66th
and
67th
Use of Management Units in An Eco-
nomic Research Program. (J. H. Black-
stone.) - As a basis for testing the eco-
nomic feasibility of applying research
results on Alabama farms, several man-
agement units have been established on
selected Substations of the Agricultural
Experiment Station in various parts of
the State. All units are self contained
with respect to land, labor, basic ma-
chinery and equipment, livestock, and
other major capital items.
Results of several years' operations
of these management units indicate that
the application of recommendations
from crop and related research are not
difficult to make and that the response
is normally greatest for the first year of
production following adoption. Apply-
ing recommendations from livestock
and related research is more difficult
and response is more difficult to obtain,
particularly during the first few years
following adoption.
Management units in operation dur-
ing 1956 varied in size from 30 to 195
acres. With one exception, all units had
both cash crop and livestock enter-
prises. Major livestock enterprises in-
cluded dairying, beef, swine, sheep,
and poultry. Cash receipts in 1956 va-
ried from $6,500 to $10,150. In all
cases, cash receipts were sufficiently
high to cover cash expenses, inventory
decreases, depreciation, and family and
operator labor costs, and to provide a
reasonable return on capital invest-
ments. Capital investments in 1956 va-
ried from $12,000 to $86,000. Net in-
comes on these units plus farm-produced
products used in households provided
family living standards higher than
those obtainable from non-farm em-
ployment 
in these 
particular 
areas.
Financing Dairy Production Adjustments
In the Tennessee Valley Area of Alabama.
(Sidney C. Bell and Ben T. Lanham,
Jr.) -The primary objective of this
study was to determine capital require-
ments and credit needs of farmers shift-
ing from cash crops to dairying in the
Tennessee Valley Area of Alabama. The
sample region studied consisted of sur-
vey areas selected at random in Madi-
son, Lawrence, and Lauderdale coun-
ties.
Results of budgeting with 1955 prices
and costs and based on an analysis of
the survey records indicated that the
dairy system, with annual milk produe-
ANNUAL REPORTS
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
of the ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
January 1, 1955-December 31, 1956
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
4 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
tion of 7,000 pounds per cow, was more
profitable than the cash-crop system
with normal yields. The budgeted dairy
system indicated an increase of $3,192
in net returns. Initial cost of the change-
over from cash crops to daiying in-
volved a capital expenditure of $17,825
that could be recovered within a period
of 5.4 years by applying the entire in-
crease of $3,192 in net returns each
year. If farmers used their own capital
in making this change, the increase in
net return would yield an annual rate
of return of 18.4 per cent on their ad-
ditional investment. Farmers with suf-
ficient security could obtain a 100 per
cent loan and repay this loan with 6
per cent interest in 6.8 years, or they
could obtain a 50 per cent loan and
repay it in 3.1 years.
Cooperative Cotton Gins in Alabama
with an Analysis of Ginning Rates and
Marketing Margins for 1955. (R. S.
Glover and Morris White.) -Ginning
rates at cooperative cotton gins in Ala-
gama ranged from $0.65 to $1.10 per
hundredweight of seed cotton in the
fall of 1955. Costs and returns data
from these gins were not adequate to
permit calculation of net profits on in-
dividual gin activities. However, reve-
nue from three activities was calculated
as a percentage of gross profits. The
three activities were ginning and re-
lated services, marketing of cottonseed,
and marketing of baled or seed cotton.
The percentage of gross profits ac-
counted for by each was 73.7, 21.8,
and 4.5, respectively. Among individual
gins, the range in proportion of gross
profits derived from the three activi-
ties were from 65 to 94 per cent for
ginning and related services, 2 to 29
per cent for marketing cottonseed, and
from 0 to 9 per cent for marketing
baled or seed cotton.
Marketing Facilities and Handling of
Truck Crops in Alabama. (Edward E.
Kern, Jr.) - Marketing facilities estab-
lished in certain areas of Alabama have
not been sufficient for expansion or
maintenance of several important com-
mercially-produced truck crops. With
the exception of tomatoes and water-
melons, over two 8-year periods, 1940-
47 and 1948-55, the acreages of six
other commercially-produced vegetables
in the State have shown declines rang-
ing from 6 per cent for cucumbers to
63 per cent for sweetpotatoes. Over
a 17-year period, 1939-55, average va-
riation in prices of Alabama-produced
vegetables was 38 per cent, or slightly
above that of competing states. Price
risks, in terms of variation coefficients,
have been wider in Alabama than in
competing states for beans, cucumbers,
watermelons, potatoes, and strawber-
ries, and less for cabbage and tomatoes.
The term market facility is not sy-
nonymous with a dependable market.
Inability of management to successfully
deal with farmers and the unwillingness
of producers to support marketing fa-
cilities, primarily as a result of the
"pool method" 
of settling accounts,
contributed to the inability of several
public-supported facilities to amortize
their debts at reasonable rates. If fu-
ture markets appear feasible in the
State, they should be based on the fol-
lowing criteria: Economic need in spe-
cific production areas; strong leader-
ship; concentrated volume of specific
truck crops at specific points; educa-
tional programs aimed at year-round
interest in the facilities; compulsory
grading and inspection of produce;
adequate market information; modest
beginning with room for expansion of
facilities; and payments in cash to pro-
ducers.
Improving Usefulness of Livestock Mar-
keting Information. (R. 0. Russell, Jr.
and M. J. Danner.) - Studies of rela-
tionships between grades and prices
received at Alabama auctions reveal
wide variations. These may be because
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 5
either buyers or sellers do not know
the prevailing prices in other markets.
Therefore, this study was begun to de-
termine availability and adequacy of
livestock market news.
Fifty per cent of the auction opera-
tors and livestock dealers from which
schedules were obtained neither re-
ceived market news reports nor sup-
plied market news information.
The Federal State Market News Serv-
ice reports 15 weekly auction sales as
well as daily terminal market coverage.
Terminal market information is released
twice daily over leased wire. Auction
market, Chicago, and Nashville reports
are released twice weekly in mimeo-
graphed form to a mailing list of 200,
of which 50 per cent are farmers. These
auction reports are also supplied di-
rectly to 65 newspapers and 62 radio
stations.
Of the 23 daily newspapers serving
Alabama, 17 carry some form of live-
stock market news. Schedules received
from 76 of the 117 weekly newspapers
in Alabama indicated that only 31 of
these papers carry market news.
More than 80 per cent of the farmers
interviewed depended on radio as their
principal source of livestock market
news. Daily newspapers were the next
most important source. Most farmers
believed that these sources of informa-
tion were of assistance in estimating
the value of their livestock.
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
Engineering Phases of Supplemental Ir-
rigation. (H. Bouwer and F. A. Kum-
mer in cooperation with USDA-ARS.)
-A surface irrigation project was in-
stalled and evaluated at the Upper
Coastal Plain Substation. Results show
that high degrees of efficiency and uni-
formity of water application can be
obtained with this type irrigation. A
new method for evaluating surface ir-
rigation systems without soil moisture
determinations was developed.
A dead-lateral, rectangular, sprinkler-
irrigation layout with alleys in tall
crops to facilitate pipe moving re-
quired 1.5 man-hours per acre per ir-
rigation at the Agricultural Engineer-
ing Farm Unit. Labor requirement
with 
laterals 
equipped 
with 
plastic-hose
branches was 1.0 man-hour per acre
per irrigation. In addition to reducing-
labor requirements, branched laterals
offered several other advantages, such
as possibility of increased equipment
utilization, reduction in human effort
for moving sprinklers, reduced number
of valve tees, and improved trafficabil-
ity in alleys. A tripod for mounting
the sprinklers was developed.
Subirrigation with perforated under-
ground tubing has several attractive
features from an engineering stand-
point. Results from a field study at
Thorsby, however, show that spacing
between the pipe lines had to be ap-
proximately 10 feet and that efficiency
was as low as 5 per cent.
Mechanization of Cotton Harvesting.
(T. E. Corley, C. M. Stokes, and F. A.
Kummer.) - During 1955 and 1956,
additional data were obtained regarding
the evaluation of machines and methods
for mechanical cotton harvesting and of
mechanical harvester performance in
relation to plant characteristics. The
data show that efficiency of the spindle
picker was affected more by plant con-
ditions that are influenced by the wea-
ther than by any other factor. Low
6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
yields of knotty and hard-lock bolls
caused by drought resulted in low (85
per cent) picker efficiency, whereas
high yields of sound bolls grown with
ample moisture resulted in high (95
per cent) picker efficiency. Of the va-
rieties tested, storm resistance appears
to be one of the most important charac-
teristics to consider in choosing a cotton
for machine harvesting. Varieties show-
ing storm resistance have less weather
loss and 
still give 
high machine 
effi-
ciency. Methods of weed control had
no effect on yield and picker harvesting
efficiency. However, rotary hoeing and
chemical control required 40 per cent
and 95 per cent less hoeing, respec-
tively, than the hand hoed check. Re-
sults from plant spacing tests show that
a stand can safely vary from 20,000 to
60,000 plants per acre without mate-
rially affecting yield or spindle picker
efficiency.
Use of Sod Seeder. (L. Brown, L. A.
Smith, and C. M. Stokes.)-Studies
made with commercial sod-seeders in-
dicated these machines were unsatis-
factory under many conditions.
Applicator feet spaced less than 16
inches apart caused excessive damage
to established sod. It is important to
apply the same amount of seed and fer-
tilizer per acre regardless of drill spac-
ing.
The competition of established sod
with a planted crop is an important fac-
tor in establishing sod-seeded crops.
Unless means are used in controlling
the crops that are growing on the
planted area, they will seriously hinder
the sod-planted crops during dry pe-
riods. Time of planting sod-seeded
crops is important, since the old crop
on the field tends to compete with the
planted crop for moisture and plant
nutrients. Sod-seeded crops planted 15
days before frost are normally not af-
fected by competition from the estab-
lished crops on the area.
Interplanter for Use in Interpanting in
Row Planted Crops and Sod Fields. (J. 0.
Helms and C. M. Stokes.)- There are
no interplanters suitable to use with
tractors for interplanting row crops in
Piedmont Area. Therefore, a row inter-
planter was developed for farm trac-
tors. The machine is capable of apply-
ing both seed and fertilizer to the crop
that is interplanted between the rows
of growing crops. The experimental
planter performs satisfactorily as a sod-
planter. It is rugged and satisfactory
for use under adverse conditions.
Attic Space Ventilation and Insulation.
(Walter Grub.)-The control of ceil-
ing panel temperatures was studied
during hot weather by using various
attic space ventilation and ceiling insu-
lation treatments. The ventilation sys-
tems consisted of gable end louvers,
ridge louver, flue ventilator, attic ex-
haust fan, and a completely closed at-
tic. Insulation treatments varied from
no insulation to 3 inches applied on the
top surface of the ceiling. The closed
attic produced the highest ceiling panel
temperatures, while the attic exhaust
fan produced the lowest. Ceiling insu-
lation decreased the differential in tem-
peratures between the various ventila-
tion systems from 17 degrees when no
insulation was used to 6 degrees when
3 inches of insulation was applied;
The ridge louver, the flue ventilator,
and the gable end louvers caused
marked decreases of ceiling tempera-
tures in comparison to the closed attic.
However, they were not as effective as
the exhaust fan, since they were more
dependent upon such factors as wind
velocity and direction.
Feed Grinding and Mixing. (C. A. Rollo
and F. A. Kummer.) - Tests were con-
ducted to determine the most feasible
way to obtain a continuous flow of cot-
tonseed meal from a holding bin or
hopper when the cottonseed meal is
being used as a concentrate in dairy
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 7
feed. Test results show that some me-
chanical means of agitating cottonseed
meal must be provided to ensure a con-
tinuous flow of meal. An electric vi-
brator installed on the outside of the
bin or hopper was found to give satis-
factory results.
Forage Harvest and Storage. C. A.
Rollo and F. A. Kummer.)- Three
crops were harvested for silage (oats,
corn, and sorghum) by a completely
mechanized procedure. The equipment
consisted of one forage harvester, two
self unloading wagons, one forage
blower, and four tractors. The sorghum
was put in a trench silo and the corn
and oats in upright silos. The harvest-
ing rate varied from 7.0 to 15.5 tons
per hour, with the sorghum operation
producing the highest rate per hour and
the oats the lowest rate. Labor require-
ments varied from 0.32 to 0.71 man
hours per ton, with sorghum requiring
the least and oats the highest labor per
ton of silage harvested. The combina-
tion of equipment and personnel used
to harvest silage was efficient from the
standpoint of use of men and equip-
ment.
Peanut Silage. (C. A. Rollo and F. A.
Kummer.) - An experiment was begun
to determine if peanut tops would pro-
duce satisfactory silage. The criteria
used in the laboratory production of
silage were the pH value and the pro-
tein content. The pH value of 8.87 to
4.62 was within the range of good silage
and the protein content of 11.71 per
cent to 18.56 per cent compares favor-
ably with that of alfalfa silage.
AGRONOMY and SOILS
Soil Testing Studies. (Clarence M. Wil-
son, R. D. Rouse, and C. E. Evans.)-
During the third and fourth years of
operation of the Soil Testing Labora-
tory, 9,311 and 12,857 samples were
analyzed. The total number of samples
for 4 years of operation was 34,626.
A summary of all field and pasture
samples shows 86.1 per cent having a
pH of 5.5 or less, 76.0 per cent with
pH 6.0 or less, and only 24.0 per cent
above pH 6.0. Of the samples, 73.9
per cent show a need for a fertilizer
with an even phosphate-potash ratio,
7.0 per cent for a high phosphate-low
potash ratio, and 19.1 per cent for a
low phosphate-high potash ratio.
In the past 2 years, sale of fertilizers
with even phosphate ratios has in-
creased from 16 per cent to 48 per cent
of total fertilizer sales. Those with high
phosphate-low potash ratios have shown
a proportionate decrease. This indicates
a wide acceptance by farmers of the
findings of the Soil Testing Laboratory.
Urea-Formaldehyde as a Source of Ni-
trogen. (C. E. Scarsbrook.) - Three
formulations of experimental 12-12-12
grade fertilizer, each containing a por-
tion of the nitrogen as urea-formalde-
hyde, were compared with ammonium
nitrate as sources of nitrogen for cot-
ton and corn. The experiments were
conducted with corn at 8 locations and
at 5 locations with cotton during a 2-
year, 1955-56, period. The formula-
tions used in 1955 contained 38 per
cent urea-formaldehyde with an avail-
ability index of 20; in 1956 two formu-
lations were used with urea-formalde-
hyde percentages of 35 and 86 and
availability indices of 49 and 57, re-
spectively. Ammonium nitrate supple-
mented with phosphate and potash
produced higher yields of both cotton
8 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
and corn than equivalent rates of all
formulations of fertilizer containing
urea-formaldehyde.
Legumes Plus Commercial Nitrogen for
Corn. (J. T. Cope, Jr.)- Experiments
to determine the effect of commercial
nitrogen when applied to corn follow-
ing a winter legume turned for green
manure were begun in 1930 at 5 experi-
ment fields and 8 substations. Corn
following winter legumes averaged 43.7
bushels per acre at the 8 locations for
25 years. Application of commercial
nitrogen to corn following the legume
increased the yield only 1.2 bushels per
acre. Amounts of nitrogen applied
were 16 pounds for the first 19 years
and 32 pounds since that time. Winter
legumes, hairy vetch in most cases, have
averaged over 16,000 pounds ofgreen
weight annually. This is enough vetch
to add over 120 pounds of nitrogen to
the soil.
Maintaining Soil Fertility end Crop Pro-
duction on Soils Cropped with Harvested
Peanuts, (D. G. Sturkie and L. E. Ens-
minger.)- It is generally recognized
that cropping with peanuts rapidly de-
pletes soil fertility and lowers yields.
A study was begun in 1950 to deter-
mine the nature of soil depletion. The
experiment was conducted in 1/100-
acre bins of Norfolk sandy loam. The
effect of harvested peanuts on yields
and chemical composition of the soil
was followed for a 6-year period.
Data show that without treatment,
yields declined to a very low level. Ap-
plications of phosphorus and potash
prevented some of the decline, but lime
in addition to phosphorus and potash
was much more effective in maintain-
ing yields. Dusting with basic slag or
gypsum on limed plots increased yields.
Slag was somewhat more effective than
gypsum. Turning under corn stalks in
addition to lime and fertilizer further
increased yields.
Exchangeable calcium dropped to a
low level without lime. The data indi-
cate that frequent liming is needed to
maintain a desirable calcium level.
Phosphorus applications resulted in an
accumulation of soluble phosphorus,
but potash treatments resulted in only
a small increase in exchangeable potash.
Fertilizer Evaluation and Use. (Coopera-
tive with TVA). (1) WATER-SOLUBLE
PHOSPHORUS IN RELATION TO CROP RE-
SPONSE. (L. E. Ensminger.)- Numer-
ous field tests have been conducted to
determine the need for water-soluble
phosphorus for cotton and other crops.
The importance of water-soluble phos-
phorus depends on a number of factors,
such as soil reaction, placement of fer-
tilizer, rate of application, and the crop
itself. Data show that cotton often
needs some water-soluble phosphorus
for best yields. Results from field tests
conducted from 1951 to 1953 show
that a complete fertilizer containing 63
per cent of its phosphorus in a water-
soluble form produced an average of
100 pounds more seed cotton than a
similar fertilizer containing only 25 per
cent in water-soluble form.
Early growth of wheat forage was
increased as much as 50 per cent by
increasing the water-soluble phospho-
rus. Differences due to water solubility
are usually not evident in final grain
yields.
Most crops are benefited by some
water-soluble phosphorus. However,
there is little indication of a need for
more than 40 to 50 per cent water-
soluble phosphorus in fertilizers.
(2) RESPONSE OF SERI EA TO LIME
AND FERTMIZERS. (L. E. Ensminger
and J. T. Cope, Jr.) - A test was be-
gun at seven locations between 1947
and 1949 to determine the response of
sericea to lime, phosphorus, potassium,
sulfur, and minor elements. Hay yields
were obtained at all locations for 5 to
9 years. The test was conducted on the
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 9
following soil types and locations: Hart-
sells fine sandy loam, Sand Mountain
Substation; Decatur clay loam, Alexan-
dria Field; Appling sandy loam, Pied-
mont Substation; Boswell very fine
sandy loam, Tuskegee Field; Greenville
fine sandy loam, Prattville Field; Mag-
nolia sandy loam, Monroeville Field;
and Kalmia sandy loam, Brewton Field.
A response to phosphorus was ob-
tained at only two locations. Crops on
the Hartsells fine sandy loam responded
to phosphorus in the 6th year and on
the Boswell very fine sandy loam in the
7th year. All soils were medium to low
in phosphorus at the beginning of the
test.
Crops on Boswell very fine sandy
loam at Tuskegee Field showed the
only response to lime, which was not
obtained until the 7th year. The pH of
the soils at the beginning of the experi-
ment ranged from 5.3 to 5.7.
Soil without a potash treatment was
not included in the test. The lowest
rate of K20 used, 60 pounds per acre
annually, was sufficient at all locations
for the duration of the test, with the
exception of the Boswell very fine sandy
loam. Crops for the 8th year on the
Boswell soil responded to the second
60-pound increment 
of K20.
Sericea did not respond at any loca-
tion to a mixture of boron, manganese,
zinc, and copper. Sulfate from gyp-
sum did not increase yields at any
location. The lack of response to sul-
fate may be explained by the fact that
all soils studied contained appreciable
sulfate in subsurface layers.
(8) RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF
BROADCAST AND RoW-PLACEMENT OF
FERTILIZERS FOR COTTON. (J. T. Hood,
L. E. Ensminger, and J. T. Cope, Jr.)
- An experiment to measure the rela-
tive efficiency of fertilizer placement
for cotton was begun in 1954. In field
tests broadcast placement of fertilizer
gave as good yields as row-placed ferti-
lizer where a 60-pound rate of 
P
2
0
5
was used. When the phosphorus level
was reduced to more nearly the critical
level, properly row placed fertilizer
gave higher yields than broadcast.
When soil moisture was low while
the seed were germinating, fertilizer
placement was critical. Under these
conditions fertilizer placed under or
with the seed resulted in poorer stands
and lower yields than when fertilizer
was placed at the side and below the
seed. Fertilizers containing ammonium
phosphates produced the poorest stand.
Mixing gypsum with ammonium phos-
phate fertilizers improved stands.
Factors Affecting the Nature and Be-
havior of Native and Added Phosphates in
Soils: (1) AVAILABILITY OF PHOSPHO-
RUS IN VARIOUS SOURCES OF ROCK
PHOSPHATE. (0. L. Bennett, L. E.
Ensminger, and R. W. Pearson.) -
Seven sources of raw phosphate were
tested under greenhouse conditions.
Availability of phosphorus from these
sources was measured by yields and
phosphorus uptake by Ladino clover
and Sudangrass. Sources studied were
ground raw rock phosphates from Flor-
ida, Tennessee, Idaho, South Carolina,
Tunis, Morocco, and Curacao Island.
Foreign sources and South Carolina
rock were superior to other tested do-
mestic sources. South Carolina rock
was as available as any of the foreign
sources tested. Eutaw clay and Cecil
clay loam with and without lime were
used in testing the sources. Each had
a pH of 5.0 before liming. The Cecil
is kaolinitic and the Eutaw contains
about equal amounts of kaolinitic and
montmorillonitic clays.
The rock phosphates were charac-
terized with respect to certain physical
and chemical properties. No correlation
was found between fluorine content or
specific surface and the availability of
the phosphorus to plants. There were
marked differences between domestic
and foreign sources with respect to
citrate and sequestrene solubility, with
10 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
the South Carolina rock again being an
exception. For example, the foreign
sources and South Carolina rock showed
the most availability as measured by
yields and phosphorus uptake and were
two or three times more soluble chemi-
cally than were the other sources.
(2) CORRELATION OF SOIL TEST
PHOSPHORUS WITH YIELDS OF LADINO
CLOVER. (L. F. Welch, L. E. Ensmin-
ger, and C. M. Wilson) -Ladino clover
was grown in 11 X 6-foot concrete-
walled field bins that contained Nor-
folk sandy loam, Eutaw clay, and Cecil
clay loam soils. Varying levels of phos-
phorus had been built up in these soils
by past applications of superphosphate.
Soil samples, taken from the bins prior
to seeding the clover, were extracted
for soluble phosphorus by three extract-
ing solutions. The solutions used were
0.05 N HC1 + 0.025 N H
2
SO
4
, 0.5
N NaHCO
3
, and 0.03 N NH
4
F + 0.1
N HC1. Six harvests were taken from
each bin.
Any of the three soil-testing methods
can be used satisfactorily as a basis
for making phosphorus recommenda-
tions for the soils and crop studied.
No one solution proved to be statistic-
ally better than the other two. The
0.05 N HC1 + 0.025 N H
2
SO
4 
is cur-
rently being used by the Soil Testing
Laboratory at Auburn.
Behavior of Potassium in Soils: (1) Po-
TASSIUM STATUS OF HARTSELLS FINE
SANDY LOAM. (R. D. Rouse.) - The
potassium status of Hartsells fine sandy
loam was characterized in the field by
cropping for 18 years at rates ranging
from 0 to 96 pounds of K20 per acre
followed by 9 years of cropping with-
out further additions. At the beginning
of the residual period, the potassium
supplying power of the soil was de-
termined by electrodialysis and by boil-
ing nitric acid. Exchangeable potas-
sium, potassium content of cotton
leaves, and cotton yield were deter-
mined annually throughout the residual
period.
During the cropping period an an-
nual application of 
48 pounds of K20
per acre resulted in maximum response
of cotton to potassium. On soil that
did not receive potassium during this
initial period, 48 pounds of K20 dur-
ing the residual period was inadequate
as measured by yield and potassium
content of cotton leaves until the appli-
cation had been repeated annually for
5 or 6 years. Potassium did not limit
yield on plots not receiving annual ap-
plication until both the exchangeable
and the relatively soluble nonexchange-
able were reduced below 125 pounds
K20 per acre. This indicates 
that the
relatively soluble non-exchangeable po-
tassium and the exchangeable potas-
sium are both of value in sustaining
crop production. Therefore, if maxi-
mum yields are to be made on this
soil, the potassium application should
be sufficient to offset crop removal and
leaching losses and maintain the ex-
changeable potassium at 140 to 150
pounds per acre or above.
(2) POTASH SIDEDRESSING FOR COT-
TON. (R. D. Rouse.)- A 5-year study
of the value of potash sidedressing on
Kalmia fine sandy loam showed no ad-
vantage for drilling to 1/2 of the
potash at planting and the remainder
as a sidedressing at first cultivation
over applying all potash at planting.
However, it did show that when in-
adequate potash was applied at plant-
ing, efficient use could be made of
potash sidedressing. In this study, 5-
year average yield of cotton with the
several rates of potash per acre was as
follows: none, 476 pounds seed cot-
ton; 82 pounds K20, 1,281 pounds;
64 pounds K20, 1,532 pounds; 96
pounds K20, 1,528 pounds; 128
pounds K20, 1,632 pounds.
(3) EFFECT OF SODIUM ON BOLL
PRODUCTION AND CATION CONTENT OF
COTTON LEAVES. (R. D. Rouse and W.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 11
F. Sowell.) - Results from previous
studies on the effect of sodium on yield
of cotton were not conclusive. In or-
der to compare a large number of
treatments under known environmental
conditions, the present study was con-
ducted in a plant growth chamber
where light intensity, relative humidity,
and temperature were controlled and
duplicated from experiment to experi-
ment. Twenty-four ratios of potassium,
calcium, magnesium, and sodium were
compared under good and poor root
aeration at pH 5 and pH 6 using solu-
tion culture. Sodium did not affect
the uptake of potassium, calcium, or
magnesium at any ratio studied as
measured by leaf content, nor did so-
dium affect cotton boll production. Re-
sults show that sodium has no direct
nutritional effect on the cotton plant.
This means that the only value that
sodium might have on cotton yield is
possible indirect effects on the avail-
ability of essential elements in the soil.
One of these that has been demon-
strated in field experiments is increased
yields from the 
application of a 
so-
dium salt at deficient levels of potas-
sium.
(4) SOYBEAN STUDmS IN JACKSON
COUNTY. (R. D. Rouse.)- Seventeen
fertility and 5 variety tests were con-
ducted in Jackson County to determine
lime and fertilizer requirements of soy-
beans and variety adaptation in that
area. During the 3-year period, 1953-
55, yields were generally low because
of dry weather. However, data ob-
tained indicated a need for lime at 6
locations, phosphate at 10, and potash
at 13 locations. The large variation in
need for lime, phosphate and potash
indicates that a general lime and ferti-
lizer recommendation would not be fea-
sible, but the needs of each field should
be determined by soil tests.
The variety test showed that Jack-
son, representing varieties in maturity
group VII, should not be grown for
beans in this area. Varieties in ma-
turity group VI, such as Lee and Og-
den, should be standard, but the har-
vest period could be extended by plant-
ing a portion of the acreageto earlier
maturing beans from group V, such as
Dorman.
(5) SOYBEAN CULTURAL PRACTICES.
(R. D. Rouse.) - Experiments on row
width and seeding rates with Lee and
Jackson varieties planted in late May
and in late June were conducted dur-
ing 1953-56 on Kalmia sandy loam.
Using 60 pounds of seed per acre,
yields from 20- and 30-inch row spac-
ings averaged about 10 per cent higher
than from 40-inch rows; yields from
10-inch rows were 60 per cent higher
for both varieties. Yields were not af-
fected by seeding rates of 30, 60, 90,
or 120 pounds per acre. At a row
width of 10 inches, yields were de-
creased 20 per cent by increasing the
seeding rate from 60 to 240 pounds per
acre. Yields for the 4 years averaged
about 30 per cent less for plantings
made in late June as compared to those
made in late May, but this varied from
no decrease to a 75 per cent decrease
in different years.
The data from an experiment com-
paring drill vs. broadcast applications
of 400 pounds of 0-14-14 to Jackson
soybeans on Kalmia sandy loam show
a 27 per cent decrease in yield from
drill application of fertilizer as com-
pared with broadcast application be-
fore planting.
Effect of Electric Steam Plant Effluents
on Sulfur Brought Down in Rainwater.
(Cooperative TVA.) (L. E. Ensminger.)
- A cooperative project with TVA was
begun in 1951 to study effects of steam
plant effluents on sulfur in rainwater.
Rainwater samples were collected be-
fore the steam plant near Tuscumbia
was put into operation. Samples were
also collected during the time the units
were being put into use and for a per-
iod of 1 year after all 4 units were in
full operation.
12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
For the period before the steam plant
began operation, the sulfur brought
down in rainwater averaged 4.8 pounds
per acre for 23 locations. Data for the
first year with all units in operation
show an average of about 10 pounds
of sulfur per acre brought down. Dur-
ing the first year of operation, it is esti-
mated that 89,000 tons of sulfur were
given off in the steam plant effluents
Evidently, the stacks were high enough
to cause the effluents to be distributed
over a wide area.
An Evaluation of Coal Washer Refuse
as a Soil Conditioning Agent. (Fred Ad-
ams.)- Results from greenhouse and
laboratory experiments show that coal
washer refuse has no value as a soil
amendment or as a medium for plant
growth. The cation exchange capacity
was found to be only about 7 mg.
equivalents, which precludes its use to
increase cation exchange capacity of
soils. No evidence was found that ad-
ditions of coal washer refuse reduced
the amount of nutrients lost by leach-
ing from a light textured soil. The ma-
terial was found to reduce plant growth
even at moderate rates of application
in soil because of its acid-producing
property. It proved to be toxic to
plants when mixed with sand in ratios
that nurserymen use for sand and peat
plotting mixtures.
Effect of Soil pH and Calcium on Up-
take of Zinc by Plants. (John I. Wear.)
- Calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate
and sodium carbonate were incorpo-
rated in a Norfolk sandy loam at vari-
ous rates to measure the effects of pH
and calcium on the uptake of zinc by
an indicator plant under greenhouse
conditions. An application of 2,000
pounds of CaCO
8 
per acre decreased
the zinc content of sorghum from 150
p.p.m. to 50 p.p.m. The pH of the
soil was increased from 5.7 to 6.6 and
the calcium content of the plant was
increased from 0.78 to 1.09 per cent.
Higher rates of CaCO
3 
further de-
creased the zinc content as the pH
of the soil increased. Sodium carbo-
nate decreased zinc uptake depending
on change in pH. An application of
2,000 pounds of CaSO
4 
per acre did
not decrease the zinc content of the
plant. Conclusive evidence was ob-
tained to show that a decrease in zinc
content of the plant was a pH effect
and not a calcium effect.
Extractable Boron, Zinc, Manganese,
and Copper in Soils of Alabama. (John I.
Wear.)- Boron, zinc, manganese, and
copper were determined by accepted
procedures to give a measure of avail-
ability of 243 samples from various soil
regions in the State. Results show that
the Coastal Plain and Appalachian soils
are lower in boron and zinc than the
Limestone Valley and Black Belt soils.
The Black Belt soils are the lowest and
the Limestone Valley soils are the high-
est in manganese of any soil area.
Boron, zinc, and copper increase
from coarse- textured to fine- textured
soils. This relationship does not hold
true for manganese in all cases be-
cause of the low manganese content
of the Black Belt soils, which are pre-
dominantly clays.
Boron and Manganese Requirements for
Cotton. (John I. Wear.) -Ten loca-
tions on farmers' fields, substations, and
experiment fields were selected to de-
termine if applications of 10 pounds
of commercial MC mixture (5 pounds
of colemanite and 5 pounds of man-
ganese sulfate) per acre would increase
yields of cotton. Results show no 
sig-
nificant increase at any location, al-
though there are indications of response
at two locations.
Response of Corn to Minor Elements
Under Field Conditions. (John I. Wear
and Doyle Ashley.) - Twenty-six field
tests were conducted on representative
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 13
coarse-textured soils in Alabama to de-
termine response of corn to minor ele-
ments. Main emphasis was placed on
response to zinc on limed and un-
limed soils. Soil tests were made for
pH, Zn, B, Mn, and Cu. At six lo-
cations, yield increases were significant
for 15 pounds of zinc sulfate per acre
under limed conditions. No significant
increase in yield was obtained for minor
elements other than zinc. No signi-
ficant responses were obtained for ap-
plications of zinc to soil that had not
been limed.
Evaluation of Low Water-Soluble Boron
Compounds as Plant Nutrients. (John I.
Wear and C. C. Hortenstine.)- Five
low water-soluble boron frits were
tested with cotton, soybeans, turnips,
alfalfa, and crimson clover on a coarse-
and a fine-textured soil under green-
house and field conditions. Results
showed that the frit, FN-215A, was
not available enough to provide boron
to plants from applications as high as
50 pounds of the material per acre.
FN-176C was found to be more avail-
able than "A", but not a satisfactory
source of boron for crops such as al-
falfa. Both greenhouse and field tests
showed that FN-176E and F were the
most desirable of the frits tested. From
tests conducted, FN-176B was the most
soluble source and the one most likely
to cause toxicity to sensitive plants.
"Rate of Solution" and the "Iden-
tical pH" methods for measuring avail-
able boron were evaluated and found
to have considerable merit for deter-
mining available boron in these types
of material.
Time of Planting Crimson Clover. (J.
T. Cope, Jr.) - An experiment on time
of planting crimson clover has been
conducted at the Brewton Experiment
Field annually since 1952. Clover is
planted on fallowed land every 15 days,
beginning August 20 and ending De-
cember 5. One harvest for green weight
yields is made in the spring at the
time when clover would normally be
turned for green manure ahead of
planting corn. Average yields from the
different planting dates for the 5-year
period 1952-56 have been: August 20,
12,600 pounds; September 5, 19,500
pounds; September 20, 23,400 pounds;
October 5, 19,700 pounds; October 20,
18,400 pounds; November 5, 12,400
pounds; November 20, 10,600 pounds;
December 5, 4,600 pounds.
Sugar Cane Varieties and Time of
planting. (J. T. Cope, Jr.) - Experi-
ments with sugar cane have been con-
ducted at the Brewton Experiment
Field continuously since 1931. Two
varieties, C.P. 86/111 and C.P. 29/
116, have been outstanding in variety
tests in recent years. These varieties
are resistant to mosaic and red rot.
Yields from first and second year stub-
ble have been superior to yields from
such old varieties as C.O. 290, Louisi-
ana Purple (old blue cane), Cayanna,
and the P.O.J. Sirup yields of the
two recommended varieties averaged
over 500 gallons per acre for the 8
years, 1954-56.
Fall and spring plantings have pro-
duced about the same yields of sirup.
Fall planting is recommended because
it is usually more convenient.
Adaptation of Forage Crops to Alabama
Conditions: (1) SUMMER TEMPORARY
GRAZING CROPS. (W. R. Langford,) -
Starr millet has shown certain advan-
tages as a grazing crop over other sum-
mer annuals in forage production tests.
It has been more productive than the
best adapted varieties of Sudangrass
and it is leafier and supplies pas-
turage over a longer season than other
varieties of millet. Production of Su-
dangrass has not been satisfactory in
tests in southern Alabama, especially
during humid summers.
(2) PRODUCTIVITY OF WINTER LE-
GUMES. (W. R. Langford.) - Results
14 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
from forage production tests show that
crimson clover and vetch produce
earlier pasturage and more total forage
than any of the other winter legumes
tested. Some of the other legumes
tested were: Louisiana S-1 white clover,
Kenland and Louisiana red clover, ball
clover, mike clover, rose clover, sub-
terranean clover, button clover, and
Auburn selections of woollypod and
common vetch. The early growth and
total forage production of some of these
in comparison with that of crimson
clover are as follows:
CROP AND NUMBER 
RELATIVE YIELD
OF TESTS
iST HARVEST TOTAL
Crimson clover
Hairy vetch, 18
Ball clover, 18
Kenland red cl. 12
Rose clover, 5
Mike clover, 12
La. S-1 white cl. 10
Button clover, 13
Subterranean cl. 7
Pet.
100
85
17
5
14
25
8
19
17
Pet.
100
88
72
71
71
57
57
56
60
(8) PERFORMANCE OF SUMMER PER-
ENNIAL GRASSES. (W. R. Langford.) -
Results from adaptation tests show
that Coastal Bermuda and Pensacola
Bahiagrass are more productive than
other permanent pasture grasses on up-
land soils in Alabama. Based on ex-
periments to date, the following con-
clusions concerning the productivity of
these two crops can be drawn: (1)
They are about equal under conditions
of high rates of fertilization and ade-
quate soil moisture, or with low fer-
tility and inadequate moisture; (2)
Coastal Bermuda is superior on drouthy
soils if well fertilized; and (3) Bahia
is best on moist soils of low fertility.
White Clover Improvement: (1) EFFECT
OF FLOWERING ON THE PERSISTENCE OF
WHITE CLOVER. (Pryce B. Gibson.) -
The persistence of non-flowering, me-
dium-flowering, and profuse-flowering
white clover was studied under normal
daylight and under an extended light
period. Persistence was measured in
terms of the number of live stolons
transecting a line 1 meter long. The
extended light period caused plants of
the flowering group to reach a peak in-
tensity of flowering earlier than usual
and caused plants of the non-flowering
white clover to blossom profusely.
The non-flowering clover under the
normal daylight period persisted longer
than the same clover under the ex-
tended light period or the profuse-flow-
ering clover under the normal daylight
period. The profuse-flowering clover
under the extended light period per-
sisted longer than the non-flowering
clover under the same light period.
This profuse-flowering clover under the
extended light period had apparently
passed the peak intensity of flowering
and had reverted to vegetative growth
prior to the occurrence of the adverse
summer conditions.
In general, the response of the me-
dium-flowering clover to an extended
light period was intermediate to that
of the non-flowering clover and the
profuse-flowering clover.
(2) DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SYN-
THETIC WHITE CLOVER VARIETY.
(Pryce B. Gibson and E. D. Donnelly.)
- A synthetic Ladino type clover varie-
ty has been developed from five Ala-
bama clones that were selected on the
basis of superior vigor, disease resist-
ance, and persistence. These clones
are: 269, 2682, 8757, 8763, and 4249.
In preliminary tests, this variety has
been superior to most other white clo-
ver varieties in both yield and persist-
ence.
Breeding of Sericea Lespedeza: (1) EF-
FECTS OF STEM TYPE ON SOME FEED-
ING QUALITIES OF SERICEA LESPEDEZA,
L. CUNEATA, AS INDICATED IN A DI-
GESTION TRIAL WITH RABBITS. (E. D.
Donnelly and G. E. Hawkins.) - Ob-
jectives of the sericea breeding pro-
66th and 67th 
ANNUAL REPORTS 
15
gram are to improve palatability and
nutritive value of sericea. An early
study indicated that cattle preferred
fine-stemmed plants to coarse. Subse-
quently, a number of fine-stemmed in-
bred lines were developed.
A feeding trial using ground fine-
stemmed and coarse-stemmed sericea
forage for rabbits indicated the follow-
ing: (A) The nutritive characteristics
of the two forage types were different.
Both types had some desirable and
some undesirable characteristics. (B)
Rabbits consumed significantly more
fine-stemmed sericea than coarse, and
the fine-stemmed contained significant-
ly more total digestible nutrients than
did the coarse-stemmed forage. These
results indicate that the fine-stemmed
diet was more palatable and provided
more energy than the coarse-stemmed.
(C) Digestibility of the crude protein
in the two diets was similar. (D) Di-
gestibility of the crude fiber in the
fine-stemmed sericea was considerably
greater than that in the coarse-stemmed
forage. (E) The fine-stemmed diet was
higher in nitrogen-free extract and the
digestibility of this constituent was con-
siderably greater in the fine-stemmed
diet than in the coarse-stemmed diet.
(F) The cellulose contents of the two
diets were approximately the same, and
there was no difference indicated in
the digestibility of this fraction of the
forages. And (G) the coarse-stemmed
forage contained more ash than the
fine-stemmed forage and the digestibili-
ty of the ash in the former was con-
siderably higher.
(2) ANALYsIs OF THE ANATOMY OF
THREE STEM TYPES or SERICEA LESPE-
DEZA, L. CUNEATA. (E. D. Donnelly
and J. F. Ferry.) - An anatomical study
was made of stems of fine-, medium-,
and coarse-stemmed sericea inbred
lines and strains grown in the same
test. Purpose of the test was to de-
termine differences that might help ex-
plain why fine-stemmed sericea plants
are less rigid and more palatable than
the coarse-stemmed plants of commer-
cial sericea.
In stems of the first and second cut-
tings, the number of xylem cells was
fewer for the fine-, greater for the
medium-, and still greater for the
coarse-stemmed material. Also, the
xylem of the fine-stemmed strain was
less heavily lignified than the two other
types. The pith diameter was smallest
for the fine-, large for the medium-,
and still larger for the coarse-stemmed
strain.
The difference in lignification is main-
ly responsible 
for the fine-stemmed
strain being less rigid and and tough
than the other two. This may account
for the greater palatability of the fine-
stemmed material as shown by feeding
tests.
Based on these data several experi-
mental varieties have been put together
using fine-stemmed inbred lines.
Chemical Weed Control. (1) WEED
CONTROL IN COTTON. (V. S. Searcy.)
- Annual weeds have been controlled
in cotton by using a combination of
pre- and post-emergence chemicals.
CIPC and diuron gave best results in
tests of pre-emergence chemicals. The
rates given below are for 12-inch bands
in 40-inch rows. CIPC for sandy soil,
1 to 1/2 pounds per acre and for heavy
soils, 2 to 21/2 pounds; diuron, 1/4pound
per acre for sandy soil and % pound
for heavy soil. Post-emergence herbici-
dal oil was applied as needed at the
rate of 5 gallons per acre per applica-
tion.
(2) CONTROL OF WILD GARLIC (Al-
lium vineale). (V. S. Searcy.) - Chem-
ical weed killers, MH, ATA, 2,4-D,
2,2,3-TPA, dalapon, and a mixture of
creosote-diesel fuel at various rates have
been tested in experiments for the past
4 years. The experiments are located
on Bermudagrass, white clover-Dallis-
grass, and fescue sods. With few ex-
ceptions all chemicals at all rates and
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 15
16 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
in all experiments significantly reduced
the wild garlic population when com-
pared with the untreated check. No
plot was completely free of wild garlic
regardless of treatment or duration.
To date, 2-4-D at 2 pounds per acre
and MH at 3 to 4 pounds (active ma-
terial) per acre are the best chemicals
to use when considering their effect
on wild garlic.
(8) THE CONTROL OF JOHNSON AND
BERMUDAGRASS. (V. S. Searcy.)-Chem-
ical weed killers, TCA, dalapon, ATA,
MH, and 2,2,8-TPA at various rates
have been tested. It was found that
TCA at 100 or more pounds per acre
and dalapon at 10 or more pounds per
acre were the most effective chemicals
tested for killing Johnson and Bermuda-
grass. Better kill of Bermudagrass was
obtained from all chemicals by turning
the sod 1 to 2 weeks after application.
Two applications of dalapon at 10
pounds per acre were much better than
single applications as high as 40 pounds
per acre for killing Coastal Bermuda-
grass that was not plowed. All chem-
icals were applied when the grasses
were in a good growing condition. The
Johnsongrass was 10 to 12 inches high.
(4) CONTROL OF DOCK (Rumex
crispus and R. pulcher) IN A CALEY
PEA - VETCH - JOHNSONGRASS MEADOW.
(V. S. Searcy.)- An experiment on
the control of dock with 2,-4-D was be-
gun in 1954. Low volatile ester and
amine forms of 2,4-D were used at the
rates of 1/, 1, and 1 pounds per acre
annually. Although excellent control of
dock was obtained by all 2,4-D treat-
ments, no treatment gave complete con-
trol and Caley peas and vetch were
killed almost 100 per cent by all 2,4-D
treatments.
ANIMAL DISEASE RESEARCH
Transmissible Gastroenteritis in Swine.
(W. G. Dacres.) - Sows once infected
with the virus and recovered were not
susceptible to reinfection. Those ani-
mals infected within the first week of
life died. Infection of older animals
produced anorexia, diarrhea, and fever
for 4 or 5 days followed by recovery.
Sows infected within a few days prior
to farrowing did not protect their pigs;
however, second litter pigs were im-
mune. Chick embryo passage did not
prove to be a successful means of grow-
ing the virus.
Treating Repeat-Breeding Cows with
Intra-uterine Infusions of Chloromycetin.
(George K. Kiesel.) - Thirty-four cows
showing repeated signs of heat at nor-
mal intervals and having been bred
three or more times, received intra-
uterine infusions of 1 gm. of chloromy-
cetin, intra-muscular type. Twenty-
three inoculations were made from 4
to 24 hours after breeding. The re-
mainer were treated 1 month to 2 days
before breeding. Eight cows conceived
at the time of treatment, eight at the
next heat period, and 5 at the second
or at some subsequent heat period; 13
cows did not conceive. It was con-
cluded that the routine intra-uterine in-
fusion of 1 gm. of intra-muscular type
chloromycetin in repeat breeder cows is
not effective in reducing infertility un-
less frank infection is present.
Infectious Agents Associated with Re-
productive Disorders in Cattle, Excluding
Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Trichomoniasis,
and Vibriosis. (George K. Kiesel and
William G. Dacres.) - Six hundred and
twenty-five cervical cultures were taken
from difficult-breeders to determine to
what extent infection is related to re-
peat breeding in cattle. Of these, 188
showed the presence of bacteria as fol-
lows: Streptococci 65, Staphylocci 27,
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 17
Vibrio sp. 25, Coliform bacteria 8, B.
subtilis 8, Gaffhya 2, Sarcina 1, Diplo-
cocci 2, Gram positive rods 13, and
pleuro-pneumonia-like organisms 4.
A streptococcus pyogenes, a hemo-
lytic coagulase positive staphylococcus,
and a hemolytic diplococcus were each
inoculated at the external os of the cer-
vix of three clean heifers (total of 9
head) 3 weeks to 2 days before breed-
ing. Three other clean heifers were
used as controls. The heifers were bred
artificially at subsequent heat periods
after a culture of the cervix was made.
None of the bacteria had any effect on
the breeding efficiency of the heifers.
Inoculated heifers required an average
of two services, whereas the controls
had an average of one and one-half.
Four and one-half months after initial
inoculation, all heifers were again ino-
culated at the external os of the cervix
with the same bacteria. Sterile saline
was used on the controls. Pregnancy
was not disturbed. It is intended to
inoculate these bacteria directly into
the uterus after calving to note any
affects, inasmuch as a lowered resist-
ance or a traumatized organ may be a
prerequisite to infection.
The Role of Trichomonads in the Etiol-
ogy of Atrophic Rhinitis of Swine. (C. S.
Roberts.) - A total of 71 swine were
inoculated intranasally with material
obtained from infected swine and birds.
An additional 23 swine served as con-
trol animals for inoculated groups or
received exposure by direct contact with
infected animals.
Atrophic rhinitis is transmissible to
suckling pigs by nasal instillation of
nasal washings from infected swine.
The resistance of the pig to infection
by this method apparently increases
with age. Pigs over 6 weeks of age
were not infected. The disease has not
been transmitted with bacteria-free fil-
trates of nasal washings or suspensions
of Trichomonas sp. in artificial culture
media. Although the disease did not
produce distortion of facial bones of
all affected shoats or other symptoms
of the disease, there were lower weight
gains among affected animals in a single
litter than in their normal, healthy lit-
ter mates.
Relationship of Green Oat Toxicity of
Cattle to the Application of Nitrate Ferti-
lizer to the Soil. (C. S. Roberts and L.
W. Turner.) - Green oat poisoning, a
highly fatal disease of cattle and sheep,
occurs in Alabama during the winter
months in animals grazing cereal grain
plants, particularly oats and wheat. At-
tempts were made to produce the dis-
ease in both cattle and sheep by al-
lowing them to graze fields of oats top
or sidedressed with levels of ammo-
nium nitrate ranging from 0 to 705
pounds per acre. The fields were lo-
cated in Lee, Dallas, and Autauga
counties. None of the animals died
from grazing oats that received nitrogen
after planting, whereas 2 of the 11
cows died from grazing oats that did
not receive ammonium nitrate. The
average blood serum calcium, magne-
sium, and phosphorus values of all the
cows on each of the groups were es-
sentially the same irrespective of the
rate of nitrogen application. The dis-
ease more closely resembles grass tetany
than any other condition.
Relationship of Leptospirosis to Bovine
Reproductive Disorders. ISOLATION OF
LEPTOSPIRA FROM INFECTED ANIMALS.
(C. S. Roberts and L. W. Turner.) -
Thirty-one isolation attempts were
made using material collected from sus-
pected cattle or bovine foetuses to in-
oculate guinea pigs, hamsters, chan-
chillas, and artificial media.
Leptospira pomona was isolated from
3 cattle representing 2 herds in the
same geographical area of the State.
This is the first reported isolation of
leptospira from cattle in Alabama.
Principal symptoms of infection in these
two herds were abortions occurring late
18 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
in the course of pregnancy and a non-
inflammatory type of mastitis in one,
and death of young calves in the other.
Limited trials with the chinchilla (Chin-
chilla laniger) as a laboratory animal
indicate that this rodent is more sus-
ceptible to L. pomona infection than
the hamster or guinea pig. Leptospiras
were demonstrated in tissue sections of
the kidneys from two foetuses.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Changes in Chemical and Physical Prop-
erties of Pasture Herbage That Influence
Their Utilization and Nutritive Value for
Grazing Animals. (W. B..Anthony, J. G.
Starling, and C. A. Brogden.)-Sea-
sonal changes have been determined
for crude protein, cellulose, calcium,
phosphorus, and magnesium in warm
season forage crops. Without the ad-
dition of nitrogen, protein contents of
Coastal and common Bermudagrass
and Pensacola Bahiagrass seldom ex-
ceed 10 per cent in early spring and
decline to 6 and 7 per cent during
most of the grazing season. Applica-
tion of nitrogen raises the crude pro-
tein contents of these forages, but the
amounts present fall below 10 per cent
near the end of the grazingseason.
Cellulose contents of these grasses
do not show much seasonal change.
The amount of cellulose is near 80 per
cent in early spring and may increase
to about 85 per cent in late summer.
Cellulose is present in the leaves of
these plants to the same extent as in
stems. Protein is more concentrated
in the leaves. Calcium contents of these
forage crops have been found to be
fairly high (0.60 per cent on the aver-
age) for the first clipping in the spring.
Subsequent clippings always have much
less calcium. Calcium values usually
range from 0.22 to 0.80 per cent on a
dry matter basis. Phosphorus content
changes noticeably with the season, but
it is generally low. Many samples of
these grasses have a phosphorus con-
tent less than 0.16 per cent on a dry
matter basis. Magnesium content of
the grasses is usually found to be 0.15
to 0.20 per cent.
On the average, yearling streers graz-
ing these grasses consume 8.27 -- 1.05
pounds of digestible dry matter per
head daily for the season. This amount
of feed is not sufficient for maintenance
and a high rate of daily gain. Low di-
gestible dry matter intake appears to
be the greatest single factor restricting
daily performance of young cattle graz-
ing these grasses. At the Wiregrass
Substation, Coastal and common Ber-
mudagrass and Pensacola Bahiagrass
produced about 168 days of grazing.
Total weight gain per yearling steer
for the entire grazing season averaged
208, 157, and 189 pounds for Coastal,
common, and Bahia, respectively. The
average slaughter grade of the cattle
at the end of the grazing season was
Utility.
Production and Utilization of Forage
Crops for Growing and Finishing Cattle for
Slaughter: (1) SILAGE PRODUCTION ON
HUMPHREYS SILT LOAM. (W. B. An-
thony, J. K. Boseck and P. F. Parks.)
-A two-cropping system is practiced
wherein sorghum is produced for silage
followed by oats for grazing and silage.
Irrigation has been used at time of
planting and once or twice later in the
growing season. In 1955, Tracy sor-
ghum yielded 19.81 tons of silage per
acre. Oats that followed on this land
did not grow sufficiently during the fall
for grazing but yielded 6.99 tons of
silage per acre the following spring.
Sorghum that followed the oat crop
produced 12.57 tons of silage per acre.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 19
Oats were planted immediately after
harvest of the sorghum. The oats sup-
plied grazing for 74 days and were
harvested for silage. The yield per acre
was 5.03 tons. Another adjacent field
has been utilized for production of corn
for silage followed by oats for grazing.
Oats sown in the fall of 1955 produced
221.9 animal grazing days per acre (beef
calves) and the live weight gain per
acre was 330 pounds. Corn produced
for silage following the oat grazing
yielded 8.17 tons per acre. Oats that
followed on this land provided 216
animal grazing days per acre. Corn
harvested the following summer from
this area yielded 5.7 tons of silage per
acre.
(2) WINTERING STOCKER CALVES ON
SILAGE. (W. B. Anthony, J. K. Boseck,
and P. F. Parks.) - Weaned beef calves
full-fed silage plus 2 pounds of ground
ear corn and 1.5 pounds of cottonseed
meal per head daily gained 1.46 pounds
each per day, with an average feed re-
quirement per hundredweight of gain
of 1,403 pounds of silage, 137 pounds
of corn, and 100 pounds of cottonseed
meal. Comparable animals fed corn
silage and supplement gained 1.98
pounds per head daily and required
1,828 pounds of silage, 104 pounds of
corn, and 86 pounds of cottonseed meal
per hundredweight of gain. During
the same time the calves were fed
silage, other comparable animals were
on oat grazing plus supplemental feed
when the oat forage was not available.
The daily gain on oat grazing averaged
1.18 pounds.
Evaluation of Forage Crops for Beef
Cattle Production in the Piedmont Area of
Alabama. (W. B. Anthony, E. L. May-
ton, W. R. Langford, and P. F. Parks.)
- In 1955 a replicated grazing test
was begun at the Piedmont Substation
to determine beef production potentials
for several grazing crops. Results for
1 year have been obtained on alfalfa-
orchardgrass, Dallisgrass- orchardgrass-
white clover, crimson clover-Coastal
Bermudagrass, and lespedeza sericea.
Intake of nutrients by yearling steers
was determined by use of a combina-
tion of chromic oxide and plant chro-
mogens. Digestible forage dry matter
consumed per animal per pound of live
weight gained was 8.23, 8.76, 9.31,
and 24.81 pounds, respectively, for al-
falfa-orchardgrass-clover, Dallis-or-
chardgrass-clover, crimson-Coastal Ber-
mudagrass, and sericea. Daily intake
of nutrients by steers was surprisingly
similar for all of the swards. Digestible
protein in sericea was extremely low
and may account in large measure for
the poor relative efficiency in utiliza-
tion of this crop by the young cattle.
Supplemental Feeding of Steers on Sum-
mer Pastures. (W. B. Anthony, J. G.
Starling, C. A. Brogden, and P. F.
Parks.)- Intake studies with steers on
summer grasses revealed that low feed
intake is the greatest single factor limit-
ing their daily performance. Prelimi-
nary studies were made to find out if
it is possible to economically improve
steer performance on summer grasses
by supplemental feeding. In 1955, cot-
tonseed meal and cottonseed meal with
stilbestrol were used to supplement
yearling steers grazing common Ber-
mudagrass. Intake of forage was mea-
sured by use of a combination of
chromic oxide and plant chromogens.
Protein supplement with or without
stilbestrol did not improve daily gain
or increase intake of forage. In 1956
a comparable test was conducted ex-
cept that the supplemental feeds con-
sisted of 7.5 pounds of ground snap-
ped corn daily per head in one instance
and cane molasses (free choice) in an-
other. The average daily molasses con-
sumption was 4 pounds per head. Both
types of energy supplement increased
daily gain (control, 1.11 pounds daily;
cane molasses supplemented, 1.52; and
corn supplemented, 1.71), but low-
ered the intake of forage dry matter.
20 ALABAMA 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
In this test the increased value of the
steers receiving the supplements was
more than sufficient to offset cost of the
supplements.
Parakeratosis or Zinc Deficiency Disease
in Hogs. (Howard F. Tucker and W.
D. Salmon.) -Parakeratosis studies
have been conducted several years to
determine its causes. This swine syn-
drome was found to be of nutritional
origin and was characterized by derma-
titis, enteritis, cirrhosis of the liver,
jaundice, and inanition. Growth rate
may be severely affected. The routine
addition of antibiotics, all known vita-
mins, lysine, methionine, tryptophan,
and fats were not prophylatic. The dis-
ease developed in pigs on diets that
were relatively high in phosphorus,
calcium, or both. Additions of various
zinc salts prevented occurrence of the
disease and resulted in rapid recovery
by the pigs. The disease condition is
a mineral imbalance phenomenon re-
sulting from excessive levels of calcium
and phosphorus in the ration which,
in some way, precipitates a deficiency
of zinc. Additions of 100 p.p.m. zinc
to mixed rations have been adequate.
Some Comparisons of Pasture and Con-
finement Systems of Growing-Finishing
Hogs. (Howard F. Tucker.) - Con-
solidation of data has resulted in the
following generalizations: (1) Rates
of gain of hogs grazing various forage
crops were not greatly different from
those fed complete rations (16 per cent
protein) in concrete floored pens. (2)
Feed costs not including cost of pasture
were slightly lower for the pasture sys-
tem. (8) Mixed rations (16 per cent
protein) resulted in faster gains than
those from groups fed corn and supple-
ment. (4) Feed efficiencies and cost
of gain between the two methods of
feeding were similar. Cost of feed
preparation was not included.
Alfalfa, white clover, oats, and crim-
son clover have proved satisfactory for
cool season grazing. Alfalfa, millet,
sudan, and white clovers where possible
have performed well during the warmer
season. It has been difficult to main-
tain a continuous supply of quality
grazing.
Various Levels of Zinc, Calcium, and
Phosphorus in Hog Rations. (Howard F.
Tucker.) - The experiment was de-
signed to study the interrelation of zinc,
calcium, and phosphorus in hog rations
and the occurrence of parakeratosis.
Tricalcium phosphate was added at
0.375, 0.75, 1.125, and 1.5 per cent
levels to a control ration containing
N.R.C. levels of calcium and phospho-
rus. Zinc was added at the rate of 100
p.p.m. to each of the same formulas.
In a second trial, zinc was added at
rates of 25, 50, and 100 p.p.m. to a
control ration that contained N.R.C.
levels of calcium and phosphorus plus
tricalcium phosphate additions of 0.375
per cent and 1.5 per cent.
In comparing growth rates and in-
cidence of parakeratosis in hogs receiv-
ing various levels of dietary calcium
and phosphorus, Ca (PO
4
) 2, with and
without various additional levels of
zinc, it was found that: (1) severe re-
ductions in growth rate and develop-
ment of parakeratosis occurred on levels
of 0.15 per cent Ca and 0.075 per cent
P above N.R.C. requirement; (2) re-
duction in growth rate and onset and
severity of the disease increased as the
level of Ca and P in the ration in-
creased; (3) the levels of zinc required
to prevent deficiency symptoms are not
absolute but are relative to the Ca and
P content of the ration, increasing as
the levels of Ca and P increase; (4)
the addition of 50 p.p.m. zinc was as
effective as 100 p.p.m. zinc in a ration
that contained 1.25 per cent Ca and
0.71 per cent P, whereas, 25 p.p.m.
zinc supplementation was not adequate.
20 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 21
BOTANY and PLANT PATHOLOGY
Nematodes in Relationship to Crop Pro-
duction in the South: (1) PLANT PARA-
srTic NEMATODES CONSIDERED TO BE
OF IMPORTANCE IN ALABAMA. (E. J.
Cairns.) -About 700 soil and plant
samples have been examined for the
presence of nematodes. On the basis
of these, the following list of nematode
genera of particular interest as crop
pests has been compiled: Meloidogyne
spp. (root-knot nematodes), Tylencho-
rhynchus spp. (stylet nematodes),
Pratylenchus spp. (meadow nematodes),
Rotylenchus spp. and Helicotylenchus
spp. (spiral nematodes), Ditylenchus
(stem and bulb nematodes), Aphelen-
choides spp. (leaf and bud nematodes),
Xiphinema spp. (dagger nematodes),
and Trichodorus spp. (stubby root nem-
todes).
(2) TESTING FOR RESISTANCE TO
ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES IN CORN. (E.
J. Cairns and F. S. McCain.) - Four
of the commonly found root-knot nema-
tode species, Meloidogyne incognita, M.
incognita acrita, M. arenaria, and M.
javanica, were tested against Golden
Cross Bantam and four inbred lines
having desirable commercial character-
istics. The results indicated that the
plant breeder has genetic resources for
resistance in terms of reduced root-
gall formation for at least two of the
root-knot nematode species tested.
However, no special resistance was
found to penetration and maturation
of any species.
(3) PATHOGENICITY OF A SPECIAL
NEMATODE IN RELATION TO CORN. (E.
B. Sledge and E. J. Cairns.) - The
frequent findings of Helicotylenchus
nannus, Steiner, 1945, in corn plant-
ings in southern Alabama required in-
vestigation of this nematode's relation-
ship to the crop. The following varie-
ties were selected for testing because
of their widespread planting in the re-
gion: Dixie 11, Dixie 18, Dixie 33,
North Carolina 27, Coker 811, and
Golden Cross Bantam. It was estab-
lished that this nematode thrives on
corn as an external root-feeding para-
site. Although the nematode was able
to exist and multiply on all corn tested,
Coker 811 was found to be the best
choice for planting in areas where this
nem a to d e is abundant, particularly
when corn is to be followed by some
other crop susceptible to the nematode.
The number of nematodes declined
markedly in soil not containing seed
plants and in cultures containing three
commonly found soil fungi. This sug-
gests that fallowing may be an effec-
tive control measure.
(4) PATHOGENICITY OF A SPIRAL
NEMATODE TO SOYBEANS. (E. J. Cairns
and N. A. Minton.) - Ogden variety of
soybeans was grown in sterile soil and
inoculated with 500 spiral nematodes,
Helicotylenchus nannus, per plant at
time of planting. A significant reduc-
tion in dry root weight was measured
at maturity but without significant re-
duction in seed yield. Nematode popu-
lation increased an average of at least
10.6 times by harvest. Field observa-
tions indicated that soybean plant in-
jury and reduction 
of yield are to be
associated with large numbers of this
nematode. In field soil it is considered
likely that feeding wounds produced
on roots by the nematodes serve as
portals of entry for other soil micro-
organisms.
(5) TEST OF VARIOUS CROP AND
WEED PLANTS FOR SUITABILITY AS
HOSTS FOR A SPIRAL NEMATODE. (E.
J. Cairns and N. A. Minton.) - Various
field plants, occurring in areas where
22 ALABAMA 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
the spiral nematode, Helicotylenchus
nannus, is found, were tested. Cotton,
Ladino clover, Bermudagrass, and Dal-
lisgrass were found to be very suitable
hosts for multiplication of the spiral
nematode. Nutgrass, oats (Victorgrain
48-93), Johnsongrass, and fescuegrass
(Kentucky 31) were considered inter-
mediate in suitability. Sudangrass
(Sweet Sudan), sand spur, orchard-
grass, and grain sorghum (Early He-
garia) were least suitable, but with
some increase occurring in the nema-
tode populations. It is possible that
continued testing will establish that
this nematode has a wide range of
host plants. It was evident that some
common weeds can serve as carryover
hosts for this nematode in the absence
of crop plants.
(6) PATHOGENCITY OF THE STUNT
NEMATODE ON OATS. (E. J. Cairns.) -
The stunt nematode, Trichodorus primi-
tivus, was found through experimenta-
tion to be capable of increasing its
number by at least 8 times in 90 days
association with the roots of Victor-
grain oats. Root and foliar weights
were reduced. It was found also that
this nematode was unable to persist
in soil in the absence of seed plants,
which suggests fallowing as a control
measure.
(7) SURVEY FOR NEMATODES IN
SOUTHEASTERN PINE SEEDLING NUR-
SERIES. (B. E. Hopper.) - Thirty-six
nurseries were included in the survey.
Three were found in which pine seed-
ling injury could be attributed directly
to nematodes. Ten nurseries had seed-
lings with root-rot conditions in which
nematodes could have been components
of a disease complex. Large popula-
tions of a recently discovered species
of a new genus of plant-parasitic nema-
todes, Meloidodera floridensis, were
found to be injurious to slash pine seed-
lings. Various species of Tylenchorhyn-
chus, including T. claytoni and an un-
described species, were found to be in-
jurious to slash pine seedlings. The
frequent occurrence of reportedly fun-
gal-feeding nematodes in association
with seedling root-rots and their pos-
sible significance as parasites of my-
corhizal fungi is considered of special
interest.
(8) SURVEY OF 
ROOT-KNOT NEMA-
TODES IN ALABAMA. (N. A. Minton and
E. J. Cairns.) - This survey, to be com-
pleted in 1958, revealed to date five
species of root-knot nematodes in the
State: Meloidogyne incognita, M. in-
cognita acrita, M. hapla, M. arenaria,
and M. javanica. The nematodes were
found in almost every major soil type
in the State, ranging from heavy clays
to light sandy soils. The finding of dif-
ferent root-knot nematode species is
significant. It means that exact deter-
mination of the species present in a
particular field will be necessary in
order to get full advantage of rotation
and varietal recommendations since the
host ranges of root-knot nematodes dif-
fer in some respects.
(9) HOST RANGE TESTING FOR FIVE
SPECIES OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES.
(N. A. Minton and E. J. Cairns.) -
Testing to determine host ranges of
the five common species of root-knot
nematodes is being continued until vir-
tually all plants of economic importance
in the State have been examined. Not
only are differences in host range be-
ing found between the various root-
knot nematode species, but some dif-
ferences in host suitability are being
found between varieties of the same
crops.
(10) DEVELOPMENT OF ROOT-KNOT
NEMATODES IN SUSCEPTIBLE AND RE-
SISTANT COTTON. (N. A. Minton.) -
Four of the commonly occurring root-
knot nematode species, Meloidogyne
incognita, M. incognita acrita, M. are-
naria and M. javanica, were used with
cotton selections and varieties ranging
from susceptible to resistant. Invasion
22 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
66th and 67th ANNUAL 
REPORTS 
23
of the roots occurred in resistant as
well as susceptible cottons. Nematode
development was slower in resistant
plants than in susceptible ones. Dif-
ferences were noted also in rate of de-
velopment between the nematode spe-
cies. For example, M. incognita was
able to develop into mature, egg-laying
females in all cotton tested. M. javanica
did not reach maturity in any cotton.
It was concluded that the nature of
resistance to root-knot nematodes is
not inability of the nematodes to in-
fest cotton roots but is the inability
of the nematodes to complete matura-
tion.
(11) EFFECTS OF THREE SOr FuMI-
GANTS ON NEMATODE POPULATION As-
SOCIATED WITH COTTON. (E. J. Cairns
and A. L. Smith.) - Shell D-D was ap-
p lied in the row at 7, 10, and 
14 gal-
ons per acre and Dowfume W-85 in
the row at 2, 8, and 4 gallons per acre.
Planting was 9 days later. Soil samples
were taken at 4, 10, and 88 weeks
after treatment for checking the nema-
tode populations.
The two fumigants were about equal-
ly effective in suppressing populations
of species of Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus,
Trichodorus, Tylenchus, Aphelencho-
ides, and Dorylaimus. Lack of marked
differences in the populations in re-
spect to rates of application indicate
that the dosages were equally effective,
at least to the extent of the rhizosphere
sampled along the line of treatment.
In another experiment in which the
same chemicals were applied at time
of planting, somewhat similar results
were found.
The stylet-bearing nematode popula-
tions were suppressed for at least 10
weeks after treatment, with only slight
increases being noted at the final sam-
pling date. Non-parasitic nematode
populations were reduced initially, but
parasitic types were not reduced. Re-
sults of another field experiment using
Shell Nemagon, a new soil fumigant,
showed this chemical able to reduce
and retard stylet-bearing nematode
populations for at least 10 weeks. In-
itial action of the chemical was slow,
reductions in the nematode populations
being more noticeable at 10 weeks than
at 4 weeks after treatment. Nemagon
had little effect on the non-parasitic
nematode populations.
(12) EVALUATING USE OF RADIOAC-
TIVE ISOTOPES FOR PATHOLOGY STUDIES
OF EcTO-PARASITIC NEMATODES. (E. J.
Cairns and D. E. Davis.)- To utilize
isotopic tracer techniques with the ex-
ternal root-feeding nematodes, much
higher levels of radioactivity are re-
quired than for comparable work with
internal root-feeding nematodes. Vari-
ous methods for producing the neces-
sary high levels of radioactivity in roots
of test plants have been tried. A method
of continuous pressure injection with
solutions of P32 has been found best.
Preliminary results indicate that the
tracer technique is possible for demon-
strating if aparticular nematode species
will feed on the roots of certain plants.
The dilution factor for activity in the
plants and the very small uptake by
individual nematodes are limiting fac-
tors in extension of this technique to
all types of susceptible plants.
Studies of Forage Crop Diseases. (1)
DISEASES OF FORAGE CROPS UNDER
SPRINKLER IRRIGATION. (E. A. Curl and
H. A. Weaver.) - During July and Au-
gust, 1954, and in each month of 1955,
intensities of diseases occurring on
sprinkler-irrigated forage crops were
estimated. These crops were: Kenland
red clover, intermediate white clover,
Oregon Ladino clover, Atlantic alfalfa,
African alfalfa, commercial orchard-
grass, Kentucky 81 fescue, and reed
canarygrass. At least 18 fungal patho-
gens and 2 virus diseases were identi-
fied on the 8 crops. Considering all
crops together, more diseases were
present in May, June, and July, part
of the 5-month period during which
most water was applied, than in other
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 23
24 ALABAMA 
AGRiCULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
months. Pseudoplea leaf spot was the
most persistant and most damaging dis-
ease of the white clovers. Stemphylium
leaf spot was most damaging on the
alfalfas, and rust was the most damag-
ing disease of the grasses. On most
of the crops disease intensity was
slightly greater in plots that received
the most water. The diseases that
showed the greatest increase in inten-
sity under high-level irrigation over a
1-year period were Pseudoplea leaf spot
on intermediate white clover, yellow
patch (virus) and Curvularia leaf spot
Curvularia trifolii on Ladino clover,
and Pseudopeziza leaf spot Pseudo-
peziza medicaginis on African alfalfa.
The intensities of powdery mildew
Erysiphe polygoni on red clover and of
rust Puccinia rubigo-vera tritici on or-
chardgrass were greater in the low-level
irrigated plots.
(2) ANTAGONISTIC RELATIONSHIP OF
SOIL MICROFLORA TO SCLEROTIUM
ROLFSII. (E. A. Curl.) - Tests with
known media for isolating microorgan-
isms from soil showed that peptone-
dextrose-rose bengal-streptomycin agar
for fungi, glycerol agar for actinomyce-
tes, and Thornton's manitol-asparagin
agar for bacteria were best for isolating
these groups from Alabama soils. A
screening program was begun to find
microorganisms antagonistic to Sclero-
tium rolfsii. Soil samples were taken
from plots of white clover, red clover,
alfalfa, and fescue that had been re-
ceiving high and low levels of irriga-
tion. The average number of fungi
per gram of soil did not vary signi-
ficantly between the two levels of ir-
rigation. None of 506 fungal isolates
tested exhibited true inhibition of S.
rolfsii in culture. More actinomycetes
were obtained from high-level than
low-level irrigated plots, the greatest
number being taken from fescue and
alfalfa soils. Only 1 of 652 actinomy-
cete isolates showed antagonism. A
much greater number of bacteria were
obtained from high-level irrigated
crops, particularly from white clover
soil. Twenty per cent of the bacterial
isolates from high-level and 22 per
cent from low-level irrigation were an-
tagonistic to S. rolfsii. However, only
a few of the bacterial isolates exhibited
enough inhibition in the laboratory to
warrant further testing in the green-
house. These isolates did not give sig-
nificant control of the pathogen on soy-
bean in either sterile or natural soil.
Without concern for quantitative deter-
minations of microorganisms, other soil
samples from a number of sources were
processed for antagonists. A species of
Trichoderma was found to be extremely
antagonistic to S. rolfsii. This fungus
is being studied further for its ability
to control root diseases.
Causes of Variability in the Activity of
Herbicides: (1) TEMPERATURE AND
RAINFALL STUDIES ON DNBP AND
CIPC. (D. E. Davis and H. H. Fun-
derburk, Jr.)-Greenhouse experiments
were conducted to determine effects of
temperature and rainfall on the phyto-
toxicity of pre-emergence applications
of the alkanolamine salts of dinitro-o-
secondary butyl phenol (DNBP) and
isoproyl N (3-chlorophenyl) carbamate
(CIPC). DNBP consistently gave bet-
ter weed control than CIPC when no
surface moisture was applied. When
surface moisture was applied, CIPC
gave better control of crabgrass, Digi-
taria spp., and less control of Florida
pusley, Richardia scarbra, than DNBP.
At high soil temperatures DNBP was
more toxic to cotton than CIPC.
(2) EFFECTS OF THE ANATOMY AND/
OR PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTS ON THEIR
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO KILLING BY DNBP.
(D. E. Davis and H. H. Funderburk,
Jr.) - Effects of the anatomy 
and/or
physiology of plants on their suscepti-
bility to killing by DNBP were investi-
gated with the following crops: Cot-
ton, oats, soybeans, grain sorghum,
English peas, corn, snap beans, and
peanuts. These plants had (1) elon-
24
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
25
gating and non-elongating hypocotyls,
(2) broad and linear leaves, (3) co-
leoptiles and no coleoptiles, (4) waxy
and non-waxy leaves, and (5) various
seed sizes. Significant differences (at
the 5 per cent level) of crop suscepti-
bility to killing by a pre-emergence
application of DNBP follow: Cotton =
oats = soybe ans > grain sorghum
> English peas = corn = snap beans
> peanuts. Differences in susceptibil-
ity were not correlated apparently with
any factor except seed size. In gen-
eral, larger-seeded species were more
resistant than the smaller ones. The
crops had approximately the same 
rela-
tive differences in susceptibility to va-
por of DNBP as to a pre-emergence
application of the chemical, but 
the
effects were quite different on the
above-ground plant organs.
Factors Affecting the Development and
Control of Gummy Stem Blight 
of Cucur-
bits. (U. L. Diener.) - Silver nitrate
(1-10,000) and Clorox (1.8 to 5 per
cent Cl) excelled as surface disinfect-
ants of watermelon seed. Field plant-
ings of watermelon seed, which had
been extracted and inoculated in 1955
with cultures of the fungus, Mycosphae-
rella melonis, failed to develop the
gummy stem blight disease. These re-
sults concurred with greenhouse data,
which indicated that the organism was
avirulent. However, the organism could
not be killed in 25 to 30 per cent of
the inoculated seed with a 5-minute
soak of full strength Clorox, indicating
deep penetration of the seed or seed
coat by the fungus. Methods were de-
veloped for inoculating watermelon
fruit, stems, and vines, making aseptic
extractions and seed inoculations, germ-
inating seed and growing seedlings
aseptically for several weeks, preparing
large quantities of inoculum, and con-
ducting greenhouse inoculations of
plants. Cultures of the fungus collected
in 1956 were found to be pathogenic
on both cantaloupe and watermelon in
greenhouse inoculations. A long-range
study on maintenance of pathogenicity
of M melonis in culture was begun.
Fungicide and fermentation treatments
were made on sublots of seed inoculated
with pathogenic cultures in 1956. Other
sublots were fixed for histological stu-
dies. Data on over-wintering of the
organism in soil were inconclusive.
Relationship of Microflora to Deteriora-
tion of Stored Seed. (U. L. Diener.) -
The predominant fungi isolated from
stored peanut seed were found to be
in the Aspergillus glaucus group, A.
flavus-oryzae group (A. tamarii), A. ter-
reus group, Penicillium (2 species), and
Cladosporium. Other fungi identified
were Rhizopus sp., Mucor sp., Cun-
ninghamella sp., Diplodia sp., A niger
group, Penicillium sp., and Fusarium
sp. A method was developed for mak-
ing quantitative determinations of mold
populations. Peanut samples of 20 to
50 gm. were ground in a food chopper
and 10 gm. were then homogenized in
a Bodine centrifugal wet mill. Dilu-
tion plate series were prepared using
a 7.5 per cent salt-2 per cent malt-2
per cent agar medium. Three or 4 dilu-
tions with 3 plates per dilution were
used in the procedure. Mold colonies
were counted after 4 days incubation
at 25?C. with the aid of a stereoscopic
microscope (10 x). It was found that
on the average 2 or 3 dates or repeats
would be required to obtain statistical
differences within 40 per cent of the
mean.
Cause and Control of Collar Rot of Pea-
nuts. (J. A. Lyle.) - Experiments were
conducted to determine the cause of
collar rot disease complex of peanuts.
Fungi isolated from diseased plants
were: Sclerotium rolfsii, S. bataticola,
and species of Diplodia (tentatively
identified as D. theobromae, Fusarium,
and Rhizoctonia. Inoculations of pea-
nut seedlings with these fungi with and
without nematodes, primarily northern
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 25
26 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
root knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla,
failed to reproduce the disease under
greenhouse and laboratory conditions.
Associative effects of these fungi were
studied in the laboratory.
Field tests were established for the
control of collar rot in 2- and 4-year
crop rotation plus soil nematocide ex-
periments. In the former test, the fol-
lowing results were obtained in the soil
nematocide treatments: (1) signifi-
cant yield increases of peanuts, oats,
and grain sorghum, (2) increased
growth measurements of peanuts, and
(3) decreased nematode populations.
In the latter experiment, the following
results were obtained from soil nema-
tocide treatments: (1) significant yield
increases of Dixie and early runner pea-
nuts, and grain sorghum, (2) increased
growth measurements of peanuts, and
(3) decreased nematode populations.
In the 4-year rotation experiment, no
significant differences were obtained be-
tween treatments in plant stands, col-
lar rot and root-knot indices of peanuts,
and yield of oats, soybeans, and wheat.
Plant Disease Survey and Exploration:
(1) SMALL GRAIN DISEASES. (J. A.
Lyle.) - An evaluation was made of
the incidence of diseases that attack
small grain varieties at 16 locations
within the State. Rust and smut col-
lections were obtained for race identi-
fication at each location. Systematic
clipping (simulated grazing) of all va-
rieties resulted in decreased disease
incidence. Lodging in all varieties was
also less prevalent in the clipped plots.
(2) OAT AND RESCUEGRASS SEED
DISEASE CONTROL. (J. A. Lyle.) - Ex-
periments were conducted with chemi-
cal seed protectants to evaluate their
effectiveness in control of seed- and
soil-borne diseases of oats, Helmintho-
sporium victoriae in particular, and of
rescuegrass, Ustilago bullata especially.
Significant increases were obtained in
emergence, green forage, and grain
yields from use of seed protectants on
oats. Agrox, Ceresan M, and Panogen
were the most effective treatments used
in disease control. Significant stand in-
creases and smut decreases were ob-
tained with use of Agrox and Ceresan
M on rescuegrass seed.
(8) SOIL-BORNE PEANUT DISEASE
CONTROL. (J. A. Lyle.) - Experiments
were conducted to determine the effec-
tiveness of soil treatments for control
of soil-borne diseases of peanuts. Three
nematocides, Dowfume W-85, Fuma-
zone, and Telone, were effective in con-
trolling nematodes and the collar rot
disease. Effectiveness in disease con-
trol was determined by (1) reduction
in pathogenic nematodes and collar rot
infested plants, and (2) increased
yields.
(4) PEANUT SEED DISEASE CONTROL.
(J. A. Lyle.) - Tests were conducted
to evaluate the effectiveness of chem-
ical seed protectants in the control of
seed- and soil-borne diseases of pea-
nuts. Arasan, 2 per cent Ceresan,
Delsan A-D, Metasan E, and Metasan
M were most effective in disease con-
trol as measured by (1) greenhouse
and field emergence increases, and (2)
laboratory germination and isolation
tests.
(5) VEGETABLE DISEASE CONTROL.
(U. L. Diener.) - Terraclor fungicide
was effective in reducing losses of per-
per from southern blight caused by
Sclerotium rolfsii, when applied as a
setting water treatment at two loca-
tions in Alabama in 1956. Terraclor
was used at the rate of 4 pounds (wet-
table powder containing 75 per cent
pentachloronitrobenzene) per 100 gal-
lons of setting water. About 4 to 1/3
quart of solution was applied to the
base of each plant. Losses at the Chil-
ton Area Horticulture Substation, Clan-
ton, and the North Alabama Horticul-
ture Substation, Cullman, were reduced
from 69.4 and 14.4 per cent to 84.1
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
27
and 7.0 per cent, respectively, in 65-
plant plots replicated 5 times.
Sweetpotato mosaic was found for
the first time in Alabama in August,
1956. This virus disease is potentially
a serious menace to sweetpotato pro-
duction. The disease was observed in
Cullman County in an uncertified field
of sweetpotatoes and its corresponding
seedbed. The grower had purchased
diseased roots of the variety, Georgia
Red, at a Birmingham market for table
use and later decided to use them for
seed.
Processing and Storing of Seed, Grain,
and Hay. (H. S. Ward, Jr.) - The hy-
groscopic equilibrium curve was estab-
lished for white clover seed by the
method of saturated salt solutions. The
curve was of the sigmoid type as was
shown previously with seed of blue
lupine, crimson clover, lespedeza se-
ricea, watermelon, and fescue. Safe
storage moisture content was 8.7 per
cent, based on the curve and germina-
tion behavior. The percentage of hard
seed was increased with decreasing
seed moisture.
Corn grain of 13.4, 8.8, 5.3, and
2.4 per cent moisture contents were
stored for 1 year at 760, 86', 95'
,
990, 1040, and 122?F. To prevent a
decrease in viability, moisture content
of the grain must be at 2.4 per cent
at 122?F., at 5.8 per cent at 104'F.,
and at 8.8 per cent from 990 to 76
0
F.
Grain at 13.4 per cent moisture con-
tent had a complete loss in viability
at all temperatures.
The rates of decrease in viability
and increase in free fatty acids in pea-
nuts during storage was shown to be
related to initial quality. An initial
combination of kernel moistures above
10 per cent and damage of 8 per cent
caused low viability and high free fat-
ty acids in peanuts stored for 1 year.
Damage of more than 1 per cent was
caused by a curing environment of
more than 1 rain in combination with
maximum temperatures above 90F.
In contrast to the hydrolytic (fatty
acids) and biological changes (viabili-
ty) that were shown to occur in stored
peanuts, autoxidation of the lipid frac-
tion was not demonstrated by the Kreis
test. Neither initial high kernel mois-
ture contents nor high damage caused
changes in Kreis test values.
Taste test evaluation of roasted pea-
nut samples from various lots of arti-
ficially dried peanuts showed that de-
sirable flavor and aroma were lost by
rapid drying from initial kernel mois-
tures of 20 per cent or higher at tem-
peratures above 100
0
F. The total sug-
ars and carbonyl contents did not dif-
fer as a result of the various artificial
drying treatments. Therefore, the sugar
and carbonyl fractions of the peanut
kernel could not be related to the loss
of desirable flavor and aroma in ar-
tificially dried peanuts.
The Market Value of Peanuts as Af-
fected by Changes in Chemical and Physi-
cal Properties During Storage. (H. S.
Ward, Jr.) - The use of 2,3,5-triphenyl-
tetrazolium chloride (TTC) as a quick
test of peanut quality was studied. The
degree of staining of embryonic tissue
by TTC was assumed to be related to
viability, since viability might be cor-
related with flavor and other properties
that characterize peanuts of high mar-
ket value. Results showed that the
TTC standard test was not correlated
with viability as determined in a germi-
nator and by field emergence. Failure
to obtain a correlation was related to
variations in pH and moisture content
of the embryonic tissue. A split-em-
bryonic axis technique showed no spe-
cific relation between degree of TTC
staining of one half and growth of the
other half of the embryo.
Chemical analysis of peanut kernels
with concealed damage showed that
damaged kernels were higher in free
fatty acids, total organic acids, and
thiobarbituric acid values, while toco-
pherol content was decreased. High
free fatty acids were associated with
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 27
28 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
off-color of the oil. Lots of peanuts
that graded 2 per cent damage or
higher had lower market value because
of off-color oil and undesirable flavor
and aroma associated with chemical
changes in the damaged kernels.
DAIRY HUSBANDRY
Johnsongrass and Coastal Bermudagrass
Hays for Dairy Cows. (George E. 
Haw-
kins.) - The study reported here was
conducted to determine the relative
consumption of Johnsongrass and Coast-
al Bermudagrass hays and to measure
the value of nutrients from these hays
in milk production.
Fifteen milking cows were fed a ra-
tion of chopped alfalfa hay and a con-
centrate for 2 weeks. At the end of
this standardization period, the cows
were divided into three similar groups.
The three test rations were: (A) al-
falfa hay and concentrate, (B) John-
songrass hay and concentrate, and (C)
Coastal Bermudagrass hay and concen-
trate. Hay allowances remained the
same as during the standardization
period. When hay allowances were
not consumed in full, the concentrate
allowance was increased to keep the
TDN (total digestible nutrient) intake
constant. The TDN and digestible pro-
tein contents of the experimental for-
ages, in percentages, were: alfalfa hay,
52.2 and 11.2; Johnsongrass hay, 58.9
and 8.6; and Coastal Bermudagrass
hay, 50.0 and 9.0, respectively.
The average daily production of 4
per cent FCM (fat corrected milk) by
roughage groups was: (A) 28.0, (B)
20.8, and (C) 21.6. Average daily hay
intakes in pounds per cow by ration
groups for the standardization and the
experimental periods were: (A) 20.9
and 20.7, (B) 21.6 and 19.1, and (C)
20.0 and 18.9. Weight changes within
diet groups varied. The lowest produc-
ing cow on ration A gained 67 pounds
during the 28-day experimental period,
whereas the average change in body
weight for the other 4 cows on this ra-
tion was 49 pounds. Average weight
gains of cows on Johnsongrass and
Coastal Bermudagrass hays were 23
and 28 pounds, respectively. The rela-
tionship between weight gains and milk
production was essentially linear. That
is, the amount of gain in body weight
was greatest for cows that showed the
greatest drop in milk production.
Results of this study show that the
consumption of Johnsongrass and
Coastal Bermudagrass hays was less
than that of alfalfa hay. Also, nutrients
from alfalfa hay were superior to those
from the grass hays as measured by
milk production.
Reed Canarygrass as a Source of Rough-
age for Dairy Cows. (George E. Haw-
kins.) - A series of tests were con-
ducted to determine the nutritive and
digestive qualities of reed canarygrass
grown in Alabama. Results of studies
in Northern States indicate that this
forage is not well liked by cattle.
Reed canarygrass grown near Tal-
lassee, Alabama, during the winter of
1955 was tested by two digestion trials
and a feeding experiment begun March
14, 1955. The green forage, which was
between 4 and 12 inches high, was cut
between 6 and 7 a.m. every second
day and refrigerated at 30F. until fed.
The TDN content of the forage aver-
aged 72.2 per cent and digestible pro-
tein, 21.9 per cent on a moisture-free
basis. Average chemical composition
of the green forage, moisture free bas-
is, in percentage, was: ether extract
(crude fat), 3.0; crude fiber, 21.7;
crude protein, 24.8; and ash, 11.8.
The 12 Jersey cows used in the feed-
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 29
ing experiment had received 20 pounds
of peanut hay daily as the only rough-
age during the 2 weeks preceeding this
test. Concentrates were added to bal-
ance the rations. During the 2-week
feeding experiment, cows receiving
roughage nutrients as 4- to 12-inch-
high reed canarygrass produced an av-
erage of 21.1 pounds of 4 per cent
FCM, whereas those on peanut hay
produced an average of 21.3 pounds
of 4 per cent FCM. Most cows refused
some of the reed canarygrass during
the first 2 or 3 days only. One cow,
however, continued to refuse approxi-
mately 50 per cent of the amount fed.
Extra concentrates were fed when reed
canarygrass was refused.
Evaluation of Certain Cool Season and
Certain Warm Season Perennial Grasses as
Feeds for Dairy Cattle. (G. H. Rollins
and W. R. Langford.) - Grazing trials
with lactating cows are in progress at
the North Auburn Dairy Research Unit.
The objectives are to evaluate certain
forage species in pure stands with and
without irrigation from the standpoint
of milk production, and their relative
yield of total digestible nutrients per
acre.
Coastal Bermudagrass, Dallisgrass,
and Pensacola Bahiagrass, termed warm
season grasses, were planted in 1/2-
acre paddocks on prepared seedbed in
the spring of 1955. The split-plot ran-
domized block design with three repli-
cations was used. Reed canarygrass,
tall fescue, and orchardgrass, termed
cool season grasses, were similarly es-
tablished by planting in the fall of
1955. Annual applications of 1,000
pounds of 0-12-20 and 200 pounds of
nitrogen were constant for all pad-
docks.
One year's results revealed no signi-
ficant differences between lactation re-
sponses of cows pasturing Coastal Ber-
mudagrass, Dallisgrass, and Bahiagrass.
No significant differences resulted from
the irrigation treatment; however, rain-
fall distribution eliminated any pro-
longed effect of dry weather. The to-
tal digestible nutrient yields per acre
were not significantly different. Stands
of these forage species appeared to be
excellent at termination of the first
year's grazing.
Sufficient data for analyses were not
obtained for the cool season grasses.
A high percentage of the orchardgrass
stands died during the summer and
fall following establishment. Sparse
stands of reed canarygrass resulted on
several paddocks.
Observations noted are: Cows con-
fined to reed canarygrass pastures con-
sumed all foreign plants within the
paddock and as far outside the fence
as they could reach before grazing reed
canarygrass. Milk production of these
cows showed an extremely abnormal
decline during early part of the ex-
periment, but declined less rapidly as
the cows were forced to consume reed
canarygrass. After heavy frost, the cows
consumed this forage more readily and
increased slightly in milk production.
First year fescue was consumed by lac-
tating cows without any noted ill ef-
fects.
Galactopoletic Substances in Forage
Crops and Other Feeds. II. Soybean and
Cottonseed Meals. (George E. Haw-
kins.)-Some reports indicate that cows
grazing grasses containing estrogenic
activity show moderate increases in
milk production and in percentage of
non-fatty solids, thus suggesting a re-
lationship between lactation response
and estrogenic activity. This study was
originated to compare the effects on
lactation of soybean meal, which re-
portedly has a high estsogenic potency;
with cottonseed meal, another protein
supplement; and with a conventional
dairy concentrate.
The study involved 25 cows that
were divided into 5 similar groups. The
ration variables and the percentage of
TDN intake snpplied by each were:
(A) alfalfa hay, 72, and concentrate,
30 ALABAMA 
AGRiCULTURAL EXPERiMENT STATION
28; (B) alfalfa hay, 71, and cotton-
seed meal, 29; (C) alfalfa hay, 74, and
soybean meal, 26; (D) Johnsongrass
hay, 68 and cottonseed meal, 32; and
(E) Johnsongrass hay, 64, and soybean
meal, 36. There was no increase in
uteri weight of mice when fed alco-
holic extracts from the concentrate mix-
ture, soybean meal, alfalfa hay, or John-
songrass hay. Cottonseed meal alone
supplied estrogenic activity equal to
0.0042 rtg. of diethylstilbestrol per gin.
of feed. It is surprising, therefore, that
the concentrate mixture that included
40 per cent cottonseed meal did not
show estrogenic activity. Persistency
of milk yield in per cent by dietary
groups was: (A) 103, (B) 92, (C)
92, (D) 87, and (E) 84. Relation-
ship between milk production response
to cottonseed and soybean meals was
similar on both hays. However, pro-
duction was less when these protein
supplements were the only concentrate
than when a concentrate mixture was
fed. Nutrients from cottonseed meal,
the feed that showed the greatest estro-
genic activity by the mice uteri assay,
was similar to nutrients from soybean
meal and somewhat inferior to nutri-
ents from a concentrate mixture for
milk production.
Sericea Supplemented with Urea for
Growing Calves. (George E. Hawkins
and K. M. Autrey) - Results of a pre-
vious study showed cottonseed meal
to be a good supplement to sericea
hay for growing calves. Urea, a non-
energy yielding compound, has been
used successfully to replace part of
the protein in rations for ruminants.
The study reported here was made to
evaluate urea as protein replacement
for growing calves fed sericea hay.
Twelve healthy male calves, 28 days
of age, were assigned to three experi-
mental rations as follows: (AH) al-
falfa hay and concentrate, (SH) sericea
hay and concentrate, and (SHU) se-
ricea hay supplemented with 11.7 gms.
of urea per pound and concentrate.
Feeding and managing the calves was
similar to that followed during the
study in which cottonseed meal was
used as the supplement, except that
the concentrate allowance was 3 pounds
instead of 2 pounds daily.
During the period from 29 to 185
days of age, the average daily weight
gains, in pounds, by ration groups
were: (AH) 1.14, (SH) 0.93, and
(SHU) 0.94. The concentrate supplied
a relatively high percentage of the nu-
trient intake of the calves prior to 185
days of age. During the subsequent
period, beginning with 186 and extend-
ing to 800 days of age, the average
daily gains of calves on all diets drop-
ped. Only 1 pound of corn was fed
daily during this period. The daily
rate of gains in pounds by dietary
groups were: (AH) 0.94, (SH) 0.58,
and (SHU) 0.49. During the first and
second periods, respectively, the TDN
requirements per pound of gain in body
weight, in pounds, by ration groups
were: (AH) 2.8 and 5.2, (SH) 3.2
and 7.7, and (SHU) 3.2 and 9.0.
Urea had no value as a protein sub-
stitute for sericea hay when fed to
calves. Diet SH supplied from 59 to
93 per cent of the recommended al-
lowance of digestible protein and the
"digestible protein equivalent" supplied
by diet SHU was 97 to 123 per cent of
the recommended allowance. Consider-
ing the shortage of digestible protein
in diet SH, a growth response was ex-
pected on the urea supplemented seri-
cea. The absence of a growth response
to urea supplementation suggests that
the urea was not converted to amino
acids by rumen microorganisms.
Urea Supplementation of Sericea for
Milking Dairy Cows. (George E. Haw-
kins and K. M. Autrey.) - Fifteen dairy
cows fed the same ration for 2 weeks
were selected for the experiment and
assigned at random to the test rations.
They had passed their peak in milk
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION30
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
31
production. The roughages fed were
(AH) alfalfa hay, (SH) serciea hay,
and (SHU) sericea hay plus urea. In
addition, the cows were fed enough
of a 16 per cent protein concentrate
mixture to balance the ration for TDN
intake. These rations are similar to
those fed to calves in a growth study.
During the experimental period, the
average daily 4 per cent FCM yields
in pounds by roughage groups were:
(AH) 27.9, (SH) 22.7, and (SHU)
22.5. Thus, urea had no beneficial ef-
fect on milk production of cows fed
sericea. Sericea was not a highly pro-
ductive roughage when it supplied be-
tween 40 and 60 per cent of the TDN
intake. Statistical studies indicate that
energy from sericea was not equal to
to that from other feeds for milk pro-
duction.
Digestibility studies made at the be-
ginning and end of the feeding experi-
ment revealed that the digestible pro-
tein content varied between 4.34 and
6.96 per cent. Hay with 4.34 per cent
digestible protein was fed during the
early part of the feeding experiment.
Hay with the low digestible protein
content supplied insufficient digestible
protein to maintain milk at the pre-
experimental level of production.
Johnsongrass, Millet, and Sudangrass
Pastures. (W. B. Kelley, L. A. Smith,
and George E. Hawkins.) - This study
was conducted 28 days to characterize
the nutritive qualities of immature
Johnsongrass, Starr millet, and sweet
sudangrass pastures for milking cows.
Three similar groups of 6 cows each
were assigned to the three pastures
supplying 4.25 acres of each forage.
In addition to the pasture, the cows
received 1 pound of concentrate for
each 5 pounds of 4 per cent FCM.
Digestibility of the forage was not
measured. However, crude protein,
ether extract, crude fiber, nitrogen-free
extract, cellulose, and ash contents
were determined and the results indi-
cated that all forages were high in
quality. During the experiment, the
average weekly 4 per cent FCM yields
of the cows in pounds per pasture
group were: Johnsongrass, 158.4; mil-
let, 153.9; and Sudangrass, 160.8. Av-
erage daily milk yields for cows turned
on Sudangrass increased during the
first week, whereas those of cows on
other pastures showed a decline. Cows
on Sudangrass gained weight, whereas
those on Johnsongrass and millet lost
weight. These weight changes indicate
that the nutrient intake of cows graz-
ing Johnsongrass and millet was inade-
quate. There was a sufficient amount
of millet available, but the Johnson-
grass pasture was short.
Freshly Clipped Johnsongrass, Starr Mil-
let, and Sweet Sudangrass for Milking
Cows. (George E. Hawkins.)-A study
was made to determine the nutritive
qualities of Johnsongrass, Starr millet,
and sweet Sudangrass for dairy cows
in production. All three grasses are
members of the same grass family.
Three similar groups of 5 cows were
assigned to the experimental forages,
which were in the pre-bloom to early
bloom stage of maturity at the begin-
ning and in the milk to dough stage
at the end of the experiment. Average
TDN and digestible protein contents
of the forages in per cent, dry matter
basis, were: Johnsongrass, 73 and
13.2; millet, 63 and 10.4; and Sudan-
grass, 58 and 11.4.
Daily milk production of cows in
pounds by forage groups were: John-
songrass, 26.0; millet, 24.0; and Sudan-
grass, 26.3. Average daily changes in
body weight, in pounds, were: John-
songrass, 2.7; millet, -0.1; and Sudan-
grass, 1.4. Differences in milk produc-
tion and in changes in body weight
between roughage groups were related
to the amount of forage eaten. Utiliza-
tion of nutrients consumed was similar
for all roughage groups.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 31
32 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Comparison of Freshly Cut Alfalfa, Oats,
Crimson Clover, and Subterranean Clover
for Dairy Cows. (George E. Hawkins.)
- This experiment, to determine rela-
tionship between estrogenic potency of
the forage and milk production, in-
volved 15 dairy cows. The experi-
mental rations follow: (A) alfalfa hay,
(B) green alfalfa plus alfalfa hay, (C)
green oat forage plus alfalfa hay, (D)
green crimson clover plus alfalfa hay,
and (E) green subterranean clover plus
alfalfa hay. Cows in groups B, C, D,
and E received 50 per cent as much
hay as they ate before the experiment
plus 50 pounds of green forage. In
addition, each cow in all groups was
fed 4 pounds of ground shelled corn
daily.
The TDN and digestible protein con-
tents of the experimental roughage in
per cent on dry matter basis were: al-
falfa hay, 60 and 10.0; green alfalfa,
67 and 20.5; green oats, 71 and 9.0;
green crimson clover, 72 and 14.0; and
green subterranean clover, 59 and 13.8.
Estrogenic potency of the forages
was measured by the mouse uterus as-
say by adding alcoholic extracts of the
forages to a basal diet with low estro-
genic potency. Weights of uteri, in
mg., from mice fed the experimental
forages were: alfalfa hay, 6.1; green
alfalfa, 11.5; green oats, 8.6; green
crimson clover, 8.9; and green subter-
ranean clover, 13.1. Uteri weights from
mice fed the basal diet and the basal
diet supplemented with 0.04 [g. of
diethylstilbestrol per gm. of diet were
3.5 and 22.1 mg. respectively.
Persistency of milk production, in
per cent, on the five rations was: (A)
100, (B) 116, (C) 121, (D) 105,
and (E) 103. There was no consistent
relationship between the estrogenic po-
tency of the forages and the persist-
ency of milk yield.
Tracy Sorghum Silage and Johnsongrass
Hay for Dairy Cows. (W. B. Kelley, L.
A. Smith, and George E. Hawkins.) -
An experiment with 24 milking cows
was done to evaluate Johnsongrass hay
and Tracy sorghum as roughages for
dairy cows. The rations tested were:
(A) alfalfa hay, (B) Johnsongrass hay
and Tracy sorghum silage, and (C)
Johnsongrass hay. Concentrates were
fed at the rate of 1 pound to each 8
pounds of milk produced.
The TDN and digestible protein con-
tents of the forages in per cent on
dry matter basis were: alfalfa, 58 and
14.9; Johnsongrass, 65 and 7.4; and
Tracy sorghum, 46 and 0, respectively.
The intakes of hay or hay equivalent
in pounds per 100 pounds of body
weight by roughage groups were: (A)
2.55, (B) 2.16, and (C) 2.34.
Average daily milk production in
pounds by forage groups were: (A)
27.6, (B) 25.8, and (C) 26.8. Ra-
tion B apparently supplied an inade-
quate amount of digestible protein.
Effect of Feeding Low Levels of Diethyl-
stilbesterol on Established Lactation in
Dairy Cows. (George E. Hawkins and
K. M. Autrey.) - Milk production of-
ten increases when cows are changed
from barn feeding to grazing. It has
been suggested that the lactation-stim-
ulating qualities of young pastures may
be related to their estrogen content.
Diethylstilbesterol, a synthetic com-
pound, has estrogenic activity. This
study was designed to determine the
response of milking cows to low levels
of diethylstilbesterol in the ration.
Fifteen dairy cows were standardized
on alfalfa hay and concentrate with
low estrogenic potency. At the begin-
ning of the 28-day experiment, the
cows were divided into three similar
groups. Each group received the same
feeds as during the standardization
period. The amounts of diethylstilbes-
terol added per pound of feed for the
three groups were: (A) none, (B)
0.068 pg., and (C) 8.40 [tg. These
levels provided estrogenic activity
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
33
within the range of that normally found
in green forages.
There were no differences among
the groups in level of milk produced
nor in percentage of non-fat solids in
milk. Body weight changes and use
of available TDN by the cows were
similar for all groups. These results
indicate that increases in milk produc-
tion when cows are changed from dry
feed to pasture are not related to the
estrogenic activity of the feeds.
Rabbit as a Pilot Animal in Sericea Im-
provement. (George E. Hawkins.) -A
consistent relationship between digesti-
bility of crude protein in lawn clippings
by rabbits and steers has been reported.
Consequently the rabbit appeared to
be the logical pilot animal in a sericea
breeding program having the objective
of improving digestibility of the nu-
trients in sericea. To determine whether
the rabbit may be used as the pilot ani-
mal for this work, a study was made to
compare steers and rabbits in ability
to digest the nutrients of sericea and of
alfalfa.
There was no consistency in appar-
ent digestion coefficients of steers and
rabbits when alfalfa, and first and sec-
ond cuttings of sericea were considered.
However, rabbits digested about half
as much crude protein and a third as
much crude fiber and cellulose in se-
ricea as did the steers. When digesti-
bility of dry matter was used as a co-
variable, the relationship between steer
and rabbit digestion coefficients for
crude protein were similar for all the
hays studied. It appears that the rab-
bit may be used as a pilot animal in
assessing the relative digestibility of
crude protein of sericea.
Nutritive Characteristics of Several In-
bred Lines of Sericea as Measured by Rab-
bits. (George E. Hawkins and E. D.
Donnelly.)- Nutritive qualities of for-
age from 31 inbred lines of sericea
that had been studied in the field for
stem type and leafiness were evaluated
by digestion trials with rabbits. Mean
intakes of dry matter of diets contain-
ing 45 per cent of these lines varied
from 3388.4 to 51.6 gm. per rabbit per
day, which differences were significant.
Digestibility of dry matter in the
diets ranged from 39.2 to 58.5 per
cent. Percentage digestibility of pro-
tein in the sericea lines showed a wide
range. The number of lines within
given ranges were: (a) I over 60,
(b) 5 between 51 and 60, (c) 14 be-
tween 41 and 50, (d) 6 between 31
and 40, (e) 8 between 21 and 80,
and (f) 2 less than 20. Relationship
between digestibility of dry matter by
cattle and rabbits was inconsistent;
however, the relationship between di-
gestibility of protein by these animal
species was consistent. Thus, these data
suggest that it is possible to develop
a new strain in which the digestible
protein content would be higher than
in present commercial strains.
FORESTRY
Intensive Woodlot Management in the
Alabama Piedmont. (G. I. Garin.) -
Higher stumpage prices paid woodlot
owners during the last decade have in-
creased the value of farm woodlots.
By application of management prac-
tices, the growing stock can be manipu-
lated to increase returns from a wood-
lot. Pine stumpage brings a better price
since it is in greater demand than hard-
wood stumpage. Therefore, woodlots
should be managed with the view of
growing as much pine as feasible.
An experiment forest located in
Coosa County is typical of woodlot
conditions in the Piedmont region of
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS
33
34 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Alabama. The topography is steep and
pines are found on the tops of the
hills, while hardwoods are predomin-
ant in the narrow bottoms near small
streams. Between these extremes, a
mixed pine-hardwood stand is found
on the slopes. A study was made com-
paring diameter-limit cut with a cut
leaving the best trees as growing stock.
One-half of the study area was cut to
a 9-inch diameter limit and the other
half was marked before it was logged.
Shortleaf pine was heavily infected with
littleleaf disease. This species was
marked for a heavy cut. Eighty per
cent of the pine stand was removed
on marked areas. Hardwoods in the
9-inch diameter class and larger were
cut only if they were merchantable. The
cut left considerably more hardwood
than was anticipated.
After 5 years an inventory 
was made
of trees in the 9-inch diameter class
and larger. Results show that in the
pine type, cut to a diameter limit, in-
growth of pine was considerable. The
pine component of the stand was re-
duced from 73 per cent before cutting
to 54 per cent 5 years later. Where
pines were marked for cutting, they
constituted 70 per cent of the stand
before it was cut and 60 per cent 5
years later. Cutting to a diameter limit
is less desirable for maintaining the
pine component than leaving healthy
pine trees in a marked stand. If the
area marked had not been affected by
littleleaf disease, the results would have
favored this method even more in com-
parison to cutting to a diameter limit.
Cutting to a diameter limit and cut-
ting marked trees in a mixed stand pro-
duced the same results. In both cases,
the pine component was reduced by
about 8 per cent, 5 years after cutting.
It was initially reduced from 40 per
cent to 32 per cent on an average.
Method of cutting in the hardwood
type produced the same results. The
pine component was, however, reduced
by 17 per cent. The proportion of pine
in the hardwood type, which was only
23 per cent before it was cut, was re-
duced to 6 per cent. In the hard-
wood type, management practices would
have to be oriented toward growing
the better hardwoods. This portion of
the woodlot can be best utilized by
striving to grow a stand of hardwoods
composed of species well adapted to
the site. Good hardwood species grown
to optimum merchantable size will pro-
duce good returns if they are of good
quality.
All-Aged Management by the Selection
System. (H. E. Christen.) - During
the 5-year period, 1952-56, the saw-
timber growth on a 2.1-acre tract of
the Auburn management area totaled
2,868 board feet, International 4-inch
scale. Each acre produced 1,866 board
feet during the period or a growth of
273 board feet annually. This growth
was added to a residual stand that av-
eraged 4,574 board feet per acre dur-
ing the period. On the basis of this
residual stand, rate of growth was 6
per cent.
Mortality for the period on this in-
tensively managed area accounted for
loss of 45 trees or 21.4 trees per acre.
Most of the trees that died were in
the merchantable size classes, thus in-
dicating that generally mortality can
be kept very low on intensively man-
aged areas.
Although periodic annual growth on
the area appears to be adequate,
growth per cent earned on the growing
stock is high and mortality is low, there
is a very noticeable lack of repro-
duction in the openings made by the
harvest cuts. Future plans call for try-
ing direct seeding in the openings in
an effort to obtain adequate reproduc-
tion.
Corner-Joints in Wood. (D. B. Rich-
ards.) - Glued comer-joints with longi-
tudinal axis of all members lying in
one plane have been studied. Two
bending tests have been developed, one
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION34
66th and 67th 
ANNUAL REPORTS 
35
that loads the inner corner of such a
joint in tension and another that loads
the inner corner in compression. Ap-
propriate mathematical analysis allows
a modulus of rupture to be calculated
for such joints.
Of the joints tested, two showed con-
siderable promise: (1) a multiple mor-
tise and tenon joint that had in each
member multiple parallel faced tongues
about 1/8-inch thick separated by similar
grooves, the tongues of one member
being glued into the matching grooves
of the other; (2) a wedge-tongue joint
that had in each member multiple
wedge-shaped tongues separated by
wedge shaped grooves, the tips of the
tongues being cut at a miter angle to
each member and the tongues of one
member being glued into the matching
grooves of the other member.
The multiple mortise and tenon joint
is difficult to assemble in pieces wider
than 3 inches. The wedge-tongue joint
must be cut with a special cutterhead
and requires careful clamping tech-
niques during assembly and cure. With
members between 21/ and 8 inches
wide, these joints yield modulus of rup-
ture values that average between 5,500
and 9,000 pounds per square inch in
southern pine lumber. These values
indicate that about 50 per cent of the
bending strength of the wood is being
developed at the joint.
Physical and Chemical Characteristics of
Loblolly Pine Seedlings Associated With
Drought Resistance. (A. R. Gilmore.) -
The objective of this study was to de-
termine whether transpiration or ac-
cumulation of various nutrient elements
in different parts of a loblolly pine
seedling could be correlated with the
ability of the seedling to survive under
extremely dry conditions.
The transpiration study showed that
the more drought-resistant seedlings
had a more efficient transpirational ap-
paratus than the less drought-resistant
seedlings. It appeared that the more
drought-resistant seedlings could ab-
sorb water almost as fast as they lost
water even when the soil was at a
low moisture content.
The amounts of nitrogen, potassium,
phosphorus, thiamine (Vitamin B
1
), re-
ducing sugars, or sucrose in the plant
were not found to be correlated with
drought resistance. The total carbo-
hydrate content and the calcium con-
tent of the roots appeared to be asso-
ciated with drought resistance. Roots
of the more drought-resistant seedlings
contained higher concentrations of
both total carbohydrate and calcium.
These results suggest the possibility
of developing laboratory tests to de-
termine inherent drought resistance of
seedlings.
Evaluation of Site Quality for Longleaf
Pine Using Aerial Photographic Evidence.
(E. W. Johnson.)- The quality of the
site, using the site index for longleaf
pine, was determined on 59 sample
plots in the pine hills area of the
lower coastal plain of southern Ala-
bama and northwestern Florida. A
series of independent variables, chosen
because of their possible relationship
with site index and the fact that they
could be evaluated on aerial photo-
graphs, were related to site index by
both graphical and mathematical curve-
fitting techniques. Of these variables
only average tree height, per cent slope,
and number of trees per acre were
found to have value for prediction pur-
poses. The multiple correlation coeffi-
cent was 0,598, indicating that the
prediction equation was not very effec-
tive. The substitution of photogram-
metrically determined values would
probably reduce this value even more.
Attempts to use topographic classes
as guides to site quality also yielded
negative results.
One major conclusion resulted from
this study. In this area it is very dif-
ficult, if not impossible, to evaluate
the site index for longleaf pine from
aerial photographic evidence.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS
35
36 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Effects of Certain Prescribed Fire Treat-
ments and Hardwood Removal by Poison-
ing on Soil and Seedbed Properties in the
Loblolly-Shortleaf Pine Type. (Earl J.
Hodgkins.) - The study involved test-
ing two burning treatments and a hard-
wood poisoning treatment for effects
on soil, forest floor, and vegetation
properties at the Fayette Experiment
Forest. Burning treatments consisted
of August burning in 1951 and in 1954,
and January burning in 1952 and in
1955. The hardwood poisoning treat-
ment consisted of killing with ammo-
nium sulfamate an average of 6.23
square feet of basal area per acre in
hardwoods over 3 inches in diameter
breast high.
The 1951-52 burnings, having 10
years of fuel accumulation, were hot-
ter and caused greater changes than
the 1954-55 repeat burnings. The Au-
gust burnings reduced the forest floor
more than the January burnings, and
the second August burnings left a dan-
gerously thin residual floor on some
plots. However, normal autumn leaf
fall apparently soon gave adequate pro-
tection to the mineral topsoil against
damage from raindrop impact. Gen-
erally the loss of nitrogen, potassium,
calcium, and phosphorus from the for-
est floor was in direct proportion to
loss of the forest floor itself.
Burning raised the pH of the top 8
inches of mineral soil and added more
potassium and calcium to it than the
forest floor had lost. The gains were
presumed to have come from live vege-
tation killed by the fires. Available
phosphate was increased, but only the
repeat burnings appeared to have con-
tributed the additions. Because the
soils were extremely low in available
phosphate, it was deduced that roots
had absorbed additions made available
by the 1951-52 burnings during the
interval between the burnings and the
measurements in 1953-54. Burning
caused no change in total soil nitrogen,
in soil organic matter, in soil infiltra-
tion rates, and in total porosity, macro-
porosity, and microporosity of the top
8 inches of mineral soil.
Legumes, composites, and euphorbs
increased in density of cover in the
first growing season after burning, but
resumed normal growth thereafter. By
middle of the third growing season,
shrubs and vines increased, with Jan-
uary burning showing more increase
than August burning. Hardwood cover
6 feet high and less was reduced by
burning, but it was back to normal in
the third growing season. Only Au-
gust burning significantly reduced the
cover of all vegetation more than 6
feet high. Grass cover may have been
reduced the first season after burning,
but subsequently it varied inversely
with the total cover of trees, shrubs,
and vines.
The only effect of hardwood poison-
ing seemed to be an increase of soil
nitrogen and organic matter on ridges.
HORTICULTURE
Studies of Fertilizers, Organic Materials,
and Culture for Vegetable Crops: (1) EF-
FECT OF SOIL TYPE AND OF RATES OF
FERTILIZER, MANURES, AND LIME ON
YIELD OF CARROTS. (L. M. Ware and
W. A. Johnson.)-Yields over a 4-
year period show no great difference
between response of carrots to fertilizer
or organic treatments on light and
heavy soils. On Chesterfield loamy sand
soil with 2,000 pounds of a complete
fertilizer (6-8-8), yields were increased
from 15,302 to 22,119 to 28,906
pounds per acre as rate of manure was
increased from 0 to 12 to 24 tons per
acre. On a Cecil clay soil, correspond-
66thand67thANNAL RPORS 3
ing yields were 15,509, 21,640, and
27,207 pounds per acre.
On the Chesterfield soil with 2,000
pounds of fertilizer and 24 tons of
manure, yields were 28,906, 32,985,
and 32,175 pounds from use of 0, 1,
and 2 tons of limestone per acre, re-
spectively. Corresponding yields on the
Cecil soil were 27,207, 28,747, and
30,336 pounds per acre.
No increase in yield resulted from
increasing the fertilizer rate from 2,000
to 8,000 pounds per acre.
(2) EFFECTS OF SOIL TYPE AND
RATES OF FERTILIZER, MANURE, AND
LIME ON YIELD OF SPINACH. (L. M.
Ware and W. A. Johnson.)-With
2,000 pounds of fertilizer (6-8-4) per
acre, yields of spinach over a 4-year
period were increased from 2,923 to
6,189 to 10,243 pounds per acre on
a Chesterfield loamy sand as the rate
of manure was increased from 0 to 12
to 24 tons per acre. On a Cecil clay
soil, corresponding increases were from
1,747 to 5,808 to 8,232 pounds per
acre.
On the Chesterfield soil with 2,000
pounds of fertilizer and 12 tons of
manure, 1 ton of limestone increased
yield from 6,139 to 7,661 pounds; on
the Cecil clay soil, I ton of lime in-
creased yields from 5,808 to 9,033
pounds per acre. With 2,000 pounds
of fertilizer and 24 tons of manure ap-
plied to the Chesterfield soil, yields
were 10,243 pounds without lime and
10,987 with 2 tons of lime; correspond-
ing yields on the Cecil clay soil were
8,232 without lime and 11,074 pounds
per acre with lime.
Yields were not increased from appli-
cations of fertilizer above 2,000 pounds
per acre.
(3) EFFECT OF SOIL TYPE AND RATES
OF FERTILIZER, MANURE, AND LIME ON
YIELD OF BEETS. (L. M. Ware and W.
A. Johnson.) - Beets gave a decidedly
higher yield on a Cecil clay soil than
on a Chesterfield loamy sand from cor-
responding treatments.
With 2,000 pounds of fertilizer (6-
8-4) per acre, yields over a 4-year per-
iod on the Chesterfield soil were in-
creased from 4,569 to 9,355 to 16,954
pounds per acre and on the Cecil soil
from 13,420 to 19,195 to 25,042
pounds as the rate of manure increased
from 0 to 12 to 24 tons per acre.
One ton of limestone increased the
yield on the Chesterfield soil from 9,355
to 10,939 pounds, but on the Cecil
soil from 19,195 to 24,802 pounds per
acre where 12 tonsof manure per acre
had been added. With 24 tons of ma-
nure, 1 ton of limestone increased
yields on the Chesterfield from 16,954
to 18,356 pounds per acre and on the
Cecil soil from 25,042 to 31,013 pounds
per acre.
On the Chesterfield soil, after 2,000
pounds of fertilizer and 12 tons of ma-
nure had been added, an additional
12 tons of manure increased yields
7,599 pounds, while an addition of 1
ton of limestone instead of the 12 tons
of manure increased yields 1,584
pounds. On the Cecil soil, the cor-
responding yield increase from the 12
tons of manure was 5,847 and from the
limestone 5,607 pounds 
per acre.
(4) VALUE OF ORGANIC MATERIALS
FOR ONIONS AT DIFFERENT FERTILIZER
RATES. (L. M. Ware and W. A. John-
son.) - Yields of green onions in 1956
without manure were increased from
9,766 to 12,378 pounds per acre as
the rate of fertilizer (6-8-8), was in-
creased from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per
acre. After 2,000 pounds of fertilizer
per acre was added, yields were in-
creased none by 1,000 pounds of extra
fertilizer, but increased 5,632 pounds
by 4 tons per acre of diy sericea,
10,841 pounds by 20 tons of sawdust,
15,014 pounds by 24 tons of manure,
and 20,275 pounds by 24 tons manure
plus 20 tons of sawdust.
Organic material had been added
66th and 67th ANNUAL'REPORTS
37'
38 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
2 years prior to the onion crop and
two intervening crops had been grown
without further addition.
(5) EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND OR-
GANIC MATERIALS ON RESPONSE OF PO-
TATOES TO FERTILIZERRATESIN YEARS
OF HIGH AND LOW RAINFALL. (L. M.
Ware and W. A. Johnson).- In 1955,
a year of favorable rainfall, increasing
the rate of fertilizer (6-10-7) from 800
to 1,600 and from 1,600 to 2,400
pounds per acre resulted in yield in-
creases of No. 1 potatoes of 84 and
67 bushels per acre with no organic
matter and no irrigation added. Cor-
responding increases were 87 and 40
bushels where organic but no irrigation
was added, 17 and 79 bushels where
irrigation but no organic was added,
and 154 and 87 bushels where both
irrigation and organic materials were
added.
In 1956, with low rainfall during the
larger part of the growing season, the
same increases in fertilizer rates re-
suited in yield increases of No. 1 po-
tatoes of 8 and -5 bushels without
organic materials and irrigation added;
of -7 and 10 bushels with organic ma-
terial but no irrigation added; of 102
and 28 bushels with irrigation but no
organic material added; and of 90 and
80 bushels with both organic materials
and irrigation added.
Spacing was 12 inches and size of
seed piece was 1Y2 ounces in all com-
parisons. Yields in 1955 were from
new growth after plants were killed by
a freeze.
(6) EFFECT OF SIZE OF SEED PIECE
ON YIELD OF POTATOES AFTER KILLING
OF ToPs BY COLD AS INFLUENCED BY
FERTILIZER RATE, ORGANIC MATERIAL,
AND IRRIGATION. (L. M. Ware and W.
A. Johnson.) - Tops of potatoes were
killed in 1955 after they were about
two-thirds grown. With no irrigation
and no organic materials, yields of No.
1 potatoes were increased 30, 29, and
112 bushels per acre from seed pieces
of 3/4 to 1% ounces when supplied with
800, 1,600, and 2,400 pounds of fer-
tilizer (6-10-7), per acre, respectively.
With 2,400 pounds of fertilizer, the
larger seed pieces gave increased yield
of 158 bushels with organic materi-
als added; 89 bushels with irrigation
added; and 146 bushels with both ir-
rigation and organic materials added.
With 2,400 pounds of fertilizer and
1 z-ounce pieces, yields were 202 bush-
els with organic materials added; 187
bushels with irrigation added; and 396
bushels with both added.
(7) YIELD OF TOMATOES AS AF-
FECTED BY FERTILIZERRATE, ORGANIC
MATERIALS, AND IRRIGATION. (L. M.
Ware and W. A. Johnson.)- The 2-
year average yield of marketable toma-
toes on soil receiving no treatment was
1,361 pounds per acre. One-thousand
pounds of fertilizer (8-10-7) per acre
increased yields to 24,571; addition of
12 tons of manure increased yields to
42,852, while further addition of irriga-
tion increased yields to 49,257 pounds
per acre.
Addition of 1,000 pounds of ferti-
lizer, 12 tons of manure, and vetch
gave a yield of 40,651 pounds per
acre. Addition of irrigation increased
yields to 55,458 pounds; increasing the
fertilizer rate to 1,500 pounds per acre
increased yields to 56,198 pounds; and
increasing the fertilizer rate to 2,000
pounds increased yields to 59,586
pounds per acre.
Total yields in 1956 from 2,000
pounds of fertilizer and 12 tons of ma-
nure per acre in addition to irriga-
tion and vetch was 83,803 pounds per
acre.
(8) YIELD OF PIMENTO PEPPERS AS
AFFECTED BY FERTILIZER RATE, OR-
GANIC MATERIALS, AND IRRIGATION.
(L. M. Ware and W. A. 
Johnson.) -
The 3-year average yield of marketable
pimento peppers from 600 pounds per
acre of a base application of complete
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION38
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
39
fertilizer (4-10-7) was 5,782 pounds
per acre without irrigation and 10,578
pounds with irrigation. Increasing the
fertilizer rate to 1,200 pounds increased
yields to 5,938 pounds without irriga-
tion and to 12,966 pounds with irriga-
tion.
Application of 1,200 pounds of fer-
tilizer plus a side application of 64
pounds of nitrogen gave a yield of
9,324 pounds per acre without irriga-
tion and 16,759 pounds with irrigation.
Increasing the base application of com-
plete fertilizer to 1,800 or to 2,400
pounds and increasing the side applica-
tion of nitrogen to 96 pounds did not
increase yield of marketable pimentos.
Yields of marketable pimento pep-
pers from application of 1,200 pounds
of complete fertilizer, plus side applica-
tion of 96 pounds of nitrogen, plus 18
tons per acre of manure were 7,870
pounds without irrigation and 19,967
pounds with irrigation.
(9) EFFECT OF IRRIGATION ON NI-
TRATE LEVELS IN SOILS RECEIVING DIF-
FERENT FERTILIZER RATES AND OR-
GANIC MATERIALS. (L. M. Ware and
W. A. Johnson.) - Irrigation has fre-
quently been found to lower nitrate
content of soil. This could either be
caused by increased uptake of nitrates
from irrigated crops or to leaching of
nitrate by irrigation. The 2-year aver-
age nitrate (NO
3
) content in the soil
during the tomato-growing season un-
der nonirrigated and irrigated condi-
tions for otherwise identical treatments
were as follows: (a) with 1,000 pounds
of fertilizer (8-10-7) - without irriga-
tion, 45 p.p.m., with irrigation, 81
p.p.m.; (b) with 1,000 pounds of ferti-
lizer plus 12 tons manure - without ir-
rigation, 88 p.p.m., with irrigation, 58
p.p.m.; (c) with 1,000 pounds of fer-
tilizer plus 12 tons manure plus vetch
- without irrigation, 181 p.p.m., with
irrigation, 84 p.p.m.
During the latter part of the grow-
ing season of fall-grown green onions
on November 3, 1955 the amounts of
nitrates found in the soil were as fol-
lows: (a) with 1,000 pounds of fer-
tilizer (8-10-7) - without irrigation,
96 p.p.m., with irrigation, 86 p.p.m.;
(b) with 1,000 pounds of fertilizer
plus manure - without irrigation, 182
p.p.m., with irrigation, 28 p.p.m.; (c)
with 1,000 pounds of fertilizer plus
spring-turned vetch - without irriga-
tion, 117 p.p.m., with irrigation, 19
p.p.m.
(10) IMMEDIATE AND RESIDUAL EF-
FECTS OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC MATERI-
ALS OF YIELD OF FALL TURNIPS ON
LIGHT AND HEAVY SOILS. (L. M. Ware
and W. A. Johnson.) - Earlier studies
showed little effect on yield from ap-
plications of organic materials for the
first year, but indicated an increased
effect in later years. In studies with
different kinds of organic materials,
fall-grown turnips following summer-
turned crotalaria on a loamy sod showed
a loss in yield the first year of 2,496
pounds per acre, but gave an increase
of 15,916 pounds the second year and
11,232 pounds the third year. On a
heavy clay soil, the crotalaria gave an
increase in yield of 5,703 pounds per
acre the first year, 12,481 pounds the
second year, and 25,824 pounds the
third year.
Vetch grown and turned with an
intervening summer crop resulted in a
loss of 8,822 pounds per acre in fall
turnip yield the first year, but gave
a gain of 23,788 pounds the second
year and of 18,144 the third year on
the light soil. On the heavy soil this
treatment increased yield 5,991 pounds
the first year, 19,546 the second year,
and 21,120 pounds the third year.
(11) EFFECT OF LONG CONTINUED
APPLICATIONS OF ORGANIC MATERIALS
ON ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT OF THE
SOIL. (W. A. Johnson and L. M. Ware.)
- On a Chesterfield sandy loam soil
low in organic matter, the organic con-
tent has been measurably increased by
annual additions of organic materials
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 39
40 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
over a long period of time. In plots re-
ceiving only residues from horticultural
crops from 1940 through 1955, the or-
ganic matter content of the first 6
inches of soil was increased from 0.72
per cent to 1.04 per cent in the 15-
year period. For the same period of
time the organic matter content of the
soil increased from 0.74 to 1.86 per
cent where a crop of vetch was turned,
from 0.77 to 1.58 per cent where rye
was turned, from 0.81 to 2.86 per cent
where 12 tons of manure was added,
and from 0.81 to 2.92 per cent where
12 tons of manure was added and a
crop of vetch was turned.
(12) EFFECT OF RATES OF FERTI-
LIZER AND EXTRA NITROGEN AS SIDE
APPLICATIONS ON POTASH CONTENT OF
POTATOES. (W. A. Johnson and L. M.
Ware).- When potatoes were supplied
1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 pounds per
acre of 6-8-8 grade fertilizer at plant-
ing time, the potash content was 0.49,
0.46, and 0.46 per cent for the tuber
and 0.84, 0.82, and 0.42 per cent for
the plant, respectively. When 1,000
pounds per acre of 6-8-8 grade ferti-
lizer was applied at planting plus 1,000
pounds per acre applied as a side ap-
plication 1 month later the percentages
of potash were 0.49 for the tubers and
0.86 for the plants. However, when
1,000 pounds of 6-8-8 was applied at
planting time and 60 pounds of N per
acre applied I month later, the percent-
age of potash was 0.82 for the tubers
and 0.15 for the plants. The foliage on
plants receiving the last treatment
showed severe potash deficiency symp-
toms; yield was also very low.
Chemical Weed Control in Strawberries.
(R. L. Livingston, C. C. Carlton, Jack
L. Turner, and T. B. Hagler.) - In
weed control studies with Klonmore
strawberries at the Chilton Area Horti-
culture Substation, a mixture contain-
ing 2 pounds each of, Sesone (Crag
Herbicide-I) and Chloro-IPC per acre
was more effective in reducing weed
population than either chemical applied
alone. Reductions in weed counts fol-
lowing spring, summer, and fall appli-
cations were 81, 58, and 98 per cent,
respectively. Summer applications of
all chemicals were less effective in con-
trolling weeds. Best control was ob-
tained when chemicals were applied
following cultivation and irrigation.
Rates of Zinc and Calcium for Pecans.
(T. B. Hagler, W. A. Johnson, and John
I. Wear.)-Stuart pecans grown in
greenhouses were supplied with com-
binations of low, medium, and high
rates of zinc and calcium. Rates of zinc
and calcium were 0.1, 1, and 10 p.p.m.
and 1, 4, and 16 m.e. per liter of dilute
solution, respectively. Best plant growth
occurred at high calcium and high zinc
levels. Increasing zinc from 0.1 to 10
p.p.m, increased growth of plants from
115 to 187 inches. Rates of calcium had
no effect on growth except at the high
zinc level where growth increased from
112 to 155 inches when calcium con-
centration in solution was increased
from 1 to 16 m.e. per liter.
Calcium content of leaves increased
from 25 to 49 m.e. per 100 gm. dry
weight when calcium was increased
from 1 to 16 m.e. per liter of dilute
solution. Increasing zinc in solution had
no effect on the calcium content of
leaves.
The zinc content of leaves increased
from 87 to 855 p.p.m. when zinc was
increased from 0.1 to 10 p.p.m. in so-
lution. Zinc contents for low, medium,
and high levels of calcium were 182,
226, and 184 p.p.m., respectively.
Increasing levels of calcium or zinc
did not increase the pH of the nutrient
solutions.
Rates and Sources of Nitrogen for Straw-
berries. (T. B. Hagler.)- The yield of
strawberries, when 96 pounds of N
was applied per acre, varied from 1,776
quarts per acre with nitrate of soda to
40 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
41
8,280, 2,704, 2,800, and 8,120 quarts
per acre with ammonium nitrate, urea
(Nugreen), Uramite, and cottonseed
meal, respectively. With foliar applica-
tions of urea at the same rate of N per
acre, the yield was 4,192 quarts per
acre. When the rate was increased to
128 pounds of N per acre, yields in
quarts per acre from the various sources
of nitrogen were: Nitrate of soda,
2,704; ammonium nitrate, 2,816; urea
to soil, 2,080; urea spray, 4,128; Ura-
mite, 2,768; and cottonseed meal,
8,728. Increasing the rates of Uramite
and urea sprays from 128 to 160
pounds N per acre resulted in increased
yield from 2,768 to 4,060 quarts per
acre for Uramite and from 4,128 to
4,804 quarts per acre for foliar sprays
containing urea. Increasing rates of N
to 160 pounds per acre from other
sources did not increase berry yield.
Development and Refinement of Proces-
ses for Making Selected Products from
Horticultural Crops: (1) FREEZE PRES-
SING BLACKBERRIES. (Hubert Harris.)
- A study was made of freeze pressing
blackberries. The purpose was to de-
velop a method of extracting concen-
trated juice for use in making jelly by
the freeze concentration process. A
highly satisfactory method was devel-
oped that involves use of standard rack-
and-cloth juice press. With original sol-
uble solids in the berries ranging from
7.5 to 10 per cent, it was not difficult
to regulate pressing conditions to yield
a juice with approximately 12 per cent
soluble solids, the amount needed for
jelly making. Compared to conven-
tional single strength pressing, the
freeze pressing resulted in better juice
flow, better clarification of juice, and
less sticking of press cake to cloths.
However, to obtain these results it was
necessary to partially defrost the ber-
ries, grind or crush them, and adjust
the temperature within the range of
29.5 to 80' F. before pressing. The ice
in the juice aided greatly in regulating
the temperature within this narrow
range.
The basic studies were made with
a 50-pound capacity laboratory press.
The method was then tested in a com-
mercial press of 400-pound capacity.
Results in the commercial press were
practically the same as those obtained
with the laboratory press.
(2) IMPROVED METHOD OF PEELING
SWEETPOTATOES. (Hubert Harris and
J. M. Barber.)- Losses from peeling
and trimming sweetpotatoes in com-
mercial plants may range from less than
15 per cent to more than 50 per cent.
Improper regulations of the depth of
peel may cause these losses to be un-
duly heavy.
Studies were made to determine the
most suitable depth to peel different
grades of sweetpotatoes from the stand-
point of labor required, trimming loss,
and quality of finished product. Im-
proved peeling techniques were used
to obtain better control of depth of peel
and to reduce the amount of discolora-
tion from peeling.
In peeling with high pressure steam,
better color in canned sweetpotatoes
was obtained by peeling to the phloem
tissue. However, the quality of sweet-
potato puree was not lowered by re-
moving only the cork tissue and leav-
ing the pericyclic layer intact. This peel
required extra trimming; but, by peel-
ing deep enough to remove part of the
pericycle layer and following with a
good brush-wash treatment, the trim-
ming time was about the same as with
deeper peels.
By pre-washing the potatoes, flash-
ing the pressure to 90 p.s.i. saturated
steam, holding for 45 to 60 seconds,
exhausting rapidly, and cooling im-
mediately, the potatoes were peeled sat-
isfactorily and uniformly to the phloem
tissue. Trimmed recoveries in replicated
tests on different grades of the Early-
port variety were 84 per cent for 1 Y4
to 2 inches, 87 per cent for 2 to 23
inches, 89 per cent for 23 to 83 inches,
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 41
42 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
92 per cent for 833/4 to 5 inches, and 89
per cent for field run. Percentage of re-
coveries on these grades with 80 sec-
onds peeling time were 91, 92.5, 96,
97.5, and 96 
per cent, respectively.
(3) QUALITY STUDY OF SWEETPO-
TATO VARIETIES. (Hubert Harris.) - In
1955 and 1956, a number of promising
varieties and selections of sweetpotatoes
were tested for total solids and for
baking qualities. House-cured No. 1
potatoes were 
used. Representative
samples were obtained by taking a few
potatoes from each of several crates.
Total solids were determined by the
vaccum oven method. Samples were
baked in a gas-heated oven and rated
by a panel of judges.
Of 17 varieties tested in 1955, total
solids ranged from 21.4 per cent for the
Copper Skin Goldrush to more than 82
per cent for Red Porto Rico, Porto Rico,
and Earlyport. Red Porto Rico and
B-45-70 scored highest on general ap-
pearance for baking. On color of the
baked products, the Allgold, Goldrush,
Earlyport, B-45-70, and HM-40 vari-
eties ranked second. Porto Rico, Red
Porto Rico, Earlyport, and B-45-70 va-
rieties received high flavor scores. The
Earlyport rated highest on the basis of
all qualities.
Twenty varieties were tested in
1956. Total solids ranged from 21 per
cent for Oklahoma 51 to 81 per cent
for Porto Rico and G-52-15-1. In gen-
eral baking qualities, G-52-15-1, Early-
port, Allgold, Oklahoma 55, and P-81
were outstanding among the other va-
rieties. Goldrush scored very high in
color, but it was slightly lower than the
other varieties in flavor, considerably
lower in total solids, and considerably
higher in shrinkage from baking.
(4) QUALITY OF IRISH POTATO CHIPS
FROM DIFFERENT VARIETIES AND STOR-
AGE TREATMENTS. (Hubert Harris and
R. L. Spigner.) - Eight varieties of
Irish potatoes stored by four different
methods were tested for chip quality.
Varieties were Pontiac, Triumph, Red
Lasoda, Lasoda, Kennebec, Sebago
Cobbler, and Katahdin. Each variety
was tested for chips when dug and af-
ter 51 days in storage at room tempera-
ture, 55-59?F and 40-45'F.
The yield of chips was not consis-
tently high for any single variety for
all storage treatments. Storage at 55-
59?F or 40-45?F increased chips yields
of all varieties as compared to no stor-
age or room temperature storage.
Chip samples from all varieties were
satisfactory in color and flavor in the
case of the no storage and room tem-
perature storage. Chips of the Kennebec
and Katahdin varieties rated highest,
while those of Triumph rated lowest.
In general, room temperature storage
resulted in a small improvement in
color over the no-storage treatment.
Storage at 55-59
0
F and at 40-45
0
F
resulted in marked decreases in color
and flavor ratings of the chip samples
of all varieties. These decreases were
greater in the case of the lower storage
temperature.
Effect of Irrigation at Different Mini-
mum Levels of Soil Moisture and of Im-
posed Droughts on Yield of Selected Vege-
table Crops: (1) GREEN ONIONS. (S. T.
Jones and W. A. Johnson.) 
- Irrigating
at 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 atmospheres ten-
sion produced total yields of 23,478,
16,997, and 6,720 pounds of green
onions per acre, respectively. The cor-
responding marketable yields were 20,-
435, and 13,705, and 2,812 pounds per
acre. Tensions of 0.8, 0.6, and 1.2 at-
mospheres correspond to 80, 60, and
40 per cent available moisture, respec-
tively. Onions subjected to drought pe-
riods of 2, 4, and 6 weeks duration
produced averages of 76, 58, and 89
per cent of the total yield and 73, 47,
and 27 per cent of the marketable yield
of the highest yielding treatment.
Droughts imposed early in the season
were not as severe in effects as droughts
imposed later.
42 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
43
(2) POTATOES. (S. T. Jones and W.
A. Johnson.) - Potatoes were irrigated
at maximum tensions of 0.8, 0.6, 1.2,
2.4, and 4.8 atmospheres, which repre-
sent minimum available moisture levels
of 80, 60, 40, 20, and 10 per cent, re-
spectively. Total yields of potatoes from
these treatments in the order previously
named were 317, 240, 162, 130, and
99 bushels per acre. Yields of No. 1
grade potatoes were 218, 148, 78, 59,
and 32 bushels per acre. With drought
periods of 2, 4, and 6 weeks duration,
production averaged 81, 55, and 84
per cent of the total yield and 72, 89,
and 16 per cent of the No. 1 yield of
the highest yielding treatment. Early
droughts were not as detrimental as
those later in the season.
(3) CABBAGE. (S. T. Jones and W.
A. Johnson.) - Cabbage irrigated at
0.3, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 atmospheres ten-
sion or 80, 60, 40, and 20 per cent avail-
able moisture produced 14.0, 11.3, 4.9,
and 8.2 tons of cabbage per acre, re-
spectively. Droughts of 4 or 5 weeks
duration resulted in yields of 59 per
cent of the highest yielding treatment.
No effect of time of occurrence of the
drought was noticed.
Study of Environmental Factors as They
Influence Growth and Development of
Lanceleaf Greenbrier, Southern Magnolia.
(1) MAGNOLIA SEED TREATMENTS.
(Henry P. Orr and Troy Keeble.) -
Cleaned seed planted soon after clean-
ing had a higher germination percent-
age than uncleaned seed. There was
no great change in germination count
after stratification at 40'F. for 4 months
in a sand-peat mixture or in vermiculite.
(2) SURVEY OF SEVERAL INDIGENOUS
STANDS OF MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA.
(Henry P. Orr.) - Trees were found
growing in well-drained, moist areas
with soil pH's ranging from 8.7 to 7.6.
Soils from all locations were low in
available nitrates, phosphates, potash,
calcium, and in soluble salts. The per-
centage of organic matter found in the
soils of natural stands varied from 0.18
to 60.5 per cent. The greatest number
of seedlings was found in the soil area
with 60.5 per cent organic matter; how-
ever, seedlings were numerous in soils
with organic content as low as 0.13 per
cent. The tree of best foliage quality
observed was growing in a soil with a
pH of 6.4 and an organic content of
1.85 per cent; however, nearby was a
tree of poor foliage quality growing in
a soil of pH 6.5 and organic content of
1.29 per cent. Seemingly factors other
than pH, macro-nutritional elements,
and organic content are affecting the
growth of Magnolia grandiflora seed-
lings and trees in any chosen area.
Developing and Adjusting Precision
Methods of Growing Pot Plants and Cut
Flowers for Southern Conditions: (1) On-
SERVATION OF FLOWERING OF ORCHID
SPECIES AND VARIETIES AT AUBURN,
ALABAMA. (Henry P. Orr.) - The fol-
lowing orchid plants are being observed
for flowering in the ornamental horti-
culture greenhouses at Auburn: 3 Cat-
tleya species (86 plants), 4 Cattleya
varieties (5 plants), 14 Brassocattleya
varieties (79 plants), 13 Laeliocattleya
varieties (30 plants), and 8 Brassolae-
liocattleya varieties (6 plants). The
flowering range of a particular species
or variety may vary considerably from
year to year; the month of heaviest
flowering usually has remained the
same each year. The number and size
of flowers have varied greatly from
year to year.
(2) USE OF SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUM-
INATION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS SALES.
(Tokuji Furuta and Larry Brown.) -
Quality of poinsettia plants sold at
Christmas was improved by using sup-
plementary illumination beginning Sep-
tember 15. Natural bud initiation oc-
curred from September 
20 to October
1 at Auburn. For highest quality plants
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS
44 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
at Christmas, lights were used from
September 15 to October 10 when the
plants were grown at 60'F. and from
September 15 to October 15 when
grown at 65?F.
Daily use of lights from sundown to
10 p.m. or from midnight to 1 a.m. was
satisfactory. A minimum light intensity
of 2 foot-candles was necessary when
lights were used from sundown to 10
p.m. and a minimum intensity of 4 foot-
candles was necessary for the midnight
lighting to prevent premature budding.
Varieties tested were: Improved Al-
bert Ecke, Albert Ecke, Barbara Ecke,
Indianapolis Red, Ecke's Pink, and
Ecke's White. All varieties responded
similarly.
(3) STUDIES ON THE FLOWERING OF
STEPHANOTIS. (Tokuji Furuta.) - Year-
round flowering of stephanotis was
accomplished by using supplementary
illumination during the period of Sep-
tember to May. Lights were used all
night, but it appears that 16 hours pho-
toperiod is satisfactory.
Use of sodium nitrate resulted in
delayed and reduced flowering when
compared to ammonium sulfate as a
source of nitrogen. Delay in flowering
was correlated with increasing sodium
concentration in the leaf and decreas-
ing Ca/Na and K/Na relationship.
The amount of potassium in the leaf
varied as follows: (a) Increasing rate
of potassium application - 4.21 to 5.94
per cent; (b) increasing rate of am-
monium sulfate application-low po-
tassium application 4.21 to 5.12 per
cent, high potassium application 4.21
to 5.53 to 5.20 per cent; (c) increasing
rate of sodium nitrate application - low
potassium application 4.21 to 4.95 to
4.70 per cent, high potassium applica-
tion 4.21 to 5.36 per cent.
The concentration of sodium in the
leaf varied as follows: (a) Increasing
rate of potassum application only - 0.29
to 0.66 to 0.41 per cent; (b) increasing
rate of ammonium sulfate application
- low potassium application 0.29 to
0.21 to 0.70 per cent, high potassium
application 0.29 to 0.21 to 0.45 per
cent; (c) increasing rate of sodium
nitrate application - low potassium ap-
plication 0.29 to 1.44 per cent, high
potassium application 0.29 to 0.95 to
0.83 per cent.
(8) STUDIES ON GROWTH OF HY-
DRANGEA ROOTs. (Tokuji Furuta.) -
Most rapid root growth occurred when
the root ball was crushed or broken
before dormant plants were potted.
Methods compared were: Bare rooting,
crushing ball, soaking ball in water, and
no treatment.
Use of growth-promoting substances
did not influence root growth in the
concentrations used.
Little correlation was found between
root growth 1 month after potting and
the quality of the final product.
POULTRY HUSBANDRY
Protein and Amino-Acid Requirements
of Laying and Breeding Hens: (1) PRO-
TEIN REQUIREMENT OF LAYING HENS
AS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATUIRE, AGE,
BREED, SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT, AND
RATE OF LAY. (G. R. Ingram and J. E.
Milton.) - Because of a wide variation
in recommendations for the level of
protein needed by laying hens, a study
was made of some factors that might
affect the level required.
Tests of about 8 months duration
have been conducted for 2 consecutive
years using duplicate groups of 50 birds
each in most of the tests. In certain
tests, smaller groups were used. Rations
were calculated to contain 14, 16, and
18 (analyses showed 14.9, 16.8, and 19,
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION44
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
45
respectively) per cent protein, but with
the same productive energy level. A
12 (analyzed 12.9) per cent protein
ration also was included in some tests
the second year.
In two series of tests with pullets in
individual laying cages, the room con-
taining the birds was heated to approxi-
mately 90?F. each day and allowed to
cool to around 70'F. each night. Under
these conditions, an increase in pro-
duction was obtained with an increase
in protein level up to 18 per cent, the
highest level used.
Comparisons were made between 1-
year-old hens and pullets in individual
laying cages. Slightly higher production
was obtained from old birds with 16
and 18 per cent protein rations than
with lower levels. Pullets produced as
well on 14 per cent protein as on higher
levels. The 12 per cent ration proved
inadequate.
In one test with heavy crossbred pul-
lets, better production was obtained
with the higher levels of protein. With
White Plymouth Rock pullets, produc-
tion was as good on the 14 per cent
ration as on higher levels.
In comparisons between pullets in
floor flocks and pullets in cages, no in-
dication of higher protein requirements
for caged birds was obtained.
With one or two exceptions feed
conversion was somewhat in favor of
the 16 and 18 per cent protein rations.
Egg size increased with increasing pro-
tein levels.
(2) TIIYPTOPHAN, LysiNE, AND
METHIONINE REQUIREMENTS OF LAYING
HENS. (G. R. Ingram and P. L. Little.)
- Studies have been made to more ac-
curately determine the tryptophan, ly-
sine, and methionine requirements of
the laying hen.
Using a corn-corn gluten meal-gelatin
ration, the L-tryptophan requirement of
hens has been shown to be approxi-
mately 0.142 per cent of the ration.
With a ration similar to the one used
in the tryptophan studies, the require-
ment for L-lysine was shown to e ap-
proximately 0.488 per cent of the ra-
tion.
Using a wheat-peanut meal ration,
additions of methionine above 0.225
per cent of the ration failed to increase
egg production. The hen required 0.25
per cent methionine to maintain egg
size and 0.32 per cent to maintain body
weight.
Effect of Light on Growth of Broiler
Chickens. (Claude H. Moore.)- Broiler-
type birds have been grown from 1 day
to 8 weeks of age with exposures of 6,
12, 18, and 24 hours of total light per
day. The first three treatments were
applied in different intervals ranging
from 1 to 8 periods per day. Other
groups were grown with different com-
binations of these treatments being
used with change in age. One foot-
candle of incandescent light was used
for all treatments.
In 3 tests, 20 males and 20 females
were used in each of 16 treatments,
each treatment having 3 replications.
Four subsequent tests have been com-
pleted using eight light treatments.
Twenty males and 20 females were
used per group with 2 groups per treat-
ment in each of these tests. Weights
were taken individually at 2-week in-
tervals in all tests. A sample of males
and females was sacrificed from each
pen at each weighing for gonad
weights. Feed consumption was tabu-
lated in all tests.
These data reveal that broiler chicks
up to 3 or 4 weeks of age grow faster
with continuous light or that approach-
ing continuous lighting. Less light is
needed as they near 8 weeks. Better
growth also was obtained when light
was applied in 4 or 6 periods per day
instead of 1 period. Data from groups
where light was varied with age have
not revealed a satisfactory method of
reducing light with 
increased age while
maintaining increased growth rate.
Feed efficiency has been slightly better
66th 'and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS
45
46 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
for those birds receiving less light
throughout the growth period.
Helminth Studies: (1) HOST PREFER-
ENCE. (S. A. Edgar, J. A. Frazier, and
C. Flanagan.) - Ninety-seven per cent
of 42 chickens inoculated with embry-
onated Ascaridia galli eggs were in-
fected and averaged 18.8 worms per
bird as compared with only 48 per cent
of 42 turkeys with an average of 3.9
worms. Of 42 chickens inoculated with
A. dissimilis eggs, only 4.8 per cent
harbored 1 male worm each as com-
pared with a 95 per cent infection with
an average of 27.8 worms per bird
among 42 turkeys. A. galli developed
to maturity in the chicken and a few
worms developed to maturity in the
turkey. A. dissimilis developed to ma-
turity in the turkey, but none developed
to maturity in the chicken. Growth of
A. galli and A. dissimilis were retarded
in turkeys and 
chickens, respectively.
Aside from a slight difference in ar-
rangement of anal papillae on males of
the two species of worms, no other
morphologic differences were noted.
Evidence indicated that A. galli and
A. dissimilis are separate and valid
species.
(2) AFFECT OF Ascaridia INFEC-
TIONS ON GROWTH. (S. A. Edgar, J. A.
Frazier, and C. Flanagan.) - In three
experiments, growth of chickens in-
fected with A. galli and turkeys infected
with A. dissimilis was retarded begin-
ning 2 to 3 weeks after inoculation. The
maximum effect usually was reached by
4 to 5 weeks after inoculation. From
then on the growth of infected birds
paralleled that of non-infected controls.
(3) THERAPY STUDIES. (S. A. Edgar,
J. A. Frazier, and C. Flanagan.) - Re-
sults of experiments indicate that piper-
azine and several of its salts were ef-
fective in causing 95 per cent or greater
elimination of A. dissimilis from the
turkey and A. galli from the chicken.
Worm elimination following drug ad-
ministration via the feed was as great
as when given in the drinking water
provided the level given in the feed
was twice that in the water. Two to 4
hour water or feed starvation prior to
drug administration resulted in greater
elimination than when birds were not
starved. One hundred mg. of pure
piperazine per adult chicken and 200
mg. per adult broadbreasted bronze
turkey resulted in 95 to 100 per cent
elimination of mature worms and 50
per cent or greater elimination of
larvae.
(4) LOCATION OF A. galli AND A. dis-
similis IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACTS OF
CHICKENS AND TRKEYS. (S. A. Edgar,
C. Flanagan and J. A. Frazier.) Several
experiments revealed that more than
70 per cent of A. galli and A. dissimilis
were in the region of the yolk sac di-
verticulum between the 9th and 21st
day of infections. As the age of infec-
tion increases, some worms move an-
teriorly and live permanently in the
anterior third of the small intestine. By
60 to 70 days, 80 to 90 per cent of an
infection was eliminated naturally.
That there is a tissue phase for A.
galli has been verified, but never more
than 10 per cent of the total larvae load
was in the wall of the gut during 7-
to 20-day-old infections.
Breeding and Immunizing Chickens for
Resistance to Coccidiosis: (1) IMMUNIZ-
ING PHASE. (S. A. Edgar, C. Flanagan,
and J. Hwang) - A. Vaccine. A practi-
cal method of immunizing chickens
against cecal and four species of in-
testinal coccidiosis has been developed.
The procedure and inoculum for im-
munization are essentially the same as
that reported in 1954 except for the
addition of Eimeria maxima to a layer
type vaccine. Two types of vaccine are
being marketed for chickens. One for
broilers contains 8 species of coccidia
and one for layers contains 5 species.
46 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
47
Birds inoculated at 8 days of age re-
sisted challenge to all species in re-
spective inocula at 28 days of age.
Additional experiments have revealed
that inoculated chickens usually de-
velop solid immunity to 3 or 5 types of
coccidiosis by 4 weeks of age even
when fed continuously prophylactic
levels of certain coccidiostatic drugs.
Drugs and levels in the feed found to be
compatible with immunization include
0.0125 per cent nitrophenide, 0.0125
per cent sulfaquinoxaline, 0.00325 per
cent 2-sulfanilamido-6-chloropyrazine,
0.0055 per cent nitrofurazone, Bifuran
at the rate of pound per ton of feed
and Trithiadol or Polystat at 2 pounds
per ton. Inoculated chicks fed 0.0125
per cent Nicarbazin were usually still
highly susceptible to 3 or more types of
coccidiosis at 12 or 16 weeks of age.
By the addition of a suspending agent,
coccidiosis vaccine can be administered
in drinking water as well as in feed.
There was no mortality from cocci-
diosis among experimental birds inocu-
lated with 3 to 5 species of coccidia at
3 days of age via the water or feed and
fed continuously one of the mentioned
drugs from 1 day of age through 4 or
8 weeks. In general an economic saving
of 0.1 to 0.8 cents per bird can be
realized by this method of coccidiosis
control when compared with continu-
ous feeding of one of the commercial
coccidiostatic drugs as generally prac-
ticed in the broiler industry.
B. Immunity to E. brunetti. Several
experiments revealed that chickens de-
veloped immunity against E. brunetti
infection safely and as promptly as
they do to other types of coccidiosis.
Turkeys develop prompt immunity to
E. adenoeides and E. meleagrimitis.
(8) RELATED ASPECTS. (S. A. Ed-
gar, C. Flanagan, and C. Thomas.) -
A. Chemotherapy Studies. Experiments
comparing the efficacy of several coc-
cidiostatic drugs for control of one or
more types of coccidiosis revealed that
2-sulfanilamido-6-chloropyrazine exhib-
ited 2 to 4 times the activity against
E. tenella and E. necatrix infections as
did sulfaquinoxaline. Furazolidone at
the rate of 75 gm. per ton of feed
was highly effective against E. necatrix
infections. Trithiadol was effective
against E. tenella, E. necatrix, and E.
maxima infections in chickens. None of
the three drugs was as effective against
two types of turkey coccidiosis as was
sulfaquinoxaline.
B. Age Resistance. Non-exposed tur-
keys were still highly susceptible to
E. adenoeides infection at 3 months of
age. Non-lethal infections retarded
growth an average of more than 1
pound per bird.
Transmission of Diseases of Chickens
by Mosquitos. (S. A. Edgar and C.
Thomas.) - In a series of experiments,
all attempts to transmit lymphomatosis
(visceral and neural types), fowl ty-
phoid, and pullorum disease by mos-
quito were unsuccessful.
Effect of Fowl Pox on Growing Chickens
and Duration of Immunity. (S. A. Edgar
and Dwight S. Bond.) - A commercial,
fowl-pox vaccine used on chickens from
1 day to 8 weeks old caused a slight,
but not significant, depression of
growth. In contrast, a less attenuated
strain of virus caused a significant de-
pression of growth in birds vaccinated
at 2 weeks or older. Immunity to the
less attenuated strain of virus was of
longer duration than that to 
the com-
mercial vaccine. Chickens challenged
at 1, 2, 8, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 days after
vaccination with commercial vaccine
had partial protection against lesion
formation by 4 days and full protection
by 6 days. A large lesion formed from
multiple stabs of a %/-inch square area
caused greater weight loss without in-
creased immunity than a single stab in
the wing web with a double needle.
Growth of S. C. White Leghorns was
retarded more than that of White Plym-
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 47
48 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
outh Rocks or New Hampshires. There
was no difference in susceptibility be-
tween sexes.
In the absence of re-exposure, chick-
ens vaccinated at 2 weeks of age had
longer lasting immunity than those vac-
cinated day-old. Not all birds vacci-
nated as late as 12 or 16 weeks of age
were fully protected 90 and 120 days
later. Chicks can be vaccinated safely
at 1 day of age. Management practices
and environmental conditions have a
bearing on immunity of flocks under
commercial conditions.
ZOOLOGY-ENTOMOLOGY
Control of Cotton Insects. (F. S. Arant,
R. L. Robertson, G. F. Burkhalter, and
R. H. Mount.) - Laboratory and field
experiments were conducted to deter-
mine susceptibility and resistance of
cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover,
and boll weevil, Anthonomous grandis
Boh., to certain chlorinated hydrocar-
bon insecticides. All BHC dusts con-
taining 3 per cent gamma isomer were
effective in controlling cotton aphid in
one field in Autauga County and inef-
fective in another field. There was no
difference in dusts formulated from
BHC with high (40 per cent) and low
(15.1 per cent) gamma isomer content
and from lindane. All gamma isomer
formulations of BHC and lindane were
highly effective as sprays against a lo-
cal strain of aphids in the laboratory
at Auburn. It was found that first-instar
nymphs were significantly more sus-
ceptible than intermediate nymphs or
adults. The cotton aphid appeared to
be resistant to BHC in one of the areas
where studies were made.
Toxaphene, endrin, and Guthion were
applied topically to 2-day-old boll wee-
vils reared from squares collected from
Fairhope, Courtland, Lowndesboro,
Frisco City, and Auburn. Dosages of
toxaphene required to kill weevils from
the 5 localities were calculated as fol-
lows: For LD-20 - Fairhope 0.6 tg.
per gm. of insect, Courtland 9.0, Frisco
City 75.0, Lowndesboro 85.0, Auburn
95.0; for the LD-50 - Fairhope 65.0,
Courtland 85.0, Frisco City 100.0,
Lowndesboro 850.0, Auburn 250.0; for
LD-80-Fairhope 450.0, Courtland
450.0, Frisco City 450.0, Lowndesboro
800.0, Auburn 700.0 [tg. per gm. of
insect. There was no evidence of acute
resistance of boll weevil to toxaphene.
Thimet and Di-syston applied to cot-
ton seed or in the drill controlled thrips
and fleahoppers for several weeks after
application. However, the seed treat-
ments caused a reduction in the stand
of cotton and in a few instances a re-
duction in yield.
Several insecticides gave excellent
control of boll weevil and resulted in
increased yields of approximately 1/z
bale per acre above that on the check
plots. Toxaphene, endrin, and Guthion
applied at twice the normal rate at 8-
day intervals were about as effective as
the same materials applied at the nor-
mal rate at 4-day intervals. Malathion
at the rate of 1.5 pounds per acre gave
satisfactory control of boll weevil. Two
applications of heptachlor granules plus
4 dustings with heptachlor-DDT mix-
ture were about as effective as 18 ap-
plications of a standard insecticide for
boll weevil control.
Control of Animal Ectoporasites with
Systemic Insecticides. (T. R. Adkins, Jr.,
and F. S. Arant.) - Replicated experi-
ments were conducted to determine
dosage response of Dipterex to fifth-
instar nymphs of the bed bug, Cimex
lectularius L., and nymphs of the Gulf
Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION48
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 49
Koch, which fed on rabbits dosed orally
with the chemical.
Mortalities of bed bugs after feeding
were: On rabbits receiving 10 mg./kg.
of body weight, 36.3 per cent mortality;
20 mg./kg., 74.5 per cent; 30 mg./kg.,
83.9 per cent; and 40 mg./kg., 97.8
per cent. None died on rabbits that
were not dosed.
Mortalities of ticks were: On rabbits
receiving 25 mg./kg. of body weight,
25.2 per cent mortality; 50 mg./kg.,
88.3 per cent; 75 mg./kg., 95.5 per
cent; and 100 mg./kg. 100 per cent.
There were no deaths of ticks on rab-
bits that were not dosed. Dipterex given
to rabbits 1 to 2 hours before the bugs
fed killed 50 per cent of the bed bugs
at a dosage level of 14.0 mg./kg. The
LD-50 to the ticks through the rabbit
was calculated to be 36.0 mg./kg. body
weight of rabbit.
Control of Insect Pests of Vegetable and
Truck Crops: (1) CONTROL OF APHIDS
ON TURNIPS. (W. G. Eden.) - Experi-
ments were conducted at Ashford in
1955 on control of a root aphid (com-
monly known as the poplar stem gall
aphid, Pemphigus populitransversus
Riley) and the turnip leaf aphid, Rho-
palosiphum pseudobrassicae on turnips.
Weekly applications of 2 per cent para-
thion dust or 0.5 pound of parathion
per 100 gallons of emulsion spray were
highly effective in control of the leaf
aphid. Two sprays at a 2-week interval
of 0.25 pound demeton per acre were
also highly effective on the leaf aphid.
The parathion and demeton treatments
were also effective in reducing the
number of root aphids. The yields of
turnip tops were increased 4 times and
the root yields about 3 times as a re-
sult of using the insecticides. The deme-
ton sprays were applied on January 26
and February 9. On March 10 the roots
contained 0.7 p.p.m. of demeton and
the tops contained 7.2 p.p.m. On March
31 there was no demeton in the roots
and only 2.7 p.p.m. in the tops.
(2) CONTROL OF SOIL INSECTS OF
IRISH POTATOES. (W. G. Eden.) - Re-
search was conducted in Baldwin
County in 1955 and 1956 on control of
the Gulf wireworm, Conoderus ampli-
collis (Gyll.), and the imported fire ant,
Solenopsis saevissima richteri Forel, in
Irish potatoes. Broadcast spray treat-
ments of 2 pounds of aldrin, dieldrin,
or heptachlor or 4 pounds of chlordane
per acre were all highly effective in
controlling wireworms and fire ants.
The treatments were also effective the
second year.
(3) CONTROL OF CORN BORER ON
PIMENTO PEPPER. (W. G. Eden.) -
Experiments on control of the European
corn borer, Pyrausta nubilalis (Hbn.),
on pimento pepper were conducted at
Cullman and Crossville in 1955 and
1956. Weekly applications of 20 per
cent toxaphene or 10 per cent DDT
dust significantly reduced the percent-
ages of pods infested with corn borers.
Equivalent amounts of sprays of toxa-
phene and DDT, as well as 0.875
pounds of endrin per acre, were also
effective. Cooperative research with
FDA showed that no DDT residue was
found in the canned pimento even
when applied at twice the recom-
mended rate.
(4) CONTROL OF COWPEA CURCULIO
OF PEAS. (G. H. Blake, Jr., and W. G.
Eden) - In an experiment at Ashford
several insecticides were tested for con-
trol of the cowpea curculio, Chalco-
dernms aeneus Boh., on crowder peas.
Larval emergence from peas was sig-
nificantly reduced by dust applications
of 2 per cent endrin, 2% per cent hep-
tachlor, 5 per cent Thiodan, 20 per cent
toxaphene, 21/2 per cent Guthion, and
4 per cent malathion. Reductions in
infestations from plots treated with en-
drin, heptachlor, Thiodan, and toxa-
phene were highly significant.
(5) CONTROL OF MEXICAN BEAN
BEETLE. (G. H. Blake, Jr., and W. G.
50 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Eden.) - An experiment on control of
the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna
varivestis Muls., on pole beans was con-
ducted at the North Alabama Horticul-
ture Substation, Cullman. Bean beetle
counts throughout the season revealed
that 4 per cent malathion, 5 per cent
Thiodan, and 20 per cent toxaphene
were more effective for bean beetle
control than 1 per cent rotenone. Ro-
tenone, however, caused significant re-
ductions in beetle numbers as compared
to the non-treated plots.
(6) CONTROL OF MELONWORMS AND
PICKLEWORMS ON CANTALOUPES. (G.
H. Blake, Jr., and W. G. Eden.) -
Eight insecticides were tested at Cull-
man for control of melonworms and
pickleworms on fall cantaloupes. Of
these insecticides parathion, lindane,
Dylox, Guthion, and Thiodan appeared
to be effective. Results of the experi-
ment were inconclusive because of ad-
verse weather conditions, that caused
low yields of cantaloupes.
(7) CONTROL OF SwEETPOTATO
WEEVIL. (G. H. Blake, Jr. and W. G.
Eden.) - Experiments on control of the
sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius
elegantulus (Sum.), were conducted at
the Gulf Coast Substation. Even though
heavily infested potatoes were used in
the potato bed and scattered through-
out the experimental area, the weevil
infestation was too low to evaluate the
control measures.
Control of Insect Pests Attacking Corn
and Grain Sorghum. (W. G. Eden.) -
Experiments were conducted in 1955
and 1956 on control of the corn ear-
worm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), in sweet
corn. Results revealed that length of
interval between DDT sprays for ear-
worm control was highly significant and
that a close-interval spray program was
more important during the first part of
the protection period than during the
latter part. In experiments where a con-
stant spray interval was maintained,
intervals of less than 3 days between
sprays resulted in best control of ear-
worm. Flat fan nozzles were superior
to hollow cones. Spray programs begun
the first day after the first silks ap-
peared were superior to those begun
later. Irrigation, rate of nitrogen ferti-
lization, and spacing had no effects on
extent of damage by the earworm in
sweet corn.
Results of experiments on the Euro-
pean corn borer, Pyrausta nubilalis
(Hbn.), on Sand Mountain showed
that the insect had three complete gen-
erations in 1955 and 1956. Four species
of corn borer parasites were released
and apparently became established in
1956. They were Chelonus annulipes
Wesm., Macrocentrus gifuensis Ashm.,
Lydella grisescens R. D., and Horo-
genes punctorius (Roman).
Corn varieties found to be most re-
sistant to stored grain insects, primarily
the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryza (L.),
and the Angoumois grain moth, Sito-
troga cerealella (Oliv.), at harvest were
Louisiana 521, North Carolina 27,
Coker 811, Woods S-211, Pfister 655,
McCurdy 1002B, Dixie 33, and Dixie
18.
Control of Insect Pests of Legumes: (1)
IMPORTED FIRE ANT. (G. H. Blake, Jr.,
and W. G. Eden.) - A continuation of
experiments on control of the imported
fire ant, Solenopsis saevissinma richteri
Forel, at the Black Belt Substation re-
vealed that 2 pounds of dieldrin and
heptachlor or 4 pounds of chlordane
per acre was effective for 3 years. In
one unreplicated experiment, dieldrin
has been effective for 4 years. In an-
other experiment 2 pounds of hepta-
chlor per acre in fertilizer mixture has
been effective for 2 years, while lower
rates of heptachlor and dieldrin were
ineffective after the same period.
(2) CONTROL OF ARMYWORMS. (G.
H. Blake, Jr.,) - Experiments on con-
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 51
trol of armyworms were conducted in
1955 at three locations. Two experi-
ments were on control of the army-
worm Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.).
Dusts applied at rates to give 2 pounds
of DDT, 0.50 pound of dieldrin, 0.25
or 0.50 pound of endrin, or 4 pounds
of toxaphene effectively controlled
armyworms. Granules of the materials
were much less effective. A single ex-
periment on control of the fall army-
worm, Laphygma frugiperda (J. E.
Smith), with insecticidal sprays was
conducted at the Wiregrass Substation.
The following treatments resulted in a
mortality of armyworms of greater than
90 per cent: 0.50 pound dieldrin, 0.25
and 0.50 pound endrin, 2 pounds DDT,
and 4 pounds of toxaphene.
(3) PEA APHID CONTROL. (G. H.
Blake, Jr.) - Several phosphorus-con-
taining insecticides were tested for con-
trol of the pea aphid, Macrosiphum pisi
(Kltb.) on Caley peas. Several of the
materials, AC528, demeton, Diazinon,
Dylox, and malathion, compared favor-
ably with parathion. All resulted in
yield increases of more than 100 pounds
of peas per acre over check.
(4) CLOVER HEAD WEEVIL CON-
TROL. (G. H. Blake, Jr.) - Clover head
weevils, Hypera meles and H. nigriros-
tris (F.), caused considerable damage
to white clover in 1956. Experiments
revealed that dusts of 3 per cent BHC,
1% per cent dieldrin, or 21/ per cent
heptachlor were highly effective for
control of the pests.
(5) TOXICITY OF INSECTICIDES TO
LIVESTOCK GRAZING ON TREATED PAS-
TURES. (G. H. Blake, Jr.) - Experi-
ments to determine toxicity of DDT,
methoxychlor, and toxaphene to sheep
and cattle grazing on treated pastures
were concluded in 1955. Residues of
the insecticides persisted on the forage
for at least 40 days after treatment.
The insecticidal residues were high in
the fatty tissues of animals placed on
pastures treated with recommended
rates of the insecticides; however, the
residues disappeared from the animals
when they were placed on an untreated
pasture for 4 weeks. Toxaphene at 21
times the recommended rate (10
pounds per acre) caused death of all
animals placed on the pasture immedi-
ately after treatment. Residues were
highest following spray applications,
considerably lower from dust applica-
tions, and quite low following applica-
tion of insecticides in granular formu-
lation.
Control of Insects of Ornamental Plants.
(L. L. Hyche and R. H. Mount.) Con-
tinuation of experiments on control of
insect pests of ornamental plants at the
Ornamental Horticulture Field Station,
Spring Hill, revealed that Thimet at 1
and 2 pints of 48 per cent emulsifiable
concentrate per 100 gallons of water
was equal in effectiveness to demeton
for control of tea scale, Fiarinia theae
Green, on camellias and Burford holly
and of camellia scale, Lepidosaphes
camellia Hoke, on camellias. Both soil
and foliage applications were effective.
Ferttox exhibited no systemic activity
and failed to reduce infestations of tea
and camellia scale.
A new and possibly undescribed
species of mite belonging to the genus
Phyllocoptes was discovered damaging
Magnolia grandiflora and M. soulan-
geana. Spray applications of malathion,
demeton, Thimet, or AC-528 effectively
controlled the mite.
Insecticide phytotoxicity tests with
BHC and lindane showed that wettable
powder suspensions of both compounds
were phytotoxic to the azalea variety
Hinodegari at rates of 0.12 to 0.36
pounds gamma isomer per 100 gallons
of water. Neither compound at these
rates produced phytotoxic symptoms on
pyracantha or the azalea variety For-
mosa.
52 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Control of Peanut Insects. (L. L. Hyche
and R. H. Mount.) - Experiments were
conducted in southeastern Alabama on
control of soil and foliage insect pests
of peanuts. Systemic insecticides, Thi-
met at 1, 2.5 and 5 pounds technical
per acre and Bayer 19639 at 2.5 and
5 pounds technical per acre, applied
in the row at planting time significantly
controlled thrips, Frankliniella fusca
(Hinds). Subsequent yield increases
ranged from 204 to 617 pounds of pea-
nuts per acre. One application of 10
per cent DDT, 2 per cent endrin, 5 per
cent Guthion, or 20 per cent toxaphene
was highly effective in reducing infesta-
tions of the red-necked peanutworm,
Stegasta bosqueella Chamb. Infestations
of wireworms, Conoderus sp., attacking
seed and seedlings 
were substantially
reduced by soil treatment using 2
pounds technical per acre of aldrin,
dieldrin, heptachlor, or lindane. Seed
treatment with heptachlor or aldrin
wettable powder was also somewhat
effective.
Toxicology of Insecticides: (1) INVES-
TIGATIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF
RESISTANCE TO CHEMICALS BY THE
HOUSE FLY. (B. L. Owen and W. G.
Eden) - Research was begun in 1956
on nature of resistance of the house fly
to chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides.
Methods for developing resistant strains
by mixing insecticides with the larval
medium have been developed. The
LD-50's of a basic non-resistant strain
of house flies have been established as
follows: DDT, 0.38 jg. per fly; endrin,
1.07; TDE, 1.97; and dieldrin, 43.00.
(2) CONTROL OF HOUSE FLIES IN
BARNS. (B. L. Owen and W. G. Eden)
-Hog barns were sprayed with 2.5
per cent emulsion and wettable powder
suspension sprays of malathion, 1.0 per
cent emulsion and wettable powder
suspension sprays of Chlorthion, and
1.0 and 2.0 per cent wettable powder
sprays of Dipterex. The fly populations
were greatly reduced within 24 hours
after treatment, not only in the treated
stalls but also in the untreated ones.
This indicated that flies in untreated
stalls migrated to treated stalls and were
killed by the insecticides. All treatments
were killing flies 8 days after applica-
tion. The treatment with Chlorthion
emulsion spray continued to kill flies
for 42 days.
Control of Livestock Pests. (George H.
Blake, Jr.)- An experiment was con-
ducted at the Black Belt Substation in
1955 to control flies on dairy cattle.
One gallon of a spray concentrate con-
taining 0.5 per cent pyrethrins and 5
per cent piperonyl butoxide applied
twice a week from a treadle sprayer ef-
fectively controlled barn, stable, and
house flies on 24 cows for a period of
more than 3 months.
Farm Ponds. (H. S. Swingle, E. E.
Prather, J. M. Lawrence, J. S. Dendy,
and Ray Allison) - In a 4-year-old
pond stocked with 10 species of pond-
fishes, the percentages by weights of
total catch of the principal species were:
bluegills 50.4, red cats 39.8, largemouth
bass 4.8, and shellcrackers 2.4. Black
crappie and warmouth contributed less
than 1 per cent, while smallmouth bass,
chain pickerel, and round fliers con-
tributed nothing.
Channel catfish stocked at 1,000 to
2,000 per acre and fed a dry mixed
feed produced 700 to 1,300 pounds fish
per acre. Red cats stocked at 3,000 and
4,000 per acre and fed produced 850
to 900 pounds per acre. The cost of
feed and fertilizer varied from 11.6 to
20.7 cents per pound of fish produced,
depending upon the rates of feeding.
A mixture of 35 per cent soybean
meal, 85 per cent peanut meal, 15 per
cent fish meal, and 15 per cent distillers
dried solubles was found to be efficient
for supplemental feeding of fish. This
mixture, designated as Auburn No. 1
fish feed, was fed daily at rates varying
from 1 to 5 per cent of body weight.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 
53
Survival of fatheads in winter hold-
ing ponds averaged 60 per cent when
the fish were fed a peanut meal-fish
meal dry food, whereas 82 per cent sur-
vived when fed the Auburn No. 1 fish
feed. The conversion factor for the
former was 3.2 and for the latter 2.8.
Diesel fuel used as a carrier for 2,4-D
weed spray around pond edges caused
undesirable flavors in bluegills.
The Israelian strain of mirrow carp
and an Asiatic pond fish, Tilapia mos-
sambica, appeared promising for con-
trol of filamentous algae in ponds.
Potassium permanganate proved ef-
fective in counteracting toxicity of ro-
tenone during marginal and sectional
poisoning.
Survey of the Parasites of Pondfishes in
Alabama and Their Control. (Ray Allison)
- A tin compound, di-n-butyl tin oxide,
was found to be an effective anthelmin-
thic against the fish tapeworm, Corol-
lobothrium sp., and the intestinal fluke,
Alloglossidium sp., when administered
in the food at the rate of 250 mg. per
kg. of body weight.
Formalin and potassium permangan-
ate at concentrations of 15 and 4
p.p.m., respectively, were found to be
effective anthelminthics for treating
parasitized fish in ponds. Gyrodactylus
sp. and Tricodina sp. were effectively
controlled.
Chemical Control of Weeds in Ponds.
(J. M. Lawrence) - A series of ponds
stocked with bluegills received the fol-
lowing sodium arsenite treatments: 2
applications of 4 p.p.m. As20
3 
1 month
apart, and 2 applications of 8 p.p.m.
As20
3 
1 month apart. In the ponds re-
ceiving 2 applications of 4 p.p.m.
As20
3
, the bottom organism production
was reduced 84 per cent and bluegill
production was reduced 42 per cent.
In the ponds receiving 8 
p.p.m. AS20g
3
,
the bottom organism production was re-
duced 59 per cent as the bluegill pro-
duction was reduced 65 per cent.
One application of sodium arsenite
at the rate of 4 p.p.m. As
2
O0 to ponds
that had received the previous year
either 8 or 16 p.p.m. As20
3 
materially
reduced bluegill production in a 5-
month test period. The reduction in
fish production was primarily accounted
for by absence of small fish. Less re-
duction in subsequent fish crops re-
sulted where arsenic-treated ponds were
flooded and drained several times be-
fore restocking.
A mixture of equal parts of 10 per
cent Roccal and Delrad 50-S produced
a better kill of Pithophora than Delrad
alone, and its effect was usually of
longer duration (2 to 4 weeks).
Borascu, at a concentration of 
5
p.p.m. boric acid, showed promise 
as
an inhibitor of growth of certain forms
of filamentous algae.
An application of copper sulfate at
the rate of 1 pound per surface 
acre
successfully controlled Microcystis in
ponds.
Ecology and Management Studies of the
Bobwhite Quail. (Arnold 0. Haugen and
Dan W. Speake.) - Examination of
crop contents of 78 bobwhites from the
Piedmont Substation revealed that Les-
pedeza bicolor ranked first as food by
occurrence and volume. Corn was sec-
ond in importance. Partridge peas and
beggar-weeds were also of considerable
importance.
Artificial quail feeders were tested at
Flint Creek Island near Decatur. The
feeders failed to increase quail on parts
of the area where the birds were al-
ready established. Feeders also failed
to re-establish coveys on areas once
occupied by quail but with reduced
and inadequate quail food and cover.
The recent carrying capacity of Flint
Creek Island is about one quail per 9
or 10 acres. Feeders did not change
this. The December 1955 population
of 75 birds, in which year no feeding
was done, was just as large as the aver-
age fall population in the 3 previous
years when feed was provided. It is
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS
53
54 ALABAMA 
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
recognized that feeders may have some
value to quail in sections of Alabama
where quail cover is adequate but foods
are scarce.
Statewide Bobwhite Productivity Study.
(Arnold O. Haugen and Dan W.
Speake.) - Productivity of the bob-
white in 1955 and 1956 was determined
from 19,707 quail wings submitted by
cooperating sportsmen throughout the
State. The sample indicated that the
quail population consisted of 80.2 per
cent young in 1956 as compared with
83.5 per cent young in 1955. This slight
decrease in percentage indicates that
on a per-hen basis there were almost
two chicks fewer per brood in 1956.
An abundant breeding population car-
ried over into the spring of 1956
seemed to compensate for the decrease
in number of chicks per hen.
Waterfowl Use of Creeks, Beaver
Swamps, and Small Impoundments in Lee
County, Alabama. (Dan W. Speake.)-
Studies on eight sample areas of small
impoundments, swamps, and creeks in
Lee County, Alabama, between Octo-
ber 1953, and January 1955, indicated
a relative abundance of the more im-
portant waterfowl as follows: (1) ring-
necked duck, (2) mallard, (3) wood
duck, (4) coot, and (5) scaup. Ducks
in general showed a fall migration peak
during the first half of November in
1953 and in the latter part of the month
in 1954.
Several species of ducks exhibited a
definite habitat preference. On small
impoundments ring-necked ducks pre-
dominated, on creeks mallards were
most abundant, and on a beaver swamp
wood ducks outnumbered all others.
Although 19 species of waterfowl
were observed on the sample areas,
only the wood duck was a summer resi-
dent. Five broods, four of which prob-
ably hatched between April 1 and May
7 were observed.
It was concluded that 
the first and
most important step in future water-
fowl management in central Alabama
would be to improve the quality of
existing wetlands.
Food Habits of the Bobcat in Alabama.
(James R. Davis.)-Contents from
stomachs of 145 bobcats collected be-
tween 1947 and 1954 were examined.
Rabbits provided 65.1 per cent of
the food for bobcats during the year.
Rabbit was the main food for the cat
in every month of the year.
Deer provided 14.5 per cent of the
food. Deer are eaten mostly in January
and February. No deer meat was found
in bobcats' stomachs from May through
August. Most of the deer eaten by the
bobcat may consist of dead or wounded
animals, since this food item was usually
consumed during and following the
hunting season.
Wild turkey was found in only one
stomach. Quail was found in two stom-
achs and made up less than 2 per cent
of the diet. Domestic chickens were
found in three stomachs, for a total
percentage of 3.5. Remains of one mal-
lard duck, several song birds, and one
hawk were found. Squirrels made up
4.3 per cent of the bobcats' food and
were eaten most frequently in Decem-
ber, January, and February. Rodents,
including rats and mice, amounted to
5 per cent of the diet. They were eaten
in greatest numbers from June through
August. Raccoons and opossums con-
stituted 4.8 per cent of the diet.
Denning, Breeding, and Range of Ac-
tivity of Foxes in Alabama. (Edward G.
Sullivan.) - Reproduction, denning,
range, and weights of Alabama gray
and red foxes were studied. Evidence
indicates that the peak of the gray fox
mating season is reached in February.
The male gray fox is fertile from mid-
November to mid-April. The average
litter size for gray foxes is 3.8, with a
variation from 1 to 5 young per litter.
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION54
55
Gray fox dens were found in slab piles,
hollow logs, under rocks, and in the
ground. All dens were within 1/4 mile
of water. Returns of three tagged gray
foxes, one of which was twice retaken,
showed distances of capture site of 1/4,
2, 1, and 41/2 miles. The average
weights of gray foxes were: males 8.2
pounds and females 7.8 pounds. The
heaviest fox handled was a male weigh-
ing 11.2 pounds.
It appears that gray and red foxes
can be classified dependably as adults
or as young of the year through No-
vember by means of X-rays of the
distal epiphyses of the radius and ulna.
Some young foxes were distinguishable
through most of December. This indi-
cated that ossification is completed in
foxes between 8 and 9 months of age.
Population and Life History Studies of
the Cottontail Rabbit. (Edward Majors.)
- Results of studies show that the aver-
age cottontail litter size was 3.1 young
and the breeding season extending from
January to September. There 
was an
annual turnover of 75 per cent in the
population studied. A sex ratio of 93.3
males per 100 females was found.
Land bordering improved pasture
maintained a higher cottontail popula-
tion than similar land adjacent to idle
fields. Where cattle were allowed to
destroy woody cover next to an im-
proved pasture, the cottontails declined
but recovered after the cattle were re-
moved. Abandoned land studied was
found to harbor a population of 12.8
cottontails per 100 acres in February.
A farm woodlot was found to have a
maximum population of 24 cottontails
per 100 acres in December. This is still
only about half the population of 51.8
cottontails per 100 acres flushed from
an idle field when it was burned.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS
56 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
PUBLICATIONS
Experiment Station Bulletins
No. 293 Production Practices of Commercial Egg Producers. H. A. HENDERSON
and J. H. BLACKSTONE. 1955.
No. 294 Merchandising Dairy Products in Alabama Retail Food Stores. E. K.
KIRWOOD and J. H. BLACKSTONE. 1955.
No. 295 Seasonal Variations in Prices Received by Alabama Farmers. MORRIS
WmTE and J. H. YEAGER. 1955.
No. 296 Economics of Pastures in Feeding Systems for Dairy Cows. WADE F.
GREGORY. 1955.
No. 297 Production and Marketing of Cage-Laid Eggs in Alabama. C. K.
LAURENT. 1955.
No. 298 Price Differentials for Slaughter Hogs in Alabama. MoRRIs WHITE.
1955.
No. 299 Photographic Determination of Pulpwood Volume in Rick-Piled Stor-
age Yards. EVERT W. JOHNSON. 1956.
No. 300 Alfalfa Production in Alabama. D. G. STURKE. 1956.
No. 301 Response of Crops to Lime in Alabama. FRED ADAMS. 1956.
No. 302 Fertility Requirements of Runner Peanuts in Southeastern Alabama.
C. E. SCARSBROOK and J. T. COPE, JR. 1956.
No. 303 Rental Arrangements in Alabama's Piedmont. JOHN L. SNARE. 1956.
Experiment Station Circulars
No. 117 Storing and Harvesting Silage. J. L. BUTT. 1956.
Experiment Station Leaflets
No. 46 Control of Leaf Spot and Strawberry Weevil on Trailing Blackberries.
U. L. DIENER, W. G. EDEN, and C. C. CARLTON. 1955.
No. 47 A Comparison of Protein Supplements in the Wintering Ration of Beef
Steers. W. B. KELLEY, L. A. SMITH, and C. M. MARTIN. 1955.
No. 48 Peach Varieties for Alabama. T. B. HAGLER and W. A. JOHNSON. 1955.
No. 49 Results of Hay Crushing Tests. J. L. BUTT, W. B. KELLEY, C. M.
MARTIN, and L. A. Smrni. 1956.
No. 50 Control of Soil Insects and Leafhoppers Attacking Sweetpotatoes. W.
G. EDEN, LACY L. HYcmnE, and J. A. GRIFFIN. 1956.
No. 51 It's What is in the Bag That Counts. CLARENCE W. WILSON. 1956.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 57
58 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Experiment Station Progress Reports
No. 52 Three Years' Results from Creep-Feeding Experiment. W. B. KELLEY,
L. A. SMITH, and C. M. MARTIN. 1955.
No. 53 Results of Experiments with Crossbreeding of Beef Cattle. W. B.
KELLEY. 1955.
No. 54 Cost Comparisons of Johnsongrass Silage and Hay. W. B. KELLEY and
L. A. SMITH. 1955.
No. 55 Summary of One-Year Test on Cost of Producing, Harvesting, Storing,
and Feeding Caley Pea Silage. W. B. KELLEY and L. A. SMITH. 1955.
No. 56 Caley Pea Silage and Johnsongrass Hay in the Ration of Dairy Cows.
W. B. KELLEY, L. A. SMITH, and GEORGE E. HAWKINS. 1955.
No. 57 Results of Performance Tests of a Small Farm Mixer Grinder. J. L.
BUTT. 1955.
No. 58 Report of Herd Improvement by Crossbreeding. K. M. AUTREY. 1955.
No. 59 Fattening Rations for Finishing Yearling Steers After Summer Grazing.
W. B. ANTHONY, J. G. STARLING, C. M. MARTIN, C. A. BROGDEN, and
W. D. SALMON. 1955.
No. 60 Control of Soil Insect Pests in Gulf Coast Irish Potato Fields. W. G.
EDEN and F. E. GARRETT. 1955.
No. 61 Construction and Operation of An Outdoor Brooder. D. F. KING.
1956.
No. 62 Commercial Fishworm Production. H. S. SWINGLE. 1956.
No. 63 Comparative Yields of Early- and Late-Harvested Corn. J. L. BurT
and J. O. HELMS. 1956.
No. 64 Increasing Weight and Slaughter Grade of Thin Beef Calves by Graz-
ing and Feeding. OTTO BROWN, HAROLD YATES, J. E. BARRETT, C. M.
MARTIN, and W. D. SALMON. 1956.
No. 65 Urea-Formaldehyde Fertilizer as a Source of Nitrogen for 1-0 Loblolly
Pine Nursery Stock. JACK T. MAY and HENRY G. PosEY. 1956.
Regional Publications
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 43. Prospective Demand for Meat and Livestock
in the South. 1955.
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 44. Financing Broiler Production by Banks
and Production Credit Associations in the South. 1955. (Published by
the Alabama Station.)
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 45. Cost of Processing and Distributing Milk
in the South. 1955
Southern Cooperative Series Bul. 46. The Position of Dairying in the South. 1956.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 59
Miscellaneous Publications
Special Circular - General Fertilizer Recommendations for Alabama. 1955, re-
printed 1956.
64th and 65th Annual Reports. 1956.
Research Quarterly - Highlights of Agricultural Research. 1955, 1956.
Articles in Scientific Journals
ADKINS, T. R., SOWELL, W. L., AND ARANT, F. S. Systemic Effect of Selected
Chemicals on the Bed Bug and Lone Star Tick When Administered to Rab-
bits. Jour. Econ. Ent. 48(2) : 181-141. 1955.
, AND ARANT, F. S. Progress Report on L 18/59 As a Systemic
Insecticide Against Bed Bugs Fed on Rabbits. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Work-
ers. 52:91. 1955.
Systemic Effect of Bayer L 18/59 on Gulf
Coast Tick on Rabbits. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58:182. 1956.
ARANT, F. S., AND ROBERTSON, R. L. Field Experiments with Non-systemic In-
secticides for Control of Cotton Insects. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers.
53:128. 1956.
ARTmr, B. W., AND ARANT, F. S. Control of Soil Insects Attacking Peanuts.
Jour. Econ. Ent. 49(1): 68-71. 1956.
Control of Certain Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants. Proc.
Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52:101. 1955.
. Insects in Stored Peanuts and Their Seasonal Abundance. Jour.
Econ. Ent. 49 (1) : 119-120. 1956.
BLACKSTONE, J. H. Discussion: Influence of Trade Credit on Broiler Production.
Jour. Farm Econ. 87(5): 965-967. 1955.
BLAXE, GEORGE H., JR. Crimson Clover Pollination by Honey Bees. Proc. Assoc.
South. Agr. Workers. 52: 102. 1955.
. Toxicity of Certain Insecticides to Livestock When Ap-
plied to Pastures. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 144. 1956.
, AND EDEN, W. G. Imported Fire Ant Control in Ala-
bama. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58: 146. 1956.
BUTT, J. L. Results of Performance Tests of a Small Farm Mixer-Grinder. Proc.
Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58:383. 1956.
CAIRNS, E. J. Pathogenicity of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in the Absence of As-
sociated Microorganisms. Abs. Phytopath. 45(6): 346-847. 1955.
,Moisture Conditions and Control by Heat of the Mushroom-Spawn
Nematode, Ditylenchus sp. Abs. Ala. Acad. Sci. 27: 88-89. 1955.
60 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
SASSER, J. N., AND TAYLOR, A. L. Plant Nematology Notes. Mimeo.
86 pp. 1955.
, AND TARJAN, A. C. Methyl Cellulose for the 
Rapid Preparation of
Temporary Nematode Head Mounts. Proc. Helm. Soc. Wash. 22(1): 82.
1955.
COPE, J. T., JR., ENSMINGER, L. E., RousE, R. D., AND SCARSBROOK, C. E. Re-
sponse of Cotton to Rates of N, P, and K at Eight Locations in 1955, as
Related to Soil Test Values. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 51-52.
1956.
CORLEY, T. E. Progress in Mechanical Cotton Harvesting on Southern Farms.
Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52. 1955.
. Cotton Defoliation Studies in Alabama, 1955. Proc. Tenth Belt-
wide Cotton Defoliation Conf. 1955.
. Cotton Defoliation Studies in Alabama, 1956. Proc. Eleventh
Beltwide Cotton Defoliation Conf. 1956.
CUNNINGHAM, H. B. AND EDEN, W. G. Toxicity of Several Insecticides to House
Fly Larvae. Jour. Econ. Ent. 48(1): 109-110. 1955.
, LITTLE, C. D., EDGAR, S. A., AND EDEN, W. G. Species and
Relative Abundance of Flies Collected from Chicken Manure in Alabama.
Jour. Econ. Ent. 48(5): 620. 1955.
DANNER, M. J. Discussion: The Place of Farmer's Cooperatives in the Nation's
Economy. Proc. South. Econ. Assoc. 1955.
DAVIS, D. E. Some Factors That Affect the Phytotoxicity of Water-Soluble DNBP.
Weeds 4: 227-234. 1956.
, AND FUNDERBURK, H. H. Causes of Variability in Susceptibility to
Injury by DNBP. Proc. Southern Weed Conf. pp. 189. 1957.
DENDY, JACK S. Bottom Fauna in Ponds With Largemouth Bass Only and With a
Combination of Largemouth Bass Plus Bluegill. Jour. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 31(3):
198-207. 1956.
DEVALL, W. B. Forestry Research at Work. Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 28: 128.
December 1956.
DIENER, U. L. Sporulation in Pure Culture by Stemphylium solani. Phytopath.
45: 142-145. 1955.
. Field Control of the Stem Rot Disease of Sweetpotato. Jour. Ala.
Acad. Sci. 27: 90. 1955.
. Histological Studies of the Gray Leaf Spot Disease of Tomato.
Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 27: 90. 1955.
SHost-Penetration and Pathological Histology in Gray Leaf Spot
of Tomato. Phytopath. 45: 654-658. 1955.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 61
. Field Control of Sweetpotato Stem Rot in Alabama. Plant Dis.
Reptr. 39: 918-921. 1955.
DONNELLY, E. D. The Effects of Outcrossing on Forage and Seed Yields in
Sericea Lespedeza, L. cuneata. Agron. Jour. 47: 466-467. 1955.
Maintaining, Increasing and Certifying Seed Stocks - (Auburn
Reseeding Crimson Clover). Report of the Thirteenth South. Pasture and
Forage Crop Improvement Conf. pp. 42-43. 1956.
, AND HAWKINS, G. E. Sericea Breeding. Report of the 
Twelfth
South. Pasture and Forage Crop Improvement Conf. pp. 48-49. 1955.
Where Do We Stand on Breeding for
Improved Quality? Report of the Thirteenth South. Pasture and Forage Crop
Improvement Conf. p. 18. 1956.
EDEN, TOM, AND FURUTA, TOKUJI. Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms on the Poin-
settia. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 128-129. 1955.
EDEN, W. G. Status of the European Corn Borer in Alabama. Proc. Assoc. South.
Agr. Workers. 53. 1956.
Report on the National Corn Earworm Experiment for 1955. Proc.
Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53. 1956.
. Experiments on Earworm Control on Sweet Corn. Jour. Econ. Ent.
49(6): 822-825. 1956.
. A Statistical Report of the National Corn Earworm Experiment
for 1954. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52. 1955.
Influence of Nitrogen Fertilizer, Spacing, and Irrigation on Control
of the Corn Earworm in Sweet Corn. Jour. Econ. Ent. 49 (2): 278-279. 1956.
. The European Corn Borer in Alabama. Jour. Econ. Ent. 49 (3):
410-411. 1956.
EDGAR, S. A. The Removal of Chicken Tapeworms by Di-n-butyl Tin Dilaurate.
Poultry Sci. 85 (1): 64-73. 1956.
Coccidiosis Immunization. Iowa State Col. Vet. Med. 18(1): 9-17.
1956.
SSome Important Arthropod Parasites of Domestic Animals. Hand-
book of Biological Data, Nat. Acad. Sci. and Nat. Res. Council. 1956.
Control of Coccidiosis by Imunization. Proc. Southeast. Poultry
Assoc. 1955.
.Sporulation of Oocysts at Specific Temperatures and Notes on the
Prepatent Period of Several Species of Avain Coccidia. Jour. Parasitol. 41(2):
214-216. 1955.
.The Removal of Chicken Tapeworms by Di-n-butyl Tin Dilaurate.
Poultry Sci. 84 (5): 1192. 1955.
.Effects of Cecal Coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella) on Chickens of Dif-
ferent Ages, Particularly During the Early Growing Period. Poultry Sci.
34(5): 1192. 1955.
62 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
AND KING, D. F. The Effectiveness of Methyl Bromide in Steriliza-
tion of Poultry Litter. Poultry Sci. 34(3): 595-597. 1955.
, AND MCANNALLY, B. D. The Comparative Efficacy of Several In-
secticides in the Control of the Northern Feather Mite, Bdellonyssus sylviarum.
Poultry Sci. 34(1): 91-96. 1955.
FOSTER, A. A., CAIRNS, E. J., AND HOPPER, BRUCE. Modifications in Soils of South-
ern Pine Nurseries Produced by Fungicidal and Nematocidal Chemicals. Abs.
Phytopath. 46 (1): 12. 1956.
FLYNN, A. D., AND EDEN, W. G. Systemic Effects of Certain Chemicals on Bed
Bugs when the Chemicals are Administered Orally to Rabbits. Proc. Assoc.
South. Agr. Workers. 53. 1956.
FURUTA, TOKUJI. Response of the Camellia to Boron. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.
65: 439-440. 1955.
. Effect of Temperature and Light on the Growth of Chrysanthe-
mums. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 200-201. 1955.
. Nitrogen-Potassium Fertilization of Some Foliage Plants. Proc.
Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 179. 1956.
Some Studies on "Short Stem" Standard Mums. Proc. Assoc.
South. Agr. Workers. 58: 179. 1956.
,BROWN, WILLIAM L., AND EDEN, TOM, JR. Influence of Supple-
mentary Illumination on Poinsettias. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58:
180. 1956.
AND KIPLINGER, D. C. Chronological Age of Cuttings, a Factor
Influencing the Spray Formation of Pompon Chrysanthemums. Proc. Amer.
Soc. Hort. Sci. 66: 883-885. 1955.
, AND ORR, HENRY P. Observations on Time of Flowering of
Chrysanthemums. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 130. 1955.
GARIN, GEORGE I. Improving the Quality of Southern Pines. Jour. Ala. Acad.
Sci. 28: 128. December 1956.
HAGLER, T. B. Relation of the Nutrient-Element Content of Pecan Leaves to the
Yield of Nuts. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 124. 1955.
. Response of Muscadine Grapes to Foliar Sprays of Magnesium.
Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 124-125. 1955.
.Freeze Injury to Pecans in Alabama. Proc. Southeast. Pecan
Growers Assoc. 49: 9. 1956.
.Further Studies on Magnesium Sprays for Muscadine Grapes.
Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58: 181. 1956.
, AND JOHNSON, W. A. Nutrient Status of Pecan Soils in Relation to
Yield of Nuts. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 171-172. 1956.
* Nutrient Status of Pecan Soils in Relation to
the Yield of Nuts. Proc. Southeast. Pecan Growers Assoc. 49: 48-49. 1956.
Relation of the Nutrient-Element Content of
Pecan Leaves to the Yield of Nuts. Proc. Southeast. Pecan Growers Assoc.
48: 77. 1955.
HARRIs, HUBERT. New Process for Making Frozen Sweetpotato Products. Proc.
Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 188. 1955.
Need for Research on the Development of New Uses of South-
ern Grown Fruits and Vegetables. Proc. Conf. of Collaborators at South. Reg.
Res. Lab. pp. 49-51. 1956.
, AND SPIGNER, R. L. Freeze Concentration Process for Making
Fruit Jellies and Jams with High Retention of Volatile Flavors. Proc. Assoc.
South. Agr. Workers. 53: 169-170. 1956.
HAUGEN, ARNOLD O. Hungarian Partridge Population on a 60-Acre Area at Pull-
man, Washington. The Murrelet. 36(1): 9-10. 1955.
Recognizing Juvenile from Adult Bobwhite Quail. 9th Ann.
Meeting, Southeast. Assoc. Game and Fish Comn. 1955.
, AND FITCH, FRANK W. Seasonal Availability of Certain Bush
Lespedeza and Partridge Pea Seed as Determined from Ground Samples.
Jour. Wildlife Mngt. 19(2): 297-301. 1955.
, AND HULSE, DAVID. Quail Feeders Attractive to Many Kinds
of Birds. Ala. Birdlife. 4(3-4): 20-21. 1956.
HELMS, J. O. Farm Planning for Mechanization. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Work-
ers. 52. 1955.
HODGKINS, E. J. Testing Soil-Site Index Tables in Southwestern Alabama. Jour.
For. 54(4): 261-266. 1956.
HYcRm, L. L., AND EDEN, W. G. Effect of Formulations and Methods of Applica-
tion of Insecticides on Control of Wireworms on Sweet Potatoes. Jour. Econ.
Ent. 49(1): 111-118. 1956.
Control of Mites Infesting Earthworm Beds. Jour. Econ. Ent.
49(8): 409-410. 1956.
Effectiveness of Several Systemic Insecticides in Control of Two
Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58: 186.
1956.
Control of Insect Pests of Peanuts. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Work-
ers. 58: 145. 1956.
INGRAM, G. R. Protein Requirements Under Various Laying Conditions. Proc.
Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58: 197. 1956.
JOHNSON, W. A., AND HAGLER, T. B. Response of Pecans to Applications of Lime
and Zinc. Proc. Southeast. Pecan Growers Assoc. 48: 78-82. 1955.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 63
64 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Response of Pecans to Applications of Cal-
cium and Zinc. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 122-124. 1955.
, AND WARE, L. M. Effect of Soil 
Fumigation with EDB and D-D
on Yield and Root-Knot Control on Beans and Squash. Proc. Assoc. South.
Agr. Workers. 53: 181. 1956.
JONES, S. T., AND ISBELL, C. L. Selection of Varieties for Use As Parents in the
Breeding of Southern Peas. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 67: 412-415. 1956.
KING, D. F. Double-Shift Management of the Laying House. Proc. Assoc. South.
Agr. Workers. 52: 160. 1955.
. Poultry Industry in Southeast. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers.
53: 204. 1956.
KUMMER, F. A. Cotton Mechanization Research Needs - Harvesting Equipment.
Proc. Tenth Beltwide Cotton Mechanization Conf. 1956.
. Mechanizing Southern Farms. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers.
52. 1955.
LANGFORD, W. R., AND SCHULTZ, E. F. What Do We Learn from the Mower Strip
Technique? Proc. of South. Past. and Forage Crops Conf. June 1955.
, EVANS, E. M., AND SCHULTZ, E. F. Relationship of Beef Gains
to Forage Yields. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 67-68. 1956.
LANHAM, BEN T., JR. Discussion: The Economic Nature of Cotton. Proc. South.
Econ. Assoc. 1956.
LAURENT, CHARLES K. The Market Structure for Poultry and Poultry Products
in the South. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 142. 1955.
The Dealer's Role in Broiler Financing. Broiler Growing.
6: 1. 1955.
" In the Southeast - Poultry and Egg Marketing Oppor-
tunities in 1955 Unparalleled. Southeast. Poultryman. 8: 1. 1955.
SIs Integration Ahead? Poultry Industry News. 83: 3. 1955.
LAWRENCE, J. M. Weed Control in Farm Ponds. Prog. Fish Cult. 17(3): 141-143.
1955.
Preliminary Results on the Use of Potassium Permanganate to
Counteract the Effects of Rotenone on Fish. Prog. Fish Cult. 18(1): 15-21.
1956.
LIVINGSTON, KNOX W. Durability of Alabama-Grown Arizona Cypress. Jour. For.
54(6): 400-401. 1956.
.Reproduction of Slash Pine Outside Its Natural Range.
Jour. For. 54(8): 532. 1956.
LUKEFAHR, M., AND GRIFFIN, J. A. The Effects of Food on Longevity and Fecun-
dity of Pink Bollworm Moths. Jour. Econ. Ent. 49(6): 876-877. 1956.
MARCH, M. W. AND EDEN, W. G. Relative Toxicity of Six Insecticides to Two
Strains of the House Fly. Jour. Econ. Ent. 48(5): 610-611. 1955.
MAY, JACK T. Alabama's Tree Planting Needs. Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 28: 69-72.
December 1956.
MOULTRIE, F., COTTIER, G. J., AND KING, D. F. Additional Evidence for Genetic
Variation in Resistance to "Blue Comb" Disease. Poultry Sci. 34: 458-461.
1955.
The Effects of Relaxed Selection
on Performance of a Strain of Disease-Resistant White Leghorns. Poultry Sci.
35: 1345-1348. 1956.
A New Technique for the Artificial Insemination of Caged Hens.
Poultry Sci. 35: 1230-1234. 1956.
. Reconditioning Old Hens. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58:
192. 1956.
MOUNT, R. H., AND ARANT, F. S. The Effect of High and Low Gamma Benzene-
hexachloride and Lindane Upon the Cotton Aphid. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr.
Workers. 52: 94. 1955.
The Effect of Benzenehexachloride and of Lin-
dane Upon the Cotton Aphid. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58: 128-129.
1956.
OLIVER, A. D., AND EDEN, W. G. Toxicity of Several Insecticides to Two Strains
of the House Fly. Jour. Econ. Ent. 48(1): 111. 1955.
MARSH, M. W., AND EDEN, W. G. Toxicity of Several Insecticides
to Two Strains of the House Fly. Proc. Assoc South. Agr. Workers. 52. 1955.
PATTERSON, R. M. Influence of Cultural Practices on Seed Production of Sericea
Lespedeza, Crimson Clover and Tall Fescue. Report. Thirteenth South. Pas-
ture and Forage Crop Improvement Conf. 1956.
PRicHARDs, D. B. Uses for Wood and How to Expand Them. Jour Ala. Acad. Sci.
28: 129. 1956.
ROBERTSON, R. L. AND ARANT, F. S. Effect of Bayer 17147 on Boll Weevil. Jour.
Econ. Ent. 48(5): 604. 1955.
The Effect of Certain Acaracides on Two
Species of Spider Mites on Cotton. Jour. Econ. Ent. 49(6): 860-861. 1956.
.Systemic Effect of 8911 on Certain Cotton
Insects. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 128. 1956.
.Toxicity of Certain Insecticides Applied Topically to Boll
Weevil. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 126. 1956.
SCARSBROOK, C. E., AND COPE, J. T., JR. Yield and Quality of Dixie Runner Pea-
nuts as Affected by Fertilizer, Gypsum, and Minor Elements. Proc. Assoc.
South. Agr. Workers. 52: 44. 1955.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 65
SEAL, W. L., AND EDEN, W. G. Mites in Cricket Cultures and Toxicities of Sev-
eral Acaricides and Insecticides to the House Cricket. Jour. Econ. Ent. 49(2):
262-263. 1956.
SEARCY, V. S. A Progress Report on the Control of Wild Garlic (Allium vineale)
with Chemicals. Proc. 9th South. Weed Conf. pp. 225-230. 1956.
. The Control of Cherokee Rose (Rosa bracteata) with 2,4-D. Proc.
9th South Weed Conf. pp. 232-234. 1956.
SELMAN, FRANK L., AND ROUSE, R. D. Early Fruiting and Boll Maturity of Cotton
as Affected by Sodium and Root Aeration. Soil Sci. 80: 281-286. 1955.
The Effect of Sodium and Aeration on
Early Fruiting of Cotton. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 58: 46. 1955.
SLEDGE, E. B. Pathogenicity of the Spiral Nematode, Helicotylenchus nannus
Steiner, 1945, in Relation to Selected Varieties of Corn. Abs. Ala. Acad. Sci.
28: 123. 1956.
SOWELL, W. F., AND ROUSE, R. D. A Growth Study of the Cotton Plant Under
Controlled Environmental Conditions. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53:
63. 1956.
Growth and Fruiting of the Cotton Plant Un-
der Controlled Environmental Conditions. Agron. Jour. 48: 581-582. 1956.
SPEAKE, DANIEL W. Waterfowl use of Creeks, Beaver, Swamps, and Small Im-
poundments in Lee County, Alabama. 9th Ann. Meeting, Southeast. Assoc.
Game and Fish Comn. 1955.
STICKNEY, W. MORGAN, AND ROUSE, R. D. Some Cations Exchange Characteristics
of Vaiden Clay as Affected by Moisture Content and Temperature of Drying.
Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 52: 43. 1955.
STOKES, C. M. Land Preparation for Mechanization and Irrigation. Proc. Assoc.
South. Agr. Workers. 53. 1956.
SULLIVAN, EDWARD G. Gray Fox Reproduction, Denning, Range, and Weights in
Alabama. Jour. Mammal. 87(3): 346-851. 1956.
, AND HAUGEN, ARNOLD O. Age Determination 
of Foxes by
X-Ray. Jour. Wildlife Mangt. 20(2): 210-212. 1956.
SWINGLE, H. S. Determination of Balance in Farm Fish Ponds. Trans. N. A. Wild-
life Conf. 21: 298-318. 1956.
,Experiments on Commercial Fish Production in Ponds. Proc.
1954 Southeast. Game and Fish Comn. pp. 69-74. 1955.
TIPPINs, H. H., AND HYCHE, L. L. Control of Flower Thrips on Blackberries.
Jour. Econ. Ent. 48(6): 769-770. 1955.
TURNER, JACK L., AND HAGLER, T. B. Relationship of Fertilizer and Nutrient-
Element Content of Soils and Leaves to Yield of Apples in Alabama. Proc.
Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 173. 1956.
66 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
WARD, H. S., JR. The Effect of Moisture and Temperature During Storage on the
Germination, Respiration, and Free Fatty Acids of Dixie Runner Peanuts.
Jour. Ala. Acad. Sci. 27: 96-97. 1955.
. Results of Research on Storage of Forage Crop Seed. Proc.
Southern Forage Crop Imp. Conf. 12: 39-40. 1955.
, AND BUTT, J. L. Hygroscopic Equilibrium and Viability of Natu-
rally and Artificially Dried Seed of Crimson Clover, Trifolium incarnatum.
Agron. Jour. 47: 576-579. 1955.
, AND SELF, R. L. Effects of High Soil Temperature 
on Root
Growth of Loquat Seedlings in Nursery Containers. Plant Dis. Reptr. 40:
957-960. 1956.
WARE, L. M., AND JOHNSON, W. A. Factors Affecting the Value of Organic Ma-
terials. Proc. Assoc. South. Agr. Workers. 53: 164. 1956.
.Effects of 
Rates and 
Number of 
Applications
of the Major Fertilizer Elements on Yield and Composition of Potatoes and
Recovery of Major Elements at Harvest. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 65: 317-323.
1955.
Use of Field Bins for Experimental Studies
with Vegetable Crops. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 65: 423-426. 1955.
. Review of Irrigation Research on Horticultural Crops in Alabama.
Proc. Water Resource and Suppl. Irrig. Workshop. pp. 10-15. 1955.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 67
68 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Officers and Staff
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Alabama Polytechnic Institute
December 31, 1956
His Excellency, JAMES E. FOLSOM, Governor, Chairman--------...Ex-Officio
A. R. MEADOWS, State Superintendent of Education-------------- Ex-Officio
E. A. ROBERTS (First District) ----------------------------------------------------- Mobile
V. S. SUMMERLIN (Second District) ------------------------------- Luverne
JIMMY HITCHCOCK (Third District) ....-----------Union Springs
G. H. WRIGHT (Third District) ...----------------------Auburn
E. L. WYNN (Fourth District) ---------- ------ Ashland
M. H. MOSES (Fifth District) ----------------------------------------- Fyffe
R. C. BAMBERG (Sixth District) ---------------------------- Uniontown
PAUL S. HALEY (Seventh District) J------ - -- asper
REDUS COLLIER (Eighth District) --------------- Decatur
FRANK P. SAMFORD (Ninth District) -------------------------- Birmingham
Administration
RALPH BROWN DRAUGHON, LL.D., President
DAVID W. MULLINS, Ed.D., Executive Vice President
E. V. SMITH, Ph.D., Director
CoYT WILSON, Ph.D. Associate Director
C. F. SIMMONS, 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
BEN T. LANHAM, JR., M.S. --------------- Head of Department
B. F. ALVORD, M.S. ---------------------------- Agricultural Economist
J. H. BLACKSTONE, M.S. ----------------------- Agricultural Economist
E. D. CHASTAIN JR., Ph.D. --------------- Associate Agricultural Economist
M. J. DANNER, M.S....--------------- ------Associate Agricultural Economist
W. F. GREGORY, M.S. ..-------- Associate Agricultural Economist (Coop. USDA)
H. L. STREETMAN, M.S.----------------------- Associate Agricultural Economist
E. E. KERN, M.S. ---------------------- Associate Agricultural Economist
MORRIS WHITE, Ph.D. ------------------- Associate Agricultural Economist
J. H. YEAGER, Ph.D.. .-------------------Associate Agricultural Economist
CLAIRE F. JONES, B.S. ------------------ Assistant in Agricultural Economics
RUTH A. HAMMETT, M.S.-------------------Assistant in Agricultural Economics
E. E. MANSFIELD .... - ------------- -------------------------- Statistical 
Assistant
RoY OTIS RUSSELL, JR., B.S.--------------------Assistant in Agricultural Economics
JACK L. TURNER, M.S...----- ...------------ -Assistant in Agricultural Economics
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 69
Agricultural Engineering
F. A. KUMMER, M.S. ---------------------------- Head of Department
M. L. NICHOLS, D.Sc.-------Dir. Tillage Machinery Laboratory (Coop. USDA)
I. F. REED, M.S., A.E.----------------- Senior Agricultural Engineer (Coop. USDA)
HERMAN BOUWER, Ph.D.-- --------------- Associate Agricultural Engineer
C. A. ROLLO, M.S. -------------- --------- Associate Agricultural Engineer
WALTER GRUB, M.S. --------------------- Associate Agricultural Engineer
C. M. STOKES, M.S.------------- ------ Associate Agricultural Engineer
T. E. CORLEY, M.S. -- ------ -------- Associate Agricultural Engineer
C. A. REAVES, M.S.---------------- Associate Agricultural Engineer (Coop. USDA)
**A. W. COOPER, M.S. --- Ass't. Dir. Tillage Machinery Laboratory (Coop. USDA)
H. A. WEAVER, M.S. Associate Soil Scientist (Coop. USDA)
Agronomy and Soils
IIOWARD T. ROGERS, Ph.D. ------- Head of Department
L. E. ENSMINGER, Ph.D.------------------------------------------------- Soil Chemist
R. W. PEARSON, Ph.D. ----------------------- Soil Chemist (Coop. USDA)
E. C. RICHARDSON, M.S. ---------------------- Agronomist (Coop. USDA)
A. L. SMITH, Ph.D. ------------------------- Pathologist (Coop. USDA)
D. G. STURKIE, Ph.D.----- --------- ----- --------------- Agronomist
J. T. COPE, JR., Ph.D. ----------------------------- Associate Agronomist
E. D. DONNELLY, Ph.D. ---------------------- Associate Plant Breeder
E. M. EVANS, M.S.-------------------------------Associate Agronomist
W. R. LANGFORD, Ph.D. ------------------------------------------ Associate Agronomist
F. S. MCCAIN, Ph.D.------------------------------------------Associate Plant Breeder
FRED ADAMS, Ph.D.------------ ------------------ Associate Soil Chemist
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
'C. C. KING, JR., 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. ------------------------------ Field 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
HAROLD W. GRIMES, B.S..............---------------------------Assistant in Agronomy
RAYMOND D. HICKS, B.S. ------------------------ Assistant in Agronomy
C. C. HORTENSTINE, B.S....------------------------ Assistant in Agronomy
JAMES G. LINK, JR., B.S. ------------ ------------- Assistant in Agronomy
* Military leave.
** Leave of absence.
70 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 71
Animal Disease Research
R. S. SUGG, D.V.M. --------------- --------------- Head of Department
C. S. ROBERTS, D.V.M., M.S .--- ------------- Animal Pathologist
GEORGE K. KIESEL, D.V.M ------------------------ Animal Pathologist
W. G. DACRES, Ph.D. --------------------- Bacteriologist
LEON W. TURNER, D.V.M. ----------------- Assistant in Animal 
Pathology
Animal Husbandry
W. D. SALMON, M.A. ---------------------------- Head of Department
J. C. GRIMES, M.S. ------- - ------ Animal Husbandman
H. E. SAUBERLICH, Ph.D. -------------------------- Animal Nutritionist
W. B. ANTHONY, Ph.D.----------------Associate Animal Nutritionist
D. H. COPELAND, B.S. --------------------- Associate Animal Pathologist
C. D. SQUIERS, Ph.D.------------------------Associate Animal Breeder
EARL L. WIGGINS, Ph.D. -------------------------------------- Associate Animal Breeder
G. B. MEADOWS, M.S. --------------------- Assistant Animal Husbandman
R. R. HARRIS, M.S. ---------------------- Assistant Animal Husbandman
W. M. WARREN, Ph.D. ----------------------- Associate Animal Breeder
H. D. ALEXANDER, Ph.D. ------------------- Assistant Animal Nutritionist
H. F. TUCKER, M.S. ----- ---------------- Assistant in Animal Husbandry
E. J. DAY, M.S. ------------- Assistant in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition
P. F. PARKS, B.S.-----------Assistant in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition
Botany and Plant Pathology
J. A. LYLE, Ph.D. . H------------------------------ ead 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
E. T. BROWNE, JR., M.A. ------------------ Assistant Botanist
E. M. CLARK, Ph.D. ------------------------------- Assistant Botanist
Dairy Husbandry
K. M. AUTREY, Ph.D. ---------------------------- Head of Department
G. E. HAWKINS, JR., Ph.D. ------------------ Associate Dairy Husbandman
G. H. ROLLINS, M.S. ---------------------- Associate Dairy Husbandman
Forestry
WILBUR B. DEVALL, M.S. ------------------------ Head of Department
H. E. CHRISTEN, M.F. ------------------------------------ Forester
G. I. GARIN, Ph.D. --------------------------------------- Forester
J. L. HILL, D.For. --------------------------------------- Forester
J. T. MAY, M.S. ----------------------------------------- Forester
D. B. RICHARDS, Ph.D. ------------------------------------ Forester
J. F. GOGGANS, M.. . ------------------------------ Associate Forester
E. J. HODGKINS, M.S. ----------------------------- Associate Forester
F. F. SMIT, M.F., M.A. Associate Forester
72 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
J. E. CAROTHERS, M.S.------------------------------Assistant Forester
*B. M. COOL, M.S.-------------------------------Assistant Forester
'A. R. GILMORE, M. --- -------------------------- Assistant Forester
K. W. LIVINGSTON, M.F ------- --------------------- Assistant Forester
H. G. POSEY, M.S.F.------------------------------Assistant Forester
E. W. JOHNSON, M.F..------- Assistant Forester
DONALD W. WOODS, B.S. ------------------------- Assistant in Forestry
F. E. GOODRICc, B.S.---- ------------------------ Assistant in Forestry
Home Economics
MARION W. SPIDLE, M.A. --------- Head, Home Economics Research
RUTH ALBRECHT, Ph.D.-----------------------------Home Economist
KATHRYN PHILSON, Ph.D.--_------- --------- Associate Home Economist
MILDRED S. VAN DE MARKP, M.A.---------------Associate Home Economist
MARY E. PRATHER, M.S. ------------------- ssistant in Home Economics
Horticulture
L. M. WARE, M.S.----- ------------------------- Head of Department
WALTER GREENLEAF, Ph.D.-------- -------- Vegetable Breeder
C. L. ISBELL, Ph.D.----------------------------------- Horticulturist
ToxvuI FURUTA, Ph.D. ----------------- ------- Associate Horticulturist
T. B. HAGLER, Ph.D.----- ----- -------- 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
J. M. BARBER, B.S.---- -------- Assistant in Horticulture
J. W. PATE, B.S.------------------------Assistant in Horticulture
TROY KEEBLE, B.S. ------------------- Greenhouse Manager
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
ETHEL MCNEIL, Ph.D.------ --------------- Associate Poultry Pathologist
J. G. GOODMAN, M.S. --------------------- Associate Poultry Husbandman
G. R. INGRAM, Ph.D. -------------------- Associate Poultry Husbandman
C. H. MooRE, Ph.D. ------------------- Associate Poultry Husbandman
Publications
KENNETH B. Roy, B.J. ---------------- -- Head of Department
B. H. SELLERS, A.B .. .....- Associate Agricultural Editor
R. E. STEVENSON, B.S. ----- ------------- Assistant Agricultural Editor
* Leave of absence.
73
Zoology-Entomology
F. S. ARANT, Ph.D.------------------Head of Department
A. O. HAUGEN, Ph.D.--------------------Leader, Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
H. S. SWINGLE, M.S. Fish Culturist
J. S. DENDY, Ph.D. -------------...-------- --------- Associate Zoologist
W. G. EDEN, Ph.D. ----- Entomologist
E. E. PRATHER, M.S.. ------.------- ----- Associate Fish Culturist
*B. WAYNE ARTHUR, M.S.--------------------------Assistant Entomologist
G. H. BLAKE, JR., M.S---------------------------------- Assistant Entomonwlogist
J. A. GRIFFIN, JR., M.S.--------- ----------------------------- Assistant Entomologist
DAN W. SPEAKE, M.S.--------- Asst. Leader, Cooperative Wildlife Res. Unit
J. M. LAWRENCE, Ph.D.----------------------------------Assistant Fish Culturist
R. L. ROBERTSON, M.S. ----------------------------- ------- Assistant Entomologist
LACY L. HYCHE, M.S --------------- ---------------------------- Assistant Entomologist
H. F. TURNER, M.S. ------------- Assistant Zoologist
Substations
W. H. HEARN, B.S. ----------------- -Records Assistant
BLACK BELT, Marion Junction, Dallas County
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
JonH B. SANDERS, B.S. ----------- -- Assistant 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 I
S. E. GISSENDANNER, B.S. --------- -- 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
ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE FIELD STATION, Spring Hill, Mobile County
RAYMOND, L. SELF, Ph.D. ------------------- Plant Pathologist
* Leave of absence.
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS
CHANGES in STATION STAFF
1955 Appointments
FRED ADAMS, Ph.D. ------ -- --------------------- Assoc. Soil Chemist
RUTH ALBRECHT, Ph.D._Home Econ. (Joint employee with School of Home Econ.)
HERMAN BOUWER, Ph.D.--- ---------------------- Assoc. Agr. Engineer
HENRY H. FUNDERBURK, JR., B.S.---------- ----------- Assistant in Botany
RuTH A. HAMMETT, M.S. ------------------ Assistant in Agr. Economics
ARTHUR E. HILTBOLD, Ph.D. ------------------- Assoc. 
Soil Microbiologist
TROY KEEBLE, B.S. - ----------------------------- Greenhouse Manager
EDWARD E. KERN, JR., M.S.-----------------------Assoc. Agr. Economist
GEORGE K. KIESEL, D.V.M.--. Animal Pathologist (Joint employee with School of
Veterinary Medicine)
EMORY K. KIRKWOOD, M.S. -------------------- Assistant Agr. Economist
BEE EUGENE LANDRUM, B.S. ---------------------- Assistant Agr. Editor
ETHEL MCNEIL, Ph.D. ---------------------- Assoc. Poultry Pathologist
ROBERT EDWARD POPPY, B.S ------------ - -------- Assistant in Forestry
MARY E. PRATHER, B.S.-------Assistant in Home Econ. (Joint employee with
School of Home Econ.)
DAN W. SPEAKE, M.S..- Assistant Leader, Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
MARION W. SPIDLE, M.A._---.----Head, Department of Home Economics (Joint
employee with School of Home Economics) Dean School of Home Econ.
RoY EUGENE STEVENSON, B.S. --------------- Assistant Agricultural Editor
ROBERT LEONARD SPIGNER, M.S ----------------- Assistant in Horticulture
HAROLD L. STREETMAN, M.S ---------- Assoc. Agricultural Economist
REDDING S. SUGG, D.V.M._-_...... Head, Department of Animal Disease Research
(Joint employee with School of Veterinary Medicine) Dean School of Vet. Med.
LEON WALKER TURNER, D.V.M ---------------------------- Asst. in Animal Pathology
MILDRED S. VAN DE MARK, M.A....-.......Assoc. Home Economist (Joint employee
with School of Home Econ.)
WILLIAM MICHAEL WARREN, Ph.D..........--------Assoc. Animal Breeder
1955 Resignations
MOORE J. BURNS, Ph.D......---------- Assoc. Animal Nutritionist
J. OLAN COOPER, B.S. ----------------------------- Assoc. Agr. Editor
WILLIAM LYLE DORRIES, Ph.D.------------------Assistant Agr. Economist
THOMAS MCDONALD EDEN, JR., B.S.-------------------------Greenhouse Manager
PRYCE B. GIBSON, Ph.D...............-------------------------Assoc. Plant Breeder
KEITH E. GREGORY, Ph.D............-------------------------Assoc. Animal Breeder
WADE F. GREGORY, M.S. ------------------- Assoc. Agricultural Economist
BEE EUGENE LANDRUM, B.S. ------------------- Asst. Agricultural Editor
CHARLES K. LAURENT, Ph.D. --------------- Assoc. Agricultural Economist
Deceased
HOMER B. TISDALE, M.S. ------------------------------ Plant Breeder
1956 Appointments
JAMES MCCOY BARBER, B.S. --------------------- Assistant in Horticulture
EDWARD T. BROWNE, JR., M.A.............---------------------------Assistant Botanist
74 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
66th and 67th ANNUAL REPORTS 75
E. D. CHASTAIN, JR., Ph.D. ---------------------- Assoc. Agr. Economist
EDWARD M. CLARK, M.S. ---------------------------- Assistant Botanist
WILLIAM G. DACRES, Ph.D. ---------------------------- Bacteriologist
FORREST E. GOODRICK, B.S. ----------------------- Assistant in Forestry
JOHN L. HILL, D.For.------------------------------------ Forester
JAMES G. LINK, JR., B.Se ------------------------ Assistant in Agronomy
CLAUDE H. MOORE, Ph.D._--------------------------------------.Assoc. Poultry Husbandman
PAUL F. PARKS, B.S.-----------------.Assistant in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition
JAMES W. PATE, B.S- ------------------------- Assistant in Horticulture
CHARLES A. ROLLO, M.S- ------------------- Assoc. Agricultural Engineer
Roy OTIS RUSSELL, JR., B.S- ----------------- Assistant in Agr. Economics
JOHN B. SANDERS, B.S-- -.--- Asst. Superintendent, Lower Coastal Plain Substation
BERYL H. SELLERS, A.B. ---------------------------- Associate Editor
HENRY F. TURNER, M.S. ---------------------------- Assistant Zoologist
JACK L. TURNER, M.S- --------------------- Assistant in Agr. Economics
EARL L. WIGGINS, Ph.D...............-- ........-----------------------------.Assoc. Animal Breeder
1956 Resignations
M. W. ALISON, B.S- --------------- Asst. Supt. Sand Mountain Substation
RAY ALLISON, M.S-------------------------------- Assistant Zoologist
JIMmY LEE BUTT, M.S----- ---------------- Assoc. Agricultural Engineer
EDWIN L. HovE, Ph.D...............---------------------------- Animal Nutritionist
CHARLES M. MARTIN, Ph.D. ----------------- Assoc. Animal Husbandman
FRED MOULTIE, Ph.D. -------------------------- Poultry Husbandman
ROBERT L. SPIGNER, M.S- ---------------------- Assistant in Horticulture
Deceased
WILBUR BAKER KELLEY, B.S......--------------.Superintendent, Black Belt Substation
EMoRY KYLE KIRKWOOD, M.S------------- Assistant Agricultural Economist
FINANCIAL REPORT
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1955
Item 
Hatch Adams Purnell 
Bankhead- esearch & 
All
Jones Marketing Other
BALANCE JULY 1, 1954 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 814,969.52
INCOME 15,000.00 15,000.00 60,000.00 88,305.89 322,086.83 1,589,781.89
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE 15,000.00 15,000.00 60,000.00 88,805.89 822,086.88 1,904,751.41
EXPENDITURES
PERSONAL SERVICES 13,692.61 12,445.40 49,307.36 78,896.22 218,082.82 780,527.94
TRAVEL 28.49 171.63 1,497.15 3,489.98 16,559.88 40,049.12
TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS 61.31 16.48 58.63 47.87 923.92 6,276.71
COMMUNICATION SERVICE 79.50 23.55 311.50 176.15 1,161.54 10,687.33
RENTS & UTILITIES 229.54 535.00 1,009.91 747.71 3,567.57 80,659.52
PRINTING & BINDING 842.00 2,224.55 5,870.24
OTHER CONTRACTURAL SERVICES 179.87 1,887.07 1,102.65 7,760.54 124,442.64
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 729.18 648.87 4,878.66 7,496.21 88,177.71 408,907.50
EQUIPMENT 1,164.07 1,262.72 1,849.15 27,706.93 105,087.94
LAND & STRUCTURES 9,129.24 44,808.68
TAXES & ASSESSMENTS 7,763.19
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 15,000.00 15,000.00 60,000.00 88,805.89 820,244.20 1,565,075.81
BALANCE ON HAND JUNE 80, 1955 .00 .00 .00 .00 1,842.13 889,675.60
TOTAL EXPENDITURES & BALANCE 15,000.00 15,000.00 60,000.00 88,805.89 822,086.3388 1,904,751.41
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FINANCIAL REPORT
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1956
Item 
Hatch Research 
& All
Marketing Other
BALANCE JULY 1, 1955 .00 1,842.13 839,675.60
INCOME 551,099.85 89,510.00 1,848,580.47
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE 551,099.85 91,852.13 2,188,256.07
EXPENDITURES
PERSONAL SERVICES 381,456.89 75,871.51 860,763.20
TRAVEL 30,132.22 1,040.78 42,158.68
TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS 974.45 26.9 7,984.19
COMMUNICATION SERVICE 1,650.47 102.20 10,954.97
RENTS & UTILITIES 3,88339.97 75.91 89,73.57
PRINTING & BINDING 6,864.08
OTHER CONTRACTURAL SERVICES 9,198.29 13388.59 103,949.73
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 60,810.27 6,031.57 447,071.88
EQUIPMENT 41,628.52 4,000.33 106,800.14
LAND & STRUCTURES 21,9183.77 2,819.00 80,758.75
TAXES & ASSESSMENTS 8,454.86
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 551,099.85 89,401.38 1,664,488.50
BALANCE ON HAND JUNE 80, 1956 .00 1,950.75 528,767.57
TOTAL EXPENDITURES & BALANCE 551,099.85 91,852.18 2,188,256.07
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