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SAPIENTIA UNIVERSALIS EX LIBRIS
UNIVERSITY OF NEWHAMP^HIRE
DISCOVERY
lOTEMTlON
INSPIRATION
EXPERIMENT STATION LIBRARY
CLASS
NUMBER
ACCESSION
Bulletin 203
January, 1922
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
EXPERIMENT STATION
REPORT
OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE
NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
EXPERIMENT STATION FOR THE
YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1921
NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE
OF
AGRICULTURE AND THE MECHANIC ARTS
DURHAM. N. H.
Durham, New Hampshire,
January 1, 1922.
Dr. R. D. Hetzel,
President of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Me-
chanic Arts.
Dear Sir :
In accordance with the requirements of the Hatch Act of March 2,
1887, the Director of the State Agricultural Experiment Station is requii-ed
to submit an annual report, on or before the first of February, of the work
of the Station, including a statement of receipts and expenditures, to the
governor of the state. I am herewith submitting such a report, for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1 921.
Respectfully submitted,
J. C. KENDALL,
Director of Experiment Station.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Reported on page
Administration 5
RESULTS OF WORK IN ADAMS PROJECTS
Studies in Animal Nutrition 7
How Much Feed is Necessary 8
Feeding Value of Native Hay Determined 8
Sheep Breeding Experiment 9
Effect of Bordeaux Mixture on Plants 10
Toxic Action of Fungicides 10
Plant Metabolism Studies 10
Control of Root Maggots 11
Fruit Bud Formation 13
Effect of Light upon Fi-uit Production 13
Effects of Girdling upon Fruit Production 14
Winter Injury of Apple Roots 14
RESULTS OF WORK IN HATCH PROJECTS
Improvement of Timothy 16
Variety Tests of Ensilage Corn 16
Soil Rejuvenation Study 17
Sunflowers for Silage 17
Soy Bean Inoculation 18
Early Planting of Ensilage Com 18
Lime Requirement of the Soils of New Hampshii-e 18
Work in Potato Diseases 19
Potato Spraying Experiments 19
Effect of Siccatives on Seed Potatoes 20
Snapdragon Rust and Its Control 21
Effect of Phosphorus Upon the Time of Maturity of Tom atoes 21
Immature Forest Stands 22
Spraymg for Apple Maggot 22
Control of Black Flies 22
Termites 23
Insect Record 23
Variety Tests of Fruits ' 23
Apple Pruning Experiment 23
Peach Fertilization 24
Raspberry and Blackberry Experiment 24
Grape Varieties and Fertilization 24
Maintenance of Soil Fertility in the Garden 24
Value of Crop Less Cost of Fertilizer 25
Value of Lime on Cabbage 25
Tomato Spraying Experiment 26
Suckering Sweet Corn 26
Tomato Selection Experiment. 27
Effects of Borax on Plant Life 27
RESULTS OF WORK IN MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
Reported on page
Inspection of Commercial Feedstuffs 28
Inspection of Commercial Fertilizers 28
Seed Tests 28
Advanced Registry Work 28
White Diarrhea Work 28
Service Work 29
Publications 29
New Legislation 30
Personnel and Equipment 30
Finances 30
Report of the Hatch and Adams Funds 30
Report of Funds Received from Other Sources 31
The New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station.
Board of Control
PRESIDENT R. D. HETZEL, A. B., LL. D., ex-officio Durham
HON. W. H. CALDWELL, B. S., Peterborough
HON. E. S. DAJSTIELL Greenland
The Station Staff
RALPH D. HETZEL, A. B., LL. D., President
JOHN C. KENDALL, B. S., Director
F. W. TAYLOR, B. Sc. (Agr.) Agronomist
W. C. O'KANE, A. M., Entomologist
O. R. BUTLER, Ph. D., Botanist
E. G. RITZMAN, B. S., Animal Husbandman
K. W. WOODWARD, A. B., M. F., Forester
J. M. FULLER, B. S., Dairy Husbandman
H. R. KRAYBILL, M. S., Ph. D., Chemist
G. F. POTTER, M. S., HorticuUunst
T. O. SMITH, A. B., M. F., Associate Chemist
J. R. HEPLER, B. S., Assistant in Vegetable Gardening
M. G. EASTMAN, M. S., Assistant Agronomist
W. L. DORAN, M.S., Assistant Botanist
S. W. W^NTWORTH, B. S., Assistant Horticulturist -.
C. P. SPAETH, B. S., Assistant Chetnist
P. H. LOWRY, M. S., Assistant Entomologist
JAMES MACFARLANE, Florist
A. D. LITTLEHALE, Shepherd
S. T. TECCE, Foreman Horticultural Farm
Assistants to the Staff
WILLARD P. LEWIS, B. L. S., M. A., Librarian
H. B. STEVENS, A. B., Executive Secretary
H. A. VICKERS, B. S. A., Business Secretary
BEATRICE M. RICHMOND, Bookkeeper
ELIZABETH E. MEHAFFEY, Assistant Librarian and Mailing Clerk
BEATRICE E. CARLISLE, Secretary to the Director
BETTY I. GLIDDEN, Stenographer
CHRISTINA M. COLLINS, Stenographer
HELEN M. HILTON, Stenographer
E. RUTH CHURCHILL, Stenographer
Report of the Director of the New Hampshire Agricultural
Experiment Station for the Fiscal Year
Ending June 30, 1921
In reviewing the work of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment
Station for the past year, it may be worth while to point out that there are
three fairly distinct lines along which the Station operates in the perform-
ance of its duties:
(1) It conducts original research investigations mto the fundamental
problems of agricultural science. The work done under the Adams Fund
is specifically limited by Congressional appropriation to this field; and a
number of long-time experiments are in progress, such as the studies in fruit
bud formation, sheep breeding, etc. TVTiile the results of these can best
be observed in perspective over a long period of years and are reported upon
at length in separate bulletin-form, the annual developments in the projects
are noted in the yearly reports.
(2) The Station investigates problems in their particular bearing upon
New Hampshu-e conditions. This work includes the testing of varieties,
breeding of new plants, studies in crop production, investigation of plant
diseases and insect pests troublesome in the state, etc. It means the steady
accumulation year by year of a fund of knowledge bearing upon New Hamp-
shire agriculture which is available at all times to interested persons. Some
of the Adams Fund work, in addition to its purely scientific value, is of ex-
ceptional interest on this account, and practically all of the Hatch Fund
work falls into this category.
(3) The Station laboratories are used each year — and members of the
Station staff employed — in such service work as the analyses of feeding-
stuffs, fertilizers, and seeds, soil acidity tests and tests of blood samples of
poultry for white diarrhea. In so far as possible, the attempt is made to
keep this work self-supporting through revolving funds.
Along all these lines the development^ of the work during the past few
years has been greatly hampered by the prevailing currency inflation which
has practically had the effect of cutting in two the funds at the Station's
disposal.
Happily at its most acute point the situation was somewhat relieved by
the action of the Legislature in appropriating a special state fund for research
work of $12,000.00 for the next biennium. While none of this fund was
available until July 1, 1921, its assurance made possible the maintenance
of all projects and the keeping of the staff faii-ly intact. This is the first
recognition with state funds of the Experiment Station, and may well mark
an epoch in the history of the institution, since in practically every other
state in the country the Federal funds have for some time now been supple-
mented by state appropriations, thus making possible a greater volume
6 N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 203
of research work and a correspondingly greater influence upon agricultural
conditions. It takes time for the results of research work to make themselves
felt in common practice; but these results are already visible to such an ex-
tent as to more than justify the development of the Experiment Station.
See Station BuUetin 199, "Digging Up Facts for New Hampshire Farms,"
for a brief survey of some of the achievements.
The development of extension work in the state has had a direct bearing
in a number of ways upon the experimental field. The extension demonstra-
tions carry home points which have already been proved, and thus relieve
the Station of some of the popularizing work which was formerly necessary.
On the other hand, however, the demands upon the Station for specialized
information are greatly increased; the calls for members of the Station staff
to investigate farm problems and to give advice are multiplied; and the
responsibility for leadership in the development of agricultural knowledge
is greatly accentuated.
The situation is similar to that of a manufacturing concern which formerly
handled all business by correspondence, but which later sent out agents
who demonstrated and sold its wares in a wholesale fashion. This policy
would inevitably react upon and change the conditions at the home office.
The immediate contact between the factory and the consumer might be-
come less, but the total volume of business would become much greater.
The factory would have to enlarge to keep the supply up to the demand.
The whole business would have to be administered with more scrupulous
care and watchfulness; for an error would be multiplied many times. The
necessity of foreseeing the trend of business and matching the supply of a
given product with the probable future demand would be ever-present.
It is unfortunately true that the Experiment Station has not been able
to grow to keep pace with the Extension Service. Shortly after the inaugura-
tion of the field agent policy, came the war and the currency inflation. The
long-time experimental projects had to be maintained in the face of depreciat-
ing funds, and it has been possible only to keep the "home factory" going;
1 here has been no opportunity to enlarge it to keep pace with new demands.
This policy, if continued in, will be serious; for fundamentally the extension
work rests upon the research work. As the former grows past its first
stages, it will call more and more loudly for the solution of problems that
have not been solved. It Ls the duty of the Experiment Station to maintain
its natural leadership. It must not only keep faith with the piu-ely scien-
tific demands imposed upon it by the Adams Act, but it must forge ahead
more rapidly than Federal funds will permit into those problems to which
the extension agents of the next decade will need the answers.
Because of the close connection between the Experiment Station and
the Extension Service it has been possible to use the same administrative
office for both; and this has meant a more compact arrangement, with less
overhead expense than would otherwise be possible. It aLso means that
the growth of the two branches may be studied with a close eye to the mu-
tual relationships; and this, as has been indicated, is likely to be more and
more important.
In considering the projects pursued during the past year we will take up
first those conducted under the Adams Fund, next those under the Hatch
Jan. 1922]
ANNUAL EEP0R1
Fund, and then those under the Miscellaneous Fund. Broadly speaking;
these are divided into the classifications mentioned at the beginning of thfe
report.
' RESULTS OF WORK IN ADAMS PROJECTS.
Studies in Animal Nutrition.
The principle of the balanced ration, as worked out in the various experi-
ment stations of the country, has resulted in untold savings to farmers in
the practice of stock feedmg. Most of the background of this subject, how-
ever, is still only roughly charted. The physiological reactions of animals
to different treatments in feeding and at varying stages of development have
not been fully determined. Perhaps the main reason for this lack of in-
vestigation has been the cost of proper equipment for the determination
of feeding values; and the construction at this Station of an inexpensive
respu-ation chamber for domestic animals may, as the Experiment Station
Record puts it, "serve to stimulate investigation and have a profound in-
fluence on the progress of nutrition inquiry."*
This chamber, the first of its kind, and a supplement to the primarj' cham-
ber at the Penns3dvania Station, was constructed here three years ago b}-
The respiration chamber used in the nutrition studies.
Dr. F. G. Benedict of the Nutrition Laboratory, Carnegie Institution, who
is co-operating with us and sharing the expenses of the project. It has
been described at length in Technical Bulletin No. 16, and in the reference
*Experiment Station Record, U. S. Department of Agriculture. January,
1921. Vol. 44, No. 1. p. 8.
8 N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 203
noted above. The work has been under the local direction of E. G. Ritz-
man (Animal Husbandiy). Chemical analyses were made b^- H. R. Kray-
bill (Agricultural Chemistry).
The first two years' work consisted in the study of basal metaljolism in
steers. During the past year an exhaustive study has been made of the
basal metabolism in sheep, from the first stage of pregnancy to maturity.
The animals were studied in groups numbering from 8 to 16 head, and rep-
resented the equivalent of about 1500 individuals run through the chamber.
A variety of interesting and valuable results have so far been obtained.
Messrs. Benedict and Ritzman have found it more and more evident in
the course of their investigations that the whole framework of our know-
ledge in this line still rests on a rather indefinite basis. The influence
of varying amounts of crude fiber and concentrates and their retention in
the digestive tract have materiall}' complicated the problem of obtaining
the true energy metabolism under post-absorptive conditions. In fact,
a lar^e amount of data representing digestibility of feeds Is based on as-
sumed values on this account and their reliability must remain in question
until established by true basal investigations.
In the coming j-ear's work an attempt is to be made to derive more know-
ledge along these lines, together with such correlated factors in energy ex-
change as surface area and skin radiation, the effect of varying amounts of
crude fiber on fill and consequently on total live weight in relation to live
empty weight, etc.
Two grade Shorthorn steers of good type have been purchased for this
purpose and the equipment has been moved into new quarters especially
prepared for this purpose. A chemist has been added to the staff to facili-
tate determinations on feed and excreta.
The results of the first two years' work are now being prepared for publi-
cation as a monograph of the Nutrition Laboratory of the Carnegie In-
stitution of Washington, and as soon as this is in print the more practical
phases will be discussed in the bulletin series of this Station.
How Much Feed is Necessary,' The question of how large a meal is essen-
tial to the health of an animal has an especially important bearing on local
problems in New Hampshire, since most of the concentrated stock feed
used is grown in the West. The high price of this feed has brought about
a noticeable decrease in its use and a greater dependence on home-growTi
hay, often with a lowered standard of wintering live stock. Mr. Ritzman
has studied the effect on health and weight resulting from this practice, es-
pecially where it involved the feeding of maintenance and sub-maintenance
rations composed solely of native hay. He has also carried the investi-
gation into the consequent refeeding with grain and pasturing of animals
that have been thus roughed through the winter. The studies of growth
and gain show that, even with hay at present prices, it is decidedly uneconom-
ical to feed less than a maintenance ration — a practice which is not uncom-
mon in the New England states.
Feeding Value of Native Hay Determined. The feeding tables by which
the value of rations is computed do not take into account the variations due
to differences in soil, climate, nor the material changes in the composition
Jan. 1922]
ANNUAL REPORT
9
of feeds that have been brought about by seed selection, such as, for ex-
ample, an increased protein content in some strains of corn. This problem
has a decidedly local application in the question of New Hampshire hay.
How does tj^ical native hay compare, in chemical analysis and digestibility,
with the hay used in the standard feeding tables'** Any variation here is
important, since for nearly sLx months out of twelve native hay is the basis
of rations in practically every barn in the state.
As a part of the nutrition studies it has been possible to make an investi-
gation into the feeding quaUties of typical native hay, and the results show
a somewhat higher energy value than that generally represented in the old
feeding standards and a deficiency of protein.
Sheep Breeding Experiment.
Investigations in animal breeding proceed slowly since it is usually neces-
sary to produce several generations of offspring in order to draw definite
conclusions. The work in sheep breeding has now run over a period of
about fourteen j'ears, the last ten of which have been devoted to a study
of the nature in which the various characteristics and functions are trans-
mitted. Crosses of Southdown with Rambouillet and Hampshii-e with
Rambouillet have been made and the offspring carried to three generations
with careful observations of traits and measurements of conformations.
The experiment is now at the stage where it is possible to make conclusions
with regard to the application of Mendel's Law in practical sheep breeding;
for the coming year's lamb crop should supply the last information necessary
on the inheritance of conformation.
Mr. Ritzman, who has the work in charge, does not hesitate to state, as
a result of the data already in hand, that definite progress toward strains
of sheep possessing desirable combinations of wool and mutton can be es-
tablished in three generations of breeding. The extent to which the work
has already been successful in this respect may be judged by the fact that,
on the one hand, top wool prices have been obtained on an open market
during the past three years, while, on the other hand, there has been an ex-
ceptionallj' quick growth and early maturity of lambs. This latter point
has been the main objective from the meat point of view, with good mut-
ton conformation of adults a secondary' requisite. The reason for this is
that the lamb is a more profitable market product than mutton. The follow-
ing lamb weights indicate the measure of success attained:
Weight of Lambs, Pounds (a)
12
weeks
16
weeks
20
weeks
Average Single Lambs
49.6
68.0
90.0
100.0
55.4
69.0
95.1
106.0
63.6
Heaviest Single Lambs
86.0
Pairs of Twin Lambs
110.3
Heaviest Pair of Twins
124.0
(a) Weights after 12 weeks represent growth on pasture with practical
elimination of grain and milk in diet. Hence small gains between
12th and 16th weeks are due to feed readjustment.
10 N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 203
As for the wool, practical expert graders have repeatedly stated that "no
better is grown anywhere in the country."
It has, however, been necessarj', while making the principal study one of
methods, to use parent breeds that represent extreme contrasts in confor-
mation and wool. Now that the more theoretical phase of the experiment
is completed, and it is possible to go ahead with the work of actually estab-
lishing a new strain, it does not seem necessary or advisable to use such
extremes. Several individual crosses with Oxford-Rambouillet give even
a higher promise than the Southdown-Rambouillet or Hampshire-RambouiUet,
since they more dii'ectly appeal to farmers because of their size. It is pro-
posed to extend the work further in this direction, as a proof that the prin-
ciples determined can be used in building up a new and improved strain of
sheep. Moreover, it will no longer be necessary to retain all offspring, whether
good or inferior, as has been essential during the studies in genetics. Only
the more promising famUy groups will now be retained as a nucleus.
A bulletin of the scientific series summarizing the observations and data
on inheritance of wool characters is under preparation.
In the sheep breeding work, as well as in the nutrition studies, the Station
has been fortunate in having the co-operation of one of the foremost in-
ternational authorities in this field. Dr. C. B. Davenport of the Carnegie
Institution of Washington has helped in an advisoi-y capacity, and his
untiring efforts and deep grasp of fundamental problems have in a great
measure assured the successful progress of the work.
Effect of Bordeaux Mixture on Plants.
Wholly apart from its value as a fungicide Bordeaux mixture has been
found to have a stimulatory effect upon the growth of plants. The investi-
gations by O. Butler (Botany) have been continued with a view to deter-
mining what factors are responsible for this; and results will be published
shortly. During the past year the study has dealt with the temperature
changes in sprayed leaves, with special attention to the rate of change fol-
lowing insolation.
Toxic Action of Fungicides.
Sulphur and a number of copper washes have been studied by W. L. Doran
(Botany) during the year with a view to determining their toxic action upon
apple scab, early blight of potatoes, brown-rot fungus and white pine blister
rust iVenturia inaequalis , Altemaria solani Sclerotinia fructigena and Cronar-
tium ribicola). The conditions necessary for sulphur to act as a fungicide
have been determined, and as a result of this study it has been possible to
forecast the degree of control to be secured under given climatic conditions.
In the case of the copper fungicides the relative toxicity of a variety of Bor-
deaux mixtures and other copper washes has been tested.
Plant Metabolism Studies.
The question of how plants feed is no less important than that of animal
nutrition. Particularly has the relation of this question to fruit production
received a great deal of attention during the past few years, as the interest
Jan. 1922J annual report. 11
in the problems of apple culture testifies. Recognizing this fact. H. R. Kray-
bill and T. O. Smith (Agricultural Chemistry) began investigations last
year in the subject of plant metabolism, a field in which Mr. Ivraybill has
been associated in previous work.
The literature of this subject has placed particular emphasis upon the
relation of different amounts of available nitrogen and carbohydrates to
growth and fruit production. In general there seems to be associated with
fruit production a more or less definite relation of available carbohydrates
to nitrogen. The quantity of nitrogen available to the plant has been modi-
fied by varying the supply of nitrogen in the soil or the nutrient solution;
and it is probable that modifying the available supply of other elements
to plants will also affect the relation of available carbohydrates and nitro-
gen. It is also evident that before we can clearly understand the relation
of nutrition to fruit production all of the factors which affect the nutrition
of the plant must be taken into consideration.
In carrying out this project the tomato plant is being used, because it is
suitable for experiments under more or less controlled conditions and be-
cause of its similarity to the fruit tree in responses of growth and reproduction.
During the past year two sets of plants have been grown in sand in the green-
house. The first set consisted of four lots, receiving the following nutrient
solutions respectively: — Lot 1 — complete nutrient solution; Lot 2 — nu-
trient solution without nitrogen; Lot 3 — nutrient solution without sulphur;
Lot 4 — nutrient solution without phosphorus. The second set was a du-
plication of the first set but carried on at a different season of the year.
Samples of the leaves and stems of the plant from the different lots have
been preserved and are being analyzed. Photogi-aphs were taken of typical
plants from the different lots, and the number of blossom clusters, blossoms,
fruit set, and fruit dropped was recorded. Catalase studies of samples of
the plants under the different conditions, and micro-chemical examinations
for starch and nitrate nitrogen were made.
Control of Root Maggots.
For a number of years investigations in the control of the cabbage mag-
got by insecticides have been carried on here by W. C. O'Kane (Entomology) ;
and the data secured has shown a marked efficiency for a tobacco-dust-