In the study of the flavor of butter various artificial starters were used. The scoring of the different lots was done by experts, without any knowledge along what lines I was experimenting. The tubs were numbered and sent to the scorers, who returned scores to me according to numbers sent. The different scorers were W. S. Moore, official scorer for the Elgin Board of Trade; J. R. Morin, who was one of the judges a t the World’s Fair, and A. H. Barber of Chicago.

On December 3rd I took 150 gallons oi cream and after thoroughly mixing it in a vat, divided it into two equal parts, using Conn’s B. 41, as a starter in one vat, and butter-milk in the other. Three gallons of starter were added to each vat. The cream in both lots was ripened a t a temperature of 72 ° F. during the first seven hours, after which it was cooled to 60 ° and left for the night. The butter granules in each churning were about the size of No. 6 shot. Seven eighths of an ounce of salt to each pound of butter was used. Each lot was worked six and a half minutes in the Fargo worker.

The increasing interest shown by the ladies of our state in floriculture, has suggested to Prof. Wilson an article on that subject, which he asks me to write. And as the floral feature of our greenhouse experiments have been made with a view of ascertaining not only the best varieties of plants for ordinary window gardening, but their treatment as well, we take pleasure in submitting in detail the following plants which are grown by every one and are the most frequently mismanaged.

We found the geranium of course to be the standard all-purpose plant for flowers. Little need be said concerning its treatment, good garden loam containing about one-fourth sand, and the plants given a sunny place in the window, with just water enough to warrant good growth in the garden are all that is necessary for a wealth of flowers the entire winter months.

The study of soil moisture is one of the many interesting subjects connected with the study of the soil. Perhaps in some cases the results of a single season may give valuable indications in certain lines, but it is the results of many years which give conclusions that mean much more to those interested in the subject. In commencing the work, the first part of which is presented to those interested in the subject, it was with the view that the work will be continued for some time to come, and as the work developes we hope that it will be the means of presenting some results that may be of value.

During the winter and spring of 1895 this station continued its work with dairy cows. Eight were selected from the college herds on January first 1895, with a view to their advance in period of lactation. They had dropped calves from September 10th to December 7th. There were four Holsteins, two Short-horns and two Jerseys. The cows were not selected as the best representatives of their respective breeds on the farm, but because they were free from the extremes of fresh cows or strippers and are fairly averages of their respective breeds. I desired to ascertain the quantity and quality of milk, butter and cheese made from turnips, mangels, sugar beets and red table beets; from feeding with roots and without them; from wet and dry fodder, and the effect of feeding bran on pasture. Observations extended over 189 days, including seventy-seven days on roots, forty-six days without roots, and sixty-six days observations on pasture, with, and without bran. There was a uniform foundation ration of hay, corn-fodder, bran, gluten meal, and oil meal fed during the first two periods until the cows went to grass. This foundation ration is well known to make good dairy products.

The extensive introduction of cottonseed meal into this state during the period of high priced grain prevailing in the early part of the past year led to many inquiries at this station as to how much of the product could be safely and judiciously fed to domestic animals. We are now feeding cottonseed meal to fattening cattle, in supplementing a corn ration, a t the rate of 3¹/₂ pounds per head daily with entirely safe and satisfactory results. We have also in like manner fed as high as seven pounds per head daily without injury, though the economy of feeding as heavily as this is doubtful. The result of feeding cottonseed meal to hogs has been published in bulletin No. 28 and this experiment was conducted to determine the effect of cottonseed meal upon the flavor, and other qualities, of butter when fed to dairy cows.