Annual report of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station

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rary 0*%
An. Rep. 20 and 2 I August 1 , 1898.
the north carolina
Agricultural Experiment Station,
W. A. WITHERS, A. M., Acting Director.
Report of the Director
FOR 1897 AND I 898 (HALF YEAR).
20th"and 2 1st Years.
RALEIGH, N. C.
494
Publications will be sent to any address In North Carolina upon application.
NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS,
RALEIGH, N. C.
THE NORTH CAROLINA
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
J. C. h. Harris, President, Raleigh.
J. R. Chamberlaim Raleigh.
S. L. Crowder Ridgeway.
L,. C. Edwards Oxford.
J W. Harden, Jr Raleigh.
MaTT Moore Warsaw.
J. Z. Waller Burlington.
H. K. Bonitz Wilmington.
J. J. Britt Bakersville
Alex. Q. Holladay Raleigh
STATION COUNCIL.
Alex. Q. Holladay, LL. D., President of the College.
W. A. Withers, A. M Professor of Chemistry.
F. E. Emery, M. S Professor of Agriculture.
W. F. Massey, C. E Professor of Horticulture
EXPERIMENT STATION STAFF.
W. A. Withers., A. M, Acting Director and Chemist.
F. E. Emery, M. S Agriculturist.
W. F. Massey, C. E Horticulturist.
C. B. Williams, M. S Assistant Chemist.
H. K. Midler, M. S Assistant Chemist.
C. D. Harris, B. S Assistant Chemist.
A. W. Blair, A. M Assistant Chemist.
J. A. Bizzell, B. S Assistant Chemist.
F. G. Kelly Assistant Chemist.
G. S. Fraps, B. S ...Assistant Chemist.
Alex. Rhodes (Southern Pines) ...Assistant Horticulturist.
C. W. Hyams Assistant Botanist.
J. M. Johnson, M. S Assistant Agriculturist.
F. E. Hege Poultryman.
B. S. Skinner Superintendent of Farm.
J. M. Fix Secretary.
H. E. King Chief Clerk.
C. M. Hughes, B. E Clerk.
Miss M. S. Birdsong Stenographer.
Mrs. L. V. Darby Stenographer.
The Director's office is in the main building of the College. Telephone No.
135 C. The street cars pass within one hundred yards of the College building.
The Station is glad to receive any inquiries on agricultural subjects. Address
all communications to the Agricultural Experiment Station, and not to individuals.
They will be referred to the members of the Station staff most competent to
answer them,
Raleigh, N. C, August i, 1898.
To His Excellency, Daniel L. Russell,
Governor of North Carolina.
Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the opera-tions
of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station from
January 1, 1897, to June 30, 1898.
This report is made in accordance with the following portion of
Section 3, of the Hatch Act, of the Congress of the United States
for the maintenance of Agricultural Experiment Stations in the
various States and Territories.
" It shall be the duty of each of the said Stations, annually, on
or before the first day of February, to make to the Governor of the
State or Territory in which it is located, a full and detailed report
of its operations, including a statement of receipts and expendi-tures."
Trusting that this report will prove satisfactory to your Excel-lency,
I am,
Very respectfully yours,
J. C. L. HARRIS,
President Board of Trustees.
111
The North Carolina
College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts,
Presidents Office.
Raleigh, N. C, August i, 1898.
Hon. J. C. E. Harris,
President Board of Trustees.
Sir : I transmit herewith the report of Professor W. A. Withers,
Director of the North Carolina Experiment Station from January
1, 1897, to June 30, 1898, inclusive. It furnishes a full and clear
statement of the work of the Station, together with many gratify-ing
evidences of steady growth and increased usefulness to the State
under its present head. I have the honor to be
Very respectfully,
ALEX. Q. HOEEADAY,
President.
IV
The North Carolina
Agricultural Experiment Station,
Office of the Director.
Raleigh, N. C, August i, 1898.
To Alex. Q. Holladay, 1,1,. D., President
of the N. C. College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the opera-tions
of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, for
the year and a half ending, June 30, 1898. The work for the first
six months of this period was performed during the Directorship of
Dr. H. B. Battle.
This report covers the work of the Station for the twentieth year
and a portion of the twenty-first year. It is made in accordance
with Section 3, of the Hatch Act, of the Congress of the United
States, for the maintenance of Agricultural Experiment Stations
in the various States and Territories.
The previous Annual Reports of the Station cover periods end-ing
with December 31, of each year. The present report is arranged
so as to cover the work of the fiscal year ending June 30, in accord-ance
with the wish of United States Department of Agriculture,
expressed to me in a letter which is appended hereto.
I trust the report will prove satisfactory to yourself, the Board of
Trustees and His Excellency, the Governor of the State, to whom
I should be pleased for you to transmit it in accordance with the
law above referred to.
Very respectfully,
W. A. WITHERS,
Acting Director.
[copy.]
United States Department of Agriculture,
Office of Experiment Stations.
Washington, D. C, June 29, 1897.
Dear Sir : The Experiment Stations in fifteen States now make
the Annual Reports of their operations as well as their Financial
Reports, cover the fiscal year ending June 30. Now that this De-partment
is required to make a report to Congress on the work and
expenditures of the Stations for each fiscal year, it would be better,
as far as we are concerned, if it was the uniform practice of the
Stations to make their Annual Reports for the fiscal year. There
is nothing in the Hatch Act to forbid this. That act simply calls
for an Annual Report without defining exactly the period to be
covered. Will you kindly inform me whether there is anything in
the laws of your State which would prevent a change in your prac-tice
in this regard or any other good and sufficient reasons for
making your report cover a period other than the fiscal year ?
If we could receive the report of the work and expenditures of
all the Stations by September 1, it would enable us to make our
report to Congress at the opening of the session in December. It
would then receive proper consideration by the committees in con-nection
with the appropriation bill. As it is now, the information
available for these committees is a year old when the report is con-sidered
and may unfairly represent the condition of affairs at a
number of the Stations at that time.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) A. C. TRUE,
Director.
VI
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Letter of transmittal to the Governor in
Letter of transmittal to the President of the Board of Trustees iv
Letter of transmittal to the President of the College v
Letter of Dr. A. C. True, Director, office of Experiment Stations, U. S.
Department of Agriculture VI
Report of the Director ix
Scope of work ix
Chemical and microscopical work ix
Experimental work in the field, stables and diary ix
Bureau of information x
Samples for examination x
Divisions of the station x
Equipment. x
Experiment station council xi
The working force of the station ". xi
The publications of the station xn
Summary of publications issued from Jan. 1, 1897, to June 30, 1898,
inclusive xni
Of the annual reports of the station. . .
*. xni
Of the regular bulletins xiv
Of the special bulletins xvi
Of the information bulletins xvi
Of the press bulletins xvn
Of the bulletin xvn
Co-operative horticultural work at Southern Pines xix
The examination of nursery stock xx
Matter for '
' the bulletin " , xx
Farmers' institutes xxi
Correspondence xxi
Feeding experiments xxi
Testing for tuberculosis. xxi
Field crop tests xxn
Poultry keeping xxn
Horticultural experiments xxn
Botanical investigations xxin
Entomological work xxin
Experimental chemical work xxin
Fertilizer control analyses.. xxin
Analysis of samples for the public xxin
Acknowledgements xxiv
Books and pamphlets xxiv
Papers and journals outside the State xxv
Papers received from inside the State xxvi
Conclusion. . xxvi
Report of the agriculturist xxvn
Report of the chemist. xxxm
Report of the horticulturist, botanist and entomologist xxxv
Financial statement for the year ending June 30, 1897 xu
Financial statement for the year ending June 30, 1898 xiji
viii TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Fertilizer analyses of the fertilizer control 1
A watning in regard to compost peddlers 35
The San Jose scale in North Carolina 43
Home-mixed fertilizers and composts 57
Volumetric estimation of phosphoric acid 121
A new tobacco pest 129
Comfortable low-cost barns 137
Feeding experiments, milk records, etc 157
Ornithology of North Carolina 193
Crimson clover 229
Miscellaneous farm bulletin 249
A study of lettuces . 265
Digestion experiments, pasteurization of milk 273
The apple in North Carolina 305
Medicinal plants of North Carolina 327
The fertilizer control for 1897 411
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR
OF THE
N. C. AGRICULTURE EXPERIMENT STATION;
For the Half Year Endinc June 30, 1897, and for the Year Ending
June 30, I 898; 20th and 2 I st Years.
The North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station was estab-lished
in March, 1877, with a two-fold object in view
:
First, To act as a Fertilizer Control Station; and second, as an
Agricultural Experiment Station in the true sense of the word.
Until 1887 the Station was supported entirely by the State from
the tax on fertilizers, but by legislative enactment of that year it
received the fund derived from the United States Hatch Act for the
maintenance of Experiment Stations in the various States and Ter-ritories,
and therefore the scope of the work was largely increased.
The Station receives at present, also, a sum from the North Carolina
Department of Agriculture for conducting the analytical work of
the Fertilizer Control.
Scope of Work.
I. Chemical and Microscopical Work, including
—
1. The analysis of fertilizers legally on sale in the State.
2. The analysis of agricultural chemicals, of composts and home-made ferti-lizers,
and all materials from which they can be made.
3. The analysis of marls and mucks.
4. The analysis of feeding-stuffs.
5. The examination of seeds with reference to their purity, and capacity to
germinate.
6. The examination of grasses and weeds. h
7. The study of insects injurious to vegetation.
8. The analysis of milk, butter and other dairy products.
9. Investigation of fungous diseases of plants, and remedies designed to erad-icate
them.
10. Such other chemical and microscopical investigations as are demanded
from time to time.
II. Experimental Work in the Fieed, Stable and Dairy, including
—
1. The effect of different fertilizers on various soils of the State.
2. The study of improved methods for the cultivation of the staple crops.
3. The study of the best treatment of worn-out lands.
4. The study of the best system for the rotation of crops.
' 5. Chemical investigations, with practical experiments with cattle, on the
value of the various forage crops, especially those common in North Car-olina.
6. Investigations upon the growth of new crops for this climate, in compari-son
with those we now have.
7. The construction of the silo, and value of ensilage.
8. The study of the growth of cattle using different feeding-stuffs.
x N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
9. Investigations in the production of milk and butter, under different con-ditions
and with various implements.
10. Digestion experiments with stock, to ascertain the real value of various
feeding-stuffs.
11. Experiments with the various feeding rations, to ascertain how far the
feeding standards can be relied on.
12. Tests to compare the value of different varieties of fruits, vegetables and
other horticultural products.
13. Investigations designed to develope the vineyard and trucking interests of
the State.
14. Investigations upon the diseases of cattle and domestic animals, and the
dissemination of information concerning the treatment of various diseases.
15. Studies as to the best methods of enlarging the poultry business of the
State, and placing it upon a profitable footing.
16. Such other work, from time to time, as may be deemed advisable for the
interest of the agriculture of the State.
III. A Bureau of Information upon all subjects connected with the agricultural
industries of the State. Under this head is included
—
1. Publications of the Stations, embracing five different classes of bulletins
and two of reports. These publications contain the results of the investi-gations
carried on, as well as a resume of work done elsewhere, in order
instruct or advance the general agricultural interests.
2. Direct correspondence, through the various divisions of the Station, with
individual farmers, information being always given as promptly and care-fully
as possible by those most competent to do so.
3. Personal contact of the Station staff with farmers and others at institutes
and fairs, and by visits to farms, etc.
IV. Samples for Examination.—Samples, when sent by citizens of the State,
for chemical or other examinations, will be examined and their value reported
free of charge, under certain conditions and stipulations
—
1. If the experimental work of the Station will not be retarded.
2. If the work is of an agricultural character.
3. If the sample is from the sender's own land.
4. If they are of suffcient public interest, and the Station is free to publish
the results.
5. If the samples are taken and sent according to the Station's printed
forms, and are fully described.
Divisions of the Station.
In order to facilitate the work of the Experiment Station, it has
been subdivided into
—
Executive Division. 6. Horticultural Division.
Chemical Division. 7. Veterinary Division.
Agricultural Division. 8. Fertilizer Control Division.
Botanical Division. 9. Division of Publications.
Entomological Division.
Equipment.
The Director's office is in the Main Building of the North
Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The removal
from the Agricultural Building in Raleigh was made on July 14,
1898.
The Experiment Farm is located about one mile and a half west
of the city of Raleigh, and adjoins the Fair Grounds of the State
Agricultural Society. It is near the College grounds. On the
farm are kept located the experimental dairy, silos and barn, in
which are the cattle under test for production of milk and for
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS. xi
other purposes. Here is also located the poultry work of the Sta-tion,
comprising eight yards and the necessary equipment for car-rying
on the work. Field crop tests are also conducted as far as
possible upon the land of the farm.
During the period embraced by this Report, Primrose Hall was
erected upon the College grounds and is now used for the College
and Station work in horticulture, botany and entomology—the bo-tanical
and entomological work having been transferred to this
hall from the Agricultural Building in Raleigh. A part of the
land adjoining this building was assigned for horticultural pur-poses.
A portion of the horticultural work is also done at Southern
Pines.
The experimental chemical work is performed in the College
laboratories and in the laboratories in the Agriciiltural Building.
The Fertilizer Control Division occupies the offices and labora-tories
located upon the main floor in the north wing of the Agri-cultural
Building in Raleigh, immediately north of the State
capitol.
Experiment Station Council.
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees held in June, 1897, ^ was
decided to create a Station Council. This Council is composed of
the President of the College, and the Professors of Agriculture,
Horticulture and Chemistry. The President of the College is Pres-ident
of the Council, the remaining members are respectively Agri-culturist,
Horticulturist and Chemist of the Station.
The Working Force at the Station.
During the past year and a half several changes were made in
the Station staff.
The following connections with the Station wrere severed
:
On July 1, 1897, Dr. H. B. Battle, Director; Messrs. B. W. Kil-gore,
W. M. Allen and S. E. Asbury, Assistant Chemists ; and Mr.
A. F. Bowen, Secretary. On September 1, 1897, Mr. Gerald McCar-thy,
Botanist and Entomologist. On February 15, 1898, Mr. S. B.
Moore, Clerk, and Mr. E. W. Physioc, Mailing Clerk ; on March
31, Mr. J. D. Huffham, Jr., Assistant Chemist.
The following additions were made to the Station staff : On
July 1, 1897, W. A. Withers, Chemist; Messrs. C. B. Williams,
C. D. Harris, A. W. Blair, J. D. Huffham, Jr., and J. A. Bizzell,
Assistant Chemists ; Mr. J. M. Fix, Secretary ; Mr. S. B. Moore,
Clerk ; Mr. H. E. King, Chief Clerk of the Fertilizer Control Di-vision.
On September 1st, Mr. J. M. Johnson, Assistant Agricul-turist,
and Mr. C. W. Hyams, Assistant Botanist. On March 15,
1898, Mrs. E. V. Darby, Stenographer. On April 1st, C. M.
Hughes, Clerk. On May 1st, Mr. G. S. Fraps, Assistant Chemist.
xii N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
On March 15th, Mr. F. G. Kelly, who had previously per-formed
clerical duties, began work as Assistant Chemist. The
Chemist of the Station was asked to assume also, temporarily, the
duties of the Directorship. He has been doing so since July
1, 1897.
Publications ok the Station.
The publications of the Station are as follows
:
A. Annual Reports ok the Station.—Each edition 1,000
copies. Numbered consecutively with the years, 1-1878,
2-1879, 3-1880, and so on. Prior to 1888 these reports
contained results from the year's work, and took the place
of separate Bulletins which appeared thereafter. The An-nual
Reports now contain copies of the regular Bulletins
issued during the year, and are sent to exchanges only, and
not to the general mailing list. Latest issued was nineteenth
annual for 1896.
B. Biennial Report ok the Station.—Sent to the Governor
for transmission to the General Assembly. Each edition
500 to 3,000 copies, numbered consecutively i-(i877,
i878),V(i879, 1880), 3-(i88i, 1882), etc. These reports
are demanded by State authorities, and are not intended for
general distribution. Latest issue was Ninth Biennial Re-port
for the years 1895 and 1896.
C. Bulletins—Regular. Each edition about 20,000 copies.
For popular reading, with the scientific terms avoided as far
as possible. Sent to all names on the mailing list. When
bulletins more or less technical in character are issued they
are sent to the scientific institutions, but notice in regard to
them is given to every name upon our mailing list, and
the Station is glad to supply them to any who may wish
them. The latest issue is No. 151.
D. Bulletins—Special. Each edition, varying in number from
500 to 60,000 copies for special purposes, as occasion de-mands.
Numbered consecutively 1, 2, etc. Sent only to
special names, as occasion demands. Latest issue is No. 49.
E. Inkormation Bulletins.—Designed for distribution to col-lect
information concerning practical and useful plans of
farm management or methods of cultivation of diiferent
crops, etc., to be collated thereafter for use in general bul-letins.
The latest issue is No. 8.
F. Bulletins—Press. Each edition 600 copies. Short reading-articles
for newspaper columns. First number was May 24,
1890. Sent to newspaper exchanges. Latest issue is
No. 78.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS. xiii
G. The Bulletin.—This publication is issued monthly under
the supervision of the Commissioner of Agriculture, and,
among other things, contains popular articles by members
of the Station staff, answers to queries and other informa-tion
of interest to the general public. This publication has,
to a large extent, taken the place of our press bulletins.
The three classes of bulletins previously published by the Sta-tion
in regard to the weather are no longer issued on account of
the separation of the State Weather Service from the Experiment
Station on October i, 1896, to which attention was called in a pre-vious
report. The special bi-weekly fertilizer Bulletins are no
longer issued separately by the Experiment Station, as these analyses
are published in The Bulletin under the supervision of the Depart-ment
of Agriculture.
Publications During the Year.
During the period embraced by this Report, publications have
been issued, divided as foilows :
Series A—Annual Report of the Station—1 report, containing 88 pages.
" C—Regular Bulletins—16 bulletins, containing 372 pages.
" D—Special Bulletins—10 bulletins, containing 170 pages.
" E—Information Bulletin—2 bulletins, containing 3 pages.
" F—Press Bulletins—2 bulletins, containing 2 pages.
" G—The Bulletin—19 issues, containing 150 pages.
Total during first half of 1897, 20 publications, containing 308 pages, and during
the year ending June 30, 1898, 30 publications, containing 477 pages.
Total for year and a half, 50 publications, with 785 pages.
SUMMARY OF PUBLICATIONS ISSUED FROM JANUARY 1, 1S97,
TO JUNE 30, 1898.
A. OF THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE STATION.
No. 19.—The Work during 1896, of the North Carolina Agricul-tural
Experiment Station.
January 9, 1897. 88 pp. Letter of transmittal. Board of Control and .staff of
Experiment Station. Report of the Director. The Fertilizer Control Station.
Agricultural Experiment Station. Divisions of the Station. Equipment.
The working force of the Station. The publications of the Station. Summary
of publications issued during 1896. Co-operative horticultural work at South-ern
Pines. Examination of nursery stock. Preparation of the matter for the
Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture. Co-operation with the United
States Weather Bureau. Legislation in regard to crop diseases. New poultry
Division. Forage grasses. The home vegetable garden. Educational bulle-tins.
Acknowledgments. Report of the Agriculturist. Report of the first
assistant Chemist. Report of the Botanist and Entomologist. Report of the
Horticulturist. Report of the poultry manager. Financial statement. Ap-pendix,
containing the opinions of nearly 1,000 North Carolina farmers, repre-senting
ninety-five counties, in regard to the work of the North Carolina Agri-cultural
Experimant Station. The value of the Station work as expressed by
146 non-residents from thirty-three States. The value of the Station's work
as expressed by fifteen residents of foreign countries. Bulletins 124 to 135, in-clusive,
issued during 1896.
xiv N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
C. OF THE REGULAR BULLETINS, 16 ISSUES.
No. 136.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
January 12, 1897. 34 pp. Including official analyses of spring and fall samples
of 1896. The Fertilizer Control Station. Analyses for 1897. The present fer-tilizer
laws. When analyses of fertilizers are made for farmers. The necessity
of accurate sampling. The need of fertilizer analyses, and an explanation of
terms used. Terms used in analysis. Phosphoric acid. Nitrogen or ammonia.
Potash. Water. Guaranteed percentage. Mechanical condition. Relative
seaboard value per ton of unmixed ingredients. How the valuations of con-stituents
are determined. How values per ton are calculated, and how they
can be utilized by farmers. Table of freight rates from the seaboard to interior
points, and the detailed analyses of all fertilizers during 1896.
No. 137.—A Warning in Regard to Compost Peddlers.
January 20, 1897. 8 pp. Warning to the people of North Carolina against the
" Champion Chemical Process Company," or any similar concern operated on
the same basis. A copy of the circular distributed by the company, and a dis-cussion
of the same.
No. 138.—The San Jose Scale in North Carolina.
January 30, 1897. 14 pp. Plants attacked. Original home. Life history.
Methods of dissemination . Natural enemies. Remedies. Seven experimental
tests. What to do with the infested nursery stock. Formulas for scale insec-ticides.
Whale oil soap, winter rosin wash, hydrocyanic acid gas: Discussion
of the formulas and method of applying. Proposed bill regulating inspection.
A paper prepared for the General Assembly on crop pests and their damages.
No. 139.—Home-Mixed Fertilizers and Composts.
February 8, 1897. 16 pp. Introduction. The need of home-mixing of fertilizers.
The advantage of compost-making. When to prepare composts. How and
where to prepare the compost. How much to apply. How and when to apply.
Top dressings. Do not apply fertilizers or composts too near the seed or plant.
The use of stable manure. Stable manure composted with other ingredients,
to be used in addition to those given in the formulas. Cost of ingredients.
Approximate retail cost of fertilizing ingredients in Central North Carolina.
Formulas for mixtures and composts. F^ive formulas for mixed fertilizers, and
five for composts for cotton and corn. Four formulas for mixed fertilizers, and
five for composts for small grain. Six formulas for mixed fertilizers and four
for composts for tobacco. Two formulas for mixed fertilizers for grass. Eight
formulas for mixed fertilizers for vegetables. Four formulas for mixed fertili-zers
for sweet potatoes. Three formulas for mixed fertilizers for peanuts.
Four formulas for mixed fertilizers for fruit. Two formulas for mixed fertili-zers
for cow-peas. Five formulas for mixed fertilizers for top dressing.
No. 140.—Volumetric Estimation of Phosphoric Acid.
May 10, 1897. 8 pp. A further communication on the estimation of phosphoric
acid by titration of the ammonium phospho-molybdate precipitate with standard
alkali, and comparative phosphoric acid results on various fertilizer materials
by gravimetric and volumetric methods.
No. 141.—A New Tobacco Pest.
July 2r, 1897. 8 pp. Description of the tobacco miner. Remedies. Two cuts.
No. 142.—Comfortable L,ow Cost Barns.
August 23, 1897. 20 pp. Cheap small barn for a correspondent. Barn for the
State Geological Survey. Still another cheap barn. Circular barn, and yards
for thirty cows. North Carolina Experiment Farm barn. 13 cuts.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS. xv
No. 143.—Feeding Experiments, Milk Records, Etc.
September 30, 1897. 36 pp. Comparative effect of some rations fed to milch
cows. Effect of changes of food. Table of temperature in Experiment Farm
barn. Conclusion. Rations calculated to digestible constituents for 1,000
pounds live weight. Is skim, or buttermilk, best for pigs? Tables of feed and
results. Summary of record of milk and butter production of station herd
1895 and 1896. Note on records of cows for 1896. Tables giving value of pro-duct
and of food consumed and prices paid for food. Experiment Farm barn,
well suited for animal comforts. Table of stable temperature record.
No. 144.—Ornithology of North Carolina.
October 30, 1897. 36 pp. A list of the birds of North Carolina; with notes of
each species, arranged by famlies with index. The list includes 303 species,
with 22 which would seem to be found on the coast or within the borders of the
State. Map of North Carolina.
No. 145.—Crimson Clover.
December 22, 1897. 20 pp. Experiments at the North Carolina Agricultural
Experiment Station. Press Bulletins on crimson clover. Crimson clover
among North Carolina farmers. Questions asked and summary of replies.
Reported failures. Conclusions generally favorable. Serious losses from feed-ing
over-ripe crimson clover hay. Early and recent introductions of crimson
clover into North Carolina.
No. 146.—Miscellaneous Farm Bulletin.
December 31, 1897. 16 pp. A small variety test of cow-peas. Test of effect of
chemical manure and cotton-seed meal on the germination of wheat. A variety
test of cotton. Some experiments with potatoes. Tables.
No. 147.—A Study of Lettuces.
June 6, 1898. 8 pp. The results of a varietal test of lettuces, for the benefit of
the lettuce growers of North Carolina.
No. 148.—Digestion Experiments and Pasteurization of Milk.
June 8, 1898. 32 pp. Hay alone, and in rations with cotton-seed meal. Crab-grass
hay. Tables showing percentage composition of foods, waste and solid
excrement, nutrients consumed and excreted with percentages digested. Pas-teurization
of milk. Table showing how temperature of milk follows that of
water in controlled pasteurization. One cut.
No. 149.—The Apple in North Carolina.
June 11, 1898. 22 pp. Analyses of the apple tree and its products. Seedlings
vs. grafted fruit trees. Where apples will grow. What kind of trees to plant.
What age to plant trees. Preparation of the land for the orchard. How far
apart to plant trees. When to plant. How to plant a tree. Laying off the
rows. Pruning the tops. Pruning the growing tree. Cultivation of apple
orchards. Do not pasture the orchard. Manuring the orchard. General
treatment. What varieties of apples shall we plant ? Summer apples. Fall
apples. Winter apples. Varieties for Eastern North Carolina. For midland
North Carolina. For Western North Carolina. Crab apples. Gathering and
marketing apples. How to gather apples. Keeping winter apples. Fungous
diseases of the apple. Insect enemies of the apple. Composition of spraying
mixtures.
No. 150.—Medicinal Plants which have been collected and used
in North Carolina.
June 13, 1898. 84 pp. 833 varieties arranged by families. The Bulletin is aimed
as a record and not an endorsement of the medicinal properties of any plant.
An index is added giving also the more common name.
Xvi N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
No. 151.—The Fertilizer Control During 1897.
June 15, 1898. 12 pp. Publications containing fertilizer analyses. Relation of
the Station to the fertilizer control. Firms which registered brands for sale in
North Carolina during T897. Extent and distribution of the trade. Valuation
of fertilizers and how they are determined. Average precentage composition
of fertilizers on sale in North Carolina for several years. Increase of number
of brands and the difficulty in a proper control. General conclusions.
D. OF THE SPECIAL BULLETINS, 10 ISSUES.
No. 40.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
February 20, 1897. 14 pp. First bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. The pres-ent
fertilizer laws. New plan for stating the analyses of fertilizers. Terms
used in an analysis. How the valuations of constituents are determined. How
values per ton are calculated and how they can be utilized by farmers. Table
of freight rates from the seaboard to interior points. Analyses of 53 samples
analyzed by the fertilizer control.
No. 41.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
March 6, 1897. 16 pp. Second bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. Contents-similar
to No. 40. Analyses of 92 samples analyzed by the fertilizer control.
No. 42.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
March 20, 1897. 22 pp. Third bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. Contents
similar to No. 40. Analyses of 148 samples analyzed by the fertilizer control.
No. 43.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
April 3, 1897. 24 pp. Fourth bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. Contents
similar to No. 40. Analyses of 193 samples analyzed by the fertilizer control.
No. 44.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
April 17, 1897. 28 pp. Fifth bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. Contents simi-lar
to No. 40. Analyses of 245 samples analyzed by the fertilizer control.
No. 45.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
May 11, 1897. 32 pp. Sixth bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. Contents simi-lar
to No. 40. Analyses of 281 samples analyzed by the fertilizer control.
No. 46.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control.
May 22, 1897. 8 pp. Seventh bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. Issued as a supple-ment
to No. 45. Analyses of 42 additional samples analyzed by the fertilizer
control
.
No. 47.—Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control. ?
June 26, 1897. 12 pp. Eighth bi-weekly edition, season of 1897. Issued as a
supplement to No. 46. Analyses of 103 additional samples analyzed by the
fertilizer control.
No. 48.—The North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.
October 20, 1897. 12 pp. Pamphlet descriptive of the work of the Station and
its exhibit at the Annual Fair of the North Carolina Agricultural Society.
No. 49.—Sugar Beets.
March 12, 1898. 2 pp. Directions in regard to soil, fertilizers, and the planting
of sugar beets.
E. OF THE INFORMATION BULLETIN, 2 ISSUES.
No. 7.—July 27, 1897. I p.
Inquiries as to pests of tobacco.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS. XVH
No. 8.—February 28, 1898. 2 pp.
Inquries as to dairying and markets for dairy products in North Carolina.
F. OF THE PRESS BULLETINS, 2 ISSUES.
No. J J.—February 1, 1898. 1 p.
Article : Concerning publication of fertilizer analyses by the Department of
Agriculture, instead of Experiment Station.
No. 78.—February 17, 1898. 1 p.
Article : Sugar-beet seed for distribution by the Experiment Station.
G. THE BULLETIN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPART-MENT
OF AGRICULTURE, 7 ISSUES.
January, 1897. 4% pp.
Articles: Improve yonr stock. White specs or frogs eye of tobacco. Year
book of the Experiment Station for 1894. Two and two make four. Decom-posing
old bones without grinding. Improving land for grass. Tread-power for
dairy purposes, churns, butter-workers, etc. Tobacco stems as a fertilizer.
Propagating the scuppernong grape-vine.
February, 1897. 3 pp.
Articles : A possible cotton pest. Look out for cut-worms. The Experiment
Station year-book for 1895. A warning in regard to compost peddlers. The
so-called dissolved bone. Ensilage for horses. Crops for truck in
central North Carolina. Dairy Journal. Pit for keeping milk and butter-
Shade trees for lawns.
March, 1897. 7 pp.
Articles : Commercial fertilizers. New plan for stating the analyses of fertili-zers.
Do not buy nursery stock from unreliable parties. Ramie. North Car-olina
Experiment Station sugar-corn. Table containing ninety-two fertilizer
analyses at Experiment Station for the State Board of Agriculture.
April, 1897. 8 pp.
Articles: That compost peddler. What shall we feed the work mule ? Preserv-atives
for milk and cream,—let them alone. Table containing 217 fertilizer
analyses made, by North Carolina Experiment Station for the State Board of
Agriculture.
May, 1897. 4 pp.
Articles: How to use fertilizers. Newr forage and fibre plants. Some cheapo
coarse cattle food. Do not give up the fight too soon. Look out for cattle flies.
Depreciation of fertilizers. Feeding problem. Pruning a pear tree. A ration
for dairy cow. Variety of muskmelon. Buckwrheat.
June, 1897. 8 pp.
Articles :
_ Rotation for a forty-acre field. Poultry pointers for summer. Table
containing 217 fertilizer analyses made at the North Carolina Agricultural Ex-periment
Station for the Board of Agriculture.
July, 1897. iy/2 pp.
Articles : Fruit nurseries needed in North Carolina. The American hen. What
to plant in the corn field. Culture of ramie. Novelties in forage plants.
Chickens for general use. Hogs and feeding, carrots, turnips, etc. Fertilizer
for strawberries. Crimson clover for horses. Soil and fertilizer for celery..
Table containing 217 fertilizer analyses, made at the North Carolina Experi-ment
Station, for the Board of Agriculture.
North Carolina State Library
Raleigh
xviii N.C AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1893.
G. THE BULLETIN OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF
NORTH CAROLINA, 12 ISSUES.
September, 1897. 13 pp.
Articles : Natural plant food. Warning to purchasers of nursery stock. A new
shade-tree pest. Practical poultry pointers. A new disease of asparagus. In-spection
of nurseries. Cabbage blight. Weeds in the clover field. Cooked
cotton seed as a human food and as a feed for stock. Fertilizer for wheat. Cur-ing
of corn. Table containing 217 fertilizer analyses made by the North Caro-lina
Experiment Station for the Department of Agriculture.
October, 1897. 11 pp.
Articles : Examination of nursery stock. Nurseries outside of North Carolina
which have filed certificates of examination. Laws affecting the sanitary ar-rangements
for stock, etc., and their relation to the public health. Remedy
for moles. Some agricultural and horticultural books. Fertilizer for wheat.
Street shade trees. Two hundred and seventeen fertilizer analyses by the.
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station for the Board of Agriculture.
November, 1897. 8 pp.
Articles : Examination of nursery stock. Nurseries outside of North Carolina
which have filed certificates of examination. Crimson clover seed. Treatment
of bones on the farm. Testing the health of the dairy herd. Rotation of
crops. Fruit. Acid phosphate. Ration for cows. Gathering and curing
corn. Ninety-eight analyses of fall samples of fertilizers by the North Carolina
Agricultural Experiment Station for the North Carolina Department of Agri-culture.
December, 1897. 11 yz pp.
Articles : Request of breeders of stock. Examination of nursery stock. Nurse-ries
outside of North Carolina which have filed certificates of examination.
Improving native grass. Cotton-seed meal for cattle. Cattle suitable for
Western North Carolina. Insect pests of chestnuts and English walnuts. Acid
phosphate and high grade fertilizers. Fertilizer for strawberries. Cotton-seed
meal for a feed and fertilizer. Sun-flower seed. Clover parasite. Fertilizer
for strawberries. Ashes. Hedges. January poultry notes. Note in regard to
fertilizer analyses. Table containing analyses of 131 samples of fertilizers for
the Department of Agriculture.
January, 1898. 9^2 pp-
Articles : Note on fertilizer bulletins. Pure food congress. Pea threshers. Pure
food legislation. Sugar-beet seed for distribution. Sugar-beet in North Caro-lina.
Improvement of land. Irish potatoes. The wide tire. Fertilizer for
sweet potatoes. Cotton-seed meal and kernels. Sheep-raising. Worth of
soda as a top dressing. Lime in the compost heap. Feeds and fertilizers.
Remedy for the escape of ammonia from the manure pile. Leaves and their
fertilizing value. Onions. Velvet bean. Ashes as a top dressing. Fertilizers
for Irish potatoes and strawberries. Tobacco stems for trees.
February, 1898. 6*4 pp.
Articles : National legislation for nurserymen. The commission for controlling
•crop pests. Note on fertilizer bulletins. Fertilizer analyses for 1898. Prepa-ration
of samples. Plan of reporting analyses of fertilizer. Terms used in
analysis. Methods of analysis. Guaranteed percentages. Mechanical con-dition.
Valuations. How values per ton are calculated, and how they can be
utilized by farmers. Table of freight rates from the seaboard to interior
points. The Experimental Farm of the State Horticultural Society at Southern
Pines. Poultry at the Experiment Station. Station stock among the farmers. Some
butter sales. Apples suitable for Eastern North Carolina. Rape culture. Time
of pruning apple trees. A butter-maker's difficulty. Table containing thirty-eight
fertilizer analyses for the Department of Agriculture.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS. xix
March 15, 1898. 3 ^ pp.
Articles : Table of freight rate from seaboard to interior points. Note in regard
to fertilizer analyses for 1898. Preparation of samples. Plan of reporting
analyses of fertilizers.Terms used in an analysis. Table containing sixty-eight
fertilizer analyses for North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Marcli 31, 1898. 6 pp.
Articles : Rheumatism in hogs. Cotton-seed meal. Onions, cantaloupes and
cucumbers. Some fertilizer hints. Giant beggar-weed. Utilization of offal
from herring fisheries. How to apply stable manure. Fertilizer for sweet
patatoes. Table containing ninety-nine fertilizer analyses for the North Caro-lina
Department of Agriculture.
April 15, 1898. $y2 pp.
Table containing 192 fertilizer analyses for the North Carolina Department Agri-culture.
May 1, 1898. 10 pp.
Articles : A dairy inspection. Comparative results from fertilizers. Fertilizer
for tobacco. Sheep. Reduction of bones. Spray for apple trees. Analysis
of soil. A spray for apple trees. Box lye for plants. Table containing 240
fertilizer analyses for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
May 15, 1898. 7^ pp.
Table containing 282 fertilizer analyses for the North Carolina Department of
Agriculture.
June I, 1898. IO pp.
Articles : Handling the apple crop. Fire blight. Effect of lime in the compost
heap. Table containing 344 fertilizer analyses for the North Carolina Depart-ment
of Agriculture.
Co-operative Horticultural Work at Southern Pines.
This work is divided into two departments—the fruit depart-ment,
which was established in 1895, and the vegetable department,
which was established in 1896. The work was instituted to study
the effects of different proportions of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and
potash, and the proportions best suited for the fruit and vegetable
crops grown in that section. These farms are located in Moore
county, N. C, near Southern Pines, and have been alluded to in
previous reports. The work is under the supervision of a commit-tee
composed of representatives from the State Horticultural So-ciety,
the Experiment Station and the German Kali Works. The
representatives at present are as follows : Mr. J. Van Lindley, Pres-ident
; Mr. Thos. L. Brown, Secretary ; and Mr. P. H. Beck, of the
Horticultural Society ; Dr. B. Von Herff, of the German Kali
Works; Prof. W. A.' Withers, Acting Director, and Prof. W. F.
Massey, Horticulturist, of the Experiment Station. Prof. W. A.
Withers is Chairman of the Supervising Committee, Prof. Massey
is Horticulturist, and Mr. A. Rhodes, Assistant Horticulturist of
the Station, is the Superintendent of the Farm. The chemical
work and work of supervision are performed without compensation
xx N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
by the members of the staff of the Experiment Station. The Ger-man
Kali Works contributes a sufficient amount to cover other
expenses incurred in the management of the farms. The report
for 1895 has been issued. The reports for 1896 and 1897 have
been delayed for various reasons, but will doubtless be issued soon.
The Examination of the Nursery Stock.
Atteution was called early in 1897 by the Experiment Station
to the fact that the San Jose scale, which had proven so injurious
to the fruit trees in other States, had made its appearance in North
Carolina. A bill was framed by the Experiment Station, endorsed
by the State Horticultural Society, the Board of Agriculture, and
other organizations of influence, and finally enacted into law
by the General Assembly. The law, as enacted, creates the North
Carolina Commission for Controlling Crop Pests, and makes its
membership the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Director of the
State Agricultural Experiment Station, and the President of the
State Horticultural Society. The Director is Chairman of the
Commission. Authority is given to this Commission to adopt such
regulations for the shipment of nursery stock to consumers in
North Carolina as may be deemed necessary, and not inconsistent
with the constitution and the laws of the State or the United States.
Eight circulars have been issued cantaining the regulations adopted
by the Commission in regard to inspection and shipment of nursery
stock. Since that time the nurseries of the State have been regu-larly
inspected, and an attempt has also been made to impress upon
the owners of orchards the importance of exterminating the scale.
A full and detailed report will be made to the Legislature of 1899
in regard to the work of the Commission.
Matter for "The Bulletin.' 1
At the request of the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Experi-ment
Station furnishes, each month for publication, in the Bulletin
of the Department, various articles of popular interest relating to
the work of the Experiment Station. It furnishes, also, such re-plies
to letters received as are deemed of general interest. With
the issue of July, 1897, this publication ceased to exist as the Bul-letin
of the Department. Its successor is "The Bulletin of the
Agricultural Experiment Station of North Carolina," which is
published monthly under the supervision of the North Carolina
Department of Agriculture. The first issue bears date of Septem-ber,
1897. Through the medium of these publications the Expe-riment
Station has furnished, during the past year and a half, 148
articles and 15 tables containing, analyses of fertilizers, and cov-ering
in all 1 50 pages' of printed matter.
twentieth and twenty-first annual reports. xxi
Farmers' Institutes.
During the summer of 1897 Institutes were held in 24 counties
under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture. By invita-tion
of the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Experiment Station
participated in this work, and, with few exceptions, had some rep-resentative
present at every institute. Good has doubtless been
accomplished by our efforts to reach, in person, the farmers of the
State. It is to be hoped that as the years go by the people of
North Carolina will more fully appreciate this important means of
stimulating thought along agricultural lines, and that they will
give the representatives of the Station an opportunity of forming
their acquaintance.
Correspondence.
Next after publications, the most important agency for bringing
the Station into contact with the people of the State is through
correspondence. The letters amount to about ten thousand annu-ally,
in addition to the requests received for publications. These
letters contain queries of almost every conceivable nature in regard
to agriculture. Although the labor involved in replying to these
numerous letters makes heavy demands upon the time of the staff,
it is felt that the number of the letters is an indication of high ap-preciation
of what is being accomplished. It is a matter of pleasure,
apart from duty, to aid the agricultural interests of the State in this
way. The answers to the letters of greatest general interest are
published in the Bulletin.
Feeding Experiments.
Some time ago the Experiment Station undertook the study of
the digestibility of various stock-feeds used in the State. This
work is still in progress. During the period embraced by this Re-port,
experiments were made on the digestibility of crab-grass hay,
cow-pea meal, corn bran, green rape and rice bran. A pig-feeding
experiment was also terminated.
Testing For Tuberculosis.
During the year 1897 Tuberculosis made its appearance in the
Experiment Station herd. By the Tuberculin test six animals were
condemned and slaughtered. Some of the animals were very valua-ble,
and their slaughtering resulted, of course, in much loss to the
Station. While the necessity for slaughtering was a matter of
regret, it is felt that the wide publicity given to it served to call
attention to danger of Tuberculosis in a rather emphatic way, and
the result accomplished, in arousing the public interest, has been
very gratifying to the Station. Although the Tuberculin test
XXli N - c - AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
is recognized in many States, yet there are those who express donbt
in regard to its reliability as an indication of the presence of Tu-berculosis.
But, notwithstanding this, information is wanting as
to one who is willing to drink milk from cattle which have been
condemned by the Tuberculin test, unless the milk has first been
pasteurized or sterilized.
During the past year the Station has made tests of various herds
in the State, and now some of the stock raisers advertise the fact
that their cattle do not react with the Tuberculin test. It seems
that the sentiment in favor of the test is growing. The Station
will continue to agitate the matter, feeling that the condemnation
of Tuberculous cattle by this test cannot fail to result in the im-provement
of the health of the people.
Field Crop Tests.
Upon the Experiment Farm, during the past year, some variety
tests were made with potatoes. The Station also made some tests
with peanuts, cow-peas, velvet-beans, hemp, soiling crops and crim-son
clover.
Poultry Keeping.
In the poultry work such cheap appliances were used as could be
made by any one raising poultry under the ordinary farm condi-tions.
The poultry experiments for 1897 were aimed to be with
pure bred instead of cross bred fowls. Hatching and rearing, both
artifically and naturally, noting cost, and health of various breeds un-der
different conditions, were to receive careful attention. Unfortu-nately,
however, the reports were destroyed by fire, and there is a
much smaller number of results for publication than would be
otherwise. Feeding experiments were conducted with the various
breeds and a careful record kept of the cost, health, etc. Some
disease experiments have been made on birds belonging to others.
Horticultural Experiments.
On account of the co-operative experiments of the Station at
Southern Pines, a large part of the work of the Horticultural Divi-sion
was transferred to that place from Raleigh, and the larger part
of the work of the Horticulturist has been as Horticulturist of the
Supervising Committee. In addition to this co-operative work,
however, a small portion of land was leased at Southern Pines, and
experiments have been made upon it. Among these would be men-tioned
some co-operative work with the United States Department
of Agriculture in determining the difference in some species of trees
from the seeds collected in different altitudes and climates, in the
growing of flowering bulbs for market, and in the variety tests of
melons. Some variety tests with lettuces have been made. At-
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS. XXlii
tention has been called to the use of glass in market-gardening.
Experiments have been made in forcing tomatoes and snap-beans.
Botanical Investigations.
Experiments were begun with edible and poisonous mushrooms
and on the medicinal plants of the State with a view to cultivating
and improving them. Tests were also begun of various forage, fibre
and economic plants. The Station is endeavoring to complete its
herbarium collection of the native plants of the State. During the
summer the Assistant Botanist will be engaged in this work in
Western North Carolina. A bulletin has been issued containing a
list of the medicinal plants which have been collected and used in
the State. It is hoped this bulletin will prove valuable as a record.
Entomological Work.
In January, 1897, this Station called attention of the people to
the appearance of the dreaded San Jose scale in the State. Means
were suggested for its destruction and for preventing its spreading.
In connection with the Commission for Controlling Crop Pests, the '
Entomologist of this Station made an inspection during the spring-and
fall of 1897 of the nurseries of the State. Many specimens of
twigs infested with various insect pests have been forwarded to the
Station. These have been identified and remedies suggested when
known.
Experimental Chemical Work.
The Chemical Division has worked jointly with the Agricultural
Division in studying the coefficients of the digestibility of various
feeding-stuffs. This division has made the analyses of the fer-tilizers
used, and of the fruit and vegetable products of the Expe-rimental
Farm at Southern Pines. It has also made analyses of
referees' samples for the Association of Official Agricultural
Chemists. Further investigation was made upon the volumetric
method for the estimation of phosphoric acid. Investigations are
in progress as to the extent of the adulteration of human foods and
the adaptability of the soil and climate of the State to the culture
of the sugar-beet.
Fertilizer Control Analyses.
On account of the increasing number of brands of the fertilizers
licensed for sale in the State, and of the increased consumption of
fertilizers in the State, the demands upon this division have con-siderably
increased. The samples of fertilizers are taken under
the supervision of the Commissioner of Agriculture and sent to the
Station in sealed glass bottles, bearing a number by which the
xxiv N- c - AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
sample is identified. The analyses are completed with all the dis-patch
consistent with accuracy, and the result reported to the Com-missioner.
The Commissioner of Agriculture publishes the results
at frequent intervals in the Bulletin.
Analyses of Samples for the Public
There is no appropriation from any source to provide for the
analyses of samples for the public, and this work is not in any
sense a part of the regular work of the Station. The Station, how-ever,
is very glad, as a matter of courtesy, in this way to serve the
public, where the work does not conflict in any way with the regular
work of the Station, where the work is of an agricultural char-acter,
the results of general interest, and the Station is free to pub-lish
the results. During the period embraced by the Report anal-yses
were made of many samples of waters for the Board of Health
to test their purity and adaptibility for drinking purposes, of vari-ous
fertilizing materials, feeding-stuffs, and other miscellaneous
samples.
Acknowledgments.
The Station takes pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the
books and pamphlets, journals and newspapers stated below. The
reports and bulletins of the United States Department of Agricul-ture,
and of various Experiment Stations in the different States,
Canada and abroad are not included in the list, but are regularly
received.
Commissioner of Agriculture, Albany, N. Y. Reports Vol. i, 2 and 3.
Minnesota Dairy and Food Commissioner, St. Paul. Biennial Report 1895-1896.
Dr. Chas. W. Dabney, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Washington D. C.
A National Department of Science.
Prof. H. McCalley, University, Ala. Report on Valley Regions of Alabama.
Dr. J. A. Lintner, State Entomologist, Albany, N. Y. nth Annual Report.
Prof. A. Williams, New Castle, England. Rrport on Manurial Trial at New
Castle-upon-Tyne, England.
George McKerron, Superintendent Wisconsin Farmers' Institutes, Madison.
Bulletin No. 10.
Leland Stanford, Jr. University, California. Contributions to Biology from
Hopkins Seaside Laboratory.
American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pa. Proceedings of Society.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg. Bulletins 16 and 17.
Prof. C. Cobb, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C. Some Begin-nings
in Science.
University of Iowa, Iowa City. Laboratory Bulletin No. 1.
American Museum of Natural History, New York City. Vol. 8, 1898.
New York State Board of Health, Albany. Report for 1896.
New York Botanical Garden, New York City. Bulletins Nos. 1 and 2.
Institution for Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Raleigh, N. C. Report for i894-'96.
Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. Bulletins Nos. 5, 10, n and 12.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. Report for 1894. Report of
National Museum, 1894.
Secretary of Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass. Annals of Astronomical Ob-servatory,
Vol. 30, Part 4. Report of Director of Observatory.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORTS. xxv
Miscellaneous Papers, 1888-1895.
William Wood & Company, New York City. American Fruit Culturist.
Royal Agricultural Society, London, England. Journal of Society, Vol. 8, Part I
.
Department of Interior, Washington, D. C. Eleventh Census. Farms and
Homes. Statistics, Vital and Social.
Department of Agriculture, Ontario, Canada. Report for 1895.
California Dairy Bureau, San Francisco. Report for 1895-1896.
Prof. T. Jamieson, Aberdeen, Scotland. Proceedings Agricultural Research
Association for 1896.
C. C. Gregg, Superintendent Minnesota Farmers' Institutes, Minneapolis. Re-port
for 1896.
Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes, Ontario, Canada. Report for i895-'96.
Prof. T. Winter, Bangor, North Wales. Report on Field Experiments, 1895.
Dr. J. P. Hale, Charleston, W. Va. History and Mystery of the Kanawha
Valley
.
Hon. B. R. Lacy, Raleigh, N. C. North Carolina Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Report for 1896.
Society of Natural History, Cincinnati, Ohio. Journal No. 2.
Maine State Board of Health, Augusta. Report for 1896.
California Board of Horticulture, Sacramento. Fifth Biennial Report.
Kansas State Horticultural Society, Topeka. Transactions of Society.
Wisconsin Dairymens' Association, Madison. 25th Annual Report.
Minister of Agriculture, Paris, France. Bulletins 1896.
Papers and Journals Outside the State.
Agricultural Epitomist Indianapolis, Ind.
Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales Sydney, Australia.
Agricultural South Atlanta, Ga.
American Agriculturist New York, N. Y.
American Dairyman New York, N. Y.
American Farmer Washington, D. C.
American Grange Bulletin and Scientic Farmer Cincinnati, Ohio.
American Swineherd Chicago, 111.
Baltimore Sun (weekly) Baltimore, Md.
California Cultivator and Poultry Keeper Los Angeles, Cal.
Elgin Dairy Report Elgin, 111.
Farm and Home Springfield, Mass.
Farm and Home Melbourne, Australia.
F'arm and Fireside Springfield, Ohio.
Farm, Field and Fireside . Chicago, 111.
Farm Magazine Knoxville, Tenn.
Farmers' Advocate
;
Burlington, Vt.
Farmers' Advocate '. London, Ontario.
Farmers' Guide Huntington, Ind.
Farmers' Home. Dayton, Ohio.
Farmers' Magazine Springfield, III.
Gleanings in Bee Culture Medina, Ohio.
Hoard's Dairyman Fort Atkinson, Wis.
Home and Farm .* Louisville, Ky.
Homestead Des Moines, Iowa.
Hospodar . ; Omaha, Neb.
Indiana Farmer Indianapolis, Ind.
Industrial American Lexington, Ky.
Louisiana Planter New Orleans, La.
Mirror and Farmer Manchester, N. H.
Montana Fruit Grower Missoula, Mont.
National Dairyman and Messenger Kansas City, Mo.
National Stockman and Farmer Pittsburg, Pa.
New England Florist Boston, Mass.
Northwest Horticulturist Tacoma, Wash.
New York Weekly Witness New York, N. Y.
Ohio Farmer , ^ Cleveland, Ohio.
Practical Farmer Philadelphia, Pa.
Xxvi N- c - AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
Progressive South Richmond, Va.
Public Ledger . Philadelphia, Pa.
Rural Californian Los Angeles, Cal.
Southern Cultivator Atlanta, Ga.
Southern Farmer New Orleans, La.
Sugar Beet Philadelphia, Pa.
Swine Breeders' Journal Indianapolis, Ind.
The Western Creamery San Francisco, Cal.
The Wool Record New York, N. Y.
Tobacco Leaf New York, N. Y.
Trade Journal Baltimore, Md.
Wallace Farmer Ames, Iowa.
Weekly Times Melbourne, Australia.
Papers Received From Inside the State.
Alamance Gleaner (Graham). Morganton Herald.
Asheville Citizen. North Carolina Baptist (Fayetteville).
Beaufort Herald. North Carolina Medical Journal ( Wil-
Bulletin North Carolina Board of Health mington).
(Raleigh). Progressive Farmer (Raleigh).
Caucasian (Raleigh). Roanoke News (Weldon).
Charlotte Democrat. Salisbury Watchman.
Concord Times. Statesville Landmark.
Economist-Falcon (Elizabeth City). Sylvan Valley News (Brevard);.
Eastern Reflector. Tarboro Southerner.
Free Press (Kinston). The Commonwealth (Scotland Neck).
Greensboro Record. Truckers' Journal (Chadbourn).
Henderson Gold Leaf. Washington Gazette.
Hickory Press. Western Sentinel (Winston).
Messenger and Intelligencer (Wades- Wilson Mirror.
boro). Wilson Times.
Monroe Enquirer. Yankee Settler (Southern Pines).
Conclusion.
The work of the past year is completed and speaks for itself. It
has been accomplished under somewhat difficult conditions, but
with an earnest desire to advance to as great an extent as possible
the agricultural interests of the State.
The Acting Director was invited by the Board of Trustees to
preside over the affairs of the Station without any knowledge on
his part that such action was contemplated. The action, therefore,
is all the more complimentary, and the Acting Director is highly
appreciative of this distinguished mark of confidence. He also
wishes to express his deep sense of obligation to the President of
the College upon whose wisdom and counsel he has so largely re-lied
; and to the other members of the Station staff whose co-opera-tion
has been given so cordially. He desires further to acknowledge
the help received from the previous publications of the Station.
These have been freely used in the preparation of this Report.
The reports of the chiefs of the various divisions of the Station
are appended hereto as a part of this Report.
Very respectfully,
W. A. WITHERS,
Acting Director.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT, xxvii
REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL DIVISION.
Acting Director W. A. WITHERS.
Sir: The work of this Division went on to May in harmony
with the order which has been previonsly reported. A pig-feed-ing
experiment, begun in the fall of 1896, was completed early in
June, 1897, and the results have been published in Bulletin 143.
The digestion feeding was continued tip to August, 1897. There
were seven experiments successfully (except one) completed :
Crab-grass hay alone.
Peanut hull and waste. Failure, sheep would not eat the material.
Crab-grass, hay and cowpea meal, for digestibility of the meal.
Crab-grass hay and corn bran, for digestibility of the bran.
Green rape, in June and July, first cutting.
Green rape in July, second cutting.
Crab-grass hay and rice bran, for digestibility of the bran.
Publications during the year from this Division have been:
Comfortable Low-Cost Barns, Bulletin No. 142; 18 pp.
Feeding Experiments, Milk Records, etc., Bulletin No. 143;
33 PP-Crimson
Clover, Bulletin No. 145; 18 pp.
Miscellaneous Farm Bulletin, Bulletin No. 146; 16 pp.
The correspondence for this year amounts to upward of 750
copy-book pages, and relate mainly to general farming and live
stock matters. Some of this matter appears from time to time in
The Bulletin.
Some time has been spent at the Farmers' Institues with Com-missioner
Patterson in the early part of the year, and in the
spring and summer with Dr. D. Reid Parker, who was the official
representative of the Board of Agriculture in the conduct of In-stitute
work after his election for that purpose by the Board.
In July, 1897, the Agriculturist attended the meeting of the
Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment
Stations, held in Minneapolis, Minn., representing the Station and
College in that body. A partial report of some observations on
that trip were made public through The Built t n for October, 1897.
Early in May, 1897, a second test of stock for tuberculosis was
conducted. One cow had been quarantined several months pre-viously,
and there was some reason to fear the disease had been
communicated to other members of the herd.
xxviii N- c- AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
This was verified by the test, and it was agreed by the Director
and Agriculturist that it would be best to slaughter every animal
which reacted, the physical condition of which left no doubt of
the reaction being due to the disease Tuberculosis.
There were several pregnant animals reserved for tests after
parturition.
Dr. D. E. Salmon, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry.
Washington, D. C, was consulted by letter and requested to send
an expert to us for detailed consultation and examinations. Dr.
Salmon responded favorably and detailed Dr. A. D. Melvin, who
came and examined a number of animals and conducted a post-mortem
examination on two cows, which were the most advanced
cases. Dr. Melvin advised waiting about four weeks, and then
re-testing the herd, when we could decide more accurately which
of the cows should be slaughtered. This was done, and six cows
condemned. There were two others apparently in good health,
but which had reacted. These were noted by Dr. E. E. Terry,
who, with Dr. W. C. McMackin, made this test, and conducted
the post-mortem examinations, to have been in gestrum when
undergoing the test, which may indicate that a re-test might have
cleared those heifers, but they were yielding little milk, were fat,
and were worth as much for beef then as could be expected from
them at any time, if not diseased, so it was decided to include
these in the herd to be slaughtered, and then to put these two on
the market. The post-mortem examination confirmed Dr. Terry's
observation, and no disease could be found.
Evidence of the disease was found in all the cows except the
two heifers, and they were both " passed as good for food " by Drs.
Terry and McMackin. But sale of these carcasses was forbidden
by the City Board of Health officials, on the ground that they
came from a diseased herd, and a city statute forbids such. All
the animals were deeply buried, with free use of quicklime, and
lime was scattered round over the land where the burials were
made.
This city ordinance should be repealed and replaced by one
more consistent with the public welfare. As it stands it is im-possible
that it can be reasonably enforced, and in any case like
the one detailed above, where animals are rigidly examined and
found to be healthy, the carcasses should be used. This would
be some encouragement to owners of herds to test out disease, but
if the finding of a diseased animal is to be the signal for a boy-cott
of a herd, the diseased ones will not be hunted out ; or, if
found, the facts will be concealed for self interest, and the public
will continue blindly to take risks, which no amount of persuasion
could induce if presented openly, with dairy products and meats.
Thorough inspection of animals and meat is the only safeguard,
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. xxix
and the sooner these are recognized and honored, the sooner will
the food products on the markets be what they should be—far
above suspicion.
To place a herd on this high ground is to make it plain by tests
that no disease is harbored in it, and to keep away from it all
strange cattle until quarantined and tested. Failure in this re-spect
cost the Experiment Station this outbreak of tuberculosis.
Since the Station herd was examined and so large a proportion
found affected,* the herd at the College has been examined, and
although in May, 1897, when the Station herd were examined,,
this herd was believed to be intact, even more disease was found
in it than existed in the Station herd. This herd has been vigor-ously
tested and all diseased animals removed. The grades of low
value were all slaughtered (fourteen in number), and the six pure-bred
animals, five cows and one bull, quarantined in order to raise
healthy calves, which can be done, and the old stock replaced by
healthy young ones.
During the fall and early winter some feeding experiments
were conducted with cows and heifers in milk. Mr. Johnson did
the testing of milk in addition to his teaching. The time of the
Agriculturist during the fall term was pretty fully occupied with
teaching.
Stock on hand December 31, 1897:
One two-year-old Shorthorn bull, two mature common cows,.
two Shorthorn heifers, coming three years old, two Shorthorn
bulls coming one year old, six heifers just past two years old, and
all giving milk, viz.: One grade Polled Angu>?, two grade Jersey,
one grade Shorthorn, one Native, one registered Jersey, three year-ling
heifers, all grade Shorthorns, one yearling Jersey bull, one six-months-
old grade Jersey heifer, two steers coming three years old,
four calves as follows: One Jersey (pure bred), three grade Short-horns
; seven driving horses.
Sheep.—Total number, 44, as follows : One Merino ram and
three ewes, all registered; one Horned Dorset ram and one ewe,
registered ; one Southdown ram, no ewes, registered ; one Shrop-shire
ram, no ewes, registered ; three wethers, used in digestion
experiments ; thirty-three native and grade ewes.
During 1898 the feeding experiments have been continued.
The testing of cows the latter part of 1897 led to post-mortem of
one cow and one steer early in January. The heifers now in milk
are to be quarantined and subjected to cattle-ticks this summer.
These have also reacted, and they can be examined later for tu-berculosis,
whether they have Texas fever or not.
The manuscript for one Bulletin on Digestion Experiments has
been finished and is ready for publication.
*Six of the eight cows killed were tuberculous, as was one cow retained for a later test ; also.
one steer, two bull calves and several heifer calves, which are under surveilance.
XXX N- C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
There are a few field experiments under way. There are two
plats with cotton, comparison of two varieties ; potato varieties
:
93 varieties of potatoes are planted, using three rates of seed in
nine hills of each variety.
Peanuts—A trial to find if any influence on productiveness can
be discovered by planting trie meats which are produced within
one, two, three or four-celled pods.
Other legumes.—Cowpea : Several varieties from seed grown
here and one from L'lle de la Rennion, with several other inter-esting
members of this family, Soy Bean and Velvet Beans.
The field north of the farm building, which for several years
has been in pasture, has been plowed and planted in soiling crops,
which it is hoped will prove a practical experiment. The whole
field is devoted to this test except the sheep-shed and yards and a
plat for the potato experiment.
Hemp is being gi own on a small plat.
Corn will be the principal crop for the silo, whilst the cowpea
and other plants must be cultivated for soiling, recuperating the
soil, and for hay.
The terraces now growing rye for seed, and which have a fine
crop on them, will be used for forage plats when rye comes off.
A very light crop of crimson clover hay has been cut and the
crown of the hilltop reserved for seed. The yield is not a third
of what might have been expected from the "stand" and area.
This is ascribed to the exceedingly dry winter and spring.
Much time has be« n consumed in teaching this year, and ex-perimental
work cannot have the time and attention we have
been accustomed to give, hence some experiments well under way
fail of results Thus the feeding experiments with cows have
been entrusted to the foreman and milker. The student milker
has been found capable of doing any convenient thing which sug-gested
itself at the moment, and one needs to be conversant with
the facts to give any weight to his words. Therefore, since this
man was entrusted with any part of the records the result is worth
little or nothing, experimentally.
Improvements needed are, first, and above all, a water supply
for the dairy-engine and house. This, it seems, can be had from a
spring on the northwest corner of the Experiment Farm. A hy-draulic
ram can be employed to force up the water at less expense
than for a pump and wind-mill.
An underground cool room east of dairy is yery much needed for
experimental use. That is, to show such a room, get at best con-struction,
and to find what the advantage of the underground room
is in amount of reduction of temperature.
Recent additions to stock and tools are :
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. xxxi
i pair of draft horses and harness.
i clod ci usher.
i hand-power sheep-shearer.
Stock on hand May ist, 1898, twenty-four cattle as follows :
1 two-year-old Shorthorn bull.
1 aged common cow.
2 two-year-old Shorthorn cows.
6 heifers, two years old and past, as in other reports.
3 heifers, one year old and past, grade, Shorthorns.
1 heifer, one year old, grade, Jersey.
3 cow calves.
1 grade Shorthorn.
2 Shorthorns.
1 grade Shorthorn bull calf.
1 yearling Shorthorn bull.
1 driving horse.
1 work horse.
1 work mare.
Sheep on hand :
4 rams, Merino, Horned Dorset, Southdown, Shropshire.
3 native wethers.
4 ewes registered : One Dorset and three Merinos.
32 breeding native and grade ewes.
25 lambs.
The report of the Poultry Section is given below.
Very respectfully,
Frank E. Emery,
Agriculturist.
REPORT OF POULTRY SECTION FOR 1897.
Prof. F. E. Emery, Chief of Agricultural Division.
During the fall of 1896 all yards of fowls were mated as pure
breds, and a line of feeding experiments, with grown fowls, arti-ficial
hatching and breeding against natural methods, and disease
experiments, were outlined for the work of 1897, together with the
incidental work as it appeared.
With the burning of my home in April, 1897, a^ previous records
were destroyed, which necessitated another beginning. After cor-responding
with numerous poultry authorities, the following work
was decided upon :
Comparison of breeds for general purpose.
Comparison of breeds for egg production.
Comparative cost of feeding different breeds.
Determining the proper feed for different breeds, amount, etc.
XXxii N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
Artificial hatching and brooding, vs. natural methods.
Cheap appliances necessary in the poultry yards.
Experiments with diseases and vermin.
Incidental experiments as they are presented and opportunity
allows.
Experiments on moulting fowls for exhibition purposes.
It was thought best to begin the year about July 12th, as at that
period the moulting season begins with us, i. e. in this climate.
Twelve yards were then mated and monthly records kept of feed
given, eggs produced, etc. With the aid furnished by you much
valued information as to analysis of different feeds, etc., results
have been very gratifying. The health of both old and young fowls
has been remarkably good.
The interest by the general public in the Poultry Section has
been great, so far as I am able to judge by visitors, both from the
immediate vicinity, from different portions of this State and from
other States.
Owing to having no experienced aid, the routine of outside work
has necessitated my absence from office to such an extent that writ-ing
bulletins has been out of the question.
In addition to regular duties the undersigned was called upon to
attend several Farmers' Institutes in various counties, to take the
photographs of growing crops at Southern Pines, and to judge the
Poultry Departments of serveral fairs*. The interest all through
the State in better poultry and more of it is large, numerous
parties adding pure breeds and discarding mongrels. The report
for 1898 will contain a much greater volume of business done, as
the loss of the records caused the Division to be put back one sea-son,
as after that time it was too late to begin another line of spring
work. During the year several new yards and houses were built,
including a four brooder-house, 27 feet long, with four yards each
10 x 40 feet. The quality of the breeding stock has been much
improved. Respectfully,
F. E. HEGE, Poultry Manager.
POULTRY SECTION FOR FIRST HALF OF 1898.
During the first half year January 1st to June 30th, 1898, the
principal work of the Poultry Section was done in continuation of
the experiments with breeds outlined above. The feeding seemed
to develop some differences among the birds in some pens which
seemed rather to indicate differences of age and maturity in the
same yard and for several yards.
Mr. Hege has not reported on this half year, hence this note.
Frank E. Emery, Agriculturist,
Chief of Division of Agriculture.
*Burlington, Oak Grove and Raleigh, and worked up the Asheville Poultry .Show, where
1,688 fowls were brought together from eleven States.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT, xxxiil
REPORT OF THE CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER CONTROL
DIVISIONS.
During the half year ending June 30, 1897, the chemical work
was performed under the direction of Dr. H. B. Battle, and is as
follows :
^Samples for the Southern Pines Farm.
Fertilizers and fertilizing materials 8
Irish potatoes, tubers, tops, etc 45
Grape vine primings 1 45
Sweet potatoes, tubers, vines, etc <>2
Cucumbers, vines, etc S
Tomatoes and vines 2
Cabbage 3
Beans 20
Strawberry vines 29
Corn and corn cobs 40
6b i
Official Samples for the Fertilizer Control.
Fertilizer samples 396>
Samples for the Public
Fertilizing materials 9
Marls. ... 4
Agricultural lime 2
Tobacco 10
Tobacco dust 1
Tobacco stems 1
Miscellaneous fertilizers 7
Health waters 22
Mineral waters 16
Boiler water 1
Mill sweepings 1
Peanut meal 1
Rock 2
Ores, minerals and rocks identified and values reported 48
-— 125
Total for the half year ending June 30, 1897 878
During the year ending June 30, 1898, the following analyses
were completed :
Experimental Samples.
For association of official chemists phosphoric samples 7
For the association of official agricultural chemists nitrogen samples . . 3
Fodders and feeding stuffs 34
Health waters . 26
Tobacco leaves 1
Irish potatoes 23
Commercial fertilizers and fertilizing material 13
Sugar J —(54 171
Official Fertilizer Samples. •
Acid phosphates. 139
Acid phosphate with potash 52
Ammoniated superphosphates 325
Miscellaneous ' 39
553:
*A large part of the Southern Pines work was done during the summer and fall of 1S96, but the
analyses were not completed until after January 1st, 1897.
XXxiv N - c- AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
Samples for the Public.
Health waters .' 109
Mineral waters 37
Phosphatic lime 1
Lime 1
Cotton-seed meal 3
Commercial fertilizers 10
Marl 10
Ashes 1
Deposit from pump 1
Fire clay '. 2
Brick clay 4
Boiler scale 1
Worm dust 1
Cider 1
Bran 1
Fish scrap 1
Identifications of minerals, ores, etc ,
271
Total for the year ending June 30, 1898 '.
. 995
The principle lines of work of this Division are as follows :
The Southern Pines Work.—This consists of the analysis of the
fertilizing materials used on the Experiment Farm, together with
analysis of the various products of the farm, with a view . to ascer-tain
the exact amount of fertilizers added to the different crops, the
amount removed by them and the effects of the various fertilizers.
Digestion Experiments.—This work is carried on in conjunction
with the Agricultural Division. This series of experiments was
begun some years ago by the Chemical Division, through Mr, Kil-gore,
former Assistant Chemist, and the Agriculturist, Professor
Emery.
Health Analysis of Waters.—This Division has instituted, and
is now carrying on some experiments with a view to ascertaining
some of the of the sources of error in the health analysis of water.
.Experiments with Sugar Beets.—During the spring of 1898, at
the request of the Secretary of Agriculture, communicated through
the Chemist of the Department, the Experiment Station distributed
a large quantity of sugar-beet seeds, with a view to ascertain if the
conditions in the State were favorable to the growth of the beet.
In addition to the seeds received through the Secretary, a large
quantity was received from the German Kali Works. Previous
experiments have been made by the Station along this line.
Work for the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.—
This Division has co-operated each year with the Association of
Official Agricultural Chemists, in making the analysis of some of
the samples sent out by the referees, with a view to testing meth-ods
and improvements suggested. Mr. Kilgore, previously an as-sistant
in this Division, proposed a method for the volume estima-tion
of phosphoric acid.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. XXXV
Extent of Food Adulteration.—The General Assembly of 1895
enacted a law making the adulteration or misbranding of articles
of food a misdemeanor, and prescribed a penalty for the sune, but
no one was charged with the duty of executing the law. This Di-vision
has undertaken an investigation as to the extent to which
adulteration is practiced with some of the more common articles of
food, such as sugar, coffee, tea, flour, baking-powders and vinegar.
The samples were purchased in the open market.
Analyses for the Fertilizer Control.—There is an increasing
number of brands of fertilizer registered for sale in North Carolina
each year and in consequence there is an increasing demand upon
this Division. During the past year and a half analyses were
made of 949 samples, taken under the direction of the Commis-sioner
of Agriculture by the official inspectors from lots on sale in
the State. Analyses of some of the samples were made in dupli-cate.
This Division realizes the importance of this work to the
farmers of the State and endeavors to complete the analyses with
as great rapidity, and accuracy as care will permit.
Analyses for the Public.—No appropriation is made by the State
providing for analyses by this Station of samples for the public.
The Station is very glad, however, to do this work as a matter of
courtesy, where it does not intefere with the regular work of the
Station, where it is of an agricultural character, where the Station's
directions are followed in regard to the sending the samples, and
where the Station is free to publish the results. During the past
year and a half, analyses were made of 366 samples for the public,
131 being drinking waters, with a view to ascertaining if they
were suitable for drinking purposes. The remaining samples con-sist
of fertilizer materials and other miscellaneous samples.
Very respectfully,
W. A. Withers, Chemist.
REPORT OF THE DIVISIONS OF HORTICULTURE, BOTANY
AND ENTOMOLOGY.
Prof. W. A. Withers, Acting Director.
I herewith present the report for these Divisions of the Station
for the past year and a half.
Horticulture.
The Horticultural work of the Station has mainly been carried
on at Southern Pines, in connection with the Committee in charge
of the experimental work done in connection with the State Horti-cultural
Society and the German Kali Works. The practical su-pervision
of the work for this Committee* has been placed in the
hands of Mr. Rhodes and myself, by the action of the Committee,
xxxvi N - c - AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
and the sub-position of Horticulturist to this Committee has been
assigned to me. Heretofore this work has fallen to me simply as
ex-officio to my duties as Station Horticulturist, and has been re-garded
as the Horticultural department of the Station, as experi-mental
work at Raleigh was necessarily abandoned to a great extent
by the removal of Mr. Rhodes, my personal assistant, to Southern
Pines, and his appointment as Resident Superintendent for the
Committee. With my assistant at Southern Pines, it was neces-sary
that all of the Horticultural work should be concentrated
there. Hence, for the purposes of this work, outside the work for
the Supervising Committee, it was necessary that land should be
provided for my purposes as Station Horticulturist alone. This
was accomplished by the former Director leasing another piece of
land adjoining that of the Committee, to be under the sole man-agement
of the Station Horticulturist for experimental work in
general. On this land I have begun, in connection with the
Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture at Washing-ton,
a series of experiments in the growth of forest trees from seed
collected in the various states entering into the experiment. The
object of these experiments is to determine the differences in the
same species of trees from seeds collected in different latitudes and
climates. Seeds of the same species are sent to us which are col-lected
in states from Iowa and Nebraska to Florida, a ad the same
seeds are collected here and sent to the other States engaged in the
work. The scheme has not been fully carried out by reason of the
difficulty in getting seeds of all the the trees every year in all the
States. Failure of the seed crop here resulted in no seeds being
collected in North Carolina last year. I have, however, received
seed from several states, and the plants grown a year ago from the
various seed samples have been transplanted and studied. It is
proposed to carry on this work for a number of years.
Bulb Culture.—There has been, for some years past, a growing
interest in the capacity of our soil and climate for the production
of the various bulbs used so extensively by our florists in the forc-ing
of winter flowers. Experiments which I have been conduct-ing
for several years have demonstrated that we can produce here,
to great perfection, many bulbs that are now imported from Europe.
Few people who are not familiar with the trade in these things,,
realize its magnitude, and the enormous amount of money sent
abroad annually for their purchase, most of which might be kept
at home with profit to our growers. The fine quality of the bulbs
I have shown in New York attracted the attention of the importers
and dealers in these things, and all of them declare that they had
rather come to North Carolina for their supplies than go to France,
Holland and Italy for them. Additional attention has lately been
drawn to this matter by the failure of the lily crop of a certain
kind grown in Bermuda and Japan, from a serious disease which
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT, xxxvii
renders the bulbs worthless for forcing. The Department at Wash-ington
lately sent a special agent, Mr. M. G. Kains, to confer with
me, and to visit the section of the State where other bulbs have
been grown, so that a report on the subject could be made up and
published. The point to be decided is whether we can, in this
climate, ripen the Bermuda lily early enough for the early forcing
in autumn, and whether we can succeed in growing the bulbs clear
of the disease. I have commenced to experiment with this lily
and hope to continue it, with the aid of bulbs sent by the Depart-ment,
and have some confidence in a favorable result, as the bulbs
already grown seem to be more healthy, and to ripen early enough.
With another lily, the Lilium Candidum, which is also used largely
for Easter forcing, we have demonstrated that we can produce them
much superior to those imported from France, and there has been
no difficulty in selling at a remunerative price all that we have
grown in a small way, and the demand for these is such that we
could, this season, have sold a million if we had had them, as the
dealers North are competing with each other for our L/ilium Can-didum
bulbs. The chief difficulty here in the way of the develop-ment
of the bulb industry, aside from a lack of experience and
skill, is the lack of means among the growers. Most of these bulbs
are different from the tuberose, which has been so largely grown in
the eastern section of the State, in the fact that it takes from three
to five years to get a marketable crop, and the first investment for
stock does not give any return until the product is made. Hence
inexperienced men hesitate to invest. Of course, after the business
is well under way, there would be an annual crop, but at first there
must be a considerable outlay for stock and a period of waiting for
results, with constant expenditure for labor and caring for the
product. In the culture of the tuberose, the growers plant the sets
in the spring and harvest the crop the same autumn, but this can-not
be done with lilies and hyacinths. If it can be once demon-strated
that there is a large profit in growing bulbs on a commer-cial
scale, and men who understand the work are gotten through
the State, the dealers in the Northern cities will be ready to fur-nish
the stock and wait for returns. But they need be assured
that the returns will be at hand, and hence the necessity for skilled
men. I would gladly go among the growers and instruct them in
the management of the bulbs, if means are at hand for the purpose
and the work is undertaken on a scale to warrant it. I have never
yet had means enough at my disposal or land for the purpose, to
fully test the matter on a commercial scale. It is evident that the
soil at Raleigh is better suited to these things than that at South-ern
Pines, and the work hereafter will be done here.
Melons.—I regret that the experiment with a great variety of
melons sent by the Department at Washington, proved a total fail-ure
at Southern Pines, owing to the peculiarity of the season, which
XXXVlii N- c- AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
at first was so dry that in that sandy soil many died outright and the
remainder were damaged by the heavy scalding rains that suc-ceeded
the drought after the fruit had formed. As these seeds
were collected in a new region of Central Asia, we were in hopes
of getting some of value from the lot. If seed can be had again the
experiment will be repeated at Raleigh under more favorable con-ditions.
Co-operative Work at Southern Pines.—The extensive series of
experiments inaugurated by the committee at Southern Pines have
been conducted with zeal and fidelity by my assistant, Mr. Rhodes,
who by training and experience is well fitted for the work But as
this work will be specially reported on by the Committee, there is
no need for further notice of it here.
Forcing of Vegetables.—During the two winters past we have
experimented to some extent in the culture of tomatoes, under glass,
as a winter crop. Enough has been shown by these experiments to
prove that the forcing of vegetables under glass, in heated glass
structures, can be made more profitable here than in the North, where
it is being so largely and profitably practiced. Our abounding sun-shine
even, in our coldest winter weather, gives us a great advan-tage,
and the smaller consumption of coal should give a wider margin
of profit here than in the North. 1 have in preparation a bulletin
on the use of glass in market-gardening, which I hope to have out
shortly. There has been of late a great deal of interest mani-fested
in the winter crop of lettuce grown for the Northern mar-kets
in the eastern part of the State. Most of the growers still
use for this crop frames covered with cotton cloth, which is at
best a poor substitute for glass. I have tried to convince them
that glass is far better and in the long run cheaper than cloth,
and there is a disposition to try the glass. When they once begin
to use glass and become skillful in its handling, the transition
from a cold frame covered with glass sashes to a heated green-house
is easy, and the future success of market gardening in
Eastern North Carolina depends largely on the use of glass, just
as the competition of the far South has compelled the northern
growers to make a greater use of glass, and thus to furnish bet-ter
products and sell them at better rates than the products from
the open ground in Florida. I have sold tomatoes here in direct
competition with those from Florida for double the price of the
Florida product, by reason of the superior quality of those grown
under glass.
Botanical.
During the coming summer the Herbarium of the Station will
be enriched by a collection of native plants both from the section
around Raleigh and from the mountain section of the State,
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT, xxxix
where my Assistant, Mr. C. W. Hyams, will spend his vacation
in making collections. He has been getting together a very
large collection of fungi, both edible and poisonous, which it is
proposed to exhibit permanently in preservative fluids. These
collections will be o^ great use in the identification of specimens
sent to us, and for exchange with other collections, so that from
the duplicate plants collected we can enrich the Herbarium with
the species of other states by exchange with collectors. Mr.
Hyams has air o prepared and published a bulletin containing a
list of the plants that have been collected and sold in this state
for medicinal purposes, and this has been highly commended.
We have during the year made numerous identifications of plants
and grasses from correspondents in all parts of the State, and
there seems to be a greater interest in the native grasses, many of
which can be cultivated with profi . The Velvet Bean, which
has been much talked about as a forage plant in the far South,
has been tested here, and it seems evident that it will succeed
here, and in a favorable st a^on wi 1 ripen a fair crop if planted
not later than the 1 ist of April. Whether it will compete here
with the cowpea as a forage plant seems doub'ful, as it takes too
long a season, and cannot be used as the cowpea can for sowing
after a small grain crop has b en harvested. But from the mass
of foliage it makes on poor land, it is evident that it will be of
use 'as a means of getting vegetable matter into a worn soil.
Entomological.
At the meeting of the Board of Trustees last summer, they saw
fit to assign to me the work formerly done by the Entomologist.
This work included the work of inspection of nurseries for the
Commission for Controlling Crop Pests established under the law
enacted for the suppression of the San Jose scale and other danger-ous
insect pests. I attempted to do this work in the fall of 1897,
but finding it required my being absent from Station and College
work too long, I wras obliged to give up this part of the work. As
it was, I spent over two months at it, without any extra pay, though
the Entomologist had formerly been paid a salary of $1,500 per
annum for the Entomological work alone. The great interest that
has been excited over the spread of the San Jose scale has caused
people throughout the state to look more closely ?iter their trees,
and I have had numerous letters with specimens for identification,
all of which have been answered. A scale insect more widely scat-tered
in the state than the San Jose scale, and while less rapid in
the destruction it causes, is equally certain to destroy trees, is the
Mytilaspis Pomorum—the apple tree bark louse. This insect I
found prevailing to an alarming extent in all the best apple sec-tions
of the state in the upper Piedmont and mountains beyond.
x] N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
the Blue Ridge. The hard scale which invests this insect renders
its destruction by spraying difficult, and the only time when it can
be killed by spraying to any advantage is when the young insects
are coming out in spring. This scale will cause serious losses in
Western North Carolina if not checked. The San Jose scale is al-most
entirely confined to the Eastern part of the State, and is most
prevalent about Southern Pines, Tarboro and a few other points in
smaller numbers. ' The gloomy scale was found very abundant on
soft maple trees at Durham, but it seems to have succumbed to the
fungus disease introduced from Florida, and the trees when last
seen were clear of live insects. Iyecanium Persicum was found on
one orchard of plums at Southern Pines. This is one of the soft
scales, and is more readily subdued by whale-oil soap spraying than
some of the other scales. In certain cases the spraying with pure
kerosene has been found efficient for the destruction of the San
Jose scale, but in other instances the spraying has killed the trees.
While a spraying that amounts to a mere, but complete, atomizing
may not kill the tree, it is evident that careless work and the use
of an overquantity of the oil will do serious harm, and while not
always killing, may check the growth and the perfection of the
fruit for the season. The old gardners' remedy for all scale insects
has long been the solution of whale-oil soap, and it is probable
among all the spraying materials recommended there is still none
better than this. The use of Hydrocyanic gas is too troublesome,
dangerous and expensive for general use, and is more applicable to
trees dug and housed for shipment than to those in the open ground.
It seems probable that while a strict application of the law prevent-ing
infested stock from coming into the state may keep more in-fection
out, the fruit-growers of the state have to make up their
minds to keep a constant war against all sorts of insects, and the
San Jose scale can be held in check. More is to be hoped for from
the spread of the fungus disease, which has so reduced the scale in
Florida, and which has been shown to thrive here, than from any
spraying by individuals while the neighborhood remains infected.
Perpetual vigilance is really the price of fruit in the future, and
the advent of the San Jose scale only adds another to the forms we
have to fight.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
W. F. Massey,
HortiGtilhiTist^ Botanist and Entomologist.
TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. xli
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station
in account with
The United States Appropriation.
1897. ' Dr.
To receipts from the Treasurer of the United States
as per appropriation for fiscal year ending June
30, 1897, as per Act of Congress approved March
2, 1887 $15,000 00
Cr.
June 30. By salaries $5,255 13
labor 1,411 00
publications 2,751 10
postage and stationery 759 60
freight and express 389 38
heat, light and water 374 16
chemical supplies 501 23
seeds, plants and sundry supplies 546 49
fertilizers 20 35
feeding-stuffs 826 97
library
>
• • •
• 188 33
tools, implements and machinery 203 05
furniture and fixtures 139 28
scientific apparatus 286 70
live stock 32 30
traveling expenses .... 383 83
contingent expenses 231 10
building and repairs 700 00
Total $15,000 00
1, the undersigned, duly appointed Auditor of the corporation, do hereby certify
that I ha.ve examined the books and accounts of the North Carolina Agricultural
Experiment Station for the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1897 ; that I have found the
same well kept and classified as above, and that the receipts for the year from the
Treasurer of the United States are shown to have been $15,000, and the corre-sponding
disbursements $15,000 ; for all of which proper vouchers are on file and
have been by me examined and found correct.
And I further certify that the expenditures have been solely for the purposes set
forth in the Act of Congress approved March 2, 1887.
(Signed) T. K. BrunER, Auditor*
xlii N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898,
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station
in account with
The United States Appropriation.
1898. Dr.
To receipts from the Treasurer of the United States
as per appropriation for fiscal year, ending June
30, 1898, as per Act of Congress approved March
2, 1887. $15,000 00
Cr.
June 30. By salaries $9,039 96
labor. ..;... 1,151 11
publications 1,427 61
postage and stationer}T 669 63
freight and express 161 40
heat, light and water 6 00
chemical supplies 379 86
seeds, plants and sundry supplies 93 72
fertilizers. 7 44
feeding stuffs 1,028 17
library 145 49
tools, implements and machinery 130 66
furniture and fixtures 89 92
scientific apparatus 5 63
live stock 486 45
traveling expenses 118 90
contingent expenses
building and repairs 58 05
Total • $15,000 00
I, the undersigned, duly appointed Auditor of the corporation, do hereby certify
that I have examined the books and accounts of the North Carolina Agricultural
Experiment Station for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898 ; that I have found the
same well kept and classified as above, and that the receipts for the year from the
Treasurer of the United States are shown to have been $15,000, and the correspond-ing
disbursements $15,000 ; for all of which proper vouchers are on file and have
been by me examined and found correct.
And I further certify that the expenditures have been solety for the purposes set
forth in the Act of Congress approved March 2, 1887.
(Signed) J. R. Chamberlain, Auditor.
RECENT BULLETINS.
The following are some of the recent Bulletins of the Experi-ment
Station :
No. 70
No. 71
No. 72
No. 73
No. 75
No. 77
No. 78
No. 79
No. 80
No. 8
1
No. 82
No. 83
No. 84
No. 85
No. 86
No. 87
No. 88
No. 89
No. 90
No. 91
No. 93
No. 94
No. 95
No. 96
No. 97
No. 98
No. 99
No. 100.
No. 101
No. 102,
No 103.
No. 104.
No 105'
No. 106
No. 107
No. 108
No. 109
No. no
No. in
No. 112
No. 113
No. 114
No. 115
No. 116
No. 117
No. 118
No. 119
No. 120
NO. 121
No. 122
No. 123
Weed Pests of the Farm ; Japan clover, cuts n, pp. 28.
Co-operative Field Tests During 1889 ; Hill-side Ditches, cut 1, pp. 32.
Work in Horticulture ; Pea- vine Manuring, pp. 16.
The best Agricultural Grasses ; plates 74, pp. 100.
Fertilizer Analyses; season of 1891, pp. 16.
Value of Pea-vine Manuring for Wheat, plate 1, pp. 8.
Some Injurious Insects, plates 37 pp. 32.
Facts for Farmers, in Plain Language for Farmers' Reading, pp. 24.
Silos and Ensilage, pp. 17.
Feeding Cotton-seed Hulls and Meal for the Production of Beef, pp. 28.
Fertilizer analyses and ihe Fertilizer Control for 1891, pp. 20.
Growing Celery in the South ; Cultivatioti of Onions; Notes of Horticul-tural
Work During 1891, cuts 2. pp. 20.
Some Enemies of Truck and Garden Crops, cuts 32, pp. 26.
The Late Crop ot Irish Potatoes in the South, pp. 10.
Tobacco Curing by the Leaf Cure on Wire, and the Stalk Processes, pp. 32.
All Publications of the Station, from March, 1877, to September, 1892,
pp. 20.
Fertilizer Analyses and the Fertilizer Control During 1892, pp. 24.
Co-operative Field Tests During 1891 and 1892, pp 48.
Practical Stock Feeding, pp. 32.
Some Experiments in Wheat Culture, pp. 20.
Feeding Experiments, pp. 48.
Horticultural Tests and Results with Vegetables, Fruits and Bulb Cul-ture,
pp. 20.
The Fertilizer Control During 1893, PP- 3 2 -
Miscellaneous Agricultural Topics, Cats 19, pp. 32.
Digestion Experiments, Fig. 1. pp 48.
Some Leguminous Crops and Their Economic Value, cuts 9, pp. 40.
Thread Worm of Pork (Trichina Spiralis), cuts 9, pp. 8.
Our Common Insects, cuts 65, pp. 36.
The Progress of the Dairy Industry in North Carolina, pp. 8.
Encouragement to the Dairy Industry, pp. 12.
Miscellaneous Agricultural Topics, pp. 24.
Why Pull Your Corn Fodder? pp 4.
The Chestnut and its Weevil : Nut Culture, pp. 1 2.
Rational Stock Feeding, pp. 44.
Prop gation o£ Flowering Bulbs in North Carolina, plates 24, pp. 24.
Seed Testing ; Its Uses and Methods, pp 64.
Feeding Trials With Animals, pp. 34
Marls and Phosphate* of North Carolina, pp. 50.
The Fertilizer Control During 1894, pp. 26.
Trucking in the South, pp. 70.
The Testing of Milk, cuts 4, pp. 32.
Tests of Dairy Implements and Practices, cuts 4, pp. 32.
Miscellaneous Agricultural Topics, pp. 20.
Milk Records and Tests, pp. 16.
Tuberculosis and Its Prevention, pp. 20.
Cotton Seed Hulls for Beef Production, 4 pages.
Volumetic Estimation of Phosphoric Acid, 21 pages.
Cultivation of the Peach Tree, 42 cuts, 31 pages.
Hillside Terraces or Ditches, 8 cuts, 5 pages.
Types of Tobacco and their Analyses. (Technical. ) 35 pages.
Miscellaneous Agricultural Topics, 10 pages.
xliy N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1898.
No. 125. Forage Grasses and Hay Making, 44 cuts, 49 pages,
No. 126. Why not Improve your Poultry? 5 pages.
No. 128. Pests of Grain Crops. —
No. 129. Horticultural Experiments at Southern Pines, 1895, PP- 4-6-
No. 130. Poultry Keeping for Profit, 39 cuts, 53 pages.
No. 131. Parasites of Poultry, 13 cuts, 11 pages.
No. 132. The Home Vegetable Garden and its Pests, 8 cuts, 54 pages.
No. 133. Some New Forage Fibre and Other Useful Plants, 2 pages.
No. 136. Fertilizer Analyses of the Fertilizer Control, 34 pages.
No. 137. A warning in Regard to Compost Peddlers, 8 pages.
No. 138. San Jose Scale in N. C, 1 cut, 14 pages.
No. 139. Home-mixed Fertilizers and Composts, 16 pages.
No. 140. Volumetric Estimation of Phosphoric Acid, (Technical) 8 pages.
No. 141. A New Tobacco Pest, 2 cuts, 8 pages.
No. 142. Comfortable Low Cost Barns, 12 cuts, 20 pages. .
No. 143. Feeding Experiments, Milk Records, etc., pp. 36.
No. 144. Ornithology of North Carolina, pp. 36
No. 145. Crimson Clover, pp. 20.
No. 146. Miscellaneous Farm Bulletin, pp. 16.
No. 147. A Study of Lettuces, pp. 8.
No. 148. Digestion Experiments, po. 32.
No. 149. The Apple in North Carolina, pp. 22.
No. 150. Medicinal Plants of North Carolina, pp. 84.
No. 151. The Fertilizer Control for 1897, pp. 12.
Any of the above will be sent cheerfully upon application by Postal Card to the
Ditector of the N. C. Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, N. C.
Fertilizer Analyses
of the Fertilizer Control
INCLUDING OFFICIAL ANALYSES OF SPRING AND FALL SAMPLES OF 1896
ISSUED BY THE
NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
RALEIGH, N. C.
Bulletin No- 136
January 12, 1897
462
Publications will be sent to any address in North Carolina upon application.
N. C. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS.
the idtoirtih: o^rolihst-a.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
AND
THE FERTILIZER CONTROL STATION
UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE
N. C. STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
W. F. Green, Chairman, Franklinton.
W. S. Primrose Raleigh.
D. A. Tompkins Charlotte.
H. E. Fries Salem.
N. B. Broughton Raleigh.
R. W. Wharton Washington.
J. B. Coffield Everett's
W. R. Capeheart Avoca.
J. H. Gilmer Greensbero.
J. R. McLelland... Mooresville.
Cyrus Thompson Richlands.
H. E. King Peanut.
E. A. Aiken ._ Jeptha.
J. L. Nelson. Lenoir.
Frank Wood Edenton.
STAFF OF THE EXPERIMENT STATION.
H. B. Battle, Ph. D Director and State Chemist.
F. E. Emery, M. S Agriculturist.
Gerald McCarthy, B. So Botanist and Entomologist.
W. F. Massey, C. E _ Horticulturist.
F. E. Hege Poultry Manager.
Consulting Veterinarian. *
B. W. Kilgore, M. S Assistant Chemist.
W. M. Allen ...Assistant Chemist.
H. K. Miller, M. S Assistant Chemist.
S. E. Asbury, B. S Assistant Chemist.
Alexander Rhodes Assistant Horticulturist.
A. F. Bowen Secretary.
RALEIGH, N. C
2
FERTILIZER ANALYSES OF THE FERTILIZER
CONTROL
INCLUDING
OFFICIAL ANALYSES OF SPRING AND FALL SAMPLES OF 1896.
By H. B. BATTLE, Director.
As has has been frequently stated, the work of the Station lies
under two heads
:
1. The Agricultural Experiment Station.
2. The Fertilizer Control Station.
THE FERTILIZER CONTROL STATION.
The present bulletin is issued in the interest of the latter, and pre-sents
to the people of the State the analyses of samples of fertili-zers
taken both in the spring and fall seasons of 1896. It is issued
before the opening of the spring season of 1897, in order to give the
relative standing of all brands of fertilizers sold in the State, so far
as they have been found and sampled. This bulletin is published
before the movement in fertilizers has begun for 1897, with a view
of affording to purchasers means of judging of the standing of any
given brand during the past season.
Analyses'for 1897. As is known, the samples of fertilizers are
taken by the official inspectors from fertilizers after they have been
sent into the State, and are out of the hands of the manufacturers
and in the hands of local dealers. These samples, therefore, repre-sent
exactly what the purchasers are getting. Samples are taken
throughout the season by the different inspectors in various por-tions
of the State. Analyses are made very promptly upon receipt
of samples from inspectors, and prepared for publication with the
least possible delay. As in past years, they will be printed every
two weeks during the fertilizer season of i897. These bi-weekly
bulletins are sent only to those who request them, but one applica-tion
only is required for the entire season.
The present Fertilizer Laws. The following carefully prepared
digest shows accurately, in small compass, the existing laws in regard
to fertilizers. It is intended to give information in regard to the
fertilizer trade which should be known by purchasers, dealers, and
the public generally.
4 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1897.
No manipulated guanos, superphosphates, commercial fertilizers or other fer-tilizing
material shall be sold or offered for sale unless a tonnage charge of
twenty-five cents per ton has been paid. Each barrel, package or bag shall have
attached a tag representing this fact, which tag shall be issued by the Commis-sioner
of Agriculture according to regulations prescribed by the Department of
Agriculture . The Department of Agriculture has power at all times to have
samples collected of any fertilizer or fertilizing material on sale, which must be
taken from at least ten per cent of the lot selected. These samples are taken
from the goods in the hands of dealers after they are shipped from the manu-factories,
and accordingly represent the true grade of fertilizers offered for sale.
Every package of fertilizer offered for sale must have thereon a plainly printed
label, a copy of which must be filed with the Commissioner of Agriculture,
together with a true sample of the fertilizer which it is proposed to sell, at or
before the shipment of such fertilizer into the State, and which label must be
uniformly used and not changed during the year. This label must set forth the
name, location and trade-mark of the manufacturer ; also the chemical compo-sition
of contents and real percentage of the ordinary ingredients claimed to be
present, together with date of analyzation, and that all charges have been paid.
There must be no variation in the guaranteed percentages, but the bags must
be branded with the exact chemical composition of the contents No fertilizer
can be sold with a content less than eight per cent of available phosphoric acid,
two per cent ammonia, and one per cent, of potash. Cotton-seed meal is ex-empted
from paying the tonnage charge ; also land plaster, agricultural lime,
oyster-shell lime, marl, and bulk materials for manufacturing purposes, upon
which a tonnage charge is to be paid thereafter.
It is a misdemeanor, and a fine of ten dollars for each bag, for an agent or
dealer to offer for sale any such fertilizer or fertilizing materials not properly
tagged, or a consumer to remove it, or a railroad agent to deliver it Any fer-tilizer
or fertilizing material that does not contain the ingredients as represented
by the label is liable to seizure, and, after being established on trial, its value is
recovered by the Board of Agriculture Any person who offers for sale fertili-zers
or fertilizing material without having attached thereto labels as provided
by law, is liable to a fine of ten dollars for each separate package—one-half, less
the cost, going to the party suing, and the remainder to the Department ; and
if such fertilizer is condemned, the Department makes analyses of the same and
has printed labels placed on each package, giving the true chemical ingredients
of the same, and fixes the commercial value at which it may be sold. The De-partment
of Agriculture can require agents of railroads and steamboat compa-nies
to furnish monthly statements of the quantity of fertilizers transported by
them. The Experiment Station analyzes samples of fertilizers taken by the offi-cial
inspectors, and publishes the same whenever needful.
WHEN ANALYSES OF FERTILIZERS ARE MADE FOR
FARMERS.
The Station does not analyze samples of fertilizers for manufac-turers
or dealers. It discontinued the practice some years ago, tak-ing
this action for several reasons. When the fertilizer manufac-turing
industry was in its infancy in North Carolina, the Station
aided them in every laudable way by advice as to formulas, ingre-dients
suitable for mixing, and by making analyses of materials for
them. Now the industry has so grown that sufficient knowledge
and facilities are at hand to render it unnecessary to continue the
assistance formerly so freely given. Another reason why this has
been withdrawn is that it was found that there was a tendency to
abuse the privilege, and occasionally samples were sent to the Sta-tion
and analyzed that did not truly represent the materials sold.
In this particular case, use was made of the Station's analysis in
what might have been an unlawful purpose.
THE FERTILIZER CONTROL DURING 1896. 5
Analyses are still made for farmers, to aid them in preventing
fraud in their purchases of fertilizers; and this applies also to fer-tilizing
ingredients, such as kainit, cotton seed meal, chemicals, and
the like. These analyses are made upon the following conditions:
1. That the article to be sampled has regularly paid the tonnage
charges for inspection. This charge is extremely small in itself, and
was instituted for the protection of farmers and uthers purchasing
these materials, and enables the fertilizer inspection and control to
be sustained. Millions of dollars have been saved over and over
again by reason of the operations of this control and the continual
careful oversight of the fertilizer trade. This protection cannot be
extended to fertilizers that have not the requisite tags attached to
the bags. It is unlawful for dealers to sell bags or any packages
of fertilizers not properly tagged, as well as for shipping agents to
deliver and consumers to remove them. Such being the case, the very
fact that these materials are not tagged would indicate that they
were unlawfully on the market, and farmers are advised to refuse
to deal in such materials.
2. There must be some special reason for thinking the grade below
the guarantee. This requirement is necessary, as otherwise the Sta-tion
would receive so many samples that the analyses of the official
samples might be very greatly retarded thereby if all analyses were
attempted at the time they were received. The official inspectors
are constantly travelling over the State during the fertilizer seasons
and they draw samples wherever fertilizers are found. It is prefer-able
that the samples should be drawn by them in the usual opera-tions
of the fertilizer control, for they have better facilities and are
more thoroughly acquainted with the proper manner of taking
them. On account of their official character, analyses of such sam-ples
are of far more importance in disputed cases than a sample
from a private party. The Station prefers, therefore, that samples
should always come through the official inspectors. Nevertheless,
where there is some special reason for doubting the purity of a lot
of fertilizers, it will make an analysis of a sample if all of the con-ditions
that are named have been observed.
3. The sample must be taken according to forms prescribed by
the Station, which can be obtained upon application. This is nec-essary
in order to procure as fair and average a sample as is possi-ble.
It can be easily seen that upon the sample depends entirely
the value of the analysis. If it is taken carelessly it may not repre-sent
the materials on sale, and the analysis may be entirely worth-less
on account of that fact. After the sample is received the Station
can have no means of ascertaining by an examination of it whether
it has been accurately taken or not. It must, therefore, rely for their
accuracy solely on the instructions it gives in advance for drawing
these samples. In order to be positive as to the sample none should
be sent coming from a manufacturer or dealer. It should always be
drawn under the personal supervision of the sender. The sampling
in every case must be witnessed and signed by two witnesses, stating
6 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1897.
that all the instructions have been complied with and a fair average
sample has been secured, representing in their opinion the lot in
question. If it is desired by the sender, the name of the brand and
manufacturer, with the guaranteed percentages, may be retained
until after the analysis is received by him, but in every case these
must be returned to the Station for completion of the records con-cerning
the sample. As a rule there must be at least three tons in
the lot to be sampled, though in special cases exceptions are made.
The Necessity for Accurate Sampling.
Owing to the nature of the ingredients composing a fertilizer, it
often happens that these ingredients do not remain thoroughly
mixed. This is caused by the transportation and handling of the
bag, whereby the fine and heavy particles (generally of phosphate)
separate from the lighter and more bulky portions of organic mate-rials
furnishing nitrogen (or ammonia) and potash, such as cotton-seed
meal and tobacco stems. The heavy particles, which are at the
same time finer, have the tendency to settle towards the bottom,
thereby leaving the coarse organic materials at the top. If now a
sample be taken from the top of the bag only it will show by anal-ysis
a higher percentage of the nitrogen or potash than would be
the case if the whole contents were carefully mixed before the sam-ple
was taken. The analysis will also show a lower percentage of
phosphoric acid than should be, because a portion of the fine phos-phate
has already settled towards the bottom, and is not reached in
the sampling. The official inspectors obviate this difficulty by the
use of a long, hollow steel sampling tube, which is thrust in from
side to side or end to end of the bag. It is then withdrawn, bring-ing
out a core of the contents of the bag in the same position as
occurring inside. The instructions for sampling, as given by the
Station, suggests a plan for securing an average sample without the
use of this sampling-tube.
THE NEED OF FERTILIZER ANALYSES, AND AN EXPLANA-TION
OF TERMS USED.
The analysis of a fertilizer is made to determine the quantity of
each valuable constituent present. No one, by looking at a fertili-zer,
can tell its grade, and whether the constituents claimed by the
manufacturers are really present. This must be done by a careful
chemical examination, and this can only be accomplished by com-petent
experts. Anterior to 1877, before the establishment of the
Fertilizer Control, there being no restraint upon manufacturers,
many fertilizers were of little value, and farmers were losing enor-mous
sums annually, with no opportunity of ascertaining the real
character of the goods they were buying. The result in the field
was oftentimes disastrous, and the planter lost not only the actual
amount paid for the fertilizer, but also the prospective yield in his
THE FERTILIZER CONTROL DURING 1896. 7
crop. Now this is changed. By the operations of the Fertilizer
Control there is no opportunity for the lowest grades of fertilizers
to be brought into the State, unless fraudulently. All brands pro-posed
to be put on sale have to be first registered with the actual
guaranteed percentages before they can be lawfully sold. Low
grade fertilizers are excluded by law. Samples are taken of the
goods after they are put on the market, analyzed and published
broadcast. If the grade is found to fall materially below the guar-antee,
it is subject to seizure and condemnation. Whenever the
grade is deficient, but not materially so to cause condemnation, the
analysis is printed so that the public may be warned in the future.
Terms Used in an Analysis.
All figures given in the tables, except the value per ton, are stated
in per cents or parts per 100. There are three special constituents
which, when present, give a fertilizer its value. These are phos-phoric
acid, nitrogen (or ammonia) and potash. The valuable
chemical elements in these constituents are phosphorous, nitrogen
and potassium respectively. These constituents are never present
as such, but always combined with other compounds, which combi-nation
is necessary for their existence in the fertilizer. In fact,
these terms so often seen, phosphoric acid, nitrogen (or ammonia)
and potash, refer to chemical compounds which do not exist as
such, and are only used as a convenient method of referring to the
ingredients present in a fertilizer and their amounts.
Phosphoric Acid. In what combinations these three ingredients
above stated occur, depend entirely upon the materials used. If the
phosphoric acid is derived from the phosphates of fossil origin
(South Carolina rock, etc.), as is most often the case, the phosphorus
present in them is combined with lime in the form of tri-calcium
phosphate, or three parts of lime in combination with phosphoric
acid. As this is very insoluble in the soil and is not readily taken
up by plants, it is treated with sulphuric acid to render it more sol-uble
and available. After this treatment the phosphate contains
only one part of lime and more phosphoric acid than before. It is
possible for some of the soluble phosphate so made to slowly change
back to the original form, but before reaching it an intermediate
form may result with more lime than the soluble. This intermedi-ate
form is called the reverted phosphate, and the quantity present
is estimated as so much reverted phosphoric acid. In the laboratory
estimation, the soluble phosphoric acid is all that is soluble in pure
cold water ; the reverted pbosphoric acid is that soluble in a solution
of ammonium citrate, according to a standard method of analysis,
but insoluble in water ; and, lastly, the insoluble phosphoric acid is
that which is insoluble both in water as well as in the citrate solu-tion.
The total phosphoric acid present in a fertilizer or fertilizing in-gredient
is consequently made up of three forms : (1) soluble phos-
8 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1897.
phoric acid, (2) reverted phosphoric acid, and (3) insoluble phospho-ric
acid. The last form is not considered as available to the plants
as are the other two forms. The first two forms combined are often
spoken of as available phosphoric acid, and is not a distinct form of
phosphoric acid, but is only the collective name of the reverted and
soluble forms taken together. The available phosphoric acid is con-sequently
the sum of the soluble and the reverted, or is the differ-ence
between the insoluble and the total phosphoric acid. The
available phosphoric acid is now valued at 4 cents per pound, ac-cording
to the plan explained further on. Equal values are there
given to the soluble and reverted forms. It is likely that the Sta-tion
may separate these forms in the near future and accord to the
reverted a lower valuation than to the soluble phosphoric acid. The
insoluble phosphoric acid is not valued, except in the case of pure
bone meal, when a valuation of 3 cents per pound is given to it.
This will probably be changed to embrace a range of values accord-ing
to the fineness of the meal.
Nitrogen (or Ammonia). Nitrogen should always be used to repre-sent
compounds of this character. Ammonia is somewhat mislead-ing,
for in many cases of organic materials ammonia is not present
at all, but nitrogen is present in the form of nitrogenous matters
and would be a better basis of value. Ammonia, however, has be-come
to be used so exclusively by the trade to represent these mate-rials
that the term cannot now well be dropped. Consequently
both nitrogen and ammonia are given. The former is converted to
ammonia by multiplying by 1.214. Onlv nitrogen (ammonia) from
the well recognized legitimate sources is valued. Others which are
considered as adulterations are not valued. The value given to the
former is now 12 cents per pound.
Potash. This constituent does not exist as such, but combined as
sulphate, muriate (chloride), carbonate, nitrate, or in organic combi-nation.
The potash estimated is that soluble in pure cold water
and is valued at 5 cents per pound.
Water. The quantity of moisture present is estimated as a mat-ter
of interest to give an indication of the property of the fertili-zer,
whether dry or wet. It is not used in estimating the commer-cial
value.
Guaranteed Percentages. The percentages guaranteed by the
manufacturer are given side by side with the percentages of the
various constituents as found by analysis. This facilitates compar-ison.
The commercial value as determined by these guarantees,
and the same valuation of constituents as are applied in the analysis,
are given in the tables side by side with the commercial value as
determined by the analysis.
Mechanical Condition. As a fertilizer in a fine state of subdivision
is of more value than a coarse one, because it is more available to
the plants in the soil, the mechanical condition of each fertilizer, as
it is received from the inspector, is stated. In the same way a dry
fertilizer is more easily handled and distributed than a damp or
THE FERTILIZER CONTROL DURING 1896. 9
moist one, and is consequently of greater value. The plan for
designating the mechanical condition is as follows : n—fine, d—good,
r—fair, s—coarse, b—very coarse, p—damp, y—lumpy, and w—wet.
Relative Seaboard Value per Ton of Unmixed Ingredients. For
the purpose of a better comparison among the various brands, and
to give some idea of their worth, the relative seaboard value of the
unmixed ingredients per ton are given as determined by the analy-sis.
In the next column is also given, calculated in a similar way,
the value of the guaranteed amounts of the constituents. A fuller
discussion upon these relative commercial values, how they are cal-culated,
and in what way they are useful, will be found in the two
following sections.
How the Valuations of Constituents are Determined.
The valuations of the three constituents, available phosphoric
acid, ammonia, and potash, are intended to give the market price
for cash at the seaboard of the ingredients making up a fertilizer.
The cash price for small lots in bags, free on board cars, are intended.
These valuations are made up early in January of each year, to run
through the spring and fall seasons. It is expected that there will
be variations in the market price of the ingredients during the
course of the year, but experience lias shown that this variation will
be slight. This is because fertilizing materials are largely contracted
for in advance before the opening of the year, and in many cases a
large majority of the fertilizers are already manipulated before the
beginning of the season.
The valuation of the constituents are fixed by a careful examina-tion
of existing conditions of the trade, the markets at important
centres, and from actual quotations given by seaboard manufactur-ers
and dealers upon the various ingredients used for manipulating
fertilizers. These quotations are for cash in small lots of five tons
and less, free on board and bagged.
The valuations for the year 1897 have been fixed at the following
rates
:
For available phosphoric acid 4 cents per pound.
For ammonia 12 " "
For potash __ 5 " "
The analyses hereafter given in this bulletin are calculated at the
above rate, which rate will be retained during the coming year, and
published in the bi-weekly analyses of fertilizers already mentioned.
During the past year (1896) available phosphoric acid was valued
at 4J cents per pound, ammonia at 13 cents, and potash at 5 cents.
Consequently the valuations for the present year (1897) are reduced
by \ cent per pound for available phosphori