-shift flock.
Nutritional Requirements of Broilers. (G. R. Ingram and
Thomas V. Hester.) - In a study of the nutritional deficiencies
of peanut meal for broiler rations, the primary deficiency was
found to be lysine.
Contrary to previous reports, no response was obtained from
the addition of methionine to a corn-peanut meal ration. A
growth response was obtained from the addition of dried milk,
fish meal, or soybean oil meal to such a basal. This response was
in direct proportion to the lysine level of the tested ingredient.
N
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
43
44 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Protein and Amino Acid Requirements of the Laying and Breed-
ing Hen. (G. R. Ingramn and E. J. Day.) - In a series of tests
with laying hens in cages, it has been found that higher levels
of protein are required than the level commonly accepted for
maximum egg production.
Seventeen and 19 per cent protein rations have supported
higher egg production than a 15 per cent protein ration. Egg
production from hens fed 13 per cent protein was so poor that the
experiment was discontinued.
These tests indicate that the protein requirement of the lay-
ing hen in cages is approximately 17 per cent.
Cage Rickets. (G. R. Ingram, T. V. Hester, E. J. Day, and
G. J. Cottier.) - A condition similar to rickets has been observed
in caged layers. The condition usually develops in pullets that
have been in production for only 6 or 8 weeks and affects high-
producing birds.
At first, the pullet begins showing signs of leg weakness. This
condition gets worse rapidly until the bird is paralyzed. Egg
production usually continues as long as the bird can get water
and feed. The bird may recover rapidly if egg production ceases,
either when left in the cage or placed on the floor. If the bird
does not recover rapidly, she usually dies in 4 or 5 days after
egg production ceases.
The blood, calcium, and phosphorus levels are lowered. Bead-
ing of the ribs occurs, and the bones become weak and brittle.
Bone ash is lowered 
slightly.
The calcium and vitamin D level of the feed does not seem to
be the important factor.
Breeding and Immunizing Chickens for Resistance to Coccidio-
sis: (1) BREEDING CmHICKENS FOR RESISTANCE TO COCCIDIOSIS.
(Fred Moultrie, S. A. Edgar, and D. F. King.) - A coccidiosis-
resistant strain originating from the Auburn Strain White Leg-
horn has been selected for eight generations for genetic resistance
to the cecal coccidiosis organism, Eimeria tenella. A coccidiosis-
susceptible strain, of the same origin, has been selected for three
generations.
During the 1954 brooding season, 313 resistant, 207 suscep-
tible, and 158 nonselected control chicks were artifically infected
at 2 weeks of age with approximately 10,000 E. tenella oocysts
per chick. Mortality from acute cecal coccidiosis to 6 weeks of
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION44
age was 15, 72, and 54 per cent, respectively, in the resistant,
susceptible, and nonselected control strains.
(2) IMMUNIZING PHASE. (S. A. Edgar, D. F. King, and C. Flan-
agan. ) - A practical method of immunizing chickens against cecal
and three species of intestinal coccidiosis has been developed.
The procedure and 
inoculum for immunization 
are essentially
the same as that reported in 1952 for cecal coccidiosis except for
the addition of Eimeria acervulina, E. necatrix, and E. hagani.
Sulfaquinoxaline is administered for 48 hours, starting 13 days
after inoculation. Immunized birds challenged at 28 days of age
showed marked resistance to all species in the inoculum.
In field tests involving more than 20,000 birds in eight flocks in
Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, mortality from all types of
coccidiosis was less than 0.5 per cent during the first 8 weeks
and mortality from all causes averaged 1.92 per cent. The new
vaccine was used on more than 15 million birds during late 1954
and early 1955. Field evidence indicates that the addition of
one or two other species of intestinal coccidia may be justified.
(3) RELATED ASPECTS. (S. A. Edgar and C. Flanagan.) -
Effects of Coccidiosis on Chickens of Different Ages. When
chickens of different ages were inoculated with numbers of coc-
cidia oocysts in proportion to body weight at the time of inocu-
lation, the effect on 9- to 12-week weights increased with age of
inoculation up through 6 weeks. White Leghorn cockerels
inoculated with E. acervulina at 3 days of age averaged 2.6
pounds at 9 weeks as compared with 2.5, 2.4, and 2.1 pounds for
those inoculated at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively. This effect
was true for E. acervulina, an intestinal species, used alone or in
combination with E. tenella. The effect on weight retardation
also occurred when chickens were fed 0.0125 per cent sulfa-
quinoxaline continuously in the ration. The degree of immunity
acquired by chickens inoculated with E. tenella oocysts in pro-
portion to body weight at 8 days, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks was the
same.
Acquired Resistance. Two inoculations of 400 
oocysts of
E. tenella per bird, inoculations 10 days apart, in 
feed resulted
in greater immunity than one inoculation of 400 or 800 oocysts.
Day-old chicks that received 1,600 oocysts and were fed 
0.0125
per cent sulfaquinoxaline in the feed for 10 days after inoculation
were solidly immune by 12 days of age. One inoculation of 1,600
64th and 65tfi ANNUAL REPORTS 45
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
oocysts per bird that received 0.1 per cent sulfaquinoxaline in
the feed during the 4 or 5 days after inoculation resulted in a
higher degree of immunity than when birds were inoculated with
800 oocysts each and received no drug. Chickens that experi-
enced food passing through their digestive tracts before inocula-
tion developed greater immunity than those inoculated before
having eaten food. Two inoculations 
of 1,000 oocysts per chicken,
10 days apart, resulted in greater immunity by 37 days of age than
one inoculation of 400 or 5,000 oocysts or 1,000 oocysts per bird
daily for 14 days.
Drug resistance. Although certain field strains of E. tenella
have appeared to become resistant to sulfaquinoxaline, laboratory
strains subjected for 10 generations to low levels of sulfaquinoxa-
line, nitrophenide, or nitrofurazone failed to exhibit marked drug
resistance.
Chemotherapy Studies. Experiments comparing the efficacy of
several coccidiostats failed to confirm reports of others that
PARABIS, at usable levels, was as efficacious as several other
drugs, for example, sulfaquinoxaline. Birds tolerated 0.0055 per
cent nitrofurazone in the feed, but feed intake was reduced and
growth retarded when the drug was fed continuously at 4 or 8
times the above level. Birds exhibited marked toxic symptoms
within a few days when fed the highest level.
Poultry Anthelmintics. (S. A. Edgar.) - Experiments were
conducted testing two piperazine compounds against several
species of poultry helminths. In a preliminary experiment, piper-
azine adipate at 150 mg. per bird by capsule caused the elim-
ination of 99 per cent of the adults and 73 per cent of the larvae
of Ascaridia galli. At 248 mg. per bird piperazine hexahydrate
caused the elimination of 100 per cent of the adults and 53 per
cent of the larvae.
In subsequent experiments piperazine hexahydrate, a water
soluble form, was administered in water at levels ranging from
0.2 to 1.6 per cent resulting in a high degree of elimination 
of
A. galli and approximately 50 per cent elimination of 
Heterakis
gallinae. The drug was non-toxic when fed as 0.8 per cent 
of the
water for 3 days or for longer periods at lower concentrations,
but 1.6 per cent was toxic causing marked reduction in 
weight
gain when administered even for 1 day. Recovery was prompt
when the drug was removed. The drug was well tolerated by
46
growing birds when as much as 3 grams was consumed during
several days at the lower levels. Effective treatment levels were
nontoxic to laying hens. At levels tested, the drug has little ac-
tivity against tapeworms or other helminths.
ZOOLOGY-ENTOMOLOGY
Control of Cotton Insects. (F. S. Arant, R. L. Robertson,
and R. H. Mount.) - In field experiments with new insecticides
for control of cotton insects, endrin at the rate of 0.37 pound per
acre reduced the infestation of boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis
Boh., and resulted in increased yields of cotton. It also controlled
bollworm, Heliothis armigera (Hbn.). Chlorthion at 0.75 pound
per acre, methyl parathion at 0.37 pound per acre, and malathion
at 3.0 pounds per acre, each in mixtures containing 0.75 pound
DDT per acre, gave satisfactory control of boll weevil and boll-
worm.
In a combination laboratory-field experiment, Bayer 17147 (a
benzo triazine derivative of a dithio phosphoric acid methyl
ester) was highly effective against the boll weevil. Five per cent
dust of the Bayer compound was faster in its toxic action and
had a longer residual in the field than 20 per cent toxaphene.
Three per cent gamma dusts prepared from high (41 per cent)
gamma and low (15 per cent) gamma benzene hexachloride and
lindane were about equally effective in controlling cotton aphids,
Aphis gossypii Glover, in field experiments. Three per cent and
5 per cent aramite, 3 per cent chlorthion, 5 per cent malathion,
3 per cent methyl parathion, and 1 per cent parathion applied as
dusts at the rate of approximately 20 pounds per acre were more
effective in controlling the desert mite, Tetranychus desertorum
Banks, than was sulfur. Sprays were also effective when ap-
plied at the following rates per acre: chlorthion, 0.50 pound; de-
meton, 0.25 pound; malathion, 0.50 pound; methyl parathion,
0.25 pound; parathion, 0.25 pound, and Ovotran, 2.00 pounds.
These sprays were also effective in control of strawberry mite,
T. atlanticus McG.
Control of Insect Pests Attacking Corn and Grain Sorghum.
(W. G. Eden.) - Experiments were conducted in 1953 and 1954
on control of the corn earworm, Heliothis armigera (Hbn.), in
sweet corn at the substations at Fairhope and Clanton. In several
experiments with DDT and mineral oil, it was found that the
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 47
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
use of 1.75 gallons of mineral oil in addition to DDT increased
the percentage of worm-free ears. At a 1-pound per acre appli-
cation rate of DDT, the use of mineral oil increased the worm-
free ears from 17.5 to 58.8 per cent. At the 2.5-pound rate of
DDT, the mineral oil increased the worm-free ears from 64.5 to
86.8 per cent. Increasing the DDT to 3 or 4 pounds per acre per
application without mineral oil failed to result in significant in-
creases in earworm control. Foliage injury resulted from the
use of mineral oil when temperatures were high and humidity
low. One pound of endrin per acre per application gave ap-
proximately the same earworm control as 2 pounds of DDT.
An experiment was conducted at Tallassee on control of the
corn earworm in single-cross hybrid seed corn. Five or more
spray applications of 2 pounds of DDT plus mineral oil resulted
in the highest percentage of undamaged ears; however, the high-
est yield of clean, saleable seed resulted from four applications of
DDT without oil. Four to seven applications of DDT with and
without mineral oil resulted in the same significant reduction in
damage by stored grain pests at harvest.
Experiments conducted at Headland showed that the corn
earworm and the fall armyworm, Laphygma frugiperda (A. & S.),
were the two most important insects attacking corn in the field.
Corn planted in April yielded more than corn planted in May
when no insect control measures were applied. The May corn
required one to two more applications of insecticide than the
April-planted corn. Even with additional insecticidal applica-
tions to the May corn, generally, the April corn still produced
higher yields. In a field of late-planted corn 
that was severely
attacked by the fall armyworm, one or more sprays of 2 pounds
of DDT per acre more than doubled the yield.
An experiment on control of the lesser cornstalk borer, Elas-
mopalpus lignosellus (Zell.), in corn was conducted at Prattville.
Endrin, dieldrin, and heptachlor at 1 pound per acre, DDT at 2
pounds and toxaphene at 4 pounds per acre as sprays, and 1
pound of dieldrin as granules were applied four times at weekly
intervals, beginning as the plants were emerging. All treatments
except endrin resulted in significant yield increases over the un-
treated check. The use of dieldrin granules resulted in the high-
est yield of any treatment.
The sugarcane beetle, Eutheola rugiceps (Lec.), did 
an un-
usual amount of damage to corn in Alabama in 1954. An experi-
48
ment on control of the insect in corn was conducted at 
Camden.
Aldrin, 1 pound per acre as spray, or granules, applied 
on top
of the row immediately after planting, was 
effective in prevent-
ing damage.
An experiment on control of the tobacco thrips, Frankliniella
fusca (Hinds), on seedling corn with sprays was conducted 
in
Baldwin County. Excellent control was obtained with emulsion
sprays containing the following insecticides and rates in 
pounds
per acre: DDT, 2; toxaphene, 4; dieldrin, 1; and malathion, 1.
Corn varieties found to be most resistant to stored grain insects
were Dixie 18, La. 521, Dixie 11, Coker 811, and 
McCurdy 1001-A
and 1003. The most susceptible hybrids were U.S. 13, Dixie 
17,
Pioneer 301-A, 309, and 510.
Control of Insect Pests of Vegetable and Truck 
Crops: (1) CON-
TROL OF INSECTS OF SWEETPOTATOES. (Lacy Hyche 
and W. G.
Eden.) -Experiments were conducted 
in 1953 and 1954 on
methods of applying insecticides for control 
of wireworms on
sweetpotatoes. Over 90 per cent of the wireworms 
collected from
sweetpotato fields were the tobacco wireworm, 
Conoderus ves-
pertinus (F.). At Cullman, where 
aldrin and dieldrin were used
at 2 pounds per acre, emulsions in the transplant 
water were in-
effective for control of wireworms. Broadcast applications of
dusts and granules appeared to be slightly more 
effective than
dust-fertilizer mixtures; however, granule-fertilizer 
mixtures were
equal to the broadcast treatments in effectiveness. 
There was no
difference in the effectiveness of the two insecticides 
when ap-
plied in the same manner. At Clanton, 
where heptachlor and
aldrin were used, all treatments were effective 
in reducing wire-
worm damage. All treatments except 
heptachlor granules re-
sulted in over 90 per cent undamaged sweetpotatoes, 
with no
difference between insecticides. Subsequent 
analysis of the hep-
tachlor granules revealed that most of the insecticidal 
activity
had been lost. At Ashford 
where aldrin and lindane were 
used,
all insecticidal treatments were effective 
in reducing wireworm
injury. There was no difference in effectiveness 
between the
methods of application. At all locations, with 
the exception of
lindane emulsion in the transplant water at 
Ashford, which de-
pressed the sweetpotato yields, none of the 
insecticidal treat-
ments affected the yields of sweetpotatoes.
The most prevalent insects found feeding on 
the foliage of
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 49
sweetpotatoes were leafhoppers of the genus Empoasca. At
Ashford in 1953 an outbreak of the hornworm, Herse cingulata
(F.), occurred and caused light damage to the foliage of un-
treated plants. Dusts of 5 per cent DDT, TDE, and methoxychlor
and 20 per cent toxaphene applied at 7- to 10-day intervals during
the growing season have given good yield increases when there
was enough rain to produce a normal crop.
(2) CONTROL OF LESSER CORNSTALK BORER ON BEANS AND PEAS.
(Lacy Hyche and W. G. Eden). - An experiment was conducted
at Ashford on control of the lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus
lignosellus (Zell.), on cowpeas. One pound of endrin per acre
applied to the row as spray or granules or as granules broadcast
as the plants were emerging and two subsequent applications at
weekly intervals were effective in maintaining a stand; 15 per
cent of the plants in untreated plots were killed by the borer.
DDT, dieldrin, heptachlor, and toxaphene were slightly less
effective.
(3) CONTROL OF FLOWER TRmus ON BLACKBERRIES. (Lacy
Hyche and H. H. Tippins.) - An experiment was conducted at
Clanton in 1954 on control of flower thrips, Frankliniella tritici
(Fitch), on blackberries. One application of 1 pint of 25 per cent
emulsifiable parathion or 1.5 pints of 50 per cent emulsifiable
malathion per 100 gallons of spray applied 5 days before the first
picking was highly effective in controlling flower thrips through-
out the picking season. A slightly higher degree of control was
obtained in plots that received two applications but differences
were not significant. Less than 1 p.p.m. of these compounds was
found on berries 4 days after the second application of the in-
secticide.
Control of Mites Infesting Earthworm Beds. (Lacy Hyche and
W. G. Eden.) - An experiment was conducted at Auburn in 1954
to determine the effects of several miticides on mites infesting
earthworm beds and on earthworms. The mite that occurred in
the greatest numbers in the earthworm medium was Caloglyphus
anomalus Nesbitt (Family Acaridae). Two less numerous species
were identified as Macrocheles sp. (Family Macrochelidae) and
Parasitus sp. (Family Parasitidae). Compounds tested were
Metacide, malathion, parathion, and Aramite. All treatments
with the exception of Aramite greatly reduced the mite popula-
tions. Metacide at the rate of 1 pint of 50 per cent emulsifiable
50 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
per 100 gallons of water gave a high degree of control without
killing the worms.
The Toxicity of Several Insecticides to Two Strains of the House
Fly. (A. D. Oliver, M. W. Marsh, and W. G. Eden.) - A series
of experiments was conducted at Auburn to determine the ex-
tent of resistance of native house flies to insecticides and to test
the effectiveness of promising organic phosphates as residual in-
secticides for house fly control. The LD-50's of 11 insecticides
were determined for a native (Auburn) strain and a nonresistant
(Orlando) strain. The LD-50's in micrograms per fly for the Au-
burn and Orlando strains respectively, were: isochlorthion, 0.081
and 0.024; Diazinon, 0.057 and 0.096; chlorthion, 0.135 and 0.210;
TEPP, 0.240 and 0.190; malathion, 1.070 and 0.870; lindane, 1.250
and 0.750; endrin, 2.100 and 1.900; methoxychlor, 2.325 and 1.925;
DDT, 6.400 and 0.450; heptachlor, 13.000 and 11.000; and chlor-
dane, 29.000 and 42.000.
There were no statistically significant differences between the
LD-50's of the 11 insecticides to the two strains of flies with the
exception of DDT and Diazinon. It required over 14 times as
much DDT to kill the Auburn strain as the nonresistant strain.
For Diazinon, it appeared that nearly twice as much of the in-
secticide was required to kill the nonresistant flies as the native
strain.
Malathion residues of 100 mg. per square foot on plywood
boards exposed to inside weathering gave over 50 per cent kill
of flies for about 20 days; the same rate exposed to outside wea-
thering gave less than 10 per cent kill after 4 days. At 200 mg.
per square foot and outside weathering, malathion gave over 50
per cent kill for 12 days; with inside weathering this deposit was
giving over 90 per cent kill at 44 days. Diazinon residues of 150
mg. per square foot exposed to outside weathering became in-
effective in 24 days; however, it revived and continued to give
over 75 per cent kill for 36 days. The 300 mg. per square foot
rate with outside weathering gave over 90 per cent kill of house
flies for 36 days; with inside weathering this deposit gave com-
plete kill for 52 days.
Toxicity of Miticides and Insecticides to the House Cricket.
(W. L. Seal and W. G. Eden.) - Experiments were conducted in
1953 on the toxicity of several miticides to the house cricket,
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 51
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Acheta domestica L. Wettable powder formulations of the miti-
cides Aramite (15 per cent), Dimite (40 per cent), Karathane
(25 per cent), and Ovotran (50 per cent) at concentrations up
to 10 pounds per 100 gallons of water were sprayed on adult
crickets with no adverse effects. Experiments were conducted in
1954 to determine the toxicity of residues of four chlorinated
hydrocarbon insecticides to the house cricket. The LD-50 de-
posits on plywood boards for 1-hour exposures of house crickets
to the four insecticides in micrograms per square centimeter
were: lindane, 7.75; heptachlor, 12.9; chlordane, 100.2; and
endrin, 128.
The Effect of Systemic Insecticides on Bloodsucking Ectopara-
sites. (F. S. Arant, T. R. Adkins, Jr., W. L. Sowell, and J. L.
Dusi.) - Experiments were conducted (1) to find chemicals that
will kill bloodsucking ectoparasites when administered orally to
rabbits without causing severe toxic symptoms in the host,
(2) to determine the acute toxicity of L13/59 (0,0-dimethyl-1-
hydroxy-2,2-trichloroethylphosphonate) and 21/116 (0- [2-( ethyl
mercapto) ethyl]-0,0-dimethyl thiophosphate) to domestic rab-
bits, and (3) to study in detail the effect of L13/59 on bed bugs
feeding on rabbits treated orally with the chemical.
Five of the 13 chemicals studied had systemic action against
test arthropods feeding on rabbits dosed orally with the chem-
icals. Four materials gave 100 per cent mortality of fifth-instar
bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L., at the dosages indicated as
follows: L13/59, 200 mg. per kilogram of rabbit; 18/178
(0- [2-(ethylmercapto) methyl]l-0,0-dimethyl thiophosphate),
130 mg. per kilogram; 21/116, 95 mg. per kilogram; schradan, 20
mg. per kilogram. A fifth, hexamethylphosphoramide, killed 68
per cent of the bed bugs at a dose of 1,300 mg. per kilogram, al-
though the test insects failed to feed to repletion. Nymphs of
the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), died while
attached to rabbits dosed with LIS/59, 18/178, and 21/116 at
the rates given for bed bugs. A tick mortality of 100 per cent
also resulted from the use of hexamethylphosphoramide, but the
ticks dropped from the rabbits before dying. The test rabbits
exhibited no severe symptoms of poisoning.
In acute toxicity experiments with rabbits, the oral LD-50 of
L18/59 was determined as 298 mg. per kilogram. The LD-50 of
21/116 was 125 mg. per kilogram. Toxic symptoms were similar
52
from the two chemicals and included nervousness and muscular
fibrilation, salivation, lacrimation, diarrhea, and prostration. Gross
pathology from 21/116 poisoning included edema and conges-
tion of the lungs. The only histopathology found consisted of
slight fatty changes in the liver.
Replicated experiments were conducted on the systemic effect
of L13/59 on fifth-instar bed bugs that fed on rabbits dosed orally
with the chemical. Sixty-four rabbits and 2,100 bed bugs were
used. Where the insects fed 2 hours after rabbits were dosed,
mortalities of bed bugs were: on rabbits receiving 0 mg. per kilo-
gram of body weight, 0 per cent mortality; 10 mg. per kilogram,
25.6 per cent; 20 mg. per kilogram, 61.3 per cent; 30 mg. per kilo-
gram, 81.9 per cent; and 40 mg. per kilogram, 100 per cent. Test
rabbits showed no toxic symptoms.
Preliminary experiments with nymphs of the lone star tick
indicated that the LD-50 to the test arthropod was between 30
and 100 mg. of L13/59 per kilogram of rabbit.
Control of Peanut Insects. (B. Wayne Arthur.) - Field experi-
ments were conducted on sandy soil at Headland and clay soil at
Troy for the control of soil and foliage insect pests of peanuts in
1953 and 1954. Damage from subterranean insects was greater
at Headland than at Troy. Granular formulations of toxaphene,
6 pounds per acre, and aldrin and dieldrin, each 2 pounds per
acre, applied to the soil at pegging down time, reduced insect
damage to pods with subsequent increases in yield. No increase
in yield resulted from the application of the materials in the fer-
tilizer at planting time. Soil applications of aldrin and dieldrin
granules also effectively controlled thrips, Frankliniella fusca
(Hinds), on peanut seedlings.
Significant control of the red-necked peanut worm, Stegasta
bosquella (Chamb.), was obtained from dust applications of 20
per cent toxaphene, 10 per cent DDT, 2 per cent endrin, 2 per
cent dieldrin, and 3.75 per cent heptachlor.
Results of a soil sampling program revealed a wireworm, Cono-
derus vespertinus (Fab.), damaging peanut pods.
Research was conducted on insect pests of stored peanuts and
their control.
Twenty-six species of insects were collected from storage bins.
The flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.), and T. confusum
(Duv.), the corn sap beetle, Carpophilus dimidiatus (F.), the for-
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 53
eign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl.), and the Indian
meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hbn.), were the most common
and abundant species collected.
Pyrenone grain protectant dust was effective in reducing dam-
age to peanuts in storage for 8 months. Methyl bromide, ethylene
dichloride-carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide-carbon tetra-
chloride, EB5 (ethylene dibromide), and Acrylon were effective
for control of insects in stored peanuts immediately after fumi-
gation. Peanut kernels absorbed approximately 10 p.p.m. of
total bromide as a result of fumigation with methyl bromide.
There was an accumulation of bromide residues from successive
fumigations. Germination of peanuts was not affected.
DDT, methoxychlor, TDE, and lindane dusts and sprays were
effective in cleaning up insect infestations in stored bins prior to
placing peanuts in storage. Initial moisture at which peanuts
were stored had little effect on insect abundance. Peanuts with
sound hulls were not damaged by insects but those with split
hulls were subject to infestation.
Control of Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants. (B. Wayne Ar-
thur.) - Experiments were conducted at the Ornamental Horti-
culture Field Station, Spring Hill, and at Auburn on the control
of insect pests and spider mites attacking ornamental plants.
Some of the major pests encountered were: tea scale, Fiorinia
theae Green; camellia scale, Lepidosaphes camelliae Hoke; bar-
nacle scale, Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comst.; ground pearl,
Margarodes meridionalis Morr.; whitefly, Dialeurodes citri
(Ash.); lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides Scott; and southern mite,
Paratetranychus ilicis McG.
Two applications of demeton (Systox) or meta-systox, 1 pint
of 50 per cent emulsifiable concentrate per 100 gallons of water,
gave good control of tea scale when applied to the soil or foliage
of Ilex and camellia plants growing under lath house and field
conditions. Demeton effectively controlled camellia scale on
potted camellia liners. Foliage applications of parathion 
or mala-
thion, 0.5 pounds and 1.5 pounds, respectively, of technical ma-
terial per 100 gallons of water, also effectively reduced tea scales
and camellia scale infestations. Control of barnacle scale on gar-
denia was obtained with soil applications of demeton applied at
a concentration of 2 pints of 50 per cent emulsifiable concentrate
per 100 gallons of water. Ground pearl populations in lawn
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION54
grasses were reduced with granules of heptachlor or dieldrin,
20 pounds of technical material per acre, and chlordane or toxa-
phene, 40 pounds of technical material per acre, incorporated
into the infested soil. Fumigation with 1 pound of methyl bro-
mide per 100 square feet of soil gave 100 per cent control of
ground pearl. Foliage applications of 1 pint of 50 per cent de-
meton, 0.5 pounds of parathion or 1.5 pounds of malathion per
100 gallons of water gave effective control of whitefly on gardenia
plants and lace bug on azaleas.
The following materials applied at the indicated concentrations
per 100 gallons of water were highly effective in reducing spider
mite infestations: demeton or meta-systox, 2 pints of 50 per cent
emulsifiable concentrate; Ovotran, 2 pounds of 50 per cent
wettable powder plus 1 pound of 15 per cent wettable powder
parathion; and malathion, 3 pints of 50 per cent emulsifiable con-
centrate.
Control of Black Turpentine Beetle in Pine Trees. (George H.
Blake, Jr.) - An experiment was conducted on control of the
black turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus terebrans (Oliv.), in pine
trees. A spray containing 1 pound of 25 per cent wettable lin-
dane and 4 pounds of 50 per cent wettable DDT in 50 gallons
of water was applied to infested trees to a height of 25 to 80
feet. One month later no new pitch tubes were evident. Three
months after the spray application, however, a few of the trees
were reinfested. This indicated that for most effective control all
trees in an infested area should be treated.
Control of Insect Pests of Legumes. (George H. Blake, Jr.) -
Experinents on control of the pea aphid, Macrosiphum pisi
(Kltb.) on Caley peas revealed that two applications of 10 per
cent DDT, 8 per cent gamma BHC, or 1 per cent parathion were
effective for control of these pests. Aphid populations were re-
duced by these insecticides, but no differences in seed yields were
obtained due to extreme drought conditions.
The imported fire ant, Solenopsis saevissima v. richteri Forel,
has been controlled for 2 years by single broadcast applications of
dieldrin, as spray or granule, at a rate of 2 pounds of technical
material per acre. Heptachlor and dieldrin at rates of 0.5, 1.0,
and 2.0 pounds per acre and chlordane at 4 pounds per acre as
granular formulations have been effective for fire ant control for
at least 1 year.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 55
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Experiments on pollination of crimson clover by honey bees
have revealed that 2 colonies of bees per acre of clover should
be used for most efficient seed production. Bees are not needed
for production of enough seed to maintain the clover stand.
An experiment was conducted to determine the amount of
dieldrin in the milk of cows grazed on pastures treated with diel-
drin granules. Dieldrin, 2.5 pounds of technical material per
acre, as granules was applied to pastures and cows were allowed
to graze on the area. Milk samples were taken immediately and
at intervals after application for analyses for dieldrin residues.
The highest residues were found after cows had grazed on the
treated area for 60 hours, and at that time, the residue of dieldrin
in the milk was only 0.31 parts per million parts of milk. Twenty-
eight days after treatment, residues were less than 0.10 p.p.m.
Toxicity of Several Insecticides to Sheep and Cattle Grazed on
Pastures Treated for Insect Control. (George H. Blake, Jr.) - An
experiment was conducted to determine the toxicity of several
insecticides to livestock when insecticides were applied to pas-
tures and the livestock were allowed to graze on the treated
forage. Toxaphene dust and granules at 4 pounds per acre and
toxaphene sprays at 2, 4, 6, and 8 pounds per acre, DDT and
methoxychlor dusts at 2 pounds per acre, and cryolite dust at
40 pounds per acre were applied to the pastures. Livestock were
placed on the pastures immediately and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after
the insecticidal applications. Forage samples were taken immed-
iately after treatment and at weekly intervals after treatment to
determine insecticidal residues. Fat samples were taken from
the animals after they had grazed on the treated area for 28
days, and 28 days after they were removed from the experiment
to determine insecticidal residues following grazing and the
persistence of the residues in the fat.
None of the animals were killed by the insecticides. Animals
placed on pastures immediately after treating with 6 and 8
pounds of toxaphene per acre showed symptoms of poisoning;
however, these symptoms disappeared after a few days. There
were no significant differences between weight changes of ani-
mals on the treatments.
Initial insecticidal deposits on the forage were very high. These
residues declined rapidly during the first week and rather slowly
during the rest of the test period. Light rains during the test
period reduced the residues only slightly.
56
Considerable amounts of insecticidal residues were found in
fatty tissues of all animals after they had grazed on treated areas
for 28 days. However, practically all of the residues were elim-
inated if the animals were allowed to graze on an untreated area
for an additional 28 days.
Histological studies of the various animal tissues revealed no
pathological changes due to the insecticides.
Control of Insect Pests of Livestock. (George H. Blake, Jr.) -
Experiments were conducted using malathion as water suspen-
sions and emulsions and in blackstrap molasses as a bait for house
fly control. Two gallons 
of a 57 per cent emulsifiable 
concentrate
or 16 pounds of a 25 per cent wettable powder were used in 100
gallons of water. One and one-half pounds of 25 per cent wet-
table malathion were mixed with 5 gallons of molasses for the
bait preparation. All formulations of the malathion controlled
flies for approximately 10 days. Spray applications to young
calves had no ill effect on them.
An experiment was conducted on control of horn and house
flies on dairy cattle using pyrenone concentrate applied with a
treadle-type sprayer. Cattle were sprayed when the horn fly in-
festation reached approximately 10 to 15 flies per animal. Three
initial daily applications and applications at weekly intervals
throughout the fly season were highly effective for fly control.
Only 1 gallon of the concentrate was used to control flies on 40
cows for a period of 3 months.
Farm Ponds. (H. S. Swingle, J. M. Lawrence, J. E. Padfield,
E. E. Prather, J. S. Dendy, E. W. Shell, and A. L. Black.) - The
bigmouth buffalo, Megastomatobus cyprinella, and smallmouth
buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus, were induced to spawn by transferring
ripe males and females into ponds of fresh water when the water
temperature was 600 F. or above. Also effective was the place-
ment of brood fish in a pond containing 1 or 2 feet of water and
then filling it rapidly with fresh water when the water tempera-
ture reached 60' to 650 F.
Smallmouth buffalo weighing less than 2 pounds failed to de-
velop eggs when held in ponds.
In ponds stocked with both smallmouth and bigmouth buffalo
at the rate of 400 per acre and fertilized with inorganic fertilizers,
production up to 622 pounds of fish per acre was obtained in 1
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 57
year. The cost of fertilizer was from 5 to 7 cents per pound of
fish produced.
Deaths of goldfish in dense populations that were being fed
soybean cake or peanut meal appeared due to nutritional de-
ficiency and apparently was corrected by feeding fish meal
(ratio: soybean cake or peanut meal, 6 parts; fish meal, 1 part)
as a supplement.
Partial control of Pithophora in ponds was obtained by ap-
plying Delrad 70 at the rate of 3 to 4 pounds per surface acre.
The material can be applied as a spray, by towing in a sack, or
by placing in a float-box with a burlap bottom and allowing water
currents to distribute it. Two to five applications were necessary
for effective control of heavy infestations.
Sodium arsenite, applied in pond waters at a concentration of
4 p.p.m., was effective in the control of Hydrodictyon and Pitho-
phora when applied to ponds during fall turnover.
Fertilization of ponds was successfully accomplished by use
of water currents to distribute the fertilizer. Opened sacks of
fertilizer were placed or poured on platforms about 1 foot under
water, using one platform per 8 acres or less of water. The plat-
forms were located on points about 10 feet from the pond edge.
The normal water circulation due to winds and temperature
changes was sufficient to give adequate distribution of fertilizer
over the entire pond. Results appeared superior to broadcasting
fertilizer over the shallow areas of the pond as is normally prac-
ticed.
A disease of pond fish new to the Southeast was found on fish
from ponds in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and possibly South
Carolina. This is a bacterial gill disease caused by Chrondococcus
columnaris, and called columnaris disease. It killed large and
small bass, large bluegills, shellcrackers, speckled bullheads,
crappie, goldfish, and golden shiners. The disease apparently is
spread by use of infected bait minnows and by aquatic birds.
Lexone used at a concentration of 0.1 p.p.m. gamma BHC gave
100 per cent control of fish lice without injury to goldfish brood
stock or young goldfish.
In aquaria experiments, carp fed on a diet of peanut meal and
fish meal developed a "popeye" condition that apparently was
cured by injections of folic acid, pyridoxine, and calcium panto-
thenate. Another dietary deficiency produced blindness, fin rot,
loss of equilibrium, and nervousness. This condition was cor-
rected by injections of the vitamin B complex.
58 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 59
The chlorine content of city water was found to be sufficiently
high during the winter months to be toxic to most species of
pondfish. Concentrations of 0.02 to 0.04 p.p.m. were toxic to most
species. The most effective methods of eliminating chlorine ap-
peared to be the use of activated carbon filters or the addition of
sodium thiosulphate to the water.
Experiments were started with the Asiatic pondfish, Tilapia
mossambica. In comparable tests with bluegills, Tilapia gave 50
to 100 per cent higher production in ponds that received manure,
inorganic fertilizer or feeding. However, Tilapia appeared highly
susceptible to cold weather and all those left outdoors were killed
in October when water temperatures dropped to 520 to 480 F.
Experiments using potassium permanganate to counteract the
toxicity of rotenone to fish appeared promising. This technique
will be of considerable use in stream population studies, in par-
tial poisoning, and in restocking waters where the fish populations
have been eliminated by rotenone poisoning.

61
PUBLICATIONS
Experiment Station Bulletins
No. 285 Alabama Cotton Mills - A Study of Requirements, Buying, Pro-
cedures, and Practices. R. WAYNE ROBINSON. 1958.
No. 286 Alabama Agriculture-Its Characteristics and Farming Areas.
BEN T. LANHAM, JR., J. H. YEAGER, and BEN F. ALVORD. 1958.
No. 287 Costs and Returns to Alabama Milk Distributors. SHELDON W.
WILLIAMS. 1953.
No. 288 Production and Sale of Milk for Manufacture in Alabama's Pied-
mont Area. J. H. YEAGER. 1953.
No. 289 Factors Affecting Germination of Runner Peanuts. J. HOMER
BLACKSTONE, HENRY S. WARD, JR., J. L. BUTT, I. F. REED, and
WILLIAM F. MCCREERY. 1954.
No. 290 Costs and Returns to Commercial Egg Producers. J. HOMER
BLACKSTONE and H. A. HENDERSON. 1954.
No. 291 Marketing Practices of Commercial Egg Producers in Alabama.
H. A. HENDERSON. 1954.
No. 292 Factors Affecting Handling Costs of Cottonseed at Gins in Ala-
bama. FRED B. ANDERSON. 1954.
Experiment Station Circulars
No. 112 Production of Bait Minnows in the Southeast. E. E. PRATHER,
J. R. FIELDING, M. C. JoHNSON, and H. S. SWINGLE. 1958.
No. 113 Partial Poisoning of Overcrowded Fish Populations. H. S.
SWINGLE, E. E. PRATHER, and J. M. LAWRENCE. 1953.
No. 114 Studies with Pickling Cucumbers in Alabama. L. M. WARE,
C. L. ISBELL, HUBERT HARRIS, and W. A. JOHNSON. 1953.
No. 115 Factors Affecting Pecan Yields. T. B. HAGLER, W. A. JOHNSON,
and H. G. BARWOOD. 1953.
No. 116 Single-Deck Cages for Laying Hens. DALE F. KING. 1954.
Experiment Station Leaflets
No. 34 Control of Corn Rootworm in Corn. W. G. EDEN and F. S.
ARANT. 1953.
No. 35 Suggestions for Pruning Southern Pines. GEORGE I. GARIN. 1953.
No. 36 Control of Vetch Bruchid in Alabama. GEORGE H. BLAKE, JR.,
and W. G. EDEN. 1958.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
No. 37 Rates and Methods of Planting Fuzzy, Reginned, and Acid De-
linted Cotton Seed. H. B. TISDALE, J. T. WILLIAMSON, J. T.
COPE, JR., and I. F. REED. 1953.
No. 38 Control of Wireworms Attacking Sweet Potatoes. J. A. GRIFFIN,
JR., and W. 
G. EDEN. 
1953.
No. 39 End Joints for Southern Pine. D. B. RIcHARDs and B. M. CooL.
1958.
No. 40 Control of Insects in Stored Grain. W. G. EDEN. 1953.
No. 41 Storing Shelled Corn in Alabama. J. L. Burr, H. S. WARD, and
W. G. EDEN. 1954.
No. 42 Some Effects of Sawdust Mulching of Pine Seedlings. H. G.
POSEY and JACK T. MAY. 1954.
No. 43 Chemical Control of Cherokee Rose, Alder and Certain Other
Pasture Weeds. V. S. SEARCY. 1954.
No. 44 Suggestions for Improving Farm Woodlots by Girdling and
Poisoning Weed Trees. GEORGE I. GARIN and FRANK F. SMITH.
1954.
No. 45 Control of Insects and Foliage Diseases of Tomatoes in Alabama.
W. G. EDEN, R. L. SELF, and U. L. DIENER. 1954.
Regional Publications
Southern Cooperatives Series Bul. 31. Transportation Tests with Early
Irish Potatoes from the Southeastern States, 1950 Season. 1958.
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 33. Mechanization of Cotton Produc-
tion. 1958.
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 34. Commercial Hatchery Operations in
Six Southern States. 1958. (Published by theAlabama Station.)
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 38. Financing Production and Marketing
of Broilers in the South - Part I: Dealer Phase. 1954. (Pub-
lished by the Alabama Station.)
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 40. The Operations of Local Cotton
Marketing Agencies, Four Major Producing Regions, 1949-50
Season. 1954.
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 41. Comparisons of One-Variety with
Multiple-Variety Cotton, and Related Economic Considerations.
1954.
Miscellaneous Publications
Special Leaflet - General Fertilizer Recommendations for Alabama. 1953.
62nd and 63rd Annual Reports. 1954.
62 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Special Report - The Wholesale Produce Market at Birmingham, Ala. 1954.
(Published by the Agricultural Marketing Service, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Agricultural Exten-
sion Service and the Agricultural Experiment Station of the Ala-
bama Polytechnic 
Institute.)
Special Leaflet - Advancing Soil and Water Conservation through Research.
E. V. SMITH. 1954.
Research Quarterly - Highlights of Agricultural Research.
Articles in Scientific Journals
ARANT, F. S., AND SHERRER, JACK D. Effect of Certain Systemic Compounds
on Southern Red Mite Infesting Camellias. Jour. Econ. Ent. 46(6):
1116-1117. 19538.
. Control of Thrips and Leafhopper on Peanuts. Jour. Econ.
Ent. 47(2): 257-2638. 1954.
ARTHUR, B. WAYNE, AND ARANT, F. S. Effect of Systemic Insecticides upon
Certain Peanut Insects and upon Peanuts. Jour. Econ. Ent. 47(6):
1111-1114. 1954.
BELL, CHARLES, AND FURUTA, TOKUJI. Mineral Element Deficiency Symp-
toms on Azaleas. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 137. 1953.
BROWN, J. M., AND ROUSE, R. D. Fertilizer Effects on Botanical and Chemi-
cal Composition of White Clover-Dallisgrass Association Grown on
Sumter Clay. Agron. Jour. 45: 279-282. 1953.
BLACKSTONE, J. H. Integrating and Coordinating Future Work on Regional
Projects. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. 
p. 148-149. 1953.
The Pro and Con and Consequences of Price Support
Programs with Dairy and Poultry Products. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr.
Workers. p. 146-147. 1954.
BUTT, J. L. Progress Report of Peanut Storage Studies in Alabama 
- En-
gineering Aspects. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 51. 1958.
, AND WAiRD, H. S., JR. Shelled Corn Storage in 
Alabama. Proc.
Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 81. 1958.
, KELLEY, W. B., MARTIN, C. M., AND SMITH, 
L. A. The Curing
Rate of Johnsongrass Hay as Influenced by Crushing. Proc. Assoc. 
Sou.
Agr. Workers. p. 21-22. 1958.
CAIRNS, E. J. Plant Nematology: Science or Service? 
Plant Dis. Reptr.
Suppl. 227:75-76. 1954.
CORLEY, T. E. Developments and Adaptations of 
Stripper Type Cotton
Harvesters to the Southeast. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. 
1958.
DAVIS, D. E., Aim DAVIs, F. L. Some Effects of Rainfall 
and Lime on the
Phytotoxicity of Water Soluble Dinitro. Proc. 7th So. Weed Conf. p.
208-211. 1954.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 63
, MACINTIRE, W. H., COMAR, 
C. L., SHAw, W. M., WINTER-
BERG, S. H., AND HARRIS, H. C. Use of Ca
45 
Labeled Quenched Calcium
Silicate Slag in Determination of Proportions of Native and Additive
Calcium in Lysimeter Teachings and in Plant Uptake. Soil Sci. 76:
153-1638. 1953.
DAVIS, F. L., SELMAN, F. L., AND DAVIS, D. E. Some Factors Affecting the
Behavior of Dinitro Herbicides in Soils. Proc. 7th Sou. Weed Conf.
p. 205-207. 1954.
DAVIS, L. R., AUTREY, K. M., HERLICH, H., AND HAWKINS, G. E., JR. Out-
door Individual Portable Pens Compared with Conventional Housing
for Raising Dairy Calves. Jour. Dairy Sci. 37: 562. 1954.
DENDY, J. S., AND SCOTT, DONALD C. Distribution, Life History, and Morph-
ological Variations of Southern Brook Lamprey, Icthyomyzon gagei. Co-
peia. (3): 152-162. 1953.
DEVALL, W. B. The Forest Resource. Its Use and Trends in Autauga and
Chilton Counties. Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 23 and 24: 9-14. 1953.
. Portrayal of Tree Leaf Characters by Symbol in Formula
Form. Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 23 and 24: 119-124. 1953.
, AND CHRISTEN, H. E. Alabama Hardwoods, Past, Present,
and Future. Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 23 and 24: 34-88. 1953.
DIENER, U. L. Host-Parasite Relations of the Gray Leaf Spot Disease of
Tomato. Phytopath. 44: 332. 1954.
DONNELLY, E. D. Some Factors that Affect Palatability in Sericea Lespe-
deza, L. Cuneata. Agron. Jour. 46: 96-97. 1954.
EDEN, W. G. DDT for Earworm Control in Sweet Corn. Jour. Econ. Ent.
46. 46(2): 359-60. 1953.
SEffect of Fertilizer on Rice Weevil Damage to Corn at Har-
vest. Jour. Econ. Ent. 46(3): 509-510. 1953.
. Control of Rice Weevil in Corn with Protectoral Dusts and
Sprays. Jour. Econ. Ent. 46(6): 1105-1107. 1953.
. Control of Corn Earworm and Stored Grain Insects in Single-
Cross Corn. Jour. Econ. Ent. 47(6): 1124-1126. 1954.
. Control of the Strawberry Weevil in Blackberries. Jour. Econ.
Ent. 47(6): 1150-1151. 1954.
. Control of the Sugar Cane Beetle in Corn. Jour. Econ. Ent.
47(6): 1155-1156. 1954.
EDGAR, S. A. Control of Coccidiosis by Immunization. Proc. SE Poultry
Assoc. 1953. (an abstract.)
. A Field Study of the Effect of Black Fly Bites on Egg Pro-
duction of Laying Hens. Poultry Sci. 82(5): 879-880. 1958.
64 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
65
A Preliminary Check List of Parasites of Some Domestic
Fowls of Alabama. Poultry Sci. 32(6): 949-952. 1958.
, LITTLE, C. D., AND HERNDON, J. F. Control of the Fowl
Tick, Argas persicus (Oken) on an Alabama Poultry Farm. Jour. Amer.
Vet. Med. Assoc. 123(920): 446-447. 1953.
Effect of Temperature on the Sporulation of Oocysts of the
Protozoan, Eimeria tenella. Trans. Amer. Micro. Soc. 7(8): 287-242.
1954.
FURUTA, TOKUJI. Comparison of the Length and Time of Supplementary
Illumination on Chrysanthemums. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p.
139. 1953.
Date of Flower Bud Initiation of Chrysanthemums and
Poinsettias in the South. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 188. 1953.
AND NELSON, K. S. Effects of High Night Temperatures
on the Development of Chrysanthemum Flower Buds. Proc. Amer. Soc.
Hort. Sci. 61: 548-550. 1958.
Photoperiods and Flowering of Chrysanthemum Norifo-
lium. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 683: 457-461. 1954.
Boron Toxicity on Pink Perfection Camellia. Proc. Assoc.
Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 140-141. 1954.
Photoperiod and Flower Bud Initiation and Development
of Chrysanthemums. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 142. 1954.
Carnations in Alabama. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers.
p. 142. 1954.
GARREN, KENNETH H. Disease Development and Seasonal Succession of
Pathogens of White Clover. Part I. Leaf Diseases. U. S. Dept. Agr.
Plant Dis, Rptr. 38(8): 579-582. 1954.
GIBSON, P. B., AND ScHuLrz, E. F., JR. The Effect of Environment on the
Number of Vascular Bundles per Petiole in White Clover. Agron. Jour.
45: 123-124. 1953.
GREENLEAF, W. H. Tobacco Mosaic-Resistant Pimento Peppers. Proc.
Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 132. 1953.
Effect of Tobacco Etch Virus on Peppers (Capsicum
sp.) Phytopath. 48: 564-570. 1958.
GRIFFIN, J. A., AND EDEN, W. G. Control of the Gulf Wireworm in the
Sweetpotatoes in Alabama. Jour. Econ. Ent. 46(6): 948-951. 1958.
HAGLER, T. B., AND ScoTT, L. E. Effect of Microelements on Growth of
Muscadine Grapes in Sand Culture. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers.
p. 141. 1954.
HA.Is, HUBERT. Retaining Volatile Flavors in Fruit Jellies and Jams. Proc.
Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 133. 1954.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
HAWKINS, G. E., JR. Relationship Between Certain Corn Products in the
Blood Serum of Dairy Calves. Jour. Dairy Sci. 37: 666. 1954.
Biochemical Factors that Affect the Apparent Nu-
tritional Value of Lespedeza Sericea. Jour. Dairy Sci. 37: 666. 1954.
HOVE, E. L. The Relation of Pyridine Toxicity in Rats to Dietary Vitamin
E. Jour. Nutr. 50: 361. 19538.
. The Toxicity of Tri-o-Cresyl Phosphate for Rats as Related
to Dietary Casein Level, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Jour. Nutr. 51:
609. 1953.
, AND COPELAND, D. H. Progressive Muscular 
Dystrophy in
Rabbits as a Result of Chronic Choline Deficiency. Jour. Nutr. 53: 391.
1954.
. Muscular Dystrophy in Rabbits as a Result of Chronic Choline
Deficiency. Fed. Proc. 13: 461. 1954.
, AND SALMON, W. D. Choline Deficiency in the Rabbit. Jour.
Nutr. 53: 377. 1954.
0 AND HOVE, ZELDA. Effect of Dietary Protein Level and To-
copherol on Unsaturated Fatty Acid Content of Rat Tissue. Fed. Proc.
12: 417. 1953.
JOHNSON, BARBARA L., AND EDEN, W. G. The Toxicity of Aldrin, Dieldrin,
and Toxaphene to Rabbits by Skin Absorption. Jour. Econ. Ent. 46 (4):
702-703. 1953.
JOHNSON, E. W. Aerial Photographs and the Management of Small Forest
Holdings. Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 23 and 24: 55-59. 1953.
, Role of Aircraft in Forest 
Pest Control. Sci. Monthly.
79: 379-891. 1954.
SGround Control for Planimetric Base Maps. Jour. For. 89-95.
1954.
"Shadow Height" Computations Made Easier. Jour. For.
438-442. 1954.
LANHAM, BEN T., JR. Management Problems in Financing Adjustment in
Southern Agriculture. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 14-15. 1953.
SWill Increasing Trade with Central and South
America Hurt or Help Southern Agriculture? Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr.
Workers. p. 194-195. 1953.
. The Economics of Small Farm Mechanization. Proc.
7th Beltwide Cotton Mechanization Conf. 1953.
LAURENT, C. K. Trends in the South's Poultry Industry. Proc. Assoc. Sou.
Agr. Workers p. 168. 1954.
66
67
MOULTRIE, FRED, KING, D. F., AND COTTIER, 
G. J. Fifteen Years of Selec-
tion for Viability in White Leghorns. Poultry 
Sci. 82: 454-461. 1953.
SInfluence of Heterosis
and Maternal Effects on Viability in an Inter-Strain Cross of White Leg-
horns. Poultry Sci. 32: 985-941. 1953.
, MUELLER, C. D., AND PAYNE, L. 
F. The Effect of Light
on Feathering of Broiler Chicks. Poultry Sci. 33: 
784-790. 1954.
POSEY, H. G. Some Comparisons of Weights with Germination Percentages
of Pond (Black) Pine Seeds. Jour. Ala. Acad. 
Sci. 23 and 24: 67-69.
1958.
, AND KAUFMAN, C. M. Production Quality 
of Pond Pine Seed
in a Pocosin Area of North Carolina. Jour. For. 51: 280. 
1953.
REYNOLDS, C. W., AND STARK, F. C. Growth and Fruiting 
Responses of
Cucumbers to Varying Levels of Ca, K, Mg, and N in 
Sand Culture.
Proc. Assoc. Sou Agr. Workers. p. 133. 1953.
aICHARDS, D. B. Physical Changes in Decaying Wood. Jour For. 
52: 260-
265. 1954.
Salvaging Lumber Shorts by End-Jointing. 
Jour For. 52:
739-740. 1954.
SALMON, W. D., AND COPELAND, D. H. Liver Carcinoma 
and Related Le-
sions in Chronic Choline Deficiency. Ann. N. Y. Acad. 
Sci. 57: 664.
1954.
SAUBERLICH, H. E. Studies on the Reversal of Aminopterin Toxicity in the
Rat with Citrovorum Factor, Folacin and Related Compounds. Jour.
Nutr. 50: 101. 1958.
,Relationship of Amino Acids and Protein to the Produc-
tion of Fatty Livers in Rats. Fed. Proc. 12: 268. 1953.
, CHANG, WAN-YUIN, AND SALMON, W. D. 
The Amino
Acid and Protein Content of Corn as Related to Variety and Nitrogen
Fertilization. Jour. Nutr. 51: 241. 1953.
.The Com-
parative Nutritive Value of Corn of High and Low Protein Content for
Growth in the Rat and Chick. Jour. Nutr. 51: 628. 1958.
,Microbiological Studies in the Functions of Citrovorum
Factor and Vitamin B
6
. Fed. Proc. 18: 288. 1954.
.Dietary Protein in Relation to the Growth Response of
Rats Fed Antibiotics. Antibiotics and Chemotherapy. 4: 48. 1954.
, AND SCHAEFER, A. E. Studies on Aminopterin, Leuco-
vorin and Folacin in the Chick. Poultry Sci. 3388: 107. 1954.
SCH LTZ, E. F., JR. "Query" Answer. Biometrics. 10: 407-411. 1954.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
SMITH, F. F. Slash Pine Plantations in Fayette County. Jour. Ala. Acad.
Sci. 23 and 24: 172. 1953.
SWINGLE, H. S., AND JOHNSON, M. C. Water Sampler and Water Analysis
Kit. Prog. Fish Cult. 15(1): 27-30. 1953.
WARD, H. S., JR. The Effect of Various Moistures in the Dixie Runner Pea-
nut on Free Fatty Acids, Germination, and Respiration during Storage.
Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 170-171. 1953.
WARE, L. M., AND JOHNSON, W. A. Residual Soil Phosphorus as a Factor
Influencing Current Phosphorus Requirements of Vegetable Crops. Proc.
Assoc. Sou, Agr. Workers. p. 134. 1953.
MCELWEE, E. W., ANI) VAN BLARICOM, L. O. "Horticulture,"
The South on the March. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 97-107.
1953.
WEAR, JoHN I., AN WILsON, C. M. Boron Materials of Low Solubility and
Their Use for Plant Growth. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. 18: 425-428.
1954.
WHITNEY, J. B., MCINTIRE, W. H., COMAR, C. L., WINTERBERG, S. H.,
SHAW, W. M., AND DAVIS, D. E. Radioactive Calcium in the Soil. Proc.
Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 167. 1953.
YEAGER, J. H. The Competitive Position of Southern Agriculture - Economic
Aspects. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 15-16. 1954.
. Cost Conditions in Storing Farmer's Stock Peanuts in Small
Bins. Proc. Assoc. Sou. Agr. Workers. p. 48-44. 1954.
68
Officers and Staff-
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Alabama Polytechnic Institute
December 31, 1954
His Excellency, GORDON PERSONS, Governor, Chairman ----------- Ex-Officio
W. J. TERRY, State Superintendent of Education ----------------- Ex-Officio
E. A. ROBERTS (First District) --------------------------- Mobile
V. S. SUMMERLIN (Second District)
JIMMY HITCHCOCK (Third District)-
G. H. WRIGHT (Third District)
WALKER REYNOLDS (Fourth District)
JOE DAVIs (Fifth District)
W. L. PARRISH (Sixth District) ......
PAUL S. HALEY (Seventh District)
REDUS COLLIER (Eighth District) -
FRANK P. SAMFORD (Ninth District)
--- Luverne
Union Springs
--- - Auburn
S-----------Anniston
-- Albertville
--- -.- --- --- -- --- --- --- -- --- --- --- --C lan ton
J---------asper
--- - Decatur
-Birmingham
Administration
RALPH BROWN DRAUGHON, LL.D., President
E. V. SMITH, Ph.D., Director
C. F. SIMMONS, Ph.D., Associate Director
COYT WILSON, Ph.D., Assistant Director
W. H. WEIDENBACH, B.S., Assistant to Director
L. O. BRACKEEN, B.S., Director of Publicity
C. H. CANTRELL, M.A., A.B.L.S., Director of Libraries
FARLEY LEE, M.A., A.B.L.S., Agricultural Librarian
Agricultural Economics
B. F. ALVO, M.S.-- ---------------------- Head of Department
BEN T. LANHAM, JR., M.S----- ------------- Agricultural Economist
J. H. BLACKSTONE, M.S -------------------- Agricultural Economist
M. J. DANNER, M.S .-- ------------- Associate Agricultural Economist
*W. E. GREGORY, M.S. Associate Agricultural Economist (Coop. USDA)
C. K. LAURENT, Ph.D. Associate Agricultural Economist
Momus WrTE, Ph.D.--------------Associate Agricultural Economist
J. H. YEAGER, Ph.D.. ,...-- Associate Agricultural Economist
W. L. DORRIES, M.S.---- ---------- Assistant Agricultural Economist
CLAIRE F. JONES, B.S. -- -------- Assistant in Agricultural 
Economics
JULIAN M. JONEs, B.S.---------------Assistant in Agricultural 
Economics
E. E. MANSFIELD .. ----------------------------------- Statistical 
Assistant
* Leave of absence.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS
69
70 ALABAMA 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
Agricultural Engineering
F. A. KUMMER, M.S. -------------------------------------- Head of Department
M. L. NICHOLS, D.Sc.... Director, Soil Tillage Laboratory (Coop. USDA)
I. F. REED, M.S., A.E. S-------Senior Agricultural Engineer (Coop. USDA)
J. L. BUTT, M.S.-----------------------Associate Agricultural Engineer
WALTER GRUB, M.S. -------------------------- Associate Agricultural Engineer
C. A. REAVEs, M.S.... ..... Associate Agricultural Engineer (Coop. USDA)
C. M. STOKES, M.S.-----------------------------Associate Agricultural Engineer
A. W. COOPER, M.S.-------------------------Assistant Director (Coop. USDA)
H. A. WEAVER, M.S. ------------ Associate Soil Scientist (Coop. USDA)
T. E. CORLEY, M.S.------- -------------- Associate Agricultural Engineer
W. F. MCCREERY, M.S. Assistant Agricultural Engineer (Coop. USDA)
Agronomy and Soils
HOWARD T. ROGERS, Ph.D. -Head of Department
L. E. ENSMINGER, Ph.D. ----------------- Soil Chemist
V. C. JAMISON, Ph.D.------------------- Soil Scientist (Coop. USDA)
R. W. PEARSON, Ph.D. Soil Chemist (Coop. USDA)
E. C. RICHARDSON, M.S ---------------------------------- Agronomist (Coop. USDA)
A. L. SrITH, Ph.D. --------- Pathologist (Coop. USDA)
D. G. STURKIE, Ph.D.---------------------Agronomist
H. B. TISDALE, M.S. --------------- Plant Breeder
J. T. COPE, JR., Ph.D. --- ----- Associate Agronomist
E. D. DONNELLY, Ph.D.-- -------- Associate Plant Breeder
E. M. EVANS, M.S.-------------------Associate Agronomist
P. B. GIBSON, Ph.D. ----------------- Associate Plant Breeder
W. R. LANGFORD, Ph.D. ------ --------------------- Associate Agronomist
F. S. McCAIN, Ph.D... Associate Plant Breeder
R. D. ROUSE, Ph.D. ----------- Associate Soil Chemist
C. E. SCARSBROOK, Ph.D. Associate Soil Chemist
J. I. WEAR, Ph.D. Associate Soil Chemist
C. M. WILSON, Ph.D.... Associate Soil Chemist
J. M. BRowN, M.S.----- ----------- Assistant Agronomist
*C. C. KING, M.S. Assistant Agronomist
**R. M. PATTERSON, M.S. -------------------- Assistant Agronomist
V. S. SEARCY, M.S............. Assistant Agronomist
F. L. SELMAN, M.S. ---------------------- Assistant Agronomist
G. T. SHARMAN, JR., B.S. ----- --- Assistant Agronomist
F. E. BERTRAM, B.S. ----------------------- Field Superintendent
F. T. GLAZE, B.S. F----------ield Superintendent
J. W. LANGFORD, B.S. ------ ---- Superintendent, Plant Breeding Unit
J. W. RICHARDSON, B.S. ------------- Field Superintendent
ORUS L. BENNETT, B.S. --------------- Assistant in Agronomy
LOUIE J. CHAPMAN, B.S. ------------- Assistant in Agronomy
W. F. SOWELL, B.S. -- - ------- Assistant in Agronomy
* Military leave.
** Leave of absence.
70 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
Animal Disease Research
R. S. SUG, D.V.M.----------------------------------Head of Department
C. S. ROBERTS, D.V.M., M.S.--------------------------- Animal Pathologist
Animal Husbandry
W. D. SALMON, M.S.- -------------- Head of Department
J. C. GRIMES, M.S. Animal Husbandman
E. L. HOVE, Ph.D.------------------------------ ------- Animal Nutritionist
H. E. SAUBERLICH, Ph.D. Animal Nutritionist
W. B. ANTHONY, Ph.D .------------------------------- Associate Animal Nutritionist
M. J. BURNS, Ph.D. Associate Animal Nutritionist
D. H. COPELAND, B.S.------ Associate Animal Pathologist
C. M. MARTIN, Ph.D. --------------- Associate Animal Husbandman
K. E. GREGORY, Ph.D. ------- Associate Animal Breeder
C. D. SQUIERS, Ph.D.--- Associate Animal Breeder
G. B. MEADOWS, M.S. --------------- Assistant Animal Husbandman
H. F. TUCKER, M.S.-------- ------ Assistant in Animal Husbandry
Botany and Plant Pathology
J. A. LYLE, Ph.D.----------------Head of Department
E. J. CAIRNS, Ph.D. ------------- ----------------------- ----- Nematologist
D. E. DAVIS, Ph.D.----_- - - Associate Botanist
E. F. SCHULTZ, JR., M.S. -------------------- Associate Biometrician
H. S. WARD, JR., Ph.D. Associate Botanist
E. A. CURL, Ph.D.------------- -- Assistant Plant Pathologist
U. L. DIENER, Ph.D. Assistant Plant Pathologist
Dairy Husbandry
K. M. AUTREY, Ph.D. ---------------- Head of Department
G. E. HAWKINS, JR., Ph.D.........-------Associate Dairy Husbandman
Forestry
WILBUR B. DEVALL, M.S. ------------ Head of Department
H. E. CHRISTEN, M.Y.- -. Forester
G. I. GARIN, Ph.D..----------------------- Forester
J. T. MAY, M.S.--- --------- Forester
D. B. RICHARDS, Ph.D. ------------------------ Forester
J. F. GOGGANS, M.F. ------------------------- Associate Forester
E. J. HODGKINS, M.S.-- - --- Associate Forester
F. F. SMITH, M.F., M.A............ Associate Forester
J. E. CAROTHERS, M.S. ------------------------- Assistant Forester
*B. M. CooL, M.S. ----------------------- Assistant Forester
A. R. GILMORE, M.F.----------------- Assistant Forester
K. W. LIVINGSTON, M.F. ---------------- Assistant Forester
H. G. POSEY, M.S.F.--------------------------Assistant 
Forester
E. W. JOHNSON, M.F. Assistant 
Forester
* Leave of absence.
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 71
72 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Home Economics
KATHRYN PHILSON, PH.D. --------------- Associate Home Economist
Horticulture
L. M. WARE, M.S .------------------- ------- Head of Department
WALTER GREENLEAF, Ph.D. -------------- ------------ Vegetable Breeder
C. L. ISBELL, Ph.D.----------------------------------------------------- Horticulturist
TOKUJI FURUTA, Ph.D. -------------------- Associate Horticulturist
T. B. HAGLER, M.S.--------------------------------------Associate Horticulturist
HUBERT HARRIS, M.S.---- ------------- Associate Horticulturist
SAM T. JoNES, Ph.D.--------------------------------------Associate Horticulturist
H. P. ORR, M.S.---------------------------------- Associate Horticulturist
W. A. JOHNSON, M. S.---------------------- Assistant Horticulturist
R. L. LIVINGSTON, M.S.------------------ ------- Assistant Horticulturist
T. M. EDEN, JR., B.S.--------------------------------- Assistant in Horticulture
Poultry Department
D. F. KING, M.S.----------------------------Head of Department
G. J. COTTIER, M.A., D.V.M. ----- Poultry Husbandman
S. A. EDGAR, Ph.D. -------------------------- Poultry Pathologist
J. G. GOODMAN, M.S. --------------- Associate Poultry Husbandman
G. R. INGRAM, Ph.D. ------ ------ Associate Poultry Husbandman
FRED MOULTRIE, Ph.D.-----------------------Associate Poultry Husbandman
Publications
KENNETH B. Roy, B.J. ----------- ------------ Head of Department
J. OLAN COOPER, B.S. ---------------- Associate Agricultural Editor
Zoology-Entomology
F. S. ARANT, Ph.D. --------- ------ -- Head of Department
A. O. HAUGEN, Ph.D. Leader, Alabama Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
H. S. SWINGLE, M.S. ----------------------------- Fish Culturist
J. S. DENDY, Ph.D. ---------------------- Associate Entomologist
W. G. EDEN, Ph.D. ---------- Associate Entomologist
E. E. PRATHER, M.S. -------------- Associate Fish Culturist
B. WAYNE ARTHUR, M.S. ---- -------------- Assistant Entomologist
G. H. BLAKE, JR., M.S. --------------------- Assistant Entomologist
J. A. GRIFFIN, JR., M.S. ----- --------------- Assistant Entomologist
FRANK FITCH, M.S. ------ Asst. Leader, Ala. Coop. Wildlife Res. Unit
J. M. LAWRENCE, M.S. -------------------- Assistant Fish Culturist
R. L. ROBERTSON, M.S. ---------------------
Assistant Entomologist
72 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Substations
W. H. HEARN, B.S. -------------------- Records Assistant
BLACK BELT, Marion Junction, Dallas County
W. B. KELLEY, B.S.--------.--------------Superintendent
L. A. SMITH, B.S.------------------- -- Assistant Superintendent
CHILTON AREA HORTICULTURE, Clanton, Chilton County
C. C. CARLTON, B.S.----- ------ ----- Superintendent
GULF COAST, Fairhope, Baldwin County
OTTO BROWN, M.S .- ---------- Superintendent
J. E. BARRETT, B.S.---- --- ------------ Assistant Superintendent
H. F. YATES, B.S. - -------- Assistant Superintendent
FRANK GARRETT -----------------Part-Time Assistant in Horticulture
LOWER COASTAL PLAIN, Camden, Wilcox County
LAVERN BROWN, B.S. ---- --------------------- Superintendent
NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURE, Cullman, Cullman County
T. S. MORROW, B.S.------------ -------------- Superintendent
PIEDMONT, Camp Hill, Tallapoosa County
E. L. MAYTON, M.S.- -------------------------- Superintendent
SAND MOUNTAIN, Crossville, DeKalb County
S. E. GISSENDANNER, B.S.--- -------------------
Superintendent
M. W. ALISON, B.S. ------------------- Assistant 
Superintendent
TENNESSEE VALLEY, Belle Mina, Limestone County
J. K. BOSECK, B.S. ---- -----------------------
Superintendent
C. H. YEAGER, B.S.-------------Assistant 
Superintendent
UPPER COASTAL PLAIN, Winfield, Fayette 
County
W. W. COTNEY, B.S.----- --------------------
Superintendent
WIREGRASS, Headland, Henry County
C. A. BROGDEN, B.S ...----.------------------- 
Superintendent
MAx SCONYERS, B.S. ------ ---- ------
Assistant Superintendent
J. G. STARLING, B.S.----- -------------
Assistant Superintendent
CHANGES IN STATION STAFF
1953 Appointments
W. B. ANTHONY, Ph.D. . .------ Associate 
Animal Nutritionist
W. M. ARRINGTON, B.S.------Asst. Supt., Lower Coastal 
Plain Substation
B. W. ARTHUR, M.S. ------------------- 
Assistant Entomologist
ORus L. BENNETT, B.S. ----------------- 
Assistant in Agronomy
J. M. BRowN, M.S.--- ---------------------- Assistant 
Agronomist
D. E. DAVIS, Ph.D. ----------------------- 
--- Associate Botanist
C. W. DOMBY, Ph.D. ------------------ 
Soil Scientist (Coop. USDA)
K. H. GARREN, Ph.D. ------------------
Associate Plant Pathologist
A. R. GILMORE, M.F. ----
Assistant Forester
R. D. HICKs, B.S. --------- Asst. Supt., Lower 
Coastal Plain Substation
ANNA ELISABETH HOENE, Ph.D.-------------Assistant 
Human Nutritionist
W. R. LANGFORD, Ph.D.--------------------- 
Associate Agronomist
M. E. MERKL, Ph.D..----- ------------- 
Assistant Entomologist
KATHRYN PHILSON, Ph.D.------ .------- 
-- Associate Home Economist
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 73
C. E. SCARSBROOK, Ph.D. ------------------- Associate Soil Chemist
W. R. WILLIAMS, B.S.------------------Asst. Supt., Tennessee Valley Substation
1953 Resignations
W. M. ARRINGTON, B.S.------------Asst. Supt., Lower Coastal Plain Substation
C. J. JACOBS, B.S. ----------------- Asst. Supt., Piedmont Substation
C. H. JOHNSTON, B.S. -------- Asst. Supt., Tennessee Valley Substation
M. W. LouPo, M.S. -------------- Assistant Agricultural Engineer
W. C. MARTIN, JR., B.S.------ ----------- Greenhouse Manager
M. E. MERKL, Ph.D.------------------------------- Assistant Entomologist
J. H. PADFIELD, M.S.--------------------------------Assistant Fish Culturist
D. M. PRESLEY, B.S.----------- ---------------- Field Superintendent
C. W. REYNOLDS, M.S. ------ -------------- Associate Horticulturist
F. D. ROBINSON, B.S. ------ Asst. Supt., Upper Coastal Plain Substation
P. R. SATTERWHITE, B.S.----------Asst. Supt., Lower Coastal Plain Substation
Deceased
M. J. FUNCHESS --------------------------------------------- Dean Emeritus
1954 Appointments
E. J. CAIRNS, Ph.D. ----------------------------------- Nematologist
J. E. CAROTHERS, M.S.---- --------------------- Assistant Forester
LOUIE J. CHAPMAN, B.S. --------- ------ Assistant in Agronomy
E. A. CURL, Ph.D. ---------------------- Assistant Plant Pathologist
W. L. DORRIES, M.S.-----------------Assistant Agricultural Economist
T. M. EDEN, JR., B.S. ------------- Assistant in Horticulture
F. T. GLAZE, B.S. ----------------------------- Field Superintendent
J. A. GRIFFIN, JR., M.S.-----------------------------Assistant Entomologist
WALTER GRUB, M.S.........---------------Associate Agricultural Engineer
CLAIRE F. JONES, B.S.---------------Assistant in Agricultural Economics
JULIAN M. JONES, B.S........-----------Assistant in Agricultural Economics
SAM T. JONES, Ph.D. ---------------------- Associate Horticulturist
C. C. KING, M.S.....--------- .....------------------ -Assistant Agronomist
J. W. LANGFORD, B.S. ----------- Superintendent, Plant Breeding Unit
C. K. LAURENT, Ph.D.------------------ Associate Agricultural Economist
C. S. ROBERTS, D.V.M., M.S. ------------------- Animal Pathologist
R. L. ROBERTSON, M.S. --------------------- Assistant Entomologist
F. L. SELMAN, M.S. ------------------------ Assistant Agronomist
W. F. SOWELL, B.S. ----- -----------------
Assistant in Agronomy
C. H. YEAGER, B.S. ----------- Asst. Supt., Tennessee Valley Substation
1954 Resignations
W. E. ALSTON, JR., B.S. ---------- Dairy Husbandman
F. B. ANDERSON, M.S. - ---- Assistant Agricultural Economist
74 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
64th and 65th ANNUAL REPORTS 75
F. W. FITCH, JR., M.S..-----------.Asst. Leader, Ala. Coop. Wildlife Res. Unit
(Coop. USDA)
ERNESTINE I. FRAZIER, Ph.D..- Head, Department of Home Economics
K. H. GARREN, Ph.D.-------- ------- Associate Plant Pathologist
H. A. HENDERSON, M.S.---------------------------Assistant Agricultural Economist
ANNA ELISABETH HOENE, Ph.D.---------Assistant Human Nutritionist
C. L. KORNEGAY, B.S. ------- ---- Superintendent, Plant Breeding Unit
MARY ELIZABETH PRATHER, B.S.---------Assistant in Human Nutrition
R. W. ROBINSON, M.S.--------------Assistant Agricultural Economist
J. L. SNARE, M.S ---------------- Associate Agricultural Economist
FRED STEWART, B.S. (Retired) ---- Supt., Tennessee Valley Substation
M. D. WILLIAMS, B.S. ------------------------- Assistant in Forestry
W. R. WILLIAMS, B.S. - - Asst. Supt., Tennessee Valley Substation
W. W. WILLS, B.S. - ------------------------ Assistant in Forestry
Deceased
F. L. DAVIs, Ph.D.--------- --------------------- Soil Chemist
FINANCIAL REPORT
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1953
Hach Adms Punel Bankhead- 
Research & All
Hath das Prnll Jones Marketing Other
BALANCE JULY I1, 1952
INCOME
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE
EXPENDITURES
PERSONAL SERVICES
TRAVEL
TRANSPORTATION OFTHINGS
COMMUNICATION SERVICE
RENTS & UTILITIES
PRINTING & BINDING
OTHER CONTRACTURAL SERVICES
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS
EQUIPMENT
LAND & STRUCTURES
TAXES & ASSESSMENTS
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
BALANCE ON HAND JUNE 80, 1958
TOTAL EXPENDITURES & BALANCE
-.00
15,000.00
15,000.00
18,946.14
188.77
18.41
18.28
16.74
782.96
88.70
.00 .00
5,000.0 60,000.00
15,000.00 60,000.00
12,?001.75 48,819.78
619.20 1,478.02
4.29 24.51
88.10 294.40
480.05 1,088.06
1,828.09
8.75 897.81
1.,872.11 4,194.07
525.75 2 ,875.26
15,000.00 15000.00
.00 .00
15,000.00 15,000.00
60,000.00
.00
60,000.00
.00 .00 864,965.88
88,805.89 181,760.58 1,402,516.87
88,805.89 181,760.58 1.,767,482.25
69,780.51
2,608.4
61.88
71.85
755.08
209.68
185.28
12,671.43
1,784.79
228.00
973,885.01 782,048.20
8,557.18 42,666.26
487.06 6,847.18
515.74 7,970.24
2,078.59 22,151.88
1,501.69 6,2720.14
768.54 65,987.15
14,828.89 886,968.84
5,098.48 185,788.57
650.00 80,859.99
8,808.85
88,805.89 181,760.58 1,491,756.75
.00 .00 275725.50
88,805.89 181,760.58 1,767,482.25
C
I-
-I
C
I
0%
IVl~'flV ~Lr IL.VVl.~rl L f~0.01~.
_ ---- ---~= -
FINANCIAL REPORT
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1954
Hatch Adams 1'urell
BALANCE JULY 1, 1953
INCOME
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE
EXPENDITURES
PERSONAL SERVICES
TRAVEL
TRANSPORTATION OFTHINGS
COMMUNICATION SERVICE
RENTS & UTILITIES
PRINTING & BINDING
OTHER CONTRACTURAL SERVICES
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS
EQUIPMENT
LAND & STRUCTURES
TAXES & ASSESSMENTS
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
BALANCE ON HAND JUNE.30, 1954
TOTAL EXPENDITURES & BALANCE
.00
15,000.00
15,000.00
13,838.74
196.09
86.22
36.80
244.43
20.06
532.91
44.75
.00
15,1000.00
15,1000.00
-.00
60 ,000.00
60,00.00
12,619.96 50,487.05
525.25 1,276.21
31.77 20.95
41.00 158.30
542.02 807.76
688.20
92.50 572.81
1,108.50 3,87.62
39.00 2,701.10
Bankhead- Research & All
Jones Marketing Other
.00 .00 275,725.50
88,305.89 169,250.70 1,561,569.81
88,1305.89 169,250.70 1,837,295.31
74,655.44- 121,33.88 7951,698.53
3,570.00 ,028.06 40,280.85
83.25 60.94 7,640.60
10125 790.19 8,102.23
688.44 2,909.24 29,158.80
2,671.17 4,239.68
470.72 1,172.71 98,832.61
5,98.99 15,043.94 369,718.07
2,1737.80 15,190.57 1363,494.69
253,802.04
6,857.69
15,000.00 15,000.00 60,000.00 88,305.89 169,250.70 1,522,325.79
.00 .00 .00 .00 .00 314,969.52
15000 15,00.0 6000.0 
8830.8 16,2070183,953
0%
a
z
z
M
m
0
MI
I- IY I~ L~ II I II I I ~ ~ /.q re -CI
1500.0 1>00.0 0 000
88>05.9 1 922 0.7 1,37 95.1