xii Fifteenth Annual Report of t/to
sixth lots were given corn and different proportions of dried dis-
tillery grain, etc. _
Arrangements have been made with slaughter houses in Chicago
to mark these steers as they are killed and give us data for the
purpose of noting the quality of beef each makes. ·
Experiments have been begun in studying the immunity in `
Texas fever in cattle. The Station now has an immuned animal
and equipments, and is now prepared to inoculate Kentucky cattle V
against Texas fever in order to facilitate southern trade in im-
proved live stock.
;\ herd of Berkshire swine is being improved. Several experi-
ments have been carried out with swine in studying the influence
of certain mineral matters, especially lime, upon metabolism:
namely, assimilation of nutrients by the animal body, rate of growth
per pound of food consumption, composition of the bone, etc. .
Studies in feeding, the influence of shelter and methods of
handling dairy cattle have been continued. The new dairy barn
has been completed with all modern equipment.
Fertilizer Control \Vo1·k.
During the year some 673 analyses of fertilizers were made
and 372,736 tags were printed, proof-read, counted, put up in pack- '
ages from day to day and sent to various firms in such manner `
'S that no complaint has been made to us as to delay or mistake.
Cnr work in inspection increases yearly. We find especially
in the remote parts of the State that tags are sometimes left off
of the goods, and we End goods in some places that have not been
properly registered. Good fertilizers are sought by farmers and
when they find one that goes below the guarantee, such brand.
usually becomes unpopular. One firm has left the State since we
— suggested that none of its goods be purchased without first send-
ing samples to us. as they generally fell below their guarantee.
The farmers have the privilege of sending in samples of fertilizers
and have them analyzed here free of charge. They are becoming Z
acquainted with this provision of the law and we are receiving
more samples for free analysis each year.
Mr. H. E. Curtis has charge of this work, assisted by Mr. W.
H. Scherflius and Mr. Geo. Roberts.