Digitized Theses and Dissertations (1940 - 2009)
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University of Houston (UH) Libraries is engaged in a multi-year project to digitize and deliver online its collection of print theses and dissertations dating back to 1940, making the full breadth of scholarship produced by UH students more readily accessible around the world. There is no cost to the author for this service.
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Browsing Digitized Theses and Dissertations (1940 - 2009) by Department "Agriculture, Department of"
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Item A study of economic factors determining the feasibility of irrigation in the humid mid-Texas Gulf Coast area(1960) Eller, James M.; Love, Harold C.; Owen, John P.; Zingler, Ervin K.The trend of modern agriculture is toward specialization, greater efficiency of production, and larger scale, more intensified operations in an effort to combat the rising costs of production. As a method of obtaining a more profitable level of agricultural production, the use of supplemental irrigation is going to increase in importance even in areas of high rainfall. When a progressive agriculturist has gained the point of maximum control over the factors affecting production by maintaining a high level of soil fertility, providing good drainage, controlling insect infestations, and by using improved, adapted crop varieties, only the weather remains as a variable uncontrollable factor. Irrigation is a method which producers can use to control this most variable production factor. Even though the area of this study is characterized by a high annual rainfall, there are times during each year when normal rainfall is insufficient to maintain plants-at their, maximum level of growth. Too, there are some soils which do not possess the capacity to hold enough available soil moisture to sustain plants during their peak water use periods. The probability for the occurrence of short dry periods is very high during the times/when many plants reach the peak water use stage; therefore, the lack of available moisture is likely to be the factor limiting production in many years. The development of an irrigation system provides the agricultural producer insurance that drought will not seriously jeopardize his operation and that he will maintain a higher level of production each year. Not only does a system add value to his farm business, irrigation can increase yields and provide a more stable income. However, the determination of the feasibility of an investment for irrigation cannot be made with general statements for any area. A determination can be based only according to the specific circumstances of each individual operation. Profitable returns from an investment in irrigation depend upon the following factors: rainfall, soil type, type of crop, drainage, cost of developing water sunply, cost of equipment, cost of land preparation and construction of canals, added labor and production costs, and the ability and skill of the operator. This study revealed that even though supplemental irrigation may not be needed every year in an area of high rainfall, an investment for irrigation is profitable provided initial costs are not excessive. It is only profitable, also, if the producer has already exploited other investment opportunities toward obtaining a high level of production. When a progressive agriculturist is producing at the maximum dry land level, the only alternative left to reach still higher yields and nrofits is the use of supplemental irrigation.Item A study of Texas Gulf Coast parasites of livestock(1954) Slade, M. Valerie; Daniels, R. Balfour; Williams, John S.; Whitehead, Jack O.; Hamm, Gerald L.; Carter, John L.The purpose of this study was to compile information and to collect disease specimens from livestock showing parasitic involvement...Item Agronomic experimental plots as an aid in training F.F.A. students in the Cypress-Fairbanks Area(1952) Arnold, Forest Eugene; Daniels, R. Balfour; Williams, John S.The objectives of this study were, first to evaluate the yields and adaptability of Crimson Clover, Persian Clover, and Hop Clover planted on the Coastal Bermudagrass sod on Katy soil; second, to find the effects of these three clovers on the growth of Coastal Bermudagrass the following spring; and, third, to create F.F.A. interest in pasture improvement...Item An experimental study of the forage production from ten pasture legumes in the Gulf Coast Area(1954) Jamieson, Thomas V., Jr.; Williams, John S.; Yost, William J.The yields of ten different legumes from randomized replicated field plots have been studied to determine their relative forage yielding ability on Lake Charles clay. This study was conducted in the Coastal Plains Soil Conservation District of Texas, in the suburban area of Rosenberg, Texas. The Soil Conservation Service designation of this soil is sell unit 1, capability III, Information obtained during this experiment showed (1) the relative forage yielding ability of the legumes under the coalitions of the study, (2) adaptation of the legumes to climatic conditions existing during the period of observation, and (3) possible value of each legume as a pasture, hay, or silage plant. The effect of lack of moisture during the early part of the growing season seriously limited forage yields during the fall and winter months. Four of the ten legumes in this study indicated considerable utility as forage and soil structure improving crops' These were white blossom biennial sweetclover, Madrid sweetclover, alfalfa, and red clover. Three of the ten legumes, white-Dutch clover, Persian clover, and red clover, showed particular promise as pasture plants.Item Effects of anhydrous ammonia on soil pH, conversion of ammonia to nitrates, and the availability of certain plant nutrients(1958) Anders, Leslie Fain; Daniels, Balfour; Williams, John S.; Drake, G. WilsonThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of anhydrous ammonia on soio pH, on conversion of ammonia to nitrates, and on the availability of certain plant nutrients found in Lake Charles Clay...Item Legume and grass yields at Tomball, Texas(1952) Parker, Napoleon; Daniels, R. Balfour; Williams, John S.; Hildebrand, E. M.The objective of this study was to ascertain information to evaluate nineteen legumes and five grass varieties to the Tomball area.Item Legume yields at Houston, Texas(1951) Smith, Joseph A.; Williams, John S.The objective of this study was to ascertain information on the value of twenty-one legume species and varieties to the Houston area. [...]Item Seed and forage yields of white clover as influenced by varying rates of rock phosphate and superphosphate fertilizer at Winnie, Texas(1952) Wyatt, Bruce Ferris; Williams, John S.; Enlow, D. H.; Carter, John L.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of varying rates of phosphoric sold from rock phosphate and superphosphate on the seed and forage yields of white clover at Winnie, Texas. The facts brought out in this study are (1) seed yield as influenced by varying rates of phosphoric acid, (2) forage yield as influenced by varying rates of phosphoric acid, (3) possible place of white clover seed production In connection with forage production now In progress over much of the Gulf Coast area. In order to attain these objectives, an experimental area was established in Winnie, Chambers County, Texas, 26 miles southwest of Beaumont on Highway 124. Each treatment was adequately replicated for more reliable evaluation. Only one clipping was taken, as seed was considered the primary objective. Size of leaflets, weather data, and substantiating photographs were used to evaluate the yields and results. Results Indicate that (1) white clover seed production has a place in the forage system In the Gulf Coast area; (2) seed yields are increased with limiting amounts of phosphoric acid; (3) seed yields are decreased when excessive amounts of phosphoric acid are added; (4) except for maximum application of both rock phosphate and superphosphate, all treatments gave substantial increase in forage yields; (5) the largest net profit was shown from the application of 240 pounds of phosphoric sold from rook phosphate, followed respectively by profit from the application of 120 pounds of phosphoric acid from rock phosphate and 60 pounds from superphosphate. It is believed that additional Investigation should be carried out during consecutive years for more exact evaluation of the effects of rock phosphate and superphosphate on seed and forage yield of white clover.Item The effect of a trace element concentrate on the yield and chemical content of corn(1955) Robertson, Alfred; Daniels, R. BalfourA trace element concentrate developed by Dixie Chemical Company from sea water was believed to be valuable as a fertilizer additive...Item The effects of supplemental irrigation and varying rates of nitrogen fertilization on coastal Bermuda grass and Johnson grass at Houston, Texas(1956) Jeter, Brook Ercell; Hiller, Charles F.; Williams, John S.; Johnston, C. B.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the supplemental irrigation and varying rates of nitrogen fertilizer upon the forage yeilds of Coastal Bermudagrass on Lake Charles clay soil. The facts brought out in this study are: (1) forage yields as influenced by varying rates of nitrogen fertilizer, (2) forage yields as influenced by supplimental irrigation, (3) forage yields as influenced by a combination of varying rates of nitrogen fertilizer and supplemental irrigation, (4) the adaptibility of these grasses on a heavy clay soil, and (5) the economical evaluation on the use of high rates of nitrogen fertilizer and supplemental irrigation...Item The importance of native and introduced grasses of Fort Bend County, Texas(1957) Eckermann, Wilfred Olen; Williams, John S.; Rovey, H. BurrIn this study, speclaiens oรยฃ sest of the grasses of Fort Bend County, Texas were collected and identified according to names and sapabilities. A comparative study of all the major grasses collected was undertaken. From thia group, only the moat desirable grasses were selected. They are Bermuda grass, Ballis grass, Johnson grass, Sudan grass and oats. Most of the desirable grasses are warm season perennials. During the cool season a deficiency of grass for grassing usually occurs. An additional study was undertaken to determine which cool season grasses are bast adapted to the county. A test of cool season grasses was conducted on lake Charles Clay at Bosenberg, Toms during the winter of 1955-1956. Only the species most generally accepted as best adapted to the Gulf Coast area of Texas were used in the test. The results of the test indicated that Alamo and Camellia oats and Goliad barley show the most pmaise for the cownty. A study of the fertility level and fertiliser requirements on Fort Bend County -soils was conducted in connection with the study of grasses. The quality as well as quantity of grass produced depends on the fertility of the soil.Item The yield of corn grain and forage tops as influenced by time of topping(1958) Jekel, Eugene Edward; Williams, John S.; Rosa, Matthew W.; Love, John W.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of three different topping dates on grain and top yields of corn. The facts brought out in this study aret (1) grain yield as influenced by removing the "tops", (2) yield of "tops" as Influenced by different topping dates, (3) the effect of "topping" on lodging, and (4) the comparison of the value of "tops" with the grain lost due to "topping". Results indicated that! (1) topping corn twenty-one days after silking significantly decreased the yield of grain; (2) the grain yield tends to increase accordingly as the topping date is delayed; (3) "topping" had little effect on lodging in this particular study; (4) yield of "tops" by weight decreased with the delay of topping dates; (5) the value of grain lost due to "topping" exceeded the value of "tops" gained as forage; (6) It is not economical to top corn; and (7) If "topping" Is to be done, the "tops" should not be cut earlier than twenty-eight days after silking. It is believed that additional study of the effect of "topping" on lodging should be done.Item Watermelons from the seed to the spoon(1952) Whipple, Estin C.; Hildebrand, E. M.; Williams, John S.; Knepper, David W.HISTORY OF THE WATERMELON. There has been great controversy over the origin of the watermelon, Citruellus vulgaris, (Bothwell). The culture of the watermelon goes back to prehistoric times, and its origin is African. It was grown by the ancient Egyptions, as revealed by pictures that survive to the present day. Old names in Arabic, Berber, Sanskrit, Spanish and Sardinian are all unrelated, indicating great antiquity of culture in lands about the Mediterranean and east as far as India. The long and general culture of the watermelon from North Africa to middle Asia led to the view that it was of Asiatic origin, although it had never been found wild in Asia or elsewhere. Finally, however, about a hundred years ago the great missionary and explorer, David Livingstone, settled the question of its origin. He found large tracts in Central Africa literally covered with watermelons growing truly wild. In the wild state were both bitter and sweet melons occuring in the same locality and looking alike in appearance. The natives knocked holes in each fruit to taste the juice before taking for food or drink. [...]Item Winter pasture in the Gulf Coast region as affected by anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate(1958) Sweeney, Kenneth Sells; Williams, John S.; Owen, John P.; Rosa, Matthew W.The objective of this experimental study was to determine whether wheat or oats are better suited for winter pasture in the Gulf Coast area on Beaumont silty clay soil and to learn what affect anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate would have on these plants. The facts brought out in this study deal with: (1) chemical analysis of wheat and oat forage as influenced by anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate, (2) forage yields as influenced by the nitrogen fertilizers, (3) comparative weights of cattle on the wheat and oat plots, (4) the adaptability of these grasses to a heavy clay soil, and (5) the economic evaluation of the complete experiment. To attain these objectives, an experimental area was established at the McNeese State College Farm, three miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Treatments were adequately repeated for reliable evaluation. Four clippings were taken for analytical considerations and forage yields. Steers were weighed individually every twenty-eight days; cows and calves were weighed the first and last day of grazing. Field notes, weather data, and substantiating photographs were used to determine and to evaluate yields and results. It was found that wheat, compared with oats, had a higher protein content 66 per cent of the grazing period of 100 days. In addition, wheat withstood freezes and wet weather better, and gave a higher gain in cattle weight during the grazing season. It was also found that oats produced more total pounds of green roughage per acre and contained a higher moisture content at all times. The use of nitrogen fertilizers throughout the experiment resulted in anhydrous ammonia producing more green roughage in the ungrazed plots of wheat and oats, and caused a slight increase in production in the grazed oat plots. The Angus steers showed the greatest gain in weight, with the Hereford ranking second and the Crossbreed third. The economic evaluation showed wheat and anhydrous ammonia as providing the highest return on investment. Both grasses are adapted to Beaumont silty clay soil and are recommended as profitable forage crops in the Louisiana-Texas Gulf Coast area. It is believed that additional investigation should be carried out during consecutive years for more exact evaluation of the results of this experimental study.