HIGHLIGHTS
of agricultural research
VL 16NO FALL 1969
Agricultural 
Experiment 
Station 
AJ
AUBURN UNIVERSITY 
l
I
goo
Ilk,
DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS
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D. L. HUFF'MAN, J. R. JONES, aiid
W, E, POWELL, Det. of Aititixit Sxtottxc
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Charolais x Holstein-Jersey Calves=
Fast Growth and High Returns
T. B. PATTERSON, Department of Animal Science
R. A. MOORE and W, W. COTNEY, Upper Coastal Plain Substation
attex 0 of tii pasturlahid iii 1960, ii d
i fi6gurt' is t'xpiected to exsceetd 4 m il
h11)1 bx 1975. Ax ii i141 farm-i size is still
smal~il, but1 tip) ft oin 99 acres iii 19.50 to
164 iii 1965.1
A5 iaolOiitx of ite Sitt''s opet'n pisti re
pet' actre is losw bettciuse' iif hiss stiiekit 14
raitt' (4-5 aitres pet' co\\) ca(ll tirop of'
80%3 oll loxx ei'. 110( 55 i'liilg xxetighii of
I'iiin detvotetd to bee'f' tatt'e wold gro ss
ft-r S:30) pei' cxxt. Ni'! rtturnis xxouldi be~
kel iiig xxitb no proxvisxioil for replact'-
tInli ts.
W\itit suhl los, r'turnis, bteef Catitle'
show15 liitile proi se i 'for AlaIlbaiima1's inaIi i
oif, ro crxx piniffug 1) y\ libl shotalge ai it
il C ondsition fo isll a ills i 0o rtlthlli iu'
I WCitpta' i til to liih t'eiilt o prioduceil
CbI.'p i l s h ilxtt'ie ttetooo irtls tiio-
Ilit teil.
4
tili iil.rx cus\s resuiltetd ill xxi'
xxciglhtx is high als 801(1). aint
ild xxili uis itf 1.000 1)li. loii soiitii
(:(i\\s rifti i t'o i aie t's t'i x'sII
tirtsstes fti iit a eiiiiiiiiid dairt
Citit's5 tuu tll) n chc itll la't
uiitilii cw l xxe 115 ollo Ioe Ill'lti'I
ii s. jilt ). As mre iiilitlts bcctutu
iake is fot tilt 2 xetis.
frt itiiilirth. .Xppicil "i \ iiie coix
jiistt't raIpidlyV to (filxv iiiilk jil t
tiii'l t'il i Excep i t'i Io its lii i
ciox xx ith)i a 16.0011) . milk i t'eii
Tuix xx \\ eii' caket htaidt inili
xx litti- mid( xxere it'd ciiirn silalge
time's pir xxeek. Txxo itli. itt i1
cake ts xweret piaieed il Coiasital bei
pa~stilri that1 had1( bett'i ox ii cdc
Tn rnicndou , qi,ho -haboo, Hol
stein-Jersey crosses is illUstr at ed by this
.~ nursing calf. The photo was made in late
July 1967, several weeks before weaning.
moit -sct'lob'I ltt' e~ bt'i al x es wx ti r
W5 (Ii d' anid platced ill dry lot.
(Calvets werte creep ledt] hig 11141 tI011
feed . Abtl :3 wxeeks belorew xx (jul1
the creep) feedl wxas replaced by at
lended'( rationi of' :30% grun C401 t oastal
se(l i ocal I \itainio A andt inerls ill-
elluded)
We ight wxas recorded for each eall
xx et it reaclhed :365 lax 1)1(1., TIhe ca~lv es
wxere slawlitled bv 1Trooips ats illex
rt'ac'Iu'l i11a1tket xxeigllis anlld girades.
Bith bx(igits rangedi fromt 55 to l100
11). a1tot ax ie1d14 76 lb.. as xlioxx i ii
the tabl le. Sixs cliles exceedted t'e ax ei
agre, midii these bad 2.72 11b. wxeight per
(lax of 101 at[ I x 111. The I I NO t ib belowx
ax erage1 bli ib x (iglits axveraged 2.38 lb).
per~ (ft\, oif' age' at I y ear. NI) apparentCII
tlifficulties werie nlotedl at ealx 11114
Thbe 2.51) (ax axveIrage adj1]usted xx ('111
itig xx eiflt of 679 lb). xxas obtaiied liv
aill'stimi for- sx of calt anid age dfille,]--
t'iwe', to i xsteter equilxIent basis. No
ad( (lstitl('lwi wxere iade for aige ofi (dam.
01t pairtitular inteirest is the' axerage
aoas acltual xx eight 
of 912 lb). Ill I 
'veai . At
calves (tui tll c11 
maket pices these 
calvt's xxoild t
'lge bingiotl 'S270) per head at I yetai.
lim \eigI ii of cows5 avxeragetd 1,1I92 lb).
twhet'nt.l t tic i we xe caves5 ,ltitl (, scm
pit 11 1et 9 e tBls 
('5 xx(o ( il ave ilcs tt'et 
IN a pr.o1
(' il e 'I th i4t w igt 
t x tig t nd at 
I2 lb. li
1ro6ec ihe 17kc 
gr\ttter'be agted it 
t oiai'
(I tollI 
"'
ill the' Iitse 
da~ta sulggest poissibitiest' 
of
avil-rt iiia Ili tdoubling 
gloss iicoeoit I tol
bieef, ca'( lvixes bxv t'otnbittiiig ( I) gi1oss ii
ctillat ' itt of tilt 
clf, (2) milk pr otdictioni 
of'
T tile coxx, ainid (3) supplemoetal tei'ttht
t'l I i (ilixi NII' 1OF CIAxOtAIS 
X I Iiic'li ii'
ik(' of' PlAXl' S Ii S-ilo's, W'''INIELD0, t966-68
pallet
10-11)I.
td, the
'('5 iti
thurit)"
thriee
'7 cot-
'te fit]
s a1(1
iiiiitidi
I xwith
Nf iiti it (i t 's
t.5 lii ii). Ii
A\ .w t. a a,1)
Ax . xwi. p'r dlay of
1 9665- 1967 Total
(67 (i8 iii a\
4 1:3 17
85 7:3 76
723 (665 1679
1,0(01 88:3 912
2.75 2.42 :2.51)
11.5 11.5 11.5
*i~7 en-'
A stairway in the small building (left) leads to the rhizotron. The bin tops con be seen behind the building. At right is interior 
view
from foot of the stairs. Note the vertical faces of the bins on the left and the sloped faces of those on the right.
f1h AUGIBUIiN JKIIU IKUI-0N
J. D. HARWOOD, Department of Publications
Uiiitt't States aid one of onix four iii
the woriti. Ilel(,iloao )I , t Fllil
troll", xx as buiilt hx tile AgTi ieotii( al Ill
searchb Seixvice, U.SDJA, on Llnd It11iiSlietI
1)5 tihe Auburni 1nix eisitx A~gricuilturtal
I2 XPcrillt' it Stationi.
Te I liiotroii is lbdsiclkl aii miitei
grountod xx alkLxxax fitted 1)1 ('it her sidte
xx itli gfliss xx ails s1o that 5ti('iitists eanl
olbseix ( plilit roolts groxx in g iii the soili.
It is 72 ft. long. S ft. deep, andt slightly
over 1:3 ft. xx ide. There e t:20) sodl com-
partmsents, It) onl e'ach side of' the xx alL-
xiVa. l'o. Ii ('1111 phtillent is alhotit 74 iil
high mnid 48 iii. x itle. T'e compariitmen'its
oIii oIi i( side (if' thi( xxalk\xs \ anre :3 1 ili.
tap
1 
rolts xxiii stav agiist (t'e glass.
searl ht's ctan iiil stud\l thit iitiaitimi
gr-oxx t Ii, deepext ('t[ii'i. aiit dleathi ot
tis iiii li miceroscet ts, or i ix se'ria ph o ii
tograpslxh it I Th e iiitx also ihas tqip-f
i~iotlo- midorogan oinlosNre
Betse'arch ittss iitlt' x va iii the rhi/Il
troll is cenitert'd tIl the i'll tes of sil
t'nx iu-oiiiiiittal fattrs sli as -'iditx,
pat t Ii5s (If stI\~lls 1 t ciIS oxxpt ii5.((1 tlit'es.
inl sijilx soil.
0tiII, 11111(1 ii and~tI Xli it Edge
KV
General development of corn root system is shown at left. Center photo shows temperature and moisture probes in bin containing cot-
ton. Right photo shows oxygen probes in soil surface of same bin as center.
AN INTENSIVE EFFORT was made in
1967 by professional agricultural work-
ers and certain segments of the cotton
industry to get farmers to produce the
highest quality cotton possible.
The producer was urged to plant new
varieties and control quality through
production, harvesting, and ginning.
Farmers generally accepted this chal-
lenge and attempted to improve quality.
In many cases, this was at the expense
of reduced yield and higher seed cost.
Prices and Quality
Cotton prices were relatively high in
1967. Alabama farmers interpreted the
higher prices as a premium for higher
quality cotton. Coker 413, the most
popular "high quality" variety, increased
from 10% of planted acreage in 1967 to
approximately 56% 
in 1968. As the out-
look for a larger crop and decreased con-
sumption in 1968 became more apparent,
the price began to decrease. The price
of "quality" cotton declined also.
The problem of quality determination
is complex and includes criteria other
than grade, staple, and micronaire as
established by USDA cotton classing
offices. However, the USDA standards
are primary determinants of price, re-
ceived by the producer and he generally
looks at these standards as a guide to
the quality of his cotton. One of the
major differences in "high quality" varie-
ties apparent to the producer is longer
staple.
The supply of particular grades and
staples of cotton affects the prices re-
ceived by producers. However, supply
or spot market quotations may not be
a good indicator of prices expected for
any one bale of cotton. Spot market
quotations are average prices or in some
instances only a "best estimate" by mer-
chants.
Preliminary studies indicate that most
farmers in Alabama sell their cotton in
round or mixed lots. Analysis of the
price of 1,500 bales of "quality" cotton
sold in 1968 reveals the relationship be-
tween price and class card quality fac-
tors.
In a study of price-quality relation-
ships, a stepwise regression technique
of multiple correlation was employed to
measure the relationship between cotton
prices (dependent variable) and grade,
staple, bale weight, CCC loan value,
and mirconaire reading (independent
variables). All five independent vari-
ables explained only about 11% of the
variation in cotton prices. Likewise, the
overall relationship of cotton prices and
the independent variables had only a
correlation coefficient of .3285, where a
perfect correlation is 1.0000. Therefore,
the independent variables of grade,
staple, bale weight, CCC loan value,
and micronaire reading explained very
little of the variation in cotton prices.
Loan rates established by CCC do not
take into consideration important quality
DOES MARKET PRICE REFLECT
DEMAND for QUALITY COTTON?
JAMES H. SANFORD and JAMES R. HURST
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
PERFORMANCE OF COTTON VARIETIES IN SOUTHERN ALABAMA, 1968
int characteristics, average all tests' Value 
per acre
_int hrtii average all_ tests_ ibased on av. yield,
Average lint characteristics
Variety yield per Dig. fibro, 
length and CCC loan
acre' Micro- Pressley _________ rates'
naire strength 2.5% Unif. Price Value
span ratio per lb.
Lb. Units mpsi In. Pet. Cents Dollars
McNair 1032B 839 4.6 86.1 1.07 48 22.30 
187.10
Auburn 56 835 4.3 82.6 1.06 46 22.30 
186.20
Hy-Bee 100 805 4.5 84.2 1.10 46 22.85 
183.94
Deltapine 45A 804 4.6 82.2 1.10 47 22.85 
183.71
Stoneville 213- 803 4.7 88.1 1.11 46 22.85 
183.48
Hy-Bee 200 797 4.5 83.8 1.09 46 22.30 
177.73
Dixie King II 786 4.4 85.1 1.05 46 20.50 161.13
Deltapine 16 785 4.6 81.0 1.13 47 22.85 
179.37
Stoneville 7A 783 4.7 88.1 1.11 46 22.85 
1.78.92
Coker 201 778 4.6 86.9 1.12 46 22.85 
177.77
TH 149 775 4.4 92.0 1.13 47 22.85 
177.09
Auburn M 768 4.1 83.0 1.08 46 22.30 
171.26
Coker 413-502 ------------------ 763 4.1 91.6 1.17 45 23.40 
178.54
All-in-One 748 4.5 85.6 1.11 45 22.85 
170.92
Atlas 66 726 4.6 96.5 1.10 47 22.85 
165.89
Coker 4104 ------------------------ 724 4.1 83.8 1.16 45 23.40 
169.42
Hy-Bee 401 722 4.6 94.1 1.09 47 22.30 
161.06
Coker 413-68 715 4.2 87.3 1.17 45 23.40 
167.31
Atlas 67 - 711 4.4 98.7 1.09 48 22.30 
158.55
Stoneville 508 682 4.2 82.4 1.16 45 23.40 
159.59
Coker 421-7923 ---------------- 667 ,4.2 88.9 1.14 47 23.40 
156.08
Rex Smoothleaf ----------------- 660 4.1 83.1 1.09 45 22.30 
147.18
1 One year results of variety tests conducted by the Department of Agronomy and 
Soils
at five locations in southern Alabama.
'Results of fiber tests conducted by Textile Engineering Department.
'The 2.5% span length was converted to staple where .03" - 1/32" and Grade was
assumed to be 41 (SLM).
factors such as strength and uniformity
that are important to users of cotton and
which influence price. But the relation-
ship of CCC prices and grade, staple,
and micronaire are definite and can be
applied to each individual bale of cotton.
In recent seasons cotton has sold for
prices considerably above loan value
and factors other than those on class
cards have influenced price. With the
outlook for a larger 1969 crop to be
harvested and decreasing consumption,
a large part of this year's crop will prob-
ably go into the CCC loan program.
An analysis of cotton varieties at five
locations in Alabama during 1968
showed that the decreased yield of some
of the leading "high quality" varieties
was not offset by increased price for
longer staple at present CCC loan levels.
The table shows that cotton varieties
ranked in order of yield are almost
identical to their ranking in value per
acre. Profit is still of paramount impor-
tance to cotton producers. They will
continue to plant proven high yielding
varieties of cotton that give the highest
return per acre under present pricing
schedules. Planting of such varieties,
however, may not be consistent with im-
proving the competitive position of cot-
ton in the market place with manmade
fibers.
l i I \i t I i I ) Ii I Ii Ii It I
Illt I ti t I Lt v \ ti t I I ( , 1 I I Ix
IX . I ( II i( I t i'i I I) I1 It x Ii i
Ihu )lxl til 1 t l ,it Ii( o I I i 1(iiii
A i d ili I Iit il I I I1 I' I )I I I i
Ii x i l 4 t .1 1 1 1 1' u t i t I ll
li x I lIil I i ' xx I i 11 t I Iit
Aitx' I i I J i h i t\ \ 1 ittiit- )ill
Ilt I ii i I It ii it ilt.i I L t i )I Ii I t l i I11
Ill I t It I I I i It I it Ix ill ti til x I t
li i tl i t i ti It I i t i II x il tt
till I tt
It) I Ixl, ( xx I I i xIi tt t I . t t t
it 'x It i l IIi i4 Ix I t 1 il x I tI t Itt I It I
I Ii t txlii ili I 'lI 'i t t i
I i l ' t I II i Ix I ll I tIt I I I i ~I
I t
Fcst I
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it 't tt 1i
ti
150 SI 1. 2I
it56TtM 151 7:3651
1). 00l 1)1 ~ -) 01.
t 100.10() Til t
I i t 50, 5 1
Broiler house at left was
in walls and ceiling.
insulated only in ceiling. House at right was completely insulated
'xil I It i x it tt I t I x ) 11 t t i I it xx I II
ti L i I I i l I itL i t I xl 'I I111 I I it I i i t Ix I
It tMt ' H ~ i 111t it, xt 1 .1 t ( II 1 L I cti i t I I
t I Il \
I
t 
I
lii it lxi
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it
It t
II t
I ixI 2
II
II t
I I( t I II iI(- 1 1&
\ 1. \t,
li0 it 1)1 ll.
i 0 1i Sit i)15 
Si I
;' 05 Sill (I'1) 5, ) tLStI-
1 00 1 T. I I
lm l ii W 11~ li4 lt li ili ii t1;illtiill 'I li l 
xiii xxi dii I ill' .2 ix I )ct tl~ ill tc]it .l i ,
,,l \ill 2 S I c t S . oI' ll (t
It t I I I t (t I I tI t I i t I tt li L' I t
I Ix I Ii Ii Ii t I Ix lil Ii Ix til 
It~
d i I . tIlt I t It i t I l lit I11 it [ l It' i ; t I (
Itt I 11 I it I5 I t i ix I ll lii t 1 l1
11111 I i I It ' i I ' i t It lilt It Iti I I ' I t I .1
i i i lit i lt t xxi 5 t 'xt x t 1,ttI it ' I I ,i it
Ii xx iI ti I Iii I r; i l 't t i i t I11
I I Iii I11' till Ii Ii I~ til ii 11 t111
ii t I xI t t I ii( it it it It (i 't t t I I1 1 t il ix i
I ~t I I i I I11 xt I i tI I 'l I x I t ii t
it, t Ii I l It lI t li of I tt II t it it'l /t 11
I'x 'it t I I II I Ii'I t IItiI
BROILER HOUSE INSULATION..
What are the Effects?
C. A. ROLLO, Dept. of Agi'culturatl Entgieer~ing
G. R. McDANIEL, Dept. of Poultrty Science
Processed garbage proved to be a 
good mulch for ornamental
plants in Auburn tests. Note characteristic 
texture of material.
S\I II ' C'.I~it.I C(lxixSJ fileiog tbt' flitioli 
eoold( '.\iiitf
Ifl) xmiellii like a rose!
Htxt'.i th at Aiihiii tiixei sitx Agi 
icItlirri Expei iilijt
Stltioii hlas IC' t'IIf that1 processedt' 
gillbage ix s : silitaile
tIlirfer i (Talit fioiol thle U.S. Pubuic 
ealth~ Service, I011(
pr ocessed( .gi iage mOiddlesC to be' as 
t'ffectixe axs miany il e
(lllllOllll ' liseI fillilchflig Ilileiis.
Ther arCeC~ sex ei a]points fax 01ilig p~rocesex 
d gailxige
Inllee: ( I1) thitv ie effectix e for 
mlore thiai I v ear; 2 )
I IC. ilnfflIlicC soil ilioixtiic. tei1eratillr(' 
f)If I 11illitlitioli:
:3) '.. ilt biii esisttimt to 
(los1i(T, p~roceed' galiii-ge
mulhes dox n1 ot pac k of- mjat; and 
(14) xxc eel giox'. t is Ifliedt
ZilI [~ pf.ilt If)olI)Se grli tix ilf)Io\,e(I 
1\r Ilii~g thisIilltl
Abundant Supply Available
ILadc \.(,ill tile av.cri1(4 Aii al dlisposes 
oif 10 61(1)li. of
Iii li t \%ictit' fiC iiix(lthifibbr 
paper(, li ic a , g).1
1
)CI ilag.
Al1(f liiit~ifx ille he(111( salvaiged. 
fTe rlliaililing leflxI is
Ill lii hdil i o p se 
o-ls ti S i lin filt 
e tlz l
AiibuiiI's It'tich fax tie at compost 
prodfiuif 1)' thle
Cit'. of Mfobile. Thi. pocessed(' gui hae 
has. ar,k f)OMi~x
color?, xx itfI i falgt'llilinlt'. of 
ff('\ih)I i11(1 rigif plastic aiiffl-
II t. All glax'. is groim id toif as'.ze 
tfiat tdoes' ilt fplC51'lt .1
prolem~i ill hliinfflg. 0x trill] 
tCxtlI of thle froictll is
xiolii'x fat giliiiilair. It ix (fifficlIft 
to ignite, with a1 lliltdli.
foeioical iiiilx xsix ( Spoi xx ax 
) oif processed gal fbiage shox'.'
20- 4(0 pp.m1., aod calcioni of 15(0 
:3(00 f).f).l. 1'( f)II ix 8.6
anid liigfilx l.ixtillit to chlige. 
It ha'. :i hh salt Coltlit
rpPCCrrFDn- 
CAPACF:
Useful Mulch for
Ornamental Plants
KENNETH C. SANDERSON, HtNRY P. ORR, and
WILLIS C. MARTIN, JR., Dept. of Horticulture
('.01011itlgt irtatfinig I :5 dilutioni 
fail d.tred 7(1 iiifiti'.
bult the salt xit le eail'. leied.
Good Mulch Results
Interiest that gilel iiatcd t'\Jel illilit'. xxitfi plrol'Cc~fe 
gill (age
11011-11 xx il iteilisI. (if fte firgt' (Iflilitities 
of thelit' 11111 af
iaiflib bif ht could( he Its'ill park iiid 
fir\igf ix' l plillitil 4'.
\ld tfiese lolilels it'. li.c piox ('I '.lieeix.fIl 
il 0 0011 ()Il'
-Not apifl-lilt (filelic tI cr tot x x I '0!ixI ii ill thei 
growxth of
procestsedt(f grfit'.c xaxx fiixt. of- pine '.trixx. 
Lea',f an1d floxx Cl-
colo old pfl ,roxitiSie. a\le olk'.x ll tot 
.1i~ll fi i e giddle.'i
oil lili itlllit' 1111(1 tt'iii shoretlil lli1 Ii p it 
xe ghn seillie
11141 lit \,bell la ttn cIllipil ifl('c to) results 
\xitfi othiel i11il lis.fi'
\Ioutfif Illititl a'lld tt'llipetrltuilre t'wigx(T 
(fil (g \IaN to
nuIN 19(68 (if 48 plot. til it liixax sliipte xboxxed 
thei f'ol lo'.
ilil" t Ii' Cs ':
f)l (f It I 1 11
'ilIt '.t Ilxx
pct cclit
78 .S
90l. 1
92. 1
94.8
J2 .5
9 t1.7
Tc Il ipi'latIlic
79.3
78.1
7(6.5
77.4
78.3
Prociesied gill iigt' mulche~s xx cIC also fool 1( to enhi'i thet
.iiil. \fi, ktd 111(1 ('axe ill pf I. fhflihxf-fiiisl poilssolil. a111(
callcillill I '.'elo aifter li111clltfi xxr ('1.' xiox b\ these s.oil 
tett
rlts '
11111101
111lff 1111
Si'. (l1lxt
Ficinlit,
I' K
tt 1 89.5
2.1 2118.8
1.5 85.1
5.9 88.5
1.5 2:30t.5
lb. peri (Jill
Ca
882.0l
9t0 1.0
851.01
899).0
9.51.01
1.20(1.01
1115.8
1012.0)
11 8.5
\ i i\ \ 'I IS M I H Pi I, \\t I I 1 ' t ,11iJ )) 1)1()1)1( m ( t
Alii~aama grtows . A' lthioughia ttnumber of f actors atre ill
volvel, tille 1)1 iiii-xx weatlIicr elements are tsol) tc eti ti tt t
and monisturie. Sitc soil temperature x atit's lri daxy tn
day, \xx e ned tn knoxx its influence ott seed gerinittafiont alt)
1
seedilig ('11ttt'rt'ttCC tinder field conditinns.
To (lete itlint' ft'e effeet of soil tetlip
1
eratttte oil c'it('tgetlIte
Mitd estaihislillnelt of, a stiti of peittitits. it ('\pet inlit i s
Stafoolt fo it a 5-s tat periodi from- 19654 ftotigli 19(68. Tie
soil wxias pu epat ci 1) - toi oiln g with iii 01(11 a d plowx to i
depth of (6 to S itt. aind diskinig pr iot to the first plaititig
each ' \ear. A ri t a -v tille \-it s used to ptrepare at lt'x-c seed(I
lbt'd beforeI pliit it 04. Seed o)1 Eatk lx ittuet'vrc\\j~
getiitiation inl exceIs. of' 5% xxet-e tised. Seed wxere pliteti
6 itt. apat foi at)l 2, itt. deep at xx ekix inftx aixs hegittitti ig
iap
1
roxitiat clx X v arclh 1 7 of each y ear. Eatch plot cotnsistetd
of 2 ruixws, 2-1 itt. aixo t anid 20 ft. long, wxithieh pilattittg
onl at ? x en datte replic(at ed I our tim es.
Seedlitng ('met get te xwas recorded each xweek fot :3 wek
lolioxi iig eatch plantitng. Mlaximum aittd tititititi soil teni)
fieraf tires at 1, 2, -4. atid 8 itt. bloxx the stil stit face wxere
record(ed da~ily. Since so il temrntu~tre at tilt' 4-in. depthi
xxas ;ifleceel les.s i) -vilittpt eliatigyes inl atir tlipert iiite and
1
other~ xweathier x ililes. dils. maxiilmim teiiiperattttes at fthi
diepth lior 1tt dax ' prior to each planttinig date xwere used.
The S itt. tleptli wxits thought to he too fatl beloxx the pliatitig
iotte of' the jpealltti Seed.
Asiunnti of' ft' results of this sttudx is presetfed ti the
gtraphi. liesuiits itndicatte thait the itt (ax itx (ritgt' iiaiil tti
shot iid he (65 F ot alitoxe fotr siltisfa~ctory seedlit ig emet geutIee.
This iivetitget' flpti ittutl l' slitu~ll oeetirru't ,ilut April .5
tll(Marrl Apr.Au iii
J11 eff~pefLUre
AUBREY C. MIXON, CR. ARS. USDA
E. M. EVANS, Dept. of Agronomy aind Soils
PAUL A. MOTT, U.S. Weather Bureau
Ilt fit', lmit ti at of Aliaama the U9.S. XX e~iftr lUiti a
miiti liis tilset xitig statiutios att I leattlid i, ( ,l'ttt anmd En-
titinled bliisft'tliig tio those locatl ritlio antd t('i('x isioti staitis
inl ft'e peii tiIt r.i th1a ,t tooperaite xx i t fle Wet'heir I t reiti
Agtriculi tutral Set xitt'. 'IT'e jj apox~ima tt' date('sx lit' tflt' soil
tetiiperitturretachetd atll axvtetrage of 65' F' or ifmlmxe att the 4-itt.
depth ditriting the patst 4- or .5 xeatr petritid ait [lie abovmxe locit-
tiotis wxere its 1 tilitiss :
Illtiti -b I )Vcs' w'ie a
.XlateI 22-Api 7 March l()Xii 13
lit tiltiii
.Xlat'el I 5' ipjil 7
Pct. Seed.
Emerg.
80 I-
70
60
50
40
20L
o i 
l] - -
-
-
, .
57 60 63 66 69 72
[ Soil Temperature 'F
Peanut seedling emergence as affected by soil temperature at the
4-in, depth on a sandy loam sail at Auburn.
if it flirinet utecds to kttixs thle itppu txiiuite Sil teipil-
ture of it pitttictular fit'eld, lit' may obtaini it wxitht ailmost alix
Iin. itt ft'e stil at sei liiiitoctis xxitintiflt fie'ld. The
0xc it I the i eaditts x\\ill grixve ft'e field tcnipe atm t'. A
tt'iliil ,ftute otii ediit ill this inittei atround 10(t:tt0 it. tin
clea'.r da shudaprox\im ate the da~iki ax era ge somil tern -
Low soil temperature can result in uneven stands of peanuts.
15-31 
12 15 
19-21 26-29 
5-8
0 
0
Mar.
15-31
Apr.
12 - 15 19- 21 26-295-8
I 
I
i I I I
Some ECONOMIC and LEGAL
ASPECTS of FARM LEASING
HOWARD A. CLONTS and JAMES R. HURST
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
LAND OWNERSHIP is not essential for
successful farm operation. This was
affirmed in a recent contest for outstand-
ing farmers in which a majority of the
entries rented a substantial part of the
land they operated.
Alabama farmers traditionally have
attempted to increase their farm opera-
tions by purchasing land as opposed to
renting additional acres. Throughout the
Southeastern States renting has been
associated with "tenants" and "share-
croppers." However, in recent years
purchases of farmland have become eco-
nomically prohibitive to many farmers
because of high interest rates and price
inflation. Consequently, leasing is be-
coming commonplace in certain areas of
agricultural production, such as cotton
and soybeans, and the "sharecropper
image" of farmers who rent is rapidly
diminishing as a barrier to farm leasing.
The 1964 Census Indicated
The 1964 Census of Agriculture indi-
cated that only 20% of all Alabama farm-
ers were full tenants. The proportion of
Alabama farmers renting (leasing),part
of the land they farm is increasing, and
in 1964, 20% of the farmers were con-
sidered part-tenants and part-owners.
However, the 40% of Alabama farmers
operating under a lease agreement is still
low when compared with some Midwest-
ern States where 60% of the farms are
operated under leases.
10
In addition to increasing land prices
and interest rates making leasing more
attractive to farmers seeking to expand
the size of their operations, renting land
releases capital for acquiring more ma-
chinery and other technological re-
sources to increase. efficiency. Leasing is
also attractive to landowners as a means
of increasing income from under-utilized
land. As a result, the farm lease has
new importance and acceptance in mod-
ern agriculture.
Legal Aspects
In a legal sense anyone who uses the
land of another and pays a rent, whether
the payment is in cash or kind, is a
tenant. In the Southeast, the word ten-
ant has been associated with a share-
cropper, and there is a distinction be-
tween these two classes of tenants in
some states. 
However, 
a "sharecropper"
in Alabama is merely a tenant who pays
rent in crops, not cash, and has the
same legal status as a cash renter. "Share-
croppers" are rapidly decreasing and to-
day's tenant is typically a relatively ef-
ficient farm operator. The modern ten-
ant has the managerial ability to employ
his limited capital in acquiring the com-
bination of resources that will yield the
highest return - often through leasing.
A farm lease is a legal agreement be-
tween the landlord and tenant which
specifies their rights and responsibilities.
The traditional lease has been an oral
agreement for 1 year. Oral leases for
1 year or less are legal and binding upon
the parties but increase chances for mis-
understanding terms of the lease. Writ-
ten leases can eliminate many of the
problems of miscommunication and are
a legal necessity for a lease of more
than I year. Because additional invest-
ment in machinery, equipment, and land
treatment not recoverable in I year is
necessary, leases for periods longer than
one year often are desirable. Longer
term leases also facilitate farm planning
and adjustment. For legal and practical
reasons leases should be in writing.
Requirements of a Legal Lease
A written lease to be legal and bind-
ing must contain:
(1) Names of parties (landlord and
tenant)
(2) Description of property to be
leased (legal description)
(3) Time of lease period (beginning
and ending dates)
(4) Amount of rent and time sched-
ule for payment of rent
(5) Signatures of parties to the lease.
Terms of Lease
In addition to the basic legal require-
ments of a lease, other terms stating
specific rights and responsibilities of the
parties should be included. In the ab-
sence of contractual agreement between
the parties, certain rights may be mis-
understood and determined by opera-
tion of law as specified in the Code of
Alabama'. It is good management to
have a written agreement on any matter
that may give rise to misunderstanding
and possible legal proceedings.
It is not possible for laws to cover
all possible situations, so to secure equity
for both the landlord and tenant the
terms of a lease should go beyond legal
aspects of a lease. The cash lease is
more practical and is becoming more
widely used than share leases because
of its simplicity and aid in budgeting
and planning. The terms of a cash lease
pertain mostly to amount and method
of payment of rent and to certain f arm-
ing practices related to maintenance and
productivity of the land and improve-
ments.
Farm leases equitable to both land-
lord and tenant can increase the land
available to efficient farmers and provide
a satisfactory return to both parties.
'Lewis, W. 0., et al. eds. 1959. The
Code of Alabama, 16:31:78-117. ..
A History of Agronomy and Soils at Auburn University
L. E. ENSMINGER, Depoartment of Agronomy and Soils
AGRONOMY WAS FIRST listed as a sep-
arate teaching unit in the 1916 catalog
of Auburn University (then Alabama
Polytechnic Institute). It was one of
five departments in the College of Agri-
cultural Sciences. The staff consisted of
Professor J. F. Duggar, who was also
Director of the Agricultural Experiment
Station and Extension Service, Associate
Professor M. J. Funchess, and Instructor
Frank Boyd. All three staff members
held the Master of Science Degree.
The Department of Crops and Soils
was created in 1919 with Professor M. J.
Funchess as Head. Although the De-
partment was not formally organized un-
til 1919, agronomic research was first
activated by an act of the 1911 Legisla-
ture that made funds available for co-
operative field experiments with farmers.
J. T. Williamson was hired in 1911 and
put in charge of conducting fertilizer
experiments throughout the State. He
also established Experiment Fields at
Atmore, Hackleburg, and Gastonburg.
Much valuable information resulted from
these early agronomic experiments con-
ducted under his supervision.
In 1931 the name of the department
was changed to Department of Agron-
omy and Soils. By this time the teach-
ing and research staff numbered 13, with
M. J. Funchess serving as Head Professor
as well as Director of the Agricultural
Experiment Station. Dr. J. W. Tidmore
was appointed Head effective July 1,
1935, and served in that capacity until
his death as the result of an automobile
accident in July 1941.
The Department earned national rec-
ognition for its early work in soil chem-
istry and soil fertility. Besides the staff
members already mentioned, the follow-
ing scientists contributed toward this
early recognition: Dr. W. H. Pierre, Dr.
F. W. Parker, Dr. L. D. Bayer, Dr. N. J.
Volk, Dr. G. D. Scarseth, and Dr. Anna
Sommers.
Dr. Pierre's classical research on resi-
dual acidity or basicity of fertilizers was
first published in 1928. This work was
the basis of the method adopted by the
Association of Official Agricultural Chem-
ists for determining the equivalent acid-
ity or basicity of fertilizers. The research
program in soils has remained strong
with the addition to the staff since World
War II of many other well trained soil
scientists.
During the early years of the Depart-
ment the emphasis was on soils and
fertilizers. Since 1940 the crop research
program, including plant breeding, crop
production, and turf management, has
been greatly strengthened. Crop scien-
tists of the Department have made a
number of important contributions.
Homer Tisdale developed and released
Auburn 56 cotton in 1955. This variety
is still used to some extent as a variety,
and it has been used extensively as a
genetic base for many new varieties.
Regal clover, developed by Drs. P. B.
Gibson, E. D. Donnelly, and W. C. John-
son, was released in 1962. Because of
its many good qualities, Regal has be-
come widely used in the Southeast.
Dr. Donnelly has developed improved
varieties of sericea and a reseeding vetch
that is ready for release. The introduc-
tion of zoysia matrella in 1927 by Dr.
D. G. Sturkie was a significant contribu-
tion to the Southeast.
In 1946, Dr. C. F. Simmons, now As-
sociate Dean of the School of Agricul-
ture and Assistant Director of the Agri-
cultural Experiment Station, became
Head of the Department and served un-
til January 1, 1951. Dr. Howard T.
Rogers became Head on July 1, 1951,
and served in that capacity until, be-
cause of ill health, he accepted a posi-
tion in the Department with less respon-
sibilities on January 1, 1966.
Dr. Rogers was responsible for organ-
izing a soil testing laboratory in 1954,
with Dr. C. M. Wilson as its first direc-
tor. Upon Dr. Wilson's resignation in
1957, Dr. R. D. Rouse assumed direc-
tion of the laboratory. He remained as
director of the laboratory until his ap-
pointment as Associate Director of the
Agricultural Experiment Station and As-
sistant Dean of the School of Agricul-
ture on July 1, 1966. Dr. J. T. Cope,
Jr., is presently in charge of the soil test-
ing laboratory, which is now analyzing
about 35,000 samples annually.
Upon completion of Funchess Hall
the Department moved from Coner Hall
into Funchess in 1962, along with the
departments of Botany and Plant Path-
ology, Horticulture, and Zoology-Ento-
mology. Agronomy and Soils now oc-
cupies most of the second floor of Funch-
ess Hall, as well as space for the soil
testing laboratory on the first floor.
Although the laboratories in Comer
Hall were well equipped, laboratory
space was not adequate and office space
was entirely inadequate. The Depart-
ment now has the space and equipment
necessary to carry on research programs
in almost all phases of crop and soil
sciences. Three growth chambers in
Funchess Hall and one in the basement
of Comer Hall are used in research.
For a number of years the Depart-
ment has operated an agronomy farm
located on the southern edge of the
campus. Here several experiments of
historical importance, some dating back
prior to 1900, are still underway. The
research program was further strength-
ened in 1946 by the purchase of a 400-
acre Plant Breeding Unit near Tallassee.
This unit was originally used for plant
breeding research, but in more recent
years work has been expanded to in-
clude other agronomic research as well.
While Head of the Department, Dr.
Rogers organized a foundation seed
stocks program with a headquarters farm
near Thorsby. This farm was acquired
in 1954 and is being used for produc-
ing, processing, and storing of founda-
tion seed and for cooperative field re-
search with USDA-ARS.
An undergraduate major is offered as
well as graduate work at both the mas-
ter's and doctoral levels. The first mas-
ter's degree was awarded about 1925,
and some 100 such degrees have been
awarded since that time.
The doctoral program in the Depart-
ment was initiated in 1959 and the first
Ph.D. awarded in June 1962. A total
of 20 doctorates has been awarded to
date. Thirteen members of the Depart-
ment are also on the Graduate Faculty
of Auburn University.
Dr. L. E. Ensminger was appointed
acting Head on January 1, 1966, and
became Head July 1, 1966. At present
there are 31 professional staff members,
19 of whom have Ph.D. degrees. In ad-
dition, there are 10 USDA-ARS profes-
sional research workers attached to the
Department. There are 30 research proj-
ects in the Department covering most
phases of crops and soils.
11
VIRUS INFECTION of GRASSES
JAMES V. CANERDAY and ROBERT T. GUDAUSKAS
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
SEVERAL VIHUSES infect many impor-
tant grain and forage crops.
These infections are known to reduce
quality and quantity 
but the effects of
such infections on growth and yield of
many grasses are unknown.
Maize dwarf mosaic virus ( MDMV)
is a damaging pest of corn in Alabama
and at least 19 other states. The virus
also infects many other grasses. In
studies at the Auburn University Agri-
cultural Experiment Station, the sus-
ceptibility of many grasses to MIDMV
was determined and effects of the virus
on performance of some were investi-
gated.
Grasses were grown in pots in the
greenhouse and inoculated in the seed-
ling stage by rubbing leaves with a
cheesecloth pad saturated with sap from
an MDMIV-infected corn plant. An equal
number of plants of each grass were
inoculated with sap from healthy corn
to serve as controls. Plants were ob-
served for symptom appearance for 5-6
weeks following inoculation. Grasses
showing questionable or no symptoms
were retested, and back inoculations to
corn were made from symptomless
plants.
Reactions of some grasses to MDMV
are given in the table. All sorghums and
sudangrasses tested were susceptible, as
were 32 of 34 sorghum-sudangrass hy-
24r
Hec thy
2 
D.iseased
2
Cutng
FIG. 1. Protein content of healthy and
MDMV-infected johnsongrass.
brids. Gahi 1 pearl millet was suscepti-
ble while four other pearl millets were
not. Johnsongrass has long been known
to be susceptible and is recognized as
an important natural reservoir of MDMV.
All infected grasses showed the symptom
typical of MDMV infection in corn, i.e.,
a mottle or mosaic pattern that appeared
first at the base of youngest leaves. Some
non-susceptible grasses included bahia-
grass, Goar fescue, Boone 
orchardgrass,
and Italian ryegrass.
Effects of MDMV infection on per-
formance of johnsongrass and a sorghum-
sudan hybrid were studied in additional
experiments. The grasses were grown
in the greenhouse and inoculated as be-
fore. Cuttings of healthy and NIDtV-
infected grass were made periodically
after inoculation and yield, protein con-
tents, and digestibilities were measured.
Protein contents were calculated from
nitrogen analyses; digestibilities were
determined with fistulated steers.
MDMV infection had no apparent
detrimental effect on protein content or
digestibility of johnsongrass or the sor-
ghum-sudan hybrid. In fact, protein con-
tent and digestibility of infected john-
songrass were slightly higher than those
of healthy, Figures 1 and 2. Similarly,
yield of johnsongrass was unaffected,
however, yield of the sorghum-sudan hy-
brid was reduced by 40% at the second
cutting and 12% at the third, Figure 3.
Much of the reduction appeared to be
due to die-off following 
the first cutting.
SUSCEPTIBnLITY OF SOME CGnASSES To MDIMV
Susceptible
brown top millet sudangrasses
johnsongrass Cumberland 
Trudan
pearl millet, Gahi-1 Monarch Tirudan
sorghums RP Su I TruidaTn
Beeflbuilder NK 300 sorghum-sudangrass hybri
F-101 NK 315 Big H 3 little Ii
Funks 2615 NK 318-S Captain Die Milkmak
FS 15 NK 320 DeKalb SX-11 Orbit
FS 22 NK 330 DeKalb SX-12 Pioneer 9
Ga 615 Pioneer 931 DeKalb SX-16 Pioneer 9
H 6354 Pioneer 940 Funks 77F Pioneer
HOK Rudy Patrick Funks G-78F Pioneer
55F Golden Sue RP Mor
Husky Silomaker Grazemaster Southern
LEH 4031 Su Chow 2 Grazer-A Su Chow
LEH 4048 Titan R Green Graze Su-4
Yieldmaker Greenlan Sucrosse
Green M Summerq
lHidan 37 Sure Gra
Hidan 38 Sweet Si,
Leafy Sue Thunder
Non-Susceptible
I bahiagrass
II canarygrass, Auburn Reed
III centipedegrass
ds tall fescue, Goar
ndians koleagrass
er orchardgrass, Boone
pearl millets
)50 Millex 22
)80 NK-X-1002
985 Pearlex 21
988 Pearlex 22
Su ryegrass, Italian
Cross sorghum-sudangrass
,35 hybrids
Gro-N-Graze
HG-12
FIG. 2. Digestibility of healthy and MDMV- FIG. 3. Yield of healthy and MDMV-in-
infected johnsongrass. fected sorghum-sudan hybrid.
UNUSUAL FRUIT ROT
Found in ALABAMA
ARCHIE J. LATHAM, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
S. commune occurs worldwide as a
common wood rotting fungus. It has
shown preference for apple wood upon
which its fruiting structures may be
found, Figure 1C. The paucity of re-
ported studies on apple fruit may be
an indication of the lack of importance
of this apple fruit disease or the failure
of investigators to successfully identify
the causal agent. However, the occur-
rence of Schizophyllum rot on apple
fruit exemplifies the need for practicing
sanitation in producing orchards. The
elimination of dead wood and its de-
struction is essential to remove potential
sources of inoculum to ripening fruit by
Schizophyllum and a multiplicity of other
fungi.
A N UNUSUAL PATTERN of rot was found
in July Delicious apples in a basket of
discard fruit in a fruit packing shed in
Central Alabama in July 1967.
The diseased apples were incubated
in culture dishes on a laboratory table
for 6-8 weeks at 22-33"C. During the
incubation period a zonate-like rot
spread over the apple surface, Figure
1A, and small tufts of white mold de-
veloped randomly from the fruit. The
tufts of mold continued to form and
spread until the entire apple surface be-
came covered with a felt-like mat. After
8-weeks incubation, the cultures were
removed to a darkened shelf and allowed
to incubate for 30 days. Mushroom-like
structures (basidiocarps) were observed
on the rotted fruit at the end of the
90-day incubation period, Figure lB. The
fungus has been identified as Schizo-
phyllum commune.
Only two other reports of S. commun
o
occurrence on apple fruit have been
found in a literature search. The first
report came from Oregon in 1931 when
the basidiocarps of S. commune were
observed on green apples thinned from
trees early in the growing season. The
other report was in 1961 when the
basidiocarps were also found on fallen
apples and pears in an orchard in north-
ern Italy. However, the Italian research-
ers were unsuccessful in clearly estab-
lishing causal relationships with S. com-
mune. Failure to reproduce basidiocarps
on artifically inoculated apples was at-
tributed to an inability to produce proper
environmental conditions and possible
genetic variability of S. commune.
Preliminary investigations were con-
ducted to determine the temperatures at
which optimum growth of the fungus
occurred, and to develop information
relative to light requirements for proper
fungal development. Subsequently, the
following apple varieties were inocu-
lated: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious,
Jonathan, Rome, Red Steele, Winesap,
and Red York. A mycelial agar disc cut
from actively growing cultures of S. com-
mune was inserted into a hole aseptically
cut into the fruit. The hole was sealed
with Scotch tape, the apples were placed
in plastic refrigerator cups enclosed in
plastic bags and subsequently incubated
at 21, 24, 27, 30, or 33
0
C. Four apples
of each variety were used at each tem-
perature. Optimum 
rate of rot develop-
ment occurred at 30 to 33'C. Golden
Delicious and Red York apples rotted
fastest and became completely envel-
oped by rot within the first 18 days in-
cubation. After 8 weeks incubation only
two basidiocarps of S. commune were
observed though the cultures had re-
ceived the previous determined minimal
incandescent light exposures. Therefore
one apple of each variety was removed
from the 30 and 33' incubators to a shelf
where minimal daylight could be received
by the vegetative mycelium of the fungus.
After 14 days incubation, typical basidio-
carps of S. commune had formed on
these apples, thereby establishing con-
vincing evidence for pathogenicity.
Other research has shown that S.
commune infects apples through wounds
or natural openings into the fruit, such
as at the calyx end of the apple.
Shown here are identifying features of
Schizophyllum apple rot. A. Zonate symp-
toms on rotted fruit. B. Basidiocarps formed
on rotted fruit. C. Schizophyllum basidio-
carps on apple twig.
D. G. STURKIE, Dept, of Agroooeiy o,,d Soiis
Crownvetch anud weeping Iovegrass planting on roadside. 
Left photo shows site on May 5
of year of planting. Right photo shows some site on May 15, 3 years 
toter.
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Hatchery Management and Sanitation Affects Poultry Profits
S. A. EDGAR and J. R. STEVENSON*, Department of Poultry Science
M ANY ERRORS in hatchery manage-
ment and sanitation that had a detri-
mental effect on poultry production were
revealed in a recent 3-year study by
Auburn University Agricultural Experi-
ment Station. In most companies, usually
not one but several factors were re-
sponsible for losses, but sometimes one
serious error accounted for most.
The most important faults encountered
in hatcheries were reported in an earlier
issue of Highlights of Agricultural Re-
search (Vol. 13, No. 3).
Faults affected production in two
ways: (1) in hatchability, and (2) in
quality of chicks and their subsequent
performance as broilers or layers, or in
breeder flocks. Most problems affecting
hatchability were found to be mechani-
cal: infrequent or improper gathering
and casing eggs hot, breaking or crack-
ing eggs, holding eggs at temperatures
too high or too low and for too long,
and setting cull eggs. Such errors did
not affect chick quality greatly.
Other factors, such as poor egg sani-
tation, were detrimental to hatchability
and were evidenced by "exploders,"
dead-in-shell embryos, dead pipped em-
bryos, early chick mortality, and weak,
infected chickens that died early or were
stunted.
* Resigned.
Although certain diseases were egg-
transmitted, they are not covered in this
report. High microbial contamination at
one or more locations in hatcheries had
no effect on hatchability, but was detri-
mental to chicks and their performance.
Diseases most often associated with
poor egg or hatchery sanitation included:
(1) Aspergillosis. Severe infections
caused brooder pneumonia and early
chick mortality. If low grade, there was
less mortality, or none, but some birds
were stunted and there were some deaths
as infection progressed. Some birds died
later from toxins or fungus growth.
(2) Omphalitis. This was caused by
Escherichia coli, coliforms, Staphylococ-
cus, Proteus, or other agents and resulted
in stunting and early deaths.
(3) Salmonellosis (mostly paraty-
phoids). This resulted in some deaths
and stunting.
Exposure of newly hatched chicks to
high microbial contamination on surfaces
or in the air lowered chick quality and
performance of chickens.
Correction of errors by several broiler
companies resulted in considerable im-
provements in hatchability. This is shown
by results in table from some firms.
An efficient broiler producing com-
pany, such as A, that was already averag-
ing above 85% hatchability of all eggs
AVERAGE HATCHABILITY IN Six HATCHERIES, BEFORE AND AFTER CORRECTING ERRORS
Cracks or Infertile Embryo 
deaths during incubation' 
Hatch
Company cull eggs eggs 1-7 days 8-18 days 19-21 days
Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct.
Company A
Before correction .- 1.5 8.1 3.0 0.5 1.6 85.4
After correction- 1.0 
8.0 1.5 .5 
1.3 87.72
Company B
Before correction - - 1.0' 9.9 5.0 9.5 5.0 69.6
After correction- - 1.0 8.0 2.0 .5 2.5 87.2
Company C
Before correction ------------. 11.3 9.2 2.0 0 3.0 74.5
After correction-------- 1.0 9.3 1.0 3.5 2.0 86.0
Company D
Before correction ---- 1.0 8.0*
0  
2.0 0 10.0 79.0
After correction .-. 1.0 7.0* 2.0 0 2.0 88.6
Company E
Before correction ....... 8.0 ... ... 78.0
After correction--------- 1.0 8.0 1.6 .4 1.6 86.0
Company F
Before correction - 1.0 9.0 2.0 6.0' 6.0' 
76.0
After correction --- 1.0 9.0 2.0 0 2.0 86.0
' Includes pipped and weak and cull chicks.
'June to November.
3 In addition, slightly 
more than 5% of hatching 
eg
reduced to less than 20%.
* indicates 
that figure 
was calculated.
' Some hatches were 50-60% with many weak chicks.
'Failure to pull all chicks because of uneven hatches.
gs were lost in cracks, and this was
set had only slight improvement - from
85.4 to 87.7%. Companies B, C, 
D, E,
and F experienced much greater im-
provement - 8 to 18%.
Company B's improvement resulted
almost entirely from (1) improving egg
and hen house sanitation, and (2) dis-
continuing improper washing of hatch-
ing eggs so that only clean or dry cleaned
eggs were set. Clean eggs were attained
by improving breeder flock management.
In the case of Company C, improve-
ment was mainly from reducing egg
cracking or breaking at gathering and
traying, by repair or replacement of
warped egg trays and buggies that
caused breakage, and by reducing break-
age at transfer.
Company D, a white leghorn opera-
tion, improved by correcting egg gather-
ing, setting only clean or dry cleaned
eggs, and reducing inside hatcher tem-
peratures of some machines from 104-
1050 to 990F.
Improvement by Company E resulted
entirely from proper scheduled setting
of eggs so that none were over 4 to 5
days old when set. Previously some
were held more than 14 days before set-
ting, and at improper temperature.
Company F's problem was caused by
duct work on setters that caused hot
and cold pockets. This resulted in some
embryo deaths during incubation and
uneven hatching so that many chicks
were not pulled.
After correction, all six companies
were setting less than 1% cull eggs of
all types, and these improvements were
averages for 6 to 12 months. All com-
panies had several flocks each that
hatched above 92% of all eggs set some-
time during the period of lay.
The best 6- to 12-month efforts of
15 broiler companies show that at least
90% hatchability of eggs can be reached.
Two companies averaged within 2.5%
of this potential. An average of 93-94%
hatch should be attainable for commer-
cial egg strains.
Although increased hatchability is
highly important, other advantages from
hatchery and breeder flock improvement
are equally profitable. In the case of
one company, these additional advan-
tages included (1) a reduction in runts
from 1 to 5% down to nearly zero at
market age, (2) 2.5% less mortality, (3)
2% lower condemnation, and (4) greatly
reduced drug bill - worth far more than
the hatchability increase.
15
NW
RADIOS Keep Track
of WILD TURKEYS
LARRY IH. BARWICK
Deportmei of Zoology-Ettonitology
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AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
AUBURN, ALABAMA 36830
E. V. Smith, Director
PUBLICATION--HighightX of
Agricultural Reseaorch 8 69 1GM
One of the gobblers studied. Note th2
identification strectanr attached to his wing.
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4
*