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Title Page | |
Table of Contents | |
Credits | |
Report of the director | |
Report of the business manager | |
Agricultural economics | |
Agricultural engineering | |
Agronomy | |
Animal husbandry and nutrition | |
Botany | |
Dairy science | |
Editorial department | |
Entomology | |
Food technology and nutrition | |
Fruit crops | |
Library | |
Ornamental horticulture | |
Plant pathology | |
Poultry husbandry | |
Soils | |
Vegetable crops | |
Veterinary science | |
Central Florida station | |
Citrus station | |
Everglades station | |
Indian River field laboratory | |
Plantation field laboratory | |
Gulf Coast station | |
South Florida field laboratory | |
North Florida station | |
Range cattle station | |
Sub-tropical station | |
Suwannee Valley station | |
West central Florida station | |
West Florida station | |
Field laboratories | |
Index |
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Title Page
Page 1 Table of Contents Page 2 Credits Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Report of the director Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Report of the business manager Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Agricultural economics Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Agricultural engineering Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Agronomy Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Animal husbandry and nutrition Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Botany Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Dairy science Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Editorial department Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Entomology Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Food technology and nutrition Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Fruit crops Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Library Page 115 Page 116 Ornamental horticulture Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Plant pathology Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Poultry husbandry Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Soils Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140 Page 141 Page 142 Page 143 Page 144 Page 145 Page 146 Page 147 Page 148 Page 149 Page 150 Page 151 Page 152 Page 153 Page 154 Page 155 Page 156 Page 157 Page 158 Vegetable crops Page 159 Page 160 Page 161 Page 162 Page 163 Page 164 Page 165 Page 166 Page 167 Veterinary science Page 168 Page 169 Page 170 Page 171 Page 172 Page 173 Page 174 Page 175 Page 176 Central Florida station Page 177 Page 178 Page 179 Page 180 Page 181 Page 182 Page 183 Page 184 Page 185 Page 186 Page 187 Citrus station Page 188 Page 189 Page 190 Page 191 Page 192 Page 193 Page 194 Page 195 Page 196 Page 197 Page 198 Page 199 Page 200 Page 201 Page 202 Page 203 Page 204 Page 205 Page 206 Page 207 Page 208 Page 209 Page 210 Page 211 Page 212 Page 213 Page 214 Page 215 Page 216 Page 217 Page 218 Page 219 Page 220 Page 221 Page 222 Page 223 Page 224 Page 225 Page 226 Page 227 Page 228 Page 229 Page 230 Page 231 Page 232 Page 233 Page 234 Page 235 Page 236 Page 237 Page 238 Page 239 Page 240 Page 241 Page 242 Page 243 Everglades station Page 244 Page 245 Page 246 Page 247 Page 248 Page 249 Page 250 Page 251 Page 252 Page 253 Page 254 Page 255 Page 256 Page 257 Page 258 Page 259 Page 260 Page 261 Page 262 Page 263 Page 264 Page 265 Page 266 Page 267 Page 268 Page 269 Page 270 Page 271 Page 272 Page 273 Page 274 Indian River field laboratory Page 275 Page 276 Page 277 Page 278 Page 279 Page 280 Page 281 Page 282 Page 283 Page 284 Plantation field laboratory Page 285 Page 286 Page 287 Page 288 Page 289 Page 290 Page 291 Page 292 Gulf Coast station Page 293 Page 294 Page 295 Page 296 Page 297 Page 298 Page 299 Page 300 Page 301 Page 302 Page 303 Page 304 Page 305 Page 306 Page 307 Page 308 Page 309 Page 310 Page 311 Page 312 Page 313 Page 314 Page 315 Page 316 Page 317 Page 318 South Florida field laboratory Page 319 North Florida station Page 320 Page 321 Page 322 Page 323 Page 324 Page 325 Page 326 Page 327 Page 328 Page 329 Page 330 Page 331 Range cattle station Page 332 Page 333 Page 334 Page 335 Page 336 Page 337 Page 338 Page 339 Sub-tropical station Page 340 Page 341 Page 342 Page 343 Page 344 Page 345 Page 346 Page 347 Page 348 Page 349 Page 350 Page 351 Page 352 Page 353 Page 354 Page 355 Page 356 Page 357 Page 358 Suwannee Valley station Page 359 Page 360 Page 361 West central Florida station Page 362 West Florida station Page 363 Page 364 Page 365 Page 366 Page 367 Page 368 Field laboratories Page 369 Page 370 Page 371 Page 372 Page 373 Page 374 Page 375 Page 376 Page 377 Page 378 Page 379 Page 380 Page 381 Page 382 Page 383 Page 384 Page 385 Index Page 386 Page 387 Page 388 Page 389 Page 390 Page 391 Page 392 Page 393 Page 394 Page 395 Page 396 Page 397 |
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UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1957 CONTENTS Page Report of the Director ................................ ..- -.... Report of the Business Manager ........... -----. Agricultural Economics ...........- ...- ....--- ...-. .- Agricultural Engineering .............. A gronom y ............----.... --- .----...- -- ------ Animal Husbandry and Nutrition .....................--.----- B otany ................. -- ...........- ......- .... -- -- D airy Science ............... --- ...- ....-- ... ...-- -- Editorial Department ...............-.. -.-.-... --. - Entom ology ................---....... ... -...--- ------------ Food Technology and Nutrition .......................--- Fruit Crops ............... ...... -.. --- -.-.-- - U. S. Field Laboratory on Tung Investigations Library ......................... .- ........-- ..-..---.-- Ornamental Horticulture ............... -- .. ..--..- Plant Pathology ......... ...--. ..- ...... .- ..-........--.- Poultry Husbandry -.. ......- ..- ..-- ..----.-- Soils .- .......... ...- ... ...... ..- ...- ...- ......-- -. - Vegetable Crops ...........------ ----- Veterinary Science --.......-- Central Florida Station ...........- ......-- ... ....-- . Citrus Station ...............-.-.- --. --.-. -. ..-. -----.-.- Everglades Station ...............-.. .. --....--. ---.- Indian River Field Laboratory ................ --. Plantation Field Laboratory ............... -.-.-.---. Gulf Coast Station .... .................. ... South Florida Field Laboratory .................... North Florida Station ..... .- ...- .....- .. ... .... - Range Cattle Station ........-..-.- .....- ...- ... ...- .... ... Sub-Tropical Station ..........-.... .. -.------..------. Suwannee Valley Station .-....-- .....-..- .....--- .--.- .---.- W est Central Florida Station .........-- .......... --..- W est Florida Station ....... ... -......-..-.- .... ...--. Federal-State Frost Warning Service ................... Potato Investigations Laboratory ................----.... Strawberry Investigations Laboratory .............-...-- Watermelon and Grape Investigations Laboratory -. .------- 14 17 .-... ...-- ..-.- 33 41 -.-.- ...-..-- 55 -- --- 67 72 ---.-.- ..-.-- 77 87 .......... -- .- ..- .- 87 ------ 96 -- .. ........ 109 ............... 112 ......-.-.-.-- 115 ....-...- ..-.-.. .- 117 -......-.-.. -.. 125 ...........-... 132 . I......-........ -- 136 --------- ----- 159 .................. 168 168 ........... ..- 177 .... .-...-....- 188 -........ 244 ....... ............. 275 -.---- -. ..-..... 285 .. ..-- .. ....- 293 ..... ....--...... 319 -.-..-...... 320 .....-....-...-...... 332 ...................... 340 ..... ............... 359 -- ...- ......-- 362 ....................-- 363 ..............-...... 369 ...-.-- ..-.. .- ..-.. 371 .....................- 381 .................... 383 BOARD OF CONTROL Ralph L. Miller, Chairman, Orlando Fred H. Kent, Jacksonville J. Lee Ballard, St. Petersburg Hollis Rinehart, Miami S. Kendrick Guernsey, Jacksonville James J. Love, Quincy J. Broward Culpepper, Executive Secretary, Tallahassee EXECUTIVE STAFF J. W. Reitz, Ph.D., President" W. M. Fifield, M.S., Provost for Agriculture ' J. R. Beckenbach, Ph.D., Director R. W. Bledsoe, Ph.D., Associate Director H. H. Wilkowske, Ph.D., Assistant Director and Dairy Technologist R. L. Bartley, B.S.E., Administrative Manager 3 G. R. Freeman, M.S.A., Superintendent of Field Operations W. H. Jones, M.Agr., Assistant Superintendent of Field Operations MAIN STATION, GAINESVILLE Agricultural Economics H. G. Hamilton, Ph.D., Agricultural Economist " R. E. L. Greene, Ph.D., Agricultural Economist W. K. McPherson, M.S., Agricultural Economist Z. Savage, M.S.A., Agricultural Economist" A. H. Spurlock, M.S.A., Agricultural Economist D. E. Alleger, M.S., Associate Agricultural Economist D. L. Brooke, Ph.D., Associate Agricultural Economist M. R. Godwin, Ph.D., Associate Marketing Economist C. N. Smith, M.S., Associate Agricultural Economist G. L. Capel, Ph.D., Assistant Agricultural Economist, USDA L. A. Powell, Sr., M.S.A., Assistant Agricultural Economist L. A. Reuss, M.S., Agricultural Economist, USDA 2 G. A. Rowe, B.S.A., Agricultural Statistician, USDA, Orlando J. C. Townsend, B.S.A., Agricultural Statistician, USDA, Orlando J. B. Owens, B.S., Agricultural Statistician, USDA, Orlando G. N. Rose, B.S., Associate Agricultural Economist, Orlando C. L. Crenshaw, M.S., Assistant Agricultural Economist, Orlando Agricultural Engineering F. Rogers, M.S.A., Agricultural Engineer1' J. M. Myers, M.S.A., Associate Agricultural Engineer E. S. Holmes, M.E., Assistant Agricultural Engineer J. S. Norton, M.S., Assistant Agricultural Engineer J. R. Raymond, Associate Industrial Engineer, USDA " J. F. Lee, Assistant Agricultural Engineer, USDA ' Agronomy F. H. Hull, Ph.D., Agronomist K. W. Butson, M.S., State Climatologist, USDA' W. A. Carver, Ph.D., Agronomist H. C. Harris, Ph.D., Agronomist G. B. Killinger, Ph.D., Agronomist" F. Clark, M.S.A., Associate Agronomist D. E. McCloud, Ph.D., Associate Agronomist E. S. Horner, Ph.D., Associate Agronomist E. G. Rodgers, Ph.D., Associate Agronomist A. T. Wallace, Ph.D., Associate Agronomist E. O. Burt, Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist J. R. Edwardson, Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist O. C. Ruelke, Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist V. N. Schroder, Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist R. L. Gilman, M.S., Assistant in Agronomy K. Hinson, Ph.D., Co-operative Agent, USDA 2 J. M. Creel, B.S.A., Interim Assistant in Agronomy SHead of Department 3 Cooperative, other divisions, U. of F. 2 In cooperation with U. S. On leave Animal Husbandry and Nutrition T. J. Cunha, Ph.D., Animal Husbandman1 G. K. Davis, Ph.D., Animal Nutritionist M. Koger, Ph.D., Animal Husbandman R. L. Shirley, Ph.D., Biochemist J. F. Hentges, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Animal Husbandman A. Z. Palmer, Ph.D., Associate Animal Husbandman 3 H. D. Wallace, Ph.D., Associate Animal Husbandman" A. C. Warnick, Ph.D., Associate Physiologist L. R. Arrington, Ph.D., Assistant Animal Husbandman G. E. Combs, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Animal Husbandman J. P. Feaster, Ph.D., Assistant Biochemist P. E. Loggins, M.S., Assistant Animal Husbandman J. T. McCall, M.S., Assistant in Chemistry J. C. Outler, Jr., M.S.A., Assistant in Chemistry Botany W. M. Dugger, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Physiologist H. J. Teas, Ph.D., Associate Biochemist T. E. Humphreys, Ph.D., Assistant Biochemist Dairy Science E. L. Fouts, Ph.D., Dairy Technologist' R. B. Becker, Ph.D., Dairy Husbandman" P. T. D. Arnold, M.S.A., Associate Dairy Husbandman S. P. Marshall, Ph.D., Associate Dairy Husbandman L. E. Mull, Ph.D., Dairy Technologist W. A. Krienke, M.S., Associate Dairy Technologist J. M. Wing, Ph.D., Assistant Dairy Husbandman Editorial and Mailing J. F. Cooper, M.S.A., Editor and Head ; W. G. Mitchell, M.S.A., Assistant Editor M. H. Sharpe, Ph.D., Assistant Editor" J. W. McAllister, B.S., Assistant Editor Entomology A. N. Tissot, Ph.D., Entomologist1 J. R. Christie, Ph.D., Nematologist L. C. Kuitert, Ph.D., Entomologist' H. E. Bratley, M.S.A., Assistant Entomologist S. H. Kerr, Ph.D., Assistant Entomologist F. A. Robinson, M.S., Assistant Apiculturist R. E. Waites, Ph.D., Assistant Entomologist Food Technology and Nutrition R. A. Dennison, Ph.D., Biochemist 0. D. Abbott, Ph.D., Home Economist R. B. French, Ph.D., Biochemist C. B. Hall, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist M. W. Hooever, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist R. K. Showalter, M.S., Horticulturist R. O. Townsend, R.N., Assistant in Nutrition C. H. Van Middelem, Ph.D., Assistant Biochemist Fruit Crops J. W. Sites, Ph.D., Horticulturist and Head H. L. Barrows, M.S., Chemist, USDA F. S. Lagasse, Ph.D., Horticulturist, USDA ' R. H. Sharpe, M.S., Associate Horticulturist C. B. Shear, M.S., Plant Physiologist, USDA J. S. Shoemaker, Ph.D., Horticulturist Library I. K. Cresap, Librarian L. T. Urschel, M.S., Assistant Librarian J. L. Tyson, Assistant in Library SHead of Department 3 Cooperative, other divisions, U. of F. In cooperation with U. S. 4 On leave Ornamental Horticulture E. W. McElwee, Ph.D., Horticulturist' R. D. Dickey, M.S.A., Horticulturist S. E. McFadden, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist G. C. Nutter, Ph.D., Assistant Turf Technologist T. J. Sheehan, Ph.D., Assistant Ornamental Horticulturist Plant Pathology P. Decker, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist1 : E. West, M.S., Botanist and Mycologist" H. H. Luke, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist, USDA - H. N. Miller, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist L. E. Arnold, M.S., Associate Botanist C. W. Anderson, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist A. A. Cook, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist M. K. Corbett, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist T. E. Freeman, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist Poultry Husbandry N. R. Mehrhof, M.Agr., Poultry Husbandman 1 J. C. Driggers, Ph.D., Poultry Husbandman F. R. Tarver, Jr., M.S., Assistant Poultry Husbandman 3 Soils F. B. Smith, Ph.D., Microbiologist ' N. Gammon, Jr., Ph.D., Soils Chemist J. R. Neller, Ph.D., Soils Chemist W. L. Pritchett, Ph.D., Soils Technologist G. M. Volk, Ph.D., Soils Chemist' W. G. Blue, Ph.D., Associate Biochemist R. E. Caldwell, Ph.D., Associate Chemist 3 C. F. Eno, Ph.D., Associate Soil Microbiologist J. G. A. Fiskel, Ph.D., Associate Biochemist' L. C. Hammond, Ph.D., Associate Soils Physicist R. G. Leighty, B.S., Associate Soil Surveyor W. K. Robertson, Ph.D., Associate Chemist H. L. Breland, Ph.D., Assistant Soils Chemist D. T. Brewer, M.S., Assistant Soil Surveyor W. H. Kelly, Ph.D., Interim Assistant Soil Chemist W. R. Smith, B.S.A., Assistant Soil Surveyor H. W. Winsor, B.S.A., Assistant Chemist T. L. Yuan, Ph.D., Interim Assistant in Soils W. H. Thames, Jr., M.S., Interim Assistant in Soil Microbiology G. C. Horn, Ph.D., Interim Assistant Soil Surveyor Vegetable Crops F. S. Jamison, Ph.D., Horticulturist " A. P. Lorz, Ph.D., Horticulturist V. F. Nettles, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist L. H. Halsey, M.S.A., Assistant Horticulturist B. D. Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist Veterinary Science D. A. Sanders, D.V.M., Veterinarian 1 M. W. Emmel, D.V.M., Veterinarian R. Richards, B.A., Entomologist, USDA ' M. Ristic, D.V.M., Pathologist L. E. Swanson, D.V.M., Parasitologist C. F. Simpson, D.V.M., Associate Veterinarian W. R. Dennis, D.V.M., Assistant Parasitologist F. H. White, Ph.D., Assistant Bacteriologist R. B. Doty, M.S., Assistant in Bacteriology W. M. Stone, Jr., M.S., Assistant in Parasitology 1Head of Department Cooperative, other divisions. U. of I. SIr cooperation with U. S. I On leave BRANCH STATIONS Central Florida Station, Sanford R. W. Ruprecht, Ph.D., Vice-Director in Charge J. W. Wilson, Sc.D., Entomologist J. F. Darby, Ph.D., Associate Plant Pathologist W. T. Scudder, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist P. J. Westgate, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist R. B. Forbes, Ph.D., Assistant Soils Chemist B. F. Whitner, Jr., B.S.A., Assistant Horticulturist Citrus Station, Lake Alfred H. J. Reitz, Ph.D., Vice-Director in Charge E. P. DuCharme, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist J. W. Kesterson, M.S., Chemist R. W. Olsen, B.S., Biochemist R. Patrick, Ph.D., Bacteriologist W. C. Price, Ph.D., Virologist W. A. Simanton, Ph.D., Entomologist R. F. Suit, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist W. L. Thompson, B.S., Entomologist A. H. Krezdorn, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist W. F. Spencer, Ph.D., Associate Soils Chemist F. W. Wenzel, Jr., Ph.D., Chemist E. J. Deszyck, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist H. W. Ford, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist W. R. F. Grierson-Jackson, Ph.D., Associate Chemist F. W. Hayward, Ph.D., Associate Biochemist L. C. Knorr, Ph.D., Associate Histologist C. D. Leonard, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist M. H. Muma, Ph.D., Associate Entomologist R. M. Pratt, Ph.D., Associate Entomologist-Pathologist A. H. Rouse, M.S., Associate Pectin Chemist I. Stewart, Ph.D., Associate Biochemist A. C. Tarian, Ph.D., Associate Nematologist F. E. Fisher, M.S., Assistant Plant Pathologist R. W. Hanks, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Physiologist C. I. Hannon, Ph.D., Assistant Nematologist R. Hendrickson, B.S., Assistant Chemist R. R. Hunziker, Ph.D., Assistant Entomologist R. B. Johnson, Ph.D., Assistant Entomologist W. H. Kahl, M.S., Assistant Agricultural Engineer J. R. King, Ph.D., Assistant Entomologist R. C. J. Koo, Ph.D., Interim Assistant Biochemist J. J. McBride, Ph.D., Assistant Chemist W. F. Newhall, Ph.D., Assistant Biochemist A. P. Pieringer, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist H. O. Sterling, M.S., Assistant Horticulturist J. W. Davis, B.S.A., Assistant in Entomology-Pathology G. J. Edwards, B.A., Assistant in Chemistry T. B. Hallam, B.S., Assistant in Entomology-Pathology H. I. Holtsberg, B.S.A., Assistant in Entomology-Pathology L. M. Sutton, B.S., Assistant in Entomology-Pathology K. G. Townsend, B.S.A., Assistant in Entomology-Pathology C. D. Atkins, B.S., Collaborator R. W. Barron, B.A., Collaborator M. H. Dougherty, B.S., Collaborator R. M. Keen, Assistant in Library E. C. Hill, B.S.A., Collaborator E. F. Hopkins, Ph.D., Collaborator R. L. Huggart, B.S., Collaborator A. A. McCornack, M.S., Collaborator R. R. McNary, Ph.D., Collaborator E. L. Moore, Ph.D., Collaborator 1 Head of Department 3 Cooperative, other divisions, U. of F. 2 In cooperation with U. S. On leave S. V. Ting, Ph.D., Collaborator R. W. Wolford, M.A., Collborator Everglades Station, Belle Glade W. T. Forsee, Jr., Ph.D., Chemist in Charge R. V. Allison, Ph.D., Fiber Technologist T. Bregger, Ph.D., Physiologist J. W. Randolph, M.S., Agricultural Engineer R. S. Cox, Ph.D., Associate Plant Pathologist J. R. Orsenigo, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist V. E. Green, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Agronomist R. W. Kidder, M.S., Associate Animal Husbandman C. C. Seale, D.I.C.T.A., Associate Agronomist J. C. Stephens, B.S., Drainage Engineer, USDA 2 E. A. Wolf, M.S., Associate Horticulturist R. J. Allen, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist D. W. Beardsley, M.S., Assistant Animal Husbandman H. W. Burdine, M.S., Assistant Horticulturist H. L. Chapman, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Animal Nutritionist W. G. Genung, M.S., Assistant Entomologist E. D. Harris, Ph.D., Assistant Entomologist D. S. Harrison, M.S.A., Assistant Agricultural Engineer H. E. Ray, Ph.D., Assistant Soils Chemist J. N. Simons, Ph.D., Assistant Virologist J. D. Winfree, Ph.D., Assistant Soils Chemist Indian River Field Laboratory, Box 507, Fort Pierce N. C. Hayslip, B.S.A., Entomologist M. Cohen, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist A. E. Stall, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist A. E. Kretschmer, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist Plantation Field Laboratory, Fort Lauderdale F. T. Boyd, Ph.D., Associate Agronomist H. Y. Ozaki, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist Gulf Coast Station, Box 2125 Manatee Station, Bradenton E. L. Spencer, Ph.D., Soils Chemist in Charge E. G. Kelsheimer, Ph.D., Entomologist R. 0. Magie, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist J. M. Walter, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist D. S. Burgis, M.S.A., Assistant Horticulturist C. M. Geraldson, Ph.D., Associate Soils Chemist G. Sowell, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist A. J. Overman, M.S., Assistant Soils Microbiologist S. S. Woltz, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist South Florida Field Laboratory, Immokalee, Florida D. G. A. Kelbert, Associate Horticulturist North Florida Station, Quincy W. C. Rhoades, M.S., Entomologist in Charge W. H. Chapman, M.S., Agronomist R. R. Kincaid, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist L. G. Thompson, Jr., Ph.D., Soils Chemist A. S. Baker, Ph.D., Assistant Soils Chemist F. S. Baker, Jr., B.S.A., Assistant Animal Husbandman W. B. Tappan, M.S.A., Assistant Entomologist T. E. Webb, B.S.A., Assistant Agronomist' Mobile Unit, Chipley J. B. White, B.S.A., Associate Agronomist Mobile Unit, Marianna R. W. Lipscomb, M.S., Associate Agronomist Mobile Unit, Monticello R. W. Wallace, B.S., Associate Agronomist 1Head of Department SIn cooperation with U. S. a Cooperative, other divisions, U. of F. 4 On leave Range Cattle Station, Ona W. G. Kirk, Ph.D., Vice-Director in Charge E. M. Hodges, Ph.D., Agronomist R. J. Bullock, B.S.A., Interim Assistant in Soils J. E. McCaleb, Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist F. M. Peacock, M.S., Assistant Animal Husbandman Sub-Tropical Station, Route 2, Box 508, Homestead G. D. Ruehle, Ph.D., Vice-Director in Charge R. A. Conover, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist F. B. Lincoln, Ph.D., Horticulturist D. O. Wolfenbarger, Ph.D., Entomologist R. W. Harkness, Ph.D., Associate Chemist J. L. Malcolm, Ph.D., Associate Soils Chemist T. W. Young, Ph.D., Associate Horticulturist R. B. Ledin, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist L. A. McFadden, Ph.D., Assistant Horticulturist J. C. Noonan, M.S., Assistant Horticulturist R. M. Baranowski, M.S., Interim Assistant Entomologist Suwannee Valley Station, Box 630, Live Oak H. W. Lundy, B.S.A., Associate Agronomist in Charge West Central Florida Station, Brooksville W. C. Burns, M.S., Assistant Acting in Charge, USDA 2 West Florida Station, Route 3, Jay C. E. Hutton, Ph.D., Vice-Director in Charge R. L. Jeffers, Ph.D., Associate Agronomist R. L. Smith, M.S., Associate Agronomist M. C. Lutrick, Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist FIELD LABORATORIES Potato, Hastings A. H. Eddins, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist in Charge E. N. McCubbin, Ph.D., Horticulturist D. L. Myhre, Ph.D., Assistant Soils Chemist D. M. Norris, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Entomologist Pecan, Monticello J. R. Large, M.S., Associate Plant Pathologist A. M. Phillips, B.S., Associate Entomologist 2 Strawberry, Plant City (Box 2386,. Lakeland) A. N. Brooks, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist Watermelon and Grape, Leesburg J. M. Crall, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist in Charge N. C. Schenck, Ph.D., Assistant Plant Pathologist L. H. Stover, Assistant in Horticulture H. A. Peacock, Ph.D., Assistant Agronomist Weather Forecasting, Lakeland W. O. Johnson, B.S., Meteorologist in Charge 2 D. C. Russell, B.S., Associate Meteorologist' H. W. Davis, Assistant Meteorologist R. H. Dean, Assistant Meteorologist J. G. Georg, Assistant Meteorologist B. H. Moore, B.A., Assistant Meteorologist P. A. Mott, Assistant Meteorologist2 0. N. Norman, B.S., Assistant Meteorologist' R. T. Sherouse, Assistant Meteorologist 2 H. E. Yates, Assistant Meteorologist L. L. Benson, B.S., Assistant Meteorologist 1 Head of Department I Cooperative, other divisions, U. of F. SIn cooperation with U. S. 4 On leave REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR Appropriations made for capital additions in the Experiment Station system by the 1955 Legislature have significantly improved and enlarged the staff, facilities, and plant. These will be reported below. Since this list is extensive, and since significant research results are being reported elsewhere, a summary of these results will be omitted in this section this year. However, two new steps have been taken by the Station Directors which should result in a more efficient and better coordinated program. The first of these is the setting up of annual meetings of the Directors with the staffs of each Branch Station, Field Laboratory and Main Station Department. These meetings are held for the purpose of keeping the morale of the research personnel at a high level and improving program by giving members of the research staff an opportunity to ask questions, to make suggestions direct to the Directors, and to discuss agricultural problems of the area. The research program is not reviewed at these meetings, since project outlines, publications and reports keep the Directors current on this program. The second innovation is the holding of semi-annual meetings of all Station, Field Laboratory and Department Heads with the Directors. One meeting a year is held at the Main Station at Gainesville; the other at one of the branch stations. Policy, business office procedures, budget prep- aration and research planning are discussed at these meetings. Both of these innovations are proving very helpful to the overall re- search programs of the Stations because of the opportunities afforded for discussion and better acquaintance within the staff. A major reorganization has been effected at the Main Station, brought about by an enlarged program in the horticultural sciences. The teaching, research and extension functions have been combined in newly organized departments of Fruit Crops, Ornamental Crops, Vegetable Crops and Food Technology and Nutrition. The small research department of Home Eco- nomics was consolidated with the newly created Department of Food Tech- nology and Nutrition. Also, the formerly all-College of Agriculture Department of Botany was enlarged and developed into a combined Experiment Station-College Department. The reports of these departments are included in this Annual Report for the first time. CAPITAL AND PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS The new agricultural building, Dan McCarty Hall, was completed and occupied in the fall of 1956. This major facility provided much needed space for teaching personnel and teaching laboratories. Also, it houses some re- search and extension personnel. For the first time research, teaching and extension personnel of a few departments were consolidated in one build- ing. Some other departments have the teaching part of their staff in Dan McCarty Hall while research and extension staff members are scattered in various buildings. The move of some departments into Dan McCarty Hall permitted much needed expansion of other departments located in Newell and Rolfs Halls. While excellent progress has been made in major buildings, space is still a serious problem and several temporary office buildings have been re-repaired and continue to be used. In Rolfs Hall the Administration and Business offices were provided with additional floor space and the Herbarium expanded to double the former floor space. 10 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations The Horticulture Unit located a few miles northwest of Gainesville is now in full operation as a joint facility for the departments of Fruit Crops, Ornamental Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Soils and Vegetable Crops. A foreman's cottage has been completed, the permanent irrigation lines have been extended, and additional land cleared and prepared for planting. The Agronomy Department has built a new storage shed adjacent to the Agronomy greenhouse, erected a greenhouse on the Main Station farm for small grains research and installed a new 10-inch irrigation well on the Main Station farm, with pump, shelter, and portable pipe. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition completed during the year an Animal Physiology barn for studying the effect of hormones and other treatments on the physiology, fertility and reproductive ability of beef cattle. At the Dairy Research Unit located at Hague, a three bedroom cottage was constructed. A bunker silo 60' x 20' x 5' to hold 200 tons silage was constructed. Four acres of new land were cleared. Equipment for a green chopping and feeding program was secured, including a forage chopper, two self-unloading wagons and six portable forage bunkers. The Entomology Department acquired a new storage shed at the Honey Plant area which will provide safe and weather-proof protection for ma- chinery, dusters, sprayers and other equipment and supplies. A new potting shed located in the Honey Plant area will be used in connection with green- house work. This shed includes pot storage, soil sterilization and other related facilities. The Plant Pathology Department completed a laboratory at the virus research unit. This air-conditioned room contains the spinco centrifuge and is used for the pure culture and preparation of viruses. Two greenhouses 21 x 14 feet were obtained, one for small grains research and the other for legume investigations. An additional laboratory was equipped for turf grass investigations in Building 866. The Zellwood farm of The Central Florida Station was greatly improved through the cooperation of Mr. Hodges, Chief Engineer, and the Zellwood Drainage District. Drainage and irrigation ditches were dug and all ma- terials for doubling the size of the storage building were supplied by the district. Through the Seminole County Farm Bureau, the necessary pockets and irrigation pump to give good control of the water tables on the entire property were obtained. During the year the Citrus Station accomplished practical completion of the contract work on the new Production Research Building. Also com- pleted was the installation of 1,800 feet of transit water main at the new grove site, nine miles north of Haines City on U. S. Highway 27. The fer- tilizer and insecticide storage shed was wired for provision of lights and electric power in this facility and fruit storage room was insulated to pro- vide better temperature control. Work underway, but not completed as the year ended, includes the construction of two aluminum greenhouses, building of a separate facility for chromatographic analysis, installation of utility lines to the new Production Building, and modification of the steam lines running to the Administration Building. At the Everglades Station a new animal feeding shelter was constructed during the year. This facility consist of a 70' x 70' concrete slab with in- dividual holding pens, a roofed area of 70' x 30', and built-in watering troughs and feed racks. New pasture holding pens and a loading ramp have been set up at the northeast corner of the Everglades Station farm to be used for special studies. A 7,500-gallon pump was installed at the south end of the main drainage ditch and a control installed in the ditch at the mid- point of section 10. An experimental 96-foot bunker type silo has been Annual Report, 1957 built across the fence line dividing two large pastures. The equipment maintenance shop was remodeled to provide twice as much floor space in this important facility. Studies on the degumming of soft fibers have been greatly facilitated by purchase by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund of digesters, a heavy duty centrifuge, a Clark mixing picker, a Mudrick con- denser and a Billingsley extractor. This industrial type equipment has been installed in an addition to the fiber research building. This now per- mits the setting up of an in-line process of fiber handling from the un- cleaned and unstapled ribbons all the way through the final process of carding. At the Cortez farm of the Gulf Coast Station, an additional 13 acres have been cleared and will be planted for the first time this fall. Physical improvements at the South Florida Field Laboratory near Im- mokalee are well under way. The State Road Department has completed paving of an access road extending approximately one-fourth mile from State Highway 29 to the building site. Construction of the office-laboratory building and the equipment-storage shelter is 90 percent completed. Eighty acres of land have been fenced and fencing of the remaining 240 acres of laboratory property is nearing completion. An eight-inch well has been drilled to provide water for irrigation. Considerable difficulty has been en- countered in locating properly qualified personnel to direct the research program. However, the services of an experienced farm foreman are now available. At the Range Cattle Station near Ona a building for machinery storage and meetings was completed. A 200-ton bunker-type silo was constructed. Cattle numbers increased from 990 to 1,016 during the year. The Hardee County Commission assisted with building a road to the feed and hay stor- age, hay drier and machinery storage buildings. A new hard surface road on the eastern boundary of the station gives a direct highway connection to Arcadia and points east and south. The Sub-Tropical Station at Homestead acquired a new office build- ing which includes three offices occupied by three of the horticulturists and library, conference room, studio, and dark room. The building is complete and occupied but still lacks some furniture. A new head house is 90 per- cent completed and two greenhouse units have been purchased but not erected. Also completed is a new soils laboratory housed in the fertilizer and seed storage building. At the Potato Investigation Laboratory at Hastings seven acres of old land were leveled and sloped three to four inches per 100 feet, and 300 feet of irrigation pipe and fittings were installed to provide more suitable areas for conducting experimental work. The Watermelon and Grape Laboratory is undergoing consolidation and a major move. Approximately 165 acres of land were acquired six miles south of Leesburg for the relocation of the physical facilities of the lab- oratory and farm. Wells were drilled at both laboratory and farm sites, and pump houses and fencing are in the process of construction. WEATHER SUMMARY FOR MAIN STATION Temperatures remained well within the historical data limits during the year. On the Experiment Station Farm, the first Fall freezing temperature was noted on November 10; the last in Spring occurred on March 10. The lowest temperature during the year was 21o on November 28th. Total rainfall was 49.30 inches, approximately 2.50 inches below the 1931-1955 average. Below average monthly rainfall was the rule from July through February and included a protracted drought from about mid- 12 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations October until mid-February. The period November through January, with only 0.77 inch of rain, is the driest such period since records began in 1898. Monthly rainfall was average or above for March through June. May was notably abnormal: more than double average rainfall was recorded and measurable amounts occurred on 20 of the 31 days. On the average, meas- urable rainfall occurs on only eight days in May. STAFF CHANGES Appointments A. A. Cook, Asst. Plant Path., Plant Path. Dept., July 1, 1956. R. B. Doty, Asst. in Bacteriology, Dept. of Vet. Sci., July 1, 1956. C. S. Hoveland, Int. Asst. Agronomist, Agronomy, July 1, 1956. R. R. Hunziker, Asst. Soils Chemist, Citrus Station, July 1, 1956. L. A. McFadden, Asst. Horticulturist, July 1, 1956. G. F. Schotten, Assistant Editor, Editorial, July 1, 1956. J. S. Shoemaker, Horticulturist, Dept. of Fruit Crops, July 1, 1956. F. R. Tarver, Jr., Asst. Poultry Husb., Poultry Dept., July 1, 1956. W. H. Kelly, Int. Asst. Soils Chemist, Soils Dept., July 16, 1956. H. J. Teas, Assoc. Biochemist, Dept. of Botany, Aug. 1, 1956. H. E. Ray, Asst. Chemist, Everglades Station, Aug. 1, 1956. R. M. Baranowske, Int. Asst. Entomologist, Sub-Tropical Sta., Oct. 1, 1956. K. D. Butson, State Climatologist, Dept. of Agronomy (U.S. Weather Bu- reau), Oct. 1, 1956. P. A. Mott, Asst. Meteorologist, Weather Forecasting Ser. (USWB), Oct. 1, 1956. L. L. Benson, Asst. Meteorologist, Weather Forecasting Ser. (USWB), Nov. 1, 1956. M. Cohen, Asst. Plant Path., Citrus Station, Nov. 1, 1956. G. C. Horn, Int. Asst. Soils Surveyor, Soils Dept., Dec. 1, 1956. A. E. Stall, Asst. Plant Path., Everglades Station, Jan. 1, 1957. H. Peacock, Asst. Agronomist, Watermelon & Grape Lab., Jan. 1, 1957. R. J. Bullock, Int. Asst. in Soils, Range Cattle Station, Feb. 1, 1957. W. C. Burns, Asst. An. Husb., Acting in Chg., West Cen. Sta., Feb. 1, 1957. J. M. Creel, Int. Asst. in Agronomy, Dept. of Agronomy, Feb. 1, 1957. J. W. McAllister, Asst. Editor, Editorial Dept., Feb. 1, 1957. J. R. Orsenigo, Asst. Horticulturist, Everglades Station, Feb. 1, 1957. W. H. Thames, Jr., Int. Asst. in Soil Microbiology, Soils Dept., Feb. 1, 1957. F. E. Van Nostran, Asst. Plant Path., Everglades Station, Feb. 1, 1957. F. O. Holmes, Consultant in Virology, Citrus Station, March 1, 1957. J. F. Lee, Asst. Agr. Engr., Agr. Engr. Dept. (USDA) March 27, 1957. J. R. Raymond, Assoc. Industrial Engr., Ag. Engr. (USDA) March 27, 1957. L. E. Hughes, Assoc. Meteorologist, Weather Forecasting Ser. (USWB) April 1, 1957. R. M. Keen, Asst. in Library, Citrus Station, April 1, 1957. A. H. Krezdorn, Assoc. Horticulturist, Citrus Station, April 1, 1957. W. F. Spencer, Assoc. Soils Chemist, Citrus Station, April 1, 1957. R. C. Koo, Asst. Soils Physicist, May 1, 1957. Promotions W. G. Blue, Assoc. Biochemist, Dept. of Soils, July 1, 1956. R. E. Caldwell, Assoc. Chemist, Dept. of Soils, July 1, 1956. J. F. Darby, Assoc. Plant Path., Cen. Fla. Sta., July 1, 1956. R. A. Dennison, Biochemist and Head, Dept. of Food Tech., July 1, 1956. E. P. DuCharme, Plant Pathologist, Citrus Station, July 1, 1956. C. F. Eno, Assoc. Soils Microbiologist, Dept. of Soils, July 1, 1956. J. G. Fiskell, Assoc. Biochemist, Dept. of Soils, July 1, 1956. Annual Report, 1957 H. W. Ford, Assoc. Horticulturist, Citrus Station, July 1, 1956. C. M. Geraldson, Assoc. Soils Chemist, Gulf Coast Sta., July 1, 1956. V. E. Green, Jr., Assoc. Agronomist, Everglades Station, July 1, 1956. W. F. Grierson-Jackson, Assoc. Chemist, Citrus Station, July 1, 1956. C. B. Hall, Assoc. Hort., Dept. of Food Tech., July 1, 1956. N. C. Hayslip, Entomologist, Everglades Station, July 1, 1956. J. F. Hentges, Assoc. An. Husb., Dept. of An. Husb., July 1, 1956. E. S. Horner, Assoc. Agronomist, Dept. of Agronomy, July 1, 1956. F. S. Jamison, Horticulturist and Head, Dept. of Vegetable Crops, July 1, 1956. J. W. Kesterson, Chemist, Citrus Station, July 1, 1956. E. W. McElwee, Orn. Hort. and Head, Dept. of Orn. Hort., July 1, 1956. R. G. Leighty, Assoc. Soils Surveyor, Dept. of Soils, July 1, 1956. P. E. Loggin, Asst. An. Husb. and Nutr., July 1, 1956. L. E. Mull, Dairy Technologist, Dept. of Dairy Husb., July 1, 1956. A. J. Overman, Asst. Soils Microbiologist, Gulf Coast Station, July 1, 1956. M. Ristic, Pathologist, Dept. of Vet. Sci., July 1, 1956. W. K. Robertson, Assoc. Chemist, Dept. of Soils, July 1, 1956. R. K. Showalter, Horticulturist, Dept. of Food Tech., July 1, 1956. J. L. Tyson, Asst. in Library, Library, July 1, 1956. L. T. Urschel, Asst. Librarian, Library, July 1, 1956. A. T. Wallace, Assoc. Agronomist, Dept. of Agronomy, July 1, 1956. A. C. Warnick, Assoc. Physiologist, Dept. of An. Husb., July 1, 1956. E. A. Wolf, Assoc. Horticulturist, Everglades Station, July 1, 1956. H. J. Reitz, Horticulturist in Chg., Citrus Exp. Sta., Jan. 1, 1957. H. H. Wilkowske, Asst. Director, March 1, 1957. Transfers J. W. Sites, Asst. Director to Horticulturist and Head, Fruit Crops Dept., March 1, 1957. Resignations C. T. Ozaki, Asst. Chemist, Everglades Sta., July 31, 1956. D. B. Duncan, Statistician, Agronomy Dept., Aug. 31, 1956. J. G. Wadsworth, Asst. Poultry Path., Vet. Sci. Dept., Sept. 5, 1956. N. J. Scully, Botanist and Head, Botany Dept., Sept. 6, 1956. V. L. Guzman, Asst. Horticulturist, Everglades Sta., Sept. 8, 1956. M. W. Hazen, An. Husb. in Chg., West Cen. Fla. Sta., Sept. 9, 1956. J. D. Cox, Asst. Meteorologist, Weather Forecasting Serv. (USWB), Sept. 10, 1956. C. R. Byrd, Asst. Meteorologist, Weather Forecasting Serv. (USWB), Oct. 1, 1956. R. E. Hancock, Asst. Editor, Editorial Dept., Nov. 15, 1956. I. M. Wofford, Asst. Agronomist, Agronomy Dept., Dec. 11, 1956. E. Thor, Assoc. Ag. Econ., Ag. Econ. Dept., Dec. 31, 1956. D. W. Jones, Asst. Soil Technologist, Range Cattle Sta., Jan. 31, 1957. I. W. Wander, Soils Chemist, Citrus Station, Jan. 31, 1957. B. W. Kelly, Asst. Agr. Economist, Agr. Econ. Dept., April 30, 1957. N. K. Roberts, Asst. Agr. Economist, Agr. Econ. Dept., June 25, 1957. D. W. Beardsley, Asst. An. Husb., Everglades Sta., June 30, 1957. C. S. Hoveland, Int. Asst. in Agronomy, Agronomy Dept., June 30, 1957. J. C. Outler, Jr., Asst. in Chemistry, An. Husb. Dept., June 30, 1957. G. F. Schotten, Asst. Editor, Editorial Dept., June 30, 1957. Retirements A. F. Camp, Vice Director in Charge, Citrus Experiment Station, Dec. 31, 1956. K. W. Loucks, Collaborator, Citrus Experiment Station, March 1. 1957. REPORT OF THE BUSINESS MANAGER SUMMARY OF OBJECT CLASSIFICATION 1956-57 Salaries and Wages ............................ Travel ................... .... ................. Transportation of Things ..................... Com munications ........................................ Heat, Light, Power, etc. .......................... R ental .................. .... ... ..................... Printing ............. ..... ................ Contractual Services ................................ Supplies and Materials ...................... Equipment .................................... Total Disbursements .......................... . Balance 6/30/57 ............................... Total ..... ............................... ................... Hatch Fund $ 264,170.92 4,200.71 63.40 235.54 1,930.44 72.75 290.35 2,367.17 13,259.08 38,633.71 325,224.07 57,898.06 $ 383,122.13 R.R.F. Fund REPORT OF THE BUSINESS MANAGER SUMMARY OF OBJECT CLASSIFICATION 1956-57 A.M.A. Fund $ 10,855.07 207.20 26.00 123.98 11,212.25 1,908.75 $ 13,121.00 Research Marketing Act -----------. ....... . 829.74 $ 829.74 Grand Total $ 314,952.66 9,673.79 236.79 235.54 1,930.44 95.75 387.13 2,624.17 21,505.70 39,131.68 390,773.65 65,458.22 $ 456,231.87 $ 39,926.67 5,265.88 173.39 23.00 96.78 231.00 8,122.64 497.97 54,337.33 4,821.67 $ 59,159.00 SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES 1956-57 Fla. Agr. Experiment Stations Salaries and Wages -.........-- ...... $2,473,125.61 Travel ......................................... 105,368.85 Transportation of Things .......... 3,006.84 Communications ............................ 34,248.25 Rent and Utility Service ............ 57,192.61 Printing and Publications .......... 24,722.67 Contractual Services .................. 59,678.32 Supplies and Materials .............. 316,846.67 Equipment ...........-...................... 148,661.35 Land and Buildings .................... 17,865.98 Total Disbursements .................... 3,240,717.15 Plus Certifications Forward ...... 98,581.41 3,339,298.56 Balance 6/30/57 .........-............ 15,412.34 Total .............. .. .................. .. $3,354,710.90 SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES 1956-57 Salaries and Wages ........... Travel ...... ................... Transportation of Things - Communications .............. Rent and Utility Service ...... Printing and Publications .... Contractual Services ............ Supplies and Materials ...... Equipment .............---- Land and Buildings ........... Total Disbursements ........ Plus Certifications Forward Balance 6/30/57 ............... T otal ............ .. .... ..........- Total State Funds $2,524,296,52 108,918.09 3,186.84 34,248.25 57,613.59 24,738.39 60,820.71 326,113.51 170,743.22 18,298.50 3,328,977.62 122,925.72 3,451,903.34 22,270.48 $3,474,173.82 Special South Fla. Field Laboratory $ 8,046.55 1,823.84 ------------- 473.98 1,828.01 2,649.34 14,821.72 5,487.35 20,309.07 1,035.43 $21,344.50 I S SWa and Lal $_. 1( $1( special I termelon | d Grape boratory 2,477.20 298.00 2,775.20 7,224.80 0,000.00 0,000.00 Special Soils Analysis Laboratory $ 7,800.00 118.26 --------------.-- 226.01 360.07 1,575.14 65.00 10,144.48 5,308.46 15,452.94 858.80 $16,311.74 Special Spreading Decline $35,324.36 1,309.21 ------------------ 420.98 15.72 7,078.76 8,480.19 69.52 52,698.74 6,323.70 59,022.44 3,125.89 $62,148.33 S Special SFoundation I Herd I Improvement $ ...- ........... 297.93 180.00 442.40 6,900.00 S7,820.33 7,820.33 1,838.02 $ 9,658.35 Less Weather Forecasting S21,661.35 401.74 2.33 335.88 1,050.76 251.97 12,464.10 2,966.30 39,134.43 39,134.43 491.38 $ 39,625.81 Total State Funds $2,524,296.52 108,918.09 3,186.84 34,248.25 57,613.59 24,738.39 60,820.71 326,113.51 170,743.22 18,298.50 3.328.977.62 122,925.72 3,451,903.34 22,270.48 $3,474,173.82 TOTAL $2,740,265.46 130,920.38 4,808.18 35,097.69 70,910.45 25,524.32 88,088.32 524,640.19 260,356.92 18,298.50 3,898,910.41 142,645.33 4,041,555.74 193,543.69 $4,235,099.43 Incidental Funds $ 121,287.20 6,737.41 1,236.02 1,137.28 13,947.16 653.81 23,226.65 184,984.27 53,344.33 406,554.13 19,719.61 426,273.74 1,152.68 $ 427,426.42 Grants and Donations $ 116,343.09 15,666.62 387.65 48.04 400.46 132.12 4,292.93 26,006.51 39,235.67 202,513.09 202,513.09 170,611.91 $ 373,125.00 Sub-Total $2,761,926.81 131,322.12 4,810.51 35,433.57 71,961.21 25,524.32 88,340.29 537,104.29 263,323.22 18,298.50 3,938,044.84 142,645.33 4,080,690.17 194,035.07 $4,274,725.24 16 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES 1956-57 Salaries and Wages ................. Professional Services ............... T ravel .................. .............. Transportation of Things ....... Communications .................. R ental ........... ....- .... ........... P rinting ................................... Contractual Services ............ Supplies and Materials ............. Equipm ent ................ ......... Lands and Buildings ............... Transfers --........--. . Total Disbursements ................ Balance 6/30/57 ........................ T otal .............. .... ... SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES 1956-57 Personal Services ....................... Professional Services ....... Travel ........ ...... ........ ....... Transportation of Things .......... Communications ................... Heat, Light, Power, etc. ........... R ent .............- -.......... .. ........ Printing ....................... ..... --.. Contractual Services ..........------ Supplies and Materials ............ Equipm ent ..... -............................ Land and Structures ............ Total Disbursements .................. Plus Certifications Forward ...... Balance 6/30/57 T otal ............... Grants and Donations $116,464.06 15,395.65 387.65 48.04 400.46 132.12 4,292.93 26,006.51 33,877.64 5,508.03 202,513.09 170,611.91 $373,125.00 Total $116,464.06 15,395.65 387.65 48.04 400.46 132.12 4,292.93 26,006.51 33,877.64 5,508.03 202,513.09 170,611.91 $373,125.00 Total $121,287.20 6,737.41 1,236.02 1,137.28 7,231.00 6,716.16 653.81 23,226.65 184,984.27 41,665.80 11,678.53 406,554.13 19,719.61 426,273.74 1,152.68 $427,426.42 Incidental Fund $121,287.20 6,737.41 1,236.02 1,137.28 7,231.00 6,716.16 653.81 23,226.65 184,984.27 41,665.80 11,678.53 406,554.13 19,719.61 426,273.74 1,152.68 $427,426.42 - - -- - - -- - -- - - --. - Annual Report, 1957 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS Research was conducted on 38 projects during the year. Work was initiated on nine new projects. Three of these were in the area of demand, one in cost of marketing, two in marketing organization and distribution, and three in the area of production economics. Two projects were closed. FARMERS' COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS IN FLORIDA State Project 154 H. G. Hamilton The membership of six cooperatives was studied to determine the extent to which they were satisfied with the operations of the central association which handled the fruit sales and other services of the local associations. In general, there was a high degree of satisfaction among the members as to the operations of the central association on matters in which they were informed. However, members of local associations were not well informed on many operations of the central association. This suggests the need for improving the methods of keeping members informed of the association operations. FACTORS AFFECTING COSTS AND RETURNS IN FLORIDA CITRUS PRODUCTION Hatch Project 186 Zach Savage The usual field work of closing accounts for 1955-56 was performed and accounts set up for 1956-57. Tabulations for 1954-55 were made consisting of 8 early orange, 10 midseason orange, 11 late orange, 6 seedy grape- fruit, 9 seedless grapefruit, 7 tangerine, and 4 Temple orange, making a total of 55 tabulations, representing 145 citrus accounts. These tabula- tions were made by age of tree, variety, and kind of citrus. The per-acre costs for all varieties and kinds of bearing ages were 10 percent higher in 1954-55 than in the previous season, but per-box costs were 38 percent higher due to higher per-acre costs and a 20 percent de- crease in yield. Returns per box were 25 percent higher, but returns per acre were one percent lower. Net returns per acre decreased 36 percent per acre and 18 percent per box. The average cost of spray and dust materials per acre more than doubled over the past six seasons. This cost was $20.36 in 1954-55, with 6 percent of the groves receiving no spray or dust. Results by method of control of insects and diseases for the 10-year period of 1943-53 on a per-acre basis with interest on the grove investment omitted were: Net Above Spray and Dust Cash Cash Control Yield Apply Mtls. Total Cost Cost No spray or dust -..... 341 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $133.96 $292.29 Sulfur only .............. 335 8.24 7.31 15.55 136.96 281.79 Sulfur and oil ........ 379 20.30 14.74 35.04 155.38 318.37 Other controls .......... 364 22.54 24.55 47.09 202.20 252.80 . 355 $12.77 $11.64 $24.41 $157.12 $286.63 Average All 18 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations FACTORS AFFECTING BREEDING EFFICIENCY, ITS POSSIBLE INHERITANCE, AND DEPRECIATION IN FLORIDA DAIRY HERDS State Project 345 A. H. Spurlock Records of inventory values, lifespans and causes of losses were obtained from six dairy herds and added to results previously summarized. The lifespan of 2,525 cows averaged 6.6 years, or about 4.6 years of use- fulness in the milking herd. Disposals increased rapidly after the first year in the herd and after three years only two-thirds of the original number of animals remained. After six years in the herd only 31 percent of the number remained. Cows reaching age 10 had a life expectancy of 1.8 years and averaged 11.8 years of life. Disposals of animals while still living were principally for low produc- tion, mastitis and other udder trouble, and reproductive troubles. These three reasons were responsible for 72 percent of the live disposals. About 13 percent were sold for unstated reasons. Deaths from all causes accounted for 14 percent of all disposals. (See also Project 345, Dairy Science.) CROP AND LIVESTOCK ESTIMATING ON FLORIDA FARMS WITH EMPHASIS ON VEGETABLE CROPS State Project 451 G. N. Rose, C. L. Crenshaw and J. B. Owens During the fiscal year 1956-57 preliminary estimates of acreages planted and for harvest and forecasts of production were made on 6 fall, 14 winter, and 11 spring commercial vegetable crops for fresh market. Also esti- mated were acreages and production of cucumbers grown specifically for pickles, and production of snap beans and tomatoes utilized in processing. Except for tomatoes, data for making these estimates and forecasts, as well as information for truck crop news releases, were obtained by field observations and personal interviews, mailed schedules and telephone. Data relating to tomato production were obtained as outlined in Project 822. A survey under way at the beginning of the fiscal year was continued to determine from final records, acreage and production by areas and counties, as well as the average price received for the various vegetable crops. Farmers' estimates and records were taken on approximately 210,000 acres planted during the previous season. These seasonal averages were weighted against recorded utilization, mainly shipments by counties plus local con- sumption and instate utilization for processing, thereby forming the basis for any necessary revisions of the fall, winter, and spring estimates. Pre- liminary revisions are usually made shortly after the close of a season. These 1955-56 season revisions covered an estimated 415,400 acres planted and 383,550 acres for harvest (including fall, winter and spring squash not currently estimated) with an estimated f.o.b. value of $180,732,000. Releases during the year consisted of an annual summary, entitled "Florida Vegetable Crops, Volume XII," of which approximately 1400 copies have been distributed. Twenty-five regular and special Truck Crop News and/or Acreage and Production reports were released and approximately 24,000 copies were distributed. Data developed through this project were used as a basis for background information in the report of the Florida Agricultural Outlook Committee's annual appraisal of agricultural production in 1956-57, and will be used again in a similar appraisal for 1957-58. 1 Cooperative with Agricultural Estimates Division, AMS, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 COSTS OF PRODUCTION AND RETURNS ON VEGETABLE CROPS IN FLORIDA State Project 480 D. L. Brooke Field schedules of costs of production and returns on vegetable crops were obtained from growers representing 22 percent of the acreage planted during the 1955-56 season. Thirteen vegetable crops in one or more of the major producing areas were included in the sample. Summaries by crops and areas for the season, together with a five-year average of costs and returns, were completed. A mimeographed release, "Costs and Returns from Vegetable Crops in Florida, Volume XI," (Agricultural Economics Mimeo Report 57-6), was prepared and mailed to grower-cooperators, county agents, and research, extension, and interested industry people. Crop summary tables for the 1955-56 season were incorporated in the mimeographed publication, "Florida Vegetable Crops, Volume XII," in co- operation with the leader of State Project 451. The cost of producing vegetables in Florida increased only slightly in 1955-56 over the previous season and the most recent five-season average. Yields, too, changed relatively little from the previous season's average. Profits were generally lower than those of the 1954-55 season and the 1952- 56 average. Increases in the per-acre costs of producing vegetables of more than 10 percent in 1955-56 above the five-season average were noted only in the Alachua area for lima beans, peppers and eggplant. Labor, seed and plants were the most significant items of increased cost. Decreases in per-acre costs of more than 10 percent were noted for to- matoes in the Immokalee area and green peppers in the Pompano area. Lower spray and labor costs were the most significant items for these areas. Celery growers experienced a relatively unprofitable season in 1955-56. Yields were 3 to 16 percent lower than in 1954-55. Prices in 1955-56 aver- aged from $0.41 per crate lower in the Oviedo area to $0.84 per crate lower in the Sarasota area than a year earlier. There was some abandonment of celery acreage as a result of low prices. Irish potato growers had another good year. Yields were above the most recent five-season average in most areas and costs increased only slightly. Average f.o.b. prices of $3.50 or more per hundredweight in all areas re- sulted in relatively good grower profits for the season. Despite the fact that Florida produces 65 percent of the nation's egg- plant, grower experience with this crop is relatively poor. Production costs are high because of heavy labor and material requirements. Yields of more than 500 bushels per acre are necessary if profits are to be expected from season average f.o.b. prices of $1.25 to $1.75 per bushel. Sweet corn continues to be a relatively profitable crop for many growers in the important Everglades and Pompano areas. With average yields of 175 or more crates per acre, per-unit costs of production are sufficiently low that profits generally result. Areas with yields of less than 150 crates per acre find the crop a source of little income during the average season. This was as true in 1955-56 as it has been in prior seasons. COSTS AND FACTORS AFFECTING COST OF MARKETING CITRUS FRUITS IN FRESH AND PROCESSED FORM Hatch Project 486 A. H. Spurlock, Eric Thor and (Regional SM-4) H. G. Hamilton Costs of picking and hauling citrus fruit for 36 firms, 1955-56, averaged as follows per 13/5 bushel box: 20 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Picking oranges 30.5 cents; picking grapefruit 21.7 cents; and picking tangerines 66.4 cents. Hauling from the grove to the plant cost 9.5 cents per box. Specialized citrus dealers also had an additional cost of 2.4 cents per box for procurement and sale of fruit. Costs of packing and selling Florida fresh citrus fruit per 1% bushel equivalent for 42 packinghouses, 1955-56 season were as follows: Oranges, 1% bushel wirebound box, $0.96; 1% bushel standard box, $1.45; % bushel wirebound box, $1.32; % bushel fiberboard box, $1.09; 8 lb. mesh bag, $1.23; 5 lb. mesh bag, $1.50; bulk-in-trucks, $0.40. Grapefruit, 1% bushel wire- bound box, $0.87; 1% bushel standard box, $1.30; % bushel fiberboard box, $1.00; 8 lb. mesh bag, $1.17; 5 lb. mesh bag, $1.43. Tangerines, % bushel wirebound box, $1.45; % bushel wirebound flat box, $1.47. Bulk fruit through the packinghouse cost $0.15 per box for handling all types. Fruit direct from grove to cannery averaged $0.06 per box. Processing cost for 1955-56 were studied at 16 firms which packed 68 percent of the state's total single strength juice and 42 percent of the frozen orange concentrate. Average costs for processing single strength orange juice in 12/46 cases, sweetened, was $1.38; grapefruit sections in 24/303 cases, sweetened, was $1.34; orange concentrate in 48/6 cases, un- sweetened, $1.81; and per gallon, excluding materials and selling, $0.34. Results of the year's work were distributed to citrus dealers, packers and processors in three mimeographed publications for 1955-56: (1) Costs of Picking and Hauling Florida Citrus Fruits, (2) Costs of Packing and Selling Florida Fresh Citrus Fruits, (3) Costs of Processing, Warehousing and Selling Citrus Products. This project is conducted cooperatively with the Farmer Cooperative Service, USDA. COORDINATED SELLING OF CITRUS FRUIT State Project 520 H. G. Hamilton Results of the research on this project were published during the year as marketing research report number 156, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, entitled, "Possibilities for Futures Trading in Florida Citrus Fruit and Products." Under the present marketing system the possibilities of futures trading in citrus fruits or citrus fruit products are unfavorable for the following rea- sons: (1) The various phases of production and marketing citrus and citrus products are vertically integrated. Under this situation the number of buy- ers and sellers would be small. (2) The processed products of citrus are marketed under brand names which have significance in buying and selling. Furthermore, there is no well organized spot market for citrus processed products in bulk form. (3) At present market information, while fairly well distributed to the industry, is not distributed so as to be readily avail- able to speculators. (4) The high degree of concentration of control enables price risk to be distributed over a large number of items at several levels of trading, which means that shifting of price risk is less necessary than in the case of some commodities. This project is in cooperation with Agricultural Marketing Service and Farmer Cooperative Service, USDA, and is terminated with this report. MARKETING MEAT ANIMALS IN FLORIDA Hatch Project 602 W. K. McPherson and L. V. Dixon During the year work progressed on the manuscript entitled, "Price of Beef Cattle and Calves in Florida." Annual Report, 1957 A detailed outline of an inquiry into methods of price discovery for cattle in the Miami area has been developed. Preliminary work on this phase of the project is under way. AN ANALYSIS OF PRESENT AND POTENTIAL UTILIZATION OF LAND FOR GRAZING AND ALTERNATIVE USES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA Hatch Project 619 L. A. Reuss," N. K. Roberts and R. E. L. Greene The review and revision of a manuscript entitled, "Pangolagrass Pas- tures for Beef Production in Central Florida-A Method of Determining the Economics of Establishing and Fertilizing Them," was completed during the year. It was published as Station Bulletin 585. This publication pro- vides information that should be helpful to ranchers and agricultural work- ers in better appraising the economics of the use of fertilizer. Custom land developers in Central Florida were interviewed to deter- mine trends in land clearing operations and costs during the period 1952-56. These data were incorporated in the manuscript prepared for publication under the title, "Costs of Clearing Land and Establishing Improved Pastures in Central Florida." In recent years land has been cleared mainly for citrus groves, truck crops and subdivisions. Some of the land cleared for truck crops is converted to improved pastures a year or so later. Practically the only land cleared for direct use in improved pastures has been on large ranches where the operators have their own land clearing equipment. Data collected during the year indicate rising per-acre land clearing costs in Central Florida. AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ELEMENTAL FUNCTIONS OF PACKING AND HANDLING FLORIDA CITRUS FROM THE TREE THROUGH THE PACKINGHOUSE Hatch Project 626 Eric Thor and (Regional SM-4) G. L. Capel ' Manuscripts were prepared which set forth the results of this project. "The Use of Packing Labor in Florida Citrus Packinghouses," Agricultural Economics Mimeo Report 57-8, was released in June 1957. This report deals primarily with the labor requirements for packing citrus fruits into shipping containers according to type of container, type of fruit and size of fruit. A second manuscript was prepared and revised on comparative costs of alternative methods of unloading and handling of box materials, assembling and supplying boxes to packers, and closing, transporting, and loading packed boxes. A third manuscript was prepared and revised dealing with the effect upon costs of scale of operation, bulk handling from the grove to the packinghouse, and the number of packing units. PASTURE PROGRAMS AND BREEDING SYSTEMS FOR BEEF PRODUCTION ON FLATWOODS SOILS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA State Project 627 R. E. L. Greene This experiment is designed to study variations in beef production, using a cow-calf program on a year-round basis, for different pasture programs and breeding systems. During the year data were summarized showing the 'Cooperative with Farm Economics Research Division, AES. USDA. . Cooperative with Market Organization and Costs Branch, AMS, USDA 22 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations annual costs and returns on the various programs for the period October 1, 1955, to September 30, 1956. Costs were calculated on the basis of the level of experimental practices being used with the various operations charged at about what it would cost to perform them as a commercial operation. On a per-acre basis, as has been true in previous years, Program 8 with a cost of $13.37 (including acres of unimproved pasture) was the lowest in cost and Program 6 with a cost of $91.89 was the highest. At 14 cents per pound, the amount of beef per acre necessary to cover cost of production varied from 96 pounds for Program 8 to 656 pounds for Program 6. Only on three programs of intermediate levels of fertility-Program 4, as one-third clover, two-thirds grass program; Program 5, an all-clover program, and Program 8, a combination clover and nature pasture program -was the value of beef produced more than the estimated net cost of pro- duction. (See also Project 627, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry and Nutritions, and Soils). ECONOMY OF MARKETING AND METHODS OF HANDLING SWEET CORN FOR LONG DISTANCE SHIPMENTS Hatch Project 630 A. H. Spurlock (Regional SM-8) The economic phase of this project has been inactive during the past year. (See also Project 630, Food Technology.) IMPROVING METHODS AND PRACTICES IN HARVESTING, HANDLING AND PACKING EARLY IRISH POTATOES State Project 638 R. E. L. Greene, G. L. Capel and Fred Anderson During the 1955-56 season, work was begun on a study of the organiza- tion and operation of potato packinghouses. Work sampling data were obtained for 20 packinghouses in Florida-2 in the Fort Myers area, 8 in Dade County and 10 in the Hastings area. An attempt was made to get additional observations in the Hastings area on the use of labor in packing 10-pound bags. The study of packing- houses was extended to Alabama and data were collected from a sample of six houses in that area. This afforded an additional opportunity to get in- formation on methods and costs of packing consumer size bags. Several of the houses studied in Alabama packed a fairly large volume in 10-pound bags. The collection of data was completed for the packinghouses studied in Florida. Analysis of the data on costs of packing and on labor requirements was carried on. Preliminary results showed that 31 percent less labor was required to fill and weigh 100-pound bags when the bags were filled on the scales rather than set off to be weighed; 28 percent less labor was required for 50-pound bags. Transporting 100-pound and 50-pound packed bags on conveyors required 46 and 55 percent less labor than by hand trucks. Analysis of the data for houses in both Florida and Alabama will be continued. Calculations will be made to show the cost of operating pack- inghouses of various sizes and a comparison of cost for different methods. The data will be used as a basis for suggesting ways and means of increas- ing the efficiency of operations. Market Organization and Costs Branch, Market Research Division, Agricultural Market- ing Service, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 EFFECTS OF ENTERPRISE ADJUSTMENTS AND IMPROVED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON FARM INCOMES IN NORTH FLORIDA Hatch Project 647 R. E. L. Greene Analysis of the data collected in the study was continued. In 1952, there were 101 tractors on the 132 farms from which records were obtained. The tractors were classified according to size-small, intermediate and medium-based on the Nebraska Tractor Tests. Average hours operated were 656 for small tractors, 773 for intermediate tractors and 876 for medium size tractors; the average cost per hour was 59, 68 and 73 cents for the three groups, respectively. A manuscript entitled "Optimum Farm Programs in Columbia and Suwannee Counties, Florida," was prepared. Results of this study show that farmers in this area can increase their production from crops and live- stock by adopting more approved practices and also raising the level of practices. On many farms incomes could be increased 50 to 100 percent or more if the operators had adequate capital and adopted an optimum com- bination of enterprises. EFFECTS OF INTER- AND INTRA-MARKET COMPETITION ON MILK PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA Hatch Project 651 W. K. McPherson This year's activities consisted of work on a manuscript dealing with competitive conditions in the whole milk industry of Central and South Florida in 1952. The important results of the research have been given in previous reports. THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF FARM TENANCY IN FLORIDA Hatch Project 656 J. R. Greenman (Regional S-11) and H. G. Hamilton A manuscript entitled "The Laws of Farm Tenancy and Sharecropping in Florida" was revised and published during the year. This publication sets forth the laws of farm tenancy and sharecropping in Florida as found in the Florida Statutes, the Florida Constitution and in the reported cases of the Supreme Court of Florida and other states. It is written with a view toward giving farmers and those who serve farmers a better understanding of the nature of the farmers' rights, obligations and legal problems in en- tering into and participating in a tenancy or sharecropping arrangement. A manscript entitled "Inheritance Laws Affecting Florida Farms and Farm Families" that was prepared in cooperation with Professor Kenneth Black of the Law College has been in the process of revision for publication. This bulletin sets forth the Florida laws of inheritance with special refer- ence to farm property and farmers. It should be useful to farmers and those who serve farmers in giving them a better understanding of how property is distributed in the absence of a will, and how a will may be used to accomplish the desires of the deceased. Preliminary work was done for a manuscript to be entitled "Water Laws Affecting Florida Farmers." This publication should enable farmers to have a better understanding of their rights and obligations in connection with the use of water. 24 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMAND FOR FROZEN ORANGE CONCENTRATE PRODUCED IN FLORIDA Hatch Project 664 M. R. Godwin, L. A. Powell, Sr., (Regional SM-4) and H. G. Hamilton This study is based on data obtained in 10 retail food stores in the Lower Delaware Valley area of Pennsylvania and New Jersey during a nine-week period terminating on August 7, 1954. A manuscript entitled "Consumer Reaction to Varying Prices for Frozen Orange Concentrate" has been prepared and forwarded to the printer. In addition to setting forth the results of a series of pricing tests for orange concentrate, the manuscript interprets the implications of the findings with respect to pricing and merchandising policies for the industry. Another manuscript entitled "Experimental Pricing as an Approach to Demand Analysis (A Study of the Retail Demand for Frozen Orange Con- centrate)" has been prepared and is now in the hands of the Publications Committee. This manuscript consists of a technical treatment of the data- generating method and the analytical procedure utilized in the study. AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ELEMENTAL FUNCTIONS OF PACKING, SHIPPING AND HANDLING FLORIDA CITRUS FROM THE PACKING LINE TO THE RETAIL STORE Hatch Project 665 Eric Thor and (Regional SM-4) G. L. Capel * A limited amount of work was done on this project during 1956-57 in preparing a manuscript on the cost of moving oranges in bulk from Florida to distant markets. MARKETING CHARGES AND RETURNS FROM FLORIDA VEGETABLES BY TYPES OF FIRMS AND METHODS OF SALE (Classification I. Marketing Costs, Margins' and Efficiency) AMA Project 666 D. L. Brooke, C. N. Smith (ES-235) and H. G. Hamilton Data from 22 organizations on sales of tomatoes by grade and size for the three seasons 1951-52, 1952-53 and 1953-54 are being analyzed. An analysis of f.o.b. prices paid for tomatoes by grade for all types of sales in- dicates that prices paid for tomatoes of the combination grade averaged from 3 to 9 percent lower than prices paid for U. S. No. l's in the three sea- sons studied. Prices paid for U. S. No. 2's averaged 39 to 43 percent lower than those paid for U. S. No. l's. Prices paid for the different grades of the same size tomatoes and for different sizes of the same grade were not consistent between seasons. Geographic preferences, seasonality of prices and type of sale by grade and size are factors which may affect the noted differences. An analysis of volume of sales by grade and size indicated considerable uniformity in shipments of sizes within grade and grades within sizes for the three seasons. Shipments of combination grade averaged three-fifths of the total volume in the seasons studied. Shipments of U. S. No. l's were about 8 percent and of U. S. No. 2's, 25 percent of the total volume. From 36 to 39 percent of the volume by grade were size 6 x 7. Size 6 x 6 was second in importance with 25 percent U. S. No. l's, 31 percent combinations and 36 percent U. S. No. 2's by volume. Cooperative with Market Organization and Costs Branch, AMS, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 Data on the volume of sales in different type containers indicated a definite trend away from the use of the 60-pound nailed crate and 30-pound lug for tomatoes. The 60-pound wirebound and the 40-pound cardboard container are gaining in general usage. More than half of the shipments in the 1953-54 sample were in wirebounds as compared to less than 45 per- cent in 1952-53. The proportion of the samples volume shipped in lugs decreased by more than 50 percent in the seasons studied. The data in this study indicated that for sales in all types of containers and of all grades with the possible exception of lugs in 1952-53, tomatoes sold on an f.o.b. basis returned a higher price to growers than consigment sales. For lugs in the first three grades in 1952-53 consignment sales averaged a higher price per bushel of tomatoes than f.o.b. sales. Further analysis of daily prices indicated that there are times during the season when consign- ment sales return prices equal to and above f.o.b. sales of comparable grades and sizes. Consignment sales appear to be used most frequently when supplies are heavy and prices are naturally depressed. They are also used as a market clearing mechanism and when successful are of benefit to growers in that the industry realizes a larger total return. Consigned sales represented only about 16 percent of the total volume in 1952-53 and 25 percent in 1953-54. Consigned sales volume of U. S. No. l's is less than for combinations of U. S. No. 2's. MARKETING PRACTICES OF FLORIDA FLOWER AND ORNAMENTAL PLANT GROWERS (Classification I. Marketing Costs, Margins and Efficiency) AMA Project 679 C. N. Smith, D. L. Brooke, H. G. Hamilton, (ES-236) Tze-I. Chiang, C. A. Nicholls and R. H. Brewster Research has been concerned with the market organization and selling practices of the fern, foliage plant and gladiolus industries. Field studies have been conducted to obtain data on the marketing practices of growers of these commodities. A preliminary analysis of data on the fern industry indicated that some 400 Asparagus plumosus fern growers now sell about $3,500,000 worth of fern sprays per year. These ferns are produced in slat houses and ham- mocks on more than 2,000 acres of land. Leading producing areas are in Volusia, Lake, Seminole and Putnam counties. Nearly half of the more than 400,000,000 fern sprays marketed in the 1955-56 season were reported sold on an f.o.b. basis to wholesale florists. One-fourth of the total quantity was sold by consignment to wholesale commission florists; the remaining fourth was sold directly to retail florists. Railway express was the major shipping method used. Distribution was made to receivers over most of the nation throughout the course of the year. In addition to Asparagus plumosus ferns, growers reported the sale of more than $100,000 worth of leatherleaf ferns. Analysis of data on marketing foliage plants and gladiolus will be con- tinued during the next fiscal year. METHODS OF ESTIMATING FLORIDA CITRUS PRODUCTION State Project 685 B. W. Kelly and C. L. Crenshaw The revised frame count, the expanded limb count and fruit size surveys were again carried out during the 1956-57 season. Field work on the initial surveys was started August 1 and completed in time for the October 1 fore- cast of production. These estimates of production were made, using ratio method of relating current data to historic. As near as can be determined 26 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations at this time (harvest not completed), the initial forecast of oranges will be within 2 percent of actual production, and grapefruit 7 percent. The in- crease in size of sample of the limb count has further reduced the sampling errors. A fruit droppage count was conducted monthly on an operational basis and results will be analyzed. The expansion of this work is made possible by funds provided on a matching basis by the Growers' Administrative Committee and the Agri- cultural Marketing Service, USDA. This project is in cooperation with Agricultural Estimates Division, AMS, USDA. EXPANDING THE MARKET FOR FLORIDA FLORICULTURAL AND ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURAL CROPS Region Research Project 700 C. N. Smith and D. L. Brooke (Regional SM-12) Experiments were conducted in two cooperating retail grocery stores to test the effect of various display and selling practices on the rate of sale of cut flowers. Pompon chrysanthemums packaged in transparent wrap- pers, with blooms covered, kept in better condition and outsold those pack- aged in parchment paper with blooms open. Efforts to develop an improved method of displaying cut flowers resulted in the design of a pan-insert and a wire mesh cover for use with store gro- cery carts. Flower stems are inserted in the pan containing water or water- soaked oasis; the mesh cover keeps the flowers standing in an orderly man- ner. Utilizing the cart to display flowers makes it easy for produce per- sonnel to push the vehicle into the cooler at night, thereby lengthening the marketable life of the flowers. It also permits store personnel to shift the display easily to advantageous locations. In addition, it presents an attractive appearance to consumers. Although the cart shows much promise as a display device for cut flowers, further research efforts are required to adapt it for commercial use. (See also Project 700, Ornamental Horticul- ture.) ECONOMICS OF FLORIDA DAIRY FARMING State Project 701 N. K. Roberts and H. G. Hamilton Data obtained from 105 dairy farms reveal the following practices with respect to pasture: (1) Dairymen had, on the average, 1.6 acres of pasture per cow and only one-half of this was improved pastures. (2) Many dairy- men did not adjust their barn feeding as pasture growth changed. (3) Only one half of the dairymen followed rotational grazing programs. (4) Improved pastures were clipped on the average of twice a year, but only a small number made any effort to store excess grass as hay or silage. (5) Only one third of the pasture area received fertilization. The rate of ferti- lization averaged 600 pounds of 6-6-6 fertilizer per acre for the acreage receiving fertilizer. On the basis of estimates, it is believed that pastures contributed about 13 percent of the total feed requirements. Further study is being made by an application of marginal analysis to determine specifically the desired stocking rate for pastures and profits from pastures as feed and milk prices change. CENSUS OF CITRUS GROVES IN FLORIDA State Project 720 B. W. Kelly Field enumeration of citrus trees was resumed in September 1956 and continued through June 1957. The work was practically completed in all Annual Report, 1957 the major citrus counties. Preliminary reports were published for 17 counties early in June, with others nearly completed. It is expected that better than 40 million trees will be counted. Data will be summarized and published in the fall of 1957. Cooperating agencies: Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Citrus Commission, State Plant Board, State Department of Agriculture and Crop Estimates Division, AMS, USDA. POTATO HANDLING MACHINERY State Project 730 R. E. L. Greene This study is designed to develop and test mechanical equipment to be used at packinghouses packing potatoes hauled in bulk. The advent of mechanical harvesting equipment has created a number of problems for both farmers using harvesters and operators of packinghouses receiving potatoes in bulk. In houses where potatoes are placed in temporary storage before they are packed, one distinct problem is the transferring of the potatoes hauled in bulk from the bulk bodies to temporary storage bins. This problem is especially difficult with bins in use at present because of the distances that the potatoes have to be raised and lowered in getting them into the bin. During the year, a special flat-bottom temporary storage bin was de- signed and tested. The experimental bin required less elevation to get the potatoes in it, thereby requiring less expensive equipment for filling. This project is closed with this report. (See also Project 730, Agricultural Engineering.) A STUDY IN THE USE OF RESOURCES IN AREAS OF RURAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT AND LOW FARM PRODUCTIVITY Hatch Project 744 D. E. Alleger No work was done on this project during this fiscal period. The leader of the project was on leave and it was not possible to obtain a replacement for him. AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF THE CAGED-LAYER ENTERPRISE State Project 745 R. E. L. Greene and D. L. Brooke During the 1955-56 fiscal period 53 farmers with caged-layer enterprises in nine West Florida counties were surveyed and data obtained on size of cage enterprise, number and size of buildings and equipment and investment in them, management practices, marketing practices and other information. Records were obtained for 33 of these farms showing egg production, re- ceipts and expenses for the poultry year September 1, 1954, to August 31, 1955. Analysis of these records was completed during the year and a report prepared entitled, "A Study of the Caged-Layer Enterprise in West Florida," was mimeographed. The economic situation during the period studied was an adverse one for the poultryman producing eggs. Prices received for both poultry and eggs were low in relation to prices paid for feed and other items. On the farms where records of costs and returns were obtained, consumption of mash and grain averaged 83.5 pounds per layer per year and labor 1.39 hours per bird. The total costs per year of keeping 100 birds were $706 and returns $672. During the year total returns per 100 birds failed by $33 to cover all costs but returns to labor were $62 per 100 birds. Of the total costs of keeping 100 birds, feed accounted for 59.5 percent, flock depreciation 13.9 percent 28 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations and labor 13.5. Eggs sold per hen averaged 191 for the year. The net cost per dozen eggs sold averaged 43.04 cents. The most important factors affecting returns on these farms were size of the layer enterprise, price received per dozen for eggs sold and pounds of mash and grain consumed per dozen of eggs sold. There was an intercorrelation between size of farm, cost of feed and price received per dozen of eggs sold that affected many of the relationships in this study. ESTIMATING VEGETABLE ACREAGE AND SNAP BEAN PRODUCTION IN THE POMPANO AREA OF FLORIDA BY OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENTS ON A PROBABILITY SAMPLE State Project 748 G. N. Rose, C. L. Crenshaw, B. W. Kelly and J. B. Owens This project was inactive during the year. DISTRIBUTION OF CITRUS PACKINGHOUSE COSTS Hatch Project 782 Eric Thor and (Regional SM-4) G. L. Capel A detailed system was developed for allocating costs in Florida citrus packinghouses by factor-ratios. A manuscript was prepared which illus- trates the system with examples. In addition to the detailed system, a simplified outline was developed for use by packinghouse firms which do not have detailed cost records. AN ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF GRADE AND SIZE STANDARDS FOR FLORIDA TOMATOES State Project.787 M. R. Godwin and W. T. Manley A study to determine the consumer preferences for different sizes of Florida tomatoes was conducted in the New York City metropolitan area during a two-week period beginning May 13 and ending May 25, 1957. Ten retail food stores were employed to conduct tests involving five size compari- sons of both U. S. No. 1 and U. S. No. 2 Grade Florida tomatoes. The size comparisons tested were: 5x6:6x6 5x6:7x8 5x6:6x7 7x8:6x7 7x8 : 7x7 In all cases the competitive displays of tomatoes were kept comparable with regard to volume displayed and quality of the product. Detailed daily sales and loss records were kept in each store, along with supplementary infor- mation regarding store sales by departments and store customer counts. Observations were taken also of the behavior of customers while buying from the competitive displays of tomatoes. These observations provide data on the extent to which customers made comparisons when selecting tomatoes from one or both of the displays, the quantity of tomatoes purchased per customer, the number of tomatoes handled or inspected in the course of mak- ing a purchase and other relevant factors. An analysis of the data generated by the matched-lot store tests and obtained through the use of observation techniques is currently under way. 6 Cooperative with Agricultural Estimates Division, AMS, USDA. 7 Cooperative with Market Organization and Costs Branch, AMS, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 THE ECONOMIC EFFECT OF PINK TOMATO SHIPMENTS UPON THE FLORIDA TOMATO INDUSTRY State Project 788 M. R. Godwin Preliminary examinations of the various ramifications of the problem at which this project is directed were initiated during the year. These con- sisted of visitations to growers, shippers, buyers and repackers of Florida tomatoes. Three field trips into the tomato producing areas of Florida and two trips to major terminal markets were made for this purpose. The infor- mation obtained by informal investigation procedures on these and future trips will serve as a basis for an evaluation of the problem and the develop- ment of refined study procedures. AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE FLORIDA HONEY INDUSTRY Hatch Project 791 H. G. Hamilton and Eric Thor Data for computing the cost of packing honey by kind of container was obtained for 10 firms packing and selling Florida honey. Data from approximately 7,500 sale invoices were obtained which show prices received for honey by kind of container, kind and grade of honey, transportation cost and destination of honey. These data are being pre- pared for IBM analysis. RESPONSE OF FARM INCOME TO CHANGES IN RESOURCE USE ENGENDERED BY ACREAGE CONTROL AND PRICE SUPPORT PROGRAMS Regional Research Project 796 L. A. Powell, Sr., and (IRM-1) H. G. Hamilton This study is concerned with appraising the effect of changes in farming operations induced by acreage control and price support programs on the net income of tobacco, cotton and peanut producers. Work on this project, thus far, has been largely of a preliminary nature. Attention has been directed primarily toward the development of analytical procedures. A model has been devised for analyzing experimental produc- tion data for tobacco. Another model to deal with income and production data from farm records is under construction. CONSUMERS' USES AND OPINIONS OF FLORIDA AVOCADOS State Project 801 M. R. Godwin and W. T. Manley A total of 1,745 household interviews was obtained in Dayton, Ohio, during the period November 23, 1956, to January 12, 1957. The question- naire employed in these interviews was designed to provide the following information regarding Florida avocados: (1) familiarity of consumers with avocados; (2) frequency and method of use; (3) recent use experiences; (4) preferences with regard to shape and degree of firmness; (5) opinions regarding food value and price. The sample was so designed that an approximately equal distribution of interviews was obtained from low, medium, and high income households. Individual households, within the three income groups, were selected in a qualified random manner, inasmuch as complete city blocks were selected randomly in the sampling procedure. The sample was designed to facilitate an analysis of avocado consumption among segments of the population rather than as a basis for generalization about the population as a whole. An analysis of the data is currently under way. 30 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations CONSUMERS' USE OF AND OPINIONS ABOUT FLORIDA LIMES State Project 814 M. R. Godwin To obtain background information regarding marketing practices, extent of distribution, and wholesaling and retailing problems, field trips were made to the metropolitan markets of New York, Chicago and St. Louis during May and June, 1957. Information obtained through visitation to the markets will be employed to develop a research approach during the coming year. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING THE SHORT-RUN PRODUCTION OUTLOOK FOR FLORIDA TOMATOES State Project 822 G. N. Rose, C. L. Crenshaw, J. B. Owens ' A running inventory of acreages of tomatoes planted in Florida was ascertained on a weekly basis during the 1956-57 crop year. These data were collected on an area basis and weekly reports, consisting of data on plantings designated as seeded or set, pertinent concurrent comments on growing conditions, crop progress and historical and current shipment data for comparisons, were issued beginning August 28, 1956, and terminating May 21, 1957. These reports were made to 840 tomato growers and per- sonnel of allied industries. AN APPRAISAL OF THE ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND PROBLEMS OF LOW INCOME RURAL AREAS IN NORTH AND WEST FLORIDA Hatch Project 826 L. A. Reuss and R. E. L. Greene Objectives of this study are (1) to determine and analyze forces and conditions that operate to depress the economic welfare of residents of low income rural areas in North and West Florida, and (2) to formulate and evaluate alternative measures for promoting economic development in these areas. The project was initiated on December 31, 1956. It represents a research undertaking indirectly related to the Rural Development Program and to the various economic development and resource use adjustment pro- grams sponsored by Florida agricultural workers and civic leaders. In the first phase of this study there is a need to describe and classify the conditions and resources of the area, including trends indicating prog- ress or retrogradation in the solution of problems. At present a survey is about half completed of households located in a random selection of 138 block segments located in 20 counties in the open agricultural areas of North and West Florida. In the survey, information is being obtained concerning items such as the following: (1) characteristics of the popula- tion such as sex, age, and health; (2) land resources, including acres, use, ownership and related factors; (3) other capital resources such as build- ings, machinery and livestock; (4) selected items of farm income and ex- pense; (5) financial position and credit situation; (6) information concern- ing off-farm employment and opportunities; and (7) attitudes of the people concerning their problems, solutions and outlook. The analysis of these data will be used in developing studies to help in evaluating alternative measures for promoting the economic development of the areas. s Cooperative with Agricultural Estimates, AMS, USDA. SCooperative with Farm Economics Research D'ivision, ARS, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 31 A STUDY OF THE COMPETITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA CELERY AMA Project 856 M. R. Godwin and (ES-504) A. H. Spurlock Since this project was not approved until June 18, 1957, no work was done on it during this fiscal period. MISCELLANEOUS Florida Agricultural Production Index.-Index numbers of the volume of agricultural production in Florida were revised for recent years and brought up to date. The original indexes appear in circular S-88. (A. H. Spurlock.) Movement of Citrus Trees from Nurseries.-The movement of citrus trees from Florida nurseries to Florida destinations at 1,932,637 trees reached a new high during the period July 1, 1955, to June 30, 1956. This movement was 3/10 of 1 percent higher than the previous season. Orange trees made up 85.3 percent of the total movement; grapefruit, 3.1; tan- gerines, 1.5; other mandarines, 4.1; limes, 1.4; lemons, 1.5; tangelos, 2.1; and other citrus, 1.0 percent. Late varieties constituted 59 percent of the movement of orange trees. Grapefruit tree movement at 59,101 was the lowest of the 28 seasons of record, 1928-56. Fifty-five precent of the grape- fruit trees moved in 1955-56 were red and pink varieties. "Movement of Citrus Trees from Florida Nurseries, July 1, 1928, to June 30, 1955" was released as Agricultural Economics Mimeo Report 57-5. (Zach Savage.) Watermelon Production in Florida.-A compilation and analysis of the available statistics on watermelon production in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina was prepared and released for the use of growers and industry representatives. It was presented by them as supporting data at the Inter- state Commerce Commission hearing on crosswise loading of watermelons and the USDA hearing on a proposed watermelon marketing agreement. "Statistics on Production, Shipments, and Prices of Florida Watermelons" was released as Agricultural Economics Mimeo Report 57-1. (D. L. Brooke.) Competition for Florida Fruit and Vegetable Crops.-The tabulation of weekly carlot shipments of specified fruits and vegetables from Florida, other states, and foreign countries during the Florida shipping season gives some indication of the degree of competition which Florida faces from these other sources. Such data are particularly valuable to industry groups in the preparation of statistics for hearings on freight rates and marketing agreements and in establishing annual movement patterns of Florida crops. They also furnish growers a means of determining the more desirable pro- duction periods of the Florida season. "Florida Truck Crop Competition" was published as Agricultural Economics Mimeo Report 57-2 (D. L. Brooke.) Florida Celery Situation.-A review of the past 10 years of celery pro- duction and prices in Florida was prepared for a meeting concerned with the needs for further research in the industry. Increasing mechanization and higher yields per acre have, to some extent, offset a downward trend in Florida celery prices in recent years. Variations in production costs be- tween areas have resulted in some shifts in acreage to the areas of lowest relative cost. Florida production increased 57 percent in seven seasons. California's production, our principal competition in the market, has in- creased 70 percent since the 1947 season. (D. L. Brooke.) Land Prices in Palm Beach County.-The changes that have been taking place in the prices of Palm Beach County land since 1940 are generally at- tributed to changes in the supply of and demand for land of the kind found in that county. More particularly, these changes are associated with 32 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations changes in the demand for the products of the land, the risk and uncer- tainty facing producers, availability of credit and drastic changes in tech- nology. Publications that have been released are: (1) "An Analysis of the Trends in Land Prices and Values in Palm Beach County," Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, West Palm Beach, Florida. (2) "Land's All Sold," The Florida Cattleman, May 1957. (W. K. McPherson and R. L. Lassiter, Jr.) Water Conservation.-Florida's major water problems are essentially the problems associated with building and operating the facilities that will make an ample supply of water resources available at the time, the place and in the degree of purity needed to make water most useful. Publications that have been released are: (1) "Can Water Be Allocated by Competitive Prices?", Journal of Farm Economics, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 5, December 1956, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series, No. 514. (2) "Some Aspects of Formulating Water Policy," Soil and Plant Science Society of Florida Proceedings, 1956. (W. K. McPherson.) Annual Report, 1957 AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING The scope of the agricultural engineering research program was broad- ened during the year. New engineering research is being developed in the general fields of ornamental horticulture, vegetable crops and animal industry. Under new projects, information has been gathered on precooling and transit refrigeration of gladioli; effect of artificial air movement on cattle fattening in dry lot; procedures and machinery for filling and un- loading horizontal silos; and mechanical equipment for harvesting and handling vegetables. Research was continued on projects dealing with potato harvesting and handling machinery, irrigation of pastures, curing bright-leaf tobacco, and development of fertilizer sampling tools. Several significant findings have been made under these projects and are reported herein. USDA personnel has been added to the department for the first time. They are making progress in the development of improved procedures for processing and packing citrus fruits. The findings from this research may have practical application in the vegetable industry also. FERTILIZATION AND CULTURE OF FLUE-CURED TOBACCO Hatch Project 555 J. M. Myers The agricultural engineering phases of this project were sharply cur- tailed during the year. The tobacco irrigation guide for estimating the amount and frequency of irrigation, developed by research under this proj- ect, has been observed in practical use with apparent success. Further investigations of tobacco irrigation are planned to determine the optimum irrigation equipment requirements for this relatively high value crop. (See also Project 555, Agronomy and Suwannee Valley Station.) PASTURE PROGRAMS AND BREEDING SYSTEMS FOR BEEF PRODUCTION ON FLATWOODS SOILS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA State Project 627 J. S. Norton This project is in cooperation with the departments of Agricultural Eco- nomics, Agronomy, Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, and Soils. The irri- gated program in this experiment is a clover-grass mixture receiving a high level of fertilization. The program received adequate irrigation during 1956. However, it ranked fourth in forage production per acre, second in pounds of beef produced per acre and seventh in average weaning weight of calves. From this it would seem that irrigation was not beneficial during 1956. (See also Project 627, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, and Soils.) PASTURE IRRIGATION ON FLATWOODS SOILS State Project 684 J. S. Norton and J. M. Myers Field work was discontinued on this project at the end of the 1955-56 season. A manuscript giving results of the project from January 1, 1953, to July 1, 1956, is being prepared. The project is closed with this report. (See also Project 684, Soils.) 34 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations POTATO HANDLING MACHINERY State Project 730 J. S. Norton and J. M. Myers Two phases of potato handling were dealt with during the 1957 harvest- ing season. The first was a study of the use of flumes for conveying pota- toes from temporary storage bins to the grading machinery in the packing- house. There has been widespread interest in flumes, as emphasized by the increase from one flume in the Hastings area in 1955 to more than 20 in 1957. In view of this interest, it was decided that it would be well to pre- pare some information on flumes to be made available to people in other areas of the state. Therefore, the manuscript of a circular on design of flumes has been prepared and submitted for publication. The second phase of potato handling was the development of a tem- porary storage system that would lend itself more readily to storage of mechanically harvested potatoes than the systems now in use. Bins appear to be the only practical temporary storage facility for mechanically har- vested potatoes. Use of bulk trucks for storage is not practical because of the relatively large number that would be required by each farmer when a packinghouse is handling more than one farmer's potatoes. The bins now in use for potato storage have hopper bottoms and are about 15 feet high at the outside. This height makes it extremely difficult to get the potatoes from the bulk trucks into the bins without causing excessive bruis- ing. The height of the bins also makes it necessary to use expensive ele- vators to fill the bins. It was apparent that if the side of the bin was not so high, it would be less difficult to fill and less expensive machinery would be required. The obvious way to build a lower bin was to put a flat bottom in it. However, this created a problem of how to get the potatoes out of it. One solution was to flush them out with water. It was felt that this system would work effectively in conjunction with a flume where the water could also be used to deliver the potatoes to the grading machinery. A flat bottom bin with a capacity of 400 bushels was constructed and a ramp was built up to the end of it so that when a bulk truck was backed up to it the unloading conveyor extended over the side of the bin. A con- veyor seven feet long was installed in the bin. The potatoes were dis- charged from the truck onto this conveyor which, in turn, was used to pile them in the bin. The end of the bin toward the flume had gates which, when open, allowed the potatoes to flow into the flume. When the gates were first opened on a full bin the potatoes flowed out by gravity. After they stopped flowing, a stream of 200 gallons of water per minute was directed on the remaining potatoes until all had been flushed out of the bin. With this system it was possible to empty the bin at a rate of 575 100-pound bags per hour. The manuscript for a circular giving design details for the flat-bottom bin storage system has been prepared and submitted for publication. This project is closed with this report. (See also Project 730, Agricul- tural Economics.) DEVELOPMENT OF ADEQUATE SAMPLING PROCEDURES FOR MIXED FERTILIZERS Hatch Project 753 J. M. Myers Additional improvements were made during the year in the design and operation of the open-end tapered fertilizer sampling tool. The two major changes in the tool that appeared to have most merit were enlarging the diameter of the tube and adapting it for use with a reciprocating electric hammer. It was observed during early experiments that an unusually small sample Annual Report, 1957 was obtained from a small bore tool that was pushed by a steady uniform force into a batch of mixed fertilizer. This was an indication that the fric- tion at the end of the tool, along with the fertilizer inside the tube and that outside the tool, was too much to allow the free entry of the sample. It was also observed that this difficulty could be reduced by increasing the diameter of the tapered tube and forcing the tool into the fertilizer mixture with sharp taps from a hammer instead of a steady force. Three new tools were built with advantage taken of these improvements. The new tools were equipped with hammer attachments in order that an electric hammer could be used to furnish the driving force, thereby causing a full size sample to enter the tube. These sampling tools, along with several other types, were tested on lots of mixed fertilizer in both bulk and bagged form. It was noted that the hammering action caused the fertilizer sample to enter the tube freely. In most cases, the tube was filled to the depth of penetration. The hammering action also aided tool penetration into bags where damp- ness had caused the fertilizer to "set" and into bags that were tightly com- pressed by the weight of other bags stacked on top. (See also Project 753, Soils.) CURING BRIGHT-LEAF TOBACCO GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN Hatch Project 758 J. M. Myers Results of one year's study to determine the best procedure for yellowing tobacco grown with different amounts of nitrogen indicate that both tem- perature and relative humidity within the curing barn are important factors influencing quality of the cured leaf. There are indications that the temper- ature used for yellowing is more critical for tobacco grown with high nitro- gen fertilization than for tobacco grown with low nitrogen fertilization. Tobacco produced on plots with 96 pounds of nitrogen applied per acre (high rate) had a value of 46.15 cents per pound when cured with a yel- lowing temperature of 900 F. and 49.50 cents per pound when yellowed at 1000 F. Plots with 24 pounds of nitrogen (low rate) had practically the same value, 51.45 and 51.90 cents per pound when cured with these same yellowing temperatures. Effects of humidity variations on quality were not as pronounced as were those of temperature variations, although certain trends were ob. served. Tobacco grown on plots given medium nitrogen fertilization (48 pounds N per acre) and cured with a yellowing temperature of 95 F. had Fig. 1.-General view of the 30 laboratory units used for tobacco curing research. 36 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations a value of 52.90, 50.00 and 47.90 cents per pound when treated with relative humidity variables of 80, 90 and 99 percent. The lowest quality being as- sociated with the highest relative humidity in this test indicates the reason for poor quality when tobacco is overcrowded in curing barns. Overcrowd- ing reduces effective ventilation which, in turn, permits the accumulation of high humidity air within the barn. There were also results indicating the desirability of maintaining a lower relative humidity during yellowing for tobacco grown with high nitrogen fertilization than for tobacco grown with low nitrogen fertilization. For the 1957 season, modifications were made in the curing barns (see Fig. 1) to improve control and regulation of humidities and temperatures. The scope of the project was enlarged to obtain more information on yellow- ing at the higher temperatures and at lower relative humidities, and to study the relationship of maturity at time of harvest to curing practices. (See also Agronomy Project 758.) IRRIGATION OF TEMPORARY PASTURES FOR DAIRY CATTLE State Project 772 J. M. Myers This study of irrigated and non-irrigated alfalfa-clover-oat pastures be- gun in September 1955 was continued. The same general procedure of irrigation management was used. Grazing from the 1955 planting was terminated in September 1956 and a new planting was made the same month. Rainfall for the fiscal year totaled approximately 40 inches, about 20% below normal. Distribution was good except for the late fall and early winter months. Rainfall totaled .29 inch between October 23 and February 18. This 118-day period of below normal rainfall made necessary the ap- application of 10.26 inches of irrigation water in eight applications, to main- tain the desired soil moisture level in the irrigated pasture. Total irriga- tion for the year was approximately 21 inches in 15 applications. Growth response from irrigation was excellent. On several occasions during the long dry period, however, before sufficient forage could be accumulated for grazing to begin, either cold weather or disease or both would interrupt or kill growth, so that the start of grazing had to be delayed until February 20. Nevertheless, the irrigated pasture produced sufficient forage for graz- ing 51 days earlier than the non-irrigated. An analysis of soil moisture determinations revealed that this type of pasture used water from the 1-6", 6-12", 12-18" and 18-24" strata of soil at approximately the same rate when moisture was readily available. Also, this same analysis failed to reveal any indication that irrigation, as man- aged in this experiment, tended to retard root activity or reduce the depth of root penetration. (See also Project 772, Dairy Science and Agronomy.) HORIZONTAL SILOS IN FLORIDA: TYPES FOR EACH AREA AND MACHINERY FOR HANDLING AND FEEDING OUT State Project 799 E. S. Holmes and J. M. Myers Information was gathered on the filling and "feeding-out" operations of 12 horizontal silos during 1956. The silos studied consisted of five earth bank bunkers, two concrete block bunkers, three timber bunkers, two con- crete lined trenches and one earth trench. The equipment used by the least expensive filling operation studied consisted of: three wheel-type tractors, one pulling the forage harvester and the other two pulling wagons; one power take-off forage harvester, and two home built self-unloading wagons. The average cost of filling this silo was $1.66 per ton of silage. The cost of silage making was affected most by the amount and cost of equipment used, efficiency in its use and the material being harvested. With equipment of Annual Report, 1957 a similar nature, grasses were approximately twice as expensive to make into silage as grains. The most expensive "feeding-out" operation cost $3.83 per ton for labor and machinery. The silage was millet and bahiagrass and was "fed-out" by two men with pitchforks and a dump truck. The least expensive feed- out operation, based on comparable tonnage, was $0.65 per ton for labor and machinery. The silage was corn and was "fed-out" by one man, one wheel- type tractor, one tractor lift fork and one self-unloading wagon. Commercial silo unloaders were found to be economical in horizontal silos of 400 tons or more capacity. One type of unloader proved to be su- perior in leaving a smooth surface, which, in turn, minimized spoilage while "feeding-out". STACK CONCRETE LINE EARTH WOVEN FENCE SAND BANK BUNKERS WOODEN BUNKER SIO BUNKER OR TRENCH TREND BUNKER Fig. 2.-Concrete lined bunkers, sand bank bunkers and wooden bunkers had least spoilage among horizontal silos tried. Figure 2 shows the percent of spoilage for 23 silos as measured during the "feed-out" period. In all cases, the amount of spoilage increased with an increase in the air exposed surface. Exposure to air was the main reason for the wide variation in spoilage in similar type silos. Other observed causes for spoilage were: (1) inadequate packing, (2) length of cut too great, (3) rainfall inadequately drained off surface during storage, (4) improper moisture content of ensilage material and (5) slow filling rate. MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AS AN AID TO THE HARVESTING AND HANDLING OF CABBAGE, CUCUMBERS, TOMATOES AND OTHER VEGETABLES HANDELD IN A SIMILAR MANNER State Project 811 E. S. Holmes During 1956, the Agricultural Engineering Department built a harvest- ing-aid machine to be used in harvesting cabbage, cucumbers and other 38 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations vegetables harvested in a similar manner. The machine was built on a channel iron frame base and consisted of two 12" horizontal conveyor belts -covering a total row width of 17 feet; a short horizontal forward moving transfer belt; and an 8' inclined lift cleated belt. The machine had two wheels mounted to allow a horizontal width adjustment of from 36 to 84 inches. The machine's vertical clearance varied from 28 to 40 inches. The conveyors are powered by a 21 horsepower gasoline engine. The machine performed satisfactorily in harvesting cabbage, cauliflower and cucumbers, but was unsatisfactory in harvesting savoy. The heads of savoy were too large for the 12" transfer conveyor and tended to lodge on turns. The workers were able to harvest cabbage at only a slightly faster rate when using the machine than by hand harvesting. The significant difference was in the damage. In harvesting cauliflower, the machine performed satis- factorily, but no comparisons as to rate harvested were made with a hand operation. In harvesting cucumbers, a small sacking platform was added to the machine and a small experimental plot was partly machine harvested and partly hand harvested. The hand pickers harvested at a faster rate in four of five tests. The machine pickers were observed as doing considerably less labor and, since these were only short duration tests, no conclusions can be drawn for extended picking periods. The rate of harvest by both methods was directly related to the yield. For hand picking, the rates for three harvests were 235 It per hour (1,700 lb/acre yield), 890 lb per hour (3,420 lb/acre yield) and 530 It per hour (1,990 tb/acre yield). Consider- able knowledge was gained on harvesting these vegetables during the year. However, a number of machine revisions and more detailed tests will be necessary before it can be recommended. Three cucumber harvesting machines, built by vegetable growers and tested in commercial use, showed considerable merit in increased picking rates (compared to hand picking), but showed more damage. (See also Project 811, Vegetable Crops.) A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL AIR MOVEMENT ON CATTLE FATTENING IN DRY LOT State Project 842 E. S. Holmes On June 14, 1957, a fan for cooling dry lot feeder steers was put into operation on eight steers averaging 778.8 pounds in weight, at the North Florida Station feeder barn. An air switch was installed to operate the fan when ambient air temperatures were above 75 F. A similar installa- tion was made at the Anthony Farms of the Norris Cattle Company, using 60 steers averaging 856.2 pounds in weight. Two fans equipped with air switches were set to start the fans at 80 F. In both tests, comparable lots of cattle are being treated in the same manner except for artificial ventila- tion. At the North Florida Station, records are being kept on the tempera- tures of the air in both pens and the rate of natural air movement in the non-ventilated pen. The amount of the electricity used by the fans is measured for both tests. Spot checks are being made on the amount of water used by the two lots of animals at the North Florida Station. At the time of this report, no conclusions can be drawn on the effect of artificial air movement on feeder steer gains, eating habits, etc. MISCELLANEOUS Precooling and Transit Refrigeration of Gladioli.-Preliminary investi- gations of the effect on quality and operating cost by various methods of Annual Report, 1957 precooling and transit refrigeration of gladiolus spikes were begun during the year. Records made from a typical trailer truckload of gladioli en route to New York City revealed that ice bunker refrigeration kept the temperature of precooled flowers at approximately 500 F. during transit. Twenty-four hours, or about one-half the shipping time, were required for this type of refrigeration to reduce to 500 F. the temperature of a non-precooled hamper, placed in the center of a precooled load. Thus, if a temperature (50 F.) that is generally accepted by the industry as suitable for preserving quality is to be maintained during transit, precooling may become a necessary proc- essing practice. Temperature variations were found to be large within a standard card- board hamper of gladioli during precooling. After six hours in a cold room, at 34-37 F., with mechanical air circulation within the room, the temperature in the center of the stem, between the two lower florets, was 550 F.; midway the length of the stem it was 480 F., and near the base of the stem, it was 39 F. After 16 hours in the cold room, there was still a temperature differential of 5 F., with the base temperature 37 F. It was found that better refrigeration efficiency was obtained by pre- cooling the flowers before placing them in the shipping hampers. Also, it was found that the temperature of precooled flowers could be main- tained longer if they were packed in non-ventilated hampers. It may be economically feasible for some processing installations in Florida to put these procedures into operation. Several lots of gladioli were precooled by the vacuum process with no apparent injury to the florets. The required precooling time, by this method, was approximately 15 minutes. Precooling time in the cold room was also reduced by using a small fan to force cold air through filled ham- Fig. 3.-New self-propelled harvesting machine for low-growing crops requiring hand picking. Note six seats for workers to lie in semi-prone position. 40 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations pers. This method reduced the precooling time from approximately five hours to 20 minutes. Tests to find the resistance to crushing of various shipping cartons being used by the gladiolus industry revealed that certain wooden cartons offered approximately the same resistance to crushing as standard cardboard car- tons. The resistance of cardboard cartons to crushing was reduced approx- imately 17 percent by placing them in a wet cold storage room for 48 hours. (E. S. Holmes and J. M. Myers.) Machinery for Assisting Hand Operations in the Production of Straw- berrys and Other Low-Growing Truck Crops.-A survey of some of the prob- lems associated with the production of strawberries was made in the Plant City area in December 1956. As a result, it was determined that it might be of considerable assistance to the strawberry producers if a machine could be developed that would render the tasks of hoeing, weeding and picking the berries less arduous and back tiring. It seemed that a main problem in developing such a machine was in de- signing comfortable seats for the workers and still permit maximum output on the part of the workers. It was decided that a seat providing support for the worker to lie over to one side in a semi-prone position may meet this requirement. Such a seat was developed and a self-propelled machine equipped with six of the seats. This machine (Fig. 3) was tested for its utility in picking strawberries in the Plant City area. Basically it was satisfactory, but it was apparent that some modifications were needed in the design of both the machine and the seats. The seats were re-designed and the wheel base on the machine was shortened. It had been suggested that the machine might increase the picking rate for bell peppers, so it was tested for this purpose. The workers were en- thusiastic in their comments, but the relative rates of picking with and without it have not been determined. However, it is believed that extended testing of the machine will prove that the seats, as they are now designed, will permit considerably more output by workers during a normal working day than is now possible on jobs such as hoeing, weeding, and harvesting of low-growing truck crops while walking. (J. S. Norton.) Annual Report, 1957 AGRONOMY New projects were started on more basic principles of chemical weed control, and on irradiation of crop plants to induce valuable genetic muta- tions. Work was continued on tobacco curing methods, micro-climatic factors, along with fertilizer practice, irrigation, and rate and date of planting in relation to yield of various field crops and pastures. Breeding for improved varieties of tobacco, small grains, peanuts, soy- beans, corn and various forage legumes and grasses was continued. PEANUT BREEDING FOR SUPERIOR TYPES FOR MARKET AND FOR LIVESTOCK FEED Hatch Project 20 W. A. Carver A medium large seeded hybrid line, Florida 392, having Florispan Run- ner and jumbo runner heredity, has equaled Florispan Runner in yield per acre over a three-year period. The seed quality of 392 has not equaled that of Dixie Runner but its seed damage has been about one-third that of stand- ard Virginia type varieties grown with it in variety tests. All varieties were cured in stacks. Florida 392 is being carried under several lines which differ in seed size and other characters. All lines are of runner habit. Dixie Runner and Florispan Runner have been intercrossed and crossed to lines and varie- ties of different seed sizes. The seed quality of Dixie Runner and the high yielding ability of Florispan Runner are being sought in the resulting hybrid lines. Indications are that better progress will be made from these hybrid selections than can be made by selection within Florispan Runner. The time-of-planting test at Marianna in 1956 did not show seed quality advantages for late plantings and the late plantings produced relatively low yields. The Gainesville time-of-planting test was inconclusive because of late season dry weather. Mechanical harvesting and artificial drying of peanuts, which are growing in popularity, make time of planting less im- portant. (See also Project 596, West Florida Station.) PASTURE GRASS AND LEGUME RESPONSES TO VARIOUS FERTILIZER AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Hatch Project 295 D. E. McCloud, J. M. Creel, Jr., and G. B. Killinger Coastal bermudagrass continued to produce high yields of forage in the third year of continuous high nitrogen fertilization. Over 20,000 pounds per acre of dry forage were produced on plots receiving 60 pounds nitrogen per acre bi-weekly. For the second year pangolagrass was severely winter-killed. At nitro- gen rates above 400 pounds per acre complete winter killing occurred. In the 1956 bermudagrass variety-nitrogen fertilization test Coastal out- yielded Midland at all nitrogen levels. Coastal produced over five tons per acre of dry forage when fertilized with 400 pounds of nitrogen. Coastal and Suwannee did not differ significantly in yield. However, Coastal did become established more rapidly. In the 1956 bahiagrass variety-nitrogen fertilization test the introduc- tion P.I. 158,822 and Pensacola were highest yielding. Both of these pro- duced more than five tons per acre of dry forage with 400 pounds of nitro- gen. Argentine and P.I. 162,902 were intermediate, and common was the lowest in season yield. Common bahiagrass produced only two and one- 42 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations half tons of dry forage per acre with 400 pounds of nitrogen. Even at low levels of nitrogen fertilization common produced only about one-half as much forage as Pensacola or P.I. 158,822. FORAGE AND PASTURE GRASS IMPROVEMENT Hatch Project 298 W. A. Carver and F. H. Hull o Forage weights were taken in 1955 and 1956 on a bahiagrass yield trial which contained three broad-leaf or Argentine types and nine narrow-leaf or Pensacola types. In 1956, weights were taken separately on seedheads and leaves. The only significant difference was that between groups, broad- leaf and narrow-leaf. The narrow-leaf types produced higher forage yields in the early season clippings and also for the season's total. Commercial Pensacola bahiagrass, used as a check variety, produced 54 percent more for- age than the broad-leaf types. Lower head yields were made by the broad- leaf types. The test was planted on a sandy soil of medium fertility. A complete fertilizer was applied in June at the rate of 400 pounds per acre. A large number of millet introductions were planted in 1956 for studies on tillering habit, forage quality and seed production. Commercial cattail millet was crossed to P.I. 185,462, a good seed producer. Selection will be made in the hybrid for good tillering habit and high seed yield. This project was closed June 30 and replaced with a new project, No. 850. EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF FORAGE AND COVER CROP LEGUMES OTHER THAN CLOVERS AND LUPINES Hatch Project 301 J. R. Edwardson, E. S. Horner and F. H. Hull10 Papago winter peas and Auburn vetch were the top forage producing varieties in their respective tests. Crotalaria striata P.I. 198001 yielded significantly more green weight (0.42 tons/acre) than commercial striata at Gainesville. Yield tests includ- ing this introduction are being placed at new locations in Florida. Testing progeny of irradiated C. spectabilis for alkaloid-free mutations is continuing. The program of mass selection in alfalfa was continued with no new results. FLUE-CURED TOBACCO IMPROVEMENT Hatch Project 372 Fred Clark One hundred and nine plant selections from the 1955 nematode-resistant test material were planted in 1956. A yield and quality record was made on all plant selections. Most of them yielded above the susceptible varieties of tobacco. Yields ranged from 1,000 to 2,500 pounds per acre. Several interspecific lines were tested and some of these seem to have good nema- tode resistance. Weather conditions were very unfavorable for best growth of plants and for nematode buildup this year. A new 10-inch well will provide adequate moisture for good growth in future tests and insure better data. CORN BREEDING Hatch Project 374 E. S. Horner and F. H. Hull A new yellow corn hybrid, Florida 200, was released to seed producers for production in 1957. In most respects this hybrid is similar to Dixie 18 in appearance, but it has been higher yielding during the past three years of testing. In 1956 it produced on the average 59.6 bushels per acre, com- 1x Cooperative with Crops Research Division, ARS, USD'A. Annual Report, 1957 pared with 54.9 for Dixie 18, in replicated tests at eight locations in North and West Florida. Tests were made to measure progress in two different recurrent selection experiments. In the first, where three cycles of selection for combining ability with F44 x F6 have been completed, the crossbred population result- ing from each cycle was evaluated by crossing a large number of its plants with F44 x F6. Yields of the resulting hybrids from the first, second and third cycles were 52, 54 and 60 bushels per acre, respectively. These results indicate a gradual increase in combining ability of the crossbreds from one cycle to the next. In the second experiment, in which a specific (inbred line) and a general (composite) tester are being compared, two cycles of selection have been completed. The data to date indicate equally good progress with each type of tester. Florida 200, Dixie 18 and Coker 811 were the leaders in the commercial hybrid tests on the basis of yield, standability and weevil resistance. The other phases of this project were continued with no new results. (See also Project 374, West Florida, North Florida and Suwannee Valley Stations.) EFFECT OF Cu, Mn, Zn, B, S, AND Mg ON THE GROWTH OF GRAIN CROPS, FORAGE CROPS, PASTURES, AND TOBACCO Hatch Project 440 H. C. Harris, R. L. Gilman, V. N. Schroder and Fred Clark A survey of plant nutrient deficiencies for virgin Leon fine sand from the Beef Research Unit area was continued. Floriland oats, Louisiana white dutch clover, Coastal bermudagrass and sweet yellow lupine were grown on this soil in low-boron glass containers in experiments at the greenhouse. In general the major elements, except magnesium, appreciably increased yields. Sulfur had a pronounced beneficial effect on growth of both legumes and non-legumes. Nitrogen appeared to increase only the early growth of the legumes. An application of copper to the soil markedly increased the growth of oats again this year. In the case of clover the copper treatment greatly increased vegetative and seed yields, and without it the clover appeared to be light in color, developed mild interveinal chlorosis and tended to wilt more readily on bright, hot days than other clover plants. An application of boron greatly increased seed yields of clover and without it the leaves of young plants were frequently small and irregularly developed and had a dark velvety green appearance. A deficiency of either boron or copper decreased seed yields of lupine. The vegetative growth of lupine was significantly increased by an appli- cation of molybdenum, copper or boron. PERMANENT SEEDBEDS FOR TOBACCO PLANTS State Project 444 Fred Clark Nugreen (45 percent nitrogen) and calcium cyanamid were applied to the same areas for the 13th year. Good weed control was obtained. How- ever, extra watering of the soil was required to reduce toxicity of treatment. Methyl bromide was used for the control of weeds where several organic materials were added to the soil (peat moss, sheep manure, vermiculite, chicken manure, raw peat and peanut hay). All of these proved superior to the check treatment, while vermiculite, peat moss and chicken manure were the best three. Better plant root systems were obtained in the organic 44 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations plots than in the check plot. Ferbam, zineb, maneb, and streptomycin, as both dust and wettable powder, were tested for bluemold control. All gave excellent results this year. The non-treated plots were severely damaged by bluemold. Streptomycin (15 percent) was tested at 100 and 200 ppm and as a dust at .02 percent, and this was used at the rate of 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square yards. Leaf yellowing was not as prominent this year as it was in previous tests. Crag Mylone, Vapam and UF-85 were tested at several rates for weed control. Crag Mylone and Vapam will be tested again next year. (See also Project 444, Suwannee Valley Station.) NUTRITION AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PEANUT Hatch Project 488 H. C. Harris, R. L. Gilman, V. N. Schroder and Fred Clark The effect of an application of boron to Blanton fine sand, level phase, on yield and quality of Early Runner and Dixie Runner peanuts was com- pared in greenhouse experiments. Boron markedly increased the yield of nuts of both varieties, particularly Early Runner. Without boron the nuts of both varieties had a large amount of hollow heart defect. This im- perfection was essentially eliminated by the boron treatment. FERTILIZATION AND CULTURE OF FLUE-CURED TOBACCO Hatch Project 555 Fred Clark and H. C. Harris Tobacco was grown on seven different grass sods. A fumigant vs. no- fumigant test was conducted on the sods, and the average yields were 1,143 pounds for fumigation and 1,166 for no-fumigation. Three rates of fertilizer per acre were also tested on the sods, and aver- age yields for 1,200, 1,500 and 1,800 pounds of fertilizer were 1,183, 1,138 and 1,145 pounds per acre, respectively. Dollar values per acre for the three rates of fertilizer were 597, 568 and 572. Yields from the grass sods varied from 832 pounds for the fallow check to 1,645 pounds per acre for bahiagrass sod. Two methods of tobacco culture (flat vs. bed) and three fertilizer rates of 1,200, 1,500 and 1,800 pounds per acre were tested on a Leon fine sand. Rates of fertilizer had no significant effect within cultural practice. Aver- age acre yields for fertilizer levels were 1,355 pounds for flat culture and 1,731 pounds for bed culture. Average dollar values per acre were 702 and 954, respectively, or an increase of $252.00 in favor of bed culture. Plants in the fiat culture were severely damaged from the heavy rains in early May. Four rates of plants (5,000, 7,500, 10,000 and 12,500) and four fertility levels (1,200, 1,500, 1,800 and 2,100 pounds per acre) were tested. Highest over-all yield and quality was obtained from 7,500 to 10,000 plants and from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds of fertilizer. (See also Project 555, Agricultural Engineering and Suwannee Valley Station.) BREEDING IMPROVED VARIETIES OF WHITE, RED AND SWEET CLOVER Hatch Project 600 E. S. Horner and F. H. Hull" A strain of red clover has been developed which has markedly more resistance to powdery mildew than Kenland, the most satisfactory commer- cial variety. However, in a limited yield test Kenland produced 26 percent more dry matter than the experimental strain. Testing of white clover clones was continued with no new results. 1 Cooperative with Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 IMPROVEMENT OF LUPINES BY BREEDING FOR YIELD AND INSECT AND DISEASE RESISTANCE Hatch Project 612 J. R. Edwardson and F. H. Hull" The top forage yield in lupines was again produced by imported yellow Weiko III. A selection originally made in 1954 in bitter blue has been demonstrated to be resistant to StemphyliumO solani. Resistance is being transferred to sweet blue lines. Thrips-resistance was found in a "semi-sweet" introduc- tion from Germany. Selection for virus resistance is being continued in progeny of irradiated sweet yellow seed. (See also Projects 612 and 742, Plant Pathology, and Project 612, North Florida Station.) PASTURE PROGRAMS AND BREEDING SYSTEMS FOR BEEF PRODUCTION ON FLATWOODS SOILS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA State Project 627 D. E. McCloud, C. S. Hoveland, H. C. Harris and G. B. Killinger Eight pasture programs containing pangolagrass, Pensacola bahiagrass and Coastal bermudagrass, with and without clover, and at several levels of fertility were grazed in a cow-calf operation. During 1956, the fourth year of the study, growing conditions were generally good for forage pro- duction on flatwoods soil. Winter temperatures were unusually low during the first two weeks of January-on eight nights temperatures below 280 F. were registered. Pangolagrass stands were again injured by winter freezes. Clover live-over, through the summer months, was unusually good. Total season forage yields of more than seven tons per acre, oven-dry, were obtained from the Coastal bermudagrass-clover pasture. In contrast a yield of only one-half ton per acre was produced in the low fertility Pensa- cola bahiagrass pastures. Coastal bermudagrass, established last year, was the highest yielding grass in every program. Mineral and feed analyses of the forage in 1956 from the different pas- tures have been completed. In general fertilization increased the protein and mineral contents of the forage. Usually analyses of clover for these constituents give high values. Liberal fertilization made the composition of the all-grass pastures approach that of the grass-clover mixtures. (See also Project 627, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, and Soils.) SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN ROOT RESERVES OF CERTAIN SANDHILL PLANTS State Project 691 H. C. Harris, Frank Woods ' and Walt Hopkins " Evaluations of the nitrogen content of oak roots and wiregrass roots taken at different times of the year were completed. Available carbohy- drates have been evaluated for a part of the samples. Conclusions are pending the completion of the determinations. HERBICIDAL CONTROL OF WEEDS IN PEANUTS AND OATS Regional Research Project 694 E. 0. Burt (Regional S-18) Fifty-one herbicidal treatments were applied pre-emergence to peanuts planted on two different dates. Rainfall for the first three weeks following 12 Cooperative with East Gulf Coast Branch, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 46 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations treatment totaled 3.12 and 7.17 inches for the first and second plantings, respectively. The heavier rainfall and the more even distribution of the rainfall following the second planting resulted in more treatments giving better weed control in the latter planting. Some treatments resulted in more injury to peanuts with the higher rainfall. On both planting dates, the following herbicides at the respective rates of active ingredient in pounds per acre gave excellent control of annual broadleaf and annual grass weeds with little or no injury to peanut plants: DNBP alkanolamine salt at 12, CIPC at 12, 2,4-D ester at 2 and 4, PCP sodium salt at 12 and 16, diuron at 1, 2,4-D amide at 4, and CDEC at 12. EPTC, which was used on the second planting date only, gave excellent results at the 10-pound-per-acre rate. Pre- and post-emergence applications of DNBP and sesone at different rates were made to peanuts planted at five locations in North and West Florida. Pre-emergence applications of DNBP at rates of six and nine pounds active ingredient per acre gave excellent control of weeds with no injury to peanut plants at any location. Pre-emergence applications of sesone at rates of two and four pounds per acre gave excellent control of weeds at all locations with no injury to peanuts at four of the five locations. Both rates of sesone resulted in temporary stunting of peanuts at one location. DNBP at the rate of 3 pounds active ingredient per acre was applied on 15 different dates to peanuts planted on eight different dates. An early post-emergence application of DNBP killed small annual weeds, with tem- porary leaf burn to peanut plants. The peanut plants later recovered and yielded as much as the cultivated plots. For minimum crop injury, the application should be made before the peanut plants reach a diameter of three to four inches, at which time the weeds usually have reach the proper stage of development for effective control by spraying. In general, injury to peanuts increased and degree of weed control decreased when application of DNBP was made after peanuts were three to four inches in diameter and weeds were in the two- to three-leaf stage. Annual grasses were more tol- erant of DNBP than annual broadleaf weeds. Research concerning the control of weeds in oats was not conducted during the year. This project was closed in April and replaced with a new project, No. 839. (See also Project 839, Agronomy.) PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF FLORIDA FORAGE CROPS TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES Regional Research Project 743 D. E. McCloud, C. S. Hoveland, (Regional S-12) O. C. Ruelke, L. S. Dunavin, Jr., and H. C. Harris Temperature.-The interactions of temperature, nutrients and manage- ment on growth of forage crops were clearly shown in yields and percentage of winter kill in two varieties of bermudagrass, two of bahiagrass, and especially in pangolagrass. Yields of pangolagrass increased from slightly more than 7,000 pounds per acre to more than 11,000 pounds per acre when nitrogen was increased from 100 to 400 pounds per acre without irrigation. Increasing rates of nitrogen resulted in much more winter injury in pangola- grass when applied in May, July and September than when applied in May, June and July, yet total season yields of forage were almost the same. Areas of forages covered with winter reserves had a higher percentage of winter injury than areas which had been continuously harvested. The electroconductivity method for testing cold resistance is being used to evaluate the physiological responses of these forage crops. Annual Report, 1957 Since freezing temperatures occur infrequently in Florida, a set of port- able freezing chambers was developed to create artificial freezes. (See Fig. 4.) With this equipment freezing research can be vastly accelerated. II ala J -.* '..y.A^, W 4.% f~ -- ;*.-,' S.. v *r.i& V. *~ Pt *1.* uP Fig. 4.-Dr. McCloud examines bahiagrass frozen by the new portable freezing chamber. Preliminary research has shown that cool temperatures, far above the freezing point, are related to reduced growth rates in pangolagrass and Coastal bermudagrass. Growth was reduced by one-third when the night temperature was dropped from 70 to 500 F. This may be an important factor in the slow growth rate of Southern grasses in the spring and fall. 48 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Tests are underway to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid on the early spring and late fall production of forages, as well as physiological responses to the environment. Management.-Clipping studies with Starr pearlmillet during 1956 showed that the severity of defoliation, or height of stubble left, exerted considerable effect on forage yields and protein content. Leaving a high stubble of 18 inches actually increased forage yields of plants cut when they were 30 inches tall. Protein yields were influenced to an even greater extent by proper clipping management. The protein yield per acre was in- creased considerably by clipping to leave an 18-inch stubble. Forage yields from pearlmillet grown in 7-, 19- and 38-inch row spacings showed that the wide-row spacing gave lowest yield, regardless of the clipping treatment used. No yield increase was obtained from irrigation of pearlmillet. Clipping experiments with three varieties of oats showed that forage yields were markedly reduced by continual clipping of plants back to two inches when they reached six inches tall. Twelve-inch plants clipped to leave a five-inch stubble throughout the winter have yielded as much forage as a two-inch stubble, or more. The value of having a high stubble on oats was vividly pointed out during freezes this past winter. Leaving a five- inch stubble after clipping or grazing by sheep resulted in virtually no win- ter-killing from freezes, whereas closely grazed paddocks or clipped plots (one- to two-inch stubble) had almost 100 percent kill. Irrigation of oats with sufficient water to maintain maximum growth resulted in yield in- creases of 30 to 40 percent. A soybean forage experiment pointed out the necessity of early planting in order to achieve good forage yields. Soybeans planted June 7 yielded 144 percent more hay than when planted July 20. A row spacing of 7 or 19 inches was found to be more productive than a 38-inch spacing. Water.-A net radiometer has just been put into operation to measure the energy available for evapotranspiration of plants. This will provide a closer check on evapotranspiration measurements by the energy balance method. Light.-Several strains of white clover were evaluated with respect to the day length necessary for blossoming. Northern strains from Wisconsin, Idaho, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and even northern California failed to bloom under the natural Florida photoperiod. These white clovers would fail to reseed in Florida. HERBICIDAL CONTROL OF WEEDS IN CORN AND SOYBEANS State Project 747 E. 0. Burt Nine herbicides and two herbicidal combinations were applied as pre- emergence treatments to corn which was planted on two different dates. Most treatments gave better control of weeds on the second planting date when rainfall was adequate for good plant growth. The following treat- ments at the respective rates of active ingredient in pounds per acre gave very good to excellent control of weeds with no apparent injury to corn: 2,D-4 ester at 2, DNBP alkanolamine salt at 9 and 10, CIPC at 9 and 12, 2,4-D amide at 2 and 4, CDAA at 9 and 12, diuron at 1, simazin at 1 and 2, and combinations of DNBP and CIPC each at 4 and each at 6 pounds per acre. The following pre-emergence treatments gave very good to excellent control of annual weeds with little or no injury to soybeans: CDEC at 4, 8 and 12, CDAA at 4, 8 and 12, EPTC at 5, CDIC at 8 and 12, PCP sodium salt at 8, 12 and 16, CIPC at 9 and 12, and BCPC at 12 pounds per acre. Annual Report, 1957 CURING BRIGHT TOBACCO GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN Hatch Project 758 Fred Clark and H. C. Harris Five nitrogen levels were tested: 12, 24, 48, 96 and 192 pounds per acre. Five yellowing temperatures, 80, 90, 95, 100 and 110 F., are being tested with 80, 85, 90, 95, and 99- percent relative humidities. Thirty small labora- tory curing units were used and 15 combinations of the above treatments were tested. Each treatment was replicated four times in the field and twice in the curing barn. Complete results cannot be given. However, wide differ- ences in size of plants, color of leaf and maturity of leaf were obtained under field conditions and these contrasting differences extended into the cured leaf. Cured leaf samples ranged from 1.6 to 3.0 percent nitrogen. Yields of tobacco ranged from 1,274 pounds per acre for 12 pounds of nitro- gen to 1,814 pounds for 48 pounds of nitrogen. Average selling price varied from $0.254 to $0.529 per pound. Acre values ranged from $399 to $962. Wide differences were noted in physical appearances of leaves when cured under different temperatures and humidities, particularly in control of leaf spot organisms. (See also Project 758, Agricultural Engineering.) MEASUREMENT OF METEOROLOGICAL ELEMENTS OF THE MICROCLIMATE Hatch Project 760 D. E. McCloud, V. N. Schroder, K. D. Butson and O. C. Ruelke The procurement of instruments and equipping of the mobile micro- climatic laboratory has proceeded during the year. This laboratory is just now in pilot operation (Fig. 5). Preliminary data indicate that wide fluctuations exist in the microcli- mate surrounding crop plants. With an air temperature of 92 F. at five feet above the ground (comparable to standard temperatures reported by U. S. Weather Bureau), the soil surface under a three-inch growth of pangolagrass was 129 F., or 37 F. hotter! Under an adjoining eight-inch tall pangolagrass cover the soil surface was 102 F. or 10 F. warmer than the standard air temperature. Microclimatic conditions over a bare soil with no plant cover were even more extreme. The soil surface reached 134 F.-42 hotter than standard air temperature. Under the eight-inch tall pangolagrass cover, the warmest point was three inches above the soil surface. At this point it was 18 above standard air temperature. On the other hand, the warmest point under a three inch pangolagrass cover is at the soil surface. The effect of these high tempera- tures upon the growing point of the grass may be of considerable impor- tance. A preliminary study of temperature profiles in pearlmillet plots with different plant heights and row widths revealed wide temperature varia- tions. Soil surface temperature under 12-inch-tall pearlmillet in 38-inch rows was 120 F., or 34 above standard air temperature. Under 30-inch tall pearlmillet in 19-inch rows the soil surface was 830 F.-3 degrees below standard air temperature! Soil temperature under this plot at four inches below the surface was 77 F. Temperature variations are tremendous in the microclimate. A wider variation in temperature frequently exists in the first one foot above the soil surface than exists on a given time over the entire United States. Cooperative with U. S. Weather Bureau. 50 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations These wide temperature variations are definitely important to crop pro- duction. Fig. 5.-Mobile microclimate laboratory in operation. Wind, temperature and carbon dioxide measurements are being taken. BREEDING AND EVALUATING NEW VARIETIES OF SOYBEANS FOR FLORIDA State Project 761 Kuell Hinson 1" An experiment to determine the value of single plant data in selections from populations in which individual plants differ in height and maturity was continued for the second year. Results indicate that performance of single plants is not a good measure of their genotype at any plant spacing in the row up to 32 inches. Twelve characters were measured, including yield. Unequal height competition seems to influence the characters most but maturity differences are also important. Selections from 1955 plant rows compared very favorably in perform- ance with established varieties in 1956 yield tests. Yields of the best selec- tions were above 40 bushels per acre. Many of the late-maturing plant introductions also appear to be well adapted. Their value is expected to lie primarily in providing genetic diversity for the breeding program. Va- rieties and selections of Classes VII and VIII maturity (October 15 to No- vember 1) are better adapted to this area. The same growth type and ma- turity range are adapted to the Live Oak area. Earlier maturing varieties make sufficient growth for good production on muck soil near Zellwood. Results of a fertility experiment on muck soil were inconclusive. (See also Project 391, Central Florida Experiment Station.) 14 Cooperative with Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA. r ~us Annual Report, 1957 THE INTERRELATION OF ENVIRONMENT TO THE PHYSIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY OF PLANTS. II. ORGANIC ACID METABOLISM OF PLANTS IN RELATION TO MINOR ELEMENT NUTRITION Hatch Project 766 V. N. Schroder, H. C. Harris and R. L. Gilman Tobacco, sunflower and St. Augustinegrass have been grown in nutrient solution culture in the greenhouse to study the effects of various minor element deficiencies on the organic acid metabolism of these plants. In addition, oats, lupine and clover have been grown in soil culture. Deficien- cies of some of the minor elements cause an upset in the ratios of the organic acids in the citric acid cycle. Other deficiencies do not affect the organic acid balance, even though total growth of the plants may be greatly re- duced. Large variations in the ratios of the organic acids are often found between different parts of the same plant. For example, an analysis of the interveinal tissue of tobacco leaves is quite different from an analysis of the entire leaf. It is essential to use a precise sampling technique. EVALUATION OF INTRODUCED PLANT SPECIES AND VARIETIES Hatch Project 767 L. M. Wofford, J. R. Edwardson, W. A. Carver, (Regional S-9) D. E. McCloud, F. H. Hull,'" G. B. Killinger and J. M. Creel, Jr. The yield performance of sweet sorghum varieties was highest for the later maturing strains. Honey and Sart yielded significantly more silage than Atlas and Honey Drip. Grain sorghum variety yield tests showed hybrids yielding significantly more grain than standard varieties at Live Oak and Gainesville. The highest yielding hybrid at Live Oak was Dekalb experimental-7 (30.4 bushels per acre); the highest yielding standard variety was Early Hegari 25248 (19.8 bushels per acre). At Gainesville, Texas 601 was the highest yielding hybrid (25.1 bushels per acre), while Sagrain (12.2 bushels per acre) was the highest yielding standard variety. Studies on bird damage control by chemical treatments have been initiated in cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the number of yield tests have been increased for 1957. Results of variety trials again show pearlmillet to be far superior in yielding ability to sudangrass, producing two to three times as much green and dry forage per acre. More than 300 species or strains of grasses and legumes were planted for observation. No single species was noted for any superior quality as a forage or pasture plant. Uniform variety trials with sesame showed a wide variation in adapta- tion to Florida conditions. Blanco was the outstanding variety tested in 1956, with a seed yield of 836 pounds per acre. Sesame varieties Rio and Palmetto produced more seed when planted in early June than when planted in July. Plants spaced in nine-inch rows produced more seed than those spaced 19 and 38 inches, respectively. IRRIGATION OF TEMPORARY PASTURES FOR DAIRY CATTLE State Project 772 D. E. McCloud and G. B. Killinger Beginning in February 1956 forage samples were taken for yield and botanical composition on the irrigated pasture. From February to early 5 Cooperative with Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA. 52 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations September, the total forage yield was 6,840 pounds dry matter per acre. This forage consisted of 78% alfalfa, 12% oats, 4% red clover and 6% weeds. On the non-irrigated pasture the total forage yield was 5,631 pounds dry matter per acre. This forage consisted of 84% alfalfa, 11% oats, 2% red clover and 3% weeds. Botanical composition of the forage had a seasonal character. Early in the year the composition was 60 percent oats and 35 percent alfalfa. By mid-April the oats had virtually disappeared and the forage was more than 90 percent alfalfa. Weeds were more pronounced after mid-July, as both oats and alfalfa began to disappear. Redclover, whiteclover and burclover made an insignificant contribution to forage production. Forage consumption by grazing animals was measured by differences between grazed and ungrazed strips. The percentage utilization was quite high, averaging almost 90 percent for the alfalfa and oats in the spring season. During the summer 50 to 60 percent of the available alfalfa was consumed by the grazing animals. (See also Project 772, Dairy Science and Agricultural Engineering.) SMALL GRAIN IMPROVEMENT BY BREEDING AND SELECTION 1 Hatch Project 783 A. T. Wallace Oats.-A new race of crown rust, not specifically identified yet but in the 263-274 group, attacked all oat lines growing in the nursery except 260 lines from irradiated Floriland and one selection from non-irradiated Floriland. These plants show mature-plant type resistance to the new race and will be tested for their seedling reaction. A population of awnless and basal- hairless mutants from Floriland were susceptible to H. victoria. This is most unusual because, theoretically, the only oat lines that show suscepti- bility to H. victoria are lines carrying genes from the Victoria introduction. These mutants will be investigated further to determine an explanation for the unusual genetic behavior. Oat nurseries were grown and clipped at Gainesville, Ona, Belle Glade and Ft. Lauderdale for developing new varieties adapted to these specific areas. At all locations, new lines outperformed the currently recommended varieties. In the clipping nurseries at Gainesville several lines produced 25 percent more forage than Floriland, the recommended variety. Seminole produced only about 75 percent as much forage as Floriland, regardless of whether clipped at weekly or at monthly intervals. Seminole, when clipped monthly, produced 48 percent more forage than when clipped weekly. Floriland, when clipped monthly, produced 47 percent more forage than when clipped weekly. These data emphasize the importance of rota- tional grazing for getting maximum yields of forage from oats. The corre- lation between actual clipping weights and accumulated visual ratings of oat lines was 0.85. This correlation is similar in magnitude to those re- ported last year. This similarity indicates that visual ratings can be used in selecting lines for high forage production. Rye.-In the uniform rye forage nursery, Gator, the new variety released last year, produced 33 percent more forage than Florida Black. In the re- current selection breeding program for high and low forage production, 840 lines were scored and clipped. Twenty-eight of these had an accumulated score of 26 or under and 26 had scores of 45 or over. The remnant seed of these 54 lines will be used for continuing the selection program. The for- age production of 28 combinations of nine varieties of rye was compared with their parents' production. Including all clippings, the hybrids aver- aged producing 15.2 percent more than the parents. Average production of 1o Cooperative with Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 the hybrids ranged from 95 percent to 132.5 percent of that of the parents. Specific combinations ranged from 72.5 to 170.4 percent of their parents' yield. The average production of the hybrids as a percent of the parents' production for the different dates of clipping were as follows: December 23, 124.3 percent; January 23, 125.3 percent; February 24, 120.9 percent; March 8, 90.2 percent. The low production for the last clipping indicates a par- tial dominance for earliness among the hybrids. For developing inbred lines of rye, about 2,000 S1 plants were selfed. The first backcross generation was obtained from the wheat-rye hybrids backcrossed to rye. Wheat.-The highest yielding wheat variety in the wheat clipping tests was Bledsoe, which produced only about one-half that of a good oat or rye variety. The highest grain producing variety was CI 13,359, a line de- veloped at Beltsville, Maryland. (See also Project 783, Plant Pathology, North Florida Station, and Project 662, Everglades Station.) SUPPLEMENTARY HEAT AND LIGHT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TOBACCO SEEDLINGS State Project 794 Fred Clark and C. E. Dean Four heat-light treatments together with four dates of planting were tested to determine their effects on seedling production and on yield, quality and value of tobacco. The four planting dates were December 15, January 5, January 27 and February 15. Effects of the heat-light treatments on yield, quality and value were for the most part negligible this year. However, plants grown with heat plus light produced higher yields, while those from heat alone yielded the highest percentage of quality tobacco. Yields decreased pro- gressively from the December 15 to February 15 planting date. Acre value was highest from heat alone, and the February 15 seeding date produced the highest percentage of quality tobacco. The effects of field transplanting dates were variable due to seasonal and climatic factors. Unseasonable cold, heavy rain, wind and hail damaged the test, and as a result these data do not present an accurate picture of results which might be expected under more favorable climatic conditions. THE EFFECTS OF SIMULATED RAINFALL ON THE HERBICIDAL ACTIVITY OF DNBP AND 2,4-DES Regional Research Propect 839 E. 0. Burt (Regional S-18) Research was initiated on this project, but only preliminary results are apparent on this date. PLANT IMPROVEMENT WITH GAMMA RADIATION Hatch Project 848 A. T. Wallace This project was approved June 7, 1957. No active work has as yet been initiated. (See also Project 848, Botany, Fruit Crops, Ornamental Horticul- ture, Plant Pathology and Vegetable Crops.) MISCELLANEOUS Climatological Analysis.-Under a cooperative agreement between the University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Agronomy Depart- ment and the United States Weather Bureau, weather data are being placed on punched cards. Data from four Florida stations-Gainesville, Belle Glade, Lake Alfred and Quincy-as well as Brewton, Alabama, have now 54 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations been punched and processed. These stations were selected to represent geographically and climatologically the various crop production regions of Florida. The United States Weather Bureau is furnishing all weather records and blank cards. The University of Florida Statistical Laboratory, under contract from the Agronomy Department, is punching the IBM cards and doing the analyses. To date more than 65,000 cards have been completed. This project is still in initial stages. It is contemplated that analyses of back weather records will progress as fast as facilities permit until at least 25 stations have been completed. A preliminary analysis indicates the usefulness of this technique for determining temperature and drouth hazards to crop production. (D. E. McCloud and Keith Butson".) Corn Culture Experiment.-The top yield in the 1956 corn irrigation ex- periment was 146 bushels per acre. This high yield was produced with the new Florida 200 variety by an 11-inch spacing in 38-inch rows, eight irrigations each of one inch, early (March 6) plantings, and 340 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Yields were generally higher when irrigations were applied following a one-inch deficit. The plots receiving four applications of two inches were lower yielding. Two applications of four inches produced a smaller yield, while the non-irrigated plots were lowest in yield. In 1956 plant spacing had a pronounced effect on corn yield. At the intermediate nitrogen level (160 pounds per acre), a change in spacing from 32 to 13 inches in the row increased corn yields 32 bushels per acre. Nitrogen fertilization had a less pronounced effect upon corn yields. At the intermediate spacing (18 inches), a 240-pound increase in nitrogen gave a yield increase of only six bushels per acre. Date of planting had a pronounced effect on yield. Average yield de- clined as date of planting was delayed after March 1. After March 21 the decline in corn yield was even greater. The April 18 planting gave the lowest yield. Florida 200 consistently outyielded Dixie 18. (D. E. McCloud, E. S. Horner and I. M. Wofford.) Crop Management.-For the ninth consecutive year, when Dixie 18 corn followed bitter blue lupine no significant increases in grain were obtained from 40 pounds each of PO25 and KsO nor from 40 pounds of N alone or with P and K. Date of planting studies indicated that the optimum time to plant soy- beans is the latter part of May to the first of June. Yields of seed were not affected by time of application of fertilizer (fall or spring) or by the cover crop turned under (oats or lupine). (I. M. Wofford.) Sea Island and Other Long Staple Cotton.-Yield trials of 10 strains of Coastal sea island and related cottons were conducted on the Station farms at Gainesville and Sanford. Yields of seed cotton per acre varied from 2,292 pounds to 1,461 pounds in the Sanford test. Yields ranged from 973 to 845 pounds at Gainesville. The Coastland lines 320 and 160 produced highest average yields. Root-knot nematodes damaged the cotton in the Gainesville test. Coastland line 604 showed highest nematode resistance. (W. A. Carver, J. W. Wilson is and F. H. Hull 1".) 17 Cooperative with U. S. Weather Bureau. Cooperative with Central Fla. Sta. and Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA. Annual Report, 1957 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND NUTRITION During the past year a barn for physiology studies has been completed. This facility will allow us to conduct studies on the effect of hormones on livestock fertility and production. A small flock of Florida native sheep was added. They will be used with the present Hampshire and Rambouillet flocks in research studies. Research was conducted on 26 projects. Three new projects were initi- ated, two dealing with studies on the effect of enzymes and hormones on growth, fertility, reproduction and lactation of livestock. The other in- volves studies to determine the nutritive value and storage characteristics of foods and feeds which have been treated with radioactive cobalt-60. Beef cattle data from Gainesville and the branch stations have been transferred to IBM cards so that more information can be obtained and analyzed from these research results. Analytical results obtained with feeds and animal tissues, including blood, also have been transferred to IBM cards. This process not only makes possible the statistical analyses of the results, but it also makes information readily available which might otherwise be difficult to obtain and evaluate. The department has continued its cooperation with various other de- partments and branch stations in nutrition, meats, physiology, genetics and breeding. Requests for trace element analyses, making use of special tech- niques developed at the Nutrition Laboratory, have greatly increased and this year totaled nearly 700 individual determinations. Laboratory, chem- ical and spectographic analyses have been made on samples sent from Costa Rica, Cuba, Oregon, Kentucky, Tanganyika and Brazil. These samples have been particularly helpful to our analytical staff, since they permit checking of our own results. The department has cooperated also with Florida Department of Health in regard to the problem of fluorosis in cattle. Many of our staff have also judged livestock shows and helped breeders in Central and South America with their livestock procurement and produc- tion problems. MINERAL REQUIREMENTS OF CATTLE Hatch Project 133 G. K. Davis, R. L. Shirley, W. G. Kirk L, R. B. Becker '", L. R. Arrington, J. P. Feaster, J. T. McCall and J. C. Outler In work with large animals this year, zinc has been shown to have an in- terrelationship with copper in animal metabolism. Data collected thus far indicate that high levels of copper in the diet will result in reduced zinc content of the liver. The cooperative work with the Range Cattle Station on the value of different sources of phosphate for pasture as reflected in animal response is now in its tenth year and has provided much valuable information with regard to the handling of pastures for year-around grazing. Phosphorus becomes a limiting factor only when nitrogen is adequate and other ele- ments are available for abundant production of forage. Older animals that have been well supplied with phosphorus are quite resistant to the develop- ment of phosphorus deficiency symptoms when a minimum amount of this element is supplied. On the other hand, young animals and lactating fe- males are much more susceptible to a phosphorus deficiency condition, as 1' Cooperative with Range Cattle Station and Dairy Science. 56 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations indicated by changes in blood, bone and general performance. In coopera- tive work with the Dairy Research Unit at Hague, blood hemoglobin levels in cattle began to drop when the red oxide of iron in the mineral supple- ment was lowered below 10 percent of the total mineral mixture. This is part of an animal life-time study of mineral requirements being conducted with dairy cattle. A further part of this study has indicated that manganese is low in the reproductive organs of animals that have a poor breeding history. It has not been possible to determine whether the low manganese precedes or follows the changes which prevent breeding, but studies are continuing along this line. In continuing work with the value of cobalt, it has been found that high levels of molybdenum prevent the formation of vitamin B-12 from cobalt, but increased levels of cobalt in the diet up to an intake of 2 milligrams of cobalt per day will overcome this suppression of vitamin B-12 formation by molybdenum. (See also Project 133, Everglades Station.) INVESTIGATION OF MINERAL NUTRITION PROBLEMS OF LIVESTOCK THROUGH THE USE OF LABORATORY ANIMALS Hatch Project 346 G. K. Davis, J. P. Feaster, J. T. McCall, L. R. Arrington, R. L. Shirley and R. Preston Molybdenum toxicity or copper deficiency conditions in laboratory ani- mals do not develop as readily as in cattle unless the level of protein is re- duced from normal levels to levels near those commonly fed to cattle, or approximately 9 to 12 percent of the diet. This effect of protein on the de- velopment of molybdenum toxicity has suggested that increasing the level of protein in the diet of large animals is of value in counteracting molybde- num toxicity. Work with sulfur and with manganese has indicated that both of these elements are involved in the metabolism of molybdenum and copper and are of value at increased levels in preventing molybdenosis. Fluorine absorption varies markedly with the form of fluorine in the diet. In work with rats, it has been possible to feed very high levels of soft phosphate (5.8%) containing 1 percent fluorine without producing ab- normal changes in the rats that would be expected with fluorosis. Rats fed these high levels of soft phosphate, and therefore fluorine, showed some increased growth in the incisors but otherwise grew well and reproduced normally without showing any other evidence of fluorine toxicity. This has suggested a need for a reevaluation of fluorine compounds in terms of po- tential toxicity. The level of energy in the diet has a marked effect upon the enzymes of heart muscle and liver. In studies with the oxidation reduction enzymes of tissues of small animals, it has been possible to show that on high energy diets, the enzymes in the tissues are significantly increased. Rats, which were placed on diets very low in copper and iron but given access to metallic copper and metallic iron were apparently able to use some of these elements, probably in the oxidized state, from these sources. HERBAGE COMPOSITION AND ANIMAL RESPONSE AS INFLUENCED BY PASTURE MANAGEMENT Hatch Project 356 G. K. Davis, J. T. McCall and J. Mason Animal performance is often a first indication of the deterioration of the value of a pasture, but chemical analysis of pasture herbage for dry matter, mineral composition and the presence of toxic materials has shown that cattle often call upon body reserve and, therefore, do not fail as rapidly Annual Report, 1957 57 as chemical analysis indicates they should. On the other hand, cattle rarely do as well as the chemical analysis of extremely good pasture indicates should be possible. During the year, fescue toxicity has been investigated again, and cooperative work with the USDA Northern Regional Laboratory at Peoria, Ill., on the toxic agent has been initiated. Under some condi- tions, cattle exposed to pastures of an almost pure stand of tall fescue may develop circulatory disturbances which result in dry gangrene of the feet and tail. The incorporation of absorbant ingredients into grass silage improves the retention of nutrients in the silage and improves the final product. THE USE OF CITRUS AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL BY-PRODUCTS FOR FEEDING SWINE State Project 540 H. D. Wallace and G. E. Combs, Jr. An extensive feeding study has been completed to determine the feeding value of "C" grade sugar for the growing-fattening pig. Levels of 10, 20, 30 and 40 percent as a replacement for corn have all proven satisfactory nutritionally. When a protein supplement and "C" sugar were fed free- choice, gains were somewhat slower and less efficient. The feeding value of hydrolyzed feather meal as a protein supplement for growing pigs has been studied. Pigs responded well to 5 percent feather meal. When the level was increased to 71/2 percent, performance became less satisfactory, but this was overcome by lysine supplementation. Pigs fed 10 percent feather meal performed poorly. Value of Poultry By-Products in Rations for Young Pigs.-Two experi- ments were conducted to determine the feeding value of feather meal and poultry meat meal for pigs approximately 35 days of age. In the first test, pigs fed a combination of the two poultry by-products had a growth rate similar to those fed a combination of soybean oilmeal, feather meal and poultry meat meal but failed to make as efficient use of the feed consumed. Pigs in the second experiment were given a ration composed essentially of corn, feather meal and poultry meat meal. After a three-week feeding period, one-half of these pigs received the basal ration supplemented with 0.4 percent of DL-lysine and DL-leucine and the other half were continued on the unsupplemented basal ration. The average daily gain and feed re- quired per pound of gain for the supplemented and unsupplemented groups were 0.67, 3.07 and 0.45, 4.06, respectively. Results indicate that supple- mentation with lysine and leucine is of value with swine rations that con- tain poultry by-products as the major protein source. Further studies will be necessary to determine which amino acid(s) and in what quantities they give optimum response. SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDS FOR SOWS DURING GESTATION AND LACTATION State Project 542 H. D. Wallace and G. E. Combs, Jr. The feeding of 200 grams of aureomycin per ton of feed three days pre- farrowing through seven days post-farrowing to approximately 100 sows has failed to reduce the incidence of uterine infections, mastitis and poor milk production. Studies on the feeding of high levels of copper to swine during growth and reproduction have demonstrated that levels of 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm are in the toxic range, at least for certain animals. Hemoglobin levels were reduced at the level of 200 ppm and above. Reproduction was poor when sows were fed 150 ppm and above. Some improvement in gains was 58 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations observed when 100 ppm of copper were fed the growing pig but this response was less than can be obtained by feeding aureomycin and does not comple- ment the aureomycin effect. TRANSFER OF MINERAL ELEMENTS THROUGH THE PLACENTA AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN THE FETUS Hatch Project 566 G. K. Davis, J. P. Feaster, L. R. Arrington, J. T. McCall, and J. C. Outler The level of protein in the diet has a marked influence on the sulfur metabolism of dam and of fetuses. On a low-protein diet, significantly less sulfur was deposited in the fetuses. Sulfur deposited in the dams was es- sentially the same, regardless of the protein level in the diet. The metab- olism of sulfur was quite different in animals on the different levels of protein, as indicated by the use of radioactive sulfur. When sulfur-35 was injected intramuscularly, the radioactive sulfur excreted in the feces was four times as great in the rats on the low protein as in rats on the normal protein diet. Urinary excretion, on the other hand, was much higher with the high protein intakes. With adequate sulfur intakes, the level of pro- tein intake appears to control the sulfur metabolism of both the dam and the fetus. INFLUENCE OF BREED COMPOSITION AND LEVEL OF NUTRITION ON ADAPTABILITY OF CATTLE TO CENTRAL FLORIDA CONDITIONS State Project 615 M. Koger For this report, see Project 615, Range Cattle Station. PASTURE PROGRAMS AND BREEDING SYSTEMS FOR BEEF PRODUCTION ON FLATWOODS SOILS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA State Project 627 M. Koger During the three years previous to this year's results, cows which grazed pastures containing clover produced calves which were heavier at weaning and had higher market scores than calves from similar cows on all-grass pastures. Nursing cows on clover pastures in the past had a higher concep- tion rate during the breeding season. During this last year, however, pro- duction rate and breeding efficiency were similar in all programs. The reasons for improvement in performance on the all-grass programs are not known although scattered clover plants appeared in the grass pastures as a result of liming the pastures in the fall of 1955 and may have influ- enced results. Differences in weights, or market scores, of calves sired by Angus, Brahman, Hereford and Shorthorn bulls mated to grade Brahman cows were not significant this year. Prior to this year, there has been an advantage for crossbred calves sired by the European bulls. (See also Project 627, Soils, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Economics.) SELECTION OF CATTLE FOR BEEF PRODUCTION IN SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES State Project 629 M. Koger (Contributing to Regional Project S-10) For this report see West Central Florida Station. Annual Report, 1957 A COMPARISON OF THE CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF PUREBRED BRAHMANS, PUREBRED BRITISH BREEDS AND THEIR CROSSES State Project 631 A. Z. Palmer, M. Koger and R. L. Shirley The slaughter and carcass characteristics of 143 steers, cows and heifers of known breeding and ages have been studied over a five-year period. Data collected on 47 steers of the first three years have been statistically analyzed. The findings to date indicate that steers with a predominance of Brahman blood have smaller digestive tracts, smaller livers, heavier hides, longer hind legs, a higher combined percentage of high priced primal cuts (round, rib and loin) and a higher cooler shrink. Steers with one-half or more Shorthorn blood graded significantly higher on the rail, had larger kidney knobs and a higher percentage of fat in the prime rib. Tenderness scores by taste panel and by shear test machine showed that the steers with one-half or more Shorthorn blood were more tender than steers with a pre- dominant amount of Brahman blood. The effects of age, grade and breeding on tenderness are now being investigated. (See also Project 631, Range Cattle Station.) IMPROVEMENT OF EFFICIENCY OF REPRODUCTION IN BEEF COWS State Project 709 A. C. Warnick, M. Koger and A. Z. Palmer Low fertility cows that were given progesterone therapy had 50 percent of the animals with normal embryos while antibiotic-treated females had 17 percent with normal embryos and none of the control cows had normal embryos 34 days after breeding. Only 50 percent of the nonpregnant, "alternate-year" cows bred to a fertile bull had normal embryos 34 days following breeding. Failure of estrus and regressing embryos accounted for the reproductive failure. The total gonadotrophin activity of the an- terior pituitary gland of first service heifers was slightly higher than parous fertile cows and low fertility cows. Cows fed diethylstilbestrol had a higher gonadotrophin activity than cows which received none of the hor- mone. The level of gonadotrophin hormone was about 25 percent higher at 34 days than at three days after breeding. (See also Project 709, Vet- erinary Science.) EFFECT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION OF PASTURE FORAGE UPON FERTILITY IN BEEF CATTLE State Project 710 A. C. Warnick, M. Koger and T. J. Cunha Gains, reproductive performance and feed efficiency were directly related to protein intake in yearling heifers. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and total serum protein levels were decreased in these yearling heifers when the protein intake dropped below 30 percent of their requirements. Gains and feed efficiency were directly related to protein intake in two-year-old heifers, while the regularity of estrus was not influenced until protein intake dropped to 14 percent of their requirements. Pregnant and lactating heifers had better gains when given adequate protein supplement with grass, hay or silage, compared to nonsupplemented animals. Weight gains and repro- duction were better in heifers supplemented with cottonseed oil meal than nonsupplemented heifers on either clover-grass or grass pastures. Pregnancy percentage was 60 percent higher in lactating three-year-old heifers on clover-grass pasture than in similar heifers grazed on grass pasture. 60 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations REPRODUCTION PHENOMENA IN ABERDEEN ANGUS, BRAHMAN AND HEREFORD CATTLE State Project 716 J. F. Hentges, Jr., and A. C. Warnick Data were collected on the reproductive performance of Angus, Brahman and Hereford cattle and calves. The average age at puberty (first estrus) was 341 days for Angus, 712 days for Brahmans and 356 days for Here- fords. The range of ages of puberty were from 219 days to 454 days for Angus, 648 to 758 days for Brahmans and 316 to 400 days for Herefords. Climatic, nutritional and physiological causes for these differences are under study. The average interval from parturition to first postpartum estrus was 64 days in Angus, 77 days in Brahmans and 80 days in Herefords. HERITABILITY OF PERFORMANCE ESTIMATES ON ABERDEEN ANGUS, BRAHMAN AND HEREFORD CATTLE State Project 717 J. F. Hentges, Jr., and M. Koger Relative breed performance data were compiled on purebred Angus, Brahman and Hereford cattle and calves which were maintained under similar environmental conditions. These data will be compiled over a five- year period for calculation of heritability estimates. During this fiscal year, Angus calves were smallest at birth but had the highest weaning grade and type scores. Brahman calves were heaviest at weaning but were lowest in type score. The Hereford calves were heaviest at birth but were light- est at weaning. The Brahman cows were heaviest at weaning and the Angus cows were lightest. Angus cows had the highest percent calf crop while Brahman had the lowest. VITAMINS, ANTIBIOTICS AND UNIDENTIFIED FACTORS IN SWINE NUTRITION State Project 718 H. D. Wallace, G. E. Combs, Jr., and T. J. Cunha Studies on the palatability of antibiotics for swine have demonstrated that aureomycin is preferred over terramycin, penicillin V and erythro- mycin. Pigs showed no particular dislike for terramycin and penicillin V but refused completely a ration containing erythromycin. SUPPLEMENTS AND BY-PRODUCT FEEDS FOR BEEF CATTLE State Project 721 J. F. Hentges, Jr., and T. J. Cunha The value of orally administered aureomycin and subcutaneously im- planted diethylstilbestrol for fattening beef calves and yearling heifers was studied in two experiments. Forty common and cull beef calves, four to six months in age, were divided into four lots and fed high concentrate rations for 70 days. Aureomycin was fed at the following rates per day: Lot I none, Lot II 25 milligrams, Lot III 75 milligrams and Lot IV 75 milli- grams for first six weeks only. Five calves from each lot were implanted with 24 milligrams of diethylstilbestrol. Apparently aureomycin sup- pressed gains while the diethylstilbestrol improved the rate of gain. No apparent differences were detected in blood studies. In the second experi- ment, 33 yearling heifers were divided into three lots and fed high rough- age rations. Aureomycin was fed at the following rates per day: Lot I none, Lot II 25 milligrams and Lot III 75 milligrams. Four heifers in each lot were implanted with 24 milligrams of diethylstilbestrol. The aureo- mycin treatments did not significantly affect rate of gain while diethylstil- bestrol increased rate of gain in all lots. Annual Report, 1957 INFLUENCE OF LEVEL OF NUTRITION ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SWINE State Project 725 A. C. Warnick and H. D. Wallace Eighty-five purebred Duroc gilts were given a full feed on pasture up to breeding time. At breeding, one half were limited to 50 percent of the energy of the full-fed group while the other half continued on full feeding. Within each ration group one half of the gilts received 12.5 mg. of proges- terone hormone daily equivalent from 3 to 25 days of gestation, while the others received no progesterone. One third of the gilts were slaughtered at 25 days of gestation and another third were slaughtered at 40 days of gestation, while the remaining third farrowed. This technique allows an estimate of prenatal death at the various stages. Gilts farrowed late (April 3 to 25) in the season were 23 days younger and 32 pounds lighter at puberty than gilts farrowed early (Jan. 4 to Feb. 18) in the season. The percent survival based on number of corpora lutea and fetuses for the various stages was: 25 days 87 percent, 40 days 77 percent, and 114 days parturitionn) 50 percent. The prenatal survival of all gilts full fed was 72 percent and in limited- fed gilts was 68 percent. Those treated with progesterone hormone had a 68 percent survival rate of fetuses, while the gilts receiving no progesterone had a 62 percent survival of fetuses. The gonadothrophin assays of the anterior pituitary gland showed approximately 30 percent more activity at 25 days gestation than at three days gestation. However, there was no difference in gonadotrophin activity per unit of tissue in gilts on full and limited rations. NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF PIGS WEANED AT AN EARLY AGE Hatch Project 738 G. E. Combs, H. D. Wallace and T. J. Cunha A series of experiments was designed to study the value of supplement- ing the rations of 10-day-old pigs with a surfactant and various digestive enzymes. These supplements were added to rations that contained sugar or corn, or a combination of the two, as the major source of carbohydrate; and dried skimmilk, poultry meat meal or feather meal as the main source of protein. The daily gain and feed efficiency figure indicated that sugar is more efficiently utilized than corn when dried skimmilk supplies the protein. The performance of pigs fed rations containing a combination of these carbohydrates with dried skimmilk was improved by diastase supplementa- tion. When a combination of poultry meat mial and soybean oilmeal was used to replace dried skimmilk in a sugar type ration, the performance of the pigs was improved by the addition of pepsin and pancreatin. A similar response was obtained when a feather meal-sugar type ration was supple- mented with various enzymes. The serum alkaline phosphatase activity of one and seven-day-old pigs was correlated with their weight at 56 days of age. The magnitude of the correlation coefficients indicated that phosphatase activity was of little or no value in predicting the future performance of swine. FEEDING WASTE BEEF TALLOW TO PEANUT-FED SWINE TO HARDEN THEIR FAT Hatch Project 739 A. Z. Palmer, H. D. Wallace, T. J. Cunha and R. L. Shirley Sixteen crossbred pigs, selected for uniformity as to breeding and age, were individually fed in a preliminary study comparing methods of "hard- 62 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations ening" pigs grown out on peanuts. The hardening effects of typical corn- soybean oil meal ration was compared with the hardening effects of a ration containing 18.6 percent saponified beef tallow. Two pigs were used in each of eight treatments. Pigs in Treatment I were fed a ration made up largely of peanuts from initial to final weight. Pigs in Treatments II, III and IV were fed peanuts also but were finished off with 50, 70 and 90 pounds of gain on the ration containing 18.6 percent saponified beef tallow. Pigs in Treatment VIII were fed the corn-soybean oil meal ration from initial to final weight. Slaughter and carcass measurement data are now being analyzed sta- tistically. Carcass firmness, as measured subjectively and by refractive index on backfat and leaffat, was improved significantly. A second and more extensive study using acidulated coconut oil soapstock in the "hardening" ration is now being completed. PRODUCTION OF EARLY SPRING LAMBS IN FLORIDA Hatch Project 740 P. E. Loggins, M. Koger, (Contributing to Regional Project S-29) A. C. Warnick and T. J. Cunha In this study Hampshire, Rambouillet and Florida native yearling ewes were straight bred to determine earliness of lambing and their productivity. The Florida native flock was added to this study August 15, 1956. The per- formance of the Hampshire and Rambouillet flocks during the breeding season showed the average date of first estrus to be July 29 and July 2, respectively. The Hampshires required seven-tenths more services per ewe than the Rambouillets. Night mating groups required more services per ewe than continuous mating groups in both flocks. Semen quality on rams checked was highest during July and lowest during September. Flock comparisons are reported in the following table. Florida Hampshire Rambouillet Native Number of ewes per flock .........-...... 26 30 33 Average lambing date ......................- Jan. 4 Dec. 19 Jan. 1 Percent of ewes lambing ..........-.......... 58 90 91 Percent lambs dropped ....................... 62 90 97 Percent lambs alive 24 hours after birth ................-..-. ............. 38 87 94 Average lamb weight 3-9-57 ....................... .. ...- .... 33 44 30 4-9-57 .......................... ..- .... 47 56 42 The lambs were weaned and graded on May 20, 1957, with an average grade of utility. Ewes were checked 48 hours after weaning to determine whether they were lactating. Forty-four percent of the Hampshire, 90 per- cent of the Rambouillet and 96 percent of the Florida natives were lactating. The Hampshire, Rambouillet and Florida native flocks sheared an aver- age wool clip of 4.3, 7, and 3.3 pounds respectively. The Rambouillet wool graded in the fine, 64's. The Hampshire wool graded in the one-fourth blood, 50's, and the Florida native wool in the common, 44's. Annual Report, 1957 GENETICS OF DWARFISM IN BEEF CATTLE State Project 752 M. Koger, A. C. Warnick and (Contributing to Regional Project S-10) J. F. Hentges Females of native and Brahman breeding were mated artificially to dwarf bulls to produce known carriers of mixed breeding. The offspring of these matings are to be used to investigate the influence of genetic en- vironment on the expression of the dwarf gene. Additional test matings between various types of dwarfs and known carriers were made. Results from these matings indicate that the long-headed Hereford dwarf which was used in the matings was either a nutritional dwarf or that the dwarf's gene which he carried was different from those carried by the dwarf females to which he was mated. Results from mating midget Brahman to snorter Hereford dwarfs indicate that there is a genetic relationship between the two forms of dwarfism. The mating produced what apparently was a snorter dwarf. This suggestion is further supported by the fact that snorter Hereford bulls mated to grade Brahman cows produce some calves which resemble the Brahman midget in dwarf characteristics. Midget Brahman X midget Brahman produced only midget calves, some of which were ex- treme in characteristics. Similar results were obtained from mating Florida guinea to guinea. THE NUTRITIONAL AVAILABILITY OF COMPONENTS OF LIVESTOCK FEEDSTUFFS Hatch Project 755 G. K. Davis, L. R. Arrington, J. C. Outler and J. T. McCall Reagent grade dicalcium phosphate remains the most available form of phosphate known for cattle and other species of animals. Under this proj- ect, various phosphates, including defluorinated phosphate and soft phos- phate, have been exposed in the graphite reactor at Oak Ridge in order to form phosphorus-32 from the stable phosphorus present in the phosphates. Subsequently, the phosphates are used in digestion trials to determine the availability of the phosphorus for the animals. Defluorinated phosphate is readily available to cattle. The phosphate from soft phosphate with col- loidal clay is less available but still is a potential source of phosphate for livestock under conditions where the level of fluorine can be controlled and when used with older animals. Work with sugarcane bagasse pith and with ammoniated sugarcane bagasse pith has indicated that the pith may replace all other forms of roughage in the diet of fattening cattle when two-year-old and older cattle are fed. For younger animals, the pith appears to be less satisfactory. The nitrogen from ammonia incorporated into the sugarcane bagasse pith has been somewhat less valuable than nitrogen from urea as a replace- ment for part of the protein in the cattle diet. NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF RABBITS State Project 768 L. R. Arrington and G. K. Davis Nutritional studies in the production of fryer rabbits have been the primary objective of research during the year. An experimental ration of alfalfa, oats, soybean meal and citrus pulp was compared with a commer- cial rabbit ration in feeding growing young. The average weight of fryers at eight weeks fed the commercial ration was 3.9 pounds, compared to an average weight of 3.3 pounds for those fed the experimental ration. Cost of the experimental ration was much less than the commercial pellets. 64 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Using dried citrus pulp at the rate of 25 percent in the above ration, it was possible to formulate a ration which was approximately equal in com- position to the commercial preparation. Citrus pulp was palatable to rab- bits and results indicate that it is a satisfactory ingredient in the rabbit ration. Cottonseed meal substituted for soybean meal in the experimental ration was not satisfactory as a protein supplement. Twenty percent cot- tonseed meal in the mixture was toxic and caused death in more than 50 percent of the rabbits. INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION, BREED, AGE AND SEX ON RESPIRATORY ENZYMES IN THE TISSUES OF CATTLE, SWINE AND SHEEP State Project 805 R. L. Shirley, G. K. Davis, H. D. Wallace, A. C. Warnick, J. F. Hentges, A. Z. Palmer and P. E. Loggins Forty-six swine were fed, from weaning to 220 6 pounds of weight, three different percentages of "C" sugar (0, 40%, 72% free choice with a high protein supplement), and a fourth group 40% from 72 to 24 hours before slaughtering. The last treatment resulted in a highly significant increase in the succinoxidase activity of the liver, but not in the heart. Seventeen steers were divided into four dietary groups and fed four pounds of "C" sugar for 0, 1, 2 and 28 days, respectively. The succinoxidase activity was lower in the two-day group and higher in the 28-day group than the controls (P<0.01). The steers exhibited no effect of the sugar on the suc- cinoxidase of the heart, or on the lactic dehydrogenase of the liver and heart. Analyses were completed on a three-year study of 49 Brahma and Shorthorn steers and their %, 1/2 and 1/4 crosses for the influence of breed and crossbreeding on the succinoxidase of the heart. Average values of succinoxidase activity expressed as c.mm. of oxygen uptake per mg. nitro- gen ranged from 299 to 366, but were not significantly influenced by breeding. A study of the succinoxidase of the uteri of pregnant swine fed full and limited dietary energy, at 25 and 40 days of gestation, with and without progesterone, resulted in data showing that none of these treatments sig- nificantly influenced the enzyme activity. EFFECT OF HORMONES ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION IN BRITISH AND BRAHMAN BEEF CATTLE Hatch Project 809 A. C. Warnick and M. Koger A barn with feed storage, laboratory and facilities for handling animals on an individual basis has been completed and experiments are now getting underway. MISCELLANEOUS Grass Silage for Wintering Beef Cows.-The self-feeding of pangola- grass silage to gestating and lactating cows has resulted in silage consump- tion exceeding the optimal amounts necessary for normal reproduction and lactation. Increasing the feeding groups to one cow for each six inches of stanchion space failed to limit consumption. Limiting the cows to either day or night feeding at the silo effectively limited consumption to the de- sired intake. The group with access to the silo during the night ate one- third more silage and showed less weight loss than cows with access to the silo during the day. Cows with access to the silo during both day and night Annual Report, 1957 ate excessive amounts of silage, as indicated by weight changes and per- formance. Reproduction and weight changes were satisfactory in all treat- ment groups. (J. F. Hentges, Jr.) Finishing Hogs on Millet Pasture.-The planting of millet in rows (38- inch intervals), which permitted weed control by periodic cultivation, was a more satisfactory method of seeding than use of the grain drill. For optimum production of good forage it is necessary to stock millet very heavily or clip it back regularly. Restricting the consumption of concentrates to approximately three- fourths of a full ration failed to reduce the total requirement for concen- trates and did not improve the quality of carcasses produced with pigs fed on millet pasture. The full-fed pigs reached market weight two weeks sooner and considerably less labor was expended in feeding them, due to the earlier marketing and the use of self-feeders. (H. D. Wallace, G. E. Combs, Jr., A. Z. Palmer and J. W. Carpenter.) Mineral Supplements for Regulating the Consumption of Soybean Oil- meal by Pigs Hogging-off Corn.-Eighty pigs, fed in four treatment groups, were used to demonstrate that soybean oilmeal can be satisfactorily self- fed to swine hogging-off corn if diluted with 8 percent of a mineral mix- ture (one part each of ground limestone, steamed bonemeal and iodized salt). The use of ground limestone as a diluent at 8 and 16 percent levels in soybean meal proved less satisfactory. The 16 percent level of limestone was particularly undesirable because it induced very heavy and uneconomical consumption of corn. The most costly treatment of the four studied was a free choice feeding of undiluted soybean oilmeal. Pigs ate considerably more than required to meet their protein needs and thus increased total feed costs. (H. D. Wallace and G. E. Combs, Jr.) Clipping the Needle Teeth of Baby Pigs.-Based on accumulated data and observations made during the course of this study, the clipping of the needle teeth of newborn pigs appears to be a sound practice for the Florida swine producer to follow. This conclusion is strengthened by the fact that most pigs raised in Florida are produced under less sanitary conditions than prevailed in this experiment. (H. D. Wallace and G. E. Combs, Jr.) Slaughter, Carcass and Curing Characteristics of Swine Fed High Levels of "C" Grade Sugar During the Growing-Fattening Period.-Seventy-two weanling pigs were divided into six lots for feeding on pasture. "C" grade sugar was incorporated into rations at levels of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 percent for lots one through five, respectively. The sugar was substituted at the expense of corn in a corn, soybean oil meal and tankage ration; however, the protein level was maintained at approximately 14 percent. Lot six re- ceived "C" sugar, protein and mineral supplements free choice. An addi- tional group of 10 pigs (lot seven) was fed a ration similar to lot one until they reached market weight and were then given the 40 percent sugar ration for a 48-hour period followed by a 24-hour period off feed prior to slaughter. Slaughter and carcass data were accumulated. Curing charac- teristics of the hams were studied also. Pigs in lot six had lower dressing percentages and softer carcasses and, being leaner, yielded a higher percentage of lean cuts. Lots seven and six had heavier livers. The livers of lot six pigs had a more desirable flavor, whereas the livers from lot seven pigs were often too sweet, resulting in lower desirability ratings when tasted. Otherwise, liver desirability in gen- eral increased proportional to the amount of "C" sugar in the ration. Hamp- shire carcasses had a higher tissue glycogen level at slaughter and after 48 hours of chilling; they also produced hams with less desirable color. 66 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations The Duroc carcasses showed lower tissue pHs and had a more desirable cured ham color than Spotted Poland China or Hampshire carcasses. The feeding of "C" sugar free choice produced hams with a less desirable color than the feeding of lower levels of "C" sugar. (A. Z. Palmer, J. W. Car- penter and R. H. Alsmeyer.) Slaughter, Carcass and Curing Characteristics of Swine Fed High Levels of Copper During the Growing-Fattening Period.-Forty weanling pigs of Duroc, Hampshire and Spotted Poland China breeding were grouped into four lots for feeding. The pigs were fed, on concrete, a corn-soybean oil meal ration with levels of 0, 200, 150 and 100 parts per million of CuSO,-5HO for lots one through four, respectively. After reaching market weight, the animals were slaughtered. Slaughter and carcass data were accumulated. The hams were cured and the desirability of cured ham color was evaluated objectively with a Hunter color and color difference meter. Refractive index data were obtained on fat samples from the ham. Slaughter and carcass data are currently being analyzed. There were no significant differences in percentage yield of hams during the curing and smoking processes. The fat from Duroc pigs was signifi- cantly firmer than fat from Spotted Poland China pigs, as measured by refractive index. However, no significant effect of treatment was noted. There was no significant difference between treatments according to sub- jective color evaluations, but by use of vectoral sums, it was found that the Lot Two pigs had less desirable cured ham color than did the remaining lots. Another expression of objective ham color measurement, a/b (red- ness/yellowness), showed no significant difference in ham color that could be attributed to treatment. (A. Z. Palmer, J. W. Carpenter and R. H. Alsmeyer.) Effect of Ante-Mortem Injection of Papain on the Tenderness of Mature Chickens and Beef.-Three preliminary trials have been conducted in which young roosters were injected with papain in various ante-mortem treatments to determine the effect of papain on tenderness. In Trial I, eight roosters of similar breeding and weight were divided into four lots. Lots I, II, III and IV were injected with 0, 20, 40 and 80 milligrams of papain per bird. Papain, in distilled water, was injected intraperitoneally 24 hours prior to slaughter. Due to inconsistencies in roasting, varying results were ob- tained, although a strong suggestion of a tenderizing effect at the higher levels was noted. Ten roosters of approximately 11 months of age were divided into five lots in Experiment II. Levels of 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg. of papain per bird were used. Similar techniques of injection and procedure as used in Trial I were employed. One bird receiving 200 mg. and the four birds getting the higher levels of papain died prior to kill. The other birds were killed on schedule and tested. Panel tenderness scores showed a tendency for the breast meat and the dark meat of the leg to be more tender for the papain-injected birds than for the controls. Experiment III contained 50 birds of mixed breeding and various weights. The birds were injected intraperitoneally with levels of 0, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg. of papain 12 hours and 24 hours prior to slaughter. Both the light and dark meats were improved in tenderness proportional to the level of papain administered. In a fourth trial, four yearling Hereford heifers were used in tenderness studies. Two animals were injected with papain at the level of 75 mg. per kilogram of body weight, 24 hours before slaughter. Broiled steaks as tested for tenderness by taste panel and by shear tests showed no tender- izing effect from the papain injection. (A. Z. Palmer, R. H. Alsmeyer and J. W. Carpenter.) Annual Report, 1957 BOTANY Studies have been continued on the physiological actions of biocides. Previous studies indicated that one of the effects of 2,4-D on plants was to modify the biochemical pathway by which glucose was metabolized. Addi- tional evidence has been obtained during the past year to strengthen this view. It was also found that the organic fungicide, Captan, interferes with an enzyme system in plants. The work to date on the biocide prob- lem is consistent with the view that the primary effect of the biocide on the plant is to modify some specific metabolic pathway. Future work will be directed toward expanding this viewpoint so that it might be possible to exploit the biochemical effects of certain biocides to specifically control plant growth. With the addition of Dr. Howard J. Teas as Associate Biochemist to the staff, two new projects have been initiated. One project is concerned with the problem of the biosynthesis of amino acids in plants. The second project on "Plant Improvement with Gamma Radiation" is being carried out jointly with the Departments of Agronomy, Fruit Crops, Ornamental Horticulture, Plant Pathology and Vegetable Crops. EFFECTS OF BIOCIDAL MATERIALS ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTS Hatch Project 728 W. M. Dugger, Jr., and T. E. Humphreys A. Previous studies on the role of boron in plants showed that boron affects the conversion of glucose-1-phosphate to starch. Boron apparently inhibits the enzyme starch phosphorylase, thereby preventing glucose-1-phosphate from being converted into starch: starch Glucose-1-phosphate --- Starch phosphorylase In an attempt to gain additional information on this reaction, it was thought advisable to investigate the influence of boron on the hexokinase reaction. The enzyme hexokinase catalyzes the following reactions: Glucose + adenosine triphosphate (ATP) -- glucose-6-phosphate + adenosine diphosphate (ADP) Hexokinase enzyme was prepared from pea seedlings, the particulate fraction from the hypocotyls and the soluble fraction from the cotyledons. In combination with glucose and the necessary cofactors, these enzyme preparations converted glucose to glucose-1-phosphate. The rate of this conversion, under any one set of conditions, was a function of the enzyme activity. In the presence of boron at 0 to 100 mM concentration there was no change in the hexokinase reaction rate. This lack of effect with boron was observed also with hexokinase from yeast and tends to strengthen the hypothesis that the way the element influences translocation of sugars in plants is by decreasing the enzymatic conversion of glucose-1-phosphate to starch. With an increase in the steady state concentration of glucose-1- phosphate, the amount that may be available for other reactions, such as the synthesis of sucrose or other hexose phosphates, is increased. An in- crease in these soluble carbohydrates in situ may therefore result in an increase in translocation from the site of synthesis to some other plant part. B. Investigations on the mechanism of 2,4-D action have been continued. Additional evidence indicates that 2,4-D treated seedlings break down glu- cose during respiration via a different pathway from non-treated seedlings. Root tips from corn seedlings in the presence of the compound 2,4-dinitro- 68 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations phenol (a phosphorylation uncoupling compound) utilized glucose, pyruvate or succinate at a reduced rate. If the corn seedlings were pretreated with 2,4-D before adding the dinitrophenol, this inhibition in substrate utiliza- tion was overcome. Indoleacetic acid-treated seedlings gave similar results. C. Captan, an organic fungicide used in the control of certain fungal dis- eases, has been observed to cause a beneficial effect on crop plants. These effects are other than the control of diseases. The influence of this com- pound on the physiology of higher plants has been studied. There was no influence on the gross morphology of pea, corn or squash seedlings treated with Captan, nor was there an influence on the over-all oxygen uptake of tissue pretreated with Captan. This was the case for endogenous respira- tion or when substrate was added. The recovery of C"'O from radioactive glucose and other substrates, however, was drastically altered. In pea root tips aerated in a suspension of Captan, the recovery of C"O. from glucose- C" was increased from 50 to 200 percent, dependent on the concentration of Captan. When Captan was added to the root tips at the start of a meas- uring period rather than in the pretreating solution, there was a reverse effect with an inhibition in the C"0. recovered. This inhibition could be overcome by adding glucose to the reaction vessels. An analysis of the inhibition indicates that glucose and Captan compete with one another. This effect was not, however, on the hexokinase reaction. In vitro studies showed no influence of Captan on pea hexokinase. With yeast hexokinase Captan did cause a reduction in activity. This may be one of the differ- ences in metabolism between fungi and higher plants that accounts for the fungicidal properties of Captan. Analyses of plant material, pretreated with Captan, for metabolic inter- mediates reveal that Captan causes a 70 percent increase in pyruvate con- tration with approximately 150 percent decrease in acetaldehyde produc- tion. These analyses are indicative that Captan may bring about its action on higher plants by interfering with the normal metabolic breakdown of pyruvate. In vitro studies with mitochondrial preparations from lupine cotyledons indicate that the oxidation of pyruvate was inhibited by Captan (3.3 X 10 'M). When cocarboxylase (thiamine pyrophosphate) was added to the reaction mixture the inhibition was completely overcome. The same relationship held with the oxidation of cc-keto-glutarate, another cc-keto acid in which cocarboxylase is necessary for decarboxylative oxidation. Indications are that Captan interferes with cocarboxylase requiring enzymes. D. In conjunction with the studies on the mechanism of organic transport in plants it was necessary to do an analytical study of autoradiographic techniques as applied to plant tissue. The problem of tissue dehydration was best solved by using a freeze-drying technique. This method gives good cytological fixation and prevents leaching of radioactive compounds from plant tissue. With regard to the autoradiographic techniques studied, it was found that the use of liquid emulsion to coat the tissue sections was best from the standpoint that (a) it gives very good resolution, (b) it is by far less expensive than the other methods, and (c) it presents a relatively simple technique. The use of stripping film has given almost as good results as the liquid emulsion technique. Both methods are far superior to the NTB nuclear plate technique or to the wet process method. Tissue sections of 10 A thickness are the most satisfactory to work with. Tissue cut at 6 ', or less, are unsatisfactory. THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF LYSINE AND TRYPTOPHAN Hatch Project 810 H. J. Teas This project has been just initiated. Time has been spent on setting up laboratory facilities and reviewing literature on lysine and tryptophan Annual Report, 1957 69 biosynthesis. Preliminary experiments have been performed on the fate of anthranilic acid in plant tissue slices, and paper chromatographic separa- tions carried out on some compounds that may be involved as precursors of tryptophan. PLANT IMPROVEMENT WITH GAMMA RADIATION Hatch Project 848 H. J. Teas Plans were prepared for a cobalt-60 gamma irradiation facility and a license to operate the facility was granted by the Atomic Energy Commis- sion. (See also Project 848, Agronomy, Ornamental Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Vegetable Crops and Fruit Crops.) MISCELLANEOUS Effects of Gibberellins on Some Flowering Plants.-Chrysanthemums, stocks, lilies, amaryllis, gloriosa lilies and seeds of several species of an- nuals were treated with varying concentrations of gibberellic acid. Sprays and dips containing from 10 to 1000 ppm were tested and 0.1 to 5,ug. amounts were applied to growing tips. Chrysanthemums treated while growing under non-photoinductive con- ditions showed increases in growth as much as 122 percent over the checks in four weeks. Plants treated during the first week of photoinductive con- ditions exhibited similar growth responses to those grown under long days Fig. 6.-Left: Whitetop chrysanthemum treated with gibberellic acid after bud initiation had taken place showing uneven flowering (left 2.5 micrograms, right 5.0 micrograms). Right: Portrait chrysanthemum treated prior to the initiation of floral primordia showing differential growth at flowering (left, control; right, 0.5 micrograms gibberellic acid). t. '^ X 70 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations (non-photoinductive conditions). Plants treated after being under photo- inductive day length for more than a week exhibited non-uniform growth. Occasionally one shoot would elongate much more rapidly than the others, thus causing uneven flowering. Where elongation was most pronounced the plants had weaker stems in some cases. Stocks did not respond to 0.1 to 51g. applications repeated three times at weekly intervals. The effects on lilies, gloriosa lilies, amaryllis and tuberoses were not obvious on this year's growth. However, it is too early to determine effects of the acid on the bulbs. Fig. 7.-Shadowgrams of snapdragon flower stems dipped in solutions for one hour, then held horizontally for 24 hours and shadowed. Left, con- trol; right, treated with 1 x 10-' M. Alanap. Annual Report, 1957 71 Annual seeds soaked for 24 or 48 hours in 100 ppm solution germinated one day earlier than checks. Treated nasturtiums bloomed 10 days earlier than the non-treated controls. (H. J. Teas and K. J. Howe.) Chemical Modification of the Ageotropic Response in the Snapdragon.- An investigation on the hormonal control of bending in the flowers of the snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus, was conducted. The bending of snap- dragon flowers when held horizontally for even a few hours limits the mar- keting of this flower. It was found that neither the stem tip nor flower bud is required for re- sponse to gravity. Chemicals were tested by dipping freshly cut flower stems into solutions for a period of uptake. After this the flowers were held horizontally by inserting the stems into blocks of moistened oasis, a plastic foam. The degree of ageotropic curvature was measured on shadow- grams prepared after 24 hours (Fig. 7). Among a series of growth regu- lators tested, N-1-naphthylphthalamate (Alanap) was the most effective in abolishing the gravity response. With this compound ageotropic bending could be reduced from almost 90 degrees to essentially zero. Indoleacetic acid and gibberellic acid were partially effective in reversing this effect of Alanap. (H. J. Teas, cooperative with T. J. Sheehan of Ornamental Horticulture.) 72 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations DAIRY SCIENCE The work at the Dairy Research Unit at Hague has been devoted to experiments with pasture programs and in the development of a system of green chopping of roughage and hauling it to the cows. A study was made to compare fresh and frozen semen in the breeding program. A device has been developed to study the continuous propagation of dairy cultures. ENSILABILITY OF FLORIDA FORAGE CROPS State Project 213 R. B. Becker, J. M. Wing and P. T. Dix Arnold Silages from one pilot silo with plain alfalfa and one with alfalfa with "citrolas for silage" made during the previous year were fed to four dry dairy cows. The cows ate an average of 53 pounds each daily of plain alfalfa silage as compared with 69 pounds of the silage with the "citrolas" added. The plain silage had a pungent aroma while the other had a mild, slightly acid aroma. Plastic covers were used over the top of these silages and only slight spoilage occurred around the edge due to air leakage. One silo was filled with plain Sart sorgo and the silage was fed 70 days later. The forage was pithy and settled but little. The sorgo silage was less palatable than that from alfalfa. Average daily consumption was 50 pounds per cow. Fecal samples were taken to determine digestibility by the chromogen ratio technique. FACTORS AFFECTING BREEDING EFFICIENCY, ITS POSSIBLE INHERITANCE, AND DEPRECIATION IN FLORIDA DAIRY HERDS State Project 345 R. B. Becker and P. T. Dix Arnold Records of breeding and of cow disposals were accumulated from six cooperating Florida dairy herds. Cooperation was continued with bull studs in the United States and Canada, studying useful lifespan and causes of turnover. Records were analyzed of 1,073 bulls discarded while usable, 2,859 desirable bulls removed terminally from artificial service and 254 bulls returned to lighter natural use. Of 684 desirable bulls born before 1940 the average age at first arti- ficial use was 7.66 years. They were used for 2.87 years on the average. Reasons for removal of desirable bulls were reproductive, 56 percent; physical, 31 percent; and specific disease conditions, 13 percent. The Na- tional Association of Artificial Breeders contributed to the support of this investigation. (See also Project 345, Agricultural Economics.) POST-PARTUM DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE STOMACH COMPARTMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR CONTENTS State Project 564 S. P. Marshall, P. T. Dix Arnold, R. B. Becker and H. L. Somers Studies of stomach compartment development and some characteristics of their contents were continued with five Jersey male calves between the ages of 0 and 140 days. Arrangements of five orders of laminae in the omasum were tabulated. Annual Report, 1957 73 Although the abomasum is the largest compartment at birth, its sub- sequent development is relatively slow. The rumen, reticulum and omasum are smaller and not functional at birth, but develop rapidly during early life. The ingesta of all compartments was found to be acid; the pH of the abomasum contents was considerably lower than that of the other compart- ments. Specific gravity values of omasum and abomasum ingesta were above unity, while those for the contents of the rumen and reticulum were below unity after fermentation began. STUDY OF PRODUCTION, REPRODUCTION AND CONFORMATION OF THE FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION DAIRY HERD State Project 575 P. T. Dix Arnold, S. P. Marshall and R. B. Becker During the year 44 Jersey, Guernsey and Holstein cows finished official production records averaging 9,559 pounds milk and 429 pounds butterfat on 305-day mature equivalent basis. The first Holstein classification was held March 1, 1957. The average score for 14 cows was 80 percent. Forty-six animals passed their period of usefulness and were sold for slaughter, two died and one was transferred to another department. Pur- chased additions to the herd consisted of six registered Holstein and three registered Guernsey heifers. SUB-NORMAL MILK: ITS PRODUCTION, CORRECTION AND UTILIZATION Hatch Project 667 R. B. Becker, P. T. Dix Arnold, J. M. Wing, W. A. Krienke, L. E. Mull and E. L. Fouts Feeding Trials.-Cows were selected from a group within the first two months of lactation; two served as controls and 11 constituted the experi- mental herd. The experimental ration used to induce sub-normal butterfat content of the milk was similar to that used in the previous trials. Differ- ent amounts of corn silage constituted the feed variable during the "re- covery" period. The butterfat tests of the milks of 10 cows were lowered as much as 1.0 to 3.1 percent in six to 42 days when only bulky concentrates and a grain mixture constituted the feed intake (one cow failed to respond, the butterfat test remaining unchanged). When corn silage in amounts of 15, 30 and 45 pounds daily was used in the ration during the "recovery" period, milk of each cow became normal in butterfat content within 13 to 15 days. The small declines in daily milk yields during progress of the trials were no greater than are expected during a normal advancing lactation. The cow that did not respond by a drop in butterfat test reacted by a consider- able drop in daily milk yield. Milk Composition and Dairy Products Studies.-The drop in butterfat content of the milk took place without any change in solids content of the skimmilk fractions. The casein content of the skimmilk also remained un- changed during the period that the butterfat content was lowered. For the second time (two consecutive annual trials) there was no im- portant difference in cottage cheese (yield or quality) associated with the sub-nomal fat content of the milk. The condensed skimmilk and the ice cream studies yielded results that are inconclusive; ice cream samples are being held in storage for additional observations. 74 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations AGITATION OF MILK Hatch Project 732 L. E. Mull and E. L. Fouts Additional experiments confirmed earlier findings that milk in large tanks can be agitated satisfactorily for sampling or processing by use of air or mechanical means. Loss of fat caused by foaming and churning was not excessive by either type of agitation. It was shown that neither the air nor the air compressor contributed any visible sediment to the milk when air agitated. This project is being closed with this report. IRRIGATION OF TEMPORARY PASTURES FOR DAIRY CATTLE State Project 772 S. P. Marshall During the 1955-56 season irrigated alfalfa-clover-oat pasture furnished grazing 283 days and the unirrigated plot 214 days. Heifers grazing the irrigated pasture gained an average of 801 pounds and obtained 5,547 pounds of total digestible nutrients per acre grazed. Those on unirrigated pasture gained an average of 642 pounds and secured 4,344 pounds of total digestible nutrients per acre grazed. Average daily gain of 1.28 pounds made by heifers on irrigated pasture was 131 percent of the normal growth standard and the 1.36 pounds gained by heifers on unirrigated pasture was 140 percent of the normal growth rate. In 1957 grazing was begun February 20 on the irrigated pasture and April 12 on the unirrigated plot. During the period through June 12 ani- mals on the irrigated pasture had obtained 3,274 pounds of total digestible nutrients and gained 539 pounds per acre. Those on the unirrigated plot had derived 1,099 pounds of total digestible nutrients and gained 161 pounds per acre of pasture grazed. The growth rate of heifers grazing each pas- ture was above the normal. (See also Project 772, Agricultural Engineer- ing and Agronomy.) MEDICATED FEEDS FOR DAIRY CALVES Hatch Project 781 J. M. Wing, E. L. Fouts, R. B. Becker and P. T. Dix Arnold Young calves, when on a high colostrum ration with potassium orotate and methionine as the only supplements, gained 11 percent more than compa- rable controls. When antibacterial agents were fed in addition to potassium orotate and methionine, all calves gained more than the controls, as fol- lows: aureomycin, 9 percent; PAS, 13 percent; isoniazid, 11 percent; erythro- mycin, 6 percent. Calves supplemented with antibacterial agents alone gained more than comparable controls as follows: aureomycin, 8 percent; aueromycin and PAS, 9 percent; aureomycin and isoniazid, 23 percent; streptomycin, 3 percent; streptomycin and PAS, 17 percent; streptomycin and isoniazid, 13 percent. No significant differences in gains in height at withers and efficiency of feed conversion were observed. CONTINUOUS FERMENTATION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS Hatch Project 790 H. H. Wilkowske and E. L. Fouts A small fermentation system has been devised which can be used for continuous automatic propagation of dairy cultures. The fermentor is essentially a circulatory one-inch diameter stainless steel pipe assembly of 1,000 ml. capacity in which the skimmilk medium is continuously and slowly circulated. Acidity control is maintained by use of a pH meter and appropriate meter-relay assembly which activates a solenoid valve con- trolling the skimmilk inflow. Annual Report, 1957 The fermentation system has been operated for periods of up to 12 weeks, but not without some difficulties of contamination and undesirable fermentations. Successful trials with buttermilk cultures, kept free from contamination for three weeks, have provided information regarding the throughput rate at various temperatures between 500 and 90 F. At 90- F. the retention time (growth rate) was 30 minutes. The critical pH level was 5.3 below which the rate of growth was reduced. It has been established that dairy cultures can be propagated contin- uously and automatically without impairment of activity or flavor at con- stant temperature and pH while in slow motion in a circulating system. MISCELLANEOUS Palatability of Dried Tomato Pulp.-Two lots of dried tomato pulp were prepared for feeding to dairy cows. Calcium carbonate was used in process- ing one lot and lime (Ca(OH).) the other. Comparative palatability trials were conducted with cows after they had consumed the usual offering of concentrates prior to being milked. Small amounts of each pulp were offered side by side in the manger to 42 cows. Results were as follows: Ate both pulps, preferring the dark (lime-treated) pulp ...................... 13 Ate both pulps, preferring the light (CaCO: treated) pulp .................. 5 Ate the dark pulp only ........................................ ..... .... .... 3 A te the light pulp only ...... ...... ........... .... ..... ....-............ 2 Show ed no preference ................................. .. .. ..... .. ... ... ..... 1 A te neither pulp .......1...... ... ..... ......- ... ... ..... 18 Total observations .............................. ..... ..... .- ..- ......... 42 Both pulps were judged to be palatable to dairy cows. There was a slight preference for the pulp treated with lime over the one treated with calcium carbonate. (R. B. Becker, cooperative with M. W. Hoover of Food Technology and Nutrition.) Green Chopped Forage for Dairy Cows.-Average daily consumption of chopped green alfalfa, when used as a pasture supplement, varied from 50 to as high as 80 pounds per cow, depending on condition of pasture, mid- day temperatures and frequency of feeding. Milk production increased, but not in proportion to increased consumption. (P. T. Dix Arnold.) Crimped Oats for Dairy Cattle.-Southern-grown oats weighing 34 pounds per bushel were crimped commercially. Samples contained 65 and 68 percent groats, the bran layers of which were broken in crimping. Four calves, four yearlings and four dry cows were fed chopped Alyceclover hay and either 2 pounds per calf or 5 pounds of crimped oats daily to each yearling and cow for 20 days.. Whole or parts of oats were separated from the droppings of each animal for 10 days, dried, weighed and analyzed. Calves voided 0.42 percent; yearlings, 0.21 percent and cows, 0.25 percent of the oats consumed. The proportion of starch and protein was reduced and crude fiber increased in passing through the animals. Comparing results of similar studies with whole oats and ground oats at several other stations, it was concluded that crimping was a satisfactory method of preparing oats as feed for dairy cattle of all ages. (R. B. Becker, J. M. Wing and P. T. Dix Arnold, coopera- tive with G. K. Davis and J. T. McCall of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition.) Modified Phenolphthalein Indicator for Acidity Testing.-In the previous Annual Report a new procedure was presented for the determination of titratable acidity of chocolate milk and chocolate ice cream mix. This study has been continued from the standpoint of the indicator solution. 76 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations When the usual 1 percent Phenolphthalein solution is used as a surface indicator it spreads very rapidly to the wall of the testing container, making the end-point observation somewhat difficult. After several trials at modifi- cation of the indicator solution the following combination of materials was found to give the desired properties for surface end-point indication when used on milk, cream, chocolate milk and ice cream mixes: water, 552 ml.; ethyl alcohol, 400 ml.; glycerol, 35 gr.; sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 10 gr.; and phenolphthalein, 3 gr. The phenolphthalein is added to the mixture of water and alcohol and this is stirred until dissolved. This is then poured onto the CMC in a beaker and mixing is continued until the CMC is dispersed. The glycerol is added and thoroughly blended into the viscous mixture. When testing a sample for titratable acidity an estimated quantity of standard alkali is added and mixed thoroughly into the sample. A small drop of the modified indicator solution is placed on the surface. If an excess of alkali was added a second or third portion may be required. If the first quantity was slightly insufficient, more alkali can be added followed by thorough mixing and another surface placement of a drop of the modified indicator. The pink color of the "end-point" will be on the surface. The method has been checked by use of a pH meter and results were in agree- ment. (W. A. Krienke.) Annual Report, 1957 EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT The department was able to secure a small amount of additional space during the year, making working conditions considerably better. How- ever, again this year two assistant editors were lost to higher paying jobs elsewhere, necessitating the hiring of replacements who must become fa- miliar with the work before they attain their full value. Four of the editors continued under half time employment with the Agricultural Extension Service, while one was employed full time by the Station. BULLETINS AND CIRCULARS Printing costs continue to rise and the Station spent more on printed publications than during any previous fiscal year. The cover of one bulletin, on citrus diseases, carried colored illustrations of the most serious diseases of fruits, foliage and twigs-a very effective use of colored illustrations to enable the reader to identify the troubles quickly and accurately. Thirteen new bulletins and seven new circulars were printed and one bulletin was reprinted during the year. One of the new bulletins was tech- nical in nature, the others popular. The new bulletins amounted to 553 pages, with 112,500 copies printed. Following is a list of bulletins printed: Pages Edition 575 Feeding Value of Citrus and Blackstrap Molasses for Fattening Cattle, by W. G. Kirk, E. M. Kelley, H. J. Fulford and H. E. Henderson ................... ...... ....... 576 Building a Dairy Herd, by P. T. Dix Arnold and R B B ecker .................................- .... ...... .. 577 Magnesium and Lime Are Needed in the Suwannee Valley Area, by William G. Blue and Charles F. Eno 578 Factors Affecting the Weaning Weight of Range Calves, by Fentress M. Peacock, W. G. Kirk and M arvin Koger ................... ...... ....... ....... ...... 579 Equipment for Mechanical Harvesting and Handling of Irish Potatoes in the Southeast, by J. S. Norton, R. E. L. Greene and L. J. Kushman ...................... 580 Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Kissimmee and Uppei St. Johns Valleys in Florida, by Ralph G. Leighty, L. C. Murphree, E. D. Matthews, E. H. Evenson, S. H. McCollum, Francisco Matanzo, and G. M. Thom pson ..... ....... ... ........ ..... .... .... ..... .. 581 Design, Analysis and Results of an Experiment on Response of Pangolagrass and Pensacola Bahiagrass to Time, Rate and Source of Nitrogen, by A. T. Wallace, G. B. Killinger, R. W. Bledsoe and D. B. Duncan ............... ... ... ..... ...... ... ..-----...... .. 582 Field Corn Production in South Florida, by Victor E. Green, Jr., W. T. Forsee, Jr., Walter H. Thames, Jr., and F. T. Boyd .......................... .......... ............... 583 Rural Farm Retirement-A Study of Rural Retire- ment in Five Florida Counties, by Daniel E. Alleger 584 Value of Oat Pasture for Dairy Cattle, by Sidney P. M marshall ...... .....----- ..-- --..... ........ ... 7,500 36 7,500 7,500 5,000 7,500 40 12,000 5,000 6,000 7,500 20 7,500 78 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations 585 Pangolagrass Pastures for Beef Production in Cen- tral Florida-A Method of Determining the Eco- nomics of Establishing and Fertilizing Them, by L. A. Reuss, N. K. Roberts and R. E. L. Greene........ 36 12,000 586 The Laws of Farm Tenancy and Sharecropping in Florida, by J. R. Greenman and James J. English.... 48 7,500t 587 Handbook of Citrus Diseases in Florida, by L. C. Knorr, R. F. Suit and E. P. DuCharme ....................... 164 20,000 513 Minerals for Dairy and Beef Cattle (revised)....... 48 5,000 The seven circulars amounted to 71 pages and 83,000 copies were printed. Here is a list of the new circulars: S-93 Chemical Sucker Control for Flue-Cured Tobacco, by Fred Clark ............... .. ......- ............... ....... 8 8,000 S-94 Gator Rye, by W. H. Chapman, D. D. Morey, A. T. W allace and H. H. Luke .........................-............... 8 7,500 S-95 Florida 200-A New Yellow Field Corn Hybrid for North and West Florida, by E. S. Horner, W. H. Chapman and H. W. Lundy ..................................... 6 7,500 S-96 Insects and Other Pests of Lawns and Turf, by E. G. Kelsheimer and S. H. Kerr ...................................... 22 30,000 S-97 Controlling Submerged Water Weeds with Emulsifi- able Solvents in South Florida, by J. C. Stephens, A. L. Craig and D. S. Harrison ................................... 14 7,500 S-98 Hairy Indigo-A Summer Legume for Florida, by Alvin T. W allace .....................................--.. ... .... 7 15,000 S-99 Weed Control in Plumosus Fern Under Artificial Shade, by C. C. Helms, Jr., E. O. Burt and J. M. Crall 6 7,500 The quarterly Sunshine State Agricultural Research Report, begun in January 1956, was continued with four issues being printed during the fiscal year. Each issue was 20 pages with 10,000 copies printed. This journal is finding widespread and enthusiastic acceptance among growers and those who work with farm people. RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICES Television programs are taking more and more time of the assistant editor who produces them and the staff members who participate, as more stations get on the air and become interested in agricultural materials. The Station now stages most of its television shows on film; of the 26 shows staged by Experiment Station personnel during the fiscal year, two were live and 24 were filmed. The films are 15 minutes long. By the end of the fiscal year, six stations were using our films regularly, four weekly and two every other week. Thus the same filmed show is used several times. Also, the Experiment Station editors assisted representatives of other stations in making a number of short features, making several for the exclusive use of one TV station on film it furnished for the purpose. Radio continued to play an undiminished role in the dissemination of information. The 30-minute Florida Farm Hour over WRUF, the Uni- versity Station, has been the principal radio outlet for 29 years. In addi- tion to editorial workers, Experiment Station staff members made 218 6- minute talks on the Farm Hour during the year. One broadcast was staged from a field day program on the agronomy farm. Material based on WRUF talks and other releases was included in copy for 127 farm flashes sent to 42 other radio stations. Flashes are sent five Annual Report, 1957 days a week, but copy for many of them comes from the Agricultural Ex- tension Service or elsewhere. Experiment Station workers participated in 111 talks on 69 tapes sent to these five radio stations. SERVICING NEWSPAPERS AND FARM JOURNALS The weekly clipsheet printed and distributed by the Agricultural Exten- sion Service continued to be a medium of distribution for Agricultural Ex- periment Station news. An average of one or two stories a week went to the wire services for daily papers. Occasionally, stories were mailed direct to one or more dailies. Farm page editors and other correspondents were assisted in securing copy for their pages or their special stories. "Fill in" or "skeleton" stories were sent to county agents each week, and many of these were based on suggestions by Station workers. Farm periodicals continued to make generous use of materials supplied by Experiment Station editors. From copy they supplied, three Florida magazines printed 20 articles occupying 564 column inches, one Southern journal carried seven articles for 168 column inches, and four national peri- odicals printed four articles that occupied 87 column inches. Occasionally on request, Station editors helped other staff members with articles they prepared for popular farm journals. SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL ARTICLES The Journal Series of scientific articles by staff members continued to grow, 134 new articles being printed this fiscal year. They occupied 800 pages in numerous scientific journals and 25,775 reprints were purchased. Following is a list of the Journal Series articles printed during the fiscal year. JOURNAL SERIES ARTICLES PUBLISHED PRIOR TO JULY, 1957, NOT PREVIOUSLY LISTED 282. Characteristics of Concentrates Made From Different Varieties of Citrus Fruits, by F. W. Wenzel and E. L. Moore. Food Technology 4: 6. 1955. 284. Producing Florida Citrus for Frozen Concentrate, by J. W. Sites and A. F. Camp. Food Technology. 4: 7. 1955. 288. Some Treatments Influencing the Quality of Florida Frozen Straw- berries, by M. W. Hoover and R. A. Dennison. Proc. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 65:188-194. 1955. 289. A Rapid Objective Method for the Evaluation of Color in Strawber- ries, by M. W. Hoover and R. A. Dennison, Proc. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 65: 195-198. 1955. 310. Combination of Chemical and Mechanical Weed Control in Three Va- rieties of Onion in Muck Soils, by E. A. Wolf and V. L. Guzman. Proc. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 66: 289-292. 1955. 311. Pre-Emergence Weeding with Three Rates of CIPR in Combination with Post-Emergence Weeding with Pelletized CIPF in three Varieties of Onions, by V. L. Guzman and E. A. Wolf. Proc. Am. Hort. Sci. 66. 1955. 323. Distribution, Availability and Effect on Cation Exchanges of Phos- phates Added to Lakeland Fine Sand, by W. F. Spencer. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Am. 21: 2. March-April 1957. 80 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations 328. Factors Contributing to the Storage Life of Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice, by A. H. Rouse, C. D. Atkins and E. L. Moore. Food Technology. 11: 4:218-221. 1957. 329. Four Years of Soil, Fertility Data from a 5x5x5x2 Factorial Experi- ment on Red Bay Fine Sandy Loam. II. Corn. By C. E. Hutton, W. K. Robertson and W. D. Hanson. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Am. 20: 4. Oct. 1956. 337. Molybdenum in Everglades Soils and Plants, by A. E. Kretschmer, Jr., and R. J. Allen. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Am. 20: 2. April 1956. 353. Experimental Treatment of Citrus Waste Water by Means of Acti- vated Sludge, by M. H. Dougherty, R. W. Wolford and R. R. McNary. Sewage and Ind. Wastes. 27: 7. July 1955. 358. Solubility of Manganese in Florida Soils, by J. G. A. Fiskel. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 360. Bronzing and Yield of Peppers as Influenced by Varying Levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization, by C. T. Ozaki and M. G. Hamilton. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 361. A Preliminary Survey of the Cobalt Contents of South Florida For- ages, by A. E. Kretschmer, Jr., V. A. Lazar and K. C. Beeson. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 364. Comprehensive Review of Soil and Tissue Testing, by Ernest L. Spen- cer. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 365. Chelates in the Soil, by Ivan Stewart and C. D. Leonard. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 367. Use of Nematocides on Established Turf, by Mrs. A. J. Overman. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 368. The Total Manganese, Copper and Zinc Content of Soils Used for Citrus Production in Florida, by I. W. Wander. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 371. Relationships Between Plant and Parasitic Nematodes, Pathogenic Fungi and Ladino Clover Yields in Experimental Pot Studies, by J. M. Good, Jr., and W. G. Blue. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 376. Minor Element Response of Vegetables, by P. J. Westgate. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 377. Manganese Requirements of Potatoes and Tomatoes on Marl Soils, by John L. Malcolm. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 378. A Study of Minor Element Application on West Florida Soils, by C. E. Hutton and W. K. Robertson. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 379. Non-Citrus Plants in Relation to Spreading Decline, by R. F. Suit, E. P. DuCharme and T. L. Brooks. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 380. Nematodes Associated with Citrus in Florida, by E. P. DuCharme and R. F. Suit. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 387. The Influence of Micronutrients and Sulfur on the Yields of Certain Crops, by Henry C. Harris, R. W. Bledsoe and Fred Clark. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 14. 1954. 396. A Low-Cost, Self-Polishing, Fungicidal Water Wax for Citrus Fruit, by W. F. Newhall and W. Grierson. Am. Soc. for Hort. Sci. 66. 1955. 441. Fungicidal, Herbicidal and Nematocidal Effects of Fumigants Applied to Vegetable Seedbeds on Sandy Soil, by A. J. Overman and D. S. Burgis. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. Annual Report, 1957 449. The Phosphorus and Potassium Requirements of Blackeye Peas Grown on Everglades Peaty Muck Soil, by Charles T. Ozaki. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 450. An Evaluation of Some Nitrogen Sources for General Crops Grown on Red Bay Fine Sandy Loam, by W. K. Robertson and C. E. Hutton. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 451. Soil Moisture Measurement for Timing Irrigation, by L. C. Hammond and Hugh Popenoe. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 452. Virus Diseases of Lupines in Florida, by M. K. Corbett. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 453. Effect of Additions of Sulfur and Gypsum on Availability of Phos- phorus of Rock Phosphate in Leon Fine Sand, by J. R. Neller. Soil Science. 82: 2. Aug. 1956. 455. Nitrogen Fertilization of St. Augustine Grass Grown on Davie Fine Sand, by F. T. Boyd. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 456. Relationship Between Depth to Heavy Textured Subsoil and Drought Injury to Pecans, by Nathan Gammon, Jr., Ralph H. Sharpe and Ralph G. Leighty. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 458. Mobility of Urea Nitrogen Applied to Florida Soils, by G. M. Volk and A. W. Sweat. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 459. Rates and Ratios of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium for White Clover and Pangola Grass on Rex Fine Sand, by W. G. Blue and Nathan Gammon, Jr. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 460. Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on the Production of Pangola Grass and Bahia Grass, by A. T. Wallace, G. B. Killinger, R. W. Bledsoe and D. B. Duncan. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 461. Response of Pecans to Time and Rates of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization, by Nathan Gammon, Jr., and Ralph H. Sharpe. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 463. Studies Relating to the Bake-Freezing of Sweet Potatoes, by M. W. Hoover and G. J. Stout. Food Technology. 10: 6: 250-253. 1956. 464. Effect of Time of Application, Rate and Source of Nitrogen on Corn Grown on Norfolk Fine Sand, by L. G. Thompson, Jr., and W. K. Rob- ertson. Soil Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 465. Effect of Particle Size on Availability and Mobility of Fused Trical- cium Phosphate and Rock Phosphate Compared with Other Phosphates in Contrasting Soil Types, by J. R. Neller and F. D. Bartlett. Soil Sci. of Am. 21. 1957. 467. Observations on Rooting Softwood Cuttings of Peach, by R. H. Sharpe. Proc. Am. Soc. for Hort. Sci. 67. 1956. 468. A Manganese Deficiency of Pecans, by Nathan Gammon, Jr., and Ralph H. Sharpe. Proc. Am. Soc. for Hort. Sci. 68. 1956. 469. Life Cycles of Four Species of Ladybeetles, by Martin H. Muma. Florida Ento. 39: 3. Sept. 1956. 473. Cytoplasmic Male-Sterility, by John R. Edwardson. Bot. Rev. 22: 10. Dec. 1956. 475. Sampling Studies Related to Insecticide Residues on Vegetables, by C. H. Van Middelem, J. W. Wilson and W. D. Hanson. Jour. of Econ. Ento. 49: 5:612-615. Oct. 1956. 476. Mineral Composition of Citrus Leaves and Fruit as Associated with Position on the Tree, by R. C. J. Koo and J. W. Stites. Proc. Am. Soc. for Hort. Sci. 68. 1956. 82 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations 478. The Effects of Ammonium and Nitrate Nitrogen with and without pH Control on the Growth of Rough Lemon Seedlings, by I. W. Wander and J. W. Stites. Proc. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 68. 1956. 481. Combination of Resistance to Tobacco Etch and Tobacco Mosaic in Tomato Breeding Stock, by James M. Walter. Phytopathology 46: 9: 517-519. Sept. 1956. 482. Suscepts, Indicators and Filters of the Tristeza Virus and Some Dif- ference Between Tristeza in Argentina and in Florida, by L. C. Knorr. Phytopathology 46: 10:557-560. Oct. 1956. 485. Symptomology of Bacterial Spot of Pepper and Tomato in South Florida, by R. S. Cox, Robert A. Conover and Grover Sowell, Jr. Phytopathology 46: 10:582-584. Oct. 1956. 486. Irrigation of Permanent Pasture for Lactating Dairy Cattle, by J. Mostella Myers and Sidney P. Marshall. Proc. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 487. A Subsoiler Attachment for Deep Fertilizer Placement, by William K. Robertson and W. H. Jones. Jour. Am. Soc. of Agr. Eng. 48: 477-478. 1956. 488. Correlation of Occurrence of Potato Virus Y with Areas of Potato Production in Florida, by J. N. Simons, Robert A. Conover and J. M. Walter. Plant Dis. Rptr. 40: 6. June 15, 1956. 489. A Labor-saving Device for the Collection of Free-living Nematodes, by A. C. Tarjan, W. A. Simanton and E. E. Russell. Phytopathology 46. 1956. 490. Kinetics of Thermal Destruction of Citrus Tissues in Relation to the Virus Disease Problem, by W. C. Price and L. C. Knorr. Phytopath- ology 46. 1956. 491. Physiologic Races of the Burrowing Nematode, Radopholus similis, by E. P. DuCharme and W. Birchfield. Phytopathology 46: 11:615-616. Nov. 1956. 492. Three Strains of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Affecting Bell Pepper in the Everglades Area of South Florida, by John N. Simons. Phytopath- ology 47. March 1957. 493. The Effect of Ammonium and Nitrate Nitrogen on the Exchange Ca- pacity of Rough Lemon Roots, by I. W. Wander. Proc. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 494. Results of Research and Response of Citrus to Supplemental Irriga- tion, by R. J. Koo and John W. Stites. Proc. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 495. The Diacetyl Test as an Aid for Quality Control of Citrus Products. I. Detection of Bacterial Growth in Orange Juice During Concentra- tion, by E. C. Hill and R. W. Wenzel. Food Technology. 11: 4. 1957. 497. Parasitism of Adult Turkeys in Florida by Leucocytozoon Smithi (Lavern & Lucet), by Charles F. Simpson, D. W. Anthony and Frank- lin Young. Jour. Am. Vet. Med. Assn. 129: 12. Dec. 1956. 499. Water Requirements of Field Crops in Florida as Influenced by Cli- mate, by D. E. McCloud. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 500. Sterility in Panolagrass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.), by Anilkumar A. Sheth, Lillian Yu and John R. Edwardson. Agron. Jour. 48: 505- 507. 1956. 501. Progress in the Control of Gray Mold of Tomato in South Florida, by R. S. Cox and N. C. Hayslip. Plant Dis. Reptr. 40: 8. Aug. 15, 1956. Annual Report, 1957 502. A Simple Method of Estimating Economic Optimum Applications of Fertilizer, by W. K. McPherson and Roy L. Lassiter, Jr. Proc. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 503. Progress of Citrus Brown Rot in Florida, a Disease of Recent Occur- rence in the State, by L. C. Knorr. Plant Dis. Reptr. 40: 9. Sept. 15, 1956. 504. Effect of Potassium Orotate and Methionine Supplementation on Feed Consumption and Growth of Dairy Heifers, by J. M. Wing. Jour. of Dairy Sci. 11: 4: 337-339. April 1957. 506. Response of Warm-Season Pasture Grasses to High Levels of Nitro- gen, by R. L. Jeffers. Soil and Crop Sci. Soc. of Fla. 15. 1955. 507. The Pathology of Visceral Lymphomatosis in Turkeys, by Charles F. Simpson, D. W. Anthony and Franklin Young. Jour. Am. Vet. Med. Assn. 130: 2. Jan. 1957. 509. The Value of Soybean Oilmeal, Low Glossypol (Degossypolized) Sol- vent Processed Cottonseed Meal, Low Gossypol Expeller Processed Cottonseed Meal and Various Blends Thereof in the Ration of Grow- ing-Fattening Swine, by C. E. Haines, H. D. Wallace and M. Koger. Jour. of An. Sci. 16: 1. Feb. 1957. 511. Effects of Larval Nutrition on the Life Cycle, Size, Coloration and Longevity of Chrysopa lateralis Guer., by Martin H. Muma. Fla. Entom. 41. March 1957. 512. Effects of Insecticides and Physical Barriers on Field Spread of Pep- per Veinbanding Mosaic Virus, by John N. Simons. Phytopathology 47. 1957. 514. Can Water Be Allocated by Competitive Prices? By W. K. McPher- son. Jour. Farm Econ. 38: 5. Dec. 1956. 515. The Influence of Chlortetracycline on the Requirements of the Young Pig for Dietary Pantothenic Acid, by J. I. McKigney, H. D. Wallace and T. J. Cunha. Jour. of An. Sci. 16: 1. Feb. 1957. 516. A Redescription of Atylenchuls cecalineatus Cobb, 1913 (Nematoda: Tylenchinae). Proc. Helminthological Soc. of Wash. 24: 1. Jan. 1957. 517. Chemicals Screened for Systemic Effects Against Spreading Decline Disease of Citrus, by Harry W. Ford. P1. Dis. Reptr. 40:10. Oct. 15, 1956. 518. Research on Improved Merchandising of Agricultural Products, by Marshall R. Godwin. Jour. of Farm Econ. 38: 5. Dec. 1956. 521. Efficiency of Piperazine Citrate in Removing Worms from the Alimen- tary Canal of Cattle, by Leonard Swanson, W. M. Stone and A. E. Wade. Am. Jour. Vet. Res. 130: 6. March 15, 1957. 523. Insect Problems in Production of Southern Peas (Cowpeas), by J. W. Wilson and W. G. Genung. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 524. Purification of Naringin, by R. Hendrickson and J. W. Kesterson. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 525. Cucumber Fungicides for the West Coast of Florida, by Grover Sowell, Jr. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 526. Crop Production in Soil Fumigated with Crag Mylone as Affected by Rates, Application Methods and Planting Dates, by D. S. Burgis and A. J. Overman. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 529. The Possibility of Mechanical Transmission of Nematodes in Citrus Groves, by A. C. Tarjan. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 530. Virus Ring Spot of Peperomia obtusifolia and Peperomia obtusifolia var., by M. K. Corbett. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 84 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations 531. Evaluation of Control Methods for Blackheart of Celery and Blossom- end Rot of Tomatoes, by C. M. Geraldson. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 532. The Assay of Streptomycin as it Relates to the Control of Bacterial Spot, by Grover Sowell, Jr. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 533. Control of Late Blight of Potatoes with Fungicides at Hastings, Fla., by A. H. Eddins. Am. Pot. Jour. 34: 2. Feb. 1957. 534. B-622 as a Control for Gray Leaf Spot of Tomato, by Donald M. Coe and Robert A. Conover. P1. Dis. Reptr. 40: 12. Dec. 15, 1956. 535. Lime-Induced Manganese Deficiency of Strawberries, by C. B. Hall and R. A. Dennison. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 536. Observations on Ecphyadophora tenuissima de Man, 1921, by A. C. Tarjan. Nematologia 2. 1957. 538. A Comparison of Three Clones of Barbados Cherry and the Importance of Improved Selections for Commercial Plantings, by R. Bruce Ledin. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 539. Response of Lychees to Girdling, by T. W. Young. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 540. Physiologic Races of the Burrowing Nematode in Relation to Citrus Spreading Decline, by E. P. DuCharme and W. Birchfield. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 543. Effect of Variety and Fresh Storage Upon the Quality of Frozen Sweet Potatoes, by M. W. Hoover and V. F. Nettles. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 544. Irrigation of Sebago Potatoes at Hastings, Fla., by D. L. Myhre. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 545. Use of Cetain Herbicides in Fields of Growing Tomatoes (Progress Report), by John C. Noonan. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 546. Timing Fertilization of Citrus in the Indian River Area, by Herman J. Reitz. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 547. Variety Tests of Commercial Varieties and New Breeding Lines of Southernpeas, by L. H. Halsey. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 548. The Florida Flower and Nursery Industry, by Cecil N. Smith. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 549. Influence of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash and Lime on the Growth and Yield of Strawberries. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 550. Pesticides and Plant Injury, by S. H. Kerr. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 551. Citrus Rootstock Selections Tolerant to the Burrowing Nematode, by Harry W. Ford. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 552. Storage Studies on 42 Brix Concentrated Orange Juices Processed from Juices Heated at Varying Folds. II. Chemical Changes with Particular Reference to Pectin, by A. H. Rouse, C. D. Atkins and E. L. Moore. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 553. Studies on Chemical Weed Control in Plumosus Fern, by C. C. Helms, Jr., J. M. Crall, E. O. Burt. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 554. The Effect of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid on Pathways of Glucose Catabolism in Higher Plants, by T. E. Humphreys and W. M. Dugger, Jr. Plant Phys. 32:2:136-140. March 1957. 555. Twelve Bauhinias for Florida, by R. Bruce Ledin. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. Annual Report, 1957 557. Effect of Thermal Treatment and Concentration of Pectinesterase, Cloud and Pectin in Citrus Juices Using a Plat-Type Heat Exchanger, by C. D. Atkins, A. H. Rouse and E. L. Moore. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 558. Storage Studies on 42 Brix Concentrated Orange Juices Processed from Juices Heated at Varying Folds. I. Physical Changes and Re- tention of Cloud, by E. L. Moore, A. H. Rouse and C. D. Atkins. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 559. Effectiveness of Different Zinc Fertilizers on Citrus, by C. D. Leonard, Ivan Stewart and George Edwards. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 560. Quality of Canned Grapefruit Sections from Plots Fertilized with Varying Amounts of Potash, by F. W. Wenzel, R. L. Huggart, E. L. Moore, J. W. Stites, E. J. Deszyck, R. W. Barron, R. W. Olsen, A. H. Rouse and C. D. Atkins. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 561. The Sloughing Disease of Grapefruit, by W. Grierson and Roger Pat- rick. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 562. Notes on the Use of Systox for Purple Mite Control on Citrus, by Roger B. Johnson. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 563. Long Range Relationships between Weather Factors and Scale Insect Populations, by Robert M. Pratt. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 564. Increased Utilization of Grapefruit through Improvement in Quality of Processed Products, by F. W. Wenzel and E. L. Moore. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 565. Seasonal Changes in the Juice Content of Pin and Red Grapefruit during 1955-56, by E. J. Deszyck and S. V. Ting. Fla. State Hort. Soc. Proc. 69. 1956. 566. Reducing Losses in Harvesting and Handling Tangerines, by W. Grier- son. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 567. Is Stem Pitting of Grapefruit a Threat to the Florida Grower? by L. C. Knorr and W. C. Price. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 568. Results of Different Seeding and Fertilizer Rates for Potatoes at Hastings, Fla., by E. N. McCubbin. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 569. Chemical Weeding and Thinning When Using Pelletized Vegetable Seeds, by V. L. Guzman. Weeds 5: 3. July 1957. 574. Progress Report On Greasy Spot and Its Control, by W. L. Thompson, J. R. King and E. J. Deszyck. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 69. 1956. 579. Two Years' Results from Subsoiling and Deep Fertilization of Corn, by W. K. Robertson, J. G. A. Fiskel, C. E. Hutton, L. G. Thompson, R. W. Lipscomb and H. W. Lundy. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. of Am. 21: 3. 1957. 582. Control of Anthracnose on Rough Lemon Seedlings by Fran. E. Fisher. Plant Dis. Reptr. 41: 2. Feb. 15, 1957. 583. Examination of Coldpressed Florida Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit and Persian Lime Oil in Ultraviolet, by J. W. Kesterson, R. Hendrick- son and G. J. Edwards. Am. Perfumer and Aromatics. April 1957. 584. A Source of Controlled Vacuum for Pipetting Nematodes, by Harry W. Ford. P1. Dis. Reptr. 41: 2. Feb. 15, 1957. 585. Experimental Leptospirosis in Bovines I. Establishment of Infection with Leptospira serjoe, by Miodrag Ristic, Mildred M. Galton, L. Mc- 86 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Rae, Dorsey A. Sanders and James H. Steele. Jour. Infectious Dis. 100: 228-240. May-June 1957. 592. Virus Diseases of Peppers in Central Florida-Survey Results 1955, by C. W. Anderson and M. K. Corbett. P1. Dis. Reptr. 41: 3: 143-145. March 15, 1957. 595. Effect of Soil pH on the Incidence of Three Soil-borne Diseases of To- bacco, by Randall R. Kincaid and Nathan Gammon, Jr. P1. Dis. Reptr. 41: 3:177-179. March 15, 1957. 601. Honeybees and the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Spray Program, by Roger A. Morse and F. A. Robinson. Fla. Entom. 40. 1957. 602. Occurrence of Rangpur Lime Disease in Florida and Its Concurrence with Exocortis, by H. J. Reitz and L. C. Knorr. P1. Dis. Reptr. April 15, 1957. 604. Autoradiography with Plant Tissue, by W. M. Dugger, Jr. Bot. Rev. 23: 6: 351-388. June 1957. 614. Control of Downy Mildew of Lettuce in the Everglades, by R. S. Cox. P1. Dis. Reptr. 41: 5: 455-459. May 15, 1957. 615. A New Helminthosporium Disease of Bermuda Grass, by T. E. Free- man. P1. Dis. Reptr. 41: 5: 389-391. June 15, 1957. 616. New Host Records for Elsinoe lepage I Bitanc. & Jenkins, by Morti- mer Cohen and A. S. Muller. P1. Dis. Reptr. June 15, 1957. POPULAR ARTICLES AND MIMEOGRAPHED MATERIALS Staff members other than Editors had 304 articles, occupying 788 pages, printed in non-technical journals during the year, an increase of 50 per- cent over the preceding year. Department and other units issued 80 mimeo- graphed reports in that series, covering 654 pages, with 31,350 copies processed. This also was a considerable increase over the previous year. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH RESULTS State Project 670 W. G. Mitchell In disseminating agricultural information, the people primarily con- cerned with this dissemination-agricultural college editors-should be im- portant. For this reason, a study was made to determine, if possible, what educational, personal, and experience qualifications editorial workers should have for professional quality service. The survey was made by personal letter. Two groups were questioned. The first group was employers; that is, those who usually hire editorial workers-deans, directors and head edi- tors of agricultural colleges, extension services, and experiment stations; USDA information service heads; and selected newspaper and magazine editors and TV and radio station personnel. The second group was editorial workers themselves. Employers ranked an agricultural journalism degree highest as an edu- cational requirement. Other educational qualifications named in decreasing order were an agricultural degree with courses in journalism and a journal- ism major with courses in agriculture. Most employers wanted editors with experience in the mass media of communications. They also desired persons with a "farm" background. Most respondents in both groups felt writing talent and communicating ability and the ability to get along with people essential. Almost half the workers in agricultural communications who answered felt their training and experience is inadequate for fully professional serv- ice. But most felt their backgrounds were good. Annual Report, 1957 87 ENTOMOLOGY Facilities at the Horticulture Research Unit were utilized for the first time by Entomology during the past year, with insecticide residue studies on crucifers and pest control experiments on sweet corn and snap beans. Results of pollination studies and preliminary trials with honey processing equipment look promising. It is expected that these investigations will de- velop into organized research projects. The project on nectar and pollen- producing plants was revised. A new project on pests of herbaceous orna- mentals was initiated. Work was continued on investigations of plant para- sitic nematodes, tobacco insects, pests of woody ornamentals and turf, and insects found in corn meal and grits. Two projects on pecan insects are in conjunction with USDA and several other projects are in cooperation with members of other units of the Experiment Stations. CONTROL OF THE PECAN NUT CASEBEARER State Project 379 A. M. Phillips This project was continued at the Pecan Investigations Laboratory in cooperation with the Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, USDA. Work on the nut casebearer is done principally during spring and early summer when the insect is most active and control measures are applied. The project was inactive in the spring of 1957 because there were insuffi- cient nuts to provide infestation records or permit doing control experi- ments. Control tests will be resumed next spring. CONTROL OF INSECT AND ARACHNID PESTS OF WOODY ORNAMENTALS State Project 531 L. C. Kuitert and S. H. Kerr Phytotoxicity tests were conducted on a large number of plants in- cluding: Ixora coccinea L., Ardisia crispa (Lam.) A. DC., Feijoa sellowiana Berg., Buxus microphylla Sieb. & Zucc., Polyscias balfouriana Bailey, Neanthe bella 0. F. Cook, Sanseveria zeylanica Willd., and several species of orchids. Treatments included soil drenches of Nemagon, V-C 13, para- thion and demeton, and foliage sprays of demeton, chlorobenzilate, Keithane, ovex, Genite 923, Aramite, Trithion and Mitox. No instances of phytotox- icity were noted. The recommended dosages of these materials apparently are safe to use on the plants tested. In 1955 the Department of Ornamental Horticulture set up a rose experi- ment in which Happiness variety rose on Manetti rootstock was grown in four soil types. The Entomology Department superimposed nematocidal treatments on these soil types to make phytotoxicity observations. The materials used were Nemagon, parathion and V-C 13. No cases of phyto- toxicity were observed. The plots treated with the pesticides had an in- creased bloom production over the check plots. This was most marked and consistent in the V-C 13 plots. A study was made to determine the phytotoxicity of insecticides used in the Mediterranean fruit fly eradication campaign to a group of repre- sentative ornamental plants. The following plants were tested: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Trachleosperm m. jasminoides Lem., Codiaeum variegatumn Blume, Ixora coccinea L., Lantana ccamara L., Plumbago capensis Thunb., 88 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Viburnum odoratissimum Ker, Murraya paniculata L., Jasminum gracile Andr., B~.....ir, Il. r spp., Cassia spp., Feijoa sellowiana Berg, Duranta repens L., Citrus reticulata Blanco, Eugenia uniflora L., Philodendron has- tatum Hort., Gardenia veitchi Hort., Pittosporum tobira Ait., Phoenix can- ariensis Chabaud., and Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D. Don. The insecticidal treatments consisted of the following materials applied at the recommended dosage and twice the recommended dosage: parathion wettable powder plus Staley sauce bait; malathion wettable powder plus Staley sauce bait; dieldrin granules; and heptachlor granules. No symptoms of phytotoxicity were noted. One application of a combination spray containing Thimet and oil emul- sion (Florida Volck) was very effective in controlling adult and immature stages of tea scale, Fiorinia theae Green, infesting camellias. Thimet was used at the rate of 1 quart of 47.5 percent emulsifiable concentrate and the oil emulsion at 2 quarts per 100 gallons. The treatment was applied about the time the new growth was beginning to harden. Pretreatment counts averaged 61.1 percent living adult scales. Three weeks following applica- tion, the counts averaged 4.2 percent living adult scales. The treatment was 98.9 percent effective in controlling the immature scales. Foliage produced this year has remained almost free of scales for two months. There was no evidence of any phytotoxicity. In further tests on tea scales infesting Camellia sasanqua, Thimet sprays were superior to Demeton sprays and equal to parathion sprays in controll- ing the scales. A wasp which bores into the pith of rose canes, beginning at the cut ends on recently pruned plants, sometimes is the cause of considerable con- cern. This insect was identified as Ectemnius texanus ais Pate. (See also Project 52, Ornamental Horticulture.) INTRODUCTION AND TESTING OF NECTAR AND POLLEN PRODUCING PLANTS IN FLORIDA State Project 583 Frank A. Robinson A half acre field of white Dutch clover, Trifolium repens L., which in 1956 secreted sufficient nectar to attract large numbers of honeybees for the first time in five years of observations, again secreted nectar and was attractive to bees. There was little change in the amount of nectar secreted per floret, but the average sugar concentration dropped from 40.49 percent in 1956 to 34.71 percent in 1957. The white tupelo, Nyssa ogeeche Marsh, and water tupelo, N. uniflora Wangenh., plantings near Bivan's Arm con- tinue to make excellent growth, and 15 of the trees bloomed this spring. Two hundred seeds collected from the trees last fall were planted after 60 days storage in cool moist sand. One hundred of these seeds germinated and are growing well. Of the 200 yellow poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera L., seedlings planted in 1953, 125 survived and were planted in a nursery along the shore of the Jim Woodruff Dam reservoir. Attempts to propagate the everflowering locust, Robinia pseudoacacia L., by seed were at last success- ful. Thirty-seven seedlings obtained from the 100 seeds planted are grow- ing rapidly and have reached a height of two to six feet. A one-acre field was planted to Japanese buckwheat in the fall of 1956. This planting has been undisturbed except for a light disking when each crop of seed matured. The buckwheat reseeded well and the fourth crop has just finished blooming. The effect of high and low levels of humidity on nectar secretion of Jap- anese buckwheat was tested on plants growing in the greenhouse. This test was inconclusive and additional tests are being made. Annual Report, 1957 89 CONTROL OF HICKORY SHUCKWORM ON PECANS State Project 597 A. M. Phillips This project was carried on at the Pecan Investigations Laboratory in cooperation with the Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Re- search Service, USDA. Under conditions of heavy infestation when 95 percent of the nuts on unsprayed trees were infested, three applications of EPN at two-week in- tervals gave fair control of the shuckworm on Mahan pecans and was much more effective than either Ryanacide-100 or Sevin (Insecticide No. 7744). Three applications of these insecticides were much more effective than two. When only 20.1 percent of the nuts on unsprayed trees of the Moore variety were infested, two late applications of EPN gave good con- trol of the shuckworm, while Trithion (Stauffer R-1303) gave only fair control. Eight species of parasites of the immature stages of the shuckworm col- lected from mass rearing cages in spring of 1957 were identified as: Larvae- voridae; Lixophaga meediocris Aid. and Leskiella brevirostris James; Lon- chaeidae: Gen. & sp. (could not be identified); Ichneumonidae: Calliephial- tes grapholithae (Cress.), Mastrus? carpocapsae (Cush.) and Gelis sp.; Braconidae: Macrocentrus instabilis Mues. and Phanerotoma fasciata Prov. Lixophaga mediocris Ald. was the most abundant, followed closely by Calliephialtes grapholithae (Cress.), Mastrus? ccrpocapsae (Cush.), and Macrocentrus instabilis Mues. These parasites destroy large numbers of the overwintering population of the shuckworm. In spring of 1957 work was initiated on studies of attractants for shuck- worm moths. Preliminary cage tests were made with 64 different materials. Three of these were very attractive to the shuckworm and they and seven other promising materials will be given further study. CONTROL OF INSECT AND RELATED PESTS OF PASTURES State Project 616 A. N. Tissot, L. C. Kuitert and R. E. Waites This project was inactive. (See also Project 616, Food Technology and Nutrition and Gulf Coast, Everglades, Range Cattle and North Florida Stations.) PESTICIDE RESIDUES ON VEGETABLES State Project 650 R. E. Waites Residue tests on lettuce and strawberries were incomplete at the time of the last report. Results of the analyses are summarized here. Two foliar applications of Thimet emulsifiable concentrate at 16 ounces active ingredient per acre made on lettuce and sampled 14 days after the last application had residues ranging from 5.6 to 9.15 ppm. Sprays of para- thion and malathion wettable powder, applied on strawberries at 2 and 8 ounces active ingredient per acre and sampled 48 hours after the first appli- cation, showed residue ranges of 0.70 to 1.00 and 0.75 to 2.51 ppm, re- spectively. Emulsifiable concentrates of DDT and demeton, used at 16 and 4 ounces of active ingredient per acre on strawberries and sampled five days after application, showed residue ranges of 3.90 to 4.44 and 0.48 to 0.68 ppm, respectively. Residue studies included demeton on lettuce, collards, mustard, and broccoli; Thimet on lettuce and mustard; diazinon on lettuce and collards; and parathion and DDT on escarole and broccoli. Four foliar sprays of diazinon, demeton and Thimet emulsifiable con- centrates at 4, 4 and 16 ounces active ingredient per acre, respectively, were applied to lettuce. Diazinon-treated lettuce sampled seven days after the 90 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations last application yielded residues of 0.14 ppm. Samples of demeton and Thimet-treated lettuce taken 21 days after the last application produced residues of 1.31 and 12.85 ppm, respectively. While no tolerance has been set for Thimet, the residues on lettuce seem to be quite high. Four spray applications of demeton and diazinon emulsifiable concen- trates, each at four ounces active ingredient per acre, were made on col- lards. Demeton-treated samples taken 21 days after the last application yielded residues of 2.66 ppm. Diazinon-treated samples taken 14 days after the last application produced residues of 0.06 ppm. Three spray applications of Thimet and demeton emulsifiable concen- trates at 16 and 4 ounces active ingredient per acre, respectively, were made on mustard. Thimet-treated samples taken 21 days after the last application showed residue ranges of 3.42 to 5.76 ppm. Demeton-treated samples contained residues of 1.51 ppm 21 days after application. Three spray applications of parathion and DDT emulsifiable concen- trates at 4 and 8 ounces active ingredient per acre, respectively, were made on escarole. Samples taken seven days after the last application showed DDT residues of 3.06 to 4.21 ppm, and parathion residues of 0.19 to 0.30 ppm. Three spray applications of parathion wettable powder, demeton and DDT emulsifiable concentrates at 2, 4, and 8 ounces active ingredient per acre were made on broccoli. Parathion-treated samples five days after the last application showed residues of 0.22 ppm, DDT-treated samples seven days after application, showed residues of 1.88 ppm, and demeton- treated samples ranged from 0.59 to 0.85 ppm 21 days after. (See also Project 650, Food Technology and Nutrition, Central Florida, Everglades and Gulf Coast Stations, and Potato Investigation Laboratory, and Project 699, Food Technology and Nutrition.) BIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF INSECTS ATTACKING CRUCIFEROUS CROPS IN FLORIDA State Project 669 L. C. Kuitert This project was inactive. (See also Project 669, Gulf Coast, Central Florida and Everglades Stations and Potato Investigations Laboratory.) BIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF INSECT AND ARACHNID PESTS OF TURF GRASSES State Project 678 S. H. Kerr and L. C. Kuitert In 1956, tests were conducted in Orlando and Daytona Beach with a large number of newer pesticides to determine their potential in chinch bug control on St. Augustinegrass lawns. Insecticides which showed little prom- ise included Phosdrin, chlorthion, Sevin and Guthion. Several pesticides, including Thimet, V-C 13, Union Carbide Chemicals Company's 8305, Dip- terex and Diazinon, gave encouraging results and will be tried in larger scale tests in 1957. Data from ground pearl control tests on centipedegrass in Gainesville indicated that Thimet, parathion, demeton, American Cyanimid 12008, and V-C 13 do not substantially reduce the insect population. (See also Project 678, North Florida and Sub-Tropical Stations.) IDENTITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL NEMATODES Hatch Project 695 J. R. Christie During the past 12 months 699 root and soil samples were processed for removal and identification of nematodes. Of these, 218 were experimental and were examined in cooperation with other projects mostly to determine Annual Report, 1957 the effects of various treatments on nematode populations. Of the re- mainder, 88 were associated with surveys at the Indian River Field Labora- tory, 237 were in connection with investigations of nematode injury to turf, and 156 were examined for miscellaneous purposes. The examination of soil samples has frequently revealed the presence of sheath nematodes, Hemicycliophora spp., in large numbers, especially in samples taken in the vegetable lands of the Sanford and Bradenton areas. These high populations of sheath nematodes are not, as a rule, widespread, but are restricted to small areas. A given soil sample may contain enor- mous numbers while another sample taken only a few feet away may con- tain none or very few. In laboratory and greenhouse experiments, H. parvana Tarjan, the predominating species in the Sanford area, fed readily on the roots of corn and bean, but not on the roots of hairy indigo, Indigo- fera hirsuta L. The nematodes fed externally near the root tip without penetrating the root. The most rapid reproduction occurred on corn and represented an increase from one to about 85 in five months. Neither corn nor bean developed symptoms of stubby root, indicating that root tips had not been devitalized. The feeding had not caused necrotic lesions at the time the roots were examined. Results from laboratory and greenhouse tests indicate that, of the vari- ous plant parasitic nematodes found associated with injury to turf, lance nematodes, Hoplolain.us spp., and spiral nematodes, Rotylenchus spp., are the most difficult to kill with chemicals. Stubbyroot nematodes, Trichodorus spp., are somewhat less resistant, while sting nematodes, Belonolaibns spp., and dagger nematodes, Xiphinema spp., are comparatively easy to kill. It seems logical to expect that results obtained with a nematicide of moderate potency may vary considerably with different kinds of nematodes. Hairy indigo has been suggested as a root-knot-resistant legume suitable for growing in Florida. For several years this plant grew on root-knot- infested land at the Central Florida Station without showing evidence of galling. Recently instances have come to our attention where hairy indigo has become severely galled with what proved to be the Javanese root-knot nematode, Melodigone javanica (Treub) Chitwood. Apparently hairy indigo is resistant to some, but not all, of the root-knot nematodes that occur in Florida. (See also Project 698, Soils, and Project 712, Indian River Field Laboratory.) INFLUENCE OF SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON NEMATODES IN FLORIDA SOILS State Project 698 J. R. Christie Participation in this project consisted of processing soil and plant sam- ples and determining the number and kinds of plant parasitic nematodes removed. (See also Project 695, Entomology; 698, Soils; and 712, Indian River Field Laboratory.) NEMATODE STUDIES AND CONTROL ON ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS State Project 729 S. H. Kerr and J. R. Christie Caladium tubers were treated and planted in a test to determine the effects of nematicides on growth of plants and on nematodes associated with them. Part of the tubers were dipped in liquid preparations before planting. The remaining tubers were treated by drenching the soil in which they were planted. In each case, half of the tubers were cut and half were planted whole. Nemagon dips prevented growth of the tubers. Where nemagon was 92 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations applied as a soil drench the caladiums grew, although their development was somewhat retarded. Extremely heavy parathion drenches (10 pounds actual parathion per acre) slowed the growth of the plants considerably. At the end of the test the nematode population on the roots was so small, even in the checks, that no nematode control data could be taken. This project is closed with this report. (See also Project 729, Plant Pathology.) EFFECT OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON INSECTICIDE RESIDUES ON VEGETABLE CROPS Hatch Project 746 R. E. Waites Effects of climatic factors were studied by means of specially con- structed cages which made it possible to determine the influence of sun, rain and wind individually and in combination with each other. Cages were four feet square and two feet high and the wooden framework was partially or wholly covered with different materials. Cages to study the effects of sun were enclosed on sides and top with clear cellulose acetate sheeting; for wind, cages were open on all sides, with felt roofing paper on top; for rain, the sides and top were of felt roofing paper and the top was removed at night and on cloudy or rainy days. Cages for the study of combined effects of sun and rain were open on top, and the sides were covered with cellulose acetate sheeting; for sun and wind, all sides were open and the top was covered with cellulose acetate sheeting; for wind and rain, the sides were open and the top was covered with felt roofing paper and the top was removed at night and on cloudy or rainy days. For effects of all factors an area four feet square was marked off with stakes and the plants were completely exposed. Turnips and mustard were treated with 5 percent DDT dust at the rate of 35 pounds per acre and the cages were placed over the plants im- mediately after treatment. Samples taken 1 hour and 7, 14 and 21 days after application of the dust were analyzed for residues by chemical methods. Rain was the most important factor in reducing DDT deposits on turnip tops during the three-week period after application. Where 0.76 inches of rain fell during the first week, 74 percent loss of the initial deposit was attributed to this weather component. A total of 2,773 Langleys of solar radiation was available to the treated turnips during the first week of the test, and a residue loss of 56 percent was attributed to this amount of solar radiation. The loss effected by the wind was less than the initial loss at- tributed to the rain or sun. In the test with turnips, a total wind of 300 miles caused a loss of 36 percent of the original deposit. In some instances the interaction of two factors caused a larger loss of deposit than one factor alone, but in others very little additive effect was found by the combined action of two factors. Rain and sun appeared to be the most effective com- bination in reducing DDT residues on crucifers. The effect of all three weathering components combined was somewhat more than that of any two, but in many instances not outstandingly more. Data from the mustard study were not quite parallel to those of the turnip study but, in general, the trend was the same. A "brine shrimp" bioassay method for determining amounts of resi- dues on vegetable crops is under preliminary investigation. INSECT CONTAMINATION OF CORN MEAL AND GRITS PROCESSED IN FLORIDA State Project 778 H. E. Bratley The corn meal and grits samples mentioned last year were stored under various conditions and kept under observation. Packages placed in open Annual Report, 1957 air storage as they were received showed considerable variation in the incidence of infestation and the severity of damage. The earliest and heaviest infestations developed in samples from some of the smaller Florida mills. Samples heated in an oven at a temperature of 130 degrees F. for two hours and then placed in open air storage remained free of insect damage for four to six weeks. Examination showed that these infestations developed from insects which penetrated the package from the outside. Other pack- ages of the same samples were placed in an ordinary household refrigerator as they were received. This treatment did not kill the insects or their eggs in the packages, but greatly delayed their growth and after a year in the refrigerator a second generation had not developed. Packages in the re- frigerator having insect damage were from the same mills as those that showed early and heavy infestation in open storage. The following insects in the order of predominance were observed during this investigation: (1) Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hbn.); (2) red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. (Herbst.) ; (3) corn sap beetle, Carpophilus sp.; (4) flat grain beetle, Laembophloeus probably testacevs (F.); (5) saw-toothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.); book- lice, few and unidentified; and (7) unidentified mites, occasionally observed. INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON THE INCIDENCE AND CONTROL OF INSECT INFESTATIONS IN FLUE-CURED TOBACCO 'Hatch Project 780 L. C. Kuitert and A. N. Tissot In the spring of 1957 two methods of applying insecticides for the con- trol of soil-inhabiting pests of newly set tobacco were compared. Wettable powders or dust concentrates of aldrin, chlordane and endrin were mixed with the tobacco fertilizer in amounts that gave applications of 2, 4 and 8 pounds active ingredients per acre. Emulsifiable concentrates of the same insecticides were added to transplant water at 2, 4 and 8 ounces active per 50 gallons, which gave applications of 12, 1 and 2 pounds active per acre. No ill effects were noted from any of the insecticide-fertilizer combinations. Aldrin and endrin in the transplant water caused severe injury to the to- bacco, particularly at the higher rates. No injury resulted from the chlor- dane. Cutworms, the only pest present in any numbers, were distributed so unevenly in the field that the comparative effectiveness of the two methods of application could not be ascertained. A blanket application of a pre- pared bait containing 2.0 percent of chlordane and 2.4 percent of toxaphene gave excellent control of the cutworms. The transplant water test suggested that solvents or emulsifiers, rather than the insecticides themselves, might have caused the injury. The con- centrates of aldrin and endrin contained only 2.0 and 1.6 pounds active per gallon, respectively, while the chlordane concentrate contained 8.0 pounds active per gallon. Endrin was not available as wettable powder, so a com- parison of formulations of this material could not be made. Aldrin wettable powder was compared with aldrin emulsifiable concentrate. Each was used in transplant water at 14, 1/, 1 and 2 pounds active per acre. No injury resulted from the wettable powder at any level of application. Injury oc- curred where the emulsifiable concentrate was used and again damage was more pronounced from the higher rates. Field observations and laboratory studies were made on some of the parasites and predators of hornworms and budworms. Polistes wasps cap- tured and devoured many second to fourth instar hornworms and late instar budworms. The influence of these predators was especially noticeable early in the season. Between May 23 and June 16, 147 last instar budworms were 94 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations collected in the field and taken to the laboratory for rearing. During the first half of the period 96.5 percent of the larvae were parasitized by the red-tail wasp, Cardiochiles nigriceps (Vier.). About the middle of the period parasitization decreased rapidly and during the second half averaged only 50.5 percent. From May 17 to July 1, 88 last instar hornworms were collected for rearing. Seven of the larvae were parasitized by a larvaevorid fly, probably Sturmia protoparcis (Towns.). Life history studies on the tobacco budworm were in progress at the time of this report. IDENTITY, BIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF INSECT AND ARACHNID PESTS OF HERBACEOUS ORNAMENTAL PLANTS State Project 852 S. H. Kerr and L. C. Kuitert This project was initiated in the spring of 1957. A test is underway on the caterpillars that attack the blooms of chrysanthemums. Results are not yet available. In greenhouse work with chrysanthemums, it was observed that demeton failed to give satisfactory mite control. Kelthane was substituted and has given excellent control. MISCELLANEOUS Corn Earworm Control.-Tests were conducted to evaluate the effective- ness of several insecticides applied with hand equipment for controlling corn earworms. An early planting of approximately 0.5 acre and a late planting of 0.37 acre were used. Each plot contained four rows 71 feet in length. All treatments were replicated four times. About 10 days prior to the initial earworm treatments an overall application of 10 percent toxaphene dust was made to the early planting and 2.5 percent aldrin dust to the late planting for budworm control. All dust treatments were applied with a crank-type rotary duster and the spray treatments with a three gallon pneumatic sprayer. Treatments were initiated two days after the first appearance of silks. Six applications were made to the early planting at two-day intervals. Materials used, concentrations, average rates per acre per application and percentage of worm-free ears for the various treatments were as follows- DDT 25 percent emulsifiable concentrate, 1 quart plus mineral oil 1 quart per 36 gallons, 36 gallons per acre, 77.1 percent; Sevin 5 percent dust, 28.5 pounds, 68.2 percent; Dylox 50 percent soluble, 2 pounds plus 1 quart min- eral oil per 36 gallons, 36 gallons per acre, 66.0 percent; DDT 5 percent dust, 33.7 pounds per acre, 31.1 percent. In the check only 5.07 percent of the ears were worm-free. Five applications were made to the late planting. Due to heavy rains, it was not possible to adhere to a schedule of two-day intervals. Treat- ments were delayed one day on three occasions and in the case of the fourth application the delay was two days. Materials used, concentrations, aver- age rates per acre per application and percentage of worm-free ears were as follows: DDT 25 percent emulsifiable concentrate, 2 quarts plus mineral oil 1 quart per 36 gallons, 36 gallons per acre, 86.5 percent; DDT 5 percent dust, 40.3 pounds, 45.9 percent; Sevin 5 percent dust, 50.0 pounds, 41.2 per- cent. In the check 20.0 percent of the ears were worm-free. The data indicate that earworms are controlled effectively with several insecticides when conditions permit application at two-day intervals. When conditions do not permit rigid adherence to a two-day schedule, only the combination spray of DDT with mineral oil is satisfactory. (L. C. Kuitert.) Mexican Bean Beetle Control.-Tests were conducted on Cherokee Wax and Contender bush beans for control of the Mexican bean beetle. Materials Annual Report, 1957 used and amounts of active ingredient per acre were: Dylox soluble powder, 16 ounces; technical Phosdrin, 5.12 ounces; emulsifiable concentrates of Sevin, 8 ounces; parathion, 8 ounces; malathion, 16 ounces; 5 percent Sevin dust; 2 percent parathion dust; and 4 percent malathion dust. Sprays were applied at the rate of 100 gallons per acre and dusts at approximately 35 pounds per acre. Due to a heavy rainfall an hour and a half after the application, results of these tests are not conclusive. However, parathion and malathion dusts, under these conditions, caused an appreciable reduction in number of beetles and 5 percent Sevin dust produced an outstanding reduction. (R. E. Waites and L. C. Kuitert.) Effect of Adequate Pollination on Some Florida Fruit Crops.-Pollina- tion studies were continued on the Minneola tangelo variety. Trees caged with honeybees set no more fruit than caged trees where bees were ex- cluded. Hand pollinations with pollen from Temple orange flowers resulted in 50 percent fruit set, and 95 percent of the flowers set fruit when Va- lencia pollen was used. When tangelo flowers were pollinated with tangelo pollen, none of the flowers set fruit. In a fall planting of squash, plots open to honeybees averaged 142.6 pounds. Where honeybees were excluded the yield was zero. In a second planting made in the spring of 1957, the average yields were 195 pounds from the plots open to honeybees and 12 pound per plot where honeybees were excluded. (F. A. Robinson.) A Comparison of the Efficiency of Different Types of Honey Processing Equipment.-Preliminary investigations have been initiated to obtain infor- mation on the efficiency of different types of honey processing equipment. This study will be concerned primarily with different types of heat ex- changers, and a pressure sand filter. Work during the past year was largely confined to designing and building two heat exchangers and a pressure filter. These units have been tested and will be ready for use when a few minor modifications have been made. (F. A. Robinson.) 96 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND NUTRITION Six new projects were started during the year; four on utilization and quality measurements of Florida horticultural commodities and two in human nutrition. Utilization studies with cull tomatoes showed that these fruits can be used satisfactorily in the preparation of livestock feed. X-ray films of tomatoes and watermelons indicated the maturity of the fruits and if the melons had any hollow heart. Methods were developed for evalu- ating the quality of celery. Vacuum cooled sweet corn and celery maintained good quality provided the commodities were wet before and after cooling. EFFECT OF CAROTENE OR VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY IN YOUNG RATS ON SUBSEQUENT LIFE PATTERN Hatch Project 569 R. B. French, O. D. Abbott and R. O. Townsend Fifty-four mature rats that had been exposed to vitamin A deficiency when weanlings were given a massive dose of vitamin A orally and subse- quent change in blood level of vitamin A was followed by hourly analysis. One-fifth of these rats, as well as one-fifth of the control rats, failed to show a rise in serum A following the administration of the dose. Evidently, control of factors such as oxidation by vitamin E and dispersibility by Tween 20 in water is not enough to insure satisfactory use of the procedure upon individual animals. The idea had been advanced that animals exposed to a vitamin A deficiency when young might show impaired absorption of vitamin A later in life. The data suggest that animals that had been ex- posed to a vitamin A deficiency were much more apt to show higher serum vitamin A values than the control rats. Fifty I. U. intake per week was the minimum level of maintenance for vitamin A. Three thousand I. U. of vitamin A at one feeding lasted a rat for four and one-half months. This intake figured to be at the rate of 100 I. U. per week. In weight gained, this group kept somewhat ahead of those that received 200 I. U. per week. CONTROL OF INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS OF PASTURES State Project 616 C. H. Van Middelem There are no residue data to report under this project during the year. (See also Project 616, Entomology and Everglades, Gulf Coast, North Florida and Range Cattle Stations.) EFFECT OF DIETARY PRACTICES ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE SKELETON OF AGED MEN AND WOMEN Hatch Project 625 0. D. Abbott, R. O. Townsend and R. B. French Investigation has been concentrated on individuals showing bone demin- eralization and calcified areas in the soft tissue anatomy. Selection of sub- jects was based on the degree of sclerotic changes in the walls of the pal- pable superficial arteries and clinical diagnosis of arteriosclerosis or hyper- tension. Subjects showing definite symptoms of senile mental deterioration that might preclude inability to follow explicit directions were excluded from the groups selected for further study and treatment. The object of this study was to determine the effect of special diet and administration of certain plant derivatives on these conditions often associated with aging. Annual Report, 1957 A diet was planned which was low in saturated fat, but contained un- saturated fatty acids such as linoleic and arachidonic. This diet was sup- plemented daily with from 50 to 200 mgs. nicotinic acid and with 42 gms. of cytellin, a plant sterol. As serum cholesterol is usually high in patients with atherosclerosis, the level of this sterol was determined every three months and roentgenograms were made every six months. At the end of six months serum cholesterol values had dropped 20 percent but roentgeno- grams showed no change in deposits in soft tissue nor in the arterial system. Later determinations showed further reduction in cholesterol but still no change in deposits. After 10 months, cytellin was discontinued. The low fat diet and nicotinic acid regimen will be followed for six months, after which serum cholesterol levels, soft tissue deposition and physical examina- tions will again be employed for evaluation of treatment. Another group showing bone demineralization with excessive deposition in the joints of the spine and upper and lower extremities which was di- agnosed as osteoarthritis were given water-soluble hesperidin (hesperidin- methylene-carboxychalcone) in therapeutic doses as determined by Hart. Great improvement in symptoms of pain of the freely movable joints has been noted, while that in the spine has not been as great. Roentgenograms will be made to determine degree of deposition in the joints at a later date. A second group with deposits in the joints is being given a combination of crude hesperidin and naringin with ascorbic acid in comparable dosage. No improvement of symptoms has been noted. The difference in the effective- ness of the two products is probably due to differences in solubility. ECONOMY OF MARKETING AND METHODS OF HANDLING SWEET CORN FOR LONG DISTANCE SHIPMENTS Regional Research Project 630 R. K. Showalter (Regional SM-8) Precooling studies were made with sweet corn to determine the effects of vacuum cooling, hydrocooling, and top ice versus no top ice during subse- quent handling. The corn was packed in wirebound crates immediately after harvesting. The vacuum cooled corn was precooled in a pump-oper- ated vacuum tube 5 x 31/2 x 31/ feet. The hydrocooled corn was precooled in a commercial hydrocooler. The storage studies were made in two minia- ture refrigerated cars which were bunker iced. Corn samples for quality studies were taken at time of harvest and after 2, 5 and 8 days of storage. The facilities of the Everglades Station and the Florida Vacuum Cooling Corporation were utilized over an eight-week period for these tests. Since vacuum cooling depends upon the evaporation of water, the tests were designed to find a method which would reduce the water loss to a min- imum. Four treatments were used with the vacuum cooling: (1) the corn was wet with water before cooling; (2) the corn was wet after cooling; (3) the corn was wet before and after cooling and (4) the corn was not wet. The fifth treatment was the hydrocooled lot. After precooling, one- half of all the crates were placed in one of the refrigerated cars and covered with top ice, the other crates were held in the second car at 34-45 F. with- out top ice. The cob temperatures of the vacuum cooled corn were reduced from ap- proximately 90 to 38 F. in 30 minutes, while the cob temperatures of the hydrocooled corn were reduced to approximately 600 F. in the same time. During vacuum cooling, the non-wet corn lost from 2 to 6 percent weight while the corn wet before and after cooling gained weight. Without top ice, the non-wet corn at the end of five days of storage showed considerable denting of the kernels and slight wilting of the husks and after eight days 98 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations had lost 8.4 percent weight. The wet corn without top ice was 2 percent heavier after two days than at harvest and the fresh appearance was re- tained. With the top ice, the non-wet corn maintained the harvest weight and after eight days the wet corn was from 5 to 7 percent heavier than at harvest. With top ice, denting developed only with the non-wet and hydro- cooled treatments. In all treatments the more mature ears were the most susceptible to denting, and very little denting of immature kernels was found. Little change in succulence and pericarp content of the corn resulted from the various treatments. This would be expected under the conditions of continuous adequate refrigeration. The ears which were dipped in water for one to two minutes before and after vacuum cooling were more succu- lent than the hydrocooled ears at most examination periods. A taste panel judged the hydrocooled corn as the lowest in sweetness and succulence after six days of storage with and without top ice. Additional studies were made this year on effects of temperature and time in storage on change in pericarp content. Sixty lots of sweet corn of four varieties were stored at 40, 60 and room temperature (85 to 900 F.). The pericarp content increased at the following rates during one, two, and three days at room temperatures: Golden Security 12, 28 and 43 percent; Sixtypak 12, 23 and 37 percent; a white narrow-grain variety 25, 52 and 65 percent; and Gold Rush 33 and 48 percent increase during the first and second days. The increase in pericarp content was much slower at 60, and at 40' F. there was no increase in the Golden Security and Sixtypak varieties during six days. The white corn increased 16 percent in six days at 40 F. These data further substantiate earlier tests in which the pericarp measurements were found to be an indication of handling practices and time in marketing channels. THE INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION ON TOMATO FRUIT DISORDERS State Project 640 C. B. Hall and R. A. Dennison The project was inactive and is closed with this report. MATURITY AS RELATED TO QUALITY OF TOMATOES FOR THE FRESH MARKET Hatch Project 641 R. K. Showalter and R. O. Townsend Inspection of the internal structure of tomatoes by X-ray was initiated as a possible grading method for separating immature from mature-green tomatoes. X-ray pictures were made of tomatoes varying from very im- mature to fully ripe. The formation of the jelly-like substance in the lo- cules with increasing maturity, which cannot be accurately determined by external appearance, was indicated on the X-ray films by increasing density. The contents of the locules in the immature tomatoes were less dense than the inner walls, but this difference gradually disappeared during maturation. The ripe tomatoes showed very little contrast between light and dark areas and absorbed more of the X-rays than the immature fruit. Puffy locules were most easily penetrated by X-rays and produced dense, sharply defined areas. If the differences recorded on X-ray film can be observed on a fluoroscopic screen mounted over a grading belt, a rapid non-destructive method would be available for determining maturity and puffiness. (See also Project 641, Vegetable Crops.) Annual Report, 1957 POST-HARVEST EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, LIGHT, STORAGE ATMOSPHERE AND HUMIDITY ON TOMATO QUALITY Hatch Project 643 C. B. Hall and R. A. Dennison Mature-green tomato fruits were stored at 700 F. for periods of one, two and three days with and without exposure to fluorescent light. Fruits exposed to light for one day had significantly less chlorophyll at the end of this period than similar fruits held in the dark for one day. There was no difference in the chlorophyll content of exposed and-tmexp6seedfruits at the end of two and three days. The exposed fruits developed more red color than the unexposed fruits after one, two or three days. The dry weight of various portions of tomato wall tissue was determined. The dry weight of the locular walls was less than that of the outer walls. The stem-end and blossom-end portions of the outer wall tissue were higher in dry weight than the middle portion. PESTICIDE RESIDUES ON VEGETABLES State Project 650 C. H. Van Middelem All the non-systemic pesticide residue experiments conducted in coopera- tion with Station entomologists and plant pathologists and analyzed at Gainesville are reported under this project. Table 1 condenses the pertinent portions of the field experiments conducted at the various cooperating sta- tions and the resulting residues obtained by chemical analysis: TABLE 1.-CONVENTIONAL PESTICIDE RESIDUES FOUND ON AND IN FLORIDA VEGETABLES. on -o x i A2 Escarole Escarole Lettuce SLettuce B: Sweet Corn (kernel and cob) Sweet Corn (shuck only) SSweet Corn (husk, silks kernel and cob) C, Cauliflower Number of on on PS Ea on Chlorthion 0.2 3 7 Parathion 0.2 3 7 Chlorthion 3 Parathion 3 DDT 3 DDT Parathion Dipterex Strawberries DDT 1.37- 0.30- 0.00- 3.36- 0.77- 0.00- 0.00- 0.00- 0.21- 2.13* 1.10* 0.36* 4.24* 1.00* 0.50* 0.00* 0.04* 1.04* 0.20- 0.61* 46.50-112.50* 35.19- 93.33* 0.14 15 1 0.10 0.25 3 1 0.11 8.08 1 1 5.83 4.34 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations TABLE 1.-CONVENTIONAL PESTICIDE RESIDUES FOUND ON AND IN FLORIDA VEGETABLES. Strawberries E5 Mustard greens (Weather Factor Study) F I Collards Lettuce GC. Broccoli Broccoli H>I Escarole Avocados Avocados Cabbage Ks Celery Malathion 1 2 Parathion 1 2 5 DDT 14 Diazinon Diazinon DDT Parathion DDT Parathion Malathion Parathion Diazinon Maneb Nabam Ziram Ferbam 3.65 1.48 1.21 0.81 0.34 Sun 9.86 Sun + rain 9.37 Sun + wind 11.69 Rain 11.53 Rain + wind 9.83 Wind 17.06 S+W+R 8.14 1.43 0.77 0.26 1.93 0.61 0.14 8.36 1.88 1.89 0.22 22.10 7.43 3.71 3.14 0.57 0.26 0.38- 0.81* 0.12- 1.42* 1.78- 5.50* 0.46- 1.05* 0.06- 0.18* 3.3 0.2 7.2 5.2 1 Time lapse from last application until sampling. Range indicates lowest to highest residue concentration. 2 Cooperation W. G. Genung, Everglades Station, Belle Glade. 3 Cooperation E. ID. Harris, Everglades Station, Belle Glade. 4 Cooperation E. G. Kelsheimer, Gulf Coast Station, Bradenton. G Cooperation R. E. Waites, Main Station, Gainesville. 6 Cooperation D. O. Wolfenbarger, Sub-Tropical Station, Homestead. 7 Cooperation J. W. Wilson. Central Florida Station, Sanford. s Cooperation J. F. Darby, Central Florida Station, Sanford. (See also Project 650, Entomology, Central Florida, Gulf Coast and Everglades Stations, Potato Investigations Laboratory, Projects 690 and 699, Food Technology and Nutrition, and Project 746, Entomology.) Number of P, 0 C) *<1 Q P |