PRESENTED BY

The United States Government

From the collection of the

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San Francisco. California
2007

Digitized by the Internet Archive

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ANNUAL REPORTS

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,

1919.

REPORT OF THE

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

REPORTS OF CHIEFS.

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1920.

r

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iy-1^3

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[Chaptek 23, Stat. L., 1895.]

[A^ ACT Providing for tJbe public printing and binding and the distribution of pub'lc
• »'" documents.]

' k * * * * * *

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
repoi'ts from the different Bureaus and Divisions, and such papers prepared by
their special agents, accompanied by suitable illustrations, as shall, in the
oplxiion 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 iftseof the Department of Agriculture, the illustrations for the same to
be executed under the .super vision 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.

CONTENTS.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

Page.

1919 acreages and yields , 4

Exports 5

Values 10

Progress of American agriculture 10

Foreign yields also increased '. IG

Farm land problems 18

Expansion of area in farms L 18

Land settlement ' 21

Tenancy 22

Extension of forestry 24

Necessary steps __ 25

Farm management and farm economics _ 26

Appropriations required 28

Crop and live-stoclc reporting service .^ 29

Value of complete estimates 31

Marlieting and distribution 33

Cooperative associations 34

Good roads 35

Troublesome limitations removed 36

Large results from present Federal law 37

Mo additional administrative machinery needed, 38

Proposed change would mean loss 41

Continuation of Federal appropriations i 42

Past action and future steps 42

Need for broad survey of rural conditions 45

REPORTS OF CHIEFS.

Report of the Chiei of the Weather Bureau 49

Post-war conditions 49

^ Forecast service 52

^ River and flood warnings 56

3 Stations and observations 58

Aerological investigations 60

Telegraph service 61

Weather Bureau telegraph and telephone lines 62

Work in climatology 64

Agricultural meteorology 66

Instrumentation 67

Printing and publications 68

Cent:a

rV CONTENTS.

Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau— Continued. Page.

Library 70

Investigations in solar radiation 71

Investigations in seismology 71

Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry 73

Activities receiving special attention 73

Animal husbandry division 79

Dairy division 90

Meat inspection division 101

Quarantine division 108

Field inspection division 110

Tick eradication division , 113

Tuberculosis eradication division 115

Division of hog-cholera control 118

Pathological division 119

Biochemic division 124

Zoological division 130

Miscellaneous division 132

Office of virus serum control 134

Experiment station 134

Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry 137

Work and organization of the Bureau , 137

Agronomic and horticultural investigations 138

Plant breeding 150

New crop plants and crop extension 152

Forage crops 157

Seeking new crop plants abroad 157

Crop utilization 159

Investigations of seed supplies 161

Congressional seed distribution 164

New and rare field-seed distribution , 164

Soil fertility investigations 164

Plant physiological investigations 168

Cereal pathology 168

Crop diseases - 172

Spray mixtures for citrous trees 174

Nematode infestation of clover seed 174

White-pine blister rust 175

Citrus canker eradication ; 176

Report of the Forester ." 177

The extension of forestry practice .' 177

Personnel changes in the Forest Service 179

The National Forests 181

Cooperation with States 203

Research 204

Miscellaneous 210

Report of the Chemist. 211

Enforcement of the food and drugs act. 212

Sugars, sugar derivatives, sirup 218

Fats and oils 219

Chemistry and nutritive value of proteins 220

Seafoods , 221

Poultry and eggs 222

CONTENTS. V

Report of the Chemist — Continued. Page.

Dairy products : 222

Beverages 223

Citrus by-products 223

Dehydration of fruits and vegetables 224

Flour and cereals 225

Grain mill, elevator, and cotton gin explosions and fires 226

Drugs and pharmacology 227

Plant chemistry 228

Food flora, spoilage, and fermentation 229

Insecticides and fungicides 230

Containers 230

Color investigations 231

Leather and tanning 232

Naval stores 232

Paper and fabrics 233

Methods and apparatus 233

Analytical work for other departments 233

Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Soils 235

Soil survey 235

Chemical investigations 239

Fertilizer resources investigations 240

Soil physics 245

Report of the Entomologist 247

Cereal and forage crop insect investigations 247

Stored-product insect investigations 249

Deciduous fruit insect investigations 250

Investigations of insects injurious to vegetable and truck crops 255

Investigations of inserts affecting forest resources 258

Tropical and subtropical fruit insect investigations 260

Work on the gipsy moth and brov^-n-tail moth 263

Extension and demonstration work 7. 2G6

Southern field-crop insect investigations 2G7

Insects affecting the health of man and animals 269

Bee culture investigations 269

General summary of the war activities of the Bureau 272

Report of Chief of Bureau of Biological Survey 275

Work of the Bureau of Biological Survey 275

Economic investigations 275

Biological investigations 288

Mammal and bird reserv^ations 290

The migrator>'-bird treaty and Lacey Acts 293

Report of the Chief of the Division of Accounts and Disbursements 299

Character of work 299

Work of the year 299

Report of the Chief of the Division of Publications 303

Summary 303

Facilitating printing ;. . 304

Prompt handling of proof 304

Appropriation for printing 305

Expenditures for printing and binding 306

Statistics of the publication work - 311

VI CONTENTS.

Report of the Chief of the Division of Publications — Continued. Pagp.

Farmers' Bulletins '. 312

Emergency outside printing 314

Publication work of the Weather Bureau 315

Work of the di\ision by branches 315

Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Crop Estimates 325

War organization of the Bureau : 325

Work accomplished 326

Cooperation with State departments of agriculture 328

State assessors' returns 329

Accuracy of the crop estimates 330

Demands for improved crop and live-stock reporting service - 331

Report of the Librarian 337

Summary , 337

Reference and circulation divisions 338

^ Catalogue and order divisions 339

Periodical division 341

Binding division 342

Bibliography 343

Publications 345

Library staff 345

Bureau, division, and office libraries 347

Appendices 349

Report of the Director of the States Relatione Ser\ice 353

Introduction 353

Office of the Director 355

Office of Experiment Stations 359

Office of Extension Work in the South 366

Office of Extension Work in the North and West 376

Office of Home Economics 387

Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Public Roads 391

War activities 391

The United States Highways Council 394

The Federal aid road a<jt 395

National Forest roads 409

Distribution of surplus war equipment, supplies, and materials 411

Road building and maintenance investigation 412

.Road management and economics 414

Farm irrigation investigations 414

Drainage investigations 416

Rural engineering 417

Miscellaneous 419

Road material tests and research 420

Reorganization of districts 424

Federal aid advisory committee 424

Changes in personnel 424

Death of Director Logan Waller Page 424

Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Markets 427

Investigational and demonstrational work 429

Service work .' 446

Regulatory work 453

Publications during the year 460

CONTENTS. VII

Pagft.

Keport of the Chief of the Office of Farm Management 463

Cost of production 464

Farm business analysis studies 464

Crop economics 465

Live-stock economics 465

Farm bookkeeping and cost accounting 466

Agricultural history and geography 466

Tenancy and farm-labor problems 466

Farm equipment 467

Farm-management demonstration work in Southern States 468

Report of the Solicitor 469

Summary 469

The National Forests •. 476

Weeks forestry law 480

The plant quarantine act 481

Federal aid road act 481

The food and drugs act 483

Meat inspection 487

The twenty-eight hour law 488

Acta regulating the interstate movement of live stock from quarantined
districts, prohibiting the interstate movement of diseased live stock, and

prohibiting the importation of diseased live stock 489

The \irus act 490

The insecticide act 1 490

The migratory-bird treaty act 490

The Lacey Act 491

Bird reservation trespass law 492

United States cotton futures act 492

United States grain standards act 493

United States warehouse act 493

Standard container act 494

Food-control act 494

Food-production act ! 494

Miscellaneous work for the Bureau of Markets 495

Patents 495

Keport of the Insecticide and Fungicide Board 499

Interstate samples 500

Import samples 501

Special investigations 502

Report of the Federal Horticultural Board 505

Lines of work 505

The pink bollworm 505

The European corn borer 512

The Japanese beetle >. 517

The potato wart in the United States 517

The flag smut and take-all diseases 519

The black stem rust of wheat 521

Cotton importations 522

Nursery stock, plant, and seed importations 524

Inspection of imported plants and plant p'oducts 528

Inspection of plant-introduction gardens 529

Terminal inspection of interstate mail shipments of plants and plant

products 529

VlII CONTENTS.

Report of the Federal Horticultural Board — Continued. Page.

New plant quarantines 529

Cotton waste and unmanufactured cotton used as packing for imported

articles , . . . . — 530

Ship's ballast aa a source o! introducing plant enemies 530

War activities 531

Need for enlargement of port inspection service 531

A plant-quarantine law needed for the District of Columbia 532

List of current quarantine and other restrictive orders 533

Index 537

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

Washington, D. C, November 16^ 1919.

Sir: America during the war helped to save Europe and to pre-
serve civilization by making available to the Allies, through in-
creased production and conservation, large supplies of foodstuflfs.
But for this contribution, it is difficult to see how the Allies could
have waged the war to a victorious conclusion. Lacking such sup-
port and with their own producing capacity seriously crippled, the
German people experienced partial famine conditions; their health
and vitality were greatly impaire<J ; and the collapse of their mili-
tary power was due in no small measure to the shortage of food.

The cessation of hostilities brought no immediate improvement in
Europe. On the contrary, in some respects more adverse conditions
developed. Revolution became the order of the day; the directing
hand of government was removed ; discipline was relaxed ; the morale,
particularly of the people of the Central Powers, was broken ; idle-
ness and unemployment prevailed; and in some sections anarchy
reigned. It was obvious that Europe could not produce sufficient
foods for herself. Her crops had been short for several years and
it was scarcely probable that those for 1919 would l)e greater than
the crops of the last year of the war. Quite as unsatisfactory was
the live-stock situation. In nine of the western nations the number
of cattle had declined more than 7,000,000, sheep 7,500,000, swine
24,500,000, and dairy cows several millions, with a greater propor-
tionate reduction in the volume of products.

Food relief after the armistice was imperative not only for
the peoples of the new small friendly nations but also of the enemy
countries. It became the key to the whole situation and to the
establishment of a real peace. Europe had to be fed if order was

4 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

to be restored and if European civilization, and, therefore, that of
all the world, including our own, was to be preserved. America
had again to assist in saving Europe and herself by supplying food,
and that in great abundance. It was estimated that Europe would
need to import at least 20,000,000 tons of bread grains alone, and that
of this quantity 11,000,000 must come from the United States. It
was obvious also that she would call for large imports of meats and
fats, and that for months, until shipping expanded again, most
of these must be obtained from the United States. This burden
America was able to assume because of the achievements of her
farmers. The full story can not be told; only the outcome can be
suggested.

1919 acre}age:s and yields.

The farmers of the Nation, in 1919, planted an acreage in leading
cereals greater by 33,000,000 than the prewar annual average (1910-
1914), which, it is estimated, will yield 635,000,000 bushels more
than the prewar average, and increased the number of milch cows
over 1914 by 2,700,000, of other cattle by 8,500,000, of swine by 16,-
700,000, and of horses and mules by 1,000,000, or a total of 28,900,000.
The planting operations for the year began before the fighting
ceased. The call was still for more wheat; The Department sug-
gested a maximum fall acreage of 47,206,000 acres, an increase of 12
per cent over 1918. There was actually planted 49,261,000, the
largest acreage in the Nation's history, 6,960,000 acres more than
in 1918 and 15,608,000 more than the five-year average, 1910-1914.
The spring- wheat acreage was 22,593,000, while the winter and spring
plantings combined amounted to 71,854,000 acres, or 7,200,000 more
than the preceding record and 19,400,000 more than the prewar
average. It is estimated that the yield will exceed that of 1918 by
1,000,000 bushels and will be the Nation's second record wheat crop.
The estimated corn crop of 2,910,000,000 bushels will be 300,000,000
greater than that of 1918 and only slightly less than the high yields
of 1915 and 1917.

If the fighting had continued and the season had been favorable,
there is little question that the farmers of the country would have
planted an aggregate crop acreage, during the winter and spring,
greater than that for any preceding year in the Nation's history.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 5

Forecasts of meat production for 1919, from partial reports of
slaughtering, indicate that the record figure of last year — 20,250,-
000,000 pounds — will be exceeded. The total will probably reach
21,000,000,000 pounds, as follows : Pork, 12,900,000,000 pounds, com-
pared with 11,248,000,000 in 1918 and 8,769,000,000 in 1914; beef,
7,500,000,000 as against 8,500,000,000 in 1918 and 6,079,000,000 in
1914; and mutton, 600,000,000 pounds as against 537,000,000 in 1918
and 739,000,000 in 1914.

A rough estimate, based upon the number of milch cows and the
census average of milk production per cow, indicates that the num-
ber of gallons of milk produced in 1919 will aggregate 8,495,000,000,
or 57,000,000 more than in 1918 and 1,029,000,000 more than the
average for 1910-1914. The figures for poultry and egg produc-
tion have not been accurately ascertained, but it is roughly esti-
mated, upon the basis of reported increases from one census to an-
other, that egg production in 1919 will aggregate 1,957,000,000 dozen,
as against 1,921,000,000 in 1918 and 1,774,000,000 in 1914, and that
the number of poultry raised on farms will approximate 600,000,000.

BXPORT8.

The exports of foodstuffs, enormous during the war, rose greatly
between the armistice and midsummer. The annual average exports
of important cereals for the five years preceding the war .were
162,000,000 bushels. They rose to 517,000,000 in 1915 and aggregated
448,000,000 in 1919. Dairy products, of which 25,000,000 pounds
were exported on the average during the five-year period before
the war, increased in volume to 102,400,000 pounds in 1915, 217,500,-
000 in 1916, 352,000,000 in 1917, 592,000,000 in 1918, and 781,000,000
in 1919; while the exports of meat and meat products were 1,291,000,-
000 pounds for the five-year average before the war, 1,500,000,000 in
1915, 1,800,000,000 in 1916, 2,300,000,000 in 1918, and 3,300,000,000 in
1919.

6

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following tables may facilitate the examination of these es-
sential facts :

Acreage of crops in the Umted States.
[Figures refer to planted acreage for winter wheat and rye.]

Crops.

1919

(vmre vised

estimate,

October,

1919).

1918
(subject to
revision).!

1917

1916

1915

1914

Annual
average,
1910-1914.

CEREALS.

Com

102,977,000
71,854,000
42,169,000
8,899,000
6,820,000
943,000
1,091,300
6,183,000

107,494,000
64,707,000
44,400,000
9,679,000
6,708,000
1,040,000
1,112,770
5,619,000

116,730,000

68,366,000

43,653,000

8,933,000

4,480,000

924,000

980,900

5,153,000

106,296,000

66,810,000

41,627,000'

7,757,000

3,474,000

828,000

869,000

3,944,000

106,197,000

61,173,000

40,996,000

7,148,000

3,153,000

769,000

802,600

4,153,000

103,435,000

64,661,000

38,442,000

7,565,000

2,733,000

792,000

694,000

105 240 000

Wheat

62,452,000
38,014,000

Oats

Barley

7,593,000
2,562,006

Rye ..... ...

Buckwheat

Rice

826,000
733,000

Kafirs

Total

239,936,300

240,759,770

239,119,900

220,505,000

224,391,600

2 208,322,000

2207,420,000

VEGETABLES.

Potatoes

4,003,000
1,023,000

4,210,000
922,000

4,384,000
919,000

3,666,000
774,000

3,734,000
731,000

3,711,000
603,000

3,686,000
611,000

Sweet potatoes...

Total

5,026,000

5,132,000

5,303,000

4,339,000

4,465,000

4,314,000

4,297,000

Tobacco

1,774,300
32,390,000

1,549,000
35,890,000

1,518,000
.33,841,000

1,413,000
34,985,000

1,369,900
31,412,000

1,224,000
36,832,000

1,209,000
35,330,000

Cotton

Grand total..

279,126,600

283,330,770

279,781,900

261,242,000

261,638,500

2250,692,000

2248,256,000

» Figures for 1918 are to be revised Dec. 12, 1919.
» Excluding grain sorghums.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICUL.TTJRB,

Production in the United States.
[The figures are in round thousands, i.e., 000 omitted.]

Crop.

1919
(unre-
vised
estimate,
Novem-
ber, 1919).

1918
(subject

to
revision)

1917

1916

1915

1914

Annual
average,
1910-1914.

CEREALS.

Com bushels..

Wheat do....

Oats do

Barley do

Rye do

Buckwheat. do

Rice do

Kafirs do. ...

2,910,250

918,471

1,219,521

198,298

84,553

20,120

44,261

123,343

2,582,814

917,100

1,638,369

256,375

90,183

17,182

40,424

66,396

3,065,233

636,655

,692,740

211,759

62,933

16,022

34,739

61,409

2,566,927

636,318

1,251,837

182,309

48,862

11,662

40,861

53,858

2,994,793

1,025,801

549,030

228,851

54,050

16,056

28,947

114,460

2,675,804

891,017

1,141,060

194,953

42,779

16,881

23,649

2,732,457

728,225

1,157,961

186,208

37,568

17,022

24,378

Total.

..do.... 5.618,816 5,506.833

I

VEGETABLES.

Potatoes bushels. .

Swe^t potatoes do.

Beans (commercial) do. . . .

Onions, commercial crop.do

Cabbage (commercial). . .tons.

Peaches.

FRUITS.

bushels..

do....

Apples do

Cranberries (3 States). barrels..

MISCELLANEOUS.

Flaxseed bushels..

Sugar beets tons..

Tobacco pounds..

All hay tons..

('otton bales..

Sorghum sirup gallons. .

Peanuts bushels..

Broom com (5 States) . . .tons. .
Clover seed bushels. .

352,025
102,946
12,690
10.784

51,327

13,628

144,429

546

9,450

7,298

1.316,553

103,544

10,696

33,668

44,966

51

967

400,106

86,334

17,437

13,396

516

34,133

10,342

169,911

343

14,657

5,890

1.340,019

90,443

12,041

29,224

64,434

58

1.102

5.681.490

442, 108

83,822

16,045

12,376

475

45,066

13,281

163,117

249

9,
6,
1,249,
98,

11,
37.

164
980
276
439
302
472

52,505
57

1,488

4.792.634

286,953

70,955

10,715

8,562

255

37,505

11,874

204,582

471

14,296

6,228

1,153,278

110,992

11,450

13,668

35,324

39

1,706

6,010,968

369,721

75,639

10,321

7,664

671

64,097

11,216

76,670

441

14,030

6,511

1.062,237

107,263

11,192

» ,963,143

409,921
66,574
11,686
(»)

(«)

54,109

12,086

253,200

644

13,749

6,585

1,034,679

88,686

16,135

» 4, 883, 819

880,772
57.117

43,762

11,184

197,898

18,353
5,391
991,968
81,640
14,259

> Excludes grain sorghums.

« No estimate.

Number of live stock on farms on January 1, 1910-1919.

[The figures are in round thousands, i. e., 000 omitted.]

Kind.

1919

1918

1917

1916

1915

1914

Annual

average,

1910-1914.

Hdfses

21,534
4,925
23,467
44, 399
49,863
75, 587

21,555

4,873
23,310
44,112
48,603
70,978

21,210
4,723
22,894
41,689
47,616
67,503

21,159
4,593
22,108
39,812
48,625
67,766

21, 195
4,479
21,262
37,067
49,956
64,618

20,962
4,449
20,737
35,855
49,719
58,933

20,430
4,346
20,676
38,000
51,929
61,866

Mules

Milch cows

Other cattle

Sheep

Swine

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Estimated production of meat, mUk, and wool.

[The figures are in round thousands, i, e., 000 omitted.]

Product.

Beef 1 pounds

Pork 1 do. .

Mutton and goat i do. .

Total.

.do...

Milk2 gallons.

Wool (including puhed wool),

pounds

Eggs produced 3 dozen .

Poultry raised 3 number.

1919

7,500,000

12,868,000

637,000

21.006,000

8,495,000

308,459

1,957,000

600.000

1918

8,465,000

11,248,000

537,000

20.250,000

8,438,000

298,870

1,921,000

589,000

1917

7,384,007

8,450,148

491,205

16.325.360

8,288,000

281,892

1,884,000

578,000

1916

6,670,938

10,587,765

633,969

17,892,672

8,003,000

288,490

1,848,000

567,000

•1914

6,078,908

8,768,532

739,401

16,586.841

7,507,000

290,192

1,774,000

544,000

1909

8,138,000

8,199,000

615,000

16,952,000

289,420
1,691,000
< 488.000

» Estimated for 1914-1918 by the Bureau of Animal Industry. Figures for meat production for 1919
are tentative estimates based upon 1918 production and a comparison of slaughter under Federal inspection
for 6 months of 1919 with the corresponding 6 months in 1918.

2 Estimated for 1914-1919 by assuming 362 gallons as the average yearly production of milk per cow.
This average is given in the census for 1909.
~ 3 Estimated by assuming a constant increase since 1910.

* Annual averages for 1910-1914: Eggs, 1,695,000,000 dozen; poultry, 522,000,000.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

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151352"— 20 2

10 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Exports of live stock from the United States.
[Bvireau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, United States Department of Commerce.]

Annual
average,
1910-1914.

Fiscal year ending June 30—

Three
months,

Kind.

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

July to
Septem-
ber, 1919.

Horses

Number.

28,073
5,125

88,225
522,505

11,191

Num;ber.

289,340

65,788

5,484

182,278

7,799

Number.
357,553
111,915

21,287
231,535

22,048

Number.

278,674

136,689

13,387

58,811

21,926

Number.

84,765

28,879

18,213

7,959

9,280

Number.
22,776
4,883
18,376
152,000
10,122

Number.

5 971

Hides

906

Cattle

20,803
14,186
2,285

Sheep.

8wlne

VAJiUBS.

On the basis of prices that have recently prevailed, the total value
of all crops produced in 1919 is $15,873,000,000, compared with
$14,222,000,000 for 1918; $13,479,000,000 for 1917; $9,054,000,000
for 1916; $6,112,000,000 for 1914; and $5,827,000,000 for the five-
year average, 1910-1914. These values represent gross production and
not net returns to the producer. The value of live stock on farms
in 1919 was $8,830,000,000, compared with $8,284,000,000 in 1918;
$6,736,000,000 in 1917; $6,021,000,000 in 1916; $5,890,000,000 in 1914;
and $5,318,000,000 for the five-year average, 1910-1914.

This increased financial showing, it is again necessary to empha-
size, does not mean that the Nation is better off to that extent or
that its real wealth has advanced in that proportion. Considering
merely the domestic relations, the true state is indicated rather in
terms of real commodities, comparative statements of which are
given in the foregoing tables. The increased values, however, do
reveal that the monetary returns to the farmers have increased pro-
portionately with those of other groups of producers in the Nation
and that their purchasing power has kept pace in the rising scale of
prices.

PROGRESS OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.

The results of agricultural operations during the war furnish
guaranty of the ability of the present farm population of the coun-
try, with the area now in farms and in the existing state of agricul-
tural science and practice, to meet the Nation's necessities for the
near future if the requisite incentives are furnished. But there are
reasons for further optimism. As has been repeatedly pointed out.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRTCULTURB.

11

we still have a large area of untouched tillable land. This is some-
what generally understood, but it is not so well known that, as the
result of improved processes and better practices in all sections,
there has been an upward tendency in the acre yields. As a mat-
ter of fact, the view seems more frequently to be expressed that in
this respect American agriculture has deteriorated. The facts dis-
prove this, and in no part of the Union more strikingly than in the
older regions, such as the New England and North Atlantic States.
Crop yields per acre in the United States show an upward tend-
ency during the period for which we have reliable comparable sta-
tistics. The average rate of increase for the past 25 years has been
about one-half of one per cent a year. This gain is not readily ob-
served from one year to another, owing to the wide yearly fluctua-
tions in yield. But when averages for a series of years are obtained,
the effect of the seasonal variations is largely neutralized and the
general trend is clear. The upward tendency is shown graphically
in the following charts :

J II II n

i IMI 1 1 IH II

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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 15

During the decades of the seventies and eighties, when there was
a vast expansion of farm area in the West and crops were grown on
a more ajid more extensive scale, the tendency of crop yields per acre
was downward. Since the early nineties, however, the movement
has been upward.

In the decade of the eighties, that is, for the 10 years ending with
1890, the average yield per acre of wheat in the United States was
11.84 bushels ; for the past 10 years, that is, for the 10 years ending
in 1918, it was 14.87 — an increase of 25 per cent.

For the 10 years ending in 1890 the average yield of corn in the
United States was 23.43 bushels; in the 10 years ending in 1918 it
was 25.81 — an increase of 10 per cent.

The oats yield in the 10 years ending in 1890 averaged 25.92
bushels, but in the 10 years ending in 1918 it was 32.17 — a gain of
24 per cent.

The potato crop averaged 72.97 bushels per acre for the 10 years
ending in 1890, and 96.84 for the last 10 years — an increase of nearly
one-third.

By a like comparison, it may be observed that the hay yield rose
from 1.193 tons per acre to 1.432 — an increase of 20 per cent.

Cotton, notwithstanding the ravages of the boll weevil, increased
from an average of 169.78 pounds in the decade ending in 1890 to
175.73 in the last decade — a gain of 3^ per cent.

Other field crops have likewise shown greater yields. The aver-
age increase per acre of all crops in the 10 years ending in 1918, com-
pared with the 10 years ending in 1890, was about 16 per cent.

The tendency toward enlarged output per acre is general
throughout the United States; it is not due to a shifting of produc-
tion from one section to another. For example, in the old agricul-
tural State of New York the increases for the two periods mentioned
above were as follows: Com 24 per cent, wheat 44, oats 21, barley
24, . buclrwheat 43, potatoes 30, hay 10, average of all (weighted)
18 per cent. The facts for the New England States may appeal
to many as even more striking and significant. For the six New
England States, the following gains are shown in the 10-year period,
1909-1918, over the average for 1866-1875 : Corn 33 per cent, wheat
63, oats 25, barley 27, rye 27, buckwheat 17, potatoes 27, hay 24,

16

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and all field crops 25 per cent; and for the 10 years, 1909-1918, over
the average for 1881-1890 : Corn 38 per cent, wheat 60, oats 24, bar-
ley 29, rye 44, buckwheat 45, potatoes 69, hay 23, and all field crops
26 per cent. For convenience of comparison, the accompanying table
is inserted :

Comparison of crop yields in six New England States.

Crops.

Percentage in-
crease in aver-
age yields per
acre during 10
years, 190&-1918,
over—

10-year

average,

1860-

1875. .

10-year
average,

1881-

1890.

Com

33
63
25
27
27
17
27
24
25

38
60
24
29
44
45
69
23
28

Wheat

Oats

Barlev

five , .- .. .,..

Buckwheat

Potatoes

Hfty

All field crops (weighted) .

The gains noted are real; that is, they are not due to changes in
statistical method. They are observed in the ofiicial statistics of most
foreign countries, as well as in those of the United States.

The increased production per acre shown is due, in considerable
measure, to the practice of better agricultural methods, including the
use of more efficient farm machinery; better knowledge and fuller
adoption of crop rotations; planting of crops better adapted to pre-
vailing climatic conditions; development and adoption of varieties
more resistant to plant diseases and insect pests ; more general appli-
cation of disease and insect control measures; increased and more
intelligent use of fertilizers ; and improved efficiency in crop produc-
tion generally.

FOKEIGK YIELDS ALSO INCEEASED-

Not only in the United States, but in most civilized countries of
the world, the yield per acre has been tending upward in recent
years. This is noted in respect to wheat in practically all wheat-
growing countries. If we compare the average wheat yields per

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 17

acre in the 10-year period, 1891-1900, with those in 1901-1910, we find
that in the United Kingdom there has been an improvement of 6 per
cent, that is, from 30.1 to 31.9 bushels; in the Netherlands, of 19 per
cent, or from 27.7 to 33 ; in New Zealand, of 28 per cent, or from 24.6
to 31.5 ; in Sweden, of 14 per cent, or from 24.2 to 27.6 ; in Grermany,
of 23 per cent, or from 23.6 to 29.1; in Ontario, of 12 per cent, or
from 19.4 to 21.8 ; in Manitoba, of 7 per cent, or from 17 to 18.2 ; in
France of 8 per cent, or from 18.1 to 19.5 ; in Hungary, of 3 per cent,
or from 17.3 to 17.8 ; in Japan, of over 2 per cent, or from 17 to 17.4 ;
in Poland, of 3 per cent, or from 15.5 to 15.9 ; in Roumania, of 21 per
cent, or from 14 to 16.9 ; in the United States, of 8 per cent, or from
12.9 to 13.9 ; in India, of 16 per cent, or from 9.7 to 11.3 ; in Caucasia,
of 18 per cent, or from 9.5 to 11.2; in Russia, excluding Poland and
Caucasia, of 14 per cent, or from 8.3 to 9.5 bushels. These countries
are given in the order of their relative rank in yield per acre during
the period 1891-1900. Satisfactory comparative data are not avail-
able for Argentina. Similar gains have been observed in other crops.

The average yields in the United States are frequently compared
with the much larger yields in some European nations. In Belgium
the average yield is about double that in the United States; in the
United Kingdom, more than 60 per cent greater, and in France,
nearly 15 per cent. It should be borne in mind, however, that
the energy of each American farmer is spread over a larger area
and that, although he produces less per acre, he produces much
more per man. The total output of the average farmer is prob-
ably greater in the United States than in any other country in
the world. Thus, in Belgium, with its intensive system of farm-
ing, only about 5.3 acres are cultivated for each person engaged
in agriculture, whereas, in the United States, the corresponding
figure is 27 acres. Taking both acreage and yield per acre into con-
sideration, the average American farmer produces 2.5 times as much
as the average Belgian farmer; 2.3 times as much as the English;
3.2 times as much as the French ; 2.5 times as much as the German ;
and over 6 times as much as the Italian.

For many years to come the average yield per acre in the United
States may be expected to increase, although the total output per
man may diminish. This country has a long distance to go before
it comes in sight of its limit of farm production. It can further
increase its output of commodities by continuing to secure increased

18 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

yields per acre. It has been estimated by experts that only about 15
per cent of the land in cultivation is yielding reasonably full returns.
The opportunity is presented, as conditions warrant, to bring the
remaining 85 per cent up to the point of fair yield. One of the
objectives of all good farmers and of the agricultural agencies
assisting them is to promote increased yields along economic lines
by the further application of scientific knowledge and the adoption
of improved practices. The path of progress is pretty well charted
and the agricultural forces are moving along it with gratifying
speed. However, the maintenance of satisfactory increases necessi-
tates the continuance and enlargement of investigational work, par-
ticularly such as is required to insure fuller control of destructive
plant diseases and insect pests.

FARM L.ANI> PROBLE^MS.

The Nation can further expand its output of commodities by culti-
vating the tillable land which at present is unused, estimated to be
over 60 per cent of the total. But there has been no such full consid-
eration of the policy which should be pursued in reference to the
extension of the farm area as has been given to economical production.
Since the Nation now retains but little land of ready availability,
agricultural expansion will result mainly from efforts to utilize
and to increase the productivity of farm lands now owned by indi-
viduals, corporations, and the States.

A number of important questions must be answered: How rap-
idly should new areas be developed? What means should be em-
ployed to bring new lands into use, so that settlers may achieve suc-
cess, employ sound methods of husbandry, and establish a whole-
some community life? What is the significance of the increase of
tenancy and what may be done to establish a system of land tenure
which will insure good farming and a sound and democratic founda-
tion for American agriculture ? What is the bearing of the increas-
ing prices of land and the resulting speculation on the progress of
agriculture and the welfare of the farmer ?

EXPANSION OF AREA IN FARMS.

The expansion of the Nation's agriculture is limited by the supply
of labor and capital available for farming purposes rather than by

REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OP AGRICULTURE. 19

the scarcity of undeveloped lands. It is true that, in general, the best
land is already in cultivation, but without question much of the re-
mainder can be tilled when the country reaches the economic stage
which would justify its utilization.

There are numerous fallacious opinions with respect to the need
of extending the farm area. Many people, noting the prevailing
prices of agricultural products, demand increased production and
insist that the remedy lies in immediate and rapid expansion of
the acreage in farms. Others, observing large tracts of unused land,
deplore the great waste of our resources. Still others explain the
movement of population from rural districts to cities by the non-
availability of land, which they attribute to land monopoly, specula-
tion, and other evils. The demand for farm products, unlike the
demand for manufactured articles, does not expand rapidly to meet
a large increase in supply. There is a tendency toward an equilibrium
between urban and agricultural industry. If too much labor and
capital are diverted from farming, the relative prices, and conse-
quently the relative profits, of agricultural activity will increase,
and there will be a tendency toward expansion. If this is excessive,
however, relative prices and profits will tend to decrease and the
industry may suffer depression. The inelasticity of demand for
farm products sets a very decided limit at a given time to the in-
crease of population and capital profitably employed in agriculture.

It is not in the interest of producers or consumers to have large
fluctuations in agricultural production. There is always danger of
glutting the market and of serious loss. The aim rather should be to
secure a steady flow of commodities of sufficient volume to supply an
increasing demand at prices which will yield the farmer a decent
wage and a fair profit on his investment. It seems difficult to get it
into the minds of some people that farming is a business and must
pay; that under modern conditions there can not be an unlimited
number of farmers. There could be a larger proportion of farmers
to total population if each farm were self-sufficient and produced no
surplus of consequence, but to-day the average farmer produces
many times what he consumes of some things and is dependent for
his prosperity upon their profitable exchange for other articles which
he uses. There should be, and in the long run there will tend to be,
no more farmers in the Nation than are needed to produce the quantity

20 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

of products which can be disposed of at a profit. There will be farmers
enough if the business of farming is made profitable and if rural life
is made attractive and healthful. The consumers must be willing to
pay prices for farm products which will enable farmers to produce
them and to maintain a satisfactory standard of individual and com-
munity life. The Nation also must be prepared to omit nothing to
improve the countryside. It is of the first importance that satisfac-
tory schools, with courses of study related to the problems of rural
life, be provided, that good roads be constructed, and that adequate
provision be made to give rural communities the requisite sanitary
and medical services, including hospital facilities. When these re-
quirements are met, we shall not have to concern ourselves as to the
number of farmers and the adequacy of our agricultural production.
There will then be no difficulty in retaining in the rural districts a
sufficient number of contented and efficient people. What we need is
not a "back to the land" propaganda, but an acceleration of the
movement for the improvement of the countryside which will render
the abandonment of farms unnecessary and the expansion of farming
inevitable.

There is reason to believe that a considerable expansion in fann-
land area occurred during the war. The acreage devoted to the 19
principal crops increased 10.1 per cent from 1914 to 1918. Accord-
ingly, the crop area per capita increased from 3.22 acres in 1914 to
3.33 in 1918, or 3.4 per cent. This expansion probably resulted in
part from the use for crops of land normally devoted to other pur-
poses, especially to pasture. However, it seems to indicate that the
farming industry has more than held its own during the period.
This conclusion is confirmed by an increase not only in the per capita
production of nearly all the important crops, but also, according to
a recent report, in the number of cattle and swine per capita. More-
over, estimates for milk, eggs, and poultry indicate an increase in
per capita production during the war. In view of these facts, it
probably would be unwise to stimulate a large increase in the per
capita farm acreage at the present time, especially where such an
increase would have to be effected by utilizing land which is inferior
or which would be made available at a heavy outlay for drainage,
irrigation, or clearing. Apparently, therefore, American agriculture
should consolidate the gains already made; prepare for the period
of competition which is to be expected with the return of normal

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AORICULTURE. 21

world conditions, principally by increasing, through sound and
economical methods, the productivity of areas already under culti-
vation ; and utilize the services of the most experienced and judicious
agricultural leaders in determining where, when, and how to bring
into cultivation and develop public and private unused land.

The best experts of the Federal department and of the agri-
cultural colleges should make a careful investigation of the possi-
bilities of utilizing land not now devoted to agriculture. In respect
to the 200,000,000 acres of cut-over land, the 60,000,000 requiring
drainage, and the 30,000,000 which may be irrigated, there is great
variation from district to district as to the possibility of economic
use. Distinctive regions should be fully studied with a view to as-
semble all existing data on productivity, cost of making the land
available, present tenure and prices, type of agriculture best adapted
to the conditions, possible returns, minimum size of farms capable of
suppoi*ting families in reasonable comfort, minimum equipment
needed at the beginning of settlement, sources of credit, and market-
ing and transportation facilities.

ULJiD SETTLEMENT.

At present various private agencies are engaged in promoting
land settlement. Many of them are honest in intention, promise,
and practice; others keep within the letter of the law but, through
exaggeration and indirection of statement, create false impres-
sions in the mind of the settler. Many violate no canon of fair
business practice, but their interest is in profits and they do not
pursue a policy calculated to develop a profitable and wholesome
community life. Only a few have made careful studies of the
conditions of successful settlement and developed their business
with a view to the settlers' progress and success. Practically all
are seeking to realize the highest possible price for their undeveloped
holdings, and the settler is compelled to face the problem of ad-
justment to pioneer conditions while carrying a burden of land value
which often represents, in part, the capitalization of a future in-
crease in earning power.

The intending settler of small means is rarely able to distinguish
between the good and bad methods of selling land in new regions.
The more unscrupulous the land company the more lurid are its

22 ANNUAL. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

advertisements and the. more extravagant its promises. Settlers
often are induced to invest all their savings in land not suitable for
successful farming, to purchase more land in relation to the capital
available for development than they should, or to undertake projects
the cost of clearing or reclamation of which will prove to be pro-
hibitive. The results, in many instances, have been tragic failures
after years of incredible hardships, waste of capital and of human
lives, discouragement of intending settlers, and injury to the busi-
ness of legitimate and well-meaning land concerns.

It would be desirable if governmental agencies, by systematic aid,
should furnish reliable information to those seeking farms, should
take particular pains, through their agricultural machinery, to give
now settlers very special assistance and guidance, and, where condi-
tions are favorable, should aid in the development of well-considered
settlement plans.

TENANCY.

The increase of tenancy has become the subject of deep concern
to thoughtful students of rural conditions. The tenant, on an aver-
age, remains on the same farm only about one-sixth as long as the
owning farmer. Consequently, he often manifests little interest in
the improvement of the farm and in the progress of the community.
A certain proportion of tenants is normal and may not be un-
wholesome. Many farm owners, because of age or infirmity, find
it necessary to retire. Their farms are temporarily operated by
their sons or other relatives who subsequently may become owners
through inheritance or purchase. Large numbers of young men
with little capital find tenancy a convenient stage in their progress
to ownership. Certain local studies reveal the fact that nearly
two-thirds of the farm owners who operate their farms have passed
through this stage. Frequently it serves as a useful period of ap-
prenticeship in farm management before the heavier financial bur-
dens of ownership are assumed.

In a great many cases the farmer has not yet acquired sufficient
experience as a manager to operate his farm efficiently without the
assistance of the landlord. In some instances, also, the tenant has
been reared in an environment characterized by lack of thrift, self-
restraint, and systematic industry. He may not have the general
intelligence or technical knowledge to stand alone in the manage-
ment of a farm. Where these personal limitations exist the solution

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 23

of the problem lies in education, training, and the development of
systematic habits of industry and thrift rather than in radical
changes in the system of tenure.

Since there will continue to be a certain number of tenants, every
effort should be made to change the conditions of leasing so as to
improve the methods of agriculture, increase the period of occupancy,
and insure a fair division of returns ; and the States should provide
by law for a system of compensation by owners to tenants for
unexhausted improvements and set up the necessary administrative
machinery. Such arrangements . have prevailed in England for
many years to the benefit of all concerned.

Although landlords may, and often do, play an important part in
financing and in operating farms, there are large numbers who live
at a distance and who contribute nothing toward theii* efficient utili-
zation or improvement. Moreover, they often fail to interest
themselves in promoting the progress of the community in which
their land is situated, although they benefit by such progress. Land,
however, is peculiarly important to all the people and the welfare
and prosperity of the community, as well as its economic and social
progress, depend so vitally on its use and the relationship of the
population to it that serious thought must be given to the problem of
limiting absentee ownership.

The endeavor to develop a more harmonious and efficient relation
between tenant and landlord and to restrict absentee landlordism
does not obviate the necessity of taking measures to retard the in-
crease of tenancy. The road to fann ownership should be made as
smooth as possible. This may be accomplished in part by providing
more liberal credit facilities. The Federal Farm-Loan System has
furnished a means whereby farmers may conveniently borrow under
the conservative conditions of first-mortgage security. However,
an analysis of the amount loaned shows that only a small proportion
of the net proceeds was ostensibly obtained for the purchase of
farms.

In some sections the growth of tenancy has been stimulated by the
fact that the price of land has been higher than the level Justified by
current earnings. Consequently, it has been more profitable to rent
than to buy unless one wished to speculate in land values. Recently
there has been a tendency for prices to increase with extreme rapid-

24 ANNUAL. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

ity. There lias been active, and in many respects unwliolesome, specu-
lation which has profited mainly the real estate agents. A heavy
charge, therefore, has been placed against the earnings. of the land
on the assumption of the continuance of war prices. The advancing
price of land is especially serious in the case of the undeveloped
regions of the country. It constitutes an obstacle to development, for
the actual settler is compelled to assume at the outset unduly heavy
interest charges.

EXTENSION OF FORESTRY.

The continued dissipation of privately owned forests in every
timber-producing region of the country is a matter of grave concern.
The public does not fully realize its seriousness. If the area having
little or no value for other than forest purposes is not protected,
much of it will become practically nonproductive. Millions of acres
in the older parts of the country where supplies of timber are needed
by the communities have become almost valueless. Where the land
is not valuable for agriculture large-scale lumbering operations are
followed by local industrial depression, the timber industries mi-
grate, population decreases, farmers lose their local market, taxable
values decline, schools and roads deteriorate, and the economic and
social life of the community suffer.

The problem presented is very difficult. Public forests are con-
fined to relatively limited areas, except in the West. These will
by no means supply the future needs of the country. At present
the greater part of the lumber produced annually is cut from private
lands on which the appearance of new growth is at best a matter
of accident, is likely to be long delayed, or may never occur. With-
out concerted action under public cooperation and direction the prob-
lem will not be solved. Private initiative can not be depended upon
to secure the requisite conservation.

The preservation of forests in all forest regions is of immediate
concern and importance to farmers. Timber is an important farm
crop. Farm woodlands comprise about 20 per cent of the farm area
of the country. At the last census the value of the products from
them was greater than that of the potato crop and nearly double that
of the tobacco yield. Forestry, therefore, must be assigned a place
in farm management. Farmers also are vitally concerned with na-
tional forestry problems. They consume more wood than any other

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 25

group and they are interested in seeing that there is available, at
reasonable prices, a continuous supply of lumber and other forest
products. A sound forestry policy does not conflict with agricultural
settlement. In fact, it facilitates the cultivation of land suitable for
agriculture, and also seeks to secure the proper handling of existing
forests and the reforestation of denuded regions. On the other hand,
forest devastation retards agricultural development.

NECESSARY STEPS.

Certain things seem clear. Fire is a great menace not only on
forested but also on cut-over areas. Adequate protection, therefore,
should be required of all owners. The public, through both the State
and Federal Governments, should cooperate in organizing this service
and should share the cost of maintaining it. It should also adopt
such practical measures as may be necessary to bring about the dis-
continuance of all practices which result in turning the forests into
wastes, and should aid private ownei*s to perpetuate their forests by
proper management. A well-balanced policy requires a much larger
program of publicly-owned forests than at present. The acquisition
of forest lands by the Federal Government is now proceeding under
the Weeks forestry law. The total area approved for purchase to
date is 1,835,298 acres. The continuation of the policy is sought by
the National Forest Reservation Commission, and an estimate of an
appropriation of $10,000,000 will be placed before the Congress.
And, furthermore, the consolidation of National Forest areas through
exchange with private owners should be accelerated. There are now
pending no less than 25 bills authorizing exchanges, and the enact-
ment of a general law would be in the public interest. There is a
growing demand, for additions to the National Forests from the
public lands in the States where such action is possible only through
legislation. Recently a law authorizing the addition of 1,000,000
acres to the National Forests in central Idaho has been enacted.

Good forestry practice rests upon the possession of full and accu-
rate data. Our present knowledge of the methods of securing the
largest yields is inadequate. There is need of further information
regarding the amount, quality, and distribution of existing timber
supplies. A detailed inventory of our present resources and a survey
of present and prospective needs are essential for constructive plan-
ning.

15ia>2'--20 3

26 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

FARM MANAGEMENT AND FARM ECONOMICS.

Until comparatively recently studies in farm economics were neg-
lected. In the last 10 or 15 years it has come to be recognized that
the prosperity of the farmer depends as much upon good business
methods as upon his practices in plant culture and animal husbandry.
In 1906 the Department of Agriculture inaugurated investigations in
farm management, which remained in the Bureau of Plant Industry
until 1915, when the Office of Farm Management was established as
a branch of the Office of the Secretary. During the latter part of
the calendar year 1918 steps were taken to reorganize the work. At
my request, a committee composed of recognized authorities on farm
management and agricultural economics made a thorough study of
the activities of the office, not only with a view to enlarge the scope
and increase the efficiency of the work but also to outline definite
methods of procedure to be followed in the study of farm-manage-
ment problems, and especially the cost of producing agricultural
products. The members of this committee were: G. F. Warren,
professor of agricultural economics and farm management, State
College of Agricult'Lire, Ithaca, N. Y. ; Andrew Boss, chief of the
division of agronomy and farm management. State College of
Agriculture, St. Paul, Minn. ; H. C. Taylor, head of the department
of agricultural economics. College of Agriculture of the University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.; J. A. Foord, professor of farm man-
agement, State College of Agriculture, Amherst, Mass.; J. I. Fal-
coner, prejfessor of rural economics, State College of Agriculture,
Columbus, Ohio ; R. L. Adams, professor of agronomy. State College
of Agriculture, Berkeley, Calif.; and G. I. Christie, Assistant Sec-
retary of Agriculture and Director of Extension in Indiana.

This committee submitted a report to me, which I approved
and which has been published as Circular No. 132 of the Office
of the Secretary. It not only outlined the field of work of the
Office of Farm Management but also recommended that its name
be changed to Bureau of Farm Management and Farm Economics,
and that the investigations conducted by it be carried on in close
cooperation with the agricultural colleges and experiment stations
in order to prevent duplication of effort, to promote the devel-
opment of farm management activities in the various States, and

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 27

to unify the methods and improve the general character of all farm
management work. On the basis of these recommendations, sepa-
rate conferences were held for the purpose of indicating in greater
detail the activities proposed by the reorganization committee, and
especially to consider the projects relating to cost of production,
farm organization, land utilization, and farm life.

These conferences resulted in the following approved projects:

(1) Cost of Production Studies. — The vahie and impoi-tance of
such studies are set forth clearly in the report of the reorganiza-
tion committee, as foUoAvs:

Cost of production studies are of value to the ludividual farmer and, at the
siinie time, are helpful in ascertaining the economic status of farming as an
industry.

From the standpoint of the individual farmer the primary purposes are:

(1) To record the details of the farm business for reference.

(2) To give an insight into the elements and interrelations of the different
farm activities.

(3) To furnish information that may enable the farmer to reduce costs or
otherwise increase pi*ofits.

(4) To make possible a comparison of the profitableness of the different
enterprises and combinations of enterprises.

The records secured by cost of production studies give data for analyzing
the farm business, and thus are of fundamental importance in the whole pro-
gram of agricultural research and e<lucation. The results of such studies on
a number of farms where a given type of farming is practiced are useful not
only to the farmers from whose farms the results were obtained, but are of
value in showing other farmers how to improve their methods.

From the standpoint of the public, cost of production studies provide the
facts wliich give a basis for intelligent judgment upon tlie probable effects
of any given legislation or other public activity upon the farmer as a producer
and as a citizen. Cost of production studies are therefore one of the means
of providing the basic facts needed by legislators and price commissions in
comparing the profits of comiieting lines of production and estimating necessary
price.

(2) Farm-Life Studies. — These studies are to be conducted with
a view to make living conditions in the home and in the community
more satisfactory to the farm family. They will cover the follow-
ing topics : Rural home life ; opportunities for social contacts in typi-
cal rural communities; the relation of educational and religious in-
stitutions to farm-life problems; problems relating to geographical
population groups, such as the relation of urban and rural popula-
tions, the shifting of rural populations, race elements in rural

28 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

districts; social aspects of tenancy and landlordism; rural organiza-
tions, their efficiency, scope, causes of success and failure ; social as-
pects of various types of farm labor — the married and unmarried
farm hand, seasonal and child labor; the relation of various forms
of disability — the aged, illiterate, defective, dependent, delinquent —
to farm-life problems ; and the social consequences of local disasters
due to natural causes, as well as of thrift and agencies for pro-
moting it.

(3) Land Economics (Land Utilization), involving the consid-
eration of land resources, values, ownership and tenancy, settlement
and colonization, and land policies.

(4) Farm Organization.

(5) Farm Financial Eelations.

(6) Farm Labor Studies.

(7) Agricultural History and Geography; and

(8) Demonstration Activities.

The supervision of the task of executing the new program was
assigned to Dr. H. C. Taylor, who was appointed Chief of the Office
of Farm Management. Dr. Taylor, before accepting this position,
owned and operated a farm in Wisconsin and also was head of the
department of agricultural economics in the college of agriculture,
University of Wisconsin. The department also secured the services
of Mr. Francis W. Peck, of the University of Minnesota, who has
had wide experience in studies of the cost of producing farm prod-
ucts, to take charge of the enlarged activities in this important
field; of Dr. L. C. Gray, of Peabody College, to direct the work
relating to land economics ; and of Prof. C. J. Galpin, of the college
of agriculture of the University of AVisconsin, to supervise the farm-
life studies. This is merely a part of the plan to secure some of
the best available minds in the country to direct the work relating
to farm management and farm economics.

appropriations required.

Arrangements promptly were made to develop the activities of the
Office of Farm Management along the lines suggested by the reorgani-
zation committee. As it was clear that existing funds were inade-
quate, I submitted to the Congress, on May 23, 1910, a revised estimate
calling for appropriations, during the fiscal year 1920, aagrogating

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 29

$611,990, compared with $305,090 during the fiscal year 1919, an in-
crease of $306,900. Aside from statutory salaries, it was proposed
to allot the appropriation to the following lines of work, in the
amounts indicated:

Cost of production studies $245, 000

Farm organization 53, 600

Farm finance and farm relations 21, 560

Agricultural history and geography 29,200

Land economics (land utilization) 112,920

Farm-life studies 20, 560

Demonstration activities (extension work) 32,820

It was hoped that the necessary additional funds would be included
in the agricultural appropriation bill for 19*20, which was then pend-
ing. Unfortunately, however. Congress did not take favorable action
on the proposal. It not only did not grant the increases recommended
but inserted a proviso in the bill which restricts the amount that may
be expended on cost of production studies during the present fiscal
year to $23,873.

Although the funds at the disposal of the office were small, every
effort has been made to carry out the reorganization program along
the lines indicated. I am renewing, in the estimates of the depart-
ment for the fiscal year 1921, the recommendation that approximately
$611,900 be provided, and that the name of the present Office of
Farm Management be changed to Bureau of Farm Management and
Farm Economics.

Having secured the best experts available to direct the principal
activities of the office, I am confident that the work now under way
and proposed, if the necessary funds are appropriated, will be
executed in a highly satisfactory way, and that facts and information
of immense value to individual farmers in dealing with their own
problems, and also to the Nation for its guidance in considering
broad agricultural policies, will be obtained and made available.

CROP AND LIVE-STOCK REPORTING SERVICE.

Accurate and complete statistics are prerequisite to the satisfactory
consideration of any problem. They are of overwhelming impor-
tance to the millions of people interested in rural life, and especially
those charged with the responsibility of aiding, by legislative and
administrative processes, the successful development of our great
agricultural industry. Suggestions as to the direction of production

30 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and plans to improve marketing and distribution wait upon them,
and in any national crisis they are essential to the intelligent han-
dling of the Nation's food problems. In this direction, as in many
others, the war has brought home in very direct fashion the need
of improvement.

The value of dependable information on acreage, crop yield, num-
ber of live stock, and farm surpluses can not be overestimated.
The Bureau of Crop Estimates has slowly developed an organization
to secure and verify many valuable data. It is now necessary to
extend it. The time has arrived for placing the work in all the
States on a county basis. It is important that the live-stock and
feed-reporting service be enlarged, that farm surpluses be ascertained,
and that information regarding foreign crop and live-stock i^rodiic-
tion be more fully secured and reported. It is peculiarly urgent that
this be done at the present time. The 1920 census is about to be
taken. It will furnish new base lines, and the department should be
in a position, by reason of an improved service, to supply the country
each year after the census with as full and accurate data as possible.

Estimates to make it practicable for the department to execute the
enlarged program will be laid before the Congress for consideration
at its regular session. If they are approved, the field force of the
bureau will be strengthened by placing an assistant field agent and
a clerk in each State. Additional specialists also will be appointed
to collect, interpret, and present information regarding special
crops and classes of live stock. The bureau then will be in a posi-
tion to report for the Nation as a whole, for each State, and for
each county, monthly or oftener if necessary, acreages to be planted ;
surpluses or deficiencies of seed, fertilizer, labor, and farm machin-
ery; acreages actually planted; progress of farm work; acreages
abandoned and harvested; damage from weather conditions, insects,
and plant diseases; condition of crops and forecasts of pro-
duction; yields per acre and production at or near harvest; acre-
ages and yields of principal varieties of each crop; disposition
and utilization of the crops produced; marketable surpluses and
stocks on farms ; prices received by farmers as distinguished from
market quotations; prices farmers pay for supplies, machinery, and
equipment; hours and wages of farm labor; and the foreign situa-
tion. These reports will cover about TO crops, including such special
items as vegetables, nuts, fruits, seed, oils, forest products, and

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 31

nursery stock, for all which adequate reports have not been available,
except in the census years.

Likewise, there will be given the number of horses, mules, dairy
cattle, beef cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and poultry, by age and sex
classitications corresponding with the census enumeration of Janu-
ary, 1920 ; of pure bred animals of each kind ; of those bred, born, or
brought on to the farm; of those sold, slaughtered, or lost through
disease, exposure, or other causes ; of those remaining on hand and on
feed; the condition of the various classes of animals; farm prices;
and the feed situation, including the carrying capacity of pastures
and ranges, the number of silos, the quantity of silage and other
forage available, as well as the domestic meat, dairy, poultry, wool,
and hide production, and the foreign situation.

Available foreign crop and live stock estimates will be secured and
published, especially for countries of deficient supply and those of
surplus production in competition with the United States, and
periodical world balance sheets will be prepared, showing for the
principal countries of the world the production requirements, im-
ports, exports, and net deficiencies or surpluses of the major crops
and classes of live stock.

It is proposed to establish intimate cooperative relations with State
departments of agriculture and State assessors. In this way greater
accuracy will be secured and the aggregate expense to the States
and the Nation reduced. As the value of reports depends not
only on their completeness and accuracy but also on their quick avail-
ability, they will be issued very promptly and more frequently, sum-
maries will be released on dates of issuance, and the Crop Reporter
will be changed from a monthly to a weekly basis.

VALUE OF COMPLETE ESTIMATES.

It need scarcely be pointed out that county estimates are of great
importance to the work of the county agents and the extension
service in each State, to manufacturers and business men who sup-
ply farmers with equipment and machinery, to banks which furnish
funds for financing crop production and movements, and to trans-
portation companies for supplying cars when and where needed
to move crops. They have already been made in a number of States.
Preliminary estimates of acreages intended to be planted will en-

32 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

able farmers to determine whether their plans should be modified.
Estimates of surpluses or deficiencies in the supplies of seed, ferti-
lizers, and farm help tend to equalize both distribution and prices
and to insure adequate farm production. Estimates of acreage,
yield per acre, and production of each principal variety of a given
crop, in addition to total production of the entire crop, will show the
relative adaptability and productivity of varieties, and therefore will
be of assistance not only to farmers, but also to seedsmen and to
crop specialists and plant breeders of the State experiment sta-
tions and of the Federal Department of Agriculture. Those of crop
damage by counties from insect pests and plant diseases will enable
the entomologists and plant pathologists to work more intelligently
in developing and applying remedies. Those of marketable surpluses
on farms, or the portion of the crop sold from the farm and en-
tering the channels of trade, will facilitate the satisfactory market-
ing and distribution of surplus production. Such estimates have been
made for apples, peaches, potatoes, and truck crops, and they were
promptly and effectively utilized by growers and marketing agen-
cies.

Perhaps the most important feature of the enlarged program is
that relating to live stock, which represents not only a farm invest-
ment of more than $10,000,000,000 but also constitutes the meat sup-
ply of the Nation, a considerable portion of the export trade, a very
important factor of successful farm management and economy, and
50 per cent of all farm sales. Yet for this important industry the
bureau, with its inadequate facilities, has been able to estimate, once
a year, only the gross number of animals on farms, the number of
brood sows, and the total losses from disease and exposure. No at-
tempt has been made in the past to estimate dairy and poultry pro-
duction between censuses, the annual value of which amounts to ap-
proximately $3,000,000,000. The great losses occurring yearly from
drought and feed shortage in portions of the Great Plains and in
limited areas of other sections might, to a considerable extent, be re-
duced by having definite and detailed information regarding the
feed situation.

The expenditure of money for the execution of this program will
clearly be an investment, which should be made without delay in
order that agricultural and business interests may have the benefit
of the improved service during the period of readjustment. It

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 33

should be borne in mind also that the proposals are in no sense ex-
perimental. Their feasibility and practical value have been fully
demonstrated.

MARKE^TING AND DISTRIBUTION.

In the field of distribution, as well as in the field of production, the
farmers of the Nation must assume the main tasks of improvement.
The Government should furnish all possible aid in the way of in-
formation and suggestion, create favorable conditions under which
production and distribution may take place, and especially see that
the channels of trade are open and that abuses do not exist.

The present time is especially fruitful of proposals of a large and
novel nature designed quickly to solve marketing problems. Recently
measures have been introduced into the Congress proposing a private
or a governmental agency of national range, with State and county
subdivisions, to supervise, or even to direct, the handling or market-
ing of the Nation's farm products. The probability is that an un-
dertaking of such character would break down of its own weight.
There is no question that everything which can legitimately be done
to eliminate waste in marketing and to promote orderly distribution
should be done. But the views of the most experienced students of
the matter seem to be that we must approach the problem in simpler
terms, work along lines which have clearly proven to be feasible, and
promote existing tendencies and practices.

Certainly, we can proceed further, by State, Federal, and indi-
vidual action, in standardizing the production, the handling, and
the packing of farm products, and in promoting the use of standard
containers and proper storage on farms, in transit, and at market
centers. We can continue to furnish assistance in the preparation
and installation of accounting systems, and more extensively and
accurately gather and furnish to the farmers of the Nation all per-
tinent statistical information. I need scarcely emphasize the para-
mount importance of making available daily to producers facts as to
market prices, supplies, and demands. The market news services of
the Department of Agriculture have already clearly proved their
value. The department now conducts and operates an inspection
service on fruits and vegetables covering 164 markets. It publishes
Imports on the supply, commercial movement, and prices of most of
tl c important products and, in cooperation with 14 States, is issuing

34 Ai^NUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

exchange marketing lists which make known to county agents, breed-
ers, and feeders in these States, where surpluses of live stock, feeds,
and seeds are to be found. It is estimated that last year, through
such service, the farmers in Iowa alone made local exchanges having
an estimated value of $1,500,000.

COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS,

Particularly must the Federal and State agencies omit notliing to
promote farmers' cooperative associations along right lines. Al-
ready, within a generation, many such bodies have appeared and
rapidly expanded. It is estimated that they now market an-
nually approximately $1,500,000,000 worth of commodities. They
are of very diverse forms and sizes. For the most part, where they
have been successful they have centered their activities on some one
product, or on related products, in a given area. The indications are
that, Avith the continued success of these enterprises and with the
proper educational effort and direction, they will develop even more
rapidly in the future. Through bulletins, news articles, and lectures,
the Department of Agriculture has endeavored to stimulate these
efforts. It has furnished suggestions for State legislation governing
their organization and, in cooperation with 23 States, it has employed
trained specialists to advise extension workers, including county
?,gents, and others, with reference to cooperative marketing.

As I have said, the rational program would seem to be to expand
these activities, which have clearly demonstrated their value, to
follow the scent as it were, and further to develop the macliinery
through which increased assistance may be furnished. There should
be in every State one or more trained market specialists of the De-
partment of Agriculture, working in cooperation with the proper
State authority, to stimulate cooperative enterprises and to aid farm-
ers in their marketing work by helpful suggestions as to plans and
methods. These experts could very effectively aid the extension
workers. County agents generally have the assistance of specialists
in many other lines, but at present they have not the requisite aid
in distribution. They can not be expected to be expert in all agri-
cultural matters or to be omniscient. The department is requesting
increased funds to make this extension possible and will take the
necessary action promptly if the appropriations arc made.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 35

GOOD ROADS.

Good roads are essential to the prosperity and well-being of urban
and rural communities alike. They are prerequisite for the
orderly and systematic marketing of farm products, for the estab-
lishment of satisfactory rural schools, and for the development of a
richer and more attractive rural life. Recognizing these facts, the
Federal Government, through the passage of the Federal aid road
act in 191G, inaugurated a policy of direct financial participation
in road-building operations in the various States. This act appro-
priated $75,000,000, to be matched by an equal amount from the
States, for the construction of rural post roads over a period of five
years, and $10,000,000— $1,000,000 a year for 10 years— for roads
within or partly within the National Forests. It required each
State to have a responsible central highway department with the
requisite powers and funds. All the States have complied with the
terms of the act, although it was necessary for them to enact addi-
tional legislation, or to amend their constitutions; to provide sufficient
funds to match the Federal apportionment; and to strengthen exist-
ing central highway bodies or to create new agencies.

When these preliminary steps had been practically completed and
the department and the States were about ready to proceed vigor-
ously with the actual construction of roads, the United States entered
the war. It soon became necessary greatly to curtail highway
building because of the difficulty of securing transportation, con-
struction materials, and the requisite services. After the armistice
was signed, arrangements promptly were made for the active
resumption and vigorous prosecution of road work in all sections of
the country, not only with a view to repair the damage wrought by
the heavy traffic forced upon our highways during the war, when
maintenance operatioiis were seriously interfered with, but also to
provide adequate transportation facilities to serve the increased
needs of agriculture and industry. Recognizing also that road-build-
ing activities would furnish suitable employment for many luicm-
ployed men during the period of transition from war to peace, the
Congress at its last session, accepting the recommendation of the
Department of Agriculture, appropriated $209,000,000, in addition
to the $85,000,000 provided by the original act, for the extension
of road construction iu cooperation with the States, and also

36 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

made some important amendments to the act. The definition
of tlie kind of roads that can be constructed was greatly broadened
and the limitation on the Federal contribution for any one road
was increased from $10,000 to $20,000 a mile. These amendments
have greatly facilitated consideration of and action upon the road
projects submitted by the State liighway commissions. There is now
no special obstacle to the construction, in the different States of the
Union, of the roads which serve the greatest economic needs.

TROUBLESOME LIMITATIONS REMOVED.

The act, as amended, places only three limitations on the type of
road which may be built, as follows:

(1) That the roads shall be "substantial in character." This
means that the road must be so constructed that it will carry the
prospective traffic with such maintenance expenses that the total
annual charges will represent a reasonable expenditure for the public
service rendered by the highway. It is to the interest of the States
that the roads on which Federal funds are used be substantially con-
structed, because the law requires them, or their civil subdivisions,
as a prerequisite to receiving further funds, to maintain properly
all roads built with Federal aid. There is nothing in the law which
restricts types of construction between narrower limits than those
established by sound finance and good engineering practice.

(2) That the amount contributed from the Federal Treasury in
connection with any road shall not exceed 50 per cent of its cost or
$20,000 a mile. The main thing is to build a road that will stand
the traffic in the particular section of the country where it is con-
structed. The conditions in certain regions may require a heavy,
comparatively high-cost type of road, while in others a lower cost
type may meet all the requirements. Sentiment is growing through-
out the country, even in the newer sections, in favor of more sub-
stantial roads. The people are beginning to realize that the ex-
pense of maintaining the lighter traffic types under heavy traffic
is unbearable.

(3) That the road must be a "rural post road" as defined in the
act as amended; that is, " any public road a major portion of which
is now used, or can be used, or forms a connecting link not to ex-
ceed 10 miles in length of any road or roads now or hereafter used

KEPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 37

for the transportation of the United States mails." Under the origi-
nal wording of the law, Federal funds could be expended only on
roads upon which the United States mails "now are or may here-
after be transported." This feature was the most troublesome to the
highway departments of the various States. It required a definite
determination in each case of the actual post-route status of the road,
which necessarily involved delays in many instances. Under the
new definition, very few important roads, if any, will be debarred
from receiving Federal aid, if all the other requirements of the act
are met.

Following the amendments to the act, the regulations governing
its administration and the standards for plans, specifications, and
estimates were modified, and one of the most successful former State
highway engineers in the country was placed in charge of the Federal
aid road work. He has at his disposal a large staff of local
and district engineer aids, and no pains will be spared to provide
any further Federal assistance that may be needed. An advisory
committee, composed of representatives of the State highway depart-
ments, selected at the request of the department, by the American As-
sociation of State Highway Officials, with due regard to geographic
considerations, also has been appointed to work in intimate touch
with the Federal bureau, meeting with its officers at stated periods
and at such other times as may seem desirable.

LARGE RESULTS FROM PRESENT FEDERAL LAW.

The record indicates that from July 1, 1918, to November 1, 1919,
the department approved 1,345 road projects, involving the im-
provement of 12,159 miles, at an estimated cost of approximately
$181,143,644. Of this sum, approximately $78,592,167 represents
Federal funds. Since the passage of the Federal aid road act, 1,927
projects have been approved. These call for the construction of
18,596 miles of road at an estimated cost of $225,267,847, of which
about $95,498,140 will be borne by the Federal Government. Grati-
fying progress also has been made in connection with the National
Forest road work. From July 1, 1918, to November 1, 1919, 74
projects, involving 923 miles of road, were approved, and plans were
completed for the iiuprovement of 50 others, aggregating 946 miles.

38 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The 1919 program for Federal aid road building is greater than
any previous annual road-building accomplishment in this country.
It is so great, in fact, that it undoubtedly will be necessary for many
of the States to postpone until 1920 the expenditure of the Federal
funds because of the necessity of developing experienced contracting
and engineering organizations from the stagnant conditions brought
about by the war. Under the terms of the act, the apportionment
to a State for any one fiscal year remains available for expenditure
until the close of the succeeding year. It is estimated that the funds
already provided will be sufficient to finance next year a program
more than four times greater than any that has ever been under-
taken. As indicated, $294,000,000 has been made available from
the Federal Treasury, and it is roughly estimated that the State
funds to be expended cooperatively on road projects under the terms
of the Federal act will aggregate $385,000,000.

It is also true that some States will expend large sums in excess of
those to be used on cooperative projects and that their several sub-
divisions will provide large additional amounts. It is interesting to
note that up to July 1, 1919, State bond issues aggregating $224,800,-
000 had been authorized and approved by popular vote and that
provision has been made for voting next year on proposals for the
issuance of additional State road bonds to the extent of approxi-
mately $314,000,000. During the present and the next fiscal j^ear,
there will be made available for road improvements at least $1,000,-
000,000. Certainly, few laws, if any, have produced greater results,
either in terms of expenditures for a good purpose or in terms of
helpful legislation and machinery, than the Federal aid road act. It
seems clear, in the circumstances, that the principal limiting factors
in the 1920 program will be those of rail transportation for, and
production of, suitable road materials, the contractors' organizations
available, and the labor supply.

NO ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY NEEDED.

The suggestion has been made that the Federal supervision of
highways should be taken from the Department of Agriculture
and placed under a Federal highway commission. A bill having
this purpose in view has been introduced in the Senate of the
United States. It provides for a Federal highway commission
of three, each receiving a salary of $10,000 a year, whose duty,
among other things, would be to establish, improve, repair, and

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 39

maintain a system of highways " to comprise not less than 2 per
cent nor more than 5 per cent of the total highway mileage ac-
tually used as such in any State as ascertained by the
commission hereinafter provided for, nor less than 2 per cent
nor more than 4 per cent of the total highway mileage actually
used as such in all of the States as ascertained by the commission,
and affording convenient ingress to and egress from each State at not
less than three points and connecting with highways forming part
of the national highway system in adjoining States." The conmiis-
sion is given the power to select or establish the highways to be
comprised in the system, after having requested the State highway
departments to recommend routes, and to determine the order in
which all or parts of such highways shall be constructed, recon-
structed, improved, repaired, and maintained. The Federal Govern-
ment is to assume the maintenance of these roads. The commission
is furthermore empowered to take over the work of the Department
of Agriculture relating to highway transportation, to construct and
maintain buildings outside the District of Columbia, to operate
housing and subsistence facilities and commissary stores for the
benefit of its employees and others engaged on work under its direc-
tion, and to purchase, lease, operate, and maintain such motor and
other transportation facilities as it may deem necessary in the per-
formance of its duties.

In considering any proposal of this sort, certain fundamental con-
siderations must be borne in mind: (1) The roads in each section of
the country are of varying degrees of importance in the service which
they render or may render to the particular locality, to the State, and
to the Nation as a wliole; (2) this is a big countr}^ and the traffic con-
ditions and needs vary greatly from section to section; (3) the State
highway departments, being in immediate touch with local conditions,
are best able to classify the roads properly on the basis of the economic
purpose which they may serve; (4) the Federal Government, under
the Federal aid road act, is cooperating in the improvement of the
roads of greatest importance, the classification of which is fixed by
the State highway departments; and (5) when this classification has
been carefully made and by agreement between the highway depart-
ments of adjoining States, the roads of first importance generally
meet at State boundaries, and, therefore, become interstate highways

40 ANNUAL KEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

of nation-wide utility. The Federal Government, under the present
law, is aiding the State highway departments in the classification
of their roads on the basis of importance and needs, and Federal aid
is rapidly being extended for their improvement, on projects sub-
mitted by the States and approved by this department.

The present machinery for supervising road construction is the
Federal Bureau of Public Roads, one of the two most efficient
agencies of the kind in the world, and the 48 State highway com-
missions. These, in effect, constitute an expert national commis-
sion, intimately in touch through its various parts with all sections
of the Union, having no other purpose than that of serving the public
interest. It is difficult to see what need there can be for additional
or new machinery. Certainly, there is no necessity of creating a
separate Federal highway commission or of substituting for the
present cooperative program a plan which would commit or limit
expenditure to a federally owned and maintained highway system.
Such a plan would not meet present needs. There is as yet too
much pioneer work required to trust the working out of proper high-
way policies to a small Federal commission.

Very properly the Federal aid road act places on the highway
authorities of the several States responsibility, in large measure,
for selecting the roads to be constructed. Obviously the local
authorities are in a better position to judge what roads would serve
the largest economic needs than any group of men sitting in Wash-
ington would be. It is the duty of the Federal Bureau of Roads,
with its district engineers, to see that the provisions of the law are
complied with. It is giving, and will continue to give, all possible
assistance to the State authorities in all their technical problems,
as well as in the planning of State systems and in the classification
of roads. It has been the policy of the department from the out-
set, in order to prevent haphazard action, to have the State high-
way authorities prepare and present tentative State systems of roads.
It was apparent that rigid systems not subject to modifications as
conditions might require would be inadvisable. Each State has
worked out a system and, in general, it is being followed in the
development of projects and the construction of roads. In a num-
ber of instances systems in general terms have been adopted by the
legislatures. In formulating these systems, the engineers are giving
due regard to interstate connections, that is, to roads connecting the

TwEPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 41

system of one State with that of another, and as progress is made
the construction of through roads will follow as a matter of course.

PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD MEAN LOSS.

I am convinced that nothing material would be gained by the
proposed change. Much would be lost. Many complications would
be introduced. The creation of a commission would entail unneces-
sary additional administrative expenditures and the commission
could not do anything that can not be done more effectively by
the existing cooperative machinery. I think it is not too much to say
that there is a minimum of friction in the relations of the State and
Federal authorities and that the majority of the State highway agen-
cies are satisfied with the present arrangement and do not wish a
change.

There would also be a radical change of policy. I am of the
opinion that the people of the States will not be willing to substi-
tute for the present policy of developing road systems on the prin-
cii^le of serving the broadest economic needs that policy advocated
by those whose interest is in main or trunk line automobile roads
primarily for touring purposes. The largest service will be ren-
dered, not only to farmers but also to urban people, by follow-
ing the principle of constructing roads of the greatest economic
importance, selected after careful consideration by the State agen-
cies having adequate knowledge and approved by the Federal
department. It seems to me clear also that, as the work proceeds,
we shall have roads which will be equally serviceable not only
to those interested immediately in long-distance automobile travel
and motor-truck transportation but also to those interested in
getting their farm produce to the market in the easiest and most
effective manner and in the transportation of the mails. I clearly
recognize the vast growth and importance of the motor-propelled
vehicle passenger and freight traffic. It is estimated that we have 87
per cent of all such vehicles in the world, and we are only at the
beginning of their use; but I am satisfied that the development of
highways along present lines rather than along the lines proposed
will result in their more extensive use. I have no prejudice against
any sort of road except a bad road, or against any sort of construction
except wasteful and unsubstantial construction. If traffic conditions
151352°— 20— 4

42 ANNUAL r.EPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

require hea^^ construction, then I am in favor of it; and in any
case, under tlie present law, tiie road must be substantial.

The road movement is growing very rapidty. The Federal aid
road act has done much to promote it. Experience has brought
about amendments to the law and helpful changes in administration.
Comprehensive road programs have been inaugurated. They are be-
ing pushed vigorously. They will result, in a shorter time than most
people imagine, not only in a network of good substantial roads in
the various States of the Union, but also in the requisite interstate
highways.

Why at this stage introduce complications and embarrassments?
Why should not the friends of the movement for roads to serve the
people cooperate? It is difficult for me to see why all who are ani-
mated by high public spirit in their thinking concerning highways
should not cooperate in the development of present programs and in
the perfecting of the existing processes and machinery, instead of
attempting to overthrow them. I believe that many of those who are
backing the proposed change do not know the facts and arc not aware
of existing conditions and possibilities.

CONTINUATION OF FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS.

The period covered by the original Federal aid road act and its
amendments will expire with the fiscal year 1921. The results to date
clearly point to the desirability of continuing the policy of
Federal participation in road building. If this is to be done,
it is essential that a decision be reached at an early date, so that the
States may be able to make the necessary financial provision and the
State and Federal departments make the requisite administrative
arrangements. If the financial condition of the Nation permits it,
I believe it would be good policy to make available from the Federal
Treasury, to be expended under the terms of existing legislation,
$100,000,000 for at least each of the four years beginning with the
fiscal year 1922.

PAST ACTION AND FUTURE STEPS.

The promotion of agriculture and the betterment of rural life
have, for many years, received the earnest attention and support of
State and Federal authorities. Several generations ago the founda-

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 43

tions were laid for the two great agricultural agencies, the land-
gnmt colleges and the Federal Department of Agriculture, which
have no rivals elsewhere in the Avorld. The State colleges steadily
developed until in 1918 they had plants and endowments valued
at $184,400,000, annual incomes aggregating $47,700,000, and resi-
dent and short-course students numbering 123,000, of whom 45,000
were in agricultural courses. Their student body has greatly in-
creased this year. They are now engaged, in cooperation with the
Department of Agriculture, in agricultural extension work involving
an annual expenditure of more than $14,000,000. They have been
conducting investigational and educational work for many years and
have placed in all parts of the Union farm leaders with scientific and
practical vision. The Federal Department of Agriculture, whose
personnel now numbers more than 21,000, is expending from all
sources during the current year $41,800,000, aside from the $294,-
000,000 made available by the original and amended Federal aid road
act for the cooperative construction of roads.

As has been repeatedly pointed out, the last five or six years have
been especially fruitful of legislation and administrative action look-
ing to the improvement of production and distribution. The princi-
pal items are the following:

(1) The Bureau of Markets, excelling in the character and extent
of its activities any other similar existing organization.

(2) The Cooperative Agricultural Extension Act, the object of
which is to disseminate information among the farmers, mainly
through trained agents. As has been indicated, there is now ex-
pended annually, from Federal, State, and local sources, more than
$14,000,000 for work contemplated by this act.

(3) The Cotton Futures Act, with amendments, under the provi-
sions of which standards for cotton have been established, the opera-
tions of the futures exchanges supervised, and the sale of cotton
put on a firmer basis.

(4) The Grain Standards Act, which aims to bring about uniform-
ity in the grading of grain, enable the farmer to obtain a fairer price
for his product, and afford him a financial incentive to raise better
grades of grain.

(5) The Warehouse xVct, which authorizes the Department of
Agriculture to license bonded warehouses and which makes possible

44 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the issuance of reliable and easily negotiable warehouse receipts, per-
mits the better storing of farm products, increases the desirability of
receipts as collateral for loans, and promotes the standardizing of
storages and of marketing processes.

(6) The Federal Aid Road Act, as amended, which made available
$294,000,000 for cooperation between the Federal and State
Governments in the construction of rural roads. It has conduced
to the establishment of more effective highway machinery in each
State and strongly influenced the development of good road building
along right lines. It will stimulate larger production and better
marketing, promote a fuller and more attractive rural life, add
greatly to the convenience and economic welfare of all the people,
and strengthen the national foundations.

(7) The Federal Reserve Act, which authorized national banks to
lend money on farm mortgages and recognized the peculiar needs of
the farmer by giving his paper a period of maturity of six months.

(8) The Federal Farm Loan Act, which created a banking system
reaching intimately into, the rural districts and operating on terms
suited to the farmer's needs. It is attracting more capital into
agricultural operations, bringing about a reduction of interest to
farmers, and placing upon the market mortgages which are safe
investments for private funds,

(9) The Vocational Education Act, which, among other things, pro-
vides for cooperation with the States in training teachers of agricul-
ture and in giving agricultural instruction to pupils in secondary
schools.

Among other steps which should be taken are the following :

(1) The building up, primarily under State law, of a system of
personal credit unions, especially for the benefit of farmers whose
financial status and scale of operations make it difficult for them to
secure accommodations through the ordinary channels.

(2) Expansion of existing facilities and activities for aiding
farmers in marketing, including especially the extension of the mar-
ket news and food-products inspection services and the assignment of
trained market specialists to each State, in cooperation with the State
authorities, to stimulate cooperative enterprises and to make helpful
suggestions as to plans and methods.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 45

(3) Continuation of the present policy of Federal participation
in road building, through the appropriation, if the financial condition
of the Nation permits it, of $100,000,000 for at least each of the four
years beginning with the fiscal year 1922, to be expended under the
terms of existing legislation.

(4) The regulation and control of stockyards and packing houses.

(5) Federal legislation further to protect consumers against mis-
branded, adulterated, arid worthless feeds entering into interstate
commerce.

(6) Similar legislation dealing with fertilizers.

(7) Increased support by States for rural schools and more defi-
nite direction of their instruction along lines related to rural prob-
lems and conditions.

(8) The requisite legislation for the improvement of the sanitary
conditions in rural districts and for the building up of the needed
hospital and medical facilities.

NEED FOR BROAD SURVEY OF RURAL CONDITIONS.

Present conditions, and particularly present states of mind, indi-
cate the need of a fresh, broad survey of rural life, of its special
problems, and of its relationships. It should be viewed as a w^hole.
A comprehensive flexible program should be developed for the guid-
ance of the different agencies, each of which has its peculiar func-
tions and responsibilities. Furthermore, the principles and purposes
governing agricultural life and agencies should be set forth for the
education of the American public, particularly the urban part of it.
The Nation as a whole needs a fuller appreciation of its basic indus-
try, and a more definite sense of direction of its efforts to foster it.
Many agencies are now following more or less well defined, helpful
plans of their own devising, but these are at best piecemeal, and
there is confusion of leadership and objectives. A program made
by any one element would bo partial and unsatisfactory. We should
have a meeting of minds of all those directly concerned, of farmers,
of agricultural leaders, and of business men.

You have already indicated your intention to call a conference at
which there will be not only a generous representation of farmers
but also of agricultural agencies and organizations and of business
interests which have an intimate relation to farm problems. I be-
lieve that, because of changed conditions here and elsewhere, of
existing uncertainties, and of disturbed states of mind, this confer-

46 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

ence should be called at the earliest possible date. It may be that,
as one outcome of it, the creation of a rural life commission, with a
temporary or a permanent status, will be determined to be in the
public interest. Certainly, the best means of fostering our basic
industry can not too frequently receive definite consideration by the
best minds of the Nation.

Respectfully,

D. F. Houston,
Secretary of Agricultui^e,
The President.

REPORTS OF CHIEFS.

47

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE WEATHER BUREAU.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Weather Bureau,
Washington, D. C, Octoher, 11, 1919.
Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the operations
of the Weather Bureau during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Respectfully,

C. F. Marvin,
Chief of Bm'eau,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture,

POST-WAR CONDITIONS.

AVith the close of the fiscal year and the passing of war conditions
the Weather Bureau finds itself face to face with post-war conditions
of more serious character even than the difficulties imposed by the
war. It seems appropriate at this time to state brieny the status
and functions of the Weather Bureau because applied meteorology
as never before in history has come to be recognized as a highly im-
portant factor and guide in the conduct of almost every activity of
any consequence of the Nation. Never before in any previous war
did the science of meteorology play any important part or have a
place in the program of military and naval organizations and opera-
tions. Now it is regarded as indispensable and is destined to become
a permanent feature of each arm of the service.

Created in 1870 as a part of the Signal Corps of the United States
Army by a joint resolution of Congress "to provide for taking
meteorological observations at the military stations in the interior of
the continent and at other points in the States and Territories of the
United States and for giving notice on the northern lakes and on the
seacoast, by magnetic telegraph and marine signals, of the approach
and force of storms," its network of stations soon embraced the entire
United States.

Subsequently the designation of the service was changed to the
Weather Bureau, which, by act of Congress approved October 1,
1890, was transferred from the War Department to the Department
of Agriculture and its duties and functions defined in the following
language :

The Chief of the Weather Bureau, under the direction of the Secretary of
Agriculture, shall have charge of forecasting the weather; the issue of storm
warnings; the display of weather and flood signals for the benefit of agricul-
ture, commerce, and navigation; the gaging and reporting of rivers; the main-

49

50 ANXUAL REPOllTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

teimiice and operation of seacoast telegraph lines ana the collection ami trans-
mission of marine intelligence for the benefit of commerce and navigation ; the
reporting of temperature and rainfall conditions for the cotton interests; the
display of frost, cold-wave, and other signals; the distribution of meteorological
information in the interest of agriculture and commerce; and the taking of
such meteorological observations as may be necessary to establish and record
tlie climatic conditions of the United States, or are essential for the proper
execution of the foregoing duties.

This organic act, with intevpretations and extensions by subse-
(]uent annual appropriations, assigns to the Weather Bureau th'^
entire domain of meteorology, including the duty of preparation and
issue of forecasts and Avarnings of weather, storms, cold waves, heavy
snows, floods, and the stages of rivers, all in the interest of commerce,
agriculture, and navigation. At present it maintains over 200 fully
equipped meteorological stations, and about 1,400 substations classi-
fied as special meteorological, river, storm-warning, hurricane, ma-
rine, cotton-region, corn-and- wheat-region, fruit, cranberry, and fire-
Aveather warning stations. In addition to these the Bureau main-
tains, in connection witli its climatological Avork, about 4,500 stations
knoAvn as cooperative stations, the equipment being furnished by the
Bureau and the observations being taken by public-spirited citizens
who render gratuitous service. Its cooperative work extends to prac-
ticalh' every ocean of the globe, and the masters of many vessels (the
number was greatly reduced by the Avar, but is now on the increase)
fdl out our forms of daily meteorological observations on every voy-
age, to be forAvarded on arriA^al in port. Before the war daily ob-
servations receiA-ed by cable and otherAvise from selected stations
over the entire Northern Hemisphere Avere collected and published.
Negotiations to restore this exchange are under Avay, A highly
trained, eflicient, and experienced personnel of OA^er 800 commission-
ed employees, helped by about 1,400 Avho receive a small compensa-
tion for the regular performance of specific duties, conducts the Avork
of the Bureau, and in addition the marine and cooperative observers
constitute a host of nearly 6,000 public-spirited individuals Avho serve
gratuitously. Such, in brief, is the machinery and organization of
the AVeather Bureau.

While the Bureau is best known to the public through the issue of
its daily forecasts, maps, and bulletins, there is no doubt that its
greatest value in an economic sense consists in the immense saA^ng
effected by its special warnings, as of storms and hurricanes for the
benefit of marine interests, Avarnings of floods that occur on the prin-
cipal rivers, Avarnings of cold Avaves Avhich accomplish protection
to property and food stuffs liable to damage by injuriously^ Ioav tem-
})eratures, and warnings of frost and freezing Aveather for the benefit
of the fruit, sugar, tobacco, cranberr}^, market gardening, and other
interests.

Its duties and autliorities by law are broad and comprehensive,
and post-Avar conditions bring it new and important obligations and
res})onsibilities Avhich it is fully alert to recognize and eager to dis-
charge. With the experience and traditions of nearly 50 years to its
credit, the Bureau is in a position to render practically eAcr}^ service
of a meteorological nature Avhich may be required of such an agency
and at an economy of expenditure of public funds Avhich can not bo
surpassed, or even equaled, by any ncAv agency.

WEATHER BUREAU. 51

A few only of the post-war problems and demands in the adminis-
tration of the aifairs of the Weather Bureau will be mentioned here.

METEOROLOGT AND AERONAUTICS.

From a phenomenal development under the stimulus of war neces-
sities the navigation of the air is rapidly extending to its civil and
commercial or industrial stage. Flying in ignorance or disregard of
meteorological conditions and warnings is at times suicidal and de-
structive of costly property. P]ven before flying increased so greatly
witliin the United States the Weather Bureau inaugurated a service
of flying forecasts, effective December 1, 1918, which is conducted
in cooperation with the Chief Signal Officer of the Army and for the
benefit at first of the Army training posts and the aerial mail service
of the Post Office Department, and later destined to be extended to
all flying in general. Much development work is needed to make this
service the most effective i)ossible, all of which may be accomplished,
as flying develops, through existing agencies and channels of co-
operation between the public and the branches of the Government
concerned.

METEOROLOGY FOR RHLITARY OPERATIONS.

Closely allied to meteorology for aeronautics, the experiences of
the war have created a demand for a service to supply information
for artillery, gas warfare, and other kinds of military operations,
each in its way different. The influence of winds upon the flight of
projectiles has long been recognized, but in the past methods of ob-
serving the actual motions of the free air in the various altitudes were
little known and less used, consequently the allowance for wind in
tlie older formuhe of the artillerists were largely academic or mere
approximations, whereas nowadays the ballistic wind is not a matter
of guess or estimation, but of definite and direct observations by
meteorologists employed for the purpo.^e and using pilot-balloons or
other aerial apparatus which meteorologists have developed and em-
jiloyed in the advancement of their own science.

On a peace-time basis these needs are being met by cooperative work
and arrangements existing between the Chief of the Weather Bureau
and the Chief Signal Officer of the Army, as a result of which a
limited number of stations are maintained by the Army, while others
constituting a useful coordination of points are established and main-
tained by the Weather Bureau. Observations at these stations con-
sist chiei33^ of the flight of small rubber pilot-balloons. The results
are used locally as required and telegraphed to the central office of
the Weather Bureau for the use of the official forecasters in the issue
of flying advices and other information.

MARINE METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

The submarine menace brought on with the war soon terminated
the program of observations which merchant vessels plying the sev-
eral oceans of the globe were long accustomed to furnish with the
object of supplying data and information concerning the climate
and meteorology of the oceans for publication as aids to navigation
(marine) on the pilot charts of the Hydrographic Office. This serv-

52 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE.

ice is being restored gradually, and its importance is enhanced on
account of the policy of extending the merchant marine of the United
States, and also extensive navigation of the air over the oceans, which
the future is sure to see accomplished.

Details of the major activities and work of the Bureau follow:

FORECAST SERVICE.

The general forecast service continued in operation as in the past
several years. This plan consists of: (a) The Supervising Fore-
caster at the central office, AVashington, D. C., who has general charge
of the forecast work of the Weather Bureau and regularly makes
the day-to-day forecasts and special warnings for the Washington
forecast district and warnings of storms and dangerous winds for
the Great Lakes, the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and the West Indian
waters; (b) district forecasters at the Chicago, New Orleans, Den-
ver, and San Francisco forecast district centers, who have to do with
the preparation and dissemination of forecasts and warnings for their
respective districts; (c) a district forecaster at San Juan, P. R.,
who has charge of the issue of forecasts and warnings for that part
of the West Indies lying east of longitude 70° Avest; (d) a dis-
trict forecaster at Juneau, Alaska, who issues daily forecasts for
the Juneau district of southeastern Alaska throughout the year, and
for the low^er Tanana Valley during the period of low temperatures ;
and (e) local forecast officials located in many cities of importance
who prepare forecasts of weather, temperature, and wind for their
respective limited regions. The forecast districts with headquarters
at San Juan and Juneau were organized during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1919 ; otherwise there was no change in the general plan of
organization.

FORECAST OFFICIALS.

The officials assigned to forecast service are selected only after
long preliminary training and through competitive tests that ex-
tend through one or more years. It is necessar^y that the officials
engaged in this work have a fundamental training in the laws of
atmospherics and also that they be temperamentally fitted for the
work, which, at times, is extremely arduous and requires the con-
stant attention of the one engaged therein. In addition to the
officials that are actually engaged on this work, there are of the
younger men of the Bureau approximately 40 who engage in what
IS termed " practice forecasting," fitting themselves to later become
local forecasters and yet later, in the event of special aptitude and
success, to become assistants to district forecasters. This system of
training forecasters must necessarily rest in the Weather Bureau,
for there is no outside institution of learning where one might
perfect himself in the art of weather forecasting.

FORECASTS AND WARNINGS.

The forecasts that are regularly issued by the Bureau are adapted
to the many varied demands for them. In general, they consist of
the following:

(a) Day-to-day forecasts, for 36 to 48 hours in advance, of the
general weather, temperature, and wind conditions for the various

WEATHER BUREAU. 53

State units. These forecasts are issued twice each day, a. iri. and
p. m., at approximately 9 :30 o'clock. The morning forecast is given
general distribution through the display of weather and temperature
flags, the telephone, printed cards and bulletins, and the afternoon
press; the evening forecast is distributed mainly through the various
press associations for appearance in the morning press.

(b) Weekly forecasts, that are issued Saturday of each week for
larger areas than the day-to-day forecasts, and set forth the ex-
pected general conditions of the weather for that period in advance.
These .forecasts are disseminated largely through the press, but also
through mailed cards and bulletins.

(c) I^cal forecasts, that are issued daily by the officials of the
more important Weather Bureau stations for their respective regions.
These include a statement as to the probable weather, temperature,
and wind, and, during the winter months, the probable minimum
temperature is made a part of the forecast.

(d) Shippers' forecasts, which are regularly made during the
months when temperatures likely to be injurious to shipments of
perishable goods and produce occur. These forecasts are prepared
and issued by the local forecasters at many of the regular Weather
Bureau stations.

(e) Special forecasts that are issued from time to time as occasion
requires, and some of these are given special designations, as, for
example: "Fire-weather warnings," for the forest regions of the
West; "Orchard forecasts," for the guidance of spraying operations
for insect pests and fungi, and of heating operations to prevent frost
injury. Moreover, special forecasts are regularly issued for the cran-
berry industry of Massachusetts, Xew Jersey, and Wisconsin ; and for
various other industries that are partially or wholly dependent on
accurate forecasts of weather and temperature changes.

(/) Day-to-day forecasts of the weather and winds along the trans-
Atlantic steamship lanes eastward from the Atlantic ports to the
Grand Banks of Newfoundland are issued for the guidance of vessel
masters.

(g) Da3^-to-day wind and weather forecasts for the Atlantic and
Gulf coasts are issued each day and transmitted to vessels at sea
through naval radio. In addition to .the forecast there is included in
this daily message the prevailing weather and wind conditions at
poi-ts along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and a statement as to the
position of any atmospheric disturbance and its direction and speed
of movement and intensity.

(A) Aviation forecasts are made regularly each day for the Post
Office Depai-tment and the United States Army Air Service and the
United States Naval Air Service. This service is conducted in a
rather limited way as yet, but the general plan of the Weather Bureau
aims to effect its development as rapidly as funds and the extension
of aviation justify.

(i) Warnings are obviously issued only at specified times, but many
of them are so important that when conditions arise which require
their issue other lines of w^ork give way in order that the warnings
and advices may be placed before commercial and other organizations
that may be benefited thereby. Warnings are issued for cold waves,
heavy snows, gales, frosts, local storms, floods, winds dangerous to

54 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

navigation on the Great Lakes, the oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and
the Caribbean Sea, and for hurricanes. There can be no question but
that this service saves many lives, and that property to the value of
millions of dollars has been protected and saved through the prompt
issue of these warnings by the Weather Bureau.

FUTURE DEMANDS.

With the Avider recognition now accorded ap])lied meteorology, in-
creased demands are being made for information and forecasts. Ad-
vices of various kinds and forecasts are already being supplied the
Air Services of the Army and the Navy and the Post Office Depart-
ment, and it seems altogether probable that the growing demands
for information and forecasts of a meteorological character will soon
make necessary a new branch of forecasting planned to care prima-
rily for the interests of aerial navigation.

RECENT EXAMPLES.

During 1919 there were two notable cases of the importance of accu-
rate meteorological information and forecasts in connection with
aerial navigation. The one was that of the trans-Atlantic seaplane
flight by the United States Xavy in May, and the other that of the
visit of the British dirigible, the R-34, to our country during July.
In both these instances the fullest cooperation on the part of the
W^eather Bureau was requested by the United States Navy. Com-
plete synoptic meteorological reports were placed at the disposal of
the officials of the Navy, and in addition the forecaster on duty pre-
pared and issued forecasts based on the 8 a. m. and 8 p. m. regular
observations for the commanding officers of these operations.

THE TRA^-S-ATLANTIC SEAPLANE ILTGHT IN MAY, 1919.

The start of the trans- Atlantic seaplane flight (United States
Navy) was made from Rockaway the morning of May 8, two of the
planes, the NC-1 and NC-3, reaching their destination, Halifax, the
afternoon of the same da}'. The NC-l developed engine trouble and
put into Chatham, Mass. The forecast issued the morning of the
Sth was as follows : " Moderate northwest and west winds. Fair
weather to-day. Friday ; fresh north to east winds, cloudy weatlwr
with rain over southern half of course." The evening of the 9th the
following forecast was made for the seaplanes between Halifax and
Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland: "Weather favorable for flight Sat-
urday. Gentle variable winds. Fair Aveather. Wind velocity less
than 15 miles an hour." The morning of the 10th the forecast for
tlie same course read: "Fair weather Halifax to Newfoundland.
Gentle variable winds, except moderate west and northwest off south
coast of Newfoundland." The flight from Halifax to Trepassey Bay
was made on the lOtli and the two seaplanes making it reached their
destination the afternoon of the same day. In the meantime the
seaplane NC-4, at Chatham, Mass., had made ready for a renewal of
the flight to Halifax, but it was held there for several days because of
adA'erse wind and weather conditions. On the evening of the 13th
the folloAving forecast was sent the commander of the seaplane NC-l
at Chatham, Mass. : "Conditions favorable for start from Chatham

WEATHER BUREAU. 55

for Halifax Wednesday nioriiinfi: (the 14tli). Moilcrate to fresh
westerly winds and fair weather." The flight was made to Halifax
on the 14tli under favorable conditions, and from Halifax to Tre-
passey Bay on the 15th, the advices sent to the conniiander of the
NC-4 assuring him of favorable wind and weather conditions. On
the 15th (Thursday) the following forecast was sent to the com-
mander of the seaplanes at Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland: ''AVind
and weather conditions over the course (Newfoundland to the
Azores) will improve during Friday and Saturday-. Wind will be
west and fresh and possibly strong. Weather will be fair. Above
based on incomplete reports from the ocean. Advise start by Friday
niglit." On Friday the following forecast-was sent: " Surface winds
fresh and possibl}' strong west-southwest and upper winds fresh to
strong west over course between Newfoundland and the Azores ; some
clouds, fair visibility, and rising pressure. Conditions favorable for
start." The seaplanes left Trcpassev Bay the afternoon of the same
day for the Azores. Tlie NC-4 reached the Azores the late forenoon
of the following day, while the NC-1 and the NC-3 landed in the
vicinity of the Azores, but were unable to rise from the water and
resume their flights

THE VISIT OF THE BBITI8H DIRIGIBLE, THE R-34, JULY, 1010.

The Weather Bureau was called on for detailed information and
forecasts before, during, and after the visit of the R-34 to tlie United
States in July, 1919. The first call for information and forecasts was
from the R-34 by radio when she was in the vicinity of Newfound-
land, and then and after, until she had reached midocean on her re-
turn to Great Britain, the latest meteorological information and
forecasts were always at the disposal of the conmiander of this craft.
The following letter, addressed to the Chief of the Weather Bureau,
was received from the Secretary of the Navy concerning the work
of the Weather Bureau in connection with the visit of the R-34 to our
country :

The work done by tho Weiitlier Bureau l>eforo, <hiriiis, and after the visit of
tiie British dirijrible R-84 has been keenly Jippreeiated by tlie Navy Depart-
ment, and by tlie British officers connected with this flight. The reports were
most reliable and the last report sent by Maj. Bowie on the evening of Jufy
10, undoubtedly was the prime agent in the safe departing of the ship.

Also there was received the following letter from the British air
attache in appreciation of the work of the Weather Bureau in con-
nection with the flight of the R-34:

Permit me to thank you, on behalf of the Air Ministry for the very distin-
guished part you played in the success which attended the visit of the R-34. It
is claimed that meteorologj' is the handmaiden of aeronautics, but I think that
does not show the. science enough respect. At any rate, you, by your assiduous
attention to, and reading of, the weather during the visit contributed more
than a fair share to the success attaintnl.

TROPICAL STORMS.

Only one tropical storm of sufficient importance to justify the dis-
play of hiuricane warnings occurred during the year, namely, that
of August 1-6, 1918. This storm moved northwestward across the
Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and struck the Louisiana coast

56 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

about 30 miles east of the month of the Sabine River, moving thence
inward about 80 miles to northwestern Louisiana, where it was dissi-
pated. It passed over Lake Charles and Gerstner Field, La., develop-
ing considerable violence, the w^ind attaining a velocity of about 100
miles an hour. Thirty-four deaths were reported as being due to the
storm and the number of persons injured as more than twice that
number. The damage to property w^as roughly estimated at $5,000,-
000. Hurricane warnings in advance of the storm w^re ordered for
the Louisiana and Texas coasts from Galveston east.

SPECIAL METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS.

As an aid to the forecast service in Alaska arrangements were
made for the establishment of three s^DCcial meteorological stations at
Atka, Akiak, and Noorvik, Alaska, to report twace daily by radio.

HIGHWAYS WEATHER SERVICE.

A new project, designated " Highways weather service," was for-
mally authorized during the year. In the carrying out of this project
certain central stations receive reports of the conditions of the roads
in the surrounding region or over certain main highways, and pub-
lish the same on their bulletins and in the press. In cases where the
stations are centers of a corn-and-wheat or cotton-region service the
reports of road conditions are obtained by telegraph without addi-
tional expense by the addition of a word indicating the conditions of
the road to the daily report from the substations. In other instances
they are obtained by mail by means of franked postal cards furnished
to persons who are willing to cooperate with the Bureau in this serv-
ice. Projects were in operation during the past Avinter at some 15
stations in 11 States, but at all but four of these it Avas a winter
service only and was discontinued in the spring, to be resumed the
coming winter. Although still in a tentative stage the service has
great possibilities and is likely to be largely extended in the future.
It has proved very popular where it has been in operation, the official
in charge at one station stating that he has as many calls for road
data during the day as for the weather forecasts.

RIVER AND FLOOD WARNINGS.

The flood service of the Weather Bureau functioned properly, not
only as to the issue of timely notices of the coming of floods but also
in the daily statement of river conditions throughout the country.

The floods of the year w^ere largely local and much less severe than
in many previous years.

During threatening conditions Avhich obtained for a time along the
Mississippi River from Keokuk, Iowa, southward to Louisiana,
Mo., information w^as furnished that proved to be of great practical
utility in the organized effort to strengthen the levees along that
section of the stream.

In the drainage investigations of the department and in many
private enterprises in connection with river improvements the river
and flood service has contributed valuable information both to agri-
cultural and commercial interests along the great rivers of the country.

WEATHER BUREAU. 57

INSPECTION OF RIVER STATIONS.

Owing to the unprecedented demand for engineers, it has not been
possible to obtain from the outside persons having the necessary skill
and experience to correct irregularities which invariably creep into
the work of river-gaging stations unless the work is frequently
inspected.

As a temporary expedient an employee of the Washington office was
detailed for a part of his tinie to field work in connection with the
installation and upkeep of river gages. It was not possible in this
way, however, to care for more than the most pressing cases. A re-
turn to the prewar basis of having persons of engineering ability
avaihible at central points for service m keeping the system of river-
gaging stations up to standard is urgently needed.

CHANGES IN DISTRICT CENTERS.

No new river districts were organized during the year, but the
chaige of the Kansas Kiver was transferred from Kansas City, Mo.,
to Topeka, Kans., largely for administrative reasons.

SNOW SURVEYS IN HIGH ALTITUDES.

The activities of the Bureau in determining the depth and density
of the snow cover of high altitudes in certain drainage basins of the
West were naturally restricted to the most urgent and promising cases.
These were the White Mountain region of Arizona draining into the
Iloosevelt Reservoir and on the headwaters of the Walker River of
Nevada.

FORMULA FOR FLOOD FORECASTING.

Studies leading to the formulation of rules for forecasting floods
almost wholly from the physical data of rainfall have been completed
during the year for the Asheville (N. C.) district.

COOPERATION.

Progress was made on the following-named specific projects during
the year :

1. The collection of rainfall measurements in the mountains of Los
Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, Calif., in cooperation with the
local county officials.

'2. The Wagon Wheel Gap Experiment Station in cooperation with
the Forest Service of the department. This important project has
now run for eight j^ears, and a mass of unique data has been collected
to establish, if possible, hitherto unknown facts concerning the rela-
tions between weather conditions and stream discharge on forested
watersheds. The experiment has reached its second stage, in which
one of the two watersheds will be denuded of its forest and observa-
tions continued for a further period of years under the changed con-
ditions. A detailed study of the data for the first stage of the experi-
ment is far advanced, and the future observations are looked forw^ard
to w^ith great interest.

151352"— 20— 5

58 Al^NUAL TvEPOETS OF DEPAETMEXT OF AGRICULTUPtE.

STATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS.

NEW WEATHER BUREAU BUILDINGS.

After considerable unavoidable delays due to war and unsettled
business conditions, the new Weather I3ureau observatory and tele-
graph office building at Cape Henry, Va., was completed and ac-
cepted under date of September 8, 1918. This station was fully
equipped with steel towers and lanterns for storm warning displays,
and a small electric light plant to provide illumination for dis-
plays, vessel-signaling, and office purposes has proved ver}^ satisfac-
tory. The new building was erected on the Weather Bureau reserva-
tion comprising 15,000 square feet of ground on beach front at the
foot of Forty -third Street, where the location is much more advanta-
geous than that previously had for many 3^ears on the lighthouse res-
ervation. The old building is retained for use of the assistant ob-
servers.

CHANGES AT REGULAR STATIONS.

Narragansett Pier, E. L, station discontinued August 17, 1918.
Weather building and reservation placed in hands of a caretaker.

Buildings and reservation at Mount Weather, Va., also remain
in possession of caretaker.

On October 1, 1918, the important meteorological city substation.
Central Park, New York, in the Army Building, near Sixty-fifth
Street, East, maintained continuously for about 50 years past under
local sux^ervision, was removed to, and installed in the remodeled
Belvidere Tower building, near the Eighty-first Street, West, en-
trance to the Park, and re-equipped as a permanently established
substation of the Bureau.

Completion of a Federal building at New Haven, Conn., in which
accommodations were provided by the Treasury Department, enabled
the Bureau to effect removal thereto February 15, 1919, and save
rental heretofore paid for quarters in a private building.

Notwithstanding the general increase in rentals throughout the
country during the last two or three years, it has been possible
to effect a considerable saving to the Government by reason of the
5-year rencAval clause in leases whereby the Bureau was able to i"e-
ta'in occupied quarters at prewar prices. Leases involving $G,4C)()
at the old rate, which now expire by limitation at seven stations
where increase is demanded, I'equired renewal at a total increased
cost to the Bureau of $1,556 for the next fiscal year, or about 24
per cent of the total amount j)aid for such rentals. One serious
incident of exorbitant increase in rental compelled the Bureau re-
hictantly to move its station at Topeka, Kans., to quarters in a new
lented building. The following statement shows the present status
of AVeather Bureau offices at field stations outside of Washington,
(not including Narragansett Pier or Mount Weather) :

Free quarters and accommodations:

In Observatory buildings, owned and controlled by tlie Weatlier

Bureau 45

In State University buildings 5

In Federal buildings T2

Total free of rental l-'-i

WEATHER BUREAU. 69

Rented buildinjrs, etc., owned by individuals or corporations :

In office building.s 80

In buildings witli grounds, aeiX)logiciil and special meteorological
stations 19

Total number rented buildings partly or wholly occupied 09

Total 221

COOPERATION.

The Weather Bureau is alwa^^s ready to cooperate to the fullest
extent possible, and during the war, at Springfield, 111., the entire
second floor of its buil(^ing was turned over for extended use by the
Internal Eevenue SerMce. At Parkersburg, AV. Va., Weather Bu-
reau quarters in the Federal building were changed to better accom-
modate additional employees of the Treasur}^ Department. At Sand
Key, Fla., at the request of the Secretary of the Xavy, the station
and ei^uipment were transferred to that department October 2G. 1918,
by order of the President, under the authority of the Overman Act,
and returned to the control of the Weather Bureau July 1, 1910.

TELEPHONE SERVICE.

In connection with its prompt and wide dissemination of storm
warnings and general meteoi-ological information, the Weather Bu-
reau probably is the most extensive us^r of telephones of any branch
of the Government, and at its more than 220 central field st^itions
has direct wire connections with local telephone exchanges. An au-
thorized allotment of about $14,000 was made for this local telephone
service for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1910, and the increased
local rates promulgated in the Postmaster General's Order No. 2940,
effective May 1, 1919, called for an almost complete readjustment,
together with an added and wholly unexpected charge against our
appropriations for 1018-10. For next fiscal year the total cost of
this service is likely to reach $17,000.

TELEGRAPH CONTBACTS.

For tlie prompt handling of meteorological reports and weatker
information over the greater part of the Northern Hemisphere the
Weather Bureau has necessarily maintained for many years past
formal annual contracts, arianged under special autlioritj^ of law,
with all of the more important telegraph, telephone, and submarine
cable companies, including also wireless commercial companies,
through cooi:)eration with the Naval Comnumications Service. By
order of the Postmaster General, dated June 7, 1010, Weather Bureau
contmcts for next fiscal year and during Federal contix)l were made
exempt from increase of rates, but this affects only contracts entered
into by the central office at Washington. An opinion was also ob-
tained that increased rates were not applicable for wire and batteiy
service leased for maintenance of local recording river gages and
similar self-registering equipment used by the Weather Bureau.

INVESTIGATIONS IN VOLCANOLOGY.

The act making appropriations for the Weather Bureau for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1010, contains aiitliority for investigations
in volcanology and appropriates $10,000 therefor. Provision for

60 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DP:PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

this project was included in a supplemental estimate submitted to
Congress for the fiscal year 1917, but Avas not allowed. The esti-
mate was not repeated for the fiscal years 1918 and 1919, but was in-
serted on the initiative of Congress itself for the current fiscal year.
The primary purpose of the appropriation is to conduct investiga-
tions in volcanology at Kilauea Volcano, on Hawaii Island, of the
Hawaiian group, with the expectation that they may be extended
later in Alaska and other places in the United States possessions
where active volcanoes exist. The site of the volcano and extensive
adjacent territory has recently been included in a national park.

Investigations have been conducted at Kikuea since 1912, first under
the auspices of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and since
1913 by the HaAvaiian Volcano Research Association, which is com-
posed principally of prominent citizens of Honolulu.

The Weather Bureau took formal control of the work at Kilauea
on February 15, 1919. Prof. Thomas A. Jaggar, jr., formerly of
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who has been in charge
of the investigations since their inception, has been appointed vol-
canologist and will continue in immediate charge.

The buildings, grounds, instruments, and equipment belonging to
tlie Hawaiian Volcano Research Association were transferred to the
control of the Weather Bureau under the terms of a long-time lease.
Prof. Jaggar and his assistants will reside in the observatory build-
ings, and the major part of their work will be conducted at the Kilauea
Volcano, although simultaneous studies of the activities of near-by
volcanoes, especially Mauna Loa, will be made as far as practicable.

The program of work at present contemplates little more than the
maintenance of the systematic observations of the volcano, with
some possible extensions in the way of a seismic survey of the
vicinity. No more than this can be undertaken with present funds,
but as national affairs become more stabilized under peace-time con-
ditions the opportunity offered here of conducting extensive investi-
gations in the field of volcanology will no doubt be fully supported
and important results secured.

AEROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

Free-air observations by means of kites were obtained throughout
the year at Drexel, Nebr., and Ellendale, N. Dak. Installation of
equipment was completed for similar work at Broken Arrow, Okla.,
Groesbeck, Tex., Leesburg, Ga., and Royal Center, Ind. Regular
observations were begun at those stations before January 1, 1919.
These observations, as well as those at Drexel and Ellendale, include
daily kite flights and, whenever possible, continuous series of flights
covering periods of 24 to 36 hours. The records have been reduced
at the central office, and the results published in aerological supple-
ments of the Monthly Weather Review. Moreover, brief summaries
are telegraphed daily to the central office and other district forecast
centers.

The pilot-balloon work that was organized and conducted during
the war by the meteorological section of the Signal Corps at Broken
Arrow, Okla., Ellendale, N. Dak., Groesbeck, Tex., Leesburg, Ga.,
Royal Center, Ind., and AVashington, D. C., was transferred to the

WEATHER BUREAU. 61

Weather Bureau during tlie latter lialf of the year. Similar work
has been organized at regular Weather Bureau stations at Ithaca,
N. Y., Lansing, Mich., and Madison, AVis. Observations are made
twice daily, and the indicated wind conditions at various heights
are telegraphed to the central office for use in furnisliing advices to
the military, naval, and postal aviation services. The Weather
Bureau observations are supplemented by similar reports from sev-
eral military and naval air stations where work with pilot balloons
is regularly conducted. All of the free-air records thus obtained are
furnished to the central office for final reduction and study.

Both during and after the war there was close cooperation with
the Army and Navy meteorological services. Special data were fur-
nished also to the ordnance departments and to the military intelli-
gence and aviation services. Advices were given to the United
States Navy in connection with its trans-Atlantic flight project,
further details of which are stated under the section on forecast
service.

TELEGRAPH SERVICE.

The prompt collection and dissemination of weather reports and
warnings require an extensive network and use of commercial tele-
graphic facilities. Various elements of a disturbing nature con-
tril)uted generally, and in some phases in an aggravated form, to a
continuance of the difficulties experienced during the preceding year
in maintaining the telegraphic circuits at a high standard of effi-
ciency, although some improvement was noted during the last half
of the year. Chief among the causes were shortage of experienced
operators in the commercial companies, necessary employment of
untrained forces, substitution of machine for manual transmission of
telegrams over trunk lines, the epidemic of influenza, abridgment
of the hours of labor, late opening of telegraph offices at numerous
small but important points, preventing dispatch of observations at
usual times, and, latterly, the prevalence of minor strike condi-
tions.

Effectual means were promptly taken by the commercial companies
as a rule, however, to remedy unsatisfactory conditions upon presen-
tation of complaints, and, on the whole, the telegraph service was
performed as efficiently as could have been expected.

Changes in telephonic rates, effective January 21, and in tele-
graphic rates, effective April 1, imposed additional difficulties in
examination and passage of accounts for service, necessitating a large
volume of correspondence to effect proper adjustment.

A complete revision of forms showing distribution of forecast mes-
sages throughout the country, approximately 1,100 daily, was accom-
plished, resulting in much improved record lists.

During May and June a large number of telegrams was handled in
connection with the trans-Atlantic flights in which the Weather
Bureau cooperated with the Navy Department, additional telegraphic
loops having been installed for the purpose. As this business was
filed during the rush hours of the morning and evening, its handling,
coupled with the other routine work, taxed the operating facilities
to the utmost.

The services of another clerk-operator are much needed to properly
handle the telegraphic and auditing work throughout the crop and

62 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

luirricane seasons, and the need is much accentuated at times of in-
creased work similar to the above. Should there be further increa:?es
of telegraphic work consequent upon the contemplated extensive co-
operation with the Army and Navy, a corresponding enlargement of
tlie telegraphic force will become imperative.

WEATHER BUREAU TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINES.

These lines have been maintained and operated generally in a
satisfactory manner, considerable necessary reconstruction work hav-
ing been accomplished on several. The Navy Department, the War
Department, and the Coast Guard have made increasing use of them,
the Coast Guard Service having cooperated largely in cable repair
and other work.

BLOCK ISLAND-NAERAGANSETT PIER SECTION.

[Telegraph.]

Closing of the Weather Bureau office at Narragansett Pier on
July 31, 1918, necessitated other land terminal arrangements. To
]neet this situation the cable was permanently connected in the office
of the Providence Telephone Co. at Narragansett Pier with the
Western Union wire running to Boston, thus affording a satisfactory
channel of communication between Block Island and the mainland.
Large use is made of this cable by the naval base on Block Island,
which enjoys direct wire connection.

One mile of new three-conductor cable, costing $2,312.64, was
bought during the spring to replace a defective portion which had
interfered seriously for most of the year with transmission through
two of the conductors used by the Providence Telephone Co. Repairs
made by the Coast Guard Service produced A^ery satisfactory results,
the cable now being in first-class condition, although laid in 1903.

NORFOLK-HATTERAS SECTION.

[Telegraph.]

Extensive repairs became necessary on the southern portion of this
line, due to prostration of about 10 miles of poles resulting from
effects of a severe storm on August 25-26, 1918, These repairs were
completed early in the summer.

The 3-mile submarine cable connecting Manteo, on Roanoke Island,
with the mainland became so defective as to seriously impair its fur-
ther use for telegraph purposes. To insure continued communication
with this isolated but important point 4 miles of new four-conductor
cable were purchased, nearly 3 miles of which were successfully
laid in June, the remainder being stored for emergency use. Two
sections of land line necessary to connect the cable with the office at
Manteo and the main line were rebuilt.

Four important naval stations which transact a large volume
of business enjoy direct connection with the main line through
to the naval base at Norfolk. Extensive use is made of the facilities
of the Weather Bureau office at Cape Henry by the Navy and the
Coast Guard Service, the latter effectively cooperating in the main-
tenance of the line. Two telephone lines belonging to that service
are carried on the Weather Bureau poles between Virginia Beach
and Hatteras.

WEATHER BUREAU. 63

KEY WEST-SAND KEY.

[Telephone]

Nine miles of submaiinc cable connects these two stations. This
cable was laid in 1903, and in the early part of the year became so
defective as to call for a new cable to protect the naval interests in
the gulf which had assumed great importance on account of war
conditions. As the Sand Key station had been taken over by the
Navy Department during the period of the war, a new 4-conductor
cable was purchased and laid by that department.

ALPENA-THUNDER BAT-MIDDLE ISLAND SECTION.

[Telephone.]

During the year communication was interrupted 23 hours on
these two lines owing to damage by thundei-storms. The poles are
beginning to fail from age and will doubtless need renewing soon.

WHITEFISH POINT-GRAND MARAIS SECTION.

[Telephone,]

NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND-SLEEPING BEAR POINT SECTION.

[Telephone. |

BEAVER ISLAND-CHARLEVOIX SECTION.

[Telephone.]

These three lines worked continuously and smoothly througliout
the 3^ear.

SAN FRANCISCO-POINT REYES (CALIF.) SECTION.
[Telephone.]

For several years past much difficulty has been experienced in
communicating between these points. Arrangements were made
during the winter with the Coast Guard Service for reconstruction
of the line, which provided for a metallic circuit from Point Eeyes
to San Ansclmo, where the Weather Bureau wire now terminates in
an exchange, thence operated to San Francisco at established rates.
The former method of communication involved rental of a wire
from San Francisco to Mill Valley which connected at that point
with the Weather Bureau single-grounded wire running to Point
Eeyes. Communication with the Mount. Tamalpais station had been
carried on by the use of a loop on the main line. This portion of
the line now terminates in the Mill Valley exchange where connec-
tion is made with either Point Reyes or San Francisco. Approxi-
mately two-thirds of the cost of the reconstruction work was borne
by the Coast Guard, and the remaining third by the Weather Bu-
reau. Annual cost of service between the new and old systems dif-
fers but little. The new system was placed in operation on March
5, with satisfactory results. A portion of the line will need renew-
ing with copper wire before long. Three test stations were installed
on the line, which are found valuable in locating trouble.

NORTH HEAD-PORTLAND SECTION.

[Telegraph.]

Fairly satisfactory and continuous communication was maintained
between these two points through the successive use of several con-

64 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

diictors in the Army cable connectin;^ Fort Stevens and Fort Canby
on opposite sides of the Columbia Eiver. Serious and unlooked-for
difficulties were encountered in putting into effect the project of
purchasing and laying a new cable from funds authorized by Con-
gress for cable and line repairs. Prolonged but unsuccessfur efforts
were made to determine a proper route to connect Avith existing land-
line facilities. Utilization of the route of the abandoned cable was
highly inadvisable. The selection of a new and longer route entailed
construction of new land lines or unsatisfactory cooperation with
other services in the use of present system. The greatly increased ex-
pense of cable and aerial material w^as prohibitive in view of the
small amount of funds remaining after expenditures necessarily in-
curred in emergency repairs on the lines above mentioned. As con-
tinued use of the Army cable is permissible as long as a conductor
can be spared, consummation of the project of a new^ cable has been
deferred pending future action by the Congress.

TATOOSH ISLAND-PORT ANGELES SECTION.

[Telegraph.]

A large amount of reconstruction work was accomplished during
the year. This was made highly desirable, and in places necessary,
by the extensive logging operations along the route of line, railroacl
(K)nstruction work, private road building, activities of the Spruce
Production Division of the Signal Corps, and heavy storms.

The Weather Bureau station at Pysht Avas closed on August 31
and the repair work formerly done by the official divided between the
stations on either side.

A temporary office was opened at the military camp at Joyce,
AVash., August 29, and a large volume of telegraph business was
carried over the line in connection with the spruce production opera-
tions at that point. The office Avas closed on December 25. During
these four months approximately 3,100 commercial messages were
handled at this station.

WORK IN CLIMATOLOGY.

No important changes occurred during the year in the work in
climatology, and the several important lines were carried forAA^ard as
usual, despite many general enlargements in most of the items making
up the duties and some decrease in the clerical force available.

All material prepared for the several publications of the Bureau Avas
submitted as per schedule and the final reports printed at the time
designated. The weather data for the Monthly Weather Review^, An-
nual Report of the Chief of Bureau, and the monthlj^ and annual cli-
matological reports for the several States Avere subjected to the usual
careful scrutiny, and effort has been made to maintain the standard of
accuracy heretofore required, although, as stated above, there has been
a steadily increasing number of reports to be examined and a con-
stant diminution of the effective Avorking capacity of the clerical
force.

COOPERATIVE REPORTS.

The work of the cooperative observers of the Bureau has been main-
tained in a highly satisfactory manner despite the additional duties
imposed on the observing force by the unsettled Avorld conditions and

WEATHER BUREAU. 65

the lessened opportunities for such work in view of the shortage of
hihor in general.

More changes in the observing force were necessary than usual,
owing to a large shifting from the usual lines of work to those pertain-
ing to the war, but the continuity of the work was usually provided
for and the records as a whole were remarkably complete, and con-
tinued improvement in practically all features of the Avork was noted.

INSPECTION OF STATIONS.

The policy of inspecting cooperative stations once in each three
years, temporarily suspended during the early porticm of the fiscal
year just closed, was vigorously talien up toward the latter part and
is being continued whenever feasible for officials to absent themselves
from their stations. These visits of inspection impress the coo])erative
observers with an added sense of the importance of their work, estab-
lish a spirit of sympathetic cooperation, and encourage them to re-
newed effort in case they have become discouraged at the prospective
amount of work without financial remuneraticm or an apparent lack
of appixiciation by the Bureau or the public of the value of the
records they are at such pains to make.

During the year most cordial cooperation was maintained with
other Government bureaus in collecting meteorological reports from
points that would naturally be without representation but for the
willingness of the officials to take up this special duty in addition to
(heir regular lines of work.

OCEAN METEOROLOGY.

As was pointed out in previous reports, the work of the marine sec-
tion was seriously interfered with by the war, the loss of reporting
vessels and censorship restrictions together having the effect of
greatly reducing the number of reports available for charting and
study. So far as possible, however, the work of the section proceeds
along the usual lines.

Upon the close of the war attention was centered upon a program
for the restoration and extension of the marine work, and plans have
been formulated which will result in a material advancement of our
knowledge respecting meteorological conditions of the great ccean
areas.

Progress in this direction is necessary to enable the Bureau to meet
tlie increasing demands for information regarding weather condi-
tions over the oceans resulting from the expansion of our merchant
marine and commercial development associated therewith, as well as
those arising from experiments in trans-oceanic flight.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF WORK.

The usual work incident to the receipt, examination and filing of
the meteorological reports of the Bureau went forward as usual.
The section publications were assembled and prepared for distribu-
tion and the sets of these intended for station files for the year 1918
were bound and distributed. The binding of the original records of
the preceding year was accomplished as usual and all reports put in
shape for permanent preservation. The tabular matter usually ex-
tracted from the original records has been entered in the books pre-

66 an:n^ual reports of department of agriculture.

pared for such data and all are as nearly up to date as it is practicable
to keep them.

Man}^ data on the temperatures of the country have been accumu-
lated during the year, particularly with regard to the maximum and
minimum values. Extensive compilations of the daily and weekly
means of these factors for the 40-year period ending with 1918, have
been obtained from the various stations. It is hoped opportunity will
be afforded during the present j^ear to properly analyze and interpret
these data and present them to the public.

Near the close of the year steps were taken to present to the public
in general, but particularly for the benefit of the engineering pro-
fessions, through the press, more information on the daily state of the
moisture in the atmosphere, and at this writing these data are being-
published for the three principal observations in practically all the
leading papers in the country. At the same time a revision of the
local station forms intended for public distribution was being con-
sidered by which similar data Avill be presented to the public in much
greater detail than heretofore.

The extensive utilization of our accumulated records b}^ nearly
every class of our population has continued during the year, and the
fact that practically every request for information has been promptly
and fully met indicates the extensive character of the data we are
collecting. The reputation of the Bureau for prompt service has been
fully maintained, as indicated by the many acknoAvledgments of
appreciation received for early arid complete responses to requests
for information.

AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY.

The activities under this section include the supervision of special
services maintained in the interests of agriculture in the principal
grain, cotton, sugar, rice, alfalfa seed, cranberry, tomato, tobacco,
fruit, and potato-growing districts, as well as in the great grazing
districts for the benefit of those interested in stock production; all
maintained for the collection anl dissemination of information rela-
tive to current weather conditions throughout the country, and their
resulting effects upon the development of crops and the progress of
agricultural operations.

In addition to the above, studies are conducted on the influence of
weather on the development of crops, and the relation of weather and
climate to agricultural activities and crop yields, including the super-
vision and distribution of forecasts of minimum temperatures dur-
ing critical periods in districts where protective methods are exten-
sively practiced. The fruit frost-work was very successful during
the year, particularly in the Northwestern States, and gratifying
progress was made durin^^ the year in studies of special mathematical
methods of forecasting minimum temperatures that may be injurious
to fruit.

Weather is a dominant factor in the success or failure of agricul-
tural or horticultural operations, and special effort was made during
the year to apply the information collected, through the vast organ-
ization of special and cooperative services of the Weather Bureau,
to the important problem of food production in its various aspects.

WEATHER BUREAU. 67

SPECIAL SERVICES.

Few cliangas were made during the year in the special crop services
maintained by the Bureau and described sufficiently in the last annual
report. The cotton, corn, and wheat services were improved during
the 3^ear by the inauguration of a new system of making observations
whereby the miniiimm temperatures exj^erienced during the preced-
ing nigiit were reix)rted instead of the 24-hour minimum.

A new method of issuing reports weekly, instead of daily, in tho
cattle region service, has proved very satisfactory, and resulted in a
material reduction of expense. There is an insistent public demand
lor the extension of this service over some important grazing dis-
tricts not yet covered, which it is hoped to meet in the near future.

Special studies were made during the year in the development of a
mathematical hygrometric formula to aid in making more accurate
minimum temperature forecasts.

Tlie specicd forecast and icarninc/ service was extended, with good
results, in connection with spraying operations in some important
fruit growing districts. So far as the depleted personnel of the
bureau would permit, trained officials of the Weatlier Bureau were
detailed to special field duty in fruit districts during critical periods
for the purpose of giving advice as to the best time to conduct spray-
ing operations. It is hope^l that, when more normal conditions pre-
vail, the Bureau may be in position to enlarge and improve this
branch of its activity.

Cooperation. — By request of other departments of the Government,
and for the use of the recent Peace Conference at Paris, the Weather
Bureau prepared, during the fall and early winter, a general sum-
jnary of the climate of Africa, with special attention to that of the
former German colonies. A vast amount of climatic data was com-
piled, and a number of charts were prepared showing graphically tho
annual and monthly distribution of precipitation and temperature
over the continent, together with a discussion of its climatic char-
acteristics.

The Weather Bureau continued its cooperation with other bureaus
of the department in maintaining special meteorological stations at
various points in different sections of the country as an aid to research
and investigation of the many agricultural problems in which weather
is an important factor.

INSTRUMENTATION.

The instrumental equipment of the various stations 6f the Bureau
has been maintained at the high standard of former jTars. The prac-
tical cessation of European suppl}^ and the difficulties attending
American manufacture of instruments have made it less simple than
heretofore to obtain suitable supplies, particularly when such sup-
plies involved the labor of highly skilled artisans. Prices of instru-
ments and of parts have increased greatly, and we have been able to
maintain the equipment of the Bureau with the appropriation avail-
able only by working over a considerable stock of apparatus avail-
able. The instrument shop of the Bureau has been availed of to sal-
vage instruments that under ordinary conditions would hardly bo
worth repair. Naturally a time will soon come when further opera-

68 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

tions of this character will not be possible, and, unless prices recede, a
substantial increase in the allotment for instrumental equipment must
follow.

STORM-WARNING EQUIPMENT.

The three-lantern system was completed on the Atlantic coast dur-
ing the fall of 1918, and work on the Pacific coast was about half com-
pleted at the end of the fiscal year. The entire installation will be
finished by October 1, 1919. It is a pleasure to report that there has
been very little expense for repairs at stations equipped with this new
system, and while the initial expenditure of making the change is
somcAvhat high, it is believed that the total cost to the Bureau through
a period of, say, 10 years will be no greater than would be the cost of
maintaining the former less effective equipment.

NEW INSTRUMENTS.

A form of thermograph, intermediate in size between our present
long- and short-range instruments, has been adopted as standard for
future purchases and will eventually replace all thermographs now in
use in the Bureau.

A minimum thermometer of larger index, so as to obtain increased
visibility and thereby retain to the Bureau the services of cooperative
observers who must now give up the work because of failing eyesight,
has been worked out with the cooperation of the manufacturers, and
it is hoped to obtain a quantity of these in the near future.

A nephoscope of rugged construction and simple form has been
designed for general use in the Bureau, and a contract for 100 of these
has been awarded.

EVAPORATION WORK.

Extensions of the Class A evaporation stations have been made only
where satisfactory and continuous observations were to be expected.
Thirty-eight stations well distributed over the country now render
regular reports.

PRINTING AND PUBLICATIONS.

War conditions at the beginning of the year continued to embarrass
the work of this division through the loss of employees and the im-
possibility of replacing them Avith efficient substitutes. Tlius the lack
of skilled press feeders necessitated keeping idle some of our presses
much of the time and compelled us to use some of our scant printing
allotment for having work done at the Government Printing Office
that w^ould otherwise have been taken care of by own own printing
plant. HoAvever, no delays or interruptions Avere alloAved to occur in
printing and distributing the daily weather maps, weekly crop bulle-
tins, and other periodical publications of the Bureau, Avhose value de-
pends entirely upon the promptness and regularity Avith Avhich they
are placed before the public. Since the close of the war conditions
have gradually become more satisfactory, and the early installation
of automatic press-feeding machines will prcA^ent a recurrence of some
of the troubles experienced during the past year.

The demand for Weather Bureau publications relating to meteoro-
logical and allied subjects maintained its usual high level, especially
as regards requests received from military and naval sources for

WEATHER BUREAU. 69

meteorological data in the aid of aeronautics and ballistics. Public
schools and other educational institutions also showed continued in-
terest in the work and publications of the Weather Bureau.

At the end of the year there were 546 paying subscribers to our
various periodical publications, exclusive of the Monthly Weather
Keview, and the total receipts from that source amounted to $G97.17.
An additional amount of $117.90 w as received from the sale of blank
weather maps for school use. Subscriptions for the Monthly
Weatlier Review are received and filled by the Superintendent of
Documents, Government Printing Oflice, who requires V2o copies each
month for that purpose.

To guard against an improper use of information regarding crop
conditions in advance of the time set for its release to the public, all
copy for the National Weather and Crop Bulletin is now set up by
our printers in a locked room of the Division of Agricultural Meteor-
ology, and the advance sheets are printed on a proof press in the
same room for distribution to the press and telegraph companies at
the appointed hour.

The principal publications issued during the year included the
Monthly Weather Review and Supplements; Daily River Stages for
1917; Climatological Data for the United States, by Sections; In-
structions to Cooperative Observers; Daily Washington Weather
Map; National Weather and Crop Bulletin; SnoAv and Ice Bulletin;
Forecast cards, daily except Sundays and holidays; Weekly Fore-
casts j and Monthly Meteorological Summary for District of Co-
lumbia.

Some of the more important features of the publications of the
past year are mentioned in the following:

Station annual summaries with comparative data forming very
full local histories of the weather have continued to be published at
the larger stations, and some heretofore without such summaries have
been enabled to have them printed through courteous cooperation
with officials at stations having printing facilities. These local cli-
matic histories have a wide circulation and afford convenient means
foi- the distribution of important information needed by the public.

The snow and ice bulletins were issued as usual, and some improve-
n.ents were possible in the extent of the information heretofore ob-
tjiinable in the remote mountain sections of the West, by the hearty
cooperation of the Forest Service, and other agencies of the Govern-
ment Avhose officials are required to make occasional visits in the high
mountain districts forming the headwaters of important streams that
supply the great irrigation systems. Reports on the snowfall dur-
ing the past winter showed at the close a marked deficiency in the
usual supply of well-packed snow^ over several important drainage
systems. Later advices show a serious shortage of irrigation water
in these regions, and much loss to crops in areas dependent thereon
is reported. These bulletins have a large circulation and are in con-
stant demand, particularly by the irrigation interests.

Several reprmts of the sections of Bulletin W, " Climatology of the
United States by Sections," were provided for during the year. The
editions of many other sections are rapidly becoming exhausted, and
it is hoped that practically the entire set can be brought down to date,
more important data included, and all reprinted in the near future.

70 MANUAL PvEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUPvE.

These publications afford a most satisfactory means of giving to
the public important information of climatic conditions in all parts
of the country and are invaluable in the work of this Bureau, which
consists so largely in supplying weather information to all classes
of individuals.

A rather full history of the cold winter of 1917-18, with a liberal
display of charts showing some of the more important features of the
pressure distribution and the resultant wind, temperature, and snow-
fall conditions over the North American Continent and the adjacent
waters, as far as observations would permit, was issued during the
year and given a wide distribution through the Monthly Weather
Keview.

Weathxir and Croj) Bulletin. — The National AVeather and Crop
Bulletin was issued as in previous years v/ithout material change in
policy. In addition to current weather and crop information, the
bulletin contains, from time to time, charts and discussions bearing
on the relation of climate to crops and agricultural operations. The
value of this publication is evidenced by the popular demand for it,
which has grown to such proportions as to severely tax the printing
facilities of the Bureau in its issue.

During the active agricultural season a weather and crop summary
is published at each section center, 42 in number, which is dissemi-
nated by bulletins and through the public press.

Pacific coast tveathcr and crop service. — A special Aveather and crop
service, covering seven of the far AVestern States, was continued dur-
ing the year, with San Francisco as the district center. The bulletin
issued at that point conforms in both scope and time of issue to the
National Weather and Crop Bulletin and has proved of great value.
. Blonthly Weather Review. — Contributions to the Monthly Weather
Review increased rapidly after the signing of the armistice, which
liberated much material previously held as confidential and also
allowed former contributors to turn from their war-time activities.

Beginning with the January, 1919, issue, the make-up of the
Monthly Weather Review was consolidated by dividing the contents
into two groups — Contributions and Bibliography and Weather of
the Month — and some in:iprovement Avas made in the attractive-
ness. The contents of the weather section were rearranged and
some new features added, the most important being the current
weather of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans instead of that for the
corresponding month a year before.

LIBRARY.

During the year 890 books and pamphlets were added to the
library, bringing the total strength of the collection up to about
38,000. A considerable amount of bibliographic work has been
done during the year, including the preparation of a nearly exhaus-
tive bibliography on the climatoloo^y of South America. A new
edition of the publication "Brief List of Meteorological Textbooks
and Reference Books " has been prepared for the printer. Several
of the more important foreign periodicals, whose receipt was inter-
rupted during the war, are now being received and have been indexed
to date.

WEATHER BUREAU. 71

INVESTIGATIONS IN SOLAR RADIATION.

The necessity of empjoj'ing untrained observers led to the sus-
pension of radiation measurements at Santa Fe, N. Mex., between
September 12, 1918, and April 23, 1919, and to a marked reduction in
the number of measurements at Lincoln, Nebr., during July and
August, 1918. By the end of April, 1919, measurements were being
obtained as heretofore at both these stations, and also at Madison,
Wis., and Washington, D. C.

The assignment of the official in charge of solar-radiation investi-
gations to the -editorship of the ^lonthly Weather Review greatly cur-
tailed his opportunity for research work. However, apparatus was
tested and an observer trained in its use for the measurement of
nocturnal radiation in orchards at Pomona, Calif., and at Medford,
Greg., in connection with the fi-ost-protection investigations of the
Weather Bureau. Measurements wei*e also made of the rate at
which heat is radiated from different types of oil heaters employed
in orchard heating.

At the end of the fiscal year the work of computing from the
radiation measurements available the diurnal and annual variations
in radiation intensity with geographical position in the United
States, and those which depend principally upon latitude, altitude, and
the vapor content of the atmosphere, was well advanced. One of the
by-products of the computation has been the determination of the
relation between radiation intensity, expressed as a percentage of
clear-sky intensity, and the percentage of cloudiness and of the
possible hours of sunshine, as observed by eye and recorded auto-
matically, respectively, at most AVeather Bureau stations. The re-
sults of the computation, which will be shown graphically, will soon
be ready for publication.

From the relation between the sun's total, or heat radiation, and
the luminous solar radiation, heretofore determined, charts and
tables are also being ])repared showing the intensity of direct solar
illumination on a surface normal to the solar rays, on a horizontal
surface, and on vertical surfaces in the plane of the meridian and
the prime vertical, respectively, and also the intensity of diffusa
sky illumination on a horizontal surface. The illumination data
are furnished in response to repeated and urgent requests from
illuminating engineers and architects, and must be considered pre-
liminary in their character, as the investipition has disclosed the need
of extensions in the observational work, especially on the Pacific
and Gulf coasts and in the northern tier of States.

INVESTIGATIONS IN SEISxMOLOGY.

The important work of collecting and publishing earthquake data,
begun December 1, 1914, has been continued during the year. These
data are of two kinds, noninstrumental reports of earthquakes felt
and instrumental records, often of (]uakcs imperceptible to the senses
and even originating at a great distance. The noninstrumental
reports are rendered by all the regular stations of the Bureau, nearly
200 in number, and also by nearly all the Bureau's 4,500 cooperative
observers. The instrumental records published by the Bureau have
been obtained in part by instruments owned and operated by the

72 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Bureau itself, one at Washington, D. C. ; one at Northfield, Vt, ;
and one at Chicago, 111., and partly through the cooperation of a
number of additional stations distributed from Panama to Alaska
and from the Hawaiian Islands to Porto Rico.

During the calendar year 1918, 127 separate earthquakes strong
enough to be felt were reported from different parts of the conti-
nental United States. The great majority of these did no damage
whatever; a feAv, however, were strong to severe. One of these,
occurring on April 21, destroyed the business sections of Hemet
and San Jacinto, in southern California. An equally severe quake
occurred on May 28 in New Mexico, but did very little damage.

The chief earthquake damage in our outlying possessions occurred
in Porto Rico on October 11 and 12. The records of this series of
quakes obtained at Washington and Chicago were used by the com-
mission especially delegated to study these disturbances.

In addition to the above regular work certain studies of meteoro-
logical phenomena have been made and several brief papers pub-
lished.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL

INDUSTRY.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Bureau of Animal Industry,
Washington, D, C, Scptemher 29, 1919.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit lierewith a report of the opera-
tions of the Bureau of Animal Industry for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1919.

Respectfully,

John R. Moiiler,

Chief of Bureau.
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture.

ACTIVITIES RECEIVING SPECIAL ATTENTION.

INFORMATION ON FOREIGN LIVE-STOCK CONDITIONS.

To aid tlie live-htock industry in meetin*^ changed international
conditions following the armistice, the Bureau of Animal Industry
has given close attention to a number of special problems. An
animal-production committee was formed to make a thorough study
of meat animals and necessary plans whereby American farmers
could supply the quantities of meat food products required. This
work is being continued. To obtain accurate information on current
live-stock conditions abroad, three representatives of the bureau vis-
ited Europe at different times during the year. Their observations
in ^\Q countries were published through the news channels of the
department.

The bureau has also issued statements through addresses and the
press, outlining the position of the United States in relation to the
world at large with respect to supplies of cattle, sheep, and swine.
In addition, a circular, " The Trend of the Dairy Cattle Industry in
the United States and Other Countries," was published. This shows
"by simple charts the advance or decline of cattle raising in the prin-
cipal countries of the world from 1850 to 1918. This publication
was followed by two others of similar character, one dealing with
the butter and the other with the cheese industry.

LIVE-STOCK export REGULATIONS REVISED.

During the fiscal year the bureau, which issues export certifi-
cates for live stock, adapted its regulations to meet changed condi-
tions. In their new^ form they facilitate materially the safe and
humane handling of domestic animals, especially dairy cows and
breeding cattle carried on ocean steamers.

151352°— 20— 6 73

74 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

By contributing to the arrival of the stock in the best possible condi-
tion, the revised regulations are a factor leading to a continuance of
our export trade in live stock. During the year numerous shipments
of both cattle and swine were made to South American points under
export certificates issued by the bureau.

PROGRESS IN DISEASE CONTROL.

The long and anxious campaign which the bureau has been waging
against animal diseases brought encouraging results during the last
year. From a scientific point of vieAV, victory over most of these
maladies is in sight, and in a number of cases eradication is nearly
complete. (See accompanying charts.)

Cattle scabies, which in IDOG was prevalent in nearly one-half of
the United States, now appears only as outbreaks in limited areas.
These outbreaks are being suppressed.

Eradication of sheep scabies, which in 190G existed in more than
one-half of the land area of the country, is now about nine-tenths
complete.

The cattle tick which causes, Texas fever has had its domain re-
duced from more than 700,000 square miles in 190G to less than
300,000 square miles in 1918. Progress has been continuous jqht
after year.

Hog cholera presents a somewhat different problem, as the nature
of the disease makes the campaign of a sporadic character. But the
use of antihog-cholera serum, especially in connection with virus, is
a definite means of preventing serious outbreaks.

Eecent investigations have shown that the common intestinal
roundworm of the pig is not only injurious as an intestinal parasite
but that during an early stage of its development, while still micro-
scopic in size, it invades the lungs and may give rise to seriotis
troubles. Furthermore, pigs that survive this invasion of the lungs
may never fully recover, but fail to groAv properly, and become lui-
proiitable runts. It is believed that much of the damage caused hj
the intestinal roundworm can be avoided by simple sanitary pre-
cautions, the practical application of which is now being tested. The
problem of so called " mixed infection" is also under investigation,
with the view of determining more definitel}^ its relation to hog
cholera and the proper measures of control.

The United States has remained free from foot-and-mouth dis-
ease, and the bureau continues to exercise vigilance against its possible
introduction. Serious outbreaks in foreign countries have been
closely studied, and bureau inspectors have given special attention*
to cargoes of live-stock products from such countries, importations
of the animals themselves not being permitted.

A questionnaire inquiry made among stockmen and State officials
indicates an almost universal support of the method wdiich the bureau
employed successfully in stamping out past outbreaks of foot-and-
mouth disease by slaughter of the animals affected.

Eradication of tuberculosis has progressed as fast as the work
conkl be handled by the veterinary force employed; in fact, thei-e
has been a waiting list of herds to be tested. Under present authority
from Congress only one-third of the appropiation for tuberculosis-

BUREAU or AXIMAL INDUSTRY.

75

CHARTS SHOWING PROGRESS IN ERADICATING CONTAGIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES.

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Cattle scabies. Nearly ono-half of the
United Statos affected in 1900; eradi-
cation nearly completed lu 1019.

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ANNUAL, KEPORTS CF DEPARTMENT OF AC-EICrLTUEE.

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Extent of cooperative tuberculosis eradication Eradicu ticks from the

work in the Uriitcd States, showing herds United Spates. Every year since
under supervision. 1906 has shown progress.

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Outbrtaks of foot-and-mouth disease in
cattle. In 1870, 1880, and 1884
only a few head were infected ; in
1902, 4.712 were infected ; in 1908-9
2,025^ and in 1914-191G, 77,240
wore slaughtered. The disease is
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Extent of hog-cbolera losses. Im-
muniaation by serum prevents
recurrence of serious outbreaks of
the past.

BUKEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

77

eradication work can be used for o^Derating expenses, the remaining
two-thirds being allotted for the payment of indemnities. A re-
versal of the ratio, making available two-thirds for operating ex-
penses, would increase greatly the progress of the work. Necessarily
the diseased animals must be found before indemnity can be paid,
and when only a few animals in a large herd react to the test the op-
erating expenses exceed the Federal share of indemnity. Yet, find-
ing those few reactors promptly before the disease spreads is essen-
tial to maintain the herd in a "healthy condition.

The bureau now conducts tuberculosis-eradication work coopera-
tively with the officials of 43 States, and negotiations are in progress
to extend the work to others. The District of Columbia is an ex-
cellent example showing that the disease is vulnerable to a definite
campaign of eradication. In 1907 tuberculin testing in the District
was undertaken, and more than 18 per cent of the cattle were found
to be tuberculous. Tests made in 1919 on all cattle in the District
showed a percentage of only 0.63 of 1 per cent affected. This is
lower ihvsTi in any previous year, and the disposal of the last reactors
makes the District practically a tubcrculosis-frec area.

SECOND ACCREDITED LIST ISSUED.

During the year the bureau issued Herd List No. 2 of cattle offi-
cially accredited as free from tuberculosis and containing also a list
of herds that successfully passed one test with a view to certifica-
tion. Compared with list No. 1, dated July 1, 1918, the second list
shows noteworthy progress as follows:

Accredited-herd list summary.

List.

LLst No. 1, July 1, 1918..
List No. 2, April 1, 1919

From April 1 to the end of the fiscal year further progress was
made, and the work is receiving hearty suppoi-t from live-stock
owners and officials.

CONSTRUCTIVE SIDE OF REGULATORY WORK.

Disease eradication is the basis of ample production and in final
analysis of liberal consumption and proper nutrition. If the live-
stock men of the country had to contend with pleuropneumonia,
foot-and-mouth disease, surra, rinderpest, and other animal scourges
on top of their present problems, production certainly would fall
and consumption would be curtailed by reason of high prices neces-
sary to cover the risks of production. Fortunately, this list of dis-
eases may be considered a problem already solved. They do not
exist in this country and the bureau is on the alert to keep them out.

78 aninTual reports or departmext of agriculture.

The bureau lias also taken energetic steps to check attempts at
shipping diseased stock interstate, and perfected and strengthened
its regulations especially with regard to bovine tuberculosis.

Coupled with those efforts, and to acquaint stockmen with the con-
structive side of the work, it has pointed out at frequent intervals
the purpose of the regulations. As a result closer cooperation is de-
veloping between the public and the bureau's inspectors and veteri-
narians— a condition helpful to the effectiveness of field work.

MEAT INSPECTION RENDERS LARGE SERVICE.

The Meat Inspection Division set a new high mark in the extent
of its service to the public. During the year more than 70,000,000
animals were slaughtered under Federal inspection, an increase of
about one-fifth over last J^ear, and also over the average of the last
1'2 years. Besides the bureau completed a survey of numicipal and
State meat inspection, and is prepared to aid cities in inaugurating
or improving local supervision over their meat supplies.

IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY OF LIVE STOCK.

From records collected it appears that the per capita meat con-
sumption in the United States is increasing. This condition and the
increase in population of the country point to the need for closely
studying methods of production, especially wdth a view of making
them as economical and attractive as possible. A similar problem
exists regarding dairy and poultry products.

To establish and clisseminate information on sound principles of
production the year's work included numerous experiments in feed-
ing, breeding, and care of stock. x\n extensive breeding experiment
with dairy cows has been undertaken cooperatively with two States.
Results 01 many years of cow-testing work in all parts of the country
were compiled, condensed, and prepared for publication. Poultry
culling as a practical means of improving the average Qgg production
has received special attention.

In all classes of live stock the value of purebred sires of good type
has become so evident that a special campaign has been undertaken
to place the facts before the public and enlist efforts to use purebred
sires. In cooperation with the various agricultural colleges, live-
stock associations and similar organizations, the bureau formulated
plans for the work applicable to all parts of the country, and the
campaign was inaugurated, effective October 1, 1919, under the slogan
"Better Sires — Better Stock." Briefly, it provides (1) official recog-
nition for live-stock breeders using purebred sires in all classes of
stock; (2) a means of recording prominent breeds and varieties in
States and counties; and (3) printed information on successful breed-
ing methods suitable to average farm conditions. Every live-stock
owner is eligible to enrollment in the campaign, the purpose of which
is to banish scrub and inferior sires from the United States,

LITERATURE.

During the year 83 new publications were issued or contributed by
the bureau. These include 15 Farmers' Bulletins, 10 Department Bul-
letins, 8 contributions to the Department Yearbook, 12 issues of

BUREAU OF ANIM.VL INDUSTRY. 79

Service and Eegulatory Annoimceiiients, 8 articles for the Journal of
Agricultural Research, 22 miscellaneous pamphlets, and 8 orders in
the nature of regulations. In addition 247 articles relating to the
work of the bureau were published in the Weekly News Letter.

REPORTS BY DIVISIONS.

The year's work as conducted by the various divisions of the
bureau is presented more fully in the following pages:

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DIVISION.

The war work of the Animal ITu.sbandry Division, under Goorgo
M. Konunel, chief, fell under two main heads — the emergency move-
ment of drought-stricken live stock and the campaigns to stimulate
production of hogs, poultry, beef cattle, and sheep. The conserva-
tion feature was quite as strongly emphasized as the importance of
actual increase in production.

SAVING DROUGHT-STRICKEN CATTLE.

The shipment of cattle from drought-stricken areas was aided in
the summer of 1918 as in the preceding year. The movement was
principally from Texas to the Southeastern States, and nearly
800,000 head were shipped. The cattle were mostly cows, and a largo
proportion were bought outright in small lots and went into a sec-
tion which promises to be our next great area for expansion in be^ef
production. AVhere they were properly cared for they gave farmers
a start of from 5 to 10 years over the usual methods of grading up
native stock by purebred bulls. It cost the Government only a few
cents a head to move these cattle. If these well-bred cattle had not
been moved as they were, they would have perished on the ranges
or would have been slaughtered at the market centers.

In the sununer of 1919 a simihir movement of wide scope was
undertaken to meet a similar situation in Montana and adjoining
States. The work is in charge of a committee representing the
Bureau of Animal Industry, the Bureau of Markets, and the States
Relations Service, in cooperation with the agricultural colleges an<l
the United States Railroad Administration.

STUDIES OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION.

The committee formed in the Animal Husbandry Division to
study meat-animal production throughout the world as a w^ar-time
measure has continued its work. In the statistical part of its re-
searches it had the hearty cooperation of the Bureau of Crop Esti-
mates. The purpose was to prepare a program for animal produc-
tion in 1919 which would meet the demands of the Allies and be
practicable of application by our farmers. The essence of the com-
mittee's report was adopted in the department's reconnnendatioiis
published in the fall of 1918. The committee has devoted some study
to the same subject for 1920, and it is the intention to continue this
study of world meat production annually so far as resources permit.

£0 an:nual eepokts of depaktment oe.aghicultuhe.

EEEF-CATTLE INVESTIGATIONS.

BEEF PllODUCTION.

The beef -cattle experimental work was continued in Mississippi,
North Carolina, and West Virginia, in cooperation with the State
agricultnral colleges, and on the Animal Husbandry farm at Belts-
ville, Md. In the steer-fattening experiments rations with only a
small amount of concentrates were used. Nitrogenous supplements
were used liberally, but the amount of grain Avas reduced to a mini-
mum. Limited grain rations were used with satisfactory results,
which indicates that beef can be produced economically largely on
roughage when supplemented with a protein-rich feed.

On the farm at Beltsville, Md., four lots of 2-year-old steers were
fed to compare cottonseed meal and soaked velvet beans when used
with and without the addition of shelled corn. The addition cf corn
to a ration composed of corn silage, cottonseed meal, and wheat straw
did not pay. The addition of corn to the ration of velvet beans and
corn silage Avas profitable. The lot receiving corn silage and soaked
velvet beans with a small quantity of cottonseed meal as an appetizer
produced the most economical gains and showed the greatest profit,
even though the daily gains and the selling price of the cattle were
lower than those of any of the other lots.

In the baby-beef production experiments at Lewisburg, W. Va.,
22 calves, after being weaned in the fall of 1918, were started on feed
December 12 and received a ration of corn silage, clover hay, shelled
corn, ground oats, wheat bran, and cottonseed meal. They were
turned out to grass April 25 and were fed supplemental feeds on
pasture in the summer, with the intention of marketing them as
finished baby beeves in the fall or early winter of 1919.

At Canton, Miss., two lots of calves averaging 392 pounds were
fed for 112 days to determine which is the better rati-on, corn silage
and cottonseed meal or corn silage and cottonseed meal supplemented
with chopped corn. The addition of chopped corn did not greatly
increase the daily gains but greatly increased the cost of gain.

Wintering steers. — At Springdale, N. C, and Lewisburg, W. Ya.,
several lots of steers were wintered to determine the relative merits
of wintering on different rations and to prepare for grazing experi-
ments the following summer.

At Springdale five lots of steers received the following rations:
(1) Mixed hay, (2) corn silage, (3) corn silage and corn stover, (4)
Avinter pasture Avith additional feed during the feAV stormy days, (5)
corn stover, mixed hay, wheat straAV, and ear corn. The results
shoAved that so far as condition of the cattle Avas concerned there Avas
practically no difference in the ^xe lots, the principal difference being
in the cost of the rations.

At Lewisburg three lots of steer calves Avere wintered 134 days on
the following rations: (1) Corn silage, ha}^, and cottonseed meal, (2)
silage and clover hay, (3) mixed hay and a grain mixture consisting
of parts by weight, shelled corn 3, wheat bran 1, oil meal 1. At the
end of the Avinter the grain-fed cables Avere in somewhat better con-
dition, while the calves in lot 1 Avere also in good condition. The
steers in lot 3 were in the best condition, but the ration was extremely
expensive. The first ration proved to be the most satisfactory.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. SI

Summer grazing of steers. — At Lewisburg and SpringdaJe steers
were grazed on pasture to determine what eflfect the different methods
of wintering had on gains from grass the following summer. The
steers at each Station had the run of about 3 acres per head. At
Springdale the steers that had been fed a corn-silage and corn-stover
ration made the largest gains on pasture. However, as the winter-
grazed steers came through the winter in good condition and made
satisfactory summer gains on pasture, the winter-grazing method
must necessarily be considered satisfactory under certain conditions.

At Lewisburg the calves which had received a mixed-grain ration
in addition to mixed hay gained slightl\' more during the summer
than did the other lots, although the use of an expensive winter
ration was not economical.

Cattle breeding. — The 20-year breeding experiment in cooperation
with the Kansas agricultural experiment station has been in progress
at Manhattan since September 1, 1915. The principal objects are to
determine whether the milking tendency in beef cattle is transmitted
mainly by the dams through the male line of descent, and to what
extent tliis milk-giving function of the dam influences the beef
character of the progeny. The experiment has not progressed far
enough to make any deductions. Several steers and bull calves have
shown unusual merit and become prize winners of considerable im-
portance.

Wintering breeding cows. — At Lewisburg, W. Va., and Canton,
Miss., the experiments in wintering beef breeding cows were con-
tinued. At Lewisburg the rations were (1) corn silage, mixed hay,
and wheat straw, (2) corn silage, cottonseed meal, and wheat straw,
(3) corn silage, soy-bean hay, and wheat straw. There was no
marked difference in the condition of the cows at the end of the
winter period. The main difference was in the relative costs of the
rations. The second ration was found to be the most economical
and satisfactory.

At Canton 20 grade cows were given a ration of oat straw and
cottonseed cake, while 20 others were grazed on velvet-bean pasture
with the addition of cottonseed cake after February 16. As less
labor was necessary to care for the winter-grazed cattle, this method
of wintering is considered economical and satisfactory.

New stations. — Additional investigations were begun at Jones-
boro. Ark., in cooperation with the Jonesboro agricultural school
and the Arkansas experiment station at Fayetteville. Thirty pure-
bred cows, 10 each of Shorthorn, Hereford, and Aberdeen-Angus,
were purchased during the spring of 1919. Actual experimental
work did not commence until July 1, 1919.

The experimental work at Collins, Miss., was discontinued at the
end of the fiscal year 1918, and a new station was established at
McNeil experiment station. Miss., in cooperation with the State ex-
periment station. Work begun at Collins will be continued at the
new station.

Arrangements have been made for cooperation with a land and
timber company in studying the raising of cattle in Palm Beach
County, Fla., under southern ranching conditions.

82 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF ACrJCULTUPtE.

BEEF-CATTLE EXTENSION.

Beef-cattle extension work was an important part of the move-
ment to increase production. The extension specialists worked in
all sections of the country, but much of the work was done in regioixs
where the beef-cattle industry is practically new. The States in-
cluded were Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas, New Mexico, and Virginia. The work was done in coopera-
tion with the State agricultural colleges through their extension
divisions, and particularly with the county agricultural agents.

The elimination of scrub bulls and replacing them with purebreds
was advocated. The specialists placed a total of 1,408 purebred bulls,
1,981 purebred cows, and 11,291 grade cattle, in addition to approxi-
mately 150,000 head of cows and steers brought in from the drought
area in the southwest. Many sales were conducted under the direct
supervision of the beef -cattle specialists. The cattle for these sales
were usually inspected and the undesirable ones eliminated. Fift}--
nine live-stock breeders' associations, with a reported membership of
1,524, were organized. Numerous calf clubs were organized among
the boys and girls. The specialists held 464 meetings at which they
addressed 23,633 people in the interest of better live stock. They also
did some useful work in demonstrating the value of pasture and
in giving advice on the gj-owing of winter feeds and the planning of
winter rations.

Beef-production demonstrations. — Three hundred and seven dem-
onstrations of various kinds were conducted to show the most ap-
proved methods and practices in beef production, including feeding,
judging, dehorning, fitting animals for shows and sales, and other
subjects. Thirty-nine herdsmen's courses were given. Each spe-
cialist conducted a number of steer-fattening demonstrations. One
of these, on a Georgia farm, was of special interest because the
cattle had been shipped from the drought-stricken area of Texas.
Ninety-two head averaging TOO pounds were fed for a period of 101
days and made an average daily gain of 2.57 pounds. They cost
$10.50 per hundredweight and sold for $12.50 per hundredweight.
With this margin there was an average profit per steer of $16.32.
The feed cost per 100 pounds of gain was $11.31.

SWINE INVESTIGATIONS.

Twenty-three purebred sows of six breeds and four purebred boars
of four breeds were bought for the Beltsville farm. Sows saved for
breeding purposes from those raised on the farm increased the num-
ber of brood sows in the herd to 38.

Experiments were conducted to determine the value of soaked
whole and ground velvet beans when fed to hogs. Four lots of 10
pigs each were carried from August 2 to November 5 on the following
rations: (1) Shelled corn and fish meal; (2) soaked whole velvet
beans and shelled corn; (3) soaked ground velvet beans; (4) soaked
ground velvet beans, shelled corn, and fish meal. The results showed
average daily gains in weight of 1.277, 0.586, 0.417, and 1.115 pounds,
respectively, at feed costs of 13, 18.3, 23, and 14.3 cents ])ev pound ot'
gain.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 83

In an experiment to determine the value of a hog \Yallow in the
fattening pen two lots of 10 pigs each were fed exactly alike, on«
lot having access to a cement hog wallow. In a period of G7 days the
pigs having access to the hog wallow gained an average of 18 pounds
more than the others.

In two experiments to determine the effect of lice upon the fatten-
ing of pigs it was found that 0.31 and 0.53 pound more of grain was
required to produce each pound of gain in weight in the licerin-
fested pigs than in those free from lice.

SWINE HUSBANDRY EXTENSION.

Fifty-six field men were employed in extension activities in swine
production, whicli included pig-club work and the emergency pork-
production campaign.

Pig clubs. — Cooperative work in connection with boys' and girls'
pig clubs was conducted in 25 States, where there was an enrollment
of 72,608 members, or an increase of 102 per cent over the year
before. Complete reports were i*eceived from 11.593 members. The
fact that the pig-club membership lias doul>led in the last year is
only a slight indication of the zeal with which the boys and girls re-
sponded to the plea for increased meat production. A large per-
centage of the club members raised more than one pig, and there was
a gi-eat increase in the number of sows and littei*s raised.

Emergency roRK-ritODucnox campaign. — The Animal Husbandry
Division undertook to aid in bringing about the production of suf-
ficient pork and lard, with special attention to the needs of the Army
and the Allies. It is only fair to say, however, that the Food Admin-
istration's influence on prices was one of the principal factors in
maintaining and increasing production. Swine specialists of the
Animal Husbandr}' Division cooperated with the State extension
forces, county agents, and other agencies. In the Corn-Belt States
the work was carried on as a separate enterprise, while in many of
the Southern States it was associated with the pig-club work.
Among the measures advocated were l^etter feeding methods, the use
of self-feedei*s, the growing of suitable forage crops, the improve-
ment of quality of hogs, the production of fall as well as spring
litters of pigs, the formation of breeders' associations, and the home
killing and curing of pork. Demonstrations in the use of the self-
feeder and of forage crops were conducted in many counties, and the
farmers were brought together at the demonstration farms to see the
results. There was a big increase in tlie number of fall litters raised
in 1918. In the efforts to promote the raising of better hogs, espec-
ially in the Southern States, the swine specialists assisted the farmers
in purchasing breeding stock and in selecting the best animals from
theii- herds for breeding purposes. 1 he home killing and curing of
pork Avas encouraged by demonstrations and by exhibits at fairs.
The Negro farmers of the South received special attention in this re-
spect, and great improvement in the quality of meat cured by them
has resulted.

IiIOVEMENT OF FEEDER HOGS.

Because of a shortage of feed resulting from the drought in
the Southwest, a great number of light hogs weighing from GO
to 125 pounds were shipped to market at a time when they should

84 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

have been fattened. The bureau undertook to aid in having these
liogs utilized as feeders, in cooperation Avith the Bureau of Markets,
the live-stock markets, the various State extension forces, and local
organizations.

Ttvo methods were used. Oue Avas to have a representative visit
the various stoclq^ards and make arrangements to have the feeder
hogs received, sorted, vaccinated, and disinfected. Then by pub-
licity campaigns and correspondence, farmers desiring feeder hogs
were informed Avhen shipments of such animals could be expected
and were invited to come and select their feeders. The other method
was for the county agent to procure lists of farmers having feeder
hogs for sale and sead them to the State director of extension. In-
quiries for feeder hogs Avere also sent to the extension office, and
purchaser and seller Avere thus brought together. While definite
statistics are not available, it is certain that more than 100,000
feeders were shipped into the Corn Belt as a result of this cam-
paign.

FISHERY BY-PRODUCTS AS HOG FEED.

For several years the Animal Husbandry Division has been co-
operatiLig Avith the Bureau of Fisheries in studying the use of fish
meal as a protein feed for sAvine. As a hog feed this material
has been found to be equal to high-grade tankage, of Avhich the
supply is inadequate. During the year a neAV product known as
shrimp bran was studied. The results of tests Avith this product as
compared with fish meal, the remainder of the ration being shelled
corn and middlings, were very favorable.

MEAT CURING.

The abattoir at the Beltsville farm was extensiA^ely used during the
year for the study of methods of curing pork, particularly from the
standpoint of home consumption on the farm. An exhibit of prod-
ucts cured at the Beltsville abattoir Avas made at the National Swine
ShoAv and at the International LiA'e Stock Exhibition. Proceeds of
sales of meat from the abattoir amounted to $4,788.47.

FEEDING GARBAGE TO HOGS.

A representative of the division visited various parts of the coun-
try ia studying methods of garbage disposal by hog feeding. The
results are being prepared for publication.

SHEEP AND GOAT INVESTIGATIONS.

FARM-SHEEP INVESTIGATIONS.

Experimental Avork with farm flocks of sheep is carried on at the
bureau's farms at Beltsville, Md., and Middlebury, Vt.

At Beltsville a study is being made of specialized intensive sheep
raising Avith complete reliance upon forage crops for summer pas-
turage. In 1916 a 30-acre area did not produce sufficient forage
to feed satisfactorily 44 Southdown eAves and 33 lambs. This field
is noAv capable of furnishing sufficient summer feed for 100 ewes
Avith their lambs. The improvement is due in part to the application

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 85

of manures, lime, and phosphates, but chiefly to the fact that legumi-
nous crops were largely used and all crops were fed upon the ground,
the unused residues being plowed in. The results show clearly the
possibility of a profitable sheep-raising business upon eastern lands
under a system of seeding a rotation of forage crops and allowing
such frequent changes of pasture as are necessary to prevent parasitic
troubles.

The Southdown ewes employed in the forage-crop experiments
were divided into lots for fall breeding to allow a test of the effect
of feed upon the size of the lamb crop. The experiments in 1916,
1917, and 1918 sliowed that the yield of lambs can be increased by
flushing only when ewes are in comparatively low condition at the
beginning of the breeding season. The 1918 experiment allowed a
considerable difference in condition between the unflushed and grain-
fed lots, which comprised 18 ewes each. The lot receiving grain
produced loO per cent of lambs, while the other lot yielded 118 per
cent. Another lot of similar size that received no grain but was
given sufficiently good pasturage to produce the same gain in weight
as made by the grain-fed lot yielded 142 per cent of lambs.

At the Middlebury farm 130 yearling western ewes were added in
the fall of 1918. Their grazing upon the pastures, which were quite
weedy, was beneficial to the pastures. These ewes are being used
also in the study of the relation of nutrition at mating time to the
size of the lamb crop.

KANGE-SHEEP INVESTIGATIONS.

Substantial progress has been made at the Government sheep-ex-
periment station at Dubois, Idaho, though the work is still restricted
by lack of equipment. During the year a cottage for ranch em-
ployees, a combined garage, pump house, and tool house and an ice
house were erected. About six miles of fencing has been put up.
In the fall of 1918, 900 ewes were bred, and in June, 1919, there
were on hand 840 lambs. The plan of keeping full records of lamb
and wool production, as well as notes of coniFormation and quality
of wool for each individual ewe, is being continued. The data now
on hand are being prepared for publication.

GOAT IN\'ESTIGATIONS.

The flock of milk goats at the Beltsville farm is being maintained.
All the lower-grade animals of the earlier crosses have been dis-
posed of. Twelve does, 2 years old and upward, are in milk this
season, and there are on hand about 20 head of female yearlings
and kids, most of which have either seven-eighths or fii'teen-six-
teenths Saanen or Toggenburg blood.

FAKIkl SHEEP DEMONSTRATIONS.

The work of farm sheep demonstrations was continued by 12
specialists in Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Texas,
and West Virginia. While they were largely called upon to aid be-
ginners in sheep raising, yet they were able to carry on work espe-
cially planned to result in more general use of methods known to be

86 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

most profitable in different localities. This was mainly accomplished
by means of demonstration flocks, 75 of which were established in
Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. The plan is for the county agent
and the specialist to arrange Avith from one to three flock owners in a
county to conduct the breeding, feeding, and management of their
flocks in compliance with the teachings of experiments and the best
practice applicable to the section, and to keep records. These flocks
are used as subjects of field meetings and demonstrations. A large
number of comity associations of sheep raisers has been formed as a
result of the joint efforts of county agents and specialists in ^heep hus-
bandry.

Emergency work in sheep husbandry. — On account of the great
importance of an increase in wool and lamb production during the
war, the work on farm sheep demonstrations was supplemented by
emergency extension work in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, In-
diana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Caro-
lina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont, under coopera-
tive arrangements with the extension departments of the State agri-
cultural colleges. The chief duty of the bureau's specialists was to
aid the county agents in giving advice and direction to persons inex-
perienced in sheep raising and in endeavoring to bring about the
largest possible returns of wool and meat from older flocks. A large
number of new flocks were established. Demonstration meetings
were held to explain how to select breeding ewes and rams, hoAV to
shear the sheep and prepare the wool for market, docking and
castrating lambs, and proper management for procuring the maxi-
mum growth of lambs and for maintaining the health of the flock.

HORSE AND MULE INVESTIGATIONS.

BKEEDIXG AMERICAN CARRIAGE HORSES.

The cooperative agreement w^ith the Colorado experiment station
at Fort Collins for experiments in breeding American carriage horses
terminated June 30, 1919. July 1, 1919, the work was transferred
to Buffalo, Wyo., where it will be conducted in cooperation with the
State of Wyoming as a pix)ject for the development of a horse of
general utility adapted to western range and farm conditions. Prior
to terminating the work at Fort Collins the stud consisted of 7 aged
stallions, 2 4-year-old stallions, 1 3-year-old stallion, 2 2-year-old
stallions, 20 aged mares, 2 4-year-old mares, 7 3-year-old mares, 10
2-year-old fillies, and 13 1-year-old fillies, a total of 64 animals.
Twelve stallions and 25 mares and fillies were selected for i-etention
in the stud to be transferred to Wyoming. The remaining 27 animals
were retained by the Colorado station.

The standard-bred stallion Harvest Aid 63908 was purchased by
the department last spring and added to the stud. This stallion is
a brown three-year-old, standing 15.2J hands and weighs 1,180
pounds in his present form.

BREEDING MORGAN HORSES.

The breeding of Morgan horses at the Morgan horse farm, Mid-
dlebury, Yt., is progressing very satisfactorily, and uniformity is
being attained in the animals produced. At the close of the fiscal

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 87

year there were 9 mature stallions, 11 young stallions, 30 mares and
fillies, and 7 geldings (including 3 draft-work geldings), a total of
57 animals. Sixteen animals were eliminated from the stud on ac-
count of being unsuitable for breeding purposes, and two died. Four
of the mature stallions were sent out to various sections of Vermont
for use in the Army horse-breeding work. The mare Grief, by
Snoqualmie and out of Gertrude, was added to the stud October 31,
1918.

The test in feeding weanling colts grain and hay ad libitum has
given excellent results in maximum growth and development without
harmful eflFects. The average daily feed consumed by the colts in
this test was as follows: Oats, 8.52 pounds; bran, 3.39 pounds; al-
falfa, 3.25 pounds; timothy, 4.91 j)ounds.

BREEDING HORSES OX INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

At the close of the fiscal year 617 mares had been bred to the 12
stallions maintained under the project for breeding horses on Indian
reservations, with headquarters at Eagle Butte, S. Dak.

BREEDING HORSES FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.

The plan of breeding horses for military purposes which was
begun under congressional authority in 1913 was continued under the
same terms as before. Seven hundred and eighty-six mares were bred
to 33 stallions.

COTTONSEED MEAL FOR FARM WORK STOCK.

The test in feeding cottonseed meal to work horses and mules at the
Beltsville farm, begun during the preceding fiscal year, was con-
tinued. Results indicate that 1 pound per day per 1,000 pounds live
weight is the most satisfactory quantity to feed to work animals. Cot-
tonseed meal, like any other high-protein feed, must be fed with care
to horses and mules. Harmful eli'ccts were apparent from feeding
the meal in large quantities.

POULTRY INVESTIGATIONS.
POULTRY FEEDING.

Experiments in feeding hens for egg laying are in progress at the
Beltsville farm in 27 feeding pens, 25 of which contain 30 hens each
and 2 contain 50 hens each. The results of 1918 on the high vegetable
protein rations were not entirely satisfactory. New experiments are
being conducted this year in reducing the amount of the vegetable
protein (soy-bean meal, peanut meal, and velvet-bean meal) and in-
creasing the animal protein (meat scrap). The mash fed last year
contained 10 per cent each of vegetable and animal protein, while
this year the new pens receive 15 per cent meat scrap and 5 per cent
of the high vegetable protein feed. Up to the close of the fiscal year
the egg yield had continued good and had not been adversely affected
by the summer weather, as was the case with the ration fed last year.
The birds in the pen receiving i>eanut meal have slightly outlaid the
others, being followed by those receiving soy-bean meal and velvet-
bean meal in the order given. Apparently the ration being used this

88 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

year is a considerable improvement over the one previously used. The
pen receiving 10 per cent of cottonseed meal and meat scrap in the
mash continues to give good results.

The experiment with feeding garbage is being continued through
its second year with a fairly good egg yield but with excessive mor-
tality, due apparently to the garbage. The pen on cooked vegetables
Avith a rather light grain ration laid fairly well during the first year
and is also laying particularly well the second year. Continued good
results are being obtained on the ration which does not contain any
wheat. Special tests on using one feed and its by-products supple-
mented with meat scrap, including such feeds as oats, barley, and
corn, are being tried with fair results, but are not giving as good
results as where two grains are used. Continued data on the feed cost
of producing eggs from different breeds on different rations are being
accumulated.

rOULTKY BREEDING.

Practically all the hens on the farm, whether in feeding or breeding
pens, are trap-nested, and all the chicks are pedigree hatched, so that
their parents are known. In breeding for egg production the plan has
been to continue matings of females of good production to males out
of good producing females, at the same time selecting for quality
in standard requirements.

In the experiments in grading up mongrel flocks by the continued
use of purebred males the third generation of grades has been ob-
tained and bred. The Barred Plymouth Rock grades shoAV marked
uniformity in color and type, and the White Plymouth Rock grades
show improvement in this respect but do not yet all come pure white
in color. In both kinds of grades individuals occur Avhich so closely
resemble purebreds that it is impossible to tell the difference by
their appearance.

Further progress has been made in the difficult Avork of establishing
a ncAV breed with the combination of characters desired.

In carrying on the breeding Avork 70 different matings were made
and about 3,000 chicks Avere hatched. The installation and operation
of a mammoth incubator has helped greatly in the hatching.

PIGEON AND SQUAB INVESTIGATIONS.

The pigeon investigations have been continued along the lines
previously followed, giving another year's data on the cost of raising
squabs for market from the different varieties of pigeons commonly
kept for that purpose. Investigations in the breeding and training
of homing pigeons are being continued.

TURKEY AND GUINEA INVESTIGATIONS.

Information regarding the raising of turkeys and guinea foAvl is
being collected from time to time so that bureau j^ublications on
these subjects may be kept up to date.

POULTRY EXTENSION.

The emergency campaign to stimulate poultry production, carried
on in cooperation Avith the State extension forces, begun in the fall
of 1917, Avas continued throughout the past fiscal year. Since the
signing of the armistice the efforts have been directed toward more

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 89

efficient methods rather than to concentrate entirely on increased
production. The work was carried on in 29 States by 41 field men.
In 1919 there was reported from 21 of these States an average in-
crease of 2G.5 per cent in poultry production over the preceding year ;
6 States reported a normal production, 1 slightly above normal, and
only 2 showed a slight decrease, due principally to the high cost of
feeds as compared with the price received for the finished products.

POULTRY CLUDS.

Nine poultry-club agents or specialists working in 8 States in
the calendar year 1918 supervised the conduct of 2,151 boys' and girls'
]K)ultry clubs with an enrollment of 31,095 members, an increase of
107.3 per cent over the preceding year. These club members hatched
320,869 chicks and raised 233,123 mature fowls. They produced
$146,529.09 worth of poultry and eggs for market and breeding pur-
poses, and the total value of their receipts and stock on hand at the
end of the year amounted to $103,690.46. One hundred and thirty-
five poultry-club exhibits were held, at which 1,405 members ex-
hibited 4,825 birds and 447 dozen eggs, and the total amount of
special and cash prizes awarded to the members making these ex-
hibits amounted to $4,388. The average profit per member reporting
was $23.53.

ANIMAL GENETICS.

The inbreeding of guinea pigs has been carried to the twentieth
generation wholly by mating brother with sister. Crossbreeding
experiments, with the inbred families as material, have now been
carried on for more than three A^ears. The results of the past year
aie in f.greement with those for the previous years. No very obvious
degeneratior- has appeared in the inbred stock. There has, however,
been some decline in vigor. Fertility, including both size and fre-
quency of litters, has suffered the most. Experiments on the re-
sistance to tuberculosis of the different inbred families and of the
crossbreds have been begun in cooperation with the Phipps Institute,
of Philadelphia. A new statistical method has been developed in
connection with investigations on the relative importance of the
various factors which determine coat color, rate of growth, etc.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY EXPERIMENT FARM.

Besides the experimental work carried on at the Animal Hus-
bandry Division farm at Beltsville, Md., the general development
of the farm has been continued. Progress has been made in drain-
age, completion of buildings, water system, soil improvement, im-
provement of grounds, and several minor projects. Drainage ejf all
except woodlands has been completed ; 16,049 feet of drain tile were
laid during the year, making a total of 78,191 feet laid since the
farm was acquired. All the large buildings and most of the port-
able houses have been newly painted.

CERTIFICATION OF ANIMALS IMPORTED FOR BREEDING PURPOSES.

Under the provisions of paragraph 397 of the tariff act of October
3, 1913, certificates of pure breeding were issued for 168 horses and
92 dogs.

151352°- 20—7

90 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE.

DAIRY DIVISION.

On account of the high cost of feed and other materials used in
dairying, the Dairy Division, under B. II. Rawl, chief, has given
special attention to economical production through the use of im-
proved dairy cows and proper feeding. To improve the dairy cows
the use of better sires and the selection of cows has been encouraged
by the promotion of bull associations and cow-testing associations,
and this work has met with a hearty response from the producers.
Bull associations, which make it possible for owners of small herds
to have the use of good bulls and at the same time to utilize good
bulls to the fullest advantage, have been especially successful. I-Cx-
tensive breeding projects have been begun at the Dairy Division
experiment farm at Beltsville, Md., and also in cooperation with
various States, for the purpose of determining the principles of
breeding for establishing high-producing herds.

Much time has also been devoted to encouraging the fuller utili-
zation of milk and milk products, and a special campaign was car-
ried out to increase the consumption of milk where a surplus of this
product was found. Improvement of dairy products has been under-
taken by emphasizing the importance of sanitation on the farm
and the necessity for the thorough cleaning of dairy utensils. Inves-
tigations in economy of production, such as fuel and steam utiliza-
tion in factories, have been continued. Studies in the manufacture
of foreign varieties of cheese have been extended and results of sev-
eral years of experimentation with Swiss and Roquefort cheese have
been put into practical use in the manufacture of these cheeses on a
commercial scale.

Efforts were made to assist in war work with all facilities at the
division's command. Surveys and inspections of milk supplies were
made in Army cantonments, and assistance was renderecl the Navy
Department through the inspection of butter. Work was done also
on other war problems.

DAIRY EXTENSION.

Extension work in dairying serves to carry this industry into
new sections, to introduce new practices developed as the result of
research, and in general to unify methods throughout the United
States. This work is generally carried on in connection with various
State agricultural colleges. Cow-testing-association and bull-asso-
ciation work are the chief lines of activity.

SOUTHERN DAIRYING.

Efforts of the extension forces have been directed toward general
dairy advancement in the South and the building up of a cheese
industry in the mountain sections. Among the more important
specific accomplishments have been the organization of 21 bull asso-
ciations and 7 new cow-testing associations, reorganizing 5 cow-
testing associations, assistance in the purchase of 1,849 head of cattle
(among which were 169 purebred bulls and 771 purebred females),
and the erection of 64 silos, 48 new barns, and many other smaller
buildings. The great popularity of bull associations and the large,
number of dairy cattle brought into the Southern States give evi-

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 91

dence of interest and progress in the improvement of dairy stock.
Good results of the work for the development of the creamery indus-
try are the growing popularity on the market of Mississippi butter
and the fact that local creameries of central Tennessee are proving
successful. The benefits of eradicating the cattle ticks are being
realized more and more in the advancement of the dairy industry.

WESTEBIf DAIBYINQ.

During the first half of the fiscal year the extension work for the
development of the dairy industry in the Far West was continued
under unfavorable conditions, such as a shortage of labor, high prices
of feed, and uncertain markets. Later, however, conditions were
much improved. Dairy st^ck has been in great demand and there
has been a widespread n'.ovement among producers to obtain pure-
bred bulls. As a result of good cooperation among Federal, State,
and county agents, cow-testing work has been given renewed life,
bull-association work has been extended, and considerable interest
has been taken in the utilization of creamery by-products. Silo con-
struction has made greater progress than during any previous j^ear.
Agents of the Dairy Division assisted directly in the erection of 500
silos, which represent only a small part of the total number erected.

COW-TESTINO ASSOCIATIONS.

Cow-testing associations, the formation and operation of which
are encouraged and supervised by the Dairy Division, are made up
of groups of dairymen who collectively hire a tester to keep i-ecords
on production, butter fat test, and other data concerning each cow.
During the first half of the fiscal year practically all testers were in
military service and the work of the associations suffered severely.
Since the return of the soldiers to civil life there has been a revival
of association work and a marked increase in the number of active
associations. The total number of associations that were active
July 1, 1919, was 385, representing 10,000 herds with 167,313 cows,
compared with 353 associations active July 1, 1918, representing
9JT8 herds with 108,348 cows. Oklahoma, South Carolina, and
Texas reported active associations for the first time. Wisconsin con-
tinues to lead in the number of associations, with a total of 103,
Pennsylvania ranking second with 38, Illinois third with 27, and
Ohio fourth with 25. The associations continue to practice exten-
sively the cooperative buying of feed. In Michigan an agent in
dairying selected feeds for one association which resulted in a
saving of $3,000.

STUDY OF COW-TESTING BiX:OBDS.

The tabulation of records of 38,532 daiiy cows from 110 cow-test-
ing associations is nearing completion. The tabulations have brought
out a number of interesting relations iDetween milk production, but-
terfat test, butterfat production, and income over cost of feed.
The average milk production was 5,936 pounds per cow and the
average butterfat production 246 pounds. For each 50 pounds
increase in production of butterfat there was an average increase
of $15 in income over cost of feed. In the case of each breed an
increase in the use of the butterfat test was accom]ianied by an

92 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

increase in butterfat production and by a decrease in milk pro-
duction. The larger cows excelled the medium and small co^Ys in
production of milk and butterfat. The results of this work are being
prepared for publication.

COOPERATIVE BULL ASSOCIATIONS.

Bull associations have been found an inexpensive but very success-
ful means of improving dairy cattle, and have therefore been very
popular in sections where dairying is a new industry and the farm-
er's resources are limited. A greater number of really substantial
cooperative bull associations have been formed this year than in any
previous year since the movement started in this country, for out
of a total of 82 associations now in operation 40 were organized
during -the past year. This work has been especially successful in
the South. Eequests for assistance from many States resulted in
the selection of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and
Tennessee for association work. Associations wxre formed in each
of these States except one. Work in the Western States was
hampered by the lack of a director part of the year, but during the
last six months of the year four substantial associations were or-
ganized, one each in Montana, Washington, Wyoming, and Oregon.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN DAIRYING.

The project in community dairy development at Grove City, Pa.,
which was organized a few years ago as a means of demonstrating
the 'value of intensive work in developing dairy communities, has
now passed the experimental stage and has shown its value as a con-
structive influence in dairying. Many farmers, county agents, and
bankers from all over the coimtry have made inquiries or have
visited Grove City w^ith the idea of undertaking similar develop-
ment in their localities. In this enterprise the department has
worked in cooperation with patrons of the creamery, and with the
local breedei's' associations, the commercial club, and the local
banks. The past year witnessed the building of 21 silos and the
improvement of farm buildings of 112 of the creamer}^ patrons.

The accredited-herd plan for eradicating tuberculosis and main-
taining herds free from that disease has been w^ell received. In
the Grove City area 327 herds are under supervision of the Bureau
of Animal Industry and the Pennsylvania State live-stock sanitary
board. Four ncAV clubs having for their object the development,
improvement, exhibition, and sale of tuberculosis-free cattle have
been organized.

Other cattle clubs organized in previous years haA^e generally
shown increased membership. The cow-testing association has been
reorganized Avith 39 members and 411 cows. Interest in purebred
dairy cattle has continued to increase; 58 of the creamer^^ patrons
purchased 133 registered dairy females and 48 patrons purchased
purebred bulls.

SUPPRESSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN DAIRY HERDS.

In connection with the work relative to cow-testing and bull as30-
ciations, work of an educational nature has been done to further the
prevention and eradication of tuberculosis and contagious abortion.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 93

Such work has been carried on in many States and has contributed
to the marked popularity of the accredited-herd phm. In herds
of these associations tested for tuberculosis by the Tuberculosis Erad-
ication Division of the bureau, it was found in most cases that only
a small per cent of the cows were diseased, but the elimination of
the few disease spreaders before the herds could become badly in-
fected was of great benefit and undoubtedly prevented later losses.

DAUIY DEMONSTRATION FARM, DENISON, TEX.

For several years a dairy farm near Denison, Tex., owned by a
group of local businessmen, has been operated as a demonstration of
the value of dairying under certain local conditions. This project
was terminated during the year by the sale of the property by the
owners, there having been a material increase in land values in that
region as a result of oil development. During the last year of the
project considerable terracing was done and many additions to equip-
ment, improvements, and repairs were made from the earnings of the
farm. The oat crop yielded well and the alfalfa crop was satisfac-
tory, but the corn was only fair, because of dry weather.

STIMULATING PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS.

In order to stimulate the production and consumption of milk and
milk products for human fcod an educational campaign was carried
on in numerous cities and small towns of the Northern States. This
work was done principally among women. The objects were (1) to
eliminate waste by a more comprehensive and varied utilization of
dairy products, (2) to improve and enlarge the food supply, and (3)
to encourage the dairy industr3^ The Dairy Division cooperated
with the various States through the States Keltitions Service. The
campaign was divided into two major projects, one dealing with the
larger cities in States where a milk surplus was reported, and the
other with the smaller towns and rural districts.

In the city campaigns a wide variety of methods was used, de-
pending largely on local conditions. In general, however, the process
consisted in obtaining a large degree of cooperation from the city
authorities, health boards, etc.. together with talks and demonstra-
tions in schools, factories, and department stores. In many cases
attractive exhibits were placed in store windows and extensive use
was made of publicity through press notices or paid advertising.
Posters showing the food value of milk were also used effectively.

An example of such a campaign is the work done in Detroit, Mich.,
where it was found that there was a 30 per cent surplus of milk dur-
ing the spring months. To utilize this surplus and at the same time
to increase the consumption of milk and dairy products an extensive
campaign was organized. Thirty-five thousand circular letters were
sent out to leading citizens, and cooperation was received from 20,000
club members, the principals and teachers of the city schools, visiting
housekeepers, welfare workers, clergy, physicians, hotels, restaurants,
etc. A total of 371 lectures were given in schools, reaching 69,000
children directly and their parents indirectly, and the visiting nurses
and visiting housekeepers carried the message to thousands of homes.
Congregations of G5 churches listened to milk sermons, and thou-

94 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

sands of factory employees and newspaper readers were also reached.
Ten thousand posters were distributed and multitudes of people
viewed window exhibits. As a result of the campaign a large per
cent of the milk surplus was absorbed, milk sales increased, and sales
of butter and cottage cheese increased materially. The board of
health placed a high value on the campaign as a means of improving
the health of the city. Similar campaigns were carried out in IG
cities of five States.

For the rural and small-town campaigns, agents in dairying were
appointed for State-wide work in Iowa, Kansas, and Utah. In or-
ganizing the work in those States it was agreed that the colleges
of agriculture were to train dairy workers. The extension depart-
ments, home demonstration agents, and in some States the county
agents and club agents assisted with the work. The work in Iowa
affords an example of how this type of campaign was conducted.
In that State the value of milk was brought to the attention of
school children by having them write essays on the subject, and
4,500 families were reached in this way. In the schools at Ames and
Des Moines the value of milk as a food was demonstrated through
tests in feeding fixed quantities of milk to a number of abnormal
school children for periods ranging from 2 to 3 months. In all cases
the results showed th,at milk caused additional gains in weight, and
in many cases the children were reported by their teachers to be more
alert mentally and easier to handle. In northeastern Iowa an edu-
cational campaign was conducted among rural schools and homes
and resulted in an awakening among children and parents as to the
value of milk as a food.

Efforts of the women dairy agents and of others who have helped
in conducting farm-home dairy work in Southern States have been
directed toward greater production of milk and more liberal use of
milk and dairy products in the diet. Since a certain amount of milk
is usually made into butter on the farm, demonstrations and instruc-
tion in improved methods of buttermaking have been given to farm
women. The increase in production and use of milk was accom-
plished through the " Buy a cow " campaign, instruction in the care
and feeding of cows and the proper care of the milk, demonstrations
in cooking, buttermaking, and checsemaking, and exhibits of dairy
products.

As a result of this work, 41,000 families are now using more milk
for drinking and cooking, 448 family cows have been purchased, and
1,042,542 pounds of cottage cheese were made by farm women. An
indication of the interest aroused in modern methods of dairying is
shown by the purchase of 16,247 pieces of improved dairy equip-
ment. Exhibits and contests have also done much to stimulate inter-
est in more and better dairy products.

DAIRY-MANUFACTURING INVESTIGATIONS.

CEEAMERY IMPBOVEMENT.

Special attention has been given problems relating to organizing,
building, equipping, and operatinfl: creameries. While many States
were included in this work, special attention and help have been
given to creameries in the Southern States, where the comparative

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 95

newness of the industry made assistance in creamery development of
vital importance. As a result of these efforts the manufacturing
methods and the sanitation of the plants in many localities are now
equal to those of the best dairy sections of the country. Much of this
progress is due to improvement in methods of dairy farming and the
resulting improvement in the quality of the cream brought to the
creameries. In bringing about these results the field agents have
worked largely with the farmers of small means who depend on
dairying for a livelihood.

The high prices of coal and electric power have given new impor-
tance to economy and efficiency in power and refrigeration. A num-
ber of creameries were given assistance in building refrigerators, and
specifications were furnished for exhaust-steam water heaters, result-
ing in material savings to the plants concerned. Exhaust-steam
water heatei-s and hot-water boiler-feed pumps were installed by 45
creameries. Equipment for using exhaust steam for pasteurizing
cream was installed by G creameries, balanced valves were put in 3
plants, and electric motors installed by 3 plants.

THE GROVE CITY CREAMERY.

The addition to the creamery plant at Grove City, Pa., has been
completed, and cheese of the Camembert, Roquefort, and Swiss
varieties is now being manufactured in an effort to encourage pro-
duction in the United States of these cheeses, which heretofore have
been largely imported.

Despite the high cost of feed and the curtailing of milk produc-
tion, the Grove City creamery has surpassed the records made in
1918 in practically all lines, and the total business done has increased
from $375,595 in 1918 to $520,486 in 1919. For the past few months
the creamery has received larger premiums in price for its products
than ever before.

CHEESE-FACTORY EXTENSION.

Much work has been done by the Dairy Division's field men in de-
termining suitable localities for the manufacture of Cheddar cheese
and demonstrating the proper methods of organizing, building,
equipping, and operating cheese factories, training cheesemakers,
and otherwise giving assistance in both the manufacture of cheese
and the production of the millc for its manufacture. Several fac-
tories have been established as a result of this work, especially in the
mountainous sections of the Southeast. The cheese produced has
been generally of good quality and dealers have been eager to buy it
at good prices.

INSPECTION OF BUTTER FOR THE NAVY.

The large quantities of butter contracted for by the Navy required
extensive supervision by this department in the making of the butter
and in investigating the results of various methods of manufacture
and determining the effect of storage on the butter. Considerable
time was spent in inducing creameries to make butter under Navy
contract, also in obtaining inspectors and in making certain that the
specifications were properly carried out. Although the packing of
the butter was carried out under pressure of war conditions, the

96 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

quality proved to be high. Seven supervisors and 90 inspectors were
engaged in this ^York, which involved over 9,000,000 pounds of but-
ter produced in 119 creameries. The butter was produced largely in
Minnesota, low^a, and California, with smaller quantities from Wis-
consin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

When the Government commandeered butter held in storage in the
j)rincipal markets of the United States, the butter allotted to the
Navy was scored by department representatives at the request of the
Navy Department.

INSPECTION OF KEN0YATED-I5UTTER FACTORIES.

The supervision of renovated-buttcr factories, consisting of an in-
spection of the sanitarj^ condition of the factories and the approval
of wrappers and cartons used, wos conducted at 15 plants, whose out-
put for the fiscal year amoimted to 16,667,455 pounds. This is a de-
cline of 14 per cent from the preceding year and of 62.75 per cent in
10 years.

MILK INVESTIGATIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.

SANITARY SURVEYS OF CIIY JIILK SUPPLIES.

Surveys on the sanitation of the milk supplies of several cities were
made. These surveys were more detailed than in former years and
took into consideration the source and handling of the milk supply,
together with laboratory and inspection methods used in safeguard-
ing its quality. Detailed bacteriological tests were made in many in-
stances, and considerable help was given to the city authorities in
the preparation of new milk ordinances. In the course of this work
478 dairy farms and 415 city milk plants^ were inspected, 3,532 bac-
terial counts were conducted, and 95 chemical tests were made.

SANITARY SURVEYS OF MILK SUPPLIES FOR ARMY AND NAVY.

Sanitary inspection Avork for safeguarding the milk supplies of
Army cantonments and naval bases and hospitals was continued and
extended at the request of the United States Public Health Service.
Careful and thorough investigations of the source and handling of
milk were made, and raw milk, sour milk, and repasteurized milk
Avere excluded. This work was done in 9 cantonment zones, with spe-
cially complete surveys at Houston, A¥aco, and San Antonio, Tex.,
and Lawton, Okla.

MILK CONTESTS.

Each year the milk contest is proving itself more valuable as a
means of improving the city milk supply and keeping the quality
at a high standard. During the year five contests were held in five
States and a total of 264 samples of milk and cream were given a
complete score. Criticisms and suggestions for improvement were
made to exhibitors.

MILK-PLANT MANAGEMENT.

The work in milk-plant management consisted largely of personal
assistance in the operation of milk plants and help in the organizing
of central plants. Assistance of various kinds was also given by
correspondence, including the drawing of numerous special floor

BUREAU OF ANIMAL. INDUSTRY. 97

plans and making estimates of cost for proposed plants, collecting
data relative to cost and method of operation, and giving special aid
in the selection of equipment. The field Avork has been largely the
gathering of data and assisting new plants in planning construction
and equipment. At Atlanta, Ga., for example, the Dairy Division
representative worked in cooperation with the health department in
familiarizing the dealers with the new pasteurizing equipment re-
(juired and helping the foremen to systematize the work, and in
Minnesota, at the request of the State board of health, milk plants
were studied and recommendations were made for .the improvement
of pasteurizing methods and equipment. AVork of this nature was
carried on in a large number of cities in 14 States.

MILK IMPKOVEMENT AT GROVE CITY, PA.

Through experiments at the Grove City creamery an effort was
made to work out some plans for improving the quality of the
market milk and to procure better milk for cheesemaking. As a
result the average of the bacterial counts in the milk during the
summer of 1919 was even lower than the preceding winter's average.
Probably the most important step taken in connection with sani-
tation ^v»as the adoption of the grading system of milk, by which
milk sent in by the patrons is graded for bacteria, temperature, farm
conditions, and sediment. Tlie premiums paid on milk which re-
ceived a high score have done much to improve the quality of the
milk delivered by the patrons of the creamery.

METHOD OF CLEANING MILKING MACHINES.

The increase in the use of milking machines has made it desirable
to devise some method of cleaning and sterilizing that will prevent
excessive numbers of bacteria. After a study of the construction of
various machines and methods of cleaning and sterilizing them under
farm conditions, a system of cleaning has been devised which has
given good results in lowering bacterial counts and checking the
spread of garget, but further work is required on the problem.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MILK PRODUCTION.

Studies of the various requirements for milk production have
reached a stage where vsome definite information is now available.
A two-year study on a group of dairy farms near Vergennes, Vt.,
has been completed and tabulations have been made on the require-
ments and cost of producing 100 pounds of milk and the require-
ments for keeping a cow for one year. Similar data have been ob-
tained from two-year studies in Indiana and North Carolina. Ex-
l)eriments of a like nature have been in progress for one year on a
group of dairy farms near Omaha, Nebr. ; Amite, La. ; and Mount
Vernon, Wash., and more recently another has been begun at Middle-
town, Del.

DAIRY RESEARCH LABORATORIES.

BACTEKIOLOGY.

The Dairy Division laboratories, in addition to research pertain-
ing strictly to the dairy industry, have continued to carry on work
of a broader character with a view to contributing to the knowledge

98 ANNUAL EEPOFvTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and practical application in general. Some work of the latfer
nature too technical to be described in this report is in course of
l^iiblication.

A study of streptococci from sour milk, feces, and the udder has
resulted in the working out of methods for separating and distin-
guishing these organisms, and has shown the existence of a typical
lactic streptococcus. Media which promise to be of considerable
vakie in bacteriological technique have been developed by the sub-
stitution of yeast extract for the usual beef extract. Progress has
also been made in developing a test for quality of milk through
work with sporogenes.

MILK SECRETION.

Further studies on milk secretion have demonstrated that there is
a close relation of the phosphorus and calcium content of the blood
to the milk-producing function. It has been shown that a deficiency
of phosphorus in the rations for cows and calves has a detrimental
effect on milk secretion and growth. A remedy for this condi-
tion was found in the addition of sodium phosphate to rations
deficient in phosphorus. Work with dairy cows has shown that the
feeding of phosphorus and calcium results in a decided beneficial
effect on the milk flow, in both amount and fat content. Balance
experiments have shown also that the conditions under which it is
necessary to keep coavs while conducting work of this kind have a
disturbing effect on the digestive processes. This observation calls
for improvements in equipment used in the future.

CONDENSED AND EVAPORATED MILK.

Investigations have been undertaken with various forms of con-
densed and evaporated milk, with the general purpose of imjDroving
the phj^sical condition and keeping qualities of these products.
Studies on the curdling of evaporated milk in sterilizing have been
continued, and progress has been made on the problem of preventing
the thickening of sweetened condensed milk on standing.

The theoretiC2il sugar solution required to inhibit bacterial growth
in the condensed milk has been determined within narrow limits. A
study of the bacteria and yeast which might be involved in these
changes has resulted in increased knowledge of their behavior.

Work with certain molds has positively demonstrated that the
" buttons " of condensed milk are caused by this growth. Further
results have shown that in commercial production the condensed milk
may be produced without danger from molds if sealed under the
vacuum produced by the ordinary vacuum pump.

Tests to determine the suitability of milk for condensing purposes
indicated that neither the acid test alone nor the alcohol test alone
nor a combination of the two was satisfactory.

ICE CREAM.

A substitute for a large part of the cane sugar in ice-cream mak-
ing was found through experiment, and the formula was widely
disseminated. The preparation of pure butterfat for ice cream and
reconstituted milk has not given satisfactory results.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 99

CHEESE.

A special effort has been made to apply the new methods of making
the Swiss type of cheese on a commercial basis. In most of the fac-
tory trials this method was a success and resulted in the production
of cheese of uniformly higli quality. Before extensive work can be
done witli factories, however, a practicable means of distributing
eye-forming cultures must be devised. The question of the relation
of the culture and formation of eyes has been established beyond
question.

In an attempt to introduce into this country the manufacture of
various cheeses now imported, cheeses of the Camembert and Roque-
fort varieties were made successfully on a commercial scale at
the Grove City creamery, but so far none have had a fair trial on
the market.

UTILIZATION OF CBEAMERY BY-rBODUCTS.

Considerable work has been done on the development of casein
for use in waterproof glue, and a casein of low ash and acid has
already been produced.

A method of producing casein from buttermilk is also being
worked out. Using a solvent to extract the fat from the buttermilk,
small lots of casein have been made, and this product was found to
be of general good quality and low in fat and ash, but had the
objection of dissolving slowly.

Work is now in progress with the object of developing a method
of utilizing whey as a human food. It is probable that whey rep-
resents a greater actual loss of food than skim milk, because its
feeding value is not generally recognized. Primost and Ricotta
cheeses, which are made from whey, were produced at the Grove
City creamery, but the demand has been limited. The use of these
cheeses might be extended if their value for cooking could be brought
to the attention of housekeepers. Investigations have also been begun
on the utilization of whey solids in the form of poultry feed.

SILAGE INVESTIGATIONS.

Studies on the value and composition of corn plants and sunflower
plants for silage have shown that good silage can be made from the
latter as well as the former. Various tests have been made on the
composition of these crops at different stages of maturity, but no
correlation has been established between the composition of the
plants and the quality of the silage.

WAR ACTIVITIES.

A considerable part of the time of the laboratory staff Avas spent
in lending aid in preparing material necessary to carry on the war.
Assistance was rendered to the Army Medical Corps by providing
laboratory facilities for drying typhoid vaccine. Probably the most
important work, however, was the developing on short notice of a
method of making casein of more than ordinary purity. This was
necessar}^ in the manufacture of the waterproof glue essential to the
manufacture of airplane parts. Another war problem worked out

100 ANNUAL KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

was the purification of oil-soaked cotton waste. This work was
in progress and the process nearly perfected when the signing of the
armistice made it advisable to discontinue the work.

DAIRY EXPERIMENT FARM.

Practical experimental work in various problems has been con-
tinued at the Dairy Division experiment farm at Beltsville, Md. The
farm produces a large part of the feed required.

METHODS OF WATERING COWS.

Experiments on the influence of the method of watering on the
quantity of water drunk by cows and the production of milk have
been completed, and a manuscript describing the work has been
prepared. The difference between watering at will and twice a day
was not pronounced ; the cows with the water continuously available
drank less and yielded more, the gains in the body weight being the
same. Both of these systems of watering when compared with water-
ing once a day shoAved an increase in water consumption, milk pro-
duction, and a gain in live weight. These experiments point to the
tentative conclusion that the advantage of water continuously lies
mainly in the saving of labor rather than in a greater production of
milk.

KEGULAR VERSUS IRREGULAR MILKING.

To determine the effect of regular and irregular milking on the
milk yield, five cows were used in an experiment in which regular
and irregular milking were practiced alternately, in periods of 25
days each. The results show that with cows yielding an average of
20 or 25 pounds of milk daily there was no difference between reg-
ular and irregular milking so far as production was concerned. The
feeding hours were regular throughout. It is thought that more
difference might be found if both feeding and milking were irreg-
ular, as in the case on many farms.

GRUELS FOR CALVES.

As a result of experiments with the object of preparing a calf
meal which would be cheap, easy to keep in liquid suspension, make
good gains in weight and maintain the vigor of the calf, a mixture
has been produced which largely meets these requirements.

FEED COST FOR RAISING HEIFERS.

In an effort to determine the cost of raising heifers, 11 calves were
fed to the age of 1 year and 5 to the age of 2 years. The results
showed the cost of raising heifers to 1 year of age to be $72.42 and
to the age of 2 years $157.96, with feed at current prices in Maryland
and under the system of management necessary at the Beltsville
farm. These figures show the necessity of providing cheap feed,
such as pasture, for heifers, and the necessity of thorough culling
to avoid raising animals which will prove inferior.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 101

DAIRY STATISTICS.

Considerable attention has been ^iven to the gathering, compiling,
and charting of statistical daii^- information to meet the usual gen-
i ral demand as well as special requests from various war boards for
such data. A circular on the trend of the dairy-cattle industry was
jyublished and material relating to the trend of the butter and cheese
industries has been prepared for publication.

DAIRY ENGINEERING.

The Dairy Division has continued to deal with various engineering
problems relating to dairying. Subjects given attention were the
preparation of plans and specifications for buildings and machinery,
the superintendence of construction, the inspection of materials and
equipment ar^d the designing and construction of apparatus, includ-
ing work for the bureau and other institutions and for the dairy in-
dustry. Information has been furnished regarding dairy buildings
and other problems in dairy engineering in reply to inquiries on
these subjects, and 362 blueprints of various dairy buildings have
been prepared for field men. Several new plans for dairy buildings
were designed, including a creamery, a cheese factory, and a cow
stable. A bulletin on the economical use of fuel was written and
published.

DAIRY-CATTLE BREEDING.

A start has been made in the extensive daiiy-cattle breeding ex-
I>eriments that were outlined in last year's report. The work deals
with line breeding, inbreeding, and crossbreeding, the fundamental
object being to determine the best method of developing the better-
producing cows in large numbers. For work in line breeding as com-
j)ared with the mating of unrelated animals a herd of 35 registered
IIolstein-Friesian cows has been established at the Beltsville farm,
and the producing ability of the cows is now being tested. Other
breeding projects are to be carried out cooperatively with various
experiment stations.

A study of the unusually prepotent breeding animals of the Hol-
stein-Friesian breed is almost completed. In the study of 12G sires
which have daughters with yearly records that conform to certain
arbitrary standards, which were established for this work, it was
found that all but 14 of them traced back to five sires.

MEAT INSPECTION DIVISION.

Tlie Federal meat inspection, conducted by the Meat Inspection
Division, with Dr. R. P. Steddom as chief, reached the largest pro-
portions in its history. The number of animals slaughtered was 20.6
per cent greater than in the preceding fiscal year and 21.6 per cent
greater than the average for the last 12 years during which the pres-
ent meat-inspection law has been operative.

INSPECTION OF DOMESTIC MEATS.

Inspection was conducted at 895 establishments in 263 cities and
towns, as compared with 884 establishments in 263 cities and towns
during the fiscal year 1918.

Inspection was begun at 84 establishments and withdrawn from 73
during the year, as compared 'vith 83 and 74, rcspectiveh^, during

102 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

1018. Inspection was withdrawn from 66 establishments on account
of discontinuance of slaughtering or of interstate business, from 2 for
violations of the regulations, from 4 by request, and from 1 because
of consolidation with another establishment under inspection.

ANTE-MORTEM AND POST-IMORTEM INSPECTIONS.

The ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections are given in the
Ante-mortem inspection of animals.

following tables:

Class of animals.

Passed.

Suspected. I

Cx)ndcmned.2

Total
inspected.

Cattle

11,211,937
3,6.58,495
11,277,597
125,640
44,322,940

96,077

6,348

6,240

27

106,977

,87
18
14

11,308.101
3,063,861
11,283,851
125, 667
44,432,386

Bhoen

(ioats

Swine

2,409

Total

70,596,609

214,669

2,588

70,813,866

' 'I'his term is used to designate animals found or suspected of bcin? unfit for food on ante-mortem inspec-
tion, most of which are afterwards slaughtered under special supervision, the final disposal being determined
on f)0.'-t-raortem inspection.

'■' Tor additional con leniiiations see succeeding tables.

Post-mortem, inspection of animals.

Class of animals.

Passed.

Condemned.

Total
inspected.

Cattle

11,182,442
3,665,025
11,253,999
125,342
44,269,584

59, .549

9,202

14,371

318

128,805

11,241,991

Calves

3,674,227

11,268,370

125,660

44,398,389

Sheep

Sv.ine

Total

70,490,392

212,245

70,708,637

The next two tables show the diseases and conditions for which
condemnations were made.

Diseases and conditions for icJiich condemnations were made on ante-mortem

inspection.

Cause of condemnation.

Cattle.

Calves.

Sheep.

Goats.

Swine.

Arthritis

2

Ascites

1

Blackleg

2

1

Emaciation . ..

2

9

Hemorrhagic septicemia

10

Hog cholera

2,388

Injuries .

G

Milk fever

1
9

Pneumonia

1

1

48

Polyarthritis . .

5

Pregnancy and recent parturition

12
50

1

10

Septicemia. . . .

5

2

1
1

1

5

2

Texas fever

Tuberculosis

Tumors and abscesses . .

5

Total

87

18

14

2,409

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

loa

Diseases and conditions for which condemnations were made on post-mortem

inspection.

Cattle.

Calyes.

Sheep.

Goats.

Swino.

f atise of condemnation.

Car-
casses.

Parts.

Car-
casses.

Parts.

Car-

Parts.

Car-
casses.

Parts.

Car-
casses.

Parts

AcfinoTiycosis .... ..

350

109,795

30

1,658

52

6

2

1

21

Arthritis

15

'"'io'

3

6*

33

111

A^^nlivxia ......

1
1

1,329

Atrophy

:::::::i ::::

47

2

Blackleg

20
11

5*

8

r ono diseases ....

1
1,481

59

2

(u"!eons lymphadenitis.. ..

19'

24

9

C'oilulitis"

4
44

256

312

57

728

4

2

22

77

24, 131

3

2,825

236

C oai?estion

IS

2

251

9

8,043

" i«3

397

'.V.V.'.V.

7
2
16
12
1,971

64
3
1

23

Contamination

1,030

f'vsticerciis .. ..........

111

6

5,148

7

14

Dropsical diseases ........

1

I'^roaciation

217

Exhaustion

Frozen

(■an;;retie .... ........

87
4

12

1

12
17

Hernia

lloi cholera

llvdronophrosis

1
1,488

Icterus

71

91
3,131

■"449*

18

29

7

2

10

I mmati iritv

Inllammation

15

5'

""'bih'

2
107

l'

"*«

3

2

Injuries, bruises, etc

Leukemia

2,5.'Ki

416

36

12

«

4;J5
15
19
19
1
1
27

107

14

2

725
133

78
82

J

6,577

Melanosis ......

4

]

Moribund

Nocrobacillosis

5

■

Necrosis

Parasitic diseases

1

1

PhiebitLs

145

1,503

Pneumonia, peritonitis,
metritis, enteritis, pleu-
risy, etc

6,348

28

2,801

4,789

60

557

32

3

11

19,094

31

10,798

8M

39

Preoinancy and recent par-
turition

Septicemia, pyemia, and
uremia . .

5S0

Pexual odor

Bkin diseases

1

263

37,600

611

■53*652'

1,639

1

620

508

49

Texas fever

Tubei'culosis

370
241

12
96

"167*

1
1

05,^37
1,308

418,402
7,126

Tumors and abscesses

Total

59,547

166,791

9,202

2,479

14,371

330

318

17

128,805

133,433

The following table shows the total condemnations on ante-mortem
and post-mortem inspections combined :

Summary of condemnations.

Class of animals.

Animals or
carcasses.

Parts.

Caiae

69,636

9,220

14,385

318

131,274

166, 791

Calycs , .

2,471)
3:5i)

Sbccp ^

Govts

17

Swine

433,43:i

Total

214,833

603,050

In addition to the foregoing, the carcasses of 89,873 animals found
dead or in a dying condition were tanked, as follows: Cattle, 5,237;
calves, 4,784 ; sheep, 8,813 ; goats, 161 ; swine, 70,878.

104

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

INSPECTION OF MEAT AND TKODUCTS.

The inspection and supervision of meals and products prepared
and processed are sho>Yn 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
duplicated 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.

I'laccd in cure:

327,300,122

3,717,838,052

2. 588, 734

667; 602, 113

483, 972, 721

143,345,433

4,910,949

4,045,975
10,132.470

8,857

Meat extract

3,460,874

1,256,042,851

618 123

Beef

Lard

Pork

Lard oil

A 11 other w

Lard stearin

514 218

CompDund and other substitutes

Pork to be eaten uncook'^d . . .

469, 731, 660
42,165,696
58,768,630

138,700,323
69,339,566

251,169 778

Canned product:

Beef.

Oleo stock and edible tanow

Oleo oil

Ptrk

Another

Oleostearin

Sterilised product:

Oleomargarin

Beef

1,516,694,904

Pork

Total

Another

9, 169, 042, 049

The following quantities of meat and meat food products were con-
demned on reinspection on account of having become sour, tainted,
putrid, unclean, rancid, or otherwise unwholesome: Beef, 15,898,479
pounds: pork 14,113,246 pounds; mutton, 152,981 pounds; veal, 116,-
016 pounds; goat meat, 42,598 pounds; total, 30,323,220 pounds.

makkp:t inspection.

Market inspection was begun during the fiscal j^ear at two cities,
making a total of 45 cities at which this inspection is maintained in
order that interstate deliveries of meats and products may be made
therefrom.

meat and niODUCTS CERTIPIED FOR EXPORT.

The folloAving products were certified for export: Beef and beef
products, 714,706,213 pounds ; mutton and mutton products, 3,297,395
pounds; pork and pork products, 2,774,067,187 pounds, a total of
3.492,070,795 pounds. In addition 536 certificates were issued cover-
ing the export of 15,071,507 pounds of inedible animal products.

EXEMPTION FROM INSPECTION.

The provisions of the meat-inspection law requiring inspection
usually do not apply to animals slaughtered by a farmer on a farm
nor to retail butchers and dealers supplying their customers. The
retail butchers and dealers, however, in order to ship meat and meat
food products in interstate of foreign commerce, are required first to
obtain certificates of exemption. The number of exemption certifi-
cates outstaiiding at the close of the fiscal year was 2,551, an increase
of 43 over the preceding year. During the year 103 certificates were
canceled, 99 on account of the dealers retiring from business or ceasing

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

105

to make shipments, and 4 for violations of the regidations. During
tlie year 31,470 shipments Avere made by retail dealers and butchers
holding certificates of exemption, as compared ^vith 45,524 shipments
during the fiscal year 1918. The shipments of the year covered prod-
ucts as shown in the following table :

i;hipmcnts by retail dealers and butehers under certificates of exemption from

inspection.

Product.

Number.

Pounds.

Product.

NumUor.

Pounds.

Beef, carcasses (729 quarters)

182

22,354

176

399

75,232

2,005,827

9 1»5

53,654

538,288

155,219

110,176

124,567

Cured meats

190,525

Lard

10,6.55

^1)000 carcasses

1 ?ausa<ie

50,603

Swino. carcasses

Miscellaneous (scrapple,
tripe, headcheese, etc.)

Beef, fresh

22,283

Total

MuttOTi, fresh..

23,111

3,346,214

Pork, fresh

During the year 00,197 interstate shipments were made of meats
and meat food products from animals slaughtered by farmers on the
farm, as compared with 73,74G shipments made during the fiscal year
1918. The following table shows the products covered by these ship-
ments :

Shipments of farm-slaughtered products under exemption from inspection.

Product.

Number.

Pounds. 1

Product.

Number.

Pounds.

P.cef, carcasses (2,662

niiirfprs^

665

82,881

2,809

8,716

253,985 ;
7,382,960 :

89,157

1,140,824

39,052

49,014 :

4,643

Pork, fresh

161,910

Cured meats

648,713

Lard

151,218

!- >i f»p n oarr a«;^P^

Sausatre

118,049

Miscellaneous (scrapple,
tripe, headcheese, etc.)

lleef fresh

20,500

\;r»ol frn^ll

Total

1lfiiltn:i frp«;li 1

95,071

10,066,055

INSPECTION OF IMPORTED MEATS.

The following table shows the inspection of imported meats and
meat food products for the fiscal vear, representing an increase of
204.8 per cent over the inspections for the preceding year.

Imported meat' and meat food products inspected.

Country of origin.

Fresh and refrigerated
meats.

Cured and
caimed meats.

other
products.

Total

Beef.

other
classes.

weight.

Argentina.

451,456

38,781
33,415

79,278,623

40,185

0,131,237

8,819,615

28,508,129
7,138,323

114,029
1,015,940

-79,882,889

A ustralia

1,089,540

Brazil

6,131,237

Canada

24,422,629

483,170

6,018,521

8,803,590

3,502,883

45,548,717

28,991,299

1,928,777

3,181,839

18,267,460

Total

31,375,776

10,804,563

129,916,112

7,814,691

179,911,142

151352°— 20— 8

106

ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following statement sliows the condemnations of imported
meats and the amounts refused entry on account of lack of foreign
certificates or other failure to comply with the regulations.

Import meat products condemned or refused enti-y.

Product.

Con-
demned.

Refused
entry.

Beef

329,270

200

36

10,852

466,400

Veal

Mutton

Pork

35,391)

Total

340,358

601,802

INSPECTION FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

By request of the Navy, War, and Interior Departments reinspec-
tions of meats and meat food products to determine whether they
were wholesome and conformed to the specifications were made dur-
ing the fiscal year. Inspections were made at 50 places for the Navy
Department and 68 for the War Department. The following table
shows the amounts of such inspections.

Inspection for other branches of the Government.

Department.

Navy Department

W ar Department

Interior Department (Indian Affairs)

Marine Corps

Panama Eailrcad

Total

Inspected.

Pounds.

173,463,509

114,273,114

497,228

9,931

4,784

288,248,506

Rejected.

Pound.i.

5,20(),S1G

4,791,392

4.300

9.9%. 538

LABELING OF MEAT AND PRODUCTS.

The law provides for the approval of labels and other markings
previous to their use on meat and meat food products, and prohibits
the application of false or deceptive names. The regulations made
under these provisions of law require that sketches of new trade
labels and other markings be submitted for official approval, to be
followed by the submission of the finished labels and markings for
final approval. There were submitted during the year enormous
quantities of materials, including labels, cartons, stencils, box dies,
brands, and tags, as well as inserts placed inside of meat containers,
and advertising matter bearing copies or reproductions of the Federal
meat-inspection legend. Large numbers of these were found to con-
tain false and misleading statements concerning the character or
composition of the product represented and were disapproved.

NET WEIGHT AND VOLUME LAW.

The net weight and volume amendment to the food and drugs act,
being applicable to meat and meat food products, is administered
by the Meat Inspection Division in establishments under the Federal
nieat inspection. Numerous questions arose concerning the proper

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 107

mctliod of computing the weight of canned products and tolerances
and variations from the declared quantity of contents which might
be considered reasonable within the meaning of the statute. The
({uestion of liquids surrounding the meat and products in cans was
also given attention, resulting in the correction of the practice
of including the weight of added water in the statement of quantity
on containers. In the case of canned products packed for commercial
use and found to bear incorrect statements of weight relabeling was
required. Errors of this nature occurring on products prepared for
the Army were called to the attention of the War Department and
resulted either in the correction of the statements of weight or in
the rejection of the products.

In cooperation with tb.e War Industries Board and the Committee
on the Conservation of Tin Plate of the Federal Food Administra-
tion the slack filling of tin containers of meat or meat food products
at establishments under inspection was j)rohibited during the period
of the war.

MEAT-INSPECTION LABORATORIES.

The laboratory examination of samples of meat and meat food
products prepared at establislunents at which inspection is conducted
has been continued in the meat-inspection laboratories maintained
in Washington and six other cities of the country. This examination
consists in determining whether the product is properly labeled or
contains any deleterious substance, in analyzing spices, waters, and
other ingredients used in the curing and preparation of meat food
products, and in analyzing rat exterminators, inks, etc.

The laboratories also continued to examine meat and products pre-
pared for the Army and the Navy to determine whether they con-
tained any harmful substance and to see that they conformed to the
Army and Navy specifications.

The total number of products analyzed during the year was 60,040,
of which 51,737 were domestic, 992 imported, and 7,3il specially pre-
pared for military consumption. Samples of 1,491 domestic and 38
imported products were found to be not in accordance with the regu-
lations and 21 of those examined for the Army and the Navy were
rejected. Of 680 waters examined 111 were prohibited for use in
their untreated state where they would come in direct contact with
meats.

Four hundred and fifty gallons of branding ink was prepared and
sent to meat-inspection stations for use in marking meats.

In addition to the routine work of a regulatory nature, the Wash-
ington meat-inspection laboratory has cooperated with the Office of
Home Economics of the States Relations Service in studying the com-
position of undigested fats. Studies have been made also of fats
which had been heated to the smoking temperatui-e, the tests showing
that such fats undergo a slight decomposition. The Washington
laboratory developed a method for the detection of whale meat in
sausage or other mixtures with animal fats. In cooperation with the
Bureau of Markets, the Washington and St. Louis laboratories have
made studies of the melting point and composition of the fat of soft
pork. All creameries which prepare butter to be used in oleomar-
garin were inspected, and lists were issued showing those which met
the requirements relative to pasteurization.

108 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

QUARANTINE DIVISION.

The work of tlie Quarantine Division, under Dr. E. W. Hickman,
cliief, has consisted, as heretofore, in the inspection and quarantine
of imported live stock, the inspection of animals for export, the
tuberculin testing of import and export dairy and breeding cattle,
the inspection, disinfection, and fitting of ocean steamers which
carry live stock, and the administration of regulations governing
the importation of hides, hair, wool, hay, straw, etc. .

INSPECTION AND QUARANTINE OF IMPORTED ANIMALS.

Imports of live stock were seriously interfered with by the great
difficulty in procMring steamer space and sailings during the first half
of the fiscal year and also by the appearance of foot-and-mouth dis-
ease in England. Outbreaks of that disease in Sussex in September
and in Yorkshire in January necessitated the closing of United
States ports to European shipments until late in April. With the
improvement of shipping conditions and the reopening of our ports
to British shipments, American purchasers in England promptly
made use of the opportunity for which they had been waiting, and
live-stock importations for May and June indicated a return to the
normal volume.

The following tables show the importations of the various kinds
of live stock through the different ports of entry :

Imported animals inspected and quarantined.

Port of entry.

Cattle.

Sheep.

Swine 1 ^^^^^
^^^^°®- .animals.

5.S.3
110

295

9 156

Boston

Pan Francisco

128
618

94

1,878

152 44

Total

2,573

1,011

101 1 294

Imported animals inspected hut not quarantined.

Tort of entry.

Catt'.e.

Sheep.

Swine.

Goats.

Horses.

Other
animals.

New York..

71
110

1

110

New Orleans .

Philadelphia

1

.

471

Key West .

2

331

San Juan

357

6
5,509
8,753

8

Mexican border ports

88,778
356,649

a3,973
117,973

273
24,102

24,725
14

1

99

Total

445,794

181,946

24,375

24,741

14,806

580

Inspectors of the bureau also inspected and held in quarantine for
the Bureau of Biological Survey 4,358 live quail imported from
Mexico for breeding purposes.

BUKEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

109

The 357 cattle sIioath in the second table <a.s entered at San Juan,
Porto Rico, were shipped from the Virgin Islands and were not
subject to tlie United States quarantine laws.

Tlie animal quarantine station for the port of Baltimore, having
Ireen turned over to the War Department early in the preceding year
for the storage of munitions and not yet relinquished, was unavail-
able for quarantine purposes throughout the entire year^ hence all
importations of animals subject to quarantine and coming to the
Atlantic seaboard were entered at Xew York or Boston.

Through the courtesy of the British Government the bureau has
continued to maintain an inspector in Great Britain, among whose
duties is the tuberculin testing of cattle intended for shipment to
the United States. During the year 78G cattle were so tested in the
United Kingdom and the Channel Islands at the request of im-
porters. This work is shown in the following table:

Results of tubcrciiUn tests of eottle for importation Into the United States.

Breed.

Tested.

Passed.

Rejected.

Avrsliire

2

567
2
1

123
91

2

£02
1
1

120
81

(lucmsey. ............'.

5

} lerefonl

1 lolstcin

Jcrsev..

3

b horthorn

7

Total

786

770

16

Cattle not accompanied by satisfactory ct-rtificatcs of tuberculin
test signed or approved by the bureau inspector in Great Britain
must be tested in quarantine after arrival in the United States.
Ninety-nine cattle were thus tested and all wt^re passed.

IMPORTATIONS OF ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS.

The bureau, through the Quarantine Division, has continued its
cooperation with the Treasury Department in the administration of
tlie regulations governing the sanitary handling and control of hides,
fckins, and other animal by-products offered for entry into the United
States. This bureau endeavors to protect the domestic live stock
from possible infection of anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and
rinderpest, which diseases exist in many parts of the world from
which animal by-products are imported. These regulations provide
that hides and skins from countries where anthrax is prevalent, or
in which foot-and-mouth disease or rinderpest exists, shall be dis-
infected prior to shipment, or, at the discretion of the shipper, any
such hides and skins may be forwarded to the United States, subject
to disinfection at a tannery at destination under bureau supervision.
The greater part of the imported hides and skins are so certified as
to render them eligible for importation without disinfection.

INSPECTION OF ANIMALS FOR EXPORT.

The exportation of live stock is subject to regulations providing
for inspection to assure that the animals are in good health and for
their humane handling and safe transport. All live stock offered

110

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

for export is inspected and in certain cases certificates are issued.
Cattle for dairy and breeding purposes are subjected to the tuber-
culin test. Statistics of the inspection of animals for export are
given in the following table:

Inspection of animals for export.

With certificate.

Without certificate.

Kind of animals.

American
animals.

Canadian
animals.i

To

Canada.

To other
countries.

Total.

Cattle

1,361

8

9

696

2 9, 775

8 8,150

1

8,735

5,155

18

98

5,441

193

818

10,915

5,163

27

Sheep

(roats

Swine

602

234

3

1 396

Horses

15,450
8,346

Mules

Total

19,999

1

19,640

1,657

41 297

1 In former years considerable numbers of Canadian animals were exported through the United States.
Althouf^h only one animal was so exported during the past fiscal year, this column is kept separate for
comparison with previous statistics.

2 Including 9,615 horses to Europe for military purposes.
•Including 7,411 mules to Europe for military purposes.

Of the cattle inspected for shipment to Canada, 1,321 were dairy
and breeding stock and were tested Avith tuberculin; 85 reacted and
were rejected. The remaining 7,414 cattle for Canada were range
animals and were not tested. The 818 cattle for other countries were
tested with tuberculin; 10 reacted and were rejected. The mallein
test was applied to the 5,441 horses and 193 mules for Canada and
234 horses and 3 mules for other countries, with only 2 reactors.

In carrying out the regulations governing the overseas transporta-
tion of live stock 215 inspections of vessels were made before clear-
ance.

DAIRY AND BREEDING CATTE FOR BELGIUM AND IRANCE.

Since the close of the war an entirely ncAV line of business is in
course of development in connection with the exportation of live
stock, namely, the shipment of dairy and breeding cattle to France
and Belgium. Three small shipments had gone forward at the close
of the year, one to France and two to Belgium, the former consisting
of 135 head and the latter of 180 and 350, respectively.

FIELD INSPECTION DIVISION.

The Field Inspection Division, under Dr. A. W. Miller, chief, has
continued its activities for the control and eradication of certain dis-
eases of live stock and has also conducted work in the enforcement
of certain live-stock quarantine and transportation laws.

ERADICATION OF SCABIES.

In the w^ork of eradicating sheep scabies in cooperation with State
officials bureau employees in the field made 22,394,561 inspections and
supervised 10,518,196 dippings, constituting increases over the year
before of 14 and 88.3 per cent, respectively. The bureau also assisted
State authorities in arresting outbreaks, of sheep scabies in Michigan
and Iowa. In Michigan the eradication has been practically com-

BUREAU OF AXIMAL INDUSTRY. Ill

pleted, while in Iowa, where the infection was widely scattered
through the introduction of feeder sheep, progress is being made
toward its elimination. No cases of the disease are now known to
exist in Montana or North Dakota, and in Idaho the considerable
spread of the infection following the outbreak of the previous year
has been brought under control and the work of eradication in af-
fected areas is progressing. The island of San Clemente, Calif., was
quarantined on account oi the prevalence of sheep scabies.

In the course of the cooperative eradication of cattle scabies bureau
employees made 1,707,917 inspections and supervised 935,539 dip-
pings of cattle in the field, the dippings marking an increase of 46
per cent over the figures for the preceding year. An extensive spread
of the infection in western Kansas is being brought under control,
and in the new areas of infection in southwestern New Mexico effec-
tive work is being done by bureau and State employees. In north-
western Texas and in Montana the disease was found to exist to a
considerably greater extent than for several years.

Bureau employees also assisted State authorities in Colorado, Ne-
braska, and Vermont in efforts to eradicate sarcoptic mange in
numerous herds of cattle in those States.

Horses and mules to the number of 414 were inspected for scabies
and 71 were dipped under bureau supervision.

ERADICATION OF DOURINE.

Intensive efforts to control and eradicate dourine of horses were
continued and satisfactory progress was made. In the Middle and
Northwestern States, where the disease has prevailed, the extent of
the infection was found to be considerably less than in former years.
No cases are known to exist in Iowa or Nebraska, and the infection
exists only to a slight extent in North Dakota and Wyoming. In
South Dakota a large number of animals were tested and less than 1
per cent found to be affected. In Arizona and New Mexico, however,
especially in the former, further investigations and the testing of
large numbers of hoi'ses revealed the widespread existence of the dis-
ease. As the affected areas are largely within the various Indian res-
ervations, and the horses, which are owned principally by the Indians
living under a tribal form of government, are wild ponies ranging
in rough and inaccessible regions, eradication work is carried on
under great difficulties. However, officials of the States concerned
and of the Indian Service of the Department of the Interior, as well
as horsemen in the affected areas, have cooperated with the bureau
in a satisfactory manner and considerable progress has been made.
The bureau continued the practice of paying one-half of the ai5-
praised valuation of infected horses destroyed when they were owned
by citizens', such share not to exceed $100 in any one case. The num-
ber of animals tested and the results of the tests are reported by the
Pathological Division.

INSPECTION OF ANIMALS FOR INDIAN AGENCIES.

In cooperation with the Office of Indian Affairs, 53 head of horses
and mules and 40 head of cattle were inspected for allotment to
Indian agencies. Twenty of the horses and mules were rejected, the
remainder of the animals being passed for allotment.

112 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

CONTROL OF INFLUENZA, ANTHRAX, AND OTHER DISEASES.

In continuation of the Avar emergency campaign to stimulate the
production and conservation of Hyq stock, ^vork Avas carried on look-
ing to the control of anthrax, influenza, and other diseases and to a
reduction of the losses resulting therefrom.

The assignment of 30 bureau employees to service with the War
Department to assist in the efforts being made to reduce losses among
Army horses and mules from influenza was continued until aWit
February 1. The activities of these employees were directed toward
bettering sanitary conditions at all points where public animals were
liandled, and great improvement was made, with the result that such
losses were very materially reduced.

At the large markets of the country bureau employees were regu-
larly assigned to work for the control of influenza, inspecting all
horses and mules received and isolating sick animals. At those
stations 507,559 such animals were inspected, of which 5,341 were
sent to the hospital. Of the latter number 622 died of influenza,
which shoAved a great reduction below the average losses of previous
years. In addition to the regular assignments, cooperation was ex-
tended to State officialrj ancl horsem.en at practically all bureau
stations.

Cooperation was extended to the officials of various States, espe-
cially those along the Gulf coast, in the control of anthrax and the
reduction of losses from that disease. Bureau employees supervised
the disinfection of infected premises and the proper disposal of car-
casses of animals dead from anthrax, and whenever necessary as-
sisted the owners of infected herds in the vaccination of susceptible
animals. In southern Texas alone, Avhere the disease has existed
extensively in recent j^ears, bureau emploj^ees assisted in the vaccina-
tion of about 30,000 animals. Good results were obtained and the
value of jDrompt and vigorous control measures was fully demon-
strated.

On the request of stockmen or other interested persons, bureau
employees were detailed to investigate outbreaks of blackleg, to ad-
vise owners as to the proi:)^r treatment, and, if necessar}^, to assist in
vaccination.

Investigations of repprted outbreaks of disease among domestic
animals were made in various parts of tlie countr}^ In cooperation
with the State officials of South Dakota the bureau assisted in suc-
cessfully arresting a serious outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis
among horses. Cooperation was also extended to the National Park
service in determining the cause of the death of a number of buffaloes
in Yellowstone Park.

To guard against the recurrence of foot-and-mouth disease, careful
inspections of all ruminants and swine received at public stockyards
were made by experienced veterinarians specially assigned to that
work as in previous years. Prompt investigations were made of all
suspected outbreaks of the dis^oase reported to the bureau, with nega-
tive results in all instances.

LIVE-STOCK SANITARY WORK IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

In the course of supervising the interstate transportation of live
stock to prevent the spread of animal diseases, bureau employees at
market centers inspected 22,594,329 cattle, of which 10,897 were

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 113

dipped under bureau supervision in order tliat they might continue
in interstate commerce. Sheep to the number of 20,597,232 were also
inspected for communicable diseases, and of these 884,294 were
dipped under bureau supervision to comply with the regulations of
the department or of the States of destination.

An outstanding feature of this work during the 3'ear was the great
increase in the number of swine immunized against hog cholera in
order that they might be distributed from public stockyards for pur-
poses other than shuighter. The number so immunized after care-
ful inspection was 614,673, an increase of 140 per cent over the pre-
ceding year.

Upon request of transportation companies and shippers or to com-
ply with laws of States to which shipments were destined, bureau
veterinarians inspected 17,346 horses and mules, of which 5,854 were
tested with mallein, 9 showing reactions.

During the year 24,655 cars carrying animals affected with com-
municable diseases were received at bureau stations. In compliance
with department regulations or on request of Canadian Government
officials, State officials, or transportation companies, 44,843 cars were
cleaned and disinfected under bureau suj^ervision.

VIOLATIONS OF LIVE-STOCK TRANSPORTATION AND QUARANTINE LAWS.

The bureau has continued to report to the Solicitor of the de-
partment, for presentation to the proper officials of other depart-
ments, cases of apparent violations of live-stock transportation and
(juarantine laws. Many of these cases have required special investi-
gation on the part of bureau employees, such as interviewing wit-
nesses and examining railroad and other records. Five bureau em-
ployees were regularly assigned to this work, though the greater
])art of the work of collecting evidence and i)reparing and sub-
mitting reports is done by bureau employees at stockyard centers,
in connection Avith their other duties. The enforcement of the so-
called 28-hour law has resulted in better facilities being provided
for the feeding, watering, and handling of live stock in transit.

TICK ERADICATION DIVISION.

The work for the suppression of Texas or tick fever of cattle
and the extermination of the ticks which transmit it has again shown
greater progress than in any previous year. This work is conducted
through the Tick Eradication Division, of which Dr. R. A. Ramsay
is chief, in cooperation with the authorities of the Southern States
a fleeted.

PROGRESS IN TICK ERADICATION.

Areas aggregating 79,217 square miles, having been freed of
ticks, were released from quarantine during the fiscal year. This
action makes available 93 counties and 33 parts of counties into
which better-bred cattle from tick-free States may be safely in-
troduced, with consequent increase in beef and in dairy products.
The total area released since the beginning of this work in 1906
amounts to 458,529 square miles, which is nearly 63 per cent of the
originally infected area. The work is also far advanced in a large

114

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURB.

additional territory. The folloAving table shows the territory re-
leased during the past fiscal year :

Areas released from quarantine as a result of eradicating cattle ticks, fiscal

year 1919.

state.

Square
miles.

State.

Square
miles.

2,102
2,184
4,745
7,G18
23,492

North Carolina

1,983
8 74'>

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Florida

South Carolina

8,619
19, 725

Georgia

Texas

Total

79, 217

During the year 47,843,791 inspections or clippings were made of
cattle for the eradication of ticks as against 34,927,959 in the pre-
ceding year. There were in operation 33,789 cattle dipping vats
wdiere cattle were dipped under Federal or State supervision to rid
them of ticks.

A great deal of advance work pertaining to the construction of
dipping vats and preparing counties and localities for regulatory
tick-eradication activities in the near future was conducted with a
view to proper organization for taking up and carrjdng on the
work in new areas. Effectual cooperation has come from many
sources and interests.

Until 1916 what is known as the local-option system was fol-
lowed in nearly all States cooperating in tick eradication. Under
this plan the systematic dipping of cattle every 14 days (which is
necessary for the extermination of the parasite) could not be begun
in a county until after an election had been called and held and a
majority of the voters in the county had expressed themselves in
favor of driving out the ticks. This plan was found to work well
up to a certain point. That point was when the remaining counties
would not vote for tick eradication and became a menace to the tick-
free counties which were being stocked with purebred cattle not
immune to tick fever. Mississippi affords an example of how this
condition was overcome. When 31 counties stood as an obstacle
t^ further progress the farmers and live-stock men of the tick-free
areas induced the legislature to enact a State-wide law requiring
county officers within a certain time to provide dipping vats, dipping
material, and men to supervise the dipping of all cattle every 14
days from April to November, inclusive, in 1917. The result was that
the entire State was released from quarantine on December 1 of that
year.

Observing the good results in Mississippi, Louisiana enacted simi-
lar legislation, which became effective April 1, 1918. Little opposi-
tion was met and such good work was accomplished that on Decem-
ber 1 of the same year 29 counties and parts of several other counties,
in all an area of 23,492 square miles, were released from quarantine,
and the work is so far advanced in all remaining quarantined areas
that their early release seems assured.

Texas also has enacted a State-wide law, but because of the size of
the State and the large tick-infested area a different plan has been

BUREAU OF ANIMAL TXDUSTr.Y. 115

afloptcd. The law divides the State into three zones and b2camo
effective January 1, 1919, in zone 1, which includes about 65 counties
in the northeastern part of the State.

In Alabama there remained 24 counties which during the past two
or three years on one or more occasions had refused to vote for tick
eradication. The legislature enacted a State-wide law for compul-
sory dipping, effective March 7, 1919. The regular dippiiig of cattle
was taken up in all the counties, and the State is approaching com-
plete release.

The Georgia legislature enacted a State-wide law to become effec-
tive in December, 1919, and arrangements are now being made to en-
force it.

Experience has proved that the principle of county or local option
on the question of tick eradication is a good way of beginning the
work in a State, but that eradication can be more quickly completed
by the application of a State-wide law requiring all the tardy coun-
tief to take action at the same time in order thai:, the ticks may not bo
jDermitted to remain in a few counties or locall.ie^ and endanger the
cattle industry in the areas already freed.

SHIPMENTS FROM QUARANTINED AREAS.

The number of cattle of the quarantined area shipped to market
centers for immediate slaughter was 4,807,865, which is a considerable
increase over the preceding year and was brought about by local con-
ditions such as drought, which required the immediate marketing of
many cattle. Moreover, many cattle owners in tick-eradication lo-
calities have shown a disposition to ship for slaughter as many un-
profitable cattle as possible in preference to dipping them. This was
done with a view of producing, after ticks were eradicated, better-
bred animals likely to be more profitable for breeding purposes.
" Dipped ticky cattle '' to the number of 8,361 w^ere shipped to points
where inspection is provided and dipping facilities maintained, for
further treatment for movement as noninfectious. At public stock-
yards 85,087 cattle were dipped and certified for movement as non-
infected. For these shipments 1,673 certificates were issued.

At points other than public stockyards 89,616 cattle were inspected
or dipped and certified for interstate movement as noninfected, as
provided for in the regulations. To cover the shipments of these
cattle 979 certificates were issued.

TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION DIVISION.

The work of the Tuberculosis Eradication Division, in charge of
Dr. J. A. Kiernan, chief, for the control and eradication of tubercu,-
losis of live stock, has been extended to include active cooperation
with 43 States. The live-stock sanitary officials of these States are
extending all possible cooperation. States not cooperating with the
department are in most instances unable to do so because of unsuit-
able laws or lack of funds. Cattle owners throughout the country,
including those in States not doing cooperative work, are becoming
more and more interested. The plan of accrediting tuberculosis-free
herds of cattle and the law under which indemnity may be paid for

116

ANNUAL IIEPORTS OF DEPAr.TMEKT OF ' AGKICULTUEE.

reacting animals have been of great value in advancing the campaign.
For carrying on its field work for the eradication of tuberculosis the
bureau has offices in 33 cities in as many States, an increase of 10
during the fiscal year.

TESTING CATTLE FOR TUBERCULOSIS.

Under the supervision of bureau officers there were tested with
tuberculin 329,878 cattle, of which 13,528, or 4.09 per cent, reacted.
A summary by States is given in the accompanying table.

Smiimary of tiiherculin testing of cattle in cooperative tuberculosis-eradication

ioork.

States.

Ala1?ama

Arkansas

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

liouisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Cattle

CatUe

Percent

tested.

reacted.

reacted.

17,446

226

1.29

495

10

2.02

976

25

2.56

1,917

141

7.35

602

31

6.14

1,264

8

.63

7,193

375

5.12

9,858

265

2.67

1,033

14

1.34

10, 247

872

8.50

7,001

211

3.01

6,689

361

6.38

7,502

362

4.82

6,729

216

3.06

9,849

386

3.91

7,609

175

2.29

8,265

763

9.23

2,994

164

5.47

8,352

289

3.46

32,642

1,399

4.27

10,087

82

.81

1,232

69

6.60

17,607

493

2.80

4,014

242

6.02

States.

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina. .
North Dakota...

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania . . .
Rhode Island . . .
South Carolina..
South Dakota. . .

Tennessee

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia. . .

Wisconsin

Wj'oming

Total

Cattle
tested.

479
789
789
48
211
972
052
156
525
483
323
424
086
885
923
762
684
561
466
393
554
704

329, 878

Cattle
reacted.

18
41
255

482
118
485
740
147
111
412

79
152
427
231

82

1,146

562

209

57
579

16

13, 528

Per cent
reacted.

3.75
5.19
9.14

6.68
1.71
3.45
6.63
9.60
2.47
4.61
1.86
2.98
7.25
2.11

.17
7.79
2.87
2.46
4.09
3.72

.43

4.03

The District of Columbia gives an illustration of what may be
accomplished during a term of years by the systematic testing of
cattle for tuberculosis and properly disposing of reactors. Work of
this kind has been under way in the District for 10 years. At the be-
ginning of this period the tuberculin test showed that 19 per cent of
the cattle were tuberculous. During the past fiscal year 1,264 cattle
in the District were tested and only 8 reactors obtained, a percentage
of 0.63. Three hundred and seventy cattle in interstate movement
were also tested for admittance into the District of Columbia, and of
this number 30, or about 8 per cent, were found to be infected with
tuberculosis.

INSPECTION AND TESTING FOR INTERSTATE MOVEMENT.

During the year there were inspected by bureau veterinarians, in
compliance with the laws of the States to which the animals were
destined, 41,609 cattle moved interstate for purposes other than im-
mediate slaughter, of which 40,686 were tested with tuberculin. Of
the number tested 1,182 reacted.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

117

ACCREDITED TUBERCULOSIS-FREE HERDS.

Tlie movement to establish and maintain a list of herds of pure-
bred cattle officially accredited as being free from tuberculosis has
met with wide favor among herd owners and is spreading rapidly.
The plan, in brief, is to test the cattle with tuberculin at the request
of the owner, to eliminate any reacting animals either by slaughter
or by following prescribed sanitary measures, to repeat the test at
prescribed intervals, and to list as tuberculosis-free accredited herds
all herds entitled to that distinction. Official certificates are issued
to the owners of such herds. Two lists of accredited herds have
been compiled and printed. Up to April 1, 1919, a total of 782 herds,
containing 12,082 purebred and 6,939 grade animals had been fully
accredited, and 6,535 herds comprising 39,558 purebred and 57,685
grade animals had been listed as having passed one test.

CATTLE SLAUGHTERED AND INDEMNITY PAID.

October 1, 1918, funds became available to the bureau for the pay-
ment of indemnity for tuberculous animals slaughtered in the work
of eradication. Indemnity was paid partly by States and partly by
the Federal Government. The accompanying table gives statistics
of cattle slaughtered, appraisal, indemnity, salvage, etc.

Cattle slaughtered^ appraised value, indemnity allowed, and salvage realized in
work of tubcreulosia eradieation, Oetoher 1, 191S, to June 30, 1019.

State.

District of Columliia

Idaho

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Koiilucky

Maine

Marvland

Michigan

Mituipsota

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virijinia

V/isconsin

Total

Nam her
of cattle.

7

5

28

1

252

176

91

.502

100

72.S

18

83

73

15

.38

37

2a3

4

7

120

6

22

193

34

829

11

49

10

2

3,644

Average
appr.aisal
per head.

$100.00
160.00
184.82
167.00
270.33
202.20
114.84

90.72
245.80

94.85
198.61

8100
209.18
1.30.66
1R8.29

59.16
147.17
300.00
149. 35
1.W.96
250.00

97. .W
188.16
102,06

75. 74
350. 00

99.93
120.00
200.00

127.82

Total

State

indemnity

$129.66

1,155.86

34.00

19,617.41

15,678.79

3,751.46

7,713.82

9,25.5.00

25,142.09

551. 64
4, 750. 13
3,099.87

681.36

1,075.98

1,. 32.3. 52

12, 323. 53

459. ?z

312.50
5,137.15

181.8.3

480. 59
7,223.14

663. 33
32,325.81

293. 91
1,024.73

522. 48
50.68

1W,959.39

Total

Federal

inJemnity,

1135.00

129.66

966.77

25.00

10, 145. .50

5, 589. 72

2,025.60

7,713.84

4,475.43

8,626.59

547.53

1,604.60

3,097.87

3.58. 1 1

1,075.98

682. 39

4,820.79

200.00

260.34

3,515.69

168.83

480. 59

4,943.71

663.33

14, 736. 46

293. 91

989. 73

238. 80

50.68

78,542.45

Average
State
indem-
nity per
head.

$26. 93
41.28
24.00
77.85
89.08
41.22
15.37
92. .55
34.54
30.64
57.23
42.46
45. 42
28. 32
35. 77
60.70

114.81
44.64
42.81
30. 31
21.85
37.43
19.51
38.99
26.72
20.91
52.25
25.34

49.92

Average
Federal
indem-
nity per
head.

$19.29
25. 93
34.52
25.00
40.26
31.78
22.26
15.37
44.75
11.85
30.42
19.33
42. 43
23. 87
28.32
17.90
23. 75
50.00
37.19
29.30
28. 14
21.8.5
25.62
19.51
17.78
26.72
20.20
23.88
25. 34

21.94

A verage
salvage
per head.

$39. 64
23.85
59.15
6,5.00
73.31
30.39
25.30
47.14
79.58
46.98
72.31
20.06
64.15
27.56
60.80
10.11
57.89
70.39
37.78
40.55
42.69
31.97
43.42
41. 18
19.32
63.48
26.27
42.21
74.86

41.49

118 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DIVISION OF HOG-CHOLERA CONTROL.

Tlie Office of Hog-Cholera Control was made a division in April,
1919, and Dr. U. G. Houck was appointed chief of the division to
fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. O. B. Hess.

COOPERATIVE WORK FOR CONTROL OF HOG CHOLERA.

The work for the control and suppression of ho^ cholera progressed
along the lines of the preceding year, in cooperation with the regula-
tory authorities and the extension divisions of agricultural colleges
in 31 States where hog raising forms an important part of the farm-
ing activities. For a time as many as 180 bureau veterinarians were
assigned to hog-cholera control work, but the average for the year
was about 135.

Through the increase of the field force, which was made possible
by the increase of funds from the war emergency appropriation, the
swine industry received more protection against losses from hog
cholera than ever before. Notwithstanding an increase of over
4,000,000 above the number of hogs in the preceding year as a result
of efforts to stimulate production, besides the abnormal conditions
that prevailed as a consequence of the war, the mortality of swine
from all diseases showed a slight decline, from 42.1 per 1,000 in
1918 to 41.4 per 1,000 in 1919, or about 37 per 1,000 from hog cholera.
This is the lowest point recorded in 36 years.

Hogs shipped from public stock3'ards into the various States for
feeding purposes were kept under observation at destinations for a
time to observe the results of the hog-cholera preventive treatment
administered at the j^ards before shipment. The observation of these
animals added materially to the duties of both bureau and State
inspectors, as 614,673 feeder hogs Avere immunized at public stock-
yards and shipped, which was a great increase over any previous
year.

Many garbage- feeding stations in the vicinity of large cities and
military and naval camps were kept under observation, as such
places are always liable to become centers of infection.

SUMAIAllY OF ACTIVITIES.

During the year 12,336 outbreaks of hog cholera were reported to
the bureau inspectors by county agents, live-stock owners, and others.
These outbreaks were investigated in cooperation with the State
authorities. Under the direction of those authorities 9,564 farms
were quarantined on account of outbreaks of the disease, and 4,382
were cleaned and disinfected. A total of 51,022 farm investigations
were made on infected and adjacent premises, and 53,586 post-mor-
tems were held to determine the nature of the disease that existed
among the animals on the farms visited by the inspector.

Literature on the subject of hog cholera was widely distributed,
and 2,734 meetings were held in hog-raising districts for the purpose
of forming organizations and giving information and instructions
to live-stock owners concerning quarantine, sanitation, and the serum
treatment as successful means for preventing losses from hog cholera.
These meetings were attended by 78,584 farmers and others. In

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 119

addition, the inspectors held personal interviews with 315,359 live-
stock owners, veterinarians, county agents, bankers, and others.

In all, 93,512 farms were visited by the bureau inspectors, at the
request of the owners or otherwise, to observe the condition of live
stock and to give advice and other assistance.

To demonstrate to veterinary practitioners and others the proper
technique in administering the protective serum treatment, 233,987
hogs were treated.

Veterinary practitioners and others trained to administer the
hog-cholera preventive treatment, and working in cooperation with
the bureau forces, reported the treating of 5,474,685 hogs in the 34
States where bureau veterinarians are stationed. Since it is esti-
mated that less than 50 per cent of the hogs treated are reported to
the State and bureau authorities, it is conservatively estimated that
the treatment was administered to more than 12,000,000 hogs in the
United States during the year. A notable effect of the year's work
during the past year has been the great increase in the use of serum
by hog owners.

PATHOLOGICAL DIVISION.

The scientific investigation of animal diseases has been, as here-
tofore, the principal work of the Pathological Division, under the
direction of Dr. John S. Buckley, chief. In addition, the division
has studied the poisoning of live stock by plants, has aided in the
supervision of viruses, serums, and other stock remedies, and has
can-ied on certain routine work relating to diseases of animals.

INFECTIOUS ABORTION.

The study of infectious abortion has been continued in an effort
to acquire further information that may be advantageously utilized
in combating this serious malady. The manner in which the dis-
ease is introduced into abortion-free herds is regarded as sufficiently
well understood to enable stock owners and dairymen by practicing
reasonable precautions to keep healthy herds clean; but the control
and elimination of the infection after it has made its appearance
continues to be a perplexing problem.

Increased interest has more recently been manifested in methods
of artificial immunization as a result of experiments conducted by
English investigators where promising results followed the employ-
ment of a living abortion-organism vaccine administered shortly
before the animals were bred. A considerable amount of experi-
mental work has been conducted along similar lines during the last
two years. When a limited number of susceptible animals were
utilized in an experimental capacity the results strongly indicated
that protection could be conferred, but when the same method was
applied to upward of 600 animals in an infected herd only a very
slight reduction in abortion losses was accomplished. Results have
indicated that only susceptible animals derive possible benefit from
the method, no decrease in losses having resulted from the treatment
of animals giving positive reactions. While the results obtained
under experimental and herd conditions were somewhat contradic-
tory, sufficient evidence that immunity was conferred in some in-
stances was obtained to justify further immunizing investigations.

120 ANNUAL RKrORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Additional evidence was obtained that bulls giving positive re-
actions to the abortion tests may liaibor abortion infection in
their generative organs and that the presence of the infection may be
associated with definite lesions. The findings in five cases are de-
scribed in a pax^er appearing in the Journal of Agricultural Re-
search.

While abortion disease up to the present tinie appears to have
interfered to only a slight extent with the swine industry, further
evidence has been obtained that abortion infection is capable of
causing losses in some instances in hogs. The presence of the infec-
tion was definitely established in one outbreak in Indiana, and on
six other farms in the same State where abortion losses had been
heavy among sows abortion infection was indicated by positive ag-
glutination reactions.

Serological tests have been applied to several hundred samples of
blood serum from suspected cases, and the definite knowledge thus
gained as to the presence of the disease in many cases has enabled
cattle oAvners to adopt appropriate control measures.

Cooperative research work by investigators at the veterinary de-
partment of Cornell University, in connection with an outbreak of
disease in a flock of 235 Merino ewes where 50 per cent or more
aborted or produced immature lambs, disclosed as the probable
causative factor a spirillum, a type of microorganism not hitherto
recognized in this country as associated Avith ovine abortion, although
a similar type of organism had been previously isolated from abort-
ing cows in this division. Severe abortion losses in sheep in Great
Britain have been attributed to a similar if not identical type of
infection. The losses from ovine abortion in this country up to the
present time have been slight.

BACILLUS X A^D EQUINE INFLUENZA.

An organism morphologically and culturally closely resembling
Bacillus suhtiUs, and designated as Bacillus X by its discoverer, has
been incriminated as a factor in the cause of equine influenza, and
studies have been made of that organism in relation to the disease.
Results of investigation show that no serological relationship exists
between Bacillus X and B. suhtilis. Large doses of Bacillus X
failed to produce any evidence of disease when injected into guinea
pigs, rabbits, or horses. Agglutinins and specific complement-fixing
bodies are demonstrable in hyperimmune serum.

In a test for toxin production, horses were temporarily discom-
forted by large injections of sterile bouillon filtrates of this or-
ganism, after which the animals remained normal. Guinea pigs and
rabbits showed no ill effects from injections of this filtrate. The fil-
trate showed distinct antigenic properties when used as an antigen
against serum from horses hyperimmunized against Bacillus X.

Complement-fixation tests with Bacillus X as an antigen, on a
limited number of serums for animals affected w^ith influenza or
recently recovered from that disease, resulted in negative reactions
in all cases. Several of these serums in low dilutions showed some
agglutinating power against Bacillus X suspension. This same
agglutination was also evidenced in certain normal horse serums in
which exposure to influenza infection could be reasonably excluded.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. ' 121

DOURINE INVESTIGATIONS.

The complement-fixation test has continued to be extensively em-
ployed for the diagnosis of dourine of horses, 46,819 samples of
serum having been tested, of which 1,143, or 2.4 per cent, gave posi-
tiN e reactions.

Experiments are being made on drying trypanosome suspensions
for the purpose of preparing permanent dourine antigens of un-
varying titer. Out of three lots of trypanosomes dried, one retained
its antigenic A-alue for one year at low temperature and in vacuum,
but lost all antigenic value after three months' exposure to room
temperature and air.

OTHER RESEARCH WORK.

In cooperation with the Bureau of Chemistry, experimental studies
were made with a strain of Bac/'Uus hotuUnus isolated from home-
canned asparagus. As an antitoxic serum effective against a strain
of the bacillus isolated from cheese afforded no protection to ani-
mals injected w^ith toxin from the .asparagus* strain, experiments
are being made for the production of what is known as a polyvalent
sei'um against botulism.

Bacteriological and biochemical studies of conditions in culture
media and living tissue which favor the development of toxins and
aggressions by the blackleg bacillus are in progress.

Seven cases of spontaneous tumors in wiiite mice were examined,
and from this material experiments in the transplantation of tumor
])articles and the breeding of mice have been undertaken in coopera-
tion with the Biochemic Division with the object of further research
work on tumors.

A series of experiments with butter-coloring matters including
Jersey yellow, Sudan diazo-amido-benzine, etc., was undertaken in
cooperation with the Bureau of Chemistry, to observe the effect on
tlie skin. Microscopic studies were made of the cutaneous struc-
tuies of experimental animals. The results proved the irritant
action on the peripheral as well as the deeper parts of the skin.

P^leven samples of animal tissue and stomach contents were ex-
amined for poisons. In three tissues from a smelter region, zinc
was found in two and lead and zinc in the third.

EXAMINATIONS FOR TUBERCULOSIS.

Specimen tissues from 176 cattle that had reacted to the tuber-
culin test but in which no visible tuberculosis growths had been
found on ordinary post-mortem examination, were referred to the
Pathological Division for final diagnosis. Tubercle bacilli were
demonstrated in 85 cases, while none could be found in the speci-
mens from the remaining 91.

GLANDERS.

Cooperative work for the control of glanders in various States was
continued. The complement-fixation test was applied to 695 samples
of serum forAvarded by various State officials and practicing veteri-
narians; 174 of these samples gave positive reactions to the test, a
per cent of 24.8.

151352°— 20 9

122 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

RABIES.

Specimens submitted for examination for rabies came principally
from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and the District
of Columbia. The number of cases in the District has perceptibly
diminished. Of 117 suspected cases a positive diagnosis was made in
75, and in one case the material was so decomposed that no diagnosis
was possible. The positive cases were 69 dogs, 1 cat, 4 cattle, and 1
sheep. A considerable number of persons, as well as a number of
animals, had been bitten by the affected animals. In every instance
in which a person had been bitten, animal inoculation was made Avhen
the microscopic findings were negative.

BLACKLEG VACCINE.

Vaccine for immunizing cattle against blacldeg is still in great de-
mand. During the year, 3,339,815 doses were distributed free of
charge to stock owners. The powdered form of vaccine that has
been prepared by the bureau for many years is the only form dis-
tributed. Filtrates aiid aggressins, which many stockmen find very
satisfactory in the immunization of their calves against blackleg,
are being submitted to very careful tests to see that they possess the
required protective qualities.

EXAMINATION OF BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS.

Cooperating with the Office of Virus-Serum Control, which con-
ducts the regulatory work in connection with the supervision of vet-
erinary biological products under the virus-serum-toxin law, the
Pathological Division has continued to carry out the testing of cer-
tain products. During the year there were submitted for examina-
tion 139 samples representing 30 different kinds of serums, bacterins,
vaccines, and germ- free filtrates. Forty-two of these, or 30 per cent,
were rejected for reasons such as contamination with foreigu organ-
isms or their products, insufficient attenuation of bacteria used in
vaccines, and lack of potency. Three hundred and thirty-seven cul-
tures of organisms intended for use in the manufacture of biological
products were also examined, of which 72, or 21 per cent, we-re re-
jected because of contaminations and atypical cultural characteris-
tics. The division also furnished to biological houses from its stock
cultures many organisms of various types to be used in the manufac-
ture of their products. The suggestions made to the various firms
relative to their products, together with the report of the division
findings in eacli instance, have served to induce greater accuracy in
identifying cultures and testing their products, as it is exceedingly
rare to find a second sample unsatisfactory to test. The effect of
such work is to exclude from the market unsuitable and impotent
jDroducts and in some instances products that are even dangerous to
the live-stock industry.

POULTRY DISEASES.

Extensive outbreaks of a highly infectious disease of poultry were
reported from some of the Eastern States. Carcasses of foAvis sub-
mitted to the laboratory for examination were found to be affected
with fowl typhoid, a disease quite similar to fowl cholera, though
caused by a different microorganism. In severe outbreaks it is

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 123

almost as destructive as cholera. Information as to methods for
control were given through bulletins and correspondence.

Avian material forwarded to the laboratory for diagnosis showed
a variety of diseased conditions, the more miportant of which were
white diarrhea of chicks, diphtheria and chicken pox, enterohepatitis
or blacldiead of turkeys, avian tuberculosis, and coccidiosis. Experi-
ments were conducted to determine the relationship of coccidiosis
of fowls and cattle. Fowls fed on material containing coccidia from
cattle failed to develop coccidiosis.

AUTOPSIES ON WILD ANIMALS.

During the year 80 specimens of wild animals were received from
the National Zoological Park (D. C.) for post-mortem examination.
Of 45 birds examined there were 12 cases of enteritis, 2 of septicemia,
1 of peritonitis, 1 of sarcomatosis, 1 of parasitism, 1 of anemia, 1 of
ptomaine poisoning, 2 of hemorrhage, 13 of tuberculosis, 3 of as-
pergillosis, 1 of cecal necrosis, and 7 undetermined. Of 35 mammals
there were 5 cases of pneumonia, 1 of bronchopneumonia, 1 of pleu-
risy, 3 of enteritis, 2 of gastroenteritis, 4 of septicemia, 1 of peri-
tonitis, 2 of tumors (adenomata sarcoma), 1 of parasitism, 3 of
anemia, 1 of septic metritis, 7 of tuberculosis, 1 of prolapse of rec-
tum, and 3 destroj'ed as unfit for exhibition (1 paraplegia, 1 extensive
local infection of internuixillary region, 1 severely injured).

PLANT POISONING OF STOCK.

In the investigation of poisonous plants nearly all the field ex-
perimental work has been conducted at the experiment station near
Salina, Utah (provided by cooperation of the Forest Service), while
most of the laboratory Avork lias been done at Washington. The
Bureau of Plant Industry has cooperated in the study of the plants.
Its representative not only identifies the plants studied but carries
on field investigations on their distribution and habits.

The work of <jhemical investigation of plants, begun in the preced-
ing year, was considerably extended and advanced. More extended
work was done also on the pathology of the diseased animals, and this
has added to the laiowledge concerning the ejffects of the poisonous
principles.

A large number of plants have been under investigation. Special
attention was paid to the " whorled milkweed " {Asclepias galioides),
which occasions extremely heavy losses of domestic animals in Colo-
rado and adjoining States, and a bulletin on this plant has been
prepared for publication. Further work was conducted on the
sneezeweed {Dugaldia hoopesii), and additions were made to the
number of known loco plants. An investigation was also made of a
plant growing in the Southern States, Dauhentonia longi folia, which
seems to be an important sheep-poisoning plant in Texas.

Among publications of the year was Department Bulletin 575,
" Stock-Poisoning Plants of the Range," a popular treatise, with
colored illustrations, intended to aid stockmen in i*ecognizing and
identifying such plants.

BRANCH LABORATORIES.

The branch pathological laboratories at Chicago, Omaha, and Den-
ver have continued their woric, which consists principally in making
diagnoses of obscure cases arising in the meat inspection.

124 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OP DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE.

The Chicago hiboratory also collected and examined a number of
samples of ^vater from various meat-packing establishments, made a
report upon the existence of the avian type of tuberculosis in swine,
and conducted some experiments with reference to the transmissibil-
ity of so-called hyperplasia of the bone marrow in cattle.

The Omaha laboratory received and examined 308 specimens repre-
senting the usual variety of routine diagnoses. Examinations for
tuberculosis and hemorrhagic septicemia have increased, the former
due to cases of slaughter following reaction to the tuberculin test.
The similarity of lesions found in cases of certain affections of swine
to lesions of hog cholera made diagnosis sometimes difficult.

Investigations pertaining to abortion disease have been made by
the branch laboratory at Ithaca, N. Y.

BIOCHEMIC DIVISION.

The work of the Biochemic Division, under Dr. M. Dorset, chief,
comprised chiefly, as before, investigations concerning hog cholera,
laboratory research work relative to meat products, studies of dips
and disinfectants, and the preparation of tuberculin and mallein.

HOG-CHOLERA INVESTIGATIONS.

The investigative work on hog cholera has been continued under
three general heads : (1) Methods of producing immunity, (2) modes
of spread of the disease, and (3) the causes of hog cholera and related
diseases.

METHODS OF PKODUCING IMMUNITY AGAINST HOG CHOLERA.

Some additional work has been done with methods for refining old
hog-cholera serum (defibrinated blood). The method referred to in
last year's report, consisting in the addition to old serum of strong
solutions of sodium chlorid, followed by heat w^ith aeration, has been
used further and found apparently satisfactory. It has been found
also that the use of strong solutions of sodium chlorid may be dis-
pensed with when the serum is diluted with several volumes of 1 per
cent salt solution, containing a sufficient amount of phenol to produce
a concentration of one-half of 1 per cent in the final mixture. This
diluted serum is heated and aerated as in the other method. It has
been found possible by this process, which includes filtration and
precipitation of the globulins and antibodies, to refine and concen-
trate old defibrinated-blood antitoxin.

A further study of the effect of phenol (0.5 per cent) on the
tuberculosis bacillus has indicated that the phenol alone can not
be depended upon to destroy that organism in clear serum or in
defibrinated blood, though it appears, after prolonged contact,
either to attenuate the bacilli or to reduce the numbers very ma-
terially.

As a means of overcoming difficulty experienced by commercial
firms in effectively maintaining proper temperatures in heating
serum, the division has devised a method which makes it possible to
heat serum at a definite temperature for any desired period of time
without the use of the thermoregulator customarily employed. This
is accomplished by the use of a double- jacketed kettle, the outer

BUKEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 125

jaclcet of which contains a liquid which boils at a temperature ex-
actly sufficient to maintain the desired degree of heat in the serum
itself.

Some progress has been made in the study of the duration of im-
munity in suckling pigs. One hundred and thirty-nine pigs given
the simultaneous inoculation when very young (less than 3 Aveeks,
some of them but 1 week old) were exposed to hog cholera by
the injection of virus six months after simultaneous inoculation.
Three of them died, but it was not possible to establish iiiat even
they died of hog cholera.

Experiments by the division have shown that the condition of
tlie immune hogs which serve as serum producers is of prime
importance in the production of potent serum. The influence which
the time elapsing between immunization and hyperimmunization
might exert upon the potency of the serum produced was studied
and at the same time studies were made of diluted and laked virus
blood as hyperimmunizing agents. The experiments show that hogs
which are hyperimmunized within a short interval after a simul-
taneous inoculatio^ft do not produce serum of satisfactory potency;
also that as a rule the ability of hyperimmunized hogs to yield
potent serums increases within certain limits as the interval
between immunization and hyperimmunization increases. The
conclusion was therefore reached that an interval of not less than
seven weeks should be allowed to elapse between immuniza-
tion and hyperimmunization, and that the most uniformly satis-
factory results will be obtained by allowing at least three months.
The ability of immune hogs to respond to hyperimmunization
to the desired degree, once acquired, remains unimpaired for at
least a year. It was found also that simultaneous inocula-
tion of nonimmune pigs with serum and virus is followed almost
immediately by a remarkably firm immunity, so that they are able
to withstand enormous doses of virus blood within a day or two
after simultaneous inoculation; hence there is no evidence of a state
of a hypersusceptibility to hog cholera following simultaneous inocu-
lation. Diluted and laked virus blood was found not to possess any
advantages over the undiluted blood. A full report of this work has
been published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association (vol. 8, n. s., p. 259).

MODES OF SPREAD OF HOG CHOLERA.

Studies of the relation of insects to the spread of hog cholera have
been continued. Studies of the hog louse {Hematopinus suis) have
indicated that this parasite is incapable, under ordinary conditions,
of transmitting the virus of hog cholera. Most of the work during
the year related to the spread of hog cholera bj^^ means of flies, the
common house, fly {Musca doinestica) being used as a representative
of the nonbiting fly, and the stable fly {Stomoxys calcitrans) as a
representative of the biting fly. Both species are commonly found
about hog pens, and both are capable of traveling considerable dis-
tances. It was learned that individual house flies which feed upon
the eye secretions or blood of sick pigs may harbor the virus of hog
cliolera for some daj^s at least, and may convey the disease to healthy
pigs by feeding on their eyes or on fresh wounds on their skins ; yet

126 ANI^UAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

other experiments with nonimmune pigs which were placed in
screened pens in which infected house flies were liberated in consid-
erable numbers, without the production of a single case of infection,
leave a very grave doubt as to whether under natural conditions the
house fly is concerned in the dissemination of hog cholera. Likewise
it was demonstrated that it is possible for the stable fly to convey
infection, either by feeding upon the ears of infected pigs and then
biting nonimmune pigs, or by becoming gorged with the blood of
sick pigs and then being killed and placed in the feeding trough of
nonimmune pigs; but it yet remains to be determined whether this
insect is a factor of practical importance in the spread of the disease.
Attempts were made to transmit hog cholera by means of mos-
quitoes, but the experiments were unsuccessful. A summary of a
large part of these investigations was published in the Twenty-Sec-
ond Annual Report of the United States Live Stock Sanitary Asso-
ciation, page 164.

In continuation of work reported last year, four experiments were
made under farm conditions in the vicinity of Ames, Iowa, to deter-
mine how long the virus of hog cholera persists in pens after the
removal of sick pigs. On four farms where hog cholera existed all
hogs were removed and susceptible pigs were placed in the vacated
lots after intervals of 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, and 10 days, re-
spectively. In the first case, 1 of the 6 susceptible pigs sickened on
the eighth day following exposure and communicated the disease
to the others. In the 48-hour and 10-day experiments all the sus-
ceptible pigs remained well. In the 7-day experiment 1 sickened
and died, though it could not be determined definitely whether it
had contracted cholera, while the other 5 remained well. These
experiments are merely the beginning of a line of work which seems
to be of practical importance and which it is planned to continue as
opportunity is found.

CAUSE OF HOG CHOLERA AND EET>ATED DISEASES.

In the fall of 1918 investigations of diseases related to hog cholera
and resembling it were begun. An infection of this character ap-
peared on a farm near Ames, Iowa, among shoats which had pre-
viously been given the simultaneous inoculation against hog cholera.
The animals presented many of the symptoms commonly seen in
cases of hog cholera, but investigation proved that it was a different
disease, as hogs which were firmly immune against hog cholera con-
tracted the other disease when exposed in the infected lots. The
main characteristics of the disease were an inflammation of the large
intestines, which showed on dissection a superficial layer of necrosis
on the mucous surface, while beneath this there was a zone in which
hemorrhage was more or less marked. The condition thus observed
was no doubt what has been commonly termed necrotic enteritis.
Microscopic examination revealed in the zone beneath the necrotic
area typical threads of Bacillus necrojyhorus. Rabbits inoculated
w^ith bits of the diseased intestine developed typical necrophorus in-
fection. The disease seems to be increasing in prevalence in certain
of the Western States, and further efforts are being made to dis-
cover its cause and means of ]prevention.

BUREAU OF AXIMAL INDUSTRY. 127

DIPS AND DISINFECTANTS.

The laboratory of clips and disinfectants received for examination
131 samples of stock dips, disinfectants, and miscellaneous materials.

During the calender year, 1918, there were sent to inspectors in
the field 804 test outfits for arsenical dips and sufficient supplies for
making 584,500 tests: 9 test outfits for lime-sulphur clips and sup-
plies sufficient to make 3,200 tests; 13 test outfits for nicotin dips
and supplies sufficient for making 2,970 tests. There were thus pro-
vided a total of 820 new testing outfits together with supplies suffi-
cient to make a total of 590,670 tests.

In research work a comparison was made of the relative advan-
tages of arsenious oxid and iodin, both of high purity, as standard
substance* in iodimetry. The residts were published in the 'Journal
of the American Chemical Scxiety (vol. 41, p. 351).

Considerable work has also been done on a study of methods for
evolving gaseous formaldehyde for disinfecting purposes, and it
appears that less expensive methods than the potassium permanga-
nate method will be found appropriate. This work is being con-
tinued.

Of the various substances used in dipping animals the compound
cresol solutions are the only ones for which no suitable field test is
available. The field test, which affords a means by which the in-
spector in the field may assure himself that the dipping bath after
completion is of the proper strength, is considered highly important
in carrying on field dipping operations successfully. For that rea-
son considerable study has been given to the development of a
method for testing cresol solutions in the field. A method of field
testing has been clevised which appears to be sufficiently promising
to warrant an early trial of it in the field.

The laboratory has also carried on experiments to find a substitute
for linseed oil, which is now scarce and high priced, and which has
been required heretofore in the preparation of compound solution
of cresol and of saponified cresol solutions. It has been determined
that soy-bean oil, or the fatty acids derived therefrom, are well
adapted for the purpose and may be used at a considerable saving
in cost.

Some additional work has been done upon problems relating to the
disinfection of hides and of tannery effluents, relating particularly
to the effect of heat and of chlorin upon anthrax spores in the effluent
from soak vat?. The results obtained do not differ materially from
those heretofore reported.

A comparative study has been made of the germicidal value of
Dakin's solution, eusol, chloramine T, and chlorin in aqueous solu-
tion. 'This work indicates that these different disinfectants vary in
their action upon different microorganisms. A study has been made
also to determine the effect of lime upon the germicidal efficiency of
phenol and cresol. Lime seems to lower distinctly the germicidal
value of both of these disinfectants.

RESEARCH WORK ON MEATS AND MEAT PRODUCTS.

The nature of the research work on meats was changed in order
to meet war conditions, and investigations that had been undertaken
with a view to the conservation of materials used in the curing of

128 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPAFiTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

meats were continued and completed. It was established tliat high-
grade meat can be cured as well in sterilized old pickle, properly
strengthened, as in new pickle. It is entirely practicable, there-
fore, instead of discarding pickling solutions after use, to clarify,
sterilize, and strengthen them and then use them again, with a con-
siderable saving in the ingredients. Examinations showed that
pickle after use still contained approximately, from 52 to 67 per
cent of the original content of salt, from 44 to 74 per cent of the
sugar, and from 41 to 80 per cent of the sodium nitrate.

An attempt was made to determine Avhether the entire quantity
of sucrose (cane or beet sugar) used in curing meats could be re-
placed bv some other sugar, so as to release the cane and beet sugar
for general household purposes. Inquiry developed that there is
generally an ample supply of substitutes for granulated sugar in
the form of (1) "refiners' sirup," a by-product resulting during
the manufacture of granulated sugar, and (2) corn sugar or dex-
trose, which is produced in several different grades. Practical cur-
ing experiments with meats in which several grades of corn sugar
and refiners' sirup were compared with gi^anulated sugar (sucrose)
were carried out in four different meat-packing establishments.
Nineteen tierces of hams, 19 tierces of sweet-pickled bellies, 9 boxes
of fancy breakfast bacons, and 10 tierces of beef hams were cured.
In these experiments several commercial grades of corn sugar or
dextrose gave as good result^ as granulated sugar in the curing of
hams, sweet-pickled bellies, and beef ham.s. The corn sugar did
not appear to give quite as fancy a grade of bacon as the granulated
sugar, but the results in this respect are inconclusive. The differ-
ences observed were largely due to slight variations in color, the
bacon cured with corn sugar tending to become somewhat browner
when fried than that which was cured with cane sugar. The re-
finers' sirup yielded satisfactory results in the curing of hams and
sweet-pickled, bellies (in fact it is now used to a considerable extent
for this purpose), but it did not seem to give as good results in the
curing of beef hams. On the whole, the results of this investigation
indicate that corn sugar and refiners' sirup can be used successfully
in the curing of pork in place of cane or beet sugar, and that if
the need for rigid conservation of our sugar supply should again
arise the entire quantity of sucrose ordinarily used in curing pork
could be divertecl to other uses without harm to the industr}^

Investigations to determine the fitness of certain inedible oils as
substitutes for lard oil as an ingredient in railway signal oil were
terminated during the year. Signal oil is used largely in railway
trainmen's lanterns, the oil in most general use consisting of abo^it 75
per cent of a standard grade of petroleum and 25 or 30 per cent of
lard oil or sperm oil. Studies were made of whale oil, menhaden oil,
and rapeseed oil as substitutes for lard oil. Extensive tests were
made in the laboratories and practical tests were made through the
cooperation of three of the large railway systems. Indications are
that whale oil and menhaden oil are not well suited for the purpose.
Rapeseed oil gave fairly satisfactory results in laboratory tests, but
railway officials were of the opinion that signal oil made v/itli it as
a substitute for lard oil is inferior to the usual mixture of lard oil

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 129

and petroleum oil. In view of those facts and because the emergency
created by the Avar had passed, these experiments were discontinued.

The investigations in drying meats have likewise been discontinued,
as there seems to be no pressing demand for meats in dried form
since the conclusion of the war. The studies Avere carried far enough
to indicate that meats could be dried and preserved in a dry state in
edible form if this should become necessary.

A report on the composition and identification of meat extracts
Avas contributed to the Journal of Agricultural Research ( vol. XVII,
No. 1, April 15, 1919). This paper, Avhich is intended especially for
chemists, health officers, and food-control officials, Avho have to con-
sider the purity and proper labeling of meat extracts, contains much
new information and gives directions for distinguishing extracts of
different origins.

TUBERCULIN AND MALLEIN.

There Avere furnished to various Federal, State, county, and city
officials 2,359,004 cubic centimeters of tuberculin for subcutaneous
injections, an increase of about 46 per cent over the amount distrib-
uted during the preceding fiscal year ; also 19,500 disks for the opthal-
mic test for tuberculosis and more than 5,000 doses of opthalmic
tuberculin in liquid form. In addition 26,000 dcses of intradermic
tuberculin were prepared and distributed to various bureau repre-
sentatives in the field. The opthalmic and intradermic tuberculins
Avere produced in an experimental way, but are not yet available for
general distribution. The methods used in the production of these
two special tuberculins have been developed as the result of the divi-
sion's research Avork, Avhich is still proceeding, Avith the object of pro-
ducing a more efficient and actiAe tuberculin than any heretofore
available.

Laboratory investigations are being conducted to determine the
influence of different nutrient materials upon the growth and activity
of the tubercle bacilli, the object being to simplify and at the same
time to improA^e the methods of cultivating those organisms in the
production of tuberculin on a large scale.

The amount of mallein distributed has shown a great increase, due
for the most part to the requests of the War Department. There
Avere furnished to that department 1,275,680 doses of opthalmic mal-
lein and 1,655,130 doses of intradermic mallein, a total of 2,930,810
doses, Avhile 113,750 doses of opthalmic mallein were sent to State and
Federal officials, making a grand total of 3,044,560 doses, an increase
of 75 per cent over the amount distributed during the preceding fiscal
year.

OTHER WORK.

Cooperative work with the Inserticide and Fungicide Board in
the examination of insecticides and fungicides intended for use in the
treatment of diseases of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and goats has
been continued. Sixty-three samples were examined, of Avhich 39
Avere found to be misbranded or misbranded and adulterated.
Thirty-five hearings were held by inspectors in charge in the Bureau
of Animal Industry in various parts of the country, and a large num-
ber of cases Avere examined to determine the correctness of efficacy
claims made on labels.

130 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
ZOOLOGICAL DIVISION.

The Zoological Division, under Dr. B. H. Ransom, cliief, has con-
tinned the investigation of parasitic diseases of animals, and the
study, collection, and determination of animal parasites.

ROUNDWORMS OF SHEEP.

At the bureau farm near Vienna, Va., experiments to determine
methods of rearing lambs free from parasites, or as nearly free as
practically possible, have been continued. Successful results ha\e
been obtained repeatedly by dosing the ewes with 1 per cent copper-
sulphate solution in the spring before turning them out to pasture
with their lambs, after which the lambs with or without the ewes are
changed every tAvo weeks to fresh pasture. If ke]^t on separate pas-
tures from the ewes the lambs until weaning are alloAved in the stable
Avith the ewes at night and during a period in the middle of the day.
For pasture, fields of appropriate size planted in various forage
crops are used; also, when available, fields from which crops have
been removed in the course of regulai' farming operations. No fields
are used that have been occupied b}' other sheep since cultivation
unless at least a year has elapsed since such occupancy. During the
fall and winter the lambs may be allowed to remain on the same field
for longer periods — one or two months or even longer — and during
the next spring and summer they are also moved to fi'esh pasture only
occasionally. This method does not entirely prevent infection, but
the number of stomach worms and other roundworms is kept down
to such an extent that they cause no apparent injury. Experiments
are now^ in progress relating to a method under which the lambs are
changed to fresh pasture only every three weeks during the summer.
The question of preventing or minimizing tapeworm infestation is
also being studied.

ROUNDWORMS OF HOGS.

Investigations on the common intestinal roundworm of hogs (Asca-
ris lumhricoides or A. suum) have been continued. Supplementing
laboratory experiments, a study of conditions in the field has been
made. It has been found that ascariasis in pigs is of great im-
portance as a cause of death and stunting of growth. Invasion of the
lungs by the larvae of Ascaris commonly causes pneumonia, the symp-
toms of which are popularly known as "thumps." Even if a pig
survives the invasion of the lungs by the young parasites he receives
a setback from which he never fully recovers, but remains in poor
condition, fails to grow at the normal rate, and at an age when he
should weigh 100 pounds may weigh less than 50 pounds, sometimes
less than 20 pounds. Under the usual conditions under which hogs
are kept a considerable proportion of the young pigs die from ascari-
asis and many others are stunted in growth, so that the sum total of
loss throughout the country is enormous. Methods of management
to prevent losses from this cause are under investigation, and suf-
ficient progress has been made to justify the belief that with com-
paratively simple precautions the damage caused by Ascaris can he,
reduced on any farm to an inconsequential amount. Several papers
reporting the results of investigations on Ascaris have been pub-
lished during the year.

BUREAU OF AITIMAL INDUSTRY.. 131

TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF EXTERNAL PARASITES.

Hog mange. — Investigations thus far have shown that hog manga
is spread mainly by direct bodily contact, that it spreads very rapidly
among hogs of low vitalit}^ kept in small inclosures, that it spreads
slowly among vigorous animals kept in pastures or in clean, well-
lighted, roomy pens or buildings; that if not controlled there is u
heavy loss from shrinkage, as well as from a high death rate; and,
finally, that it can be eradicated by four dippings in a lime-sulphur
or arsenical solution with intervals of six or seven days between dip-
pings.

Hog lice. — In experimental work one dipping or treatment witii
crude petroleum or cottonseed oil usually proved effective in eradi-
cating hog lice. Extensive experiments were carried on Avith medi-
CLtcd hog wallows, and it was found that when properly constructed
and used such wallows provide an effective and convenient means of
treating hogs for lice and mange during hot weather.

Ca'itle scabies. — Further experiments have confirmed former find-
ings as to the efficacy of four dippin«^s in lime-sulphur dip for the
treatment of sarcoptic scabies of cattle. Farmers' Bulletin 1017 on
cattle scab was issued.

Spixose ear ticks. — The pine-tar-cottonseed-oil remedy for ear
ticks recommended in Farmers' Bulletin 980 is being used extensively
in the Southwest with excellent results.

Other external parasites. — Experiments are in progress with
reference to the relative value of different kinds of dips in protecting
sheep from infection with scabies. Dips containing sulphur appar-
ently protect a longer time than those not containing sulphur.

Herds of lousy cattle in different sections of the country have been
exhmined at frequent intervals, and both biting and sucking lice have
been found on ^ome of the animals in each herd every month in the
year. In summer they were found in small numbers, but they became
more numerous and spread throughout the herd during the winter.
The advisability of treating cattle for lice in the fall, before they go
into winter quarters, even though they seem to be free from these
parasites, is thus apparent.

anthelmintics and treatment for internal parasites.

Copper-sulphate solution was tested in the treatment of sheep for
tapeworms and found only partly efficacious even when used in
greater concentration than is used in the treatment for stomach
worms.

In experiments to determine the most effective method of admin-
istering remedies to sheep with a view of promptly reaching the
fourth stomach, better results were obtained with liquids than with
pills or capsules. Apparently, however, there is not much uniformity
in respect to the passage of the dose to the fourth stomach, though
generally the dosing is more successful if the liquid is given slowly
and with the sheep standing on all fours.

Experiments in the use of carbon bisulphid against bots in horses
indicate that Gastrophilus intestinalis (G, equi) is more readily
removed that G. nasalts, ow^ng, presumably, to the location of many
of tlie G. nasalis in the duodenum, and that 6 drams in a single dose

132 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

is apparently the minimum amount that can be depended on to
remove all the bots belonging to both species. It also appears
that the administration of linseed oil in connection with doses of
carbon bisulphid diminishes the efficacy of the latter drug against
bots and ascarids.

MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATIONS ON ANIMAL PARASITES.

Investigations on the possible relation between swamp fever in
horses and intestinal parasites have been carried on in cooperation
with the Health of Animals Branch, Canadian Department of Agri-
culture. These investigations have as yet led to no definite con-
clusions and are still in progress. The investigations on the gape-
worm of chickens have been continued.

Studies have been made of the effects of substances obtained from
the tissues of Ascaris^ Ancylostoma,, sheep tapeworms, and other
parasites upon the blood of various animals, and in some cases these
substances have been found to have a hemolytic action; also in cer-
tain instances an agglutinating effect upon red blood corpuscles.
It has also been determined that experimental animals in certain
stages of trichinosis are highly sensitive to injections of blood serum
from another trichinosis animal. Highly interesting results have
been obtained in experiments with anaphylactic and precipitin reac-
tions in which extracts of various species of parasites have been
tested against one another. A preliminary report on the hemolytic
action of Ascaris extracts has been published.

During the fiscal year 131 imported sheep dogs were examined for
the presence of parasites transmissible to live stock. Of these 62
were free from intestinal parasites as determined by fecal examina-
tions and 69 were infested. Twenty-two showed the presence of tape-
worms and received anthelmintic treatment before release from quar-
antine. In one case the tapeworms expelled by treatment proved fo
be of the species known as the gid tapeworm. It is because of the
danger of this tapeworm to livestock, especially sheep, that imported
sheep dogs are subjected to quarantine. This is the first case of gid
tapeworm that has been encountered since the inauguration of the
quarantine, a number of years ago.

A study has been made of several species of flukes and the results
prepared for publication. A comprehensive paper on the tapeworms
of dogs and other carnivores, some of which are transmissible to
human beings and live stock, has been published, also a report of
observations on intestinal trichinae. The portion of the Index-Cata-
logue of Medical and Veterinary Zoology relating to nematodes
which has been prepared in cooperation with the Public Health Serv-
ice is now being printed.

MISCELLANEOUS DIVISION.

The Miscellaneous Division, of which Dr. A. M. Farrington is
chief, has continued its work relating to the personnel of the bureau
and to veterinary education.

BUREAU PERSONNEL.

At the beginning of the fiscal year the persons in the employ of the
bureau numbered 5,221. During the year there were 1,556 additions,
made up as follows: Appointments, 1,458; transfers from other

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 133

branches of the Government service, 16 ; reinstatements, 82. During
tlie same period there were 1,956 separations from the service, as fol-
lows: Resignations, 1,087; deaths, 39; transfers to other bureaus or
departments of the Government, 25 ; removals for cause, 8 ; all other
separations, 797. This last item includes terminations of appoint-
ment by limitation or for administrative reasons, exclusive of separa-
tions for disciplinary reasons. At the end of the fiscal year the
bureau personnel numbered 4,821, a decrease of 400 over the number
at the beginning of the year. The unusually large number of resig-
nations is accounted for by the fact that many of the veterinarians
and lay inspectors resigned to accept other employment at higher
salaries and that the sj^ecial war work for stimulating agriculture
was discontinued with the lapse of the special appropriation. The
return of men who were in military service caused the bureau to ter-
minate the appointments of many temporary employees. Because
of the low salaries paid by the Government, the Civil Service Com-
mission has not been able to supply a sufficient number of eligibles
who will accept appointment. Nearly all the women who were em-
ployed to assist in meat-inspection work at the packing houses
because men were not available have been replaced by men.

During the year nine civil-service examinations were requested and
subjeits and weights were furnished to the Civil Service Conunis-
sion.

VETERINARY EDUCATION.

The regulations governing entrance to the exauiination for veteri-
nary inspector were revised, effective September 5, 1918. The prin-
cipal change consisted in raising the matriculation requirement to
two years' high-school education of at least seven full units or their
equivalent, instead of the former requirement of a first-grade civil-
service examination, which is considered equivalent to a grammar-
school education. The four-years' course of study is now in effect
at all accredited veterinary colleges.

Thp Student Army Training Corps was inaugurated about Oc-
tober 1 at veterinarv colleges as well as at other educational insti-
tutions, and applied principally to students who were high-school
graduates. The War Department urged all veterinary students who
Avere high-school graduates to attend State veterinary colleges. As
many or these students had matriculated already at colleges where
the session commenced about the middle of September, great con-
fusion was caused by their transfer from one college to another.
Following the armistice the corps was ordered disbanded the latter
part of December, and still further confusion was caused by the
return of many students to the colleges where they previously had
matriculated. By reason of these disturbing elements the number of
students in attendance at veterinary colleges was much less than
usual. The total number of freshmen enrolled in all veterinary
colleges for the session beginning in the fall of 1918 was 264 against
338 for the preceding year. The combined attendance at all veteri-
nary colleges was 1,114 against 1,841 for the former year. The num-
ber of -graduates was 214 against 867 for the preceding year. Two
of the five accredited agricultural colleges did not enroll any veteri-
nary students, and the other three enrolled an aggregate of only 30.
Because of war conditions which prevented it from procuring an

134 ANNUAL REPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

adequate faculty, and the prospect of a small attendance of students,
one veterinary college discontinued its sessions. One veterinary col-
lege in Canada was added to the accredited list. At the close of the
fiscal year there were 17 accredited veterinary colleges in the United
States and Canada and 8 in European countries.

OFFICE OF VIRUS-SERUM CONTROL.

The supervision of veterinary viruses, serums, antitoxins, etc.,
under the law of 1913, was continued by the Office of Virus-Serum
Control, in charge of Dr. H. J. Shore until March 31, when he re-
signed, and since then the office has been in charge of Dr. D. I. Skid-
more.

During the year licenses were issued to 81 firms for the prepara-
tion of 179 products for sale in interstate commerce, and 4 licenses
were canceled.

Virus and serum for the jjrevention of hog cholera form a large
part of the volume of products supervised. To determine the purity
and potency of the serum and the freedom of the virus from con-
tamination 8,480 tests of the former and 1,616 of the latter were
made. The production was as follows: Serum, 673,297,647 cubic
centimeters, of which 4,609,531 cubic centimeters was destroyed;
virus for use simultaneously with serum, 19,963,053 cubic centimeters,
of which 364,310 cubic centimeters was destroyed; virus for hyper-
immunization of hogs for the production of serums, 181,750,862 cubic
centimeters, of which 10,052,745 cubic centimeters was destroyed.
The quantit}^ of serum produced was very much larger than in any
previous year. The demand for clear serum has increased greatly.

There were inspected and admitted to the premises of licensed
establishments for use in the production and testing of antihog-
cholera serum and hog-cholera virus 446,800 hogs and 3,400 calves,
of which 1,187 hogs and 1 calf were rejected. In subsequent oper-
ations 25,585 additional hogs were rejected.

EXPERIMENT STATION.

The work of the experiment station at Bethesda, Md., in charge
of Dr. E. C. Schroeder, superintendent, consisting in general of ex-
periments relating to diseases of animals, during the past year has
dealt mainly with the two maladies of greatest importance in the
United States at this time, abortion disease and tuberculosis.

ABORTION DISEASE.

Particular attention was given to the subsequent abortion-disease
history of calves produced by infected cows. The studies are not
yet complete, but as far as they have gone they strongly indicate
that the calves born to abortion-infected cows are no more likely to
abort at their first pregnancy or to show other signs of infectious
abortion disease than calves of abortion-free cows. This seems to
be in accord with various observations which point to the conclusion
that cattle may acquire gradually a herd immunity against' abor-
tion disease, so that the disease, though it may not die out entirely,
after a while ceases to cause serious trouble in herds into which no

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 135

animtils are intrcxliiced from without but which are maintained by
raising the calves born in them. A number of young cattle are now
being held under observation with special regard to their later abor-
tion-disease history.

Studies regarding the significance of the bull in the spread of
abortion disease have yielded only negative results, which, liowever,
should not be interpreted hastily as justifying the use of bulls from
infected herds or with those that have served promiscuously.

An important fact about abortion disease, repeatedly confirmed
by experiment and observation, is that a large proportion of in-
fe.'ted cows become more or less enduring carriers of abortion bacilli,
and though they may seem normal and free from manifest physical
signs of the disease they are a constant danger as a means of spread-
ing infection.

A little work has been done with regard to the pathological sig-
nificance of the bacillus of infectious abortion disease of cattle for
hogs, and as this seems to be a subject of increasing economic im-
portance, moi-e work has been phiniied for the future.

TUBERCULOSIS.

«

The investigations on tuberculosis have been continued, and
thougli nothing essentially new has been discovered, previously re-
ported results nave received additional confirmation. For example,
the evidence we now have shows conclusively that stables which have
harbored tuberculous cattle may be sufficiently cleaned, without the
use of chemical disinfectants, to make them safe ion healthy cattle.
It is not advocated that the use of chemical germicides should be
abandoned, but the results of the station's experiments indicate that
thorough cleaning is more effective than germicides, if either is
used alone. The two used together, in the manner in which the sta-
tion uses them, the germicide as an adjunct to the cleaning and not
tlie cleaning]: as an adjunct to the germicide, have a practically un-
failing efficiency.

MISCELLANEOUS WORK.

Tests for the detection of virulent tubercle bacilli in market cheese
have been continued and show that conditions leading to infection
previously found in some kinds of cheese have been corrected.

In addition to periodic tests of the potency and freedom from in-
jurious agents of the tuberculin prepared and sold under Govern-
ment license, a considerable amount of work was done to devise an
improved method for standardizing tuberculin. It is too early to
rei)ort results of the latter work.

A large number of small experiment animals were raised at an
expenditure much lower than would have been required had they
been purchased. As in former years every available portion of the
station's land was kept under intense cultivation and a considerable
saving thus effected in expenditures for forage.

136 ANNUAL. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

LIVE-STOCK PRODUCTION IN CANE-SUGAR AND COTTON

DISTRICTS.

The experiments and demonstrations in live-stock production in the cane-
sugar and cotton districts have been continued luider tlie direction of a com-
mittee now consisting of William A. Taylor, chief of the Bureau of Plant In-
dustry, chairman; B. H. Ilawl, assistant chief of the Bureau of Animal In-
dustry; George M. Rommel, chief of the Animal Husbandry Division of the
Bureau of Animal Industry ; and W. R. Dodson, director of extension service,
I^ouisiana State University.

IBERIA EXPERIMENT FARM.

At the Iberia Experiment Farm, Jeanerette, La., a four years' study of the
relative merits of mules and brood mares as work animals was completed. The
average annual maintenance cost per mule was $313.69, which was slightly
more than for mares. The mules, however, performed more than twice as
many days of work as the mares did. Mule colts foaled in the spring of 1918
were raised to 1 year of age at a cost of $56.94; colts foaled in the sprnig of
1917 were raised to 2 years of age for $156.20 and to 2^ years of age for $2oi.95.

Completed experiments showed that the average cost of a feeder steer at 2
years of age was $51.62, while the average cost of raising a heifer calf to 2
years of age was $52.88, and to SOMiionths, $88.88.

A number of steers were fed for 90 days on various silage crops suited to the
S(mthern coastal region. The steers fed on corn-and-sgy-bean silage made the
greatest daily gains, and this silage pi'oved to be the most economical with a
cost of $11.14 per 100 pounds of gain, followed by silage from sorghum and soy
beans, corn, sorghum, whole sugar cane, Japanese cane, and sugar cane, in the
order named.

The average cost of feeding steers from birth to the fattening period (2 years
8 months) was $69.13 ; fattening raised the cost to $113.77; the net selling price
was $132.84 and the net profit $19.07. A second lot of steers was raised to 2
years of age at a cost of $55.04, fattened for $39.45, and sold at a net profit of
$19.40 each. The third year's results of feeding beef cows showed that the
yearly cost of maintenance per cow was $29.98. The average cost of raising
calves to 2 years of age was $53.68.

The average cost of raising pigs to weaning time was $3.05 for fall pigs and
$3.55 for spring pigs. In grazing experiments fall pigs (1917) made the great-
est gains on field corn supplemented with tankage, while spring pigs (1918)
made the best gains on corn and soy beans.

The dairy herd, headed by the Jersey bull Hillside Torono 101729, now con-
sists of 12 purebred Jersey cow^s, 13 grade cows, and 23 head of growing stock.
The average cost of producing 1 gallon of milk, including labor, feed, and pas-
turage, was $0,339. The cost of raising heifer calves to the age of 1 year
averaged $77.50 per head. Seven of the registered cows have been entered in
the Register of Merit and three are now on test. Purebred cows gave a profit of
$143.44 per head over feed cost as compared with $115.08 from grade cows.

LIVE-STOCK EXTENSION.

By means of demonstrations, short courses, and lectures, extension specialists
have brought before the farmers of the cane and cotton sections the value of
live-stock production. Direct aid has been given to beginners in live-stock
growing, both in the care and nninagement of the stock and in the planning and
construction of barns, silos, and other buildings, and assistance has been given
in the selection and purchase of breeding stock. Marketing problems have
also received special attention.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF PLANT

INDUSTRY.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Bureau of Plant Industry,
Washington, D. C, September 22, 1919.
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 30, 1919.
Respectfully,

W3r. A. Taylor,

Chief of Bureau,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture,

WORK AND ORGANIZATION OF THE BUREAU.

The Bureau of Plant Industry undertakes the study and economic
solution of plant problems, especially in relation to crop production
and utilization. These activities include the improvement of useful
plants by breeding and cultural methods, the investigation of destruc-
tive plant diseases and the development of methods for their control,
the introduction and acclimatization of new plants from other parts
of the world, the extension of the use of valuable crops and the devel-
opment of improved methods for their utilization, the determination
of both agronomic and economic crop relationships, and the meeting
of emergencies incident to crop production as they arise from time to
time throughout the country.

The work of the bureau during the year has been carried on with
the following organization :

I^aboratory 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 K. F. Kellerman, Associate

Chief of Bureau.
Blister-Rust Control .S. B. Detwiler, Forest Pathologist in

Charge.
Cotton, Truck, and Forage Crop Dis-
ease Investigations W. A. Orton, Pathologist in Charge.

Crop Physiology and Breeding Investi-
gations W. T. Swingle, Physiologist in Charge.

Soil Bacteriology and Plant-Nutrition
Investigations Directed by K. 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.

151352"— 20— 10 137

138 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Drug-Plant and Poisonous-Plant In-
vestigations W. W. Stockberger, Physiologist In

Charge.

Physiological and Fermentation In-
vestigations R. H. True, Physiologist in Charge.

Agricultural Technology N. A. Cobb, Technologist in Charge.

Biophysical Investigations Lyman J. Briggs, Biophysicist in

Charge.

Seed-Testing Laboratories; Enforce-
ment of Seed-Importation Act E. Brown, Botanist in Charge.

Cereal Investigations ____ C. R. Bali, Cerealist in Charge.

Corn Investigations G. P. Hartley, Physiologist in Charge.

Tobacco Investigations W. W. Garner, Physiologist in Charge.

Paper-Plant Investigations Directed by C. J. Brand, Cliief of Bu-
reau of Markets.

Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant

Investigations T. H. Kearney, Physiologist in Charge.

Sugar-Plant Investigations C. O. Townsend, Pathologist in Charge.

Economic 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 Investi-
gations .___ L. C. Corbett, Horticulturist and Po-

mologist in Charge.

Arlington Experimental Farm E. C. Butterfield, Assistant Horticul-
turist in Charge.

Gardens and Grounds E. M. Byrnes, Assistant in Charge.

r'oreign Seed and Plant Introduction., David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer

in Charge.

Forage-Crop Investigations C. V. Piper, Agrostologist in Charge.

Congressional Seed Distribution R. A. Oakley, Agronomist in Charge.

IDemonstrations on Reclamation Proj-
ects A. C. Cooley, Agriculturist in Charge.

Seed Stocks Committee R. A. Oakley, Chairman.

From September 1, 1918, to xViigust 31, 1919, the changes in the
l^ersonnel of the bureau were as foUoYv s : JResignations, 686 ; deaths,
13: transfers from bureau, 59; furloughs, 30; terminations of ap-
pointments, 957; dismissals, 1; making a total of 1,746 employees
dropped from the rolls during that period. In the same period 1,600
appointments were made, leaving a net decrease of 146 in the total
force of the bureau. On September 1, 1919, the numerical strength
of the bureau was as follows : In Washington, 868 ; outside of Wash-
ington, 1,235; total, 2,103. The total number of employees in the
bureau on the same date a year ago was 2,249.

The activities of the bureau during the year are outlined more or
less fully in the 37 technical papers appearing in the Journal of Agri-
cultural Research, 4 papers in the Yearbook, 29 Farmers' Bulletins,
and 60 Department Bulletins, circulars, etc. Certain of the more
striking results of the year's work, however, are here summarized.

AGRONOMIC AND HORTICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS.

WHEAT.

The classification of American wheat varieties is progressing rap-
idl}^ Complete descriptions of about 135 commercially grown varie-
ties have been given, and keys have been constructed by which
varieties may be classified and identified. This classification is being
checked in the field again during the season of 1919 and will then be
ready for publication.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 139

In connection with the classification of wheats a very comprehen-
sive varietal survey has been undertaken in cooperation with the
Bureau of Crop Estimates. Schedules to determine the distribution
of wheat varieties, the source from which they came, the date of their
introduction into the community, and the percentage which each one
represents of the total wheat acreage in the community have been
sent out to some 65,000 crop reporters. The return schedules have
been studied, and in thousands of cases letters of inquiry sent asking
for additional information and for samples. For the first time in
the history of wheat growing in America it will be possible to map
the distribution of wheat varieties and to learn the large number of
names under which the same varieties are known in different parts of
the country.

In connection with the problem of the winterkilling of wheat it has
been necessary to study the effect of different methods of seeding on
the winter survival of the resulting plants. Preliminary cooperative
experiments seem to indicate that drilling may be a factor m some
sections. The geographic scope of these experiments is being
broadened.

RICE.

A method of shocking rice developed cooj^erativcly at the Crowley
Rice Station in Louisiana proved its value again in the autunm of
1918. Wherever this method was used, comparatively little damage
was done to the shocked grain by the heavy rains prevailing after
harvest time.

Experiments to determine what crop may be grown profitably in
rotation with rice in the Sacramento Valley again have resulted
negatively. The data obtained indicate that cotton may become a
commercial crop where the water table can be controlled and the
crop planted carl}'. A careful survey was made in portions of
(leorgia, Florida, and Alabama to determine what varieties and
methods of growing will permit the production of rice without
irrigation, in quantities sufficient for home use at least.

A general survey of Porto Rico was made in 1917 to determine
the possibility of commercial rice growing on that island.^ This was
followed by experiments undertaken cooperatively with* the Porto
Rico Experiment Station and with sugar planters at several points.
This work is beiug continued during the crop season of 1919, and the
results indicate that there is a promising outlook for commercial rice
growing in Porto RicO. One variety produced a fair yield under
conditions of drought so severe that the native varieties were a com-
plete failure.

GRAIN SORGHUMS.

Long-continued experiments in the production and improvement
of grain-sorglium varieties in the dry and elevated portions of the
southern Great Plains area warrant the following conclusions con-
cerning this group of grain crops so important in that section :

(1) Many varieties produce well in favorable seasons. Only well-adapted
varieties produce well in the less favorable and in unfavorable seasons, which
comprise about throe-quarters of the total number.

(2) Earliness is the most important single factor in the vari^'tal adaptation
of grain-sorghum crops to the conditions obtaining on the high plains of the
Texas Panhandle.

140 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

(3) Dwarf ness is the next most important factor in tlie adaptation of these
crops.

(4) The combination of earliness and dwarf ness is extremely efficient in
insuring adaptation to environmental conditions which include frequent periods
of drought.

(5) Dwarf mi lo, Dawn (dwarf) kafir, and Sunrise (early) kafir are shown
to be well-adapted varieties.

(6) Dwarf milo and Dawn k^fir are meeting with wide approval on the farms
of the high, dry plains.

(7) Germination and stand are governed largely by local conditions at
sowing time.

(8) Tillering, or the production of suckers, is a varietal or group character
to some extent. In part, it is correlated with stand and seasonal conditions.

(9) The production of erect heads is largely a group or varietal character,
but is influenced by the same factors as tillering.

BROOM CORN.

Experiments in the improvement and culture of broom corn have
been conducted for several years at the Woodward Dry Land Field
Station in western Oklahoma. The results indicate that in that dis-
trict the crops should be sown in the first half of May or the last half
of June. These seeding periods bring the crop into head either be-
fore or after the hot dry period which usually occurs about the mid-
dle of August. Spacing the rows 7 feet apart, with the plants twice
as thick in the rows, gave no advantage over rows spaced 3.5 feet
apart with the usual stand in the row. When harvesting is done
while the seeds are in the dough stage, a higher yield and apparently
a better quality of brush are obtained than when harvesting occurs
at an earlier or later stage in the development of the plant.

PASTURE IMPROVEMENT.

The problem of improving pastures is becoming increasingly im-
portant, as the high prices of foods are more and more forcing atten-
tion to the only really cheap feed— pasturage. Confirmation of the
bluegrass-pasture experiments, in which it was shown that heavy
pasturing is much the best method, both agronomically and economi-
cally, has been secured by two investigators working on other pasture
grasses. Better handling of northern pastures is a matter of great
importance, but, unfortunately, available facilities for experiments
and demonstrations are wholly inadequate.

On the coastal plains of the South, unless the soils are much af-
fected by drought, carpet grass, supplemented with lespedeza, makes
excellent pasture. As a rule, P as f alum dilataturri (golden crown
grass) is also excellent. Efforts are being made, with the aid of a
new stripping machine, to place carpet-grass seed on the market in
adequate quantity. Several newly introduced grasses are promising
as pasture possibilities, but the absence of any facilities for experi-
mental trials makes progress very slow. The pasture problem on the
Coastal Plain must be solved in order to bring about agricultural
utilization of these lands at the present time.

RANGE IMPROVEMENT.

There is a constant demand for grasses that will increase the
amount of feed on the semiarid range lands, over and above that
which may be secured by rational grazing of the land under fence.
Sweet clover has proved very valuable, but much of the area is too

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 141

dry for this plant. There is reason to believe that a systematic test-
ing of the numerous grasses and legumes secured by botanical explo-
rations in Central Asia will disclose species that will solve the
problem.

VITICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS.

The viticultural problem of the wine-grape districts of the Pacific
coast from the production standpoint becomes one primarily of de-
veloping the Panariti and other currant grapes and the culture of
the Ohanez and other late varieties, which it is believed can be pro-
duced advantageously in this country, with a view to their taking
the place of the Almeria and other types of long-keeping grapes now
imported into this country more or less from Spain and elsewhere.
The results of investigations already in progress have seemingly
demonstrated the practicability of growing these varieties on a com-
mercial basis.

From llie cultural standpoint, the use of cover crops in the Oakville
Experiment Vineyard in California has demonstrated the impor-
tance of such crops in vineyard maintenance under such conditions as
those obtaining there. The results from the experimental vineyards
in California, which have been in progress for some 12 or 15 years,
on resistant varieties, adaptability, congeniality, productiveness, etc.,
will serve as a basis for such modifications of the work as conditions
may make necessary in the future.

The work with American bunch grapes has been confined chiefly
to the use of fertilizers, pruning experiments, and other cultiiral
features carried on in the experiment vineyard at Vineland, N. J.
This vineyard has also served as a source of supply for raw material
in connection with the fruit-utilization investigations, particularly
in studying the value of different grape varieties for the making of
un fermented juice.

The Muscadine grape investigations have continued to yield ex-
ceedingly important results. While the breeding investigations,
which promise very much for this industry, were temporarily inter-
rupted by war conditions, the work along other lines, particularly
the utilization of Muscadine grapes, has been stressed both because
of the relation of the utilization features to the food supply in the
conservation of this fruit and the relation of this phase of the work
to cultural problems. It has been determined that there is a pro-
nounced difference in varieties in their value for the making of fresh
juice and other products. The Thomas is the best of the varieties
now commonly grown for unfermented juice, and it has high merit
compared with other varieties for most other uses.

Under the cultural and particularly the pruning methods used in
the experiment vineyard at the Pender Test Farm, Willard, N. C,
excellent crops have been produced when, because of unfavorable
climatic conditions, other vineyards and vines in the surrounding
neighborhood have yielded little or no fruit.

SUBTROPICAL FRUITS.

The work with subtropical fruits has included studies of avocado
\arieties for Florida and citrus fruits for Florida, an investigation
of the Satsuma orange varieties in the Gulf States, a study of avocado
varieties for California, and the production of olives in California.

142 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Of the avocado varieties in Florida the Trapp, which is the lead-
ing fall variety of the West Indian race, will probably be the one most
commonly planted in protected localities for some years to come,
as in the past. Of the Guatemalan varieties, which are thicker
skinned and hardier than the West Indian avocado, the Fuerte,
which has come to be one of the standard varieties of California,
appears to be one of the best for conditions in Florida. It maintains
there the same high oil content and other qualities that characterized
it when grown in California.

Further work in California confirms the wisdom of the selections
made by the California Avocado Association, announced in a circular
published October 25, 1917, which recommends the Fuerte, Spinks,
Blakeman, Lyon, Dickinson, Taft, Sharpless, and Puebla varieties.
The Taft does not seem to be as hardy as many*of the other varieties
in the list, however, and for this reason it should be planted only in
specially protected localities. Furthermore, it is a slow grower and
the trees do not begin fruiting until they are 5 or 6 years old, which
is at least two years later than most of the other recommended
varieties. The Lyon does not make a very satisfactory growth ex-
cept in the Montebello and Whittier districts. There is some ques-
tion whether these two varieties should be retained in the list. The
other six, however, appear to be specially well suited to California
conditions. The Puebla is gaining in favor, and it will probably
be extensively planted in the future.

A further study of Florida citrus varieties so far as they relate
to oranges confirms the conviction, which is shared by officials of the
Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the State Plant Board,
and a number of prominent nurserymen and growers, that the
" accredited " list recommended by the Citrus Seminar in 1916 for
planting in Florida should be continued. This list included, in the
order of their maturity, the Parson {Parson Broicm), Homosassa,
Pineapple, Valencia, and Luc (Lw Gi?n Gong) varieties. Some
growers and nurserymen believe that the Lue may be eliminated, as
it resembles the Valencia in so many particulars.

Comprehensive investigations of the Satsuma orange industry in
the Gulf States, and particular^ in Alabama, have shown that
there are at least three different varieties of these oranges being
grown more or less extensively in this region and that the name
Satsuma is, in fact, a group name rather than a variety name. This
interpretation of the significance of this name explains many of the
wide differences previously observed in the fruit grown and passing
as " Satsuma oranges." The Satsuma varieties of principal im-
portance are the Owari and Ikeda. The Zairai orange is found in
a few orchards, but it is relatively unimportant except for the
reason that, because of its unlikeness to other varieties, it may con-
tinue to create confusion if the fact that it does occur is not fully
recognized.

In connection with the bud-selection work in California consider-
able attention has been given to the pruning of citrus trees. It is
expected that the results of this work will be prepared at an early
date for publication. The most striking features of these investiga-
tions have been what appears to be a clear-cut demonstration of the
fact that the very heavy pruning pi^cticed by some growers is
detrimental, but that a limited amount of pruning, wisely applied,

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. • 143

ifi conducive to fruit production. Incident to the bud-selection work
it appears evident that trees propagated from those having a high
yielaing record of desirable fruit require less pruning to keep thein
in good form and in good productive condition than do trees prop-
agated according to ordinary nursery practices. The bud-selection
work which has been in progress with citrus fruits in California
for a number of jcurs has been continued, though on a somewhat
restricted scale.

From a practical commercial standpoint, the performance records
of individual trees which have accumulated up to the present time
are serving an exceedingly important purpose, in that they are used
as a basis for choosing the trees selected as a source of bud wood by
the California Fruit Growers' Exchange, through its bud-selection
dopai-tment. This department was organized for the purpose of fur-
nishing buds cut from trees of Imown bearing habits to nurserymen
or citrus growers who desired to use them for top-budding trees in
their groves which were known to be relatively unproductive or
Avhich produced fruit of undesirable characteristics. The individual
tree-performance records of the Euby variety in a 10-acre orchard at
Corona, Calif., have been continued, as during the two preceding
years. The information thus obtained emphasizes the striking fre-
quenc}' of bud variation in this variety. This, in turn, emphasizes
the importance of selecting buds for propagation not only from trees
of known bearing proclivities, but even from limbs of known bearing
proclivities, because trees are exceedingly common which in tlie
main bear fruit of desirable type but have some limbs on which fruit
that varies from the accepted standard is produced.

The records whicli are now being accumuhited confirm more and
more emphatically the previously drawn conclusion that the charac-
teristics of the parent tree are perpetuated in the progeny with no
important exception or variation. The progenies in experimental
plantings are producing fniit comparable in every particular with
that borne by the parent trees of large-yielding or other desirable
characteristics, or, like the parent trees, they are barren or relatively
barren.

In order that the standard strains of the different kinds and vari-
eties which have been established may be fully maintained and the
strains accurately recorded, additional descriptive notes and photo-
graphs of selected citrus trees and their fruits have been secured
during the past yenr.

A large number of commercial citrus-performance records are
being made, the interest of the growers having increased each year.
The utility of these records is practical rather than scientific. They
enable the grower to determine inferior trees for removal or top-
working, as well as make possible the selection of superior trees from
which buds for use in top-working may be obtained. It has been
found that these commercial performance records can be made in
'\^^ashington Xavel and Valencia orange and in Marsh grapefruit
orchards at an average cost of about $1 an acre each 3"ear, while
similar records in lemon groves cost about $10, the difference being
due to the greater number of pickings in the case of the lemons.

Considerable time has been devoted during the year to assisting
growers in introducing individual-tree records and to the utilization
of the data thus secured.

144 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The progress of the bud-selection department of the California
Fruit Growers' Exchange, which is the direct outgrowth of the work
of the Bureau of Plant Industry, is of interest in the present connec-
tion particularly in view of the fact that more or less supervisory
attention is being given to it. In the first year of this work, the rep-
resentative of the exchange in charge of it handled a total of 260,000
citrus buds. These buds were sold to members of the exchange at
the rate of 3 cents each and to nonmembers at 3^ cents each. Under
these conditions the work was found to be self-supporting. The past
year, owing to the increased knowledge that could be brought to bear
in the work and the consequent better selection of bud wood, the
price of buds was raised to 5 cents each to members of the exchange
and 6 cents each to nonmembers. Under these conditions, the demand
for buds has increased to such an extent that at the present time there
is a greater demand for them than can be met. The citrus nursery-
men who have used these buds have obtained better results from them
than from the sucker-wood buds that were formerly used in propaga-
tion. Furthermore, it has become exceedingly difficult for nursery-
men who do not use the selected buds in propagation to dispose of
their stock when it is grown.

The w^ork with olives has continued along the line of standardizing
the varieties, of which there are apparently several being planted
under the name "Mission." The varieties commonly planted have
also been studied for the purpose of standardizing the product.

THE COMMERCIAL CULTURE OF SMYRNA FIGS.

The work on the life history and breeding of figs and caprifigs
lias been given a great impetus by the publication of a bulletin on
the commercial culture of the Smyrna fig in this country.

The Smyrna fig industry is growing very rapidly in California,
and thousands of acres are being planted every year. It is not im-
probable that this country will soon produce all the figs it needs.

Much of the success of Smyrna fig culture in California has been
due to the fact that the United States Department of Agriculture
has been able to maintain a caprifig orchard at Loomis, Calif., from
which caprifigs have been distributed free to growers. Before this
distribution was arranged for, many small growers of Smyrna figs
became discouraged, and some even dug up their orchards. When
Smyrna figs and caprifigs are planted together, the caprifigs do not
bear enough fruits to properly caprify the crop until several years
after the trees begin to bear. For this reason, a young orchard is
dependent on importing the needed caprifigs during the first few
years. It was to supply this need that a seedling fig orchard at
Loomis was leased by the Bureau of Plant Industry and the general
distribution of caprifigs to Smyrna fig growers arranged.

Many new varieties of caprifigs have been brought to light, some
of them very important in commercial Smyrna fig culture. A num-
ber of strains of the Lob Ingir (the best type of Smyrna fig) have
been found that seem to be immune to splitting and so appear very
promising for commercial culture.

Many thousands of seedling figs have been distributed to cooper-
ators in the fig-growing regions of California, Arizona, and Texas,
and some promising new varieties have been originated by proper
selection of male pollen.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 145

In tlie fall of 1917 the fig insect was established in certain old
seedling caprifig trees in Brunswick, Ga., and since then a number
of other caprifig trees have been similarly treated. Thanks to this
local supply of caprifigs, it has been possible to caprify and bring
into fruiting many sterile seedling Smyrna fig trees growing in the
Southeastern States. Some of these trees bear a very high grade of
fruit, very promising for use as fresh fruit or for canning. It is still
doubtful whether figs grown in the southeastern United States can be
dried to advantage. At any rate, it is a matter of much interest and
of some economic significance that many old sterile fig trees in this
region are really Smyrna seedlings, approximately half being Smyrna
trees and the others caprifig varieties.

COMMERCIAL DATE CULTURE.

Date culture, though still conducted on a small scale, is a recog-
nized commercial fruit industry which gives promise of steady
growth. The culture of the Deglet Noor, the finest of the imported
date varieties, has already become well established in California.

At the present time American methods of date culture are probably
more advanced than those of any other date-growing country in the
world, in spite of the fact that pur experience is limited to practically
two decades.

NUT INVESTIGATIONS.

The work with nuts during the past year has been confined largely
to pecans and has consisted for the most part in a continuation of
studies previously inaugurated, including an investigation of the
range of the species, the adaptability of varieties to different regions,
methods of propagation, soil improvement, orchard management,
and methods or harvesting, curing, packing, and handling the
product.

From a continued study of varieties it appears that a considerable
proportion of the varieties now being planted are so far below the
general average of the best sorts in production and other important
characteristics as to justify their elimination. It is becoming more
and more evident that greater attention should be given to the matter
of stocks for use in propagating pecans in the nursery.

A series of irrigation experiments begun during 1917 has been
continued, although because of the rather heavy rainfall which has
characterized the climatic conditions since the inauguration of these
experiments there has been little opportunity to study the influence
of the application of water during the dry periods which commonly
occur and to which are attributed as a possible cause some of the
adverse results experienced, such as the premature dropping of the
nuts and other difficulties.

A series of fertilizer experiments begun in 1918 is being continued.
Although the work is of too recent origin to report results, certain
records suggest a slight increase in the yield of fertilized trees.

A further study of varieties is being made in the States bordering
the area recognized as definitely within the pecan-growing territory.
1 lanters in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois,
I^'issouri, and Kansas are becoming interested in the possibility of
planting pecans and are seeking information with regard to varieties
possessing the necessary qualities when grown under their conditions.

146 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
VEGETABLE STORAGE AND STORAGE LIFE FACTORS.

In cooperation with the Bureau of Markets, handling and life-
history studies of tomatoes were carried on in Florida, particularly
with a view to determining at what degree of ripeness tomatoes
should be picked for shipment to northern markets in order that the
best carrying qualities and the best dessert qualities might be real-
ized. It w^as found, among other things, that the age of the tomato,
that is, the time elapsing between the blossoming stage and the pick-
ing date, was of primary importance rather than the size of the
fruits.

In the shipping tests with tomatoes it was determined that it was
better not to wrap the individual fruits; the ripening process takes
place better under full ventilation ; if held under un ventilated condi-
tions offensive tastes and odors are likely to develop.

Freezing work on potatoes has been conducted, which is similar in
character to the freezing work with relation to fruits, involving a
determination of the temperature and the length of exposure to such
temperature w^hich Avill result in frost injury.

The behavior of celery, cauliflower, and lettuce when held in dif-
ferent storage temperatures has been critically studied. The prac-
ticability of storing these products on a very much more extensive
scale than has been followed heretofore is indicated. Cauliflower,
which as a rule has not been stored except for very brief periods,
can apparently be held at a temperature of 32° F. for a period of
30 to 40 days.

A very limited amount of work has been done in the cold storage
of flowers. The results secured in a preliminary way suggest the
practicability of florists inaugurating very different methods of
holding their flowers than those now in use wherever conditions may
so suggest. Roses held at a temperature of 32° F. were in fair con-
dition long after they w^ould have completely deteriorated under the
usual method of handling. Easter lilies after being stored for three
weeks were removed in good condition and remained so for four days
after being placed at common room temperature. Held for two
w^eeks in storage Easter lilies stood up for five days in a warm room.
Peonies and other flowers held up a surprisinglv long time in a tem-
perature of 32° F.

INVESTIGATIONS OF TRUCK-CROP PRODUCTION.

The work with sweet potatoes has been considerably enlarged both
because of the need of fundamental information along certain lines
and the importance of the crop in a large part of the country as a
source of food. The Avork is carried on principally at Arlington
Farm and at Florence, S. C, at the Peedee substation in connection
with the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. The
work consists of a comprehensive study of varieties, for the purpose
of working out a key by means of which varieties can be identified,
and the varieties adapted to different regions and for such purposes
as table use, stock feed, and as a possible source of sirup, sugar, and
perhaps starch and other products, can be determined. Under the
cultural and development phases of the work, investigations are being
made in hill selection for the securing of seed stock, selections being
made with regard to those having no string, those having a maxi-

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 147

mum number of strings, those liavino- a maximum number of first-
grade table potatoes, those having a maximum yield irrespective of
size or shape, tlie latter having its particular application in the pro-
duction of potatoes for stock feed and the making of sirup, sugar,
starch, or alcohol, where a large yield is the primar^^ feature. The
object of the selections is self-evident, except that one where the
selections are made with a view to producing the maximum number
of strings; the importance of this is simply a matter of comparison
and for securing a definite demonstration of the results in selection.

Investigational work in the curing of sweet potatoes was also car-
ried on with very satisfactory results, it being shown that with
proper handling and storage conditions sweet potatoes can be car-
ried through the winter and as late as April 1 with not to exceed 1
per cent of loss from decay.

The work with peanuts has been alon^ lines comparable with those
followed in the sweet-potato work. IvGthods of planting, selection
of seed, the improvement of yield, and cultivating and handling the
crop have been studied. The study of varieties has made evident
the fact that most of the so-called varieties now to be found in the
trade are in fact merely old standard varieties with new or local
names and that there are only about* six distinct varieties grown in
this country. Selected strains of some of these varieties are being
made, with a view to producing those particularly adapted for
definite purposes, such as the making of peanut oil a high-grade table
and cooking oil, also employed in the manufacture of olemargarine,
and to some extent in making soap, etc., and also strains that are
adapted for human food in the form of peanut meal, peanut butter,
and other products. High-yielding strains are desirable for stock
and dairy feeds.

IRISH POTATO INVESTIGATIONS.

The work under the Irish potato project previously inaugurated
lias been continued during the past year. These lines include a
study and classification of varieties, a study of the adaptability of
varieties to different conditions, selection studies in connection with
the development of improved strains, a study of seedlings produced
in breeding, studies of the best rate of seeding and of the use of
wliolc or cut seed, and various other problems of a similar character.

In addition to these studies, all of which have been in progress for
a number of years, attention was especially devoted to the develop-
ment of improved seed stocks, it being realized that the seed stocks
commonly available to potato growers contain many mixtures, not
infrequently diseased and as a rule not as productive as they should
be. It is a recognized fact that the yield of potatoes in this counti-y
is far below that secured in Germany and in some other countries.
Tliis difference is commonly attributed to the use of relatively in-
ferior seed stock.

A collection of South American varieties of potatoes, including a
iHiniber of the yellow-flesh types, has been grown for study each
season for a number of years past. The full collection was gro\Yn
in 1918, as it was the preceding year, at Swannanoa, N. C, and
PrcLsque Isle, Me., but. without any very promising results, those
obtained in 1018 being even less promising than were those in 1017.
It now seems evident that, with the possible exception of two or threo

148 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

varieties, this South American collection is without value for com-
mercial purposes. The work with this group of potatoes will, there-
fore, be very much curtailed in the futvire.

The seed-improvement work is being carried on in cooperation
with the agricultural experiment stations in practically all of the
important potato-producing States. The best seed stock of the lead-
ing varieties in different regions is being grown in the different
States. During the progress of the season the various plats are in-
spected several times for the purpose of elminating diseased plants
and those which are not true to name or true to type, and at the
harvest period carefully studied selections are made for the purpose
of obtaining the best strains of the different varieties. These po-
tatoes in turn will be used for seed purposes with a view of de-
veloping stocks that are true to name, true to type, free from disease
communicable through the seed and at the same time possess high-
yielding proclivities.

VEGETABLE UTILIZATION WORK.

The investigations of the utilization of vegetables have been con-
ducted primarily from the standpoint of the producer, with a view
to securing information which will enable the farmer or the grower
successfully and profitably to utilize his surplus crops or the crops
which he may grow especially for drying or canning.

The activities have been directed toward the determination of
varieties best adapted to the different purposes and to methods of
procedure which will give a technique that the farmer can apply with
reasonable assurance of the results.

In the canning of vegetables the fact has been developed that there
is a very wide variation in the behavior of different varieties; for
instance, certain varieties of beets appear to be much better adapted
for canning than others. Methods of canning carried on with a
view of determining processes which will give the greatest possible
degree of success under the widest range of conditions are being in-
vestigated, it being recognized that most of the methods now used
not infrequently give faulty results under many different conditions.

One of the most important activities has been directed toward the
working out of satisfactory methods of canning sweet potatoes. The
methods now used, both on the farm and by commercial canneries,
result in a product which has a more or less burnt and otherwise un-
pleasant flavor. This burnt taste appears to be the result of cara-
melization. A method has been worked out whereby this is not only
avoided but which results in a product that is essentially like the
sweet potato when freshly prepared for table use. In the same con-
nection canning tests of 34 different varieties of sweet potatoes have
been made. These tests have shown a wide variation in the value of
different varieties for these purposes. Other features of canning
technique are being developed alon^ the lines of the fundamental
principles involved, which it is believed will have a far-reaching
effect on farm canning.

BULB-CULTURE INVESTIGATIONS.

During the year one half of our bulb stocks' have been removed to
the new bulb farm at Bellingham. Owing to a shortage of labor
the other half was left undug on rented ground. The total excess

BITKEAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 149

production for the year was about 350,000 bulbs, or one minimum car-
load, which supplied the entire quota of the congressional distribu-
tion. These stocks proved to be fully up to the standard. The nar-
cissuses were especially commented upon as of superior quality. Of
the minor lists of stocks not before handled, the Dutch irises, branch-
ing tulips, our native camassias, and some of the newer narcissuses
have done especially well. The propagation of the lily is promising.
Many species grow readily in this region by simply drilling the seed
in open ground in autumn. Even such a species as Lilium washing-
tonianum is now promising under practically open-ground condi-
tions, most of the plants not appearing above ground, however, until
the second spring.

The preservation of bulbs taken out of beds after flowering has
proved to be thoroughly practicable this season. Some 20 or more
thousand tulips and narcissuses from the department grounds will
give 80 per cent of flowering bulbs, besides an average increase of
IGO per cent of small bulbs, which are just as good planting stock as
can be secured anywhere. One year will bring the 80 per cent of
flowering stock to first-class condition and half of the small stock to-
flowering size. This class of conservation is to be encouraged and no
doubt will be practical now that bulbous stocks have doubled in price.

It has been demonstrated that the beautiful Palestine irises can
be grown very satisfactorily in the Sacramento Valley, and probably
in the other interior valleys of California. Our experiments show
that a reproduction of 3 J fold may be expected the first two years
after importation ; also, what is known as the " Juno " group succeeds
well here. In general, these groups, although in some respects the
most attractive of the great iris family, have not been considered suc-
cessful in this country up to this time.

The investigations of Easter lilies conducted at Arlington Farm,
near Washington, have revealed a number of things of importance:

(1) Our seedling stocks after two years give a reproduction of bulblets
whicli is ample for all purposes of propagation. This means that once a seed-
ling strain has been developed a stock can be worked up very rapidly by vege-
tative methods, and these same methods will serve to continue the increase.

(2) Stem bulblets, which form in the axils of the leaves near the surface
of the ground, are 6 to 12 in number under ordinary conditions, and several
of them will give one, two, or three flowers the first year and grow to good
flowering size with one year's cultivation.

(3) An increased bulblet propagation can be secured by plunging the pots,
by hilling up around the plants, or by layering the stems.

(4) Seed dried for two or three months germinates in a shorter time than
that which is sown immediately upon its maturity.

(5) Home-grown bulbs 3 to 6^ inches in circumference average three to five
flowers to the stem when forced for Easter.

(6) A few flowers are secured in one year from seed.

(7) Seed sown in July, when carried on in pots, will produce bulbs which
can be forced for the second Easter following.

(8) These facts enable growers to produce their own Easter lily bulbs from
seed in one year's time, the seedlings being carried in pots. After flowering,
the bulbs not disposed of can be carried out of doors south of Philadelphia and
will be ready to force again after one year's recuperation.

(9) Stocks thus produced are free from disease.

CORN CULTURE.

Experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the practica-
bility and value of the earlier planting of corn. Proof has been ob-
tained that in many instances the earlier planting of large productive

150 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

varieties is much more profitable than the normal planting of early-
maturing varieties. By much earlier than normal planting it ha^;
been found that larger growing varieties can be profitably grown for
ensilage in northern localities and much better yields secured than
by planting the smaller native varieties at the usual corn-planting
dale. In southern localities, by planting small short-season varieties
earlier than normal much earlier maturity can be secured, thus af-
fording a supply of corn for very early feeding. Many rather soft
varieties produce sound corn when planted early in southern locali-
ties, but rot badly when planted late.

Investigations of cultural methods have shown that in localities
where moisture is a limiting factor, the practice of planting in alter-
nate rows short and long season varieties has increased yields as
compared with either variety in pure plantings. It has also been
observed that varieties differ in their ability to adapt themselves
and their grain production to varying stands. When given in-
creased spacing prolific varieties have shown ability to increase their
grain production much more satisfactorily than liave the single-
ear varieties. This is an important factor in ordinary planting where
missing places are frequent. In sections to which prolific varieties
are adapted, they are more desirable than single-ear varieties be-
cause of their ability to make up b}^ increased grain production de-
ficiencies in stand.

Crossbreeding and experiments with .unusual types of corn from
different parts of the world promise interesting and profitable re-
sults.

Progress is being made in isolatiug uniform types within a variety.
It has been found that so-called varieties of corn are largely con-
glomerates of many distinct types. In arriving at basic facts in
Jbreeding work it is necessary that these uniform types be segregated.

PLANT BREEDING.

WHEAT.

Wheat-breeding investigations in cooperation with the North Da-
kota Agricultural Experiment Station have resulted in the produc-
tion of the Kota variety by selection from a mixture of Russian
wheat. This is a hard red spring common wheat, both early and pro-
ductive, with the additional valuable quality of high resistance to
black stem rust. Preliminary milling experiments indicate that it
is of good milling quality also. It Avill be increased for commercial
growing and also Avill be used as a basis for further breeding.

Acme, a variety of durum wheat developed by selection from the
Kubanka in cooperation Avith the South Dakota Experiment Station,
is not only a high-^delding variety, but shows a high degree of re-
sistance to black-stem rust. It has now been introduced into com-
mercial cultivation in South Dakota.

In cooperation with the Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station
in New York, there have been developed several superior wheat selec-
tions, both white kerneled and red kerneled. The work has pro-
gressed to the point where these selections are now being distributed
to selected cooperating farmers in those sections of New York to
which they are adapted.

BUREAU OF PLAl^TT INDUSTRY. 151

Losses from tlio winterkilling of wheat have been very severe in
different years, due apparently to several causes. Cooperative ex-
periments in breeding wheat for winter hardiness have been estab-
lished at the State experiment stations in Kansas and Minnesota.
Already some promising winter-hardy strains have been assembled
for use"^ as a basis in breeding and studies of adaptation to severe
conditions.

Very extensive studies of inheritance in wheat are being carried
on at the Arlington Experiment Farm and at tlie Cornell Agricul-
tural Experiment Station. Various characters of the wheat plant are
being studied, including the inheritance of awns, color, and other
characters of the glumes, color of grain, length of awns, straw char-
acters, and various other characters that have a more or less economic
importance. A very interesting feature of the work at the Cornell
station is the synthetic production of a plant which is practically
indentical with the wild emmer or so-called wild wheat of Palestine.

OATS.

In cooperation with the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station,
the oat variety lowar has been produced by selection from the Sixty-
Day variety. This is a high-yielding early strain of white oats, pro-
ducing se^'eral bushels more per acre than ordinary varieties. It was
first distributed to selected Iowa farmers in the spring of 1911), and
about 250 acres were grown this season.

Extensive breeding operations for the improvement of oat varieties
are being conducted in cooperation with the Cornell Agricultural Ex-
periment Station. Several strains of high-yielding power for diifer-
ent districts in New York State have been developed and are now
being grown by cooperating farmers in the districts to which. they
have been found adapted.

BARLEY.

Trebi, a G-rowed barley, originated in cooperation with the Idaho
Agricultural Experiment Station by selection from a mixture ob-
tained in Asia Elinor, has been found especially well adapted to con-
ditions, both dry land and irrigated, in southern Idaho, where its
commercial procluction was begun in 1918 and now totals about 3,000
acres.

The Sandrel variety, produced in cooperation with the Minnesota
Agricultural Experiment Station by selection from a Califoniian
barley obtained originally in Moravia, has given excellent results and
has been distributed to agricultural experiment stations for further
trial in order to determine its range of adaptability.

Barley breeding with definite reference to the inheritance of sev-
eral important characters, such as aAvns, adherent hulls, color of
kernels, and size and shape of embryo is under extensive investiga-
tion in cooperation with the agricultural experiment stations of Idaho
and Minnesota.

VELVET BEANS.

The rapidly increasing importance of velvet beans in the South is
perb.aY)3 the most striking agricultural phenomenon of recent years.
It is due primarily to the development of new early-maturing varie-
ties. A recently evolved varietj^ the Bush velvet bean, is entirely

152 ANNUAL KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

nontwining in habit, thus paralleling a similar phenomenon which
has before occurred in the garden bean, the Lima bean, the cowj^ea,
the soy bean, and other annual beanlike plants. Of the numerous
hybrids developed by the Bureau of Plant Industry one that has been
called the Mississippi velvet bean is so promising that it is being
propagated for general distribution.

SOY BEANS.

Interest has continued to increase throughout the country relative
to the utilization of the soy bean, not only for forage purposes, but
for oil and food products. The introduction of new varieties by the
Bureau of Plant Industry has greatly extended the production area
of the crop and therefore has brought about a greatly increased
acreage, especially northward and westward.

The field work has been extended in testing out improved sorts
in various sections of the country. A large amount of selection and
hybridization work has been done, resulting in several quite promis-
ing sorts. Nearly all of the varieties now handled by growers and
seedsmen were originated by the Department of Agriculture. Dur-
ing the past year the Mandarin has been introduced in the North as
one of the most promising early-grain sorts. For the lands of the
South infested with the wilt and nematodes the Laredo has been
found highly resistant and is one of the most promising forage sorts.

The Biloxi, Virginia, Black Eyebrow, Manchu, and Wilson-Five
varieties have been distributed over a wide territory and have given
excellent results. The testing of varieties for food has determined
that the Hahto for a gTeen vegetable and the Easy Cook, a soft-
boiling sort, as a dried bean are the best. The Hahto especially has
been received with considerable favor. It has been widely distrib-
uted, several thousand packets being given to the boys' and girls'
canning clubs of the South. In addition to developing forage and
food value, breeding work has been conducted with varieties for high
content of oil and protein.

TIMOTHY.

The new strains of timothy developed at Elyria, Ohio, at the
forage-crop testing station, in cooperation with the Ohio Agricul-
tural Experiment Station, still continue to prove superior to common
commercial timothy in both pot and field tests. Investigations are
now being carefully conducted with a view to solving some of the
practical difficulties that lie in the way of establishing these strains in
general use throughout the important timothy-growing sections of
the country.

NEW CROP PLANTS AND CROP EXTENSION.

EGYPTIAN COTTON IN CALIFORNIA.

Many fields of Egyptian cotton were grown around Fresno and
Bakersfield, Calif., in the San Joaquin Valley in 1918 and afforded
striking demonstrations of the possibility of extensive production in
this region. Not only w^ere good yields obtained at the rate of a bale
per acre, but the plants also showed an unusually regular and full
development of the fruiting branches and bolls during the entire

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 153

season. Abortion of fruiting branches, buds, and bolls early in the
season was much less common than in the Imperial and Salt River
Valleys, and there was less injury from drought or other extreme
conditions that often reduce the yields or impair the quality of the
fiber in the southern valleys. In view of such differences of behavior
there seems to be no ground for the fear that the growing season in
the San Joaquin Valley may prove too short for Egyptian cotton.

WHEAT.

Early Baart, a hard white wheat, fields of which were survej^ed in
Arizona and California in 1918, was again grown on an increased
scale in those States in 1919. Most of the expansion was based on
seed from inspected fields. The results of this enlarged acreage are
reported to be excellent.

The production of Dicklow, a white wheat of good quality, is being
encouraged on the irrigated farms of the Snake River Basin in Idaho.
A considerable extension of acreage took place in the spring of 1919,
the total being about 8,000 acres, and excellent results are reported
where sufficient irrigation water was available.

A selection of Dawson Golden Chaff wheat, resulting from coopera-
tive experiments at 'he Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station, is
now being distributed rather rapidly in New York State. The com-
mercial faelds of this variety are inspected each year in order that
only pure seed of high quality may be used for the increasing acreage.

Kanred, a hard red winter variety, originated at the Kansas Agri-
tural Experiment Station, was inspected in commercial fields in
Kansas in 1918, and some 400 fields of this variety were inspected by
State officials in 1919. It is likely to become increasingly popular
because of its resistance to leaf rust and stem rust, as well as be-
cause of its productiveness and high quality.

OATS.

The Albion and Richland, two superior early oat varieties, devel-
oped in cooperation with the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station,
are grown on an increasing acreage in Iowa and the adjacent States
in the oat belt. The Albion (Iowa No. 103) is a selection from
Sixty-Day. It is estimated that fully a million acres of it were
grown in Iowa this year. The Richland (Iowa No. 105) is adapted
to the more fertile alluvial soils, on which it yields about 4 bushels
per acre more than the Kherson oat, from which it was developed.
It is estimated that at least 50,000 acres were grown in Iowa in 1919.

Improved selections produced in cooperation with the Cornell
Agricultural Experiment Station have been distributed commer-
cially in cooperation with selected farmers, and their use is increas-
ing in those sections of the State to which they are especially
adapted.

BARLEY.

Owing to the decreasing demand for barley incident to the ter-
mination of the war and the advance of the prohibition movement,
and owing further to the guaranteed price of wheat, it was feared
that there might be a tendency to decrease the barley acreage in the

151352°— 19 11

154 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPAllTMENT OF AGRICULTUPvE.

spring- of 1919. Baiie^^ is a very important crop in the rotation in
the States of the northern Mississippi Valley, as well as a very
valuable crop for stock feeding. Active measures were taken in Wis-
consin and Minnesota, especially, to emphasize the value of barley
to the farmers of those States and thus encourage continued pro-
duction.

RICE.

In California the commercial acreage of varieties introduced and
improved by the Bureau of Plant Industry represented over 20 per
cent of the total area of 106,220 acres in 1918. In 1919 this per-
centage is believed to be still larger.

GRAIN SORGHUMS.

Owing to the importance of the grain sorghums as drought-re-
sistant crops, and in view of the long-continued droughts which have
occurred in the western portions of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas
during the j)ast two or three years, another campaign was carried on
in those States in the spring of 1919 to emphasize the value of these
crops. The resulting acreage, while below that of 1918 because of
the enormous increase in wheat, is slightly larger than that of 1917
and more than a million acres larger than that of 1916.

WINTER FLAX.

Under the supervision of a specialist, commercial sowings of win-
ter flax were made for the first time in Arizona and southern Cali-
fornia in February and March, 1919. These have now been inspected
and harvested under supervision, and the seed either has been re-
served for seeding an increased acreage next winter or arrange-
ments have been made for shipping it to an oil mill, where its quality
for oil production will be determined.

HARD FIBERS FOR BINDER TWINE AND CORDAGE.

The continued uncertainty of supply and the threatened shortage
of henequen from Yucatan have caused serious anxiety lest there
might not be enough binder twine to harvest the increasing crops of
grain in this country. Investigations have been continued, there-
fore, Avith a view to finding new sources of supplj^ or new regions
where binder-twine fibers may be produced.

Field investigations have been conducted in southern Florida,
Cuba, Haiti, Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Henequen and sisal. — The conditions in extreme southern Florida
and on the larger keys are regarded as suitable for the production of
sisal and henequen fibers, provided the cost of land and of labor there
is not too high to permit successful competition with other regions
where these fibers are produced. A large commercial plantation is
now being established by private capital in that region.

Henequen has been cultivated successfully for several years in
Cuba, and the plantations are being increased there, but thus far they
produce scarcely enough fiber to supply the cordage mills on that
island.

In the Eepublics of Haiti and Santo Domingo it was found that
most of the plants heretofore referred to as sisal or henequen wore
other species of agaves or furcraeas, which had been misidentified.
Conditions are regarded as favorable for the production of binder-

BUREAU OF PL.VXT INDUSTRY. 155

twine fibers in limited areas in Haiti and over a much larger area
in southern Santo Domingo. A small experimental planting of
sisal has been made near La Romona, Santo Domingo.

In Porto Rico experimental plantings made in former j^ears have
resulted in the establishment of a commercial plantation near Yauco.
Trial plantings of both sisal and henequen near Quebradillas, in
northwestern Porto Rico, and on Mona Island, about 40 miles west
of Mayaguez, are making a promising growth.

A fiber-cleaning machine of commercial type has been sent to the
experiment station at Mayaguez, P. R., to demonstrate the produc-
tion of henequen and sisal.

The development of improved strains of henequen and sisal by
means of selections begun in 1917 at Mayaguez is being continued.
Many of the second generation of suckers have been set out, and
bulbils from the original selected plants which have sent up flower
stalks are being grown in nurseries. Tlie cultivation in several in-
stances of bulbils and suckers from the same parent plant is ex-
pected to furnish more definite information than has been available
heretofore regarding the relative merits of these two sources of
propagating stock.

In the Virgin Islands excellent conditions for the cultivation of
sisal, and probably henequen, are found on St. Croix, and there are
now growing on that island sisal plants with leaves nearly 0 feet
long that may furnish stock for starting a plantation.

In the Philippines the cooperation of the Bureau of Plant In-
dustry with the Philippine Bureau of Agriculture in demonstrating
the preparation of sisal fiber by means of modern fiber-cleaning ma-
chines has resulted in an increased planting of sisal on those islands
and in the purchase and installation of machines by private capital
to develop the sisal industry on a larger scale. The Philippine
maguey plants are being replaced by sisal plants, which yield a fiber
better adapted to the requirements of American manufacturers.

PiiORMiuM, OR New Zealand iiE^ir. — Tlie fact that phormium
fiber may be used for binder twine and, furthermore, that this is the
only cultivated hard-fiber plant which is giown in the Temperate
Zone has led to an insistent demand for investigation to determine
whether it may be grown profitably in the United States. The in-
formation obtained thus far shows that phormium is cultivated to
only a very limited extent in New Zealand, most of the fiber being
obtained from plants growing Avild in reclaimed swamps. It has been
introduced into nearly all warm or subtropical countries, but only
on the island of St. Helena has the production of its fiber become an
established industry, and in no place has it been found to grow in
areas of commercial size as luxuriantly as it does in its native
country. Several attempts by private individuals to cultivate phor-
mium in this country have resulted in failure. These failures, how-
ever, together Avith the more successful growth of individual plants
cultivated for ornament, have demonstrated that phormium requires
a climate free from extremes of heat or cold, abundant moisture,
and a fertile soil well supplied with humus.

Heeds of phormium have been secured from New Zealand, and
young seedlings have been set out under conditions as nearly as may
be found meeting the requirements of the plant.

156 ANNUAL KEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Yucca fibers. — An investigation has been made of the production
of fiber from leaves of yucca plants growing abundantly over hun-
dreds of square miles of unused lands from western Texas to south-
ern California.

Fibers from palmilla (Yucca elata) in southern New Mexico and
bear grass {Yucca gJauca) in northeastern New Mexico and adja-
cent parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas have been used as emer-
gency supplies to take the place of jute in the manufacture of cotton
bagging.

Coarser fibers, more nearly like palma ixtle in character, are being
prepared from the leaves of the blue yucca {Yucca 'baccata) of
northern Arizona and eastern California, the green yucca {Yucca mo-
havensis) , extending from the Mohave Desert of California to central
Arizona, and the flowering yucca {Hesperoyuoca wMpplei)^ grow-
ing in the San Bernardino and Coast Eange Mountains of California,
to be used in the manufacture of binder twine.

The yucca plants now growing are sufficient to insure a supply of
leaves for several years, but investigations are desired to determine
the rapidity of growth, length of life, and the possibility of cultivat-
ing a permanent supply.

SOFT FIBERS FOR THREAD AND TWINE.

The severe reduction in foreign supplies of flax and hemp has
resulted in increasing interest in the production of these fibers in the
United States. The principal efforts of the Bureau of Plant In-
dustry to encourage the cultivation of hemp and fiber flax in the
United States have been directed toward the development of im-
proved strains or varieties.

Flax. — A large number of pedigree selections of fiber flax and also
increase plats of the best varieties were grown at the experiment
station at East Lansing, Mich., in 1918. These improved strains
had been developed by four to eight generations of selection. A
marked difference in resistance to lodging was shown by the different
strains, and it was noted that some of the tallest and best strains were
also lodge resistant.

In order to gain time in increasing the supply of seed of these
improved strains some of the seed, after being harvested in Michigan,
was taken to Porto Rico, where an increase crop was grown during
the winter. The seed thus produced was brought back in the spring
of 1919, in time for planting semicommercial tests in the fiber flax-
growing regions in Michigan and Oregon. This flax is decidedly
superior to the fiber flax grown from commercial seed of either recent
or remote importation. The stocks of these improved strains are
being increased as rapidly as possible.

Trial plats of fiber flax, ranging from one-tenth acre to 5 acres,
are being grown in 12 localities in Wisconsin. Some of these plats
are very promising, notwithstanding unfavorable weather conditions.

In addition to eastern Michigan and the Willamette Valley in
Oregon, where the cultivation of fiber flax has become an established
industry, this crop is being cultivated this season in western Wash-
ington, southeastern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, and western

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 1 57

New York. The total area, about 5,000 acres, is slightly in excess
of that of 1918.

Hemp. — The plats of pedigree seed hemp at the Arlington Farm
made a record growth in 1918, two of the best varieties averaging
13 feet 5 inches and 12 feet 5 inches, respectively. More than 600
pounds of seed of these pedigree plants were sent out to commercial
growers. Some of this was sown broadcast for fiber in order to com-
pare it with commercial crops, but more than 300 acres were planted
with this seed in oliecks for seed production, and this should yield
enough for more than 4,000 acres of fiber hemp next year.

The second-generation hybrid Ferramington, combining the heiglit
and long internodes of Kymington with the earliness and heavy seed
yield of Ferrara, gives promise of a good fiber type of hemp that may
ripen seed as far north as Wisconsin.

A foreign market for American hemp is being developed, and for
the first time in more than half a century commercial shipments of
hemp grown in the United States are being sent to Europe.

Two important needs of the hemp industry in this country at the
present time are an efficient system of water retting which will pro-
duce high-grade fiber like that imported from Italy and a satisfactory
system of grading, so that both the producer and the manufacturer
may know the quality of each bale of fiber.

FORAGE CROPS.

RHODE ISLAND BENT.

The preliminary tests of a new stripping machine to harvest the
seed of Rhode Island bent were very satisfactory. Extensive tests
will be conducted, and it is confidently believed that this machine
will insure adequate market supplies of this seed, for which there is
a large demand.

NAPIER GRASS.

Napier grass has created great enthusiasm equally in the extreme
South and in California. In Florida it is more productive on sandy
soils than any other grass yet found. The possibility of utilizing
it as a pasture crop by grazing separate fields when the grass is 18 to
24 inches high is being tested; also the practicability of ensiling it
when 6 to 8 feet high, two such crops being produced in a season. The
mature stems are too fibrous to be satisfactory as feed.

SEEKING NEW CROP PLANTS ABROAD.

The search for new crops in foreign countries was continued dur-
ing the year. This work was necessarily curtailed on account of war
conditions. Explorations in Ecuador resulted in securing something
like 50 new plant immigrants, among which are two avocados from
a high altitude which may prove cold resistant. Through foreign
correspondence something like 1,000 new plant immigrants were in-
troduced. The search for new and promising crop plants was con-
tinued in a limited way in China and Japan.

NEW AVOCADOS FROM GUATEMALA.

Twenty-three new and promising avocados have been secured from
Guatemala. More than 4,000 of these have been propagated, freed

158 ANNUAL REPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

from dangerous insects and diseases, and distributed for tests in
Florida, California, Hawaii, Porto Kico, and Cuba. The varieties
introduced should have a wide range, as they represent types coming
from near sea level up to an altitude of more than 5,000 feet.

BAMBOO AS A CROP FOR TH^ SOUTH.

Sufficient progress has been made in the growing and testing of
bamboos to show that we now have six or seven types suitable for a
wide range of soil and climate and useful for a great variety of pur-
poses. A type suitable to the warmer parts of the'United States has
been found useful in the manufacture of several kinds of brushes and
brooms. A valuable edible type has been obtained and is being prop-
agated. Two of the types adapted to a wide range of soil and climate
have been found useful in the manufacture of fancy fishing poles
and phonograph needles. Prior to the war, large importations of
canes were made from the Orient for these purposes. The greatest
use for the bamboo in the South will, it is believed, come from home
utilization for water pipes, poultry-yard fences, poultry protection,
light fences and gates, simple types of home furniture, outbuildings,
etc. Bamboos are being propagated extensively with a view to in-
augurating plantings ancl making tests through cooperation with
boys' and girls' pig and poultry clubs in the South.

NEW OR RARE FORAGE CROPS.

Something like 1,200 bushels of new and rare soy-bean seed were
grown for special distribution. The Hah to soy bean, introduced in
1915, has proved a most useful food and forage crop. An extensive
distribution of this bean has been made in order that it may be given
a thorough trial.

NEW STOCKS FOR AMERICAN FRUIT GROWERS.

One of the big problems of American fruit growing is tliat of stocks
resistant to diseases and insects and suitable for our wide range of
soil and climate. Promising new stocks of pear, apple, peach,
cherry, and plum have been assembled from foreign countries, chiefly
the Orient. Nearly 150 pounds of seed from pear trees supposed
to be resistant to fire-blight have been secured through exploration
in China. Seedling stocks are being grown at widely separated
places, and distributions arc being made to nurserymen and others
in order to determine their disease resistance, congeniality, and
adaptability to varying soils and climates. About 75,000 new pear
stocks have been distributed.

BLIGHT-RESISTANT CHESTNUT TREES.

The Chinese chestnut {Castanea mollissima) has been found one
of the most promising trees to combat disease. This chestnut was
found in China, where for years the trees had to struggle against
blight. Several thousands of these young trees are now being
grown, also several thousand hybrid chestnuts, with the object of
testing them for disease resistance and nut production.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 159

PROMISING NEW VEGETABLE CROPS.

The dasheen continues to oifer encouraging possibilities as a food
crop for the South. Special attention was given to the marketing of
this crop during the j^ear. Nearly all the dasheens were marketed in
northern and eastern cities, the price ranging from 12J to 20 cents
per pound. Seed tubers were supplied to about 1.700 collaborating
experimenters. The production at one station on 3 acres was 850
bushels, or something over 50,000 pounds.

The chayote, another vegetable, gives promise of success. Nearly
750 bushels of this crop were produced at two stations, and 1,075
packages were sent to home demonstration agents in the South and
to cooking schools. Something over 1,700 packages of seed cha^'otes
were sent to persons in the South Atlantic and Gulf States who wish
to grow the Aegetable experimentally.

The arracacia, a staple vegetable of the Venezuelans, is another
promising vegetable for the Southern States.

PROTECTING NEW PLANT INTR0DUr;ri0NS.

So many dangerous and destructive crop enemies have been
brought into this counti^ that public sentiment has demanded more
thorough protection. Very rigid protective measures have been
adopted in connection with all plant-introduction work conducted by
the Bureau of Plant Industry. Not only is eveiy safeguard taken to
prevent dangerous enemies from coming in on plant immigrants, but
every precaution is observed in freeing our own seeds and plants
which we send to foreign countries from many potential enemies that
might be injurious in their new homes. Cooperating with the Fed-
eral Horticultural Board, intensive inspection is made of all seeds
and plants coming from foreign countries and all seeds and plants
distributed from our stations but originally coming from abroad.
Between 3,500 and 4,000 lots of seeds and plants coming into the
country and going out of the country were examined the past year.
The increase in this work under the new Quarantine Order No. 37,
issued by the Federal Horticultural Board, has made it necessary to
broaden its scope. To this end a new plant-detention station is
being established near the city of Washington. This station will have
for its primary object the receiving and growing of new plant im-
migrants with a view to removing all possible chances of introduc-
ing dangerous diseases and insect enemies.

CROP UTILIZATION.

DRUG-PLANT INVESTIGATIONS.

Notwithstanding the prevailing high market prices of crude bo-
tanical drugs, the period covered by the i^ast fiscal year has been a
critical one as aJffecting drug-plant culture in this country, because
of shortage of labor and unexpected difficulties encountered by many
who engaged in the enterprise without the experience or knowledge
necessary to carry on the work successfull3\ The net result is seen
in the abandonment of the work by a large number of the smaller
growers, leaving the field to those who have been reasonably suc-
cessful, either through favorable location or better equipment, from

160 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the standpoint of facilities for handling special crops and busi-
ness organization for marketing the products. The Bureau of Plant
Industry has continued its efforts to assist both in the permanent de-
\'elopment of this industry along practical lines and in saving waste
and unproductive effort in directions likely to result in failure.

Continued interest is manifested in the development of drug
gardens at schools of pharmacy throughout the country, and in a
number of instances material assistance has been rendered in connec-
tion with the establishment of new gardens by furnishing plans,
supplying seeds, roots, and plants for propagation, and giving de-
sired information with respect to suitable selections for the available
situation and general methods of culture and handling. This feature
of the development of drug-plant culture affords improved facilities
for instruction in the characteristics and properties of medicinal
plants, and further is calculated to conserve propagating stock of
important medicinal plants in this country and disseminate practical
knowledge concerning drug-plant growing and handling.

THE CAMPHOR INDUSTRY.

The high price of camphor and the difficulty of obtaining adequate
supplies from the native sources of production have greatly stimu-
lated interest in the development of the camphor industry in Florida.
Through an informal cooperation with the large camphor growers
systematic observations have been continued on improved methods of
growing and handling the crop in the field. An intensive study of the
process of distillation revealed sources of loss, and refinements in the
methods of recovery were devised by which the percentage of cam-
phor recovered from the distilled material is very substantially in-
creased. Extended experimentation on methods of propagating and
transplanting camphor seedlings has resulted in a substantial reduc-
tion in the cost of these operations on a large acreage basis.

UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE PRODUCTS.

Studies of waste materials of the canning and fruit-packing in-
dustries have been continued with reference to the economic possi-
bilities in the recovery of valuable commercial products from these
sources. Investigations of the utilization of tomato-cannery waste
on a commercial scale have been brought to satisfactory completion.
Similar studies during the year have included the investigation of
the possibilities in the utilization of waste grape pomace, pumpkin
seed, and corn waste from canneries, and the sirup content of the
stalks remaining after the harvest of sweet corn.

CROP UTILIZATION IN IRRIGATED REGIONS.

In newly developed irrigated regions there is a continuing and
urgent demand for information as to the best varieties of field crops
for each locality and the best methods of culture, as well as of
methods of crop utilization.

The economic importance of utilizing bulky forage crops at the
point of production through the use of live stock has been fully
recognized, and arrangements have been made for demonstrating
at the irrigated field stations the most efficient methods of using such
crops. Extensive demonstrations have been carried on in pasturing

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 161

crops, the production of silage crops, the utilization of by-products,
and in supplementing pasture crops with grain for the production
of meat and milk. Some attention has also been given to the use of
sheep on irrigated farms, and some of the possibilities of using these
animals for consuming waste products and cleaning up fields and
ditch banks have been demonstrated.

INVESTIGATIONS OF SEED SUPPLIES.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE SEED-IMPORTATION ACT.

During the past year comparatively few lots of seed have been
offered for entry which did not comply with the requirements of the
Seed-Importation Act. Tlie most striking exceptions have been cer-
tain lots of Canadian alsike-clover screenings which have been im-
ported for the purpose of recleaning.

Of those seeds covered by the act the importations during the fiscal
year 1919 have been few as compared with 1917 and the preceding
year, with the exception of alsike clover, of which 7 million pounds
were imported, as compared with 3J million pounds last year and
4J million pounds the previous year, these three years being those
of largest importation of this kind of seed. It is evident that practi-
cally this entire quantity of alsike-clover seed was put into consump-
tion, so there will be little, if any, carry-over of the seed imported
during the fiscal year.

There was a remarkable falling off in the quantity of rapeseed
imported — 639,000 pounds this year as compared with more than
ll| million pounds last year, both years' importations coming princi-
pally from Japan.

SEED TESTING.

During the year, 18,820 samples of seed were received for test at
the Washington laboratory and 10,252 at the five branch laboratories
maintained in cooperation with State institutions.

LABELING FIELD SEEDS.

Following a conference with seedsmen in the summer of 1917,
representatives of the seed-trade associations and a large number of
individual seedsmen agreed to label all lots of field and forage-crop
seeds sold in quantities of 10 pounds or more with the percentage of
pure live seed, the date of the germination test, and in certain cases
the country of origin. In the spring of 1918, seeds of redtop and
red clover were purchased and examined to determine to what ex-
tent this agreement was kept. This examination showed that only
10 per cent of the lots of seeds purchased were found to be fully
labeled in accordance with the agreement.

Practically all of the larger seed dealers now have facilities for
testing seeds and know the quality of the seeds they are liandling,
but apparently most of them are not passing on to the farmer this
information, which is of vital importance to him.

CRIMSON CLOVER.

A series of trials designed to be carried on for five years has been
begun to determine whether French or domestic crimson-clover
seed is best for this country. These trials are being made in coopera-

162 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

tion with the Delaware and North Carolina agricultural experiment
stations. The seed used comes from France, Italy, Delaw^are, and
Tennessee.

In connection with the development of the crimson-clover seed-
growing industry in south-central Tennessee, a preliminary study
has been made of the problems and it has been found that harvest-
ing is the most important one connected with this project. The
tendency of the growers is to harvest a little too early, so as to pre-
vent loss by shattering. This results in harvesting a great deal of
shrunken immature seed. Work must be done to determine wiiether
harvesters can be used that will permit the clover to stand until
thoroughly mature.

COTTON-

The selection and the distribution of superior varieties of cotton
are being continued, with special attention to the problem of develop-
ing and maintaining adequate supplies of pure seed in order to ex-
tend the commercial production of these varieties in the different
regions of the cotton belt. The largest volume of production has
been attained with the Lone Star variety, now estimated at above
1,000,000 acres. This variety represents the Texas Big-Boll type,
having the good qualities of Triumph and Kowden with larger bolls
and lint of better quality, that under normal market conditions com-
mands a distinct premium over ordinary short cotton. The Lone
Star variety has been distributed eastward from Texas, with the ad-
vance of the boll weevil, and has become popular in many Upland
districts. An organized production of larger quantities of pure
Lone Star seed is being developed in northern Texas, with a cotton-
breeding station at Greenville, Hunt County, serving as a center for
cooperation witli local communities.

The Trice cotton has become widely known, being an extra-early
variety, unusually productive, and having larger bolls and better
lint than other short-season kinds. It is grown especially along
the northern rim of the cotton belt. For dry weather and short-
season conditions in Oklahoma and Texas a variety recently ac-
climatized from southern Mexico is being grown extensively under
the name of Acala.

Several long- staple Upland varieties have been bred or acclima-
tized and distributed by the Bureau of Plant Industry and grown
in commercial quantities, the Columbia (or Webber) in South
Carolina and adjacent States, the Foster in Louisiana and the Eed
River Valley of Texas, and the Durango in the Imperial Valley of
California, the Pecos Valley of New^ Mexico and Texas, and also
in Alabama and South Carolina and in southeastern Virginia.
Anotlier new type called Kekchi, introduced from Guatemala several
years ago but not yet distributed, has attained local popularity in
northern Texas, around Clarksville.

Between tAvo and three thousand acres of Meade cotton are being
grown this season in the Sea Island district of Georgia and Florida.
This variety seems likely to replace entirely the mainland crop of
Sea Island cotton as soon as the seed can be multiplied in sufficient
quantity. The production of pure Meade seed is still inadequate
to meet" the demands, since it has been demonstrated that the variety

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 163

is not only as early as most of the short-staple varieties, but yields
well and produces a fiber that is received on the markets on a par with
Sea Island cotton; in fact, many bales of Meade have commanded
a premium over Sea Island. The supply of pure seed for planting
purposes is behig rapidly increased, due to the cooperation of many
growers who have appreciated the necessity .for isolation and clean
ginning. It has been found, hoAvever, that many growers and gin-
ners do not appreciate the necessity for pure seed, and quantities of
mixed seed have been sold and planted. Should this process con-
tinue, the reputation of the Meade variety for uniformity may
suffer on account of the distribution of these mixed stocks. An
organization of Meade growers iii cooperation with the Bureau of
Plant Industry is endeavoring to have all mixed stocks replaced with
pure seed, and with a definite recognition of the need of continued
selection and isolation to maintain the purity and uniformity of the
stock it is hoped that the necessary precautions may be taken. .

The most striking example of introducing a new type of cotton,
establishing a new industry, and maintaining an adequate supply of
good seed is in connection with the Pima variety of Egyptian cotton
in the Salt River Valley of Arizona. Nearly iOO.OOO acres of pure
Pima cotton were planted in the spring of 1919 in the irrigated dis-
tricts of the Southwestern States. This scale of production of su-
perior fiber has become possible through the establishment of a cen-
tral supply of pure seed, 1,250 tons being furnished for planting in
1919 from a single community center around Tempe, Ariz., where no
other variety is grown.

Cooperation with the Pima cotton growers in maintaining the
purity of their planting seed was continued by roguing the seed-
increase fields and removing the off-type plants. Ihis work gives
an exceptional opportunity for thorough study of the commercial
seed stock of this variety and for detecting the first indication of de-
terioration, if this should occur. No evidence has yet been obtained
of any loss of uniformity in this variety. The measures taken by
the Bureau of Want Industry, ably seconded by a growers' associa-
tion in the Salt River Valley, have successfully protected this ex-
ceptionally uniform cotton from mixing or crossing with any other
variety.

Pima cotton is now the only very long staple variety (with fiber
1§ to If inches long) grown in the United States of which n large
supply of even-running fiber is obtainable. Approximately 35,000
bales were produced in Arizona and California in the calendar year
1918. The demand for this variety since Sea Island cotton production
has been curtailed by the boll weevil has exceeded the supply. This
cotton is most extensively used in high-grade automobile-tire fabrics
and appears to be a satisfactory sul>stitute for Sea Island in most
goods for which that cotton is used.

A serious problem of cotton farming in dry regions or where dry
weather occurs at the planting season is to obtain regular germina-
tion of seed and a full stand of plants in the rows. Germina-
tion may be prevented by dry soil or by planting too deep. Experi-
ments conducted in Arizona and Texas have shown that much better
stands can be secured by a lister attached to the shoo of the planter,
which makes it possible to place the seed in moist soil at a uniform
depth.

164 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

CONGRESSIONAL SEED DISTRIBUTION.

During the fiscal year 1919 there were distributed on congressional
and miscellaneous requests 8,072,791 packages of vegetable seed, and
883,136 packages of flower seed, or a total of 8,955,927 packages, each
containing five packets oi different kinds of seed. There were also
distributed 12,122 packages of lawn-grass seed, and 10,368 packages
of imported narcissus and tulip bulbs. The seeds and bulbs were
purchased on competitive bids, as heretofore. Each lot of seed pur-
chased was thoroughly tested for purity and viability before accept-
ance by the Bureau of Plant Industry, and tests of each lot of seed
were conducted on the trial grounds of the Department of Agricul-
ture to determine its trueness to type.

NEW AND RARE FIELD-SEED DISTRIBUTION.

A distribution of new and rare field seeds was made throughout
the entire United States, having for its object the dissemination of
seed of new^ and rare field crops, seed of improved strains of staple
crops, and high-grade seed of crops new to sections where the data
of the Department of Agriculture indicate such crops to be of con-
siderable promise. Each package contained a sufficient quantity of
seed for a satisfactory field trial, and the recipient was urged to use
the seed, if feasible, for the production of stocks for future plantings.
A report card and a circular giving full directions for the culture of
the crop accompanied each package of seed.

Only seed of new crops or of improved strains of standard crops
were distributed, including the following: Dakota-grown, Grimm,
Kansas-grown, and Peruvian alfalfas; Great Northern field beans;
yellow and white sweet clovers; Brabham, Groit, and Early Buff
coAvpeas; feterita; Bangalia, Carleton, Gregory, and Paragon field
peas; Natal grass, orchard grass, and Rhodes grass; Dwarf Black-
hull kafir; Turkestan, Golden, and Kursk millet; Dwarf Yellow
milo; Freed, Dakota Amber, Red Amber, and Sumac sorghums;
Biloxi, Black Eyebrow, Haberlandt. Ito San, Mammoth Yellow,
Manchu, Peking, Tokyo, Virginia, Wilson, and Wilson-Five varieties
of soy beans; Sudan grass; Alabama, Bush, Georgia, and Osceola
velvet beans; purple, narrow-leaved, and woolly-podded vetch; and
the Acala, Columbia, Dixie, Durango, Holclon, Lone Star, Meade,
and Trice varieties of cotton.

During the year 139,441 packages of new and rare forage-crop
seeds and 80,701 packages of cotton seed, or a total of 220,142 pack-
ages, were distributed. Gratifying results were obtained, indicating
that by enabling a farmer to procure seed of new and improved
crops in sufficient quantity to produce stocks for future seeding the
crops of the country are gradually improved.

SOIL-FERTILITY INVESTIGATIONS.

FERTILIZER STUDIES IN THE FIELD.

Field studies have been continued and much extended during the
year, and the results obtained have been particularly timely, in view
of the fact chat the war lias upset the normal fertilizer composition
and practice with regard both to nitrogen carriers and to potash

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 165

carriers. Field experiDients have been conducted on the Washburn
and Caribou silt loam in Maine; on the Sassafras silt loam on Long
Island and in New Jersey ; on the Penn loam in New Jersey ; on the
Hagerstown loam in Pennsylvania ; on the Norfolk fine sandy loam in
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida; on the Nor-
folk sandy loam in Florida and the Norfolk coarse sandy loam in
South Carolina; on the Portsmouth sandy loam in South Carolina;
on the Coxville fine sandy loam in South Carolina ; on the Orange-
burg sandy loam in Georgia ; on the Pope fine sandy loam in Arkan-
sas; on the Greenville sandy loam in Georgia; on the Susquehanna
fine sandy loam in Georgia; on the Scottsburg sandy loam in In-
diana; and on the Superior silty clay loam at Ashland, Wis.

In the plan of experimentation followed there are being deter-
mined the best ratios of the plant-food constituents in the fertilizer
mixture suited to the respective soils, the amount of these fertilizers
giving the most profitable returns, and the availability of the various
carriers for phosphate, potash, and nitrogen in the fertilizing mate-
rials commonly employed, as well as those which have been intro-
duced during the war.

The American sources of potash studied are the salts from the
Nebraska lakes, which are principally carbonates; the salts from the
California borax lakes, which are principally muriates; the product
from alunite mined in Utah, which is a high-grade sulphate of
potash; ground kelp from the Pacific coast, tobacco stems, beetr
waste potash, and several potash materials collected as dust from
the cement mills. Tlie sources of nitrogen studied are sodium ni-
trate, ammonium sulphate, dried blood, cottonseed meal, and cyana-
mid, a nitrogen-fixation product now used in fertilizers. The ex-
periments are showing that these different materials have different
economic importance, depending upon the soil and crop.

The crops grown in these fertilizer tests are those of greatest in-
terest or economic importance to the region studied and include po-
tatoes, cotton, corn, citrus fruits, pecans, sorghum, clover, celery, etc.
These experiments are carried on cooperatively with the State agri-
cultural experiment stations and other local associations and also
with various offices of the department. The results obtained are be-
ing collected for a comprehensive study of these different soil types,
but they are already yielding valuable results for local application
as to the fertilizers best suited for particular regions and are also
furnishing information to the farmers as to the various nitrogen and
potash carriers most likely to produce the best returns in practice.

STUDIES OF THE MALNUTRITION OF CROP PLANTS.

The study of the malnutrition of certain plants, most notably of
potato and cotton, which became particularly emphasized during the
war, has been continued, and further facts regarding the distribu-
tion of these diseases and their relation to soil types, systems of agri-
cultural practice, and fertilizers used have been determined. New
and untried fertilizing materials are sometimes responsible for these
troubles, but more often they have been due to an unbalanced con-
dition in the fertilizers, due to too great an increase in one of the
ingredients, with often total elimination of another. This in some
regions has produced the so-called potash hunger of the potato plant,

166 ANIJ^UAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF /GRICULTURE.

to which considerable loss in the crop along the Atlantic coast can
be ascribed. This unbalanced condition of the fertilizer shows itself
most markedly on the low-l;^ing soil regions of the East and on the
sandier types of soil. A similar condition has shown itself along the
Atlantic seaboard with the so-called cotton rust, which is a malnu-
trition disturbance caused by an unbalanced condition of the fer-
tilizer used or by the unbalanced condition of the normal soil nu-
trient solution as found in many of the sandier soils of the Coastal
Plain. The experiments show quite definitely that this condition is
associated with the fertilizer practice and that potash salts will cor-
rect this difficulty and prevent the collapse of the plant.

To a certain extent last season and quite prominently this spring
some further difficulties in fertilizer usage have arisen in connection
Avith the reappearance of higlier potash contents in fertilizers. This
subject has been under investigation in connection with our tests on
various potash sources now used in fertilizer practice, and the diffi-
culty referred to appears to be due to a disturbance of the normal
growth of the plants by the presence of borax in the potash-carrying
fertilizers. Such fertilizers, it would seem, should be used only under
such restrictions as will make it certain that harmful quantities of
borax will not be introduced into the soil. The loss from this fer-
tilizer disturbance this year is estimated to be considerable, especially
when large quantities of a potash fertilizer are used, particularly
with potatoes, cotton, and tobacco.

FERTILIZER TESTS OF UNUSUAL MATERIALS.

Tlie war conditions have brought forth a very considerable num-
ber of substitutes for the usual and normal fertilizer ingredients,
some of which are in the hands of various strongly organized con-
cerns, but which are nevertheless of doubtful value. " Quite a number
of these products have been tested, both in the greenhouse and in
the field, where either their Avorthless character or their proper value
has been shown.

BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

Scientific inquiries into the fundamental factors underlying soil
fertility and plant nutrition have been continued and with the cessa-
tion of war work have developed at an increasing rate. Among
these is the relation of certain plant diseases to the hydrogen-ion con-
centration of the soil; the study of the chlorophyl changes which
occur in the case of malnutrition of the potato and cotton plants;
the causes of certain chlorosis phenomena in plants under adverse
soil conditions; the relationship of the composition of the crop to
the fertilizers used; and the relationship of the soil in general to
the prevalence of plant diseases and the physiological condition of
the crop. There is in process also a study of the composition of the
plant in certain constituents, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and
fats, in relation to the fertilizer used.

UTILIZATION OF EXCESS WAR MATERIALS FOR FERTILIZER.

Since the close of the war an investigation into the use of dete-
riorated cannon powder and smokeless powder has been begun at the
request of the War Department and in cooperation with the National

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 167

Research Council, with a view to utilizing economically such mate-
rials in fertilizer practice.

Tlic investigation has already shown that trinitrotoluene is poi-
sonous to plants and can not be directly used in fertilizers ; that the
nitrated celluloses, while not poisonous to plants, are, on the other
hand, so insoluble as to leave the nitrogen unavailable to plants, and
that aiumonification or nitrification of this material in the soil pro-
ceeds with extreme slowness, if at all, under normal conditions.
Chemical treatment of this material is therefore being resorted to,
and already some very promising results have been obtained, which
make the nitrogen of such materials available and would apj)ear to
be the basis for the possible utilization of such material in fertilizers.

FERTILIZER TESTS ON TOBACCO.

Ill Maryland a series of fertilizer tests with tobacco which has
been in progress for several years was completed, and the results
have been published in popular form. It has been found that on the
average soil nitrogen is the fertilizer element most needed by the to-
bacco cix)p. Phosphoric acid has not increased the yield, but may
improve the quality of the tobacco. Under systems of heavy or con-
tinuous cropping the tobacco has shown a decided need of potash.
Under average conditions a fertilizer supplying 25 to 30 pounds each
of nitrogen and potash and about 50 pounds of phosphoric acid per
acre will give very profitable return.^. The commercial fertilizers
connnonly used by tobacco growers do not furnish enough nitrogen
for the best results. Field tests dealing with the fertilizer require-
ments of the principal types of tobacco were continued in the States
of New YorK, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and the
Carolinas.

Substantial progress has been made in an investigation of the role
of potash in the nutrition of the tobacco plant, including the com-
parative effects of the muriate and sulphate on the growth and de-
velopment of the plant. It has been established that there are ma-
terial differences m the action of these two forms of potash when
applied as a fertilizer to tobacco on certain types of soil.

PLANT-NUTRITION INVESTIGATIONS.

In the field experiments dealing with the specific effects of crop
plants on the yields of crops immediately following, many data have
been secured tending to show that under strictly comparable condi-
tions corn, tobacco, and potatoes affect very differently the yields of
succeeding crops of wheat, oats, and rye. These effects are mani-
fested under different fertilizer treatments, but in varying degrees.
The crops of corn, tobacco, and potatoes also show similar results
when each crop is grown after itself and in rotation with the other
two.

In connection with further investigations on the relation of the
environmental conditions to the formation of oil in the seeds of plants
it has been discovered that, contrary to general belief, sunlight,
rather than temperature relations, is the important factor in deter-
mining the seasonal development or maturation of plants. This dis-
co\ cry of a comparatively simple connection betAveen sunlight and
the vegetative and reproductive phases of plant development un-

168 ANNUAL, KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

doubtedly will throw much light on the relationships between early
and late maturing varieties and species and their natural distri-
bution.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

Evidence has accumulated that a low water requirement, although
an important factor in comparative resistance to drought, is by no
means the only factor involved. The water requirement has now
been determined for practically all important species and varieties of
field crops, and the data obtained during the past several years make
it possible to answer decisively the question to what degree water
requirement is correlated Avith adaptability to drought conditions.
Attention was focused during the past year upon the increase and
distribution, in cooperation with the congressional seed distribution,
of improved strains of sorgo and millet adapted to conditions in the
northern Great Plains region. Drought-resistance breeding work
w^ith other forage plants, especially alfalfa and smooth brome-grass,
was continued, and promising strains of the two crops mentioned are
being increased for distribution to farmers in the central and north-
ern Great Plains.

CEREAL PATHOLOGY.

BLACK OR STEM RUST.

Black-rust epidemics. — An intensive nation-wide investigation of
black rust has been made during the year. Special attention has
been given to the factors which may contribute to epidemics of this
rust. Among these factors are Aveather conditions, soil drainage, air
drainage, barberry bushes, the winter hardiness of the urediniospores,
or red stage, and of the teliospores, or black stage, and the carrying
of spores by the wind.

In the investigation of the overwintering of the black rust it has
been found that survival varies with the severity of the winter. In
average years very few of the red spores, which start the rust directly
on wheat in the spring, are able to survive winter conditions north of
about latitude 35° N. South of this general latitude, however, they
were able to overwinter abundantly. In the exceptionally milcl win-
ter of 1918-19 they survived as far north as Wisconsin. On the other
hand, the black spores, w^hich start the rust on barberry bushes, nor-
mally live through even the severe winters of our most northern
States and start the rust in the spring. They can not start the rust
directly on wheat, however, so that destroying common barberries
makes these spores harmless. A thorough investigation of the infec-
tion of wheat seed by black rust has been completed. The study has
covered several years and involved the growing of many thousands
of plants from rust-infected seed ; no infection of seedlings from such
infected seed has been produced.

Varieties of wheat almost completely resistant to some of the bio-
logical forms of black rust have been discovered or developed by
breeding and are being used in other breeding experiments in coop-
eration with the agricultural experiment stations of Minnesota and
Kansas.

Barberry eradication. — The campaign for the control of the black
rust of wheat through the eradication of the common barberry is in

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 169

active operation in thirteen North- Central States, namely, Colorado,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska,
North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
State laws requiring the removal of common barberry bushes have
been enacted in all these States except Indiana, Ohio, and Wyoming.
The campaign has been conducted in each State by widespread pub-
licity through many channels.

The first problem, naturally, is to locate all bushes resulting from
intentional planting and induce their owners to remove them.

The second, and perhaps the most difficult problem in the cam-
paign, is to locate bushes running wild. The number of localities in
wliich Avild bushes are found is immensely larger than was believed
at the beginning of the campaign. Through many decades since
barberries were first planted in these States, the seeds have been
sown in large numbers in thickets and woodlands by wild birds.
The difficulty of locating such bushes in rough and broken timber-
land, oftentimes amid thickets and underbrush, will be appreciated
by anyone who undertakes it. It is essential, however, that such
bushes be located and removed. In most cases they are not far
distant from grainfields, and in any case rust spreads readily from
them to grainfields by wa}^ of wild grasses in their vicinity. Further-
more, if they remain undisturbed their numbers will continue to in-
crease by the action of birds throughout the years to come.

The third problem is to insure that every bush located is removed
by the owner or agent, and so thoroughly and completely removed
that sprouts will not develop, or, failing this, to insure that sprouts
which do appear will be destroyed.

Already the number of bushes located and destroyed runs into
the millions. More than half a million have been destroyed by
nurserymen in a single State. Naturally, as the campaign progresses
the number of bushes located each month becomes smaller. How-
ever, they are still being found by the tens and hundreds of thou-
sands. From March to July, 1919, inclusive, more than 16,000
bushes were located in Illinois. Nearly 40,000 were located in Iowa
during the spring and early summer of this year. Up to May 30,
1919, Nebraska had found 63,000 bushes. About 91,000 plants have
been removed from private premises in Wisconsin, in addition to
large numbers taken out of public grounds. No serious outbreak
of black stem rust occurred this season, although many bushes un-
doubtedly remain undiscovered.

LEAF RUSTS OF WHEAT, BARLEY, AND RYE.

A leaf-rust survey and investigation of epidemiology have shown
the leaf rusts, and particularly the leaf rust of wheat, to be of far
greater importance as limiting factors in grain production than
had been supposed. In some sections of the South Atlantic coast
the damage due to the leaf rust of wheat was so serious as to ruin
the crop. In the States growing hard winter wheats extensively,
such as Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, leaf rust was almost
epidemic this season.

Field, greenhouse, and laboratory investigations of the leaf rusts
of wheat, barley, and rye have been carried on in cooperation with

151352''— 19 12

170 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the Indiana Agricultural Experiment Station. Special studies to
discover biologic form§ of leaf rusts have so far given negative re-
sults. Considerable progi-ess lias been made in determining the hosts
and host relationships of the several leaf rusts, and niany data have
been obtained on factors influencing the development of epidemics.
Investigations have shown that the leaf rusts of wheat and rye can
overwinter in the urediniospore stage, even in the severe northern
winters.

One of the most important discoveries in the history of rust inves-
tigations in this countrj^ has been made in cooperation with the
Agricultural Experiment Station of Kansas. The three Kansas
wheat selections of the Crimean group — Kanred (P-T26), P-1066,
and P-1068 — which previousl}^ were known to be resistant to the
most seriously destructive biologic form of black rust, here i^roved to
be highly resistant also to leaf rust.

FUSARIUM ROTS OF CORN AND THE SCAB OF WHEAT AND OTHER CEREALS.

Investigations show that the Fusarium rots of corn live through the
winter both in the soil and in and on the seed. They attack the corn
crop at several different stages and in several different ways, as fol-
lows: (1) By preventing germination in laboratory and field; (2)
by causing a weak germination in the germinator and in the field;
(3) by blighting and destrojdng the seedlings; (4) by dwarfing the
seedlings so much that they develop only barren stalks or stalks
with small and sometimes almost worthless ears; and (5) by rotting
the root systems, or the stalks and ear shanks, resulting in stalks
easily blown over by wind, in broken stalks, broken ear shanks, and
the rotting of the ears themselves in varying degree. Some of the
diseased plants ripen prematurely. Because of this early ripening,
the ears froni such plants frequently are selected for seed. Diseased
stalks may bear undiseased ears, but usually plants grown from such
ears are highly susceptible to attacks from the Fusarium rot fungi in
the soil or elsewhere. The diseased ears can be largely excluded from
seed corn by carefull}^ selecting well-matured ears on healthy j)lfints
in the field and by special study of such seed on the germinator. Pre-
liminary experiments show that by rejecting diseased ears the yields
of corn may be materially increased, possibly as much as 10 or 15
or even 20 per cent in portions of the corn belt.

'Six species of fungi making the problem complex. — Investiga-
tions to date indicate that there are at least six species and varieties
of fungi which cause rots of corn, and one of these also causes scab,
or blight, of w^heat and other cereals. There are two important
sources of infection for both corn and wheat — infected seed and old
infected cornstalks; there may be still other sources of infection of
wheat not yet determined.

TAKE-ALL AND FLAG SMUT OF WHEAT.

In April, 1919, the attention of tlie Bureau of Plant Industry was
called to a serious outbreak of disease in the wheat fields of Madi-
son County, 111. Prompt investigation discovered a disease very
similar to take-all, a Aery destructive disease of wheat in Australia
and other parts of the Orient, as well as in some countries of Europe.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 171

A few clays later flag smut, a destructive disease of wheat in Aus-
tralia, was discovered in wheat fields in the same county, and in some
cases in the same fields as take-all. Pathologists of most of the
wheat-producing States, together with a nmnber from the United
States Department of Agriculture, were immediatel}^ called together
in Illinois in order to become personally familiar with these two dis-
eases in the field. A survey of wheat fields, not only in Illinois but
in many other States, was begiui at once so as to determine whether
one or both these diseases had become established elsewhere in this
country. This survey resulted in the discovery of rather extensive
infection in Madison County. 111., with less extensive infection in
two other counties in that State and in three counties in Indiana.

In cooperation with the Federal Horticultural Board and the au-
thorities of Illinois and Indiana, action has been taken designe<l to
prevent the spread of these two diseases and finally to eradictite
them, if possible. The State officials have established quarantine
areas, including the infested fields and the fields which surround
them.

THE NEMATODE OR EELWORM DISEASE OF WHEAT.

The nematode disease of wheat has been found in Maryland, Vir-
ginia, West Virginia, and Georgia and has done considerable local
damage. Investigation has shown that the disease attacks rye
virulently ; also oats, emmer, and spelt to some extent. Experiments
have shown conclusively tliat the nematodes live over winter in the
soil.

A wheat crop may become infected either from the seed or from
the soil. To escape infestation, fields should be sown with seed
wheat free from mematodes. Such seed wheat may be obtained
either from uninfested fields or by treating wheat infested with
nematode galls with a 20 to 25 per cent salt solution. In this brine
the sound wheat will sink and the nematode galls will float, when
they can be removed and destroyed. Experiments show conclusively
that sowing seed wheat containing nematode galls without such
treatment results in a heavily infected crop. Sowing clean seed
wheat on infested soil also results in a serious infection of the crop,
but clean seed wheat sown on clean land gives a clean crop, even
though adjacent to infested fields.

CONTROL OF CEREAL SMUTS.

In the fall of 1917 a campaign was started, in cooperation with the
extension services of the cereal-growing States, for the prevention of
cereal smuts controllable by seed treatment. This work was con-
tinued throughout the fiscal ,year 1919. Demonstrations of methods
of seed treatment were held in 28 States, a large number being given
in each State. Departmental field assistants addressed groups of
farmers and showed them the details of the methods of seed treat-
ment. As a result there was a great increase in the quantity of seed
grain treated in the last two years. Fully 25 per cent more farmers
treated seed for the 1918 crop than for the crop of 1917. The results
for the crop of 1919 are not yet compiled, but it is estimated tliat a
still larger increase took place in the percentage of seed treated.

172 AI^NUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
BLACK-CHAFF OF WHEAT.

Studies on the biology of the bacterial organism causing the black-
chaff of wheat have continued, and numerous field observations were
made on its distribution. It occurs in many places in Iowa, Kansas,
Nebraska, and the neighboring States. This trouble is transmitted
on the seed wheat, and wherever it is possible farmers are urged to
procure seed wheat from fields which have not shown the disease.

A method of control by means of seed treatment has been discov-
ered, which works remarkably well in the laboratory, greenhouse,
and experimental plat, but is yet to be tried on a large scale
under field conditions in the Middle West. This treatment consists
in soaking the infected seed (after proper screening) for 10 minutes
in formalin diluted with water in the proportion of 1 part to 400
parts of water. The former objection to the u^e of formalin, that
either it did not kill all the surface organisms or else that it de-
stroyed also a considerable portion of the seed, has been overcome
by causing the seeds to absorb considerable water in advance of tieat-
ment. By giving the seed wheat a preliminary water bath for 10 min-
utes, after which it is drained and kept moist (covered) for six hours,
the seeds absorb about 30 per cent of water and become much more
resistant to the germicide. They are then plunged for 10 minutes
into the formalin water, drained, and are kept moist (covered) for
another six hours in order to secure the full surface effect of the
small amount of formaldehyde vapor remaining. They are then
spread out thinly to dry and should be sowed the next day.

CROP DISEASES.

POTATO DISEASES.

The investigations of potato mosaic, extending over several years,
have yielded particularly valuable results during the past season in
the way of proof of the means of dissemination of this disease and
the possibilities of control through the roguing of seed plats. It has
been shown that the mosaic is transmitted through stem grafts and
tuber grafts, through transference of the plant juices mechanically,
and by aphids. The establishment of these facts is an important
step toward the working out of control measures for this disease.

Following the discovery in the fall of 1918 of the potato wart in
the mining districts in the vicinity of Hazelton, Pa., the investiga-
tions already in progress were extended and enlarged. In coopera-
tion with the Federal Horticultural Board and the Pennsylvania
authorities a careful survey w^as made of the territory contiguous to
the point where the w^art was first discovered, and many gardens were
found to be infested. A laborator}' for the investigation of the dis-
ease has been established at Freeland, Pa., in cooperation with the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the State Agricultural
Experiment Station.

The studies of potato leaf -roll during the past year have included
observations of the symptoms of this disease under varying con-
ditions throughout the country. Our knowledge of this disease has
been further increased through the results of comparative studies of
the anatomy of healthy plants and those infected with leaf-roll.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 173

WATERMELON DISEASES.

During the past season a special effort has been made to educate
the southern grower in the methods of controlling the two most
serious diseases of watermelons, anthracnose and stem-end rot. The
Melon Distributors' Association, the United States Railroad Admin-
istration, and the State extension departments cooperated in this
work. A field campaign was carried out, through which the methods
for the control of these diseases were brought to the attention of the
public by means of posters, printed cards, bulletins, and lantern
slides. In the case of stem-end rot an effort was made to secure the
stem treatment with disinfectant paste of all melons shipped from
Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama, the four States
which' have suffered most from this disease in the past. It is esti-
mated that in 1918 more than 2,500 carloads of watermelons, almost
20 per cent of the total shipments from these four States, rotted in
transit, the chief trouble being stem-end decay. The results to date
of the inspection of cars treated this season show that the loss in
these cars has been reduced to less than 1 per cent. A very general
application of the stem treatment has been made possible by the fact
that the United States Railroad Administration required the pre-
payment of the freight on untreated carloads.

Spraying for the control of watermelon anthracnose was also car-
ried out this season under the supervision of our field assistants on
approximately 3,400 acres of melons in Florida with satisfactory
results. Tests of the practicability of seed treatment on a commercial
scale for the control of watermelon anthracnose are being made on
areas comprising about 2,000 acres in Indiana, Missouri, and Arkan-
sas which have been planted with seed disinfected with mercuric
clilorid.

CUCUMBER DISEASES.

The investigation of cucumber diseases, extending over several
seasons, has yielded important results within the past year. Three
of the most destructive and widespread diseases, mosaic, anthracnose,
and angular leaf-spot, have received major attention. A prominent
development in the study of the mosaic disease has been the discovery
of a method of overwintering. The results of recent work have
shown that a considerable percentage of seed from mosaic plants of
the wild cucumber may produce diseased plants the following spring.
In this way the first mosaic centers are established, from which the
disease is later carried to the cultivated crop in the near-by fields by
the strijDed cucumber beetle and other insects. Additional evidence
has been secured that the disease is also carried over winter in the
seed of cultivated mosaic cucumbers.

Continued studies of cucumber anthracnose and angular leaf-
spot have proved that these diseases live over winter in the soil on
dead diseased plants and other refuse and that they are also carried
on the seed from infected fruits. A successful and practical method
of seed disinfection by means of mercuric chlorid has been worked
out and applied on a commercial scale, with successful results in the
control of both these diseases when combined with proper rotation
of crops.

174 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TOMATO DISEASES.

Particular attention has been devoted during the jsast season to
the control of early-blight, or nailhead spot, of tomatoes in Florida,
which causes serious losses in shipments to northern markets. Lab-
oratory and field studies have shown that infection by this disease
can take place only on small immature fruit. After the fruit attains
a size approximately 2 inches in diameter, infection, even mider the
most favorable conditions, is impossible. It follows, therefore, that
loss from this disease in transit can be avoided by packing onl3»^
sound and mature fruit and that control measures must be applied
in the field. Preliminary experiments have shown that spraying
with Bordeaux mixture is an effective means of control.

THE MOTTLING DISEASE OF SUGAR CANE.

There are several diseases of sugar cane that deserve special atten-
tion. Some of these, such as the root-rot and red-rot, have been
known in this country for several years, but exact control measures
have not been worked out. The malady most recentty discovered in
the cane fields of the United States is the mosaic or mottling disease,
which has been known in Porto Rico for several years and has ap-
parently existed in Cuba, Java, and Hawaii for a longer period. The
cause is not known. It is propagated through the seed cane and
probably is carried from plant to plant by one or more species of
insects. ^ The disease does not infect the soil and certain varieties of
cane are immune to it. Of the susceptible varieties some arc more
readily and seriously affected than others. A systematic survey has
been started in the cane States in order to determine the extent and
seriousness of the infestation. It is known to be present on all
susceptible varieties at Audubon Park and at Cairo. • This disease,
though very destructive, is not considered as serious as root-rot.

POWDERY MILDEV/ OF THE APPLE.

Apple powdery mildew has recently been causing great alarm
among the apple growers in the irrigated sections of the Northwest.
Complete control is usually secured by the application of sulphur
sprays early in the season. When late applications are necessary,
sulphur can not be used, as it is sure to cause injury. Various other
spray materials are being tested for use late in the season,

SPRAY MIXTURES FOR CITRUS TREES.

The special spraying requirements of citrus trees have necessitated
a comprehensive testing of combinations of spray materials. A
method has been found for combining oil emulsion Avith lime-sulphur
solution, and the resulting combined spray mixture gives promise
of reducing the number of spray applications necessary and in in-
creasing effectiveness in the routine treatment of citrus trees through-
out the year.

-NEMATODE INFESTATION OF CLOVER SEED.

Early in the summer of 1919 attention was drawn to the fact that
a clover disease of considerable importance had visited southern
Idaho and other irrigated districts of the Northwest. It was a

. . BUREAU OF PLAKT INDUSTRY. 175

disease which had been previously known but evidently had been
increasing in its intensity for several years. It had made such
headway in the clover fields of Idaho in a short time as to lead to
the suspicion that some unusual agency was at work. Attention was
at once given to the possibility of the transmission of the diseass
through the seed, with the result that it was shown that clover seed,
even when recleaned, carries a considerable number of nemas, and
in the case of the Idaho seed in particular it was shown to carry
four different species of nemas, one of them belonging to the genus
Tylenchus, namely, the well-known Tylenclius dipsaci, or Tylenchus
devasfatrix, the cause of a serious disease of bulbous plants and
about 20 otlier crop plants, among them red clover. A general
exammation disclosed the fact that some living larva* of this par-
ticular species occurred in clover seed 9 to 10 months after it was
harvested.

WHITE-PINE BLISTER RUST.

White-pine blister-rust infection on Ribes is general in the New
England States and northeastern New York. Many widely dis-
tributed incipient pine infections are beginning to appear as a result
of heavy Ribos infection in 1915 and 191C, but the disease has not yet
liad time to produce severe damage to pines on a large scale. In-
fested areas vary in size from a few pine trees within a hundred
feet of infecting Ribes to 50 per cent of the pines within a radius of
half a mile from diseased bushes.

It. appears that in many regions the plan of protecting white-i:)ino
timber by the systematic eradication of Ribes will prove to be an
economically sound policy.

In this campaign cooperation is maintained with the New England
States and New York. The work is devoted almost entirely to per-
fecting cheap and effective methods of destroying wild Ribes, to
practical demonstrations of these methods on local control areas,
and to the encouragement of effective local eradication of Ribes in
cooperation with towns, associations, and individuals.

Experience thus far gained on demonstration and local control
areas has proved that under normal conditions at least 95 per cent of
the wild Ribes on a given area can be removed at a cost ranging from
5 cents to $1.50 per acre. It is too early to draw absolute conclusions
as to the effect of Ribes destruction on the demonstration control
areas during the past two years, but there is a noticeable lack of re-
cent infection of pines on these areas, while on adjacent areas where
Ribes have not been removed there is a steady increase in pine
infection.

Intensive studies of infection centers have been made to obtain
data as to the distance to which the disease may be carried from
Ribes to pine. The limit of 1,700 feet, which is in use at the present
time, is an arbitrary one, based on data now available.

Various chemicals and sprays are being tested in the hope of find-
ing a cheap and practical means of killing wild Ribes. The results
obtained. indicate that dip oil, fuel oil, and possibly sodium arsenite
can be used economically to destroy dense growths of Ribes where
the cost of hand pulling is excessive.

176 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The inspection of nursery stock and pine plantations and the gen-
eral scouting for the disease on pine and Ribes are carried on in S'ew
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the southern Appalachian region; also in
the Middle and far Western States. Formal or informal cooperation
is maintained with these States. One or two planted trees were
found diseased last year in Pennsylvania, in Michigan, and also in
New Jersey. In the last-named State the disease was also found on
four patches of cultivated Ribes.

Scattered pine and currant infection exists in Wisconsin and Min-
nesota. It is not yet clear whether the complete eradication of the
disease will be practicable in these States. The results of scouting in
the far Western States indicate that this region is free from white-
pine blister rust. Continued scouting in these States is most im-
portant and should be actively pursued during the period required
for the solution of the Minnesota- Wisconsin infection problem.

CITRUS-CANKER ERADICATION.

The work of eradicating citrus canker from the citrus regions of
the South is progressing steadily. No epidemic outbreaks of serious
proportions have occurred during the year in any of the States af-
fected, and a gradual reduction of inspection work has been possible
without jeopardizing the eventual complete eradication of the disease.

REPORT OF THE FORESTER.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Forest Service,
Washington, D. C, October 8, 1919.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the work
in the Forest Service for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.

Henry S. Graves,

Forester,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture.

THE EXTENSION OF FORESTRY PRACTICE.

The year covered by this report was signalized by a new move-
ment for extending the practice of forestry. More than 20 years ago
the Division of Forestrj' offered to give advice and assistance to pri-
vate timber owners who might wish to consider applying forest man-
agement. The offer received a remarkable response and formed a
real turning point in the forestry movement. For the first time for-
estry in the United States became something which a business man
could grasp and weigh on its merits as a definite business proposal.
This aided powerfully in bringing the whole question of forestry,
public as well as private, before the country. But it did not result m
any widespread acceptance of the practice of forestry by timberland
owners.

The failure of this early movement to get private forests exten-
sively under management was, however, not immediate. The Divi-
sion of Forestry made its offer of cooperation early in the fiscal year
1898. By the close of the fiscal year 1905 requests had been received
for the examination of private holdings, large and small, comprising
all told more than 10,900,000 acres of land. Many requests were from
lumber companies and other owners of extensive timher tracts. On
the strength of the showing made by the preliminary examinations, a
number of these large owners entered into cooperative agi-eements for
the preparation of working plans. The interest of the lumbermen
was much increased by the fact that the young foresters were able to
show them that they were losing money by certain wasteful prac-
lices. Closer utilization spread rapidly through the industry. Pub-
lic interest in forestry and- an intelligent idea of what it meant be-
came general. In the early years of the present century it really
looked as though the management of forests as permanent productive
properties might be voluntarily undertaken by private owners on a
very large scale. Although many obstacles were presented by the in-
ternal conditions of the lumber industry, progressive lumbermen were
giving much serious attention to the possibility of engaging in the
practice of forestry. The chief stimulus was furnished by the rising
value of stumpage.

177

178 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The panic of 1907 radically changed the situation. The lumber
industry entered a period of protracted depression. From that time
on private forestry made relatively little progress in the United
States, except on farm woodlands. While public forestry has made
vast strides, the forests of the country that are in private hands are
being depleted with very great rapidity, and almost everywhere
without effort to renew them. A grave situation is becoming man-
ifest in various ways. This is why the Forest Service is now putting
forth a new and energetic effort to call public attention to the facts
and to propose a program that will afford relief.

The problem presented is one that can be solved only by public
action. The general practice of forestry on privately owned lands
in the United States will not take place through unstimulated private
initiative.

The magnitude of the National Forest enterprise and the prom-
inence given to its accomplishments have given the impression to
some that the problem of forestry is under way of solution. In
point of fact, this is by no means the case, for the National Forests
represent in area only about a quarter of the forest area of the country
and less than that proportion of the actual standing timber. Private
owners therefore hold more than three-fourths of the present timber
supplies of the United States. The amount of materia which is
actually placed on the market from the National Forests amounts
to only about 3 per cent of the entire consumption of the coimtry.
The rest comes from private lands. While the proportion v/ill be
altered, the country must still look to private lands for a large part
of its forest supplies.

The rate of depletion of our forest resources is more than twice,
probably three times, what is actually being produced by growth in
a form which will be servicable for products other than firewood.
High prices of lumber are not wholly due to the increased cost of
labor and materials. A part is due to the ever-retreating sources of
timber supply. Already the supplies of all our eastern great centers
of production are approaching exhaustion with the exception of the
South, and even there most of the mills have not over 10 to 15 years'
supply left of virgin timber. Already the southern pine is being
withdrawn from many points as a competitive factor and its place
taken by western timbers, with consequent freight charges which
the consumer must pay. Communities needing to build roads and
other public works which involve increased taxation are often hav-
ing brought sharply to their attention the economic consequences of
stripping off the forests and leaving in their stead unproductive
wastes of low taxable value now or in the future. These facts are
recalling public attention to the effects of uneconomic and wasteful
exploitation of our forests in the past and to the need of steps which
will put a stop to the destructive processes and replace them with
methods which will build up rather than injure the country.

The situation necessitates a broad policy of forestry for the whole
Nation which wall include both an enlargecl program of public acqui-
sition of forests by the Government, the States, and municipalities
and protection and perpetuation of forest gi-owths on all privately
owned lands which may not better be used for agriculture and
settlement.

THE FOEESTER. 179

The proposed plan for realizing these objectives contemplates
cooperation between the Federal Government and the States. The
Government and the States must join hands in working out a program
that will bring into correlation the various public and private efforts
for the protection and right handling of forests. The function of
the Federal Government, m addition to handling the National Forests,
would be to stimulate, guide, and coordinate State action and conduct
necessary investigations regardhig the best methods of forestry, to
assist the States in classification of land, and to harmonize action
as between the different States. The States would also have a
function in handling pubhc property owned by them, and they
would have a fm*ther direct responsibility in connection with the
protection and perpetuation of pri%'ate forest lands.

In the matter of i^rivate forestry the Government would work
primarily through State agencies. To initiate the proposed policy
there should be a Federal Taw authorizing the Government to coop-
erate witli the States in bringing about the protection and right han-
dling of forest lands withiji their borders, and providing means for
such cooperation.

The net result of the steps already taken to inaugurate and organize
the new movement for forestry has been to attract renewed and
widespread attention to the fact that a real forest problem must be
reckoned with, and is of national concern; to establish a conviction
in the minds of many who have first-hand knowledge of the facts
that definite action to protect the public interests involved and safe-
guard a resource essential for ect)nornic and industrial stability is
now required ; and to secure what is believed to be a feasible program,
of a character to command general acceptance as it becomes fully
undei'stood.

PERSONNEL CHANGES IN THE FOREST SERVICE.

Since the signing of the annisticc419 members of the Forest Serv-
ice have resigned. Of this number 118 were employed at the Forest;
Products Laboratory at Madison, Wis., 231 were members of the
National Forest force, and 70 were employed in the District offices
and at Washington.

The resignations at the Madison laboratory were mainly the result
of curtailment of the activities there forced by large reductions in the
funds supplied by the War and Navy Departments for lines of work
which were a part of the war effort of the Nation. As set forth in
last year's report, the Forest Products Laboratory had practically
abandoned all other lines of work. When the armistice was signed
the activities were at their peak. The field of pubHc service of the
laboratory was somewhat altered but in no way reduced by the sudden
end of hostilities; but the supply of funds was progressively cut off.
This was the cliief cause of tne reduction in force, though in a con-
siderable number of individual instances men whom the laboratory
wished to retain were lost because of the higher outside remuneration
offered them.

Quite a different situation obtained with the National Forest force.
Here the war had led to a curtailment of activities, the furloughing
of many men who volunteered or were drafted for military service,
the temporary or permanent withdrawal of other men to engage in

180 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

war work, and the carrying of heavier burdens by the men who were
left. Generally speaking, the National Forest force sank personal
considerations and recognized a patriotic duty to remain at their
posts and exert themselves to the utmost to maintain through the
period of the war indispensable activities, disregarding the oppor-
tunities very widely open to them to better themselves con-
siderably in the matter of pay if they would accept outside employ-
ment. The National Forest organization, though subjected to a
severe strain, was maintained intact because of the loyalty of its men
to a high ideal of public service.

Since the conclusion of hostilities the personnel situation on the
National Forests has grown very acute. The resumption of peace
time activities upon the Forests threw a larger burden upon the
organization before the men on military furlough had returned and
before the personnel could be built up to meet the current require-
ments. At the same time, many men who had loyally remained
with the service during the war felt that they no longer could justify
to themselves the refusal of offers for outside employment at greatly
increased compensation.

It was pointed out last year that the rate of pay of the National
Forest force was entirely inadequate to attract and hold men of the
training and experience needed to discharge the responsibilities in-
volved. The forest officers are the guardians of the public property
and the administrative managers who handle the great variety of
business connected with the use of the properties. The safeguard-
ing of the resources requires men of trainmg in protective work that
comes from long experience, and the same is true of the handling
of timber sales, grazing, and other lines of business. Efficient serv-
ice to the public necessitates competent forest ofiicers. The stand-
ards of salaries paid today were set about nine years ago. These
standards are not at all commensurate with the responsibilities in-
volved, quite aside from any question of present-day cost of living.

During the past season the Forest Service has had the most serious
fire situation in its history, due to the exceptionally severe and pro-
longed drought. In many cases the loss of experienced forest officers
made it necessary to place men of relatively small training in charge
of important districts. Fires grew large which would have been
promptly extinguished if the men had had greater experience. The
same eft'ect appeared in the handling of various lines of business.
The administration of grazing has suffered materially because of
the difficulty of holding experienced men.

The salary of forest supervisors, exclusive of the bonus, now aver-
ages $1,958, that of deputy forest supervisors SI, 524, and that of
forest rangers $1,154. Many supervisors have charge of a million
acres of public property and of resources not uncommonly valued at
15 to 20 million dollars. Often a single ranger district comprises
150,000 acres and resources of very great value, for which the ranger
is directly responsible.

The position of forest supervisor and also that of forest ranger
are in a very real sense technical, and the standards of remunera-
tion should be such as to enable the Government to secure and hold
trained men of the highest type and integrity. The effectiveness
of the entire administrative system depends on the quality of the
Forest force.

THE FORESTER. 181

In the last few months the difficulties of maintaining an efficient
organization have become increasingly aggravated. Impairment of
the organization and reduction in efficiency of service are inevitable
if some action can not be taken to check the flow of the experienced
men who can not be retained on account of the low pay. If the
present condition continues it wiU be necessary to build up practi-
cally a new organization, through a term of years; and in the mean-
time the public will suffer because of the lower efficiency of inex-
periencea men. In .fact, tlirough inefficient service the entire
I^ational Forest enterprise may be set back. The situation is one
that should receive careful consideration in the interest of the public.
Already protest has begun to be made by users against the effect
of the changes of personnel, while internal evidences of poorer effici-
ency and increasbig strain imposed on the organization are becom-
ing manifest.

THE NATIONAL FORESTS.

RECEIPTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES.

The receipts from the National Forests in the fiscal year 1919 were
greater by $783,484.79 than in the previous year. This is the largest
mcrease evermadeinasinglevear. The receipts totaled $4,358,414.86.

To this total the grazing "business contributed $2,609,169.85, the
timber business $1,540,099.96, special uses (i. e., the occupancy of
lands for miscellaneous purj)Oses), $136,822.99, and use for water-
power development, $72,322.06. The receipts from grazing exceeded
those of 1918 by $883,347.91, while the receipts from timber declined
$93,549.46. Special uses showed a gain of $15,616.05, and water
power a falling off of $21,654.29.

The falling off in the receipts from timber was not due to any
material reduction in the current timber sale business but is explained
chiefly by the fact that in 1918 settlement was secured under a court
judgment of a claim against one of the transcontinental railroad
companies amounting, with interest, to $89,264.

The increase in the receipts from grazing was due to the fact that
last year the final step was taken ia carrying through the advance
in the grazing fees, proposed in 1916 and inaugurated in 1917.

With the stockmen paying more than two and one-half million
dollai-s annually into the public treasury for use of the National Forest
ranges, there is strong reason for their urging that the Government
expenditures aimed at making the range more useful should be in-
creased. Unquestionably the value of the range, to the live-stock
producers and to the country, can be developed to a higher point by
constructing more improvements and pushing further the investiga-
tions which make possible the most efficient and complete utilization
of the forage crop and the most highly perfected methods of live-stock
management. Since the Government receives a return on what may
be called development expenditures, in the form of additional gi'azing
fees, increased expenditures for this purpose would seem wise as well
as reasonable.

That the receipts from gi*azing now exceed those from timber by
more than a million dollars and form 59 per cent of the total receipts
from all sources is due to the fact that practically the entire forage
crop can under present conditions be utilized, while the annual timber
cut is but an insignificant fraction of the sustained yield obtainable
from the Forests, or of the total cut of the country. There is very

182 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

little range which is not accessible to live-stock, but the bulk of the
timber is still out of reach of the lumbermen.

The receipts of 1919 were 175 per cent of those of 1915, while the
cost of operating the Forests has remained practically stationary dur-
ing these four years. The appropriation act for the current year
made increases in the items for a number of the individual Forests,
aggi-egating $266,074. Most of these increases were to strengthen the
protective system on the Forests where the danger of costly and de-
structive fires is gi*eatest because of the inaccessibilit}^ of the country.
These new funds did not become available until after July 25, when
the fire season was reaching its height, which precluded the carr3ring
out of the plans contemplated when the increases were asked for.
Before the end of June the worst fire season ever faced in the North-
west had begun. When it ended the expenditures for fire fightmg
had so far exceeded the appropriation for that purpose that it became
necessar}^ to ask a deficiency appropriation from Congress of $2,950,-
000. Again, as in last year's report, it must be pointed out that
greater outlays for fire prevention, early detection, and swift concen-
tration of fire-fighting forces would be much more economical,

THE NATIONAL FOREST PROPERTIES.

The net area of the National Forests at the close of the fiscal year
1919 was 153,933,700 acres, as against 155,374,602 acres June 30, 1918.
The corresponding gross areas were 174,261,393 acres and 175,951,266
acres. The gross area includes all lands within National Forest
boundaries; the net area excludes alienated lands.

These figures indicate a decrease of 1,440,902 acres in net area and a
decrease of 1,689,873 acres in gross area. Eliminations made either
by presidential orders or proclamations or by special acts of Congress
totaled 1,658,989 acres, in 25 National Forests. The act of February
26, 1919, creating the Grand Canyon National Park, eliminated from
the Kaibab and Tusayan National Forests and transferred to the
Grand Canyon National Park 606,720 acres. State selections author-
ized under a proclamation of June 4, 1912, were approved in the St.
Joe National Forest, in Idaho, agg"regating 21,262 acres. Elimina-
tions by Executive orders or presidential proclamations, as a result
of the land classification that is now nearing completion, reduced the
National Forest areas 1,031,007 acres. Furthermore, a considerable
acreage passed into private ownership under the usual operations of
the mining laws and the Forest homestead act.

These reductions in area were in a small degree offset by three small
public-land additions. Presidential proclamations increased the
Dixie National Forest in Utah 8,328 acres and the Humboldt Forest
in Nevada 28,020 acres. By the act of March 3, 1919, 2,886 acres
were added to the Minam Forest in Oregon.

Increase of the National Forests in the East through purchases
continued at a conservative rate. The total net area of public land in
the National Forests established from purchase areas now aggregates
1,347,666 acres. Of this amount 1,333,405.03 acres have been pur-
chased, the remainder being unoccupied and unentered public lands
in the Alabama National Forest. x\t the close of the fiscal year there
remained a total of 396,493 acres approved for purchase by the
National Forest Reservation Commission and under process of

THE FORESTER. 183

acquisition, and the plans for ultimate acquisition cmbracGd addi-
tional areas aggregating 4,422,167 acres. The purchase activities
were largely confined to areas previously approved for purchase and
to the consummation of negotiations already pending. The National
Forest Reservation Commission desires, so far as practicable, to
round out and complete the present purchase areas for practical
administrative units before initiating purchase activities m other
regions.

At the close of the fiscal year there were pending in the Litcrior
Department proclamations providing for additions in the Western
States totaling 283,780.54 acres. Of this 75,050 acres reprasents
additions in the State of Wyoming authorized by special acts of Con-
gress. The prevailing sentiment in the public-land States is now
generally favorable to the extension of the Forests. This is indi-
cated by the fact that at the present time there is pending in Congress
legislation providing for 10 different additions to National Forests
in the public-land States in which such additions can only be made
with the consent of Congress. These proposed additions aggi*egato
approximately 1,700,000 acres. The most important of the pi'ojects
now before Congress is one for adding to the Idaho and rayctte
National Forests the region commonly known as the Thunder
Mountain country, of approximately 1,120,000 acres. This pro-
posed addition was discussed in last 3'ear's report. It has been
strongly urged by successive sessions of the Idaho State Legislature,
and is very desirable m order to give this area the protection and
regulation it has so long and so urgentl}' needed.

PROTECTION.

Mention has already been made of the emergency conditions
wliich arose during the fire season of 1910 in the Northwest. I'he
National Forests of western Montana and northern Idaho arc
heavily timbei-ed, and most of the country which they cover is ex-
ceedingly mountainoiu^, rugged, and undeveloped. Because of its
w41d character, its remoteness from centers of population and bases
of supply, its lack of means of communication, its large stand of
valuable timber and importance for \vutershed protection, and
because of the climatic conditions, it presents the problem of pro-
tection in its most extreme form. Nowhere else, experience has
pix)ved, is the control of fires so difFicult or so expensive.

The region is subject to severe droughts, in which almost no rain
may fall for months ; when such drought seasons occur the forests
become almost like tinder; and frequent electric storms supply the
sparks. Lightnuig fires generally start hi the high mountains, where
they are most difficult to reach and fight. Their control necessitates
special provision, first, for discoverhig and getting to them quickly
before they have gathered headway; and, secondly, for throwing
against them and maintaining in the field large forces of fire fightere
in case their immediate suppression becomes impossible.

The experience of the past season simply emphasizes the conclusion
set forth in my report of a year ago. The protective system must
be strengthened along lines which will permit of quicker work. The
choice is betw^een, on the one hand, pi-o vision for a moderately ex-
panded regular protective organization or, on the other hand, unnec-
essaril}" large danger of terrific fires and huge emergency expendi-

184 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

tures. Last summer these emergency expenditures for fire fighting
in the western Montana and northern Idaho Forests came to more
than ten times the regular protective funds provided for the same
Forests. While the danger of great fires can no more be entirely
eliminated on the National Forests than it can in our large cities, it
can and should be minimized.

Control of last summer's fires was made especialty difficult by vari-
ous circumstances. The delay in the enactment of the Agricultural
appropriation bill embarrassed the early building up of the protec-
tive organization. Labor was at times difficult to secure to the extent
needed, and was generally less efficient than usual; while it was
always hard to secure men experienced in fire fighting for foremen.
Very serious, however, was the further fact that the Forest Service
has been losing its trained men very rapidly, owing to its inability
to hold men at the present rates of compensation prescribed by law;
and in consequence in many cases the forest officers were compara-
tively new men or men who had been recently transferred from some
other district and had not yet become thoroughly familiar with the
local country. Undoubtedly this was responsible for failure in a
number of instances to get fires extinguished more promptly and
economically.

Through a succession of unusually dry years the Forest vService
has been able to prevent a catastrophe. It has held down the loss
of merchantable timber to an amount which, under the circumstances,
is reasonably small. It has prevented injury and destruction to prop-
erty worth several hundred million dollars. On the other hand, a
large expenditure has been required to fight fires, and in the aggre-
gate a large area of old burns has been burned over, with resulting
destruction of a great deal of young growth. The reasons for the
failure to secure better results may be summed up as follows:

(1) The Forests have not yet been sufficiently opened up with
roads and trails. It is still necessary in many cases to build trials
through the woods to the fires. This may require several da3^s,
during which a fire may have become a great conflagration.

(2) The regular protective force is insufficient.

(3) The Forest Service is almost wholly unequipped with motor
transport. Aside from the fact that the cost of hiring trucks to
transport men and supplies for fire fighting is very large, the diffi-
culty of obtaining such tran^ortation sometimes results in failure
to reach a fire before it is too late. Adequate equipment with motor
trucks would save a great many thousand dollars each year.

(4) Successful fire protection is absolutely dependent on a perma-
nent force of trained men. Without that, fires which should be put
out promptly with little loss or cost spread widely and require many
thousands of dollars to prevent disaster, let alone extinguish them.

(5) Public sentiment in many places has not yet roused to the
need of care in the forest and public cooperation. There are still
too many railroad fires, too much carelessness in the woods, particu-
larly from smoking, and too many fires from clearing land.

The answer to the forest fire problem is therefore more roads and
trails, sufficient salaries for our forest officers to enable the build-
ing up and holding of a well-trained force, greater leeway in fur-
nishing motor equipment for fighting fires, which coulel also be used
in road improvements, and a more vigorous campaign to educate
the public to better cooperation in fire protection.

THE FORESTER.

185

There were relatively few large fires during the fiscal year on the
National Forests elsewhere than in the northern Rocky Mountains
and Pacific Coast States, although unfavorable conditions were wide-
spread. In the last six months of the calendar year 1918, after an
an early summer fire season of unusual danger in all parts of the
West, except in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, where light
rains fell with sufficient frequency to mitigate the drought, the situa-
tion improved materially as the season advanced. The fall rains
generally set in early; and in the Southwest, where the fire danger
occurs in two distinct seasons, one in the spring and early summer
and one in the fall, the fall fire season was of short duration, with
good showers at frequent intervals. In southern California condi-
tions were threatening until late in the fall, but throughout the
State the fires of the latter part of the calendar year 1918, were well
controlled. Especially notable was the reduction in the number of
man-caused fires in California which followed a vigorous campaign of
public education waged by the Forest Service in cooperation with
State and other public agencies. In Minnesota no large fires burned
on the National Forests, in conspicuous contrast with what happened
in other parts of the State. In the southern Appalachian Forests the
climatic conditions during the fall were less favorable than normally,
but only one large fire occurred; this was on the Shenandoah, in
October.

The following table gives certain statistics regarding the 1918
fires. The total number, 5,573, shows a reduction of 2,241 from
the number which occurred in the previous calendar year. The
area of National Forest lands burned over was 694,651 acres, as
against 962,543 in 1917; the estimated damage on these lands was
$688,332, as against $1,358,627; and the total cost of fire fighting
was $714,009.63, as against $1,121,451.

Fires on National Forests, calendar year 1918.

Extent and causes of fires.

Num-
ber of
fires.

Percent-
age of
total.

Extent and causes of fires.

Num-
ber of
fires

Percent-
age of
total.

Area burned over:

Under 0.25 acre

2,475

1,572

1,146

270

110

44.41

28.21

20.56

4.85

1.97

Causes of fires:

Railroads

618
2,457
'257
361
943
104
658
175

11.09

Between 0.25 acre and 10

44.09

acres .. . .

Incendiarv

4.61

10 acres and over, damage
under $100

Brush burning

6.48

16.92

10 acres and over, damage
$100 to $1,000

Lumoering

1.88

11.81

10 acres and over, damage
over $1 000

Miscellaneous

3.14

Total

5,573

100.00

Total

5,573

100.00

Of the 110 fires listed above as having burned over an area of 10
acres and more with damage in excess of $1, 000, 35 were in Idaho,
30 in Oregon, 14 in Washington, and 12 in California. In total
number ox fires of all classes California came first, with 1,148, fol-
lowed by Idaho with 832, Oregon with 775, Montana with 573, and
Washington with 563. Seventy per cent of all the fires occurred in
these five States.

151352°— 20

13

186 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Siiice the fire season of 1919 is not yet closed, final statistics regard-
ing this year's fires can not of course be given. Preliminar}^ esti-
mates indicate an area burned over up to September 30 of approx-
imately 1,500,000 acres, while the fire fightmg expenditures from
July 1 to September 30 were close to $3,000,000.

MANAGEMENT.

Timber.

There was a decrease of 3 per cent in the cut of National Forest
timber under sales, and of 0.5 per cent in the receipts from sales.
In a period when the lumber cut of the United States as a whole
dropped off 11 per cent, this sustained use of National Forest tim.ber
indicates the stable source of supply which has been established in
the National Forests for the local lumber industry and for the general
timber requirements of the country. New sales of timber decreased
45 per cent. This decrease is attributable to the war production
conditions existing during the first part of the year and to the high
cost of steel rails, machinery, and other materials, which has dis-
couraged the development of new lumbering enterprises in the
National Forests.

Since April, 1919, the lumber market has been characterized by
advances m prices exceeding in rapidity anything previously known
in the history of the industry. This condition appears to be due to the
sudden and wide-spread resumption of building activity and to the
shortage of existing lumber stocks. The production of lumber is
responding but slowly to this demand on account of the shortage
of labor and the high cost of supplies. The advance in lumber has,
however, been reflected during the last three months in a sharpened
demand for National Forest stumpage, which bids fair to increase
materially the rate of cutting. Such increases will be progressive
and somewhat slow, because a certain length of time is required for
the appraisal and advertisement of large tracts and time is needed
also for new installations under present conditions.

One of the more important developments in forest management
which must be pushed with vigor is to determine within closer limits
than has yet been possible the quantities of timber which may be cut
from forest units on a basis of permanent production. The demand
for National Forest timber in some localities has about reached the
growing capacity of the areas forming the logical source of supply.
It is of the utmost importance that the industrial developments sup-
ported by National Forest stumpage be permanent and that no
pressure for the immediate use of timber be peraiitted to exhaust
such National Forest areas within a few years, leaving a wake of
sawdust piles and deserted lumber camps. The general principles
upon which this development of National Forest management lias
been undertaken are: (1) To define areas, on the basis of topographic
features or of industrial and economic factors, from which a steady
yield of timber should be obtamed; and (2) to determine the safe
limit of yearly sales from each area in order that the yield may be
continuous. Securing permanent and desirable conditions for labor
in forest industries is an important phase of this development.

A second important extension in the effective use of National
Forest timber is to obtain exact data upon their resources for making

THE FORESTER. 187

paper, both as to suitable woods and as to hydraulic power; and to
make these resources available to paper manufacturers under prac-
ticable terms in view of the transportation and other conditions
attending the extension of their industry mto the Western States.
The National Forests contain upward of 200 billion board feet of
timber suitable for the manufacture of news print. Sales of pulp-
wood are now being made at a number of points as part supply for
established paper plants. Several large tracts of timber of paper-
making species have been appraised and advertised for sale or
offered to the paper trade. .Transportation conditions, labor prob-
lems, and the large investments required for the installation of paper
plants have held back the development of such enterprises on the
National Forests, notwithstanduig the favorable timber and water-
power conditions which are to be found at many points. This de-
velopment, however, is bound to come, in view of the general paper
situation in the United States; and the Forest Service is preparing
for it.

Owing to the handicaps imposed by the reduction of field personnel
in consequence of the war, timber surveys have been materially cur-
tailed since 1916. With the prospect of increased activity in sales
to lumber manufacturers and the need to be ready for the demand
for timber likely to arise from paper manufacturers, it is important
to expand again the timber-survey work. This work is fundamental
to plans for wise management. During the year 448,547 acres were
cruised and mapped by intensive methods and are now ready for
timber sales, while 37,551 acres were covered by extensive recon-
naissance.

The Agricultural appropriation act for the fiscal year contained
a special provision for granting National Forest timber required for
war purposes to any department, board, or committee of the Fed-
eral Government. Owing to the late passage of this measure, but
one permit was granted under it to the War Department. This
covered 6,000,000 feet, board measure, of which approximately
3,750,000 board feet were cut. Permits aggregating 5,758,000
board feet were issued to the Alaskan Engineering Commission under
the act of March 4, 1915. This commission has cut to date approxi-
mately 30,000,000 board feet, under permit from the National
Forests in Alaska.

Details regarding the cut and sale of timber are embodied in the
following tables;

188 ANNUAL EEPORTS GF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Timber cut under sales, fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.

State.

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Florida

Ceorgia

Idaho

Michigan

Minnesota

Montana

Nevada

New Hampshire.

New Mexico

North Carolina..

Oregon

South Dakota...

Tennessee

Utah

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia. . .
Wyoming

Total, 1919.
Total, 1918.

Board feet.

Commercial

1
63;

8,
66.

i:

4;

40;

4;

114;

14;

1;

13,

6,

78;

25,

764,000
174,000
772,000
703,000
762, 000
578,000
725,000
550,000
236, 000
468,000

as 1,000

504, 000
116,000
633,000
876, 000
911,000
663, 000
711,000
759, 000
709,000
073, 000
2,000
436,000

686, 156, 000
707, 182, 000

Cost sales.

333,000

242,000

1,210,000

1, 320, 000

4,252,000

5,971,000
61,000

419,000

2,669,000
757,000
156,000
915,000
16,000
576,000

700,000

19, 597, 000
21, 641, 000

Total.

44,764,000
41,507,000
22, 014, 000
85,913,000
48, 082, 000
578,000

1, 725, 000

67, 802, 000

236,000

8, 468, 000
72,002,000

1,565,000

4,116,000
41, 052, 000

4, 876, 000

117,580,000

15, 420, 000

1,867,000
14,674,000

6, 725, 000

78,649,000

2,000

26, 136, 000

705,753,000
728,823,000

Value.

Commer-
cial sales.

$99,893

95, 135

62, 224

189, 785

87,827

1,234

4,744

160,011

344

33, 107

144, 768

2,110

21, 268

91,139

15, 506

233, 781

33, 323

3,874

31,044

17, 768

119,013

10

57,573

1, 505, 481
1,511,825

Cost

$264
195
666
995

3,170

4,958
45

367

1,576

697

117

699

15

14, 670
16,300

Timber sold fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.

state.

Board feet.

Commercial
sales.

Cost sales.

Total.

Value.

Commer-
cial sales.

Cost
sales.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Michigan

Minnesota

Montana

Nevada

New Hampshire.

New Mexico

North Carolina. .

Oregon

South Dakota...

Tennessee

Utah

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia. . .
Wyoming

Total, 1919.
Total, 1918.

47,650,000
69, 967, 000
10,627,000
239, 919, 000
54, 536, 000

1,911,000

1,977,000

79,898,000

268, 000

4,043,000

28, 462, 000

854,000

2, 580, 000
15,299,000
36, 549, 000
92, 192, 000
24,843,000

4,776,000
11,983,000

4,509,000

32,312,000

2,000

8,052,000

15,000

494,000

286,000

1,981,000

1,501,000

3,329,000
3,000

8,256,000
72,000

541,000

2,866,000
811,000
200,000

1,399,000

16,000

637,000

860,000

15,000

47, 650, 000

70,461,000

10, 913, 000

241, 900, 000

56,037,000

1,911,000

1,977,000

86,227,000

271, 000

4,043,000

36, 718, 000

926,000

2, 580, 000

15, 840, 000

36, 549, 000

95,058,000

25, 654, 000

4, 976, 000

13, 382, 000

4,525,000

32, 949, 000

2,000

8,912,000

$81,216

139, 249

47,096

565,006

123, 158

4,825

4,927

151, 532

292

19,086

60, 642

1,060

11,376

42,826

112,350

237,355

68, 905

15, 404

27, 998

9,886

71, 728

10

19,493

$82

217
1,087
1,130

4,727

3,662
54

399

1,636
698
150

1,092

15

334

770

773, 209, 000
1, 425, 258, 000

26,267,000
28,041,000

799,476,000
,453,299,000

1,815,420
3,295,516

19,451
21,341

THE FORESTER.

189

Number of timber sales, classified according to amount of sale, fiscal year

1919.

ended June SO,

1100 or under.

SlOl-
S500

$501-
$1,000

11,001-
$5,000

Over
$5,000.

State.

Com-
mercial.

Cost.

Total.

Total.

Alabama

8

8

500

S65

114

726

761

24

57

1,963

9

6

2,568

75

120

945

109

709

486

112

1,183

274

341

1

292

g

Alaska

500
696

38
373
529

24

57

509

8

6

674

69
120
694
109
243
342

56
458
266
213
1
152

1

4

8

^14

12

3

5
9

7

18
6
3

12

15
1
1

12

522

Arizona

169

76

353

232

1
4
9

7

877

Arkansas

134

California

770

Colorad o

802

Florida

25

G eorgla

58

Id;Uio

MM

"**i,'894*
6

12

6

9

2,002
g

Michigan

Minnesota

1
8

2

s

Montana

»21

7

2,606
75

Nevada

New Hampshire

2

7
5
7

8

1
7

I

1
4

2
6

3

6
5
3
12
2
1
2
3

126

New Mexico

251

1
1
3
2

1
1

963

North Carolina

125

Oregon

466
144
56
725
8
128

724

South Dakota

514

Tennessee

116

Utah

4

1 196

Virginia

'278

Washington

1

3

354

We.st Virginia

1

Wyoming

140

3

3

1

299

*

Total, 1919

6,227
6,670

6,021
6,907

12,248
12,577

120
160

64
89

111
147

46
64

12,692
13,037

Total, 1918

1 cost sale.

REFORESTATION OF DENUDED LANDS.

Notwithstanding the drought during the last two seasons, a good
percentage of success has been securea in most of the forest planta-
tions on denuded lands in the National Forests. This is probably
due to the experience . which has been gained in the production of
nursery stock and in the more effective methods of planting it in the
field. A total of 6,911 acres was planted and seeded during the
fiscal year. The largest planting operations are being conducted in
the Northwest. Small plantations in the Lake States have been
very successful, and the work will be largely extended in this region
within the next five years. Some of the older plantations conducted
by the Forest Service, particularly near Halsey, Nebr., are now
assuming forest proportions and establishing veritable forest condi-
ditions in the midst of vast areas of treeless land.

The details of planting and sowing operations are given in the
following table.

Planting and sowing on National Forests, by States, 1919.

State.

Area
planted.

Area
sowed.

Total.

State.

Area
planted.

Area
sowed.

Total.

Oregon

Acres.

1,449.00

1,344.00

1,000.00

612.32

533.00

513. 03

441.00

399.00

Acres.

'iso.'oo"

Acres.

1,449.00

1,494.00

1,000.00

612.32

53.3.00

513.63

441.00

399.00

253.90

1

California

Acres.

179.00

31.00

3.00

1.20

1.00

.33

Acres.

Acres.
179.00

Idaho

31.00

Montana

3.00

Colorado ...

Nevada ....

1.20

Washington.

South Dakota

ICO

Nebraska

Florida

.33

Total

Mich igan

6,761.38

150.00

6,911.38

Utah

253.90

190 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Range.

Very exceptional range conditions characterized the seasons of
19 IS and 1919. The closing of the 1918 season marked the ter-
mination of a prolonged drought throughout the Southwest, particu-
larly in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. A very severe winter
with a heavy snowfall followed, which caused heavy losses of stock
of all classes. The 1919 season throughout the Southwest was un-
usually favorable for forage growth. Throughout Montana, Idaho,
Utah, Wyoming, northern Colorado, the western haK of Nebraska,
and North and South Dakota, however, one of the most severe
droughts in the memory of the oldest stockmen has prevailed. This
drought probably reached its greatest intensity in Montana, northern
Wyoming, eastern Utah, and Idaho. For three years the precipita-
tion in this region during the growing season has been very light, but
the 1919 conditions were the worst. The snowfall at the beginning
of the year in the entire drought region was unusually small, and
while a few heavy snows fell in the latter part of the winter, the snow
did not pack and disappeared rapidly when warm weather set in.
Temperatures during April and early May- were much above normal,
causing the snow to melt and run off sooner than usual. This caused
a shortage of water for irrigating and stock watering purposes.

Forage growth of all kinds started early, with indications of a
good season. Heavy freezes, however, during the last few days of
May destroyed all of this new vegetation, uj)on which the sheepmen
were dependent for feed for their flocks during the lambing period.
These conditions also affected the cattlemen to some extent, as their
stock did not immediately begin to increase in flesh. A long period
of low precipitation immediately followed in the States above named,
which greatly reduced forage growth.

The stream flow was far below anything previously recorded, and
this had a direct influence upon the raising of farm crops, particularly
hay, which has been reported as from 20 to 50 per cent below normal.

The production of forage on the unreserved public lands was very
restricted, and the stockmen using these areas were forced to seek
other range. The National Forest ranges, being at higher elevations,
were not so greatly affected, and stockmen who held Forest permits
were considered very fortunate. During the early part of July
heavy rains occurred in northern Arizona, southern Utah, and parts
of Nevada, which relieved range conditions materially throughout
this region and reduced the drought area considerably. During the
latter part of July rains occurred in northern Utah and southern
Idaho. While they came too late to cause any appreciable increase
in the hay crop, an immediate improvement in the summer, fall, and
winter range was noticed, thus still further reducing the drought area.

The range situation looked so critical early in July that the Depart-
ment of Agricultm'e considered it necessary to assist the stockmen in
the drought regions. A committee organized for this purpose imme-
diately undertook a canvass of the drought-stricken region to deter-
mine the numbers of stock for which other pasturage or winter feed
woukl have to be provided in order to avoid placing this stock upon
the market, and also sought to locate in other States places where feed
or pastures could be secured for wintering stock shipped in from tho
drought-stricken region. The Forest Service cooperated with the

THE FORESTER. 191

committee in making the canvass, by gathering data regarding the
stock on the National Forest and adjacent ranges. It appeared that
very heavy shipments would have to be made from the intermountain
reo:ion. The situation in Montana and Wyoming was even more
critical, for in many places in these States the estimates indicated that
at least 75 per cent of the stock would have to be shipped to market
or feeding points.

The relief committee, with the cooperation of many county agencies,
agricultural representatives, and other Department representatives,
is assisting stockmen to avoid the necessity of placing their drought-
stricken stock on the market at a sacrifice by directing them to winter
feed. In addition, it has been developed that large quantities of hay
are available in the Middle Western States at prices sufficiently low to
permit of its shipment into the drought regions for winter feeding.
This fact with the localized rains that occurred over a largo portion of
the region during the latter portion of the season will greatly reduce
the number of stock to l>e disposed of on account of lack of feed. The
conditions in eastern Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana have not greatly
improved, and it will be necessary for the stockmen in those States to
make heavy shipments.

Live stock and wool prices fell off materially dm-ing the year. In
the fall of 1918 prices were unusuallv good. An unusually mild
winter, except in the Southwest, brought the stock through in excel-
lent condition, without the necessity of heavy expenditures for hay or
concentrated feed. The first evidence of decfining prices was observed
in the wool sales last spring. In addition the stockmen had serious
difficulties in securing competent help. Old employees familiar with
range conditions and Forest regulations readily loimd more remuner-
ative and easier positions in other lines of work.

The importance of the National Forest ranges to the stoclonen was
strongly emphasized by the events of the year. Never before was
the demand for ningc on the Forests so great. This was particularly
true in the drought-stricken regions, where stockmen, using the unre-
served public domain or private pastures, eagerly sought Forest per-
mits in order to save their stock. The value of the system of range
regulation in use has been so thoroughly demonstrated that at the
public lands convention held in Salt Lake City on August 21 — a
gathering of representative stockmen from all of the Western States —
the convention went on record in favor of placing the remaining un-
reserved public lands under Federal control and having them managed
under a plan similar to that in effect on the National Forests,

A plan for granting 5-year permits was put into effect on a large
number of the Forests. It is too early to determine the results.

Larkspur eradication upon the scale desired proved impossible,
partly for lack of men to supervise the work, parth^ because the
scarcity and high cost of labor prevented the stockmen from cooper-
ating extensively. However, larkspur was eradicated from 1,657
acres during the year, making a total of 3,580 acres grubbed since the
work began, at a cost of S5.50 per acre. The stockmen contributed
about one-half the expense. A resultant saving in cattle of $34,000
annuall}' is estimated, on the basis of the average previous recent
death loss and a valuation of $50 per animal.

It was planned to carry on the eradication work for the season of
1919 on afl projects not completed, and to undertake grubbing on now

192 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

areas where cooperation could be secured and funds were available*
The exact acreage infested is not definitely known, but from the num-
ber of cattle reported as dying on infested ranges it is evident that a
large saving is feasible. With the present great demand for Forest
range and high prices for cattle the need for continuing the eradication
work can not be overemphasized.

The following table shows the number of permits issued and number
of stock grazed upon the Forest ranges during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1919:

Grazing permits issued and number of stock grafted.

Cattle, horses, and swine.

Sheep and goats.

State.

Permits
issued.

Number of stock grazed.

Permits
issued.

Number of stock
grazed.

Cattle.

Horses.

Swine.

Sheep.

Goats.

Alabama

2

1,570

452

3,021

4,455

23

48

4,213

59

360,011

4,591

208,683

380,460

787

440

190,608

6,509

80

7,019

9,503

637

494

3,324

160

15

551

872

364,853

49

606,526

1,044,208

6,604
230

Arkansas

California

13,286
1,322

Florida

6
15

14
13,794

3

1,093

2

521

23

1,758,877

91

835,224

Idalio . :......

Montana

2,865

54

502

15

2,020

186

57

2,478

786

47

7,249

273

1,031

1,181

170,674

12, 757

77,432

158

174,979

1,157

3,304

162,004

38,185

431

172,246

2,614

30,743

143,204

16,524

713

4,320

12

5,309

52

294

10,066

3,184

134

109

390,753

467
56

576
6

440,302
82

39,051

North Carolina

Orecon . ........

88

537

8

5

1,641

1

196

329

753,418

12,200

75

811,510

6

236,307

680,670

52

South Dakota

Tennessee

Utah

9,914

15

2,318

3,611

67

iia

Virginia

Wyoming

Total 1919

32,528
32,600

2,135,527
2,137,854

93, 251
102,156

5,154
3,371

6,624
6,513

7,935,174
8,454,240

60,789
57,968

Total 1918

There was a reduction of 72 cattle and horse permittees and an
increase of 111 sheep and goat permittees, making a net increase
for both classes of 39 as compared with the previous year. Fewer
cattle, horses, and sheep were grazed, but the number of swine and
goats slightly increased. The horses grazed on the National Forests
are very largely of a small and inferior type which do not return
a profit to the owner; consequently there has been a marked tendency
on the part of these owners to dispose of their horses and substitute
more valuable kinds of stock.

It will be observed that the decrease in the number of cattle was
insignificant — only 2,327; but that the number of sheep was decreased
by over 500,000. During the grazing seasons of 1917 and 1918 the
number of cattle on the National Forests was increased over 379,000
head and the number of sheep over 611,000 head, as a war emergency
measure. Since the closing of the war it has been necessary to
reduce the number of stock on many of the ranges to prevent serious
damage to the ranges. Investigations showed that forage could be
provided for practically the full number of cattle, but that a reduc-

THE FORESTER. 193

tion in the number of sheep to practically the pre'var number was
imperative. The bringing into use of more range for cattle through
the eradication of poisonous plants, securing a more uniform utiliza-
tion of the forage on the cattle range through better distribution,
and the adoption of the common use of range by cattle and sheep
whereby a limited number of cattle utilize forage not palatable for
sheep are the reasons why there has been practically no reduction
in the number of cattle.

LIVE-STOCK ASSOCIATIONS.

Regulated management of the National Forest ranges during the
past 14 years has had a marked influence on the formation of live-
stock associations and the development of this field of activities.
The old system under which each permittee gave individual atten-
tion to his stock while on the range is being widely replaced by a
pooling of interests along certain lines, accomplished by forming
live-stock associations with executive committees to handle many
of the details of stock management. Many of the executive com-
mittees employ herders for the stock while on the range, buy and
distribute salt, in some casas buy bulls, and take charge of other
management and improvement matters which promote the best
interests of the permittees and the highest use of the range. The
method employed is the adoption of special rules, passed by the
association and approved by the Forest Service. Compliance with
these rules is then required of all users of the National Forest range
involved. Practically all of the more progressive associations have
adopted such special rules as meet the needs of their localities. Mem-
bership in the association is open to all live-stock' owners using the
range in question, and a majority of all users must belong to the as-
sociation m order to secure its recognition by the Forest Service.

The advantages of cooperation are shown by the nymber of live-
stock associations recognized by the Forest Service. In 1917, 359
stock associations were cooperating with the Service. Last year
there were 544, an increase of over 51 per cent. So firm are the
owners of live stock that graze upon the National Forest ranges in
their behef in the value of organization that of the 4,246 permittees
in the States of Oregon and Washington over 3,000 are members of
live-stock associations.

In many cases advisory boards have recommended reductions in
the number of stock upon a given range; they have also suggested
changes in grazing seasons, with a view to securing the greatest bene-
fits to the users and an improvement in the range. In practically all
cases associations have interested themselves in constructing range
improvements such as drift fences, in water development, in thj
eradication of poisonous plants, and similar matters. The expenses
for the improvements are secured through assessments. The value of
organized cooperation is most evident on range allotments where
conditions of use are very intensive and the permitted stock belongs
to a large number of small owners.

Water Power.

Not much water power development has taken place since the
United States entered the war. Increased war demands for electric
power could not be deferred for the time necessary to construct

194

ANNUAL KEPeHTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

water-power plants but had to be met in greater part by the con-
struction of new steam plants and by the interconnection of exist-
ing plants. At present financial and industrial uncertainties and
the unsatisfactory character of Federal laws are resulting in further
postponements of water-power utilization. Any considerable utiliza-
tion of our undeveloped water powers must await both the enactment
of legislation and the stabilization of the general economic situation.

The receipts from water-power permits and easements were
$72,322.06, as compared with $93,976.35 for the fiscal year 1918.
Ten applications for preliminary rental permits were received, 14
for final rental permits or easements (of which 9 were for transmis-
sion lines only), and 11 for free permits or easements (of which 3
were for transmission lines only). Data concerning projects under
permit at the close of the year are given in the following tabulation:

Water-poiver sites and transmission line rights of way under permit and easement, fiscal

year 1919.

.

Transmission lines only.

Power projects i (res-
ervoirs^ conduits,
power houses).

Class of permits or easements.

Number,
of per-
mits or
ease-
ments.

T/ength in miles.

Number
of per-
mits or
ease-
ments.

Estimated

average
output (in

horse-
power) at
minimum
discharge.

Total
number
permits

Within
Forest
bounda-
ries.

On

National
Forest
land.

ments.

Permits or easements in force at close
of fisca. year:
Rental permits or easeemnts —
Preliminary

13
91
92

180,633

767,751

8,580

13

Final

148
20

1,063.78
146.70

789. 6i

ni.09

239

Free permits or easements

112

Total

168

1, 210. 48

900.10

196

956,964

364

Construction completed at close of
fiscal year:

Rental permits or easements

Free permits or easements. .......

147
20

1,061.00
146. 70

786.95
111.09

76
81

311,293
7,734

223

101

Total

167

1,207.70

898.04

157 1 319,027

324

Construction incomplete at close of
fiscal year:

Rental permits or easements

Frnfi pftrrnits or easemeTit<!

1

2.78

2.06

8

8

223,037
'814

9

8

Total

1

2.78

2.06

16

223,851

17

Construction not stated at close of
fiscal year:
Rental permits or easements

20
3

414,054
32

20

Free permits or easements

3

Total

23

414,086

23

1

1 With or without transmission lines.
Recreation and Game.

Plans for the management of the National Forests must aim to
provide for an orderly development of all their resources, for the use
and benefit of the public. Such plans would be incomplete if they
failed to take into account the wild life and the recreation resources.

Use of the National Forests for recreation was greater than ever
before. There is not a single Forest, and there is scarcely a ranger

THE FORESTER. 195

district, which does not have some features of recreation interest.
Sometimes it is the mountain scenery, sometimes the beauty of
forests, lakes, and streams, sometimes the opportunities for sport in
the form of fishing, hunting, or moimtain ciimbmg, and sometimes
it is still other kmds of attractions which lead yearly increasing
number of visitors to the Forests for recreation and health.

Because of this expanding use adequate administration of the
recreation resource has become of marked importance. The western
National Forests are, by virtue of their location and character, the
natural public playgrounds for most of the country west of the
Mississippi, and they also draw many thousands of visitors from tha
East. They must be handled with full recognition of their recrea-
tion values, present and future. Tliis requires careful and forward-
looking plans providing both for the protection and the development
of this important resource.

Protection of the recreation resom'ce involves measures that will
safeguard for the use and enjoyment of the public the natural attrac-
tions which appeal to visitors and cause them to seek the Forests
and also measures that will reserve for their use adequate supplies
of wood and forage and afford pure water. Development of the
resource is a still larger matter. It involves many things, but the
most urgent primary need is provision of facilities for traversing
the Forests and for living while in the Forests.

All these matters received attention. In cutting timber, opera-
tions are adjusted to protect scenic features, roads, camping place?j
and the like against loss of attractiveness. Forage is reserved for
the horses of recreation pai'ties. Water protection is looked aftei
through sanitary regulations, the provision of hotel and other accom*
modations is encouraged, information of various kinds supplied, and
in general the convenience and comfort of visitors promoted.

Of particular importance for the increase of use is the systematic
and progressive development of roads and trails by which the Forests
are being made more generally accessible. Every road and trail,
whether it is built primarily for protection or for tlie development
of some material resource, opens up new features of scenic interest.
In a variety of other ways also development to meet the increased
demand for recreation use is being undertaken. A number of rec-
reation centei-s are being made ready for the public under plans
carefully worked out by recreation engineers. Various such centers
are already in use, such as the Red Fish Lake and Wood River
recreation areas in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho, Eagle
Creek on the Columbia River Scenic Highway near Portland, Oreg.,
Denny Creek on the Sunset Highway near Seattle, Huntington Lake
in the Sierra National Forest, the Los Angeles Municipal Camp in
the Angeles Forest, and the Laguna Mountains recreation area be-
tween San Diego and the Imperial Valley. At many other points
the Forest Service is constructing shelter houses, improved camping
places, etc.

It is becoming manifest, however, that an adequate policy of rec-
reation involves still more. The services which can be rendered the
local and general public, on the one hand, and the resources available
for meeting these needs, on the other hand, need to be studied in
the most comprehensive and thorough-going manner to the end that
coordinated development of all these resources — whetlier found within

196 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the National Forests, or in National Parks, or in properties belonging
to States and municipalities — may be secured. For example, the
full recreation value oi the Oregon National Forest, which surrounds
Mount Hood and borders on the Columbia River Valley, can be
realized only through a development coordinated with what the
City of Portland and the Counties of Multnomah, Hood River, and
Clackamas have undertaken to do and have largely accomplished.
Such a coordination has in this particular case been effected, with
most happy results. Again, recreation development in the Yellow-
stone Park region can not be made to serve the public interests to
best advantage if National Forest administration is uncorrelated
with the administration of Park, and vice versa. In short the
National Forests, which must be administered with a view to recrea-
tion use as one of their major functions, can not carry out that
function in fullest measure except through cooperative relations with
other agencies in the same field, resulting in joint effort under a
truly national and common policy.

The w41d life resource of the National Forests is in many ways
closely related to recreation. It comprises mainly the game, the
fish, and the fur-bearing animals, and tne matter of most immediate
importance is suitable provision in the administrative plans for the
perpetuation of the existing herds of elk.

In spite of difficulties created by war and other conditions that
made it necessary to carry on the ranges all the domestic live stock for
which a place could safely be found, progress was made in working
out better methods of elk conservation and in providing more ample
feeding grounds for the herds in and around Yellowstone Park.
In general, recognition of the fundamental problem involved has
been secured to a greater degree than ever before, and an increased
public support has been obtained in carrying out the protective
and constructive work necessary to solve the problem. The Forest
Service is formulating as fast as possible plans which will coordinate
the various other uses of the National Forests with game conservation.
This is especially important in connection with grazing use. In
places it is necessary to restrict or entirely prohibit grazing in order
to take care of the elk. The most important single situation of
this kind is that near the Yellowstone Park.

For several years a study has been conducted by the Forest Service
in cooperation with the Biological Survey of the habits of the Yellow-
stone elk, their requirements, and other matters, knowledge of which
is necessary as a basis for a practical program. This program, which
was completed during the past year, calls for certain legislative and
administrative action. A beginning w^as made on the administrative
phases by imposing added restrictions upon the use by domestic stock
of portions oi the National Forests adjoining the park. Some lands
were wholly reserved and others restricted to limited use by cattle
during certain months. A beginning was also made in the progressive
exclusion of stock from areas where total exclusion could not be put
into effect at once. The program for handling the Yellowstone elk
was placed before the public with a view to full discussion and con-
sideration of the proposals for State and national legislative action.

While it may require slight changes and revisions from time to
time as conditions alter, it is believed that the underlying principles
are essentially correct. The program was approved by the Benevo-

THE FORESTER. 197

lent and Protective Order of Ellis at its last annual meeting, as well
as by the leading sportsmen of the country. The study of these
herds must necessarily be continued until the working plan is fully
established.

The study of the Sun River elk herd in the Lewis and Clark Forest
was continued, and an examination of the area used by the Roosevelt
elk in the Olympic Forest was rnade to determine the number of elk
in this herd, the range used during the different seasons of the year,
and the nuniber and kind of animals that would have to be disposed
of annually if it appears that the herd should be maintained at its
present size but not permitted to grow larger, on account of lack of
suitable feeding grounds to support a greater number without recur-
ing seasons of starvation.

Marked progress was made during the year in bringing together the
.interests of the States and the Federal Government m game matters.
In various instances it has been possible to make State and Federal
authority mutually supplementarj^ in accomplishing things difficult
for the Government or State working alone.

Roads, Trails, and Other Improvements.

As was stated in last year's report, great care was exercised in the
selection of projects to be constructed during the calendar year 1918,
to eliminate all which would tend to interfere in any way with the

Erosecution of the war. Although the amount of work which had
een planned was very small and was restricted to projects for which
an immediate need existed or where the prosecution of the war
would be aided rather than hindered, it developed that the program
could not be carried out. Labor was hard to get and efficiency was
materially less than in preceding yeai*s. The high price of labor and
materials forced postponement or reduction of work. Restrictions
placed on road materials, mainly cement and steel, delayed con-
struction or made necessary changes in design to utilize products
which were locally available. However, a large amount of investi-
gative and survey work was carried on in anticipation of an in-
creased construction program following tlie end of the war.

The following tabulation shows the number of mile 5 of public roads
constructed or improved prior to December 31, 1918, from the 10 per
cent of National Forest receipts, the appropriations under section 8
of the Federal aid road act and cooperative funds.

198

ANNUAX. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Construction and improvement of roads and timls ^ from the 10 per cent, section 8, and
cooperative funds, by States.

State.

Total
raileago

to
Dec. 31,

1918.

Total mileage in calendar year
191JS.

10 per
cent.

Section 8.

Total.

21.37
130.20

22.25
320.94
213.01

10.00

253. 11

3.40

22.20

2.00

209.49

4.60

137. 55

77.58

28.00
18&84

14.05

171.85

1.50

108.88

78.85

0.16

2.50

1.91

58.50

33.34

0 16

Arizona .

-

2 50

Arkansas ,

4.50
3.50
7.00

6 41

California

62 00

Colorado

40.34

Florida

Idaho .

75.22

1.00

70 22

Kansas

Micliigan

Minnesota

Moiitana

12.14

4.10

16 24

Nebraska

1.20
2.98

1 20

New Mexico

3.00

5 98

Oklahoma

Oregon

29.64

1.70

31 34

South Dakota

Utah

14.00
1.50

30.00
2.75

14.50

28 50

Virginia .

1 50

Washington ".

1.70

31.70

Wyoming

2 75

Total

22,019.07

S264.66

<42.18

306 84

1 Docs not include bridge or maintenance work.

2I?oad constructicn, 1,016.39 miles; road repairs, 842.70 miles; trail construction, 119. 52 miles; trail re-
pairs, 11 miles.

3 Road construction, 77. 76 mibs; road repairs, 183. 90 miles; trail construction, 3 miles.

4 Entirely road construction.

Immediately upon the cessation of hostilities, plans were made for
utilizing as far as practicable all fmids available for road survey and
construction. This was not only to make up as far as possible for
the almost entire stoppage of work during the two years of the war,
but, even more, to provide an opportunity for the employment of
labor released from war activities and temporarily idle. It was
expected that labor would be plentiful and more efficient than in
1918. Actually, however, it has been difficult to obtain a sufficient
supply, the quality has not been of the best, and, as a rule, the wage
rate has not decreased. The cost of materials has on the whole
increased.

In preparing the plans for the calendar year 1919, it was found
that as a result of the construction costs being increased almost 100
per cent, the amount of available money, even though almost four
years' appropriations were available for use, would be sufficient for
hardly more work than could be financed in 1917. The situation was
greatly relieved on February 28, 1919, when the Post Office appro-
priation act was passed. Section 8 of this act appropriates $3,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 1919, 1920, and 1921, for expenditures in
cooperation with the proper officials of a State, Territory, insular
possession, or county, in the survey, construction, and maintenance
of roads and trails wdthin or partly within National Forests, when
necessary for the use and development of resources or desirable for
the proper administration, protection, and improvement of any
Forest. The appropriation is available until expended. Cooperation
may be waived by the Secretary of Agriculture under certain condi-
tions for a project located entirely within the Forest boundaries.

THE FORESTER. 1.99

For work located in part outside the Forest boundaries, cooperation
must be secured.

The provision in the new appropriation act relative to cooperation
has made possible the use of money on projects essential to the proper
administration, protection, and development of the National Forests
for which cooperation could not be secured because the projects
were of minor value from the State or county standpoint. That
the money could be utilized on administrative and protective road -
and trails is equally advantageous, since the normal appropriation
for such purposes was insufhcient even for the maintenance of roads
and trails previously built from the improvement fund.

With the incresised funds it was possible to plan for the survey of
1,724.85 miles and construction of 1,643.31 mdes, estimated to cost
$11,900,360.59. It was exi^ected that $4,407,302.31 of this amount
would be obtained from cooperators. Arrangements were also made
for a more intensive administrative study of road needs than had
been possible or advisable under the smaller appropriations.

To what extent the approved plans for the calendar year 1919 will
be executed can not now be determined. Increases in the estimated
or actual costs, failure to obtain cooperation, and the difficulty in
securing reasonable bids from reliable contractors liave acted toward
a reduction in the amount of work. The indications arc that a large
mileage of survey and construction will be completed by the end of
the field season and that uncompleted approved projects will largely
be under contract for completion during the winter or the construc-
tion season of 1920.

The following tabulation shows the projects approved and the
liabilities involved during the fiscal year and prior to that time.

200

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

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THE rOKESTEB. 201

In addition to the projects shown in the above tabulation, $36,700
of the 10 per cent fund and S650,000 of the Post Office act fund was
allotted to the various States for expenditure upon miscellaneous
small projects needed for the administration, protection, or develop-
ment of tne Forests.

At the beginning of the fiscal year there was available for road
and trail construction on the National Forests S3, 857, 178.69, de-
rived as follows:

Agricultural appropriation for the constnictioD and maintenance of per-
manent improvements $400, 000. 00

Ten per cent appropriations for the fiscal year 1919 350, 533. 75

Unexpended balance of 10 per cent appropriations preceding years 302, 801. 39

Appropriations for the fiscal year 1919 under section 8 of the Federal aid

road act 1 , 000, 000. 00

Unexpended balance of section 8 appropriation for preceding years 1, 803, 843. 55

Total 3,657,178.69

From the appropriation made available by section 8 of the Post
Office appropriation act of February 28, 1019, $3,000,000 was made
immediately available. The unexpended balance in this fund on
June 30, 1919, was $2,966,939.41, showing an expenditure of
$33,060.59. The unexpended balance for the 10 ])er cent fund on the
same date was $374,289.51 and for the section 8 fund $2,296,499.18,
showing an expenditure from these funds of $279,045.63 and $507,-
344.37, respectively.

The following tabulation shows the additional amounts available
on July 1, 1919, for National Forest road and trail work. The 10
7 er cent fund must be spent within the State from which National
Forest receipts were obtained, and can not be expended outside of
the Forest boundaries. Cooperation is not essential. Cooperation
must be secured before an}^ section 8 money can be expenaed; but

projects need not be located entirely within the National Forests.

Vith the exception of the amount set aside for administrative
expenses, for tne purchase of equipment, and for increasing the
apportionment to States, the entire vearly appropriation is appor-
tioned to separate States and groujis of States and can not be diverted
to different States except under extraordinary conditions. The
appropriation made available by the Post Office appropriation act
of February 28, 1919, and commonly termed the Feaeral Forest
road construction appropriation, may be spent for projects located
within or partly witnin the National Forests of any States. The
provision relative to cooperation has already been explained. Tenta-
tive apportionment of tlie appropriation is made on the basis of the
relative need of road development and of the most important road
projects in the several States, and determination is made of the con-
ditions upon which any project will be approved. If the conditions
are not met, the money tentatively set aside for any project is avail-
able for use elsewhere in the State or in some other State.
151352'*— 19 14

^'

202

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Ameiinls available for roads and trails from new appropriations available for expendi-
ture on July 1, 1919.

State.

10 per
cent.

Section
8.

1920
Federal
Forest
road con-
struction.

State.

10 per
cent.

Section
8.

1920
Federal
Foreot
road con-
struction.

Alaska

?10,182.71

$46, 717
54,311
10,102

140, 297
63,541

104, 474
71,481
19,005
37,684

131,825
7,946
39,072
92, 153
41, 379

12,329

$29,500.00
117,371.00

53,000.00
284, 8&5. 00
215,385.33
338,039.50
222,ia5.00

45,212.00
123,162.50
303,871.00

20, 427. 17
141,437.00
202,237.50
224,750.00

53,250.00

849.23

419.99

178.60

1,972.01

2,223.78

88.15

853. fr7

1,313.2&

95.51

$27,684
100,000

4.5,261.18

0,625.55

51,703.89

46,019.59

46,307.04

38,017.13

12,275.36

33,?64.42

46.162.30

6,713 76

27.460.25

21,909.03

23,420.37

1,630.31

58.69

1,177.70

1,440.40

530.87

ArVnnsas

California

CoTorado

New Plampshire.
North Carolina. . .
South Carolina...

Tennessee

Virginia

$133,000.00

Idaho

Nevada

New Mexico

Oregon

West Virginia.-..

Scftith Dakota

Equipment

95,000.00

Utah

Administrative
expenses

Washington

155 000 00

Wyoming

Florida

Unallotted bal-

242,307.00

Total

Minnesota

Nebraska

Oklahoma

427,954.75

1,000,000

3, 00.'), 000. 00

1 For administrative expenses of Bureau of Public Roads and Forest Service, for purchase of equipment,
and for increasing apportionment to States.

Section 7 of the act of February 28, 1919, authorized the Secretary
of War in his discretion to transfer to the Department of Agricul-
ture surplus war materials, equipment, and supplies suitable for use
in road improvement. Ten per cent of the amount so transferred was
made available in the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture for
use in the National Forest road work. While only a very small
amount of road ec^uipment, material, and supplies has been received,
it is expected that within the coming year great assistance will be
given the National Forest work by the transfer of material which
would otherw ise have to be purchased.

The new" coi^istruction of improvements of all kinds comprised 328
miles of roads, 833 miles of trails, 885 miles of telephone lines, 78
miles of fire lines, 35 lookout structures, . 35 bridges, 284 miles of
fences, 510 dwellings, barns, and other buildings, 12 corrals', and 202
water improvements. The above figures include 203 miles of roads,
96 miles of trails, 110 miles of telephone lines, 148 miles of stock
fences, 6 miles of fire lines, 1 bridge, and 1 w-ater improvement built
in cooperation with, communities, associations, and individuals.

The value of all improvements on the National Forests at the close
of the year constructed from funds derived from congressional appro-
priations and the contributions of cooperators is estimated at
S8,703,736. Of this amount, $6,466,014, or 74.3 per cent, repre-
sents works of communication and protection; $1,935,451, or 22.2
per cent, improvements used in administration, and $302,271, or 3.5
per cent, range improvements. The lines of communication within
the Forests constructed by or under the direction of the Forest
Srevico now total 3,620 miles of roads, 26,840 miles of trails, and
254,00 miles of telephone lines.

THE FORESTER.

203

COOPERATION WITH STATES.

Wiulc the forest fire protective systems maintained by the States
in cooperation with the Federal Government have been extending,
there has also been a recent greatly increased cost of operation. The
ap])ropriation of $100,000 is now very inadequate.

Expenditures from the Federal appropriation, and the expenditures
of the States which have entered into cooperative agreements, are
shown in the following table. The area protected was much greater
than ever before. This was made possible by the fact that the co-
operative funds contributed by States and private owners were
greater than in 191 S. The Federal fund was of course the same as
in 191S.

Cooperative expenditures from Federal appropriation and by the States for protecting
forested uatersheds of navigable streams from fire.

State.

Expenditure fiscal

year 1919.

Federal.

8Ute.

Total.

Maine

$7,296.73
6, .V) 1.2:1

$125,893.03
23. 21 8. .W

$13.3. 189. 76
29.772.81

New llampshir.

Vermont

2,217.«2

2.1.5S.67

4.37f..29

Massachusetts...

3, 294. '»0

32,7S1.52

36,076.02

Rhole Island...

92.25

4.097.i33

4.1H9.7S

Conned icut

1.023.00

5.217.10

6.242.10

New York

7.221.98

117. 131. OS

12<, ;'..-).«. 06

New. Terse V

1.96S.90

20, 713. 92

22,712.82

Maryland

2..')2t.G:>

3.819.95

Virginia

2.725.34

3,259.83

."i, m.-}. 17

West Virn:inia...

4. on.-). 00

9, 140. 40

13,14.>.40

Norlli Carolina..

1.207. Ifi

2,4:«.77

3,6t0.*j:{

Kentiiekv

2,429.00

5,538.22

7.967.22

Louisiana

2,.'>S1.00

9,451.»J

12,0:«.fti

Texas

.■V, 276.00

4,609.20

7. 8ft-.. 20

Micliigan

4,280.u0

60,917.99

&-), 198. 49

State.

Wisconsin

Minnesota

South Dakota...

Montana

Idaho

Washington

Oregon

Administration
and inspection

Total

Une.xpended
balance

Appropriation . .

Expenditare fiscal year 1919.

Federal. State. Total

$4,023.63
8,807.32
282.00
2. 499. 9.'!
4. 565. .14
9,692.63

10,210.16

7,140.49

99,921.38
7&62

100.000.00

$16,261.44
56, 5 19. .39
4,988.00
8, 9a-.. 38
46,229.7;i
37, 162. 26
24,966.72

625, 445. 54

28-.. 07
326. 7t
270. m
40.-.. :n

7ft-.. 07
8-,t.K9
176.88

140.49

725,366,92

An agreement entered into with Khode Island made that State the
twenty-third to enter into cooperation. Toward the end of the fiscal
year California requested cooperation, but the agreement had not
been completed when the year closed.

Protection from forest fires is the first essential to forest conserva-
tion. Without an organized and efficient system, such as can be
maintained only with adequate regular appropriations, the forests can
not be made safe. No better proof of this could be given than the
situation which -arose in Minnesota in the fall of 1918, when a large
number of relatively small fires burned for weeks because of lack of
men and equipment to extinguish them, and finally came together in
five large conflagrations, according to the State Forester, which in the
aggi-egate swept over not less than 200,000 acres, destroyed property
worth about $25,000,000, and caused a loss of more than 400 lives.
Estimates based on forest fire statistics collected in cooperation with
State and private agencies indicate that in the calendar year 1918 not
less than 25,000 fires occurred, with an area of fully 10,500,000 acres
burned over and a financial loss in timber, young tree growth, and
improvements of about $40,000,000. Railroads caused approximately
18 per cent of the fires, brush burning and campers each 13 per cent,
lightning 10 per cent, incendiaries 9 per cent, miscellaneous causes 7
per cent, lumbering 5 per cent, and unknown causes 25 per cent.

204 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine,
Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee,
and Texas received assistance during the year in formulating forest
policies, drafting forestry laws, and the like.

RESEARCH.

INVESTIGATIONS IN FOREST PRODUCTS.

From many standpoints the fiscal year 1919 was the most important
in the history of the Forest Products Laboratory. Not only were
many of the research projects started earlier in the war brought to a
productive conclusion, but the peace-t'me application of their results
was aggressively undertaken through widespread dissemination of the
information and through personal contact with the wood-using
industries.

During the first months of the year the laboratory was engaged
exclusively on special war problems. Cooperation with the various
bureaus of the War and Navy Departments which had provided spe-
cial allotments was at its height, and requests from these departments
had become increasingly specific. After the armistice was signed it
was necessary to reduce the staff from 458 to approximately 300 per-
sons and to discontinue some of the less important investigations. In
accord with the desires of the War and Navy Departments, however,
the more important projects which were nearing completion, or which
were of special value, were continued. A number of new research
projects were begun, but the year's accomplishments were, primarily,
the outgrowth of fundamental research begun earlier in the war or
prior to the beginning of the war.

Aircraft problems continued to occupy the position of greatest im-
portance. The large fund of available data on wood, plywood, and
glues found direct application in the solution of specific problems
arising from time to time in the design of aircraft. Many requests
were received from the War and Navy Departments for the develop-
ment of various aircraft parts which could not well be designed with-
out actual tests. Much of this work developed as a result of the suc-
cessful design by the laboratory of a pl3rvvood wing rib for one of the
Army planes.

Kibs for almost a dozen difi^erent types of Army and Navy planes
were designed and tested by the laboratory and gradually improved
to the point of maximum strength and minimum weight. These ribs
were, in all cases, decidedly superior to commercial ribs, of correspond-
ing sizes. In addition to the specific desio;n of these ribs, general
laws governing the types of ribs to use for different siz^s were devel-
oped, and several excellent types of large ribs perfected.

The design of airplane wing beams presented many complicated
problems, and the laboratory was called upon to conduct elaborate
series of tests on full-sized members to determine the relative merits
of the many different types. The growing scarcity of suitable air-
craft woods, demanding closer utilization of existing supplies, made
it necessary to develop types of built-up beams which would permit
the use of small and short stock. Tests were made upon several
hundred beams of a number of different types, and several types were
developed to meet the specific requirements involved.

Exhaustive tests were also made upon many different types of
beam splices, and their relative efficiency was determined. As an

THE FORESTER. 205

inte^al part of these tests, the efficiency of various kinds of hide and
casein glue was determined. , Later m the year, assistance was
requested in the design of a win^ beam, or the development of a
type suitable for very large macTiines, with spans of 125 feet or
more. Special series of tests were made for this purpose, and a
type was developed which embodies sound mechanical principles
and is remarkablj light for its strength.

Much specific mformation was needed by the- Army and Navy in
regard to the struts being used on various machines, and compre-
hensive tests were made by the laboratory upon various kinds and
sizes. These resulted in the development of two noninjurious
methods of testing struts, whereby the actual strength of each strut
could be determined without injuring it. Machines for the proper
carrying on of these tests were also developed, and specifications
for the inspection of struts by this means were prepared. This
method of test is unique, in that there are no other types of structural
members which can be tested to their maximum load without
injury. In addition, methods for the calculation of the strength of
tapered struts and for the determination of the taper which would
give the maximum efficiency were developed.

An entirely different kind of investigation was undertaken by the
laboratory to develop a type of strut for extremely large nying
machines. A radical departure was made from all accepted types
of airplane struts, and a type selected which j^ears of experience in
the construction of buildings and bridges had proved to be very
efficient in long light columns. This type was then modified to
suit aircraft needs, and developed to a point where it was much
stronger for a given weight than any other type of strut which has
so far been developed. Wind-tunnel tests on models speciallj
constructed for the purpose showed that the air resistance of this
type is less than that of any other type so far tested.

Elevator and aileron spai*s, which are the main structural members
of airplane control surfaces, are subjected to a peculiar kind of
stress known as combined bending and torsion, and their design
has always been a matter of guesswork. In the case of small
machines this" method of design appeared to be quite satisfactory,
but in the design of radically new types of great size need was found
for accurate data on the design and also lor a better type of spar,
which would be both stiffer and stronger for. the same weight.
Tlirough a unique combination of hollow wood and veneer construc-
tion, it was possible for the laboratory to improve the spars to a
marked degree, both in strength and in stiffness. As a result of
this development, the laboratory was finally requested to design a
complete control surface, embodying this new type of spar.

Numerous and varied other aircraft developments were carried
out, among them being the development of a flexible plywood for
control surfaces and of a special mechanism for the proper operation
of these surfaces. This plywood and the control mechanism are in
process of being fitted to one of the fastest machines developed
during the war.

One of the major lines of research was the determination of the
effect of various kiln-drying schedules upon the properties of air-
craft woods and substitutes for them. Exhaustive tests have
furnished conclusive evidence that under proper control of tempera-
ture and humidity Idln-dried material of these species is as strong

206 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICTJLTURE.

as air-dried lumber. They show further that the kihi-drying
schedules recommended by the laboratory at the beginning of the
war and based upon the incomplete* data then available were in
every sense dependable and are subject to practically no material
changas. Up to the date of the armistice, assistance had been given
in the design, installation, and operation of 325 Forest Service
water spray kilns installed in 44 manufacturing plants throughout
the country, includmg installations at the Government cut-up
plant of the Spruce Production Division, and at the Rock Island
Arsenal. At the latter plant a laboratory representative demon-
strated that artillery wheel dimension oak, green from the saw, can
be kiln-dried with insignificant loss in from 60 to 90 days as against
3 to 5 yeai-s of air seasoning. This was contrary to previous com-
mercial experience. Other kilns were designed for use at Govern-
ment arsenals, aircraft factories, gun manufacturing plants, and
vehicle plants. The Signal Corps dry kilns at Vancouver, Wash.,
were started in June, 1918, under the personal supervision of a kiln
expert from this laboratory. The first kiln load of airplane wing
beams was taken out on July 16. Thereafter the kilns were con-
tinuously operated at full capacity of about 40,000 feet per day
until the end of the war. A corps of kiln experts was maintained m
the field to assist vehicle, furniture, and aircraft manufacturers in
the adaptation and operation of commercial kilns used in war work,
and intensive courses of training for Government and commercial
dry-kiln operators and inspectors were continued until the armistice
was signed.

The total number of laboratory strength tests was brought up to
over 300,000. About 23,000 strength tests were completed on 32
species of plywood, to determine the strength variation with differ-
ent combinations of species, number of plies, and ratios of core to
total panel thickness. Many additional tests were made to deter-
mine the relative amount of warping of various species of plywood,
the bending strength and methods of fastening, the relative strengtli
of rotary, sliced, and sawed veneer, and the shearing strength and
shrinkage of pl^nvood. Other tests were made on various aircraft
parts of plywood, laminated, and fabricated material, such as engine
bearers, struts, landing-gear disks, wing ribs, elevator spars, etc.
Determmations were made of the mechanical properties of thin ply-
wood for use as a Jinen substitute, and the relative efficiency of
various types of riveted and scarf joints was investigated.

Tests conducted for the War Department made possible great
improvements in overseas shipping containers, and many inspectors
were trained in the fundamentals of box construction, for manu-
facturing and export inspection work. Wood preservative specifica-
tions were prepared for the Emergency Fleet Corporation and for
the Railroad Administration. To assist the latter m its program of
preservative distribution made necessary by the shortage of creosote,
substitute preservatives were tested and recommendations as to their
use were made.

Studies were completed of the effectiveness of various methods of
coatnig and finishing wood to prevent the passage of moisture.
Improved methods of finishing with varnishes were developed, and
it was shown that protective coating with thin sheets of aluminum
leaf is practically 100 per cent efficient. In an experimental shipment
of airplane propellers from this country to France those treated by

THE FORESTER. 207

the aluminum-leaf process developed at the laboratory were the only
ones to arrive in satisfactory condition. This method has been
ofhcially ado])ted by the Army and Navy.

The experimental study of the conditioning and manufacture of
airplane propellers began to yield information of great value. At
the completion of the study it will be possible to specify accurately
the species of wood and tne manufactm-ing conditions for the pro-
duction of the most efficient propellers for the many kinds of service.

A number of new and greatly improved formulas for making
waterproof glues for plyw^ood manufacture were developed. One
of these for casein glue shows about double the water resistance of the
available commercial casein glues and is very resistant to molds.
The s})ccirications of the Army and Xavy for all glue and glue ingredi-
ents were j^repared at the laboratory. Much of the work on glues
was carried on for the purpose of preparing these specifications.
Several commercial concerns have adopted the laboratory glues in
production. Numerous improvements were discovered in plywood
manufacture that have also been successfully adopted in production.

There were identified 30,863 samples of wood, including some
foreign woods, and many microscopic examinations for decay and de-
fects were made. Information illustrating defects in wood was col-
lected, and an illustrated key for distinguishing true mahogany from
so-called mahoganies was prepared for ])ropeller inspectors. Studies
were made of the effect of moulds on wagon ancl airplane woods,
and of the effect of steam bending on the structure of wood.

Active work on the value of various woods for paper manufacture
was discontinued during the war to devote more time to pressing war
problems. However, a reliable method for determining the tearing
strength of paper was developed. A recording density hydrometer
was invented which will be oi considerable use in the control of the
soda recovery of sulphate and soda pulp mills, acid making in sulphite
miUs, mixing in the manufacture of ledger, bank-note, and other
fine |)a})er, and in the chemical and textile mdustries in general. The
value of waste hemlock bark from paper mills as a source of tannin
was also demonstrated. Methods for the production of soda and sul-
phate pulps suitable for nitrating and for rendering sulphite pulps
suitable for this use were developed.

Shortly after the armistice was signed the Salvage Board of the
Ordnance Department requested the laboratory to determine the
suitability of second-cut cotton linters and hull fibers for paper
manufacture. The War Department had on hand at that time a
large tonnage of the^e linters reserved for the manufacture of nitro-
cellulose and was seeking the best means of disposing of the surplus.
Commercial pulping trials and paper runs made at the laboratory
soon demonstrated that second-cut linters and hull shavings can be
pulped with decidedly less chemical and bleach consumption than
wood, and that they are excellently adapted for the production of
high-grade book, writing, blotting, tissue, and other papers. These
experiments may well have a far-reaching economic influence on the
future of the paper supply of this country. Arrangements have been
made for a practical mill trial where the value of this raw material can
bo demonstrated on a tonnage basis under average mill conditions.

The laboratory cooperated with the Chemical Warfare Service of
the Army in gas defense work and developed an artificially dense
wood charcoal pratically the equal of coconut-shell charcoal. A

208 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

suitable gas-mask filter for the removal of solid particles was evolved
and tested. Experiments were conducted also on various phases of
gas offense.

The threatened shortage of wood pitch for filling the seams of
wooden vessels led to experiments with various kinds of mineral
pitches, and an experimental deck is now undergoing exposure tests.
Several of the mineral pitches seem to be satisfactory.

The readjustment of the laboratory's work to a peace-time basis
has included:

(1) The adaptation and application of the data and information
obtained during the war to the Nation's industries on a normal peace-
time basis,

(2) Anal5^sis of special reconstruction problems and the extent
to which the laboratory could be of assistance in solving them.

(3) Consideration of prew^ar projects and the advisability of re-
suming them or of starting new researches which appeared of greater
importance from a broad reconstruction standpoint.

An illustration of the peace-time application of research con-
ducted in connection with a specialized war project is found in the
work of the propeller section. It was soon seen that the develop-
ments worked out in relation to the conditioning of wood and the
use and formulas of waterproof glues had a far wider field of appli-
cation than merely to airplane propellers. Following the armistice,
therefore, experiments were started in several different lines of built-
up construction where possibilities for the utilization of small pieces
and waste material existed. Sets of bowling pins, shoe lasts, hat
blocks, wagon bolsters and tongues, and other articles were made of
laminated material and tested in actual use. These tests in most
instances already indicate that the laminated construction for such
articles will be practically as serviceable as solid material.

As a result of the war there has been a very marked stimulation
in and acceptance of the value of research in forest products, and
the requests for cooperation and assistance which have come to the
laboratory from many different industries have more than taxed the
organization. It has, in fact, become necessary to decline coopera-
tion in a great many instances on account of the inability of the
decreased force to carry on the work. There is now open to the
aboratory a tremendous field of research of great economic and
industrial value.

Close relations were maintained through an office of Forest Prod-
ucts m Washington with the various branches and offices of the
War and Navy Departm.ents located in Washington and needing
the cooperation of the forest products organization, and also
with the War Industries Board, the War Trade Board, the Ship-
ping Board, the Em_ergency Fleet Corporation, the British and
other Alhed commissions, and various coimnercial organizations
and associations having to do with war activities. In this way it
was possible to furnish data and information on which immediate
decision relating to the purchase, storage, or use of tinaber could be
made. Much assistance was given in the preparation of specifi-
cations for making purchases of forest products for construction
purposes, vehicles, boxes, airplane material, etc., and in the inspec-
tion of timbers for ships, airplanes, and docks. Extensive files cover-
ing a wide range of data on forest products were maintained for

THE FORESTER. 209

quick reference. A large voliime of statistical data was furnished
for the use of foreign governments. The figures on production and
consumption in many instances served as a basis for reaching con-
clusions on problems of utilization, substitution, and regulation of
im.ports and exports.

After the armistice was signed arrangements were made to con-
tinue cooperation with the Bureaus of Construction and Repair and
Steam Engineering of the Navy and with the Air Service ana Bureau
of Ordnance of the Army, ancl for the completion of many projects
which will pold information useful in peace as well as war. Recog-
nition of the fact that the Forest Service is an authoritative source
of information on forest products and their uses has put the office in
a position to render considerable assistance to various departments.

FOREST INVESTIGATION.

•Under "forest investigations" are included a wide range of studies.
Some of them have for their purpose better knowledge as to the
amount, character, and distribution of our present forests; others
concern the demands made upon them for the supply of material of
various kinds, probable future demands, and the methods of utili-
zation; and still others seek to make possible better m.ethods of utili-
zation and the most beneficial contribution of our forest resources to
the public welfare, through investigations basic to the successful
practice of forestry. The studies are therefore partly economic and
mdus trial, in which case they have to do largely with the gathering
and interpretation of statistics of production, consumption, present
timber stands, and similar mattei*s, and partly woods studies of all
the factors which control or afl'ect forest establishment, renewal,
composition, rate of growth, and character of material produced.

During the past year the forest investigations have been chiefly
those connected with war activities and with the completion of the
work started during the war. Many such investigations which were
in their midst when hostilities ceased called for completion because
of the applicabihty of their results in the post-war period. Thus the
study of the amount of black walnut available for airplane con-
struction and for gunstocfe was completed, and a publication pre-
pared dealing with supplies, growth, and management of this valuable
species. A summary report was also prepared of the available sup-
plies of the kinds of timber most likely to be used in aircraft con-
struction during peace time. The study of supplies of the most
important timber species has furnished a good deal of knowledge of
our timber resources which have distinct value as a basis for shaping
measures aimed to secure perpetuation of these suppUos, pending
provision for a complete timber inventory such as is fundamental to
the working out of a sound, thoroughly intelligent forest policy for
the Nation. The requirements of the Government for forest products,
together with the control of production for needs of the country not
directly connected with the prosecution of the war, gave a more
accurate conception of the broad situation in which we are placed
regarding forest products. This, together with inquiries as to the
timber situation in foreign countries, afforded a clearer perspective
of how far our own forests can be expected to meet future domestic
and foreign needs.

210 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

A few investigations were undertaken having directly in view
the meeting of postwar problems. Because of the importance of
Sitka spruce for aircraft production, a study was undertaken of its
growth, yield, and management.

Because of the added importance, in view of renewed agitation
of the national need for the practice of forestry on private lands and
of a comprehensive program for securing the perpetuation of our
forest resources through combined public and private action, of ac-
curate data as to the growth and yield of the different types of
forest and the costs that may be involved in securing forest replace-
ment, many field measurements were restudied in the light of re-
cent experience and new data were accumulated. Wliile the facts avail-
able are suflPicient upon which to base a plan for inaugurating a
general policy, the actual carrying out of such a policy will demand
the prosecution of forest studies more comprehensive and far more
detailed than those hitherto undertaken if the plan is to be made to
work fully.

Some of the fundamental prewar studies, such for instance as the
relation between distribution of the different forest types and the
climatic and soil factors that control them, the importance of farm
woodlands in the economic management of the farm, studies of the
physical, chemical, and biological properties of seed, studies of the
causes of forest lires and the liability of different forest types to
them, have been renewed and are to be pushed with vigor to com-
pletion. As a partial provision for meeting the need for fuller in-
formation relating to the proper handling of forests, a comprehensive
scheme for forest investigation in cooperation with States and forest
schools has been developed.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Thirty-seven new publications were issued. The distribution of
Forest Service publications totaled 316,000 copies. About 62 'ad-
dresses were made, mainly at expositions and upon requests from
National Forest users, lumbermen's associations and similar trade
bodies, technical societies, and educational institutions. Lantern
slides were loaned to more than 208 persons engaged in educational
work. These were shown 422 times and to 10,293 persons. Ad-
ditions to the photograph collection totaled 1,154 and to the lantern-
slide collection 1,186; and 924 lantern slides, 29 transparencies, and
472 bromide enlargements were colored. Traveling exhibits of pho-
tographs, maps, drawings, and wood samples were loaned to 128
schools and libraries. Through sales, loans, and gifts 4,890 indi-
vidual photographic prints were made available for outside illustra-
tive pui-poses.

Additions to the Service library in Washington totaled 765 books
and pamphlets. The index of forest Hterature was extended by
entries covering 2,725 books, periodical articles, and manuscripts.
Loans from the library totaled 2,883 books and 5,841 periodicals.
The 162 branch field libraries now contain 31,602 books recorded
in the main library, besides various State and other publications not
so recorded.

REPORT OF THE CHEMIST.

United States Department of Agriculti re,

Bureau of Chemistry.
Washington, Z>. C, October 11, 1919.
Sir: I submit herewith the report of the work of the Bureau of
Chemistry for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Eespectfully,

C. L. Alsberg, Chief,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agrindture,

As last year was a A'^ear of readjustment within the bureau to meet
the demands for assistance made by the Government's war machine,
so this year has been one of return to the normal. During the war
so much unusual work was i^equired of tlie bureau that its momentum
was temporarily checked, and it had to be content to keep the regula-
tory work as nearly as possible up to its prewar level. It could not
hope to forge ahead. Since the armistice was signed, the bureau has
gradually regained its prewar acceleration, with the result that,
though four months of the year were war months, and though the
armistice did not by any means halt work for the war agencies or
make it possible to recruit the bureau's force up to its normal
strength, nevertheless 1,133 recommendations for criminal prosecu-
tion and 1,05*2 for seizure alleging violation of the Food and Drugs
Act were sent to the Solicitor — by far the largest total for any one
year in the history of the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act.
This is not to be taken to mean that the war has lowered the ethics
in this country of the food and drug producing industries as a
whole, although it has increased sophistication and misbranding in
certain special directions. It merely sliows that the bureau's regula-
tory force is gaining in efficiency as it gains in experience, and that
the gradual reorganization of the bureau, the evolution of which has
been recorded in its reports from year to year, is bringing results.

While the regulatory force of the bureau, despite the depletion of
its personnel, is performing a greater volume of work than ever' be-
fore, the constructive research work has not yet returned to normal. .
Partly completed war research problems have had to be rounded out,
that the time and effort originally expended upon them might not bo
wholly lost. Moreover, the lure of high salaries is stronger than
ever, so that there has been a heavy drain upon the bureau's force
through the passing of men from it into the industries. The totally
inadequate salaries offered by the Government have made it impos-
sible to fill suitably the gaps thus created. From July 1, 1917, to
June 30, 1919, of the war period, the sej)arations from the. service,
not including men who entered the military service, have been of
the technically trained staff 39 per cent of the prewar strength of the
bureau, of the clerical staff G8 per cent, and of the staff of laborers,

2U

212

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

mechanics, messengers, and the like, 90 per cent. The total separa-
tions from the whole bureau, the so-called " turnover," including men
furloughed to enter military service, for the two-year period, has
been 72 per cent, and there is no indication that conditions are im-
proving. It is obvious that service in the bureau must be made more
attractive, especially in its financial aspects, if such efficiency as the
Bureau of Chemistry has been able to achieve in the past is to be
maintained.

Nevertheless, the momentum of the bureau's research organization
has been sufficient to produce a larger number of publications than
ever before. There were issued nine department bulletins, two de-
partment circulars, two circulars of the office of the Secretary, and
one yearbook article. In addition, the results of more than 75 in-
vestigations were made public, and those of more than 25 are now in
press. The experimental work upon a number of other investigations
has been completed. Thirty-five applications for patents were filed,
of which 14 were allowed, 6 clisalloAved, and 15 are pending.

Naturally the work demanded of the bureau by other branches of
the Government has lessened since the armistice; but its volume is
still considerable. There is every indication that, inasmuch as the
war brought to the attention of other branches of the Government
the services the bureau is capable of rendering, such collaborative
Avork will never diminish to the prewar volume. It is essential, there-
fore, that adequate funds for such collaborative work be provided.
Moreover, the growth of the bureau in the last 10 years has been
such that the quarters available in Washington have long been in-
adequate, and if its work is not to be progressively crippled, suitable
quarters must be provided.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS ACT.

DOMESTIC FOODS AND DRUGS.

One thousand and fifty-two recommendations for seizure and
843 recommendations for criminal prosecution were made to the
Department of Justice, through the Office of the Solicitor. Table
1 gives a list of the classes of products on which action was recom-
mended to the Solicitor, and also the distribution of the recommenda-
tions among the various types of products.

Table 1. — Recommendations of action on alleged violations of the Food and
Drugs Act transmitted to the Solicitor.

Product.

Beverages, extracts, flavors

Candy

Chocolate and cocoa

Coffee and tea

Colors, food

Dairy products

Drugs, cruds, and pharmaceutical

preparations

Drugs, remedies

Eggs and egg substitutes

Feeds

Flour, grain, alimentary pastes. ..

Fruits

Gelatin

Glycerin

Jam, jelly, and marmalade

Crim-
inal
actions.

141

47
122
48
306
16
19
40

Seiz-
ures.

51

37
513
23

Product.

Lard and lard substitute.

Meat and poultry..

Nuts

Oil, olive, salad, etc

Oranges

Preservatives

Sea foods

Sirups

Spices and relishes

Tomato products

Vegetables

Vinegar

Water

Total.

Crim-
inal

actions.

193

50

1,133

3
4

130
43

1,052

BUEEAU OF CHEMISTRY. 213

Examination of Table 1 shows that action was recommended most
frequently against shipments of patent medicines, crude drugs and
j)harniaceiitical preparations; of mineral waters and nonalcoholic
beverages; of shell eggs and egg substitutes; of dairy products; of
gelatin; of olive oil; of oranges and tomato products; of sea foods;
of cacao products; of vinegar; and of stock feeds.

In the patent medicine cases, it was alleged usually that they were
misbranded as to therapeutic claims under the Sherley amendment.
In the case of the crude drugs and pharmaceuticals it was usually
alleged either that they did not comply with the requirements of
the United States Pharmacopoeia and were not labeled to indicate
wherein they differed from the standard of the Pharmacopoeia, or
else that they were otherwise misbranded or adulterated.

In the mineral water cases it was alleged, as a rule, that they were
cither polluted or misbranded as to therapeutic claims under the
Sherley amendment, or both.

The expansion of the nonalcoholic beverage industry has made
necessary a close supervision of this class of products. Among the
various kinds of violations allej^ed the most common are based on
the representation bv the manutticturer that the products consist in
whole or in part ol fresh fruit juice, when, in fact, they contain
only some organic acid and an artificial flavor. Some of these prod-
ucts were found to contain saccharin substituted in whole or in part
for sugar.

The work on shell eggs was in the nature of a follow-up cam-
paign of the action taken in previous j'ears and described in the
Report of the Chemist for 1918. The eggs arriving in the market
continue to improve in quality. The action against egg substitutes
is the outcome of the work inaugurated and described last year.

The investigation of dairy products was designed to continue the
supervision of evaporated and whole milk received in interstate or
foreign commerce. In addition it was found that the high price
of butter stimulated its adulteration with water or salt, or both,
so as to lower the fat content. Much attention has been devoted to
putting a stop to this practice.

The work upon gelatin was a continuation of that described last
year to suppress the sale of glue as edible gelatin.

The olive oil cases were brought in conformity with the campaign
inaugurated in 1918 to prevent the adulteration with other edible
oils of olive oil, which is still practically unobtainable from Ital}^,
although it can be secured from other Mediterranean countries, nota-
bly Spain. In consequence, much Spanish olive oil of excellent
quality has been misbranded as Italian oil, a practice which it has
been attempted to abolish.

The work upon oranges, necessitated by the disastrous frost of
last winter, was designed to prevent the sale of frozen fruit. Frozen
oranges should be used for the preparation, near the point of pro-
duction, of jams and preserves, for which they seem suited if used
promptly.

While a number of cases have been made against tomato products,
the quality of these products as a Avhole continues to improve vastly.
The adulteration of canned tomatoes with added Avater is becoming
rare, and less tomato pulp made from partially moldy or fermenting

2.14 AiSTNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMEI^^T OF AGRICULTURE.

stock is being produced. Assistance continues to be rendered by tlie
experts of the bureau to manufacturers through personal visits.

The work upon sea foods was confined largely to the adulteration
of oysters and scallops with water, termed " soaking " by the trade,
the slack filling of cans with shrimp, and the prevention of the sale
to the consumer of stale or tainted canned salmon. The latter proj-
ect occupied more of the time of the regulatory force of the bureau
than any other, since it involved the examination in detail of the
vast surplus stores of canned salmon held by the Army before they
were permitted to be turned back into the ordinary channels of
trade.

Tlie cases upon cacao products dealt principally with the adultera-
tion of cocoa with cacao shells.

The cases upon vinegar were of the usual type. A new method has
been developed for the identification of waste apple products vine-
gar by means of which it is hoped that the traffic in this variety of
vinegar may be controlled and forced on to a legitimate basis.

Tlie cases against stock feeds comprised the usual types of adul-
teration and misbranding reported from time to time in previous
years. Much attention was paid to rice mill by-products, especially
the adulteration with rice hulls, and data were obtained upon the con-
ditions prevailing in the rice mills of the Pacific coast and upon the
use of lime in rice milling. It was also found that, owing to the
difference in price between bran and shorts, certain manufacturers
vrere selling finely ground bran as shorts.

Of the 1,019 cases of all kinds reported to the department as termi-
nated in the courts during the year, 258 alleged false and fraudulent
labeling of medicines, 22 alleged similar misbranding of veterinary
remedies, and 56 alleged adulteration or misbranding of stock feeda
All in all, 3 cases were reported as decided unfavorably to the
Government.

Among the cases terminated was the bleached flour case which was
pending at Kansas City, Mo. (N. J. 6380) . The libel was amended to
strike out the allegation to the effect that the flour contains an added
deleterious ingredient which might render it injurious, in view of the
experimental work of the bureau which did not indicate that the
allegation Avas tenable under the interpretation of the law by the
U. S. Supreme Court (N. J. 3398). The claimant then withdrew ap-
pearance and answer, and a default decree of condemnation and for-
feiture Avas entered as to the remaining allegations in the libel.

Publication has been made of two judicial decisions of interest,
involving interpretation of the law. The U. S. Supreme Court, in
a judgment reported in Notice of Judgment 6308, affirmed judgment
of the lower courts against Oscar J. Weeks, doing business as O.
J. Weeks & Co., in connection with the misbranding of an article
labeled " Special Lemon, Lemon Terpene, and Citral." A salesman
of the defendant in offering the article for sale represented it as
lemon oil, which it was not. The defendant upon appeal insisted
that under the statute the question whether an article is misbranded
turns entirely upon how it is labeled when it is shipped, regardless
of any representations made by a salesman in offering it for sale.
The U. S. Supreme Court, however, held that the statute specifies
and defines at least two kinds of misbranding, one where the article
bears a false or misleading label, the other where it is offered for

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 215

salo under the distinctive name of another article. The two are
(jiiite distinct, a deceptive hibel being an essential element of one
but not of the other. The court accordingly ruled that testimony
resi3ecting the representations of the defendant's traveling salesman
was rightly admitted in evidence and submitted to the jury.

The case reported in Xotice of Judgment 036*2 is one under the
Sherley amendment to the Food and Drugs Act, alleging misbrand-
ing of "Dr. J. II. McLean's Liver and Kidney Balm." The Court
of Appeals of the Eighth Circuit reversed a judgment of conviction
in the lower court because of error in the instructions of the court,
and a new trial was awarded. In the instructions to the jury on the
question of the fraudulent character of the statements made by the
defendant regarding the article, the court inadvertently said that
"one who makes a false statement not loiowing whether it is true
or false is as guilty of wrong as the man who makes a false state-
ment knowing it is false." The Court of Appeals held this portion
of the charge was erroneous, as it permitted the jury to find that
these false statements were fraudulent although the defendant hon-
estly believed them to be true.

Two hundred and two of the cases reported as terminated were
instituted by 38 different State and city agencies, either indepen-
dently of or in cooperation with the Bureau of Chemistry. In 191G
there were but 35 such cases instituted by but four colhiborating
agencies. This very great increase illustrates the growing interest
of State and city officials in the Federal act as a supplement to city
and State food and drug laws. A rather unusual form of coopera-
tion is found in the enactment by the State of California of a law
forbidding the sale of arsenic-bearing sulphur for use in the pro-
duction of food products. This followed the publication by the
bureau of a report upon the arsenic content of sulphur from differ-
ent sources.

To supersede Circular 19, Office of the Secretary, Circular 13G,
Office of the Secretary, " Standards of Purity for Food Products,"
was issued. The service and regulatory announcements published
during the year contained 25 opinions and 250 notices of judgment.
The following food inspection decisions were issued:

Xo. 177. Soda AVater Flavors and Soda, Soda Water.

No. 178. Milk and Cream.

No. 179. Amending Kegulation 29, Wliich Eelates to Marking the
Quantity of Food in Package Form.

No. 18a^ Colors in Food.

Nos. 177 and 178 are based upon the recommendations of the Joint
Committee on Definitions and Standards.

No. 179 changes the exemption of small packages from those con-
taining 2 ounces or less to those containing one-half ounce or less.
This was done to prevent, in so far as existing legislation will permit,
deception through the slack filling of small packages, such as 5 and
10 cent packages of spices. To protect the consumer more fully than
is possible under existing statutes from fraud through the slack fill-
ing of packages, or the use of containers deceptive as to the amount
of food in them because of their shape or dress, the department has
reconnncnded to Congress an amendment to the Food and Drugs Act.
Moreover, independently of or in connection with other charges, con-
sideration has been given to m :)re than 1,000 cases alleging that the

216

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMP^NT OF AGRICULTURE.

net weight either Vv^as not stated on the package or else Avas wrongly
stated. Also nmnerons investigations have been undertaken to de-
termine the variation in the quantity of the contents of packages of
food as the result of the process of packing, as Avell as from shrinkage
in storage and transportation. Such investigations are necessary for
the effective enforcement of the net Aveight amendment.

A very extensive investigation, conducted through two seasons
in various sections of the country, to determine the proper fill
of cans of fruits and vegetables was carried to a successful con-
clusion. Based upon the results of this work, announcements of
weights which are representative of properly filled cans have been
made in the case of peas, unpitted cherries, Avax and refugee beans,
and peaches.

Food Inspection Decision 180 removed from the list of permitted
colors certain ones which had been found unsuitable.

The number of pounds of straight dyes for which certification was
asked during the year is as follows : Amaranth, 36,753 ; Butter Yel-
low, 3,802 ; Butter Yellow AB, 333 ; Ervthrosine, 732 : Indigo Disulfo
Acid, 1,317; Light Green SF Yellowish, none; Naphthol Yellow S,
905; Orange I, 17,142; Ponceau 3 R, 11,832; Sudan I, 2,041; Tartra-
zine, 38,295. Certification was also asked for 4,750 pounds of re-
packed straight dyes and 97,241 pounds of color mixtures.

Table 2 gives the distribution of the official samples examined
by the various field stations. In addition, thousands of shipments
were examined, hundreds of which involved a preliminary labora-
tory examination not reported in the table.

Table 2 —

-Report Of field stai

ions for yea

r ended June 30, 1910.

Import samples.

Interstate samples.

Miscel-
laneous
sam-
ples.

Total
samples
anal-
yzed.

Hearings.

Station.

Legal.

Illegal.

Re-
leased
without
preju-
dice.

Floor
inspec-
tion
sam-
pies.

Legal.

Illegal.

Cheek
analy-
sis.

Per-
sonal.

By
corre-
spond-
ence.

Central district:

Chicago

140

52

39

212

214

504

159

2,819

3,888

50

380

Cincinnati..

C4

1

0

20

121

294

16

261

757

0

259

Kansas City

0

0

0

0

3

23

0

23

41

1

83

Minneapolis
New Or-

55

23

0

C8

50

135

36

450

749

19

65

15

18

0

59

24

60

39

890

1,052

51

202

leans.

St. Louis...

9

28

0

14

87

281

35

738

1,181

85

22G

Total

283

122

39

373

499

1,303

285

5,187

7,668

206

1,215

Eastern district:

•

Jialtimore . .

70

10

0

0

129

350

5

723

1,287

3

157

Boston

142

102

0

3,586

38

149

6

390

'827

89

85

Bufl'alo

140

287

0

289

57

75

0

213

772

221

81

New York. .

2,538

1,329

94

5,801

252

527

21

1,996

6,757

394

784

I'hiladelphia
I'orto Rico .

73

31

0

454

46

171

2

193

509

27

94

201

422

9

554

0

10

0

132

674

415

8

Savannali . .

65

3

5

1

101

• 252

«

381

826

11

117

Total

3,229

2,184

108

10,685

623

1,534

42

4,028

11,652

1,160

1,326

Western dis-
trict:
Denver

3

13

0

84

37

91

4

486

G34

3

■-7

San Fran-

177

297

9

9,760

49

150

23

1,995

2,700

297

-JO

Seattle

136

237

6

6,260

48

89

13

i,2n

1,750

194

61

Total

816

547

15

16,104

134

330

40

3,692

5,084

494

178

Grand
total....

3,828

2,853

162

27,162

1,256

3,167

367

12,907

24,404

1,860

2,719

BUKEAU OF CHEMISTRY. 217

A great deal of assistance has been given the Post Office Depart-
ment in connection with the exclusion from the mails of patent
medicines, alleged therapeutic devices, and similar materials, in-
volving work on the part of the bureau very similar, so far as lab-
oratory operations are concerned, to that carried on in the enforce-
ment of the Food and Drugs Act.

IMPORTED FOODS AND DRUGS.

During the fall of 1918, and particularly the three or four months
following the signing of the armistice, owing in part to embargoes
and to the restriction of imports by the War Trade Board, im-
ports were rather less in volume than at any other previous period.
This was more noticeable in the case of food products than in the
case of crude drugs, which have been less restricted and have been
shipped from original sources to a greater extent than formerly.
Disorganization of trade and of shipping, giving rise to delays, has
caused many shipments to arrive in a more or less moldy condi-
tion. As a result of this disorganization, goods have been shipped
before they were properly cleaned, particularly fennel, anise, cumin,
caraway, fenugreek, and ajowan seeds, and thyme, savory, sage,
and marjoram leaves, which in most instances liave been released
after proper cleaning. Goods in part moldy have been released
after proper sorting and conditioning when this was practicable.
A number of shipments of giun karaya, a product recently imported
in large quantities, have been released after proper cleaning to re-
move excess bark or dirt. A chemical method was developed this year
for the examination of this gum after grinding and conditioning.
Not a few shipments of anise seed have been detained because they
were mixed with an appreciable percentage of exhausted seed. In
a few instances the poisonous leaves of Conarla myrtifolia have been
found in marjoram leaves. Substitution of crude drugs for others
better known or for official species has not been uncommon. The
following may be noted: Japanese aconite {Aconitum facheri
Reich.) for aconite (Aeonitum vapeUus L. ; red Jamaica or native
Jamaica sarsaparilla (Smilax utills Hensley) and the common brake
{Pteris aquUlna L.) for sarsaparilla; Inula species and an uniden-
tified product from ^Mexico for arnica flowers {Arnica raontana
L.); Mexican orizaba root {Ipomoea orizahensis Leden.) for jalap
(Exogonmin purc/a Benth.) and for scammony {Convolvulus scam-
m'Onia L.) ; Asiatic licorice {Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) for lic-
orice; Ballota hirsuta Benth. for horehound {Marruhium vulgare
L.) ; Egyptian henbane {Ilyoscyamus imttlcus L.) for henbane
{Hyoscyainus niger L.) ; Ar^iTn maculatum L. for Colchicum avr
tumiuile L. : Egyptian stramonium {Datura mMel L.) for stramon-
ium {Datura stramonium L.) ; lonidiujn species for ipecac {Ceph-
aelis ipecaciianlia Rich.). Maracaibo bark was invoiced as cinchona
bark, Peruvian bark, and cascarilla bark.

In other instances official drugs, such as aconite, belladonna,
calisaya bark, and hyoscyamus, have been found deficient in alkaloid
or active principle. In the case of substitutes or drugs deficient in
hctive principle which may have some legitimate use, the bureau has
felt that release on relabeling alone would not effectively prevent the
goods from filtering into the channels of trade and being sold ulti-

151352*'— 19 15

218 AN"XUAL EEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF ACrJCULTURE.

mately as tlie official product. A public statement through the serv-
ice and regulatory announcements has therefore been made that re-
lease in such cases will be conditioned not only on proper relabeling
but also on definite information that the goods will be manufactured
by a specified firm into products for which their use is approved.

Special attention has been given to medicinal preparations bear-
ing statements of therapeutic or curative effect. The printed matter
used with each preparation has been carefully reviewed by the
bureau's medical staff in Washington, with a view to exhibiting a
uniform and consistent attitude toward all such products. Copies
of the comments made, with information regarding the labeling,
have been transmitted on cards to all the port stations, thereby in-
suring perfectly uniform action. A distinction has been made be-
tween products intended for sale to the general public and those
intended for physicians' use which are so labeled as not to affect
the general public, properly confining all statements as to thera-
peutic use to an inclosed circular, leaving the outside label entirely
free from such statements.

During 1918 many shipments of dried-egg products, yolk and
albumen, coming from China, were found to contain notable quan-
tities of zinc or zinc compounds. Such contamination occurred be-
cause these products were dried in zinc or zinc-lined trays, or,
in some instances, in large plants, on zinc belts. During- 1919 the
shipments of yolk, some of them representing large lots manufac-
tured by the spray process, have been found practically free from
zinc. In the early part of the year several shipments of albumen
-svere detained because of the presence of zinc, but during the
latter pai-t of the year a number of shipments, mostly small in
amount but from a number of different manufacturers, have been
found satisfactory. This would indicate that several firms in China
have so changed their methods of manufacture that they can supply
goods free from zinc, and will shortly be able to meet the demand for
dried egg albumen and yolk, used in increasing quantities by bakers
and manufacturers of bakers' supplies.

The last few months of the year saw the beginning of the resump-
tion of normal trade in foods, notably olive oil, which had been sub-
ject to embargo in most countries. Large quantities, almost suffi-
cient for normal demand, have come from Spain, and have caused
the price to drop to nearly normal figures. In the past, Spain has
furnished directly comparatively little olive oil to this country.
The bureau's inspection has shown no instances of adulteration.
The first few shipments have also been received of those particular
foodstuffs from England, France, and Italy, that normally are im-
ported in large quantities, but which ceased to come in during the
last two years of the war. The first shipment of Smyrna figs re-
ceived since the war began arrived during the last month of the year.

SUGARS, SUGAR DERIVATIVES, SIRUP.

Processes for the preparation of the sugar xylose, of gum indus-
trially valuable as an adhesive, and of other useful substances from
corncobs have been patented and made available to the public. De-
velopment work now being performed upon these processes offers a

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 219

prosix^ct that in time a new industry utilizing corncobs, a by-prod-
uct heretofore largely wasted, may be established. As such an in-
dustry would make xylose available in large quantities, studies on
the utilization of this hitherto rare sugar have been undertaken.
A relatively simple process for its conversion into gulonic lactone,
which might be useful commercially, has been patented aiul pub-
lished. Moreover, a large series of bacteria has been found capa-
ble of fermenting xylose, to form certain products which may be of
value industriall3^

Data on the occurrence of the rai*e sugar melezitose in a manna
from the Douglas fir and on the crystallography and optical prop-
ei-ties of three aldopentoses have been published. Papers upon the
crystallographic propeilies of melezitose, upon the amide of a-d-
mannohepUmic acid, and upon the rotatory powers of the amides of
several a- hydroxy acids of the sugar group are in press.

The distribution of pure sujjars, especially for use in bacteriologi-
cal research, was more extensive this year than heretofore, varying
amounts of 10 different pure sugars having been sent out.

TYiQ curtailment of distilling and brewing together with the war-
time restrictions placed upon the consumption of sugjir, seems to
have stimulated the production of barley sugar or maltose, as well
as that of maltose sirup. Since the extension of the uses of such
material is a matter of some interest to the producer of barley, prac-
tical stiulies on the use of maltose sirup in candy manufacture
have been undertaken. Preliminary results indicate that perhaps
large quantities of maltose sirup can be employed in this way.

The project on the production of a uniform cane sirup that will
neither ferment nor crystallize, which had reached such a stage that
the problem was in the main how to introduce and cause to be used
the processes devised in the bureau, has received a setback because
3'east, necessary in these processes, is now obtainable only with dif-
ficulty. A search for sub>titutes for yeast has therefore been made,
and preliminary results justify the hope that certain molds whicli
can be grown easily and cheaply may form sufiicient of the enzyme
invertase to make it possible to use them mstead of yeast for this
particular purpose.

The bureau has cooperated with the Louisiana State Experiment
Station in the study of the deterioration of raw sugars caused by
the action of molds. In the preparation of cellulose acetates and
their study, undertaken for the Bureau of Aircraft Production,
some new cellulose compounds were prepared. This work has been
closed.

FATS AND OILS.

Department Bulletin 769, "The Production and Conservation of
Fats and Oils in the United States," giving a digest of the data
collected during 1917 and 1918 by the U. S. Food Administration
and the Bureau of Chemistry, was issued. This is perhaps the first
complete and critical survey of the fat and oil industry and traflic
of any country, and as a consequence the demand for the bulletin
has been very gi-eat. A supplement containing the revised statistics
up to January, 1919, is now in press. Hereafter the Bureau of the
Census will collect the production, importation, and exportation
figures on fats and oils, and issue them in quarterly reports.

220 ANISIUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE.

The examination of tomato-seecl oil has been completed, and the
data thus secured submitted for publication.

A survey of the industrial recoA^ery of wool grease has demon-
strated clearly the necessity for a systematic investigation, to the end
that less of this valuable material be wasted in the process of scour-
ing wool.

CHEMISTRY AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF PROTEINS.

The physico-chemical examination of gelatin has led to the publi-
cation of two articles entitled, respectively, "The Mutarotation of
Gelatin and Its Significance in Gelation" and "The Effect of Hydro-
gen Ion Concentration on the Liquefaction of Gelatin," and to the
preparation of a third, entitled "Determination of the Jellying
Power of Gelatins and Glues by the Polariscope," which proposes a
method for testing gelatins and glues based upon changes in rota-
tory power.

The basic amino acid, lysin, which is believed to be an essential
ingredient of diets capable of supporting groAvth, was discoverd in
hordein, the principal protein of barley.

A summary of the work on the proteins of the peanut and a pre-
liminary announcement of the value of peanut flour in wheat bread
has been presented. A loaf made from wheat flour with a small ad-
mixture of peanut flour and salts furnishes a diet that is biologically
complete, is properly utilized by animals, and maintains normal
growth. Even smaller amounts of soy-bean meal will give similar
results.

The hydrolysis of stizolobin, the globulin of the Chinese velvet
bean, StizoJohium nivewn^ has been completed. Two and one-half
per cent of hydroxyglutaminic acid and from 9 to 10 per cent of as-
partic acid were obtained from it. Rats fed upon a diet containing as
the sole source of nitrogen the protein of the Georgia velvet bean grew
normally to maturity. Further work is necessary to determine Avhy
the bean itself does not sustain growth. As has long been known,
the globulin of the navy bean will not support normal growth. The
bureau has discovered that if cystine be added to such a diet this
protein will support growth. Moreover, normal growth can be
obtained upon a diet containing navy beans to which cystine has been
added. It also appears that the nutritive value of the globulin is
somewhat improved by heating the protein in water. These obser-
vations are so suggestive that similar work upon other species of
beans will be begun to determine if they, too, are deficient in cystine.

The data showing that coconut globulin contains all of the basic
amino acids necessary to growth and that it, as well as crude coco-
nut press cake, is capable of supporting growth, have been pre-
sented. • It was subsequently found that mixtures of certain corn
feeds with coconut press cake produce normal growth, which indi-
cates that the coconut press cake contains sufficient w^ater-soluble
vitamine when the diet consists of equal amounts of the corn feed and
the press cake. These findings justify the opinion expressed in the
Report of the Chemist for 1918 that it is extremely desirable to
retain in this country the copra-crushing industry which developed
during the war.

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 221

SEA FOODS.

Bulletin 740, "A Study of Some of the Chemical Changes Which
Occur in Oysters During Their Preparation for the Market," has
been issued. It has been discovered that zinc, like copper, is invari-
ably present in oysters, and probably in other mollusca. No rela-
tion could be traced between the zinc content of oysters and that
of the waters from which they were taken. The data upon which
these conclusions are based have been published. At the request
of the Bureau of Fisheries a study was made of trade-waste effluents
at Bridgeport, Conn., and West Point, Va., to determine the influence
of such effluents upon the production of oysters in these localities.

Analyses have been made at various seasons of Pacific coast fishes,
the food value of which is not known, and the results will be pub-
lished when another season's work has been completed. Informa-
tion on the preservation of Pacific coast sardines by smoking has
been disseminated, and a publication on the preparation of salacchini
will soon appear. The project to develop methods for the preserva-
tion of Pacific coast fish will be discontinued because funds are no
longer available.

Bacteriological examination has shown that, as reported last year
for Maine sardines, and published this year, the intestines of salmon
and certain other fish tnat are not feeding are practically sterile.
Evidently in the spoilage of such fish the bacterial invasion is from
the skin inward, not from within the gut outward. Hence knowl-
edge of the resistance offered by the skin of various kinds of fish
to invasion by bacteria is of importance in determining the best
methods of handling each species. Preliminary data indicate that
the skin of different species varies appreciably in this respect. It
follows, moreover, that in handling and transporting many kinds of
fish it is of the utmost importance to avoid any injury or bruising
of the skin.

The changes that take place in the flora of fish during shipment
to market or cannery and during cold storage have also been studied,
especially the microorganisms found on Pacific salmon. A related
inquiry upon an aerobic spore-forming bacillus from canned salmon
has been prepared for publication. In addition, search has been made
for satisfactory chemical methods to detect spoilage of salmon, and to
learn the conditions under which the fish may become stale in the
cannery before being packed. While satisfactory progress has been
made, at least another year will be required for the compeltion of
the project.

A paper on the determination of the hexabromid and iodin values
of the oil of salmon as a means of identifying the species in the
canned product has been published.

Progress has been made in the study of the best methods of trans-
porting fresh fish. Some shippers have been induced to substitute
for barrels used as shipping containers 100-pound boxes, 30 inches
long by 15 inches wide by 15 inches deep. In such boxes the lower
layers of fish are not subjected to as much pressure and bruising as
in barrels or when shipped loose with ice in the bottom of refrigera-
tor cars. Study has shown that in barrels the pressure upon the
lower layer of ^sh may be so great as to produce a shrinkage of over

222 ANXUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

8 per cent in five days, whereas the shrinkage in the top layer is
practicality negligible.

Studies have also been made on the chilling of fish to prevent their
rise in temperature while being transported in warm climates to
the refrigerator. The preservation of fiish by freezing, and especially
the freezing of fish in chilled brine, has been investigated. It was
determined that in the latter process the brine i>enetrate3 through
the skin for a short distance.

A large fund of information concerning the commercial handling
of fish intended for freezer storage, and on the equipment of fish
freezers has been obtained. It has thus been possible to give advice
to operators and prospective builders of fish freezers. Many persons
in the various branches of the fish industry were given information.
Producers on the Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida
coasts were instructed in the packing of fish and loading of refriger-
ator cars. In cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries, the bureau
supervised the handling and freight transportation of fish in car
lots from the producing section in Florida to Savannah, Ga., Louis-
ville, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., and Indianapolis, Ind. Approximately
400,000 pounds of fish were transported in this way, and in conse-
quence the market for Florida fish was greatly extended. Moreover,
in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries, analyses of various
kinds of salt were made to determine the chai^cteristics of tlioso
most suitable for salting fish.

POULTRY AND EGGS.

The following publications have been issued : Department Bulletin
391, "Accuracyin Commercial Grading of Opened Eggs ; " Depart-
ment Bulletin 702, " Efficiency of Commercial Egg Candling; " De-
partment Bulletin 775, " Commercial Preservation of Eggs by Cold
Storage ; " and Department Circular 25, " Points for Egg Buyers."

A material diminution in the breakage of eggs during transporta-
tion resulting from faulty loading and stowing of freight cars was
brought about through cooperation with the Eailroad Administra-
tion. Employees of the Eailroad Administration were detailed to
the Bureau of Chemistry, where they received instruction in proper
methods of loading and stowing eggs in freight cars. Whenever cars
Avere received at teriuinals w^ith the loads in a badly damaged condi-
tion, these employees of the Railroad Aclministi^ation paid personal
visits to the shipper for the purpose of instructing him how properly
to load cars and avoid more damage in future shipments.

DAIRY PRODUCTS.

Much attention has been given to the development of analytical and
microscopical methods for distinguishing from fresh milk remade
milk, produced by combining mechanically skim-milk powder, water,
and butter fat. No wholly satisfactory microscopic method has been
devised. Physico-chemical methods have been found successful only
under certain conditions. Physiological analytical methods have also
been successful under some conditions, but it still remains to be deter-
mined whether any of these methods or any combination of them will
prove universally applicable.

An extensive investigation designed to furnish information for use
in the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act has been undertaken

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 223

to develop methods for the detection of spoihigc in cream and butter.
Tlie flora of the various types of old cream, the products of the action
of microorganisms that may be present in such cream, the effect of
neutralizing and pasteurizing it before churning, the production of
butter from it, and the possible occurrence of the products of the meta-
bolism of microorganisms in the butter are being studied. This in-
vestigation is conducted mainly in the field, in cooperation with the
creameries. As such work can be done in a satisfactory manner only
during a portion of the year, it is probable that it will be necessary to
continue it through several seasons.

BEVERAGES.

An article entitled "Composition and Food Value of Bottled
Soft Drinks" was published m the Department Yearbook for 1918.

Tlie work begiui last year upon the substitution of other sweeten-
ing agents for sugar as a means of sugar conservation was continued.
Three articles on the subject, published in the trade journals dur-
ing 1918, were widely copied. Three other articles were added this
year, '' Refiners' Sirup for Bottlers," " Soft Drinks without Sugar,"
and '' Substitute Sirui>s for Soft Drinks." With the cooperation of
the United States Food Administration, many thousands of copies of
a brief resume of the subject were distributed, and the information
given in person at meetings of the trade. A valuable service was thus
rendered the soft-drink industry, and many bottlers who were im-
able to secure sugar were saved from disaster. Some of the substi-
tutes proved to have such merit that they probably will remain in
permanent use.

Studies have been conducted upon soda flavors and upon the flora
of sweetened nonalcoholic beverages. An article has been prepared
upon the longevity' of bacteria in commercial bottled water.

CITRUS BY-PRODUCTS.

The citrus bv-product project was organized on its present basis
in 1914, the object being to develop first upon a laboratory, and
later upon a commercial scale methods for the manufacture of sal-
able products from citrus fruit not suitable for shipment as fresh
fruit. ]Minor defects, such as small bruises or punctures from
thorns, gravel, or rough boxes, destroy the shipping value of fruit,
as such defects offer points for infection to various bacterial and
fungous growths which cause decay. Fruit that is too small or too
large, unsightly or misshapen, has also a doubtful shipping value.
The amount of waste fruit averages from year to year about 3 per
cent of the total crop.

The by-product laboratory at Los Angeles has been studying the
utilization of cull oranges in making stable products. Marmalade,
marmalade stock, juice, vinegar, and candied peel are possibilities
in this direction. Methods for the production of all of these, except
juice, have been developed, and either have been given to the public
or are now ready for publication. Candied peel and juice of excel-
lent quality can be made from grapefruit, and methods for their
production have been devised and given to the industry.

The existing methods for the manufacture of citrate of lime and
citric acid have been improved and adapted to California conditions.

224 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Tliey are now being used satisfactorily on a large commercial scale,
and while there will always be unsolved problems, as in every chem-
ical industry, the methods of manufacture of citric acid are suffi-
ciently well developed to permit its manufacture from the raw prod-
uct at a fair profit to the lemon grower.

When these investigations w^ere begun there were but one or two
struggling by-product companies in California, which were making no
appreciable inroad into the enormous supply of cull fruit available.
After a few years' work and the expenditure of less than $100,000 this
situation has materially changed. Four stable, going concerns, three
of them privately owned, and one a cooperative growers' company, are
now manufacturing lemon by-products. The total annual manu-
facturing capacity of these plants is over 1,500,000 pounds of citric
acid, over 500,000 pounds of citrate of lime, and over 50,000 pounds
of lemon oil. Some 20 concerns may be said to be producing orange
by-products on a considerable scale. The products consist largely of
marmalade, about 50 per cent of which is produced by one coopera-
tive company. Marmalade stock, jellies, and candied peel are also
being made in smaller quantities. The total output of orange by-
products for the present year will approximate 6,000,000 pounds.
t*roof of the advance which has been made since this project began
is the increase in the price of cull fruit. Less than five years ago cull
lemons could be had in large quantities at $5 a ton ; to-day advertise-
ments appear in several agricultural papers offering from $20 to
$25 a ton for the same material, in face of the fact that a larger quan-
tity is now available. The same situation exists in the case of oranges.
In former years $5 would buy a ton of sound cull oranges ; the price
at the present time for sound culls is from $20 to $30 a ton.

The by-product laboratory has been in close touch with a great
majority of the by-product manufacturers, advising them as to proc-
esses and assisting them in every possible way in establishing their
business. No small amount of good has been accomplished in point-
ing out defects in proposed methods of operation, and much money
and time has thus been saved investors and experimenters in this
field.

Work upon the production of citrus by-products was also done in
Florida during the year, and it is proposed next season to prosecute
the Florida part of the project vigorously.

DEHYDRATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

The special appropriation for dehydration did not become available
till late in the fall, when the production of fruits and vegetables is
small. The work that could be undertaken Avas therefore somewhat
limited, and in consequence a considerable proportion of the funds
available was not used. During the war a number of plants were con-
structed by private enterprise to dry fruits and vegetables for military
purposes, but the majority of the products, while nutritious, were un-
attractive and inferior in quality. The bureau endeavored to investi-
gate all the processes in use, in the hope of suggesting improvements
whereby satisfactory dried fruits and vegetables might be produced,
and a sound, permanent industry established. To this end all the
larger plants were carefully inspected, and their processes studied
under commercial conditions. Numerous conferences w^ere held with

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 225

manufacturers, all of whom exhibited eagerness to cooperate and to
offer every facility to promote the work. Laboratory investigations
were undertaken to compare the nutritional qualities of dried products
with those of canned and fresh material. About 30 departments of
home economics, mostly in the agricultural colleges, cooperated, thus
making it po&sible to reach conclusions more speedily than could have
been done had the work been confined to a single laboratory. Studies
on the nutritional value of dried products were also undertaken at
Johns Hopkins University and at the University of Rochester. On
the whole, the findings have been quite favorable.

Studies have also been made to determine the best conditions for the
storage of dried products, especially the most suitable types of con-
tainers, and an investigation of the flora of such products is in
progi-ess. Bulletins bearing on the various phases of the dehydration
work, now in preparation, should appear during the coming year.
Two general addresses by those in charge of the work have been pub-
lished, one of them as Office of the Secretary Circular 126, " Relation
of Dehydration to Agriculture.'' The net rasult of the work has been
of real practical assistance to the industry. Poor materials are dis-
appearing from the market, and a few plants producing materials of
excellent quality have become established.

In cooperation with a plant in South Carolina, an attempt was
made by tlie bureau to produce sw^eet potato flour by the methods
used with success in the production of white potato flour. The plant
was operated for a few months, but the results were disappointing
because of the very hygroscopic nature of the product which in-
fluenced unfavorably its keepmg quality. The data will be pub-
lished. The bureau has also been able to assist in the establishment
of the white potato flour industry, which seems to be gaining ground.
Data on potato flour and potato bread have been published.

Cooperation with the potato starch industry is in progress, looking
toward the utilization of potato pomace, improvement of the meth-
ods for drying starch, the production of potato dextrin, and an in-
crease in the capacity of tne plants. Assistance was given to the
Office of the Quarter;naster General in the inspection and supervision
of plants producing dehydrated vegetables for the Army.

FLOUR AND CEREALS.

Department Bulletin 701, "The Chemical Analysis of Wheat-
Flour Substitutes and of the Breads Made Therefrom," has been
issued, and a paper on the composition and baking value of the dif-
ferent sized particles of flour is in press.

As it was proposed during the year to import from Australia
wheat badly infested with w^eevils, experiments were performed to
determine the degree to which wheat may be heated in the attempt
to destroy the weevils without affecting the quality of flour pro-
duced from the treated wheat. It was found safe to heat to 160° F.,
but not to 180° F., for 30 minutes.

Rice is one of the flour substitutes employed during the war which
promises to continue to be used in baking. Baking experiments,
therefore, were made w4th flour prepared from different varieties and
grades of rice, polished to varying degrees. Fifteen per cent of
rice and 85 per cent of white flour were used. No appreciable dif-

226 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

ferences were found in the baking qualities of such mixtures, ir-
lespective of the fineness of the rice flour used. As was to be ex-
pected, the color of the bread was influenced by the degree to which
the rice had been polished.

Much attention has been given to the study of the spoilage of corn
meal, with a view to determining the most suitable conditions for its
storage. The spoilage produced by different organisms and the
effect of the growth of such organisms on the composition of the
meal, especially with relation to acidity and rancidity, haA^e been
investigated, in the hope that a sound Jbasis may be found to esti-
mate the degree of spoilage of corn meal and its fitness for food.

GRAIN MILL, ELEVATOR, AND COTTON GIN EXPLOSIONS AND

FIRES.

The emergency demonstration campaign, conducted in cooperation
witli the Bureau of Markets, to conserve grain and flour by prevent-
ing explosions and fires was carried out in the manner described in the
Report of the Chemist for 1918. Five thousand six hundred plants
were visited and over 30,000 pledge cards signed by the owners,
operators, and employees. A number of recommendations suggested
to the companies as possible precautions against dust explosions were
cheerfully adopted, and it is believed that these slight changes have
assisted in reducing the loss in this country due to explosions and
fires in mills and elevators. Not a serious explosion occurred in such
a plant during the year. A very disastrous explosion did occur in
a different type of plant, a starch works, 43 persons being killed and
a number injured. This demonstrates clearly that the work should
be extended to other dusty industries. As no funds were a\'ailablc
to proceed with the work after the close of the fiscal year, and as
the U. S. Grain Corporation desired that it be continued as a form
of insurance for its own operations, arrangements were made to
transfer the force engaged upon this campaign to the rolls of the
Grain Corporation. The Avork will be continued by that corporation,
the Bureau of Chemistry collaborating by furnishing general super-
vision.

The campaign to prevent explosions and fires in thrashing ma-
chines has been continued and extended to cover other sections than
Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, to which it had hitherto been lim-
ited. In cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industr}^ and the
Bureau of Markets, special attention was given to the development
of the suction-fan installation to remoA^e dust from thrashing ma-
chines, and an effort was made to. determine the effect of its opera-
tion on grain cleaning and on the possibility of smut-spore collection
and disposal in order to preA'ent the dissemination of the spores over
surrounding land. Plant pathologists have expressed themseh^es as
quite hopeful that the devices for the disposal of spores which have
been designed and tested may prove of great serAdce in the control
of the smut of Avheat.

The discovery that many of the fires in the cotton gins of the
Southwest are due to static electricity reported last year was con-
firmed this year. The limited funds available made it necessary ^to
confine this work, which was done in cooperation with the Bureau of
Markets and the various State and insurance agencies, almost en-

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 227

tii^ly to the State of Texas. Department Circular 28, "Cotton Gin
Fii-es," issued (lurin<^ the year, was distributed among cotton gin-
ners, insurance agencies, and others interested throughout the South-
Though still unfinished, the work was closed at tlte end of the fiscal
3^ear, no appropriations being available thereafter.

DRUGS AND PHARMACOLOGY.

A series of researches upon crude drugs have been published under
the following titles: "Commei'cial A^iburnum Barks and Prepara-
tions;" *'Karaya Guni.a Substitute for Tragacanth;" ^' Ballofa hir-
siita Benth., an Adulterant of Horehound (Marruhium vidgarc. L.) ;"
"Piptostegia Root, Piptostegia Pisonu Mart, so-called Brazilian
Jalap;'' "Botanicals of the Blue Ridge;" ^^ Coniuin macuJatuni L.,
and Aethusa cynapium L., an Adulterant; " and " So-called Syrian
Alkanet, Macroioinla ccphalotcs^ D. C." Manuscripts have been su])-
mitted for publication under the titles: ^^SantoUna chaeniacyparissuR
L., an Adulterant of Matricaria chamomilla L. ; " " The Structure of
Bemiuda Grass Compared with that of Triticum;" and " Somo
Effects of the AVar upon Crude Drug Importations."

Evidence has been obtained that the part of ipecac which is often
referred to as "stems" consists largely of the underground part of
the axis, more properly referred to as rhizome. The young and
smooth roots at times may also be considered as stem, since they re-
semble the rhizome rather closely in appearance. These parts, ^evi-
dently referred to by mistake as stem, were found to contain appreci-
able quantities of ether-soluble alkaloids. It appears quite probable
that the problem concerned with the utilization of this now rejected
but valuable part of the ipecac plant can be solved by modifying the
definition for ipecac to read : " The drie<l roots and rhizomes * * *."

The optical crystallographic properties of the cinchona alkaloids
have been determined, so that a new method for their identification,
even when present in small amounts if they can be obtained in crys-
talline form, is now available. An inquiry into the occurrence of
lead in pharmaceutical zinc oxid has been published. A paper upon
the preparation of sodium-p-hydroxyphenyl-arsenate, an intermedi-
ate in the manufacture of arsphenamine, and one entitled "A Review
of the American Patent Literature on Arsphenamine (Salvarsan)
and Other Arsenicals " have been issued.

A new method for detennining the toxic effect of various agents
aduiinistered over long periods of time in small dosage has proved of
service. Young rats are placed upon such a standard, adequate diet
as has been introduced by Osborne and Mendel and by McCoUum.
To the diet the substance under investigation is added, and the
growth curve of the young animals plotted. Disturbances of health
usually become evident when such growth curves are compared witli
those of normal animals. It is hoped that by this method it may be
possible to determine the lower limit of toxicity of many substances.
Such an investigation upon cadmium, which during the war it was
proposed to substitute in part for tin in solder and other alloys, has
been completed.

An extensive study on the toxic action of gossypol, a phenol found
in cotton seedj to which the poisonous action of some cottonseed meal

228 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

has been attributed, is in progress. Complete information on this
subject is necessary, in view of the recommenelations now being made
by various dietitians that cottonseed meal be used as food for man.
The optical crystallographic properties of gossypol have been de-
termined.

The description of a transparent celluloid renal oncometer or ple-
thysmograph has been published.

The services of the bureau's experts were furnished the scientific
division of the Shipping Board and the Tariff Commission, in con-
nection with the consideration of drug and chemical products.

PLANT CHEMISTRY.

Seeds of about 40 individual plants of the mustards, Brassica
cemtia and Brassica jmicea, grown in Illinois, have been examined
separately for essential oil. In general, the volatile oil content of these
seeds was much above the average, reaching in some cases 1.5 per
cent. Seeds of the varieties from which the largest yields of oil
were obtained have been planted at Arlington, Va., for further
study. Under the title " Capsaicin, the Pungent Principle of Cap-
sicum," the results of the study of the constitution of the pungent
principle of red pepper have been published. It has been possible to
produce synthetically a series of substances of marked pungency.

A report on the results of a survey on the caffeine content of the
North American species of the genus Ilex, under the title "Ilex
vomitona as a Native Source of Caffeine," is in press. Of the vari-
ous species examined, only Ilex vomitoHa, used since prehistorio
times by the Indians for the preparation of a beverage, was found
to contain caffeine.

Department Bulletin 773, " Chemical Analyses of Logan Black-
berry (Loganberry) Juices," has been issued.

To further the educational campaign to improve conditions in the
production of tomato products, which has been conducted for some
years, a paper on " Factory Investigations on the Manufacture of
Tomato Pulp and Paste " was printed in a trade journal.

Articles upon the determination of the distribution of nitrogen in
certain' seeds, upon the reduction of nitrates by seedlings, and upon
the effect of lime upon the alkali tolerance of wheat seedlings have
been published. Studies of pumpkin and squash seed have been
completed.

At the request of the Bureau of Plant Industry, the acidity of the
soil under certain special conditions was investigated.

For the Bureau of Biological Survey many samples of water from
North Dakota lakes were examined to obtain information regarding
the propagation of aquatic plants.

In cooperation w^ith the Bureau of Markets, an extensive survey
is being made on the composition of cotton seed from various sections
of the country. In addition to the analyses made in the bureau,
60,000 analyses have been obtained from. 27 other laboratories, and
arrangements to obtain from these laboratories similar analyses of
the 1918 crop have been completed. Studies begun some years ago
to determine whether the oil content of a given sample of seed could
be estimated from the density of the seed, or the weight per thou-
sand, and the like, factors of worth in the evaluation of barley,
have not yielded results of value.

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 229

FOOD FLORA, SPOILAGE, AND FERMENTATION.

References to the year's work upon the spoilage and the flora of
specific articles of food are made elsewhere in this repoi-t, where such
foodstuffs' are specifically considered. The general investigations
upon poisoning by spoiled food have been continued, and some of
tlie results embodied in two papers entitled, respectively, " Toxin
Formation by a Variety of B. hofulinus when Cultivated Aerobically
under Various Conditions: Its Possible Production in the Animal
Body^" and " Botulism from Canned Asparagus." In general, the re-
sults indicate that the strain of Bacillus hotulinus isolated from the
spoiled asparagus which produced fatal poisoning is capable of Avith-
standing the temperature used in the processing of canned goods by
methods in vogue for home canning or for commercial canning, that
the organism produces putrefactive decomposition, and that the prin-
cipal safeguard against poisoning from such types of organisms as
this lies in the scrupulous examination of every can of material to
make sure that no spoiled food is included in the portions eaten.

The study of the molds used in the oriental fermentation industries
has included several lines of experimentation. Soy sauce has been
made according to the methods emploj^ed in Japan. Enzymic studies
have been periormed with a bran koji made with Aspergillus Wentii
and various strains of Aspergillm ■fl<ivu8. The metabolism of this
group of organisms has been studied, especially the chemical changes
they produce in soy fermentation, and the formation of phenolic
substances. A study of Chinese red rice as produced by the growth
of Monasrus purpureus has been prepared for publication under the
title of " Laboratory Experiments on the Manufacture of Chinese
Ang-khak in the United States."

In connection with the studies to improve the manufacture of
pickles and prevent the losses that occur at present because of the
softening of the pickles during storage, arrangements have been
made with the Bureau of Plant Industry and with the Mississippi
Agricultural College to study the fermentable sugar content of dif-
ferent varieties of cucumbers. Cooperation has also been maintained
with manufacturers of sauerkraut, with a view to controlling the
temperature of the kraut as it goes into the fermenting vat, in order
to obtain more nearly the optimum conditions of fermentation than
has hitherto been the case. A report on the use of pure culture
starters in the preparation of sauerkraut has been issued. The Avork
on the preservation of foods by fermentation and brining has been
continued, and the information of value thus obtained has been trans-
mitted to the States Relations Service for demonstration in the field.
A report of the work is in manuscript form. A paper entitled "A
Preliminary Report upon Some Halophilic Bacteria " has been
printed.

The requests for cultures from the bureau's extensive and grow-
ing collection have been numerous, centering, in recent years, upon
the citric-acid-forming gi'oup of molds, the cheese-ripening fungi,
and those connected with the oriental fermentation industries. Many
routine identifications of cultures were made for various investi-
gators.

A communication was made upon the chemical analyses of bac-
teriological bouillons.

230 ANNUAL REPORTS OF . DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES.

Department Bulletin 750, "A Method for Preparing a Commercial
Grade of Calcimn Arsenate," and a communication on plants used
as insecticides, have been printed, while a paper describing the diag-
nostic characters of the field daisy, used as an adulterant of pyre-
thrum, is in press. Equipment to produce insecticides and fungi-
cides on a semicominercial scale has been secured, to the end that
ways and means to improve manufacturing processes and to devise
new types of useful insecticides and fungicides may be investigated.
In cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology, the possible value of
war gases as insecticides has been taken up. Phosgen and cj^anogeu
chlorid have been studied. The field men of the Bureau of Ento-
mology have been assisted in the work of controlling the boll weevil.

CONTAINERS.

The bureau was invited to designate a representative to serve upon
the Committee on Standard Specifications for Kitchen Ware, Mess
Equipment, and Flat Ware for the Army. This led to the examina-
tion of 61 samples of enamel ware from 26 different American manu-
facturers. The test most frequently used was made by boiling 500
cubic centimeters of 4 per cent acetic acid, the strength of standard
vinegar, in the vessel for half an hour. No antimony was dissolved
from 17 samples obtained from 9 manufacturers. Thirty-four ves-
sels, both white and gray ware, yielded to the solution from 0.5 to
2.0 milligrams of antimony. Lead was found in ware from only
one manufacturer. Earthenware was then examined, and in some
instances its glaze was found to yield to the acetic acid solution small
amounts of lead.

Analyses have been made for the War Department and the War
Industries Board of foil used to wrap food products and other ma-
terials. Some foil is pure aluminum, some is pure tin, while some
contains lead and tin, with the tin varying from 1 to 30 per cent.
Some of the composite foils appear to be allo^^s, while others con-
sist of an inner laj^er of lead covered by two layers of tin. In most
of the instances Avhen foil containing lead is used a waxed paper
wrapping is placed between the metal and the food product.

Except in the case of phosphorus matches, there are no Federal
laws to protect the public against the presence of poisonous sub-
stances in articles of common use in the household. Many foreign
countries have long had such legislation on their statute books.

Cooperation with the industry to ascertain what types of tin plate
are most suitable for food containers has been continued. Special
attention is being given to the best means of preventing the per-
foration of cans containing acid fruits. The results of the success-
ful trial in a tin mill under ordinary conditions of hydrogenated
oils in place of palm oil have been prepared for publication.

A paper dealing with the use of the impact tester for fiber board
has been presented, and work was continued on the improvement of
the water-resisting properties of fiber board for fiber containers,
both by substituting other adhesives for silicate of soda and by using
external treatments which will not interfere with the future use of
the stock. A report on the various kinds of water-resistant baling
papers was given.

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 231

COLOR INVESTIGATIONS.

The gencml plan of tlie color investigations which have been in
progress in the bureau for but a few years was first fully discussed in
the Report of the Chemist last year. This year it is possible to report
specific results.

Work upon photosensitizing dyes was begun at the instigation of
the War Department. The three important sensitizing dyes, pina-
cyanol. pinaverdol, and dicyanin, have been prepared and made avail-
alble. Preparations of these dyes have been distributed to those re-
quiring them, including photographic plate manufacturers and astro-
physicists, who have reported them satisfactory. A new dye showing
absorption further in the infra-red part of the spectrum than any
other known dye has been prepared. It may prove of great value to
physicists. New processes for the manufacture of these photosensi-
tizing dyes have been discovered and patent applications filed. Four
papers upon the chemical properties of and the methods for producing
these dyes and their intermediates an^l one upon their crystallographic
and optical constants have been published. As it is now possible to
establish in the United States this very small but scientifically ex-
tremely imix>rtant branch of the dye industry, steps to bring this
about are being taken.

The new method developed in the bureau for the production of
phthalic anhydrid by catalytic air oxidation is in successful commer-
cial use, and cooperation was begun with another manufacturer during
the year. Certain theoretical laboratory investigations remain to be
completed before a final report of the whole investigation can be
published.

From cymene a new photographic developer has been produced
and the process published. Studies upon the chlorination of cymene
are in progress. A report upon the preparation of 2-chlor-y-G-dinitro-
cymene is ready for the printer.

The sulphonation studies have progressed to such a point that
cooperation with the industry upon the sulphonation of benzene has
begun. Observations of great interast, especially on the sulphona-
tion of naphthalene, are in process of investigation. Reports have
been prepared upon " Some Difficultly Soluble Salts of Certain
Naphthalene Sulphonic Acids," and upon "A Method for the Quali-
tative Determination of Some of the Naphthalene Sulphonic Acids."

The laboratory and plant studies on the production of isopropyl
alcohol and its oxidation to acetone, undertaken for the Bureau of
Aircraft Production, have been completed. It seems probable that
the process will prove of commercial value.

Papers have also been presented upon the following subjects:
" Some Aspects of the Behavior of Charcoal with Respect to
Chlorin;" "A JVIethod for the Purification of Certain Azo Dyes;"
and " The Catalysis of Some Vapor Phase Oxidation Reactions."

The laboratory under construction at Arlington for large-scale or
semi-industrial operations, which was loaned to the Nitrate Division
of tlie Bureau of Ordnance during the war, has been released to the
Bureau of Chemistry and should be ready for occupancy during
the coming 3'ear.

232 ANJ^UAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

LEATHER AND TANNING.

Farmers' Bulletin 1055, " Country Hides and Skins," has been pre-
pared in cooperation with the Bureau of Animal Industry and Bureau
of Markets. Plans have been made to disseminate the information
contained in this bulletin widely through the county agents of the
States Relations Service, the distribution of posters, and the like,
in the hope that the very great waste of valuable raw materials that
now occurs because of lack of knowledge may be stopped. Papers
on the waterproofing of leather, on the relative absorption of oils
and greases by wet and dry leather, on the testing of materials for
increasing water resistance of sole leather, and on the suitability
of various solvents for the extraction of oils and greases from
leather were presented at various meetings of technical societies. A
farmers' bulletin on the care of shoes and harness is in preparation.
Assistance has been rendered the War Department and the War
Industries Board in regard to the waterproofing of leather and the
preparation of specifications for various kinds of" leather, the Post
Office Department on specifications for bag leather, and the U. S.
Shipping Board. Methods for the tanning of alligator skins have
been furnished the Indian Commission of the Interior Department,
Avhich contemplates the establishment of the industry among the
Indians of Florida.

NAVAL STORES.

The final report on the production of naval stores, including gum
rosin and gum turpentine, wood rosin and Avood turpentine, and
rosin reclaimed from batting dross, has been published, and put into
the hands of producers, factors, dealers, and consumers of naval
stores. This report shows the total production for the last season,
stocks on hand at stills on March 1, 1919. and total shipments from
stills during the period from April 1, 1918, to March 1, 1919. Re-
ports have also been made of the stocks of rosin and turpentine in
the hands of the consumers of naval stores and of the stocks in the
storage yards at the principal points of distribution in the country.
Assistance was given the Bureau of the Census in the preparation of
the schedule for naval-stores statistics and of the lists of naval-stores
producers.

Specifications on the properties, the sampling, and the laboratory
examination of turpentine have been prepared and submitted to the
Interdepartmental Committee on Paint Specifications for Govern-
ment Bureaus. Much investigational work was required in this con-
nection, because fresh virgin turpentine may not reach the minimum
limits formerly set for specific gravity and refractive index, while
turpentine taken from storage tanks in the South which have re-
mained partly filled for a year or more may exceed the limits previ-
ously set for these constants.

In accordance with the practice of the past to place glass types for
grading rosin at convenient points, a set of types has been deposited
on loan with the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Cleve-
land, Ohio, for the use of consumers and dealers in that vicinity.

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 233

PAPER AND FABRICS.

Assistance in the preparation of specifications for paper has been
given to the congressional Joint Committee on Printing, to the Post
Oflice Department, and to the Treasury Department.

The study of the waterproofing, mildewproofing, and fireproofing
of fabrics for farm use has been continued. A farmers' bulletin on
waterproofing and mildewproofing for farm purposes, as well as an
article on the general toxicity of soaps of heavy metals, alone and in
combination, to fungi occurring on textiles, are in preparation. A
paper entitled "Water Resistance of Fabrics" is in press.

Assistance has been given to the Office of the Quartermaster Gen-
eral and to the Chief of Staff of the Army on the preservative treat-
ment of fabrics and on the repairing and waterproofing of tentage.

METHODS AND APPARATUS.

Methods have been published for the estimation of theobromin,
of potassium guaiacol sulphonate, of citral, of mercury precipitated
as mercuric zinc thiocyanate, of zinc precipitated as zinc mercury
thiocyanate, of copper in insecticides, of zinc and copper in gelatin,
of tyrosine in proteins, of the loosely bound nitrogen in eggs as am-
monia, of the lower alkyl amines in the presence of ammonia, of
coumarin in factitious vanilla extracts, of iodin in mineral waters
and brine, and of the acidity of grain extracts. Report has been
made upon the use of benzaldehyde sulphite compound as a standard
in the quantitative separation and estimation of benzaldehyde and
benzoic acid, upon a method for the rapid analysis of mixtures of
chlorinated toluene, and upon the use of thymosulphophthalein as an
indicator in acidimetric titrations.

Methods ai-e in process of publication upon the determination of
bromid in mineral waters and brines, the estimation of monobro-
mated camphor in migraine tablets, the use of kaolin in tannin
analysis, the determination of water solubles in leather, the deter-
mination of caffeine, and the determination of the water resistance
of fabrics. Certain other investigations upon analytical methods are
referred to elsewhere in this report.

Descriptions of laboratory apparatus for rapid evaporation, and
of a new type of volumenometer have been published.

The bureau's machinery for the examination of supplies purchased
has been reorganized, and a paper on the general subject of labora-
tory apparatus was presented to the American Chemical Society.

ANALYTICAL WORK FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

For other executive departments and Government establishments,
17,392 samples were analyzed. This is a larger number than normal,
due to the fact that the various war agencies called upon the bureau
for nuich analytical work in the purchase of war materials, particu-
larly food, drugs, and leather. While it is not probable that the
number of samples analyzed for other departments and war agencies
will be as large in subsequent years, the indications are that it will
be noticeably larger than before the war, since many of the Govern-
ment agencies have found that a chemical test of materials purchased

151352°— 19 16

234

a:n^nual keports of department of ageicultuee.

aided them in determining and controlling the quality of such ma-
terials, and they will avail themselves of this service in time of peace
as well as in time of war.

In addition to the samples analyzed for the various departments,
as shown in Table 3, the bureau conducted extensive investigational
work on a number of problems for the various governmental agencies.

Table 3. — Samples analyzed for other departments.

Department.

Department of State

Department of the Treasury-
Department of War

Department of Justice

Post Office Department

Department of the Navy

Department of the Interior .
Department of Commerce . . .

Food Administration

GovCTnment Printing Oflace,
The Panama Canal

Num-
ber
of
sam-
ples

9,310
411
96
1,184
26
193
161
1
106

Department.

District of Columbia

Council of National Defense..

Shipping Board

Smitnsonian Institution

General Supply Committee. .

Allied purchasing boards

War Trade Board

Emergency Fleet Corporation

Total....

Num-
ber
of
sam-
ples.

14
25

7

8,9911
10
2

20,868

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS,

United States Dei'artment of Agsicultuke,

Bureau of Soils,
Washington, D, C\^ Septeinher 18, 1919.

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,
11)19.

Respectfully, Miltox Whitney,

Chief of Bureau.
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture,

SOIL SURVEY.

The war did not make itself felt in a decrease of tlie work done
by the Soil Survey before the spring of 1918. With no increase in
the field staff the area covered in 1918 was greater than the 3'^ear
before. In 1919 the effect of the war was shown in a decreased area
covered, which was a little more than 4,000 square miles less than
the area covered in 1918. During the closing months of the fiscal
year 1918 many members of the field staff entered the military serv-
ice, reducing the effective force to about two-thirds its normal
strength, at which pomt it was with difficulty maintained during
the greater part of 1919.

Detail surveys were made during the year in 27 States. In 22
of these the work was done in active cooperation with State or-
ganizations. The area covered in these States amounted to 27,456
square miles. In five States 4,532 square miles of noncooperative
work was done, the percentage of such work being slightly higher
during 1919 than 1918. The total area surveyed in detail during
the year was 33,988 square miles.

Reconnoissance soil mapping was confined during the year to one
area in the High Plains section of western Texas. This area com-
prised territory of an extent of 6,085 square miles.

The total area covered by detailed surveys in continental United
States up to June 30, 1919, amounted to 517,940 square miles.

The following tables give in detail statistics covering the opera-
tions for the last year and also a siunmary statement of the area sur-
veyed from the beginning of the work in 1899 to date.

Notwithstanding the fact tliat the work of the Soil Survey is not
directly concerned with production and that no funds were received
from the emergency appropriation, a certain amount of work bearing
on the prosecution of the war was done at the request of the War
Department in connection with the constructing of the progressive
military map of the United States- In large areas of the Coastal
Plain section of the United States the base maps prepared by the
Soil Survey were the most reliable maps in existence. All of the
published maps of this region were used by the War Department
and the base-map information contained in unpublished soil mai)s
was compiled and turned over to the Corps of Engineers. In ad-

235

236 ANNUAL REPORTS OF .DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

dition to this the areas for survey in Southern States during the
winter of 1918-19 were selected, at the request of the War Depart-
ment, in localities where there was greatest need of fundamental
information. Placing the areas according to this plan was done in
every case with the consent of the cooperating State concerned.

Individual areas surveyed and mapped during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919,

DETAILED.

State.

Area surveyed.

Square
miles.

Alabama .

California.

Delaware .

Florida .
Georgia.

Idaho
Iowa.

Kentucky.

Louisiana.
Maryland.

Massachusetts.
Mississippi

Missouri .

Nebraska.

New Jersey.
New York..

North Carolina,

North Dakota.
Oregon ,

Pennsylvania..
South Carolina.

Geneva County

Houston County

Marengo County

Brawlev Area

Grass Valley Area

Shasta Valley

Kent County

Sussex County

Duval County ,

Orange County

Butts-Henry Counties

Coweta-Fayette Counties ,

Green - Morgan - Putnam - Oconee
Coimties.

Madison County

Bannock County

Fayette County

Louisa County ,

Madison County ,

Mahaska County ,

Marshall County

Palo Alto County

Polk County ,

Wayne County

Winnebago County

Wright County

Logan County

Muhlenberg County

Sabine Parish

Carroll County

Charles County

Bristol County

Choctaw County

Lamar County

Simpson County ,

Smith County ,

Chariton County

Polk County —

Reynolds County

St. Louis County

Banner County

Cheyenne County

Redwillo\f^ County

Sheridan County

Sioux County

Bemardsville Area

Chatsworth Area

Chenango County

Wayne County

White Plains Area

Moore County

Vance County

Wilkes County

Traill County

Josephine County

Multnomah County ,

Washingt on County

Lycoming County

Greenville County

I Kershaw County

Spartanburg County

Teimessee i Meigs County

257

445

1270

315

12 114

220

U77

416

391

1605

527

704

1,346

3,179
164
396
563
128
573
561
582

1388

1296
106

1123
168

1631
390
464
165

1124

1252
575
369
768
149
578
116
240

1992

155

12,067

120

622

18 682

1664
123
864
639
279

1273
865
210
160
731
136

673

285

__..„ <200

1 These flgnres do not include portions of these areas surveyed in preceding years.

2 Area enlarged by 114 square miles.

« Reported as Toms River Area in 1918 report.

* 70 square miles surveyed in July, all included in fiscal year.

BUREATT OF SOILS.

.237

Individual areas surveyed and mapped during the fiscal year ended June SO,

1919— Continued.

state.

Texas.

Virginia

Washin??ton . . ,
West Virginia.

\yisconsin

Total.

Area.

Dallas County

Denton County

Erath Count y •.

Freestone County

Tarrant Count y

Pittsylvania County

Wenatchee Area

Braxton an I Clay Counties.

Webster County

Jackson County

Kenosha County

Outagamie County

Walworth Coimty

Area surveyed

Square
miles.

Acres

334

213, 760

»267

170,880

356

227,840

J 350

224,000

456

291,840

1611

391,040

600

384,000

849

543,360

»321

205,440

1328

209,920

274

175,360

nOT)

67,200

112

71,680

33,988

21,752,320

' These figures do not include portions of those areas surveyed in preceding years.
RECONNOISSANCE.

Texas Northwestern Reconnoissance...

6,085 3,894,400

Areas surveyed and mapped in the several States during the fiscal year ended
June SO, 19W, and the areas previously reported.

DETAILED.

Work dur-
ing 1919
(stjuare
miles).

Work pre-
viously

reported
(square
miles).

Total.

State or Territory.

Square
miles.

Acres.

A labama

972

45,631

961

11,934

19,229

2,809

1.704

1,186

10,815

22,199

3,109

6,770

11,062

13,185

9,016

3,898

13,022

2,197

5,934

1,494

5,708

5,301

23,142

29,794

882

18,660

235

1,411

6,195

596

17,771

28, 244

12,362

10, 102

6,540

2,679

15,129

330

1,085

46,603

961

11,934

19,878

2.809

1,704

1,779

11,811

25,062

6,288

6,770

11,062

16,942

9,016

4,189

18,653

2,197

6,788

1,659

5,708

5,301

24,462

31,405

882

22,234

235

1,411

6,399

596

19,422

29, 435

13,227

10, 102

6,540

3,780

15, 165

330

1,085

29,825.920
615 040

Arizona . ....

A rkansas

7, 637, 760
12 721 920

California

649

Colorado

1,797' 760
1,090,560
1,138,560
7,559,040

16,039,680
4,024,320
4,332,800
7,079,680

10,842,880
5,770,240
2,680.960
8, 737, 920
1,406,080
4,344,320
1 061 760

Connecticut

Delaware

593

996

2,863

3,179

Florida

C eorgia

Idaho

Illinois ■;

Indiana. . . ...

Iowa

3,757

Kansas

Kentucky

291
631

Miiiie

Mar viand

8.54
165

Michigan

3^653; 120
3,392,640
15,65.5,680
20,099,200
564, ISO

Minnesota .... !

1,320
1,611

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska ....

3,574

14,229,760

150,400

903,040

4,095,360

381,440

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

1,204

Nc w Me x ico

New York

1,651

1,191

865

12,4.30,080
18,838,400
8, 465, 280

North Carolina '

North Dakota

Ohio

6,46.5,280
4,185,600
2,419,200
9,70.5,600
211,200

Oklahoma

Oregon

1,101
36

Pennsylvania

Porto Rico

Rhode island

694,400

238

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Areas

rvcyed and mapped in the several States during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1919, and the areas previously reported — Contiiuiecl.

state or Territory.

Work dur-
ing 1919
(square
miles).

Work pre-
viously-
reported
(square
miles).

Total.

Square
miles.

Acres.

South Carolina.
South Dakota. .

Temiessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont ...

Virgiaia

Washington

West Virgin ie..

Wisconsin

Wyoming

1,322

200
1,763

61]

1,170
819

20, oaS

675

8, 725

29,194

1,951

1,175

9,102

10,152

14,845

15,408

855

Totil.

33,988

483, 961

21,880

675

8,925

30,957

1,951

1,175

9,713

10,752

16,015

16, 227

855

14,003,200

432.000

5,712,000

19,812,480

1,248,640

752,000

6,213,320

6,881,280

10, 249, 600

10,385,280

547, 200

517, 949

331,487,360

RECONNOISSANCE.

31,788
58, 000
32,135
39,960
53,064
39, 240
41,420
41,405
41,400
92,297
13,115
14,425

31,768
58,000
32, 135
39,960
53,064
39,240
41,420
41,405
41,400
98,382
13,115
14,425

20,331,520
37,120,(X)0
20,566,400
25 574 400

California . . .... ....

Nebraska

33, 960, 960
25,113,600

North Dakota

Ohio

26, .508, 800
26, 499, 200
26,496,000
62,964,480
8,393.600
9,232,000

Pennsylvania .

South Dakota

6,085

W^ashino'ton ....

Totil

6,085

498,229

504,314

322,760,960

Cooperative work with the Forest Service was carried on during
the year in certain studies in Utah, Arizona, and in a number of
Southeastern States. In the latter the work had especial reference
to the relation of soil character to kind and character of forest
growth. Information of tliis kind w^as desired in certain reforesta-
tion studies in the area of cut-over lands in the South. The work in
Utah and Arizona also was concerned primarily with the relation of
the soil to the growing of forest trees.

The study of the soil conditions on the public lands, in cooperation
with officials of the Geological Surve}^ engaged in land-classification
work, W'as continued through August, 1918, when the party assigned
to this work was called for by the Reclamation Service. This work
with the Geological Survey was concerned primarily with the prob-
lems of soil classification in the Great Plains States, and a great deal
of valuable information concerning the soils in the region was
obtained. The data will be useful in preparing a soil map of the
United States upon which the bureau and the Office of Farm Manage-
ment are engaged. Studies of the same character, independent of
the Geological Survey, were made in southeastern Utah and south-
western Colorado, late in the season after the forest-survey work in
Utah had been finished. .

At the request of the Eeclamation Service, Interior Department, a
party was assigned to the work of examining the soils of a number
of areas in Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona, with regard to the feasi-

BUREAU OF SOILS. ' 239

bility of extending a number of existing irrigation projects. This
work was carried on from the middle of August until midwinter.

The bureau also assisted the Bureau of Entomology of this depart-
ment in the examination of the soils of several areas in the grape-
growing sections of California, where the vineyards were suffering
from phylloxera.

At the request of the American Geographical Society, in whose
charge was placed the work of the House Commission for the Accu-
mulation of Geographic and Economic Information concerning un-
developed or imperfectly developed parts of the world, information
relating to the soils of Africa and Asiatic Russia was compiled. A
generalized soil map of Africa, based on existing literature, was
prepared and transmitted to the State Department.

At the request of the State Department, a party from the Soil Sur-
vey was sent in the spring of 1919 to Central America for the pur-
pose of making an economic survey of parts of Guatemala and Hon-
duras. The party finished its field work and returned to Washing-
ton in June. At the close of the year considerable progress had been
made in the preparation of a report covering the work done. An area
of about 12,000 square miles was examined.

The African coinpilation and the studies made in Central America
not only supplied the information desired by the institutions re-
questing it, but also gave results of much value to the Soil Survey.

An exhibit of the work of the Soil Survey was prepared during
the early part of the fiscal year, and during September and October
a man from the division, accompanied by repre.sentatives of certain
other bureaus of the department, visited a number of State fairs for
the purpose of presenting and explaining the work of the bureau.
Duimg the latter part of the winter a more elaborate exhibit was pre-
pared. This was sent abroad for use in the field schools of agricul-
ture maintained in France for the benefit of American soldiers.

Much advice and information by correspondence was given during
the year. This work was heavier than usual, owing to the country-
w^ide interest in war gardens, and involved the examination of a
large numl)er of samples of soil.

The work of studymg the truck soils of the eastern United States
continued during the yeai*, with some interruptions caused by emer-
gency calls to other work, such as the preparation of the exhibits for
the fair circuits and for the American soldiers in France. The field
work in the Charleston area was completed and the report prepared
for publication.

At the suggestion of the Railroad Administration the preparation
of a series of reports on the soils of cert^iin of the Southern States
was begun, and on June 30 considerable progress had been made on
the initial report of the series.

CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

During the fiscal year 1910 miscellaneous samples from other de-
partments, other bureaus of this department, outside institutions, and
private individuals have been analyzed or examined as usual. These
have included the alkali analyses of soils for the (ifeological Survey
and the Bureau of Standards, the examination of park soils for the
District government, cooperate tests of soils from the Arlington

240 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Farm for the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the examination of
numerous samples of rocks, minerals, soils, etc., supposed to be of
value as fertilizer.

During the earlier part of the year research work on the composi-
tion of soil types was continued, but later this was abandoned on
account of the rush of war activities. After the signing of the.armis-
tice work was resumed upon this subject. The ma"] or research activi-
ties of the Chemical Division, however, have centered about the
chemical and mineralogical nature of the materials extracted from
soils by treatment with water. A number of minerals have been
identified in these products and it has been shown that the evaporated
water extract of soils leaves a residue showing considerable resem-
blance to the Stassfurt and other natural saline deposits. A mate-
rial, provisionally called ultra clay, has also been obtained by these
extractions and its properties are now being investigated. These
lines of work, together with the study of the chemistry of the soil
solution, now well under way, are in certain respects unique and give
promise of important results.

The war activities consisted mainly of the analysis' of numerous
samples of zircon sands in cooperation with the Bureau of Mines,
the Geological Survey, and the Bureau of Standards. For some time
this work absorbed the whole attention of the division. The other
direct war activity consisted of the determination of the lime require-
ment and the preparation of various special soils for the Chemical
Warfare Section.

The head of the division, Dr. E. C. Shorey, resigned and a new
liead was not appointed until the close of the j^ear. During the
greater part of the year a large part of the personnel of the division
Avas detailed to the Fertilizer Division for war work on nitrogen
products.

FERTILIZER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS.

FERTILIZER CONTROL.

During the fiscal year 1910 the Division of Fertilizer Resources
Investigations worked in cooperation with a number of other gov-
ernmental agencies on problems directly or indirectly connected with
fertilizers. Until the signing of the armistice the division assisted
the Office of Fertilizer Control, furnishing technical information
regarding fertilizers, their sources, supply, and manufacture, and
advising on many problems arising in Government control. With
the cessation of active hostilities and the disbanding of the emer-
gency organization certain phases of the work upon which the Office
of Fertilizer Control had been engaged were placed in charge of the
Bureau of Soils and became a part of the duties of this division.

In response to complaints of farmers of the high cost of fertilizers,
an investigation was made of retail prices in the Southern and East-
ern States, where practically all the fertilizer used in this country
is consumed. In gathering these (lata the bureau was assisted by the
States Relations Service, working through its county agent organi-
zation. The results, published in circulars of the department series
and appertaining to conditions in the months of May and June, 1919,
showed not only excessively high prices in many parts of the country,

BUREAU OF SOILS. 241

but also striking inconsistencies between the quotations of dealers
in adjacent counties and even in different parts of the same county,
the disparity being much greater than could be explained away on
the ground of differences in freight rates.

It is believed that the publication of the information has tended to
equalize prices, or at least has put the farmer on his guard and shown
him that he can save much in the cost of fertilizer by judicious
purchasing.

Studies of the fertilizer trade also have been concerned with exist-
ing methods of comjmting the cost of manufacture, of establishing
wholesale prices, and of providing for distribution.

NITROGEN INVESTIGATIONS.

Work has been continued on the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen
in cooperation with the Bureau of Ordnance, Nitrate Division, of
the War Departjnent. This has involved three lines of investigation :
(1) The synthetic, or so-called Haber process for the formation of
ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen; (2) the preparation and use
of cyanamid for fertilizer purposes; and (3) the utilization of the
silent discharge at high potential for the production of nitric acid.
The first of these investigations had advanced to such a stage that we
were able soon after war was declared to be of considerable service
to the War Department in investigating their special problems, the
Ai'lington laboratory being put at their disposal for such purposes.
In the year just closed Avork along all of the lines mentioned has been
extended. At the invitation of the Fixed Nitrogen Research Labora-
tory, the men engaged in these investigations have been moved to the
American University to continue the work in cooperation with the
AVar Department.

PHOSPHATES.

Investigation of a method for the manufacture of phosphoric acid
by smelting the rock and recovering the acid from its gaseous state
has continued during the year. In the last report mention was made
of the results achieved with a specially designed furnace of small
size. This contrivance, itself tJie result of much experimental work,
is operated with fuel oil, and possesses the advantage over the electric
furnace first tried of being much cheaper to run. Experiments with
the new type of furnace are being carried out on a larger scale to
determine its commercial value. If the feasibility of this method
can be shown, its ultimate general adoption by the producers of acid
phosphate would seem assured, for the advantages — elimination of
waste in mining, production of a pure acid, and saving in the cost of
hauling an immense tonnage of inert material — are manifestly too
great to be ignored by those engaged in the business of phosphate
manufacture.

POTASH,

Investigations of the potash resources of the country have been
continued principally in connection with the recovery of the salt
from flue dust and its i^roduction from kelp. Many samples of the
dust from blast-furnace stacks and some additional samples from

242 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

cement plants have been collected and analyzed, and the bureau seeg
in this field the opportunity to produce much of the potash needed
in the agriculture of the country. Work is being done on the avail-
ability of the potash found in blast furnace and cement-plant fluo
dust. ^

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918, the kelj) plant at Sum-
morland, Calif., in charge of Dr. J. W. Turrentine, was in partial
o[;eration. The close of that year found this organization ap-
pioaching the end of its first year of operation. It was struggling
with many problems and difficulties, some of inherent origin and
some resulting from the national condition of a state of war. In
spite of these, however, the experiments and the investigations were
be nig actively prosecuted with a view to the determination of by-
products, the elaboration of processes for their recovery, the perfect-
ing of processes already installed, and the establishment of complete
cost and efficiency data regarding all features. These problems were
under full development. Organization and production had been
brought to a point where over considerable periods operating ex-
penses were approximately equaled by proceeds from sale of the
products dry kelp and kelp ash.

At the beginning of the new year, the problem demanding most
immediate solution was that of the large-scale leaching of kelp char.
This had to be done mechanically and by a nonintermittent process.
Processes devised by other concerns were either entire failures or
cumbrous and highly inefficient. Following plans drawn up in
tliis office and data established by experimentation here, a lixiviator
was constructed and installed and put into operation which repre-
sented the immediate and complete solution of this problem.

Following this, the evaporator equipment, already tested by inter-
mittent operation, was put into steady use, and high-grade potasli
salts became a daily product. Centrifugal and rotary, counter-
current, hot-air dryers were installed to reduce the potash salts to the
desired moisture content, and a material of high potash content and
of a satisfactory physical condition was thus established as a daily
product.

As in every other operation, a considerable period of time was con-
sumed in training our operating crew in the details of producing
potash salts and in studying the best method of operation of the
apparatus installed. Although the evaporator and crystallizer have
been in successful operation for half a year, the refinements of opera-
tion yielding potassium chloride of the highest degree of purity have
not yet been introduced. This being a matter of no immediate ur-
gency, it has been permitted to await a more favorable opportunity.

As a part of the problem of determining the various factors that
influence iodine with respect to its concentration and condition in the
various stages of its course from the wet, raw kelp to the mother
liquor from which iodine is precipitated, Prof. Merle Randall, of the
Department of Chemistry of the University of California, is making
a complete study of the composition of solutions; and, on the basis
of the results to be obtained, it should be possible easily to introduce
those modifications in process which will result in a grade of product
so high as to commend itself to the chemical trade and demand a cor-

BUREAU OF SOILS. 243

respondin^ly high price. No source of potash is known to us which
lends itself so readily to the preparation of a chemical grade of potasli
as does kelp. Every consideration demands that the highest grade of
potash pi*acticable be striven for.

A year ago it had just been established that the charcoal yielded
as a by-product by the lixiviator and remaining after the potash and
iodine had been removed possessed potentially high value as a
bleaching carbon or agent for removing coloring matter from a v.i-
riety of organic liquids and solutions not susceptible of bleaching
chemically. This was shown to be potentially as valuable as a mate-
rial formerly imported from Europe and selling at a price of 20 cents
per pound. Recognizing the possibilities which lay in such a by-
product, every effort was made both to determine definitely its bleacli-
ing power when applied to various classes of products and the best
method of its manufacture in satisfactory and uniform condition.
Neither problem is yet completely solved, as tests are still being
made here and also collaboratively by various commercial concerns,
both on laboratory and plant scale, and the ideal method of manu-
facture has not' yet been devised. However, the matter has pro-
gressed to the point where sales have been effected at 15 cents per
pound and production brought to the point where this product ap-
pears about to be able to pay the production cost of itself and of the
potash also, if not ultimately the operating cost of the entire
enterprise,

Certainh^ kelp char and potash combined should enable us to pay
all expenses ancl probably jield a profit.

It is definitely established that the process in its present stage of
development will yield iodine of a daily value of $50 to $75. It is
entirely probable that a nearer approach to the theoretical will bo
attained.

A further development of the crystallization method employed
should yield common salt of a degree of purity to warrant its sale as
such in the local market in quantity sufncient to represent a consid-
erable daily revenue and uet profit.

It is now definitely established by large-scale operations over a
l^eriod of months that the destructive distillation of kelp yields am-
monia in that form which makes possible commercial recovery-. P]x-
periments to date indicate no considerable loss of the nitrogen of keli>
in other forms. This fact, coupled with that of the simultaneous
production of combustible gas of a quality and quantity sufficient
greatly to reduce if not to eliminate fuel consumption (the main item
of expense) , in connection with the distillation, and of kelp tar, whose
subproducts, kelp oils and creosote, have been shown to be of value as
flotation agents and disinfectants, respectively, not only justifies that
process, but furthermore indicates the certainty wherewith these
products may be looked to ultimately to pay the operating expenses
of that process and to yield a profit besides.

A prospectus based on results as they stood June 30, 1919, is inserted
here as illustrating what is now expected as the results shortly to bo
attained as the outcome of the present stage of these experiments.
The conservativeness of the estimates should counterbalance the pro-
j)hetic nature of the statement.

244 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

PROSPECTUS OF VALUE OF PRODUCTS OBTAINABLE FROM 100 TONS PER DAY

RAW KELP.

Potassium chloride, 95 per cent :

2.5 toiis=150 units at $2 $300

Or 150 units at $2.50^ $375

or 2.5 tons cliemical grade at $250 per ton C25

Salt, NaCl, 95 per cent:

1 ton at $25 25

Iodine, resublimed :

20 pounds at $4 80

Aninjonia, ammonium sulphate, 95 per cent :

400 pounds NH3 or 1,600 pounds (NFDsSO* at $4 per hundredweight— 64

Or aqua ammonia 26° at 5 cents . $60

Bleaching carbon, Norit grade :

1 ton, 2.000 pounds, at 5 cents. 100

Or 2.000 pounds at 15 cents $300

Or 2,000 pounds at 25 cents 500

Total per day 569

25 days per month at $569 14, 225

Or, per year : . 170, 700

Attention is called to the fact indicated by this prospectus that
with potash selling at $2.50 per unit this plant could be made self-
supporting on the basis of potash alone.

We have set ourselves the task of realizing this prophecy, with
the exception of the production and sale of ammonia, within the
current fiscal year. Since it is believed that profit can be shown with-
out ammonia, in view of the limited funds at our disposal for the
current year and the expense (in materials, labor, and especially in
time lost) in experimentation with retort furnaces, and since the
full retort capacity will be needed for the production of bleaching
carbon, it would appear to be wise to proceed Avith all dispatch to
putting the plant on a producing basis with respect to potash, salt,
carbon, and iodine, and to look to these for proceeds and profits. We
believe that with these alone we can show a profit by the end of the
year and that this fact should justify the acceptance of our recom-
mendation that the enterprise be continued and enlarged until it can
show whether or not the various other by-products now under in-
vestigation can be commercialized and likewise whether or not the
process here employed is the most economical one.

In this connection it should be recalled that at the time the initial
authorization Avas enacted three processes Avere under consideration;
namely, (1) the destructiA'e distillation of kelp, the process now
under successful development here; (2) the fermentation of kelp;
and (3) the manipulation of kelp to yield feed materials and potash.
The second of these Avas subsequent!}^ tested on a magnificent scale
by a poAvder company, at the expense of scA^eral millions of dollars,
full details of Avhich are noAv in our possession and Avill be made a
part of the department's records. The third remains to be developed,
but preliminary experiments, both here and in France (the latter as
a Avar-time investigation to develop a neAv source of feed for army
horses), strongly indicate that it is entirely feasible Avhile obtaining
potash, to prepare a cattle feed in nutritive value of about the grade
of oats.

It is the purpose, then, during the year now beginning, to em-
phasize production and to bend especial effort toAvard the produc-

BUREAU OF SOILS. 245

lion on the plant-capacity scale of the main and side products yielded
by the process developed and now obtainable with the apparatus in-
stalled or about to be installed. At the same time, it is not intended
to discontinue researches looking to the development of other prod-
ucts and processes, but on the contrary to pursue them with all the
energy which the circumstances will permit. Effort is now being
made to secure the services, on a permanent basis, of a research chem-
ist who will reside here and work in the plant laboratory and give the
various research problems his undivided attention. The advantage of
a thorough laboratory investigation as the preliminary of any at-
tempts to institute plant-scale changes in processes is so marked and
its economy is so well recognized that it now seems advisable to await
fuller experimental data obtained on the smaller scale before pro-
ceeding on the larger scale.

The opportunity for other and more detailed researches on kelp and
kelp products is excellent. The field broadens tremendously as prog-
ress is made. A materially enlarged staff of chemical engineers, or
chemists and engineers, could be advantageously applied to the study
of these if funds and program warranted. It would be the greatest
mistake to permit the present opportunity to pass without a com-
plete study and solution of the more important of those.

SUMMARY.

(1) At the approach of the end of the second year of operation of
the experimental kelp-potash plant, by-products have been discov-
ered, developed, and their commercial obtainability established, which
afford every assurance that kelp is to prove a profitable source of
American potash, and that the department's work at Summerland
will result not only in its complete justification, but also in the estab-
lishment of a kelp-potash industry of a substantial nature.

(2) As the year's program it is proposed to produce as many of
those products as possible on a large scale in order to demonstrate
profits. It is believed that the end of the year will find the plant on
a paying basis.

SOIL PHYSICS.

During 1919 the regular research work in soil physics was largely
suspended, owing to the employment of the force on nitrogen fixa-
tion work, but the routine work of the division was carried on as
usual. The machinists were called upon to furnish a great deal of
special apparatus and equipment needed in investigational work on
war problems. Because of their special knowledge of the physical
factors involved, the larger part of the personnel of the division was
utilized in work on the synthesis and oxidation of ammonia, carried
on in cooperation with the Bureau of Ordnance, Nitrate Division,
of the War Department. The work done was of much assistance to
the War Department in solving problems involved in perfecting
l^rocesses for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.

United States Department of AcracuLTURE,

Bureau of Entomology,
Washington, D. C, August H, 1919.
Sir : I subiriit herewith a i*eport of the work of the Bureau of En-
tomology for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, following your
directions as to arrangement.

L. O. Howard,
Entomologist and Chief of Bureau,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture.

CEREAL AND FORAGE CROP INSECT INVESTIGATIONS.

Tlie work of this section, continued under the charge of Mr. W. R.
AValton, has been of especial importance during the past fiscal year.

European corn borer. — In the last annual report of the bureau
it was pointed out that this recently discovered insect, accidentally
imported from Europe and thoroughly established in a limited re-
gion in eastern Massachusetts, threatened to become a pest of great
importance throughout the corn-growing regions of the United
States unless immediate measures were taken to stop its spread.
Shortly after its discovery in 1917, it was shown to occupy appar-
ently an area of about 100 square miles in the immediate vicinity of
Boston. Later it was found in the Mohawk Valley of eastern New
York, and careful scouting work showed that by the autumn of 1918
it had spread over an area of some 400 square miles. Scouting work
in Massachusetts during the autumn of 1918 and the early spring of
1919 showed a distribution throughout 500 square miles of territory.
A very vigorous campaign, looking toward extermination, was begun
under State agricultural organizations; the New York Legislature
appropriated $100,000, the most of this sum being spent in the spring
of 1919, and it is believed that much good was accomplished. A
cooperative campaign was started in Massachusetts by Federal and
State authorities under a State appropriation of $50,000, and a con-
siderable part of the infested area w^as treated in the effort to pre-
vent the natural spread of the insect. A Federal appropriation was
asked for, but the bill failed to pass Congi'ess, and all of the work
done in the spring of 1919 was carried on with funds provided by
the States of New York and Massachusetts. The vulnerable point
in the insect's life history is in its hibernation as a caterpillar in the
stalks of corn and in the stems of other plants which it attach, and
there is a large list of these. Therefore the most effective work can
be done only when the insect is in hibernation; and by the failure of

247

248 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT' OF AGRICULTURE.

the Federal appropriation the opportunity for very effective work
was lost. The result was that, with the appearance of the moths
issuing from untreated or imperfectly treated areas in Massachusetts,
there was a spread at the end of the fiscal year, so that at the date of
the present writing the insect is known to occur over an area of 1,000
square miles, extending from the New Hampshire border on the
north to the towns of Marshfield and Brockton on the south, and
to the west into the towns of Lincoln and Wayland.

Much new and valuable information regarding the habits of the
insect was gained during the year, and several publications were issued
by Federal and State organizations, including a Farmers' Bulletin
(No. 1046) from the United States Department of Agriculture,
giving information as to the best means of destroying the insect in
its winter quarters. Several more or less effective means of destroy-
ing infested plants were discovered, and it is now being arranged
to put these into operation on a large scale immediately after the
expiration of the growing season of 1919. Fifteen trained entomolo-
gists are noAv investigating the habits and methods of destroying
this pest, and every possible effort w^ill be made to prevent its further
spread.

The Hessian fly. — The annual spring survey of Hessian fly con-
ditions has recently been completed and indicates plainly that this
w^ell-known pest is rapidly increasing in abundance in many locali-
ties, and has been responsible for a considerable amount of fallen
grain in the States east of the Appalachian Mountains, especially
in the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys. Reports from the
western half of the Mississippi Basin also indicate a distinct increase.
Warnings have been issued through the news service of the depart-
ment so that wheat growers may plant at the proper date in the fall
of 1919 in order to avoid loss.

The northern army worm. — The true army worm appeared in
numbers during late May, 1919, in northern Texas, and damage was
done to growing grains soon afterwards through Oklahoma, Mis-'
souri, Iowa, Illinois, and w^estern Ohio. The usual remedies w^ere
successfully applied in most of the infested territory. In eastern
Indiana a serious local outbreak was successfully handled by the
county farm advisers under advice from this bureau. In this case
the poisoned bran bait was used w^ith excellent effect.

The southern corn rootworm. — As a result of recent investiga-
tions, it has been found that in large portions of the States of
Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina corn planted before
March 31 or after May 10 is more or less immune from the attacks
of the southern corn rootworm. The Coastal Plain, however, from
southern Virginia to Florida differs, and no regulation of planting
time seems seriously to affect the insect in this region.

The ALFALFA weevil. — A successful method of spraying alfalfa
to destroy the alfalfa weevil has been found, and its efficacy thor-
oughly demonstrated in Utah. It is possible to apply this method
successfully at a cost not to exceed $1 per acre, and serious losses, even
to the first crop of alfalfa, can be avoided. This first crop, under
previous methods of control, was usually sacrificed. The large-
scale use of this method during the early part of 1919 resulted so

BUKEAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 249

advantageously that the method will undoubtedly be generally
adopted. The alfalfa weevil is at present causing much concern in
Colorado, and spraying work has been undertaken in cooperation
with the officials of that State.

GKASsiiorPERS. — Much valuable assistance in the form of personal
advice has been given to State and county officials in the successful
conduct of grasshopper extermination work throughout the States
of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, Cali-
fornia, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oregon, and Washington during
the sunnner of 1918 and spring of 1919. The loss of many hundred
tliousand dollars' worth of crops has been prevented as the result
of these activities.

Other inskcts ArFE( ting (eheal and forage crops. — Studies of the
joint worms have been continued with excellent results. Control ex-
pcriuients with the alfalfa-seed Chalcis have been carried on in coop-
eration with the Arizona Commission of Agriculture and Horticul-
ture in the Buckeye Valley of Arizona, resulting in an apparent
decrease of 15 per cent in the infestation and a net profit of more
than $-13 per acre in the experimental plot.

Experimental control work on the coulee cricket conducted during
the spring of 1918 was apparently successful, and the in.sect has mado
no destructive appearance during 1919.

Studies of the alfalfa caterpillar, the harvester ant, white grubs,
billbugs, wire worms, and the European sawfly in wheat have been
continued with favorable results. The last-named insect has been
watched with especial care, because it seems capable of doing con-
siderable damage to the winter wheat crop under conditions favor-
able to its multiplication.

STORED-PRODUCT INSECT INVESTIGATIONS.

Dr. E. A. Back has continued in immediate charge of this branch
of th3 bureau's work.

Corn weevils. — During the past year a laboratory has been estab-
lished at Orlando, Fla., lor the purpose of studying the biology and
methods of control of corn weevils. Enough has already been learned
of the biology of these insects to form the basis for control work.
At Athens, Ga., an office has been established in cooperation with
the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, from which expert
information regarding preserving corn from weevils has been dis-
seminated among southern farmers.

Bean AND tea weevils. — The great increase in weevil losses to Cali-
fornia-grown beans and peas during the past few years has led to
the establishment of a laboratory at Alhambra, Calif., at which the
causes for weevil increase and the methods of control are being inves-
tigated. The work has received the hearty cooperation of the bean
growers and warehousemen of the Pacific coast.

Flour beetles. — The biology of various species of flour beetles of
the genus Tribolium that attack flour in all warehouses throughout
the United States is being made the object of an especial investiga-
tion with headquartei-s at Dallas, Tex.

151352"— 19 17

250 ANXUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE.

FUMIGATIOX AS A CO>TROL METHOD FOR STORED-PRODUCT INSECTS.—

Experimental work to determine the usefulness of fumigation in
lessening or preventing the enormous waste taking place through
insect attack to stored goods in warehouses, though as yet extending
over only a short period, has yielded practical results of ^reat value.

ELECTRicrry as a control agent. — During the past year coopera-
tive work has been carried on to determine the effectiveness of elec-
tricity as a control agent in the suppression of insects in cereals in
package form. A commercial machine for sterilizing cartons of
cereals after the latter have been sealed has been installed in a large
cereal factory, Avith ever}' promise of practical value. Should expec-
tations be realized, the electrical treatment will result in great saving
both to producers and consumers.

Cold stor^\ge as a control measure. — The value of cold-storage
temperatures in preventing insect damage to warehoused products
has already been proved. Cold storage is being depended upon by
wdiolesale and retail dealers of certain classes of foods and other
products as the only satisfactory method of protection from insects.
Detailed data regarding the effect of low temperatures upon various
insects attacking stored products are being secured.

Household pests. — Investigation of household pests other than the
bedbug, flies, and mosquitoes, which was discontinued during the
war, has been resumed. Several pests that are believed by the gen-
eral pliblic to be limited to houses, as clothes moths, cockroaches, and
carpet beetles, have been found to be frequently very injurious to
valuable materials stored in warehouses throughout the countr3^

Inspection and intelligence service. — The arrangements made
during the war with the Quartermaster Department of the Army at
the port of New York, Avhereby the bureau has undertaken to make
frequent inspections of food and clothing supplies, proved so satis-
factory that they have remained in force and are being extended to
other food depots, not only of the Army but of the Navy. The pur-
pose of this cooperation is to keep the Quartermaster Departments
o:^ the Army and Navy informed, through inspections made by
bureau experts, not only of conditions of food supplies purchased and
deliAered at the warehouses, but also of their condition from time to
time during the storage period. Such inspections detect and lead to
the checking of insect ravages before the insects have had a chance to
multiply and cause great loss.

The dissemination of information regarding the suppression of
insects affecting stored food supplies and food products, which dur-
ing the past two years has monopolized the efforts of this branch
of the bureau work, is being continued, although the return to a
peace basis is making it possible to open up the new lines of research
indicated in preceding paragraphs.

DECIDUOUS FRUIT INSECT INVESTIGATIONS.

Investigations of the insects of this class have been carried out
under the direction of Dr. A. L. Quaintance, as formerly.

APPLE INSECT INVESTIGATIONS.

Codling moth. — Detailed life history studies of this insect, under
way for some years in different parts of the country, were begun

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 251

during the fiscal year in two new localities, ami much additional
knowledge, especially with reference to climatic conditions as affect-
ing severity of damage, has been obtained. Nmnei*ous localities
reported unusual injury to apples about harvest time, from recently
hatched larvae producing the so-called "sting," and there was con-
siderable demand upon Oie office for local studies of the life history
of the insect as well as investigations in orchards to perfect spraying
schedules. Tlie "sting" damage to apples in one State was esti-
mated to have caused a loss of $:^,000,000 and the sum total of
injury done by this pest in different regions represents a very heavy
tax on the apple gi'owers.

In Colorado, where work is being done in cooperation with (ho
State agricultural experiment station, tlie life history studies were
completed and the work was confined to orchards. In the Grand
Valley in this State codling moth losses have always been severe, and
many orchardists have been unable to obtain satisfactory control,
even by thorough spraying. Study indicates that this was duo
to lack of co-operation among orchardists thoroughly to spray over
a large area. Consequently arrangements were made with a number
of contiguous oiThardists whereby they individually agreed to spray
according to the department's reconnnendations, and thus try out
on a large scale the effect of uniformity of spraying ojxjrations over
hundreds of acres. This prevents the overflow of coclling moths from
poorly cared-for orchards into well treated orchards, and good re-
sults arc expected.

Cooperative work in the Rogue River Valley of Oregon has been
continued. The approximate dates when the- larvae of the different
broods enter the fruit have been established, and a sound basis has
been gained for a schedule of applications not only for apples but
also for pears.

In the Ozark region in Arkansas similar work has been continued,
and has been done coopei-atively with the Bureau of Plant Industry
on account of the importance of plant diseases in the orchards of
that section. It seems probable that in that locality dusting can not
be relied upon as a suostitute for spraying. There are three full
broods of the codling moth in this region and a partial fourth brood.
There is a distinct interval between the appearance of the first and
second brood larvae, but from that date on they are continuously in
the orchards. These life-history studies in this region have been
practically completed, and a sound spraying schedule will probably
be arranged by the close of the present season.

Work of this general character has also been carried on coop-
eratively in Delaware and in the State of Washington, and at the
bureau's laboratory at Wallingford, Conn., the codling moth has
also been studied. The insect in the latter region is much less
troublesome than in the central, southern, and western regions, and
it seems likely that a single thorough spraying at the time of the
falling of the petals will prove sufficient to protect the fruit.

Apple-tree and other borers. — The work with the apple-tree and
pear-tree borers has practically been completed, and publications will
shortly be issued.

Apple plant-lice. — Intensive work has been done with these in-
sects, especially with reference to the exact determination of alter-

252 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

nate food plants and the identity of certain confused forms. This
has involved an enormous amount of ^YO^k, and decisive results are
about to be reached.

In addition to the apple insects mentioned above, a considerable
number of other species which live in apple orchards have been
studied, but most of these are of lesser economic importance in the
general run of seasons. As it often happens, however, that one of
these minor pests becomes for a season or more very injurious, it is
necessary that the bureau should anticipate such outbreaks by secur-
ing thorough biological information.

GRAPE INSECTS.

The grape-bekry ]\r0Tii. — Vineyards were selected in several widely
separated sections of the northern Ohio grape belt to serve as object
lessons for vine^yardists and to give them personal instructions in
spraying effectively. It has been shown that the grape-berry moth
can be controlled by two applications of arsenate of lead in spray
form, leaving the fruit practically free from residue at picking time.
In certain cases a single application has been sufficient, but here
there were no surrounding badly infested vineyards. This indicates
that eventually a single spray in general will keep the pest in check.

The grape mealybug. — Full life-history studies of this insect have
been finished. Fumigation with cyanid of soda and with sulphur
fumes has been satisfactory in the dormant season at night, but
sulphur is considered the better. January has been found to be the
best time for this work. Spraying has proved less effective than
fumigation. A campaign of education among grape growers has
been begun to secure their cooperation in restricting the spread of
the pest on picking boxes and in other ways.

The grape Phylloxera. — In collaboration with the Bureau of Soils
of this department, a survey of Fresno County has been made to de-
termine the influence of the physical nature of soils on the degree of
infestation of vineyards by the Phylloxera. Interesting and valu-
able facts have been ascertained. Investigations have been made
concerning the best methods of disinfecting grape propagating stock
destined for shipment.

The grape sphinx moth. — An interesting instance of the value of
entomological knowledge occurred when this insect appeared in num-
bers in Tulare County during the fiscal year, over some TOO acres of
vineyards. The bureau's agent cooperated with the vineyardists, and,
at an outlay of about $12,000 for labor, spraying materials, and ma-
chinery, the grape crop, valued at $180,000, was saved.

A number of other grape insects have been studied and new biolog-
ical data ascertained.

NUT INSECTS.

Pecan insects. — Special attention has been given to the use of
insecticides in pecan orchards in Georgia and Florida. Arsenicals
are being tried in the form of dusts and sprays, and another season's
work should show conclusively the comparative merits of these two
methods. In Texas, the bureau has been especially interested in the
native pecan groves along river bottoms and elsewhere. In these

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 253

native groves satisfactory control is very difficult and insect injury
is quite severe; in fact, 90 per cent of the pecan crop here was lost
during 1918. Three species of insects are principally involved.

Insects injurious to walnuts, butternuts, etc., in the North-
ern States. — This work, especially with the walnut curculio, the
hickory curculio, and another species that attacks the leaf stems of
hickor}^, and with other species as well, has been taken up by the
bureau, with headquarters at French Creek, W. Va. A thorough in-
vestigation of insects attacking nuts other than pecan throughout the
country will be carried on.

cranberry insects.

In the last annual report the beginning of the work on insects in
cranberry bogs in the State of Washington was mentioned. This
work, in cooperation with the Washington Agricultural Experiment
Station, has been continued and important results have been reached.
On bogs badly infested by the blackhead fireworm satisfactory re-
suits have been secured from three applications at intervals of from
17 to 21 days between May 1 and July l*of nicotine sulplmte con-
taining 40 per cent nicotine used at the rate of 1 to 800, with the
addition of fish-oil soap at the rate of 2 pounds to each 50 gallons,
the spray being applied at the rate of 250 to 550 gallons per acre.
Of the spray nozzles tested that known as the Bordeaux appears to
be best suited. Growers have generally adopted this treatment and
are getting good results. Detailed life-history studies of this insect
are nearing completion, as are also studies of the cranberry root
weevil. It has been shown of this latter species that it can be con-
trolled by spraying the foliage during May and June with 2 pounds
of arsenate of lead to 50 gallons of Bordeaux mixture.

A general survey of insect conditions is being made on cranberry
bogs on the Pacific coast,, and it is hoped that by the close of the
season a report can be prepared on the principal cranberry insects
of that territory.

PEACH INSECTS.

Tests of paradichlorobenzene as a treatment for the peach borer
were continued through the growing season of 1918. Experiments
with this gas have now been carried on during a period of three
years in the peach districts of Maryland, Ohio, Arkansas, Virginia,
West Virginia, and Georgia. In some cases blocks of trees have been
treated two and three years in succession. It has been found that
three-fourths of an ounce or 1 ounce of the chemical per tree applied
in the fall after the moths have laid their eggs will result in the
destruction of about 95 per cent of the larva?. No injury has re-
sulted from this dosage to trees 6 years old and over. Younger
trees, on account of their thinner bark, have sometimes been injured.

Experiments as to the comparative merits of dusting and spray-
ing in the control of the plum curculio and certain peach diseases
have been continued in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant In-
dustry at Fort Valley, Ga., Agricultural College, Miss., and Ben-
tonville, Ark. The summer of 1919 has been an unusual one and
control measures have been put to a severe test. The dusting metliod
in a general way seems to compare favorably with spraying, even
under the worst conditions.

254 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

THE JAPANESE BEETLE.

The introduction and establishment of this insect in the vicinity of
Riverton, N. J., was mentioned for the first time in the last annual
report. The work of eradication and control has been vigorously
prosecuted in cooperation with the New Jersey State Department of
Agriculture. The operations have been materially enlarged, but in
spite of all that has been done the insect is increasing rapidly, spread-
ing over ncAv territory, and at the time of the present writing is per-
haps 150 per cent more abundant than at the same time last year.
Many experimental lines are being worked. Cyanid of soda in solu-
tion has been used to destroy the grubs in the ground, at the rate of
1 pound to 200 gallons of water and applied at the rate of 22,000
gallons per acre. While the beetles are flying, a wide barrier of
poisoned foliage is maintained as completely as possible around the
whole area of infestation. Where the beetles are most abundant they
have been systematically collected in hand net's. An active collector
can secure several quarts of the beetles in a da}^, and as each quart
contains 4,000 individuals, this method is important. About 1,000,000
beetles have already been collected. Plowing the soil infested by the
grubs and pupae appears to destroy them. It will be necessary to do
this kind of work very extensively in waste places and many areas not
under cultivation. Weeds along the roadsides have been burned to
destroy their food and render such places unattractive to the beetles,
thus reducing the danger of their being carried by vehicles, pedes-
trians, and so on. In the same wa}^, waste places along ditches and
other spots which can not well be treated with cyanid are being cleared
of weeds, and this work is being extended into the wide barrier of
poisoned foliage surrounding the area of infestation. Close study is
being made of the relative abundance of the insect in different parts
of the area and on the methods of dissemination, and a quarantine is
in force providing for the examination and certification of green
sweet corn going out to market, since the beetles penetrate the tips of
the ears and could thus be widely spread. A local citizens' committee
has been established, which is of greatest assistance in the work of
arranging cooperation of property holders with the agents of the
bureau and the State. The work is now well organized, and we have
a much better idea of the problem. It seems, from the rapid increase
and spread of the insect during the summer of 1919, that the work
must be greatly enlarged to be entirely successful.

INSECTICIDE INVESTIGATIONS.

At the various field laboratories tests have been made of many
proprietary insecticides in comparison with homemade articles.

Work on the so-called " Derris," an insecticide made from plants
of the genus of this name, has been completed. If this insecticide
can be obtained in sufficient quantities it will prove an important
addition to our list of substances that kill soft-bodied insects like
plant-lice.

Studies of the various arsenical insecticides, like arsenate of lead,
arsenate of lime, zinc arsenite, and so on, have been continued. Large-
scale feeding experiments have been carried on with caterpillars
and other insects. Experiments under different climatic conditions
with these substances have also been continued. Additional expe-

BURfeAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 255

rience confirms the conclusion reported last year that arsenate of
lime may be used in all situations as a substitute for Paris green,
and that it will also, for pomaceous fruits, prove a satisfactory sub-
stitute for arsenate of lead when used with lime or fungicides con-
taining lime.

It has been shown that nicotine sulphate is an unsatisfactory sub-
stance to use against the eggs of the codling moth in the field. Nico-
tine is, however, coming rapidly into use as an insecticide in other
ways, and the bureau has been trying to find a less expensive substi-
tute. The results already obtained are promising, Basic studies in
connection with this work have been made on the physiology of
injurious insects, especially on their olfactory organs, and a number
of publications have been issued on this subject.

NATURAL CONTROL.

Under this head, studies of insect-destroying fungi have been con-
tinued, especially a fungous disease of cutworms. An obscure dis-
ease of the so-called seventeen-year locust, or periodical Cicada, has
also been studied.

AVork with the ladybird known as Ilippodamia convergens^ in tho
Imperial Valley of California, has been continued in cooperation
with the California State Horticultural Commission, especially in
regard to certain nee<led changes in the method of handling the
insects. This work will be continued.

An especial study has been begun of the natural enemies of tho
plant-lice which are injurious to walnuts in southern California.

INVESTIGATIONS OF INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLE AND

TRUCK CROPS.

Work upon this group of insects has been continued as heretofore
under the direction of Dr. F. H. Chittenden. Under the necessity
for stimulation of food production much of the research conducted
on the less important subjects under this head was t-emporarily dis-
continued, and attention was especially directed to the important
staple crops.

SWEET POTATO WEEVIL ERADICATION AND CONTROL.

Continuing the policy of the fisciil year 1918, under a $50,000 allot-
ment for the eradication and control of this insect, intensive work
was done. The definite boundaries of infestation were established in
Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. More
than 30,000 farms were inspected during planting and harvest (since
at these times the presence of the weevil is most apparent), and the
infested properties were listed and mapped. Large-scale experiments
in control have been continued. In one large eradication project in
Florida, selected for demonstration since it embodies most of the
serious difficulties to be encountered, material progress has been made.
X\\ of the infested estates have been subjected to continuous super-
vision, contracts have been made with the growers for the destruction
of all seed potatoes grown on infej^ted land, and the scrupulous execu-
tion of these contracts has been rigidly enforced. More than 1 ,000,000
weevil-free sweet-potato draws have been distributed to growers by

256 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

cooperation \\ith. the Florida State Plant Board. This materially
aids in the eradication of the ^Yeevil without interfering with the
production of potatoes, since the contracts provide for clean culture
and a fallow period of six weeks prior to planting, together with other
rei3ressive measures. It is believed that as the result of this work
the end of the growing season will find this locality practicall}^, if not
completely, Aveevil free.

In Alabama, the infestation was found to be confined to a single
well-defined locality in Baldwin County, and excellent cooperation
has been secured with growers toward the application of all necessary
repressive measures. It is believed that this isolated outbreak will be
entirely cleaned up in another season.

In Mississippi the passage of a drastic crop-pest law materially
aided in the eradication measures, the establishment of a quarantine
rendering complete control of intercounty shipments possible. The
comparatively light infestation in this State has been mapped, and
a material reduction of the area infested has been secured.

In Louisiana survey work has been continued, and groAvers have
been visited and urged to apply methods devised by the bureau.
Reinspection recently indicates that gratifying results have been
reached in the majority of cases. A careful study has been made in
this State as Avell as in Mississippi of the other food plants of the
morning-glory group, especially the large-rooted perennial morning-
glories, and a number of chemicals have been tested as weed killers,
to be used against these wild food plants.

In Texas, 85 counties have been found infested with the weevil,
which has been. distributed apparently largely through commercial
growers of slips shipping from the Gulf and south-central portions of
the State. There is no law in Texas controlling the shipment of
infested plant material, which is a serious draAvback to the control
of the w^eevil in that State. The fact that salable sweet potatoes can
not be produced in some of the coast counties has helped the wide-
spread distribution of the weevil, as draws grown from unsalable
stock often prove more profitable than the growing of tubers. Life-
history studies at Kingsville, Tex., showed at least six generations of
the w^eevils annually, indicating an enormous rate of increase.
Spraying experiments at this point have reduced infestation from
44.51 per cent to from 2.88 to 12.18 per cent.

INSECTS AFFECTING POTATO, TOMATO, AND ALLIED CROPS.

The potato aphis, an unexpected pest which made its appearance
in 1917 and again in the early summer of 1918, was experimented
Avith on into July, 1919. The use of nicotine sprays at increased
strengths demonstrated practical control in Maryland, New Jersej^
and Maine.

The spinach aphis, Avhich has during recent years become trouble-
some as a potato pest, and Avhich also affects cabbage, beets, lettuce,
and other staple vegetable crops OA^er a still wider range of territory,
has been the subject of continued investigations along the Atlantic
coast. A ncAV station in the Aroostook region in Maine, a great
potato center, has been established for the study of the Colorado
potato beetle, the potato flea-beetle, and other potato pests. An in-
vestigation of the spread of the Colorado potato beetle on the Pacific

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 257

coast has been conducted. The infested localities have been mapped
and a campaign has been begun to spread a knowledge of the ini-
portance of control measures.
Other potato insects have been studied in Wisconsin and Iowa.

INSECTS AFFECTING GROWING BEANS AND PEAS.

The bean ladybird has recurred in numbers in Colorado and New
Mexico. Experiments have shown that it can' be controlled with
lead arsenate and zinc arsenite sprays.

The enormous plantings of beans in southern California, owing to
war conditions, resulted in serious injury to the crop from the corn
earworm, and investigations of this insect under these conditions
liavc been made. The tremendous spread of this crop resulted in
the great multiplication of the insect, and with the reduction of the
benn acreage this season serious danuige will very likely result from
the abundance of the pest.

The pea moth, an iuiportcd pest already well established in Can-
ada, has made its appearance in injurious numbers in Wisconsin,
Avhere it seems to be greatly increasing in number, necessitating ad-
ditional investigations of its life history in order that a sound
remedy may be established.

INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CABBAGE AND ALLIED PLANTS.

An investigation of the wentern cabbnge flea-beetle, a pest of much
imj^ortance in the AVestern States, has been completed, and the
results are available for innnediate publication.

The harlequin cabbage bug, after one of the periods of inactivity
in the North which have several times been noted, is likely now to
reinfest its northern range at any time, and an emergency bulletin
on methods of control has been prepared.

An imported horse-radish pest, hitherto known as injurious only
in Canada, has made its appearance in destructive numbers in Vir-
ginia, and is being studied. It will live on other crucifers, and if not
controlled may become a pest of much importance.

SUGAR BEET INSECTS.

Work on the sugar beet leaf hopper, which is the cause of the
malady known as "curly-top," was terminated at Spreckles, Calif.,
and the station was removed to Riverside that the study of certain
j)oints in the life history of the insect and the relation of tempera-
ture and humidity to its development might be completed. A con-
siderable percentage of parasitism has been observed during the
vear.

OTHER TRUCK CROP INSECTS.

]\fuch good work was done with a number of other insects, includ-
ing the onion thrips and the onion maggots, the melon aphis, several
strawberry insects, and others. A notably good result was obtained
in the case of the celery leaf -tier, since it was demonstrated that it
could successfully be controlled by spraying with arsenate of lead
at the rate of 1 pound to 50 gallons of water, the first spray to be
made when the eggs are hatching and repeated every two weeks as
long as the " worms " are to be found. This was accomplished at a
cost, for labor and material, of $2.35 per acre.

258 ANNUAL REPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGrJGULTUKE.

INVESTIGATIONS OF INSECTS AFFECTING FOREST RESOURCES.

The work in forest entonioiogy has been continued during the past
year under the direction, as before, of Dr. A. D. Hopkins. The
results accomplished by this section of the bureau deserve especial
mention and justify the expenditure of a larger sum of money in this
direction.

WESTERN FIELD WORK.

An especial investigation of the insect damage to crude spruce
i:>roducts for airplane stock in the States of Washington and Oregon
showed that the greater part if not all of the damage could be pre-
vented by proper methods of logging and production with little or no
additional cost.

Exhaustive studies of insect investigation and control were con-
tinued in the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. Much new in-
formation has been gained, and the methods of gathering and com-
piling field data have been standardized.

A special stud}^ was completed on the interrelation of forest fires
and insects on an area of about 8,000 acres in southern Oregon. This
area had been imder observation since 1914, and the fire had burned
over about 800 neves in 1918. The records show that previous to the
fire the insects had killed 485,000 board feet of timber. The fire
killed 170,000 feet, and subsequently the slightly fire-injured as well
as tlie uninjured trees in the burned area were killed by beetles,
Avhich were attracted from the surrounding areas. It was noticed
that the infestation in the burned area increased more than 1,000 per
cent, but it was found that the infestation in the surrounding areas
decreased. It was also found that the broods of the beetles in the fire-
scorched trees failed to develop to much beyond the original number
that attacked the trees. So the fire did not contribute to an increase
of the beetles in the general area or to the starting or extension of an
epidemic of beetles. This result is of extreme interest and hardly to
be expected.

The most careful study ever made of the history of an epidemic
infestation by tree-killing beetles was completed and a report sub-
mitted during the year. In the Rogue River area in about 48,000
acres near Ashland, Oreg., the western pine beetle in 1914 caused
the death of 34G,000 board feet of pine timber. In 1915, 1,615,000
board feet Avere killed ; 1,383,000 feet in 191G ; and 608,000 in 1917.
A count of the young and matured stages of the beetles that de-
veloped in an average foot of bark, and also of the number of exit
holes through which the beetles emerged to attack other trees, showed
that there was a notable decrease in numbers during the develop-
ment of the broods each year in the infested trees on account of the
increase of natural enemies and other disturbing factors. This helps
explain why these beetle epidemics rise and fall within a limited
period of years, and it explains how the western forests of j^ellow
pine are naturally protected from total destruction. These facts are
especially significant in connection with the application of the
percentage principle of control, as by aiding the natural forces which
work against the abnormal increase and spread of the beetles com-
plete control may be gained. The history of this epidemic shows the
importance of prompt recognition and prompt treatment of a threat-

BUREAU CF ENTOMOLOGY. 259

ened outbreak in order to prevent the gi-eat loss of tiiuber which
would occur before natural control became operative.

Another special study was made of the number of all statues of
the western pine beetle in 330 square feet of infested bark selected
from 67 trees, which represented an average infestation within an
area of approximately 30 square miles. It was shown that there is
a large percentage of mortality between the young and matured
stages in the developing broods, but that normally an average of
about 150 beetles to the square foot of bark developed to the adult, or
reproductive, stage; which would be 50,000 beetles to the average in-
fested tree, or, say, 39,000 beetles to 1,000 board feet of timber. Sinc3
it requires an average of about 10 beetles to the square foot to attack
and kill a vigorous, healthy tree, it will be seen that all the pini>>
timber of the western forests would soon be destroyed were it not for
natural and artificial control.

Experiments to determine the time of year to cut and tlie method i
of handling mesquite for fuel, posts, etx»., to avoid destruction by
wood-boring insects, have been nearly completed, and the result >
show that serious loss in the Southwest can be prevented by cuttin;;
the trees in the late fall and early winter ancl piling the wood ia
loose piles until it is thoroughly dry. Damage to posts can be pre-
vented by cutting them at any time and laying them on the ground
where they will receive the full force of the sun, turning them occa-
sionally so that the young stages of the borers will be killed by tlij
heat.

Studies of damage to lead telephone cables in California by a
wood-boring beetle have been continued, and the results so far sho^/
that the beetle is able to penetrate alloyed substances that are cor.-
siderably harder than lead. The problem is still unsolved, and it
will be difficult to find a practical means of controlling this pest,
which is able to put hundreds of telephones out of commission by
boring holes in the cables, through which the water enters, rendering;
the wire connections useless until the place is found and repaired.

EASTERN WORK.

Continued experiments with chemical substances applied to fin-
ished and crude forest products show that very few of the many
substances that have been tried are effective, and, with crude products,
none of them are so economical as simple and inexpensive manage-
ment in logging and manufacture which will render the conditions
of the bark and the wood unfavorable to attack.

Continued studies of termite, or white ant, damage to the wood-
work of buildings has led to the discovery that one of the most
destructive species can not live if deprived of moisture in ground
or foundation timbers ; thus it is possible to prevent serious damage.

Investigations of shade-tree insects have continued, and there has
been much correspondence about insects of this class.

The recent appearance of the so-called seventeen-year locust, or
periodical cicada, has given an opportunity for detailed study of
certain points, and motion pictures have been made.

STUDIES OF THE BIOCLIMATIC LAW.

. A law of latitude, longitude, and altitude as a guide to practice in
fighting insects, and of value in the practice of agriculture, was first

260 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE.

worked out by Dr. Hopkins, the chief of this section, in relation to
forest and other injurious insects. It has proved, however, of such
wide application that he has worked upon its various aspects with
much assiduity. Extensive studies of the advance of the spring
season were carried on over a large portion of the United States, and
over 19,000 records of periodical events in plants and insects were
made in the East. The most im^Dortant result of this special study
of the advance of spring is in .the almost complete verification of
evidence in support of the law that has been formulated from a
l^receding study of 40,000 records of reported dates of wheat harvest
and of records of altitude limits of life zones. Applications of this
law appear to be of great value in the study of all problems relating
to periodical farm practice, the warfare against insects among others.

TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUIT INSECT INVESTIGATIONS.

This branch of the bureau's investigations is under the charge of
the assistant chief of the Bureau, Mr. C. L. Marlatt,

Investigatio>:s of insects affecting citrus fruits in Califor-
nia.— A considerable portion of the time of the investigators as-
signed to this project has been devoted to extension work in connec-
tion Avith the efforts to stimulate production as a war measure. The
research work of this station has been continued with respect to
the investigation of the availability of liquid hydrocyanic acid
for the fumigation of citrus trees and the control of citrus mealy-
bugs and the Argentine ant. For the purpose of experimentation
Avith the liquid hydrocyanic acid, a 600-acre citrus ranch at Orange
was placed at the disposal of the agents of this department, and
veiy careful records have been kept on the subject of dosage, ex-
posure, and effect of meteorological and soil conditions, and also of
previous insecticidal treatments. Paralleling these orchard experi-
ments, certain necessary physical and chemical examinations have
been made of the liquid cyanid, involving the examination and analy-
sis of over a hundred cliff erent samples to determine variation in
the chemical composition and the causes of such variation, involving
both methods of production and impurities. This investigation has
resulted in the determination of proper dosage tables for effectiA^e
use against the different scale insects infesting citrus trees under the
different conditions outlined — tables Avhich have been published and
are noAv available and are being generally folloAved in orchard Avork
in southern California.

The control of the Argentine ant, Avhich has rapidly spread dur-
ing the last feAY years in the citrus districts in California Avith the
resultant large increase of damage by mealybugs, AAdiich it harbors
and distributes, has been continued and a more efficient ant poison
has been developed especially in its application to the dryer condi-
tions.of California. Demonstrations Avith this poison in the control
of ants and the attendant mealybugs have been made at the A^arious
places in the principal citrus-producing counties of California. A
method of control of the citrophilus mealybug, Avhich has recently
become a very serious pest in limited regions of the citrus belt of
California, by banding and the use of ant poisons, has been de-
veloped Aviiich has resulted in one of the most notable successes in

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 261

insect control clone in the State. This method of control has practi-
cally eliminated this mealybug from upward of 500 acres near Up-
land, Calif., and, in fact, over most of the district infested by this
insect, and for the first time in years the owners of these orchards
arc able to sell their fruit in prime condition at the highest market
price. This method of control will be rapidly extended os'er the en-
tire infested district.

In connection with the investigation of the two principal mealy-
])Ug enemies of citrus plants in southern California, the parasitic and
predatory enemies of these insects have been further investigated as
also the symbiotic relations of those insects with the Argentine ant.

Tlie department lias cooperated with the California authorities in
the determination of the best methods of exterminating the Europsan
snail {Helix jrlsana) which has become established in a small canyon
or district near San Diego. As a result of this investigation and of
various conferences the method of control now being carried out by
the State is the burning over of the district with torches fed with
oil under pressure totally to destroy the vegetation. This snail was
possibly introduced by some foreigner familiar with its food value
\\\ Europe, without thought as to its tremendous possibility for harm
to cultivated crops.

Citrus fruit insects in Florida. — The work under this project
during the year has been largely limited to demonstrational work in
the aid of increased production. Spraying demonstrations have been
conducted widely throughout the State. A revised schedule for
fumigation and treatment of trees to prevent insect injury has been
worked out for the grapefruit, and a Farmers' Bulletin (No. 1011)
has been issued entitled "'The Woolly White Fly in Florida Citrus
(h'oves." Some special lines of investigation have had to do with
the stabilizing of insecticides especially wJiere the only water avail-
able is obtained from deep wells containing a large percentage of
mineral elements which more or less affect the stability of certain
emulsions and other insecticides. The work in Florida has had par-
ticular relation to the citrus white fly, the rust mite, and the com-
mon Florida scale insects. The work in the control of citrus pests
in Florida has shown the greater availability of liquid sprays over
the fumigation methods commonly followed on the Pacific coast.
During the last two years, however, considerable demonstration w^ork
has been done v^ith fumigation in Florida by a private concern, the
results of which have been carefully examined by the expert of this
department as a protection to citrus growers and to determine that
any claims made are fully justified.

TN^T.STIGATIONS OF INSECTS AFFECTING MANGO, GUAVA, AVOCADO, AND

OTHER SUBTROPICAL FRuiTs.-^Tlic maugo and avocado and other fruits
mentioned under this heading are being commercially developed on
a considerable scale in southern Florida. A station jfias been estab-
lished at Miami in cooperation with the Office of Foreign Seed and
Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry of this depart-
ment to investigate the peculiar insect enemies of these fruits. Due to
the proximity and commercial connections of southern Florida with
Bermuda, the West Indian Islands, and Central America, this region
is especially open to invasion by important fruit pests, and several of
these have already gained entrance. One feature of the project,

262 AN^^UAL REPORTS OF DErARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

therefore, is to cooperate with the Federal Horticultural Board in
safeguarcling against further introductions of such insects from the
sources named. The work of the last year under this station has
had particular relation to several important insect enemies of the
aA'ocado. Alread}^ effective means of control of the principal avocado
insects have been devised, notably with respect to leaf -infesting mites,
to species of thrips, and several scale insects. Work has also been
done with respect to insect enemies of the mango and the papaya.

Studies of greenhouse insects. — Under this project, life-history
studies and methods of controlling the chrysanthemum midge, a very
important injurious insect of this plant in eastern greenhouses, have
been completed and presented for publication. A bulletin (Depart-
ment Bulletin 778) has also been published during the year giving the
life history and methods of controlling the rose midge. Work has
also been done with respect to the effective utilization of various in-
secticides and in the general problem of fumigating plant houses.

Mediterranean fruit fly and :melon fly. — This work is a con-
tinuing one, and has been carried on at the bureau's laboratory in
Honolulu. The research features of the work have consisted in fur-
ther studies of control b}^ the agency of parasites and natural enemies.
The principal work, however, has remained as heretofore in the in-
spection and certification of bananas, pineapples, taro, and coconuts
for shipment from Hawaii to the mainland of the United States.

" GEOGRAPHICAIi DISTRIBUTION OF FRUIT FLIES. The WOrk Uudcr tllis

project has for its special object the surve3^s of districts contiguous to
the United States, from wdiich the importation of fruit and plants
may be the means of introduction of fruit flies a,nd other enemies of
important fruit crops. During the past fiscal year the field work
under this project has involved explorations of the Panama Canal
Zone, British Guiana, and the West Indian Islands of Barbados,
Trinidad, Tobago, and Grenada, continuing the work which was done
the previous year in Cuba, Jamaica. Dominican Republic, and the
Virgin Islands. In the course of this work a great many insects
have been collected and studied of known or potential economic im-
portance and in addition a very considerable miscellaneous collection
of insects has been made. The investigations were conducted in plant
gardens maintained by the local departments of agriculture of the
different islands and such general surveys as were^possible within
the time limits. Particular attention has been paid throughout the
work to fruit flies, scale insects, and such other pests as are particu-
larly likely to be carried from country to country by traffic in fruits
and plants. A good portion of the time of the expert engaged in this
work is necessarily devoted to the identification of the material col-
lected and the working up of results.

Investigation of fruit flies ant) other tropical and subtrorical
FRiriT insects in the Canal Zone, Panama. — This is a new project
which has been established in cooperation with the authorities gov-
erning the Panama Canal Zone and the Federal Horticultural Board
to study the important insects infesting tropical and subtropical
fruits, cultures of which are being developed under the encourage-
ment of the Government authorities in the zone. The impoi-tance
of this investigation is due to the fact that the several important

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 263

fruit flies and other tropical and subtropical fruit insects arc now
established in tlie zone, and to the further fact that the zone is more
or less of a world's crossroads, i; e., a place where insect pests from
remote places may be carried through the agency of conunerce and
easily gain lodguient, later, perhaps, to effect entry into the main-
land cultures, tropicid and subtropical, of the United States. This
work, now in progress for one year, has developed useful informa-
tion. Much work has been done in connection with the so-called
black fly of citrus and other plants, which has become established in
the Canal Zone and in the West Indies, and which a very determined
effort is being made to exclude from the southern United States. A
considerable number of other important injurious insects have al-
ready been discovered and have been the subject of studies. Among
these are no less than four different kinds of fruit flies. There have
been found in the Canal Zone also a number of insects which very
injuriously affect commercial woods and wood structures. Termites
are very important subtropical insects found in the Canal Zone.
Sevejal of these are abundant in the State of Panama and several
liave been found in the Canal Zone, some of which are very destruc-
tive to garden crops. The entrance of some of these into the United
States would be followed by great injuries. The number of subjects
which have been investigated at this station is already enormous,
and a very convincing showing has been made of the need of keeping
constantly in touch with the plant cultures and insect enemies in this
district as a means of benefiting local production, but pailicularly as
furnishing information on which any necessary protective actioii in
the interests of the United States may be taken.

WORK ON THE GIPSY MOTH AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH.

This work has l>een continued under the supervision of ^Ii\ A. F.
Burgess, with headquarters at Melrose Highlands, Mass.

For the first time since the bureau began work to prevent the^
spread of these insects, it is possible to report a substantial decrease
in the infested territory. This amounts to 1,824 square miles pre-
viously infested with the gipsy moth and 5,385 square miles by the
brown-tail moth. Twenty-eight towns in New Hampshire, 6 in Ver-
mont. 8 in Massachusetts, and 10 in Connecticut, 52 towns in all,
were found to l>e free from gipsy moth infestation and were elimi-
nated from the quarantine area this year. There is now under
quarantine on account of the infestation by the gipsy moth 20,747
square miles in New England. Isolated colonies of the gipsy moth,
which were found in previous years in New York, Ohio, New" Jersey,
and the western part of Massachusetts, have again been carefully
examined but no infestation found. There seems to be no reason-
able doubt that the insect has been exterminated in these colonies.

The decrease in area infested with the brown-tail moth includes
34 towns in Maine, 58 in New Hampshire, 6 in Vermont, 37 in
Massachusetts, and 10 in Connecticut, a total of 145, embracing an
area of 5,385 square miles which was released from quarantine this
year. There are now quarantined on account of this insect 28,752
square miles.

264 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Field control avokk. — The field Avork has been carried along on
the same general lines as in previons years. As the sconting of the
border area failed to reveal infestations in many towns, it was pos-
sible to devote more time and effort to the control of bad colonies
located on exposed places in towns inside the border. Work of this
character is exceedingly important, as it tends to reduce the oppor-
tunity for small caterpillars to be spread by the wind and helps to
prevent new infestations from becoming established outside the
border and in the area which has been cleaned. Scouting was car-
ried on in 130 towns, and in a number of these tow^ns the work was
checked up by special scouts, known as trailers, to determine whether
Qgg clusters were being missed. This method is constantly employed
in order to keep the work on an efficient basis.

In the fall of 1918 several tons of gipsy moth banding material
was prepared at the field storehouse at Franklin, N. H. About 4
tons of this material was applied to the trees early in the spring, and
excellent results were secured. During the winter five of the liorse-
drawn spraying machines were concerted into motor-propelled out-
fits and there were available 12 motor-truck sprayers and 7 horse-
drawn machines, with the necessary hose, nozzles, and other acces-
sories. These machines were distributed along the infested border
and work w-as taken up as soon as the foliage was large enough to
be sprayed. For the first time since the work began, dry arsenate
of lead was used instead of paste. The results were satisfactory;
and more of this material will be used in the future if the price is
as favorable as is that of the paste form.

Spraying was carried on in 36 towns as follows: New Hampshire,
25; Massachusetts, 3; Ehode Island, 4; Connecticut, 4; 3,280 acres of
infested woodland w^as sprayed; also 6,800 fruit and shade trees.
This work in the border territory was greatly facilitated by the
spraying carried on by the State entomologist in Connecticut. The
work Avas arranged so that one motor truck furnished by the State
and one horse-drawn sprayer treated the infestations in a number of
towns.

Experimental work.— In the fall of 1918 many sample collections
were made to determine whether the severe winter had adversely
affected the imported egg parasites, namely, SchecUus huvanac and
Anastatus hifasciatus. The results indicated that Schedius had not
been able to survive the winter in New Hampshire, except possibly
in a few of the more favorable locations. This species was also very
scarce in Massachusetts, except in the southern part of the State.
Anastatus came through the winter in better condition, although its
numbers were decreased somewhat. Owing to these conditions, plans
were immediately made to colonize large numbers of both species dur-
ing the fall and Avinter.

Five million specimens of Schedius were colonized in Massachusetts
and New Hampshire in the fall of 1918, and 10,000,000 specimens of
Anastatus were colonized in the spring of 1919; 2,016 colonies of
the latter were liberated in Massachusetts, 6,286 in New Hampshire,
1,659 in Maine, 127 in Ehode Island, and 144 in Connecticut. The
completion of this work was made possible by assistance secured
from tlie officials in the different States.

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 265

CompsiTura concinnata was slightly less abundant than has been
the case for the past three years, but in some localities it was present
in satisfactory numbers. The species is widely distributed, having
been recovered during the present summer in the Annapolis Valley
in Nova Scotia. It attacks many species of native caterpillars and
is particularly valuable on that account. This habit also makes it
possible for the species to maintain itself in territory wjiich is not in-
fested with the gipsy moth or the brown-tail moth.

BJepharipa scvtellata has been found more widely distributed this
year than heretofore, and in some locations a fair degree of para-
sitism has been i^corded. In the territory as a whole it probably
has not reached its maximum numbers. Field collections indicate
that Apanteles welanosceVs is not quite as abundant as was the case
last year. This is evidently due to the work of secondary parasites,
as many of these have been reared from cocoons of the second genera-
tion of Apanteles. This species probably has not increased to
maxiunun numbers.

Calosotna sycopha^ita was not as abundant this year as heretofore,
and this was particularly true in ^ome localities where it had been
very numerous during the past two or three years. The wilt disease
was not nearly as common as usual and this condition seems to be
rather universal throughout the territory infested with the gipsy
jnoth. Further studies are being conducted relative to the Japanese
disease of the gipsy moth {Streptococcus disparis)^ and more colonies
are being liberated in order that a thorough study of its value may be
made in the field.

While the area infested with the brown-tail moth was considerably
reduced during the past year, the insect seems to be increasing
slightly in the eastern part of the territory. Collections of brown-
tail moth webs from 100 towns were made during the winter by State
and town authorities and forwarded to the laboratory. Dissections
of about 10,000 larvae taken from these webs indicate that Apanteles
lacteicalor was present in small numbers, while Meteoims versicolor
was much less abundant. The most common parasite found in these
collections was Zygohothiia nidicola; 20 per cent of the caterpillars
in the entire lot were parasitized by this insect.

Only a few localities have been found this summer where brown-
tail moth caterpillars are at all abundant, and the fungus disease
{Ertipusa aulicae) has not been reported.

Work on a more effective material for banding trees is under way
and preliminary tests to determine the relative value of dusting with
arsenate of lead versus spraying have been started.

The study of the gipsy moth problem on cranberry bogs has been
nearly completed and much valuable information secured.

The work of securing data on the mortalitj^ of different species of
trees that have been defoliated is being continued and silvicultural
investigations are being carried on principally on the sample plots
established some years ago.

Quarantine work. — The quarantine of the areas infested with
the gipsy moth and the brown-tail moth made necessary during the
fiscal year the inspection of 29,394 shipments. These consisted of
forest, nursery, and quarry products; also Christmas trees and
greens.

151352°— 19 18

266 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

In addition to the inspections made, G23 permits were issued to
allow the shipment of material of this sort which originated out-
side the quarantined areas but was offered for shipment inside the
areas.

Present condition of the areas infested w^tii the gipsy isiotii
AND THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH.— The winter of 1917-18 was the most
severe that ha^ been experienced in New England for many years.
Not only was the temperature abnormally low, but the snowfall was
exceedingly heavy, except along the coast. These conditions were
partly responsible for the failure of many gipsy moth eggs to hatch
in the spring.

In the summer of 1918 serious defoliation by the gipsy moth
existed in the Cape Cod region in Massachusetts, but small defoliated
areas could be found in many other sections. Advantage w^as taken
of this condition in planning the field work in the summer and fall
of 1918, and, by taking advantage of the reduction in infestation in
many localities, it was possible to clear many colonies.

The winter of 1918-19 was exceedingly mild and gipsy moth eggs
survived and a very large proportion hatched.

Some of the parasites, particularly Schedius, which destroys gipsy
moth eggs in the fall, were not nearly as numerous this year as here-
tofore, and the other introduced parasites do not appear to have
fully recovered from the setback received during the previous winter.
The wilt disease was also less abundant and effective this year than
usual. As a result of these conditions heavy feeding by the gipsy
moth has appeared over the greater part of the infested area in
eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The present indications are that stripping will be more severe
next summer, and if Aveathcr conditions are favorable for the spread
of the small caterpillars by the wind next spring it will not be sur-
prising if some of the recently cleared border towns become rein-
fested. The gipsy-moth problem is therefore more difficult than
usual and the most strenuous measures will be necessary in order to
hold the insect within the territory now infested until the parasites
and diseases have become more numerous and effective in the w^orst
infested regions.

The brown-tail moth appears to be on the increase in the eastern
part of the territory, although special efforts were made by the State
officials to clean up isolated infestations in the spring of 1919. Unless
all colonies of this insect are thoroughly treated it is likely to increase
its range.

EXTENSION AND DEMONSTRATION WORK.

This work was instituted under the provisions of the first food-
production act and continued during the fiscal year under funds
made available to this bureau under the second food-production act.
Mr. J. A. Hyslop has been in charge of this work from its institution
to its final termination on June 30, when the war activities of the
department were closed.

During the past fiscal year 4 additional States entered into project
agreements with the Bureau of Entomology, making a total of 37
States cooperating with the bureau in teaching entomology in the

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 267

field. An average of 75 specialists from the bureau has been main-
tained, 109 men having been employed during the year. The ap-
parent increase in the personnel, in spite of its prospective termina-
tion at the end of the fiscal year, is due to the large force engaged to
spread information and to do survey work in the attempted control
of the imported European corn borer and in the extension of the
oriental peach moth activities of the bureau.

The policy during the year has been gradually to reduce the person-
nel and to place this work on a permanent basis in the State extension
service. A number of the agents engaged in extension work were
transferred to fill vacancies in the research branches of the bureau's
activities.

Owing to the success of permanently connecting the field agents
with the extension staff of a State, instead of carrying on the work
from a regional standpoint as was done last year, the work has been
placed in a much better position to be finally absorbed by the State
than would have been possible otherwise.

Most of the beekeepmg work has been placed upon a definite co-
operative basis and financed jointly by the State and the bureau. The
balance of the work, however, has been entirely financed by the Fed-
eral Government.

The work on control of insects affecting domestic animals was a
notable exception to this plan. As there were very few men fitted
to do extension work along this line, it was found necessary to have
the bureau's agents cover several States during the working season.

During the year 09,000 people were reached. This decrease from
last year was largely due to the rapid decrease in the personnel at
that time of the year when the most effective extension work can be
carried on.

The bureau's reprosontative in this, work is cooperating with the
States Eelations Service by inspecting and criticizing all projects
submitted for Smith-Lever fund work along entomological lines.

Another activity of this office has been the work in connection with
the bureau's entomological exhibits. This year an exhibit of photo-
graphic bromide enlargements illustrating the most important insect
and control methods, models of insect-catching devices, spray ma-
chines, dusting machines, and other entomological appliances, and
cabinets illustrating the more important insecticides were sent to
France to be used in connection with the educational work being car-
ried on by the Young Men's Christian Association among the Ameri-
can soldiers.

Competent and instructive exhibits have been prepared, to be shown
at the State fairs this year.

SOUTHERN FIELD CROP INSECT INVESTIGATIONS.

The work of this class has been carried on, as before, under the
direction of Dr. W. D. Hunter.

PoTsoNixG THE coTTox-BOLL WEEVIL. — In last year's report it was
shown that one of the most striking achievements of the bureau
which culminated during the year was the determination of the great
value of powdered lead arsenate or calcium arsenate against the
cotton-boll weevil. Large-scale experiments have been continued
since that report. The methods and details of procedure of keeping

268 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the boll weevil in check by this method haA-e been improved and
thoroughly tested on a large scale. Cotton planters all over the
weevil-infested portion of the cotton belt are taking up this method,
and hundreds of individual inquiries in regard to it have been
answered. The bureau is certain, however, that the exact methods
which have been successful under conditions that exist in the Mis-
sissippi Delta will not be perfectly applicable to all portions of the
cotton belt. Therefore, circulars have been issued regarding the
general application and making it plain to planters that methods
should be varied according to conditions. The weevil has been more
niunerous during the summer of 1919 than it was during the previous
summer, and planters have therefore been more than ever desirous
of trying this remedy. The bureau, therefore, has been especially
anxious to guard them from mistakes.

An enlargement of this investigation seems necessary to bring
about the best results. Experimental farms should be established
in a dozen or more cotton-growing regions, and the very best method
for each region must be worked out before planters can apply the
remedy with confidence. The commercial results that have been
reached already, however, in the delta region assure ultimate results
of probably equal value in the other parts of the cotton belt after
these comparative studies shall have been made.

Other cotton insects. — At the laboratory at Madison, Fla., a
study of the Hemiptera attacking cotton east of the Mississippi River
has i3een completed. At this station also a thorough study has been
made of the varieties of sea-island cotton with especial reference
to earliness of groAvth under boll-weevil conditions. Thirty-two
varieties have been tested in this Avork. The importance of early
fruiting of sea-island cotton under weevil conditions can not be over-
estimated. Careful studies at tliis point have also been made on the
relation of the immature stages of the weevil to temperatures. The
dry period in Florida, usually commencing about the 20th of May
and extending to the 20th of June, seems to retard the weevil to such
an extent that the problem of growing upland cotton under weevil
conditions is very encouraging.

Insects affecting sugar cane. — The best hope for control of the
moth borer of sugar cane now seems to be the importation and estab-
lishment of parasites which exist in Cuba. Experts were sent to Cuba
in the beginning of the fiscal year and again in April, 1919. Para-
sites have been imported, and every effort is being made to propagate
them in the Louisiana cane fields.

Tobacco insects. — In Florida, promising control of the tobacco
ilea -beetle has been obtained with certain insecticides — an important
result, as in 1918 one grower claimed a loss from this insect of $650
per acre. Dusting methods in the shade-gi'OAvn tobacco region have
been revolutionized by the introduction of power machines which
are capable of dusting from 10 to 20 acres per day more than can be
done with hand dusters. For the tobacco thrips it has been found
that nicotine sulphate, 14 ounces, and soap, 3 pounds, to 50 gallons
of water, gives satisfactory control if applied properly once a week
during the emergence period. A very important point is the time o(
application. Much valuable work has been done on other tobacco
insects.

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 269

Rice insects. — A Farmers' Bulletin treating of the principal in-
sect enemies of the rice crop in the United States has been prepared
for publication.

INSECTS AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF MAN AND ANIMALS.

In cooperation with the National Research Council and the Sur-
geon General's Office of the War Department, studies on the body
louse were actively pursued during the yeiu*. This work resulted in
the accumulation of much practical mformation concerning the
value of the laundry processes, the dry-cleaning processes, and other
means of control. A large number of chemical methods of treatment
were also studied, and additional observation on the bionomics of lice
was made. Many proprietary louse remedies were carefully tested,
in cooperation with the Insecticide and Fungicide Board, thus pro-
tecting the Government against expenditures for worthless remedies.

An expert of the bureau has been assigned to work, in cooperation
with the Public Health Service, on the problem of the species and
habits of flies breeding in human excreta, especially in the open privies
in rural communities of hookworm regions. The headquarters of
this work are at Wilmington, N. C.

Several of the experts of the bureau were assigned to sanitary work
in the Army, especially with relation to the insects that carry disease.

The work on insects affecting domestic animals has been con-
siderably enlarged. Investigations of the biology, distribution, and
methods of control of the ox warble were especially taken up, and im-
portant facts were gained in regard to biology. Tlie work upon the
screw worm was continued, as well as investigations of the horse-
flies in eastern California and Nevada. Life histories of three of
the more important species have been fairly well worked out. The
lice of domestic animals have been studied from the remedial point
of view, and methods of applying sodium fluorid to destroy chicken
lice and pigeon lice have been perfected. Some supervision of cer-
tain packing establishments has been carried on in the effort to
reduce the number of flies. This has been a continuation of previous
work and is of much importance.

BEE CULTURE INVESTIGATIONS.

This work has continued under the supervision of Dr. E. F. Phil-
lips. It has been chiefly a continuation of the campaign for increas-
ing the honey crop, which was begun as a war measure. The educa-
tional activities then begun have been so eagerly received that tliey
can not be discontinued, and it is still important that the enormous
loss of ungathered nectar shall be reduced. During the year the
apiary and laboratory were moved to a building in Somerset, Md.

Demonstrations in bee culture. — In addition to funds available
under the regular appropriation, $15,000, available from the food-
production act, Avas used for demonstrations. The work was con-
ducted as one project. As qualified men were found the number of
agents was increased until there were in the field 16 men, working in
cooperation with the several extension divisions of the 20 States to
which they were assigned. Because of the great difficulty of finding
competent men, it was possible to maintain an average force of
only 12.

270 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The work of these men was an effort to instruct beekeepers in
better methods of production and care of their bees, so that the
honey crop of the country might be increased. It will be desirable
for many years to keep on increasing the production of honey, in order
to conserve this natural resource which is now so generally wasted.
There was also a great demand for hone}^ for export to the allied
countries, and this demand has continued since the cessation of hos-
tilities.

During the fiscal year the field men, assisted from time to time by
the regular office force, held over 1,000 meetings, attended by 25,000
beekeepers, and in addition they have visited over 2,500 apiaries and
have given personal instruction to the owners regarding their bee-
keeping practices. The work of organizing the beekeepers into asso-
ciations has been continued, and in several States these county organ-
izations are being federated with the State beekeepers' organizations.
There are now over 300 such county associations of beekeepers. Dur-
ing the year arrangements were made so that every man of the field
force is assigned to a single State in cooperation with the extension
divisions, both cooperating organizations paying part of the expense.

The meetings held by the field men must be limited in the topics
discussed, and it is impossible to cover many important lines of work
for lack of time. To overcome this difficulty a trial was made in
the holding of extension short courses of a week's duration. The
first of these schools was held in California during the year, and
these were so successful, in spite of the severe influenza epidemic,
that the same plan was later put in operation in New York, Indiana,
Iowa, and Minnesota. The average attendance at these schools was
about 100 beekeepers, who came for intensive instruction for a period
of a week, and the work with these men during these schools leads
to a strong belief that more good was done than could have been
accomplished in the same time with shorter meetings even with a
larger number in attendance. These schools are planned for com-
mercial beekeepers. The instruction was on fundamental problems
of the beekeepers, no attention being given to the mere simple
mechanical operations, but emphasis was placed on the reasons for
various practices as based on the behavior of the bees. In every
State where the work was given the beekeepers and extension officials
have asked that similar schools be held in the future, and other
States have asked for schools.

A bulletin on commercial comb-honey production (Farmers' Bul-
letin 1039) was issued during the year. It is a revision of Farmers'
Bulletin 503. A bulletin on swarm control is in process of prepara-
tion, and one on extracted honey production. When these bulletins
are issued it is planned to publish a bulletin on beginning beekeeping,
and then to discontinue the present general bulletin on beekeeping
(Farmers' Bulletin 447) and to replace it with one which will serve
to tie together the various technical bulletins on special topics.

Wintering of bees. — Little work has been done during the year
on the investigational phases of this problem, because the field men
have been necessarily occupied with purely practical work and the
office force Avith answering requests for information sent in by bee-
keepers, but observations have been continued which fully substan-
tiate the results of the more detailed work. During the year two

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 271

bulletins of a practical nature were published — Farmers' Bulletin
1012, on the care of bees when wintered outdoors, and Farmers' Bulle-
tin 1014, on wintering bees in cellars. These bulletins give explicit
directions for the care of bees during the winter season and contain
recommendations applicable to the entire country. It is gi*atifying to
report that beekeepers throughout the country are paying more at-
tention to tlie careful wintering of their bees since the bureau took
up this subject for investigation.

Diseases of bees. — During the year a paper (Department Bulletin
780) was published on Nosema disease, a malady of adult bees which
may at times cause some loss." A bulletin (Farmers' Bulletin 975)
was issued on the preventive and remedial measures to be employed
against European foulbrood, and in this bulletin for the first tmio
detailed attention is given to the factors which may successfully be
used by the beekeeper to prevent the inroads of this disease. Papers
on the etiology of American foulbrood and European foulbrood
were also prepared, and a paper on the behavior of bees in the clean-
ing out of European foulbrood, a phase of investigation which had
previously been neglected, but one which now promises to yield most
important results from the standpoint of control of the disease. An
investigation was made of the peculiar manifestations of European
foulbrood in California, where, because of the climatic conditions
and the character and time of the honey flow, and perhaps especially
because of the methods of beekeeping employed, the disease is un-
usually destructive and shows characteristics not often encountered
elsewhere. During the 3'ear 563 samples were received from apiary
inspectors and from beekeepers for diagnosis.

EFFECT OF THE WAR ON BEEKEEPING.

In the last annual report attention was called to the effects that
the war had on tlie beekeeping industry. The increased demand for
honey for export has continued ever since the cessation of hostilities
and there is reason to expect that this market will continue to be an
important factor in American beekeeping. During the period of
severe sugar shortage, the home consumption of honey was greatly
increased, but beekeepers were worried for fear that when sugar
became plentiful this demand would cease. If beekeepers are able
to produce enough honey to meet this increased and increasing de-
mand this enlarged home consumption will continue. The local
sales of honey, near tlie points of production, increased more rap-
idly than sales in the larger markets, but this can readily be reme-
died by the further development of the larger bottling trade in
honey for which there is demand.

After the winter loss in the white clover region during the winter
1917-18, the beekeepers of this region found themselves short of
bees in the spring of 1918, just at a time when there was the greatest
opportunity to build up their business. This produced a great de-
mand for bees in combless packages from the Southern States and
resulted in the building up of a large business of this character,
which will continue and will be an important factor in beekeeping
in the future. The supply of bees from the South in 1918 probably
did not fully replace the winter loss during the summer of 1918,
but because of the increase made by beekeepers there are probably

272 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

more bees in the important clover region tlian ever before. The
demand for queenbees to be furnished by professional queen breeders
was so great during the spring of 1919 that practically all of them
had more orders by May 1 than they could fill during the entire
summer. In the West, where the loss of bees Avas not unusual, there
has been even a greater increase in the holdings of the larger bee-
keepers, resulting in a greater difference between the commercial
Iioldings and the bees in the hands of amateur beekeepers. The ten-
dency to collect the bees of the country in the hands of commercial
beekeepers is a most wholesome sign for the proper development of
the beekeeping industry for the jPuture, and the war's net result on
beekeeping will be an increase in the commercial aspect of the busi-
ness. The increase of commercial beekeeping has greatly increased
the demand for assistance to beekeepers and has made them eager
to accept the extension activities of the office. The correspondence
of the office is now twice what it was before the entrance of the
United States into the war. The demand for beekeepers' supplies
and for literature on beekeeping- has been greater than ever before
in the history of beekeeping in the country.

In explanation of the desirability of making the beekeeping in-
dustry one which is in the hands of professional beekeepers rather
than to urge the keeping of bees on every farm, it may be stated
that the prevalence of the two destructive brood diseases throughout
the country, and especially the necessity of careful study of bee-
keeping problems in order to obtain the maximum crop, make it
almost impossible for the person having only a few colonies to give
the care to the bees which will result in good beekeeping. Only
the man who makes this his chief work may expect to get the returns
which are obtained from colonies properly cared for.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE WAR ACTIVITIES OF THE BUREAU.

(1) A very perfect system of reporting insect outbreaks was
organized, the result of which was a close knowledge of the exact
conditions almost from day to day of insect-pest increase over the
w^hole United States. These conditions were made known to all
of the economic entomologists of the country through circular let-
ters, and by cooperation based upon thi^ intimate knowledge crop
pests were held in check and food production greatly helped.

(2) By conferences with the chemists and the insecticide manu-
facturers the problem of the reduced quantity of arsenic (on account
of its use in munitions) was met, and by conservative use and better
distribution the supply was made to cover the needs of the farmers,
fruit growers, gardeners, and others.

(3) The bureau assisted the Quartermaster General's Department
of the Army by inspecting the enormous quantities of grain and
other material intended for shipment to Europe and gave advice
as to fumigation and other treatment when such stored products
were found to be infested with insects. It also inspected ware-
houses and mills in the same way in many parts of the country.

(4) Advice was given to representatives of the War and Navy
Departments and the Shipping Board relative to insect damage to
lumber and stored wooden implements.

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 273

(5) By the efforts of the beekeeping section of the bureau the bee-
keepers of the country were aroused to the necessity of a gront in-
crease in honey, owing to the shortage of sugar. Specialists were
sent out, held meetings, addressed more than 25,000 beekeepers,
visited the apiaries, and gave persooal instruction, with the result
that the honey crop was greatly increased. Our exports of honey
to allied countries increased at least ten times over those of any
period previous to the war, and the domestic consumption of honey
also greatly increased.

(6) In medical entomology the bureau maintained a thorough co-
operation with the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army in
the matter of experimental work on insect problems. All insect
remedies reported to the Medical Department of the Army were
referred to the bureau for opinion or for test. The most extensive
work was done on the subject of the body louse, and branch labora-
tories were establishexl for experimental tests. Experts of the bu-
reau were in several cases engaged for special work in concenti*ation
camps against insects carrying disease, and at the close of the war
one of these experts, who had early entered the Armv as a reserve
officer, had virtual charge of the great delousing plant at Camp
!Mills, through which troops returning from Europe were passed.

The foregoing six paragi-aphs include only the broadest outline of
the work which, were it to be stated in more detail, would indicate
that in very many directions the bureau's services were most im-
portant.

REPORT OF CHIEF OF BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY.

United States Departsient of Agriculture,

Bureau of Biological Survey,
Washington^ D. 6'., September ^ 1919.
Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a report on the work
of the Bureau of Biological Survey for the fiscal 3'ear ended June
30, 1919.

Respectfully,

E. W. Nelson,
Chief of Bureau,
Hon. D. F. Houston, ■

Seci'etary of Agnculture,

WORK OF THE BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY.

The activities of the Bureau of Biological Survey are conducted
under four divisions: (1) Investigations of the food habits of North
American birds and mammals in relation to agriculture, in charge
of Dr. A. K. Fisher; (2) biological investigations, with special
reference to the habits and geographic distribution of native ani-
mals and plants, in charge of E. W. Nelson; (3) supervision of
national mammal and bird reservations, in charge of Dr. G. AV.
Field; (4) administration of the migratory-bird treaty act and en-
forcement of the Lacey Act regulating the importation of birds and
the interstate shipment of game, in charge of George A. Lawyer.

ECONOMIC INVESTIGATIONS.

Largely increased war emergency funds were added to the regular
appropriation during this fiscal year for the campaign against preda-
tory animals and injurious rodents. As a result, the work was more
thoroughly organized and was conducted on a greater scale than
during any previous year. The Federal funds available for this
purpose amounted to $592,000. To this was added a total of more
than $800,000 by States, counties, farmers and stock-growers' organ-
izations, and individuals, in funds expended in cooperation with,
and mainly under the direct guidance of, the Biological Survey. In
addition to these funds, much material and the personal services of
many thousands of farmers and stock growers were contributed to
the field work, in assisting to destroy animal pests both on private
lands and on Government lands adjacent to private holdings. In
North Dakota about 42,000 farmers joined in the work and in Mon-
tana about 18,000. In other States cooperation was general and in-
volved large numbers of men.

During the early part of 1919 the legislatures of Arizona, Colo-
rado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, Oregon,

275

276 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

California, Texas, Utah, and Washington made direct appropriations
amounting to $688,000 to be expended in this Avork during the two
following years in cooperation with the Biological Survey.

Wherever work has been undertaken the rapid growth of coopera-
tive funds and the increase in the number of men participating fur-
nish a practical demonstration of its success and usefulness. The
bureau is in constant receipt of urgent requests for additional help
far be3'ond the limits set by its available funds.

Estimates based on information supplied by farmers and stockmen
indicate that the destruction of more than 32,000 predatory animals
under the direction of the Biological Survey during the j^ear re-
sulted in a saving of live stock valued at approximately $5,000,000;
and the destruction of prairie dogs and other rodents resulted in a
saving of enormous quantities of forage, and also of crops valued at
not less than $14,000,000.

PREDATORY ANIMALS AND RABIES.

Of the total funds available for the campaign against injurious
animals, about $375,000 was provided for use in destroying wolves,
coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, and other stock-killing animals and
for the suppression of wild animals affected with rabies. For the
prosecution of this work, which began in 1915, the Western States
have been organized into 10 districts, each with a trained inspector
in charge, as follows: (1) Arizona, (2) California-Nevada, (3)
Colorado, (4) Idaho, (5) New Mexico, (6) Montana, (7) Oregon-
Washington, (8) Texas, (9) Utah, (10) Wyoming-South Dakota.

During the year a force of from 400 to 500 skilled hunters has
been employed under the direction of the various inspectors. The
salaries of a part of the hunters are paid from the Federal Treasury
and of the others from cooperative funds supplied by the States or
by contributions from local organizations and individuals. As here-
tofore, the hunters are not permitted to receive bounties, and the
skins taken by each become the property of the Federal Government,
the State, or the organization or individual providing the money for
salary. Skins taken by Federal hunters during the year netted the
Federal Government $76,128.56, which has been turned into the
United States Treasury, making the total received by the Govern-
ment from this source to date $197,387.37.

The number of skins or scalps of predatory animals taken by
official hunters during the year is as follows: Wolves, 584; coyotes,
27,100; mountain lions, 149; bobcats, 4,123; Canada lynxes, 43;
bears, 81. In addition, as a result of poisonous operations, so many
dead coyotes are reported by stock growers to have been found on
the ranges where poisoning operations were conducted that it is
safe to estimate the number destroyed in this way as more than
equaling the approximately 32,000 predatory animals of which the
skins and scalps were taken.

Predatory-animal hunters are directed to consider bears under
ordinary circumstances as game animals and have positive instruc-
tions to take every precaution not to kill any except those known to
be destructive to live stock. Unfortunately, occasional unoffending
bears are taken in traps set for other animals, thus making the num-
ber of bears killed during the year considerably larger than would

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 277

otherwise be the case. The vast majority of bears are inoffensive so
far as injury to stock is concerned, but occasional individuals in all
parts of the range country become stock killers, some of them being
notoriously cunning and destructive in their activities. Naturally
such animals must be eliminated, and the more promptly this is done
Ihe less prejudice there is likely to be created among the stock grow-
ers against all bears.

From much expert study and experimentation, great improvements
in methods of poisoning predatory animals have resulted. Larger and
more thoroughly organized poisoning campaigns than ever before
attempted were conducted during the year. Their success was such
that in many areas stock growers are urging the extension of this
method as being the most practicable one for the control of coyotes.
Extended poisoning operations were conducted in the great sheep-
growing sections in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah,
and Wyoming. This was followed by a marked decrease in the num-
ber of coyotes in the sections poisoned, with a corresponding decrease
in the losses of sheep, cattle, pigs, colts, and poultry. Reports have
been received from stockmen stating that on many important ranges
and lambing grounds the former heavy annual losses have become
negligible or have been entirely eliminated.

For a number of years rabies has been prevalent among predatory
animals in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washmgton, and
Utah. A part of the money available for predatory-animal control
has been appropriated for the specific purpose of destroying the
wild animals affected with this disease in the States named. Al-
though the disease still maintains a foothold in all of these States,
effort^s in suppressing its carriers have been so successful that its
spread to other States has been prevented, and the number of do-
mestic animals and persons bitten by rabid wild animals has steadily
decreased until at present the number is very small. When an out-
break of the disease occurs in any district, hunters are immediately
cojncentrated there, so that the wild animals carrying the rabies are
summarily destroyed and the spread of the disease is promptly
stopped.

The serious situation resulting from the outbreak of rabies before
it was controlled is indicated by the fact that in the fiscal year
1915-1 G, when the principal outbreak in Nevada occurred, it was
estimated that live stock in that State valued at about $500,000
wore lost through being bitten by rabid animals. Some ranches lost
from 200 to 400 head of cattle. Up to the present time approxi-
mately 1,500 persons are laiown to have been bitten by rabid animals
and treated for the disease, and at least 47 are known to have died
from it. Without Federal intervention for the suppression of rabies,
the ravages brought about by it would have been vastly increased.
Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that with the disease still
persistent in scattered localities throughout the territory where it
was once generally prevalent, the removal of organized preventive
measures would at once result in its renewal and spread throughout
the western range States.

Special efforts are being made by inspectors of the bureau to
destroy individual predatory animals which have become notorious
for their stock-killing exploits in various States. Near Dubois,

278 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Wyo., a mountain lion was killed in the sprino^ of 1919 which was
known to have destroj^ed $1,000 worth of live stock last October
and to have killed a number of cattle durin^^ the winter. This was a
much-hunted and battle-scarred animal which had been wounded
a number of times by private hunters. Another mountain lion taken
in April had killed seven colts during the spring. In the same State
a pair of wolves were killed — the female by a Government hunter
and the male by a private hunter — which had destroyed more than
$2,500 worth of stock during the preceding year. The owner of a
ranch near Mertzon, Tex., reported that in less than three months
his losses amounted to nearly 300 sheep, valued at $3,200, caused by
6 coyotes which one of our hunters captured during July. In
western Colorado, in an area about 75 miles in diameter which was
poisoned two successive years, through cooperation between local
stocli growers and the bureau, sheep owners reported formerly a loss
of about 25 sheep a day throughout the season, but the destruction of
predatory animals has been so thorough that at present the losses
are nominal, and sheep are reported to range freely, sometimes un-
attended for several days in succession, without loss. In New Mexico
the wolves, which were estimated to number between 300 and 400 at
the time the campaign began there, have been reduced to less than
30 individuals, and this number is being steadily decreased by the
persistent campaign against them. These remaining wolves are
mainly experienced adults, causing annual losses of live stock
amounting to about $2,000 each. In southern New Mexico the stock
of wolves is constantly renewed by stragglers from the mountains
of northern Chihuahua. In addition to the ravages from the native
predatory animals, live stock in parts of Texas, Arizona, and other
States suffer from depredations by dogs which have gone wild and
have taken up the predatory life of wolves. In some places the
dogs join the wolves, and the half-breed offspring increase the packs.

RODENT CONTROL.

As in the previous fiscal years, the war emergency need for in*
creasing the food output caused the bureau to concentrate its cam-
paign against injurious rodents about farm areas. As heretofore,
the effectiveness of this work was greatly increased by the coopera-
tion of the States Relations Service of the Department of Agri-
culture and of the extension services of State agricultural colleges.
The county-agent organization of the latter, in greatly enlarging
the educational campaign, brought about a public appreciation of
the enormous losses from the depredations of rodents and secured
the cooperation of the farmers on a large scale. As a consequence
the most vigorous and successful drive yet made was conducted
against the myriads of prairie dogs, jack rabbits, field mice, and
other rodent pests which seriously decreased the output of grain,
alfalfa fields, and orchards and lessened the value of truck and
garden crops, as well as of forage on the stock ranges throughout
the West.

Cooperative campaigns with local organizations and individuals
were conducted in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho,
Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North
Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 279

Wyoming. Preliminary conferences were held in reference to the
organization of similar work in Iowa, Minnesota, and Texas. In-
vestigations for bettering the methods of destroying injurions rodents
as well as improving the organization are being conducted, and the
work is becoming increasingly effective.

Field investigations through inclosed trial plots for the purpose
of securing accurate data as to the destruction of forage by rodents
on the open range have been continued during the year in coopera-
tion with the Forest Service, the State University of Arizona, and
the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Interesting and valuable
results are being secured.

The demands from the States for increased activities in rodent-
control work, and the money offered by States and counties for co-
operative purposes, are far greater than the bureau can possibly
meet with its available funds. The opportunity for useful expansion
in this work is obvious in view of the fact that native rodents destroy
each year field crops and forage worth approximately $300,000,000,
while the losses from house rats and mice approximate nearly $200,-
000,000, a large proportion of which can be eliminated at moderate
cost.

Through a system of contracts the bureau has been able to assist
the States in securing poison supplies for use in rodent campaigns
at a discount amounting to many thousands of dollars, thus increas-
ing the effective use of their funds.

PRAIRIE DOGS.

Prairie dogs occupy more than 100,000,000 acres of public and
private lands. Wherever they occur in abundance they are exceed-
ingly destructive to cultivated crops and to forage on the open
range. In cooperation with the extension services of the agricultural
colleges in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, the campaign against,
these animals has been pushed aggressivel3\ In Arizona and New
Mexico the State councils of defense joined actively in the work
and contributed funds for the purpose. The participation of farmers
and stockmen has been fuller than ever beiore, and the saving of
crops and forage has been correspondingly great. During the yeav
from 75 to 95 per cent of the prairie dogs were destroyed on nearly
2,000,000 acres of privately owned crop and forage lands and on
more than 200,000 acres of public domain, the latter making more
than 3,700,000 acres of public lands which have been largely freed
from these pests. In many places private landowners were so inter-
ested that they volunteered their services to clear adjacent Govern-
ment lands, the bureau supplying the poison to be used in the work.
With cooperation of this character it will be possible to clear large
areas of the public domain at almost a nommal cost to the Gov-
ernment.

GROUND SQUIRRELS.

Numerous species of ground squirrels occur in the West, several
of them having such wide ranges and existing in such abundance
that their depredations on crops and forage are most serious. As
with the prairie dogs, continued investigations are being made to
devise improved methods of poisoning and of organization for their
destruction. The poisoned gi'ain used for operations against ground
squirrels on private lands is prepared under the supervision of field

280 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE.

representatives of tlie bureau and furnished cooperating farmers at
cost through local organizations. In this Avay 1,349 tons of poisoned
grain were prepared and distributed during the year, and nearly
110-000 farmers took part in the campaign.

Through the plan inaugurated by the bureau of cooperative pur-
cluise of poison supplies the saving in the squirrel campaign, as
well as in the destruction of other rodents, has been very great, as
illustrated in Idaho, where it amounted to about $18,500.

During the year ground squirrels were poisoned and mostly de-
stroyed on more than 1,294,000 acres of public domain and on more
than 13,465,000 acres of private lands. This resulted in materially
increasing the percentage of crops harvested in all the States where
work was conducted and in increasing the forage output on the pub-
lic domain.

JACK RABBITS AND COTTONTAILS.

As in previous years, work was done to control the losses of crops,
including wheat, barle}', oats, beans, alfalfa, and others, from jack
rabbits, particularly in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Ore-
gon, Utah, and Washington. Wherever market and other conditions
were favorable, jack rabbits were killed by drives and by trapping
in order that they might be sold for food. In this way two counties
in Utah, under the direction of a representative of the bureau, mar-
keted 6,500 of these animals, besides the large numbers marketed in-
dependently. Effort is being made to develop the utilization of the
meat and skins of these animals through standardized methods of
dressing and marketing. In many places where it was impracticable
to kill jack rabbits for market purposes extended poisoning opera-
tions were conducted, as in Idaho, where in this way 40,000 of these
animals were killed in one county.

In addition to damage by jack rabbits, complaints have been re-
ceived by the bureau of depredations by cottontails among fruit
trees, and in truck and other agricultural crops. Complaints of
losses from this source have been more numerous from the Eastern
States, where demonstrations have been given to teach farmers the
most practicable means of protecting their crops from these animals.

POCKET GOPHERS.

Pocket gophers are exceedingly injurious to root crops, peanuts,
beans, alfalfa, hay meadoAvs, grazing lands, and orchards. The seri-
ousness of their clepreclations is indicated by an estimate made by a
competent official of the Kansas x^gricultural College that during
1918 the}' destroyed one-tenth of the alfalfa crop in that State. The
alfalfa crop of Kansas for that year was valued at $50,000,000, so
that the damage by pocket gophers to this crop alone amounted to
about $5,000,000. In view of the fact that these animals also do
extensive damage to orchard and other crops, the injurious character
of this pest is evident. Pocket gophers have a wide distribution in
practically all of the States from the Mississippi River to the Pacific
coast. On some of the most productive grazing lands on the na-
tional forests they seriously reduce the forage production. Methods
of destroying these animals adapted to use in extensive community
campaigns have been much improved during the year.

Pocket gophers not only damage established crops, but frequently
interfere with the introduction of new and valuable crops. This was

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 281

well illustrated at Hearne, Tex., where the quarantine against the
pink cotton boll worm preTented the gi'owing of cotton. The State
agricultural college planned to foster the planting of peanuts as an
important food and feed crop, but this was found to be impracti-
cable on account of the abundance of pocket gophers. At the request
of the agricultural college, an experienced representative of the Bio-
logical Survey was detailed to assist in organizing a community cam-
paign against these anii^ials. Farmers and business men joined
heartily in the work, with the result that every pocket gopher in
the area treated was reported killed, and an excellent crop of peanuts
was planted and harvested.

MOUNTAIN BEAVERS AND WOODCHUCKS.

The investigations were continued into the habits of the mountain
beaver, or sewellel, a curious rodent living in the humid region of
the Northwest coast. With the development of agriculture in its
region this animal, which was formerly considered harmless, has be-
come increasingly injurious to crops, particularly to small fruits and
to market produce. Methods for its control have been devised, and
demonstrations were made by a representative of the bureau in vari-
ous localities in Washington and Oregon where there was need for
the adoption of active measures.

Woodchucks have continued to be a source of annoyance and
loss to gardeners and truck growers throughout the northern and
northwestern sections of the country. In jnany parts of the North-
west the planting of alfalfa and clover and of other succulent crops
has attracted the attention of woodchucks, which have concentrated
about these new sources of food supply, with attendant losses to
the farmer. In some of the Northwestern States where the wood-
chucks live in the rocks adjacent to cultivated fields, strips of alfalfa
and clover several hundred feet wide along the borders are often
completely destroyed. It was found that the methods of destroy-
ing these animals used successfully in places where they live in
burrows in the open country were not effective in this region. Suc-
cessful methods were here developed, however, and as many as 55
woodchucks have been killed in a single field demonstration.

NATIVE MICE, WOOD RATS, AND COTTON RATS.

Widespread damage to orchards by the depredations of native
mice continue to be reported, the most conspicuous occun-ing in the
States of Virginia and Washington. In Winchester County, Va.,
the loss is reported of more than $200,000 by pine mice, which gnaw
the bark from the roots of orchard trees. Demonstrations have
been given for the control of these pests.

In Florida surprisingly successful experimental plantings of
sugar cane on a considerable scale have been made within the last
two years, but during the year reports have been received of ex-
tensive damage to the cane by rodents which destroy the seed cane
and cut the growing stalks. So serious has been this damage
that the principal company interested in the development of the
sugar-cane industry in that State has written the bureau that unless
some method can be found for successfully controlling the cane-
destroying rodents the development of the industry there will be

151352°— 19 19

282 ANNL'AL KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

impossible. Losses of from 40 to 60 per cent of the growing cane
hiive been reported. The depredations are by the cotton rat, a small
ratlikc rodent limited to the South Atlantic and Gulf States. In-
vestigation has determined effective methods of poisoning these
rodents, and it is believed that through demonstrations and advice
the growers will be able to control the rats and reduce the losses
to a negligible amount.

Wood rats continue to be troublesome in limited areas, and wdiero
they become especially injurious demonstrations and advice have
been given for their control.

HOUSE RATS AND MICE.

The extended educational campaign inaugurated last year was
continued in order to acquaint the public with the serious drain
on the Nation's food resources through depredations of house rats.
Demonstrations w'ere given of methods of poisoning and trapping
the animals, and plans for community organization against them
were presented and discussed. As a result many State officials. State
councils of defense, and public-spirited citizens took up the Avork
of organizing campaigns, and gi'eat numbers of the rodents were
destroyed.

Requests were made by military and naval officers in charge of
camps, arsenals, and storage warehouses in this country for advice
and assistance in controlling house rats in the buildings under
their control. Exjierienccd representatives were detailed to investi-
gate conditions and recommend plans for limiting the losses. Grati-
f^'ing results were obtained, perhaps the most important of which
was at the Bush Terminal warehouses in Brooklyn, N. Y. These
great warehouses vrere taken over by the Government for Army
quartermaster storehouses, and were so badly infested by rats as
seriously to endanger the stored food and other Army supplies. At
the request of the quartermaster officer in charge, a reprcsentatiA'o
of the bureau made a survey of the warehouses in January, 1918,
and recommended a method of procedure for controlling the rats.
At the end of the year the quartermaster officer in charge advised
that the recommendations of the bureau had been followed with
complete success. He reported that at first practically a barrelful
of rats were killed each day, and that more than 35,600 rats were
killed during the year. The work of destruction was so thorough
that he reports the losses of military supplies during the entire
year to have been negligible.

Large numbers of the Farmers' Bulletin (No. 896) giving infor-
mation concerning the destruction of rats were used in this country
by the Quartermaster Department of the Army and also in Franco
in an effort to control losses from these animals.

In this connection it may be stated that several experts in rodent
control who were commissioned in the Sanitary Corps of the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Forces in France for the purpose of controlling
the depredations of rats in connection with the Army operations,
were highly successful in preventing heavy losses of quartermaster
stores from these rodents.

MOLES.

Throughout the 3^ear demonstrations were continued in Washing-
ton and Oregon for the control of the large moles which are a serious

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 283

pest to agriculture in that region. The fur value of these animals
having been established among fur dealers through the efforts of the
Biological Survc}^, the price of their skins continues to advance. In
cooperation with extension services and other agricultural agencies
in their territory, demonstrations of methods for capturing the ani-
mals and preparing their pelts for market were continued. Success-
ful boys' and girls' clubs were organized to trap them and to co-
operate in selling the skins. As a result the members of the clubs
learned a valuable lesson in cooperative work, not only in ridding
fields of a pest, but also in marketing, the sale of the skins netting
them the substantial sum of more than $50,000.

DOMESTIC RABBITS.

The high cost of meat during the war and the scarcity of rabbit
skins for manufacturing felt hats and cheap grades of furs combined
in emphasizing the opportunity in this country for the profitable
production of rabbits. In Europe the growing of domestic rabbits
has long been an industry of considerable importance conducted on
a small scale by numberless individuals, and it has already been
abundantly proved that domestic rabbits do equally well in the
United States. Not only is their meat of excellent quality, but their
fur is of value also ; recently these furs have been manufactured on
a considerable scale, dyed and in their natural colors, and are fre-
quently most attractive in appearance.

Under ordinary conditions the rearing of domestic rabbits will
give a quick and economical supply of meat, one that can be produced
cheaper than that of the domestic fowl; while the skins of selected
stock are of sufficient value to render them an important part of the
returns. A growing interest lias been shown in the bulletins and
other publicit}^ from this bureau designed to encourage the growing
of these animals on farms and in back yards. National and State
rabbit breeders' associations are now well established ; clubs and as-
sociations are being organized and periodicals developed to increase
rabbit growing; and many boys' and girls' clubs have taken up the
enterprise. It is believed that through these methods a great in-
crease in the development of this young industry may be brought
about.

With a view to fostering the production of these animals along
practical lines investigations have been continued among the breeders
of the country and among those dealing in the skins and manufac-
turing the furs. An article on rabbit growing to supplement the
meat supply w^as published in the Yearbook of the Department for
1918, and a bulletin is now in process of preparation to supersede the
Farmers' Bulletin (No. 496) on " Raising Belgian Hares and Other
Eabbits."

FUR-BEARING ANIMALS.

Investigations concerning fur-bearing animals have been con-
tinued and the annual bulletin on laws relating to these animals was
issued. The animals now held at the experimental fur farm in
Essex County, N. Y., include minks, martens, fishers, skunks, rac-
coons, and rabbits. Experiments in inclosures for these animals, as
well as in feeding and breeding them, and investigations concerning
the parasites and diseases to wliich they arc subject, arc in progress.

284 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Two graded Saanen goats have been furnished by the Bureau of
Animal Industry for use at the farm to provide milk for feeding the
fur animals and to keep down weeds in the animal yards. Domestic
rabbits are also being grown at the farm in order to supply the fur
bearers, especially the breeding females, with fresh meat. The keep-
ing of a few domestic animals at the fur farm has necessitated a
limited amount of farming there to produce feed in the form of hay,
oats, buckwheat, corn, carrots, and turnips. A building to shelter
the rabbits and goats and to store feed for them has been completed
during the year, and ground has been cleared and material assembled
to build yards to accommodate four pairs of cross foxes.

An inquiry concerning the supply of furs from wild fur-bearing
animals has been addressed to a large number of raw-fur dealers
throughout the United States, including Alaska. This has developed
th"e fact that there has been an alarming reduction in the number of
skins coming to the market during the last decade, and that there is
a general demand for short open seasons on fur-bearing animals, and
particularly for better enforcement of State laws against trapping
fur-bearing animals when their fur is not prime.

Most States now have laws protecting fur bearers during at least
a part of the year. Up to within a recent time most of the fur
bearers', including such species as the skunk and the mink, have been
considered pests, because they at times raid chicken coops. The
apparently infrequent damage done by these animals is negligible
as against their great value. The skunk feeds largely on field mice
and insects and has become one of our most vahiable fur bearers.
The Commissioner of Conservation of Ncav York reports that during
191S. skunk skins taken in that State brought more than $1,000,000 in
the fur market. There is no State in the country which can not
greatly increase the natural resources represented by its fur-bearing
animals by proper protective laws and their enforcement.

ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY.

Article VII of the migratory-bird treaty between Great Britain

and the United States ixiads as follow^s:

Permits to kill any of the above-naniecl birds which, under extraordinary
conditions, may become seriously injurious to the agricultural or other in-
terests in any particular community, may be issued by the proper authorities
of the High Contracting Powers under suitable regulations prescribed therefor
by them, respectively, but such permits shall lapse, or may be canceled at any
time when, in the opinion of said authorities, the particular exigency has
passed, and no birds killed under this article shall be shipped, sold, or offered
for sale.

The administration of the act of enforcing the treaty as a conse-
quence of this article has caused a notable increase in the demand for
economic ornithological work. Numerous reports of bird depreda-
tions have been made, and in some of the cases investigated recom-
mendations for the control of the species have been made, while in
others the complaints proved to be without basis to warrant action.
The incentive for large crop production incident to the war has been
an added cause for the receipt of more than the ordinary number
of complaints concerning bird depredations. A policy of bird con-
servation that will best serve the interests of the farmer involves not
only a thorough appreciation of the value of beneficial species, but
adequate attention to the control of troublesome ones. Consequently,

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 285

now that the beneficial species are fortified by ample protective legis-
lation, the importance of perfecting methods for protecting crops
against damage by birds becomes apparent.

FISH-EATING BIRDS.

Continuing the work started last year in investigating the food
habits of fish-eating birds, field work was conducted in Florida to
ascertain the relation of pelicans to the fishing industry. Claims
had been made that these birds were responsible for the reduction in
the numbers of mullet noted in recent years, as well as for the de-
struction of other food fishes. It naturally followed that the pro-
tection of the brown pelican in the breeding colonies, which are
maintained as bird reservations, was criticized. The habit of young
pelicans, in common with some of the other fish eaters, of regurgitat-
ing their food when disturbed, permitted the examination of the
stomach contents of several hundred of them without killing a
bird. Of the 814 fish found in the material examined only 9 (7
mullet and 2 red fish) were of species valuable as human food.
By far the largest item, comprising over 91 per cent of the food,
consisted of menhaden, a nonfood fish occurring in great abundance
in the shallow waters about Florida and along the Gulf coast. Adult
pelicans, however, are at times a nuisance about gill nets, where, in
their attempts to secure the enmeshed fish, they tear the seines.

Reports of destruction of trout by mergansei's, or fish ducks, in
Micliigan were investigated, but the mildness of the past winter pre-
sented conditions tending to keep these birds out of the smaller
streams where the damage is usually done. This matter must be
investigated under more nearly normal winter conditions to deter-
mine accurately the amount of loss from this source. A report on
the economic status of all our fish-eating birds is nearly ready for
publication.

NIGHT HERONS IN LOUISIANA.

In Louisiana the night herons had been charged with being a
menace to the frogging industry, and for that reason permission was
asked to shoot them, as had been done prior to the enactment of the
migratory-bird treaty act. Louisiana is the only State wherein night
herons had ever been widely considered as legitimate game and a
source of food. Among the French-speaking people of some sec-
tions the young of these birds are considered a great delicacy, and
" gros-bec " hunting has been a favorite sport in the cypress swamps
of La Fourche, Terrebonne, St. Marys, and neighboring parishes.
An expert made a careful study of the birds in their haunts and
after examination of a large number of stomachs reported that these
birds are in no way a detriment to the frogging industry. It was
proved that more than 96 per cent of the food in the stomachs of the
night herons examined consisted of crawfish, and not a single frog
was found. These birds were mainly the yellow-crowned species
{Nyctanassa violacea)^ but previous examinations of stomachs of
the black-crowned night herons showed that they had similar habits.

WHITE-WINGED DOVES IN ARIZONA.

Complaints by grain raisers of Arizona against the white-winged
dove also necessitated investigation, chiefly in Maricopa County,
where about 30,000 acres of wheat and barley had been planted. It

286 a:n'nual reports of department of agriculture.

was found that the doves were ver}' abundant and that by far the
greater part of their food was secured from the waste grain dropped
among the stubble. The birds seemed to prefer feeding there even
though shocks or stacks of grain remained in the same field. In
small fields, especially those located near large breeding or roosting
colonies, the damage is sometimes very serious. In such situations it
will probabl}' be necessar}^ to permit the killing of birds actually
damaging crops.

BLACKBIRDS IN OHIO.

A study of the food habits of red-winged blackbirds in north-
eastern Ohio, where sweet corn is grown extensively, determined the
fact that these birds are a menace to the crop. The damage is of .i
most annoying character, as the attacks are made when the crop is
nearly ready to harvest. The birds tear open the husks and feed on the
terminal kernels, thus making the corn unsalable. Field corn also is
similarly damaged. Effective control measures were devised for
fields of small size and for garden patches, but for large areas more
economical measures must j^et be discovered. It has been found that
with care and with proper baits strychnine may be used against
blackbirds Avith very little danger to other wild or domestic bird
life.

BOBOLINKS, OR " RICE BIRDS," AND THE RICE CROP.

A complaint coming from the lower Delaware Valley regarding
depredations by bobolinks, " reeclbirds," or " rice birds," was in-
vestigated and found to be without foundation, but a continuation
of this investigation in the South Atlantic States indicated that these
birds are as destructive to rice as ever wdierever opportunity' offers.
On their northward migration they do great damage to newly-
sprouted rice and on their southward journey they raise havoc with
rice in the milk. Untold thousands of these birds swarm in dense
clouds over rice fields, where they may ruin the crop in a few hours.
It was fomid that the losses to rice growers from these birds in the
fall of 1918 amounted to about $150,000. In consequence of this an
open season on bobolinks has been declared, Avhich will have a
tendency toward breaking up large flocks and reducing their num-
bers. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and the
District of Columbia these birds may be shot from September 1 to
October 30, inclusive, and in Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro-
lina, Georgia, and Florida from August 16 to November 15, inclu-
sive,

damage to rice by WILD FOWL.

In the fall of 1917 many complaints were received of damage by
wild ducks to the rice crop of the Sacramento Valley, Calif. Inves-
tigation was begun by an expert of the bureau as soon as the rice
began to head the following August and continued until the harvest
was well under way in October. Rice in this region is grown largely
on low-lying and more or less alkaline lands unsuited for other
forms of cultivation and therefore previousl3^ miutilized for agri-
culture. Considerable numbers of pintails and mallards breed in the
marsh and slough areas, and late in summer many other birds con-
gregate there, attracted by the water and food. On moonlight nights
pintails come to the rice fields in large flocks to feed. Experiments
were made with various means of clriving out the birds. It was
found that arming men with guns and stationing them in the fields

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 287

Vvas one of the best methods, supplemented by occasional aerial bombs
that exploded among the birds and frightened them as they rose from
the rice. As these ducks are protected under the migratory-bird
treaty act, a special order Tvas necessary granting: permission to rice
groAvers to kill them before the opening of the hunting season on
October 16; after that date rice growers were permitted to shoot at
night in fields still containing rice. These measures resulted in a
saving of not less than $125,000 Avorth of grain, while the number of
ducks destro3^ed was nominal.

In November investigation was made of conditions in the rico
district of Arkansas. Owing to unfavorable fall weather, probably
two-thirds of the rice crop was unharvested as late as November 25.
Migratory ducks, mainly mallards, were then arriving from the
north and threatening serious damage. AVhilc the hunting season
had opened, it was necessary to guard the fields at night, so that a
special order had to be made under the migratory-bird treaty-act
regulations, allowing rice growers to kill ducks at night.

MEADOWLARKS AND SPROUTING CORN.

The relation of the meadowlark to sprouting grain was a subject
of field study in South Carolina. Reports received from most of the
South Atlantic and Gulf States indicated that the food habits of the
bird in the South were quite different from those it possesses in the
North and that it was inflicting severe damage on sprouting corn.
During March and April it was found that migrating flocks of these
birds were spending a large part of their time in cornfields, feeding
on the sweet germinating kernels, secured either by pulling up the
sprouts or by making conical borings down to the grain. To afford
farmers proper relief permission will have to be given them in cer-
tain areas to drive the birds from the fields with shotgmis if neces-
sary.

Similar complaints against mourning doves were not substantiated.

DESTRUCTIVENESS OF EAGLES.

From year to year definite and authentic reports are being received
on the destruction of young fawns and wild turkeys, and even of
young calves in some parts of the West, by golden eagles. Similar
reports of the habits of both the golden and the bald eagle in rela-
tion to game come from Alaska. It is evident that these powerful
birds are seriously destructive at times and their unlimited protec-
tion is probably not warranted.

IMMUNITY OF QUAIL AND GROUSE TO STRYCHNINE POISONING.

Important evidence has been secured regarding the comparative
immunity of quail to strychnine poisoning. Field observations and
feeding experiments conducted in California showed that one valley
quail can eat grain containing enough strychnine to kill 12 ground
squirrels without showing the slightest ill effect from the poison. A
number of similar experiments on a mountain quail and a bob- white
gave like results. The information thus gained will tend to allay
fears in certain quarters that poisoning campaigns against ground
squirrels result disastrously to these valuable game birds. Investiga-
tions in Saskatchewan. Canada, have proved that grouse are equally
hnmune to strychnine poisoning.

288 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

FOOD HABITS OF OTHER BIRDS.

With a view to ascertaining the food habits of the vireos, exami-
nation of stomach contents has been continued and completed for
all but one species; similar work has been started on the English
sparrow, that its relation to constantly changing agricultural con-
ditions may be known ; and examination of the food of other species
has progressed so far as a limited force permitted.

During the year two department bulletins were published, At-
tracting Birds to Public and Semipublic Reservations, and Food
Habits of the Mallard Ducks of the United States, and several
Farmers' Bulletins were revised. A report has been prepared on
the food of winter-bird visitants, including the pine and evening
grosbeaks, white-winged and red crossbills, hoary and common red-
polls, pine siskin, snow bunting, the various longspurs, and the
pipits. Another has also been prepared on the food of shoal-water
ducks, dealing with the gadwall, baldpate, green-winged, blue-
winged, and cinnamon teals, pintail, and wood duck. For educa-
tional purposes a lecture with lantern slides has been prepared on the
value of birds to agriculture.

BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

The work of the Division of Biological Investigations has been
seriously decreased, owing to the war. Two members of the scien-
tific staff were commissioned in the Sanitary Corps and were in
charge of rat-control work in France to safeguard Army supplies,
and others Avere detailed to certain phases of urgently needed eco-
nomic work.

As has been the case during past years, the field and laboratory
work of the division has been conducted along broad lines helpful
to the various other activities of the bureau. These activities include
the enforcement of the migratory-bird treaty act; enforcement of the
Lacey Act regulating importations of, and interstate commerce in,
birds and mammals; the administration of the mammal and bird
reservations; general conservation of game birds and mammals;
and work relating to the economic relations of mammals and birds
to agriculture, forestry, and stock-raising.

The card indexes covering. the distribution, abundance, and habits
of all the species of North American mammals and birds have been
greatly augmented during the year. These files contain data from
many sources, including reports by field parties of the bureau, notes
gleaned from correspondence and other outside sources, and records
from publications.

DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATION OF BIRDS.

Owing to war conditions fewer volunteer olDservers than usual
reported on bird migration. However, 250 observers sent in re-
ports from points throughout the United States and from many
localities in Canada and Alaska. Considerable progress was made
in compiling information from various publications on the distribu-
tion and migration of birds, adding materially to the files, which now
contain more than 1,350,000 cards. This source of information is
consulted daily in connection with the administration of the migra-
tory-bird treaty act and the investigations of the economic habits
of birds.

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 289

BIRD COUNTS.

Reports of the fifth annual series of counts of birds breeding on
selected areas in various parts of the United States were received
from 84 persons, who reported on over 100 different areas. Many
of these counts, made on areas previously reported on, showed an
increase in bird population. Owing to the unusual conditions
throughout tlie country, on account of the war, many persons who
had formerly taken part in the annual bird counts were unable to
find time for this extra duty. With the gradual return of normal
conditions, however, it is confidently expected that a large increase
will occur in the number of these volunteer observers.

BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS OF THE STATES.

Good progress was made in the field work in Arizona, Florida,
Montana, Washington, and Wisconsin, continuing the biological sur-
veys which have been in progress during the past few years.

The " Mammals of Panama," one of the results of a cooperative bio-
logical survey of the Canal Zone in 1911-12, is about to be issued by
the Smithsonian Institution. Works completed, but not published,
include List of Mammals of New Mexico, The Mammals of North
Dakota, The Mammals of Wyoming, The Birds of Texas, The Birds
of Alabama, and The Birds of New Mexico. Negotiations are being
conducted for the publication of the last three mentioned by the
States to which the reports relate, and those on Alabama and Now
Mexico will probably be issued within a few months. A systematic
study of the rice rats of North America was issued during the year.

BREEDING GROUNDS OF MIGRATORY WILD FOWL.

An investigation of the breeding areas of ducks in North Dakota,
begun in June, 1918, was continued during July. During June, 1919,
the breeding grounds of ducks and other wild fowl in central Ne-
braska w'ere \nvestigated in order to compare the results with those
found to obhiin during former years. A gratifying increase of breed-
ing waterfowl is evident in these States owing to the protection they
have in spring under the migratory-bird treaty act.

WILD LIFE IN NATIONAL PARKS.

In cooperation with the National Park Service, Department of the
Interior, investigations of the distribution, abundance, and habits of
birds and mammals of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks have
been conducted during the past few years. During the fiscal year just
closed revised reports on the birds and mammals of these two areas
were published by the National Park Service in their educational
literature ; an elaborate report on Glacier National Park, comprising
annotated lists of all the birds and mammals known to occur there,
was completed during the year and w^as published by the National
Park Service. A similar report on the mammals of the Yellowstone
National Park has been prepared.

RELATION OF RODENTS TO FORAGE PRODUCTION.

In the spring of 1918 field investigations to secure information
concerning the damage to crops and forage by injurious rodents were
begun in several western States. By means of fenced and unfenced

290 AlS^NUAL EEPOPvTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

quadrats established on grazing areas Avlierc rodents abounded,
studies of the damage inflicted b}^ these pests Averc instituted. During
the spring of 1919 a careful examination of these special areas was
made and substantial progress in the elucidation of these problem?
has been effected. New quadrats were also installed. The results of
this investigation will have great practical value in relation to forage
on the western range lands.

MAMMAL AND BIRD RESERVATIONS.

The Federal big game and bird reservations in charge of this bu-
reau, remain, as heretofore, 74 in number. Four are big game reser-
vations; one, the Niobrara, created as a bird reservation, is used for
both birds and big game ; and 69 are bird reservations.

On June 30, 1918, the big game reservations contained a total of 368
bison, 274 elk, 54 antelope, and 21 deer, an increase in each species
over the number reported last year.

The Government's seventh bison herd was established at Sullys Hill
by tlie gift of the Park Commissioners of Portland, Oreg., of a
nucleus herd of 6 animals. The Government's bison herds now ag-
gregate about 950 head. Losses of antelope have been checked at the
Wind Cave Eeservation, S. Dak., and at the National Bison Range,
Mont.

The number of visitors to the large game reservations is increas-
ing, notably at Sullys Plill, Wind CaA-e, and at the National Bison
Range. Trains on the new branch of the Northern Pacific Raih'oad
from Dixon to Poison, Mont., now stop at Moiese close to the en-
trance to the main gate of the National Bison Range.

On the Gulf reservations arrangements were completed, as required
by law (39 Stat., 1106), for assuming the full costs of warden service,
formerly paid in part by the National Association of Audubon So-
cieties. It became necessary also to purchase and maintain a patrol
motor boat at Big Lake Reservation, a service formerly provided b}^
the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission.

Under the protection of the Avardens, the useful birds on all the big
game reservations have notably increased, but particularly on the Na-
tional Bison Range and the W^inter Elk Refuge, incidental to the pro-
tection of these reservations for mammals.

MAMMAL RESERVATIONS.

Winter Ei.k Refuge, Jackson, Wyo. — The main purpose of this
reservation, which now has an inclosed area of 2,760 acres, is to in-
crease the forage for elk by a limited amount of cultivation. The
first cutting of lia}^ is stacked and fed to the elk Avhen there is no
available pasturage, and the remainder is left to be grazed by these
animals. Besides the hay raised, 2,103 bushels of oats were harvested
from 56 acres, incidental to preparing ground for alfalfa. In tlie
spring this area was disked and seeded, and in addition 140 acres
liaving an inferior stand of alfalfa were dragged and reseeded to
increase the yield of hay.

At the beginning of the year the hay on hand totaled 755 tons, 120
of which was cut in 1917 and 635 in 1918. Because of the light snow-
fall over the entire region, the maximum number of elk coming down

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 291

at any one time to the refuge to be fed in the spring of 1919 was
3,000, as compared with a maximum of 10,000 for 1918. During 23
days of March (5th to 27th) 164 tons Avere fed to the elk, leaving a
good supply on hand to supplement the harvest of this year. Some
hay also was furnished by the State of W3'0ming, and 25 tons of oat
straw were fed to the elk.

No deaths from starvation were reported. A shortage of feed
seems imminent for the coming winter, however, bv reason of a
severe drought. The drought has had the effect also of concentrating
tjie ground squirrels around the irrigated areas, and as a result it has
been possible to poison large numbers of them and thereby decrease
their destruction of forage.

During the year somewhat more than 4 miles of new fencing was
completed. The feeding corral built last year operated successfully
and permitted segregating the young and weaker elk, thus protecting
them from the main, herd until they were fit to join it. Two cow
moose visited the refuge on April 2.

The necessity for increased and definitely provided pasturage is
immediate and imperative in order to deal justly with the settlers
and to safeguard the existence of the elk. The precarious conditions
surrounding the only two remaining large elk herds in the United
States and a program for their conservation and for the action
necessary to make them of the greatest value to the people are set
forth in a department circular (No. 51), Our National Elk Herds,
l^ublished in June in cooperation with the Forest Service.

National Bison Eange, Moiesk (neau Dixon), Mont. — The in-
closed area of this reservation totals 18.521 acres. It is stocked with
the following: Bison, 290 head (including 48 calves); elk, 125 (not
including young; antelope 33 (not including young) ; and mule deer,
13 (not including young). Of the bison, one crippled bull died, and
one young calf was killed by an accident.

Serious forest fires threatened the range in August and again in
May. Seven hundred acres of young pines and spruces were de-
stroyed, but the fires were checked through the cooperation of the
Indian and the Reclamation Services. Several incipient blazes w^ere
handled by the warden and assistants without serious loss.

Receiving basins 10 feet to 30 feet in diameter have been scooped
out for conserving the water from the springs and making it accessi-
ble to the animals.

When the antelope " banded up " in the autumn tlie count dis-
closed but 32 as compared with 34 last year, probably the result of
unlawful poaching in a remote part of the range. One doe was
added by gift of the Oregon Game Commission.

Wind Cave National Game Preserve, S. Dak. — In the 4,1G0
acres inclosed on this reservation, the big-game animals number as
follows: Bison, 52 (including 12 calves); elk, 85 (not including
calves) ; and antelope, 21 (including 7 young).

Thirteen coyotes (two of which were inside the inclosure) and
seven bobcats have been killed this j^ear. The scant^^ water supply
has been increased by the development of the Ottman well.

SuLLYS Hill Game Preserve, N. Dak. — x\bout TOO acres of this
reservation are now inclosed and contain the following: Bison, newly

292 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

establisliecl, 7 (including 1 calf) ; elk, 22 (not including calves) ;
and deer, 6 (not including fawns).

Niobrara Reservation, Vale:ntine, Ni:BR. — The big-game animals
are at present held in two inclosures of about 200 acres each. The
remainder of the reservation, about 4,500 acres north and about 9,000
acres south of the Niobrara River, is being inclosed in a stock-proof
fence. The reservation is stocked with the following: Bison, 19
(not including calves) ; elk, 42 (not including calves) ; white-tailed
deer, 2; Canada geese, 8. Pinnated and sharp-tailed grouse and
other useful ground-nesting birds are increasing in numbers.

Two abandoned military structures are being salvaged for use
in repairs of other buildings, and arrangements are being made for
disposal under condemnation proceedings of the old "Administra-
tion Building."

A wire suspension footbridge has been built across the river, one
dam constructed, and water from one spring conserved. By special
efforts the prairie dogs were greatly reduced, possibly extirpated,
thus saving considerable pasturage for the bison and elk.

BIRD RESERVATIONS.

On 10 of the 69 bird reservations, paid warden service has been
maintained throughout the j-ear, permanent warden service having
been established at the Belle Fourche, S. Dak. ; Big Lake, Ark. ; and
Strawberry Valley, Utah, reservations. At 8 other reservations
part-time warden service is maintained during the nesting periods,
the hunting season, or at times when serious trespass is likely to
occur. Through the cooperation of the Reclamation Service, a
general measure of protection is provided on most of the 19 bird
reservations located within reclamation projects.

At the Minidoka Reservation, Idaho, a beginning has been made
of making two islands of from 100 to 300 acres each, more attrac-
tive nesting and feeding places for useful birds, and important
species of aquatic plants useful for food for waterfowl have been
introduced into Lake Walcott. Certain projected and necessary
improvements could not be carried out on account of labor shortage.

At the Belle Fourche Reservation, S. Dak., permanent warden
service has been provided, warden's quarters have been constructed,
and a large area suitable for nesting and feeding places for wild
ducks has been protected by fencing.

At the Big Lake Reservation, Ark., substantial progress has been
made in locating, straightening, and defining the boundaries. Re-
ports from various outside sources indicate that the reservation is
now serving the purpose for which it was established.

At Deer Flat Reservation, Idaho, projected improvements were
postponed on account of unsettled conditions.

At the Malheur and Klamath Reservations, Oreg., deplorable con-
ditions exist on account of uncertainty concerning the status of
certain lands embraced within these reservations. These conditions
are under investigation, and it is confidently expected that both
these reservations, which are of world-wide fame as natural breed-
ing places for birds, and which should be unique and valuable assets
not only for the immediate locality but also for the Nation, will be
permanently preserved for the public benefit, and not be sacrificed
for the temporary advantage of a few interested persons.

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 293

On the Hawaiian Islands Eeservation a warden resident at Hono-
lulu has been appointed to keep the bureau informed regarding
conditions there.

The reservations in Florida are very inadequate to preserve what
formerly was the most wonderful bird population of North America.
The time when effective action is practicable is rapidly passing.
With proper measures taken at once for establishing extensive
refuges in southern Florida, one of the most wonderful assets of the
State and of the Nation can be preserved from annihilation.

Eeservations about the Mississippi delta w^re utilized during the
year in securinjy material for a study of the effect of fish-eating birds
upon commercial fisheries. A representative of the bureau visited
the breeding colonies of Caspian terns and brown pelicans on the
Breton and Tern Islands reservations in June ; the latter reservation,
near the Pass a Loutre, is commonly known as the " Mud Lumps."

Increased protected areas suitable for breeding places for the mi-
gratory wild geese, ducks, cranes, swans, curlew, and shore birds
should be provided. Additional wild-fowl refuges along the patlis
of migration are needed in order to secure improved and equalized
opportunities for shooting wild fowl for food and for recreation,
particularly in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. All species of
grouse and quail are also peculiarly subject to unnecessary and un-
wise depletion, which can best be minimized through reservations
and provision of natural food supplies. The sage grouse requires
special and immediate consideration.

There have been 28 convictions for violations of section 84 of the
United States Criminal Code, prohibiting trespass on Federal bird
reservations, with a number of cases still pending. Seven of these
were for illegal shooting on the Malheur Lake Reservation, 19 on
the Big Lake Reservation, and 2 on the Mosquito Inlet Reservation.
It is hoped that these convictions will greatly strengthen respect for
the law protecting the reservations.

THE MIGRATORY-BIRD TREATY AND LACEY ACTS.

Tlie approval of the migratory -bird treaty act on July 3, 1918,
to give effect to the treaty between the United States and Great
Britain for the protection of migratory birds in the United States
and Canada, concluded August 16, 1916. made possible the adequate
protection of migratory birds in the United States. This act, which
supersedes the migratory-bird law of 1913, contains many important
provisions not found in the old law, especially those conferring on
employees of the department appointed to enforce its provisions the
powers of arrest, search, and seizure so necessary to its effective en-
forcement. Furthermore, the present act and the regulations there-
imder contain many other new clauses covering the possession of
migratory birds and the means by which they may be taken. It also
provides for the collection and capture of birds for scientific and
propagating purposes, as well as for the issuance of appropriate per-
mits to kill anj species of migratory bird found to be seriously
injurious to agricultural or other interests.

The new law also supersedes the provisions of the Lacey Act with
respect to the interstate shipment by common <Mirrier of the dead
bodies of wild birds and parts thereof, and adds new clauses pro-

294 ANNUAL. EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUrvE.

hibiting the shipment or carriage of living as well as dead birds —
migratory and nonmigratory — out of a State by any means whatever
contrary to the laws of the State in which the birds were killed or
from which they were carried or shipped. The provisions of the
Lacey Act relating to the delivery to a common carrier for trans-
portation of foreign animals and birds, the interstate shipment of
wild animals and parts thereof, and the penalty for knowingly re-
ceiving illegal shipments still remain.

Th.e first regulations under the treaty act adopted by the Secretary
of Agriculture became effective on approval by the Fresident July
31, 1918. Amendments to these regulations w^ere adopted and be-
came effective October 25, 1918.

The designation " district inspector," applied to those appointed to
enforce the migratory-bird law of 1913, was changed to "United
States game warden," and the office of chief United States game
warden for the administrative officer directly in charge of the ad-
ministration of the treaty act w^as created when the act becam.e
effective.

For the first year this act was administered with a force of only
15 full-salaried game wardens, and 45 deputy wardens paid when
actually employed. Much assistance and cooperation was rendered
by most of the State game departments, and about 150 United States
deputy game wardens were appointed from the deputy State game
wardens, who received only a nominal salary from the Federal Gov-
ernment.

The wardens employed by the bureau reported for prosecution 531
violations of the law. Convictions have been secured in 116 cases,
in which fines were assessed ranging from $1 to $100 and costs, and
aggregating $2,580. Of the remainder, 216 cases have been reported
to tlie solicitor of the department for prosecution and are still pend-
ing; 5 cases have been dismissed by Federal judges; grand juries
refused to return true bills in 15 cases, which probably Avill be resub-
mitted to grand juries or prosecuted by information; 79 cases are
still under investigation; and prosecutions were abandoned in 100
cases, due mainly to the fact that the violations were of a trivial
character or the violators had already been convicted and adequately
fined in State courts.

Convictions were secured in Federal courts as follows: Alabama,
28; Arkansas, 12; California, 4; Delaware, 1; Florida, 15; Georgia,
2 ; Idaho, 6 ; Illinois, 9 ; Iowa, 4 ; Louisiana, 1 ; Maine, 1 ; JMaryland, 1 ;
Minnesota, 2 ; Missouri, 4; New York, 3 ; Ohio, 3 ; South Carolina, 11 ;
South Dakota, 1 ; Tennessee, 6; Texas,!; and Virginia, 1.

Reports received to date show that 58 violators of both Federal and
State laws were apprehended by United States deputy game wardens
and were successfully prosecuted in State courts and fined an aggre-
gate of $1,918.75. The States in which these violations were prose-
cuted have thus benefited materially as a result of tlie cooperation of
United States game wardens with State game authorities.

Wild ducks and other migratory birds of an approximate value of
$2,942.25 illegally killed or possessed, and aigrettes and plumes of
other migratory 'birds of an estimated value of $6,857.55 illegally
possessed and trafficked in, have been seized. In most instances the
birds seized which were fit for food liave been released by the accused
persons and donated to charitable or other public institutions and

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 295

miicli of tlic pliiiiiage seized has been turned over by the courts or
the accused persons to the bureau to be used for scientific and edu-
cational purposes. The remaining birds and phunes are being hekl
as evidence to await disposition by the court.

During the year 621 scientific permits and 4G5 propagating permits
were issued. The number of propagating permits issued does not
approximate the number of persons who captured or possessed and
tralficked in migratory waterfowl during the year for propagating
purposes. The law is new and most persons possessing such water-
fowl have not as yet become familiar with its provisions. The public
is rapidly learning the requirements of the law, however, and is
showing a gratifying desire to comply with them.

Marked progress has been made in breaking up the illegal traffic in
aigrettes. Aigrettes in the United States are mainly the plumes of
the American egret and snovvy heron, which birds have been exter-
minated in many of the rookeries and greatly reduced in numbers
everywhere by phuiie hunters, who wantonly kill the birds during
the breeding season.

The treat}^ act and the regulations thereunder make it unlawful
to possess, purchase, sell, or transport aigrettes or the skins or plumes
of any migratory birds except under permit for purely scientific
jDurposes, but the skins and feathers of migratory game birds law-
fully killed may be possessed without a permit. The wearing of
aigrettes and plumes of migratory birds other than the feathers of
migratory game birds lawfully killed is thus made unlawful, and it
is believed that vvomen will refrain from wearing aigrettes or other
prohibited plumage as soon as they have become familiar with the
provisions of the law. The market for these phunes will then be
closed and a check placed upon the indiscriminate slaughter of these
beautiful birds for their plumage.

The extent to which this illegal traffic has been conducted was
indicated when United States game wardens armed with a Federal
warrant searched the apartment of a Seminole Indian at Miami, Fla.,
and seized aigrettes valued at about $3,000. It is reliably stated that
the yearly earnings of this Indian from the sale of plumes to Florida
tourists and others have for several years exceeded $5,000. The
Indian is now under bonds to await the action of the Federal court.

The constitutionality of the migratory-bird treaty act has been
upheld by Federal courts in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas. These
decisions have removed to a large extent the doubt existing in some
quarters concerning the validity of the act, and have been a decided
deterrent to those inclined to violate the law.

In Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, and South Dakota legislation
was enacted bringing the State game laws into practical uniformity
with the provisions of the migratory-bird treaty act and the regula-
tions thereunder, making a total of 28 States that have conformed
their laws for the protection of migratory birds to the Federal law
and regulations. The laws of three other States are nearly in
harmony with the Federal regulations.

Many species of migratory birds have had a marked increase under
the existing treaty act. AYaterfowl formerly driven to the far north
by spring shooting have remained in steadily increasing numbers to
breed in localities where few or none had previously nested for many
years.

296 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

State game commissioners, sportsmen, and others have extended
cordial support and cooperation in the enforcement of the law, and
the general opinion prevails that the treaty act properly enforced
will restore our migratory game birds to such numbers as will con-
tinue to afford abundant legitimate sport. At the same time there
will be an mcvease in the useful insectivorous and other migratory
nongame birds.

INTERSTATE COMMERCE IN GAME.

The designation " district inspector, interstate cornmerce in game,"
was changed to "United States game warden" when the migratory-
bird treaty act, approved July 3, 1918, became effective, and the
enforcement of the provisions of the Lacey Act was delegated to all
United States game wardens — 15 in number — ^but 4 of these wardens,
who had been previously assigned solely to Lacey Act work, were
continued during the year in the enforcement of that law. The
remainder of the wardens devoted their time mainly to the enforce-
ment of the treaty act, but rendered incidental services in the enforce-
ment of the Lacey Act.

The increased number of wardens performing Lacey Act work has
resulted in greatly increased activity in the suppression of illegal
interstate shipments of game. During the year special efforts were
made to minimize shipments of beaver and deer skins and deer.
In this the bureau secured the cooperation of many responsible
concerns dealing in furs and game. The high prices paid for furs
have encouraged some trappers to capture illegally and ship beaver
skins to the market, but, as a result of the bureau's educational work
in regard to the law, many firms dealing in furs have refused to pur-
chase beaver skins or to receive shipments from States that have a
continuous close season on beaver. Many of these firms have not only
discontinued sending quotations to trappers in States which pro-
hibit the exportation of beaver skins, but have warned trappers not
to consign to them beaver skins that have been illegally taken or
shipped.

More than 1,000 interstate shipments of furs and game were inves-
tigated and 25 apparent violations of the Lacey Act were reported
to the solicitor during the year. Of these violations, 12 were based
on shipments which contained in the aggregate 27 carcasses of deer
and 1,500 pounds of venison; 7 contained a total of 103 beaver skins;
2 contained 56 deerskins; 1 consisted of several shipments contain-
ing deer and elk hides ; and 1 a shipment of aigrettes. Investigation
of a large number of alleged illegal shipments is now in progress.

Violations of the Lacey Act reported for prosecution during the
year to the solicitor originated in the following States: California,
i; Colorado, 1; Idaho, 1; Louisiana, 1; Maine, 5; Minnesota, 2;
Montana, 2; New Hampshire, 4; Utah, 2; Vermont, 3; and Wash-
ington; 1. Twenty-three cases involving violations of the Lacey Act
were disposed of in Federal courts. Seventeen prosecutions resulted
in conviction of the accused and the payment of fines ranging from
$2 to $1,000, the total amount of fines imposed being $1,917. The
other cases were not brought to trial.

Sevent}^-six cases, many of them involving the shipment of beaver
skins, which for various reasons it seemed undesirable to prosecute
in Federal courts, were referred by the bureau to State officials for

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL, SURVEY. 297

prosecution in State tribunals. In 74 of these cases the accused were
convicted and fines aggregating $3,085 were imposed. One offender
was sentenced to 90 days in jail and another was paroled.

IMPORTATION OF BIRDS AND MAMMALS.

War conditions during the first half of the year exerted a marked
influence on the importation of birds from foreign countries. Al-
though the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, restrictions
on shipments were not removed until some months later, and even
at the close of the fiscal year normal conditions had not been re-
stored, so far as the trade in birds was concerned. Ordinarily the
number of permits issued for the port of New York exceeds that for
any other port, but this year, even including the permits for birds
from Central and South American countries, it amounted to less than
7 per cent of the total. Very few shipments were received from Eu-
rope although two or three lots of canaries arrived from Liverpool,
London, and Rotterdam, the Rotterdam consignment being the first
from Holland since the early days of the war. The parrot trade
with tropical American countries, which forms an important item
under normal conditions, has only recently begun to revive, as shown
by the receipt of two considerable consignments from Nicaragua and
Colombia.

The number of permits issued during the year decreased about
10 per cent, from 300 in 1918 to 273 in 1919, and the number of in-
spections from 76 to 42. Many of the permits issued were for the
entry of foxes from Canada, the total number being 335, as com-
pared with 391 in 1918. At Honolulu permits were issued for the
entry of 195 birds, including pheasants, and several miscellaneous
cage birds. So far as known, no prohibited species were entered dur-
ing the year.

During the latter part of October and the early part of November,
reports were received to the effect that a contagious disease was prev-
alent on some of the fox farms on Prince Edward Island, and the
issue of permits for the entry of foxes was temporarily suspended
pending an investigation. Through the cordial cooperation of the
Canadian authorities, an examination of conditions promptly made
disclosed the fact that the malady was local and noncontagious. The
precaution had the effect of assuring importers that the Department
realized the importance of protecting their interests and effectuall}'
guarding against the introduction of any contagious disease.

The increase in the number of shipments received at San Fran-
cisco was marked and included not only birds from the Orient and
Australia, but also for the first time some direct from the island of
Java. For the first time in 20 years, the number of canaries imported
from the Orient nearly equaled the number received from European
ports. As was the case last year, the receipts of miscellaneous non-
game birds included a number of rare species, particularly from the
Orient and from Venezuela. Among the most interesting entries
were several shipments from Java, one of which included a number
of jay thrushes, reported as Garrulax pect oralis. The consignment
from Rotterdam, which arrived in April, contained in addition to
canaries and other song birds, 12 species of waterfowl and shore birds,
including a number of European green- winged ]teal, garganey or
151352°— 19 20

298 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

blue-winged teal, red-headed widgeon, and barnacle geese intended
for exhibition in public zoological gardens or for j)ropagation in
private collections.

Among the rarer birds from Venezuela and Colombia were two
Venezuela parrots {Aniazona harhadensis) , several bare-eyed robins
{Planesticus gymnophthalmiis) ^ a puffbird (Bucco hicinctus)^ a car-
dinal {Paroaria nigHgenis), three black-necked screamers (Cliauna
chavaria), and several species of tanagers.

Reports of losses due to deaths among the birds en route were much
more frequent than in any previous year. These were due in part to
the long voyages from Australia and Java, but also to lack of caro
in handling the birds or packing them for shipment.

IMPORTATION OF QUAIL FROM MEXICO.

The regulations governing the importation of quail from Mexico
remained in force Avithout change during the past season, except
that the time of entry was extended three weeks at the end of the
season. The season was open in 1919 from February 15 to April 30.
The ports of entry were the same as last year, Laredo and Eagle Pass,
Tex., and New York City. Through cooperation of the Bureau of
Animal Inclustrj', the usual 10 days' quarantine was maintained at
the two ports in Texas, and a thorough inspection of the birds was
made during the period of detention. The first permit was issued
January 8, 1919, and the number of quail for which permits were is-
sued was 10,730, but the number released from quarantine was only
4,358, as compared with permits issued for 10,500 and the release of
5,205 in 1918.

Notwithstanding the fact that preparations were made long in
advance of the season, both by importers and by several of the State
game commissioners, to secure a large number of birds, the total
number of quail secured was so small that only a fraction of the
orders could be filled. The long-continued drought in the Southwest,
and particularly in the States of Coahuila and Tamaulipas, where
most of these quail are captured, appears to have so reduced the
number of quail that it was impossible to secure birds to meet the
demand. Comparatively few birds held died during the quarantine
period, and no case of quail disease was reported.

INFORMATION CONCERNING GAME LAWS.

The regular annual publications, including a directory of officials
and organizations concerned with the protection of birds and game,
the nineteenth annual summary of game laws, and a general poster
showing open seasons for game in the United States and Canada,
were issued and were widely distributed. The special poster show-
ing open seasons in North Carolina, where a multitude of local laws
apply to particular counties, has been discontinued. Copies of all
changes in State laws relating to game were received, carded, and
indexed for reference.

The Summary of the Game Laws of the United States and Canada

for this year is the nineteenth annual publication of this bulletin.

It is of widespread interest among sportsmen and conservationists

and is of much practical service. An edition of 100.000 copies was

-required to meet the demand and supply the necessary distribution.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
AND DISBURSEMENTS.

United States Department of Agricut.ture,

Division of Accounts and Disbursements,

Washingtm, D. C, October t, 1919,
Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the work of
the Division of xiccounts and Disbursements for tne fiscal year ended
June 30, 1919.

Respectfully,

A. Zappone,

Chief of Division.
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture,

CHARACTER OF WORK.

The chief of the division and disbursing clerk is charged by the
Secretary of Agriculture with the duty of preparing all requisitions
for the advance of public funds from the appropriations for the De-
partment of Agiiculture to the disbursing clerk and to special dis-
bursing agents charged with the dlsbiu^ement of public funds; the
keeping oi accounts and appropriations ledgers relating to the advance
and disbursement of all items of appropriations; and the examination
and payment of all vouchers and pay rolls submitted from the various
offices, bureaus, and services of the department. He performs such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Secretary.

WORK OF THE YEAR.

APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES, ETC.

To cany on the work of the Department of Agi'iculture during
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919, Congress appropriated $27,875,353
in the agi-icultural act for that fiscal )^ear; in addition to which per-
manent annual appropriations, special appropriations, deficiency
appropriations, and the appropriation for printing and binding
were available, amounting to $90,110,422.60, makmg a total of
$117,985,775.60, of which sum $47,990,477.51 was expended, leaving
a balance at the end of the fiscal year of $69,995,298.09. This balance
includes $65,000,000 appropriated for the construction of rural post
roads and which amount will be available until expended, so the net
balance for the fiscal year 1919 is only $4,995,298.09 and which is
nearly all covered by outstanding liabilities.

Supplemental accounts for the year 1918 were also paid, amounting
to $3,589,301.83.

299

300 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

On June 30, 1919, the unexpended balances for the year 1917,
amounting to $1,804,318.96, were finally covered mto the Treasury to
the ''Surplus fund."

There were received, examined, and paid hj this office 210,377
vouchers and pay rolls, which required the issuance of 342,882
checks on the Treasurer of the United States.

There were also sent to the Treasury Department for payment
9,488 accounts,

LOST CHECKS.

During the year 294 checks were lost in transit through the mails
or by the payees, and were duplicated by this office.

PUBLIC MONEYS RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

There were received from various sources and deposited in the
Treasury to the credit of the proper funds the following sums:

Telegrams over Government lines .•. . $6, 146. 75

Sale of cotton standards 5, 665. 31

Cost of cotton-futures disputes 10, 454. 20

Sale of loose cotton 34, 693. 24

Cost of grain standards appeals 7, 545. 91

Cost of market inspection of perishable food products 19, 227. 56

Classification of cotton ] , 491. 75

Sales of nitrate of soda to farmers 8, 768, 268. 85

Sale of photo prints and lantern slides 688. 47

Sale of hearings 178. 70

Receipts on account of war-tax collections 784. 32

Miscellaneous collections 4, 476. 55

Sale of card indexes 202. 75

Sale of seeds b>; the Bureau of Plant Industry 859, 650. 48

Sale of other miscellaneous Government property 240, 129. 61

Sales of products, agricultural station, Hawaii 61. 78

Sales of products^ agricultural station, Alaska 1, 617. 76

Sales of products, agricultural station, Porto Rico 1, 648, 67

Sales of products, agricultural station, Guam 256. 31

Sales of products, agricultural station. Virgin Islands 699. 88

Cooperative work, Forest Service 547, 928. 89

Forest Reserve fund 4, 405, 079. 56

Refunds on mileage books, etc 441, 678. 21

Transfers from other departments for work done and supplies furnished . 296, 024. 49

Total 15,654,600.00

DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

301

STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS, DISBURSEMENTS, AND UNEXPENDED BALANCES
FOR THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

[Fiscal years 1839 to 1904, inclusive.l

Fiscal
year.

Amount ap-
propriated.

Amount dis-
bursed.

Amoimt un-
expended.

Fiscal
, year.

Amount ap-
propriated.

Amount dis-
bursed.

Amoimt un-
expended.

1F31..

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

' 1872..

1873..

1874..

1875..

1876..

1877..
1 1878..

1879..
i 1880..
' 1881..

1882..
; 1883..

1884..

1885..
1 1886..

1887..

1888..

1880..

1890..

1891..

1892..
, 1893..
1 1894..
! 1805..
1 1996..
1 1897..

1898..

1899..

1900..
' 1901..
1 1902..
' 1903..

1901..

$197,070.00

202,440.00

257, 690. 00

337,380.00

249,120.00

104,686.96

198,640.00

206,400.00

199,600.00

275,460.31

363,011.05

456,396.11

416,641.10

655,930.25

677,973.22

657,641.81

1,027,219.06

1,134,480.60

1,170,139.11

1,372,049.21

2,303,655.75

2,540,060.72

2,603,855.58

2,506,915.30

2,584,013.22

2,448,763.53

2,467,902.00

2,829,702.00

3,006,022.00

3.304,265.97

3,922,780.51

5 015,846.00

5,025,024.01

$195,977.25

201,321.22

233,765.78

321,079.83

198,843.64

188,206.19

197,6.^1.94

206,360.00

198,361.72

267,608.84

354,482.39

438,941.72

413,618.09

658,034.80

510. 106. U

628,287.14

1,011,282.62

1,033,590.22

071,823.62

1,266,277.36

2,253,262.20

2,355,430.25

1,077,469.28

2,021,030.38

2,094,916.42

2,34X,512.98

2,425,510.44

2,827,705.65

2,947,603.42

3,239,137.30

3,002,675.79

4,734,230.84

4,960,311.64

$1,002.75

1,118.78

23 924.22

1S40..
1841..

1>'42..

1,000.00

1,000.00

16,300.17

1843..

50,276.36

1844..
1845..
1846 .

2,000.00

2,000.00

3,000.00

3,000.00

4,500.00

3,500.00

5,500.00

5,500.00

5,000.00

5,000.00

10.000.00

50,000.00

30,000.00

75,000.00

63,500.00

60,000.00

40,000.00

60,000.00

64,000.00

80,000.00

199,770.00

112,304.05

167,787.82

199.100.00

279,920.00

172,593.00

156,440.00

188,180.00

2,000.00

2,000.00

3,000.00

3,000.00

4,500.00

3,500.00

5,500.00

5,500.00

5,000.00

5,000.80

10,000.00

50,000.00

33,000.00

75,000.00

03, 157. 25

60,000.00

40,000.00

60,000.00

63,704.21

80,000.00

180,270.00

112,196.55

167,787.82

199, 100. 00

277,094.34

172,593.00

161,596.93

186,876.81

6,480.77

1,005.06

40.00

1847..

1, 138. 28

1848..

7,851.47

1849 .

8 538.66

1850..

17,454.39
3,023.04

If'Sl..

1852..

06, 995. 36

1853..

158,777.11
29,354.67
15, 936. 44

1854

1855..

1856..
1857 .

100,890.38
198,315.40
105,771.85
50,393.46

1858..
1859..

$342.75

1860 .

184,630.47
626,386.30
485,884.62
489,096.80

1861..

1862..
1863 .

295.79

1864..
1865..
1866..

10,500.00
107.50

100,250.55
42,391.66
28,089.27

1867..

68, 418. 68

1868..
1869..
1870..
1871..

1,925.66

*'"**'4,*843.'67"
1,303.19

65,128.58

20, 104. 72

281,615.16

65.712.37

302 ANITUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

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160,697

47,956

44,340

69,046

336,945

4,116,495

5,879,085

29,55:3,297

67,884,607

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REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF
PUBLICATIONS.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Division of Publications,
Was7iin0on, D. C, August 25, 1919.
Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the work of
the Division of Publications for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Respectfully,

Edwy B. Reid,
Chief of Division.
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture.

SUMMARY.

The bulletins and other publications of the Department of Agri-
culture distributed through the Division of Pubhcations during tlic
fiscal year 1919 totaled 62,218,829 copies. Ninety new Farmei-s'
Bulletins were issued, besides many other bulletins and circulars
of a popular nature, and great numbers of posters especially pre-

Sared to assist in the conservation campaigns of the war period,
'ew publications of all classes numbered 840, and nwints were 401,
making 1,241 publications issued during the year. Job printing and
binding received from the Government Printing Office amounted
to more than 44 ^ miUion pieces, while the aggregate of printing
and binding was more than 100 miUion pieces.

A greater proportion of the publications than ever before were
written in so direct a style that the farmer could put into use the in-
formation obtained in the department's investigations.

Much progress was made during the year in improving the Farmers*
Bulletins in particular. These bufietins have been made shorter;
historical matter and scientific details have been largely excluded;
technical terms have been avoided. The text has been made simple
and direct, although much remains to be accomplished.

The outside appearance of the Farmers' Bulletins has been radi-
cally changed by the use of specially designed covers. In many
cases a single photograph illustrating the subject covers both the
front and the back page, the title of the bulletin being lettered on the
photograph in strong but attractive letters. The name of the de-
partment and the number of the bulletin are placed at the top for
convenience. The department seal is used in all cases as the dis-
tinctive 'trademark" of the department's publications. Contain-
ing only these few elements, the front page makes a simple and force-
ful appeal to the interest of the reader and leads him to turn the
cover.

The inside make-up of the Farmers' Bulletins also in many cases
is varied by typographical devices intended to set out and emphasize
the salient features of the text, so as to enhance the interest and
elucidate the subject.

During the year a new series of publications was inaugurated,
known as Department Circulars. These take the place of numerous

303

304 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

circulars and leaflets heretofore issued by the various bureaus, and
being numbered in a single series avoid the complexity of numbering
which formerly existed. The bulk of the department's informational
publications hereafter will be found in a few series — Department
Bulletins, Farmers' Bulletins, Department Circulars, and the Year-
book. Pronouncements of an administrative nature will be included
in the circulars of the Office of the Secretary. The Service and Reg-
ulatory Announcements and the established periodicals, of course,
continue, such as the Weekly News Letter, the Monthly Crop
Reporter, Public Roads, the Journal of Agricultural Research, the
Monthly Weather Review, and the Experiment Station Record.

A saving of about $7,000 and 14 tons of paper was made in the job
printing by standardizing sizes of blank forms, using economical
kinds of paper, and reducing the number of operations. Since many
of the forms are permanent, much of this saving will be perpetuated.

During the year 26 reels of motion-picture films were completed
on 18 subjects, designed to aid in the campaign for increased produc-
tion of crops and conservation of food and fuel. Camera w^ork was
completed for 17 other films. At the close of the year 244 reels of
■film for 57 subjects were available for distribution. Between four and
^Ye million people saw the department's educational films during the
year.

FACILITATING PRINTING.

The department's printing was more or less unavoidably delayed
during the year by the congestion of emergency war printing imposed
upon the Government Printing Office. Considering the conditions,
the most necessary printing was delivered with remarkable dispatch.
Since the cessation of hostilities the volume of the Government's
emergency work has decreased, yet the Printing Office is able to de-
liver the bulk of this department's printing with only fair promptness.
At all times the facilities of the Government Printing Office appear to
be fully taxed. In numerous instances a bulletin, report, pamphlet,
or administrative blank is needed at once, and the several serial pub-
lications should come out on time. It is not alw^ays possible, how-
ever, to get as prompt service as should be rendered this department
by the Government Printing Office. Every effort is made in the de-
partment to reduce to the minimum the number of rush requisitions,
but they are often unavoidable. In such cases the department en-
deavors to cooperate with the Printing Office by furnishing perfect
copy, eliminating unimportant changes, and promptly returning the
proof. This department, of course, is the most competent judge as
to the necessity for haste in the printing of a particular job, and it is
hoped in the future the Government Printing Office will find it possi-
ble to use its great resources for speedy execution more to the ben-
efit of the department.

PROMPT HANDLING OF PROOF.

Some reduction in the time consumed in handling proofs in the de-
partment was apparent during the year, but further cooperation
on the part of issuing offices is necessary to speed up the printing.
Scarcely es^er is the retention of proof for more than three days for
critical examination justified. The examination of proof should
be undertaken immediately upon its receipt and completed at the
earliest possible moment. Prompt return of proof will invite prompt

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 305

handling of the work at the Government Printing Office. The time
consumed by the bureaus in the examination of proof could be re-
duced very materially if the proof received immediate attention
and if the efforts of the issuing office were confined to proof read-
ing and not extended to making changes which should have been
made in the editing of the origmal manuscript before it was sub-
mitted for publication. Frequently the return of proof is delayed
by sending it to the author wnen in the field. This practice should
be discouraged in so far as it is practicable.

APPROPRIATION FOR PRINTING.

The regular appropriation for printing and binding for the de-
partment for the year was $600,000, which was $50,000 less than for
the preceding year. On account of this reduction the publication
work was of necessity curtailed, and many important new bulle-
tins and reports were not printed, although the acauisition of the
information they contained was imposed bylaw upon tne department.
In every act appropriating funds for the department new work and
additional investigations are authorized by Congress, the results
of which can become available for the use and information of the
people only by means of published reports. Some method of check-
mg u]) the (lepartment's requirements for printing with the ap-
propriation for its maintenance should be adopteu. In this way
only can the amount needed for printing be accm*ately ascertainea.

Of the appropriation of $000,000 for printing, $200,000 is pro-
vided for Farmers' Bulletins, $47,000 for the Weather Bureau, the
two items totaling $247,000, leaving $353,000 for all other printing
for the department. Under provisions of law the department is
required to publish the Yearbook, its proportionate cost for the
latest issue being $19,958.46; the Annual Reports of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, which involved an expenditure of $1,234.25;
the Soil Surveys, $32,074.25 (although considerably more has been
spent in other years and $50,000 would scarcely be adequate);
tne Crop Reporter and monthly schedules, $32,693.96; other
reports, including expenditures in the department, the special
report on expenditures involved in meat inspection, and certain
minor reports required to be made, aggregating $3,500; the report
on work and expenditures of the agricultural experiment stations
and on agricultural extension work, $3,437.53. The total of these re-
ports which are authorized by law and required to be printed and
paid for from the regular appropriation was approximately $92,-
898.55, leaving for general printing only $260,101.55. More than one-
half of this amount was required lor administrative printing (orders,
decisions, blank forms, stationery, etc.), leaving an amount entirely
inadequate for the department's informational pubhcations. The
scientific bulletins particularly should be better provided for, as
these are fundamentally the most important class of the depart-
ment's publications, setting forth the results of the studies for which
the department was established.

The increase in the printing fund has not kept pace with the rapid
growth of the department during the last few years. If the depart-
ment is successfully and efficiently to perform its function of acquir-
ing and diffusing useful information among the people, adequate
funds for printing will be needed and a considerable increa!=e should
be made in the appropriation for the fiscal year 1921.

306

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

EXPENDITURES FOR PRINTING AND BINDING.

From the regular appropriation for printing and binding ($600,000)
the expenditures were $599,982.75, leaving a balance of $17.25.

The number of requisitions on the Public Printer was 2,886, as
compared with 3,843 for the precedmg year. The decrease in the
number of requisitions is due to the poHcy of combining in one
requisition a number of pieces of work of similar character.
There was no decrease in the volume of printing ordered.

SLMMARY OF EXPENDITURES FROM THE REGULAR FUND FOR PRINTING AND BINDING.

The following statement shows the amounts expended from the
regular appropriation, arranged by classes of printing and by bureaus.

Expenditures from the regular fund for printing and binding for the fiscal year ended

June SO, 1919.^

Arranged by Classes of Peinting, and Showing for Each Class the Pee Cent of Total.

Class.

FMTuers' Bulletins

Department Bulletins and unnumbered publications

Periodical publications

Congressional publications

Compilations of laws, manuals, fiscal regulations, etc

Miscellaneous administrative circulars, orders, decisions, etc

Separates and unnumbered pamphlets

Posters, placards, labels, maps, etc

Binding

Index cards

Blank forms

Blank books

Letterheads

Envelopes

Memorandum sheets

Total

Amount.

$167,199.56

27.87

60,455.90

10.08

139,995.90

23.33

64,160.77

10.69

6,169.54

.85

31,316.17

5.22

18, 140. 11

3.03

5,544.28

.90

11,289.63

1.88

12,139.73

2.02

51,274.52

8.55

21,268.54

3 54

11,932.99

L99

90.83

.02

4.28

.01

599,982.75

100

Per cent.

Arranged by Bureaus, and Shovting Estimated Cost of Work Ordered but not Completed.

Bureau.

Bureaus:

Division of Accoimts and Disburse-
ments

. Bureau of Animal Industry

Bureau of Biological Survey

Bureau of Chemistry

Bureau of Crop Estimates

Bureau of Entomology

Office of Farm Management ,

Federal Horticultural Board

Forest Service

Insecticide and Fungicide Board

Library

Bureau of Markets

Bureau of Plant Industry

Bureau of Public Roads

Division of Publications

Office of the Secretary ,

Bureau of Soils

Solicitor . ,

States Relations Service

Weather Bureau

Projects:

Agricultural Atlas

Farmers' Bulletins— Congressional re-
I prints

Total

Expenditures.

Job work
and bind-
ing.

$1,300.35

3,438.04

1,666.87

3,828.70

12,115.64

2,24.5.98

440. 77

804.23

10,821.95

124. 83

4,947.34

10, 752. 85

0,615.00

1,4-46.57

1, 108. 39

12,039.21

386.61

123.97

24,651.31

14,686.19

113,544.80

Publica-
tions.

$25.36
12,517.64

5,253.67

7,603.46
24,777.84

9,165.96
11, 97 3. .58

1,248.46
12,121.15

1, 106. 16
410. 87

8,397.24
32,900.37

7,699.98

8, 876. 66

122,359.08

34,263.34

126.67

29,726.17

25, 297. 52

2,977.00

127,589.77

486,437.95

Total
expendi-
tures.

$1,325.71

15,955.68

6,920.54

11,432.16

36, 893. 48

11,411.94

12,414.35

2, 052. 69

22,943.10

1.230.99

5,358.21

19,150.09

39,515.37

9, 148. 55

9,985.05

134,398.29

34,649.95

250.64

54,377.48

39,983.71

2,997.00

127.589.77

599,982.75

P^stimates

on work

canied to

1920.

$221. 10

1,229.78

946.02

909.74

3,421.79

724.92

248. 50

6, 122. 40

77.78

3,053.61

3,190.53

4,421.00

1,209.62

2, 179. 26

32.208.29

32,935.92

7.82

6,960.95

3,360.00

5, 282. 88

10,405.30

119,117.21

Total of
expendi-
tures and
estimates.

$1, .546. 81
17, 18.3. 4f)

7, 886. .56
12,.341.9<)
40,31.5.27
12, 1.36. 8 »
12, 414. 3^5

2,301.19
29,085.50

1,308.77

8,411.82
22,340.62
43,930.37
10,356.17
12,164.31
166,606.58
67, 58.>. 87
2.58. 4r;
61,338.43
43,343.71

8,279.88

137,995.07

•19,099.98

Including publications of the Weather Bureau.

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 307

As usual, a consideral)le number of requisitions for printing and
binding were forwarded to the Government Printing Office upon
which work was either not undertaken, or, if undertaken, completed
only in part. The estimated cost of such uncompleted work Jor the
year ended June 30, 1919, was $119,117.21. This large ''carry-
over" was due to the insufficiency of the appropriation to meet the
printing requirements of the department.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES FROM THE REGULAR FUND FOR PRINTING
AND BINDING, BY CLASSES OF WORK. FOR EACH BUREAU.

The following statement shows in detail the expenditures for
printing and binding for the various bureaus, divisions, and offices,
chargeable against the regular appropriation of $600,000. The classes
of work and the number of copies are given.

The expenditures include, besides the charges for work ordered and
completed during the year, the final charges for work ordered in the
fiscal year 1918 but not completed in that year, and the first charges
on work ordered in the fiscal year 1919 and completed only in part, the
final charges for which will be paid from the appropriation for 1920.

The number of copies given is the number billed from the Govern-
ment Printing Office durmg the year. In some cases deliveries were
made in two or more lots, the early deliveries falling in one fiscal
year and the later deliveries in the succeeding year. For this reason
and because emergency publications charged to the food production
act and certain other acts are not included in this table, the num-
bei*s given here do not agree entirely with the editions ordered, as
given in the table of publications issued during the year (pp. 9-10),
which includes emergency publications.

Neither does the number of copies agree exactly with the number
received in the Distribution Section, which also includes emergency
publications.

808

ANNUAL REPORTb OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

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A'Nl^VAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMEI^T OF AGRICULTURE.

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DIVISION" OF PUBLICATIONS.
STATISTICS OF THE PUBLICATION WORK.

311

The statements that follow show in detail the publication work of
the department for the year:

Contributions by the varioKs bureaus to the series of Department Bulletins and to the
Farmers' Bulletin series issued during the year,^

Department Bulletins.

Farmers' Bulletins.

Biir6fiu

New.

Reprints.

New.

Reprints.

1

i
55

i
2

i

5

2

1

1

B

s

1

s

1

s

1

0
0

Anim.il iiiliistry

Biolorical Survey

Clit'inislrv

11
2
9

4
14

9
12

9
23

4

'"•2
6

319
2^

74,000
12,001

2
5

23
43
144

7,009

2.500

34,000

14
3

125

82.000
170,000

51
12

1,165

281

99

2,595.000

418,000

45.000

Crop Est imates .........

113 20!630
452 83.030
364 44,503
702t lft5,030
185, 260,003
1,110 142,000
23«j 16,500

"*i97,"'4,'665
146 52,000

1

1

16

5,00(^

18

?1

333

750.000
1,040,000

2 47
6 103
79' 2,068
8 195

1 12

2 78
27 742

1 31

790,500

Farm Man i-^emcnt

415,000

Forest .Sers'ice .

3
3

8

108
25.S
201

i,.563l
21,000

25 000

Markets

f

44

766

93.663

1,500,003

370.000

170,000

2,234,500

106 000

Plont Tniustry

33,000 20

Public Roads . .

3

Secretary

Soils...!

....

"23
157

"i.'soo
6,ax)

30,000
80.000

Stiilos Reht ions Service.

3,547,000

ATcather Bureau

45,000

' 1

1 '

Total

105

4,078j 858.550'

33

950

111,500! 00

2.307,

4,005,000

231

5,673

10,561,000

1

> A ne T ?e-le?. kmvm as Dapirtraant Circulars, was begun during the year, but separate statistics for
these 3un not l>e given at this time.

New publications and reprints issued during the year ended June SO, 1919.

PUBUCATIONS OP ALL CLASSES EXCEPT PeRIODICALS.I

New publications.

Reprints.

Class.

Num-
ber.

Pages.

Copies.

Num-
ber.

Pages.

Copies.

Department Bulletins

105
90
22
40
1

^

34

120
32
33
67
10
22
54

4,078

2,307

298

2,043

54

520

674

697

1,928

1,813

345

879

496

69

1,139

932.550

4,075,000

2,041,000

42,000

13,500

400

55,353

243, .'500

111,690

5,293,100

2,801,500

6,586,500

28,700

171,000

890,450

30
231

ft59
5,673

111,503

10,561,003

Depiftuit^nt Circulars

^oil Surveys

Annual Re{X)rfs. Department of Agriculture

Annual reports, bureaus, divisions, and ofUces ...

5

100

10,500

Journal of A-^ricultural Research separates

Miscellaneous separates and pamphlets

8
10
31

3
61
22

253
126
400
578
334
725

1,368,780

Circulars. Omcc of Secretary

Circulars bureaus divisions, and offices

451,000
947 000

Miscellaneous bulletins and reports

5,0.7)

Orders, notices, decisions, etc

107,000

Service and Regulatory Ajmouncements

29,503

Total

653

17,340

22,286,240

401
1,054

9,118
26,305

13. .589, 28^

New publications and reprints combined

35, 875,. 120

» Including emerj:enoy publications bat n^t ia^ludini publications of the Weather Bureau.

312 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

New publications and reprints issued during the year ended June 30, 1919 — Contd.
Periodical Publications.^

Name of periodical.

Weekly News Letter

JournaJ of Afjricultural Research .

Experiment Station Record

Monthly Crop Reporter

Monthly List of Publications

Public Roads

Seed Reporter

Food Survey

Total periodicals.

Bureau or office.

Secretary.. .

do

States Relations.
Crop Estimates.

Publications

Roads

Markets

do

Number
of issues.

187

832

1,801

2,293

160

52

481

88

380

6,087

Copies.

6,958,000

80,200

142,500

2,197,550

2,465,000

36,000

270,500

788,000

12,937,750

1 Not including publications of the Weather Bureau.

In addition to the periodical publications named in this list, the
Office of Information issued to the press the ''Food and Farming
Weekly/' a 3-column sheet 7^ by 19 inches in size. Of this 270,400
copies were issued during the year. The Office of Information also
issued to the press the ''Special Information Service," an 8-column
sheet 24 by 24 inches in size. During the year 196,100 copies of this
sheet were issued.

The Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
distributed to paid subscribers 14,021 copies of the Journal of Agri-
cultural Research; 12,859 of the Weekly News Letter; 6,972 of the
Experiment Station Record; 1,608 of the Monthly Weather Review;
1,169 of Public Roads; and smaller numbers of other periodicals.

Copies of publications of all kinds, new and reprints, issued by the department, 1890-1919,

inclusive.

Year.

Number
of copies.

1

Year.

Number
of copies.

Year.

Number
of copies.

Year.

Number
of copies.

1S90

1,904,300
2,833,933
2,348,797
3,446,181
3,169,310
4,100,660
6,561,700
6,541,210

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

6,280,365
7,075,975
7,152,428
7,889,281
10,586,580
11,698,564
12,421,386
12,475,157

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

13,488,527
16,746,910
16,875,516
17,190,345
25,190,465
27,594,877
34,678,557
33,356,366

1914

1915..:

1916

1917

1918...

1919

38,186,392

1891

36,075,561

1892

39, 098, 239

1893

47,023,635

1894

197,259,399

1895

149,737,125

1896

1897

1 includes publications of the Weather Bureau and publications charged to the emergency fund for
'stimulating agriculture."

FARMERS* BULLETINS.

New bulletins of the Farmers' Bulletin series to the number of 90
were issued during the year. The output of Farmers' Bulletins, in-
cluding reprints of earlier numbers still in demand, aggregated
14,636,000 copies.

The following list gives the serial numbers and titles of the new
Farmers' Bulletins issued during the year;

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 313

New Farmers^ Bulletins issued during the year ended June SO, 1919.
No.

905. Ways of Malting Southern Mountain Farms More Productive!

932. Rodent Pestfl of the Farm.

941. Water SyBtems for Farm Homes.

944. Controlling the Garden Web worm in Alfalfa Fields.

945. Eradication of Bermuda Grass.

951. Hog Pastures for the Southern States.

952. Breeds of Light Horses.
954. Disinfection of Stables.
957. Important Poultry Diseases.

959. The Spotted Garden Slug. '

960. Neufchatol and Cream Cheese: Manufacture and Use.

961. Transferring Bees to Modern Hives.

962. Velvet Beans.

963. Tractor Experience in Illinois: A Study of the Farm Tr i r under Corn-Belt

Conditions.

964. Farm Household Accounts.

965. Growing Grain Sorghums in the San Antonio District of Texas.

967. Purple Vetch.

968. Cultivation and Utilization of Barley.

969. Horse Beans.

972. How to Use Sorghum Grain.

973. The Soy Bean: Its Culture and Uses.

974. Clearing Land.

975. The Control of European Foulbrood.

976. Cooling Milk and Cream on the Farm.

977. Hay Cape.

978. Handling Barnyard Manure in Eastern Pennsylvania.

980. The Spinose Ear Tick and Methods of Treating Infested Animals.

981. Farm Practices that Increase Crop Yields in Kentucky and Tennessee.

982. Control of the Green Clover Worm in Alfalfa Fields.

983. Bean and Pea WeeNils.

984. Home and Farm Drying of Fruits and Vegetables.

985. Systems of Hog Farming in the Southeastern States.

986. Farm Practices That I ncreise Crop Yields. The Gulf Coast Region
988. Larkspur or ''Poison Weed. "

990. Timothy.

992. The Use of Machinery in Cutting Corn.

993. Cooperative Bull Associations.

995. Preventing Wood Rot in Pecan Trees.

996. Steam Sterilization of Seed Beds for Tobacco and Other Crops.

997. Terracing Farm Lands.

998. Culture of the Logan Blackberry and Related Varieties.

999. Sweet Potato Growing.

1000. Crop Systems for Arkansas.

1001. Growing Fruit for Home Use.

1002. Canada Thistle and Methods of Eradication.

1003. How to Control Billbugs Destructive to Cereal and Forage Crops.

1004. The Gas Tractor in Eastern Farming.

1005. Sweet Clover on Corn-Belt Farms.

1006. The Wheat Jointworm and Its Control.

1007. Control of the Onion Thrips.

1008. Saving Farm Labor by Harvesting Crops with Live Stock.

1009. Hay Stackers: How They May Be Used in the East and South to Save Labor.

1010. Game Laws for 1918.

1011. Woolly White Fly in Florida Citrus Groves.

1012. Preparation of Bees for Outdoor Wintering.

1013. Practical Hints for Running a Gas Engine.

1014. Wintering Bees in Cellars.

1015. Producing Family and Farm Supplies on the Cotton Farm.

1016. Propagation and Culture of the Date Palm.

1017. Cattle Scab and Methods of Control and Eradication.

1018. Hemorrhagic Septicemia (Stockyards Fever, Swine Plague, Fowl Cholera, etc.).

151352°— 10 21

314 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

No.

1019. Straining Milk.

1020. Sweet Potato Weevil and Its Control.

1022. Laws Relating to Fur-Bearing Animals, 1918.

1023. Machinery for Cutting Firewood.

1024. Currants and Gooseberries.

1025. Larger Corn Stalk-Borer.

1026. Strawberry Culture, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast Regions.

1027. Strawberry Culture, Western United States.

1028. Strawberry Culture, Eastern LTnited States.

1029. Conserving Corn from Weevils in the Gulf Coast States.

1030. Feeding Horses.

1031. Fig Growing in the South Atlantic and Gulf States.

1032. Operating a Cooperative Motor Truck Route.

1033. Muscadine Grape Paste.

1034. Growing Sugar Cane for Sirup.

1035. Farm Tractor in the Dakotas.

1036. Care and Repair of Farm Implements: No. 5, Grain Separators,

1037. "White Ants" as Pests in the United States and Methods of Preventing Their

Damage.

1038. Striped Cucumber Beetle and Its Control.

1040. Illustrated Poultry Primmer.

1041. Eel worm Disease of Wheat and Its Control.

1042. Saving Man Labor in Sugar Beet Fields.

1043. Strawberry Varieties in the United States.

1044. The City Home Garden.

1045. Laying out Fields for Tractor Plowing.

1046. European Corn Borer: A Menace to the Country's Corn Crop.
1048. Rhodes Grass.

1050. Handling and Loading Southern New Potatoes.
1053. Control of Cherry Leaf-Spot.

EMERGENCY OUTSIDE PRINTING.

For emergency printing to make more effective the campaign to
increase food production and to conserve the food supply, the depart-
ment had a special appropriation which included printing, the expend-
iture of which was placed under the direction of this division. This
was in addition to the regular printing fund. As during the ])re-
ceding year, this emergency appropriation was utilized for the
printing and distribution of various bulletins, leaflets, pampklets,
circulars, posters, etc., requiring immediate dissemination.

The expenditures for emergency printing supplied by private
printing houses aggregated $120,158.85.

As heretofore, some of the Farmers' Bulletins were utilized in
the department's intensive campaign. There were 61 such bulle-
tins during the year, the editions of which aggregated 2,447,000
copies. Of emergency pamphlets, leaflets, and informational circu-
lars there were 59, and the number of copies issued was 7,295,500;
of circulars and folders there were 62, and the editions aggregated
6,309,000 copies; of posters, charts, maps, etc., there were 32, the
editions totaling 2,217,020 copies; of Department Bidletins there
were 3, and the copies issued 26,000; of miscellaneous labels, forms,
maps, etc., the editions aggregated 658,351. The grand total of
emergency publications, leaflets, circulars, etc., was 18,952,871
copies.

The printed matter was distributed under the supervision of tbo
assistant in charge of distribution, largely through the department's
county and demonstration agents, and other official channels. A

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 315

large percentage of the distribution was made directly from the
plants of the contracting printers.

The distribution of Si emergency printed matter was carefully
planned with the view to disseminating it in the locality to which
it was adapted and at the time when it was most helpful.

PUBLICATION WORK OF THE WEATHER BUREAU.

A sum not exceeding $47,000 is allotted to the Weather Bureau
from the appropriation for the printing of the department. This
money is expended by the Weather Bureau and is not under the
supervision of the Division of Publications, but in order to furnish a
complete report of the publications of the department the following
list is supplied by that bureau:

Weather Bureau publications, issued during the fiscal year 1919, at Washington, D, C.

Total num-
ber of copies.

Instnictions to Cooperative Observers (Instrument Division Circulars B and C

combincil) 5, 000

Dailv River Stages at river-gage stations on the principal rivers of the United

States, fortlievear 1917; Vol. XV 075

Monthly Weather Review; May, 1918. to March, 1919, 11 numbers 10, 475

Index and title-page for Vol. 4t), Monthly Weather Review. 1918 2, 000

Supplements Xos. 10 to 14 (Aerology Nos. 5 to 9), Monthly Weather Review. . 7, 500
Climat ©logical Data for the United States, by sections, March, 1918, to

March. 1919, with annual summary for 1917; 14 numbers 4, .340

Daily Washington weather maps, first and second editions 370, 877

National Weather and Crop liulletin; issued weekly from April to September,

and monthly from October to March ; 32 numbers 112, HC^

Snow and Ice Bulletin; issued weekly during the winter months; 17 numbers. 19, 190

Forecast cards, daily except Sundays and holidays 373, 243

Weekly forecasts 8, 415

Monthly Meteorological Summary for Washington, D. C 3, 280

Total 923, 855

WORK OF THE DIVISION, BY BRANCHES.

The work of the division during the year has been organized in
six branches, cliarged respectively with printing, editing, indexing,
illustrating, distributing, and motion-picture activities. A brief
statement regarding the operations of each follows:

PRINTING SECTION.

The printing work included the preparation of manuscripts for
the printer, supervising reproductions of illustrations and approving
fmisned work of same, assembling material for transmission to the
Government Printmg Office, making requisitions for printing and
binding, preparing schemes of distribution for publications, keeping
records of manuscripts, job work, etc., received for printing and
binding, and conducting business relating to the publication and
prhiting and bmding work of the department between the various
bureaus of the department and the Government Prmting Office.
The work of this section was directly in charge of the assistant chief,
Mr."B. D. Stallincrs.

316

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The new publications of the department during the year numbered
840, while the reprints of publications for the same period numbered
401, making a total of 1,241 publications, nearly all of which were
handled in this section. The following table gives a comparative
statement of publications issued in the last 10 years:

New publications and reprints, ten years, 1910 to 1919.

Class.

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

New publications...
Reprints

1,085
462

1,170
696

1,250

648

1, 771
429

1,152
474

913
393

944
357

1,132
390

2,205
341

840
401

Total

1,547

1,866

1,898

2,200

1,626

1,306

1,301

1,522

2,546

1 241

The volume of miscellaneous printing handled by the section,
which includes blank books, circulars, and the general job work of
the department, increased greatly during the year. The necessary
estimates, calculations, and measurements for this work were care-
fully revised in this section, including the standardization and modi-
fication of sizes for the various printed forms of the different bureaus,
the selection of appropriate and economical paper stock, and the
elimination of unnecessary operations. This revision resulted in
substantial economies, amounting to approximately $7,000, and
a saving of about 14 tons of paper, As practically all of this class
of printing and binding is reproduced yearly, many of these econ-
omies will be perpetuated.

The proofs of the publications and job work of the department were
read in this section. The orders for mimeographic and multigraphio
work submitted by the various branches of the department were
also considered for the most practical and economical methods of
production.

The printing of the Yearbook of the department on a half-tone
perfecting press recently installed at the Government Printing Office
has resulted in a considerable reduction in the cost of production,
with an improvement in the appearance of the publication. Methods
of production are contemplated for the coming year which, it is be-
lieved, will still further improve the appearance of the Yearbook
for 1919 and will result in a material reduction of its cost to the
public.

It is also contemplated by the Government Printing Office to
employ this rapid half-tone press in the printing of many of the illus-
trated Farmers' Bulletins. This should, and no doubt will, expedite
the issuance of these popular publications and thus contribute to the
efficiency of the publication work of the department.

In the course of its work this section examined 100 bids sub-
mitted by contractors for furnishing the engravings, lithographs,
etc., to be used in illustrating the publications, of the department,
made recommendations for awarding the contracts for the same,
and conducted the correspondence relating thereto. It also pro-
cured from the Government Printing Office and from private con-
tractors 50 estimates of cost for maps and reprints of publications
of the department desired by cooperating agencies.

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 317

EDITORIAL SECTION.

The editing of the manuscripts was done with a small force of
assistant editors under the immediate supervision of Mr. W. F.
Harding and under the general direction of the Chief of the Divi-
sion. The work comprised not only the regular publications, but
numerous emergency circulars, leaflets, etc., designed to stunulate
agriculture and increase crop production. The editorial work had
for its principal object the presentation of information in the briefest,
most attractive, and most economical form.

In addition to the 840 new publications issued during the year, a
a number of manuscripts were edited and prepared for the printer,
but not published because of insufficient funds, while others, upon
critical examination, were found imsuitable for publication.

The editorial work upon manuscripts is done with a view to adapt-
ing them to the series of publications in which they are to be issued.
The contributing bureaus and authors are freely consulted, with
the purpose of insuring accuracy in the statements made and
with the object of adopting the most desirable and convincing
form of presenting the subject matter of the publication. The aim
has been to condense the publications to the briefest possible limits.
Many of the bulletins issued during the year have been reduced in
number of pages at least 25 per cent, and no bulletin exceeding 1 00
pages was issued. Desirable as this policy is from the point
of view of effectiveness of the publications, it is practically forced
upon the department by the limitations of the printing fund and
the rising cost of printing.

During the year a new series of publications known as Department
Circulars was inaugurated to take the place of various unnumbered
circulars heretofore issued by the different bureaus. Twenty-two
of these circulars were issued during the year.

The new hand-lettered title pages for the Farmers' Bulletins,
commenced in 1918, have been continued during the year, and the
marked improvement in the appearance of these bulletins has been
generally commended.

Both the printing and editorial work of the division were under
the general supervision of Assistant Secretary Clarence Ousley,
in charge of all publication activities of the department.

INDEXING SECTION.

The work of the Indexing Section consists chiefly in the preparation
of detailed card indexes of department publications as issued. This
work was advanced and notably improved during the year. Indexes
for individual publications are also made to be prmted with the
publications.

Under present methods, when Farmers' Bulletins and Department
Bulletins are indexed for the card indexes, duplicate cards are written.
These duplicates have proved so satisfactory for use in compiling
indexes for bound volumes that the indexes for bound volumes of
Farmers' Bulletins have been brought veiy nearly up to date, while
the indexes for bound volumes of the Department Bulletins are
being advanced. During the greater part of the year this work was
badly crippled for lack of copyists to make card copies of entries
for card indexes, but the copying of cards is now moving forward
rapidly.

318 a:n^nual reports of department of agriculture.

Indexes were made as usual for the Yearbook, for the Annual
Report of the Department of Agriculture, for committee hearings,
and for the List of Workers in Subjects Pertaining to Agriculture
and Home Economics.

The preparation of a cumulated index for the first 1,000 Farmers'
Bulletins has been taken up and is being pushed vigorously, with
the expectation that it will be in the printer's hands within a few
weeks. The list of Publications Available for Distribution, which
is revised each year, also is about ready for the entries of publications
issued in June, 1919, and it is hoped to have the revision ready
within 10 days after the Farmers' Bulletin index is ready.

The increase of work here with the rapid growth of the department
and increase of its publications emphasizes the recommendation
repeated annually for several years that another indexer be added
to the oflice force. This will be necessary if the indexing deemed
to be absolutely current and essential is to be kept nearly up to
date. Two indexers and a compiler added to the force would make
it possible to take up indexing long held in abeyance.

The demand for lists of references from the indexes in the Indexing
Section has increased notably in the year; but it is still true that it
is not sufFiciently known tnroughout the department that these
indexes exist. It would be desirable to adopt some plan which would
put the information offered by the indexes more certainly and
attractively at the disposal of all department officials.

The work of this section in the fiscal year included writing 45,000
index cards; making 100,000 copies of the same; alphabetizing;
filing a part of the cards; and distributing another part toother
offices that use them.

The indexing work of this section for the fiscal year involved the
indexing of 27,640 pages of department publications, and 11,976 pages
of the Congressional Record.

The Indexing Section was under the immediate supervision of
Mr. C. H. Greathouse.

ILLUSTRATION SECTION.

The drawings prepared by the draftsmen during the year numbered
1,760, compared with 2,483 during the preceding year.

Though the number of drawings made shows a falling off, the actual
amount and quality of the work produced was greater, as the efforts
of the artist-draftsmen were concentrated on the designing of special
cover pages to enhance the attractiveness of publications, and the
creation of colored posters used in special educational campaigns.
As a result, requests for hundreds of simpler drawings had to be can-
celed owing to the limited force of draftsmen.

The growth of the photographic work shown in last year's report
has continued, with no increase of force, the total output showing
181,006 pieces as against 172,066 in the preceding year.

One hundred and fifty-six requests for photographs were received
from persons outside the department, for which a total of $621.62
was collected and turned over to the Division of Accounts and Dis-
bursements.

Eighty-eight requests were received for duplicates of cuts used in
llustrating the department's publications and 818 cuts were taken
'rom the files and sent to electrotypers, who furnished duplicates
fo the applicants at their expense, the original cuts being afterwards
returned to the files

DrVlSION OF PUBLICATIONS. 319

Summary of the photographic work done during the year ending June 30 j 1919.

Photostat prints 15, G84

Contact prints 110,644

Negatives 6, 148

Developing 4, 290

Lantern slides 26. 991

Lantern slides colored 88

Bromide enlargements 4, 697

Bromide enlargements colored 255

Solar bromides 517

Maps and prints mounted 5, G92

Total 181 , 006

The output of the Illustration Section is .primarily^ intended to
illustrate reports of investigations conducted oy the scientific staff
of the department, and must be of the highest order, and unless a
readjustment of salaries is effected in the near future, the work of
the section will be greatly hampered through the scarcity of techni-
cally trained men willing to accept the low entrance salary offered. A
number of the best artists and photographocs have left the service
within the last two years to accept more lucrative positions in the
commercial field, and while the section has been fortunate in the pos-
session of an "esprit de corps" wliich has held the force together to
a great extent, the allurement of the greatly advanced scale of
remuneration paid elsewhere will disrupt the lorce unless adequate
salaries are provided.

The drafting and photographing work continued under the im-
mediate supervision of Mr. A. B. Boettcher.

, DISTRIBUTION SECTION.
TOTAL DISTRIBUTION OP PUBUCATI0N8.

On July 1, 1918, 12,184,304 copies of department publications were
on hand for distribution. During the fiscal year ending June 30,
1910, 61,240,852 copies of publications were received (including
publications charged to the food production act and certain acts
administered by the department), making a total stock for distribu-
tion of 73,425,156 copies. This included all classes of publications —
Department Bulletins, Farmers' Bulletins, Department Circulars,
unnumbered leaflets. Farmers' Bulletin lists, and press notices.
During the vear from this stock 62,218,829 publications were dis-
tributed, leaving a balance on hand July 1, 1919, of 11,206,327. This
distribution was classed under the following heads:

Miscellaneous publications (Department Bulletins, Department Circulars,

reports, etc.) 40, 354, 810

Farmers' Bulletins 17, 159, 2i)4

Farmers' Bulletin lists 3,280, 000

Press notices 1, 424, 725

Compared with the total distribution for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1918, which aggregated 99,222,321, the distribution for the past
year shows a considerable reduction, due to the suspension of war
activities.

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRIBUTION.

Tlic major portion of this distribution was of the miscellaneous pub-
lications, 40,354,810 of which were distributed. B}^ far the greater
part of this class of publications was distributed in accordance with
carefully prepared schemes of distribution arranged in advance of

320 ANNUAL REPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the issuance of each publication. Part of this method of distribution
includes the sending in liberal quantities to county agents the publi-
cations adapted for distribution in their districts. It was in this
class of publications that the greatest falling off in the number
distributed occurred, as 24,943,456 less were sent out than the 3^ear
previous.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRIBUTION.

The Farmers' Bulletins were not called for in as great quantity as
the year before, although 17,159,294 copies were distributed. Of this
number 5,490,652 were distributed on orders from Members of Congress
and the remaining 11,668,642 were distributed by the department.
Included in the department's distribution were 1,118,000 sent ac-
cording to the regular schemes of distribution; 7,168,495 were for-
warded upon orders issued by various offices of the department, and
3,382,147 were sent in response to requests from miscellaneous
applicants. In addition to the Farmers' Bulletins, Members of
Congress were furnished with 3,280,000 lists of Farmers' Bulletins
which were used by the Members in distributing their allotments of
Farmers' Bulletins. The aggregate number of Farmers' Bulletins
distributed during the fiscal year ending June 30 was much less than
during the year 1918, which is the reason that it is possible to carry
over 9,009,127 to be distributed during the current fiscal year.

The distribution work involves the keeping of records of the dis-
tribution of the thousands of publications carried in stock; correspond-
ence with Members of Congress, officials of States and counties,
department officials, and the general public; the maintanence of me-
chanical labor-saving devices, such as folding, stencil, and bundle-
tying machines, etc.; the keeping of foreign mail records; and
furnishing information regarding publications to visitors who call
at the office.

In conducting the distribution directed by Members of Congress
28,235 letters were received, and 25,053 orders were issued on the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office.

In many cases the decision as to what is to be sent devolves upon
this office. Millions of Congressional franks are counted. Totals
are checked on Farmers' Bulletin lists returned by constituents of
Members of Congress. As an account is kept with each Member of
Congress, this work must be performed with great accuracy.

In connection with this work 44,883 letters were prepared during
the year. Of this total 6,875 were dictated; 12,060 were composed by
the typist or stenographer, in accordance with general instructions;
22,359 were form letters; and 3,589 were reference slips. There
were also cut 1,374 dermatype stencils.

CORRESPONDENCE UNIT.

Daily several thousand requests are received from applicants from
various parts of the country for information on many phases of
agriculture. These requests are largely the result of the issuance
of the Monthly List of Publications and the publicity given the
activities of the department by the Office of Information. During
the year just closed miscellaneous requests for publications and
other information were received from 491,567 applicants. After
this mail matter had been sorted into classes, 124,583 orders wei:e
issued on the Superintendent of Documents for miscellaneous pub-

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 321

lications and 377,127 orders for Farmers' Bulletins. More than
16,609 forms and postal cards were used in acknowledging requests,
and 32,940 requests were referred to proper offices for further atten-
tion. A '^correspondence unit" of 27 clerks was reciuired to keep
this work up-to-date. During the year 26,800 entries were made
in an index of addresses to which the last edition of the Yearbook
were sent. In cooperating with other bureaus 22,283 addresses were
written. The correspondence work, as heretofore, is in charge of
Mr. John O. Riley, who by reason of his long experience with Govern-
ment publications is especially fitted for the work.

WORK OP THE MACHINE ROOM.

The duplicating, addressing, receiving, folding, and shipping units
of the distribution work during the year were under the immediate
supervision of Mr. Clarence E. Bracey. During the year the work
of these various groups was exceeciingly large. The duplicating
imit cooperated with 26 offices in the department, and completed
2,675 jobs, comprishig 2,265,641 pages, of which 3,840,221 copies
were printed. Ihis great number of copies was printed from 18,031
pages of type. The number of copies was considerably greater than
m the preceding year.

At present mailmg lists are maintained for 16 bureaus and offices
of the department, aggregathig 268,775 individual addresses. Main-
tahiing tnese lists involves the cuttino; of stencils, the removal of
stencils containhig addresses, the actual addressing of envelopes and
franks, and the cutting of congressional franks and paper for various
bureaus of the department, the making of memorandum pads, the
folding of circulars, and the assembing and stapling of matter du-
phcated.

RECEIPT AND DISPOSITION OF PRINTED MATTER.

During the year accurate records have been kept of the publica-
tions and job work received and tinned over to the proper distri-
buthig offices. Deliveries made to this office aggregated 52,080,
comprising 19,758 packages of publications and 41,636 packages
of job work. The receivhif^, storing, and redcspatching of this
matter was a task the magnitude of which can hardly be realized
by those not actually engaged in the work. This work was rapidly
and efficiently done without any serious error or mistake, although
the employee in charge of it was handicapped at times, owing to
the lack of storage space and platform facilities.

MAILING LIST RECORD WORK.

Closely related to the mailing and folding room work is the work
of maintaining a record of the various mailing lists of the department.
These mailing lists are separated broadly into two classes, those for
which the mechanical equipment is maintained in this office, and
those that are maintained at the office of the Superintendent of
Documents. The aggregate number of individual addresses is
approximately 496,450. This work involves the adding, dropping,
and changing of addresses on the mailmg lists; the transmittmg of
such additions and changes to the office of the Superintendent of
Documents; the distribution of proof cards from that official to the
different bureaus in the department; the maintenance of a general
index of addresses on all mailing lists; the preparation of correspond-

822 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

ence incident to such work, and the revision of the individual maiUng
lists. This work was done under the immediate supervision of Mrs.
M. E. Thorn.

FOREIGN MAIL.

During the year 78,630 packages of foreign mail, weighing 22,812
pounds and 10 ounces, requiring an expenditure of $1,825.01, wore
sent under postage from this division, and 3,844 packages, weighmg
1,430 pounds and 10 ounces, requuing an expenditure of $64.42, were
shipped through the Smithsonian Exchange. The total expenditure

for foreign mail was $1,889.43

INFORMATION UNIT.

Beginning with July 1, 1918, a separate information unit was
maintained in the distribution section. A veteran clerk familiar with
the work of the division, and possessing a general knowledge of the work
and policy of the department, was placed in charge. The office was
supplied with a general card index of the department's publications
and with catalogues, lists, and indexes necessary to furnish information
to the many visitors constantly calling at this office. During the year
4,028 persons called and received publications requested, or were
supplied with information necessary to enable them to secure any
other information available in the department. This work should bo
encouraged and developed.

PERSONNEL.

Commendable cooperation was given during the year by the rank
and file of. the employees in the distribution section. The spirit
shown by them at all times was excellent, particularly during rush
periods when they were called upon to extend their efforts. With-
out such loyal support it would have been impossible to accom-
plish the great amount of work performed during the past year, for
at times the work was greatly handicapped by 'turnover'' among
certain units of the force, 120 changes having occurred in this divis-
ion. The greater part of this 'turnover" was in the machine and
labor-saving unit, and at times the work was greatly impeded.

The work of the distribution section, particularly the physical
work, involving the handling of millions of publications and the oper-
ation of numerous electrically driven machines, is greatly hampered
for lack of space, and arrangements should be perfected as soon as
possible, whereby more room would be alloted to the distribution
branch, preferably by the assignment of additional space in the build-
ing now occupied. If necessary to provide this space, other units
not directly assisting or cooperating with the, distribution work may
be moved to other quarters.

Owing to the low entrance salary paid to employees it is impossible
to secure a desirable or thoroughly efficient class for some lines of
work; particularly is this true with regard to typewriters and sten-
ographers. The entrance pay of this grade should be $1,200, which
seems to be the mimimum salary in other departments and bureaus.

There are a number of employees occupying important positions
who have not been promoted within 3 to 10 years, whose salaries
should be increased.

The distribution activities were carried on under the immediate
supervision of Mr. Francis J. P. Cleary.

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 823

MOTION PICTURE ACTHTTIES.

By July 1, 1018, the motion picture branch, which had been placed
under the direction of Mr. Don Carlos Ellis subsequent to our en-
trance into the war with the Central Powers, was producing and dis-
tributing, in this country and abroad, a considerable quantity of
films, designed to stimulate agricultural production and food and
fuel conservation. After the signing the of the armistice the pro-
gram of production and distribution which was under way was con-
tinued for the purpose of helping in the work of reconstruction.

FILM PRODICTIONT.

Films were completed during^ the year on 18 subjects, aggregating
26 reels of finished pictures. The releases were as follows:

Keels.

The Wichita National Forest and Game Preserve ^

The Laflt Days of the Prairie Dog 1

Milk and Honey 2

Training Hoys for Farm Service 1

Tlie Western Cantaloupe Industry 1

The Potiito Industry in the California Delta Region I

The Leak Disease of Potatoes 1

To Feed a Hungry World 1

The Red Cross Pig Club I

Feeding America from Its Own Back Yard 2

Granite Paving iind Curbing \\

Citrus Fruit Fumigation 2

The Barbarous Barberr\' 1

Dust Explosions in Thrashing Machines 2

Camera H\mting on the National Forests I

Vacation Days on the National Forests 1

The Charge of tlie Tick Brigade 1

Grading Wheat Under Federal Supervision 1

All but one of these films were prepared in the motion picture lab-
oratory of this department. Not only lias the output of the labora-
tory been greatly increased, but the quality of films has been notice-
ably improved.

Other films in preparation, for which the camera work was com-
pleted during the year, are as follows:

Selecting a Laying Hen. Sheep on the Farm.

Wheat Harvesting and Marketing. Fishing on a National Forest.

Wheat Transportation and Storage. Building Wooden Ships.

War Work of the Forest Products Labora- Roads and Trails on the National Forests.

tory. The Columbia River Highway.

Hog Feeding and Housing. Logging Operations on the National
Great Breeding Dairy Cattle. Forests,

Purebred Beef Cattle. Home Demonstration Work.

Building a Summer Home on a National Draft Horses.

Forest. Control of the White Pine Blister Rust.

A small amount of printing was done of films to be used in Liberty
loan campaigns.

FILM DISTRIBUTION.

On June 30, 1919, 244 reels of positive film of 57 subjects wore avail-
able for distribution. During the year these were circulated through,
the extension services of this department and of the State colleges
of agriculture, at State and other fairs and expositions, churches,
schools and other educational institutions, at farmei^s' meetings

324 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and elsewhere, and through the mihtary and naval camps and hos-
pitals in this country and abroad. Prints of negatives furnished
by this department were, without cost to the department, made
and distributed by the Committee on Public Information for ex-
hibition in Europe, by the NatitDnal War Work Council of the Young
Men's Christian Association to the United States military and naval
forces in this country and abroad, and, through a commercial company
under contract, to theaters. -

In order to interest the returning soldier in agriculture, with a
view either of encouraging men suited to the work to settle upon the
land and cultivate it after their return to civil life or of improving
agricultural practices among those returning to farm life, and
in order to inform them of the work of this department generally,
the department arranged for the use of its films in camps both here
and abroad.

Five sets of films of this and other departments were exhibited
at fairs and expositions in 20 States during the year, in connection
with Goverment exhibit circuits.

It is estimated that between four and five million people
saw these films.

A number of miscellaneous sales were made of positive films
printed commercially from our negatives, to schools and colleges,
museums, trade associations, and foreign governments.

COOPERATION OF MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY.

llie motion-picture industry generously cooperated in producing
and showing, without expense to the department, film conveying
important information and in exhibiting slides carrying appeals
concerning farm labor problems, the use of cordwood for fuel, and
forest fire prevention. Many thousands of people were reached
through these means.

PLANS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.

Since the development of motion-picture work during the fiscal year
1919 was financed in large part from the emergency food production
appropriation, which terminated on June 30, 1919, it will be neces-
sary greatly to curtail this work during the fiscal year 1920. It
is planned, therefore, to produce pictures only of a few of the most
important projects of the department, while endeavoring further to
improve their quality and teaching value — in other words, to pro-
duce fewer and better films. It will be impossible, with the force and
funds available, to approximate meeting the growing demand for
the films or to take advantage of the opportunities constantly being
presented for their broadcast exhibition. The unsolicited demand
for these films from extension workers, farmers and farmers' associa-
tions, agricultural and other schools, army camps and hospitals,
the Young Men's Christian Association and similar bodies, and from
foreign Governments is large and on the increase and can not bo
properly met. It will be necessary generally to mark time in dis-^
tribution until provision can be made for its development.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF CROP
ESTIMATES.

United States Depaittment of Agriculture,

Bureau of Crop Estimates,
Washington^ D, 6^., October i, 1919.
Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the Bureau
of Crop Estimates for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Respectfully,

Leon M. Estabrook,

Chief of Bureau.
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture,

WAR ORGANIZATION OF THE BUREAU.

The reorganization of the Bureau of Statistics and its change in
title to Bureau of Crop Estimates in July, 1914, was coincident with
the breaking out of the World War. It is fortunate that this reor-
ganization was effected at that time, as the war, even before the
United States took an active part in it, stimulated the demand for
crop and live-stock estimates, estimates of surplus and deficiency of
food and feed supply, consumption requirements, exports and im-
ports of the United States and foreign countries, which the bureau
could not have met with the old organization. The most important
change involved in the reorganization of the bureau and the one which
resulted in greatest improvement in the crop- reporting service was
the appointment of trained field agents, one for each State or group
of smaller States, who were in most cases legal residents of the States
to which thev were assigned, and whose interests were therefore
closely identified with those of the people of the States in which their
work is carried on, who travel over their States montlily during the
crop season, personally observing and inspecting crops, interviewing
the best informed men and enlisting their active cooperation in ob-
serving and reporting upon conditions for the monthly crop reports.

By the time the United States entered the war, in April, 1917, these
field agents had become thoroughly familiar with local conditions and
sources of information in their States, so that when the necessity arose
during the war emergency for obtaining dependable information
quickly concerning present and prospective food supply, or any phase
of crop and live-stock production for the use of the administrative
officials of the Federal . Government, it could readily be obtained

325

326 ANNUAL PvEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

within a few hours or days upon telegraphic request to the field agents.
These requests, many of them urgent and without precedent, often
involved an enormous amount of work on the part of the field agents,
requiring them to work at all hours of the day and night, regardless
of Sundays and holidays, but in every case they responded without
complaint or hesitation, working conscientiously, efficiently, and loy-
ally to do their part to help win the war. The same is true of the
crop specialists, who are assigned to particular crops and collect in-
formation regarding their special crops w^herever grown, without
regard to State lines.

Not only did the war emergency develop the organization of the
bureau to a high degree of efficiency of service, but it greatly stimu-
lated the interest and zeal of the vast number of voluntary crop re-
porters, who serve without compensation. These men reported to
the bureau on crop and live-stock condition's and in response to numer-
ous special inquiries more conscientiously and with greater regularity
during the war than before the emergency arose. In fact, one of the
most inspiring features of our participation in this war was the
universal readiness of every man, regardless of his situation in life,
to contribute his time, thought, energy, and money, or make any
other sacrifice required to help his country win the war against the
common enem}^

On June 30, 1919, the bureau had 129 employees in the Washington
office, and in the field 12 crop specialists, 39 field agents, and 60 clerks,
or a total of 230 salaried employees.

The total number of voluntary crop reporters was 215,460, classified
as follows :

Voluntary crop reporters.

List.

1919

List.

1919

Townslup

34,600

2,717

5,434

25,042

7,664

16,000

22,000

50,000

4,514

1,002

6,964

Potato

5,709
f.,446

Sliecp

Coui'tv aids (estimated)

Maple sirup

2,017

J-'it'ld aids

Truck.. ...:.:: :: . : : : :

10,000
9,500
3,500

Apple

1 Peach

Mill and elevator

Rice

500

Tobacco.

360

Spt'ci'^l cotton

Pear

2,:m

Total 1

215,409

» llxclusive of pepnut, broom com, bean, cranberry, and other special lists maintained by field agents.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919, there was available
$346,232 from the annual appropriation and $117,010 allotted from
the war-emergency food-production appropriation, or a total of
$403,272.

WORK ACCOMPLISHED.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919, the bureau issued the
regular monthly crop) reports, showing estimated acreages planted,
growing conditions, yields per acre, and total production, farm prices
of difFerent crops for each State and the United States, estimates of
total number of live stock of different classes on farms and ranges,
their condition, and losses from diseases and other causes. Com-

BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 327

iiici-cial estimatos of the apple and peach crops were made, and the
weekly truck-crop news service was continued and extended. Many
fecial inquiries were made during the year, including :

Quantity of comuieicial fertilizers used per acre of cotton and proportion of
fields upon which used.

IVrcentag:e of various crops to which commercial fertilizer and manure was
npplied and quantity used per acre.

Kinder twine requirements for the grain crops of 1918 for the use of the
Gniin Corporation.
' Emergency live-stock survey, to determine the number on farms July 1, 1918.

Uses made of wheat crop, for the United States Food Administration.

Quantities of various crops fed to different classes of live stock.

T.lve-stock survey of .January, 1910.

Fertilizer inquiry of January, 1919, to ascertain quantity of commercial fertil-
izers and manure used for various crops.

Wages of farm help.

Prices farmers pay for equipment, machinery, and supplies.

Percentage of farm labor requirements available.

Field agents prepared estimates of acreage, yield, production, and
stocks on farms of wheat and corn by counties for the United States
Grain Corporation, and tliey also prepared estimates of the value of
agricultural production by counties in each of the principal States
for the use of the Treasury Department. Field agents coo]>erated
with officials of the Department of Agriculture, the Treasury Depart-
ment, and the State extension services in the States where seed-grain
loans were made to farmers in the drought-stricken regions of the
Northwest and the Southwest in the fall of 1918 and spring of 1910.

The bureau compiled innumerable statements showing the produc-
tion, consumption, surplus and deficiency, exports and imports, and
prices of important agricultural products for all the principal coun-
tries before the war, and of production and requirements during the
war, for the information of administrative officials of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, of other Federal departments, and various war-
emergency organizations. Many of these statements were for the use
of the department committee on crop production and were used as a
basis for the crop-production programs which were recommended.
Other compilations were made for the confidential use of the War
Trade Board and for the Committees on Agriculture in Congress.
. Summaries of weekly reports of the State field agents of tlie bureau
were furnished for the confidential information of the Secretary and
chiefs of bureaus of the Department of Agriculture, and after the
signing of the armistice the mailing list for these summaries was ex-
tended to include other Government officials and Senators and Mem-
bers of the House of Eepresentatives. Bimonthly foreign crop re-
ports were issued in the spring of 1919 and will be continued.

A vast amount of information was compiled and furnished in re-
sjwnse to inquiries received by telephone, telegraph, letter, or per-
sonal call of representatives of the Food Administration, the War
Trade Board, the War Industries Board, the Military Intelligence
Office of the War Department, the Tariff Commission, the Federal
Trade Commission, the Council of National Defense, other depart-
ments of the Federal and State Governments, Congress, and private
individuals. The statistical library of the bureau was in constant use
by such representatives. The limited clerical force of the bureau was
taxed to the utmost in compiling and tabulating statements and fur-
nishing information urgently needed for immediate use.

328 ANNUAL. EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

More than 4,000,000 pieces of mail were handled by the Division
of Crop Reports during the year, as compared with 3,200,000 by
the same division for the preceding fiscal year, an increase of 25
per cent. About the same relative increase was noted in all other
branches of the bureau at Washington.

In the State offices of field agents the work more than doubled in
the fiscal year 1919 as compared with the preceding year. The
issuance by field agents of monthly State crop reports bearing their
names which are generally reproduced in all the State papers has
made them widely known throughout their States and has resulted
in a heavy volume of correspondence. Many of the field agents
are becoming more and more recognized among business men and

jyr^z^A^TyoA/

Fig. 1. — The shading indicates States cooperating under formal agreements with the
Federal Bureau of Crop Estimates in the collection and dissemination of monthly
estimates relating to crops and live stock.

Cooperative agreements are under consideration in several States not shaded in
the above map, and partial cooperation exists in some others as a result of mutual
interest.

officials of the State governments and State institutions as the best
authorities on the statistics of agriculture in their States, so that
the practice is growing of referring correspondence calling for
statistical information to the field agent of the Bureau of Crop
Estimates. A considerable number of requests for information re-
garding localized production within a State, such as special crops
or county estimates, are regularly referred by the Washington office
of the bureau to the State offices of field agents. The steadily increas-
ing demand for detailed information which can be furnished only
by the State field agents indicates the need for j)roviding them with
adequate office space, equipment, and clerical assistance.

COOPERATION WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE.

During the fiscal year just closed cooperative agreements were
entered into between the Bureau of Crop Estimates and the State

BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 329

departments of agriculture of Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, North
Carolina, AVest Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
These agreements provided for pooling the crop reporting resources
of the two organizations and the issuance of a single cooperative
monthly State crop report in order to avoid unnecessary duplication
of work and expense and to improve the service. This plan of
combining the force and funds of the bureau with those of State
departments of agriculture has proved highly satisfactory in all
States in which it has been tried. The shaded portions of figure 1
^how the States with which the bureau is now cooperating.

Fig. 2. — The shaded portion indicates States requii-inj? assessors to gather agricultural
statistics from fanners annually, includini; generally acreages planted to specific
crops, numbers of bearing fruit trees, numbers of live stock, and other statistical
information relating to agriculture. This information has no bearing on taxes, but is
of the utmost value to the State and Federal agricultural authorities, not only as a
basis for accurate monthly crop estimates for the Information of producers and busi-
ness men, but in agricultural and marketing plans of which such information must
necessarily form the base. In addition to the States shaded, which have laws for the
collection of statistics by assessors, North Carolina assessors are proceeding to gather
the information in advance of the enactment of such a law. Florida has legislation
providing for biennial censuses. In practically all States the tax assessors make an
annual census of live stock.

STATE ASSESSORS* RETURNS.

In a number of States the efficiency and value of assessors in col-
lecting agricultural data of fundamental importance in crop and
live-stock estimating, such as acreages planted to different crops and
the number of live stock of different classes on all farms within the
State, has been fully demonstrated, notably in Wisconsin, Ohio, Ne-
])raska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. The bureau is, therefore, sys-
tematically encouraging tha use of aSvSessors' returns as a basis of
estimating and is cooperating with State officials to see that proper
steps are taken to insure that the returns shall be complete and that
they shall be properly edited and tabulated so that dependable
151352°— 19 22

330 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DErARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

results will be available before the final estimates of acreage and pro-
duction are issued for publication. When so checked for complete-
ness and correctness, assessors' returns of agricultural data, which
have no connection whatever with taxation, form an annual census of
the greatest value. During the winter and spring months of 1918-19
a number of State legislatures amended old laws or passed new laws
providing for the collection of agricultural data by assessors. The
States which now have such laws are shown in the shaded portions
of figure 2. It is hoped that all States will join in this movement to
ascertain accurately the agricultural resources of each county and
Slate annually.

ACCURACY OF THE CROP ESTIMATES.

The value of the crop and live-stock estimates depends upon their
accuracy and timeliness, and the amount of detail. Tlie degree of
accuracy of the estimates can be determined only approximately for
most crops, by checking against such figures as are available for
crop movement, receipts at primary markets, and exports. In tho
case of the cotton crop, however, an absolute check is afforded by
the annual census of the number of bales ginned. The following
table shows the annual estimates by this bureau in December in
comparison with the annual report of bales ginned by the Bureau
of the Census the following March :

Annual cotton estimates of the Bureau of Crop Estimates, compared tvith annual
Census reports of cotton ginned.

Pounds of cotton (000
omitted).

Over
esti-
mated.

I'ndcr
esti-
mated.

Crop year.

Kstiniated by
Department
of Agricul-
ture.

Finally re-
ported by
Census
Bureau.

1900-1

4, S.')*"), 738
4,529,954
5,111,870
4,889,796
6,157,064
4,850,217
6,001,726
5,581,968
6,182,970
4,826,344
5,464,597
7,121,713
6,612,335
6,542,850
7,637,113
5,338,588
5,506,896
5,237,379
5, 595, 529

4,816,471
4,550,950
5,091,641
4,716,591
6,426,698
5,060,2^)0

Per cent.
0.2

Per cevt.

1901-2

0 5

1902-3

al

1903-4

1904-5 . . . .

4.3

1905-6

4.0

1906-7

6,354,110
5,312,950
6,336,070
4,783,220
5,551.790
7, 506' 430
6, 556, 500
6,772,350
7,718,980
5,354,406
5,480,012
5,406,350
5,760,184

5. 5

1907-8

5.1

1908-0

2.4

1909-10

.9

1910-11

1 6

1911-12

.'9'

5.1

1912-13

1913-14

3 4

1914-15

1.1

1915-16

.3

1916-17

.4

1917-18

3.0

1918-19

3.0

19 years, 190O-1919

108,055,647
29,315,505
16,339,804

109,585,903
29,719,932
16,646,548

1.4

5 years, 1914-1919

14

3 years 1916-1919

1.8

It will be noted that the bureau estimated the cotton crop of 1915
within three-tenths of 1 per cent, the crop of 1910 within five-tenths
of 1 per cent, the crop of 1917 within 3.1 per cent, and the crop of

BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. ' 331

1918 within 2.7 per cent of the final ginning figures. The wider
deviation in the estimate of the 1917 crop was due to the price
of cotton in the winter of 1917-18, which made it profitable to pick
closer than had ever been done before, the picking continuing as late
as February and March in some States. The underestimate of 1918
was due to the comparatively mild winter, which made it possible
for more bolls to mature than could be foreseen by the growers, and
prevailing prices made it profitable to pick all that opened. The
2:)ractice of harvesting " holly " cotton — i. c, unopened bolls — has
gradually extended throughout the cotton belt because of the demand
for cotton and relatively high prices.

In 1918 for the first time the bureau had a fairly complete check
on its estimates of wheat production, afforded by the records kept
by the United States Grain Corporation. At the close of the fiscal
year the Grain Corporation had reported approximately 730,000,000
bushels of wheat received from farms. The 1918 crop as estimated
by the bureau was 917,000,000 biushels, with 8,000,000 on hand July
1, 1918, from the previous crop, making a total of 925,000,000 bushels
available. Of this auiount approximately 105,000,000 bushels were
used for seed, 25,000,000 bushels of damaged or inferior grain is nor-
mally fed to poultry and other live stock, and after deducting the
730,000,000 reported by the Grain Corporation as marketed from
farms, there is left 65,000,000 bushels to be accounted for. It should
be remembered that the Grain Corporation gets no reports of wheat
ground in mills of small capacity, which includes many small country
grist mills in every State in which wheat is grown and consumed
locally, the annual capacity of which is far in excess of 65,000,000
bushels. Apparently the bureau underestimated the 1918 wheat
crop slightly, perhaps as much as 2 per cent. In all probability the
estimates or the United States wheat crop were about as accurate
as an agricultural census by ordinary methods.

DEMANDS FOR IMPROVED CROP AND LIVE STOCK REPORTING

SERVICE.

The war emergency not only demonstrated the efficiency and the
value of the crop-reporting service but also showed the need for im-
provement to meet continuing demands upon the service, which can
only be partially met with the present force and funds. These de-
mands may be classified as follows:

(1) The demand for estimates and forecasts of the consumption,
market, export, and import requirements and available surplus of
agricultural products, not only in this country but in foreign coun-
tries as well. This information is needed as a basis for intelligent
planting and marketing programs, the importance of which was fully
demonstrated during the war and will continue to be of equal impor-
tance in the ^^ears to come, as population increases without a corre-
sponding increase in arable land in this country, and as competition
develops with foreign countries.

(2) The demand for information in advance of planting time or
while planting is in progress as to acreage to be planted to crops, in
order that any prospective surplus or deficiency may be equalized by
modifying later plantings in accordance with prospective supply and
demand. Estimates of farmers' intention to plant w^ere made in

332 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the spring of 1917 and 1918 for the information of the admin-
istrative officers of the Government, and came very close to final
estimates.

(3) The demand for crop and live-stock estimates by counties.
This demand developed prior to the war, and dm-ing the war it
became more and more insistent. The bureau has realized the de-
sirability of making its estimates by counties as well as by States
to meet the growing demand for such information, but has been
unable to shift from a State to a county basis (a) because of the
time that has elapsed since the last census by counties, during which
intervening period great changes have occurred in many States; (b)
because of the enormous increase in detailed work involved in chang-
ing from estimated totals for 48 States to estimates for nearly 3,000
counties; and (c) because of inadequate funds and force, which would
not permit of further expansion of the service. However, during the
war period, with such emergency funds as were available, it was found
practicable to change more or less completely from a State to a county
basis in six States and to make a beginning in a considerable pro-
portion of the others, the change being made in the offices of the
field agents for those States. The details of the county estimates are
published in the State reports issued by field agents and not in the
Monthly Crop Eeporter published at Washington. During the
present fiscal year all field agents will attempt to collect and tabu-
late data by counties, so that following the 1920 census the entire
system of crop reporting will be on a county basis, if sufficient funds
are provided by Congress to enable the bureau to consummate this
plan. County estimates localize crop and live-stock data so as to
be of more practical use than mere State totals, and such localiza-
tion tends to increase the accuracy of the reports. They show the
agricultural resources and production of each county, as well as
surplus and deficiency of supply; equalize distribution; facilitate
marketing; enable transportation companies to supply cars needed
for moving surplus crops, and manufacturers and merchants to pro-
vide farm machinery and supplies when and where needed; and
form the basis of much of the constructive work of the agricultural
colleges and county agents.

(4) The demand for " commercial " crop and live-stock estimates,
i. e., estimates of marketable farm surpluses, which is the portion of
the crop that is sold from the farm, enters the channels of trade, be-
comes a part of the visible supply, and influences prices, has also
developed to a point where provision should be made for supplying
it. For half a century the bureau has been estimating total crop
and live-stock production, which includes not only the portions of
the crops which are marketed, but the portions which are fed, con-
sumed, damaged, lost, wasted, or utilized in various ways on the
farm. It is necessary that total production should continue to be
estimated, because it is the basis of commercial production, the pro-
portion of the total which is marketed varying with market demands
and prices. On the other hand, it is the commercial production or
marketable surplus which makes up the commercial or visible supply
and in which producers, consumers, and distributors are alike inter-
ested. Dependable information concerning commercial production
of farm commodities is essential to any enlarged program of market-

BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 333

ing. To meet partially the demand for estimates of commercial
production, the bureau has at various times estimated the percentage
of total production of certain crops in each State that is marketed
for each month of the year. In the case of apples, peaches, and truck
crops, these estimates have been published in terms of bushels, bar-
rels, crates, or car lots. In the spring of 1919 a program was pre-
pared for estimating the commercial production of the late crop of
white potatoes. Commercial estimates involve a rather intensive sur-
vey of the principal areas of commercial production, the organiza-
tion of a special corps of crop reporters, and the employment of
crop specialists who are familiar with the industry and can devote
their entire time to collecting, summarizing, and mterpreting data
regarding the particular crops in such form as to be of practical use
to growers and to the marketing agencies.

(5) Reserve stocks on farms. A further development of the in-
creased interest in the food supply during the war period has been
the demand for information concerning reserve stocks on farms.
Tliis is closely related to the demand for mformation regarding com-
mercial production or marketable surpluses on farms, but it takes
the form of requests for information as to the portion of the total
marketable surpluses that remains unsold on farms at frequent in-
tervals. This information is essential in connection with estimates
of visible supply, that is, stocks of farm products in public and
private warehouses, mills and elevators, in transit, and in factories
and wholesale establishments. If the bureau were provided with
adequate funds, it would be entirely practicable to furnish such esti-
mates monthly. In the past it has been practicable to make such
estimates for only a few crops annually. The program for com-
mercial potato estimates provides for estimating stocks of potatoes
on farms monthly throughout the year. A simnar program should
be developed for other crops.

(G) New crops. Much interest was also manifested during the
war and since the war in estimates of new crops, or rather crops con-
cerning which dependable data were lacking, such as castor beans,
or phases of production, demand for and supply of farm and forest

Eroducts, such as rosin, turpentine, cotton linters, sorghum sirup, soy
cans and velvet bcnns, and the vegetable oils.
(7) Live stock. No phase of crop estimating has been less satis-
factory than the live-stock reporting service by reason of its inade-
quacy. Because of lack of funds and facilities, these reports have
been limited to estimates of the number of animals on farms once a
year, the percentage of losses from disease and exposure annually,
the condition of live stock on a percentage basis, and the number of
brood sows, without any estimates whatever of milk, butter, cheese,
poultry and eg<r production. The live-stock industry is worth ap-
proximately $10,000,000,000, and yet the bureau has had less than
$50,000 available for reporting upon all classes of live stock. The ex-
penditure of $500,000 annually would be fully justified in furnish-
ing satisfactory monthly reports covering number, condition, age,
sex, and breed of different classes of live stock, and of dairy and
poultry production, slaughter, losses from disease, insects, exposure,
and other causes, farm prices, present and prospective supply of feed,
and similar data. Such estimates can be furnished for half the

334 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

amount named and would be of untold value to the industry, because
definite, detailed, and timely data would be available which would
enable ^row^ers to decide intelligently upon long-time programs of
production, how and when to sell, and how best to take advantage
of the feed situation. Such data are also essential to any program
of crop production which involves live stock as a part of the farm-
management program, and are absolutely necessary as a guide to
intelligent marketing and distribution of live stock and live-stock
products. With the limited funds at its disposal the bureau has
endeavored to meet the increasing demand upon it for live-stock
information, with an ever-increasing realization of the inadequacy
of the present live-stock reporting service and of the funds and force
available for improving the service.

(8) Special phases of agriculture. The war also stimulated inter-
est in special phases of agriculture, and many requests continue
to be received for information on farm wages; hours of farm labor;
prices farmers receive for their products; prices farmers pay for
equipment, machinery, and supplies; progress of farm work; amount
of binder twine required; seed requirements, supply, surplus, and
deficienc}^; number of farm tractors; number of silos; storage ca-
pacity on farms; average distances farmers must haul products to
nearest market or shipping station; kinds and quantities of fertilizers
required for different crops and sections of the country ; farm income
and outgo; extent to which particular varieties of crops are grown
and compete with each other; methods of planting, cultivating, and
harvesting crops, which are different in different States; utilization
of different crops; and similar information bearing on crop and live-
stock production as an industry. Eequests of this nature are received
largely from special investigators employed in other branches of the
Department of Agriculture or in the State agricultural colleges and
experiment stations, from legislators, representatives of farmers'
organizations, and of the press. The bureau was able to furnish mucli
of this information during the war from results of former special
inquiries or to secure it from new investigations. With the reduced
appropriation avaihible in the present fiscal year it will be imprac-
ticable to make additional investigations of this kind.

(9) Foreign crops and live stock. Interest in the foreign crop and
live-stock situation during the war was unprecedented in this country.
The demand for information concerning consumption, production,
import and export of food crops in Europe, and the available supply
in countries of surplus production was constant and is continuing.
The bureau files of reports from the International Institute of Agri-
culture and the published and unpublished statistical reports of for-
eign Governments were consulted almost daily by representatives of
other Government departments and Avar-emergency organizations.
Detailed studies were made by specialists of this bureau for the use
of economists who accompanied the peace commission to Paris. Esti-
mates of food requirements of foreign countries, their reserve stocks,
production and net imports, were essential factors considered by the
department's committee which had charge of formulating programs
of production in this country during the war. Continued interest in
world production and consumption indicates the need for more sys-
tematic periodic reports as a guide to production and marketing in
this country.

BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES. 335

The foregoing indicates some of the principal classes of calls upon
the Bureau of Crop Estimates for information in 1917 and 1918.
Fortunately the bureau had a highly specialized skeleton organi-
zation and through long experience had developed an efficient sys-
tem for estimating quickly the production and supply of most agri-
cultural commodities in this country and abroad. The additional
funds provided out of the war-emergency appropriation for stimu-
lating food production enabled the bureau for the first time to sup-
ply the offices of its State field agents with some of the most neces-
sary equipment and with field clerks, without which it would have
been impracticable to do more than continue the regular crop esti-
mates on a prewar basis. The war emergency demonstrated the
efficiency and value of the crop-reporting service, not only in time
of war but still more in time of peace, as an organization for ascer-
taining and summarizing the essential facts of crop and live-stock
production which are necessary for the guidance of farmers, and for
the formation of intelligent plans of production and marketing.
This service is of such great practical and economic value to agri-
culture as an industry which is and always will be of fundamental
importance in the United States, that the service should be greatly
expanded, developed, and specialized in the future.

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Office of the Librarian,
Washington, D. C, September 30, 1019.
Sir : I have the honor to submit here^Yith the executive report of
the Library for the fiscal year eiided June 30, 1919.
Respectfully,

Claribel R. Barnett, Librarian.
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of Agriculture,

SUMMARY.

A glance over the tables of miscellaneous statistics of the Library
for the years 1909 to 1919, given in the table in Appendix 1, will
show the etfect of the European war on the development of the
Library in so far as this can be sliown by statistics.- Up to the fiscal
year 191C there was a steady gain in the use of the Liorary and in
its grovyth. Since 1916 there has been a decrease each year in the
circulation and in the number of accessions, aside from current
periodicals, of which the number received has increased in the last
two years. The decrease in the accessions has been due to several
reasons. In tlie first place, there have been great difficulties in the
way of getting books from foreign countries both by purchase
and exchange. In the second place, books published in the United
States have been raised in price, and as a consequence not as many
books could be purchased for the money available. Many periodi-
cals, too, have raised their subscription prices. And, finally, all sup-
plies needed by the Library have cost more, wliich has cut down the
amount of money available for the purchase of books. An indirect
I'eason for the decrease in accessions has been the loss of many
trained assistants since the war, which has interfered with the rou-
tine work of obtaining exchanges. Last year the main Library lost
half of its staff and the year before nearly as many. It is scarcely
necessary to point out the serious loss of efficiency involved in so
many changes. In a library such as this, length of service is a
greater asset even than it is in most libraries, for familiarity with
the Department and wdth the scientific literature relating to agri-
culture is necessary before an assistant can do effective w^ork. This
familiarity can be gained only through length of service. The prin-
cipal reason for the loss of so large a number of assistants from the
main Library staff has been low salaries. Owing to certain for-
tunate circumstances the salaries of the librarians and library as-
sistants of the bureau, division, and office libraries are considerably
higher than these of the main Library, the average salary being

337

338 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

$300 higher than the average salary in the main Library. As a con-
sequence there have been few changes in the technical staff of the
bureau libraries.

On account of the handicaps under which the Library has labored
during the year, the following detailed reports show in nearly every
branch of the work a decreased output. The number of books cata-
logued was far below the number catalogued in previous years and
the number of books bound, though slightly in excess of the number
for the previous year, was only half the number bound in the fiscal
year 1917. The decrease in circulation reflects the interruption in the
scientific work of the Department due to the war. But in spite of the
setbacks of the past two or three years, as a result of which the sta-
tistics of output shoAv decreases instead of increases, there have never-
theless been certain intangible gains which help to make good the
losses. The reference use of the Library has increased and the value
of the Library's collections has been made known to a wider clientele
through the service which it rendered to the new Government offices
created since the war. Without the use of our collections many of
the investigations which it was necessary for these offices to make
would have been severely hampered, as the Library had files which
were available in no other library in the city and in few libraries of
the country. The statistical reports and journals of various kinds
were in especial demand, and the collection of these publications as
a whole frequently brought forth words of commendation. The
Library's unusual resources along scientific lines and its bibliographi-
cal equipment have also been complimented.

But while the Library's collections on the subjects relating to the
work of the Department are extensive, they still leave much to be
desired. The Department, with its appropriation of $27,875,353 and
its scientific force, which is larger than that connected with any other
Government institution, occupies a commanding position in the scien-
tific world and has a large duty to the country. The Library of the
Department should occupy the same commanding position in its
special field of work and should, by reason of the completeness of its
collections and the scope of its service, be able to perform the duties
of this position. The growth -of the Library's appropriations in the
past has not kept pace with the growth of the Department. Now
that normal conditions are approaching it is hoped that the develop-
ment of the Librar}' may be accelerated and that in addition the time
will not be long distant when permanent, suitable, safe, and adequate
quarters will be provided for the Library's invaluable collections.

REFERENCE AND CIRCULATION DIVISIONS.

Miss Emma B. Hawks, Assistant Librarian, in general cbarge.
Miss Gertrude E. Upton, Loan Desk Assistant.

The statistics of circulation given in Appendix 2 show that the
total recorded circulation of the main Library and the bureau, divi-
sion, and office libraries for the past year was 68,393 books and
pamphlets and approximately 150,000 current periodicals, which was
a decrease of 8,000 books as compared with the previous year but a
small increase in the number of current periodicals circulated. In

LIBEARY. 339

connection with these statistics it should be exphiined, however, that
they represent only approximately the use of the Library, as no circu-
lation statistics are kept in several of the branch libraries and no
record of the reference use is kept in any of the libraries.

The average number of books charged at the loan desk of the main
Library each month was 3,03.8, compared with 3,370 in the previous
year. The average daily circulation was 120, compared with 132 in
the previous year. A table showing the circulation sta-
tistics of the main Librar\' by months and years for the last 10 fiscal
years, exclusive of the circulation of current periodicals, is given in
Appendix 3. From this statement it will be seen that the highest
peak in tlie circulation was reached in the fiscal year 191G and that
there has been a decline of 25 per cent in the last three years due to
war conditions and the consequent interruption of much of the scien-
tific work of the Department. While the table gives only the circu-
lation statistics of the main Library, most of the reports ot the branch
libraries show the same relative decrease in circulation since the war.

INTERLIBRARY LOANS.

The number of books lent to libraries, institutions, and individuals
outside of the city was 658, a decrease of 235 compared with the pre-
"ious year, likewise due to war conditions. To the total number of
books lent should be added 145 photostat copies and 14 typewritten
copies, making the total use outside of the city 820.

The number of books borrowed from other libraries in the city
was 5,026, an increase of 309 over the number borrowed the previous
year. The number of books borrowed from libraries outside of the
city was TO, or double the number borrowed the previous year. The
largest number borrowed from any one library was 22, borrowed
fix^m the Lloyd Library, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Further detailed statistics in regard to interlibrary loans are given
in Appendices 4 and 5.

CATALOGUE AND ORDER DIVISION.

Miss Helen M. Thompson, Chief.
ACCESSIONS.

The total number of catalogued books, pamphlets, and maps added
to the Library during the year was 6,045, a decrease of 1,778 com-
pared with the catalogued accessions of the previous year. To the
0,045 catalogued accessions should, however, be added 1,554 books,
pamphlets, and maps which were acquired during the year but not
catalogued, making the total accessions 7,599, a decrease of 635 com-
pared with the previous year. This decrease was due to the con-
tinued difficulty in obtaining books and periodicals from foreign
countries, including exchanges, as Avell as purchases, to the decreased
number of volumes acquired by binding periodicals, and, lastly, to
the fact that it has not been possible to spend as much time in the
work of acquiring exchanges on account of lack of assistance. More
detailed statistics of the accessions of the year compared with
previous years are given in Appendix 6.

340 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

According to the record of accessions, the total number of books
and pamphlets accessioned by the Library np to July 1, 1919, was
156,648. From this number should be deducted 5,910 volumes Avhich
were discarded during the fiscal year 1915 and 589 which were dis-
carded in the past four fiscal years, leaving a balance of 150,149
books and pamphlets in the Library on July 1, 1919.

Among the notable purchases of the year were Matthews's Birds of
Australia and Volume I of Beebe's Monograph of the Pheasants. Con-
ditions have not been favorable for acquiring old and rare desiderata,
but a fcAV such books have been obtained from England and one ship-
ment from The Hague. Among old herbals the Library has obtained
Brunfels (1530-32), Gerarde (1597), a Criiyde-boeck of Dodoens
(1563), the Greate Herball (1561), and Egenolph's Plantarum,
Arborum, Fruticum, et Herbarum Effigies (1562). In gardening lit-
erature Thomas Hill's Gardener's Labyrinth (1577), Miller's Dic-
tionary, 6th ed. (1752), and Reid, The Scots Gardner (1766), are
notable. Other interesting items are John Mitchell's Dissertatio
brevis de Principiis Botanicorum, cum Appendice Plantarum in Vir-
ginia Observatarum (1769) — a photostat copy, Detmer's Botanische
Wanderungen in Brasilien (1897), and Vigier, Historia das Plantas
de Europa (Lion, 1718), which is an early version in Portuguese of
the "Petit Bauhin." , _

The Library was the recipient during the year of a large number

of volumes, Avhich were formerly the property of the Rhode Island

Society for the encouragement of domestic industry. These were

resented by the estate of Frederick E, Perkins through Mr. Charles

Stark, of Providence, R. I.

CATALOGUING AND CLASSIFICATION.

The record of the material classified and catalogued during the
year is as follows: 2,020 volumes, 459 pamphlets, 3,549 serials and
continuations, and 17 maps and charts, making a total of 6,045, a
decrease of 1,778 as compared with the previous year. In addition
to the complete cataloguing of the above-mentioned items, author
cards were made for 273 pamphlets of less importance and 2,498
" reprints."

There were added to the main (dictionary) catalogue 21,881 cards,
and 3,118 were withdrawn, making a net addition of 18,763, a de-
crease of 3,620 compared with the previous year. The main (dic-
tionary) catalogue now contains approximately 410,000 cards.

Tlie number of titles prepared during the year for printing by the
Library of Congress in what is knoAvn as the "Agr" series was as
follows: Cards for accessions, 512: cards for Department publica-
tions, 656 ; total, 1,168, an increase of 108 over the previous year. The
total number of titles prepared by the Library since 1902, in which
year the printing of cards was begun, now amounts to 31,266.

The amount of uncatalogued material on hand July 1, 1919, was as
follows: 368 volumes, 648 pamphlets, 943 continuations, and 6 maps —
a large increase over the previous year, due to the loss of assistants
who were experienced in cataloguing.

LIBRARY. 341

PERIODICAL DIVISION.

Miss Lydia K. Wilkins, Chief.

The total number of periodicalSj exclusive of annuals and serials
of infrequent issue, currently received by the Library is now 2,493
titles, of which 604 are received by purchase and 1,889 by gift. The
number of new periodicals added during the year was 252, whereas
192 of those listed last year are no longer received, either because they
liave ceased publication permanently or temporarily or because the
subscriptions have been discontined. The net increase was GO. Many
of the periodicals are duplicated from two to six times, making the
total number of periodicals handled during the year 3,446, an increase
of 18 for the year.

Last year's report included a table showing the various foreign
countries from which periodicals are currently received and the num-
ber received from each country. This information has been kept up
to date on cards and has been of frequent use.

There is an increasing demand for a printed title and subject list
of the periodicals currently received by the Library, and it is hoped
that such a list may be published in the near future.

In addition to the 2,493 current periodicals appearing not less than
four times a year, the Library received 3,554 serials of less frecjuent
issue, such as annual reports, proceedings, and transactions published
by institutions and societies, a decrease of 350 compared with the
previous year. This decrease was due in part to the difficulty in ob-
taining publit ations from foreign countries and in part to the fact
that it has not been possible to spend as much time on the work of
requesting exchanges.

Througli the efforts of the Committee on Importations of the
American Library Association, arrangements were made in 1918
whereby American libraries Avere able to import periodicals from the
enemy countries. A considerable number of German periodicals pub-
lished in 1918 and 1919 which were ordered by this Library are now
being received, though many others known to have been published
have thus far not been obtained at all. Furthermore, there are gaps
in the files ranging from one to more than three years. The work of
completing these will be most difficult, and there is grave doubt
whether some of the missing issues can ever be replaced, as many of
the publications were issued during the war only in limited editions.
Moreover, a considerable stock of 1916 and 1917 issues destined for
this and other American libraries was destroyed by fire in a ware-
house in Leipzig.

DUPLICATES.

While there was no decrease in the number of duplicates received
from various sources, it was possible to devote little time to the work
of listing and disposing of them. As a consequence only one ship-
ment was sent out during the year. This consisted of eight mail
sacks of publications requested by one of the State agricultural col-
lege libraries. As explained in previous reports, these duplicates
are for the most part publications of national, State, and local gov-
ernments, publications of societies and institutionf^, and periodicals,
which arc sent as gifts and exchanges to various offices of the Depart-

342 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE.

ment and later are turned over to the Library to dispose of. While
the work of sorting and listing them consumes a large amount of
time, in fact the major part of the time of one assistant when the
work is kept up to date, it has, nevertheless, been the policy of the
Library to encourage the offices of the Department to send to the
Library all the publications which they receive, as otherwise the
Library is likely to miss many publications which are needed in its
files. In order, however, to reduce unnecessary duplications and the
consequent unnecessary work and cost of handling them, the Li-
brary is continually w^orking tow\ard that ideal state when all publi-
cations, both foreign and domestic, w^hich are regularl}^ received by
tlie Department will be addressed to the Library with the exception
of the limited number which, for special reasons, it is an advantage
to have sent direct to the offices which use them.

MAILING LISTS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS.

There were 1,594 orders issued on the Division of Publications for
the mailing of Department publications which were requested by
foreign institutions and officials and by societies and private indi-
viduals from whom publications are received in exchange. The work
in connection with the distribution of Department publications to
foreign countries and to libraries in the United States, including the
care of various mailing lists, has been described in detail in pre-
vious reports. This w^ork is appropriately assigned to the Library
because of its close connection with the work of obtaining exchanges.

BINDING DIVISION.

Miss Ida B. Swakt, Chief,

During the year only 2,011 volumes were sent to the Government
Printing Office for binding and 1,612 volumes laced into temporary
binders. The number of pamphlets stapled into temporary binders
was 743, about half as many as in the previous year.

Like other divisions of the Library, the binding division has suf-
fered severely from the loss of trained assistants. At the close of the
hist fiscal year the former chief of the bindery division, who had
been in charge of the work for ten years, resigned and it was neces-
sary for her successor, who had had no experience in binding, to take
up the work after only two weeks' instruction under the direction of
the former chief. The work was further handicapped by the fact
that the two assistants who had been in this work for several years
liad resigned a few months previously, leaving the whole division
inexperienced in the work. During a part of the year it was also
necessary to have the chief of the division and her assistants attend
to other duties. It w^as therefore especially creditable that in spite of
t hesc difficulties there was an increase of 345 in the number of books
sent to the bindery as compared with the previous year. The num-
Ijer of books bound was, however, less than half the number that
needed to be bound. In addition to the difficulties in connection with
the preparation of the books for the bindery, the Library's needs as
to binding suffered by reason of the fact that its allotment for bind-
ing was greatly curtailed.

LIBRARY. 343

'Tlie table givon in Appendix 1 shows the number of books which
Iwkve been bound during the last 10 years, and the number of periodi-
cals currentl}^ received. From this table it will be seen that the
number of books sent to the bindery last year was only slightly in
ex( ess of the number sent to the bindery in 1909, though the number
bound in 1909 was, owing to certain handicaps that year, 300 less
than the number bound in 1908. From 1909 to 1917 the number sent
to the bindery had through strenuous efforts been more than doubled,
but this gain has been entirely wiped out in the last two years. On
the other hand, the number of current periodicals received has in-
creased 25 per cent since 1909. Tliese figures show conclusively the
argent need for a greatly increased allotment for Library binding in
order that the current periodicals and other unbound publications
may be preserved and made available for convenient use. In order
to meet the Library's present needs the number of boolcs bound
annually should not be less than 5,000 volumes.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Xo new bibliographical work of special importance was under-
taken in the main Library during the year on account of lack of
assistance and the consequent difficulty of keeping up to date even
the routine work of cataloging. A number of miscellaneous refer-
ence lists on various subjects were, however, compiled, largely in con-
nection with correspondence. The various bureau libraries also
furnished many lists on their special subjects in comiection with
correspondence or the special demands of their bureaus.

The librarian of the Bureau of Entomology in January, 1919, was
placed in charge of a large and important bibliographical undertak-
ing, namely, the planning and supervision of the index to the litera-
ture of American economic entomology, 1915 to 1919, inclusive, a
continuation of the index previously compiled in the bureau under
tlie direction of Mr. Xathan Banks, entomological assistant. Among
the brief reference lists prepared in the library of the Bureau of
Entomolog}' were an address list of State entomologists and a list of
entomological societies and journals, with the prices of the journals
and the addresses of the editors. Short lists of the new publications
received bt the Bureau of Entomology library were furnished for
Uie Monthly Letter of the bureau.

The librarian of the Forest Service continued the preparation of
the Monthly List of books and articles on forestry indexed in the
Forest Service library, Avhich list is published each month in " Ameri-
can Forestry." An appendix to MisvS Matthew's bibliography on
paper research literature was also prepared and published in the
issue of " Paper '- for April 30, 1919.

The Bureau of Markets library prepared a mimeographed 1919
supplement to the extensive "Selected List of Publications on the
Maj'keting of Farm Pi'oducts," compiled by Miss M. E. Griffith, the
assistant librarian of the bureau, Avhicli was reported upon last year.
The supplement, like the original bibliography, is in nine parts, with
a total number of 24 typewritten pages.

In the Bureau of Plant Industry library the current literature on
phytopathology has ccmtinued to ho indexed and published currently

344 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

in '' Pliytopathvology." After many unavoidable delays the " Check
List of the Publications of the Department of Agricultnre on Plant
Pathology" has been issned in mimeographed form as Xo. 1 of the
new series, entitled " Bibliographical Contribntions of the Library of
the Department." The list was prepared in the library of the Bureau
of Plant Industry. Over 500 requests for the list have been received.
A similai" list of reports and bulletins on the subject of plant pathol-
ogy published by other institutions is in preparation. The Library
has continued its work in connection with verification and editing of
bibliographies contained in publications of the Bureau of Plant
Industry and in the Journal of Agricultural Research. Bibli-
ograpliies in 94 manuscripts were verified and edited during the
year. In the fall of 1918 the librarian of the bureau, in cooperation
with Miss Atwood, bibliographical assistant of the Office of Economic
and Systematic Botany, assisted Dr. H. L. Shantz in organizing his
survey of the literature of Africa for the purpose of abstracting
material on the natural vegetation and agricultural resources to be
used in making maps for " Tlic Inquiry."

The bibliographical w^ork of the Office of Farm ^Management has
been along the same lines as mentioned in previous reports; that is,
the preparation of selected, lists on the cost of crop production. The
lists on cost of wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn, cotton, sugar beets,
silage, and milk have been brouglit up to date, and a limited number
are to be mimeographed. The indexing of farm management sub-
ject matter is being continued.

Lists of the publications of their respective bureaus or divisions
were prepared during the jenv by the librarians of the Bureau of
Entomology, Bureau of Markets, the Dairy Division, and the Office
of Farm Slanagement.

Mention has been made in previous reports of the Avork of Miss
Marjorie F. Warner and Miss Alice C. Atwood, bibliographical
assistants of the Office of Economic and Systematic Botany of the
Bureau of Plant Industry. The project under which they w^ork is
called " Bibliographical Investigations in the Interest of Botanical
^•'ciencc." While not connected Avith the Bureau of Plant Industry
library or the main Library, the liberal spirit in which the project
was established several j^ears ago under Mr. F. V. Coville, the chief
of the office, and has been carried on from year to year, tends to
bring it into closer relations with the work of the Bureau of Plant
Industry library and the main Library. It therefore seems fitting
to give here some extracts from Miss Warner's report on the year's
work. The flexibility of the project is a factor of great strength as
it not only lends itself readily to many definite cooperative enter-
prises Avitiiin the Department but also has large privileges and re-
sponsibilities in relations outside the Department.

Following are some extracts from Miss Warner's report :

Our activities of tlie past year seem to class themselves chiefly under the
head of cooperation. First and foremost in importance is progress on the
Botanical Catalogue. Practically all periodicals received hy the Department,
together with a number from the Library of Congress, possibly 500 or 600
journals and reports in all, are examined for botanical articles and informa-
tion, and possibly 75 per cent of such material included in the catalogue. About
the middle of the year the circulation of periodicals formerly maintained by
the bureau Library was found to be no longer tenable, and a method was
sought to brin^i the contents of the journals to the notice of the scientists with

LIBRARY. 345

a minimum of delay and with less handling of the Journals themselves. It
was finally decided to mimeograph the current titles indexed for the Botanical
Catalogue, and circulate these in lieu of the i^eriodicals, which should them-
selves be kept on call for a certain time in the periodical room. The first of
these lists, covering publicatioLS indexed January 31 to February 15, 1919,
was Issued February 25, and they have since appeared, with some changes In
arrangement, every two weeks, apparently foraiing a pretty satisfactory sub-
stitute for the circulation of the journals. Next in importance to the work
of indexing and keeping up the main catalogue is probably the assistance on
the African section of the Inquiry-Vegetation, made by Col. House's Connuis-
sion. The literature of African botany and exploration was examined and
liste<l by Miss Atwood, who determined the bibliographic form to be used in
connection with abstracts of literature which were made under the direction
of Dr. H. L. Shflntz.

Tlie additions to the Horticultural Bibliography have been only about 400
entries, fairly divided between modern and early literature. The chief ex-
I>enditure of labor has been on the subject index, which now covers -over
thn e-fourths of the entire list, over half the total of some 11,000 titles being
indexed during the year.

While the work on the Index of Illustrations has been necessarily subordi-
nated to some of the more vital emergencies of the year, the index has made
excellent progress. Several important recent works have been indexed, as
Bonnier's Flore complete illustr^ en couleurs (1911- ), Marloth's Flora of
South Africa (1913-15). Sim's Forests and Forest Flora of Cape of Good Hope
(1907), and his Forest Flora of Portuguese East Africa (1909). Besides these,
as a general rule, works which come up in C(mnection with the African Inquiry
have been indexed both for their illustrations and for the Botanical Catalogue
as well.

Work on the Depository Catalogue or union list of botanical books based
on the set of depository cards received from the Library of Congress has
been almost at a standstill, only the current printed cards from the Library
of Congress and the John Crerar being added. To get in touch with others
interested in similar bibliographical work, notes have been published in the
(iardeners' Chronicle calling attentum to the Horticultural Bibliography car-
ried on under our project (Gardeners' Chronicle III, (J4: 194-195, Nov. 16,
]918), and on the horticultural literature In tlie Department Library (1. c.
(55:247, May 24, 1919).

PUBLICATIONS.

The only printed publications issued by the Library during the
year were the report of the Library for the fiscal year 1918. a
pamphlet of 16 pages, and Library leaflet No. 8, entitled " Hom(5
Gardening." The leaflet of four pages, which had an attractive
cover design in two colors made by the artist, Miss Gertrude Spaller,
contained a list of publications on home gardening and was prepared
at the request of the Office of Horticultural and Pomological Investi-
gations to assist in the home gardening campaign. A similar
Library leaflet on Dairying and new editions of the earlier Library
leaflets on Poultry Raising, Pig Raising, and Sheep Raising were
also prepared, but for lack of printing funds could not be published.

" A Check List of the Publications of the Department of Agricul-
ture Relating to Plant Pathology," prepared by the library of the
Bureau of Plant Industry, was issued in June, 1919, in multigraphed
form as no. 1 of a new series of Bibliographical Contributions of
the Library of the Department.

LIBRARY STAFF.

The number of employees carried on the roll of the main Library
at the close of the year was 33, with two of the lower positions
vacant; the number employed by the bureau, division, and office

151352**— 19 23

346 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

libraries was 45. Of the total number, 78, employed in the main
Library and the bureau, division, and office libraries, 18 are men and
60 women, divided as follows: 19 in administrative t\'ork, in€ludin<r
the Librarian of the Department, heads of the divisions in the main
Library, and librarians of the bureaus, divisions, and offices; ol
library assistants, 12 clerical assistants, 1 translator, 12 messengers,
iand 3 charwomen.

During the year this Library, in common with other libraries,
suffered the loss of several assistants, among whom should be es-
pecially mentioned the heads of two divisions, namely, the chief of
the binding division, Miss Fanny L. Parker, who resigned on ac-
count of home duties; and the reference librarian. Miss Mary G.
Lacy, who resigned to become the agricultural librarian of the Iowa
State College, Ames.

In the main Library there were in all 28 resignations during the
year. Some positions were vacated two or three times, for in several
instances it was possible to make only temporary appointments.
Out of the staff of 33 on July 1, 1919, there were only 17 who were
on the Library rolls at the beginning of the fiscal year. In other
words, we had lost half of our staff. Of the 28 who resigned, 15
were library assistants, 4 clerical assistants, and 9 messengers.

On account of the loss of so many assistants in the main Library,
not only during the year but also in the tAvo previous years, there
have been greater burdens on the remaining members of the staff'.
These have been met in a spirit of cheerfulness and loyalty to the
Library which has helped greatly to minimize the difficulties. Dur-
ing the influenza epidemic several members of the staff of the main
Library and the bureau libraries were granted leave to serve as lied
Cross nurses, and other members of the staff spent much of their
time and strenoth out of official hours in helping in the emergency.

In continuation of the Library's policy of offering temporary
appointments whenever possible to the librarians or assistants con-
nected with the State agricultural and experiment station libraries
who wish to have experience in this Library, one more was added
during the year to the list of such appointments, the librarian of
the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station having been ap-
pointed for a period of one month.

The only change in the personnel of the librarians of the bureaus
was in the Bureau of Public Roads. The former librarian, Miss
Grace Francis, resigned in August, 1918, and was succeeded by Mr.
M. A. Hays. One assistant in the Bureau of Plant Industry library
and an assistant in the Forest Service library also resigned during
the year. The librarian of the Bureau of Plant Industry and the
librarian of the Dairy Division were detailed June 15, 1919, for six
months to the Joint Congressional Commission on the Reclassifica-
tion of Salaries.

Library staff meetings have been held each month from Deccmbei*
to June. No meetings were held in October and November on account
of the influenza epidemic.

The Librarian of the Department visited the Delaware Agricultural
Experiment Station in March at the request of the station to advise
the librarian of the station in the arrangement of the library.

LIBRARY. 347

The annual conference of the American Library Association at
Asbury Park in June was attended by the Librarian and 12 other
members of the staff. Miss Marjorie F. Warner, bibliographical as-
sistant of the Bureau of Plant Industry, presented a paper entitled
" Bibliographical Opportunities in Horticulture " at the meeting of
the agricultural libraries section.

The librarian of the department has served since September, 1918.
as associate editor of " Special Libraries," representing agricultural
and Government libraries. Tlie March, 1919, number was devoted
to agricultural libraries and contained four articles by members of
the library staff.

BUREAU, DIVISION, AND OFFICE LIBRARIES.

It is regretted that from lack of space it is impossible to publish
the full reports of the bureau, division, and office libraries. The table
giving certain statistics with regard to the various libraries and the
names of the librarians in charge is given in Appendix 7. Addi-
tional statistics with regard to the use of the books in these libraries
are given in Appendix 2. An account of their bibliographical work
and other activities is given in the preceding pages. There have
been no important changes during the year in the lines of work
carried on by the various libraries and no changes in location.

In their reports the librarians of the Bureau of Crop Estimates
and the Bureau of Markets call attention to the large use made of
their libraries l)y workers from several of the new war offices, such
as the Food Administration, the War Industries Board, the War
Trade Board, and the Council of National Defense. They and the
librarian of the Bureau of Chemistry also point out that because of
the nature of the work of their respective bureaus much of their
library work is of an informational character, comparable to that of
a business organization. Other libraries, notably those of the Bureau
of Entomology, Bureau of Plant Industry, States Relations Service,
and Office of Farm Management, have a larger amount of work of a
bibliographical character.

In the case of the Bureau of Biological Survey and the Bureau
of Public Roads the major part of the time of those in charge of the
libraries is spent in editorial work. The library duties, being some-
what incidental, consume only a comparatively small amount of time.
In the Bureau of Markets library, the librarian, as in the case of the
Bureau of Biological Survey, is also the official editor of the bureau,
but the work of the staff of six is about equally divided between
library work and editorial work.

In the Dairy Division the librarian has charge of the corre-
spondence file room and the photographic and slide files, in addition to
her library duties. For two months during the year while the posi-
tion of dairy editor was vacant she took charge of the records of the
editorial office and carried on the routine work of the off.ce.

In the States Relations Service library the greater part of the
time of two assistants is devoted to the circulation and reference
work connected Avith the Experiment Station Record. All accessions
of the main Library are examined daily and articles of interest are
called to the attention of the various editors of the Record for ab-
stracting and review. The work of the Library in connection with

348 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the monthly list of extension publications of the State agricultural
colleges has been continued.

In her report for the year the librarian of the Bureau of Plant
Industry calls especial attention to the periodical circulation. The
following is quoted from her report :

For several years one of the most pressing problems facin?: the Department
Library as a whole and the Bureau of Plant Industry in particular has been
that of the circulation of current periodicals. The work in connection with
this service has grown to such proportions that in the case of the Bureau of
Plant Industry it was breaking under its own weight and was failing in its
purpose of being '* current circulation," since the number of persons receiving
the botanical journals most used in the bureau was so large that many of
them necessarily received the journals very late, even those of which we had
more than one copy. Imperfect as it was, however, any suggestion that the
circulation be discontinued was met with universal protest, many asserting
that it was the most valuable service rendered by the Library. An analysis
of the situation showed that some means of acquainting the workers with the
contents of the journals, so that they might request those actually containing
articles of interest, would probably serve their needs quite as well as the
circulation of the periodicals themselves, so it was finally decided to list
the author entries indexed for the botanical catalogue and circulate these
lists in mimeograph form every two weeks. The first list was sent out in
February, 1919, and the circulation of the periodicals containing articles
indexed was discontinued, the journals being held for a week after receipt
in tiie reading room of the Bureau of Plant Industry library. Other periodicals,
such as chemical, medical, farm and trade papers, etc., still circulate as
formerly. The entries in the mimeographed lists are arranged under the titles
of the publications containing the articles, so that those receiving the list
may request from the Library any containing articles of interest. These
requests are filed in order of their receipt, and, after the reserve period, the
publications are sent to each borrower in turn. The reserve period of one week
enables any who feel tliat they must see all periodicals t<^ examine them in
the Library. The mimeographed list of articles indexed is sent currently to
about 200 persons in AVashington or in the field and a few outside the Depart-
ment who have especially requested it.

The following are the results of this change of plan as observed by the
periodical desk after about four months' trial: 122 journals have been removed
from circulation. The number of special requests has considerably increased,
but there is an appreciable decrease in the work of the periodical assistant,
as practically all the work of preparing and distributing the mimeographed
list is done by a clerical assistant and messengers. The saving of wear and
tear on the journals is considerable. Many periodicals which, wdien circulated,
were kept by the bureau for an indefinite period are now returned to the
Department Library very promptly. One copy of a periodical will now serve
in most eases where two copies were purchased for circulation in this bureau.

The work of the Bureau of Phmt Industry library in connection
with the distribution of the bureau publications and the maintenance
of the classified mailing lists continues as in former years. Other
bureau libraries, namely, those of the Bureau of Entomology, the
Dairy Division, and the Office of Farm Management, also are charged
with the care of mailing lists.

In summarizing the work of the various branch libraries mention
should finally be made of the duties which devolve upon several of
them in connection with the purchase of books and periodicals for
" field use." The Bureau of Chemistry, Bureau of Plant Industry,
Forest Service, and the Bureau of Markets spend very considerable
sums each year for books and periodicals needed by the laboratories
and field stations maintained by these bureaus outside of Washing-
ton. The records in connection with these purchases are kept by
the libraries of the bureaus.

LIBRARY.

APPENDIX 1.

Miscellaneous statistics for the fiscal years 1900 to IDW.

349

Item.

Circulation (main Li-
brary)

Total circulation (main
Library and bureau,
division, and oflBce
libraries)*

Tnterlibrary loans

Total accessions

Periodicals received
currently

Books sent to the
bindery

Cards added to the
catalogue

Library appropriation .

1909

30,606

416

1,879

1,910

17,611
(33,580

1910

35,180

548
8,156

2,002

3,245

21,326
135,820

1911

36,250

1912

38. 112

65,944

613

8,816

1,978

3,274

19.252 26.777 23.363

70,655

620

9,122

1,948

3,930

1913

1914

36,933| 38,879

§8,608 74,425
826
9,574

2,035

3.538

9,626

2,128

3,362

20.625

1915

40,953

76,647
1,196
9,243

2,337

3,832

19,73.5

$35, 320;$40, 500 $41, 280 $43, 520i$45, 360

ill!

1916

1917

48,914 46,339

93,213 86,977

1,240
9,750

2,280

3,363

,093
8,957

2,219

4,064

21,823' 19,162
$46,020|$49,500

1918

40,447

76,329

893

7,823

2,433

1,674

22,383
$50,160

1919

36,457

658
7,599

2,493

2,019

18,763
$50,160

* Exclusive of the circulation of current periodicals.

APPENDIX 2.

STATISTICS OF CIRCULATION.

Books and periodicals charged hy the main Library and the bureau, division,
and office libraries during the fiscal years 1918 and 1919.

Number of books charged.

Numbsr of

Bureau, di\-ision, or
office.

To individuals.

To main
Library.

To branch
libraries.

Total.

periodicals
charged.

1918

1919

1918

1919

1918

1919

1918

1919

1918

1919

Main Library »

13,332

(*)
3,386

.%

2,920
2,844

12,442
1,516

3,118

12,662
1,696

27,115

23,795

40,477

36,457

Bureau of Animal In-
dustry:
Animal Husbandry
Division

48

68

82

4,000
9,518

10,401
15,801

,!?«,

4,987
25,000

37,317
6,924

10,633

5 720

Dairy Division

Biccnemic, Patho-
logical, Zoological,
and other divis-
ions

6

4

2,440

1,782

10^467

10,500
15,501

23,032
3,361

5 841

Bureau of Chemistry

Bureau of Crop Esti-
mates

5,700

12,004
528

3,636

650

^5
393
(»)

598
170

58

444

(«)
176
198
(»)

492

88

24

39

2

(»)

85
12

8

16

" ■(.)*■■

37

6

8,912

13,125
1,698

3,184

6,160

(»)

3,321
2,883

(«)

12,532
1,622

3,636

Biweau of Entomology. .
Forest Service

Bureau of Markets

Bureau of Plant Indus-
try

(«)

37,074
6,693

9 108

Bureau of Public Roads.
Office of Farm Manage-
ment

46,796

42,007

2,529

1,548

27,292

23,907

76,329

68,393

125,740

195,690

' Statistics include circulation in all bureaus and offices for which separate statistics are not given belov

« No records kept.

» Circulation statistics included in statistics of main Library.

350 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

APPENDIX 3.

Circulation statistics of the main Library, l)y months and years, for the fiscal

years 1909 to 1919.

Month.

1908-9

1909-10

1910-11

1911-12

1912-13

1913-14

1914-15

1915-16

1916-17

1917-18

1918-19

July

August

September .

Octaber

November. .
December..

January

February. . .

March

April

May

June

1,642
1,455
1,893
2,714
2,406
2,682
3,061
2,798
3,000
3,169
2,913
2,873

2,490
2,334
2,540
2,610
3,567
3,315
3,364
3,221
3,310
2,801
2,708
2,917

2,357
2,381
2,259
3,118
3,083
2,952
3, .535
3,340
3,668
3,805
2,589
3,163

2,397
2,425
2,517
3,404
3,465
2,962
4,094
3,851
3,614
3,415
3,208
2,760

2,472
2,269
2,584
3,048
3,152
3,051
4,103
3,403
3,415
3,394
3,148
2,891

2,651
2,083
2,531
3,301
3,232
3,226
4,454
3,618
4,021
3,62;^
2,951
3,188

3,019
2,667
2,793
3,903
3,352
3,570
4,260
3,638
3,980
3,514
3,072
3,285

3,077
3,285
3,334
4,183
4,439
4,140
4,888
4,715
5,028
4,052
4,136
3,637

2,932
2,883
2,955
4,421
4,409
3,797
4,839
4,625
4,640
3; 766
3,616
3,476

3,113
3,027
2,968
3,617
3,462
3,137
4,099
3; 603
3,676
3,444
3,531
2,770

2,860
2,616
2,232
2,471
2,6S4
2,728
3,572
3,830
3,920
3,008
3,327
2,606

Year.

30,606

35, 180

36,250

33,112

36,933

38,879

40,953

48,914

46,339

40,447

36,457

APPENDIX 4.

INTERLIBRARY LOANS.

Record of hooks lent outside of Washinyton during the fiscal years 1915 to 1919.

states, etc.

Fiscal year—

States, etc.

Fiscal year—

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

3
4

2
26
27

4

11
44
15

9

7
25
63
59
25

2

8
25
36
22
64

4
18

5
20

'"u

3

50
24

2

10
21
37

5
06
20
80

'7
10
22
28
25
37
78

"'is'

15

18

3

2

.53

10
....„

38
16

2
. 6
15
24
10
30
13
40
38

4

8
16
48
33
38
50

1
19
19
10

1.

8
76

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

3
142

48
3
78

9
127
17
11
29

8
148
15

3
41

6

103

7

6

56

Arizona

7

5

13

7

5

17

21

5

6

44

11

52

21

10

30

22

21

44

1

6

37

4

1

10
28

4
9

28
5
1

11

17
4
4

49

1^

41
13

I

10
10
9

1

17

7"

42

66

Calif jrnia

6

Colorado

9

Oklahoma : . .

51
21

6

i

23

8

21

32

8

12

38

4

1

66

29

2

22

51
19
17
27

73

21

4

14

5

Florida

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

i Tennessee

10

Georgia

2

Idaho

2

Illinois

Indiana

31
11
17

9
26
11
16
41

5

22

38

16

3

18
2
8
34
3
1
3
39

19
8
8
3
4
8
19
36
....„

2

28

11

Iowa

' Texas

9

Utah

8

10

X<oui''iana

Virginia

10

Maine

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

21

Maryland .

19

Massachusetts

62

Michigan

6

Minnesota

Canada

3

Mississippi

Missouri

I

Porto Rico

Island of Guam.

57

43

11

Montana

2

Nebraska

Alaska

2

Total........

New Hampshire. .
New Jersey

3

83

1,196

1,240

1,093

893

653

LIBRARY.

351

APPENDIX 5.

Summarized 8tatC7nent of hooks borrowed from other Hlraries during the fiscal

years 1015 to 1919.

Item.

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

Largest number of books borrowed from other libraries on any day. .

Average number of boolcs borrowed from other libraries daily

Largest number of books borrowed from other libraries in any month . .
Average numlxr of books borrowed from other libraries monthly

42

18

579

460

42

23

734

571

41

19

623

507

46

15

481

396

41

1(J

613

42(

Number of books borrowed during the year from libraries outside of
Washington

58
5,463

86
6,774

82
6,010

35
4,717

70

Number of books borrowed during tho year from other libraries in
Washington

5,026

Total number of books borrowed from other libraries In and out
of Washington

5,521

6,860

6,092

4,752

5,096

Of the 5,0*26 books borrowed from libraries in the city during tho
year, 4,126 were borrow^ed from the Library of Congress, 607 from
the Surgeon General's library, 110 from the National Museum and
Smitlisonian Institute, 64 from the Geological Survey, 36 from the
Patent Office, 21 from the Public Library, and the remaining 62
from 14 other Government libraries.

APPENDIX 6.

Accessions to the Library for the fiscal years 1015 to 1919.

Accessions. j

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

Purcha«!es: * ^^
Volumes

1,333
39

1,595

49

13

274

1,949

76

1

147

1,510

79

4

97

1 373

Pamphlets

88

M uns and charts

2

Sri inis and continuations

37()

154

Total

1,768

1,931

2,168

1,690

1,617

Gifts:

Vohimes

780

500

22

4,909

873

397

18

4,919

R41

508

4

4,458

670

642

o9

3,807

647

Pauiphlcls

371

Maps and charts

15

Continuations

2,617

•Total

6,211

6,207

5,611

5,181

3,080

From binding periodicals and serials..

1,085

1,612

1,178

949

748

Total

9,0&1

9,750

8,957

7,823

6,045

352 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

APPENDIX 7.

Boolcs, pmuphlcts, and periodicals in bureau, division, and office libraries.*

Num-

ber of

1

Num-

regis-

ber of

Num-

tered

Num-
ber em-
ployed.

Num-

period-

ber of

bor-

Bureau or office.

Librarian in charge.

Number
of books.

ber of
pam-
phlets.

icals
cur-
rently

regis-
tered
bor-

rowers

to
whom

re-

rowers, period-

ceived.

icals
are cir-
jculated

Bureau of Animal Indus-
try: 2
"Animal Husbandry

Miss Jessie Umer

1

1,100

4,300

165

28

28

Division.

Dairv Division

Miss Carrie B. Sherly....

3

918

2,250

275

68

58

Biochemic, Pathologi-

Miss Elsie Moore 3

1

U70

<250

287

75

65

cal, Zoological, and

other divisions.

Bureau of Biological Sur-

Mr. W. H. Cheesmans..

2

6 6,500

106

37

Bureau of Chemistry

Miss Anne E. Draper....

4

5 7,000

367

266

113

Bureau of Crop Estimates.

Mrs. Ellen H. Painter...

2

16,000

550

55

19

Bureau of Entomology. . .

Miss Mabel Colcord

2

7,136

9,000

341

207

12

Miss Caroline B. Sher-

6

<3,366

M,350

550

man.5

Bureau of Plant Industry.

Miss Eunice R. Oberly..

9

4,000
<900

U,000

739

348

165

Bureau of Public Roads. .

Mr. M.A.Hays

1

< 4,000

144

Forest Service

Miss Helen E. Stock-
bridge.

1

£20,914

82

114

48

Office of Farm Manage-

Miss Cora L. Feldkamp .

4

6 9,050

240

51

46

ment.

-

Office of the Solicitor

Mr. F. B. Scott. .

1

U,800

States Relations Service. . .

Miss E. Lucy Ogden

8

* 2,11b

4,500

118

69

1 All books for the use of the Department in Washington, including those filed in the bureaus, are pur-
chased and catalogued by the main Library. No bureau libraries are maintained by the Bureau of Animal
Industry and the Bureau of Soils. The Weather Bureau ly^rary is administered separately, with the
exception that the books and periodicals are purchased from rhe appropriation for the Library of the De-

{:)artment, the sum of $1,000 being set aside each year for this purpose. The report of the Weather Bureau
ibrary is contained in the report of the Weather" Bureau.

2 No bureau library is maintained.
« Periodical assistant.

* Approximate figures.
» I'^ditor and librarian.

• Books and pamphlets.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATES RELATIONS

SERVICE.

United States Department of Agriculture,

States Relations Service,
Washington^ D, O.^ September ^5, 1010,
Sir : I have the honor to present herewith the report of the States
Relations Service for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Respectfully,

A. C. True,

Director,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretai*y of Agriculture.

INTRODUCTION.

The States Relations Service represents the Secretar}^ of Agri-
culture in his relations with the State agricultural colleges and ex-
periment stations under the acts of Congress granting funds to those
institutions for agricultural experiment stations and cooperative ex-
tension work in agriculture and home economics, and in carrying out
the provisions of the acts of Congress making appropriations to tlie
Department of Agriculture for farmers' cooperative demonstration
work, investigations I'elating to agricultural schools, farmers' insti-
tutes, and home economics, and the maintenance of agricultural ex-
periment stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, Guam, and the
Virgin Islands.

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 Sta-
tions; (3) the Office of Extension Work in the South, including the
farmers' cooperative demonstration work and the cooperative ex-
tension work in 15 Southern States; (4) the Office of Extension Work
in the North and West, including the farmers' cooperative demonstra-
tion work and the cooperative extension work in 33 Northern and
Western States; and (5) the Office of Home Economics, including in-
vestigations relative to foods, clothing, and household equipment and
management.

During the past year the service continued to have charge of the
work authorized by Congress in the item in the food-production act
of August 10, 1917, providing " for increasing food production and
eliminating waste and promoting conservation of food by educational
and demonstrational methods through county, district, and urban
agents and others." A war emergency fund of $6,100,000 for this
purpose was used through the two extension offices for the expansion
of the work of the county agricultural agents, home demonstration
agents, and boys' and girls' clubs.

353

354 ANNUAL REPOETS OF DEPAKTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Tlie service directly administered regular and emergency appro-
priations aggregating $T,304:,94:0, and had administrative and ad-
visory relations in the expenditure of $4,020,000 of Federal funds
($1,440,000 for agricultural experiment stations and $2,580,000 for
cooperative extension work) and $2,100,000 of State funds used as
an offset for Federal funds under the cooperative extension act.
In addition, the agricultural colleges and experiment stations used in
experimental and extension enterprises over $8,750,000 derived from
sources within the States.

In the fiscal year 1918-19 the force carried on the rolls of the
States Relations Service aggregated about 7,000 employees. The
total number of persons employed in cooperative extension work in
agriculture and home economics was about 7,500. Over 2,400 coun-
ties had agricultural agents and about 1,700 counties and 200 cities
also had home demonstration agents. About 2,000,000 boys and girls
were connected with the agricultural and home economics clubs. In
the fiscal year 1917-18 the State agricultural experiment stations em-
ployed 1,684 persons, of whom 449 did some extension work.

Up to the signing of the armistice the service was busily engaged
in aiding the State and county extension forces and through them
the farmers throughout the country in increasing agricultural pro-
duction to meet the war needs, and both country and city people in
conserving the products and making most economical and effective
use of available supplies. During the remainder of the year special
attention was given to the problems of agriculture and household
economy growing out of the discontinuance of military operations
and the beginning of adjustment to meet conditions arising in the
settlement of world affairs after the war. An effort was also made
by the extension forces to perfect and establish on a permanent basis
the cooperating agencies among the farming people, in order that the
extension work might rest more securely on the initiative and active
participation of the people themselves.

Uncertainty regarding the policy which would finally be adopted
in making grants of Federal funds in lieu of the war-emergencj^ ap-
propriations made it impracticable to determine definitely the
amounts of State and local funds which would be required to main-
tain the existing organization and work in the several States and
localities. For this and other reasons the fiscal year closed without
settlement of important problems regarding the continuance of
various agencies and methods for extension work on the scale on
which the,y had been organized in war time. It is now evident,
however, that the system of extension work extended so rapidly under
war conditions has commended itself to the people in very large
measure as a thing which will be useful to them in times of peace.
They are therefore making strong efforts to maintain it by local
contributions, as far as these are needed to supplement Federal and
State funds. The number of counties in which it has been necessary
to withdraw the agricultural agents is much smaller than was antici-
pated. Several hundred home demonstration agents have been dis-
continued. But there is a general feeling that in a comparatively
short time the extension forces will be as numerous as ever and that
the system will continue to grow until it covers the entire country.

STATES RELATIONS SErv^TCE. 355

The close of the war has brought the agricultural experinient sta-
tions in the States back more completely to their fundamental work
of agricultural research. The changes in their activities and per-
sonnel during the war have necessitated considerable reorganiza-
tion of their forces and projects. In this readjustment work tho
Office of Experiment Stations is giving them as much assistance as
possible. The experiment stations maintained by the service in
Alaska and the insular territories are continuing both research and
extension work, taking advantage of the increased interest in tho
agricultural development, due to the imperative demand which the
war brought about, to make those regions more self-supporting.

The Office of Home Economics, through participation in the food
survey conducted by the Bureau of Markets and in the work of
various war-time agencies dealing with problems of the conserva-
tion and utilization of agi'icultural products, has gained and dis-
seminated much valuable information which will serve as a basis for
research needed in connection with teaching and extension work in
home economics.

The movement of events growing out of the war has greatly stimu-
lated the interest of our people in vocational education. One result
of this has been that the department has been called upon in increased
measure to furnish the up-to-date information and illustrative ma-
terial in agriculture and home economics which the schools need to
mak<i their work in these lines most effective. The States Eolations
Service has done what it could to aid the schools in developing satis-
factory courses of instruction in these important branches.

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR.

The general administrative business of the States Kelations Serv-
ice continued to be very large and complicated, owing to the largo
emergency appropriation and the great variety of cooperative ar-
rangements with Federal, State, and local organizations. The
temporary employment of several thousand emergency field agents:,
with provision for their travel, supplies, publications, etc., neces-
sitated a vast amount of routine business, much of which could not
be i)roperly standardized because of the shifting character of th'3
force. The loyalty and self-sacrificing spirit of the force, as a whole,
was very commendable, but especial credit should be given to tho
experienced administrative officers and their assistants, who carried
the chief burden of responsibility under very difficult conditions.

EDITORIAL DIVISION.

W. H. Deal, Chief,

The work of this division included the business connected with (1 )
the editing of all publications of the service except Experiment Sta-
tion Record, and (2) the collection, preparation, and distribution ol*
illustrative material.

There was a decrease in the number of different publications issued
during the year, but many of them, especially those bearing on food
production and conservation, were printed in large editions to meet
emergency demands, so that the number of copies was greater than

35G ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE.

in previous years. The publications issued included 64 documents
aggregating 3,997 pages, as follows: Nineteen numbers of Experi-
ment Station Record, 2 reports, 6 technical bulletins (2 relating to
work in agricultural education and 4 to investigations in home eco-
nomics), 1 article in the Journal of Agricultural Research, 10 publi-
cations of the insular stations, 2 popular lectures (with lantern
slides), 20 documents relating to cooperative extension work in ag-
riculture and home economics, and 1 general administrative circular.
In addition to these more formal printed documents the service is-
sued either in printed or- in mimeographed form a number of other
documents, including leaflets of various kinds, report forms, record
books, and the like, required in connection with special features of
the work of the service, and cooperated with the Office of Informa-
tion in the preparation of press and other informational material
of wider general interest relating especially to the promotion of in-
creased production, conservation, and economical use of food and the
organization and development of the cooperative extension w^ork.

Illustrations section. — This section was in charge of Reuben
Brigham. There was a marked increase in the w^ork of the section
connected with the collection and preparation of illustrative mate-
rial for service use. An increased number of photographs taken
either by our own force or in cooperation with the Division of Pub-
lications was added to the collection, which now contains about 10,495
photographs, 7,826 of Avhich are mounted, classified, and catalogued
for ready use. Over 1,500 new photographs were added to the collec-
tion during the year.

The total number of lantern slides made was 15,253, of which 3,153
w^ere colored. The section organized several new series of lantern
slides for special purposes, particularly for the use of extension
specialists, county agents, or other workers cooperating or collaborat-
ing: with the service. It is developing in this Avay a flexible collection
of slides that may be adjusted to met a large variety of local needs
and conditions. The division continues to make a special feature of
lantern-slide color work with the result that it noAv has a considera-
ble collection of colored slides of unusually high quality. In addi-
tion to the coloring of lantern slides some attention is being given to
the coloring of bromide enlargements.

The methods of handling the illustrative material, particularly
lantern slides, were also improved. There were lent during the year,
mainl}^ to extension w^orkers and schools teaching agriculture, 1,346
sets aggregating' 67,300 slides. The demand for this service has in-
creased rapidly.

Work in the preparation of charts and drawings for service use
progressed rapidly during the year as a result of the emplo5^ment
of a competent artist to give full time to such work.

The section cooperated wdth other offices of the service and with
the Office of Exhibits of the department in planning and preparing
a representative exhibit of the work of the service for use in con-
nection with the general department exhibit for State fair circuits.
The section also cooperated with other offices of the service and with
the assistant in charge of motion-picture activities in outlining and
staging two films illustrating cooperative extension Avork, one in
Florida, illustrating home-demonstration work in the South, and

STATES REtiATlONS SERVICE. 357

the other in Maryland, ilhistrating cooperative extension work and
organization in rehition to improving methods of apple production.
Several mimeographed circuUirs explaining how to make good
photographs, lantern slides, and charts for extension and school use
were issued.

INVESTIGATIONS ON AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Alvin Dille, In charge.

Particular attention was given during the year to the preparation
of subject matter in form for use in teaching vocational agriculture
in secondary schools, and to plans for training teachers for these
schools. At the same time the elementary rural school studies were
not neglected.

Previous to the signing of the armistice there was cooperation with
other divisions and bureaus in promoting instruction relating to prob-
lems of food production and conservation. Studies were made of
the training of unskilled farm labor and of city boys to do farm work.
Studies of the educational work of the colleges with the Students'
Army Training Corps, especially the instruction in agriculture being
given to these men, were also begun. Sets of lantern slides, charts,
and reference material were supplied to instructors in agriculture at
various army camps. The signing of the armistice brought a sudden
end to this special war work, and after that time attention was turned
to problems of readjustment in agricultural teaching.

The preparation of material in the form of bulletins, circulars,
leaflets, etc., for the use of teachers of agriculture continued to receive
a large amount of attention. Lessons in dairying and on potatoes
for rural elementary schools were published in bulletins which were
widely distributed. Twelve leaflets on how teachers may use certain
Farmers' Bulletins were also printed and distributed. Owing to an
increased demand for material for use in schools teaching agriculture
a number of earlier bulletins were reprinted.

The preparation of a two years' course of study for negro voca-
tional schools was undertaken in cooperation with the Federal Board
for Vocational Education. The first year's course, lessons in crop
production, Avas completed and turned over to the Federal Board,
and the preparation of the second-year course, lessons in animal pro-
duction, was well advanced. A conference Avas conducted at Hamp-
ton Institute with negro teacher trainers and supervisors of agricul-
ture, at which the first course was carefully reviewed and explained.

While the war checked in some measure the development of instruc-
tion in agriculture, the interest in agriculture was greatly increased
by the emphasis placed on food production and conservation. With
the close of the war State authorities began to turn their atten-
tion to the development of the agricultural schools, more especially
those teaching vocational agriculture.' This was shown by the in-
creased demand for material that would help in the solutions of their
teaching problems.

The demand for help in visual instruction was in excess of the
supply of material available. During the year there were prepared
the following lantern-slide sets with mimeographed syllabi : Lessons
in planning and planting a garden; lessons on dairying; a six weeks'

358 AIITNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

course in farming for women; war camp farms in the TJited States
in 1918; a revision of the home projects in agriculture. There were
also available for use in this work sets of slides, with lecture notes,
on the farm water supply; flies and their relation to health; the
mosquito and its relation to health.

The lantern-slide service has had a wide range, including schools
in 32 States and a few schools in Canada. Slides Avere also loaned
to the Y. M. C. A. camp service for use both in the United States and
in France. In Texas and Massachusetts a set of each of the slides
was placed in charge of the State departments of agricultural edu-
cation to be sent out on circuits to the schools teaching agriculture.
This service proved very effective and it is hoped will be extended
during the coming year. Plans were developed to widen the scope
and t3''pe of illustrative material, especially to assist the States to
obtain duplicates of the material available.

The division continues, as heretofore, to review and abstract for
Experiment Station Eecord the literature on agricultural education,
this work requiring a large portion of the time of one member of the
staff.

During the year various field trips were made by members of the
staff, including visits to State and regional conferences of agricul-
tural directors, supervisors, and teachers ; associations at which agri-
cultural instruction was discussed ; State colleges giving attention to
the training of teachers of agriculture ; and schools giving instruction
in agriculture. During these trips conferences w^erc held and all
assistance possible given to the men in the. field.

Kelations of the most cordial nature were maintained with the
various bureaus of the department and helpful assistance was ren-
dered by these bureaus.

INVESTIGATIONS ON FARMERS' INSTITUTES.

J. M, Stedman, Farmers' Institute Specialist.

Farmers' institute work in the United States during 1918 as com-
piled from reports from 31 States included 6,941 institutes, which
lasted 7,184 davs, comprised 14,446 sessions with an attendance of
1,916,706, employed 2,002 lecturers, and cost $260,826.09, divided be-
tween State appropriations of $184,463.24 and other funds con-
tributed to the amount of $76,362.85.

The States Eelations Service continued to aid farmers' institute
workers, as well as county agents and other extension teachers
throughout the country, along the same lines as heretofore. Three
new lectures. Renovating the neglected apple orchard, Growing and
handling Irish potatoes, and The city and suburban vegetable
garden, Avere published, each accompanied Avith 50 lantern slides.
These lectures were used not only by farmers' institute lecturers but
more especially by county agricultural agents, from whom the de-
mand is constantly increasing. The}^ are also used by home-demon-
stration agents, club leaders, teachers of agriculture in high schools,
and extension teachers in agricultural colleges, by grange lecturers,
and by other persons who desire aid in presenting their subject before
audiences of farmers.

During the year lectures, each accompanied Avith a set of 50 lantern
slides, were loaned to 604 extension Avorkers.

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 350

OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

E. W. Atxen, Chief.

The Office of Experiment Stations continued to exercise its three-
fold function of administration, advice, and publication, with
reference to the experiment stations in the States sharing in the
Federal appropriations for experimentation and research in agricul-
ture. In discharging this function it not only exercised supervision
of the work and expenditures of the stations in order that the intent
of the Federal laws might be realized, but it aimed to stimulate and
assist the activity intended to be promoted by these laws. This ^yas
done as heretofore by maintaining close contact with the stations
through annual visits to the stations, correspondence, and the edi-
torial pages of Experiment Station Record.

The publication activity of the office was represented by an annual
report to Congress on the work and expenditures of the State and
insular stations, the issue of Experiment Station Record, and the
preparation of the card index of American experiment-station liter-
ature, which has been in progress for nearly 30 years.

RELATIONS WITH THE STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

The needs arising under war conditions brought the work of the
State experiment stations and of this department and other Federal
and State agencies into closer and more intimate relationship, giving
rise to numerous cooperative endeavors. The stations were called
upon for unusual forms of service, which often required interpreta-
tion of the Federal acts in relation to such use of the funds. Under
the circumstances as liberal an attitude was followed as was felt to
be warranted, and in general it was maintained that as far as the
Federal funds were concerned the stations should continue to retain
their character of institutions for investigation and its interpretation
in practice.

The disturbing influences of war conditions had a noticeable effect
upon the stations and their work. Aside from the unusual demands
upon them for various forms of service, they experienced considerable
difficulty in maintaining their staffs, heavily drawn upon for the
Army and for other work incident to the war. The reduction in tlie
total of station officers and assistants, even taking into account the
replacements, amounted to more than 15 per cent during the period
of the war. This unavoidably had an unfavorable effect on the sta-
tion work, leading in some cases to the abandonment for the time
being or modification of lines of study for which suitable workers
could not be secured.

New administrative officers entered upon their work during the
year at several of the colleges and stations, and in a number of in-
stances the stations were in charge of acting directors during the ab-
sence of the station head on war-emergency or reconstruction duties.
Such changes, together with changes in the station personnel, called
for special attention to the details of administrative management and
policy, the proper safeguarding of the organization and the employ-
ment of funds, assistance in filling vacancies, and the like.

The register of persons available for agricultural investigation
maintained by the office was of special value to the stations in se-

360 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

curing men for their various lines of work, and also to returning sol-
diers trained in scientific agriculture in locating and obtaining po-
sitions.

The office, like the stations, returning during the year to a read-
justment basis, found many new matters needing attention, among
them the maintenance of the experiment stations in the proper rela-
tive position with respect to other branches of the agricultural work.
The key position occupied by the stations as originators and inter-
preters of the information employed in teaching and extension work
emphasizes the prime importance of maintaining them on a basis of
progressive strength commensurate with the growth of these other
branches.

EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD.

In accordance with the general plan in operation for several years,
volumes 39 and 40 of the Experiment Station Kecord, each consist-
ing of nine numbers and the usual author and subject indexes, were
prepared during the year. These volumes contain 7,023 abstracts
of the world's scientific literature pertaining to agriculture, together
with monthly editorials discussing important phases of the develop-
ments in agricultural investigation 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 practically identical
with that for the previous year. Special attention was again given
to the selection of material of immediate usefulness under the war
and postwar conditions. Likewise many of the editorial articles took
up some phase of the effects of the war on research in agriculture and
the opportunities and problems confronting research institutions.

INSULAR STATIONS.

The Office of Experiment Stations, as heretofore, had direct charge
of the Federal experiment stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico,
and Guam, administering their work and expenditures through the
local agents in charge.

At the beginning of the fiscal year, and for several months there-
after, these stations were busily engaged in problems connected with
increasing production and conservation of food. The policy of
agricultural diversification, which has been continued since the es-
tablishment of the stations, was fully justifi(xl by the results obtained.
The stations suffered by reason of the de]):irture of many of their
men for military service. The manner in v. Uich the remaining mem-
bers of the staffs took up the additional work is worthy of com-
mendation.

The agricultural experiment station on the Island of St. Croix was
taken over on January 1, 1919, becoming the experiment station of
the Virgin Islands. This station, with an area of about 200 acres, is
to be developed as rapidly as possible to cover all lines of agricul-
tural investigation, and the work is to be extended to the other
islands of the group.

The administrative heads of the stations remained without change.

The appropriations for the stations for 1919 were: Alaska,
.$65,000; Hawaii. $45,000; Porto Rico, $45,000; Guam, $20,000; and
Virgin Islands, $15,000. These sums constitute the resources of the
stations, the current sales funds no longer being available for use.

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 3G1

The stations continued to enjoy the cooperation of the various bu-
reaus and divisions of the department, and their work was greatly
assisted in this way. Hearty acknowledgment is made for the aid
thus received.

The administrative and financial review of the affairs of the sta-
tions in connection with the States Eelations Service continued, as
formerly, under the supervision of Walter H. Evans and the ac-
counting office of the service.

ALASKA STATIONS.

The Alaska stations continued in direct charge of C. C. Georgeson.
Stations were maintained at Sitka, Kodiak, Rampart, Fairbanks, and
Matanuska. The headquarters is at Sitka.

At Rampart, practically every variety of spring grain sown in
1918 ripened. Of 76 varieties of spring grain that matured, more
than half were hybrids that had been produced at the station. Many
of these seem to have become fixed in character and they are being
propagated for wide distribution throughout the Territory.

At Fairbanks the yields were less than in some years, but barley
yielded 30 bushels per acre and oats 48 to 60 bushels per acre when
sown on a field scale. An especial effort is being made to increase the
stock of some spring wheats for distribution for seed purposes.
These grains were received from the experiment station at Tulun,
Siberia, and have proved well adapted to Alaskan conditions. About
65 bushels were distributed in 1918 to be grown for seed i^urposes, and
it was estimated that more than 500 acres of wheat would be sown in
the Tanana Valley in the spring of 1919. The station at Fairbanks
made milling tests of the various grains, and samples of whole wheat
flour produced by the station were given a baking test by the Bureau
of Chemistry of this department, which showed the flour to be of
high grade. The report on the test states : " This flour makes a very
good loaf of bread; in fact, it is one of the best whole wheat or
graham flour breads we have had occasion to make."

At the Matanuska station, most of the work is still of a pioneer
nature, but quite a little was done with various crops durmg the
year. Cereals sown for grain hay matured, and there was a large
production of potatoes of good quality. An attempt was made to
grow sugar beets in a small way and analyses of roots sent to this
department showed an average sugar content of 15.9 per cent. Ex-
periments to determine the possibility of growing sugar beets for
seed were undertaken.

At the Kodiak station, the work with sheep and cattle progressed
favorably. The herd of cattle was tested for tuberculosis for the
fourth time and no new reactors were found. Of the calves dropped
by reacting mothers but reared on pasteurized milk, only one out of
eleven showed any suspicious symptoms when tested for tuberculosis.

In an effort to eradicate tuberculosis in cattle, cooperative work
was carried on with the Territory in testing cattle in all the more
accessible localities, the legislature having made an appropriation
for that purpose.

The extension work begun as a war emergency project was con-
tinued and considerably expanded. Large quantities of seed and
351352*'— 19 24

362 ANNUAL EEPOFvTS OF DEPAllTMENT OF AGKICULTUKE.

plants were distributed and advice was given regarding tlic crops
that could be expected to succeed and the best methods to be pursued
in growing them.

A number of farmers' meetings were held in the Matanuska and
Tanana valleys during the year, and were well attended. A recent
report show^s there have been taken up, under the various homestead
laws, 518 claims embracing approximately 103,8-10 acres.

The plant breeding and horticultural work at Sitka station pro-
gressed favorably and large numbers of hybrid strawberries, and
other fruits and plants adapted to Alaskan conditions, were dis-
tributed.

HAWAII STATION.

This station continued in charge of J. M. Westgate. Wliile the
more formal projects w^ere by no means abandoned, and the im-
portance of diversified agriculture continued to be emphasized, the
energies of the station Avere largely devoted during the year to son^.e
of the more pressing problems relating to the production and con-
servation of food for man and forage for animals.

The chemical division paid especial attention to the conservation
of Haw\aiian fruits and vegetables. A fruit and vegetable drier was
constructed that ]Droduced a much better product than that obtained
by the usual methods and the practicability of drying bananas and
various vegetables was demonstrated. The work with starches at-
tracted much attention, and the commercial manufacture of starch
from cassava, edible cannas, taro, and other plants, has been under-
taken on several of the islands. The starch of the edible canna was
found to be easily digested. A satisfactory method was worked
out for the manufacture of vinegar containing 4 per cent or more of
acetic acid from w^aste pineapple juice.

The horticultural v\ ork Avas confined largely to studies of the best
varieties of tropical fruits for HaAvaiian conditions. A survey Avas
made of the coffee industry as to its condition, its necessities, and
also the location of possible sources of caffein in the pulp prunings,
etc., that are now Avasted.

The agronomy division has demonstrated the superiority of Guam
corn over any other variety groAvn at Ioav elevation in TIaAvaii.
There is local prejudice against Avhite corn and eiforts are being made
to cross this variety Avith some good yelloAV sort. Important results
have been secured in sweet potato breeding Avork and some promising
hybrids are under observation.

The plant pathologist has discovered the cause of a very destruc-
tive banana disease and has worked out a seemingly satisfactory
method of control. This method, Avhich includes sanitation and
spraying, was applied to a 75-acre field Avith promising results. A
comprehensiA'-e study of root rots of bananas, pineapples, and sugar
cane Avas begun.

The extension division, through its superintendent on Maui, kept
in close touch Avith the agricultural interests of the islands. Demon-
strations AA'ere made of the curing of pork, caponizing, increased pro-
duction of corn, pigeon peas, cassava, etc., and of the practicability of
l)roducing concentrated feeds to replace grain brought from Califor-

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 363

Ilia. Corn, calf, and pig clubs Avere established and a beginning
made looking toward organizing farm bureaus for the leading agri-
cultural-sections of the islands. The work of the various collabora-
tors was continued and many localities are being reached in this way.
During the year an extension agent was appointed for the island of
Hawaii.

The cooperative work with the Territorial Food Commission was
highly successful and the relations were very satisfactory. The work
carried on in cooperation with the War Department at Schofield Bar-
racks was continued and considerably extended, and plans- were ma-
tured for extensive plantings of forage and other crops suited to the
locality. The cooperation maintained between the station and the
Territory at the Glenwood station on Hawaii was terminated by
failure of the legislature to continue the appropriation which had
been made for about six years. Provision was made for continuing
the work for a time on a collaborator basis.

The Territorial marketing division, established by tho station in
1013 and wholly taken over b^ the Territory in 1017, was intended
to provide a means for the disposal of small quantities of produce
and thus foster diversified agriculture. The amount of business of
the inarket increased so rapidly that it was selling about $20,000
worth of island produce a month. Later the retail privilege was
Avithdrawn, and the legislature at its last session did not continue the
appropriation for its maintenance.

PORTO RICO STATION.

D. W. May continued as local agent in charge of this station. Tiio
work of the station during the year was directed mainW along two
lines, investigation and extension. The investigational work was in
continuation of projects that have been in progress for some years.
The extension work was carried on through demonstrations, meetings,
and the distribution of seeds and plants, literature, etc. One of the
important lines of investigation was in connection witli the mottled
leaf disease of sugar cane. This disease has spread rather widely and
threatens to curtail sugar production. The station cooperated witli
the department in making a study of insects as carriers of the dis-
ease, the cause of which is as yet unlniown. The question of varietal
resistance has been given especial attention. Several years ago the
station introduced a considerable number of varieties of sugar cane
from other tropical countries and among them are several which
b^how more or less resistance to the disease. Effortu are being made
to increase seed cane of one of these varieties as rapidly as possible
for planting in the infected portions of the island. As a result of
the station's investigations on vanilla a number of commercial plant-
ings, ranging from 1 to 10 acres in extent, have been made. Studies
were continued on some of the problems relating to the preparation
and marketing of the crop.

The rice work, begun a year ago in cooperation with the Office of
Cereal Investigations, has yielded promising results. Nursery and
other plants have been planted at the station and about 130 acres wei'C
sown in field trials carried on by the station and growers in various

364 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGIUCULTURK.

parts of the island. The results obtained in 1918 Avcre considered so
satisfactory that larger plantings were made in 1919.

In furtherance of work in crop rotations and the use of leguminous
plants for food, forage, and green manure, soy beans, and other
legumes have been introduced and are meeting with much favor.

The station continued to give attention to the development of the
fruit industry, especially citrus fruits, pineapples, mangoes, and
avocados. Methods have been worked out in cooperation with the
Bureau of Chemistry for the manufacture of fruit juices, thus making
a market for otherwise unmarketable fruits.

Experiments in corn improvement were resumed, attention being
paid to local varieties that are already acclimated, and the possibility
of increasing the yields through care in seed selection has been shown.
Similar work with other crops was begun.

In the extension work 1,741 meetings were held during the year
and 500 field demonstrations were conducted. Statistical data were
collected which show that in 1918 there were planted 413,158 acres
to the 10 most important food crops of the island — corn, wdth 103,577
acres, and beans, with about the same acreage, leading. The main
crops, such as sugar cane, tobacco, coffee, and fruits, are not included.

Previous investigations of the station having shoAvn the prac-
ticability of cattle tick eradication, the station having been kept free
of ticks for some time, an active campaign was begun to eradicate
the tick. Ten dipping vats were constructed and about 80 more pro-
jected. The outlook for the success of such a campaign seems
promising.

GUAM STATION.

The local agent in charge of the Guam station was C. W. Edwards.
The island of Guam was visited on July 6, 1918, by a very destructive
typhoon accompanied with heavy rain. Much damage was done to
the station buildings, fences, and grounds. A number of the station
pigs, goats, and chickens were killed, and practically all crops were
destroyed. This necessitated beginning anew with many of the
projects in agronomy and horticulture. Seeds and plants had to be
secured and much of the material was not received until after the
most favorable season for planting. A severe drought, extending
from February to June, followed, and the effects of the two unusual
conditions were reflected in the station work.

In the animal husbandry work some changes were necessary, due to
the typhoon. This was especially true in feeding experiments because
of the destruction of nearly all native feeds under test. Shortage
of feed made it impossible to continue other lines of investigation. An
experiment, in which comparison was made between the native
practice of tying pigs under shade trees and confining them in
properly constructed pens, showed a decided advantage in favor of
penning, and many farmers are now providing suitable inclosures for
their swine. In the poultry department most of the young breeding
stock was lost in the storm of July 6. Work was continued with a
Rhode Island Eed-native cross. This cross has met with great favor,
is hardy, and of good size, and efforts are being made to establish the
strain and produce it in quantity for use by the people in grading up
their flocks. The breeding work with cattle and goats was continued
as in previous years.

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 365

The work with corn has been especially valuable. Much of the
station crop was saved after the storm. This and all native supplies
which were commandeered after the typhoon were used as seed
supplies and most of the corn later planted was station-produced seed.
The problem of drying and storing the available seed supplies was
successfully worked out with the result that the island government
is offering at cost insect and moisture-proof tanks modeled upon
those at the station. The two grasses, Paspalum dilatatmn and Para,
were the only forage to survive the typhoon and later drought, and
they supplied about the only source of forage. Plantings of cowpeas
made immediately after the storm gave very satisfactory results in
supplementing and extending the limited grass pasture.

More than 200 pot tests were begun at the station to determine the
crop adaptations and fertilizer requirements of certain peculiar Guam
soils. The station distributed more seed and plants to farmers during
the )^ear than ever before, the distribution including garden seeds,
C,575 packets; plants, 3,028; seed corn, 7,025 pounds; and large
quantities of cowpeas and velvet beans.

In March, extension work was definitely begun by W. J. Green,
formerly connected with such work in Oklahoma. Three lines of
work were inaugurated, farm demonstration for adults, boys' and
girls' club work, and school gardens. The island was divided into
15 patrol districts, and the patrolmen, who were chosen from marines
having knowledge of farming, cooperated with the extension de-
partment. The insular authorities showed a deep interest in this
work and aided it in every way. The demonstration work included
crops, live stock, and beekeeping. Within three months after the
work was started clubs with 499 enrollments had been orj^anized.
The school-garden work had been organized for a longer tune and
at the end of the year 377 boys were engaged in this work. A garden
has been established in connection with every school in the island.
The extension agent directs the planting and care of the gardens and
the superintendent of schools has charge of the disposal of the prod-
uce.

VIBGIN ISLANDS STATION.

In the act making appropriations for this depai*tment for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, provision was made for an experi-
ment station in the recently acquired Virgin Islands. Arrangements
were made through the naval governor to take over the experiment
station formerly established by the Danish Government on the island
of St. Croix, and on January 1, 1919, the station passed under the
jurisdiction of this department and became the Agricultural Experi-
ment Station of the Virgin Islands. The former director. Long-
field Smith, was continued in charge, and an entomologist was added
to the staff. Considerable repair and reconstruction work was done
and equipment was secured.

The work of the station at present consists almost entirely of crop
investigations, which are continued along the lines which have been
established during the past seven years, including especially experi-
ments of various kinds with sugar cane; cotton breeding; com selec-
tion, crossing, and culture; tests of leguminous crops for forage and
for green manure (including velvet beans, Lyon beans, cowpeas, Mad-

366 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

agascar beans, alfalfa, and others) ; and replacement of sugar canj^
by coconut plantations. Experiments are also in progress with citrus
and other tropical fruits, sweet potatoes, etc.

The work thus far has been confined to the island of St. Croix,
since it embraces most of the readily tillable land. The islands of
St. Thomas and St. John ax^e believed to offer opportunities for stock
raising, pineapple growing, sisal production, etc., which should be
developed as rapidly as possible. St. Thomas is considered to oft'er
favorable opportunities for various horticultural industries which
should be investigated and developed.

OFFICE OF EXTENSION WORK IN THE SOUTH.

Beadford Knapp, Chief.

The Office of Extension Work in the South has charge of the co-
operative extension work of the Department of xigriculture in the
15 Southern States. Its functions, administrative organization, and
reUitionships with the subject-matter bureaus of the department and
with the State extension services were not materially changed during
the year.

ADMINISTRATIVE FORCE.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919, there were in the
Southern States 15 directors of extension ; 15 State agents or assistant
directors; 79 assistant State and district agents; 1,031 county agents;
93 assistant county agents; 177 negro agents and 105 boys' club
agents ; 15 State home demonstration agents ; 82 assistant State home
demonstration agents and district agents; 763 county home demon-
stration agents; 250 negro women agents; 50 white vv^omen city
agents, and 7 negro women city agents.

Within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Extension
Work in the South Avas represented by 1 chief, 1 assistant chief,
5 field agents in the administration of the county agent and co-
operative extension work in the States; 4 men and 4 women in the
administration of the home demonstration Avork and the boys' and
girls' club work, and the necessary office assistants and clerical force.
There were also during the year 10 representatives of subject-matter
divisions of the department cooperating with the Office of Extension
Work in the South in taking technical information from the Dej)art-
ment of Agriculture to the States.

FINANCES.

The total amount available for extension work in the Southern
States in 1918-19 was $6,277,576, exclusive of the amount spent for
the support of the office at Washington. Of this amount, $2,205,500
was from the emergency fund and $4,072,076 was from regular ap-
propriations to the department, the Federal and State Smith-Lever
funds, college funds, and the large appropriations made by yafious
counties. . .

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 367

Taking the figures, ^vithout the emergency fund, and averaghig
the 15 Southern States, we find that 8.1 per cent was spent in ad-
ministration; 2.1 per cent in printing and distribution of publica-
tions ; 43 per cent for county agents ; 24.7 per cent for home demon-
stration agents, and 4 per cent for boys' chib work, while 18.1 per
cent was spent for specialists.

The average percentage of all funds, exclusive of the emergency
fund, silent for the three principal projects — county agTicultural
agents, county home demonstration agents, and boys' club work — was
71.7 per cent. If we add the emergency fund to these figures and
take the grand total, the percentages expended for the different lines
of work are, county agents, 49; home demonstration agents, 28.8;
boys' club work, 3.8; specialists, 11.7; publications, 1.4; and admin-
istration, 5.3. The percentage given for specialists does not include
the amounts expended for specialists from various bureaus of the
Department of Agriculture.

The proportionate amounts expended for county agricultural
agents and for county home demonstration agents vary in the dif-
ferent States. In some States less than half as much is expended for
homo demonstration work as for county agent work, while in one
State the sums expended for these two purposes are practically equal.

The following table shows the expenditures for the various lines of
work classified under general subjects:

Amounts and percentages of funds allotted io various lines of extension icorJ:
in 1018-lD in the ^ou1hcr)i States.

Line of work.

All funds except omer-
goncy.

Emergency fund.

Total.

A'^Imlnistrntion

■

$331,346

86,988

1,750,984

1,007,450

161,543

733,765

Per cent.

t 8.1

2.1

43.0

24.7

4.0

18.1

Per cent.

$331,346

86,988

3,079,700

1,808,835

230,843

733,765

Per cevt.
5.3

I

1.4

Mis

$1,328,815

801,385

75,300

60.3

36.3

3.4

49. 0

iuistration agents...

i/tiv ^' flubs. ..

28. 3
3.8

L-pocialists

11.7

4,072,076

100.0

2,205,500

100.0

6,277,570

100.0

COUNTY AGENTS.

ORGANIZATION.

Each county has an organization cooperating with the county
agent and the State extension service in the work of improving
agricultural conditions. In the majority of the Southern States
these organizations consist of community organizations of farmers
and their families, the county organization generally consisting of
representatives from such community organization. In the most of
tlie Southern States this county organization is known as the county
farm council; in some it is known as the county farm bureau. Two-
thirds of all the counties in the South have perfected such organiza-
tions Avithin the last few years, while the other third all have tho
foundation laid in community organizations but have not reached
the perfection of organization outlined above. These organizations,

8G8 ANNUAL REPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Tvith the help of the county agents, both men and women, outline
the community and county plans of work and participate actively
in the carrying out of the programs undertaken. The main feature
of the work undertaken through these organizations is the demon-
stration conducted by the farmer himself (see p. 369).

Besides these demonstrations, meetings are held from time to time
and miscellaneous information is given for the purpose of helping
individuals to solve difficult problems.

FINANCES.

The money available for the support of the county agent work
during the past year was larger than in any year previous. The
total amount of funds devoted to the county agent work in the 15
Southern States in 1918-19 was about $3,080,000, from the following
sources :

Smith-Lever fund. Federal and State $660,000

Emergency fund 1, 329, 000

U. S. Department of Agriculture, direct appropriation 375, 000

County and other local funds 716, 000

The average salary paid to the county agent in the Southern States
is about $2,000. Generally he receives a part or all of his traveling
expenses in addition to this.

PLAN OF WORK.

In the South the county agent is recognized as the leader in all
of the agricultural extension activities in his county. Through him
the efforts of all members of the extension service — State and dis-
trict agents, specialists from the State agricultural college and the
United States Department of Agriculture, and club agents — reach
the farmer. The activities of the county agent fall into two main
lines, work wdth men and boys' club work. In the South the boys'
club work is one of the main activities of each county agent.

In most instances a written plan of work for the year is prepared
by the county agent in cooperation with the district agent, specialists,
and the advisory committee of the supporting county organization,
and subject to the approval of the cooperative extension authorities.
This includes a program of demonstrations, both personal and com-
munity, with crops and live stock, special campaigns, field meetings,
organization w^ork, marketing, organization of boys' clubs, etc.

RESULTS.

The general effect on southern agriculture of a continuous and
consistent program of better balanced farming is noAV evident. The
acreage in corn shows a very great increase during the past 10
years in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The
total corn acreage in the Southern States has increased 17.9 per cent
since the year 1909 (census), wheat 150 per cent, oats 98.7 per cent,
hay 113 per cent, Irish potatoes G4.5 per cent, sweet potatoes 64.G
per cent, rice 32.3 per cent, peanuts about 100 per cent ; grain sorghums
have increased, from 1915 to 1919. 26.7 per cent in Texas and Okla-

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 369

lioma alone, and velvet beans increased from a small acreage in 1910
to 4,318,000 acres in 1918. The acreage of cotton in 1918, though
large, was exceeded three times during the past 10 years.

The live-stock industry in the South has had a similar experience.
The growing of more hay, forage crops, and grain, especially corn,
soy beans, peanuts, oats, and velvet beans, has greatly increased the
production of both hogs and cattle. Dairy cows have increased in the
Southern States 10 per cent since 1910. Owing to the protracted
drought in western Texas and Oklahoma, the actual number of "other
cattle '' in the South shows a slight decrease. One-third of all cattle
in Texas had to be marketed during 1917 and 1918 to keep them from
starving, owing to the most disastrous drought in the history of the
western territory. In the sections east of Texas a very large increase
is shown.

The campaign for more hogs, with the effective demonstrations
put on by the pig-club boys, has greatly advanced the hog industry in
the Southern States. Cooperative carload shipments, fostered by the
county agents, had a very distinct effect in stimulating this industry.
Since 1910 the total number of hogs in the Southern States has in-
creased 31 per cent. Of the 20 highest States in the point of hog
Ijroductioii in the United States, 10 are Southern States.

mOMONSTRATlONS.

The corner stone of the county agent work in the South is the
actual demonstration conducted by the farmer on his own land with
the help of the county agent and specialist. More often than not the
demonstration is on a community basis, that is, the farmer conducting
the demonstration does so for the purpose of illustrating better
practices to himself and to his neighbors. The effect of the demon-
stration is often very materially increased by the fact that neighbors
are copying the practices on their own farms. The total number of
acres in crop demonstrations in 1918 was 3,207,818. The total number
of farmers demonstrating was 317,509.

The largest acreage in demonstrations with one crop was in corn.
More than 70,000 demonstrators cultivated a total of 774,449 acres
under special instruction, with an average yield of 35 bushels an
acre, more than doubling the average of the whole territory.

There was a great increase in the number of wheat demonstrations.
In 1917 there were 19,741, while in 1918 there were 50,310 such demon-
strations on a total acreage of 317,948, the average yield being 19.7
bushels per acre.

There was also an increase in rye and peanut demonstrations.

Orchards. — There were nearly four times as many demonstrations
in orchards in 1918 as in the year before, there being 19,789 demon-
strations with a total number of 705,690 trees. County agents gave
advice and counsel regarding pruning, spraying, and otherwise treat-
ing 45,716 orchards, involving a total of nearly 5,000,000 trees.

Live stock. — In 1918 the county agents assisted farmers in bring-
ing in 4.395 head of horses and mules and, with the assistance of

370 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE.

specialists, conducted 859 feeding tests, involving 3,821 animals.
They helped bring in 12,G4T head of pure-bred dairy cattle and
14,997 grades. They helped the specialists in dairying to conduct
1,052 feeding demonstrations, involving 19,200 animals. Outside of
the special work in the removal of cattle from the drought-stricken
region of Texas and Oklahoma, they assisted in bringing in 17,807
head of purebred beef cattle and 40,183 head of grades. There were
805 feeding demonstrations with beef cattle, with a total of 28,317
head involved. The county agents started 2,195 herds of beef cat-
tle. They assisted farmers in bringing 42,864 head of hogs into the
KSouth for breeding purposes, and helped specialists to conduct 7,884
feeding demonstrations, involving 71,901 hogs. The special cam-
l^aign for increased hog production asked for by the Government
was conducted in all States. The allotted percentages of increase
were fairly well met, Mississippi and Tennessee leading, each with a
20 per cent increase. The agents helped bring in 10,775 pure-bred
sheep and goats, and 69,862 grades, and conducted feeding demon-
strations on 367 farms, involving 8,026 animals. In addition, they
started 3,526 new herds.

Poultry work. — County agents assisted specialists in conducting
poultry demonstrations on 4,623 farms, involving the feeding of
474,397 birds.

Live stock diseases. — To help farmers i^rotect their herds against
live stock diseases and pests the county agents induced farmers to se-
cure the treatment of animals for diseases, as follows — 2,391,842 head
of cattle and 2,299,661 hogs. In this they personally treated 568,167
head of hogs for cholera while administering either the simultaneous
or serum treatment, in most instances under authorization of the
State live stock sanitary boards. They induced farmers to have
43,396 head of sheep and 43,242 head of horses and mules treated
for diseases. The grand total of live stock so protected was 4,778,141
head. In addition to this, they helped procure the building of 2,219
dipping vats and 3,803 silos.

Tick eradication. — The Bureau of Animal Industry, in coopera-
tion with the various State live stock sanitary boards, has been con-
ducting an intensive campaign for cleaning the South of cattle ticks.
There were released from quarantine 67,308 square miles of territory
during the year. More than half of the original quarantine area is
now released. Mississippi Avas declared tick free and South Caro-
lina expected to be released November 1, 1918. County agents every-
Vvhere have assisted the specialists in the necessary educational work
and in stocking the country with improved animals after the ticks
have been eradicated.

Manure, fertilizers, and li:me. — The county agents conducted
63,085 demonstrations in the proper care and saving of mamu'e on
farms, estimated to involve over 10,000,000 tons. The county agents
assisted farmers and farmers' organizations in the cooperative pur-
chase of lime and in lime xlemonstrations, involving practically
1,000,000 tons. They gave specific advice to 223,979 farmers regard-
ing the use of fertilizer and conducted 11,665 specific demonstrations.
They also induced 2,156 communities or organizations of farmers to

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 371

purchase fertilizer cooperatively. The value of the fertilizer so pur-
chased by these organizations was $3,630,195, and the estimated sav-
ing due to cooperative purchasing was $532,10G.

Gaiidexs. — A part of the general work in the Southern States in
101(S was the campaign for home gardens. Other forces were in the
field, but the county agents organized this movement in practically
every county in 1918, and the success of the movement was due mostly
tx) them. Special agents in charge of the garden work were a])-
pointed for the States of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland,
Norlh Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
In all of the other Southern States the specialists in horticulture and
the county and district agents conducted the campaign. Under war
conditions this campaign was definitely aimed at city and town
gardens as well as rural gardens. Complete data arc not available,
but it is estimated that a total of more than 3,000,000 gardens in the
Soulli were the result of this campaign.

CoorKitATivE MARKKTixG AND PiKCiEAsiNG. — Tlic Statement often
made that the colleges, the county agents, and the United States De-
partment of Agriculture put all of their emphasis on production and
arc not assisting the farmei's with the difficult problems of market-
ing may be answered by saying that the county agents have every-
where worked with Ixxlies of farmers organized for the purpose of
purchasing farm supplies and marketing farm products. Where
the marketing problem has been critical, the county agents have not
hesitated to quickly assist farmers and farmers' associations to
organize on tlie proper basis for making purchases or marketing
products. The South is just building its new agriculture, and in this
building problem many difficulties regarding the marketing of the
new products have arisen and all of the extension forces have realized
that it was necessary to help farmers to solve these problems. This
the marketing specialists and county agents are doing. The Bureau
of Markets of the department has a specialist in marketing, either in
direct or very close cooperation with the extension forces of the
colleges, in the following States: Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and
Kentucky.

There have been many reasons for greatly extending marketing
efforts, as for example, the increased production of hogs and cattle
in the South, the necessity for organizing new systems to take* in
farin products locally produced and distribute them to local markets,
ilio increased production of food and feed which had to be dis-
tributed through local organizations, the drought conditions in
western Texas and Oklahoma, and the Government sale of nitrate of
soda.

The main items of business of this kind, in which the county ageiits
assisted, were as follows :

Fertilizer, lime, and the like, purchased amounted to 64,382 tons
valued at $1,900,122, exclusive of nitrate of soda; carloads of cattle
marketed 751, valued at $1,034,295; carloads of swine marketed
1,530, valued at $2,718,9-18; corn, w^heat, and other grain marketed
1,395,900 bushels, valued at $1,590,448; miscellaneous agricultural
products marketed valued at $2,631,985. The grand total value of

372 ANNUAL KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the work avjis $17,156,232, and the saving $2,834,067, or about 16 per
cent.

HOME DEMONSTRATION WORK AND GIRLS' CLUB WORK.

The home demonstration work was organized for the purpose of
giving the same service for women and girls on the farm which the
county agent performs for -the men and boys. It is organized as a
definite part of the State extension service, and represents the
cooperative effort of the State agricultural college and the United
States Department of Agriculture, and counties and communities.
In the majority of the States in the South the home demonstration
division of the extension service carries the entire extension work
for women and girls. The work is organized on much the same
basis in all the States. There is a woman in charge of the work in
every State. In Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Caro-
lina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma,
and Arkansas she is practically an assistant director, responsible to
the director of extension, and in charge of the home demonstration
work for women and girls.

Organization has been moving along rapidly. All extension
agents recognize that an organization in the community, represent-
ing all the activities, is the ideal organization. The problem of
county organization for extension work is discussed under the county
agents' work (p. 367). The home demonstration work has been grad-
ually fitted into the organization. In many counties either a women's
section of the county agricultural council has been organized or a
women's advisory committ-ee has been established. In all cases the
work is founded on community effort. The home demonstration
work is organized on the basis of clubs of women and girls, often,
though not ahvays, representing a community organization.

The Southern States had last year 6,391 clubs of rural women,
with a regular enrollment of 325,229 and an emergency enrollment
of 1,518,746 women; 9,028 girls' clubs, with a regular membership
of 146,102 and an emergency enrollment of 759,373; 1,563 clubs for
rural negro women, with a membership of 37,913; and 1,822 clubs
for negro girls, with- a membership of 50,995. There was an emer-
gency enrollment of negro women and girls in these clubs of 247,143,
of which about one-third were girls and two-thirds w^omen. In
addition to these, there were 1,179 organized communities of city
and town women in the urban work, wdth a regular membership
of 119,218, and an urban enrollment among negro women in cities
and towns of 224 clubs with a membership of 1,035. In addition
to these, there were 2,751 poultry clubs of white w^omen and girls,
with a membership of 63,481, and there were 13,434 negro women
and girls taking poultry work. This makes a grand total of 23,096
regular clubs of women and girls. The total regular and emergency
enrollment was 3,283,669. A little over 2,000,000 of these are women
and a little over 1,000,000 are girls. This represents the total number
of people enrolled but does not represent the total number of per-
sons reached, as it does not include those in attendance upon lectures,
extension meetings, demonstrations, exhibits, etc., who were not
enrolled in some club.

Such a large enterprise naturally resulted in many interesting and
constructive pieces of organization work. In all of them the home

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 373

demonstration agent was represented and in most of them slie Avas
the leading figure. During the year 1918 in the 15 Southern States
there were established 855 community canneries; 639 connnunity
demonstration kitchens, where women gathered to receive instruc-
tion; 131 community drying centers; 137 rest rooms in cities and
towns for the benefit of farm women; 173 ogfx circles for coopera-
tive sale of poultry and eggs; 211 cooperative breeding associations
engaged in the improvement of poultry; ami 20 free curb markets
weie organized where farmers and farm women and girls come to
dispose of their products directly to housekeepers.

PURPOSE AND PLAN OF THE WORK.

The whole purpose of the work was to reach, through organiza-
tion, the largest possible number of women and girls and give them
direct assistance in problems of production, conservation, and utili-
zation of food, and in the preservation of liealth, prevention of
disease, introduction of labor-saving devices and home conveniences,
beautification of the home and its surroundings, cooperative and in-
dividual marketing of products, and thrift and saving from the
family income.

This program included gardening, canning, drying, and brining;
production of butter and cheese for home use and for market; pro-
duction and marketing of eggs and poultry; purchase and home
manufacture of labor-saving equipment; home management; utiliza-
tion of home-produced and other foods for a healthful diet; saving
of wheat, meat, sugar, and fats; conservation of clothing; develop-
ment of community enterprises, such as canneries, drying plants,
demonstration kitchens for instruction, and curb markets; and co-
operative marketing of products.

In all of this work there were three main objects — first, produc-
tion; second, economy and thrift; and third, health. Along with
the other work considerable attention was given to recreation, social
enjoyment in the club meetings, and the general improvement of
rural conditions.

RESULTS.

The total number of containers of vegetables and fruits put up
during 1918, under the direction of the home demonstration agents,
was 64,604,531, valued at $15,566,456.15. The women enrolled as
regular members of clubs, whose work was intensive and thorough,
put up 23,528,345 cans, while the regular enrollment of girls put up
10,497,768 cans; 2,654,607 cans are to be credited to the urban work
and 19,334,583 to the emergency enrollment. Rural negro women
put up 1,073,663 cans and negro girls 430,314 cans; the city negro
women 456,470 cans, and the negro emergency enrollment 2,344,776
cans. A very large proportion of the vegetables canned were pro-
duced from the home gardens and from tlie tenth-acre plats of the
members of the girls' clubs. Eight hundred and fifty-five community
canneries were established for operation on a cooperative basis. A
^reat contribution to the food resources of the South was made dur-
ing the war as a result of this work of the women and girls.

374 ANi^UAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Besides the millions of home gardens, 91,000 demonstrations of
winter and perennial gardens w-eve established and conducted by
women and girls to illustrate all-the-year-round food production.

It is difficult to say what proportion of the emergency work should
be credited to the girls and what proportion to the women, but it is
probable that about one-third of the emergency canning should be
credited to the girls. In no other year in the history of the work hi
the South has so much been done along this line, and the results arc
to be attributed to the enthusiasm and energy of the agents and to
the wonderful organization and devotion of the women and girls
who contributed toward these results.

Tlie work in home drying of fruits and vegetables for future use
initiated in 1917, owdng to the scarcity of cans, advanced very ma-
terially during the season of 1918. The total amount of dried fruits
and vegetables prepared and stored was 8,932,787 pounds, estimated
to be worth $1,84G,C25.56. The women established 131 central plants
for community drying.

The results in brining and pickling w^ere beyond expectations,
about 1,006,222 gallons of vegetables, valued at $382,808.73 having
been preserved and saved. Rural women in the regular enrollment
])ut up 336,872 gallons, and in the emergency enrollment 4-1:7,292 gal-
lons. I'he balance was put up by the girls and a small amount by
the negro enrollment.

The agents' reports show that the women enrolled in the work in
1918 produced 16,507,711 pounds of butter and 939,603 pounds of
cottage cheese. A considerable proportion of this butter was sold
locally and brought an average of 17 cents per pound above the
market price for ordinary butter.

During the year 1918 there were organized 173 egg circles and 211
cooperative poultry breeding associations. Through these organiza-
tions approximately 1,592,357 chickens were raised and 575,593 dozens
of eggs marketed cooperatively and 198,427 dozens individually^ The
value of the esgs marketed was a little over $300,000. They mar-
keted l,148,738"pounds of poultry, valued at $311,558.82. The agents
also report 130,297 dozens of eggs preserved in waterglass.

The home demonstration agents w^orked in close cooperation witli
the Food Administration in the conservation of v'heat, meat, sugar,
and fats, and deserve a fair share of the credit for the success .of this
campaign.

In addition to these lines of Avork, household conveniences, labor-
saving devices, and equipment of various kinds were placed in thou-
sands of homes, farm women and girls were assisted in the conserva-
tion of clothing, and mam^ other things were done to improve the
health, beautify the home, and make country life more attractive.

BOYS' AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

The boys' agricultural club work surpassed all previous records.
Stimulated by a spirit of patriotism and assisted by the emergency
appropriation, the bo^^s' club enrollment increased from 115,746 in
1917 to 407,540 in 1918, including the emergency members. The
griind total production of the clubs, including emergency members
and farm makers' clubs for negro boys, was $12,034,271.27. The

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 375

average yield of corn grown by club members was 42.8 bushels,
Avliile the average for the Southern States was 19.4.

The demoiLstrative value of club work is being felt throughout
the South. Boys' club work has not only gone a long way toward
definitely directing and applying the rural boy power of the South
into channels of useful w^ork, but their intelligent application of
experimental data has in many instances demonstrated to the adult
farmer the value of improved methods.

EXTENSION SPECIALISTS.

The agricultural extension work centers around the county agent.
It is through him that the great store of information regarding
better farm practice is carried from the United States Department
of x\gri culture and the State agricultural colleges and experiment
stilt ions to the large body of farmers scattered through the States.
It is also through him that the unsolved problems arising on the farm
are brought back to the experiment stations and the department for
their solution. It is obviously impossible for the county agent to
have a broad enough knowledge of the various sciences necessarj^ to
solve, offhand, all of the problems arising in a county with its great
variation of crops, live stock, soils, plant Viiseases, and the like. That
the county agent may be able to assist in the solution of these prob-
lems, each State maintains a force of specialists whose duty it is to
furnish the county agent definite information on matters pertaining
to their particular line.

It is ver}' gratifying that as the extension work progresses a better
understanding of the relationship between the specialist, the county
agent, and other extension workers has developed with it. It is
being more clearly recognized that there must be a definite interlock-
ing of the efforts of all members of the extension force if the organi-
zation is to function to the greatest advantage. To this end, in
practically all cases, the specialist and the county agent are planning
their work cooperatiA'ely. The specialist maps out, in project form,
various kinds of demonstrations designed to meet the problems
arising in his particular line. The county agent selects from these
projects those particularly applicable to his county. The farmer
who conducts the demonstration is selected by the community club
or volunteers his effort for his own good and that of his neighbors.
The selection is approved by the county agent and the specialist.

Specialists have also rendered effective service by speaking and
giving practical demonstrations at meetings, arrangnig and looking
after exhibits at fairs, and assisting in the judging of these exhibits.

NEGRO WORK.

Work with negroes Avas continued along the same general lines as
in previous years with a small increase in the number of agents. As
a rule the negro agent is appointed assistant to the white agent so
tliat the regular county agent has general supervision of the work.
In counties without negro agents the regular county agent does con-
siderable w^ork with negro farmers so that they receive the benefits
of the extension work even though they have no agent working
directly with them.

-376 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

In most of the States, cooperative relations have been perfected
between the negro agricultural colleges and the extension division
of the college for whites. The negro in charge of the negro agents
has his headquarters at the negro agricultural college. The work
with negroes has been very effective in stimulating the production
of home supplies, especially the home garden. In some States
marked progress was made in encouraging negro farmers to keep
a cow for supplying milk and butter to their families, and the rais-
ing of pigs to supply meat.

OFFICE OF EXTENSION WORK IN THE NORTH AND WEST.

C. B. Smith, Chief,
ADMINISTRATION.

The Office of Extension Work in the North and West has charge of
the cooperative extension work of the department in the 33 Northern
and Western States. Its administrative duties, organization, and
relationships wxre not materially modified during the year.

Many important administrative questions were handled. In the
first fcAV months these problems had to do Avith the organization and
direction of war emergency extension activities, so that not only
increased food production but also strict food conservation might be
attained. In addition, methods of clothing conservation Avere giA^en
the careful attention they merited. All these activities Avere con-
ducted in such a way that the permanent improvement of agriculture
and home-making conditions, methods, and practices might result.
After the signing of the armistice numerous problems arose out of
the changed agricultural economic conditions, the return to a peace
program of Avork, and the adjustment necessary because the special
war emergency funds Avere not to be available after the end of the
fiscal year.

Each of the Northern and Western States was visited as usual dur-
ing the year and the expenditures of the Smith-Lever funds ex-
amined, conferences held Avith the extension director and his staff,
and progress and plans of Avork discussed.

COUNTY AGENT WORK.

This section continued under the immediate charge of W. A. Lloyd.
The number of counties employing agents on June 30, 1919, Avas
1,106, approximately the same as on June 30, 1918. In addition,
there Avere 45 district agents, covering 105 counties, and 104 assistant
county agents. The number of county agents reached its maximum
about December 1, 1918, at Avhich time there were 1,136 county agents,
52 agents in larger districts coA^ring 156 counties, and 61 assistant
county agents. At that time approximately 82 per cent of the agri-
cultural counties in the 33 Northern and Western States Avere being
reached. In a few counties where the Avork was started in coopera-
tion with county councils of defense the county agents Avere discon-
tinued shortly after the signing of the armistice because of lack of
local funds.

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 377

COUNTY AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION.

The rapid appointment of agents during 1917 and 1918 made im-
possible thorough organization in many of the counties. The past
year witnessed a great intensification of county and community
organization. The development of community programs received
special emphasis. The initiative and cooperation of the people of
each community were carefully nurtured, and by conferences with
community leaders local extension programs w^ere developed. Al-
though the number of county extension organizations did not in-
crease materially from the 775 on June 30, 1918, the membership
increased from approximately 300,000 on that date to 409,841 on
March 1, 1919. More important, however, was the organization of
community committees. No data are available as to the number of
such committees on June 30, 1918, but it may be conservatively esti-
mated that more than one-half of the 8,575 community committees
existing on June 30, 1919, w ere organized during the past year. Bet-
ter understanding was established and maintained with local farmers'
organizations, and their machinery was freely lent to the furtherance
of the extension program.

DEMONSTRATIONS.

Field demonstrations continued to be the basis of the work. Al-
though during the summer of 1918 definite demonstration work was
much interrupted by special or "war work,*' 77,668 demonstrations
were conducted incident to crop and live-stock production. Almost
every phase of agriculture where the need of more efficient produc-
tion was apparent or made evident by a study of local conditions
was touched.

The meeting at the demonstration plat is probably the most ef-
fective teaching agency. Through it farmers see the effect of the
method or practice advocated and determine its application to their
farms. During the year 677,653 people attended such demonstra-
tions conducted by the county agents. The increased profit on dem-
onstration areas alone, due to the better practices, amounted to $22,-
206,307, or more than five times the total cost of the work.

WAR WORK OF COUNTY AGENTS.

The county-agent system was expanded as a food production
stimulation measure through special funds appropriated by Con-
gress. The county agents thus became the local agencies for propa-
ganda work of this character by both the Nation and the States. A
great number of other agencies also sought and secured cooperation.

The following is a partial list of the ways in which the county
agents assisted the various departments of the Federal Government
and others during the year 1918-19 :

The agents secured information as to f arm-ec[uipment prices ; made
surveys to determine farm labor supply, financial condition of farm-
ers owing to crop failure, increase in use of farm machinery, and use
of tractors on farms ; ascertained the number of farmers in each draft
class and the surplus or shortage of labor in each class; assisted in
arranging seed loans to farmers in drought-stricken areas in Mon-

151352**— 19 25

378 ANNUAL REPORTS 01^ DEPAllTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

tana, Kansas, and other States; placed farm help; and promoted
campaign for standard width of farm vehicles. For the Bureau of
Markets they made a survey to determine the amount of Avheat and
other cereals thrashed; assisted in securing reports from thrasher-
men, in wool marketing, and in collecting data regarding the price
of wool and hides; made a survey of the retail markets; secured
samples of spring wheat and lists of cheese factories; made a sur-
vey of the needs of f ambers for nitrate of soda and distributed
nitrate; collected data regarding the marketing of sweet potatoes
and food supplies in homes; collected feed-supply reports; made a
lime survey; redistributed sheep and cattle; facilitated wheat mar-
keting; distributed information and gave assistance in connection
with the shipping of potatoes ; promoted storage of vegetables ; and
assisted in the movement of cattle from drought-stricken regions of
Texas to Northern States. For the Bureau of Plant Industry the
agents made surveys to determine the extent and damage of cereal
and potato diseases, condition of the clover seed crop, number of
farmers raising vetch, distribution of sweet-clover acreage, and
acreage of war gardens; located, secured, and distributed seed corn;
distributed and introduced new plants and disease-resistant seed;
and assisted in control of white pine blister rust and barberry
eradication.

The Bureau of Animal Industry was assisted by the agents in the
control of animal parasites and hog cholera, in surveys of contagious
diseases in cattle, in locating available supplies of alfalfa and clover
hay, in the cottage-cheese campaign, in securing a list of sheep
feeders, and in moving cattle from drought-stricken areas. The
Bur£?au of Entomology was assisted in surveys to determine damage
done by the Hessian ^y. bean weevil, codling moth, and by insect
pests of cereals, truck crops, and fruits; the presence of nematodes
in grain; and the number of farmers keeping bees. The Bureau of
Crop Estimates was assisted in securing crop reports, in the de-
termination of winter and sx-)ring wh^at acreage, in securing lists of
buyers of farm products, and in making surveys of live stock and
the pecan crop ; the Bureau of Chemistry in carrying on potato flour
experiments; the Bureau of Soils in making soil erosion and local
price of fertilizer surveys, and in determining the need of farmers
for potash; the Forest Service in encouraging the use of national
forests for grazing, and in making surveys of land adjacent to na-
tional forests to determine the dependence of ranchers on forests;
the Biological Survey in campaigns for control and eradication of
gophers, jack rabbits, ground squirrels,, moles, rats, and other preda-
tory animals; and the Office of Farm Management in attending to
many details in connection with the farm-labor survey.

The county agents assisted the War Department in securing castor-
bean contracts, labor for construction of camps, and spruce for air-
craft production; locating walnut timber; purchasing horses, mules,
hay, and straw for the Army; collecting fruit pits for gas masks;
considering deferred classification for farmers and soldiers^ fur-
loughs; placing conscientious objectors on farms; determining the
number of farmers disabled by loss of limbs in operating farms ; and
securing list of shoe dealers.

They assisted the Treasury Department in miscellaneous activities
connected with Liberty loan and war savings stamp campaigns; in

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE.

379

the influenza work of the Public Health Service ; and in the organiza-
tion of farm loan associations by the Farm Loan Bureau.

The employment service, the Children's Bureau, and the Labor
Reserve of the Department of Labor were assisted by the agents.

For the Council of National Defense county agents made a survey
to determine motor transportation routes; cooperated in thrift and
conservation campaigns; made report of owners of thrashing out-
fits; assisted in distributing machinery, establishment of fair prices,
and inspection of thrashing and routing of thrashing machines; and
secured information regarding wool prices.

The Food Administration was assisted in taking a hog census; in
determining prices of foodstuffs, daily products, and dairy feed: in
securing a list of bean growers; in obtaining data regarding milk
])roduction; in the food pledge cami)aigns; in the sale, sampling, and
inspecting of beans and stimulating their production; in listing grist
mills; in wlieat inspection and grading; in food conservation cam-
paigns and use of food substitutes; and in securing lists of stock feed
used by farmers.

For the Fuel Administration the agents made surveys of materials
used for fuel and secured lists of fuel dealers and public buildings
using coal.

The agents cooperated with the agricultural development depart-
ment of the Railroad Administration.

They made a survey of the price of farm machinery for the Fed-
oral Trade Commission.

The agents also assisted the Red Cross in making a survey of
nurses and in its relief work and campaigns for funds, and a woman's
organization in determining opportunities for work and organization.

CROP PKODUCTION WORK.

Special crop production campaigns were conducted in connection
with most of the crops commonly grown, special attention being paid
to stinudating increased acreage and locating and securing good
seed. The table below summarizes some of this work.

Some results of the increased food production campaign of county agents.

Crop.

Farmers
assisted in
securing or

locating
seed.

Seed
secured or

located for
farmers.

Additional
areas seeded
as result of

special
campaigns.

Estimated
total pro-
duction on
additional
acres.

Spring wheat ,
Winter wheat

Oats

Corn

Kye

H UP k wheat..

Barley

Potatoes

i'eans

Total..

48,854
28,963
14,142
222,123
11,532
2,186
6,333
9,294
4,785

Btishels.

831,566
1,119,163

421,660
1,232,099

183,595
23,601

159,493

358,779
29,578

Acres.

1,415,901

2, 724, 561

182,507

597, 720

258,790

17,055

122,569

32,609

40, 528

Bushels.

21,258,695

23,902,678

4,893,610
12,820,300

1,705,800
331,485

2,827,095

2,157,712
247,083

348, 212

4,359,534

5.392.240

rO. 145. 369

CoRx. — The unfortunate seed condition for two preceding years
made special emphasis on seed selecting and testing necessary in the
i'all of 1917 and the spring of 1918. In the fall of 1917 county agents
arranged for field selection on 32G,G62 farms involving sufficient seed
for 3,4GG,986 acres. As the result of campaigns in the spring of 1918,

380 ANNUAL KEPOETS GF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

547,779 farmers tested seed and 10,605,894 acres AA^ere planted with
tested seed. Keports from agents indicated a stand of corn much
above the average in 1918. The seed selecting campaign was reneAved
in the fall of 1918 and resulted in the field selection of 4,718,691
bushels of seed. The county agents reported a total increased pro-
duction of nearly 13,000,000 bushels as the result of all campaigns
incident to corn.

Oats. — Ninety-seven thousand nine hundred and eighty-three
farmers treated seed oats for smut folloAving the agents' directions,
and the total acreage seeded Avith treated seed amounted to nearly
2,000,000 acres. The increased net profit due to seed treatment aver-
aged about $2 per acre on several thousand demonstration fields
where careful records Avere kept.

Home and community gardens. — Work in connection Avith home
and community gardens Avas carried on in both town and country.
More than 225,000 families Avere given direct assistance in connection
Avitli home gardens. No estimate is j)ossible of the A^alue of the in-
creased food supply. As a by-product of these campaigns, however,
3,588,070 quarts of fruits and vegetables Avere canned and 753,389
pounds dried. The agents conducted 6,894 canning demonstrations
and furnished information to 149,282 families in regard to storing
fruits and vegetables.

LIVE STOCK AVORK.

Assistance in sanitation and demonstration of disease control
methods continued a prominent phase of the Avork Avith live stock.
The work Avas done Avherever possible in cooperation Avith local vet-
erinarians and State and Federal control agencies, the county agent's
part being to demonstrate the usefulness and helpfulness of approved
methods. These demonstrations involved the testing of 55,962 ani-
mals for tuberculosis, and the vaccination of 380,264 animals for
blackleg and 523,189 hogs for cholera.

FARM BUSINESS.

Seventeen thousand eight hundred and thirty-five farmers kept
records of their business on blanks furnished by the State farm man-
agement demonstrators. The county agents assisted 6,860 of these in
closing their accounts. Profitable changes in their farm management
Avere made by 3,444 farmers as a result of records kept.

The county agents assisted in the organization of a large number
of cooperative associations for buying farm supplies and selling
farm products, and by cooperating with groups of fanners and other
agencies in determining the cooperative enterprises needed and ob-
taining the expert attention necessary to put the enterprises on a
sound business basis. The associations are followed up from year
to year in an effort to prevent the mistakes which so often cause
failure of such enterprises. The total value of cooperatiA-e business
of farmers' exchanges and cooperative associations organized by
county agents in this and preceding years amounted to $41,877,783.
The saving effected amounted to more than $4,500,000. Three hun-
dred and thirty-two Federal farm loan associations Avere organized
by agents and 19,312 farmers were assisted in securing credit for the
purchase of seeds, machinery, fertilizers, and other supplies. The

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 381

agents helped in meeting the habor situation by the locating of
151,532 men for work on farms.

In carrying forward the various projects and campaigns the agents
made more than half a million farm visits, the average number of
farm visits per agent being 435.

The spring of 1919 brought serious readjustment problems owing
to the prospect of peace brought about by the signing of the armis-
tice. These can only be worked out gradually, though in the main
their solution appears to mean a return to normal farm practice with
an emphasis on the organization of the farm as a profitably pro-
ductive business.

EXTENSION WORK WITH WOMEN.

This work continued under the direction of Miss Florence E. Ward.
The activities during the year were characterized in every phase by
a transition from war-time problems to those of readjustment and
peace.

OBGANIZATION.

On June 30, 1918, the home demonstration force in the field num-
bered 790, including 31 State leaders, 361 agents, and 32 assistant
agents in counties, 98 agents in districts, and 107 urban and assistant
urban agents. Of this number, about 100 were temporary appoint-
ments. On June 30, 1919, workers numbered 582, includmg 32
State leaders, 329 agents, and 21 assistant agents in counties, 22 dis-
trict agents, and 98 agents and assistants in cities.

During the war agents were installed without any permanent or-
ganization in many counties and districts that provided the required
sum for local expenses. Since the war fruitful efforts have been made
to establish the agent as an employee of a permanent county organ-
ization in which women have membership and representation on the
executive board. In 17 States the work is an integral part of that of
the farm bureau ; in some others it is conducted as a department of
the farm bureau, called home department, women's department, or
home bureau. In Illinois and Wisconsin it is organized apart from
the farm bureau.

Progress was made in developing county and community programs
of work, putting the work on«a project basis, and training county
and community project leaders. An outstanding feature has been the
use of carefully selected and trained volunteer leaders in food pro-
duction, food preservation, use of war substitutes, clothing, and
poultry culling.

In some States, where county funds could formerly be appropri-
ated only for county agent work, legislation has been enacted permit-
ting appropriations for home demonstration work. In many coun-
ties the women themselves have secured a considerable increase in
local funds necessary to continue the home demonstration work.

Home demonstration work in cities was considered a war measure
and no permanent organization was at first attempted. Funds for
local expenses were furnished by national, civic, or other organiza-
tions, and the agents cooperated with all existing organizations.
With the signing of the armistice the development of permanent
home bureaus was undertaken in many cases, and on June 30, 1919,
there were 20 such bureaus in various stages of development, with

882 AXNUAI. PvEPOnTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE.

more planning to organize in the autumn. Like the farm bureau, the
liome bureau is based upon a progTam of work developed b}^ the
people of the communit}^, with each project or activity of the pro-
gram in charge of a community project leader. The home bureaus
of Buffalo and Syracuse, N. Y., have paid memberships numbering
930 and 830, respectively.

Besides their emergency service as leaders in food preservation
and conservation, urban agents made records along the lines of child
feeding, clothing, and thrift Avork, cooperated in putting on far-
reaching milk campaigns, and started canning kitchens, soup kitch-
ens, milk stations, information centers, hot school lunches, and neigh-
borhood centers that have been taken over by municipal authorities
or welfare organizations. The most effective work seems to have
been done with wives of wage earners, women of foreign extraction,
and women employed in industry.

FOOD PEODUCTIOX, CONSERVATION, AND UTILIZATION.

For the year ended November 30, 1918, the State leaders reported
570 training classes for local leaders in food production and 12,900
in food preservation; 750,000 persons reached by lectures, demon-
strations, and home visits; over 1,400 exhibits held; more than

100.000 home gardens planted ; more than 100,000 pounds of cottage
cheese made in homes; and a marked increase in the efficiency of
home poultry flocks, through poultry culling. Food was jDreserved
by those whom agents influenced as follows: 12,532,205 quarts of
fruit, 2,672,757 quarts of fruit j^roducts, 8,982,461 quarts of vege-
tables, 269,717 pounds of meat, and 46,380 pounds of fish canned;

344.001 pounds of fruit and 804,565 i^ounds of vegetables dried;
2,200,000 quarts of vegetables brined; and 462,307 dozens of eggs
preserved. Community food enterprises were established with the
advice and assistance of home demonstration agents as follows: 445
canning kitchens, 33 drying establishments, and 93 demonstration
kitchens used as instruction centers; 46 cooperative buying associa-
tions; 31 cooperative selling associations; 14 curb markets, with sales
amounting to $67,533 ; and 10 milk stations.

Home demonstration agents gave 27,000 lectures and demonstra-
tions on food selection and the use of war substitutes, and made
37,663 home visits in this connection, reaching over 2,250,000 per-
sons. In addition, thev prepared 3,000 exhibits, attended bv over
2,700,000 people.

After the armistice, the agents responded to the widespread de-
mand for instruction in food selection, placing special emphasis
on child feeding and hot school lunches.

MILK CAMPAIGNS.

Urban home demonstration agents in Michigan, Massachusetts,
Connecticut, Khode Island, and New i Jersey, and rural agents in
lovra, Kansas, and Utah took part in vigorous milk campaigns
carried on cooperatively with the Dairy Division of the Bureau
of Animal Industry, the object being through educational work to
stimulate the i^roduction and consumption of milk and milk prod-
ucts for human food. This project was timely in view of the records
showing progressive malnutrition of children in the United States
during the last few years. Eecords kept by schools showed the ef-

STATES KELATIONS SERVICE. 383

f ects of an increased use of milk in the diet of iindcrnourislied chil-
dren. Milk tallvs were given in factories and milk sales increased
from 5 to 35 per cent, factory managers permitting distribution of
milk at cost to employees during working hours. Stations for the
distribution of whole and skimmed milk were also established. The
board of health of New Haven, Conn., states that infant mortality
decreased 50 per cent in the last year in one factory district in which
such a station was established.

IMPRO^•ED HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT.

Eapid progress was made in introducing homemade and commer-
cial labor savers, including fireless cookers, pressure cookers, and
iceless refrigerators. On December 1, 1918, the State leaders re-
ported 228 water systems and 198 lighting systems installed, 4,281
houses screened, 1,002 kitchens remodeled, and 9,563 pieces of im-
proved equipment installed as a result of the work of the home
flpninnstration agents.

INFI.UENZA SERVICE.

During the influenza epidemic, home demonstration agents were
called on to assist in important emergency work, such as organizing
soup kitchens (49 reported), emergency hospitals^ and volunteer
nui*sing services, or to act as hospital cooks and dietitians. Many
agents organizecl classes in home nursing, in connection with State
home nursing specialists, local nurses, or doctors, or the Eed Cross
nursing service.

1»0ULTRY.

In Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, and Vermont
home demonstration agents played a prominent part in intensive
culling campaigns inaugurated by Fecleral and State poultry spe-
cialists. In one county 250 women culled flocks totaling 23,550 birds,
discarding about 40 per cent and saving $19,000 on feed. Canning of
surplus culls and preservation of eggs in waterglass were widely dem-
onstrated. Agents also took up other phases of poultry work.

SPECIALISTS.

A member of the Washington staff delegated to study the worlv of
home economics extension specialists visited 14 States and held con-
ferences with State leaders and specialists and reported upon the
work. Fifty home economics extension specialists were employed in
15 States to give instruction and demonstrations in foods and nutri-
tion, clothing, home hygiene and sanitation, household management
and conveniences, home decoration, and other subjects. An almost
equal number of women who were virtually specialists assisted in
such work in the 18 other States.

BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB WORK.

The boys' and girls' club work continued in charge of O. H. Ben-
son. Marked progress was made during the year in the employment
of paid club leadership. Twenty-eight State, 131 assistant State,
57 district, and 736 county club leaders were employed, in addition
to which there were 13,988 volunteer club leaders in charge of local

384

ANNUAL REPORTS Or DEPARTJVIENT OF AGRICULTURE.

groups. There was a steady tendency toward employment of full-
time county club leadership. During the year 31 per cent of the
1,596 counties in the Northern and Western States had paid club
leadership, and 21 per cent of all the counties had full-time county
club leaders, where the previous year only 16 per cent of the counties
had such leaders. The number of full-time county leaders on the
rolls on June 20, 1919, was 272.

During 1918 cooperative club leaders conducted 31,336 demonstra-
tions in food preservation and other club projects. At the canning-
club demonstrations alone there was an attendance of 372,288. Club
leaders visited 204,745 club plats, conducted 1,266 achievement-day
programs, held 2,013 leaders' conferences, conducted 4,498 exhibits
and 4,532 club fairs and festivals.

A large amount of instructional literature, issued partly by the
States and partly by the department, was distributed.

One of the most significant and important steps in boys' and girls'
club work during the year was the organization of standard clubs
based upon requirements adopted by the club leaders. During 1918,
6,214 standard clubs were organized in 21 States.

During 1918, 527,723 members were enrolled in 21,345 centers, of
which 251,032 completed the work, including reports of the season's
activities to the State club leaders. The members reporting produced
$6,019,092 worth of products at a cost of $2,447,313, including pay-
ment to the club members of wages for the time expended in the
work. Many of the members who did not make their final reports
did a considerable amount of work and produced several million
dollars' worth of products. The total overhead or supervisory cost
Avas $547,851, making the supervision cost per member enrolled $1.05
and per member reporting $2.18.

The following table gives the number of clubs, the enrollment, the
number reporting results, and the results in the more important
projects:

Ifum'ber of clu})S organized and total enroUment and results reported in more

important projects.

Kind of club.

Clubs
organ-
ized.

Number
enrolled.i

NumT)er
complet-
ing work.'

Eesults reported.

Hoxne-garden

6,057
3,898

235

2,356

2,171

2,331

1,240

1,100

841

16

301

257

98

341

150

162

84

207

243,406
78,927

5,024

38, 239

37,723

31,476

23,316

18,583

13,864

3,987

4,332

3, 613

1,822

3,196

1,861

2,469

2,131

13,754

115,725
41, 823

3,498

18,951

16, 128

12,974

11,307

8,706

5,723

3,144

2,552

2,341

1,398

1,249

1,137

985

488

2,903

2,987,983. 76 square rods tended.
fl,901,789 quarts canned products, 133,067 jars
\ jelly and jam, 40,784 pounds dried products.
/96,175 quarts canned products, 29,437 jars jelly
\ and jam, 2,125 pounds dried products.
198,822 garments made.

r331,072 chicks hatched, 40,735 hens handled,
\ 133,565 dozen eggs.

25,602 pigs managed, 4,423,081 pounds pork.
3,184 acres tended, 646,503 bushels raised.
193,207 loaves baked.
6,729.02 acres tended, 313,778.78 bushels raised.

2,474 cah'es raised.

Home-canning

Mother-daughter

Garment-making

Poultry.

Pig

Potato .

Bread

Corn

Home-economics

Dairy calf

Hheep

Sugar beet

Rabbit

26,322 rabbits raised.

Bean

Bal)y beef.

1,011 beeves managed, 589,123 pounds beef.

Handicraft

Miscellaneous

» Includes also boys and girls not members of regularly organized clubs.

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 385

FARM MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATIONS.

The primary object of farm management demonstrations is to
teach and to induce farmers to adopt more efficient methods of organ-
izing and administering their farm business. The work is directed
in the diflferent States by extension specialists known as farm man-
agement demonstrators.

In most of the Northern and Western States the operation of the
income tax law has greatly stimulated the keeping of farm accounts.
The farm management demonstrators have grasped this opportunity
to push farm account keeping as rapidly as possible. In the main
the work is being developed by the county agents. In States where
the income tax law affects very few farmers the work has made
steady growth and has been done with small groups. Many of the
field men find that the best method is to work with small community
groups. In States where the income tax law affects a greater num-
ber of farmers the farm management demonstrators have endeavored
to reach the farmei*s through larger meetings or through the county
agents. There is evidence that mterest in the work is rapidly in-
creasing and many more farmers are being assisted each year in
summarizing their records both by the county agents and by the
farm management demonstrators. During the year ended June 30,
1919, farm management demonstrations were conducted in 24 States
by 28 demonstrators.

EXTENSION SPECIALISTS.

Extension specialists representing the various bureaus of the
department, working in cooperation with this office, continued to
study the extension methods practiced in the States and aided in
extending the use of those having special merit. They also carried
to the State extension specialists the best results of the research
w^ork of the department and endeavored to aid the latter in correlat-
ing subject matter and in working out with the county agents a more
efficient means of reaching farm people with the desired information
and in turn finding out the farm problems which should be brought
to the attention of the research bureaus of the department of the
State experiment stations.

Specialists of the following bureaus, offices, and divisions of the
department cooperated during the year with the extension forces in
the States:

The Forest Service made an application of approved forestry
principles in the selecting of trees for cutting during the early part
of the year while the wood fuel campaign was on and while the War
Department was seeking gunstock and airplane timber.

Bureau of Animal Industry specialists encouraged the introduc-
tion of sheep into a few central States and on cut-over pine lands
of the Upper Lake region, and the reestablishing of the sheep
industry in New York and New England. Attention was given to
the production of beef cattle by economical methods in the central
western States. Organized campaigns for the culling of poultry to
increase the egg supply and reduce the feed bills and better methods

386 AIs^NUAL REPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

of feeding were advocated for the increase of both the egg and meat
supply. The Dairy Division through its extension specialist con-
tinued the cottage cheese production and consumption campaign of
the previous year, and increased its efforts in the organizing of cow-
testing associations, bull associations, and dairy manufacture. The
specialists in charge of animal disease work were engaged particu-
larly in educational methods for the prevention of hog cholera in
many of the hog-producing States. These specialists were working
in cooperation with the regulatory men and State extension services
in assisting county agents in making demonstrations of control
methods.

The specialists of the Bureau of Plant Industry continued the
campaign to eradicate the common barberry to prevent rust on wdieafc
and entered more vigorously into that against cereal smuts. This
work was conducted by squads of" demonstrators on seed treatment
and barberry identification. One iiorticultural extension specialist
assisted in the preparation of material for boys' and girls' garden
clubs and in making a study of extension methods in conducting
pomological extension work in the States. A specialist on vegetable
gardening assisted in the preparation of material for boys' and girls'
(!lub3 and in making plans for the farmer's home garden. Some
assistance Avas given by this person to the commercial growers and
canners of tomatoes, peas, and other vegetables.

Tlic Bureau of Biological Survey employed a specialist who con-
ducted work in the Great Plains and the States farther west on the
control of rodent pests in cooperation with the county agents and
other State forces.

The Bureau of Entomology employed a specialist to conduct its
emergency extension Avork in the control of insect pests and in the
production of hone}^ Very successful campaigns for the control of
crickets Avere carried on in Oregon and Washington and for the con-
trol of grasshoppers and chinch bugs in the Middle West and the
Northwest. State extension specialists were cooperated Avith, as were
also the county agents and the regulatory forces of the State, in de-
veloping plans for the control of grasshoppers.

The extension specialist in soils visited most of the States in the
}iorthern Mississippi Valley and the New England and Rocky Moun-
tain States in the development of a plan of cooperation Avith the State
specialists to increase the nitrogen and humus supply through the
raising of more legumes in the crop rotation. He also made plans for
extending the saving of manures and the use of green crops and other
(■rop residues. He continued advocating the increasect groAvth of
nitrogenous crops to lessen feed bills and to increase the supply and
im])rove the quality of manure.

The specialist representing the Bureau of Markets gave particular
attention to the plans under Avhich the marketing organizations of the
States Avere Avorking and to the formation of marketing routes or
organizations.

The Office of Farm Management continued its cooperation Avith this
office. The features emphasized in the Avork of the year Avere record
keeping, the interpreting of the record, cost accounting, increased
production per man, and labor distribution.

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 387

OFFICE OF HOME ECONOMICS.
C. F. Langwobthy, Chief.

The Office of Home Economics, developing the general policy fol-
lowed in the previous year, adapted its work to the special war-time
conditions and needs in question of dietetics and the conservation
of materials and labor used in the household.

Special emphasis was placed on the work in experimental cookery,
partly because during the first months of the year the need for using
somewhat unfamiliar food materials required the development and
popularization of methods and recipes adapted to such materials
and partly because of the increasing demand for the standardization
of cooking processes as a means to the better j^cneral utilization of
food materials, fuel, and kitchen equipment. Much of this work was
done in cooperation with or at the request of other bureaus or offices
of the department or of other departments, notably the offices- of ex-
tension work, the Bureau of Chemistry, the Bureau of Plant Indus-
try, the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Bureau of Markets, and the
Food Administration. The equipment of the experimental kitchen
was increased to include different types of stoves, refrigerators, and
other household conveniences so that varying home conditions could
be reproduced and comparative studies made of the practical effi-
ciency of different equipment and methods. The nature and results
of the work of the experimental kitchen were in brief as follows :

(1) Studies of yeast breads l)i*oiigbt out the detrimental effect of long knoad-
injT, particularly in tlie later stages of dough fermentation; several current
recipes for yeast starters were tested.

(2) Studies in fuel conservation with gas range determined the losses caused
by the connnon tlefects of having burners placetl too far beneath the cooking
utensil, and of having them too large in proportion to the size of the utensil ;
the claims of a commercial *' gas-saver " were not substantiated; gas consump-
tion in using small separate oven over top burner for baking was compared
with that of the range oven.

(8) Household methods of making jellies, and of Increasing yield from fruits
deficient in pectin and in acid by addition of connnercial and homemade pectins
or of lemon juice or by use of pre.ssure cooker, were studied and favorably re-
IK)rted upon. A study of yield showed that a pound of good jelly-making fruit
should yield a pound or more of jelly.

(4) Studies in pastry making emphasized the fact that to be of good quality
an economical paste must have water reduced as well as fat, and that vegetable
oil can be used for pastry if care is taken not to use too much fat.

(5) Cake making with various oils and other fats demonstrated that baking
at temperatures high enough to produce " humpy cake " (a common fault) causes
an increase of gas consumption of about 50 per cent, which is worse than
wasted.

(G) A study was nn'ide of methods of canning vegetables, especially spinach,
and of the rate of heat penetration in processing.

(7) Investigation of various methods of cooking dried fruits and vegetables
revealed the fact that in almost all cases preliminary soaking is unnecessary
and sometimes distinctly disadvantageous. Observations were also made upon
the varying degrees of rapidity with which successfully-dried vegetables grad-
ually lose their color and flavor upon aging, no spoilage having taken place.

(8) Outlines designed to facilitate standardization of methods in exi)eri-
mental cookery were prepared and distributed for use In colleges offering
courses in that subject.

(9) Studies in absorption of fat by batters and doughs fried under varying
conditions were carried on with a view to controlling this important source of
wa.ste.

388 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Experimental studies on the digestibility of various foods were
continued. The materials studied included various kinds of wheat
flours ; wlieat bran in a diet containing no wheat flour ; Avater-ground
buckwheat; kafir corn milled in specified ways (showing that grind-
ing increases digestibility) ; soy bean and peanut press cakes (show-
ing them to be nutritious foods as regards composition and digesti-
bility) ; certain meats concerning the food value of which little re-
liable information has been available (horse meat, corned seal hams,
rabbit, and kid, all of which were assimilated in much the same de-
gree as comparable meats) ; miscellaneous animal and vegetable fats;
and hydrogenated oils.

Various methods were developed for making technical information
along the lines of home economics easily available to extension
workers and housekeepers, such as a formula by which the food
value of a list of foods can be easily and quickly computed and the
proper, combinations determined ; and a series of colored charts show-
ing in attractive pictorial form the groups of foods necessary in an
adequate diet and how they may be chosen and combined to make
nutritious, palatable, and economical meals. Plans were also worked
out for mimeographed loose-leaf notebook information on home eco-
nomics subjects for the use of home demonstration agents.

In connection with a dietary survey undertaken in cooperation
with tlie Bureau of Markets, 2,000 dietary records, each covering a
period of 7 days, were collected from 1,425 families and 575 institu-
tions representing 46 States, 16 nationalities, many occupations and
incomes, and both urban and rural conditions.

From a summary of 500 of these family records it appears that the avernge
cost of food per man per day was 46 cents, with an average return in food
value of 3,225 calories, 96 grams protein, 118 grams fat, and 405 grams carbo-
hydrate, figures in fairly close accord with the dietary standards ordinarily
used in discussing such problems of general nutrition. A comparison of the
foodstuffs purchased by the present 500 families with the amounts of these
same foods purchased by 400 families about 20 years ago shows that the
amount of meat in the diet has decreased about 8 per cent and grain products
about 11 per cent, while dairy products have increased about 6 per cent, vege-
tables 4 per cent, and fruits 8 per cent. While, judging by these studies, the
average diet seems to be adequate, it seems fair to conclude that individual
food habits need to be corrected, because out of 500 family studies one-third
were getting less than 88 grams of protein and 3,000 calories of energy, values
which are considered the minimum for safety.

A different type of survey undertaken, the results of which were
tabulated and interpreted during the year, is the so-called house-
hold labor survey, made in 91 farm homes in St. Joseph County,
Mich. This survey was intended to secure reliable information re-
garding problems of household management and labor with their
important bearings on social and economic conditions, and also to
develop methods for similar surveys elsewhere.

Only one-fifth of the farm women represented in this survey hired help at
any time, two-thirds depended upon the help given by members of the family,
and one-tenth stated that they had no help. The average length of a farm
woman's day in this locality was 13 hours in summer and 10 in winter, includ-
ing time spent at meals. They estimated that they had one and one-half hours
of leisure daily in summer and two and one-half in winter. More than one-
fourth of the women took no pleasure trips by automobile or train during the
year, the others took trips averaging 55 miles. On only 3 farms did the men
have the entire care of the poultry, while 69 per cent of the women cared for
it all of the year. In 2 of the 3 areas surveyed 73 per cent of the women helped

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 389

all or a part of the day with farm work during the busy season. Twenty-four
out of 27 reporting depended upon the "butter, poultry, and egg money" to fur-
nish the food purchased, household supplies, and part of the family clothing.
Only 6 out of the 69 reporting had a banli account, separate from the husband's,
for household expenses.

A significant feature of the work with the respiration calorimeter
was that done in cooperation with the Bureau of Markets on the
specific heat and after-ripening changes of fruit, with special refer-
ence to problems of commercial cold storage, in connection with
which important improvements were made in the cooling system of
the calorimeter. A special respiration apparatus was also devised
and constructed for continuation of the cooperative investigations
with the Bureau of Entomology on the wintering of bees.

A member of the staff was detailed to assist the Council of Na-
tional Defense in its food conservation and general thrift work, and
20 so-called United States Thrift Leaflets intended for wide free dis-
tribution were prepared to aid the Treasury Department in its edu-
cational campaign in wise spending.

Besides bulletins reporting the work of the office, various circulars,
popular articles, and mimeographed matter were issued.

The results of the work of the office were brought to the attention
of the public not only through publications, but also by corre-
spondence, conferences, and similar ways. This feature of the work
has grown to be one of the most effective means of securing and
maintaining direct contact with individual housekeepers, teachers,
extension workers, and others, the helpfulness of which was espe-
cially demonstrated during the war.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC

ROADS.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Bureau of Public Roads,
Washington, D. C, October 15, 1919.
Sir : I have the honor to submit herewith the Report of the Bureau
of Public Roads for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Resj^ectfully,

Thos. H. MacDonald,

Chief of Bureau,
Hon. D. F. Houston.

Beci^etary of Agriculture.

WAR ACTIVITIES.

NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYEES IN MILITARY SERVICE.

At the time the United States entered the war there were on the
rolls of the Bureau of Public Roads 189 men. Of this number, 79,
or 42 per cent, had entered the military service when hostilities ceased
in November.

There was also one woman from the bureau who entered the naval
service as a landsman.

Of the total number who entered the military service, 61, or 32 per
cent, have returned to the bureau. There are 4 who gave their lives
for their country:

Harris E. Petree, who was a clerk in the bureau, went into the
aircraft service as a private, was promoted to first lieutenant, and
killed while making a flight back of the German lines on September
26, 1918.

Percy A. Rideout. a junior highway engineer, entered the service
as a private and wii;; promoted to first lieutenant. He was killed in
action on the Verdun front, France, October 8, 1918.

Willis E. Comfort, a drainage engineer, was appointed as a lieu-
tenant with the first expedition to be sent to France in 1917. Later
he was promoted to captain and was killed in action near Soissons on
July IS, 1918.

William Brown, auditor in the district office at Portland, Oreg.,
was called for service in June, 1918, and died of influenza at Camp
Meade, Md., October 2, 1918.

The bureau is honored that these men were among those who went
out from its service, loyal and unafraid, when the call came to the
greater service.

391

392 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
ENGINEERING ASSIGNMENTS TO ARMY POSTS AND CAMPS.

Eighteen engineers were detailed by the bureau to prepare plans
and superintend the construction of roads in the 16 National Army
cantonments and one National Guard mobilization camp, located as
follows:

Camp Deveiis Ayer, Mass.

Camp Upton Yaphank, L. I.

Camp Dix Wrislitstown, N. J.

Camp Meade Admiral, Md.

Camp Lee Petersburg, Va.

Camp Jackson Columbia, S. C.

Camp Gordon Chamblee, Ga.

Camp Sherman Chillicothe, Ohio.

Camp Taylor Louisville, Ky.

Camp Custer Battle Creek, Mich.

Camp Grant Rockford, 111.

Camp Pike Little Rock, Ark.

Camp Dodge Des IMoines, Iowa.

Camp Funston Fort Riley, Kans.

Camp Travis San Antonio, Tex.

Camp Lewis American Lake, Wash.

Camp McClellan Anniston, Ala.

The assignment of these men occurred in July, 1917, and the period
of their assignments varied from three months to a year or more.
The total construction planned and supervised by these engineers
aggregated several hundred miles and included practically all types
of construction, from sand-clay to first-class bituminous surfaces and
concrete roads.

In addition to this work other activities in road construction not
heretofore separately mentioned are as follows:

Roads were planned and their construction supervised for the
Marine Corps at Quantico, Va., and for the Bureau of Ordnance at
the Edgewood Arsenal, Gunpowder, Md., and outside of canton-
ments, usually from the cantoimient to a city in the vicinity at the
following places: Alexandria, Va., to Camp Humphreys; Alexan-
dria, La., to Camp Beauregard; Little Eock, Ark., to Camp Pike;
Columbia, S. C, to Camp Jackson; Spartanburg, S. C, to Camp
Wadsworth; Greenville, S. C, to Camp Sevier; Petersburg, Va., to
Camp Lee; Anniston, Ala., to Camp McClellan.

Several of the above projects were carried out in cooperation be-
tween the Federal Government and the State highway departments
under the Federal aid road act of 1916.

ENGINEERING ASSIGNMENTS TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR OTHER FEDERAL

BRANCHES.

One engineer was loaned to the Unit-ed States Housing Corpora-
tion as consulting engineer on roads and streets necessary in con-
nection with housing developments. This assignment was made in
July, 1918, and the engineer gave his entire time to the work until
shortly after hostilities ceased.

One highway engineer was detailed to assist the Emergency Fleet
Corporation in planning roads and streets in connection with ship-
yard developments. He gave his entire time to this work from
March 5, 1918, until after the ceasing of hostilities.

Complete and detailed highways maps were made, utilizing as
far as practicable topographic sheets of the United States Geological

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 393

Survey, covering all of Maryland east of the meridian passing
through Washington, all of the coast counties of New Jei*sey, all of
Florida south of Jacksonville. These maps were delivered to the
Corps of Engineers. In addition to these detailed highway maps,
the principal highways in a zone extending from Boston to New-
port News, through New York and Washmgton, were plotted on
topographic sheets for the use of the Geological Survey in the prep-
aration of aeroplane maps. Detailed route maps were prepared
covering the army truck route from Detroit to Baltimore, this work
being done in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey
and the Corps of Engineers.

At the request of the Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, this bureau
worked on a device for testing the power of explosives, with the idea
of obtaining autographic record of the force and speed of the
explosive.

Our large Page impact machine was borrowed by the American
University for research work in connection with high explosives. At
the present time impact machines of the type employed by this
bureau are being used in practically all of the arsenals throughout
the country in their routine investigations of explosive materials.

In cooperation witli the concrete ship department of the Ship-
ping Board this testing laboratory of this bureau was requested to
make several series of tests in order to obtain desired information
permitting of the safer design of reinforced concrete ships.

TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND TESTS RELATED TO WAR PROBLEMS CARRIED

ON BY THIS BUREAU.

In view of the uncertainty of the protection of the steel by the
concrete against the action of salt water, tests were made with bars
coated with various kinds of paint coatings and metal coating to
determine (a) the protection ottered by these coatings against corro-
sion, and (h) the effect of the coatings on the bond strength. Some
24 coatings were tested, involving about 250 specimens.

In the design of a concrete ship the shear stresses are very
high, and in order to use as little steel and concrete as possible
it was necessary to use very much higher unit stress in shear than
in ordinary reinforced concrete construction. As no test results
were available to indicate what would be a safe unit stress to use
with the exceedingly rich mixture of concrete, it was necessary to
make a number of beam tests to determine this point. The mate-
rials were supplied by the Shipping Board.

Because of the extremely thin walls containing a large percent-
age of reinforcing steel, it was necessary to determine how best to
pour the concrete so that it would entirely surround the steel and
form smooth surfaces and yet be of consistency dry enough to
produce the densest possible concrete. A specimen resembling the
shell of a concrete vessel was made up and concrete was poured
into the form and the form rapidly vibrated by hammering the
sides. The forms were later stripped off and the specimen ob-
served. The first method of pouring was a complete success and
no further experiments were necessary.

Assistance was given to the Bureau of Standards in the pour-
incr of a larxre reinforced concrete specimen designed to resemble
151352°— 19 26

394 ANNUAL KEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

a. concrete bulkhead for use in producing water-tiftht compartments
in steel vessels. This specimen was 18 feet hio^h and some 6 feet
wide. During the pouring measurements were taken of the pres-
sure exerted by the concrete against the forms, using the soil
pressure cells designed in this bureau.

A series of tests was started in order to determine the pres-
sures exerted by concrete poured so as to fill the forms at different
rates. This information is useful in permitting of the economical
design of the wooden forms.

There are many sections in reinforced concrete ships where the
concrete can not be poured continuously, but where it is necessary
to join the old concrete to the newly poured concrete with as
strong a bond as possible. A number of different methods for ob-
taining a strong bond were investigated.

In connection with tests made at other laboratories for the
Shipping Board, it was necessary to have instruments that would
register exceedingly minute changes in length. At tlie request of
the Shipping Board this office made tlireo such test instruments
after designs furnished by the Shipping Board. The Invar steel
for the sides of these instruments w\as furnished by the Shipping
Board, as were also the Ames dials. These instruments are prov-
ing very satisfactory.

THE UNITED STATES HIGHWAYS COUNCIL.

The first regular meeting of the United States Highways Council
was held in the office of the Director of the Bureau of Public Roads
at 10 a. m. Saturday, June 8, 1918.

Present : Mr. L. W. Page, Office of Public Roads, designated by the Secretary of
Agriculture ; Lieut. Col. W. D. Uhler, War Department, designated by the Sec-
retary of War ; Mr. G. W. Kirtley, Railroad Administration, designated by the
Director General of Railroads ; Mr. Richard L. Humphrey, War Industries
Board, designated by chairman of War Industries Board ; Mr. C. G. Sheffield,
Fuel Administration, designated by the Fuel Administrator; and Mr. S. L.
Selden, Capital Issues Committee, designated by the chairman of the Capital
Issues Committee.

Permanent organization was effected by the selection of L. W. Pago
as chairman and J. E. Pennybacker, of the Bureau of Public Roads,
as secretary.

Between this date and November 11, 1918, 25 meetings of the council
for the transaction of business were held. On November 13, 1918, a
special meeting was held at which the council announced " that no
further applications need be made to it for highway projects; that
previous disapprovals are revoked and pending applications require
no further action. Procedure in securing materials for transporta-
tion should follow normal practices."

SUMMARY OF APPLICATIONS.

From the first meeting, June 8, to the last meeting, December 31,
1918, the full council held 27 meetings and the subcommittee 112 meet-
ings. These meetings were in addition to the excellent and continu-
ous service rendered by Mr. Prevost Hubbard and Mr. M. O. Eldridg©
as a special subcommittee.

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS.

395

Applications for approval, including those which had been sub-
mitted to the Office of Public Roads prior to the establishment of the
council, reached a total of 7,307. Many of these applications were
considered several times by reason of requests for reconsideration or
by reason of requirements by the council of further information, so
that the total number of considerations aggregated 9,712. No state-
ment as to the exact number of approvals or disapprovals can be given,
as many cases were merely deferred and not disapproved, others were
conditionally approved or disapproved, others were reconsidered, and
still others Avere affected by an amendment issued September 26 by
the War Industries Board to circular 21 j^ermitting the completion
to November 1 of projects substantially under way. Still other proj-
ects were pending at the time the council ceased its activities, and in
consequence it is impossible to segregate those applications which
might be considered as definitely disapproved. A quantitative table
dealing with the materials, transportation, and funds involved and
showing such proportion as had been definitely approved has been
prepared, however, and is submitted as follows:

Item.

Unit.

Requested.

Approved.

Capital issues' Dollars.

Road oil Gallons.

Tar.

.do.

Asphalt ! Tons.

Cement : Barrels

Brick I M

Steel, structural ! Pounds

Steel, reinforcing j do

Cruslicd stone Tons

flravel do

Sand and screenings do

Slas ' do

Cornigated-lron culverts ' Linear feet.

Pilinp, t imber -. ' do

Pipe, vitrified, drain ' do

Pipe, cast-iron, drain j do

Lumber Feet b. m.,

Granite blocks Blocks

Miscellaneous Tons

Cars, open top I Cars

Cars, box I do

Cars, flat | do

538,075
280,401
603,832
190,207
657, 390
109,125
663,250
281,275
639, 819
204,552
216,481
520, 152
107,815
164, 102
165,419
47,052
530, ICO
420,500
123,206
55,059
8,543
3,705

7,334,821

44,269,826

53,533,441

159, 475

2, 139, 769

52,239

694,820

3,231,301

l,827,7i'5

432, 707

982,479

250,428

23,704

43,588

99,690

43,740

1,651,635

156,500

49,513

26,361

3,376

005

» Includes applications acted on by Bureau of Public Roads prior to formal orjranizatlon of United States
Highways Council. Requested $28,748,084, approved $3,114,381. The Capital Issues Committee has jtris-
dictionandthe Councilservedmerelyasanaidtothe committee.

THE FEDERAL AID ROAD ACT.

LEGISLATION.

A careful canvass of all the State highway departments made after
the original Federal aid road act of July 11, 191G, had been in effect
for more than two years, indicated clearly that there were three limi-
tations which were preventing this law from becoming an effective
method of procedure between the Federal Government and the indi-
vidual States. In its conception this law was founded upon the prin-
ciple of cooperation for the purpose of stimulating road production
and of supporting and aiding the States in their individual efforts,
but it was found that practically all of the States were limited in
proceeding along the lines of an adequate program: (1) By the post
road requirements; (2) by the limitation of Federal j^articipation to

396 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

$10,000 per mile; and (3) by the amount of the appropriation car-
ried.

These features of the law were handicapping practically all of the
States very seriously. Anyone who is familiar with the rural free-
delivery routes as now laid out knows that the mail carrier pursu-
ing his zigzag route .does not in many cases follow throughout their
length those roads on w^hich traffic is concentrating more and more,
and which must therefore receive the first attention from the State
road authorities. Improved highways will become one of the great-
est possible advantages to the Postal Service, but this will require a
rearrangement of routes as the roads are improved. The logical and
systematic preparation of the eventual roads suited to rural mail
purposes, therefore, requires much flexibility in the law providing
Federal aid for road improvement.

The limitation of $10,000 per mile for Federal participation was
reasonable when the law was conceived during 1915 and the earlj^
part of 1916, but at the time of the passage of the act the cost of road
construction was mounting rapidly, and by the year 1918 the pro-
vision under which the Federal Government offered to pay 50 per
cent of the cost of the roads and the limitation of $10,000 per mile
could not both be applied in the construction of the higher type roads.
The amount of the funds carried by the original appropriation was
thought entirely sufficient to start the Federal aid cooperative pro-
gram. At the time these sums were fixed, however, it could not be
foreseen how enthusiastically the proposal of the Federal Govern-
ment would be received by the public generally. The States were
embarrassed by applications for Federal aid which the original allot-
ments could not supply, and by the appropriation of sums so much
greater than the amount necessary to meet the Federal aid appro-
priation that the whole plan in the fall of 1918 was in a most dis-
appointing status. All of these objections were met in an entirely
acceptable manner by the amendments to the original act carried in
the Post Office appropriation act of February 28, 1919 (H. E. 13308).
The definition of the term " rural post road " was so broadened as
to permit the improvement of roads which could not qualify under
the original definition. The maximum amount which can be paid by
the Federal Government was increased to $20,000 per mile, exclusive
of the cost of bridges of more than 20 feet clear span. The increase
in the share of the costs which may be paid by the Federal Govern-
ment meets fairly well the demands of the several States in that
respect. At the suggestion of the Secretary the original appropria-
tion of $75,000,000 for Federal aid roads available for the five-year
period, 1916-1921, was increased by $200,000,000, of which $50,000,000
was available at once, $75,000,000 on July 1, 1919, and $75,000,000
on July 1, 1920.

NEW REGULATIONS.

The Rules and Regulations for the administration of the Federal
aid road act as authorized by section 10 were originally issued by the
Secretary on September 1, 1916. While these were drawn after a
conference with the State highway officials, in which more or less
conflicting views were expressed, it required the light of actual ex-
perience to disclose the principal difficulties which existed and which

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 397

prevented the fullest cooperation with the States. After more than
two years' experience a canvass of the States indicated that the
principal causes for disagi-eements or delays in the original Rules
and Eegulations could be summarized under the following points:

1. Conflicts with the State laws or State constitutions.

2. The limitations as to the expenditure of Federal aid funds for certain
costs enterinj; Into completed roads.

3. The details of the plans, specifications, and survey requirements.

4. Adherence to standard specifications in specific instances in which economy
prompted modifications.

5. Difliculties or delays encountered from inception of projects^to final com-
pletion, in many cases resulting partially from overcentralization and lack of
authority vested in the district engineers or the local representatives of the
bureau.

Practically all of the complaints or misunderstandings voiced by
the States were subject to classification under one of these causes,
and it will be apparent that these difficulties were greatly accented
by the new and untried State legislation enacted in every State and
by the new and enlarged organizations required on the part of the
States and the Federal bureau itself.

During the last fiscal year several minor amendments were made.
At the December, 1918, meeting of the State highway officials the sub-
ject was thoroughly discussed and a general revision of the rules and
regulations at once undertaken. These were completed after the
amendment to the Federal-aid road act of February, and on March
12, 1019, the rules and regulations were issued. As revised, thesB
rules and regulations have been generally accepted as satisfactory by
the State highway departments.

These rules and regulations, however, must be regarded only as an
instrument to facilitate road production under laws in force, whether
State or Federal, relating to the Federal-aid road work. Several
modifications of present procedure are now in contemplation for the
purpose of facilitating and expediting action, and whenever it be-
comes apparent that revisions can be made which will result in econ-
omy of either time or effort, in so far as such modifications are legally
possible, recommendations will be made for further revision to the
secretary forthwith.

RESPONSE OF STATES TO THE FEDERAL AID ACT.

The Federal aid act inaugurated a plan of road improvement that
has met Avith a remarkable response on the part of the public. Very
few of the States were in a position to act until the winter of 1917,
because of the need of new legislation and the appropriation of funds
to meet the Federal-aid allotments. In April of that year war was
declared, with its attendant concentration of effort to the one object.
Highway construction throughout the country was necessarily and
unavoidably restricted and confined to the more vitally necessary
projects during this period. It was not until after the signing of the
armistice in November, 1918, that plans were formulated for the
re:^\unption of the work which had been brought almost to a stop.
But during that period the attitude of the public underwent a great
change. The experiences during the war had crystallized public
sentiment in favor of an improved system of highways to supplement
the transportation facilities afforded by the railroads of the country

398 ANl^UAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and to replace the roads which had suffered to such a material extent
by the unforeseen traffic which had been forced upon them. The
necessity for extensive road improvement w^as impressed more forci-
bly upon the public mind by reason of the demonstrated inadequacy
of the S3^steni of raih'oad transportation and by the difficulties ex-
perienced when, in an endeavor to relieve the railroads, an attempt
was made to utilize in a large way the highways in some sections of
the country.

That the public is generally supporting a greath^ enlarged program
of highway construction is evidenced by the fact that up to July 1,
1919, bond issues aggregating $224,800,000 had been authorized and
approved by vote of the people. ^Provision has also been made in
other States for submitting to a vote during the calendar year addi-
tional State highway bond issues amounting to more than $314,000,-
000. Only one State road bond issue voted on during the year was
rejected. In addition to the sums which become available through
the sale of bonds, other State road funds have been provided from
legislative appropriations, various State road tax levies, and the pro-
ceeds of motor vehicle license fees. In addition to these generous
State road funds, counties and improvement districts are providing
largely through bond issues for very large amounts. From all sources
there are in sight funds amounting to considerably over $1,000,000,000
for highway construction, which will be made available more rapidly
than such sums can be expended efficiently and economically. The
test of the State highway departments and of the Federal bureau will
come in so administering the expenditure of these sums that the con-
fidence of the public will be justified. It is very apparent that the
whole highway program has passed beyond the propaganda stage,
and that there is now the greatest possible need for the highway or-
ganizations to approach the task of actual road building in a respon-
sible, sane spirit that will result in the production of roads rapidly
but without extravagance and without loss of faith on the part of the
taxpayers.

STATUS OF FEDERAL AID ROAD WORK.

Of the post road a])propriations made by the Congress there was
available during the fiscal year a total of $80,000,000, the same being
the sum of the appropriations for the fiscal years 1917, 1918, and
1919. From this there was deducted the 3 per cent allowed by law
for the administrativ^e purposes and the remainder, or $77,600,000,
was apportioned among the several States. Of this sum there was
paid to the States during the fiscal year for road construction work
a total of $2,702,247. At the close of the fiscal year 1918 there had
been paid to the States $425,445. So that the grand total of all pay-
ments to the States on June 30, 1919, was $3,127,693, which left to the
credit of the States an unexpended balance of $74,472,306. In addi-
tion, the $95,000,000 appropriated for the fiscal year 1920 w^as ap-
portioned to the States, after deducting the 3 per cent for adminis-
trative purposes, and that sum became available w^ith the close of the
fiscal year. On July 1, 1919, therefore, there was available to the
credit of the States for expenditure a total of $166,622,306.

During the fiscal year this department approved project statements
submitted by the States for 736 road projects, involving the improve-

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS.

399

ment of 6,470 miles of road at an estimated cost of $91,495,797, and
on which $38,604,397 Federal aid was requested. Up to June 30,
1918, 580 project statements had been approved for 6,249.40 miles of
road, estimated to cost $42,278,770, and on which was requested $16,-
049,821 Federal aid. So that on June 30, 1919, there had been ap-
proved by this department project statements for a total of 1,316
projects, involvini^ 12,719.98 miles of road estimated to cost $133,-
774,568, of which ^$54,714,219 in Federal aid was requested. At the
close of the fiscal year, therefore, there remained to the credit of the
States an unallotted balance, including the additional funds which
then became available, of $111,908,087.

Agreements with State highway departments were executed during
the fiscal year to cover 453 of the projects for which project state-
ments had been approved. The estimated cost of the projects cov-
ered by these agreements amounted to $41,598,209, of which amount
there was set aside in the Treasury $18,031,680 as Federal aid. At
the close of the fiscal year 1918 there had been executed a total of
224 such agreements of an approved estimate of cost of $14,820,633,
of which there was set aside in the Treasury $5,899,936. Thus, at
the close of the fiscal year 1919 a total of 677 agreements to cover
projects had been executed, involving a total approved estimate of
cost of $56,418,843, and a total of $23,931,617 Federal aid. The
projects for which agreements had been executed at the close of the
fiscal year call for the improvement of a total of 5,791.23 miles of
road.

Under the terms of the Federal aid road act the apportionments
to the States for each fiscal year remain available for expenditure
until the close of the succeeding fiscal year, but it is construed that
funds covered by agreements are expended within the meaning of
the law. Each State had a sufficient amount of funds under agree-
ment at the close of the fiscal year to prevent its losing any part of
the funds apportioned to it.

Statistical information is shown in the following tables as to the
status of Federal aid projects, the miles and types of roads included
in Federal aid projects, and the expenditure and construction of
roads during the fiscal year:

Summary of miles and types of roads included in Federal aid projects executed
during fiscal years 1917, 1918, and 1919.

Type.

Mileage
approved.

Per cent
of total.

Total cost.

Earth

1,622.520
626.705

1,601.744
163.512
170.07$
126.204
118. 170
590.325
06.828
37.791
665.992

28.02
10.83
27.67
2.82
2.94
2.18
2.04
10.20
1.15
.65
11.50

$6,645,244.86
2 657 970.03

Sand-clay

Gravel

10,238,077.92
1 823 550.07

Macadam

Macadam mat top

l', 275' 712. 95

Bituminous macadam

3,106,967.48

Bituminous concrete

2,821,214.59
18,172,084.19
2,845,429.91

Concrete

Brick

Miscellaneous

189,614.53
0, 925, 839. 97

Undetermined

400 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Federal-aid expenditures and related data for fiscal year 1919.

Date.

Projects
under

construc-
tion.

Federal aid

paid during

month.

Total Federal

aid paid to end

of month.

Total

number

of projects

com-
pleted to
end of
month.

Total Federal
aid paid

on completed
projects.

Mileage
of com-
pleted
projects.

To June 30, 1918.

JiUy, 1918

August, 1918....
September, 1918.
October, 1918....
November, 1918.
December, 1918. .
January, 1919. ..
February, 1919. .

March, 1919

April, 1919

May, 1919

June, 1919

155
193
243
279
269
281
300
312
312
341
420
666

114,376.64
179,303.58
196,426.51
253,529.79
285,940.24
311,751.08
296,014.69
263,760.91
263,591.52
69,038.88
159,176.37
401,807.81

458,

673,

752,

948,

1,202,

1,488,

1,800,

2,096,

2,359,

2,623,

2,692,

2,861,

3.253.

757.60
134.24
437.82
864.33
394.12
334.36
085.44
100.03
860.94
452.46
491.34
667. 71
475.52

166,274.84
208,996.38
208,996.38
208,996.38
264,690.25
264,690.25
284,690.25
461,521.81
566,665.13
702,194.88
702,194.88
784,699.84
828,363.30

17. 643

21.643

21.643

21.643

47.677

47.677

61.087

61.157

79. 481

116. 896

116. 898

148. 102

184.315

1 A number of projects closed down for the winter.
Summary of project statements approved and project agreements executed.

Project statements approved.

Project agreements executed.

Year.

Num-
ber of
proj-
ects.

Estimated
cost.

Federal aid
requested.

Num-
ber of
proj-
ects.

Estimated
cost.

Federal aid.

Reported for fiscal year 1917 —

Reported for fiscal year 1918 —

Now reported for fiscal year

1919

23

557

736

$1,845,433.60
41,053,200.67

91,495,797.99

$846,151.84
15,478,089.66

38,664,397.41

6
218

454

$547,092.25
14,239,939.15

41,631,731.67

$224,717.20
5,658,458.42

18,048,441.97

Note.— The figures here given for the fiscal years 1917 and 1918 are from the annual reports for those
years. As projects are modified from time to time, a project occasionally withdrawn, etc., sums drawn
from the figures here given will not agree with the figures shown in the larger table, which figures have,
in all cases, been corrected to June 30, 1919.

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS.

401

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ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

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BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 409

NATIONAL FOREST ROADS.

During the first half of the fiscal year unfavorable conditions for
road improvement, resulting from the war, limited the period during
which active operations have been resumed to a few months of the
present construction season. The major portion of the work for
this fiscal year has been in the last four months. There has been in
these few months a marked increase in road activities in the national
forests, even though conditions have not returned to the normal pre-
war basis. '

The year has been marked with a shortage of labor, equipment,
and material for construction purposes. Unsettled conditions gen-
erally have made contractors extremely cautious, and it has often
been difficult to recommend to you awards for work at what was
considered satisfactory prices. On a number of occasions we have
felt it advisable to recommend against making awards even after
work had been extensively advertised and previous proposals re-
jected. In these instances department forces have been organized to
start the work and other portions of the projects have been let out
to station contractors. A .great handicap to the work has been the
lack of suitable equipment in the possession of local contractors who
are making proposals on road construction. The assembling at
points convenient to our operations of suitable construction equip-
ment which can be loaned to contractors for our work will aid ma-
terially in securing mo* e reasonable prices and hasten the comple-
tion of our building program.

It is hoped that from the surplus equipment of the War Depart-
ment allotted to this bureau under the terms of section 7 of the Post
Office appropriation act it will be possible to provide for the major
equipment needs of this bureau. Requistion has been placed and
shipping orders given for approximately $2,000,000 worth of equip-
ment and material. Very little has been received in time for this
season's work. It is important that it be secured in ample time for
proper assembling, overhauling, and distribution before the next
construction season opens, so that the purchase of other equipment
may be obviated.

With respect to explosives the bureau has been materially bene-
fited in having allotted to it about 4,000,000 pounds of T. N. T. from
the War and Interior Departments. Considerable of this material
has been delivered and some has been used on our work during the
present season.

The general organization plan followed during the preceding fiscal
year has been continued, there being six distinct offices and suboffices
to cooperate with the six western forest districts, the work in the
seventh forest district being divided among the district engineers of
this bureau in charge of post road work. There has been an increase
in the personnel on forest-road work made necessary by our increased
building program.

151352°— 19 27

410

ANNUAL KEPORTS OF DEPARTjVIENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following tabulation is a summary of forest-road activities
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 :

National forest road activities during fiscal year ended June SO, 1919.

state.

Engineering, investiga-
tion, and reconstruction
surveys completed.

Cooperative agreements executed.

Num-
ber.

Miles.

Estimated
cost of con-
struction.

Num-
ber.

Miles.

Total
amount.

Federal.

Local.

Alaska

\riEoiia

9

5

10

10

204

94

294

2S7

$1,223,080

444,856

1,381,062

1,077,450

10

190

$1,019,695

$488,558

$531 137

Arkansas

California

7
9

1

107
194

27

595,900
700,833
90,000

299,950
517,785
43,000

296,050
183,048
47,000

Colorado

Florida

_..

Georgia

1
3

18
54

82,247
877,062

Idaho

6

1
7

189
31
36

389,840
150,000
911,140

205,295
90,000
51,070

184,545
60,000
40,070

Montana

2

4
1
2
3
1
5
1

18
65
6
16
119
31
73
19

70,714
525,923

28, 144

42,500

1,037,232

104,400

570,112

50,050

North Carolina • . .....

1

5
12
3

19
73

238
60

45,000

331,119

1,541,550

78,400

22,500
2:58,619
729,075

63,200

22,500
92,500
812,475
42,200

New Mexico

South Dakota

Utah

7

224

593,290

296,645

296,645

Virginia

4
2

85
21

1,758,635

83,500

6
6

42

180

717,692
681,600

372,435
368,300

345,257
213,300

Wvomiac . ...

Total

63

1,354

9,356,967

81

1,610

7,746,059

3,786,432

3,166,727

Location

surveys.

State.

In progress.

Completed.

Number.

Miles.

Estimated
cost of con-
struction.

Number.

Miles.

Estimated
cost of con-
struction.

A laska

2
4

1
5

11

87
10

77

$77,000

385,000

56,927

658,500

1

7

$53,480

Arkanf=as

California . . ..

5
1

1

84
13
27

1,377,000
54,700
70,838

Flwida

Idaho

2

65

353,524

1

23

175,303

2

34

234,880

4
1

45
10

224,248

86,430

North Carolina

New Mexico

5
4

112
23

405,818
447,727

Oregon ...

2
1

42
31

471,503
104,400

South Dakota

Twinessee

Utah

2

74

269,956

Virginia

1
1

10
11

96,000
109,260

Washington

2

29
69

502,552
325,000

Wyoming

Total

21

378

2,546,994

2S

516

3,933,102

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 411

National forest road activities during fiscal year ended June 30, 1919 — Could.

IMans.

state.

In progress.

Completed.

Number.

j:stiniatcd-
Miles. cost of con-
struction.

Number.

Miles.

Estimated
cost of con-
struction.

Ala^a

4

73

1335,000

2

101

1599,995

Arkansas

California

5

1

G2
13

867,000
64,700

3
3

1

16
87
27

186,437
728,110

70,838

Florida

Georiria

::::::::::i:: ::::::::

Idaho

2

65

353,624

1

23

175,303

Minnesota

Montana

3

1

42

10

279, M2
80,480

4

45

224,248

North Carolina

Nc va J a

New Mexico

1

7
1

1
2

1
5

31

106
31
12
74
10
46

66,000

1.383,283

104,400

107,661

210,000

96,000
907,656

4

3

81
38

339,818

Oregon

390,991

South Dakota

Tennessee ....

Utah

6

223

437,000

Virginia

Washington

1
2

2
138

35,000
675,000

Wyoming

Total

34

575

4,$.'>1,446

30

781

3,762,740

Construction.

State.

In progress.

Completed.

Number.

Miles.

Estimated
cost of con-
struction.

Number.

Miles.

Estimated
cost 01 con-
struction.

Alaska

3

'*

193,000

Arizona

1
&

8

1

31
34
89
27

72,655

456,231

542,148

9,000

California

1

69

S73,201

Colorado

Florida

Georgia

Idaho . .

3

38

337,067

Minnesota

Montana

8

81

349,116

1

4

62,^25

North Carolina

Nevada

New Mexico

1

4

20,000

Oregon

6

45

757,242

South Dakota

Tennessee

Utah

5

204

387,027

Virginia

Washington

4

18

328,757

Wyoming

Total .. .

39

681

3,332,243

3

67

155,316

DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS WAR EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND

MATERIALS.

As a further stimulus to road-building activities and to facilitate
the resumption of such work by the several State highway depart-
ments, Congress also incorporated in the Post Office appropriation
act of February 28, 1919, a provision authorizing the Secretary of
War to turn over to the Secretary of Agriculture for distributioi^

412 ANNUAL KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

to the States available war material, equipment, and supplies suit-
able for use in the improvement of highways and not needed for
the purposes of the War Department, to be used on roads con-
structed in whole or in part by Federal aid, the Secretary of Agri-
culture being authorized to retain from such distribution not to ex-
ceed 10 per cent of such material, equipment, and supplies for
use in the construction of national forest roads or other roads con-
structed under his direct supervision. Such materials were required
to be distributed to the States on the same basis as provided by the
Federal aid road act for the apportionment of the Federal aid ap-
propriations. Immediately on receipt from the War Department
of lists of materials, equipment, and supplies declared to be surplus,
a canvass w^as made to ascertain the requirements of the several
States, and allotments were made with a view to meeting these
requirements. There had been allotted to the States 20,519 motor
trucks and quite a number of miscellaneous articles of equipment
suitable for road-building purposes. There was in the hands of the
War Department in the United States and in France quite a large
amount of additional surplus equipment suitable for use in road-
construction work, and the War Department signified that much
of this would be turned over to this department.

At the close of the fiscal year about one-third of the number of
motor vehicles allotted were actually in possession of the States,
and only a very small list of other equipment, supplies, or materials
were actually delivered. The total number of motor vehicles and
amounts of other equipment and supplies that will eventually be
made available for use by the States can not be stated. This dis-
tribution of trucks, although not proceeding as rapidly as had been
hoped, has assisted many of the States greatly in resuming their
road programs. This bureau has acted only as an agent of distribu-
tion between the War Department and the various State highway
departments, but it is believed that the policy of making available
surplus materials and equipment which could be directly used for
road-building purposes is one from which the public generally is
likely to receive a far greater benefit than if such supplies were dis-
posed of through sales to private concerns. The faith in such a
policy has resulted in a vigorous and persistent effort to secure for
the States as large an amount of the equipment and supplies as can
be put iijto useful service within a reasonable length of time. This
policy has extended to the dispatching of a special representative to
France to receive consignments of such material available in France
for return to this country.

ROAD BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATION.

An object-lesson road was built of sand-clay construction in Pierce
County, Ga.

Reports on county road systems were made by Butte, Colusa,
Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, and Yolo Counties, Calif. Ad-
vice was given regarding special road problems in Massachusetts,
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Engineers were fur-
nished to plan and superintend the construction of the Alexandria-
Camp Humphreys road in Virginia.

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS.

413

Desi^s for bridges were prepared as follows: Alabama, 1; Kan-
sas. 1 ; Virginia, 1.

Engineers were assigned to investigate existing bridges and condi-
tions in relation to proposed bridges as follows: Connecticut, 1;
Georgia, 1; North Carolina, 2; New Jersey, 1; South Carolina, 2;
Virginia, 1 ; West Virginia, 6.

In addition to the above general designs were prepared and those
prepared by State and other officials have been reviewed.

FIELD EXPERIMENTS.

Approximately 2G miles of experimental roads which had been
constructed during previous years in Alexandria and Fairfax Coun-
ties, Va., in Montgomery County, Md., and in the Department of
Agriculture grounds were maintained.

MODELS AND EXHIBITS.

Practical demonstrations by means of models and other exhibit
materials were made during the year to illustrate the various activi-
ties of the bureau. This exhibit material was built and maintained
by the bureau, but all expenses of transportation and installation
were paid by the organizations benefited.

All exhibit work was carried on under the supervision of the
Office of Exhibits of the department which cooperated with other
departments in placing a combined Government exhibit on display
at the following locations :

Sedalia, Mo Aug. 10-17

Springfield, 111 Auff. ^24

Des Moines, Iowa Aug. 21-30

Erie, Pa Aug. 19-24

Cohinibus, Ohio Aug. 26-31

Detroit, Mich Aug.' 30-Sept, 8

Homlin, Minn Sept. 2- 7

Rochester, N. Y Sept. 2- 7

Indianapolis, Ind Sept. 3- 7

Lincoln, Nebr Sept. 1- 6

Milwaukee, Wis Sept. 9-14

Syracuse, N. Y Sept. 9-14

Nashville, Tenn Sept. 16-21

Topeka, Kans Sept. 9-14

Douglas, Wyo Sept. 10-14

Huron, S. Dak Sept. 9-14

Lemmon, S. Dak Sept. 18-20

Oklahoma City, Okla Sept. 21-28

Berlin, Conn Sept. 24-28

Memphis, Tenn Sept. 21-28

Hutchinson, Kans Sept. 16-21

Pueblo, Colo Sept. 23-28

Salt Lake City, Utah_Sept. 3a-Oct. 5

Wichita, Kans Sept. 30-Oct. 12

Muskogee, Okla Sept. 30-Oct. 5

Trenton, N. J Sept. 3(>-Oct. 4

Knox vi lie, Tenn Oct. 7-12

Atlanta, Ga Oct. 14-19

Kansas City, Mo Oct. 16-26

Los Angeles, Calif Oct. 12-26

Macon, Ga Oct. 30-Nov. 9

Waco, Tex Nov. 2-17

A'aldosta, Ga Nov. 18-23

Jacksonville, Fla Nov. 27-Dec. 6

Baltimore, Md Dec. 8-15

. In addition thereto a full set of road models was loaned to the
commanding officer, Camp A. A. Humphreys during the month of
July, 1919, for use in the Engineer School of the United States Army.

ADDRESSES, LECTURES, AND PAPERS.

The practice of rendering technical advice through the medium
of conferences, lectures, and the presentation of papers at public
gatherings was somewhat curtailed during the year on account of
the war. Eepresentatives were assigned to attend only those meet-
ings and conferences of official bodies which were of State or Nation-
wide importance. A total of 68 lectures were delivered, as compared
with 149 during 1918.

414 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK.

There were developed in the photographic laboratory 2^54 nega-
tives, 14,584 prints were made, 771 lantern slides, 249 bromide en-
largements, and 1,893 photostat prints.

In addition to this work, 868 lantern slides w<^re colored for lec-
ture Avork and 240 maps were mounted on cloth.

For the benefit of various individuals and organizations, including
employees of the office, 2,716 lantern slides, 11,746 prints, and 206
bromide enlargements w^ere loaned. At the close of the year the
photographic files contained 18,951 negatives, 64,041 prints, and
10,614 lantern slides.

ROAD MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS.

Tlie economic highway survey inaugurated toward the end of the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1917, has been continued, but on a lesser
scale than during tlie fiscal year 1918. This condition was brought
about by the participation of this bureau to a large extent in activ-
ities connected Avith Avar Avork, and later to the added stimulus
given road construction by the increased appropriations made by
Congress for Federal aid work. The office work of completing
the final maps of the area surveyed has been in progress during
the year. The complete maps and text give detailed information
on the roads, bridges, and economic conditions in the territory cov-
ered by the surveys. This Avork has proved of considerable value,
as it brings together in a Avorkable manner a vast amount of de-
tailed highway information. The Avork has not only been of value
to the State liighAvay departments and this bureau, but is proving
of A^alue to other branches of the Government.

A large amount of data has been compiled relative to the tonnage
of the products of the field, forest, and mine for the various counties
in the United States. This information finally tabulated will be
of considerable value in connection with the future planning of
main-line highways, and Avill also goA'ern to a considerable extent
the types of pavement to be constructed on these highways.

ECONOMIC STUDIES OF HIGHWAY SYSTEMS.

The study carried out during the preceding year of the classifi-
cation of highways and of the procedure folloAved in their con-
struction and maintenance has been completed, and the final results
have been published in serial form in Public' Roads Magazine
under the caption, " State Highway Management, Control, and
Procedure." These articles are found in the issnes, July, 1918, to
February, 1919, inclusiA-e.

FARM IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS.

Conclusion of the Avar terminated the many special investiga-
tions Avhich had been made in behalf of the Capital Issues Com-
mittee regarding the feasibility and desirability of irrigation and;
drainage enterprises in course of promotion. Demands for this Avork
Avere promptly succeeded, how^cA'er, by calls for advice and technical
assistance from many irrigation and drainage districts, organized

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 415

or prospective, whose plans, held in abeyance during the war, sought
immediate execution at its close. Irrigation enterprises of this
class, including in all many hundreds of thousands of acres, com-
prised besides new projects several of long and fairly prosperous
history. High values of farm produce gave much encouragement
to sucii enterprises to improve their structure, revise their organi-
zations, and conserve their water supplies, to the end that a more
economical distribution of water might be effected and the area served
in the past materially extended. Thus, in Idaho alone, projects
are now in various stages of promotion which, if carried out as now
planned, will increase the irrigated area of the State by 1,500,000
acres; half as much as is now irrigated.

Notwithstanding the i*apid development of this work, standard in-
vestigations of duty of water, pumping, flow of water in various
types of conduits, and efficiency of appliances and equipment used
in irrigation, which had either been temporarily discontinued or
reduced in scope during the war, were resumed. Technical re-
ix)rts on flow of water in concrete pipes and spillways for reservoirs
and canals were completed and await publication. An extensive
field examination to determine the efficiency of typical reservoirs
in Cache la Poudre Valley, Colo., begun in 1917, was brought to a
conclusion. Meanwliile the investigation of flow of water was ex-
tended to metal pipes, a survey of effective types of chutes, drops,
and other canal structures, begun prior to the war, was resumed, and
a final rejx)rt was prepared on three-years' experiments to determine
the proper time and amount of irrigations in the vicinity oi Twin
Falls, Idaho. Laboratory experiments, which sought to ascertain
the movement of moisture from a free-water surface in various soils,
were finished and the results assembled in a report whicli awaits
publication. Studies of the capillary movement of moisture be-
tween soils of different moisture content were resumed. These in-
vestigations are being supplemented by similar studies in irrigated
fields, lands provided with artificial drainage, and soils which should
be drained.

High cost of iron and steel has greatly widened the field and en-
larged the demand for concrete pipe to meet rigid conditions in
irrigation systems, notably Avherc pressure pipe is needed for the
conveyance of water under high heads. California alone now has
more than 150 concrete pipe manufacturers, and concrete pipe is
being installed at the rate of many hundred miles a year. A need
foi* the standardization of methods of manufacture and the develop-
ment of standard tests and testing equipment to determine the
strengths of pipes of different makes has resulted in the establish-
ment of a field laboratory where such equipment Avill be devised
and tests conducted. Field tests, meanwhile, have been made to
determine the tensile strength, resistance to internal pressure, and
perviousness of 40 kinds of concrete i^ipe now in use in irrigation.

Other w^ork demanded by after- war conditions has included a
study of new devices to reduce labor in the distribution and appli-
cation of water, initiation of experiments to determine the extent
of seepage losses from canals, and the extending-^ of first-hand assist-
ance to communities seeking the development of underground water
for irrigation. High prices and curtailment of sales of pumping

416 ANNUAL REPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

machinery during the war resulted in a material lessening of in-
terest in pumping, but conditions of severe drought and a lifting of
Avar restrictions immediately restored pumping to a position of
prime importance in the irrigation field.

DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS.

Until the close of the calendar year war conditions continued
largely to control the operations of the division. In addition to the
fact that approximately 50 per cent of the force was in the military
service, the immediate requirements of the situation diverted the
attention of agricultural landowners temporarily from contem-
plated drainage work. Early in 1919, when the improvement of
their land once more claimed their attention, the landowners Avere
at once confronted by the prevailing high costs of labor and ma-
terials. Nevertheless a decided tendency has been shoAvn to pro-
ceed Avith important drainage projects in spite of high costs. This
tendency has been so marked that by the close of the fiscal year
the activities of the drainage division w^ere limited only by the
funds available.

Operations, though curtailed, Avere carried along the same lines
as in former years. More attention, however, was given to small
projects such as those of farm drainage that would bring quick
results, and less to the larger undertakings. Certain technical in-
vestigations Avhich had been started in former years and which re-
quired continuous records to yield their greatest value Avere con-
tinued.

CooperatiA^e w^orking agreements Avith the States of Alabama.
Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee Avere continued.

During the year 126 separate surveys, in 13 States, were made,
and drainage plans prepared for farms where the owner desired
either to install tile or construct terraces. In many other cases
field examinations Avere made and advice given informally. The
manuscript for a bulletin on farm drainage, to be published by the
West Virginia College of Agriculture, was prepared, as Avas also
one for publication by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tion.

A report on drainage conditions in Michigan Avas prepared after
a full investigation of all aspects of the situation in that State.
This report Avas prepared in cooperation Avith, and published by,
the Michigan Geological and Biological Survey. Studies of the
cost of operation of drainage pumping plants in southern Louisiana
Avere continued. The study of the matter of drainage assessments
was resumed after having been suspended during the Avar.

A comprehensive study of the drainage problem presented by the
Ked River of the North has been undertaken. This Avork consisted
mainly in the correlation of existing data, and has for its ultimate
object the correction of the OA^erfloAv and permanently wet condi-
tions of extensive tracts of land along the river in Minnesota,
North Dakota, and South Dakota. Twenty-seA^en preliminary ex-
aminations Avere made of overflowing streams and swamp areas in
various States and reports submitted to landowiiers.

Studies of undergrolmd Avater and the subsidence of muck soils
after draining Avere made in Florida. Investigations of methods

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 417

of draining muck and peat soils were carried on in the State of
New York.

The records of rainfall and run-off which have been kept con-
tinuously since 1910 in the prairie sei tion of Louisiana have been con-
tinued. These records are of great value, as they determine the per-
centage of the rainfall that must be removed, and therefore establish
the required capacit}^ of drainage plants. The manuscript was pre-
pared for a bulletin which will summarize the experiments made by
this division for determining the roughness coefficient in Kutter's
formula. These experiments were made in dredged ditches in Mis-
sissippi, Tennessee, Iowa, Xorth Carolina, and Florida. The manu-
script for a bulletin giving the results of an extensive study of the
flow of water in tile drains has also been completed.

In accordance with an agreement with the Florida Agricultural
Experiment Station, cooperative experiments were conducted on the
farm of the experiment station at Gainesville, for the purpose of
determining the value of sewage irrigation for that type of soil.
Experiments were conducted at Vineland, N. J., with several new
types of spray nozzles and automatic irrigation sewage valves.
Numerous plans for small irrigation plants in the humid section have
been prepared and much assistance of an advisory nature rendered.

Twelve investigations and reports were made during the first half
of the year, to the Capital Issues Committee, respecting projects for
which bond issues were proposed.

RURAL ENGINEERING.

FARM DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL.

Seven fields examinations were made of farm water system^-, and
advice was given for improving them.

Five rural septic tank installations were designed or the main
features outlined.

Work was begun on the preparation of manuscript and illustra-
tions for a bulletin on " Simple Sanitary Conveniences for Farm and
Tenant Houses."

Estimate of cost and specifications were prepared for a gravity
water system for a large farm establishment in Georgia.

Data was compiled relative to garbage disposal and reduction,
plumbing systems, and sewer and pool cleaning machines.

FARM STRUCTURES.

There were prepared for general distribution working dra^\'ings,
and, in most instances, bills of materials for the following farm
structures: A granary, two rural gchoolhouses, four farmhouses,
three bunk houses, two milk houses, standard cow manger, dairy barn,
poultry house, manure pit, roof and storm cellar, movable hog house,
self-feeder for hogs, bull barn, breeding rack for cattle, and a small
garage.

Plans were prepared for the plumbing and heating layout for the
proposed laboratory building at Arlington for the Bureau of Public
Roads.

For other bureaus of the department drawings for the following
were prepared: Milk station, cheese factory and creamery for the

418 AIs^lS^UAL EEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Bureau of Animal Industry, a gaiage and shed, a greenhouse, and a
foreman's residence for the Bureau of Plant Industry at Sacaton,
Ariz. This latter was designed particularly to meet conditions pre-
vailing in the arid sections, and it undoubtedly Avill prove of assist-
ance to ranchers and others in future building operations in xirizona
and other arid sections.

An inspection was made of the oflices of the Bureau of Crop Esti-
mates, and inspection and advice given relative to the design and con-
struction of a large manure pit at the United States Soldiers' Home.
The construction of the Color Investigations Laboratory at Arling-
ton was supervised for the Bureau of Chemistry.

The preparation of the manuscript for a bulletin on the Farm
Shop and Equipment was begun.

A nmnber of designs Avere prepared for use in a bulletin on cattle
feeding to be published in cooperation with the Division of Animal
Husbandry.

An illustrated yearbook article, "Housing the Worker on the
Farm," was prepared and published as a separate.

A number of informal talks were given before demonstration agents
in the South on rural housing.

The architect of the division was detailed from August 1, 1918, to
April 1, 1919, to the Building Materials Division of the United
States War Industries Board to assist in the preparation of standard
specifications and details for building construction.

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

The dust-spraying apparatus for dusting cotton plants for boll
weevil, designed during the pervious year, was further developed in
cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology. ' '

For the purpose of obtaining data a number of private hydro-
electric installations w^ere inspected.

Drawings for several pieces of chemical apparatus were prepared
for the Bureau of Chemistry, including an air-cooled gas reaction
apparatus, laboratory gas reaction apparatus, metal baths, a
phthalic anhydride plant, condensers, automatic valve control.

A yearlx)ok article on "Electricity and power from small streams "
was prepared and published as a separate.

Manuscripts and numerous drawings for illustrations for bulletins
on " Farm House Heating Plants," " Farm House Lighting," and
" Farm Flydro-Electric Plants " were started but the work was not
completed.

Farmers' Bulletin No. 991, which is number five of the series " Care
and Repair of Farm Implements," was prepared and published.

The chief of the division, assigned to the Secretary's committee
on farm equipment control, did considerable work in this connection
during the year. Upon the resignation in the spring of 1919 of the
official in charge, all of that w- ork w^as turned over to the Division of
Rural Engineering and has been handled without any addition to
funds or personnel of the division.

During the season of 1918 the United States Food Administration
conducted a campaign looking to the conservation of grain through
improved methods of grain thrashing. Upon the termination of the
Food Administration's activities the grain saving work was taken

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 419

over by tlic Division of Rural Engineering in cooperation witii the
KStates Relations Service. In furtherance of the conservation woric
" thrasher schools " were held in various parts of the grain growing
sections of the country. Engineers of the division outlined the
courses for and attended these schools, giving talks and demonstra-
tions to farmers and thrasher men on thrasher operating. Though
the work was begun late in the spring the results were gratifying as
it was shown that more good can be accomplished by instruction
prior to the opening of the thrasher season than by an attempt at
supervision of operations during thrashing.

MISCELLANEOUS.

In connection with replies to requests for assistance on rural
engineering problems there were prepared sketches, data, and short
articles on a variety of subjects. In the solution of specific i)roblems
there were prepared sketch drawings of alterations and additions to
farmhouses, details of a concrete floor slab, sketch showing how to
cut rafters, a four-horse evener, a concrete seed and potato ware-
house, farmhouse heating layouts, farmhouse lighting layouts, a
hydropneumatic system for hard and soft water, farmstead^ayouts.

To the information series used in connection with the correspond-
ence there was added information relating to the following subjects:
Fireplace construction, farmstead planning, dairies, plaster and
plastering, building materials (manufacturers and dealers).

Problems and correspondence relating to the following subjects
have been handled :

Farm structures, Streimi surveys and developments,

Wall plasters and kalsoinincs, Farm ice nouses,

Ice house desii^ii and construction, Farmstead planning^

Farm water supply. Chemical closets,

I'arm sewage disposal, Farm implements,

Farm hydroelectric plants. Tractors and pas engines, '

Farm lighting systems, Protection against lightning.

Painting, Fencing,

Stump pullers, Stone work.

Farm heating systems, Insulation,

Windmill electric plants. Damp cellars.

Grinding mills. Cement stucco,

Thi-asher boiler inspection. Lumber,

Concrete construction, Motors, and

Cooling systems, Disinfectants.

Exhibits representing the work of the division were prepared for
use on county fair circuits; one was also sent to France. Plans for
farm structures were sent to France with a view to their use in con-
nection with the reconstruction of the devastated sections of that
country and for the instruction of members of the American Ex-
peditionary Forces who are expecting to follow farming when they
return to the United States.

TRACTION TESTS.

Calculation of results of traction tests made in the last few years
were discontinued in December owing to the induction into military
service of the man handling that work.

Under section 9 of " An act making appropriation for the service
of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1020,

420 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and for other purposes," the Secretary of Agriculture is required,
through the War Department, to ascertain the number of days any
soldier, sailor, or marine has worked on public roads in the several
States (other than roads within the limits of cantonments or mili-
tary reservations in the several States) during the war, the location
of the work, and the names and rank of the men so employed. It
is further authorized that any officer or enlisted man who has so
worked shall have his pay equalized to conform to the compensation
paid to civilian employees in the same or like employment, and the
amount found to be due shall be paid from the 1920 appropriation al-
lotted in section 8 of the same act to the States wherein the construc-
tion or repair work was performed.

As all work done as described in section 9, above referred to, was
under the supervision of the War'Department, and as the necessary
fiscal arrangements require the certification of some supervisory
official cognizant with the work, it was found desirable, to expedite
the preparation of the necessary pay vouchers, to ask the Secretary
of War to detail a representative of that department who should have
cognizance of the work to act as such certifying officer. In response
to this request the Secretary of War detailed a representative to act
conjointly with a representative assigned from the Bureau of Public
Roads of the Department of Argiculture, and the assembling of the
required records and claims and the preparation of the necessary
vouchers are now in progress.

ROAD MATERIAL TESTS AND RESEARCH.

During the first six months of the last fiscal year research work was
continued as during the previous j^ear in a much curtailed form. In-
ability to obtain men to replace those entering the Army, cooperation
Avith other branches of the Government in war activities, and super-
vision of specifications and the materials used in Federal-aid road
construction account for this lull in investigation work.

Up to November assistance was given the Fuel Administration in
its work for the United States Highways Council. This consisted in
making Tecommendations relative to granting permits for securing
bituminous materials for road construction and maintenance. In
November a plan of research was outlined in order to continue this
class of work with renewed vigor, and from November to the end of
the fiscal year this phase of laboratory activities has been greatly in-
creased with a corresponding increase in personnel.

ROUTINE CHEMICAL TESTING AND INSPECTION.

Tw^o hundred and sixty-three samples were examined in the chemi-
cal laboratory. This represents a decrease of 9 per cent as compared
with the preceding fiscal year. Of the samples examined, 206 were
bituminous materials, 46 metal, and 11 sand, rock, and Portland
cement.

PHYSICAL TESTS OF ROAD BUILDING MATERIAL.

In the physical laboratory, 1,804 samples were tested. This is an
increase of 7 per cent as compared with the preceding fiscal year,
and is well above the average of routine work. The samples may

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS.

421

be classified as follows : Rock, 262 ; concrete, 252 ; sand, 205 ; gravel,
151; slag, 54; cement, 49; miscellaneous. 111. Samples were re-
ceived from 41 States, and also from Canada. The geographical
distribution of samples examined is as follows :

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

2«
8
6
2
9
2

!I" lb

47

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina ___,

North Dakota

Ohio .

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington _

3

7

9

7

38

1

65

39

Florida __ _ __ .

. _ 39

15

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

10

2

15

2

17

8

Indiana _ _

2

14

Iowa

Kentucky

3

G

489

1

Maine

9

West Virginia

Wisconsin _ .

41

Marvland

32

6

Massachusetts

Michitran

15
14

.Canada

Total

Unclassifled

1

Minnesota

13

1, 081

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

17

8

13

7

3

1,084

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF ROAD-BUILDING ROCK.

The Petrographic Laboratory examined 686 samles of road-build-
ing material during the year, an increase of almost 9 per cent over
the preceding year and well above the average of routine work. Of
these samples, 249 were rock, 41 slag, 151 gravel, 189 sand, 45 clay,
and 11 miscellaneous.

Of the samples examined in the physical, chemical, and petro-
graphic laboratories, 355 were materials for use in Federal-aid con-
struction.

RESEARCH ON DUST PREVENTIVES AND ROAD BINDERS.

The following investigations have been under way on bituminous
materials: |

1. Comparison of old and new volatilization tests in gas and electric ovens.

2. Exposure tests on bituminous materials of known chemical composition.

3. Study of the distillation of California and Mexican peteroleum with refer*
ence to the manufacture of road oils.

4. Bituminous joint fillers.

5. Chemical composition of asphalts and tars.

6. Methods of making float tests.

7. Investigation of the action of copper salts on bituminous materials.

8. Investigation of the toughness of bituminous aggregates.

One investigation on the thickness of bituminous films on dilTer-
ent types of aggregates has been completed and ihe data is ready to
be worked up in form for publication. A study of the asphalt con-
tent of oils has also been completed and is ready to be put in shape
for publication. A paper is now being published on the micro-
scopic examination of bituminous materials. A paper on the Effi-
ciency of Bituminous Surfaces and Bituminous Pavements under

422 ' ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Heavy Motor Truck Traffic was presented before the American Road
Builders' Association.

EXPERIMENTAL BITUMINOUS ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE.

As during the previous year, supervision and inspection of experi-
mental bituminous roads has been confined largely to the vicinity
of Washington. One inspection was made, however, of the road
between Boston, Mass., and Portland, Me., and between Portland
and Bowdoinham, Mass.

NONBITUMINOUS ROAD MATERIAL INVESTIGATIONS.

The quarry investigations begun during the previous year to study
industrial practice in the preparation of commercial broken stone
aggregates with a view to standardization of sizes and to obtain cost
data, etc., was continued and an extensive study was made of the
quarries in the South and in eastern Massachusetts and of two quar-
ries near Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Altogether 64 inspections were made
of crushed stone producing plants. Papers written as a result of
these investigations appeared in the September, 1918, and the June,
1918, issues of Public Roads.

A large number of brick roads were inspected throughout Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri, in order to make a
detailed study of failures in this type of road, and a report on these
inspections was published in the February, 1919, issue of Public
Roads. A large number of slag-concrete roads were also insjDected
in the vicinity of Youngstown, Ohio, and a report was prepared on
this inspection.

STANDARDIZATION OF METHODS OF TESTING BITUMINOUS ROAD MATERIALS.

Cooperation Avith the American Society for Testing Materials was
continued through the Committee on Bituminous and Nonbituminous
Road Materials. The following investigations will be of direct bene-
fit in the standardization work of committee D-4 :

Asplialt content of oils.
Comparison of volatilization tests.
Chemical composition of asphalts and tars.
Methods of making float tests.

STANDARDIZATION OF METHODS OF TESTING NONBITUMINOUS ROAD MA-
TERIALS.

Tests were continued on a revised standard abrasion test of rock
and a study is being made of an abrasion test for gravel. Steps were
also taken during tlie year to study a new abrasion test for concrete.
A new abrasion test for stone block is also being standardized and
the results are available for the standardization work of the road
materials committee of the American Society for Testing Materials.

CONCRETE INVESTIGATIONS.

A large number of tests were made for the concrete-ship depart-
ment of the United States Shipping Board on the bond strength of
steel reinforcing bars coated with protective coatings. Tests were

BUREAU OF PUBLIC KOADS. 423

also made of the prcssure exerted by concrete against forms when
the concrete was poured at different rates. An elaborate series of
tests has been planned on an investigation of blast-furnace slag for
use in road and bridge construction, and a large number of samples
of slag have been collected from all of tlie principal slag producing
plants in the country. A new instrument has been designed and built
in the division for measuring the wear of concrete roads under traffic.
This instrument will be described in a coming report in Public Eoads.
Wear measurements were made on the Camp A. A. Humphreys con-
crete road with this instrument.

The work of testing concrete slabs was temporarily discontinued
during the year but will be resumed as soon as possible. A paper
based on past tests appeared in the September, 1918, issue of Public
Roads. An investigation on the " Bonding of new cement mortar
and concrete to old " was completed, and a paper on this subject was
published in Public Eoads of eJune, 1919.

ROAD AND BRIDGE FOUNDATION TESTS.

The field tests conducted upon earth fills in the vicinity of Wash-
ington were continued, an effort being made to determine accurately
the pressures exerted by earth fills against retaining walls. Tests
were also continued on the distribution of pressures through earth
fills. Specimens have l)een prepared for conducting impact tests on
road slabs. The slabs are laid directly on the subgrade and will be
tested under the impact of a machine designed to give the same
effect as the rear wheel of a heavy motor truck. A large number of
tests have also been made to measure the impact exerted by trucks
on roads and a preliininarly paper has been prepared. Specimens
and apparatus have also been built for a new series of tests on the
wear-resisting qualities of paving sections. These sections are laid
in narrow strips to a total length of 400 feet and will be subjected
to rapid wear by means of a special truck designed to travel con-
tinuously back and forth over a narrow portion of the test section.
Preliminary tests have also been started on the bearing power of
soils with particular reference to the subgrades of roads. A field test
was made on the Camp Humphreys concrete road in order to de-
termine the distribution of concentrated loads through the road to
the subgrade. A paper on this test appeared in the April issue of
Public Roads. The above tests were outlined to throw light upon the
theoretical design of higher types of roads.

FEDERAL-AID MATERIALS TESTS.

During the year 2,491 test reports submitted by laboratories
throughout the country on samples of material used in Federal-aid
road construction Avere examined and comments prepared regarding
them. In addition, 92 specifications proposed for use in Federal-aid
construction were examined and recommendations were made regard-
ing those parts of the specifications dealing with materials.

INSTRUMENT MAKING AND REPAIRING.

• Since March 5 the machine shop has been included under the direc-
tion of the Division of Tests, and during that period 28 jobs have
been completed.

424 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

REORGANIZATION OF DISTRICTS.

In order to properly meet the demands that would necessarily be
made upon the department as a result of this enlarged road building,
it was necessary that the personnel and organization of the Bureau
of Public Roads be expanded. Ten district offices had been previ-
ously established, and a sufficient number of additional engineers were
assigned to each district to handle the work expeditiously. In the
districts comprising the Western States where the National Forests
are largely located, a number of subclistrict offices were also estab-
lished to facilitate the handling of the large amount of forest road
work in those districts. The necessary increase in the engineering
force of the department was greatly facilitated by the return and
reinstatement of a number of engineers who had previously left the
department to enter the military service.

FEDERAL AID ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Since all post road work under the Federal aid road act is done
in cooperation with the several State highway departments, it was
deemed advisable to devise some appropriate means for bringing
about the most cordial and mutually helpful relations possible between
this department and the several State highway departments. To this
end there Avas created a Federal Aid Advisory Committee, composed
of six State highway officials designated by the American Associa-
tion of State Highway Officials. The State highAvay officials desig-
nated to serve on this committee were selected with a view to hav-
ing the committee representative of the several sections of the coun-
try. It is the hope of the department that through this committee
it may profit by the experiences of the respective State highway de-
parments and become more intimately acquainted with the road
problems and needs peculiar to particular States or localities.

CHANGES IN PERSONNEL.

During the year just past a number of men who had been instru-
mental in the upbuilding of the work of the bureau, resigned to
accept positions in. State and commercial work. The following are
the most important changes which have occurred : Mr. J. E. Penny-
backer, a member of the organization almost since its inception,
chief of the Division of Economics and later chief of management,
resigned in February, 1919; Mr. Prevost Hubbard, chemical en-
gineer and chief of the Division of Tests and Research, who had
been with the bureau since 1905, resigned in July, 1919; Mr. M. O.
Eldrid|ve, for 25 years connected with the bureau as assistant in
economics, resigned in July, 1919; Mr. C. S. Reeve, chemist and
assistant to Mr. Hubbard, who had been with the bureau since 1909,
resigned in June, 1919 ; Mr. H. K. Bishop, district engineer of dis-
trict No. 10^ stationed at Washington, resigned in May, 1919.

DEATH OF DIRECTOR LOGAN WALLER PAGE.

Logan Waller Page, for many years director of the bureau, died
suddenly on December 9, 1918, while attending the annual meeting
of the American Association of State Highway Officials at Chicago.

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 425

Born in Richmond in 1870, he received the foundation of liis scien-
tific trrtinin<r in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the Lawrence
Scientific School of Harvard University, and began his real Avork,
which made" him one of the pioneers of scientific road building in
the United States when, in 1893, Nathaniel S. Shaler, then pro-
fessor of geology at Harvard and chairman of the Massachusetts
State Highway Commission, made him geologist and testing en-
gineer of the commission. In this office he made the first extensive
scientific investigation of road-building materials conducted in this
country. He improvexi the French machines for testing the hard-
ness of rocks and their resistance to wear, and evolved the Page
machine for testing their resistance to impact. Tests of the binding
property of rock chist and of the toughness of rock were developed
in his Massachusetts laboratory, and subsequently were improved
under his direction in the laboratory of the bureau.

After 7 years of valuable work m Massachusetts Mr. Page was
invited to become chief of the Division of Tests in the Bureau of
Chemistry in order to conduct scientific study of road building on a
national scale, and when, in 1905, it was decided to consolidate all
branches of highway work, he was made director of the Office of
Public Roads. From a small beginning the work of the office
developed and extended until at his death it was cooperating in
road construction with every State in the Union.

Mr. Page realized early that in order to bring about an era of
good roads the people must know about them. He organized a divi-
sion of lectures and exhibits, and with a force of tramed men went
into the country to spread the doctrine of good roads before State,
county, and town officuds, farmers, bankers, and merchants. Througli
the building of numerous experimental roads of different types of
construction and studying the service to which they were subjected
true facts regarding disputed features and materials of road building
were ascertained. With the early indications of the destructive in-
fluence of automobiles upon roads came studies of the nature of this
weai^ and the publication of articles urging more durable forms of
construction to meet the new conditions.

During all these years State after State established highway de-

artments, and to not a few of these in their formative stages Mr.
^age lent great and much-appreciated assistance. The dei^artments
as they were formed necessarily passed through many of the same
stages of growth that characterized the groAvth of the Office of Public
Roads. There was no official connection between the Federal and
the State organizations, but there was a great deal of voluntary co-
operation, and the Office of Public Roads was looked to by many of
the State organizations to help solve perplexing problems. Finally
in 1916 the Federal aid road act was passed and the administration
of the act delegated to the Office of Public Roads by the Secretary
of Agriculture. This act brought to road building national recogni-
tion, and was the logical outcome of all the yesterdays of endeavor
on the part of the Federal and State organizations. The great in-
crease in the duties and responsibilities thrown upon Mr. Page by
this act, which were further intensified by the worries and perplexi-
ties which mounted higher and higher after Avar was declared, would
have overtaxed a constitution much more rugged than his. It is a

15l3r>2''— 19 28

f

426 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

sad commentary that when the work of a lifetime had seemed just
ready to open out into a field of great national import Mr. Page's
death came so suddenly and so unannounced. But his work is not
ended, and even now the results are meager as compared to the great
highways which are beginning to take form so rapidly. It is a great
movement and has national and enthusiastic publi(^ support. But
the work which he did is not forgotten or unai3preciated by the road
builders of the country.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF MARKETS.

United States Depart^jlent of Agkiculture,

Bureau of ISIarkets,
Washington, D, C, Scptemher 23, 1919.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the work
of the Bureau of Markets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Respectfully,

George Livingston,
Acting Chief of Bureau.
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Seci^etai'y of Agriculture,

Durin<:^ the fiscal year 1919 the work of the Bureau of Markets was
directed by Mr. Charles J. Brand, who resigned June 30, 1919. to
accept a commercial position.

The appropriations available were largely augmented by emer-
gency funds, which were deemed to be necessary at the time the ap-
propriation bills were passed in the fall of 1918. The unexpected
signing of the armistice changed the aspect of the work materially,
however, and it was necessary by the middle of the year to take steps
to anticipate the discontinuance of emergency appropriations at the
end of June and to prepare to place the Bureau on a normal basis at
the beginning of the new fiscal year with as little confusion and detri-
ment to the work as possible. The various market news services of
the Bureau liad been much expanded with emergency funds and this
forced contraction of work made it necessary either to discontinue
certain leased-wirc circuits during the latter part of the fiscal j'ear
or to serve notice that such discontinuance would have to be effected
in the summer or fall. Vigorous protests against this action were
received, especially from the western part of the countiy, which was
to suffer the greatest loss in service.

These reductions in appropriations caused the elimination of much
work which would have an important bearing on present prol3lems
in connection with the distribution of food products. Therefore,
Congress has recently been requested to provide appropriations for
restoring the leased-wire services mentioned and to allows the Bureau
to take up certain work which was discontinued, including monthly
reports to show the amount of cereals, sugar, and canned goods held
in storage, and the city market-reporting service whereby consumers
may receive information regarding prices and supplies of fresh foods
in important markets.

427

428 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Between the time of the signing of the armistice and the close of
the fiscal year, the Bureau reduced its forces greatly and this process
of curtailment has continued steadily through the first months of the
present fiscal year. In addition, a large turnover in personnel has
taken place. The number of separations in the period indicated ex-
ceeded 800, and this added much to the difficulty of performing our
work.

As stated in the report for the fiscal year 1918, the regulation of
stockyards and live-stock dealers was undertaken by the Department
of Agriculture in response to the proclamation of the President
issued on June 18, 1918. The Chief of the Bureau of Markets was
designated by the Secretary to administer the supervision of licensees
under this proclamation. Supervisors have been stationed in 26 of
the most important live-stock markets and in 121 additional stock-
yards. In the course of this work it has been possible to recommend
and bring about many specific economies and improvements, and the
mere fact that the regulations were being enforced caused the volun-
tary elimination of many irregularities and injurious practices.

The data gathered in the food supply investigations, which have
been carried on for the last two years, have been arranged in a series
of reports dealing with various phases of the processes of marketing
live stock and grain, and several of these reports have been sent to
the Federal Trade Commission to be used in connection with their
reports on various phases of the food supply situation. The further
prosecution of this work should lead to additional valuable results.

The distribution of nitrate of soda, originally undertaken in the
1918 season, was continued during the spring and summer of
1919. On the basis of prevailing retail prices, as reported to
the Department, it is estimated that this work saved to the farmers
of the country approximately $2,000,000 during the last year
alone. Nearly 153,000 tons of nitrate were distributed this year at
the price of $81 per short ton f . o. b. shipping point.

Butter was added to the commodities upon which the Bureau ren-
dered an inspection service during the past year, though such inspec-
tions were instituted on a very modest scale, on account of the lack
of funds. This service was conducted in New York, Philadelphia,
Chicago, and Minneapolis and will be extended to other important
markets when increased appropriations become available.

By Executive order dated December 31, 1918, the work of the
domestic wool section of the War Industries Board was transferred
to the Bureau of Markets for completion. The accounts received
from dealers are being audited, and the excess profits made by them
will be collected and distributed to the producers. It is antici-
pated that this work will be virtually completed during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1920.

On March 4, 1919, the cotton futures act was amended so as to
limit the grades deliverable on future contracts to 10 ; to provide for
the classification by the Department of Agriculture of all cotton
delivered on future contracts on the exchanges at New York and
New Orleans, entered into after March 4, 1919; and to give the
Secretary of Agriculture additional authority to conduct investiga-
tions as to the purchase and sale of spot cotton in order to secure
accurate quotations of the prices of the various grades. This legisla-

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 429

tion was passed because it was thought that the tenclerability of
certain low-grade cotton served to depress the vaUie of contracts,
because it was considered desirable to avoid the expense and delay
involved in the settlement of contracts under the former plan of
classification and determination of disputes, because it was believed
that these steps would enhance the value of the contract both intrinsi-
cally and through increased public confidence, and because the secur-
ing and publishing of accurate quotations for spot cotton, particu-
larly of nontenderable grades, was deemed to be of very great
importance to producers and the trade.

For the sake of convenience the work of the Bureau is shown in
the following detailed report under throe classifications: (1) Inves-
tigational and demonstrational; (2) service; and (3) regulatory.

INVESTIGATIONAL AND DEMONSTRATIONAL WORK.

FOOD SUPPLY INVESTIGATIONS.

During the year the work of this project, which was supervised
by Mr. C. S. Cole, consisted largely of the preparation of reports
from the data which were obtained during the previous year and
which were discussed fully in the Bureau's annual report for the
fiscal year 1918. Some of these reports have been tiansmitted to the
Federal Trade Commission for use in connection with their reports
on various phases of the food-supply situation.

One report, based on records of 880 shipments of cattle, hogs, and
sheep, deals with questions of transportation, shrinkage, commis-
sion charges, and miscellaneous expenses. It compares the costs of
such shipments by seasons and by classes of dealers concerned, and
is valuable in indicating the most economical methods of marketing
live stock.

Kecords taken from the books of 139 elevators in Illinois and Iowa,
covering a period of five yearn, have been analyzed in another report
which deals with general expenses, profits, the seasonal flow of grain,
and buving margins between country and terminal markets. This
report is practically ready for publication.

The relation of so-called " wirehouses " to future trading and to
the cash grain business is discussed in another report which analyzes
such establishments to determine their place as a factor in terminal
grain marketing and their economic usefulness. A map has been
prepared showing the ramifications of the private wires centering
in Chicago.

A report on terminal elevators discusses their relation to other
factors in the Chicago market. It contains a summary of figures
which were taken from the books of several large terminal elevators
and which show the results of mixing and conditioning grain, the
sources from which grain comes and to whom it is sold. The figures
relating to the mixing and conditioning of grain are probably the
most authentic and comprehensive ever gathered.

Fic;ures were abstracted from the books of five large line elevators
in Minneapolis dealing with 265 country stations that show the
grades, weights, and dockage assessed at the country station and at
the terminal. These figures cover a period of five years and include
43 jOOOjOOO bushels of various grains.

430 AKXUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE.

COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AND MARKETING.

This work during the latter part of the fiscal year ended June 30,
1919, Avas supervised by Mr. O. B. Jesness, succeeding Mr. C. E. Bas-
sett, who resigned in December, 1918.

Personal assistance has been given in the solution of many organi-
zation problems ; for example, assistance was given to dairy farmers
in New England in preparing organization plans, and work of the
same character was done with peanut growers in Virginia and North
Carolina, bean producers in New York and Colorado, and potato
growers in Michigan.

Organization problems were discussed and explained at a numl^or
of general gatherings, such as farmers' week and farm bureau meet-
ings. Existing organizations were helped, and information relative
to organization questions was supplied to a large number of individ-
uals in this way.

A number of cooperative marketing organizations were visited to
obtain information Avith regard to their form of organization, method
of operation and problems encountered, and the general survey of
cooperation in the United States, started some years ago, was con-
tinued.

State cooperative laws were studied and suggestions in regard to
such legislation were given upon request. The suggested cooperative
law published in Service and Regulatory Announcements No. 20
(1917) has formed the basis for at least two State laws in force at
the present tim.e, and the legislature of a third State has passed a
similar law which has just been approved b}^ the governor.
Similar legislation has been under consideration in other States dur-
ing recent sessions of the legislatures.

CITY MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION.

Concentration of public interest on the high cost of food during
the past year has caused a number of municipalities to take under
consideration the matter of publicly owned retail markets as a means
for obtaining lower prices and more efficient distribution. As a
result, the project " City Marketing and Distribution," under the
leadership of Mr. G. V. Branch, has been called upon during the fiscal
year for surveys, information, and advice in regard to food distribu-
tion problems. Work of this nature has been carried on in Cleveland,
Akron, and Toledo, Ohio; Jacksonville, Ke.y West, Miami, and St.
Augiistine, Fla. ; Indianapolis, Ind. ; Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Rich-
mond, Va. In the city last named a comprehensive program for
the betterment of its public market system was formulated and
plans were furnished for the improvement of existing structures
and for the installation of refrigeration and cold-storage facilities.
The results of this work should be useful in solving comparable
problems in other communities. Information and advice also liave
been given to other municipal governments and to market commit-
tees, farmers' organizations, and others.

Studies made in various cities indicate that meats and dairy prod-
ucts may be handled in their public markets at less expense to the
dealer than in outside stores. The problem remains, and is receiv-
ing earnest attention, to see that the consumers participate in the
savings effected by the dealers.

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 431

A number of specific market engineering problems received atten-
tion during the year and progress was made in perfecting a combined
glass-covered refrigerated display and storage counter for meats,
especially suited for installation in public retail markets. Studies
made during the year added to the information upon which designs
and estimates for market layouts, structures, and equipment must
be based.

To help cities in establishing farmers' markets considerable atten-
tion has been given to the study of existing market ordinances, and
an endeavor has been made to prepare a suggestive ordinance which
incorporates necessary and practical provisions for the successful
establishment, financing, and operation of such markets.

Investigations were carried on in various types of retail establisli-
ments handling farm products because the cost of operation in food-
retailing shops is obviously an important factor in the ultimate cost
of food to consumers and because the degree of efficiency c^tained in
such operation affects the whole distribution system. Particular at-
tention was given to what may be termed the improved methods of
retail distribution, including the so-called " Four-square plan," " Self-
service," " Cash and carry," etc.

The marked development of self-service stores in recent years
constitutes one of the outstanding features in present-day retail
marketing of food. The system is economical of man power and
-eems to give promise of appreciably lower prices to consumers.
Little has been known generally, however, about the actual savings
and the principles and methods upon which these stores depend, and
the Bureau has received numerous inquiries in regard to these points.
Investigations, consequently', were carried on in practically all sec-
tions of the United St;i<o^ in Avhidi the development of these agencies
has been marked.

TRANSPOKTATION AND STORAGE.

The transportation work of the Bureau is directed by Mr. G. C.
White.

As in previous years, the perfecting of arrangements with common
carriers for reports to be used in connection with the Bureau's mar-
ket news services occupied the major portion of the time and efforts
of the Avorkers on this project. Five hundred and ninety-four com-
mon carriers made reports to the Bureau, these carriers controlling
248,722 miles, which for practical purposes is the entire mileage of
the United States. The term connnon carrier as use<I in this connec-
tion includes railroads, express companies, and boat lines.

The storage work of the project was interrupted by the detail of the
specialist in storage to the War Department in the latter part of Octo-
ber, 1918. Up to that date regulatory measures had been devised, in
cooperation with the United States Food Administration, for the con-
( rol of the cold-storage industr}^ and plans for the transportation of
meats to the figliting front had been worked out in cooperation with
the War Department. In order to continue the storage work, an
assistant in cold-storage methods and costs Avas appointed temporarily
and spent the remainder of the year, in cooperation with the project
'' Market Business Practice," in working out a system of uniform
accounting for cold-storage plants.

432 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIRECT MARKETING ACTIVITIES.

The general aim in this work, which was under the supervision of
Mr. Lewis B. Flohr, was to ascertain, analyze, and classify the factors
that operate for or against the successful marketing of farm produce
by parcel post or express from producers direct to consumers; to de-
termine definitely the limitations of direct marketing both from
physical and economic standpoints ; and to diffuse useful information
to interested persons.

During the year experimental shipments to the number of 303, in-
volving 18 commodities and aggregating in weight 6,856J poimds,
were made by parcel post and express over distances totaling 63,164
miles. The purpose in making these shipments was to obtain first-
hand information as to the physical condition of farm produce trans-
ported by parcel post and express and to test the efficiency of different
kinds of shipping containers. In nearly every instance the success of
the shipments depended on the quality of the product, the tj^pe of
container, care used in packing and transporting, and length of time
in -transit. The value of a commodity in proportion to its weight and
the price which it will bring are factors which must be considered in
determining the desirability of marketing by parcel post and express.

Field studies were made in the vicinity of Detroit, Mich., and on
the rural parcel post motor routes from Washington, D. C, to
McConnellsburg, Pa., to determine the possibilities of the direct
marketing of farm products by motor truck, and to ascertain the
relative success of efforts that have been made to popularize direct
marketing.

In the New England States and in eastern New York work was
conducted for the purpose of bringing producers and consumers into
business contact. Lists of names and addresses of farmers, with
the kinds of products they had for sale, were compiled, and copies
of these lists were supplied to consumers in cities. Lists giving
consumers' names, addresses, and products wanted were supplied
to producers. Similar work was conducted for six months in western
New York with Rochester, Corning, and Lockport as consuming
centers.

During the year study was completed regarding the marketing
of dressed poultry and meats by parcel post, and, in cooperation
with the States Relations Service, assistance has been given to ex-
tension workers in solving problems relating to the marketing of
boys' and girls' club products.

Studies have been made regarding the marketing of home and
club canned goods, drug plants, moss, mushrooms, nuts, sirups, and
teasel heads.

MOTOR TRANSPORTATION OF FARM PRODUCTS.

This work Avas started in March, 1918, and was continued up to
the close of the fiscal year 1919 under the direction of Mr. J. H.
Collins.

Widespread popular interest has for some time been manifested
in agricultural districts in the possibilities of obtaining more direct
transportation service through more complete utilization of our
highways, and this work was designed to assist in the development
of this movement along proper lines. Direct cooperation was main-
tained with owners and operators of existing motor-truck routes.

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 433

An accounting system designed to indicate costs of operation and
approved forms for shipping records were devised for the use of
operators of motor routes. Empliasis was phiced on the necessity
for the adequate insurance of cargoes, and provisions to be incorpo-
rated in cargo insurance policies Avere suggested after consultation
with responsible underwriters. The advantages resulting from the
use of proper terminal facilities were pointed out, and the possi-
bilities of establishing central terminal facilities for all routes in
certain cities were investigated. Eight demonstration routes were
established and operated successful l3\ Studies also were made of
the operation of farmers' cooperative truck associations, and a pre-
liminary survey of the marketing of live sto k by motor truck was
conducted in certain live-stock centers. This study, which was
completed during the fiscal year, was principally confined to farm
areas in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, western New York,
northern Ohio, and eastern Nebraska. Two bulletins listed at the
end of this report were published and give results of this study.
These publications have been in wide demand.

MARKET BUSINESS PRACTICE.

The work of this project w«s somewhat interrupted during the
year by the loss of technical men through resignation, enlistment
in the military service, or lu^signmont to other war work. On ac-
count of this condition, a large portion of the regular work was
suspended.

As a result of the past three years' work a manuscript outlining
a uniform classification of accounts for creameries has been prepared.
This manuscript discusses many of the undesirable business practices
employed by creamery managers and points out the procedure which
should be followed.

Further investigation of the accounting and business practices
of milk-distributing plants has been made, and advice regarding
proper procedure and methods has been given to a number of
plants. The procedure under the system installed for experimental
operation at Grand Rapids.Mich., and at Burlington, Vt., has been
carefully observed and perfected.

The operation of a tentative system of accounting for purchasing
organizations and cooperative stores has been carefully studied and
as a result a manuscript describing the accounting methods and busi-
ness practices of such organizations has been prepared.

With the promulgation of official grades for grain, it becamo evi-
dent that it would be desirable to revise the methods of accounting
which were reconmiended for grain elevators outlined in Departuient
Bulletin No. 362, and after a great deal of study a manuscript sug-
gesting changes was prepared. In addition to this, the methods
employed in marketing grain in the Pacific northwest Avere studied
"Nvith a view to devising a system of accounting to meet the peculiar
needs of that section.

A tentative system of accounting for cold-storage plants was de-
vised and installed for experimental operation at Boston, Mass., and
has been carefully watched during the year. Extensive investiga-
tions of the business practices and accounting methods of cold-storage
l)lants have been conducted, and numerous conferences have been held
with leaders of the industry.

434 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Investigations of the methods of accounting used by and the busi-
ness practices of commission houses and handlers of i^erishable fruits
and vegetables were completed, and tentative accounting systems
were installed in eight organizations for experimental operation.

As a result of extensive investigation regarding the accounting-
needs of cotton gin operators, a system of accounting for such agen-
cies has been devised and is now ready for experimental operation.

Methods of demonstrating the work in accounting and business
practice have been given careful consideration and it should be pos-
sible to obtain very good results by using the bulletins as a basis for
short courses for managers and bookkeepers of marketing organiza-
tions. A large number of State schools and colleges have expressed
a desire for material of this character upon which to base such
courses.

FOREIGN MARKETING INVESTIGATIONS.

The signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918, marked the be-
ginning of unusual activity among producers and exporters in i)rep-
aration for the resumption of foreign trade, and extensive demands
have been made for information concerning foreigii marketing con-
ditions. Studies were made regarding the marketing in foreign
countries of such American agricultural products as grain, grain
products, rice, seeds, cotton, vegetable oils, oil cake, dairy products,
live stock, and meats ; fresh, dried, and canned fruits and vegetables ;
and honey, nuts, and leaf tobacco. A large number of official and
private foreign publications were reviewed regularl}^ and abstracts
and translations were made from them for use in answering corre-
spondence and for publication. The work of this project vras directed
by Mr. C. W. Moomaw.

Statistics covering exports of agricultural products from the
United States by 10-day periods were tabulated during the year, al-
though this work was discontinued in June. Information assembled
from steamship manifests at the iSTew York customhouse was used
in the publication of daily and weekly reports on the current ex-
ports and imports of live stock, meats, dairy products, grain, fruits,
and vegetables.

Cooperation was maintained with an interdepartmental committee
appointed to classify the export and import statistics published by
the Department of Commerce, and for several months work was done
in the revision of the classification for agricultural commodities.
It is expected that this reclassification will be put into effect Janu-
ary 1, 1920.

To meet the demand for information on foreign markets the
publication of a weekly circular entitled " Reports on Foreign Mar-
kets for Agricultural Products" was commenced in March, 1919.
This publication has been widely circulated and favorably received.

An investigation concerning the fruit markets in Australia and
New Zealand was completed in November, 1918, and a report on
this subject was prepared for publication. Coincident with this in-
vestigation the live stock, meat, wool, and dairying industries of
Australasia were studied.

As a result of representations made by an investigator of this
Bureau through the American consul general at Auckland, the Gov-

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 435

eminent of New Zealand opened its markets to American grapes,
which previously had not been allowed entry into that country.

In cooperation with the project '' Marketing Live Stock, Meats,
and Animal By-Products," an investigator was sent abroad to study
the conditions in the live stock, meat, and dairy industries of the
United Kingdom and Europe, and to estimate the possible demands
upon America during the readjustment period. During the visit of
tills representative to France the Ministry of Agriculture removed
existing restrictions against the importation of American cattle and
l^laced an order in the United States for large numbers of dairy
cattle. This Bureau also was instrumental in making an arrange-
ment with the United States Shipping Board whereby these cattle
could be shipped to France.

In June, 1919, in cooperation with the project mentioned above,
representatives were sent to South America to study the markets
for American purebred live stock. In connection with this work
attractively illustrated booklets printed in Spanish and Portuguese
were issued dealing with the purebred live-stock industry of the
United States.

At the request of the relief commission the Bureau of Markets,
in Februar}', 1919, sent a grain expert to Europe to assist in esti-
mating the crop and food conditions in the central countries.

In May, 1919, an agricultural trade commissioner was sent to the
United Kingdom to study the markets for American agricultural
products in that region and to make regular reports by letter and
cable on this subject for the information of the American public.
Representatives of the same sort should be placed in France, Italy,
and Denmark for work in central, southern, and northern Europe,
but at present funds will not permit this expansion.

RURAL COOPERATION.

This work was prosecuted under the supervision of Mr. C. W.
Thompson during the past fiscal year. The supervision and direction
of the investigations concerning rural insurance, rural telephone com-
panies, and rural social and educational activities was, at the end of
tlie year, transferred to the Office of Farm Management in accordance
with the plans of the department for an enlargement of the field of
that office to include all studies pertaining to farm economics and
farm life. The rural credit investigations were discontinued since
Congress failed to appropriate funds for the further prosecution of
this work.

RURAL CREDIT, INSURANCE, AND COMMUNICATION.

During the fiscal year 1919, a study was made of the farm credit
extended by banks, assistance was given the Bureau of the Census
in the preparation of the 1920 census schedule, press releases and
other material relative to farmers' credit unions in the United States
were prepared, and a number of articles on rural credit were
published.

A model State law was draAvn up for farmers' mutual fire in-
surance companies, a manuscript for a bulletin on prevailing plans
and practices among farmers' mutual fire insurance companies was

436 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

prepared, a suggested system of records for such companies was
completed, assistance was given in the formation of two new State
associations of mutual insurance companies, and special attention
was given to the study of hail insurance and other special forms of
agricultural insurance.

BURAL SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Information was assembled regarding the more important farm-
ers' organizations for promoting rural social and educational ac-
tivities, a list of State and local fairs was compiled and brought
down to date, the study of rural community buildings was con-
tinued, and a bulletin on this subject Avas prepared for publication.

FOOD SURVEYS.

The food-survey work, conducted under the authority of the food
production act and directly supervised by Mr. C. W. Thompson,
was brought to a close on June 30, 1919, with the expiration of the
emergency appropriation.

Monthly reports of commercial stocks of foodstuffs in the hands
of selected classes of business concerns were published throughout the
year in a periodical entitled "Food Surveys." These reports cov-
ered 22 different commodities and were based upon schedules re-
ceived from about 20,000 firms each month.

General surveys were made as of July 1, 1918, and January 1,
1919, covering 67 and 68 commodities, respectively. The survey of
July 1, 1918, included retail dealers, while that of January 1, 1919,
was confined to manufacturers, storage establishments, and whole-
sale dealers. The data obtained through these surveys were pub-
lished in considerable detail in special issues of " Food Surveys,"
with diagi'ams presenting the most significant facts in graphic form.

Tabulation of the results of the household survey, for which the
schedules were assembled in the early part of 1918, was completed
and a report was prepared comprising tables, diagrams, and explana-
tory text, and showing per capita consumption and household stocks
per family.

Eeports regarding the amount of wheat and other grains thrashed
in the United States were secured from thrashermen, in cooperation
with the States Eelations Service, and the results of this inquiry were
supplied to the Bureau of Crop Estimates.

COOPERATION WITH THE STATES IN MARKETING WORK.

The Bureau of Markets cooperated with 22 States in the conduct
of marketing work during the fiscal year 1919 — namely, Arkansas,
Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massa-
chusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, IMississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Carolina. Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont,
Virginia, and Washington.

The marketing work in each of these States is under the immediate
leadership of a State agent in marketing, whose function it is to as-
sist in coordinating the marketing work done by various agencies in
the State concerned. In the majority of the States these agents have
assistants engaged on special phases of marketing, four or five men
being employed in some cases.

BUREAU OF MAKKETS. 437

During the fiscal year 1919, Mr. J. C. Skinner represented the
Bureau of Markets in the administration and supervision of this
Avork from Washington. In some States general surveys were con-
ducted to obtain information regarding the marketing methods in
use and the kinds of assistance most needed. Special investigations
regarding the marketing of specific commodities have been conducted
from time to time. The State agent in marketing acts as a clearing
house for information regarding supply and demand, markets for
all sorts of farm produce, and many other matters.

In many States assistance was given in the organization of live-
stock shipping and other cooperative associations. By-laws for such
associations were prepared and accounting systems installed to in-
sure the businesslike management of such agencies. A great deal of
work was done in the drought areas of the West in locating supplies
of hay and feed to be shipped to owners of stock. The United States
Eailroad Administration assisted in this work by allowing a half
freight rate. In the Southern States much work has been done to
interest the growers of sweet potatoes in building storage houses to
prevent the waste which now occurs in connection with the storage
of this crop. Demonstrations of packing and grading fruits, vege-
tables, and grain have been held and other work has been done to
promote better marketing methods.

MARKET GRADES AND STANDARDS FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

Under this proj.ect, which was directed by Messrs. W. M. Scott and
C. T. More, the Bureau continued its investigations of the harvesting,
grading, packing, and shipping of fruits and vegetables. The scope
of the work during the past year, however, was relatively limited be-
cause of the loss of experienced men to the military and naval
services.

Throughout the country an increasing interest has been shown in
uniform grades for fruits and vegetables. The work of the United
States Food Administration in enforcing the acceptance of shipments
and adjusting claims and the results brought about by the operation
of the Food Products Inspection Service did much to demonstrate the
necessity of establishing definite standards.

In the principal apple-producing sections of the country informa-
tion was gathered for use in making specifications for grades of both
barreled and boxed apples. As a result of the investigations in the
eastern part of the country, a bulletin has been prepared dealing with
the preparation of barreled apples for market. Recommendations re-
garding improved equipment and operating methods for central
packing houses in the East have been made. In cooperation with the
West Virginia Agricultural College tentative plans were drawn for
the erection of a demonstration packing house in the State, and
methods for equipping it were recommended. In the Western States
a keen interest has been shown in securing uniform State apple
grades, and recommendations were recently made frt a western con-
ference that uniform grades for boxed apples be established.

Investigations carried on in Georgia and Virginia developed the
need of an improved type of peach-sizing machine, and such a ma-
chine was built and installed in Georgia. An improved model is now
being perfected and the study of peach grading and peach packing
houses has been continued.

438 a:nnual eepokts of department of agpjculture.

On January 31, 1918, orders Avere issued making compulsory upon
the part of licensees of the United States Food Administration the
use of the potato grades prepared by the Bureau of Markets, which
were jointly recommended by the Department of Agriculture and the
Food Administration in September, 1917. Following the signing of
the armistice these regulations were canceled. A striking improve-
ment in the grading of i)otatoes resulted from the recommendation
and promulgation of these standards, and the best indication of the
need for national standard grades is the fact that these grades for
potatoes are still voluntaril}- in as wide use as they were before the
regulations making their use compulsory were canceled six months
ago. Several States have adopted these grades and made their use
compulsory. As a result of continued demonstrational and investiga-
tional work minor changes in these grades were recommended ~on.
February 10, 1919, and specifications for a fancy grade have been
worked out. This fancy grade will be used largety for the large,
smooth, bright potatoes produced in the irrigated sections of the
West.

The grades recommended by the Bureau of Markets for domestic
Bermuda onions were again used by the Texas State inspectors dur-
ing the past season. The grading of northern or late onions is no\7
being studied in order that grade specifications may be recommended
by the end of the 1919 season.

Investigations of the grading of tomatoes, cabbage, and of some
other vegetable crops have progressed to the point where it is be-
lieved that grade specifications can be recommended in time for use
during the next harvesting season.

Study of the containers used in the marketing of perishables has
progressed in a very satisfactory manner during the past fiscal jquv.
Growers, shippers, manufacturers, and the produce trade are showing
a greath^ increased interest in package standardization.

PRESERVATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN TRANSIT AND STORAGE.

During the greater part of the fiscal year 1919 this work was under
the supervision of Mr. H. J. Ramsey and after liis resignation was
directed jointl}^ by Messrs. C. W. Mann and A. W. McKay. Antici-
pating tiie fact that the funds for this project Avould be greatly
reduced by the elimination of the emergency appropriation on June
30, 1919, it was necessary to adopt a policy of curtailment during
the closing months of the past fiscal year and to dismiss many trained-
investigators.

Particular attention was given to the methods of handling potatoes
in the Delta section of California: cantaloupes in California, Arizona,
Colorado, and Indiana ; and lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, and onions in
the Gulf States and Florida. Demonstrations were made to point
out to growers that decay in the transportation of these products is
primarily due to faulty methods of handling and refrigerating.
Marked reductions in losses resulted from the application of more
careful methods of digging and grading potatoes and the main-
tenance of suitable temperature in refrigerator cars and storage
houses and by effecting certain improvements in the handling of
lettuce, such as the more complete removal of the lower leaves of each
head in harvesting, and shipment in ventilated crates instead of
closed hampers. It was found that the decay of strawberries in

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 439

tinnsit results largely from avoidable injuries inflicted in picking
i\nd washing operations and from inefficient refrigeration.

Additional data were secured regarding the effect on the keeping
(|iiulities of perishables of various types of refrigerator cars, methods
of loading, etc. Vegetables from the South shipped in properly con-
tnicted cars cooled 1° an hour faster than those forwarded in cars
nf the ordinary type and deteriorated less than one-third as much.
Experimental shipments to determine the practicability of the ^ use
of salt and ice to secure more rapid cooling were continued, and a
survey of icing stations was undertaken with a view to suggestinir
means of reducing present losses of ice.

The fundamental principles underlying the proper design and
( onstruction of heater cars for use in the northern sections of the
country, where severe losses occur in shipments during cold weather,
were carefully studied in a special testing plant equipped by the
Bnreau for this purpose at Eoseville, Calif. Specifications for
heater cai^, based on the results of these tests, have been adopted by
Ihe Railroad Administration.

Investigations and demonstrations regarding the factors under-
lying the successful storage of fruits and vegetables were continued.
In the Pacific northwest and in Colorado 40 common storage houses
for apples and more than 200 potato-storage houses and cellars were
built or modified in accordance with i)lans or suggestions furnislied
by this Bureau, and the capacity of sweet potato storage houses built
in the South directly or j^artly as a result of this demonstrational
work amoimts to about 3,000.000 bushels.

The introduction several years ago by tlie Department of methods
of packing California grapes in redwood sawdust resulted in extend-
ing the marketing season of such grapes nearly three months and in
widening the possible area of distribution. On account of a shortage
of redwood, efforts have been made to find a substitute, with thci
result that spruce, a material hitherto untried, has been found to be
very effective. Further demonstration of the practical value of
spruce packing will be made next season. The curtailment of this
grape-growing industry from the lack of a suitable filler will be
avoided should spruce, of which there is a very large supply on the
Pacific coast, prove to be as satisfactory a packing material as
redwood.

ComprehensiA'e investigations have been conducted to determine
the best methods of handling fruits and vegetables which have been
injured by freezing in transit, and demonstrations have been made to
illustrate practicable methods of salvaging frozen or partly frozen
products, attention being called to the possibility of their use both
for food and manufacturing purposes. The temperatures at which
various products freeze or are injured by excessive chilling have been
studied and preliminary investigations have been carried on to
determine the factors which affect the keeping quality of fruits and
vegetables preserved by freezing storage.

DAILY 3IATL REPORTS OF CAR-LOT SITIPIMENTS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

UNLOAD REPORTS.

Daily mail reports of car-lot shipments of all fresli and dried fruits
and vegetables have been obtained from common carriers during the

440 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

past fiseal year. The railroad lines, express companies, and the
principal boat lines originating snch shipments have cooperated
heartily in this work. The scope of these mail reports grew during
the year, so that abont 110 different commodities are now included,
and approximately three-fourths of a million carloads of fresh and
dried fruits and vegetables were reported. It was found necessary
during the fiscal year to discontinue the publication of the semi-
weekly shipment report, which was based on these daily mail reports.
The reports of fruits and vegetables unloaded in 16 of the prin-
cipal markets have been somewhat diminished in scope during the
past year and are now obtained for the following commodities only :
Apples, cabbage, cantaloupes, celery, onions, peaches, strawberries,
tomatoes, white potatoes. This project is supervised by Mr. W. A.
Sherman.

MARKETING DAIRY PRODUCTS.

The Avork of this project was supervised by Mr. R. C. Potts during
the fiscal year 1919.

Surveys of milk-marketing conditions, including the sources and
amount of available supplies, the demand for and methods of dis-
tributing fluid milk and cream, were made at Sedalia and Kansas
City, Mo. ; Leavenworth and Kansas City, Kans. ; and Cumberland,
Md. Reports on these surveys were prepared and recommendations
were made for the improvement of marketing methods and condi-
tions in the cities named.

Special attention was given to problems connected with the busi-
ness management and operation of city milk-distributing plants,
especially those owned and' operated by farmers' cooperative com-
panies.

Field campaigns to increase the demand for and distribution of
cottage cheese were conducted in New York, Massachusetts, and Con-
necticut with most satisfactory results.

Special investigations were made of the production, consumption,
and prices of casein in the United States to determine the possibility
of furnishing adequate supplies for war needs by domestic production.
The results of the investigations were made available to the iVircraft
Construction Division of the Navy Department and to the War Trade
Board.

The size of existing stocks and the prices of milk powder were
investigated for the purpose of obtaining definite information
regarding market conditions which were reported to be injurious
to the development of the milk powder industry. Investigations
proved, however, that the alleged conditions did not exist.

Studies of the sources of supply, production, demand, prices, and
market conditions of butter and cheese were made. It is hoped
that complete statistics on this subject may be published for the years
1917 and 1918.

MARKETING LIVE STOCK, MEATS, AND ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS.

This .project is under the supervision of Mr. Louis D. Hall and
furnishes the fundamental information upon which the market news
service and the regulatory work connected with live stock and ineats
are based. The information obtained by this project served as a
guide in preparing the regulations governing licensees operating

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 441

stockj^ards or dealing in live or dead stock at stockyards and was
useful in planning and directing the stockyards' supervision service.

A survey of tlie marketing of purebred live stock in the United
States was begun early in the fiscal year in order that the Bureau
might be prepared to render assistance in reestablishing the live-
stock industry in the devastated countries of Europe. As a residt of
this survey, information was made available showing the location
by counties of the majority of breeders engaged in the production of
each of the principal breeds of live stock. This information is being
used to aid buyers and sellers in both domestic and foreign trade.

The detailed study of the problem of marketing soft, pork which
was begun during the latter part of the last fiscal year was continued
in order to determine a basis for the difference in prices which should
be paid for live hogs classed as ''soft" or "oily ' and those classed
as •' firm." The results of this study now are being prepared for pub-
lication.

An investigation was made in cooperation with the Bureau of Ani-
mal Industry and the Bureau of Chemistry to determine the reasons
for numerous complaints regarding the country hide situation, espe-
cially Avith reference to the physical condition of country hides and
skins and the apparent discrimination in the prices for these products,
both at the farm and on the market, and to ascertain what improve-
ments could be effected. As a result of this work a bulletin was pre-
j>ared and educational posters bearing general instructions regard-
ing proper methods of skinning, curing, and marketing hides were
printed for distribution.

A preliminary, country-wide study has been made to obtain defi-
nite facts relating to the various types of retail meat stores and more
complete information relative to the costs of distributing meats at
retail.

Careful studies were made of the present commercial grades for
wool, and a collection of samples was made preparatory to the de-
velopment of tenttive standards for various grades of wool. Cir-
culars were prepared and distributed suggesting better methods of
pioparing and marketing wool, and direct marketing was encouraged
where possible by putting wool producers into possession of informa-
tion regarding direct channels for marketing their clips. During the
war active cooperation was maintained in connection with this work
with the War and Navy Departments, the Council of National De-
fense, War Trade Board, War Industries Board, Shipping Board,
and Tariff Commission.

GRAIN MARKETING INVESTIGATIONS.

Emergency activities of pressing nature made it necessary to re-
strict in a measure this investigational work. Mr. C. S. Cole super-
vised the project during the past fiscal year.

Studies of the methods of marketing grain sorghums, the kind
marketed, and the demand for and uses of such grains were carried on
ill the principal producing and consuming sections. These investiga-
tions show that milo and kafir are the principal grains used to feed
all classes of live stock in producing sections, and also are used in
practically all mixed poultry feeds in the leading poultry sections of
the United States. These grains also are used in the manufacture of
starch and alcohol and for human food.

151.^12"— 19 29

442 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Investigations of a preliminary character have been carried on with
regard to the marketing of broom corn. Information has been ob-
tained from local freight agents regarding the amount of standard
and dwarf varieties shipped from stations in important producing
territories, and the uses and distribution of broom corn have been
studied as a basis for more specialized future investigations.

SEED MARKETENG INVESTIGATIONS.

During the first half of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, investi-
gations were made to determine the effects of the war on commercial
seed production, seed imports and exports, domestic demand, size of
stocks carried, prices, etc.

A study has been made of seed marketing on the farm and much in-
formation has been obtained. Among other things, these data include,
in percentages for the various classes of seed, the sources of the farm-
ers' seed suppl}?^ in every State and show how he prepares and disposes
of his seeds.

Some of the leading seed markets in Europe were visited in order
to make recommendations for increasing and stabilizing, if possible,
the seed trade between the United States and European countries.

Production and consumption maps for clovers, grasses, millets,
sorgos, cowpeas, Canada field peas, and soy beans were prepared in
order to show the counties normally having a surplus, sufficienc}'', or
deficiency of each of the kinds of seeds.

These investigations were supervised by Mr. W. A. Wheeler.

GRAIN STANDARDIZATION AND GRAIN HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION.

During the last fiscal year investigations Avere made of factors to
be considered in formulating standard grades of oats, barley, rice, and
flaxseed. This and other related work, as w^ell as certain investiga-
tions regarding grain handling and transportation, were supervised
by Mr. S. A. Regan.

As a result of the investigations concerning oats, official standards
for this grain were promulgated under date of March 14, 1919, to be-
come effective June 16, 1919. Before promulgating the standards a
series of hearings were held throughout the United States to obtain
the opinion of the grain trade as to their workability.

Specifications for tentative or permissive standards for milled
rice were prepared and announced in Markets Document No. 15,
issued September, 1918. A supplemental publication relating to
standards and entitled " Instructions for the Sampling, Handling,
Analyzing, and Grading of Samples of Milled Rice " was published
as Markets Document No. IG, in October, 1918. These standards were
rulopted by the United States Food Administration and used by its
lice committee in grading all rice purchased by the Government for
the Army, Navy, Belgian relief, and the allied nations. The several
rice-grading offices of the United States Food Administration were
visited from time to time and instructions in grading were given so
ttir>t tlie tentative standards might be correctly interpreted.

Much work has been done to determine the practicability of clean-
ing grain by means of special attachments on thrashing machines.
These investigations have resulted in the development of a special
pneumatic cleaner to be attached to the thrashing machine, which is
proving effective.

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 443

Careful investigations have been made to determine the effect
of storing wheat and barley in concrete and steel bins. These studies
were conducted in cooperation with the Food Administration Grain
C'Orporation. Manitoba wheat, containing approximately 15 per cent
of moisture, was placed in large steel tanlis holding over 100,000
bushels. This wheat kept sweet for several weeks, although the tem-
perature of the air beneath the steel roofs during warm, bright days
reached 120° F. and higher during midday. There was no apparent
change in the wheat except that it lost moisture around the steel
sides and on top of the grain. This wheat was later transferred to
concrete tanks and its behavior in them is being studied.

A cargo of wheat was accompanied from Philadelphia to Genoa,
Italy, to determine the effect of grade factors on the keeping qualities
of different lots of wheat during ocean transportation. In this con-
nection, two other cargoes of wheat shipped from the United States
were sampled at the Italian port of arrival and information was ob-
tained on their condition at the time of discharge. The data on this
work are being assembled for study in connection with efforts to
assure the arrival of American grain in good condition in foreign
ports and to perfect the grain standards to meet the requirements
of ocean transportation. Samples have been collected from a boat
loading at Astoria, Oreg., to determine the carrying qualities of the
western-grown wheats which will pass through the Panama Canal
to Europe.

COTTON HANDLING AND MARKETING.

Tlie investigational and demonstrational work connected with
cotton handling and marketing was conducted during the past .year
under the direction of Mr. Fred Taylor and later, ownig to Mr. Tay-
lor's resignation, by JSIr. D. E. Earle. Mr. Taylor also supervised,
until his departure, the projects " Alarketing Cotton Seed and its
Protlucts,'' "* Investigation and Demonstration of Cotton Standards,"
" Cotton Testing," and " Preparation and Distribution of Official
Cotton Standards."

Demonstrations have been made to actjuaint producers with the
desirability of classifying their cotton before sale and to teach them
how to use market quotations in determining the value of their crop.
Approximately 236,800 bales were classed in this work in Texas, Ar-
kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina
during the cotton season 1918-19. In addition to this, representatives
of the Bureau assisted in organizing growers on a community basis,
demonstrated the depressing effect of short-staple varieties upon
prices, and pointed out losses incident to improper ginning, baling,
and storing. This work has resulted in the enactment of State laws
for the betterment of cotton-marketing conditions, especially in
Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, and South Carolina. These ac-
tivities were conducted in cooperation with the extension divisions
in the various States.

Texas growers, producing cotton of good staple and marketing it
cooperatively, receive from IJ to 8 cents more for their cotton than
was received for other cotton grown in the same community and
sold by individual farmers.

A complete survey was made in Arkansas to determine the char-
acter of cotton produced and the conditions under which it was
marketed. Approximately 76,500 bales of cotton were classed at

444 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Little Rock from samples sent in by ginners from 70 different coun-
ties of the State. A detailed study of the information gathered in
this survey is being made for the oenefit of the growers. The com-
missioner of mines, manufactures, and agriculture and the extension
forces of the State cooperated actively in this work.

About 93 growers of Mississippi and Louisiana formed a coopera-
tive association, and with the aid of a director of the Louisiana ex-
tension ser\'ice and a representative of this Bureau, availed themselves
of the advantages of marketing on the basis of grade and staple.
Many of these planters used the classifications made by this repre-
sentative in the course of his demonstration al work as a basis for
settlement with their tenants.

Demonstrational cotton marketing work was carried x)n last season
at Raleigh, with branch offices at Tarboro, Wilson, and Lumberton,
N. C, and at Darlington, Sumter, and Orangeburg. S. C. Approxi-
mately 85,000 bales were classed in these States. A survey also was
made of the mills of both States with a view to determining the kind
of cotton consumed, prices paid for such cotton, and the channels
through which it was obtained. As a result of several years of con-
tinuous investigational and educational work associations have been
formed in these States for the purpose of marketing cotton direct.
The association at Orangeburg, S. C, has employed a seller who
makes outside connections, assembles the cotton in large even-running
lots, and sells direct to the representatives of mills and exporters.

MABKETING COTTON SEED AND ITS PRODUCTS.

Efforts to lessen the large amount of foreign matter, which an-
nually is purchased, handled, and transported with cotton seed, have
been continued as important economies could be effected if more care
were taken in cleaning and protecting this product.

Investigations to determine the practicability of establishing
standards for cotton seed have been continued, and an investigation
has been undertaken to ascertain the average oil and ammonia con-
tent normally contained in seed grown in different sections of the
cotton belt. The possession of such knowledge and the use of prac-
tical standards would enable millers and producers to trade on the
basis of merit. An investigation also was instituted, in cooperation
with the Bureau of Chemistry, to determine the relative qualities
of different varieties of cotton seed when grown under practically
the same conditions. It is hoped that this investigation will enable
the Department to promote the growth of varieties that are superior
both as to lint and oil.

Investigations have shown that in many instances cotton seed
brought to the gin contains a large percentage of moisture. If the
seed is not immediately crushed, this moisture often causes damage
by inducing fermentation. It has also been found that cotton seed
is often sold without reference to the moisture content, which has a
most important bearing on its value.

A survey has been started, in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant
Industry, to obtain information regarding the world's oleaginous
materials and their products. The importation of these commodities
into the United States has increased greatly during the past several
years. This work was directed by Mr. Fred Taylor, assisted by Mr.
C. F. CreswelL

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 445

COTTON WAREHOUSING INVESTIGATIONS.

A series of tests to determine the practicability of gin sampling
and the extent of the damage sustained by baled cotton when exposed
to the weather has been concluded and the results are being prepared
for the use of the public. Standard warehouse designs have been pre-
pared and persons adopting them are given the benefit of careful
cooperative supervision in an effort to promote the construction of
warehouses in accordance with the most advanced ideas. This work
should save insurance costs and should aid in obtaining better ware-
house service. A comprehensive bulletin on cotton warehouse do-
sign and construction is now in press.

These investigations are directed by Mr. R. L. Nixon.

INVESTIGATION AND DETERMINATION OF COTTON STANDARDS.

This work was supervised by Mr. Fred Taylor, assisted by Mr.
D. E. Earle.

On the 25th of October, 1918, grade standards were officially pro-
mulgated for Sea Island and American-Egyptian cotton and for
length of staple, this action being the result of careful investigations
undertaken in previous vears.

In Arizona and California investigations were conducted to de-
termine the applicability of the standards for American-Egyptian
cotton to the crop of the past season. These investigations showed
that the bulk oi the 1918-19 crop conformed very closely to the
standards. Marketing and shippm^ conditions were studied and
laboratory tests were made to ascertam the moisture content and the
breaking strength of the individual fibers of this cotton. Investi-
gations also were made regarding its spinning qualities, waste,
breaking strength, and weiglits upon arrival in the East. In the
course of this work approximately 10,000 bales of cotton were classed.

A survey was made during the fiscal ^'ear at the principal market-
ing centers to determine the applicability to the past season's crop
of the standards for Sea Island cotton. Several thousand samples
were compared with the established standards and were found to
conform with them approximately, except in a portion of the lower
grades, which were somewhat bluer in color than the corresponding
grades in the standards. Authentic information was gathered re-
garding tlie crop, prices received, and general marketing conditions.

COTTON TESTING.

The regular cotton-testing work of the Bureau was resumed dur-
ing the past year after completion of the tests which were made in
connection with the production of an improved airplane fabric for
the War Department.

Preliminary tests were made to determine the relative spinning
values of Sea Island and Meade cotton, which latter compares very
favorably with inland Sea Island cotton.

A comparison was made of the manufacturing properties of " Mid-
dling Yellow Stained " cotton with an equal grade of cotton which
was harvested and ginned before the fiber had reached a normal state
of maturity, popularly known as " bolly " cotton. It was found that

446

ANNUAL. EEPORTS OF DEPARTAIENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the total waste, exclusive of tare, from the "Middling Yelbw
Stained " cotton was 10.6 per cent and the total waste, exclusive of
tare, from the " bolly," 16.8 per cent. Tensile strength tests proved
that "Middling Yellow Stained" cotton was about 10 per cent
stronger than the "bolly" cotton.

At Tempe, Ariz., tests were made to determine the advisability of
using artificial humidity during the ginning process. This test
showed no difference in the spinning value of the cotton ginned with
and without artificial humidity.

This work was supervised by Mr. Fred Taylor assisted b}^ Mr.
D. E. Earle.

SERVICE WORK.

MARKET NEWS SERVICES.

Anticipating the discontinuance of emergency appropriations,
some of the leased wire circuits of the Bureau, which formerly ex-
tended 15,000 miles, were abandoned before the close of the fiscal
year 1919. On June 30 the leased wires used in connection with the
live-stock news service were discontinued west of Kansas City and
south of Cincinnati. The circuits used in connection with the
services on fruits and vegetables and dairy products will be closed
throughout the West on September 30 if no additional funds are
made available. On account of the importance of this work as a
factor in promoting the effective provisioning of our great cities with
fresh food, and the undesirability of leaving the West and South
without reliable market information, Congress has been requested to
grant additional funds for this work. The leased wires now extend
about 9,000 miles, having been reduced from the mileage mentioned
above.

MARKET NEWS SERVICE ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

As stated in the annual report for the fiscal year 1918, this work
was greatly expanded with war funds and it was operated on this
basis during the greater part of the past fiscal year, although, antici-
pating the discontinuance of emergency funds, many curtailments
were effected during the last half of the year. Mr. W. A. Sherman
is in charge of this work.

Keports were issued covering 31 commodities. These reports gave
information regarding car-lot shipments, arrivals, and jobbing prices
in the principal markets, and f. o. b. prices and other shipping-point
information.

The following commodities were included in the program of the
past fiscal year :

Apples,

Asparagus.

Bunched vegetables.

Cabbage.

Celery.

Cherries.

Cantaloupes.

Cranberries.

Cucumbers.

Dry beans.

Eggplaut.

Grapefruit.

Grapes.

Green peas.

Honey (semimonthly).

Lettuce.

Mixed fruits.

Onions.

Oranges.

Peaches.

Pears.

Peppers.

Prunes.

Spinach.

Strawberries.

String beans.

Sweet potatoes.

Tangerines.

Tomatoes.

Watermelons.

White potatoes.

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 447

During the greater part of the past fiscal year 32 market stations
were operated in important consuming centers throughout the United
States, as follows:

♦Atlanta. Detroit. *New Orleans.

*Birmingliam. *Fargo. *Oklahoma City.

Boston. *Fort Worth. Omaha.

*Buffalo. *Houstou. Philadelphia.

♦Butte. ♦Indianapolis. Pittsburgh.

Chicago. ♦Jacksonville. Portland.

- Cincinnati. Kan.sas City. St. Louis.

Cleveland. Los Angeles. San Francisco.

♦Columbus. ♦Memphis. ♦Spokane.

Denver. Minneapolis. Washington.

♦Des Moines?. New York.
NoTK. — Stations marked with an a.«?terisk disconlinued during spring of 1910.

Temporary field stations were operated during the year 1918 at 71
points in the various producing sections during the important car-lot
movement of the principal commodities listed above, 82 such stations
having been maintained in the previous fiscal year.

There was a marked increase in the number of market reports dis-
tributed from market and field stations by telephone and telegraph
during the past fiscal year. Subscribers receiving reports by tele-
graph pay the usual conmiercial charges on such messages. During
the year 1918 the market stations released about 17,000 reports by
telephone and 1,100 by telegraph. The temporary field stations in
producing sections distributed approximately 2,C00 reported by
telephone and 1,500 b}' telegraph.

Approximately 23^000,000 mimeographed daily market reports
were issued during 1918 to approximately 125.000 individuals
throughout the country.

In addition to the daily market reports, a special "Weekly Re-
view-' of the markets was prepared in Washington. This Eeview
was based on daily reports of the movement and prices of the im-
portant commodities and showed the trends and tendencies of the
markets both in consuming and producing centers. It was sent to
about 7,000 interested pei'sons and to leading newspapers, trade pub-
liciitions, and farm journals.

The " Weekly Summary of Car-lot Shipments," showing the move-
ment of the various commodities from each State during the pre-
ceding week as compared with the movement of the week previous
and of tlie corresponding periods last year, was sent to transportation
officials, members of the trade, educational institutions, and others
interested in such statistics.

Semimonthly reports were released to about 3,000 persons inter-
ested in the lioney shipments and markets.

MARKET NEWS SERVICE ON LIVE STOCK AND MEATS.

The market news service on live stock and meats, which is con-
ducted under the direction of Mr. Louis D. Hall, was much expanded
by the use of emergency funds as stated in the annual report for the
previous fiscal year. With the expiration of these funds the service
was greatly curtailed on July 1, 1919, all leased wires west of Kansas
City and south of St. Louis having been closed.

448 ANKUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

During the year a branch office was established at San Francisco,
and the service was extended temporarily to Jacksonville, Fla., In-
dianapolis, and Cincinnati. By these additions the number of branch
offices with leased-wire service was increased to 20. The daily re-
ports on meat trade conditions were continued with the addition of
price quotations on wholesale pork and veal cuts. These reports
were expanded to include trade conditions and prices at Chicago and
San Francisco and a " flash wire " indicating the trend of early trad-
ing also was added. Both the daily and weekly reports were im-
proved by condensing the text, which made them more readily useful
to the trade. Approximately 3,500,000 copies of each of the various
daily reports and 750,000 copies of the weekly reports were dis-
tributed during the year.

Early in the fiscal year arrangements were made to issue the report
on live-stock loadings from Chicago instead of Washington in order
to expedite the receipt of the information and to reduce operating
costs. It also was found desirable to condense and combine certain
reports which are now issued as the " Daily Live Stock and Meat
Trade News,'' more than 20,000 copies of which are being distributed
each week. This report includes estimated live-stock receipts at
8 to 10 markets for the day on which the report is released, actual
receipts of the previous day at the market from whence the report
is issued, the disposition of stock received at this market, and meat
trade and live-stock conditions and prices at various markets.
Monthly receipts and disposition of live stock at public stockyards
are compiled and published and arrangements have been made for
more complete and uniform reports from stockyards companies. Re-
ports are now received from 79 stockyards in 71 cities.

Reports concerning the " in " and " out " movement of live stock
in grazing and feeding districts were continued, and the live-stock
feeders in the districts of Lancaster, Pa., northern Colorado, and
the Arkansas Valley of Colorado were furnished current information
relative to the movement of live stock from their districts.

Owing to urgent demands the telegraphic reporting service, which
was begun during the previous year at Chicago, was extended to
include the live-stock markets at Kansas City, Omaha, and East St.
Louis. This service consists of a series of telegraphic reports issued
at intervals during each market day. The early reports give esti-
mated receipts and the later reports give actual market conditions
and prices on all classes of live stock. Through the commercial news
departments of telegraph companies, the press associations, and
other agencies in addition to the Bureau's branch offices, this service
is made available to interested persons both at market centers and
country points throughout the United States.

Following the armistice there was a general demand that the
monthly survey of stocks of hides and skins which was conducted
during the war by the Tanners' Council be continued by this Bureau.
In January, 1919, this work was undertaken. In the course of this
survey information is collected regarding the supply of domestic
and foreign hides and skins on hand and in transit at the close of
business on the last day of each month as reported by packers, deal-
ers, importers, and tanners. Summaries of these reports are com-
piled and distributed.

BUREAU OF MARKETS. '449

During the fiscal jqhv 1919 reports were issued each quarter show-
ing the stocks of wool held by manufacturers and dealers throughout
the United States. These reports also showed the stocks of wool
held by the Government on March 31 and June 30, 1919. More than
98 per cent of the manufacturers and dealers in wool submitted state-
ments from which these reports were compiled.

Monthly reports were made of the consumption of wool, these re-
ports having oeen prepared from schedules returned by 99 per cent
of all of the manufacturers in the United States using wool in the
production of their goods. A monthly census of the active and idle
wool machinery in the United States was commenced in November,
1918. Detailed reports on wool market prices were issued in May
and June, 1919, and during the latter part of the year monthly state-
ments were instituted regarding the amount and condition of the
wool imported into the United States monthly under the present
import classification.

MARKET NEWS SERVICE ON DAIRY AND POULTRY PRODUCTS.

This news service, which is supervised by Mr. Roy C. Potts, was
financed from emergency funds in the fiscal year 1919. Daily market
reports on butter, eggs, and cheese were issued from Washington
and from the branch offices located at Boston, New York, Phila-
delphia, Chicago, Fond du Lac, Minneapolis, Denver, San P^rancisco,
and Portland. They were sent to a mailing list composed of the
names of over 7,000 persons and firms, each of whom had made
specific requests for the reports.

The reports also included information regarding stocks in storage
in certain markets daily, the stocks existing in the entire country
semimonthly, receipts and current trading stocks at the principal
distributing markets, receipts of cheese from factories and stocks in
the hands of dealers in the primary markets of Wisconsin, and
wholesale prices received by butter and cheese dealers in the whole-
sale distributing markets and by cheese dealers in the primary mar-
kets.

HAY AND FEED REPORTING SERVICE.

During the fiscal year 1918-19 the Hay and Feed Reporting Serv-
ice, supervised by Mr. C. S. Cole, with field offices at Washmgton,
Atlanta, Fort Worth, Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, Spokane,
and San Francisco, published a " Weekly Market Review " of prices,
and conditions affecting them, in the principal markets of the
country.

This Review was mailed on Saturday of each week to approxi-
mately 12,000 producers, dealers, and consumers of hay, feed, and
grain who requested it. Special attention was given in this Review
to supply of and demand for hay and feed.

On account of a serious emergency caused by drought, offices were
established during the year at Bozeman, Mont., and Fort Worth,
Tex., through which 5,047 cars of hay and feed were handled. This
work aided in saving thousands of cattle from starvation.

SEED REPORTING SERVICE.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, six branch offices, at
Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Spokane, San Francisco, and

450 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Atlanta, were maintained in connection with this service. Mr. W. A.
Wheeler directed this work.

B V means of informal inquiries sent to Aoluntary reporters, grow-
ers, shippers, and dealers, and by personal visits, information was
obtained and transmitted to Washington, where much of it was
assembled and worked into articles or reports for publication in the
" Seed Eeporter." The most important reports published may be
classified as (1) outlook reports, including figures and descriptive
matter concerning acreage, yield x^er acre, quality and prices of field
seeds; (2) sliipment reports, including stocks in shippers' hands,
carry over in growers' hands, shipments during the last season, ship-
ments during the current season, etc. ; (3) seed market reports, in-
cluding trade information — supply, demand, prices, movement, etc.,
at some of the most important seed-marketing points; and (4) vege-
table seed crop condition reports, from the most important seed-pro-
ducing sections. The publication of these reports made timely in-
formation available to the small grower, small shipper, and small
dealer which in the past has been in the possession of comparatively
few of the largest seedsmen and commercial seed growers. Twelve
issues of the '• Seed Reporter" were published and mailed monthly
to approximately 23,000 growers, shippers, dealers, and other inter-
ested persons.

In addition to the reports mentioned, the results of two national
seed surveys were published. Besides stocks, receipts, and exports of
field and vegetable seeds, these surveys covered sales of certain kinds
of field seeds and acreagcand production of vegetable seeds. Through
the information obtained in these surveys, it has been possible to
facilitate the movement of seeds from producer to consumer, and to
reduce inflation in seed prices.

CITY MARKET REPORTING SERVICE.

The City Market Reporting Service w^as conducted during the last
fiscal year with emergency funds, under the supervision of Mr. G. V.
Branch, in order to furnish a market news service to farmers in the
vicinit}^ of large markets who require information of a different char-
acter from that furnished to distant carlot shippers, and to keep city
consumers informed of market conditions in order that the consump-
tion of abundant products might be facilitated to the advantage of
both producers and consumers. Market reports of this sort were
issued during the year from 16 offices: Baltimore, Md. ; Boston, Mass. ;
Bridgeport, Gonn. ; Chicago, 111.; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.;
Detroit, Mich. ; Hartford ancl New Haven, Conn. ; Philadelphia, Pa. ;
Providence, R. I. ; St. Paul, Minn. ; Springfield, Mass. ; Waterbury,
Conn. ; Washington, D. C. ; and Worcester, Mass. The offices in St.
Louis, Mo., and Lawrence, Mass., where the service had been main-
tained during the preceding fiscal year, were closed because it w^as not
possible to secure men properly equipped to carry on the work.

The work in the 16 cities named was continued along the lines fol-
lowed in the preceding year. Reports for growers were enlarged and
perfected and were issued each market day, about 30,000 farmers and
600 dealers being reached. The reports were distributed on the mar-
ket and by mail and in some cases were published in local newspapers.

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 451

Reports for consumers were furnislied to newspapers which publish
theiu regularly in most cases.

During- the fiscal year active cooperation was maintained with local
representatives of the Federal Food Administration in the publica-
tion of its fair-price lists. On account of the discontinuance of
emergency funds this work was closed on June 30, 1919.

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC AND STORAGE ASSISTANCE.

In order to render special assistance during the war, transporta-
tion men were sent to heavy producing sections to work in close co-
operation with shippers and carriers to avert shortages of cars and ice
for refrigeration in transit; to secure heavier and better loading; to
procure more efficient service for shippers, and to bring about the best
possible utilization of equipment. Although this work was first
undertaken during the war, it should be continued in peace times so
far as funds are available. Mr. (x. C. White directs all work of this
character.

During the past year work of this kind was done in the Salt River
Valley of Arizona, at Turlock, Calif., at Spokane for the entire
Northwest, and at Brawley, Calif., for the Imperial Valley.

FOOD PRODUCTS INSPECTION SERVICE.
FRUITS AND ^•EGETABLES.

Food products inspection offices were maintained during the past
fiscal year in an average of 30 important markets. The service was
discontinued in four of the less important markets and new offices
were opened in Columbus and Milwaukee. A total of 104 markets
were designated as inspection points, most of these being served by
inspectors stationed in the branch offices at the important central
markets. About 15,000 inspections were made during the year.
Mr. ^y, M. Scott and Mr. C. T. ^lore supervised this work during the
past fiscal year.

Amendments to the authority under which the inspection serv-
ice is conducted, which became effective October 1, 1918, made the
service available not only to shippers but to receivers, railroads, and
other persons financially interested. Amendments also provided that
a fee should be charged for each inspection.

Shippers in all parts of the country are using the service with in-
creasing frequency, and receivers in the markets in which inspectors
are located avail themselves of it very generally. The railroads
also are making a more general use of its facilities, and in some mar-
kets try to secure an inspection certificate on each car or each lot of
fruits and vegetables regarding the quality or condition of which
there appears to be a question and a likelihood of a future claim.
The heaviest demand for inspections has existed in the Eastern and
Middle States.

During the first half of the fiscal year close cooperation was main-
tained Avith the United States Food Administration. Its Federal,
State, and local administrators used the inspection certificates con-
tinually since they found them a necessary basis for adjusting a largo
number of claims between shippers and receivers. Work of a coop-
erative and advisory nature also was conducted with the Army and

452 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Navy, the inspectors occasionally^ visiting cantonments and other
military posts in order to give advice to camp quartermasters regard-
ing the grading, handling, and inspection of fruits and vegetables.
In New York City several men were assigned to inspect supplies of
fruits and vegetables for naval vessels and transports. This enabled
the Navy Department to effect economies and to obtain supplies of
fruits and vegetables of better quality with less waste than otherwise
would have been possible.

That the inspection work has been very favorably received by all
interests concerned is evidenced by the increasing use which shippers,
receivers, and carriers are making of its facilities. Many requests
have been received during the year from trade and commercial or-
ganizations for the establishment of the service in the cities which
they represent, but it has been necessary to decline practically all of
these requests because of limited funds.

The Bureau of Markets has had the fullest cooperation of special-
ists of the Bureau of Plant Industry, who are working to combat
fruit and vegetable diseases. They have rendered especially valuable
assistance in training market inspectors to identify the more impor-
tant diseases, and also in preparing valuable hand-colored books illus-
trating the effects of diseases on fruits and vegetables.

BUTTER.

The butter inspection service, which was instituted during the past
year on a small scale, was supervised by Mr. R. C. Potts. Regula-
tions covering the, inspection of butter were published in Service and
Regulatory Announcements No. 51. This service was conducted in
New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Minneapolis.

STORAGE REPORTS.

For the gre^ater part of the fiscal year 1919 this work was done
under the direction of Mr. C. W. Thompson, assisted by Mr, John O.
Bell. The storage reports issued by the Bureau of Markets show the
reserve supply of some of the more perishable foodstuffs, and deal
for the most part with holdings in cold storage. These reports cover
seven classes of foodstuffs, namely, apples, butter, cheese, eggs, frozen
and cured meats, frozen poultry, and frozen and cured fish. These
classes are subdivided into 50 different items, including 5 kinds of
frozen poultry, 7 varieties of cheese, and 25 varieties of fish.

For convenience in tabulating the returns the country is divided
into eight geographical sections, as follows: New England, Middle
Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Central East, North Central West,
South Central, Western North, and Western South. Blank forms
are furnished to the 1,400 cold-storage firms in the United States
on which to submit their reports. The reports submitted to the
Bureau come from the warehousemen and show quantities in storage,
regardless of ownership. In addition to showing actual quantities
of different commodities in storage on a specified date, certain com-
parisons are made with reports of other months in' order to indicate
the relative amount in storage, as compared with previous dates, ana
the increase or decrease in holdings during the month. Comparison
of the holdings of the current month with the same month in the

BUKEAU OF MARKETS. 453

previous year is made for each geographic section, while comparison
concerning the current and preceding month covers the whole United
States.

PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTION OF NITRATE OF SODA.

The purchase and sale of nitrate of soda to farmers was con-
tinued m 1919 under authority of section 27 of the food control act,
with Mr. J. H. Collins acting directly in charge.

In 1918 nitrate was purchased in Chile and was sold to farmers
at $75.50 per ton of 2,000 pounds. One hundred and twenty thou-
sand tons were purchased, but only 75,000 short tons were received
in sufficient time to be distributed during the season of 1918 and
about 40,000 tons remained on hand for sale in 1919.

The signing of the armistice and the sudden termination of the
war left in the possession of the War Department a large quantity
of nitrate which had been purchased and imported for use in manu-
facturing munitions. The Department of Agriculture arranged to
secure about 115,000 tons of this nitrate at salvaf^e rates, and an-
nounced a price of $81 per short ton, f. o. b. shipping point or port.
The fact that the 40,000 tons carried over from 1918 were bought at
a lower price and sold at $81 per ton enabled this Department to
sell the entire quantity of nitrate distributed during the past fiscal
year at only a very slight advance over the War Department's
salvage price.

Essentially the same plan of distribution was followed as in 1918.
Orders were taken from about 100,000 farmers by county agricul-
tural agents and committees appointed to assist them. As in 1918,
nitrate was shipped to the county nitrate distributors on "order
notify " bills of lading, with sight drafts attached. These county
distributors collected fi'om farmers purchasing the nitrate and also
distributed the nitrate on arrival.

Distribution of nitrate to farmers in 38 States was made from 21
storage points. In all cases farmers were given the benefit of the
most advantageous freight rates. The first shipments of nitrate^
went forward during the hitter part of January and distribution
was not completed until late in June. The bulk of the shipments
went forward during the months of March and April.

The smallest application was for one-tenth of a ton; the largest
individual application was for 300 tons. A total of nearly 153,000
tons was sold during the year. On the basis of retail prices as re-'
ported to the Department, the saving to farmers through the pur-
chase of this nitrate exceeded $2,000,000 this year.

All applicants received their full quota and practically all ship-
ments w^ent forward in ample time for use during the season.

On June 30, 1919, there remained on hand 1,718.8 short tons of
nitrate for which application had not been received. Under the
agreement of the purchase this is returnable to the War Deparatment.

REGULATORY WORK.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE UNITED STATES COTTON FUTURES ACT.

The administrative work connected with the enforcement of the
cotton futures act is under the general supervision of Mr. D. S.

454 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

IMurph. The enforcement of the act is carried out under the following
projects;

INVESTIGATIONS OF FUTURE AND SPOT MARKETS.

These investigations are directed by Mr. George R. Argo. Securing
accurate quotations for different grades of cotton, especially in the
case of low grades, has been increasingly difficult during the past
season owing to the wide divergence in prices in different sections
of the cotton belt. Low-grade cotton has been quoted at the widest
discount off Middling, the basis grade, ever known to the cotton
trade. Quotations for Good Ordinary have been published b}^ spot
exchanges as low as 1,200 points off' Middling, and doubtless cotton
of this grade has sold at greater discounts at interior points. The
possibility of the delivery of future contracts of cotton of this char-
acter at clifferences that were undul}^ narrow resulted in an abnormal
disparity between spots and futures, but the readjustment was rapid
as soon as quotations for differences were widened to the approximate
selling value of low-grade cottons. Such widening also resulted in
creating a broader market for low-grade cotton. Under an amend-
ment to the cotton futures act, by the wheat price guaranty act of
March 4, 1919, authority has been granted the Secretary of Agri-
culture to require reports of purchases and sales of spot cotton in
order to secure accurate quotations for the various grades. This in-
formation will be especially valuable to the producer when it relates
to cotton below Low^ Middling on account of the untenderability on
future exchange contracts of the low^ grades and the comparative lack
of authentic information available to the producer as to their value.
It is intended to publish all such information that will be of value
to the public.

Representatives of the designated spot markets held a meeting in
Memphis in April. 1919, to devise a uniform system of quotations
by the spot exchanges. A tentative plan was adopted and submitted
to the exchanges for ratification, effective August 1. It appears that
substantially all the exchanges have agreed to adopt the plan.

DETERMINATION OF DISPUTES AND CXASSIFICATION OF COTTON FOR DELIVERY ON

FUTURE CONTRACTS.

The number of disputes increased materially during the last fiscal
year owing to the fact that a large quantity of low-grade cotton was
delivered on future contracts. P'or 1919 a total of 493 disputes were
received and passed upon as against 146 in 1918. The total number
of bales of cotton involved was 29,308 as against 6,895 in 1918. The
amount of money collected for determining the disputes was $9,066.68
as against $2,202.30 in 1918. This fund was covered into the Treasury
of the United States in accordance with the provisions of the United
States cotton futures act.

In accordance with an amendment to the United States cotton
futures act by the wheat price guaranty act of March 4, 1919, all
cotton to be delivered on future contracts is now classified by the De-
partment of Agriculture, and no further disputes will be heard, except
possibly on some old-style contracts outstanding that may be settled
by delivery of cotton in fulfillment thereof. Very few old-style con-
tracts, however, are outstanding, and the likelihood of further dis-
putes is remote.

BUREAU OF MARKETS. 455

As the amendments to the cotton futures act became effective on
March 4, 1919, the date of their enactment, there was some un-
avoidable delay and inconvenience both to the trade and the Gov-
ernment in the execution of their provisions. The delaj' in begin-
ning actual classification of cotton at the New York and New
Orleans Exchanges occasioned bj the necessity for providing an
organization and the time required for drafting regulations for
this work, lK>wever, was not considerable, and only slight incon-
venience was caused to the cotton trade with respect to deliveries of
cotton on contracts entered into after March 4. Conferences were
held with members of the two future exchanges, temporary regula-
tions were adopted, and classification was begun at New Orleans
on March 24. Classification for New York began on April 4. Aj)-
proximately 30,000 bales were classed in New York during April
and May for delivery on May contmcts and the work was satis-
factorily performed with no further delay to the trade. Final
regulations governing the classification of cotton for future delivery
under section 5 of the cotton futures act were adopted by the Sec-
retary on May 20, 1919, and became effective immediately.

Cotton classed to June 30 in New York amounted to 37,354 bales;
in New Orleans, G,741 bales.

Owing to the congestion at the warehouses in New Orleans, de-
livery of six)t cotton on future contracts has been considerably less
than normal.

PDEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICIAr, COTTON STANDARDS.

During the greater part of the fiscal yeav this work was super-
vised by Mr. Fred Tavlor, and after his resignation by Mr. D. E.
Earle.

Since the standards for gi*ade of upland cotton were promul-
gated m 1914, and up to June 30, 1919, 1,145 full white and colored
sets and 296 fractional colored sets were sold. On August 1, 1918,
the price of each box of all grade standards was advanced from
$2.50 to $5 on account of increased cost of labor, material, and trans-
jK)rtation. Every important cotton exchange and spot market in
the United States has adopted these standards and uses them as a
basis of daily quotations.

Official cotton standards for American-Egyptian and Sea Island
cottons and standards for length of staple were established and
promulgated effective October 25, 1918. Tliirty-four full sets and
one fractional set of American-Egyptian^grade standards, four full
sets of American Sea Island standards, and 72 sets of the standards
for length of staple have been sold to the trade since their promulga-
tion. A method of pulling staple has been devised and recommended
foi- adoption by the trade.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, $37,840.71 was cov-
ered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts — ^$31,987.71 from
the sale of miscellaneous and rejected cotton and $5,853 from the sale
and revision of copies of the standards.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT.

The enforcement of the United States grain standards act was
carried out in its third year under the direction of Mr. George
Livingston.

456 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

On July 15, 1918, the standards for both shelled corn and wheat
were revised. The revision in the case of the corn standards was
slight, while the changes in the wheat grades were greater. As a
result of these changes the percentage of the 1918 crop of wheat
which fell into the higher grades was considerably higher than the
percentage of the 1917 crop so falling. Available data show aiso
that a larger percentage of the 1917 crop, which was graded by the
original standards, fell into the top grades than would have been true
had former diverse State and local standards been applied. The
fixed price for wheat, which was based upon the Federal grades, re-
sulted in the use of these grades in practically all sales of wheat made
throughout the United States during this period, and consequently
close cooperation was maintained with the Grain Corporation of the
Food Administration.

On June 16, 1919, the Federal standards for oats were made effec-
tive and seem to be giving general satisfaction. These standards
had been discussed with producers, grain shippers, elevators, ware-
housemen, and other members of the trade prior to their publication
and public hearings also were held. The grades also were tried out
experimentally for several Aveeks before they were finally put into
effect.

As the resirlt of conferences with representative members of the
grain trade a committee was selected late in the fiscal year to investi-
gate conditions at inspection points east of the Eocky Mountains.
This committee was selected by the grain trade and was composed
of representatives of the Grain Dealers' National Association, the
National Council of Farmers' Cooperative Associations, the Council
of Grain Exchanges, the Millers' National P^ederation, and the Car
Service Section of the Railroad Administration. All phases of the
work performed in enforcing the grain standards act were consid-
ered, and the report of the committee shows that the trade and most
of the inspection departments consider the Federal standards satis-
factory when uniform methods and equipment are used, and that
where proper cooperation was maintained between the various
agencies concerned the enforcement of the act was proceeding in an
entirely satisfactory manner. The committee recommended that an
amendment to the grain standards act should be made in order to
permit the entertaining of appeals on the grading of intrastate ship-
ments by licensed inspectors and that grain samplers should be
licensed under the act in the same manner that inspectors are licensed.

It became evident at the^ beginning of the fiscal year that closer
contact with the actual work of supervision, inspection, and grading
was necessary, and in January a field headquarters office was estab-
lished at Chicago, 111., within one night's travel of most of the great
grain markets of the country.

Chicago also w^as made the headquarters of the board established
during the past fiscal year to review the grade determinations made
in the 35 branch offices. Since its organization during the past fiscal
year, this board has reviewed 3,837 samples submitted by the various
supervision offices and considered appeals from shippers w^ho were
dissatisfied with the decisions made by supervisors on appeals from
inspections by licensed inspectors. This board also has reviewed,
analyzed, and tabulated its findings with regard to 1,500 samples of
oats from various supervision offices, and has prepared 185 type trays

BUREAU OF MARKETS, 457

showing the effect on oats of damage and heat damage, the various
classes of oats, and the minimum color requirements for oat grades.
These trays are used as guides in grading oats.

In order to supervise more intimately the work of inspectors and
promote uniformity and efficiency in the inspection work, a total of
53,149 grain samples have been examined in the various branch offices
during the past fiscal year.

Twenty-six demonstrations showing the methods of grading grain
and the proper use of grain-grading apparatus were made at State
and county fairs in Minnesota, Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, Texas,
Ohio, Nebraska, Washington, and Kansas, and 17 demonstrations were
made at meetings of grain dealers' associations in Ohio, Texas, Kan-
sas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois,
Colorado, Minnesota, and Georgia. Thirteen grain-grading schools
were conducted in cooperation with the agricultural colleges in Idaho,
Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Oregon, and Michigan. This work has been
productive of highly benehcial results and has been well received by
producers and the trade.

Investigations were made of 58 cases of apparent violations of sec-
tion 4 of the grain standards act regarding shipment of grain with-
out inspection. Four of these cases have been referred by the Solicitor
of the Department to the Attorney General for prosecution and an-
other is now^ being prepared for transmission. Twenty cases involving
misgrading of grain under the provisions of section 5, covering repre-
sentations of grade other than those shown on inspection certificates,
have been investigated, and in three cases the findings of the Secre-
tary of Agriculture have been published. Some shippers have volun-
tarily restored large sums of money to buyers where violations of the
act have been brought to light. Thirteen cases, involving violations
of section 7, owing to certifications by persons not holding licenses,
have been investigated as well as 11 cases involving charges against
licensed inspectors under the same section. One case involving vio-
lation of section 10 also has been investigated.

Questions involving certification of cargo shipments of grain on
the Great Lakes and the use of private brands by large shippers and
exporters have been investigated to determine whether violations of
the act are involved.

During the year 446 licenses were issued, two licenses were revoked,
and 125 examinations were held to determine the eligibility of per-
sons desiring to secure licenses. Twenty applicants for licenses were
found unqualified.

During the year 6,651 appeals were filed through the supervision
offices. The grades assigned by the licensed inspectors were found to
be correct in 3,295 cases, while 3,293 cases showed the inspector to be
in error. Sixty-three appeals were dismissed.

Nine disputes, representing controversy as to the grade of grain
sliipped between noninspection points, were handled during the
year.

ADMINISTRATION OF UNITED STATES WAREHOUSE ACT.

The administration of this act is under the supervision of Messrs.
D. S. Murph and R. L. Nixon. Recent amendments which were
contained in the appropriation bill for the current year should do
much to populai'ize the act, and it is hoped that warehousemen will

151352^—19 30

458 ANNUAL TvEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

take out licenses in increasingly large numbers now that certain
obstacles have been removed. The State of North Carolina recently
has adopted a law providing for a State system of licensed ware-
houses, and close cooperation will be maintained between this I5ureau
and the State officials who direct this work.

Licenses have been issued to five cotton warehousemen and nine
cotton weighers and classifiers during the fiscal year, and applica-
tions are on file from 28 additional warehousemen. As soon as
the necessary bonds are supplied, licenses will be issued to these
applicants.

Substantial reductions in the cost of insuring licensed Avarehouses
have been secured from rating bureaus in the South.

Approval of forms of receipts to be used under the regulations
has been secured from the Federal Farm Loan Board and steps have
been taken to secure like approval from the Federal Reserve Board.

Proposed regulations for grain warehouses have been issued and
public hearings have been held. These regulations are now being
prepared in final form and the Department will be ready to consider
applications from grain warehousemen in the near future.

Regulations for tobacco and wool warehouses are in the course of
preparation.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE STANDARD CONTAINER ACT.

During the past year the enforcement of the standard container
act was supervised by Messrs. W. M. Scott and C T. More, assisted
by Mr. F.* P. Dow ning.

On account of the cooperation of package manufacturers, the work
connected w^ith the enforcement of the United States container act
has been largely educational and corrective, one prosecution only
having been Ijrought against a manufacturer for violation of this
law. In this case the defendant pleaded guilty. Shippers, manu-
facturers, the wholesale trade, and retailers have expressed great
satisfaction w^ith the results of the operation of this legislation. It
has served to remove some of the unnecessary differences in size of
packages and simplifies the marketing problem to that extent. Man-
ufacturing plants in all parts of the country have been visited and
their products have been tested. During the past year particular
attention has been given to the packages manufactured in the Rocky
Mountain and Pacific Coast States.

SUPERVISION OF STOCKYARDS AND LIVE-STOCK DEALERS.

The supervision of licensees operating stockyards or dealing in or
handling live stock in or in connection with stockyards, as author-
ized by the President's proclamation of June 18, 1918, is conducted
by the Bureau of Markets under the direction of the Secretary of
Agriculture. Mr. Louis D. Hall is directly in charge of this work.
A total of 2,803 licenses were in effect at the end of the past fiscal
year. General regulations governing licensees were issued July 2G,
1918, as Circular No. 116 of the office of the Secretary of Agriculture.
These regulations were supj)lemented on September 24, 1918, in
accordance with a proclamation of the President dated September
6, 1918, which extended the authority to include the live-stock buying
activities of packers and the handling of dead stock by rendering
concerns.

A i orps of market sui^ervisors was organized as rapidly as prac-
ticable and stationed in 20 important live-stock markets. One hun-

BUREAU OF M^VRKETS. 459

dred and t\\onty-ono licensed stockyards were placed under the
supervision of the officers at the 20 central markets in whose respec-
tive districts they were located.

Complaints regarding various alleged violations of the regulations
have been heard and acted upon, and other specific matters requiring
adjustment by the local supervisors have been considered. The fol-
lowing instances afford an illustration of the numerous and varied
cases that have been dealt with. Adequate facilities and service have
been provided at a number of poorly equipped stockyards; new
scales, pens, chutes, and other equipment have been put iii : the clean-
ing of dirty pons has been made obligatory ; arrangements for load-
ing, unloading, and moving stock through stockyards have been im-
proved and additional yardmen have been employed; terminal rail-
roads have been required to furnish faster service, thus eliminating a
large amount of delay and shrinkage; unsuitable feed has been nv
jected: more accurate checks on weights of feed have been provided,
and feed charges have been reduced in some cases at the instance of
the market supervisors.

The books of connnission firms and stockyard companies at a num-
ber of the large markets were examined for the purpose of determin-
ing whether increased charges for handling live stock were justified
under the regulations, and a number of public hearings on this sub-
ject were held. The examination of these books disclosed several
instances of overcharges on feed accounts. One licensee made
restitution through the Bureau of Markets of more than $20,000 to
his consignors in amounts ranging from a few cents to more than
$900. Action in several other cases is pending; these involve over-
charges aggregating approximately $40,000. One commission firm
has been obliged to restore to consignors amounts aggregating over
$18,000 which it wrongfully withheld when remitting for sales, and
its license has been surrendered. The license of a firm found guilty
of stealing live stock has been revoked. Some of the live-stock ex-
changes have passed new rules forbidding certain practices which are
contrary to the spirit of the regulations, such as the use by commis-
sion firms of " cripple buyers '] as yardmen, and the giving of tips to
sto( kyard employees for special privileges in yarding stock. Par-
tiality in the assignment to' commission men and traders of pens and
weighing arrangements has been eliminated at some of the important
markets.

Besides the numerous specific cases which have been dealt with,
many irregular and injurious practices have been eliminated volun-
tarily by the companies concerned in order to comply with the regu-
lations. The mere presence of the supervisors at ifhe markets has
had a salutary effect. Numerous testimonials have been received
regarding the wholesome effect of this service and the improvement
of business practices and conditions at the stockyards.

A comprehensive investigation of the market classification of live
stock was made to assist in establishing uniform standards on which
to base price quotations at the various markets. The investigation
resulted in the adoption of a tentative classification for the guidance
of the supervisors and reporters at licensed stockyards. Preliminary
arrangements were effected for recording and reporting live-stock
and meat shipments from some of the jDrincipal mai'ket centers.

460 ANNUAL KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

COMPLETION OF THE WORK OF THE DOMESTIC WOOL SECTION OF THE WAR

INDUSTRIES BOARD.

By Executive order dated December 31, 1918, the work of the wool
division of the War Industries Board was transferred to the Bureau
of Markets and the sum of $10,000 was allotted by that board for
the continuation of its work until July 1, 1919. A total force of 3
technical men and 14 clerical employees has been engaged in auditing
accounts received from dealers and in collecting and distributing the
excess profits made by these dealers. In the course of this work,
reports have been requested from 3,500 licensed country dealers and
from 200 dealers who, it was discovered, had handled 1918 wool
without permits. After the publication of Service and Regulatory
Announcements No. 50, entitled " Government Control of the Wool
Clip of 1918 — Review of Regulations and Interpretations Thereof,"
reports of the year's transactions were requested from about 180
distributing center dealers. An audit of the accounts of country
dealers shows that only one out of every six or seven made profits
in excess of the amount permitted by Government regulation. All
sums collected as excess profits will be returned to the proper parties.

PUBLICATIONS DURING THE YEAR.

DEPARTMENT BULLETINS.

690. Marketing Practices of Wisconsin and Minnesota Creameries. By R. C.

Potts.
709. Reports of Storage Holdings of Certain Foods Products. By J. O. Bell

and I. C. Franklin.
734. Nematode Galls as a Factor in the Marketing and Milling of Wheat. By

D. A. Coleman and S. A. Regan.

764. Factors Influencing the Carrying Qualities of American Export Corn. By

E. G. Boerner.

770. Motor Transportation for Rural Districts. By J. H. Collins.
776. Cold Storage Reports, Season 1917-1918. By John O. Bell.
786. Prevailing Plans and Practices of Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com-
panies. By V. N. Valgren.

788. Moisture in Wheat and Mill Products. By J. H. Shollenberger.

789. Notes on Grain Pressure in Storage Bins. By W. J. Larkin. (In press.)
792. Reports of Storage Holdings of Certain Food Products During 1918. By

John O. Bell. (In press.)

801. Construction and Fire Protection of Cotton Warehouses. By J. M. Work-
man. (In press.)

811. A System of Bookkeeping for Grain Elevators. By B. B. Mason, Frank
Robota and A. J. Swarthout. (In press.)

FARMERS BULLETINS.

1032. Operating a Cooperative Motor Truck Route. By H. S. Yohe.

1050. Handling and Loading Southern New Potatoes. By A. M. Grimes.

1055. Country Hides and Skins: Skinning, Curing and Marketing. By C. V.

Whalin, F. P. Veitch and R. W. Hickman (in cooperation with Bureaus

of Chemistry and AnimaV Industry.) (In press.)

YEARBOOK SEPARATES.

763. Cotton Warehousing— Benefits of an Adequate System. By R. L. Newton

and J. M. Workman.

764. Cattle Loans and Their Value to Investors. By C. S. Cole.

766. The Farmer and the Federal Grain Supervision. By R. H. Brown.

768. Following the Produce Markets. By G. B. Fiske.

775. Some Effects of the War Upon the Seed Industry of the United States. By

W. A. Wheeler and G. C. Edler.
788. Government Market Reports on Live Stock and Meats. By James Atkinson.

BUREAU OF MAEKETS. 461

CIRCULARS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETART,

116. General Regulations Governing Licensees Operating Stockyards, or Han-
dling or Dealing in Live Stock in or in Connection with Stockyards,
issued July 26, 1919. Also, Amendment No. 1.

120. Rules and Regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food
Products Inspection Law^ of October 1, 1918.

137. Regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture under Section 5 of the United
States Cotton Futures Act, amended March 4, 1919.

DOCUMENTS.

12. Grain Driers in the United States.

13. Heavy Loading of Freight Cars in the Transportation of Northwestern

Apples. By H. J. Ramsey.

14. Loading American Grapes. By H. S. Bird and A. M. Grimes.

15. Standards for Mille<l Rice. Prepared by the United States Department of

Agriculture and adopted by the United States Food Administration.

16. Instructions for the Sampling, Handling, Analyzing, and Grading of

Samples of Milled Rice. By F. B. Wise.

17. Linii :: and Loading Cars of Potatoes for Protection fi*om Cold. By H. S.

Bird and A. M. Grimes.

SERVICE AND REGULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

37-40, 42, 44-49, .52, 54-56. (Under United States grain standards act.)

41. (Under United -States cotton futures act.)

53. (Under the United States warehouse act.)

43. Sale of Nitrate of ScKla to Farmers by the United States Government,

1919.
43A. Sale of Nitrate of Soda to Farmers of the Pacific Coast and Great

Basin by the United States Government, 1919.
60. Government Control of the W(k>1 Clip of 1918.
51. The Inspection of Butter under the Food Products Law.

DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR.

1. Suggestions for the Marketing of CJottage (IJheese. By D. L. James. (In
press. )

FOOD SURVEYS.

Vol. 1, Nos. 10-14 ; Vol. 2, Nos. 1-27.

SEED REPORTER.

Vol. 2, Nos. 1-12.

MISCELLANEOUS.

U. S. G. S. A. 90 Handbook, Official Grain Standards for Wheat and Shelled

Corn.
After Hoboken? (Booklet for use of soldiers.)
Pure-bred Live Stock of tl^e United States of America. (Issued in Spanish and

Portuguese for distribution in South America.)

PERIODICAL REPORTS.

The bureau also issues periodical reports in mimeographed form
(daily, weekly, semimonthly, monthly, etc.), covering various condi-
tions affecting the marketing of fruit, vegetables, live stock, meat,
grain, seeds, hay, dairy products, wool, animal hair, hides, and skins,
as well as the cold-storage holdings of apples, meats, eggs, poultry,
and dairy products. A weekly report on foreign marketing condi-
tions is issued. These reports are described in some detail in the
foiegoing pages.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE OFFICE OF FARM
MANAGEMENT.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Office of Farm Managejient,
Washington, D, C, August 20, 1019.
Sir: I aiu submitting herewith the annual report of the Office of
Farm Management for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.
Respect full3',

H. C. Taylor, Chief,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretary of AgHciilturc,

Reorganization of the Office of Farm Management in accordance
with a plan determined upon in a conference on reorganization held
early in the present calendar year has now progressed so far that
w^ork is being inaugurated along the new lines or investigation pro-
vided for in the revised outline of projects. The office enters the new
fiscal year with the preliminary work in this regard well in hand.

Under the plan adopted, the field of research work covered by the
office has been divided into seven sections, as follows:

1. Cost of production.

2. Farm organization.

3. F:irm financial relations.

4. Farm labor.

5. Agricultural history and geography.

0. Land economics (including land ownei-ship and tenancy).
7. I'arm life studies.

Cost of production studies along the lines suggested by a com-
mittee appointed by the Secretary to make recommendations in this
regard have begun under the direction of Mr. F. W. Peck.. Mr. Peck
is also directing, temporarily, the work in farm organization. Dr.
L. C. Gray, in charge of land economics, has outlined a series of in-
quiries in land ownership and tenancy, land settlement and coloniza-
tion, and land policies. Farm life studies have been inaugurated
under the direction of Dr. C. J. Galpin. Of the remaining sections.
Agricultural History and Geography is identical with the old sec-
tion of History and Distribution of Farm Enterprises ; that of Farm
Financial Eelations is being established by transfer of existing
groups from the Bureau of Markets; and that of Farm Labor re-
mains to be organized.

Owing to the fact that practically all the research work done dur-
ing the past year was done under the old plan of organization, the
following detailed report of progress, for the most part, is arranged
according to the old classification,

403

464 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
COST OF PRODUCTION.

Eight hiinclred and sixty-five cotton-enterprise records, together
with the necessary farm organization data, were obtained from cot-
ton growers in four of the southern States during the months of May
and June, 1919. These records were distributed as follows: 162
representing two districts in Texas; 269 from three areas in Ala-
bama ; 254 from three sections in Georgia ; and 180 from two areas
in South Carolina. This material embraces staple factors of cot-
ton and will allow the estimations of cost by using current prices.

Cooperative costs of production studies of the tobacco crop were in-
stituted in May with the Kentucky Experiment Station. This en-
terprise study entails the cooperation w^ith 160 representative to-
bacco growers in which the tobacco enterprise is studied in detail
and in relation to the entire farm business.

Arrangements are being made with a number of the States look-
ing toward cost accounting investigations to begin with the new
farm year of 1920. A cost of tractor operation and farm organi-
zation stud}^ was arranged with the Ohio Experiment Station, the
work in the field to begin July 10.

Tentative plans have been laid for making studies in the cost of
producing wheat and sugar beets, and for special investigations in
live-stock economic problems.

FARM BUSINESS ANALYSIS STUDIES.

Studies of the business side of farming and ol factors affecting
the profitable organization of farms have made substantial progress
during the year. An additional year's work on continuing surveys of
farms has been inaugurated in the following areas:

Seventh year of the study of farms in a representative area of the hill land
drained by the Ohio River (Washington County, Ohio).

Sixth year of the study of farms in a representative area of general farming
in the Corn Belt (Clinton County, Ind.).

Third year of the study of farms in a representative area of fruit and gen-
eral farming in the Shenandoah Valley (Frederick County, Va.).

Second year of the study of farms in a representative area of truck farming
in Florida.

Second year of the study of farms in a representative area of the citrus
fruit industry in Florida.

Second year of the study of small farms in the vicinity of Columbus and
Cleveland, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Ind.

In cooperation with the Wisconsin College of Agriculture, the sixth year of
the study of farms in Dane County, Wis.

These studies show in more or less concrete fashion the profits in
farming over a period of years in a given area or for a certain type
of farming. They give light on the effect, not only of those factors
over which the farmer exerts more or less control, but also something
regarding the effect of many factors over which he has little or no
control.

In connection with these studies the results of the five-year study
in the hill-land section of the Ohio River have been published as De-
partment Bulletin 716, ''A Five- Year Farm Management Survey in
Palmer Township, WaRhington County, Ohio, 1912-1916." Depart-
ment Bulletin 694, ''A Study of Farm Management Problems in

OFFICE OF FARM MAN'AGEMENT. 465

Lc-naTvee County, Michigan," covering the results obtained in a
t3'pical dairy farming area in soiitliern Miclvigan, was also issued
during the year.

CROP ECONOMICS.

During the year material was collected in western New York with
special reference to labor-saving devices in handling the apple crop.
Supplementary data were also secured in connection with a survey
which was made in the apple-growing districts of western New York
about two yeai-s ago. This practically completes the list of reports
relating to the cost factors in the production of apples under various
conditions in the United States. No new work was started on apples
during the year.

Progress was made in bringing to completion a part of the investi-
gational work on hay. In 1018 records were taken in the alfalfa
and Johnson grass districts of Alabama and Mississippi. Two de-
scriptive bulletins, namely, Farmers' Bulletin 1009. entitled " Hay
Stackers,*' and Farmers' Bulletin 1049, entitled *' Baling Hay," were
I)ublished during the year.

Prior to 1918 a large number of estimates were obtained from
farmers on the production of corn silage, particularly with reference
to the effect oi the degree of maturity on yields, skrinkage and
wastage in storage, and the relative costs of different methods of
handling this crop. A careful analysis has been made of the in-
formation contained in these records and comprehensive reports have
been prepared summarizing the results.

Two hundred and eighty-five sugar-beet enterprise records were
obtained in the irrigated districts of Colorado during the summer of
1918. These records were concerned chiefly with the labor require-
ments of such crops as alfalfa, barley, wheat, oats, beans, corn, etc.,
which are grown in the beet-producing sections. Three publications
on sugar beets were issued, namely, Department Bulletin 748, " Farm
Practice in Growing Sugar Beets in Michigan and Ohio," Depart-
ment Bulletin 760, " Farm Practice in Growing Sugar Beets in Three
California Districts," and Farmers' Bulletin 1042, "Saving Man
Labor in Sugar Beet Fields."

LIVESTOCK ECONOMICS.

In the field of live-stock economics studies of the costs of growing
and of fattening beef cattle, which covered a number of the large
western ranches and selected areas in the corn-belt region, w^ere un-
dertaken in cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission, and
the data obtained have been worked up and submitted to the com-
mission.

Data are now being gathered on the cost of fattening beef cattle
for the market. Cooperative relations have been established with
the Bureau of Animal Industr}', and financial cooperative relations
liave been arranged with Indiana and Illinois for the carrying on of
tliis investigation.

466 ANNUAL REPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGPJCULTURE.

FARM BOOKKEEPING AND COST ACCOUNTING.

Cooperative investigations in cost accounting on individual farms
and studies of systems of bookkeeping and cost accounting in use by
farmers and agricultural interests in general have been continued.

Work done in the field has consisted of visits to cooperating farm-
ers for the purpose of making inventories, measuring crop areas,
and securing other data necessary for the completion of records, and
conferences with county agents and farmers seeking advice and
assistance in farm accounting work. Current office work has in-
cluded the posting, tabulating, and summarizing of cooperators' rec-
ords, and the handling of a considerable mass of correspondence and
personal inquiry from individuals interested in farm accounts or
cost accounting.

In addition to routine work, a special study has been made in con-
nection with the farm labor problem created by the war. In this
connection, labor requirement data, by months, for each crop or other
farm enterprise and for the farm as a whole, were tabulated for
69 farm years, covering representative farms in four agricultural
regions.

AGRICULTURAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY.

Work on the Atlas of American Agriculture, which was somewhat
delayed by the war, has made considerable progress during recent
months. Four sections are now awaiting publication, and work is in
progress on eight more. The sections entitled " Frost and the Grow-
ing Season " and " Cotton " were issued during the year.

In addition to routine work on the Atlas, much time has been
devoted to studying the agriculture of certain foreign countries
involved in the war, for the purpose of supplying information to
thfe American representatives at the Peace Conference. The follow-
ing maps were prepared :

Austria-Hungary : Forests ; crops and classes of live stock.

The Balkan countries : Crops and classes of live stock.

Turkey : Forests ; crops and classes of live stock ; precipitation.

Africa : Commercial crops and live stock of the former German Colonies.
Also, in cooperation \vitli the Weather Bureau, precipitation charts of the
continent.

Some progress has been made in a similar study of the agriculture
of South America. Data have been compiled on Argentina, Chile,
Uruguay, and Brazil.

Although these maps and accompanying reports have been pre-
2>ared primarily with the object of aifording infoimation to the
Commission to Negotiate Peace, the data and copies of the maps
which have been retained will be of great value in preparing the
various sections of the Atlas.

Attention has also been given to problems of reconstruction, par-
ticularly to studies of the location, extent, and character of poten-
tially arable land in the United States.

TENANCY AND FARM-LABOR PROBLEMS.

On account of the urgent demand for practical work on the sub-
ject of farm labor, a part or all of the time of the men engaged on
tenancy projects of the office was withdrawn from that subject and

OFFICE OF FARM MANAGEMENT. 467

devoted to farm labor or some other related matters. On this ac-
count it was impossible to do much field work during the year.
Material on the subject of renting land devoted to sugar beets, on
stability of tenure of the farm operator, and on methods of renting
farms in the wheat belt of the Central West was worked up. Some
work was also done on data relating to the general subject of renting
farms, the renting of land devoted to small grains, the renting of
dairy farms, systems of renting by stock shares, and the rent rela-
tions existing between landlord and tenant on a New York farm.
Additions were made to the large collection of leases in possession
of the office, and the files of these were indexed to make them more
readily available.

The farm-labor operations were conducted along the lines which
were pursued during the previous fiscal year. Farm-help specialists
w^ere maintained in practically every State. These men worked in co-
operation with the extension divisions of the agricultural colleges,
particularly the county agents, and also with the State departments
of agriculture. State departments of labor, and other State organiza-
tions concerned witli the labor problem, and finally with the United
States Employment Service and other employment offices. Tho
farm-help si^ecialists took an active part in organizing local farm-
labor business.

Attention was chiefly devoted to the problem of making labor
more efficient on the farms. This involved the encouragement of the
cooperative exchange of labor among farmers, the study of wages as
related to farm prices, the provision of better housing and living
conditions for laborers, the use of gasoline power, labor-saving de-
vices, and the development of a better spirit of cooperation between
the farmer and the city business man in solving the annual problem
of seasonal farm-labor requirements.

Active cooperation was also maintained with the War Department,
particularly with the morale branch of the General Staff. In this
work the office maintained representatives at 11 demobilization camps
for the purpose of furnishing information regarding agricultural
opportunities and particularly regarding openings for employment
on farms to all returning soldiers who were interested in agriculture.

FARM EQUIPMENT.

The work done during the year with reference to farm equipment
has been largely concerned with the use of power machinery and
with the i^elations between mechanical power and horse . power.
Three new studies were made :

1. A study of the displacement of horses by tractors and the cost of operating
tractors on about 200 corn-belt farms was made during the summer of 1918.

2. A preliminary economic study of the use of motor trucks on farms wcs
made in sections around Kansas City, Omaha, and Indianapolis, with the inten-
tion of obtaining, as soon as possible, detailed information on motor-truck
operations from a large number of farms in all parts of the country.

3. A study of the duty of farm implements and crews and the costs of using
farm implements in central Illinois.

The section cooperated actively with the Office of Farm Equip-
ment Control.

The following publications on farm equipment were issued during
the year :

468 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Farmers' Bulletin 992, " The Use of Machinery for Cutting Corn ";
Farmers' Bulletin 1004, "The Gas Tractor in Eastern Farming";
Farmers' Bulletin 1013, " Practical Hints on Running a Gas En-
gine"; Farmers' Bulletin 1023, " Machinery for Cutting Firewood";
Farmers' Bulletin 1035, "The Farm Tractor in the Dakotas"; and
Farmers' Bulletin 1045, " Laying Out Fields for Tractor Plowing."

FARM-MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION WORK IN SOUTHERN

STATES.

This project has proceeded with the instruction of farmers in the
importance of the known economic facts and principles that underlie
successful farming and in assisting them in so adjusting their prac-
tices and management as to comply more nearly, if possible, w^ith
these facts and principles.

This work has been conducted through meetings, correspondence,
and personal visits to farmers, by farm demonstrations, by farm
records, and by inquiry into the practices of individual farmers and
communities of farmers. About 1,000 farmers have been reached
personally by the farm-management specialists and many others
indirectly.

The following bulletins have been published: Farmers' Bulletin
1000, " Crop Sj^stems for Arkansas"; Farmers' Bulletin 1015, " Pro-
ducing Family and Farm Supplies on the Cotton Farm."

The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College has accepted
for publication an extension bulletin on " Man Labor on Soutliern
Crops."

Numerous articles have been prepared by the specialists for the
local press in the various States.

REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Office of Solicitor,
Washington, D. (7., October IS, 1919.

Sir: I submit herewith report of the work of the Office of the
Solicitor for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1919.

Wm. M. Williams,

jSolicitor,
Hon. D. F. Houston,

Secretanj of Agriculture,

SUMMARY.

During the fiscal year Congress enacted several statutes which sub-
Ftantially increased the work of the department and consequently of
this ofhce. The first of these was the act of July 3, 1918, known as
the '' Migratory bird treaty act,'* to carry ini<') effect the treaty with
Great Britain for the protection of migratory birds in the United
States and Canada. The administration of the act is committed to
the Secretary of Agriculture. By section 5 of the Post Office appro-
priation act of February 28, 1919, the scope of the term " rural post
roads,-' as used in section 2 of the Federal aid road act of July 11,
1916, was extended to include several additional classes of roads, and
by section 0 of this act $200,000,000, additional to the appropriation
made by the Federal aid road act, were appropriated for the purposes
of that act as amended. Section 8 of the Post Office appropriation
act also made an additional appropriation of $9,000,000 for cooper-
ative or independent department construction of roads in national
forests in States, Territories, and insular possessions. The appro-
priation of $500,000 in the Agricultural appropriation act for the
fiscal year 1919, for investigation, control, and eradication of tuber-
culosis of animals contained a proviso that if, in the opinion of the
Secretary of Agriculture, it should be necessary to destroy tuber-
culous animals and to compensate the owners for the loss thereof,
he might expend so much of the appropriation as he should deter-
mine for such compensation in cooperation with States, counties, or
municipalities making similar provisions for compensation.

Various activities of the department relating directly to the war
were continued during the fiscal year. The office assisted in the
drafting of the act of March 4, 1919, commonly known as the whea4:
guaranty law. and the report of the Committee of the House of Rep-
resentatives thereon. Assistance was given in the preparation of an
amendment to the President's proclamation licensing stockyard op-
erators and others handling or dealing in live stock in connection

4^9

470 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

with stockyards, and the office prepared, in whole or in part, the
schedules to be used in food, fertilizer, -farm implement, and seed
surveys. Assistance Avas rendered in the preparation of various
forms for administration of the proclamations requiring the licensing
of persons, companies, and corporations engaged in the operation of
stockyards, and the manufacture and sale of fertilizers and farm
implements. Assistance was also given in developing a plan for the
allotment, sale, and delivery of approximately 140,000 tons of nitrate
of soda to farmers, and in the preparation of a circular of informa-
tion, application forms, and letters of instruction to bankers and dis-
tributors. One hundred and fifteen nitrate shortage claims were re-
viewed to determine the liability of the Government therefor. As-
sistance was given in hearings and conferences and in the drafting of
correspondence with fertilizer manufacturers, through which they
were induced to permit the farmers to purchase fertilizers in lots of
30 tons or more for the same price paid by dealers, and aid was given
at conferences and in correspondence in securing reductions of ap-
proximately 30 per cent in the prices of mixed fertilizers for the fall
season of 1919. Representatives of the office conducted various hear-
ings throughout the country and otherwise assisted in tlie proceedings
relative to live-stock commission and yardage rates and other
charges for service at stockyards, the vaccination of stock hogs, com-
plaints submitted by the Farmers' Union Livestock Commission
against the Omaha Livestock Exchange, and complaints against
live-stock commission companies for overcharges in feed bills, etc.

LTnder the Saulsbury resolution the office advised, and handled in
court, the cases of a number of department emploA^ees threatened with
eviction from their premises.

Aside from the war work, partly mentioned above, luider your
direction, upon requests of committees or Members of Congress, the
office prepared or assisted in the preparation of several bills of a
comprehensive nature, including bills to regulate the packing in-
dustry (S. 2199, 66th Congress), interstate commerce in fertilizers
(H. 11. 15327, 65th Congress), interstate commerce in commercial
feeds (H. K. 16224, 65th Congress), the grading of fruits and vege-
tables (H. E. 5309, 66th Congress), the promotion of rural health
(H. R. 13342, 65th Congress), and the standardization of hampers
and round stave baskets. Amendments of the United States cotton
futures act, the United States warehouse act, and the United States
grain standard act were also drawn, of which the first two were
enacted. Advice and suggestions were given with reference to a
uniform State credit bill, and a bill to provide for State farmers
mutual insurance was drafted. A weights and measures bill for the
District of Columbia and a proposed New Jersey cooperative banking
law were reviewed and changes suggested. Proposed grain grading,
inspection, and marketing laws of Colorado, Idaho, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin were con-
sidered and comments made thereon. A bill drawn for introduction
in the Tennessee Legislature, granting to the United States the State's
title to land in areas proposed to be acquired by the Government
under the Weeks forestry laAv, was enacted. Numerous special items for
inclusion in the agricultural appropriation bill were drafted or re-
viewed, including an amendment of the plant-quarantine law to regu-
late movement of nursery stock and other plants and plant products

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR. 471

into the District of Columbia; amendment of the meat-inspection law.
to cover horse meat; amendment of the act of March 3, 1917, relat-
ing to tlie cooperative activities of the department ; a provision for the
eradication of tuberculosis in animals and authorizing the Secretary
of Agriculture to pay part of the value of animals destroyed in co-
operation with the States in the eradication of tuberculosis; and an
item authorizing payment of rewards for evidence of fire trespasses
on the National Forests.

A substantial part of the time of the ofiice was consumed in ap-
pearance of its members before committees of Congress in hearings
held pn various bills affecting in whole or in part the work of the
department.

The office prepared, or assisted in the preparation of, the depart-
ment's reports upon various bills referred by committees of Congress
having tliem in charge. Among the bills reported upon were 56
affecting the National Forests, one prohibiting the sale of game in
the District of Columbia, another authorizing the establishment of
game refuges in the National Forests, another authorizing the accept-
ance by the Secretary of Agriculture of gifts of lands to be devoted
to the conservation of wild life, and one to amend the Alaska game
law. The office was frequently called upon during the year to hold
or participate in hearings and conferences in Washington and else-
where relative to the various activities of the department. Among
the hearings held, additional to those relating to war emergency
measures hei*etofore mentioned, were 14 regarding disparities between
quotations of the '* future" and "spot" exchanges and utilization of
low-grade cotton ; disputes between buyer and seller under the cotton
futures act; in 15 markets on the oat standards; at Minneapolis.
!Minn., and Fargo, N. Dak., relative to the ^rain-grading law of
North Dakota: 16 on the proposed grain warehouse regulations; on
the proposed revocation of the license of a fertilizer manufacturer in
Massachusetts; on terms and methods of sale of fertilizers; and on
the oi>eration of stockyards. Conferences were attended with the
Bureau of Markets and the Railroad Administration relative to the
loading of grain cars; with the Railroad Administration relative to
licensing as inspectors railroad elevator emplo^^ees and to demurrage
charges on gram cars; with the trade and others interested relative
to various grain standards problems; with ti*ade representatives
relative to proposed regulations for grain w^arehouses; with the
Bureau of Markets, the War Finance Corporation, the Farm Loan
Board, State Boards of Agriculture, and insurance rating bureaus
relative to the administration of the warehouse act; wdth manufac-
turers, producers, and sellers relative to the terms and methods of
sale of fertilizers ; with various operators and patrons relative to the
operation of stockyards; with various State agencies relative to
cooperative work with the Department of Agriculture involving
marketing and similar activities; and with the United States game
wardens relative to the administration and enforcement of the
migratory bird treaty act and the Lacey Act.

The office prepared, or assisted in the preparation of, numerous
regulations, orders, forms, specifications, and schedules required in
the administration of various statutes committed to the department
for execution. Some of the more important of these were regula-
tions to carry into effect the migratory bird treaty act; regulations

472

a:n^nual reports of department of agriculture.

under the virus, serum, and toxin law; I'egulations governing com-
pensation to owners of tuberculous animals destroyed; amendments
of regulations under the Alaska game law ; amendments of the meat-
inspection regulations ; amendments of regulations for the adminis-
tration of cotton warehouses; regulations governing inspection and
handling of export animals, governing interstate movement of live
stock, under the plant quarantine act, under the vocational rehabili-
tation act, to carry into effect the food products inspection laAV, gov-
erning inspection of horse meat, governing entry of pure-bred ani-
mals, under section 5 of the cotton futures act as amended; amend-
ment of regulations under the grain standards act; and numerous
amendments of ths administrative and fiscal regulations of the de-
partment. Among the more important orders prepared were those to
establish plant and animal quarantines ; to revoke or suspend licenses
of grain inspectors ; to carry into effect section 2 of the food produc-
tion act ; and to permit the destruction of migratory game birds in
several localities where, under extraordinary conditions, they had
become seriously injurious to rice crops. Forms of resolutions w^ere
prepared to enable county and other political subdivisions of States
to apply to the State highway departments for Federal and State
aid in the construction and maintenance of public highways; forms
of inspection certificates submitted by licensed inspectors for revi-
sion ; and forms of insurance policies covering goods transported by
motor trucks. Some of the schedules prepared, or in the preparation
of which aid was given, were those for surveys of fertilizers, farm
implements, seeds, and for food and other surveys. Assistance was
given in the preparation of standards for grades of American, Egyp-
tian, and Sea Island cotton and for length of staple, for oats and
rice, and specifications of commercial grades of white potatoes and
butter.

At the request of the War Industries Board a representative of
the office visited Vermont for the purpose of arranging for certain
water-power contracts in the interest of national conservation of
fuel.

In accordance with the practice heretofore established of submit-
ting reports of violations of criminal statutes committed to the
Department of Agriculture for administration, in the form of crimi-
nal informations and indictments, the cases referred to the Attorney
General under the migatory bird treaty act were so reported, thus
saving the time and facilitating the convenience of the United States
attorneys.

Law work for the Forest Service during the year, other than under
the Weeks forestry law, included handling the following cases and
other business :

Claims to lands 575

Hearings attended 41

Depositions tal^en 5

Briefs prepared and filed 31

Motions for reliearings 31

Petitions for exercise of su-
pervisory authority 1

Oral arguments 1

Trespasses :

Grazing 359

Timber 36

Fire ' 155

Occupancy 45

Game 53

General litigation 53

Written opinions 233

Contracts, leases, and similar

papers 1214

» Including 104 prosecutions in State courts.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.

473

The following is a suniniary of the wolk of the office in connection
with the acquisition of lands under the Weeks forestry law:

Acquisition of lands tnuler Weeks forestry law.

Character of work.

Tracts.

Acreage.

Purchases authorized by National Forest Reservation Commission

A':;reement s of p.irchase prepared

Tiilesin process of examinition at beginning of year

Exarainitions of titles completed and reported to Department of Justice:

I'lirchases recommended

Condemnations recommended

Titles approved by Attorney General and in process of adjustment

Titles in process of examin Jtion at end of year

Completion of direct purchases after approval of titles by Attorney General
Completion of purchases of lands acquired by condemnation

226
238

198
80
37
53
110
107

127,029.00
173,427.00
121,790.00

12.5,346.07
71,215.77
24, 7.%. 00

138,725.00
71,432.23

147,905.22

Three meetings of the National Forest Reservation Commission
were attended.

The following table .shows the number of contracts and leases pre-
pared or examined for sufficiency and proper execution for the va-
rious bureaus, divisions, and offices of the department:

Contracts and leases prepared or examined.

Bureau, division, or office.

Con-
tracts.

Leases.

Bureau, division, or ofllcc.

con-
tracts.

Leases.

bureau of Animal Industry

Hiolofiical Sur\ev...

3
2
10
2
5
9
..

1,297

35

1

6

19

10

51

1

5

155

Bureau of Xfarkcts

2

1
4
863
1
4
32

74

Mechanical shops

Bureau of Chemistry

Bureau of Plant Industry

59

Chief clerk

IJureau of I'ublic Roads

23

Bureau of Crop Estimates

Bureau of Entomology

Division of Publications

Supply Division ^

Weather Bureau

Oflice of Exhibit*;

24

Federal Horticultural Board

Foreiit Service

Total

2,243

463

Insecticide and Fungicide Board .

1

During the fiscal year 43 bonds, 494 renewals, and 71 terminations
of leases were prepared.

Six hundred and ninety-four written opinions, including the 233
above mentioned for the Forest Service, were rendered to the officials,
bureaus, divisions, and offices of the department. In addition, numer-
ous letters and Service and Kegulatory Announcements of the Bureau
of Markets, containing instructions, information, and opinions with
reference to the statutes administered by that bureau, were examined,
and modified or reformed where necessary. The practice was
adopted during the year of answering many requests of the various
bnieaus of the department for opinions by brief hand-written nota-
tions on the papers containing the requests, thus saving time and
expediting tlie answer. Xo record was kept of these informal
opinions. A large portion of advice given administrative officials of
tlie department was in oral conferences, of which also no record was
made. Suggestions with reference to pleadings in 150 food and drugs
cases were made for the assistance of United States attorneys.

Thirty applications for letters patent on inventions of employees
of the department for dedication to the public were prepared and

151352°— 19 31

474 ANNUAL PvEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

filed. Of the -applications pending at the close of the last fiscal year
and of those filed during this fiscal year, 35 were allowed.

Several applications of department employees for patents were
placed in interference with applications of outside parties, necessitat-
ing the taking of testimony and the i3resentation and argument of
the cases before the Patent Office in an effort to establisli priority
of $91,495,797.99, and G,122 and a fraction miles, were reviewed, and
favorable to the employees were rendered in each of these cases.

Project statements for 800 projects under the Federal aid road act.
of which 761 were approved, involving a total estimated expenditure
of $91,495,797.99 and G,122 and a fraction miles^ were reviewed, and
595 project agreements under that act, with certificates of approval
of plans, specifications, and estimates, involving a total estimated
expenditure of $42,178,903.91, were examined. There were also ex-
amined 185 drafts of modifications of agreement and certificates pre-
pared by the Bureau of Public Roads. There were also examii^ed 09
original and 12 supplemental cooperative agreements under section
8 of the act relating to roads and trails in National Foi*ests.

Seventy-three claims for balances due esiates of employees of the
department who died intestate were examined, the necessary papers
prepared for tlieir payment, and advice furnished administrative
officers of the department relating to the same.

Seven cases involving irregularities or misconduct of employees in
their official duties were reviewed, the necessary investigations made,
and appropriate papers prepared. There were nine cases of the same
nature, but of less formal and serious character. Advice was also
given on the special features of several other pers(Min«l cases, no
record of which was preserved in this office.

Aid was given the advisory committee on finance and business
methods in drafting orders and memoranda of the Secretary for the
general administration of the department, and to the Office of Inspec-
tion in the cons id-erat ion of a number of claims for reimbursement
for property lost or destroyed while being used on official work in the
National Forests.

Many Service and Regulatory Announcements, circulars, and bul-
letins, referred to this office by the Division of Publications for ex-
amination as to possible legal questions involved, were reviewed, and
numerous letters for the Secretary's signature, prepared in the
various bureaus, offices, and divisions, Avere referred to this office for
comment prior to signature.

Man}^ documents of various kinds, including statements of issues,
briefs, and memoranda on legal matters, were prepared on behalf of
the officials of this clepai-tment for submission to the Attorney Gen-
eral, the Seci^etary of the Interior, the Comptroller of the Tretisury,
and the officials of other dei>aitments.

Hearings conducted at various places to develop the facts in re-
gard to charges preferred against serum companies for violations
of the regulations governing the preparation, shipn:}ent, and impor-
tation of viruses, serums, toxins, and analagous products intended
for use in the treatment of domestic animals were reviewed and the
Bureau of Animal Industry and the Secretary advised with refer-
ence to proper action thereon.

Six thousand and eight violations of statutes intrusted to the de-
partment for enforcement were reported. 4,440 to the Attorney Oen-

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.

475

cnil, and 1,5G2 to the Dii'ector General of Railroads, pursuant to an
ngreenient between the Attorney General, the Director General, and
this department for report to the Director General of violations
of the animal quai'antine laws and the 28-hour law occurring after
the Government assumed control of the railroads. The following-
table shows the several statutes under which these violations were
reported and the amount of fines and recoveries in cases settled with
and without litigation:

Violaiiofis of statutes considered.

Law invoked.

Fines and
recoveries.

T.aws for the protection of National Forests.

Food and drugs act

2S-hour law ,

A nimal quarantine acts

Meat inspection ,

I,;irpy Act ,

• ' i rd reservation trespass law

Miinaiory bird treaty act

\ iriis act ,

I iisecticide act

i'lant quarantine act

St audard basket law

UnitwJ States grain standards act

Miscellaneous

Total .

$74,379.30

18,100.00

109,850.00

27,000.00

1,306.00

1,917.00

315.00

2,230.00

'2,342.06

25.'66

K.66

237,549.30

Under authority of section 4 of the food and drugs act and section
4 of the insecticide act, 375 notices of judgment were prepared for
publication. In addition to the criminal prosecutions above tabu-
lated, 667 decrees of condemnation and forfeiture were entered
under the food and drugs act and 5 under the in.secticide act.

Aside from the cases reported to the Department of Justice, in-
vestigation was made of numerous others which could not be so re-
ported because of the absence of proof or material facts.

Many memoranda and briefs on legal questions were furnished on
ca-cs reported to the Department of Justice for prosecution, and in
some assistance was given in taking depositions and statements of
Avitnes^es and in the trials. Among the impoi-tant cases in which this
office assisted, either in the preparation of briefs or in the trials, or
both, were United States i\ Tlwmp.son, United States v. Samj)les and
DeLapp, State of Missouri v. Holland (United States Game Wai*-
den). United States v. Selkirk, and United States v. Greene, all in-
volving the validity of the treaty with Great Britain for the protec-
tion of migratory birds: United States v. Kern Eiver Co., United
States V. Harvey and Sherman, United States r. Hoop^l', United
States V. Moore et al.. United States v. Davis, United States v. North-
ern Pacific Railroad Co., United States y. Carbon Timber Co., United
States 'i\ Safe Investment Co., United States v. Sumter Valley Rail-
way Co., United States v. Utah Light & Traction Co., and United
States V. Nay, all involving alleged rights to lands or the use of lands
in the National Forests; United States r. Albert Ander.son and 24
similar cases involving trespasses on the Pisgah National Forest and
Game Preserve ; United States v. Parke, Davis & Co., and two other
cases of the same nature, involving violations of the insecticide and

476 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

fungicide act; United States v. Atlantic Coast Line Raiload Co.,
United States v. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway
Co., United States v. New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad
Co., and United States v. Adams Express Co. (3 cases), all involv-
ing violations of the 28-hour law; United States v. 432 bottles
" Knoxit," United States v. Nashville Medicine Co., United States v.
Hall's Texas Wonder, United States v. Nestle's Food Co., United
States V. 30 dozen bottles "Knoxit,' United States v. Kar-ru Chemi-
cal Co., all involving violations of the food and drugs act.

Tabulated statements showing in detail the facts and status of the
principal prosecutions originating in the department in which the
ITnited States attorneys have commenced proceedings and of the
claims and other cases affecting the National Forests are retained in
this office for reference.

In addition to the opinions expressed in letters and memoranda to
the various officials, bureaus, offices, and divisions of the department,
frequent daily conferences were had with them with reference to legal
questions involved in their work. Informal conferences between this
office and the other bureaus, offices, and divisions of the department
Avere more frequently held during the fiscal year than previously,
and resulted in much saving of time to every office concerned.

The work of the office, considering its nature, was current at the
end of the year.

Somewhat detailed statements of the principal activities of the
office, w ithout unnecessary reiteration of what has been fairly covered
by the foregoing summary, follow.

THE NATIONAL FORESTS.

LAND CLAIMS.

At the commencement of the fiscal year there were pending 401
cases. During the year there were added 174, and 231 were closed,
leaving 344 pending. A total of 575 cases were handled, involving
land claimecl under the homestead, timber and stone, mineral, lieu
and railroad selections, and other general and special land laws.

Two hundred and sixty-one decisions w^'ere rendered, including
those of registers and receivers and the Commissioner of the Gen-
eral Land Office, subject, respectively, to review by the Commis-
sioner of the General Land Office and the Secretary of the Interior.
The registers and receivers decided 13 for and 13 against the Gov-
ernment, the commissioner decided 106 for and 57 against the Gov-
ernment, and the Secretary decided 31 for and 37 against the
Government. Fourteen were suspended for further action and 18
for taking additional testimony. Of the 231 cases closed during the
year, 80 were by decisions for the claimant and 96 by decisions in
favor of the Government. In 5 cases the proof was rejected or
withdrawn. Thirteen were canceled by relinquishment, and in 37
the protests were withdrawn. In 29, such withdrawals were made
after the commissioner had reduced the area required to be cultivated
under the homestead laws. As a result of the 96 decisions in favor
of the Government, approximately 9,129 acres of land, supporting
a stand of approximately 53,813,140 feet of timber, valued at approxi-
mately $161,439, were retained in the N,ational Forests. The remain-

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.

477

ing 344 cases received attention varying in degree Tvitli their prog-
ress in tlie Forest Service and in the Department of the Interior.
Hearings were attended in 41 cases. Depositions were taken in 5
cases. Briefs were filed in 31 cases. One case was orally argued be-
fore the Secretary of the Interior. Thirty-one motions for rehearing
were filed, 8 of which were accompanied by briefs; 2 appeals to the
Secretary of the Interior, supported by briefs, were prosecuted from
adverse decisions by the commissioner; and 1 petition for the exercise
of supervisory authority, accompanied by brief, was made to the
Secretary.

The assistants to the Solicitor in the field examined and passed
upon the evidence in many cases in addition to the 174 new cases in
which protests were prepared to be filed in the local land offices by
the district foresters, and either returned the papers for additional
evidence or recommended that no objection be made to the issuance
of patent.

TRESPASS.

Damages and fines recovered during the year for trepasses upon
the national forests were:

Penalties for trespass on national forests.

Class of trespass.

Damages.

Fines and

Class of trespass.

Damages.

Fines and
recoveries.

Crazing

143, 2/>6. 61

11,. 596.95
120.00
888.50
115.01

1 Occupancy

138.44
8,784.47

$759.44

Timber

fi .S«9. B7

Fire 12,365.22

Game

Total

71,014.41

3,479.90

In addition, prosecutions in State courts were instituted in 102
cases, resulting in fines of $3,380 and jail sentences totaling 1,400
days.

In the 53 cases instituted on account of hunting or killing of game
animals on the Pisgah National Game Preserve and the national
forests in violation of the department's rules and regulations, 34
defendants wei*e found guilty and fined, and sentences aggregating
55 days in jail were imposed, 3 were dismissed because defendants
were out of the State, 2 defendants were found not guilty, 1 case
was di.smissed for lack of evidence, 2 were continued, 2 were dis-
missed, and 9 are awaiting trial.

GENERAL FORESTRY LITIGATION.

Thirty-six cases not properly included within the above, both
criminal and civil, were handled by district assistants, or aid given
United States attorneys in conducting them during the year, among
which were the following: United States v. Northern Pacific Rail-
way Co., a suit for the cancellation of patent issued to the company,
argued in the Circuit Court of Appeals in May, 1919; United States
r. Milwaukee Lumber Co. and the Fidelity & Deposit Co. of Mary-
land, involving timber cut from a canceled home.stead entry, settled
by the defendant; two cases before the Interstate Commerce Com-
mission and one before the public service commission of Oregon, in-

478 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

volving rates on timber; a charge of obtaining a railroad ticket
from the Forest Service mider pretense of going to assist in fighting
forest fires, defendant pleaded guilty and \vas sentenced to 10 days
in jail ; suit to cancel a right of way ; suit to cancel patent to a min-
eral claim in which demurrer to the bill was sustained; a forest
ranger was bound over for trial by the State court on a technical
charge of murder, resulting from shooting while assisting a State
^cer in making an arrest for felony, the grand jury failed to
indict; on the charge of personating a forest officer, the defendant
was acquitted; in a prosecution for criminal libel defendant was
found guilty and sentence is now pending ; on a eharge of larceny of
Government property defendant was found guilty and fined $25 ; on
a charge of bribery the case was dropped for lack of evidence ; break-
ing into a ranger station, defendant found not guilty; a suit to
cancel a mineral patent, decision by the United States district court
in favor of the defendant was affirmed by the Circuit Court of
Appeals; one suit for the condemnation of lands; five cases involv-
ing water rights; one action for breach of timber sale contract; in-
junction suit to terminate an illegal inclosure; for killing a forest
ranger while attempting to make an arrest of one Archuletto, who
was evading military service, Archuretto was given a life sentence,
and a companion, Martinez, was sentenced to 15 years.

FORESTRY COURT DECISIONS OF INTEREST.

. In Caldwell & Dunwody v. United States, the Supreme Court, on
May 10, 1919, held that the plaintiffs were not entitled to recover
from the United States the proceeds of the sale of the " tie slash *' or
tops of trees the trunks of which had been used in making tics for
the Denver, j^orthwestern & Pacific Railway Co. Plaintiffs had
contracted to furnish ties to the railroad, which had the right under
the act of March 3, 1875 (18 Stat. 482), to cut timber for railroad
purposes from the public lands adjacent to its road, and had been
advised by the chief of the field division of the General Land Office
in whose district the land was located that they might sell the tie
slash. When the lands were included on March 7, 1907, within the
Medicine Bow National Forest, the officers of the forest service took
possession of and sold tie slash, permitting the plaintiffs to take only
the poles they had already cut and the slash within the ^' fire guard "
200 feet wide for a distance of 2 miles along the road. Plaintiffs
sought to recover the money received from the sale of this tie slash.
The court held that under the act of 1875 the railroad company was
entitled to timber for construction purposes only and not as a means
of business or profit, and that plaintiffs were not entitled to the bene-
fits of ih^ act of March 3, 1891 (36 Stat- 1095, 1099), permitting the
cutting of timber from the public lands for agricultural, mining,
manufacturing, and domestic purposes, because of the express provi-
sion that nothing in that act shall operate to enlarge ii\\Q rights of any
railroad company.

In Union Land & Stock Co. v. United States, 257 Fed., 635, the
Circuit Court of Api^eals for the Ninth Circuit, on May 9, 1919,
held that suit may be maintained without a special act of Congress
for the forfeiture of a grant of any irrigation right of way under
the act of 1891.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR. 479

The case of United States ^\ Myron Naj^ was decided in the United
States District Court at Salt Lake City on January 28, 1919, and
involved the use of mineral claims merely for residence purposes.
A permanent injunction was obtained and the defendant was re-
moved from the premises. The case is of importance in that it is
a judicial determination of the validity of a mineral claim without
preliminary proceedings in the Land Office for adjudication of the
character of the lands.

Several cases arose on the Teton National Forest involving the
killing of elk in violation of the regulations of the Department of
Agriculture. A motion to dismiss, l)ased on the ground that the
Secretary of Agriculture was without authority to promulgate such
regulations, was sustained. Appeals on behalf of the Government
are pending.

The case of United States i\ Kern River Co., decided February
10, 1919, involved the cancellation of an irrigation easement granted
under the act of March 3, 1891, for failure to use the grant for any
purpose contemplated by the act, it having been used for power pur-
poses alone. Tlie District Court for the Southern District of
California dismissed the bill, holding that fraud or mistake in making
the giant had not been established and that the suit could not be
maintained and the grant canceled without special act of Congress
authorizing the suit and forfeiture of the grant. The Governuicnt's
appeal to the Circuit Court of Appeals is pending.

The case of Uniteil States v, Milwaukee Lur.iber Co. and Fidelity
& Deposit Co. of Maryland, decided in favor of the Governuient on
June 21, 1919, was an action to recover $3,954.43, and involves a con-
tract bond given to the United States to cover payment for the thnber
cut from the Elizabeth Davis homestead claim. The bond contained
a stipulation to the effect that in the event the Qwivy was relinquished
or canceled by a proper officer of the Interior Department, the lumber
company would pay to the ITnited States the value of the timber.
The claim was canceled and demand made upon the lumber company
for the money, which was refused, but finalh' the money was de-
posited in the Federal court of Idaho. The homesteader intervened,
and while the matter was pending. Congress passed a bill authorizing
the Secretary of the Interior to issue a patent. The bill provided
that the issuance of patent should not relieve the hunber company
from its obligation to pay for the timber.

IMPORTANT FORESTRY OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

In the case of Allen L. Newton, involving a homestead entry within
a national forest, the Attorney General, by letter of July 17, 1918,
to the Secretary of the Interior, expressed the opinion that the pro-
viso to section V, act of March 3, 1891 (2G Stat., 1095), which directs
the issuance of patent where no protest or contest is pending at the
expiration of two j'ears after the issuance of receiver s final receipt,
as such proviso was interpreted by the Supreme Court in Lane v.
Hoglund, 244 U. S., 174,- does not require the Secretary of the Inte-
rior to issue patent where fraud is involved, and that if the proof of
fraud was so clear, unequivocal, and convincing as to warrant a suit
to cancel the patent, a suit should be instituted to cancel the final
receipt and entry, and that pending the determination of such suit
the patent should be withheld.

480 ANJSrUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

WEEKS FORESTRY LAW.

[36 Stat., 961.]

During the period of the war Congress made no additional appro-
priation for the extension of tlie work under this act, and as a conse-
quence, as well as because of the many war activities demanding the
attention of the individual members of the force engaged upon the
work, the results during the fiscal year have not been as extensive
and the acreage acquired not as great as in the previous year. It is
believed, however, that the work accomplished, when considered from
the standpoint of the force engaged thereon, relatively has been as
large as in previous years.

During the year the National Forest Reservation Commission au-
thorized the acquisition of 226 tracts of land aggregating 127,029
j-icres.

In order to meet the demands of the work incident to additional
authorized acquisitions, new offices have been established at Mena,
Ark., and at Murphy, N. C, the former to facilitate the examina-
tion of titles to lands to be acquired in the Arkansas and Ozark
areas and the latter for the purpose of making further examination
of title to the so-called " Olmstead " lands turned over to the depart-
ment for forest purposes by the Treasury Department under the act
of Congress of 1912, and also for the purpose of examining titles of
interior and contiguous tracts to be acquired for filling out the area.

In the past considerable delay in the acquisition of lands and the
payment therefor was occasioned by the congested condition of the
work in the offices of the United States attorneys, due to the unprece-
dented amount of work arising from war conditions. It was, there-
fore, necessary, in order to meet the complaints on the part of the
vendors at the delay in receiving payment of purchase money and
awards for lands taken over by the department, to effect arrange-
ments whereby the United States attorneys' offices could be relieved
of a portion of the detail incident to the condemnation of lands
which could not, because of defects in titles, be acquired by direct
purchase. This condition is now being met by this office preparing
all the petitions and other papers incidental to the condemnation
proceedings.

While this procedure has considerably increased the work of this
office, the results attained have undoubtedly warranted the undertak-
ing and have materially expedited payments to vendors as well as
relieved the pressure in the offices of the United States attorneys.

The following is a summary, in terms of acres, of operations under
the Weeks forestry law from the beginning to June 30, 1919.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR. 481

Operations under the Weeks forestry law from the heginning to Jute SO, 1919.

Area.

Purchases
authorized
(esti-
mated).

Purchases

completed

(actual

survey).

Ueports in Department
of Justice.

state.

For
opinion
(actual
survey).

For con-
demnation
(actual
survey).

Alabama

Alabama . . .

Acres.
52.526
8,359
9,130
64,127
84,429
29,547

384,815
45,839
88,157
75.704
94,588
43,386
24,084

141,188

Acres.
22, 763. 17
1,397.52

Acres.
5,523
3,635
1,619

.<4crM.
5,671

Arkansas

Ozark

<>eorgia . .,.,

60,23 .72
47,418.53
27,859.78
332,777.88
25,917.35
67,112.69
35, 1S3. 82
79.471.20
33,528.50
18.4.')4.26
91,889.38

Savannah (S)

Maine

White Mountain

New Hampshire

North Carolina

do

Hoone

31,797

21,220

Mount M itchell

24

6,L59

Nantahala

138

Pisgah

9,495

-

128

Fouth Carolina

.Savannah (S)

Tennessee

Chorokeo

18,365

6,848

White Top

44,380
56,129
63,537

110,ft52
41,410
23,311

169,244
.'i.5,549
41,436
18,000

"47,112.63
39,944.90
.50,531.75
77,699.60
30,024.95
22,090.63

132,265.94
46,268.30
31,581.12
13,318.45

t'naka

5,070
5,401

Virginia

Massanutten

257
5,778

Natural Bridge

1,745

I'otomac .

3,398
307

White Top

Shenandoah

412

West Virginia

Monongahela

I'otomac

7,058

528

1,768,927

1,334,842.07

3.5,201

105,375

» Tart of this acquisition authorized as being in Unaka area

THE PLANT QUARANTINE ACT.

[87 Stat.. 315.]

Four cases were reported to the Attorney General, all under sec-
tion 8 (domestic quarantines) of the act as amended by the appro-
priation act of March 4, 1917 (39 Stat., 1134, 1165). At tfie close of
the fiscal year 1918 there were 14 ca.ses pending. Three cases which
Avere closed prior to the beginning of the fiscal year 1918 were not
reported to this office until too late for their inclusion in the annual
report. Of the 4 new cases, 1 was withdrawn upon the request of
the Federal Horticultural Board; 1 other case was nol-prossed.
There are now 15 cases pending. A number of proposed orders of
the Secretary of Agriculture to establish, and of regulations to
enforce, quarantines under the law were examined as to their legal
form and sufficiency.

FEDERAL AID ROAD ACT.

[39 Stat., 355.]

Projects statements for 800 projects were reviewed during the year
to determine whether the projects were eligible for Federal aid under
the provisions of the act. Of these, 761 were approved, involving a
total estimated expenditure of $91,495,797.99, and Federal aid in the

482 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

amount of $38^64,394.85, and involving 6,122.824 miles of road. In
many cases where some part or all of the project was not being used
as a rural post road and there was not sufficient evidence to establish
a reasonable prospect that it would be so used within a reasonable
time, it was necessary to point out in detail the character of addi-
tional evidence which should be furnished to establish the eligibility
of the project. In some instances elimination of a portion or por-
tions of the project was suggested where it was impossible to fur-
nish sufficient evidence of a i*easonable prospect of use for mail trans-
portation.

Project agreements and certificates of approval of plans, specifica-
tions, and estimates, prepared by the Bureau of Public Eoads, for
595 projects were examined as to their legal form and sufficiency
before being transmitted to the State highway departments for ex-
ecution, and of these agreements and certificates 453 w^ere subse-
quently^ examined as to the sufficiency of their execution by the
State highway departments and were thereupon submitted to the
Secretary to be executed by him. These agreements involved a total
estimated exioenditure of $42,178,903.91 and Federal aid aggregating
$18,273,159.17.

Drafts of modifications of agreements and certificates, prepared
by the Bureau of Public Roads, were similarly reviewed in 185
cases, and cancelations of agreements in 2 cases. Of the drafts
of modifications of agreements so reviewed, 163 were subsequently
examined as to whether they were properly executed by the State
highway departments and were submitted to and executed by the
Secretarj''.

Statutes of five States, amending former highway statutes, v/ere
reviewed to determine whether they met the requirements of the Fed-
eral aid road act.

Proposed standard plans, specifications, and orders to bidders, and
contract and bond forms used by a number of the States in carrying
out the cooi>eration contemplated and authorized by the act, Avhich
were submitted for consideration by the several State highway de-
partments, were reviewed as to their legal form and sufficiency'. Sug-
gestions as to changes in form and substance were made in several
in stances.

Forms of resolutions to be used by the counties and other civil
subdivisions in applying to their respective State highway depart-
ments for State and Federal aid in accordance with the State laws
were drafted for the convenience of the State highway departments
concerned.

Opinions v/ere rendered on a number of important questions arising
under the act. In addition to the above list, 69 original agreements
and 12 supplemental agreements under section 8 of the act were
reviewed both as to form and substance.

As indicated in the summary of this report, the woVk of the
Bureau of Public Roads and of the Forest Service was materially
enlarged by additional a^Dpropriations and by the enlargement of
the class of roads comprehended in the phrase "rural post road " as
used in the Federal aid road act.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.

483

THE FOOD AND DRUGS ACT.

[34 Stat., 7G8.]

Fifteen himdrccl and eighty-eight cases were transmitted to the De-
partment of Justice, in 413 of which criminal proceedings and in
1,175 of which seizures were recommended. The 413 criminal cases
embraced 860 alleged violations of the food and drugs act.

At the close of the fiscal year 1918, 398 cases were i^ending, of
which 188 were criminal prosecutions and 210 were seizures.

Two hundred and fifty-four cases pending at the close of the fiscal
year 1918 and 765 reported during the fiscal year 1919, in all 1,019,
were terminated in 1919. Of those terminated, 271 were criminal and
748 were civil.

In 244 of the 271 criminal cases fines were imposed. Most of these
cases were disposed of by pleas of guilty or nolo contendere. There
were trials in only 2 resulting in convictions and 1 of tliese is now
pending on appeal ; in G collateral deposited by defendants was for-
feited by reason of their nonappearance in court. In 1 the judgment
of conviction in the lower court was i^versed by the Circuit Court of
Appeals, in 3 there were acquittals, 22 were nol-prossed or the in-
formation dismissed, and 1 was withdrawn from prosecution.

In the criminal cases in which convictions were obtained the fines
were as follows:

Fines assessed under food and drmjs act in vases reitorted by this depart-
incut to the Department of Justice.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of One.

Total.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fine.

Total.

6

1
22

3
23

2

43
10

4
53

24
1

$5.00

7.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
22.50
25.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
65.00
70.00
75.00
90.00
100.00
105.00

130

220
45

460

45

1,075

300

160
2,6.50

300
6.5
70

525

90

2,400

105

11

sue

150
160
175
200
210
225
250
300
350
400
4.50
500
603
750

SllO

1,050

640

175

2,200

210

225

250

30O

350

800

450

1,500

603

750

244

13,160

In addition to the fines impo.sed, costs were generally assessed.

Of the 748 civil cases terminated during the year, decrees of con-
demnation and forfeiture or informal orders for the disposition of
the property were entered in 667, of which 5 were decided favor-
ably to the Government after contest, in 30 the libels were dis-
missed, in 44 the packages were broken or disposed of before seizure
could be made, and in 7 verdicts were returned for the claimant after
trial to the court and a jury. In the 667 cases, in which decrees of
condemnation and forfeiture were entered, the goods were destroyed
in 340, released on bond or otherwise in 266, and sold in 61. In
many of the cases in which the product was ordered released or sold,

484 ANNUAL. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the decree of tlie court provided that the product should be sorted and
tliat portion found unfit for food should be destroyed.

At the close of the year 967 cases were pending, of which 330 were
criminal prosecutions and 637 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
the District of Columbia, collaborating Avith the department in the
enforcement of the act, are shown by the records of this office to have
reported 55 cases to the United States attorneys which were termi-
nated during the year. Of these, 42 were criminal cases and 13 were
seizures. In all of the criminal cases there were pleas of guilty or
nolo contendere, or the collateral deposited by defendants was for-
feited on account of their nonappearance. In all of the seizure
cases, except one in which the goods were not located, decrees were
entered and the products released on bond in 4 cases, destroyed in 6,
aud ordered sold in 2 cases. The fines or amounts forfeited as col-
lateral in the criminal cases were as follows :

Fines in food and dnuj cases hegun hy United folates attorneys.^

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fines.

Total.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fines.

Total.

3

27
2

7

$20
2r,
30
50

$60

675

60

350

1
1

$100
200

$100
200

1,445

I One personal bond taken.

Three hundred notices of judgment were published during the year.

FOOD AND DRUGS CASES OF INTEREST.

In the case of the United States ^\ 141 bottles, etc., of drug products
(F. & D., 0377), involving the seizure of a drug known as " A Texas
Wonder" in the Southern District of Texas, which was labeled in
such manner as to claim for it certain therapeutic and medicinal
properties, the intervening claimant pleaded res adjudicata by reason
of a verdict and judgment of not guilty in a criminal proceeding in-
stituted against the shipper of the article in the Eastern District of
Missouri. In the present case the court denied the plea of fonner
judgment for the reason that —

an essential element of the offense under this act is the statement of mind ol
defendant, a factor necessarily subject to constant change. To contend that a
prosecution or proceeding which turned not, as most offenses do, on the com-
mission of the overt act, but on the state of mind of the defendant, would con-
stitute a bar to a proceeding based upon the defendant's state of mind at a later
date, is essentially unsound.

In commenting on the fraudulent character of the labeling the
court said :

The defendant admits that he is not himself a physician, though many of his
circulars and advertisements declare him to be "Dr. E. W. Hall," nor does he
claim for himself any special medical skill or knowledge. He relies most
largely upon the fact of the sales to thousands of purchasers, and the numerous
and glowing testimonials about cures, which he no doubt received, as an evi-
dence that he could not be guilty of fraud in the matter. But the slightest re-
flection upon the well-known fact that persons given to self-medication are
credulous and partisan, and prone to deny nature credit for their recovery, and

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR. 485

that on this well-known trait of human nature these compounders of specifics
and nostrums bulk! their business, deprives this claim of any weij^hty signifi-
cance, because it will not do for a person who has been able to prey upon the
credulity of a community to escape the consequences of his acts by the very
success of his scheme. • * ♦

It would be suflicient, in my judgment, to sustain the libel, for ufe to hold
that the defendant did not know that his statements were false, but merely
made them recklessly and without due regard for that fact. But I think
the evidence establishes more, and leaves no doubt that the defendant is
seeking, by a broad and comprehensive claim for his medicine, to increase its
sales, with an absolute knowledge on his part of the falsity of his advertise-
ments, certainly as to a part of the matters clainfed for it.

* * * The danger and injury to the public from this character of
advertisements is, however, considerable in that It induces persons to rely
in serious cases upon a preparation without healing virtue when except for
this reliance they would no doubt secure proper advice and treatment for
the ills which affect them.

Tn the case of the United States v. 275 cases mineral water (F. &
D., No. 8752), instituted in the "Western District of Louisiana and
involvinor the shipment in interstate commerce of certain mineral
water for which various medicinal and therapeutic effects were
claimed on the labels, the court instructed the jury as follows:

If you find that the water was not of value for the purposes recommended,
but that defendant acted in good faith, then there should be a verdict in his
favor, but if you find that the water was not of value for the purposes recom-
mended, to the knowledge of the defendant, and that his pin-pose was to deceive
and impose upon the public, then you should return a verdict for the Govern-
ment.

♦ •*♦•♦♦

The pure food and drugs act is one of the best laws of its character placed
on the statute books in many years. It simply means that a man shall cor-
rectly brand or label that which he ships In interstate commerce, that the pur-
chaser must be informed of the character of the article bought, and nuist not
be deceived as to its curative properties; in other words, that the drug must
not be sold under false representations.

In the case of the United States v. Italian Importing Co. (F. & D.
9431), instituted in the Southern District of New York and involving
a violation of the net weight amendment and the rules and regula-
tions thereunder in short-filling cans with olive oil, the court in-
structed the jury as follows:

Now, those rules and regulations permit a certain variation, but of course it
does not permit willful conduct or intentional or willful underweighing or un-
dermeasuring of the contents; that is, placing and undermeasuring in the tin
can or the package and then misbranding it and saying it is more than in
truth and in fact it is, but inadvertence may be of importance in this regard
only : If it is done in good faith, without intent to do wrong, without willful
design to do wrong in the usual course of its business, in ignorance or in inad-
vertence filling these cans, and at underweight or undermeasureraent, then you
can see they would not be guilty, because no man under our law can commit a
crime through a mistake. The commission of a crime depends upon a criminal
Intent. Of course, it is true that the law is that a man is presumed to intend
the natural and flowing consequences of his act.

In the case of the United States v. Kar-Ru Chemical Co. (F. & D.
8315), instituted in the Western District of Washington and involv-
ing a violation of the Sherley amendment to the food and drugs act,
the court instructed the jury that —

It would not be necessary to prove that the entire label, that all of the repre-
sentations on the label regarding the curative and therapeutic effect of the con-
tents were false and fraudulent.

486 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Upon the question of a reasonable doubt, tlie court said that it —

is a doubt that is based upon reason, a doubt for which you can give a reason.
It dees not mean every possible doubt, because it is almost impossible to estab-
lish a particular truth, and especially the truth of the assertions that rest in
opinions regarding men's ailments and what cures them to an exact certainty
and beyond all possibility of a mistake, but it does mean more than mere proba-
bility or mere preponderance of evidence.

In the case of the United States ^\ 1038 Cases of Tobasco Catsup
(F. & D. Nos. 9414 to 16), instituted in the Eastern District of Mis-
souri, the court in discussing the sixth paragraph of section 7 of
the food and drugs act, in the case of food, said to the jury :

NoAv, let me read it again : " If it consists in whole or in part of a filthy,
decomposed or putrid animal or vegetable substance." Now, the Congress, in
section 6, based a reasonable application of this section to the practical busi-
ness affairs of life. In such a case the Congress intended that it should apply
to the abolute term. * * * But the word, * * * here, with which v,e
are principally interested in this trial is in its everyday use, and not in the
scientific sense. In the scientific souse wine, or beer, would be absolutely pro-
hibited in this case; as .you gentlemen all know the grain with which beer is
made and the grapes with which wine is made are fermented. Again there
are lots of food products that the Congress — made out of partially decomposed
vegetable matter, in some instances at least — that the Congress didn't intend
to prohibit. * * * So, if we had to make tomato catsup out of tomatoes
which were not in part decomposed we could never make any tomato catsup,
because it would be a matter of impossibilty for anyone to engage in the manu-
facture of catsup, and there would be some decomposed tomato matter going
into the product. The care with which you would have to conduct a business
of that kind would absolutely prohibit the business. So, what the Congress
meant — it meant this, that in the manufacture of tomato catsup, which is the
subject of this, tliat the iiUo of reason should enter; that is to say, a factory
that exercised a reasonable, prudent caution in collecting the tomatoes, and
assorting those that vrent into the cylinder so as to cut out any, unreasonably
so, of decomposed tomatoes — the manner of a reasonably prudent, careful, and
intelligent man, engaging in his affairs, would do; that he be protected under
the law, unless he became careless in his business and allowed rotten tomatoes
to go in there in a manner that a reasonable, prudent man, making a product
for consumption of his own, woidd not do.

In the case of the United States v. D. i^uerbach & Sons (F. & D.,
No. 7378) instituted in the Southern District of New Yoi'k, which re-
sulted in a mistrial and the subsequent entry of a nolle prosequi to the
information, the defendants were charged with shipping in interstate
commerce candy in 30-pound pails labeled in part " Chocolate Flavor
Pecan B Bons." The court charged the jury that it was immaterial
wdiether the consignee to whom the candy was shipped knew' what he
was getting or was deceived, and that —

The pure food law is intended to protect the ultimate consumer, the general
public * * *. When you come to consider what the ultimate eonsumer, ike
general public, would think, you have to take into consideration there the
price at which it was sold, the cliaracter of the people that^ would probably
buy it, and what they would expect to get. '"• * * You will take into con-
sideration all those facts and apply your knowledge as reasonable business
men to them. * * *

You nuist now determine whether or not this particular product when it was
shipi^ed was so colored as to conceal its inferiority and give the impression
that it was something which it was not — that is the purpose of the pure-food
law, that things shall be sold for what they are and not for what they are
not, au(J[ that they must not be adulterated or the inferiority concealed in any
way. If they are shipped in inter i^tate commerce, and they are adulterated
so that they appear to be something that they are not, and the public is
thereby deceived, then of course that is a violation of the law.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR-

487

After consideration the jury returned to the coui-t room for further
instructions, and the court then charged them, in part, as follows:

Tliere is jiotliiog deleterious in tliis candy. The law permits ca«dy to be
nrtificially colored; the law does not permit something to be artificially col-
ored, however, to imitate something else. That is the distinction. * * *

Would a i)erson going in to buy this candy at retail, at 10 cents a pound,
think tliat he or she was getting chocolate candy because it looked like choco-
late candy ; would the pi*ice have anjtliiug to do with that, considering tlie
people that bought it, the class of i>eople that would go to a 5, 10, and 15 cent
store, children buying it, all tTiose kind of tilings — you have to apply yonv
knowledge of affairs as men of the world ; you will have to put yourselves
in the place of the perscHi who might be tempted to buy this candy; that is
the way you liave to look at it, in a plain common sense way, and then you
have to determine whether or not this candy was artificially colored to conceal
its inferiority. If it was, your verdict must be guiltj'.

In the case of the United States v. Cleveland Macaroni Co. (F. &
D., No. TG5G) instituted in the Northern District of Ohio, upon the
demurrer of the defendant company to the information filed in the
case, the couit ruled as follows :

riK)n examination of the information and briefs of counsel, I am of opinion
that proper pleading does not require that the exceptions contained in section
S of the food and drugs act be negatived in the information * * ♦.

MEAT INSPECTION.

[34 Stat, G74.]

Twenty-six cases were reported to the Attorne}' General. At the
close of the fiscal year 1918, 48 cases were pending.

Of the cases reported during tlxi fiscal year 1919, 17, and of those
pending at tlie close of the fiscal year 1918, 26, in all 43, were ter-
minated during the fiscal year 1919. Of tlicse 27 resulted in convic-
tions, 10 were dismissed, 2 were nol-prossed, and in 4 grand juries
refused to return indictments. Fines aggi^gating $1.30G were im-
posed in 27 cases, as follows :

Fines imposed in meat-inspection ca»cs.

Cases.

Fine.

Total.

j Cases.

Fine.

Total.

1
«

1
2
9
3

$1

5
10
20
25
50

SI
30
W

•10
225
150

2
2

1

$75
100
500

• $150
300

560

! 27

1,300

At the close of the fiscal year 1919, 37 eases were pending.

MEAT-INSPECTION CA&ES OF INTEREST.

The case of Pittsburgh Melting Co. v. Totten (an inspector of the
department), involved the question whether a certain oleo oil hav-
ing the characteristics of an edible product, which the company
shipped in interstate commerce as an inedible product, was entitled
to such transportation without Ijeing denatured and accompanied
by an inedible certificate, as required by the regulations of the
Secretary of Agriculture. The Supreme Court on November 4, 1918,

488

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

upheld the United States Circuit Court of Appeals in its opinion
that the product was in fact edible and therefore not entitled to
transportation in interstate commerce, except in compliance with
the regulation of the statute requiring inspection before shipment.

In the case of Brougham, et al. v. Blanton Manufacturing Co.,
decided by the Supreme Court on April 21, 1919, the appellee failed
in an effort to enjoin the appellants, officers of the Department of
Agriculture, from interfering with it in the use of the word
" Creamo " as a trade-mark in the manufacture and sale of oleomar-
garine, it being held that the term was false and deceptive, and that
if it were claimed to be an established trade name it had not received
the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture.

In David F. Houston et al. v. St. Louis Independent Packing Co.,
decided on April 14, 1919, the Supreme Court upheld a regulation
promulgated by the Secretary of Agriculture under the meat-inspec-
tion act which provided that sausage shall not contain cereal in
excess of 2 per cent; that when added such fact shall be stated on
the label or product; and that water or ice shall not be added except
to facilitate grinding, chopping, and mixing, and then not in excess
of 3 per cent.

THE TWENTY-EIGHT-HOUR LAW.

[34 Stat., 607.]

One thousand seven hundi^ed and eleven cases Avere reported to
the Attorney General and 1,412 to the Director General of Railroads ;
in all 3,123 reported during the fiscal year. This is an increase over
the preceding year of 1,955 cases reported for action.

At the close of the fiscal year 1918, 2,831 cases were pending.

Of the cases reported during the fiscal year 1919, 434, and of
tliose pending at the close of the fiscal year 1918, 547, in all, 981,
were terminated during 1919.

Penalties aggregating $109,850 were recovered in 849 cases. One
hundred and twelve cases were dismissed and 20 were determined
adversely to the Government.

Two thousand and thirty-seven cases were pending at the close of
the fiscal j^ear.

Penalties assessed under the 2S-hour law.

Number
01 cases.

Penalty.

Total
amount.

Number
of cases.

Penalty.

Total
amount.

722

24

23

1

19

1

7

1

.2
It
11

16

It

111

SlOO
125
150
175
200
225
250
300
400
500

$72,200

3,000

3,450

175

3,800

225

2,000

2,100

400

500

100

1,600

1,600

3,200

2,200

1,300

1,400

1,300

100

1,000

13
112
110
110
1 7
15
15
12
■3
13
16
16
15
13
13
18
13

$400
1.000
500
900
800
100
200
100
100
400
675
500
600
500
400
700
325

958

109,850

1 Lump penalties.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.

489

ACTSJ 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.]

Fifteen cases involving violations of the act of May 29, 1884 (23
Stat., 31), were reported to the Attorney General for prosecution.
Seven cases reported during the year and one pending at the close
of the fiscal year 1918 Avere terminated, with fines of $100 imposed
in each case. In one case reported during the year and in one case
pending at the close of the fiscal j^ear 1918, grand juries failed to
indict.

No ceases were reported to the Attorney General under the act of
August 30, 1890 (26 Stat., 414).

Two cases were reported to the Attorney General for prosecution
under the act of February 2, 1903 (32 Stat, 791), which were pend-
ing at the close of the year. One hundred and two cases were pend-
ing at the close of the fiscal year 1918, 74 of which were terminated.
Fifty-three cases resulted in convictions, in each of which a fine of
$100 was imposed,, and 21 cases were dismissed. Twenty-one viola-
tions of this act were reported to the Attorney General for trans-
mission to the Director General of Railroads. At the close of the
year seven of these violations had been given consideration by the
Director General of Railroads and disposed of by him.

Twelve violations of the act of March 3, 1905 (33 Stat, 1264),
were reported to the Attorney General. At the close of the fiscal
year 1918, 335 cases were pending. Two hundred and fifty-seven
cases pending at the end of the fiscal year 1918, and three cases
reported during the year 1919, in all 260, were terminated. Two
hundred and seven cases were terminated by convictions, in each
of which a fine of $100 was imposed ; in one case a fine of $200 was
imposed; and 53 cases were disniissed. One hundred and twenty-
nine violations of this act were reported to the Attorney General
for transmission to the Director General of Railroads. At the close
of the year 59 of these violations had been given consideration by
the Director General of Railroads and disposed of by him.

The fines imposed under the animal quarantine laws were:

Fines imposed under animal quarantine laws.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fines.

Total.

268
1

flOO
200

126,800
200

269

27,000

In each of the cases reported to the Attorney General for prose-
cution under tlie acts of February 2, 1903, and March 3, 1905, a
suggested form of indictment or criminal information was pre-
pared and submitted therewith for use by the United States attorney
in the prosecution.

151352**— 19 32

490

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

THE VIRUS ACT.

[37 Stat., 832.]

One apparent violation of the act of March 4, 1913 (87 Stat.,
S32), governing the preparation, shipment, and im^portation of
viruses, serums, toxins, and analogous products intended for use in
the treatment of domestic animals, was reported to the Attorney
General. This case was pending at the close of the fiscal j'ear.

In several cases involving the suspension or revocation of licen.ses
issued by the secretary to manufacturers of these products, the
testimony given at the hearings was reviewed by this office and the
secretary advised as to its legal effect.

THE INSECTICIDE ACT.

[3G Stat, 331.]

One hundred and four cases were reported to the Attorney Gen-
oral, in 90 of which criminal proceedings and in 14 seizures were
reconnnended. At the close of the fiscal year 1918, 80 cases were
pending, all of which were criminal prosecutions. Forty-five cases
pending at the close of the year 1918 and 44 reported during the year
1919, in all, 89, were terminated during the year. Of the cases ter-
mmated, 83 were criminal and G civil. In the 83 criminal cases,
fines were imposed in 69 ; 12 were dropped or dismissed ; in 1 collat-
eral was forfeited; in 1 case a verdict in favor of the Government
was reversed in the Circuit Court of Appeals. After combination
of the cases for purpose of prosecution, in 64 pleas of guilty, in 5
pleas of nolo contendere were entered, and in 1 collateral was for-
feited.

Ill the criminal cases in which convictions Avere obtained, the fines
were as follows:

Fines assessed under the insecticide act.

Number Amount
of cases, of fine.

1

Total.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fine.

Total.

1
1
5
1

10
3
5

29

$1
4

?

10

15
20
25

SI

4

25

7
IflO

45
100
725

3

7
3

1
1

S30
45
50
100
150
400

$90
45
3.50
300
150
400

70

2,342

Costs were assessed in a number of cases in which convictions were
obtained. Decrees of condemnation and forfeiture Avere entered in
ki civil cases and 1 case was dismissed. At the close of the jear 95
cases were pending, of which 87 were criminal prosecutions and 8
Avere seizures. ScA^enty-five notices of judgment Avere prepared.

THE MIGRATORY-BIRD TREATY ACT.

[40 Stat., 755.]

The treaty Avith Great Britain for the protection of migratory
birds Avas proclaimed by the President December 8, 1916. On July
3, 1918, the President approA^ed the act of Congress to carry the
treaty into effect, and on July 31, 1918, approA^ed and proclaimed the

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.

491

regulations adopted b^' the Secretary of Agriculture to give effect
to the act. Tlie administration of the act is conimitteed to the Bureau
of Biological Survey of the Department of Agriculture.

The bureau referred to this office during the year 351 cases for
consideration, of which 296 were reported to the Department of Jus-
tice for action. The first case under the act was a libel filed in the
district of Maryland for the forfeiture and confiscation of two bar-
rels of rice birds shipped from Georgia to Baltimore. Decree was
entered forfeiting the birds and ordering their distribution among
charitable institutions in Baltimoi'e.

The question of the validity of the treaty and the act to carry it
into effect was raised early in the year in the Eastern District of
Arkansas, in the case of United States v. E. D. Thompson, 258 Fed.
257, and at the request of the Department of Justice this office
prepared a memorandum on the constitutional questions raised for
consideration of the court. The court sustained the treaty and
the act. While this case was pending the State of Missouri, by
its attorney general, filed a bill in the United States District
Court for the Western District of Missouri, seeking to enjoin the
United States game warden and his deputies from enforcing the act
of Congress in that State. Tlie office furnislied the United States
Attorney with a memorandum on the constitutional questions raised
and with other pertinent data. On July 2, 1910, the court dismissed
the bill for injunction and sustained the treaty and the act of Con-
gress. (Missouri v. Holland, 258 Fed. 479). The treaty and the act
were also sustained in United States r. Selkirk in the Southern Dis-
trict of Texas (258 Fed. 775). The validity of the treaty and the act
was also raised in the case of United States r. (ireen, in the Northern
District of Florida, and was argued on behal f of the United States
by one of the assistants in this office. The court sustained the treaty
and the act. There have been no adver.-^ decisions.

Of the cases reported to the Department of Justice for prosecution,
110 have resulted in convictions and the imposition of fines amount-
ing to $2,230. The fines imposed were as follows :

Fines imposed under the migraiory-hird treaty act.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fines.

ToUl.

Number
efcases.

Amount
of fines.

Total.

2

1
47
22

1

$1

3

5

10

20

$2

3

235

320

20

20
9

8

$25
50
100

J500
450
800

110

2,230

In addition, two defendants were confined one day in jail in the
Eastern District of Louisiana.

THE LACEY ACT.

[35 Stat, 1137.]

Twenty-six cases were reported to the Department of Justice. At
the close 'of the preceding fiscal year 26 cases A^ere pending, of which
13 were closed during the fiscal year, 8 by convislions and the imposi-
tion of fines and the remainder by dismissal.

492

ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Of the 26 cases reported during the year, 10 wer.e dosed; 9 by
convictions and the imposition of fines and 1 by tlie entering of a
nolle prosequi. Twenty-nine cases were pending at the close of the
year.

Fines were imposed as follows :

Fines imposed under the Lacey Act.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fine.

Total.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fine.

Total.

1

1
4
2
4

1

$2
20
25
35
60
75

1

$2

20
100

70
200

75

1
1

1
1

$100

150

200

1,000

$100

150

200

1,000

17

1,917

In addition to the fines imposed, defendants were compelled to pay
substantial costs.

BIRD RESERVATION TRESPASS LAW.

[35 Stat, 1104.]

Six cases were reported to the Department of Justice. At the
close of the preceding fiscal year 17 cases were pending, of which
six were closed during this fiscal year, five by convictions and the
imposition of fines, and one by trial to the jury and verdict of not
guilty.

Of the six cases reported during the year one was closed, a jury
trial resulting in the acquittal of the defendant. Sixteen cases were
pending at the close of the year. Fines were imposed as follows:

Fines imposed under the hird reserves trespass law.

Number
of cases.

Amount
of fines.

Total.

1

1
3

$5
10
100

$5

10

300

5

315

UNITED STATES COTTON FUTURES ACT.

[39 Stat, 476.1

Assistance was given the Bureau of Markets in the preparation of
suggested amendments to the act. These amendments, with slight
modifications, were enacted as part of section 6 of the wheat guaranty
law (Public, No. 348, 65th Cong.). Aid was rendered the Bureau
of Markets in the preparation of regulations under section 5 of the
act as amended. A representative of this office was detailed to New
York and New Orleans to assist in the inauguration of cotton classifi-
cation work at these places under the amended act and regulations

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR. 493

thereunder. The office participated in the consideration of 493 dis-
putes under the act, involving 29,303 bales of cotton, the total costs
assessed amounting to $9,066.68. Several of the disputes involved the
preparation or review of letters and the holding oi oral hearings.

Other services of the office under this act are referred to in the
summary.

UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT.

[39 Stat, 482.1

Assistance was given the Bureau of Markets in the preparation of
standards for oats and tentative standards for rice. Hearings were
held in 15 markets in connection with the oats standards. Aid was
given in the preparation of a suggested amendment to section 7 of the
act and in the preparation of five amendments to the regulations.
Consideration was given to a general revision of the regulations and
several conferences were attended in reference to publication of find-
ings under section 5 of the act.

The records in 6,651 appeals and 9 disputes involving the grading
of shelled corn, wheat, and oats under the act were reviewed, the total
costs assessed amounting to $7,540.26. Examination was made of 65
forms of inspection certificates submitted by licensed inspectors, to-
gether with incidental correspondence. Consideration was given to
the suspension of 21, the revocation of 2, and the cancellation of
37 licenses of inspectors under the act, and related correspondence,
orders, and other papers were reviewed or prepared. Consideration
was given to 119 possible violations of the act, of which 4 were re-
ported to the Attorney General for prosecution, and findings of fact
were published in 3. In proceedmgs against inspectors and in
alleged violations of the act by shippers, records were reviewed and
notices and letters were prepared upon request of the Bureau of
Markets.

Various opinions on questions arising in the administration of the
act and the regulations were prepared, revised, or approved, and 14
Service and Regulatory Announcements and various bulletins of the
Bureau of Markets containing opinions and information relative to
the act were examined and changes suggested when necessary.

The third semiannual publication required by the act of certain
facts reported by licensed inspectors and furnished by grain ware-
housemen were passed upon.

Other services of the office under this act are referred to in the
summary.

UNITED STATES WAREHOUSE ACT.

[39 Stat., 486.]

In cooperation with the Bureau of Markets and after conferences
with trade representatives, a draft of proposed regulations for grain
warehouses was prepared and a series of 16 public hearings held,
at which the proposed regulations were discussed and criticism in-
vited.

Aid was rendered in the preparation of proposed amendments to
the act and in the prepaartion of an amendment to the regulations

494 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

for cotton warehouses. Consideration was given to a general revi-
sion of the regulations for cotton warehouses.

Assistance was given the Bureau of Markets in investigations in
seven markets relative to the probable effect of the operation in
those markets of cotton warehouses under the act and regulations.

The office reviewed for legal suflicienc}^ 20 records of applications
for cotton warehouse licenses and 43 records of applications for
licenses to classify or weight cotton, and assisted in the preparation
of eight forms for use in the administration of the act and the regu-
lations.

STANDARD CONTAINER ACT.

[39 Stat, G73.]

In addition to the various general legal matters under the act that
were referred to this office for attention, one apparent violation of
the act was referred to the xittorney General, with a recommendation
that criminal proceedings be instituted. Defendant pleaded guilty
and was fined $25.

FOOD-CONTROL ACT.

[40 Stat, 27G.]

Other items of work under this act not mentioned in the summary
were the following:

After an extended investigation and hearing, a fertilizer company
was ordered by the Secretary to " desist and refrain from selling or
offering for sale within the United States" a certain article " under
any form or representation that it has a distinct value as a fertilizer
or is equal or superior to the usual and well-recognized Idnds of com-
mercial fertilizer."

Considerable assistance was given to the Bureau of Markets rel-
ative to matters growing out of the licensing of stockyard operators
and others handling or dealing in live stock in connection with stock-
yards. Members of this office attended conferences relative to stock-
yards' matters in general, including conferences with live-stock mar-
ket supervisors at Chicago, 111., and Omaha, Nebr. Charges against
11 licensees under the presidential proclamation were prepared or re-
viewed. A number of oral hearings were held and two licenses re-
voked.

Assistance was given to the administrative heads of the depart-
ment relative to various matters arising under the proclamation of
the President licensing the farm-equipment industry. Assistance
was given to the defense of a Bureau of Markets' employee against
whom an action had been brought by reason of his activities in his
official capacity.

FOOD-PRODUCTION ACT.

[40 Stat, 273.]

Aid was furnished in the preparation of schedules for food and
other surveys, together with incidental orders under section 2 of the
act.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.

495

After preliminary coiTespondeiice and conferences, recommenda-
tion was made to the Attorney General for presecution of a firm for
its failure to fill out and return the food schedules as requested.
When proceedings were about to be instituted the firm filled out
and returned the schedules and the department recommended that
the case be dismissed.

MISCELLANEOUS WORK FOR THE BUREAU OF MARKETS.

Various letters, memoranda, news items, manuscripts, Service and
Regulatory Announcements, and proofs of bulletins relating to the
work of the Bureau of Markets were prepared, approved, or revised.
Questions relating to the conduct of cooi>erative work between State
agencies and the department relative to marketing and other activi-
ies were considered in conferences and correspondence. Alleged ex-
cessive prices charged for thrashing in certain districts in the North-
western States wei'e considered. Protests of the Spanish, Portu-
guese, and French Governments against the then proposed wartinie
prohibition legislation were considered. Aid was given in the con-
sideration of a controvei^sy in New York City relative to the proper
disposal of city garbage and of questions arising out of alleged un-
fair practices of several broom-coni dealer's. Assistance was given
the bureau in the preparation of a report on the investigation of
grain-marketing practices in Chicago and Minneapolis.

PATENTS.

Thirty applications for letters patent on inventions of employees
of the department for dedication to the public were prepared and
filed. During^ the year 35 were allowed and 22 disallowed.

The following table shows the status of applications on June 30,
1919:

Patents applied for by members of the department.

Applicant.

Frank F.Chase

Marion Dorset and Howard
J. Shore.

Herbert C. Gore

Chas. S. Reeves, Provost

Hubbard, and Richard

n, Le^vis.

John H. Clack

Ralph B. Adams

Albert R. Merz, Wra. R.

Ross, and John N. Ca-

rothers.

Wm. B. Osborno, jr.

James E. Imrie

Albert R. Merz and Wm.

R. Ross.
Harry D. Glbbs

Bureau.

Plant Industry...
Animal Industry.

Chemistry

Public Roads and Ru-
ral Engineering.

Forest Service

do

Soils

Forest Service.
..-.do

Robert E. Prince and Otto

Kress.
John R. Carothers and Wm.

R. Ross.
Logan Waller Page

Harry D. Gibbs and Court-
ney C'onover.

Soils

Chemistry

Forest Service

Soils

Public Roads and Ru-
ral Engineering.
Chemistry

Invention.

Dispositi(m of
application.

Gravity fmlt separator Allowed.

Process for the manufacture of Pending in iiiter-

concontratedhosf-choleraanli- feronce.

toxin. I

Process for preserving fniit juices; Allowed

■pi
Process for preparing water-
proof paving material.

Pack frame

Portable telephone

Method for the recovery of phos-
phorous fumes evolved in the
volatilization method of treat-
ing phosphate rock.

Device for locating the range of
distant objects.

Dry kilns

Process for the extractiwi of pot-
ash and alumina from alunite.

Oxidizing the side chains of
aromatic hydrocarbons.

Process for fireproofing paper

Smelting of phosphate rock.
Concrete

Process for the manufacture of
phthalac anhydride, etc.

Pending in inter-
ference.

Allowed.

Disallowed.

Allowed.

Do.

Disallowed.
Do.

Allowed.

Disallowed.

Do.

Do.
Allowed.

496 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Patents applied for hy meinhers of the department — Continued.

Applicant.

Bureau.

Invention.

Disposition of
application.

Clyde H. Teesdale

Norman DeW. Betts and

Harry D. Tiemann.
Victor M. Cone

Forest Service.
do

J. F.Collins.

Public Eoads and Ru-
ral Engineering.
Plant Industry

Harry D. Gibbs and Geo.
A. Geiger.

Martin N. Straughn.
Satoaki Ozaki ,

Chemistry.

-do.

Albert R. Merz and Wm.
R. Ross.

James E. Imrie

Plarry I). Gibbs and Court-
ney Conover.
Do

Do

Wm. G. Taggart.

Robert F. Gardiner.

Soils

Forest Service.

Chemistry

....do

....do

Soils.

Frederick T. Biolettl .
Elmer Johnson ,

Wm. H. Waggaman, Cary
R. Wagner, and Harry
Bryan.

Albert R. Merz

Jos. A. Ambler and Harry

D. Gibbs.
J. A. Ambler, R. Hellbach,

and H. D. Gibbs.

J. A. Ambler and H. D.

Gibbs.
Sherburne B . Henning

G. Archie Russell...
George R. Goergens.

AlvinO. Lundell...

J. A. Newlin, L. J. Mark-

wardt,and A. Elmendorf.

J. W.McLane

Courtney Conover and

H. D. Gibbs.
Elmer Johnson

J. J. Laing and C. W. Boling
Do

F. B. La Forge.

Do.
Do.

Do.
Do.

Public Roads and Ru-
ral Engineering.
Soils

.do.

Chemistry.
do

Forest Service..
Plant Industry.
Publications . . .

Animal Industry.

Forest Service

Plant Industry...
Chemistry

Process of treating wood.
Dry kilns

Public Roads and

Rural Engineering.

Forest Service

.do.

Chemistry.

.do.
-do.

Edward L. Sechrist.

C. S. Hudson

Do

Entomology.
Chemistrv...
do...:...

Venturi measuring flumes

Method of filling cavities made
by excavating the decayed or
injured spots in a living tree.

Process for manufacturing side
chain chlorine derivatives of
toluol.

Process for the preservation of
fruit juices.

Process for preparing a rice-food
product.

Process for the simultaneous
production of volatile acids
and phosphate salts.

Improvement in shrinkage take-
up frames for edge stacking
lumber.

Process for the manufacture of
phthalic anhydride, etc.

Proce^ss for tlie manufacture of

anthraquinone.
do

Method of manufacturing de-
colorizing carbon.

Process of making a mixed phos-
phatic and nitrogenous fer-
tilizer.

Process of canning or bottling
ripe olives or other pickles.

Fire-extinguisher spray nozzles..

Process for the manufacture of
phosphorous, phosphoric acid,
and compounds of the same.

Process for rendering water-
soluble the potash in cement
mill dust.

Process for the manufacture of
aromatic sulphonic acids.

Apparatus for the manufacture
of sulphonic acids of the aro-
matic carbons.

Process for the manufacture of
naphthalene sulphonic acids.

Process for manufacturing glue.

Tree trimming and harvesting
machines.

Process for a new and useful im-
provement in motion-picture
cameras.

Meat handling and inspection
machine.

Airplane struts

Process for preparing dried sweet
corn.

Process for the purification of
crude anhydride.

Improvements in powder-dust-
ing machines.

Nonconducting and waterproof
composition.

Method of manufacturing non-
conducting and waterproof
compounds.

Manufacture of a product suita-
ble for use as a feed for stock.

Process of manufacturing glucase

Process of manufacturing gulonic
lactone.

New leavening agent

Process of manufacturing an
adhesive material.

Septum for honeycomb

Process of manufacturing glucose

Process of manufacturing a
leavening agent.

Allowed.
Do.

Disallowed.

Allowed.

Do.

Disallowed.
Do.
Do.

Do.

Allowed.

Do.

Do.
Pending in inter-
ference.
Allowed.

Disallowed.
Allowed.
Do.

Disallowed.

Allowed.
Disallowed.

Pending.

Case sent to War

Department.
Pending.

Allowed.

Do.

Case sent to War

Department.
Allowed.

Do.

Do.

Disallowed.

Do.

Do.

Allowed.
Do.

Do.
Do.

Do.

Disallowed.

Do.

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR. 497

Patents applied for by )if embers of the department — Continued,

Applicant.

Bureau.

Invention.

Disposition of
application.

E. H.SIegler

Robert F. Gardiner.

Entomology.
Soils

Martin N. Straughn —

J. N.Carothersand W.
Ross,

fSeorge R . Goergens

Bohart and Gibbs

Chemistry.
Soils

Publications.
Chemistry....

F. W. Zerban.

Yoder and Langley

Robert F. Gardiner

Ambler, Lubs, and Gibbs.

W.T.Conway.
R.N.Harger..

States Relations Serv
ice.

Plant Industry

Soils

Chemistry

J. N.Carothers.
R. F. Gardiner.

.\nimal Industry.
Plant Industry...

Soils..
....do.

H.D. Gibbs

I^ing and Boling.
H. D. Gibbs

Chemistry

Forest Service.
Chemistry

Wise and -\dams

H.C.Gore

Gibbs and .\mbler

O. E. Sanders

K. I'.Munroe

Adams and Wise

Ambler and Gibbs

Pavis and Bryan

Gibbs, Ambler, Colton, and

Senscman.
C. Conover

.do.
.do.
.do.

Do

E.G. Beinhart

R. F. (Jardiner

F. Daniels

C. G. Bates

L. Wcisberg

W. H. >\aggaman.

H.C. Gore

Entomology.
Chemistry...

do

...do

Soils

Chemistry...

do.

....do

Plant Industry.

Soils

....do

Forest Service..

Chemistry

Soils

Chemistry.

Improved Insect trap

Process for the production of an
available phosphoric anhy-
dride and potash fertilizer.

Proces.s for the manufacture of
preserves and jams.

Direct preparation of crystal-
lized phosphoric acid.

Panoramic camera attachment. .

Manufacture of hydrochloric
acid.

Manufacture of decolorizing
carbon from kelp.

Cane-stripping comb

Manufacture of nit ric acid

Manufacture of Cymene sul-
phonlcacld.

Hog scraper

Manufacture of N-methyl p-am-
monla phenol.

Manufacture of nitrogen fertilizer

Manufacture of synthetic am-
monia.

Process of sublimat ion

Waterproof com posit ion

Process of purifying anthracine
press cake.

Photographic sensitizing dyes. . .

New simp

Benzene sulphonic acid

New insecticide

Adhesive

Photographic sensitizing dyes. . .

Aromatii- sulphonic acids

Production of ammonia

Sulphonic acid com])ounds

Apparatus for controlling reac-
tions bet^

between gases.

do

Curing tobacco

Synthetic ammonia

A mmoniuin nitrate

Atmometer

Acetic anhydride

Phosphorus and phosphorus

acia.
Dextrin

Allowed.
Do.

Disallowed.

AUowed.

Pending.
Do.

Allowed.

Pending.

Disallowed.

Pending.

Disallowed.
Allowed.

Pending.
Do.

Do.
Allowed.
Pending.

Do.
Allowexi.
Pending.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

Do.

REPORT OF THE INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE BOARD.

United States Departjient of Agriculture,

Insecticide and Fungicide Board,
Washngton, />. T., August 23, 1919.

Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a reix)rt on the work of
the Insecticide and Fungicide Board for the fiscal year ended Juno
30, 1919.

Respectfully,

J. K. Haywood,

Chairman of Board, j
Hon. D. F. Houston, -•

Secretary of Agriculture,

This board was inaugurated to assist the Secretary of Agi-iculturo
m the enforcement of the insecticide act of 1910. The purpose of tliis
act is to prevent the manufacture, sale, or transi)ortation of adul-
terated or misbranded Paris greens, lead arsenates, and other insec-
ticides, and also fungicides (including disinfectants), and for regu-
lating traffic therein. The act has been in effect since January 1,
1911, and its enforcement has had a markedly salutary effect upon
the composition and labeling of articles subject to its provisions.

The industry affected by this act is constantly increasing in size
and importance, and numerous new manufacturers are being brought
to our attention. For the most part, the board has found that tlia
trade is in sympathy with the enforcement of this law, since it tends
to discourage illegitimate competition and to increase the confidence
of the consuming public in articles subject to its provisions, which,
upon being used by the public, fulfill the claims made on the labels.

The great increase in the use of insecticides and fungicides, caused
to some extent by the campaign inaugurated to increase the quan-
tity of food produced, and also by the progress of science, resulting
in the discovery of new and more effective methods of combating
destructive insects and diseases of plants and animals, has necessi-
tated constant vigilance and has resulted in a material increase in the
amount of work which the board has been called upon to perform.

The activities of this board have a very far reaching effect. When
it is considered that all food-producing crops (grains, vegetables, and
fruits), all food-producing animals (cattle, hogs, and sheep), and the
great cotton and tobacco crops are all subject to the ravages of de-
structive insects and diseases and that the growers are dependent, to
a large extent, for their control upon the use of proper insecticides
and fungicides, it w^ill be realized that the proper enforcement of this
law affects every individual in the Nation. The disinfectants and

499

500 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

insecticides used in the home and public places are also subject to
the provisions of this law, so that the food we eat, the clothes we
wear, and the homes we live in have all been affected bj the enforce-
ment of this act. The campaign of the Bureau of Animal Industry
to control the cattle tick has also resulted in an increased consump-
tion of insecticides for that purpose, and this has necessitated in-
creased activity on the part of this board.

Investigations made by the board revealed the fact that ground
daisy flowers were being used to a considerable extent to adulterate
insect powder. A campaign made during the year against insect
powder adulterated with powdered daises resulted in the seizure of
shipments of the article and recommending a number of cases for
prosecution. The campaign against misbranded and adulterated dis-
infectants has been continued, and the board has acted on a com-
paratively large number of disinfectant cases. During the year spe-
cial attention has been given to Bordeaux mixtures and Bordeaux
lead mixtures which were recommended on the label for use at too
great a dilution to secure effective fungicidal control. Many cases
involving such faulty claims were either disposed of by correspond-
ence with the manufacturers or reported for prosecution. The recent
discovery of a remedy for the cotton boll-weevil has opened up a tre-
mendous new field for the use of insecticides. A campaign was in-
augurated during the last part of the fiscal year, in collaboration
with the Bureau of Entomology, to assure the delivery to farmers
of the South who use calcium arsenate for cotton boll-weevil control,
of calcium arsenate that will control the weevil and at the same time
will not injure the cotton plant.

During the fiscal year 1918-19 a tendency was observed in the di-
rection of increased adulteration or misbranding of certain mate-
rials which, before this time, were for the most part shipped in
conformity with the provisions of the insecticide act. Investiga-
tions indicated that this increase was due largely to careless errors
in manufacture, caused by the employment of inexperienced and
low-grade labor, and to manufacturers changing their formulas
without changing their labels, such changes in formulas being made
because manufacturers could not obtain all the basic materials com-
monly used in their preparations or could obtain them only at a pro-
hibitive figure. It was also noted that a relatively large percentage
of the goods of certain new manufacturers was adulterated or mis-
branded. This is probably due to inexperience on the part of the
manufacturer in properly controlling his manufacturing operations
and inexperience in the branding of insecticides.

By reason of the enlarged market and the consequent growth of
the industry, and the increased tendency toward adulteration and
misbranding, there should be a considerable expansion of the work
of the board, which can be secured only by the employment of more
inspectors, scientists, and clerks than it is possible to employ with
the present appropriation.

INTERSTATE SAMPLES.

During the fiscal year the board reported to the solicitor of the
department 104 cases presenting alleged violations of law with
recommendations tliat the facts be transmitted to the Attorney

INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE BOARD. 501

General to institute criminal action or seizure proceedings. Dispo-
sition Tv:as made of 129 cases by correspondence witli the manufac-
turers. These cases presented violations which were technical only,
not flagrant, or cases in which the manufacturer gave reasonable
and adequate explanation of his failure to conform to the provi-
sions of the act. Action was taken to place in abeyance 621 samples,
wliich, upon examination and test, were shown to be in compliance
witli tlie provisions of the law or Avere from shipments of the same
goods made prior to shipments for which the manufacturer had
been convicted and had after citation conformed to the requirements
of the law. On June 30, 1919, 78 cases were pending preliminary
hearings or before the board for final action, 136 were held in tem-
porary abeyance pending the receipt of further information, or
the outcome of prosecutions based on the same product, or corre-
spondence with the manufacturers, and 471 samples were undergo-
ing analysis and test.

The inspectors and sample collectors of the board, operating
throughout the United vStates, collected 904 samples during the year.
A general classification of the articles represented in the collection
is as follows:

Interstate samples collected.

Class of samples.

Number

of
samples.

Arsenate of calcium

Arsenate of lead

Bordeaux mixture and combinations of Bordeaux mixture with insecticides.

Chlorinated lime

Dips for animals

Pisinfectants, f^ermicidcs, bactericides

Fly preparations, for animals

Fish-oil and whale-oil preparations .*

Formaldehyde preparations

Insect preparations, household use

Insecticide and fungicide preparations, agricultural use

Kerosene emulsions

Lice and mite killers

Lime-sulphur solution and sulphur preparations

Nicotine preparations

Paris green

Pyrethrum and hellebore powders

M iscellaneous

96
118
20
21
93
18
29
16
82
80
10
41
38
3

49
77
74

IMPORT SAMPLES.

During the year 41 official and unofficial import samples of insecti-
cides and fungicides w^ere collected by the various port laboratories
of the Bureau of Chemistry for examination and test by the board.
Disposition was made of 43 samples; one official sample was found
adulterated and misbranded, and it was recommended that the con-
signment be released when correctly labeled. Two official samples
were found to be neither adulterated nor misbranded and the ship-
ments were accordingly released. The remaining samples were un-
official, 15 of them being found to be adulterated or misbranded, or
both, and in these cases it w^as recommended that future shipments bo
detained, while 25 were neither adulterated nor misbranded.

502 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS.

The investigations begun some time ago to discover a chemical
method to determine stems in insect powder, determine reasonable
standards for insect iDowder, and study the process of manufacture
of insect powder and composition of raw materials, as well as the
finished product, have been completed and a bulletin giving the re-
sults has been prepared for publication.

Results of the chemical analyses of several hundred authentic
samples of insect flowers, stems, and powders are given in the bul-
letin, on the basis of which permissible amounts of sand and stems
in insect powder have been determined and issued in Service and
Eegulatory Announcements No. 22.

Service and Regulatory Announcements No. 21, giving informa-
tion relative to the various new State insectcide and fungicide laws,
was issued during the year. This publication supplements Service
and Regulatory Announcements No. 13, issued September 13, 1916.

A bulletin (U. S. Department of Agriculture Bulletin 795) entitled
" The Adulteration of Insect Powder with Powdered Daisy Flowers,''
Avas prepared by scientists of the Board in collaboration with the
Bureau of Chemistry and published by that Bureau. In this bulletin
it is shown that a chemical analj^sis is insufficient to show adultera-
tion of insect powder Avith daisy flowers. It is further shown that
the adulteration of insect powder with daisy flowers can be definitely
determined by microscopic examination, and the distinguishing char-
acteristics of powdered daisy flowers are outlined.

During the year a bulletin (U. S. Department of Agriculture
Bulletin 750) was issued in collaboration with the Bureau of
Chemistry, entitled " A Method of Preparing a Commercial Grade of
Calcium Arsenate." This bulletin embodies the results of experi-
ments made to determine the best method for preparing a grade of
calcium arsenate on a commercial scale.

Chemists of the board have made various basic investigations rel-
ative to the composition and properties of various calcium arsenates.
The results of these investigations are being collated with the idea of
publication for the benefit of the public.

Aside from the routine work of testing the efficacy of proprietary
fungicides, the plant pathologists of the board Avorldng in coopera-
tion with the Bureau of Plant Industry have continued and enlarged
the iuA^estigations relative to the practical value of several t3''pes of
fungicides, and considerable information and more conclusive data
have been obtained. These investigations involve studies in respect
to the efficacy of dusting mixtures for use in controlling various
plant diseases ; a study of the relative values of the various types of
sulphur compounds, such as the sodium polysulphids and calcium
polysulphids ; studies of the effect of combining different types of
arsenicals, such as lead arsenate and calcium arsenate, on the fungi-
cidal value and injurious properties of these sulphur compounds;
and a comparative study of the results of tests with Bordeaux mix-
ture containing various amounts of copper to obtain data concerning
the amount of copper necessary in cominercial Bordeaux mixture to
insure satisfactory control of certain plant diseases. Laboratory
methods for the study of fungicides relative to their action against

INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE BOARD. 503

fungi have been further developed and have been used to great advan-
tage as a quick means of detecting certain worthless fungicides and
also for the detection of active and inert ingredients of various types
of fungicides. Laboratory studies of the physical properties of the
various commercial Bordeaux mixtures, and also of home-made mix-
tures as affected by various methods of preparation, were made, and
considerable information for use in the enforcement of the act has
been gained concerning this subject.

During the year the entomologists of the board have completed an
extensive study of the value of naphthalene as a remedy against
chicken lice, and a paper entitled " Naphthalene Against Chicken
Lice " has been accepted for publication in an entomological journal.

The special studies of proprietary remedies to be used against
chicken lice, chicken mites, and dog fleas, and the action of various
substances on these insects, were continued during the year. It is
planned to publish a paper on this subject during the present year.
A considerable amount of work has also been done on the coal-tar dis-
infectants to determine the dilution at which they will be effective
against various insects, and with pyrethrum stems to determine
whether they possess any insecticidal value.

The entomologists of the board, in collaboration with the Bureau
of Entomology, have conducted field tests with various dust mix-
tures, with special reference to amounts to apply, different combina-
tions and time of application, and the resultant effects on insects and
action on foliage. Much work along the same line is planned for the
future. Extensive field tests have also been made to determine the
value of dry or powdered substitutes for liquid lime sulphur. In-
formation of much value in connection with the enforcement of the
act was obtained.

The scientists of the board, working under the direction of the
Bureau of Animal Industry, have made investigations relative to the
state of water in cresol compounds, which are used as insecticides and
fungicides. These investigations were proposed to establish the fact
on physical chemical grounds that water was an inert ingredient in
these compounds.

In connection with the zoological division of the Bureau of Animal
Industry, investigations relative to the effect of carbon bisulphid as
a remedy for bots and worms infesting horses have led to conclusions
which warrant giving advice to manufacturers relative to the label-
ing of products designed to stop infestations by these parasites.

A special study of apparatus for quantitative analysis by sublima-
tion led to a new form of apparatus for this method of analysis, a
descrijDtion of which is being prepared for publication.

REPORT OF THE FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD.

United States Department of Agriculture,

Federal Horticultural Board,
Washington, D, C, October 1, 1919.
Sir : I submit herewith an executive report covering the adminis-
tration of the plant quarantine act for the fiscal year ended June
30, 1919.

Respectfully,

C. L. Marlatt,
Chairman of Board,
Hon. D. F. Houston,
JSecretary of Agriculture.

LINES OF WORK.

The activities under the Federal plant quarantine act which con-
tinue from- year to year are the enforcement of the miscellaneous
foreign and domestic quarantines and other restrictive orders listed
at the end of this report. Several of these have been promulgated
during the fiscal year 1919. Another important field of work of the
board is in the administration of special appropriations made by
Congress for the control or extermination of newly established im-
portant plant enemies. The board also cooperates with the Bureaus
of Entomology and Plant Industry in the enforcement of quaran-
tine i^rovisions in relation to appropriations made to these bureaus
for similar subjects of plant pest control.

The general organization of the work of the board, except for the
necessary enlargements, remains the same as last year. Port inspec-
tion offices are now maintained at Boston, New York, Newark, San
Francisco, Seattle, Calexico, and all the border ports between Mexico
and Texas, and at New Orleans. An effort has been made to meet
the occasional needs at other border ports by cooperation with State
officials or special details of inspectors. This service is very inade-
quate, however, and should be greatly strengthened. The board has
continued its cooperative relations with the State, Treasury, and
Post Office Departments of the Federal Government, and with the
State inspection and other officials. The number of such State of-
ficials appointed as collaborators of the department to assist in the
board's work has been considerably increased.

The more important of these activities of the board are discussed
in some detail in the following pages.

THE PINK BOLLWORM.

REVIEW OF THE WORK IN TEXAS.

The w^ork in Texas and elsewhere in the South in relation to the
pink bollworm has been, as hitherto, under the field direction of Dr.
151352"— 19 33 505

506 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

W. D. Hunter, a member of the board, and in charge of Southern
Field Crop Insect Investigations for the Bureau of Entomology.
Ihe report of last year gave a comprehensive review of the piiik
bollworm situation up to October, 1918. The review of the work of
the last fiscal year, for convenience, takes up separately, the con-
sideration of the conditions and crop of 1918 and of 1919, respec-
tively.

INSPECTION AND CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES WITH EESPECT TO THE CEOP OF 191S.

The principal work of last fall and winter, extending late into the
spring of this j^ear, was in the nature of field inspections and clean-up
operations, including both the volunteer cotton in the quarantine
zones' and the illegally planted fields in zone No. 2. All such ille-
gally grown cotton was fully controlled as to the crop produced,
including the prompt crushing of the seed and the export to foreign
countries of the lint. This control was carried out under a form of
agreement between the State department of agriculture of Texas and
the planters of outlaw cotton, but the actual control was administered
by agents of the board.

In the course of all this work no instance of reinfestation by the
pink bollworm was found in any of the old areas of invasion.

THE PINK BOLLWOEM APPEARS IN WESTERN TEXAS.

Late in 1918 the pink bollworm was discovered in two areas in
western Texas, namely, in the Great Bend of the Rio Grande River,
and in. the Pecos Valley in the region of Barstow, Tex. The infesta-
tion of these two areas evidently had a common origin, namely, from
seed or seed cotton smuggled across the Rio Grande River in the
region of the Great Bend.

The Pecos Valley infestation was traced to some of this smuggled
seed cotton which had been carted from the Great Bend district to a
gin at Barstow, Tex. This infestation later was found to have ex-
tended from Barstow to the region of the town of Pecos, involving
seven localities, and presented a serious situation, in that the insect
was here brought into a district where cotton is commercially grown
on a fairly large scale. Fortunately the infestation was limited to
comparatively few fields.

The infestation in the Great Bend of the Rio Grande was scattered
over a distance of 150 miles between Candelaria and Boquillas. This
Great Bend district is not a cotton country, and the growth of this
fiber is limited to a few scattered fields along the river in small valleys
at the base of the mountains, representing altogether only a few hun-
dred acres. The infestation here appears to have resulted from an
original infestation on the Mexican side of the river opposite Cande-
laria from planting seed brought by immigrant farmers from the
Laguna district of Mexico. Part of the spread along this district may
have been due to water carriage from infested fields on either side of
the river.

Immediately on the discovery of these new^ points of infestation
active work was undertaken to exterminate the insect along the lines
Avhich had been so successfully followed in eastern Texas, both with
respec^t to cleaning the cotton fields and the safeguarding of the crop

FEDEKAIi HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 507

of seed and lint of 1918. In the meantime an intensive survey was
made of the entire Rio Grande and Pecos Valley districts without
th(» location of other infested cotton.

The clean-up operations in the Rio Grande Valley were compara-
tively simple on account of the small acreage. The similar operations
ill the Pecos Valley assumed considerable proportions and involved at
times a labor force of from 500 to 1,000 persons. In this work coop-
eration was secured with the War Department to the extent of the
loaning by that department of considerable equipment for the housing
of labor, the available equipment which had been accumulated by the
lx)ard in the previous year's work in southeastern Texas not being
sufficient for the needs. The farmers also cooperated very heartily in
this work, and other labor was obtained from El Paso and like near-by
sources. The infestation in the Pecos region was very slight, less
than a score of larvae being found altogether. To be on the safe side,
however, the area cleaned was extended well bej'ond the outer infested
points, involving perhaps altogether in the Pecos Valley nearly 5,000
acres.

Neither of these new regions presented the same risk to the cotton
industry of the South as did the outbreak in eastern Texas, on account
of their remoteness from other areas of cotton culture. In view of this
fact and, as applying to the Pecos district, the consideration that
alfalfa — the only other dependable crop in this district — could not bo
successfully established in the spring of 1919, a plan was devised per-
mitting the planting of cotton in the Pecos district for 1919 under
what seemed to be fully adequate safeguards. The cotton seed for
planting of the 1919 crop was obtained from uninfested districts and
the crop of this year lias been and will be under the full control of
the State and Federal authorities. The plantei's have agreed to the
further condition that after 1919 this district shall become a strictly
noncotton zone for such ])eriod as may be determined to be necessary.

A noncotton zone was immediately established for the Great Bend
district of the Rio Grande. This action was taken on account of the
known infestation on the Mexican side of the river and the probability
that otherwise Mexican cotton would l)e smuggled across, which it
would be impossible later to distinguish from cotton grown on the
American side.

GKOWTII OF COTTON PEUMITTED IN THE QUARANTINED ZONE OF EASTERN TEXAS.

With respect to the proclaimed noncotton zones in eastern Texas
of 1918, a plan of agreement was entered into for the planting of
cotton in those districts under strict State and Federal supervision.
The planters in this region were very insistent that they should be
allowed to plant cotton under suitable precautions. The fact that the
great majority of the planters in these areas had cooperated heartily
in the enforcement of the noncotton restrictions in 1918, and the fur-
ther fact that no infestation by the pink boll worm had been discovered
throughout that year in any of the volunteer cotton or in the illegally
planted fields, led the State authorities, after consultation with this
department, to devise a plan for the planting of cotton in these areas,
other than the zone on the Mexican border. In addition to the con-
trol which the State will exercise over the crop — crushing all seed and
foreign export of lint — such planters entered into an agreement to

508 ANNUAL, REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

permit any radical steps which may be necessary to exterminate any
outbreak which may result from such planting.

INSPECTION ACTIVITIES DURING THE GROWING SEASON OF 1919.

An important feature of the work during the spring and summer of
1919 has been the following up of all clues of possible distribution of
Mexican cotton lint to mills in cotton-growing areas of the South
prior to the quarantine of 1916. The tracing of this cotton has
covered not only the original sale of such cotton but all resales and
also all distributions of picker waste or motes from mills in which
such cotton was utilized. This and similar inspection work has ex-
tended from the Carolinas, where several thousand bales of Mexican
cotton were purchased and utilized just prior to 1916, through the
other cotton States to Arizona, where there has been and is danger
of infestation by carriage of seed b;^ Mexican laborers. The cotton
fields in all such districts surrounding mills or in other situations
where risk had been determined have been given repeated inspections
throughout the season. The bulk of this work has naturally been in
Texas, w^here particular attention has been paid to the localities in
eastern Texas infested in 1916 and 1917 and in the vicinity of the 12
mills which received Mexican cotton seed in 1916. The Pecos Valley
crop of this year, and the cotton planted under State and Federal
control in the former quarantined districts in eastern Texas also
have been given frequent and intensive inspections.

THE PINK BOLLWORM APPARENTLY EXTERMINATED.

As a result of all this inspection activity, both as to quarantined
and regulated districts in Texas and' as to all other points of possible
infestation throughout the cotton area of the United States, no
evidences whatever of the pink bollworm have been determined this
year. This is a most encouraging result and indicates the probability
of a successful outcome of this tremendous effort to control an im-
portant foreign pest after it had become fairly widely and firmly
established. This outcome has been made possible by the fact that
the insect is substantially limited to one food plant grown under
cultivation and in the western districts wholly under irrigation.
Undoubtedly certain temperature conditions of the winter of 1918
and 1919 unfavorable to the insect have aided in obtaining this result.
One adverse feature may be noted, namely, the failure of the au-
thorities of the State of Texas to enforce fully the prohibition of the
growth of cotton this year in the Great Bend district of the Rio
Grande. One hundred acres of cotton were planted in this district
by a grower, and in spite of urgent recommendations made by this
department this field has been left to mature. Undoubtedly this
crop can be safeguarded, but it will make more difficult the enforce-
ment of noncotton zones in the future.

USE OF AEROPLANE IN SURVEY WORK.

That it is possible to use the aeroplane in a practical way in the
cotton survey work, and particularly for the location of cotton fields
-which might otherwise escape detection, was demonstrated during

FEDERAL. HORTICULTUEAL BOARD. 609

1918 and 1919 in the cotton inspection and control work in Texas. This
activity was made possible by an active interest and cooperation on
the part of the War Department. Competent pilots and aeroplanes
were loaned for this work, which was prosecuted for over a year
wnth great success and was particularly valuable in the scouting
work necessary along the long stretches of the Eio Grande, where
roads and other means of transportation are poor or insufficient.
A preliminary use of the aeroplane had, however, been made the year
before, which had resulted in the discovery of some fields in the
wooded and sparsely settled portion of a quarantined district which
had been theretofore overlooked. The following officials of the
Aviation Service of the Signal Corps of the Army have been as-
signed from time to time to this work : Second Lieut. Harold Com-
pere and Second Lieut. William H. Tillisch. The expert inspectors
of the board associated with this work as observers have been H. S.
Hensley, Carl Heinrich, and E. L. Diven.

This work was terminated August 7, 1919, as the result of an
accidental fall of the aeroplane in which both the pilot, Lieut.
Tillisch, and the observer, Mr. Diven, lost their lives. Although
these flights had been conducted over a long period without serious
iVccident, the danger of the service was fully recognized. Both Lieut.
Tillisch and Mr. Diven were men of high character and vmdertook
the work with a full realization of its dangers. Lieut. Tillisch, who
could have been discharged from the War Department, remained
in its service on account of his interest in this new use of the aero-
plane. The greatest honor is due these men for their courage and
devotion to a service which unfortunately involves the highest per-
sonal risk. They may be considered the pioneers in this country in
the use of the aeroplane in a practical w ay in relation to agi'iculture.

A NEW TEXAS PINK BOLLWOBM ACT.

On March 10, 1919, a new pink bollworm law was enacted by the
State of Texas and made immediately effective. This act is a revi-
sion of the previous act. Its principal new feature is the provision
for the establishment of zones or districts in which the growing of
cotton may be permitted under regulation, the immediate object
being to permit the growth of cotton under restrictions in the old
quarantined areas of eastern Texas.

This act provides for a commission of five entomologists to deter-
mine the necessity for the establishment of quarantine areas within
the State of Texas. The members of the commission as now created
under the terms of the act are : Ernest E. Scholl, designated by the
commissioner of agriculture ; W. D. Hunter, designated by the Fed-
eral Horticultural Board, LTnited States Department of Agriculture ;
F. B. Paddock, designated by the Agricultural and Mechanical Col-
lege of Texas ; N. Hess, appointed by the governor of Texas, and an
entomologist to be appointed by the county judge in the county in
which the fields believed to be infested are located.

On the recommendation of this commission the necessary quaran-
tine action has been taken by the governor under the new law with
respect to the several districts in Texas which have at any time been
infested by the pink bollworm and also with respect to the border
noncotton zones.

510 ANNUAL REPOETS-OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The old Trinity Bay district has been declared a regulated zone
by orders of March 15 and April 24. This zone includes all of the
counties surrounding Trinity Bay included in the noncotton zone of
1918, except the extreme western portion, which has been released
from all quarantine restrictions. This is the important cotton-pro-
ducing territory bordering the Brazos River in Brazoria and Fort
Bend Counties, which was included in the quarantine of 1918 merely
as an additional safeguard.

The territory actually infested in 1917 in the small Hearne dis-
trict has been continued as a noncotton zone by an order dated iVpril
24. Furthermore, cotton grown within a radius of 3 miles of such
zone is brought under regulation by another order of the governor
of the same date.

By orders dated April 9, 1919, the governor of Texas has reissued
under the new act the old border noncotton zone, including Maverick,
Kinney, and Valverde Counties, and has established additional quar-
antine zones to cover the new infested territory in western Texas.
These are a noncotton zone comprising the counties of Presidio and
Brewster, which include the infested territory in the Great Bend
of the Eio Grande, and a special zone comprising the counties of
AVard and Eeeves to include the infested territory of the Brazos
River. Supplementing the latter special zone, two proclamations
were issued b}^ the governor of Texas under date of May 1, 1919, es-
tablishing regulated zones covering ail territory within 5 miles of
t'lnd including the fields in Ward and Eeeves Counties which were
determined as infested with the pink boUworm as to the crop of
1918.

After a conference with the Federal autliorities cooperating with
the State of Texas in the pink boll worm work, regulations were issued
under date of April 24, 1919, by the commissioner of agriculture of
Texas, governing the planting and the safeguarding of the cotton
crop produced in the three regulated zones. In other words, cotton
may now be grown under regulation in all the zones established in
tlie interior of Texas, with the exception of a small portion of the
Hearne zone, and the growth of cotton is prohibited in two border
zones involving the Great Bend district and the old border noncotton
zone of last year, including the counties of Maverick, Kinne}', and
Valverde.

THE PINK BOLLWOEM IN MEXICO.

The survey and inspection of the cotton grown near the border of
Mexico adjacent to the United States has Jbeen continued, covertn^
the more important areas between Brownsville and Eagle Pass, Tex.
Xo new infestation has actually been found anywhere near the bor-
der in this i>ortion of Mexico. One locality, however, at Guerrero, 9
miles from the Texas border, opposite the town of Zapata, is under
suspicion because of the determination that certain fields at that
place were planted from seed obtained from an infested locality in
Mexico. This planting has a special importance from the fact that a
stream of considerable size flowing from this district discharges into
the Eio Grande not far above extensive cotton cultures in both ]Mex-
ico and the United States, and therefore may ultimately be the means
of conveying the insect to these cultures.

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 511

The only new infestations determined in Mexico are the scattered
fields opposite Candelaria, in the Great Bend district, already noted.

Until conditions in Mexico materially improve there seems to be
little likelihood of any serious effort being made on the part of the
Mexican Government or planters to eliminate cotton culture in the
Laguna or other infested regions and to take steps similar to tliose
taken in Texas to exterminate the insect. No wide survey of Mexican
cotton growing is possible under existing political conditions.

The research work conducted at the Lerdo station in the Laguna
has been maintained throughgut the year with very satisfactory re-
sults. Some forty to fifty thousand larva? were collected in the fall of
1018 for winter, spring, and early summer observation and experi-
mentation. It is believed that by the end of this season the full bio-
logical data of the insect will have been worked out, so that this sta-
tion can thereafter be discontinued. It is too early at this writing to
determine the amount of damage which this insect has caused to this
year's crop in the Laguna and elsewhere in Mexico. The loss to the
crop of 1918 amounted to approximately 30 per cent, involving, as it
did, much of what would have been the second and third pickings.
From 100 bolls picked at random in late September were taken 920
larva?. The normal yield of the Laguna is very high, and even with
this reduction a profitable crop was secured.

The practical control experiments carried out in cooperation with
leading planters in the Laguna Iiavc indicated the possibility of a
large reduction of loss by cultural methods; namely, fall cleaning
and destruction x)f old plants and the replantmg with clean seed.
This is substantially the control system no\y practiced in Egypt and
is possible under such low labor cost as obtains in Egypt and in Mex-
ico. Under the labor scale in the United States the intensive clean-up
methods required vrould be almost prohibitive in cost.

The impoilant phases of the work in the Laguna have been (1) a
continuation of life-history studies of the insect; (2) the determina-
tion of the importance of alternative food plants, such as okra and
possible native Mexican and Texas malvaceous plants related to cot-
ton— a considerable quantity of seeds of these plants having been
collected in Texas, and the plants are now being grown in the Laguna
for the purpose of this experiment; (3) determination of control
possibilities by poisoning and by cultural methods; (4) determina-.
tion of the amount of damage throughout the season; and (5) the
determination of the extent of natural distribution and of the possi-
bilities of distribution through the agency of irrigation canals.

With respect to alternative food plants this work has shown that
Hibiscus and other plants closely related to cotton may serve as hosts
for the pink bollworm, but has fully demonstrated the fact that cot-
ton is much the favored host plant. In this connection studies of the
last two years have indicated that mider conditions obtaining gen-
erally in Texas cotton is practically the sole food plant of the insect.

TEXAS BORDER QUARANTINE SERVICE.

The Texas border inspection and quarantine service to prevent the
movement of cotton and cottonseed into the United States has been
continued actively during the year under the general direction of
Mr. J\. Kent Beattie. The volume of the work has necessitated a

512 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTUEE.

considerable increase in the number of inspectors. The car fumi-
gation houses referred to in the previous report have been com-
pleted. An increase of $100,000 was granted by Congress in the
appropriation for the Mexican border work to cover the cost of the
chemicals and labor involved in the disinfection of railway cars and
freight in these specially constructed fumigation houses. To cover
this cost the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to fix charges
for such cleaning and disinfection, the moneys thus received to be
covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. Delays in se-
curing equipment and installation of the machinery designed for
the generation of the hydrocyanic-acid gas have prevented the in-
auguration of this new form of disinfection, and in the meantime
the disinfection and cleaning by the older methods have been car-
ried out under the supervision of the department's inspectors. From
the 1st of October the disinfection along the border will be in these
houses under the direct supervision of the inspectors of this depart-
ment.

The inspectors of the board at the border ports of Mexico have
the additional duty of enforcing the various quarantines which af-
fect Mexican products other than cotton, and to facilitate this work
a warning placard to passengers was issued by the Secretary of
Agriculture under date of August 10, 1918, calling attention to the
prohibitions affecting the entry from Mexico of various fruits, sugar
cane, nursery stock, and sweet and Irish potatoes, in addition to cot-
ton, cotton seed, and cottonseed products.

Inspection forces were maintained at Brownsville, Laredo, Eagle
Pass, El Paso, and Del Rio, Tex. At the first four points mentioned
railroad lines cross the border. At these points all the cars and
freight offered for entry into the United States were inspected and
passed for entry if free from cotton seed or lint. In the great
majority of cases these cars were also fumigated with h^^drocyanic-
acid gas under the direction of the inspectors immediately upon
their crossing into the United States. During the year 16,597 cars
were passed for entry at these four ports. About 43 per cent of
these cars were empties, 14 per cent contained ore, 12 per cent hides,
1 per cent scrap iron, 1 per cent bones, and the rest contained miscel-
laneous cargoes invoiced under 46 different headings.

No railroad crosses the border at Del Rio, but the existence of an
infested area in Mexico, in the immediate vicinity of this port, made
necessary the inspection and cleaning of vehicles here, to the num-
ber of about 175 per week.

THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER.

An important European crop pest now designated in this country
as the European corn borer, but infesting many other crops, has
recently gained entrance into the United States and may develop
into one of our most injurious insects. The increase of our knowl-
edge of the distribution and of the plants attacked in the United
States by this pest has been very rapicl, and the board has conducted
three hearings and one conference on the subject and has partici-
pated in several field surveys of the regions infested in cooperation
with experts of the Bureau of Entomology and State officials.

FEDERAL. HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 513

MEANS OF INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD.

The European corn borer was discovered late in 1917 as an enemy
of corn in the vicinity of Boston, Mass., in what was believed at
that time to be a rather limited area of perhaps 100 square miles.
Hemp straw which had been imported from Europe and utilized
in the vicinity of Boston some years before for rope making was
then thought to have been the means of introducing this msect.
From present information, it seems much more probable that the
insect was introduced about nine years ago with large importa-
tions of Hungarian broom corn to meet the then existing shortage
in the United States of this crop. Of this imported broom corn,
some hundreds of tons were utilized for broom making in Boston
and like (quantities went to New York, Kentucky, and other points
in the Middle West. The later discovery of the further spread of
this insect in the United States seems to correspond closely with the
distribution of this imported broom corn. For example, late in 1918,
the insect was found to have invaded the Mohawk Valley for a
considerable distance, extending from the neighborhood of ^Albany,
N. Y., some 25 or 30 miles up the Mohawk Valley and northward
nearly to Saratoga Springs. At the upper part of this district a
very large quantity of this imported broom corn had been utilized
in a local broom factory.

The distribution of this insect as now known covers an area of over
1,200 square miles about Boston, touching the border of New Hamp-
shire and involving two towns in that State. Another considerable
outlying point in Massachusetts, involving four towns, was deter-
mined in August of this year, 65 miles distant from Boston, at the
base of Cape Cod Peninsula. The Albany area in New York has
been considerably extended. Two new points of invasion have been
determined in New York State: one on the east side of the Hudson
River, opposite Albany, and the other 200 miles farther west in
extreme western New York. A similar point of infestation has also
been determined in Erie County, Pa. These last two areas were
discovered in late September, 1919. These wide extensions of the
insect indicate the need of a thorough-going survey of the north-
eastern quarter of the United States, and especially such districts
as those in Kentucky and in the upper Ohio Valley which are
known to have received greater or less quantities of imported broom
corn about the same time that it went to Massachusetts and New
York. These surveys are now (October) in progress.

FOOD PLANTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

Wliile this insect has been designated as the European corn borer,
it infests, as already noted, many other plants, such as most annuals,
including common grasses, small grains, most garden vegetables,
and weeds ; in fact, almost any plant which is not of a hard or
woody nature. The fact that this insect is an internal feeder, work-
ing in almost any part of the plant and even penetrating the base
of plants beneath the ground, together with the almost unlimited
number of plants in which it can develop, makes any determination
of its actual spread in the United States practically impossible,
and this has an important bearing on questions of quarantine or
possible future extermination.

514 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
NATURE AND AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.

Present experience with it in this country would seem to indicate
that corn is its favorite food plant. Its work on certain garden
vegetables and truck crops other than corn has caused no economic
losses to such crops, or only trifling losses, and is significant only
as indicating that some of these may be the means of spreading the
insect.

In the relation of this insect to corn, there are, fortunately, some
liopeful features. It develops from the experience of this year that
it is double-brooded in Massachusetts and single-brooded in N'ov;
York, owing to diffei'ences in climate. As a smgle-brooded insect
in New York, its damage to corn has been negligible as reflected
in the crop. In Massachusetts, even with the large numbers result-
ing from the second brood, its damage has seldom exceeded 10 per
cent of the ears and in most fields in the invaded districts much less
than this. Even the injury to such ears has been as a rule not greater
than that produced by the ordinary corn ear- worm over large areas
of the United States where the latter insect is an important annual
j)est, often infesting all or nearly all ears of corn. The highest
damage in Massachusetts has represented about 25 or 30 per cent
of the ears, and this has been in isolated fields surrounded by weedy
areas more or less infested with the insect, the corn therefore in a
way concentrating the insect from these surrounding sources of
supply. The insect is essentially a stem or stalk borer, and appar-
ently corn can harbor from one to several of these insects in a stalk
without appreciable effect on the development of the ear. In the
case of early corn, its infestation of the stalk is very apt to come
after the ear is practically ready for harvest, and infestation of the
stalk may increase and continue even for a considerable period after
harvest.

From the experience in Ncav York, where the insect has evidently
been for about, nine years, it would seem to be fully established that
as a single-brooded insect it will be a negligible factor in relation to
corn production, and this is especially emphasized by the fact that
the crop of the New York district is almost altogether of the small
flint corn which in New England has been notably susceptible to
damage.

In climates where the insect has two broods, as in New Eng-
land, and perhaps as in the South, the possibilities of damage
are much greater. With resj^ect to these possibilities, how^ever, it
should be noted that the few patches of large-stalked vigorous field
corn such as characterizes the great corn belt of the United States,
grown in the invaded areas in Massachusetts as a part of the depart-
ment's experiments and by farmers, have shown an almost complete
immunity from serious infestation by this insect. It remains to ba
determined, therefore, whether this insect will actually devcloi:) into
a real menace to the great corn crop of the United States. That
much harm can be done by this insect where it is double-brooded, as
in New England, to sweet corn and to such dwarf corn as the flint
varieties commonly cropped in the upper limits of the corn belt of
the United States, seems to be demonstrated. In regions where such
corn is grown, however, the insect v>'ill undoubtedly be generally
single-brooded. Immediately about Boston the climate is apparently
made more favorable to the insect by ocean currents.

FEDEBAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 515

STATE AND FEDERAL CONTROL WORK.

Following the determination by the Massachusetts authorities of
the establishment of this insect in that State and the efforts on the
l^art of the department of agriculture of that State to cope with
the insect, the Federal Government was called upon to assist the
State authorities by establishing a Federal quarantine and by aid-
ing in control and, if possible, exterminativc Avork. In response to
this request, following a formal Jiearing on the subject, a quarantine
was promulgated, effective August 1, 1918, covering the then known
infested area in Massachusetts and prohibiting the movement there-
from interstate of corn fodder and cornstalks, whether used for
packing or otherwise, and green corn, roasting ears, corn on the cob,
or corncobs.

The discovery of the new important areas in New York in the fall
of 1918 was followed by a second hearing, February 2C, 1919, for the
purpose of bringing within the scope of this quarantine this newly
disco\ered infested territory. As a result of this hearing it was de-
cided to defer taking additional Federal quarantine action until a
more accurate determination had been made of the spread of tlie
insect. This decision was based on the fact that both of the infested
areas were entirely within the States involved, and on the definite
understanding which was expressly given by the representatives of
these two States that effective quarantine control would be exer-
cised over the infested districts within their borders so that there
would be no possibility of interstate movement of infested products.
Quarantine orders were shortly thereafter issued by the commis-
sioners of agriculture of New York and Massachusetts covering the
invaded areas in each of these States. The IMassachusetts order was
based on a new quarantine law enacted by that State April 11, 1919,
having particular reference to tlie European corn borer. Tlie Massa-
chusetts order issued under date of May 1, 1919, prohibited the move-
ment from any point within the areas infested by the corn borer sur-
rounding Boston of the corn and corn products enumerated in the
Federal quarantine. The New York order prohibited movement
from any point of the area infested with the European corn borer
in that State to any j^oint outside of the quarantined area of corn
and also of a large series of truck plants and ornamental and flower-
ing plants. Both of these States made appropriations which ulti-
mately amounted to $100,000 each for the cleaning up of the infested
cornfields. The enforcement of these State quarantines was co-
operated in by the Federal authorities.

In view of the further spread of this insect in Massachusetts and
elsewhere and the large number of food plants which in New Eng-
land had not been brought under control by the State quaran-
tine, a third hearing on the subject of this corn borer was con-
ducted August 15, 1919. This hearing w^as held at the statehouse,
Boston, to give opportunity for local truck growers and commission
merchants who would be largel}^ affected by the quarantine to par-
ticipate in the discussions. It was apparent from the information-
developed at this hearing that the territory invaded by this insect in
Massachusetts, and perhaps elsewhere in New England and in New
York, was so inadequately determined as to make a quarantine c over-
ing merely the area then known to be invaded in those t\^'o States thor-

516 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

oughly impracticable and useless, and that any quarantine in respect
to this insect to be of value and at all efficient must include New Eng-
land and New York as a whole. Such quarantine, if established,
could be graded with respect to the areas known to be infested as
opposed to the areas not known to be infested. It was manifested
also that the restrictions should cover not only corn, but all other
articles of common commerce for food purposes, such as spinach,
celery, beans, beets, etc., which have been shown to be capable of car-
rying the insect. This determination as to the area to be covered
was further shown to be necessary by the fact that much of New
England is dependent for its important elements of food supplies on
the products of the infested area, and the representatives of the sur-
rounding States were not willing to have these sources of food shut
off. A quarantine taking in the area as a whole, therefore, would
leave opportunity for the normal movement of food within the quar-
antined area to meet the needs of the summer and native populations
of these States.

The rapid development of the knowledge of the distribution of
the insect has served to withhold action on a further Federal quar-
antine until the results of the fairly wide survey which is noAV in
progress shall be available.

The work with respect to this insect as now planned under the
Bureau of Entomology in cooperation with this board has for its
object: First, the determination of the present distribution of the
insect as a basis for quarantine and other control measures; and,
second, a demonstration on a large scale of such control measures.
The area to be surveyed is large, including New England, New York,
and in a general way all the States east of the Mississippi. The
object of the proposed control experiments is to determine whether
such control looking even to extermination is feasible and practicable
under the conditions of infestation as they are seen in both Massa-
chusetts and New York. In the meantime tests will be continued to
determine the possibilities of damage which this insect may have to
the coarser and stronger kinds of field corn which represent the pre-
dominating elements of the corn crop of the United States.

For the prosecution of the work for control and enforcement of
the quarantine against this pest, Congress was asked last year for
an appropriation of $500,000. Of this sum, $250,000 was granted by
Congress and became available July 24, 1919. This fund, assigned
to the Bureau of Entomology, is now being used by that bureau in
carrying out the program of work just outlined, in cooperation with
the board as to quarantine matters.

The exploitation which has been given to this insect and the un-
warranted forecasts of future losses from it have led to widespread
fears of damage to the corn crop of the country. These fears were
reflected in a called meeting of the National Association of Commis-
sioners of Agriculture, held at Albany, N. Y., and Boston, Mass., on
August 28 and 29, respectively, of this year. The outcome of this
meeting was a series of resohitions urging Congress to appropriate
$2,000,000 to carry on the corn-borer work. The department's views
with respect to the immediate and future needs for the purpose of
carrying out the program described is that an additional appropria-
tion at this time of $500,000 will enable this department fully to de-
termine the status of the pest as an enemy of corn and other crops,

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 517

its present distribution, and the possibilities of control, and that
larger appropriations, if they are to be made, should await the de-
termination of these fundamental features of the problem.

THE JAPANESE BEETLE.

The Japanese beetle, reported to be one of the most injurious in-
sects in Japan, was apparently introduced seven or eight years ago in
the vicinity of Riverton, N. J., in soil with imported Iris roots. When
this insect had increased sufficiently to attract notice it had thoroughly
established itself over some 600 acres and at present covers perhaps
10,000 acres, with outlying points of infestation involving approxi-
mately 25,000 acres. The Japanese beetle is a general feeder, attack-
ing the grape, peach, plum, apple, and cherry, as well as many orna-
mental plants and weeds and various truck crops, such as sweet po-
tato, and especially sweet corn. In the case of corn the beetle pene-
trates the tips of the ears, working in very much the same way as the
common ear worm, and as it remains in these ears for an indefinite
period, it is possible to transmit it widely with shipments of green
corn to various markets.

Following the discovery of possibilities of wide harm to va-
rious agricultural products, a hearing on the subject of this pest
was conducted, and a quarantine was shortly thereafter pro-
mulgated covering the territory more or less invaded by this insect,
namely, the townships of Delran, Chester, and Cinnaminson, county
of Burlington, N. J. Inasmuch as the probable sole export from
these townships of plants which would be the means of conveying
the insect is sweet corn, the quarantine prohibits the movement inter-
state from the quarantined district of green sweet or sugar corn other
than in accordance with the rules and regulations drawn under the
quarantine to protect such movement.

In the enforcement of this quarantine and in the campaign looking
to the eradication of the insect authorized by Congress the board is
cooperating with the Bureau of Entomology of this department and
with the officials of the State of New Jersey.

THE POTATO WART IN THE UNITED STATES.

The fact that the European potato wart disease had secured foot-
hold in the United States was announced in the annual report of the
board for last year. The disease w^as discovered in September of
1918, subsequent to the period covered by that report but prior to its
publication. At that time the disease seemed to be restricted to three
counties in eastern Pennsylvania, namely, Luzerne, Schuylkill, and
Carbon Counties, involving house gardens in some 26 mining towns
in these counties. It was apparent that the disease had originated
from the shipment into Pennsylvania of about 12 carloads of Eu-
ropean potatoes of inferior quality in 1912, before the passage of the
Federal plant quarantine act of August 20 of that year. This act
specifically provided for an immediate quarantine against the coun-
tries infested with the potato wart, and subsequent to the passage of
this act no importations of potatoes have been made from countries
where the wart disease is known to exist.

In view^ of the menace of this disease to the potato crop of America,
a special fund of $50,000 was appropriated by Congress for the fiscal

518 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGPtlCULTURE.

year 1920 to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to effect the extermi-
nation of this disease in Pennsylvania or elsewhere m the United
States in cooperation with the State or States concerned. Under this
appropriation the board is actively cooperating with the State of
Pennsylvania in the control of this disease, and particularly in a
country-wide survey of the potato crop to determine the possible oc-
currence of the disease in other places. Over 3.000,000 bushels of
European potatoes entered the port of New York in 1911 and 1912.
and other smaller shipments arrived at other ports. It is impossible
to trace in detail the distribution of these importations, but enough
information has been secured to show that they were widely dis-
tributed, going as far south as Florida and Texas and as far
west as Nebraska, with possibilities of some movement to the Pa-
cific coast. In view of this situation, a very extended survey has
been conducted during the last two months (August and September,
1919), following the potato crop from the South northward in co-
operation with the experts of the various States concerned. By full
publicity and the cooi^eration of county agents, boys' and girls' clubs,
and other available agencies, these surveys have been made much
more comprehensive than the available funds would have made possi-
ble otherwise. This survey has been especially intensive in all min-
ing and industrial districts, it being realized that the appearance of
this disease in the important potato-growing sections would be very,
promptly reported, but that it might remain hidden and concealed
in the districts w^here the growth of potatoes was limited to garden
cultures.

Up to the end of September this survey had been carried as far
north as West Virginia, and these States and Pennsylvania, New
York, and the New England States are still under examination. As
a result of this survey this disease has been located in new districts
in Pennsylvania and has been found also in West Virginia. In
Pennsylvania the disease has been determined in three separate
localities in Cambria County in southwestern Pennsylvania. This
is in a bituminous coal-mining section. In the meantime the in-
spectors of the State of Pennsylvania have somewhat extended the
limits of the infestation in the old area in the eastern part of the
State. In West Virginia the wart has been found in one garden in
Randolph County and in about 10 gardens in Tucker County. The
infested area in Tucker County is again a mining area, while the
infested area in Randolph County is in a section which is being de-
veloped as a potato-growing region and particularly as a source of
" certified stock."

In the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Coast States an educational
campaign has been undertaken, no garden-to-garden search being at-
tempted.

A hearing was held January 28, 1919, with respect to a domestic
quarantine on account of this disease, but in vicAV of the fact that
the area was limited and was at that time entirely within the State
of Pennsylvania, and that this State was undertaking active quar-
antine and other control operations, a Federal quarantine did not
seem to be needed and has not been promulgated.

The most important immediate step is the further determination
of the spread of this disease and of its importance as a potato pest
to this country. Such determination of spread must be made before

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 519

it is practicable to consider the promulgation of a Federal quaran-
tine.

One very hopeful feature, however, has appeared in the work
of this year, namely, that several of the most important potato
varieties grown in this country are apparently immune to the disease.
This is especially true of the Irish Colbbler and the Rose 4.

The danger of immediate spread of the disease is very much re-
duced by the fact that there is no important commercial potato pro-
duction in the invaded districts. The infestation, however, has mani-
fested itself in a very severe form, practically destroying the entire
crop in many of the affected gardens.

The importance of a study of the potato wart conditions in Eng-
land, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, so as to be able to take immediate
advantage, in the work in this country, of any effective control
methods, either from the use of immune varieties of potatoes or
through cultural operations which have been developed in the many
years of experience with this disease in these foreign coimtries, led
the board to make such investigation in Great Britain and Ireland.
This work was carried out for the board, in cooperation with the
State of Pennsylvania, by ^Ir. J. G. Sanders, Director of the Bureau
of Plant Industry of the Pennsylvania State Department of Agri-
culture, who is collaborating with this board in the control of the
potato -wart outbreak in Pennsylvania. It has resulted in the secur-
ing of information which will be of much advantage to the work
in this country. One of the results is the proposed introduction
of certain varieties of potatoes which are believed to be iuunune to the
disease and which have marked color characteristics, enabling them
to be easily distinguished from other potatoes, with the object of util-
izing them for planting in the invaded districts in lieu of actually
prohibiting potato culture in such districts. Prohibition of potato
culture would lead to wide dissatisfaction on the part of the
miners and other inhabitants of these districts, mostly of for-
eign nationalities, who would hardly understand and appreciate
the need of such strict quarantine measures. The Bureau of Plant
Industry of the Department of Agriculture is iDlanning, in coop-
eration with the board, to introduce a'considerable series of these
and other British potatoes w^hich have been demonstrated to be
substantially free from any or serious damage from this disease.
These varieties will be obtained from regions in the countries con-
cerned which are believed to be free from the disease and will be
utilized, through the experimental period, only in districts in this
country where the disease is already established. This phase of the
investigation assumes great importance in view of the known wide
distribution of the European importations of 1911 and 1912 and
the considerable number of new points of infestation determined
for the disease during the year, indicating a possibility that the dis-
ease may be so widespread that it may not now be possible to effect
its eradication in this country.

THE FLAG SMUT AND TAKE-ALL DISEASES.

In response to representations made to the board by the Bureau
of Plant Industry as to the risk from two important diseases, namely,
the flag smut and take-all, affecting wheat and other cereals in

520 ANNUAL EEPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGBICULTURE.

foreign countries, a hearing on the subject of these two diseases
was held March 25, 1919. It was pointed out in the notice of hear-
ing that the take-all disease was widely prevalent in Australia and
reported to occur also in Italy, France, Belgium, Great Britain,
Ireland, and Brazil. The flag smut disease was known to exist
in Australia and also in India and Japan. The flag smut is a dis-
ease of wheat. The take-all disease may infest, in addition to wheat,
oats, barley, rye, and rice.

The flag smut affects the leaf blades, leaf sheaths, stems, and
sometimes the spikes of wheat. Usually every shoot is affected, the
leaves wither, and the spike is frequently replaced by a mass of
twisted leaves. The spores are carried on the seed and live over in
the soil. In portions of Australia the losses from this disease run
from one-tenth -to one-half of the crop.

The take-all disease, known also as whitehead or foot rot, attacks
the roots and the bases of the plants, rotting the roots and blackening
the base of the stem. Young wheat plants speedily wither and
die ; older ones may survive but rarely produce grain. Heavy losses
have been sustained in all countries where this disease occurs.

The risk of introduction of these two diseases was largely from
the possible importation of any of the grains mentioned for seed
purposes. War conditions, however, had led to some commercial
importations of wheat from Australia and there was a possibility of
further commercial shipments from this source on account of the
large accumulations of wheat in that country.

The hearing on this subject brought out rather distinctly the need
of controlling the entry of foreign wheat, either for food or for plant-
ing purposes. The promulgation of the quarantine was postponed
pending the determination of the practicability of disinfecting wheat
from the countries under consideration as a basis for fixing
the restrictions which would be placed upon the entry of such
wheat. On the completion of this inquiry the quarantine was
promulgated July 2, 1919, effective August 15, 1919, with regu-
lations governing the issuance of permits, sterilization, and other
conditions of entry. This quarantine prohibits the importation of
seed or paddy rice, but places no restriction on the importation
of husked or polished rice imported for food purposes.

THE FLAG SMUT AND TAKE-ALL DISEASES IN THE UNITED STATES.

While the steps described were being taken with respect to the
control of the entry of foreign wheat, these two diseases, flag smut
and take-all, were discovered to be already present in southern
Illinois and the take-all disease in Indiana, the evidence seem-
ing to indicate that they had been in southern Illinois for two
or three years. The source of entry of these diseases into this
country has not been determined, but it is believed to have been
through some importation of seed wheat from Australia or other
foreign country. This discovery was followed up by an inten-
sive investigation of the principal wheat-growing areas of the
United States in which the board cooperated with the Bureau of
Plant Industry and with the officials of the several States con-
cerned. These field investigations failed to demonstrate the occur-
rence of these diseases at that time at any other points, and this situa-

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 521

tion as to infestation remained unchanged until September 18, 1919,
when the disease was apparently definitely determined as existing in
Roanoke Count}^, Va.

As soon as the survey had been substantially completed a public
hearing as a basis for a domestic quarantine on account of these
two diseases was held at the Department of Agriculture, July 15,
1919. The subjects of the hearing were thoroughly discussed by a
large attendance of State officials, grain dealer? and millers' asso-
ciations, and as a result of the information obtained — which indi-
cated that the States concerned had ample legal powers to take the
necessary steps to control tlie diseases and to prevent the interstate
movement of diseased products, and that in the case of Indiana
such measures had already been instituted — the department deemed
it unnecessary at that time to establish a Federal quarantine. The
State of Illinois very promptly thereafter instituted control measures.

The enforcement of these control measures is being carried out
by these two States under the advice and with the active cooperation
of the Federal Horticultural Board and the Bureau of Plant In-
dustry of this department. Similar control action is being taken in
connection with the outbreak in Virginia. These measures include
the burning of the straw and stubble, the disinfection of the wheat
and of the thrashing machinery involved, and the elimination of
the growth of wheat in the infected areas for a period of years. It
is believed that by these means the spread of the diseases from these
States will be prevented in so far as it is possible to accomplish this
result by quarantine and control operations.

In the meantime a thorough survey is being kept up throughout
the United States in cooperation with the State authorities for the
determination of any other possible footholds of these diseases. It
is believed that the iPoreign quarantine referred to at the outset will
prevent any further entry of these diseases into the United States.

THE BLACK STEM RUST OF WHEAT.

The board has actively cooperated with the Bureau of Plant
Industry in the campaign to secure the eradication of the common
barberry, with the object of controlling the black wheat stem rust.
The barberry has been demonstrated to be an important factor in
the development of serious wheat rust epidemics. The losses from
this disease are limited very largely to the northern wheat-producing
States and are unimportant in the Southern States. The object
wished, therefore, was to effect the extermination of the common
barberry in such Northern States and by quarantine prohibit its
movement into such States from other States. Pending the determi-
nation of the feasibility of such quarantine action, the board under-
took to effect this general purpose by an agreement to be entered
into by nurserymen and others interested. A circular letter describ-
ing the need, accompanied with a pledge card, was sent out April 4,
1918, and more than 2,000 nurserymen signed these pledges and thus
voluntarily put into effect what was substantially a complete quar-
antine as to the movement of the common barberry into the region
to be protected. The effectiveness of this voluntary quarantine
showed the general practicability of such control, and to give it

151352*'— 19 34

522 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

51 greater efficiency, after a stated public hearing, February 24, 1919,
11 quarantine was issued April 15, 1919, effective May 1, 1919. This
(juarantine points out that the susceptible varieties of barberry and
the related Mahonias have been very largely eradicated from the
States of Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Wyoming,
and Colorado and therefore quarantines all the other States of tlie
United States, including the District of Columbia, and orders that
no plants of the species of Berberis and Mahonia enumerated in the
quarantine shall be moved or allowed to move to points outside of
the quarantined areas.

This quarantine places no restriction on the movement of tlie
Japanese barberry and the Japanese Mahonia, the most valuable
and most commonl^^ planted of the barberries and Mahonias, and
which are not alternate hosts of the disease.

COTTON IMPORTATIONS.

The restrictions placed on the entry of foreign raw cotton, cotton
waste, cotton wrappings, and cotton seed and cottonseed products, to
prevent the entry of the pink bollworm and other dangerous cotton
pests, are being continued.

The entry of foreign cottons and of such cotton waste and cotton
wrappings as must be fumigated as a condition of entry is limited to
the ports of Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle, where
frunigating plants for this purpose have been provided. The entry
of cotton waste and cotton wrappings for which disinfection is not
required is permitted at any port where the board maintains inspec-
tion service.

The importation of foreign cotton was considerably reduced dur-
ing the year as a result of war conditions, amounting to a total
of only 179,537 bales. The cotton indicated in the tables given below
as from the United States represents returned American cotton, and
that indicated from Calexico, Mexico, is cotton permitted entry from
the Imperial Valley, Lower California. These two items were en-
tered without requirement of disinfection or other restrictions.

The entry of cotton waste comes in two classes, restricted and un-
restricted, the former requiring disinfection and subsequent control
as to utilization the same as foreign cottons. Manufactured waste
from which all cotton seeds have been removed and waste from Amer-
ican cotton may be entered under permit without the requirement of
disinfection or other restrictions. Some 415 bales of waste wore
entered after disinfection. Some 15,000 bales were entered without
disinfection. The latter represents very largely American cotton
waste which was purchased for utilization in Canada for war pur-
poses and resold and returned to the United States at the close of
hostilities.

The restrictions on the entry of cotton wrappings or bagging aro
necessitated by the fact that such Avrappings carry considerable quan-
tities of cotton and cotton seed, and therefore must be subjected to re-
strictions similar to those applying to the entry of cotton. During the
year 24,230 bales of bagging entered the United States. Of this
amount 2,277 bales were fumigated and the balance were permitted

FEDERAL HORTICULTUEAL BOARD.

523

entry without fumigation. The latter represented, for the most part,
American cotton bagging returned to the United States after the
utilization in foreign countries of the American cotton.

Foreign cotton seed is permitted entry only through the port of Ca-
lexico and from cotton grown in the Imperial Valley, Lower Califor-
nia. The restrictions on the entry of cottonseed cake and meal are due
to the fact that such products frequently carry uncrushed cotton seeds.
The entry of cottonseed oil is not restricted except as to its entry
from Mexico. Cottonseed oil from Mexico is permitted entry only
when the oil originates in mills in the Laguna District. Upon the
entry of such oil at border ports of Mexico are placed certain restric-
tions intended to prevent the entry with the oil carriers of cotton seed
and cotton insects.

The following tables indicate respectively the number of bales of
cotton, cotton waste, and burlap, and the quantities of cotton seed and
cottonseed products imported during the fiscal year.

Cotton imported during the year ended June SO, 1919.

[By port of entry and country of origin.)

('ountry.

Boston.

New
York.

San
Fran-
cisco.

Seattle.

Provi-
dence.

Calexico.

Detroit.

Total.

C"l)i-

Bales.

Balet.

2

4,962

327

261

1,289

10,128

3,908

Bales.

BaU*.

Bales.

Bales.

Bales.

Bales.
2

Chin .

2,m

2,872

10,098

Dominican Kepublic.

'

327

2fU

EpVDt

61,107

62, 3%

nlit? ::;::;■■:

10,128

India

3,908

Mexico

54,791

54,791

33

35,791

12

372

33

35.791

Tiirbs TslATid

12

United States

1,183

105

65

1,790

Total

62,295

57, 085 ' 2.264

2,872

165

54,791

65

179,537

Cotton waste imported during the year ended June 30, 1919.
[By country of origin and port of entry; all nguros represent running balcs.l

Pert.

Canada-

England.

Japan.

Mexico.

Spain.

United

States.

Total.

570

137
407
465

707

New York

80

119

eoti

Philadelphia

206

671

Seattle

449

449

N iaPATi Kal Is

7,301

7,301
100

100

4,395

126

20

1,0S5

4,395
12li

Ogdensburg

20

Detroit

i,os:>

^ Total

570

206

529

100

119

13,936

15,460

524 ANNUAL, REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Bagging imported during the year ended June 30, 1919.
[By country and port.]

Country.

New
York.

Boston.

Phila-
delphia.

Detroit.

Total.

Bales.
267
3,261
8,541

Bales.
2,459
2,048

Bales.
147
5,695

Bales.

58

Bales.
2,931
11 004

England

8,541
68

Scotland

68

Spain

1,396

250

1,646

United States

46

46

Total

13,465

4,621

6,092

58

24,236

Cotton seed and cottonseed products imported during the year ended June

SO, 1919.

Port.

Cx)tton
seed.

Cotton-
seed
cake.

Cotton-
seed
meal.

Cotton-
seed,
oil.

Calexieo

Tons.
12,677

Tom.

Tons.

Oallons

Eagle Pass

19, 220
1,139

147,582
132,000

Laredo

New York

1,578

2,071
1,709

Seattle

Total

12,677

24,139

1,678

279,582

NURSERY STOCK, PLANT, AND SEED IMPORTATIONS.

The need of additional restrictions or prohibitions with respect to
the entry of various classes of nursery stock and other plants and seeds
was referred to in the report of the Federal Horticultural Board for
last year, and also the holding of a public hearing at this department
on May 28, 1918, at which the whole subject was fully discussed with
all the interests concerned.

Following the hearing the subject was further studied by the ex-
perts of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the department, including
a field examination of the conditions throughout the country, to
determine the essential needs as to future plant importations. The
results of these extended investigations w^ere embodied in a tentative
plant quarantine order which was sent, August 29, 1918, to plant trade
journals and related societies, and to individuals who had mani-
fested an interest in this subject, either by attending the hearing or by
correspondence, with the request that the proposed quarantine be
given careful consideration, with a view to a conference later to dis-
cuss and determine the desirability of the proposed restrictions. This
conference was held October 18, 1918, and the quarantine was
amended in minor details and promulgated by the department Novem-
ber 18, 1918, to take effect June 1, 1919.

This quarantine with regulations supersedes on and after June 1,
1919, the regulations theretofore in force governing the importation
of nursery stock and brings under restriction all other plants and
plant products for or capable of propagation. Under this quarantine
fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other plant products for or capable of
propagation, but intended for medicinal, food, or manufacturing

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 525

purposes, and field, ve<retable. and flower seeds may be imported with-
out permit or other restrictions.

The quarantine provides further that the following classes of plants
may be imported under permit and on compliance with the other
re<iuirements of the regulations, viz, certain bulbs, rose stocks, fruit
stocks, including cuttings, scions, and buds, and seeds of nut, fruit,
forest, and other ornamental and shade trees and of hardy perennial
ornamental shrubs.

The quarantine also provides for the importation, under special
permits from the Secretary of Agriculture, of limited quantities of
otherwise prohibited stock for the purpose of keeping the country
supplied with new varieties of plants and stock for propagation pur-
poses, not available in the United States.

This quarantine does not affect the status of nursery stock and other
plants and seeds covered by special quarantines and other restrictive
orders now in force.

The regulations governing the entry of the classes of plants listed
above are similar to those hitherto in force with respect to nursery
stock, and take into account the classification of countries into (1)
those maintaining inspection and certification of nursery stock in
accordance with the requirements of the plant quarantine act, and
(2) countries which have not made provision for such compliance.

Three minor amendments have been issued with respect to this
quarantine. Amendment No. 1 provides for the use of sterilized soil
for packing bulbs and other plants. Amendment No. 2 is a revision
of regidation 14 and is essentially an interpretation of this regulation
rather than an enlargement of powers under the quarantine. The
entry of new varieties of plants and of necessary propagating stock
which would be otherw^ise prohibited under the quarantine is specially
provided for in this regulation. It is further provided that all such
importations shall be made through the Office of Foreign Seed and
Plant Introduction of the Department of Agriculture at the cost and
for the use of the importer. This method of introduction is to provide
for the proper inspection and safeguarding through the agency of
the highly developed inspection and quarantine service now organized
by this department of the material thus imported. Amendment No. 3
provides for the entry of otherwise prohibited stock from foreign
countries contiguous to the United States and has special application
to the entry of such stock from the Dominion of Canada. Under this
regulation such entry under stated restrictions will be permitted only
of specified classes of nursery stock and other plants and seeds which
can be considered as peculiar to such contiguous countries and not
mere reproductions of imported stock from foreign countries.

This quarantine aroused wide criticism and protest, much of this
being based, however, on misrepresentation and particularly on the
charge, which w^as directly contrary to the facts, that the quarantine
would prevent the United States from receiving the new plant crea-
tions of Europe and other foreign countries and that America would
therefore be forever deprived of all such additions to its horticulture
and floriculture. These protests also found large support on the part
of importers whose business was necessarily restricted as a result of
the quarantine. On the other hand, this quarantine received sub-
stantial indorsement from the great body of the producing nursery-
men of the country.

526

AlSriSrUAL REPOBTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

In answer to various criticisms and to correct certain misrepre-
sentations the board has issued several explanatory memoranda and
statements, the most important being a memorandum dated Feb-
ruary 1, 1919, giving a general discussion of the quarantine and
of the conditions which led to its promulgation. A further explana-
tory statement was issued by the Secretary of Agriculture as a result
of a conference March 1 with a committee representing the New
York Florists' Club, the Association of American Florists, and the
American Association of Nurserymen. The statement of the Secre-
tary is based on an impartial investigation which he had made of the
whole subject — the report of which fully supported the quarantine.
These two documents have been published in trade journals and
used liberally in correspondence with respect to the quarantine.

The chairman of the board, on invitation, has attended during the
year important annual meetings of nurserymen and florists to discuss
Federal plant quarantines and jDarticularly quarantine No. 37. These
meetings included the Pacific Coast Association of Nurserymen and
Ornamental Horticulturists, at Kiverside, in May ; the National Asso-
ciation of Nui'serymen, in Chicago, in July; and the Society of
American Florists and Ornamental Horticulturists, in Detroit, in
August. The discussion at these meetings directly and through the
reports published in trade journals has brought a perhaps better un-
derstanding of the fundamental purposes underlying this quarantine
to the great body of persons interested throughout the United States.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND NATURE OF NURSERY-BTOCK IMPORTATIONS.

The following table gives the country of origin and the classes of
plants and seeds imported during the year ended June 30, 1919 :

Country of origin and nature of nursery-stock importations.

Ccuntrj'cf origin.

Fruit
trees.

Fruit

tree

stocks.

Grape-
\ines.

Bush

fruits.

Roses.

Rose

stocks.

Forest
and orai-

mental
deciduous

trees.

Australia

1,975

Brazil

.

Canada

318

33

700

Chile

Cuba

England

1,432
1,197,137

■5;797;625"

73
167

24
571

28,048
334,961

i, 149, 666

1,378,452

4,906

France

213,273

G uatemala

Holland

4,218

6,760

126,964
11,142

256,650
137,000

255, 363

Ireland

Italy

::::::.::::

39,755

24,195

9
2

31,976

Leeward Island, (St Kitts)

Mexico

Panama

Philippine Islands

Scotland

367

23

2,779

80,000

20

Trinidad

Toliil

1,240,227

5,821,220

203

6,355

503,938

3,001,102

508,213

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 527

Country of origin and nature of nursery-stock importations — Continued.

Country of origin.

Orna-
mental
deciduous
shrubs.

Conifer-
ous trees
other
than
pines.

Pines.

Ever-
green
trees.

Ever-
green
shrubs.

Field
grown
florists'
stock.

Stocks,
cuttings,
or seed-
lings.

Tree
seeds.

Australia

P0U7V}S.

38 280

Beleian Congo

'l50

Belgium

46,928
7,075

6,689

4,306
9,325

11,429

29,484

35,509

21,326

'l50

187

8

43,740

1 800

63,742

87,209

5,332

87,081

5

Bermuda

2.45i
9,399

Brazil

Canal Zone...

Canada

100

*

13

12,000

Chile

*

Cotombia

Cuba

England.'-

27,284
1,015*527

5,844
353,253

1,922
14,236

101,773
191,743

1,500
2,364,912

France

4 007

Guatemala

Holland

425,658
45

470,677

18,924
5

694,528
727

57,607

Ireland

Italy

5,009

Japan

31,284

7,982

645

2,427

7,118

52,638

2

4,110

9

1,703

12,432
17,856
15,090

15,233^

Leeward Island (St. Kitts)

Mexico

Pan- ma

Phiiit pine Islands

kr{>.ir.');i

cot land

467

65

49

1,695

25
30

' rinidad

1 059

^ enr^aela

* *

Total

1,554,368

844,500

645

51,207

1,008,413

479,421

2,436,074

75, 591 i

DISTRIBUTION OF IBfPQBTED NUBSESY STOCK, BY STATES.

The following table indicates the distribution by Si^'<^>^ oi nursery
stock imported during the last six years :

Distribution of imported nursery stock, by States.

state.

Number of cases.

1918-19

1917-18

lMe-17

1915-16

1914-15

1913-14

Alflhi^ma ,

3S

69

173

284

241

125

Arizona

■t

ATkHTW!J|8 .

2

995
11
413

1
44
19
96
473
10

26

4,691

162

801

54

422

200

223

2,891

79

6

464

731

105

96
188
228

53

308

2,112

910

300

40
380

36
151

22

2,403

152

1,972

53

491

1,466

191

4,671

57

4

577

905

55

292

410

279

65

595

4,769

1,325

746

21

513

32

249

95

3,357

150

1,372

40

549

2,461

228

3,316

20

5

569

1,066

51

292

320

400

42

756

4,221

1,562

701

23

592

20

217

11

California

130

24

1,002

13

228

9

29

1,060

1,923

Colorado

152

Connecticut.. . ....

1 432

Delaware

3S

District of Columbia

562

Florida

56

Georgia

196

Illinois

3,942

Hawaii

Idnho

9

Indiana

144

160

3

50

265
53
24

152
2, .'554

272
99
17

121

89
398

15
133

77

89

545

Iowa

391

Kansas (north)

43

Kansas (south )

286

Kentucky

352

Louisiana

416

Maine

51

Maryland

154-

662

323

91

17

68

553

Massachusetts

5,115
1,232

Alichigan

Minnesota

528

MissLssippi

35

Missouri

676

Montana .

2«

Nebraska

16

61

149

^528

ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Distribution of imported nursery stoek, by States — Contimiecl.

State.

Number of cases.

1918-19

1917-18

1916-17

1915-16

1914-15

1913-14

Nevada

53
8,829

2

New Hampshire

7
7,668

2
2,369

40
6,860

44
13,295

57

New Jersey ....

10,458

New Mexico

New York

6,657

8

25

1,137

4

137

2,941

378

3,937

23

1

1,127

3

44

1,282

33

6

7

70
110

8,058

70

20

2,447

14

326

3,638

212

25

19

161

183

19

17

273

388

129

429

16,325
121

56
3,314

17

355

6,096

562

41

29
185
151

25

41
379
421

87
509

12,669

80

12

3,374

15

480
6,556

741
39
16

197

139
27
24

354

403
87

430

12,363
162

North Carolina .

North Dakota

8

Ohio ...

3,068
13

Oklalioma

Oregon

560

T'ennsyl vanla

9,309
606

Rhode Island

South Carolina

41

South Dakota

17

7
33

1

16

Tennessee

200

Texas

184

Utah

35

Vermont

1

18
74

20

Virginia

58
135

17
104

338

Washington

482

West Virginia

102

Wisconsin

78

334

Total

25,803

13,495

39,358

64,652

57, 192

57,225

INSPECTION OF IMPORTED PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS.

A record has been kept since the organization of the board of all
the interceptions of foreign plant pests and diseases on imported
nursery stock and other plants and plant products. As a result of the
requirement of the Federal plant quarantine act as to foreign inspec-
tion and certification, practically all of the foreign countries which
are doing a commercial trade of any importance in such products with
the United States have installed adequate inspection service, and for
the most part it is undoubted that these countries are probably giving
as good inspection service as human skill and science can afford. The
result of this service has been a tremendous improvement in the sani-
tary condition of the plants and plant products imported into the
United States. The infestation has been reduced to probably as near
a minimum as is humanly possible. Nevertheless, the records referred
to indicate that in spite of this inspection and the foreign certifications
accompanying importations, large numbers of injurious insects and
plant diseases are still coming into the United States on imported
plants. Inasmuch as one of the principal arguments of objectors to
foreign plant quarantines is that proper inspection Avill eliminate
these evils, it is opportune at this time to call attention to a summary
of the conditions actually shown by the inspection records of the last
seven years as to the plant imports from the principal exporting
countries. With respect to insects, these records indicate that there
have been received from Holland during this period 1,051 infested
shipments, involving 148 kinds of insect pests; from Belgium, 1,306
infested shipments, involving 64 kinds of insects; from France,
347 infested shipments, involving 89 kinds of insects; from Eng-
land, 154 infested shipments, involving 62 kinds of insects; from
Japan, 291 infested shipments, involving 108 kinds of insects; from
Germany, 12 infested shipments, involving 15 kinds of insect pests.
Many of these intercepted insects are not known to be established

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 529

anywhere in this country, and nunibei*s of them, if established,
would undoubtedly become important farm, garden, or forest pests.

During the fiscal year 1919, possibly as a result of the let-down due
to war conditions, there was an exceptional increase of infestation of
imported nursery stock with gipsy and brown-tail moth. In the
previous years under this quarantme shipments thus infested had been
so reduced that for the entire period oi?^ seven years only 63 infested
shipments had been discoverea, whereas prior to the passage of the
quarantine act such instances of infestation ran up to several thousand
annually. Altogether 123 species of insects were intercepted on vari-
ous plants and plant products during the fiscal year just ended. In
addition to gipsy-moth egg masses and brown-tail moth nests, the
more important interceptions were pink bollworm-infested cotton
seed from Brazil and China, European Lackey moth from Holland,
fruit fly larvae from Cuba, Oriental moth from Japan, gold-tail moth
from I^ ranee, seed weevils infesting cherry seed from France, and a
number of injurious scale insects on miscellaneous plants. Soil insects
were collected on several occasions, including the European mole
cricket, earwigs, Otiorchynchid larvae, wire worms, and white grubs
from Holland.

With respect to plant diseases intercepted during the fiscal year
1919, 270 distinct disease organisms were identified on imported plant
material. Among these, one case of powdery scab was found on pota-
toes from Ecuador, confirming the supposed Andean origin oi this
disease, and one interception of citrus canker was made at Seattle,
Wash., on citrus fruits taken from passengers' baggage.

INSPECTION OF PLANT-INTRODUCTION GARDENS.

The board has continued its annual or more frequent inspection of
the plant-introduction gardens maintained by the Department of
Agriculture at Yarrow, Md. ; Miami and Brooksville, Fla. ; Savan-
nah, Ga. ; and Chico, Calif., and the field station of the Office of Dry-
Land Agriculture at Mandan, N. Dak.

TERMINAL INSPECTION OF INTERSTATE MAIL SHIPMENTS OF
PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS.

During the year the State of Arkansas, under authority of the act
of March 4, 1915, made provision for terminal inspection of mail ship-
ments of plants and plant products originating in other States.
California, the first State to make provision for such inspection, in
1915, was followed in 1916 by Arizona and Montana; in 1917 by
Florida, and in 1918 by Washington.

NEW PLANT QUARANTINES.

The following foreign and domestic quarantines and other restric-
tive orders have been promulgated or revised during the year :

Domestic. — The Japanese beetle quarantine, the European corn
borer quarantine, the black stem rust quarantine, and the gipsy moth
and brown-tail moth quarantine (a revision).

Foreign. — The bamboo quarantine and the nursery stock, plant,
and seed quarantine.

The most important of these quarantines have been made the sub-
ject of specific discussion and explanation elsewhere in this report.
The gipsy moth and brown-tail moth quarantine represents merely

530 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the annual revision of this quarantine to take account of necessary
changes in the distribution of these insects. The extensive clean-up
operations along the western border of infestation, combined with
the destruction of the egg masses by the severe cold of the winter of
1917-18, made it possible to materially decrease the area quarantined
on account of the gipsy moth. As was the case during the last two
years, it was again not necessary to extend the areas quarantined on
account of the brown-tail moth.

COTTON WASTE AND UNMANUFACTURED COTTON USED AS
PACKING FOR IMPORTED ARTICLES.

It was discovered by the inspectors of the board that considerable
quantities of cotton and cotton waste containing seeds was being
brought into this country in the form of packing for china, bric-a-
brac, and other similar articles from Japan and China. An importa-
tion of chocolate from Mexico by parcel post packed in seed cotton
was also intercepted. To guard against the possible entry of the
pink bollworm with importations of this kind, at the request of this
department, the Treasury Department instructed all customs officers
to hold all importations packed with cotton or cotton waste and to
report the facts to the local inspector of the Federal Horticultural
Board at the port where the merchandise is offered for entry, or, in
the absence of a local inspector at said port, either to report the ship-
ment to the Department of Agriculture or require the importer to
remove and burn all such packing under the supervision of a customs
officer before entry of the merchandise is completed.
SHIP'S BALLAST AS A SOURCE OF INTRODUCING PLANT ENEMIES.

The attention of the board has been repeatedly drawn to the sup-
posed risk of entry of plant jDCsts in ships' ballast. This was especially
urged by persons who objected to Quarantine No. 37, and who made
tlie argument that there was a risk from such ballast equal to that of
plants with soil. Through the agency of inspectors at the principal
ports of entry into the United States, the board has had a careful
investigation made of such ballast. It was evident that war condi-
tions had very much increased the amount of ballast thus brought
to the principal eastern ports on account of the necessity prior to
the armistice of vessels employed in the transportation of troops and
supplies returning for the most part in ballast. It was found, how-
ever, that material employed for such ballast would seem to involve
ver}^ little risk of being the means of introduction of dangerous plant
enemies. The bulk of it was found to consist of sand, gravel, broken
rock, and even ashes. The soil occasionally employed seems to have
been derived from river banks or from excavations for construction
purposes (cellar soil) . It was not shown, and it is not at all probable,
that valuable garden or field soil is ever used for such ballast pur-
poses. The sand and gravel is as a rule sold for building or other
construction purposes, and the broken rock and soil have been used to
some extent for filling in, and that brought in on Government vessels
very largely for fills in connection with Government constructions
on the water front. Some of this ballast has been towed to sea and
dumped along with city waste. While there may be a possibility of
plant pests being brought in with such soil, it is a very remote
one, and undoubtedly such use of ballast will be very largely reduced
when normal commercial conditions are resumed.

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 531

WAR ACTIVITIES.

The restrictions on foreign commerce necessitated by the war brought
the Federal Horticultural Board into some cooj)erative relation-
sliip with the War Trade Board, particularly in regard to the impor-
tation of foreign cotton. This had to do with the determination of
the amount of foreign cottons which should be permitted to enter the
United States to meet essential war and other needs and to the enforce-
ment of the regulations of this department in so far as they covered
products permitted entry by the War Trade Board.

NEED FOR ENLARGEMENT OF PORT INSPECTION SERVICE.

One of the most important and useful features of the work under
the board is its port inspection service. This service was started to
meet the need for necessary control of the entry and disinfection of
imported cotton on account of the pink bollworm. The work neces-
sitates the maintaining of inspectors at the ports of Boston, New
York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Calexico, the only ports at which
foreigii cottons are permitted entry into the United States. The
board is also maintaining an inspection and quarantine service along
the Mexican border to prevent the accidental entry of cotton and
cotton seed with the railwa3% freight, and other traffic entering the
United States from Mexico. The work of this service during the year
is referred to elsewhere in this report.

In addition to the port inspection service in relation to foreign cot-
ton, and on the Mexican border, this department is now enforcing
fifteen quarantines prohibiting or restricting the entry of foreign
plants and plant products. It is also enforcing seven orders regulat-
ing and restricting the entry of such products. These quarantines
and orders are being enforced in part through cooperation with the
customs service. The burden on the customs service, however, has
grown to such an extent that it has been necessary to take over the
actual enforcement of these quarantines at the principal ports of
entry, as far as is possible, through the existing port inspection serv-
ice referred to above. Furthermore, the officers of the customs serv-
ice lack the technical information necessary for the proper enforce-
of the plant quarantines.

Only two States, California and Florida, have established adequate
port inspection service for the protection of their citizens and inci-
dentally of the country as a whole. This department has been able
to collaborate with the port inspection service of these two States in-
the enforcement of the Federal quarantines and restrictive orders re-
ferred to. The value of this State service to the States of California
and Florida has been fully demonstrated, and these States are now
maintaining a service of a score or more of men each, covering all
the ports of entry into tliese States, at an annual cost of many thou-
sands of dollars.

The need of such port inspection service has been abundantly
shown by the results obtained through the protection aft'orded in
these States and by work which has been undertaken in a limited way
by the Federal Government. Such an inspection service was tenta-
tively installed at New Orleans for six weeks, and the amount of in-
fested plant and food material intercepted by the inspection of
shipping which entered that port, including both ships' cargoes and
ships' stores and miscellaneous fruits and plants carried by passengers
anrl crews, fully demonstrated the danger which is constantly being:

532 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

run at all ports of entry and especially the Pacific, Gulf, and south
Atlantic ports.

It frequently happens that shiploads of products which are pro-
hibited entry into the United States enter these ports either for trans-
shipment of such cargoes into other vessels en route to foreign coun-
tries or for temporary purposes, such as coaling or provisioning or
other immediate needs, and that such ships lie at anchor in such ports
for days or weeks together. There have been repeated instances of
shiploads of cotton seeds from Brazil, and even from South Africa,
thus remaining at such ports as New Orleans and Norfolk — seeds
w^iich W'Cre more or less heavily infested with pink bollworm or other
dangerous insects. Such cargoes involve great danger of escape of
insects to adjoining fields cropped to host plants of such insects. Such
shipping should be safeguarded by inspection, and the cargoes, where
necessary, should be sealed or disinfected. It has become apparent,
therefore, that the port inspection service of this department should
be greatly strengthened.

To establish such comprehensive and thoroughgoing port inspection
service as is urgently needed to prevent new plant enemies from
being brought into the United States, and for a more effective admin-
istration of existing quarantines, an increase of $100,000 in the gen-
eral appropriation has been asked for in the estimates submitted for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1921.

A PLANT-QUARANTINE LAW NEEDED FOR THE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIA.

There is at present no law under which the movement of diseased
or insect-infested nursery stock and other plants and plant products
into the District of Columbia from surrounding or other States, or
from the District of Columbia into surrounding or other States, can
be adequately controlled, nor is there statutory authority for control
and extermination wathin the District of Columbia of plant pests
and diseases. Such control is exercised under State and Territorial
laws elsewhere in the United States. Under present conditions, there-
fore, the District of Columbia is without such protection, and becomes
in fact a menace to the surrounding country as a means of lodgment
and dissemination of dangerous plant pests. Illustrating this condi-
tion, one of the worst pests which has recently been introduced into
the United States, the oriental fruit moth, which now seriously
threatens the deciduous-fruit industry of this country, gained entrance
in large part through importations of ornamental stock into the Dis-
trict of Columbia; and there exist now within the District of Colum-
bia thousands of peach, plum, cherry, apple, and other trees infested
with this insect, affording breeding sources from which the insect
has already spread to the adjacent States of Maryland and Virginia.
■ To meet this need a draft of a proposed amendment to the plant-
quarantine act of August 20, 1912, was prepared by this board in co-
operation with the office of the solicitor of this department and was
submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Agriculture for incorpo-
ration w^ith the appropriations for the Federal Horticultural Board
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920. This amendment was ap-
proved by the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, but
failed of enactment. The powers requested are proper and necessary,
and it is hoped that early favorable action on this proposed amend-
ment can be secured.

LIST OF CURRENT QUARANTINE AND OTHER RESTRICTIVE

ORDERS.

QUARANTINE ORDERS.

The numbers assigned to these quarantines indicate merely the chronological
order of issuance of both domestic and foreign quarantines in one numerical
series. The quarantine numbers missing in this list are (iuarantines which
have been either superseded or revoked. For convenience of reference these
quarantines are here classified as domestic and foreign.

DOMESTIC QUARANTINES.

Date palms. — Quarantine No. 6: Regulates the interstate movement of date
palms or date-palm offshoots from Riverside County, Calif., east of the San
Bernardino meridian ; Imperial County, Calif. ; Yunm, Maricopa, and Pinal
Counties, Ariz. ; and Webb County, Tex. ; on account of the Parlatoria scale
(Parlatoria blanchardi) and the Phoenicococcus scale (PJioenicococcus mar-
latti).

Cotton seed and cottonseed JiuUs. — Quarantine No. 9: Prohibits the Iinporta-
tion of cotton seed and cottonseed hulls from the Territory of Hawaii on ac-
count of the pink bollworm.

Hawaiian fruits. — Quarantine No. 13. revised: Prohibits or regulates the
importation from Hawaii of all fruits and vegetables, in the natural or raw
state, on account of the Mediterranean fruit fly and the melon fly.

-S'l/f/flr cane. — Quarantine No. 16: Prohibits the importation from Hawaii and
Porto Rico of living canes of sugar cane, or cuttings or parts thereof, on ac-
count of certain injurious Insects and fungous diseases.

Cotton. — Quarantine No. 23, revised : Regulates the movement of cotton from
Hawaii to the continental United States, on account of the pink bollworm.

Five-leafed pines, Ribes and Grossularia. — Quarantine No. 26, as amended:
Prohibits the interstate movement of flve-lertfed pines, currant and gooseberry
plants from all States east of and Including the States of Minnesota, Iowa, Mis-
souri, Arkansas, and Louisiana to points outside of this area ; prohibits, further,
(1) the interstate movement of five-leafed pines and black-currant plants to
points outside the area comprising the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Ver-
•nont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York, and (2) to
protect the State of New York, the movement from the New England States,
on account of the white-pine blistea* iiist.

^weet potato and yam. — Quarantine No. 30: Prohibits the movement from
the Territories of Hawaii and Porto Rico Into or through any other Territory,
State, or District of the United States of all varieties of sweet potatoes and
yams {Ipomoca batatas and Dioscorea spp.), regardless of the use for which
the same are Intended, on account of the sweet-potato weevil (Cylas formi-
carius) and the sweet-potato scarabee (Euscepes batatw).

Banana plants. — Quarantine No. 32 : Prohibits the movement from the Terri-
tories of Hawaii and Porto Rico into or through any other Territory, State, or
District of the United States of any species or variety of banana plants (Musa
spp.), regardless of the use for which the same are intended, on account of
two injurious weevils, Rhabdocnemis obscurus and Metamasius hemipterus.

Gipsy moth and brown-tail moth. — Quarantine No. 33, revised : Regulates the
movement interstate to any point outside of the quarantined towns and terri-
tory, or from points In the generally infested area to points in the lightly
infested area, of stone or quarry products, and of the plants and the plant
products listed therein. The quarantine covers portions of the States of Maine,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut

Japancw beetle. — Quarantine No. 35: Regulates the movement interstate to
any point outside the townships of Delran, Chester, and Cinnaminson, Burling-
ton County, N. J., of green corn, commonly called sweet or sugar corn, on
account of the Japanese beetle {Popillia japonica),

533

534 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

European corn lorer. — Quarantine No. 36: Prohibits tlie movement inter-
state to any point outside of the quarantined area of corn fodder or cornstalks
vvliether used for packing or otherwise, green sweet corn, roasting ears, corn
('!! the cob, and corncobs, on account of the European corn borer (Pyrausta
■iiuhllaUs).

Black stem rust. — Quarantine No. 38: Prohibits the movement interstate to
i!i!.y point outside of the quarantined area of the common barberry and its
horticultural varieties, as well as certain other species of Berberis and Ma-
honia, on account of the black stem rust of wheat, oats, barley, rye, and many
wild and cultivated grasses.

FOREIGN QUARANTINES.

Irish potato. — Quarantine No. 3 : Prohibits the importation of the common or
Irish potato from Newfoundland ; the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon ;
Great Britain, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; Germany;
jind Austria-Hungary, on account of the disease known as potato wart.

Mexican fruits. — Quarantine No. 5, as amended: Prohibits the importation
of oranges, sweet limes, grapefruit, mangoes, achras sapotes, peaches, guavas,
and plums from the Republic of Mexico, on account of the Mexican fruit fly.

Five-leafed pines, Ribes, and Grossularia. — Quarantine No. 7, as amended :
Prohibits the importation from each and every country of Europe and Asia, and
from the Dominion of Canada and Newfoundland, of all five-leafed pines and
all species and varieties of the genera Rihes and Grossularia, on account of the
white-pine blister rust.

Cotton seed and cottonseed hulls. — Quarantine No. S, as amended: Prohibits
the importation from any foreign locality and country, excepting only the local-
ity of the Imperial Vallej^ in the State of Lower California, Mexico, of cotton
seed (including seed cotton) of all species and varieties, and cottonseed hulls,
on account of the pink bollworm. Cotton and cotton seed from the Imperial
Valley may be entered under permit and regulation.

Seeds of avocado or alligator pear. — Quarantine No. 12 : Prohibits the impor-
tation from Mexico and the countries of Central America of the seeds of the
avocado or alligator pear, on account of the avocado weevil.

Sufjar cane. — Quarantine No. 15 : Prohibits the importation from all foreign
countries of living canes of sugar cane, or cuttings or parts thereof, on account
of certain injurious insects and fungous diseases. There are no restrictions on
the entry of such materials into Hawaii and Porto Rico.

Citrus nursery stock. — Quarantine No. 19 : Prohibits the importation from all
foreign localities and countries of all citrus nursery stock, including buds,
scions, and seeds, on account of the citrus canker and other dangerous citrus
diseases. The term " citrus," as used in this quarantine, includes all plants
belonging to the subfamily or tribe Citratw.

FAiropean pines. — Quarantine No. 20: Prohibits, on account of the European
pine-shoot moth (Evetria huoliana), the importation from all European coun-
tries and localities of all pines not already excluded by Quarantine No. 7.

Indian corn or maize and related plants. — Quarantine No. 24, as amended:
Prohibits the importation from southeastern Asia (including India, Siam, Indo-
China, and China), Malayan Archipelago, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania,
Philippine Islands, Formosa, Japan, and adjacent islands, in the raw or unman-
ufactured state, of seed and all other portions of Indian corn or maize {Zea
mays L.), and the closely related plants, including all species of Teosinte
(Enchlaena), Job's tears (Coix), Polytoea, Chionachne, and Scleraehne, on
account of the downy mildews and Physoderma diseases of Indian corn, except
that Indian corn or maize may be imported on compliance with the conditions
prescribed in the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture.

Citrus fruit. — Quarantine No. 28: Prohibits the importation from eastern
and southeastern Asia (including India, Siam, Indo-China, and China), the
Malayan Archipelago, the Philippine Islands, Oceania (except Australia, Tas-
mania, and New Zealand), Japan (including Formosa and other islands adja-
cent to Japan), and the Union of South Africa of all species and varieties of
citrus fruits, on account of citrus canker, except that oranges of the mandarin
class (including satsuma and tangerine varieties) may be imported on com-
pliance with the conditions prescribed in the regulations of the Secretary of
Agriculture.

Siveet potato and yam. — Quarantine No. 29: Prohibits the importation for
any purpose of any variety of sweet potatoes or yams (Ipomoea totatas and

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 535

Dioscorea spp.) from all foreign countries and localities, on account of the
sweet potato weevils (Cylas spp.) and the sweet potato scarabee (Euscepcs
'batatae).

Banana plants. — Qu£ir£mtine No. 31: Prohibits the importation for any pur-
pose of any species or vai'iety of banana plants {Musa spp.), or portions
iliereof, from all foreign countries and localities, on account of the banana root
I)orer {Cosmopolites sordidus).

Bamboo. — Quarantine No. 34: Prohibits the importation for any purpose of
any variety of bamboo seed, plants, or cuttings thereof capable of propagation,
including all genera and species of the tribe Bamhuseae, from all foreign coun-
tries and localities, on account of dangerous plant diseases, including the bam-
boo .smut {Ustilago shiraiana). This quarantine order does not apply to bam-
boo timber consisting of the mature dried culms or canes which ai*e imported
for fishing rods, furniture making, or other purposes, or to any kind of article
manufactured from bamboo, or to bamboo shoots cooked or otherwise preserved.

Niirsery stock, plants, and seeds. — Quarantine No. 37, as amended, with regu-
lations (effective on and after June 1, 1919) : Prohibits the importation of
nursery stock and other plants and seeds from all foreign countries and locali-
ties on account of certain injurious insects and fungous diseases, except as pro-
vided In the regulations. Under this quarantine the following plants and plant
products may be Imported without restriction : Fruits, vegetables, cereals, and
other plant products imported for medicinal, food, or manufacturing puii:)oses,
and field, vegetable, and flower seeds. The entry of the following plants is
permitted under permit: liily bulbs, lily of the valley, narcissus, hyacinths,
tulips, and crocus; stocks, cuttings, scions, and buds of fruits; rose stocks.
Including manetti, multiflorn, brier rose, and rosa rugosa ; nuts, including palm
seeds; seeds of fruit, forest, ornamental, and shade trees; seeds of deciduous
and evergreen ornamental shrubs, and seeds of hardy perennial plants.

Provision is also made for the issuance of special permits under safeguards
to be prescribed in such permits for the entry in limited quantities of nursery
stock and other plants and seeds not covered In the preceding lists for the
purpose of keeping the country supplied with new varieties and necessary
propagating stock.

Flag smut and take-all. — Quarantine No! 39, with regulations (effective on
and after August 15, 1919) : Prohibits the importation of seed or paddy rice
from Australia, India, Japan, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain,
Ireland, and Brazil on account of two dangerous plant diseases known as flag
smut {Urocystis tritici) and take-all (Ophiobolns graminis). Wheat, oats,
barley, and rye may be imported from the countries named only on compliance
with the conditions prescribed in the regulations of the Secretary of Agri-
culture.

OTHER RESTRICTIVE ORDERS.

The regulation of the entry of nursery stock from foreign countries Into the
United States was specifically provided for in the plant-quarantine act. The act
further provides for the similar regulation of any other class of plants or plant
products when the need therefor shall be determined. The entry of the plants
and plant products listed below has been brought under such regulation :

Nursery stock. — The conditions governing the entry of nursery stock and
other plants and seeds from all foreign countries and localities are indicated
above under " Foreign quarantines." (See Quarantine No. 37.)

Irish potatoes. — The importation of Irish potatoes is prohibited altogether
from the countries enumerated in the potato quarantine. Potatoes may be ad-
mitted from other foreign countries in accordance with the order of December
22, 1913, bringing the entry of potatoes under restriction on account of injurious
potato diseases and insect pests. The following countries have qualified for
the importation of potatoes under the regulations issued under said order : Den-
mark, Holland, Belgium, Cuba, Bermuda, and the Dominion of Canada. The
regulations issued under this order have been amended so as to permit, free of
any restrictions whatsoever under the plant-quarantine act, the importation
of potatoes from any foreign country into the Territories of Porto Rico and
Hawaii for local use only and from the Dominion of Canada and Bermuda into
the United States or any of its Territories or Districts.

Avocado, or alligator pear. — The order of February 27, 1914, prohibits the
importation from Mexico and the countries of Central America of the fruits of
the avocado, or alligator pear, except under permit and in accordance with the

536 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

other provisions of the regulations issued under said order, on account of the
avocado weevil. Entry is permitted only through the port of New York, and
is limited to the large, thick-skinned variety of the avocado. The importation
of the small, purple, thin-skinned variety of the fruit of the avocado and of
avocado nursery stock under 18 months of age, is prohibited.

Cotton. — The order of April 27, 1915, prohibits the importation of cotton from
all foreign countries and localities, except under permit and in accordance with
the other provisions of the regulations issued under said order, on account of
injurious insects, including the pink bollworm. These regulations apply in part
to cotton grown in and imported from the Imperial Valley, in the State of Lower
California, in Mexico.

Corn. — The order of March 1, 1917 (Amendment No. 1, with Regulations, to
Notice of Quarantine No. 24), prohibits the importation of Indian corn or
maize in the raw or unmanufactured state from the countries and localities
listed in Notice of Quarantine No. 24, except under permit and in accordance
with the other provisions of the regulations issued under said order, on account
of injurious diseases of Indian corn.

Cottonseed products. — ^The order of June 23, 1917, prohibits the importation
of cottonseed cake, meal, and all other cottonseed products, except oil, from all
foreign countries, and a second order of June 23, 1917, prohibits the importa-
tion of cottonseed oil from Mexico except under permit and in accordance with
the other provisions of the regulations issued under said orders, on account of
injurious insects, including the pink bollworm.

Citrus fruits. — The order of June 27, 1917 (Notice of Quarantine No. 28, with
Ilegulations), prohibits the importation from the countries and localities listed
therein of all species and varieties of citrus fruits, excepting only oranges of
the mandarin class (including satsuma and tangerine varieties), on account of
the citrus-canker disease. Oranges of the mandarin class (including satsuma
and tangerine varieties) may be imported under permit and in accordance with
the other provisions of the regulations issued under said order.

INDEX.

Page.

Abortion, infections, study and control work, 1919 119-120, 134

Accounting systems in farm marketing 433, 434

A ccountfl —

DiA-ifdon, report of chief 299-302

farm, county agents' assistance to farmers 380

Acreage, crop, prospective estimates, demand for 331-332

Aerological investigations. Weather Bureau, 1919 60-61

Aeronautics, Weather Bureau, cooperative work, 1919 61, 53, 54-55, 61

Africa

climatic data, preparation by Weather Bureau 67

soil studies, 1919 239

Agents, field work in Crop Estimates Bureau, 1919 327-328

Agricultural —

history and geography, studies 466

instruction in schools, investigations 357-358

Agriculture —

American, progress, discussion by Secretary 10-16

Department, appropriations and expenditures, 1919, and 1839-1919.. 299, 301-302

Aircraft problems, cooperative work of Forest Service 204-206, 207

Alabama-
road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

SatHuma oranges, gro-wdng 142

Alaska ICxperiment Stations, work, 1919 361-362

Alfalfa, weevil, spraying method 248-249

Alligator skins, tanning, investi^tions 232

Alsbkhc;, (\ L., report as Chemist 211-234

Ammonia, Ilaber process, study 241, 245

Analvses, work for other bureaus and departments by Chemistry Bureau 212,

219, 221, 222, 228, 233
A nalysifi —

methods, study by Chemistry Bureau 233

sublimation, new apparatus 503

Anastatus bifasrialus, introduction and results 264

An|f-khak, ( 'hinese, manufacture, studies 229

Animal —

Husbandry Division work, report. 1919 79-89

Industry Bureau, report of Chief, 1919 73-135

quarantine law, enforcement by Solicitor. 1919 489

Animals —

breeding, work of department, 1919 78, 81, 82, 85, 86-87

diseases, work, 1919 74-77, 102-103, 110-132, 134-135

export, inspection 109-110

fur-bearing, feeding, rearing, and protection 283-284

imported —

for breeding purposes, certification 89

inspection and (luarantine 108-109

inspection for Indian agencies Ill

predatory, control work. Biological Survey 276-283

quarantine, Work of Animal Industry Bureau, 1919 '. 108-110

rabies, infection and ^read, investigations, 1919 276-278

vn\6. —

autopsies 123

rearing for furs, experiments 283-284

Ant. Argentine, control 260

Anthelmintics, use in control of internal parasites - 131-132

Anthracnose, watermelon, control 173

Anthrax, control work, 1919 1 12

Ants, white, control 259

Apantelcsvielanoscelvi, increase 265

Aphis, spinach, injurious to potatoes and other crops 256

151352°— 19 35 537

538 INDEX.

Pag*.

Apparatus, chemical laboratories, studies 233

Apple grades, establishment, progress 437

Apples, insects injurious, investigations 250-252

A ppropriations —

Agriculture Department, 1919 and 183^1919 299, 801-302

insular experiment stations, 1919 360

Aracacia, promising vegetable for Southern States 159

Arizona, road projects approved, 1918, 1919. . . , 401, 403, 405, 407

Arkansas, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Arlington Farm, bulb growing, Easter lillies 149

Army —

cooperation of Entomology Bureau 250

worm, Northern, outbreak and control 248

Arsenate —

cal cium . See Calcium arsenate

lead, insect control 252, 253, 254, 257, 267

Asparagus, canned, danger of Bacillus hotulinus 222

Aspergillus spp. , studies 229

Attorney General, forestry opinion, importance 479

Autopsies on wild animals 123

Avocados, growing, varieties 141-142, 157-158

Bacillus —

hotulinus, danger in canned asparagus 229

hotulinus, experimental studies 121

suhtilis, relation to animal influenza 120

Bacteriology, dairy 97

Ballast, ship, spread of plant enemies, possibility 530

Bamboo, growing and uses in South , 159

Banana disease, control, Hawaii 362

Barberry, eradication work, 1919 168-169, 386, 521-522

Barley —

breeding and variety testing, and diseases, study 151, 153, 169

leaf rusts, control 169-170

storage, concrete and steel bins 443

Barnett, Claribel R., report as Librarian 337-352

Beans —

insects, injurious, control 257

proteins, study 220

velvet, new varieties 151-152

weevils, investigations 249

Beaver, mountain, habits and control 281

Bee culture, investigations 267, 269-272

Beef-
cattle, breeding and extension in South 80-82

production —

forecasts, 1919, and estimates, 1910-1919 5, 8

increases in Southern States 80-82

Bees, diseases, investigations and publications 271

Beet, sugar, leafhopper, investigations 257

Beetle —

eradication work 254

introduction, spread, and quarantine enforcement 517, 529

Western pine, studies 259

Beetles —

flour, investigations 249

tree, epidemic, investigations 258

Beets, sugar, growing, farm records, labor, etc 465

Belgium, cattle shipments to 110

Beltsville farm, experimental work, animal industry 80, 84, 85, 87, 89, 100, 101

Bent, Rhode Island, harvesting for seed 157

Benzene, sulphonation studies 231

Bethesda Experiment Station work, 1919 134-135

Beverages, studies by Chemistry Bureau 223

Bibliography, work of library and branch libraries 343-345

Binder twine, fibers, work of 1919 154-156

INDEX. 639

Binding, work — Page.

appropriation and expenditures, 1919 303 305-310

01 Library, and annual needs 342-343

Bins, grain, concrete and steel, testing 443

Biochemic Division, Animal Industry Bureau, work, 1919 124-129

Bioclimatic law, studies 259-260

Biological —

products, examination 122

Survey —

Bureau, report of chief, 1919 275-298

Library, work, 1919 347, 349

of States, progress, 1919 289

Bird-
counts, work of volunteer observers 289

reservations —

location and work, 1919 292-293

trespass law, enforcement bv Solicitor 492

Birds-
distribution and migration, studies 288

fish-eating, studies 285

food habits, studies 285-288

habits, study, 1919 284-288

importation, work, 1919 297

migratory —

Federal law, enforcement, details 284, 293-296

treaty act, administration, violations, etc 293-296, 490-491

wild, breeding grounds 289, 293

protection laws, Lacey Act and Migratory-bird Treaty Act 284, 288, 293-296

Bison, protection on game reservations, 1919 291, 292

Bituminous road materials, testing, standardization 422

Blackbirds, com damages in Ohio 286

Black-chaff, wheat, cause and control 172

Blackleg, vaccine, distribution and use 122

Blepharipa scutellata^ introduction and value as parasite 265

Blight, chestnut, resistant varieties of chestnut trees 158

Blister rust, white pine, cause and control 175-176

Bobolinks, injurious habits and open season, Atlantic States 286

Boll weevil, cotton, control 267-268, 500

BoUworm, pink, distribution and control work, quarantines, etc 505-512

Bookkeemng, farm, investigations 466

Books, library, accessions, number, circulation, etc., statistics 349-352

Bordeaux mixtures, investigations 500, 501, 502-503

Borer —
com —

European, introduction, spread, and control 512-517, 529

European, study and control 247-2 18

peach, control experiments 253

Botfl, horses, control and experiments 131, 503

Boys' clubs —

' North and West, data 383-38 i

South, enrollment, etc 374-375

Breeding —

animal, work of department, 1919 78, 81, 82, 85, 86-87, 101

grounds, migratory wild fowl 289, 293

plant, experiments, 1919 150 1 52

poultry, experiments 88

Broom corn —

Rowing, experiments 140

importations, introduction of European com borer 513

Brown, William, service and death during war 392

Brown-tail moth, investigations 263-266

Bud selection, citrus fruits 142, 144

Buildings, farm, drawings and plans, work of roads bureau, 1919 417-418, 419

Bulbs, growing. United States 148-149

Bull associations, cooperative 92

Bulletins, contributions by various bureaus 311

540 INDEX.

Butter— Page.

coloring, research studies 121

inspection —

for Navy 95-96

service, Markets Bureau 452

renovated, factory inspection 96

By-products —

citrus, studies by Chemistry Bureau 223-224

creamery, utilization , 99

kelp manufacture, value 243-245

Cabbage, insects injurious 257

Cadmium, substitute for tin, investigation 227

Calcium —

arsenate, boll-weevil control 267-268, 500

arsenate, preparation and distribution to farmers 500, 502

Calf clubs, orgamzation. Southern States 82

California —

bulb growing, experiments 149

citrus insects, investigations 260-261

cotton growing .• 152

fruit growing, experiments 141-144, 145

rice, damages by wild fowl 286-287

road projects approved, 1917, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Calorimeter, respiration, studies 389

Camphor growing, development of industry 160

Cane, sugar —

destruction by rodents 281

moth borer, control 268

mottling disease 174

Canning, waste products, utilization 160

Caprifigs, varieties, introduction and use in Smyrna fig culture 144-145

Capsaicin, examination 228

Carbon bisulphid, use in bots control 131, 503

Carbon, bleaching, by-product of kelp industry 243, 244

Cars —

heating, use in shipping perishables 439

refrigerator, use in shipping perishables 439

Cataloguing, work of Library, 1919 340

Cattle—

accredited-herd lists, plan 77, 93, 117

dairy, breeding experiments, Beltsville, Md 101

drought-stricken, saving by shipment to other sections 79

feeding experiments, 1919 80-81, 82, 100

grazing, national forests, numbers, by States 192

import, tuberculin tests 109

shipments —

for France and Belgium, 1919 110

from quarantined areas 115

slaughtered for tuberculosis, and indemnity paid 74, 76, 117

testing for tuberculosis 74, 76, 116

Celery leaftier, control, by; spraying, cost 257

Central America, soil studies, 1919. 239

Cereal crops, insects injurious, investigations 247-249

Cereals, studies by Chemistry Bureau 225-226

Chalcis, alfalfa-seed, control 249

Charcoal, by-product of kelp industry, value 242, 243

Chayote, growing, seed distribution 159

Cheese —

making, extension and increase of factories 95, 99

tuberculosis infection, tests 135

Chemical investigations. Soils Bureau, 1919 239-240

Chemist, report, 1919 211-234

Chemistry —
Bureau —

report of chief, 1919 211-234

work for other bureaus and departments 212, 219, 221, 222, 228, 233-234

library, work, 1919 347, 349

plant studies 228

INDEX. 541

Page.

Chestnut trees, blight-resistant 158

Children, feeding on milk, experiments 94

Cholera —

hog, control and investigations 74, 76, 118-119, 124-126

hog, spread by insects, etc 125-126

Cinchona alkaloids, identification method 227

Citric acid, manufacture from citrus fruits 223-224

Citrus —

by-products, studies by Chemistry Bureau 223-224

canker, eradication 176

fruits, growing, varieties, pruning, bud-selection, etc 141, 142-144

insects, California and Florida, investigations 260-261

City-
market reporting service, work, 1919, location of offices 450-451

marketing and distribution of foodstuffs, studies 430-431

Climatology, work of Weather Bureau, 1919 64-66

Clubs—

bovs' and girls', numbers, etc 353, 372-375, 383-384

calf, pig, and poultry, work, 1919 82, 83, 89

girls', enrollment and work 372-374, 383-384

Coast Guard, cooperation with Weather Bureau in telegraphic work 62, 63

Coconut press cake, nutritive value 220

Codling moth, control work, cooperative 250-251

Cold storage, foods, fish, etc 222, 431, 439, 453

Cold storage. See also Storage.
Colorado —

horse breeding work 86

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Colors, investigations 231

Comfort, Willis E., service and death during war ^ 391

Commerce, interstate, livestock, sanitary work T 112-113

Compsilura concinnata, introduction, value as pamsite 265

Concrete —

investigations. Roads Bureau 422-423

studieH, war emergency work, Roads Bureau 393

Conferences, work of Solicitor for various bureaus, etc 471

Congresyional distribution of publications, work, 1919 320

Connecticut, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Containers —

food, investigations by Chemistry Bureau 230

standard, act, enforcement —

and results 458

by S<3licitor, 1919 494

Contests, milk 96

Contracts, preparation by Solicitor 473

Cookery, investigations, oy Office of Home Economics 387

Cooperation —

Chemistry Bureau, ynth other bureaus, etc 212,219,221,222,228,233-234

Crop Estunates Bureau, with States, in statistical work 328-329

Forest Service and live-stock associations 193

Markets Bureau, with States, in marketing work 436-437

rural, work of Markets Bureau 435-436

Soils Bureau with other bureaus and departments 238-239, 240

States Relations Service with other divisions, bureaus, etc 377-379, 386

Cooperative —

marketing associations 34

purchasing and marketing, work of Markets Bureau 430

Copper 8ulp)hate use in control of tapeworms in sheep 131

Copra, nutritive value 220

Com —

acreage and production, 1919, and acreage and production, 1914-1919 4, 6, 7

borer —

European, introduction, spread, and control 512-517, 529

European, study and control 247-248

growing, varieties testing 149-150

plants, silage use, studies 99

production, work of county agents, 1917, 1918, 1919 379-380

542 INDEX.

Com — Continued, Page.

rootworm, investigations 248

weevils, investigations 249

yield per acre, increase since 1908 12, 15

Cost accounting, investigations, by Fann Management Office 466

Cotton —

*'bolly," testing for waste and strength 446

breeding work, 1919, and variety testing 162-163

Egyptian, growing in California , 152-153

estimates, by Crop Estimates Bureau and Census Bureau, comparison. . . 330-331
Futures Act-
amendments and administration 428, 453-455

enforcement by Solicitor, 1919 494_495

results 43

handling and marketing 443-444

importations, regulations, and quarantine, restrictions 522-524

insects, injurious, control 267-268

pink boll worm control, situation in Texas, quarantine, etc. 505-510, 511-512, 531

standards, investigation and determination 445, 455

statistics, acreage production and exports, 1910-1919 6, 7, 9

testing, manufacturing and spinning qualities 445-446

warehousing, investigations 445

yield per acre, increase since 1908 14, 15

Cottonseed — ■

feeding to work horses and mules, experiments 87

marketing, and its products 444

meal, food use, investigations 228

Cottontails, control 280

County — •
agents —

war work 377-279

work in South, North, and West 367-372, 376-381

organization. North and West 377

Cover crops for vineyards 141

Cow, testing association, advantages and records 91-92

Cranberries, insects injurious, investigations 253

Creameries, improvement work 94-95

Cresol solutions, testing methods, study 127

Crop —

economics, studies, by Farm Management Office 465

Estimates-—

Bureau, cooperation with States 328-329

Bureau, crop and live stock reporting 29-31

Bureau, report of Chief, 1919 325-335

Library, work, 1919 347,349

reporters, voluntary, numbers and subjects 326

reporting —

Bureau of Crop Estimates, review of work , 29-31

service improvement, demands 331-335

Crops —

acreage and production, 1914-1919, and yields, 1919 6-7

irrigated, utilization 160-161

new-
estimates, demand for 333

introduction and protection 157-159

nutrition and malnutrition, studies 165-166, 167

protection, work of Weather Bureau, 1919 66, 67, 70

utilization 159-161

yield per acre, increase 4, 10-16

yields, increase in foreign countries 16-18

Cucumber diseases, control '. 173

Curculio, walnut, investigations 253

Curing meats, investigations 127-128

Cyanamid, use for fertilizer purposes 241

Cyanide, soda, insect control 252, 254

Cy mene, use in photography 231

Cystine, addition to Navy beans to increase nutritive value 220

INDEX. 543

Dairy —

^)i^dsioIl— Page.

Library, work, 1919 344, 347, 348, 319

specialists, cooperative work 386

experiment farm, Belt8\'ille, Md., work, 1919 100

herds, disease suppression 92-93

products —

market uews service 149

marketing 410

production, stimulation 93-94

studies by Chemistry Bureau 213, 222-223

research laboratories, work, 1919 97-100

work and investigations, 1919 90-101

Dairying, community, development 92

DasHeen, marketing, prices, distribution, and production 159

Dates, growing in California 145

Deaths of Department employees in war 391

Dehydration, fruits and vegetables 221-225

Delaware, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Demonstration work-
county agents, South, North, and West 369-374, 377

Entomology Bureau 266-267, 269

insular stations 362, 364, 365

Demonstrations —

farm -management in the Southern States 468

grain grading methods 457

"Derris,' insecticide, value 254

Dietary survey, work of Home Economics Office 388

Dips, animal^ investigations 127

Dirigible, British, flight, aid of Weather Bureau 55

Diseases —

animal, investi^tions and control work, 1919.... 74-76, 102-103, 110-132, 134-135

bee, investigations and publications 271

gipsy and brown-tail moth, progress 265

plant, investigations, 1919 168-176

Disinfectants, investigations 1 27

District of Columbia, plant quarantine, need 532

Documents, distribution work. Publications Division, 1919 319-322

Dogs, tapeworms, control studies 132

Dourine, eradication work, 1919 Ill, 121

Doves, white- winged, habits, damage to seed grain 285

Drainage investigations, 1919 416-417

Drug plants, investigations 159-160

Drugs —

adulteration and misbranding, cases of interest 484-487

crude, detection, researches 217, 227

imported, inspection 217-218

investigations, inspection, etc 213-218, 227-228

medicinal, adulteration 217

toxicity, testing on rats 227

See also Food and Drugs Act.

Drying fruits and vegetables 224 -225

Ducks, wild, rice depredations, California 286-287

Dust preventives, research 421—122

Dusting insecticides for peach insects, experiments 253

Dyes, investigations, etc 216, 231

Eagles, destructive habits 287

Earthquakes, investigations. Weather Bureau work, 1919 71-72

Eastern States, forest lands, acquisition by National Forests 1 82

Economics —

farm, projects and studies in Farm Management Office 27-29

home, work, 1919 387-389

live-stock, studies, Farm Management Office 465

Editorial work

Pu}>lications Division, 1919 317

States Relations Service 355-358

Education, veterinarians, requirements 133-134

644 INDEX.

Page.

investigations, Chemistry Bureau, 1919 213, 222

production, 1914 and 1918, and forecasts, 1919 5

Electricity, use in control of stored-product insects 250

Elevators, grain, explosions and fires, studies 226

Elk-
conditions on game reservations, numbers and feeding 290-292

protection on game reservations, 1919 290-291, 292

Engineering —

dairy, building plans, fuel, etc., studies.. , ]01

problems, study and correspondence, Roads Bxrreau 419

rural, work of Roads Bureau, 1919 417_4]9

Engineers, Roads Bureau, assignments and work dxu-ing war 392-393

Entomologist, report, 1919 247-273

Entomology —
Bureau —

Library, work, 1919 343, 344, 347, 348, 349

report of Chief, 1919 247-273

specialists, cooperative work 386

Equipment —

farm, studies by Farm Management Office 467 468

household, improvement 383

EsTABROoK, Leon M. , report as Chief of the Bureau of Crop Estimates. . 325-335

Estimates — ■

crop, accuracy 330-331

miscellaneous phases of agriculture, demand for 334

Exhibits, Roads Bureau 413, 419

Expenditures —

Agriculture Department, 1919, and 1839-1919 299, 301-302

extension work. South, 1919 366-367, 368

National Forests, 1919 182, 186,203

printing and binding, 1919 306-310

Experiment —

Station Record, work, 1919 360

Stations Office, work, 1919 359-366

stations. State, relations with Office of Experiment Stations 359-360

Explosions, mills, elevators, and cotton gins, investigations 226

Exports, food, increase since 1914 5, 9

Extension-
Act, cooperative agricultural, object and appropriations 43

specialists, work in South, North, and West 375, 383, 385-386

work-
Entomology Bureau 266-267

insular stations 361, 362, 364, 365

North and West, report, 1919 376-386

South, report, 1919 366-376

Factories, cheese, increase 95

Farm-
bookkeeping, investigations 466

buildings, drawings and plans, work of Roads Bureau, 1919 417-418, 419

business —

aalalysis studies, surveys of farms 464

county agents' work 380-381

economics, projects and studies in Farm Management Office 27-29

equipment, studies, Farm Management Office 467-468

irrigation, investigations, 1919 414-416

labor, study in Farm Management Office 466-467

Loan Act, results 44

management —

demonstrations in Southern States - 468

demonstrations. North and West 385, 386

Office, establishment, personnel, and projects 26-29

Office library, work, 1919 344, 347, 348, 349

Office, report of chief . . : 463^68

specialists, cooperative work 386

products, marketing and distribution work 430-446

women, demonstration and extension work 372-374, 38]r-383

INDEX. 545

Farmers' — Page,

bulletins, improvement, number printed, etc. 303, 305, 306, 311, 312-314, 319, 320
institutes, investigations, 1919 358

Farms —

acreage, extension discussion 18-21

land problems, settlement, tenancy and other problems 18-24

Fats, studies by Chemistry Bureau 219-220

Federal-
aid —

advisory committee 420

Road Act, projects, types of construction, etc., 1917, 1918, 1919 395-408

Horticultural Board. See HoricuJtural Board.

Reserve Act, results 44

Feed reporting service 449

Feeding —

cattle for beef production 80-82

hogs, experiments 82-83

live stock, experiments 80-81, 82, 84, 86, 87, 100

poultry, experiments 87-88

sheep, experiments 84-86

Fermentation of foods, studies 229

Fertilizer resources, investigations 240-245

Fertilizers —

allotment, sale and distribution, aid of Solicitor 470

demonstrations by county agents 370

investigations 164-168

Fiber-
board, testing 230

yucca, investigations 156

Fibers, binder twine, work of 1919 154-156

Field-
agents, work. Crop Estimates Bureau, 1919 327-328

crops. Southern, insects injurious, investigations 267-269

Figs, Smyrna, growing 144-145

Films, agricultural, production, work 1919 323-324

Fires-
forest, relation to insect infestation, investigations 258

mills, elevators, and gins, investigations 226

National Forests, extent and cause, 1918, and cost of fighting 183-186

Fireworm, cranberry, investigations 253

Fish, packing, freezing, and transportation 221-222

Flax-
growing for fiber, experiments 156

winter, growing in Southwest 154

Flies, fruit, distribution, studies 262-263

Flood service, Weather Bureau, work, 1919 56-67

Florida-
citrus insects, investigations 261

orange varieties, studies 142

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Flour —

and substitutes, studies by Chemistry Bureau 225-229

beetles, investigations 249

bleached, termination of case 214

potato and sweet i)otato, production, experiments 225

Flowers, cold storage, investigations 146

Food—

and Drugs Act, administration by Chemistry Bureau 211, 212-218

and Drugs Act, enforcement, work of Solicitor 483-487

conditions in Europe after the war 3

containers, investigation by Chemistry Bureau 230

Control Act, enforcement by Solicitor, 1919 494

exports, increase since 1914 5, 9

inspection decisions, work of year 215-216

production —

act, enforcement by Solicitor, 1919 494-495

campaign of county agents, 1919, results 379, 382

products, inspection service 461-452

546 INDEX.

Food — Continued. Page.

supply investigations '. 429

surveys, work of Markets Bureau 43g

Foods-
adulteration and misbranding, cases of interest 484-487

digestibility, studies 388

fermentation, studies 229

imported, inspection 217-218

spoilage and fermentation, studies by Chemistry Bureau 229

Foodstuffs, exports, 1910-1919, discussion and statistics 5, 9

Foot-and-mouth disease, outbreaks and control 74, 76, 112

Forage crops —

experiments I57

insects injiuious, investigations 247-249

Forecasts, Weather Bureau, 1919 52-56

Forest —

products, research investigations : 204-210

resources —

depletion * 178

Service —

cooperation with live-stock associations 193

cooperation with States, in fire protection 203-204

library, work, 1919 343, 346, 348, 349

personnel, changes 179-181

report, 1919 177-210

specialists, wood selection, cooperative work 385

Forester, report, 1919 177-210

Forestry —

court decisions of interest 478-479

extension, problems and needs 24-25

litigation, general, work of Solicitor, 1919 477-478

practice, extension to private forest lands 177-179, 210

Forests-
insects, investigations 258-260

investigations 209-210

National —

areas, eliminations and increases 182-183

improvements, value 202

increased acreage by acquisition and exchange 25

legal work, office of Solicitor 472-473, 476-479

receipts, expenses, areas, protection, and management 181-202

reforestation of denuded lands, by States 189

roads, mileage and cost, by States 409-411

protection, expenditures, fire damages, extent and cause 183-186

special uses, receipts, 1919 181

Foundations, road and bridge, tests. Roads Bureau, 1919 423

France, cattle shipments to 110

Freezers, fish, investigations, t 222

Frost warnings, work of Weather Bureau, 1919 50, 53, 66

Fruit-
flies, distribution, studies 262-263

fly, Mediterranean, control work 262

Fruits —

deciduous, insects injurious, investigations 250-255

drying-
demonstrations, Hawaii experiment station 362

experiments 224-225

frozen, handling methods 439

growing and use, Porto Rico 364

market —

grades, studies 437-438

news service, reports and stations 439-440, 446-447

subtropical, investigations, 1919 141-145

transportation and storage, protection 438-439

tropical and subtropical, investigations 260-261

Fumigation —

citrus trees, experiments 260, 261

control of stored-product insects 250

INDEX. 547

Fungicides — Page.

examination, cooperative work of Bureau of Animal Industry 129

inspection and special investigations 503

investigations, cooperative work of Chemistry Bureau 230

samples, interstate and import, collection, 1919 500-501

See also Insectiddee.

Pur-
bearers, rearing, feeding, and protection 283-284

farm, experimental, Essex County, N. Y., work of year 283-284

mole, value 282-283

rabbit, uses and value 283

skunk, value 284

Game —

interstate commerce, r^ulations violations, etc 296-297

protection —

in national forests 196, 197

work, 1919 283-284, 290-292

Gardens —

county-agent work 371, 374, 380

plant-introduction, inspection 629

Garrulax 'nectorulis shipments from Java, 1919 297

Gi2Stri)phuu8 spp. , horse parasites, control 131

Genetics, animal, studies and experiments 89

Geographical Society, A merican, cooperative work of Soils Bureau 239

Geography, agricultural, studies and publications 466

Georgia, road projects approved, 191 8, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Gin, cotton, explosions and fires, investigations 226

Gipsy moth, investigations 263-266

Girls'—

club work, South 372-374

clubs, North and West, data 383-384

Glanders, control work 121

Goats —

breeding investigations 85

grazing, Natiouad Forests, numbers, by States 192

Gophers, pocket, control * 280-281

Gossypol, studies 227-228

Grades, market, of fruits and vegetables 437-438

Grain —

Corporation, wheat estimates, comparison with Bureau Estimates 331

growing in Alaska 361

marketing, investigations 441-442

seed, bird depredations 285, 286, 287

standardization, handling and transportation 442-443, 456

Standards Act-
enforcement, 1919 455-457,493

object , 43

storage, investigations 443

transportation, Keeping qualities, etc 443

Grains, diseases, investigations, 1919 168-170

Grapefruit, cull, utilization 223

Grapes —

insects injurious, investigations 252

packing methods 439

varieties, cultural experiments ] 41

Grasses, pasture, experiments 140

Grasshoppers, control in Western States 249

Graves, Henry S. : "Report of the Forester" 177-210

Grazing—

live stock, on National Forests 181, 190-193

receipts, National Forests, 1919 181

sheep, investigations 8-4-86

Great Britain, potato wart investigation by Federal Horticultul^ Board 519

Greenhouse, insect control .* 2G2

Gros-bec, night, habits, study 285

Grouse, immunity to strychnine poisoning 287

Grove City Creamery, records, 1919 95, 97, 99

548 INDEX.

Page.

Guam Experiment Station, work, 191 9 364-365

Guatemala, avocado varieties 157

Gum karaya, examination, new method 217

Hahto soy bean, distribution and trial 158

Hawaii Experiment Station, work, 1919 362-363

Hay-

reporting service 449

yield per acre, increase since 1908 13, 15

Haymaking, investigations 465

Haywood, J. K. : " Report of the Insecticide and Fungicide Board " 499-503

Health, man and animals, insects affecting 269

Hemp —

fiber growing, hybrids, and progress of industry 157

New Zealand, growing experiments ■ 155

Henequen, growing experiments 154, 1 55

Herds, accredited, tuberculosis-free, lists, plan 77, 93, 117

Herons, night, habits, study 285

Hessian fly, control work, 1919 248

Highway systems, economic studies 414

Highways —

construction, work of Roads Bureau 35-42

Council, United States, meeting, organization, etc 394-395

Hippodamia convergens. See Ladybird.
Hogs —

breeding and feeding work, 1919 82-84

feeder, marketing 83-84

grazing, National Forests, numbers by States 1 92

Home —

demonstration work. South, and North and West 372-374, 381, 383

Economics Office, work, 1919 387-389

Homestead entries, National Forests, opinion of Attorney General 479

Honey, demand for 271

Horses—

bots, control, experiments 131

breeding work of Department, 1919 86-87

grazing. National Forests, numbers, by States 192

Horticultural Board —

cooperation of Entomology Bureau 262, 505, 512, 516

Federal, report of Chairman 505-536

organization and lines of work 505

protection of now plant introduction 159

Hospital emergency work of county agents 383

Household management and labor, survey, results 388

Houston, D. F. , report as Secretary of Agriculture, 1919 3-46

Howard, L. O. , report as entomologist 247-273

Idaho —

clover seed, infestation with nematodes 174-175

lands added to National Forests 25

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Thunder Mountain, proposed addition to national forests 183

Ilex vomitoria, caffeine soiu"ce 228

Illinois —

road projects approved 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

wheat diseases, outbreak and control 170-171

Illustrations, work —

Publications Divisions, 1919 318-319

States Relations Service, 1919 356

Importations —

cotton, regulations and quarantine restrictions 522-524

nursery stock, plants and seeds, regulations 524-528

Imports, food and drugs, inspection by chemistry 217-218

Indexing work. Publications Di\d8ion, 1919 317-318

Indiana —

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

wheat, flag smut outbreak and control 171

Influenza, animal, control work, 1919 112, 120

INDEX. 549

Page.

Information work, Document Section, Publications Division 322

Inoculation, hogs, for cholera 124-125

Insect —

pests, control, work of entomology specialists 386

powder, investigations 502

Insecticide —

Act, enforcement by Solicitor 490

and Fungicide Board report, 1919 503

Insecticides —

examination, cooperative work of Bureau Animal Industry 129

inspection and special investigations 503

investigations and tests. 230, 254-255

samples, interstate and import, collection, 1919 500-501

Insects —

affecting the health of man and animals 269

domestic animals, study and control 269

forest —

increase by forest fires 259

investigations 258-260

injurious to —

cereal and forage crops 247-249

citrus fruits, investigations 260-261

deciduous fruits, investigations 250-255

Southern field crops, investigations 267-269

stored products, investigations 249-250

vegetables and truck crops 255-257

Inspection —

animals, import and export 108-110

food and drugs, field stations report, 1919 216

food, cooperative work of Entomology Bureau 250

food products, and reports on supply, etc 33, 429, 436, 451-452

imported plants and plant products 528-529

meat —

law, enforcement by Solicitor 487^88

work, 1919 101-107

port, service, enlargement, need 531-532

seeds and plants, new introductions 159

terminal, interstate mail shipments of plants 529

Instruments, Weather Bureau, equipment and work, 1919 67-68

Insular stations, work, 1919 360-366

Interstate —

cornmerce, live stock sanitary work 112-113

mail shipments of plants, inspection at terminals 529

Iodine, by-product of kelp industry 242, 243, 244

Iowa, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Il)ecac, definition, change 227

Irrigation, farm, investigations, 1919 414-416

Isopropyl alcohol production, studies 231

Jay thrushes, shipments from Java, 1919 297

Judgment, notices of, cases, 1919 214, 215

Kansas, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Kelp-
potash source, experiments and investigations 241-245

source of cattle feed, possibilities 244

Kentucky, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Labeling meat and meat products .^ 106

Labor, farm, study, Farm Management OflSce. .'. 466-467

Laboratories —

branch, Animal Industry Bureau 123

dairy research work, 1919 97-100

meat-inspection 107

Laboratory'—

forest products, work, 1919 204-209

nitrate, Arlington, return to Chemistry Bureau 231

550 INDEX.

Ladybird— Page.

bean, control by sprays 257

inv estigatione 255

Lacey Act, game protection, enforcement, 1919 296-298, 491-492

Land —

claims, National Forests, work of Solicitor, 1919 476

settlement, needs of new settlers 21-22

Lands, farm, area expansion, settlement, tenancy, etc 18-24

Lantern slides, educational, States Relations Service 356, 358

Larkspur, eradication on forest ranges : 191-192

administration by OjOSce of Solicitor 476-495

agricultural, enforcement by Solicitor 480-495

bird protection, administration 284, 288, 293-296

food and drugs enforcement by Chemistry Bureau 211, 212-218

state, cooperation in Federal Aid Road Act 395-396

violations, prosecution by Solicitor, 1919 475, 477, 481, 482-492

Lead—

arsenate, insect control 252, 253, 254, 257, 267

occurrence in zinc oxid, studies 227

Leafhopper, beet, investigations 257

Leaftier, celery, control 257

Leases, preparation by Solicitor 473

Leather, tanning, waterproofing, etc. , investigations 232

Legal work —

department, summary 469-476

Forest Service 469-470, 476-479

Legislation beneficial to farmers, jDast action and future steps 42-45

Lemon terpene, misbranding, decision 214

Lemons, cull, utilization 223-224

Librarian, report, 1919 337-352

Libraries, bureau, division, and office, work, 1919 347-349

Library —

accessions, 1919 339-340, 349, 351

Weather Bureau, progress, 1919 70

work, summary, and personnel changes 337-338, 345-347

Lice —

cattle, control 131

control, investigations 269

hog, control 131

Lilies, Easter, investigations 149

Lime—

citrate, manufacture from citrus fruits 223-224

effect on phenol and cresol germicidal efficiency 127

Linters, use in paper making, studies 207

Live stock-
associations, cooperation with Forest Service 193

conditions in Europe after the war 3

dealers, supervision work of Markets Bureau, 1919 428, 458-459

destruction by predatory animals 277-278

economics, studies. Farm Management Ofiice 465

estimates, demand for 332, 333-334

extension work 369, 370, 380, 385

feeding, experiments 80-81,82,84,85,87,100

grazing on National Forests, receipts, nmnbers, etc 181, 190-193

increase since 1910 4, 7

market news service 447-449

number on farms, 1900-1919, and exports, statistics 7, 10

plant-poisoning investigations 123

quality improvement by better eires 78

raising in Alaska 301

reportmg, Bureau of Crop Estimates 29-31

sanitary work in interstate commerce 112

transportation and quarantine, law, violations 113

Livingston, George, report as Chief of the Bureau of Markets 427-461

Loans, interlibrary 1919 339,350

Logging management to prevent insect injuries to timber 259

IKDEX. 551

Louisiana — Page.

heron hunting, law ^ 285

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Lumber —

air-dried and kiln-dried, investigations 20S-206

work of Forest Products Laboratory 206

MacDonald, Thos. H., report of the Chief of the Bureau of Public Roads. . 391-426

Machine room. Publications Division, work, 1919 321

Machines, milking, cleaning methods 97

Mail phipmenta, interstate, of plants and products, terminal inspection 529

Mailing lists —

foreign, work of Library 342

Publications Division, work 1919 321-322

Maine, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Mallein, distribution, 1919 129

Mammals —

importations, work, 1919 297

reservations, work of 1919 290-292

Mange, hog, control 131

Market grades, fruits and vegetables 437-438

Marketing — ♦

business practice 433-434

cooperative —

county agents* work 371, 380

work of Market Bureau 430

direct, studies 432

farm products, and distribution work 430-446

foreign, investigations 434-435

workoi Department 33-34

Markets —
Bureau —

investigationfl and demonstrations 429-446

legal work, aid of Solicitor, 1919 495

Library, work, 1919 343, 347, 348, 349

report of Chief, 1919 427-461

specialists, cooperative work 386

cotton, future and spot, investigations 454

News Service, work, 1919 33,446-453

Marlatt, C. L., report as head of the Federal Horticultural Board 605-536

Marmalade, by-product of citrus fruits 223, 224

Marvin, C. F.. report as Chief of the Weather Bureau, 1919 49-72

Maryland, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

Massachusetts —

com borer, introduction, damages, and control 513, 515-516

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 405, 407

McLean Liver and Kidney Balm^ Notice of Judgment, reversal 215

Meadow larks, damages to sprouting com 287

Mealybug —

citrus, control 260-261

grape, investigations and control 252

Meat-
Inspection Law, enforcement by Solicitor 487-488

inspection work, 1919 101-167

labeling 106

production, 1919, forecasts and estimates of 1909-1919 5, 8

Meats —

curing, investigations 128

domestic, inspection work, 1919 101-105

exemption from inspection 104

imported, inspection, work, 1919 105-106

Market News Service 446-447

Medicinal preparations, studies 218

Meteorology, agricultural, work of Weather Bureau, 1919 66-67

Mexico —

pink boUworm conditions 510-511

quail importations, regulations and permits 298

552 INDEX.

Mice — Page.

house, control 282

native, control work 281

Michigan, road projects approved, 1918j 1919 46i, 403, 406, 407

Misratory-bird Treaty Act, administration, violations, etc 293-296, 490-491

Mildew —

powdery, apple, control 174

proofing farm fabrics 233

Milk-
campaigns by county agents 382-383

condensed and evaporated, studies 98

food use, increase 94

market, investigations, 1919 96-97

powder, stocks and prices, investigations 440

production —

1918, and forecast for 1919 5, 8

requirements and cost 97

secretion, studies 98

surveys, sanitary 96

Mill, grain, fires and explosions 226

Minnesota, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Mississippi, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Missouri, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

MoHLER, John K., report as Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry 73-135

Moles, trapping, cooi)erative, work, and results 282-283

Moneys, public, receipts from various sources, 1919 300

Montana-
National Bison Range, work, 1919 291

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Moth, grape-berry, control by lead arsenate spray 252

Moths, gipsy and brown-tail, investigations 263-266

Motion picture activities, Publications Division 323-324

Motor transportation of farm products 432-433

Mottling disease, sugar cane 174

Munitions, excess, utilization for fertilizers 166-167

Mutton production, forecast, 1919, and estimates, 1909-1919 5, 8

Naphthalene, properties, study 503

Napier grass Rowing in Florida and California 157

Naval stores, investigations by Chemistry Bureau 232

Navy —

cooperative work of Entomology Bureau 250

Department, cooperation of Forest Service 204, 206, 207, 208

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Valentine, Niobrara Game Reservation, work 292

Negroes, extension work in South, good results 375-376

Nelson, E. W., report as Chief of Bureau of Biological Survey 275-198

Nematode —

clover seed infestation in Idaho 174-175

disease, wheat control 171

Nevada, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

New England —

gipsy and brown-tail moths, area 263

States, crop yields increase since, 1908 15-16

New Hampshire, road projects, approved, 1918, 1919 401,403,406,407

New Jersey, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

New Mexico, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

New York —

corn borer, introduction, damages, and control 513, 515-516

crop yields increase since 1908 15

fur farm, experimental, Essex county, work of year 283-284

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Nicotine sulphate, control of insects 253, 256, 156, 168

Nitrate work, cooperative, removal to American University 241

Nitric acid, production, electric method, study 241

Nitrogen-
investigations, Soils Bureau, 1919 241

Research Laboratory, American University, cooperative work 241

INDEX. 553

Page.

Konbitmninous road materials, testing method, standardization 422

North Carolina, road projects, approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

North Dakota —

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

SuUys Hill Game Preserve, work, 1919 291-292

Nursery stock importations, origin, nature, and distribution 524-528

Nuts-
bowing, investigations 145

insects, investigations 252-253

Oats-
breeding and variety testing 151, 153

jdeld per acre, increase since 1908 13, 15

Ohio, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Oil-
linseed, substitutes in cresol solutions 127

mustard, investigation 228

railway signal, substances u^ed as substitute for lard oil, studies 128

Boy-])ean, eubetitute for linseed oil 127

tomato seed, investigations 220

Oils, studies by Chemistry Bureau 219-220

Oklahoma, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 401, 403, 406, 407

Olives, growing and standardizing 141, 144

Olmstead lands, title, examination 480

Orai^es —

cull, utilization 223

Satsuma varieties, testing 142

varieties, records 142, 143

Orchards, extension work. South 369

Ordnance Bureau, nitrate work cooperation of Soils Bureau 241, 245

Oregon —

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 403, 406, 407

tree-beetle epidemic, investigation 258

Ornithology, economic, studies 284-288

Oysters, studies 214, 221

Packing, use of cotton waste, etc., restrictions 505-536

Page, Logan Waller, death notice and sketch of life 424-426

Panama, Canal Zone, fruit flies, investigations 262-263

Paper making, resources from National Forests, studies 187, 207

Paradichlorobenzene testa for borer control 253

Parasites —

animal, investigations 130-132

gipsy and brown-taU moth, progress of work 264-265

Parks, National, birds and mammals, lists 289

Pastures, improvement, experiments 140

Patents for employees, work of Solicitor, 1919 473, 474, 495-497

Pathol olo^cal Division, Animal Industry Bureau, work, 1919 119-124

Peaches, insects injurious, investigations 253

Peanuts, growing, investigations 147

Peas, moth, investigations 257

Pecans, insects injurious, control 252

Pennsylvania —

potato wart introduction and control work 517-519

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 403, 405, 406, 408

Periodicals —

library, number, duplicates, etc 341-342,349

publication by department, pages and copies, 1919 304, 312

Perishables, protection in transit and storage 438-439

Permits, grazing, numbers and stock grazed 192

Pests —

household, investigations 250

insect, control, work of entomology specialists 386

Petree, Harris E., service and death during war 391

Pharmacology, studies 227

Phormium, growing experiments 115

Phosphates, investigations. Soils Bureau 24 1

151352°— 19 36

554 INDEX.

Page.

Phosphoric acid, manufacture, investigations 241

Photographic work —

Publications Division, summary, 1919 319

Roads Bureau, 1919 414

Photography, dyes improvement and use 231

Phylloxera, grape, investigations 252

Pickles, spoilage, studies 229

Pig clubs, enrollment and membership. . 83

Pine-
western, beetle, studies 259

white, blister rust, cause and control 175-176

Plant-
chemistry, studies 228

Industry Bureau —

Library, work, 1919 343,344-345,347,348,349

report of Chief, 1919 176

specialists, cooperative work 386

products, imported, inspection 528-529

Quarantine —

Act, enforcement, 1919 482

District of Columbia, need 532

foreign and domestic lists 533-536

Plants-
breeding experiments, 1919 150-152

diseases, investigations, 1919 168-176

imported, inspection 528-529

introductions, inspection 159

mail shipments, terminal inspection 529

poisonous to live stock, investigations 123

Plywood, flexible, development by forest service 205, 206

Poisoning predatory animals, methods and results 277

Poisonous plants, investigations 123

Pork production forecast, 1919, and estimates, 1909-1919 5, 8

Port inspection service, enlargement, need 531-532

Porto Rico Experiment Station, work, 1919 36^-364

Posts, protection after cutting 259

Potash —

resources, investigations, Soils Bureau 241-245

sources, investigations 165

Potato-
diseases, investigations 172

wart, control work, 1919 517-519

Potatoes —

grading, need of national standards 438

growing, varieties investigations 147-148

insects injurious, investigations 256

varieties immune to potato wart 519

yield per acre, increase since 1908 14, 15

Poultry —

breeding and feeding investigations, 1919, parasites, etc 87-89, 122-123

clubs, enrollment and work 89

diseases, outbreaks and control 122-123

feeding experiments , . . 87-88

investigations, 1919, Chemistry Bureau - 222

products, market news service 449

work of county agents. North and West 383

Prairie dogs, control work 279

Preservatives, wood, research studies 206

Printing —

Section, Publications Division 315-316

Weather Bureau, work of 1919 68-70

work, appropriation and expenditures. 1919 303, 305-310

Production cost, studies, work of Farm Management Office, 1919 463, 464

Products, surplus, estimates, demand for 329

Proof, handling in Publications Division 303-305

Proteins, chemistry and nutritive value, studies 220

Pruning, citrus trees, experiments 142-143

Public Roads. See Roads.

INDEX. 555

Publications — Page.

copies issued by Department, 1890-1919 312

correspondence work, 1919 320-321

distribution work, 1919, mailing list, personnel, etc 319-322

Division, report of Chief 303-324

Farm Management Office 465, 468

numbers and cost, by bureaus and offices. . • 306, 307-310

Weather Bureau, 1919 68-70, 315

work of Department, 1919, summary. . , 303-304

Quail-
immunity to strychnine poisoning 287

importations from Mexico, permits 298

Quarantine —

animal, law, enforcement bv Solicitor, 1919 490

animal, work of Animal Industry Bureau, 1919 108-110

cattle tick, areas released 114-115

gipsy and brown-tail moths, work, 1919 265-266

survey, nursery stock, etc., importations, regulations : . 524-526, 529

plant, act, enforcement, 1919 481

quail from Mexico 298

Quarantines, plant —

foreign and domestic lists 533-536

new 529-530

Rabbits-
jack, control 280

rearing for meat and furs, progress 283

Rabies —

control work, 1919 122

predatory animals, investigations, 1919 276-278

Radiation, solar, investigations, Weather Bureau work, 1919 71

Range management, grazing live stock, etc 190-193

Rangers, forest, work and salary 180

Rapeseed . use as oil source for signal oil 128

Rat&—

house, control 282, 288

woodj and cotton, habits and control 281-282

Reclamation Service, soil studies, cooperation of Soils Bureau 238

Reconnoissance soil surveys, 1919 237, 238

Recomnaendations of Secretary, 1919 22, 23, 29, 32, 42, 44

Recreation, uses of national forests 194-197

Reference work of Librar>', and interiibrary loans 338-339, 349-350

Reforestation of denuded forest lands 189

Retd, Edwy B., report as Chief of the Division of Publications 303-324

Reports, crops and live stock, Work of Crop Estimates "Bureau 29-31

Reservations, mammal and bird, location and work, 1919 290-293

Respiration calorimeter, studies 389

Rhode Island, road projects approved, 1918, 1919. 402, 403, 406, 408

Ribes, wild, eradication methods for control of white pine blister rust 175-176

Rice —

damages by bobolinks and wild ducks 286-287

grades, adoption and use 442

growing, shocking methods, acreage, varieties, etc 139, 154

products, investigations 214, 225

red, study 229

Rideout, Percy A., service and death during war 391

River Service, Weather Bureau work, 1919 56-57

Road Act, Federal aid —

administration, regulations 396-397

advisory Work of Solicitor, 1919 474, 481-482

projects, types of construction, etc 395-408

binders, investigations 421

construction materials, war supplies, distribution 411-412

materials, tests, and research 420-423

556 INDEX.

Roads — Page.

building and maintenance, investigations 412, 414

Bureau —

aid of Solicitor on Federal Aid Road Act 474, 481-482

cooperation with other Federal branches in war work 392-393

library, work, 1919 346, 347, 349

report of Chief, 1919 391-426

war activities, members in military service, etc 391-394

construction, work of Roads Bureau 35-42

Federal aid —

materials tests. Roads Bureau 423

projects, miles, and types, 1917, 1918, 1919 398-408

results, and proposed changes in law 35-42, 43, 44

management and economics, work, 1919 414

models and exhibits, work, 1919 413

National Forests —

construction, mileage, cost, etc 197-202

mileage and cost, by States 409-411

projects approved by Highways Council 395

Rodents —

control, work of Biological Survey, 1919 279-283

relation to forage production, studies 289-290

Rootworm, com, investigations ~ 248

Rosin, investigations 232

Rots, fusarium of com, investigations 170

Roundworms —

hogs, investi^tions and control 130

sheep, investigations and control 130

Rural —

economies, cooperation, work of Markets Bureau 435-436

engineering, work of Roads Bureau, 1919 417-419

Rust —

black-stem, wheat disease, control 521-522

blister, white pine, cause and control 175-1 76

Rusts, wheat, barley, and rye, control 168-170

Rye, leaf rusts control ". 169-170

Salmon, canned, inspection and studies 214, 221

Salt, by-product of kelp industry, value 243, 244

Sauerldraut, spoilage, studies 229

Sawdust, redwood and spruce, use in grape packing 439

Scab, wheat, cause and control 170

Scabies, eradication, work, 1919 74, 75, 110-111, 131

Schedius kuvanae, introduction, results 264

Schools —

agricultural teaching, investigations 357-358

beekeeping 270

Sea foods, studies by Chemistry Bureau 214, 221-222

Seaplane, trans- Atlantic flight, aid of Weather Bureau 54-55

Secretary, Agriculture, report, 1919 3-46

Seed-
congressional distribution 164

introductions, inspection 159

marketing, investigations 442

Reporter, printing and circulation 450

reporting service, branch offices and voluntary reporters 449-450

Seeds —

importations, regulations 524-526

new and rare, distribution 164

Seismology, investigations 71-72

Semm —

control work „ 134

use in producing immunity against hog cholera 124-124

Sewellel, habits and control 281

Sheep —

breeding and handling, parasites, etc 75, 84r-86, 110, 130, 131, 132

farm, investigations and demonstrations 84, 85-86

feeding, experiments 84-86

INDEX. 557

4

Sheep — Continued. Page.

grazing, National Forests, nutibere, by States 192

range, investigations 85

scabies eradication wc-k 74, 75, 110-111, 131

tapeworms control 131, 132

Ship ballast, spread of insects, possibility 530

Ships, concrete, construction problems, work of Roads Bureau 393-394

Siree, better, for improvement of live stock 78, 82

Simp, studies, Chemistry Bureau 219

Sisal, growing experiments 154, 155

Skunk, value as lur animal 284

Smut, flag, wheat disease, outbreak and control 519-520

Smuts, cereal, cause and control 170, 171-172

Snail, Eurpoean, control in citrus orchards 261

Soda nitrate, purchase and distribution to farmers 428, 453

Sodium fluorid for lice control on chickens and pigeons 269

Soil-
conditions, forest and public lands, studies 238

fertility investigations 164-168

physics, work of Soils Bureau 245

surveys, work, 1919, by States 235-239

Soils Bureau —

report of chief, 1919 235-245

specialists, cooperative work, fertilizers, etc 386

work for other oureaus and departments 238-239

Solicitor, report, 1919 469-497

Sorghiuns, grain, growing, varieties, acreage, etc 139-140, 154

South Carolina, road projects approved, 1918, 1919. . '. 402, 403, 406, 408

South Dakota —

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Wind Cave National Game Preserve, work, 1919 291

Southern States —

farm management demonstrations 468

sweet potato weevil, control 255-256

Soy bean —

oil, substitute for linseed oil 127

products, spoilage, studies 229

varieties testing 152, 158

Specialists, extension work in South, North and West 375, 383, 385-386

Sphinx moth, grape, control 252

Spoilage of foods, studies 229

Spraying—

alfe-lfa weevil method 248-249

citrus orchards, experiments 261

fruits, for insect control, notes 251-254

oi)erations, special service, Weather Bureau, 1919 67

Squirrels, ground, control work 279-280

Stables, disinfection experiments 135

Standards —

cotton, investigation and determination 445, 455

grain, determination, and administration of law 442^43, 455-457

State Department, soil studies cooperation with Soils Bureau 239

States-
assessors, returns on agricultural statistics 329-330

cooperation with Forest Service in fire protection, costs 203

States Relation Service —

cooperation with other divisions, etc 377-379, 386

Library, work, 1919 347, 349

organization and scope of work 353-355

report of Director, 1919 353-389

Statistics —

agricultural, cooperative work, of Crop Estimates Bureau with States. . . 328-329

crops and live stocks 6-10

Library, 1919 349-352

Steers, feeding, Southern States 80, 81

Stem rust, control work 168

Stizolobin of Chinese velvet bean, hydrolysis, results 220

Stocks, fruit, promising new 158

558 INDEX.

Stockyards — Page.

overcharges, refunding 459

regulation, work of Markets Bureau 428, 458-459

Storage —

foodstuffs, and transportation, work, Markets Bureau 431, 439, 453

vegetables, investigations 146

Stored products, insects injurious, investigations 249-250

Storms, warnings, work of Weather Bureau, 1919 50, 52, 53, 55, 68

Sublimation, analysis method, new apparatus. 503

Substitutes, flour, studies by Chemistry Bureau 225-226

Sugars, studies. Chemistry Bureau 218-219

Sulphonation, benzene, napthalene, etc., studies 231

Sulphur—

arsenic-bearing, use as food adulterant 215

compounds, investigations 502

Sunflower, silage use, studies 99

Supervisors, forest, work and salary 180

Surveys —

farm, work of Farm Management Office 464

soil, work, 1919, by States 235-239

timber, work of 1919. 187

Sweet potato weevil eradication and control 255-256

Sweet potatoes —

canning, investigations 148

variety studies and curing investigations 146-147

Take-all disease, wheat, outbreak and control 170, 519-521

Tanning leathers, investigations 232

Tapeworms, studies and control 131, 132

Taylor, H. C—

appointment. Chief of Farm Management Office 28

report as Chief of the Office of Farm Management 463-468

Taylor, William A., report as Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry 137-176

Teachers of agriculture, assistance of States Relations Service 357-358

Telegraph service, Weather Bureau, work, 1919, lines and sections 59, 61-64

Telephone service, Weather Bureau, 1919, lines and sections 59, 62-64

Tenancy, farm —

relation to agricultural progress 22-24

study, Farm Management Office 466-467

Tennessee, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Termites, damage to woodwork, control 259

Testing dips and disinfectants 127

Tests, road-building materials ; 420-423

Texas —

border quarantine service 511-512, 531

Denison, dairy demonstration farm 93

pink bollworm, work, inspection, quarantine, etc 505-510, 511-512, 531

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Thrift leaflets, preparation 389

Thrips, tobacco, control 268

Tick-
cattle, eradication work, 1919 74, 76, 113-115, 370

spinose ear, control % 131

Timber-
National forests, management, cut and sale, 1919 186-189

receipts. National Forests, 1919 181, 188-189

Tiinothy, improvement studies 152

Tin containers, investigations 230

Tobacco —

fertilizer tests 167

insects, control 268

Tomato diseases, control 174

Tomatoes, storage experiments 146

Traction tests, Road Bureau 419^20

Trails, National Forests, construction, mileage, cost, etc 197-202

Transportation, foodstuff, and storage, work. Markets Bureau. . 431, 432-433, 438-439

INDEX. 559

Page.

)ird reservations, cases reported to Department of Justice 492

National Forests, grazing, timber, fire, etc., prosecutions 477

Truck crops —

insect injurious, investigations 255-257

investigations 146-147

Truck soils. Eastern States, studies 239

Trucks, surplus war equipment, distribution to States 412

True, A. C, report as Director of the States Relations Service 353-389

Tuberculin —

distribution, 1919 129

testing and standardizing 135

tests, import cattle 109

Tuberculosis, eradication work, 1919, and investigations 74. 75. 76-77, 115-117

Tumors, research studies 121

Turpentine, investigations 232, 233

Twenty-eignt-hour Law, enforcement by Solicitor 488

Utah, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Vaccine, blackleg, distribution and use 122

Vegetable crops, insects injurious 255-257

Vegetables —

drying, experiments 224-225

frozen, handling methods 439

market grades, studies 437-438

market news service, reports and stations 439-440, 446-447

storage investigations 146

transportation and storage 438-439

utilization, canning and drying 148

Vermont —

Middlebur>', Morgan horses, work, 1919 86-87

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Veterinary education, requirements 1 133-134

Vineyards, cover crops 141

Virgin Islands Experiment Station, work, 1919 360, 365-366

Virginia, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Virus act, enforcement by Solicitor, 1919 490

control work 134

Viticiiltural experiments, 1919 141

Vocational Education Act, results 44

Volcanology, investigations, work of Weather Bureau, 1919 59-60

War-
activities —

Crop Estimates Bureau 325-326

Entomology Bureau 272-273

Horticultural Board 531

Roads Bureau, members in military service, etc 391-394

work of Solicitor 469-470

Department, cooperation of Forest Service 204, 206, 207, 208

effect on beekeeping 271

emergency —

traffic and storage work 451

work of Animal Industry Bureau 83, 86, 99

work of States Relations Service 353, 354, 377-379

supplies, surplus, distribution to States for road work 411-412

Warehouse Act —

administration ' 457-458

enforcement by Solicitor, 1919 493-494

purposes 43

Warehouses, cotton, investigations and improvement 445

Warner, Marjorie F,, citation on bibliographical work of library 344-345

Warnings —

floods, frosts, and storms, Weather Bureau work, 1919 50, 52, 53, 56-57, 68

Weather Bureau, storms and cold waves, 1919 50, 52, 53, 55, 68

Wart, potato, control work, 1919 517-519

560 INDEX.

Washington — Page.

Bellingham, bulb growing 148-149

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Waste —

cotton, imports, 1919 522, 523

cotton, use as packing, restrictions 530

products, utilization, tomatoes, grapes, seed, etc 160

Water power, National Forests, receipts, rights of way,etc isi, 193-194

Watermelon diseases, control 173

Waterproofing leather and other fabrics, and mildew proofing 232, 233

Watersheds protection from fire, cooperative expenditures 203-204

Weather Bureau —

Chief, report, 1919 49-27

organization and duties 49-52

publications, 1919 315

Weather stations and observations, number and work 58-60

Weeks Forestry Law, work, 1919 473, 480-481

Weevil, alfal fa, spraying method 248-249

Weevils —

bean and pea, investigations 249

corn, investigations , 249

sweet potato —

control 255-256

eradication and control 255-256

West Virginia —

potato wart, introduction, and control work 518

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Wheat-
acreage, 1919, and estimate of yield, acreage, and production 1914-1919 . . 4, 6, 7

flag smut, t-ake-all, and black stem-rust, control 15-18

investigations 168-172

estimates, Crop Estimates Bureau and Grain Corporation, comparison 331

growing, classification, -breeding, and diseases 138-139, 150-151, 153, 168-172

rust-resistant varieties 170

storage, concrete and steel bins 443

yield per acre, increase since 1908 12, 15

Whitney, Milton, report as Chief of the Bureau of Soils 235-236

Williams, Wm, M., report as Solicitor 469-497

Wintering —

bees, instructions 270-271

cattle. Southern States 80, 81

Wisconsin, road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Women, farm, demonstration and extension work 372-374, 381-383

Wood drying, studies by forest products laboratory 205-206

Woodchucks, habits and control 281

Woodlands, farm, forestry, practice, extension 177-178, 210

Wool grease recovery from wool scouring, study 220

Wyoming —

horse-breeding work 86

Jackson winter elk refuge, work, 1919 290-291

road projects approved, 1918, 1919 402, 404, 406, 408

Yearbook, 1919, cost and distribution 305, 316, 321

Yucca fibers, investigations 156

Zappone, a., report as Chief of the Division of Accounts and Disbursements. 299-300
Zinc in foods, detection and control 218