TRANSMITTALS
President Spright Dowell,
Auburn, Alabama.
Dear Dr. Dowell:
I have the honor to submit herewith the Thirty-eighth
Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station
of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
Yours very truly,
M. J. Funchess,
Director.
Alabama Polytechnic Institute
Auburn, Alabama
Gov. Bibb Graves,
Montgomery, Alabama.
Dear Sir:
I take pleasure in transmitting to you the Thirty-
eighth Annual Report of the Alabama Agricultural Ex-
periment Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
Respectfully,
Spright Dowell,
President.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
Good, H. G.-Cotton Hopper Control. Journal of Economic
Untomology. 19, No. 6. Page 869. During the summer of 1926,
calcium-sulfo-cyanide was used for the control of the cotton hop-
per (Psallus seriatus Reut). Plots dusted with 5, 10, and 20
pounds per acre were used. Although 20 pounds per acre gave
a more effective control, an application of 10 pounds per acre
was most profitable. No burning of the foliage or injury to the
plant was noticed.
Good, H. G., and Adkins, T. R.-Notes on the Wintering
Habits of the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).
WILSON BULLETIN. 39, pp. 75-78. The white-throated spar-
row is a winter resident in the southern states and is found
quite abundant all through the South. It feeds principally upon
weed seeds and insects, especially ground beetles. With this
sparrow is associated the chipping sparrow, vesper sparrow, and
the slate-colored junco. It is most commonly found with towhee
or chewink, as the white-throat always follows the towhee.
The white-throated sparrows are first seen in the vicinity of
Auburn about the middle of October and remain until the be-
ginning of May.
Pierre, W. H., and Parker, F. W.-The Use of Collodion
Sacks in Obtaining Clear Soil Extracts for the Determination of
the Water Soluble Constituents of Soils. Soil Science, 13; pp. 13-
32. This paper reports the results of a study of the collodion
sack method of preparing soil extracts. The procedure is given
for preparing sacks and for using them in securing soil extracts.
The method has several advantages over other methods that
are in general use.
Pierre, W. H.-Buffer Capacity of Soils and its Relation to
the Development of Soil Acidity from the use of Ammonium Sul-
phate. Jour. Am. Soc. Agron., 19: pp. 332-351. A laboratory
method of studying the buffer capacity of soils is given and the
buffer capacity of a number of soils is reported. Greenhouse
and field studies are reported showing the relationship between
the buffer capacity of soils and the acidity developed from the
use of ammonium sulphate as a fertilizer.
Randolph, J. W.-Tractor Lug Studies on Sandy Soil. Jour.
Am. Soc. Agricultural Engineers, 8, No. 4, pp. 71-75. This
describes field tests to determine the practicability of laboratory
studies. The conclusions of laboratory studies were found to
hold in the field and a formula for the design of lug equipment
was developed.
Salmon, W. D.-The Existence of Two Active Factors in the
Vitamin B. Complex. Jour. Biol. Chem. 73, pp. 483-497. Vitamin
B is a complex containing at least two active substances. It is
suggested that the term vitamin B be retained to designate the
4
complex, that the term vitamin B-P be used for the specific fac-
tor which prevents experimental beriberi, and that the other
active fraction retain the name vitamin P-P unless further study
proves that it is non-identical with the factor P-P of Goldberger
and associates.
AGRONOMY
Rate of Fertilizing Cotton. (J. T. Williamson).-Sixty-seven
cooperative tests on rate of fertilization were conducted during
the year. The average results of four years of experimentation
show that for cotton, nitrogen is the most needed element on De-
catur, DeKalb, Cecil, Norfolk, Kalmia, Orangeburg, and Green-
ville soils. Phosphorus is the most needed element on Clarkes-
ville and Oktibbeha soils. The results also show that the Auburn
method of fertilizing cotton is as nearly correct as can be deter-
mined up to this time, and that a greater amount of fertilizer
than the Auburn maximum may be profitable in some seasons.
Rate of fertilizing cotton following legumes. (J. T. William-
son).-During the past two years eight experiments have been
conducted to determine what fertilizer should be used on cotton
following a legume that has been turned under. As an average
of the eight tests the most profitable fertilizer was six hundred
pounds of acid phosphate and seventy-five pounds of muriate of
potash. The addition of one hundred pounds of nitrate of soda
to this fertilizer increased the yield of seed cotton only five
pounds per acre. The response to nitrogen varied considerably
in the different experiments depending on the amount of legume
turned under. Where a satisfactory growth of vetch or other
legume preceded the cotton there was no response to nitrate. If
the legume made rather poor growth, one hundred pounds of
nitrate of soda gave a profitable increase in yield.
Influence of time of planting vetch on growth. (W. H. Ap-
pleton).-Five plots of monantha vetch were planted on each of
four different dates in the fall. In the spring the vetch was cut
on five different dates. At each cutting one plot from each plant-
ing was harvested, its dry weight and nitrogen content were de-
termined. The data secured are given in Table 1, following.
Table 1.-Yield and Nitrogen Content of Monantha Vetch as
Influenced by Time of Seeding and Cutting
Pounds dry matter per acre
Planting Date of cutting
date March 10 March 22 March 31 April 15 May 2
September 30 1,617 2,202 2,547 3,711 4,163
October 25 1,162 1,576 1,855 2,35.9 2,927
November 24 277 657 983 1,794 1,840
December 18 47 112 136 396 601
5
Pounds nitrogen per acre
September 30 65.2 73.8 
89.4 112.9 110.3
October 25 41.6 53.7 58.4 
72.2 71.7
November 24 11.5 24.0 39.5 
62.8 51.0
December 18 1.8 4.2 
5.5 14.0 15.6
These data show that the September 30th seeding 
produced the largest
crop regardless of the cutting date. As the 
date of planting was delayed the
crop produced was smaller. The increases 
in yields from delayed cutting
were not as great as the decreases in yield due to delayed planting. It is
evident that by early planting a very good 
growth may be secured by the
middle of March so that the crop may be turned 
under for either cotton or
corn.
Time of turning vetch for cotton and 
corn. (W. H Apple-
ton.-In two experiments vetch was turned 
for corn and cotton
about March 15th, April 1st, and April 15th. 
Planting was usu-
ally ten days or two weeks after the date 
of turning As an
average of two years results the early turned 
vetch produced
more cotton than the vetch turned late. The 
early turned vetch
produced 328.9 pounds of lint cotton per 
acre. A plot receiving
300 pounds of nitrate of soda instead of vetch 
produced 366.2
pounds of lint cotton. The average yield 
of three plots that did
not grow vetch or receive nitrate of soda 
was 141.9 pounds of
lint cotton per acre.
Corn following vetch turned April 
1st or April 15th, pro-
duced approximately the same yield 
and the yield was consid-
erably better than that of corn following 
vetch turned March
15th. Apparently, vetch to be followed 
by corn should not be
turned before April 1st, but there 
is no advantage in delaying
turning after this time. The corn yield 
following vetch was as
large as when the corn was fertilized 
with 300 pounds of nitrate
of soda.
Comparison of Sulphate of Ammonia and Nitrate of Soda 
on
Limed and Unlimed Land. (M. J. 
Funchess).-In 1925 an ex-
periment was started to compare 
sulphate of ammonia and ni-
trate of soda as sources of nitrogen 
for cotton on limed and un-
limed land. The limed plots had received 
two tons of limestone
in 1915. Two rates of nitrogen fertilization 
were used, equiva-
lent to 400 and 200 pounds of nitrate 
of soda. In 1925 the yield
of cotton with the two sources of nitrogen 
were almost identical
on both limed and unlimed plots. 
The same was true in 1926
on the limed plots. On the unlimed, 
however, the yield on the
sulphate of ammonia plots was considerably 
lower than on the
nitrate of soda plots, indicating 
some injury due to acidity re-
sulting from the use of sulphate of 
ammonia. The 1926 yields
from the plots on limed land were as 
follows: 200 pounds nitrate
of soda, 571 pounds lint cotton; 150 
pounds sulphate of am-
monia, 509 pounds lint cotton per acre. 
On the unlimed land the
corresponding yields were 435 pounds 
on the nitrate plots and
386 pounds on the sulphate plot.
6
Rate of Fertilizing Cotton With and Without Poisoning for
Weevil Control. (M. J. Funchess and J. M. Robinson).-The
Agronomy and Entomology departments have been cooperating
in a study of weevil control on cotton fertilized at different rates.
Table 2 gives the yields of seed cotton for 1926 and the average
results for 1924 to 1926.
Table 2.-Rate of Fertilizing Cotton with and without Poison
Fertilizer per Acre Yield of seed cotton per acre-Lbs.
Lbs. 1926 Average 1924-26
Dusted Not Dusted Dusted Not Dusted
Unfertilized 132 145 171.8 169.2
Acid phosphate 300
Muriate of potash 50
Nitrate of soda 150 688 484 620.3 525.2
Acid phosphate 600
Muriate of potash 100
Nitrate of soda 300 1294 912 996.4 804.9
Acid phosphate 900
Muriate of potash 150
Nitrate of soda 450 1680 1260 1262.5 1065.8
Acid phosphate 1200
Muriate of potash 200
Nitrate of soda 600 1898 1414 1385.2 1188.4
The results show profitable increases in yield with increased fertiliza-
tion up to 1500 pounds per acre on both dusted and undusted cotton. An
additional 500 pounds of fertilizer produced a further increase in yield but
the increase was not profitable.
Dusting gave a greater increase in yield this year than any other year
of the experiment. Weevil infestation was light during the early part of
the growing season but reached 13 per cent on August 27. Three applica-
tions of calcium arsenate were made at five-day intervals. The infestation
on the dusted plots did not go above 20 per cent but on the undusted plots
it advanced from 15 per cent on August 27 to 57 per cent on September 14.
The gain due to dusting varied from minus 12 pounds of seed cotton on the
unfertilized plots to 204 pounds on the plot receiving 500 pounds of fer-
tilizer and to 420 pounds on the plot receiving 1500 pounds of fertilizer per
acre.
The average results for the three years of the experiment show that
the increase in yield from dusting has been dependent on the rate of fer-
tilization. Without fertilizer, dusting increased the yield 2.6 pounds per acre.
With 500 pounds of fertilizer the increase was 95.1 pounds per acre; and
with 1000, 1500, and 2000 pounds of fertilizer the increases from poisoning
were 191.5, 196.7, and 197.8 pounds per acre, respectively. These results
show rather conclusively that poisoning for weevil control is not profitable
unless other conditions are favorable for the production of a good crop.
Stable Manure, Nitrate of Soda, and Vetch as Sources of
Nitrogen for Corn and Cotton. (W. H. Appleton).-In the fall
of 1924 an experiment was started comparing stable manure,
nitrate of soda, and vetch as sources of nitrogen for cotton and
corn. All plots receive essentially the same amounts of phos-
phorus and potash. The manure and nitrate plots receive ap-
proximately the same amount of nitrogen, 325 pounds nitrate of
soda and 5 tons of stable manure annually. The vetch plot re-
ceives as much vetch as can be grown on the land in the winter.
7
The results of the past two years show 
that all three sources
of nitrogen materially increased the 
yield and there are only
small differences between the three sources. 
The check plots
averaged 153 pounds of lint cotton per 
acre, the manure plot
453 pounds, the nitrate plot 418 pounds, 
and the vetch plot 456
pounds of lint cotton per acre. The corresponding 
yields of corn
were 6.8 bushels on the check plots, 24.5 bushels 
on the manure
plot, 27.9 bushels on the nitrate plot, 
and 27.7 bushels on the
vetch plot.
Rate of Absorption of Nitrate of Soda 
by Cotton. (W. W.
Pate).-In continuing this investigation, 
field experiments were
made on the rate of absorption of nitrate 
of soda by cotton.
Nitrate of soda at the rate of 300 pounds per 
acre was applied
at planting, and 39 and 56 days after planting. 
At intervals
thruout the growing season several representative 
cotton plants
were harvested from each plot. These were analyzed 
for nitro-
gen and the amount of nitrate of soda absorbed 
was calculated.
The results obtained are given in Table 3, 
which follows.
Table 3.-Rate of Absorption of Nitrate of Soda by 
Cotton when
Applied at Different Stages of Growth
Time of Nitrate of soda absorbed by cotton
nitrate 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 
96
fertilization days days days days days 
days days days
lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs.
per A per A per A per A per A per A per A per 
A
At planting 2 2 
-2 10 80 248
39 days after
planting -2 74 150 178 
206
56 days after
planting 4 68 96 103 . .
.
These data show that the time of applying the nitrate materially 
influ-
enced the rate of its absorption by the plant. When applied at 
planting very
little nitrate was absorbed by the cotton during the succeeding 
60 days. Ab-
sorption, however, was rapid when the nitrate was applied 
39 days after plant-
ing. Under that treatment as much of the nitrate was 
absorbed in 36 days as
was absorbed in 84 days when applied at planting. A study 
of the data of
Table 3 shows that the time required for the absorption 
of 75 pounds of ni-
trate varied from 83 days when applied at planting to 36 
days when applied
39 days after planting, and to 27 days when applied 56 days after planting.
Cotton Spacing. (H. B. Tisdale).-A cotton 
spacing exper-
iment has been conducted during the past three 
years. The
plants have been spaced 6 inches, 12 inches, 18 
inches, 24 inches,
30 inches, and 36 inches in the row and at 
each spacing there
have been 1, 2, 3, and 4 plants per hill giving 
a total of 24 dif-
ferent spacings in the experiment. All plots 
have been in dup-
licate and have been carried with both low 
and high rates of
fertilization.
The results for the past three years show that the 
best yields
of cotton on both the high and low fertilized 
plots have been
secured with a spacing of 24 inches in the 
row and with two
plants per hill. The differences due to spacing 
have been very
8
small except where the spacing was extremely thick, as with 6
inches in the row and three or four plants per hill, and where
the spacing was extremely thin as with 30 and 36 inches in the
row with one plant per hill. In this experiment the number of
plants varied from approximately 4,000 per acre to 100,000 per
acre. Practically the same yield was obtained on almost all
plots having from 10,000 to 35,000 plants per acre
The Concentration of Phosphate and Potash Essential for
Plant Growth in Culture Solutions. (F. W. Parker and W. H.
Pierre).-In a continuation of the experiments on phosphorus
nutrition of plants, corn was grown in 25 gallons of nutrient
solution the phosphate content of which was renewed twice a
day. Three corn plants were grown to each culture and the
phosphate concentration in the different cultures varied from
0.05 ppm. to 0.50 ppm. PO
4
. Maximum growth was obtained at
a concentration of 0.30 ppm. but the growth at 0.10ppm. was
very satisfactory. The total dry weight of the three plants was
49.7 grams at time of harvesting. These results show that 
max-
imum growth of corn can be obtained at very low concentrations
of phosphate. As yet, however, good growth has not been se-
cured at concentrations comparable with that obtained in the
soil solution of some rather productive soils.
In some experiments in which the concentration of potassium
was varied, maximum growth of corn and soybeans was secured
at a concentration of 2 ppm. K. In these experiments the volume
of the culture solution 
was only 7500 cc. 
It may be that max-
imum growth would be secured at even lower concentrations
if larger volumes of culture solution were used so that the potash
concentration would be maintained more nearly constant.
Methods for the Determination of the Amount of Exchange-
able Hydrogen in Soils. (F. W. Parker).-A study was made
of four methods of determining exchangeable hydrogen in soils.
Three of these methods gave almost identical results when com-
pared on a series of 12 soils. Exchangeable hydrogen was found
to be equivalent to the difference between total exchange ca-
pacity of the soil and the content of exchangeable bases. It was
also found to be equivalent to the amount of barium hydrate re-
quired to titrate a soil to pH 7.0 Finally, it may be determined
by leaching 10 grams of soil with 250 cc. of normal solution of
neutral barium acetate and titrating the leaching to pH 7.0 The
barium replaces all the exchangeable hydrogen and the soil
after being washed free of the acetate has a 
reaction of approx-
imately pH 7.0. The avidity or ease of the replacement of the
exchangeable hydrogen was determined by allowing equivalent
amounts of exchangeable hydrogen and acetic acid to-compete
for an equivalent amount of the base potassium. The amount
of H replaced by K was determined bv titration and the percent-
age replaced by K indicates the avidity of exchangeable hydro-
gen.
A Comparison of Different Nitrogenous Fertilizers and Their
Influence on Soil Reaction. (W. H. Pierre) .- Greenhouse 
ex-
periments have been conducted to study:
1. The buffer capacity of soils and its relation 
to the development
of soil acidity from the use of ammonium sulfate.
2. The effect of different nitrogenous 
fertilizers on soil acidity.
3. Methods of correcting the acidity developed 
by acid-forming
nitrogenous fertilizers.
It was found that soils 
vary greatly in their buffer 
capacity,
some of the clay soils having approximately 
ten times the buffer
capacity of sandy soils. The buffer capacity of soils 
as determin-
ed in the laboratory was found to be a good measure 
of the
ability of soils to resist a change in the H-ion concentration 
and
injury from the use of acid-forming nitrogenous fertilizers.
All nitrogenous fertilizers containing their nitrogen in the
form of ammonia were found 
to develop soil acidity. 
The rela-
tive acidifying influence of the various fertilizers are 
approxi-
mately as follows: ammonium sulfate 100; Leunasalpeter 
75;
urea 50; ammonium nitrate 50. Nitrate of soda, 
calcium nitrate
and Calcium Cyanamid reduced the acidity of all soils.
In order to correct the acidity formed by ammonium 
sulfate,
it was found that for every pound used, 1.2 to 
1.5 pounds of pre-
cipitated calcium carbonate were necessary. 
It was also found
that by usi basic slag as the source of phosphorus 
in the pro-
ortion of22pounds basic slag to 1 pound of ammonium 
sulfate
e acidity eveloped by the latter would be 
Peutralized. A
combination of ammonium sulfate and sodium 
nitrate in the pro-
portion of 30 parts of the former and 70 parts 
of the latter was
also found to have no effect on the acidity 
of the soil.
ANIMAL INDUSTRY
The Effect of Minerals on Growth and Reproduction, 
(W.
D. Salmon).-The study of diets were 
continued in an effort to
develop a basal diet for these tests that would 
be too low in min-
eral matter for appreciable growth of rats, 
but would be ade-
quate for reproduction and rearing of young 
when the inorganic
deficiencies were made good. Two 
basal diets were used this
year. Diet I consisted of yellow corn and 
peanut meal with 3
per cent of cod liver oil. Diet II consisted 
of yellow corn, wheat,
peanut meal, and meat meal with 3 per cent 
of cod liver oil.
Growth was rather poor and no reproduction 
occurred on
either diet without a mineral supplement. 
The addition of 1
per cent of NaCl to either diet produced 
marked increases in the
rate of growth. This addition 
did not permit reproduction on
Diet I but did enable the rats to litter 
83 pups and raise 26 on
Diet II. Diet I was improved further 
for both growth and re-
production by the addition of 1.5 per 
cent of bone meal or 1.5
per cent of bone meal and 7.5 per cent 
of dried yeast. These
supplements also made Diet II more satisfactory 
for growth than
the addition of NaCl alone. The addition 
of NaCl alone to Diet
10
II, however, gave as good results for reproduction and rearing
of young as when further additions of bone meal or bone meal
and yeast were made. In all cases where inorganic supplements
were added to the diets the most satisfactory results were obtain-
ed from the diet that contained animal protein.
The chief points of interest are: The striking effect from the
addition of NaCl; the rapid growth on diets containing cod liver
oil but extremely low in calcium; the favorable effect of animal
protein; and the irregular and rather poor results in reproduc-
tion and rearing of young on all the diets used. Much better
results have been obtained previously on what were presumably
even poorer diets.
Winter Feeding and Time of Marketing Steers. (J. C.
Grimes).-Steers that received a ration of cottonseed meal,
Johnson grass hay, and a medium allowance of blackstrap mo-
lasses for a period of 112 days made larger daily gains and car-
ried more finish at the close of the experiment than did' 
those
receiving a ration of cottonseed meal and Johnson 
grass hay.
The net profits per animal were approximately the same 
in both
lots. The addition of molasses increased the cost of the ration.
Johnson grass hay alone proved to be a satisfactory ration
for wintering steers. The average daily gains 
were increased
0.23 pound per head by adding 2.18 pounds of cottonseed 
meal
daily. The results again indicate that it is 
more profitable to
limit the winter ration and finish steers on grass for 
the June
market than it is to full feed during 
the winter and market in
the spring. The feeding of 4.73 pounds of cottonseed 
meal daily
to steers that were being finished on grass increased the 
profits
$5.55 per head.
Forage Crops for Fattening Hogs. 
(J. C. Grimes).-This
is a repetition of the test conducted in 
1926 to determine the val-
ue of oat and vetch pasture as a supplement 
to a grain ration for
fattening hogs, and to determine the advisability 
of limiting the
grain ration for fattening hogs on oat and 
vetch pasture.
The results secured this year are very 
similar to those obtain-
ed last year, both lots on pasture excelling 
the dry lot group in
economy of gains and net profit per animal. 
Lot I, self-fed on
pasture, made the largest daily gains, 
but Lot II, where the grain
ration was limited, made the cheapest 
gains and-the largest net
profit. The gains this year, while satisfactory, 
were not as large
as those obtained last year. This was probably 
due to the fact
that the pigs were younger when started 
on experiment and were
not as uniform in quality.
Results of the test are briefly summarized 
in the Table 4
below.
11
Table 4.-Showing summary of results when oats and vetch
pasture was used as a supplement to corn and tankage,
for fattening pigs.
(Feb. 18 to May 12, 1927-84 days.)
Lot I Lot II Lot III
Corn, Tankage, Corn, Tankage, Corn, Tankage,
Minerals, Self Minerals, on Minerals. Hand
RATIONS: Fed-Dry Lot , Acre Oats Fed, 3% Live
& Vetch Pasture. Weight on
Self Fed. Pasture
Number of hogs per lot: 8 9 8
Average initial wt. per lot: 441 506 450
Average initial wt. per hog: 55.0 55.5 56.2
Average final wt. per lot: 1125 1615 1105
Average final wt. per hog: 140.6 179.4 138.1
Total gain per lot: 684 1109 655
Total gain per hog: 85.5 123.2 81.8
Average daily gain per hog: 1.02 1.4 .97
FEED CONSUMED PER LOT-
Corn: . 2412.82 3562.14 1739.85
Tankage: 163.81 165.48 140.70
Total feed: 2576.63 3727.62 1880.55
AVERAGE DAILY FEED
PER HOG-
Corn: 3.62 4.63 2.59
Tankage: .24 .22 .21
Total daily feed: 3.8B 4.85 2.80
Total feed per pound gain: 3.74 3.36 2.87
*Feed cost per 100 lbs. gain: $ 8.28 $ 7.24 $ 6.22
Av. cost per hog when experi-
ment started: $ 4.57 $ 4.57 $ 4.57
Feed cost per hog during fat-
tening period: $ 7.07 $ 9.02 $ 5.09
Total cost per hog at close
of experiment: $11.64 $13.59 $ 9.66
**Selling price per hog: $12.77 $15.69 $12.08
Profit-per hog: $ 1.13 $ 2.10 $ 
2.42
*Price of feeds: Corn $1.20 bu.; tankage $60.00 per ton.
**All hogs sold for $8.75 
per cwt.
NOTE: Pasture not considered in calculating feed cost.
Minerals in the Dairy Ration. (W. H. Eaton).-The College
dairy herd was divided into three groups, all cows being given
similar treatment as to feeding and general care. The cows in
each group are fed as follows:
Group I. No minerals -
check,
Group II. Four ounces steam bone meal daily,
Group .III. Four ounces marble dust daily.
The calves dropped in each group were weighed and meas-
ured at birth and in 28-day periods thereafter. A study of the
birth record of 27 calves shows that those born of non-mineral-
fed dams were heavier at birth and were slightly larger in five
measurements than the calves born in the mineral-fed groups.
10-Months Lactation Record of Cows
No. Cows:
7
7
6
Test:
No Mineral
Bone Meal
Marble Dust
12
Average Pounds Milk:
4623.5
5631.3
4818.0
The milk records show the highest average production in the
bone-meal-fed group, the lowest in the group receiving no min-
eral with*the marble dust group being intermediate. These
records are by no means conclusive as the cows in the three
groups were not of uniform age.
Effect of Color of Soybeans on Gains of Hogs and Quality
of Carcass. (W. D. Salmon)-.-In this experiment Mammoth
Yellow and Tar Heel Black soybeans were compared as supple-
ments to corn for fattening hogs in the dry lot. Two lots of 12
hogs each were used.. The corn, soybeans, and mineral mixture
were self-fed, free choice.
During the first 28 days the hogs on blackbeans made an
average daily gain of 2.0 pounds and required 310.8 pounds of
feed for 100 pounds of gain. Those on yellow beans averaged
only 1.6 pounds per day and required 390.3 pounds of feed for
100 pounds of gain. However, during the second 28 day period
some of the hogs in the black bean lot became stiff and lame
with a tendency to go down in the hind quarters. These symp-
toms did not appear among the hogs that were receiving yellow
beans.
As a result of the condition mentioned there was a complete
reversal of the standing of the two lots at the end of the second
period. In this period the average gain on black beans was 0.76
pounds with 692.4 pounds of feed for 100 pounds of gain, while
the average daily gain on yellow beans was 1.82 pounds with
432.8 pounds of feed for 100 pounds of gain. For the entire
56-day test the average daily gain on black beans was 1.38
pounds and the feed required for 100 pounds of gain was 416.3
pounds. The average daily gain on yellow beans was 1.71
pounds and the feed for 100 pounds gain was 412.8 pounds.
The carcasses were somewhat softer in the black bean lot
than in the yellow bean lot. This was probably due to the light-
er weights of the hogs and the somewhat larger proportion of
beans to corn consumed by the hogs in the black bean lot.
Effect of a Starvation Period on the Firmness of the Carcass
of Hogs. (W. D. Salmon)..-Twelve hogs weighing 100 to 137
pounds were fed peanuts, supplemented with tankage, cod liver
oil, and mineral matter until they reached a weight of 200
pounds. They were then starved for losses varying from 20 to
45 pounds. After the starvation period they were fed corn,
shorts, and tankage until they weighed 225 pounds.
The hogs were then slaughtered and the iodine numbers de-
termined on the back fat from each hog. The iodine numbers
varied from 74.50 to 89.41 and did not indicate that the starva-
tion period had any practical effect in increasing the firmness
of the fat.
Factors Affecting the Vitamin B Content of Plant Products.
(W. D. Salmon).-It has been found in this investigtaion that
vitamin B is a complex, consisting of at least two active sub-
13
stances. One of these, which we are tentatively designating as
factor B-P, prevents the occurence of beriberi in rats and pig-
eons. It is not a specific promoter of growth but must be in the
diet before growth can occur. The other substance is without
antineuritic, or beriberi-preventing 
action, but is a marked
growth stimulant when combined with the B-P factor. This
growth-promoting substance is identical or associated with fact-
or B-P which prevents the occurrence of pellagra-like symtoms
in rats.
The seeds of velvet beans and soybeans are relatively richer
in the B-P factor than the dried leaves of velvet beans and of
rape. However, they are not as rich as the leaves in the growth-
promoting fraction.
The B-P factor is more readily absorbed by fullers' earth
from an acidulated aqueous solution than is the growth-pro-
moting substance. This offers a method for making a partial
separation of the two factors. The growth-promoting substance
is also absorbed by the fullers' earth and if large amounts of
fullers' earth are used both factors are removed and no separa-
tion is effected.
Vegetable Protein Studies. (John E. Ivey).-Experimental
data show conclusively that protein in, available form is essential
to egg production. There is produced a limited supply of animal
protein. Protein in this form is, therefore, expensive and in cer-
tain parts of this State very difficult to obtain. The use Of pro-
tein of vegetable origin in laying mashes would be very desirable
from an economic view-point provided normal vitality and pro-
duction can be maintained on such rations. This is particularly
true in Alabama where protein supplements of vegetable origin
are produced in abundance.
Eight groups of 35 S. C. White Leghorns each were used to
determine the advisability of using vegetable proteins in the lay-
ing mash. Each group was housed in a pen 10 x 16 feet, with
a runway 20 x 100 feet. All birds received whole yellow corn
as their source of grain, receiving 71/2 pounds of grain daily per
hundred birds. Each group of birds received a basal mixture
of ground corn one part, ground oats one part, and standard
wheat middlings one part. Pens 2 and 7 had enough cottonseed
meal added to the basal ration to make a 13 per cent digestible
protein content. Pens 3 and 8 had enough peanut meal added to
the basal-ration to make a 13 per cent digestible protein content.
Pens 4 and 9 had enough soybean meal added to the basal ration
to make a 13 per cent digestible protein content. Pen 6, control
lot, had enough meat scrap added to the basal ration to make
a 13 per cent digestible protein content.
Four pounds of the following mineral mixture was
added to each 100 pounds of mash:
Steambone meal 50 pounds, marble dust 25 pounds,
and common salt 25 pounds.
14
In addition to this, oyster shell and calcium carbonate grit
were accessible to the birds at all times. Each pen received the
same amount of green feed per bird throughout the year.
Every precaution was exercised to have all the birds in each
pen as near alike as possible. However, upon studying the in-
dividual records sufficient evidence is presented to show the
necessity of starting feeding experiments with birds having been
trap nested. Tables 5 and 6 are a record to date.
Table 5.-Egg Production, Mortality, and Profit Per Hen as
Affected by Vegetable Proteins
(November 1, 1925- October 31, 1926)
Group No. Birds No. Eggs % Mortality Profit
Per Hen Per Hen
Cottonseed Meal 70 137.00 8.75 3.33
Peanut Meal 70 117.75 14.28 2.66
Soybean Meal 70 128.60 21.43 3.14
Control (Meato) 35 113.10 14.43 2.39
Table 6.--Per cent Infertility, Per cent Embryonic Mortality,
and Per cent Hatchability as Affected by the
Various Vegetable Proteins
Group No .Eggs* % In- % Embryos % Embryos 
% Eggs
Set fertile** Dead 18th Dead 21st Hatching
Day Day
Cottonseed Meal 2432 11.18 9 39.8 39.60
Peanut Meal 1814 8.04 3.63 20.89 67.30
Soybean Meal 2214 19.19 8.49 32.83 39.47
Control (Meato) 1085 9.77 4.8 23.68 61.70
The birds receiving cottonseed meal produced more eggs, had less mor-
tality, and showed a higher profit per hen than any other group. The
birds receiving soybean meal ranked second in egg production, had the highest
per cent mortality, and ranked second in profit per hen. The birds receiving
peanut meal ranked third in production, second in mortality, and third in
profit per hen.
Apparently cottonseed meal and soybean meal affected the fertility of
the eggs in a small degree. Special attention is called to the high rate of
embryonic mortality between the 18th and 21st day in the cottonseed meal
and soybean meal groups. Eggs from the birds receiving cottonseed meal
and soybean meal had a low per cent hatchability.
* All eggs produced from February 1st to May Ist, inclusive were incubated.
** All male birds were changed each week.
Force Molt Studies. (John E. Ivey).-The price of eggs va-
ries inversely with the production. When production is highest
prices are lowest. Spring is normally the season of high pro-
duction. Fall is the season of low production because it is the
normal time of molting. It would, therefore, be advisable from
an economic viewpoint to cause the molt in the spring or early
summer in order that 
maximum production 
may be obtained in
the fall and winter. The difficulty lies in the fact that the birds
have a tendency to molt again at the normal time in the fall;
15
and, as a result, the annual egg production is decreased. The
time for forcing the molt and the system of feeding to prevent
second molt is being studied.
Three groups of 35 S. C. White Leghorns each were used to
determine the advisability of forcing an early molt. Each group
of birds was housed in a pen 10 x 16 feet, having a runway
20 x 100 feet. All birds received whole yellow corn as their
source of grain, receiving 7 pounds of grain daily per hundred
birds. Each group of birds received a basal mixture of ground
corn one part, ground oats one part, and standard wheatmid-
dlings one part, with enough animal protein added to this to
make a 20 per cent digestible protein content. Four pounds of
the following mineral mixture were added to each 100 pounds
of mash: Steambone meal 50 pounds, marble dust 25 pounds,
and common salt 25 pounds.
Pens 1 and 10 were force molted during the month of June
by being denied laying mash 14 days. At the expiration of this
time they received a dose of Epsom salts and were immediately
placed on the regular mash mixture, causing them to shed their
feathers.
Pen 5 was the control to pens 1 and 10 and was not force
molted.
Table 7 (part 1).-Egg Production, Mortality, and Profit Per
Hen as Affectedby Force Molt
Group No. Birds No. Eggs Mortality Profit
Per Hen Per Hen
Force Molt 70 117.9 18.57 $2.76
Control 35 110.8 17.14 $2.34
Table 7 (part 2).
Group No.Eggs* % In- % Embryos % Embryos % Eggs
Set fertile*'- Dead 18th Dead 21st Hatching
Day Day
Force Molt 2180 11.23 6.74 21.10 60.90
Control 1021 12.90 8 16.55 62.50
Birds that were forced to molt in June produced 7.1 eggs per hen more
than those birds that molted at the normal time. The forced molt birds
showed a profit of 42 cents per bird over the control birds. Forced molt-
ing apparently had no effect on the fertility and hatchability of eggs.
Before this practice is recommended for general use a great deal more
work should be done in this connection, using a larger number of birds for
experimental basis.
* All eggs produced from February 1st to May 1st, inclusive, were incubated.
** All male birds were changed each week.
BOTANY
Physiology of Sweet Potatoes. (Wright A. Gardner).
Changes in the percentage of moisture and carbohydrates were
found to be closely associated with changes in soil moisture as
influenced by weather conditions. The initial percentage of
16
moisture of the 1926 crop was nearly 8 per cent higher than that
of the 1925 crop. The average gross shrinkage due to curing
was nearly 15 per cent in 1926 while in 1925 it was about 10
per cent. Since the shrinkage of controls in the air tight cans
during the curing process amounted to 1.3 per cent we may cred-
it the curing process with causing a shrinkage of 13.7 per cent.
Certain representative lots showed an additional shrinkage
of more than 7 per cent, or a total of nearly 23 per cent. Leav-
ing sweet potatoes undisturbed in the ground until frosts tended
to increase their percentage 
of moisture and to decrease the 
per-
centage of starch. Due to a difference of 7 per cent in the
moisture content, the metabolism of "cured, not ventilated"
sweet potatoes of 1926 and 1925 took place at different levels,
even though its general course was similar.
The Decomposition of Chlorophyll in the Rinds of Satsuma
Oranges. (Wright A. Gardner).-Acetylene 1 to air 4000 and
ethylene 1 to air 4000 are far superior to motor exhaust for
coloring oranges when the temperature is kept at 25?C., with
high moisture. For the chlorophyll-decomposing enzyme 
of sat-
suma orange rinds the cardinal temperatures were found to be:
Minimum, below 13'C., optimum, about 45?C., maximum, about
75'C., and the thermal death point, 80'C. Oxygen treatment
promotes the destruction of chlorophyll in the rinds of satsuma
oranges, while the above mentioned hydrocarbons in high and
medium concentrations inhibit decomposition. In high dilutions
the hydrocarbons may stimulate the action of the chlorophyll-
decomposing enzyme. The juice of green untreated orange
rinds frequently lack the enzyme. This enzyme seems to re-
quire a substratum with a slightly acid reacti6n since it does not
function in solutions that are slightly alkaline.
Disease Resistance in Sweet Potatoes. (Walter L. Blain)
During the year emphasis was placed on the resistance to black
rot of numerous varieties and selections of sweet potatoes. Inoc-
ulation of slips-sixty different varieties and selections-grow-
ing in clay pots in the greenhouse showed that Bigwig White No.
23 was less susceptible to the black rot organism than any other
variety. While Nancy Hall, Porto Rico, Triumph, and Big Stem
Jersey -(which are the varieties of sweet potatoes most common-
ly grown in the South) did show more or less infection in each
of the above tests, other results indicate that the Gold Coin,
Southern Queen, Nancy Hall, and Porto Rico varieties of sweet
potatoes are very susceptible to black rot; that Dooley, Bunch
Yam, and Yellow Yam varieties are somewhat susceptible; while
Big Stem Jersey and Triumph varieties are less susceptible.
Pecan Scab and its Control by Means of Sprays. (Walter
L. Blain).-The scab organism was isolated from Alley, Pabst
and Schley pecans and grown in pure culture. Lima bean agar
was found to be the best substratum. A temperature of 23?C.,
was found to be best for the growth of the organism in pure cul-
17
ture. Results demonstarte that pecan scab can be controlled rath-
er easily by the use of a 3-3-50 Bordeaux mixture in a machine of
adequate capacity and power to throw a fine spray over both
sides of leaves, twigs, and branches of all parts of the tree. The
first application should be made as soon as pollination occurs
(about May 15), followed by two more at three-week intervals.
If scab persists the fourth application should be made one month
after the third.
CHEMISTRY (Agricultural)
Velvet Bean Rations for Brood Sows. (Emerson R. Miller
and J. C. Grimes).-A Duroc Jersey sow received velvet beans
in the pod (with a mineral mixture available) for the first 48
days of the gestation period and raw velvet bean seed (ground)
supplemented by mineral matter, cod liver oil, and 10 per cent
of casein for the remainder of the period. The latter ration was
.the same as given this sow for the ninth litter except that the
beans were not cooked for the tenth litter.
On the ration containing the raw beans the sow farrowed 12
pigs of which 4 were probably dead at birth. The average
weight of dead pigs was 2.425 pounds, of those living, 1.878
pounds.
Though undersized, the pigs apparently ranked well in 
vital-
ity and the sow had a good supply of milk. One week 
after far-
rowing the sow passed a dead pig badly decomposed and largely
absorbed. Beginning at this time the sow was "off feed" for
three days and would not allow the pigs to suck as often 
as usual.
During the first week the pigs made unusual gains. 
They
were sleek and plump and very active, but after the eighth 
day
they began to lose their fine appearance and, for 
the second
week, made much smaller gains than are usually made. 
The
sow's milk supply decreased very decidedly. The pigs 
were
given skimmilk and as much normal ration as they 
would eat,
but they made slow gains.
Stability of the Antineuritic Vitamin Towards Heat. (Emer-
son R. Miller and E. F. Williams).-A commercial chicken 
feed,
both whole and powdered, was heated to 130'C. for 5 hours, 
also
to the same temperature for 10 hours. The results 
of feeding
this ration to pigeons are summarized in Table 8.
18
Table 8.-A Summary of the Results of Feeding Commercial
Chicken Feed Heated to a Temperature of 130OC. for
Five Hours to Determine the Stability of the
Antineuritic Vitamin toward Heat
No.
of A
pig-I Ration
eon
7 50% heated 15.9
ric e, 50 % first
heated chick- 19
en feed pow- a
dered
8 Same as for 17.9
No. 7 firsl
a
fu]
10
11
75% heated
rice, 25%
heated chicken
feed powder-
ed.
Same as for
No. 9
75% sterilized
rice, 25% pul-
verized chick-
en feed not
heated
12 Same as
No. 11
for
14
mt. feed
daily
gms. for
t 21 days
.9 gms.
ve. for
period
Sgms. for
t 35 days
.5 gms.
ve. for
ll period
1.8 gms.
16 gms.
17.3 gms. for
first 35 days
Hand fed
from 36th
day. 19.2
gms. for en-
tire period
17.9 gms. for
first 35 days.
Hand fed
after 35th
day.
Loss in wt.
8.8%
21.3%
14.3%
14.8%
39i.3%
18.6%
22.5%
lost 26% in
50 days.
lost 21.4% in
first 35 days.
On the whole pigeons on the heated ration did about as well as those
on unheated.
In further experiments two pigeons were fed about 90 days on a ration
of polished rice and heated chicken feed 1:1. Both died but the symptoms
were not those usually characteristic of polyneuritis.
Two pigeons were fed a ration consisting of 75 per cent polished rice
and 25 per cent of chicken feed previously heated to 130'C. for 10 hours.
Both died in about 4 weeks, one showing symptoms of polyneuritis.
Two pigeons were fed a ration consisting of 75 per cent polished rice
previously heated to 130
0
C. for 5 hours and 25 per cent of chicken feed not
heated. One died on the 50th day and the other on the 41st day, neither,
apparently, from polyneuritis.
Since the feeding of powdered material was attended with much diffi-
culty it is quite probable that most of these pigeons died from improper feed-
ing as was shown by post mortems made by Dr. N. G. Covington.
19
No. of
days fed
86
Cause of
death
Apparently
of
suffocation
Paralysis
of crop
Symptoms of
polyneuritis
Choked while
being fed
Paralysis
of crop
Apparently
same as for
No. 11I
90
Died on
40th day
SDied on
33rd day
Died on
50th day
Died on
41st day.
__
I ___I
ECONOMICS (Agricultural)
A Study of Local Cotton Marketing. (J. D. Pope).-The
object of the local cotton marketing study was to determine the
relation of the quality of cotton marketed to the price which the
farmer received. The data secured also indicate the percentage
of different staple lengths and grades marketed in Alabama.
From August to December inclusive, 1926, samples of 5431
bales of cotton were collected at 16 towns, representing various'
parts of Alabama. The cooperators were asked to supply sam-
ples according to the "run of the crop" in order that the results
might be typical of the entire Alabama crop. The government
classification was received for 5407 bales and is shown in Table
9.
Table 9.-Government Classification of 5407 Bales,
Alabama Crop 1926
Color
Grade White Spotted Yel. Tinged Yel. Stained Gray
No. Per No. Per No. Per No. Per No. Per
cent cent cent cent cent
St. Good Mid. 31 0.6
Good Middling 1042 19.3 204 3.8 14 0.3 1 0.0 1 0.0
Strict Mid. 1636 30.2 405 7.5 30 0.6 1 0.0 3 0.1
Middling 1076 19.9 210 3.9 13 0.2
St. Low Mid. 522 9.7 57 1.0 8 0.1
Low Middling 117 2.2 4 0.1
St. Good Ord. 19 0.3
Good Ord. 7 0.1
Total 4450 82.3 880 16.3 65 1.2 2 0.0 4 0.1
Below grade 6, 0.1 per cent.
Fifty-four per cent of these bales were above middling in value, 20 per
cent were middling, and 26 per cent were below middling. Ninety-eight per
cent of this cotton was tenderable on future contracts.
The data collected indicated that the average grade of the cotton mar-
keted became lower each month from September to December.
The government classification of 5398 bales according to length of
staple indicated that 92.6 per cent of the total were 7/8 inch and 6.2 per
cent were 15/16 inch. Seven-tenths of one per cent were below 7/8 inch
and one-half of one per cent was of inch length and above. Only 3 bales
out of 5398 were 3/4 inch and 32 bales were 13/16 inch. Nine bales were
1 inch, 6 bales 1 1/32 inch, 11 bales 1 1/16 inch and only one bale 1
1/8 inches. These figures show that there was no widespread problem in
1926 of marketing either extra short staple cotton, or cotton of inch-
length and above, since those lengths constituted only about one per cent
of the total crop.
Most of the cotton of inch staple and above came from the Tennessee
Valley and from West Central Alabama. The one bale o'f 1 1/8 inch came
from Chilton county.
A feature of the study was a comparison of government grades with
20
buyers' grades where the latter were available. The table below shows the
grade classification of 305 bales at a certain Alabama town by the govern-
ment and by the local buyer.
Table 10.-Government and 
Local Buyers' Grades, 305 
Bales,
One Alabama Town, 1926
Grade
Average points on
or off Middling.
Montgomery
No. of bales in each
Grade
Government Local buyer
WHITE
Good Middling On 61 16
Strict Middling On 41 59 17
Middling Basis 52 72
St. Low- Middling Off 110 50 69
Low Middling Off 285 33 92
St. Good Ord. Off 449 6 52
Good Ordinary Off 571 1 3
SPOTTED
Good Middling On 9 14
Strict Middling Off 16 26
Middling Off 100 30
St.. Low Middling Off 250 16
YELLOW TINGED
Strict Middling Off 100 1
St. Low Middling Off 100 1
Total 305 305
On the basis of the average differences quoted in the Montgomery spot
market for the different grades these bales would have been worth (accord-
ing to government grades) 89 points off middling. They would have been
worth according to the local grading, 250 points off middling. This is an
indicated value of 1.6 cents per pound or $8.00 per bale in favor of govern-
ment grading.
In a number of instances wide variations occurred in the prices paid
for cotton of identical grade (according to government classification, on the
vame day. For instance on October 6, the prices paid for 25 bales of mid-
dling cotton by six buyers in as many towns in Alabama ranged from 81/4
cents to 13 cents per pound. a suread of 434 cents per pound or $23.75
per bale. On the same'day New York futures showed a spread from low to
high of 31 points. It apnears that some explanation other than fluctuations
in central markets must be found for these wide variations in prices paid to
farmers.
ENGINEERING (Agricultural)
A Study of the Fundamental Factors Influencing the Trac-
tion of Wheel Tractors. (J. W. Randolph and M. L. Nichols).
Correlations were established between laboratory data with a
static wheel, method and results previously reported and field
results obtained with actual tractors, which can be expressed as
follows:
21
VL2+D2+W2
02=01
VL1+D1+W2
01 output of static wheel and 02 output or drawbar pull of
tractor. L lug depth, D diameter of wheel, and W weight per
inch of rim width, one and two respectively.
By means of the formula the power of a given tractor 
can
be determined by means of data from another so long as the
motor is not a limiting factor.
The plaster cast studies of force distribution were continued.
A comparatively close check was obtained between calculated
and actual distortion. Weight on wheel and depth of lug is a
function of the direction and amount of soil distortion. Shear
in the soil takes place perpendicular to the resultant of lug and
rim displacement. By taking advantage of the soils arch action
the lines of shear can be given greater distortion through the
soil, resulting in greater drawbar pull of the tractor.
Soil Dynamics. (M.. L. Nichols).-A study of the physical
properties of the soil as they affect implement design was con-
tinued. Particular attention was given to adhesion; and it was
found that the adhesive properties of the metal could be varied
by various heat treatments, rapid cooling in mercury giving the
lowest adhesion.
Sterilization of Dairy Utensils. (M. Nichols).-An elec-
tric sterilizer was devised, consisting of a float which could be
attached to an ordinary Bayonet heater which kept the heating
coil immersed, giving a minimum of water to be heated and a
maximum amount of steam.
Solar Water Heating. (A. Carnes).
-
-A device that used the
sun's energy for heating water for household and dairy purpos-
es was built and tested at the College dairy. This consists of
three 30" x 60" sections built of corrugated roofing riveted to
flat roofing and so arranged that the water would pass between
the two middle surfaces. This heater was covered with glass.
The heated water was stored in a gravity tank of 500-gallon
capacity. The water temperature obtained in the months of
August, September, and October ranged from 90'F. to 150'F.
in sufficient quantities for the use of a dai ry of thirty cows.
Farm Machinery. (M. L .Nichols).-Local experiment work
was continued in South Alabama; and the requirements of a
cultivator for cotton, corn and peanuts were determined. The
requirements of a riding cultivator, as found by this work, are
that the pipe gang is best adapted to the plants grown on a bed
or in the water furrows as it permits adjustments for "dirting"
in the same manner as the Georgia Stock. The further require-
ments for the riding cultivator are that it should have a fairly
high wheel, and, preferably, pivot axle control. It was found
that the walking cultivators used in this section have the requir-
22
ed adjustments which were lacking in many of the riding culti-
vators.
Labor studies were continued and it was found that next to
the cultivator the combination planter and fertilizer distributor
,was the most valuable tool. The requirements of agriculture
were best met by the Lister type planter developed for south-
western conditions.
ENTOMOLOGY
Belted Bean Beetle, Diabrotica balteata. (J. M. Robinson).
In studying the life history of this insect it was found that the
average incubation period was 3.8 days. The larval develop-
ment period was 15 days, and the average pre-pupal period 3
days. Only one adult emerged which required 8 days for pupa-
tion. The time ,required for the complete life history, from egg
to adult, was 31 days. Total number of larvae used, 39. Total
numebr of adults emerged, 1.
Boll Weevil Control With Calcium Arsenate. (J. M. Robin-
son).-The work on boll weevil control was continued in 1926
on three types of soil-namely, Norfolk Sandy Loam, Cecil Red
Clay, and Houston Clay. The Norfolk sandy loam plots were
on the Agricultural Experiment Station farm, and the results
are reported on page 7. The Cecil red clay plots were in Lee
County and the Houston clay plots were in Montgomery County.
On the heavy red clay two series of plots were used, one on
old ground and the other on newly cleared ground. The boll
weevil infestation did not approach 10 per cent until July 26.
The average infestation for the dusted plots during the growing
season was 5.6 per cent. For the undusted plots the average in-
festation was 11 per cent. Five applications of dust were made,
one was washed off within twenty-four hours and the last appli-
cation, according to the infestation record, was unnecessary.
On the old ground there was a gain of 90 pounds of seed cotton
per acre, and on the newly cleared ground a gain of 150 pounds
of seed cotton per acre as a result of dusting. These gains were
not sufficient to make a profit from dusting.
On the "black belt" soil the boll weevil infestation was 10
per cent on June 25. Two series of three applications of cal-
cium arsenate were needed beginning June 25, and on July 16.
Three dustings were washed off by rain withintwenty-four hours
after application. The infestation was heavy throughout the
growing season on the undusted plot. Nine applications of dust
were made throughout the season. There was a gain of 300
pounds of seed cotton per acre on the dusted plots.
Boll Weevil Hibernation. (J. M. Robinson).-A total of
3,804 boll weevils were placed in the hibernation cages in the
fall of 1926. The total number of emerged boll weevils in the
spring of 1927 was 13 or .003 per cent.
23
Cotton Flea Hopper. (J. M. Robinson-F. S. Arant).-Cot-
ton flea hoppers were present in large numbers during July and
August on both the Experiment Station and Whatley farms near
Opelika. Considerable damage was done to cotton early in
the season. Not more than half a bottom crop was set at Auburn
and practically no bottom crop at Whatley's. Good top crops
were set at both places, due partially to a let up in abundance of
hoppers. The boll weevil was not a factor in the cotton hopper
plots, practically none being present. Applications of sulphur
(6 to 10 pounds per acre) at five-day intervals reduced the in-
festation and materially increased the yield. Sulphur and cal-
cium arsenate (equal parts, 10 to 12 pounds per acre) indicated
that it might be valuable in combatting weevils and hoppers com-
bined. Nicotine dust and calcium arsenate (equal parts) showed
substantial gains. However, the expensiveness of the dust prac-
tically neutralized the benefit of its good qualities. There was
a loss when nicotine dust F2 mixture was used alone.
The data in Table 11 show the average 
number of adult and
nymph cotton flea hoppers per sweeping and seed cotton per
acre.
(Table, next page).
Oriental Fruit Moth. Laspeyresia molesta Busck. (Henry
G. Good).-During a period of four months, 129 adults were
found in bait buckets containing white and brown sugar, molass-
es, cane and corn syrup. There were four distinct generations
per year, occuring in early May, middle June, late July, and
early September. Culled fruit (25 per cent of crop) had an in-
festation of 3.7 per cent which showed very slight attack to the
fruit.
Southern Corn Root Worm. (F. S. Arant).-Forty-nine
adults were caught and caged from June 22, 1926, to January
24, 1927. Fifty-one eggs were secured August 1. Four adults
emerged by September 1. The average length of time from egg
to adult was 31.8 days. The greatest rate of damage to corn
occurred when the larvae were from eight to fifteen days old.
Apparently there is no definite period of complete hiberna-
tion. Adults were active on warm days and inactive on cold
days throughout the winter. Calcium arsenate is very effective
in killing adults.
24
Table 11.---Average Number of Cotton Flea Hoppers Per
Sweeping* and Seed Cotton Picking Record
(The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and T. J. Whatley Plots. 1926.)
Nicotiie F
2  
Sulphur
Calcium Calcium
Plots Nicotine F
2  
Arsenate Sulphur Arsenate Undusted
Adults Nymphs Adults Nymphs Adults Nymphs Adults Nymphs Adults Nymphs
Auburn 11.2 5.9 9.8 6.1 6.7 4.5 7.8 5.2 11.7 8.4
Whatley 5.4 2.9 4.7 2.5 5.1 1.6 5.9 2.5 6.7 3.7
Seed Cotton Per Acre
Auburn 623.3 835.4 941.7 812.5 594.0
Whatley 1290.0 1620.0 1660.0 1600.0 1340.0
Gain 0.0 260.5 334.0 24040
Loss 21.0 000.0 000.0 000.0
*A sweeping consisted of ten strokes with an insect net over the cotton
foliage.
FARM MANAGEMENT
Cost of Producing Oats and Certain Other Crops. (J. F.
Duggar) .- Records made in the central and eastern counties
showed extreme differences in total cost of production. The
crop year 1926 was favorable in this region to yields of oats
somewhat above the average. The cost of production on a few
farms was below 25 cents per bushel, when man and mule labor
were both rated at $1.00 per day, and when charges were made
to cover the interest on land and the interest and depreciation
on machinery. On a few farms the cost of production rose to a
figure above 70 cents per bushel, or distinctly above the average
selling price of oats.
Apparently the most important factor in reducing the cost
of oats was a relatively high yield per acre. The group of farms
producing oats at the lowest cost averaged a little above 40
bushels an acre in comparison with an average slightly above
27 bushels for the group in which production costs per bushel
were highest.
Hindrances to the Growth of Alfalfa. (J. F. Duggar).-In
1926, as in 1925, three forms of phosphate applied as a top-
dressing in the spring on a well established alfalfa sod, afforded
increases in the current crop even on a good grade of lime or
prairie upland. This increase in hay obtained in the cuttings
made subsequent to the date of application (May 14) was 840
pounds per acre where 300 
pounds per acre of acid 
phosphate
was applied; somewhat similar increases were afforded by com-
parable amounts of basic slag and rock phosphate. Apparently
in this field the deficiency of available phosphorus was not suf-
25
ficient alone to explain the rather indifferent yield of alfalfa
hay. Certain weedy grasses made an especially strong growth,
reducing the yield and grade of hay from the alfalfa plants.
In this experiment-and in most other alfalfa fields studied
in the Central Prairie Region-there was found in 1926 an un-
usually large amount of depredation by leaf-eating caterpillars.
These were identified by the Department of Entomology of this
Station as the larvae of both the yellow roadside butterfly and
the fall army (or grass) worm. Fungous diseases were also in
evidence.
The Response in Nodule Formation and Growth of Winter
Legumes to Varying Weather Conditions. (J. F. Duggar).
Divergent weather conditions were secured by planting respect-
ively near the first of October, November, December, 
and March,
seeds of many species of vetches, clovers, bur clovers, sweet
clovers, and other legumes, with well-known grains and grasses
as checks.
Rate of Formation of Root Nodules.-Most of the commonly-grown
vetches and winter peas developed one nodule or more per plantwithin 6
to 9 days after plantings made near the first of October. When planting
was done the first week in November the time required for most species was
11 to 21 days. When planting was made as late as the first few days of
December the time between the coming up of the plants and general tubercle
formation was lengthened, becoming for most species 22 to 31 days. When
planted the last week in February most kinds of vetch developed root tu-
bercles almost as rapidly as when planted in October.
Growth as Influenced by Date of Planting and Resultant Weather Con-
ditions.-With practically every species (planted in rows three feet apart)
the total growth or yield of dry matter in the tops decreased as the time of
planting was postponed beyond the first days of October. Likewise dried
samples from each planting made at such dates as to afford in the respective
time intervals an equal amount of heat (or sum of daily mean temperatures)
indicated that the plants from earlier plantings were notably earlier in reach-
ing a stage or size suitable for grazing, plowing under, or haying.
Length of Life Period as Influenced by Time of Planting and by Con-
sequent Weather Condition.-As the date of planting became later the num-
ber of days from the emergence of the seedlings to the beginning of blooming
was successively shortened for practically all species of winter-growing
plants under test. Yet the plants coming up earliest were almost invariably
the first to bloom, though often by only a few days.
Promptness of Tubercle Formation from Planting Hulled Versus Pod-
Covered Seeds.-When both clean and burry, or pod-covered, seeds were in-
oculated by dipping them in water containing the nitrogen-fixing organisms
there was quicker and more intensive nodule formation on the young plants
that sprang from unhulled, or pod-covered, seeds of crimson clover and
three kinds of bur clover than from clean or hulled seeds of the corresponding
snecies. On the other hand, where both kinds of seeds were planted without
dipping-becoming inoculated from bacteria already in the soil-the seedlings
from clean or threshed seeds were quite as prompt in developing root tubercles
as those from burs or unthreshed seeds.
HORTICULTURE
Apples. (C. L. Isbell).-A study was made of the influence
of certain fertilizers and cultural treatments on the growth of
apple trees. The trees were set in '1919 and the fertilizer and
26
cultural treatments were started in 1925. Increase in trunk cir-
cumference in 1926 was taken as an indication of growth. The
fertilizer and cultural treatments included nitrate of soda alone
and in combination with acid phosphate and muriate of potash;
nitrate of soda and muriate of potash; nitrate of soda and acid
phosphate; nitrate of soda, acid phosphate, muriate of potash
and summer and winter legumes for green manure; and basic
slag and vetch. The treatments above were followed by clean
cultivation. Two other treatments were used-nitrate of soda
and sod mulch and hardwood leaves and pine straw. The latter
treatment produced the greatest growth.
Pecan-Variety Test. (C. L. Isbell).-It was reported in the
thirty-fifth annual report that the Delmas variety was leading
in tree growth and yield, and that it was the only variety show-
ing scab infection. From that time until the spring of 1927 no
further effort was made to control scab. This variety continued
to lead in tree growth and set of nuts, but scab infection was so
severe in 1926 that this variety did not mature any nuts. Pabst
and Schley nuts showed some scab in 1926, and there were a few
scab spots on Success. Centennial, Frotscher, Columbian, Russell,
Stuart, VanDeman and an unknown variety-probably Brooks
-have not become infected.
Studies in Fruit Bud Formation of Pecan and the Growing
Habits Associated with it. (C. L. Isbell).-Experiments to de-
termine the influence of ringing and pruning (by heading back)
on fruit-bud formation were carried out between March 17,
and 25, 1927. Varieties treated were Delmas, Pabst, Stuart
and Success. Shoots treated were well developed and of the
previous year's growth. At the time treatment was given, well-
developed buds near the terminal part of shoots were starting
growth. The shoots were ringed or pruned below buds which
were starting growth, which means that the treatment was above
the buds on the base of the shoots which normally remain inact-
ive or produce only catkins and weak vegetative shoots that drop
with the catkins, and below buds which would have normally
produced most of the vegetative growth and catkin flowers and
all of the pistillate flowers. Treatments were as follows:
A ring of bark three-eights of an inch wide was carefully removed and
the ringed portion of the shoot wrapped immediately with waxed budding
cloth. The cloth was wide enough to rest on the bark on either side of the
ring, thereby shading the ringed portion and yet-not interfering with forma-
tion of callus or healing of ringed part.
A ring of bark three-eights of an inch wide was carefully removed- and
the ringed part wrapped with a strip of waxed cloth narrow enough to pre-
vent healing of the ring.
A ring of bark three-eights of an inch wide was carefully removed and
the ringed part of shoot was not wrapped. A copper wire was twisted around
the shoot tight enough to cut through the bark.
Shoots were pruned by heading back at a point similar to where ring of
bark was removed, or wire was tightened around shoots.
The following results were obtained from these treatments:
On shoots ringed by removal of bark, the buds that started growth above
the point of treatment quit growing almost immediately, and the entire
27
shoot above the point of treatment died within a short time. Buds below
point of treatment came into growth rapidly and behaved as normal shoots,
even to the production of nuts. Callus did not form with any of the ringed
shoots. This is very different from the behavior of shoots ringed during the
last ten days of July, 1924.
The shoot did not die above the girdle where copper wire
was not wrapped tight enough to entirely cut through the bark
to the wood. In some cases it fruited, and in others it did not.
The response was apparently governed by the tightness of the
wire. With some shoots response occurred both above and be-
low the girdle.
Buds remaining on pruned shoots came into growth and be-
haved as normal shoots, even to the production of nuts.
Responses are illustrated in figures 1, 2, and 3.
Figure 1.--Response of Shoots Riged Bl etwuce March 17 Iftd '5 , 1927. Bark
Il'(s Remored cft Point Indictited by Arrow, Ex.cept i0 Cose of No. 3,
Reading fromn Lcft to Right. With it the Bir WIls Cut bet not
Removed.
Figure 2.-Response of Shoots Girdled b~y a Copper Wire Between 
March 17
ond 25, 1927.
F'igiore 3.-Response of Sh oots Pro fl(d IP tivee Alo rch 17 a ad 
27, 1 927.
Blueberries. (C. L. Isbell).- During the winter of 1924-1925
two plantings of blueberries were made. One planting was
made on more or less elevated, dry, poor, sour, sandy soil, and
another on similar but low, moist soil. Each planting carried
blueberry plants from Whitesbog, New Jersey, 
and the wild-high-
bush type found growing in the swamps of South Alabama and
North Florida. The behavior of the plants in these plots to date
warrant the following statements:
Blueberry plants from New Jersey, with the exception of
Harding variety, cannot withstand very dry summers under clean
cultivation; southern blueberry plants will make a better growth
and more plants will live on low, moist, sandy land than on dry
more elevated land; southern blueberry plants will fruit a small
amount the second growing season after setting.
There are at least two distinct types of blueberry 
plants grow-
ing wild in the swamps of South Alabama and North Florida,
which produce berries that differ very much. There are also
many plants which appear from their growing and fruiting habits
to be hybrids of these two distinct types.
It may be possible to select out of the blueberry plants grow-
ing in South Alabama and North Florida, early, mid-season, and
late-ripening varieties, as well as one that ripens over a long
period. Some of the southern blueberry plants produce blossoms
that are self fertile.
Apple Variety Test, Talladega County. (R. W. Taylor and
C. L. Isbell).-This orchard produced its first crop of any im-
portance in 1926, which was the seventh season. The Winesap
trees led in average production, closely followed by Red As-
trachan and Stayman. The Hackworth produced 
very little
fruit. Disregarding all trees of each variety except such as are
healthy and uniform in appearance, Winesap and Golden De-
licious trees are the largest.
Pecan Variety Test, Marshall County. (R. W. Taylor and
C. L. Isbell).-Trees that were above the average in weight per
unit of length when set lived best and have made most growth.
Only thirty-five per cent of the trees that lived from the original
planting in 1924-1925 grew one foot or more in 1926.
Irish Potato Fertilizer Experiment, Escambia County. (R.
W. Taylor and C. L. Isbell).-Complete fertilizers were compar-
ed with potash derived from muriate of potash and sulphate of
potash, and with nitrogen derived from nitrate of soda, cotton-
seed meal, ammonium sulphate, and tankage, applied before
planting. Sulphate of potash in a complete fertilizer gave great-
er yields than did muriate of potash. Cottonseed meal as a
source of nitrogen gave heaviest yields, followed by ammonium
sulphate, tankage, and nitrate of soda in the order named. Prob-
ably much of the nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda was lost
by leaching.
30
Cabbage Fertilizer Experiments, Mobile County. (R. W.
Taylor and C. L. Isbell).-A planting was made on each of two
farms to determine the influence on yield of a complete fertilizer
containing nitrate of soda as a source of nitrogen, of nitrate of
soda alone, and of nitrate of soda in combination with acid phos-
phate. Comparisons were made of the influence on yield of
single and of double applications of acid phosphate in a com-
plete fertilizer. Comparisons were made also of influence on
yield of muriate of potash and of sulphate of potash in a com-
plete fertilizer, and of the influence of time of application of
nitrate of soda.
A complete fertilizer consisting of 1000 pounds of acid phos-
phate, 1000 pounds of nitrate of soda, and 250 pounds of muriate
of potash per acre gave on an average a higher actual yield than
did nitrate of soda alone or in combination with acid phosphate.
Acid phosphate applied at the rate of 2000 pounds per acre in
a complete fertilizer produced a smaller yield than did 1000
pounds. Muriate of potash applied at the rate of 250 pounds
per acre in a complete fertilizer gave higher yields than did 500
pounds. Muriate of potash produced higher yields than sulphate
of potash. Yields were poor where all the nitrate, in the form of
nitrate of soda, was applied 
before setting. The outstanding
plots with respect to time of application of nitrate of soda were
those receiving 350 pounds February 1, at which time the plants
had six to eight large leaves, and 350 pounds March 1.
Strawberry Fertilizer Experiment, Escambia County. (R. W.
Taylor and C. L. Isbell).-In a preliminary experiment set in
February 1926, from which no berries were harvested, dried
blood as a source of nitrogen resulted in more vigorous plants by
June, than did nitrate of soda, ammonium sulphate, or tankage.
The difference was not great. No differences in plant growth
were observed in the plots fertilized with tankage, nitrate of
soda, and ammonium sulphate as the sources of nitrogen.
Strawberry Project. (W. D. Kimbrough).-The objects of
this project are to study the effect of the source and rate of ap-
plication of fertilizer and the time of applying nitrate of soda
on yield, grade, quality, and carrying and keeping quality of
strawberries.
Missionary plants grown on Norfolk sand seem to require
a complete fertilizer to give increased production over check
plots. Spring application of sodium nitrate apparently increas-
ed the number of blooms in the second bloom. Flower buds
producing the second bloom are evidently produced in the spring
of the current year.
Results obtained so far indicate that fertilizer treatment has
no appreciable effect on the moisture, acid, or sugar content of
the strawberry. Sugar content was found to be higher in the
second crop of berries than in the first or regular crop.
Respiration determinations showed a little higher rate of
respiration in berries from more vigorous plants. Berries kept
3 1
at room temperature, as high as 27C., gave slight indications
that those from more vigorous plants would not hold up as long
as those from less vigorous plants.
Vegetable Project. (W. D. Kimbrough).-In this project
studies similar to those made on strawberries are being made on
some of the more important truck crops of the state. Cabbage,
potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons and cucumbers are being stud-
ied.
Cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes and watermelons show the need
of a complete fertilizer on Norfolk sandy soil. On such soil,
where sodium nitrate leaches badly, better yields have been ob-
rained with potatoes and cabbage when only part of the sodium
nitrate was applied at planting time and the rest as top dress-
ings. Cabbage plants were injured due to acidity of the soil the
second year on plots receiving ammonium sulphate and leunasal-
peter at rates equivalent to 1000 pounds of sodium nitrate per
acre per year.
As yet nothing has been found which would indicate that
the quality or keeping quality of the vegetables worked with has
been influenced by fertilizer 
treatment. Judged by 
taste, as
good quality watermelons have been produced on plots receiving
heavy applications of nitrate of soda as on plots receiving other
sources of nitrogen or on check plots.
32