OS SS : i Sen i; » ye di ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF eam | URE FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, Neola REPORT OF THE SPORE PARY OF AGRICULT URE: KEPORTS OF CHIERS. "inj a ee <5 Nisssss>> WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1918. [CHAPTER 23, Stat. L., 1895.] [AN ACT Providing for the public printing and binding and the distribution of public documents. ] * * * * * a * Section 73, paragraph 2: The Annual Report of the Secretary of Agriculture shall hereafter be sub- mitted and printed in two parts, as follows: Part One, which shall contain purely business and executive matter which it is necessary for the Secretary to submit to the President and Congress; Part Two, which shall contain such reports from the different Bureaus and Divisions, and such papers prepared by their special agents, accompanied by suitable illustrations, as shall, in the opinion of the Secretary, be specially suited to interest and instruct the farmers of the country, and to include a general report of the operations of the Depart- ment for their information. There shall be printed of Part One, one thousand copies for the Senate, two thousand copies for the House, and three thousand copies for the Department of Agriculture; and of Part Two, one hundred and ten thousand copies for the use of the Senate, three hundred and sixty thousand copies for the use of the House of Representatives, and thirty thousand copies for the use of the Department of Agriculture, the illustrations for the same to be executed under the supervision of the Public Printer, in accordance with directions of the Joint Committee on Printing, said illustrations to be subject to the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture ;'and the title of each of the said parts shall be such as to show that such part is complete in itself. It CONTENTS. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. Page nariralienorta to merease production. -.2-.---5--2-22. 2-22-8522 ee 4 Sern Pe OITCONTOTGNCE cen cca = Sele aie Snel <2 oob ete eine cele Se Eee 5 (SUTRAS TG SS RIN See ee ea eae Y/ faucuration of Food Administration:.....-..:-..-<--:-----2552-5 422-2 e i MPU GUB ee S02 a Se SN tert themes cts tame she nts nus masa ee wees Acta 8 MERE ETOMUCHON NCH. coos so> tee Ssces tessa cscs ssce Heese aes 9 Reise tor ood AdMIMIstrAtlONs 2... icc ss-ss-22625 2s Pee - oe Stele Selene 10 Additional machinery developed. .....--..-------- Be ae SUN Se AS EDs 11 PeeieieMW OL EXpanded <= -— 22 es -0c 52 sc2- lfc tet ete Pee te SU a ee 12 Pocalorvanizations developed... 2+ .< ------25-. 555-2. 85 LL eee 13 Home gardening stimulated...........-- ea tet a ae aS GTEE AE AEE Sot 14 PAnanetr ATION PTOCUCiS ANG 10082... -s-c.252-- 20022 sses oni se Hees ee anole 14 Marsenyaniom Or perishableses..sescc25-2-2 2252232. 52055205 eee SS 16 Mire eat AC UE WMLIGS S22 oS ce tates tac. cee coe 22 22a. yo-5s2 eee eR 17 Miankeinews services extended. 2-22... 22c.5=22- 522 =e Py Niger 18 inspection of fruits and-vegetables. ...:---.-<2-2-222-- 2-8 He IS 19 Emergency food and fertilizer surveys..........-.-----------+---+/++-22+----- 19 Control of plant diseases and insects: .......-:-----:--+-+-+--- PEELE dr thie Tie 20 Ra ETaUTIE” DOLALOCH = epleencin tte a teie sees tases a Pash ci dete at Manis ataers tele 21 PPeEe GiSCCd COMM .=— Stee ea tee vacs ete ee sa see eed TE SP IIIS 21 EE RCE ATID Ves a Since ceecie seine Seabirds she Tere cS IIE ety) Shh 22 MoMroloranimal diseases. ¢1o2s-422 5252 sss SU aT SE ee 9 ra) Sane livestock COMlerenCes: +2528 ee eee ee ae rates SEE TS eS 24 Production and conservation of dairy products.....--...------------------+-+-- 25 RrectertiioLnen cereals: | aso sss 2s Seees o oe ee eres SRE SOLUBLE SAME 26 Eiger sme a aes Se A ole ees ie a ae as a SRTOSCRN SERS 8 Of 27 The farm-labor supply..-..----- Ahr SS EROEAAPEL 20-1 YUL et eh ley Ee mele foe Cha 28 Sremrcalanyestications extended: ::..!.2.:.. 2708 20.8 PINs: DS_ a: Sees: 30 ReMO AIO ACULVALICH:- soe 052 cots ak Se ces ee sts. are b eye 2-2 ec oR NS Ae ey. 31 ese mesponse ol the tarmers..--.2-0.0.22.2-2-0222-22 2c Soe S 32 UM SNS 32 Seoperion with other Departments: :..:-..--:-:--2.:.-.+----2-.----09see 34 Mrneellanieousiact! VItIeSA > 21.2222 ssccecs52 ee ceose ss sca. ste oo ee 35 Higrest- products IM VesugatiOns.—..- <=: =. 22-22 =<<2. <2 -f- OE Les. 35 mennocical work developed <<. 2 223.22 + +2 e-c-se = +0 252s 2 se ES 36° Mecworwater-power legislation. -.-5..22-¢- 2. = 22.2422 Sr SASS Se 37 RanCoCE ATG! Ord IAChase.. =e se -cc 2c the eset sh eckic nt oe St eae 37 MMM rAatees TANG arageACh-< 2.26 -...cue esas Bees ee NCS IBS. Sgda sk 39 . Pepin pollworm Of COtLOMs 9... ~- 222-22 soo 2 aoe aire k sews we we AEE Sl 40 <3) § ‘ > « REPORTS OF CHIEFS. Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau......-.-...--.----- See cane 47 cheer Mm WARMIN SS De --- nia ae heh cysroeinh lh Ale tone 51 Stations and observations........---- wae eres ahs aie Coenen eden, SR 52 III EN; CONTENTS. Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau—Continued, (heleoraph Service sce S.225.4) oo aeeaee op eee Serene ery eee oes. sae River and flood service... --- -- RE eh tiie de aie aCe Sell See Priming and*publications |. 2 ovis sa -5 eetce te See eee ee eee MDYARY sos sees hone ee Fos Ree te See eee ee er ae ee eee NEISMOLOPY. Ft otase Sue ee tes ee ae ee ee eee oe eee eee ee Dolarradiation MVEsStPAONS. 2022 5ce0 x= Se see 2 oe eee oe eee Agricultural meteorology:. =: .-<.cserseseeees Je ties oe oe ae eee Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry. .......--.......-..--. Meeting the food and war emervency : 12.22 3.222425: 22-2 5- ee eee Reorganization of certain work.......-. sig Dis pO eeeg seseies ese. ee Control of hog cholera......-. o sia ya eharann. 5 Poop. cs Cie eRe Oe Sean ae Virus-serum: control 2.0.2.5. s2c2o< Seen een eee ee eee eee Vesicular stomatitis. . 5.52t2.0'. 2422555. 5 gape eee ee ee ee Animal husbandry: division. 3°.) o4- aces eee eee ee Daaty division's... oe 2g ee oes Boot we Ce eee SS Poe Meat inspection division: 22-225. 2 see oee ee deo eee eee Quarantine division: ..20 2. 5 hee en es a a a ee Field inspection division. 22.6. sso. seen = = eee ee Tick eradication division........-!..--.-.5.-..-- ee MRR et tee The AU as Tuberculosis eradication division? 2.2.52. 28: =... 2. 2- peat oe ee Pathological division: So). 78 Soot noes oh eee eee Biochemte'division<.(- 2" 24 Pesci Se ee ee ee A@OlOsICaLGIVvIsiON 27> PET Se Se eee ee te eee eee saejoe eae Miscellaneous: divisions:< 25-252, 2e 2. oe a ee Experiment station. s2.2. 2-22-52 42 2 Ce cape teal eee. oh Ole Experiments and drsnasisinane in live-stock praduetion in cane-sugar and’ cotton districts: 222.2522 35. 26 oie eeepc eee one eee Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry.................-..----- Plant patholopicalain vestigations.):3.-4220--2 5-5 .,02 2. 2-2 eee eee Plant physiologicalanvesticutions.<20..-u5.-2e2-- 22s ol oe aoe ee Plsnt-bréeding investigations: .22.cs-0 + sonecs see ocak een ae. Agronomic and horticultural investigations..............-.--------------: Studies of new crop plants and crop extension. .......---..--...----.--- Agricultural industries on reclamation projects......-.-.--..------------ Crop aatilization 2.225 2S A ae ae ae Investigations of crop handling and standardization..........-...-..-.--- Investigations of the quality of ‘seed... .2:.c2es-e6 tear eats eee Report of the-Morester.wses. keke pet Laos Loe eee a ee eee Cooperation: wath: States’ 252. cS ei. 8c 2a See ee Bee eee eee ee Research... - - ee eee PR ee PEE ook AE So oc Miscellaneous :..25...50+ 54 soe eee ae wists eee ee eee ee Reportiof, the: Chemist: 2.24.24. . ascents on 2 aoe Oe EEE Cee Research .).5 22 5.85250 Ware scsad jesseiena ltrs ee es ea eco seein Conservation. of foodstulis:. sxc. . t.cs los nce 1 Seger Eee eee oe Demonstrations: ee528..0 isc hh eee See eee An ee eee Enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act. 22 s5. is. it ee eee Collaboration cee. < 6253.5 42% eRe ee as ee eee Merl years of the Food'and Drugs*Act. 2.2250. o1 02. eee Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Soils: 15. 232 :eetse = See oe oe MOL GUEVEY 215-20 cece-e wit ni sakede Mug 2c acca es Hertilizerdinvestipations 3.022. --c. {ac eA let asses eee SL Chemical investicationss 3: <2. se. ons ee a eee ee ee Solspbysiess S222. oe Secs sa eetiek cos eee oe ee eee Se CONTENTS, Report of the Entomologist.........-..------------ eee cece cece eee e eee e eens Work on the gipsy moth and brown-tail moth........:-..---.-++--+------ Decidous-iruib insect. INvVestiCatiOns. -.-- 1... 5 ec eatin wb eee eee ene enn ene Southern field crop insect investigations...........-------- Investigations of insects affecting the health of man.......--.--.-------- Insects affecting the health of domestic animals........----------------- Cereal and forage insect investigations..........-.--.-------------2-eee-- Investigations of insects affecting forest and shade trees, forest products, Ciel Tee ad As rq os etre ene ae Sea aoe ae ee a ae ae Investigations of insects injurious to vegetable and truck crops......--.-- Stored-product insect investigations. ......--------------+-+-+-+-+--+---- Insects affecting tropical and subtropical fruits..........-..--.---------- Meet ml TING TTL WCB lA GLODA Sc oreinie wcrc aim 3 sacha yet spe Brlopiealinvestisations: 72). > 07 oni ese ee oe sees Cas See Mannimeal ands bird LOSerVvatlONS= so. sas. ciemisin's oc coin cin. gjwintejsnina’s aise diceare Enverstate COMMEFCE 1M PAME. 25.4.0 5.508 22 a er eee een see Po eraaTMeratOry DIFC IAW. 6 care hye Se = one year ee Pe ene se es Report of the Chief of the Division of Accounts and Disbursements. ...------ Rl geestran CeO te WOE A ae Se Sc Suis esis lin a Sereieinan Sos a= nat eee WhIGIS GUI ert se Sse 8 Oe eee eee a ees Soa a eter aoe reer Report of the Chief of the Division of Publications.......-------------+-------- BUPETISTETAY Py tg ee Saf = claims JSS SSR faints inca oc nare wloyels min a heier= aps iain a fafa MITE NG RVICAIE Mess oo aie im alta Siaisio es catsie leer = Sl ea (ena as = teem a — PE 2icSh [AILS wn eh eee ae ys el op eee eae ce Ree Cae Publications relating to food production and conservation........-------- Baplicatonwwork of: the Weather Bureatl.-..-...-= ----<----32 2456s 002 Salesiob department publications. <<... 2555.2. << tenia ciejnree he ee pee WWarktomubheidivision by branches... 22. << 2. cj J a Sieh ei Soe oe cee Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Crop Estimates... .-...--.-------------- BAS ee ee oe oc es Ais i rehome eee anette sees re eee WolminictrativeOlice..<.< - 2 s-<2 25 o-Aee- wie! AREA eh oteane tie eee ieicsontO Crop repOkis-- essa a- Soe ek eee ate eiid atk eal a, 4c Deanictew Ol CROP TeCOldss . coriac os nice pense eet oe oki eate oe pens am HP RES Tov COM se oe sol os oe BR eh: NS ee ae eat ee sa es chica ‘Truck crop estimates..,..--- =<: - UE Tee ea Pan NG a Slime Ae PE DS Arm mae TENLTER (CUO) COC SLT Te) etek eS a nn Oo ies ae ne gee pe ec ee Monthly crop reports... .---- eta ean Umea ones fo RN eek Same Be Sharebee 000 078 a pS a ars ROS note a et eres eg ee ae inpernauonal Institute o:- Aericulture.... 2.5.02 20S. - 22s sock ok ea oe am TAINOTIS et aes Someta yee a sy Saes ao AS eR er PeTeke Bes She aie eae Misterbution Of the monthly crop report...+- ~~ 2+ << -tase n-ne nase = TINE ige goo Be eee 6 Eee So ed ya Coker es ae ear Eee Accuracy of the cotton crop aie Sd ak Se Lae ele ee goon ee Aecurseysor the tice.crop esiamates - 2 ps6. -< 3/-yec)s 5-52 s2.c-m es ee =e es 4 Improvement in organization and. equipment for estimating crop and livestock production. =...) 2212 5-. cio So. sie sales Be Rae Satee cea Wrap TepOrtauy; COUNT OR =) 6 oe eee ao ee ees eee maha lone ebay SeenonOL mero brarate ee eae Set 1 os ut Sateenie ay maa . eee ieee Sane ree The migratory-bird law (37 Stat. 847)... United States Cotton Futures hen (39 Stat. , 476)... aA RS United States Warehouse Act (39 Stat., 486) si teh? Sh eee ee Generalstatutess 262 os Ses. Boe Gel tee oo as ee eae ee ae Patenitees 2 cc lsee Ses kits. chet te Peek eas cent eo lee etek oe Agreements for the several bureaus, divisions, and offices.........-....--.. ‘Publications ot the Ofices .22s.% 35 2-262 es os os 2 Ree ee ee CONTENTS. Vil Page Report of the Insecticide and Fungicide Lf ifs daly SO ak a ee 411 (eat tet PAT NSERTTINS LGR aoe on ee eas No cee elt aac wae ota Suef acfalnive = wiciniel=) pee > 411 ITB Gea a RSME OPS ofr sec eet eee tS) ee pale cel nics fae gl pti wo oi bioim me dinininin'm 6 412 Special investigations. . a We ee ewe eres eS Report of the Federal Horticult ural ‘Board... BE ee tn ats as oscil ete a gd aie amie mt 415 Hamerat plant CUstanine ACh at- sso. 25— sheen ee eee els essen sotto oene eos, ALB Administration and personnel. . poh oe 416 Terminal inspection of cers) mail Ayaan af “lev aap. pine SR LG US eee ee nara ca lei e ie my isin a we aan ie pose ch a/alaia 416 Pal es aarty |cuIdy CPUANNT Coc e ee 8S OB ett Goer lenient ie Nos ee weenie ta eee 417 Dee (AMIS J Vel U to) ea rie SS See ee eee eee ara 2 6! Po Ry COCK MN OnAttONS..gscasa. soe nanos e sos 2 cai cin eee ne mn es-c'-p See SMe RIBTTIT OMG NUL OMS Anse ataiee e Seee = ae ele as) ciate, fe. c.cin, Sion m\ere je ania = 425 ETUDE) TEDDY O50) g #0) 1 ee OR a ee 427 State and Federal inspection of imported plants and plant products... -.-- 427 PES avonvaramenieailONdess2220 28-5 nse oe eee . 428 List of current quarantine and other restrictive orders........------------ 428 Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Markets.............--.----------------- 431 Investigational and demonstrational work..........---.-------+---+--+--- 431 STO Ss I Grae BSG Cage nas a eR 456 CTL OU ee ee Re meen la ae asl Oe ier Saad a= wie emi weiss win wei 462 Report of the Chief of the Office of Farm Management........--------------- 473 [Pi capieaicl fey tare Sige) of Usy te eae oe eg One Een ee Serica Ss eee en 473 Rite EGCOMONMGN 2 eae eee ee ene ne ce ceria oie Sle Se cain aia olsiste= 473 Harm bookkeeping and cost accounting.*.:-...:.-'-. 22. 23-.42+44.+-2 =< 474 LLESWewa Pavel fe ratgoya (ora sy ke <1 Me peek ee ene Aina Pea ere er eer eee archos 475 LEDC, ESTATES es Se coe ieee eek ee ae eae ig 475 Farm practice in its relation to the maintenance of crop yield......-.-.-- 475 Prorenetl OM AMG ie eee isos ease ees east A aia eine ae ci asia 2 a 476 History and distribution of farm enterprises.......-..--.---------------- 476 a RMR TERRE NZS UOT metre inlarc Sa foam eiate Silo Yama cieie Nein esa ane = mineine le 477 Cooperative farm management investigations in the Southern States... .--. 480 oi Pe deco, ts Aa bat 3:4 9) 6 3s 3 Ares aaa -p0- . m SO, SRT ba apes Wee , SE tas 8 “3 cuz. rate ry : = : ‘as rere Nivugzreagi ne te ot, 2 VA ie Toe Fee sie be aie le 7: : - : Amst Nee Wet tl ae Ls aa cutee Te he ai ae = : : Porites vet. oo. i a pee 4 a ee = 4s aly iy $b Ty) Tee ee es eee ae aay pete SK oe co , wr wee sb aaa Un a RET aE ie Heung ing eee TE 5 2 CLE SOG D B28. Glseeed iat Varver Sg ad Mags : eat ea 7 a ; he ; a) va ee ee a ion ee : aah eve cela ere aint
| . ‘ = . oF = a~< Au~ & 7 + ‘ 245 ris i < r > = A ‘ ” ; > 4 “ id We Le - —oPu Sights eae Te OS Si eer maT , 3 7 . y e , A ‘ ; és ~ . . ’ F 7 > m . o . i i i : = = i < 7 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 33382°—aGR 1917—1 1 a ANITMOMNO, TOTTI? THE 4O- REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. WasurnoTon, D. C., November 15, 1917. Str: When, on April 6, 1917, the existence of a state of war with Germany was declared by Congress, this country was facing an unsat- isfactory situation in respect to its supply of foods and feedstuffs. The production in 1916 of the leading cereals, corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, rice, and kafirs was comparatively low, ag- gregating 4,806,000,000 bushels, as against 6,010,000,000 for 1915,: 4,983,000,000 for 1914, and 4,884,000,000 the annual average for 1910-1914. The wheat crop of 1916 especially was strikingly small. It was only 639,886,000 bushels, as compared with the record produc- tion for 1915 of 1,026,000,000, with 891,000,000 for 1914, and with the average for the five years 1910-1914 of 728,000,000. It was certain, too, that on account of adverse weather conditions, the output of winter wheat for 1917 would be greatly curtailed. The world production of wheat for 1916 also was unsatisfactory, and the prospects for the ensuing year were not good. The situation was no better in respect to another conspicuously important food commodity, the Irish potato. The yield of this crop for 1916 in the United States was only 285,487,000 bushels, while for 1915 and 1914, respectively, it was 359,721,000 and 409,921,000. For the period 1910-1914 it averaged 360,772,000. , Even in normal times public attention fixes itself particularly on the supply of wheat and potatoes. In time of war it does so much more intensely, especially on the supply of wheat, which is peculiarly important from a military point of view. Because of their shortage here and elsewhere and of the large foreign demand, apprehension ‘and, in some quarters, hysteria developed. The supply of meats and of poultry and dairy products was somewhat larger than in the years immediately preceding, but the foreign demand was great and increasing and exports were steadily rising. It was obvious that the supply of feedstuffs would not be normally abundant, and that it would be difficult to maintain the usual number of live stock 3 4 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and practically impossible within a reasonable time to increase it. Then, too, competitive purchasing by foreign agencies on a large scale of all food products was prevalent, and manipulation and specu- lation were rife. Prices were mounting rapidly and conditions of living were becoming more difficult. INITIAL EFFORTS TO INCREASE PRODUCTION. It was recognized even before the war that the food problem was serious and that constructive action was necessary. This Depart- ment accordingly had taken steps to allay unnecessary apprehension, to promote economy and thrift, to secure fuller conservation of farm products and of foods, and to insure increased production of all essential agricultural commodities. The many agricultural agencies of the Nation began to direct attention to these problems and to coop- erate effectively with the Department. The increased need of this Nation and of the world for food from our farms and the importance of greatly increasing production were emphasized. In the South, in’ particular, where effective work had been done for years to secure a diversified agriculture and greatly to increase yields of staple com- modities and where unusual opportunities to increase food products were presented, a special campaign was conducted by the Depart- ment in cooperation with agricultural colleges and other agencies, with the effective aid of the daily press, agricultural journals, farmers’ associations, bankers, and other business men. Many pertinent bulle- tins and circulars were distributed. The farm-demonstration ma- chinery was fully utilized. More energetic action everywhere was taken to combat plant and animal diseases. In January, 1917, appeals were sent to the South to help feed the Nation, to supply its own necessities so far as possible, and to pro- duce a surplus of foodstuffs. It was urged especially that each farm family make a home garden, plant enough corn to last the family and the live stock for a year, raise sufficient oats and other small grain to supplement the corn, as well as the necessary hay and forage crops for the live stock, and produce the meat, poultry, and dairy products required by the family; and also to devote adequate atten- tion to cotton as the main money crop. In February special emphasis was laid on the necessity of raising beet seed on a large scale to make certain a larger supply of sugar beets. It was pointed out that before the war the beet-sugar in- REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 5 dustry had been almost wholly dependent on Europe for its seed supply, and that superior seed could be produced in this country, which could be further improved by selection and breeding. About the same time a warning was issued to cattle owners to make ar- rangements for the proper feeding of their cattle until spring, in order to prevent heavy losses in breeding animals. In each instance suggestions as to the methods to be followed were offered. In March it became certain that a large percentage of wheat in the West and Pacific Northwest had been winterkilled. Information as to the course to be pursued was issued to the farmers of the winter- wheat section. It was suggested that where the crop had been not more than half killed it might be advisable to let the remainder grow, but that some other food crop should be started without delay. In the meantime, I had appointed a committee of specialists of the Department to study the whole agricultural situation and to make recommendations. On the 27th of March I issued a statement urging farmers to adopt measures to secure maximum returns from the farms. Special attention was directed to the necessity of careful seed selection, of controlling plant and animal diseases, and of con- serving farm products through proper storage, canning, drying, and preserving. On the 5th of April a special plea was made for an in- creased production of corn and hogs, and on the 7th of April I ap- pealed to the farmers to increase the output of staple commodities as well as of perishables. THE ST. LOUIS CONFERENCE. On April 4, two days before a state of war with Germany was declared, I telegraphed to the State commissioners of agriculture and presidents of the land-grant colleges—the official agricultural representatives of the several States—inviting them to a conference in St. Louis on April 9 and 10,1917. Editors of farm journals were asked to meet at the same place on April 11. It was thought to be highly desirable to secure the views of the official agricultural repre- sentatives of the States and of other leaders of agricultural opinion. There was a generous response to the invitation. Very many of the State commissioners of agriculture and representatives of nearly all the agricultural colleges east of the Rocky Mountains were present at the two days’ meeting. Sixty-five officials represented 32 States. On the third day about 75 representatives of the agricultural press 6 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. were present. A similar conference for the States west of the Rocky Mountains was held at my request at Berkeley, Cal., on April 18, under the leadership of President Benjamin Ide Wheeler, of the University of California. At the St. Louis conference the entire agricultural situation pre- sented by the emergency was thoroughly discussed. The major prob- lems considered were the production of sufficient foods and feedstuffs not only for this country but also for the nations of Europe with which we are associated in this war, the conservation of farm prod- ucts and of foods, the mobilization of farm labor, the regulation of storage and distributing agencies, and the further organization of all the Nation’s agricultural instrumentalities—National, State, and local. A comprehensive program for execution under existing law and for additional legislation was unanimously adopted. This pro- gram was communicated to the Berkeley conference, which con- curred in it. It is noteworthy that in two days the agricultural leaders of the country drew up a program the wisdom of the essen- tial features of which has not been successfully questioned and the substantial part of which has been embodied in the Food Produc- tion and Food Control Acts. The prompt and effective handling of the situation was made possible by reason of the fact that the American people, generations before, had wisely laid the foundations of many agricultural institutions and had increasingly liberally sup- ported their agricultural agencies. The Nation was fortunate in hav- ing had in existence for many years, for the purpose of promoting scientific and practical agriculture, its Federal Department of Agri- culture, and a department of agriculture and a land-grant college in each State, as well as great farmers’ organizations. It is interesting to note that two of these agencies, the Federal department and the land- grant colleges, had their National official recognition and their real origin in another period of stress—in 1862—in two acts of Congress approved by Abraham Lincoln. It was recognized as of special importance that the views and cooperation of the great farmers’ organizations of the Nation and of leading individual farmers be secured. I therefore invited representative farmers to come to Washington on April 23 to give advice and to make recommendations. They included mainly offi- cials of the National Grange, the Farmers’ Educational and Coopera- tive Union, the Gleaners, and the Farmers’ National Congress. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 7 The American Society of Equity was invited to send a representa- tive. It was unable to do so, but proffered its cooperation. At this conference the agricultural problems confronting the Nation were again thoroughly canvassed. In general, the suggestions and recom- mendations officially made to the Senate in my communication of April 18 were indorsed. ORGANIZATION. In the meantime, pending action by Congress, the Federal De- partment of Agriculture, the State departments, the land-grant colleges, and other agencies actively devoted their attention to the immediate task in hand. Working in close cooperation with one another and with the farmers’ organizations throughout the Nation, they immediately took steps to execute that part of the plan which had reference to a more perfect organization and coordination of the Nation’s agricultural activities. The task was promptly undertaken of promoting in each State, in connection with the State council of safety, the organization of a small central division of food production and conservation composed of representatives of the State board of agriculture, of the land-grant college, of farmers’ organizations, and of business agencies. It was suggested also that similar bodies should be provided for each local subdivision, and all were requested to devote their energies to the problem of increasing the production and con- servation of food supplies and of promoting more orderly and economical marketing. Copies of the recommendations of the St. Louis conference and of those made to the Senate on April 18 were sent to the Governor of each State. It was urged that attention be given immediately to the perfecting of agricultural organizations along the lines indicated. INAUGURATION OF FOOD ADMINISTRATION. As a further step in organization, the Council of National De- fense on April 5 invited Mr. Herbert Hoover to return to this country to advise with the Council in reference to the domestic handling of food supplies and the most effective ways of assist- ing the European nations with which we are cooperating to satisfy their food necessities. Subsequently, on May 20, after the Food Production and Food Control bills had been outlined substantially in the form in which they were finally adopted, the President issued 8 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. a statement indicating that he had asked Mr. Hoover to undertake the important task of food administration. The purposes of the pro- posed Food Administration and the necessity for it were set forth. It was stated that a sharp distinction would be drawn between the normal and emergency activities of the Government represented in the Department of Agriculture in reference to food production, con- servation, and marketing on the one hand, and the special activities necessitated by the war relating to the regulation of food distribution and consumption on the other. “All measures,” it was explained, “intended directly to extend the normal activities of the Department of Agriculture in reference to the production, conservation, and the marketing of farm crops will be administered, as in normal times, through that department, and the powers asked for (in the Food Control bill) over distribution and consumption, over exports, im- ports, prices, purchase and requisition of commodities, storing, and the like which may require regulation during the war will be placed in the hands of a Commissioner of Food Administration appointed by the President and directly responsible to him.” On June 12 the President, in a letter to Mr. Hoover, expressed the opinion that the inauguration of that portion of the plan for food administration which contemplates a National mobilization of the great voluntary forces of the country which are ready to work toward saving food and eliminating waste admitted of no further delay. It was pointed out that while in many ways it would be desirable to await complete legislation establishing the Food Administration, it seemed that, so far as volunteer effort could be assembled, there should be immediate action. Accordingly, Mr. Hoover was authorized to proceed in this direction at once. LEGISLATION. In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, on April 18 I transmitted to it certain proposals for increasing the production, improving the distribution, and promoting the conservation of farm products and foods. The suggestions were based in large measure upon the program adopted at the St. Louis and Berkeley conferences. The Committee on Agriculture in each House soon afterward took the matter in hand, held extensive hearings, and finally formulated two measures. In the preparation of these, there were two leading thoughts in mind. One was to speed up and add to the activities of REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 9 the Federal Department of Agriculture and its cooperating forces, so that they might attack aggressively the larger problems of pro- duction, conservation of farm and ranch products, home economics, and farm marketing. The other was to vest in the President regu- latory powers, in considerable part of a commercial nature, to be exercised through an emergency agency rather than through any existing department, to deal with special and urgent National and international food problems growing out of the war. After an ex- tended debate the two bills—the Food Production and the Food Con- trol—were passed by Congress and approved by the President on August 10. Immediately upon the approval of the Food Control Act, Mr. Hoover was formally appointed Food Administrator to execute the provisions of the Act as far as they relate to food and feedstuffs. THE FOOD PRODUCTION ACT. The Food Production Act tional security and defense by stimulating agriculture and facilitat- “an act to provide further for the na- ing the distribution of agricultural products ”—is administered by the Department of Agriculture, and carries an appropriation of $11,346,400 for the following purposes: 1. The prevention, control, and eradication of the diseases and pests of live stock; the enlargement of live-stock production; and the conservation and utilization of meat, poultry, dairy, and other animal products, $885,000. 2. Procuring, storing, and furnishing seeds for cash at cost to farmers in restricted areas where emergency conditions prevail, $2,500,000. ; 3. The prevention, control, and eradication of insects and plant diseases injurious to agriculture, and the conservation and utiliza- tion of plant products, $441,000. 4. The further development of the Extension Service which is con- ducted in cooperation with the agricultural colleges in the various States, $4,348,400. 5. Surveys of the food supply of the United States, gathering and disseminating information concerning farm products, extending and enlarging the market news services, preventing waste of food in storage, in transit, or held for sale, giving advice concerning the market movement or distribution of perishable products, and investi- gating and certifying to shippers the condition as to soundness of 10 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. fruits, vegetables, and other food products received at important central markets, $2,522,000. 6. The development of the information work of the Department, enlarging the facilities for dealing with the farm-labor problem, and extending the work of the Bureaus of Crop Estimates and Chemistry, $650,000. While the Food Production bill was pending in Congress, detailed plans were formulated for carrying out its provisions as soon as it should become law. The Department therefore was ready to proceed promptly and effectively with their execution. RELATION TO FOOD ADMINISTRATION. Tt was apparent that the Food Production and the Food Control Acts dealt with very closely related matters, that effective cooperation between the Department of Agriculture and the Food Administra- tion was essential, and that needless duplication of effort should be avoided. It was recognized that the relation between the two agencies was intimate and fundamental; that it was impossible completely to disassociate them and undesirable to do so. After a full conference a satisfactory working agreement was reached. In a broad way, the Food Administration has as its prime functions the control and regulation of the commercial distribution of foods and feedstuffs, that is, of products which have reached the markets and are in the channels of distribution or in the hands of consumers, their conservation by consumers, and the elimination of waste, through the employment of regular official as well as volunteer agencies. The Department of Agriculture continues to administer the laws placed under its jurisdiction and to direct its activities in reference to production. It also continues to make the investigations authorized by Congress and to furnish assistance to farmers and live-stock men in the marketing of their products; to stimulate organization among producers for the distribution of their products to the markets; and to promote the conservation of farm and animal products, especially of perishables through canning, drying, preserving, pickling, and the like. It retains its work in home economics, as provided by law, and cooperates in this field as heretofore with the agricultural colleges, through the Extension Service. It directs all these undertakings in greatly expanded form under the authority and with the funds pro- vided by the Food Production Act. In their promotion it utilizes its own Official machinery and enlists the aid of volunteers. . REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 11 In the main, the Department of Agriculture deals with all the processes of farming and follows the products through the markets to the point where they are available, and are in requisite form, for actual consumption. It aids in these processes through investigation, advice, and demonstration; only in the case of certain products and processes has it regulatory authority. The Food Administration, however, has wide powers of regulation and direction of food mate- rials and food products. Where the Food Administration through its powers can be of assistance to the Department of Agriculture in its field, it is at liberty freely to make suggestions, and, when neces- sary, to cooperate in execution; and the same relation obtains as to the Department’s participation in Food Administration matters in which it has a vital interest and toward the promotion of which it can be of assistance. ADDITIONAL MACHINERY DEVELOPED. It early became apparent that there would be no little delay in framing and passing the necessary legislation. Time was the essence of the situation. Prompt action was necessary. It was essential that many of the recommendations included in the St. Louis pro- gram should be put into effect. Farmers already were in the field or had made their plans for the season. The Department and the State agencies therefore speeded up their work along the most promis- ing lines with the forces and funds at their command. Projects not having an immediate bearing on the emergency were set aside in order that the energies of the workers might be concentrated on the main problems. Assuming that Congress would enact, in part at least, the legisla- tion desired to stimulate production and to promote conservation, the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the land-grant colleges, undertook the preliminary work of developing additional machinery and agencies; and, in a number of States, these additional agencies, including especially an extension of the farm SeEUnS ci tion force, actually were put into operation. It was recognized that the Cooperative Extension System, with its combination of Federal and State administrative officers and special- ists, county agents, home-demonstration agents, farm bureaus, and other local organizations, furnished a ready and effective means for the Nation-wide dissemination of the needed facts, as well as for prac- 12 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. tical demonstrations of the best methods of increasing agricultural production and securing the most economical utilization of the prod- ucts of the farm. With remarkable promptness and unanimity, these agencies addressed themselves to the important problems of increasing and conserving the food supply and cordially furthered the Department’s efforts in this direction. Fortunately, as the result - of the investigations and experiments of the Department and of the State experiment stations, extending over many years, there was already available a large accumulation of scientific information ready _ to be put into practical use. To supplement the work of the county agents, special pains were taken further to enlist the services of the specialists of the De- partment and of the land-grant colleges. They serve as the con- necting link between the research workers and the Extension Divi- sions of the several States. The efforts of each specialist were directed immediately toward methods of food production and con- servation. For example, the crop specialist centered his efforts on questions of soil improvement and profitable rotations for food and feed production, the horticultural specialist sought especially to increase the planting and yield of vegetables, and the animal- husbandry specialist assisted in the formation of pig clubs, baby-beef clubs, and poultry clubs, and in disseminating information concern- ing egg and poultry production. EXTENSION WORK EXPANDED. An appropriation of $4,348.400 was made by the Food Production Act for the further development of the Extension Service. By the end of October more than 1,600 emergency demonstration agents, men and women, had been appointed, making a total of approxi- mately 5,000 cooperative extension workers, including the specialists performing extension work, employed through both State and Fed- eral regular and emergency funds. This number will be further increased as soon aS men and women with the requisite training and experience can be secured. Nearly 750 additional counties are cooperating with the Department under the Food Production Act in employing county agents. The total number of men in the service now acting as county agents is about 2,000, and many district agents have been designated to supervise their activities. About 1,300 State, district, county, and urban women home-demonstration agents are REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 13 now at work. Of the 600 women now employed as emergency agents under the Food Production Act, 500 are working in counties, princi- pally among farm women, and 100 have been assigned exclusively to urban communities. Over 100 additional assistants in boys’ and girls’ club work have been placed in the field. When the plans are fully developed there will be at least one demonstration agent—possibly two, a man and a woman—in nearly every agricultural county in the Nation, and a woman in each of the large cities of the country to give advice regarding the production, conservation, and utilization of food products. These agents not only are performing the normal and emergency demon- stration and educational work, but they are also assisting other branches of the Government in special directions, such as the Treasury Department in its Liberty Loan campaigns and the Food Adminis- tration in its food-conservation activities. LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS DEVELOPED. Conditions growing out of the war gave added impetus to the already well-established policy of extending and promoting local organizations to support, aid, and extend the influence of the county- agent work. The number of such organizations was rapidly in- creased throughout the country. In the 15 Southern States the number of community organizations of farmers formed to aid the county agents increased from 1,654, with a membership of 44,548, to 2,508, with a membership of 78,660. As in the South, so in the North and West, impetus was given to the organization movement already under way, and there has been an emphatic demonstration of the increased usefulness of the county agent when backed by a sup- porting local organization. In the 33 Northern and Western States the number of farm bureaus and similar local organizations was increased to 374, with a membership of 98,654. Many thousands of farmers throughout the country were shown how to increase their producing power and place their farms on a business basis, with the result that their farm practice has been better balanced, soil fertility has been maintained, and production has been increased. There was a notable development of the work among women along the line of productive activities, such as poultry raising, home butter making, gardening, and canning, and of household convenience, com- 14 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. fort, economy, and efficiency. The number of community clubs or- ganized among rural women in the South increased from 250 to 1,042, and 1,635,000 women and girls actually participated in some form of emergency work. The enrollment in the regular boys’ clubs in the South was largely increased, and the total membership is now approximately 100,000. In addition, 20,000 boys were enrolled to assist in war emergency activities. These clubs have been a very important factor in the campaigns for improved farming and increased food production. The boys’ and girls’ clubs in the Northern and Western States, through their regular membership of 406,000 and an additional emer- gency enrollment of 400,000, drawn largely from cities and towns, have been an active and efficient agency in the campaigns for pro- moting food production and conservation, not only through such regular work as canning, drying, pickling, preserving, and the like, but also through various emergency projects, such as gardening, poultry raising, bread making, and other activities. HOME GARDENING STIMULATED. Special attention was directed to the importance of home gardens in all parts of the Nation. A series of 27 brief popular articles con- taining instructions for the preparation of soil, for garden plant- ing, and for the care of vegetables was prepared and distributed. A special Farmers’ Bulletin, The Small Vegetable Garden, was quickly printed, and more than a million copies were promptly dis- tributed. Throughout the growing season the Department continued to supply the press regularly with practical timely information designed to encourage a second and even a third crop of vegetables. This campaign, supported by the efforts of county agents, other field workers of the Department, the staffs of the agricultural col- leges, and private workers, stimulated, it 1s estimated, the planting of from two hundred to three hundred per cent more gardens than had ever before produced food in the United States in one season. This was particularly true in the South, where the work was a logical development of the “Safe Farming” program which has been ad- vocated for several years. SAVING FARM PRODUCTS AND FOODS. The home-demonstration activities were immediately intensified. Early in the summer all home-economics extension workers turned REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 15 aside from their regular activities and aided in special campaigns for food conservation. Canning, drying, salting, and storing were em- phasized in every State, and special stress was laid upon the im- portance of using perishable products in such a way that the home might support itself and make as little demand as possible on the transportation facilities for supplies from other sections of the country. Many demonstrations were given on methods of conserving wheat, sugar, fats, and the like. Excessive use of butter, meats, and sugars was discouraged and the use of substitutes was taught. Definite conservation campaigns were undertaken through the daily and weekly papers; many women’s clubs were organized for the sole purpose of promoting home-economics extension work; community kitchens and community drying plants were increased in number and efficiency; many educational exhibits were made; and short and intensive training courses were held in 10 agricultural colleges for the preparation of emergency food agents and local volunteer workers. The Department gave particular attention to problems of select- ing and combining foods in such manner that the diet would be satis- factory and adequate and at the same time the consumption of com- modities in which there was a shortage would be reduced. Data derived from experimental work on the rational and economical use of foods were promptly made available. A simple method for ap- plying the results of the food investigations in a practical way was worked out and published. To enlist the women of the Nation in a food-saving campaign, attention was called on March 8 to the fact that at least $700.000,000 worth of food was being wasted annually in the United States. Sub- sequently, six separate appeals to the people to feed’ themselves, te watch kitchen waste, to prevent spoilage, and to conserve meat, milk, butter, and bread were issued through the press. These were fol- lowed by more than 65 simple circulars dealing with the effective use of foods and with economical and nourishing diets. Special efforts were made through press items to familiarize the Nation with the use of such foods as corn, rice, soy beans, rye, various legumes, cottage cheese, and skimmed milk. Many of the articles thus pre- pared were published as Food Thrift Series Nos. 1 to 5 and reached a direct circulation of more than a million and a quarter. 16 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The services of an expert in home economics were placed at the disposal of the Woman’s Committee of the Council of National Defense, and the Department has cooperated with the committee in many directions. Jointly with the Food Administration, a series of leaflets on foods, designed especially for extension workers in home economics, was prepared. As a part of the general survey of the food resources of the country a dietary survey of selected families in different parts of the United States was undertaken. - Dietary studies also were made in selected families of the District of Co- lumbia as a part of the study of living conditions carried on by the Department of Labor. CONSERVATION OF PERISHABLES. When it became apparent that the truck farms, home gardens, and orchards of the Nation would produce a large surplus, the Depart- ment, supplementing the activities of the extension forces and aided by a large number of emergency agents, conducted an intensive pub- licity campaign, under the immediate direction ef a special assistant, to promote the canning, preserving, pickling, and drying of surplus perishables and to stimulate the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Mr. A. D. Lasker, of Chicago, and Mr. John Callan O’Laughlin, of Washington, D. C., volunteered to organize and supervise the work for the Department. Practically every news- paper in the 28 States which reported a heavy surplus agreed to devote space to the campaign. Within two weeks 110 articles teach- ing in a brief, simple way the household methods of conserving fruits and vegetables were supplied to the newspapers and promptly pub- lished by them. Special Farmers’ Bulletins dealing with these sub- jects were quickly prepared and circulated to the number of 3,400,000 copies. The response to thiscampaign was immediate. Not only were perishables put up for winter use in greatly enlarged quantities, but the increased consumption, stimulated by the campaign, steadied the truck markets and undoubtedly prevented a considerable waste of valuable foodstuffs. In this way also the drain on the staple products was lessened. While there is no way of determining accurately how much food was put up in individual homes for later use, there is every reason to believe that thousands of families canned and preserved perishable products this year for the first time. Steps had been taken early in the year to make sure that there would be a sufficient supply of containers. The price of tin cans = REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 7 had increased to such an extent as practically to prohibit their use by the individual canner. At the suggestion of the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture manufacturers agreed to restrict the canning of nonperishable foods for several months in order to con- serve the supply for perishable products. The States Relations Serv- ice also, in cooperation with the Bureau of Chemistry, the Council of National Defense, railroads, and manufacturers of tin cans, per- fected an arrangement by which more than 10,000,000 cans were shipped in carload lots from certain factories direct to counties in the South and sold at cost, plus freight and handling charges. The net saving through this activity alone is estimated at more than a quarter of a million dollars. MARKETING ACTIVITIES. The work of the Bureau of Markets was greatly expanded. The market news service for fruits and vegetables, inaugurated during the fiscal year 1915, as well as that for live stock and meats, which was begun in the fiscal year 1917, was developed as rapidly as pos- sible with available funds. Many of the projects of the Bureau were redirected in order to deal more effectively with emergency problems. The reports were particularly valuable in connection with the ship- ment of perishable products, and large numbers took advantage of the timely information furnished by them. During the fiscal year 1917 approximately 3,000,000 bulletins regarding car-lot shipments and jobbing prices of fruits and vegetables were distributed to over 52,000 individuals, including shippers, jobbers, distributors, and receivers. Market reporting stations were opened during the year at several important points, and the number of commodities covered was greatly increased. The first quarterly report of the supply of wool was issued on July 30 and represents the most complete inventory ever compiled of the wool supply in the United States. The reporting service for cold-storage holdings was rapidly enlarged and now in- cludes 43 commodities. From representatives stationed at important transfer points dur- ing harvest periods the Bureau of Markets secured telegraphic infor- mation on the car situation. These reports made it possible to place before the Commission on Car Service accurate information regard- ing the prospective movement of different crops and the need for cars. The Bureau also, through all available channels, has endeav- 33382°—acr 1917 9 18 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ored to secure close cooperation between carriers and producers, shippers and distributors in the more efficient utilization of railroad equipment used in transporting food products. MARKET NEWS SERVICES EXTENDED. The passage of the Food Production Act made possible a marked expansion of the machinery of the Bureau of Markets. An appro- priation of $2,522,000 was provided for this purpose. The news serv- ices for fruits and vegetables and for live stock and meats were still further developed and were extended to include hay, grain, and seeds, and dairy and poultry products. Three general reporting services, one daily and two weekly, are conducted for perishables at 25 sta- tions, as well as a local service for truck crops in certain cities. Branch offices are now maintained at twelve important market centers for the purpose of collecting and distributing current infor- mation relative to supplies of live stock and meats, demands, prices, and other market conditions. Two daily and one monthly report for live stock and meats are issued. Data on wholesale meat trade con- ditions are secured daily from several of the largest eastern meat consuming and distributing centers, and a summary is immediately forwarded to the central live-stock markets in the West. Bulletins also are issued at the various branch offices before the day’s trading in live stock begins, and this information is distributed throughout the United States. More than 60 stockyard companies report their current live-stock receipts and shipments, and a summary of the figures is issued after the first of each month. Biweekly reports are made on hay and grain for certain sections. A semiweekly statement of bean prices, demand, and movement is made, and plans have been completed for issuing one each month on farm and garden seeds. Reports of daily car-lot shipments and jobbing prices of fruits and vegetables, as well as weekly summaries of car-lot shipments and a weekly market review, are made. Data on the carload movements of fruits and vegetables and of live stock, embracing returns from approximately 1,000 officials, are telegraphed daily by more than 400 different railroads. A cooperative experimental reporting service was begun early in the year in the large wholesale farmers’ market at Providence, R. L., on fruits and vegetables grown in the neighborhood. This service is conducted in cooperation with local truck-gardeners’ associations REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 19 and the city authorities. It has demonstrated its usefulness in sta- bilizing local prices, and has been extended, under the Food Produc- tion Act, to the markets at Boston and Springfield, Mass.; Albany, N. Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; Grand Rapids, Mich.; St. Paul, Minn., and Denver, Colo. INSPECTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. The Food Production Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and certify to shippers the condition as to soundness of fruits'and vegetables and other food products when received at important central markets. Rules and regulations for carrying out this provision of the act were published on October 31, and the inspection service was inaugurated promptly in 24 of the large markets. This impartial and disinterested inspection service should lessen the uncertainty surrounding the marketing of perishables and stimulate economical production. EMERGENCY FOOD AND FERTILIZER SURVEYS. The most difficult undertakings of the Bureau of Markets under the Food Production Act are the war emergency food surveys. A pre- liminary survey, as of August 31, 1917, was planned and set in oper- ation. This will be followed by one in more detail after the crops are gathered. The information sought covers 18 of the more im- portant farm products and foods, in some instances groups of pro- ducts, and falls into four heads, based on location and ownership, as follows: (1) Quantities of raw food products on the farms; (2) stocks of food products nearer the consumption stage in manufacturing, storing, jobbing, wholesale, large retail, and other commercial estab- lishments; (3) stocks in retail houses, particularly in the small estab- lishments; and (4) supplies of food in the household and current family consumption. The later survey will embrace many more items. A determination of the quantity of food products on farms, particu- larly of cereals, live stock, and poultry, has been made by the Bureau of Crop Estimates. “The holdings of manufacturing, storing, jobbing, wholesale, and other commercial establishments, including large re- tail houses, have been ascertained by the Bureau of Markets directly from each concern. Owing to the impossibility of covering all the smaller retail concerns, the survey, so far as these were concerned, 20 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. was limited to the establishments in a number of representative cities and rural districts and was conducted by personal canvass instead of by mail. From the data secured the aggregate for the entire country will be estimated. Similarly, the supplies of food actually in the households will be determined by ascertaining the stocks in a large number of homes, and the returns will be checked by a careful record of the quantities of food purchased and consumed in them during the period of one week. The Food Production Act provides also for the investigation of basic facts relating to fertilizers. An effort is being made to secure accurate information regarding the supply of fertilizer materials on hand, the probable production and consumption, and other pertinent facts. A special inquiry has been made through the Extension Service to ascertain the immediate requirements of farmers for nitrate of soda. CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES AND INSECTS. Immediately after the outbreak of the war, the Bureaus of Plant Industry and Entomology directed their attention to plant diseases and insect pests and rendered very effective assistance with the re- sources at their command. With the additional funds made avail- able by the Food Production Act, specialists of the Bureau of Plant Industry, familiar with the possibilities of seed treatment for the prevention of smuts of wheat, barley, oats, and rye, which alone cause losses of fifty to sixty million dollars a year, were placed in Oregon, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Indiana, Dhnois, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, and California. These specialists conducted an active campaign to reduce these losses. Through cooperation with the county agents, farmers, farmers’ organizations, and county and town- ship schools, detailed suggestions for the protection of the wheat crop were given and were put into effect by many farmers. Similar work also has been undertaken in the Gulf and South Atlantic States. Early in the spring the Bureau of Entomology made arrangements to secure systematic reports from various sections of the country regarding the prevalence of insects attacking food crops. It was essential to have readily available full and accurate knowledge of the exact conditions with reference to injurious insects, especially those threatening the staple crops. The reports received were promptly digested and transmitted to all State and station entomolo- gists and others who were in a position to assist in reducing losses REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 21 from insect attacks. In this way the field workers of the Bureau, in cooperation with the State authorities, were able to deal more effec- tively with insect problems in many sections of the country. Under the provisions of the Food Production Act the Bureau has instituted an extensive campaign to disseminate information concerning means of preventing insect ravages and to demonstrate proper methods of control. It is planned to place 40 additional expert entomologists in the field to cooperate with the extension forces. Nineteen already have been appointed. They are dealing with the Hessian fly in the wheat areas, insects affecting truck crops—especially sweet potatoes— in the Gulf States, and those damaging deciduous fruits in the Ap- palachian region and citrus fruits in the South and in California. In the Northwest they propose to inaugurate an educational cam- paign directed against insects affecting cereal and forage crops. Six specialists in addition to the regular force have been assigned to the task of stimulating the production of honey. CONSERVING POTATOES. Sweet and Irish potatoes were planted more extensively than ever before. To reduce the losses resulting from improper handling and storage of the former, specialists were placed in the regions of large production, and their work, it is estimated, already has resulted in a saving of $3,000,000. The methods of storing and handling Irish potatoes are well understood and the commercial practice in this field is fairly satisfactory. There is room, however, for great im- provement both in quality and yield. A special survey, therefore, was undertaken to locate desirable fields of potatoes, free from dis- ease and of good quality, which could be utilized for seed stock. Experts are now working on the problem in Maine, Vermont, Massa- chusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado. PURCHASE OF SEED CORN. To relieve the situation caused by severe drought in certain sections of Texas, and especially to insure a sufficient supply of good seed for the next planting season, steps were promptly taken to purchase a stock of approximately 37,500 bushels of seed corn for sale to farmers for cash at cost, as provided in the Food Production Act. The Depart- ment also, with the cooperation of the Food Administration Grain Corporation, undertook to insure an adequate supply of seed wheat 22 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. for planting this fall and next sprmg. The Grain Corporation per- mitted elevators to set aside special storage space and authorized them to charge a slight advance over the established price to cover extra charges. The Department located available stocks of seed, inspected them, certified to their soundness, and notified farmers where and on what terms they could secure such seed. THE MEAT SUPPLY. The task of increasing the meat supply, necessarily a slow one in its production phase, is particularly difficult. Hogs and poultry yield the quickest returns, and therefore urgent efforts were made to ~ increase their production. Special campaigns were conducted by the specialists in animal husbandry, and the membership in the boys’ and girls’ pig and poultry clubs was greatly increased. Press notices de- signed to promote the raising of poultry were issued and later were incorporated in a special back-yard poultry leaflet, which was widely circulated. At the same time active steps were taken to stimulate the production of beef and dairy cattle, and several specialists in sheep husbandry were assigned to duty in the Eastern States to encourage the production of sheep on farms. Funds have been set aside from the appropriation made by the Food Production Act to employ a force of 32 additional men to give their entire time to the task of increasing the number of hogs, 39 to encourage poultry pone and 6 to assist producers of beef cattle. The transfer of cattle from regions where there was a shortage of feed to areas where feedstuffs were relatively plentiful has re- ceived special consideration. This work was begun late in June and is still under way. Field agents were assigned to Texas and Montana to locate cattle likely to be unwisely disposed of, and at the same time men were stationed in regions where there was an abundance of feedstuffs to locate prospective buyers. It is estimated that by the end of October this work had resulted in the transfer and saving to the Nation of more than 100,000 cattle. On account of the severe winter and late spring in the West, the live-stock losses were very severe in every range State. It was urgent that the National Forest ranges be opened at the earliest possible date in order to prevent further losses, especially of lambs and calves. To meet this situation animals were admitted to the ranges earlier than usual and the number grazed was increased by approximately REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 23 350,000 over any previous year. Notwithstanding this action, the demand for grazing privileges could not fully be met. Obviously, the next important thing to be done was to provide for further utilization of the range in 1918. To study the effects of the increased use of the ranges this year, to discover in what particulars the pres- ent method of handling the stock and allotting the range might ad- vantageously be modified as an emergency measure, and to secure the best available knowledge regarding the number of stock which the ranges can be made to carry with safety next year, a special inspec- tion force has been organized. As a result of this study of the prob- lem it will be possible to bring about a still further emergency use of the National Forest ranges for live-stock production in 1918. CONTROL OF ANIMAL DISEASES. The work connected with the suppression of animal diseases has been vigorously pressed. Special attention has been directed to the control of hog cholera and cattle ticks. Estimates show that the losses from hog cholera during the past fiscal year decreased by approximately 30 per cent and reached the lowest average per thou- sand head since 1894. More than 40,000 square miles were released from quarantine on account of the cattle tick during the past fiscal year and 1,788 on September 1, 1917. Sixty-five thousand five hun- dred and twenty square miles will be placed in the tick-free area on December 1. More than 51 per cent of the original infested territory has now been cleared of the tick. The work was greatly enlarged during the past summer, and many additional employees were assigned to it. The suppression of the tick makes possible the introduction of more and better beef and dairy cattle, and already thousands of fine breeding cattle have been procured by Southern farmers. Satisfactory progress has been made in the prevention or control of other destructive animal diseases. Under the Food Production Act the facilities of the Bureau of Animal Industry for dealing with live-stock diseases have been further extended. Forty-six employees have been added to the tick- eradication forces in order that the work may be prosecuted more vigorously and additional areas be prepared for systematic effort next year. They have been assigned to duty in seven States. This force will be increased by 10 in the near future. In 12 States an 24 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. inspector has been detailed to assist in combating tuberculosis of cattle and swine and abortion of cattle, and it is proposed to increase the number to19. In the control of blackleg of cattle and anthrax of domestic animals, five men are regularly employed. From time to time, however, as occasion arises, employees regularly assigned to other duties are detailed to the work of fighting these diseases. These activities of the Department now cover 15 States and will be extended to 10 more as promptly as possible. Sixty-five additional veterinarians have been assigned to the hog-cholera work. Fifteen more will be appointed as soon as competent men can be obtained. The fight against the disease has been under way for some time in 28 States, and as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made with the State authorities it will be carried into the remaining 20 Commonwealths. THE LIVE-STOCK CONFERENCE. In the effort to increase the meat supply, it seemed of the highest importance that the cooperation of the live-stock men of the Nation should be secured. Having this in view, in August I decided to ask representatives of the various live-stock interests to attend a conference in Washington on September 5 and 6, 1917. Shortly after the call for the conference was issued, in view of the interest of the Food Administration in many phases of the same matter, it was deter- mined to have a joint conference and to create a National live-stock industry committee. People representing not only the producers of the various kinds of live stock but also the farm journals were in- vited to become members of the committee and to attend the confer- ence. It was pointed out that there had been a tremendous slaughter of animals abroad, and that the destruction would continue at an accelerated rate. The duty of this Nation to supply food for its own citizens and soldiers and also to help feed the civilian population and soldiers of the Allies was emphasized. It was especially suggested that attention should be given to the problem of redistributing cattle, sheep, and hogs from areas where feed supplies were short to those where they existed in greater abundance. One hundred and eighty- five men, including representatives of the Department of Agriculture and the Food Administration, attended the conference, which lasted for two days. Certain recommendations, with many of which the REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, 25 Department is in thorough accord, were made by the conference. Some of them had reference to undertakings which the Department and other agencies have had under way for some time and which have been enlarged in recent months. Among these are the following: The extension of the live-stock reporting service of the Bureau of Markets; the vigorous prosecution of the work of eradicating the cattle tick; the encouragement of the boys’ baby-beef clubs and pig clubs and the cow-testing associations; protective action against the stray dog, the enemy of the sheep; the extension of the work of education with reference to sheep raising and wool growing; and the redistri- bution of animals, to be promoted mainly through the county agents. Certain legislation was suggested, including, particularly, regulated grazing on the public domain, which this Department has earnestly favored for a number of years. It was urged also that steps be taken to control uneconomic speculation. It was understood that the United States Live Stock Industry Committee should continue in existence and cooperate with the Department and the Food Administration in bringing about the increased production, conservation, and orderly marketing of live stock. PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS. Because of the large place that dairy products hold in food eco- nomics, efforts were made to conserve the supply by the elimination of waste and the more complete utilization of by-products. In many sections in the Southern and Western States the number of cream- eries and cheese factories was increased, resulting in large additions to the food supply and contributing to the welfare of the farming communities. In the settled sections of the Eastern and Middle West- ern States efforts were made to increase the efficiency of the opera- tions on the farm and in the factory. The milk supply of many cities was improved and increased through the application of a few simple and efficient methods. In the South an active campaign for the greater production of feedstuffs, a necessary feature of dairy development, was conducted in cooperation with the extension au- thorities. Every effort has been made to encourage the use of cottage cheese as a substitute for meat. A number of circulars and press notices explaining its food value and the ways in which it can be made in the home and in the factory were issued. Personal instruction also 26 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. was given to creamery operators, home-economics workers, and farm women. Six experts have devoted their entire time to encouraging the production of cottage cheese on the farm and this number will be in- creased. In the mountainous sections of the South special efforts have been made to increase cheese production. The establishment of cheese factories was encouraged in localities where climatic and other conditions render their operation feasible. Work was begun in these regions in September, 1914, when the first cheese factory was estab- lished in North Carolina. Since that time the number of factories has increased rapidly until at present there are 34, of which 26 were established during the last fiscal year. All have been suc- cessful. They furnish outlets for milk in localities far distant from railroads and centers of population, and in this way are of great benefit to isolated regions. While the work in this field is relatively new in the West, the results have been no less striking. Nine men were employed during the summer to promote the utiliza- tion of by-products of creameries and milk plants. The work was conducted in eight States and plans are under way for its further development. WHEAT AND OTHER CEREALS. When a state of war was declared it was clear that spring wheat offered the only opportunity, in part at least, to make good the pros- pective shortage of winter wheat indicated by heavy winterkilling. County-agent leaders, therefore, in cooperation with the Department, immediately put into effect plans for increasing the production of spring wheat, as well as of oats, barley, corn, potatoes, buckwheat, soy beans, grain sorghums, and other food crops, with the result that the total acreages planted were much larger than they would otherwise have been. For example, the seeding of spring wheat, which promised to be only one-half to two-thirds the normal, was in- creased to normal; seed corn was more carefully selected and tested ; and oats were more extensively treated for smut with a consequent in- crease in yields. Many farmers who previously had not grown po- tatoes at all planted sufficient for their own use, and many who had never grown potatoes as a market crop planted a large acreage. The special campaigns in the South for the increased production of foodstuffs through the extension forces were very successful and gave a remarkable demonstration of the value of such educational REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 27 work, especially in an emergency like this. The net result was a marked increase in the planting of corn, soy beans, velvet beans, cow- peas, peanuts, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and other food crops. The corn crop in the 15 Southern States was 964,504,000 bushels, or more than a fourth of the whole crop of the United States. FALL PLANTING. Realizing the importance of continued efforts to promote the pro- duction of staple commodities and of making plans promptly for the immediate future, in June I appointed a committee of experts of the Department to make suggestions for future action, especially with reference to winter-wheat planting. ‘The committee considered the problem from every angle and reached the conclusion that a strenuous effort should be made to secure the planting of an area that _ would, under favorable conditions, produce a billion bushels of wheat in 1918—S80,000,000 bushels through the winter crop and _ the remainder through increased spring planting. The committee also recommended that steps be taken to encourage the production of over 83,000,000 bushels of rye and that the production of winter oats in the South should be increased to the extent that seed was available. This program called for the planting of 44,634,000 acres of winter wheat and 5,522,000 acres of rye, and was submitted by telegraph to the leading agricultural authorities of various States concerned. As a result of their suggestions it was finally determined to propose the planting of 47,337,000 acres of winter wheat and 5,131,000 acres of rye. In announcing the program it seemed desirable to place particular emphasis on the crops seeded in the fall and to make no specific sug- gestion as to the spring crops, such as corn, spring oats, rice, the grain sorghums, and buckwheat until the acreages successfully sown to winter cereals could be determined. Similarly, action with regard to beans, soy beans, cowpeas, peanuts, and various other legumes, and the spring-planted forage crops, was left for final consideration until more complete data as to the 1917 harvest are available. It was suggested, however, that the acreages of fall-seeded hay crops should at least equal those of the present season. The need of husbanding seed supplies was pointed out, and the machinery of the Depart- ment’s committee on seed stocks was set in motion to bring about an 28 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. effective interchange of seeds from well-suppled regions to those reporting shortages. Through a number of channels the Department proceeded to bring the program to the attention of the grain farmers of the country and to seek their cooperation in making the recommendations effective. It was published as a circular and also was given wide distribu- tion through the press and the Weekly News Letter. A series of conferences immediately was held by representatives of the Depart- ment in several of the grain-growing sections of the country. They were held in Washington for the Eastern and Northeastern States; in Atlanta for the Southeastern States; in Indianapolis for Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Kentucky; in Kansas City | for Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and — Arkansas; and in Spokane, Wash., for the remaining States. The local problems likely to be encountered in increasing the grain acre- age were discussed with farmers, agricultural leaders, bankers financ- ing agricultural enterprises, and editors of agricultural journals. Following the publication of the program and the holding of the conferences, the Department carried on an intensive campaign to em- phasize the need for an increased production of grain and the best methods to be employed in obtaining the increases suggested. Sev- eral special bulletins and posters were prepared and distributed, and articles discussing various phases of grain production and han- dling were issued through the general press, agricultural press, and the publications of the Department. The extension workers through- out the grain-growing regions concentrated their attention upon the problem and urged farmers to cooperate with the Department. THE FARM-LABOR SUPPLY. It was early apparent that in certain sections of the country, par- ticularly near the great industrial centers in the North and North- east and especially in the vicinity of plants undertaking large war contracts for the Government, there would be a marked shortage of farm labor. It was obvious, too, that, on account of the abstraction _ of labor through enlistments in the Regular Army and through the operation of the draft law, difficulties would be experienced in many sections of the Union. The situation called for constructive action. A large army can not be constituted without causing inconvenience REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 29 in many directions. Jt was clearly impossible to make exemptions by classes and to admit no farmers to the Army. Still, it was highly important that agricultural production be increased. Military fail- ure could arise no less from shortage of foodstuffs than from shortage of ammunition or man power. The task was presented of making the labor remaining on farms more effective, of securing fuller co- operation among farmers, and of utilizing on the farms urban and rural labor not heretofore fully or regularly employed. Past experi- ence made it clear that labor might be transferred from certain com- munities where the seasonal pressure had passed to others and where the need was immediate. It was known, too, that there were hun- dreds of thousands of boys in rural districts and villages who might render useful service, and that the army of boys and girls organ- ized in agricultural clubs might be enlarged and its members em- ployed in additional directions. It was assumed that there were more than 2,000,000 boys between the ages of 15 and 19 years in the cities and towns who were not engaged in productive work vital to the Nation, that many of these had had contact with rural life, and that their services might be utilized on the farms, especially in the harvest season. The Departments of Agriculture and Labor and other agencies immediately after the outbreak of the war undertook to furnish assist- ance. The War Department itself held definitely in mind the thought of lightening the burden as far as possible by not calling to the colors those essential for leadership and direction. Under the pres- sure of the first draft it was difficult to work out satisfactorily the underlying principle of selection. For the future a system of classification was adopted which embodies the following features of special interest to farmers and agencies dealing with agriculture: The selectives are classified into five groups, indicating the order in which they will be called to service. Skilled farm labor is in class 2, highly specialized agricultural experts in agencies of the State or Nation in class 3, and heads of necessary agricultural enter- prises in class 4. The operation of this new arrangement should remove many of the difficulties previously encountered and, in reason- able measure, meet the demands of the situation. It was realized that after all was done there would be need of additional labor in many sections. The Department of Labor there- fore undertook to study the available supplies in towns and cities 30 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and developed its system of employment agencies for this purpose. One object was to secure information, which could be conveyed to the Department of Agriculture and to State agencies, as to available labor in urban centers and to have it drawn upon for aid in farming operations in near-by communities. The Department of Agriculture assumed the task of studying the supplies and needs in rural districts. It arranged to place a man in each State in touch with the State council of safety with the special duty of assisting in the mobilization and organization of rural labor. Under the provisions of the Food Production Act, 38 farm-labor agents have been appointed and are devoting their entire energies to the problem. The problem of the organization of labor remaining in agri- culture is of the highest importance, and it is essential that, if possible, it be so perfected that there may be produced in this emergency as much as was formerly produced by the whole num- ber of laborers, and, if possible, a greater quantity. The experi- ence of the present year has been valuable. Constant attention is being given to the problem, and it is hoped that during the ensuing months even more useful work may be done. A conference of all the labor representatives of the Department and of agencies with which they have been cooperating in the various States was held in St. Louis on November 9 and 10, 1917, to discuss the whole problem, to canvass the activities and results up to that time, and to make more efficient plans for next season. Whether resort in the future must be had to more drastic action on the part of the State and Federal authorities will depend upon the necessities of the case. Conscription of labor for industrial purposes would necessarily present many difficulties. Powerful influences are operating to bring about the release of labor and capital from less essential enterprises and their diversion into more urgent undertakings. These will be- come increasingly compelling as the situation develops. They will be aided by the growing realization on the part of the people gen- erally of the necessity of curtailing expenditures on nonessentials and of redirecting labor and capital into vital industries. CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS EXTENDED. The Bureau of Chemistry has made considerable progress in demonstrating the processes devised by it for preparing sugar-cane and sorghum sirup that will not crystallize or ferment and for utiliz- REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. at ing the by-products. The work already under way on methods of handling, packing, storing, shipping, and utilizing fish in order to make the supply more immediately available for food has been extended and developed. In connection with the efforts to increase the supply of poultry and eggs, plans have been made to stimulate the establishment of poultry and egg packing plants in accordance with the principles worked out by the Food Research Laboratory. Ten additional men are being assigned to this work. Arrangements have been completed with three small packing houses to serve as demonstrations for their communities and become centers for the distribution of information regarding better methods of handling, packing, and shipping. The work of determining the proper methods of drying fruits and vegetables on a commercial scale has been continued and extended. The Bureau of Plant Industry is also giving special attention to the drying of agricultural products under farm conditions. PUBLICATION ACTIVITIES. The information service, which furnishes timely articles to the press regarding the activities of the Department and the results of its investigations and experiments, has been enlarged in several direc- tions. Plans have been perfected for supplying information to the weekly newspapers, women’s magazines, agricultural press, and others in more available form. On October 15, 1917, a number of agricultural editors were asked to come to Washington to discuss the work of the Department in this field and to make suggestions for improvement. They promptly responded and made a number of recommendations of a helpful character. There has been an unusually large demand for the publications of the Department. Over 22,000,000 emergency Farmers’ Bulletins, cir- culars, leaflets, posters, and the like were published from April 1 to November 1 in connection with the efforts to increase production, to eliminate waste, and to promote conservation, and an equal number of publications dealing with the regular activities of the Department were issued in the same period, making a total since April 1 of ap- proximately 44,000,000. The special circulars and posters were dis- tributed largely through the county agents and other cooperating agencies. Copies also were supplied to official organizations, war committees, civic associations, and patriotic clubs throughout the United States. 82 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The interest in the exhibit work of the Department has greatly increased. Additional equipment has been secured, and the Depart- ment has participated in a large number of educational fairs and expositions of regional or National importance. This work has been particularly useful in connection with the efforts to promote the better conservation and utilization of farm products. THE RESPONSE OF THE FARMERS. Imbued with patriotic motives, influenced by favorable market prices, and falling in with the suggestions of the Department of Agriculture and of State agricultural agencies, the farmers of the Nation manifested much interest in the campaign for increased pro- duction and displayed efficient activity in reference both to plant and animal foodstuffs and feedstuffs. The weather conditions during the spring were generally favorable and, according to the unrevised estimates, the Nation will have,as the result of the work of the farm- ers and of all the agricultural agencies, approximately 3,191,000,000 bushels of corn, 659,797,000 of wheat, 1,580,000,000 of oats, 201,659,000 . of barley, 56,000,000 of rye, 16,813,000 of buckwheat, 33,256,000 of rice, 73,380,000 of kafir, 439,686,000 of Irish potatoes, 84,727,000 of sweet potatoes, 15,957,000 of commercial beans, 42,606,000 of peaches, 11,419,000 of pears, 177,733,000 of apples, and 7,621,000 tons of sugar beets. These figures represent increases of cereals in the aggregate over 1916 of 1,006,000,000 bushels, and over the average for 1910-1914 of approximately 1,000,000,000 bushels, but a decrease of production in comparison with 1915 of about 199,000,000 bushels. It should be borne in mind, however, that the carry-over of cereals from last year was much below the normal and that the percentage of soft corn of the 1917 crop was unusually high. The figures also reveal the record crop of Irish potatoes of 439,000,000 bushels, 154,000,000 more than in 1916, and 79,000,000 more than the average for 1910-1914; an increased production of sweet potatoes over 1916 of 14,000,000, and of 24,000,000 over the five-year average; and of sugar beets of 950,000 tons over 1916, and of 2,230,000 over the five-year average. There was also the largest production of perishables on record. While authentic figures for meat, poultry, dairy products, and vege- table oils are not available for 1917, it appears, from rough estimates, that the quantity of these commodities for this year is slightly greater than for either 1916 or 1915, and exceeds the five-year average by two or three billion pounds. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, 33 The number of milch cows and other cattle has shown an increase during the iast four or five years, the estimate for the former for the present year being 23,906,000 as against 22,768,000 a year ago and 20,497,000 in 1918, before the European war began, while that for the cattle is 48,291,000 as against 40,849,000 a year ago and 36,030,000 in 1913. Unfortunately, the number of sheep continues to decline; the estimate for 1917 is only 46,059,000 as against 48,483,000 a year ago and 51,482,000 in 1913. It is estimated that the number of hogs, which during recent years has shown an upward tendency, decreased over 4,000,000, or from 67,453,000 to 62,747,000. However, it is greater than it was at the beginning of the European war. The num- ber of hogs varies from year to year more widely than that of the larger meat animals. In considering the whole meat situation it should be kept in mind that there is a close relationship between the production of live stock and the supply of feedstuffs and that for more than a year past there has been a relative shortage of grains and of forage. The large pro- duction of these necessaries during the present crop season should conduce to more satisfactory conditions for the producers of live stock and should, other things being equal, tend to bring about an increase. But with the destruction of live stock in Europe and the great. demands from there for meat and fats, with consequent greatly increased exports from this country, it is clear that the supply will not be adequate for the domestic needs and for those of the nations with which we are associated in the war. The mere statement that the population has steadily increased in this country—the gain in the 10 years from 1908 to 1917 being 13,000,000—with an absolute decrease in the live stock for the same period, would sufficiently emphasize the seriousness of the situation if conditions were normal and the demand for meats and fats were not so urgent. The great importance of doing everything possible economically to increase the meat supply of the Nation I have strongly emphasized in each previous annual report and in many addresses. This is one of the great problems to which the Department persistently has given earnest and vigorous attention. The actual increase in the acreage of fall-sown crops can not be accurately determined at this time. There is every indica- tion, however, that the farmers in the sections where fall grains can be profitably raised have patriotically responded to the Nation’s 33382°—acr 1917——3 34 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. call for more breadstuffs. Reports made to the Bureau of Crop Estimates in August, before the campaign for increased acreages was well under way, indicated an intention on the part of farmers to increase their sowing of winter wheat by about 10 per cent and of rye by about 3 per cent. If these intentions are realized, it will result in the planting of 44,100,000 acres of wheat and about 4,340,000 acres of rye. Reports received since August are to the effect that the fall-sown acreage of these two crops has been increased in nearly every State, although the drought in the Southwestern States and in por- tions of Washington has made it impracticable fully to carry out the planting program. The official estimate of the acreage of winter wheat and rye will be issued on December 19 after the planting of winter grains is completed in the South. Similarly, it is too early to determine the percentage of germination of seed actually sown, and therefore any prophecy at this time as to the actual harvest of winter wheat to be expected in 1918 would be merely a guess. That the farmers of the Nation have generously responded to the appeals for increased production, and that much has already been done to insure a large supply of foods and feedstuffs, justifies no let down in their activities or in those of all agricultural agencies. On the contrary, even greater efforts must be put forth in the coming months if we are to meet satisfactorily the domestic demands and the needs of the nations with which we are associated in this struggle. There must be no breakdown on the farms, no failure of foods, feed- stuffs, or clothing. I can not emphasize too strongly the urgent necessity of doing everything possible to bring about a still further increase in the production of all essential commodities, particularly of the staple crops and live stock. COOPERATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS. Many of the Bureaus of the Department have rendered and are rendering definite assistance to the War and Navy Departments and other branches of the Government in connection with war problems. A few instances may be cited: The Bureau of Animal Industry is cooperating with the Navy Department in the reinspection of meats and meat food products at 27 naval stations, and 67 inspectors have been detailed for similar work at the various Army camps, cantonments, forts, and other places. Approximately, 50,000,000 pounds of products have been re- inspected in this way. Unusual precautions also have been taken REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 35 to see that the meat and meat food products intended for the Army and Navy contain no harmful substances. To insure a safe and sanitary milk supply for the Army canton- ments and naval stations, the dairy specialists of the Department have investigated the local situations and have made suggestions for improvements. The inspection of large quantities of butter for the Navy also has been supervised by the experts of the Dairy Division. All supplies of vegetables purchased and loaded on the naval supply ships have been and are being inspected by representatives of the Bureau of Markets. The importance of this work is indi- cated by the fact that it was necessary recently to reject 500,000 pounds of diseased potatoes. MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES. The Office of Home Economics has studied emergency rations for the Army and Navy, as well as general questions relating to rationing for the Coast Guard Service. The Bureau of Chemistry has done con- siderable work for the military and naval services in preparing speci- fications for foods and in analyzing and investigating the products offered to them. It is also assisting these agencies in the standardiza- tion of their food supplies. In addition, the Bureau is conducting research investigations on the antiseptic qualities of some important compounds, which may be very useful to the Army and Navy Medical Corps. The Bureau of Entomology has placed its experts in entomology, as well as all information on camp sanitation in its possession, at the disposal of the Medical Corps. The Bureau of Soils has cooperated effectively with the War Department in investigational work relating to fixed nitrogen and sulphuric acid. Experts of the Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering have been detailed to assist the War Department in road building at the 16 cantonments, and valuable data have been placed by this Office at the disposal of the military authorities. FOREST-PRODUCTS INVESTIGATIONS. The emergency work in the field of forest products has assumed large proportions. The entrance of the United States into the war presented a host of new problems requiring solution. Standards and 36 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. specifications had to be revised to meet the emergency conditions. In some cases it was necessary to locate new sources of supplies and, in many instances, to find satisfactory substitutes for the materials previously used. A very important part of the work relates to methods of conditioning rapidly, through artificial seasoning, woods used in the manufacture of rifles, airplanes, and vehicles. Assist- ance in these directions has been rendered by the Forest Service to the War and Navy Departments and also to the Shipping Board and the Emergency Fleet Corporation, to various committees of the Council of National Defense, and to manufacturers of war orders. To press this work effectively it has been necessary to discontinue most of the peace-time investigations of the Forest Products Labora- tory at Madison and to devote its research facilities and staff mainly to the study of war problems. At the request of the War Department the Forest Service assisted in the organization of a regiment—the Tenth Engineers (forest)— for forestry work abroad. It selected and recommended to the War Department a list of officers who were experienced practical foresters and lumbermen. It also made arrangements to secure recruits, mainly woodsmen, lumbermen, and sawmill hands, and the necessary equip- ment, fitted to meet the conditions which operating in France would involve, was devised. It is now cooperating with the War Depart- ment in the organization of another similar regiment—the Twentieth Engineers (forest). AEROLOGICAL WORK DEVELOPED. The Weather Bureau has placed at the disposal of the Naval forces along the coasts. of the United States and the Army timely and accurate weather information. The work of the weather sta- tions along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts has been closely coordinated with the coast-guard and coast-patrol services of the Navy Department. Some of the forecasters of the Weather Bureau have been commissioned by the War Department and, in this way, the cooperation between the two agencies will be rendered more effective. An appropriation of $100,000 for extending the aerological work of the Weather Bureau in aid of aeronautics was included in the Army Appropriation Act of May 12, 1917. This sum became avail- able on July 1, and steps immediately were taken to put into effect the REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 37 plans previously formulated for the establishment of five aerological stations in addition to the one already maintained at Drexel. The rapid development of this work is, of course, a matter of great im- portance in connection with the aircraft production program. The Bureau also has made arrangements for furnishing accurate weather information at the various cantonments, and it has assisted the War Department in the organization of its aerological observation work and of a regiment for the gas and flame service. NEED OF WATER-POWER LEGISLATION. For several years attention has been directed to the necessity of enacting proper legislation relating to the development of the water power of the Nation. It becomes increasingly urgent that amend- ments to existing law be made and that a’ well-rounded policy be decided upon. The present industrial situation, and particularly the scarcity and high cost of fuel and construction materials, have in- creased the cost of steam power and make it highly important that action be taken at the next session of Congress. Legislation which will make it possible to safeguard the public interests, and at the same time to protect private investors, should result in securing cheaper water power and in conserving the coal and fuel-oil supply. Since three departments of the Government are vitally concerned in water-power legislation and its possible terms and would be vitally affected by the administrative handling of matters under such legis- lation, it would seem desirable to consider whether it is feasible to devise an executive body on which the three departments will be represented and which will be able to utilize to the best advantage all their existing agencies. THE FEDERAL AID ROAD ACT. In the administration of the Federal Aid Road Act of July 11, 1916, very satisfactory progress has been made. The Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering, which is intrusted with the burden of admin- istering the act, has expanded its organization to provide the requisite machinery. Ten district offices with an engineer in charge have been established in as many areas. The work in the Washington office has been divided into two branches, management and engineering. The management branch deals with all administrative, fiscal, legal, statis- tical, and economic questions, while the engineering branch has charge 388 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. of all matters relating to construction and maintenance. This redi- rection of the work has greatly increased the efficiency of the office in the handling of Federal aid road projects and in maintaining close relations with State highway departments. Probably the most significant result thus far of the operation of the Federal Aid Road Act has been the enactment by a number of State legislatures of effective road laws. Legislative action in some States was necessary to meet the requirements of the Federal Act, but many of the States have gone further and have recast their high- way policies entirely. All the States have assented to the provisions of the act—42 by their legislatures and 6 by their Governors. Thirty- three had a highway department within the meaning of the act upon the date of its approval. The remaining 15 have since enacted legislation creating highway departments which comply with the terms of the law. The highway departments in 18 States have been greatly strengthened, specific appropriations to meet the Federal funds have been made by 10, and comprehensive maintenance legisla- tion has been enacted in 9 States. Forty-two States now have satis- factory maintenance laws. Nearly all the States have submitted definite schemes or programs of work for the entire five-year period covered by the act or for the greater portion of it. The formulation of carefully prepared plans for the full period in advance of con- struction tends to prevent wasteful and haphazard undertakings. Under the provisions of the act, 40 States have submitted 183 projects, involving a total of approximately 1,730 miles. Of this number, 139, embracing 1,182 miles and calling for an estimated expenditure, including Federal, State, and local funds, of $7,947,- 114.50, have been approved. These projects involve Federal funds to the extent of $3,455,573.76, or 23.75 per cent of the total allotment, $14,550,000, to the various States for the fiscal years 1917 and 1918. Six projects, covering 40 miles, have been disapproved. Agreements have been entered into or are in the course of preparation in the case of 34 projects, aggregating 197.74 miles and involving $990,600.84 of Federal funds and a total of $2,225,944.74. The full effect of the Federal Aid Road Act can not be measured by any comparison of funds expended in 1916 and made available for 1917, as many of the legislatures did not meet until early in the calendar year 1917. It is significant, however, that while the ex- penditures of State funds in 1916 aggregated $40,969,000, it is esti- REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 39 mated that the expenditure of State funds in 1917 will reach approxi- mately $60,000,000, or an increase of nearly 50 per cent. These funds are distinct from local expenditures and indicate an advance in State participation in highway work. THE GRAIN STANDARDS ACT. The preliminary steps in connection with the Grain Standards Act were discussed in the last Annual Report and need not be repeated here. Progress has been made since that time in increasing the effi- ciency of the administrative machinery, and the work is now on a very satisfactory basis. Thirty-five supervision districts, with as many central headquarters, have been fully equipped for the task. Forty-one supervisors, 10 assistant supervisors, and 80 grain samplers, together with the necessary clerks and other employees, have been appointed and assigned to duty. On February 6, 1917, tentative official standards for wheat were made public and hearings immediately were begun in all the important wheat sections and wheat markets of the United States. The final hearing took place in Washington on March 7, and the standards were promulgated in final form on March 31. They be- came effective for winter wheat on July 1 and for spring wheat on August 1. Licensing of inspectors proceeded throughout the month of Novem- ber, 1916, and on December 21 a complete directory of persons licensed to inspect corn was issued. Seven hundred and four appli- cations for licenses to inspect corn and wheat have been received, and three hundred and forty-three have been approved. The de- mand for inspection of grain by licensed inspectors is steadily in- creasing. Approximately, 569 appeals have been taken to the Secretary of Agriculture under the provisions of the act through the various field offices. The supervision of inspection has not been confined to the determi- nation of appeals and disputes. Ten thousand six hundred and fifty- six official samples of shelled corn have been secured and analyses made to determine their true grade. This was done in order to check the accuracy of inspection as carried on in various markets and in- spection departments. From December 1, 1916, to May 30, 1917, 237,595 cars of shelled corn were inspected and graded by licensed inspectors according to the Federal standards. 40 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, A comparative study of the results of inspection of wheat received at the large marketing centers under the Federal standards and under the standards in use prior to their establishment is of interest. Of the Hard Red Spring wheat which’ arrived at Minneapolis and Duluth during the months of September and October, 1914 and 1915, and which was graded according to the previously used standards, 5.9 per cent received a numerical grade of No. 1 Hard, 37.5 per cent a grade of No. 1 Northern, 24.2 per cent a grade of No. 2 Northern, 14.8 per cent a grade of No. 3 Northern, or a total of 82.4 per cent of the receipts graded No. 3 or higher. During the month of Septem- ber and the first 15 days of October, 1917, 88.5 per cent of the Hard Red Spring wheat received at Minneapolis and Duluth, which was graded according to the Federal standards, graded numerically No. 3 or higher, as follows: No. 1, 52.6 per cent; No. 2, 25.4 per cent; No. 3, 10.5 per cent. It should be noted in this connection that the quality of this year’s crop is high and that four grades are included under the former State standards, namely, No. 1 Hard, No. 1 North- ern, No. 2 Northern, and No. 3 Northern, while under the Federal standards there are but three grades. | The offices of Federal Grain Supervision have cooperated with the United States Food Administration in the supervision of the grading of wheat for the purposes of the Food Control Act, and information and data secured in connection with the work under the Grain Stand- ards Act have been placed at the disposal of the Food Administration and other branches of the Government. THE PINK BOLLWORM OF COTTON. A highly destructive cotton pest has made its appearance in Texas. Its presence there is a serious menace to the future successful grow- ing of cotton in the Nation. During September, October, and No- vember of this year the pink bollworm, for many years prevalent in Egypt, India, and Hawaii, and more recently in Mexico, was dis- covered at several points in Texas. It was found at two places in the vicinity of mills which received seed from Mexico in 1916. One of these was near Hearne, and the other at Beaumont. It was also discovered in fields 15 or 20 miles from the latter place. There appears to be no doubt that the insects were introduced through the im- ported seed. The other infestations, reported early in November, are on or near Trinity Bay, in the southeastern part of the State, and REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 41 are much more serious on account of their intensity and the wide area involved. Very few damaged bolls were found at Hearne and Beaumont. The cotton in the fields in the vicinity of the mills at these places was quickly uprooted and burned. In some cases the ground was subjected to blasts of fire. The cotton already picked was so handled as to prevent any insects it might contain from escaping. Similar steps are now being taken in the fields referred to 15 or 20 miles from Beaumont. In the Trinity Bay region the insect was first discovered at Ana- huac. The latest information indicates that it has spread along the northern and eastern shores of the bay for a distance of approxi- mately 100 miles. One thousand acres of cotton are involved. Many of-the fields are somewhat uniformly and heavily invaded. While no definite information is available as to the origin of the outbreak here, it is suspected that the infestation is of several years’ standing. The community is remote from Mexico, has no railroad connections, and, so far as can be determined, has received no seed direct from Mexico or from the mills which had imported seed from that country. It is not impossible that the presence of the insect is due to seed imported several years ago from Egypt. Fortunately, cotton culture in this section is limited in the main to the area near the bay, between which and the great cotton-growing sections of the State there is interposed a stretch of country in which little or no cotton is grown. The crop is usually moved directly to Galveston and Houston, where it is ginned and where the seed is manufactured into oil and cake. The isolation of the region will facilitate the eradication of the insect, but the task will be a work of great magnitude, and will compel resort to the full powers of the recently enacted Texas law authorizing the establishment of cotton-free zones and the destruction of infested cotton. It is proposed to establish similar zones near Hearne and Beaumont. The pink bollworm, so styled on account of the color of the larva, is perhaps the most serious known enemy of the cotton crop. It de- stroys not only the bolls and lint but also the seeds and greatly reduces the yield of oil. It hibernates in the larval stage in the seed and has been carried to practically all the cotton-producing countries of the world. The damage it is causing in Egypt, India, Hawaii, and other countries indicates the seriousness of the menace to cotton culture in this country. 42 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The pest apparently was introduced into Mexico in 1911 through Egyptian cotton seed. Its existence there, however, was not brought to the attention of the Department until November 1, 1916, when some infested bolls were received from a resident of the Laguna dis- trict. This discovery was followed by the immediate issuance of an order prohibiting the further entry into the United States from Mexico, except from the Imperial Valley, State of Lower California, of all cotton seed, cottonseed hulls, and seed cotton, and bringing under regulation and restriction as to ports of entry Mexican cotton lint of all kinds. Strict rules and regulations governing the importation of cotton- seed cake, meal, and other cottonseed products into the United States from Mexico and other foreign countries also were issued with a view to prevent the introduction of the insect with these products in uncrushed seed. Accurate information was promptly obtained as to the disposition of the seed which had been brought across the border under permit for milling during the season of 1916. It was ascertained that a total of 486 cars of seed had entered the United States within the year prior to November 4, 1916, and had been distributed among mills in different parts of Texas. A cam- paign was begun immediately to expedite the milling or destruction of the seed. This work was carried out with great thoroughness under the direction of experts of the Department in cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture, the mills concerned, and the Cottonseed Crushers’ Association of Texas. A border inspection and control service covering all car, freight, baggage, and other traffic between Mexico and the United States also was organized and is in full operation. To enable the Department to deal more effectively with the situa- tion, an estimate for an emergency appropriation of $50,000 was sub- mitted to Congress on December 14, 1916. The appropriation, how- ever, did not become available until March 4, 1917. In the meantime, the control work had been instituted as far as possible with available funds. During the growing season of 1917 all cotton fields in the vicinity of the mills which had received Mexican seed were frequently inspected to determine whether any pink bollworms had escaped to the adjacent fields. So far, the only evidences of such escape are the sporadic outbreaks at Hearne and at Beaumont. The fields will be — kept under constant observation during the remainder of the year, and none of the locally grown seed will be used for planting next REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 43 season. The portion of the crop which was not destroyed will be rigidly controlled, the lint shipped abroad or fumigated, and the seed promptly ground up at the mills. The old cotton plants over a wide area will be pulled up and burned to prevent overwintering of the insect in undeveloped or dead bolls. As a result of a conference held by the Department in Washington in July and participated in by the Commissioner of Agriculture of Texas and other experts from the State, a bill was prepared giving the State authorities power to cooperate with this Department in the establishment of cotton-free zones and local quarantines. This bill was presented at the special session of the Texas Legislature and has since been enacted into law. It is planned to establish a cotton-free zone in Texas, approxi. mately 50 miles in breadth, along the Mexican border. It is pro- posed not only to eliminate cotton culture in this area but also to eradicate all volunteer cotton. Similar zones will be established to include any infested areas in Texas or the other Southern States. Furthermore, the cotton grown on fhe Mexican side will be kept under observation, and the Department will cooperate with the Mexi- can Government, local authorities, and plantation owners in stamping out any outbreaks within 50 miles of the border. If the assistance of the Mexican Government can be secured, a thorough survey will be made of all Mexican cotton regions to ascertain the present distri- bution of the insect. This survey ultimately would be the basis for determining the possibility of exterminating the pest in Mexico. It may appear that the most effective and economical method of pre- venting the further invasion of the United States by the pink boll- worm will be to undertake this task. It would involve large ex- penditures, but the seriousness of the situation might amply justify them. To make it possible to carry out these preliminary plans, an esti- — mate of $500,000 was submitted to the Congress on June 22, 1917. On October 6 the sum of $250,000 was made available in the Urgent Deficiency Act. The spirit revealed by the farmers and the results of their efforts during the present year indicate that they recognize the responsibility resting upon them in this emergency. I am confident that they will patriotically continue to assume and to bear their full share of the country’s burden. The farmers of the Nation have always shown their devotion to the cause of freedom and have not been slow to 44 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. respond to their country’s call for men and means to defend its rights. They will not submit to Germany’s dictation. They will not permit her to impose illegal restrictions on their privilege of going freely to any part of the world where they have a legal right to go or of send- ing their products into the open markets of the world. They will realize that the dictum of Germany that this country should not send its ships at will to the ports of great nations of Europe was not only unwarranted and impertinent, but also that,if it had been acquiesced in, it would have involved them very particularly in great direct financial loss and suffering. As the meaning of this struggle is more fully revealed, as it becomes increasingly clear that a contest is again being waged to determine whether the world shall be dominated by the will and policies of medieval despotisms or by those of free and enlightened modern States, and whether the mere right of might or the rule of law shall prevail in the world, and as it becomes more obvious that the surest way to force a righteous peace is to employ effectively all the resources of the Nation, the farmers will increas- ingly put forth their strength, send their sons to fight at the front, and see to it that neither this Nation nor those with which we are associated lack anything in the way of materials for food and cloth- ing. It is incumbent upon them, as it is upon all other civilians, to work and to save, to seek no mere selfish advantage, and to reveal the same spirit of devotion and willingness to make sacrifices and to give all they are and have which animate the soldier in the trenches, if this struggle is to be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Every facility that this Department can command to assist them will be freely placed at their service. Respectfully, D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. Tue PRrEsIDENT. REPORT OF CHIEFS. 45 a eens nt ah . + _*#_ eee ea (5) PT ANTICO MERLE CI IN see en a Sa eee eee 25 Pecrmevreret cies etal eee ee 2 Sk See er a te ee afl Subscriptions for the Monthly Westen: Review are filled direct by the Superintendent of Documents from the 100 copies furnished him monthly by this division. Remittances received by the Superintendent of Documents during the year, covering subscriptions for Weather Bureau publications, were reported as follows: Nei shinotronsswWieatherme Map 2265 Wh eli St ey ee $122. 45 Nattondinieathersand Crop) Bulletine= {25 ee 135. 65 PS TAMNEA? QW GVGL. Depend BAL ic a ae a nee eS et ares DT Pee ee 9. 50 Climatological Data _________ ere al ral da het Te ph cat i Cah Od Pall eae 59. 90 SMELIOMMVie DEN EIT Ay) Sia ee SE edd Te PR ee ee he ee 207. 39 BC et tae a PS ye 2 ee vk TS A ds ee ote 534. 89 NEW PUBLICATIONS. The following is a list of the principal nonperiodical publications issued during the year: Daily River Stages at River Gage Stations on the Principal Rivers of the United States for the Year 1915. Vol. XIII. 176 pages. W. B. No. 582. July, 1916. Gov. Print. Office. Weather Code, for the Transmission of Meteorological Observations. Revised edition, 1916. 100 pages. W. B. No. 584. August, 1916. Gov. Print. Office. Weather Forecasting in the United States. 3870 pages, illus., charts. W. B. No. 588. August, 1916. Goy. Print. Office. Aerology No. 1. 67 pages, illus., Supplement No. 3, Monthly Weather Review. W. B. No. 592. December, 1916. Gov. Print. Office. Instructions for the Management and Care of Storm Warning Stations. 26 pages, illus. W. B. No. 587. December, 1916. Gov. Print. Office. Weather Forecasting, with Introductory Note on Atmospherics. Bulletin No. 42, second edition. 387 pages, illus. W. B. No. 598. January, 1917. Gov. Print. Office. 60 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Annual Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau, 1915-16. 282 pages, charts. January, 1917. Gov. Print. Office. Description of Cloud Forms; revised edition. 1 sheet, illus. January, 1917. Weather Bureau Print. Types of Anticyclones of the United States and Their Average Movements. 25 pages, illus., charts. Supplement No. 4, Monthly Weather Review. W. B. No. 600. February, 1917. Gov. Print. Office. Aerology No. 2. 59 pages, illus. Supplement No. 5, Monthly Weather Re- view. W. B. No. 603. April, 1917. Gov. Print. Office. Weather Code for West Indian and Caribbean Sea Observers. 32 pages. May, 1917. W. B. No. 612. Gov. Print. Office. Relative Humidities and Vapor Pressures over the United States, Including a Discussion of Data from Recording Hair Hygrometers. 61 pages, illus., charts. Supplement No. 6, Monthly Weather Review. W. B. No. 609. May, 1917. Gov. Print. Office. The Daily Weather Map, with explanation. 8 pages, 4 charts. June, 1917. Weather Bureau Print. EXPENDITURES OF THE WEATHER BUREAU AT THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 1916-17. Copies. Cost. Idlehalke wien hovel wie yee ee 10, 058, 800 $10, 750. 78 sirds Pah, Bee AS ECE COUNT Ney tie RE EE ECE 6, 000 22. 73 Blanks boOkse2 22 ssa a ee ee ees ee eee 234 225 .06 SN Grn eae ae ae I el ED cee pst et 2, 256 Pitts (si Posters) placards, charts) jete=2==) 2 ieee S52 cee 7, 100 553. 19 Separatessand pamphletsea == ee 35, 600 1, 317. 84 Publications, smiscellancouss == == = See 17, 945 7, 985. 60 VEDI AVNER MOD aS s OST CNKOYG INH NM, ee ee 19, 100 7, 189. 48 CONZTESSIO Mall Ser Oe Pe aes Oe eee eee eee 1, 009 4, 178. 63 10, 147, 244 34, 999. 16 AIMOUNt MAN OtLed a2 2s sk eee See ee sd Series Se a ee $35, 000. 00 AMOUNEVEXpeN Ged tan Aa sere eee Kai 3) Se tnale su eames L= OA OOO eELG: Wmexpen deci Seek hss set eS tere Ae ee aa eh . 84 LIBRARY. During the year, 827 books and pamphlets were added to the li- brary, bringing the total strength of the collection up to about 36,300. On account of conditions abroad there was a marked de- crease in the number of foreign publications received, and the files of many important foreign periodicals are seriously in arrears. Considerable progress has been made in strengthening the station libraries, especially that at Chicago, which serves as a depository for a reserve collection of important books available for transfer to the central office or elsewhere in case of need. SEISMOLOGY. The work of collecting and publishing earthquake data, begun December 9, 1914, has been continued during the past year. These data are of two kinds, noninstrumental reports of earthquakes felt and instrumental records, often of quakes wholly imperceptible to the senses. The noninstrumental reports are rendered by all the regular stations of the bureau, about 200 in number, and also by nearly all the bureau’s 4,500 cooperative observers. The instrumental rec- ords published by the bureau have been obtained in part by instru- WEATHER BUREAU. 61 ments owned and operated by the bureau itself, one at Washing- ton, D. C., the other Northfield, Vt., and partly through the coopera- tion of 18 additional stations distributed from Panama to Alaska and from the Hawaiian Islands to Porto Rico. During the calendar year 1916, 131 earthquakes were felt within the borders of the United States proper. The great majority of these produced no damage whatever, and only six or seven were severe enough to produce even slight damage. SOLAR RADIATION INVESTIGATIONS. Solar radiation measurements of much the same character as those for 1915-16 have been obtained throughout the year at Washington, D. C., Madison, Wis., Lincoln, Nebr., and Santa Fe, N. Mex., and the results have been published each month in the Monthly Weather Review. The instrumental equipment at Washington has been in- creased by the purchase from the Smithsonian Institution of a pyranometer, which will be used principally in restandardizing re- cording pyrheliometers. Excellent observations were obtained of a cloud layer of high haze that overspread the United States from the Atlantic coast south- westward to southern California at the end of July, 1916. These in- cluded measurements of the height of the haze layer, and its direc- tion and velocity of movement, and descriptions of the brilliant twi- light colors, especially the purple afterglows, that accompanied it. The measurements of height and movement are in accord with similar measurements of the movement of balloons above a height of about 16 kilometers, and are confirmatory of the existence of air currents from the east at these high levels. In California and Arizona the haze and the brilliant afterglows were observed until after the end of 1916. Photometric measurements of the intensity of twilight previously made at Mount Weather, Va., have been supplemented by further measurements at Salt Lake City, Utah. These are summarized in the Review for November, 1916. In connection therewith are published tables showing the duration of both civil and astronomical twilight at different latitudes; and the term “ civil twilight,” which does not appear in English dictionaries, is definitely defined. At Salt Lake City photometric measurements have also been made of the intensity of twilight illumination on a cloudless day with a clear sky and on a similar day except for the presence of a dense layer of surface smoke. The measurements include illumination from direct sunlight, from diffuse skylight, and from the two com- bined, which latter is the total daylight illumination. They show that the total illumination averages about one-third less on a smoky day than on a clear day and that the illumination from direct sun- light averages one-half less. A study has been made of the shading effect of wire insect cages, such as are employed by the Bureau of Entomology to protect plants from insect pests, and alse of various kinds of shade cloth employed by tobaceo growers in certain sections to improve the quality of the tobacco leaf. The shading may be expressed by a simple mathemati- cal formula, as has been shown in the Revimw for September, 1916. 62 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The shade cloth is also used at the Arlington Farm by the Bureau of Plant Industry to determine the relation between sunlight in- tensity and the development of certain standard plants. In these investigations the solar radiation measurements for Washington, re- ferred to above, are also utilized. AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY. The Division of Agricultural Meteorology was established Feb- ruary 21, 1916, for the purpose of conducting studies of every character of the relation of weather to crops and the collection of statistical data required in such studies, including the direction and supervision of cooperative relations with the State experiment sta- tions and other contributing organizations.. The division conducts investigations of the effect of weather and climate upon the growth and yield of crops, determines the distribution of frost warnings and forecasts for special agricultural interests, conducts studies for the protection of crops and orchards from frost, has general supervision over all special services and, in general, supervises the activities of the Weather Bureau which relate particularly to agriculture. CORN AND WHEAT REGION SERVICE. This service covers the 16 principal grain States, and its organiza- tion, as well as the service given, is indicated by the following table: Recion center (Chicago, 2lls) 22222 et Ss ee ee eee ef Districtveenterss) S204 IO fed ea 2h Seb CO se A eee 13 Special preporting stations: 25) ies Se eee eee eee eee 189 Stations opened) during, year: =) a4 = lee Ae ee ee eee 21 Stations: closed. durningsy ear 2-2 = es ae et eee ee eee 9 Stations issuing daily corn and wheat region bulletin-_________________ 18 Motalsnumber daily: bulletins issued ==33"2—2 22). 2, 964 This service has been improved during the year by the establish- ment of additional stations in the western grain districts. Also by the completion of arrangements for publishing a weekly .corn and wheat region bulletin at the region center; the issue of these bulle- tins began the first part of July, 1917, with a list of approximately 600 addresses. COTTON REGION SERVICE. This service covers the principal cotton States, and its organiza- tion, as well as the service given, is indicated in the following table: Recion, center «(New Orleans) fs ee ee ee eee 2 erat Eee ee ee of: District centers_______ Wor 25) Pea Be eee a ee ee eee 13: Specialsreporting Stations. 2. Se ee a ee 167 Stationstopened: Curing yeaa 25 eae eee ee ee ee Pe Stations closed during year_______________= zat | hase ERA ESN PD 2ibeis 0 Stations issuing daily cotton) region: bulletins» 42222 2) ee eee 26 (In addition to this Galveston, Tex., publishes the cotton informa- tion on a large glass map.) Motalomnumber-Garly, DULLES ASS we eee ee 2, 358 As will be seen from the foregoing table this service was reor-. ganized during the spring of 1917 by the establishment of a region center at New Orleans. The telegraphing of the district averages was discontinued, and in their place a summary is being telegraphed WEATHER BUREAU, 63 from the region center to 26 different points and there published in the form of daily bulletins and given to the press; this information is also used at New Orleans in the same manner. Data cover ing the ‘ainfall at each of the 167 stations, and temperature at 5 stations in each State are telegraphed to the region center, and after being tabulated and charted the summary mentioned above is prepared. In addition to the general weather conditions heavy rainfalls at individual stations are included. SUGAR AND RICE REGION SERVICE. This service covers the rice-growing region of Texas and Louisiana and the sugar-cane-growing sections of the South. The stations covering these crops are seven in number, and the information is published in the cotton region bulletins. The district center is at New Orleans. CATTLE REGION SERVICE. There is one district center, located at Amarillo, Tex., with 11 special stations covering this service; in addition to these, special reports are received from 20 other points in western Texas and Okla- homa. This cattle-region service covers southeastern Colorado and central and eastern New Mexico, in addition to western Texas and Oklahoma. w/e cine Sweiecisiecinrs DF Saeed cee Wacceeaese beeceroaae 9 CG 5) See eS ae a 67 56 9 2 | 6, 202 Diseases and conditions for which condemnations were made on post-mortem inspection. Cattle. Calves. Sheep. Goats. Swine Cause of condemnation. P | . | % | é C ar- ar- ar- Sar- | ‘ar- casses.| Parts. | gasses.) Parts. | casses,| PArts-| casses.| Parts: | casses, | Parts Actinomycosis.............. | 1,204 |173, 282 10'|'9¥ 001 |e ee Ce epee ae el le » 34 Addison’s disease........... PSS Are ewes eee eee | ee arate mal eee wc (boner cae ame acr Tek ceca PAMAUTINL Se nae cee eae oe eeee 1 OY ee ceeaae Sbesood tootera Gaeeete Basesca Ceeeeaa mecenenm 2 Nesewase PATGNT Score ose ec saan 48 7 | Speer, 1 ee 29) oc ce sealeetese a 4, 343 54 ACO) CWP. a eh (0) ae ee Ol eee Shee BA Geet eae eee Pie ae DOGS Basan PALLODD Vince oss sciesssiessscelssesnee Di: \ a Ekta eae | a 1 Bal lant Bali beter ae | san Autointoxication............ Ue Renee oe Caen mececrs EE Re pepe pocaaet peperse becontea aiserrss BP IACKIOD® see o renee ee 29) acscceee EP aoeocg skocode SSeeee EEeseed Gens Mee serem sear ca5 Bone diseases..............- 9 Gi saad. cals ee [Soc een oes cwclloee aes oceaelne 51 6 Waseens lymphadenitiss-en 24)... 225) atest lone Soucleee esee 2,672 91 77 40) | iam sianree|jnes ee ROGUIEDLELLS eee epee ee ne gin tere hn cee ne EI a he lo cos n|ace cute aloeeoecte 10 618 Wonceshion ee tae seek) Ce ae ee ee ee epee TU) Baessa essed maccads 38 |eorcoos Contamination.............. Gule Dc eeeee ae 63 2 156) iocoere poker s: 330 | 8,821 WYSICOLCUSS= ee = =o 88 one 446 { 1,284 31 3 289 2 Di | ersavarotere C Yh oman ae Dropsical diseases. ........-: 235 Pegi an| seetes < | oeeees LOM SSsceae Sulaeeece Oly | eeceee Emaciation Exhaustion LOGY) 1 ee Se GANPTONG ss ee oc cece cccne cas 13 Ginn bate eee ee Hog cholera Hydronephrosi: UGIETUR soe GRO ReL eee n a nae Immaturity 1,851 Injuries, bruises, ete......... 3, 829 574 478 82 572 96 7 2] 1,332 Wenkontia. sees es tees 451s paaee ae! 257 cons cete 4s | FY oa lees se altewe ects 110 MBISNOSIS Sec emewees wos: se 27 ll 19 2 10s ye SS AS leee ke 114 (Cina feria bee aa aati | eae te Th bate | 7 el a sek Sate a 43 Necrobacillosis.............. DIAN Eo eee PNR S 2 oes ate elt ie a | a 2 | ING@CLOSIS 8a 5 saese ts ee ee 2 839) ease 1 2 Bll Beeceee Gace 4 Parasitic diseases. .......... 9 Oh) es 1 28 2 4 (heb 487 em 28 Pp Hlebibises ones oe os secon es oncees| Sons ce cs 1405. sede fa secc teow owas| sce weme loam gucs jee < swe, closeness Pneumonia, peritonitis, me- tritis, enteritis, pleurisy, COR aan ne eee 7,920 95525868 |. cccess 5, 479 2 WOM sc ore 18; 920) |S oec ees Pregnancy and recent partu- PICION-/ 35,0525 -s oo see eae GUe racetasclocwtisise| accel. se 133) ee cen 18) cn 30) Easeses Septicemia, pyemia, and LOMA Ms SSN 3S cca. ee PeAaa Nit see de SOO NSecsace 641 |ee2. 8 740 Becpcad te bree sega sec DONUA NOM OTS = y= se oeteeceealeere oes tee seeet| eocwec|ncetees[Seeesec|asuaese i Bh eee 15230 Sees eee Skimdiseases.s2. sic iik: EG erate Sates [Seas ees | noate ate [neste ee aoctelaceteos | seeccee 30 bees MetaANUSS cSeciec-icc= ems ccmis UO Se ageboclAce mae BBedaod Beseead Sonne Sasso ac Sesame Maen een len Mie 4 PROKASHOVOD syareiniciejxiesis cis cane Sie bose 664:)k Seaels BRCaA aastaed FenGaad Sestas aati 255-8 Mabercilosistes scsscs.)-cee 46,351 | 68,872 | 656] 616 cc eee els Penal earn 76, 807 |495, 565 Tumors and abscesses. ...... 563 | 2,865 25 246 118 26 Silesacss 1,548 | 9,807 Potala esse e sees aa 5 78,706 |249,637 |10,112 | 2,927 |16,749 | 413 | 1,349 42 |158, 480 |528, 288 94 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The following table shows the total condemnations on ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection combined: Summary of condemnations. Sh ey eae | Animals or ete Class of animals. | carcasses. Parts. Sais i ee Cattle 2 2s < s25 ae ewe a cee eee IO eR ere Ta ee eae Co Se ee eee 78,773 | 249, 637 CalVies = Ho 25 555 sara coaro lores HO EE eA Seo aaa peace Teena yaa Beem ecerae 10,168 2,927 Sheepes $2422 sacer senee nae eee Bak eae esis ease eine Ber ee ee operecesce 16, 758 413 GOSS 25 sss See sane mee soe eee SO woe ctu un oe eae Me eee enna sere ee | 1,351 42 SWING x osryace ge as stoke aerate ter Se Se nt Oto ie Sea ens Soe Rae oem H 164, 682 | 528, 288 Ota a2 soccer eee Be Bens Sitesi BEC eR eee ae ee 271, 732 | 781, 307 In addition to the foregoing, the carcasses of 65,677 animals found dead or in a dying condition were tanked, as follows: Cattle, 4,611; calves, 2,976; sheep, 6,295; goats, 238; swine, 51,557; total, 65, 677. The inspection and supervision of meats and products prepared and processed is shown in the following table, which is a record only of supervisory work performed and not a statement of the aggregate quantity of products prepared. ‘The same product is sometimes du- plicated by being reported in different stages of preparation under more than one heading. Meat and meat food products prepared and processed under inspection. Kind of product. Pounds. % Kind of product. Pounds. Placed in cure—Beef.........------- 285; 1415 107) Neutralilards. 22. 2-2. -f2o0--eeeee eee 62, 438, 087 Pork... sh QEOTSEZIO B27 We ardiOllyes so bas a scree erections 4, 597, 435 All othe si 2) (21, 9404||\eLard stearini 2s. 52 cseecc ae ye 3, 194, 360 Sausage chopped. - 635, 860, 204 || Lard compound..........-.. 8, 708, 806 Canned product—Beef. - 242,445,611 || Compound-lard substitute. . - 457, 489, 227 Pork... 35, 103, 308 || Oleo stock and edible tallow... 3 66, 603, 468 All other. 531695 093s MOLEC Oil ee eee sci c om cle eee wes 139, 984, 538 Sterilized product—Beef. - ce 33.954;.706; ||" Oleoistearin: = 3.225.520 sist 72,609, 451 Pork..2ascee2=> 75200, 000 || Oleomanrgarin: eo. or = 3, 364 13°268) || Oklahomale 22 ease eccsace 2,307 22,273 Galitonmapeccesssess ss. 720 79,924 || South Carolina ..........- 3,809 21, 876 iilonidarmussssshecssssa-22-|-2ecl-ee6) oo 3800 ||||Pennessees -2 3242525) sacl ee oe sees 16, 987 GEOLSIR eons ace = sos F< -5< 4,815 16*.5654|||-LOXAS|== - on anoes ceeeree sce 5, 424 | 37, 132 eentnichksyever = goccctece se closcccceees as S40) Varsiniats2. 22125. ota tas. | er sszech ass 12,142 BLOUMISIAN Bee Ms om ce ga oor: W/o Ssiere cicipsians 1, 702 ooo Mississippi .,....-.-.------ 5,879 31,004 Total? ii. seee esses 40,111 | 312, 012 Massonmisne sas) sectees dsl ose ceceee oe 1,386 | | During the year 24,390,721 inspections or dippings were made of cattle for the eradication of ticks, as against 16,281,185 in the preced- ing year. There were in operation 23,491. cattle-dipping vats, where ete were dipped under Federal or State supervision to rid them of ticks. In addition to a large number of inspections made and dippings supervised, a great deal of advance work pertaining to the construc- tion of dipping vats and preparing counties and localities for taking up tick eradication in the near future was conducted by bureau em- ployees in an effort to get proper organization in such localities. Cattle owners in the tick-infested region as a result of this prelimi- nary work are realizing more and more the importance of tick eradi- cation and the benefits to be derived from it both locally and 102 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. nationally, and it seems likely that during the next fiscal year the systematic dipping of cattle to free them from ticks will be taken up in a greatly increased area. Very effectual cooperation has come also from transportation companies, commercial clubs, bankers, and other business men who are far-sighted enough to realize that the eradica- tion of the cattle tick and the subsequent development of the live- stock industry mean an increase of business for all concerned. SHIPMENTS FROM QUARANTINED AREAS. The number of inspections of cattle of the quarantined area shipped to market centers for immediate slaughter was 2,040,609, which is a considerable increase over the previous year, and was brought about by local conditions, such as drought, which required the immediate marketing of many cattle. “ Dipped ticky cattle” to the number of 6,259 were shipped to points where inspection is provided and dip- ping facilities maintained for further treatment for movement as noninfectious. The number of cattle inspected or dipped and certi- fied at points other than public stockyards for interstate movement as noninfectious as provided for in the regulations was 151,571. To cover the shipments of these cattle, 1,672 certificates were issued. TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION DIVISION. J. A. Kiernan, Chief. The Tuberculosis Eradication Division was formed May 1, 1917,- with a view to increasing greatly the scope of activities looking toward the ultimate eradication of tuberculosis from the live stock of the country. This report includes certain work carried on prior to that date in the Quarantine and Field Inspection Divisions and con- tinued in the new division. COOPERATIVE TUBERCULOSIS INVESTIGATIONS. The cooperative work for the suppression of cattle tuberculosis has been continued with the owners of herds, with the dairy and food division of Virginia, with the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and with the Office of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior. The establishment of pure-bred herds of cattle free from tuber- culosis as determined by tuberculin tests applied under bureau super- vision is being materially increased by the tuberculin testing of these herds in widely separated sections of the United States. Active co- operation in this work has been given by herd owners and by organi- zations promoting the cattle industry. In the work with the Office of Indian Affairs the tuberculin test was applied to 418 cattle upon 14 reservations, and 6.5 per cent re- acted to the test. These inspections disclosed improvement in the quality of the cattle and in the sanitary conditions under which milk is produced. In the District of Columbia, where the compulsory tuberculin test has been a requirement since November, 1909, the work has been con- tinued with cooperation upon the part of private cattle owners and of es BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 103 the cattle dealers. A complete testing of all cattle in the District _ during the past year resulted in only 0.84 per cent of reactions, as compared with 18.87 per cent in the first year of the work. ‘Tuber- culin tests applied to cattle entering the District from the surround- ing States disclosed 6.4 per cent of tuberculous animals which, if they had been permitted to mingle with the healthy cattle of the District, would have caused within a short time a return to a higher percentage of tuberculosis. Cattle are kept in about 350 locations within the District. Continuation of cooperation with Virginia farmers and the Vir- ginia dairy and food division has shown an even greater reduction in the percentage of tuberculosis among the cattle which are sub- mitted to the tuberculin test for the first time, the percentage for the past year being 6.3 as compared with 18.27 in 1910. In the progress of this work in the past year, cooperation was ex- tended to about 1,100 cattle owners and tests were applied to 20,101 eattle, of which 3.21 per cent reacted. The following table summa- rizes the work: Results of cooperative tuberculin testing of cattle. Percent- Total. | Passed. | Reacted.| age of reactors. Poin SGHOOISS Sees ere ae eae ce eb sacnins eee eee 413 386 27 6.5 Maryland: OIPITIANUOSES Sorte ce ee eee cn cen ate seats ete ceeemiee meee 325 285 40 12.33 PNT TIAL TELESIS oo cee oe tae oa welt eit laectice = geeeee ise cepese 1,387 1,351 36 2.58 TG ial eee ee EOS tae Ne ee re Tee Seer Pheer 1,712 1, 636 76 | 4.43 Virginia: Oya LOS tSeeea wee eae ae ete ee cian ml eerices ercisisiccee as sitet ae 3, 712 3,477 235 6. 33 PANTSTITIFLEE LOSES Ss ae eicins te See ae ae oe ee So tins ote eee haifa 8, 329 8, 212 117 1.4 APG cule ees oe BY SE EEE SPEED. ke ise sete vlotecnis 12,041 11, 689 352 2.92 District of Columbia: | | JNTSTEE ETOCS ee ge ee ee en ae Sa b 1,060 1,051 9 84 NTFLCPSUALETONULIOS Se ect hee roe ne Coon ccc Daeceank Deeieeaeees 365 24 6.44 Ic GVTE Lg a aa, ee ai a pra A | 4,449] 1,416 33 2.27 Pure-bred herds: COVA STEEL DS As se i a ae cr rh i le Va ae 2,452 2,351 101 4.11 PAMITH AP OLOSUS ele arse alee tee eels ctscale eee cemiacneecicene 2, 034 1,978 56 2.75 LG ba leee RnR ee eS wine ta dl eee eet Sd 55 oe 4, 486 4,329 157 3.5 Plans have been made for the work against animal tuberculosis to be carried on under three projects, as follows: (1) Tuberculosis eradi- cation among pure-bred herds of cattle; (2) tuberculosis eradication among swine; (3) tuberculosis eradication in circumscribed areas. Arrangements have been made with oflicials of a number of additional States for cooperative work. LIVE-STOCK SANITARY WORK IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE. Tn the course of the inspection and quarantine service to prevent the spread of animal diseases through interstate commerce, 2,074,498 in- spections were made at market centers of cattle from the area quaran- 104 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. tined for splenetic or tick fever. The number of cattle of the quaran- tined area dipped at public stockyards during the fiscal year was 106,695. Of this number, 50,341 were dipped a second time, in order that they might be disposed of for other purposes than immediate slaughter. During the year 1,811 certificates were issued for ship- ment of free cattle and those dipped or otherwise treated as provided for in the regulations. There were also dipped, on account of splen- etic-fever ticks, 748 horses and mules, certificates for the interstate movement of which were issued. Cattle to the number of 18,069,218 were inspected at market centers for scabies and other contagious diseases, and 20,963 were dipped under bureau supervision in order that they might continue in inter- state transit. Likewise 19,368,277 sheep were inspected at stockyard centers for scabies and other contagious diseases, and 973,272 were dipped under bureau supervision in order that they might be disposed of for purposes other than immediate slaughter. Swine to the number of 94,720 were inspected, and under the bureau’s supervision were given the immunization treatment against hog cholera, for interstate shipment from public stockyards. There were inspected by bureau veterinarians, in compliance with the laws of the States to which the animals were destined, and upon request of transportation companies or shippers, 134,607 cattle mov- ing interstate for purposes other than immediate slaughter, of which number 45,713 were tested with tuberculin. Of the number tested, 1,103 were found to be diseased with tuberculosis, and 321 showed temperatures which required them to be held as suspects for further examination. There were also inspected by bureau veterinarians, in compliance with the laws of the States to which the animals were destined, and upon request of transportation companies or shippers, 30,555 horses and mules, 9,574 of which were tested with mallein, 3 showing typical reactions to the test and 2 being held for further examination. There were reported by bureau stations as arriving at points where inspection is maintained 31,831 cars carrying animals affected with a contagious, infectious, or communicable disease. During the year 61,798 cars were cleaned and disinfected under bureau super- vision on account of bureau regulations or on request of Canadian Government officials, State officials, or transportation companies. VIOLATIONS OF LIVE STOCK TRANSPORTATION AND QUARANTINE LAWS. The bureau has continued to report to the Solicitor of the depart- ment, for presentation to the Attorney General for prosecution, cases of apparent violations of live-stock transportation and quarantine laws. Many of these cases have required special investigation on the part of bureau employees, such as interviewing witnesses and examining railroad and other records for the completion of evidence. Six bureau employees were regularly assigned to this work, though the greater part of the work of collecting evidence and preparing and submitting reports is done by bureau employees at stockyard centers, in connection with their other duties. BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 105 PATHOLOGICAL DIVISION. JOHN R. MouHteER, Chief. Dr. A. Eichhorn was Chief of the Pathological Division until his resignation, which took effect December 31, 1916, after which Dr. John R. Mohler, assistant chief of the bureau, was placed in charge of this division, in addition to his other duties. ABORTION DISEASE. Efforts to reduce the seemingly ever-increasing losses due to the dissemination of infectious abortion of cattle have been contmued. The difficulty with which this disease is eradicated, even in herds that are maintained under the most sanitary conditions, has served to demonstrate that its avoidance is a relatively simple matter as compared with its control when once the infection is established. An endeavor has been made to take advantage of this feature in the control measures undertaken by impressing upon stock breeders and dairymen the importance of building up their herds by a breeding rather than a purchasing process, and, in the event of its being neces- sary to introduce new animals, of the care necessary for the avoidance of danger of infecting the original stock. Control measures based upon sanitation have been advocated where the disease is already present. Correspondence has furnished a means of supplying a certain amount of information, but efforts have also been made to reach those to whom the subject is vital by presenting exhibits and talks at many of the meetings of the stockmen’s and dairymen’s associations. The preparation and distribution of a Farmers’ Bulletin (No. 790) has been the means of disseminating widely such facts in regard to abortion as have been considered of most practical value to the stock breeder and dairyman. The application of control measures under herd conditions has received more attention than during previous years. The bureau has under observation at the present time 20 herds of cows, compris- ing approximately 3,000 animals. where different methods are being used. In a number of these herds efforts have been made to reduce the losses from abortion by applying sanitary measures alone. Bac- terin treatments have been employed where a test of the animals has indicated that the infection has existed in the herd for only a limited period. In those herds where a large percentage of the animals have given positive reactions to the serum tests and abortions have been frequent for a number of years an effort has been made to de- velop an immunity or tolerance to the infection by the subcutaneous injection of nonpregnant animals, two months at least before breed- ing, with large doses of living abortion organisms, a method de- scribed by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries of England as having been found effective. PRIS TTT Freb h aoe az ma ree ye) MTR CS RE ar Lore aye RS Pre i ¥i sy Lee j oh: ate * Me ; : Vil 4 . ‘ o AP OOE de RAE TE eget OS ORE RAP PTA Ie pe ee Miler aie: ae AY CLAIR ETE AVES O/De). Pape severe (Gs 7 . # ‘ ‘ 7 were oe : Prey } ; . Pray AT PMU tiesto) heise anise , ¢ ‘ 4 to CPP BSE Cte bated Pile: atk a Oe | y FETT SFURP TEU ale | / q ve op ; - Puss ff i eg.8 or ToL j TH: J Oh beer) shomnt dest 7 xi breed eA 4 by i f oP | Lg . y * } ie oe | b oe eee ai AA id SiZDEy f f - yi J2a Ler ly) PAT, 473 Lies oy iNT GES pape DI? BE RISW Go Sona at) oat REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. Unitep States DeparTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Bureau or Piant Iypusrry, Washington, D. C., October 13, 1917. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the work of the Bureau of Plant Industry for the fiscal year ended June 380, 1917. Respectfully, Wan. A. Taytor, Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. The Bureau of Plant Industry includes in its field a wide range of activities having to do with the solution of plant problems. These relate especially to crop production and utilization, including the improvement of plants by breeding and cultural methods, the inves- tigation and development of methods of control of destructive diseases of plants, the introduction and acclimatization of crops from other parts of the world, the determination of crop relationships, both agronomic and economic, and the meeting of agricultural emer- gencies as they arise from time to time in widely separated regions of the country. Throughout the year special attention has been devoted to increas- ing the staple food and feed crops both through the activities of several of the large divisions of the bureau and also in cooperation with other Federal and State agencies. The organization during the year has been as follows: Laboratory of Plant Pathology___—- Erwin F. Smith, Pathologist in Charge. Pathological Collections____________ Flora W. Patterson, Mycologist in Charge. Fruit-Disease Investigations________ M. B. Waite, Pathologist in Charge. Investigations in Forest Pathology_-Haven Metcalf, Pathologist in Charge. Citrus-Canker Eradication ________- Directed by Karl F. Kellerman, Associate Chief of Bureau. Cotton and Truck Disease Investi- TA OnSs= 22-2) = __)__._____.W. A. Orton, Pathologist in Charge. Crop Physiology and Breeding In- VCS TOG eee a W. T. Swingle, Physiologist in Charge. Soil-Bacteriology and Plant-Nutri- HOneInVestizations=2. Vas ae Directed by Karl F. Kellerman, Associate Chief of Bureau. Soil-Fertility Investigations _______- Oswald Schreiner, Biochemist in Charge. Acclimatization and Adaptation of Crop Plants ; Cotton Breeding____- O. F. Cook, Bionomist in Charge. Fiber-Plant Investigations_________- L. H. Dewey, Botanist in Charge. Drug-Plant and Poisonous-Plant MMVESEL SATION Spies are FE ts W. W. Stockberger, Physiologist in Charge. Physiological and Fermentation VES HU VELOM Sie ee ee R. H. True, Physiologist in Charge. 131 132 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Agricultural Technology___________- N. A. Cobb, Technologist in Charge. Biophysical Investigations ________- Lyman J. Briggs, Biophysicist in Charge. Seed- Testing Laboratories; En- forcement of Seed-Importation ACE SESS BEL eee eee eee E. Brown, Botanist in Charge. Cereal Investigations, —--==2= ses M. A. Carleton, Cerealist in Charge. Corn InvestifatlonS a= = eee C. P. Hartley, Physiologist in Charge. Tobacco InvestigationsS22222— = W. W. Garner, Physiologist in Charge. Paper-Plant Investigations ________. Directed by C. J. Brand, Chief of Office of Markets and Rural Organization. Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant Investigations _.__________- T. H. Kearney, Physiologist in Charge. Sugar-Plant Investigations_________. C. O. Townsend, Pathologist in Charge. Economie and Systematic Botany__.Frederick V. Coville, Botanist in Charge. Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations. E. C. Chilcott, Agriculturist in Charge. Western Irrigation Agriculture____- C. S. Scofield, Agriculturist in Charge. Horticultural and Pomological In- Vesti ga tlOngun == ie. ee See L.’C. Corbett, Horticulturist in Charge. Arlington Experimental Farm_____- E. C. Butterfield, Assistant Horticulturist in Charge. Gardens7and Grounds2222 2s E. M. Byrnes, Assistant in Charge. Foreign Seed and Plant Introduc- GLO TNS es oes ee ee David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer in Charge. Forage-Crop Investigations_________ C. V. Piper, Agrostologist in Charge. Congressional Seed Distribution___-_R. A. Oakley, Agronomist in Charge. Demonstrations on Reclamation PRO jJeCtS= Hae TAT ELAS. 2 AP F. D. Farrell, Agriculturist in Charge. From September 1, 1916, to August 31, 1917, the changes in the personnel of the bureau were as follows: Resignations, 735; deaths, 7; transfers from bureau, 75; furloughs, 48; terminations of appoint- ments, 575; making a total of 1,440 employees dropped from the rolls during that period. There have been made in the same period 1,515 appointments, increasing the total force of the bureau by 75. On September 1, 1917, the numerical strength of the bureau was as follows: In Washington, 991; outside of Washington, 1,364; of which 398 were engaged in the cooperative work on the eradication and control of citrus canker and 148 in the cooperative work on the eradication and control of white-pine blister rust; total, 2,355. The total number of employees in the bureau on the same date a year ago was 2,280. The activities of the bureau during the past year are outlined more or less fully in the 30 technical papers appearing in the Journal of Agricultural Research, 6 papers in the Yearbook, 25 Office Circulars, 44 Department Bulletins, and 27 Farmers’ Bulletins. Certain of the more striking results of the investigational work, however, that have become evident during the year are here summarized. PLANT PATHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. COTTON DISEASES. The control of cotton wilt has been further extended through the wide cultivation of the wilt-resistant variety Dixie. Detailed reports from 10 cooperative breeders show that their gains last season due to the increased yield of the Dixie over other varieties on wilt- infected land amounted to over $21,000. Sixty other growers reported a total gain of $46,000. Several thousand farmers are now growing BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. ae this cotton, and the work is being extended to Arkansas and other Northern States. It has been found that the Dixie cotton seed has a higher oil content than other varieties tested. The supply of seed of this variety has been greatly increased but is yet insufficient to meet the demand for it. The new, early, big-bolled, wilt-resistant hybrids continue to show great promise, being earlier than the Dixie, as well as heavier yielders. POTATO DISEASES, The potato tuber rots, particularly troublesome in the Western States, have been worked out and found to be due to several fungi producing different types of decay hitherto confused. Remedial measures have been demonstrated to be practicable. In irrigated regions potatoes should not be planted on newly reclaimed land until crops of alfalfa and grain have preceded them. Careful selection of seed, the use of a seed plat, and seed disinfection are advised. Im- proved methods of seed treatment have been worked out. Careful handling and cool storage have controlled powdery dry-rot. The potato “ leak” of California has been controlled in car-lot shipments by sorting out all bruised and wounded tubers. The continued shortage of potash is affecting the crop in portions of the Atlantic States. The appearance of the plants suffering from potash hunger is so characteristic that the deficient fields may be recognized and the next crop safeguarded by potash fertilizer, stable manure, or compost. CUCUMBER DISEASES. In the investigation of cucumber diseases important discoveries have been made. The so-called “ white pickle” has been shown to be a mosaic disease, transmitted chiefly by insects, and its control therefore, 1f accomplished, will be through the extermination of infected insects. It has also been determined that both the anthrac- nose and the angular leaf-spot of cucumbers are transmitted in the seed. A special study of the process of seed saving in relation to this factor was carried on last season. Various methods of seed treatment were tested to determine their effect upon germination and their value as disinfectants. WATERMELON DISEASES. Further experiments on the control of stem-end rot of water- melons have been very successful. It has been found that losses in transit due to the appearance of this disease can be largely prevented by the application of a disinfectant paste to the cut stems of the watermelons before shipment. Many carloads have been treated in this manner, and the growers in the sections where demonstrations have been made are rapidly putting the method into practice, with great reductions in loss in treated cars as compared with untreated cars. Many buyers are now demanding that melons be treated, and are in some instances paying higher prices for treated lots. Water- melon anthracnose, another serious disease in many sections, has been successfully controlled by spraying with Bordeaux mixture. 134 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ROOT-KNOT OF COTTON AND TRUCK CROPS. That the root-knot nematode is a larger factor in southern agri- cultural operations than has heretofore been realized is shown by the results of a survey made during the past year by which the actual amount of loss due to this disease in one county in the cotton belt and two counties in the southern trucking district was determined. The average loss per acre from injury to the cotton crop was esti- mated at $3.06. The total loss in this county, which produces on the average 100,000 acres of cotton per annum, was estimated at $280,000 for last season. In the trucking district, where 2,118 acres of truck crops were examined, the total loss due to root-knot was found to be over $160,700, or an average loss per acre of about $77. Taking these figures as a basis, the total loss in one county was estimated at $390,- 000. These results emphasize the economic importance of the root- knot nematode in the South. The disease is widespread, affecting a great variety of crops and constituting a problem that is fundamental to the agricultural prospects of all southern sandy soils. Satisfactory rotations have been worked out for the cotton belt and are being put into practice. A carefully conducted test to determine the value of cyanogen in the control of the root-knot of dasheens showed that its use is not practicable, as its cost when used in the quantity neces- sary to control the disease is prohibitive. A very successful method of controlling this disease, however, by treatment with hot water has been worked out and thoroughly tested. DEMONSTRATIONS OF METHODS FOR THE CONTROL OF COTTON AND TRUCK CROP DISEASES. Particular attention has been given during the past year to the organization of pathological extension work in the various States, in cooperation with the State extension organizations, in order that the methods of control already worked out for many diseases of cotton, truck, and forage crops might be more clearly demonstrated to the growers and put into actual practice in the infected sections. Plans for the undertaking of such demonstrations in the States of Arkan- sas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, and Ver- mont have been completed and actual demonstrations started on the control of cotton and sweet-potato diseases in some States. Programs of work have been prepared for the wilt, root-knot, and anthrac- nose of cotton, for watermelon wilt, anthracnose, and stem-end rot, for asparagus rust, and for sweet-potato diseases. These include provisions for the breeding and propagation of disease-free and dis- ease-resistant seed. Pathological advisers have been appointed for both the northern and southern divisions. These pathologists in- struct the county agents in the details of control methods and assist them in carrying out demonstrations in the infected sections. WHEAT BACTERIOSIS. A new bacterial disease of wheat has been given very careful study. This disease has been discovered in many States in the Middle West from Texas to Minnesota and Montana, being most prevalent at the present time in Kansas. This disease in favorable years is capable of BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 135 doing immense damage, once it is generally disseminated. How long it has been in the country and when and where first introduced are not known. It has attracted considerable attention in Kansas since 1915 and must have been in that State much earlier than 1915. It is uite certain that it has been disseminated from Kansas to other tates on seed wheat several times in recent years, both north and south. It is a disease admirably adapted to general dissemination, owing to the fact that the organism after attacking leaves, stems, and heads of the wheat finally lodges on and in the kernels, by way of which it is carried over to the crop of the following season. The kernels of badly attacked heads are shriveled, and such kernels are very likely to be carriers of the organism either on their surface or in their interior. Bacterial cavities in the interior of such wheat grains are very common. The more conspicuous signs of the disease are brown stripes on leaves, or many whole leaves dead in advance of maturity; black stripes on stems, especially the upper parts and often on all sides, so that the stem is nearly girdled in advance of the ripening of the grain; a dark stain on the joints of the rachis; and parallel black lines or stripes on the glumes. The awns are also often black in whole or in part. Frequently there is a yellow bacterial ooze from leaves, stems, and heads, in the latter case both to the surface and inward over the grains. It is of the utmost importance to know speedily the extent to which this disease has gained a foothold in the United States and to restrict its spread in every possible way. Further observations and experiments are under way in coopera- tion with the experiment stations of Wisconsin and Kansas, but enough has been learned to make it certain that the disease is trans- mitted on the seed. Plump kernels do not contain bacterial cavities, but shriveled ones often do. At the very least, therefore, the latter should be screened out carefully from all wheat designed for seed. Farmers whose fields are now free from this disease should be on their guard against its introduction, since if once introduced it is likely to remain in the soil indefinitely. SMUT OF CEREALS. The studies of bunt or stinking smut which were begun recently in cooperation with the State Agricultural Experiment Station at Pullman, Wash., have yielded some important results. They have shown that the solution of the bunt problem in the Pacific North- west depends, at least largely, upon (1) the general practice of crop rotation, (2) the abandonment of summer fallowing, (3) the gen- eral use of smut suction fans on thrashing machines, and (4) con- sistent and universal seed treatment. There appears to be a possibility of being able to distinguish in the field the two species of wheat bunt. Observations in Michigan seem to confirm the impression that one of these appears in the field as a “high smut,” while the other breaks out lower down and is called a “low smut.” RUSTS OF CEREALS. Among other data, many facts have been accumulating during the past three years concerning the relation of growth factors to rust 136 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, epidemics. In the black stem-rust survey of the principal wheat States, already mentioned, it is found that the barberry is rare in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas, and that even where it does grow in these States rust is seldom found on it. Out- side the spring-wheat area this shrub is of slight economic importance from the standpoint of its probable relation to rust epidemics. Bar- berry infections, however, are usually abundant, in the spring-wheat States. The eradication of the barberry in these States has been recommended, and much has been done in that line. STRIPE AND BLOTCH DISEASES OF BARLEY. Extensive seed-treatment experiments conducted in cooperation with the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station at Madison show conclusively that the stripe disease can be almost completely prevented. At the same time, it appears that this disease is fully as destructive to barley in that State as the barley smut. Additional facts have been obtained concerning the relation of climate to the infection of barley by the three fungi causing the stripe, spot-blotch, and net-blotch diseases. PEAR-BLIGHT UPON PEAR AND APPLE. The great pear-blight outbreak which began in 1914 has been ma- terially reduced as far as apples in the Eastern States are concerned, but considerable attention has been devoted to service work in the eradication of this disease and to cooperative work in Idaho and Texas in controlling epidemics on apples and pears. CEDAR RUST UPON APPLE. The complete success in controlling cedar rust by the eradication of the red cedars has been a marked feature of this work in the large commercial apple districts. Cedar rust still remains a serious disease in many localities, particularly where orchards do not form a dominant part of the plant industry. While there are certain phases of this subject that require further investigation, the main problem may be regarded as definitely settled. Whenever it is de- sired to control apple cedar rust in an apple-growing community, it can be effectively and permanently accomplished by destroying the red cedars in the winter. PECAN ROSETTE. Pecan rosette is regarded by the southern pecan growers as the most serious menace to that industry. The work of this and previous years indicates that the disease is not caused by parasites or other organisms but is a nutrition trouble induced by deficiency in soil moisture and plant food. Experimenting along this line, the disease has been practically eliminated from a large number of trees on the test plats. Results of a striking character have been obtained in the experiments for controlling this disease. ANTHRACNOSE, OR WITHER-TIP, OF CITRUS. Experiments in control have been continued on limes in southern Florida, with successful results, these being the first definite results BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 137 on that fruit. Inoculation tests have shown a restriction of fruit susceptibility to the early stages of development, and. this knowledge has enabled the spraying schedules to be more effectively planned. CRANBERRY DISEASES. Special attention has been given to a study of end-rot and its con- trol. This disease has become more prevalent and destructive the past few seasons. It has been found that a parasitic fungus, appar- ently undescribed, causes this disease, and that it can be largely con- trolled by thorough spraying with Bordeaux mixture. Investigation of rots and spoilage of this fruit after picking and methods of pre- vention have been carried on in cooperation with the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. The results at present show that the loss is partly due to the development of destructive fungi and partly to the rapid death of the fruit, both of which are favored by high temperatures, rough handling, and lack of ventilation. Losses from these causes can be largely prevented by thorough spraying and cooling of fruit as quickly as possible after picking, storing it in a cool, well-ventilated place, and handling it carefully to avoid bruising. PEACH BROWN-ROT AND SCAB. During the past two years and particularly in the spring of 1917 in Georgia, dusting experiments with finely divided sulphur were carried on, showing that the dusting method is successful in the con- trol of peach scab and at least promising as a remedy for brown-rot. SCALD OF APPLES. It has been found that scald of apples increases with a rise in storage temperature and that it can be almost entirely prevented by good aeration. DECIDUOUS FRUIT ROT INVESTIGATIONS. It has been found that most of the rots can make but very slow development at a lower temperature unless they have already started at higher ones. It has also been found that it is practically impos- sible for the germ tubes of fungous spores to penetrate the sound apple skin. This fact shows the great importance of extreme care in the handling of fruit. CITRUS CANKER. With special reference to the citrus industry, it should be noted that the campaign for the eradication of citrus canker, in cooper- ation with the States of Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala- bama, Georgia, and South Carolina, is progressing very favorably. Recent reports indicate that the disease is under satisfactory control in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, and its complete eradication throughout that area is perhaps to be expected during the coming year. A somewhat longer time will probably be required for the completion of the work in the remaining States, although in these States also the progress of the work is encouraging. 138 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. WHITE-PINE BLISTER RUST. Field studies of the white-pine blister rust indicate that, as might be expected, the disease is more virulent in America than in Europe and is taking on some new characters. A systematic survey, tracing nursery shipments of suspected white pine and currants and gooseberries, has been conducted in all States of the Union except Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Hundreds of shipments from diseased nurseries or from dangerous localities have been located; these will require annual inspection. Diseased stock has been located at one place in Arizona, one in Iowa, one in South Dakota, one in Michigan, three in Wisconsin, one in Ohio, three in Pennsylvania, and seven in New Jersey. All of this mate- rial has been destroyed. Natural infections of blister rust have been found on the woody stems of wild gooseberry, and similar infections have been produced by inoculation. These results establish an overwhelming presump- tion that the blister rust can be carried on the wood of cultivated gooseberries and other members of the genus Ribes in nursery ship- ments. They also go far to confirm the suspicion that the disease occasionally overwinters on these plants. A method of diagnosing dubious or undeveloped cases of the white- pine blister rust from the characters of the mycelium in the bark has been devised. PLANT PHYSIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. PHYSIOLOGY OF “ TOBACCO-SICK ” SOILS. In the Connecticut Valley the leading feature of the work has been a study of “ tobacco-sick” soils, which are causing heavy losses to growers, particularly under the artificial shades used for growing wrapper leaf. Selected strains of Cuban and of binder types grown on these soils have given very encouraging results, indicating that the disease may be controlled by the growing of resistant varieties. It has also been shown that the use of fertilizers of acid reaction will materially reduce the injury caused by the disease. Finally, crop rotation, wherever practicable, appears to be an effective remedy. A similar or identical disease is giving much trouble in Maryland; and while native varieties are susceptible, these have been crossed with foreign resistant varieties, with a view to obtaining resistant types adapted to local requirements. In Wisconsin and in the Burley section of Kentucky considerable progress has been made in the control of tobacco root-rot through the development of resistant varieties. The disease causes heavy damage in these regions every year and ordinary Burley is espe- cially susceptible. On fields on which the native Burleys have failed completely, some of the resistant strains have given surprisingly good results. INCREASING THE PRODUCTION OF DATE OFFSHOOTS. During the past year important investigations have been under way in connection with the life-history study of the date palm. The J BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 139 object of these investigations is to determine as accurately as pos- sible the minimum, optimum, and maximum heat and moisture re- quirements of the date palm, in the hope of discovering the causes of offshoot production. The date industry is now an assured com- mercial success, but the rapidity of its future extension as an industry in the Southwest depends largely on the discovery of means for the rapid propagation of offshoots. The results already obtained have shown beyond a doubt that a considerable degree of humidity in the air about the plants is necessary, and some success has been obtained in forcing the growth of offshoots on date palms by inclosing the trees in canvas sheds, thus increasing the humidity of the air in immediate contact with them. INJURY TO PLANTS BY LOW TEMPERATURES. A laboratory study of the process known to gardeners as “ harden- ing off” plants by exposing them to low but noninjurious tempera- tures has shown that as the plant becomes increasingly resistant to cold the cell sap becomes more concentrated. When temperatures are carried low enough to produce injury, a change of reaction in the plant juices takes place and proteins are probably precipitated. If the change in reaction does not go too far, the cell recovers, but not otherwise. The biochemical processes involved in these changes are being further investigated. Resistance to injury from frost is found to vary in cabbages with different individuals, and the selection of cold-resistant strains seems likely to be practicable. PLANT-BREEDING INVESTIGATIONS. OIL CONTENT OF SEEDS. Studies on the relative oil content of the seed of standard cotton varieties have shown that strains may be developed which, in addi- tion to being resistant to certain diseases and possessing other desir- able characteristics, are capable of yielding larger quantities of oil from the seed. CANKER-RESISTANT CITRUS FRUITS. In connection with the campaign for the eradication of citrus canker in the Gulf States and Florida, it has been found to be of the utmost importance to secure canker-resistant citrus fruits suitable for culture in this region—especially in the region from Alabama westward to Texas. The Satsuma orange, now largely grown in that section, is fairly resistant to canker, but, unfortunately, almost all other kinds of citrus fruits grown there are highly susceptible to canker. It is very necessary, therefore, to substitute canker-resistant varieties of oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes for the varieties now’ grown, and of even more importance to find canker-resistant stocks to substitute for the trifoliate orange for use in nurseries throughout this region. The trifoliate orange is very susceptible to citrus canker and constitutes a menace not only in the nurseries, where thousands of seedlings are grown in close contact and are therefore liable to epidemic outbreaks of the disease, but also in com- 140 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. mercial orchards, where sprouts from the trifoliate orange root are likely to become infected with canker, which in turn infects the sur- rounding trees. In view of the difficulty in determining the canker resistance of citrus hybrids in this country, a testing station has been established in cooperation with the agricultural college of the Philippine Islands at Los Banos, on the island of Luzon. At this station, in a climate somewhat similar to that of Florida and the Gulf coast dur- ing the rainy season, it 1s possible to determine within a few months the relative canker resistance of any of the hybrids under test. Evidence has already been secured that there is a great variation in the canker resistance of hybrid citrus fruits, and there is every reason to look forward to the successful outcome of the breeding experiments now under way. GRAPES. Hybridization with other types of grapes, pollen of which was sent to the Muscadine-grape experiment vineyard from the De- partment’s experiment vineyards in other parts of the United States, . yielded the most successful results so far obtained, and from the seed secured an exceedingly valuable collection of hybrid seedling grapes has been propagated. pss eeasie test seen 142 1,116.6 792.5 199 738, 450 311 Construction completed at close fiscal year: | Rentalpermits?.-.272.ss.-5204:. 127 934.3 669. 7 68 357, 262 195 ree Perms 5. - toss < os tk te par | 11 119.8 84.0 68 7, 946 79 Mobaeetse. Sahoo tse sae. Pah Ere 138 1,054.1 0753.7 136 365, 208 274 Construction incomplete at close fiscal year: Rientalipermitss*.—.-te.2226- 24-0 1 -8 .8 9 204, 257 10 RGR POLIS Some sae Sa se cei scied | 1 24.0 15.0 13 ua 14 Rota be tas aeraeaisalclacinare arises | 2 24.8 15.8 22 205, 751 24 Construction not started: TRetEV THAME o TELE 0 Shop ala a Fall el Lg gta Piel | a old | Be eres 34 167, 252 34 Hreapermitses: 22 8-55! 354-- 26: - 2 Sieh 23.0 239 9 Mista ee LO). ER. Pen ee 37.7 | 23.0 41| 167,491 43 ! | Reference has already been made to the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of the Utah Power & Light Co. v. The United States. This company was occupying and using without permission certain lands of the United States within the Forest reservations for the purpose of generating and distributing electric power. The company claimed that it was entitled to occupy and use Government land without first securing the grant or license from the Secretary of Agriculture that is required by the existing legislation. It further claimed that in occupying and using Govern- ment land it had acquired vested rights. It contended also that, except as to land used strictly for governmental purposes, lands owned by the Government within a State are subject to the laws of the State in the same manner as other lands. The decision is especially valuable in that it has determined the scope of the various acts of Congress and their application with respect to rights of way over public land for the generation and distribution of electric power. It establishes that at the present time there is only one act of Congress, namely, that of February 15, 1901 (81 Stat., 790), which permits power developments on National Forest land for generating and distributing power to be used for general commercial purposes. 184 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. OTHER SPECIAL USES. Permits for the occupancy of National Forest lands for various uses, other than water power, issued during the year numbered 6,025, of which 3,560 were charge and 2,465 free. At the close of the year a total of 9,846 charge permits and 11,733 free permits were in effect. The receipts from this source rose from $83,900 to $107,530.85, a growth of 28 per cent in a single year. This is largely attributable to the provisions of the act of March 4, 1915, enabling the Secretary of Agriculture to issue permits for the use and occupancy of not to exceed 5 acres of National Forest land to any one person or corpora- tion for a period not exceeding 30 years. Already it has been demonstrated that this legislation was just what was needed, and as a result of it the National Forests are performing a larger public service. The use of some of the National Forests for recreation purposes is growing to such importance as to be one of the major activities. Upon the Angeles National Forest permits for 814 residences, 26 hotels, and 28 summer resorts were in force at the end of the fiscal year. It is believed that the use of the National Forests along this line, as shown by the foregoing figures, represents only a promising beginning of the development which is to follow. ROADS, TRAILS, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. Tn addition to the $400,000 provided by the agricultural appropria- tion act for the construction and maintenance of permanent improve- ments, $429,305.77 was available for roads and trails within the Forest boundaries from the 10 per cent fund derived from receipts. This comprised $278,216.56 derived from the 1916 receipts and an unexpended balance from previous years of $151,089.21. As in pre- vious years, cooperative projects were carried on with funds con- tributed by the Forest Service and by the local communities. The following tabulation shows the number of miles of public roads constructed up to December 31, 1916, from the 10 per cent appropriation and other funds. TABLE 12.—Road construction and improvement*—10 per cent and cooperative funds, by States. Total Total : Total . Total State. mileage to | mileage in State. mileage to | mileage in Dec. 31, 1916 Dec. 31, 1916 1916. ; 1916. : Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. MN aSKare tS. . ob cto cis Saeeee 10. 74 209i | MING DEAS As << 41 oo 220) eo 2S 32,019. 91 | 140, 763. 00 172, 782. 91 43, 593. 02 | 140, 988. 00 184, 581. 02 COIOTHO Omen cclosaccinc cece s 25,598.03 | 62,335. 00 87,933.03 | 30,637.97 | 62,575.00 93, 212. 97 Tate eee ok UE 9a 34, De 32 | 108,010. 00 aapix 32 | 36,988.22 | 108,730.00 | 145,718.22 NISRA eos cite a aisles’ ssisie TAO ee Soo OTA le jssratsre Srartetell lel ctejae os rae) Slaps ere eee IMOnTANAD eae cone kee oe 35, 940. 69 69, 901. 00 105, 841.69 | 46, 648. 61 70, 042. 00 116, 690. 61 INGIAMGE 8 cep ossadeouesoneoe | 7,038.86] 19,195.00 26, 233. 86 7,902.65 | 19,296. 00 27, 198. 65 ING WIMEXICOS- Uo. co cne secs sce 14, 204.53 | 42,622.00 56, 826.53 | 23,402.80] 42,495.00 65, 897. 80 @roponee ees nt ee rises | 30,811.69 | 127,794.00] 158,605.69 | 39,472.47 | 128.111.00| 167,583.47 Nout akOtasscs.cciscc ow scc 6, 177. 03 8,115. 00 14, 292. 03 6, 383. 93 8, 092. 00 14, 475. 93 Witahies ee Sete. FX5. . F5E2 19,353.24 | 40,982. 00 60,335.24 | 20,681.63 |} 41,167.00 61, 848. 63 Washington.............-..- | 14,881.96 | 91,739.00} 106,620.96 | 19,782.13] 91,944.00] 111,726.13 Wiyomun ees 6 ee 15,130.83 | 40,566.00 55,696.83 | 14,297. a 40, 684. 00 54,981.91 Onid de ers si ees ys. bey 1,519.61 1, 000. 60 Mice a on "101. 02 ”"13. 88 Mirnnesotates.22 02.2 . {96s Ss! 2,304, 41 909. 99 INADTAGEAMELEE a owes, i. 2 654. 70 9, 552. 00 14, 557. 47 | 807. 63 | 9,995.00 | 13,342.26 Worth Dakota? 2. :t0.2 122... 31. 62 7.04 Okishomay <2 fe. 6.52253 394.11 |, 608. 12 Georpiaerce-s.-.- 2... 0c-25-4 37. 00 | 42.34 New Hampshire a 192. 74 551.7 North Carolina. 178. 42 478, 22 ponte Caroling seats cass teks 21, 057. 00 22, 018. 33 1. 46 |} 21,120. 00 23, 335. 40 ennessee.. 114. 97 167. 21 | Virginia... . 414, 91 807. 62 West Virginia 23. 29 166. 81 | Motaleeeeite : ALL er | 8 278, 216. 56 | 900,000.00 | 1,178,216. 56 | 339, 549. 61 | 900,000.00 1,239, 549. 61 t | SCHOOL, ROAD, AND TRAIL MONEY FOR STATES FROM RECEIPTS FUND. In addition to the sums available for expenditure by the Secretary of Agriculture 25 per cent of the National Forest receipts is paid to the States for the benefit of the county roads and schools. The amounts available from the receipts for the fiscal years 1916 and 1917 are shown in Table 14. Iss ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TABLE 14.—Amounts available for States from Forest receipts. School and road mon- School and road mon- eys payable to eys payable to States. States. State. = State. Paidfrom | Payable Paid from | Payable receipts of eon of receipts of ee of fiscal year | focal year fiscal year | fiscal year dae 1917. ts 1917. BSG Risse seats oan w ners tele $15, 023.31 | $16,679.61 || North Carolina............ $446. 04 $1, 195. 53 ATIZON Ge cocoa cesta ee 64,024. 72 | 123,881.52 || North Dakota.........-... 79. 06 17. 60 IATKANSAS. fon one cee cence 11,283.87} 12,772.68 || Oklahoma...... Smt aceeror 985. 29 1, 520. 30 California lac 245 23.23 223 80,049. 75 | 108, 982. 56 |} Oregon.........-.-.------. 77,029, 23 98, 681.18 Colorados soe eee cece 685995206: |446,594. 93)|| Forto EvicOsece ese ool peer nee | ae eee Bloridact se. so aeeaeanceee 3, 799. 02 2, 501./51 || ‘Southi Carolina 35.25.32 52.|'55- 2c (5.5 S22 5 GeGrsigus seam spose 92. 50 105. 85 |} South Dakota...........-- 15, 442. 59 15, 959. 82 MOANO aceite teens see 87,395.79 | 92,470. 55 || Tennessee. .-.....2.----.-. 287. 43 418. 03 d COE WAS Rae eg ee ea | CET Ml ered Eyer a Witahy os: usta. emseaeteoaee 48, 383. 09 51, 704. 07 Michigani=sesi es oS ae 252. 55 3469) ||) Varpiniaes cece ceseeecaccne 1,037. 28 2,019.05 Minnesota......-.-- wens 5, 761. 04 5,761.04 || Washington.....- -.| 37,204. 90 49, 445. 34 Montanseese Sts sea sca 89,851.72 | 116,621.52 |} West Virginia. ... =f 8. 22 417. 02 Nebraska. 1, 636. 76 Z OLIN OR | IWay ONIN. aioe ce siesteser= ae 37, 827. 07 35, 744. 77 Nevada.....-.- 17,597.15 | 19,756. 64 | New Hampshir ae 481.85 | 1,379.34 Motals: \ reve sss. 695,541.40 | 910,406.37 New: Mexico: .-fe2-so2 see 35,511.33 | 77,194. 56 Included in the above statement are additional shares of National Forest receipts payable to the States of Arizona and New Mexico for their school funds on account of school lands within National Forests, as follows: To Arizona, paid from the receipts for the fiscal year 1916, $31,046.12, and payable from the receipts for the fiscal year 1917, $42,844.80; to New Mexico, paid from receipts for the fiscal year 1916, $10,329, and payable from the receipts for the fiscal year 1917, $18,687.56. EXCHANGE OF LANDS. Field work in connection with the consolidation of State lands within the National Forests of Washington progressed very satisfac- torily. All the base lands have been examined and appraised, and the field parties were at the close of the year at work on the selection areas. |) PS: C88 egal: | S087: yzed. | sonal, |espond- ~ "| preju- = SIs. ence. dice. Central district: Chicapos wees es = 142 | 237 12/ 1,903 541 440 186 371 1,929 | 151 150 Cineinnati® : .- 5. 110 23 60 187 88 193 36 | 1,408 1,863 134 440 Minneapolis. ...... UGS er aye 10 | 226 | 200) 109 5 146 552 74 147 New Orleans. ...-- 49 77 4 1,016 53 116 26 152 477 | 59 147 Sieloulseaaoa: = == 6 | 7 eee Sane 270 |1,171 | 725 92 435 2, 431 155 310 Rotalbagen pert 2). 322| 411 26 | 3,602 |2,053 |1,583 | 345 | 2,512| 7,252] 573] 1,194 Eastern district: | IB OSLOnmpess> <8 5-42 234 | 360 63 | 9,381 161 | 167 113 212; 1,310] 342 237 IBUWitalOnscne.. 2. cs 13 21 9 32) 121 109 2 252 527 82 80 New York......-..- 4,574 |3, 736 497 | 22,511 192 | 313 14 160 | 9,486} 901 2, 983 Philadelphia. ..... 196 155 50 | 1,964 AON U2 eee 87 649 | 254 26 IPOTTOURICOmen se. 306 | 350 173 | 3,107 TO!) OST Pee Ss = 102} 1,322] 491 118 Savannah......... 62 17 By ses acest 60! 201 1 162 506 47 109 Washington....... 106 88 1 16} 447 | 579 39 541 1,801 139 48 ROL al eee asec ees| 5,491 |4, 727 796 | 37,011 |1,040 1,862 169 1,516 | 15, 601 |2, 256 3, 601 Western district: | | | Denverseoese hss se 29 3 6 58 OG UI AGLOI tessa: 144 | 379 8 |} 17 Honolulu. +4: 32. ..2- 48 | 128 10 | 4,035 20 i Reecoee 34 | 2SOF |e ASS saeco ee San Francisco... .. 462 | 677 76 | 18,693 169 | 165 13 1,054 | 2,616} 730 169 Beattlessessso sss 310 321 47 | 7,340 O2F ls VS2 | ceeee 346 | 1,198 75 | 57 otal sss. oo 849 |1,129 139 | 30,126 | 377 | 363 13 1,578 | 4,448 1,151 243 Grand total. ....|6,662 6, 267 961 | 70,739 |3,470 3,808 | 527| 5,606 | 27,301 |3,980| 5,038 The Service and Regulatory Announcements published during the year contained 30 opinions and 500 notices of judgment. There were also issued Food Inspection Decision 168, amending paragraph 906 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (e) of Regulation 29, which relates to marking the quantity of the contents of food in package form; and, upon the recommendation of the Joint Committee on Definitions and Standards, Food Inspection Decision 169, “ Edible Vegetable Fats and Oils,” and Food Inspec- tion Decision 170, “ Sweetened Condensed Milk, Condensed Skimmed Milk, Sweetened Condensed Skimmed Milk, Dried Milk, Dried Skimmed Milk, and Malted Milk.” In the interest of more efficient administration of regulatory mat- ters the headquarters of the Eastern Food and Drug Inspection Dis- trict were transferred from Washington to the United States Ap- praiser’s Stores in New York City. One peddler of spurious acetyl salicylic acid was convicted under the Food and Drugs Act. Certain other distributors of spurious neosalvarsan and acetyl salicylic acid were sentenced to prison through joint action of State and municipal officials, the Post Office, and the United States Departments of Justice and Agriculture. In one case a prison sentence was imposed after conviction for con- spiracy in connection with adulteration of olive oil. Special attention was given to shipments of polluted or spoiled food. A number of shipments of decomposed canned goods returned to packers or jobbers for the adjustment of claims were seized, evi- dence having been secured that the consignees had taken steps to dispose of the seized goods or previous similar consignments for food purposes. This practice of returning goods for the adjust- - ment of claims for spoilage has led to certain abuses, which have been taken up with the industry in the hope that through cooperative action conditions may be controlled more effectively than in the past. Steps were taken to prevent the shipment of decomposed sardines, commonly described as “belly-blown.” ‘Inspection was made of the canning of California sardines, of tuna, and of abalone. Of the Cali- fornia fava-bean crop it was necessary this year to seize only a few cars of excessively wormy beans. The canning of decomposed navy beans has been suppressed very largely. The interstate shipment of oysters from polluted waters has practically ceased, and the prac- tice of adulterating oysters and scallops with water has been checked in the main. Cooperation with State and municipal officials to con- trol the shipment of bad eggs has been continued, and it is reported that the quality of the eggs reaching the large cities is much im- proved. Cooperation to improve the milk supply has also continued, espe- cially at St. Louis and in New England. The cooperation with local authorities begun last year in Texas to prevent the contamination of springs from which water is shipped in interstate commerce was this year extended to Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Missouri, with satis- factory results. A case in which the fairness of the standard of purity for mineral water proposed by the Bureau was attacked was decided favorably to the Government. Important issues of fact in- volving the methods of estimating decomposition of tomato products were determined in court. Action was taken against shipments of worthless frozen oranges and of colored immature oranges and grapefruit, of evaporated apples and canned tomatoes adulterated with water, of mixtures of REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 207 cider vinegar with distilled vinegar or dilute acetic acid so manipu- lated as to simulate genuine cider vinegar, and of glue containing excessive zinc and other metallic impurities sold as edible gelatin. Much work of an educational nature has been carried on, designed to secure a strict comphance with the requirements of the “net weight ” amendment, and a number of prosecutions for violation of the amendment have been brought with success. Work has been in progress on tea, coffee, cocoa, spices, and similar free-flowing mate- rials to establish suitable tolerances in filling packages of this class of products. In this connection a careful study was made of automatic weighing machinery. With the aid of State feed officials, the inspection of low-protein meal and cake made from delinted cottonseed, reported last year, was repeated and extended to the Pacific coast. This year some of the mills placed fans above the separating screens, thus removing a considerable amount of hulls and linty matter. In many cases the labeling of the meal was changed to correspond with its true com- position. Action was also taken against linseed meal adulterated with screenings and oats with weed seeds added to increase the weight per bushel. Carelessness on the part of druggists of the District of Columbia in compounding even the simpler preparations resulted in prosecu- tions involving magnesium citrate solution, chloroform liniment, spirits of camphor, and the like. Similar conditions were found to prevail in Porto Rico. Greater care than is now exercised is needed in the collection and preparation of native crude drugs to exclude earth, trash, and for- eign plant matter. Some instances of such bad practice noted were: Pennyroyal containing 20 per cent of sand, unicorn root containing 15 per cent of earth, pipsissiwa “leaves” consisting almost entirely of stems. Accordingly, cooperation with the trade has been estab- lished to consider. practical working standards for crude drugs not recognized in the United States Pharmacopeia or the National For- mulary. Among the substitutions observed may be mentioned the substitution of nonofficial aconites containing no aconitine for aconite; of Chimaphila maculata for pipsissiwa (Chimaphila umbellata) ; of false unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum) for true unicorn (Aletris farinosa) ; of Aspidium aculeatum, or an Osmunda species, probably Osmunda cinnamomea, for male fern (Dryopteris filiz-mas or Dryop- teris marginalis). The samples of true Aspidium collected were old and not up to the requirements of the Pharmacopeia. Cooperation with State and Municipal Officials—On August 5, 1916, the Association of American Dairy, Food, and Drug Officials adopted the following resolution: “That both State and Federal food and drug officials of this Association unite in the formation of smaller associations on a basis of community interests to study ways and means of handling local problems, and that their conferences be entirely of an executive nature.” In consequence, associations have been formed by the officials of New England, of the Central Atlantic States, and of the South Central States. Members of the Bureau of Chemistry have taken an active part in the meetings of these associa- tions, Perhaps the most significant development in cooperation of -908 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the year is that active cooperation has been established with city officials. Many specific instances of cooperation are noted elsewhere in this report. A “Clearing House Letter” has been issued fre- quently to food and drug officials. Its purpose is to furnish offi- cials all available current material bearing upon the enforcement of food and drug laws. A revision of the Manual of Procedure for the Guidance of State Health, Food, and Drug Officials was published in October, 1916. A compilation of the definitions and standards for foods and drugs that have been enacted into law by the several States was prepared and distributed to many officials. Concrete evidence of the spirit of cooperation now prevailing is found in the greater use by State officials of the Food and Drugs Act as an additional protection to their people. During the year there were instituted by 14 States, 117 such cases—25 seizures and 92 criminal prosecutions. These do not include cases instituted by the District of Columbia. Nearly all of these cases involved feeds. Only nine involved foods. There were no drug cases. The preponderance of feed cases will not be so great next year since during the present year there were col- lected by 24 States 330 official samples—232 feeding stuffs, 91 foods, and 7 drugs. Imported foods and drugs.—Statistics concerning the import work are given in Table I. The quantity of imports has been greatly re- duced. Regular brands and lines of products no longer form the bulk of the importations, and even standard articles, such as bella- donna, have almost entirely disappeared. On the other hand, new products obtained from countries that have not heretofore shipped to the United States and new varieties of the old from new sources have been offered. Thus imitations of such Italian cheeses as Romano, Reggiano, and Parmesan have been imported from South America. The long trip through the tropics in ships not equipped with refrig- eration not infrequently spoils them. The high price of beans has caused the extensive importation of many varieties of beans from many countries. Among them were so-called Burma or Rangoon beans from Asia and tapiramos beans from South America, which are known to yield hydrocyanic acid under some conditions. Ship- ments yielding appreciable amounts of hydrocyanic acid were there- fore excluded as being dangerous to health. ‘These poisonous beans are varieties of lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) of various colors and in shape may not be unlike the common navy bean. On careful inspection they may be distinguished from the common bean by the fact that, unlike the common bean, they show distinct striations radi- ating from the eye to the periphery. There are also other less easily noticeable differences. The quality of the tomato paste imported has improved. Except for a few shipments of English mustard, European, including Russian, mustard seeds have entirely disap- peared from the importations, and have been replaced by Chinese, Japanese, and Indian seeds. Indian rape or Tori (Brassica napus Var. dichotoma) was substituted for Indian brown mustard. Chi- nese mustard (Brassica juncea) seems often to be improperly col- lected, since it frequently contains much immature seed and weed seeds with Lruca. The use of genuine material from new botanical sources has been encouraged when properly collected and imported REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 209 under appropriate designations. Among the importations of this type which have been noted are chamomile flowers and valerian root from Japan, as well as of Hyoseyamus muticus for the manufacture of the alkaloid hyoscyamine. So-called Bombay or Indian coriander has almost entirely replaced the ordinary article. This coriander appears to be of the official species, but contains somewhat less vola- tile oil than the European variety, and several shipments have been detained for this reason. Among the drug adulterations that have been noted may be mentioned the substitution of Jnula brittanica for arnica flowers (Arnica montana); Solanum nigrum for bella- donna (Atropa belladonna) ; Xanthium strumarium for stramonium (Datura stramonium) ; Lippia berlanderi and Origanum vulgare for marjoram (Majorana hortensis); Heteropteris pauciflora, [pecacu- anha fibrosa, and Ionidium species for ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuan- ha); Ballota hirsuta for horehound (Marrubium vulgare) ; Foenicu- lum piperitum for fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) ; Rheum rhaponticum for rhubarb (Rheum officinale). As much as 20 per cent of the toxic plant Tephrosia apollinea was found in a shipment of Tinne- velly senna (Cassia angustifolia). A fungus growth closely resem- bling the sclerotium known as “ ergot ” was found in caraway (Caruwm carvi) and in cumin (Cyminum cuminum). From time to time it has been suggested by importers that the Bureau issue announcements of the action taken on detained shipments of foods and drugs in a manner similar to those now required to be issued by law as notices of judgment concerning the outcome of prose- cutions under the domestic sections of the law. This matter was dis- cussed at a hearing. It became apparent in the course of the hearing that thé information to be of value should be specific and descriptive and that the issuance of such information could not be effected with- out identifying either directly or by implication the importers con- cerned. For this reason and for the further reason that these de- tentions are not a matter of court record, it was decided that since the importers have no opportunity ordinarily for investigating the character of the goods before arrival, the reflection which such pub- lications would make would not be warranted and the Bureau would not publish a list of special detentions. COLLABORATION. Collaboration with the Post Office Department led to some notable results during the year. Through the assistance given by the Drug Division a considerable number of fraud orders were issued. Mem- bers of the Drug Division also assisted the officials of the Post Office Department in the trial of a number of cases. In the case of a drug fraud a fine of $30,000 was imposed. This case has paved the way for prosecuting this collaborative work more vigorously against prod- ucts which are subject to the postal laws rather than to the Food and Drugs Act. All in all 81 samples of medicines and drugs sent through the mails have been analyzed for the Post Office Department. The laboratories in Washington analyzed during the year 4,190 samples for other bureaus of the Department of Agriculture; for other executive departments and government establishments, 681 samples were analyzed, as shown in Table II. This total does not 33382°—acr 1917——14 910 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. include samples which were analyzed by the branch laboratories of this Bureau. These are included among the miscellaneous samples given in Table I. TABLE II.—J/iscellaneous analyses for other branches of the Government. Department: of: | States> 2 eet eee Se ew eee a ee eee 2 Department; ofthe Lreasupy2a 3 bs oe | Se aa ee ee oy eee 2 Department Of “Wrare: = ele ee es ee ee eee 32 Department Of {SUStiee ae es ee ee ee 2, PostoOfice Department Sse ee os) Se ihe ee ee ee eee 2 Deparhnentof thewNavyesaeee: _ 2 2s A ee ee Se oe 83 Department of they Interior= 2s = see jvietioanhe Wy. ne eee 2 Departmentcot. Commerce 2 222). se | 2 Sr a ee eee 9 Government*Printing 'Omice = = ee eee ee 3 ThesPanamarGanals Baek. Lesa Ss Se be ee eee ee eee 23 DistrictvolsColumbinwe.ss S222) ese es Sevan. tre kta kee see 3) alg Mederal ‘Frade .Commission,22.-2=—— 2 2 et ee eee 3; Miscellaneous === 22 sen he ee ee eee ee 501 Motalie 23 Soa) Rese tnd he SUPA A Ee ee ee 681 TEN YEARS OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. The Food and Drugs Act is a remedial statute with penal pro- visions, and its purpose is to correct the practice of adulterating and misbranding foods and drugs and thereby protect the health of the people. The first 10 years of the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act of June 30, 1906, ended January 1, 1917. It is therefore fitting at this time to present a brief history of the act, and the work accom- plished under its authority during the decade. It is perhaps impossible for any one correctly to estimate the gen- eral effect of the Food and Drugs Act. To state that more than six thousand cases have been terminated in the courts during the first decade since the enactment of the act, that manufacturers have been cited to hearing more than forty thousand times, that many thou- sands of factory inspections have been made, that more than seven hundred and fifty thousand shipments of food and drugs, both domes- tic and imported, have been examined, gives but an imperfect indica- tion of results. The accomplishments under the Food and Drugs Act can be proven only in part by reference to the files of the Bureau. A measure of the corrective influence of the act is the true measure of accomplishment. Perhaps such an estimate can best be gained, though imperfectly, by considering the effect of the act upon food and drug control by the States, upon the development of the food and drug industries, and by the enumeration of some of the principal abuses that have been corrected. One of the consequences of the enactment of the Food and Drugs Act was to stimulate the enactment of similar legislation in many of the States, in order to control the local traffic in foods and drugs which, since no interstate commerce is involved, is not subject to the Federal Act. For example, in 1906 a considerable number of States had feeding-stuffs laws, but many had none. A State could not prosecute a manufacturer unless he were a citizen of that State. The Federal law supplements the State law in this respect, and now most of the States have similar laws. Naturally, in the beginning much REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. yA 1k confusion and apparent conflict between the local and Federal laws and the local and Federal administration of laws seemed to exist, so that it was difficult for the two sets of officials to supplement one another. In consequence it was often necessary for manufacturers to make very special preparation for shipment to certain States at extra cost, which naturally was passed on to the ultimate consumer. This lack of uniformity has been remedied to a considerable degree by two agencies: (1) The Joint Committee on Definitions and Standards, consisting of representatives of the Association of Ameri- can Dairy, Food and Drug Officials, of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, and of the Department of Agriculture, and (2) by the Office of Cooperative State and Federal Food and Drug Control, established in the Bureau of Chemistry in 1914. The Joint Committee, which was established by the Secretary of Agriculture, proposes standards and definitions for the consideration of State officials which, after adoption by these officials, are adopted by the Department of Agriculture for the guidance of its officials. In this manner independent and conflicting action by independent groups of officials is, to a large extent, voluntarily obviated. The Bureau of Chemistry’s Office of State and Federal Cooperative Food and Drug Control is essentially a State agency in a Federal bureau. It is a special agent for the State or municipal official. It acts as a clear- ing house for all matters dealing with food and drug control so that all the officials of the country may be kept informed upon all that is in progress throughout the country. It furnishes regularly information and assistance to State and municipal officials. The re- sult is that Federal, State and municipal officials are able to supple- ment each other more effectively than was possible early in the law’s enforcement. This is well exemplified by the fact that during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917, one hundred and seventeen cases were instituted under the Federal law by State officials, exclusive of the officials of the District of Columbia, and that these officials have collected more than three hundred official samples for consideration by the Bureau of Chemistry. Through these two agencies a way has been found, so far as the Food and Drugs Act is concerned, to over- come in a fairly satisfactory manner some of the difficulties that arise out of our form of Government with its conflict of Federal and State jurisdiction. The Food and Drugs Act was among the first of that group of laws which today would be classed as laws for the prevention of un- fair competition. The suppression of fraud upon the consumer and of unfair competition among business rivals are but the two faces of the same coin. In consequence the food industries are sincerely and effectively supporting and helping the Bureau of Chemistry to en- force the law. Indeed, the Bureau is not infrequently appealed to by the industries to compel the cessation of unfair practices and to encourage the standardization of products when the industry is in- capable by itself of bringing about these results. Instances of this kind may be found in the citrus-fruit industry, the evaporated-milk industry, and the sardine industry. The act has been one of the in- fluences which has helped to draw competitors together into asso- ciations like the guilds of the Middle Ages, associations shorn of the special privileges which the ancient guilds often enjoyed. These associations have come to understand the value of constructive work 912 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and some of them devote considerable sums annually to experimental research designed to solve the technical problems with which the in- dustry is confronted. Thus, there is made available to the small man- ufacturer scientific assistance which would ordinarily be obtainable only by large corporations maintaining their own staff of investiga- tors. Since the Bureau of Chemistry has always regarded it as its duty not merely to report violations of the law but also to prevent violations by constructive work intended to improve methods of manufacture, it cooperates actively with such associations of manu- facturers. Such cooperation by the various Government agencies is bound to exert the profoundest influence on the country’s industrial and social development. The best evidence that many of the abuses formerly occurring in the food industry have ceased, is to be found in the fact that the vio- lations of the Food and Drugs Act observed today are hardly com- parable with those which obtained during the first few years of the past decade. Most of the staple food products now found in violation are either of a higher grade than formerly, or are products of the clever adulterator, that 1s of those who have more or less anticipated the ordinary means of detection by so manipulating their products that not infrequently the adulteration can be detected only by the most detailed and painstaking chemical analysis coupled with fac* tory inspection. In consequence there has been a decided change in the direction of the work. It has of recent years developed quite noticeably in the direction of factory sanitation, of the study of spoilage and decomposition of foodstuffs, and of the improvement through laboratory research of the methods of detecting the more re- fined new types of adulterations. The Food and Drugs Act’s chief contributions to the safeguarding of the peoples’ health have been its effect upon the drug and patent medicine industry, upon the control of the traffic in polluted, decom- posed or filthy foods and upon the elimination from foodstuffs of contamination with poisons such as lead and arsenic which entered ihe product because of the use of impure reagents in the process of manufacture, or of utensils constructed of improper materials. The misbranding in regard to therapeutic value of hundreds of alleged cancer cures, of alleged cures for coughs, colds, consumption, etc., of alleged cures for diseases of the kidney, epilepsy, St. Vitus Dance, and the like, has been corrected. Unfortunately in many in- stances the result has been merely to transfer the false and fraudulent claims from the package to newspapers and other publicity media over which the act exercises no jurisdiction. The law requires the labels of patent medicines to declare the presence of any habit-form- ing drugs such as opium or cocaine or alcohol contained in them, thus preventing the innocent development of the drug habit which undoubtedly was common. This provision of the law is particularly valuable in warning mothers against the use of so-called infants’ soothing sirups containing opium. It has without question done much to limit the use of medicines as tipples. In consequence of the requirement that habit-forming drugs be declared upon the label the formulae of some nostrums was changed by the reduction or even the elimination of the habit-forming agent. Drug addiction, in fact, was so prevalent that frauds in the treatment of these unfortunates REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 213 became frequent. In most instances the treatment contained the very drug to which the person was addicted. Many of the purveyors of these treatments were successfully prosecuted. Similar action was taken in regard to catarrh and asthma remedies containing cocaine. When the act went into effect there were 30 soft drinks containing small amounts of cocaine, practically all of which were suppressed. There can be no doubt that the act was an important factor in aiding the passage of the Harrison Anti-narcotic Law, which more effec- tively controls habit-forming narcotics than is possible under the Food and Drugs Act. Much has also been done to control the indis- criminate use of so-called headache mixtures containing dangerous depressing drugs and of dangerous cosmetics making “therapeutic claims. The act has vastly improved the manufacture of pharmaceu- ticals such as extracts and tablets, and raised the quality of the sup- ply of crude drugs since the importations of crude drugs are ex- amined at the ports of entry. Finally, it may be stated that much evidence obtained in connection with the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act was submitted to the Post Office Department and re- sulted in the issuance of fraud orders, a more effective way of dealing with many products than prosecution under the Food and Drugs Act. Among these may be mentioned lost manhood restorers, consumption cures, cancer cures, mechanical devices referred to in medical liter- ature as ‘ * gas-pipe therapy,” weight producers and general medicine schemes by which diagnoses are made and treatment administered by mail. The methods of handling and labeling soft drinks and mineral waters have been revolutionized. One sure index of this improve- ment is the fact that the cleaning and bottling machinery of five years ago is today out of date. The collection of a sample of mineral water which is contaminated is now unusual, while 10 years ago most of the samples collected were in an unsatisfactory condition. Xe- garding false labeling, it may be pointed out specifically that mis- representations regar rding so-called lithia waters and radioactive waters, as Well as the oreat majority of exaggerated therapeutic claims, have been practically eliminated from the labels of these products. Today the so-called lithia waters and radioactive waters are not to be found on the market. Much has also been done to safeguard the milk supply imported from Canada or shipped in interstate commerce. In the same manner, with the cooperation of the United States Public Health Service, the traffic in oysters polluted with sewage has been controlled. The traffic in decomposed canned fish, so-called “do-overs,” has prac- tically ceased. The shipment of decomposed canned beans and of decomposed shell eggs has been lessened. The manufacture of foods from refuse, especially tomato products, has been decreased and the sanitary conditions in food factories have correspondingly improved. Ten years ago much of the baking powder, of the gelatin, and some of the confectionery was contaminated with small quantities of lead or arsenic. This is not the case to-day. The coloring of canned peas with copper has been suppressed, as has the use of a number of dangerous preservatives. Among the practices not dangerous to health that have been con- trolled may be mentioned the addition of water to erain, to dried fruit, to sirups, to fruit juices, to oysters, to canned tomatoes, and the 914 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. like; the substitution of glucose for cane or beet sugar, of synthetic for natural products in flavoring extracts, of sugar sirup for maple sirup, and of hulls for cottonseed meal. The list might be extended vastly. The act exercises control not merely over interstate shipments but also over imports. Indeed, it is somewhat broader in scope in its application to importations than to domestic shipments. In the last 10 years over 100,000 import shipments have been sampled and many times that number inspected. Practically all the various violations of the act mentioned in the preceding paragraphs have also been dealt with in connection with importations. While the accomplishments of the Food and Drugs Act have been considerable, it must be admitted that it has its serious limitations. Especially conspicuous ones are the lack of legal standards for foods, of authority to inspect warehouses, and of any restriction whatever upon the use of many of the most virulent poisons in drugs; the limitations placed upon the term “ drug” by definition which render it difficult to control injurious cosmetics, fraudulent mechanical de- vices used for therapeutic purposes, as well as fraudulent remedies for obesity and leanness; the limitation of dangerous adulterants to those that are added so that the interstate shipment of a food that naturally contains a virulent poison is unrestricted. Furthermore, the law fails to take cognizance of fraudulent statements covering foods or drugs which are not in or upon the food or drug package. Greater flexibility to prescribe the disposition of imports is also desirable. The Secretary of Agriculture has at one time or another recommended legislation to fill most of these gaps in the law. It should also be noted that at present there is no Federal law which prohibits unregistered or unlicensed persons from sending into inter- state commerce medicinal agents, poisons, and the lke, although they can not be sold locally by them nor indiscriminately even by registered or licensed pharmacists or physicians. The constitutionality of the act has been questioned repeatedly without success. These cases and many others have clarified the sig- nificance of most of the provisions of the act, though certain othér provisions, such as those dealing with “compounds,” “blends,” and “imitations,” and the recent amendment requiring that foods in package form be labeled with the quantity of the contents of the food in the package still await complete interpretation by the courts. Many matters of procedure have been fixed by the courts. Thus, in United States v. J. Lindsay Wells Co. (186 Fed. 248) and in United States v. Baumert et al. (179 Fed. 735), it was held that in cases under section 2 of the act the procedure may be by information, which is a more expeditious and economical procedure than by indict- ment. In United States v. 443 Cans of Frozen Egg Products the Supreme Court held that cases in rem arising under section 10 of the Food and Drugs Act are of the character of common-law actions, after the seizure of the goods, and subject to review only upon writ of error, in accordance with the rules of the common law. In United States v. 5 Boxes of Asafetida (181 Fed. 561) it was held that section 10 of the act defines fully when and under what circumstances foods and drugs shall be forfeited, and is independent of and distinct from section 2, and it is unimportant in forfeiture proceedings whether a REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 215 person on the same statement of facts could be convicted under sec- tion 2. Liability to seizure was held to depend upon whether the articles are adulterated or misbranded at the time of seizure, and not whether they were adulterated or misbranded at the time of inter- state shipment. In United States v. Morgan (220 U. S. 274, Office of the Solicitor Circular 58, Notice of Judgment 1992), the Supreme Court held that the notice required to be given parties from’ whom samples of food and drugs are procured by the Department for pur- poses of investigation is not jurisdictional, and that the hearing given to the parties is not judicial. In United States v. J. L. Hopkins Co. (199 Fed. 649, Notice of Judgment 2436) it was held that jurisdiction exists in the Federal Court of the District from which the goods were shipped, even though the defendant did not reside in that District. The court also held that violations of the Food and Drugs Act are subject to the general statute of limitations, which is three years, and that immediate prosecution is not required by section 5 of the act. With reference to what constitutes an interstate shipment, it was held in Philadelphia Pickling Co. v. United States (202 Fed. 150, Notice of Judgment 2456) that a shipment by the manufacturer from his place of business in one State to his place of business in another State for testing of an adulterated article constituted a violation of the Food and Drugs Act. In United States v. Powers-Weightman- Rosengarten Company, a case under the Insecticide and Fungicide Act, a law which in general is analogous to the Food and Drugs Act, it was held that it is not an interstate shipment if goods in passing from one point in a State to another point in the same State traverse another State. (Insecticide and Fungicide No. 75, Dom. No. 1055. In Hipolite Egg Co. v. United States (220 U. S. 45, Notice of Judgment 1043) it was held that adulterated articles of food which have been transported in interstate commerce are subject to seizure and condemnation as long as they remain in the condition in which they were transported, that is, “in the original, unbroken packages.” The validity of the guarantee section, section 9 of the act, was upheld in United States v. Charles L. Heinle Specialty Company (Notice of Judgment 389, Circular 29, Office of the Solicitor). In United States v. Mayfield, et al. (177 Fed. 765, Notice of Judgment 326), the court instructed the jury that a guaranty is available to a dealer only when it relates to the identical article shipped by him and affords no defense to him when the guaranty relates only to a con- stituent used by him in manufacturing the article shipped; and further, that the officers of a corporation which manufactured an adulterated or misbranded food product shipped by its manager in interstate commerce are subject to prosecution therefor when they authorized the manager to operate the plant and sell the product without restriction, and the previous course had been to ship on orders to other States. In Steinhardt Bros. Co. v. United States (191 Fed. Rep. 798, Office of the Solicitor Circular 57) it was held that the guaranty contemplated under section 9 of the Food and Drugs Act to afford protection to the party making an interstate shipment of the adulterated or misbranded article must have been given prior to such shipment. In Glaser, Kohn and Company ». United States (Circular 84, Office of the Solicitor, 224 Fed. 84, 216 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Notices of Judgment 3400 and 4036) it was held that a guaranty in the form of a letter , expressed to be good until revoked on all articles sold continued to be good until revoked. In accordance with the regulation originally made for the adminis- tration of the act it became the custom for manufacturers to place upon their labels the legend “ Guaranteed by ______ under the Food und Drugs Act, June 30, 1906.” In 1913-14 the regulations were amended so as to require the cancellation of general cuaranties filed with, and serial numbers assigned by, the Department and to pro- hibit the use upon labels cf the above legend on the ground that the use of the legends and numbers upon packages of food and drugs conveys the false and misleading impression to the public that the articles have been examined and approved by the Government and that the Government guarantees that they comply with the law. The word “ package ” as used in the act means the package which passes into the possession of the public, of the real consumer, and the words “ original unbroken package ” relate to the package in the form in which it is received by the vendee or consignee. (Dr. J. L. Stephens Company v. United States, Notices of Judgment 1891 and 2511, Circular 72, Office of the Solicitor). This decision is supported in effect by the decision of the Supreme Court in the State of Wis- consin v. McDermott (McDermott v. State of Wisconsin, 143 Wis., 18; 228 U.S., 115), a case not instituted by the Federal Government. In "United States ». 5 Boxes of Asafetida (181 Fed., 561) it was de- cided that the taking of samples by claimant for the purpose of examination did not “destroy the commercial form of the packages and did not incorporate the goods with the property of the State so as to remove them from the jurisdiction of the act over original packages. With reference to the adulteration and misbranding of foods the Oi ing cases are of special interest. It was held in United States , Lexington Mill and Elevator Company (232 U. S., 399, Circular 79, Office of the Solicitor) that an article of food is adulterated Tie because of any added poisonous or other deleterious ingredient, it may by any possibility injure the health of the strong or the we eak, ‘the old or the young, the well or the sick, or any of ‘these, or, conversely, that an article of food is not adulterated, within the meaning of the provision of the act by which an article is declared adulterated, “if it contain any added poisonous or other added deleterious ingredient which may render such article injurious to health,” “if it can not by any possibility, when the facts are reasonably considered, injure the health of any consumer,” even though it contain ‘ ‘a small addi- tion of poisonous or deleterious ingredients.” The same provision of the act was further construed by the Supreme Court in United States v. 40 Barrels and 20 Kegs of Coca Cola (241 U. S., 265; Cir- cular 86, Office of the Solicitor, Notice of Judgment 4801) in holding that the caffeine in Coca Cola is an “added ” ingredient within the meaning of the act contrary to the opinion of the circuit court of appeals, which had held in effect that a mixture or compound sold under its own distinctive name is not adulterated because it contains as one of its normal ingredients a poisonous or deleterious substance, since such poisonous or - deleterious substance is not added to the arti- cle within the meaning of the provision, but is a part of it (215 Fed. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 917 535, Circular 80, Office of the Solicitor, Notice of Judgment 4032). In United States v. American Chicle Company the court instructed the jury, in effect, that if they found that an article contained but a trace of a certain ingredient it was misbranded if named after that ingredient. In United States v. 7 Cases of Buffalo Lithia Water (Circular 78, Office of the Solicitor, Notices of Judgment 3869 and 4310) a similar principle is involved. An article labeled “ Buffalo Lithia Water” was condemned as misbranded on the ground that the article did not contain suflicient lithium to entitle it to be labeled “lithia water.” In Hudson Manufacturing Company v. United States (192 Fed. Rep., 90, Notice of Judgment 1451) it was held, in effect, that the use of a designation without well-known trade mean- ing for an imitation food product without giving any indication of what the article is composed, shows a clear case of misbranding. In United States v. Charles G. Dade (40 App. D. C. 94, Notice of Judg- ment 2516) it was held that the presence of Bacterium coli and Streptococci in milk in certain cases indicated decomposition or the presence of fecal matter which rendered the milk filthy. Analogous decisions have been rendered with reference to the pollution of oysters, the decomposition of tomato products, of beans, and of other foods, although the action of the courts has not always been uniform. In William M. Galt and Company v. United States (39 App. D. C. 470, Notice of Judgment 2396) it was held that the presence of worms in flour rendered it adulterated because it was “ filthy ” within the meaning of that word as used in the act, “even conceding that the worms, insects, and beetles could be separated therefrom, the flour would still be contaminated by reason of its contact with them and would still contain more or less husks and excreta from the worms; that is, it would still be filthy within the meaning of the act.” In United States v. 13 Crates of Frozen Eggs (208 Fed., 950, Notice of Judgment No. 2859) it was held that the act prohibits the transporta- tion in interstate commerce of filthy, decomposed, or putrid eggs, and that such eggs, which have not been denatured, may be seized and condemned, even if the shipper intended them to be used for tanning, not for food purposes. With reference to the adulteration and misbranding of drugs, the following are some of the more important decisions: In United States v. Sixty-five Casks of Liquid Extract (170 Fed., 449, Notice of Judgment 284) the claimants contended that the quantity or proportion of the drugs specified in section 8 of the act need not be declared in case of drugs which are not labeled or branded. The court ruled adversely to this contention, deciding, in effect, that the act not only requires that drugs shipped in interstate commerce and jabeled shall not be misbranded, but requires that they shall bear labels conforming with its provisions. In United States v. Anti- kamnia Chemical Company (231 U. S., 654; Circular 76, Office of the Solicitor) the effect of the decision of the Supreme Court was to sustain the validity of a regulation which requires that, in de- claring the quantity or proportion of derivatives of any substance specified in section 8 of the Food and Drugs Act, the name of the specified substance, in addition to the trade name of the derivative, shall be stated. It was held, further, that the act itself requires that the name of the specified substance be stated if the article contain 918 ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. a derivative of it. In United States v. Lehn and Fink (Circular 49, Office of the Solicitor, it was held that section 7 of the act which declares a drug to be adulterated if it “ differs from the standard of strength, quality, or purity as determined by the test laid down in the United States Pharmacopeia * * * official at the time of investigation,” 1s not ex post facto legislation and therefore not unconstitutional. It was further held that Congress in enacting this section did not delegate legislative power, but merely prescribed the method of ascertaining facts upon which the operation of the statute was to depend. In Dr. L. J. Stephens Company v. United States (Vid. Supr.) it was held that physicians’ prescriptions are not exempt from the operations of the act. United States v. Johnson (221 U. S., 488, Notice of Judgment 1058) was decided adversely to the Government. In this case mis- branding was alleged of a so-called “ mild combination treatment for cancer,” consisting of several packages bearing statements that the treatment would effect the cure of cancer. It was held, in effect, that false and misleading statements as to the curative or therapeutic effects of medicines did not come within the prohibition of the law. The President thereupon addressed a message to Congress urging remedial legislation. On August 23, 1912, the act was amended (37 Stat., 416). The constitutionality of this amendment was sustained by the Supreme Court in Seven Cases et al. v. United States (239 U.S., 510, Circular 85, Office of the Solicitor). On March 3, 1913, the act was further amended so as to require articles of food in package form to bear a statement showing the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count (387 Stat., 732). On June 16, 1913, rule 39 of the rules and regulations made for the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act was revoked. Under that rule domestic meat and meat-food products which were pre- pared under Federal inspection were exempted from the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act. Asa result of the revocation, the power of seizure of unsound meat and meat-food products in the course of in- terstate commerce can be and has been exercised. Under the Meat Inspection Act spoiled meats could be condemned and destroyed only when they were found within establishments in which Federal inspec- tion was maintained. REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS. Unirtep States DeparTMENT or AGRICULTURE, 3UREAU OF SOILS, Washington, D. C., September 15, 1917. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report covering the operations of the Bureau of Soils for the fiscal year ended June 30, Toi. Respectfully, Mitton WHITNEY, Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. SOIL SURVEY. The work of constructing the soil map of the United States was carried on by the Soil Survey during the year and an area of 37,225 square miles of mapped country was added to that previously mapped in detail, bringing the total area covered to date up to 445,825 square miles. This is approximately a fourth of that part of the total area of the United States that will be covered by detailed surveys. The rest of the area consists of deserts and mountainous country that will be mapped by reconnoissance methods and at a rate much more rapid than that at which detailed work is done and at a much lower cost. , During the year 9,182 square miles were covered in reconnoissance work, bringing the whole area mapped in that way to date up to 493,494 square miles. With the exception of the reconnoissance work done in Ohio, all this work has been done either in regions of rough topography or in those where development had not gone very far at the time the work was done. More than half of it has been done in the Great Plains region east of the Rocky Mountains. The best results in a work like that of the Soil Survey are obtained by a combination of detailed local knowledge with that of a com- prehensive nature. The work can best be done by parties of men made up in part of those with broad knowledge of soil conditions over a wide area combined with sound training in the fundamental principles of soil development and in part by men who are thor- oughly familiar with local conditions and needs. This is effected by the Soil Survey by intimate cooperation between the Bureau of Soils and some State institution charged with the investigation of soils or agriculture in the State concerned. This cooperation is in most cases an active one in which the State and the Government pay the cost of the work jointly. In other cases, those in which the State is unable to cooperate in an active way on account of lack of funds, a sympathetic cooperation generally is maintained, the Bureau of Soils consulting the State officials in the selection of areas to be mapped and in other details of the work. At the close of the fiscal year 1917 the Bureau of Soils was co- operating actively in soil-survey work with 20 States and sympa- 219 220 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. thetically with 7 others, covering all the work done by the bureau except certain areas surveyed in cooperation with other bureaus and departments of the Government. The statistical details of the work of the year are shown in the tables appended to this report. It will suffice to mention that of the total area of 37,225 square miles covered in detailed work during the year, 15,984 square miles were included in the cotton States and 2,230 square miles in the Pacific Coast States. The rest of the work was done in the States east of the Rocky Mountains and north of the cotton States. , The study of the relation of soils to truck crops was carried on during the year mainly in the Norfolk district and on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia. Field work was completed in the Norfolk district in the autumn of 1916 and the report on the area was prepared during the winter. Work on the eastern shore was begun early in the spring of 1917 and continued to the end of the fiscal year. The land classification work in the National Forests covered about 35 projects, located in 10 States. The field work and reports were completed for all of them, and about half of them have been finally approved and passed on to the Forest Service. Cooperation with the Office of Indian Affairs, the Reclamation Service, and with the Bureau of Plant Industry of this department was carried out in a number of projects in Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, and Maine during the year. The Section of Soil Information and Advice has answered a great many inquiries and given much local advice in person during the year. The work of the section was greatly increased by the agita- tion for garden planting last spring. On acgount of the necessity for increasing the production of food crops to meet the present situation an investigation of the’ records and results of the soil survey was begun during the year to determine the soils most productive of the staple crops. The investigation has covered up to the present time the soils used for the production of corn and wheat and their relative importance. TABLE I.—IJndividual areas surveyed and mapped during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1917. DETAILED. | Area surveyed. State. | Area. x Square r miles. a Alabama). ties oeace- ste Fayette County........-.- Binti eee a IT we seats a 643 411,520 Lowndes County in. 5 cvascm-eoseee « ese ee “eee see seees 138 88, 320 Marengo.County 2.c-=2 2 asaeeee a een senen a rte 207 132, 480 Monroe County ..-....-.-.-- SRE LEER Ieee Aa wR eee 259 165, 760 Morgan Countye--o- 22s sos seer Bo ts oe Se Rats 150 96, 000 Shelby: Countiy.0o. aa. selene iscee ae CE ERE aa 540 345, 600 St. Clair, County).-tra- - scien igs astwe= se pee eee 645 412, 800 TZ OMA icles acetates vila’ Valley area.25- <2 teeta ae eee e oe eastern 295 188, 800 AT KANSAS Sern) -l(elloin2 2 ae Drewi County ases8 - spss eee ease era 847 542,080 Faulkner County ..-.-..-.- 5 sneer Soest ete nese | 651 416, 640 Howard County...) a eee ic -eneeee nee iota acter 602 385, 280 C@aliforniata.< ci --Sacccce Santa Maria area. 4-4 a2 1728 465, 920 IDG COIR csedo oss co ceceseerceo dons a oeeapesoboE = 1344 220, 160 ION eetay Re Ca) StS aac Cano coosncosdsueseuTcosebensssbecr 576 368, 640 Te ENING ie Jodocaonpe a panos eoRone Seer as seanSeE cele 528 337, 920 Kam palliCountyececssecetec es = ee tise ee aanee anes 958 613, 120 IN(@ anh Choybiniiny So o6Sobeoo geSeo ssn none soemusaEeenusonouS 322 206, 080 Wie yinle COUN py easter ataieatesteeiatae ta aise taal enaaie eaters 217 138. 880 New Jersey... 5.--22.2.2- BelMIdelelarea soso selars cys sae anteae eis 2s2cdeetosedcesesecce as 409 261, 760 Sarid us kyjACOun tye sheets Sues Seca eeaT ERNE | 413 264, 320 Oklshomar.-.- 22555: --208 Wanadian County 22 oo-ss secs anes = hoes ae ese secon 170 108, 800 Payne’ COUNTY. Jide. Sos sate poor ee caece oes oot emisdnise 678 433, 920 Pennsylvania... . en Clearfield County sn 26 24 sc aca= se ass see aaeoees case se ee 1, 142 730, 880 Mercer County. s.-5 See oh ee SOE OEE: pa Sas otra emacs setae 309 309 197, 7 Motalhs sates ie ay Sear seem heey ee pe ae | 37, 225 408,600 | 445,825 | 285,328, 000 RECONNOISSANCE. 10 G F< Wg SP SOI, Sele Pls 5 SEE Ne PS, CRN RFD URSA. Gn NS | SEES Saas 31, 768 31,768 | 20,331, 520 tAricansas-MuSSOuUTE soe mete oo a ase Sue ee Ae st ne 2 comet ae as ee 58, 000 58,000 | 37,120,000 Walifornid = SS ae ae a eee Sai eed oe eee | 9, 182 18, 218 27,400 | 17,536, 000 CASSEL se oo. Papen ata Soleo sae ctaialape a tee enero ete actors esi oe oie re cero 39, 960 39,960 |} 25,574, 400 WN @DrAaSKS. 5 wn. < = jae ccs Sere eee ec oe See eee SEE ee eee ele eeeee 53, 064 53,064 | 33, 960, $60 INOLCHE Dakota. op os wee ce ho tie te bre tte ee OE ee lee era 39, 240 39,240 | 25, 113, 600 (Oct (ae ee arene SE a eer SSeS ane Oe aboA eases ose Bae 41, 420 -41,420 | 26,508, 800 LE (Gyan toh beh 0: y ae RR le ae rae asl A ae RS el a elt a 41, 405 41,405 | 26,499, 200 South: Dakota-: ~~: 2:2. -2 5 ses order ee sees See oxic See feeeeeeer etd 41, 400 41,400 | 26,496, 000 ANGE SC ae a Red ee aan, RU eee SN CBD ore eee 92, 297 92,297 | 59,070, 080 Washington 13005 13,115 8, 393, 600 WiSconsin=ses 2scrisieseses cee eS Sentech eS eerierer 14, 425 14, 425 9, 282, 000 Sobuletis, Gens sa.) ots eo) anes Ae eens | 9, 182 484,312 | 493,494 | 315,836, 160 BUREAU OF SOILS. 223 FERTILIZER INVESTIGATIONS. : The close connection between the problems of the Ordnance Bureau of the War Department and this bureau in increasing supplies of fixed nitrogen and sulphuric acid is at once apparent. The nitrate plant now under construction by the War Department is designed to produce fixed nitrogen for fertilizers in time of peace as well as for munitions in time of war. Cooperation in investigational work be- tween this bureau and the War Department is necessary, therefore, to avoid duplication of effort and the most economical expenditure of both time and money in the disposal of such problems as arise. Such cooperation has been very cordial on the part of the War Department. Our experimentation in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen has been largely confined to the production of synthetic ammonia. At the Arlington Farm laboratory apparatus has been installed for ex- periments with the Haber process, and these experiments have pro- gressed to a point where ammonia has been produced. Optimum conditions of pressure and temperature and the best catalyser have not yet been determined, but after numerous delays, due to inability to secure deliveries of apparatus and materials and to the difficult mechanical problems involved in the process, the work has reached a stage where definite results may be confidently anticipated in the immediate future. This work is being carried on with the active cooperation of the War Department. Germany is producing about one-third of her fixed nitrogen by this precess, but so far as is known there are but two installations in the United States for studying the production of synthetic ammonia, one of which is the bureau’s plant at Arlington. In these circumstances this work assumes great im- portance and is being pushed with the utmost vigor. In this investi- gation the bureau has had the active assistance of physical investi- gations in the bureau. In line with this investigation has been the study of the oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid. An Ostwald apparatus was installed and operated to the extent of demonstrating the fact, which has been disputed, that commercial by-product ammonia could be satisfac- torily oxidized in this way. The bureau also joined with the Bu- reau of Mines of the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Ordnance of the War Department, and a commercial concern of Syracuse, N. Y., in a joint investigation of the problem on a com- mercial scale. This investigation was carried on in the Semet-Solvay Co.’s plant. The Ostwald process gives at best a weak acid which must subse- quently be concentrated. Moreover, nitric acid is difficult to handle and ship. It seemed advisable therefore to investigate the possibility of securing a nitrate end product instead of nitric acid. This work was carried out at Arlington Farm with complete success. By using the Ostwald reaction chamber and introducing above the catalyzer an excess of gaseous ammonia, a fume of ammonium nitrate was formed which when conducted through an electric precipitator was readily collected as high-grade ammonium nitrate. This salt, in ad- dition to being a concentrated nitrogen carrier for fertilizer pur- poses, is being very largely used at present as a primary explosive by England. 994 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The possibility of economically oxidizing ammonia to nitric acid by electrolysis was also taken up toward the close of the year, and this investigation is progressing very satisfactorily. Already it has been demonstrated that under certain conditions ammonia may be so oxidized with a very moderate consumption of power. Other work with nitrogen has included efforts to secure a more complete saving of waste products, such as garbage, by our large cities, and investigations of the problem of inoculating such media as peat with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. While this latter work has opened up some very promising avenues for further research, it has not as yet given results in the way of any large increase of fixed nitrogen. The bureau’s work on phosphates has included several lines of investigation. In cooperation with acommercial concern, a plant ona commercial scale was erected at Hoboken, N. J., to test the bureau’s process for producing high-grade phosphoric acid by use of the electric furnace and electric precipitator. This plant was installed by a representative of the bureau and run for several months in practically continuous operation. The results of the test showed the entire practicability of the process for users of pure phosphoric acid and also demonstrated that the operating costs were low enough to make it probable that in the near future the process may be compet- ing with the old sulphuric acid process for acid phosphate produc- tion. One private commercial plant to use this process is being erected and several others are in contemplation. A publication giv- ing the results of this work is now in press. In the effort further to reduce the costs of operation, experiments are now being conducted at Arlington on the possibility of smelting the phosphate rock by means of a hot-air blast instead of electric current, and also on the possibility of using mine-run phosphate rock instead of washed and screened material. From small-scale laboratory experiments both these suggestions seem entirely feasible. Work is also contemplated looking to the recovery of by-products, such as hydrofluoric acid, and the utilization of the slag. A study of the fluorine content of phosphoric acid, involving new and improved methods of analysis for fluorine, has also been made and published. The regular annual survey of the phosphate industry was also made. Steady progress is being made in developing American sources of potash, and during the current calendar year approximately one- tenth of our normal consumption will be produced in this country. The bureau’s potash investigations have taken two main lines, namely, the survey of the cement and blast-furnace industries, where potash may be recovered as a by-product, and the work with kelp on the Pacific coast. During the year a complete survey of the cement industry of this country and Canada was made to determine with some degree of accuracy the amount of potash being volatilized and lost at cement mills. Samples of raw mix and finished cement were secured from all mills having 100 barrels capacity or over and analyzed for potash. Knowing the ratio of raw mix to finished cement and the producing capacity of each mill, it was possible to calculate accurately the amount of soluble potash being lost. This study demonstrated that with suitable collecting apparatus the cement mills of this country might produce approximately 70,000 BUREAU OF SOILS. 225 tons of actual potash annually. Slight modifications of operating practice would increase this total to at least 100,000 tons. A bulletin giving the results of this work is now in press. A similar survey of the blast-furnace industry was begun and is now in progress. In this work the Bureau of Mines is cooperating to the extent of assisting in the collection of samples. The appropriation for an experimental kelp plant became avail- able in August, 1916, and shortly thereafter work was actively begun. Difficulty was found in securing deliveries of the necessary materials and machinery, but by the end of the fiscal year the plant was prac- tically completed and ready for operation. The plant as it stands includes a 115-ton self-propelled harvester ; wharf with 600-foot conveyor; derrick with grab bucket for unload- ing kelp from the harvester; a transformer house containing electric operating equipment; chopper and receiving bin; storage bins of 300 tons capacity; drier house containing three 50-foot rotary driers with dust chambers, blowers, conveyors, and motors; four 25-foot retorts for distilling the dried kelp, with storage bin above and discharging apparatus; gas line from retorts with burners, valves, tar, and dis- tillate seal and receiving vat; four air lines from blowers to furnaces; a millhouse with storage bins for char with conveyors and grinding, sacking, and leaching apparatus, and vat for brine; a machine shop and equipment; an office building; and a 10,000-barrel storage tank for fuel oil, with pipe lines to driers. Under construction is an evaporator house to contain evaporator, erystallizer, salt traps, preheater, vacuum pump, condenser, receiving vats, storage bins, vapor and brine lines, and boiler. This equipment has all been contracted for and some of it delivered. Much of the equipment entering into the plant has been secured second hand at a substantial reduction over current prices for new material, and economy in construction has been practiced wherever it was possible without sacrificing efficiency. In this way it has been possible to construct the plant for less than $100,000 instead of the original estimate of $150,000, despite the high cost of labor and materials. Of the original appropriation of $175,000 there remains sufficient for operating expenses during the current fiscal year, unless unforeseen expenditures should become necessary. Active operations will begin in a few weeks, as soon as the new kelp growth is available. In connection with the erection of the plant, studies of the life history of the kelp have been made and much information having a direct bearing on the use of kelp commercially has been secured. ° It seems likely that there is an annual dying of the kelp in southern California waters, followed by an immediate new growth. Certainly this year there has been extensive dying back of the kelp, and many of the heavier beds have disappeared temporarily. These are, how- ever, now recovering rapidly through new growth, and operations will not be long retarded from this cause. During the year the bureau has received a large number of sam- ples of supposed fertilizer materials for analysis, and a large body of correspondence on fertilizer matters has also been handled. Both these activities have been materially increased by the general interest in fertilizers, owing to the prevailing high prices, the short supply of many important ingredients, and the unusually heavy demand. 33382°—acr 1917-——15 226 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE... CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS. At no time in the history of the bureau has there been so’ great a demand made on the laboratories devoted to the chemical investi- gation of soils for the examination of samples as during the past year. This has been due, no doubt, to the increased interest in the stimulation of greater crop production brought about by war con- ditions. This increase of routine work has come both from indi- vidual farmers who have sought advice regarding liming, fertilizing, or cultural treatment of soils, in which case work was undertaken only when it was thought some laboratory examination would be of value to farmers generally, and from other bureaus of the depart- ment and other departments of the Government where the same interest in greater crop production has brought about an increased demand for work of this nature. Such time as could be spared from routine work has been devoted to investigations chiefly along two lines—the inorganic composition of soils and the liming of soils. In connection with the former, work has been continued on a study of the composition of the water ex- tract of soils and important and interesting results obtained, and in cooperation with the soil survey progress has been made toward determining the composition of samples of virgin soils of more important soil types. In the investigation of the liming of soils results have been ob- tained that throw light on the character of soil acidity and will tend to make it possible for the practice of liming to be carried on in a more intelligent manner. SOIL PHYSICS Owing to unusual conditions due to the war a large part of the time and force of the Physical Division has been employed in co- operating with the Division of Fertilizer Resources. Assistance has been furnished especially in solving the physical and mechanical problems involved in the preparation of synthetic ammonia by the Haber process and in the oxidation of ammonia in solution by electrolytic means. Investigations on the excessive erosion of soils have been continued and the physical properties of soils subject to erosion determined. The movement of water in soils has been investigated and a com- parison made of the methods for determining the critical moisture content. The relation of absorbed moisture to the critical moisture content has been studied. The effect of temperature changes on the physical condition of the soil is being studied. The colloidal condi- tion of clay soils has been investigated to determine the cause of high degree of stickiness in such soils. Systematic study of the physical properties of important soil types has been undertaken. In addition to these lines of work the usual mechanical analyses of soil samples collected by the Soil Survey have been made, and an unusually large number of samples for other bureaus have been analyzed during the year. One machinist also has been continuously employed in the construction of unusual pieces of apparatus and in the repair of instruments for the bureau. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. Unrrep States DeparrMent or AGRICULTURE, Bureau or Enromoroey, Washington, D. C., Aug. 1, 1917. Sir: I submit herewith a report of the work of the Bureau of Ento- mology for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917. L. O. Howarp, Entomologist and Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F..Hovusron, Secretary of Agriculture. WORK ON THE GIPSY MOTH AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH. The work of preventing the spread of the gipsy moth and the brown-tail moth, under the direction of Mr. A. F’. Burgess, has been continued along the same general lines as during the preceding year, but many improved methods have been adopted. The territory in- fested with the gipsy moth showed less defoliation than heretofore, and as a result of the scouting and extermination work carried on along the outside border there has been a decrease of 98 square miles in the total infested area. The brown-tail moth infestation has decreased, not only in area but in severity. The area that has been found uninfested and that has been eliminated from quarantine this fiscal year amounts to 171 square miles. No new colonies of the gipsy moth or brown-tail moth outside of the area known to be infested have been reported during the past season. The field operations have been improved, and the purchase of additional spraying equipment has made possible thorough treat- ment of most of the heavy infestations in the territory adjoining the border towns. The results of the spraying of the previous year were excellent, as in the spots actually treated few egg clusters of the gipsy moth were deposited. A new method of banding trees has been adopted, and a tree-banding material prepared by this bureau in co- eperation with the Bureau of Chemistry has been used on a iarge scale with excellent results. The use of this material has resulted also in decreasing the cost of banding trees, so that a considerable saving has been effected. In order to prevent the spread of small gipsy-moth caterpillars from bad infestations inside the border to towns that were slightly or not at all infested, operations have been carried on in a large number of towns well inside the border, and 227 228 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. hilltops and exposed areas from which spread by wind was most likely to occur have been given special attention. STATE RELATIONS AND COOPERATION.—In order to avoid duplication of effort and obtain the best results, arrangements are made in ad- vance with the different States where infestations exist. In general the field operations of the bureau, with the exception of the parasite and quarantine work, are conducted along the extreme border of in- festation, and the State work is carried on in the inside territory, which is infested more heavily. The places where colonies were discovered in previous years in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio were scouted thoroughly but during the winter no egg clusters were found. With the exception of one place at Mount Kisco, N. Y., which is in territory that is very difficult to handle, all the gipsy moths outside of New England apparently have been exterminated. The Mount Kisco place will require more work, and this is being done in cooperation with the State of New York. It probably will be necessary to make one more thorough examina- tion of all these outside places to make sure that no insects are present. QUARANTINE WorK.—The number of shipments of nursery stock, forest products, and Christmas trees and greens from the infested areas to points outside has increased materially. The demand for these products has been much greater than heretofore, and more than 42,0001 shipments have been inspected and certified. The percentage of gipsy-moth infestations found on these products was about the same as during the previous year, although a larger proportion of the shipments of Christmas trees and greens was found infested. The number of brown-tail moth webs obtained in this way was much less than the number reported during the previous year and showed a greatly decreased infestation. The inspection of trains at several of the principal junction points was continued, but only 78 brown- tail moths were destroyed on or in cars during the season. This number was so small that it has been deemed advisable to discontinue this kind of inspection during the coming year. SILVICULTURAL WorK.—The examination of the sample plats has been continued, and marked changes have been noted in most of these areas. This is an experiment, however, in which several years must elapse before definite results can be obtained. Reports have been prepared relative to the best method of handling certain types of woodland, and a careful study is being made of the cordwood market in New England for the purpose of determining, if possible, whether more cordwood can be disposed of to the advantage of the owner of moth-infested woodland. FE-XpERIMENTAL WoRK.—The experimental work has been continued along most of the lines previously reported. A careful investigation is being made of the gipsy moth as a cranberry pest and of the best methods for handling the insect under cranberry-bog conditions. It is found that this insect is capable of causing very serious injury to the cranberry crop, and although confined to a somewhat limited area the cranberry industry is of vital importance to the people living in that district. 1 July 1, 1916, to June 1, 1917. BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 229 Experiments relating to the spread of the gipsy-moth larvee by the wind have been continued, and many special tests have been made to determine the amount of spread in certain selected areas, as this information is very useful in planning the field work. Experiments with different materials for banding trees are under way and the new tree-banding material that is being used is the re- sult of some of the experimental work already conducted. The development and improvement of high-power spraying ma- chines has been given considerable attention, and the three new motor- truck sprayers recently acquired are a vast improvement oyer any of the spraying outfits used heretofore. Careful studies are being made of the means by which the female gipsy moth attracts the males, in order that this information may be used to advantage in the field work. The sense organs of the cater- pillars are being studied in connection with the tree-banding and other insecticide work in order that more knowledge may be obtained as to the exact effect of repellents in control work. A study of the increase or decrease of the gipsy moth in the field in selected localities has been continued, and special information as to the principal factors that bring about decrease in the field under normal conditions is being obtained. An investigation of the effects of temperature and humidity, both on the insects themselves and on the increase of their parasites and natural enemies, including dis- eases, is being continued. PARASITE AND DISEASE workK.—Careful studies are being made of the increase of the introduced parasites under field conditions in dif- ferent localities. All the species previously reported as having be- come established have been found to occur in greater numbers than ever before. Several species that previously were known to have established themselves but had not increased to any great extent have been found in considerable numbers. Among these should be men- tioned Blepharipa scutellata, one of the tachina-fly parasites of the gipsy moth, and two others, Parexorista cheloniae and Zygobothria nidicola, which attack the caterpillars of the brown-tail moth. The effect of parasites has been more noticeable than usual. Col- onization has been limited to a few species that have not become dis- tributed over the entire infested area. During the fall of 1916 more than 2,500,000 individuals of Schedius kuvanae were liberated, and in the spring of 1917 about 8,500,000 individuals of Anastatus bifasci- atus were colonized in the New England States. Of Apanteles mela- noscelis, 5,500 individuals have been colonized in the field. Work on the wilt disease of the gipsy moth has been continued both in the laboratory and in the field, and progress has been made in clearing up some of the obscure points concerning this organism. It has been shown conclusively that this disease may be distributed by insects whose habits bring them in contact with affected caterpillars. A new caterpillar disease of the gipsy moth is being studied sys- tematically and has proved to be very destructive to caterpillars under laboratory conditions. An attempt is being made to study its behavior under field conditions, and numerous experiments are being carried on to determine its value in this country. The disease is prevalent in Japan. 230 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. DECIDUOUS-FRUIT INSECT INVESTIGATIONS. Investigations of deciduous-fruit insects have been carried on under the direction of Dr. A. L. Quaintance, as formerly. AppLE tnsects.—The studies carried on during the past few years - on aphids affecting apples have been fairly well completed, and publications have been issued concerning the majority of them. The extensive tests for some time in progress in the use of certain poison- ous gases against the woolly aphis on the roots of orchard trees have been completed. Although several substances were found effective against the insects, more or less injury to the trees resulted in many cases. Further experimentation is planned with other fumigants. The life-history studies of the roundheaded apple-tree borer are well advanced. Field observations confirm the importance of the destruction of certain native forest shrubs in which this insert breeds principally. A related insect, the spotted apple-tree borer, has been found to be a serious enemy of apple trees in portions of Michigan. The codling-moth observations have been continued. Biological studies in the Grand Valley of Colorado, in cooperation with the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, have been completed. Experiments in orchards, to perfect a spraying schedule for Colorado conditions and to determine the value of sprays for the control of this insect in arid regions, are being continued. Further tests of the automatic codling-moth band trap mentioned in my last report indi- cate the usefulness of this apparatus as an adjunct in the control of the pest, especially in regions where the insect is excessively injuri- ous. Studies of this insect are being continued in the Pecos Valley in New Mexico, where a special effort is being made to determine the comparative effectiveness of dust and liquid sprays. Tests of poison dust compared with poison sprays are also in progress in the Shenan- doah Valley of Virginia. 7 GRAPE INSECTS.—A comparatively new grape pest has attracted attention in California, namely, the grapevine mealybug, and at the request of vineyardists a specific study of this insect has been begun at Fresno. Thorough investigation of the life history is in progress, and extensive tests of sprays and other remedies are under way. The large-scale spraying experiments against the grape-berry moth, im progress in vineyards in northern Ohio, in cooperation with the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, were completed successfully. They confirm the earlier results obtained at North East, Pa., which showed that this pest can be controlled by two thorough applications of arsenate of lead (preferably in Bordeaux mixture) made by the “trailer” method, the first immediately after the falling of the blos- soms and the second two weeks later. This is an important improve- ment over schedules requiring the late applications of sprays, which usually result in discolored fruit at picking time. SE ZF ‘FOL LI “ZE0‘9F0 ‘9% | SS "PEP ‘OFS "9S | 99 "SH6 ‘OEE 16 “628 ‘SSL OF “66 ‘069 '€% | LEF28 ‘6hP ‘HS | Eh '9F9 ‘69 SL "LSE ‘069 06911 ‘98h FZ | SOFT ‘LAT ‘SZ | ST “OE HP ZL TOO‘LTE‘T — | 6E"66Z “E86 ‘0B | IT LOE‘ZOF ‘ZZ | 22 °996 Lh 9€ “189 ‘Cor G6 “LOL ‘bZb “0% Se iry 288 (08 | 82 200 Rt 18 “686 ‘OIF SF ‘OLF FOL ‘OT | SE‘OTP ‘STI 'L iN CG "68S (908 6IS6T ‘248 ‘CT | FL FES ‘ECT ‘OT | $6668 ‘ZIT LE “O0E ‘ZF GZ OS (S6G (ZT | ZOOS ‘LEO "ST | £1 °S96 PLZ Og LST ‘00Z‘T | 89 "9EE 1618 IT 86 (220 610,81 | 22 200 9E8S 86 '6LT ‘961 86'6ZL/TF9'8 | 96°606(LE8°8 |r LE “¥L9 ‘SLE £2 "800 ‘FE0“L$ | Z9°e89"GOT“ZS J“ *1®I0.L £9 FT6 ‘098 ‘9 LI ‘QF ‘186 T 66 '999 £269 °9 16 ‘GES ‘E66 '9 0S '82€ ‘TSF ‘8 O1-e1T OPEL Tz “ZES ‘960 ‘F . ‘ a. ‘ 6L ‘82S ‘98 *F 68 ‘OFS ‘CTE “S 99 T6P ‘OTE ‘% 96 612 ‘666 ‘T 29 ‘ZF ‘LOZ ‘TS 00 000 ‘0F% ‘21 86126 ‘140 ‘9 GG °Z09 ‘P26 ‘9 LE “628 ‘ZF ‘9 89899 ‘625 ‘8 TT “G82 ‘20S °¢ 8Z E18 ‘OOF ‘2 CE “PLE ‘OBL F PL ‘82h 18h ‘F 29 ZTS (069 '& 86 E89 ‘OFT ‘E 96 612 ‘666 ‘T Z9 ZF ‘L0Z ‘TS Z9 FOP ESS 'S GE 6FO‘e8S ‘% ZB OGh LSp PS "EST “689 09°LP0 ‘949 , Cr SFO ‘698 ‘T 82,86 ‘208 €L “LUT ILPE 09 6h ‘E61 a6 F009 86 ‘6LT ‘96T LE FL9 ‘GLE 8 “LEE ‘G69 "12 89 ZEL ‘88E 102 ST “SLE ‘80F (61 OF T9L (166 (LT OF ‘SF ‘S00 ‘OT GS “026 ‘08S (ST BG CEO ‘FST ET LZ "816 (LP9 ‘ZT ree te 2 SS 612 ‘6 ZO ‘S¥8 ‘89S °6 20 OTS ‘989 69 £9 “G9g “9Z8 ‘Cg *pasimqsi(T *qow [IATO Arp -uns 9q} Jopun SuIpulq pus sul -yulid pur ‘sjoe petoods ‘sjoe peer ‘suol} -eridoidde penu -UG JUSUBUIOg “sjor JEMIO *popuodxouy) *posmmasicL 00 ‘ZS ‘86 ‘42 00 ‘BSL ‘TL6 (22 00 ‘GES ‘S98 “61 00 'SF6 ‘986 ‘LT 00 96F ‘TS9 '9T 00 ‘910 ‘006 ‘9T 00 989 (L8P ‘ST 00 "980 ‘S66 ‘21 00 “90T ‘229 ‘TT 00 062 'LhF 6 00 ‘0F6 (266 (6 00 069 ‘288 °9 00 ‘0F0 ‘206 “cS ‘peyeudoiddy qo" uolyerdoidde jeanynowsy [-@atsnpout ‘LT6T 04 SO6T Sead [eosTy] “rvod [BOST A ‘SUNLINOIYDV AO LNAWLUVdAd SALYLS GALINA AHL YOU SAONVIVA GAGNAAXANN GNY ‘SLNAWASHIESIC ‘SNOLLVIAdOUddY AO LNAWALVLS wl ed best ae & a = Ap ois ; nek < . = ha > SFres io: ce SSeS Te rl : = a bak Ledge peer fern Tao ticd Peay! ao), 7 ry 7 a ane +“ - abe Poel a Samet : f oa i a : Be ‘ . =| : ——= , oud — 3 : 7 ae se a : © ia 4 7 =] - j ving A Hi ae } SM ie Aes eA ; i , : F ~ 7 ) . Fa ; i an % ‘ = x aber bad tw Al 4 “age [> Va i a p 7 wi ¢ = j - “he Br ay hh aT , es ql be OM os ted Sheers ee Sg edo We 2 iach ; | P ee ee, # ’ ‘ - z f : & s t UTkobn teeny \ i § Le _~ “i RY: Pals rie hs al i ee ~~ : ae fi 1 one r ie | ~ Py Weis et ~ vat . ; loo i a? A 89 i : . 4 7 ; 75 th» 25 + J0).,08 if 7 " 4 bor a 4 ” ~ ap 7 ‘ 7 ‘ wh ; . r M a] . 1 ¥e ‘ 4 7 LPL oes) orem Tae a + . | uk 1 7 te ee 4 anv isnt as si am) Ob wT oat * i 7 rk — ene - “t Pa " be 4 fh i! ri oe ; aloe é _ .* ‘ ] : : » io — wi i A ~. ’ c ¢ 7 '? 7 a i) i + . N ‘ fi ‘ r REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. UnitTep States DEPARTMENT oF AGRICULTURE, Division OF PUBLICATIONS, Washington, D. C., September 20, 1917. Srr: I have the honor to submit herewith a report on the operations of the Division of Publications for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917. Respectfully, Jos. A. ARNOLD, Editor and Chief. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. SUMMARY. The new publication work of the year comprised 1,132 bulletins, reports, separates, periodicals, and miscellaneous documents, the editions of which aggregated 22,987,335 copies. Of this number 138 publications were ordered through the Weather Bureau and 994 through the Division of Publications. The total number of documents of all kinds aggregated 47,023,635 copies, of which 24,036,300 copies were reprints of earlier publications. he number of new department bulletins contributed by the various bureaus, divisions, and offices aggregated 172, of which 1,320,200 copies were ordered. he 12 department bulletins reprinted aggregated 57,500 copies. There were 84 new Farmers’ Bulletins, of which the editions ordered amounted to 4,515,000 copies, and reprints were ordered of 266 Farmers’ Bulletins, aggregating 17,507,500 copies. Thus the number of copies of Farmers’ Bulletins ordered reached the total of 22,022,500, exceeding the record for any previous year. Of the serial publications 11,072,100 copies were ordered. Of blanks, administrative orders, circular letters, notices, etc., cards, blank books, letterheads, posters, labels, maps, compilations, manuals, regulations, etc., the number of copies printed aggregated 61,170,713 copies, making the total amount of printed matter of every description 108,204,348 copies. 271 279 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. WORK OF THE YEAR, ALLOTMENTS AND EXPENDITURES. The appropriation for printing and binding was $600,000; the amount expended by the Weather Bureau was $34,999.16 and by this division $564,993.66, leaving a balance of $7.18. The number of requisitions on the Public Printer for printing and binding of every description aggregated 4,140, as compared with 4,010 issued during the preceding year. Of the department’s appropriation of $600,000 for printing and binding, not exceeding $177,500 was provided for Farmers’ Ballecae and not exceeding $47,000 for the Weather Bureau. The appropriation for salaries for the 178 employees of the Division of Publications was $177,400 and that for miscellaneous expenses $20,250. The actual expenditures of this division were as follows: Salaries of employees (all on statutory roll). .........-.----.---------- $172, 785, 81 Miscellaneous expenses for materials, supplies, etc........---..-------- 19, 688. 56 Motel Se ak aoe ae bon chye uy eicisle nis ia'sie. 2 oo eS SE RE toe Mee ee 192, 474. 37 EXPENDITURES FOR PRINTING AND BINDING. The aggregate expenditures from the regular appropriation for printing and binding were $599,992.82. The following statement shows the amounts expended, for the various classes of publications and the percentages of the total amount used for each class: Expenditures for printing and binding, by classes, und the percentage of the same to the total expenditures, 1917. Class. Amount. | Per cent. Manmers Bubletinss seis .tc)teewectees soe coach as eee as se ise gene's tense stasis Ne | $163, 529.98 27.26 Publications and department bulletins. cies sere 2,004, 21 1,199, 38 3,203. 59 Bureawiol Chemishpyse ces esa se eos oe a eeeainse a see seinen 3, 705, 82 9, 620, 48 13, 326,30 BureadioteHntOMOlOL Varese ceeian oceans ets eae Se ae eile atae 6, 046, 57 7, 670, 87 13, 717,44 StatesiRelationsiservicOs ccc cece. = 25-22.) seme nce see aceeeesnce ee] 10, 460. 20 41,215.40 | 51,675.60 — Bev Piseretenegcsteerea ot -y7osecegar ag rec aa ee 13, 055. 23 Wy, eet Z a oe ae = umber industry.......-------- Jesse sparse seonssicsnseeeesetelloe seen oa - 8.87 | 3 Tibrary: 6 os.: Desi Sony ae 5 ae ani a ee 8, 649,38 "58.14 | 8,707.52 MivisiomofPublicationslacscmenacas es jsseese seer e eee et ener emer lan COOKS 7 12,260.78 | 13,970.65 Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering.................--- | 1,420.87 10, 823,13 12, 244.00 Bureat.ol Soilsier sac cee mcem lem eielte wise sel wsiaeieeiseis = see sea eeiee : 44,036, 67 44,304, 64 Bureat of Crop Bstimatesec s25-5- 5252+ sssnce nose sce sete eeis esses , 478, 3: 23,299.30 | 33,777.63 ore of Seureeey Be iacce sacaeee oem na Seles cee aan cle actl slcseticists : & ie ie ur ; Hee Hy OSErVELUNG SC. sc ces sen ecen > s i Office of Solicitor. ............... 213,04 389, 92 Insecticide and Fungicide Board. 1, 244.72 1,460, 47 Federal Horticultural Board..-.... Office of Markets and Rural Organization 10, 505.05 15, 291.87 Officelof: Harm; Management ie soos cc ccc cao csesenecine esses sem sie 50. 3,553, 26 4,104, 16 AoriculturaleAtlas . 2b sec cists Scleie ocis cle wise os = wc wis cise oe siemens 65 505544 | asc-cteoascereite 6, 505, 44 Bureawlot Plantendustryce csc. tos noe cece cae cel aence se cee nee. 8,112, 40 20,154, 49 28, 266. 89 Wroathersburcallveronsccmisaceeen sansnece tescese esse ee eceee 14,327, 61 20,671.55 | 34,999.16 Motaltassssoceccespcles tetodesccicwicicectcinceickeesccsce cts Cat 119, 373,14 317,089.70 | 436,462, 84 Warmors?, BULLGtINS.<,.< scsae sesascis cecise cle w clesisie ss eatne ceteewis ese eaeeseiesenes cence eceeeeeeee 163, 529, 98 Grand total n-t ch see eee ceecs ae sace ce Seen ncaaeeecesee 119,373.14 | 317,089.70 | 599,992, 82 DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES FOR PRINTING AND BINDING BY CLASSES oF Work, FoR EacH BuREAU, DIVISION, AND OFFICE, 1917. The following tabular statement shows the actual expenditures for printing and binding on account of the various bureaus, divisions, and offices, chargeable against the regular appropriation of $600,000. The classes of work for which the expenditures were incurred and the amount or number of copies ordered are given. The expenditures include the final charges on work ordered in 1916 but not completed in that year and the first charges on work ordered in the fiscal year 1917 but completed only in part, the final charges for which will be defrayed from the appropriation for 1918. The copies given, there- fore, represent more nearly the number ordered than in every case the number actually received. The figures given in connection with the distribution of documents under the heading ‘‘ Document section” present more accurately the number of bulletins, documents, etc., actually received as well as distributed. “> ~ DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS, zo"sT9 ‘er =| ZOB‘SIS‘TE | c6"ERF “C6 | OOT‘ZLO“IT | os FS0'1s | oo‘F0‘Z | 86°6ZS‘E9T | 00S‘Zz0‘ZS | Z8°266 “66S | BFE‘FOS “BOT| "Te R101, 08 “IFT OU ZOE- "ie ak ca I Far tats a acelin aie | ec TRAY | eeolslig RSE SS SESE eS ee pieog epporszung pus aprorjoosu] F9 “CLL KOOSEBL: kgm: setae 8 | eae eee esl aL kee aap ake oor cl eemeceiee a4 9% ‘FS8 OP ONE T Cameag aes sin ccisrisna sjUNMIOSINGSIG] puw S}UNODOY JO WOISTATC, TL ‘899 £0 ‘6% F690 OTe | QO0SPR ito ae ae ee 00'PFZ ‘zt | sse"6s9 fn SupVoUIsUg [VINY Pue spvoy [GN JO eWO 68 "ELE 960 £896 9€ “G08 OO2T of This ies aes teen eeee-c TGGaeUC so, yIROOS OSs Irom ite ac Unt yn gt ce tot Aoaing [eolsoporg Jo nvemg OL °S#9 OOP OCG ee ttn eas oa ee ee UNE ell ieee On alee Sab 8 Soa nee 6L ‘18% ‘S CAO SOOO he lnc ecg oni: Mae eo aha preog [Bin}[Nor}loyy [V1opay 9G “ZS ‘T OCR fOO0 Dill taasamacscelnres ae = sINcGuGROLOn MINOCG.Gcr. | |\tannyoecrts diterueenaas cea |pLSnL0G, 01 el glLusLCC. 6) lee cements as UOTVZURSICO [RAINY PUP SjoyxIV JO YO OT “L6¢ Sri Rin Tent ip rie IOOLT G: Ca Rea nOGOG: oltatteer"t "Saleen ages 1G OLG SL, W\G0Rs060 O | Tait efi) ieee SUOT}BITTGN JO WOTSTATCL 19 ‘991 CGE Tene eens oe [nar or aos (ae sce perc nega ie ciel po oe il peemapeme ace | CM EADe Sie y [URal GLO) We nlioe | cab On abies SRO ay cae ie Arviqry OL F6E PETC ee | RCS SI Ug 0 mx ee CHT Wem fa aaa ame el br 1 Yn a ag A sorr-7--£Z0f0MI0JU Jo nveIng 60 ‘OLF ‘T GVGtHROM llgetsen 2s iane="==""" | Ep OPE se | ONC. 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HI O0CHO9G 9, lice eee ay | keene Ged g C9:2.9519 7 | (809.906) Ole Imaenin aac ccmemRmn Nn Ccen in “@OTAIOS SUOTILISY S2}21S 82°02 ‘01 | 008‘8c0f0T | SF°68T“L | 000°6T OOPGSO EL) |RGPGALT 2 scree: o 22 laa to ee OISGGOLr Sim |B LEO cSHas Ola | hua emanate ice cis iy ia ilgili Pe allel neomMg IaqIBo AA VARTA ye CU ats naan ieee gt peieee| be ane SPL TRCSGNGE ee MOOG ROG shale emma cece || amin etna et PALER TLE EUS OBE | Poe eae Soe Sera ere ;Aujsnpuy [euruy Jo neomea F8 ‘8h 0005 SC fi et semaine eth | basanites TL CLT OOO (6b is Salieees eS Sool es ee POLVOGsT eas | NOOO KOGE Mian lees nunca se cecan tn ae aN ot imei sfog Jo nvomng 40 °StI% OO 06 8 |-\"es ee a |) a te @L"919IT | 000°6I8 = |--" 7 espa ain se eee GIN Ag Ain RCSA AC ig aka es eae sh a Aujsnpuy jue Jo nvoing LL'¥€ O00 fLEG To: lier Sima lea “""| $8 OT COGS 4 ibssen: co clan es ae 6 “688 ROTO Tay tee cade eee Bi aoe eoue tor ee JOPOT[OS JO 9OUFO Teale anion sain nim niwinelsieeir in| rem erm ame ecmcciccece|pemem=nencnc| access noo scciccc>cinces|-seracrscislppscGa9 0G2 ‘6T (III eee sganny pemnamopsy FE ‘SII UTE 2 RC Wa ese as Amid OCRIZ TCE | (COOXOLUR | A |iagnes see nralleeeaee cea Soneaanss | OIGy, | PeR SSP ORSSEE ecerere Raia juomMeseUBW, WIR JO PWO ACE AR at ea aR lL tee gocaiss “| 16 °0S6$ (COOS00 Tame pecker rina len Ser S OY TEV Shoe || 009-800 -5-0 |cagni ae: Seley i ae acacia Soke 27" puny 9A.10S9Y Oo 'FLF ‘es | 00L ‘EF ‘S | FF '86E “GFE FOR L CON Nr tees” ia demnceeerge ae 86 "6z¢ ‘E9T$| 009‘2Z0'Z% | 89 ‘08S “FSZS] BST ‘9ZO "PE J---- ~***"£1B}90I09§ JO 9OTFO “4S0Q ‘serdog “4s09 ‘sordog *4s09 ‘serdog “4s09 ‘serdog “4s09 ‘serdog 7 *goTgO JO ‘WOISTAIP ‘neem g | F | *“suor} ‘surye quourjied ; a SMO MUKE | -eonqndyexpoueg | -eppuesuoreonang | STenE somes OL “LI6I ‘Og aung pepua sveh yoosyf ay) sof (saafo pun ‘suoisarp ‘snvesng fig pebuviin) burpurg pun buyuiud sof sasnpipuedaxa parfissn),) ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 276 Sct ‘oce ‘zt | o8-sez‘69 | Ler ‘T0Z *ponutyu0j—z76r 8L SCL ‘IT OOF 6996 | 86°%2S‘9T | 6FZ‘TS 99 126 ‘GZ _ | 982 ‘StL‘S | TE‘Z0e ‘SF £8 99 00¢ ‘0g pasion ce OF “GES ‘T 100 ‘19 0g "98 O0O;E Cite asec Mies | ee Le 1Z°8 00 ‘T 98 "86z OSS ‘821 L0°LE1 16 16 ‘TI 090 ‘ET OF *Z6G 106 ‘F 69 °C2S 008 ‘EFT &o °F 91% GL ‘LIT OOT “ZT 16 9% T0S ‘F% €% 89 0s ‘8T OT “€8 ite ee. |e apes easier 7°"! OF BGS ‘T 109 ‘S0T Z6 ‘LES 000 ‘Zz GO "Lee 00% LL “E88 000 ‘2¢ OI 668 10¢ ‘E0T OF “cg CLS ‘8&6 82 °LL 80T 9€ “89 ‘L 000 ‘eT ‘¢ | oc FF 100 “CT 98 "698 ‘T 002 ‘ee €2°F66'9 | OF6 “CT OE eae a a Cer I €h FES OOF ‘Z2T Ze FST SZ ‘T GL “S80 ‘T 009 ‘Tr FI ‘IT 100 ‘0% GF “9S 008 ‘G6 FE “88h LeL 81 06 000 ‘9 6L “208 ‘9 108 ‘08 6L ‘89T 00¢ ‘TST GO "6% CT TE “£69 000 ‘0¢ 66 “&GF T0¢ ‘ce OF “TS3 ‘T 008 ‘Eh¢ ZS “80L ‘T 928 ‘8 86 “LIS 00 GE £9 FRI 'T 100 “SOT 69 ‘9ST ‘8 OST ‘FI9‘E | 82°286‘T PPE Z LL ‘863 ‘G 00F £09 0008 ‘FT | TO8 ‘e99 ‘Ee £1 6S 000 ‘9 G8 “CLL SG 993 ‘G #8 “LIE ‘T (ates | PEabeecous pil ec gs ae FF 'Z88 00L ‘ST ‘T | 10 #6 189 69 “GOL 000 96 CE “0ST ‘¢ 188 ‘900 ‘¢ C018 000 ‘CT 18°88 €20 ‘T GP 6SE 009 £2 I¢'T T SF LL ‘T Osh ‘L1F‘T | 86 °9T0‘T T6I ‘9T LI '€L18 ‘F OOF ‘OFT 68 “09¢ *E T0l ‘FF 08 ‘FZ 00S ‘ST 69 “6 OF0 Cues Sec ssescss's|reccnes ceo >| S2 (Pir 000 ¢% ¢9 IT OOO ST a eceses oO oe pesmi Fae ya i 00g ‘2 82 '9ZZ 100 ‘8 Saran ane a ay a | aes als S| neetats sisisiels |oisinis.sisisinisisiels|| sisie\siziz srinsi=| 2 ORSCO eT 000 ‘8¢9 19 ‘28S CaF ‘98 OT ‘98F$ £08 ‘0Z LL9IL‘T$ | 920‘TS GE"ST8‘8$ | LoS “6EF 'T “4809 ‘sordog “4809 *sordog “4809 *serdog “4S09 *sordog ote ; 049 ‘S014 : : ‘sjotydured paisq -ou “SMOTSTOEp ‘SIep10 Spike XSPUT suypurd -uinuun pue soyeredeg | ‘srepnoso Bieatl -UIWIpe snosuey][oostyq 9% “ZI 20S % 60 °9T rata 29 ‘6F 20S £8 “6F Z00 00 ‘Te Z06 §% 99 ‘GET COS 6 88 “9IT 20S ‘T €9 9¢ ZO £6 "19 £06 ‘T 68 TS raving r6 “TE GOS £5 ‘91% £08 ‘% 80 “186 ‘T GOS ‘E £9 ‘SLT F 600 ‘T 9L ‘GES £0 1% ‘FOL GOS ‘ZT IF “Sg Z00 ‘% 99 “FE GOS % 1eI0L, SODoIEORO sortteeses""nIvog eppisung pus eproroesuy eraisa20t “-"**"s]UeTIESINGSsIGT PU S}UNODDY Jo UOISTATG PETOIGSOS SULIIUISUG [VINNY PUB SpLoY oqQng Jo xgIO woe cece wc en ecw ecenwececs AGAIN [eoIsOpOrg Jo nvaing, See eee pivog [eingpndo14.10 FL [elopa cecceeee “*"" GOIBZIURZIO [PINY pue SjoyIV JO vdyZO ciseeicte Sounesocs ~“SUOr}eoITGNg JO UOISTAT. PEGOCSCOGSC SRELOES SOOO Syd (0) a settee teeter eee eee eee “-7-"-*-Z0jom0jUG Jo neomg ssecccce CRORES CB DE COGS RAESISOOSO SAW TS Le1i218 O)) (OVER NAAN S | settee eee eee eee eee “oro "sajemrysy do19 Jo nvamg weet e ee ee cee eee eee ee nee BEEDEDOGISON OO a] Uiays|O sei ny seeeeeeee rotors scesoscceccss = -SOTAIOS SUOI}R[OY S9}VIG siseieis ieee leiamsia.e so cmrge oC es NGoltl aqrarou leo AA ee cee e eee cee e scores" AIQSnpuy [euruy Jo nvamg ween ee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee ee “=""""=""sTrog JO nveing cette eee eee eee ee eee eee eee Aqysnpuy Juelg Jo nvang vente eee eee eee teen cece eee tee eet JOATOITOS JO soIO rree reser sree ce se eee c ccc cee JUIMIOSVUB UI JO VIO weer ee eee eee BOCPR CPR ECHOODOOFN ay 01 db CGV bs U wise elseieisisien rrotrereccceoeseeseeeoefTB197908 JO VIO “e0Wgo Jo ‘UOISTAIp ‘neomng ‘0 aun papua avah poosif ay? sof (saoiffo pun ‘suoisiaip ‘snveung fig pabuvsso) Bupurg puo buyurid sof saanqipuadza payiss) 277 UBLICATIONS. P I" 18) DIVISION -yuouryredap oy} Joy Surpurqg pus JurjUrAd Joy sanqyIpmodxo [B07 OY} MOS 07 JOpsO UI ‘pepnpour St ‘FOAOMOY ‘NBeIN 4eBY} Joy SamMjppuodxe oy} JO JUOMIDIEIS Y “NvIINg, IOYIVIA O[} OJ uorjeridoidde oy} Jo uorstAdodns oAvy JOU Soop SUOT}RII[GNg JO WOISTAIG: OUL—ALON QE, 0 weneeeesscteesesteecseseeseeeceeeecsceeseeseeeesseeeessaeeessee ees 28 266 ‘668 ——————— 86 "62° ‘E9T Serre eee eee ee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee ee ee ee) er ee es ee es FS ‘ZOF “OEFS Serre eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee sees es esses ese sess eseeesesesseseseesesesesesaseee = 00 000 ‘000s Tree ee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee ee ee Terre eee eee) wee eeee weet e eet wee eee eens eee eet ee 06 “IT pee | es "C6 ose ‘Ize | ¢F's9z‘e | o00'TS | OL 910 9%) BIZ ‘T69‘S | 8E°26L‘OT| 009‘ZFS‘8 | Gz °9G9 ‘OT! STO ‘OSF wee e ec ee ele eee eer ees ese ese sseeisscese wee lee meee eee else ere eesee 08 °% 0Z ZLal 000 ‘OT eee ee eee ee wee eee cees [ieee abn sac abe eae [eae oud eee ok Re 0¢'T ZI 9% “9 000 ‘OT ee ee ee peas la aparece elmore eee Aes oh: ole ca oe Bene Se. 908 £8 8 'L1Z =| 000 ‘0ST 66 "69 00L wee ween eee boca aed eae cre Tass Peters Pak [ar reas hee a PP LEL I@l 8 99 “GOP 000 ‘008 eee ewe ele ee eee eee es as seer | carne ae ee ee ee es Ie ‘SST C10 ‘OFT £0°LL 000 ‘OF ee eee ee Da ieee Le aa ee Pade Mee ACR as Bo clon passe NL BLE 0S0 ‘28 8F ‘196 ‘T | 000‘00F ‘I | 86°66 00¢ ‘Z es se ree Mae SiaRCR eee MeR|ER ET soo alex eee eek | Seer og 19 ‘8ST 000 ‘0ST 09°91 00T were tr ewene \c aoe aia Pa CURT |i renee Nl aoe oa. | sea eS 88° cl 4 Of “9 000 ‘OT ee ee ee ee gees ween gates goalless ole ae eae ciihes oe | ee --7"| $C StL ‘b | O6F ‘ZS8 €1'01Z | 009 ‘eet OF 688 | 000°9 06 ‘IIS | o00‘z SES? ad | Reape 61 FE 000 ‘T 6L ‘ZET LPT ‘881 SF £00‘T | 000‘800‘T | 08 °L0F 166 5 eae laaaecaieten | Secc wahe ccs Rens LIRe esl ak cee.s alle se ecce a SESSLS, 820 ‘F LZRGRO KGa OOS LTS ie Tags | menace en | teeamene ne Tah aae ee 12 aoe a ae ete es 68 160 ‘% | 006 ‘FF Le "896 009 ‘66 10 °S0¢ 000 ‘248 21 9¢8 ‘% | 096 ‘88 Raa a Aaa Fg ae | Dea ah aa ii dW cca 162 ‘6IT Ce “86% 000 ‘168 80 "289 °S | 8hZ ‘908 acs )° =“ STOR TO MGAING aren eae pee ae Re ~- AISNpUyT Jury Jo nvomng sectceceee Se ao gas aaa COT TOLOR 50.00 NI0) aletais[s)alatele\ainisiuletalete!a\stalnlalelataiars SelYV yeanqjnonisy ed Sireiee Sie stew ciatels “o**""QuomeseUBW Ue JO yO wwcccecicecsvesniae SAISESOOCRGIOO oo 4901 OAIOSOY eect ewe eee eee ee eees seeeee >-***47B49I00g JO vTO “00 10 ‘MOISTAIp ‘neeIng 278 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. STATISTICS OF PUBLICATION WorRK. The following statement shows the contributions of new publica- tions to the departmental series of bulletins and the Farmers’ Bulle- tins series by the various bureaus, divisions, and offices. Contributions by the various bureaus, divisions, and offices to the a acti series of bulletins and to the Farmers’ Bulletin series issued during the year. New department New Farmers’ Bul- bulletins. letins. Bureau, division, or office. | Number.| Copies. |Number.| Copies. Bureaw of Animal INGustyyi cent «5 01c< sole ce sss once sie 8 38, 000 17 810, 000 Bureau of Biologicalisurveye cose os -e4-ces ~ceseceeee sass 2 10, 000 6 275, 000 iBureawW Of Chomistryaaees seen ce saaecsaac sete eee seaeenee 8 33; 0002 | oo Joce'e Gramsifor the Dry Wands of Central!Oregon. «5... 2 eect wine cae wens oe ee ose oeieoner 30, 000 SOlsi Pp Mites andulaicojon: Poultry: < se << seeine ces eieie delosieis lsinin.leisie ecicinisnie todas = face eee eee 20, 000 803: Hlorse-Breeding Suggestions for Warmers). co. cccccenacss soa scse cece coe sess ceeeneseene 20, 000 804 | Aphids Injurious to Orchard Fruits, Currant, Gooseberry, and Grape.........-.-..-- 20, 000 806 | Standard Varieties of Chickens: I. The American Class. ................-.---.-------- 30, 000 807: |eBread-and. Bread Makimpeossioii.7 22528 LE, tee ce Sn PA esos | 180, 000 808 | How. to Select Foods: I. What the Body Needs... ~ 2a. c..3- cnc nneiceee ee occ ce cee cence 90, 000 809 | Marketing Live Stock in the South: Suggestions for Improvement 30, 000 810} Equipment ifor}Farm|Sheep'Raising! 222.2. ssckicc ce see daen ce seo eee ee ese 30, 000 Sh |)he Production of -Baby.ibeel-2-.- 2-2 -5en+ coseee sence ese ac conga ce seca 30, 000 812 | How Live Stock is Handled in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky 5 30, 000 $14) Bermudas ‘Grass $.:sscjomcisers Seieeesint swewreysiesie sok Saleae t seielos cigars clos ee ge oon cea etoreee 30, 000 816) MinorArticlesiof Harm HQuipment:.qcceecccs sccct acee cetines cece ewe eee eee 20, 000 S17; || low toiSelect, Foods: (Tl. Cerealioodss . . cst ccasthac ca- de sesnwntc-ees- donkieeanensces 50, 000 8187| The Small Vegetable Garden: ® <2ic/s acc ciciswcwiciice sesisweisisomicise seeewciictecien wie sees 150, 000 S20NES weet Clover: Utilization = 2 cc josceseose cece semnes nee cees Mes alocee cee nes ee ceemees 30, 000 S215 VVatermelon: Diseases cc.ccce see Jnccacescaccne obec eeeen eae eee ae eee ee ee eee 20, 000 822) Wive-Stock Classifications’ atiCounty: Pairs.) so. pees ence ane wne enews scene ceeeeee | 20,000 DIVISION Ol’ PUBLICATIONS, 281 List of new Farmers’ Bulletins issued during the year ended June 80, 1917, with the size of the first editions—Continued. No. of , bulle- Title. Copies. tin. MEST PAL =F OOUISINILD ole claraieetcteracie asierainiaoisisie siaiaie (ela sivie ais loieisia sie}stermesre sim 30, 000 S2ialssnaluconweyptian Wheat. cc ceccc- = 20 snk wine cejnc-s oticiseisies 30, 000 835 | How to Detect Outbreaks of Insects and Save the Grain Crops 20, 000 838 | Harvesting Hay with the Sweep-Rake: A Means by Which Eastern Hay-Growers Marys Save Tua bOr bee eee 68, 300 AST. Gheeses Hconomicals Usenet heriete eee. ar see eee 101, 640 521. Canning Tomatoes: Home and Club Work......-......-.....--- 147, 275 530. 1Stigarand TtsvValueas Pood... aa .1fsciciciet Ses Sees: Bee 34, 375 bGateCorn Mcal (as oad = ae.c erche:ataersee Se ers a piece eee 130, 475 653.. Honey and. lts,Use in the Home: .onc6 4s 5562 fae 2 ieee pane ci ee 50, 250 (U2 Schoo Misum ches wees ae eee ete eee oon. ee caer e es 125, 675 ili. Rood for Young Children {7 AUit.. Sie se 8. Se) Eee 353, 515 771. Homemade Fireless Cookers and Their Use in the Home. ....... 88, 050 S07, ‘Bread andsBreadMakinesso/ 3.3405. ee otis sae oe tee tg 5 ipa 130, 000 808. How to Select Foods: I. What the Body Needs............-...- 90, 000 817. How to Select Foods: II. Cereal Brestast Hoods sath tee ee 38, 441 818. The Small Vegetable Garden. . 20a. At Oe ai aa 1, 000, 000 839. Canning Vegetables and Fruits by the One-Period Cold-Pack IMIG BO ke acer teke cere cole tok ete rere ea ee ee 173, 315 841. Drying Fruits and Vegetables in the Home and Recipes for COOKING resis Voi nike seks roe abn eeie ete Cees ee eee 149, 772 Totals: = 4, SSE NEES Herre aE RO eee PENA 7 Oks SR MS 4, 355, 543 EMERGENCY CIRCULARS AND POSTERS. In addition to its regular bulletins, the department published five pamphlets under the title of ‘Food Thrift Series,’ dealing with the use of various foods and also other circulars relating to the necessity of increased production of crops and the conservation of food, as shown by the following statement: CIRCULARS. Copies. President’s Appeal.......... ET oe ee ee Some ener 505, 000 Program of Food Production and Conservation......................-..2-- 60, 000 Backyard donliryerhet. so\4.\ ence Ieee eee ies lies). cee eee eee ee eae 20, 000 HoodethriftySeriesiNo sell... ster. 2 cee ce, Flat Neue eae pe Le tes eee 225, 000 HoodthriftiSerteseNo: 22255 sc nese oo ee eee Fo: & EAE, PO a Sie et oe 195, 000 ROOG RD TIES CHT S IN Oe Gey cote xso eps eres) reo aeon ere tee ee 55, 000 Food Thrift Series No. 4..... Ra Hap NA te, peta sys ME ihe) ley aici, <5 seals Ser a 50, 000 Hood ZRbrittis eries ING totaeer eee eee aoe ee ne Eee 150, 000 Food’ Production Plan Submutted to the Senate:..-.-.-.2.-4e-.0. eee eee 30, 000 Hood Crops: Must. be Increased... 22 2c. Jsncse eae ss errr oe eee 180, 000 Conserve Foods: Begin Now................--- LHSUAD. GOT - SRLS. BGR: 100, 000 Appealisto;W omen... .jacesa- tom «as dopts ee Oe ae eaeeeneer et eee 50, 000 DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 2838 POSTERS. The department utilized many posters in its campaign for food production and conservation. Most of these were prepared jointly by the bureaus interested and the Office of Information. ‘The number of copies distributed is shown below: Copies anmens se Ousewiivess Child rena yc. cconeac - ciecieicminieic doancieccleeehesecsnee 300, 000 Pee DOA CO MATRICE PAtLIOUS st tow scar cose \-- <--cit ac nee qcem sega sane 254, 500 UTE LE CELTO antec i Jae 8 cee foetal eee SRE 6 Re ea gee ie ER 8 210, 000 Le angie! CLM Set Br dans Ge tt CSIRO ENC So CIEE ter Enon a ES ag ae 70, 000 Cultivate Your Corn............ Ree eee Pie ment Ne Se toscana icxcgeee Siayete 150, 000 How Much Turpentine Are You Wasting:......-.----<-.s+--c-esscnceecs 2, 500 SEER M IS CULCl MLOMIN Sree ee Aerie ae cae cate ce ac ocjrc cn sjee ee dee 2, 500 OOELS PRP ENACT ET ete Het fo Bia ie ia i ene ae i NE 300, 000 NSD IO LACT eA oo Sac tSe ars Hehe cris eae eee ee eo ne ac i Aaa 100, 000 DEM ln pA tle AAA EIR Tae BA SS emt ee elds OAL thy 1, 389, 500 Both the special circulars and posters were distributed principally through the department’s county agents, directors of extension work, and other agents and correspondents. Distribution was also made to official associations, war councils, civic organizations, and to patri- otic clubs in all parts of the United States. A grand total of 7,385,043 bulletins, emergency circulars, and posters was distributed in this campaign up to the close of the fiscal year. PUBLICATION WORK OF THE WEATHER BUREAU. In addition to the appropriation of not to exceed $47,000 for rinting contained in the general ee bill, the Weather Bureau tad “$14,000 for maintenance of a printing office in the city of Washington for the printing of weather maps, bulletins, circulars, forms, and other publications,” and an appropriation for the pay of foremen, lithographers, pressmen, compositors, folders, and dectlis for the printing of Weather Bureau publications that, in the judg- ment of the Secretary of Agriculture, can not be done at the Govern- ment Printing Office without impairing the service of the bureau. None of this work is under the supervision of this division, but under the direction of the chief of printing division of the Weather Bureau. This official, as usual, has kindly furnished the following summary of the publication work of the bureau for the year: PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS. The daily, weekly, and monthly issues of periodical publications at the close of the fiscal year were as follows: Copies per issue. MEIN CALHEr Ke VICW 222) er. 2 osc Sse SSeS Seas CUR ee ele hee veple 1,475 Monthly Climatological Data for the United States.......................---- 310 Washington Weather Map, Ist edition, daily except Sundays and holidays.... 850 Washington Weather Map, 2d edition, daily except Sundays and holidays. .... 385 Washington Weather Map, Sundays and holidays.................--..-.------ 475 National Weather and Crop Bulletin (weekly from April to September, monthly REECOC TOWEL LOsMArCh)). £222 TALIM IIS tars et, os). ES erctrcesni Age a the wewse ote 4, 200 Snow and Ice Bulletin (weekly during the winter). .....................---- 1, 210 Forecast cards (daily except Sundays and holidays). ..............--.-..---- 1, 570 VUE E ELRG STSIRE CTS ASIA ae te Re Rg ope 2 a eae See 875 Monthly Meteorological Summary for Washington, D. C................---.-.- 250 984 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. NEW PUBLICATIONS. The following is a list of the principal nonperiodical publications issued during the year: Daily River Stages at River Gage Stations on the Principal Rivers of the United States, for the Year 1915. Vol. XIII. 176 pages. Weather Code, for the Transmission of Meteorological Observations. Revised edition, 1916. 100 pages. Weather Forecasting in the United States. 370 pages, illus., charts. Aerology No. 1. 67 pages, illus. Supplement No. 3, Monthly Weather Review. Instructions for the Management and Care of Storm Warning Stations. 26 pages. Weather Forecasting, with Introductory Note on Atmospherics. Bulletin No. 42, second edition. 37 pages. Annual Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau, 1915-1916. 282 pages, charts. Description of Cloud Forms. Revised edition. 1 sheet, illus. Types of Anticyclones of the United States and Their Average Movements. 25 pages, illus., charts. Supplement No. 4, Monthly Weather Review. Aerology No. 2. 59 pages, illus. Supplement No. 5, Monthly Weather Review. Weather Code for West Indian and Caribbean Sea Observers. 32 pages. Relative Humidities and Vapor Pressures over the United States, including a Discussion of Data from Recording Hair Hygrometers. 61 pages, illus., charts. Supplement No. 6, Monthly Weather Review. The Daily Weather Map, with explanation. 8 pages, 4 charts. SALES OF DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS. There is a steadily increasing willingness on the part of the public to purchase publications of the Superintendent of Documents, Gov- ernment Printing Office, at the price affixed by him under the law. According to this official the sales of publications of this department for the year aggregated 364,100 copies, for which he received $26,241.69. The sales of department bulletins for the last eight years and the amounts received are shown. in the following table: Department publications sold by the Superintendent of Documents. = Number | Amount Tac Number} Amount Year. of copies. | received. Year. ol copies. | received. eles i ll I|_ - —— ‘ramen aa Renee ae ears 147,327 | $18,398.18 || 1914.........--.-------0----- | 931,821 | $21,708. 76 ist et ties igteae ts ISB, B77) 4S 687. 17'|| TONE: tia) Lee melee 335, 863 | 23,011.10 TY ehaeie ce Gane Gainey 3 oie 171,866 | 16,498.07 || 1916.:..-./...cc.cdcccccec. | 327,381 | 22,977. 84 OTR Meecee cee encen ce aes 183,139 | 17,885. 40 J) Oe Cer ohare toler iclainycieicicle/steloieia taint | 364, 100 26, 241. 69 The publications sent out by the Superintendent of Documents on paid subscription lists were as follows: Copies. Joumak of'Nericulturalidesearch...0gi/e. VAs sh. 3s EAD 14, 348 Experiment Station Record..............-. feiss seek. ado ae. te ae 8, 428 Bureau of Animal Industry Service and Regulatory Announcements. .....-- 350 Monthly Weather Review.........-- Side ote coacueees eo Late eee eee 1, 363 Wieekly News Lettetasic-. sc. ses eeeee 1, 978, 000 Bo 21] es Sl ee ears ony SS SEE Re oh Me The a ar RE Ae, oA 6, 345, 931 (C) Separated: Farmers’ Bulletin ists, seneral 22-55. are nee ee eee 2, 500, 000 (D) Wrapped: VGarbookssas. Asc se npae iss eis oS ee isle ce cet rae orece ie ates oe teteteeeretetetee 2, 000 Field Operations, Bureau of Soils— MAPS fol tas osc ws Rees Shh Shots Seti oeurntmiesiae ine stan tioeeee 300 ATLONGES Se eee Re tate hh Pee lata ale ees) rare ia ne os ote ee Sree 300 Annual Reports, Department of Agriculture.................--.--- 100 Miscellaneous returned bound volumes...........-..------------- 750 POSbETSS Poo bom Seis wire wie seers oa SSeS Sai IRS eA ee oe eee 675, 000 Totalecs ie ve ics Sac sey se Se ee a Aenra es ects 678, 450 DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS, 293 (E) Stuffed and sealed: Copies. AUWCUS EL VOR, 2 a eo eee 88, 500 WV Comite WR MEM OGIOE ccc cna ca dccc. sae 5 = acc sais ae aepecaane ce oa 1, 426, 500 EUSP Rea TSE ee eaictee aiinte etal a Seats Sealers ato a a od aoe rateiv = aielata diag aie. 108, 000 PneeP hle pect ste cia sm aia ott arc apes o's 0.0 im ord icra s Alntaeimnatea eter 1, 219, 823 Marenicnsias Her SCNeEMG ste oes oe 2 eek ecco cannes 954, 878 Monthly Lists of Station Publications... ..............2-.scesienene 15, 600 O10 Gham (8) CLS UR A 3 ee ee: See ae ae Se 63, 200 Pemety Ne tOnmiser. . . 5ac casicalec\elm aise cejs\e sce Seawieccacine 3,178 694 14 55 59 IBHFeAOMGrOp TE StIMALOS us aae ae acess ee ees | Packages to which postage was affixed.........-.....-... 73, 201 26, 357 | 4 2,108 58 Packages sent through the International Exchange, Smithsonian Institution! 2222 sc es nec wlecws= cee 6, 205 3, 166 8 (4) () Granuitotalins eee ee eet no ee eat 79,406 | 29,523 | 12| 2,266 ol 1The Smithsonian Institution is reimbursed from the department’s contingent fund at the rate of 5 cents per pound. REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. Unrrep States DepartMENT or AGRICULTURE, ; Bureau or Crop Estimates, ; Washington, D. C., September 19, 1917. Sm: I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the Bureau of Crop Estimates for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917. Respectfully, Lron M. Esrasroox, Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. PERSONNEL. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917, the total number of permanent salaried employees in the Bureau of Crop Estimates was 165, of whom 112 were stationed in Washington, D. C., and 53 sta- tioned in the field. In addition to the regular force in the Wash- ington office it was found necessary to employ from 7 to 14 tempo- rary clerks and skilled laborers for all or a portion of the year in order to handle the greatly increased volume of work, the number of schedules mailed and sorted having increased from 1,405,274 for the fiscal year 1916 to 2,056,420 for the fiscal year 1917, or an increase of 46.3 per cent. Correspondence and other clerical work increased in about the same proportion. : The total number of voluntary crop reporters and special corre- spondents who served without compensation was approximately as follows: PRowwm Shines a ees Pi te ee ras Bysteteh o|| ml Loy eel Koy eee tee Se, See See Ot PD 4, 067 Countyers tee els ee 2 (oul Pecan te seen th tae SA ere Tie 4,351 County aids (estimated)_-__ 5,586 | Comparative price___________ 796 eld ang Sees er st Ti ee 1), S4on | SOOM COnMse as eet en nke 1, 040 Speciale price 22. it seer r ee GF OSI | MIGivier Stocks * Os Loay yi. poeenieew 10. 860 Ja\]0) 0) ey (SOS Oe DOE RS eee 8, 238 | Mills and elevators__________ Soo Cotton crop specialist________ Soir) Individual’ fannie sent Pes 33, 548 Individual farm, cotton______ SyODan |e Maplersintp =) a ee eee 1, 716 Specialucottone = eo 5,464 | Truck crop specialist________ 8, 746 SITCE I ee eR Ee 6, 445 - | BYsyeye = pe peares Bek ESR L ELS eee ee 3, 995 ANG] RNISSEECSS 6s URREES Eb SES Sg 174, 103 C@raTib GL inygsetts sae fey ee ah 365 295 296 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. The administrative office of the bureau, under the direct super- vision of the chief of bureau, the assistant chief of bureau, and the chief clerk, effected various improvements in methods of filing bureau records, keeping account of bureau finances and property, and in supervising and facilitating the work of the office and field force, as well as directing activities of the bureau and looking after the in- creased volume of correspondence. The records show a large increase in the amount of work performed in the oflice of the chief clerk and by the bureau as a whole. In the multigraph section there was an increase of 22.6 per cent in the number of jobs handled on the multigraph and mimeograph ma- chines, 20.8 per cent in the number of copies run, 113 per cent in the number of copies folded, and 108 per cent in the number of lines printed, over the fiscal year 1916. For the truck crop section alone there was an increase of 36 per cent in the number of copies printed and folded during 1917 over 1916. The increase in the duplicating work is significant when it is remembered that several of the field agents have been supplied with mimeograph machines and now do their own form-letter work. The increase in the activities of the bureau is reflected especially in the number of envelopes used, the increase in 1917 over 1916 being approximately 65 per cent. Additional field men have been employed, and those already in the service have enlarged the scope of their investigations, all of which has greatly augmented the work of the accounting, supply, and multigraph sections. The work in the supply section has in- creased to such an extent that the appointment of an additional laborer is recommended. In the accounting section the number of clerks is one less than it was three years ago. During the fiscal year just closed preliminary steps were taken largely to increase the mechanical equipment of the bureau. When completed the bureau will be in a much better position to cope with the rapidly increasing volume of mail entailed by the widening scope of the bureau’s investigations. Because of growth in force, equipment, and volume of business, the bureau is badly handicapped by lack of sufficient space. DIVISION OF CROP REPORTS. The work of the Division of Crop Reports, under the direct supervision of Mr. Edward Crane, chief of division, increased nearly 50 per cent during the fiscal year 1917, the total number of schedules and circulars handled by the division exceeding 2,000,000. This increase was largely due to the rapid growth of the truck crop investigations and to numerous special inquiries relating to minor crops and to particular phases of staple-crop and live-stock produc- tion. The work of this division consists mainly in the preparation of crop schedules several months in advance of their use, the mailing out of schedules to the field agents and voluntary crop re- porters, the opening, sorting, and classifying of the returned sched- ules, the editing, checking, tabulating, adding, and averaging of the returns, and the maintenance of lists of crop and special voluntary reporters. The data collected and compiled by this ¢livision, supple- BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES, 297 mented by reports from the field service, form the basis of the monthly and special crop reports of the bureau. Eighty-eight maps and charts were prepared in this division for use in the Monthly Crop Report and for other purposes. DIVISION OF CROP RECORDS. This division, under the direct supervision of Mr. Frank Andrews, chief of division, has charge of the official records of crop estimates concerning the United States from Federal, State, and private sources, and agricultural statistics of foreign countries. The records have been compiled from published and unpublished reports in such a way as to show in concise and convenient form information that is given in the original reports in a more or less scattered way, usually in a long series of reports and frequently in foreign units of weight and measure. In every completed office record these units of for- eign weight and measure have been converted to the equivalent American units. Statistical records relating to agriculture have been completed for 13 principal foreign countries, and show acreage and production of crops, numbers of different classes of live stock, etc., from the earliest to the latest years for which figures are available. In addition to the regular compilation of records the foreign crop work has included a large amount of special compilations and cor- respondence. When the compilation of agricultural statistics for the remaining countries is finished—probably within the next year or two—the Bureau of Crop Estimates will have one of the most com- plete records of estimates and statistics relating to world crops and live stock in existence, all expressed in terms of American units and in such convenient form as to be immediately available for reference. Estimates of United States crop production, as made by State officials and private parties, have been segregated and entered on record prac- tically as soon as received in the division. The special investigations of this division included a comprehensive inquiry as to production compared with supply of principal farm products; also an inquiry as to geographic variations in prices paid to farmers. Manuscript reports on parts of these two investigations were submitted for publication within the fiscal year. Reports on the sugar crops of the United States and Hawaii are compiled in this division. These reports are based upon actual enu- merations, and in this respect are an exception to the general crop- reporting system of the bureau. During the year three reports were made relating to beets and beet sugar; namely, acreage planted, pre- liminary estimate of beets produced and sugar made, and after the close of the season a final estimate of beet and sugar production. There was also made, in December, the first estimate of this bureau on the acreage and production of sugar-beet seed. Three reports were made on the Louisiana sugar industry; one in December, giving the estimated tonnage of cane to be used for sugar; one in January, giving a preliminary estimate of the sugar made; and a final report in May, giving the annual production of sugar, as well as the tonnage and acreage of cane used. One report was made for the Hawaiian indus- try, giving the final figures for acreage and production of cane and the production of cane sugar. The second annual report on maple sugar was planned and completed in this division. 298 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. As supplementary to the bureau’s estimates of durum wheat pro- duction the Division of Crop Records made its eleventh annual esti- mate of the total exports of durum wheat from the United States, which was based upon reports received from various commercial agencies. A large number of special compilations were made for the Secre- tary, the Assistant Secretary, other branches of the department, Sen- ators and Representatives in Congress, and other persons interested in agricultural statistics. Food production and supply in the United States and foreign countries was a frequent subject of inquiry. In order to furnish data as promptly as possible, a series of office tables, with duplicate copies, is maintained. The tables number over 400 and cover subjects for which there is likely to be a demand, and which relate to crop estimates. FIELD SERVICE. The field service, composed of salaried field agents and crop spe- cialists under the supervision of Mr. S. A. Jones; made excellent progress during the past year. The present force consists of 41 State field agents and 10 crop specialists. Each field agent has charge of a State or group of small States, and in both Texas and California two field agents are stationed, each being responsible for the reports on certain crops. The crop specialists disregard State lines, but where two or more are engaged in reporting on the same crop the ter- ritory is divided. TRUCK CROP ESTIMATES. The truck-crop estimating service, which was organized in 1915, increased the scope of its inquiries considerably in the past fiscal year. Three assistant truck-crop specialists were appointed and as- signed permanently to .the Atlantic Coast States, the Gulf Coast States, and the Pacific Coast States. The work of this section shows an increase of more than 60 per cent during the year, and the number of reports on truck crops more than doubled. Since July 1, 1916, estimates of acreages of various truck crops and car-lot shipments have been compiled by shipping points, and much other valuable in- formation for future use has been collected. Owing to the extremely perishable nature of truck crops it 1s real- ized that the present method of reporting on them monthly is inade- quate as a guide to enable growers to determine the acreages which may safely be planted in different regions or to meet the needs of growers and commercial handlers in marketing and distributing.the crop. It is therefore planned to inaugurate a system of weekly truck- crop reports during the coming season. FRUIT CROP ESTIMATES. In order to determine more accurately the fruit production of the United States a fruit-crop estimating service was organized in the latter half of the fiscal year 1917. ‘Three assistant fruit-crop spe- cialists were appointed and were directed to travel in the principal producing regions (1) to make a statistical survey as a basis for fu- ture estimates, (2) to organize a corps of voluntary fruit-crop re- BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. _ 299 orters, and (3) to establish in working order an efficient system of fraiteeton estimates. The office work in Washington was placed in charge of an experienced statistical clerk, and further clerical help was given from time to time by other branches of the bureau. At the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 1917), two crop reports had been made, and the county surveys had covered about 100 counties. The fruit-crop work of the 1917 season is to be confined to apples, and as soon as the apple estimating is well organized other fruits will be included. ‘The crop included in this work had an average farm value in 1910-1914 of over $200,000,000, and in 1916 the farm value of three of these crops (apples, peaches, and pears) exceeded $237,000,000. MONTHLY CROP REPORTS. During the year the bureau issued estimates of the numbers, prices, and value of different classes of live stock; losses from disease and exposure, number of breeding sows, and the number of stock hogs compared with last year. Acreage estimates were made in June for barley, oats, spring wheat, alfalfa hay, clover hay, and sugar cane; in July for corn, rice, timothy hay, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cotton, flaxseed, sorghum, and tobacco; in August for buckwheat, hay (tame hay, wild hay, and total) ; in September for clover seed; and in December for rye and winter wheat. Acreage remaining after abandonment was esti- mated for winter wheat and rye in May and for cotton in December. Monthly during the crop season estimates were made of the con- dition of the growing crops as a percentage of normal for cereals, including barley, buckwheat, corn, oats, rice, rye, wheat (spring and - winter), forage, including alfalfa hay, alfalfa for seed, bluegrass for seed, field peas, clover for hay, clover for seed, hay (tame hay, wild hay, and total), kafirs, meadows, millet, pasture, and timothy; fruits, including apples, apricots, blackberries, and raspberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, olives, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, and watermelons; vegetables, including lima beans, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes; miscellaneous, including al- monds, broom corn, cotton, flaxseed, hemp, hops, peanuts, percentage of planting done, percentage of plowing done, sorghum cane, sugar beets, sugar cane, tobacco, English walnuts, and wool. Yield per acre was estimated in August for clover. hay; in Sep- tember for alfalfa and timothy hay; in October for alfalfa seed, cabbage, onions, broom corn, hemp, and hops; in November for clover seed, kafirs, cranberries, peanuts, and sorghum sirup; and in Decem- ber for all principal crops for which acreage estimates were made. During the growing season the condition reports, expressed as a per- centage of normal for all crops for which acreage is estimated, were interpreted in yield per acre as a forecast of production. The percentage of a full crop produced was estimated in April for celery in California; in May for cauliflower in California; in August for clover hay, apricots (California), blackberries and raspberries, cherries (California) , pineapples (Florida) ; in September for alfalfa hay, bluegrass seed, timothy hay, cantaloupes, peaches, plums (Cali- 300 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. fornia), and watermelons; in October for alfalfa seed, millet, prunes (California), field beans, lima beans, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, broom corn, hemp, and wool; in November for clover seed, field peas, kafirs, apples, cranberries, figs, grapes, pears, almonds (California), peanuts, and ogliee walnuts (California). Farm prices of all crops and live stock were estimated monthly. Final estimates of acreage, yield, and total production were made in December for barley, buckwheat, corn, oats, rice, rye, wheat, hay, potatoes, sweet potatoes, flaxseed, cotton, tobacco, broom corn, hemp, kafirs, beans, hops, and cranberries. The percentage of the corn crop cut for silage was estimated in November. The percentage of the crop of merchantable quality was estimated in March for corn. The percentage of crops shipped out of counties where grown was estimated in March for barley, corn, oats, and wheat. The quality of crops produced was estimated in August for rye, winter wheat, and clover hay; in September for tame and wild hay and peaches; in October for barley, oats, spring wheat, and hops; in November for buckwheat, corn, apples, cranberries, grapes, pears, potatoes, sweet potatoes, flaxseed, peanuts, and tobacco; in December for grapefruit (Florida), lemons (California), limes (Florida), and oranges. Supplies on farms were estimated in March for barley, corn, oats, and wheat; in May for hay; in July for wheat; in August for barley and oats; and in November for corn. The weight for fleece was estimated in July for wool and per bushel for barley, oats, winter wheat, and spring wheat in November. SPECIAL REPORTS. In addition to the monthly crop reports, the following reports were prepared for issuance to the press or for publication in the Monthly Crop Report: Corn: Per cent of yellow, white, and mixed, 1915-16. Portion merchantable, 1883-1916. Wheat: Durum, receipts and exports. Exports, 1910-1916. Farm marketings, monthly. Farm movement and prices. Held in mills and elevators, 1913-1917. Monthly marketing by farmers. Spring, cause of shortage. Spring, production in 1916 of different varieties in three States. Supply and distribution per capita. Surplus and deficiency. World and United States production and exports, 1906-1915. World production, 1913-1916. Oats: Winter oats in Southern States. Cotton: Crop value, 1915. Length of lint, crops of 1915 and 1916. Tobacco: Held by manufacturers and dealers. Report by types and districts. BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 301 Rice: Accuracy of department’s estimate, 1915. Varieties sown, 1916. Truck crops: Acreage in corn, peas, and tomatoes contracted for by canneries. Bean crop forecast. Cabbage, commercial crop forecast. Celery acreage. Cranberry crop, 1914-1916. Sucumbers, acreage contracted to pickling factories. Kraut report. Melons, commercial acreage. Onions, commercial crop forecast. Onions, final report on commercial acreage and production, 1915-16. Potatoes, per cent moved from county where grown. Potatoes, when harvested. Potatoes, stocks on January 1, 1910-1916. Strawberries, commercial acreage and production. Tomatoes, commercial acreage and production. Truck crops, winter, condition of. Truck crops for canning. World potato crop, shortage in 1916. Apples: Apple crops, 1915-16, disposition of. Apple forecast, by varieties. Production and exports. Sugar beets: Acreage report. Sugar beet and beet sugar, crops, 1914-1916. Sugar-beet seed, area and production. Sugar cane, Louisiana. Sugar crop, Hawaii. Hops: Production and consumption, 1907-1916. Washington report. Honey: Honey bees and plants. Honey production. Honey yield and prospects. Pecans: Condition, July 1. Condition, September 1. Pecan production. Live stock: Hogs in United States, September 1, 1915-16. Hogs marketed, monthly since 1911. Live stock, marketings, 1900-1916. Live stock, Philippines. Meat animals and products, foreign trade in. Wool, high prices for. Wool preduction, 1915-16. Prices: Alfalfa seed, prices. Bean prices, usual advance in. Clover seed, prices. Cotton and cottonseed prices to producers by States, averages five years. Index figures of crop prices. Index prices of meat animals. Milk prices. Prices, index number of crops, trend since 1908. Prices, monthly, 1910-1916, of important farm products. Turkey prices. Values: Farm lands, value per acre, 1912-1916. Farm production, estimated value of, 1916. Farm products, estimated value, 1879-1916. 302 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Miscellaneous : Alsike clover growing. Area covered by reports of voluntary correspondents. Commercial fertilizer sold in cotton States. Composite crop conditions, monthly, 1910-1916. European and United States agriculture compared. Fertilizer, application in cotton States. Firewood, use on farms. Foodstuffs, production, consumption, and trade in. Garlic, commercial acreage. Grain crops, method of gathering. Hemp production. Increase of population of United States compared with increase in produc- tion of 12 leading crops. Index figures of crop yields. Large crop yields per acre. Materials used to make alcoholic liquors in United States, 1915-16. Number of gas tractors in commission on farms. Orange and grapefruit crop. Peanut acreage. Philippine fiber crops, 1915. Producticn, price, and value changes. Sizes of family and farming in Iowa County, Wis. Trend of farm prices and yield per acre of crops combined. Wages of male farm labor. World production of important crops. INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE. Twenty-four regular reports on crops of the United States were made by cable and mail to the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome, Italy, and statistical tables were contributed to the year- book of the institute. In addition to printed reports issued by the institute, there were received during the year 16 cablegrams relating to crop production in the adhering countries of the world, which were interpreted and presented to the press through the Office of Information. PUBLICATIONS. Twelve numbers of the Monthly Crop Report were issued during the year, aggregating 140 quarto pages of estimates and agricultural statistics. Two hundred and five statistical tables were prepared for publica- tion in the department yearbook for 1916. The following department bulletins were published: No. 473.—Production of sugar in the United States and foreign countries. No. 483.—Statistics of fruits in principal countries. No. 485.—Apples: Production estimates and important commercial districts and varieties. (Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry.) No. 514.—Wheat, yields per acre and prices, by States, 1866-1915. No. 515.—Corn, yields per acre and prices, by States, 1866-1915. An article was contributed to the department yearbook for 1916 on the development and localization of truck crops in the United States. The following manuscripts were submitted just before the close of the fiscal year 1917: Potatoes: Acreage, production, foreign trade, supply, and con- sumption, by George K. Holmes; and Geography of wheat prices, by L. B. Zapoleon. BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 303 DISTRIBUTION OF THE MONTHLY CROP REPORT. The agricultural appropriation act approved March 4, 1917, pro- vided “that hereafter the Monthly Crop Report shall be printed and distributed on or before the 12th day of each month.” The crop reports relate to conditions on the 1st day of the month, and the individual schedules are filled out and mailed on that date. The returns from the Pacific Coast States are received about the 6th, and the tabulation of returns from all States in the bureau is completed about the 7th or 8th of the month, when the report is made up by the crop-reporting board, the date depending on the occurrence of a Sunday or holiday. ‘The manuscript of the Monthly Crop Report is completed and forwarded to the Public Printing Office on the after- noon of the same day the preliminary report is issued by the Depart- ment of Agriculture, so that four or five days are allowed for the printing and mailing of the report. The enactment of the law by Congress requiring the report to be printed and mailed on or before the 12th of each month insures the prompt delivery of printed copies to all voluntary crop reporters and others on the mailing list. Be- cause of the prompt mailing of the reports in compliance with the law the telegraphic reports to Weather Bureau station directors of near-by States was discontinued. LIBRARY. The library of the Bureau of Crop Estimates, which is a branch of the library of the department, during the fiscal year received ap- proximately 250 foreign and 300 domestic periodicals containing useful information regarding agricultural statistics. Of these peri- odicals about 202 were monthly, 1388 weekly, 41 daily, and the re- mainder were issued at other periods. The foreign periodicals re- ceived were about 50 less than in the fiscal year 1916, a decrease of about 162 per cent owing to war conditions. The books in the library comprise the agricultural reports of prac- tically all countries issuing such reports; also a fairly complete col- lection of the official reports of exports and imports for each foreign country. The collection of State reports on agriculture and live stock is practically complete; also annual statistical reports of com- mercial agencies, such as boards of trade, chambers of commerce, cot- ton exhanges, etc. ACCURACY OF THE COTTON CROP ESTIMATES. Cotton is the only crop for which there is an absolute check on the estimates of the Bureau of Crop Estimates. The latest prelim- inary estimate of the number of bales produced each year is pre- pared.and published early in December. The Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce, is required by law to report every bale of cotton ginned, and its final report is published after the close of the ginning season, three months or more after the December estimate of secon is issued. The following table shows the increasing accuracy of the cotton estimates of the Bureau of Crop Estimates 304 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. when compared with the reports of the Census Bureau of bales ac- tually ginned: Number of pounds of lint cotion (net weight) as estimated. in December, annu- ally, by the Bureau of Crop Estimates, and as subsequently reported by the Bureau of the Census, for each of the seasons 1900-1901 to 1916-17, inclu- sive, together with the percentage overestimated or underestimated by the Bureau of Crop Estimates each season. Pounds of cotton (000 omitted). |_ 7 | Overes- | Underes- Crop year. | Estimated} Finally | timated. | timated. by Bureau | reported of Crep | by Census | Estimates.| Bureau. | | Per cent. | Pcr cent. 1900-1901. ne eee wad once tle Seem cae aec co stot ees 4,856,738 | 4,846,471 0}2') | cee TOO Tao ease meso ee tee oe een eel eee oe ene eee Ao 5295954 |=. 45 5504950i|. 22s eeee 0.5 1902-3 7 5, 091, 641 O24u sae seeeee 4,716, 591 REY (il Pee eer ia 654265698 || Seco oe eee 4.2 5060! 200) tae seeees 4.0 653545010i sees 5.5 5,312, 950 5.1). eee 623365070)|seasaeeeee 2.4 4,783, 220 0:9") aseceeeee 55510790) | eee 1.6 1,000; 400\\oneeeeceee Eta | 6, 556, 500 Ofte 65,772. 300i jeoeeeeree 3.4 TULSKOR0) eames 1.1 : 5354, A068 Se eee eee 0.3 AQIG= 17 are Sos Pe nese ea oe rch AOR Rae ae oS ae 5,506,896 | 5,480,012 Oe Peteocecoe 17 years, 1900-1916..... stares ete Sac cis Sasa cec sah erme Meomecsee 97, 222,739 | 98, 419, 269 |....-....- 1.2 iyearssl O1D=19165. 5 sak ee eS ye aE Re RPC SIL 63757820) SIeS82 4248) aero 0.8 Shy ars 41914191 6is ween set eben Se eee | 18, 482, 597 | 18,553,398 |.......... 0.8 | ACCURACY OF THE RICE CROP ESTIMATES. In order to determine the accuracy of the department’s estimate of rice production for 1915, issued in December of that year, and thereby afford to the Bureau of Crop Estimates the basis for any adjustments necessary to increase the accuracy of its estimates in future years, re- quests were sent to all rice mills that they report their receipts of rough rice from the crop of 1915. Returns have been received for every rice mill of importance in the United States, showing— Bushels. Total mill receipts of rough rice in bushels of 45 pounds each______ 27, 396, 991 Seeding requirements for present year, approximately___ 1, 765, 800 Mills reporting (estimate for one) show sales for seed of. 223,578 Leaving to be furnished by local elevators or retained by farmers LOT; SCC Cees ee ee ee Ne eet A ee ee 1, 542, 222 Production of rice east of Mississippi River, not including river rice in Tennessee and Mississippi, but including upland rice in the latter State, is estimated at___________ 160, 000 Deducting factors for this territory already considered, viz., mill receipts and seed requirements____________________ 104, 000 eaves further.to be ‘added. 3) 3 a Je ee ee ee 56, 000 Thuszaccounting definitely fora total 0 fe eee 28, 995, 213 Total production as estimated by Bureau of Crop Estimates in De- Gember; O25; twasio. C22ee eek aes Se Ree eet es Pe Se 28, 947, 000 Showing an excess over the bureau’s estimate of_____-_____________ 48, 213 Or about two-tenths of 1 per cent. BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 305 IMPROVEMENT IN ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT FOR ESTI- MATING CROP AND LIVE-STOCK PRODUCTION. Methods of improving the crop-reporting service are constantly under consideration in the Bureau of Crop Estimates. As pointed out in previous annual reports of this bureau, the most difficult problem encountered in crop reporting is an attempt to estimate acreages planted to different crops and the numbers of different classes of live stock on farms; also such special crops as truck and fruit. To take an annual census of acreages and live stock can not be considered because of the enormous expense involved and the time required to compile and publish the results. Returns of local tax assessors in the various States are not always complete, uniform, or available when needed. In leu of an annual census enumeration the best substitute appears to be an organization or system of reporting for definite areas under the constant observation of field agents who are trained in crop-reporting methods, supplemented by reports of large numbers of individual farmers distributed throughout each area, and by reports of trained specialists on each crop. This in effect is the system at present employed in the Bureau of Crop Esti- mates. Obviously the smaller the territory assigned to each field agent, or what means the same thing, the greater the number of field agents assigned to a given territory, the more thoroughly the acre- ages and condition of crops and the numbers of different classes of live stock can be studied, and the more satisfactory will be results. That better results can be secured from a smaller division of territory has been fully demonstrated since the bureau has had a trained field agent in each of the principal agricultural States, instead of one agent for a group of States, as formerly. However, it is evident that even a single State in the important producing areas is entirely too large for one man to cover effectively. If sufficient funds were available to develop fully and perfect the crop-reporting service it would be highly desirable to give the field agent in each State one or more trained assistants, so that the State could be divided into districts and a survey made of its agricultural resources and production by counties. The efficiency of the field service would be vastly improved ‘if funds were provided for the employment of a local agent in each county who could devote a portion of his time to estimating crop and live- stock production in the county. While the bureau has a county crop reporter in each county, his services are purely voluntary and he can not be expected to lay aside his regular work to undertake systematic inquiries throughout the county for the benefit of the Government. The county agents of the States Relations Service are unable to de- vote sufficient time to the study of acreages, crop conditions and yields, numbers of live stock and supplies on farms in their counties to be of much service in crop reporting, because their position of farm advisers and relation to best methods of farm management, crop and live-stock production, requires all their time, energy, and attention. If county crop reporters could be given sufficient compen- sation to justify them in devoting a portion of their time exclusively to collecting detailed information with respect to crops and live stock, the bureau would be in much better position to issue its monthly and special reports by counties. 33382°—acr 1917——-20 8306 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. It would also be desirable to provide the field agent in each State with a clerk to assist in folding and mailing schedules of inquiry, opening and tabulating returns, and in handling correspondence and other necessary office work, so as to relieve the field agents of the burden of routine details and leave them free to devote their entire time to the more important and difficult work of studying, analyzing, estimating, and forecasting crop conditions and prospects. Field agents should be supplied with autemobiles. Crop estimates can not be made entirely from written reports of correspondents, nor can the field agent judge of the condition and probable yield of a crop from the fleeting glance he gets through a car window when speeding across the country between cities and towns. During the growing season, especially at critical periods in the life history of a crop, field agents must get out in the fields and examine individual plants. The greater the number of fields examined the more accurate will be the field agent’s judgment of the extent of damage from vari- ous causes. At the present time field agents travel from town to town by rail or trolley, and at each point it is usually necessary to hire a conveyance to go out in the country. Trains run at irregular intervals, and it is often difficult to obtain a conveyance at stopping points. The agent can inspect only a small territory in the vicinity of a town and often loses much time waiting for trains. The use of automobiles by agents would obviate many of these difficulties, and by enabling the field agent to visit crop-producing areas not readily accessible by railway, with power to stop at any point en route to ex- amine particular fields, would increase the efficiency and dependa- bility of the service many fold. It is highly desirable also that the clerical force in Washington should be increased in order to handle properly the increased number of returns from the field force and to meet the increasing demands which are constantly being made upon the bureau for special in- vestigations. Irrespective of whether the field force is increased, the desirability of a substantial increase in the clerical force of the bureau is becoming more and more apparent. During the past decade the volume of work to be done has nearly doubled and is likely to increase as the agriculture of the country develops and as interest grows in the production and consumption of agricultural products. The public demand for estimates of crop and live-stock production and supplies of food and feed, farm help, seed, fertilizer, farm machinery, and other factors relating to the present and future food supply, has been constant and insistent since the beginning of the European War. This demand has been relatively greater than the increase in the clerical and field force authorized by Congress in the past few years. The fact that the crop-reporting service has been able to meet the increasing demands upon it with its present inadequate force is due largely to the cooperation of public-spirited men in every community who serve as voluntary crop reporters with- out monetary compensation, and to the loyal and efficient service of employees in the field and in the Washington office, who cheer- fully work more than the customary office hours and on Sundays and legal holidays when necessary to tabulate returns in order to get the crop reports out promptly. BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 307 CROP REPORTS BY COUNTIES. In undertaking special investigations and in planning future work the Bureau of Crop Estimates is guided mainly by the number, urgency, and purpose of requests which are received for special in- formation. ‘The increasing number of requests from all sources for information by counties indicates clearly that the crop and live- stock estimates would be greatly enhanced in value, interest, and service if the estimates by States could be made to show details by counties. Estimates can be made readily and published in this form if the bureau can be provided with a relatively slight increase in funds and equipment. In the spring of 1917 a cooperative arrangement was effected be- tween the Bureau of Crop Estimates and the State department of agriculture of Wisconsin, which provides for the utilization of all State sources of information by the field agent of the bureau in that State in collaboration with State officials, the preparation of a monthly State crop report by counties in canformity with the totals for the State, as determined by the Crop Reporting Board of the bureau and telegraphed to the field agent as soon as the crop report is approved and issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, and the cooperative State county crop report is then immediately published by the Wisconsin State department of agriculture. It is hoped that sufficient funds and facilities may be provided in the near future as will enable the bureau to complete the organiza- tion of the crop-reporting service on a county basis by the time the next census of agriculture is taken, and that thereafter all crop and live-stock estimates of the Department of Agriculture can be made to show details by counties. ~ ey oe eens axa aie aR ca A , feat LEAN: eto 70RD: an Ri Stale Pay ate ie? re a8) aes a a Tp dhrere : mere} gniemale rite hassigndmeeses “e4h henange tot: +1) i] Ponte ait oleYinieet —— (obi iat) Ta ROM 1 ipernn ; atthe Laisacge: qin Ba einaet oral eben. Wie ea pa “anal read 290 niga lady other. etme pees Boma nde sanity fea quad dds torts wheats mete bitte sadn yd mobi Dabith JAa es ota rete se ashore coh Aeiivesr eek al peciledy. vena etinbid oni odib ipoirantato reds po tnnrhasre cite atsphinitid.nd bidet ier hau elihesn abitaiteed sma cob ebuniteal 1 pile, se hide ease iden: rs Aigo pec Oe mets te aes ite sj toeagEa pa ! batols Sait dae ARetNginacee othiniedct if TIRE ‘to ‘yal igetind hey Gcu MUTT Noe neni nit dour aeeesrisiiast) Keres ton ‘TEE NES Herta adie there: oft! coe mabe rondy dskbe {nica OaTANy: toe . Re AG tees tihtoakp at asta feist sottial satiate to mectunaai By LOPS AOU RE oh ede yah N Mey co ziphey “eden, § ~nnijntontnBogie ay rs ehadiyd ods 7 Wimerotngn nero ga froqcat Hous adn me ida nih We. Hench: altro gon? bull yar honnittetibsser aie Mains uote: chu ca ey, Lieit-oedinod bedcameates sie ar pitts “Or patted Vy, TAminiher mio. hocsa heii bai Biortaiide yy rp seat Yad: oat. Gos hanes shed ed ‘_ oatiiniinog hex) dresephen qairshoikt aietdheag i fan Gleave call F atin at Seok Diuiebar, TPexsonttivs: Janes sGei a th Soa 7 kee myoligerny-as esiaranel | pit eiaane lk we aan We Ait iordawal seine! eign! & Tio, wHewAAE, masta yom bali aix ie: Tai Jovipiby Stabs) firn agaibes et atiihwarts b To ureeto OF Bf nee mah 2s is acotibs hoe Seidl viene salt Hh, pee baie: bie Bat Se el Tt le venience ? se8 slo : . f y \ t* + ] ve Me ak S ; ch . Hn Det. ae ur ' wo aT) esr “Ake R - : pa, ara ye ; Lm : e Pt in ee 7 : k 7 ‘ . a ek Oye ‘jor Lee Peas : = eo r7 4 Liye ae Ww j b a f f ' oro i eT ? 4 f Mita. in bo enol ee ele er rn i 7 tal ; oe ee ate Lie ~Hia'e * a mea iy Oa he en Sno s aee opt sis i Sete Peale ty ARMY ee P ety Ai hee | ¢ : ; REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. Unirep Stares DepartTMEeNtT of AGRICULTURE, OFrrice Or THE LIBRARIAN, Washington, D. C., September 29, 1917. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the executive report of the Library for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917. ; Respectfully, CLARIBEL R. BARNETT, Librarian. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. Abnormal conditions due to the war have had a noticeable effect upon the work of the Library for the past year. The scientific work of the department has naturally been affected to a certain extent and this has reacted upon the Library. [or the first time since 1905, when the Library began to keep circulation statistics, there was no increase—in fact there was a small decrease—in the number of books charged at the loan desks. The reference work of the Library, on the other hand, has greatly increased, due no doubt largely to the fact that the war has brought up new problems and new subjects for in- vestigation. A decrease of about 300 in the number of foreign period- icals currently received during the past year, due to the war, easily explains the decrease in the number of periodicals circulated cur- rently. During the fall a large number of herd books formerly filed in the Division of Animal Husbandry, and also several sets of periodicals for- merly filed in the Bureau of Biological.Survey, were returned to the Library. The crowded condition of the shelves made it necessary, before the books could be put in place, to-add some additional wooden shelving for the basement stacks, and on the tops of the Snead stacks on the first floor. The need for additional space for book stacks is pressing, and some provision for larger quarters for the Library must be made in the near future. The only adequate solution is a perma- nent fireproof building especially designed for the Library. USE OF THE LIBRARY. Emma B. Hawks, Assistant Librarian, in general charge of reference work and circulation. Mary G. Lacy, Reference Librarian. GrrtTRuDE E. Upton, in Charge of Loan Desk. Since circulation statistics are not kept in all of the bureaus, divi- sions, and offices, and since it is also impracticable to keep any record of the reference use of the collections filed in the Library and the 309 810 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. various offices, the statistics of circulation given in the following tables do not give an adequate idea of the real use of the Library. The total number of books charged to individuals, namely, 52,997, added to the total circulation of current periodicals, 116,936, making a grand total of 169,933, represents simply the recorded use of the Library. The remaining charges represent merely the record of the books shifted from one branch of the Library to another, either for filing or to fill the request of some reader. In the latter case, the record of its use is given in the charges to individuals. The record of the charges from the bureaus to the main Library shows that it was necessary for the main Library to recall 2,529 books from various bureau collections for the use of the bureaus. STATISTICS OF CIRCULATION. Books and periodicals charged by the main Library and the bureau, division and office libraries during the fiscal years 1916 and 1917. Number of books charged. Number of periodicals To individ- To main To branch Total charged. uals. Library. libraries. ai 1916 1917 | 1916 | 1917 | 1916 | 1917 | 1916 1917 1916 1917 Main duibrany lo serene -eece- 1459965 |n16 192) |Eoee sl oeesae 33,918 |30, 147 |48,914 | 46,339 |........|.-.-... Bureau of Animal Industry:? Animal Husbandry Di- VASION = 3 ee eerie ae eee (3) (3) (4) (4) (4) (4) giteesece|teteeees (4) 3, 660 Dairy, Divisions -24.-6- 1,909 | 1,975 56 48 38 17 | 2,003 | 2,040 | 12,820 | 10,176 Biochemic, Pathological, | Zoological, and other di- WISIONDS/ S208 eee s.cep eer (3) (3) (4) (4) (4) (4) (8) (3) 19,409 | 11,096 Bureau of Chemistry..-.-...- 9,751 | 9,627] 765] 689 17 14 |10, 533 | 10,330 | 19,244 | 15, 246 Bureau of Entomology......- 4,680] 3,105} 446] 522 104 131 | 5,230] 4,550] 1,292 905 Worest Service::...-0::-----=- 3,550 | 3,495 | 369 | 422 /......- 2 | 3,919] 4,094] 4,548] 4,809 Bureau of Plant Industry --.-./14,930 |511,684 | 979 | © 666 180 5 34 |16,099 [512,521 | 43,275 | 38, 398 Office of Farm Management. .| 3,462 | 3,922 |......|..--.-|----.--|------- 3,462 | 3,922] 7,802 | 7,793 Office of Markets and Rural Oreanizationbern eee ee (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) | 19,495 | 20,987 Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering........- 2,863 | 2,997} 178 | 182 12 12 | 3,053] 3,181] (4) 4, 566 _ [56,141 | 52,997 |2, 793 |2, 529 |34, 269 |30, 357 |93, 213 | 86,977 [127,885 116, 936 1 Statistics include circulation in all bureaus and offices not mentioned below. 2 No bureau library is maintained. The statistics of circulation of books are included in those of the main Library. 3 Circulation statistics included in statistics of main Library. 4 No records kept. 5 Statistics for only 10 months. The following table indicates the growth in the work of the circu- lation division of the main Library during the past five years: Statistics of circulation (main Library), fiscal years 1913 to 1917. | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 Largest number of books charged on any day..-.......-...--.-------- 203 214 268 248 317 Smallest number of books charged on any day..-.......--..---------- 31 39 37 57 32 Average number of books charged daily. ...............------------- | 121 126 134 160 151 Largest number of books charged in any month.............--.------ | 4,106 | 4,454 | 4,260 | 5,028 | 4,839 Smallest number 01 books charged in any month. .............-.---- | 2,269 | 2,083 | 2,567 | 3,077 | 2,883 Average number of books charged monthly..............-.----------| 3,078 | 3,239 | 3,412 | 4,076 | 3,861 Total number of books charged during the year..............-------- 36,933 |38, 879 |40, 953 |48, 914 46, 339 REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 811 During the year there were 1,815 individuals in the department who borrowed books either through the main Library or the branches in the various bureaus, divisions, and offices, an increase of 285 as compared with the previous year. To 1,200 of these registered bor- rowers current periodicals were circulated regularly. Increasing numbers of books are being used outside of Washington as evidence in court cases of the department. The two largest shipments of books and pamphlets sent out for this use during the past year were 100 volumes sent to New Orleans, La., and 87 volumes sent to Auburn, N. Y., in connection with important cases of the Bureau of Chemistry. INTERLIBRARY LOANS. There were 12 libraries, institutions, and Government departments in Washington which made use of the Library’s resources during the past year. The records of books lent to institutions outside of Wash- ington are given in. the following table, from which it will be seen that, with three exceptions, books were lent last year to every State in the Union. The number of different institutions to which they were lent was 103, and in addition 13 business firms and 46 indi- viduals made use of the Library, making a total of 162 different borrowers from outside of the city. To the total number of books lent, namely, 1,093, should be added 168 photostat copies and 12 typewritten copies of articles which were furnished, making the total use outside of the city 1,273. The number of books requested which were not contained in the Library was 190. The number which could not be supplied because they were in use or at the bindery was 63. In addition, 38 could not be supplied because the references could not be identified. Record of books lent outside of Washington during the fiscal years 1913 to 1917. | = Fiscal year— Fiscal year— | States, ete. States, etc. | 1913 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 1913 1914) 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | | aad 3 3) a3 |. 910! (NewsMexico2 4.252. |b ab let 4 3 9 8 7 6 4 TN Fee ae ING WAVOLKes me sas 59 | 113 142 | 127 148 Bee {gies 32 2 3 4 || North Carolina......| 35 | 30 48 17 15 19} 27 26 50 38 || North Dakota..--.-. Gaia 3 11 3 9) 12 27 24 16.) |@@hiols25- 23225. 2.2-2 53 | 103 78 29 41 GES 34 4 2 2elmOKaAnOMmas eae oe. ee eee es 1 eee ct ee | tears TA nel Reale sta 10 Gr nOregoneae see ace 54 | 44 51 66 51 Die 20) |» 44 21 15 || Pennsylvania... ---. 34 | 19 21 29 19 Tele 14 FS 05 37 24 || Rhode Island.......|--.-- 1 6 2 17 Selb Sueno 5 10 |) South Carolina... .-- 5M Te Ph eat, 22 27 6| 12) 7 66 30)|| South Dakotas 24+. |S-es4] hese pi eres oacnne (| pel | 25 20 13|| *Pennesseet +s) ese cae 16 | 26 20 31 22 36,.| 24) 63 80 40 aexas tess 22 > 2 S55 oe 10a) 19) 723 11 38 a (ae lene Ba Metab steel Jew cla an 8| 17 16 6| 4] 25 iG 4. Mermontscelsrt tas... 27 | 30 21 9 3 Say 2 2 10 8) ||P Marouniaees ses 52) 545 32 26 18 7 |e dl 8 22 16 || Washington........- 3] 14 8 11 2 12s 25 28 48 || West Virginia. -..... 1012 12 16 8 14} 18 36 25 3a) ||) WaSGOnSINES.- 55-6 5. 89} 31 38 41 34 Michivants ss 22... 37 | 35 22 37 38 || Wyoming. -.....---- 5 oaotee 4 5 3 Minnesota......-.-.- 2 7 64 78 50) p@anad heer nears sac Be Sea TlG-ceoel 1 Mississippi........-.- 4 3 Agee se 1: ela walietee eos tee 2 il eae SE ISO Ce | 3 Missouri? 5. 2. ..-. 17.|, 19 18 15 19 || Porto Rico. -...-.-.- 39 | 67) 57) 48 39 MONTANA enone noe 15: 13 5 15 19)||' Canal Zoneieces saeo4| ei 1M | aera Soe eee s INebraskaern -s2o.. 32) 20 20 18 10)|) Alasket ere oer zal e. ere | eke dee YET eee NCVER CHa. Lo SSR AES eae Gees 3 1 | New Hampshire....| 8| 5 oNh oe 8 Motalesee ses 826 | 896 |1,196 |1,240 | 1,093 New Jersey. ...-.--- 1| 24 83 53 76 | | 812 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. An informal record was kept during the year of the number of letters from outside the city received each day requesting inter- library loans. It was found that with the exception of 47 days at least one request was received every day, and that the average was two a day, the total being 745 for the year. That the privilege of borrowing books from this Library is especially appreciated by some of the State agricultural experiment stations is shown by the following extract from one of the recent station reports: The station is greatly crippled on account of the exceedingly small library from which the staff has to draw. This is partly overcome by borrowing from the United States Department of Agriculture Library. * * * Without the use of the books and periodicals which are thus borrowed the men would be forced many times to delay the work for weeks. As in previous years, the department has in turn been the re- -cipient of many favors in the matter of interlibrary loans from uni- versity and reference libraries outside of the city, in addition to those from the Library of Congress and other Government libraries. A comparative statement of this use during the pasi five years is shown in the following table: Summarized statement of books borrowed from other libraries during the fiscal years 1913 to 1917. 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 Largest number of books borrowed from other libraries on any day. - 43 40 42 42 41 Average number of books borrowed from other libraries daily....-.-. 18 16 18 23 19 Largest number of books borrowed from other librariesinany month..| 731 064 579 734 623 Average number of books borrowed from other libraries monthly....| 480 432 460 571 507 Number of books borrowed during the year from libraries outside of WiSshinetonine.s3 rai eee cin oc rece nina sone nu Oey ana oy 91 62 58 86 82 Number of books borrowed during the year irom other libraries in WV SSHING COM sans cnc eset Pee hae nae aoe ae aes aoe anes eens 5,677 | 5,166 | 5,463 | 6,774 | 6,010 Total number of books borrowed from other libraries in and Ou Ol Washington: <.ciic eaaqeecewe sect so net cee eee eee eeeeees 5, 768 | 5,228 | 5,521 | 6,860 | 6,092 Of the 6,092 books borrowed from libraries in the city during the year 4,629 were borrowed from the Library of Congress, 962 from the Surgeon General’s library, 141 from the National Museum and Smithsonian Institution, 57 from the Geological Survey, 49 from the Patent Office, 41 from the Bureau of Education, and the remain- ing 213 from 15 other Government libraries. Of the 82 borrowed from libraries outside of the city 19 were borrowed from the Lloyd Library and the remaining 63 from 17 other university and refer- ence libraries in Cambridge, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Bal- timore, Chicago, St. Louis, and Berkeley. Grateful acknowledgment is made to all libraries which have so generously aided the depart- ment in its work by lending books from their collections. ACCESSIONS. The number of books, pamphlets, and maps added to the Library during the past fiscal year, compared with the accessions of the four previous years, is as follows: REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. Bilis Accessions to the Library for the fiscal years 1918 to 1917. Accessions. 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 Purchases: LUI IA OG em ciatare Anat ferarelaneie a stalaisajelie stkin ascents ccs 6 ies ons aes tee 1,321 | 1,548 | 1,353 | 1,595 | 1,949 IP Eira lel US & Oe ano AD ACA OC DAS RO ADO OSE Cat Ace SCC ah ett aie mae a 51 41 39 49 | 76 Maps and charts... -. SA ae Sate Sticierinite asics boas ladim iain bein pects 1 eee 13 | 1 penalsand continuations. 2... 220.22 Pal nsec on casio cst cocace- 459 511 376 274 147 TENE Laeepsibeapt Spee meme eae Lah wt le a a ll dala a et eile 1,832 | 2,101 | 1,768 | 1,931 | 2,168 Gifts: | ‘WONT GRR STS es ie ee ae ee cee Perce 5 Oa 886 719 780 873 641 aan tsetse tore siemens oe eis mba eC mos acdc oe eee es 830 470 500 397 | 508 LVEDD Rah ah Sis esha mies sr oe et ge Bi ws Seat = te Ree ee acne cee 28 20 22 18 | 4 Ont na Oris es sake ENE et Lee. SAE Rey y, VEN Ra Skt 4,425 | 4,490 | 4,909 | 4,919 | 4,458 TOES 5 A A oe Le dl as A Re a ig a 6,169 | 5,699 | 6;211 | 6,207 | 5,611 From binding periodicals and serials..........-.-.-...-.---.-------- 1,573 | 1,826 | 1,085 | 1,612 | 1,178 GUS leeertete ces. = ambere clase tence seco ce eeacatecepeceees 9,574 | 9,626 | 9,064 | 9,750 | 8,957 According to the record of accessions, the total number of books and pamphlets accessioned by the Library up to July 1, 1917, was 148,608. From this number, however, should be deducted 5,910 volumes which were discarded during the fiscal year 1915 and 321 which were discarded during the past two fiscal years, leaving a balance of 142,377 books and pamphlets in the Library on July i LON. "In spite of the unfavorable conditions for the purchase of old foreign books, the Library was able to obtain a number of old hor- ticultural works during the past year, among them several choice gardening books published between 1578 and 1699, as well as many of later date, like the “ Complete Body of Planting and Gardening ” of William Hanbury (1770-71). Other important acquisitions were the rare “ Synopsis Plantarum Aequatoriensium ” by William Jame- son, and a set of the “ Memorias Economicas” published by the Lis- bon Academy of Sciences from 1789 to 1815, which contains a number of papers by Loureiro and Vandelli. CATALOGUE DIVISION. HELEN M. THompson, Chief. The record of the material classified and catalogued during the year is as follows: 2,590 volumes, 508 pamphlets, 5,783 serials and con- tinuations, and 5 maps and charts, making a total of 8,957, a de- crease of 793 from the preceding year. In addition to the complete cataloguing of the above books, pamphlets, and maps, author cards were made for 216 pamphlets and 1,178 “reprints.” The pamphlets for which only author cards are made are those of less importance. They are arranged by subject in a separate pamphlet collection. The “reprints” or “separates” of articles from periodicals are also filed in a separate collection which is arranged alphabetically by author. There were added to the main (dictionary) catalogue 22,875 cards, and 3,713 were withdrawn, making the net addition of 19,162, a decrease of 2,461 as compared with the preceding year. It is es- timated that the main (dictionary) catalogue now contains ap- proximately 370,000 cards, 814 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The number of titles prepared during the past year by the Li- brary for printing by the Library of Congress in what is known as the “Agr” series of catalogue cards was as follows: Cards for ac- cessions and recatalogued books, 806; cards for department publi- cations, 511; cards for foreign agricultural periodicals, 7; total, 1,324. The total number of titles prepared by this Library since 1902, in which year the printing of cards was begun, is 29,858. The amount of uncatalogued material on hand July 1, 1917, which was an increase over the previous year, was as follows: 126 volumes, 150 pamphlets, 543 continuations, and 9 maps. The cataloguing was hampered by the loss of two cataloguers and the necessity of em- ploying temporary assistants. During the year some progress was made in reclassifying the books in certain classes in accordance with the expanded classification. About one-third of the books on forestry were done and part of the books on general agriculture. PERIODICAL DIVISION. Lypia K. WILKINS, Chief. The total number of different periodicals, exclusive of annuals and serials of infrequent issue, received currently during the year was 2,219, of which 565 were received by purchase and 1,654 by gift. The number of new periodicals: added during the year was 319, whereas 380 of those on last year’s list are no longer received, either because they have ceased publication permanently or temporarily, or because-the subscriptions for them have been discontinued. There was a net decrease for the year of 61. In order to meet the demand for certain periodicals it was necessary to purchase 186 duplicates, making the total number of periodicals purchased 751, a decrease of 247 as compared with the number purchased during the previous fiscal year. This decrease in the number of purchased periodicals received during the year is due to the fact that since May, 1916, the Library’s agent for the foreign periodicals has been unable to deliver German periodicals and also many periodicals of other countries. Of the periodicals received by gift or exchange over 844 duplicates were received, an increase of 273 as compared with the previous year. Although the number of different periodicals received during the year was 61 less than the number received last year, yet the total number of periodicals received, including duplicates, was 3,249, an increase of 234 over last year. This increase is due to the fact that more periodicals were purchased in duplicate this year and more duplicates were received by gift and exchange. The duplicate copies were necessary partly for the use of the offices which have moved to buildings at a distance from the Library, and partly because of the great increase in the use of commercial papers which must be received promptly to be of value, so that many copies were needed for circu- lation. Many periodicals which in previous years have been received . by gift and exchange it was necessary to purchase this year, since the publishers discontinued sending complimentary copies. In addition to the 2,219 current periodicals appearing not less than four times a year, the Library received 4,605 serials of less frequent REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 815 issue, such as annual reports, proceedings, and transactions published by institutions and societies. There was a decrease of 501 as com- pared with the previous year, due to the fact that on account of the war fewer foreign publications were received. A typewritten list of all the periodicals currently received by the Library, arranged by title and subject, was prepared during the year. This list has been much used and has demonstrated the need of a new edition of the printed list of current periodicals which was issued in 1911 as Library Bulletin 75. It has not, however, seemed ad- visable to issue a new edition during the war, on account of the large number of foreign periodicals which either have been temporarily suspended or can not be delivered under present conditions. The number of current periodicals received, arranged by classes, is shown in the following table: Statistics of current periodicals. Class. at | Gift. | Total. Class. hut, | Gift. | Total. Agriculture, United States - 11 199 210 || Flour and feeding stuffs, ete - 6 10 16 Agriculture, foreign......-.-- ie 8 167 185 || Ice and refrigeration.........- 3 ii 10 Veterinary medicine.........- | 19 33 O2h | MER ADErte ae sae a ee oe Le 7 2 9 MAGVING $ hen 22h ake st eens 10 26 SGh |Merintinp: Saeed 22S ese SSE ae 4 4 Poultry and pigeons........-. 3 47 50 || Photography-.-......-.------- 6 1 7 Live stock and meat trade - 8 51 50) PP DYSICShseeas ohe cueee vases th rae eS 4 Soils and fertilizers........... 1 5 6: ||*Meteorolozysse2- fit Se eae 3 3 Drainage and irrigation.....-. Uh seseaee 1 || Chemistry and chemical tech- Farm implements and ma- NOLOSy Hehe a 35 33 68 chinenys 2235 243. see See 2 11 13S) | Hood esas 2 oe Saas aes es 6 22 28 Moor culture and peat.-..---. 1 6 7 || Home economics..........-.- 1 6 7 Agricultural products. .....-. 20 51 fly | Fe harmacyeees iy aes shes 9 12 21 Fibers and textiles-.......... 5 8 13 || Geology and mineralogy..--.. 2, 7 9 Horticulture and landscape Naturalhistory.<-..2.22---. 2. 9 32 41 PALGeMiN Peet asses ass 29 66 O5N | PZ00lO py ee-re oe eee 10 17 27 HONESULYin soe nt ene ees 11 44 55 penne and fishing. - a3. 5 7 12 Experiment station publica- Ormithologys-24 233 -Se eek) 5 15 tions (United States).......]...... 110 LTO} PEM pOMOlOPya-4: 25566542 ee | 26 | 22 48 Experiment station publica- Beekeeping! tees ee 6 | 7 13 fons! Moreiem)= 325 -Fee 2-2 alent 258} 25)\||@MILCLOSCODY2e— =m nee eee 3 limeeck 3 Generaleer si Se elles ee Bee 20 13 33) || PBiologyscestee ese nace eeee ahh 8 19 Bibliography and library Medicine, SCOR ORI en ae tan n-ne 19 13 32 | hygiene Beepose ane 36 57 93 Education. including agri- qnyelene 3 < 5 | 1 6 cultural extension........-. 3 103 1060|| Botan yas-25- = a5-- -| 28 22 50 Economics and sociology. .... 16 34 50 | General science 3 14 52 66 Commerce and statistics... -... 58 163 221 Geosraphy 2 6 8 IGROCENOSs = sas /s\ecieraie =o sc af 8 | 8 UGG awe pete ose cer acer e eee Sal ener 8 Hurineesrin ys s) 52-5 os Se 17 17 34 United States Government | ise Giha ee eens Iaee eee 5 5 10 documents assesses ae i 1 40 41 Lar yt Ties te Ses oe 1 | 17 18 SS = UAUITORUS ee Seen Ge = -hoceee. - 11 17 28 Total: <2 223i son 3k 28 565 | 1,654 | 2,219 ManUiAChITeS:--o- 25 tecece 15 33 48 | DUPLICATES. As in previous years, the Library received a large number of dupli- cates, for the most part publications of States, foreign Governments, societies, and institutions, which are sent to the various offices of the department and later transferred to the Library. Two lists of these duplicates were prepared by the Periodical Division and sent to the Library of Congress and to libraries of the State agricultural col- leges. The items selected by the libraries from these lists filled 31 mail bags. The work of caring for the duplicates consumes a large amount of time. 816 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BINDING. Fanny L. Parker, in Charge. The number of books and periodicals sent to the Government Printing Oflice for binding was 4,064, an increase of 701 as compared with the previous year. In addition to the books and periodicals permanently bound, 2,000 were laced in temporary binders and 1,728 pamphlets were stapled in pamphlet: binders. No record was kept of the large number of reports, missing numbers, etc., added to volumes already in temporary binders.. Although a larger number of books were sent to the Government Printing Office than in the previous year, the actual number of volumes returned was less, owing to the fact that many of the books have remained in the bindery six or seven months, the work of the bindery being much congested on accounty of emergency war requirements. AFFILIATED ACTIVITIES. As has been noted in previous reports, the main Library and the bureau and division libraries are charged to a considerable extent with duties which are not ordinarily considered a part of library work, such as editorial work, translating, care of mailing lists, care of photographs and lantern slides, and general secretarial work. These duties may be described as affiliated or related activities. The main Library has supervision of the foreign mailing lists of the various bureaus, divisions, and offices and has charge of the mis- cellaneous distribution of the publications of the department sent as exchanges to foreign countries. This work is of direct value to the Library in connection with the work of obtaining exchanges. It is administered as a part of the Periodical Division. The Library maintains a consolidated list, arranged geographically, of all the addresses appearing on the foreign mailing lists of the various bureaus. This list comprises at the present time approximately 3,200 addresses. Certain of the bureau libraries are also called upon to do work in connection with the distribution of the publications of their respec- tive bureaus, namely, the libraries of the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Bureau of Entomology, the Dairy Division, and the Office of Farm Management. As the domestic mailing lists of the Bureau of Plant Industry are extensive, the care of the lists isan important part of the work of the library of that bureau. During the latter part of the fiscal year the Library was requested to prepare a subject index to the domestic mailing lists * maintained by the various offices of the department, to be used in connection with the emergency distribution of publications made necessary by the war. The making of this index proved an interesting problem, and it is believed that if the plan were further developed it would prove a valuable aid in the distribution of department publications. The present distribution of publications by bureaus lacks flexibility and does not meet satisfactorily the needs of institutions and individuals desiring to receive publications on certain subjects. 1The domestic mailing lists are not filed in the library. REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 317 The Library is called upon to do a considerable amount of trans- lating. During the last fiscal year 131 letters and 7 articles were translated by the Library up to March 1, 1917, at which time the Library translator resigned. Since that date the letters sent to the Library to be translated have, except in a few instances, been re- ferred to the translator connected with the Editorial Office of the Bureau of Animal Industry, in accordance with a cooperative ar- rangement made with that office. A translator was recently ap- pointed in the Bureau of Chemistry and is a member of the staff of the bureau library. Translations are being made of the foreign food and drug laws. By far the heaviest of the affiliated activities of the library of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization has been the editorial work. Fifty-nine publications were edited by the library during the past year. The library also has considerable work in connection with the bureau correspondence. In the Dairy Division the correspondence files are under the super- vision of the librarian of the division. This work has increased almost 50 per cent during the past year and now requires more than one-half the time of two assistants. The photographic collections and lantern slides are also cared for by the ene LIBRARY STAFF. The number of employees carried on the roll of the main Library at the close of the year was 35; the number employed by the bureau, division, and office libraries was 44. The total number, 79, employed in the main Library and the bureau, division, and office lbraries includes 62 librarians, library assistants, and stenographers, 1 trans- lator, 14 messengers, and 2 charwomen. ‘The only change in person- nel of the bureau librarians was in the Bureau of Crop Estimates. The former librarian, Miss Helena C. Spraker, resigned in October, 1916, and was succeeded on November 1 by Mrs. Ellen H. Painter. During the past year many changes were made in the personnel of the main Library staff, due to resignations. Six of the assistants who resigned had been with the Library for a number of years, among them the translator and the bookkeeper. The loss of these assistants seriously crippled the work of the year. As the Civil Service Commission eligible list of library assistants was exhausted, it was necessary to make a number of temporary appointments. Library staff meetings were held each month from October, 1916, to June, 1917. BUREAU, DIVISION, AND OFFICE LIBRARIES. The following table gives a list of the bureaus, divisions, and offices which maintain libraries, with the names of the librarians, and shows the approximate number of books and pamphlets con- tained in the various libraries, the number of current periodicals which are sent to them regularly for review or filing, the number of registered borrowers, and the number to which periodicals are regularly circulated. The statistics in regard to the use of the books in the various libraries are given on preceding pages of this re- port. No bureau libraries are maintained by the Bureau of Animal Industry or the Bureau of Soils. The Weather Bureau library is ad- 318 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ministered separately, and the report is contained in the report of the Weather Bureau. The books and periodicals for the Weather Bureau library are, however, purchased from the appropriation for the Library of the department. The sum of $1,000 is set aside each year for this purpose. In connection with the figures given below showing the approximate number of books and pamphlets in the various libraries, it should perhaps be explained that the proportion of pamphlets in nearly all of the libraries is large. It is estimated that about one-third of the Library’s collections are filed in the various bureaus, divisions, and offices. Books, pamphlets, and periodicals in bureau, division, and office libraries. Num.- = ber of b um- regis- Num ber of | Num-|_ tered : Num- pepe periodi-| ber of | borrow- Bureau or office. Librarian in charge. ber em- el cals cur-| regis- | ers to ployed pam- rently | tered | whom re- | borrow-, periodi- phlets. | cgived.| ers. | cals are Bureau of Animal Industry:1! | Animal Husbandry Division. ..} Miss Jessie Urner... ---- 1 | 23,800 2148 35 35 Dairy Division ss-s5- eases Miss Margaret Doonan. . 3} 2,570 304 53 53 Biochemie, Pathological, Zoo- | Miss Elsie Moore 3... ...- 1 (4) 353 105 69 logical, and other divisions. Bureau of Biological Survey....-.-- W. H. Cheesman 5.....- 2 | 26,650 90 44 44 Bureau of Chemistry. -.-.----------- Miss Anne E. Draper...- 4 | 6,600 443 226 124 Bureau of Crop Estimates. ---..---- Mrs. Ellen H. Painter- -- 2 210,000 550 30!) 2eees ee Bureau of Entomology....-.-.------- Miss Mabel Colcord....-- ~2 | 15,035 250 162i: ohare Bureau of Plant Industry........--. Miss Eunice R. Oberly.. 10 | 2 6,900 600 395 165 HorestiService: ot tsc- ce ete scee eee sae cen E. Stock- 2 | 19,345 73 147 45 ridge. Office of Farm Management... ---- - Miss Cora E. Feldkamp- 4} 9,000 205 89 40 Office of Markets and Rural Organi- | Miss Caroline B. Sher- 6 | 2,636 306 175 547 zation. man. Office of Public Roads and Rural | Miss Grace Francis. -..- 1 | 24,800 133 78 34 Engineering. Office of the Solicitor...-...-....-- (\r ee Soe. eee eee 21.700 fee ss255.|| ones sa eeeeeeee States Relations Service..........-- Miss E. Lucy Ogden...-. 6 | 24,500 628 91 53 1 No bureau library is maintained. 4 No separate library collection maintained. 2 Approximate figures. 5 Editor and librarian. 3 Periodical assistant. 6 No librarian in charge. All books for the use of the department in Washington are pur- chased by the Library.t All books are catalogued by the main Library, including those filed in the bureaus. The main Library catalogue is, therefore, an approximately complete record of all the library resources of the department. Books and periodicals for field use, or, in other words, for use outside of Washington, can be purchased from the funds of the bureaus, divisions, and offices. The procedure in regard to the pur- chase of books for field use is governed by Memorandum No. 62 of the Office of the Secretary. The records in connection with the books and periodicals purchased for use in the field are, in the majority of the bureaus, cared for by the libraries of the bureaus. During the past year 147 books and 2 maps were purchased for the field libraries of the Bureau of Chemistry, at a cost of $1,221.18. The enological laboratory formerly maintained by the bureau at 1¥For the law governing the purchase of the books and periodicals for the department, see U. S. Statutes at Large, vol. 30, p. 316. REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 319 Charlottesville, Va., was discontinued last year, and the books be- longing to it returned to Washington. Several books not previously in the department Library were added to it from this source. The Forest Service now has 169 field libraries, distributed as fol- lows: Six in the district offices, 145 on the national forests, 11 on the purchase areas in the Southern Appalachian and White Moun- tains, six at the experiment stations, and one at the forest-products laboratory at Madison, Wis. During the past year three national forest libraries and one experiment station library were discontinued, their headquarters having been abandoned or combined with others. There are 31,170 field library books altogether, an increase of 1,573 over the total of last year. The majority of these consist of free Government or State publications. The amount spent by the Forest Service for books and subscriptions to periodicals for the field dur- ing the year was about $2,000, more than one-half of this amount being for periodicals. Previous to this year little work has been done with the field offices of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization. With the develop- ment of the 32 offices of Federal grain supervision, however, such work has become important and at times pressing. A few reference books have been bought for each station, the books being handled and recorded in the library of the office before being mailed to the field. A selected collection of Federal and State bulletins has also been made for each station, and subscriptions for about six well-known grain periodicals have been entered for each. Reference books have also been provided for the branch stations dealing with perishables and those dealing with live stock and meat. There are 100 field-station collections in the Bureau of Plant In- dustry, containing approximately 2,200 volumes. The periodicals subscribed for by the bureau for use in the field stations number 285. There were few changes in the past year in the location and organi- zation of the libraries of the various bureaus, divisions and offices. The Division of Animal Husbandry was moved in May from 1358 B Street SW. to the Busch Building at 710 E Street NW., and a larger room was furnished for the use of the library. In June, 1917, the library and reference work relating to the Office of Grain Standardi- zation, which had been conducted in the Bureau of Plant Industry, was consolidated with that of the Office of Markets and Rural Organi- zation, preparatory to the formal transfer of work, which took place on July 1, at which time the name was changed to the Bureau of Markets Library. In order better to coordinate the library work of the department and to bring greater cooperation, provision was made by law a few years ago whereby it is legally possible for assistants from the main Library to be detailed temporarily to the bureau and office libraries and librarians from the bureaus and divisions to be detailed to the main Library. Advantage was again taken of this provision during the past year in the temporary transfer of an assistant from the loan desk of the main Library to the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the transfer of a loan-desk assistant from the Bureau of Plant Industry to the main Library. The experience thus gained was helpful to both libraries. 320 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. FINANCES. A comparison of the receipts and expenditures of the Library for the last five years is given in the following table: Financial statement, fiscal years 1913 to 1917. RECEIPTS. | Fiscal year— Source of receipt and object of expenditure. 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 Source: ~ Library appropriation................. $41, 280.00 | $43,520.00 | $45,360.00 | $46,020.00 | $49,5 0.00 From department printing and binding SiibaYs Beebe an See OP eee hee 13,843.31 | 11,345.84] 10,190.62] 9,662.12 8, 707.52 Totals eeneeee ess ae eee ee en, 55,123.31 | 54,865.84 | .55,550.62 | 55,682.12] 58,227.52 EXPENDITURES. Object: Books andiserialsscosecet aes tecjase= sea $6, 825.71 | 1 $9, 100.00 | 1 $8,512.15 | 1 $9,117. 24 | 1 $10, 233. 21 PETIOGICHIS Esmee menses eee ee co oee ee 3,606.48 | 14,232.41 | 13,511.18 | 14,154.11. 1 4, 249. 99 Maps seit. Picet ete Sieeee Us eck heise reso be oe ce ee Bh. oe eee Aa aoe 215.00 Ind ex:CardS ak a tnwecee seacee eae eee 215.86 168. 03 181.56 161.15 1129.61 Supplies'and repairs... .-20-.- 25 313. 27 556. 93 384.55 384. 80 435.97 Furniture, shelving, and miscellaneous Equipmentss teem ee ee et erionae 2, 643. 89 904. 73 3,112.18 699. 67 584.50 Draveling.expensesi.. s2-s- 222-2 cele 2952) Noe os sise Se etl Sek Slee 315-20) 332225 ere Bey Fed RS (sp: qoy cela tare (a la be Ayes us eee et eS heel Sue eel ial Paes Ned, bet Spee ae 10. 04 Salaries (main library)............-..-. 27,140.27 | 28,377.17 | 29,585.50} 31,278.06 33, 025. 53 40,775.00 | 43,339.28 | 45,287.12 | 45,826.23 | 48, 883.85 BRIN GN Panjacec see acs eco sneer ameraeaeee 4, 084. 21 1, 892. 25 1, 895. 47 1, 806. 79 1, 727.17 Binding ese se Basset eee LEE SS. 9, 759. 10 9, 453. 59 8, 295. 15 7, 855. 33 6, 980. 35 13, 843.31 11,345. 84 10, 190. 62 9, 662. 12 8, 707.52 otal onto te eee estes ete 54,618.31 | 54,685.12] 55,477.74 | 55,488.35 | 57,591.37 1 Approximate figures. From the total, $6,980.35, spent for binding in the past year, $5,178.19 was spent for regular binding, $1,472.66 for binders, and $329.50 for pamphlet boxes. From the $1,727.17 spent for printing, $56.63 was spent for the printing of the annual report of the Librarian for 1916, $270.54 for forms, and $1,400 for the cards printed, through the Library of Congress, for the publications of the department and for the accessions. REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 321 A. L. A. FORM FOR LIBRARY STATISTICS.’ Annual report for year ended June 30, 1917. vYame of library, U. 8S. Department of Agriculture Library. City or town, Washington, D. C. Terms of use, free for lending to department employees, free for general reference. Total number of agencies, 14 (consisting of main Library and 13 branches). Number of days open during year, 3806. Hours open each week for lending, 45 for nine months, 414 during three summer months. Hours open each week for reading, 45 for nine months, 414 during three summer months. Total number of staff, 85 in main Library, 44 in branches. Number of volumes added during year by purchase, 1,949. Number of volumes added during year by gift and exchange, 641. Number of volumes added during year by binding material not otherwise counted, 1,178. Number of volumes withdrawn during year, 249. Number of pamphlets added during year, 584. Number of serials added during year, 5,788. Number of maps and charts added during year, 5. Total number of books and pamphlets, 142,377. Total recorded use, 169,983. Number of interlibrary loans, 1,273. Total number of registered borrowers, 1,815. Number of periodicals currently received, 2,219 titles, 3,249 copies. FINANCE. RECEIPTS. PAYMENTS FOR— Government appropriation_ $49, 520.00 | Books _---------__-______ $9, 233. 21 From department printing Peniodicalsie ses eases 4, 249. 99 and binding fund_____~_ SOTo2) Other Serialss.— ees 1, 000. 00 Salaries, library service___ 38, 025. 53 Printing and binding ____ 8, 707. 52 Other maintenance —_____ Liston 2 Ro ala Se 58, 227. 52 Rota eee es eee 57, 591. 37 1 Libraries which print their annual reports are requested by the American Library Association to include therein their statistics presented according to a form compiled by the American Library Association Committee on Library Administration, as this facili- tates comparison. The statistics of the Library are given above in the American Library Association form in so far as the records kept by the Library make it possible, 33382°—acr 1917-——21 a AP tie Pani eri 2 ARDS) me Ye) >) s Payrye & & oil? scitials eth ‘agp shy a) uy a) aif image re = { orca bi Hh ue epofetin ty IMMER os Neg » ' _ ah m ‘Sa: WY ee bia ao) mie ee Xe b TOT: Ok f if Dhiws hie rplebee ‘we | x oy cy . hem vi te ney) = wad pee re ers bi amas 76 sil Jaa, QA Tage ex itiast ws Wo Peamtiel' = _ Gl SochiGinde a Aone A) : - ative a with thal 1h 0 faith ur or 7 i CTT CHIU STEP bats fund Beall Wd : , r his hu ixty di i} pei canel’ POUT ley soaPyetn\ ie Te i Resa te diees Seti ay ae yy Mw betita es eo i # ‘Crk RES i Lista Od eafublie mya e 7 BA Tiel 3G a nue a tes ta hie ah io! : 4, meee Tie Se ieises a rm Pye ney lili fh” PALL Ate prt Pid Tie need (ol pce shies oar babe iiice elt “Wate te La AGS Sey" Nw Poy pie trys i ee agiigu at; ii aS Te fe inf dy). OLR Rae wa SIVAN a9 2 o : ast WELD i Sughd ge) | flab ene eo vehi if (those wet GAN Alm eng Fy mi ee + 7 Niet) t ET tet id | bei ite t: Gay 4. _ i ) hz, FOE 2 Fate aaa z wid ia ¥ , v5 ~ alll | Shire én 7 Soe be, a4 ‘ ; ' j “Es a BA wstly 4 mi ¢ margryny e's i _ cep ites tvs 4« ' 7 m t ils j ie oat r a Th ae : a. Lies 20) nny a 7 sacl yeelyagen altY th “ntworpay i. y teseun shit 7 lah +H alalkes aes: & Asli oe cathy eee EL. vate Ai’ mit > iy why 28h centiatipi iiveBAe ei iil & pPiniy ) = (he ay j ST WReG? east jet oi? rly az ivty “ay ~~ eu: af weeiies it tld wee int ict Ib Wee GEted dh 884 VW Pq? eo »t aly sae -2¢ ep a) eios \ ‘ an . ee he ‘tn o® 4 " aa for ; z q i, ' * a i} ey . 7 e ‘ i ta 7 ee q4 : Oo —- REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. Unirep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, States RELATIONS SERVICE, Washington, D. C., July 1, 1917. Sir: I have the honor to present herewith the report of the States Relations Service for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917, Respectfully, A. C. Trus, Director. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. INTRODUCTION. The States Relations Service represents the Secretary of Agri- culture in his relations with the State agricultural colleges and experiment stations under the acts of Congress granting funds to these institutions for agricultural experiment stations and coopera- tive extension work in agriculture and home economics, and in carry- ing out the provisions of acts of Congress making appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for farmers’ cooperative demonstra- tion work, investigations relating to agricultural schools, farmers’ institutes, and home economics, and the maintenance of agricultural experiment stations in Alaska, Hawai, Porto Rico, and Guam. The organization of the service includes the following offices: (1) The Office of the Director, which deals with the general business and administration of the service and the work relating to agricultural instruction and farmers’ institutes; (2) the Office of Experiment Stations; (3) the Office of Extension Work in the South, including the farmers’ cooperative demonstration work and_the cooperative extension work in 15 Southern States; (4) the Office of Extension Work in the North and West, including the farmers’ cooperative demonstration work and the cooperative extension work in 33 North- ern and Western States; and (5) the Office of Home Economics, in- cluding investigations relative to foods, clothing, and household equipment and management. During the year ended June 30, 1917, the service directly adminis- tered appropriations aggregating $1,529,680, and had administrative 323 oo ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and advisory relations regarding the expenditure of $3,020,000 of Federal funds ($1,440,000 for agricultural experiment stations and $1,580,000 for cooperative extension work) and $1,100,000 of State funds used as an offset for Federal funds under the extension act of May 8, 1914. In addition, the agricultural colleges and stations used in experimental and extension enterprises over $6,250,000 derived from sources within the States. On June 30, 1917, the force carried on the rolls of the States Re- lations Service aggregated about 2,500 employees. The State agri- cultural experiment stations employed about 1,900 persons, of whom about 600 did some extension work. The total number of persons employed in cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics was about 3,500, of whom about 2,300 were carried on the rolls of the States Relations Service. During the last year the work of the service and the cooperating colleges, experiment stations, and other organizations was materially increased and modified by conditions growing out of the European war. The reduced yield of important staple crops in the United States in 1916 due to adverse climatic and other conditions, com- bined with the greatly increased need of European peoples for these products, made it necessary for the department and the State agri- cultural institutions to modify and intensify their plans and activi- ties relating to the agriculture of this country in 1917. This neces- sity was vastly augmented when the United States entered the war, and it became essential to organize its agricultural forces on a war basis and to instruct the people in both city and country how best to utilize and conserve a limited food supply. To a remarkable ex- tent the people throughout the country turned to the Department of Agriculture and the State agricultural colleges for advice and assistance in these matters. There was widespread recognition of the fact that in the cooperative extension system, with its combina- tion of Federal and State administrative officers and subject-matter specialists, with county agents, farm bureaus, and other local or- ganizations, a very effective means was provided for nation-wide dissemination of the needed facts, as well as practical demonstrations of the measures required to increase agricultural production along the best lines and to secure the most economical utilization of the products of the farms in the homes of the people. Congress re- sponded to the widespread demand for the immediate expansion of the cooperative extension forces by taking up legislation to this end, but pending its discussion and passage the department and the States speeded up their work along these lines with such forces and funds as they were able to obtain and utilize. Thus the work of these agencies was profoundly affected and increased before the end of the fiscal year and the foundation laid for a much greater service now that larger resources have been’ put at their command. Much of the increased acreage and yield of important staple crops, the multitude of home gardens, the canning or otherwise preserving of perishable products, the modification of southern agricultural prac- tice by increasing the production of foodstuffs without injury to cot- ton growing has been due to the efforts of these agricultural agencies prior to the end of the last fiscal year. STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 325 OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR. Problems connected with the organization and administration of the cooperative extension work continued to occupy to a large extent the attention of the director and other officers of the service during the second year of the operation of the States Relations Service. Much progress was made in the practical determination of the scope and limitations of the work and relationships under the Cooperative Extension Act of May 8, 1914, and related Federal and State legis- lation. Through correspondence and personal conferences with offi- cers of the State agricultural colleges and representatives of the association of these colleges a more complete and satisfactory under- standing of mutual privileges and obligations involved in the plan- ning and conducting of cooperative enterprises under existing laws was arrived at. Much attention was given to the development of relations with the other bureaus of the department by means of which satisfactory arrangements might be made with the State institutions for the ex- tension work of these bureaus authorized by Congress. This often involved the establishment of practical lines of demarcation between extension enterprises and research or regulatory work. It also brought under consideration the broad problems of the relationships of the cooperative extension organization with organizations such as the State departments of agriculture and education, sanitary live- stock boards, health services, etc. The routine business of the office was increased greatly by the enlargement of the cooperative work and by the war emergency de- mands on the department. EDITORIAL DIVISION. W. H. Brat, Chief. All the publications of the service except Experiment Station Record were handled in an editorial capacity by this division as usual. The character of the work of the division was not modified materially during the year, but the number and volume of publica- tions issued was increased. The service was called upon especially to meet a greatly increased demand for its publications bearing upon food conservation. One hundred and nine documents, aggregating 4,845 pages, were issued by the service. These included 22 numbers of Experiment Station Record, 2 reports, 15 technical bulletins, 6 articles in the Journal of Agricultural Research, 13 insular stations publications, 1 Yearbook article, 5 Farmers’ Bulletins, 11 illustrated lectures, 4 numbers of Agricultural Education Monthly, 7 numbers of Farm Demonstration Monthly, 21 documents relating to cooperative ex- tension work in agriculture and home economics, and 2 administra- tive circulars. In addition to these formal documents, the service also issued (either in printed or in mimeographed form) a large number of informal documents, including leaflets of various kinds, blank forms, record books, and the like, required in connection with special features of the work of the service, and cooperated with the 826 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Office of Information in the preparation of a considerable amount of press and other informational material of wider general interest. A marked increase occurred also in the work connected with the collection and preparation of illustrative material for the use of em- ployees or collaborators of the service. The collection of illustra- tive material was enlarged and improved, 3,184 photographs being added to the collection during the year, bringing the total number up to 6,794, of which 4,693 are mounted, classified, and catalogued for ready use. The number of lantern slides made during the year was 8,750, of which 2,045 are colored. About 1,151 shipments, aggregat- ing 57,550 slides, were made to users of the slides within the service or to schools collaborating with the service. Facilities for securing new and better illustrative material especially suited to the work of the different divisions of the service were improved during the year. To improve these facilities further, a specialist in visual instruction and a lantern slide colorist, who will devote their whole time to the illustrative work of the service, were added at the close of the year. INVESTIGATIONS ON AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS. C. H. LANgE, Chief Specialist in Agricultural Education. These investigations dealt as heretofore with studies of the methods and subject matter of instruction in agriculture, especially in secondary and elementary rural schools, with a view to improving such instruction and making it more practically useful. While the increase in the number of secondary schools teaching agriculture has not been so marked as during the preceding year, there is every evidence that more effective work is being done. Out of 2,175 secondary schools reporting, 566 are teaching agriculture from a vocational standpoint. The standard of qualifications of the agricultural teacher has been raised materially and this appears to have had a large influence in increasing the proportion of men teaching agriculture in secondary schools. More than 1,000 teachers out of 2,254 have taken special training in agriculture, either a four-year agricultural-college course, short, or normal course. Three hundred and ninety-two schools were using land for instruc- tional purposes. The interest in school gardens has been noticeable. Three hundred and thirty-seven high schools are teaching the sub- ject by the home-project method. Specific projects, with definite outlines and required reports, are used. In addition to the effective teaching of agriculture through the school farm, and home projects, an unusual interest is being shown in laboratory and class observations on neighboring farms, and it is expected that this particular phase of agricultural instruction will receive greater impetus under the Smith-Hughes Act, passed Feb- ruary 23, 1917, which provides Federal aid for the purpose of coop- erating with the States in paying the salaries of teachers, super- visors, or directors of agricultural subjects, and also for the prepara- tion of these teachers, supervisors, and directors. A detailed study of vocational agricultural instruction in high schools of the northeastern States was made in cooperation with the Bureau of Education. Through similar cooperation a survey was made of agricultural instruction in two counties of Texas. j STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 827 Eight special agricultural schools, representing six typical south- ern States, were visited and their methods studied in detail. Special methods used in the training of teachers of secondary agriculture in six southern agricultural colleges were also studied. Three conferences of workers interested in secondary agricultural education were held. At these conferences problems of supervision, relationships of boys’ and girls’ club work to agricultural instruction in the schools, and the reorganization of secondary courses in agricul- ture were discussed. In cooperation with the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations a study of the question of college eredit for high school agriculture was made and the results pub- lished. A report on secondary vocational agricultural instruction was pre- pared for the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Edu- cation of the National Education Association. During the past year 14 brief pedagogical statements on how certain Farmers’ Bulletins and professional papers issued by the department may be used in connection with the teaching of agri- culture in rural schools were published. After personal investigation and study manuscripts containing courses in agriculture for the rural schools of Vermont and Vir- ginia were prepared for publication through the cooperation of the State agricultural college and State department of public instruc- tion in the respective States. Four numbers of the Agricultural Education Monthly were pub- lished, as were three numbers of a series of documents on secondary agricultural instruction, which superseded the Agricultural Educa- tion Monthly beginning with January. A one-year general course in agriculture was prepared for the War Department. Two sets of lantern slides dealing respectively with agricultural extension in secondary schools and the home project in teaching agriculture were prepared. Demonstrations for the purpose of working out methods of teach- ing practical agriculture and problems connected with its super- vision were made at the Eighth District Agricultural School at Manassas, Va. The year’s studies and observations show in general that much more systematic attention is being given to problems of agricultural educa- tion from a practical standpoint by many schools. Interest in the study of practical problems of agricultural instruction has been greatly promoted and the development of agricultural schools with practical aim and instruction materially aided. INVESTIGATIONS ON FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. J. M. StepmMan, Farmers’ Institute Specialist. In 17 States farmers’ institutes are still conducted by the State departments of agriculture, the commissioners of agriculture, or a special State farmers’ institute official, while in the remaining 31 States this activity has now been placed entirely in charge of the extension division of the State agricultural college, where it forms a 328 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. part of their regular extension work. In those States where the farmers’ institutes are not under the management of the agricultural college there is a marked tendency to fit them into the extension movement by close cooperative arrangement with the college. The State farmers’ institute activity, which formerly included institutes for young people, women’s institutes, and movable schools, has now been largely restricted to the holding of the regular farmers’ insti- tute, the other activities having been provided for in the extension division of the agricultural colleges through their boys’ and girls’ club work, home economics work for the women, and various types of movable or extension schools. ; Notwithstanding the recent rapid growth of demonstrations and other extension features, the attendance at farmers’ institutes still maintains its maximum numbers. The reported attendance at farm- ers’ institutes in 1916 was 2,947,679, with four States not heard from. There were 32,244 sessions, lasting 10,786 days, and the sum of $370,420 was spent in the movement. Farmers’ institute directors and lecturers as well as county agri- cultural agents and other extension workers were all aided as here- tofore, and information regarding farmers’ institute work through- out the country was collected, tabulated, and published. The various syllabi of lectures on agricultural topics, each accom- panied by about 50 lantern slides, were in great demand. Several of the syllabi were revised or their accompanying sets of slides improved during the year. New syllabi were added as follows: Leguminous Forage Crops for the South; Leguminous Forage Crops for the North; Sweet Potatoes: Culture and Storage; The Farm Vegetable Garden; Practical Improvement of Farm Grounds; Pub- lic Road Improvement; and Cow Testing and Dairy Records. These lectures were used especially by farmers’ institute workers, county agents, and other extension workers, as well as by teachers of agri- culture in rural schools. OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. EK. W. ALLEN, Chief. The primary functions of the office consist in (1) the maintenance: of the department’s relations with the State agricultural experiment stations, including the supervision of the funds and the work under the Federal appropriations; (2) the preparation of the abstract journal Experiment Station Record, now in its twenty-eighth year, and of the card index of experiment station literature, both of which are designed to aid teachers and investigators in agriculture by furnishing a systematic record of the progress of agricultural invest1- gation; and (8) the management of the Federal experiment stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, and Guam. In addition to these main lines, the office has maintained an agri- cultural science register as a means of registering those desiring to enter station work and of assisting the experiment stations in recruiting their forces; and is keeping up its record of the organiza- tion and progress of experiment stations throughout the world.. It is frequently called upon to look up the literature on special subjects for the experiment stations, and otherwise has served as a central agency for the advancement of agricultural investigation. STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 829 RELATIONS WITH THE STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The relations between the office and the experiment stations in the several States have remained substantially the same as in preceding ears. These relations are both supervisory and advisory. Under the Hatch and Adams Acts the office represents the department in its supervision of the funds granted by the Federal Government for agricultural experiment and investigation in the States, and deals with questions relating to the character of work conducted under these funds, the conditions provided for it, the relations of the sta- tion work to other activities of the institution, and other matters concerning the experiment station enterprise in each of the States. The aim in this supervision has been not merely to audit the accounts and see that the funds were used legally within the terms cf the Hatch and Adams Acts, but to preserve the funds to the best use of the station, to stimulate investigation in the highest degree, and to secure conditions which will result in an increasing efficiency of the system of experiment stations as a source of new and _ tested knowledge. Each of the experiment stations was visited and inspected during the year, the accounts examined, and the work of the individual mem- bers of the staff gone over. Conferences were held on various matters relating to the progress of the station, at which matters of general policy and the future development of the station were considered. These annual visits are welcomed by the directors of the stations, which fact illustrates the cordial relations maintained with these institutions. The projects conducted under the Adams fund continued to re- ceive careful scrutiny and constructive criticism. This applies not only to new projects which are submitted by the stations, but to the progress of projects which have been under way for a number of years and which frequently need strengthening or reshaping to make them progressive in the highest sense. As a whole, however, the projects under this fund, as well as those of the stations in gen- eral, are of increasingly high grade, more. searching in character, and more competent to yield definite answers to specific agricultural problems. An unusual number of changes occurred in the personnel of the experiment stations during the year, especially in the directorships. New directors were appointed in Georgia, South Carolina, and Utah. The director of the New York Cornell Station retired at the begin- ning of the year, the director of the Minnesota station at the close of the year, and the director of the Washington station a short time pre- vious to the close of the year. The director of the Kentucky station died early in the year. Directors of these stations have not yet been appointed, their administration being placed in the hands of acting heads. These changes and other changes in the personnel of the staff have called for advice and counsel in filling the positions and in aiding the new appointees. Considerable attention has been required during the year in the matter of adjustment of salaries between the station funds and other funds of the institution. The year marked the close of a decade of operations under the Adams Act. The standards which that act set and which the office 330 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. has consistently attempted to maintain have had a remarkable influ- ence on agricultural research and upon the development of the ex- periment stations. A clearer conception has grown up of the field and character of research as contrasted with other forms of experi- mental activity, and as a result of the exactions of a higher grade of work the qualification requirements for experiment station employees have steadily been raised. Men of superior training are sought where new positions are to be filled, and those already in the stations are stimulated to take advanced training. Some of the products and in- fluence of the Adams Act, and the changes which have come with it, were presented editorially in the March issue of Experiment Station Record (Vol. XXXVI, No. 4). The chief of the office continued to serve as a member of the com- mittee on experiment station organization and policy of the Asso- ciation of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations and devoted considerable study to the preparation of a report em- bodying suggestions for the improvement of experiment station pub- lications. In general, marked improvement has been made in the character of the station publications and in their classification in accordance with the audience to which they are directed. To a considerable extent the technical papers of the stations are being published in the Journal of Agricultural Research, issued by this department, on which the chief of the office serves as a member of the editorial committee. EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. In accordance with the general plan in operation for several years, volumes 35 and 36 of Experiment Station Record, each consisting of nine numbers and the usual author and subject indexes, were pre- pared during the year. These volumes contained about 7,000 ab- stracts of the world’s scientific literature pertaining to agriculture, together with monthly editorials discussing important phases of the development of agricultural investigation and science and brief notes on the progress of institutions for agricultural education and research in this country and abroad. The total number of articles abstracted was smaller than for several years. This was due largely to the reduced output of most scientific institutions in Europe and to the ever- -increasing difficulty in obtaining copies of many publications, especially those “from Ger- many. On the other hand, the domestic literature continued to increase in both volume and importance. INSULAR STATIONS. The work of the Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, and Guam stations continued along the usual lines during the early part of the year, but with the development of the food emergency brought about by the war many projects not immediately applicable to the situation were temporarily put aside and all efforts concentrated on increasing local production of food supplies, a work of primary importance, as whatever percentage of increase it has been possible to attain has reduced by that much the demand on the mainland. That this work was urgently needed may be realized from the fact that nearly STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 331 2,000,000 people of these sections were very largely dependent upon the mainland for food, the annual imports of such products into Hawaii and Porto Rico alone being valued at about $20,000,000, in spite of the fact that many of the articles imported can be grown successfully in tropical countries. In their efforts to increase local production of foodstuffs the stations have cooperated with whatever agencies they found available, and so successfully has the work been carried on that imports in certain lines have been noticeably reduced. Already Porto Rico, which formerly imported more than $800,000 worth of beans annually from the mainland, is in a position to ex- port them. The Hawaii station, through cooperation with indi- viduals and organizations of various kinds, greatly increased the local production of food crops. The Alaska stations greatly ex- tended the areas sown to grains, so as to be able to meet increased demands for seed grain adapted to the country. The Guam station is distributing larger quantities of seeds and plants for cultivation by the natives, the results so far obtained having been satisfactory. The only administrative change in the stations was the appoint- ment of C. W. Edwards to take charge of the Guam station, in place of A. C. Hartenbower, who returned to his former home in the States. Mr. Edwards, a graduate of Michigan Agricultural College, with a number of years’ experience in connection with the Philippine Bu- reau of Agriculture, entered upon the work in Guam early in the fiscal year. Those continuing in charge of the stations are: Alaska, C. C. Georgeson; Hawaii, J. M. Westgate; and Porto Rico, D. W. May; and to these gentlemen the successful planning and carrying on of the work at the several stations is largely due. Acknowledgment is here made of the continued and cordial co- operation of the bureaus and divisions of the department and of the generous assistance they have given the stations. The appropriations of the stations for 1917 were as follows: Alaska, $48,000; Hawaii, $40,060; Porto Rico, $40,000; and Guam, $15,000. ‘These sums, together with small amounts remaining as balances from sales funds, represent the disbursements in connection with the several stations. The current-sales funds are no longer available to the stations for maintenance expenses, but are now de- posited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The administration and financial review of the affairs of these stations in connection with the States Relations Service continues under the direction of Walter H. Evans and the accounting office of the service. ALASKA STATIONS. One of the most important events connected with the Alaska sta- tions was the provision by Congress for an experiment station in the Matanuska Valley, for which an immediately available appropri- ation of $10,000 was granted. On the passage of this law steps were taken to begin operations in that region, a preliminary survey hav- ing already been made and a site for the station selected. The tract chosen, which embraces 240 acres situated about 2 miles from the town site of Matanuska, was set aside for use as an agricultural experiment station by Executive order dated September 20, 1915. Subsequently section 14 was added, and it is estimated that probably 150 acres of the two tracts can be readily cleared and cultivated. On oon ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. April 1, 1917, Mr. F. E. Rader, who had formerly been connected with the Alaska stations, was commissioned to proceed to Matanuska and begin the pioneer work of clearing the land and establishing the station. The clearing of land, erection of buildings, etc., are now well under way, and it is hoped that experimental work can soon be begun, as all the adjacent country for miles around has been homesteaded and the residents are looking to the station for instruc- tion and assistance. The Alaska stations owe much to the Alaskan Engineering Commission for the successful inauguration of this station, and acknowledgment is most cordially made of the many favors received and assistance given. The work at the Sitka, Fairbanks, Rampart, and Kodiak stations proceeded along about the same lines as formerly until the spring of 1917, when a special campaign for food production was begun. The season of 1916 was unfavorable to agriculture over much of the Ter- ritory. Fruit production and vegetable testing at Sitka gave less satisfactory results than usual. Five varieties of winter rye, one of winter wheat, four of spring wheat, six of oats, one of spring rye, and three of barley ripened in field plats at the Fairbanks station, produc- ing about 600 bushels of grain. In addition, 1,200 pounds of turnip seed was produced for distribution throughout the Territory. In the spring of 1916 a cooperative experiment was entered into with a number of farmers in the Tanana Valley and adjacent regions for testing some of the station-grown grains, two varieties of oats and two of barley being thus distributed. The results, though not at all conclusive, are believed to have aroused an interest in grain growing in that region. At Rampart the grain-breeding work continues to be a prominent feature, a considerable number of crosses having been made each year in the-hope that early varieties of good: quality and high yield might be secured. Several of these hybrids have been under observation for years, and though some exceed the parent plants in all the desired qualities they are still far from being fixed in character. Testing of varieties of grains is carried on, and increase plats are maintained to secure stocks of promising sorts. In the spring of 1917, 10 acres were seeded to various alfalfas, the seed for which had been grown at the station in 1916. At the live-stock station on the island of Kodiak the herd was found to be infected with tuberculosis, 21 head out of 54 reacting. The animals showing the most pronounced infection were killed, and all others which reacted and several suspicious ones were transferred to Kalsin Bay, where an effort will be made to breed healthy cattle from them by following the method of hand-rearing calves on pas- teurized milk. The sound animals are quartered at Kodiak. After the discovery of tuberculosis infection in the herd it was deemed nec- essary to remodel and practically rebuild the barns. Modern sani- tary barns are needed for all the stations. The Holstein cattle bought in 1916 were landed at Kodiak, and the experiment of producing a cross having the hardiness of the Galloway and the milking qualities of the Holstein will be begun by making reciprocal crosses between these breeds. With the development of the country the necessity of providing some means of popularizing the results of the stations’ investigations is becoming apparent, STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 3o0 HAWAIL STATION. The work of the Hawaii station proceeded along the general lines previously described until the spring of 1917, when the station en- tered into an active campaign to bring about more adequate food production and conservation. In this work, the station cooperated with individuals and organizations of various kinds, and through the combined efforts of all agencies the supplies of locally grown foods have been largely increased. The cooperative forage crop work at Schofield Barracks, begun in 1916, has been developed as rapidly as possible, about 50 forage and food crops being under test. Over 100 acres of land at this Army post has been cleared of brush, plowed, and planted to sweet potatoes and cassava this year. The chemical work has been chiefly a continuation of investigations on the control of pineapple troubles due to abnormal soil conditions. The discovery, announced last year, that spraying pineapple plants with iron sulphate corrects the injurious effect of an excessive man- ganese content of the soil has been followed up, and more than 5,000 acres of pineapples was successfully sprayed during the year. Some preliminary experiments for the control of a pineapple wilt indicate that the application of lime to the soil will give relief. Work in progress on the drying of certain products has shown that by ex- posure in suitable containers cassava, sweet potatoes, taro, etc., can be readily dried in the sun and wind and the resulting product stored without apparent deterioration. In the horticultural investigations special attention is given to pineapple breeding work, several thousand seedlings being grown for testing. Some introductions of improved varieties recently made are being tested in comparison with the standard variety grown in Ha- wall. Similar work is in progress with mangoes, avocados, and other tropical fruits. The station has produced several thousand seedling tomatoes by crossing, and these are being given wide trial to determine their immunity to pests. A blight-resistant potato thought to be an accidental hybrid has been found which is being given a thorough test for immunity, the plants on the station plats appearing almost completely immune. The agronomy investigations are confined to experiments with rice, taro, potatoes, leguminous crops, and forage grasses, much of the work being conducted in cooperation with the military authorities. Data already accumulated were of great value in the crop-production work of the 1917 season and will be available so long as the emergency continues. The plant-disease investigations have been largely confined to work with potatoes, bananas, and celery, methods for the control of some of the most serious troubles having been determined. Through the extension division spraying campaigns have been conducted with marked success. At the Glenwood substation, where the rainfall is heavy and the temperatures comparatively low, special problems are being investi- gated, the most profitable industry thus far developed for this region seeming to be poultry raising. Dairying is also given attention, and, with special methods of handling, some grasses and forage plants 834 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. have been found to succeed. The growing of celery for market pur- poses has been demonstrated as profitable if proper care is exercised in spraying the growing crop. The Glenwood substation is main- tained in cooperation with Territorial authorities. The Territorial marketing division reports a volume of business amounting to $139,519.05 for the year, 474 individuals having con- signed their produce to the division for sale. As the total sales for the first year (the division, which is largely supported by Territorial funds, was established and placed under the direction of the station , July 1, 1918) amounted to only $26,500, the increase shown for the past year is gratifying. The experimental features embodied in this enterprise having been largely worked out and the work of the divi- sion being now simply a commercial undertaking, its relations with the station were terminated June 30, 1917, and it will continue to be operated solely under Territorial authority. The extension work of the station, now being developed as rapidly as possible, receives a manifest approval which is very gratifying. It is impossible to reach all localities and nationalities with the pres- ent resources, but through cooperators, demonstration farms, and personal visits of the superintendent of extension and his collabora- tors the advantages of diversified agriculture are being given wide publicity. The local papers and a series of emergency publications are also used to spread information. The station had a large share in a movement to start school gardens and boys’ and girls’ clubs, which were conducted for the first time in the islands during the past year. Porto Rico STarion. With the increased appropriation granted the Porto Rico station the extension work was greatly developed, and it is now being very successfully carried on throughout the island. In connection with this work cooperative demonstration experiments were started in many sections of Porto Rico not hitherto reached. These give op- portunity for testing new crops and new varieties introduced through the station. Particular attention has been paid to the testing of such food crops as cowpeas, soy beans, peanuts, and beans, and of forage plants, among them velvet beans, sorghums, Sudan grass, Napier grass, etc., active interest in the production of these crops having been so aroused that all are being extensively planted. Cowpeas, which have been found adapted to some of the poorer lands, are be- coming an important factor in feeding the people of Porto Rico. On bare lands cowpeas and soy beans are the best crops for immediate results, These may be followed by kafir, sorghum, and Sudan grass with excellent effect, not only in returns from these crops, but in bringing the land under permanent culture and in preventing fur- ther erosion of the soil. Some 200 acres of hill land, denuded of forests, has been put under experiment by the station to see if such areas can be profitably reclaimed. The station has entered upon an active campaign to improve the economic plants of the island through the introduction of new crops and through plant breeding by selection and crossing. Such work, it is believed, will noticeably improve Porto Rican agriculture. As many of the soils of the island lack fertility the chemists of the station have given special attention to soil investigations, par- STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 3835 ticularly with a view to determining the relative efficiency of various fertilizing constituents. A survey of the guano deposits of the island was completed. Some work which has been begun to find the effi- ciency of nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia for rice is of im- ortance in view af the possibilities of rice growing in the island. ‘urther biochemical investigations of chlorosis of plants are in prog- ress. Comparative tests of nitrate’of soda and sulphate of ammonia for pineapples have given some striking results, but the experiments are to be repeated Gator conclusions are drawn regarding them. The experiments with fertilizers for coconuts, which have been in progress for several years, seem to indicate that yields may be largely increased by the use of complete fertilizers, but there has thus far been no increase in the size of the individual nuts. The work with coffee and cacao has been continued and data regarding the crop ob- tained. Leguminous shade trees have been successfully introduced, which So far have not been so subject to fungus and insect pests as the species commonly employed in. shading coffee and cacao. The station’s work with vanilla has been so successful that it appears that vanilla growing can be made a profitable industry. Arrangements have been pened for making several commercial plantings of vanilla under the supervision of the station, and these, it is hoped, will serve as demonstrations. The entomologist and the pathologist are continuing their investi- gations of crop pests. Special investigations on the insects affecting stored grains are in progress, and information regarding precautions to be observed has been prepared and issued. Among the plant dis- eases receiving attention are the banana wilt, citrus scab, bean rust, tomato and potato blight, etc. Methods for their control are being worked out. Wollowing the station’s work with forage crops and the introduc- tion of improved breeding animals, the live-stock industry of the island is making satisfactory progress. Extensive plantings of kafir corn, Sudan grass, Napier grass, etc., which were introduced by the station, are to be found in many parts of Porto Rico, and these crops, as well as cane tops and velvet beans, have been successfully made into silage. As a result, the cattle industry is thriving and dairying has been widely extended, a great improvement in sanitary condi- tions involved in the production and marketing of milk having re- sulted from the station’s demonstrations in handling this product. : GUAM STATION, The animal-husbandry work of the station has been confined to in- creasing and improving the station herds by the use of pure-bred sires, producing improved sires for public use, finding the best methods for taking care of different classes of live stock, and adapt- mg pure-bred and grade animals to local conditions. The number of horses was increased by the birth of one male colt during the past year. No attempt will be made to enlarge the stud, as the station now has as many head of breeding stock as its resources will main- tain. Several head of grade Ayrshire cattle were added to the herd by births during the year, there being no losses. Three half-breed Ayrshire-native bulls have been maintained in different localities for free public service. Two of these half-breed bulls, pastured on native 336 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. range and receiving no especial attention, are in good condition, an indication of the hardiness of the cross. Feeding experiments are in progress with both horses and cattle to test the value of locally produced forage, and though these experiments have not been carried on long enough for generalizations, they indicate that Para grass is an excellent feed for maintenance and that: coconut meal may ‘be sub- stituted for at least one-half the grain feed. The swine herd consists of two Berkshire boars, several half-breed Berkshire-native brood sows, and a number of three-quarter-breed pigs. Some grade animals have been sold to the public for breeding purposes. Grazing experi- ments have shown the value of Para pastures for growing pigs. In an attempt to find the value of breadfruit and coconuts when fed to pigs, the results showed lower gains, even when these foods were fed m combination with grain than when grain was fed alone. During the past year satisfactory results have been obtained with poultry, the principal problems considered being breeding and feeding. A considerable number of eggs for settings and chicks for breeding purposes have been sold to the public. The work in agronomy has been continued along the usual lines, especial emphasis being placed on forage and cover-crop production. Para grass and Paspalum dilatatum are proving more valuable every year. Sudan grass, which was introduced last year, gives promise of being an excellent soiling crop for Guam. Kafir and amber cane have yielded well both as to forage and grain. The improvement of native corn by selection and ear-to-row planting i is being continued, increased yields having already been obtained. Egyptian and im- proved upland cotton are still under test, with yields last year of from 823.4 to 921.8 pounds of seed cotton per acre for Egyptian and 787.6 to 974.4 pounds for upland. In the horticultural work, distribution of seeds and plants con- tinued to be an important featur e, the demand among native farmers for plant materials having largely increased during the past year. Arrangements have been made with the insular police for reports on the different plantings. Experiments are in progress to determine the best time for planting all the important garden crops. Variety tests are being conducted, while the questions of source of seed and kind, quantity, and time ‘of application of fertilizers are receiving attention. Investigations have been begun looking to the improve- ment of the cultivation of coconuts, bananas, papayas, and other im- portant tropical crops. A considerable number of plant introduc- tions which have been propagated will be ready for cooperative dis- tribution at the beginning of the present rainy season. VIRGIN ISLANDS. At the urgent request of the Secretary of the Navy, D. W. May, agronomist in charge of the agricultural experiment station in Porto Rico, was detailed to visit the Virgin Islands of the United States and report on the agricultural situation, with suggestions regarding the steps necessary to make the islands more nearly self-supporting. Mr. May has had an experience of more than 13 years in Porto Rico, which les near the Virgin Islands, and his suggestions should prove of value if put into practice. STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 837 The only crops found cultivated to any extent were sugar cane and Sea Island cotton, the yields of which are low compared with other West Indian islands. There is an almost complete absence of fruits and vegetables in the markets, indicating very limited supplies of locally produced food materials. Stock growing is followed to some extent, but improved stock is needed, better forage plants should be introduced, and more attention given to the proper handling of stock, dairying, etc. _ An experiment station, under Danish authority, was located on St. Croix in 1912, but its work has been very largely with sugar cane. This institution has been locally supported, but there has been a lack of cooperation between the station and the people. This station should be adequately supported and its work extended to include other possible industries and provision made for presenting the re- sults of its investigation to the people of the other islands of the group through extension and demonstration campaigns. OFFICE OF EXTENSION WORK IN THE SOUTH. Braprorp KNAppP, Chief. J. A. Evans, Assistant Chief. The cooperative agricultural extension work as now organized in the 15 Southern States is carried on along the following lines: 1. Administrative work in carrying out the provisions of the co- operative agricultural extension act of May 8, 1914. 2. Extension demonstration work through county agents. 3. Extension home-demonstration and girls’-club work through women county agents. 4, Extension demonstration work through boys’ clubs. 5. Extension demonstration work of specialists through county and women agents. 6. Extension demonstration work for negroes, including boys’ and girls’ clubs for negroes. 7. Extension work through special agricultural campaigns. The work along these lines is carried on in cooperation with other bureaus of the department, the State agricultural colleges, the counties, and State and local organizations. ADMINISTRATION. The administration of the Office of Extension Work in the South is in charge of a chief and one assistant chief. They are assisted by four field agents in the administration of county agent and all co- operative extension work in the States; three men and four women in the administration of home-demonstration and boys’ and girls’ club work; and the necessary office assistants and clerical force. There are also six joint representatives of the Office of Extension Work in the South and other offices or bureaus of the department who assist in the supervision of the work of the cooperating specialists in the various States. Visits were made to each of the State agricultural colleges to in- quire into the work under the approved Smith-Lever project agree- 83382°—acr 1917 99 pare, 338 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ments. Full reports on the condition of the work and the results obtained in each of the 15 States were prepared. Representatives of the office attended and assisted in conducting the annual and semiannual meetings of county agents, home demon- stration agents, and other extension workers in each State. The chief or one of his assistants attended and addressed many other meetings of importance to the development of agriculture and home economics in the South during the year. The office assistants made special trips into all the States to advise with the extension force and to visit field demonstrations with the agents. A large number of circulars were prepared and distributed for the purpose of emphasizing the need of a greater production of food and feedstuffs in the South and the necessity of conserving the surplus by canning, drying, and storage. COUNTY AGENTS. That the county-agent plan of carrying on agricultural extension work is a firmly established and satisfactory system in the 15 Southern States is shown by the fact that the legislatures of most of the States are making liberal appropriations to aid in its support. Progress was made in the general plan of placing an agent in every county in the States. More or less difficulty is being experienced in all of the States in obtaining a sufficient number of well-trained men and women with practical experience for agents. The employment of young men graduates of agricultural colleges as assistant county agents as a means of giving them training and experience is being tried in several of the States, with promising results. OrcGanization.—The progress in the organization of the county agents’ work in the South was gratifying. County agents received instructions in the organization of their work, especially the organi- zation of community clubs to receive instruction from demonstrations and otherwise. The last annual report showed the formation of 1,654 community organizations of farmers, with a membership of 44,548 farmers; the report for the present year shows 2,508, with a member- ship of 78,660. This record does not take into account any coopera- ting organization not organized by the county agents, but, neverthe- less, giving active support and assistance to the county agent and thus serving in the capacity of a local community organization. These include organizations in existence before the county agent came—local granges, farmers’ unions, and church and civic organi- zations of various characters. It is estimated that about 200,000 farmers are enrolled in the various community organizations which are assisting the county agents. An added impetus was given to organizations of this character by the war. (For reference to organ- ization of women’s clubs, see p. 19.) Puan or work.—In the work in the South the county agent is recognized as the leader in all of the agricultural extension activities in his county. In many of the States a written plan of work for the year is prepared by the county agent, subject to the approval of the cooperative extension authorities. This includes a program of demonstrations, both personal and community; special campaigns; movable schools; organization work; community organization of STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 339 boys’ and girls’ club work; and special demonstrations conducted with the assistance of specialists, and other features of the work, and makes such plan of work a basis for recording progress during the year. Boys’-club work is an important feature of each county agent’s activity. Demonstrations by specialists are planned and out- lined at the college and placed in the hands of the county agents, who, with the assistance of the specialists, take up such special demonstrations as a part of their regular plan of work. There were employed in the 15 Southern States during the year 860 regular county agents, 28 assistant county agents, 513 women agents, 31 boys’-club agents, and 66 colored men agents, and 7 col- ored women agents for work among colored people. Each State has also a director of extension and a State agent or assistant director in charge of the work of the county agents. There are 646 women engaged in the home-demonstration work. Of these, 13 are State agents in charge of the work in their respective States, 48 are assist- ants and district agents, and 572 county women agents, and 13 colored home-demonstration agents. Resutts.—In the season of 1916-17 approximately 120,000 adult farmers conducted demonstrations in one or more lines of farm work at the suggestion and under the supervision of county agents. Prob- ably ten times that many farmers were directly influenced to practice better methods of agriculture as a result of these demonstrations. At the field meetings or schools held in a demonstration field it is the practice to invite the neighboring farmers to take part in the discus- sions, and thus to extend the agents’ influence. During the season of 1916 demonstrations were conducted as fol- lows: Corn, 543,889 acres; cotton, 333,615 acres; tobacco, 3,588 acres; small grains, such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, etc., 282,074 acres; various hay, forage, and cover crops, 271,269 acres; summer legumes planted for hay, seed, soil improvement, and other purposes, 474,479 acres; potatoes, 15,193 acres; and old pastures renovated, 149,239 acres. The extent and variety of advice and assistance the county agent is called upon to give is indicated by the following data taken from the county agents’ reports: Through the influence of county agents farm- ers were induced to remove stumps from 179,382 acres to better pre- pare the land for the use of improved implements; 218,989 acres were drained by tile and ditch and 463,856 acres were terraced; home gardens were established or improved on 26,754 farms; the number of pieces of improved farm machinery and implements purchased through the influence of county agents was 81,389; and orchard work of many kinds was done, including spraying, pruning, and other necessary treatment, the demonstrations in this work involving 544,658 trees. Considerable attention was given to promoting live-stock produc- tion, 4,367 new silos having been constructed to aid in this work and 2,829 dipping vats erected for the control of live-stock pests. There were 45,154 farmers instructed concerning the proper care of farm manure, with an estimated saving during the season of approximately 10,000,000 tons. It being found necessary to supplement the use of farm manures and green crops for soil-improvement purposes with commercial fertilizers, 127,131 farmers were instructed in the mixing 340 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and use of the commercial product, and 1,11. communities were aided by county agents in purchasing commercial fertilizers on a coopera- tive basis, resulting in an estimated saving of $290,766.88. In addition to the benefits accruing from the greatly increased yields on demonstration acreage, many thousands of farmers were conclusively shown how to increase their producing power and place their farms on a business basis. As a result their plans of operation are better balanced than before; they understand the necessity for rotations and the maintenance of soil fertility and what an impor- tant part live stock plays in their plans; and they have had demon- strated to them the increased value of pure-bred cattle, hogs, and other live stock. The growth in sentiment along these lines is indi- cated by the following figures, showing the live stock brought into county-agent territory through the influence of the agent: Pure-bred horses and mules, 3,202; pure-bred and high-grade dairy cattle, 22,299; pure-bred and high-grade beef cattle, 32,709; pure-bred hogs, 29,636; pure-bred sheep and goats, 17,554. Poultry demonstrations involving an aggregate number of 163,330 were conducted. Live- stock diseases and pests received increased attention, 2,488,426 horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats having been treated during the last season. County agents made 809,714 visits during the year, traveling 3,590,- 567 miles by rail, team, auto, and otherwise. During the season the county agents received 373,015 official telephone or personal calls at their homes or offices. They held 11,708 field meetings, attended by 132,355 people. There were distributed 840,635 bulletins of the de- partment and of the State agricultural colleges and experiment sta- tions. The county agent, being looked upon as a local leader, is very frequently called upon to assist in arranging and holding agricul- tural meetings. During the last season county agents assisted in the holding of 887 extension schools, or short Gourses, with an attendance of 130,761. HOME-DEMONSTRATION AND CANNING-CLUB WORK. This work continued in charge of O. B. Martin and Miss Mary E, Creswell. In 1916, 419 counties were organized in the Southern States under women county agents, who enrolled and instructed 37,964 girls in canning clubs, 9,656 girls in poultry clubs, 22,048 women as home demonstrators, and 2,211 women in poultry clubs. During the year 1916-17 there was a notable development in demonstrations by women in productive activities, such as poultry raising, home butter-making, gardening, and canning. Many women, under the supervision of county agents, also carried on extensive work in cooking, making Jabor-saving devices, and planning improved arrangement of equip- ment and furniture with reference to more efficient housekeeping. During the previous year the most notable development in women’s work was the rapid increase of the number of women who undertook for extended periods to carry on demonstrations in their homes. A logical development in 1916 was the organization of many more community clubs among rural women. In 1915 about 250 such clubs were organized; in 1916, 1,042. These clubs held a total of 27,260 STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 341 meetings, with an attendance of 476,366. Thirty-seven egg circles, producing poultry products worth $53,952.76, have been organized by the women and girls. War conditions and needs have brought about a great extension of activities along the general lines which the home-demonstration work has pursued for the last seven years. For example, the very earnest campaigns of the past year for a home garden on every farm ‘were simply a part of a “safe farming” program which has been advocated for several years. These campaigns have been extended to the cities, towns, and villages as well, and it may be safely said that the number of gardens has increased during the past season by two to three hundred per cent. The great increase in gardening naturally increases the interest in the preparation of vegetables for the table, and especially in canning, drying, pickling, and brining of fruits and vegetables for future use. Early in the season circulars on home drying, pickling, and brining were prepared and circulated, and all of the home-demonstration agents were given special instruc- tions in these methods. The work was enormously enlarged by the demands of village, town, and city residents for instructions along these lines. A large number of volunteer workers assisted in spread- ing the information and in giving demonstrations for the benefit of their neighbors. Women’s ciruss.—In the regular process of the organization of the work itself more than 1,000 community clubs of rural women were organized as mentioned above, but under war pressure federations of women’s clubs and various civic and church organizations of women have also greatly assisted in the work. On July 1, 1917, 1,615,880 women and girls were enrolled for definite demonstration work in food production and conservation. This does not include the number of women volunteers giving instruc- tions to their neighbors under various schemes of organization. In one State alone 200,000 women undertook to carry out without com- pensation some lines of food conservation in their own neighborhoods under the instruction of home-demonstration agents. A few years ago canning was done by a relatively small percentage’ of the people in the South. Now canning is a general practice in many parts of that region, and reports from most of the States indicate that the amount of fruits and vegetables preserved for future use by canning, drying, pickling, and other means is from four to five times as great this year as during any previous year. Early in the spring of 1917 the price of tin cans increased to such an extent as practically to prohibit their use by the individual canner. Through the cooperation of the Bureau of Chemistry, the Council of National Defense, railroads, and manufacturers of tin cans, the office was able to perfect- an arrangement by which more than 10,000,000 cans were shipped in car-load lots from certain factories direct to counties in the South and sold at cost plus the freight and handling. The net saving to Southern women and girls through this activity alone is estimated at more than a quarter of a million dollars. Home improvements or devices were made or installed under the leadership of the women agents as follows: Fireless cookers, 3,290; iceless refrigerators, 2,171; flytraps, 5,025; kitchen cabinets, 180; floor mops, 119; wheel trays, 292; ironing boards, 486; water systems, 342 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 361; shower baths, 57; houses screened, 1,270; miscellaneous articles made, 4,032; rest rooms established, 101; butter paddles, 635; butter molds, 624; thermometers, 241; shotgun cans, 214; barrel churns, 180; butter workers, 79; number pounds butter made under demon- stration methods, 92,649. The number of girls reporting in canning- club work was 21,172. Of these 7,058 made demonstrations in cook- ing-club products, and 11,384 made bread demonstrations. There are reported to date 628 State and county scholarships won as prizes by club girls. These club girls made 23,767 caps and aprons, 3,875 uniform dresses, 2,341 towels, 1,776 holders for use in demonstrations, and 400 miscellaneous articles of sewing. The total number of con- tainers of fruits and vegetables packed by the women and girls under demonstration methods was 5,144,747, with a total value of © $956,669.67. The total number of winter-garden demonstrations by the girls and women was 7,649. The enrollment of demonstrators July 1, 1917, included 51,075 girls in canning clubs, 13,466 girls in poultry clubs, and 35,506 women. The number of counties had increased to 518, and the total number of agents was 556. In the annual meetings early in 1917 these agents were given special training in the phases of food conser- vation demanded by conditions of this season, including drying, brining, and storing of vegetables, and making of bread with partial wheat-flour substitutes. The planting of additional areas of peanuts and soy beans for use in bread making was made a part of the cam- paign for increased food production. Following the instructions given by department and college specialists to county home demon- stration agents in annual meetings, the weekly reports of these agents show that in the month of May, 1917, these special lines of informa- tion were given to 237,307 people in 6,083 meetings, and in addition 24,801 personal conferences were held. In the preservation of perish- able foods the most notable development was the widespread use of drying to supplement canning in saving fruits and vegetables EXTENSION WORK THROUGH BOYS’ AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. Boys’ agricultural club work, in charge of O. B. Martin and I. W. Hill, was carried on by State, district, and county agents cooperating with school officials and business men. The number of boys enrolled in 1916 was 75,605, classified by clubs as follows: Corn, 37,312; pea- nut, 1,938; potato, 1,202; grain sorghum, 2,079; cotton, 3,184; 4-crop, 1,457; miscellaneous farm-crop clubs, 2,341; pig, 23,167; calf, 974; poultry, 2,001. The enrollment greatly increased in 1917 and now approximates 100,000 in the regular clubs. In addition to the regular enrollment epproximately 20,000 were enrolled to assist in meeting the emer- gencies incident to the war. mg de a4 ine pal it ian OE i AY Be ah) asst 1S ola eavr as)! ee: Buint Tita nT: Ra tine sar Hoe As ahs rss alan pectin er 10, Avot eta shy le Mees ah Ad Hic! 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Veen ae hae ts itt hana ea Herth ite ThE a Parsi nite yy [ers BRIS EDF aot v¢s in Mobivetips Sawer sth’ 175 +4 art he Yat ei aU rerts duty. efits cH 70 Krai HS dea) seer ey, mets edit Ree Vieiy wie r i Dit wot vial Ally RE ahs ae rtp) “Dal Yeh ts fe ne tbe ret mens Dive ahh ie FAW To abisey Terk ces aay eat y' ne wey Ree orgies rer vere Deg ; tor: AUT TR 1 a a 8% oe of + oe STsbye VEO Tee PuPiul Rani fies, sfvV dsr, Asta Dig reid : per) i ai" 2 =. ere - et T, oe! i oe ius: Tleaes « 2 ) ’ = - { 4) 2 ce a4 i : F } hy is ae ‘es ‘ AS La Osi, 2 ni, ion, BuO te &%. Sade | rr bards \ rine Re ue Fs ‘ Wie oy heb Mee se ete Tee eres bic'it btGe the >. re : . i i ris OY | an) ie) |». Pata fk : Rea) fo. ge ota REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. Unitep States DeparTMENT or AGRICULTURE, Orricr or Pusxiic Roaps AaNp Rurat ENGINEERING, Washington, D. C., October 15, 1917. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917. Respectfully, L. W. Pace, Director. Hon. D. F. Hovsron, Secretary of Agriculture. INTRODUCTORY. The administration of the Federal aid road act, approved July 11, 1916, so broadened the scope of the office as to necessitate an entire reorganization. To meet the new conditions, the work of the office was grouped in two branches, known, respectively, as the engineer- ing branch and the management and economics branch. At the head of these two branches were placed a chief engineer and a chief of management, respectively, who reported to the director. Two general inspectors were appointed, reporting immediately to the director and operating independently of the two branches. The field work was organized into 10 districts, numbered from 1 to 10, re- spectively. A district engineer was placed in charge of the work of each district and reported directly to the chief engineer. FEDERAL AID ROAD ACT. The Federal aid road act marked a long advance in Federal policy concerning the improvement of the public highways. For more than 20 years the efforts of the Federal Government had been re- stricted to research and education for the purpose of developing improved methods of road construction and maintenance and im- parting useful knowledge along these lines to local road builders. The Federal act carried a large appropriation, $75,000,000, to be expended during the five-year period in connection with at least an equal amount to be provided by the States in the construction of post roads. The act also carried an appropriation of $10,000,000 to be expended in forest road improvement, but this phase of the act will be dealt with in a separate section of the report. Under the authority contained in the act to make rules and regu- lations there were called into conference at Washington on August 16, 1916, the heads of the various State highway departments, ‘and to them was submitted a draft of rules and regulations which had been prepared in this office in cooperation with the solicitor of the 359 860 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. department and tentatively approved by the Secretary. Most of the suggestions made by the State highway officials were incorpor- ated in the final draft of the rules and regulations, which were accordingly issued on September 1, 1916. The most important outcome of this Federal legislation was the enactment of State laws providing effective State control of a large measure of road work, making funds available to meet the Federal appropriations, systematizing the work so that there might be definite and correlated results instead of haphazard construction, and finally, strengthening very greatly the States’ participation in road maintenance. At the time the Federal act was passed, the States of Delaware, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, Texas, and Nevada had no semblance of a State highway department, and it was ascertained that the States of Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Idaho, and Wyoming would require additional legislation in order that their highway departments could perform the functions contemplated by the Fed- eral aid road act. By the close of the fiscal year 1917 every State in the Union had a State highway department within the meaning of the Federal aid road act and had given adequate assent to the terms of the act. For this beneficial result in organization the Federal aid road act must be considered mainly responsible. At the time of the passage of the act there were 33 States which had made provision for definite highway systems, embracing the important roads of the State, established by law or by authority of the State highway department. Since that time seven States have established or authorized the establishment of such definite systems of highways. During the calendar year 1916 the total expenditure of funds under State supervision for construction was $49,884,155; for maintenance, $18,452,861; and for all highway purposes a total of $74.495,554, of which $40,969,001 were State funds. Very greatly increased State appropriations were made as a direct result of the passage of the Federal act. The calendar year 1917 would of course not register the full measure of increase, as some of the appropriations to meet the Federal aid road act were not made until the spring of 1917, but it is estimated that the agregate expenditures of State funds for the calendar year 1917 will be $60,000,000 as compared with $40,969,001 for 1916. A number of States have made specific appropriations to meet Federal aid dollar for dollar. Among these may be mentioned New York, Hlinois, Michigan, Rhode Island, Nevada, Iowa, Florida, and Vermont. While the Federal act was not exacting in the matter of requiring maintenance assurances, it is gratifying to state that through the cordial cooperative spirit of the State officials a great amount of excellent maintenance legislation was enacted, following the passage of the Federal act. While in 1916 provision existed for State partici- pation in road maintenance in 33 States, in 1917, 42 States had made such provision. From an engineering and construction standpoint one of the results of the Federal act and of the rules and regulations has been a standardization of form and arrangement for highway plans and specifications. This should in time prove of great value, not only OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 361 to the Federal Government, but to the States, by way of en- couraging simplicity and standardization. Still further progress was made by voluntary cooperation on the part of the State officials through a conference of testing engineers, held at this office, on Feb- ruary 12-17, 1917. This conference recommended to the States standard forms of specifications for materials, standard methods of testing materials, standard forms for reporting test results, and standard methods of sampling materials. A committee of the Ameri- can Association of State Highway Officials, working in conjunction with officials of this office, formulated standard specifications which should prove most helpful to highway work in the various States. From the foregoing it is evident that, aside from the material benefits involved in the appropriation of Federal funds to aid high- way construction, there has already been brought about a vast amount of benefit through improvement in organization and methods, and in the correlation, systematizing, and standardizing of highway work. Considering the immense amount of preparatory legislation and the working out of rules and regulations, bases of procedure, and the establishment of the necessary organization, the fiscal year 1917 makes an impressive showing as to actual road construction under the terms of the act. At the close of the fiscal year there had been received for consideration by the department 92 projects from 26 States, involving an aggregate length of 948.78 miles at an estimated cost of $5,485,702, on which Federal aid was requested to the extent of $2,433,934. Of these projects 23 had been approved at the close of the fiscal year, involving a total length of 188.58 miles at a total estimated cost of $1,845,433, for which Federal aid was requested to the amount of $846,152. The projects as approved are shown in the following table: : Post-road projects approved at close of fiscal year ending June 30, 191 7. Reconnais- Project sance Federal State. No.— estimate aid r RRCneT requested. | miles. $111, 499. 41 | $55,749.70} (1) 70,654.40 | 35,327.20} 4.24 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 2 3, 1 2 ; 5 46, 200.00 | 23, 100. 00 8 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 1 16 - 24,000.00 | 12,000.00] 6.25 14,989.70 | 7,494.85] 1.2 51,956.52 | 10,000.00] (1) 26, 392.83 | 10,000.00] 7.75 25,985.83 | 10,000.00| 3 70, 857.65 | 26,750.00| 2.675 160, 433.53 | 64,800.00] 6.48 138, 466.49 | 62,340.00] 6.234 83,262.85 | 34,997.13] 3.66 28, 473.50 | 14,236.75| 4.38 1 61, 730.45 | 30,865.22] 3.5 gts Seek Se Pe Sate ea $8 Soe: 23 | 1,845,433. 60 | 846,151.84 | 188.582 1 Bridge. 362 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. NATIONAL FOREST ROADS. Previous to the establishment of the district organization the na- tional-forest road work, handled by the Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering for and in cooperation with the Forest Service, was carried on through an engineer representative at each of the six western forest district headquarters, with the exception that no repre- sentative was stationed at the Missoula office. Road construction and maintenance under section 8 of the Federal aid road act, involving the expenditure of a Federal appropriation of $1,000,000 annually for 10 years, was entrusted to this office. Since January 1, 1917, the present district organization of this office therefore has actively conducted the engineering and construction in connection with forest road work, except the minor projects under the 10 per cent fund and a portion of the maintenance work, which have been executed by the Forest Service. During the year requests have been made by the Forest Service for reconnaissance surveys and preliminary investigations covering approximately 4,587 miles, 2,435 miles being for reconnaissance sur- veys, and 2,152 miles preliminary investigations, distributed over 172 projects. The work completed is as follows: Reconnaissance surveys, 1,245 miles; location surveys, 202 miles; preliminary investigations, 652 miles; maintenance work, 119 miles; and construction, 37 miles. The large mileage covered by requests received from the Forest Service for preliminary investigations and reconnaissance surveys in proportion to the mileage of such investigations and surveys com- pleted is due to the fact that most of these requests were filed near the close of the fiscal year, at the time when the field forces of this office were being organized for thé work of the first season. One of the projects completed during the year is the Kamas-Stock- more. This road is 38 miles in length, extends from Kamas, in Summit County, to Stockmore and Hanna, in Duchesne County, Utah, and furnishes a direct route from Salt Lake City, Park City, ies and Kamas to towns in the northern portion of the Uinta asin. The unfinished section of the Questa-Elizabethtown project, in the Carson National Forest, N. Mex., was completed, and the road is open to traffic. This road is a link in the route over the otherwise impassable divide of the Sangre de Christo Mountains, which form the backbone of the La Platte and Rio Grande River watersheds, and provides a direct route from Cimarron, Raton, and other neigh- boring towns into the upper Rio Grande Valley. Construction was completed over a short section of the Blewett Pass project in Washington. This road is located in Chelan and Kittitas Counties, affords communication between the Wenatchee, Kittitas, and Yakima valleys, and offers the shortest connection be- tween that section of the Sunset Highway extending over the Snoqualmie Pass and Chelan and that portion between Wenatchee and Waterville. The Rabbit Ears Road, in Colorado, a 10 per cent project, on which work was started in 1913, a portion being done each year since, was completed, 2.1 miles having been constructed this year. This road is about 20 miles long, and furnishes an important highway between OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 863 Denver and the northwestern part of Colorado and facilitates inter- state travel into Utah by way of the Uinta Basin. Location surveys were authorized on the following projects: Seeley Lake, in Missoula County, Mont., Missoula National Forest; Bernice, in Jefferson County, Mont., Deerlodge National Forest; Wind River, in Fremont and Lincoln Counties, Wyo., Teton Na- tional Forest; and Belt Creek, in Cascade County, Mont., Jefferson National Forest. Construction was authorized on the Salmon River Road, Siskiyou County, Cal., Klamath National Forest, and on the Warm River- Yellowstone, Fremont County, Idaho, Targhee National Forest. Construction was under way on approximately 159 miles of road, distributed over projects as follows: Miles. Miles. Arizona: Minnesota: Stony River______ 31. 00 Salt River-Pleasant Val- = Gayo al ely sera nate Dipak gece 3.90 | New Mexico: Winslow-Long Valley_---- 2. 40 Glorietta-Panchuela ______ 1.5 Camilla-Ft. Huachuca____ 2.10 Questa-Elizabethtown ____ 4 PROta es et ee 8. 40 Tota See ae Dias SP 1.9 California : | Oregon: MacKenzie 3.0 J Loy iE lle! ola Rs 9. 00 Ek eae SP alone i es err iin SAT eb 10.00 | South Dakota: Deadwood-Hot Salmonrenivent: +s 26-0 = 4.00 Springs (Silver Lake sub- Mrinitve, Rivers. 222. 2. 8.00 section of Custer Hill City mt nah Tat SC CEO ESS eee eee Sr ee 4.30 ARS 5 beh Rane Aaa 31. 00 as cee : ——_——. | Utah: Ephraim-Orangeville___ 0) Colorado: : } = OSE See eee a en 18. 60 Washington: Blewett Pass____ 7.00 Rabbiterbarss. 22 Sere 18. 30 Wyoming: Buffalo-Tensleep ~-__-___~_ 10. 50 Se eee aecaaenes ae __36.90 Reton. Pass) = 222 28 Sessa 21. 00 Idaho: South fork of Payette ; POTS 2 eee oe yee 31. 50 LRN) 2 eed ee ee es Oe Pe 8.25 = =—_= Grand total 222522 158. 95 The following is a statement of bridge work in connection with national forest projects: Plans for forest bridges. F Main Project. State. County. Type of span. span. Completed: _ Feet. Trinity River...... ..--| California. .... Trinity 52 <5. SUSPENSION 2 ssc sce eee crocs etene 2282 Medford-Crater Lake...| Oregon........ Jackson: 5... Preliminary sketches........ ooo scislonacee In progress: __ Salmon River........-. California ..... Siskiyou...... Wooden truss........... Raeiaeeie ees 120 Cass Lake-Pine........ Minnesota.....| Cass..... AA Rk Steel girder and pile trestle ap- | 60 proaches. | 364 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ROAD CONSTRUCTION. EXPERIMENTAL ROADS. The amount appropriated by Congress for field experiments in road work was $60,000. Continuing the previous policy of the of- fice, all the field experiments made during the fiscal year have been in the vicinity of Washington and have been divided in the same two classes as formerly, namely: 1. New experimental construction. 2. Maintenance of experimental roads already constructed. NEW CONSTRUCTION. The new construction completed includes a bituminous gravel con- crete road surface about 4% miles long between Alexandria and Gum Spring in Fairfax County, Va., and a surface treated gravel road about 2 miles long from Gum Spring to Mount Vernon, in Fairfax County. The purpose of the first experiment was to devise some method of utilizing local gravel in the construction of a high-class bituminous concrete road surface suitable for all sorts of travel. The purpose of the second experiment was to determine the best way of utilizing bituminous materials in the surface treatment of existing gravel roads so as to provide for fairly heavy automobile traffic with- out the rapid deterioration of the surface. The experiment includes three different surface treatments. Both of the experiments in new construction are described in detail in Department Bulletin No 586, issued by this office, in which costs, methods, and results are tabulated. At the close of the fiscal year construction was in progress on an experimental topsoil road through the Chapawamsic Swamp in Prince William County, Va., about 4 miles long. ROAD MAINTENANCE. The remainder of the fund appropriated for road experiments has been devoted to the maintenance of existing experimental roads in Montgomery County, Md., and Alexandria County, Va. The methods employed in maintaining the various experimental sections, the re- sults obtained, and the distribution of costs are all shown in Depart- ment Bulletin No. 586. POST ROADS. In the last annual report of the director mention was made of 14 post-road projects completed prior to July 1, 1916. During the fiscal] year two additional projects have been completed, namely, the Lick- ing and Muskingum Counties (Ohio), post road, 24 miles, and the McDowell County (N.C.), post road, 13.3 mile slong. With the 397.6 miles previously reported, this brings the total mileage of post roads already completed to 434.9 and leaves the project at Dubuque, Iowa, 19.2 miles long, as the sole remaining uncompleted post road. This was near completion at the close of the fiscal year. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 365 ROAD BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATIONS. The amount appropriated by Congress for road building and maintenance investigations was $141,780. This appropriation has been devoted to the continuation of the regular activities of the office along educational lines. The work has been classified under the fol- lowing heads: 1. Supervising the construction of object-lesson roads. 2. Making surveys and preparing plans for designated sections of roads, such work to serve as a model for local highway officials. 3. Planning model highway systems for entire counties. 4. Furnishing special advice in connection with local road prob- lems. 5. Object-lesson maintenance. 6. Bridge work. 7. Cooperation in the improvement of national park and forest roads. 8. The collection and dissemination of information pertaining to all phases of road- building and maintenance. OBJECT-LESSON ROADS. Engineers were furnished to supervise the construction of object- lesson. roads in the following-named places, listed by States: Ar- kansas (1), Alma County; Georgia (1), Echols County; Louisiana (1), Beauregard Parish; Michigan (1), Branch County; Mis- sissippi (1), Madison County; Missouri (1), Christian County; Nebraska (4), Buffalo, Dawes, Fillmore, and Sheridan Counties; North Dakota (3), Burleigh, Morton, and Benson Counties; Okla- homa (3), Hughes, Payne, and Pottawatomie Counties; South Caro- lina (1), Hampton County; and Virginia (4), Albemarle, Greens- ville, Northampton, and Sussex Counties. Twenty-one object-lesson roads were built during the present fiscal year. An engineer was assigned to each of the following counties: Al- bemarle, Greensville, Northampton, and Sussex in Virginia; Potta- watomie, in Oklahoma; and Monroe, in Indiana. They will super- vise a number of important road projects under way in those coun- ties. A bulletin now in course of publication presents data show- ing the amount of work done in connection with each object-lesson road, as well as a detailed distribution of costs. SURVEYS AND PLANS. Surveys actually were made and plans prepared in the following States: Georgia (1), Floyd County; Kentucky (1), Henderson County; Louisiana (1), Natchitoches Parish; Maryland (1), Prince Georges County; Tennessee (2), Dickens and Perry Counties; and Virginia (1), Loudoun County. In many cases assistance also was given to local officials in organizing survey parties in connection with assignments made for other purposes. MODEL HIGHWAY SYSTEMS. _ Model highway systems were planned after thorough investiga- tion, in the following named States and counties: Alabama (2), El- 366 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. more and Madison; California (2), Santa Cruz and Yuba; Georgia (1), Appling; Kentucky (2), Henderson and Warren; Mississippi (1), Monroe; Oklahoma (1), Caddo; South Carolina (4), Abbeville, Beaufort, Colleton, and McCormick; Texas (21), Callahan, Clay, Cottle, Crosby, Denton, Dickens, Eastland, Ector, Floyd, Howard, Lubbock Midland, Montague, Nolan, Orange, Parker, Reeves, Stone- wall, Throckmorton, Williamson, and Wise; Virginia (1), Northamp- ton; Washington (1), Skamania; and Wyoming (1), Big Horn. In most cases these model systems planned by our engineers are already being used by county officials as a basis for determining proper tax levies or bond issues for highway purposes. SPECIAL INSPECTION AND ADVICE. Inspections were made and advice furnished in connection with special road problems in the following States and counties: Ala- bama (1), Elmore; Georgia (3), Fannin, Glynn, and Pickens; Indiana (1), Jackson; Kentucky (1), Franklin; Maryland (2), Mont- gomery and Prince Georges; Mississippi (2), Pearl River and Lowndes; Nebraska (3), Buffalo, Holt, and Polk; Nevada (2), Ormsby and Washoe; North Carolina (4), Craven, Durham, Hay- wood, and Wayne; Oklahoma (6), Atoka, Bryan, Greer, Harmon, Kiowa and Rogers; Oregon (1), Hood River; South Carolina (6), Cherokee, Chester, Greenwood, Hampton, Orangeburg, and York; Texas (16), Brooks, Chamber, Comanche, Erath, Fannin, Kendall, Kerr, Live Oak, McCulloch, Nueces, San Patricio, Schleicher, Stephens, Sutton, Traverse, and Tom Green; Virginia (5) Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, and Wise; and Wyoming (1), Fremont. In addition to the above special assignments one engineer each was assigned to Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia for the purpose of assisting the State highway de- partments in handling similar problems. Engineers also were assigned to consult with Army engineers in connection with road work in the cantonments at Fort Sill and Little Rock, Ark. Just at the close of the fiscal year engineers were as- signed to the Army cantonments at the following named places: Fort Sam Houston, Tex.; Yaphank, Long Island; Louisville, Ky.; Fort Riley, Kans.; Atlanta, Ga.; Petersburg, Va.; Admiral, Md.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Wrightstown, N. J.; Little Rock, Ark.; Ameri- can Lake, Wash.; Rockford, Ill.; Columbia, S. C.; Ayer, Mass.; Chillicothe, Ohio; and Des Moines, Iowa, for the purpose of super- vising the road work in and around the cantonments, which will be reported on in the next annual report. OBJECT-LESSON MAINTENANCE. Three engineers were employed constantly in the maintenance of the Washington-Atlanta Highway, and two engineers were assigned to similar work on the Central Highway in North Carolina. The work was done in cooperation with the States and counties traversed and was for the purpose of stimulating interest in road maintenance. At the close of the fiscal year, the engineers were withdrawn from the above projects and the work turned over to the county officials, OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 367 It is proposed, however, to observe the effect upon local organizations of the work done by the office engineers and a complete report of the project, including detailed descriptions of methods, costs, and results, will be published. BRIDGE WORK. Designs for bridges were prepared for the following-named States: Florida, 1; Indiana, 1; North Carolina, 1; Oklahoma, 1; Tennessee, 1; Virginia, 4; a total of 9. Engineers were assigned to investigate existing and proposed bridges as follows: Florida, 1; Indiana, 1; Kentucky, 1; North Carolina, 2; South Carolina, 1; Virginia, 7; a total of 18, and estimates of the cost of proposed bridges were made as follows: Minnesota, 1; North Carolina, 1; Texas, 1; Virginia, 1; a total of 4. In addition, general designs and specifications prepared by State highway departments and local officials were examined and reviewed as an assistance to various local communities. COOPERATION IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF NATIONAL PARK AND FOREST ROADS. Engineers were furnished to cooperate with the Forest Service and with local highway officials in the location, design, and construc- tion of roads. Assistance in preparing plans or making surveys was given as follows: Arizona, 10 projects; California, 7 projects; Colo- rado, 26 projects; Idaho, 1 project; Minnesota, 2 projects; Montana, 1 project; New Mexico, 8 projects; Oregon, 2 projects; South Dakota, 1 propect; Utah, 5 projects; Washington, 3 projects; Wyo- ming, 1 project. Assistance in supervising the construction of roads was given as follows: Arizona, 5; California, 8; Colorado, 4; Idaho, 2; Minne- sota, 1; Nevada, 1; New Mexico, 3; Oregon, 3; South Dakota, 1; Utah, 6; Washington, 3; Wyoming, 4. Assistance in supervising the maintenance of forest roads was furnished as follows: Colorado, 1 project; Idaho, 2 projects; New Mexico, 1 project; Oregon, 4 projects; South Dakota, 1 project; Utah, 6 projects; and Washington, 4 projects. THE COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION. The cffice has continued its policy of keeping in touch with the work being done by State and local road officials throughout the country, especially where unusual methods were being employed. The information gained in this way is being disseminated constantly throughout the country by means of both published bulletins and letter correspondence. ROAD MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS. ECONOMIC HIGHWAY SURVEY. In preparing for cooperation with the States under the terms of the Federal aid road act, it was found that, while a vast amount of information was available concerning highways in the various States, it was uncorrelated, fragmentary, and seriously lacking in essential details. To meet the needs of this office and of the State highway 368 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. departments, an economic highway survey, involving complete map and text information, was planned, and through cooperation with the State Roads Commission of Maryland an actual field survey was be- gun in that State. Cooperation was established with the Corps of Iingineers of the United States Army, with the committee of military research of the Council of National Defense, and with the Post Office Department. The results of the survey have been gratifying and have proved to be not only of great economic value but of de- cided benefit to the War Department. Details of this work are deemed to have a confidential value and will, therefore, not be set forth in this report. GENERAL ECONOMIC AND STATISTICAL WORK. The results of the 1914 census relating to mileage of improved and unimproved roads, taxation, revenues, and bond issues were pub- lished in a series of five bulletins. The first investigation of this kind was made for the year 1904 and the second for 1909. As an indication of the progress of road work in the various States this road census has proved very valuable, and it is planned to repeat it every fifth vear. Data collected showed 257,291.54 miles of surfaced road in 1914 as against 153,530.40 miles in 1904, an increase of 93,761.14 miles in the 10-year period, and a total expenditure of $240,263,784.46 upon roads in 1914, as against $79,623,616.33 in 1904, an increase of $160,640,168.13 for the 10-year period. Current data was collected and published relating especially to State highway mileage and expenditures, to automobile registrations, and to the disposition of revenues derived therefrom. In connec- tion with this work a State index is maintained for ready reference showing the annual progress of State road work in each State. ECONOMIC STUDIES OF STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEMS. The State highway studies were continued during the year. The object of these is to ascertain the character, organization, and duties of State highway departments; the class of roads to which the aid of the State is extended; the character, cost, and extent of the work done; the methods of procedure in construction and maintenance of State and State-aid roads and bridges; the system of reports and records; and the sources, amounts, and disposition of State funds applied to roads. The completion of this investigation has been delayed on account of the fact that new legislation has been enacted recently in most all of the States, necessitating the organization of new departments in some States and in others changes in the organi- zation and procedure in order that the States might avail themselves of Federal aid. The results will be published in a series of bulletins, the first of which, dealing with organization and procedure, is in course of preparation. Each important phase of the subject will be treated in a separate publication. ECONOMIC STUDIES OF COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEMS. About 100 counties and townships have been selected in various parts of the United States in which studies are being made to ascer- OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 869 tain the present local road organization, costs of operation, results obtained, procedure in construction, types of roads, character of materials used, systems and methods of maintenance, ete. The object of the study is to determine the elements of weakness in the various local systems of management and to form the basis for a series of bulletins dealing with local road construction, maintenance, and administration. One of these bulletins, dealing with cost keeping, is ready for publication. UTILIZATION OF CONVICT LABOR IN ROAD BUILDING. A bulletin was published during the year giving the results of a study conducted by the office dealing with the management, opera- tion, discipline, systems of record and cost keeping, and the results obtained in convict road camps under cooperative arrangements with State highway departments, State prison commissions, and local road authorities. OBSERVATION OF EXPERIMENTAL CONVICT CAMP. A study was made of an experimental convict-labor road camp constructed and maintained by the County Commissioners of Fulton County, Ga., in cooperation with this office, the Public Health Service of the War Department, the Office of Home Economics of the States Relations Service of this department, and the State Prison Commission of Georgia. The object of this study was to ascertain the efficiency, economy, and practicability of applying modern methods of penology, sani- tation, health, dietetics, and management to convict labor camps. The results of this study have been compiled and are now in course of publication. ECONOMIC STUDIES OF SELECTED POST ROADS. In conformity with the provisions of the Post Office Department appropriation act of August 24, 1912, economic studies of the 17 post roads in various parts of the United States were continued dur- ing the year. The final report to Congress, which will be made in conjunction with a similar report by the Post Office Department, is now in course of preparation. TRAFFIC STUDIES. Traffic studies were continued on experimental roads in the neigh- borhood of Washington. The office is gradually accumulating a mass of traffic data which eventually will be of valuable assistance in solving construction and maintenance problems. ADDRESSES, LECTURES, AND PAPERS. The office has continued to render expert advice on legislation, organization, management, construction, and maintenance and to disseminate information through conferences, lectures, and the preparation of papers. In this work the office has cooperated closely with State authorities. An effort has been made during the year to 33382°—acr 1917——24 370 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. confine the attendance at meetings to gatherings of official bodies, and to meetings and conferences “of sufficient importance to justify the attendance of department representatives. A total of 263 lectures and addresses were delivered, as compared with 655 lectures in 1916. The total attendance at meetings was 43,184, as compared with 92,610 in 1916. The average attendance was 164, as compared with 142 for the previous year. These lectures and addresses were delivered mostly before scientific, civic, and agricul- tural organizations and before road schools held at universities and colleges. The road schools were attended largely by local road offi- cials, thus giving the office an excellent opportunity to convey help- ful advice and information to those who are actually in charge of local road work. MODELS AND EXHIBITS. Models and other exhibit materials were used during the year at expositions, conferences, conventions, and fairs to illustrate the best methods of road, bridge, and culvert construction, road drainage, maintenance, repair, ’ roadside treatment, equipment, ‘machinery, ete. This exhibit material is built and maintained by the office, but all expenses in connection with its transportation, installation, and demonstration are paid by the organizations benefited. This work was carried on in cooperation with the Office of Ex- hibits. Exhibits were made during the year at the places and under the organizations indicated as follows: Third annual convention of the Cotton States Merchants’ Associa- tion, Memphis, Tenn., August, 1916. State Fair, Louisville, Ky., September, 1916. State Fair, Syracuse, N. Y., September, 1916. Southern Appalachian Good Roads Congress, Lexington, Ky., Sep- tember, 1916. Westchester, Pa., County Fair, September, 1916. Dry Land Congress and Exposition, El Paso, Tex., October, 1916. New York conferences of road supervisors, Jamestown, N, Ne: October and November, 1916. Grange Golden Jubilee, Ashville, N. Y., September, 1916. Western Pennsylvania Exposition, Pittsburgh, Pa., August and September, 1916. State Fair, Columbia, S. C., October, 1916. National Farm and tee e Stock Show, New Orleans, La., November, 1916. Towa State College, Ames, Iowa, August, 1916. Lucas County Fair, Toledo, Ohio, August, 1916. San Diego, Cal., Exposition, July, 1916, to January, 1917. Cement Products Exposition, Chicago, February, 1917. American Road Builders, Boston, Mass., February, 1917. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ‘Cambridge, Mass., Febru- ary to September, 1917. PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK. The photographic laboratory prepared 2,248 negatives, 10,793 prints, 1,383 lantern slides, and 282 bromide enlargements. There OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 871 were 2,286 new slides colored for lecture work. Fifty-seven sets of lantern slides were loaned to various individuals and organizations, exclusive of those used in lecture work by employees of the office. At the close of the year the photographic files contained 17,685 nega- tives, 47,104 prints, 12,184 slides, and 1,328 bromide enlargements. ROAD MATERIAL TESTS AND RESEARCH. General lack of uniformity in specification requirements for all types of road materials induced the office to call a conference of State highway testing engineers and chemists for the purpose of establishing standard forms of specifications and standard methods of sampling, testing and reporting test results on road materials. Twenty-one States sent representatives to Washington to attend the conference, which was in session for six consecutive days. The recom- mendations of this conference have been prepared for publication as a department bulletin. These recommendations include 41 standard forms of specifications for materials to be used in various types of road construction. The materials covered are broken stone, stone block, broken slag, gravel, sand, topsoil, sand clay, mineral filler, road oils, asphalt cements, tars, Portland cement, concrete, steel rein- forcing, and brick. The conference also recommended standard methods of sampling, testing, and reporting test results for these materials. One thousand three hundred and forty-five samples were analyzed or tested in the laboratories during the fiscal year. The slight de- crease of approximately 7 per cent as compared with the preceding year was due to an unusually large number of samples of culvert metal tested during that year. ROUTINE CHEMICAL TESTING AND INSPECTION. Four hundred and twenty-six samples were examined in the chem- ical laboratory. This represents a decrease of about 10 per cent as compared with the last fiscal year, although bituminous materials, the most important type examined in the chemical laboratory, showed an actual increase of 10 per cent. Of the samples examined 376 were bituminous materials, 19 metal, and 31 rock, sand, cement, and miscellaneous materials. PHYSICAL TESTS OF ROAD-BUILDING MATERIAL. The physical laboratory tested 919 samples, a decrease of about 6 per cent as compared with the last fiscal year but well above the average annual routine testing. Of these samples 406 were rock and slag, 283 gravel, 173 sand, clay, soil, etc., 11 cement and concrete, and 46 miscellaneous. Samples were received from every State in the Union except Nebraska, Nevada, and North Dakota. The more important were as follows: Virginia, 219; Georgia, 68; Connecticut, 32; Ohio, 32; Maine, 31; Florida, 31; North Carolina, 29; Indiana, 27; Kansas, 27; West Virginia, 26; Pennsylvania, 23; and Vermont, 20. The Results of Physical Tests of Road Building Rock in 1916 was published as Department Bulletin No. 537. She ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF ROAD-BUILDING ROCK. The microscopic laboratory examined and classified 681 samples of road-building material, a decrease of about 23 per cent as com- pared with the last fiscal year, but well above the number examined during 1915. Of these samples 415 were rock and slag, 249 gravel, sand, clay, etc., and 17 miscellaneous. RESEARCH ON DUST PREVENTIVES AND ROAD BINDERS. A paper upon “The Toughness of Bituminous Aggregates” was prepared for publication in the Journal of Agricultural Research. Another paper, “The Effect of Exposure on Fluid Bitumens,” was presented before the American Chemical Society and will be pub- lished in the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. The following subjects are under investigation: The effect of variations in refining methods upon the characteristics of road oils and asphalts produced from crude petroleum; the thickness of bituminous films upon different types of rock aggregates; the effect of water upon the viscosity of road oils; relation between exposure and volatilization tests on tar products; the physical properties of coarse bituminous aggregates; the effect of colloids on bituminous materials; bituminous materials suitable for the surface treatment of waterbound gravel roads. EXPERIMENTAL BITUMINOUS ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE. Supervision and inspection of experimental bituminous roads has been confined largely to the vicinity of Washington, although further work was done in connection with the use of Florida coralline rock in bituminous macadam construction, and the experimental surface treatment of a gravel road in Alabama was undertaken. Continuous plant and laboratory inspection was furnished for the experimental construction of a bituminous concrete road in Virginia in which partly crushed and graded pit-run gravel was used as the mineral aggregate. The surface treatment of Virginia sand gravel and clay gravel roads with two grades of tar and a road oil was made the basis of three maintenance experiments. Plans have been made to investigate the use of screened bank gravel in the construction of bituminous gravel roads according to the penetration method. It is also hoped to continue experiments in the construction of natural soil and asphalt mixed roads in some of the Southern States. In all of the experimental work of the year, which included the maintenance of roads constructed in previous years, this division cooperated with the Division of Construction and Maintenance. It prepared a number of road-material specifications and made 52 indi- vidual inspections. A circular summarizing the material and cost data for the construction and maintenance of all experimental roads in the vicinity of Washington was prepared for publication. NONBITUMINOUS ROAD-MATERIAL INVESTIGATIONS. A paper upon “ Laboratory Tests of Brick Pavements” was pre- sented before the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a new impact tester to be used in field tests of various types of roads was OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 373 designed and constructed. A paper also was presented before the American Concrete Institute upon “ Friction Tests of Concrete on Various Supporting Mediums.” 'These tests were made upon broken stone, gravel, sand clay, clay, and soil subgrades. General test limits for the physical properties of broken stone and gravel for various types of road construction were adopted as a means of indicating the value of samples examined and reported upon by the physical laboratory. Investigations were continued on the following subjects: The relative effect of mortar and sand cushions for brick pavements; the effect of freezing and thawing upon argillaceous materials. Plans have been made for a detailed survey of quarry conditions in the United States for the purpose of securing information upon quarry practice as related to road building and of standardizing commercial sizes of broken stone to be used for that purpose. STANDARDIZATION OF METHODS OF TESTING BITUMINOUS ROAD MATERIALS. A paper upon “A New Consistency Tester for Viscous Liquid Bitu- minous Materials” was presented before the American Society for Testing Materials. This paper describes an apparatus devised by the office for accurately determining the consistency at normal tem- perature of road oils and tars used in the hot surface treatment of macadam and gravel roads. Investigations were continued upon the standardization of a method of counting ultra microscopic particles in bituminous mate- rials and the effect of controllable variables upon the float and melt- ing-point tests. Cooperative work will be continued with the American Society for Testing Materials in connection with a number of proposed standard tests for bituminous road materials. STANDARDIZATION OF METHODS OF TESTING NONBITUMINOUS ROAD MATERIALS. A paper upon the “Effect of Controllable Variables upon the Toughness Test” was presented before the American Society for Testing Materials. Asa result of cooperation with committee D4 of this society a new standard toughness test and a standard method of détermining the specific gravity of coarse aggregates was recom- mended for adoption. The office also cooperated with the Bureau of Standards and representatives of technical societies and various manufacturing industries in the development of a standard scale for laboratory sieves. Investigations have been continued and are now in progress upon the following subjects: Improvement of the standard abrasion test for rock; the standardization of an abrasion test for gravel; a method of determining clay in aggregates; effect of controllable variables upon the hardness test. CONCRETE INVESTIGATIONS. The following papers were prepared for department publication or presentation before technical societies: “The Expansion and Con- traction of Concrete,” Department Bulletin; “ Effect of Grading on Fine Aggregates for Concrete,” Journal of Agricultural Research; “Tests of a Large-sized Reinforced Concrete Slab Subjected to Eccen- 374 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. tric Concentrated Loading,” Journal of Agricultural Research; “The Cause of Cracks in Concrete Pavements,” American Association for the Advancement of Science; “ The Influences of Total Width upon the Effective Width of Concrete Slabs,’ American Concrete Insti- tute; “The Flow of Concrete,” American Concrete Institute. The following investigations are in progress: Tests of reinforced concrete slabs; tests of concrete beams containing various coarse aggregates; wear measurements of experimental concrete roads; the flow of concrete having various unit stresses. In addition, it is planned to conduct investigations along the following lines: Study of concrete for its abrasive resistance; tests of reinforced-concrete floor beams; effect of freezing on changes in length of concrete. ROAD AND BRIDGE FOUNDATION TESTS. A soil-pressure laboratory has been constructed and put in oper- ation at Arlington Farm. A paper upon the “ Distribution of Pres- sure Through Earth Fills” was presented before the American So- ciety for ‘Testing Materials. An investigation has been started in co- operation with the Miami conservancy district upon pressures result- ing from hydraulic fills, and special equipment has been installed for the necessary tests. The apparatus which was devised for measuring the distribution of pressure through fills has been perfected so as to make it thoroughly practical for both laboratory and field tests. In addition to continuing the laboratory soil-pressure investigations it is proposed to direct immediate attention to the measurement of reaction distribution under concrete pavements and foundations. FARM-IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. UTILIZATION OF WATER IN IRRIGATION. Experiments to determine the best methods of using water in irrigation have been carried on in cooperation with the following: State of Arizona, in the Salt River Valley; State of California and the California Agricultural Experiment Station, in Imperial and Sacramento Valleys and at the Davis farm; Colorado Agricultural Ixxperiment Station, in the Cache la Poudre Valley; Idaho Agricul- tural Experiment Station, at Gooding, Idaho; and with local organ- izations at Twin Falls, Idaho; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, at Garden City; New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, at State College; State engineer of Nevada, and the Uni- versity of Nevada, in Lamoille Valley; Oregon Agricultural Experi- ment Station, at Paisley and Burns; Texas Board of Water Engi- neers, at Mercedes and Laredo, Tex.; Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, at various points in Utah. The cooperative work in Ari- zona, Idaho, and Oregon was terminated during the year. Bulle- tins giving the results of cooperative work covering several years in the Sacramento Valley, and at the Davis farm, and a bulletin on rice irrigation in the Sacramento Valley were published by the University of California. A report of the work in Oregon was published by the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, and reports of the work in the other States have been prepared. A field laboratory for the study of evaporation from water and soil surfaces OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 875 is maintained at Denver, Colo., and a report of results at this labo- ratory has been prepared and accepted for publication in the Journal of Agricultural Research. Laboratory studies of the movement of moisture in soils have been carried on at Riverside, Cal. PUMPING FOR IRRIGATON. The work under this project has consisted of giving advice to farmers on the engineering features: of pumping equipment; the collection of information regarding the seasonal cost of pumping; mechanical tests of pumps and pumping plants; studies of wells and well casings with reference to supplying water for irrigation; studies of the possibilities of securing a water supply by pumping in specific localities. Reports on pumping for irrigation in Kansas and Ne- braska and on seasonal cost of pumping in the same territory have been prepared for publication during the year. Work under this project has been carried on in cooperation with the University of Nebraska, the University of Nevada, the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Texas Board of Water Engineers. APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT FOR IRRIGATION. This project includes studies and experiments for the improve- ment of irrigation equipment of all kinds, including dams, canals, reservoirs, structures of all kinds, and miscellaneous equipment. New and improved measuring devices have been designed and tested ; a new spraying nozzle has been designed and public patent obtained ; a new type of pipe for conveying water under pressure has been designed and tested; Farmers’ bulletin on farm reservoirs has been prepared and published; and a report on chutes and drops is in preparation. FLOW OF WATER IN DITCHES, PIPES, AND OTHER CONDUITS. The work under this project consists of technical studies to work out formulas for the flow of water in the various types of conduits used to convey water for irrigation. A bulletin on‘ flow of water in wood stave pipe has been issued; data for a similar bulletin on flow in concrete pipe have been prepared; and work on the flow in metal pipe has been begun. MEASUREMENT OF WATER FOR IRRIGATION. This work consists in laboratory and field experiments to develop devices for measuring water for irrigation. Laboratory experiments were carried on in cooperation with the Colorado Agricultural Ex- periment Station, at Fort Collins, Colo. On the basis of the experi- ments made, plans for two new devices have been prepared, and articles describing the devices and giving discharge formulas and tables have been published in the Journal of Agricultural Research. These devices have been installed and tested under field conditions. CUSTOMS, REGULATIONS, AND LAWS RELATING TO IRRIGATION. Under this project are carried on studies of the influence of cus- toms, regulations, and laws relating to irrigation, on the success of farmers practicing irrigation, on the reclamation of arid lands by 376 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. irrigation, and on the economical use of public water supplies. Studies of the operation of irrigation districts and mutual and cooperative water companies, and public control of irrigation have been carried on. DRAINAGE OF IRRIGATED LANDS. All the drainage work in the West has been assigned to this di- vision. The work consists in making surveys and plans for the drain- age of agricultural land and supervising the installation of drains, experiments to determine the best methods of drainage, and studies of drainage organizations and the operation of the laws controlling drainage. There has been a large demand for assistance in drainage work in the West throughout the past year. DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGE WORKS. Extended field studies have been made of drainage ditches in the central and the southeastern States that have been in operation for several years. Experiments have been undertaken in seven districts in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Lowa, to determine the best meth- ods and the cost of clearing drainage ditches that have become ob- structed, and of keeping the ditches in effective condition. Concrete tile drains in the southeastern States are under observation. A revision of Department Bulletin 71, “The Wet Lands of South- ern Louisiana and Their Drainage,” has been prepared. Manuscript for a report upon “The Cost and Operation of Drainage Pumping Plants in Louisiana” has been prepared. The study of pumping for drainage in the upper Mississippi Valley has been continued. PEAT, TURF, AND MUCK SOILS. An investigation was made of methods used in draining muck lands in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The measurements to determine the subsidence or compacting of peat and muck soils in ’ Florida and south Louisiana, due to draining, were continued. ORGANIZATION, FINANCING, AND LEGAL REGULATIONS OF DRAINAGE DISTRICTS. A report upon “ The Organization and Administration of Drainage Districts,” explaining the means of forming drainage districts and the precautions to be observed in order to avoid litigation and to sell the bonds on the best terms, has been published. An investigation of the methods of distributing the cost of district drainage among the beneficiaries has been begun, including a study of the laws and court decisions bearing upon the subject. In conference with members of the legislature, the main provi- sions were outlined for the act that has become the general drain- age law of West Virginia. RUN-OFF INVESTIGATIONS. An article on “ Run-off from Drained Prairie Lands of Southern Louisiana,” presenting the conclusions deduced from several years’ study, has been prepared and accepted for publication in the Jour- nal of Agricultural Research. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. Sue The results of two years’ study of rates of run-off from drainage districts along the east coast of Florida have been compiled in a progress report prepared in mimeographed form. The run-off studies in Tennessee were continued through the year, and measurements were made to determine friction coefficients in drainage ditches. DRAINAGE OF TILLABLE LANDS. The laboratory studies of capacities of tile drains being conducted on the Arlington farm, Va., have been nearly completed. Some field studies of this subject on parts of actual drainage systems have been begun. Observation wells have been installed in tile-drained fields and in comparable undrained land on farms in North Carolina, South Caro- lina, Georgia, and Arkansas to determine the effects of underdrains upon the elevation of the ground-water table. A careful field investigation was made, and Department Bulletin 512, “ The Prevention of Erosion of Farm Lands by Terracing,” was issued to explain the best types of terraces where terracing may be practicable. In cooperation with the College of Agriculture, terrace systems were designed as demonstrations for a few farms in Missouri and the construction supervised. A report upon “ The Drainage of Irrigated Shale Lands” has been published as Department Bulletin 502. The investigation in the Yakima Valley, Wash., of the construc- tion of drainage ditches and the effect upon the ground-water eleva- tion has been completed. A series of five lectures and five field demonstrations upon tile drainage principles and practice was given at the short course of the Georgia College of Agriculture. Reports have been prepared and transmitted to landowners, giving detail plans and cost estimates for tile drainage and terrace systems upon just 200 farms. OVERFLOWED LANDS. The report embodying plans and cost estimates for protecting the bottom lands along the Kootenai River in Idaho has been completed ~ and transmitted to the interested Jandowners. A reconnaissance survey and preliminary report were made upon the drainage of overflowed lands in the Grand River Valley, Mo. Approximately 285,000 acres along the Grand River and its tribu- taries are subject to inundation. A survey was made and plans prepared for the protection and drainage of about 38,800 acres subject to overflow along Clear Boggy River in southeast Oklahoma. Using topographic and flood data available from other sources, supplemented by our own field investigations, a general plan of flood protection has been prepared for 90,000 acres of land along the Sagi- naw River and tributaries in Michigan. Surveys and detail plans for drainage have been made for 7 smaller districts subject to periodical overflow; preliminary inspections and reports have been made for 17 additional areas where the landowners wished to organize drainage districts. 378 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, A report upon agricultural drainage in Georgia has been prepared for publication by the State geological survey, in cooperation with the State geologist’s office. SWAMP LANDS. The compilation of available data upon the amount of swamp and other wet lands has been completed. According to the best informa- tion obtainable, it is estimated that there are about 71,000,000 acres of swamp land of various kinds, including tidal marsh, and 42,000,000 acres subject to overflow from streams. A report upon storm tides along the central Gulf coast, including high-water records for the three highest of such tides, has been pre- pared and rather widely distributed in mimeographed form. Surveys and drainage plans for six-swamp districts have been made and reports transmitted to the interested landowners. An equal number of other similar areas have been examined and preliminary reports transmitted. IRRIGATION IN THE HUMID REGION. Near Vineland, N. J., experiments have been begun to test the prac- ticability of clay tile wound with wire and laid in concrete for dis- tributing pipes in farm irrigation plants. RURAL ENGINEERING. FARM DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE DISPOSAL. Surveys were made and plans prepared for a gravity supply of spring water, comprising collecting works, delivery main, standpipe, and distribution system. Drawings were made for a reinforced concrete storage tank 20 by 10 feet. Plans were prepared for utilizing the flow of an artesian well at the kitchen sink and in a cooling tank beneath the kitchen floor. The manuscript and about 30 drawings are nearing completion for a comprehensive bulletin on “ Farm Domestic Water Systems.” Methods of collecting, raising, storing, distributing, and purifying water are described and illustrated. There was completed and published in the Yearbook (Yearbook Separate 712), the article, “Sewage Disposal on the Farm.” Plans were drawn for a septic tank ifstallation at Granville Test Farm, Ne @.ce Five examinations were made for the purpose of outlining systems of sewers of sewage disposal installations. One lecture was given on rural sanitation illustrated with lantern slides. Among the exami- nations was the Marine Corps cantonment at Quantico, Va. Detailed information regarding the installation of sanitary meth- ods of sewage and garbage disposal, the pumping, storing, and dis- tributing of water as well as the development and protection of sources of water supply has been furnished to many individuals through correspondence and consultation. In some instances per- sonal visits were made. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 379 CONSTRUCTION OF FARM BUILDINGS. Working drawings, and in most instances bills of materials, were prepared for the following farm structures, blue prints of which have been widely distributed : Six-room one-story farmhouse designed to meet average farm conditions in the northern and western parts of the country. The distinctive feature of the house is the kitchen arrangement. A community building designed for use in rural communities with an audi- torium seating about 150, a large room for serving refreshments, a kitchen, dressing room, ete. One story hollow-tile dairy barn for 20 cows. Hollow-tile general barn for six horses, with box stalls, calf pen, feed room, harness room, and hay storage; designed for use in connection with the above dairy barn. A dairy barn to accommodate 20 cows, with box stall, calf pen, feed room, and hay storage; designed to suit northern conditions. Two milk houses designed for use in connecting with the above dairy barn. One of the designs includes an ice storage house. A feeding shed for young dairy stock prepared for use with the above dairy barn. A general barn having accommodations for four horses and four cows, with feed and hay storage. Typical drawings for a brick silo. Typical drawings for a wooden hoop silo. Seven hog-house designs of various types. Two cheese factories of 15,000-21,000 pounds and 8,000-12,000 pounds per day capacity, respectively. A cattle-feeding shed for northern and western conditions with provision for about 50 head of cattle. A reinforced concrete water tank of 23,500 gallons capacity. Design for tank and silo forms. Tn addition to the above designs the division completed 20 separate pieces of work for other bureaus of the department, including the drawings for buildings, laboratory equipment, and experimental apparatus. Material assistance was given in planning the arrangement of the buildings and lots on the farmsteads of many individuals. A representative of the division attended a farmer’s short course at Ames, Iowa, delivering lectures on farmstead planning. RURAL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS INVOLVING MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES. A large number of requests for advice or information relative to the following subjects were given attention: Ice-house design and construction. Refrigeration and cooling systems for farm use. Water supply and storage problems. Farm electric light and power plants. Power development from streams. Concrete construction. House heating. Rural telephone lines. Ventilation. Gas and alcohol engines. Windmill power. Floating water-power plants. Farm gates. Care and repair of farm equipment and implements. Power farming. Land ctearing. Homemade farm implements. 380 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. A representative of the division made a trip through the Middle and Northwest States gathering rural-engineering data of all kinds. A portable compressed-air spraying outfit was designed for use in experimental work to be conducted by the Bureau of Plant In- dustry. Preliminary steps were taken in an investigation to be conducted jointly by this division and the Office of Farm Management to se- cure all available data of an economic and engineering character for the purpose of developing the use of and standardization of farm tractors. TRACTION TESTS. The field work of the traction tests made to determine the actual effect of road improvement on draft and width of tire was reported last year as completed except for two projects, one in North Carolina and one in Iowa. Neither of these roads has been completed, and as their condition, when completed, will not be uniform throughout the length, the results of final tests would be of little or no value in comparison with those already obtained; therefore it has been de- cided not to make the final tests on these roads. An experimental dirt road was built on the Arlington Farm for the purpose of tests to determine the effect of various widths of tires on dirt roads. A preliminary report based on these tests was pub- lished as Secretary’s Circular No. 72. - REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. Unirep Srares DeparrMent or AGRICULTURE, OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR, Washington, D. C., September 19, 1917. Sm: I submit herewith report of the work of the office of the Solicitor for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917. Respectfully, Wo. M. WituraMs, Solicitor. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. SUMMARY. The work of this office during the fiscal year has been featured by several matters of unusual public interest, such as the drafting of the food production or survey and the food control bills, together with the legal arguments to sustain their validity; the assistance rendered in getting the Federal aid road act into operation, including framing of the rules and regulations, passing upon the questions as to whether the several States were qualified to contract with the Fed- eral Government, and assistance rendered to the States in enacting new laws for creating State highway departments and the adjus- ment of existing State statutes to the underlying principles of Fed- eral road legislation; and the assistance rendered in getting the United States grain standards act into operation, including framing of rules and regulations, and in the promulgation of standards for corn and wheat. The United States grain standards act, the United States ware- house act, the Federal aid road act, the standard basket and con- tainer act, the Federal vocational-education act, and the United States cotton futures act, which last is a reenactment, with important amendments, of a former act of the same title, all far-reaching and important statutes, were enacted during the fiscal year. Exclusive administration of the first four and partial administration of the last two of these acts is committed to this department. 'The increase of the department’s work in consequence of these statutes very ma- terially added to the work of this office, as elsewhere shown in this report. In the report for the preceding year special emphasis was laid upon the amount of assistance rendered in drafting or reporting on proposed legislation, and it was stated that more than 40 bills relat- ing to agricultural matters were either drawn or examined and com- mented on. Similar work in the fiscal year covered by this report considerably exceeded in volume that of the preceding year. 381 882 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Under your direction, on request of committees or Members of Congress or of State officials, 58 bills and amendments of existing statutes relating to agricultural subjects were drawn or examined and commented on. Three items of more or less extensive operation were included in an appropriation bill and became law. These three items relate to the regulation of interstate transportation of plants and plant products and stone and quarry products; regulation of the importation from Mexico of cotton and cotton seed in order to pre- vent the introduction or spread of the pink boll worm of cotton; and disposition of moneys received for licenses for hunting and fishing on areas set aside by the President for the protection of wild animals, birds, and fish. These three items were incorporated in the agricultural appropriation act for the fiscal year 1918, approved March 4, 1917 (39 Stat., 1134). Other bills for the consideration of Congress, in the preparation of which aid was given, covered regulation of hunting in Alaska during the existence of the war; admission of tick-infested cattle into the United States; preparation and manufacture of viruses, serums, tox- ins, and analogous products for treatment of domestic animals; cot- ton standards; personal rural credits; carrying into effect the treaty with Great Britain for the protection of migratory birds; grant of permits for the construction of public roads over reservations for the protection of wild life; addition to the Oregon National Forest of lands reverting to the Government by virtue of railroad forfeitures; extension of time within which cutting of timber might be effected by a lumber company on one of the National Forests; river regulation and flood control; and amendments of the United States warehouse act, the food and drugs act, and the meat inspection act. The office, either independently or in cooperation with other bureaus of the department, prepared for the consideration of State legislatures bills relating to marketing of agricultural products, cooperative agricultural credits, acceptance of the benefits of the Federal aid road act, acceptance of the benefits of the Federal vocational-education act, and for the formation of cooperative agri- cultural associations. In cooperation with two of the bureaus of the department a model for a city ordinance to regulate production and sale of milk was prepared. In addition, assistance was rendered in making up the reports of the department on various Federal or State bills covering standards for fruit and vegetable baskets and containers; grain standards; part payment of salaries or compensation of Federal employees by un- official individuals, organizations, and associations; admission of tick-infested cattle into the United States; preparation and manu- facture of viruses, serums, toxins, and analogous products for treat- ment of domestic animals; exercise by the Supreme Court of the United States of jurisdiction in suits instituted by States against the United States in all cases where, if the issue were between indi- viduals, it would be justiciable by the courts; grant of Federal lands to the University of Nebraska; Federal cooperation with the State of New Mexico in the destruction of predatory animals; interstate commerce in misbranded articles; the labeling of wines; and con- struction of public roads by States in cooperation with the United States. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 383 At the request of committees of Congress, one of the assistants in the office orally argued before the respective committees the con- stitutionality of bills, prepared by the department at the request of Members of Congress, for the establishment of game sanctuaries in the National Forests and for carrying into effect the treaty with Great Britain for the protection of migratory birds. Delays heretofore experienced in prosecuting condemnation suits for the acquisition of lands under the Weeks law, which, on account of defects in titles, could not be acquired by direct purchase, were materially reduced during the year by assistance rendered the United States attorneys by the title attorneys of this office in the preparation of petitions for condemnation and in prosecution of the suits in the courts. This assistance proved so satisfactory that arrangements were completed with the Department of Justice by which this office, after July 1, 1917, will take over the work incident to the preparation of petitions for condemnation and a large part of the court work inci- dent to the prosecution of the cases. It is believed that this plan will materially reduce the time required for the acquisition of lands and will result in substantial benefit to the Government and persons hay- ing an interest in the litigation. Aside from the increase in the work of the office due to the enact- ment by Congress of the new statutes previously referred to, the ordi- nary activities of the office were in the aggregate greater than in the preceding year. ‘The increases were especially noticeable in the work connected with the contest of claims to lands in the national forests, in the number of applications for patents on inventions of department employees, and in the number of cases referred to the Department of Justice, the increase in the latter over the preceding fiscal year aggregating 1,358 cases. The only noteworthy diminu- tion in the work of the office was in respect to the number of con- tracts, bonds, leases, and similar instruments prepared, there having been 493 less than in the previous year. Law work for the Forest Service during the year, other than under the Weeks forestry law, included handling the following cases and other business: Cini Stow lands S222 ee wa eo. 687 | Trespasses—Continued. Hearings attended ________ 64 Hl linoal yey pee R EAR EDEN SEM OE ae SaaS 56 Briefs prepared and filed__ 68 Eire eet eet he erate gins be A ee 62 Depositions taken _________ 97 Occupancy=—= ee ee 48 Oral arguments —-_—- 41eGenerall. litivation 2-2 sn 3i/ Trespasses : Wiritten ODI ONS] a= ee 638 Grg7 iT oe Seater a ae ayy Ps HAT KContractsse Steet Aes See 1, 558 The following is a summary of the work of the office during the fiscal year in connection with the acquisition of lands under the Weeks forestry law: Character of work. ~ Tracts. | Acreage. Purchases authorized by National Forest Reservation Commission...........---.- 240 175, 463 Condemnations instructed by National Forest Reservation Commission. --. 6 48,329 AERC MENUS On PUT CHASe PLOPAleGeeea- acco nas teres ssn scat ce een eas aetsi ape 162 135, 537 Titles in process of examination at beginning of year...-........+---..-----.------ 40 150, 873 Examinations of titles completed and reported to Department of Justice: IBUTCHASES TCCOMMEM USO Ieee eee ue sau noe ete onesie ode Soe eee eee eee 64 192, 756 pACondemmations recommended ss 2 cnc cascccace eae me nine ce eee nee beetce nc cen 88 113, 789 Titles conditionally approved by Attorney General and in process of adjustment. . 7 54, 265 Titles in process of examination at end of year:............---.---=---------------- 56 131, 977 Completion of direct purchases after approval of titles by the Attorney General. . 118 90, 650 Completion of purchases of lands acquired by condemnation............-...-.----- 144 149, 572 384 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Four meetings of the National Forest Reservation Commission were attended. In addition to the 1,558 contracts prepared for the Forest Service, and the 162 purchase agreements under the Weeks law, 194 contracts, 262 leases, 25 bonds, 185 renewals, and 11 notices of termination were prepared for the several bureaus, divisions, and offices of the depart- ment, making a total of 2,397 documents of these classes. One thousand four hundred and forty written opinions, including 638 for the Forest Service, were rendered. In addition 87 opinions upon questions arising in the administration of the United States grain standards act were prepared and distributed through service and regulatory announcements or bulletins of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization; and upwards of 200 opinions in the form of letters for the signature of the Chief cf the Office of Markets and Rural Organization were prepared, revised, or approved. No ac- count was kept of numerous informal opinions rendered, in confer- ence and otherwise, to the various officers and bureaus of the department. Forty-seven applications for letters patent on inventions of em- ployees of the department for dedication to the public were pre- pared and filed. Forty claims for balances due estates cf employees of the depart- ment who died intestate were examined, the necessary papers pre- pared for their payment, and advice furnished administrative officers of the department relating to the same. Six cases involving questions of irregularities or misconduct by employees in their official duties were reviewed. In each the facts were investigated; and in two cases formal charges were prepared atter the employees concerned had had full opportunity to reply. The charges, the answers, and the evidence received consideration, and the matters were reported to you for decision. Three memo- randa were prepared on general questions relating to the personnel of the department. At the request of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, representatives from this office accompanied representatives from that office to the principal grain markets of the United States in con- nection with the administration of the United States grain standards act and to various points of the Northwest to assist in the organiza- tion of cooperative work among producers of staple agricultural products. Aid was given the advisory committee on finance and business methods in drafting a revision of the administrative regulations and various amendments of the fiscal regulations; to the Office of Markets and Rural Organization in drafting rules and regulations and forms for administration and enforcement of the United States grain standards act, the United States cotton futures act, the United States warehouse act, and the standard basket and container act, and in revising the regulations and forms of the Treasury Department under the cotton futures act; to the Office of Public Roads and Rural Engi- neering in the preparation of rules and regulations to carry out the Federal aid road act; to the Forest Service in drafting rules and REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 385 regulations governing hunting and fishing on lands set aside by the President for the protection of game and fish, and governing pros- pecting, developing, and utilizing the mineral resources of lands acquired under the Weeks forestry law, as well as numerous amend- ments of the regulations for the general administration of the National Forests; to the Federal Horticultural Board in drafting orders, rules and regulations, and amendments of existing regula- tions, for the administration and enforcement of the plant quara- tine law; to the Biological Survey in drafting regulations governing entry of quail into the United States and amendments of regulations under the migratory bird law; to the Bureau of Animal Industry in drafting regulations and amendments of existing regulations gov- erning interstate and foreign commerce in live stock and in hides, skins, and products thereof. Many documents of various kinds, including statements of issues, briefs, and memoranda on legal matters, were prepared on behalf of the officials of this department for submission to the Attorney Gen- eral, the Secretary of the Interior, the Comptroller of the Treasury, and the officials of other departments. Among the questions were whether the Reclamation Service or the Department of Agriculture has the authority to permit use for recreation purposes, of lands within a reclamation withdrawal in a National Forest not actually needed for reclamation uses; whether the Secretary of Agriculture has authority to sell timber on certain portions of the Minnesota National Forest affected with Indian claims; whether certain classes of roads are within the definition of rural post roads as defined in the Federal aid road act; whether temporary withdrawal of lands in Wyoming and certain other States can be made in aid of legisla- tion looking to their inclusion in National Forests; whether inspec- tion of plant products intended for importation can be made by agents of this department at the cost of the importers at points where the department does not maintain inspection; whether wrapped hams and wrapped sides of bacon are required, by the net-weight amend- ment of the food and drugs act, to bear a statement thereon of the net weight; the effect of certain statutes relating to military preparation on leaves of absence, pay, and reinstatement of employees of the department. The office has been in daily conference witll the officials and em- ployees of the department with reference to legal questions arising in their work, and many letters and memoranda prepared by the various bureaus and divisions of the department, involving legal questions, have been examined and changes suggested where deemed necessary. No record was kept of these items. A conference was held at Asheville with all the title attorneys for the purpose of discussing the problems arising in the legal work of the department connected with the acquisition of lands under the Weeks forestry law. Violations of statutes intrusted to the department for enforcement upon which reports were made and prosecutions recommended to the Attorney General, or upon which settlements were effected without 33382°—acr 1917 25 886 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. litigation, and the amount of fines and recoveries in cases terminated and reported to this office during the year were as follows: - Viola- | Fines and . Viola- | Fines and f yvoKed, * j voked, i i Law invoked tions. | recoveries. Law invoked tions. | recoveries. Laws for the protection of na- DLaceywAct: 22.8 acet tueece ceed toeeseeecoee = ite ountats Bie as Sama ccna ee ss ees Sec RPA ZS hee7 GCL 5S ee eee 33, 299. 40 or arolina: ID TGR Sas oe a oondcos CaN coude SMe a SoD sane cee esac 42,494 311.97 579. 79 39, 061. 41 MOMMEMMLILCh oll seeee ne metee ey ei met tse as 85,972 | 19,492. 64 395. 64 5, 842.07 NG iba bala see eeere reas: ree eRe eee cet peti see 40, 252 1, 670. 38 231. 29 850. 06 Feel: Nee ee a a ae ae ass rk oe He 14, 819. 63 |......-..... AMALITISIIN GIN Bomar ec at mete cine © Sars amis ccmele po enae 1 " SOO, asoatecte Saat 2,310. 68 seen Carolinas Savannahy(S) 2255-22. 242 is . ee 26, 253 OP SIBL1G! [ee ccencin tess 14, 189. 83 ennessee: eran sae taneoeta-g aia paeenieo eon 2 937 8, 549. 44 5, 986. 65 2,978. 33 mOkyaMOuntAM Esra. Sonises oo. Sec ga eae A WLS ee pe ioe ol Sart meicicin elec esses == WILE RDO pie eae emt tee oe ta TORRY MAE A) AREES 68,039 | 12,977.89 338.68 | 10, 389. 56 19 [Ula ss CEL ae po Ry en ee te Sm epee mee 49,949 | 11,497.01 44.02] 26,785.48 irginia: : IMASSANUGLEM anes sensation sae PR) oF ie 59 67,761 | 14,665.13 2,071. 86 13, 905. 89 Naira BING Pe aan ser te Gr, non ifod «aren Bas 95,800 | 37, 293.92 343. 51 1, 644. 58 ROGOHIACS eee ere ae ee nae eee ee eae 62, 454 WA AUS bits Y (al h sheer a tea Ae 10, 680. 86 fi Shenandoah o8 Wis ae os rene rete Deane Peete as, 125,547 | 1,933.54 656.72 | 17,985.93 est Virginia: | iMononeahplasecs Pst ee te 4 Coos eh kicoaoe eee 54,464 | 20,896. 72 LOOT 3 | Se5- 3 eee eee Spgs ce ai saese5 peer * 3" eb tite, Ts wtaythe nichncd sae 17, 075 2, 166. 29 871.81 | 478. 25 TET Ora ees paren errte cete Rn Meise sre tele core ee a cee Ce ae AN eels emote oe tC w es cose ae oee eee 898 | ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. THE FOOD AND DRUGS ACT (34 Stat. 768). Seven hundred and eighty-two cases were transmitted to the De- partment cf Justice, in 424 of which criminal proceedings and in 358 of which seizures were recommended. The 424 criminal cases embraced 735 alleged violations of the food and drugs act. At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 377 cases were pending, of which 200 were criminal prosecutions and 177 were seizures, Two hundred and ninety-two cases pending at the close of the fiscal year 1916 and 555 reported during the fiscal year 1917, in all 847, were terminated in 1917. Of those terminated 412 were criminal and 435 were civil. In 340 of the 412 criminal cases fines were imposed, the fine being the costs of the proceeding in 1 case; in 1 an appeal taken by a defendant was dismissed; in 1 the court refused leave to file ‘the information; in 4 sentence was suspended; in 1 a demurrer to the indictment was sustained, and the case is now pending in the Su- preme Court of the United States on the Government’s writ of error ; in 6 there were acquittals; 20 were nol prossed; and 39 were with- drawn, dismissed, or barred by the statute of limitations. In a majority of the cases in which fines were imposed pleas of guilty, nolo contendere, or non vult were entered. In 14 pleas of not guilty were entered, and the defendants were convicted after tr ial, and in 1 of these the judgment of conviction of the lower ccurt was affirmed. In the criminal cases in which convictions were obtained the fines were as follows: Number of cases. pence Total. | Number of cases. nou Total. Costs pect seers $95.00 $95. 00 $2.00 $2.00 100. 00 2,700. 00 5.00 130.00 110.00 110. 00 6.00 6. 00 135. 00 135. 00 10. 00 370.00 140. 00 140.00 12.50 12.50 ae 150. 00 1, 200. 00 15.00 60. 00 eh as Seay cys eens 180. 00 180. 00 20.00 460. 00 | 1 TE eee a 1G GaSe See BEEBE 199. 00 199. 00 25.00 | 2,050.00 ) omer’ Peete hae a 5S me so 200. 00 2,600. 00 30. 00 240. 00 LS ROO Ore SORIAG SES 250. 00 1,000. 00 35.00 70.00 5 st Ee a LR ec 275.00 275. 00 40. 00 . 360.00 | | Sas we ooasenecce eeocec 280. 00 280. 00 45.00 90. G0 hs HE gee ita horde Fa Fa 300. 00 900. 00 50. 00 3,300.00 , Te? 2 se once eeeet eee 398. 00 398. 00 55.00 110.00 ; 1 et Ree ert eit eS 500. 00 500. 00 60.00 60.00 | Dea Ae eee Sie 2 ee 600. 00 1, 200. 00 70.00 70.00 Senna ennai 75.00 375. 00 | BaD in eclewanincseceeuscee seas se) ceene eee 19, 677. 50 In addition to the fines imposed, costs were generally assessed. Of the 435 civil cases terminated during the year, decrees of con- demnation and forfeiture were entered in 411, of which 7 were de- cided favorably to the Government after contest ; in 3 the libels were dismissed; in 21 the packages were broken or disposed of before seizure could be made. In the 411 case’ in which decrees of con- demnation and forfeiture were entered the goods were destroyed in 201, released on bond or otherwise in 196, and sold in 14. In many of the cases in which the product was released, the decree of the court provided that the product should be sorted and that that portion found unfit for food should be destroyed. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 399 At the close of the year 318 cases were pending, of which 213 were criminal prosecutions and 100 were seizures. In addition to the cases reported by this department to the Depart- ment of Justice the food and drugs officials of the various States and of the District of Columbia, collaborating with the department in the enforcement of the act, reported 29 cases to the United States attor- neys for action. Of these, 15 were criminal cases and 14 were seizures, In all of the criminal cases there were convictions. In all of the seizure cases decrees were entered and the products either released on bond or sold. Decrees were entered in three cases reported prior to this fiscal year and the products released on bond. The fines in the criminal cases were as follows: Number Amount . ofcases. | of fines. Total 3 $10 $30 2 15 30 1 20 20 7 25 175 1 40 40 UB Ok Se ee ae ee ee ee LEP Wssgsts ft 295 1 Released on personal bond. Five hundred notices of judgment were published during the year. CASES OF INTEREST. In Simpson v. United States (241 Fed. 841; Cir. 88, Office of the Solicitor) the defendant, trading as The C. M. Simpson Medical Institute of Cleveland, Ohio, was convicted, after a plea of not guilty, in the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The offense consisted in the shipment from Ohio to Minnesota of a medici- nal compound designated “ Simpson’s Cerebro-Spinal Nerve Com- pound,” which contained on the label of the package and an accom- panying circular certain statements regarding the therapeutic and curative effects of the article, which were alleged to be false and fraudulent. On appeal to the circuit court of appeals, it was held that unless an information is void an objection that it was not made on the oath of the prosecuting officer but solely upon the oaths of witnesses by affidavits, some of which were taken before notaries public, could not be raised for the first time on appeal unless a re- fusal to consider it would shock the judicial conscience; that such objection was purely technical and was waived by pleading to the information without protest. The court also held that in charging the interstate shipment by defendant of a medicinal compound designated by his own name on the labels and in the accompanying circular, which label and circular contained statements regarding the therapeutic efficacy of the compound which were false and fraud- ulent in that they were applied to such article knowingly and in reckless and wanton disregard of their truth or falsity, the informa- tion substantially averred the defendant’s knowledge and reckless and wanton disregard of the truth or falsity of these therapeutic claims; that, consequently, the fraud, a necessary element in the 400 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. offense attempted to be charged, was substantially pleaded. It was further held that allegations to the effect that the shipment consisted of certain packages, that the packages contained the circular or pamphlets described, and that one of the representations was con- tained on the label and the other was included in said circular were sufficient to charge that the misrepresentations in question were intended to accompany the bottles containing this drug product into the hands of the consumer. Discussing the term “ remedy” upon the labels of drug products, the court expressed the view that the term “remedy” implied a curative tendency though not guaranteeing a cure. In United States v. Watson-Durand-K asper Grocery Co. (N. J. No. 5543), tried by the United States District Court for the District of Kansas without a jury on an agreed statement of facts, which showed that the defendant shipped in interstate commerce 250 pails of candy of several varieties under two distinct billings, it was alleged in the information that the candy was adulterated in that it consisted in whole or in part of a filthy, decomposed, and putrid vegetable sub- stance. The court held, on the authority of B. @ O. S. W. BR. RB. v. United States (220 U. S., 94), that the shipment in this case of the divers articles of confectionery under different billings constituted but one offense under the food and drugs act. The court held, further, that the defendant was guilty of shipping an article adulterated under the provisions of section 7 relating to confectionary, holding in this connection that the phrase “ or other ingredient deleterious or detri- mental to health” in the provisions mentioned was not limited or re- stricted by the preceding phrase “or other mineral substance or poisonous substance or flavor.” In the opinion of the court it was the intent of the law-making power to provide that confectionery might be adulterated in violation of the terms of the act in three dis- tinct and separate ways: (1) By causing it to contain terra alba, barytes, tale, chrome yellow, or other mineral substance or poisonous color or flavor. (2) By permitting it to contain or include any “ other ingredient deleterious or detrimental to health.” (3) By the use of ‘any vinous, malt, or spirituous liquor or compound or narcotic drug.” In United States v. Joseph L. Schider et al. (unreported F. and D. No. 7805), the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sustained a demurrer to an indictment charging adul- teration and misbranding of an article labeled “Compound ess grape,” upon the authority of Weeks v. United States (224 Fed., 64), relating to the labeling of compounds. The case is pending in the Supreme Court on the Government’s writ of error. In United States v. Natura Co. (N. J. No. 5552), tried in the North- ern District of California, the court, in rejecting the Government’s contentions relative to misbranding under the Sherley amendment to the food and drugs act of an article called “Akoz,” held that “it could not be concluded that when the defendant used the word ‘remedy’ it used it as synonymous with ‘cure,’ nor can it be concluded that the word would be accepted by the public to mean cure.” In United States v. 6 Barrels of Ground Pepper (N. J. No. 5547), where quinine alkaloid had been used by the Government as a marker for the detection of the presence of added pepper shells in the prod- REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 401 uct, the court held that it was not incumbent on the Government to show the absence of any reasonable possibility of quinine alkaloid finding its way into the pepper in any other manner than by the addi- tion of the pepper shells into which it had been placed as a marker, and that the presence of the quinine alkaloid in the pepper was sufli- cient proof of the addition of the alkaloid-treated shells to the pepper. Among other cases of interest were the following: United States v. A. Koshland (N. J. No. 5246). United States v. Atlantic Macaroni Co. (N. J. No. 5521). United States v. 5060 Cans of Tomato Pulp (N. J. No. 5527). United States v. Pulmonol Chemical Co. (N. J. No. 5535). United States v. 9 Barrels of Butter (N. J. No. 5375). United States v. Certain Bags Rape Seed (¥. and D. Nos. 7501, 7502, and 7503, unreported). United States v. Certain Cases Pork and Beans (N. J. No. 5059). United States v. Russian Monopol Co. (N. J. 5542). THE MEAT-INSPECTION LAW (34 Stat. 674). Two hundred and seventy-one cases were reported to the Attorney General during the fiscal year, while 237 cases were reported during the preceding year, an increase of 34 cases for the fiscal year 1917. At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 92 cases were pending. Of the cases reported during the fiscal year 1917, 60, and of those pending at the close of the fiscal year 1916, 59, in all 119, were termi- nated during the year 1917. One hundred resulted in conviction, 7 were dismissed, and in 12 grand juries failed to indict. Fines aggregating $1,790 were imposed in 100 cases, as follows: Number Total Number] Total Penalty. GiGEee. || “Ge. Penalty. of cases. | fines. é —_ Gos soar awaiewiccccocce couse ss ue 3 | $15 | $900. oes he a cick cesaaetsas 2 $60 3 (0). Shas endo SSO sso sea eee ee 8 | SOll|e DO sseeoseceeccmeeeree teases 6 | 300 Lee omeleerosaiscis bicis ssicawictere'e 4 GOs LOOP Ace soete oeccce ceemees 4 | 400 2) A oeeecere OS Sep LEE Sone Ene 5 | 100 |) | DF) <8 I a Be Rh eee ae eee 31 775 || 63 | 1,790 | | | 12 cases were consolidated into 1 and a fine of $5 imposed. 2In one instance 16 cases were consolidated into 1 and a fine of $25 imposed; in another instance 21 cases were consolidated into 1 and a like fine imposed; in another instance 2 cases were consolidated into 1 and a like fine imposed. At the close of the year 244 cases were pending. THE TWENTY-EIGHT HOUR LAW (34 Stat. 607). One thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine cases were reported to the Attorney General. This is an increase over the preceding year of 1,364 cases and 284 in excess of the number reported during any previous fiscal year. At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 1,085 cases were pending. Of the cases reported during the fiscal year 1917, 258, and of those pending at the close of the fiscal year 1916, 138, in all 396, were terminated during 1917. 33382°—acr 1917 —26 402 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Penalties aggregating $37,948.08 were recovered in 332 cases. Forty-eight cases were dismissed and 16 were determined adv ersely to the Government. The following is a detailed list of the number of cases prosecuted and amounts of penalties assessed : Amount Amount Number of cases. of Total. Number of cases. of Total. - penalty. penalty. | 1 CRE Se ness ae rare $100 $25, 800. 00 | Lisi 5 =} Soe eee See $185. 00 $185. 00 QU nee came= te eaaitessece 200 4, 200. 00 Dooce ce we seer Seen oe ee eee 175. 00 175.00 eer ee eee rt Ae Ene 2 250 2, 500. 00 De AN hae ois ee 375. 00 375. 00 Mapa alo cee ow asin eicoeeietne Se 150 1,050. 00 Dida Se aes eee eee 250. 00 250. 00 Deans. otakisis Dek bes ons ce cc sate 300 1, 500. 00 Se us Sad wraltic casa wee catskc eee 138. 08 138. 08 Se ee Sera etn aes eee 125 375.00 |——— Dae cc ac ncis caisoie erences simes ele 500 OOO R OO) | Roa2asens sees iecistesine asics nee | aetsteeteeet 37,948.08 1 iE ERC AA Seite tome sete 400 400. 00 Two thousand five hundred and eighteen cases were pending at the close of the fiscal year. CASES OF INTEREST. Among the cases of interest decided during the year were: Southern Pacific Co. v. Stewart (283 Fed. 956). United States v. Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co. (234 Fed. 386). United States v. Sioux City Terminal Railway Co. (234 Fed. 663). United States v. Philadelphia & Reading Railway Co. (288 Fed. 428). During the year conferences were held between representatives of the Department of Justice, the Grand Trunk, Erie, and Michigan Central Railroad Companies, and of this department, with a view to the settlement of a large number of cases against the respective companies. No final settlements have as yet been made, but it is believed that action to that end will soon be taken. ACTS REGULATING THE INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF LIVE STOCK FROM QUARANTINED DISTRICTS, PROHIBITING THE INTER- STATE MOVEMENT OF DISEASED LIVE STOCK, AND PROHIBIT- ING THE IMPORTATION OF DISEASED LIVE STOCK (23 Stat. 31; 26 Stat. 414; 32 Stat. 791; 33 Stat. 1264). Three cases involving apparent violations of the act of May 29, 1884 (23 Stat. 381), were reported to the Attorney General. At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 1 case was pending. One case reported during 1917 was terminated fav orably to the Government, a fine of $100 being imposed. At the close of 1917, 3 cases were pending. No cases were reported to the Attorney General under the act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 414). At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 2 cases were. pending. Of these, 1 was dismissed and 1 was pending at the close of 1917, Forty-one cases were reported to the Attorney General under the act of February 2, 1903 (82 Stat. 791). At the close of 1916, 6 cases were pending and sentence stood suspended in 1. Twenty- REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 403 s1x cases reported during 1917 and 5 pending at the close of 1916, in all 31 were terminated. Twenty-eight resulted in convictions upon which fines aggregating $3,175 were imposed; 2 were dismissed and 1 was determined adversely to the Government; at the close of 1917, 16 cases were pending and sentence stood suspended in 1. One hundred and sixty-seven apparent violations of the act of March 3, 1905 (33 Stat. 1264), were reported to the Attorney Gen- eral. At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 38 cases were pending. One in which the grand jury had refused to indict, and which had consequently been reported closed in 1915, ‘was again presented to the rand jury during the fiscal year 1917, and a true bill was found. Ee vantaen cases pending at the end of the fiscal year 1916, the case which was reopened during 1917, and 18 cases reported during 1917, in all 36 cases were terminated. Twenty-eight cases were terminated by convictions. In 2 the defendants could not be located and the cases were dropped; in 2 the defendants were discharged by the United States commissioner; 1 was dismissed at cost of defendant ; and 3 were dismissed. In 1 case against 2 defendants a fine of $100 was imposed against one and the case is pending as to the other. Fines aggregating $3,110 were imposed in 29 cases. At the close of 1917, 170 cases were pending. In each of the 208 cases reported to the Attorney General under the acts of February 2, 1903, and March 3, 1905, a suggested form of criminal information was prepared and submitted therewith for use by the United States attorney in instituting the prosecution. The fines imposed in cases under the animal quarantine laws were: Amount Amount Number of eases. of Total. Number of cases. of Total. fines. fines. || ——-__— Weeee a eeaccecces cocscccssece $10 SIOW Os scetoscecc sce ccs cemee = $200 $600 Fp ere oreietec minis (none tie Nejeie' oa cress 100 5, 100 Welasmccne clonteeaelnccemccacee 400 400 aA ac COS eee eee 125 125 || — ———_—_|—_—_——_ eae eee semisecaas Pesan eseisce 150 P5OMESSiere coo cees ceseeceotacte. sees ieegeeoe sy 6,385 Several amendments of Bureau of Animal Industry Order 209, governing the inspection and quarantine of live stock imported into the United States under the act of August 30, 1890, were prepared, and a large number of permits for the importation of animals and correspondence in connection therewith have been considered and passed on by this office. Under the act of February 2, 1903, regulations issued jointly by this department and the Treasury Department governing the certifi- cation and disinfection of hides and other animal by-products, hay, straw, forage, or similar material offered for entry into the United States, were prepared by this office in collaboration with the officials of the Bureau of Animal Industry. Several amendments of these regulations have since been prepared by this office. A large corre- spondence in connection with these regulations has received con- sideration by this office, and numerous conferences in reference thereto have been had with bureau officials. Several orders of the Secretary of Agriculture establishing, modi- fying, and removing quarantines under section 1 of the act of 1905 404 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. were examined as to their legal form and sufficiency. A number of new regulations were likewise examined. THE VIRUS ACT (37 Stat. 832). No violations of the act of March 4, 1913 (87 Stat. 832), governing the preparation, shipment, and importaton of viruses, serums, toxins, and analogous products intended for use in the treatment of domestic animals, were reported to the Attorney General, and no case was pending at the close of 1916. In several cases involving the suspension or revocation of licenses issued by the Secretary to manufacturers of these products the testi- mony given at the hearings was reviewed by this office and the Sec- retary advised as to its legal effect. THE INSECTICIDE ACT (36 Stat. 331). Eighty-nine cases were reported to the Attorney General, in 84 of which criminal proceedings and in 5 seizures were recommended. At the close of the fiscal year 1916, 58 cases were pending, of which 54 were criminal prosecutions and 4 were seizures. Forty cases pending at the close of the year 1916 and 62 reported during the year 1917, in all 102, were terminated in 1917. Of the cases termi- nated, 96 were criminal and 6 civil. In the 96 criminal cases 2 viola- tions were combined with others for the purpose of prosecution ; fines were imposed in 75; sentence was suspended in 1; 17 were dropped or dismissed. After the combination for purpose of prose- cution, in 62 pleas of guilty, 16 pleas of nolo contendere, and 1 a plea of non vult were entered. In the criminal cases in which convictions were obtained the fines were as follows: Number of cases. pcupt Total. Number of cases. pene Total Aneel jacta sie aciasckseiescwaeesisiee $5 S205 PetSere cee ee een coe ee eee $50 $400 1 epee teers 2 OU renee Sea 10 | VO} | BAS ence gee see Deere en eee 55 55 Dearne dak paiteteinets selon eeben oe 15 45 We hes sass SS eee aa AS 75 75 be Re Gre eerie penelope Ces 20 180 cis Saattgoaawiate SUS RE eee RRECE 100 700 OA heer ager terete En ae ee 25 G79) |p dices Sposeerc ce se ecmacscbes noes 150 150 Digbed silyt or scree Lee 30 60 || — = TE ae Tes 5 KER Bet ha 40 S0)|| oR een k oot eset -ce ee eee 2, 550 Costs were assessed in a considerable number of cases in which convictions were obtained. Decrees of condemnation and forfeiture were entered in 8 civil cases; in 2 decrees were entered ordering goods destroyed, and 1 case was dismissed. At the close of the year 44 cases were pending, of which 41 were criminal prosecutions and 3 seizures, During the year 78 notices of judgment were prepared. THE LACEY ACT (35 Stat. 1137). Forty cases were reported to the Department of Justice. At the close of the preceding fiscal year 29 cases were pending, of which 18 were closed during this fiscal year, 16 by convictions and the impo- siticn of fines, 1 by acquittal, and 1 by dismissal. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 405 Of the 40 cases reported during the year 14 were closed, 13 by con- victions and the imposition of fines, and 1 by sentence to 30 days in jail. Thirty-seven cases were pending at the close of the year. Fines were imposed as follows: eas Amount : | r ‘ ryery Amount} , Number of cases. of fine. Total. Number of cases. oftine: Total. | ~ 4 | REI ors a ainrainininieje.a(e nine e aravee $1 $1 De DORAL Con O DBO ARE ROE GOAT $50 $250 ic og Lo 5 BU LAS Sharla eles EEE 2} 100 300 Ul. 5c SRB Se eee ee 6 Gi ewlsetorinc < cero tc cease ceecinee 200 200 eee ete oye. c /a[e/o10 io: 66-12 sisisye 10 he | galery Shoe are sete teen Sion metic ae 400 400 MAL OSL COC OCLs eee 20 40 —— Siete ree crete 2 = 5 aie coe .ciais aia'ecs's' 25 ZOOM E29 steven sisic Aociciciem Ses oe caihe~ cel (ceseo' oclee 1, 522 Ose 5 5A BOER TROD Eee eae 40 80 | | In addition to the fines and the jail sentence, defendants were com- pelled to pay substantial costs. BIRD-RESERVES TRESPASS LAW (35 Stat. 1104). One case was reported to the Department of Justice and was pend- ing at the close of the year. THE MIGRATORY-BIRD LAW (37 Stat. 847). Twenty-five cases reported during a previous fiscal year were pend- ing at the close of this fiscal year. The case of United States v. Shauver (214 Fed. 154), involving the constitutionality of the migra- tory-bird law, restored to the docket for reargument on February 28, 1916, was passed on motion of the Attorney General in October, 1916, subject to be called up for argument on agreement of counsel. The case had not been called for argument before the close of the fiscal year. Numerous letters were written in response to requests from various sources for information as to the law and the regulations. UNITED STATES COTTON-FUTURES ACT (39 Stat. 476). Assistance was given the Office of Markets and Rural Organization in preparing orders and notices reestablishing the standards for 9 grades of white cotton and 11 grades of tinged and stained cotton, and in revising the forms of complaint, stipulation, findings, etc., for use in disputes referred to the Secretary under the act. The office participated with the Office of Markets and Rural Or- ganization in the consideration of 157 disputes under the act involv- ing 5,914 bales of cotton, the total costs assessed being $1,664.35. Various opinions relating to the statute, distributed through the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, were prepared or re- viewed. The writs of error in the cases of Hubbard et al. v. Lowe and Weld et al. v. Lowe, involving the validity of the United States cotton- futures act of August 18, 1914, mentioned in the last annual report, were dismissed on October 9, 1916, upon motion of the Solicitor Gen- eral by reason of the reenactment of the statute. 406 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. UNITED STATES WAREHOUSE ACT (39 Stat. 486). The office cooperated with the Office of Markets and Rural Or- ganization in the preparation. of rules and regulations under the act. The compilation of State warehouse laws, as published in JM/ohun on Warehousemen, was brought up to date for the future use of the office. Certain correspondence of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization relating to the act was reviewed, together with a bul- letin on a system of accounts for cotton warehouses, which is so framed that it might be used by warehousemen licensed under the act. Other work for the Office of Markets and Rural Organization in- cluded review and revision of numerous bulletins, including among others the subjects of the farm-loan act, farmers’ mutual fire insur- ance, cooperative stores, farm mortgage loans, farm leases, the marketing of cotton in the Imperial Valley, marketing creamery butter, the commercial handling, grading, and marketing of potatoes, etc.; and the preparation of a discussion and forms of by-laws for cooperative agricultural associations. A large number of cooperative agreements, news items, and mis- cellaneous letters, papers, and questions were reviewed and sugges- tions made with reference to them. A conference was held in Pittsburgh with the market news service representative of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization and the United States attorney on the subject of disclosure of con- fidential information received by the department. GENERAL STATUTES. At the close of the previous year there were pending 13 cases of violations of the general criminal laws of the United States reported to the Attorney General. During the present year two such cases were reported to the Attorney General. Of the cases reported this year and coming over from previous years, 8 were disposed of. Two were abandoned for lack of sufficient evidence; in one an order of nolle prosequi was entered; in one the grand jury refused to indict because the defendant was probably insane; in one, upon a plea of guilty, the defendant was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment ; in one the defendant was found not guilty; in one the defendant pleaded guilty and a fine of $1 was imposed; in one, a replevin suit for the recovery of goods of this department, the goods were recov- ered. At the close of the year seven cases were pending in the courts. PATENTS. Forty-seven applications for letters patent on inventions of em- ployees of the department for dedication to the public were pre- pared and filed, an increase of 27 over the preceding year. During the year 14 were allowed and 2 disallowed. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR. 407 The following table shows the status of applications on June 30, 1917: Applicant. Orlin R. Rogers......- Frank F. Chase....... Marion G. Donk...... Marion Dorset and Howard J. Shore. Herbert H. Bunzel... Herbert C. Gore...... Harrison E. Patten... Thomas B. Lear...... John F. Barghausen.. Frederick C. Weber and Frank M. Allen. Edmund B. McCor- mick. SrenronpAey OISONG soak =| sateen te Sc socio sis Leonard R. Ingersoll. Harry D. Tiemann... William R. Ross, Al- bert R. Merz, and John N. Carothers. Charles S._ Reeves, Provost Hubbard, and Richard H. Lewis. Peter A. Yoder-....... JohnH Clack... 5... Ralph B. Adams....-. Jason L. Merrill...... Leila 80)- <= sedaeuse John F. Barghausen. - Otto Kress and Sid- ney D. Wells. William F. Oglesby. - KaniSmith’. 2... -.-< William R. Ross, Al- bert R. Merz, and John N.Carothers. Harry D. Gibbs and Geo. A. Geiger. DOS ee ceconceeabes Albert R. Merz, Wil- liam R. Ross, and John N. Carothers. Charles F. Payne..... Frederick H. Colburn. William B. Osborne, jr. James E. Imrie....... Albert R. Merz and William R. Ross. Harry D. Gibbs....-. Robert E. Prince and Otto Kress. D Marion Dorset and Richard R. Henley. Robert E. Prince..... Robert C. Palmer....- John N. Carothers and William R. Ross. Logan Waller Page... Harry D. Gibbs and Courtney Conover. Bureau. Weather Bureau. ..... Plant Industry........ Choemistrytesce ss eenee Animal Industry...... Plant Industry........ Chemistry ses-ceses-e- eee ClO) pemesetteaee Animal Industry... ..- Plant Industry.....-.-- Chemistry. -S-28< 55 Public Roads and Rural Engineering. Invention. Disposition of application. Apparatus for recording duration of rainfall. Gravity fruit separator..............-- Process for producing high-grade rosin from low-grade rosin. Process for the manufacture of concen- trated hog-cholera antitoxin. Mhermostaty 32 =the ace ~ sees a csiscs s3 Process for preserving fruit juices... Apparatus for impregnating liquids with gas. Stamping, toollor punch: .-.--- a<-csse.. Interlockingidevice: 225" 2 oe55ce.- se Macias for cutting and eviscerating sh. Torsion dynamometer..............--- Process for drying gluten.............- Apparatus for measuring the gloss of nonmetallic surfaces. Seats do.....-.-..------| Dry kilns for drying lumber and other moisture-bearing substances. Soilsesaceeacccees<- sti Concentrated fertilizers...........---- Public Roads and | Process for preparing waterproof pav- Rural Engineering. ing material. Plant Industry-_.-.--.| Sirup/evaporator---<-. .c-.s SIP PAL Te ial areca aya FS at Saleh eto nea: 12, eee eee JAMAICA So Bewencdceio Soleo swe cbtaslonsenscsnue len neesalsecaceos |steosestocean costes cece wen eem ena 4 I apa ke se Oe oe ee 23, 471 135394 ees! | Sete hae 36 1| 80,986 51, 058 Phitippinevslands 25.22) sce s soae nosecodec ee soe cera enetecon enesccs eet conseneere 135: |). ccoaeonet Scotland’. eceeeocns sens 434 ale cowseecins 82 | 591 9, 953 177, 000 | 13, 012 84 Potaliatiseosc see 1,217,400 [10,048,389 | 236 | 76,606 12, 382, 134 5,876, 344 |1,488, 960 | 3, 202, 181 | | FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 425 Country of origin and classes of plants and seeds imported during the year ended June 80, 1917—Continued. Conifer- . te ous trees Ever- | Ever- es ee ocke) Tree Country. other | Pines. | green green Ava! 88, than trees. | shrubs. ek nepali . seeds. pines ; BS. F Pounds Argentine Republic DOU mateiatiata ms cteeree ete rccabaaae z PLONE EERE acer 28, 184 ROTC en Ie ao i mre ork (Me ns WOM IE on cole EAB | myn arho cpciaictel lain icceysiniaeidetelio ct teres ete Belgium 31, 488 200) |S Bermuda 5, 033 500 4,010 Brazil... TGs628i|foose cote 26, 898 ao eee sta ce tosceveccdeetsece a 1, 000 2,018 MAIEZONG Le ose. cosiecosseossscies | GU Sees Bers Pere CC'S] PETTAN OTT est tee em le eal i cle 60;859 | Sara sale oemcee Wastauicales. sto s8. Seas et DOOM lectumccnetces lia. Fest ' 43, 255 4| 1,314 Giggles $4 | -"88,756 | 41,574] 35,687) 5 7G, 2005] sacsees 30, 535 137, 593 65, ae 7,825,815 | 54,820 ae be Sune ass, dS Bees eo meter eee eee 55,816 |........ 8,882 | 376, 200 178, 993 Sb svelale: 2 ooee PL 74 soe al ee 0.2 22-6 922 245 eee 259, 260, 261 Blephari ipa scutellata, parasite of gipsy moth, establishments.) sa-s445- -Se 229 Bollworm, pink— cotton, exclusion, by quarantine of Mexican cotton. ...-.....--.-.------- 382 distribution and control work, quarantines, etc. -.:...---- 417, 419-422, 429, 430 introduction, description, ravages, and control... J 2ceas 2 peewee eee 40-43 INDEX. 483 Page Incokkceplne atm SVSteMin, SLY joe ner lesen aos este een. Se Seaeee ee 474-475 Boremuchad entrees, ames Ca mOns bo. 7n55.c-'c alamtanlats Wino alain o oe ela accel nies we = 240 ae sHGTseMCOMUTOM SUMULCHs 2 pth eects . =) eco. 5 sei oe eek Jas ihe 134-136 Cheese production, work for increase of food supply. .-...-.----------------- 68, 85, 87 OhemintereporuslOlio- sss s.c4 tcc wSsctebisetoes- Pai Pee RE om memes oa pie 199-218 Chemistry Bureau— atd in tood.conservation work, war foods: -. -.....-. 22 --<205-blutee 30-31, 35 cooperation with other departments and with States............--- 207, 209-210 TEBE ALC Hamil kewl O lip ary sees aes ete rah ays Ret ions Pee Sess dee ees 199-203 GhemuiStiayaliio rary OM im wOnkin ena. se ese sel ays eiue oe cae eS etiltels oBle ees Si yaillts: Chestnuts sresistantwaretles, Produchlom. o22-222 5542-45-54. 5522-2. 2-22 5- ee tise 142 Chickens, Capew Ors AM VesMORMONS. 22cm ions ncie ene jms meee oobi -e'siee = 122-123 ihimehipeps 1COncrOlOrke sc tscce sors at ec asec cs enews i soc scececeus 238 Cholera, hog— Gontnoluand aiacestl CanlONs yee ase serach sc elisa. Soh ents 69, 70, 112-115 (LAL SEMER EH OM ETTERAOM SU AUT CICRS = 2 -/icrere ciecg.e <'s edie s co'e a aosieint ew 9 3 eine ss oe'e 113-115 484 INDEX. Citrus— Page. canker-resistant, breeding 35/2 -soss een Seen os eee 139-140 products, work of Chemistry Bureause.. 2252205 200 0) tae nee 204 QUBTANtNe or citrus:cankers. Sasa. qe eee 417-418, 429, 430 diseases, control investigations. s=-22n-e ata ete es ne ee 136, 137, 139-140 ERUTES BO UG Sel CCtIOMN 5: 5= = screens Sect ee et ee ee eee 140-141 Glimatology,.Weather: Bureau, work, 1917-2 ta. 25 eee ie 52, 53 Cloverinsects; control work 734.0: SoS oe ee ee ee ee 239 Clubs— boys’ and girls’— f enrollment, recular andremergencys--..--22-49--05--- 5-42 ees eee 14 South membership and. work. cc S20. 40 eee ee ee 340-343 WOLkAnamnNest, ProduUchHON: = 45.c sc ee see ee =o cie het eee ee 67, 78, 80 women’s, home demonstration work in South.........-.-.--.---------- 341-342 Codling moth investigations and control......-22222 5-2 52-22. e se eee 230 Cold waves, 1917, details and results of warnings by Weather Bureau-........- 50 Cold-storage— holdings; monthly Teports= 2-225 a5eco.2-e ee tie ee ee ee 462 MOUSES “Valiee so saz cisco ed Soe ao Se Se ee ee Oe ee 438 Colorado; marketing work.J.25 eee 255-256 Durango cotton, growing in Virginia, community work...................--- 156 Dust preventives)research works. 222.2542. 2a00058ee soe eee Se 372 Harworm,, corms outbreaks 1017 2-*...22.2252cccce.. cost see. coe eee 238-239 Economics— INOMesWOrk:, MON es Shade aoe Ro Se ce See ee kee ee 390-397 road: studies LOU (220. ose et a ietys oye et en ios opr Olle aneng Gere 367-371 Editorial work Fublications:Divisions'OU/ 28 sensi tee ee or a ee 285 -286 States Relationsiservaces Ole ys ee nee eee Sey apse eee 325-326 Mducation,..veterimary, progress, 1907-2 2 oc2 Aceere cytes Se ee ne 124-125 Egg packing, demonstration work of Chemistry Bureau....................-- 204 Elk, conditions, game reservations, numbers, and feeding.............- 182, 259 -261 Engineering, rural, work of Roads Office, 1917...............-/... hess 378-380 Engineers, Forest, organization for war service ................-----.-------- 36 mtomolocist. neport, AOL ..3.0 9...) seer meee rns ok er. ee 227-250 Emcomolosy slalorary works O72 ss 2 sen eee te ee ee 318 EstaBrook, Leon M., report as Chief of the Bureau of Crop Estimates, 1917. 295-307 Exhibits; cooperative work of Koads Offices «= 224 .cr se see ee Bees: 370 Expenditures, printing and binding, Publications Division, 1917........... 272 -277 Experiment— ; StationeRecord volumes: VOU jae aoe see ere ee ee 330 Stations Ofiees wor ky Gi fat cepts ee scar ee eee ey oe ee 328-337 Experimental farm, Beltsville, animal husbandry work, 1917. ..-...-... 13> (Ostonol Extension work— EXPANSIONS 27 hase mechs cia ee alse ieee See ese aoe en. ee 12-13 Northiand West,report, 1OL7/-- <2 4252525042. 5. eee es cease - 345-350 SOULN SrepORt LON fe sss ee at ae cee ee aateetat2 i. oe eas ae eee 337-345 Farm— bookkeeping systems; studiya.--nosac-0 ee ee oe a 2 eee eee 474-475 engineering; assistance of Roads Offices 224.2222 42 0.28. eee 379-380 enterprises, historyand distribution’. 5. -2--52-2-2 s2s2224e5 te os ee 476 irrigation pinvestisations. LON 2. onsen Ae eee ae ee Ne ee eee 374-376 labor— Sup ply to-farmers: cose oon ase: So cmate eter ee cee eee eee 473-478 supply work of Departments: a2. = -2A2ho5-a0 eco s cml eee 28-30 management— demonstrations: Northeandshasheeeneeee erase ere eee eee 349 Office— library worlkegl Olives sessment eee eee ses ae 316, 318 TEPOPbOMOHIOR LONG sores ce ee oe nate a See ae ee ee eee 473-480 organizations— development: 22 s.c2 sen goeaecsee ee ta eee mae See ee 13-14 Studies by: SUIVEYS; CLCl i ceo Jeo eee el eee eee ee 477-480 products— JOBS IM TANSIb: Toncees ie eek ate cer oe iets eee toe ee ee 437 marketing and Gistributions coc cct. oe ao coee soe eee eee 432-438 transportationvand storage sereese er ae epee meet eee nee ae eee 437-438 records, ‘keepine and yalues. 2) 22S. eee eee ene 473-474 surveys, work of Farm Management Office............---.-....-------- 475, 477 tenure, investigations of Farm Management Office...............-------- 475 women, demonstration and extension work. .............----- 340 -342, 353-354 INDEX. 487 Tarmers— Page. Bulletins, issue 1917, names, numbers, etc........-......-..-.---- 278, 279-282 IMBiRULEs Ven mCAnOUS. LOLT >. .a0 che. ot als/clerc-ssteea ~a'e Soc dns Mereme sues 327-328 response to suggestions of Department...........----..-.....-.--- 32-36, 43-44 Farms, water supply and sewage disposal, surveys......-.-----.--.........-- 378 PE GGUIN CHOPS OMMOUINGMIS cer wats bia) atelateic chale'a sjetieis amie se nw boca Nene aan wn ous 75-78 Fertilizer— PAE SHIEUOMA, LO Meigs ae terete an ate oon sie sin oan Dee Poeun woes DOB -OOR BUNWeYyS, wOlks Ob Markets dsUTeaW.. 2. .0 ick. soe es eens ened eaeewt aed 19-20 Fibers, binder twine, improvement on demand. ......................---- 149-150 Field— crops; outhera; insect Investigations'.:-.¢ 2... cides ges- se ened este 2 232-23 BervieeClop Teporuimg,, TEQUISItES.- - 2 =. seine in wo Sate es ces coke 298, 301-302 Figs, growing, cultural requirements, studies. -...-- 2.22.22 22eece eee e sete eee 143 Fire— protection of — LGheSis eCOOPCTALON: Ol ObAteds ten saan 2 a.nd oe SL ehast solos et. 190-191 INGOT BOTCS US pein ne Mee uns Saar IS ares iy a 173-175, 181 Pes ass CASCS AreECelp is ON (acme titre) cee eet te et pe bee ge ee 175 Fish— TERE I USCS SNA LOCO otis a Bich co enciae, Seis Sec pears ects be ee wt sede 91 packaine; work.of Chemistry Bureau... i226 2s ash)zoebind hoes 203 Flax straw, use in paper making, investigations.................-.--22----- 155-156 Flea-beetle, horse-radish, control studies. ............-. 2-2. eeecbeeeceseeee 243 Flies— REUSE ECON ULOUSLILONGN ae oe eae oes ot oat Sk cae NEE ane lok 23 angumous: to live stock. controlistudies. .-.2-. 22/222 gee es eee 236 Flood— Pole iaeseCOnCisitl DIONE ges nee <2 Be Seat. ce eine oe Sew ee bee eos ees nee 148 Senvice aWeather Bureau work, 19M. .2- 22st seek se 2 cee 57-58 ioc nmLOsses plo Genes ier. tayee oa etki eee ad ores ae te oon Ae ae 57 Hous sevariOus cereals: Studiess.s..225) 22 sen sas 22 ooo eee ee sees eee 200-201 Rigaporc ona uaraniine= sess ce, £1 as eae eNOS aloe tt Soe cc oir 418-429 Food— administration, inauguration and administration. .....................-- 7-12 adulteration— andimisbranding special cases: :<.0 sass Yer gels Baten ds oe 216-217 suppression by Chemistry Bureau.......---...---.--- 206, 212, 213, 216-217 and Drugs Act— adminastration:and special cases .2)-2i).c's2 4). Sos2ekee sto se aes 398-401 eniorcememt mel Opyeats ssa a 5-23 15 oo So ed wens SoS a ee ee eee 210-218 control laws, preparation; ,solicitor’s work. 2.0.2. 46-o. dist eas 387-388 Imspection,Decistoms1sse: OWT 0. ass nc pia- eo cee 5ST. BS 205-206 laws, State, stimulation by Federal act...................-.-...---2--- 210-211 preparation, home, Home Economics work. . -../..:.2.0225-4i252-262- 355-357 production— and conservation— ul canoe Oe. A eee eee esate UU eee 281-283 Extension onice: work ucliei29. es ehdls ees cai ies 341-342, 350, 355 emerzency, work, Amimal Industry, Bureaus - 2222-222 282 22. eos 67-68 ANCreASeplemislatiouse ny 76 dis. N ie ioe eae Sy enh bs hare aa 4, 9-10, 22, 25-28 BUD P hyaLieS tia WONG ieee iN e oon k ket dys Si Se 447-448 surveys, Markets Division and Crop Estimates work...................--- 19-20 Foods— AGLETIOINe yegebl Ciled. mesa ame ee sa MS as Se cs waa OE bei 201 conservation, Department activities, 1917. . 2.222.225.2222. oS.. 3. 14-27, 21-26 spoiled, inspection and seizure, Chemistry Bureau. ................--- 206-207 Foodstuffs— Rep ESOC Oey ommens ) se re Ls Nt ee ch aid iY SEA Sd Cela 9 438 conservation, work of Chemistry Bureau.............---------:--- 199, 203-204 Foot-and-mouth disease, comparison with stomatitis.....................2.-- 72-73 Forage— MIBECLS TNIUMOUA eA Vest PAlMONS 1545 sho o5 fac wealds seek eeye ee tee 237-239 TOVGYESCOT OUUHY AG uae: sh ez 105 07s ew a a ee ee Dn 107-108 Horecasts, work. of Weather Bureau, 1917). .ccc2c.seecbececslews escent 48-51, 62-65 488 INDEX. Porest— Page. engineers, organization forwar.t.9-92se seo. ee ee er eee ee 166 management, work of Forest Service, etce.....28).2:...-..1- 222.225.5425 169-177 products, drying, preservation, and manufacture..................-..--- 195-197 rangers, work as.agricultural. acentso. Seesce 2 6 oes oa eee ee 355 Service— cooperation with other Departments.................-.. 35-36, 166, 167, 196 libratyeworks 19M. .sc-3s6oastis 52) wees Sone A ee 318, 319 Horesterjreport LOU %< 2525 ase 5 oe Got Ae ele one a ee 163-198 Forestry, research work, VOUT. oo 25. ead2 2 ose aoe CO ee 191-193 Forests— fire protection, cooperation with States, 1911-1917...................... 189-191 National— areas, changes, management, uses, receipts.................------- 163-189 land classification, changes Se cones 5 iycrears opteyes depen oe 167-169 laws, administration, decisions,ictc.2 1 ee a ee 383, 390-396 protection from fires, CLC Pee a es ee | eee 173-175, 181 Wwabersheds,, Protectlome voy sate .ecice one Sas Sore dons ola 189-191 Freezing, prevention in refrigeration of perishables.............------.------- 158 Krost; warnings:ot Weather Bureau, 1917"). 2 ee 50, 63-65 Fruit— Associations, ACcOUMtINe syStems_..2 5.0 5.525022 he ne eee 432-433 crop estimates, WOrk Of QW 222.22 ace ele te ee ee 298-299 fly, Mediterranean— comimol studaesee sctce neces cee eee ee ee ee 247 (UL APAM Ces Wee ereh oe Stew a’, eters |s cpt Pa rt ce ee 418, 429 eradine and: handling’ ‘studies.......'./-.es. sss son. ees aon eee 436-437 packinevhouses; cost of operation.» --2.....55.-2-.5---22. + 2-2 432-433 trees— and products; insects injurious’ s-- 2594-052 5 eee ee 239-241 spraying, effect on bees:.2225.. 04 5226 2 26 sin ee a eee 250 Fruits— citrus, insect control, California and Plorida:.24.7.2.-22250-2-5 2 see es 246 COMPOSIMON; SUUGIES: sa.5 cae Seine ses e ai 1 ee a eee eee 199 deciduous, insects injurious, investigations..................---------- 230-232 Hawai, quarantine Re te 5 ene Cry ne Re oe ere ee ee 429 market. Teports.ot shipments:and pricesajss= 422 2422-2 eee eee 456-457 Mexico; quarantine: 2.25. cc cesses eee one See See 429 retrigeration, LOOX HON WN [APRN Roo ocopeE onboadoUoUcQuuoooHscceecsoss 156-158 tropical and ‘subtropical, Insects 1Wnjurious:2- cs oe ee eee ee eee 246-247 Fungicides— Inspecion and special anvestications.2--2.. ..--a50 4s aoe see eee 411-414 " studies Chemistry: Bureall. co. 2.5. anec ese 22- 2) fee a ee eee 202 ur— bearers. Investigations sAOl (2-ne oc sse oft a oe sen eiee hs Sa ee eee 250 farm, experimental work on*furbearers...2 3222.2) 2225-2) eee oo 255 Game— in interstate commerce, regulations, violations, etc........-...----------- 262 laws yaniorma tions secenemeacsce a: sere so meree se are eee ete ee 264 preservation, work, 1917, cooperation, Forest Service with States.....-. 181-182 preserves) locationvand works 9ilijeess ase aeee oe eee oe ee eee 259-261 protection— ASSIA CAM COLO MOM CIUOL saris segs sete mie eee cee eee 382, 383, 385, 405 WORM LGM eee ON hoe Sa AUD Io oe ON ee ae oe 181-182, 259-262, 265-266 Gapeworms poul tiny nivesticabionse se «ser eae qeeeee sere sete eee eee 122-123 Gardening home, stimulation. /o..221aseo see. eo doe eee ce ose i eee ee 14 Georgia mmarketing-work =. <2. s2e once oe Sse eS Cnn eo ee 448 Gipsy moth— ienewintn GS aScpoecn adam nese adeece abs SSaaodocssads Aosgsocscse 25532: 418, 429 WOTK TOVRO We OU Tek ta ceee tern: Sees arene ARS Soe ney kd er 227-229 Girls’ clubs, enrollment, INCASE: eos. eos oe ee oats ee ee eee 14 Glanders investigations hg Viet Seis NS oto ea ctas| ie et opt Gee nee 109 Goat lice: treatment:and controls... 228 S2ocac- soon cnet tee secs tee 118 Goats, erazing permits, National Forests, 1917, and management....-.-- 178, 179, 192 Gooseberries, “quarantine for white-pine blister rust.- =... -- on leges 417, 418, 429 Gophers, pocket, extermination in National Forests). 2-5-2 s2-- os] eee eee 254 Grades, market. anvesticationss.-22.-2.0 2 saoee ee cee 39-40 administration by Markets Bureau, 1917...........---...-- 465-471, 472 GetailsrandswObksOWsOlWleltornemanae een ee ee sa ata ae eras ee 389-390 imvestication- and determination... 2.5: ....-.2252<--5--6.-2-5-5-- 452-453 Grains— HENSANCH MIMICS TICALIONA aes stat ee cree Ma eee eet sole edt ee oe 134-136 Pano eamMae Gisela] UIOUS S44. hee es stele ote eetinas fae Lemawec eee 244-245 RePeeRIMSE Clal MIN VESLIGA TIONS! Ssece ees oo winjers eee wie cl seers oi Pee oe ee se 230 PEpesway pMcization experiments... 24). 22/2... b eis eee ek les aed 140 Bape Pomporen im VestiratlOngt. so 0 staces aZiticoe «coe Seeinee Meee se cee eee 237 Graves, Forester, detail to France, cooperative work with Army.........-..-.-- 166 Grazing, permits, National Forests, 1917, and management of live stock......- 163, ° 178-179, 192-193 Great Plains Region, agricultural problems, studies. .......-.----.---------- 479 Sreeshouses. imsect-control- work, 1917-..:2 2... -+-=. 25.222. 2.2 eee eee 246 Crimbasyontescomtrolswork= 2 =e... se aecseite Se eee See cae ce cwine sesecee 238 Guamsbxpermment Station, work, 1917-.2.......2222.-5)2..-2..22s.2.- 331, 335-336 LASPENT@N |, ORE OVS 5] OF Re) OF 9 (0) ON ean ae ge ere 476 Hawaii— lnirdareservations work: LOL ccd 32 =e Cane ee otis hats wae ot 262 Pxpornment Stations work, VOL: 65. 22.85. fence se cee seen sees 331, 333-33 PESO OMWOLMrshUdies. 5.5 ae 2ay. oss Sehice ce eels «Poe Seu S eee 422 Hay— TAVATICE GIRO WOT UBS A eee errata cha tele ic rara, stoke St = SiS RP ee eo PO 461 PEAGCO nin Sw MMVEStICAIONS G2 ssc 5 ecierce a aciie ed = viele cies = See see ee See 445-446 tein Siar tO POCOLGS. ValW@s 2: ares oes Sette kee eae ies 2 Selon Be cet 474 Haywoop, J. K., report as Chairman of the Insecticide and Fungicide Board. 411-414 Healihinsectsiafiecting;-investigations: :".....2.2-.-2 242.222 c2e-see-2e- 234-235 Hemp samprovement by selection... ... J... .-.-.. esse 0eh thet. ee oe! 141-142 ersiomptiy dn ViestiGatlONS 2.50 2. a. 8s. sjats cpapeieiw wie Soe ween s eee eee e 237-238 Hides, disinfection with mercuric chloride for anthrax infection..........---- 116 Highways— TOC Me LaTamiNn oplLOCALIOM see. sees trae Aree arta sete eRe ELL ee pepe 365-366 Sunveyommodelssamduexdibito ylOMisesees a es Ayer ee ees cerevisiae 367-371 Hog cholera. See Cholera, hog. Elocsicomteatment and controls: .< s2.02 2c). cnceecc lees eee ewlee geen see ee 118 Hogs— breeding andeieeding works 9917 <2... . noc San colic oe elas 75, 78, 80, 128 crazing permits. National Borests, VOU7...220.05.....2.2-20.-0)-steess 178, 179 growing on reclamation projects, experiments and results..........-.--- 151-152 Home— demonstrationsworkenny SOULNGs sane. eres seek eee. Oe 340-342 PCCM OTN GH mW ORK UN ON pis Sec eee os ee Sin oe en a ae NS 355-357 Economics Office, cooperation with Army and Navy.................... 35 Honey— HITE es ELO POLS cease se ona Me Oe ty ee Nee UNS fae teste oa 2) ely Sepa 2 Coa 461 production increase, war-emergency work.....-..------.------------- 248-249 Hiatmworms.. tobacco. control studiées=..5-...,. 2... Slates. 1. 5th. Shee 233 Horseibots; study..and) prevention: sc- << 5c2.-5- ue bs Lhe cdl s 2g eh tee: 237 Horses— breeding, -worksof Department, VON7 st J22sb kk cee Wank ole eos 76-77, 127 Srazimomermits, National’ Horests, 197... 2020s. - sce e es oe tee oe 178, 179 Horticultural Board, Federal, report of Chairman.......-........----.----- 415-430 Houston, D. F., report as Secretary of Agriculture, 1917. ..........--..-..-- 3-44 HOWARD, LO, report as tntomolosistlON7 pss3.: fos sees ee ok ses 227-250 Hurds, hemp, use in paper making, investigations. .................--------<- 155 490 INDEX. Page Ice; bulletins, work of Weather Bureau, 19172 552922425...) sa... ee 53 IMustrations, work of Publications; Division, 1917.2. 45.5.6 .45-- one 287-288 Importations— bitds and: mammals) 1017 935 ease a ee ee ee 263-264 hides, wool, straw, etc., quarantine regulations.....................----- 98-99 Imports, insecticides and fungicides, samples inspection...................-- 412 Inbreeding, experiments and results...............- Seng sioe the Et ae 73-TA, 91 indexing; work of Publications Division, 192. oe 2-22 eee ee 286-287 Insect— infestation, National Forests, investigations.................-...2--+----- 175 powder, investigations:../2 245-2055. 5) acs soe oe 413 Insecticide— ; act, administration:and violations... 224.422. 58 -425-_ 5s oe eee 382, 404 Board) Reports JOU 222s 2 sade coe oe eee 411-414 Insecticides— inspection and special investigations. .....- vediswins Sogcsee seen 411-414 orchard, and spraying machinery, investigations. ....................- 231-232 studies, Chemistry Bureau... 0..2526540. 22-2 ce se a ne eee 202 Insects affecting the health of man, investigations...........-....--2.-2.s 48 234-235 injurious to— cereals'and forage, investigations. —.-.52-..-425--- 2.6 ee 237-239 deciduous:iriits, anvestications..... 500-22 2-52 S45 230-232 forest and shade trees, investigations........:..........-.-...-.--- 239-241 poultry, control work... 225.12 5. 25252cn See eee eee oe 237 stored: products 2% S22 esha ono la Ae 244-245 tropical truits,;.and subtropical. 22% ..4 2: 2 425s< 4400-52 ee 246-247 vegetable and truck crops, Investigations... 2.2. ..2.-.4-55.2- eens 241-244 plant, control, work of specialists'....2-. 22..-2ac-=2-25--- 0 eee 20-21 southern fields crops, investigations..............-... Uitte 232-234 Inspection— animals for contagious diseases... >...) .2-..2<55:0 2 <5 s.25 eee 100 grain BUPCPVISION. 39545 cee tot nese emese ces a8. ues oer 468-470 supervision by Department and Food Administration................- 39-40 market, fruitsand vegetables... 2... 2.25206 ee-22 canes -- 555-8 e ee 437 meat— animals, ante-mortem and post-mortem..... 22.242. 50.---4---e eee 92-94 Work; WOME Seas eet OS Ce oe eet a en ee 92-97 plant, Horticultural Board, ports of entry and personnel.............----- 416 Inspectors, cram, Licensing. .'.22.2 0s. 22 -- 2 a. bck beeee 2 ee 469 Imsular stations: work, O17 22 5.5202 ek ee SO 330-337 Interior Department, important decisions relating to National Forests. ..... 391-392 Interstate— commerce in game regulations, violations, etc....................-----.-- 262 shipments, definition, decisions of courts... .2_ 2-422 --.-. 25 4- e 215 Trrigation— farm, nvestioations, NOU 2.22 cee see 2 re 374-376 methods, reclamation projects... 2... 29:02- 4. 422 - sa sauce eee 153 pumping for, investigations... 252..20- 52.241.) 3-6-6464... er 375 Kafir, properties, chemical and physical investigations. ...........-.---...--- 200 Kelp; investications,S1987 2222-2 25. s2 8 aod oe 3. s ne se ae ee 225 Kentueky,imarketing, work... :-..2 4..2- 3 esse sie ovens ee eee 449 Labor— farm, supply to farmers, work of Office of Farm Management....----.--- 473, 478 farm, supply, work of Departments of Agriculture and Labor........-.-.- 28-30 Laboratories— branch, report 1917; statistics: -2.-.2 ....5.-26:e i ote coer eee eee 205 meat inspection: work, W9I7 2 .- S23) oe oe eee ate = eee eee 97 ihaboratory, torest Products; work, 972 =. 42] -- 962 oe eee eee eee 195 eel Act, administration.and violations, J9L7 3. s25-.2 2oa2 cose eee ee 382, 385, 405 and— claims, National Forests, handling by Solicitor, decisions, etc.-..-..-. 383, 390-392 classification, National Forests, changes in areas and lines......------ ..- 167-169 overflowed, drainage surveys. and plans. ..... <<<... ccecccsso~+s---sceee 377 INDEX. 49] Page. Lands, State, exchange with National Forests...............-...+.-.-+-+----- 188 Laspeyresia molesta, peach pest, investigations and control work. .......------ 23 Wa wawork Solicitors) Osco. SUIMMAPVise ore coo nie mio! 2. cla ea lalclatoale nieleloie olein~ ole 381-391 Laws— game, information, work of Biological Survey.........---.-.-.---- be Se 264 reparation and examination by Solicitor.......... 381-383, 384-385, 388, 389, 396 Rate, food, and drugs, stimulation by Federal Act.................--.- 210-211 violations, prosecution by Solicitor’s Office, 1917. ...-- FAO ee 383 384, 385-386, 396, 396-405 Lead arsenate— TERR ESIC AO 0S Re ls ll ees SRE ss 2 Se 413 [SESTES TIDY TIEDYS (V8 KOU 6 (3's papa rep Peg aa EP Eg sy EE eS Yb 2 Une nee. COULTOl WOnKe 2545 ee ak oe Re Pe Oba elias onieloe rie = 242 ieuec contracts, 1arm tenancy, study:.-- 3-22. - 52 -- see ee eee Base 475 Beemawormor Wepartment, 191/02. 38 cs Aue ssi sess olesc stele ts ce clems 381-409 Legislation, food administration.........--.-.---- Se eee Pieper ek ge eee 8-10 JUS PH iis 12 poe rie Ms pe OR ee ee 309-321 Libraries— ihureair and. Division, activities, changes, etc..:-./.:....-2..2. 0652-25 316-319 field-station, establishment and work, 1917...........-.-.-.----------- 318-319 Library— Pretecarorinee gis NOM at aC Rl ols Moet = Se RR Se ai ase 312-313 Peoipis and expenditures, 1007s. .5. 2 Soc eee nee). ieee cle teee o- 320 statistics, circulation, number of books, etc. ...--.--.--- 310; 311, 312; 315; 318, 321 mMprand CiKev lation stalisGlesa-- 2 Seem eos cone Soe ed rie odie ew ote 309-312 Weather bureau creases IOI Sass: ss 4 Sct cicsasks Soceoscehe nee eeseae 60 Lice— mim Areatment andscontrolssss-ma2 sess ae isc ane = eee see = eae ae 118 control on poultry and farm animals, use of sodium fluorid..........----- 237 Lime, soil improvement, demonstration work. .........-.-.-----------+--+--- 349 He SONS BhUGTeSes eset ec reis oe. cis ceereinel eee Mie eee iaor Gicieia bisects s cowie tei 226 Live stock— associations, cooperation with Forest Service......-..-....------------- 179-180 conference, 1915, deliberation and recommendations..---....--..-------- 24-25 demonstration work, Nortmand Westsccotc0 02 ob: eh as. ee le 348 disease control. demonstratiom:work..--2.<2. --c--ss2-22--sesesesoeeece 345, 348 PxennOn Work 1) SOUtHETN Otatesicc. =~ oo o5le ae See ete tio WS oes lot 345 grazing, National Forests, numbers, permits, and management........-.---- 163, 178-179, 192-193 mausiny. Alaska experiment statlons.:- 922.02. Lec lec eel es beg neck 332 MOURN GAM, EX periments? s.s~4 i: .tehe Slee oe ee Nd eee 336 interstate commerce, sanitary work, inspections, etc.......-....--.----- 103-104 TRAGER TROON SBS Ae cece Ao aCe erie ees ee Aer ee ene te 459-460 Pit apOlsOnine InVeSstOAONSees.aeseetens See ters Se cet chk eld fish production in cane-sugar and cotton districts.......-..---------------- 127-129 production im semi-arid and irrigated districts... ...-..<2--.2.-+25251+-+-s 80-81 quarantine, enforcement and violations..........----.---------------- 402404 aeACIN OO Te ClAmMAtlOMcproyecCts...scccscce sw toe coe e eRe TOME eee 151-153 [Lepr Siesalrey wero WT oy eth antag RO [2 ES) by ee pee ee ee 311-312 Louisiana— Iberia Experiment Farm, live-stock production work...............-.--- 127-129 Peal RnR Pay OE Kee as a ee Ce ae iy oT ASL ESE Il Be cen 449 Lumber— TH CUIS UI AAU LOS are Ne ne Aerts eee cite ere Ie hee SSI oa seis 193 productionestimate for 1916: 55.5.0 coc te cee Ss sees. hb Des sede 197 Mochinorye lara InVestiCamOnS:. 255. ..005 sonst coset tlle cece see MeO see AT7 Mascoin traps. ex Periinenigens (1st. s Stele ie tL occ te hs AK 235 Mail) foreion, Publications Division, work 1917.........-.----------s2.s2-4225 +442 eee 401 work, WOU. cots ceo cs deste fo teinweas ce seeds occ — =n eee 92-97 zoological i investigations: .2s.2 sc Jss6.-5244 65) one eee 121 shipments under exemption Certificates: [Sica 0ssehe42 252, 4 BAe eee supply, increase, work of Animal Industry Bureau. 22-24, 67-68, 74-76, 78, 80, 128 Meats— changes during storage, studies: --22-62-<20- 244s ee es oe 116-117 imported, inspection. Baouenon Se escue afeys fmfare) Sve nines ie <1elare 21a ate oe ee 96 Medicines, misbranding, correction by Chemistry Bureau............--------- ZA MELVIN, pe report as Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry. .....-..-- 67-129 Mercury chlorid, use’as disinfectant of hides, ete.....-2.)..:-2 2422.2 116 Meteorology, agricultural, work of Weather Bureau, IN ee oeee sea Pee Sere oc 62-65 Mexico— pink bollworm, distribution and establishment.....---.--.---- 417,4 rece 422 quail exportation to United States, regulations. - 2.22. s2..-4525a252 - 263-264 Mice— house; control work, WGI ese co ea eeae eee eset eee eee eee eee 254-255 native, investigations and control... 2-2. - aes Soe ee jEYi hes LOE ir). Ah) Cbs 2 : : im re nm New iN 35185 002 =—— Para 4 SRS ren ~S ook ey) aes pen ‘nettavetatiwrekire att Bee