TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Agricultural Experiment Station
OF THE
ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
AUBURN, ALABAMA
JANUARY 31, 1911
OPELIKA, ALA:
THE POSr PUBLISHING COMPANY
1911

ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.
Auburn, Ala., Jan. 31, 1911.
GOVERNOR EMMET 
O'NEAL,
Executive Department,
Montgomery, Ala.
SIR: I have the honor herewith to transmit to you the Twenty-
Third Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station of
this College.
The report of the Treasurer, herewith included, is for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1910.
This report is made in accordance with the provisions of the act
of Congrest (approved March 2, 1887), establishing Agricultural
Experiment Stations in the several States and Territories.
It contains the report of the Director, the Chemists, the Veteri-
narian, the Agriculturist, the Biologist, the Horticulturist, the En-
tomologist, and the Professor of Animal Industry, for the year
ending December 31, 1910.
Respectfully,
CHAS. C. THACH,
President.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.
TRUSTEES.
His Excellency Emmet O'Neal, President_
H. J. Willingham, Superintendent of Education
A. W. Bell - -
N. D. Denson ...
W. F. Feagin
H. L. Martin
W. K. Terry -- --
J. S. Frazer_
R. B. Barnes_
R. F Kolb -
J. A. Rogers_
C. M.Sherrod -
Ex-Officio
Ex-Officio
Anniston, Ala.
LaFayette, Ala.
Montgomery, Ala.
Ozark, Ala
Birmingham, Ala
Evergreen, Ala
Opelika, Ala.
Montgomery, Ala.
Gainesville, Ala.
Courtland, Ala.
STATION COUNCIL.
Chas. C. Thach, M. A., LL. D- _ President
J. F. Duggar, M. S Director and Agriculturist
B. B. Ross, M. S -- Chemist
C. A. Cary, D. V. M., B. S _Veterinarian and Director Farmers' Institutes
J. T. Anderson, Ph. D -Chemist in Charge of Soil and Crop Investigation
W. E. Hinds, Ph, D - - - - - - Entomologist
F. E. Lloyd, A. M Plant Physiologist and Pathologist
C. L. Hare, M. S., M. A Physiological Chemist
D. T. Gray, M. S .... Animal Industry
L. N. Duncan, M. S Agricultural Extension Work
P. F. W illiam s, B. S .. . . . .. . . . .. . .. .. . . . . H orticulturist
ASSISTANTS.
'TIhos. Bragg, M. S
C. S. Williamson, M. S_
E. F. Cauthen, B. S
SN. E. Bell, B. S
I. S. McAdory, B. S., D. V. M
W. F. Turner, B. S_
C. S, Ridgway, B. S_
M. J. Funchess, B. S
J. C. C. Price, B. S
E. T. Hallman, D. V. M
W. M. Howell, D.V. M
R. B. Whitesell, D. V. M_
E. R. Eudaly - ---
* Resigned.
Assistant Chemist
Assistant Chemist
Superintendent of Farm and Recorder
_- Assistant in Chemistry
Assistant in Veterinary Science
Assistant in Entomology
_ - Assistant in Botany
Assistant Agriculturist
- Assistant Horticulturist
Assistant in Veterinary Science
-- Assistant in Veterinary Science
- Assistant in Veterinary Science
--- Assistant in Animal Industry
REPORT OF HATCH AND ADAMS FUND 
FOR 1909-1910.
RECEIPTS.
To Amount from U. S, Treasury-
Hazu-t ch Adams
$14200.00 $12600.00
DISBURSEMENTS.
By Salaries ---------
By Labor-- - - - - - - - - - -
By Publications ----
By Postage and Stationery
By Freight and Express
By Heat,- Light, Water, and Power
By Chemical Supplies
By Seeds, Plants, and Sundry Supplies
By Fertilizers --- -- - - - - - - ---
By Feeding Stuffs-- - .-.- - - - --
By Library --- - - - - - - - -
By 'fools, Implements, and Machinery,
By. Furniture and Fixtures-------
By Scientific Apparatus--------
By Live Stock -- - - - - - - - - - -
By Traveling Expenses
By Contingent Expenses--------
By Buildings and Repairs-------------
T otal - - - - - - -* - - - - -- -
$7503.73
1293.23
1274.96
338.16
189.57
604.03
309.88
457.97
507-67
-------- - 556.14
----- --- 145.98
-- 19.80
-- -- - 184.72
-- -- - 165.00
-- -- - 54.46
-- -- - 15.00
----- ---- 579.70
------ $14200.00
$ 7837.57
805.75
37.90
182.05
28.60
118.77
761.49
84.27
366.20
14.90
90.27
103.65
1156.31
252.00
183.25
577.02
$12600.00
STATE OF ALABAMA,
Lee County.
Personally appeared before me, Welborn Jones, a Notary Public 
in and
for said county, M. A. Glenn, known to me 
as Treasurer of the Alabama
Polytechnic Institute, who being duly sworn, deposes 
and says that the
above and foregoing account is true and correct.
Witness my hand this 10th day of February, 1911.
WELBORN JONES,
Notary Public.
(Seal)
This is to certify that I have compared the 
account with the ledger ac-
count of the Treasurer, and this is a correct transcript 
of the same.
C. C. THACH,
President A. P. Institute.
REPORT OF DIRECTOR AND AGRICULTURIST.
J. F. Duggar.
Dr. C. C. 
Thach,
President Alabama 
Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
I respectfully submit the following report for the past
year of the work under my charge as Director and Agri-
culturist of the Alabama Experiment Station.
Publications.
During the calendar year 191o the publications of the
Alabama Experiment Station consisted of the annual
report, three bulletins, four circulars, and seven press bulle-
tins. The titles and authors are given below:
Bulletin No. I49-Tests of Varieties of Cotton in 19o9;
by the Director and the Farm Superintendent.
Bulletin No. 15o-Raising Beef Cattle in Alabama; by
the Chief and Assistant in Animal Industry.
Bulletin No. 15I.-Wintering Steers in Alabama. Fatten-
ing Cattle on Pasture in Alabama; by the Chief and Assis-
tant in Animal 
Industry.
Circular No. 4-Information To Nurserymen in Regard
to Fumigation of Nursery Stock; by the Horticulturist and
Assistant Horticulturist.
Circular No. 5.-The Boll Weevil Advance in Alabama;
by the Entomologist.
Circular No. 6.-Fighting the Boll Weevil; by the Ento-
mologist.
Circular No. 7.-Destroying Boll Weevils by Clean
Farming; by the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 36.-Tests 
of Varieties of Cotton in
1909; by the Director and the Farm Superintendent.
Press Bulletin No. 37.-The Mexican Cotton Bolt
Weevil; by the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 38.-Boll Weevil Enters Alabama; by
the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 39.-Falling of Cotton Squares and
Small Bolls; by the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 40.-Destroying Weevils in Corn; by
the Entomologist.
Press Bulletin No. 41.-Tests of Varieties of Corn in
1910; by the Director and Farm Superintendent.
Press Bulletin No. 42.-Boll-Weevil 
Infested Area in the
United States; by the Entomologist
As stated in each of my reports for the last two years, a
'large percentage of the bulletins of the Alabama Experi-
ment Station are now out of print. There is urgent need
,that a number of the bulletins now out of print be re-
printed. However, this cannot be done unless a special
fund be appropriated for this purpose.
An increase in the printing fund is also needed in order
that the mailing list of the Station be permitted to grow in
proportion to the increased need for information shown by
he farmers of Alabama. With an ample printing fund,
much wider publicity could be given to the fact that these
bulletins should be in the hands of every Alabama farmer,
and these bulletins could be published in much larger edi-
tions and on a wider range of subjects than at present.
Staff.
The Experiment Station has been fortunate in the past
year in having few changes in the Station staff. Mr. L. W.
Shook was transferred from the position of Assistant in
Animal Industry to work in Sumter county, conducted by
this Station in co-operation with the Bureau of Animal
Industry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. He was
,succeeded by E. R. Eudaly, a graduate of the Texas Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College. In the latter part of the
year Mr. N. E. Bell, Assistant in Chemistry, resigned to
enter the employ of the Bureau of Soils.
Agricultural Department.
In order to reach correct conclusions regarding agricul-
tural practice, field experiments must be repeated through
a series of years. Hence, most of the field experiments
conducted on the Experiment Station farm at Auburn in
1910o were repetitions of earlier work.
The work which has required a large amount of the time
and pains of the experimenting staff is that in breeding or
improving cotton, corn, and oats. Satisfactory progress has
been made in each of these lines in improving the plants
under consideration, and a large mass of accurate data has
been accumulated, which, when published, should afford a
clearer insight into some of the problems of plant breeding,
and serve to formulate methods of procedure that can be
followed by other plant breeders. In breeding cotton, more
work has been bestowed on the Cook variety than on any
other. However, much attention has been paid tothe
crossing of a number of varieties. The object, both in im-
proving the Cook variety and in endeavoring to originate
new varieties by hybridization, has been chiefly to evolve
a variety better suited to boll weevil conditions than aredny
of the varieties now generally grown.
In the strains of Cook, which have been carefully bred
up for four years, much improvement is noticeable in the
form and productiveness of the plant and in certain strains
progress has also been made in uniting earliness, fair size
of boll, and in some strains increased length of lint, with
the productiveness which has been sought in all work with
this variety
During the past year the systematic breeding of the
Poulnot variety was undertaken with the hope of engraft-
ing earliness on this variety, which is otherwise quite
promising.
The special susceptibility of Cook cotton to the attack of
boll rot has been an obstacle to its improvement. Begin-
ning in g191o a new method of handling the crop has been
started and selections made with special reference to breed-
ing a strain more nearly resistant than ordinary Cook to
this serious disease. Elaborate records have also been
made relative to the amount of boll rot on all of the differ-
ent varieties of cotton grown on the Station farm.
The varieties of corn with which breeding work has been
in progress for several years are Experiment Station Yel-
low, Henry Grady, and Mosby.
With oats the bulk of the breeding work has been done-
with the Red Rust Proof variety, though other varieties:.
and various hybrids of our own making have received at----
tention.
Except for Experiment Station Yellow corn, the im---
provement of wlhich has now gone far enough to permit of-
its distribution to a limited number of farmers who will
agree to grow it in careful tests in comparison with other
kinds, the work of improvement will have to proceed for at
least another year before it will be advisable to enter on
any general distribution of seed.
In addition to plant breeding, some of the most impor-
tant lines of experiments in progress during the year 191o
10
in the agricultural department are the following:
Cotton, relative fertilizing values of ground phosphate
rock and acid phosphate.
Cotton, effects of planting heavy and light seed.
Cotton, continuation of the study of varieties.
Cotton, local fertilizer experiments.
Cotton, best time for applying nitrate of soda.
Corn, variety and culture experiments.
Oats, variety and culture experiments.
Crimson clover, variety and culture tests, and fertilizing
value.
Cowpeas, variety tests.
Sorghum, variety tests.
Relative amounts of food produced by various crops
suitable for hogs.
Soybeans, variety and culture experiments.
A study of numerous forage plants, including alfalfa,
vetches, clovers, kudzu, and grasses.
SExperiments in the manufacture on the farm of drain tile
from cement and sand.
Rotation of crops.
Wheat, tests of varieties and mixtures.
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. DUGGAR,
Director and Agriculturist.
REPORT OF THE CHEMIST.
B. B. Ross.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
I herewith submit the following report with regard to
the extent and character of the work 
of the Chemical De-
partment of the Experiment Station for the past year:
The work of this cepartment embraces investigations
carried out under the provisions of the original Hatch act
and of the Adams act, inspection work performed under
polic regulations which provide for the analysis of ferti-
lizers, feed stuffs, illuminating oils etc., while analyses are
also made of many samples of miscellaneous materials
sent in from all sections of the State.
The reports submitted by Dr. J. T. Anderson and Prof C.
L. Hare furnish information with regard to the progress
of the work that is being conducted by them under the
provisions of the Adams and Hatch acts, while a consider-
able amount of analytical work has been done in connec-
tion with experiments and investigations conducted by
other departments of the Experiment Station.
The investigations being carried out with a view to not-
ing the effects of seed selection upon the quality Of the
cotton seed produced from season to season are of interest
on account of the economic aspect of the subject, as cotton
seed and cotton seed products at present constitute such an
important proportion of the total value of the cotton crop.
If results at all similar to those that have been secured
elsewhere in corn breeding can be attained in the produc-
tion of cotton seed particularly rich in oil or in protein,
the possibility of still further increasing the value of the by-
products of the cotton crop becomes apparent.
Additional work has been done in connection with in-
vestigations as to the availability of basic cinder or slag
obtained as a by-product frdm the manufacture of steel by
the basic open-hearth process, though as yet there is some
lack of agreement between laboratory and field tests as to
the availability of the phosphoric acid in this material.
12
Further work in the investigation of this question is con-
teimplated during the present year.
The fertilizer work of the past season showed an in-
crease of about IO per cent over that of the preceding year,
and although the feed stuff law enacted in 19o9 was prac-
tically inoperative, owing to defects in the law, a consid-
erable number of samples were analyzed during the past
year, while many samples of food materials for human con-
sumption were also subjected to analysis in this laboratory.
In addition to the analytical work above outlined, this
laboratory has also made analyses of a large number of
specimens of miscellaneous materials 
forwarded from var-
ious localities in the State, including-soils, marls, phos-
phates, ores, waters, etc.
Very respectfully,
B. B. ROSS,
Chemist.
REPORT OF VETERINARIAN.
C. A. Cary.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic 
Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
I respectfully submit a synopsis of the work of the
Veterinary Department for I9Io:
The influences of cotton seed meal on the health of the
various organs of the body of pigs and horses, when fed
cotton seed meal alone or in combination with other feeds,
have been studied. This work requires time and repeated
tests. It also requires numerous and tedious blood examina-
tions, careful preparation of tissues for sections so that the
pathological changes may be studied and recorded. While
the toxic ingredient of cotton seed meal is said to have
been determined, in so far as possible we aim to record all
symptoms and microscopical changes in organs.
A study of the infections of cow's udders and the patho-
logical changes is being continued. This requires numer-
ous bacteriological analyses, and numerous sections and
examinations of parts of a number of udders which are
variously and differently diseased. The ways of infection,
the influence of the morbid changes on milk secretion are
considered. We had some opportunities to get records on
the effects of peanuts, as a single ration, on hogs and pigs.
This line of work is demanding attention on account of
extensive use of the peanut as a hog feed and the rather
common occurrence of a disease associated with, or caused
by, the peanut. Observations on Osteo-porosis are made
as cases are presented and chief aim is to find the cause of
this obscure disease.
The sanitary question on farms, especially in dairies and
dairy barns are studied. The infection of pens, soils, etc., by
the careless handling of carcasses, manures and waste farm
products is noted and studied. A study of the prevalence
of animal parasites in domestic animals is made, and of
necessity the work is slow because of lack of funds and
workers who are able to push it.
The Farmers' Institutes during i9io were not as numer-
14
ous as they were during 1909. But the sections of the
state visited were somewhat more inaccessible, thus re-
quiring more time and funds.
During g1910.
Farmers' Institutes held in Alabama.............. 25
Number of counties visited ........................ 21
Number of Sessions ................ ......... 45
Average attendance at each session 
.................. 71
Total Attendance ................................ 3186
The Round-Up Farmers' Institute and Summer School
for Farmers was held at Auburn during the last week in
July. There were 63 lectures and demonstrations given,
beginning at 8 a. m. and ending at io p. m. every day. The
enrollment for the Round-Up Institute was 835. For the
second time the Institute had special lectures for women.
These lectures were delivered by women on domestic art
and science and on health and home life. These lectures
were well attended and were attractive, interesting, and
profitable.
C. A. CARY,
Veterinarian and Director of Farmers' Institutes.
REPORT OF CHEMIST OF SOILS AND CROP
INVESTIGATION.
J. T. Anderson.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
The following report of the work done by this depart-
ment during the year 19io is respectfully submitted.
With the exception of about five months given, as usual,,
to the state fertilizer work, our attention Was devoted en-
tirely to the prosecution of the Adams Project, the de--
termination of soil requirements by the analysis of the
cotton plant.
The methods of investigation heretofore employed, with
two or three important modifications, were continued,
namely, the observation of the simultaneous effect of ferti-
lization on the composition of the plant and on the crop yield.-
The latter effect was determined in all cases by cultivation
in open plots; the former, the effect of fertilization on the-
composition of the young plant, by the analysis of plants-
drawn from the open plots, as well as of plants grown in
the same soil in w ire baskets, the soil in the latter case be-
ing subjected to the same system of fertilizer treatment as-
in the plots. Previous to I9Io our plot tests were conduct-
ed in co-operation with the agricultural department of the
station, all the material for our use being obtained from
selected correspondents of that department who were en-
gaged in The Co-operative Soil Test Experiments. In i9io
some material changes in the methods of fertilization were
made in these Co-operative Soil Test Experiments, which.
made it necessary for us to look elsewhere for our material.
The services of some 8 or io independent co-operators in-
different parts of the State were secured for our work and
instructions sent them as to the manner of conducting the-
experiments. Samples and data from these correspondents,
are now being worked tip in the laboratory.
The sand culture experiments in clay cylinders imbedded
in the ground for studying the effect of fertilization on the
composition of the plant, were continued.
Another use for imbedded cylinders was found during
16
the season of 191o. Realizing the difficulty of securing
reliable co-operation in conducting Plot Tests in many
cases where co-operation was essential, it was thought that
the soil to be tested might readily be transported and
placed in imbedded cylinders for the tests, our experience
having demonstrated that the cotton plant may be grown
normally to maturity in such cylinders of suitable size.
While the cylinder method as a substitute for the Plot
Method has its disadvantages, its many advantages are obvi-
ous. Three types of soil were selected and a set of 12 cylin-
ders for each type was provided. The foundation or subsoil
was the same for the entire group of 36 cylinders. Each set
of cylinders was then filled to a depth of 8 inches with its
,own type of soil. In the application of fertilizers to the
individual cylinders of each set the same scheme was fol-
lowed as has been employed in the plot tests. All other de-
-tails observed in the plot method have been applied to the
-cylinder method, and the analytical results, thus far ob-
tained, conform strikingly to those of the older method.
The assistant in this department, Mr. Bell, resigned in
September and the vacancy thus created has not yet been
filled. It is hoped that a suitable man may soon be found,
that the work may go on again without interruption.
Respectfully submitted,
JAS. T. ANDERSON,
Chemist, Soils and Crop Investigation.
REPORT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMIST.
C. L. Hare.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic 
Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
The work in this department during 19io was, as in 
19o9,
concerned with two main investigations.
i. The experiment of breeding cotton in 
an effort to
increase the oil content of the seed was so far 
successful
that some of the strains bred for three years showed 
a
material gain in percentage of oil. These same 
strains,
continued in 19io, suffered seriously during their growth
from anthracnose which may necessitate the 
elimination
of these high oil strains and the introduction of 
others
which will in turn have to be bred up to the point 
attained
by those originally used in the experiment. This 
is an
illustration of the many problems that must be 
met and
solved before a high oil cotton can be 
bred without sacri-
ficing yield or quality.
2. During the year there was published 
a preliminary
paper treating of the influence of feeds upon 
the properties
of lard.
There have been obtained some striking 
results illus-
trating extremes of oiliness and hardness 
of lards produced
from different feeds.
Thi~ investigation, with the scope enlarged, 
is being
continued.
Respectfully submitted,
C. L. HARE.
REPORT OF ENTOMOLOGIST.
W. E. Hinds.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
The following report relates to the work of the Depart-
ment of Entomology in the Experiment Station for the fis-
cal year i9io.
Work during the past year has continued mainly along
the lines inaugurated during i909. There has been no
change in the working force. Mr. W. F. Turner, as As-
sistant, has given nearly all of his time to the routine sta-
tion work, and especially to the Adams Fund investigation
projects.
Correspondence.
Inquiries regarding the control of insect pests have in-
creased during the past year, indicating that there is a
general advance in agricultural and-horticultural informa-
tion along these lines. The entomologist has received and
answered more than i,5oo letters during the past year.
Publications.
During the year i9io the department of Entomology has
issued the following publications in the Station Series:
Circular No. 5, Boll Weevil Advances in Alabama. Circu-
lar No. 6, Fighting the Boll Weevil. Circular No. 7, De-
stroying the Boll Weevil by Clean Farming. Press bulletin
No. 37, The \Iexican Cotton Boll Weevil. Press Bulletin
No. 38, Boll Weevil Enters Aabama. Press Buletin NO. 39,
The Falling of Cotton Squares. Press Bulletin No. 40,
Destroying Rice Weevils in Corn. Press Bulletin No. 42,
The Boll Weevil Area in the United States. This publica-
tion shows the area of 19io infestation, and is the basis for
applying quarantine regulations against the weevil.
Besides these regular station publications, two articles
reporting results of the Adams Fund project work have
been published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.
One of these dealt with general results of fumigation work
for the control of insects in stored grain, the other with
19
materials which may be, or are frequently used in the con-
struction of fumigation outfits. Besides these, a third
article dealing with the life history of the rice weevil in
corn has been presented before the American Association
of Economic Entomologists, and will shortly appear in the
Journal of Economic Entomology. Several articles on
economic entomoiogical subjects have been printed in the
Southern Farm Gazette, and the Southern Ruralist, besides
a large number of newspaper articles in the daily and week-
ly press, giving information relative to the boll weevil ad-
vance, and advising the people as to the best way to meet
the situation. Mr. W\. F. Turner has published a paper on
the Control of Cucumber and Cabbage Insects, appearing
in the Report of the Alabama State Horticultural Society
for 191o
, 
issued by the State Department of Agriculture
and Industry, Serial No. 36.
Public Addresses.
In order to supply the imperative demand for lectures on
the cotton boll weevil, it has been necessary to refuse num-
erous requests for addresses at farmers' institutes. More
than a dozen addresses dealing-with the boll weevil, many
of them illustrated with stereopticon views, have been
given in Alabama during the past year, and one at Atlanta,
Ga. The expense for these trips has been met by the
State Department of Agriculture, or by the society making
the request.
The Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil.
As had been expected the Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil,
in its eastward advance, crossed the western boundary
line of Alabama, in Mobile County toward the end of
August, 191o. The first specimens of the pest to be found
in this state were taken at Wilmer, Ala., by the writer, on
Sept. 3d. During the following six weeks the advance of
the pest continued until about the middle of October. The
line was found to enter the County of Choctaw, slightly
south of Meridian, Miss., and extending in a southeasterly
direction, including also small parts of Clark and Monroe,
and all of Washington, Mobile, and Baldwin Counties
within the line of I9IO infestation. Fortunately, in many
respects, killing frosts occurring during the closing days of
October put an end to the weevil's advance.
The coming of the boll weevil has awakened an intense
20
interest among the cotton planters of the state, and they
are now in a position to accept and adopt recommendations
for improved methods, such as would not heretofore have
appealed to them. Large numbers of insects, mistaken for
the boll weevil, are being sent for identification, and infor-
mation requested.
Fair Exhibit.
In connection with the exhibit placed by the Experiment
Station with the Montgomery State Fair, the Department
of Entomology showed particularly by specimens, photo-
graphs, charts, etc., the boll weevil and insects mistaken for
it, the fundamental steps which should be adopted in fight-
ing the weevil, 
formulae for 
insecticides, 
and similiar sub-
jects.
Adams Fund Investigations.
Much time has been devoted to a pursuance of the inves-
tigation announced in our last report regarding the rice
weevil. Much entirely new information as to facts in the
life history has been gathered, and the more important of
these facts reported as mentioned under publications.
Further progress has been made also in the matter of fumi-
gation. Owing to practical difficulties to be found in ap-
plying fumigaton for the control of the rice weevil in stored
corn under ordinary farm conditions, we are testing other
means of a control, and hope to find some practical method
which may be readily applied under usual conditions with
little expense.
Respectfully submitted,
W. E. HINDS,
Entomologist.
REPORT OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGIST.
F. E. Lloyd.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic 
Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
I beg leave to submit the 
following annual report 
as
Plant Physiologist of the Alabama Agricultural Experi-
ment Station, being a report of the second complete year of
my tenure of that office.
A year ago, I stated that the preparation of my mono-
graph on the guayule, (Parthenium argentatum), a desert
rubber plant of Northern Mexico, was completed. This
will shortly appear as Publication 139 of the Carnegie In-
stitution of Washington. As a logical continuation of this
work, the guayule and several of its congeners are being
studied continuously in their relation to soil and climatic
conditions at Auburn, while, at the courtesy of the Carne-
gie Institution of Washington, two of the species, the
guayule and the mariola, are under observation at the
Desert Botanical Laboratory, Tucson, Ariz. The data ac-
cumulating will afford material for a study of acclimatiza-
tion.
My study of the development of the fruit of the date
(Phoenix dactylifera), begun as a portion of an Adams
Fund project at the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion, has been completed. One of the primary objects of
this study was to gain light on the role of tannin, which in
this fruit and in the persimmon is a predominant factor in
its relation to the ripening process, but the behavior of
other foods (starch, reserve cellulose, oil especially) 
were
also studied, during the whole embryonic period. Among
the results of major interest, it was found that, judging
from their physiological relations, there are two kinds of
tannin; one being used as a food material, probably for the
building up of the reserve cellulose in the endosperm,
thus affording support to the recently-published view of
van Wisselingh based on Spirogyra; the other is not a
plastic material, but is secreted within certain cells of the
seed coats and carpel where it remains permanently, after
the fashion of an excrete.
22
I have also found that there is no segregation of tannin
during the ripening process, and this result was extended to
the persimmon, (Diospyros), though the contrary view
has been held. The work has- been published under the
title "The development and nutrition of embryo, seed and
carpel in the date, Phoenix- dacty-lifera, L." in the 21st An-
nual Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and reprint-
ed for liminted circulation.
My work on the date naturally led me to a consideration
of the persimmon, with particular reference to the behavior
of the tannin-cells during ripening. As is well known, the
great need of the persimmon grower is the ability to process
persimmons after the fashion of the Japanese, and it was
deemed that a more precise knowledge of the role of the
tannin would contribute toward this end. I have found
that the disappearance of astringency during ripening is
due to the union of the tannin with a second colloid body,
also secreted within the tannin-cell, to form an insoluble
and imputrescible colloid-compound. It has also been
shown that there remains a certain amount of soluble
tannin and I have shown that this, under certain 
conditions,
escapes from the tannin-cell and unites with a substance,
probably pectose, which is derived by digestion of the mid-
dle lamella. These views harmonize with certain observa-
tions of Vinson on the heat relations of ripening in the
date, and throw light on the data obtained by Bigelow,
Gore and Howard, on the persimmon, thus enabling us to
understand better the nature of the ripening process in
these fruits. It may be added that the recently.published
work of Gore on the relation of carbon dioxid to ripening
in the persimmon, following on Prinsen-Geerligs' results on
the banana, will lead, I believe, to a solution of the method
of processing fruit in a practical ,way. My own studies
have in.part appeared under the title, "The behavior of
tannin in persimmons, with some notes on ripening," and
are in part ready for the press in the form of two additional
papers, (i) "The artificial ripen.ing of persinimons," read at
the last annual meeting of the Alabama Horticultural
Society, and (2) "The nature of the tannin cell in the per-
simmon, Diospyros."
The Adams Fund project on transpiriation and allied
phenomena in the 
cotton has progressed. 
It was fourid
very diffictult to get material to grow 
well in the Depart-
ment greenhouse on account of the inadequate heating and
23
lack of suitable assistance, the fact being that the personnel
of the department is not commensurate with the demands
made on it. The present winter's experience has been no
better in spite of an earnest endeavor to take advantage of
our facilities as they stand. Field methods of studying
transpiration and correlated phenomena have therefore re-
ceived major attention, and for this purpose I spent a
month, at my own charges, at the Desert Botanical Labora-
tory, getting data on the rate of .transpiration, by com-
parative volumetric and gravimetric methods. It was found
that the discrepancy between the results obtained by these
methods is not fortuitous, but a regular one, the ratio be-
tween them reversing during night and day. The differ-
ence is believed to be due in part to the difference in the
water content of the leaf. Some data, obtained during
September and October on the cotton at Auburn, appear
to. align themselves with this conclusion. Synchronous
observations on the atmometer (of Livingston), insolation-
thermometer, anemometer, thermometer and plant pieces
have also been made with the hope of elaborating field
methods for the comparative study of transpiration. My
results have been in part reported in a paper "The relation
of transpiration to the water content of leaves," presented
at the recent meeting of the Botanical Society of America.
Mr. C. S. Ridgway has assisted me in this work.
Some progress has been made on methods for the study
of the relations of fumigation to the physiological condi-
tion of the plant, with special reference to the condition
of the stomata and to the water content, but the condition
of the greenhouse has also interfered with this work.
The history of the pecan-scab in a single orchard, that
of Mr. T. W. Oliver, Montgomery, Ala., has been followed
with the co-operation of Mr. C. S. Ridgway, throughout
the year. It has come to light that the unfruitful condition
in this orchard is, to a large degree, not due to the pecan-
scab organism. A brief bulletin of information treating of
this organism has been published.
The following is a list of publications from the Depart-
ment.
(i.) The development and nutrition of the embryo, seed
and carpel in the date, Phoenix dactylifera L. Ann. Rep.
Mo. Bot. Garden, vol. 21: pp. 103-164,4 plates. Dec. 22,
1910.
(2) Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray). A rubber
24
plant of the Chihuahuan Desert. Carnegie Institution of
Washington, Publication 139. (In press).
(3) The behavior of tannin 
in persimmons with some
notes on ripening. The Plant 
World, vol. 14: pp. 1-14. I
plate. Jan. 1911.
(4) Some Alabama Plant Diseases, 
Bulletin No. 32, Ala.
State Department of Agriculture. (With C. S. Ridgway and
H. J. Chatterton). March 15, 1910. pp. 22.
(5) "El Guayule y su propagacion." 
(A Review.) Am.
Rev. Trop. Agri. vol. I: pp. 251-256. Aug.-Sept. 1910.
(6) Outline for the course in Botany, in a Manual for
the County High Schools of Alabama. Montgomery, Ala.
1910.
(7) Plants and the Soil. 6th Ann. Rep. Ala. Soc. Ala.
State Dept. Agri. Bull. 36. pp. 129-141. 
1910.
(8) On the best method of teaching High School
Botany. Proc. 29th. Ann. Session Ala. Ed. 
Assoc. pp. 244-
251. 1910.
(9) Review of Spalding's Distribution and Movements
of Desert Plants. Science n. s. 31: 863-866. 
June 3, 1910.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS ERNEST LLOYD,
Plant Physiologist.
ANIMAL INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
D. T. Gray.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
Two bulletins have been issued from the Animal Indus-
try Department the past year. Bulletin i5o has to do with
the question of "Raising Beef Cattle in Alabama." In
bulletin 151 is found a report of the progress of theco-opera-
tive beef feeding work in Sumter County.
The work of the Department has been enlarged some
during the past year, but, in the main, the experimental
work continues as was reported in the last annual report.
The present work of the Department may be summarized
as followsi:
With Swine.
I. To study the results of finishing swine by dry lot
methods as compared to the method of using green pasture
crops. The last three years' work is now being prepared
for publication.
2. To study the subject of hardening flesh and lard
after it has been rendered soft as a result of the animals'
having grazed green crops.
3. To note further the-toxic effort of feeding cotton seed
meal to hogs.
4. To learn the effect of some of the Southern swine
feeds upon the frame work of the body.
5. To determine the most profitable amount of grain to
feed with such green pastures as soy beans, peanuts and
rape.
6. To study the question of home-curing of meats. A
new smoke house has been erected for the work.
During the year an experimental hog farm has been es-
tablished in Sumter County. This part of the hog work of
the Department is being done in co-operation with the
Burea of Animal Industry of Washington. At the present
time about 2oo hogs are being used in the work.
With Beef Cattle.
The co-operative beef work with the Bureau of Animal
26
Industry at Washington is going forward in an exceedingly
satisfactory manner. Since the last report the work has
been materially broadened. A second experimental farm
has been established and a trained man, Mr. L. W. Shook,
is on the farm and has immediate charge of all the experi-
mental work. The main questions involved now are:
I. To study the methods of carrying mature beef steers
through the winter months, w'hen the object is to fatten
them on pasture the following summer. 125 steers are be-
ing carried through the winter at the present time.
2. To determine the profits, if any, in supplementinr the
svmmer pastures with certain cotton seed by-products in
finishing cattle for the summer and fall market. Almost 200
steers were used in the work last summer.
3. To study the question 
of fattening calves during the
winter months on dry feeds. At the present time 150
calves are being used in these tests. They will be sold in
March.
4. To determine the most profitable 
amount of cotton
seed cake to feed steers while they are being finished on
pasture.
5. To compare silage, cotton seed hulls and Johnson
grass hay for finishing cattle in the winter time. The test
was completed last March. 6o0 head of cattle were fed.
6. To determine the most profitable manner of making
and saving barn yard manures when cattle are fed cotton
seed meal and hulls. 6o steers are being used in the test.
7. To determine the cost of raising a beef calf in Ala-
bama. A breeding herd of about 6o cows is being used in
the test.
With Sheep.
The work with sheep continues about as reported in the
last annual report. The most important points under con-
sideration now are:
i. Early lamb production.
2. A comparison of Alabama feeds, including silage, for
carrying the ewe through the winter months.
Very respectfully submitted,
DAN T. GRAY.
REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST
P. F. Williams.
Dr. C. C. Thach,
President Alabama Polytechnic Institute,
Auburn, Alabama.
Sir:
I respectfully submit the following report for the year
ending December 3Ist, 1910o.
Adams Investigation.
This work was continued the past year and considerable
progress has been made. About 2,ooo crosses of promising
peach varieties were made and there were 763 set fruits
resulting from these crosses. About 350 of these fruits
produced perfect pits. These have been planted with a
view of obtaining crosses or new varieties resistant to
Brown Rot. Several varieties of peaches have been placed
in the new greenhouse where the temperature may be con-
trolled during the cross pollinating work.
Greenhouse.
A new greenhouse was added during the summer, this
new house being 22 x Ioo feet. Three sections of this have
been given up to the Adams project. Seven sections will
be devoted to miscellaneous vegetable work.
Citrange Investigations.
Mr. E. W. Lumpkin, a senior, has taken up this work and
from -a considerable number of crosses made with pollen
from grape fruit, kumquat, ruby and common sweet orange
on Citrus Trifoliate, 66 matured fruits were gathered and
sent to Washington where the seeds from these crosses are
being germinated in the forcing houses of the Bureau of
Plant Industry. There is a growing interest in these hardy
citrus fruits, and we shall continue this phase of the work
another season.
Hatch Experiments.
The forcing of tomatoes under glass has been continued
to check the result of the previous season and a few new
varieties have been added. This work has been greatly
28
facilitated by the erection- of the additional greenhouse.
Excellent results have been obtained with variety and
fertilizer tests with cabbage, Irish potatoes, beans, kohl-
rabi, turnips, and lettuce. This work is being duplicated
and increased with a view of publishing results during the
coming year.
The crops of peaches, pears, and apples have been the
finest recorded during the past year.
Valuable data have been obtained in connection with the
combatting of insects and fruit diseases. A bulletin is in
preparation dealing with self boiled lime sulphur and its use.
The department purchased a small canning outfit during
the summer and demonstrations were conducted at the
Farmers' Summer School and with students, showing the
method of canning fruits and vegetables.
Library.
Prof. R. S. Mackintosh donated to the office a splendid
collection of State Horticultural Society proceedings con-
sisting of 137 volumes. The larger number of these reports
are those of the Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri
Soceties.
Publications.
Last spring I wrote a bulletin on pecans, which appear-
ed as Serial No. 34 of the State Department of Agricul-
ture.
Nursery Inspection.
I have been ably assisted in carrying on the State Nur-
sery inspection work the past summer by the Assistant
Horticulturist, Mr. J. C. C. Price, and Mr. R. U. Blasin-
game. This work is crowding the regular station work,
and now that the boll weevil has entered the State, it will
be impossible to carry out the work 
covering both the
nursery inspecton and boll weevil regulations without ad-
ditional assistance and additional funds.
The list of State nurserymen and those of other States
doing business in Alabama follows:
Certificates Issued Igio-ii.,
I. Alabama Nurserymen.
1. Chase Nursery Co., Huntsville and Chase.
2. Rolfe Nursery Co., Huntsville
3. Oak Lawn Nurseries, Huntsville.
29
4. Frasier Nursery Co., Huntsville.
5. Horsh, Sugg Nursery Co., Gladstone.
C. Huntsville Wholesale Nurseries, Huntsville and Gladstone
7. J0 O. Kelly & Sons Nursery Co., Jeff.
8. Welch Nursery, Madison.
9. J. P. Jones, Nursery, Fabius.
10. Cullman Nurseries, C. S. Biggers, Cullman.
11. J. H Parker & Sons, Vinemont.
12. R. W. Pullen Nursery, Blountsville.
18. Colmant Nurseries, Birmingham.
14. Carlos Reese, Birmingham.
15. Gravlee Nurseries, Newtonville.
16. W L. Owen, Nursery, Ashland.
17. J. B-. Earnest, Roanoke.
18. Rosemont Gardens, Montgomery.
19. C. Ravier & Sons, Mobile.
20. Irvington Nursery, A. H. Daves, Prop., Irvington.
21 J. S. Gaylord, Barnwell.
22. Eagle Pecan Co., Pittsview.
23. Industrial School Gardens, Mobile.
24. Little Gem Floral Garden, Mobile.
25. Orchard Hill Nursery Co., Cullman.
26. Deer Park Nursery, Deer Park.
27. L Thublin, Mobile.
28. J. P. Brown, Carney.
29. Wakefield Nurseries, Wm. Wake, Flomaton.
30. Eufaula Pecan Co., Eufaula.
31. Lipp Nursery, Roanoke.
32 W. D. Summerfield, Birmingham.
33. Waverly Nursery, Paul Hoffman, Waverly.
34. Roseview Nurseries, F. E. Welch, Chunchula.
35. Cusseta Nurseries, W. L. Morris, LaFayette.
36. Glen Iris Nurseries, G. E. Luffman, Birmingham.
37 Mrs. C. R. Long, Montgomery.
38. Fernhill Greenhouse, H. L. Van Trott, Montgomery.
39. E. H. Williams, Montgomery.
40. H. W. Luther, Ensley.
41. Shadrick Stephinson, Russell.
42. Joseph W. Evertts, Decatur.
43. Birmingham Landscape & Nursery Co., Elytcn.
II. Alabama Dealers.
1. C. H. Kennedy, Arley.
2. Colmant Nurseries, Birmingham.
3. J. M. Joiner, Wedowee.
4. John H. Draime, Citronelle.
5. J. J. Holmes, Montgomery.
6. R. L. McCarley, Scottsboro.
7. A. B. Webb, bcottsboro.
8. W. F. Propst, Oakman.
9. E. Day, Birmingham.
10. Geo. E. Luffman. Birmingham.
11. M. M. Dawson, Montgomery.
12. Homer N. Sneed, Pronto.
13. John B. Stroud, Pass Christian, Miss.
30
14. G. W. DeVaughn, Prichard.
15. A. Swift, Fairhope.
16. J. B. Adams, Pass Christian, Miss.
17. A. M. Troyer, Fairhope.
III. Nurserymen Outside The State.
1. The Stark Bros., Nursery & Orchard Co., Louisiana, Mo.
2. P. J. Berckmans Co., Augusta, Ga.
3. The Frank H. Wild Floral Co., Sarcoxie, Mo.
4. Southern Nursery Co., Winchester, Tenn.
5. Pike Co. Nurseries, McElveen & McLendon, Concord, Ga.
6. H. M. Simpson & Sons, Vincennes, Ind.
7. Bluhm Nursery Company, Smithville, No. 6, Tenn.
8. Mount Hope Nursery, Moss & Allen, Smithville, Tenn.
9. Griffing Brothers Company, Macclenny, Fla.
10. The Morris Nursery Co., Westcnester, Penn.
11. Tennessee Wholesale Nurseries, Winchester, Tenn.
12. Center Grove Nursery, R. L. Cantrell, Smithville No. 5,
Tenn.
13. Dreer Nurseries, Henry A. Dreer, Inc., Riverton, N. J.
14. Turkey Creek Nurseries, C. F. Barber, Propr., Macclenny,
Fla.
15. Commercial Nursery Co., Winchester, Tenn.
16. Munson Nurseries, T. V. Munson, Mgr., Denison, Texas.
17. Rood Pecan Groves, Albany, Ga.
18. Continental Plant Co., Kittrell, N. C.
19. T. S. Hubbard Co., Fredonia, N. Y.
20. Wild Bros. Nursery Co., Sarcoxie, Mo.
21. Concord Nurseries, Smith Bros., Proprs., Concord, Ga.
22. Excelsior Nurseries, G. H. Miller & Son, Proprs. Rome, Ga,
23. Geo. S. Josselyn, Fredonia, N. Y.
24. Upson Nurseries, A. D. Williams, Propr., Yatesville, Ga.
25. Easterly Nursery Co., Cleveland, Tenn.
26. Lewis Roesch & Son, Fredonia, N. Y.
27. W. W. Thomas, Anna, Illinois.
28. Knoxville Nursery Co., Knoxville, Tenn.
29. Simpson Nursery Co., Simpson Bros., Props., Monticello,
Fla.
30. The Ftorrs & Harrison Co., Painesville, Ohio.
31. Old Dominion Nurseries, W. T. Hood, Propr., Richmond,
Va.
32. Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y.
33. Cedar Hill Nursery Co., Winchester, Tenn.
34. Jackson & Perkins Co., Newark, N. Y.
35. J. Van Lindley Nur. Co., Pomona and Kernersville, N. C.
36. Thomas Meehan & Sons, Dresher, Penn.
37. Biltmore Nurseries, Biltmore, N. C.
38. Perry Nursery Company, Rochester, N. Y.
39. Union Nursery Co., Smithville, Tenn.
40. Bremen Nursery, J. T. Anderson, Propr., Bremen, Ga.
41. Mount Arbor Nurseries, E. S. Welch, Propr., Shenandoah,
Ia.
42. Joe Shadow Nursery Co., Winchester, Tenn.
43. M. L. Spivey, Lynnville, Tenn.
44. W. N. Scarff, New Carlisle, Ohio.
31
45. J. G. Harrison & Solns, Berlin, Maryland,
,4 . J. L. Westbrook, Temple, Ga.
47. Fallriver Nursery, Fallriver, Tenn.
48. Valdesian Nurseries, Bostic, N. C.
49. Bobbink & Atkins Nurseries, Bobbink & Atkins, Ruther-
ford, N. J.
50. Wagner Park Conservatories, Sidney, Ohio.
51. Miner & Miner, Sheriden, N. Y.
52. Glenn Cliff Nursery, Winchester, Teni.
53. The Toomsuba Nurseries, Toomsuba, Miss.
54. Wm. Warner Harper, Chestnut Hill, Penn.
55. The Donaldson Co., Warsaw and Sparta, Ky.
56. Summit Nurseries, Miller & Gossard, 
Props., Monticello,
Fla.
57. Monticello Nurseries, The Standard Pecan Co., Monticel-
lo, Fla.
58. Franklin Davis Nursery Co., Mullikin, Md
59. Smithville Nursery Co., Smithville, Tenn.
60. Oakland Nurseries, Columbia, Tenn.
61. Keltonburg Nursery, C. A. Cantrellj Smithville No. 3,
Tenn.
62. Thomas Meehan & Sons, Inc., Germantown, Penn.
63. Greensboro Nurseries, Greensboro, N. C.
64. The J. Steckler Seed Co., New Orleans, La.
65. Prosperity Nursery, Redman Bros., Smithville No. 3, Tenn.
6*6. The Wm. H. Moon Co., Morrisville, Penn.
67. Glen Saint Mary Nurseries Co., Glen Saint Mary, Fla.
68. Cureton Nurseries, Austell, Ga.
69. C. Forkert, Ocean Springs, Miss.
70. United States Nursery Co., Roseacres, Miss.
71. Tullahoma Nursery, Tullahoma, Tenn.
72. Chattanooga Nursery Co., Chattanooga, Tenn.
73. Arcadia Nurseries,- J. H. Girardeau, Jr., Prop., Monticello,
Fla
74. R. A. Eubank, Prospect Station, Tenn.
75. The Bechtel Pecan Nurseries, Ocean Springs, Miss.
76. G. M. Bacon Pecan Co., DeWitt, Ga.
77. Hartwell Pecan Nurseries,, S. W. Peek, Propr., Hartwell,
Ga.,
78. Forest Nursery & Seed Co., J. H. Boyd, Propr., McMinn-
ville, Tenn.
79. Peter Henderson & Co., Proprietors, Jersey City, N. J.
80. The Shenandoah Nurseries, D. S. Lake, Prop., Shenandoah,
Ia.
81. Schmidt & Botley, Springfield, Ohio.
82. Will F. Halladay, Decherd, Tenn.
83. The Sneed Wholesale & Retail Nur., J. F. Sneed, Mgr.,
Tyler, Texas.
84. Big Four Nursery Co., L. P. Potter & Sons, Smithville, No.
1, Tenn.
85. Foster & Griffith, Fredonia, N. Y.
86. Cumberland Nurseries, Winchester, Tenn.
87. The D. Hill Nursery, Co., Inc., Dundee, Ill.
88. Pecan Grove Farm Nursery, J. B. Wright, Propr., Cairo,
Ga.
32
89. James Brodie, Biloxi, Miss.,
90. John B. Stroud, Pass Christian, Miss.
91. Southern Nut Tree Nursery, C. A. Rouzer, Mgr., Thomas-
ville, Ga.
92. The Ramsey Pecan Co., Ocean Springs, Miss.
93. Hoopes Bros. and Thomas Co., Westchester, Penn.
94. R. L. Eaton, Monticello, Fla.
95. Jefferson Nursery Co., Proprietors, Monticello, Fla.
96. The Corinth Nurseries, Corinth, Miss.
97. The Newton Nurseries, Newton, Miss.
98. Fairview Nursery Co., Winchester, Tenn.
99. The Peachwood Nurseries, State Line, Miss.
100. The Alvin Japanese Nur., S. Arai, Mgr., Alvin, League
City & Mykawa, Tex.
101. Eastern Nurseries, Holliston, Mass.
102. B. W. Stone & Co., Thomasville, Georgia.
103. J. W. Adams & Son, Springfield, Mass.
104. Chas. R. Fish & Co. Worcester and Auburn, Mass.
105. Stuart Pecan Co., Miss W. B. Stuart, Mgr., Beaumont,
Texas.
106. John Lightfoot, East Chattanooga, Tenn.
107. Barnesville Nursery Co., Stafford & Howard, Barnesville,
Ga.
108. Fairview Nurseries, J. E. Sweet, Naylor, Ga.
109. The Paper Shell Pecan Nursery, LaFayette, La.
110. Spring Hill Nurseries, Peter Bohlender & Son, Tippe-
canoe, O.
111. German Nurseries, Carl Sonderegger, Beatrice, Nebr.
112. The American Rose and Plant Co., Springfield, Ohio.
113. The American Crescent Nursery Co., Council Bluffs, Iowa.
114. Rich Land Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y.
Yours very truly,
P. F. WILLIAMS,
Horticulturist.