The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-01
Attention to Plant Breeding


correlatons in these plants. Analytical
data in the study of soil requirements as
indicated by plant composition were
further accumulated in experiments with
cotton.
The activities under the Hatch fund IN
cuded agronomy experiments with cot
ton on the relative fertilizing values of
ground phosphate rock and acid phos-
phate the effects of planting heavy and
light seed, and the best time for applying
nitrate of soda. =
Variety and culture experiments were
conducted with corn, wheat, oats. crinl
son clover and SOY beans Studies of va
rieties of cowpeas and sorphum, the rela-
tive amounts of food produced by various
crops suitable for hogs. and of numerous
forage plants including alfalfa, vetches,
clovers, kudzu, and grasses together with
experiments in the manufacture of farm
drain tile from cement and sand and in
the rotation of crops were also in prog
ress. Local tile drainage experiments
were begun in cooperation with the
United States Agricultural department.
The entomologist gave considerable at
weevil and inaugurated an active cau-
paign against this pest. The cotton worm
appeared In large numbers and was made
the subject of study. Application of pow
dered arsenate of lead was found to be an
effective remedy Observations were
further made on the relative injury of
close-husk and loose-husk corn by the
boil worm, and an active campaign was
also inaugurated against the house fly and
mosquitoes
Value of Tankage
The animal husbandman tested the
value of tanl<age as a supplement to
green pasture for swine and gave atten-
ton to methods OF producing pork on the
farm and home curing meat
The department is also prepared to give
information to Alabama farmers from ex-
periments conducted by their home people
on the results of calf feeding and cooper
ative steer feeding. The cost of raising
beef cattle under average southern condi-
tions, the use of cotton seed by-products
on dry pasture for summer and fall mar
kets, winter fattening of calves with dry
feed and silage, and fattening steers with
hay in addition to cottonseed meal and
hulls were also studied. The dairy herd
has been bred up to O. condition fitting II
for experimental work.
While much of the work inaugurated
under the new state funds is experimental
In character and of demonstration grade,
in some cases advantage is taken of it TO
make it an aid to research. The animal
industry and poultry industry in eight To-
calities, the department of entomology
and horticulture to operate in about half
the counties of the state, the extension
department to extend its activities into
all parts of Alabama and the agricultural
department to conduct fertilizer expert
ments, variety tests and other special ii:-
vestigations in every county of the state.
The income for the Alabama station FOR
the past year was as follows:
United States appropriation,
Hatch account .....................$1 .$15, ,o00C0
United States appropriation,
Adams account .................... 15 600 20 |
State appropriation ................. 81 9s2. ;.
Farm products Observation-Disclosures. S34.+e
Miscellaneous ...................... 3.622.2S
Total .So5,1of.oJ
Alabama farmers are quick to adopt iru-
proved and scientific methods and a won
derful result in the increase and improve
nent of the crops of the state may be
expected as the work of the state and
rational agricultural experts widen