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A55 :I92I North Carolina State Library Raleigh FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERING Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1921 Statistical Report Year Ending December 1, 1921 fa North Carolina State Library Norfh Carolina State Library, Raleigh FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT *c NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERING Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1921 Statistical Report Year Ending December 1, 1921 LETTER OF SUBMITTAL Ealeigh, 1ST, C, June 30, 1921. To His Excellency, Cameron Morrison, Governor of North Carolina. Sir :—I have the honor to submit herewith report of the operations of the iigricultural Experiment Station, conducted jointly by the Worth Carolina Department of Agriculture and the Worth Carolina State Col-lege of Agriculture and Engineering, for the year ended June 30, 1921. This work is under the immediate direction of the "Joint Committee for Agricultural Work," provided for in chapter 68 of the Public Laws of 1913, and amended by chapter 223 of the Public Laws of 1917, and the report is made in accordance with the requirements of the act of Con-gress, approved March 2, 1887, and known as the Hatch Act. Very respectfully, B. W. KlLGORE, Director. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Letter of Submittal 3 Staff of Workers 5 General Summary of the Work of the Station During the Year 7 Financial Report 15 Report of the Division of Agronomy 17 Report of the Division of Animal Industry 39 Report of the Division of Entomology 52 Report of the Division of Horticulture 60 Report of the Division of Plant Pathology and Bacteriology 67 Report of the Division of Markets and Rural Organization 69 Report on Drainage 79 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE *W. A. Graham, Chairman. F. P. Latham Belhaven *A. T. McCallum Red Springs J. J. Harris Macon *C. C. Wright Hunting Creek *R. L. Woodard Pamlico W. B. McLelland Stony Point *Clarence Poe Raleigh H. Q. Alexander Matthews R. W. Scott Haw River A. Cannon Horse Shoe BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE COLLEGE ^Governor Cameron Morrison, Chairman. M. B. Stickley Concord *T. T. Thorne Rocky Mount T. T. Ballenger Tryon *C. W. Gold.. Greensboro W. H. Williamson Raleigh T. E. Vann Como *0. L. Clark Clarkton P. S. Boyd Mooresville W. R. Bonsal Hamlet W. S. Lee Charlotte D. R. Noland Crabtree C. F. Tomlinson High Point Claude B. Williams Elizabeth City *J. F. Diggs... Rockingham Clarence Poe Raleigh E. R. Johnson Currituck *W. C. Riddick (President College), Raleigh. STAFF OF THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AND EXTENSION SERVICE ADMINISTRATION B. W. Kilgore Director of Experiment Station and Extension Service C. B. Williams Vice-Director Experiment Station F. E. Miller Assistant Director Branch Stations J. M. Gray Assistant Director Extension R. W. Green Agricultural Editor A. F. Bowen '. Bursar Miss S. D. Jones __ Bursar Miss Mary S. Birdsong v . Secretary to Director H. C. Evans Auditor and Executive Assistant AGRONOMY C. B. Williams Chief in Agronomy G. M. Garren Assistant in Plant Breeding W. F. Pate Soil Agronomist fW. E. Hearn Soil Survey S. K. Jackson Assistant in Soils |S. O. Perkins Assistant in Soil Survey H. B. Mann Assistant in Soils S. F. Dwidson Assistant in Soil Survey R. Y. Winters....Plant Breeding Agronomist W. A. Davis Assistant in Soil Survey S. W. Hill Assistant in Plant Breeding fR. E. Devereux Assistant in Soil Survey P. H. Kime Assistant in Plant Breeding W. D. Lee Assistant in Soil Survey A.R. Russell, Assistant in Field Experiments CHEMISTRY W. G. Haywood Fertilizer Chemist E. S. Dewar Assistant Chemist . F. W. Sherwood Assistant Chemist G. L. Arthur Assistant Chemist L. M. Nixon Assistant Feed Chemist B. C. Williams Assistant Chemist Z. B. Bradford Assistant Chemist ENTOMOLOGY Franklin Sherman, Jr., fC. L. Sams Bee-keeping Chief in Entomology W. B. Mabee Extension Entomologist Z. P. Metcalf Entomologist C. S. Brimley Assistant Entomologist R. W. Leiby Assistant Entomologist T. B. Mitchell Assistant Entomologist HORTICULTURE C. D. Matthews, L. H. Nelson Assistant Horticulturist Chief Division of Horticulture J. M. Dyer.... Assistant Horticulturist J. P. Pillsbury Horticulturist W. W. Magill Extension Horticulturist C. F. Williams Assistant Horticulturist ANIMAL INDUSTRY R. S. Curtis, John E. Ivey Asst. Poultry Investigations Acting Chief in Animal Industry tF. R. Farnham..Assistant in Dairy Farming Stanley Combes Dairy Experimenter t A. C. Kimrey Assistant in Dairy Farming B. F. Kaupp, fD. R. Noland Assistant in Dairy Farming Poultry Investigator and Pathologist fF. T. Peden Assistant in Beef Cattle tJ. A. Arey Dairy Farming E \rl Hostetler, tW. W. Shay Swine Extension Assistant in Beef Cattle and Swine "i"A. G. Oliver Poultry Extension fGEORGE Ev\ns...Assistant in Sheep Extension J. O. Halverson, Feed Chemist and Specialist in Nutrition 6 Officers and Staff plant pathology F. A. Wolf Plant Pathologist S. G. Lehman Assistant in Bacteriology DRAINAGE F. O. Bartel Drainage Engineer MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION B. F. Brown Chief Division of Markets GORRELL Shumaker Marketing Fruits and Vegetables Fred. R. Yoder Credit Unions tP. H. Hart Cotton Grading T. B. Parker Warehouse Organization fJ. P. Brown Warehouse Inspection and Operation J. M. Workman Warehouse Construction V. W. Lewis Livestock Marketing tFRANK Parker Agricultural Statistician Wm. H. Rhodes, Jr Assistant Statistician Wm. D. Jones, Jr Census Statistician FARM MANAGEMENT |J. M. Johnson Farm Management BRANCH STATIONS F. T. Meacham Assistant Director, Iredell Branch Station R. E. Currin, Jr Assistant Director Edgecombe Branch Station E. G. Moss Assistant Director, Granville Branch Station S. C. Clapp Assistant Director, Buncombe Branch Station A. S. Cline. Assistant Director, Black Land Branch Station Chas. Dearing Assistant Director, Coastal Plain Station FARM ENGINEERING E. R. Raney Farm Machinery Extension FARM DEMONSTRATION WORK C. R. Hudson State Agent H. H. B. Mask Assistant State Agent E. S. Millsaps District Agent, Piedmont District T. D. McLean District Agent, Central District O. F. McCrary District Agent, Northeastern District E. W. Gaither District Agent, Southeastern District HOME DEMONSTRATION WORK Mrs. Jane S. McKimmon State Home Demonstration Agent Miss Maude E. Wallace Assistant State Home Demonstration Agent Miss Martha Creighton Piedmont District Agent Mrs. Estelle T. Smith Eastern District Agent Mrs. Cornelia C. Morris Central District Agent Miss Mamie Sue Jones : Tidewater District Agent *Member of Joint Committee for Agricultural Work. fin cooperation with United States Department of Agriculture. FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION For the Year Ended June 30, 1921 B. W. Kilgore, Director F. E. Miller, Assistant Director Branch Stations R. W. Green, Agricultural Editor The experimental work of the Central station at Raleigh and the six branch station farms has been more closely correlated during the year covered by this report. Considerable progress is reported in many lines of investigation, while practical applications of the results of experi-ments have been made through the Agricultural Extension Service. Few other states have as close working arrangements between exten-sion services and experiment stations as has North Carolina, and as a consequence this State is in a good position to make results of investi-gations immediately available to the farmers through the farm demon-stration agents. During the year members of the station staff have contributed a num-ber of articles to scientific journals that reflect credit upon North Carolina, and help in the general advance of agricultural science. The work of Dr. Leiby, in connection with a study of polembryonic insects is particularly noteworthy in this connection. CHANGES IN STAFF Changes in staff since the last annual report include the following : Resignations—H. B. Krausz, farm forester; J. H. Henley, specialist in credit unions; A. C. Foster, extension plant pathologist. Appointments—W. W. Magill, extension horticulturist; Fred R. Yoder, specialist in rural credits; V. W. Lewis, specialist in livestock marketing; C. F. Williams, research assistant in horticulture. The following paragraphs, under divisional headings, summarize the progress of experimental work during the year. More complete accounts of the work will be found in the reports of the chiefs of divisions. AGRONOMY Approximately one million acres have been surveyed and mapped during the last year in the soil survey work. The counties of Onslow and Cherokee have been finished and about one-half of Cumberland has been worked. olina State Library Raleiqh 8 FORTY-FOUBTB AnM'AL REPORT N. C. AgRI. Exi>. STATION Investigations in soil fertility have been continued as in previous years and new projects begun on three different types of soil in different sections of the State to determine the soil deficiencies, plant-food con-stituents, and the most profitable kinds and amounts of fertilizers to use. Experiments at the Black Land station have shown that for the suc-cessful production of crops it is absolutely necessary that the soil be furnished lime, except on newly cultivated land, where no fertilizer is now needed. At the Mountain station results show that the use of phosphoric acid, nitrogen and lime produce better yields on both bottom and upland soils. In tests at the Coastal Plain station it has been found that the use of fairly large quantities of fertilizer pays if other factors are favorable, and that nitrogen and lime are needed for the soil. Results of rotation tests on the Edgecombe station show that the rota-tion of corn and cotton is no better than corn or cotton each grown continuously on the same land. A large percentage of nitrogen and potash is needed in the fertilizers used, and large applications of the fertilizer should be made. Lime is essential to soils at Piedmont station for growing legumes, and the use of large quantities of nitrogen and phosphoric acid on general crops has been found necessary for best results. Decaying organic matter is valuable for increasing the crop-producing power of the soil. Results of experiments on Central station have continued to bring out the importance of having more vegetable matter incorporated into the soil and making heavier applications of fertilizers on the best pay-ing crops. The importance of lime and manure on leguminous crops has also been brought out. Experiments on old and new land have been tried out at Reidsville, and it was found that fresh land is best for tobacco, while corn does much better on old land. Evidence shows that it is better to prime tobacco than to cut it. Application of phosphoric acid on fresh land is of great benefit to the growth of tobacco, and lime is also advantageous. The outstanding features of tests at Oxford show that potash is abso-lutely essential for tobacco, for without it leaf-spot disease makes the tobacco almost worthless, and that dolomitic limestone increases the yield without decreasing the quality. Another important fact brought out in tests is that by using mag-nesia the disease of "sand-drown" can be prevented. This can be done in a practical and inexpensive manner by using dolomitic limestone. In cotton spacing tests the thickest spacing has produced the highest yield of seed cotton and lint per acre. Seed-improvement work has been continued at the stations, and at the Central farm a seed house has been built for the storage and care of Director's Summary ANIMAL INDUSTRY It has been found that cattle can he wintered on orchard grass pasture at about half the cost of wintering them in barns. With horses and mules results show that the use of cotton seed meal cheapens the rations slightly, and does not effect the health of the animals. The results of the work with lambs have shown that lambs can be dropped in December and January, and put on the market during March and April and command a premium because of their earliness. In the feeding tests with poultry, experiments show that it requires 7.2 pounds of feed to produce one dozen eggs. Velvet bean meal pro-duces a deleterious effect upon the birds. Artificial illumination proved successful in egg production, the hens under lights averaging 42.2 more eggs per year than the others. Tests conducted for three consecutive years showed that a flock of hens left on range averaged 71 eggs per year, while a flock on dry lot averaged 33 eggs per year. Feed tests with hogs show that meat from hogs that have been fed on peanuts shrinks slightly less than that from hogs fed on corn and tankage. The carcass of a hog is composed of about 8 per cent bone. ENTOMOLOGY During the year 474 species of insects not heretofore known to occur in the State have been added to the list of species now on record, which makes a total of 6,221 included in the list. Experiments in the use of dry dust poisons for control of cabbage worms have proven effective when given often, and are safe with ordi-nary precaution. August is the most favorable month for cultivating infected lands to destroy cut-worm moths. Investigations and experiments with household insects, such as cock-roaches, bed-bugs, flees and weevils, have been conducted and valuable data obtained for fighting these pests. The cowpea. weevil experiments with air-slacked lime have shown that this is the most satisfactory method for controlling these pests, while experiments for controlling the tobacco flee beetle have proven that trap-bed methods are easiest and most effective. The fumigation of mills has been simplified and put on a practical basis, thus effecting a great saving for the mills of the State. HORTICULTURE In the investigational work with pecans it has been found that the Schley, Stuart and Alley varieties are best suited for Eastern North Carolina. Work of improving and standardizing individual yields by bud selection has been started since it has been found that some trees of the same variety under identical conditions are heavy yielders 10 Forty-fourth Annual Report N". C. Agri. Exp. Station while others are poor producers, and the nuts of the different trees vary in size. In top-working the pecan trees, both grafting and budding should be used to secure best results. ISTone of the varieties of strawberries tested so far have shown them-selves superior to the Klondike and Missionary as commercial varieties. Several of the varieties have been found to be valuable for home use. As a result of investigations during the year, recommendations re-garding the choice of varieties of Irish potatoes and cabbage for the western part of the State, the varieties of sweet potatoes for storage, and the most desirable methods to employ in the management of the storage house, can be given. Investigational work with peaches and apples has been continued as in previous years. PLANT PATHOLOGY AND BACTERIOLOGY The work with rust-resistant wheat has been continued and although rust infection has been unusually severe throughout the State, the resistant varieties have remained remarkably free from rust. More concentrated attention has been given to studies on the physi-ology of plant pathogenic bacteria, stressing mainly the hydrogen ion concentration, and should be completed during the coming year. Studies on Phoma blight of soybeans and treatment of seed-borne infections should also be completed during the year. MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION A number of successful cooperative marketing associations have been organized with the aid of this division this year, including the Mount Olive Truckers Association, the Scotland County Cantaloupe Associa-tion, which sold around 200,000 crates of cantaloupes, and a sweet potato marketing association in Nash and Edgecombe counties. All of these associations handled standardized products. Considerable improvement has been made in grading and packing all fruits and vegetables as a result of the work of this division, especially Irish and sweet potatoes, strawberries, and apples. A careful study was made this year of grades for cucumbers and peaches with an idea of standardizing them next season. The work of cotton classing and grading has made considerable prog-ress this year, the total number of bales classed during the year being 64,246. Active interest is indicated in warehouse construction work by the numerous inquiries that have been received from all over the State. Two new warehouses having an aggregate capacity of 10,000 bales are in course of construction in the State. Wo new credit unions were organized during the year but six are now being organized. Because of the bad crops and low prices received by farmers, the chief business of the unions this year has been borrowing Director's Summary 11 money from the banks for the members. Ten unions report that they were able to borrow money when it was impossible for the members to borrow as individual members. FARM DRAINAGE Farms in 17 counties were visited for the purpose of giving advice and assistance on tile drainage. Surveys and reports have been made for 12 farms, while stakes and grades for construction were given on 10 farms for the installation of approximately seven miles of tile. Eleven examinations of a preliminary nature on proposed drainage districts covering an area of 52,450 acres were made during the year. Increasing interest in soil erosion is shown by calls from farmers for assistance in locating terraces and giving demonstrations in terracing. More tiles were installed and a larger number of drainage districts, cov-ering a larger acreage, were examined than last year. BRANCH EXPERIMENT STATIONS The location of the six branch experiment stations or field laboratories gives the subject-matter divisions opportunities to study agricultural problems of local importance. Each station represents one of the well-defined agricultural sections of the State in regard to soil type, climate and cultural practices. The stations serve as a base of agricultural information for their respective sections. With this arrangement, the Agronomy Division, for example, has an opportunity to investigate first hand the fertilizer requirements for the different farm crops on the principal soil types of the State; also to determine varieties, crop rotations and cultural methods best suited to the several localities. Likewise each group of workers, under the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, has a chance to carry on their projects under conditions which are representative of the chief farming sections. The information gained in this way serves as a guide in advising farm practices over the State. While the branch stations should lead their respective sections in agriculture, it is not their purpose to show neighbors how to run a farm, but rather to determine facts which are applicable to better farming. Black Land Station—Wenona This station is located in Washington County, at Wenona, on the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The soil is typical of that large area of peat soils which extends from Virginia down well into eastern North Carolina. This section is developing and shows great promise. The station of two hundred acres was established in 1913, and since that time a great deal of the work has been done along the lines of development, and much information has been obtained regarding meth-ods of clearing the cut-over land and drainage. At present 120 acres of the station lands are tile-drained and under cultivation. 12 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exr. Station The principal experiments now under way are lime and fertilizer tests, cultural practices, corn selection and improvement and trial tests with pasture mixtures, soybeans, cowpeas and truck crops. At present corn is the only crop tried that succeeded well the first year after the land was cleared. Lime is decidedly the first constituent needed by the soil after drainage for good crop results, and finely ground lime-stone is better than marl or hydrated lime. Coastal Plain Station — Willard This station is located in Pender County, one and one-half miles north of Willard on the Wilmington branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Rail-road. The farm was established in 1905, and at that time contained 2 J 8 acres. In the spring of 1921 31 acres, bordering the property on the south, were purchased, which provides space for enlarging the experi-mental planting. The purpose of the station is to study the agricultural problems of the coastal plain region, and to encourage diversification of farm crops. The farm has many visitors seeking information on various farm sub-jects, and particularly that of diversification since the boll weevil has appeared in some localities. Results of the grape investigations show that the Muscadine is one of the safest fruit crops for the coastal plain region, and with this in view a four-acre planting of the Thomas, James and Scuppernong varieties, was made last spring to study first hand the value of this crop from the commercial standpoint, also to supply fruit for enlarging the grape utilization work. The production of pedigreed seed has received special attention with the view of furnishing the farmers of this section with good seed of the proper varieties at a reasonable cost. Cleveland Big Boll cotton, Mam-moth Yellow and Virginia soybeans, and Pee Dee No. 5 field corn were grown for seed distribution purposes this past year. The outstanding experiments under way at this station are Muscadine grape investigations and utilization ; dairy feeding tests and Jersey herd development work; poultry feeding tests; horticultural experiments, in-cluding tests with Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes ; dewberries, straw-berries, and observation garden planting ; pecan, apple and peach variety studies; agronomy fertilization and rotation tests; and cotton anthrac-nose studies. The progress and scope of the experimental work is covered in the reports of the subject-matter divisions. Edgecombe Station—Kingsboro Edgecombe County is one of our leading cotton and livestock counties, and the soil of this county is the very best for general agriculture. The experiment station is located two miles from Kingsboro on the old high- Director's Summary 13 way between Rocky Mount and Tarboro. The farm of 202 acres was established in 1902, and the soil is representative of the best land in the section. The outstanding work on this station is the extensive agronomy fer-tilizer and rotation experiments, the seed selection and improvement of varieties, the seven-acre variety pecan orchard and the swine feeding experiments. A great deal of information has been obtained relative to these subjects, which is being generally used in this section. The general crop land is used for growing feed for the livestock work and producing improved seed. The improvement and introduction of the Mexican Big Boll cotton in this section has given splendid results. Many of the leading farmers in Edgecombe County, and that vicinity, are now growing this variety with good results. Several of the large growers pooled their last year's crop and received a premium for their staple. Mountain Station—Swannanoa The mountain section of this State is especially adapted to fruit, truck crops, dairying, poultry and pasture crops, and the experiment station is conducted in view of assisting in the development of these industries. The experimental farm is located two miles northeast of Swannanoa, on the hard-surface road between Asheville and Black Mountain. The station was established in 1908 and consists of 305 acres. The soil is typical of the mountain region and responds readily to good handling. At present the experimental work consists largely of agronomy fer-tilizer and rotation tests ; seed improvement and selection ; variety studies of soybeans, Irish potatoes and cabbage; truck crop production, and variety and pruning investigations with apples and home plantings of small fruits. Much valuable information has been secured along these lines, which is followed generally by the mountain farmers. This section is especially suited to the poultry industry, in view of the ready market for all poultry products, and plans are under considera-tion for establishing an experimental poultry plant on the station dur-ing the coming year. The work of getting ready for the dairy project is already under way. Piedmont Experiment Station—Statesville The popularity of this station was emphasized by the attendance at the main farmers' picnic held last August, which numbered around 7,000 people. Several smaller meetings were held during the year, with good attendance, for the purpose of studying the work of the farm. The station is located one mile west of Statesville on the highway. The soil is typical of the Piedmont section, and is well suited to general farming. This experimental farm of 208 acres, was established in 1903 and has shown steady growth since that time. 14 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station The object of the station is to study agricultural problems of the Pied-mont section, and to gather knowledge relative to better farming for that section. The major experiments of the station are a series of fer-tilizer and rotation tests with corn, cotton, oats, rye and wheat; seed improvement and selection work, principally with cotton, corn and wheat; variety studies with apples, peaches, pears, pecans, cherries and plums ; feeding experiments with swine and sheep, and winter feeding of beef cattle. A series of pastures are planned that will provide grazing for hogs and sheep practically the year round, besides growing in rota-tion with pasture crops sufficient silage corn for feeding tests with beef cattle during the winter. King cotton has proven to be well adapted to this section, and has been highly improved by selection. As a result, the station is growing this improved strain and distributing the seed to the farmers at a rea-sonable cost. Tobacco Station—Oxford This station is located in Granville County, one mile from the town of Oxford, and is well within the old tobacco belt. The station farm of 250 acres was established in 1913, and the work here has been carried on in cooperation writh the Office of Tobacco Investigation, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. The agricultural re-gions served by this station take in all the tobacco growling areas in North Carolina, although conditions at the station farm are more typical of the old tobacco belt. The experimental work here is largely confined to tobacco and crops that work in rotation with tobacco. The outstanding tobacco experi-ments under way are fertilizer tests, variety tests, rotation systems for tobacco, tobacco after cowpeas, permanent tobacco seed beds, potash and lime experiments, and plant nutrition investigations, with continuous cropping, legume effects, and general crop effects. The station has many visitors seeking information on tobacco culture. This past summer representatives of the various fertilizer manufac-turers met at the station to study the results of the fertilizer and rota-tion experiments. This information has a great deal of influence on the kind and quantity of fertilizer used by the tobacco growers, particu-larly in the old belt. The results of one experiment alone this year will mean a great sav-ing to the tobacco growers. It was found that magnesium in the form of dolomitic limestone applied at the rate of 1,000 pounds per acre would prevent "sand-drown," a common tobacco disease. It was fur-ther shown that this disease can also be checked in the early stages by a side application of magnesium. The progress and details of all experiments on the branch stations will be noted in the succeeding reports from the divisions. Financial Keport 15 PUBLICATIONS One bulletin, No. 242, "The Green June Beetle or Fig-Eater," and supplement, have been issued this year with a total edition of 3,500 copies. About 1,950 of these were mailed. An annual report of 1,000 copies was issued and distributed. Circular letters and post-cards have been multigraphed or mimeo-graphed for the various divisions throughout the year totaling 31,642. Arrangement have been made whereby all letterheads are printed in this office on the multigraph and distributed to the divisions on request at a saving of approximately 60 per cent of the former costs. The reports of the heads of divisions and the financial statement follow. FINANCIAL REPORT The North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, In Account With the United States Appropriation, 1920-1921. Dr. Hatch Fund Adams Fund To receipts from the Treasurer of the United States, as per appropriations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1921, under acts of Congress approved March 2, 1887 (Hatch Fund), and March 16, 1906 (Adams Fund) $15,000.00 $15,000.00 Cr. Salaries $11,863.84 $13,949.17 Labor 3,136.16 828.77 Postage and stationery 81.75 Heat, light, water and power 105.00 Traveling expenses 35.31 Total $15,000.00 $15,000.00 The North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, In Account With Farm and Miscellaneous Receipts. Dr. Receipts from other sources than the United States for the year ending June 30, 1921 $ 3,532.46 Borrowed from bank 3,750.00 Total $ 7,282.46 16 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT Cr. Labor $ 720.48 Publications 6.00 Postage and stationery 330.72 Freight and express 156.63 Heat, light, water and power 412.65 Chemical and laboratory supplies 268.03 Seeds, plants, and sundry supplies 462.81 Fertilizers . 574.42 Feeding stuffs 946.41 Library 62.62 Tools, machinery and appliances 297.11 Furniture and fixtures 88.50 Scientific apparatus and specimens 70.00 Traveling expenses 176.05 Contingent expenses ... 351.48 Buildings and land 1,438.06 Balance 920.49 Total $ 7,282.46 We, the undersigned, duly appointed auditors of the corporation, do hereby certify that we have examined the books and accounts of the North Carolina Experiment Station for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1921; that we have found the same well kept and classified as above, and that the receipts for the year from the Treasury of the United States are shown to have been $30,000, and the corresponding disbursements $30,000, for all of which proper vouchers are on file, and have been by us examined and found correct, thus leaving nothing. And we further certify that the expenditures have been solely for the purposes set forth in the acts of Congress, approved March 2, 1887, and March 16, 1906. (Signed) C. F. Tomlinson, T. T. Baelenger, J. F. Diggs, Auditors. (Seal) Attest : A. F. Bowen, Custodian. North Carolina State Library Raleigh REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF AGRONOMY To the Director: It is felt that, notwithstanding many disturbing factors, the agronomy experimental field work, in the main, has gone forward without any material interruption, except certain soil investiga-tions carried on by our former soil chemist. With assurance from the Director, it is felt that financial conditions will be such during the com-ing spring so as to employ a soil chemist in the division to continue the soil investigations needed to be taken up in connection with our field work. The work at present is conducted along the lines indicated below : SOIL SURVEY During the year the soil survey work which is being carried on in the State jointly by the Division of Agronomy and the Federal Bureau of Soils has gone forward as rapidly as is consistent with the best interest of the work. Since the last report, Onslow and Cherokee counties have been finished and about half of Cumberland County has been worked. Approximately 1,000,000 acres have been surveyed and mapped during the past year. As every one must realize who is at all familiar with agricultural work, the soil survey properly conducted is fundamental to the most intelligent planning and conducting of work in^soil fertility, crop adaptation, crop rotation and fertilization of crops. It has been observed particularly during the past few years, the grow-ing demand for the soil survey reports issued for the different counties. Not only are many farmers interested in these, but teachers and rural school teachers, settlers, lumbermen, highway engineers and others. For the past six months our field force has been temporarily reduced materially. MAINTAINING THE PRODUCTIVENESS OF OUR SOILS Any system of farming that leaves the land poorer year after year, even if for the time being fair profits are being secured by the practice, is going to result disastrously in the long run on the prosperity of the people of the State. This being true, every precaution practicable should be exercised to protect and safeguard the fertility of our soils, because upon their continued productiveness will, to a large extent, be based our advancement. It is much easier to maintain our soils than it will be to restore their productivity after they have once been exhausted. Earlier generations with their crude methods of tillage and lack of information with refer-ence to the fundamental principles of soil fertility were able to abandon exhausted fields and emigrate to virgin regions to the west of us. With the increase of population this is not now possible to any great extent, and as the years go by and the density of population still 2 is Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station further increases, it will be less so. It is, therefore, encumbent upon us as a farming people in North Carolina to try to build up and maintain our soils in a highly productive state. For unless this is done, farming as a business cannot be expected to be remunerative enough to attract our young people. To a large extent, the productivity of the soil will have to be main-tained and built up by fairly simple means. The growth of leguminous crops, such as cowpeas, soybeans, and clovers is to play a very important part in this operation. On the average farm in North Carolina, as a matter of fact, this is the most economical and practical means to begin with after the land has been cleared and drained, where needed. It is not possible, as a general proposition, to increase the fertility of all the land on the average general farm, where feeds are not bought, by the use of livestock. Legumes when inoculated and properly cultivated are able to take a large amount of nitrogen from the illimitable supply of the air, and when these crops are turned into the soil they will carry this essential constituent of plant-food to the soil for succeeding crops. Of course, it is fallacious to conclude that because one is growing leguminous crops on his land, and is removing them year after year, that he is practicing a system that is going to build up the yielding power of his land. Such has never been done and cannot be done, because of the fact that there is a continual drain from the land of the available plant-food constituents, except possibly in the case of nitro-gen, which may probably be ordinarily maintained at about the same amount. If one is to use legumes in a Avay, and it may be said in the only way, to increase the organic matter and nitrogen supply of his soil, a portion at least of the crops will have to find their way back into the soil. On very poor soils, deficient in organic matter, it will be necessary for best results, on an average, that most of the leguminous crops grown be plowed in for a time. Every progressive farmer, no doubt, in his experience has frequently observed that marked yields of crops have followed after the plowing in of a good growth of some leguminous crop, like cowpeas or soybeans, provided the turning under is done in such a way and at such a time as to permit of a thorough rotting of the material before the following crop is planted. It could hardly be too strongly emphasized for the present year that larger acreages than heretofore should be devoted to the growing of such summer-growing legumes as cowpeas and soybeans. Two of the main crying needs of most of our soils in this State is for nitrogen and organic matter, and in order to supply these needs these crops must be grown more largely for soil-improving purposes only. Where they are cut and fed only about one in two and one-half tons of the organic mat-ter contained in the crop will, under average conditions, find its way back to the soil in the manure, and ordinarily, not more than 50 to 60 per cent of the plant-food they contain will ever get back in the fields. Ageonomy 19 The mistake should not be made, however, in assuming for the average soil that one can depend solely upon the use of legumes for soil-building purposes. Phosphoric acid, generally, is a deficient constituent in North Carolina soils, and will have to be used where needed at the right time and in the right way in connection with the leguminous crops plowed in, but if most of the nitrogen needed by the non-leguminous crops, like cotton, corn and small grains, is supplied by a previous leguminous crop turned under, then the cost for the right kind of fer-tilizers will be much less per acre than it is at the present time, and thereby materially reducing the cost of producing the crop. In order to grow legumes and other crops in rotation with them satisfactorily, it will be necessary to use lime in a rational way on most of our soils. When North Carolina farmers fully appreciate the importance of legumes, they will grow them in much greater amounts, and when used rationally their annual yields and profits should be materially increased. SOIL FERTILITY INVESTIGATIONS IN OPERATION During the year, soil fertility field investigations have been con-ducted mainly at the following places : Buncombe Farm, Swannanoa ; Iredell Farm, Statesville; Edgecombe Farm, Rocky Mount; Washing-ton Farm, Wenona ; Pender Farm, Willard ; Granville Farm, Oxford. For the study of the plant-food requirements of the leading types of soil in different parts of the State, the following tests have been con-tinued during the year on the soils and at the places indicated : For Mountain Section Porter's Loam at Swannanoa, Toxaway Loam at Swannanoa. For Piedmont Section Wilkes Sandy Loam at McLeansville, Davidson Clay Loam at Lin-wood, Mecklenburg Clay Loam at Concord, Cecil Clay Loam at States-ville, Durham Sandy Loam at Oxford. For Coastal Plain Section Norfolk Fine Sandy Loam at Rocky Mount, Portsmouth Fine Sandy Loam at Pamlico, Muck at Moyock, Norfolk Fine Sandy Loam at Willard. New Soil Fertility Investigations During the year the following work has been started, in each case in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Plant Industry, to determine the soil deficiencies; best proportion of plant-food constituents; best carriers of and amounts of potash and nitrogen; and the most profitable amounts of fertilizers to use per acre for different crops : On Ruston 20 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station Sandy Loam on the farm of S. J. Currie, near Fayetteville ; on George-ville Sandy Loam on the farm of R. F. Lynch, near Ashboro; on Portsmouth Sandy Loam on the Bradham farm, near Newton. MISCELLANEOUS EXPERIMENTS In Wilkes County.—Experiments have been started to study the effects of applications of sulphur, gypsum and lime on alfalfa grown on a Cecil Clay soil. In Anson County.—Experiments have been put out on one of the slatey soils of this county to determine if the growth and turning under of cowpeas wTith and without lime will improve or hurt the soil. It is claimed by some of the best farmers of that section that the turning under of a crop of cowpeas will materially reduce a crop of cotton following. In Washington County.—At the Wenona Farm, experiments were started this year to determine the value of different methods of pre-paring and cultivating the soil for corn, soybeans, cowpeas, sorghum, oats, sudan grass and rye. Also experiments have been started at this place to determine the grasses and grass mixtures best suited to the black-land soils of the eastern portion of the State. In Wake and Edgecombe Counties.—Tests to determine the effects applications of lime, sulphur and gypsum will have upon the quality of peanuts. In Martin County.—Experiments on rather large areas were started this year on the farm of B. B. Everett, at Palmyra, to determine the value of the use of gypsum on peanuts used in different quantities and applied at different dates. SOME RESULTS OF FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS AT DIFFERENT FARMS At Washington Farm.—Results have been secured on the peaty soils of this farm showing quite conclusively, after good drainage has been established, that lime in some form is absolutely necessary for the suc-cessful production of crops. Three forms of lime have been studied. Both burnt lime and ground limestone have continued to give better results than marl. Applied at the rate of one ton per acre, burnt lime has shown up best. This is partially explained by the finer condition and hence quicker action of burnt lime. So far, neither nitrogen, phosphoric acid, nor potash has given much benefit on these soils with corn. Stable manure seems to increase the growth of crab-grass, which chokes out the native grasses to a great extent. Deep plowing and planting on a ridge has given strong indications that the practice of merely disking and planting and cultivating on the level should be changed. Ridging appears to be necessary for these Agronomy 21 soils for them to give their best returns in their present stage of de-composition. Due to insect ravages and crop diseases, it seems imperative that a suitable crop rotation be worked out for these black-land soils to aid in the elimination of some of the losses from these causes. At Pender Farm.—Drainage is a big problem at this farm due to large annual rainfalls with heavy rains at intervals. For the successful growing of crops the addition of both nitrogen and phosphoric acid have been found to be essential. Potash, too, has shown to advantage. In the crop rotations practiced, lime has given large returns, and in order to grow leguminous crops to supply both nitrogen and organic matter to the soil, lime is a big factor. Acid phosphate appears to be a more efficient carrier of phosphoric acid than either basic slag or soft phosphate on the soils of this farm. At Edgecombe Farm.—The main fertilizer tests at this farm consist of fields A, B and C, on which is used a three-year rotation of corn, cotton and peanuts with cover crops every year. In these tests and on this type of soil, nitrogen and phosphoric acid and potash all should ordinarily be supplied for best paying crop yields. On field A, an application of nitrogen and potash has paid better on an average than a complete fertilizer. With larger amounts of nitro-gen and potash, phosphoric acid begins to show up. The results show as a whole that the formulas used by farmers are frequently not the best for most economical gains. More nitrogen and potash should be used, with the phosphoric acid remaining about the same. In the rotation tests on this farm, the results show that corn every year and cotton every year is better than a rotation of corn and cotton, where fertilizer is used in all cases and no leguminous cover crop is grown. When legumes are used in the rotation and another crop of oats added, better yields of all crops are secured. The use of rock phosphate has not given as good results in the main fertilizer tests as has the use of acid phosphate. In the study of different carriers of nitrogen, nitrate of soda still leads with ammonium sulphate coming second in efficiency, when measured by crop yields. All the carriers of organic nitrogen show from their lesser yields that suitable inorganic forms give greater efficiency. A test to determine the effect of winter-killing on crimson clover, using seed from foreign and native sources, did not show any decided differ-ence in the yields from seed from different sources. Iredell Farm.—On the type of soils of this farm the evidence is still conclusive that phosphoric acid and nitrogen are the controlling plant-food constituents for better crop yields. Lime is now giving good re-sults and the yield of crops indicates that if more organic materials 22 Forty-fourth Annual Report X. C. Agri. Exp. Station were incorporated in the soils, which could be secured from the use of legumes and lime, the capacity of the soil to make larger crops would be increased by the increased efficiency of fertilizers added. In rotation tests, the results show that corn every year and wheat every year with fertilizer is just as good as a two-year rotation of corn and wheat with fertilizers; and that when legumes are added in the rotation, such as red clover, cowpeas or soybeans, much better crop yields are secured. In the study of different forms of nitrogen carriers, nitrate of soda and ammonium sulphate have given greater efficiency uniformly from the beginning. No noticeable residual effect is manifested in plats re-ceiving organic carriers of nitrogen over those on which the inorganic carriers were^ used. In the regular fertilizer experiments, rock phosphate has not shown as great efficiency as has the use of acid phosphate. In a test where rock phosphate was used in amounts varying from 500 to 4,000 pounds, a complete fertilizer has shown up better in all cases with corn and wheat, except in the case where 4,000 pounds of rock phosphate were used. This latter plat seemed a litle more fertile from the beginning and has kept up so. In the spring of 1919 a test was started at this farm to determine the value of soft phosphate against acid phosphate. Up to this time, acid phosphate has given greater yields of both cotton and corn. Buncombe Farm.—In the regular fertilizer experiments at the Bun-combe Farm, phosphoric acid, nitrogen and lime seem to be the con-trolling factors for better yields on both bottom and upland soils. Acid phosphate, with stable manure and with legumes, continues to show up as a more efficient source of phosphoric acid than does finely ground phosphate rock. The use of lime is continuing to show up on the soils of this farm to good advantage, especially when legumes enter into the rotations. In 1918 an experiment was begun to compare the availability of acid phosphate, soft phosphate and basic slag, with limestone and complete fertilizer. The results so far are not conclusive. Central Farm.—The results of the experiments here have continued to bring out the importance of having more vegetable matter incorporated into the soil so that crops will be enabled to take best advantage of the applications of plant-food. Nitrogen and phosphoric acid are the main limiting plant-food constituents, while potash is of little importance for increased production until after nitrogen and phosphoric acid have been applied in goodly amounts. An experiment has been conducted to determine the value of phospho-germ as a fertilizer. The results have shown that this ma-terial has but little value as a fertilizing material on the soils of this farm during the first year or so. Where we have had a good crop of Agronomy 23 soybeans, after harvesting the seed, plowed into the soil, it was quite noticeable this past dry season the land remained in better tilth and worked better all the year. With fields. A and B at this farm, which had been grown continu-ously in cotton and corn for a number of years, the yields continued to decline from all the different fertilizer treatments used up to 1918, when manure was added uniformly over all the plats at the rate of seven tons per acre. The west half of all plats was then limed at the rate of one ton of ground limestone per acre, except those plats in the regu-lar fertilizer series which had previously received lime, which, by the extra application, now receive an application of two tons of lime-stone on the west end every three years. Two crops of soybeans have now been grown and turned in on all the plats. The yields have been increased of both soybeans and money crops on both ends of the plats, and remarkably so on the limed end, over what was secured from them before the lime and manure were added. The results from these experi-ments have brought out the almost impossibility of building up some of our very poor Piedmont soils by sole dependence upon the growth of leguminous crops until after the soil has been enlivened by at least a small application of stable manure. In the Piedmont region of the State many of these soils are so dead, apparently, that legumes fail to grow satisfactorily on them, even under the most favorable weather conditions, until after the soil is helped in the way indicated above. The use of fertilizers alone cannot be depended upon to build up their productivity when such crops as corn and cotton are solely grown on them. SOME PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS FROM SOIL FERTILITY WORK At Buncombe Farm.—(1) The proper use of lime on both upland and bottom-land soils pays well. (2) The use of rotations including red clover and other suitable legumes are wise for best results. (3) The use of larger quantities of fertilizers, including a larger percentage of phosphates than is commonly used by farmers is usually profitable. At Washington Farm.—(1) Fertilizers are not now needed nor are they profitable with ordinary crops on newiy cultivated land. (2) Lime is very necessary for the growth of crops to advantage. It should be finely ground and be applied every other year at the rate of about two tons per acre until the excessive acidity of these two soils is destroyed. At Pender Farm.—(1) The use of nitrogen in available forms is a big factor in the most economic growth of crops. (2) The use of fairly large quantities of fertilizer will pay, if other factors are favorable for crop production. (3) Lime is necessary for growing soil-improving crops and the building up of these soils. At Edgecombe Farm.—(1) The use of larger applications of fer-tilizers, including a larger percentage of nitrogen and potash in the 24 Forty-fourth Annual Report ~N. C. Agri. Exp. Station mixtures than is commonly used. (2) Nitrogen in some soluble form is one of the first limiting factors in crop growth. (3) A rotation of corn and cotton has been found to be no better than corn or cotton grown each continuously on the same land. (4) Sludge has been found to be a poor carrier of nitrogen for crops. (5) Acid phosphate has been found to be more efficient than other carriers of phosphoric acid thus far tried out. At Iredell Farm.—(1) The use of larger quantities of nitrogen and phosphoric acid on general crops has been found to be necessary for best results. (2) Lime became essential if legumes are to be grown successfully. (3) Rotations that include soil-improving crops have shown the value of decaying organic matter on crop-producing power* of the soil. (4) When rock phosphate is used, larger applications at lone; interval? is recommended. At Central Farm.—(1) The value of incorporating decaying organic matter in these soils is of prime importance. (2) The great value of the use of lime on legumes has been demonstrated. (3) Heavier appli-cations of fertilizing materials for the best paying crops is advisable. (4) Lespedeza has been found not to be a suitable hay crop in this section of the State. (5) Phospho-germ has shown up of little value on these soils as a fertilizing material compared with the ordinary fer-tilizing materials. (6) Crimson clover, without lime, has been found to be a failure on these soils. (7) A proper system of crop rotation including legumes will pay. TOBACCO EXPERIMENTS Quite extensive work with tobacco is being conducted at Reidsville and at Oxford in cooperation with the Office of Tobacco Investigations of the United States Department of Agriculture. Below is given a brief resume of this work : At Reidsville.—During the year there has been sustained a small re-duction in the experimental work with tobacco being carried on at this farm, mainly due to the fact that the superintendent had to take on outside additional work temporarily in connection with the standardiza-tion of tobacco grades. The reduction consisted of omission of the test of the relative value of harvesting by priming, as compared with harvesting by taking off the entire plant at one time by cutting off the stalks. Sufficient evidence seems, however, to have been accumulated both here and at Oxford, at least for the present, to establish the su-periority of priming over cutting. Even in the old belt, 'farmers now quite generally have taken up priming and are in a position to judge for themselves as to the merits of the two methods. The study of general fertilizer tests, too, has been discontinued and a bulletin is now in process of preparation embodying the results of these tests covering a period of ten years. Agronomy 25 Both of these changes, however, have been brought about in accord-ance with an already approved plan for changing the work gradually in the general nutrition scheme involving crop effects on the soil as well as mere fertilizer effects. An important feature of this work here, and which is not duplicated elsewhere so far as we are aware, is the conducting of these nutrition experiments on freshly cleared hardwood land in duplicate with the same experiments on old land of similar character. The primary observation of this work is the striking superiority of tobacco on the fresh as compared with the old land, while the exact reverse of this is true in respect to corn, corn being much better on the old land. The second noteworthy observation of the results of this experiment during the past year is the decided benefit that comes from an applica-tion of phosphoric acid on the fresh land, with corn showing the deficiency even more than the tobacco. It was also observed that lime gave a better growth of both tobacco and corn on the fresh land as well as on the old land, although this benefit was not quite as decided as in 1920, the difference perhaps being chiefly due to the unusually dry season; lack of moisture apparently being the chief factor limiting the plant growth this past year. A further observation, not entirely expected, was the clearly dis-cernible characteristic potash deficiency on the plats receiving no potash, even on the fresh land. As has been noted in previous years where experiments of this kind were conducted on old land the small grain (wheat, oats and rye) were considerably better on the fresh land where they succeeded tobacco than where they followed corn. Addi-tional evidence of the depleting effects of corn, as compared with to-bacco, was shown on Field 5 (old land) continuing the plats from the third successive year continuously in tobacco, continuously in corn, and in tobacco in rotation with corn. Nothing was more outstanding in the experiment here than the marked superiority of the growth of tobacco on the plats for the third successive year in tobacco as compared with the tobacco grown on the plats where corn intervened in 1920. Another observation on this particular set of plats was the relative deterioration of the lime plats. In 1919 and 1920, lime in addition to a complete fertilizer gave a very noticeable improvement in the yield. This year the effect of lime in improving the yield was not so noticeable. Dry weather or some other factor may have had a marked influence. But the presumption seems reasonable that lime gave a better yield at first because it hastened the decay and nitrification of the soil's accumu-lated store of organic material. But in this particular system of con-tinuous planting to an intercultivated crop without provision for re-storing the consumed organic matter, the soil even in this short time under the accelerating influence of the lime has apparently become rela-tively poorer than the unlimed plats. 26 Forty-fourth Annual Report ~N. C. A(;ri. Exp. Station In addition to these tests distinctively referred to as nutrition experi-ments, the plan is to take up from time to time specially planned experi-ments on special problems important to tobacco culture. One of the most important of these special problems at the present time is in regard to the form of potash to use both as affecting the yield and quality of tobacco, and also their influence on certain diseases to which tobacco is subject, especially "sand-drown," ordinary leaf-spot, and wild-fire. Sufficient experimental evidence has been obtained in the last few years to entirely reopen this question as to the form of potash preferable to use for the tobacco crop. Due to the unusually dry sea-son, the potash experiments did not yield as remarkable results as last year. "Sand-drown" was scarcely in evidence at all in this section (the first time in several years), so the experiment showed almost noth-ing in regard to them, but there was, nevertheless, a very noticeable superiority of growth where the muriate of potash, kainit and manure salts were applied over the use of sulphate of potash. Magnesia, which was expected to exert an important influence in preventing "sand-drown" did not, of course, give any convincing results this year, since practically no "sand-drown" occurred on any of the fields. At Opoford.—In the regular fertilizer tests there are 36 plats of % ~acre each, used in testing out the various sources of nitrogen, phos-phoric acid and potash, and combinations of these various sources, both as to quality and amounts. One-half of these plats are limed at the rate of one ton per acre, broadcast of dolomitic limestone. The out-standing features of these tests are that potash is absolutely essential for tobacco, for without it the common disease of leaf-spot is so bad that the tobacco is practically worthless. Secondly, dolomitic limestone in-creased the yield on practically all the plats without decreasing quality. Another series of 10 plats known as special potash plats are also being run. Under these plats the same amounts of nitrogen and phos-phoric acid are used on all plats with varying amounts of potash from 12, 24, 36 and 80 pounds of actual potash (K2 0) per acre; also two check plats are being run with no potash used. Both muriate and sul-phate of potash are being used in the comparisons. The outstanding result of these experiments at the present time is that muriate of potash gives a larger yield of tobacco which for the past four years has been selling for as much per pound as the tobacco grown from the sulphate of potash. However, there is yet some question about the use of muriate too largely, as it does injure the burning quality. One-half of these plats were limed. In Variety Tests.—A large number of so-called varieties have been tested out in an effort to classify these types. So far, we have tried out about one hundred different varieties, some of which are distinct types or varieties, while a large number of the so-called varieties are of the same general type only under a different name, possibly named for the man who grew this tobacco successfully and sold it for a high price. Agronomy 27 We have made a few crosses and have some hybrids which show some promise. However, this takes time. In the tests of rotation systems for tobacco several rotations have been practiced, • viz. : a two-, a three-, and a fonr-year rotation. The three-year rotation, as follows, may prove to be most generally popu-lar, viz. : First year.—Tobacco, followed by oats, or wheat, or oats and vetch for hay. Second year.—Oats or wheat, followed by cowpeas or soybeans for hay, or plowed under; then seeded to Abruzzi rye for seed. Third year.—Rye harvested for seed. Cut the rye as high as possible to leave as much stubble on the land as can be done; then let lay fallow all summer and plow deep for tobacco in the fall. A four-year rotation can be used with corn and grasses in the plans with good results. Where tobacco land is limited, a two-year rotation consisting of tobacco and some small grain can be used. A test of tobacco after cowpeas is being run. This is a two-year rotation with tobacco first year, followed by fall-sown oats, cut for hay or seed; then the land is seeded to cowpeas or soybeans, broadcast and plowed under, after which the land is seeded to rye as a cover crop. The object of this experiment is to see if the nitrogen secured by the cowpeas and turned back into the soil would grow tobacco with enough quality to justify the attempt. During the first four years the tobacco on this plat was topped low and harvested by cutting, and the quality was very poor. Notwithstanding that, no nitrogen from commercial fertilizer was used, and the phosphoric acid and potash were increased, running as high on some of the plats as 1,200 pounds of 16 per cent acid phosphate and 200 pounds of 50 per cent sulphate of potash per acre. When the tobacco was topped high and planted 24 inches in the drill in four-foot rows and harvested by priming the leaves off as they matured, tobacco of average good quality was secured with a yield rang-ing from 800 to 1,100 pounds per acre. In permanent tobacco seed-bed tests the object is to maintain a perma-nent tobacco seed bed, located conveniently near the house of the farmer, if possible, and keep it free from disease by sterilizing each year with live steam. This has been found to be entirely practical as well as economical. If the farmer has a portable steam boiler which he can use for steaming the bed, the plants grow faster, are more uniform in size and are healthier. The cost, when coal is used, is about half what it would be if burned by open fires with wood. However, a very large number of farmers do not burn their beds at all, but get up new beds each year. This is all right as long as suitable land is available, and they can be located so they will be free from any fungus diseases which are so common in tobacco beds. The potash and lime experiments consist of 18 plats, six major plats, fertilized with the same amount of nitrogen and phosphoric acid from 28 Forty-fouktii Annial Report N. C. A<;ki. Exp. Station the same sources, but under each of these plats, different kinds of potash are used, viz. : German sulphate, Nebraska sulphate, German muriate, Trona muriate, manure salts and kainit. These plats were divided into sections A, B and C. Under A, ground limestone derived from prac-tically pure calvite was used. Under B, no limestone was used. Under C, dolomitic limestone was applied. The limestone was applied in the drill at the rate of 1,000 pounds per acre. The object of this experiment was to control a disease which is commonly known as "sand-drown." After working with this disease for three or four years, we were led to believe magnesia would prevent it ; therefore, we found in field tests that this was absolutely true, and this can be done in a practical and inexpensive manner by using dolomitic limestone which contains from 20 to 35 per cent of magnesium carbonate. The results of this experi-ment are undoubtedly of the most far-reaching importance of anything accomplished on the tobacco stations for the past few years, and we believe will mean millions of dollars to the tobacco farmers of this State alone. Practically all of the larger fertilizer companies ' sent representatives to Oxford last summer to observe the results, and a number of them are now making plans to use magnesia in some form in their tobacco fertilizers next year. The plant nutrition investigations are planned to study crops and legume effects. The part dealing with crop effects consists of two fields of 45 plats each, a total of 90 plats, on which is planted the first year tobacco, cotton and corn, using the same fertilizer for each crop. The second year wheat, oats and rye are sown on these plats. The plats are so arranged that wheat follows cotton, corn and tobacco; also the same is true of oats and rye as with wheat. During the rotation, each of the major crops—cotton, corn and tobacco—follow each of the small grain plats. By this means accurate data can be obtained as to the crop effect of each of these six crops. Some good results are being secured. The part of the experiment dealing with legume effects consists of two fields of 63 plats each, giving a total of 126 plats of ^ -acre each. The object of this experiment is to find out by actual field tests the relative value of the various annual legumes, such as crimson clover, hairy vetch, cowpeas and soybeans, as compared with grass and fallow plats. These plats are planted to tobacco, cotton and corn without any commercial nitrogen being added in the fertilizers, but phosphoric acid and potash are used. The same amount is used under all plats except the check, to which a complete fertilizer is added. After the cotton, corn and tobacco are harvested, wheat, oats and rye are planted in a similar manner as under the crop effect section. By this means we have cotton, corn and tobacco following the legume crops and the grass crop ; thereby enabling us to study the relative values of the legumes on all the main crops, also the crop effect and residual effect on the small grain crops. This is an extremely interesting experiment and one, we believe, that will be of considerable value to agriculture. Agkonomy 29 A continuous cropping experiment is being run. In this experiment one field of 15 plats is used, on which tobacco, cotton and corn are cropped each year. One series of plats tobacco follows tobacco each year; cotton follows cotton; and corn follows corn; and then a rotation of tobacco follows cotton and corn, and vice versa for each of the crops. This is used as a check against both sections of the main plant nutrition experiments. We have already found that it is dangerous to have tobacco follow tobacco, especially in territory where "tobacco wilt" might be expected—as on the plats where tobacco has been cropped con-tinuously for five or six years 50 to 60 per cent of it was affected with the wilt. In adjoining plats, where a two-year rotation is being fol-lowed with only a space of a few feet apart, there was no wilt. Be-sides the danger of plant diseases, the soil fertility is being diminished. PROFITABLENESS OF FERTILIZING CORN GROWN ON UPLAND AND BOTTOM LAND IN MOUNTAINS For many years the Division of Agronomy has conducted fertilizer experiments on both upland and mountain soils. As a result of these experiments it has been found that the fertilization of corn will pay a profit if the proper kinds and amounts are used. In fact, without the proper use of commercial fertilizers or farm manures, the growth of this crop will seldom be profitable with most poor mountain soils under normal market conditions. What this amount and proportion should be is given in the resume below : Toxaway Loam (Bottom soil).—(1) With only two fertilizer con-stituents used phosphoric acid combined with potash gave the greatest increase in bushels of corn and also the greatest net returns. When nitrogen and potash were used only a small gain was made and just 43 cents over what the fertilizer cost, while nitrogen and phosphoric acid gave an increase of 17.6 bushels of corn over the untreated plats showing a profit of $17.34. With the use of a complete fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash) an increase of 28.3 bushels was secured, making a gain of $29.76. This is $4.78 less than what was obtained with a mixture of phosphoric acid and potash. Taking into considera-tion both increase in yield obtained and the value of the increase, it is very evident that phosphoric acid is the dominant or controlling con-stituent of plant food for increasing the yields and profits in corn growing on this type of soil. (2) Lime, when used alone, has given fairly large increases each year on the untreated plats with a corresponding net return, and in conjunc-tion with a complete fertilizer larger yields and returns have been secured than on any other plats except those on which the fertilizer ap-plication was increased from 400 pounds per acre to 600 and 800 pounds per acre, respectively. 30 FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT N. C. AgRI. Exp. STATION Under the conditions of the experiment, the results show that for corn grown on this type of soil, lime may be used at a profit alone and with a much greater profit when applied in conjunction with a complete fertilizer. (3) The amount of nitrogen used in the. normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre applied in these experiments was 3 per cent or 12 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to give 6 and 24 pounds of nitrogen per acre. The yield and value of both corn and stover was decreased as the size of the application of nitrogen was increased. In fact, the use of nitrogen in any amount did not give as great an increase over the no-treatment plat as did the combination of phosphoric acid and potash. The net returns were, too, not as large from the former. Until other crop-producing factors are controlled the use of nitrogen is not profitable for growing corn on this type of soil. (4) The amount of phosphoric acid in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was 7 per cent, which is equivalent to 28 pounds per acre. This quantity was varied to include 14 and 56 pounds of phosphoric acid per acre with normal amounts of nitrogen and potash. The yield of both grain and straw increased over the unfertilized plats as the amount of phosphoric acid was increased. The net returns secured per acre were $15.26 when 14 pounds of phosphoric acid were used; $29.26 with the use of 28 pounds; and $33.57 when 56 pounds of phosphoric acid were used. Under the conditions of the experiment it is evident that when normal quantities of nitrogen and potash are applied, 56 pounds of phosphoric acid is the most profitable amount to use. (5) The amount of potash in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was 1% per cent, which is equivalent to 6 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to include 3 and 12 pounds of potash per acre with normal amounts of nitrogen and phosphoric acid. The results show that 6 pounds of potash is sufficient for corn on this, type of soil when nitrogen and potash in normal amounts are used with it. (6) Varying the amounts of the normal fertilizer applications (400 pounds per acre) from 200 to 600 and 800 pounds per acre gave pro-gressively increased yields and profits as the quantity of fertilizer was increased. The results of the applications after deducting the cost of the fertilizer show the following net profits : 200 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of $21.01 400 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of 29.76 600 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of 42.31 800 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of 45.69 Putting this in a slightly different way, the first 200 pounds of fer-tilizer yielded a net profit of $10.51 for each 100 pounds of fertilizer used; the application of 400 pounds of fertilizer yielded $7.44 per 100 pounds; while 600 pounds made $7.05 profit per 100 pounds, and 800 pounds yielded $5.71 profit per 100 pounds of fertilizer used. Agronomy 31 (7) From the chemical analyses of the various bottom-land soils in the western part of the State the indications are that these results will apply generally to these soils. (8) In the production of corn on average bottom-land soils of the character of this, taking all the results secured as a whole, it is recom-mended that on well prepared seed beds that at least 600 pounds of fer-tilizer per acre be used, analyzing 10 per cent phosphoric acid, l 1/-* to 2 per cent nitrogen, and 1 per cent potash. It should be the plan of every farmer to reduce the necessity for the use of nitrogen in the fertilizers purchased. This can be done to some extent at least by the growing and plowing in of leguminous crops and crop residues grown in rotation with corn. Porter s Loam (Upland soil).—(1) Nitrogen, when used alone in normal amounts (12 pounds per. acre), did not produce enough in-crease over the unfertilized plat to pay for the fertilizer applied. (2) With the use of a normal amount of phosphoric acid (28 pounds per acre) alone, an increase in yield of corn was secured of 14.5 bushels, having a net value of $15.82. This yield and profit is greater by far than when either nitrogen or potash were used alone. It is evident from these results that phosphoric acid is the limiting plant-food factor to be first applied for the production of corn on this type of soil. (3) With a normal amount of potash (6 pounds^per acre) a net profit of $7.36 was secured. (4) With the use of a mixture carrying normal amounts of nitrogen and phosphoric acid, and no potash, after paying for the fertilizer, a net profit was obtained of $16.13 per acre. The increase in yield of corn from this treatment was 15.6 bushels, and is larger than any from any other combination consisting of two constituents of plant food, and also from the normal (]STPK) application. (7) Using all three plant-food constituents combined in a complete acid used in the mixture, the increase in yield is barely larger than with the use of potash alone. (6) By the use of a combination of phosphoric acid and potash, leav-ing out nitrogen, the average yields and profits were not as great as with phosphoric acid alone. (7) Using all three plant-food constituents combined in a complete fertilizer, an increase in yield was secured sufficient to give a net profit of $12.25 per acre. This is not as large as when phosphoric acid was used alone or with the combinations of nitrogen and phosphoric acid. (8) The results show that the use of lime alone has given increased yields and profits ; and in combination with a complete fertilizer, larger yields and net profits have been secured than with a complete fertilizer without lime. (9) From a study of all the results secured, it is evident, first, that phosphoric acid is the controlling plant-food constituent for increasing yields and profits in growing corn ; second, that unless more phosphoric 32 Forty-fotjbth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station acid is applied the use of nitrogen and potash will be made at a loss; and, third, that lime can be used with profit with the rotation used in this experiment and with a complete fertilizer. (10) The amount of nitrogen in the normal fertilizer mixture (400 pounds per acre) was 3 per cent, or 12 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to give 6, 24 and 36 pounds to the acre with the normal amounts of phosphoric acid and potash. The value of the increase with 6 pounds of nitrogen was $14.15. This is $1.95 more than that from the use of 12 pounds of nitrogen; and lacks only 63 cents of being as much as that from 24 pounds of nitrogen; and 60 cents of being as much as from 36 pounds of nitrogen. Although the increase in yield of corn is some greater from the use of the heavier applications of nitrogen it is not enough to much more than pay for the increase in the cost of the heavier applications. From the results, it is probable that 6 pounds of nitrogen is enough to use on this type of soil, until after other limiting factors of crop production are met. (11) The amount of phosphoric acid in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was 7 per cent, which is equivalent to 28 pounds per acre. This quantity was varied to include 14, 56 and 84 pounds of phosphoric acid per acre with normal quantities of nitrogen and potash. The largest increase in yield was secured from an application of 84 pounds of phosphoric acid, but the largest net returns were secured from the use of 56 pounds of phosphoric acid. The results have shown that phosphoric acid alone gave a greater increase in yield and net profits than from any of the above treatments. This indicates that either 28 pounds of phosphoric acid is enough to use for corn growing, or there are some other factors not satisfied when the phosphoric acid applica-tion is increased. (12) The amount of potash in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was l 1 /^ per cent, or 6 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to. include 3, 12, and 18 pounds of potash per acre. With the exception of 12 pounds of potash, which gave one bushel more increase than did 3 pounds of potash, the plat which received normal amounts of nitrogen and phosphoric acid and % normal, or 3 pounds of potash, gave the highest average increase and the largest net returns. From a study of the chemical analysis of this type of soil and these results, it is probable that 3 pounds of potash are enough to use in the produc-tion of corn until other factors are changed. (13) Varying the amounts of the normal fertilizer application (400 pounds per acre) from 200 to 600, 800 and 1,000 pounds per acre gave increased yields for each of the applications, except where 400 pounds were used to the acre. The most profitable application was at the rate of 800 pounds per acre of the normal mixture. After deducting the Ageonomy 33 cost of fertilizer the different quantities of fertilizer per acre showed the following profits : 200 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of $ 6.49 400 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 6.18 600 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 8.56 800 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 16.17 1,000 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 15.53 Putting this in a slightly different way, the use of 200 pounds of fer-tilizer yielded a net profit of $3.25 for each 100 pounds of fertilizer used; an application of 400 pounds of fertilizer made a profit of $1.55 per 100 pounds; while 600 pounds made $1.43 profit per 100 pounds; 800 pounds of fertilizer yielded $2.02 per 100 pounds, and 1,000 pounds yielded $1.55 profit per 100 pounds of fertilizer used. (14) from the chemical analysis of the various upland soils in the western part of the State, the indications are that the. results herein reported will apply very well to most of them. (15) In the production of corn on average upland soils of the charac-ter of this, taking all the results herein reported as a whole, it is recom-mended for well prepared seed beds that something like 400 to 600 pounds of a fertilizer mixture analyzing 10 per cent phosphoric acid, 2 per cent nitrogen and 1 per cent potash, be applied. When soils of this character are built up the nitrogen in the mixture may be reduced or be entirely eliminated. This condition of the soil should be strived for by the growth and plowing into the soil of leguminous crops and crop residues. EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION UPON OPENING OF COTTON Since the coming of the cotton boll weevil early fruiting and opening of cotton became of great importance. It is of interest in this connec-tion to know that at the Iredell Farm during the past season those plats which received heavy applications of lime and high percentages of acid phosphate in a complete fertilizer, applied at planting time on a clover sod, were the ones on which the cotton shed its fruit least and opened its cotton early. COMING OF THE COTTON BOLL WEEVIL In all probability, cotton growing will always occupy an important position in our agriculture in this State, provided our people adjust their methods of growing this crop to reduce the damage from this pest to the minimum. Below are given some of the precautions that will have to be observed in most effectively meeting this pest of the cotton grower. They are as follows : 1. Be calm under the attack and do not become stampeded. Meet his attack with courage and without being frightened if you wish to win out. 2. The most effective means of combating the boll weevil is by the use of generally good methods of farming. 3 34 Forty-fourth Annual Report 1ST. C. Agri. Exp. Station 3. Plant cotton only on uplands. One will run a big risk to plant bottom-lands or lands near wooded areas. 4. Use at least 600 pounds of fertilizer to the acre, containing a larger pro-portion of phosphoric acid than is ordinarily used, avoiding the use of fertilizers too rich in nitrogen, especially on soils rich in this con-stituent. Apply all the fertilizer before planting the cotton and keep the plants growing vigorously from the start without promoting too rank a growth of plants. 5. Early breaking of the land for cotton in the fall or winter with a two-horse plow, and planting as early in the spring as the ground is warm enough to germinate the seed. Cultivate well and frequently after the crop is up to keep them growing vigorously from the start. 6. Keep fields free from rubbish, grass, weeds and bushes. This means smaller acreage to cotton than has generally been cultivated in the past on the farms of the State. 7. With early spring infestation, pick and destroy all squares that have been punctured. These will usually be at the end of rows near woods, hedgerows, stumps, or fodder stacks. In planting use plenty of well-matured seed. 8. Secure and maintain a moderately thick stand of the plants in the rows not exceeding 8 to 12 inches between plants. This will tend to cause the plants to make smaller growth and to make the cotton mature quicker. Give the cotton plenty of space between the rows (about 4 feet), so that the sunshine can get in to dry up the infested bolls and open the early sound ones. 9. Grow plenty of food and feed crops to meet the needs of the farm to make it as self-sustaining as possible. 10. Avoid excessive rank growth of cotton, as this gives a place for the weevil to hide from the heat and get plenty of food for their growth and multiplication. 11. Use for planting purposes, early fruiting and early opening varieties of cotton, like Cleveland Big Boll, Mexican Big Boll, Express and Edge-combe- Cook. 12. Field select seed of cotton each year from plants that set and open the largest amount of bolls under boll weevil conditions. 13. Grow more summer and winter-growing legumes like soybeans, clovers, and vetches, and use part of them, as far as is practicable to do so, to improve the producing power of the soil, as this is one of the most effective means found of making cotton with or without the boll weevil. 14. After the cotton is gathered, by immediately destroying the cotton stalks, and weeds, chopping up the stalks and other material, and plowing them in five or six inches deep in the fall before frost, and putting the land into suitable cover crops. This will destroy the winter homes and food plants of the weevil and other injurious insects. 15. Plant cotton only on well drained and fairly fertile soils, remembering that those things should be avoided that will tend to promote too rank and late growth of cotton stalks. If the land is too wet at certain times of the year, be sure to plant on ridges. This will tend to make them grow off earlier and mature quicker. Agronomy 35 16. Reduce the acreage of cotton to the plow so as to be able to prepare the land early and thoroughly. Get the crop planted early and cultivate thoroughly at frequent intervals. 17. As far as possible locate the cotton fields in the open, far away from the woods or other places where the weevil may be harboring during the winter. 18. Establish on every farm a good crop rotation best suited to the particular conditions on and needs of the farm in which suitable leguminous crops grown with the main money crop are utilized after growth in such a way as far as practicable to do so, so that they will aid in building up the producing power of the soil. This cannot ordinarily be done unless it is planned in advance that a certain portion of the legumes shall go back into the soil for soil-improving purposes. RESULTS OF WORK IN PLANT BREEDING At Central Farm.—The field work of the cotton studies under Adams' Project No. 14 has been discontinued and the time previously given to project work has been used in preparing the results of the past eight years for publication, and in a laboratory study of fibers from the dif-ferent strains. In the study of fibers, width of fiber, tensile strength and number of twists per inch, have been given special attention. The different strains isolated from King cotton have shown considerable variation in width of fiber and number of twists per inch. In correla-tion tables, where width of fiber and tensile strength are compared, there is a positive correlation between broad fiber and high tensile strength. In the comparison of width of fiber and twist, the largest number of twists per inch are associated with the narrowest fibers. The study of cotton fibers from different varieties and from the same variety grown in different parts of the State, was suggested by requests from cotton manufacturers and cotton brokers, that wxe recommend a certain variety of cotton because of its excellent body and spinning qualities. The variety in question was not a high yielder, so micro-scopic examinations were made to determine the qualities of its fibers which might account for its good body and spinning qualities. When compared with fibers from King, Cleveland and Cook, the variety recom-mended by the mills had greater breadth of fiber and fewer number of twists per inch. It also had greater strength than the above varieties. When compared with our selected strain of Mexican Big Boll, however, the wddth of fiber was the same and the breaking strength of Mexican was greater. These studies are being continued to determine further microscopic qualities that may be associated with body and good spin-ning qualities. The cotton "Place Effect" study under Adams' Project No. 15 in co-operation wTith the Mississippi Experiment Station was continued but no comparison w^as made this season on account of the failure to save seed last year. The strain was grown in Mississippi and in North Carolina this year so that seed will be available for the comparison next year. 36 Fobty-foi 'rtii Annual Repoet N. C. Agri. Exp. Station SPACING AND SEEDING TESTS The cotton spacing tests have been continued on the Central and Edgecombe farms. In these tests, one plat has been left unthinned and four others were thinned to 8, 12, 18 and 24 inches between plants in the row. Tn both of the tests thus far the thickest spacing has produced the highest yield of seed cotton and lint per acre. At the Iredell Farm further studies have been made of the different rates and dates of seeding wheat and oats. The seedings of October 15 have continued to give best results in this locality. The results of this and the past five years indicate a period between October 10 and 25 to be the best time for seeding small grain in this locality. The date of seedings have been made every fifteen days, beginning with September 1 and extending through to and including December 15. The seedings made September 1 and 15 have been severely damaged by rust and have been less resistant to cold than the October 15 seedings. During the past three years the seedings made December 15 have withstood the cold, but have yielded four bushels per acre less than the seedings of October 15. The seedings were made at the rate of 30, 60, 90 and 120 pounds per acre. When seeded October 15, a 60-pound seeding gave the best results for oats and the 90-pound seeding for wheat. As the time of seeding was delayed, the heavier seedings gave slightly heavier yields. This was particularity true during severe winters. SEED IMPROVEMENT WORK WITH DIFFERENT CROPS Corn.—Seed patches from select corn are being grown at the Central, Buncombe, Iredell, Granville, Edgecombe and Washington farms. Each of these farms are stocked with the best strain of corn for their re-spective sections of the State in which they are located. These corns have yielded from 5 to 7.5 bushels more than the unselected strains gen-erally grown in the State. Cotton.—High yielding strains of cotton are being selected on the Edgecombe, Pender and Iredell farms. The Mexican Big Boll strain, Wo. 18, at the Edgecombe Earm, and No. 6 at the Central Earm, have given good results in all sections of the State. These strains furnish l%e_ inch staple and are by far the best cottons of their class grown in the State. They have only been exceeded in yield of lint by Cleveland Big Boll, a shorter staple cotton. The Pender Farm has been stocked with a good strain of Cleveland Big Boll. The early strain of King 29 is being selected each year for the upper Piedmont section. Soybeans.—The soybean selection work is conducted at the Central Farm. This has consisted of pure line selection from the Mammoth Yellow, Haberlandt and Virginia varieties. The Mammoth Yellow beans have been selected for high yield of seed and increased oil content and the others for greater yields of seed. Mammoth Yellow strain, No. 101, has averaged 4.1 bushels per acre more than the general crop seed Agronomy 37 of this variety. Strain No. 38 from Haberlandt has averaged 6.3 bush-els more than the general crop seed of this variety. Selection No. 12 from the Virginia variety has averaged 2.1 bushels per acre more than the original variety. The soybean work at the Buncombe Farm has attracted particular attention from farmers. At this farm the Haber-landt has stood out as of superior value for both soil improvement and for feed. Through the work of the Extension Service these strains have been distributed and are this year being grown by private growers. Wheat.—The strain of Leap's Prolific (Nos. 12 and 32) have been further increased. In the variety tests this season, these two strains were outyielded by Purple Straw, an early strain of wheat which is being selected at the Granville Farm. The past season was very favor-able to rust infection and the late varieties were more severely damaged by rust. One hundred and fifty bushels of strain No. 12 have been sold this year to growers who are prepared to grow it for seed purposes. Reports from seed sold last season have been very favorable to this strain in spite of the poor season. Strain No. 32, grown at the Iredell Farm, could not be offered for sale on account of the mixture with oats. The best seed have been returned for planting. Rye.—Strain No. 4 of Abruzzi rye, selected at the Central Farm, has been further increased and was again compared with the best available commercial seed. In the comparison on the Station Farm, our strain No. 4 yielded 5.8 bushels per acre more than the best commercial strain in the test. It yielded 9.4 bushels per acre more than Rosin rye. From the increase plats of this strain 65 bushels have been sold to growers who stated they were prepared to grow it for seed purposes. The Abruzzi rye is earlier in the spring and more upright in habit of growth than the common rye, which fits in better for grazing purposes than the common rye. Seed House.—The recently constructed seed house at the Central Farm is very well adapted for the care and storage of seed. The build-ing is 20 x 20 feet with a ten-foot pitch and is constructed from a double, fabricated steel garage. Solid ends were used instead of the large double doors and regular windows, and service doors were placed at convenient points on the sides. The building has a cement floor and cement walls extending two feet above the floor. A close joint is made between the steel sides and the cement to prevent the entrance of mice or insects. Ventilation is supplied by 3-inch terra cotta pipes in the floor, a small window on each side, and a regulated ventilator at the top. During the past summer the small grain stored in it has been successfully protected from insects by the use of heat. One heating during the summer proved sufficient protection against the angoumois moth and grain weevil (Colondra granoria) which were present in considerable number just before the treatment. Rust Resistance in Wheat.—In cooperation with the Division of Plant Pathology, wheat plantings have been made to study the relative yield 38 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station and rust resistance of the western wheats in comparison with our local varieties. These comparisons have been made on the Central Farm dur-ing the past two years. The western wheats have included Kanred, Beard-less, Winter Fife, Malskotf, Michigan Amber, Barletta and a few special selections denoted by number. The local strains with which they were compared are Leap's Prolific, Purple Straw, Stoner, Fulcaster, Fultz, and Alabama Blue Stem and Pool. While Kanred, the leading one of the western wheats, has shown considerably more resistance to rust, it has not yielded so well as the best of our local varieties. Among the local varieties, the earlier strains of Purple Straw have yielded best under heavy rust infection. It was thought that possibly the transfer of seed from Kansas would influence the standing of Kanred, so the past season's comparisons were made with seed grown here the previous year. Home-grown seed of the Kanred made a relatively better stand-ing, but even under these conditions its yield was almost doubled by the early strain of Purple Straw. PUBLICATIONS The following publications have been prepared and published during the year, embodying the results and observations of field work by the Division of Agronomy : Bulletins— I—Fertilizers for Crops Commonly Grown in North Carolina. II—Results of Phospho-Germ Experiments Conducted During 1919-1920 (State Department Bulletin, May, 1921). Results of Fertilizer Experiments with Corn at the Buncombe Farm, for 1911-1917 (In press). In closing I wish to commend individually the workers of the Division. They have each rendered conscientious and faithful service to the station and to the State. Respectfully submitted, C. B. Williams, Chief, Division of Agronomy. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY To the Director:—It is not the intention in the following report to set forth in every detail the work performed by the various workers of the Animal Industry Division, but rather to indicate clearly and con-cisely a statement of the various phases of work now under way or completed during the last fiscal year. Some few problems of lesser importance have been dropped due to the stringency of funds. "Wherever possible, however, all problems of a short-time nature were concluded. This was done in an effort to help out in the readjustment taking place. The chief efforts of the Division from this standpoint were to continue all experimental prob-lems of a distinctly research nature and all extension problems which could not be dropped or curtailed without seriously interfering with the work. If it is your desire to have further details concerning any of the experimental or extension problems, such will be gladly furnished upon request. The following is a summarized report of the Experiment Station offices in the Animal Industry Division : OFFICE OF BEEF CATTLE AND SHEEP R. S. Curtis, In Charge Assisted by F. T. Peden and George Evans 1. Cotton Seed Meal Studies. The rapidly increasing use of cotton seed meal in Southern livestock work is making necessary the accumulation of much additional knowl-edge concerning the use of cotton seed meal as a feed for farm animals. This work is being conducted with about 25 cows and heifers and 15 calves. The chief discovery during the past year is that females fed on a heavy ration of cotton seed meal usually abort, and where young calves from other cows are fed on the milk from such animals the transmission of the toxicity through this source of feed is clearly evident after a few weeks. This is noted in the emaciated condition of the calves and their generally unthrifty condition, whereas similar calves fed on normal milk grow off without interruption. This work is cooperative between the Dairy Experimental Office and the Office of Beef Cattle and Sheep. Such a noted scientist as Dr. E. V. McCollum of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., after going over this work here last August, pronounces it an important and well con-ducted line of work of very wide interest, not only from the animal standpoint, but from the standpoint of the consumption of milk by humans. 2. Milk Sickness or Trembles. This problem has passed the stage of an animal industry feeding prob-lem, it having been well established in the laboratory and in the field of this State that white snake root is the cause of the existing trouble which occurs chiefly in the mountains. 40 Forty-fourth Annfal Report N". C. Agri. Exp. Station The results of this work have recently been confirmed by Dr. Walter G. Sackett of the University of Chicago, his work substantiating our statements of the presence of a toxic principle in white snake root. This problem thus passes to the stage of isolating the toxic substance. A complete report of the work performed at this station is reported in Technical Bulletin No. 15. 3. Bone and Muscle Building Requirements in Southern Cattle. This study was inaugurated during the last year with a herd of purebred Hereford cattle, donated by J. E. Latham of Greensboro, N. C. The purpose of this work is to study the bone and muscle building requirements of cattle. Kinds of feed and character of soils on which grown enter into this study to determine whether feed or soil deficien-cies of the South are different from other sections of the country. In addition to the customary means of measuring growth by weight an absolute system of measurements are being used to determine not only the size of the bone, but the various measurements of various parts of the body. 4. Cost of Producing Feeder Cattle. This work is being conducted on the farm of T. L. Gwyn, in Haywood County, with F. T. Peden, an employee of the Division, in charge of the details of the work. The problems involved are as follows: (a) Original cost of calves. (b) Cost of wintering as calves, yearlings and two-year-olds. (c) Cost of pasture during same period. (d) Cost of wintering on various feeds. (e) Cost of wintering on winter pasture. The winter pasture phase of this work is one of the interesting points brought out, that is, that cattle can be wintered on orchard grass grazed from the pasture at about one-half the cost when similar cattle are win-tered in barns. The results of the first three years work on this farm were covered in bulletins published simultaneously by the United States Department at Washington, D. C, with whom we were cooperating, and the North Carolina Experiment Station. The results of the second three years work have been published in United States Department Bulletin No. 954, and the edition from this State is just now ready to come from the press. We are just now enter-ing into the third three years work. The results of these experiments have been widely applied throughout Western North Carolina. 5. The Effect of Cotton Seed Meal on the Health and Reproduction of Breeding Sheep. This experiment has been completed with the conclusion that cotton seed meal is a safe feed for breeding ewes when fed at the rate of not over one pound of cotton seed meal per 100 pounds live weight. The use of this feed is growing greatly in favor, especially when the product is fed in the form of crushed cake, either in conjunction with corn silage or pasture. Results are being compiled for publication. Animal Industry 41 6. Cost of Producing Early Lambs for Market. This work is being conducted at the Statesville Test Farm with 35 breeding ewes. The results of this work have shown clearly that lambs can be dropped in December and January, and put on the market during March and April, commanding at this time a premium because of their early availability. The lambs from this farm last year were sold at 17% cents per pound gross weight, while lambs of similar breeding dropped on the Central Test Farm, at Raleigh, about one month earlier, were sold at 20 cents per pound live weight. ANIMAL NUTRITION AVORK J. 0. Halverson, In Charge 1. Studies on Soft Pork. Experiments in cooperation with Mr. Earl Hostetler, in charge of swine investigations, are being conducted to determine the efficiency of peanuts and peanut by-products on the carcass of hogs. This work will be continued on a much larger scale when pens for individual feeding are constructed, as the problem has reached the stage where individual feeding has become a necessity. Data has been worked up in a "Critical Review of the Present Status of Soft Pork Investigations." This is ready for publication in the near future. 2. Mineral Supplements, Chiefly Calciums for Southern Conditions. Data has been accumulated to show indirectly the pronounced influ-ence of calcium in the ration and its relation to the extent and economy of gain in animals. This work will be continued, as it is an unusually important problem. 3. Nutritive Value of the Peanut. This study, supplementary to that of "Soft Pork," has been actively prosecuted with young growing albino rats. Preliminary experiments have shown the necessity of repeating pre-viously published work, using longer feeding periods in order to ascer-tain the effect on growth, reproduction and lactation, as well as the effect of the ration on rearing the young from such mothers from wean-ing age to maturity. A chemical analysis indicates that the peanut is of high feeding value, especially in protein and oil. Experiments show, however, that there are definite deficiencies. When this work is concluded supplements to the peanut with sub-stances directly related to farm animals, such as peanut and soybean hay and alfalfa meal, will be given to determine the adequacy and amount necessary. One such preliminary experiment with alfalfa meal has been conducted. 4. The Toxicity of White Snake Root. The general conclusions on the poisonous nature of white snake root causing trembles or milk sickness, published in Technical Bulletin No. 15, of the North Carolina Experiment Station, has recently been con-firmed by Dr. Walter G. Sackett, in work done at the University of Chicago. 42 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station This work substantiated the presence of a toxic principle in the white snake root. It appears that further animal feeding experiments to establish this toxicity are unnecessary. The problem is thus open for the isolation of a toxic glucoside, or principle. 5. Onion Flavor in Milk. This work is being conducted in cooperation with Mr. Stanley Combs, in charge of dairy investigations. Mr. Combs is actively engaged in working out a process for removing the onion flavor from the milk while Dr. Halverson is working on a similar plan to remove the flavor from butter. Definite results have been obtained by treating onion-flavored butter with a washing process. Laboratory workers could not detect any dif-ference from that of good rendered butter. The process devised is comparatively inexpensive, and it appears that such expensive fats, if of sufficient quantity, can be recovered and made palatable. Much more work needs to be done, however, to establish definite methods. POULTRY INVESTIGATIONS AND PATHOLOGY B. F. Kaupp, In Charge Assisted by J. E. Ivey, M. V. Louder and E. G. Wardin The investigational phases of this office are along three main lines of endeavor: (a) Disease investigations. (b) Nutritional investigations. (c) Breeding studies. 1. Studies in Diseases of Fowls. A brief resume will be given below of the various specific studies made: (a) Apparent Oviductitis of a Hen. Mr. Wernle of Chicago has been cooperating in this work and has given some very interesting data on his experience with this disease since last report. (b) Entero-Hepatitis of Turkeys. It is quite probable that this dis-ease is less prevalent in the mountains than elsewhere. Tests showed that poults taken from flocks where blackhead did not exist, and these poults placed with hens that had been with turkeys infected with black-head at some time in their lives would begin to die as soon as said poults were about five weeks old. (c) A Bacteriological Study of the Abscess of the Feet of Single-comb White Leghorns. This trouble is more prevalent with Leghorns than with the larger breeds. The disease is probably due to a weakened condition and lack of resistance to the bacteria when tissues are injured. (d) Paralysis of the Fowl. Paralysis Of the domestic fowl is due to a degeneration of the motor nerve ganglia. When paralysis once occurs in a flock it again reoccurs among the young birds each year after that time. The disease may be combated by substituting a new flock on clean ground. (e) Volvulus of the Free Portion of the Small Intestines of a Hen. A case of this has been observed in a Single-comb Rhode Island Red hen. Animal Industry 43 (f) Myxo-Sarcoma of a Barred Plymouth Rock Hen. The tumors in-volved the liver, pericardium and other of the visceral organs. (g) Lympho-Sarcoma of a Single-comb White Leghorn Hen. This condition was studied and will be reported later. (h) Cysto-Lipo-Chondro-Osteo-Adeno-Carci-momata. This compound tumor was studied in a Golden Wyandotte cock. Some areas showed fatty tissue, others bone surrounded with hyaline cartilage, and still other areas showed gland tissue. (i) Physiology of Respiration of the Domestic Fowl. Studies were made of respiration in the fowl, goose, duck, and turkey, and the aver-age length of breath recorded. (j) Physiology of Blood Pressure. Blood pressure was taken from the femoral artery connecting directly the femoral artery with the manometer. Average blood pressure of all tests was 115 mm. (k) Physiology of the Pulse of Fowls. In fowls inspiration raises blood pressure. From the preliminary tests made it appears that the pulse of a chicken is about 300 times per minute. 2. Breeding Work—Inheritance Studies. The study of inheritance of egg production has progressed satisfac-torily. However, some difficulty has been encountered in getting a com-mon flock from which to develop and prove common males and common females with which to proceed to study the powers of transmission of egg-laying qualities by the female. 3. Studies in Feeding Problems. (a) Amount of Feed Per Hen Per Year. The amount of mash con-sumed increases as the hen comes into laying and the quantity used de-pends directly upon the number of eggs layed. Experiments showed that it requires 7.2 pounds of feed to produce one dozen eggs. (b) Fattening Chickens. The cost per pound increase for feed alone was shown to be 8 cents for the minimum and 23 cents per pound for the maximum. (c) Cramming Fattening. In 15 birds there was a gain of 28.3 per cent. In another lot of 12 birds there was a gain of 29 per cent, in which case the cost per pound gain for feed alone was 15 cents. (d) Velvet Bean Meal Tests. Tests were conducted with ground vel-vet beans, and where 22% per cent of velvet beans were fed in the ration it produced a deleterious effect upon the health of birds and their per-formance. (e) Peanut Meal Tests. Where a 20 per cent peanut meal ration was used in combination with other grains there was a gain of 22 per cent at a cost per pound gain for feed consumed of 14 cents. 4. Egg Production Problems and Studies. (a) Artificial Illumination. Where artificial illumination was used the hens averaged 42.2 more eggs per year than in the control lots. The hens under lights averaged 28 per cent greater production for the year and produced a dozen eggs for 7.1 pounds of feed consumed, while the controls produced one dozen eggs for 9.6 pounds of feed consumed. (b) Effects of Straw Lofts on Egg Production. Experiments showed that egg production was not affected. (c) The Value of Animal and Vegetable Proteins. The vegetable feeds did not replace the animal feeds and did not bring the pullets into early heavy egg production. The conclusion is that animal foods are necessary. 44 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station (d) Growth of Single-comb White Leghorn Pullets. A curve has been plotted with which to make comparisons in growth in the use of other feeds. (e) Growth of Single-comb Rhode Island Reds. A curve is now avail-able for use in comparison with other feeding tests with this breed. (f) Studies of Factors Influencing the Hatchability of Eggs. The experiment showed that there is a difference of 20 per cent in hatch-ability in favor of turning eggs five times a day versus eggs turned once each day. (g) Influence of Moisture Content. In one series where the eggs were sprayed there was 64.5 per cent of the fertile eggs hatched, while in the other series not sprayed there was 54.3 per cent of the fertile eggs hatched. (h) Dry Lot versus Range. This test was conducted with Single-comb Rhode Island Reds, equally divided on a basis of physical signs and development. The flock on range layed 71 eggs per hen per year, and the flock on dry lot layed 33 eggs per hen per year. The test was conducted for three consecutive years. (i) The second three years work consisted in studies of the most sim-ple means of compensation. Green feed and meat scrap were given in the mash, but even under this condition the profit for the range flock was $1.08 per hen, and for the dry lot 56 cents per hen. The aver-age for the egg production was 69.9 eggs in the former and 61.1 eggs in the latter per hen per year. 5. Growth Studies and Health. (a) Velvet Bean Meal Tests. This single test indicated that ground beans, even in only 14 per cent is injurious to the health of the chicks. (b) Value of Different Animal Proteins. The following is a tabula-tion of the value of different animal proteins: Kind of Protein Wt. 7 Weeks Wt. 8 Wks. Number Tests D. Tankage 0.50 0.64 3 Blood Meal 0.56 0.69 3 Soybean Meal and Dried Milk.... 0.70 0.82 3 D. Tankage and Peanut Meal.... 0.54 0.60 1 Meat Scrap 0.59 0.7 2 6. Physics of Incubation. The indications are that the present hygrometers on the markets, of which we have knowledge, are inaccurate for incubator work. 7. Experimental Extension Project. In cooperation with the county agent of Polk County, this office con-ducted a three-years test in the methods that would be most acceptable to educate people past school age, and which are now following farm work. The final conclusions are: (a) Personal contact in actual teaching in poultry schools is advisable. (b) Circular letters and bulletins are not used to advantage. (c) They do not readily adopt the study-club method. 8. Miscellaneous Work. (a) During the year 1,680 letters were written on incubation, brood-ing, feeding, disease, poultry-house construction and marketing. (b) Dr. Kaupp is secretary of the State Poultry Association and has been active in this capacity. The Sixth Annual Official State Poultry Animal Industry 45 Show was held at Salisbury in December, 1920, in connection with the North Carolina Livestock and Poultry Associations meeting. (c) Culling Demonstrations. A culling school was held at the State College for county demonstration agents. A one-day culling school was also held at Salisbury during the poultry show. Between 75 and 100 people attended the school. (d) Articles for Papers. During the year 32 articles were prepared from this office and used in papers of different types, such as farm papers,* and others of a purely technical nature, as for example, The Journal of the American Association of Instructors and Investigators in Poultry Husbandry. (e) During the year there was a large number of persons interested in poultry personally conducted over the poultry plant. Several scientific workers made visits to go over the work being done. (f) Special poultry students gave demonstrations in culling, lectures on selection of birds for mating, and judged at several of the county and community fairs during the past year. (g) A large number of premiums were won at fairs by Experiment Station poultry. Three silver cups, one medal, and a diploma were won at the 1920 State Fair; at the Official State Poultry Show held in Salis-bury 30 first premiums were won, 22 seconds, 8 thirds, 4 fourths, 1 fifth, 2 cups, 1 A.P.A. medal and 5 diplomas; two firsts and one A.P.A. diploma were won at the Madison Square Garden Show, New York City. (h) Several donations in poultry were given for worthy causes dur-ing the year. SWINE EXPERIMENTAL WORJl Earl H. Hostetler, In Charge 1. Purebred Herd Work—Duroc-Jerseys. This herd is maintained for demonstrations and exhibition purposes and also for the purpose of raising good uniform pigs for the experi-mental work. It is very essential to have pigs of uniform breeding, and free from disease and worms, to do accurate experimental work. 2. Effect of Feeding Salt to Swine. This experiment was conducted to determine whether pigs of differ-ent sizes will consume enough feed from a self-feeder to prove fatal after the salt has been withheld for a definite period. Seven pigs were used—two of them to receive salt from a self-feeder and the others to receive a definite amount of salt in the ration. No deaths have resulted to date. 3. Percentage of Bone in the Carcass of Swine. This experiment was conducted to determine the amount of bone in the carcass of a hog. Two dressed carcasses were used, the meat all removed and the bones were then boiled. The results are as follows: Hog No. 1—Weight, 226 lbs. Bone, 17.7 lbs. Hog No. 2—Weight, 176 lbs. Bone, 15. lbs. The results show that the carcass of a hog is composed of about 8 per cent bone. 4. Peanuts and Peanut Meal for Swine. This experiment was to determine the value of peanuts and peanut meal when fed with other feeds to form a more nearly balanced ration. 46 Fokty-fouktb Annual Report !N". C. Agri. Exp. Station Two rations were used—one containing a large per cent of peanuts and the other a large per cent of peanut meal, that will be equal in feeding value and contain the same amount of true digestible protein and other constituents. The results were that the pigs all made good gains and when slaugh-tered the carcasses were all soft or medium. The feeding period was 131 days, so that the test was thorough. 5. Comparison of Different Feeds Upon the Shrinkage of Meat. This work was conducted to determine whether various feeds will influence the shrinkage of meat made from hogs fed these different rations. Feed apparently has some slight effect on shrinkage. Meat made from hogs that have been fed on peanuts shrink slightly less than that made from hogs that have been fed corn and tankage. 6. Curing Meat in Warm Weather. Two methods were used: (a) Curing in brine in the usual manner, (b) Pumping brine mixture into the meat. The results were that meat which was brine pumped was edible but had a very poor flavor. The meat which was not pumped spoiled. 7. Cost of Raising Pigs. This work was to determine the cost of raising pigs until weaning time when they were 70 days old, which is the usual time of weaning pigs in the Experiment Station herd. This work is not completed but results are available on a similar project from some of the test farms. 8. Soybean Pasture for Hogs. Soybean pasture, when supplemented with a 2 per cent ration of grain, made the most economical gains on hogs at the Edgecombe Test Farm, where a herd of grade Berkshires is maintained to raise pigs for experimental work. Peanut pasture was also used at this farm to determine the compara-tive cost of raising hogs on grazing crops and in dry lots. A determina-tion was also made of the effect of different feeds upon the carcass of hogs. In this latter phase of the work the Bureau of Animal Industry, at Washington, D. C, cooperated with the Experiment Station. Part of the hogs which had been produced under varying conditions were shipped to Washington to make physical and chemical analysis of the carcass. This work is incomplete but progressing satisfactorily. 9. Cost of Raising Pigs on Statesville and Edgecombe Test Farms. The litters from the herds at both of these farms are used in this work. The average cost of raising pigs until weaning time on the Edgecombe Test Farm is $4.07 per pig, this being an average of five and one-third years work. At the Statesville Test Farm the cost of raising each Poland-China pig until weaned is $3.97, this work covering a period of five and three-fourths years. 10. Feeding Farm Work Animals. An experiment was conducted to determine whether cotton seed meal in the ration will effect the health of horses and mules, and whether it will cheapen the cost of the ration. Animal Industry 47 The results show that the use of cotton seed meal cheapened the ration slightly and the animals apparently were in good health and condition otherwise. The results of six years work are summarized and ready for publica-tion. This covers the work conducted on the Edgecombe Test Farm. A similar piece of work was conducted at Statesville, where the results were similar. The use of cotton seed meal in the ration cheapened the cost of keeping each work animal $2.93 per year. The results of seven years work on this farm are ready for publica-tion. 11. Miscellaneous Work. At the recent State Fair 20 hogs from the Experiment Station Duroc-Jersey herd competed for premiums. A large number of pre-miums was won, among them the grand championship on a junior year-ling boar. DAIRY EXPERIMENTAL OFFICE Stanley Combs, In Charge The work of the Dairy Experimental Office is confined to the following: (a) Pender Test Farm, Willard, N. C. (b) Central Test Farm, Raleigh, N. C. (c) L. F. Uzzle Herd, Wilsons Mills, N. C. 1. Herd Development Work, Pender Test Farm. The work on this farm is largely a continuation of the herd develop-ment work that has been in progress for some time. The milking herd consists of 22 cows, 21 of which are daughters of Eminent 19th, No. 78,620. Two herd sires are maintained. Fourteen of the cows are in the register of merit and hold three State records, as follows: (a) Pender Eminent Lass E, No. 369,040, is the champion junior four-year- old cow in North Carolina, with a record of 10,751.8 pounds of milk, and 563.99 pounds of fat. North Carolina has only three such cows to date, and one of these is an Eminent bred cow and a half sister of Lass E. (b) Pender Eminent Lass L, No. 369,046, holds the State record for all junior two-year-old cows in North Carolina, with a record of 9,987.7 pounds of milk and 523.24 pounds of fat. All of these records have been completed within the last twelve months. 2. Cotton Seed Meal as a Source of Protein for Maturing Dairy Heifers. The heifer calves produced in this herd are all retained. They are immediately placed in the feeding experiment to determine whether cotton seed meal is superior in quality to peanut meal as a source of protein for maturing dairy cows. This work is incomplete, as it is necessarily a long-time experiment. 3. Financial Report of the Pender Herd. This herd is paying its own way, which is very unusual considering the fact that real experimental work is usually conducted at a loss. This speaks well for the way in which the herd has been bred up and handled. A mediocre or average herd subjected to experimental work could not make such a record. 48 Forty-fourth Annual Report N". C. Agri. Exp. Station The production of milk for the year ending October 31 amounts to 148,730.7 pounds, and of fat 7,652.4 pounds. A complete report of this herd is available for examination. 4. Velvet Bean Meal Experiment. This office, in cooperation with the South Carolina and Alabama stations, conducted experiments to determine the comparative feeding value of velvet bean meal and wheat bran, as a protein supplement to cotton seed meal. Twelve cows were used in the Pender herd to conduct the North Caro-lina part of this work. The results show that a velvet bean meal ration lacks palatability, and that cows will not readily consume a full ration. When the animals were allowed to graze it was found necessary to change the grain mixture in order that they might consume a full ration. 5. Effect of Cotton Seed Meal Upon the Growth and Reproduction of Cows. This work is conducted cooperatively by Messrs. Combs and Curtis, inasmuch as it is a problem that concerns both beef and dairy cattle. A herd of Ayrshires is used for this work and during the last year definite results have been obtained. The following facts are impor-tant and are therefore given in some detail. Lot No. 1 consisted of 8 cows, which were fed a ration of cotton seed meal and cotton seed hulls. (a) Cow No. 101 dropped twin calves in February, 1921. Both calves were allowed to nurse the dam for six weeks. At this time one calf was found to be totally blind and the eye-sight of the other affected. The latter calf was transferred to a nurse cow receiving a normal ra-tion. The calf grew and retained its sight. At six months of age there was approximately 200 pounds difference in the weight of the two calves, thus furnishing evidence that milk from animals on re-stricted rations is not normal. (b) Cow No. 102 aborted twin calves at seven months. Post mortem showed these calves to have blind eyes, congested heart and liver, together with soft bones, indicating a lack of minerals. (c) Cow No. 103 aborted at eight and one-half months. Calf blind and bones soft. The calves from both No. 102 and No. 103 showed oedema in the joints of the legs. (d) Cow No. 104 failed to breed. She has developed two typical cases of dropsy during the year and is subject to fits from time to time. (e) Cow No. 105 aborted at about five and one-half months. Failed to come in milk and was later slaughtered. (f) Cow No. 106 aborted at about seven and one-half months; calf blind and had developed a cataract in each eye. (g) Cow No. 107 aborted at eight months. Calf blind. Cow now has developed a cataract in each eye. Other portions of her eye show cloudiness. (h) Cow No. 108 died after showing a dropsied condition, and had suffered from several fits. Lot No. 2 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a ration of cracked corn, corn stover and corn silage. (a) Cow No. 201 calved a few days before normal time. Calf weak, head drawn upward and backward. Calf lived only a couple of days. Animal Industry 49 (b) Cow No. 202 suffered for about ten weeks with a dropsied condi-tion, her head and neck being swollen. The neck was swollen and head drawn to the side for several weeks. Oedema of the legs appeared and these swellings broke and matter appeared for several days. Finally, after being off feed for some time, this cow aborted. (c) Cow No. 203 calved a few clays ahead of time. Calf similar to that from No. 201 and lived only a couple of days. (d) Cow No. 204 carried calf about two weeks over time. Calf weak but was able to stand alone. It never nursed without help and died in about 60 hours. Lot No. 3 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a ration of crushed corn, cotton seed meal, cotton seed hulls, corn stover and silage. (a) Cow No. 301 went off feed early in the year. Remained in weak condition for several months, getting so low that it was thought best to turn her on pasture to prevent death. During this time she jumped from a truck, causing abortion the same day. She was later slaugh-tered. (b) Cow No. 302 failed to breed and was slaughtered. (c) Cow No. 303 aborted at about eight months. (d) Cow No. 304 aborted. Lot No. 4 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a ration of cotton seed meal and corn silage. (a) Cow No. 401. After the experience with the other three cows of this lot, this cow was placed on normal ration, but not early enough to save the calf. (b) Cows Nos. 402, 403 and 404. These cows all went off feed early in the gestation period, No. 404 finally dying. The other two were changing so rapidly that it was thought best to place them on normal ration. After regaining health they were again put back on the experi-mental feed. Both aborted and are in poor condition at the present time. Lot No. 5 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a check ration with normal results. The milk from the cows on these various rations is used for feeding calves. Calves are secured from the herds of local dairymen. There appears to be a considerable difference in the feeding value of the milk from different lots. Some of the calves grow slowly even when given as much as fourteen pounds of this milk daily. 6. Private Herd Work. A cooperative piece of work has been inaugurated at Wilsons Mills , in a large commercial dairy herd. This herd has been operated for several years without any profit and Mr. Combs has taken the matter in hand with the idea of putting the herd on a paying basis. The results at present look encouraging. 7. Onion-flavored Milk. This office is still working with the "Onion-flavored Milk Problem," with very gratifying results. This odor and flavor is produced by allyl sulphide, a compound of sulphur. This compound may be precipitated with mercuric chloride (HgCl2 ) or platinum chloride (PtCl 4 ). Numerous samples of fresh milk were treated with various amounts of allyl sulphide and heated in a water bath to a temperature of 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. While being held at this temperature a current of air was passed through the milk by means of a small foot pump. This treatment proved successful. 50 Forty-fourth Annual Report X. C. A.gri. Exp. Station This treatment of pumping air through the milk was repeated with natural onion-flavored milk, produced by feeding a cow 1VL» pounds of green onion tops one and one-half hours before milking. This treatment is giving encouraging results and if worked out in a commercial way will mean much to the dairy industry of the South. 8. Miscellaneous Work. Considerable time has been spent in the past year making plans for the enlargement o
Object Description
Description
Title | Annual report of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station |
Other Title | Forty-fourth annual report of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station |
Date | 1921 |
Publisher | [Raleigh, N.C.?] : Board of Agriculture |
Rights | State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754 |
Collection | North Carolina State Documents Collection. State Library of North Carolina |
Language | English |
Digital Characteristics-A | 84 p.; 6.59 MB |
Digital Collection | North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Audience | All |
Pres File Name-M | pubs_ag_aragriculturalexperiment1921.pdf |
Pres Local File Path-M | Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_ag\images_master |
Full Text | A55 :I92I North Carolina State Library Raleigh FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERING Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1921 Statistical Report Year Ending December 1, 1921 fa North Carolina State Library Norfh Carolina State Library, Raleigh FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT *c NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERING Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1921 Statistical Report Year Ending December 1, 1921 LETTER OF SUBMITTAL Ealeigh, 1ST, C, June 30, 1921. To His Excellency, Cameron Morrison, Governor of North Carolina. Sir :—I have the honor to submit herewith report of the operations of the iigricultural Experiment Station, conducted jointly by the Worth Carolina Department of Agriculture and the Worth Carolina State Col-lege of Agriculture and Engineering, for the year ended June 30, 1921. This work is under the immediate direction of the "Joint Committee for Agricultural Work," provided for in chapter 68 of the Public Laws of 1913, and amended by chapter 223 of the Public Laws of 1917, and the report is made in accordance with the requirements of the act of Con-gress, approved March 2, 1887, and known as the Hatch Act. Very respectfully, B. W. KlLGORE, Director. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Letter of Submittal 3 Staff of Workers 5 General Summary of the Work of the Station During the Year 7 Financial Report 15 Report of the Division of Agronomy 17 Report of the Division of Animal Industry 39 Report of the Division of Entomology 52 Report of the Division of Horticulture 60 Report of the Division of Plant Pathology and Bacteriology 67 Report of the Division of Markets and Rural Organization 69 Report on Drainage 79 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE *W. A. Graham, Chairman. F. P. Latham Belhaven *A. T. McCallum Red Springs J. J. Harris Macon *C. C. Wright Hunting Creek *R. L. Woodard Pamlico W. B. McLelland Stony Point *Clarence Poe Raleigh H. Q. Alexander Matthews R. W. Scott Haw River A. Cannon Horse Shoe BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE COLLEGE ^Governor Cameron Morrison, Chairman. M. B. Stickley Concord *T. T. Thorne Rocky Mount T. T. Ballenger Tryon *C. W. Gold.. Greensboro W. H. Williamson Raleigh T. E. Vann Como *0. L. Clark Clarkton P. S. Boyd Mooresville W. R. Bonsal Hamlet W. S. Lee Charlotte D. R. Noland Crabtree C. F. Tomlinson High Point Claude B. Williams Elizabeth City *J. F. Diggs... Rockingham Clarence Poe Raleigh E. R. Johnson Currituck *W. C. Riddick (President College), Raleigh. STAFF OF THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AND EXTENSION SERVICE ADMINISTRATION B. W. Kilgore Director of Experiment Station and Extension Service C. B. Williams Vice-Director Experiment Station F. E. Miller Assistant Director Branch Stations J. M. Gray Assistant Director Extension R. W. Green Agricultural Editor A. F. Bowen '. Bursar Miss S. D. Jones __ Bursar Miss Mary S. Birdsong v . Secretary to Director H. C. Evans Auditor and Executive Assistant AGRONOMY C. B. Williams Chief in Agronomy G. M. Garren Assistant in Plant Breeding W. F. Pate Soil Agronomist fW. E. Hearn Soil Survey S. K. Jackson Assistant in Soils |S. O. Perkins Assistant in Soil Survey H. B. Mann Assistant in Soils S. F. Dwidson Assistant in Soil Survey R. Y. Winters....Plant Breeding Agronomist W. A. Davis Assistant in Soil Survey S. W. Hill Assistant in Plant Breeding fR. E. Devereux Assistant in Soil Survey P. H. Kime Assistant in Plant Breeding W. D. Lee Assistant in Soil Survey A.R. Russell, Assistant in Field Experiments CHEMISTRY W. G. Haywood Fertilizer Chemist E. S. Dewar Assistant Chemist . F. W. Sherwood Assistant Chemist G. L. Arthur Assistant Chemist L. M. Nixon Assistant Feed Chemist B. C. Williams Assistant Chemist Z. B. Bradford Assistant Chemist ENTOMOLOGY Franklin Sherman, Jr., fC. L. Sams Bee-keeping Chief in Entomology W. B. Mabee Extension Entomologist Z. P. Metcalf Entomologist C. S. Brimley Assistant Entomologist R. W. Leiby Assistant Entomologist T. B. Mitchell Assistant Entomologist HORTICULTURE C. D. Matthews, L. H. Nelson Assistant Horticulturist Chief Division of Horticulture J. M. Dyer.... Assistant Horticulturist J. P. Pillsbury Horticulturist W. W. Magill Extension Horticulturist C. F. Williams Assistant Horticulturist ANIMAL INDUSTRY R. S. Curtis, John E. Ivey Asst. Poultry Investigations Acting Chief in Animal Industry tF. R. Farnham..Assistant in Dairy Farming Stanley Combes Dairy Experimenter t A. C. Kimrey Assistant in Dairy Farming B. F. Kaupp, fD. R. Noland Assistant in Dairy Farming Poultry Investigator and Pathologist fF. T. Peden Assistant in Beef Cattle tJ. A. Arey Dairy Farming E \rl Hostetler, tW. W. Shay Swine Extension Assistant in Beef Cattle and Swine "i"A. G. Oliver Poultry Extension fGEORGE Ev\ns...Assistant in Sheep Extension J. O. Halverson, Feed Chemist and Specialist in Nutrition 6 Officers and Staff plant pathology F. A. Wolf Plant Pathologist S. G. Lehman Assistant in Bacteriology DRAINAGE F. O. Bartel Drainage Engineer MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION B. F. Brown Chief Division of Markets GORRELL Shumaker Marketing Fruits and Vegetables Fred. R. Yoder Credit Unions tP. H. Hart Cotton Grading T. B. Parker Warehouse Organization fJ. P. Brown Warehouse Inspection and Operation J. M. Workman Warehouse Construction V. W. Lewis Livestock Marketing tFRANK Parker Agricultural Statistician Wm. H. Rhodes, Jr Assistant Statistician Wm. D. Jones, Jr Census Statistician FARM MANAGEMENT |J. M. Johnson Farm Management BRANCH STATIONS F. T. Meacham Assistant Director, Iredell Branch Station R. E. Currin, Jr Assistant Director Edgecombe Branch Station E. G. Moss Assistant Director, Granville Branch Station S. C. Clapp Assistant Director, Buncombe Branch Station A. S. Cline. Assistant Director, Black Land Branch Station Chas. Dearing Assistant Director, Coastal Plain Station FARM ENGINEERING E. R. Raney Farm Machinery Extension FARM DEMONSTRATION WORK C. R. Hudson State Agent H. H. B. Mask Assistant State Agent E. S. Millsaps District Agent, Piedmont District T. D. McLean District Agent, Central District O. F. McCrary District Agent, Northeastern District E. W. Gaither District Agent, Southeastern District HOME DEMONSTRATION WORK Mrs. Jane S. McKimmon State Home Demonstration Agent Miss Maude E. Wallace Assistant State Home Demonstration Agent Miss Martha Creighton Piedmont District Agent Mrs. Estelle T. Smith Eastern District Agent Mrs. Cornelia C. Morris Central District Agent Miss Mamie Sue Jones : Tidewater District Agent *Member of Joint Committee for Agricultural Work. fin cooperation with United States Department of Agriculture. FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION For the Year Ended June 30, 1921 B. W. Kilgore, Director F. E. Miller, Assistant Director Branch Stations R. W. Green, Agricultural Editor The experimental work of the Central station at Raleigh and the six branch station farms has been more closely correlated during the year covered by this report. Considerable progress is reported in many lines of investigation, while practical applications of the results of experi-ments have been made through the Agricultural Extension Service. Few other states have as close working arrangements between exten-sion services and experiment stations as has North Carolina, and as a consequence this State is in a good position to make results of investi-gations immediately available to the farmers through the farm demon-stration agents. During the year members of the station staff have contributed a num-ber of articles to scientific journals that reflect credit upon North Carolina, and help in the general advance of agricultural science. The work of Dr. Leiby, in connection with a study of polembryonic insects is particularly noteworthy in this connection. CHANGES IN STAFF Changes in staff since the last annual report include the following : Resignations—H. B. Krausz, farm forester; J. H. Henley, specialist in credit unions; A. C. Foster, extension plant pathologist. Appointments—W. W. Magill, extension horticulturist; Fred R. Yoder, specialist in rural credits; V. W. Lewis, specialist in livestock marketing; C. F. Williams, research assistant in horticulture. The following paragraphs, under divisional headings, summarize the progress of experimental work during the year. More complete accounts of the work will be found in the reports of the chiefs of divisions. AGRONOMY Approximately one million acres have been surveyed and mapped during the last year in the soil survey work. The counties of Onslow and Cherokee have been finished and about one-half of Cumberland has been worked. olina State Library Raleiqh 8 FORTY-FOUBTB AnM'AL REPORT N. C. AgRI. Exi>. STATION Investigations in soil fertility have been continued as in previous years and new projects begun on three different types of soil in different sections of the State to determine the soil deficiencies, plant-food con-stituents, and the most profitable kinds and amounts of fertilizers to use. Experiments at the Black Land station have shown that for the suc-cessful production of crops it is absolutely necessary that the soil be furnished lime, except on newly cultivated land, where no fertilizer is now needed. At the Mountain station results show that the use of phosphoric acid, nitrogen and lime produce better yields on both bottom and upland soils. In tests at the Coastal Plain station it has been found that the use of fairly large quantities of fertilizer pays if other factors are favorable, and that nitrogen and lime are needed for the soil. Results of rotation tests on the Edgecombe station show that the rota-tion of corn and cotton is no better than corn or cotton each grown continuously on the same land. A large percentage of nitrogen and potash is needed in the fertilizers used, and large applications of the fertilizer should be made. Lime is essential to soils at Piedmont station for growing legumes, and the use of large quantities of nitrogen and phosphoric acid on general crops has been found necessary for best results. Decaying organic matter is valuable for increasing the crop-producing power of the soil. Results of experiments on Central station have continued to bring out the importance of having more vegetable matter incorporated into the soil and making heavier applications of fertilizers on the best pay-ing crops. The importance of lime and manure on leguminous crops has also been brought out. Experiments on old and new land have been tried out at Reidsville, and it was found that fresh land is best for tobacco, while corn does much better on old land. Evidence shows that it is better to prime tobacco than to cut it. Application of phosphoric acid on fresh land is of great benefit to the growth of tobacco, and lime is also advantageous. The outstanding features of tests at Oxford show that potash is abso-lutely essential for tobacco, for without it leaf-spot disease makes the tobacco almost worthless, and that dolomitic limestone increases the yield without decreasing the quality. Another important fact brought out in tests is that by using mag-nesia the disease of "sand-drown" can be prevented. This can be done in a practical and inexpensive manner by using dolomitic limestone. In cotton spacing tests the thickest spacing has produced the highest yield of seed cotton and lint per acre. Seed-improvement work has been continued at the stations, and at the Central farm a seed house has been built for the storage and care of Director's Summary ANIMAL INDUSTRY It has been found that cattle can he wintered on orchard grass pasture at about half the cost of wintering them in barns. With horses and mules results show that the use of cotton seed meal cheapens the rations slightly, and does not effect the health of the animals. The results of the work with lambs have shown that lambs can be dropped in December and January, and put on the market during March and April and command a premium because of their earliness. In the feeding tests with poultry, experiments show that it requires 7.2 pounds of feed to produce one dozen eggs. Velvet bean meal pro-duces a deleterious effect upon the birds. Artificial illumination proved successful in egg production, the hens under lights averaging 42.2 more eggs per year than the others. Tests conducted for three consecutive years showed that a flock of hens left on range averaged 71 eggs per year, while a flock on dry lot averaged 33 eggs per year. Feed tests with hogs show that meat from hogs that have been fed on peanuts shrinks slightly less than that from hogs fed on corn and tankage. The carcass of a hog is composed of about 8 per cent bone. ENTOMOLOGY During the year 474 species of insects not heretofore known to occur in the State have been added to the list of species now on record, which makes a total of 6,221 included in the list. Experiments in the use of dry dust poisons for control of cabbage worms have proven effective when given often, and are safe with ordi-nary precaution. August is the most favorable month for cultivating infected lands to destroy cut-worm moths. Investigations and experiments with household insects, such as cock-roaches, bed-bugs, flees and weevils, have been conducted and valuable data obtained for fighting these pests. The cowpea. weevil experiments with air-slacked lime have shown that this is the most satisfactory method for controlling these pests, while experiments for controlling the tobacco flee beetle have proven that trap-bed methods are easiest and most effective. The fumigation of mills has been simplified and put on a practical basis, thus effecting a great saving for the mills of the State. HORTICULTURE In the investigational work with pecans it has been found that the Schley, Stuart and Alley varieties are best suited for Eastern North Carolina. Work of improving and standardizing individual yields by bud selection has been started since it has been found that some trees of the same variety under identical conditions are heavy yielders 10 Forty-fourth Annual Report N". C. Agri. Exp. Station while others are poor producers, and the nuts of the different trees vary in size. In top-working the pecan trees, both grafting and budding should be used to secure best results. ISTone of the varieties of strawberries tested so far have shown them-selves superior to the Klondike and Missionary as commercial varieties. Several of the varieties have been found to be valuable for home use. As a result of investigations during the year, recommendations re-garding the choice of varieties of Irish potatoes and cabbage for the western part of the State, the varieties of sweet potatoes for storage, and the most desirable methods to employ in the management of the storage house, can be given. Investigational work with peaches and apples has been continued as in previous years. PLANT PATHOLOGY AND BACTERIOLOGY The work with rust-resistant wheat has been continued and although rust infection has been unusually severe throughout the State, the resistant varieties have remained remarkably free from rust. More concentrated attention has been given to studies on the physi-ology of plant pathogenic bacteria, stressing mainly the hydrogen ion concentration, and should be completed during the coming year. Studies on Phoma blight of soybeans and treatment of seed-borne infections should also be completed during the year. MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION A number of successful cooperative marketing associations have been organized with the aid of this division this year, including the Mount Olive Truckers Association, the Scotland County Cantaloupe Associa-tion, which sold around 200,000 crates of cantaloupes, and a sweet potato marketing association in Nash and Edgecombe counties. All of these associations handled standardized products. Considerable improvement has been made in grading and packing all fruits and vegetables as a result of the work of this division, especially Irish and sweet potatoes, strawberries, and apples. A careful study was made this year of grades for cucumbers and peaches with an idea of standardizing them next season. The work of cotton classing and grading has made considerable prog-ress this year, the total number of bales classed during the year being 64,246. Active interest is indicated in warehouse construction work by the numerous inquiries that have been received from all over the State. Two new warehouses having an aggregate capacity of 10,000 bales are in course of construction in the State. Wo new credit unions were organized during the year but six are now being organized. Because of the bad crops and low prices received by farmers, the chief business of the unions this year has been borrowing Director's Summary 11 money from the banks for the members. Ten unions report that they were able to borrow money when it was impossible for the members to borrow as individual members. FARM DRAINAGE Farms in 17 counties were visited for the purpose of giving advice and assistance on tile drainage. Surveys and reports have been made for 12 farms, while stakes and grades for construction were given on 10 farms for the installation of approximately seven miles of tile. Eleven examinations of a preliminary nature on proposed drainage districts covering an area of 52,450 acres were made during the year. Increasing interest in soil erosion is shown by calls from farmers for assistance in locating terraces and giving demonstrations in terracing. More tiles were installed and a larger number of drainage districts, cov-ering a larger acreage, were examined than last year. BRANCH EXPERIMENT STATIONS The location of the six branch experiment stations or field laboratories gives the subject-matter divisions opportunities to study agricultural problems of local importance. Each station represents one of the well-defined agricultural sections of the State in regard to soil type, climate and cultural practices. The stations serve as a base of agricultural information for their respective sections. With this arrangement, the Agronomy Division, for example, has an opportunity to investigate first hand the fertilizer requirements for the different farm crops on the principal soil types of the State; also to determine varieties, crop rotations and cultural methods best suited to the several localities. Likewise each group of workers, under the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, has a chance to carry on their projects under conditions which are representative of the chief farming sections. The information gained in this way serves as a guide in advising farm practices over the State. While the branch stations should lead their respective sections in agriculture, it is not their purpose to show neighbors how to run a farm, but rather to determine facts which are applicable to better farming. Black Land Station—Wenona This station is located in Washington County, at Wenona, on the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The soil is typical of that large area of peat soils which extends from Virginia down well into eastern North Carolina. This section is developing and shows great promise. The station of two hundred acres was established in 1913, and since that time a great deal of the work has been done along the lines of development, and much information has been obtained regarding meth-ods of clearing the cut-over land and drainage. At present 120 acres of the station lands are tile-drained and under cultivation. 12 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exr. Station The principal experiments now under way are lime and fertilizer tests, cultural practices, corn selection and improvement and trial tests with pasture mixtures, soybeans, cowpeas and truck crops. At present corn is the only crop tried that succeeded well the first year after the land was cleared. Lime is decidedly the first constituent needed by the soil after drainage for good crop results, and finely ground lime-stone is better than marl or hydrated lime. Coastal Plain Station — Willard This station is located in Pender County, one and one-half miles north of Willard on the Wilmington branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Rail-road. The farm was established in 1905, and at that time contained 2 J 8 acres. In the spring of 1921 31 acres, bordering the property on the south, were purchased, which provides space for enlarging the experi-mental planting. The purpose of the station is to study the agricultural problems of the coastal plain region, and to encourage diversification of farm crops. The farm has many visitors seeking information on various farm sub-jects, and particularly that of diversification since the boll weevil has appeared in some localities. Results of the grape investigations show that the Muscadine is one of the safest fruit crops for the coastal plain region, and with this in view a four-acre planting of the Thomas, James and Scuppernong varieties, was made last spring to study first hand the value of this crop from the commercial standpoint, also to supply fruit for enlarging the grape utilization work. The production of pedigreed seed has received special attention with the view of furnishing the farmers of this section with good seed of the proper varieties at a reasonable cost. Cleveland Big Boll cotton, Mam-moth Yellow and Virginia soybeans, and Pee Dee No. 5 field corn were grown for seed distribution purposes this past year. The outstanding experiments under way at this station are Muscadine grape investigations and utilization ; dairy feeding tests and Jersey herd development work; poultry feeding tests; horticultural experiments, in-cluding tests with Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes ; dewberries, straw-berries, and observation garden planting ; pecan, apple and peach variety studies; agronomy fertilization and rotation tests; and cotton anthrac-nose studies. The progress and scope of the experimental work is covered in the reports of the subject-matter divisions. Edgecombe Station—Kingsboro Edgecombe County is one of our leading cotton and livestock counties, and the soil of this county is the very best for general agriculture. The experiment station is located two miles from Kingsboro on the old high- Director's Summary 13 way between Rocky Mount and Tarboro. The farm of 202 acres was established in 1902, and the soil is representative of the best land in the section. The outstanding work on this station is the extensive agronomy fer-tilizer and rotation experiments, the seed selection and improvement of varieties, the seven-acre variety pecan orchard and the swine feeding experiments. A great deal of information has been obtained relative to these subjects, which is being generally used in this section. The general crop land is used for growing feed for the livestock work and producing improved seed. The improvement and introduction of the Mexican Big Boll cotton in this section has given splendid results. Many of the leading farmers in Edgecombe County, and that vicinity, are now growing this variety with good results. Several of the large growers pooled their last year's crop and received a premium for their staple. Mountain Station—Swannanoa The mountain section of this State is especially adapted to fruit, truck crops, dairying, poultry and pasture crops, and the experiment station is conducted in view of assisting in the development of these industries. The experimental farm is located two miles northeast of Swannanoa, on the hard-surface road between Asheville and Black Mountain. The station was established in 1908 and consists of 305 acres. The soil is typical of the mountain region and responds readily to good handling. At present the experimental work consists largely of agronomy fer-tilizer and rotation tests ; seed improvement and selection ; variety studies of soybeans, Irish potatoes and cabbage; truck crop production, and variety and pruning investigations with apples and home plantings of small fruits. Much valuable information has been secured along these lines, which is followed generally by the mountain farmers. This section is especially suited to the poultry industry, in view of the ready market for all poultry products, and plans are under considera-tion for establishing an experimental poultry plant on the station dur-ing the coming year. The work of getting ready for the dairy project is already under way. Piedmont Experiment Station—Statesville The popularity of this station was emphasized by the attendance at the main farmers' picnic held last August, which numbered around 7,000 people. Several smaller meetings were held during the year, with good attendance, for the purpose of studying the work of the farm. The station is located one mile west of Statesville on the highway. The soil is typical of the Piedmont section, and is well suited to general farming. This experimental farm of 208 acres, was established in 1903 and has shown steady growth since that time. 14 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station The object of the station is to study agricultural problems of the Pied-mont section, and to gather knowledge relative to better farming for that section. The major experiments of the station are a series of fer-tilizer and rotation tests with corn, cotton, oats, rye and wheat; seed improvement and selection work, principally with cotton, corn and wheat; variety studies with apples, peaches, pears, pecans, cherries and plums ; feeding experiments with swine and sheep, and winter feeding of beef cattle. A series of pastures are planned that will provide grazing for hogs and sheep practically the year round, besides growing in rota-tion with pasture crops sufficient silage corn for feeding tests with beef cattle during the winter. King cotton has proven to be well adapted to this section, and has been highly improved by selection. As a result, the station is growing this improved strain and distributing the seed to the farmers at a rea-sonable cost. Tobacco Station—Oxford This station is located in Granville County, one mile from the town of Oxford, and is well within the old tobacco belt. The station farm of 250 acres was established in 1913, and the work here has been carried on in cooperation writh the Office of Tobacco Investigation, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. The agricultural re-gions served by this station take in all the tobacco growling areas in North Carolina, although conditions at the station farm are more typical of the old tobacco belt. The experimental work here is largely confined to tobacco and crops that work in rotation with tobacco. The outstanding tobacco experi-ments under way are fertilizer tests, variety tests, rotation systems for tobacco, tobacco after cowpeas, permanent tobacco seed beds, potash and lime experiments, and plant nutrition investigations, with continuous cropping, legume effects, and general crop effects. The station has many visitors seeking information on tobacco culture. This past summer representatives of the various fertilizer manufac-turers met at the station to study the results of the fertilizer and rota-tion experiments. This information has a great deal of influence on the kind and quantity of fertilizer used by the tobacco growers, particu-larly in the old belt. The results of one experiment alone this year will mean a great sav-ing to the tobacco growers. It was found that magnesium in the form of dolomitic limestone applied at the rate of 1,000 pounds per acre would prevent "sand-drown," a common tobacco disease. It was fur-ther shown that this disease can also be checked in the early stages by a side application of magnesium. The progress and details of all experiments on the branch stations will be noted in the succeeding reports from the divisions. Financial Keport 15 PUBLICATIONS One bulletin, No. 242, "The Green June Beetle or Fig-Eater," and supplement, have been issued this year with a total edition of 3,500 copies. About 1,950 of these were mailed. An annual report of 1,000 copies was issued and distributed. Circular letters and post-cards have been multigraphed or mimeo-graphed for the various divisions throughout the year totaling 31,642. Arrangement have been made whereby all letterheads are printed in this office on the multigraph and distributed to the divisions on request at a saving of approximately 60 per cent of the former costs. The reports of the heads of divisions and the financial statement follow. FINANCIAL REPORT The North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, In Account With the United States Appropriation, 1920-1921. Dr. Hatch Fund Adams Fund To receipts from the Treasurer of the United States, as per appropriations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1921, under acts of Congress approved March 2, 1887 (Hatch Fund), and March 16, 1906 (Adams Fund) $15,000.00 $15,000.00 Cr. Salaries $11,863.84 $13,949.17 Labor 3,136.16 828.77 Postage and stationery 81.75 Heat, light, water and power 105.00 Traveling expenses 35.31 Total $15,000.00 $15,000.00 The North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, In Account With Farm and Miscellaneous Receipts. Dr. Receipts from other sources than the United States for the year ending June 30, 1921 $ 3,532.46 Borrowed from bank 3,750.00 Total $ 7,282.46 16 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT Cr. Labor $ 720.48 Publications 6.00 Postage and stationery 330.72 Freight and express 156.63 Heat, light, water and power 412.65 Chemical and laboratory supplies 268.03 Seeds, plants, and sundry supplies 462.81 Fertilizers . 574.42 Feeding stuffs 946.41 Library 62.62 Tools, machinery and appliances 297.11 Furniture and fixtures 88.50 Scientific apparatus and specimens 70.00 Traveling expenses 176.05 Contingent expenses ... 351.48 Buildings and land 1,438.06 Balance 920.49 Total $ 7,282.46 We, the undersigned, duly appointed auditors of the corporation, do hereby certify that we have examined the books and accounts of the North Carolina Experiment Station for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1921; that we have found the same well kept and classified as above, and that the receipts for the year from the Treasury of the United States are shown to have been $30,000, and the corresponding disbursements $30,000, for all of which proper vouchers are on file, and have been by us examined and found correct, thus leaving nothing. And we further certify that the expenditures have been solely for the purposes set forth in the acts of Congress, approved March 2, 1887, and March 16, 1906. (Signed) C. F. Tomlinson, T. T. Baelenger, J. F. Diggs, Auditors. (Seal) Attest : A. F. Bowen, Custodian. North Carolina State Library Raleigh REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF AGRONOMY To the Director: It is felt that, notwithstanding many disturbing factors, the agronomy experimental field work, in the main, has gone forward without any material interruption, except certain soil investiga-tions carried on by our former soil chemist. With assurance from the Director, it is felt that financial conditions will be such during the com-ing spring so as to employ a soil chemist in the division to continue the soil investigations needed to be taken up in connection with our field work. The work at present is conducted along the lines indicated below : SOIL SURVEY During the year the soil survey work which is being carried on in the State jointly by the Division of Agronomy and the Federal Bureau of Soils has gone forward as rapidly as is consistent with the best interest of the work. Since the last report, Onslow and Cherokee counties have been finished and about half of Cumberland County has been worked. Approximately 1,000,000 acres have been surveyed and mapped during the past year. As every one must realize who is at all familiar with agricultural work, the soil survey properly conducted is fundamental to the most intelligent planning and conducting of work in^soil fertility, crop adaptation, crop rotation and fertilization of crops. It has been observed particularly during the past few years, the grow-ing demand for the soil survey reports issued for the different counties. Not only are many farmers interested in these, but teachers and rural school teachers, settlers, lumbermen, highway engineers and others. For the past six months our field force has been temporarily reduced materially. MAINTAINING THE PRODUCTIVENESS OF OUR SOILS Any system of farming that leaves the land poorer year after year, even if for the time being fair profits are being secured by the practice, is going to result disastrously in the long run on the prosperity of the people of the State. This being true, every precaution practicable should be exercised to protect and safeguard the fertility of our soils, because upon their continued productiveness will, to a large extent, be based our advancement. It is much easier to maintain our soils than it will be to restore their productivity after they have once been exhausted. Earlier generations with their crude methods of tillage and lack of information with refer-ence to the fundamental principles of soil fertility were able to abandon exhausted fields and emigrate to virgin regions to the west of us. With the increase of population this is not now possible to any great extent, and as the years go by and the density of population still 2 is Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station further increases, it will be less so. It is, therefore, encumbent upon us as a farming people in North Carolina to try to build up and maintain our soils in a highly productive state. For unless this is done, farming as a business cannot be expected to be remunerative enough to attract our young people. To a large extent, the productivity of the soil will have to be main-tained and built up by fairly simple means. The growth of leguminous crops, such as cowpeas, soybeans, and clovers is to play a very important part in this operation. On the average farm in North Carolina, as a matter of fact, this is the most economical and practical means to begin with after the land has been cleared and drained, where needed. It is not possible, as a general proposition, to increase the fertility of all the land on the average general farm, where feeds are not bought, by the use of livestock. Legumes when inoculated and properly cultivated are able to take a large amount of nitrogen from the illimitable supply of the air, and when these crops are turned into the soil they will carry this essential constituent of plant-food to the soil for succeeding crops. Of course, it is fallacious to conclude that because one is growing leguminous crops on his land, and is removing them year after year, that he is practicing a system that is going to build up the yielding power of his land. Such has never been done and cannot be done, because of the fact that there is a continual drain from the land of the available plant-food constituents, except possibly in the case of nitro-gen, which may probably be ordinarily maintained at about the same amount. If one is to use legumes in a Avay, and it may be said in the only way, to increase the organic matter and nitrogen supply of his soil, a portion at least of the crops will have to find their way back into the soil. On very poor soils, deficient in organic matter, it will be necessary for best results, on an average, that most of the leguminous crops grown be plowed in for a time. Every progressive farmer, no doubt, in his experience has frequently observed that marked yields of crops have followed after the plowing in of a good growth of some leguminous crop, like cowpeas or soybeans, provided the turning under is done in such a way and at such a time as to permit of a thorough rotting of the material before the following crop is planted. It could hardly be too strongly emphasized for the present year that larger acreages than heretofore should be devoted to the growing of such summer-growing legumes as cowpeas and soybeans. Two of the main crying needs of most of our soils in this State is for nitrogen and organic matter, and in order to supply these needs these crops must be grown more largely for soil-improving purposes only. Where they are cut and fed only about one in two and one-half tons of the organic mat-ter contained in the crop will, under average conditions, find its way back to the soil in the manure, and ordinarily, not more than 50 to 60 per cent of the plant-food they contain will ever get back in the fields. Ageonomy 19 The mistake should not be made, however, in assuming for the average soil that one can depend solely upon the use of legumes for soil-building purposes. Phosphoric acid, generally, is a deficient constituent in North Carolina soils, and will have to be used where needed at the right time and in the right way in connection with the leguminous crops plowed in, but if most of the nitrogen needed by the non-leguminous crops, like cotton, corn and small grains, is supplied by a previous leguminous crop turned under, then the cost for the right kind of fer-tilizers will be much less per acre than it is at the present time, and thereby materially reducing the cost of producing the crop. In order to grow legumes and other crops in rotation with them satisfactorily, it will be necessary to use lime in a rational way on most of our soils. When North Carolina farmers fully appreciate the importance of legumes, they will grow them in much greater amounts, and when used rationally their annual yields and profits should be materially increased. SOIL FERTILITY INVESTIGATIONS IN OPERATION During the year, soil fertility field investigations have been con-ducted mainly at the following places : Buncombe Farm, Swannanoa ; Iredell Farm, Statesville; Edgecombe Farm, Rocky Mount; Washing-ton Farm, Wenona ; Pender Farm, Willard ; Granville Farm, Oxford. For the study of the plant-food requirements of the leading types of soil in different parts of the State, the following tests have been con-tinued during the year on the soils and at the places indicated : For Mountain Section Porter's Loam at Swannanoa, Toxaway Loam at Swannanoa. For Piedmont Section Wilkes Sandy Loam at McLeansville, Davidson Clay Loam at Lin-wood, Mecklenburg Clay Loam at Concord, Cecil Clay Loam at States-ville, Durham Sandy Loam at Oxford. For Coastal Plain Section Norfolk Fine Sandy Loam at Rocky Mount, Portsmouth Fine Sandy Loam at Pamlico, Muck at Moyock, Norfolk Fine Sandy Loam at Willard. New Soil Fertility Investigations During the year the following work has been started, in each case in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Plant Industry, to determine the soil deficiencies; best proportion of plant-food constituents; best carriers of and amounts of potash and nitrogen; and the most profitable amounts of fertilizers to use per acre for different crops : On Ruston 20 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station Sandy Loam on the farm of S. J. Currie, near Fayetteville ; on George-ville Sandy Loam on the farm of R. F. Lynch, near Ashboro; on Portsmouth Sandy Loam on the Bradham farm, near Newton. MISCELLANEOUS EXPERIMENTS In Wilkes County.—Experiments have been started to study the effects of applications of sulphur, gypsum and lime on alfalfa grown on a Cecil Clay soil. In Anson County.—Experiments have been put out on one of the slatey soils of this county to determine if the growth and turning under of cowpeas wTith and without lime will improve or hurt the soil. It is claimed by some of the best farmers of that section that the turning under of a crop of cowpeas will materially reduce a crop of cotton following. In Washington County.—At the Wenona Farm, experiments were started this year to determine the value of different methods of pre-paring and cultivating the soil for corn, soybeans, cowpeas, sorghum, oats, sudan grass and rye. Also experiments have been started at this place to determine the grasses and grass mixtures best suited to the black-land soils of the eastern portion of the State. In Wake and Edgecombe Counties.—Tests to determine the effects applications of lime, sulphur and gypsum will have upon the quality of peanuts. In Martin County.—Experiments on rather large areas were started this year on the farm of B. B. Everett, at Palmyra, to determine the value of the use of gypsum on peanuts used in different quantities and applied at different dates. SOME RESULTS OF FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS AT DIFFERENT FARMS At Washington Farm.—Results have been secured on the peaty soils of this farm showing quite conclusively, after good drainage has been established, that lime in some form is absolutely necessary for the suc-cessful production of crops. Three forms of lime have been studied. Both burnt lime and ground limestone have continued to give better results than marl. Applied at the rate of one ton per acre, burnt lime has shown up best. This is partially explained by the finer condition and hence quicker action of burnt lime. So far, neither nitrogen, phosphoric acid, nor potash has given much benefit on these soils with corn. Stable manure seems to increase the growth of crab-grass, which chokes out the native grasses to a great extent. Deep plowing and planting on a ridge has given strong indications that the practice of merely disking and planting and cultivating on the level should be changed. Ridging appears to be necessary for these Agronomy 21 soils for them to give their best returns in their present stage of de-composition. Due to insect ravages and crop diseases, it seems imperative that a suitable crop rotation be worked out for these black-land soils to aid in the elimination of some of the losses from these causes. At Pender Farm.—Drainage is a big problem at this farm due to large annual rainfalls with heavy rains at intervals. For the successful growing of crops the addition of both nitrogen and phosphoric acid have been found to be essential. Potash, too, has shown to advantage. In the crop rotations practiced, lime has given large returns, and in order to grow leguminous crops to supply both nitrogen and organic matter to the soil, lime is a big factor. Acid phosphate appears to be a more efficient carrier of phosphoric acid than either basic slag or soft phosphate on the soils of this farm. At Edgecombe Farm.—The main fertilizer tests at this farm consist of fields A, B and C, on which is used a three-year rotation of corn, cotton and peanuts with cover crops every year. In these tests and on this type of soil, nitrogen and phosphoric acid and potash all should ordinarily be supplied for best paying crop yields. On field A, an application of nitrogen and potash has paid better on an average than a complete fertilizer. With larger amounts of nitro-gen and potash, phosphoric acid begins to show up. The results show as a whole that the formulas used by farmers are frequently not the best for most economical gains. More nitrogen and potash should be used, with the phosphoric acid remaining about the same. In the rotation tests on this farm, the results show that corn every year and cotton every year is better than a rotation of corn and cotton, where fertilizer is used in all cases and no leguminous cover crop is grown. When legumes are used in the rotation and another crop of oats added, better yields of all crops are secured. The use of rock phosphate has not given as good results in the main fertilizer tests as has the use of acid phosphate. In the study of different carriers of nitrogen, nitrate of soda still leads with ammonium sulphate coming second in efficiency, when measured by crop yields. All the carriers of organic nitrogen show from their lesser yields that suitable inorganic forms give greater efficiency. A test to determine the effect of winter-killing on crimson clover, using seed from foreign and native sources, did not show any decided differ-ence in the yields from seed from different sources. Iredell Farm.—On the type of soils of this farm the evidence is still conclusive that phosphoric acid and nitrogen are the controlling plant-food constituents for better crop yields. Lime is now giving good re-sults and the yield of crops indicates that if more organic materials 22 Forty-fourth Annual Report X. C. Agri. Exp. Station were incorporated in the soils, which could be secured from the use of legumes and lime, the capacity of the soil to make larger crops would be increased by the increased efficiency of fertilizers added. In rotation tests, the results show that corn every year and wheat every year with fertilizer is just as good as a two-year rotation of corn and wheat with fertilizers; and that when legumes are added in the rotation, such as red clover, cowpeas or soybeans, much better crop yields are secured. In the study of different forms of nitrogen carriers, nitrate of soda and ammonium sulphate have given greater efficiency uniformly from the beginning. No noticeable residual effect is manifested in plats re-ceiving organic carriers of nitrogen over those on which the inorganic carriers were^ used. In the regular fertilizer experiments, rock phosphate has not shown as great efficiency as has the use of acid phosphate. In a test where rock phosphate was used in amounts varying from 500 to 4,000 pounds, a complete fertilizer has shown up better in all cases with corn and wheat, except in the case where 4,000 pounds of rock phosphate were used. This latter plat seemed a litle more fertile from the beginning and has kept up so. In the spring of 1919 a test was started at this farm to determine the value of soft phosphate against acid phosphate. Up to this time, acid phosphate has given greater yields of both cotton and corn. Buncombe Farm.—In the regular fertilizer experiments at the Bun-combe Farm, phosphoric acid, nitrogen and lime seem to be the con-trolling factors for better yields on both bottom and upland soils. Acid phosphate, with stable manure and with legumes, continues to show up as a more efficient source of phosphoric acid than does finely ground phosphate rock. The use of lime is continuing to show up on the soils of this farm to good advantage, especially when legumes enter into the rotations. In 1918 an experiment was begun to compare the availability of acid phosphate, soft phosphate and basic slag, with limestone and complete fertilizer. The results so far are not conclusive. Central Farm.—The results of the experiments here have continued to bring out the importance of having more vegetable matter incorporated into the soil so that crops will be enabled to take best advantage of the applications of plant-food. Nitrogen and phosphoric acid are the main limiting plant-food constituents, while potash is of little importance for increased production until after nitrogen and phosphoric acid have been applied in goodly amounts. An experiment has been conducted to determine the value of phospho-germ as a fertilizer. The results have shown that this ma-terial has but little value as a fertilizing material on the soils of this farm during the first year or so. Where we have had a good crop of Agronomy 23 soybeans, after harvesting the seed, plowed into the soil, it was quite noticeable this past dry season the land remained in better tilth and worked better all the year. With fields. A and B at this farm, which had been grown continu-ously in cotton and corn for a number of years, the yields continued to decline from all the different fertilizer treatments used up to 1918, when manure was added uniformly over all the plats at the rate of seven tons per acre. The west half of all plats was then limed at the rate of one ton of ground limestone per acre, except those plats in the regu-lar fertilizer series which had previously received lime, which, by the extra application, now receive an application of two tons of lime-stone on the west end every three years. Two crops of soybeans have now been grown and turned in on all the plats. The yields have been increased of both soybeans and money crops on both ends of the plats, and remarkably so on the limed end, over what was secured from them before the lime and manure were added. The results from these experi-ments have brought out the almost impossibility of building up some of our very poor Piedmont soils by sole dependence upon the growth of leguminous crops until after the soil has been enlivened by at least a small application of stable manure. In the Piedmont region of the State many of these soils are so dead, apparently, that legumes fail to grow satisfactorily on them, even under the most favorable weather conditions, until after the soil is helped in the way indicated above. The use of fertilizers alone cannot be depended upon to build up their productivity when such crops as corn and cotton are solely grown on them. SOME PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS FROM SOIL FERTILITY WORK At Buncombe Farm.—(1) The proper use of lime on both upland and bottom-land soils pays well. (2) The use of rotations including red clover and other suitable legumes are wise for best results. (3) The use of larger quantities of fertilizers, including a larger percentage of phosphates than is commonly used by farmers is usually profitable. At Washington Farm.—(1) Fertilizers are not now needed nor are they profitable with ordinary crops on newiy cultivated land. (2) Lime is very necessary for the growth of crops to advantage. It should be finely ground and be applied every other year at the rate of about two tons per acre until the excessive acidity of these two soils is destroyed. At Pender Farm.—(1) The use of nitrogen in available forms is a big factor in the most economic growth of crops. (2) The use of fairly large quantities of fertilizer will pay, if other factors are favorable for crop production. (3) Lime is necessary for growing soil-improving crops and the building up of these soils. At Edgecombe Farm.—(1) The use of larger applications of fer-tilizers, including a larger percentage of nitrogen and potash in the 24 Forty-fourth Annual Report ~N. C. Agri. Exp. Station mixtures than is commonly used. (2) Nitrogen in some soluble form is one of the first limiting factors in crop growth. (3) A rotation of corn and cotton has been found to be no better than corn or cotton grown each continuously on the same land. (4) Sludge has been found to be a poor carrier of nitrogen for crops. (5) Acid phosphate has been found to be more efficient than other carriers of phosphoric acid thus far tried out. At Iredell Farm.—(1) The use of larger quantities of nitrogen and phosphoric acid on general crops has been found to be necessary for best results. (2) Lime became essential if legumes are to be grown successfully. (3) Rotations that include soil-improving crops have shown the value of decaying organic matter on crop-producing power* of the soil. (4) When rock phosphate is used, larger applications at lone; interval? is recommended. At Central Farm.—(1) The value of incorporating decaying organic matter in these soils is of prime importance. (2) The great value of the use of lime on legumes has been demonstrated. (3) Heavier appli-cations of fertilizing materials for the best paying crops is advisable. (4) Lespedeza has been found not to be a suitable hay crop in this section of the State. (5) Phospho-germ has shown up of little value on these soils as a fertilizing material compared with the ordinary fer-tilizing materials. (6) Crimson clover, without lime, has been found to be a failure on these soils. (7) A proper system of crop rotation including legumes will pay. TOBACCO EXPERIMENTS Quite extensive work with tobacco is being conducted at Reidsville and at Oxford in cooperation with the Office of Tobacco Investigations of the United States Department of Agriculture. Below is given a brief resume of this work : At Reidsville.—During the year there has been sustained a small re-duction in the experimental work with tobacco being carried on at this farm, mainly due to the fact that the superintendent had to take on outside additional work temporarily in connection with the standardiza-tion of tobacco grades. The reduction consisted of omission of the test of the relative value of harvesting by priming, as compared with harvesting by taking off the entire plant at one time by cutting off the stalks. Sufficient evidence seems, however, to have been accumulated both here and at Oxford, at least for the present, to establish the su-periority of priming over cutting. Even in the old belt, 'farmers now quite generally have taken up priming and are in a position to judge for themselves as to the merits of the two methods. The study of general fertilizer tests, too, has been discontinued and a bulletin is now in process of preparation embodying the results of these tests covering a period of ten years. Agronomy 25 Both of these changes, however, have been brought about in accord-ance with an already approved plan for changing the work gradually in the general nutrition scheme involving crop effects on the soil as well as mere fertilizer effects. An important feature of this work here, and which is not duplicated elsewhere so far as we are aware, is the conducting of these nutrition experiments on freshly cleared hardwood land in duplicate with the same experiments on old land of similar character. The primary observation of this work is the striking superiority of tobacco on the fresh as compared with the old land, while the exact reverse of this is true in respect to corn, corn being much better on the old land. The second noteworthy observation of the results of this experiment during the past year is the decided benefit that comes from an applica-tion of phosphoric acid on the fresh land, with corn showing the deficiency even more than the tobacco. It was also observed that lime gave a better growth of both tobacco and corn on the fresh land as well as on the old land, although this benefit was not quite as decided as in 1920, the difference perhaps being chiefly due to the unusually dry season; lack of moisture apparently being the chief factor limiting the plant growth this past year. A further observation, not entirely expected, was the clearly dis-cernible characteristic potash deficiency on the plats receiving no potash, even on the fresh land. As has been noted in previous years where experiments of this kind were conducted on old land the small grain (wheat, oats and rye) were considerably better on the fresh land where they succeeded tobacco than where they followed corn. Addi-tional evidence of the depleting effects of corn, as compared with to-bacco, was shown on Field 5 (old land) continuing the plats from the third successive year continuously in tobacco, continuously in corn, and in tobacco in rotation with corn. Nothing was more outstanding in the experiment here than the marked superiority of the growth of tobacco on the plats for the third successive year in tobacco as compared with the tobacco grown on the plats where corn intervened in 1920. Another observation on this particular set of plats was the relative deterioration of the lime plats. In 1919 and 1920, lime in addition to a complete fertilizer gave a very noticeable improvement in the yield. This year the effect of lime in improving the yield was not so noticeable. Dry weather or some other factor may have had a marked influence. But the presumption seems reasonable that lime gave a better yield at first because it hastened the decay and nitrification of the soil's accumu-lated store of organic material. But in this particular system of con-tinuous planting to an intercultivated crop without provision for re-storing the consumed organic matter, the soil even in this short time under the accelerating influence of the lime has apparently become rela-tively poorer than the unlimed plats. 26 Forty-fourth Annual Report ~N. C. A(;ri. Exp. Station In addition to these tests distinctively referred to as nutrition experi-ments, the plan is to take up from time to time specially planned experi-ments on special problems important to tobacco culture. One of the most important of these special problems at the present time is in regard to the form of potash to use both as affecting the yield and quality of tobacco, and also their influence on certain diseases to which tobacco is subject, especially "sand-drown," ordinary leaf-spot, and wild-fire. Sufficient experimental evidence has been obtained in the last few years to entirely reopen this question as to the form of potash preferable to use for the tobacco crop. Due to the unusually dry sea-son, the potash experiments did not yield as remarkable results as last year. "Sand-drown" was scarcely in evidence at all in this section (the first time in several years), so the experiment showed almost noth-ing in regard to them, but there was, nevertheless, a very noticeable superiority of growth where the muriate of potash, kainit and manure salts were applied over the use of sulphate of potash. Magnesia, which was expected to exert an important influence in preventing "sand-drown" did not, of course, give any convincing results this year, since practically no "sand-drown" occurred on any of the fields. At Opoford.—In the regular fertilizer tests there are 36 plats of % ~acre each, used in testing out the various sources of nitrogen, phos-phoric acid and potash, and combinations of these various sources, both as to quality and amounts. One-half of these plats are limed at the rate of one ton per acre, broadcast of dolomitic limestone. The out-standing features of these tests are that potash is absolutely essential for tobacco, for without it the common disease of leaf-spot is so bad that the tobacco is practically worthless. Secondly, dolomitic limestone in-creased the yield on practically all the plats without decreasing quality. Another series of 10 plats known as special potash plats are also being run. Under these plats the same amounts of nitrogen and phos-phoric acid are used on all plats with varying amounts of potash from 12, 24, 36 and 80 pounds of actual potash (K2 0) per acre; also two check plats are being run with no potash used. Both muriate and sul-phate of potash are being used in the comparisons. The outstanding result of these experiments at the present time is that muriate of potash gives a larger yield of tobacco which for the past four years has been selling for as much per pound as the tobacco grown from the sulphate of potash. However, there is yet some question about the use of muriate too largely, as it does injure the burning quality. One-half of these plats were limed. In Variety Tests.—A large number of so-called varieties have been tested out in an effort to classify these types. So far, we have tried out about one hundred different varieties, some of which are distinct types or varieties, while a large number of the so-called varieties are of the same general type only under a different name, possibly named for the man who grew this tobacco successfully and sold it for a high price. Agronomy 27 We have made a few crosses and have some hybrids which show some promise. However, this takes time. In the tests of rotation systems for tobacco several rotations have been practiced, • viz. : a two-, a three-, and a fonr-year rotation. The three-year rotation, as follows, may prove to be most generally popu-lar, viz. : First year.—Tobacco, followed by oats, or wheat, or oats and vetch for hay. Second year.—Oats or wheat, followed by cowpeas or soybeans for hay, or plowed under; then seeded to Abruzzi rye for seed. Third year.—Rye harvested for seed. Cut the rye as high as possible to leave as much stubble on the land as can be done; then let lay fallow all summer and plow deep for tobacco in the fall. A four-year rotation can be used with corn and grasses in the plans with good results. Where tobacco land is limited, a two-year rotation consisting of tobacco and some small grain can be used. A test of tobacco after cowpeas is being run. This is a two-year rotation with tobacco first year, followed by fall-sown oats, cut for hay or seed; then the land is seeded to cowpeas or soybeans, broadcast and plowed under, after which the land is seeded to rye as a cover crop. The object of this experiment is to see if the nitrogen secured by the cowpeas and turned back into the soil would grow tobacco with enough quality to justify the attempt. During the first four years the tobacco on this plat was topped low and harvested by cutting, and the quality was very poor. Notwithstanding that, no nitrogen from commercial fertilizer was used, and the phosphoric acid and potash were increased, running as high on some of the plats as 1,200 pounds of 16 per cent acid phosphate and 200 pounds of 50 per cent sulphate of potash per acre. When the tobacco was topped high and planted 24 inches in the drill in four-foot rows and harvested by priming the leaves off as they matured, tobacco of average good quality was secured with a yield rang-ing from 800 to 1,100 pounds per acre. In permanent tobacco seed-bed tests the object is to maintain a perma-nent tobacco seed bed, located conveniently near the house of the farmer, if possible, and keep it free from disease by sterilizing each year with live steam. This has been found to be entirely practical as well as economical. If the farmer has a portable steam boiler which he can use for steaming the bed, the plants grow faster, are more uniform in size and are healthier. The cost, when coal is used, is about half what it would be if burned by open fires with wood. However, a very large number of farmers do not burn their beds at all, but get up new beds each year. This is all right as long as suitable land is available, and they can be located so they will be free from any fungus diseases which are so common in tobacco beds. The potash and lime experiments consist of 18 plats, six major plats, fertilized with the same amount of nitrogen and phosphoric acid from 28 Forty-fouktii Annial Report N. C. A<;ki. Exp. Station the same sources, but under each of these plats, different kinds of potash are used, viz. : German sulphate, Nebraska sulphate, German muriate, Trona muriate, manure salts and kainit. These plats were divided into sections A, B and C. Under A, ground limestone derived from prac-tically pure calvite was used. Under B, no limestone was used. Under C, dolomitic limestone was applied. The limestone was applied in the drill at the rate of 1,000 pounds per acre. The object of this experiment was to control a disease which is commonly known as "sand-drown." After working with this disease for three or four years, we were led to believe magnesia would prevent it ; therefore, we found in field tests that this was absolutely true, and this can be done in a practical and inexpensive manner by using dolomitic limestone which contains from 20 to 35 per cent of magnesium carbonate. The results of this experi-ment are undoubtedly of the most far-reaching importance of anything accomplished on the tobacco stations for the past few years, and we believe will mean millions of dollars to the tobacco farmers of this State alone. Practically all of the larger fertilizer companies ' sent representatives to Oxford last summer to observe the results, and a number of them are now making plans to use magnesia in some form in their tobacco fertilizers next year. The plant nutrition investigations are planned to study crops and legume effects. The part dealing with crop effects consists of two fields of 45 plats each, a total of 90 plats, on which is planted the first year tobacco, cotton and corn, using the same fertilizer for each crop. The second year wheat, oats and rye are sown on these plats. The plats are so arranged that wheat follows cotton, corn and tobacco; also the same is true of oats and rye as with wheat. During the rotation, each of the major crops—cotton, corn and tobacco—follow each of the small grain plats. By this means accurate data can be obtained as to the crop effect of each of these six crops. Some good results are being secured. The part of the experiment dealing with legume effects consists of two fields of 63 plats each, giving a total of 126 plats of ^ -acre each. The object of this experiment is to find out by actual field tests the relative value of the various annual legumes, such as crimson clover, hairy vetch, cowpeas and soybeans, as compared with grass and fallow plats. These plats are planted to tobacco, cotton and corn without any commercial nitrogen being added in the fertilizers, but phosphoric acid and potash are used. The same amount is used under all plats except the check, to which a complete fertilizer is added. After the cotton, corn and tobacco are harvested, wheat, oats and rye are planted in a similar manner as under the crop effect section. By this means we have cotton, corn and tobacco following the legume crops and the grass crop ; thereby enabling us to study the relative values of the legumes on all the main crops, also the crop effect and residual effect on the small grain crops. This is an extremely interesting experiment and one, we believe, that will be of considerable value to agriculture. Agkonomy 29 A continuous cropping experiment is being run. In this experiment one field of 15 plats is used, on which tobacco, cotton and corn are cropped each year. One series of plats tobacco follows tobacco each year; cotton follows cotton; and corn follows corn; and then a rotation of tobacco follows cotton and corn, and vice versa for each of the crops. This is used as a check against both sections of the main plant nutrition experiments. We have already found that it is dangerous to have tobacco follow tobacco, especially in territory where "tobacco wilt" might be expected—as on the plats where tobacco has been cropped con-tinuously for five or six years 50 to 60 per cent of it was affected with the wilt. In adjoining plats, where a two-year rotation is being fol-lowed with only a space of a few feet apart, there was no wilt. Be-sides the danger of plant diseases, the soil fertility is being diminished. PROFITABLENESS OF FERTILIZING CORN GROWN ON UPLAND AND BOTTOM LAND IN MOUNTAINS For many years the Division of Agronomy has conducted fertilizer experiments on both upland and mountain soils. As a result of these experiments it has been found that the fertilization of corn will pay a profit if the proper kinds and amounts are used. In fact, without the proper use of commercial fertilizers or farm manures, the growth of this crop will seldom be profitable with most poor mountain soils under normal market conditions. What this amount and proportion should be is given in the resume below : Toxaway Loam (Bottom soil).—(1) With only two fertilizer con-stituents used phosphoric acid combined with potash gave the greatest increase in bushels of corn and also the greatest net returns. When nitrogen and potash were used only a small gain was made and just 43 cents over what the fertilizer cost, while nitrogen and phosphoric acid gave an increase of 17.6 bushels of corn over the untreated plats showing a profit of $17.34. With the use of a complete fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash) an increase of 28.3 bushels was secured, making a gain of $29.76. This is $4.78 less than what was obtained with a mixture of phosphoric acid and potash. Taking into considera-tion both increase in yield obtained and the value of the increase, it is very evident that phosphoric acid is the dominant or controlling con-stituent of plant food for increasing the yields and profits in corn growing on this type of soil. (2) Lime, when used alone, has given fairly large increases each year on the untreated plats with a corresponding net return, and in conjunc-tion with a complete fertilizer larger yields and returns have been secured than on any other plats except those on which the fertilizer ap-plication was increased from 400 pounds per acre to 600 and 800 pounds per acre, respectively. 30 FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT N. C. AgRI. Exp. STATION Under the conditions of the experiment, the results show that for corn grown on this type of soil, lime may be used at a profit alone and with a much greater profit when applied in conjunction with a complete fertilizer. (3) The amount of nitrogen used in the. normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre applied in these experiments was 3 per cent or 12 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to give 6 and 24 pounds of nitrogen per acre. The yield and value of both corn and stover was decreased as the size of the application of nitrogen was increased. In fact, the use of nitrogen in any amount did not give as great an increase over the no-treatment plat as did the combination of phosphoric acid and potash. The net returns were, too, not as large from the former. Until other crop-producing factors are controlled the use of nitrogen is not profitable for growing corn on this type of soil. (4) The amount of phosphoric acid in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was 7 per cent, which is equivalent to 28 pounds per acre. This quantity was varied to include 14 and 56 pounds of phosphoric acid per acre with normal amounts of nitrogen and potash. The yield of both grain and straw increased over the unfertilized plats as the amount of phosphoric acid was increased. The net returns secured per acre were $15.26 when 14 pounds of phosphoric acid were used; $29.26 with the use of 28 pounds; and $33.57 when 56 pounds of phosphoric acid were used. Under the conditions of the experiment it is evident that when normal quantities of nitrogen and potash are applied, 56 pounds of phosphoric acid is the most profitable amount to use. (5) The amount of potash in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was 1% per cent, which is equivalent to 6 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to include 3 and 12 pounds of potash per acre with normal amounts of nitrogen and phosphoric acid. The results show that 6 pounds of potash is sufficient for corn on this, type of soil when nitrogen and potash in normal amounts are used with it. (6) Varying the amounts of the normal fertilizer applications (400 pounds per acre) from 200 to 600 and 800 pounds per acre gave pro-gressively increased yields and profits as the quantity of fertilizer was increased. The results of the applications after deducting the cost of the fertilizer show the following net profits : 200 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of $21.01 400 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of 29.76 600 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of 42.31 800 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a profit of 45.69 Putting this in a slightly different way, the first 200 pounds of fer-tilizer yielded a net profit of $10.51 for each 100 pounds of fertilizer used; the application of 400 pounds of fertilizer yielded $7.44 per 100 pounds; while 600 pounds made $7.05 profit per 100 pounds, and 800 pounds yielded $5.71 profit per 100 pounds of fertilizer used. Agronomy 31 (7) From the chemical analyses of the various bottom-land soils in the western part of the State the indications are that these results will apply generally to these soils. (8) In the production of corn on average bottom-land soils of the character of this, taking all the results secured as a whole, it is recom-mended that on well prepared seed beds that at least 600 pounds of fer-tilizer per acre be used, analyzing 10 per cent phosphoric acid, l 1/-* to 2 per cent nitrogen, and 1 per cent potash. It should be the plan of every farmer to reduce the necessity for the use of nitrogen in the fertilizers purchased. This can be done to some extent at least by the growing and plowing in of leguminous crops and crop residues grown in rotation with corn. Porter s Loam (Upland soil).—(1) Nitrogen, when used alone in normal amounts (12 pounds per. acre), did not produce enough in-crease over the unfertilized plat to pay for the fertilizer applied. (2) With the use of a normal amount of phosphoric acid (28 pounds per acre) alone, an increase in yield of corn was secured of 14.5 bushels, having a net value of $15.82. This yield and profit is greater by far than when either nitrogen or potash were used alone. It is evident from these results that phosphoric acid is the limiting plant-food factor to be first applied for the production of corn on this type of soil. (3) With a normal amount of potash (6 pounds^per acre) a net profit of $7.36 was secured. (4) With the use of a mixture carrying normal amounts of nitrogen and phosphoric acid, and no potash, after paying for the fertilizer, a net profit was obtained of $16.13 per acre. The increase in yield of corn from this treatment was 15.6 bushels, and is larger than any from any other combination consisting of two constituents of plant food, and also from the normal (]STPK) application. (7) Using all three plant-food constituents combined in a complete acid used in the mixture, the increase in yield is barely larger than with the use of potash alone. (6) By the use of a combination of phosphoric acid and potash, leav-ing out nitrogen, the average yields and profits were not as great as with phosphoric acid alone. (7) Using all three plant-food constituents combined in a complete fertilizer, an increase in yield was secured sufficient to give a net profit of $12.25 per acre. This is not as large as when phosphoric acid was used alone or with the combinations of nitrogen and phosphoric acid. (8) The results show that the use of lime alone has given increased yields and profits ; and in combination with a complete fertilizer, larger yields and net profits have been secured than with a complete fertilizer without lime. (9) From a study of all the results secured, it is evident, first, that phosphoric acid is the controlling plant-food constituent for increasing yields and profits in growing corn ; second, that unless more phosphoric 32 Forty-fotjbth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station acid is applied the use of nitrogen and potash will be made at a loss; and, third, that lime can be used with profit with the rotation used in this experiment and with a complete fertilizer. (10) The amount of nitrogen in the normal fertilizer mixture (400 pounds per acre) was 3 per cent, or 12 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to give 6, 24 and 36 pounds to the acre with the normal amounts of phosphoric acid and potash. The value of the increase with 6 pounds of nitrogen was $14.15. This is $1.95 more than that from the use of 12 pounds of nitrogen; and lacks only 63 cents of being as much as that from 24 pounds of nitrogen; and 60 cents of being as much as from 36 pounds of nitrogen. Although the increase in yield of corn is some greater from the use of the heavier applications of nitrogen it is not enough to much more than pay for the increase in the cost of the heavier applications. From the results, it is probable that 6 pounds of nitrogen is enough to use on this type of soil, until after other limiting factors of crop production are met. (11) The amount of phosphoric acid in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was 7 per cent, which is equivalent to 28 pounds per acre. This quantity was varied to include 14, 56 and 84 pounds of phosphoric acid per acre with normal quantities of nitrogen and potash. The largest increase in yield was secured from an application of 84 pounds of phosphoric acid, but the largest net returns were secured from the use of 56 pounds of phosphoric acid. The results have shown that phosphoric acid alone gave a greater increase in yield and net profits than from any of the above treatments. This indicates that either 28 pounds of phosphoric acid is enough to use for corn growing, or there are some other factors not satisfied when the phosphoric acid applica-tion is increased. (12) The amount of potash in the normal fertilizer (400 pounds per acre) was l 1 /^ per cent, or 6 pounds per acre. This amount was varied so as to. include 3, 12, and 18 pounds of potash per acre. With the exception of 12 pounds of potash, which gave one bushel more increase than did 3 pounds of potash, the plat which received normal amounts of nitrogen and phosphoric acid and % normal, or 3 pounds of potash, gave the highest average increase and the largest net returns. From a study of the chemical analysis of this type of soil and these results, it is probable that 3 pounds of potash are enough to use in the produc-tion of corn until other factors are changed. (13) Varying the amounts of the normal fertilizer application (400 pounds per acre) from 200 to 600, 800 and 1,000 pounds per acre gave increased yields for each of the applications, except where 400 pounds were used to the acre. The most profitable application was at the rate of 800 pounds per acre of the normal mixture. After deducting the Ageonomy 33 cost of fertilizer the different quantities of fertilizer per acre showed the following profits : 200 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of $ 6.49 400 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 6.18 600 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 8.56 800 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 16.17 1,000 pounds of fertilizer per acre gave a net profit of 15.53 Putting this in a slightly different way, the use of 200 pounds of fer-tilizer yielded a net profit of $3.25 for each 100 pounds of fertilizer used; an application of 400 pounds of fertilizer made a profit of $1.55 per 100 pounds; while 600 pounds made $1.43 profit per 100 pounds; 800 pounds of fertilizer yielded $2.02 per 100 pounds, and 1,000 pounds yielded $1.55 profit per 100 pounds of fertilizer used. (14) from the chemical analysis of the various upland soils in the western part of the State, the indications are that the. results herein reported will apply very well to most of them. (15) In the production of corn on average upland soils of the charac-ter of this, taking all the results herein reported as a whole, it is recom-mended for well prepared seed beds that something like 400 to 600 pounds of a fertilizer mixture analyzing 10 per cent phosphoric acid, 2 per cent nitrogen and 1 per cent potash, be applied. When soils of this character are built up the nitrogen in the mixture may be reduced or be entirely eliminated. This condition of the soil should be strived for by the growth and plowing into the soil of leguminous crops and crop residues. EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION UPON OPENING OF COTTON Since the coming of the cotton boll weevil early fruiting and opening of cotton became of great importance. It is of interest in this connec-tion to know that at the Iredell Farm during the past season those plats which received heavy applications of lime and high percentages of acid phosphate in a complete fertilizer, applied at planting time on a clover sod, were the ones on which the cotton shed its fruit least and opened its cotton early. COMING OF THE COTTON BOLL WEEVIL In all probability, cotton growing will always occupy an important position in our agriculture in this State, provided our people adjust their methods of growing this crop to reduce the damage from this pest to the minimum. Below are given some of the precautions that will have to be observed in most effectively meeting this pest of the cotton grower. They are as follows : 1. Be calm under the attack and do not become stampeded. Meet his attack with courage and without being frightened if you wish to win out. 2. The most effective means of combating the boll weevil is by the use of generally good methods of farming. 3 34 Forty-fourth Annual Report 1ST. C. Agri. Exp. Station 3. Plant cotton only on uplands. One will run a big risk to plant bottom-lands or lands near wooded areas. 4. Use at least 600 pounds of fertilizer to the acre, containing a larger pro-portion of phosphoric acid than is ordinarily used, avoiding the use of fertilizers too rich in nitrogen, especially on soils rich in this con-stituent. Apply all the fertilizer before planting the cotton and keep the plants growing vigorously from the start without promoting too rank a growth of plants. 5. Early breaking of the land for cotton in the fall or winter with a two-horse plow, and planting as early in the spring as the ground is warm enough to germinate the seed. Cultivate well and frequently after the crop is up to keep them growing vigorously from the start. 6. Keep fields free from rubbish, grass, weeds and bushes. This means smaller acreage to cotton than has generally been cultivated in the past on the farms of the State. 7. With early spring infestation, pick and destroy all squares that have been punctured. These will usually be at the end of rows near woods, hedgerows, stumps, or fodder stacks. In planting use plenty of well-matured seed. 8. Secure and maintain a moderately thick stand of the plants in the rows not exceeding 8 to 12 inches between plants. This will tend to cause the plants to make smaller growth and to make the cotton mature quicker. Give the cotton plenty of space between the rows (about 4 feet), so that the sunshine can get in to dry up the infested bolls and open the early sound ones. 9. Grow plenty of food and feed crops to meet the needs of the farm to make it as self-sustaining as possible. 10. Avoid excessive rank growth of cotton, as this gives a place for the weevil to hide from the heat and get plenty of food for their growth and multiplication. 11. Use for planting purposes, early fruiting and early opening varieties of cotton, like Cleveland Big Boll, Mexican Big Boll, Express and Edge-combe- Cook. 12. Field select seed of cotton each year from plants that set and open the largest amount of bolls under boll weevil conditions. 13. Grow more summer and winter-growing legumes like soybeans, clovers, and vetches, and use part of them, as far as is practicable to do so, to improve the producing power of the soil, as this is one of the most effective means found of making cotton with or without the boll weevil. 14. After the cotton is gathered, by immediately destroying the cotton stalks, and weeds, chopping up the stalks and other material, and plowing them in five or six inches deep in the fall before frost, and putting the land into suitable cover crops. This will destroy the winter homes and food plants of the weevil and other injurious insects. 15. Plant cotton only on well drained and fairly fertile soils, remembering that those things should be avoided that will tend to promote too rank and late growth of cotton stalks. If the land is too wet at certain times of the year, be sure to plant on ridges. This will tend to make them grow off earlier and mature quicker. Agronomy 35 16. Reduce the acreage of cotton to the plow so as to be able to prepare the land early and thoroughly. Get the crop planted early and cultivate thoroughly at frequent intervals. 17. As far as possible locate the cotton fields in the open, far away from the woods or other places where the weevil may be harboring during the winter. 18. Establish on every farm a good crop rotation best suited to the particular conditions on and needs of the farm in which suitable leguminous crops grown with the main money crop are utilized after growth in such a way as far as practicable to do so, so that they will aid in building up the producing power of the soil. This cannot ordinarily be done unless it is planned in advance that a certain portion of the legumes shall go back into the soil for soil-improving purposes. RESULTS OF WORK IN PLANT BREEDING At Central Farm.—The field work of the cotton studies under Adams' Project No. 14 has been discontinued and the time previously given to project work has been used in preparing the results of the past eight years for publication, and in a laboratory study of fibers from the dif-ferent strains. In the study of fibers, width of fiber, tensile strength and number of twists per inch, have been given special attention. The different strains isolated from King cotton have shown considerable variation in width of fiber and number of twists per inch. In correla-tion tables, where width of fiber and tensile strength are compared, there is a positive correlation between broad fiber and high tensile strength. In the comparison of width of fiber and twist, the largest number of twists per inch are associated with the narrowest fibers. The study of cotton fibers from different varieties and from the same variety grown in different parts of the State, was suggested by requests from cotton manufacturers and cotton brokers, that wxe recommend a certain variety of cotton because of its excellent body and spinning qualities. The variety in question was not a high yielder, so micro-scopic examinations were made to determine the qualities of its fibers which might account for its good body and spinning qualities. When compared with fibers from King, Cleveland and Cook, the variety recom-mended by the mills had greater breadth of fiber and fewer number of twists per inch. It also had greater strength than the above varieties. When compared with our selected strain of Mexican Big Boll, however, the wddth of fiber was the same and the breaking strength of Mexican was greater. These studies are being continued to determine further microscopic qualities that may be associated with body and good spin-ning qualities. The cotton "Place Effect" study under Adams' Project No. 15 in co-operation wTith the Mississippi Experiment Station was continued but no comparison w^as made this season on account of the failure to save seed last year. The strain was grown in Mississippi and in North Carolina this year so that seed will be available for the comparison next year. 36 Fobty-foi 'rtii Annual Repoet N. C. Agri. Exp. Station SPACING AND SEEDING TESTS The cotton spacing tests have been continued on the Central and Edgecombe farms. In these tests, one plat has been left unthinned and four others were thinned to 8, 12, 18 and 24 inches between plants in the row. Tn both of the tests thus far the thickest spacing has produced the highest yield of seed cotton and lint per acre. At the Iredell Farm further studies have been made of the different rates and dates of seeding wheat and oats. The seedings of October 15 have continued to give best results in this locality. The results of this and the past five years indicate a period between October 10 and 25 to be the best time for seeding small grain in this locality. The date of seedings have been made every fifteen days, beginning with September 1 and extending through to and including December 15. The seedings made September 1 and 15 have been severely damaged by rust and have been less resistant to cold than the October 15 seedings. During the past three years the seedings made December 15 have withstood the cold, but have yielded four bushels per acre less than the seedings of October 15. The seedings were made at the rate of 30, 60, 90 and 120 pounds per acre. When seeded October 15, a 60-pound seeding gave the best results for oats and the 90-pound seeding for wheat. As the time of seeding was delayed, the heavier seedings gave slightly heavier yields. This was particularity true during severe winters. SEED IMPROVEMENT WORK WITH DIFFERENT CROPS Corn.—Seed patches from select corn are being grown at the Central, Buncombe, Iredell, Granville, Edgecombe and Washington farms. Each of these farms are stocked with the best strain of corn for their re-spective sections of the State in which they are located. These corns have yielded from 5 to 7.5 bushels more than the unselected strains gen-erally grown in the State. Cotton.—High yielding strains of cotton are being selected on the Edgecombe, Pender and Iredell farms. The Mexican Big Boll strain, Wo. 18, at the Edgecombe Earm, and No. 6 at the Central Earm, have given good results in all sections of the State. These strains furnish l%e_ inch staple and are by far the best cottons of their class grown in the State. They have only been exceeded in yield of lint by Cleveland Big Boll, a shorter staple cotton. The Pender Farm has been stocked with a good strain of Cleveland Big Boll. The early strain of King 29 is being selected each year for the upper Piedmont section. Soybeans.—The soybean selection work is conducted at the Central Farm. This has consisted of pure line selection from the Mammoth Yellow, Haberlandt and Virginia varieties. The Mammoth Yellow beans have been selected for high yield of seed and increased oil content and the others for greater yields of seed. Mammoth Yellow strain, No. 101, has averaged 4.1 bushels per acre more than the general crop seed Agronomy 37 of this variety. Strain No. 38 from Haberlandt has averaged 6.3 bush-els more than the general crop seed of this variety. Selection No. 12 from the Virginia variety has averaged 2.1 bushels per acre more than the original variety. The soybean work at the Buncombe Farm has attracted particular attention from farmers. At this farm the Haber-landt has stood out as of superior value for both soil improvement and for feed. Through the work of the Extension Service these strains have been distributed and are this year being grown by private growers. Wheat.—The strain of Leap's Prolific (Nos. 12 and 32) have been further increased. In the variety tests this season, these two strains were outyielded by Purple Straw, an early strain of wheat which is being selected at the Granville Farm. The past season was very favor-able to rust infection and the late varieties were more severely damaged by rust. One hundred and fifty bushels of strain No. 12 have been sold this year to growers who are prepared to grow it for seed purposes. Reports from seed sold last season have been very favorable to this strain in spite of the poor season. Strain No. 32, grown at the Iredell Farm, could not be offered for sale on account of the mixture with oats. The best seed have been returned for planting. Rye.—Strain No. 4 of Abruzzi rye, selected at the Central Farm, has been further increased and was again compared with the best available commercial seed. In the comparison on the Station Farm, our strain No. 4 yielded 5.8 bushels per acre more than the best commercial strain in the test. It yielded 9.4 bushels per acre more than Rosin rye. From the increase plats of this strain 65 bushels have been sold to growers who stated they were prepared to grow it for seed purposes. The Abruzzi rye is earlier in the spring and more upright in habit of growth than the common rye, which fits in better for grazing purposes than the common rye. Seed House.—The recently constructed seed house at the Central Farm is very well adapted for the care and storage of seed. The build-ing is 20 x 20 feet with a ten-foot pitch and is constructed from a double, fabricated steel garage. Solid ends were used instead of the large double doors and regular windows, and service doors were placed at convenient points on the sides. The building has a cement floor and cement walls extending two feet above the floor. A close joint is made between the steel sides and the cement to prevent the entrance of mice or insects. Ventilation is supplied by 3-inch terra cotta pipes in the floor, a small window on each side, and a regulated ventilator at the top. During the past summer the small grain stored in it has been successfully protected from insects by the use of heat. One heating during the summer proved sufficient protection against the angoumois moth and grain weevil (Colondra granoria) which were present in considerable number just before the treatment. Rust Resistance in Wheat.—In cooperation with the Division of Plant Pathology, wheat plantings have been made to study the relative yield 38 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station and rust resistance of the western wheats in comparison with our local varieties. These comparisons have been made on the Central Farm dur-ing the past two years. The western wheats have included Kanred, Beard-less, Winter Fife, Malskotf, Michigan Amber, Barletta and a few special selections denoted by number. The local strains with which they were compared are Leap's Prolific, Purple Straw, Stoner, Fulcaster, Fultz, and Alabama Blue Stem and Pool. While Kanred, the leading one of the western wheats, has shown considerably more resistance to rust, it has not yielded so well as the best of our local varieties. Among the local varieties, the earlier strains of Purple Straw have yielded best under heavy rust infection. It was thought that possibly the transfer of seed from Kansas would influence the standing of Kanred, so the past season's comparisons were made with seed grown here the previous year. Home-grown seed of the Kanred made a relatively better stand-ing, but even under these conditions its yield was almost doubled by the early strain of Purple Straw. PUBLICATIONS The following publications have been prepared and published during the year, embodying the results and observations of field work by the Division of Agronomy : Bulletins— I—Fertilizers for Crops Commonly Grown in North Carolina. II—Results of Phospho-Germ Experiments Conducted During 1919-1920 (State Department Bulletin, May, 1921). Results of Fertilizer Experiments with Corn at the Buncombe Farm, for 1911-1917 (In press). In closing I wish to commend individually the workers of the Division. They have each rendered conscientious and faithful service to the station and to the State. Respectfully submitted, C. B. Williams, Chief, Division of Agronomy. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY To the Director:—It is not the intention in the following report to set forth in every detail the work performed by the various workers of the Animal Industry Division, but rather to indicate clearly and con-cisely a statement of the various phases of work now under way or completed during the last fiscal year. Some few problems of lesser importance have been dropped due to the stringency of funds. "Wherever possible, however, all problems of a short-time nature were concluded. This was done in an effort to help out in the readjustment taking place. The chief efforts of the Division from this standpoint were to continue all experimental prob-lems of a distinctly research nature and all extension problems which could not be dropped or curtailed without seriously interfering with the work. If it is your desire to have further details concerning any of the experimental or extension problems, such will be gladly furnished upon request. The following is a summarized report of the Experiment Station offices in the Animal Industry Division : OFFICE OF BEEF CATTLE AND SHEEP R. S. Curtis, In Charge Assisted by F. T. Peden and George Evans 1. Cotton Seed Meal Studies. The rapidly increasing use of cotton seed meal in Southern livestock work is making necessary the accumulation of much additional knowl-edge concerning the use of cotton seed meal as a feed for farm animals. This work is being conducted with about 25 cows and heifers and 15 calves. The chief discovery during the past year is that females fed on a heavy ration of cotton seed meal usually abort, and where young calves from other cows are fed on the milk from such animals the transmission of the toxicity through this source of feed is clearly evident after a few weeks. This is noted in the emaciated condition of the calves and their generally unthrifty condition, whereas similar calves fed on normal milk grow off without interruption. This work is cooperative between the Dairy Experimental Office and the Office of Beef Cattle and Sheep. Such a noted scientist as Dr. E. V. McCollum of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., after going over this work here last August, pronounces it an important and well con-ducted line of work of very wide interest, not only from the animal standpoint, but from the standpoint of the consumption of milk by humans. 2. Milk Sickness or Trembles. This problem has passed the stage of an animal industry feeding prob-lem, it having been well established in the laboratory and in the field of this State that white snake root is the cause of the existing trouble which occurs chiefly in the mountains. 40 Forty-fourth Annfal Report N". C. Agri. Exp. Station The results of this work have recently been confirmed by Dr. Walter G. Sackett of the University of Chicago, his work substantiating our statements of the presence of a toxic principle in white snake root. This problem thus passes to the stage of isolating the toxic substance. A complete report of the work performed at this station is reported in Technical Bulletin No. 15. 3. Bone and Muscle Building Requirements in Southern Cattle. This study was inaugurated during the last year with a herd of purebred Hereford cattle, donated by J. E. Latham of Greensboro, N. C. The purpose of this work is to study the bone and muscle building requirements of cattle. Kinds of feed and character of soils on which grown enter into this study to determine whether feed or soil deficien-cies of the South are different from other sections of the country. In addition to the customary means of measuring growth by weight an absolute system of measurements are being used to determine not only the size of the bone, but the various measurements of various parts of the body. 4. Cost of Producing Feeder Cattle. This work is being conducted on the farm of T. L. Gwyn, in Haywood County, with F. T. Peden, an employee of the Division, in charge of the details of the work. The problems involved are as follows: (a) Original cost of calves. (b) Cost of wintering as calves, yearlings and two-year-olds. (c) Cost of pasture during same period. (d) Cost of wintering on various feeds. (e) Cost of wintering on winter pasture. The winter pasture phase of this work is one of the interesting points brought out, that is, that cattle can be wintered on orchard grass grazed from the pasture at about one-half the cost when similar cattle are win-tered in barns. The results of the first three years work on this farm were covered in bulletins published simultaneously by the United States Department at Washington, D. C, with whom we were cooperating, and the North Carolina Experiment Station. The results of the second three years work have been published in United States Department Bulletin No. 954, and the edition from this State is just now ready to come from the press. We are just now enter-ing into the third three years work. The results of these experiments have been widely applied throughout Western North Carolina. 5. The Effect of Cotton Seed Meal on the Health and Reproduction of Breeding Sheep. This experiment has been completed with the conclusion that cotton seed meal is a safe feed for breeding ewes when fed at the rate of not over one pound of cotton seed meal per 100 pounds live weight. The use of this feed is growing greatly in favor, especially when the product is fed in the form of crushed cake, either in conjunction with corn silage or pasture. Results are being compiled for publication. Animal Industry 41 6. Cost of Producing Early Lambs for Market. This work is being conducted at the Statesville Test Farm with 35 breeding ewes. The results of this work have shown clearly that lambs can be dropped in December and January, and put on the market during March and April, commanding at this time a premium because of their early availability. The lambs from this farm last year were sold at 17% cents per pound gross weight, while lambs of similar breeding dropped on the Central Test Farm, at Raleigh, about one month earlier, were sold at 20 cents per pound live weight. ANIMAL NUTRITION AVORK J. 0. Halverson, In Charge 1. Studies on Soft Pork. Experiments in cooperation with Mr. Earl Hostetler, in charge of swine investigations, are being conducted to determine the efficiency of peanuts and peanut by-products on the carcass of hogs. This work will be continued on a much larger scale when pens for individual feeding are constructed, as the problem has reached the stage where individual feeding has become a necessity. Data has been worked up in a "Critical Review of the Present Status of Soft Pork Investigations." This is ready for publication in the near future. 2. Mineral Supplements, Chiefly Calciums for Southern Conditions. Data has been accumulated to show indirectly the pronounced influ-ence of calcium in the ration and its relation to the extent and economy of gain in animals. This work will be continued, as it is an unusually important problem. 3. Nutritive Value of the Peanut. This study, supplementary to that of "Soft Pork," has been actively prosecuted with young growing albino rats. Preliminary experiments have shown the necessity of repeating pre-viously published work, using longer feeding periods in order to ascer-tain the effect on growth, reproduction and lactation, as well as the effect of the ration on rearing the young from such mothers from wean-ing age to maturity. A chemical analysis indicates that the peanut is of high feeding value, especially in protein and oil. Experiments show, however, that there are definite deficiencies. When this work is concluded supplements to the peanut with sub-stances directly related to farm animals, such as peanut and soybean hay and alfalfa meal, will be given to determine the adequacy and amount necessary. One such preliminary experiment with alfalfa meal has been conducted. 4. The Toxicity of White Snake Root. The general conclusions on the poisonous nature of white snake root causing trembles or milk sickness, published in Technical Bulletin No. 15, of the North Carolina Experiment Station, has recently been con-firmed by Dr. Walter G. Sackett, in work done at the University of Chicago. 42 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station This work substantiated the presence of a toxic principle in the white snake root. It appears that further animal feeding experiments to establish this toxicity are unnecessary. The problem is thus open for the isolation of a toxic glucoside, or principle. 5. Onion Flavor in Milk. This work is being conducted in cooperation with Mr. Stanley Combs, in charge of dairy investigations. Mr. Combs is actively engaged in working out a process for removing the onion flavor from the milk while Dr. Halverson is working on a similar plan to remove the flavor from butter. Definite results have been obtained by treating onion-flavored butter with a washing process. Laboratory workers could not detect any dif-ference from that of good rendered butter. The process devised is comparatively inexpensive, and it appears that such expensive fats, if of sufficient quantity, can be recovered and made palatable. Much more work needs to be done, however, to establish definite methods. POULTRY INVESTIGATIONS AND PATHOLOGY B. F. Kaupp, In Charge Assisted by J. E. Ivey, M. V. Louder and E. G. Wardin The investigational phases of this office are along three main lines of endeavor: (a) Disease investigations. (b) Nutritional investigations. (c) Breeding studies. 1. Studies in Diseases of Fowls. A brief resume will be given below of the various specific studies made: (a) Apparent Oviductitis of a Hen. Mr. Wernle of Chicago has been cooperating in this work and has given some very interesting data on his experience with this disease since last report. (b) Entero-Hepatitis of Turkeys. It is quite probable that this dis-ease is less prevalent in the mountains than elsewhere. Tests showed that poults taken from flocks where blackhead did not exist, and these poults placed with hens that had been with turkeys infected with black-head at some time in their lives would begin to die as soon as said poults were about five weeks old. (c) A Bacteriological Study of the Abscess of the Feet of Single-comb White Leghorns. This trouble is more prevalent with Leghorns than with the larger breeds. The disease is probably due to a weakened condition and lack of resistance to the bacteria when tissues are injured. (d) Paralysis of the Fowl. Paralysis Of the domestic fowl is due to a degeneration of the motor nerve ganglia. When paralysis once occurs in a flock it again reoccurs among the young birds each year after that time. The disease may be combated by substituting a new flock on clean ground. (e) Volvulus of the Free Portion of the Small Intestines of a Hen. A case of this has been observed in a Single-comb Rhode Island Red hen. Animal Industry 43 (f) Myxo-Sarcoma of a Barred Plymouth Rock Hen. The tumors in-volved the liver, pericardium and other of the visceral organs. (g) Lympho-Sarcoma of a Single-comb White Leghorn Hen. This condition was studied and will be reported later. (h) Cysto-Lipo-Chondro-Osteo-Adeno-Carci-momata. This compound tumor was studied in a Golden Wyandotte cock. Some areas showed fatty tissue, others bone surrounded with hyaline cartilage, and still other areas showed gland tissue. (i) Physiology of Respiration of the Domestic Fowl. Studies were made of respiration in the fowl, goose, duck, and turkey, and the aver-age length of breath recorded. (j) Physiology of Blood Pressure. Blood pressure was taken from the femoral artery connecting directly the femoral artery with the manometer. Average blood pressure of all tests was 115 mm. (k) Physiology of the Pulse of Fowls. In fowls inspiration raises blood pressure. From the preliminary tests made it appears that the pulse of a chicken is about 300 times per minute. 2. Breeding Work—Inheritance Studies. The study of inheritance of egg production has progressed satisfac-torily. However, some difficulty has been encountered in getting a com-mon flock from which to develop and prove common males and common females with which to proceed to study the powers of transmission of egg-laying qualities by the female. 3. Studies in Feeding Problems. (a) Amount of Feed Per Hen Per Year. The amount of mash con-sumed increases as the hen comes into laying and the quantity used de-pends directly upon the number of eggs layed. Experiments showed that it requires 7.2 pounds of feed to produce one dozen eggs. (b) Fattening Chickens. The cost per pound increase for feed alone was shown to be 8 cents for the minimum and 23 cents per pound for the maximum. (c) Cramming Fattening. In 15 birds there was a gain of 28.3 per cent. In another lot of 12 birds there was a gain of 29 per cent, in which case the cost per pound gain for feed alone was 15 cents. (d) Velvet Bean Meal Tests. Tests were conducted with ground vel-vet beans, and where 22% per cent of velvet beans were fed in the ration it produced a deleterious effect upon the health of birds and their per-formance. (e) Peanut Meal Tests. Where a 20 per cent peanut meal ration was used in combination with other grains there was a gain of 22 per cent at a cost per pound gain for feed consumed of 14 cents. 4. Egg Production Problems and Studies. (a) Artificial Illumination. Where artificial illumination was used the hens averaged 42.2 more eggs per year than in the control lots. The hens under lights averaged 28 per cent greater production for the year and produced a dozen eggs for 7.1 pounds of feed consumed, while the controls produced one dozen eggs for 9.6 pounds of feed consumed. (b) Effects of Straw Lofts on Egg Production. Experiments showed that egg production was not affected. (c) The Value of Animal and Vegetable Proteins. The vegetable feeds did not replace the animal feeds and did not bring the pullets into early heavy egg production. The conclusion is that animal foods are necessary. 44 Forty-fourth Annual Report N. C. Agri. Exp. Station (d) Growth of Single-comb White Leghorn Pullets. A curve has been plotted with which to make comparisons in growth in the use of other feeds. (e) Growth of Single-comb Rhode Island Reds. A curve is now avail-able for use in comparison with other feeding tests with this breed. (f) Studies of Factors Influencing the Hatchability of Eggs. The experiment showed that there is a difference of 20 per cent in hatch-ability in favor of turning eggs five times a day versus eggs turned once each day. (g) Influence of Moisture Content. In one series where the eggs were sprayed there was 64.5 per cent of the fertile eggs hatched, while in the other series not sprayed there was 54.3 per cent of the fertile eggs hatched. (h) Dry Lot versus Range. This test was conducted with Single-comb Rhode Island Reds, equally divided on a basis of physical signs and development. The flock on range layed 71 eggs per hen per year, and the flock on dry lot layed 33 eggs per hen per year. The test was conducted for three consecutive years. (i) The second three years work consisted in studies of the most sim-ple means of compensation. Green feed and meat scrap were given in the mash, but even under this condition the profit for the range flock was $1.08 per hen, and for the dry lot 56 cents per hen. The aver-age for the egg production was 69.9 eggs in the former and 61.1 eggs in the latter per hen per year. 5. Growth Studies and Health. (a) Velvet Bean Meal Tests. This single test indicated that ground beans, even in only 14 per cent is injurious to the health of the chicks. (b) Value of Different Animal Proteins. The following is a tabula-tion of the value of different animal proteins: Kind of Protein Wt. 7 Weeks Wt. 8 Wks. Number Tests D. Tankage 0.50 0.64 3 Blood Meal 0.56 0.69 3 Soybean Meal and Dried Milk.... 0.70 0.82 3 D. Tankage and Peanut Meal.... 0.54 0.60 1 Meat Scrap 0.59 0.7 2 6. Physics of Incubation. The indications are that the present hygrometers on the markets, of which we have knowledge, are inaccurate for incubator work. 7. Experimental Extension Project. In cooperation with the county agent of Polk County, this office con-ducted a three-years test in the methods that would be most acceptable to educate people past school age, and which are now following farm work. The final conclusions are: (a) Personal contact in actual teaching in poultry schools is advisable. (b) Circular letters and bulletins are not used to advantage. (c) They do not readily adopt the study-club method. 8. Miscellaneous Work. (a) During the year 1,680 letters were written on incubation, brood-ing, feeding, disease, poultry-house construction and marketing. (b) Dr. Kaupp is secretary of the State Poultry Association and has been active in this capacity. The Sixth Annual Official State Poultry Animal Industry 45 Show was held at Salisbury in December, 1920, in connection with the North Carolina Livestock and Poultry Associations meeting. (c) Culling Demonstrations. A culling school was held at the State College for county demonstration agents. A one-day culling school was also held at Salisbury during the poultry show. Between 75 and 100 people attended the school. (d) Articles for Papers. During the year 32 articles were prepared from this office and used in papers of different types, such as farm papers,* and others of a purely technical nature, as for example, The Journal of the American Association of Instructors and Investigators in Poultry Husbandry. (e) During the year there was a large number of persons interested in poultry personally conducted over the poultry plant. Several scientific workers made visits to go over the work being done. (f) Special poultry students gave demonstrations in culling, lectures on selection of birds for mating, and judged at several of the county and community fairs during the past year. (g) A large number of premiums were won at fairs by Experiment Station poultry. Three silver cups, one medal, and a diploma were won at the 1920 State Fair; at the Official State Poultry Show held in Salis-bury 30 first premiums were won, 22 seconds, 8 thirds, 4 fourths, 1 fifth, 2 cups, 1 A.P.A. medal and 5 diplomas; two firsts and one A.P.A. diploma were won at the Madison Square Garden Show, New York City. (h) Several donations in poultry were given for worthy causes dur-ing the year. SWINE EXPERIMENTAL WORJl Earl H. Hostetler, In Charge 1. Purebred Herd Work—Duroc-Jerseys. This herd is maintained for demonstrations and exhibition purposes and also for the purpose of raising good uniform pigs for the experi-mental work. It is very essential to have pigs of uniform breeding, and free from disease and worms, to do accurate experimental work. 2. Effect of Feeding Salt to Swine. This experiment was conducted to determine whether pigs of differ-ent sizes will consume enough feed from a self-feeder to prove fatal after the salt has been withheld for a definite period. Seven pigs were used—two of them to receive salt from a self-feeder and the others to receive a definite amount of salt in the ration. No deaths have resulted to date. 3. Percentage of Bone in the Carcass of Swine. This experiment was conducted to determine the amount of bone in the carcass of a hog. Two dressed carcasses were used, the meat all removed and the bones were then boiled. The results are as follows: Hog No. 1—Weight, 226 lbs. Bone, 17.7 lbs. Hog No. 2—Weight, 176 lbs. Bone, 15. lbs. The results show that the carcass of a hog is composed of about 8 per cent bone. 4. Peanuts and Peanut Meal for Swine. This experiment was to determine the value of peanuts and peanut meal when fed with other feeds to form a more nearly balanced ration. 46 Fokty-fouktb Annual Report !N". C. Agri. Exp. Station Two rations were used—one containing a large per cent of peanuts and the other a large per cent of peanut meal, that will be equal in feeding value and contain the same amount of true digestible protein and other constituents. The results were that the pigs all made good gains and when slaugh-tered the carcasses were all soft or medium. The feeding period was 131 days, so that the test was thorough. 5. Comparison of Different Feeds Upon the Shrinkage of Meat. This work was conducted to determine whether various feeds will influence the shrinkage of meat made from hogs fed these different rations. Feed apparently has some slight effect on shrinkage. Meat made from hogs that have been fed on peanuts shrink slightly less than that made from hogs that have been fed corn and tankage. 6. Curing Meat in Warm Weather. Two methods were used: (a) Curing in brine in the usual manner, (b) Pumping brine mixture into the meat. The results were that meat which was brine pumped was edible but had a very poor flavor. The meat which was not pumped spoiled. 7. Cost of Raising Pigs. This work was to determine the cost of raising pigs until weaning time when they were 70 days old, which is the usual time of weaning pigs in the Experiment Station herd. This work is not completed but results are available on a similar project from some of the test farms. 8. Soybean Pasture for Hogs. Soybean pasture, when supplemented with a 2 per cent ration of grain, made the most economical gains on hogs at the Edgecombe Test Farm, where a herd of grade Berkshires is maintained to raise pigs for experimental work. Peanut pasture was also used at this farm to determine the compara-tive cost of raising hogs on grazing crops and in dry lots. A determina-tion was also made of the effect of different feeds upon the carcass of hogs. In this latter phase of the work the Bureau of Animal Industry, at Washington, D. C, cooperated with the Experiment Station. Part of the hogs which had been produced under varying conditions were shipped to Washington to make physical and chemical analysis of the carcass. This work is incomplete but progressing satisfactorily. 9. Cost of Raising Pigs on Statesville and Edgecombe Test Farms. The litters from the herds at both of these farms are used in this work. The average cost of raising pigs until weaning time on the Edgecombe Test Farm is $4.07 per pig, this being an average of five and one-third years work. At the Statesville Test Farm the cost of raising each Poland-China pig until weaned is $3.97, this work covering a period of five and three-fourths years. 10. Feeding Farm Work Animals. An experiment was conducted to determine whether cotton seed meal in the ration will effect the health of horses and mules, and whether it will cheapen the cost of the ration. Animal Industry 47 The results show that the use of cotton seed meal cheapened the ration slightly and the animals apparently were in good health and condition otherwise. The results of six years work are summarized and ready for publica-tion. This covers the work conducted on the Edgecombe Test Farm. A similar piece of work was conducted at Statesville, where the results were similar. The use of cotton seed meal in the ration cheapened the cost of keeping each work animal $2.93 per year. The results of seven years work on this farm are ready for publica-tion. 11. Miscellaneous Work. At the recent State Fair 20 hogs from the Experiment Station Duroc-Jersey herd competed for premiums. A large number of pre-miums was won, among them the grand championship on a junior year-ling boar. DAIRY EXPERIMENTAL OFFICE Stanley Combs, In Charge The work of the Dairy Experimental Office is confined to the following: (a) Pender Test Farm, Willard, N. C. (b) Central Test Farm, Raleigh, N. C. (c) L. F. Uzzle Herd, Wilsons Mills, N. C. 1. Herd Development Work, Pender Test Farm. The work on this farm is largely a continuation of the herd develop-ment work that has been in progress for some time. The milking herd consists of 22 cows, 21 of which are daughters of Eminent 19th, No. 78,620. Two herd sires are maintained. Fourteen of the cows are in the register of merit and hold three State records, as follows: (a) Pender Eminent Lass E, No. 369,040, is the champion junior four-year- old cow in North Carolina, with a record of 10,751.8 pounds of milk, and 563.99 pounds of fat. North Carolina has only three such cows to date, and one of these is an Eminent bred cow and a half sister of Lass E. (b) Pender Eminent Lass L, No. 369,046, holds the State record for all junior two-year-old cows in North Carolina, with a record of 9,987.7 pounds of milk and 523.24 pounds of fat. All of these records have been completed within the last twelve months. 2. Cotton Seed Meal as a Source of Protein for Maturing Dairy Heifers. The heifer calves produced in this herd are all retained. They are immediately placed in the feeding experiment to determine whether cotton seed meal is superior in quality to peanut meal as a source of protein for maturing dairy cows. This work is incomplete, as it is necessarily a long-time experiment. 3. Financial Report of the Pender Herd. This herd is paying its own way, which is very unusual considering the fact that real experimental work is usually conducted at a loss. This speaks well for the way in which the herd has been bred up and handled. A mediocre or average herd subjected to experimental work could not make such a record. 48 Forty-fourth Annual Report N". C. Agri. Exp. Station The production of milk for the year ending October 31 amounts to 148,730.7 pounds, and of fat 7,652.4 pounds. A complete report of this herd is available for examination. 4. Velvet Bean Meal Experiment. This office, in cooperation with the South Carolina and Alabama stations, conducted experiments to determine the comparative feeding value of velvet bean meal and wheat bran, as a protein supplement to cotton seed meal. Twelve cows were used in the Pender herd to conduct the North Caro-lina part of this work. The results show that a velvet bean meal ration lacks palatability, and that cows will not readily consume a full ration. When the animals were allowed to graze it was found necessary to change the grain mixture in order that they might consume a full ration. 5. Effect of Cotton Seed Meal Upon the Growth and Reproduction of Cows. This work is conducted cooperatively by Messrs. Combs and Curtis, inasmuch as it is a problem that concerns both beef and dairy cattle. A herd of Ayrshires is used for this work and during the last year definite results have been obtained. The following facts are impor-tant and are therefore given in some detail. Lot No. 1 consisted of 8 cows, which were fed a ration of cotton seed meal and cotton seed hulls. (a) Cow No. 101 dropped twin calves in February, 1921. Both calves were allowed to nurse the dam for six weeks. At this time one calf was found to be totally blind and the eye-sight of the other affected. The latter calf was transferred to a nurse cow receiving a normal ra-tion. The calf grew and retained its sight. At six months of age there was approximately 200 pounds difference in the weight of the two calves, thus furnishing evidence that milk from animals on re-stricted rations is not normal. (b) Cow No. 102 aborted twin calves at seven months. Post mortem showed these calves to have blind eyes, congested heart and liver, together with soft bones, indicating a lack of minerals. (c) Cow No. 103 aborted at eight and one-half months. Calf blind and bones soft. The calves from both No. 102 and No. 103 showed oedema in the joints of the legs. (d) Cow No. 104 failed to breed. She has developed two typical cases of dropsy during the year and is subject to fits from time to time. (e) Cow No. 105 aborted at about five and one-half months. Failed to come in milk and was later slaughtered. (f) Cow No. 106 aborted at about seven and one-half months; calf blind and had developed a cataract in each eye. (g) Cow No. 107 aborted at eight months. Calf blind. Cow now has developed a cataract in each eye. Other portions of her eye show cloudiness. (h) Cow No. 108 died after showing a dropsied condition, and had suffered from several fits. Lot No. 2 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a ration of cracked corn, corn stover and corn silage. (a) Cow No. 201 calved a few days before normal time. Calf weak, head drawn upward and backward. Calf lived only a couple of days. Animal Industry 49 (b) Cow No. 202 suffered for about ten weeks with a dropsied condi-tion, her head and neck being swollen. The neck was swollen and head drawn to the side for several weeks. Oedema of the legs appeared and these swellings broke and matter appeared for several days. Finally, after being off feed for some time, this cow aborted. (c) Cow No. 203 calved a few clays ahead of time. Calf similar to that from No. 201 and lived only a couple of days. (d) Cow No. 204 carried calf about two weeks over time. Calf weak but was able to stand alone. It never nursed without help and died in about 60 hours. Lot No. 3 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a ration of crushed corn, cotton seed meal, cotton seed hulls, corn stover and silage. (a) Cow No. 301 went off feed early in the year. Remained in weak condition for several months, getting so low that it was thought best to turn her on pasture to prevent death. During this time she jumped from a truck, causing abortion the same day. She was later slaugh-tered. (b) Cow No. 302 failed to breed and was slaughtered. (c) Cow No. 303 aborted at about eight months. (d) Cow No. 304 aborted. Lot No. 4 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a ration of cotton seed meal and corn silage. (a) Cow No. 401. After the experience with the other three cows of this lot, this cow was placed on normal ration, but not early enough to save the calf. (b) Cows Nos. 402, 403 and 404. These cows all went off feed early in the gestation period, No. 404 finally dying. The other two were changing so rapidly that it was thought best to place them on normal ration. After regaining health they were again put back on the experi-mental feed. Both aborted and are in poor condition at the present time. Lot No. 5 consisted of 4 cows, which were fed a check ration with normal results. The milk from the cows on these various rations is used for feeding calves. Calves are secured from the herds of local dairymen. There appears to be a considerable difference in the feeding value of the milk from different lots. Some of the calves grow slowly even when given as much as fourteen pounds of this milk daily. 6. Private Herd Work. A cooperative piece of work has been inaugurated at Wilsons Mills , in a large commercial dairy herd. This herd has been operated for several years without any profit and Mr. Combs has taken the matter in hand with the idea of putting the herd on a paying basis. The results at present look encouraging. 7. Onion-flavored Milk. This office is still working with the "Onion-flavored Milk Problem," with very gratifying results. This odor and flavor is produced by allyl sulphide, a compound of sulphur. This compound may be precipitated with mercuric chloride (HgCl2 ) or platinum chloride (PtCl 4 ). Numerous samples of fresh milk were treated with various amounts of allyl sulphide and heated in a water bath to a temperature of 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. While being held at this temperature a current of air was passed through the milk by means of a small foot pump. This treatment proved successful. 50 Forty-fourth Annual Report X. C. A.gri. Exp. Station This treatment of pumping air through the milk was repeated with natural onion-flavored milk, produced by feeding a cow 1VL» pounds of green onion tops one and one-half hours before milking. This treatment is giving encouraging results and if worked out in a commercial way will mean much to the dairy industry of the South. 8. Miscellaneous Work. Considerable time has been spent in the past year making plans for the enlargement o |
OCLC Number-Original | 05218399; 228904 |