1 iiiU^ ^"'■^- ^^^

DK

'»^/

H2-

'>/->

EXPERIMENT STATION LIBRARY

Bulletin 280 March, 1934

Agricultural Research
in New Hampshire

Annual Report of the Director

of the New Hampshire Agricultural

Experiment Station for the Year 1933

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Durham, New Hampshire

INDEX

Agricultural Chemistry Page

Removal of Spray Residues 13

Agricultural Economics

Sidelines for Orchardists 3

Size of Spray Crew ■ 4

Dairy and Silage Studies 5-6

Local Potato Markets Profitable 5

Investigating Logging Possibilities 6

Agronomy

Fertilizer Investigations 8-11

Greenhouse Soil Testing 8

New Variety Tests ' 8

Spray or Dust Potatoes 9

More Evidence on Early Haying 9

Animal Husbandry

Nutrition Studies 7

Sheep Breeding May Be Simplified 7

Botany

Apple-Scab and Bitter Pit Experiments 21

Burgundy Not Always a Substitute for Bordeaux 19

Hardier Potatoes Grown at Low Temperatures 20

Leaf-Roll, Mosaic Studies Continued 20

Tests of Weed-killing Chemicals 21

Dairy

Colon Test Not Substitute for Inspection 22

Engineering

Electrification Studies 27-28-29

Pneumatic Tires for Trucks 28

Steel Tractor Wheel Equipment 28

Entomology

Spraying Versus Picking Drops for Railroad Worm Control 17

Insect Records Enlarged 18

Contact Insecticides 18

Forestry

' Rabbits Benefit Forest Stand 22

General

Inspection Service 29

Horticulture

Results Reversed on Flower-Bud Study 11

Pollination and Fniit Storage Tests Continued 12

Fertilizer Effects on Blueberry and Strawberry Yields 13-14

New Fruit Varieties Bear First Time 14

Manure Enough for Cabbage 14

Nitrogen Alone Suits Apple Orchards 15

Vegetable Breeding Continued 15

Electric Hot-Bed Operated in Winter 15

Tomatoes Grown in Sand 15

Manure and Peat Moss Give Equal Results 16

Sweet Corn Variety Tests 16

Pritchard Desirable New Tomato 16

Raspberrv- Pruning Not Beneficial First Year 16

Codling Moth Serious in Some Localities 16

Poultry

Results of Disease Studies 22-23-25-26

New Findings on Vitamin A for Chicks 24

Poultrv-men Strive to Retain Breeding Reputation 24

Adult ' Mortality is Studied 25

One-Fifth of Poultry Tested for Pullorum 26

Over 3000 Poultry Autopsies Made 27

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Annual Report of the Director of the New Hampshire
Agricultural Experiment Station for the Year 1933

J. C. KENDALL, Director

The necessity for a foundation of reliable and up-to-date infonnation
upon which to build an agricultural program in this state has never been
more evident than during the past year. The "new deal" with all the
various economic and social changes which it has involved has called
for many types of information. The need for many new projects in
agricultural research is evident, particularly in the field of Agricultural
Economics where it is most fortunate that we have the advantage of
several years of investigations made possible by the Purnell Act. In
the meantime, the many projects already under way in various depart-
ments press for solution.

The following report of the experimental work in the past year is
by no means complete, and does not take into account the patient
work on many projects on which data are not yet completed, nor the
vast amount of state service work, correspondence, consultations, special
assistance, lectures, etc., which the staff has been requested to make.
These annual reports are designed to present a picture of some of the
more important results which have come out of the various projects
during the year.

Among the completed projects are the Purnell Studies of Potato Mar-
keting, Hay and Silage Production Costs, Dairy Farai Rotation on
Worn-Out Hay Lands, Study of Retail Milk Markets in Laconia, and
the Adams project, Study of Burgundy Mixtures and Their Effect on
Plants.

New projects being developed involve the Study of the Penetration
of Ovicides, Effect of Mulching and Development of Bitter Pit in
Apples, Pneumatic Traction Equipment and Heat Requirements for
Brooding of Chicks.

This year has seen a valuable development in the renovation of the
old dairy barn, and the installation there of offices and laboratories in
Agricultural Engineering. This work is being developed under the
charge of W. T. Ackeraian who is employed by the Experiment Station
to develop the study of Rural Electricity.

There have been no changes in personnel during the year except for
the appointment of L. J. Bowen as Graduate Assistant in Botany, re-
placing Mr. Russell Bissey, and of G. M. Foulkrod as Assistant in
Agricultural Engineering.

Many Sidelines for Orchardists

Strawberries, cherries, beans, lumbering, dairying, and poultry pro-
duction are possible sidelines which fit well into orchard organization,
according to a study of 12 fi-uit farms which has just been completed
by H. C. Woodworth and G. F. Potter, and will shortly be published.
A summaiy of the investigation lists these facts and conclusions:

The income of the 12 farms fluctuated greatly, ranging from an av-

4 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

erage of $80 in 1926 to $2,777 in 1927, a year of good yields and high
apple prices.

For greatest efficiency in harvesting, plantings should be divided be-
tween a few varieties which ripen successively. One man could not
expect to harvest more than 50 mature Mcintosh trees, but he could
also pick 50 Gravensteins and nearly 100 Baldwins.

Skilled labor for spraying is necessary at definite times.

About 18 per cent of the total man-hours recorded on these farms
were devoted to miscellaneous tasks such as care and repair of equip-
ment and discussions with salesmen.

Among the things which may be carried on with apples without
• serious conflict in the harvesting period are: a small area of beans;
winter work on timber, which utilizes men and horses in a slack labor
period; where hay and tillage land and good pastures are available,
dairying is a good supplementary enterprise; poultry production can
be efiSciently carried on by rearing early hatched chicks, or purchasing
full grown pullets for replacements. (Purnell Fund)

Size of Spray Crew May Vary With Spray

The lowest labor cost in spraying was obtained by the use of med-
ium-sized machines operated by one-man crews, according to a spray
cost study by E. J. Rasmussen and H. C. Woodworth. Operating
with a one-man crew reduces the output of the machine, however.
If the sprayer is drawTi by a tractor or truck, or if the orchard is rough
or the spraying has been delayed, this one-man outfit may not be
practical.

It was concluded that the size of the crew should be determined
by the topography of the orchard, the power available for hauling the
machine, and the time available for applying the spray. When ap-
plying the early sprays for scab control, for instance, a crew of two
or three men may be necessary to finish the job more quickly and get
the spray on in time. During the first cover spray, on the other
hand, a one-man crew may be used because this covering can be ap-
plied over a longer period without danger of increasing the disease and
insect injury.

While an overhead water supply does not appear necessary, growers
with supplies located in the orchard are able to apply more gallons of
spray per day. One orchardist with a large machine and three water
supplies located at different points in his orchard was able to apply
226 gallons of spray per machine-hour. Another grower with a similar
machine but only one water supply handled only 177 gallons of spray
per machine-hour.

The nozzle should ordinarily match the machine capacity, yet top-
ography of orchard, size of trees and the ability of the man handling
the nozzle are also points to consider in determining nozzle size. When
the tank can be ridden, a nozzle with a capacity of 12 to 15 gallons
per minute is efficient; but on sites where walking and dragging a hose
are necessary, a capacity of seven to eight gallons per minute would be
the maximum to use on medium to large outfits. The right size pump
is one that will cover the orchard in three or four days. {Purnell Fund)

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 5

Silage Corn for Intensive Farming

Silage corn is the answer for the dairyman who wants more cows, a
cash crop, or extra pasture on the same farm. Silage production also
helps to spread the labor of roughage harvest over a longer period.
Less extra hired help is needed.

Assuming the wage for labor, silage cost $4.52 per ton and hay $5.71.
These cost of production figures do not include any charge for land,
buildings or manure.

Such are conclusions of the study of roughage production by M. F.
Abell on 81 farms in 1928 and on" 247 farms in 1929. Publication of
these findings appears in Station Bulletin 273, published in July.
(Purnell Fund)

Local Potato Markets Profitable

Growers who supply their local markets regularly throughout the
marketing season will derive the greatest income from potatoes. This
is one of the conclusions of the study of potato marketing by E. H.
Rinear and M. F. Abell, published in Station Circular 42.

This investigation also revealed that during the 10-year period, 1922-
32, more locally grown potatoes were consumed within the state and
the supply from outside sources has decreased.

Wholesale prices in New Hampshire averaged 18 cents per hundred
over Boston quotations for late crop- potatoes between 1926 and 1932
inclusive. {Purnell Fund)

Unusually efficient barn work was discovered on one of 38 dairy-
farms in Grafton county which were the subject of recent efficiency
studies by H. C. Woodworth and C. W. Harris, Jr. The results are
published in Station Bulletin 275. On this particular place two men
were taking care of 6 cows and 40 head of young stock.

The research showed that despite remarkable efficiency in one prac-
tice, a farmer might be inefficient in some other respect. The men
with low chore hours per cow had more convenient barns, used better
methods, and organized their work more skillfully.

Low production of milk on some famis resulted from poor pastures,
lack of timely supplementing of dwindling pastures, insufficient protein
in the yearly ration, poor quality of cows, and unskilled handling.

Yields and quality of hay could be both improved on most farms
by systematically seeding down a larger acreage each year. High pro-
tein hay made up only about 15 per cent of the total harvested on
these farms.

Further investigations of organization of farms and efficiency in
chore work are being made in the Colebrook area. Fifty farmers are
cooperating. {Purnell Fund)

Small "Profit" on Sale of Cows

Farmers who raise and sell cows as an enterprise separate from milk
production got an average of $77 per cow, according to a preliminary
study by H. C. Grinnell of dairy-herd replacements in southern New

6 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

Hampshire. Not counting value of pasture, average feed cost of rais-
ing a heifer on 191 farms was $67 for the year ending May 1, 1933.

The majority of the dairy farmers in southern New Hampshire are
raising most or all of their dairy replacements, and in some cases
young stock to sell. Cheap milk and abundant pasture are conditions
which determine the profitableness of raising young stock as a separate
enterprise.

On 201 farms there were 60 heifers for each 100 cows on May 1,
1933. About one-fourth of the cows inventoried at the beginning of
the year were disposed of.

About one-half of the cows sold for production by fanners who were
raising heifers for herd maintenance were released for reasons which
would indicate that they were not profitable cows to own. The aver-
age price for these cows was $59 as compared with $77 received by
farmers who made it part of their business to raise cows to sell. {Pur-
nell Fund)

What Are Extra Costs of Grade A Milk?

To learn the extra costs of producing Grade A milk as compared
with Grade B, 100 records were obtained by E. H. Rinear and H. C.
Moore from producers shipping through one Grade A station. Addi-
tional records must also be gathered from a section producing only
Grade B milk before comparative costs can be listed.

Another phase of this study concerns the most economical method
of preventing bacterial development in milk from the time it is drawn
from the cow until it is delivered to the consumer. (Purnell Fund)

Milk Retailing Proves Inviting

Fifty-four producer-distributors in Laconia averaged more on their
labor in retailing than their milk was worth at the net wholesale price
for the zone. This condition in the lake-city market was brought to
light in a study begun by E. H. Rinear in 1932 and published in
1933 in Station Bulletin 272. The cost figures obtained in this in-
vestigation are now being used in determining minimum code price
for other local markets. {Purnell Fund)

Investigating Logging Possibilities

Following the detailed mapping of the town of Dorchester, land-use
research in Grafton county was continued this year by H, C. Wood-
worth and M. F. Abell with a rapid survey of the forest cover of 16
towns. The data on this indicate that the Dorchester forest cover is
typical of the large back area of the section. A trained forester with
experience in milling and lumber demand is now determining what kind
of logging might be done in this area and under what conditions, it
might be profitable. If little timber can be taken out profitably in
the next 20 years, the people living in these communities will need
to seek employment elsewhere. {Purnell Fund)

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 7

Soy-bean Hay Low in Protein

The small amount of digestible ciiide protein in soybean hay is one
of the surprising finds in the study of forage crops as sources of pro-
tein and energy for dair>' cows. This cmde protein varied from 9.04
per cent in the mixed crop of several small plots to nearly 20 per cent
in the harvest from specially treated soil.

Despite this fact soybean hay may be considered a valuable rough-
age for milk production, for its protein is well utilized and it supplies
a liberal amount of energy, ranking in this respect with early cut
timothy and second-cutting alfalfa. Even for moderate milk produc-
tion, however, it should be supplemented with more protein when its
own supply is as limited as the poor samples in this study revealed.
As a source of protein it proved to be only one-half as valuable as
alfalfa and was exceeded by early cut timothy hay.

When cows producing from 25 to 30 pounds of milk were fed al-
falfa only its digestible protein was sufficient to supply their demand.
It failed to supply enough energy with the result that the animals
lost some weight. Had the energy been sufficient, the cows might
have produced more milk. Due to its high protein content, however,
alfalfa is undoubtedly the most valuable roughage for cows in pro-
duction.

This study was a part of the nutrition investigations conducted by
E. G. Ritzman in cooperation with F. G. Benedict, director of the
Nutrition Laboratoiy of the Carnegie Institute of Washington. {Pur-
nell Fund)

Horse Needs More Energy Feed in Winter

For mere existence the horse requires more energy-producing feed
in February and less in October as compared with the month of May.
This was shown in three metabolism experiments by E. G. Ritzman
and F. G. Benedict during the year to determine the seasonal varia-
tions in the requirements of the horse.

In terms of heat production per 500 kilograms weight and per square
meter of surface area, the results at 84 and 108 hours after feeding
were as follows:

For 500 kilograms weight — 9,000 calories in October, 9,900 in Febm-
ary, and 9,450 in May.

Per square meter surface area — 1,752 calories in October, 1,974 in
February, and 1,884 in May. (Adams Fund)

Sheep Breeding May Be Simplified

A method tentatively proposed for predicting results of sheep mat-
ings may simplify future sheep breeding aimed at a new strain highly
IH-oductive in wool and mutton, equipped with four functional nipples,
and bearing largely twins. Considerable progress has already been
made, as reported in Technical Bulletin 53. The work is in charge
of E. G. Ritzman. (Adams Fund)

8 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

Growing Hay on Neglected Land

Following publications of the results of the first six years of work
on hay production on neglected hay lands, the fields were replowed
and seeded to red clover after unsuccessful seedings to timothy. Fol-
lowing the 1934 red-clover harvest, timothy will be replanted. Nitrogen
proved to have the greatest influence on the yield of timothy from 1926
to 1931, as pointed out in Station Bulletin 271. Phosphorus influenced
the yield markedly the first year. Lime was also beneficial. These
studies are in charge of F. S. Prince and T. G. Phillips. {Purnell Fund)

Manure, Potash Help Alfalfa on Worn-Out Soil

Manure and potash were necessary soil treatments in the production
of alfalfa on worn-out hay lands, the former giving constant and sig-
nificant increases in yields and the latter appearing to prolong the life
and add to the yield of the legume, according to five years' work in
Greenland plots. The results are in Station Bulletin 271. The ex-
perimental work is being continued. {Purnell Fund)

Greenhouse Soil Testing

Greenhouse experimental work is done each year, testing for defi-
ciencies in the various soil types of the state. Such indicator plants
as tomatoes or tobacco are grown. Twenty-four tubs of untreated
"original" soil from the Lane farm, Chichester, were tested in 1933, for
example. Seven different combinations of fertilizer were used, the soil
showing a strong need for phosphorus. {Hatch Fund)

New Variety Tests

Seven special variety tests were begun b}^ F. S. Prince and P. T.
Blood this year with soy-beans, clovers, lespedezas, commercially im-
portant varieties of oats and barley, and mixtures of oats and legumes.

Soy-bean trials included 64 new strains from the federal bureau of
plant industry ; the nine standard varieties of Dunfield, Mukden, Black
Eyebrow, Harbinsoy, Manchu, Pekwa, Illini, Midwest and Wilson; and
Pekwa alone and with Hungarian. The Pekwa-Hungarian seeding
yielded 1,280 pounds per acre more than the soy-beans alone. This
difference in weight was obtained after both crops had been dried in
an electric drier.

Of the 64 new strains of soy-beans, about 30 are thought to be suit-
able for green vegetable purposes and are being tested by the home
economics department.

Ladino and White Dutch clovers are also on trial.

Lespedezas included in the tests are two strains of Korean and seri-
cea, a perennial.

Wisconsin and Alpha barleys and Cornellian and Swedish oats were
also seeded this year. Legume mixtures include Chang peas and
Swedish oats, hairy vetch and Swedish oats and common vetch and
Swedish oats. The hairy vetch, spring sown, made as much growth
as peas, and both made considerably more growi,h than spring or com-
mon vetch. Since the hairy vetch also makes a good growth in the

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 9

fall after the first harvest and often lives over into the second season,
it seems much superior to field peas and preferable to common vetch
for forage. {Hatch Fund)

Top-Dressing for Grass Hay

Top-dressing of grass hay lands was begim on the college fanii in
1933 to test the efficiency of the more important nitrogen carriers, to
compare these wdth equal quantities of nitrogen in mixed fertilizers, and
to try different dates and different amounts of the same nitrogen car-
rier. Each of the 14 plots is about one-five hundredth of an acre
in extent. {Hatch Fund)

Spray or Dust Potatoes

Either spraying or dusting is satisfactoiy for potatoes in a season
like 1933 if the job is properly done, according to a comparative ex-
periment on the Lane farm, Chichester. {Hatch Fund)

More Evidence on Early Haying

Time-of-cutting studies on yield and feed value of hay have been
continued, following the publication early in 1933 of the conclusions of
trials in 1930, 1931, and 1932. The facts point out that grass hay
such as timothy, if it is to be of most value for dairy cows, should be
hai-vested before the period of bloom. This means starting haying as
early as June 15 in southern New Hampshire and not later than June
25 in the northern section. {Hatch Fund)

No Difference From Broadcasting, Drilling Fertilizer

To compare broadcasting versus drilling fertilizer for potatoes and
to determine the development of scab at different pH levels, one acre
of the crop was grown on the Ireland farm in Greenland in 1933 on a
piece of land which had been in sweet clover the previous year and
which had been limed and treated with basic slag as a lime carrier,
both at different rates. The methods of applying the fertilizer showed
no significant differences in yield. The use of basic slag resulted in
much less scab than did the lime, and the former was less effective
in correcting acidity. {Purnell Fund)

Nitrogen Shines in Pasture Research

The dry year of 1932 resulted in universal response to nitrogen in
the investigations on top-dressing old pastures. This research is con-
tinuous on the Seavey Brothers' fann, Stratham, and in seven other
widely scattered regions of the state. What 1933 will show depends on
the chemical analysis yet to be made of the harvested grass.

Because of the possibility of different results for the Connecticut val-
ley, an experiment was started near Claremont this year by F. S.
Prince, T. G. Phillips, P. T. Blood and G. P. Percival. Fifteen plots
were staked out and treated with different nitrogen carriers and varia-

10 X. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

tions of complete fertilizer, with one treatment in which phosphorus and
potash alone were applied.

On the Seavey farm, contrary to the previous year's results, super-
phosphate and potash gave no response in 1932. {Purnell Fund)

Phosphorus, Potash Help In Connecticut Valley

To develop the first year's crop phosphorus seems essential to suc-
cess with red clover and alsike in the Connecticut valley, according
to one year's results on the Livingston farm near Claremont. Trials
conducted on the 80 twentieth-acre plots also indicated that potash
will give significant increases in red clover, but that lime will not
since this soil is not excessively acid.

This research on legume production in the Connecticut valley had
previously revealed that the best gro^vth of sweet clover and alfalfa
came from plots treated with potash. (Purnell Fund)

Fertilizer Trials for Southern New Hampshire

Fertilizer trials similar to those long established in Colebrook were
begun in Chichester this year for the purpose of getting facts on con-
ditions typical of southern New Hampshire. Nine different commer-
cial combinations are on test in a three-year dairy farm rotation of
potatoes, oats and clover on worn-out hay land. Approximately 150
thirtieth-acre plots are laid out in three groups, each of about 50 plots.
[Purnell Fund)

New Results from the Colebrook Work

The Colebrook experiment occupies 160 twentieth-acre plots divided
into three almost equal groups. The same rotation is used as in Chi-
chester, with the 13 variations in fertilizers applied only to the potatoes.

The Norcross variety of potatoes was planted in 1933 instead of
Green Mountains, and proved considerably more sensitive to fertilizer
variations and particularly to phosphorus. For the first time in the
history of this investigation, decrease in yields due to omission of phos-
phorus was greater than where potash was omitted. The increase in
yields where extra phosphorus was added was greater than in any other
year save one.

This suggests a study of varieties with reference to their sensitive-
ness to a lack or abundance of some one fertilizer ingredient.

The Norcross potatoes responded about like Green Mountains in
previous years when potash was omitted, and failed to respond to ad-
ditional potash over the seven per cent. Lime in addition to a fertilizer
without potash depressed the yield slightly as in previous years with
Green Mountains.

Two tons of lime have caused slightly scabby potatoes on this field;
four tons have produced scab on nearly all the potatoes.

Lime increases the yield of clover and other hay species on this land
more than any other fertilizer treatment having a continuous effect.
All the fertilizer is applied to the potatoes in this experiment; hay-
crop harvest is two full years following any fertilizer application.

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 11

Enough lime to help the clover without causing scab on the potatoes
is the need of this land. What this amount may be is one of the
things yet to be determined. {Purnell Fund)

Soy-beans Like Magnesium Limestone, Manure

Magnesium limestone and manure stimulated soy-bean yields on the
Ireland farm where the soil shows a pH of 4.8. Thirty-two plots have
been grown during a three-year period.

Two tons of calcium limestone gave a significant increase over one
ton. Magnesium limestone gave noticeably better results than calcium
limestone on this particular soil. The continuous effect of 10 tons of
manure is apparently more beneficial than 300 pounds of either 10-20-
20, or 0-20-20 or 0-20-0 commercial fertilizer. Superphosphate with
the manure did not improve the yield. {Purnell Fund)

Phosphorus May Be Direct Benefit to Apples

Odds are 20 to one in favor of phosphoiTis as a fertilizer for apple
trees from the standpoint of yield alone, but at a cost of $60 per acre
it apparently continues to be impractical from a profit point of view.

Baldwins given a heavy treatment of superphosphate in 1928 yielded
an average of 412 pounds per tree in 1933 as compared with 336
pounds in control plots. The average for the last four crops is 298
pounds, which is 44 pounds more per tree than the control plots pro-
duced.

That phosphorus may directly increase yields has never before been
demonstrated even as conclusively as this. What has been shown in
the past is that it has a secondary influence, acting through the cover
crop.

In this six-year study by G. F. Potter of the causes and control of
fmit-bud formation in the apple, phosphorus has not shown any con-
clusive results in setting blossom buds or fruit, although more spurs
did form blossom buds in response to this treatment. Extra apples and
larger size of the fruit were the principal returns from the use of
phosphoiTis.

In applying the superphosphate in 1928, enough was worked into the
top eight inches of the soil to increase its phosphorus content by ap-
proximately 50 per cent. Control plots got no phosphorus. Trees in
both series of plots received an annual application of nitrate of soda
on the surface of the sod. Both series were also seeded downn.

A companion study during this six-year period concerned the ef-
fect of dividing the nitrogen application. The conclusion is that blos-
som-bud formation is not influenced by applying half the total amount
of nitrogen in early spring and the other half in mid-summer. {Adajns
Fund)

Results Reversed on Flower-Bud Study

Analytical work was completed on 110 samples of fruit spurs to
determine the relationship of their composition to fruit-bud formation.
G. F. Potter and T. G. Phillips report that the results so far noted

12 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

do not agree with those of a similar experiment summarized in Techni-
cal Bulletin 42. Nitrogen shows little or no significance; the accumu-
lation of carbohydrates is the factor most closely related to the forma-
tion of flower buds. {Adams Fund)

Pollination Tests Continued

Pollination tests were continued in 1933 by L. P. Latimer, with Mc-
intosh trees under cheesecloth cages in orchards located in Atkinson
and Durham. Weather conditions were exceptionally favorable for ob-
taining a set of fruit. Even wdth Gravenstein pollen, 46 per cent of
the spurs set fruit, and with Baldwin a set of about 30 per cent was
noted. Under ordinaiy conditions the pollen of these two varieties
do not give satisfactory results.

When pollinated ^vith Wealthy, Red Astrachan, Delicious and Fa-
meuse, 50 per cent or more of the spurs set fmit. Hand pollination
with Mcintosh pollen gave a set of 10 to 11 per cent in Durham,
which is about as high as any previously recorded.

The set obtained with Baldwin pollen is higher than any recorded
during the six years of the experiment. Only once was the set with
Gravenstein as high. Despite this, fmits produced by these two
varieties were characteristically poor in shape. {Purnell Fund)

Fruit Storage Tests Continue

If jMcIntosh apples remain in a warm place 5, 10 or 20 days after
picking and before storing, their acidity and solidity rapidly decrease
and their ground color quickly turns yellow, according to immediate-
and-delayed-storage tests continued for the third season by E. J. Ras-
mussen.

Although characteristic of the immediately-stored apples in the pre-
vious two years' work no brown core developed in any lot the past
year. This may have been due to the large amount of commercial
fruit in storage which for the first few days kept the room at a high-
er temperature and acted like a delay in storage.

When shifted from cold storage to retail-store temperature, apples
remained 100 per cent marketable for two weeks if they had origin-
ally been stored within five days after picking. If storage had been
delayed 10 days, 40 per cent were unfit for marketing after two weeks
at retail store temperature. A 20-day delay left only 50 per cent
able to withstand tw^o weeks' display.

Fi-uit in common storage ripened much faster than fruit in cold
storage. Common-storage Mcintosh rated much higher than cold stor-
age fruit on November 1, and in December somewhat better. Aft^r
January 1, however, common-storage fruit declined rapidly.

Fmits stored at 30 and 32 degrees reach their best flavor in Febm-
ary and March; after April 1 they decline rapidly in quality. It
appears that the fruit at the higher temperature softens appreciably
faster and decreases more rapidly in acidity, but the two lots tend to
become indistinguishable in these two respects toward the end of the
storage season.

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 13

As in previous years, fruit stored at 30 degrees failed to develop
a satisfactory flavor until the second week after removal from storage
on March 8. Then it surpassed in this respect fmit previously re-
moved from 32-degree storage.

Two lots of Cortland apples, one picked and stored on September
30 and the other three weeks later, rated higher in flavor after Janu-
ary 1 than Mcintosh. The latter softened in storage much faster than
the Cortland, especially during the first two months.

One lot of Mcintosh apples affected by corky-core as a result of the
severe drought of 1932, was held until the end of storage. They re-
mained firmer than normal fiTiits throughout the season and retained
the same color as at harvest. Corky-core neither increased nor de-
creased throughout the season.

No commercial advantage was demonstrated in storing Baldwins at
30 degrees as compared with 32 degrees. Common-storage fmit devel-
oped a much better flavor earlier in the season, but its breakdown was
much more rapid as the season progressed.

The keeping qualities of Baldwins from trees under sod culture did
not vaiy significantly whether the fertilizer was complete or nitrogen
only. Fruit from a cultivated nitrogen plot proved about the same
in keeping quality. {Purnell Fund)

Removal of Spray Residues

Washing apples to remove an excess of lead and substituting calcium
for the lead in the late cover sprays were features of the spray-resi-
due investigation by G. P. Percival and G. F. Potter, prompted by new
federal regulations.

The combination of a wettable sulphur with calcium arsenate and
additional hydrated lime produced no appreciable damage to the fmit
or foliage. Two applications of this mixture in July showed no great-
er residue than the tolerance on Mcintosh or later varieties. Plots
sprayed twice in July with lead arsenate exceeded the tolerance both
for lead and arsenate.

Running the fruit through a machine with brushes and with two
sets of polishing cloths did not reduce the residue sufficiently. How-
ever, when mn through a paddle-type washer containing hydrochloric
acid two parts by volume to 100 parts of water at 70 degrees F., both
lead and arsenic were removed to a small fraction of the tolerance.
{Purnell Fund)

Complete Fertilizer Increases Blueberry Yield

In 1932 an area of low-bush blueberries, most of which had been
burned over in the spring, had vaiying quantities of a complete ferti-
lizer applied to nine series of four plots .01 acres each in size, with the
following results: The check plot yielded 241 quarts; that with 500
pounds of fertilizer 311 quarts; and that with 1,000 pounds of ferti-
lizer 344 quarts; and that with 1,500 pounds of fertilizer 383 quarts.
This investigation was supervised by L. P. Latimer. {Hatch Fund)

14 N. H. Age. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

Three Fertilizers Valueless for Strawberries

Strawberry fertilizer treatments were replicated on 42 different
blocks of soil. Each block contained five plots of .03 acres each. In
addition to a general application of 20 tons of stable manure per acre
these plots received respectively: 300 pounds of potassium chloride
per acre, applied June 14; 400 pounds of sodium nitrate per acre ap-
plied June 14; and 600 pounds of acid phosphate per acre applied
June 14. The two check plots received only the manure. The acid
phosphate showed no effect, sodium nitrate was definitely harmful, and
potassium chloride showed a slightly harmful effect. {Hatch Fund)

New Fruit Varieties Bear First Time

Melba, Macoun, and Milton apple trees bore finit for the first time
in the university orchards during 1933. Their crop is described by
L. P. Latimer as follows:

The Milton was veiy productive for a young tree. The fiTiit is
of an attractive bright to deep crimson color on a nearly white back-
ground. The flesh is crisp, juicy, and of an excellent flavor resem-
bling the Mcintosh. It is a cross of the Mcintosh and Yellow Trans-
parent. It ripens two are three weeks before the Mcintosh and is suit-
able only for immediate use.

The Melba as grown here is of good quality, pale pink in color,
somewhat striped and blushed. It is very early, ripening the last of
July.

Macoun is a cross between Mcintosh and Delaware Red. The
fruit matured about three weeks after Mcintosh and was a very at-
tractive dark red color. The flesh is firm, crisp, juicy, and delicious.
The variety gives promise of keeping well in storage.

Larger crops of Starkings are now being harvested at the university.
This variety is similar to the Delicious in all respects except that it
colors earlier and better. It may be picked earlier, thus avoiding wa-
ter core, one of the serious troubles of the Delicious variety.

A number of varieties of pears planted in 1918 yielded for the first
time. The Tyson, Bartlett, Anjou, Angouleme, Bosc, and Sheldon all
appear promising. Anjou has the best keeping qualities in storage,
and Bosc is second in this respect.

The three varieties of raspberries planted in 1931 were Chief, Vik-
ing and Lloyd George. The Lloyd George is of low quality and
susceptible to mosaic. Its canes are not upright. The Chief is bet-
ter and hardier than the other two varieties, although not entirely
immune to mosaic. Their berries have a good flavor but are small
and soft and do not sell as readily as the Latham. {Hatch Fund)

Manure Is Enough for Cabbage

In eight different tests with cabbage, using varying amounts and
combinations of acid phosphate, calcium sulphate, and muriate of pot-
ash with 20 tons of manure per acre, it was found by J. R. Hepler
that none of these treatments influenced the yield significantly. Evi-

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 15

dently 20 tons of manure per acre produces good cabbage without
supplementary fertilizer in years of high rainfall. {Hatch Fund)

Nitrogen Alone Suits Apple Orchards

As an average of four seasons G. F. Potter finds that the yield
from Mcintosh trees under cultivation has not been increased by the
use of a complete 7-8-5 fertilizer as compared to a mixture of nitrate
of soda and sulphate of ammonia carrying the same quantity of nitro-
gen.

In the case of a mature Baldwin orchard in sod, the trees receiving
the complete fertilizer bearing part of the nitrogen in the form of
tankage have definitely yielded less than those getting only nitrogen
in the mixture mentioned above. {Hatch Fund)

Vegetable Breeding Continued

For several years six different strains of vegetables have been grown
in South Carolina and in New Hampshire and the seed selected in
each locality and exchanged annually. Some variations have been
noted by J. R. Hepler.

In the case of com the South Carolina selection is about 20 per
cent taller than the New Hampshire strain, but the ears are slightly
shorter and there is a lower number of rows of kernels per ear.

The two strains of hull-less popcorn do not seem to differ materially.
The strains of Bountiful beans, Des Moines squash, and Bonny Best
tomatoes also appear identical. The New Hamphire selection of
Emerald Gem muskmelon seems to be greater in size. They weighed
1.9 pounds each as against 1.4 for the South Carolina selection.

As a separate phase of this project, fifth generation selections were
grown from a cross of Black Beauty and Dwarf Purple eggplant. Some
strains show promise of having fair size combined ^\ith sufficient earli-
ness to make them practical under New Hampshire climatic conditions.
{Hatch Fund)

Electric Hotbed Operated in Winter

The electric hotbed was operated throughout the winter with the
thermostat set at 50 degrees F. This kept soil and air above freezing
at all times. The kilowatt hour consumption per day for each green-
house sash three by six feet is reported by J. R. Hepler as follows:
November 3.4, December 3.8, January 3.8, March 3.3, April 2.9, and
May 1.8. {Miscellaneous Income)

Tomatoes Grown in Sand

Fifty-one Comet variety tomato plants of the Field Station strain
were set in sand on January 1, 1933. They were grown on a com-
plete nutrient solution of calcium nitrate, potassium phosphate, and
magnesium sulphate by J. R. Hepler. An average crop of 7.8 pounds
per plant was realized. The tomatoes averaged 3.8 ounces. {Miscel-
laneous Income)

16 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

Manure and Peat Moss Give Equal Results

Two plots of tomatoes in the vegetable house were fertilized by
spading two or three inches of fairly well rotted manure into the
soil, and two others by spading in one bale of peat moss for 500
square feet of bed. The yield of fruit in each case was practically
identical, according to J. R. Hepler. {Miscellaneous Income)

Sweet Corn Variety Tests

In a test of 35 varieties and strains of sweet corn by J. R. Hepler,
Golden Gem proved earliest, with ears marketable in 70 days from
planting. Spanish Gold required from 80 to 83 days, while most
strains of the Golden Bantam required about 85 days. {Micellaneous
Income)

Pritchard Desirable New Tomato

Eighteen varieties of tomatoes including several recently introduced
were grown in the field, and records were made of the total yield,
average size of the fruit, and other important characteristics. A se-
vere epidemic of late blight occurred during August. The later
varieties seemed to be more resistant than the earlier ones and thus
yielded more. J. R. Hepler found that Pritchard appeared the most
desirable among the new early varieties. {Miscellaneous Income)

Raspberry Pruning Not Beneficial First Year

In the raspberiy pruning project a 100-foot row of Chief variety
v/hich was not pnmed, yielded at the rate of 3,495 quarts per acre.
A similar row that was thinned without heading back the canes,
yielded 2,725 quarts. The fruit was of better size than in the first
plot. When canes were headed back to a height of three feet without
pruning, 3,300 quarts of good sized berries were realized. L. P. Lat-
imer points out that if the canes are not thinned out annually, the
new canes probably will not be as strong and possibly may not pro-
duce as many fruit buds. {Miscellaneous Income)

Codling Moth Serious in Some Localities

Records of the number of adult codling moths caught in fermented
bait traps in four orchards in different sections of New Hampshire in-
dicate that this pest is serious locally, says E. J. Rasmussen. In the
University orchard in Durham only 25 moths were caught during the
entire season, w^hile other places got as high as 153 in a single night.
A number of trees in each orchard were banded with two-inch cor-
rugated paper bands soaked wdth beta-naptliol oil mixture. One or-
chard in Durham gave an average of one-tenth moth per band. At
Hollis an average of 30.3 were found, and at Wilton 113.

A number of fruit growers were assisted in maintaining railroad
worm traps in important localities. These furnish evidence that there
is a considerable difference in the date of emergence of these flies.
Hence it would be wise for a grower who desires to spray to control

March, 1934] Agricultlral Research in N. H. 17

this insect, to maintain traps for his own information. The first flies
were noted in Wilton on June 28; they emerged in South Lyndeboro
on July 14.

For the first season since observations have been made, mature as-
cospores were abundant in New Hamphire orchards when the trees
were in the delayed dormant stage and prior to the pre-pink stage
at which New Hampshire fruit growers generally apply their first scab
spray. It was not until May 20 that sufficient rain occurred at high
enough temperature to develop scab infection. About June 12 some
scab infection was noted in the University orchard. Orchardists who
had applied the calyx spray promptly and thoroughly were well pro-
tected during this period and suffered no loss. {State Spray Service)

Spraying Versus Picking Drops for Railroad-Worm Control

Spraying was contrasted with picking drops as a control for rail-
road worm in two apple orchards last season by W. C. O'Kane and
J. G. Conklin. The work wall be continued in 1934, w^hen some con-
clusions may be drawn.

Clean-up measures were also on trial in a commercial orchard in
Wilton and will be tried another year before judging their effective-
ness.

The Wilton orchard was selected as a typical commercial orchard
which has suffered severe losses the last few years because of rail-
road wonn. A number of old, neglected apple trees were found near-
by and are being removed this winter. The orchard is isolated from
other fruit blocks.

As the 1933 season progressed, infestation in many of the Baldwins
and Wealthies was found to be running between 85 and 95 per cent.
All dropped fruit was gathered from the entire orchard and dumped
1,500 yards away. It will be treated with crankcase oil next spring
to destroy the pupae of the fmit pest. Next season should show con-
siderable improvement in the quality of the fruit.

University orchards, one of 200 and another of 50 trees, were used
in the experimental work on spraying versus picking drops.

The 200-tree sprayed orchard showed in general a rather light in-
festation of railroad wonn this season, but certain trees were more
heavily infested. Wealthies were more heavily infested than Mcintosh.
One tree of unknown variety showed an infestation of practically 100
per cent, the majority of its apples harboring two or more worms
per fruit.

Infestation in the 50-tree check orchard was not as heavy as ex-
pected, even though it had received no sprays of any kind.

To determine the peak in numbers of railroad-wonii flies emerging
from the soil to lay eggs in the forming apples, cages were placed
under trees in the orchards. The first peak of emergence occurred
July 8, but this was followed by a much greater peak on July 20
and still greater ones July 24 and 26.

Railroad-worm sprays were applied in the larger orchards on July 7
and 8, and again July 21. Rain before the latter dried, necessitated

18 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

respraying July 25. Part of this orchard received arsenate of lead
sprays. The remaining trees got calcium arsenate. {Hatch Fund)

Insect Records Enlarged

The season just closed has witnessed some unusual developments in
the insect fauna of New Hampshire. Species of economic importance
have appeared in numbers at points farther north than hitherto known.
Records have been made of their distribution, economic status, and
food plants, and entered in the regularly maintained card index of
injurious insects. {Hatch Fund)

Contact Insecticides

Two pieces of research on contact insecticides have been completed
and published by W. C. O'Kane, J. G. Conklin, L. C. Glover and W.
A. Westgate.

The first of these concerned the reactions of certain insects to small
and constant applications of several concentrated chemicals, some of
which are especially toxic when applied to sensitive areas on the in-
tegument of an insect. A detailed study of the reactions induced by
these applications was carried out and the sensitivity of various areas
was deteiTnined. The chemicals used included a relatively high con-
centration of an extract of pyrethrum flowers, 95 per cent nicotine,
cocoanut-oil fatty acid, kerosene, and a so-called white oil.

The second line of research was concerned with a comparative study
of the toxicity of 45 organic compounds, utilizing a technique developed
from the research already described, by which small droplets of con-
stant size of the pure chemical were applied to definite areas on the
surface of the larva of the common meal worm Tenebrio molitor
Linnaeus. This study was supplemented by a parallel series of ex-
periments in which the same substances were diluted and applied as
a spray to plant lice.

The two reports giAang the results of these two investigations were
combined in Technical Bulletin 54, "Studies of Contact Insecticides
— VI", entitled "1. Reactions of Certain Insects to Controlled Appli-
cations of Various Concentrated Chemicals. 2. A New Technique for
Initial Appraisal of Proposed Contact Insecticides."

Following this the entomologists began a study of the changes
brought about in blood cells and in nerve cells of an insect through
application of concentrated chemical substances to sensitive areas on
the integument. This necessitated the development of a suitable tech-
nique in fixing and staining of blood cells and nerve cells. Much time
has been spent on this technique, and a suitable procedure has now
been worked out. The department is now undertaking detailed histo-
logical studies from which it is hoped to derive information as to
the manner in which toxic substances bring about the death of an in-
sect.

An additional study now undertaken is concerned with the relative
contact performance of a typical so-called "wetting agent" on leaf
surfaces and on the surface of an insect. Much confusion exists as

March, 1934J Agricultural Research in N. H. 19

to the real objective sought when a so-called wetting agent is added
to a contact insecticide. The importance of accomplishing rapid spread
over the body of an insect is often lost sight of and attention is cen-
tered on spread over leaf areas. While the latter has a definite place
in the optimum performance of a given material, it remains true that
spread on the surface of an insect is of particular significance.

Data already accumulated by the department indicate that a wet-
ting agent may not give the same desirable performance on an insect
that it gives on a leaf, and that important factors enter into this, in-
cluding such items as the nature of the leaf surface on which a given
insect happens to be feeding.

Since the department has excellent facilities for an accurate study
of this question, utilizing photomicrographs of angles of contact, an
investigation has been undertaken. It is expected that this will be
concluded at an early date, and that results will be ready for publi-
cation as No. VII in "Studies of Contact Insecticides."

In the course of the year the department has helped to develop
some new contact insecticides which utilize the principle of providing
a chemical medium which affords optimum contact qualities and which
serves as a carrier for relatively small amounts of an added toxic sub-
stance, such as pyrethrins, the two together operating to reenforce each
other, and thereby to provide a spray that is relatively toxic to an in-
sect and, at the same time, relatively safe to plants. {Purnell Fund)

Burgundy Not Always a Substitute for Bordeaux

Burgundy mixture is a copper fungicide ranking next to Bordeaux
in importance, but not so generally applicable due to its particular
properties, according to research concluded by 0. Butler. When a
Bordeaux mixture containing an excess of lime is desirable, for in-
stance, Burgundy cannot be substituted because the translucency of
the dried Burgundy spray is not materially affected while that of the
Bordeaux is. But when a highly translucent material is required —
as in spraying plants that are to be inspected for mosaic — the Bur-
gundy may be used in place of the Bordeaux.

After studying several formulae recommended for Burgundy, the con-
clusion is that a mixture combining equal weights of copper sulphate
and crystallized sodium carbonate will prove most satisfactory.

The fact that sodium carbonate loses water on exposure to air is
not considered important since stock solutions will be used in prac-
tice. The strength of the latter can be checked by weighing or by
using an hydrometer.

Burgundy mixture deteriorates more rapidly on standing than does
Bordeaux, but can be stabilized even more effectively than the latter.
{Adams Fund)

Lime-Sulphur Apple-Scab Spray Injury

It may be inferred from certain orchard practices that the rate of
drying of a lime-sulphur spray used for control of apple scab, has an
efTect on the injury produced. Some experiments were made with

20 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

beans, tomatoes, and potatoes to study the effect of strength of mix-
ture and rate of drying. Results obtained to date indicate that the
rate of drying has little or no effect on the degree of injuiy produced.
(Adams Fund)

Hardier Potatoes Grown at Low Temperatures

A growing temperature averaging around 58 degrees Fahrenheit is
more conducive to hardiness in potatoes than a mean temperature 10
degrees higher, according to studies continued by Stuart Dunn on the
effect of growing temperatures, mineral nutrition and vegetative se-
lection on plant hardiness. His work indicates that northern-grown
potatoes are likely to have greater resistance to early frosts.

Cabbage and potatoes were both grown at mean temperatures of ap-
proximately 68 degrees and 58 degrees. After reaching sufficient size
plants of both vegetables were frozen, the cabbages at 23 degrees and
the potatoes at 29 to 30 degrees. Both were kept at these respective
temperatures for 24 hours.

In the case of cabbage the temperature at which the plants were
grown did not appreciably effect their resistance to injury from freez-
ing.

All the potato plants grown at 68 degrees, were injured when sub-
jected to freezing, 12 per cent of them severely, 48 per cent markedly
and 40 per cent slightly.

The plants raised under 58 degrees temperature showed only slight
injury at most from freezing; 88 per cent were hardy enough to with-
stand this test.

The potatoes used in this experiment were obtained from stock orig-
inally from the same source, which had been grown to maturity at
58 and 68 degrees for three generations.

In studying the effect of mineral nutrition on resistance to freez-
ing, sand cultures of cabbage were treated with high and low levels
of nitrogen, potassium and phosphoiiis. Results were generally incon-
clusive, although apparently pointing to greater resistance in the case
of high-level cultures.

In the work on vegetative selection the greenhouse plant, Bryophyllu,
was mainly used, although potato and Jerusalem artichoke are also
being tried. This system consists of raising plants from leaf cuttings
rather than seed so as to hold to a pure strain.

In starting this research cuttings were grown from ordinary green-
house plants of Bryophyllum and frozen for 24 hours at 1.1 degrees
below zero. Centigrade. From the few which survived cuttings were
eventually obtained. These produced 63 plants which were frozen with
the following results: 35 uninjured, 11 slightly injured and 17 killed.
(Adams Fund)

Leafroll, Mosaic Studies Continued

Studies of mosaic and leafroll of potatoes are being continued. No
new data have been obtained other than that reported a year ago.
(Puniell Fund)

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 21

Results on Apple-Scab Sprays Repeated

Results with apple-scab sprays continue to show that 200, 300, and
400-pound pressures give substantially the same degree of control.
This, the investigator, 0. Butler, points out, need cause no surprise
since coverage is the important thing and not the pressure with which
the coverage is obtained. Another finding is that night spraying gave
as satisfactory control as day spraying. {Hatch Fund)

Crop Size and Harvest Date Influence Bitter-Pit

Evidence continues to pile up, showing that the fertilizer treatment
of the orchard has little if any effect on the development of bitter-pit
in apples, but that the size of the crop and the elate of harvest do
influence the amount of infection.

0. Butler found that fruit picked after October 15 exhibited less than
30 per cent bitter-pit infection after several months storage, while fruit
picked previous to that date developed nearly 50 per cent infection.
The fruit selected for the storage test was free from evidence of the
malady, but was harvested from trees in which the disease had de-
veloped. {Purnell Fund)

Tests of Weed Killing Chemicals

Comparative trials with sodium chlorate and ammonium thiocyan-
ate as weed killers showed both to be equally strong, but the sodium
chlorate poisons the soil for all plants for a long period of time, while
the ammonium thiocyanate soon proves stimulating to new groAvth.

Both herbicides were applied as sprays in field control of yellow
hawkweed, the chlorate in amounts equivalent to 100, 200 and 400
pounds per acre and the thiocyanate at the rate of 50, 100, 200, 400
and 800 pounds per acre. When more than one spray was used the
inteiwal between applications was approximately 25 days. More than
two sprays were seldom needed.

On a weight basis the herbicides proved equally toxic, although the
chlorate seemed somewhat less active in the latter half of the season
while the thiocyanate remained equally toxic throughout.

In checking on the persistency of toxicity, four crops of wheat were
grown in pots over a period of 210 days, the chlorate having previously
been applied in amounts equivalent to 100, 200, 400 and 800 pounds
per acre. When the last crop was harvested only the plants in pots
which had received the smallest application of the herbicide were
found to have grown normally.

Three successive crops were grown in soil treated with the thiocyan-
ate, and the second crop showed stimulation regardless of the amount
of the herbicide that had been used.

Sixty-three days after the herbicides were applied, ammonium thio-
cyanate used at the rate of 800 pounds per acre was stimulating
gro^iih, while sodium chlorate at only 100 pounds per acre was still
toxic. {State Fund)

22 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

Colon Test Not Substitute for Inspection

As a check on sanitary conditions, the laboratory test for the gas-
producing colon organism in milk is not a reliable substitute for dairy
farm inspection by boards of health, according to a study conducted
during the past year by H. C. Moore.

Some authorities have felt that the presence of this undesirable type
of bacteria is a definite indication of unsanitary conditions, particu-
larly as to contamination from fecal material, from dirty utensils and
from the exterior of the cow. Others have not agreed. Our investiga-
tion shows no relation between the colon organism in milk and the
condition under which the milk was produced.

Bacterial counts were made of 683 samples of milk taken from 108
farms. These farms were also scored with the use of the dairy score
card of the state board of health.

Milk from 56 of the farms showed colon counts on one or more
samples. Three hundred and forty-five samples were taken from these
farms, but only 131 or 37.97 per cent carried the organism.

While 17 of these farms had barns and equipment scoring less than
60, as compared with nine in the non-colon group of 52, no direct
relationship was found between the score and the presence of colon or
between the score and the average bacteria count.

Of the 55 farais having poor or dirty equipment, only 22 or 40 per
cent were in the colon grouj). [Purnell Fund)

Rabbits Benefit Forest Stand

Investigation of the damage done by cottontail rabbits to the stands
of mixed young hardwoods and conifers indicates that the rabbits tend
to improve the composition of the stand.

They show preference for certain species, others they will attack, and
others they do not seem to bother. The sprouts of the preferred trees
have little or no chance for sun'ival, and these species will usually be
entirely removed from the stand.

The composition of the mixture undergoes a decided change. The
percentages of white pine, hemlock, and gray birch show decided in-
creases. Blue beech, red maple, and hop hornbeam are decreased.
These may be considered as beneficial changes. Others not so good,
include decreases in the per cent of red oak, sugar maple, basswood
and beech, and increases in the per cent gray birch, choke cherry,
and speckled alder. {Hatch Fund)

New Poultry Disease Is Not Spreading

Epidemic tremor, or trembling chick disease as it is popularly known,
recently made its appearance in a few flocks in the Northeast. For-
tunately it docs not seem to spread and in some cases may have been
confused with the so-called "crazy-chick" disease. It is believed that
epidemic tremor is caused by a vims, an organism so infinitely tiny
as to escape the range of the strongest microscope. It is characterized
by distinct trembling or tremors, and this may be accompanied by

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 23

ataxia or muscular incoordination, the result of which is that the chick
walks unsteadily.

Research on this disease has been done cooperatively by the poultry
and agricultural chemistry departments of the New Hampshire Experi-
ment Station and the department of comparative pathology, Harvard
Medical School. Dr. E. Elizabeth Jones represented Harvard. New
Hampshire workers were C. A. Bottorff, T. B. Charles, C. L.' Martin,
F. D. Reed, A. E. Tepper, and S. R. Shimer.

The disease has been transferred experimentally to normal chickens
by intracerebral inoculations of suspensions of brain and spinal cord of
affected birds. During the course of 20 passages the virulence has
been increased.

Attempts to demonstrate the presence of the infective agent in brains
of chicken embryos have been inconclusive.

This disease last year in a group of experimental chicks caused a
mortality of from 12 to 57 per cent, varying among the groups. Ef-
forts to cause a spread of the disease by contact of the infected and
non-affected stock proved futile. It appears the disease is not highly
infectious.

Injections of calcium gluconate, azamine, flavine, and glucose solu-
tion were administered. After eight days' treatment the chicks were
apparent!}^ in the same condition.

A series of six hatches involving 32 groups of about 50 chicks each
from parents of the chicks which first exhibited the disease showed a
high mortality. However, lesions attributable to the disturbance
known as epidemic tremor could not be found.

Pedigree hatching was done in another phase of the investigation.
Five successive hatches of eggs produced by the parents w^hose offspring
had exhibited the disease, gave great variations in results. Eggs of
individual birds varied from zero to 100 per cent hatchability. The
livability of chicks varied somewhat.

Selecting 75 affected pullets and six affected cockerels from the orig-
inal diseased stock and combining these with a normal group of males
and females, permitted a series of crosses for further study. Five
hatches were made during the course of this experiment, and while
mortality was high in some groups, in no case were any symptoms
noticed nor autopsy diagnosis made of the presence of epidemic trem-
or. No significant relationship was discovered between weight of
chicks and mortality, or between per cent hatchability within groups,
and mortality.

The data secured do not give foundation for any definite conclu-
sions. The crosses involving tremor-affected pullets gave poorest re-
sults in livability of chicks, however, but this is undoubtedly due to
the poorer physical condition of the parents which resulted in lower
vitality in the offspring.

In an effort to discover any derangement' in the composition of the
blood of birds affected by this disease, 15 birds were taken from a hatch
where affected chicks were found. They themselves showed no clini-
cal symptoms of the disease. From the same lot 15 chicks showing
S3''mptoms of the disease were also used. These chicks were 17 weeks

24 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

old at the start and 23 weeks old at the finish. Fifteen normal chicks
starting at 21 weeks and ending at 23 weeks were used for a normal
count. Determinations were made on the number of red blood cells,
white blood cells, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leuco-
cytes, mononuclear leucocytes, mast cells, and eosinophyles.

The affected groups were higher in both red and white blood cells,
although not significantly so. The hemoglobin was higher in the af-
fected groups. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were low in all groups
but highest in the affected group with symptoms. The mononuclear
leucocytes were high in both affected groups showing some cause for
their production to help fight the infection. Mast cells which originate
from the bone marrow were higher in the affected groups. The eosino-
phyles are low in the affected groups which is to be expected when
there is an increased number of white blood cells above normal, as
was the case of the diseased groups. {Purnell Fund)

New Findings on Vitamin A for Chicks

Research last year indicated that the demand for Vitamin A in-
creases as the growing chick approaches maturity. In further work by
A. E. Tepper, a group of 50 New Hampshire Red chicks were fed in-
creasing levels of Vitamin A through the medium of standardized cod-
liver oil. Little benefit was gained, however, over the common method
of supplying one per cent cod-liver oil in the ration throughout the
experimental period. The extra effort and cost expended for labor
is not warranted.

In another comparison of feeding levels of one, two and three per
cent of cod-liver oil standardized at 2,000 Vitamin A units per gram,
the one per cent level was found to be most efficient and economical.

Chicks deficient in Vitamin A at four weeks of age were given a
quantity of cod-liver oil equal to 16,000 units per chick. No mor-
tality occurred in this group after this feeding, opthalmia disappeared,
and weight gains were resumed at a normal rate. {Purnell Fund)

Poultrymen Strive to Retain Breeding Reputation

Desjjite their well-founded reputation for well-bred poultry. New
Hampshire poultrymen set another milestone along the road of better
breeding, forming a record of performance association in 1932. This
calls for official trapnesting of breeding birds to prove their ability to
transmit the quality of high production to future generations of lay-
ers. Six poultrymen have taken advantage of this inspection ser-
vice supervised by F. D. Reed. Of 1,555 birds entered by them in
the 1932-33 year,' 364 qualified for R. O. P. certificates, 182 meeting
the minimum requirement of at least 200 eggs a year, 77 producing
from 225 to 239 eggs, and 100 from 240 to 300 or more eggs. Five
birds merited two-year certificates.

Certification work was also continued in 1932-33 by F. D. Reed.
This is a step following the accreditation of flocks free from pullorum
disease and consists of grading a group of birds into three classes^ —
breeders, layers, and culls. The latter are suitable only for market-

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H. 25

ing for meat purposes. A total of 18,295 birds were handled during
the year at a cost to the poultiymen of three cents per bird. Eight-
een flocks were certified up to December 1, 1933. {Miscellaneous In-
come)

Adult Mortality Is Studied

Despite the advances in breeding, adult mortality is one of the poul-
trymen's greatest problems. This has been on the increase during the
eight years of the state home egg-laying contest, rising from 12 per
cent in 1925-26 to 17 per cent in 1931-32. The 1932-33 figure dropped
back to about 14 per cent, due principally to a decrease in canna-
bilism, prolapsus, and pick-outs. Management practices to discourage
these habits were more widely adopted during the year.

The 17 per cent mortality of a year ago alarmed poultrymen and
they requested help in controlling this loss. Eleven of them coop-
erated by bringing their dead or sick birds to the pathology laboratory
eveiy day or two. Examination of 368 adult birds by C. L. Martin
and C. A. Bottorff continued from February 1 to July 1 and revealed
that 87 per cent w^ere affected with ruptured egg-yolk. This is be-
lieved to have been caused by some type of mechanical injury and
recommendations issued called for careful handling of pullets at hous-
ing time, construction of equipment such as nests and roosts at proper
heights for convenience and comfort of birds, and prevention of fright.
No evidence yet gained proved that losses from mptured egg-yolk
are due to cholera or pullorum disease. {State Fund)

Fowl Pox Is Increasing

Fowl pox is gradually pushing north in New Hampshire, with first
cases reported about ten years ago. No vaccination campaign has
been pushed because every poultryman who vaccinated would thus
force his neighbors to vaccinate in self-defense. Vaccination has been
recommended by C. L. Martin and C. A. Bottorff only for poultrymen
whose flocks have had the disease in recent years, who have possible
sources of infection nearby, or who observe first symptoms in their
flocks. Approximately three times as many birds were vaccinated in
1932-33 as compared with 1928-29, or a total of 193,300 on 133 farms
last year. {State Fund)

Pullorum Disease Controlled by Short Interval Testing

Short interval testing for pullorum disease by standard tube agglu-
tination test included work on flocks varying in size from 600 to 4,500
birds and showed that three to eight monthly tests are necessary to
eradicate infection.

These trials by C. A. Bottorff indicate that in the average flock,
the most economical procedure is to select a small breeding unit of
the best birds in the flock for short interval testing. This unit should
be large enough to replace the whole flock the next season by making
a large number of small hatches. These eggs should be used for hatch-
ing only if the unit has passed one or more free tests without reactors.
{Furnell Fund)

26 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

Two Tests for PuUorum Disease Compared

That the rapid whole-blood test for pullorum disease is not as ac-
curate as the standard tube method is indicated by comparative work
on 242 birds, about 30 of which reacted to the tests. This investi-
gation was conducted by C. A. Bottorff. {Miscellaneous Income)

Inoculation Not Practical for Coccidiosis

Three lots of chickens were inoculated at different ages with E. ten-
ella in the studies of control of coccidiosis of poultry. Those which
survived the initial inoculations showed immunity to E. tenella on later
inoculations. Getting the correct dosage of the inoculant was difficult.
Mortality was so high that even though immunity was produced, this
method does not seem advisable under practical conditions, in the
opinion of the investigators, C. L. Martin, C. A. Bottorff, and T. B.
Charles.

In the study of control agents five groups of chickens were inocu-
lated and as soon as definite symptoms developed four groups were
treated and the fifth used as a control group. Epsom salts, baking
soda, 40 per cent milk mash, and enteritis powder were used.

The best results were obtained from the use of Epsom salts given
in drinking water at the rate of one pound to 500 pounds live weight
of chicks. This treatment gave the quickest action and less mortality.
Baking soda and 40 per cent milk mash were on a par, and much
better than the enteritis powder. (Piirnell Fund)

Control Studies on Contagious Abortion Gives Results

Six herds, one dispersed, were used by C. L. Martin in practical
field testing for control of contagious abortion in cattle by the agglu-
tination test.

The university dairy herd consisting of 90 head continued to remain
negative to the Bang's disease agglutination test, as it has since Janu-
aiy 1929, when one reactor was found and eliminated.

Of the other five herds, four have been improved by isolation and
elimination of reactors.

A total of 3,450 samples of blood were tested for Bang's disease by
G. L. Martin, 2,615 of them coming mainly from practicing veteri-
narians in New Hampshire and the remainder from herds in Vermont,
Maine and Massachusetts. In general herds tested for the first time
show the animals about equally divided among positive, suspicious, and
negative classifications. [Puimell Fund)

One-Fifth of Poultry Tested for Pullorum

During the testing season from July 1, 1932, to June 30, 1933,
239,397 samples from 212,363 birds were tested for pullorum disease
by G. A. Bottorff. This is more than one-fifth of the total number of
adult birds in New Hampshire, and of these birds tested 99.54 per
cent were found to be free from the disease.

March, 1934] Agricultl-ral Research in N. H. 27

There are 133 flocks representing 162,882 birds that have been nega-
tive three or more years.

Nine different breeds of birds were tested and infection was found
in only four. New Hampshire Reds, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Single
Comb White Leghorns, and White Plymouth Rocks showed one-half
of one per cent infection; Rhode Island Reds, Cross-Breds, White Wy-
andottes, Minorcas, and Rhode Island Whites showed no reactors.

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture published a list of
poultrymen whose flocks passed the accredited and 100 per cent free
requirements. Fourteen new flocks were added to the accredited list
and five were removed for failure to test, and one accredited flock was
removed when reactoi's were found in the flock. There were 98 ac-
credited flocks having 99,338 birds, and sixty-three 100 per cent flocks
totalling 61,006 birds. {Miscellaneous Income)

Over 3,000 Poultry Autopsies Made

Poultry autopsies made at the poultry pathology laboratory by C.
L. Martin and C. A. Bottorff for the past fiscal year amounted to
3,068, of which 1,580 were adults, 1,442 chickens, 28 turkeys, 9 pigeons,
8 ducks, and 1 gosling. This is nearly twice as many specimens as
were examined the previous year.

In the adult class the principal diseases were: ruptured egg-yolk
31.77 per cent, coccidiosis 19.05 per cent, nephritis 18.10 per cent, peri-
tonitis 9.55 per cent, cannibalism 7.46 per cent, pneumonia 5.75 per
cent, and indigestion 5.37 per cent.

In the young chickens the principal diseases were pneumonia 45.90
per cent, indigestion 14.90 per cent, pullorum disease 14.14 per cent,
and coccidiosis 12.82 per cent. (State Service Fund)

Electric Brooding of Chicks

One season's trials in which electric brooders have been used in in-
dividual, unheated brooder houses have proved that this method is
practical in this climate without the use of auxiliaiy heat. Experi-
ments started in the fall of 1933 and carried on through the winter
have had the benefit of unusually severe temperature conditions. The
work has been carried on co-operatively by W. T. Ackerman, G. M.
Foulkrod, A. E. Tepper, and the staff of the Poultry Pathology Labor-
atory.

The most significant result is the carrying of over 1,000 chickens
through temperatures as low as 30° below zero with a mortality of
only 6.7 per cent and a cost of operation of 1.2 kilowatt hours per
chick per brooding period.

Observations w^ere made of temperatures, humidity, ventilation, in-
sulation, and house constniction, from which, through continued tests,
standard recommendations can be arrived at for the most effective use
of this equipment. {Purnell Fund)

Pneumatic Tires for Truck

Experiments were started in the fall of 1933 by W. T. Ackerman
and G. M. Foulkrod to investigate the feasibility of pneumatic tires

28 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

on tractors. Two standard tractors in use on the college farm were
equipped with two different sizes of these tires, and a few preliminaiy
trials were run before freezing weather set in. First tests indicate that
these tires will provide adequate traction under any and all condi-
tions if supplemented, in wet and slippery weather, with a recently
developed special type of tractor-tire chain-lug.

A satisfactoiy job of plowing was done through a bog hole where
water stood to a depth at which the plows were completely submerged
in turning the furrow.

The additional cost of tire and steel equipment, cost of upkeep, de-
preciation and similar practical operating problems are to be studied to
detennine whether the investment is justified in economies affected and
improved operating features. {Purnell Fund)

Steel Tractor Wheel Equipment

Tests of a new design of steel tractor wheels were conducted in the
summer of 1933. The equipment is designed to permit the clamping
on of two large flat rims over the lug equipment so that travel on
hard surfaced roads may be accomplished \nthout damage to the road
surface. On flat macadam roads, with reasonable loads, no particular
difficulty was experienced, and the equipment was satisfactory. On
grades and on gravel surfaced roads wheel slippage was excessive, and
the difficulty of steering increased. Whereas the rims are designed to
be demountable with reasonable ease, the frequent changing of these
road-rims proved bothersome, especially where the type of road varies
frequently. With road rims removed, the steel lug equipment per-
formed satisfactorily under field conditions. Continued tests of the
ecjuijiment are to be made by W. T. Ackerman and G. M. Foulkrod.
{State Fund)

Electric Water Heating and Sterilization

The heating of water for washing, rinsing and sterilizing dairy uten-
sils is a problem confronting most dairy farmers. In tests made by
W. T. Ackerman and H. N. Colby of 5, 10 and 30 gallon electrically
heated tanks of various sizes and kinds, 5 and 10 gallon electrically
heated open-top tanks were found particularly suited to provide the
necessary hot water, and to sterilize the smaller essential parts of milk-
ing equipment at a moderate investment cost and a reasonable cost
of operation. In the case of one farm test, the owTier found that
the savings in the cost of rubber equipment for the period of a year,
as compared to the older method of boiling these rubber parts in a
washboiler on the stove, was sufficient to pay considerable part of the
current bill.

Electrically heated cabinet sterilizers employing the combination of
moist air turning to dry air, operating at a temperature of approxi-
mately 170°, have also been found to provide a higher degree of steri-
lization and also a sanitary storage space for the equipment after
this process. Their higher initial cost retards their adoption by many
farmers, particularly at this time. (State Fund)

March, 1934] Agricultural Research in N. H.

29

Inspection Service

Feeding Stiiffs. In the enforcement of the law regulating the sale of
concentrated commercial feeding stuffs, 386 brands were analyzed for
the state department of agriculture. These analyses required about
2,900 individual determinations.

Fertilizers. In the enforcement of the law regulating the sale of
commercial fertilizers, 109 brands were analyzed for the state depart-
ment of agriculture. These analyses required about 750 individual de-
terminations.

Samples of soils, peats, leaf molds, fertilizers, feeding stuff and other
materials have been sent to the department by residents of the state.
Of these 179 have been analyzed, involving about 212 individual de-
terminations.

Seed Inspection. The regular seed inspection work for the State De-
partment of Agriculture was conducted as usual. During the year end-
ing July 1, 1933, 408 samples of seed were handled in the laboratory.
Of this number 384 were collected by the State Inspector and are re-
ported in Bulletin No. 276. The remaining 24 samples were sent in
by private individuals.

Advanced Registry. Advanced Register and Register of Merit tests
were made on 181 cows during the year. There were 245 cows en-
tered for breed herd tests.

Seed Certification. Of 45 acres entered for certification in 1932, 43
acres passed final inspection. {Miscellaneous Income)

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Expenditures of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station
for the Year Eliding June 30, 1933

Personal services

Supplies and materials . . .
Communication service . .

Travel expenses

Transportation of things .

Publications

Heat, light, water, and

power

Contingent expenses

Equipment

Buildings and land

Balance

Totals

Hatch
Fund

SIO

,45.5.56
526.65
906.59
455.01
319.70
717.40

700.73

38.38
879.98

S15,000.00

Adams
Fund

$13,

325.78

712.43

1.43

38.61

33.03

2.14
493.85
392.73

815,000.00

Purnell
Fund

847,900.48

2,909.24

60.18

3,607.26

184.15

943.27

65.49

60.94

2,915.70

1,353.29

$60,000.00

Supple-
nieritary*

$23,903.50

4,065.49

293.13

3,463.00

164.97

272.94

1,126.47

1,615.32

70.00

9,720.27

844,695.09

Total

$95,585.32
8,213.81
1,261.33
7,563.88
701.85
1,933.61

766.22
1,227.93
5,904.85
1,816.02
9,720.27

$134,695.09

*This fund includes expenditures from the following sources:

State appropriations $4,181.63

Sales and miscellaneous income 40,513.46

$44,695.09

30 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280

New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment
Station Staff

ADMINISTRATION

Edward M. Lewis, A.M., L.L.D., Litt.D., President

John C. Kendall, B.S., Director

Henry B. Stevens, A.B., Agricultural Editor and Executive Secretary

Francis E. Perkins, B.S., Editorial At!sii>ta7it

Raymond C. Magrath, Treasurer and Business Secretary

Marvin A. Miller, B.A., Librarian

AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY

Thomas G. Phillips, Ph.D., Chemist
Todd O. Smith, M.S., Associate Chemist
Stanley R. Shimer, M.S., Assistant Chemist
Gordon P. Percival, M.S., Assistant Chemist
-Henry A. Davis, B.S., Graduate Assistant in Biological and Agr'l Chemistry

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

Harry C. Woodworth, M.S., Agricultural Econo7?iist

M. Gale E.\stman, Ph.D., Associate Agricultural Economist

Max F. Abell, Ph.D., Assistant Agricultural Economist

Earl H. Rinear, M.S., Specialist in Marketing

Ch.akles W. Harris, Jr., B.S., Research Field Assistant in Agr I Economics

Harold C. Grinnell, M.S., Assistant Agricultural Economist

AGRONOMY

Frederick W. Taylor, B.S., Agronomist
Ford S. Prince, B.S., Associate Agronomist
Paul T. Blood, M.S., Assistant Agronomist
Leroy J. Higgins, B.S., Assistant Agronomist
Betty G. Sanborn, Seed Analyst and Secretary

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Ernest G. Ritzman, M.S., Research Professor in Ajiimal Husbandry

Nicholas F. Colovos, M.S., Assistant in Animal Husbandry

Lloyd Washburn, B.S., Graduate Research Assistant in Animal Husbandry

Albert D. Littlehale, Shepherd

Helen H. Latimer, Gas Analyst

BOTANY

Ormond R. Butler, Ph.D., Botanist
Stuart Dunn, Ph.D., Assistant Botanist
. L. J. Bowen, B.S., Graduate Assistant in Botany

DAIRY

--John M. Fuller, B.S., Dairy Husbandman
Herbert C. Moore, M.S., Assistant Dairy Husbandman

RURAL ELECTRICITY

— W.^LTER T. Ackerman. B.S., B.S.A.E., Agricultural Engineer

George M. Foulkrod. M.S., Assistant in Agricultural Engineering
-Halstkad N. Colby, B.S., Assistant in Agricultural Engineering

ENTOMOLOGY

Walter C. O'Kane, M.A., D.Sc, Entomologist

James G. Conklix, M.S., Assistant Entomologist

Leon C. Glover, M.S., Research Assistant in Entomology

Warren A. Westg.vte, M.S., Research Chemical Assistant in Entomology

March, 1934] Agriclltlral Research in N. H. 31

FORESTRY

Karl W. Woodward, A.B.. M.F., Forester

Clark L. Stevens, Ph.D., M.F., A^aiatant Forester

HORTICULTURE

George F. Potter, Ph.D., Horticulturist

J. R. Hepler, M.S., Associate Horticulturist

L. Phelps Lati.mer, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist

E. J. R.'VSMussEX, M.S., Research Assistant in Horticulture

James Macfarlane, Florist

Louis R. Bryant, M.S., Graduate Assistant in Horticulture

POULTRY

Thomas B. Ch.^rles, B.S., Poultry Hushandynan

Albert E. Tepper, M.S., Assistant Poxdtry Husbandman

Carl L. M.'\rtin, D.V.M., Veterinarian

Ch.\rles a. Bottorff, Jr., D.V.M., Poultry Pathologist

Frank D. Reed, B.S., Poultry Certification Inspector

Elmer W. Lang, White Diarrhea Tester

Roslyn C. Durgin, B.S., Assistayit Poultry Tester

Roger C. Ham, Laboratory Technician in Poultry Husbandry

ASSISTANTS TO THE STAFF

Beatrice M. Richmond, Bookkeeper

Elizabeth E. Mehaffey, Assistant Librarian and Mailing Clerk

M.AisiE C. Burpee, Secretary to the Director

M.\rtha E. Fisher, Stenographer

Christina M. Collins, Stenographer

K.\thrina Legg, Stenographer

Nettie Durgin, Clerk

Marg.\ret J. Blood, Stenographer

Phyllis Seymour, Stenographer

M.-vRiON Hutchins, Stenographer

Margaret Rose, Stenographer

Amber Hall, Stenographer

Sara M. Sanborn, Stenographer

Celia Sevigny, Stenographer

-PAS-
ncu272.284^

X.

^■•^