r"IRCULAR No. 20 
FBUR,11
ALABAMA
Agricultural Experiment 
Station
OF THlE
Alabama Polytechnic 
Institute
AUBURN
iinual Report of the 
Director of the 
Ex-
periment Station 
on Work Done under
the Local Experiment 
Law in 1912
BY
J. F. DUGGAR
Director
Opelika. Ala.
Post Publishing Comipany
1913
FEBRUARY, 1913

Auburn, Ala., Feb. 25, 1913.
CAPT. R. F. KOLB,
Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries,
Montgomery, Ala.
Dear Sir :-In accordance with Section 5 of the Local
Experiment Law, requiring me, as Director of the Experi-
ment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, to make
a full and complete annual report through the Commission-
er of Agriculture to the Governor of Alabama, I herewith
hand you my report of work done under the Local Experi-
ment Law in the calendar year 1912, with the request that
you transmit this report to his Excellency, Governor Em-
met A. O'Neal.
Yours very truly,
J. F. DUGGAR,
Director Experiment Station of
the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
STAFF OF SPECIALISTS ENGAGED IN WQRK
UNDER THE LOCAL EXPERIMENT LAW.
J. F. Duggar, Director.
Agriculture, Plant Breeding and Farm Machinery.
*J. F. Duggar, in charge.
E. F. Cauthen.................Associate Agriculturist
*M. J. Funchess...............Assistant Agriculturist
J. T. Williamson..........Field Agent in Agriculture
L. J. Hawley.............Field Agent in Agriculture
*J. F. Duggar, Jr...............Assistant'in Agriculture
*L. T. Rhodes...................Acting Field Agent
Livestock and Poultry Investigations.
*D. T. Gray, in charge.
*L. W. Shook............Assistant in Animal Industry
*L. W. Summers..........Assistant in Animal Industry
**5. 5. Jerdan...............Assistant in Beef Industry
A. R. Gissendanner......Assistant in Swine Husbandry
4
C. D. Allis....................Assistant in Poultry
Entomology.
*\\T. E. Hinds, in charge.
J. A. Dew.....:........ Field Assistant in Entomology
Horticultural Investigations.
*P, F. Williams, in charge.
H. M. Conolly.......... Field Assistant in Horticulture
~J. C. C. Price ................ Assistant in Horticulture
Agricultural Extension.
**L. N. Duncan, in charge.
**J. B. Hobdy ............. Assistant 
in Extension Work
**5. I. Bechdel....................... Dairy Extension
~*lrs. Birdie L. Robinson ............... 
Tomato Clubs
Plant Diseases.
F. A. Wolf, in charge.
*Devoting only part of time to Local Experiment work.
**In co-operation with United States Department of Agriculture.
REPORT OF WORK DONE DURING 1912 UNDER
THE LOCAL EXPERIMENT LAW.
,Submitted by
J. F. DUGGAR, Director of Experiment Station.
This report is submitted in compliance with Sectiqn 5 of
an Act of the Legislature of Alabama, approved February
9, 1911, under which provision is made for local experi-
ments to be conducted throughout the State, and for other
agricultural services to be rendered to the farmers of Ala-
bama. The work contemplated and thus far done under
this law is of a more popular nature than would be per-
mitted by the funds appropriated by Congress for the sup-
port of the scientific work of an experiment station in each
State. The purpose in the execution of this law has con-
stantly been 'to extend to all parts of Alabama the advan-
tage of having field experiments made under the same local
conditions of soil and climate that surround the farmer
growing crops in all parts of the State.
The Act under which this Local Experiment Work is
provided for is printed below:
AN ACT
For the advancement of agriculture and to prepare the farmers of Ala-
bama for the coming of the boll weevil by providing for local agricultural
experiments in the several counties of Alabama to ascertain the best fertil-
izers for each class of soils and crops, to investigate the best methods of 
pro-
ducing cotton profitably in the presence of the boll weevil and of the black
root disease, to determine the most effective methods for controlling the boll
weevil and other insect pests, to determine the most profitable field crops for
each soil and the best system for growing and nmarketing them, to ascertain
the grasses and clovers best suited to each soil, to ascertain the best varieties
of fruits and vegetables and the best horticultural practices, to determine the
best means of growing, feeding and marketing livestock and poultry, to in-
vestigate other agricultural problems, to provide for the publication of re-
sults and of related agricultural information and for other expenses of
agricultural experiments, to provide for agricultural extension work, and to
make an appropriation for these purposes and to prescribe how these funds
shall be expended.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama:
Section 1. That in order to aid in acquiring and diffusing among 
the
people of Alabama useful and practical information on the 
subjects con-
nected with agriculture, it is hereby made the duty of the 
Experiment Sta-
tion of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute to conduct, 
in as many of the
counties of Alabama as advisable and practicable with the funds 
hereby pro-
vided, experiments to acquire agricultural information on the 
following and
on closely related subjects, and to publish and disseminate the results,
namely: The most profitable fertilizers for each class of soils, especial'y for
cotton, corn, and other staple field crops; the best varieties and strains of
cotton, corn, oats, wheat and other field crops and the best grasses, clovers,
and related forage plants for the principal soil regions of Alabama, and the
best means of growing each; the best varieties and strains of cotton for cul-
tivation in the presence of the boll weevil and on soils infested by cotton
wilt or black root disease; investigations to devise the best means for con-
trolling the cotton boll weevil and other insect pests, including the giving
of assistance in the destruction of colonies of boll weevils that may be ac-
cidentally introduced in advance of the general invasion; the best practice
in drainage and irrigation, including the lending of expert assistance to land
owners by inspection, advice, and plans for the drainage and irrigation of
land; tests and demonstrations of labor-saving farm machinery; investiga-
tions of boll rot and other diseases of cotton and diseases of other plants;
the breeding or improvement at any point or points in Alabama of improved
strains of cotton, corn, and other field or forage crops; the breeding of
strains of cotton for resistance to cotton wilt or black root; and the study
of methods of management for the control of cotton wilt and other diseases;
investigations of horticultural problems in any part of the state, including
the lending of assistance and advice to settlers and others; experiments in
animal industry; demonstrations in and other means of promoting the poul-
try industry; and to provide for agricultural extension work in all parts of
the State.
Section 2. For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of
this act and to be expended therefor, there shall be, and there are hereby ap-
propriated to the Agricultural Experiment Station of the Alabama Poly-
technic Institute, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated, the following sums annually for the purposes mentioned below,
namely:
For local fertilizer experiments in the several counties and for
the investigation and introduction of new or improved field
crops and forage plants_-- -------------- $7000
For combatting the cotton boll weevil and other injurious
insects ---------------------------------------------- $2300
For plant breeding of field and forage crops _ $1200
For work in drainage, irrigations and farm machinery .-- $1500
For preparing, printing, illustrating, and distributing bulletins,
circulars, and other publications of the Experiment Station and
for correspondence and general administrative expenses incurred
in connection with the furtherance of the purposes of this act,
including any additional equipment and facilities rendered
necessary by this Act .--------------------------------- $2500
For horticultural investigations -------------------------- $2000
For livestock investigations $-----------------------------8500
For investigations of and assistance in combatting black root
and boll rot of cotton and other diseases of plants. $1000
For promoting the poultry industry_ , ----------------. $1000
For agricultural extension work -_____-_---------.$5000
All of these sums shall be expended under the direction of the Board of
Trustees of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute on the recommendation of
the Director of said Experiment Station; provided that any balance not
needed in any year for any of these lines of work may be expended in the
support of any of the other purposes of this Act or used in meeting the ex-
penses of the next ensuing year; and provided further that any revenue that
may be incidentally derived from the sale of any apparatus or implement no
longer needed, or from any other sale, shall be applied as heretofore provided
to any of the lines of work authorized by this Act.
Section 3. There is hereby further appropriated for the same 
purposes,
provided the Governor shall certify that the condition of the Treasury war-
rants the additional expenditure an equal amount for each of the calendar
years 1912, 1913, and 1914, to be expended as heretofore provided in the
same proportions as above for the further support and enlargement of each of
the lines of work authorized by this Act.
Section 4. The sums appropriated by this Act shall be paid in quarterly
payments in advance on the first day of January, April, July, and October,
respectively, to the Treasurer of the said Experiment Station upon the ap-
proval and warrant of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries of
the State of Alabama.
Section 5. That by or before March 1 of each year the Director of the
said Experiment Station shall make a full and complete report, through the
Commissioner of Agriculture, to the Governor of Alabama on the work of
the previoue year in execution of this Act.
Section 6. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
hereby repealed.
The amount received for this work in 1912 was $27,000.-
00 in addition to a balance brought over from the preced-
ing year, as shown by the report of the Treasurer, which
constitutes a part of this report.
Publications Under the Local Experiment Law.
From the funds provided under the Local Experiment
Law there were published in 1912, 5 bulletins, 8 circulars,
and 6 press bulletins, making an aggregate of 19 publica-
tions. The total number of pages in these aggregates 294,
and the total number of pages in all of the copies printed
amounts to 4,216,000. It has been possible by reason of
this small appropriation for publication and administration
to print more than double the usual number of publications
that was heretofore possible from the small amount of
the Federal appropriation that could be thus used. More-
over, it is legitimate to print from this State fund publica-
tions of a more popular character than are admissible under
the Federal funds. The following is the list of publica-
tions of the Alabama Experiment Station, issued in accord-
ance with the Local Experiment Law in the calendar year
1912:
Bulletin No. 162:-Local Fertilizer Experiments with Cottton in North
Alabama in 1911; by the Director and his Assistants.
Bulletin No. 164:-Cotton Worm or "Caterptllar"; by the Entomologist.
Bulletin No. 165:-Southern Bur Clover; by the Associate Agriculturist.
Bulletin No. 166:-Curing Meat on the Farm; by the Animal Husband-
man and Assistant.
Bulletin No. 167:-Wintering Pregnant Ewes; by the Animal Husband-
man and Assistant.
Circular No. 5:-The Boll Weevil Advance in Alabama; by the Ento
mologist.
Circular No. 6:-Fighting the Boll Weevil; by the Entomologist.
Circular No. 7:-Destroying Boll Weevils by Clean Farming; by the En-
tomologist.
Circular No. 14:-Part I--Vegetable Growing in Alabama; by the Hor-
ticulturist and Assistant.
Circular No. 14:-Part II-Vegetable Growing in Alabama; by the Hor-
ticulturist and Assistant.
Circular No. 15:-The Southern Pine Beetle and Its Control; by the En-
tomologist.
Circular No. 16:-Rules and Regulations of the Alabama State Board of
Horticulture Governing the Transportation of Articles
Liable to Contain the Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil;
by the Entomologist.
Circular No. 18:-1-Feeding and Managing Dairy Cattle. 2. Feed and
Care of the Calf. 3. The Bull. 4. Silos and Silage;
by the Assistants of the Animal Husbandman.
Press Bulletin No. 54-Cotton Boll Weevil Infested Area in United States
and Quarantine Line in Alabama, 1911 to 1912;
by the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 55:-Mosquito Control; by the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 56:-Fight the Fly; by the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 57:-Grass Worm or Fall Army Worm; by the En
tomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 59:-The Boll Weevil Advances; by the Entomologist
A large proportion of the published matter was from the
Departments of Entomology and Animal Industry because
of the outbreak of grass worms and the demand for inform-
ation regarding other injurious insects, and because it was
considered desirable to publish as much as practicable of
the data on feeding before Professor Gray, who had charge
of that work, should leave the Station, as he did in Decem-
ber, 1912, to take up experimental work in another State.
During the year the mailing list of the Station was com-
pletely overhauled, revised, and changed from an 
alphabet-
ical arrangement to an arrangement by counties. This will
hereafter permit economy in printing by making it possible
to send each bulletin only to those counties in the State 
in
which the subject treated is especially important. There
is now in use the stencil system of mailing instead of the
old clip system, which proved unsatisfactory.
The data for publications in all departments accumulate
rapidly, so that the funds available for printing, including-
both the items from State and Federal sources, are insuf-
ficient to publish all the bulletins, circulars and brief arti-
cles that are ready for publication, and which the farmers
need at once.
For 1913 this fund will be even smaller than in 1912, be-
cause a balance from the preceding year was used in 1912
to supplement the printing fund, as permitted undeu this
law, while no such balance is available for printing in 1913.
The Station is confronted with the embarrassing situatiorn
of having on hand experimental information of much value,
which it cannot now publish because of insufficient print-
ing funds.
One of the most urgent needs in all Departments of
work under this law is for this item in the Local Experi-
ment bill to be increased as soon as the condition of the
State Treasurer permits. Indeed an increase for each line
of work could be most profitably expended. The results
now on hand will keep and will grow more valuable as they
are supplemented by similar data accumulated each year,
but can the farmers of Alabama afford to be deprived for
several years longer of profitable information on fertilizing
cotton in all parts of the State, on the different varieties of
cotton, on sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, on fruits, vege-
tables, injurious insects, on feeding cattle and hogs, and
on many other subjects?
Organization.
As indicated in the first report on the work done under
the Local Experiment Law (Circular No. 19, Alabama Ex-
periment Station), work under the various items in the Loo
cal Experiment Law was assigned to the heads of the De-
partments of the Experiment Station conducting the cor-
responding lines of work. Recommendations relative to
the work of each year are submitted to the Board of Trus-
tees of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, and when ap-
proved by them, these become the directions for conducting
the work in the ensuing year. Under a regulation adopted
by this Board it is required that each head of a department
doing work under this law shall submit "project 
state-
ments" for approval by the Director of the Experiment
Station, and that upon approval of these "project 
state-
ments" the heads of departments may spend the 
sums ap-
propriated for the lines of work assigned.
Fertilizer Experiments and Other Experiments 
With Field
and Forage Crops.
In 1912, as in the preceding year, the leading line of ex-
perimental work under this head was in fertilizing cotton,
growing on each of the principal soils of Alabama. \Vhile
there are other subjects which in the end are just as im-
portant, the question on which farmers are now most gen-
erally demanding an immediate answer 
is this: "How m1ay
I most profitably fertilize cotton on my special soil ?" More
than 100 experiments in fertilizing cotton were made in
1912; these were distributed throughout the State in such a
way that practically every county contained one or more.
The fertilization of corn also received much attention.
Twenty-three experiments in fertilizing this crop were
made, the results of which are available for publication as
soon as the fund for printing permits. It is believed that
these fertilizer experiments with corn, which whenever
possible are made adjacent to similar fertilizer experiments
with cotton, will in a few years afford a reliable answer
to the question, "What are the relative fertilizer require-
ments of corn and cotton ?" If this be true, then when by
the larger number of fertilizer experiments with the cotton
crop we shall have learned what are its fertilizer require-
ments on each of the principal soil belts of Alabama, we
shall be able to conclude what combinations of fertilizers
will also be needed by corn on the same soils. But even
if it be found that there is no constant relation between the
-fertilizers required for the two crops, we shall in a few
years have the data on which to advise farmers what is the
best fertilizer for corn on each of the principal soil belts
-of Alabama.
The results of one class of fertilizer experiments on cot-
ton, namely, those made with fertilizers in which nitrogen
was supplied to certain plots in the form of cotton seed
meal, have been published in Bulletins Nos. 169 and 170 of
the Alabama Experiment Station. These give the results
obtained in fertilizing cotton in this way in South Alabama
and North Alabama respectively. Two similar bulletins
giving results with corresponding fertilizer experiments
with cotton in 1911 were also printed near the end of
that year. These are Bulletins Nos. 160 for South Ala-
bama, and 162 for North Alabama.
It is thought best to publish these results as promptly as
possible since most of them contain suggestions of imme-
diate value for farmers tilling the same kind of soil. How-
ever, the ultimate aim is to repeat these experiments for
several years, thus affording reliable averages and positive
conclusions as to the fertilizers most profitable on each of
the principal soils.
For example, when these yearly results accumulate in
sufficient number we shall be able to' publish one bulletin
giving positive recommendations for the fertilization of
cotton in the pine lands of the southeastern part of Ala-
bama, and another for the fertilization of this crop in the
hill 'lands of East Alabama, and another for the prairie 
re-
gion, and so on for the principal soil belts of the 
State.
This is a large undertaking, and will require years of
patient and uninterrupted experimentation without change
of plan. But its accomplishment will be worth the price,
since it should result in the saving of several million dol-
lars per year in fertilizer bills, or an increase 
in the State's
cotton crop of many millions of dollars in excess of what
would then be possible from the indiscriminate or unguided
use of fertilizers.
Varieties of cotton have been tested in a number of lo-
calities with a view to determine the kinds best suited to.
the different sections of the State. Moreover, special local
tests on soil invaded by black root or wilt have been made
with a view to ascertain the varieties most resistant 
to
this destructive disease, and as a means of laying the 
basis
for breeding up wilt-proof varieties, which' shall 
have the
advantage over the few varieties now found to be wilt-
proof, in greater earliness and adaptability to boll weevil
conditions. Similarly, varieties of corn have been tested
in many different parts of the State.
Peanuts have been the subject of fertilizer experiments
and of variety tests in a number of localities. This crop is
being studied with a view of encouraging its cultivation,
both as a hog crop 'and for commercial purposes as a par-
tial substitute for cotton on certain soils in regions 
invad-
ek or soon to be invaded by the boll weevil. Fertilizer 
ex-
periments!with sweet potatoes, made in a number of local-
ities, have afforded information that should 
save growers
of this crop considerable money in the use of fertilizers,
which according to these results are now not generally 
ap-
10
plied in the proportion in which the sweet potato requires
the different fertilizing constituents. These results also
await publication when the printing fund shall permit.
Local experiments with varieties of wheat were made in
a cumber of localities throughout the central and western
part of the State. The yields in some cases justified the
hope that in time wheat may be made a profitable crop on
certain of these soils, thus increasing the farmer's resourc-
es in the boll weevil region.
The following is a list of the experiments conducted
with fruit and forage crops under this item of the Local
Experiment Law in 1912.
Cotton, regular fertilizer experiments.
Cotton, complete nitrate of soda experiments.
Cotton, special phosphate experiments.
Cotton, time of applying nitrate of soda.
Cotton, variety tests, extensive.
Cotton, variety tests, extensive,-wilt resistant kinds.
Cotton, variety tests, short.
Cotton, variety tests, short,--wilt resistant kinds.
Cotton, isolation tests (plant breeding).
Corn, regular fertilizer experiments.
Corn, complete nitrate experiments.
Corn, time of applying nitrate of soda.
Corn, variety tests, extensive.
Corn, short variety tests, soft varieties.
Corn, short variety tests, hard varieties.
Corn, isolation tests (plant breeding).
Oats, special nitrate exeriments.
Cowpea, variety tests, extensive.
Cowpea, variety tests, short.
Peanuts, regular fertilizer experiments.
Peanuts, variety tests, extensive.
Sugar cane, regular fertilizer experiment.
Sugar cane, special fertilizer experiment.
Sweet potatoes, regular fertilizer experiment.
Sweet potatoes, variety tests..
Soy bean tests.
Lime experiments (various crops).
Wheat experiments.
Lyon bean and velvet bean experiments.
Johnson grass, fertilizer experiments.
Winter forage crop test, extensive.
Bur clover test.
Vetch test.
Forage crops, miscellaneous (clovers, etc.)
Alfalfa, inoculation test.
Oats, methods of seeding.
Oats, variety test.
11
Oats, plant breeding.
Canada peas vs. Oregon vetch.
Rotation experiments.
Phosphate, best forms of.
Lime, best forms of.
Tile drainage.
Subsoiling with dynamite.
Cotton choppers, tests of.
Grain drills, tests of.
The total number of tests which were begun in 1911
was 471, of which about 400 were carried to a conclusion.
Plant Breeding.
The first effort under this' item was to test the suitabil-
ity and comparative yield in different parts of the State of
varieties of cotton, corn, and oats, which had been bred up
in previous years on the Experiment Station farm at Au-
burn. Such tests were made in sixty-five localities. It is
planned in 1913 to extend this work, especially in the mat-
ter of personal selections by a member of the Station staff
of plants showing special excellence in these local exper-
iments, with a view of breeding up varieties that should be
of special value for the locality where the selections are
made.
Work In Drainage and Farm Machinery.
As the means of getting the greatest amount of work
accomplished with the 'few hundred dollars available for
drainage, arrangements were made for co-operation with
the Office of Experiment Stations, U. S. Department of
Agriculture, by which means this Station has been able to
utilize the services of an expert drainage engineer. Thus
each dollar contributed by the State through the Local
Experiment Fund brings to Alabama a much larger
amount from other sources.
In the early part of 1912, Mr. S. H. McCrory, U. S.
Drainage Engineer, was immediately in charge of this work
until, on his promotion, he was succeeded by Mr. L. A.
Jones, Montgomery, Ala., who is now continuing the co-
operative drainage work.
The first problem attacked was that of tile drainage of
prairie soils. For this purpose tile drains were laid on five
small experimental fields in the counties of Wilcox, Mont-
gomery, Sumter, and Dallas, as mentioned in my former
report. Four of these projects were completed in time for
crops to be grown on the land in 1912. Observations were
12
made on the increase in the crops due 
to drainage, and the
Engineer in charge estimates that the value 
of the increas-
ed crop was great enough in most 
cases not only to pay a
good interest on the investment, 
but to pay within a few
years the entire cost of drainage. One 
of the parties on
whose land one of these experiments was made, 
J. T.
Adams, Pine Apple, Ala., writes as follows:
"I planted this land in cotton last year. It
made a bale per acre. Previous to tiling, 
it
was too wet to make anything."
Work in 1912 consisted chiefly in completing the laying
of tile in the experiment field at Marion Junction, 
in mak-
ing observations on the other four fields, in making 
exam-
inations of a number of localities to determine where 
fu-
ture experiments could be most advantageously 
conducted,
and in rendering expert assistance to land-owners 
by cor-
respondence, by visits, and in special cases, 
by making
drainage plans.
It is planned for the next experimental drainage fields to
be on different characters of soil, so that after these 
inves-
tigations have proceeded for several years there will be
available valuable data regarding the expense of drainage
under different conditions, the resulting increase in the
yields of a number of crops, and the profits resulting from
the drainage of different kinds of soil.
The work with farm machinery in 1912 has consisted
chiefly of the following:
(1) Further tests of machines for sowing oats by the
open furrow method and the effects of this method in ex-
tending further north into Alabama the general practice
of sowing oats in the fall instead of after Christmas.
(2) Tests of three machines for chopping cotton.
(3) Collection of data relative to labor-saving imple-
ments occasionally found in Alabama, but not in general
use. This implement survey is intended as a basis for fu-
ture experimental work with farm machinery, and as a
means of determining the implements to be recommended
to farmers making inquiries on such subjects.
Data is being collected on irrigation in Alabama, but
conditions have not yet justified the actual beginning of any
experimental work on irrigation, though plans have been
made for some work in this line in 1913.
Work With Injurious Insects.
The demands on the Department, of Entomology have
been extremely heavy in 1912 for the class of work con-
13
templated by the Local Experiment Law. The Entomol-
ogist and his Assistant have been engaged in the enforce-
ment of the quarantine regulations against 
the boll wee-
vil to prevent the spread of this insect by artificial or pre-
ventable means; in determining the best means of 
controll-
ing the grass worm, which was so injurious in 
parts of Ala-
bama in 1912 as an enemy of corn and other plants; in
conducting spraying experiments against the white fly on
the Satsuma orange, against scale, the coddling moth, and
against other insect pests of orchard and nut 
trees; in
preparing publications on these and other injurious 
in-
sects, and in furnishing information relative to 
the best
means of controlling troublesome insects.
As the result of a single one of the many spraying 
ex-
periments conducted, the owner gathered more 
than
$100.00 worth of good peaches from a small orchard which
he had been about to cut dpwn before being advised 
that
it might he saved by spraying.
Live Stock Investigations and Poultry Industry.
The work with poultry, as well as with live 
stock, was
assigned to the Department of Animal 
Industry. By hav-
ing the same assistants attend to both lines of work 
some
economy was effected.
The work with cattle was conducted on the farm of O. E.
Cobb, Sumterville, Sumter county. This work with 
cattle
was in co-operation with Mr. Cobb and with the Bureau of
Animal Industry of the U. S. Department 
of Agriculture.
Hence for each dollar contributed by this State 
fund, sev-
eral dollars were contributed by other agencies. 
It con-
sisted in 1912 of the following feeding experimeits:
1. Fattening Calves in Winter; comparing 
cotton seed
meal with a grain ration of 2-3 cotton seed 
meal and 1-3
corn and cob meal, and with a grain ration 
of 1-3 cotton
seed meal and 2-3 corn and cob meal.
2. Fattening Steers on Pasture. In this a comparison
was made of pasture alone, with pasture supplemented 
by
cotton seed cake, and also with pasture 
supplemented by a
mixture of cotton seed cake, corn and cob meal.
3. Fattening Calves in Winter; which is 
now in pro-
gress.
The work with hogs has been conducted in the 
follow-
ing localities:
On the farm of O. E. Cobb, in Sumter county, to deter-
mine the profit in raising hogs in the prairie region, 
and to
compare various pasture crops for pork production.
14,
Near Columbia, on the farm of Dr. C. C. Yarbrough, in
Henry county, to determine the profits in raising hogs un-
der conditions where the chief pasture crops are peanuts,
rape, Bermuda grass, etc.
At Hamilton, Marion county, in co-operation with the
Sixth District Agricultural School, feeding experiments
with hogs.
At Jackson, Clarke county, in co-operation with the First
District Agricultural School, to investigate pasture crops
and other feeding and breeding problems.
At Abbeville, Henry county, in co-operation with the
Third District Agricultural School; feeding and grazing
experiments, especially with rice polish, velvet beans, etc.
The experimental work with poultry was conducted on
the farm of C. D. Allis, Pinson, Jefferson county. The 
re-
sults of one feeding experiment made on that farm are
summarized on page 26. The death of a number of his
fowls made it necessary to carry the work to another lo-
cality in 1913, plans for which transfer are well advanced.
A beginning in poultry experimentation was also made at
Hamilton, where feeding experiments and tests of two
breeds were conducted. The first efforts to organize a co-
operative egg marketing association resulted in the farm-
ers getting a higher price for their eggs than heretofore,
but for local reasons it was considered best by the head of
the Department concerned to discontinue this particular
line of poultry work, at least for the present.
Local Work in Horticulture.
The local work of the Horticultural Department may be
classified as follows:
(1) A 'general horticultural survey of the State.
(2) Collecting the experience of growers in order that
this may be combined with experimental results obtained'
at Auburn and elsewhere, so as to constitute the foundation
for conclusions that may guide the growers of fruit and veg-
etables as to the best horticultural practices.
(3) Fertilizer and variety experiments made on truck
crops in the principal horticultural centers to determine
what varieties and fertilizers are most profitable on each
soil.
(4) To digest and disseminate results from exact ex-
periinents, from experimental data obtained by visits 
to
growers, and from other sources.
Dissemination of horticultural information has been ef-
fected in 1912 by means of letters, public lectures, publica-
15
tions, and by personal visits. Prior to 1911, the horticul-
tural work at Auburn was deprived of much its 
value be-
cause of the inability of its representatives to visit the
principal centers of truck and orchard crops for 
the collec-
tion of data accumulated by individual experience. 
Now,
under the provisions of the fund, a trained investigator
from Auburn on his visits to growers may not only carry
information and suggestions, but may collect data which,
combined with the results of exact experiments, will be
profitable for other growers of truck and fruit. Indeed one
of the main aims of the work under this appropriation is to
ascertain the varieties of fruits and vegetables best adapt-
ed to the different soils of Alabama,-thus justifying a
horticultural survey as a basis for horticultural investiga-
tions and as a means of partially solving local problems
that cannot be worked out at Auburn.
Agricultural Extension.
All of the work in this department is done in co-opera-
tion with the United States Department of Agriculture,
which has similar work under way in a number of states.
The dairy expert of the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
who was at first connected with the Department of Animal
Industry of this Institution, has been transferred to the Ex-
tension Department. His work consists largely in ren-
dering assistance in the building of silos and dairy barns
and in giving instruction to farmers in dairy subjects.
As heretofore, the principal work of the Extension De-
partment of this Station in 1912 has consisted in the organ-
ization of Boys' Corn Clubs and Girls' Tomato Clubs. This
work has grown rapidly, the enrollment in 1912 being
9784 boys in the corn clubs and 1758 girls in the 
tomato
clubs. Corn clubs were maintained in every county and
tomato clubs in fourteen.
Liberal prizes offered by Boards of Revenue, firms and
private parties greatly increased the interest and 
made it
possible for 100 Alabama boys and eight girls to attend the
National Corn Exposition, at Columbia, S. C.
At that Exposition Alabama won the sweepstakes prize
for excellence in boys' and girls' club work. The 
yields
obtained by the boys and girls who made 
the highest rec-
ords are detailed on a latter page of this report. 
The 20
boys making the largest yields in the State averaged 
165
bushels per acre.
When a boy makes a higher yield than anyone else in
the neighborhood or when a girl learns 
by experience that
16
canning offers a source of revenue to the girls on the farm,
the good effects are not confined to the profits secured nor
to the one individual. The community too, receives a
benefit.
Diseases of Plants.
On account of being unable to promptly secure the ser-
vices of a suitable expert, this work was not begun until
November, 1911. Hence, a large part of the first year's
work has consisted in a general survey by the Plant Path-
ologist so as to acquaint himself with the diseases which
are most destructive to crops in the different parts of the
State. The Pathologist, using funds from Federal sourc-
es, is making a study of some of the diseases of field crops,
including peanut diseases. Under the Local Experiment
Fund he has made spraying experiments as a means of
controlling the brown rot of peaches, and has in progress.
studies on certain diseases of vegetables,, flowers, etc.
It should be noted that the breeding of varieties of cot
ton resistant to cotton wilt, or black root, and 
some other
work conducted under this fund by the Agricultural De-
partment of the Station and heretofore mentioned is aimed
at lessening the injury from this destructive disease of cot-
ton.
Financial.
Since this fund did not become available in time for a full
year's work to be done with a full staff in 1911, there was,
accumulated in that year a balance, which, in accordance
with the law, was brought over to help support the work
in 1912. A large part of this balance was used in pub-
lishing a larger number of bulletins and circulars in 1912,
than would otherwise have been possible.
The report of the Treasurer is attached and reports are,
also attached and hereby made a part of this report from,
the heads of the Departments of Entomology, Animal In-
dustry, Horticulture, Agricultural Extension, and Plant
Pathology, and from the Drainage Engineer.
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. DUGGAR,
Director of the Experiment Station,
of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
17
TREASURER'S REPORT, LOCAL EXPERIMENT FUND,
FOR THE YEAR 1912.
RECEIPTS
To cash balance from 1911 .-.... $ 6,472.86
To cash from Animal Industry ------------------- 317.29
To cash from extension -- 27.42
To cash from Entomology - - -- -- 78.77
To cash from State ------------------------- $27,000.00 $33,896.34
DISBURSEMENTS
By Departments-
Amount paid Agriculture $ 7,958.31
" " Horticulture-----------------------2,255.39
" " Animal Industry and Poultry- ------- 6,462.91
" Extension ------------------------ 6,408.95
" " Publication and Administration --- 4,188.52
" " Entomology_-- -------- 3,770.16
" " Drainage and Farm Machinery --- 1,141.33
" " Plant Pathology-- -------- 549.75
" " Plant Breeding ------------ 525.51
By balance carried to 1913--- -------- 635.61 $33,869.34
Respectfully,
(Signed): M. A. GLENN, Treasurer.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this, the 19th day of Feb'y, 1913.
W. D. MARTIN, Notary Public.
My commission expires May 7th, 1913.
REPORT OF ENTOMOLOGIST.
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Auburn, Ala.
Dear Sir:-
Herewith I beg to submit a report of the work done dur-
ing the year 1912 by the Department of Entomology, under
Local Experiment Fund.
An orchard survey was conducted in February and
March including a study of citrus, peach and apple orchards
preliminary to the location of experimental work.
Citrus spraying, experimental and demonstrational, has
been conducted in Mobile and Baldwin counties, particular-
ly at Battles Wharf, Fairhope, Irvington, Grand Bay and
Spring Hill, involving from one to three sprayings in each
locality. The results of this work have been extremely
satisfactory and showed the feasibility of controlling white
flies and scale pests on satsuma oranges at an expense of
from one to three cents per tree annually. In one locality
as a result of our initial spraying, our co-operator received
calls for commercial spraying in thirteen other orchards
and now has orders for spraying in more than twenty-five
orchards. Two parties have undertaken commercial spray-
ing as a result of our work.
In the southern part of the State also, considerable at-
tention has been given to the study of pecan insects and
many growers have been advised in regard to methods of
control.
Spraying, experimental and demonstrational work for
the control of San Jose scale, plum curculio and brown rot
on peach, was conducted particularly at Camp Hill, East
Lake and Eden. In this work, Dr. F. A. Wolf has co-op-
erated as part of it bore directly upon the control of fungus
diseases. All the results have been h'ghly satisfactory and
much interest has been aroused in the matter of spraying.
In one small orchard that was about to be cut out because
it was heretofore unprofitable, the owner this year gather-
ed over $100.00 worth of good peaches as the result of
spraying work.
In one locality east of Birmingham, spraying work has
been done for the control of scale and coddling moth on
apple.
Throughout the summer a great deal of time was given
to the study of the grass worm or fall army worm which
appeared early in May in the southern part of the State
and spread far beyond the boundaries of Alabama. The
19
life history of this pest, heretofore but little known, has
been quite fully worked out, methods of control tested and
found practicable and the manuscript for a bulletin on this
species is practically ready for publication.
The cotton worm was found in several localities this
year even earlier than in 1911 and a serious outbreak was
at first anticipated. This, however, did not materialize
throughout the State but was quite severe in the southern
part of Alabama. A study of this pest made during the
latter part of the summer, showed that it had been checked
very materially by the attack of parasites which, in all cer-
tainty, had developed upon the grass worms appearing and
developing earlier in the season. A Bulletin, No. 164, pre-
senting information collected through our work with the
cotton worm of 1911, has been published and given 
wide
distribution.
The advance of the boll weevil has been followed close-
ly. This pest has done a large amount of damage in the
southwestern part of the State in territory, extending
through six or seven counties. This fall it has spread
into new territory ranging from fifteen to seventy-five
miles in width. The advance up to the end of the season
is outlined in Press Bulletin No. 60.
Other lines of work, such as the administration of the
boll weevil quarantine, the attendance upon institutes,
etc., have also been conducted at the expense of this fund.
The Local Experiment Fund has borne the major part of
the salary of Field Agent, J. A. Dew, who has been princi-
pally concerned with the lines of work outlined above. The
correspondence work has also been largely developed dur-
ing the last year and the expense for a stenographer is
also met principally from this fund.
Respectfully submitted,
W. E. HINDS,
Entomologist.
REPORT OF ENGINEER IN CHARGE OF
DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS.
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Director Alabama Experiment Station.
Dear Sir:-
In July, 1911, an agreement was made between the Ala-
bama Agricultural Experiment Station and the Office of
Experiment Stations, U. S. Department of Agriculture,
which provided for co-operation in the investigation of
drainage problems of Alabama and in the installation of a
number of experiment tracts of tile drains. The Alabama
station agreed to furnish the sum of $600.00 for conducting
these investigations, and the Office of Experiment Stations
agreed to furnish not less than $600. It was deemed advis-
able to confine the work to the central and southwestern
parts of the State during the fiscal year of 1912. The
writer was assigned to this project by the Chief of Drain-
age Investigations.
After a conference with Mr. J. F. Duggar, Director of
the Alabama Station, a preliminary study of the situation
was begun and an examination was made of drainage con-
ditions in Pickens, Sumter, Greene, Hale, M4rengo, Perry,
Dallas, Lowndes, Autauga, Montgomery and Macon coun-
ties. During this examination particular attention was
given to the need for underdrainage. A number of fields
that had been underdrained were examined, particular at-
tention being given to those systems which were not com-
pletely successful and wherever possible the cause of fail-
ure determined. In connection with this work an exami-
nation was made of Calebee and Cubahatchee creeks near
Shorter, Macon county; of Letohatchee or Big Swamp, in
Lowndes county; and of a small swamp near Gordo. Pick-
ens county. The examination showed that when the tile
drains were properly laid under competent supervision they
were giving excellent results, but when they were laid by
men not familiar with this work little benefit was received.
In order to secure data regarding the best methods to use
in tile draining the lands in the prairie section, it was de-
cided to underdrain five experimental tracts of about 5
acres each. These tracts were selected with a view to se-
curing the widest possible range of conditions.
Tract No. 1 is located on the farm of J. T. Adams near
Pineapple, Alabama, in the valley of a small stream. The
top soil is a sandy loam, which is underlaid by a very stiff
21
waxy clay. The field was so wet before drainage that it
was used only for hay.
Tract No. 2 is located on the farm of R. G. Ennis, about
1 1-2 miles north of Livingston. The soil is a yellow
Houston clay underlaid by soft limestone in places. The
tract selected is rolling land and there was much seepage
along the hillside, and in one place a small spring was
found. There were terraces on the hillsides and the ground
just above the terraces was too wet for proper cultivation.
The entire field showed the need of better drainage.
Tract No. 3 is on the farm of Frank McLean, near Mont-
gomery, Alabama. The soil is a black Houston clay with
yellow subsoil full of lime concretions. The field was very
wet.
Tract No. 4 is located on the farm of W. E. Ellsberry,
Jr., near Montgomery, Alabama, on a gently sloping hill-
side. The soil is a gray to black Houston clay, the black
soil underlaid by a yellow clay subsoil full of lime con-
cretions, and the gray soil underlaid by hardpan. The
field was very wet and hard to cultivate.
Tract No. 5 is located near Marion Junction, Alabama,
on the farm of M. F. Smith. The field is nearly level; the
soil is a reddish-brown Houston clay, with reddish-brown
subsoil mottled with red and yellow and containing a
small amount of fine gravel. The field was very wet when
first examined after a long dry spell, and so soft that walk-
ing over it was almost impossible.
The construction of the experimental drains was started
on Tract No. 5 in October, 1911, but the heavy rain; oc-
curring during the fall and winter of 1911 interferred so
much with the work of construction that it was found nec-
essary to stop the work on this tract until the summer of
1912. The drains on the other four tracts were completed
in time to allow the fields to be cultivated during 1912.
Excellent results have been secured in every case. The
yields secured in 1912 appear to show that the cost of in-
stallation would be more than repaid by the increased yield
in two seasons. Investigations are still in progress to de-
termine the methods best adapted to the soils of that sec-
tion, and a full report will be prepared as soon as the data
will warrant.
Several large drainage projects involving the interests
of a number of property owners were called to the attention
of the engineer in charge, but owing to the lack of a drain-
age law it was not considered advisable to undertake these
at the present time. The need for such a State drainage
22
law is rapidly becoming more apparent, and there is much
valuable land in Alabama that could undoubtedly be re-
claimed if there were such a law."
S. W. McCRORY,
Engineer in Charge of
Drainage Investigations.
REPORT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDMAN.
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Director Alabama Experiment Station.
Dear Sir:-
The Animal Industry Department, during the year 1912,
had the following local experimental work under way:
With Beef.
This work is being done on the Cobb farms, at Sumter-
ville, Alabama, in co-operation with Mr. O. E. Cobb and
the Bureau of Animal Industry, at Washington, D. C. Mr.
Cobb, a farmer living at Sumterville, furnished the cattle
and the feed for this work, while the Alabama Experiment
Station and the Bureau of Animal Industry provided a
man, Mr. S. S. Jerdan, to live on the farm and have per-
sonal supervision of the experimental work. During the
year 1912 the Bureau of Animal Industry paid all of Mr.
Jerdan's salary. The Alabama Experiment Station has
been paying the small and incidental expenses of this work.
During the year 1912 two separate beef feeding tests
were carried through:
First-Fattening beef calves. These calves were divid-
ed into three lots and fed the following rations:
Lot 1-Cottonseed meal.
Cottonseed hulls.
Lot 2-Cottonseed meal 23.
Corn and'cob meal 1.
Cottonseed hulls.
Lot 3-Cottonseed meal 1.
Corn and cob meal %.
Cottonseed hulls.
Satisfactory profits were made on all of the calves. They
were sold at Meridian, Miss., in March. A full report of
this work will be made in a forthcoming bulletin.
Second-Fattening beef steers on pasture. Three car
loads of steers were divided into three lots and fed the fol-
lowing rations:
Lot 1-Pasture alone.
Lot 2-Pasture.
Cottonseed cake
Lot 3-Pasture.
Cottonseed cake 2.
Corn and cob meal %
They were fed for approximately 120 days and sold in
September at Meridian, Miss., for from $4.00 to $4.75 per
24
hundredweight. Excellent profits were 
made on all of
these cattle, but the most profitable lot was Lot 3, when
the pasture was supplemented with 
both cake and corn.
This work will also be reported in detail in a forthcoming
bulletin.
Third-Fattening beef calves during the winter 
months.
This work was inaugurated in November, 
and, of course,
is not completed at this time. The calves 
will probably be
sold in March. They are divided into three lots and 
are
being fed as follows:
Lot 1-Cottonseed meal.
Cottonseed hulls.
Hay.
Lot 2 Cottonseed meal.
Corn silage.
Hay.
Lot 3-Cottonseed meal %2
Corn and cob meal 1.
Corn silage.
Hay.
This work will also probably be reported in a forthcom-
ing bulletin, as it takes this to complete the line of work
which we had in mind when the tests were inaugurated.
With Hogs.
The local experimental work for 1911 is now in press
and will come out as a part of Bulletin 168. The work for
1912 is as follows:
First, work on Cobb farm under immediate supervision
of Mr. S. S. Jerdan and the Bureau of Animal Industry. to
determine the profit, if any, in keeping a bunch of sows
when a liberal use of pasture crops is made. The inten-
tion is to make, later on, careful comparisons of different
hog crops. This work was inaugurated June 1st, 1912,
with one boar and eight sows. The intention, of course.
is to keep it in progress for several years.
Second-On the Yarbrough farm. The Cobb hog work
was undertaken in an alfalfa region and on an alfalfa farm.
The Yarbrough work was undertaken in a sandy region
where alfalfa will not grow. On the Cobb farm, alfalfa,
sweet clover, and Bermuda are to be the main pasture
crops. "On the Yarbrough farm Bermuda, rape, and pea-
nuts are to constitute the basal pasture crops. This work,
which is in charge of A. R. Gissendanner, is done in co-op-
eration with Dr. C. C. Yarbrough, of Columbia, Ala. It
was inaugurated September 1st, 1911, and should continue
25
for six to eight years if perfectly reliable data are to be
gathered. No report has so far been made of this work.
At the present time there are in the herd 15 sows, 10 gilts,
1 boar, 40 hogs to be killed or sold this winter, and several
litters of small pigs.
District School Work.
The work was at first undertaken with four of the Dis-
trict Schools, namely, Hamilton, Abbeville, Albertville, and
Jackson. At Albertville the work was terminated at the
close of the first test in 1911.
First-Hamilton School. The following rations are be-
ing tested this year:
Lot 1-Corn o. 1 in dry lot.
Tankage 1.
Lot 2-Corn i.
Tankage 110.
Cowpea pasture followed by peanuts.
Lot 3-Corn.
Cowpeas followed by peanuts.
Second-Jackson School. The work with this 
school,
at the present time, is a study of the 
cost of raising pure-
bred hogs with a system of pasture crops as 
a basis. The
work was inaugurated with three sows and one 
boar. The
plan is to enlarge this work to include some 
lot feeding.
This work, of course, should be continued 
several years.
Third-Abbeville School. The primary object in select-
ing this school was to do some thorough work in grazing
velvet bean pastures. A part of this work is reported 
in
bulletin 168. At the present time the following 
test is be-
ing carried on:
Lot 1-Corn 1U.
Tankage .
Lot 2-Rice polish i .
Tankage .
Lot 3-Corn 3.
Tankage 1.
Velvet bean pasture.
This school was also selected as the best place for thor-
oughly working out the comparative values 
of corn and
rice polish.
With Poultry.
The poultry work was first taken up in a co-operative
way with C. D. Allis, of Pinson, Ala., who furnished 
all of
26
the chickens and feed and kept complete 
and full records of
the work done. Some satisfactory results 
were obtained
on this farm. 'The work was first outlined to gather full
and complete data on the profits that could be made 
on a
flock of hens in the South. This part of the test 
soon
terminated, however, on account of the death of practically
all of the hens in this test.
Some exceedingly satisfactory results were secured, how-
ever, in a winter feeding test which was concluded in the
spring. The value of the various rations was measured in
terms of the number of eggs laid. The test was closed on
May 28th, 1912. The following table gives a very short
summary of the test:
Ration Lot No. Hens No. eggs laid Total amount of Cost of
by each hen feed eaten by each doz
in 130 days. each hen in 130 en eggs
days.
Corn Dry Mash
Lbs. Lbs. Cents
Rye pasture
and grains
mixed 1 28 41 13.8 14.8 13
Dry lot 2 63 34 11.8 12.5 14
Grain and
cut bones 3 28 52 13.8 13.4 and 10
4 cut bones
Poultry work is also being done with the Hamilton
School. Excellent equipment has been provided at the ex-
pense of the Local Fund. The work was inaugurated in
September of this year. The experiment consists of a
breed test between Black Minorcas and Rhode Island Reds,
together with various tests of dry lot feeding and U. S. pas-
ture systems of feeding. The test was inaugurated with 25
excellent hens in each lot and will be very materially en-
larged as time goes on.
An attempt has also been made in Cullman and Crenshaw
counties to organize an egg shipper's association. We have
experienced no trouble in organizing this association and it
is now receiving an increased price for eggs, but it seems
impossible for some farmers to keep local and neighborhood
quarrels out of such organizations. I would recommend
that these tests be discontinued until the farmers ask for
this character of assistance.
In conclusion, I wish to heartily thank the members of
the Department: Messrs. Shook, Ward, Jerdan, Gissen-
danner, Summers and Allis for their earnestness in the
27
work, for their original and independent thinking, and for
their loyalty. I wish also to thank you personally for the
many valuable suggestions offered when the work was be-
ing inaugurated, and for the freedom you have given the
Department in its efforts to carry out its plans.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) DAN T. GRAY.
REPORT OF HORTICULTURIST.
Auburn, Ala., Feb. 3, 1913.
Prof: J. F. Duggar,
Director Alabama Experiment Station,
Auburn, Ala.
Dear Sir:-
I respectfully submit the following report of the work
done in horticulture under the local experimental fund dur-
ing the year 1912.
The work embodied in this report was done by Mr. H. M.
Conolly of the Horticultural Department. My own con-
nection with the department has been of too recent date
for me to take any part in the work and all credit is due
Mr. Conolly for its execution.
This work has been planned with two ends in view: pri-
marily, it consists in properly testing out, in every section
of the State, the great number of varieties of vegetables
and the fertilizers that are best adapted to their growth on
the different types of soils.
Secondarily, it consists in studying the methods oi pro-
duction of the horticultural crops of the State, aiding in the
more economical raising of some crops, dissuading men
from growing crops which cannot be successfully grown,
and the spread of accurate information among growers
that will tend to raise the standard of horticulture in the
State.
With above ends in view sixty counties have been visit-
ed, over ten thousand miles have been covered by railroad
and fifteen hundred miles by other conveyance. Twenty-
two farmers' institutes and farmers' meetings have been
attended during the year and much valuable information
has been brought straight home to the grower. Fertilizer
and variety tests were carried on in fourteen different
counties at twenty-three different places, namely, Mobile,
Dawes, Creola, Irvington, Tolmanville and Citronelle in
Mobile county; Fairhope, Foley and Bay Minette in Bald-
win county; Canoe in Escambia cotinty, Catherine in Wilcox
county, Flatwood in Marengo county, Cuba in Sumter
county, Marbury in Autauga county, Dothan in Houston
county, Bessemer and Birmingham in Jefferson county,
Carbon Hill and Jasper in Walker county, Haleyville in
Winston county, Cullman in Cullman county, Alabama
City in Etowah county and Madison in Madison county.
Most of these experiments were concentrated in sections of
the State where horticultural crops formed the main source
29
of income and where information was needed by the great
number of newcomers from the north. Many of these va-
riety and fertilizer tests did not produce the results 
that
were expected due to the unfavorable weather 
conditions of
last spring; still thy taught the grower many valuable facts
in crop production.
Other work taken up during the year consists of the fol-
lowing: Plans for the improvement of the grounds at fif-
teen High Schools have been drawn up and directions
given for the carrying out of the same. Some time has
been given to the collection and study of promising seed-
ling fruits and nuts of the State and this work will prove of
great value as the studies progress. The study and dem-
onstration of the use of a commercial storage house for
the keeping of sweet potatoes over winter, has been carried
on quite extensively and the results are very gratifying.
Spraying demonstrations for the control of insect pests
and diseases have been carried on iri many localities and
they have stimulated considerable interest in the raising of
good fruit.
Two bulletins on the growirgg of truck crops have been
issued under the local experimental work and we have on
hand much valuable data for other bulletins which will be
published as soon as funds permit. These bulletins will be
of great aid in spreading popular information among a
great number of people and thus aid in the production of
larger crops and improved living conditions.
The following lines of work have been undertaken and
considerable progress made:
(1) Truck and fruit survey of the State.
(2) Fruit and vegetable region of the State with varie-
ties suited to each region.
(3) Collection and study of the promising seedling
fruits and nuts of the State.
(4) Developing the home vegetable garden and the
home fruit orchard.
(5) Demonstrations in spraying.
(6) Improving school grounds and farm homes.
(7) Testing of varieties of vegetables and fertilizers.
(8) The use of a commercial storage house for the
keeping of sweet potatoes.
(9) Testing the keeping qualities of various varieties
of sweet potatoes.
(10) The economical production of cabbage in the Mo-
bile district.
Respectfully submitted,
E. P. SANDSTEN,
Horticulturist.
EXTENSION.
Auburn, Ala., Feb. 18, 1913.
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Director Alabama Experiment Station,
Auburn, Alabama.
Dear Sir:-
Below I am giving you a brief report on what is being
done by the Extension Department of the Alabama Poly-
technic Institute and Experiment Station.
You will observe that $5,000.00 was appropriated by the
State of Alabama for the purpose of carrying on Agricul-
tural Extension work. It is the last item in the Bill appro-
priating money for local experiments. This Bill was ap-
proved February 9, 1911.
I might add that the above appropriation by the State of
Alabama has enabled this Department to secure the follow-
ing funds to be used in co-operation with us:
From the Federal Government ............... $2,980.00
From the General Education Board ............. 2,000.00
From the U. S. Dept. of Agri., Dairy Division.... 2,200.00
From the U. S. Dept., Animal Industry Division 2,000.00
Total................................$9,180.00
In our plan of work in the Girl's Tomato Clubs it i nec-
essary for us to secure local funds in the counties where the
work is organized. We employ a local lady worker in each
county, whom we pay $50.00 a year, the rest of her salary
coming from local funds raised in the county. We are
working fourteen counties according to this plan. The to-
tal amount of local funds raised in these counties is
$1,560.00 and in most cases this money is appropriated by
the County Board of Revenue.
In addition to the above funds we raise a large number
of prizes to be offered to the boys and girls for excellence
in their Corn Clubs and Tomato Clubs. It is impossible
for me to tell exactly the total amount of this sum, as a
great many of these prizes are raised by school clubs and
local or district clubs. I think a conservative estimate of
the amount would be $10,000.00.
In other words the $5,000.00 appropriated by the State
of Alabama puts us on our feet and enables us to secure
from the National Government $9,180.00; from County
Boards of Revenue and private sources $1,560.00; from
Boards of Revenue, bankers, business men and other pub-
lic spirited people about $10,000.00. This makes a grand
31
total of $20,740.00. To state this same idea in another
way, for every one dollar appropriated by the State of Ala-
bama for this work we are enabled to raise four dollars and
seventeen cents.
It seems to me that the work done in this department
may be classed under the five following heads:
1. Boys' Corn Club.
2. Girls' Tomato Club.
3. Dairy Work or Dairy Field Investigation.
4. Pig Clubs, (which we are just beginning).
5. General Work, such as helping in institutes, visiting
and working with teachers, and High Schools and answer-
ing a large number of letters pertaining to general ques-
tions on school and agricultural work.
Boys' Corn Club.
We started the Boys' Corn Club Movement in Alabama
four years ago with 265 members in two counties. The
second year we had 2100 members in seventeen counties;
the third year, 3800 members in fifty-two counties; and be-
low I am giving a tabulated statement by counties showing
the enrollment as revised for 1912.
Autauga .............. 60
Baldwin .............. 120
Barbour .............. 96
Bibb .................. 120
Blount ................ 75
Bullock ............... 128
Butler ................. 102
Calhoun .............. 278
Chambers ............. 98
Cherokee ............. 38
Chilton ............... 171
Choctaw .............. 23
Clarke ................ 104
Clay .................. 318
Cleburne .............. 125
Coffee ................. 304
Colbert ............... 81
Conecuh .............. 136
Coosa ................ 147
Covington ............ 256
Crenshaw ............. 170
Cullman .............. 136
D ale .................. 280
Dallas ................ 18
32
DeKaib ............... 371
Elmore ............... 129
Escambia .............. 88
Etowah ............... 151
Fayette ................ 93
Franklin .............. 165
Geneva ............... 207
Greene.........48
Hale..........2
Henry ................. 72
Houston .............. 208
Jackson............... 77
Jefferson .............. 142
Lamar.........106
Lauderdale ............ 117
Lawrence ............. 174
Lee ................... 75
Limestone ............ 163
Lowndes .............. 80
Macon .. .............. 66
Madison .............. 122
Marengo ............... 21
Marion ................ 112
Marshall .............. 505
Mobile.........90
Monroe........220
Montgomery ........... 96
Morgan ............... 255
Perry.........102
Pickens ................ 82
Pike.........279
Randolph ............. 319
Russell.........40
St. Clair ...... ,........ 225
Shelby............... 146
Sumter ................ 58
Talladega ............. 358
Tallapoosa ............ 216
Tuscaloosa ............ 170
Walker ............... 281
Washington............45
Wilcox ................ 70
Winston........51
Total Number of Boys. 9784
33
Results of the Work.
In 1911 we had 100 boys in Alabama who averaged 97
bushels per acre at a cost of about 30 cents per bushel The
average yield of corn in the State for the same year was 18
1-2 bushels. The average increase of these boys was 78
1-2 bushels per acre. Valuing corn at $1.00 per bushel 
and
deducting 30 cents, which it cost each boy to makq his corn,
leaves a profit of 70 cents per bushel. Each boy made an
average profit of $54.95 on his acre, and the 100 boys made
a total profit of $5,495.00. The profit of thes 100 boys for
1911 is very nearly equal to the total amodnt of money
spent in promoting the club work in the State for the 
same
year.
/ In 1911 Eber A. Kimbrough of Alexander City, made
224 75-100 bushels of'corn at a cost of 19 cents per bushel,
which is an increase of 206.25 bushels above the average
yield for Alabama in the same year. Valuing corn at $1.00
per bushel and deducting 19 cents, which it cost him to
make each bushel, leaves him a profit of 81 cents per bushel
or a total profit of $1.67.06 from his prize acre. He sold 
all
his corn that was good for seed at $2.50 per bushel 
and
actually realized far'more than the above figures indicate.
He won in prizes between $800.00 and $1,000.00.
Junius Hill of Attalla made 212 1-2 bushels of corn on
his acre in 1911 and the cost was eight and six-tenths
cents per bushel. His profit, valuing corn at $1.00 per
bushel and deducting his cost, was 91 1-2 cents per bushel,
or a total for the acre of $177.51. He sold all the 
good
seed corn from his acre except some to plant at $2.00 
per
bushel and really made more than the above would 
indi-
cate. He also won a great many valuable prizes.
In 1912 we had 137 boys in the State who made over 100
bushels of corn on their prize acres. The average of 
these
boys was :something over 121 bushels per acre.
At the National Corn Exposition each state was 
allowed
to enter 20 boys and five girls to contest for the 
grand
sweepstakes prize for the best boys' and girls' club work
for the year 1912. The prize was a large bust of the 
late
Dr. Seaman A. Knapp. Below I am giving the 
names,
postoffice addresses, yields and cost per bushel with the
averages of the 20 Alabama boys who were entered 
in the
contest for this prize:
34
Name Postoffice Yield
J. P. Leach, Union,Grove.......195.58
Willie Atchison, McCalla, R. 1...198.25
Junius Hill, Attalla ............ 171.71
Belton Hatchett, East Tallassee..181.00
Cecil Adams, Eclectic .......... 176.64
Fant McElroy, Cuba, R. 1.......184.50
Walker Dunson, Alex. City, R. 6.172.00
Thos. J. Worthy, Boaz .......... 175.00
Rowan IMcElroy, Cuba, R. 1..... 161.50
Cecil Chandler, Searight ........ 165.75
W. H. Ruffin, West Point, R. 5..156.48
Naman Forehand, Enterprise, R.4.145.75
Edgar H. Jarrell, Opelika, R. 6...156.33
Clifton Mathis, Vincent, R. 2 .... 148.73
Harvey Appling, Samantha ..... 149.50
Roy Holley, Eclectic ............ 147.75
Stanley Boswell, Inverness ...... 161.08
Jones Brown, Jacksonville ...... 140.00
Mack Sawyer, Jones Mill........ 155.92
Henry Williams, Pyriton ........ 158.75
Cost
Profit per Bu.
$175.25 .10
162.75 .17
148.21 .13
148.20 .18
147.84 .16
146.00 .20(
146.00 .15
143.75 .19
141.10 .12
137.00 .17
131.26 .16
128.80 .10
124.83 .20
123.23 .17
122.75 .17
119.25 .15
118.48 .25
118.20 .15
118.07 .24
115.92 .26
Total ...................... 3302.22 $2716.89
Average per acre or boy ........ 165.11 135.84 .172
It will be observed that these 20 boys made a total of
3302.22 bushels on their 20 acres, and valuing corn at $1.00
per bushel and deducting all expenses incurred in making
the corn, these boys have a total profit of $2,716.89. You
will also notice in this same connection that the average
yield of each boy per acre was 165.11 bushels, and the aver-
age profit $135.84, and the average cost per bushel 17 cents.
I wish to say just here that the nearest State to Alabama in
this contest was Mississippi, and the average yield of the
20 boys contesting was about 150 bushels.
The five girls, who were entered in this contest, were as
follows:
Bertha Campbell, Gallant, 
Alabama.
Meta Grace, Oakman, Alabama.
/ Donnie Lu High, Albertville, Alabama.
Mamie Davis, Troy, R. 5, Alabama.
La Lu Booth, Bay Minette, Alabama.
In deciding the winner of this trophy the judges had to
35
consider the following points in the Boys' Corn Club work:
Yield..................................500
Profit ........ ............................ 300
Exhibit .................... .............. 300
Percentage of boys reporting in each state.. 200
Written history of how the acre was made... 200
Total 1500
In reference to the girls' exhibit the grading was as fol-
lows:
Quality of exhibit ............. 200
Variety of products ........... 100
Written account .............. 100
Percentage reporting in the state.100
Total: 500
It will be seen that it was possible for a state to make
2000 points. After the judges had carefully considered the
exhibit, reports and all other points, Alabama's record was
1672 points or more than 200 points above any other state
in the contest.
In connection with this I might say that Mr. J. B. Hobdy
of this department was superintendent of this exhibit or
rather of this Boys' Corn Club School. There were in at-
tendance from all the states something like 350 boys and
Alabama had a delegation of 100 boys and eight girls. It
is interesting to note that practically all the money for this
Alabama delegation was raised by subscription, through
banks, donations by public spirited people and in other
ways. It took a total of between $3500.00 and $4000.00 
to
take these boys and girls to this Exposition and back. The
entire delegation traveled a total of 120,000 
miles. They
heard some of the best lecturers on agriculture that 
this
country affords, saw the greatest agricultural show 
that
has been held in America, and I feel that these 
boys and
girls brought back with them enough inspiration and 
in-
formation to make them leaders in their community along
lines of better farming.
At the conclusion of the year's work for 1912 our depart-
ment awarded a number of certificates of merit or diplomas
to boys making certain records. We gave to every 
boy
making over 100 bushels of corn one of these diplomas, 
and
also to every boy making 75 or more bushels on his 
prize
acre at a cost of not more than 30 cents per bushel. 
There
were 203 boys who received these certificates. They 
made
a total of 22,777.10 bushels at a total profit, counting corrn
36
at a dollar per bushel, of $16,491.89. The average of 
each
boy was 112.16 bushels per acre, with an 
average profit of
$81.24 and an average cost per bushel of 27 cents.
One point to which I wish to call especial attention in
connection with the results of the work is the very great
value of the work in interesting not only the boys in the
questions of better farming but also the neighbors on ad-
joining farms and in the surrounding country. I know a
farmer who rode a mule 19 miles to see a prize patch of
corn which was grown by a Boys' Corn Club farmer. This
same man told me that he did not believe in book farming
but thought it all foolishness. However, after seeing the
boy's fine corn, which made 94 bushels per acre, this farm-
er returned home and with enthusiasm enlisted in the dem-
onstration work with both corn and cotton, entered two of
his boys in the corn club and his little girl in the tomato
club. The old farm, which the man said had made a living
for his grandfather, his father and himself and had been
making about 10 bushels of corn and a third of a bale of
cotton per acre, this year has several acres which will
produce from 50 to 100 bushels of corn per acre and sev-
eral acres of cotton that will produce about a bale per acre.
Perhaps what is best of all in this story is that the farmer
has new interest in this great business and a new outlook
on life. According to his own statement to me he wishes
that he could call back 40 years of his life in order that he
might farm right and do something for himself, his family
and his community. The prize acres of corn grown by
these boys are like missionaries in a foreign land convert-
ing the boy himself, his father and his neighbors to the
idea of better farming. They also serve to show the boy
that there is money in farming when it is done properly.
As a result of this work thousands of boys are engaging in
farming as a business instead of moving to town.
Girls' Tomato Club.
The Girls' Canning or Tomato Club work was begun
during the season of 1911 with 240 members in two coun-
ties, Pike and Walker. In 1912 we had the work well or-
ganized in 14.counties with an enrollment of 2630 members.
Below is given a tabulated statement of the enrollment in
each of these 14 counties revised:
Baldwin ................. 109
Calhoun .................. 65
Chilton .................. 105
DeKalb ............... ... 93
37
Etowah ................... 104
Franklin ................. 122
Houston ................. 70
Lowndes ................ 39
M arshall ................. 325
M obile .................. 73
M onroe .................. 115
Morgan .................. 140
Pike ..................... 200
W alker .................. 198
Total: 1758
We have enrolled a great many girls in other counties
where the work was not regularly organized, sent the girls
instructions, literature and seed, and helped them all we
could by correspondence and through the teachers.
When we began the Tomato Club work last year in Pike
county I was present when the first can of tomatoes was put
up in that county. In July of this year, 1912, we made
some investigations to determine the number of cans that
had been put up during the season of 1912. Up to the date
of this investigation 50,000 cans of tomatoes and other veg-
etables had been put up as a result of the work. These
cans are worth 10 cents each and the total of 50,000 cans
is worth $5,000.00. This represents $5,000.00 of good
wholesome vegetable food products for the home and the
market, that would have decayed and gone to waste if it
had not been for the Girls' Tomato Club work.
The work in Walker county has been in progress for
two seasons, and in July 1912 we made investigations sim-
ilar to those made in Pike county and found that 400,000
cans of tomatoes, fruits and other vegetables had been put
up as a result of the Tomato Club work.' In one of the
leading business towns of the country where I visited, I
asked the merchants where they bought their canned to-
matoes, fruits and other vegetables and was told that all
of these products were purchased from the girls in the To-
mato Club and the homes of these girls. The money which
the merchants paid for these products went right back into
the homes on the farms. The 400,000 cans referred to
above are worth 10 cents each or a total of $40,000.00. This
was all brought about or largely so as a result of the Girls'
Tomato Club work.
On September 20th, 1912 I had a letter from Arie Hov-
ate, Russellville, R. 5, a Tomato Club girl. I quote below
from her letter:
38
"I am not through canning yet. I have canned 
1467
cans. I think I can get enough out of my patch by Monday
or Tuesday to make 1500 cans. I lost 27 half gallon cans,
which I had put up in glass, besides we ate some 
and some
rotted before my canner came." This young lady will 
get
10 cents for each of her cans or a total of $153.10. It cost
hei including her cans, canning outfit, all the labor and oth-
er expenses about $50.00. In other words she has a clear
profit of $100.00 from one-tenth of an acre of Alabama soil.
This is at the rate of $1,000.00 per acre clear profit. I ne-
glected to say that at the close of the season this young 
lady
had put up 1531 number 3 cans of tomatoes.
In Cullman county this past summer I was busy holding
a canning demonstration for the girls, and to one side I
heard one girl tell another why she was a member of the
Tomato Club. Her remarks were about as follows:
"My sister and I joined the Tomato Club because we
wanted to go to school some more. We have finished the
grades in the school near our home in the country. 
We
thought we would grow the tomatoes along with some oth-
er vegetables, and can and sell them, then take the money
and rent us two rooms in Cullman, where we could keep
house on a small scale and go to the County High School
in Cullman this winter." A later letter from her stated
that they had canned 730 No. 3 cans and that they would
be off to the County High School in a few days. The 730
cans at 10 cents apiece brought the girls $73.00. This sum
was sufficient to pay for rent of rooms, buy books, pay
school incidental fees and other incidental expenses, and
so these two young girls are enabled to continue their edu-
cation in the High School.
Dairy Extension Work.
Mr. Bechdel, who is in charge of this work, spent 
the
entire year making trips to all parts of the States, with the
exception of about two days per week spent in the 
office.
His duties consisted chiefly in silo building, dairy meetings,
herd record work, building dairy barns and demonstrations
at fairs.
Ten farmers were assisted in building concrete silos, an
average of eight days being spent with each. These were
located principally in the central, west and northeastern
parts of the State. He was responsible for at least five
others in south and west Alabama through correspond-
ence. .He agitated these, submitted plans, data, etc.
Thirty-five dairy meetings lasting a day each were at-
39
tended and approximately fifty talks were given on different
phases of dairying. 1On account of its importance the silo
was agitated more strenuously than any other subject.
Twenty-eight of these meetings were in connection with
the Southern Railway Dairy Instruction Car, which was
run over all the lines of the Southern system in the State.
On an average there were more than 100 persons in attend-
ance on all of the above meetings.
Dairy herd records were kept with ten farmers, located
in different parts of the State, for the purpose of demon-
strating to the farmer and his neighbors the value of such
work. There were approximately 125 cows in the above
herds. About 20 of these were sold on account of unprofit-
ableness.
Plans and specifications of dairy barns were furnished
about 25 dairymen in different parts of the State. Five or
six of these have built and several more will build soon.
One party, the Alabama Methodist Orphanage, at Selma,
was given over two weeks of Mr. Bechdel's time, in order
that he might supervise the construction of a dairy barn
costing $1,696.54.
Demonstrations were given at the Alabama State Fair
in Birmingham and the Alabama State Exposition, in
Montgomery. In Birmingham the demonstration consist-
ed of the production of clean milk in a sanitary dairy barn,
the use of the milking machine, the storing of ensilage, and
the exhibition of a concrete silo (home-made) eight by six-
teen and one-half feet, costing $106.00. At Montgomery a
sanitary dairy house was fitted up completely with boiler,
steam separator and general equipment for handling milk
and making butter. Demonstrations in butter making
were given daily.
I find upon looking into our records and reports that Mr.
Hobdy, Mrs. Robinson and I have traveled and held meet-
ings as follows:
Number of miles traveled by rail .... 77,907
Number of miles traveled by team.. 2,698
Number of meetings held........... . 312
Number of people addressed ........ 39,731
Since May the first, 1912 we have been keeping count of
the mail which goes out from our office each day, and I find
that we have mailed a total of (circular letters, personal let-
ters and other literature) 134,886 pieces of mail.
Very truly yours,
L. N. DUNCAN,
Supt. of Extension Department.
REPORT OF PLANT PATHOLOGIST.
Auburn, Ala., Jan. 16, 1913.
Prof. J. F. Duggar,
Director of the Alabama Experiment Station,
Auburn, Alabama.
Dear Sir:-
The following brief statement of the work under the
local experiment fund in the department of plant pathology
is herewith respectfully submitted:
Of necessity the local experiment work in this depart-
ment has been limited in scope during the first year of its
existence. Because I was not familiar with the local needs
in this field, several trips were made into various parts of
the state to acquaint myself with the various 
diseases of
our cultivated crops. The nature and means of control of
many of the more common diseases is known so that much
good would result if a series of co-operative demonstrative
experiments could be conducted. In order to carry on this
work properly it would be necessary to have the services
of a field agent who could devote his entire time-to the
work. Under existing conditions this is impossible.
However some of this work on the control of the brown
rot of peaches has been attempted at Camp Hill and Eden,
in co-operation with the Department of Entomology. Ad-
jacent unsprayed orchards of peach trees yielded scarcely
any fruit, whereas, an excellent crop of sound healthy fruit
was obtained from the orchards in which our spraying 
ex-
periments were conducted.
Some interesting results have also been secured in the
control of lettuce wilt, which will later be published in a
bulletin from the station. Work is now in progress relative
to egg plant rot, stem rot of asters, leaf blight of 
Persian
Walnuts, and certain persimmon diseases. Some of this
work is being conducted during the winter in the green
house and will be duplicated under field conditions next
summer.
One circular designed to be of help to purchasers of cit-
rus stock has been published. A bulletin upon the 
black
spot disease of roses is in press and will appear 
soon.
About 350 letters of inquiry relative to plant diseases
have come to this office.
Very respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK A. WOLF,
Plant Pathologist.