9



     President Donovan informed the Board that this section was
formerly headed by Dr. J. S. McHargue, a nationally known authority
on minor elements of the soil, and that, after Doctor McHargue's
change-of-occupation, the section was transferred to the Department
of Agronomy and operated during the past two years,    Dean Cooper now
feels it prudent to discontinue this section.

     Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the recommendation
was concurred in.



     K. Authority Granted to Contract with Farmers to Raise Aromatic
Tobacco in Research Program.

     President Donovan read the following letter from Dean Cooper:


                                             March 30, 1950

    President H. L. Donovan
    University of Kentucky

    Dear President Donovan:

       The research work of the Kentucky Agricultlral Experiment
    Station has developed an aromatic tobacco of relatively high
    sugar content which is a strain of Burley.    Certain tobacco
    manufacturers are interested in this product and desire to
    procure a sufficient amount to determine its value and prob-
    able usage by the public.   This tobacco is graded according
    to Burley grades.   I recommend that the Experiment Station
    be given authority to enter into an agreement with a farmer-
    grower of Shelby County who desires to grow the tobacco for
    the Experiment Station and who will sell it on the ware-
    house floors.    It will be purchased by the Brown and William-
    son Tobacco Corporation for experimental use.    It is expect-
    ed that the crop produced will reimburse the grower for his
    land, labor, etc.   If it does not, the Experiment Station
    will make such additional payments as are necessary to pay
    the ordinary expenses of production and rent.    These
    funds are of Congressional appropriation and the agreement
    for the purpose of growing aromatic tobacco is approved by
    the Tobacco Branch of the United States Department of Agri-
    culture.   I request your approval and that of the Board of
    Trustees for this arrangement.

      As you know, black shank, a soil-borne disease of tobacco,
   has appeared in sections of Kentucky.    Also it has appeared
   to much larger extent in certain other states.    The staff
   of the Experiment Station has been working for some time to
   develop strains of Burley resistant to this disease, There
   are now certain strains that have been developed far enough