NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Agricultural Experiment Station
OF THE
A. & M. COLLE GE,
AUBURN, ALABAMA,
MONTGOMERY, ALA.:
THE BROWN PRINTING OCO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS.
1897.

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.
COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES ON EXPERIMENT STATION.
1. F. C ULVER............. ................. Union Springs.
J. G. GILCHRIST ..................................... H ope H ull.
H. CLAY ARMSTRONG .................... ........... uburn.
STATION COUNCIL.
WM. LEROY BROUN .............. ................. President.
P. H. MELL............. ..................... Botanist.
B. B. Ross.................. ....................... Chemist.
C. A. CARY, D. V. M.............. ............ Veterinarian.
J. F. DUGGAR.. ....... ....... ..... ................ Agriculturist.
F. S. EARLE ............................ .Biologist and Horticulturist.
C. F. BAKER.........................................Entom ologist.
ASSISTANTS.
J. T. ANDERSON......................... ... First Assistant Chemist.
C. L. HARE...............................Second Assistant Chemist.
R. G. WILLIAMS...................... ... Third Assistant Chemist.
T. U. CULVER.............................. Superintendent'of Farm.
gliU The Bulletins of this Station will be sent free to any citizen
of the State on application to the Agricultural Experiment Station,
Auburn, Alabama.
TRUSTEES.
His Excellency, JOSEPH Y. JOHNSTON, President ........... Ex-Officio.
J. 0. TURNER, Superintendent of Education................Ex-Officio.
I. F. CULVER.......................................Union Springs.
J. C. RICH.......................................... .. Mobile.
H. CLAY ARMSTRONG..........................................Auburn.
R. H. DUGGAR...............................................Gallion.
J. G. GILCHRIST .......................................... H ope Hull.
W M. SMAW ................. . ............................... Boligee.
C. C. HARRIS ............................................... Decatur.
JONATHAN HARALSON.........................................Selma.
J. A. BILBRO ............................................... Gadsden.
THOMAS WILLIAMS.......................................Wetumpka.
E. T. GLENN .............................................. Treasurer.
J. H. DRAKE, M. D ................................ Surgeon.
ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, A. & M. COLLEGE,
AUBURN, ALA., Feb. 5, 1897.
Governor JOSEPH F. JOHNSTON,
Executive Department,
Montgomery, Ala.
SIR :-I have the honor herewith to transmit to you the
Ninth Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion of this College.
The report of the Treasurer, herewith included, is for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1896.
This report is made in accordance with the provisions of
the act of Congress (approved March 2nd, 1887), establish-
ing Agricultural Experiment Stations in the several States
and Territories.
It contains the report of the Botanist, the Chemist, the
Yeterinarian, the Agriculturist, the Biologist, the Horticul-
turist and the Entomologist, for the year ending Decem-
ber 31st), 1896.
Respectfully,
Wm. LEROY BROUN,
President.

REPORT OF TREASURER.
TREASURER OF A. & M. COLLEGE,
In account with United States Appropriation
Hatch Fund for the year 1895-96.
To cash received from U. S. Treasurer for the fiscal year
ending June 30th, 1896.............. ............. $
CR.
15,000 00
By Salaries. .......................... $ 8,950 77
Labor..............................1,08 64
Publications........................... 417 61
Postage and Stationery.................... 126 57
Freight and Express.................... 256 28
Heat, Light and Water.................... 187 40
Chemical Supplies....................... 485 88
Seeds, Plants and Sundry Supplies........ 509 26
Fertilizers ............................ 306 99
Feeding Stuffs......................... 59 01
Library ................................... 676 11
Tools, Implements and Machinery......... 114 11
Furniture and Fixtures................... 95 14
Scientific Apparatus..................... 639 65
Live Stock............................ 170 00
Travelling Expenses..................... 167 04
Contingent Expenses...................... 136 35
Building and Repairs...................... 663 19-$15,000 00
E. T. GLENN,
Treasurer A. & M. College.
THE STATE OF ALABAMA,
Lee County, Personally appeared before me, W.
S. J. Lampkin, a Notary Public in and for said county and State, E. T.
Glenn, known to me as Treasurer of the A. & M. College 
of Alabama,
who, being duly sworn, deposes and saith that the above 
and forego-
ing account is true and correct.
Witness my hand, this 5th day of February, 1897.
W. S. J. LAMPKIN, Notary Public.
This is to certify that I have compared the above account with 
the
Ledger account of the Treasurer, and this is a correct transcript 
of
same. WM. LEROY BROUN,
President A. & M. College.

REPORT OF BOTANIST.
Dr. Win. LeRoy Broun, President:
Sin :-I have the honor to submit herewith the annual
report of the work accomplished during the past year (1896)
in the department under my charge.
The experiments conducted on the improvement of the
cotton fiber during the past several years have been con-
tinued throughout the past season in the following manner:
1. Replanting of 16 varieties mentioned on page 21 of
bulletin number 56 with special conditions of fertilization to
determine the relative values of the forms after several years
careful selection and elimination.
2. Planting of 73 varieties of hybrid foreign and native
cottons. A large amount of valuable data has been secured
from the results of this planting and a bulletin is nearly
ready for the printer. Many photographs were made of
these plants and various portions of the plant at intervals
during the season to preserve the peculiar features of each
special form under development.
The Botanical Garden has been steadily growing, particu-
larly in the matter of grass cultivation. A number of
foreign and native grasses were planted the past season. I
have received this winter for this garden a large supply of
the most interesting native plants of Australia sent to me
through the kindness of Mr. John Musson of Sydney, New
South Wales. This gentleman has become greatly inter-
ested in the cultivation of cotton in Australia and has re-
ceived from this department several packages of the im-
proved seed developed by crossing. A letter from him-a
few days since indicates that these seed will be highly ap-
preciateed by the government authorities of Australia. The
Botanist of New South Wales, Mr. Maiden, has also placed
10
me under obligations for a fine collection of plants from the
Botanic Gardens over which he is director. This donation
is also due largely to the personal influence of Mr. Musson.
The Agricultural College of New South Wales has sent a
supply of the cultivated seeds of Australia which will be a
valuable addition to our American plants. I am also under
obligations to Prof. T. H. Middleton 
of Baroda College,
India, for valuable supplies of seeds from that country.
These seeds will be all carefully cultivated during the open-
ing season and the species found adapted to our climate
will be turned over to the Professor of Agriculture for culti-
vation on a sufficiently large scale to produce seeds for dis-
tribution among the farmers of the State if desirable.
The bulletins issued by this department the past year
are as follows
1. Part V. The Flora of Alabama. Issued March, 1896.
This was Bulletin number 70 of the current series. It con-
sists of a list of the genera and species of the two orders
leguminose and rosacee. Under the first is mentioned 42
genera and 113 species; under the latter 15 genera and 46
species. The counties of the State in which these plants
have been found are mentioned. As material is collected
in sufficient amount to complete the number of species of
any other orders additional bulletins will be issued.
In this connection it will be proper to say 
that the officers
of the station have organized a Biological Survey of Ala-
bama and the collection of the native plants of 
the State
will rapidly grow so that data may be published at frequent
intervals in the near future specifying the character of the
flora of Alabama.
2. Experiments with Foreign Cotton. Issued April,
1896, and contains a description of a number of forms culti-
vated the previous years for the purpose of acclimatization.
A Botanical classification is also included in this bulletin,
and a table giving the results of microscopical examination
of the fiber secured from the cultivation.
The Herbarium has steadily grown by the addition of
11
many pressed plants from Florida, Alabama and other
States. These specimens have been carefully labeled and
mounted for study and examination.
As Librarian of the Htation Library I have the following
report to make: The list of periodicals has been carefully
revised by the committee and all those journals have been
dropped which were considered to be of only indirect use
to the workers in the station. The list as now revised con-
sists of '29 American journals, 22 German, 18 English and 7
French. We are also receiving in exchange for the bulle-
tins of the station 55 papers and publications of scientific
societies in this country and Canada. During the year 303
volumes of papers, scientific journals and other publications
have accumulated and are now waiting the work of the
binder to place them in 'condition for permanent place on
our shelves. Since the last annual report of the station
eight bulletins have been turned into the library by the
various departments, and volume IV of the station's publi-
cations has been thus completed. These eight bulletins are
as follows:
Number 68, issued January, 1896. "Pig Feeding Experi-
ments." Made for the purpose Lof securing a ration (of
which cotton seed or cotton seed meal should be one of the
principal ingredients) that would not kill pigs and yet be a
profitable food. Also a review of tests made at- other
stations.
Number 69, issued February, 1896. "Treatment of some
Fungous Diseases." A compilation of the knowledge on
the subject intended as a ready reference for practical
farmers. The nature of fungi. Spores different from seeds.
Definition of a fungus. Classes of parasitic fungi. Other
causes of plant 'diseases. Formulas for fungicides. Dis-
eases of cultivated plants.
Number 70, issued March, 1896. "The Flora of Ala-
bama." Introduction, specifying the need of such a .publi-
cation. List of orders treated. List of genera and species
of Leguminosae, with the localities in the State mentioned.
12
List of Rosaceps genera and species with localities in the
State.
Number 71, issued April, 1896. "Experiments with For-
eign Cotton." List of foreign varieties tested. The import-
ance of continued and careful experiments with these cot-
tons. Botanical classification. Results of microscopic ex-
amination of the fiber, and compared with American cottons.
Number 72, issued July, 1896. "A study of skin Tumors
of Horses and Mules in Alabama." The location of tumors
on the body. What the tumors are. Their shapes. Classi-
fication of tumors. Microscopical characteristics. Treat-
ment. Appendix. Classified list of tumors taken from the
Free Clinic Records for the four years ending July 1st, 1896.
Number 73, issued October, 1896. "Edible Fungi: A
Wasted Food Product." General discussion of the import-
ance of the subject to the people of the State. The field
Agaric or field mushroom (Agaricus ca pestris). Cmsar's
Amanita (Amanita ccesarea). The puff balls. Literature.
Number 74, issued October, 1896. "Flour considered
from the Standpoint of Nutrition." The amount and quality
of food directly affects man's mind and body. The purpose
of the bulletin is to call attention to the constituents of
wheat flour that have resulted not only from a study of the
structure and composition of the wheat kernel itself, but
from a long series of practical experiments respecting the
bread produced from various flours.
Number 75, issued December, 1896. "Experiments with
Corn." Rainfall during the growing season of 1896. Variety
test of corn 1896. Seed corn from different latitudes. Butt,
middle and tip kernels for seed. Distance for upland corn.
Cotton seed meal versus crushed cotton seed for corn.
Burning weeds versus plowing them under.
Respectfully,
P. He. MIELL,
Botanist.
REPORT OF CHEMIST,
Dr. Wm. LeRoy Broun, 
President:
SIR: I have the honor to submit 
the following statement
with regard to the work of the 
Chemical Department for the
past year.
The volume of analytical work 
performed in this labor-
atory since the date 
of the last report hasbeen 
unusually
large and has occupied the 
entire time and attention of the
laboratory staff. Not less 
than 530 quantitative analyses
have been made and 
reported during this period, 
and, in
addition, numerous 
qualitative examinations 
of minerals,
ores, waters and various miscellaneous 
materials have been
made.
The samples analyzed quantitatively 
include fertilizers
forwarded by the State Department 
of Agriculture and also
by private parties; feed stuffs, 
marls, mucks, natural phos-
phates, agricultural products, 
etc., and also comprise quite
a number of food materials 
analyzed in this laboratory 
in
co-operation with the Division of Nutrition 
Investigations
of the U. S. Department of 
Agriculture. This latter 
work is
a continuation of a series 
of investigations commenced
during 1895, the results 
being embodied in two 
re-
ports presented to the 
Department of Agriculture 
and it is
presumed that the data 
contained therein will be 
published
at an early date. It is also 
hoped -hat the results of 
these
investigations with comments 
thereupon can be issued-as 
a
station bulletin after its 
appearance as a Department 
publi-
cation.
The first years work of 
investigation of this subject 
was
devoted chiefly to the study 
of the composition and nutritive
properties of meats, cereal 
products, etc., while during 
the
past year especial attention 
has been given to the examina.
tion of the principal 
vegetable foods in use in 
this State
14r
during the spring and summer months, and some of the
results secured will doubtless be of interest to the general
public.
During the past spring a series of experiments was inau-
gurated under the direction of Dr. J. T. Anderson, First
Assistant Chemist, with a view to arriving at the relative
availability of'the chief fertilizing constituents as they occur
in the soil, and to that end the cotton plant is being grown
in soil placed in large metallic cylinders, the experiments
being conducted according to the method employed for other
crops by Dr. Paul Wagner, the German investigator.
These experiments are to be continued'for a number 
of
years successively, and, in addition, another set of experi-
ments has been commenced with a view to determining the
water requirements of the cotton plant at various stages of
growth and under varying conditions of fertilization. (See
detailed report of Assistant Anderson.)
It is also designed to make a number of experiments both
with plants, and in the laboratory with some of the typical
"black belt" soils with a view to ascertaining if possible
some of the conditions connected with the failure of such
soils to respond readily to the application of the more im-
portant fertilizing constituents. This is a question of no
little importance, and it is hoped that some results may be
secured that may possibly throw some light on the lack of
success attendant upon the use of certain forms of commer-
cial fertilizers on such soils.
The experiments in the making of syrup from sugar cane
which were begun some 
two years ago have been 
continued
during the past fall and winter, with even better results than
heretofore. In addition to the experiments conductedat the
station, the outfit described in Bulletin 66 has been employed
practically, under my supervision, on several farms in this
vicinity and with good results in all cases. A small steam
evaporator and clarifier have 'also been constructed here, at
small cost, and have been practically tested in the manufac-
-ture of syrup, highly satisfactory results being secured.
15
The results of these experiments will be embodied in a
bulletin to be issued shortly, and it is to be hoped that the
practical tests made here will lead to improved methods and
to greater economy in the manufacture of syrup from sugar
cane.
The results of analysis of some 500 samples of fertilizers
and fertilizing materials, together with comments upon same,
were published in a bulletin issued by the State Depart-
ment of Agriculture in July last, in compliance with the
provisions of the fertilizer law.
Respectfully submitted,
B. B. Ross,
Chemist.
EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED
-BY-
JAS. T. ANDERSON,
1st Assistant Chemist.
1. Determination of available plant food in soils.
The method employed consists of (1) Determining by
practical cultivation 
tests, the amount of each 
fertilizing
ingredient present in the soil in actual available form, and
(2) Finding by analytical tests in the laboratory chemical
methods which shall yield identical results with those
obtained by the cultivation tests..
The practical part of this investigation is conducted in
zinc cylinders imbedded in the ground. These cylinders are
arranged in groups-one set devoted to the study of Avail-
able nitrogen, one to potash, and another to phosphoric acid,
Cotton plants are grown in each set, and the cultivation is
continued as long as the soil can furnish to the plant the in-
gredient in question. When this ingredielit in its assimila-
ble form is thus known to be exhausted from the soil, the
crop gathered from the set of cylinders is weighed and
16
analyzed, and the weight of the given ingredient, taken
from the soil, is thus practically determined, and the result
is reserved for comparison with the chemical tests of the
soil, afterwards to be made.
These practical tests have been conducted through one
season, and will need to be continued through another season
to insure complete exhaustion of the soil.
2. A study of the Water Requirements of the Cotton
Plant, or the Relation of Soil Moisture to the healthful
growth of the Cotton Plant.
Conducted by J. T. Anderson with the co-operation of
Prof. Earle.
The purposes of this study are to determine (1)What
amount of soil moisture is best adapted to the vigorous
growth of the cotton, and (2) What relation (if any) the
amount of soil moisture bears to certain well known diseases,
such as shedding, rust, etc.
This investigation is conducted in galvanized iron pots in
the plant house. The maximum water capacity of the soil
used in these pots was determined by experiment in-the
laboratory. The pots are divided into seven groups, and
different amounts of water are to be added to each group.
At stated intervals the pots are to be re-weighed, and the
loss of water by evaporation from the surface and by the
transpiration of the plant is made good by restoring to each
pot the requisite amount of water. Thus one set of pots
will contain constantly from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of
their full water capacity, another 20 per cent. to 30 per cent.
and so on to the last which will contain 70 per cent. to 80
per cent. A full and complete record of the life history of
each plant, .together with the conditions under which ithas
grown, will be kept, and thus will be furnished the data
required for the purposes of this investigation.
REPORT OF VETERINARIAN.
Dr. Win. LeRoy Broun, President:
DEAR SI :-The following is a brief statement of the work
done during the year 1896:
In January this department issued a bulletin giving the
results of three series of pig-feeding experiments.
In July a bulletin was issued on the Skin Tumors of
Horses and Mules in Alabama. This bulletin was prepared
by Mr. S. L. Coleman, a post-graduate student in the Vete-
rinary Department during 1895 and 1896. It gave the re-
sults of extended study and microscopical investigation.
The macroscopical and microscopical characteristics of the
tumors, their classification, and their clinical peculiarities
were fully discussed. Simple and practical methods of re-
moving these common skin tumors were suggested. An
appendix to this bulletin gave a classified list of a majority
of the different tumors that were treated at the Saturday
free clinic during a period of four years.
During the year 1896, this department has prepared con-
siderable quantities of tuberculin and mallein. These diag-
nostic agents have been furnished free of charge to Veteri-
narians of the State and to the City Physician of MOnt-
gomery, upon the condition that all test records be sent to
the Veterinary Department. As was anticipated, the re-
ports of the diagnostic tests with these agents have brought
returns showing the presence of tuberculosis among some
herds of dairy cattle in Alabama. This work will be con-
tinued. I have given my services to the health department
of the city of Montgomery, as occasion required, in order to
help establish a system of meat and milk inspection in that
city. At present the work is almost established and is
proving to be a valuable means of protecting the public
health of that city. It is to be hoped that many other cities
in this State will soon adopt similar measures.
18
We have in preparation a bulletin on meat and milk in-
spection. It will be our aim to suggest a system that can
be employed by many of the smaller as well as the larger
cities of the State.
During the year 1896 there were 560 cases handled at our
Saturday free clinic. I have delivered a number of lectures
in various counties of this State, and have also investigated
outbreaks of infectious diseases among domestic animals,
during the past year.
Some pig-feeding tests are now in progress, the object of
which is to determine why cotton seed or cotton seed meal
kills pigs. This difficult and puzzling problem will be
studied until some definite knowledge is obtained concern-
ing it; and, if possible, its complete solution.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. CARY.
REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURIST,
Dr. Wm. LeRoy Broun, President:
SIR:-In the Agricultural Department numerous lines of
investigation have been begun during the past year, but
prominence has been given to three main questions that are
believed to be the subjects in which the majority of the
farmers of the State are most immediately and directly con-
cerned. Accordingly numerous experiments have been con-
ducted with the hope of throwing more light on the follow-
ing subjects:
(1) The economical improvement of worn soils, involving
an extended study of the most promising leguminous or
renovating plants.
(2) Cotton culture.
(3) Pork production.
A fourth division might be created to embrace experi-
ments made in. 1896 with miscellaneous plants, including
corn, oats, rye, tobacco, cowpeas, peanuts, sweet potatoes,
artichokes, chufas, Kaffir corn and other sorghums, etc., etc.
More than 100 plots were used for experiments with cotton
on the station farm and a fertilizer test with cotton con-
ducted in 27 localities required more than 250 plots.
Despite unfavorable weather conditions in 1896, causing
the failure of some experiments and reducing the yields of
all crops, results have accumulated even more rapidly than
they could be properly prepared for publication,-the time
of the Agriculturist being so largely occupied with routine
and clerical duties.
The first bulletin giving the results of work done in 1896
was Bulletin No. 75, published in December. It was enti-
tled, "Exp6riments with Corn." Bulletin No. 76, "Experi-
ments with Cotton," is now in print. Another bulletin
20
giving the results of fertilizer tests with cotton on many
different soils within the State is now ready for publication.
Plans for work in 1896 were formed only after careful de-
liberation with a view to permanency in lines of investiga-
tion. Hence the proposed work for 1897 is largely a repe-
tition of that of the past year, for in many experiments
repetition is more fruitful than new undertakings. The
most important departure from last year's experiments con-
sists in the enlargement of the work with renovating plants,
in which investigations valuable practical results have
already been obtained. While the cowpe in its place has
probably no competitor in soil improvement, yet there is
a place for other renovating plants, for example to cover the
soil in winter with growing vegetation. To fill this need,
crimson clover is well adapted for some localities and it is
now being extensively experimented with by this depart-
ment. Again, there is need for a substitute for cowpeas on
soils infested with nematode root worms, a condition which
occurs on many parts of the station farm and elsewhere in
the State, and that prohibits the profitable culture of cow-
peas in such fields. The result of a est made by this de-
partment the past year points to the possible utilization of
the beggarweed (Desmodiumn) as a restorative crop for such
infested fields.
The large number of letters of inquiry regarding a wide
range of agricultural topics received and answered by this
department is gratifying. For while replies to such com-
munications require much time, it is highly desirable that
correspondence of this kind be increased and that an ever-
increasing number of farmers should look to this station not
only for helpful reading matter, but for special information
and counsel.
In addition to the discharge of his duties on the station
farm and in the college, the Agriculturist has delivered
three public lectures and inspected nine of the twenty-seven
fertilizer experiments with cotton conducted in different
parts of the State. This work of placing the station in
21
closer touch with communities of farmers is well worthy of
all the time that can be spared from other duties.
As regards 
permanent 
improvements, 
the most 
important
single item of the past year was the guttering of the resi-
dence of the Agriculturist. Fences have been repaired and
built as necessity has required.
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. DUGGAR,
Agriculturist.
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND
HORTICULTURE.
REPORT AS HORTICULTURIST.
During the Spring of 1896 a small new orchard was
planted, at some little distance from the old one, on soil
that it was hoped would be free from the nematode root
trouble, and other diseases, that had proved troublesome at
the old location-49 peach, 104 plum, 260 pear, 26 Japan
persimmon, and 18 nut trees were planted. The Spring
proved very unfavorable for young trees, April and May
being exceptionally hot and dry, causing some loss; but a
fairly good stand was secured and most of the trees made a
satisfactory growth.
The old strawberry plots were plowed under during the
Summer, as they were too old to be useful, and a number of
the varieties proved to be untrue to name. During the Fall
a new planting of forty or more kinds was made; part of
each variety being planted on stiff red clay soil on a moist
north hill side, and part on a sandy southern slope, to note
their comparative behavior in the two locations.
The peach and plum crop was almost an entire failure
this year; and the apple crop was light and poor so that no
notes of value were secured on these fruits.
Examination of the vineyard in January showed that all
but a small per cent. of the vines were affected by a white
coating on the roots, causing the disease known as root rot.
A number of vines were dead, that had made a good growth
during the previous season. The dead vines were removed
and the others carefully 
pruned, sprayed and 
cultivated.
Contrary to expectation, most of the varieties matured a
fine crop. A few vines gave out and died just before the
crop ripened, and some others died during the Fall, but the
23
loss has so far been much less than expected. An experi-
ment is underway to test the effect of different fertilizers in
controlling this disease; or rather in enabling the vines to
outgrow it.
During the Spring the work with vegetables was confined
to experiments toward controlling certain plant diseases.
Some facts reported by the farm superintendent as to the
dying of tomato plants on the Horticultural grounds led to
the belief that the land was infested with the Bacterial, or
Mississippi tomato blight, and an elaborate experiment with
tomatoes, peppers, egg-plants and potatoes was planned
and carried out, for treating this disease with Bordeaux
mixture, lime and kainit. The expected disease did not
develop; but instead there was a mild outbreak of Rolf's
Florida tomato disease. The very dry season prevented
much damage; but this is doubtless the cause of the trou-
ble in previous years.
A number of experiments were undertaken with a view of
finding some practical means of controlling the iematode
root knot that is so troublesome in many parts of the South.
These experiments included rotations, clean fallow, and ap-
plications to the soil of heavy dressings of lime, kainit and
tobacco stems. The first two lines of work are not com-
pleted; but the third gave no hopeful result. The roots of
okra and other vegetables were as badly knotted on land
that had received at the rate of 3,000 lbs. per acre each of
lime and kainit, as where no application was made.
A number of observations on pear blight were made, and
three trips were taken to inspect the work of the members
of the South Alabama Horticultural Society at Citronelle,
Mobile county, in attempting to control the disease by
pruning. The good effects of this work, where most
thoroughly done, was very apparent; but the great practical
difficulty of getting the work done with sufficient thorough-
ness to entirely suppress the disease, was also evident. It
is a very important subject and much more careful work is
needed on it.
24
During the late Summer andFall some miscellaneous
work with vegetables has been done with a view to de-
termine the possibility of securing a larger and more
varied supply of fall vegetables for the farmer's table and
for home markets; and some special work is underway with
turnips, including the testing of over forty varieties, witha
view of calling attention to the importance of this crop to
the southern farm and garden.
The large number 
of letters of enquiry 
reaching this de-
partment from all parts of the State indicate increasing
interest in horticultural matters, especially on the part of
new comers who are settling in considerable numbers in
some sections. This correspondence has added materially
to the work of the department.
The most important addition to the working equipment
of the department during the year has been the completion
of a new greenhouse, 20x80 ft. besides boiler and work
room.
Bulletin 69 on "Treatment of Some Fungous Diseases,"
was issued jointly with Dr. Underwood from the Depart-
ment of Biology during the early part of the year.
REPORT AS BIOLOGIST.
Since assuming the duties of Biologist in July, jthe study
of the Fungous Flora of the State, begun by my prede-
cessor, Dr. L. M. Underwood, has been continued; and the
results are nearly ready for publication as a "Preliminary
List of the Fungi of Alabama." This will appear over our
joint names, as much of the work has been done by Dr.
Underwood. We will enumerate between eight and nine
hundred species as occurring in the State; and will quote
descriptions of all that have been first described from
Alabama material. The preparation of this list has in-
volved a much greater amount of work than was at first
expected. This has necessarially delayed its publication;
but we feel sure that its greater completeness will more
than justify -the delay.
25
Much time and labor has been given to re-arranging our
collections of Fungi; and getting them in shape for ready
reference and study.
At the present time the collection consists of the follow-
ing material:
Alabama Fungi, collected by Dr. Atkinson
and assistants.......553 specimens
Louisiana Fungi, collected by Rev. A. B.
Langlois ................... .. 184
From various scattered sources............35
Indiana Fungi, collected by Dr. L. M. Under-
wood ................ ......... . ... 50 "
Illinois and Mississippi Fungi, collected by
F. S. Earle.. ............ ............ 87
Colorado Fungi, collected by C. F. Baker... 42
Alabama Fungi, collected by G. W. Carver.. 64
Fungi from the Herb, of the Div. of Veg.
Phys. & Path. Dep. of Ag............319
Alabama Fungi, collected by Underwood &
Earle .............. ........... 613
Ravenel's Fungi Americani Exsiccati, Cent.
5, 7, & 8............................ 300 "
Briosa & Cavara, Funghi Parassiti &c,
Fasc. 1-11.. ............... ......... 75 "
Ellis' North American Fungi, Cent. 1-35... 3500 "
Seymour & Earle, Economic Fungi, Fasc. 1-9. 450 "
Kellerman & Swingle, Kansas Fungi, Fasc.
1 & 2............................... 50 "
De Thueman's Mycotheca Universalis,
Cent. 1-23..........................2300 "
Sydow's Uredineen, Fasc. 1-21.... ...... 1050 "
Pringle's Mexican Fungi, Decade 1......... 10 "
A total of ......................... 9882 "
26
These are all mounted on half size herbarium 
sheets;
and are arranged according to the Saccardian 
system. A
Host Index of the collection has been 
prepared on regular
library cards, so that a moments inspection 
will show what
Fungi are represented as occurring 
on any given host plant.
Observations have been made on 
a number of plant dis-
eases; but these studies have none 
of them progressed far
enough for detailed publication. 
Among the more interest-
ing points noted may 
be mentioned the occurrence 
in our
experimental grounds of 
what is known as "Rolfs' 
Sclero-
tium Disease" of the potato and 
tomato. This blight has
not heretofore been reported outside 
of Florida. The
bacterial- disease of potatoes and 
tomatoes known as the
"Southern Blight" or "Mississippi 
Blight," was observed
at Deer Park in Washington county, 
and at Mobile. Both
diseases produce a sudden wilting 
and death of the tops;
but they are caused by very different 
organisms. Diseased
cabbage plants from the seed bed, received from Citronelle,
Mobile county, were found to be 
attacked by Peronospora
parasitica. This is a 
common parasite of many 
Cruciferous
weeds; but it has not heretofore been reported 
as a cabbage
disease in this country. The root 
disease of the grape,
mentioned in Bulletin 69, page 270, as 
being probably iden-
tical with the French "Pourridie," 
proves on further inves-
tigation not to be this disease. 
It is usually much less
virulent and slower in its 
work than Pourridie; and 
is
caused by some obscure, as 
yet undetermined organism.
Careful observation of the fertilizer 
test with cotton, made
by the Agricultural Department, 
failed to show during this
,rather abnormal season, any connection 
between the pres-
ence or absence of Leaf Blight, 
and the fertilizer used. The
disease suddenly made 
its appearance and spread 
from
certain well-defined centres, 
seemingly without reference 
to
cultural or other ascertainable 
conditions. This was an un-
expected result and does 
not accord with other published
observations. It may, 
in part, be due to the 
peculiar
climatic conditions of last season.
27
Bulletins issued from this department during the year
include the joint Bulletin 69 on "Treatment of Some
Fungous Diseases;" Bulletin 73 on "Edible Fungi :A
Wasted Food Product," by L. M. Underwood; and Bulle-
tin 74, on "Flour Considered from the Standpoint of Nutri-
tion," by L. M. Underwood.
Respectfully submitted,
F. S. EARLt,
Biologist and Horticulturist.
AUBURN, ALA., Feb. 1., 1897.
REPORT OF ENTOMOLOGIST,
Dr. Win. LeRoy Broun, President:
SIR:-I have the honor to submit the following report of
work done in the Department of Entomology during 1896:
The office of Entomologist was founded by the Board of
Trustees in June of 1896. I entered upon the duties of that
office on the 16th day of September. As the office wasa
new one to the Experiment Station staff, a start from the
very foundation was necessary. The small brick building
formerly used as a Phyto-pathological Laboratory, together
with a portion of the greenhouse attached thereto, was
turned over to the uses of an Entomological Laboratory.
With the exception of some empty insect cases, I found prac-
tically nothing here in the form of entomological apparatus
or library, nor had any especial appropriation been made
for the purpose of giving the department a start. However,
the small sum placed at my disposal was used to good ad-
vantage in obtaining initial supplies of the most urgently
needeal necessities. The two great desiderata of an Ento-
mological Laboratory-a good reference collection and a
library of special works on entomological subjects-were
entirely wanting. Hence my first efforts were applied to
getting -the laboratory into working order, and starting a
good representative collection of our indigenous insects, the
latter being the most absolutely essential appurtenance of
an Entomological Laboratory.
Although the seasonal period of greatest activity among
insects was over when I arrived, yet work in connection with
the habits, life histories, and economic importance of the
insects of this locality, was immediately begun, and prose-
cuted with all the vigor possible.
In the very brief opportunity afforded me, among many
observations of minor importance, the following more
salient points were noted. Nothing was seen of the Cotton
Worm, the Boll Worm being not uncommon, especially in
tomato patches, but happily it was not abundant. On
several places plant lice were swarming on cucumber and
cotton. The "Pickle Worm" was found not uncommonly
eating into the cucumber fruit. The Tomato Worm worked
severe injury to many tomato patches. On late tomatoes
also was found a minute lively little insect (a species of
Dicyplus) in injurious numbers, sucking the juice from the
plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow and drop off. This
species has not before been noticed by entomologists as an
injurious insect, so will be made the subject of a special
study. Ailanthus trees were found commonly defoliated
and covered with the webs of the Ailanthus Worm. In
many spots in lawns and meadows of Bermuda grass, the
Southern Grass-worm was found in enormous numbers,
eating away every green blade. In corn cribs and grana-
ries several kinds of weevils and grain and meal moths were
"having things their own way.
Many notes were made on these and various other insects,
while in numerous instances the living insects were brought
into the laboratory and studied in vivaria. In short, the
foundations were laid for a complete study of the inter-
relations of plants and insects in the State of Alabama.
But very little work in general, on the insects of the
State, could be even begun, as no facilities for visiting other
localities were afforded me. It was, however, learned that
the worst of all orchard pests, the much feared San Jose
Scale, had become colonized in several portions of the State,
Active steps were taken towards getting this office into
communication with the farmers of the State, to be accom-
plished by means of personal letters, through the press,
and by occasional bulletins. A bulletin was prepared, call-
30
ing the attention of fruit-growers to the presence of the
San Jose Scale in the State, and giving information relative
to several other insect pests, advising remedies for each.
Respectfully submitted,
C. F. BAKER,
Entomologist.