a * hn nl eve pee ee nil eat chihbe tocetetitemaha eben idk ccteakeleaen dante co el ne MS oe Es >hy Reis 3 SS ORO ON IR, sant w ert te pal mpg e fone iy ow LOTT ti lag teey ep ehngs aS, af; Ferra; . cf pyres ‘: eke Ae 20 Ferien a eR mene amas La Nt PONS Pw tar eet EOE atireey Roeeyt afi Apbacailel ashe tocadndeestincer poms x ¥ arate mui 4" Sect «€ eS a eres ee PRET ioRany oF See A Ses can 5 o> ae ‘a et Ra Al cect cpl en bi Zausrenitert)) hex Gare PR weCibsonelwe d 16 ase 4 i eahiok ney e Are i! ny ANNUAL REPORTS OF Wine DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, dee REPORT OF THE | SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. REPORTS OF CHIEFS. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1916, [CHAPTER 23, Stat. L., 1895.] (AN ACT Providing for the public printing and binding and the distribution of public documents.] * % * * * * * Section 73, paragraph 2: The Annual Report of the Secretary of Agriculture shall hereafter be submitted and printed in two parts, as follows: Part One, which shall contain purely business and executive matter which it is necessary for the Secretary to submit to the President and Congress; Part Two, which shall contain such reports from the different Bureaus and Divisions, and such papers prepared by their special agents, accompanied by suitable illustrations, as shall, in the opinion of the Secretary, be specially suited to interest and instruct the farmers of the country, and to include a general report of the operations of the Department for their information. There shall be printed of Part One, one thousand copies for the Senate, two thousand copies for the House, and three thousand copies for the Department of Agriculture; and of Part Two, one hundred and ten thousand copies for the use of the Senate, three hundred and sixty thousand copies for the use of the House of Representatives, and thirty thousand copies for the use of the Department of Agriculture, the illustrations for the same to be executed under the supervision of the Public Printer, in accordance with directions of the Joint Committee on Printing, said illustrations to be subject to the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture; and the title of each of the said parts shall be such as to show that such part is complete in itself. i MAR 31 1916. Agricultural exports. -.-...- The cotton situation. ...---- aclistor (9152 .2.5200e sigs: eee eS een t Ae eae ee ae = oe eee ete ae 73 INGYOlGOICAL “TV estLeAtIONA 7. 64 985-40 tne eae Ok ete a ee 73 polar radiation in yvesaratonss*... sets. 2h pkee oe oes SOL ee ee 74 Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry.............-...-------- 77 General statement: 23.22 228.2 ie vee BES, oe Re eee See ee es ae 77 Foot-and-moitth disease .2 7-2 SS oot Se Ee i ee agate cre 7 The anumal husbandry dryision. +... /..2% 25. S2 tLe eee Jisdeg3e eae 83 Phe dairy aryision:: 3.2622 52) ok ee ho eee ea eee 94 ‘The ‘meat inspection division... 2 o5.-20.002- sees mete ee 105 The field inspection division. ..2-=--5- 22.2) f0s¢ shee ee eee 110 The'quarantine diyision= > 3-2 2-2.502280. 02 ote ee eee 113 The patholocical division: st s.2 65 0 Sak ee ee 117 ‘The piece henite -ivision 2: <2 5 seat Sis os 988 Le ene econ ees 123 The. zoolopical division..>82 ote. ees eae ee aes ee eee 134 ‘The miscellaneous divisions: trssre ota sees tees Nee ee ee 136 Thevexperiment station) 213 see 255 ee eee ne ie ee 5 eee 137 Publications: 22 see 58 See a es Sec ee ees on ee eee ee eee 140 Experimental and demonstrations in live-stock production in the cane- Ssurar and: Cotton Wisinicts:..(: sae Dee Beene eee nt seco ee eee a ee eee 141 Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry...............---------- 143 Plant patholosival iavestigations: 2227 2:52.35 22h 20 oe bee eee 145 Plant physiological investigations: <-"e 7 > loo ee nee 147 Plast breedinig-investigations:: 7.222 22set lee foe ee ee eee. oe 148 AGEQNOMIC INV ESMPALIONS e =..30': oo, Se eee 5 aoe Soe nee a eee 150 Studies of new crop plants and crop extension................------------ 152 Crop sitlliaaONe eh. jr inee 2 oss ooo ae Eee 2 Sk ee eee 2 eee 155 Investigation of crop handling and standardization..........-..--.------- 155 investigauions of quality of heed soo en sn oe Sct oe eee 157 Report ofthe P prester: - 722 icc 0528s eens A ee See ee eee 159 The Natiouabloresta. 23 so. con Na eae See es IE Nees 159 Cooperaiion witht States < AF er: kwh as eee ne Di el phe ae 179 RORCAVEHE 22 252.5 eties Seen ONG eS SEE See SOA es LN ee Rene Seale Sie ead 181 MARCelAneOus. toi. ine here ee Come Red eee SS eee Me ee Cee nc et eee 189 Reporiorthewohemish. <2 S2eessn~: Seton ole se et one te enone ees ae eee 191 esearch s.20 cts teas Se ere es citar ae gee Sim eeete ae een ene ce Saar 191 Reg uiaiiOn ssc0t aks ee aS Ss cA kid oot a A I eR ee eee 195 Standardization-and: collaboration: o0ss.ceoe ote cee ee eons oe 200 Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Soils...:.-2.-.-.-/.-.-----+---.--------- 201 DOL-SUEVEYe 2 255 Fs 22 cc oe soe eee oC eee es ook 201 Soil chemistry: and soil phystes:.. => $2240 serra ata et aS 205 Report ol the Hatomolomist=.jccLes5n8 haope eee et cn oe mes 211 Work of the gypsy moth and brown-tail moth.............----.---------- 211 Deciduous-fruit Insect investigations. - 2.25.22 2222 122 -to- = ence ewes 214 Southern field-crop insect investigations. ...........-.--.--------------- 216 Investigations of insects affecting the health of man...............-----.-- 218 Investigations of insects affecting the health of animals............------. 219 Cereal. and forage insect investigations:. 2.22222 1-0. t - oese ete 2 een 220 Investigations of insects aflecting forests and forest products. ..........---- 223 Investigations of insects injurious to vegetables and truck crops..........-- 225 TRSECiA Ej UriOnA to ALONEGNerOpSS2s =<. -oecce cnet pene tages es ae 227 Investigations of insects affecting tropical and subtropical fruits. -...-.. - - 228 Workin Hee culture. 2: 27205 ose See eeeaa les ve au tees een Saeiem 230 Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey..............---------- 233 Wotk of the Biological Survey... 2. -5 252s. 22a es tone eh 452 ase ee HEGnomMiclInvestIpAONG: 52.2525 52, See es Mie Se nen on Dees Feo pte es 233 Biological WivestieshOns.2 4 565-2 .obaS seca ee ee ee = te ASTER L EES 239 Game wirencryv ations: 222 222532324562 5ase. 2 eee ene tes Soe aes 241 Poderalmicritory pid daw s-512oc cs ee eee eae Oe ae See a Soe een Priests pea as ees Sie) ober ais St ee Oe a a et sat eee 246 CONTENTS. V Page Report of the Chief of the Division of Accounts and Disbursements.........- 249 UTE DaSig TRA PeiaG ye ue ES eS ee 249 pcs cu bleach aE os URE Io) eet ca er 249 Appropriations, disbursements, and unexpended balances, 1839-1915...... 251 ene ee GOB = Seco ee oiafaya eS i See ae Sis eine mn wie eee we sens 253 RIMDRIBAEY Ue! jhe Seis ame ee ss eee eto Be re nS A a 2 dia ares ae 253 Uy LTS fe oe i Slap es ee 253 PET iy SES Eig ES eR ee 259 Rrieel OW At ET Titieiiey, Be oon oN Se St yo. os St 260 Newaleaturediomibenworkom mea eer a en eee ec Sesh ees 261 Bea: department publications. 22-522.22 2. -5062+= 5.22222. s 2.2 262 Peron ghe aivisionhy DEANENeS.. +2. 2s 252525 522 nS se wee ee 263 Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Crop Estimates...............- A ire RE 275 DMR eee te Sak. Sao eRe ate eke. See oat e ot 275 TERETE YEU E VEL «Beeps Eee eet a a a sg SS Fn re 276 EE SLAG ee Se ed ee 276 [Rear iin s vey wirta el ee spec kee ey tee a ee oR AI Ir 276 OT ETS AST EE A NT Le See ee 277 Spoeial inquiries and imvestivations <2 .2..-.22-. 2-20: s22.2---.2.---.-2 278 To Giese stars pS Oe A ie ee ge eee 279 Saterantional mstitute of Agriculture: <<. ..5.:6.-2-222--.6.--52205----- 279 Improvements in organization for estimating crop and live-stock production 280 _ oS U IR GL See OS ee eee eee 283 OS ESET SUEDE. eS eee eee 283 TIRES GMIMERIEI OSS o> Soeie =o San Foc ote ees sash sent ete ae ees 288 Report of the Director of the Office of Experiment Stations........-.-.-.-.--- 295 OTL EPL Cny EIT SS Ee ee eee a eee 295 Relations with agricultural experiment stations.........-..-------------- 295 peclanans wilt seticultutalschoois.!. 5... 2-2 -- 2-20 --- 2-6 -22-i)---,-+--- 297 Farmers’ institutes and movable schools..............----------------+-- 298 ea eet et ere eo eee aS een wee seat eee ene 299 Work of States relations committee........---- SPs rs eae ag ihe ee ei 299 “HESo Ton SPETAta TS ee eS ee cee ne a a 300 retes on WivestediORSs 22) 22-5225 - 22 Snes ees eee ee lee ee 307 Reem yenhielnns ssa 2 2 a Ie Fo SS oe es ee ee 309 Pim eCOUDMICH IN WCSiIPAONGa— s2ce 25-22. ~ 52 o2ce Soe be = ese 311 Report of the Director of the Office of Public Roads.........-.--.----.------- 313 Uloct Le ER OS 8 ee ee ee 313 Sremeralworlcos! he year o- 22002525 -a2-- <2 Sn ok 22 eee 2 oes eee 313 relaaetinineeritg oe gece ee en ot oes oS Pe tea Sons eee se ee 314 connie snd Sialisticalt WODKss 22-22 28252 525 2--- f= no Sees eee 319 Investigation of road materials.......------- = a da ae ee eae aa 323 Divasions added under reorganization. ...- 2. =~. ---+-.2--5--++---+--5--- 325 izepert Othe Solicitor...52-----..-2---fesatece 22 eee ae see eee ee 327 SUT TET ge eee ose ee ae Soi Raminintration of Acts o1 Congress: ..2.2.2-: 2. 22-1. - + see ee ee ee eee 332 Markers anit rural orzanization. .. 2. -...2-- 22. --a522h-s2-22ee-- 23s --- 343 rice aE se a ee ae ss ae oe een ass eee he 5 344 Potent yigve 25 Dy ee Saeed ene ieee ate ee Joa, Ae Agreements for the several bureaus, divisions, and offices........--.----- 345 ipieninmar tlie OIiCeoss6. 2a 532 onteise sie eos owe oie Se kee eee 5 oe 345 Report of the Insecticide and Fungicide Board..........--.----------------- 347 imtemiaromamipleds eee es en aeae 25.5262 =- ~~ - ~~ - 22a een 348 ei pori sami lene. 2 acon = oe caer Ss ie ee ee ie th 348 Report of the Federal Horticultural Board.......-...-------------+-+-++-+-- 351 Federal plant quarantine act.........-.---------------+----e sere eee: 351 Administration and personnel...........---------------------2+2e2ee eee 351 Review of the work of the year...........------------------.s0-+-------> 353 Report of the Chief of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization. ......-.- 363 ieemirnln AGGIE Ja creed oc oelc~ ence ence sce biee cin w ee am - 2 2 52- 363 Marketing and distributing farm products.......-------------------+------ 364 Rural-organization investigations.........-----------------+---++-+- ee 389 Investigation and demonstration of cotton standards and cotton testing... 392 Enforcement of the United States Cotton Futures Act.......-.----------- 395 Departmental cooperation.....-.-------------+-++-+2 sree teeter ete 400 Tadlge. ot oo Ses SG ee eS re eet eee I 401 it isd ne iter) y Soh tlt wasp a | {xis es We re i358 i ‘opt oo if as mae ee) ' Psbep post ‘Ati; yd ‘. uy epi ‘sty a ; ty aie te det > ee PeeOkboOR THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 22814°—AGR 1915——1 ee REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. Wasurineron, D. C., November 13, 1915. Sm: In spite of the greatly disturbed condition of the world dur- ing the last 15 months, agriculture in the United States, as a whole, has prospered. In some sections the war raging in Europe has caused severe hardships and great financial loss, while in other sections its first result at least has been very considerable financial gain. It has borne very heavily on the southern cotton farmer, forcing a great reduction in the price of cotton and an attempt at a hasty read- justment. It has operated to stimulate the production of food- stuffs, and to producers of such commodities it has, in the main, brought increased prices. The outbreak of the war found this country in a peculiarly fortu- nate agricultural situation. The year 1914 witnessed an unusually large production of a number of staple crops. The wheat crop of 891,000,000 bushels established the Nation’s record and was 128,000,- 000 bushels larger than that of any other year. The corn crop of 2,673,000,000 bushels, while it was only an average one, exceeded that of 1913 by 226,000,000 bushels. The oats crop of 1,141,000,000 bush- els was the third largest on record. The potato crop of 406,000,000 bushels was 74,000,000 bushels larger than that of the preceding year and the second in size in the history of the Nation. The barley crop of 195,000,000 bushels was nearly 17,000,000 bushels greater than that of 1913 and the second largest on record. The tobacco crop of 1,035,000,000 pounds was exceeded only by those of 1909 and 1910. The hay crop of 70,071,000 tons was the third in size, and the cotton crop of 16,135,000 bales exceeded the next largest, that of 1911, by 442,000 bales. The total estimated value of all farm crops and animal products for the year is $9,873,000,000, an amount greater by $83,000,000 than the next largest crop value, that of 1913, notwithstanding the great decrease in the price of cotton. 3 4 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS. The abundant supplies of foodstuffs made it possible for the country to meet the greatly increased foreign demand and still to retain enough at home to satisfy the normal domestic needs. It was fortunate for our financial relations that these enormous crops coincided with the breaking out of the war. Last fall the question seriously was raised as to how this Nation could discharge to Euro- pean creditors its floating obligations, amounting at the time, accord- ing to the best estimates, to about $400,000,000. It was expected that the exportation of manufactures would decrease, and it was not known that there would be available for export and would be exported such a volume of agricultural commodities. As a mat- ter of fact, between August 1, 1914, and February 1, 1915, the exports were $1,157,000,000 and the imports $771,000,000, giving a favorable balance of $386,000,000. Of the total volume of exports, $662,000,000 represented agricultural and only $495,000,000 nonagricultural commodities, chiefly manufactures. In the same period for the preceding year there were exported $638,000,000 worth of nonagri- cultural and $722,000,000 of agricultural products, of which cotton alone represented 55 per cent, or $407,000,000, and all other agri- cultural commodities, chiefly foodstuffs, only $315,000,000. On the other hand, from August 1, 1914, to February 1, 1915, the cotton exports were only $168,000,000 and other agricultural products, mainly foodstuffs, $494,000,000. The total agricultural exports in the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, practically the first year of the war, were $1,470,000,000, which is an increase of $356,000,000, or 82 per cent, over those of the pre- ceding year, and of $433,000,000, or nearly 42 per cent, over the average of the five years 1910-1914. A comparison of exports of the year with those of the preced- ing year shows that the exports of horses and mules increased from $4,000,000 to $77,000,000, meats and dairy products from $146,- 000,000 to $220,000,000, wheat (and wheat flour) from $142,000,000 to $428,000,000, corn (and cornmeal) from $7,000,000 to $39,000,000, oats from $1,000,000 to $57,000,000, and barley from $4,000,000 to $18,000,000, while cotton decreased from $610,000,000 to $376,000,000 and tobacco from $54,000,000 to $44,000,000. These products com- prise nearly nine-tenths of the total agricultural exports. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 5 A great gain is shown here in the exports of horses and mules. Usu- ally the number of horses and mules exported is insignificant. The total for the year (355,000) represents little more than 1 per cent of the supply in the United States, and was not sufficient to prevent a decline of about 4.6 per cent in the average price. By far the greatest gain in American agriculture in the first year of the war arose from increased demand for grain. The exports of wheat (and wheat flour) represented about 37 per cent of the crop of 1914, the usual exportation being less than 20 per cent. Farmers received an average of 79 cents a bushel for the 1913 crop and $1.01 for that of 1914—an increase of 22 cents a bushel or an aggregate gain of approximately $196,000,000. The exports of corn, oats, and barley greatly increased, but, as they were only a small part of the total production, the direct influence on prices was comparatively small. The exports of corn (and cornmeal), 51,000,000 bushels, were less than 2 per cent of the total yield (2,673,000,000 bushels) ; but, as the crop of 1914 was 226,000,000 bushels larger than that of the preceding year, the ex- ports did not absorb one-fourth of the surplus, and the average price received by farmers was slightly less than that for the 1913 crop. Exports of oats increased from 2,000,000 to 97,000,000 bushels, about 8 per cent of the crop, enough to have some influence on prices. The average price per bushel to farmers was 30 cents, compared with 29 cents the preceding year. Exports of barley, 27,000,000 bushels, were nearly 14 per cent of the crop, sufficient to have material influ- ence on prices; so that, while’the production -was nearly 10 per cent larger than that of 1913, prices averaged 2 cents higher per bushel. Although the exports of meats and dairy products rose from $146,000,000 to $220,000,000, or about one-half, they did not prevent a decline in prices to producers of cattle and hogs, possibly because of a still greater increase in available supplies during the year. THE COTTON SITUATION. The greatest adverse effect of the disturbance was on cotton mar- keting. The reason for this may be seen from a few comparisons. Under normal conditions we export more than 65 per cent of the cotton crop, 40 per cent of the tobacco crop, 15 per cent of wheat, 4 per cent of barley, less than 2 per cent of corn, and less than 1 per cent of oats. Or, making the comparison with our total agri- 6 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. cultural exports, cotton constitutes approximately 53 per cent of the whole; cottonseed products, 3 per cent; meats and other pack- ing-house products, 15 per cent; wheat (and wheat flour), 10 per cent; tobacco, 4 per cent; corn, oats, and barley combined, about 3 per cent; all others, t2 per cent. } Soon after the outbreak of the war the cotton market became demoralized from fear that exportation would be stopped or mate- rially curtailed and from realization of the fact that the crop would be large. The price to farmers on August 1, 1914, was 12.4 cents per pound. By November 1 if had fallen to 6.3 cents per pound, a reduction of nearly one-half. The cotton crop of 1913 averaged to producers 12.5 cents per pound; that of 1914, 7.3 cents, a decline of over 40 per cent. The total value of the former to producers was $846,000,000; of the latter, $563,000,000; that is, $283,000,000 (or one-third) less, although the production was 14 per cent larger. The meaning of this shrinkage to cotton-growing sections may be real- ized when it is noted that cotton (and cotton seed) represents nearly two-thirds of the value of all crop production in Georgia and Mississippi, 63 per cent in Texas, 60 per cent in Alabama, and 53 per cent in Arkansas. Interference with the exportation of cotton did not prove to be as great as in the early part of the season it was apprehended it would be; for by June 30, 1915, the total year’s ship- ments were within 8 per cent of those of the preceding year; but the value had shrunk 38 per cent, or from $610,000,000 to $376,000,000. YIELDS FOR 1915. The higher prices for grain and the lower prices for cotton stimu- lated the planting of grain crops in 1915, but caused a consider- able reduction in cotton acreage. Coincident with the increased grain acreage and the diminished cotton acreage there was a large yield per acre of grain and only a moderate yield per acre of cotton. The preliminary (not final) estimates of crop production for 1915 indicate that the aggregate will be about 7 per cent greater than that for 1914 and about 17 per cent larger than the average of the preceding five years. If the estimates are approxi- mately correct, there will be record crops of wheat, oats, barley, and hay, the second largest crop of corn, and the third largest of tobacco. The production of potatoes is expected to be about. average, at least 10 per cent less than the large crop of 1914. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. ‘4 The cotton crop will be a short one, estimated at less than 11,000,000 bales, compared with a production of 16,135,000 bales last year and with an average yearly production in the preceding five years of 13,033,000 bales. This decrease will result from the reduc- tion of about 15 per cent in the cotton acreage and a 20 per cent poorer yield. The quantity of cotton carried over from the 1914 crop will be considerably larger than usual, but, with the smaller pro- duction for the year and the larger domestic demand for cotton for manufacture, the amount exported will decrease unless a decided change in foreign prices occurs. PRODUCTION. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH. The obvious need of adequate and effective machinery to make available to the farmer the large body of useful information accumu- lated through the research work of the department, the State experi- . ment stations, and other agencies sharply engaged the attention of the Congress and the country for several years. The result was the passage of the cooperative agricultural extension law in May, 1914. The plans in operation under this act undoubtedly will go far toward accomplishing the desired end. Farm marketing and finance have demanded and still require the attention of those interested in the welfare of all classes of the Ameri- can people. A beginning in this field has been made by the establish- ment of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, which is at work upon many important problems. The fact that special emphasis has been placed upon the improve- ment of methods of disseminating agricultural information and of marketing farm products does not indicate that all the important problems of production have been solved or that the need for agri- cultural research is being adequately met. This is indeed far from the case. It is increasingly apparent that as the development of our agriculture brings into use other regions, includes new crops, and makes readjustments necessary to meet changing economic con- ditions, new and vital problems in research continually are coming to light. Many investigations, while more or less successful from the stand- point of the scientist, have not progressed far enough to yield re- sults which can be applied safely to improve agricultural practice. 8 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. In agriculture, as in medicine, oftentimes knowledge of the causes of trouble is attained long before a remedy is discovered. In other cases results which have been reduced to practice locally require to be tested more widely or to be modified to suit regional conditions. In some very important lines the researches thus far made or now in progress have been on too small a scale to yield satisfactory results. The limitations of our agricultural knowledge doubtless will be felt more keenly as the rapidly growing system of extension work develops. Rural people thus will be stimulated to study their con- ditions more carefully and will discover new problems. The record of the past half century indicates that the country relies very largely upon the Department of Agriculture and the State experiment sta- tions for the solution of such problems. It is clearly evident that when normal conditions are restored it will be desirable for the Congress to consider a well-balanced enlarged program for agricul- ‘tural research. It is not proposed at this time to suggest the special problems most urgent and of largest practical importance to agriculture for the investigation of which adequate means have not been provided. Undoubtedly active research should be continued on those which arise in connection with the regulatory activities of the department. Beyond this, provision should be made as soon as practicable for the further development of numerous lines of research related di- rectly to production and distribution. While, as in the past, special attention should be paid to investigations having direct and obvious bearing upon practical agriculture, earnest efforts should be put forth to discover underlying principles. With the funds at its disposal, the department, through its vari- ous agencies, has continued to study problems of production. It has assisted in combating plant and animal diseases, in encouraging plant and animal breeding, in promoting better farm methods, in improving farm business, and in encouraging a better balanced agri- culture in the various sections of the Union. THE MEAT SUPPLY. In the last annual report particular attention was called to the desirability of increasing the number of meat animals. The depart- ment has given added attention to this problem and has extended its activities as far as available funds permitted. The farmer who REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 9 keeps only enough animals to supply meat to his family, as well as the large ranch owner, has received assistance. The attention of the single-crop farmer has been directed to the need of diversifica- tion and the introduction of live stock as essential to a sound agri- cultural economy. That more beef animals should be produced in the settled areas of the country, particularly in the South, is beyond question. In many sections the feeding of beef cattle is one of the best means of utilizing rough feed and of supplying stable manure for crops. Considerable work has been done in the South by the Bureau of Animal Industry to develop the practice of feeding cotton-seed cake to cattle pastured in summer; and recent experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of feeding calves to produce baby beef. The success of these experiments, it is expected, will lead gradually to a change throughout the entire South. Furthermore, in coopera- tion with the State agricultural colleges, the production of pure-bred cattle and hogs in the South is being made possible through the organization of live-stock associations and the introduction of reg- istered beef cattle and hogs for breeding purposes. In the Great Plains region the problem is to utilize roughage and dry-land grains. Remoteness from market or the necessity for rais- ing crops which must be consumed on the farm makes cattle raising imperative. In the Panhandle of Texas demonstrations conducted by the department indicate that beef production may become a feature of farming in that section. Every year a greater number of catttle is fed there and marketed direct. This practice makes it possible to maintain on a smaller acreage more cattle than the old range condi- tions permitted and greatly enhances the possibilities of beef pro- duction. Pig and poultry clubs—Among the most promising agencies for increasing the meat supply of the country, and particularly that of the individual farm, are the pig clubs. These organizations have been developed as rapidly as funds permitted. Originally started in the South, the clubs have extended into many Northern and Western States, and during the year they had a membership of about 9,000 boys and girls. In 11 counties in Georgia where pig-club work is conducted, 11,000,000 pounds of cured pork were produced during 1914. A large percentage of the farmers in these counties also are producing pork; and the hogs in pig-club communities are increasing 10 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. rapidly in quality, size, and value. Over 2,000 registered hogs, of which 75 per cent are sows, are owned by pig-club members. Poultry clubs likewise have received much attention. These have been organized in 98 counties in 6 Southern States, with a total membership of 4,000. ‘The members are raising poultry for the family table, and the clubs are becoming centers for the development of the community breeding of poultry. Elimination of disease.—Last year the ease with which the meat supply can be increased materially by controlling or eliminating the common live-stock diseases was pointed out. The direct losses from them are enormous. It is impossible to give any accurate statement even of direct losses. The indirect losses, which also are great, can not be estimated at all. It has been conservatively estimated on the basis of data for 30 years that the annual direct losses from animal diseases are approximately $212,000,000. The loss ascribed to each disease is as follows: Hos cholera 22201826. 0b SS Sh eee eee $75, 000, 000 Texas ifeveriand cattle ticks= ==) eee 40, 000, 000 Duberculosis\-22300 2 ee ee ee eee 25, 000, 000 Contacious-abortion= «=: 2 ee ee ee 20, 000, 000 Bache tye hee tee ote Se a ee ee ee ee 6, 000, 000 PACING INT No ous 0 SA AE Be ae ae A 1, 500, 000 Scabies’ot sheep and/cattle== esse es ee eee 4, 600, 000 GlanGersit sss Bee ee eRe es MR eee eee 5, 000, 000 Other live-stock diseases____________________________ 22, 000, 000 PPATASIEOCG se av ee is eee 5, 000, 000 POuItry «GISCASES ie = so 8 8, 750, 000 The necessity for vigorous prosecution of work to prevent these losses is obvious. It has been emphatically impressed upon the country since the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the ap- pearance, spread, and control of which are discussed more fully in another part of this report. The cattle tick—The work of eradicating the cattle tick in the South has been prosecuted with energy and its progress is making possible a fuller development of the cattle industry in that section. To June 30, 1915, 253,163 square miles had been freed of this pest, 37,255 square miles being opened up during the year. Wherever areas are released from quarantine the cattle industry receives a marked impetus. The northern markets for beef cattle and feeders are open to southern farmers and the southern market to northern REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. it breeders. The elimination of the tick is of great importance to all sections of the country and consequently is a matter of national concern. | Hog cholera—While the eradication of hog cholera must be the work of many years and the department is not ready to suggest any one plan which gives reasonable promise of ultimate success, there is no question that the use of properly prepared serum already has had a pronounced effect. Great numbers of hogs have been saved. The systematic eradication work conducted in certain counties in 16 States shows that 178 hogs in a thousand died from cholera in 1912, 168 in 1913, and only 49 in 1914. Only 62,690 died in these counties in 1914, as compared with approximately 200,000 in each of the two years preceding. Public grazing lands.—An important factor in connection with the country’s meat supply is the public grazing domain. The lands outside of the National Forests, of which there are about 280,000,000 acres, are not supporting the number of meat-producing animals they should. In the absence of any control by the Government these lands have been overgrazed. That they can be restored to their former usefulness is proved by what has been accomplished on the National Forests and in Texas. On the Forests under regulated grazing the number of stock has been increased 50 per cent. Prac- tically the same increase has been secured in Texas under its leasing system. There should be a classification of the remaining lands at the earliest possible date to determine their character and to secure information upon which to base plans for their future improve- ment and use and for the distribution among settlers of those portions upon which it is possible to establish homes. FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the fall of 1914 pre- sented a serious menace to the live-stock industry of the United States. First appearing in the vicinity of Niles, Mich., the malady spread to 22 States and the District of Columbia. Work of eradica- tion was undertaken by the department in cooperation with the au- thorities of these States. Foot-and-mouth disease, or aphthous fever, is highly infectious. It is confined chiefly to cloven-footed animals and is characterized by an eruption on the mucous membrane of the mouth and on the 12 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. skin between the toes and above the hoofs. So rapid and sweeping is its spread that when the infection once gains access to a herd or a farm practically every susceptible animal is soon attacked. Although the mortality usually is low, heavy economic losses result from the interruption and derangement of business. Previous outbreaks.—This disease has prevailed in Europe for a great many years and has caused enormous financial losses. It also is common in portions of South America and in the Orient. Only occa- sionally has it reached the United States. The present is the sixth known visitation. The first three outbreaks, in 1870, 1880, and 1884, were comparatively trifling; those of 1902 and 1908 were more grave; while the latest is the most serious and extensive of all. In 1870 the infection was brought into Canada with cattle from Scotland. It spread into the New England States and New York but disappeared after a few months. About 1880 two or three lots of ani- mals affected with the disease were brought to the United States; but no trouble followed. In 1884 there was a small outbreak at Port- land, Me. The disease spread to a few herds outside the quarantine station, but, owing to the small number of animals and the limited area affected, it was easily controlled. In November, 1902, the malady was discovered in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and later involved New Hampshire and Vermont. The source of the infection probably was imported cowpox vaccine virus contaminated with the virus of foot-and-mouth disease. This outbreak was eradicated in about six months. The methods con- sisted of inspection to trace and detect the disease, quarantine of infected premises and territory, slaughter of diseased and exposed animals, and disinfection of premises. Two hundred and five herds, comprising 3,872 cattle, as well as 360 hogs and 320 sheep and goats, were slaughtered. The animals were appraised before slaughter and the Federal Government reimbursed the owners to the extent of 70 per cent, the States paying the remainder. The total cost to the Department of Agriculture of controlling the outbreak was about $300,000. The disease next appeared early in November, 1908, in cat- tle near Danville, Pa. It was traced to the stockyards in East Buffalo, N. Y., and to Detroit, Mich., and extended to other points in Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania, and to Maryland. Investi- gation demonstrated that the outbreak started in calves used to propa- REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 13 gate vaccine virus at an establishment near Detroit and that the source of the infection was contaminated Japanese vaccine virus. Vigorous measures similar to those employed in 1902-1903 at once were put into effect, and the disease was stamped out in about five months, at an expense to the Department of Agriculture of approximately $300,000, and to the States of $113,000. The Federal Government paid two-thirds and the States one-third of the appraised value of the animals slaughtered. One hundred and fifty-seven premises were infected and 3,636 animals were destroyed. In all the early outbreaks the contagion was introduced with im- ported animals. Since the establishment by the Department of Agri- culture of a stringent system of inspection and quarantine of imported live stock no infection from that source has occurred. On subsequent occasions the disease evidently has been brought in with contaminated products or materials, and not by means of live ani- mals. Early conditions were unfavorable to its extension and made its control possible without rigorous measures. ‘The limited move- ment of live stock, the comparatively small extent of commerce and transportation, and the relative infrequency of travel at that period all tended to restrict the spread of the infection. The 1914 outbreak and difficulties of diagnosis—The latest inva- sion, discovered near Niles, Mich., proved to be the most serious and extensive ever known in this country. Toward the end of August, 1914, the attention of the State veterinarian of Michigan was called by local veterinary practitioners to a disease resembling foot-and- mouth disease in two or three herds of cattle in Berrien County. It was not until October 15 that it was recognized positively in the de- partment as the foot-and-mouth malady. This delay in diagnosis was due to a combination of circumstances, especially to the fact that the infection at first was unusually mild and the lesions were obscured or obliterated by lesions of necrosis, or decayed tissue. After visiting the locality the State veterinarian consulted an as- sistant veterinary inspector on the meat-inspection force of the Bureau of Animal Industry at Detroit (in the absence of the in- spector in charge), and together, on September 3, they made an examination of the cattle. They failed, however, to recognize the affection as foot-and-mouth disease on account of its mild type, the absence of characteristic lesions, and the presence of lesions hav- 14 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ing the appearance of necrotic stomatitis, or sore mouth. In other words, instead of the typical vesicles or watery blisters, there were present scabs and pus from necrotic ulcers and the odor of necrotic stomatitis. The findings reported by the assistant inspector to the department by telegraph, and also by letter, were that the lesions were characteristic of necrotic stomatitis and that the affection was not foot-and-mouth disease. | A few scrapings forwarded to the pathological laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry at Washington apparently indicated a form of stomatitis. They arrived, however, in such a condition as to render it impossible to make a positive diagnosis. In view of the diagnosis of necrotic stomatitis already made, the prevalence of that trouble as reported continuously by different branches of the bureau’s service, and the absence of any hint of the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in the United States since 1909, the conclusion of the State veterinarian and the assistant inspector, both of whom had had ex- perience during the outbreak of 1908-9, was not questioned. It is very difficult and often impossible to make a diagnosis from a bit of tissue. Mixed infection, such as was presented in the case in question, frequently leads to erroneous conclusions. As the virus of foot-and-mouth disease can not be seen with the microscope and will pass through the finest filter, ordinary laboratory procedure will not determine its presence. Inoculation of the usual laboratory ani- mals likewise is insufficient. In the circumstances it is not surprising that a laboratory examination of the pus and scabs failed to disclose the true character of the malady. On September 24 the pathologist of the State Live Stock Sanitary Commission visited an infected farm near Niles, made an examination of the cattle, and collected specimens, without arriving at a diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease. Two days later the State veterinarian and the pathologist visited this same farm and several others. The pathologist expressed the belief that the malady was foot-and-mouth disease and suggested to the State veterinarian that he telegraph this opinion to Washington and request that, while awaiting the results of a laboratory examination, an investigation by an expert be made. The State veterinarian agreed with him as to the fact, but thought that the matter should be taken up with the local office of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Detroit instead of directly with the Bureau at Washington. The pathologist took the specimens to Lansing, and on September 28 inoculated a calf. By October 1 the REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 15 calf showed fever, drooling, and mouth erosions; but the case was not diagnosed as foot-and-mouth disease because of the absence of foot lesions. Neither these visits, these opinions, nor the results of the inoculation were made known to the department in Washington until October 10. The pathologist connected with the office of the State veterinarian of Indiana, on October 12, received specimens from infected ani- mals and made cultures which upon microscopic examination dis- closed the necrosis bacillus. The presence of this organism was considered sufficient to indicate that the lesions were those of necrotic stomatitis. On October 5 the State veterinarian of Michigan, the president of the Live Stock Sanitary Commission, and theinspector in charge of the office of the Bureau of Animal Industry at Detroit went to Berrien County to make another examination. A letter from the inspector, in which he included no diagnosis but described in detail certain symptoms pointing to the possibility of foot-and-mouth disease, was received by the chief of the bureau in Washington Saturday after- noon, October 10. This was the first information to reach him giv- ing ground for suspicion that foot-and-mouth disease might be present. The inspector at Detroit had not had any experience with this malady and for that reason did not attempt a diagnosis. An expert was sent from Washington to Michigan on the first train after the letter was received, while calves were inoculated at the bu- reau’s experiment station near Washington. In addition to physical examination, calves also were inoculated by the expert on the ground. Spread of infection and steps for eradication—Immediately after the discovery of the true nature of the disease a force of inspectors was dispatched to the infected locality. A thorough canvass dis- closed, up to October 17, 39 infected herds in southern Michigan and 7 in northern Indiana. An order, effective October 19, was issued, placing under quarantine the counties of Berrien and Cass, in Mich- gan, and St. Joseph and Laporte, in Indiana. The infection seems to have been carried in milk to the cream- eries at Buchanan, Mich. The skimmed milk was fed to hogs and the disease was communicated to them. A carload of the hogs, before these facts were known, was shipped to Chicago and doubtless carried the infection to the Union Stock Yards there. From that point it was spread by shipments of live stock to various parts of the 16 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. country. Some of the large eastern stockyards became involved, and the disease was disseminated from them. It extended to the following States, besides the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Tllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. On October 28, when the movement of stock from the originally infected center in Michigan had been traced to the Union Stock Yards, an order was prepared, effective October 31, quarantining those yards and permitting animals to be shipped from them only for immediate slaughter. Numerous other quarantine orders were issued from time to time, as infection was discovered or as other conditions warranted. They not only prohibited or restricted the movement of certain farm animals, but regulated the movement of hay, straw, and other possibly dangerous materials. Steps were taken to enlist in the work of eradication the aid of the authorities of the States affected. Satisfactory arrangements rapidly were made, and the work has been prosecuted jointly by the department and the States. The costs incurred have been divided about equally between the Federal and State Governments. Methods and progress of eradication—The methods of eradication were similar to those used in the outbreaks of 1902 and 1908, with such improvements in detail as experience suggested. The veterinary and other forces of the Bureau of Animal Industry in various parts of the country were drawn upon in order, with the least possible delay, to place inspectors where they were needed. It was necessary to trace the movement of live stock from infected premises and regions, to examine railway and stockyard records, to trace and locate cars that had carried infected stock, to clean and disinfect them, to go from farm to farm and examine all susceptible animals, to enforce local and general quarantines of the Federal and State Governments, to slaughter and bury as quickly as possible all dis- eased and exposed animals, and to disinfect the premises that had been occupied by them. To avoid the spread of infection by inspec- tors and other employees these men were required to wear rubber outer clothing, which could be washed easily with disinfectants, and to fumigate and disinfect themselves before leaving premises visited by them. Before slaughter the animals were appraised by an official REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. i agreed upon by the State authorities and the department, and the owners later were paid the stipulated amount. The appraisal was based upon the meat or dairy value of the animals. For a time the disease continued to appear in new territory and new cases were found more rapidly than it was possible to dispose of old ones. After months of vigorous work, however, ‘the outbreak was brought under control, the spread of the disease was checked, and there was a steady diminution in the number of cases. On June 18, 1915, the last herd known to be infected at that time had been slaughtered and buried and the premises disinfected. Sources of infection—The exact origin of this outbreak has not been discovered, although there seems to be no doubt that the infec- tion was introduced from a foreign country. An effort was made to trace the source of infection of each diseased herd and the informa- tion obtained has been classified. The principal means of transmis- sion was the shipment of animals directly from public stockyards (707 out of a total of 3,021 herds investigated). Neighborhood visit- ing caused infection of the next largest number (509) ; direct contact with neighboring animals, of 346; animals brought from infected stables or lots, of 285; creameries, of 269; and dogs, poultry, and birds, of 146. The National Dairy Show herd—The cattle exhibited at the National Dairy Show in Chicago, October 22-31, 1914, consti- tuted a special problem. Before its opening the local inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry warned the manager of the danger of holding it because of the recent discovery of foot-and- mouth disease. At the close of the show the department, as a pre- cautionary measure, requested the State veterinarian to detain the cattle for a few days to determine whether they had become in- fected. On November 1 one of the cows developed the disease, and the herd immediately was placed under close quarantine by the State. This herd consisted of over 700 head of very valuable pure-bred cattle. Their slaughter would have been a misfortune. The condi- tions under which the animals were held made it possible to main- tain a quarantine, and it was decided to try to save them. They were confined in a brick building, where it was practicable to estab- lish hospital conditions and to prevent ingress and egress of persons and animals except under absolute control, All persons were pro- 22814°—acr 1915——2 18 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. hibited from leaving the building until they had been thoroughly disinfected. No dogs, cats, poultry, or birds could gain access to the building. Apparently the animals made a complete recovery and were released from quarantine May 31, 1915, after very thorough tests had demonstrated that the herd did not harbor infection. Recurrence .of the disease—On August 8, 1915, the local inspector in charge of field work at Chicago telephoned to Washington that a case of foot-and-mouth disease had been discovered among 119 hogs and 4 cattle at Wheeling, Cook County, Ill., 22 miles north of Chicago. It seems certain that this infection was pro- duced by contaminated hog-cholera serum prepared in Chicago in October, 1914, at an establishment where the disease had not been known to exist at any time. Thismaterial had been kept in cold stor- age and was not used until the quarantine restrictions had been re- moved in July, 1915, and after negative tests on hogs had been made. Pending investigation, all shipments of serum from Chicago were prohibited. It was found that some of the product of the establish- ment had been used on 11 herds of hogs, 8 of which were in Illinois and 1eachin Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana. A few infected hogs were found in 8 of the herds, and all these herds, as well as the three in which no disease was found, were slaughtered at once. A portion of the serum actually used was procured from the owners of the hogs, together with samples of the remaining stock of the company. Pigs and calves, the animals most susceptible to the dis- ease, were inoculated with these. The results again were negative, and after two series of tests had been made the Federal Public Health Service was asked to conduct a third series. This also was negative. Up to this time, therefore, four series of tests had been made, in which a total of 52 animals had been used, none of which developed foot-and-mouth disease. The inoculations afforded no evidence that the serum in any way was contaminated. Each series apparently only confirmed the test made before the material was permitted to be placed upon the market. The fact remained, however, that the hogs treated by the owners had developed the disease. A fifth test there- fore was made, and 10 days after inoculation a calf, which was the sixty-second animal used in the tests, developed characteristic lesions. The diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease subsequently was confirmed by the inoculation of other animals with material from the infected calf. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 19 This is regarded as proof that the suspected serum actually was infected. Why the standard tests used on 61 animals failed to reveal this fact is a matter for scientific investigation, and the bacteri- ologists of the department are at work upon the problem. At the time of manufacture one-half of 1 per cent of carbolic acid was mixed with the serum as a preservative. It is now believed that the acid, acting as a germicide, may have attenuated or par- tially destroyed the virus so that tests previously considered safe failed to establish the presence of the infection. It also is possible that the virus, instead of being disseminated throughout the entire mass of serum, may have become agglutinated. This has been known to occur with germs of other diseases. The result would be the formation in the fluid of isolated clumps of foot-and- mouth disease virus, while the bulk of it remained free from these tiny masses. If this occurred it is obvious that certain animals in- oculated with the serum would develop the malady and others would escape. Up to the present time the germ has not been identified, although the scientists of Europe have studied the disease exhaus- tively for many years. Experiments are being prosecuted vigorously in the department with a view to discover a means of treating serum at the time of its manufacture which will kill the virus of foot-and-mouth disease. The results so far attained are promising, and the department hopes that a successful method soon will be evolved. In the meantime all infected serum in the hands of the manufacturer, as well as all other suspected serum manufactured in Chicago, has been destroyed. Furthermore, the department is prohibiting the shipment of serum from licensed establishments in the districts under quarantine for foot-and-mouth disease. Appraisements of diseased animals.—In the handling of the prob- lem difficulties arose because of the fact that the department in making appraisements of diseased animals did not feel author- ized to take into consideration their breeding value. In some cases fine herds were involved. In all the discussions of the matter before the Agricultural Committees of the Congress the beef or dairy value was indicated as the basis for appraisal, and in former out- breaks this basis was used. The suggestion was made that the department be authorized to take breeding value into consideration; but the Congress, in making an appropriation to reimburse the 20 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. owners of the National Dairy Show herd for expenses incurred by them incident to the quarantine, specifically provided that the beef or dairy value only should be the basis of the appraisement. As the disease still prevails in certain parts of Illinois and there is no guaranty that it may not spread, it would seem that for the ensuing year an appropriation equal to the current one should be made. It may not be necessary to expend the appropriation; but it would be exceedingly unfortunate if the disease were to spread or reappear and the department had no adequate funds or authority. The estimates contain an item covering this matter. In connection with it the suggestion is made that in payment for animals hereafter purchased for slaughter the appraisement may be based on the beef, dairy, or breeding value, provided that in case of appraisement based on breeding value no payment for any animal shall exceed three times the beef or dairy value. Both equity and practical expediency justify taking breeding value into account. The practical considera- tion is this: Prompt action is of the highest importance, and if owners feel that they will not receive a fair return they may resist the Federal and State authorities. A maximum limit also seems essential to speedy settlement. The department would exercise the requisite care and is not apprehensive that extravagant appraisements would be permitted. HOG CHOLERA AND SERUM. Experiments for the purpose of determining the best method to control or eradicate hog cholera demonstrate that, by employing certain systems involving the use of hog-cholera serum, losses can be reduced to a minimum and the swine industry greatly benefited. The work also shows, however, that success over a large territory would require the employment of an immense force of men and the expenditure of enormous sums. It seems that, at the present time, a country-wide campaign for the eradication of the disease would be ill advised. The problem is not one for the Federal Government alone. Before an active campaign is begun the various States should have more effective laws relating to diseases of live stock and more extensive organizations for enforcing such laws. In round numbers, there are produced annually in the United States 200,000,000 cubic centimeters of serum. Of this amount, ap- proximately 50,000,000 cubic centimeters, or about 25 per cent, are prepared by State governments. Serum is produced by the Federal REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 21 Government for experimental purposes only. The remaining 150,- 000,000 cubic centimeters are manufactured by private establish- ments. It is probable that there are in operation in the United States between 90 and 100 such establishments. Of these, 81 have secured licenses from the Department of Agriculture under the virus- serum-toxin act of 1913, and thereby are enabled to carry on inter- state business. Of the total quantity of serum privately prepared, it is estimated that more than 90 per cent comes from plants holding licenses from the department. The Virus-Serum-Toxin Act.—The statute prohibits the shipment from one State or Territory to another State or Territory of any virus, serum, toxin, or analogous product which has not been prepared at a plant holding an unsuspended and unrevoked license from the Department of Agriculture. It also is made unlawful to ship inter- state any virus, serum, toxin, or analogous product which is worthless, contaminated, dangerous, or harmful. The department is authorized to make and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to prevent the preparation, sale, barter, exchange, or shipment in interstate commerce of worth- less or contaminated viruses, serums, etc. It is provided that a license shall be issued on condition that the licensee shall permit the inspec- tion of his establishment and of the products and their preparation. The department may suspend or revoke licenses after opportunity for hearing has been granted. The law gives authority for Federal agents or employees to enter and inspect any licensed plant at any hour. Penalties of fine or imprisonment, or both, are provided for violations. In carrying out the virus-serum-toxin act the department has issued regulations designed to prevent the interstate shipment of worthless, contaminated, dangerous, or harmful hog-cholera serum, hog-cholera virus, and other products. Fifty-six trained inspectors are assigned to the work of inspecting the licensed plants and de- tecting violations of the law. A number of violations, particularly shipments of serum not prepared at establishments holding licenses, have been discovered and successfully prosecuted. Notwithstanding the efforts of the department, apparently there have been shipments of contaminated or worthless serum by licensed companies. These occurrences have resulted in part from the ignorance or carelessness of the owners. In some cases they have been due, perhaps, to PAY ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. cupidity; in others, to novel situations presented by the unexpected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. There seems to be a widespread belief that the products of a licensed establishment in some way are certified or guaranteed by the Federal Government. Under the existing system it has not been possible for the department to assure users of the quality of such articles. The business of serum. production is such that super- visory inspection alone, without complete control, and with power to penalize violations of the law only by revocation of licenses or by prosecution, is not sufficient to warrant the assumption by the Government of responsibility for the products. Control of serum production—The recent cases of infection of serum and virus with foot-and-mouth disease indicate that some more effective form of control over serum production is most desirable. It has been suggested that the object could be accomplished by Govern- ment ownership. While there is much to be said in favor of such a plan, it seems doubtful whether it would be practicable. Cer- tainly it would seem unwise for the Government to produce the material unless it could control the entire output. Recent informa- tion shows that 21 States have established plants and now are engaged in the production of serum on a comparatively large scale. It is a question whether these States, with their active organizations, would wish or consent to discontinue the work. Aside from this, the pur- chase of the establishments now in existence and the erection of others by the Federal Government would necessitate a large out- lay. Even though this expenditure were made, it must be remem- bered that Government officials are liable to error, and that Federal manufacture, though it secured honesty of methods, would not serve as a guaranty that no contaminated or worthless serum would be sold. Government test station——As a substitute for Government owner- ship, the following plan merits careful consideration: (1) Continue the inspection service as at present constituted under the act of 1913, maintaining a sufficient force of inspectors so that all important processes of licensed establishments may be carried out under the constant supervision of department employees; and require that all products after preparation be securely locked up by employees of the department, whose duty it shall be to withdraw representative samples. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 23 (2) Provide by law for— (a) The establishment and maintenance of a “ Government test station” for serum. The purpose of this station would be to receive official samples of all serum produced by licensed plants and to test them for purity and potency. Upon completion of the test the official in charge immediately would make known the results to the inspector at the plant from which the sample was derived, and the material, if found potent and pure, then would be released with proper markings or seals to show that it had been tested. (6) The prohibition of the interstate shipment of any product a sample of which had not been tested and found pure and potent. (ec) The imposition of a tax upon all serum, samples of which have been tested, with adequate provision for the affixing of tax stamps and marks prior to sale or shipment. The available methods for determining purity and potency are not scientifically exact. Tests, however, are a necessary and most impor- tant part of any system of control. They are now made by the com- mercial establishments themselves on animals procured by them and at all times under their care. It is impracticable for the Government to make them within privately owned and operated plants. Further- more, so long as the plants conduct the tests, it is manifest that the Government can not select and know the complete history of the animals. In the preparation of the serum, the inspectors can see that the steps necessary to produce a good article are carried out. In this particular the inspection is adequate and effective. It appears, there- fore, that the weak point at present is the inspection of the tests, and the department believes that these should be under Government con- trol. At the same time, not being absolute, they should be supple- mented. Supervision at the producing plants of the methods of preparation and handling should be continued. It is probable that an adequate test station could be provided for about $50,000. If several were found to be desirable, a suitable ap- propriation for each would have to be made. The cost of maintain- ing a station capable of testing the entire output of commercial serum in the United States probably would not exceed $150,000 annually. The suggestion is made that a tax sufficient to cover the cost of maintaining the station should be imposed. This tax should not operate to increase the cost of serum to the farmer, because manufac- 24 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. turers would be relieved of the expense of conducting their own tests. While the plan indicated contemplates control only of serum intended for shipment in interstate commerce, it is likely that the States would take similar action and apply similar rules to their own plants as well as to private establishments doing business wholly within the State. The plan probably would be effective and would require little additional expenditure of public funds. CITRUS CANKER. The citrus industry of the Gulf States is seriously threatened by citrus canker. This has been found to be a highly infectious bac- terial disease. An emergency appropriation of $35,000, which became available January 28, 1915, enabled the department to cooperate with the States of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas in an effort to eradicate the trouble, the department bearing the cost of the inspection work, while the expense incident to the actual de- struction of trees was borne by the respective States. The work of inspection and eradication has progressed very satisfactorily, although the disease is more widely scattered and is more serious than at first was supposed. In Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama the greater num- ber of the infected centers have been eliminated, and, if it is possible for these States to maintain a thorough inspection during the com- ing year, there appears to be no reason why the disease should not be completely eradicated from these regions. In Louisiana and Florida the greater portion of the infected areas seems to be under control, but the complete elimination of the disease, especially from the latter State, probably will require large expenditures for at least two years. POTASH SUPPLY. The potash situation continues very serious and a grave condition confronts the American farmer. There is practically no potash in this country for fertilizer use, and present indications are that the supply for this purpose will not be increased materially during the coming year. The investigations of the department and of the Geological Survey have shown the possibility of producing from American sources an ample quantity of potassium salts for domestic consumption. During the year no new sources have been dis- covered, but the conditions surrounding the development of known sources have been clarified considerably. There are four possible REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 25 domestic sources of potash: The giant kelp of the Pacific coast from Lower California to Alaska; the alunite deposits, mainly in the mountains of Utah; the feldspathic rocks of the eastern part of the United States; and the mud of Searles Lake, in California. Undoubtedly a large supply of potash salts could be obtained from the giant kelp. The kelp beds have been surveyed and a report, accompanied by maps showing in detail their extent and location, has been issued. Harvesting is accomplished easily, as the kelp grows in open water and barges fitted with mowing attachments can be used. For utilizing the kelp several methods are feasible. It may be dried and ground. In this condition it contains all the salts originally present, which are mainly potassium chlorid and sodium chlorid. This material has ideal mechanical properties for use in mixed fertilizers. When the pure potassium chlorid is desired it is nec- essary to separate the juice from the organic material and then to remove the sodium chlorid. The latter can be done readily by recrystallization; but the separation of the juice from the organic material is more difficult, for the reason that the kelp is nonfibrous and in attempts to effect separation by filtration the filters become clogged and unworkable. The problems yet to be worked out com- mercially are the best methods of drying the wet kelp and of effect- ing the ready and efficient separation of the plant juices from the organic material. Investigation of these questions has proceeded far enough to indicate that their solution should not be very difficult. But the development of a supply of potash from the kelp beds is still remote. There are several reasons for this. No one knows how long the European war may last or how soon potash from the former usual sources may be available. The American fertilizer companies heretofore have depended largely on the mining of phos- phate rock and the manufacture of sulphuric acid for superphos- phates. In these lines they are deeply interested financially. There is, furthermore, an element of doubt as to the control of the kelp beds. Just what jurisdiction the Federal Government has over them does not appear, and the Pacific Coast States have not legislated concern- ing those lying opposite their shores. It is unlikely, even in the event of an early peace, that there immediately will be a great supply of potash salts. It is a question how long it would take the former agencies to resume their usual operations. The experts of the depart- ment are of the opinion that under normal conditions, if the Panama 26 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Canal is utilized, potash from the kelp beds of the Pacific coast can be sold in the East under free competition. Next to the kelp the massive alunites present the best possibili- ties as a source of potash. This material is decomposed by roasting, with the evolution of oxids of sulphur, and a residue consisting of alumina and potassium sulphate remains. From this residue the potassium salt can be obtained readily by leaching and evaporation. The process is simple. The fumes liberated could be used to manu- facture sulphuric acid; but this commodity would be in little demand in the locality and some method of disposal or utilization would have to be devised. Alumina resulting as a by-product would be suitable for the manufacture of metallic aluminum; but this metal is produced by one concern which controls sufficient bauxite deposits for its pur- poses and is not interested in other sources of alumina. Work has been done along the line of producing potash from feldspar. This is commercially feasible if a salable by-product can be secured at the same time. The suggestion has been made by the Bureau of Soils that cement is a possible product from the feldspar treated to render the potash soluble. But the difficulty of marketing this cement in competition with thoroughly standardized products would be a great deterring factor. The development of Searles Lake as a source of potash presents a number of unsolved technical problems. In addition, the question of title to the property is so involved that considerable time will elapse before it can be settled. In the meantime nothing can be done. It is a matter of distinct regret that responsible business concerns have not made more earnest efforts to provide potash for agricultural purposes. Only recently, although the need of potash has been felt for a year, two companies have begun to develop a supply from alunite, but undoubtedly it will be some months before any considerable quantity from this source can be placed upon the market. MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION. Public interest in the problems of marketing and distribution still is keen. This is reflected in requests for information and as- sistance so numerous as heavily to tax the Office of Markets and Rural Organization. The department has continued with the in- creased funds at its disposal to develop its organization for studying these problems by adding to its staff the best trained men available. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 27 Very satisfactory headway has been made and results of much value have been secured. It perhaps would conduce to clearness of thinking to realize that neither specific legislation affecting either marketing or rural finance nor direct attack on specific problems of marketing and rural credits by special investigators, even if the results of the studies were sound and convincing and received concrete application, can furnish a full solution of all the difficulties. It is not generally appreciated to what extent marketing troubles have their origin in irregularity of production or in lack of a stable and balanced agri- culture; neither is it recognized that the difficulties which some expect to remove by rural credits legislation can be obviated only by im- provement in conditions governing the conduct of farm operations, the trading in farm products, and the ownership and exchange of farm lands. Trregularity in production in some instances arises from conditions over which there is no easy control. In years when a destructive dis- ease prevails the yield from an acreage normally sufficient to supply consuming requirements is insufficient to meet the demand, and high prices follow. High prices also may result from reduced acreage, caused by low prices at planting time. High prices one year stimu- late heavy planting the next. A solution for evils of this sort les in stabilization of production. This can be brought about in part by the acquisition of fuller information as to the relation of acreage to consumption demands and to local marketing possibilities, the regional and local adaptation of crops and crop varieties, including the breeding and introduction of resistant varieties, and the control of crop pests. In some sections, especially those which are new and developing, the difficulty is enhanced by the activities of real-estate promoters who succeed in directing farmers into localities, frequently remote from markets, where they successfully produce crops to the disposal of which they have given no consideration. In most instances dis- aster follows. Whether the States or the localities might not develop responsible agencies for the intelligent guidance of farmers in these directions is a matter for serious consideration. One of the first questions that should be asked by a farmer who is considering a readjustment of his plans or who is undertaking tasks for the first time is whether the scale of his operations is such as to 28 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. furnish full and economical employment to the farm family and to the work animals throughout the year. The minimum practical farm unit appears to be a farm of such size as will give adequate continuous occupation to the family. The unit for efficiency is somewhat larger than this. It has been found in one of our leading dairy sections that on farms of less than 100 acres the number of days’ work for each in- dividual employed is less than the full working capacity. In that locality a farm of this size gives full employment to two regular men, in addition to the extra help required at harvest time. Not only does the large farm utilize labor to better advantage, but it re- quires fewer animals to work a given area and is better supplied with labor-saving machinery. Farmers quite generally are begin- ning to recognize the fact that production is cheaper on large farms than on small ones and that the profits are greater for each unit of labor. There are thus forces at work to increase the magnitude of the farm business and statistics show that the agriculture of the country slowly isresponding. Still,in the vicinity of large cities there is a tendency toward intensive farming, and on the Atlantic seaboard the acreage of improved land in the farm decreased from 69 acres in 1850 to 56 acres in 1910. In the cotton belt there has been a decrease since 1860 from 125 to 387 acres. This is due mainly to the breaking up of the large plantations. In the North Central States the proportion of land that can be devoted to intensive farming is relatively small, and in that section there has been an increase in the acreage of improved farms from 61 acres in 1850 to 113 in 1910. As stated in the last annual report, there is much land in this country to be brought under cultivation; but this land in general is more difficult of access or more difficult to bring into use than that which is now cultivated. Future increase in production must come largely through better management of the land in cultivation. In a number of sections, however, there could be an extension of the land in use without much difficulty. This would result in greater economy and efficiency in- the use of the labor of men and work animals. The Office of Farm Management has made a careful sur- vey of a part of the Piedmont section of South Carolina. It finds that the size of the average farm there is 76 acres, while the area of land under cultivation in the farm is only 34 acres. It discovers that there are in this section 215 available work days and that, partly because of the small size of the farm and partly because of the too REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 29 exclusive reliance on one or two crops, there is a failure to utilize the available labor by approximately 50 per cent. Obviously, the direction of effort should be in the extension of activity over a larger farm area and of diversification. Another vital question the farmer should ask himself is what he can do with his product when he secures it. Even if farms everywhere were of the requisite size for efficiency in production and reasonable diversification were practiced, the difficulties would not be solved. The farm unit which may be efficient for production still would have acutely to consider the problem of marketing. The farmer would not, through his own resources, be able to command easily the requi- site transportation facilities or the daily information needed as to market conditions and the best near-by market, and in most cases would be at a disadvantage in bargaining with purchasers. The most promising solution seems to lie in the development of commu- nity cooperation or team work to determine what to produce, to employ the same methods, and to secure marketing information so as to enable producers to deal with buyers on an equal basis. There are problems, however, which, under existing conditions, neither efficient individual nor community effort can solve. These can be reached only by legislation. There is much that individuals and groups of individuals may do in every community. In fact, _ they must always do the larger part. Self-help will be the rule in the future, as it has been in the past. Nevertheless, there are certain undesirable and unjust conditions which no amount of private effort, whether engaged in by farmers singly or jointly, can overcome. These conditions statutory enactments alone can correct. The better handling and storage of farm products, as well as trading on the basis of fixed grades and standards, wait upon proper legislation. Among the difficulties of American farmers are lack of famil- iarity with, and remoteness from, the actual machinery of distri- bution and finance; absence of order or system in the conduct of their own business transactions; inadequacy of storage facilities for their products; and ignorance of what their products really are in the terms of market phraseology, as well as what they are worth. A producer of a manufactured article knows what it is and what it costs. He knows this better than the buyer. The reverse is true in agriculture. The farmer, as a rule, does not know what. his product is or what he is selling, while the buyer knows what he is buying. 30 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The solution of these difficulties involves a better system of ware- houses, with receipts which will be acceptable as collateral; the estab- lishment of standards and grades of grain and cotton and other staple crops; the trading in the market upon standard types or grades, ascertainéd and fixed by the Government, with such supervi- sion and control over the operation of exchanges as may be essential to secure justice for the producer, the consumer, and the intermediary. For the accomplishment of these ends it seems desirable that the cotton-futures act, which has been in operation about a year, should be supplemented by a Federal permissive warehouse act, a cotton-standards act, a grain-grades act, and a land-mortgage bank- ing act which shall inject business methods into the handling of farm finance and place upon the market in a responsible way reliable farm securities. The Office of Markets and Rural Organization has definitely planned to keep in close touch with individuals and associations dealing with particular marketing problems over specific sections of the Union. Conferences with groups of producers interested in the same problems have been held and others will follow as occasion warrants, and it is believed that the establishment of advisory rela- tions will have important results. For a detailed account of the investigations and of the results of the activities of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization ref- erence is made to its annual report. I shall touch upon only a few phases of the work. MARKET NEWS SERVICE. Shippers and distributors of perishable products long have felt the need of accurate information concerning the quantities arriving in the large markets. Reliable records of shipments have been wholly lack- ing; and it has been practically impossible to obtain accurate and comprehensive reports of current wholesale and jobbing prices. The feasibility of securing and disseminating information of this character through a public market news service was tested during the year. The results point to the conclusion that a larger and better supported service should be given a trial. Several methods of secur- ing market reports were tried out and their limits of usefulness established. Special telegraphic connections were secured, and rep- resentatives of the department in important shipping areas and in the larger markets kept both producers and dealers supplied by REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 31 telegraph with the latest news of crop movements and prices. The service was rendered in succession to the growers and shippers of strawberries, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and peaches, and to the shippers of northwestern pears. In several of the more important districts the information has resulted in a wider or more intelligent distribu- tion, the avoidance of gluts in specific markets, fewer diversions of cars in transit, and a consequent shortening of time between the producer and the consumer. THE COTTON-FUTURES ACT. The United States cotton-futures act is the first general regulative statute passed by the Congress for the improvement of marketing conditions. It was enacted August 18, 1914, and became operative February 18, 1915. Sufficient time has elapsed to enable one to judge, in some measure, whether it is accomplishing the purposes intended. The quotations of future contracts on cotton exchanges have a commanding influence upon the prices paid for spot cotton. Pre- ceding the adoption of the law it was generally believed that these quotations were not true barometers of spot-cotton values, but usually were unwarrantably low and at times fluctuated unduly in response to manipulative influences. This condition was attributed largely to certain evil features which had crept into the practices on future exchanges as embodied in their contracts. The act is a taxing statute, applicable to all contracts for the future delivery of cotton entered into on exchanges and like institutions. It aims to bring the future exchanges to a performance of their true economic functions by inducing them to adopt a form of con- tract free from evil elements. Its motive is to eliminate unfair competition. It is in the interest alike of producers, merchants, spinners, and exchange members. After the passage of the act, even before it became operative, the cotton-future exchanges in this country adopted the form of contract prescribed in its fifth section, and since, with negligible exceptions, they have traded exclusively under this form. Careful observation since the new form of contract came into use indicates that the statute has accomplished the chief economic objects anticipated by its framers. Future quotations now represent spot values more ac- curately; sharp and sudden fluctuations, such as commonly occurred 32 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. under the old practices, have become much less frequent; and prices have been increasingly stabilized. The conclusion is unavoidable that these results are due mainly to the operation of the act. Primarily these changes help the producer to secure more equitable prices. They also benefit the cotton manufacturer by giving him a truer index of the advance value of raw material. Likewise, they afford to all concerned in financing the crop and moving it to market a safer and more practicable hedge. In addition, the exchanges them- selves have been somewhat relieved from the suspicion, which for- merly justly attached in considerable measure, that exchange trans- actions were not always fairly conducted. Cotton standards.—One of the important sections of the act is that dealing with standards. It authorizes the department to promulgate standards of cotton by which its quality or value may be determined, to be known as the “ Official cotton standards of the United States.” Acting under this authority, the department prepared a set of stand- ards for white cotton, consisting of nine grades, as follows: Middling Fair, Strict Good Middling, Good Middling, Strict Middling, Mid- dling, Strict Low Middling, Low Middling, Strict Good Ordinary, and Good Ordinary. Pains were ‘taken to make them comprehen- sive, and they are more truly representative of American cotton than any standards hitherto in use. They were promulgated December 15, 1914, and replaced the permissive standards adopted by the de- partment in 1909. To the close of November 10, 1915, 529 full and 19 fractional sets had been distributed to exchanges, spot-cotton deal- ers, merchants, cotton mills, agricultural colleges, and textile schools in the United States; in addition, 16 full sets and 1 fractional set had been shipped to foreign countries. While the compulsory use of the official standards extends only to contracts made subject to section 5, their acceptance and use have not been limited to the future exchanges. They have been voluntarily accepted in all the more important spot markets and form the basis of their dealings. The standards have given general satisfac- tion and the tendency toward acceptance of them has not been con- fined to this country. Committees and the board of managers of the Liverpool Cotton Association have approved them, though they have not been adopted by the association itself. The question of using both the official standards and the form of contract prescribed by the act is under consideration by the exchange at Bremen, and REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 33 there have been negotiations on the subject with the exchange at Havre and a proposed exchange in Rotterdam. It has not been possible, largely because of the lack of suitable type material, to establish standards for tinged and stained cotton. How- ever, for convenience in passing on disputes, and in order to fa- cilitate the work of classification of cotton proposed for tender on contract on the exchanges, the department has prepared tentative types for Low Middling yellow tinged, Low Middling blue tinged, and Middling yellow stained cotton. Duplicates of these have been distributed to the various exchanges for use pending the promulga- tion of the official standards. Determination of disputes—As an incident to the settlement of contracts made in the form prescribed by section 5 of the act, and as a means of bringing about uniformity in methods of grading and classification, the act imposed upon the department the duty of determining disputes involving grade, length of staple, and quality of cotton offered for delivery referred to it by the parties to such contracts. To the close of November 10, 1915, 1,002 disputes, involv- ing 65,654 bales of cotton, had been submitted for determination. The costs of the 988 disputes decided amounted to $22,773.75. These were paid by the parties. Spot markets—The statute requires the department to designate the bona fide spot markets. It prescribes also that the averages of spot values in such of these as may be selected for the purpose shall, in the settlement of contracts made in compliance with the act, be the basis for determining actual commercial differences in the values of grades in future markets which are not themselves spot markets. Of the spot markets accepting the official standards, 13 have been designated as bona fide spot markets. Of these, 11 were selected for use in determining differences in values between grades of cotton delivered on contracts made on the exchanges subject to the act in places which are not spot markets. The latter furnish the depart- ment by wire daily quotations based on sales of cotton according to the official standards. It is gratifying to note that a large majority of the people affected by the act, after having had an opportunity to observe its workings for the past eight months, are in sympathy with its general purposes and indorse what has been accomplished, 22814°—acr 1915——3 84 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. WAREHOUSE LEGISLATION. Investigations conducted by the Office of Markets and Rural Organization indicate that there is serious need of warehouse legis- lation. It would seem that the most desirable action on the part of the States would be the passage of laws which would guarantee the integrity of warehouse receipts. These laws should be uniform, so that the conditions governing such receipts may be the same throughout the country, thereby greatly increasing their availability as collateral for loans at distant banking centers. The uniform warehouse receipts act is now in force in 31 States. In addition to the legislation that has been or may be enacted by the States, it is believed that the enactment of a Federal warehouse law would be of great benefit. The general interest in the subject is well shown by the inquiries the department constantly is receiving. In fact, many warehousemen, under the misapprehension that a bill on the subject considered by the last Congress actually had been passed, have asked the department to give them information as to how to comply with it. The proposed measure, which is permissive in character, would enable the Department of Agriculture to license bonded warehouses in the various States. It would promote the better storing of farm products, increase the desirability of receipts as collateral for loans, and therefore would be of definite assistance in financing crops. A Federal statute on the subject also would promote the standardizing of storages, of warehouse receipts, and of marketing processes. RURAL CREDITS. The department has continued its studies of rural financial con- ditions in this country. It has investigated the relations of banks, life insurance, and mortgage companies to farm-mortgage credit and those of banks and merchants to the financing of farm operations. It has examined the recent legislation relating to personal-credit unions, extended its investigations of interest rates and other charges on farm mortgages and personal and collateral loans, and studied the possible forms of organization for personal-credit associations. It has issued bulletins bearing on the subject and has responded to many requests for information and assistance from individuals, groups of individuals; and State authorities. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 85 The duty of preparing and reporting to the Congress on or before January 1, 1916, a bill or bills providing for the establishment of a system of rural credits adapted to American needs and conditions has been imposed upon a joint committee of the House and Senate. It is expected that as a result of the deliberations of this committee legislation will be proposed which will furnish a practical solution of the problem from the financial viewpoint. It is generally recognized that the rural-credit problem is not a simple one. It is essentially complex. There is no single solution of it. Specific financial legislation on the part of the Federal Gov- ernment, or of the State, or of both, will not furnish a full solution. It seems clear that there should be a Federal law providing for a land-mortgage banking system. It is a question whether by Federal action existing banking arrangements may not be so modified as to bring them into closer contact with rural communities and with individual farmers, giving farm collateral more readily and fully the advantages of the rediscount feature of the Federal Reserve Act. It also seems clear that legislation on the part of States permitting and encouraging the creation of personal-credit unions and removing any obstacles that may exist to the easier and more orderly handling of farm finance should be enacted. Reenforcing such agencies there would be at work all the great forces of the Department of Agri- culture, of the land-grant colleges, and of the State agricultural de- partments. Their activities all contribute to make agriculture more profitable, to improve distribution, to eliminate waste, and to inject business methods into farming. In proportion as they accomplish these tasks they tend to solve fundamentally the whole problem of rural credits. Further Federal legislation vitally important to a more efficient agriculture, such as a cotton-standards act, a grain- grades bill, a permissive warehouse law, and proposals for the im- provement of marketing conditions, also will contribute directly to its solution. But even if all the desirable legislation were enacted and were put into operation there still would be a vast amount of constructive work to be done by individuals and groups of individuals, including the farmer, the business man, and the banker. If these assume a helpful and constructive attitude, they will furnish indispensable support for practical reforms. All these forces working in combi- 86 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. nation can effect marked changes in conditions, especially of the very class of farmers whose state most critically excites interest and concern. FUR-BEARING ANIMALS IN ALASKA. Under the Alaska game law of May 11, 1908 (35 Stet., 102), regu- lation of the killing of certain terrestrial animals and of sea lions and walruses is committed to the Department of Agriculture. For several years the Congress has made appropriations to enable the department to make investigations and experiments in connection with rearing fur-bearing animals, including minks and martens. The fisheries of Alaska are under the direction of the Department of Commerce, which also administers the laws relating to fur seals and those governing the killing of minks, martens, sables, and other ter- restrial fur-bearing animals in Alaska. Early in 1915 a joint committee of the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture was appointed to devise a plan to simplify the ad- ministration of the Aleutian Islands Reservation in Alaska in respect to the propagation and protection of fur-bearing animals. The com- mittee concluded that the problem was a broader one and reported that the present distribution of authority over fur-bearing animals between the two departments is unwise. It recommended that jurisdiction over land fur-bearing animals be committed to the Department of Agri- culture and that over aquatic fur-bearing animals to the Department of Commerce. This action would adjust the powers of each depart- ment to its present functions and special equipment. It would place under the Department of Commerce not only fur seals and sea otters, as at present, but also walruses and sea lions which are now under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture; and under the latter department, land fur-bearing animals, including minks, martens, and sables, which are now under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce. The committee’s report was approved by the Secretary of Commerce. This department also approves it and is of the opinion that the recommendations should be embodied in law at the ensuing session of the Congress. THE ALASKA GAME LAW. The governor of Alaska from time to time has recommended amend- ments to the Alaska game law. Some of the objects desired could be, and have been, accomplished by regulations prescribed by the de- REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 87 partment under existing law; others require action by the Con- gress. The department concurs in the following suggestions made by the governor and recommends legislation to give them effect: (1) That protection be withdrawn from brown bears. These are a menace to the sheep and cattle industries in Alaska and are so abundant as not to need further protection. (2) That the expor- tation of walrus ivory be wholly prohibited. This is essential to the preservation of the walrus, which forms an important source of food and clothing for the natives. The present restrictions upon the kill- ing of this animal have proved inadequate to conserve it. (3) That nonresidents be required to obtain licenses to hunt deer and goats, as in the case of other biggame. This is necessary for the proper super- vision of hunting in the Territory. (4) That residents of Alaska be permitted to obtain two $10 and two $5 shipping licenses in each year. It is a useless hardship to restrict them to one of each of these licenses when under the law they may have more than one head or trophy of the animals they wish to ship. There may be ambiguity in the law. If so, it should be removed. (5) That residents of Alaska who wish to have specimens of big game mounted be permitted, without charge, to send them to the States to be mounted and returned. (6) That game wardens be authorized to procure war- rants for the search of premises where game ldlled in violation of law may be secreted. TOBACCO STATISTICS. During the year the present methods employed by the Depart- ments of the Treasury, of Commerce, and of Agriculture in collecting tobacco statistics were considered by an interdepartmental committee. Its task was to devise a plan to eliminate duplication of work and unnecessary expense and to make the statistics more complete and more easily available to the public. The committee submitted three recommendations, which have been approved by the departments concerned. The first two require congressional action. (1) That the act of April 30, 1912 (37 Stat., 106), authorizing the Bureau of the Census to collect tobacco statistics, be repealed, and that hereafter that bureau gather only such facts about tobacco as are incidental to the decennial census of agriculture and the quin- quennial census of manufactures. (2) That authority be given to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to extend the statistics collected by it to include the principal types 88 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. of tobacco held by dealers at the end of each quarter, and by manu- facturers at the end of the year, and to publish this information as quickly as possible. (3) That an annual report be prepared by the Bureau of Crop Estimates, which shall contain in elaborate form all the statistical information concerning tobacco collected by the Federal Government. The Department of Agriculture is authorized by existing law to publish reports relating to tobacco. The proposed action would result in economy and efficiency in the collection of tobacco statistics. A single report assembling all infor- mation collected by the Government relative to the tobacco crop would be of greater value than are the present separate fragmentary reports. THE STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. Under the plan of reorganization of the department, approved by the Congress at its last session, the States Relations Service has been created. It has general charge of the department’s business with the State agricultural colleges and experiment stations and also of cer- tain related functions. It administers the Federal laws relating to the experimental and extension activities of the State institutions and coordinates them with the work of the department. THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACT. The cooperative extension act of May 8, 1914, provides for a nation- wide system of instruction for the farming population in agriculture and home economics outside of the schools and colleges. It estab- lishes a close copartnership between the Federal and State agencies in the organization and administration of the extension service. The department is under obligation not only to contribute to the formu- lation of plans of work which are to be mutually agreed upon but also to assist the colleges in executing them in the most efficient manner. The law contemplates a unified extension organization in each State which will represent and be responsible to both the college and the department. The first year’s operation.—During the year much has been accom- plished toward creating and perfecting the administrative machin- ery. All the States have assented to the provisions of the act. One college in each has been designated to receive and to administer the REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 39 funds. In several States where the land-grant institution is not coeducational an arrangement for the conduct of the work in home economics has been made with a college for women. In a few States having separate land-grant colleges for negroes a similar plan for extension work among people of that race has been adopted. The institutions have created separate divisions or services and have brought under them all extension work in agriculture and home economics. Some of these divisions are not yet as clear-cut as they should be. In some cases laws or general administrative regu- lations adopted years ago have continued a confusing union of the extension organization with the experiment station. In 36 States a separate officer is in charge of the work, usually with the title of director; in 9, this officer also is head of the experiment station or of the college of agriculture. The general lines of the extension system for the whole country have been well marked out. They embrace (1) the county agri- cultural agents, (2) the boys’ and girls’ clubs, (8) the movable schools, and (4) the supporting work of the college and department specialists. The county agent.—The colleges have accepted one of the funda- mental features of the system developed by the department prior to the passage of the extension act. The experience of the last 12 years has demonstrated fully the value of the county agent as a means of bringing to the people on their farms and in their homes the results of practical experience and scientific research. There is general agreement that nothing is more important than the establishment in each county of permanent headquarters, in charge of a competent agent, who shall serve as the joint representa- tive of the local community, the agricultural college, and the depart- ment. Through this arrangement the needs of the several communi- ties can best be determined and the help of the State and the Nation most speedily and effectively rendered. A large part of the extension funds derived from all sources, Federal, State, and local, have been devoted to the maintenance and development of the county-agent system. There are now more than 1,000 courties which have men as agents, of whom 680 are in 15 Southern States, where there are also 355 women employed. On the whole, these agents have been very successful in securing the support and confidence of the people; and the tangible results of their work are encouraging. The personality 40 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. of an agent is a large factor in determining his success. Understand- ing of the real problems of the region, sympathy with the people, ability to meet them on their own ground and to convey practical instruction in a convincing way, studious inclinations and habits, and business ability of a high order are essential. County organizations.—As the agent can not deal altogether with individual farmers, the problem of the organization of groups of farm people through which he may work is assuming great impor- tance. Two general types exist. County associations, often called farm bureaus, have been formed. These are expected to take the initiative in securing local financial support for the agent, to join in his selection and appointment, and to stand behind him in his efforts to advance agricultural interests. Many of them include business and professional men as well as farmers. Their complex form has given rise to special problems. It is very apparent that, while the cordial sympathy and support of all classes are very desir- able, the farmers themselves should control and in the end determine the character and functions of the organizations. Another type is the small community club. When a considerable number of these clubs exist in a county they have been confederated to form a county organization. The exact relations of both types to the extension sys- tem have not been fully defined; and they still must be considered as in the experimental stage. Work of county agents—The work of the county agents is highly varied. In the 15 Southern States during the year direct demonstra- tions were made on 105,000 farms and instruction was given to 60,000 boys and 50,000 girls. Approximately 500,000 visits were made. The demonstrations covered practically every phase of south- ern agriculture. Nearly 3,000 silos were built under the direct instruction of the agents and 18,000 pure-bred animals were pur- chased for breeding purposes. Under the direction of specialists, the agents assisted in hog-cholera control by organizing farmers and instructing them as to the administration of serum. In demonstrat- ing the method, they inoculated 118,000 hogs. They also assisted in organizing communities for the prevention of other animal diseases and vaccinated 26,000 head of stock to show how such maladies as blackleg and anthrax might be combated. They aided department employees in tick eradication and were instrumental in securing the REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 41 construction of 2,000 dipping vats. Many creameries and cream routes were established, and instruction was given in the feeding of dairy cattle and the marketing of milk. More than 75,000 hillsides were terraced to prevent erosion. On thousands of farms the stumps were removed to permit better culti- vation. Approximately 65,000 acres were drained. Nearly 3,000 demonstration home gardens were planted, and farmers were induced to purchase 132,000 improved implements. About 500 communities were organized and engaged cooperatively in some special work, such as breeding of live stock, purchasing and selling, handling of seed, and marketing of crops, and the improvement of farm prac- tices. Many of these not only handled financial matters but also interested themselves in the social, educational, and rural betterment of the neighborhood. The women county agents inaugurated work for women. Home conveniences, eradication of flies and mosquitoes, proper preparation of food, care of poultry, and marketing of eggs received attention. Approximately 50,000 homes were visited and given helpful sug- gestions, while 6,000 farm women made special demonstrations in _ home improvement. In the Northern and Western States, where the work is compara- tively new, the number of agents increased during the year from 219 to 850. These agents were instrumental in forming 875 local organizations, including farmers’ clubs and associations for improvement of crop production, breeding of live stock, cow testing, and purchasing and marketing. They conducted 85,000 demon- strations with crops and live stock. They visited 76,000 farms, ad- dressed meetings attended by 1,200,000 people, and assisted in de- veloping agricultural instruction in 4,600 schools. About 72,000 farmers and their families attended short courses or movable schools. On the advice of agents 600,000 acres of tested corn, 280,000 acres of oats, 17,000 acres of potatoes, and 85,000 acres of alfalfa were planted. Approximately 2,000 registered sires were secured for farmers; 300,000 hogs were vaccinated for cholera; 2,000 farmers were instructed in the mixing of fertilizers, and 11,500 conducted demonstrations in the use of lime; more than 2,000 were assisted in keeping farm accounts, and, through exchanges organized by the agents, 2,300 were supplied with labor. 49 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Boys’ and girls’ clubs——Another important activity developed by the department and the agricultural colleges prior to the passage of the extension act and continued under the new machinery is the boys’ and girls’ club work. In the Southern States this undertaking is associated with the county-agent system; in the other States it is conducted independently. Through it the extension agencies are brought into close touch with the State and local school officers and teachers, who cooperate in the formation and management of the clubs. In the Southern States 110,000 boys and girls were enrolled during the year. Among their activities the following are of special interest: Of the 60,000 boys, many were interested in growing winter legumes for soil improvement. Four-crop clubs were formed in‘’some of the States, with rotation on 3 acres of ground, to show the financial advantage of improving soil fertility. Many of the boys were organized into clubs to raise pigs and poultry. Fifty thousand girls were enrolled in the canning clubs. They were taught to make home gardens and to preserve for home use the garden products as well as the waste fruits and vegetables of the entire farm. In the Northern and Western States the enrollment of boys and girls was more than 150,000. The leading club projects were the grow- ing of corn and potatoes and garden and canning work. Through these clubs, work in crop rotation, soil building, and the proper dis- tribution of labor and enterprises throughout the year was undertaken by the boys and girls. Many members are working out three and four year rotations of crops and are spending their net profits in the purchase of pure-bred stock, hogs, poultry, sheep, and labor-saving machinery for both farm and kitchen. Numbers of them are buying land, thus early acquiring the habit of thrift and the sense of the dignity of land ownership. At 938 public demonstrations in the home canning of fruits and vegetables 118,000 persons were in at- tendance, including more than 50,000 women and 10,000 men. Of the 1,557 club members who attended the midwinter short courses at the colleges of agriculture, 968 had their expenses paid by the local people, institutions, or organizations as a recognition of their achieve- ments. Eetension specialists—The agricultural colleges for many years have done a large amount of extension work through the members of their faculties and the experiment-station staffs. At first this was REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 43 purely incidental; but as extension activities have grown a more definite share of the time of specialists has been devoted to the work. More recently in some institutions certain officers have been assigned wholly to this service. These officers are expected to supplement the field work of the county agents, to furnish them advice and assistance, to give short practical courses of instruction, to con- duct demonstrations along special lines, to prepare publications, to address meetings of farmers, and to answer inquiries. In general, it is their duty to gather up the available information in their several specialties, and particularly that of the State experiment stations, to put it into effective form, and to furnish it to farmers directly or through the county agents. Specialists also are sent out by the department to work with the extension agents. Among these, for example, are specialists in dairying, animal husbandry, the use of hog-cholera serum, tick eradi- cation, marketing of agricultural products, farm management, and the home canning of vegetables and fruits. Funds for extension work.—For the current fiscal year the depart- ment funds available for this purpose aggregate $1,200,000. Under the extension act $1,080,000 is allotted to the States. The total Federal contribution thus amounts to $2,280,000. This is met by approximately $2,653,000 from the States. The latter includes $600,000 to offset the equivalent allotment of extension-act funds, $499,000 from additional State appropriations, $333,000 from college funds, $944,000 from counties, and $277,000 from local organizations and miscellaneous agencies. The total from both Federal and State sources is, in round numbers, $4,933,000. Of this sum about one- half will be expended in the demonstration and other activities of the county agents. Much of the work done by these agents bears directly on farm-home problems, but $550,000 has been allotted for distinctive instruction in home economics. Nearly $300,000 has been allotted specifically for activities among boys and girls, and yet this sum does not represent the total which will be used in exten- sion work among young people. Approximately $1,000,000 will be devoted to the tasks of the specialists. This general review of the national cooperative extension system shows that. under the stimulus of the Federal act forces previously in operation have been strengthened and that altogether the move- ment for the practical education of the rural people has been broad- ened. 44 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Direct extension funds——The appropriations made directly to the Department of Agriculture very largely are expended in developing the county-agent system. Contributions to the salaries of the agents are made ona plan which encourages local support. Thesystem is well established in about one-third of the counties. This result has been attained mainly because the department has supported actively the movement during the period when the people were not fully persuaded of its value. Two-thirds of the counties have not yet placed the sys- tem on a permanent footing and need the stimulating influence of the department and of the State college. The work in home economics as yet is in its inception. It is highly desirable, therefore, that the de- partment have direct appropriations available for extension work. As Federal and State funds become sufficient to maintain all the agents, it may be desirable for the department to decrease gradually its contributions and to expend its appropriations more largely for the support of administrative officers and specialists who shall super- vise the work of the agents, supplement their activities by special demonstrations, and give expert advice and assistance. THE NATIONAL FORESTS. Nearly 25 years have passed since the first public timber reserva- tion was made and 10 since the National Forests were put under the Department of Agriculture. Sufficient time has elapsed to determine whether their creation was wise. The principal purpose in establishing the Forests was to secure sound economic and industrial development. Experience had shown that private ownership of large areas of timberland in most instances involved a sacrifice of public interests. Many private investments in forest lands are made for the mature timber and not for the purpose of growing new tree crops. The long time required to raise a mer- chantable product, the risk of loss from fire and other destructive agencies, the fear of burdensome taxes, and the uncertainty of market conditions usually make the holding of cut-over lands unattractive to capital. Hence, the peculiarly public character of the problem of forestry. Fire protection—Before the National Forests were created prac- tically no effort was made to protect the timber on public lands from destruction by fire, notwithstanding the fact that the situation was peculiarly hazardous. During the last decade a fire protective sys- REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 45 tem has been developed. Extensive improvements have been made, including more than 25,000 miles of roads, trails, and fire lines, 20,000 miles of telephone lines, many lookout stations, and head- quarters for the protective force. In the year 1914, when conditions were exceptionally unfavorable, nearly 7,000 fires were fought suc- cessfully. They threatened bodies of timber valued at nearly $100,000,000, but the actual damage was less than $500,000. This work not only is saving public property; it is conserving the material for local economic development and for permanent industry. Fur- thermore, the results of the Federal system have induced many States to take up the work, and active cooperation between the two agencies has followed. Use of timber.—The service rendered by the National Forests is not confined to protection from fire. The resources are being uti- lized to build up the country. They furnish the timber required by settlers, communities, and industries within and near their borders. This is obtained without charge by settlers, prospectors, and other local residents for personal use; at cost by settlers and farmers generally for domestic purposes; and at market value by individuals or corporations desiring to purchase it. During the last 11 years the number of permits for free timber to settlers has been multiplied 13 times and the number of sales 27 times. The amount cut annually by settlers under these permits is more than four times what it was in 1905, while that under commercial sales has increased eightfold. In the three years since sales at cost to settlers and farmers were au- thorized by the Congress their annual volume has increased enor- mously. Nearly 51,000 lots were disposed of during the last year. Probably not less than 45,000 persons or corporations obtained timber directly from the National Forests. More than half of the timber now cut annually is used in the vicinity of the Forests. This includes all that taken free and under sales at cost, and approximately 45 per cent of the commercial cut. Hundreds of mining districts throughout the West, from small projects requir- ing an occasional wagonload of props or lagging to the great copper district of central Montana, which consumes about 380,000 pieces of mining timber annually, are supplied. Railroads also are furnished a large part of the ties and other material required for their lines in the Rocky Mountain regions. A million and a half ties now are cut from 46 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the Forests yearly. Throughout the West timber is taken from them for near-by towns, irrigation projects, hydroelectric power plants, and the like, while thousands of individual settlers obtain it for fuel and farm improvements. On the Alaskan coast the salmon packers, towns, and settlers use 40,000,000 feet a year from the Chugach and Tongass Forests. The National Forests also meet the demands of the general lumber market. More than 300,000,000 feet are cut annually for the nation- wide trade. Since 1908 there have been taken from them 5,000,000,000 board feet of wood and timber products. Not only is timber amply supplied and are future resources safe- guarded, but the ultimate damage to the West through impairment of its water resources, vitally important for irrigation and other purposes, also is prevented. The damage would have been of a kind to force at a huge cost the undertaking of protective works against erosion, torrent formation, and floods. Other countries have been compelled to do this. At the time the National Forest policy was entered upon the agencies making for destruction were actively at work. A range overgrazed and forest fires which burned unchecked were diminishing the water-storage value of the mountains and accelerating soil destruction and removal. The evils averted and the | benefits secured through only a decade of protection and regulated use constitute a gain of great moment. Grazing.—Although the National Forests were established primarily to conserve the timber and to protect the watersheds, it has been the consistent aim of the department to develop all other resources. Grazing, mining, agriculture, water power, and recreation all are fostered. One of the most important of theseis grazing. The greater part of the summer range in the Western States is in the Forests. Under the regulated system the forage is utilized fully, without in- jury to the tree growth and with adequate safeguards against water- shed damage. There were grazed last year under pay permits 1,724,000 cattle and horses and 7,300,000 sheep and goats. Several hundred thousand head of milch and work animals were grazed free of charge, and more than 3,500,000 head of stock crossed the Forests, feeding en route, also free of charge. Not including settlers who have the free privilege or persons who have only crossing permits, there are 31,000 individuals who have regular permits. During the year ended June 30, 1905, there were only 692,000 cattle and horses REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 47 and 1,514,000 sheep and goats on 85,627,472 acres. The number of animals now sustained in proportion to the area of the Forests is 50 per cent greater than it was 10- years ago. Since 1905 the number of persons holding grazing privileges has increased nearly 200 per cent. This is due in part to the enlarged area of the Forests, but can be attributed principally to wider use by set- tlers and small stockmen. When the regulated system was estab- lished the Forest ranges, like the open public lands to-day, rapidly were being impaired. The productivity of the land for forage in most places has been restored and everywhere is increasing; the industry has been made more stable; stock comes from the Forests in better condition; range wars have stopped; ranch property has increased in value; and a larger area has been made available through range improvements. It is probable that 100,000,000 pounds of beef and mutton are sold each year from herds and flocks occupying the ranges. That the Forests have promoted the development of the stock industry is indicated. This is appreciated by stockmen and they are urging that a similar system of range regulation be extended to the unreserved public lands. But it is not merely the stock in- dustry that has been benefited. The grazing privilege has been so distributed as to promote healthy community growth, increase settle- ment, prevent monopoly, and diffuse prosperity. In other words, public control has served social as well as economic ends. Water power.—The National Forests contain approximately one- half of the water power of the West. The department for nearly a decade has been issuing permits for its development. Unfortunately, the present law does not authorize the granting of permits for fixed periods. It should be amended, and recommendations to this end. have been made repeatedly by the department. While authority to grant term permits undoubtedly would aid water-power utilization, the fact remains that development, practically to the extent of the market, actually is now taking place on the Forests. In the Western States power development has advanced proportionately very much more rapidly than in the East, where land is privately owned. The amount of water power used in the generation of electricity by public utilities corporations, street railway companies, and municipalities has in the last decade increased 440 per cent in the West, or more than twice as fast as in the remainder of the country. There, in pro- portion to population, four and one-half times as much water power 48 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. is used as in the remainder of the United States, and nearly three times as much as in the Eastern States. Of the existing 1,800,000 water horsepower in the Western States, 50 per cent is in plants constructed in whole or in part on the Forests and operated under permit from the department. Plants under construction will develop about 200,000 additional horsepower, while over 1,000,000 more is under permit for future construction. The chief obstacle to further immediate water-power expansion is the lack of market, for plants in operation in the West now have a surplus of power of which they can not dispose. Mining development.—The National Forests are open to prospect- ing and the initiation of mineral locations just as is the open public domain. When a mineral claim comes up for patent it is examined on the ground to discover whether the terms of the mining laws have been complied with. This examination is designed to prevent fraud, and no one with a valid claim need fear it. The existence of the Forests gives certain advantages to the miner. Tt is not on the great private timber tracts in the western mountains that the miner is prospecting. It is only on the Forests and other public lands open to mineral locations, if he makes a discovery, that he can get title merely through conscientious compliance with the mining laws. Many mines to-day are securing their timber from the Forests, and because of its protection and continued production a steady supply at reasouable rates is assured. Recreational uses—The National Forests are used also for health and recreation. They embrace the high, rugged mountains of the West, the scenery of whichis unsurpassed. These great areas are open to the whole Nation. Already more than one and one-half million people visit them annually for recreation, and this number is increas- ing rapidly as roads and trails are built, making new points accessi- ble. The lands bordering on the hundreds of lakes and streams in the Forests offer attractive sites for camps and for permanent summer residences. Authority now exists to grant term leases for the erec- tion of summer homes, hotels, and similar buildings, and large num- bers will take advantage of this privilege. Public ownership has pro- tected the natural beauty of these areas. Their recreational value has been maintained and increased through road and trail construction and through intelligent study of the needs of the public. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 49 Importance to agriculture—To the agricultural interests of the West the proper handling of the Forests is of great importance. The Forests conserve and increase the supply of water. Fire pro- tection gives property an added value, as do roads, trails, and other Government improvements. In fact, the existence of the Forests gives a permanence to agriculture that does not exist where the timberlands are privately owned. What has happened in the older lumber regions of the country is well known. The scattered agricultural areas were occupied as long as the timber lasted and lumbering operations furnished markets, kept up roads, and gave employment when the farm could be left. But with the exhaustion of the timber, the devastation of the lands by fire, the abandonment of the logging roads, and the moving of the industry to some new region, the farms, teo, were abandoned and whole townships depopulated. Agricultural settlement.—It is the department’s policy to make available for settlement all lands which are chiefly valuable for farming. In order to open such areas a careful classification is being made. Large tracts found to be valuable for agriculture or un- suited for permanent Forest purposes are eliminated. During the last five years about 14,000,000 acres have been released. In addition, individual tracts are classified and opened to entry upon application of home seekers. Since the work was begun more than 1,900,000 acres have been made available for the benefit of 18,000 settlers. In short, lands within the Forests really adapted to agriculture are being occupied as homesteads under favorable conditions. While the lands suited to settlement are classified and opened to entry, those which are not chiefly valuable for agriculture are retained in public ownership. The alienation of timberlands under conditions that will lead not to settlement but to speculation and to increasing the holdings of private timber owners would defeat the very purposes for which the Forests were established. The real agricultural problem within and near the Forests is to make possible the successful occupancy and development of the lands that already have been opened to entry or actually patented. The mere private ownership of land does not insure successful use of it. In Oregon and Washington alone there are about 3,000,000 acres of logged-off land, much of it agricultural in character, now 22814°—acr 1915——-4 50 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. lying idle. In this condition speculative holding of the land for higher prices plays a large part. Another cause is the lack of trans- portation facilities. A settler may clear land and raise crops upon it, but he is helpless if he can not market them. There are great areas of fertile land unused to-day on this account. In many sec- tions near the National Forests pioneer conditions still exist. The population is small and the task of road building is beyond the means of the residents. There is little or no demand for timber and the receipts from the Forests which go to the community are small. The fact that the public property is not subject to taxation makes such communities feel, and very justly, that the Forests are not contributing enough to local development. This situation should be changed. Assistance should be given in the building of roads to bring into productive use the resources of such regions. Therefore the suggestion contained in the last annual report is repeated, that upon a showing of public necessity appro- priations be made for specific roads and similar improvements, to be charged against the State’s future share of receipts from the Forests. Such action would promote the local development of agri- culture and other resources. To secure the maximum use of the lands still remaining in Fed- eral ownership further legislation is needed. There must be a con- structive program which will promote development and safeguard public interests. The aim should be to make these properties more useful, available to greater numbers, and effectively instrumental in building up industries. Eastern forests—The wisdom of retaining the western forests under national control is indicated by the course which the Federal Government has found necessary in dealing with the moun- tain lands of the East. These lands passed into private hands directly from the States. Their present condition furnishes an ex- ample of what happens when mountain lands are controlled by in- dividuals. The results became apparent years ago. Erosion, loss of the soil, and clogging of streams with silt and stone followed the re- moval of the timber. Stream flow became more irregular and great losses resulted to property through increased floods. So serious was the situation that it was brought to the atten- tion of the Federal Government as early as 1900. Various methods of handling the problem were proposed and discussed, but it became REPORT OF THE SEORETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 51 apparent that the Government must purchase and control the more strategic areas. With this end in view the act of March 1, 1911, established a National Forest Reservation Commission and authorized it and the Department of Agriculture to proceed with the acquisition of lands at the headwaters of the navigable streams. It was neces- sary in the East to acquire by purchase the same class of lands which in the West were put into National Forests merely by proclamation. An appropriation of $11,000,000 was made for these purchases, to be expended during the fiscal years 1910 to 1915. It has not been practicable to use the entire sum; a portion lapsed before contracts of purchase could be completed. The commission has approved the purchase of lands in 16 localities of the southern Appalachian and White Mountains, involving a total area of 1,317,551 acres. This has been acquired or bargained for at an average price of $5.22 per acre. The funds made available under the first appropriation are nearly exhausted. In its report to the Congress for the fiscal year 1914 the commission recommended that purchases be continued until about 6,000,000 acres shall have been obtained and that the Congress author- ize appropriations through another five-year period at the rate of $2,000,000 a year. As fast as the eastern lands are acquired they are placed under an administration similar to that of the western forests. Already on these lands, of which 348,275 acres had been paid for on June 380, 1915, headway has been made in overcoming fires and in starting the Forests toward increased productiveness. Situated for the most part near densely populated communities, the resources of these lands are readily available. There is immediate need for their tim- ber, mineral, water, and forage resources and also for their develop- ment as recreation grounds. Purchases should continue until areas sufficient to be influential in protecting the region are acquired. Alaska forests—Two of the 155 National Forests are in Alaska. The Tongass comprises approximately 15,000,000 acres in southeastern Alaska, while the Chugach, covering the timbered area about Prince William Sound and thence westward to Cook Inlet, contains about 5,500,000 acres. Most of the timber on them is of the coast type, Sitka spruce, hemlock, and cedar being the predominant species. On the Tongass single spruce trees not uncommonly reach a diameter of 6 feet, a height of 200 feet, and a yield in merchantable material of 20,000 board feet. Limited areas carry 100,000 board feet to the acre, 52 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and 40,000 to 50,000 feet over considerable areas is common. The timber is accessible, of excellent quality, comparatively easy to log, and close to water transportation. The presence of available water power will facilitate the development of wood-using industries. While the Chugach Forest has less favorable conditions for timber growth and a less heavy stand than the Tongass, nevertheless in it there is a large amount of merchantable Sitka spruce and hemlock, which will have an increasing importance for railroad construction, mining, and other industrial purposes. Large areas have an average stand of 15,000 to 20,000 board feet to the acre; and the best run as high as 50,000 feet. The volume of timber on the two Forests is esti- mated to be between sixty and eighty billion board feet, about one- eighth of the total estimated quantity on all the Forests. In accordance with the general principle of organization adopted for all the Forests, but to a greater degree than elsewhere because of their remoteness, the administration of the Alaska Forests is de- centralized to permit the prompt transaction of business and ready response to the needs of the public. Aside from matters pertaining to the alienation of land, about 98 per cent of the business of the two Alaskan Forests is handled by the local force. Approximately 40,000,000 feet of timber are cut annually under sales. Settlers secure free, without permits, the timber needed for personal use. Mining locations are made as on the public domain. Agricultural land is classified and placed at the disposal of settlers. Every encouragement is given to the use of lands for miscellaneous purposes. In some places there is an increasing use of land for can- neries, stores, and other enterprises. As a rule these localities are not yet in a position to incorporate as towns and to take advan- tage of the town-site laws. It would be a public benefit if authority were granted to permit the sale of such lands after examination and classification by the department. Definite provision, however, should be made against alienation of those which are chiefly valuable for water-power sites or are needed for handling the timber resources or for other public purposes. The Alaska National Forests are designed to serve the same broad public purposes as the Forests in the States. It is the aim to ad- minister them in a spirit of service to the people who are struggling to build up communities and homes and to establish industries. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 58 They should be preserved and should continue to be administered in connection with the other Forests of the Nation. I have been compelled in this, as in previous annual reports, to confine myself to certain topics. It would be impossible within rea- sonable limits to review much of the important work of the different bureaus. Only by careful study of the separate reports of the chiefs can one form any satisfactory idea of the extent, variety, and nature of the problems which the department is attacking. Respectfully, D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. The PrusiDent. “thie Me ih Leddnve a fas wie 14 SR act, en ee pier le aE ya! PWes0 3 dari! 8 aarale lorry * | aeons sey ie tLiuaiog Rota x x " " b REPORTS OF CHIEFS. 55 am at hee Dov eee iat ar REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE WEATHER BUREAU. UniTep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WEATHER BUREAU, Washington, D. C., September 22, 1915. Sm: I have the honor to submit a report of the operations of the Weather Bureau during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. Respectfully, sah aaa . F. Marvin, Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. The daily work of the Weather Bureau is an important public service, and every branch of commerce, industry, and business activity is continually findmg new ways in which the information obtainable from Weather Bureau sources can aid in the more efficient conduct of those affairs. The 200 principal stations of the Bureau, well distributed throughout the country, form intimate points of contact between the central organization and those it aims and de- sires to serve. These stations not only collect and report telegraph- ically the local meteorological condition, but also serve simulta- neously the equally important purpose of a local center for the dis- semination of every species of weather news. Forecasts, storm frost, flood, and other warnings and weather bulletins to be of real value must be immediately disseminated. The Weather Bureau is well organized to accomplish this result, and its work and efforts are impaired on some occasions only by the failure or complete inter- ruption of the customary means of communication—that is, prin- cipally, the telegraph and telephone service. Almost the first effect of great floods and destructive storms is to cut off communication by the customary wire service. Wireless methods of communication are subject to but little, if any, interrup- tion by destructive weather conditions, and on such occasions are often the only means of communication that remain. A powerful argu- ment is found in these considerations for the establishment of wire- less stations in many regions of the country, especially those that have repeatedly suffered from disastrous floods and storms and the serious loss of communication with the outside world. The funds appropriated by Congress for the work of the Bureau have remained practically the same for several years, in fact, have suffered slight reductions. The service has, however, been extended in many directions by increasing the distribution of frost warnings, extending the river and flood service, the introduction of fire-wind forecasts for the better prevention of forest fires, the enlargement and publication in better form of weather and crop bulletins, and the 57 58 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. monthly reports of climatological data. These improvements have been accomplished without additional expenditures by economies of administration and efficiency of organization. The Bureau is in receipt of applications from many sections of the country for extensions of its service. These include requests for river and flood warnings, frost, and cold-wave information; fruit, tobacco, trucking, and vineyard protective work, and water resources informa- tion in the sparsely occupied region of the West, where the whole region is as yet but poorly covered with reporting stations. Exten- sions of the grain, cotton, sugar, rice, and other crop region services are also necessary. The increases needed represent a normal and legitimate response to the natural growth, development, and extensions of the several industries and activities of the country and are necessary to mect a natural increase in the use that is being made of the Weather Bureau service. The commercial as well as the naval and military interests of the country fully justify the improvement and extension of the work of the Bureau in the Panama Canal and the region of the Caribbean Sea. The changing conditions in Alaska likewise claim attention. In afew words, all the foregoing means increased service. That means more reports, more warnings, more telegraphing, more equipment and general supplies, and additional men. The details of the abe of the Bureau during the past year are briefly discussed under separate topics, as follows: STATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS. No increase has been made in the number of principal or fully equipped stations, which is now 197. A substation previously main- tained at Wausau, Wis., for the special purpose of a flood-warning service in this section, has been manned by a commissioned employee of the Weather Bureau, as no other satisfactory arrangement could be made to continue the station, and funds are needed for its full equipment. OBSERVATORY BUILDINGS AND STATION OFFICES. Two new Weather Bureau Observatory buildings, authorized prior to July 1, 1914, were completed and accepted; that at Sandy Hook, N. J., on August 29, 1914, and the one at Cincinnati, Ohio, on Feb- ruary 22, 1915. The latter is precteay the first suburban metgor- ological observatory established by the Weather Bureau and happens to have been most appropriately placed at Cincinnati, where our present meteorological service may be said to have started in 1869 and 1870, under the initiative of Prof. Cleveland Abbe. Advan- tageously located on elevated ground in the north part of the city, in Clifton suburbs, it should prove of exceptional value for meteoro- logical work and a permanent place at which such work may go on under favorable bl eae for many generations to come. ‘The pres- ent down-town station in the Federal Building, in or near which the Weather Bureau station was situated for nearly 45 years, is also to be maintained as a printing and business office. Contract has been let for the new cottage building and telegraph office authorized by Congress at the Neah Bay (Wash.) station on the Weather Bureau seacoast telegraph line, near Tatoosh Island. Construction work will be taken up promptly. WEATHER BUREAU. 59 a eps and improvements have been carried to com- letion on Weather Bureau buildings and grounds at Atlantic City, . J.; Bismarck, N. Dak.; Modena, Utah; North Platte, Nebr.; Sault Ste. Mariz, Mich.; San Juan, P. R.; and Sheridan, Wyo. The building belonging to the Bureau but occupying leased ground at ty awk, N. C.—a discontinued station—was disposed of at public sale. A farm of about 40 acres, with buildings complete, was leased at Drexel, Nebr., for a new aerological station at which to maintain and continue the kite and balloon work, transferred thereto from Mount Weather. The building in which the Weather Bureau occupied rented quar- ters at Jacksonville, Fla., was partially destroyed by fire January 3, 1915, involving a financial loss to the Government for station equip- ment of about $2,500. To secure suitable conditions for obtaining accurate observations of weather conditions at its outlying stations, offices are located in Federal buildings wherever suitable quarters may thus be had. Where these are not available nor Hae rented offices are utilized or, in a number of cases, the Weather Bureau has erected observatory buildings of its own. At the end of the fiscal year there were 45 of these latter, in addition to the central office building in Washington. The accumulated investment for these permanent structures outside of Washington amounts to about $1,000,000 for grounds and prop- erty as a whole. he following statement gives the status and number of Weather Bureau station offices in operation on June 30, 1915: Free quarters and accommodations: NE) Gig A STP GO bin Tis Seen (Ee eee ee er 64 flere Or other public: busldinra aoc ne 5 2 las Sec nee o oe ee es deel wcinle 7 In Weather Bureau observatory buildings.....................--.--------- 45 aR PERV EN ee Me Se ot oa oti oot ain oo ea ee beetle ore oo Sh 116 In rented quarters owned by individuals or corporations...........-.---------- 98 a IRENE RORVICR a0 90 48 Ae ec nn eames nn ona vec ca ence ses 214 SUBSTATIONS. A few extensions have been made in the work conducted in the interests of the grain, cotton, sugar and rice, cattle, and such indus- tries, notably in the frost-fruit work in the Salt River Valley of Arizona, the Rogue River Valley of Oregon, in the vicinity of, Walla ee Wash., in southern California, and in the large fruit districts 0 0. Two new special meteorological stations were established in Alaska in cooperation with the naval radio service. The large corps of cooperative observers, now more than 4,500, was further increased during the year by the opening of more than 100 new stations at points from which meteorological data will be useful in determining the climate of the country. The large amount of data collected by these observers, on the whole, was resented in excellent form, and shows a conscientious desire on their part to render the best service possible. __ The proper exposure and care of instruments, as well as the correct interpretation of their indications by observers at substations and 60 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the prompt rendition of reports, are fully appreciated, and effort has ne made to attain the highest possible degree of accuracy in these respects. To best accomplish this, however, it is imperative that a more frequent inspection of these stations be provided for. A personal visit to the nbnanye enables the section director to ac- quaint himself with the general environment of the station, to remedy defects in the exposure of instruments, where such exist, or in the manner of recording the observations, and also encourages the observer to renewed efforts if he has become discouraged at an apes lack of interest in the work. It is also believed that in the establishment of new cooperative stations the equipment should be installed and the observer instructed whenever possible under the personal supervision of a trained Weather Bureau official. SNOWFALL AT HIGH ALTITUDES IN WESTERN STATES. The Weather Bureau for some years past has sought to determine in the spring of each year the probable amount of water contained in the snow cover of the higher levels that may later be available for irrigation and other purposes. The project is a difficult one because of the fact that, as a rule, the higher altitudes are either not inhabited, or, in many cases, only during the summer months; hence, with the exception of the low passes occupied by the continental trunk lines of railroad and a few isolated points where mining camps are located, comparatively little is known of the total amount of the winter snowfall. The total num- ber of high-altitude snowfall stations is gradually becoming less and less, due to the abandonment of mining camps and other enterprises that have been hitherto maintained throughout the year at high alti- tudes. The present method of obtaining observations of the winter’s snowfall through persons who may reside on the higher altitudes throughout the year has reached the limit of its development. On the other hand, the plan of intensive surveys in small watersheds, as developed originally by Thiessen, promises relatively valuable results, but of extremely local application. Three such surveys were made during the current year, as follows: One in City Creek water- shed, near Salt Lake City, Utah, at elevations ranging from 8,500 to 9,500 feet above mean sea level; a second in the watershed of Cotton- wood Creek, a tributary of Boise River, that joins the main river a short distance above Arrowrock Dam; and the third by the Rock Creek Conservation Co., in cooperation with the Weather Bureau, in the watershed of Sand Lake, onion County, Wyo., at altitudes of between 10,000 and 10,500 feet above mean sea level. All of these surveys were conducted in fairly accessible regions, the plan being to pack supplies, implements, and tent equipage to some convenient base, go into camp at that point, and make daily journeys thence into the snow fields. The greatest objection to this planis the time consumed daily in going to and returning from the snow fields. Where it is possible to transport supplies and material into the heart of the snow fields, as was done in the City Creek project, much advan- tage is secured. The survey in the watershed of City Creek, in 1915, whence Salt Lake City draws its water supply, showed 30 per cent less water in the snow cover than in the previous year, and also that the snow was in a condition favorable to early xe tint WEATHER BUREAU. . 61 The survey in Cottonwood Creek was conducted under very fav- orable conditions. In the first place, the entire watershed of but 26 square miles had been previously surveyed by the United States Geological Survey, and in the second place, it was possible to measure accurately the run-off from the watershed during the snow-melting season. ‘The results are not yet at hand, but in this connection it may be remarked that a snow survey in this watershed during the previous year brought out the fact that the run-off from snow was remarkably small. This result, it may be remembered, agrees with the conclusions reached at Wagon Wheel Gap, Colo., at the experi- ment station being conducted jointly by the Forest Service and the Weather Bureau. An extension of the snowfall work to the watershed of Salt River in Arizona is of sufficient importance to merit separate mention. SNOWFALL IN SALT RIVER WATERSHED. The demand for information as to the probable amount of snow water available for irrigation purposes on the watershed of the Salt River of Arizona, above the isenevelt Reservoir, made itself felt several years ago. Considering that one of the most important reclamation projects under the supervision of the Federal Government centers in the Salt River Valley of Arizona, it was deemed advisable to spare no effort toward acquiring the information sought. At that time it was known in a Panera way that the most representative snowfall tract in the watershed of the Salt River above the Roosevelt Reservoir was in the Apache Indian Reservation, north of Fort Apache, in the mountain district of the North Fork of White River, a tributary of the Salt. That country was, however, almost an absolute terra incognita as far as topographic maps are concerned. ‘The first endeavors were there- fore in the nature of a reconnoissance survey in an effort to construct a rough topographic map of the watershed. A first survey was made in November, 1913, from Roosevelt, Ariz., as a base, the objective being a four days journey by wagon from that point. A few snow- stakes were set up on that journey, but while the original plan was not carried out by reason of severe snowstorms in the latter part of the month, a substantial contribution was made toward mapping the region. In this preliminary survey valuable aid was extended by officials of the United States Reclamation Service, the United States ie Service, and by officials and agents of the United States Indian ervice. Such stakes as were installed on the first expedition were visited by a second expedition, also in the nature of a reconnoissance survey, in April, 1914. On this expedition the altitude of the snow line was noted and a considerable amount of general information was secured that will be useful for comparative purposes in future years, It was also concluded as a result of thesecond expedition that the region about Paradise Creek, a tributary of the North Fork of the White River, was the most accessible locality for making permanent measurements of the depth and density of the snowfields in the vicinity of Fort Apache. The work of 1915 consisted in two attempts to reach Paradise Creek. The last one, made in the latter part of March, 1915, was successful only by completing the last 8 miles of the journey on snow skis after having left the horses and camp outfit on the way. The 62 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURB. expedition naturally was unable to accomplish all that it had set out to do by reason of failure in transportation arrangements. It, however, determined the fact that the snowfall of the winter of 1914-15 in the mountains of eastern Arizona was extraordinarily heavy. Fortunately for agricultural and other interests in Arizona that depend upon the water supply, the precipitation of rain, as well as snow, during the winter, was abundant. On April 14, 1915, water began to run over the spillway of the Roosevelt Dam, storage capacit in the reservoir being reached in that month, a fact easily foreshad- owed by the reliable reports of heavy snow in the mountains that were made at the close of January, 1915. Much work remains to be done in the mountain regions of extreme eastern Arizona. Indeed, the work thus far accomplished can only be considered as preliminary to a more general campaign. EVAPORATION. Data on evaporation constitute a term in the climatological factors of any given region that is of very great practical value. However, the amount of evaporation from the free surface of a body of water of greater or less extent, as a reservoir, an irrigating ditch, a lake, or the like, and the evaporation from the surface of soils of various compositions and conditions of vegetal covering, or the absence thereof, also the evaporation from such objects as forests, fields of erowing grain, etc., are so different under the same general meteoro- logical or climatological conditions that thus far no satisfactory means of measuring evaporation under the several conditions men- tioned have been found. These conditions, perhaps more than any other, have been a barrier to the serious undertaking of definite and long-continued series of observations of evaporation according to some one particular method of measurement, which at the best would probably not entirely meet the requirements of any one of the lines of study in agriculture, engineering, forestry, and the like. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Weather Bureau has adopted a standard type of apparatus and inaugurated measurements of evaporation thereby. Moreover, the results of various determinations of evaporation that have been made from time to time, either in the Weather Bureau or in cooperation with other Federal services, or that might possibly be available from independent measurements, are now being collated and prepared for publication in appropriate form. The several types of data thus available, however, are not strictly comparable, principally because there has been lack of uni- formity in the methods and apparatus used. In many cases no attempt was made to separate rainfall from evaporation, so that the records are for the most part fragmentary, discontinuous, and more or less unsatisfactory. ile numerous attempts have been made to correlate evaporation with the meteorological conditions prevailing while it occurs, yet no dependable formula is known. Temperature of the water surface is an important factor, and this datum is generally wanting in many of the older records. It thus appears that the direct determination of the rate of evaporation in various portions of the country by actual measurements under standard conditions at stations well distributed is certain to ultimately yield data of very great value. A model Weather Bureau evaporation station is now maintained at Massachusetts and Nebraska Avenues, Washington, D. C., in co- WEATHER BUREAU. 68 operation with the American University. Daily measurements have been maintained since early in April, the total evaporation measured in inches being: April, 6.48; May, 6; June, 6.58; July, 7.05. Another station of the same general character is being established at the Roosevelt Reservoir in cooperation with the Reclamation Service, and arrangements are being made for establishing a number of others. Divailad instructions for the operation and conduct of stations of this character will be published ea the Weather Bureau in the near future. TELEGRAPH SERVICE. The services performed by the several telegraph and telephone companies in collecting and disseminating weather reports, forecasts, warnings, etc., are fundamental and essential to the work of this Bureau, and, on the whole, have been very satisfactory. Except for temporary interruptions, the several sections of the coast lines owned by the Weather Bureau were in continuous opera- tion during the year. The Block Island—Narragansett section has worked with little interruption during the year. A sleet storm on February 3 caused the prostration of a mile of telegraph line on the island. Communi- cation was restored February 7. Carr Henry—Hartreras section.—Communication was interrupted on this line for a total of 43 days. During these interruptions weather reports from Hatteras were missed but a few times, as they were handled with slight delay by telephone and wireless through the cooperation of the Coast Guard Service and the commercial and Navy wireless stations. Early in September repairs to the Manteo cable were necessary in order to straighten the cable and close a break caused by the steamer Trenton backing into the cable and cutting it in two. The water of the sound in this region is very shallow. November 23, 1914, the Manteo cable was again repaired by Lineman Smith, of the Coast Guard Service, putting in 100 yards of spare cable in place of a por- tion found defective. The cable, however, continues to work hea through the south conductor, and in order to work the line throug to Hatteras, Manteo at times must be cut off by means of a switch located in the Coast Guard station at Nags Head. This arrangement is not satisfactory, and action to repair or replace the cable must be taken in the near future. General repairs conducted with the aid and cooperation of the Coast Guard lineman were completed in April, 1915. fateh two severe storms broke off a number of old poles and left the line in impaired condition. Repairs were again made, how- ever, but new poles and some new wire are still needed. The transfer office of the line was removed from Norfolk to Cape Henry during July, 1914, and all commercial business in connection with the radio station at Buxton, N. C., and the Western Union and Postal telegraph companies in Norfolk is handled through the Cape Henry office. All city messages for Norfolk are handled direct from Cape Henry by telephone or are telegraphed to the Western Union or Postal offices, where delivery is made without charge to the Government. The arrangement has worked well and all business has been handled promptly and satisfactorily, not a single complaint of any kind having come to the attention of the chief operator. 64 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. VESSEL REPORTING.—Cape Henry is one of the most important vessel-reporting stations of the service, 19,706 vessels having been reported during the year. Also, 12 wrecks were reported from various Coast Guard and Weather Bureau stations to Cape Henry, from which point the information was given out and assistance dis- patched to the scene of the wrecks. Key West-Sanp Key section.—The submarine telephone cable connecting Key West with Sand Key, Fla., was broken October 5, 1914, and repaired October 16, at a cost of $172.50. The damage was done, apparently, by the tank steamer Sioux, which, during a sirons wind squall, dragged her anchors and fouled and broke the cable. ALPENA-THUNDER Bay AND Mmpte Isianp (Micu.) sEecTion.— During the year past the total time of interruptions to the telephone line was 4 days and 19 hours on the Middle Island line, and 1 day and 4 hours on the Thunder Bay Island line. The interruptions were almost entirely due to damage by lightning in the city telephone system with which our lines are connected. While the condition of these lines belonging to the Weather Bureau is fair, it has been 21 years since they were constructed and the question of gradual or complete reconstruction will of necessity arise in the near future. Vesselmen use the lines constantly and the revenues thus derived are turned into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The Beaver Island section from Charlevoix to St. James, Mich., was uninterrupted during the year and was maintained without expense. len Haven—South and North Manitou Island section has worked uninterruptedly throughout the year without expense. Pornt Reves—San Francisco section.—This line is in a fairly satisfactory condition, and if the station at Point Reyes is to be maintained action will be taken to put the whole line in good repair. Port Crescent—TatoosH Istanp sEcCTION.—Communication between Port Crescent and Tatoosh Island was interrupted for a total of 22 days during the past year. This was about 4 days more interruption than last year. The interruptions were the result of logging operations and wagon-road and railroad building, rather than the result of stormy weather. During the same period com- munication between Port Crescent and Seattle via the Western Union wires was interrupted for a total of 45 days and 9 hours, and by the Postal Telegraph the total interruption was 56 days and 23 hours. It will be noted that, notwithstanding the rough country through which the Government maintains and operates this line, it is kept in more efficient condition than the commercial lines. The line has been of great benefit to shipping, fishing, and other commer- cial interests during the year, and the telegraph business must neces- sarily increase as the country is settled and new industries open. FORECASTS AND WARNINGS. For a number of years the issue of forecasts and warnings has been most satisfactorily accomplished by subdividing the territory of the United States into several large districts and placing each district in charge of a specially trained and competent forecaster. District WEATHER BUREAU. 65 headquarters are now located at Washington, Chicago, New Orleans, Denver, Portland, and San Francisco. The Washington office until recently made all the forecasts on the evening observations, except for the Pacific coast districts. Provision, however, was made near the close of the year so that the night as well as the morning forecasts should be issued from Chicago and Denver for their respective dis- tricts. Two advantages result from these changes. The Wash- ington forecaster has a smaller territory at nighttime for which pre- dictions are required, and more time and study can therefore be given to the region covered, while, on the other hand, the preparation of two daily forecasts keeps the district forecaster in closer touch with the current changes in weather conditions than is likely to be the case when he is responsible for only one forecast. Advantages in local distribution are also realized. The Washington forecasters prepare all storm warnings for the Great Lakes and the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and exercise a general supervision over all the forecasting activities of the Bureau. Periodical inspections of the principal stations of the service are made by the Washington and athlon district forecasters. During the year the Weather Bureau issued daily its usual 36 and 48 hour forecasts of weather, temperature, and winds, and prepared and issued special warnings of frosts, cold waves, storms, and heavy snows. WEEKLY WEATHER ForeEcasts.—The weekly forecast issued prior to August, 1914, was then suspended because of the interruption of reports from foreign meteorological services brought about by the European war. The issue of a weekly forecast was resumed, how- ever, in a modified form in April, 1915. This forecast is prepared and issued Tuesday forenoon for the week beginning on Wednesdays and is immediately sent to the press associations, and selected por- tions are telegraphed to certain distributing centers, where they are printed on cards and distributed by mail to such rural newspapers and individuals as can utilize the information or aid in its dissemina- tion. The most severe and disastrous storm of the year was that of December 7-9, 1914. This disturbance passed up the Atlantic coast, causing high winds and tides along the Atlantic seaboard and con- siderable property damage along the Delaware and New Jersey coasts. Warnings were issued well in advance. The Atlantic coast storm of April 2-5, 1915, including Easter Sunday, was quite a severe one in many respects. From a point off the southwest Florida coast on the morning of the 2d it passed northward up the Atlantic coast with increased intensity to a posi- tion over the Grand Banks by the morning of the 5th. Storm warnings were ordered for the entire Atlantic coast, and gales oc- curred, with some damage to shipping. Heavy falls of snow occurred over portions of eastern Pennsylvania, southern New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and New England. A fall of 19 inches was re- ported from Philadelphia, Pa. One of the most pronounced cold waves of the winter occurred during the latter part of January, 1915. On the evening of the 26th a very cold high-pressure area was central over the Canadian North- west. Low temperatures had prevailed for several days over the 22814°—acr 1915——5 66 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Northwestern States and no further warning was necessary, but warnings were ordered for eastern Colorado, western and southern ‘Wyoming, eastern and southern lowa, and the interior of northern Illinois, and during the 27th were extended generally over the Lake Region, the Central Valleys, New England, and the Middle Atlantic States. This cold wave proved to be the most pronounced of the winter of 1914-15, temperatures as low as zero occurring almost to the Ohio River. During the month of November, 1914, a succession of storms of marked character crossed the Great Lakes, causing winds of storm force. The rapidity with which one storm followed another was most marked, and necessitated many warning advices. The heavy and continued rains of May and June, 1915, in Kansas, Nebraska, and adjoming sections, while not producing marked floods in the rivers, nevertheless wrought immense damage to stand- ing crops, not only from overflow and total destruction of the crop in bottom lands along the rivers and small streams, but also by reason of the saturated condition of the soil, it being impracticable to gather the crop until the ground dried out. An estimate of the damage to crops and farm lands in Kansas places the amount at $6,000,000, with an additional $1,500,000 along the Missouri east of Kansas City. WEATHER FORECASTS DISTRIBUTED BY WIRELESS. Amateur wireless operators at Illiopolis, in Illinois, were per- mitted to aid in the distribution of weather forecasts by a scheme put in operation in June, 1915, as follows: The sending station receives the forecasts usually by mail or by telephone, and broadcasts them between 12.45 and 1 p. m., m a message sent out at a slow rate—about 10 or 12 words a minute— to accommodate inexperienced operators. The receiving operator copies the message on an approved card and posts it-for the benefit of his neighbors. Three places in Illinois—Llopolis, Rock Island, and Springfield—send the forecasts in this manner, and 16 places in the State receive them. The total number of cards posted daily, except Sunday, is 38. The distribution of forecasts by wireless was also begun in January, 1914, at University, N. Dak., from which source nine places in the State are supplied. | STORM-WARNING SIGNALS. At the earnest solicitation of marine interests, especially those on the Great Lakes, a decided improvement in the former system of night storm-warning displays has been worked out so as to convey more definite information by means of the lantern displays. By this arrangement the direction of the expected wind can be shown to the nearest four quadrants instead of to only two directions, as heretofore. The new night storm-warning signal consists of three lights in a ver- ticalline. Special experiments conducted by the Instrument Division showed that in order to be seen separately by the naked eye as two bright objects the lights must be approximately 4 feet apart for each mile the observer is distant. To secure great brilliancy a standard electric lamp of the gas-filled tungsten type is being tried out, and necessary modifications in the standard lantern are bemg made. The WEATHER BUREAU. 67 new system of night storm-warning displays will be put into operation first on the Great Lakes, and at the earliest practicable date. Mention may be made of one or more of the new problems the fore- casters have under investigation and which will probably be completed during the coming year: (1) A. discussion of the probability of precipitation from the differ- ent recognized types of low-pressure areas or storms over the various sections of the United States (H. C. Frankenfield and F. W. Krichelt). This discussion will observe the classification and arrangement adopted in the study of types of storms and storm movements in the United States (Edward He Bowie and R. Hanson Weightman), issued as Supplement No. 1, Monthly Weather Review, i914. (2) x study of types of high-pressure areas of the United States and their movements (Edward H. Bowie and R. Hanson Weightman). (3) The seriously disturbing influences of heavy local thunder- storms on electrical transmission lines, and the important consequence of these effects to a great part of the population of large cities, neces- sitate and justify a more intimate and careful study of these local atmospheric phenomena than has been given to them heretofore. It is hoped the Weather Bureau will be able to give increased attention to this interesting problem also. RIVER AND FLOOD SERVICE. General and destructive floods were absent during the year, al- though local torrential rains in southwest-central Texas in the latter part of April, 1915, caused severe floods in the smaller streams that _ were responsible for a loss of 40 lives and a very large money loss in crops and farms damaged that has been estimated at a little more than $3,000,000. INSTRUMENTAL EQUIPMENT.—The experience of many years with respect to river gauges may be stated thus: (1) Vertical staff gauges are to be preferred when local conditions admit of their use. (2) Sloping gauges of concrete construction, while expensive, are necessary in large streams like the Ohio and Mississippi, in the absence of bridges or docks. (3) Chain and weight gauges, where they can be used, afford a simple and fairly accurate means of determining the level of the water. They should be frequently checked in order to secure accurate results. During the year a supply of a form of short-gauge box in conjunc- tion with an enameled scale has been secured. These are superior to an older form suitable under similar conditions, and the new form will replace the old as the latter becomes unserviceable. INSPECTION OF STATIONS.—A large number of special river stations have been inspected during the year, but it does not seem possible, except in rare cases, to have the zeros of the gauges and other measure- ments accurately checked by precise leveling. first step in the accurate checking of the zeros of river gauges has been taken in the appointment of an engineer to the service, with headquarters at St. Louis, Mo. It is estimated that at least two other engineers should be brought into the service, so that eventually one each would be available for the Pacific Coast, the Mississippi Valley, and the Atlantic Coast States, 68 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. _ Cooperation witH Forrest Srrvice.—The experiment station jointly maintained by the Forest Service and the Weather Bureau at Wagon Wheel Gap, Colo., has been maintained throughout the year. The main effort fis been centered in securing climatological and hydrological measurements in the lower watersheds. The Weather Bureau keeps a detail of its skilled observing force at the Wagon Wheel Gap Station, but. there are other projects in Western States where it simply furnishes the instrumental equipment. EMPIRICAL RULES FOR FLOOD FORECASTING. The construction of a set of empirical rules for the forecasting of floods on the principal rivers of the United States was begun some years ago and has been carried on continuously ever since. During the current year rules for the rivers of South Carolina have been com- pleted and sent to the flood-forecasting center of that State for trial and such modification as may be found necessary by practical experi- ence. The object in reducing the flood-forecasting rules to writing is twofold: First, to preserve the experience gained by the different officials who have been connected with the work, and, second, to minimize the labor that an official on being assigned to any district that is new to him will have to perform in order to become fully ac- quainted with the regimen of the rivers in the district. Forecasting rules have thus far been prepared for the majority of | the principal rivers of the interior valleys. METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS AND PUBLICATIONS. The Annual Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau, contaming climatological data for the calendar year 1913, was printed and dis- tributed as in former years. The customary nevial and statistical reports of the Bureau were also issued without interruption. The constantly growing demand for these seemingly dry and uninteresting documents indicates the increasing extent to which the public is learning to make use of the valuable information they contain. The biennial report on daily river stages, containing the daily gauge readings for 526 stations, has been put through the press and is now available for distribution. The National Weather and Crop Bulletin was prepared along the lines adopted at the beginning of July, 1914, except that during the present season the date of issue was changed from noon Tuesday to noon Wednesday of each week and provision made for the printing of weekly weather forecasts and a more extensive discussion of the effects of the week’s weather upon the principal growing crops, both of which changes appear to have met popular approval. The change in date of issue from Tuesday to Wednesday was a most welcome one to the station officials, as it offered much relief from the usual con- gestion of work on Mondays and afforded a better mail service in collecting data from their various correspondents. Telegrams containing summaries of the more important features of the weather and crop conditions over the great corn, wheat, and cotton districts have been furnished the principal Weather Bureau centers in those districts promptly each week for distribution to the public. Likewise the section directors have been authorized to give to the press and others interested, at 12 noon on the date of the issue WEATHER BUREAU. 69 of the National Weather and Crop Bulletin, copies of the weekly summaries telegraphed to the central office for use in the bulletin, expanded as necessary. This service has recently been extended so that these summaries are furnished to each Weather Bureau station in the respective States, to be given to the public at the appointed hour. Snow and ice bulletins were issued weekly during the past winter, as usual, and the snow bulletins for the western Shoat States, issued monthly, were, as a rule, considerably enlarged over those issued for previous years, and contained much additional information regarding the amount and condition of the snow stored in the higher mountains. The monthly and annual publications of the climatological service of the several States have been published regularly, furnishing prompt means for distributing the information they contain to the interested public. The collection of these summaries for the respective States into single volumes each month, containing a report for each State, has been accomplished as promptly as possible. The number of com- plete sets now assembled and distributed has increased to nearly-450, and requests to be listed for this publication are still being received. The daily bulletins for the corn and wheat, cotton, sugar and rice, cattle, and other interests have all been issued regularly with a con- tinued increase in the circulation. During the year the abridged set of climatic charts was brought down to date, where necessary, and reprinted, and several important additions were made to the set, notably four charts of average rela- tive humidity at 8 a. m. and 8 p. m., January and July, and two of the average temperature for the same months. On account of the numerous demands for Bulletin V, Frost Data of the United States, the sey became exhausted and a reprint necessary, which was accomplished during the year. . Calls for climatological and other data continued as in previous years, the total number of such requests handled at Washington being about 5,000. The numerous calls for the data contained in the summaries of climatological data by sections, Bulletin W, exhausted some of the separate parts, and new editions of several of the individual sections have become necessary. Some of these have been printed already and others are now ready to go to the printer. During the year a large amount of work has been accomplished in compiling climatological data for a proposed atlas of agricultural meteorology in cooperation with other bureaus of the department, the largest individual piece of work being the reduction of the pre- cipitation data for the 20-year period 1895 to 1914, inclusive, to a uniform basis. This has necessitated the compilation of the reports from about 3,000 different points throughout the United States, the computation of means, and the establishment of the ratios of the short records to the full 20-year period. Much assistance has been given in this work by the station officials, who have cheerfully re- sponded to every call made upon them. The work is now well advanced, and the material gathered will be of much value to the Bureau in addition to serving the purpose for which originally gathered. 70 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The Monthly Weather Review has continued to appear monthly, eee numerous important scientific papers bearing on all ranches of meteorology and climatology. By authority of Con- ress the Weather Bureau has been authorized to mclude seismo- ogical investigations in its work, and on December 1, 1914, a section including seismological reports was added to the Review and regu- larly published thereafter. The Review contains, in addition, statis- tical tables presenting the results of meteorological observations at all the regular stations of the Bureau. A committee on scientific papers was appointed during the year to examine and pass upon the merits of scientific papers submitted by Weather Bureau employees, not only to determine their appropriate- ness for publication, but to give proper credit to their authors for application and abilities thus represented. Twenty papers have Loe examined and four have been published in the Monthly Weather eview. A monograph by Messrs. Bowie and Weightman, presenting an extensive study of the movements of storms across the United States, was published at the end of November as Supplement No. 1 to the Monthly Weather Review. A unique collection of meteoro- logical and phenological observations by one man at the same place for over 30 years was offered to the Bureau by Cooperative Observer Thomas Mikesell, of Wauseon, Ohio. This collection compiled and edited by J. Warren Smith will be published as Supplement No. 2. The assistant editor translated ite Besson’s pamphlet, ‘‘ Different Forms of Halos and Their Observation,” for publication in the Re- view. This very useful guide was also issued separately in octavo pamphlet form and distributed to the Weather Bureau observers as an aid to them in improving our records of halo phenomena in the United States. It is a satisfaction to be able to report that some improvement in our observations is already noticeable. Beginning in May, 1915, the Monthly Weather Review was put on a regular monthly schedule by the Government Printing Office, thereby insuring its publication on the last day of each month, instead of on widely different dates as in the past. PRINTING DIVISION. A printing office is maintained at the central office of the Weather Bureau in Washington, for the purpose of promptly printing and dis- tributing weather maps, bulletins, charts, etc., relating to current meteorological conditions. It is indispensable that this printing office be maintained under the supervision of the Chief of the Weather Bureau, for the reason that the maps, bulletins, charts, etc., must be printed and issued as promptly as possible after the information con- veyed therein becomes available, as any material delay in their issue and dissemination would render them of little value. The printing office in Washington also supervises similar but much smaller printing equipments maintained at the principal stations of the Bureau ates the country and which likewise print and dis- tribute local weather maps, bulletins, and important meteorological information. Incidentally the printing office supervises other work of a printing nature that does not require to be immediately issued WEATHER BUREAU. ya | and that, therefore, can be and is printed at the Government Print- ing Office. Since the rush work of printing weather maps, bulletins, and the like does not occupy the force and facilities of the printing division for the entire eight hours of each working day, the remaining time is filled in with items of miscellaneous printing for either the central office or the field stations. In this way the plant and equipment are used in the most economical manner possible. The following sum- mary will indicate approximately the work done during the past year: OUTPUT OF PRINTING PLANT. LITHOGRAPHIC. Copies. Charts for Monthly Weather Review..-..------:2++-+2..000+00leedbe ws 198, 450 menatiaor teview-pupplement,.NO, Ll... 0-2. nce coin ee wee ce wen nee 105, 200 omer tor CO honatpolosical Data iif. 2le 7 3, 222, 240 eeuneine Ghantcin setarol treachues 22 30! lode latsoeea Lie £62 SA See 5, 500 MMMBERET TAPE MOLATI. Vio 55 2 ae else oid Se ots cies sdde a - Sain bin cia Boe oS 10, 500 MeCMUMIME SONA WEAGDCT MADE. <2 ce 2 5 kolo Be cw cen obo Heldtn seen bene tee 467, 950 Puiadoual Weather and Crop Bulletins. . ~~... 2. 2j.22.00)s ene tenes doe 132, 000 Semmemmnriavrce: Dletiisas...chevsecae ee ch, Oo Sk. tee ce Cccc ante wzw eee 26, 000 PRINTING. PermArmna racer fuse. ast Feeney ae oy. seco... 3, 942, 000 PNIULEOECUANI CAEUGe ny ee ene OPEL. OT MT I oo, elle 472, 750 *Monthly meteorological summaries..........-...-.---22----02-0-20000- 2, 640 ieanloine forecast cards for stations... 22.0.4. -.22 2.4 s2s--02 f- hee weenie 21, 675, 000 UL e516 Gina gag 0 Ea A ee 1, 368, 000 Civers sor publications: ..0l2s. is... 02822025. Ls Ne ie tata eee 18, 520 TELaae areas es 2 IR en ee thee eter ones One ee eee ee 1, 952, 830 *Climatological data (Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia)............... 11, 100 See tL renee eee tee Se Nee ee 301, 850 Addressing envelopes and telegram blanks.....................2..-.----- 50, 600 RipEerereninmebepsder et. Oss Oki es Sua Pee ope 413, 100 PeLerOnMCEbeCTALe rss: 2 Poser S. ethee Vice whe UES on i Be a 19, 970 Ena cposes Sees Se ness Waa ee te ieee ee 45, 200 ALS Se i aim ned a ele 52 Aten ely ee Sees ie 193, 590 (eV EGE 7 Sad Se ER UO Sy ER age Sean eT a) 19, 350 PENIS eet ceute ee aI TesTT Ty) MPa etc! Ob. goreuy ie! 20, 145 Maer anoais rele ee syn Sb peo WAS Aen aS le as oe bates 80, 055 PASTING, STITCHING, AND BINDING. ‘ ets. *Maps, forms, memorandum slips, and climatological data...............- 9, 400 PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS. The daily, weekly, or monthly issue of our periodical publications at the end of the fiscal year was as follows: Copies. Monthly Weather Review (printed at Government Printing Office)........... 1, 375 Monthly climatological data (printed at 46 section centers)........-.-----.-- 444 *Washington weather map, first edition (daily except Sundays and holidays).. 1,015 *Washington weather map, second edition (daily except Sundaysand holidays). 415 *Washington weather map, Sundays and holidays...........-..---.----+------ 530 *National Weather and a Bulletin (weekly April to September, monthly Dre CMOLOT MARCI 3 cee. Sots Cm oe ech td owe eh ee ont 3). 325 *Snow and Ice Bulletin (weekly during winter).................-2.---2------- 1, 320 *Torecast card (daily except Sundays and holidays).............-.-..------- 1, 550 DRE MAR MOC ALSO? 0. oa Ao oa ok = ant cmepeee eiaceme reecnke ae 200 *Monthly Meteorological Summary for Washington...................--+----- 225 * Work must be done at Weather Bureau. 79 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The foreign distribution of all publications was suspended by departmental order dated August 10, 1914, on account a8 the Euro- pean War. This service, however, was resumed in part durin October, 1914, and full service by mail, or through the Internationa. ee Service where possible, was authorized on February 1, 1915. Back numbers of publications for countries that can not yet be reached by the exchange are being held for future shipment. The distribution of the various periodical publications to foreign addresses is as follows: Addresses Daily weather map. 2.2.2.2 ens: =e ae eee - copay. «=~ - ao 87 Monthly Weather Reviews. ..-.- ss o-e.s ce este epep rene ee oes es od 370 Monthly ‘Climatolopreal Data: ..7: 2) shied eta ce SE oe | Ae 75 Natsonal Weather-and Crop Bulletin soo: eee Sees. A aa ee 27 Snow and Ice Bulletin...2 -60).-44s3. eaves co ERB eee ee 10 Subscriptions filled by this division and covered by remittances made to the Superintendent of Documents were as follows at the close of the year: Subscribers, National Weather and Crop Bulletin: 0 So5i2 2222 ee ee ee 360 Washineton weather map. 2232) .032.. 223A iok2 bee ee 51 Snowandslce- Bulletin. 2) 2 ogee. ot et Sate en ee es oh 33 Monthly Climatolopical Datas.= . 2. Sees ee es ee ip PERE ME PD NA = 5 The aggregate receipts from the above sales exceed $400 annually. Subscriptions for the Monthly Weather Review are filled by the Superintendent of Documents, who is supplied with 75 copies per month for that purpose. PRINTING PRESSES AT STATIONS. Owing to the quantity and character of the printing done at our New York and New Orleans offices, a small cylinder press was pro- vided for each of these stations, which, together with the platen presses already in use, has greatly expedited the issue of their publications. Small platen presses for printing commercial weather maps, with complete outfits of printing materials, were shipped during the year to the stations at Spokane, Wash.; Lansing, Mich.; Springfield, Mo.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Sioux City, Iowa. The process of standardizing the type and logotypes at all stations was continued during the year as occasion demanded, 1. e., whenever it could be done without waste of still serviceable old-style type. At the present writing there are 46 stations equipped with presses of sufficient size for printing maps DD, 32 stations with small presses for printing maps CM, and 9 stations with 5 by 8 inch Pearl presses for printing forecast cards and other small matter. LIBRARY. During the year 935 books and pamphlets were added to the library, as compared with 1,167 additions last year, bringing the strength of the collection up to about 35,000. The apparent decrease in the number of volumes added during the year is due to the fact that many unbound annual publications formerly accessioned sepa- rately and included in the count of volumes added to the library are now treated as periodicals and not counted as separate accessions. WEATHER BUREAU. 13 Special work carried out by the library during the year includes the reparation, at the request of Mr. Melvil Dewey, of a scheme of classi- Sion for meteorology to be used in connection with his decimal classification; also the.compilation of a brief bibliography on weather forecasting for use in the forthcoming forecasting manual. The number of pagigboncexaranation papers rated during the fiscal year was 80, of which 64, or 80 per cent, attained passing grades. SEISMOLOGY. It is generally recognized that the systematic collection and arrangement for convenient reference of earthquake data serve several useful purposes. As the data are accumulated and earth- quake regions more minutely mapped the engineer is correspondingly able to distinguish with greater certainty between safe and dangerous localities for bridges, dams, aqueducts, or any other important structures. A knowledge of the magnitude, rapidity, and other peculiarities of earth movements is of especial value in the designing of structures of whatever kind to be erected in earthquake regions. Finally, detailed data concerning earthquake motions serve a very valuable purpose in the science of geophysics. To further these important studies as much as possible, the Weather Bureau began on December 1, 1914, to collect noninstru- mental reports of earthquakes from all its regular stations, nearly 200 in number, and also from nearly all its 4,500 cooperative observers. These data are published month by month in the Weather Review. In addition, the Bureau operates two seismographs—a Marvin vertical pendulum seismograph, giving both horizontal components, at Washmneton, D. C., and a two-pendulum Bosch-Omori instrument at Northfield, Vt. The Washington records were resumed in October, 1914, and those of Northfield, Vt., began in December, 1914. Beginning with January 1, 1915, the Bureau has also collected and ublished as far as possible instrumental records of earthquakes obtained at— Sitka, Alaska, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Tucson, Ariz., United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Cheltenham, Md., United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Porto Rico, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Point Loma, Cal., Raja Yoga Academy. Denver, Colo., Sacred Heart College. Georgetown, D. C., Georgetown University Lawrence, Kans., University of Kansas. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University. St. Louis, Mo., St. Louis University. Buffalo, N. Y., Canisius College. Fordham, N. Y., Fordham University. Balboa Heights, Panama Canal Zone. Ottawa, Canada, Dominion Observatory. Toronto, Canada, Dominion Meteorological Service. Victoria, British Columbia, Dominion Meteorological Service. AEROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. Observations of the diurnal convective system have heretofore been made by means of kites and have necessarily been limited to heights of 3 to 3.5 kilometers. It seemed desirable to have a 24-hour 74 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. series of observations to greater altitudes. This was accomplished by means of sounding balloons on July 17 and 18, 1914, at Fort Omaha, Nebr. The observations are not yet completely reduced or published. Pyrheliometric observations at great altitudes were made in coop- eration with the Smithsonian Institution during July, 1914, at Fort Omaha. Three automatically recording pyrheliometers, devised and calibrated by the Astrophysical Observatory of the Smithsonian Institution, were carried up by means of free air balloons. Balloon meteorographs were sent up within an hour or two of the time of the pyrheliometers’ ascent. excellent heliometric record was obtained at a height of 25 kilometers. ‘The complete data are not yet published, but a preliminary statement may be found in a recent tee on Field Work of the Smithsonian Institution. ite flying from the deck of the United States Coast Guard cutter Seneca was undertaken during her May and June cruises into the ice fields of the North Atlantic; 12 observations by means of the kites were made during the May cruise and 16 during the June cruise. In addition to these observations, recording meteorological imstru- ments were exposed on the deck of the Seneca, and sea-water tem- peratures were obtained. These observations will be reduced and published in the Monthly Weather Review. In the transfer of the aerological work to the Middle West and to the central office at Washington, D. C., considerable progress has Dee mde It is expected that observations will begin during the all of 1915. Merrors.—Meteors often become luminous in the very highest regions of the earth’s atmosphere of which we have any knowledge, and the careful and systematic study of meteoric appearances seems to be at the present time the only means we have of gaining information of this region of the atmosphere, which is almost be- yond the reach of any other means of investigation. It is hoped that with the development of the aerological work, this line of study may also receive its appropriate attention. SOLAR RADIATION INVESTIGATIONS. The standardization of Callendar pyrheliometers effected at Mount Weather in 1913-14 has made possible the reduction to heat units of records obtained at Washington by means of one of these instruments between July, 1909, and April, 1912. These data have been utilized to determine for Washington the diurnal and the annual variations in the hourly and daily amounts of solar and sky radiation. The results are published in the Monthly Weather Review for March, 1915, and the daily totals and departures from the normal have since been published monthly in the Review. At the end of September, 1914, observations of the intensity of solar and sky radiation were discontinued at Mount Weather, Va. Before the end of the following month most of the radiation ap aratus had been transferred to Washington and installed in the College of History building, American University, which affords excellent exposures for both the Callendar and the Marvin pyrheliometers. WEATHER BUREAU. 15 The pyrheliometric measurements now obtained at the American University are considered a continuation of similar measurements made at the central office of the Weather Bureau previous to May, 1912. At the university the elevation of the pyrheliometers above sea level is about 100 meters greater and the pollution of the atmos- here due to city conditions is considerably less than at the Weather ureau. It may be partly on this account that radiation intensities in excess of any heretofore observed at Washington have been measured at the university during the past year. On December 26, 1914, with the sun at zenith distance 62.5°, an intensity of 1.48 cal- ories per minute per square centimeter of normal surface was meas- ured, while on February 28, 1915, with the sun at zenith distance 57.5°, the intensity was 1.50 calories. During March and April, 1915, the stations at Madison, Wis., Lin- coln, Nebr., and Santa Fe, N. Mex., were visited by the official in charge of solar-radiation investigations, and the Marvin pyrhelio- meters in use were recompared with a Smithsonian silver dee pyr- heliometer. The radiation measurements obtamed at these stations have since been tabulated in form for publication. Those for Santa Fe, which is 7,000 feet above sea level and in an arid region, show radiation intensities a few per cent in excess of the measurements obtained at other stations. On November 20, 1914, a maximum of 1.64 calories per minute per square centimeter of normal surface was measured with the sun at zenith distance 55°. On the same day with the sun at zenith distance 60° the intensity was 1.60 calories. These exceed any previous measurements obtained at Santa Fe. Likewise, at Madison, Wis., the monthly maxima from November, 1914, to-March, 1915, exceed the maxima for corresponding months since the fall and winter of 1911-12, and the midday imtensity of 1.50 calories obtained at Mount Weather on September 28, 1914, was the highest ever measured at that station. We are therefore led to the conclusion that unusually clear skies were experienced in the United States during the fall and winter of 1914-15, although in some dis- tricts the cloudiness was above normal. The official in charge of solar radiation investigations and an assistant spent most of the month of May, 1915, among the moun- tains of southwestern North Carolina, where special temperature investigations in the interest of horticulture are in progress. Meas- urements were made of the rate at which heat is radiated to the atmos- phere from a blackened surface when located in a valley at the foot of a mountain slope, when on a mountain slope, and also when on a mountain ne The results of these observations, when fully dis- a will be published in the Monthly Weather Review or else- where. At the end of June, 1915, the Marvin pyrheliometer in use at Lin- coln, Nebr., was moved from the Weather Bureau office, in the busi- ness section of the city, to the experiment station building on the State University farm, just outside the city limits. A Callendar pyrheliometer was also installed on the roof of the same building, at an elevation of 56 feet above ground and 1,340 feet above sea level. The radiation records will be utilized by the Nebraska experiment station in its investigations, as well as by the Weather Bureau in its climatological studies. 76 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The Weather Bureau is now obtaming continuous records of the amount of solar and sky radiation received on a horizontal surface at Washington, D. C., Madison, Wis., and Lincoln, Nebr. At each of these stations, and also at Santa Fe, N. Mex., the intensity of direct solar radiation on a surface normal to the incident solar rays is meas- ured at frequent intervals on clear days. REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. Unirep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Bureau or Anima Inpustry, Washington, D. C., September 28, 1915. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the oper- ations of the Bureau of Animal Industry for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. . Respectfully, A. D. Metvrn, Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. GENERAL STATEMENT. The most serious event of the year in the bureau’s work was an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which was first diagnosed in October, 1914. This has been by far the most extensive of the occa- sional visitations to the United States of this highly contagious animal plague. The disease occurred in 21 States and the District of Columbia. After months of energetic effort, in cooperation with the authorities of the various affected States, the outbreak was brought under control, and by the close of the fiscal year eradication appeared to be almost accomplished, though infection has since developed in some localities. The meat inspection showed an increase over the two preceding years, more than 58,000,000 animals having been slaughtered and over seven and one-half billion pounds of meat and meat food products hav- ing been prepared under this inspection. A new method of destroying trichine in pork has been discovered by the bureau and has simplified and rendered more effective the precautions against danger in pork prepared customarily to be eaten without cooking. It has been found that refrigeration at a temperature not higher than 5° F. for a period of 20 days is effective in destroying the trichina parasites. This method as an alternative to the previously known method of thoroughly cooking renders unnecessary the expensive and unsatis- factory microscopic inspection which had formerly been used and abandoned in this country and which is still used in some countries. The boys’ and girls’ pig clubs and poultry clubs have been extended and continue to be a valuable means of increasing and improving stock and poultry raising. The pig clubs have 9,000 members and the poultry clubs nearly 4,000. By means of these clubs many chil- dren are enabled to earn money to get an education. . 77 78 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Work for the development and improvement of the dairy indus- try has been continued with good effect. Improvement in the quality of market milk as a result of the efforts of the department and vari- ous other agencies is very apparent. By means of cow-testing associa- tions and encouraging dairy farmers to keep records of the feed and production of their herds, the milk yield of many herds is being in- creased and the cost reduced. Assistance has been given in establish- ing creameries in sections previously without them and in which there is a good prospect of success. In the work of eradicating the southern cattle ticks good progress has continued and an additional area of 37,255 square miles has been freed from ticks and released from quarantine, making a total of 253,163 square miles released since the work was begun in 1906. As this work proceeds and its benefits become apparent, it is being more heartily supported and pushed by the people. In the territory al- ready freed of ticks work is being done for the building up of beef cattle and dairy industries. . The eradication of scabies of sheep and cattle in the West has been brought still nearer. to completion. The experimental work for the control of hog cholera, which has been carried on for the past two years, has demonstrated that while eradication in limited areas may be accomplished by means of inocu- lation with protective serum and proper quarantine measures, any general effort to eradicate this disease from the United States would be a tremendous and expensive undertaking and would require more effective State laws and organizations. This subject is discussed more at length in another part of this report. FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. In the latter part of August, 1914, the attention of the State veterinarian of Michigan was called by local veterinarians to a dis- ease somewhat resembling foot-and-mouth disease which had affected two or three herds of cattie in Berrien County. After visiting the locality he consulted an assistant inspector on the meat-inspection force of the Bureau of Animal Industry at Detroit (in the absence of the inspector in charge), and together, on September 3, they mage an examination of the cattle, but failed to recognize the affection as foot-and-mouth disease because the cases were old (having come un- der the observation of local veterinarians about 10 days before), because at the time there was a mixed infection which rendered diagnosis difficult, and because of the mild type of the disease at that time, the absence of lesions characteristic of that disease, and the presence of lesions due to secondary invasion of other infections. In other words, instead of the vesicles or watery blisters typical of foot- and-mouth disease, there were present scabs and pus from necrotic ulcers and the characteristic odor of necrotic stomatitis. The find- ings reported by the assistant inspector to the bureau by telegraph and also by letter were to the effect that the affection was not foot- and-mouth disease, but that the lesions were characteristic of necrotic stomatitis. A few scrapings forwarded to the pathological labora- tory at Washington apparently were characteristic of a form of stomatitis, but arrived in such a condition as to render it impossible to make a diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease. On account of the BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 79 unequivocal diagnosis of necrotic stomatitis already made, ancl the well-known presence of that disease in the United States as reported continuously by different branches of the bureau service, and because there had been nothing to indicate the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in the United States since 1909, there was no occasion for the pathological division to question the conclusion of the State veterina- rian and the assistant inspector that it was not foot-and-mouth dis- ease, especially as they had both had experience with this disease during the outbreak of 1908-9. The possibilities of diagnosing a disease from a bit of tissue are at best restricted, especially if such tissue does not bear a characteristic relation to the disease with which it is associated. Mixed infection frequently leads to erroneous conclusions, and it has been justly stated that the result of laboratory examination should be considered only as one of the factors in arriving at any correct diagnosis. Without a suspicion of the virus of foot-and-mouth disease being in this coun- try, and with absolute knowledge that both mycotic and necrotic stomatitis had been present during the summer as far east as South Carolina, as far west as Kansas, and as far south as Tampico, Mexico, where an official from Washington had been investigating the char- acter of the disease for six weeks, it is not surprising that an examina- tion of such atypical specimens of foot-and-mouth disease as pus and scabs admittedly are should reveal various molds and fungi and even the necrosis bacillus, but fail to disclose the true character of the disease. The virus of foot-and-mouth disease being ultramicroscopic and filterable in character, ordinary laboratory procedure would not determine its presence, and the inoculation of the usual laboratory animals is likewise insufficient. On September 24 the pathologist of the Michigan live-stock sani- tary commission visited an infected farm near Niles at the request of the owner, and made an examination of the cattle and collected specimens, but without arriving at a diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease. The State veterinarian and this pathologist on September 26 visited the same farm as well as others. With regard to this visit the pathologist 1s quoted in the annual report of the bacteriolo- gist of the State board of agriculture as follows: I expressed the belief that the disease was foot-and-mouth disease and sug- gested that he [the State veterinarian] telegraph Washington that we were quite positive of foot-and-mouth disease existing in a number of herds around Niles, Mich., and asking for an investigation by an expert while waiting for the results of a laboratory investigation. He agreed with me that we had sufficient evi- dence that foot-and-mouth disease existed in these herds, but suggested that the matter be taken up with the local office in Detroit instead of directly with the office at Washington. The specimens collected by the pathologist were taken to Lansing, and on September 28 he inoculated a calf with this material. Bv October 1 the calf showed fever and drooling, followed by erosions in the mouth, but the case was not diagnosed as foot-and-mouth dis- ease, because of the absence of foot lesions. Neither these visits nor the results of this inoculation were known to the bureau at Washington until October 10, when a letter was received from the inspector in charge at Detroit as hereinafter stated. On October 12 the pathologist connected with the office of the State veterinarian of Indiana received specimens from infected animals and made cultures which, upon microscopic examination, disclosed 80 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the necrosis bacillus, which was considered to be sufficient to explain the lesions as being those of necrotic stomatitis, although this organ- ism has since been shown to have been a secondary invader. The State veterinarian and the president of the live-stock sani- tary commission of Michigan on October 5 got the inspector in charge of the bureau office at Detroit to go to Berrien County with them for another examination. A letter from the inspector, which made no diagnosis, but described certain symptoms in detail pointing to the possibility of foot-and-mouth disease, was received in Wash- ington on Saturday afternoon, October 10, and was the first informa- tion to reach the officials at Washington giving ground for suspicion that foot-and-mouth disease might be present. This inspector had never had any experience with foot-and-mouth disease, and for that reason made no diagnosis, although the symptoms mentioned in his letter were quite characteristic. For the latter reason an expert was sent from Washington to Michigan on the first train after the letter was received, while calves were inoculated at the Washington experiment station, and on October 15 a positive diagnosis of foot- and-mouth disease was made. On October 12 the chief of the bureau sent the following telegram to the State veterinarian: Advise that farms where animals now show symptoms foot-and-mouth dis- ease be placed in temporary quarantine until time for experiments on other animals. This request was not carried out until later in the week, although it is not known that any animals were removed from these farms in the meantime. The long time required for the inoculated animals to show any evidence of disease, as well as the slight extent to which the disease had spread on the farms before its nature became known, showed that at first the infection was of an exceedingly mild form, although it grew in virulence as the outbreak progressed. In spite of the fact that no quarantine measures had been imposed, the disease remained confined to a restricted area for more than six weeks, which is very unusual with foot-and-mouth disease, but very commonly observed in various forms of stomatitis. As soon as the disease was diagnosed as foot-and-mouth disease steps immediately were taken to assemble a force of inspectors, and active scouting by employees of the Bureau of. Animal Industry was begun, which disclosed 39 infected herds in southern Michigan and 7 in northern Indiana. The Secretary of Agriculture then issued B. A. I. Order 220, effective October 19, placing under quarantine the counties of Berrien and Cass in Michigan and St. Joseph and Laporte in Indiana. On October 28 there were indications which led to the suspicion of the existence of infection in the Union Stockyards at Chicago, and an order was prepared, effective October 31, quarantining these yards and permitting animals to be shipped from them only for immediate slaughter. The presence of the disease there was later confirmed. The disease was further disseminated from large eastern stockyards. As the work of eradication progressed, it was found that infected and exposed animals had been shipped from various points and the BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 81 disease had spread over a large range of territory, and by the last of November it was found necessary to quarantine 20 States and the District of Columbia. : The source of the outbreak, which started near Niles, Mich., has never been definitely determined, and actual proof will probably never be obtained, although the infection was undoubtedly introduced in some way from abroad. Arrangements were rapidly made at the beginning of the outbreak with the various State officials for cooperation in the work of eradica- tion and the adjustment of fiscal losses. These agreements have in nearly every instance proved mutually satisfactory, and the aid given by the States has been of a generous and valuable nature. The cost of reimbursement for animals slaughtered and the expenses of slaugh- ter, burial, disinfection, etc., have been chiefly divided on a 50 per cent basis between the State and Federal Governments. Owing to the nature of the work and other conditions, the farm-to-farm in- spection, stockyard and railway supervision, and much of the actual physical labor, as well as much of the work of direction, have de- volved upon the Federal inspectors, although considerable assistance has been rendered by veterinarians and others employed by the States. METHODS OF ERADICATION. At the beginning of the outbreak all shipments from the Union Stockyards at Chicago and from other infected centers were, as far as possible, traced to their destinations by means of waybills, sales slips, etc. All such animals were placed under immediate quarantine, pending examination and surveillance. The method of slaughter of all infected and exposed animals, used successfully in this country in previous outbreaks, and which has universally been found to be the only effective means of eradication, was adopted. Infected herds were appraised, slaughtered by shoot- ing, and buried as rapidly as trenches could be dug for the reception of the carcasses. In a few instances carcasses were disposed of by tanking or by burning. Animals were appraised at their actual meat or dairy value by rep- resentatives of the State and Federal Governments. The appraising was usually done in the presence of the owner or his representative, and every effort was made to insure honest treatment to all parties concerned. Contracts for the burial trenches were let to the owner of the infected herd, whenever possible, at an agreed price for the work. Before being covered with earth hides were slashed and the carcasses eviscerated, after which a liberal sprinkling of unslaked lime was applied. As each focus of infection was located veterinary inspectors were sent out to examine all susceptible animals within a radius of from 8 to 5 miles, the distance being determined by the nature of the en- vironment and other conditions. Inspectors and other employees engaged in eradicating foot-and- mouth disease are required to wear rubber outer clothing, which may be easily washed with disinfectants, and to fumigate and disinfect themselves upon leaving premises containing animals, whether found infected or not. In this manner the possibility of their spreading the disease is prevented. 22814°—agr 1915——6 82 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. LOSSES. The following table gives statistics of the outbreak and of the work of eradication up to the close of the fiscal year: Statistics of foot-and-mouth disease and work of eradication, fiscal year 1915. ' 1 1 ' 1 n 1 ' ChE: 4/4 /4 6/43 |48 | 83 ree » |e Beka dee) 28 S40) see State 32 |28 3 | 2|as las lus las| gs | SPS | sas : BS zo J 5 4 oS | ofS | 66 Ind] Cm a= aE B@|)5"| 5 |e] 8 /s”> | o> | 3" ja"| $2 | $88 | esq = i) on be = SS Pe | o Wee ee etm ee te ter fo A Connecticut.......-- 8] 3 33 33 32 733 143 0; 0 876 | Nov. 19} Apr. 11 Delaware.....--..-- 3) 12 12 12 152 49 22) 0 223 | Nov. 6] Dec. 31 3 3 3 48 5 0] 0 53 | Nov. 16| Mar. 2 768 754 709 |24, 338 |83, 434 | 1,248 | 22 | 59,042 | Nov. 1] Apr. 23 120 115 106 | 2,355 | 3,871 615 0| 6,841 | Oct. 15 | Mar. 2 48 48 43 | 1,547 | 2,334 32] 0] 3,913} Nov. 5 | Mar. 22 6 9 Gi, 217, 313 0| 0} 1,530} Feb. 5| May 6 84 79 73 | 2,951 918 216 | 1] 4,086| Nov. 91] June 18 56 56 49 964 | 1,621 197 | O| 2,782) Nov. 3] May 15 98 96 94 | 2,107 | 5, 705 77 | 11] 7,900} Nov. 5] Apr. 22 272) 2711 239 | 2,947 | 3,993 852! 0] 7,792! Oct. 15 | Mar. 18 32 32 15 | 1, 408 11 237 | O| 1,656] Nov. 7]| Jan. 3 3 3 3 78 26 0| 0 104 | Nov. 29 | Jan. 28 50 49 49 | 1,314 815 9} 8] 2,146) Nov. 9] June 9 180} 193] 163 | 5,410 489 150 | 38 | 6,087] Nov. 4] May 18 222 221 204 | 4,019 | 4,994 | 3,136 1 | 12,150 | Nov. 3] Apr. 2 Pennsylvania......- 67 | 34 904 858 795 14,989 |12, 055 369 | 17 | 27,430 | Nov. 1] Apr. 29 Rhode Island....... 5} 3 59 58 54 988 37. 33 | 0} 1,396 | Nov. 7] Mar. 24 Wir Cinia seco soos eet elu ceeee = eee eae 724 3 2 1 4 734 South Dakotas. co. ceegee eo ese Gunes 417 2 1 3 2 425 MONNESSOOL: =o See een eee eee ccm 15 Dr Sarcib ais eein'al| rates Seats | eee eee 17 ORE Sak Wine eh pate) ae 1,087 7 4 2 3 1,103 Varia tae Dee tee Semis yee eee as 16 1 | I ae ease 18 Wisshitic ODS esee oaenee ose eee ee ee ee eres 122 3 3 3 1 132 Wiyoming!: {fo ee are bea elses 346 12 1 2 1 362 PARSER ee. chaceres facet eee te eecar emotes 290 1 6 7 1 305 Lota MOLDS otto roe ker eee cck eee eee 10,621 117 58 69 40 10,905 Total (914s a2. het See eee 7,926 146 64 108 54 8,298 Timber sold and cut at cost rates, fiscal year 1915. Timber sold. Timber cut. Be of sales, Price at Price at Quantity. et Quantity. fee a Board feet. Board feet. 3 IAFIZONAZas oo as ~ doe ss eeineee aces LB ae Sqabaue 112, 000 $83. 40 61, 000 $51.58 FAT EATISASE EE 2 once SER Ieee ee oe st 86, 000 69. 14 82,000 63. 26 California 1,715, 000 941.36 | 1,274,000 707.91 Colorado... 2,387,000} 1,647.40 | 1,622,000 1, 244. 96 10) Coat (6 FS eee ee een rn TES Se Go.4 SOS SCh 45) Sa OSe Se SSSCd tEeC ree sabee Sosesoorecrc, rarsctscs a, - Oiof) Fe A oes ges ao ae ou Seen ecacs soe" .ss6504| phen dolSc keaceoassnc| Saoscsanoase|ssdaasoosson|onosas ss. - Tdaho..... 6,174,000} 4,610.22 | 5,119,000 3,834.11 Minnesota 3 10, 000 7.50 13,000 9.68 Montana =e 7,401, 000 6,076.13 | 5,693,000 4,683.14 Nevada Sis 390, 000 227.46 369, 000 222.18 New Mexico 215, 000 200. 14 103, 000 104. 97 Oresoniea en sore Seb oo us eee 2,283, 000 1,302.68 | 2,235,000 1, 248. 44 BOUtHeOAKOLA.. toe mae sneee fos dae eee eee 147 | 1,211,000 900.26 | 1,244,000 929.80 (OPAH Ml eer tg oe a eS 272 | 1,142,000 900. 40 697, 000 551.26 Washington: 5. 5-. Beret wse-- 5 - sa Beste eoes 15 110, 000 56. 65 92, 000 45. 59 Wiyomtine se Ft eee acs cee see iee 144 775, 000 583. 56 642, 000 483. 08 Alaska. scot os. ck bhe ideo ott ae acide scot os acl Lik eeteeee eeeieenen. cae] awiela sto 's' lice |sc25 555 eee Lee Total, 1915222022 Joe aces eee eee 4,562 | 24,011,000 | 17,606.30 | 19,246,000 14, 179. 96 Motalsd914: <--2e22. eeewens lorete sees 2,341 | 14,207,000 | 10,035.34 | 9,645,000 6, 569. 98 Thus the timber cut under these sales cost the settlers and farmers who obtained it an average of 74 cents per thousand board feet, as against an average of $2.48 realized by the Government under com- mercial sales. Assuming that the average value of the selected and relatively high-class material disposed of under cost sales was no greater than that of the timber commercially cut, the cost-rate THE FORESTER. 165 sales represent the equivalent of approximately $33,500 of National Forest revenue made available by Congress for the benefit of certain classes of citizens. FREE USE. As indicated in the following table, the amount and value of the National Forest timber taken without charge by settlers, miners, residents, and prospectors were somewhat greater than in 1914. In addition to the items shown in this table, considerable free-use timber was taken without permits from the National Forests in Alaska and from designated areas of dead material on National Forests in various Western States. Provision for free use of this character has been made where essential to meet the needs of local residents with dispatch and where the removal of the material in question will in no wise injure the forests. The removal of dead or fire- damaged timber is of benefit to the safety of the forests and is being encouraged by this means. Free-use permits, fiscal year 1915. Free-use timber cut. Number State. of per- mits. Quantity. Value. Board feet. GLI on cocognt ecu one nce Spode Eres beBoccddes conc casSpegeaceuene 1,859 4, 255, 000 $16, 643. 30 JNA EES Gone popeccdobepoer set coe ated sec se con asue “Cc beceHeBecoseds 95 275,000 765. 65 CA UIST A Th ee SSBC Ce MOE RTO SS ERI a Sp hen sca nalts ee eee 3, 106 6,778,000 16, 996. 78 Q0)GR GE ocascedecesdaorasnssodesr sense scceneSes donc eseebesuad see 3,742 10, 587, 000 15, 344. 26 ILLS E . omeitiec cena SoCo odeL ne JOSE ec oCGEb CScUCeEe bE Sou sCEn AB EeOH= 41 33, 000 74.65 Rd A eee ee ao ae mcr ercinia a asiaisiaia'a tes sioiapa acinar a iii 8,380 24,848, 000 37, 736. 83 hu GREET cesoc Soc@nGsnoscscpoobodesnose scesegeundsac ansssedeCes5e 32 109, 000 81.00 WTS) See sce sebodpecsuee ces ce Guede Soc UeeeEaes spare asses eb enese 33 286, 000 2,022.00 Montana.... 5, 280 18,378,000 36, 565. 26 Nebraska. .... 23 5, 000 50. 00 Nevada....... 591 1,959, 000 4, 566.88 New Mexico.. 2,918 13, 131, 000 22,938. 49 North Carolina. 1 2,000 2.00 oS UDIM AE dD E20) 2 aS SR fet i aj a 174 98, 000 185. 62 PRIRHOIND oa te oc ca ass seen ess scesscc ase sst nse stesstsesceeceescse 475 175, 000 107.50 o TR EEUT G5 SRS oo eese iar ae cna Ce ICE ae a ae ee 2,656 12, 122,000 13,342.12 Slo IDE Tee ee SIR EP ee eel a eat a ee eee ae 1, 255 4,350,000 6,326. 43 FRERTIDSSOO seer aes cess ange Saas s ee Rene ot ww aleceite see bala 2 4 9,000 4.50 WUT ec SEGRE SSS SAE Bece EMSRS enn Bia tl I kes Ate 6,505 | 13,969, 000 17, 473. 37 Pipetite Stee. SUA P LOSE RD Leeda oe gM 9) 8 deel NSE ve 18 91, 000 29.18 IASB ingen eee eek me eet ca a actu sasliwckecerlstettce 670 2,371, 000 2,933. 42 Wy OIiTig Seen ene Meet pero ES!) Leb ll sage is 2,157 9, 337, 000 12, 274.89 dni UOT | hes LR ANE Ok ie Tot te Meee at ealyn hae 40,015 | 123,168,000 206, 464. 13 TiC isa: pL G Ieee PEON CART INR ee hee | s E Lh ata 39,466 | 120,575,000 183, 223. 09 The value of the free-use timber cut combined with the excess value of the timber sold at cost over the amounts actually paid for it makes a total of about $240,000 of timber value, which is in effect National Forest revenue made available by Congress for the benefit of certain classes of citizens. EXTENSION OF TIMBER ESTIMATES. The mapping and estimating of timberlands in the National For- ests was continued on a slightly reduced scale; 1,781,803 acres was estimated closely, and an additional 1,471,553 acres was covered by a rapid reconnaissance to secure preliminary data. Funds for esti- 166 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. mating are expended only on areas which will probably be in demand within a few years. The estimates and maps furnish the basis for the appraisals required by law before timber can be sold and for fixing the silvicultural and other provisions of the sale contracts. During the year the terms of sale, including minimum prices, were fixed for eight large tracts, each containing over 30,000,000 feet of stumpage. At the close of the year applications for the purchase of three of these blocks had been received. TIMBER TRESPASS. The receipts for timber cut in trespass were $7,284.17. Timber tres- pass on the National Forests is no longer important in amount or character. The incentive has been largely removed by the availability of National Forest stumpage under free use or reasonable terms of sale. New trespass cases are usually the result of unintentional error in regard to title or the location of boundaries. TIMBER SETTLEMENT. The receipts for timber cut in connection with the occupancy of National Forest land for rights of way and other special uses were $3,180.89. During the preceding fiscal year $39,927.11 was received from the same source. PROTECTION. The number of National Forest fires during the calendar year 1914 and their causes are shown in the following table: Extent of fires and amount | Number} Percent Number | Per cent of damage. of fires. | of total. Causes of fires. of fires. | of total. Under acre-: -2./.c-s225:---b 3 apes AQ) 27, || Railroads ssaco-eees-eeeeceen= 1,110 16. 80 Between 4 and 10 acres.....-. 1,807 Bybee iiye Mbit ina eee Sa ey ae 2,032 30.77 10 acres and over; damage Tncendiarismt ss nn a2 csene sc 289, 000 173, 800 462, 800 Pocatello =. -S4as-tee eae 2 Pocatello......-... Tdahoss 2252 ee DNOToRGAON Waste S250 2,075, 330 SAVGNSC. 5.2 ee se ceeoe eee 150) he anes Montana.......... 6,990,950 | 2,683, 480 9, 674, 430 Wind Rivers) See eee Columbia......... Washington. ...... 2,953,000 | 1,125,000 4,078, 000 TG smaller nigrserips eee hs see kot Pole. 5 82 ee 397, 679 174, 648 572,327 Mott ss sere Neen be Abe 2907 oreo. o)i vcd sset bese 26,576,659 | 7,718,808 | 34,295, 467 170 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The nursery and planting station at Halsey, Nebr., has been desig- nated the Bessey Nursery in honor of the late Dr. C. E. Bessey, of the University of Nebraska, a leading American ecologist and for many years active in promoting reforestation in Nebraska. With the new Niobrara Nursery completed, the nursery equipment of the National Forests will be ample for the present requirements. Barring exceptional losses, the nurseries have a normal yearly out- put of 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 plants. There were used in them last year 6,504 pounds of coniferous seed and 45 pounds of hardwood seed. The average cost of the seedlings grown was $4.25 per thousand trees, and of the transplants, $6.05. FREE DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTING STOCK. Under the act of March 4, 1911, 112,110 trees were distributed to 746 settlers in the Kinkaid district, Nebraska. It was necessary to reduce the distribution somewhat, on account of the requirements for planting on the Nebraska National Forest. The needs of settlers in the Kinkaid district, however, appear to have been satisfactorily met with the stock available. A study of the results of previous dis- tributions indicates that these homestead plantings will be more successful if special pains are taken with a limited number of trees than if the work is attempted on too large a scale. The results obtained from trees distributed in 1914 were reported by 411 settlers. These results indicate that 35 per cent of the plants have established themselves successfully. This is probably as large a measure of success as can be anticipated under the conditions ob- taining as to soil, climate, and the experience of the settlers in work of this character. - RANGE MANAGEMENT. The high prices for all meat products during the past few years, particularly beef products, have created a strong demand for range. On many Forests the carrying capacity of the cattle range has been almost reached. The conditions have been an incentive to stockmen to improve the grade of their stock and to adopt better methods of management. New regulations, designed to improve the grazing con- ditions, have been adopted by the Forest Service, many of them at the suggestion of stock associations and individuals. There has been an increased construction of drift fences to hold the different herds upon their respective ranges and to separate the different grades of stock in breeding. Much has also been done in the development of water and in other improvements to utilize new range. On the whole, marked progress has taken place in making the ranges more pro- ductive. Weather conditions during the season of 1914 were very favorable to forage growth, except in the southern portion of Idaho, where a heavy frost early in June reduced the carrying capacity of some of the weed ranges as much as 40 per cent, and in northern Idaho and Montana, where no moisture fell after the middle of July, causing the springs and forage to dry up early and reducing the carrying capacity very much below normal. All stock was in good condition at the close of the season and, with an open winter and an adequate THE FORESTER. LL supply of hay, ro losses were sustained. The 1915 season was favor- able for forage growth, notwithstanding the fact that there was a very light snowfall throughout Wyoming, Utah, and northern Colo- rado. This was supplemented by spring rains, which placed the range in excellent condition. PERMITS. The number of grazing permits issued and the stock covered by these permits were as follows: Grazing permits issued and stock grazed, fiscal year 1915. Cattle, horses, and hogs. Sheep and goats. State. Permits issued. Permits issued. Cattle. Horses.| Hogs. Sheep. | Goats. ah Virginia Vlei? pe Da aes ne i es ES 435 | 15,977 | 1,256 |.......- 158 | 238,824 |.......- Wiest Varminine=s 9-2. ss ts 2 Boao. 3 Tee ae ee 8 6 |=: See Wryetineiehss ste Det a att 1,194 | 106,506 | 5,018 2| 294] 707,622 |........ Ein! GO als od eee ro 25,641 |1,627,321 | 96,933 | 2,792 | 4,969 |7,232,276 | 51,409 A material increase took place in the number of permittees, par- ticularly small owners. The number of cattle and horse permittees increased 7.9 per cent over 1914, but the number of sheep and goat permittees fell off 4.2 per cent. This was doubtless due largely to a shifting over from one class of stock to the other. The average number of cattle and horses per permit dropped from 68 to 56, and of sheep and goats from 1,469 to 1,465. The total number of cattle grazed increased 118,682, while horses decreased 11,308 head, hogs 589 head, and sheep and goats 313,117 head. The reduction in number of horses is very significant in con- ‘trast with the increase of 10,322 head the previous year. It can only be accounted for by the demand for horses in foreign countries. The reduction in sheep and goats is undoubtedly due to a general tendency on the part of flockmasters to reduce their bands to the number for which they can provide winter range and feed; to settlement upon lands formerly used for sheep grazing; and to a tendency of the smaller permittees to transfer to the grazing of cattle. There were also issued 1,685 free grazing permits, allowing the grazing of 70,637 cattle, 2,163 horses, 664 hogs, 415,932 sheep, and. 1,504 goats, in exchange for the use by National Forest permittees of 2,727,808 acres of unfenced private lands within the Forests. 172 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. There were 61,448 head of cattle and horses and 3,626,821 head of sheep and goats driven across the Forests, a reduction of 12 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively. The crossing permits issued dropped from 2,385 to 1,867, or 21 per cent. The receipts from grazing fees, $1,124,677.44, was an increase of $127,094.97 over 1914, due partly to the increase made in the fees charged for the grazing of cattle and horses and partly to the increased number of the former. Notwithstanding that 1,160,854 acres were eliminated from the Forests, including some of the best grazing lands, the ranges carried as much stock as heretofore. This was due partly to the development of new range, partly to improved methods of use. These improved methods have increased not only the carrying capacity of the range but also the weight of the stock. Further increase through improved methods of management may be expected to amount to 15 per cent. The number of live-stock associations cooperating with the Forest Service at the end of the fiscal year was 226.’ This was an increase of 60, or 36 per cent. The desire on the part of the stockmen to be thus recognized by the Forest Service further emphasizes their general satisfaction with the grazing administration. Their coop- eration has been very beneficial to the Service in working out many grazing problems, and has likewise been of material benefit to the live-stock industry. FREE USE OF RANGE. A very considerable amount of range that could be used for paid grazing is employed in various nonrevenue-producing ways for public and semipublic purposes. These include the free use of range allowed settlers, up to 10 head of domestic, milk, or work stock; free use by Indian stock; use as sources of water supply of towns and cities, with resultant prohibition or restriction of grazing; use as game preserves with restriction or prohibition of grazing to pro- vide game animals with sufficient food supply; free use of areas set aside to enable campers and travelers to find grass for their animals while passing through the Forests; and free use by stock passing through on established driveways or special routes. The following table shows the acreage of Forest lands thus used, and their revenue-producing capacity if they were used for paid grazing: Use of grazing lands in National Forests for nonrevenue-producing purposes, season of 1915. Carrying | Revenue Form of use. Acres. capacity | obtainable (cattle.)! | if grazed. Grazing milk and work St0ek=* <2: -22 “soc -e esse a dee eee etre ae 2, 664, 027 124,899 | $59,491.32 Town and city watershedse: «2-2. bo - a5 2 eee ae ee peel = 952, 260 40, 385 15, 829. 90 AIMEIDTCSCLVOS. coco.) a tA: Reta; - 4 ) oy PS ee Lo ieee REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. Unrtep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Bureau ofr CHEMISTRY, Washington, D. C., October 1, 19165. Srr: I submit herewith the report of the work of the Bureau of Chemistry for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. Respectfully, Cart L. ALSBERG, Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F. Hotsrton, Secretary of Agriculture. New investigations in connection with the application of chemistry to agriculture and the development of a systematic plan of inspec- tion in connection with the enforcement of the Federal food and drugs act increased very largely the volume of work done by the Bureau of Chemistry during the fiscal year. The research work, which has heretofore been confined largely to problems arising in connection with law enforcement, was extended to include work designed to prevent spoilage and waste and to in- crease production. The experience of the bureau in the administration of the Federal food and drugs act shows that violations of its provisions are quite as frequently the result of ignorance of proper methods of produc- tion as of willful intent. The effort which has been made to improve old and devise new methods of production has proved to be an im- portant factor in securing compliance with the law. The results obtained have been communicated to manufacturers and producers through cooperative experiments aiid publications. The research work has been divided so as to segregate investiga- tions in reference to food adulteration from investigations of new methods of production and new methods of utilizing products of the soil and sea. In both, there has been increased activity, and it is contemplated that in the near future research work in agricul- tural chemistry, which in recent years has been overshadowed by the demands of regulatory work, will take an equally important place in the duties of the bureau. RESEARCH. Frora oF roopsturrs.—A laboratory of microbiology was estab- lished for the purpose of further developing work upon the decompo- sition and fermentation of food products. In this laboratory a com- parative study was undertaken of the groups of species of molds. 191 192 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. their natural or usual habitats, and the changes induced by them in foodstuffs. With this was combined a study of related forms. The results of the study of the Penzcillium luteum purpurogenum group have been published. A study of corn silage and corn meal was begun. ‘This work supplements work previously completed and pub- lished in Department Bulletin No. 215, “Composition of Corn (Maize) Meal Manufactured by Different Processes and the Influence of Composition on the Keeping Qualities.” _Puant cuEemistry.—To form a basis for practical nutrition inves- tigations the composition of vegetable proteins and the forms in which nitrogen occurs in plants were studied. The prussic-acid content of various forage and medicinal plants was determined by an improved method which has been published. Among other plant chemical problems, the properties of saponin and saponin- bearing plants were investigated, and special attention was given to medicinal plants containing emodin for the purpose of improving analytical methods. A new volatile oil has been isolated from the flowers of the cotton plant and examinations have been made of the glucoside found in its leaves. The work done by the bureau in con- nection with this plant was for the purpose of assisting the Bureau of Entomology in its boll-weevil investigations. Analyses were made of the different varieties of American forage grasses, and a report on their composition was made to the Bureau of Plant Industry for use in the preparation of the bulletin, “ Native Pasture Grasses of the United States.” Investigations of the bureau in connection with the production, botanical composition, and volatile-oil strength of American wild mustard seed and the hydrogen number of the essential oils of sassafras, anise, fennel, clove, and pimenta have been published. VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.—Experiments in the drying of potatoes on a commercial scale were begun during the year. Preliminary ex- periments were made in methods of manufacturing potato starch, glucose, and dextrin and in practical methods of ensiling potatoes. The propagation of desirable lactic-acid bacteria for inoculation of ensilage was commenced. Some of the results of the experiments and investigations in con- nection with the utilization of surplus fruit were published in De- partment Bulletin 241, “Studies on Fruit Juices,” and in a Yearbook article on “Apple Sirup and Concentrated Cider.” Studies were continued in California on the ripening of oranges. A tentative standard for determining maturity, based upon the ratio of acids to solids, proposed by the bureau, was generally adopted by the orange growers. Attention was given to the development of methods of manufac- turing citric acid, lemon oil, orange juice, orange vinegar, and other by-products of citrus fruits. In cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry the composition of oranges and lemons from selected trees was determined, with the object of making selections in propagation experiments. Investigations of the mottled-leaf disease of citrus trees, in co- operation with that bureau, demonstrated that such trees, in addi- tion to lime, require considerable organic matter, which may be best supplied through green manuring. BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 193 Experiments in relation to the absorption by crop plants of boron applied to the soil through manure treated with borax to destroy the larve of the housefly were completed. The results of these investi- gations are in the course of preparation for publication. SHELLFISH AND FISH.—A new method was devised for the bac- teriological examination of shellfish. In cooperation with food offi- cials of interior States, investigations and experiments were con- ducted regarding the bacteriology of shucked oysters. It was dis- covered that a yeast was the probable cause of the reddening which affected thousands of gallons of oysters during the past season. A method was devised for determining the adulteration of scallops with water. In cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries, investigations were commenced in regard to the freezer storage of fish treated in various commercial ways. Complete analyses of many fish were made. Continuance of the sardine investigations resulted in a fur- ther improvement in the quality of the pack. Methods for utilizing waste in the sardine industry were recommended. In cooperation with the Bureau of Animal Industry, the feeding value of fish meal was determined. Pouttry AND EGcs.—Nutrition investigations were commenced to determine the best methods of feeding poultry, after receipt by the packer, for increase in weight and in quality. Studies upon the breakage of eggs in transit were the basis of definite recommenda- tions to the industry on bracing eggs in cases, bracing cases in cars, and bracing, buffing, and shifting cars in transit. The adoption of these recommendations has largely decreased damage in transit. Department Bulletin 51, “A Bacteriological and Chemical Study of Commercial Eggs in the Producing Districts of the Central West,” was published. Demonstration work in the transportation, storage, and general handling of dressed poultry and eggs was extended to new territory in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Indiana. A partial de- scription of this work was published in a Yearbook article, “The Egg and Poultry Demonstration Car Work in Reducing our $50,- 000,000 Waste in Eggs.” INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES.—Several new lead arsenates and lead-chlorarsenates were prepared and their properties studied. The cause of injury to foliage by di-lead-arsenate—of which several thousand tons are used annually for spraying purposes—was found to be due, in many cases, to its decomposition by salts that occur naturally in the waters which are used for its application. A lead arsenate which is stable under these conditions was prepared. This is now being tested by the Bureau of Entomology to determine its efficiency for spraying purposes. In cooperation with the Federal Horticultural Board, a method was devised of fumigating cotton bales with hydrocyanic acid gas, in order to guard against the introduction into this country of the pink bollworm through the importation of Egyptian cotton. In cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology, it was found that hellebore is a practical and effective larvicide for preventing the development of the house fly in manure without affecting its fertiliz- ing value. A summary of this work, with similar work of the pre- ceding year, was published in Department Bulletins 118 and 245. 22814°—acr 1915——18 194 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Satr.—A practical method was devised, and is now in use, to re- move barium chlorid from brines in the manufacture of salt. PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.—Investigations upon the phar- macology of the organic acids were continued, and some of the data upon citric, tartaric, and oxalic acids were published. A thorough study of the oil of chenopodium was completed and published. This oil, advocated in hookworm disease, was found to be quite toxic. Much attention was paid to the pharmacology of water-soluble and fat-soluble dyes used in foods. Smrup—Sucars.—Important progress was made in investigations for the improvement of the methods of manufacture of cane sirup in order to obtain a uniformly bright sirup that. will not ferment. A similar investigation for the improvement of sorghum sirup was commenced. Investigations to improve the methods of manufacture of candy, jams, preserves, jellies, and marmalades were continued. Improved methods were devised for the preparation of a number of sugars. A method of preparing raflinose has been published. The mutarotation of the sugars was under investigation and the rotatory power of a series of sugars and sugar derivatives was accurately de- termined. Some of these investigations, as well as others upon the action of enzymes upon sugars, have been published. The following new compounds were prepared and made the subject of publications: The second, third, and fourth pentacetates of galactose, the alpha tetracetate of xylose, the alpha pentacetate of mannose, and the alpha and beta pentacetates of fructose. Dust ExPLosIons.—Large property losses occur annually from dust explosions in the thrashing and milling of grain. It is reported that during the year 1914 more than $1,000,000 worth of property was destroyed in thrasher explosions in the States of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. In cooperation with the Bureau of Mines and the Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering, these explosions, as well as mill and elevator explosions, were investigated and means were devised which it is believed will render these accidents less frequent. Incidentally, observations were made for the Bureau of Mines upon the explosiveness of dusts. LeaTHER AND TANNING.—Methods for the determination of sugar in leather and for the detection of oak in tanning extracts and leathers were published. Much work was done to devise methods to determine the durability of leathers. Studies were made and pub- lished on the purification and disposal of tannery wastes. CrrEats.—Microchemical, chemical, and baking investigations were commenced to devise methods for the examination of the various grades of flour. Experiments upon flour substitutes and upon the methods of wrapping bread were also undertaken, and some of the results have been published. Owing to climatic conditions, the rye crop contained an unusual amount of ergot. Rye products were therefore studied with a view to devising better methods for the detection of ergot in them. ANALYTICAL METHODS.—Methods for the estimation of caffein and antipyrin in admixture, the estimation of antipyrin, the estimation of phenacetin and salol in admixture, and the electrolytic separation BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 195 and determination of zinc, copper, and iron in the presence of ar- senic, and studies of the ash and acidity of vanilla extracts have been published. Studies were made of the determination of lead in baking powder, of the Kjeldahl method of determining nitrogen, of the determina- tion of arsenic and tin in canned goods, of the determination of moisture in foods, of mercury in surgical dressings, of pepsin in chewing gum, of ethyl nitrite in sweet spirits of niter, of lime in butter made from limed cream, and of citric acid in the presence of other organic acids. New methods for the analysis of vinegars and of aromatic spirits of ammonia were under consideration. REGULATION. DoMEsTIC FOODS AND pRuUGS.—The reorganization of the bureau’s field service into three districts, outlined in the bureau’s report for the year ended June 30, 1914, resulted in more efficient inspection of foods and drugs moving in interstate and foreign commerce and in more systematic action in the administration of the Federal food and drugs act. Special attention was given during the year to interstate traffic in adulterated pepper. Pepper shells have been imported in large quan- tities and utilized as an adulterant for ground whole pepper. The distribution of the shells was investigated, factories were inspected, and many samples of the raw and the finished product were analyzed. Through the collection and analysis of products of particular manu- facturers over a considerable period of time it appeared in many cases that the adulteration was deliberate and extensive and not an accident or due to a single instance of carelessness. Seizures of a very considerable number of interstate deliveries brought forth assurances that mixtures of pepper and pepper shells will hereafter not be sold merely as pepper, but if sold at all will be truthfully described on the label. Adulteration of oats by the deliberate addition of barley, weed seeds, or water also was investigated. A large number of consign- ments were seized, with the result that the practice has been largely discontinued. An extensive investigation was made of the coffee trade. It was - found that certain merchants were mixing shipments of high-grade coffee with cheaper and inferior brands, and shipping and selling the _ mixture to the trade throughout the country as coffees of the higher and more expensive grades. After considerable inspection work, the practice, which was widespread and successful because of the in- ability of the vendee ordinarily to determine for himself the actual grades of coffee, has been largely corrected. Among the many forms of adulteration of foods that have re- ceived special attention are the adulteration of canned tomatoes with water, of dried apples with water, and of cider vinegar with dis- tilled vinegar; the canning of decomposed cull beans; and the manipulation of smutty barley by liming. In cooperation with the Bureau of Standards, extensive experi- ments were undertaken with a view to establishing special “ toler- ances and reasonable variations” under the net-weight amendment 196 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. to the food and drugs act. The study of dairy products is nearly completed and the results will soon be published. Special attention was given to medicines and mineral waters bear- ing false and fraudulent labels. Fifty-six cases based upon such violations of the act have been disposed of in the courts favorably to the Government. Many more cases of this type are pending. The reorganization of the field service has also led to closer co- operation with State and municipal officials. An example of such cooperation was the campaign conducted against the traffic in dis- carded or rejected shell eggs. These eggs, as a rule, contained a very large proportion of completely decomposed eggs and of other eggs _ in various stages of spoilage, with a certain proportion of fairly satisfactory eggs which might be suitable for breaking and preparing dried or frozen eggs. Cooperation with the State and municipal officials of Illinois was effective in suppressing commerce in eggs of this type. For the purpose of saving the small percentage of edible egos which are sometimes present in these shipments, a conference was held with the egg trade and with a special committee of the National Association of State, Dairy, and Food Commissioners. As a result of this conference the State of Illinois passed a special act regulating the handling of this class of eggs, requiring that it be done in establishments entirely under its control, prohibiting traffic in eggs which are known to be bad, and regulating very carefully the traffic in eggs which might be classed as doubtful. A similar regulation of this class of eggs has been established in the State of Kansas. The general effect of this:cooperation between Federal, State, and municipal officials has been to bring about a much im- proved condition in the trade. Similar cooperation was undertaken in conjunction with the food commissioners of the States of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, and the Bureau of Animal Industry, for the purpose of improving the milk supplies of the small cities near State boun- daries. ‘Temporary headquarters were established in the towns in which the milk supply was to be investigated and, with the aid of the State chemists and inspectors and the city officials, thorough surveys were made of the milk supply of each town. In cases in which the milk was found to be very dirty or high in bacterial count or watered and skimmed, a special visit was paid by the inspectors, in company with the dairy expert of the Bureau of Animal Industry, to the farms from which the milk came. This party made a sanitary sur- vey of the dairy, suggesting to the farmer possible improvements which might enable him to produce a more satisfactory quality of milk. In those cases in which chemical examination indicated adul- teration or misbranding, due either to watering or skimming, a test was made of the milk from the herd. The milk shipments from these farms were then again examined later and as a rule a marked improvement in quality was found. This plan has the advantage over those usually pursued in that results are more permanent. Milk producers learn how to improve methods and State and municipal officials continue the work, thus leading to the permanent improve- ment of the milk supply. In cooperation with the commissioners of various States, the Pub- lic Health Service, and the oyster industry, the sanitary survey of BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 197 oyster beds which has been in progress for two years has been con- tinued on the North Atlantic coast. It is leading to a more satis- factory control of the traflic in oysters from polluted waters. This work was extended to the interstate traffic in clams from polluted sections in New England. The work of the Office of State Cooperative Food and Drug Con- trol has been an important factor in making the cooperative work of the bureau effective. The establishment of this office was dis- cussed in this report for the year ended June 30, 1914. Conferences have been held with all but one or two of the food, drug, and feed officials of the States. The State officials have been notified of such violations of their own laws as have been noted by Federal inspectors in the course of their regular work. State officials have been en- couraged to take advantage of the authority conferred upon them by the Federal act to institute proceedings against illegal products upon their own initiative. Such a course is particularly desirable when quick action is demanded, as in the case of spoiled or decom- posed perishable food products. The direct result has been that a considerable amount of such material has been barred by State au- thorities from sale as human food. For a number of years a mass of information of the greatest value in the enforcement of the food and drugs act has been accumulating in the files of the Bureau of Chemistry, but it has not been in a form available for use in the bureau or elsewhere. This material is being carefully prepared so that it may be readily used and distributed to State officials. The office of State cooperative food and drug control has also largely assisted the joint committee on definitions and standards. The organization and functions of this committee were described in this report for the year ended June 30, 1914. ‘This committee has considered standards and definitions for flours and meals (exclusive ° of feeds), nonalcoholic and carbonated beverages, milk products, cocoa and chocolates, dried fruits, edible cereal pastes, gluten prod- ucts and diabetic foods, soda flavors, and maple products. It has proposed standards and definitions for cacao products, gluten prod- ucts and “diabetic” foods, macaroni, spaghetti, vermicelli, and similar alimentary pastes, eg@ noodles and plain noodles, condensed milk or evaporated milk, and maple products. During the year a Food Inspection Decision, No. 158, based upon the recommendation of the committee, defining condensed milk, evaporated milk, or concentrated milk, was issued. Seventy-nine opinions in the form of letters or rulings were pub- lished during the year in the Service and Regulatory Announce- ments. Inspecrion.—Official samples numbering 4,412, besides 873 unofli- cial samples, were analyzed. Check analyses were made of 269 official samples. The number of samples analyzed is considerably less than in former years, because through cooperation between in- spectors and laboratories incident to the reorganization of the bureau the collection of samples has been systematized and the collection of duplicate samples has been avoided to a greater extent than here- tofore. There has also been less duplication of analytical work in 198 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the laboratories. The following table shows the number of analyses of interstate samples at each laboratory in each inspection district: Haamination of interstate samples. ee Fete ec number Laboratory. pee analysis | of inter- yzec.| samples. | state analyses. Eastern district: OSLO catiltsdos loses s ccldae co ted ece ce Sas sak Waban Shae ee eer eee eeceere RIN ee see 273 MTT ALO Se ote ee ens acelin Sea ee es CR pete ee en ee 219 1 220 IN GWOT ee see eee ce cies eee ee tee ae Te te a ae ne a ee rE nS 516 28 544 Philadelphias = 3225. 25: tase os asus S ee mew oe aes pane se eee ee 107 1 108 TORUS EVICO Mee apriateyeie te rete alalcte erate i ee ae ere a eee 1 i Sr 14 Savannahs 2 foc Fie Cees Skea ot EP Os Rael yes es eee ee 199 5 204 Washing fons. Se < 28: ac ene otic cere ep cis. coe et ae oe ee am 290 7 297 MOtalisc: sabre meh iccccis Acido ehs.. Be by, reene gs em an Se ee page lie 1,618 42 1,660 Central district: (Oi Ste AOR Areas Tee ee aan FS) ie be ae YP ee as ook 1,041 145 1,186 CiMmeMNnaAti she See aa. WDE EEE OR EE deh RR ee and SERIE ARE, PA 44 New Orleanszcc fa -etiacl. pastes 8, det Dyn Rie bee, yb ces eet 181 1 182 BS Gs MESOLTIS See Beene tee Re ee ee Seo teen 428 16 444 St.Paul coccaohs else neck oes Pee ee EO ee eee 169 28 197 Totalps 2224 8. ba Se A Ea ee SA Oe aR Ee Aeon 8 2, 265 199 2, 464 Western district: CTV. GE. so ke EES SSS AS AD he RUT UE SEN PRES TS EES 174 2 176 1S OUYOUCDURT Ee MAO ea a Pee ae a SE ee a Sa a Re ee ks ha: 16) 3585 eee 16 DARE PANCISEO cs poses oak he See ee eee oo ae Ee PM Oe 214 26 240 Seattle s sScedess on dese ees este at hecer ce peau hele 25 ull wioereeiee = 125 ROBAL SAGs athe toate Lees eee cake tet ae eee SEES een nS BORE Wee tte 529 28 557 While the number of samples collected during the year was less than in previous years, the percentage of violations noted in the sam- ples collected was greater than in previous years. This is believed to be due to closer supervision exercised over the collection of the samples. As a result of the inspection work of the bureau, 491 recommenda- tions for seizures and 276 recommendations for criminal prosecution were made through the office of the solicitor to the Department of Justice. In addition, evidence of conspiracies to violate the Federal food and drugs act was presented directly to some of the United States attorneys. In one case convictions and the imposition of large fines resulted. Information was also furnished to representatives of the Department of Justice of apparent violations of section 240 of the Penal Code. Special attention was given to the inspection of foods and drugs shipped into Alaska, both at points of origin and at points of destina- tion. Importations.—Shipments of food and drugs offered for importa- tion into the United States numbering 103,343 were examined. Of these shipments, 7,744, comprising 6,713 shipments of food and 1,031 shipments of drugs, were denied entry. Of the total number of ship- ments examined, 20,238 samples were analyzed in laboratories and 83,105 samples received floor inspection. BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 199 The work done on import samples by each laboratory in each dis- trict is shown by the following table: Hzamination of import samples. Samples | Total Samples |; ; Laboratory. inspected; import analyzed. on floor. | samples. Eastern district: OSUOM ee eae ea. Sate: Santas Aaa Soe aes Sooo aaasseesecsc ss sesoe ess 1,379 11, 848 13, 227 TT AIO at ee os oo se as cena s Saati vele lo nnaa lado tidadee ite bestendvocess 345 113 458 PGE MORK Ae oth tems Se soa fu date ide asa sao ae nese sodden sod sd ange seedss 10, 458 37, 003 47,461 INDO GIGINT ooacecnooseneacare s5eaue Seneena beds dese aeo rence ceneeaccos 3,721 4,563 PERO US) 5. oe aes es ee ae eae ae ee ee 676 2,766 3,442 Spy inact t one SS sea. = Saisie n cae saan aaa se oe ana aicaie ae eemedencnieeeees 188 30 218 WVASINIA GOT 2 oot cla staid cena oe Feinnciecae ese acess ecbeseseace ts sodsesecl 23 0 23 Mata eee ee ese ei ns See Sea 49 Joe as aaa dor saateseas 13,911 | 55,481 69, 392 Central district: ICAL 2S cases asada pesaaes dasa cem eae saws jews ak Soe nadenseaesamess& 643 3, 131 3,774 Cincinnati-....... 1,611 2 1,935 New Orleans..... 438 2,023 2,461 Sty Louis se2c.2s ss 88 561 649 iow Eat een he eee a ae ao meee wicls cic ale oe Seance wcceen euch ctemencees 115 292 407 Tis, sdesgaqecee Sonne Oren eee eee On ane ee eee 2,895 6,331 9, 226 Western district PEOH VET Re ee eee ee cee a ae Sn otis ciacl Sine dockecacicceeesncacncecdseeese 103 119 222 PEHOTIGIEN IRE pene ott oe eee oes e ee phoma cae dv uce Saeco dadeeace | 556 3,925 4,481 PAIRED CISEO Senet Soe ee oot aris aecew ate civickae bee ceueebencwceecs 1,699 11,788 13, 487 DCR LLLO Ce See ie cen ee = oe ae diana ae Daeeotedamacenasadesdss Save sueaseaacs 1,074 5 6,535 TST Lon eae ce eee go a Sine rene hemes | 3,482 | 21,203 | 24,725 Grand total eet Oe eee p EN oe) Serre wie, | 20,238 | 83, 105 | 103, 343 The number of importations allowed entry after relabeling was unusually large, on account of the fact that a very large number of shipments were detained for failure to comply with the net-weight amendment to the Federal food and drugs act, which took effect during the year. Partly because of this amendment, partly because more attention was paid to the supervision of importations at ports on the Pacific coast, and partly because of abnormal trade conditions, the number of shipments examined was nearly 2,500 in excess of the number examined during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1914. An effective campaign of inspection was conducted along a part of the Canadian frontier to prevent the importation into the United States of adulterated milk and cream. MISCELLANEOUS EXAMINATIONS. In addition to import samples and interstate samples, the field laboratories of the bureau analyzed a large number of miscellaneous samples. ‘The following table shows the number of miscellaneous samples analyzed by each laboratory in each district, together with the total number of samples of all classes analyzed in each laboratory of each district. 200 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Examination of miscellaneous samples. Miscella- Total Laboratory. neous Sail | saniples P nip analyzed. Eastern District: SHOT ROHR Ee ete acc toned ccce ke ceu ee atceseees ce REE Re eee Romeern es 192 1,844 IBiMAlO eco ceo nae sone Os ab a seen Sane a nec s os eee cae etn ee Pone eee ne emeae cer 55 IMG Wie ODKe 2 ae cia to on one nk J nedinoane cis sicaclsete hist Cee R On cee Eee tee 187 11,189 PHU adelphig yes 22s Sock coches eee ae wae oe See Enna = eee aoe eae eee 46 Teter Foy 222 (0 aes £2 Sol besckes sce cock ee beeen Oe eto ee Seer eee 5 695 SEIU Aas os 2) hs Ee a a te ee oe ae a 34 426 Washinetonis 3. sce. eto. aoe os ee SN ee eee ae eee cee es 37 357 Totalece © ssc S ie oe eee cine see eee eee ee eee ree Ree ae eee 556 16,127 Central District: ICAS Oe ace oesen erase ote see eae ce Ree eee See eee tee eae eee Gennes 539 2,368 Cincinnati ee oS) ROARS oss IA ee ae ie bak See reed 9 3 Be Se i oe Yad oe enone 347 2,413 ING WAOTIGATIS 28 ete cr eee eee eae ee oe Sees a ee ee eee ee 61 681 CSI AS LTC ETS et RS SR ae Are Eee ee Ler Oe Pee ee apse TE nae eee 156 688 DESPA Se a Speen net eke eee ir avy id al a Ke, 5 oles a Dad = oat re a pee 622 934 ROTA eG 5 See ce 2 et EER ee ae Ns Rea airke Uk Sher Se NE 1,725 7,084 Western District: TB has 2 ae ee ee Seen See Renn Er ae Se ERTS YS 5 OnE eh OE ae eee eT 203 482 PEL OHONTE aes oe es ee ae oe eee cl WA eA ee Ee ae ie ae ale 6 578 DAMSWTANCISCOssee ster cee ee sacs Soa coon eee as Boe DOORS Eee ee Saee oe ceeee eee 220 2,159 OSL UObe esos mck toon ea eae cee das mec Become mus acerisomecb iene ned aaae seme 244 1,443 SSE ek AER irs eR Ca caked EN nati te BA a wane 673 | 4, 662 Grandepotals veteeen ee st ace. eee oe eee em Nee aah OR Ae Re 2,954 | 27,873 STANDARDIZATION AND COLLABORATION. The standard type samples for the grading of rosin, prepared by the Bureau of Chemistry, were adopted by the boards of trade of Savannah, Ga.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Mobile, Ala. ; the produce exchanges of New York City and New Orleans, La., and the State of Florida. Independent producers, dealers, and con- sumers generally also adopted these standards. These types have thus become the recognized standards on which all rosin transactions are based. It was contemplated that the glass types should be used in all grading, but it was impossible to secure enough of the proper material from European countries, with the result that a sufficient number of standards is not yet available. The glass standards, therefore, have been used mainly for the preparation of rosin types. Examinations of these types by the bureau have shown less variation than existed before the glass standards were issued. The agreement with the standard, however, is not entirely satisfactory, as the bureau has frequently pointed out, owing to the great difficulty in obtaining aay precisely on the standard and to difliculty in cutting the pieces of rosin. Collaboration with the University of Idaho on the chemical utiliza- tion of Idaho woods, begun during the previous fiscal year, was continued. For other bureaus of the Department of Agriculture 10,292 sam- ples were analyzed by the laboratories in Washington, while 1,596 samples were analyzed for other executive departments and Govern- ment establishments, making a total of 11,888 samples. This total does not include samples that were analyzed by the branch laboratories of the field service of the bureau. REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BuREAU OF SOILS, Washington, D. C., Sept. 15, 1916. Srmr: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report covering the operations of the Bureau of Soils for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. Respectfully, Mitton WHiItney, - ; Chief of Bureau. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. SOIL SURVEY. PROGRESS OF THE WORK. Within the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, detailed soil surveys were completed or begun in 97 areas located in 32 States, and a total area of 40,389.5 square miles, or 25,849,280 acres, was mapped. Reconnoissance surveys were carried on in two States and a total area of 10,161 square miles, or 6,503,040 acres, was mapped. Re- ports covering the detailed areas have been published or are in course of preparation for publication, each report accompanied by a map, on the scale of an inch to the mile, showing the distribution and location of the various types of soil, the roads, houses, railways, and streams. The detail surveys usually cover a county. These 97 surveys were not all begun and completed in the year 1915, as in some work was begun the previous year and in others work was still in progress at the close of the year. Reports on the areas covered by the reconnois- sance surveys include soil maps on a scale of about 4 miles to the inch, and the area surveyed usually covers several counties. The total area covered by detailed soil surveys in the United States from the beginning of the work in 1899 to June 30, 1915, amounts to 369,928.5 square miles, or 236,754,240 acres, and by reconnois- sance surveys 444,210 square miles, or 284,294,400 acres. COOPERATION. A great deal of the work of the survey is carried on in cooperation with State organizations, such as agricultural colleges, experiment stations, departments of agriculture, and geological surveys. The 201 2902 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. State in each case either employs a force of men who work with the bureau employees or pays part of the expenses of the bureau men. The latter plan is in operation in but 1 State, while the former is in operation in 19 States. Of the 97 areas covered in whole or in part, 73 were worked under cooperative agreements with the States in which they lay, and the State assumed part of the expense of the work. The funds available for soil-survey work are not sufficient to meet the requests from these cooperating States for an extension of the work. In 10 States where funds have been available it has been impossible to arrange cooperation at all or to the extent to which such funds are available for the work. Some work has been done at the request of other bureaus and offices of this department, but in such cases the Bureau of Soils bears the whole of the expense. SPECIAL SOIL STUDIES. The study of the relation of soils to the production of the tree fruits was continued through part of the year, and a report on the fruit soils of Massachusetts and Connecticut was published. One on the fruit soils of New York State is in course of preparation. The study of the relation of soils to truck crops was carried on through the year, and a report on a part of the trucking region of New Jersey was nearly completed. LAND CLASSIFICATION IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS. The land classification work carried on in cooperation with the Forest Service under a special appropriation was prosecuted during the time when field work was practicable. Four men have been assigned to that work, and a large number of special claims have been passed on during the year in addition to the areal work, which was extended over several hundred square miles. COOPERATIVE WORK WITH THE RECLAMATION SERVICE. One man has devoted the greater part of his time during the year to the examination of proposed extensions of various reclamation projects in western United States. This work was done at the re- quest of the Reclamation Service and reports were made to the offi- cers of that service. Studies were carried on in Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. SPECIAL WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. A considerable amount of special work has been done in examining tracts of land in various parts of the country for the purpose of giving expert advice in the trial of various land-fraud cases. Such work has been done in Florida, Texas, and Idaho. INQUIRIES REGARDING SOILS. Many hundreds of letters have been written in reply to inquiries regarding soils and their treatment, and many samples of soil sent in for identification or examination have been handled. BUREAU OF SOILS. 203 AREAL WORK DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. The following tables give in detail the essential facts concerning the areal work of the soil survey within the fiscal year just ended: Individual areas surveyed and mapped during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1915. DETAILED. Area surveyed. State. Area. z Square : ae Acres. PAN ADAM m5, cise =e sence Barbour Countya- 5. sncccesccccs cccuseateeceenscmseoseees 1542 346, 880 Clay County soos. cceseesaty cee aasensce aes enensacds tee 694 444,160 Walken County sta: seoase case cen ece! yas eee seein 777 497, 280 Washington County 1816 522, 240 PATEANSAS «ioc ocsccccen = Columbia Counltyet tat ean-ccecete. coma earee - 1 220 140, 800 Jefferson County -- - se 919 588, 160 Yell County...... 661 423,040 Cabfornia ssi <3). 2.2. Honey Lake area... 1322 206, 080 Pasadena area....-...- 400 256, 000 IRGIVELSIO GALES 2 a :cicnininmee scicm mcacineianignee caaeaaaeaee ee 471 301, 440 Ukiah area (1914 Russian River Valley area)..........-- 1270 172, 800 DGlAWATO NS <7. <.5)s- sei New Castle County. = << Sccicoces occ sen ac oceenstes~ hore 108 69, 120 iM toh cite fs ae Mort duauiderdaleareais: cae sce cco. Segecisenisirse eerie 6 353 225, 920 Hranklin! County sac se sn easec ce ecco eee ce se ed once ee 541 346, 240 (Cipro ee eae DekalO Countyesec te eee tenant eae en a 272 174, 080 Jackson County. «saan mmca cece ase e sane Pace ce aeclocte oe oe 1159 101, 760 Waurens!| COUNTY <-enississ an sec seemecene eee oe oe 803 513, 920 IELeUe Cloypia ASEM oat IER \ielecgilnle — 2 Sond pla i WE 317 202, 880 Muorner COUN a. . ss5e bce oe wc tiae Se atniet |= ce wl eaaeue 1842. 1,000. 00 1,000. 00 103) cS Soe e EE Bed GEee SABES EOE REE Cael ee ener eae 1844... 2,000. 00 2,000. 00 1845... 2,000. 00 2; 000. 00 1846.. 3,000. 00 3, 000. 00 1847. 3,000. 00 3, 000. 00 1848. . 4,500. 00 4,500. 00 1849. 3, 500. 00 3, 500. 00 1850. - 5, 500. 00 5, 500. 00 1851... 5, 500. 00 5, 500. 00 1852. . 5,000. 00 5,000. 00 1853 5, 000. 00 5, 000. 00 1854... 10, 000. 00 10,000. 00 1855..} 450,000.00 50, 000. 00 1856. . 30, 000. 00 30, 000. 00 1857. 75, 000. 00 75, 000. 00 1858. 63, 500. 00 63, 157. 25 1859. 60, 000. 00 60, 000. 00 1860. 40, 000. 00 40, 000. 00 1861. 60, 000. 00 60, 000. 00 1862. 64, 000. 00 63, 704. 21 1863... 80, 000. 00 80, 000. 00 1864... 199, 770. 00 189, 270. 00 1865..| 112,304.05 112, 196. 55 1866. 167, 787. 82 167, 787. 82 1867. 199, 100.00 199, 100. 00 1868. . 279, 020.00 277,094. 34 1869. 172, 593.00 172, 593.00 1870. 156, 440. 00 151, 596. 93 1871..} 4188,180.00 186, 876. 81 1872..| 197,070.00 195, 977.25 1873. 202, 440. 00 201, 321.22 1874. 257, 690.00 233, 765.78 1875. 337, 380.00 321, 079. 83 1876. 249, 120.00 198, 843. 64 1877..| 194, 686.96 188, 206.19 1878..| 198, 640.00 197, 634. 94 Fiscal} Amount ap- year. | propriated. 1879 $206, 400. 00 1880. 199, 500. 00 1881..]} 275, 460.31 1882.. 363,011.05 1883... 456, 396.11 1884..] 4416, 641.10 1885..] 4655, 930.25 1886..) 4677, 973.22 1887..| 4657,641.81 18886.| 1,027,219.06 1889. .| 41,134, 480. 60 1890..| 41,170, 139.11 1891..] 41,372, 049.21 1892. .| 42,303, 655. 75 1893..| 27540, 060. 72 1894..| 2, 603, 855.58 1895. .| 9 2,596, 915.00 1896..| 27584; 013. 22 1897..| 2,448, 763.53 1898. .| 2, 467, 992.00 1899..| 2,829, 702.00 1900..| 3,006,022. 00 1901..| 3,304,265. 97 1902..| 3,922,780. 51 1903..] 5,015,846. 00 1904..} 5,025,024. 01 1905..| 5,894, 540.00 1906..| 6, 225, 690. 00 1907..| 9,505, 484. 74 1908. .| 11, 487, 950. 82 _.| 15,385, 806. 00 | 15, 958, 811.27 1911. .] 17,278,976. 10 1912. -/10 23,090,842.15 1913 | 24, 735, 135. 80 1914 1)12 30,212,832.64 1915. .| 30, 493, 840. 64 $206, 360.00 198, 361. 72 267, 608. 84 354, 482.39 438, 941.72 413, 618.09 558, 934. 89 519,196.11 628, 287.14 1,011, 282. 62 1, 033, 590. 22 971, 823. 62 1, 266, 277.36 2) 253, 262. 29 2) 355, 430. 25 1, 977, 469. 28 2,021, 030. 38 2,094, 916. 42 2) 348, 512. 98 2 425, 510. 44 2, 827, 795. 65 2; 947, 603. 42 3, 239, 137. 39 3, 902, 675. 79 4,734, 230. 84 4,969, 311.64 5, $20, 204.00 6,029, 510. 02 9, 025, 318. 93 11,045, 412.19 15,079, 472.29 15, 547, 983.00 16, 814, 726. 93 21, 673, 241.01 24) 044, 657.08 22) 532, 285.39 20, 162, 933.15 485, 884. 62 489, 096. 80 100, 250. 55 42) 391.56 28, 899.27 58, 418. 58 65, 128. 58 20,104. 72 281,615.16 55, 712.37 74, 336. 00 196, 179.98 1, 200, 165. 81 442) 538. 63 306, 333. 71 410, 828.27 464, 249.17 1,417, 601.14 690, 478. 72 7, 680, 547. 25 10, 330, 907. 49 Total.|242, 438, 080. 74 |!8216,004,413.70 |!4 26,239,428.40 1 Includes $1,646.45 of the appropriation for reclamation of arid lands, carried to the fiscal year 1882. 2 Includes $85.26 of the appropriation for reclamation of arid lands and $3,530.85 of the appropriation for experiments in the manufacture of sugar, carried to the fiscal year 1883. 3 Includes $7,656.13 of the appropriation for reclamation of arid lands, carried to the fiscal year 1884. 4 Including deficiency appropriation. — 5 Includes $93,192.27 of the appropriation for Bureau of Animal Industry and $2,970.82 of the appropria- tion for quarantine stations, carried to the fiscal year 1886. 6 For the fiscal year 1888, including the sum of $8,000 appropriated for deficiencies in the appropriation for experiments in the manufacture of sugar-for the fiscal years 1887 and 1888, of which $7,927.50 was dis- burse and $72.50 remained unexpended. 7 Includes $12,923.25 of the appropriation for botanical investigations and $58,364.76 of the appropriation for experiments in the manufacture of sugar, carried to the fiscal year 1890. 8 Includes $188,974.69 of the appropriation for Bureau of Animal Industry, carried to the fiscal year 1891. 9 Includes $7,891.94 for statutory salaries of the year 1894. 10 The figures under ‘‘Amount appropriated ”’ for the fiscal years 1912, 1913, and 1914 represent the agri- cultural bill, permanent annual appropriations, deficiency acts, special acts, and also unexpended balances carried forward from previous years. 11 For the years 1914 and 1915 the figures given represent payments made to close of June 30, 1915, the accounts for those years being still open at the date of this revision. , 2 This total is the amount actually appropriated for the various fiscal years, with the exception of $37,604.70 appropriated July 13, 1868, to cover a number of expenditures made in previous years. It does not include an aggregate sum of $369,344.48 reappropriated from the unexpended balances of several fiscal years. (See foregoing notes.) 13 Does not include $37,604.70 which was disbursed during several years and covered by an appropriation of like amount made July 13, 1868. 14 Does not include an aggregate sum of $369,344.48 reappropriated from the unexpended balances of several fiscal years. (See note 12.) (See foregoing notes.) reas: OF d a ROR A. * - : . ) Te . t 4~ if Fy . if ite ™ 7 r ri : ibe “i A PET — , - rc . ae — ee ed i t l p< yor : ' ‘ ; f v i td ‘, F ‘ : "7 » > i - f i cf ri i ‘ “‘ ' t acy 7 yee ' I u . or 5 Git + ; | ie a ht a ' Re aie | EA es %! } hasty war ia t ' uy . ¥: A Z ; ae iris. +> nivet> she hw Oe . At . rn | P t “ ( er? ‘ Ae bia y uit wt woliets 1@ Oat) To Th OE see i fa - a : a ; LY a ¥ phy Ps * ten : y ? irhe Sf = + a ad) 30 te tae bo P me hans Paula 2 Uy ait tbokaanenh 4 7m. . ‘ 5 iron Dentives CLAS Bee ‘s : My Wise wy 1 JD ; mt ; red ; ity (4 od? le AA 8 gion! Co i ne : F af r TOF mi Oaste @6) Bh yee s el es toda - *) tens ots eet Ase ripe Affe Te Te Pre ae : a LEY D> pel etna eat eel tee ei ‘Oa. 9 “ id : ’ : ‘. alge "RG 4G iy ern 4 o n Snare Ks ¢ ii ny , t peal [te Lee nae wero 1 rl hae oy Lisest veorirns i i} ieospra Dy onrett Ga 2s) Sx r \ ; , ( ; r . \ ; Legs ’ wary ‘tee? samp } OLD Et Re SLR. Seo} cite: 4 Lath d , | Aas C43 Veputbiae eR BE iis! Lptedsi Largs gx tie 3 POPE ES SU HR AL RR TEA? HAS we howtos has ere labs Saliey? fiat rai aaarer 0 ; REPORT OF THE EDITOR. Unitep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Division OF PUBLICATIONS, Washington, D. C., September 30, 1915. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the opera- tions of the Division of Publications for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. Respectfully, Jos. A. ARNOLD, Editor and Chief. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. SUMMARY. During the year 913 new bulletins, pamphlets, circulars, reports, and documents of all kinds were issued, the printed copies aggregating 26,496,661. There were issued through the Division of Publications 822 new documents, and 91 were issued through the Weather Bureau. The total output of documents of all kinds, new and reprints of earlier issues, aggregated 36,075,561 copies, of which 9,578,900 were reprints. The new miscellaneous publications contributed by the various bureaus, divisions, and offices numbered 836, of which 20,626,661 copies were printed. There were 77 new Farmers’ Bulle- tins, of which there were printed 5,870,000 copies, while reprints were ordered of 243 Farmers’ Bulletins, aggregating 8,925,000 copies. The total number of copies of Farmers’ Bulletins of all kinds printed during the year was 14,795,000. Of the miscellaneous publications 653,900 copies were reprinted of 153 different pamphlets. The output of administrative manuals, orders, blank books, circulars, separates, etc., exclusive of publication work proper, aggregated over 53,000,000 copies. WORK OF THE YEAR. The act of August 1, 1914, making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915, and for other purposes, appropriated $500,000 for the printing and binding for the United States Department of Agriculture. This amount is appropriated to the Public Printer, who is authorized to execute orders for printing and binding to the limit of the amount appropriated. The requisitions for printing and binding are, by authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, issued by this division, which has general supervision of the printing and binding and the administration of the fund, except for the Weather Bureau. 253 254 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. This office issued on the Public Printer 4,647 requisitions for print- ing and binding, compared with 5,200 during the preceding year. Of the requisitions issued in 1915 there remained at the close of business on June 30, 1915, 652 for which deliveries of completed work had not been made, compared with 478 on the same date for 1914. Of the department’s appropriation of $500,000 for printing and binding, not exceeding $137,500 was provided for Farmers’ Bullstie and not exceeding $47,000 for the Weather Bureau. The appropriation for salaries of this division was $170,750, and that for miscellaneous expenses $18,750. The actual expenditures under the supervision of this division were as follows: Ponte and binding. . «Sea f.: 2- = eee ee Cee eee Dg ee ig Bs $469, 984. 21 Salaries of employees (all on statutory roll). ...............-..---..--- 168, 019. 14 Miscellaneous expenditures for materials, supplies, ete..............-- 18, 440. 46 For purposes of comparison, the following statement of apPrOnes ations under the supervision of this division for the five fiscal years ended June 30, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915, is given: Appropriations. 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 Statutory roll of the division............ ae ome pa $172,730 | $179,960 | $194,700 | $166,410 | $170,750 General printing fund (excluding Weather Bureau)..| 485,000 | 423,000] 428,000] 443,000 | 1443,000 General expenses of the division. ..........-.--.-..-- 30, 000 30, 000 25,000 18, 250 18, 750 (Ropal ne ce etheda = serie Coin see atop ice 637,730 | 632,960 | 647,700 | 627,660 632, 500 1 This year $17,000 of the $47,000 usually allotted to the Weather Bureau was used for general depart- mental printing and binding. EXPENDITURES FOR PRINTING AND BINDING. The total expenditures for printing and binding for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, were $499,966.84, and the following tables show the amount of this sum used for each bureau, division, and office of the department, the amounts expended in publishing the various classes of publications, and the per cent of the whole used for each class: Total expenditures for printing and binding for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, by bureaus. Bureau or office. Amount. Bureau or office. Amount, Miscellaneous (Secretary)...-.-------- $221, 478.13 || Division of Publications..............- $9, 235. 54 Bureau of Plant Industry...........-. 44, 847.53 || Office of Markets.............--.------ 6, 589. 55 iBuTeaOt SOUS oo. eens eae earn 38, 351. 42 || Federal Horticultural Board..-...-.-.- 4,454, 54 Bureau of Animal Industry...--.-.....- 30, 600. 73 || Bureau of Biological Survey...-....-.-- 4, 259.96 Weather Bureatiss<. 22 5. -o2- 5. 325 29, 982. 63 || Office of Public Roads................ 3, 792. 22 Office of Experiment Stations = Forest Service........-.--.----- Be: , 709. ment 2, 207.81 Bureau of Crop Estimates... . ae 993.78 Bureau of Chemistry.......-. eu t ———_————_ Bureau of Entomology..-....-- ts. 499, 966. 84 PRAY oe setocies eae cee eee ORE e te DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 255 Statement showing expenditures for all kinds of work and the percentage of the same to the total expenditures. Class of work. Amount. | Percent. Class of work. Amount. | Per cent. Farmers’ Bulletins. ...-.-.- $137, 495. 61 27.50)" Index'candstee.- -.-- 2-225 $16, 585. 25 3.32 Publications and depart- Blank books#-22...2..-<2--~< 14, 829. 73 2.96 ment bulletins..........-- 63, 619. 77 12. 72)|| Lietterheads2o= 22... -2--2 11, 647.10 2.32 Periodical publications. .. - - 61, 233.06 12.27 || Posters, placards, labels, Blank forms..........-..--- 55, 392. 66 11-10)||, “mlapsretcmeee ea 9,340.16 1.86 Congressional.......-.------ 51, 545. 49 10.31 || Compilation of laws, man- Miscellaneous administra- uals, fisecalregulations,etc-| 5,876.37 1.17 tive circulars, orders, de- Envelopes: ssa. tae = 55-5 217.29 -04 CASIGUS HOt... 5-8 25-58. -< 28, 715.35 5.74 || Memoranda sheets........-- 109. 65 02 Separates and unnumbered | pamphlets-.---..--.-...-- 23, 030. 83 4.60 otal. Bisdeisir 2528 25 499, 966. 84 100.00 IBINGING Ss soe geet ose ae ce - 20, 328.52 4.07 CLASSIFIED EXPENDITURES. In the following tabulated statements there are combined the total expenditures of the department by bureaus, divisions, and offices, classified according to the kind and character of the work secured, with the number of copies of each class of work produced. While the Division of Publications does not have supervision of the ES Nera for the Weather Bureau, a statement of expenditures of that bureau, being necessary to show the entire expense for the department for printing, is included, making the total output by the department approximate 89,000,000 pieces at an expense of $499,966.84. ~ In addition to this there was a specific appropriation of $7,000 for the printing of Report 100 of the Secretary’s Office on Potash from Kelp, from which amount 3,000 copies of the report, which also are not included in the above statement, were secured. Expenditures for job work and binding and for regular publications, miscellaneous docu- ments, circulars, and reports (arranged by bureaus, divisions, and offices), durvng the fiscal year ended June 80, 19165. Beeuiat publica- tions, mis- . Job work ? Bureau. cand weal laneous Total. binding. « ? circulars, and reports, Mascellaneonsi( Secretary Gu. sa: . os see ees cee s oc ee oboe - Cae eee $18, 019. 08 | $65,963.44 | $83,982.52 Rutean Obagi MNGUStGY. . > oo. - anne nce me coe eee een eetee 21,931.31 | 22,916.22 44, 847. 53 Biren OU SOs! ee seo! oa. eho. eee eee cee aie 714.46 | 37,636.96 | 38,351.42 BUTEA OLN IE AL NOUS LIN, cya_ = ar = ee ceis taster ore taetacie cepts See 19,600.10 | 11,000. 63 30, 600. 73 Weather B UGAtle s\ccase cb: Sane a aac see = «See eRe EER eRe cee 13, 253.40 | 16, 729. 23 29, 982. 63 Office of Experiment Stations... .....- a. --- 22. oe een eee nae 4,116.20 | 25, 667.36 29, 783. 56 RSGRES i SOR WACO see ete a a oie = Sees oe = okie oh as ok Ge =e eee eens oe 11, 453. 26 | 10, 256. 59 21, 709. 85 ured mot Cropreismmatestiaceooset- actos ncseccceactac mee coseme cee 9, 142. 84 7, 297.17 16, 440. 01 TSj YS VERO CHIG) cai Sin ON ee Oe ee es Oe Oe 4,619. 31 8, 468. 84 13, 088. 15 bd erie Ol PriuOMmOlOp yee cate jae Satta o entice ee cee teweke ae cece in ope. 2 9, 202. 60 11, 558. 12 ROUARY ier eS Sos ok See ee te nk elas ean cee oe eens 0, 555. 6: 37. 63 10, 593. 31 Divistanlobe nists one hee leon ah cee 1,845.03 | 7,390.51 9) 235.54 Once OMMaLKotse ee es: Pee fe). ee ek a 2,073.90 | 4,515.65 6, 589. 55 eéderalElorticem pnrale Oards son . oso n + caale oo -oleeia'- « Sie'~ winisizie Rte ote 3, 438. 75 1,015. 79 4,454.54 Buréat of Biolopicalisurveyie i. = a='-S-~ ose -\- ses - 2} ace een - eee 490. 12 3, 769. 84 4, 259. 96 OficeioiE pple NoOadsies cot sect acme Geet <~ eeietin(e coe Bec beh ence 1, 312. 71 2,479. 51 3, 792. 22 Division of Accounts and Disbursements........--...---.---------- 2,197. 97 9. 84 2, 207. 81 Insecticide aug eH WneIClGe; BORIG Sook anlesti>" (Are jor -00g) snoeue[jeosr “4Ss09 *serdog "4Ss09 *serdog =a) 880) Jo ‘MOISTATp ‘neeing “surjoT[NG ,SIomMIeT “1810.1, ‘GIGI ‘0G eunp papua wvah ynosif ay) sof (saoxufo pun ‘suorsiarp ‘snnaing fig pabunwtn) burpurg puv buyurud sof sainnpuedaug 257 DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 118% AOL NOCOCL AOSOnOOn te teeeeeee ess -gouereg 68°F eae No aie a cheat ok ae oe OUST? 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[earn SOG 70 need pee ‘CIP =|F6 TL]‘F [009 ‘21S ‘% |98 “99'S |920‘688 Le PPE ‘ES |690‘FeE % |7o "GPO [89 ea iaee as eee : d oross loos‘t |ts‘sse loos‘ze |ro'90z‘zs joo0‘e |es‘zee‘ze leze‘zzt let‘tzes oce‘roe |te22t‘es loose —ies-zess = fo00‘9g~—s Ig 898 ‘TS |Te9‘TE |---"-- “Eases (Arey ~9.1009) SNOOURTOOSTL “4sog |‘sordop} yso9 | ‘sordog ‘qsog |*serdog] “4s09 *serdo “4S0 *sordop “4809 *sordo *4S0 *sordog ‘yso9 ‘| “sordog 9) fe) I fe) 0) “010 10 Gaceeken Hieean *s}00qS *sdOTOATr ‘suoryetnger Teosy | “090 ‘sdvur ‘sjoqey ; ‘ “gpIeo XODIL “Surput ees a epuBi0 Mey, eS Got ‘srenmeut ‘sey | ‘spreoeyd ‘si0}s0g Be eerea em S004 AUREL Piso ee PEL Fpure jo uorjepdur0y AGR 1915——-17 22814° 958 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. FIXED CHARGES AGAINST THE PRINTING FUND. There are certain fixed charges against the printing fund which amount to approximately $125,000, and this sum must be deducted from the amount of the appropriation before the amount available - for miscellaneous reports of mvestigations, etc., can be ascertained. The following statement shows in detail the expenditures for pub- lications, documents, and other work, which are regularly printed, and may be considered as constituting fixed charges against the appropriation for printing and binding: Expenditures for publications, documents, and other work, regularly printed, constituting Jixed charges against the appropriation. Pr Cost for ae is Cost for Publication. year, Publication. year. Experiment Station Record........... $14, 207.13 || Expenditures, Office of Experiment Journal of Agricultural Research and Stacions S525. shes. ba. ees ee eee $783. 64 SCDATALES, eee ore oe eee eee eee 14, 734.00 || Annual Report of the Secretary.....-. 345. 66 Weokly News Letter. .-.-.:...22.-:--2 22,501.24 || Annual Report, Department of Agri- . Department circular....-.-.......-.-- 1,062. 53 CULLUTO, . os seek sae tee eee eee 569. 23 Monthly List of Publications.....-.-. 3,596. 58 —_——— Monthly Crop Report......--.....-.-- 1, 716. 28 Potal. & . cadet es ee sae 109, 305. 52 Yearbook (including separates)......- 12,679.58 || Service and Regulatory Announce- MieldsPropram..: G2. 55-222 Uee Lae 425. 93 iments... ae. Ret oek Se te ee once 8,042. 16 Directory of Bureau of Animal Indus- Annual Reports oe o25. 25.28. eee 933. 97 OLY Or Hoes G eeia'. Boahe Set dciotbeouccad 15296:.91'|| Statistical blanks j2.).22: 52 222- scene. 6,476.05 Monthly Letter (Entomology)....---- 86:99"||"OreanizationWistls.--2-<-2-0--2-cse-- 439.60 States Relations Service Monthly..... 49.78 ———- iPropramiot Work. se. t2-o2-ascsc0= ee 1, 211.38 Grand total N52. 35.6. 2 oe nee ae 125, 197.30 Full report and soilsurveys...-......-- 34, 038. 66 An analysis of the above table shows that the largest fixed charge is for the Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils and Soil Surveys and amounts to more than $34,000. The Weekly News Letter fol- lows, consuming $22,500; the Journal of Agricultural Research and the separates therefrom, $14,734. The Experiment Station Record costs $14,200 and the Yearbook, including separates, $12,679. The additional charges over $1,000 are: $8,042 for the Service and Regulatory Announcements of the different bureaus; $3,596 for the Monthly List of Publications; $1,716 for the Monthly Crop Report; $1,296 for the Directory of the Bureau of Animal Industry; $1,211 for the Program of Work of the Department; and $1,062 for the Department Circular. The blanks required monthly by the Bureau of Crop Estimates for the statistical report of its field agents, State, county, and crop correspondents, consumed last year $6,476 of the department’s appropriation for binding and printing. STATISTICS OF PUBLICATION WORE. The following statement shows the contributions to the depart- mental series of bulletins and the Farmers’ Bulletin series by the various bureaus, divisions, and offices: DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 259 New bulletins contributed by the various bureaus, divisions, and offices during the year and authorized to be printed, but not all issued during the year. Bae New bul-| Number of | Farmers’} Number letins. copies. |Bulletins.| of copies, BELCat OLATMIMalINGUShy = a eisoe a 2s 55 - so - oscisie +e isysajseg= se 9 68, 000 10 665, 000 Bureau of Biolopicall Survey amass == s-- 25-62-22 0 oee cen ccean-= 7 30, 000 4 280, 000 Bureau of Chemistry.....-..--- = 9 Got BER Set RUE HORE soc RGee 4 21000! |e see eeec aes Ra fer Oriel OF, Be LOM OOP UE oe se a cactaniate emo ie raicln iw apaia ioe Sa shai 40 140, 000 19 680, 000 Office of Experiment Stations. --.--..-...--.------------------ 20 133, 500 4 250, 000 REGT ES it DEVICE Mis 2 see selene eee ans =e ale slalae's a aineles Sao as 13 127,000 1 45,000 Bureau of Plant Industry -..---- Sats 42 371, 000 29 | 1,270,000 Office of Public Roads...-- ¥ ae 7 ASE OO), | sc2% cans aoscceeeene Bureau of Soils........---- 12 38,000) |R222-252-— EXee ees se = Bureau of Crop Estimates. . sokis 2 11,000 9 | 1,935,000 CHC D CL Ea Soe eee 2. Oe Se ee eee ae” ee 10 155, 000 2 PUR etl ee arere Ferge a fed rote eie inte nie ainiee asians annwien cise aere Sewee 166 | 1,143,500 78 | 5,225,000 The following statement shows the total number of copies of all publications of the department issued during the last 26 years: Publications of all kinds issued by the department, 1890-1915. Number Number Number Number Year issued. Year. issued. Year. issued. Year issued. PRONE ecce ce 1,904,300 |] 1897.......- 6,541,210 || 1904.......- 12, 421,386 || 1911........ 27, 594, 877 TROT St 2, 833, 933 || 1898.......- 6, 280,365 || 1905........ 12, 475,157 || 1912........ 34, 678, 557 TROsee i ssecce4 2,348, 797 |] 1899.....-.- 7,075, 975 || 1906.......- 13, 488,527 || 1913........ 33, 356, 366 Tis See eee 3,446,181 || 1900......-- 7, 152-498, || 190745... 16, 746,910 || 1914........ 38, 186, 392 faggeeets ISL 3,169,310 || 1901........ 7,889, 281 |] 1908.......- 16,875,516 || 1915........ 36, 075, 561 rhe iee Eee 4,100, 660 || 1902........ 10, 586, 580 || 1909........ 17,190,345 aS ARGO os ceo ee 6,561, 700 || 1903........ 11, 698, 564 || 1910........ 25, 190, 465 Total...| 365, 869, 343 COMMITTEE ON EXAMINATION OF MANUSCRIPTS. The committee on manuscripts met regularly twice a week during the year, considered 798 new manuscripts, and made recommenda- tions concerning them to the Secretary. Where the matters con- cerned were of sufficient importance, conferences were held with the representatives from the bureaus, -divisions, and offices, with the result that better understanding of the subject matter of the bulletins was reached and more satisfactory publication results were secured. FARMERS’ BULLETINS. The Farmers’ Bulletins continue to increase in popular favor. Since the series was established, 674 bulletins have been issued, of which 77 new ones were issued during the year—the largest number for any similar period. Of earlier Farmers’ Bulletins 243 were reprinted, of which 8,925,000 copies were issued, while 5,870,000 copies were printed of the new Farmers’ Bulletins, making a total of 14,795,000 copies of Farmers’ Bulletins printed during the year. The plans made last year have been followed, and the bulletins show an increasing improvement in brevity, clearness of statement, and adaptation to restricted locality. 260 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The following table gives the output of Farmers’ Bulletins during the last nine years, and the expenditure therefor: Output of Farmers’ Bulletins and the cost for the fiscal years 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1918, 1914, and 1915. Number Number of Fiscal year. Fund drawn upon. PRED copies. Cost. Karmers’ Bullotindiunds 222". 2t ene eeanene: oe 235 | 6,469,000 | $98,601.17 Oe 252 | 6,574,500| 98,601449 271 | 7,755,000} 122, 475. 48 ae 299 | 9,337,500 | 126,579.37 Pen 295 | 9,219,000] 118,012.06 {2 oun 344 | 10,409,000 | 122, 753. 33 ees 327 | 9,680,850 | 109,472.11 Doses GOS 852 bas segs nt sae eee ences 339 | 14,960,000 | 136,854. 75 ew GO. soe Rac Sot catdses cee ate eee ee 320 | 14,795,000 | 137,495.61 The appropriation for Farmers’ Bulletins for the year was not more than $137,500 of the $500,000 appropriated to the department for printing and binding, the same as for the preceding year; therefore the same quota of 12,500 was allotted to each Senator, Representative, Delegate, and Resident Commissioner in Congress as for the previous ear. With the above appropriation 14,795,000 copies of Farmers’ Bulletins were provided, of which 7,402,000 were distributed upon the orders of Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and Commissioners. The following table shows the output of Farmers’ Bulletins during the 26 years since the series was instituted, with the congressional distribution for each year: Output of Farmers’ Bulletins during 26 years, with Congressional distribution. New Total Copies New Total Copies ee bul- | number |distributed Wear bul- | number | distributed cs letins | of copies by Con- , letins | of copies by Con- issued.| printed. | gressmen. issued.| printed. | gressmen. 14 540) ODOR) NAeee eee: - LONGS- ELE. 4ae2 2 33 | 6,568,000 5, 279, 476 5 DD Dall gn peed = 19072 eee 42 | 6,469,000] 3,484,713 11] 1,567,000 BS5. 7701) lel S0S so see ten sete 26| 6,574,500} 3,928, 437 13 1,891,000 | 1,316,695 || 1909.............. 34 7, 755, 000 3,960, 642 167° 2;387, 000), 15967; 250 | polnceee son snese- 45 | 9,337,500 6, 449, 589 ZU) £25070 O00) al S580 \0G5ii| Olle eae eee 48 | 9,219,000 5, 474, 079 22" 2,437, OOO\ ed MOL, 9853||) LOZ ei aes a eee Be 44 | 10, 409, 000 7,351, 262 18 | 2,360,000} 1,666,909 |} 1913.............. 42 | 9,680,850 5,803, 088 14°} %3,345,000) |) 2195 5010)| 1014 eee ae aoe 55 | 14,960,000 8,399, 759 23.| 6,150,000 | 4,289,126.) 1915...........--- 77 | 14,795,000 7, 402, 072 22] 6,602,000} 3,954,976 ————— 25 | 6,435,000 | 4,895,556 Totakies 674 |137, 855,850 | 86,170,089 24 | 5,925,500 | 4,782,643 WORK OF WEATHER BUREAU. The printing division of the Weather Bureau has charge of the printing, binding, and distribution of all Weather Bureau publica- tions, and it furnishes and ships all blank forms, map-bases, charts, letterheads, etc., used by the bureau at Washington and at its numer- ous stations. It supervises the selection and purchase of all printing presses and printing materials needed at Weather Bureau stations. The Weather Bureau series of bulletins having been discontinued, such professional papers as can not be incorporated in the regular DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 261 issues of the Monthly Weather Review are now published in a series of supplements to the Review, of which two were issued during the ear, V1Z: “ Supplement No. 1. Types of Storms of the United States and their Average Movements; with 114 charts showing the average 24-hour movement of each type for each month of the year. Supplement No. 2, already prepared, will contain (a) a calendar of the common trees of the Eastern United States, and (6) a record of the time of leafing, blooming, and fruitmg of numerous native and culti- vated plants growing in the vicinity of Wauseon, Ohio. Volume XII, Daily River Stages of the Principal Rivers of the United States, for 1913 and 1914, is now in course of delivery. Owing to the cessation of foreign weather reports at the beginning of the Kuropean war, the issue of a daily weather map of the Northern Hemisphere had to be discontinued August 6, 1914. The total daily, weekly, and monthly issue and disposition of periodical publications at the close of the fiscal year was as follows: Total daily, weekly, and monthly issue and disposition of periodical publications at Washington, D. C. Domestic Foreign addresses. | addresses. Total. Wicather Man arstiedition, dallyies. 5 sate psanitaas- Seen ae eee eee LOLS! |sszste teen 1,015 WicatierMaps second edition: daily sc o.2-)2t2scec seae- eee: saben clone 87 15 MonthlysWieathenRe view; 2:2 2.s<2% os cl-< 52d eee ee Pet teks ook 1,005 | 370 1,375 National Weather and Crop Bulletin (weekly, April to September; MOG Ly AOCLONGR LO MATCH) 235. 25 ha cee toe ac - 52s aoe toe eee ee ese 3, 298 27 3,325 Snow and Ice Bulletin (weekly during winter)....................+---- 1,310 10 1,320 Chimatdlosical Data, monthly 2.22.25. as-c-- sec ccaee cscs sckecee wanes 369 75 Worthy, Moteorolopical SUMMALY 6225 ssc ccc ccsncemne eo beeae ek eae Q2biEL set oss 225 pKocisiCardss dallyss a sseee eS eiE RE te oes ae aes oa ee VEGI eee eee 1,550 HonecastNoards iw Gly canoe wis bao te a cease skeet ean seo teen ee 2265) | 2 Sees oS The above-mentioned publications were issued at Washington. Many thousands of weather maps, weather bulletins, river bulletins, cotton-region bulletins, and daily forecast cards were issued at the Weather Bureau stations throughout the United States. NEW FEATURES OF THE WORK. The publication of the Farmers’ Bulletin, entitled The Agricultural Outlook, was discontinued with the issue of April, 1915. Beginning with May, 1915, and monthly thereafter, statistics relating to agri- cultural conditions, including estimates of acreage, production, yields, prices of live stock, and text summaries were published in a serial of the Bureau of Crop Estimates, known as the Monthly Crop Report. This publication is a resumption in size and nature of material of the Crop Reporter, which was discontinued with the issue of June 19, 1913. Under Memorandum No. 118, issued January 14, 1915, provision is made for office circulars and that any such circulars, whether printed or mimeographed, shall differ in make-up from the regular publications either in size or color of paper or ink. They must be numbered in imconspicuous type, and at least two copies forwarded to the document clerk of the maim library at the time the circular is issued. Several such circulars, ephemeral in character, and designed for immediate 262 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. use, were printed during the year. Memorandum No. 118 also pro- vides for the publication of titles of kindred publications on pages of bulletins which otherwise would be blank. Such lists are pre- ared by the submitting bureau and revised by this division, and atts appeared in publications whenever it was economical to insert them. With regard to reprints of publications, particularly Farmers’ Bulletins, the policy was inaugurated of inserting the date of the reprint, the object being to make clear to the public that though the bulletin was issued some time ago, it is still considered suitable for distribution by the department. Some progress was made during the year toward securing uni- formity in the paper used for letterheads. The character and form of the Yearbook of the Department is maintained practically as that of 1914, with the exception of an increased number of articles, a fuller appendix, and additional pages. But few bulletins of the various series of the bureaus, divisions, and offices were reprinted, dependence being placed on the Superintendent of Documents exercising the authority vested in him by law to reprint in case the demand proved sufficient to justify it, it being the depart- ment’s policy to expend the appropriation for new bulletins. The experience of the previous year showing that the classifica- tion of the department’s publications then in vogue did not afford a place for occasional bulletins and reports such as were formerly in- cluded in the bureau series of publications, the restriction was removed by reviving the series of numbered reports of the Secretary’s office, seven of which were issued and several more were in process of print- ing at the close of the fiscal year. The policy inaugurated February 1, 1914, of issumg a monthly series of service and regulatory announcements for each bureau or board charged with the enforcement of regulatory acts was con- tinued throughout the year. The miscellaneous administrative cir- culars, orders, decisions, etc., were reduced this year to 194 from 548 of the preceding year, although the pagés increased from 2,133 in 1914 to 3,127 during 1915. SALES OF DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS. Notwithstanding a wide free distribution of publications by the department, the sales by the Superintendent of Documents aggre- gated 321,518 copies, for which that official received $23,011.10, and distributed 14,345 additional copies to subscribers. Sales of the department’s publications for the last six years are shown in the accompanying table: Sales of agricultural publications by the Superintendent of Documents during the fiscal years 1910-1915. Number | Amount ae Number | Amount Years. ofcopies. | received. Years. of copies. | received. rot YO oe SSS CN a RE 147,327 | $18,398.18 || 1913...........-.---2---+- 183,139 | $17, 885. 40 TOT eke nee ae soe a alte simciele t 183,577 LS, Gor ee (ol | eee be ote ae ee oe ee ercre dale 231, 821 21,708. 76 IQ tees. ete ee? 171; 866; 916,428 07i| M9loee pr eesn- se oee eeeee< 335, 863 23,011.10 DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 263 The Superintendent of Documents sold 1,000 copies or more of each of 25 different publications of the department; 4,000 copies or more each of 10 publications; over 10,000 copies of each of five docu- ments; and of Farmers’ Bulletin No. 361, ‘‘The Use of Concrete on the Farm,’”’ and No. 481, ‘‘Concrete Construction on the Live Stock Farm,”’ he sold, respectively, 12,976 and 13,658, or nearly one-half as many as the department distributed gratuitously of those two farmers’ bulletins. It is evident that there is an increased willingness on the part of the public to purchase our publications when they can no longer be secured upon application to the department. If some more con- venient means could be adopted for the purchase of our publications, the sales could be very greatly increased. The number of copies of our publications sold during the year exceeded by 104,042 those sold last year, and the amount received was $1,302.34 more than that for the preceding year. Under the opine of the law of January 12, 1895, the Superintendent of ocuments is authorized to reprint and sell any publications, the proceeds derived from the sales to cover the cost of printing. It is possible, therefore, to secure any Government publication from that official when the same can not be obtained from the department issuing it. In compliance with requests for such publications that official reprinted during the year 645 different documents issued by the Department of Agriculture, the number of copies aggregating 239,025. This exceeds the number of copies reprinted during the preceding year by 47,750 copies. All remittances for publications should be forwarded by the apph- cant to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, but although instructions are plamly printed at the head of the Monthly List of Publications, advising applicants to apply to that official when they desire to purchase sabato after the depart- ment’s supply is exhausted, remittances continue to come to this office, the amount received during the year being $2,295.60. ) n -la . oO q . é gs| . |e¢/€s/#.| 2 1S. 188 a |. [22] 2 {st |28|84| 3 |*3| 8 les Bureau, division, or office. 1B & | as a i=siz =| fans a | as a 135 | 3 |26| & | 88/38|s"| 8 |ss| elas! 2 a) 2185] &eete")s [dota 42 eee St ea We Aig ja la H JH |e a Ores ot ie Secretary........ 2, ates 267 Hs 183) 865) 988} 111} 163 318] 165) 5,269 eather Bureau... .....---.-.- 12 Eco ai C0 ASS se eee Peoeee Geers peas ome Bs! ae 60 Bureau of Plant Industry... . 43,386] 2,161| 4,522] 2,326] 163| 319] 1,075] 4,436 3] 59, 188 Bureau of Animal Industry. .-.| 9,698) 1,242] 386) 4,469) 304) 385} 233) 4,085) Horest Service: - 25s s<2-eseo-- 115 1) Berioe saerael ossel leeaetd et ooeel beGee ol Reese ese 131 Bureau of Chemistry.........- 8,295] 441 36 68 37 28) 16} 689 4,610 Bureau of Biological Survey...|...--- I Aaaeae bn seaae Als a sicain| sees lainio ee eeeeieelinenelaeae 5 Bureau of Crop Estimates....- 149 Biacenee 490) (Serereree 3). 454 occ A ches nc {oe Sole Pures Of Sous: sas semen eee ee acetone aes CY sa aael HERES 1D) Bee Mee eae Meee S556 49 Bureau of Entomology...-.-...-. 2,328 73 32] 436 7| 256) 120 93/.o. 225)2 4 2] 22 eoee Office of Experiment Stations.| 7,081] 376) 760) 4,466 64] 1,480] 1,389] 4,551) 244)....].... 20, 361 Division of Publications...... 1,512} 104/...... 2 15] 4,618] 103 ph aes Be oe ee 6,378 Oficeiot: Public Roads Paes. | eee seen leeeeee O8|seees i ae ee bey Pee | ae es 59 Office of Markets.........---.- 3,101} 5,065} 860 28) 4,872 | ere 273) 2 NSb Set See 14, 241 WADTATY 2 oc nc cidecesen cs ces cece 28 it eee MESeey Hasese Mescee Gooner Aa545-[fiet ao. we acicnae 42 Baidiorders!s- (6 3352-c-se5 sone 1,139 1 Baceee Pececae 72 Die aeee DSL Alestseisess 2,796 MOotalsts. Saceceie ssse eee 73, 946] 9,766} 6, 704}12, 563] 6, 403} 8, 092] 3, 513/15, 812) 1,544] 321) 168]138, 832 During the fiscal year just closed the Motion Picture Laboratory, under the direction of the motion-picture committee, produced a total of 45,900 feet of negative film and 82,900 feet of positive film. It also developed 15,350 feet of negative film made elsewhere. Of the above film, 8,200 feet of negative and 56,200 feet of positive were used in cooperation with the Government Exhibit Board of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in producing and assembling subjects for other departments, the expense being defrayed by the board or the department interested. Twenty-three films were completed for the various bureaus and offices of the department, comprising the following subjects: Congressional Seed Distribution. Uncle Sam’s Pig Club Work. Constructing a Concrete Silo. The Work of a Forest Ranger. Lumbering Lodgepole Pine. The Grazing Industry of the National Forests. Lodgepole Pine for Railroad Ties. Tree Planting in the National Forests. National Forests as Recreation Grounds. “Bull Run,” Portland’s Water Supply. Lumbering Yellow Pine in the Southwest. What a Careless Hunter in the Woods Can Do. Testing Rock to Determine its Value for Road Building. Rock Tests with Traction Dynamometer. Road Construction and Maintenance. Concrete Road Construction (Ohio Post Road). Macadam Road Construction (Maryland Post Road). Gravel Road Construction (Virginia Post Road). Bituminous Macadam Road Construction (Maine Post Road). Cement and Concrete Tests. The Strawberry Industry of Warren County, Kentucky. The American Sardine Industry of Maine. Corn from Field to Can. These films were shown at country schoolhouses, churches, and county fairs by the department’s representatives, and were used ex- DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 269 tensively in connection with field and demonstration meetings. The great majority of the films were also shown in connection with the Government exhibit at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS. On July 1, 1914, there were 5,817,510 publications on hand. Adding to this number the 33,529,527 received from the Public Printer, there was an aggregate of 39,347,037 available for distribu- tion. Of this number 32,202,087 were distributed, leaving on hand July 1, 1915, a balance of 7,144,950. In addition to the documents mentioned above, 4,000,000 lists of Farmers’ Bulletins were distrib- uted, the greater portion of which were sent out on requisitions from Members of Congress. Thus the total distribution for the year ended June 30, 1915, amounted to 36,202,087, which is 301,577 more than distributed during the previous fiscal year. Of the total distri- bution 14,528,807 were Farmers’ Bulletins, 7,402,072 of which were sent out upon requisitions of Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners in Congress, and 7,126,735 in response -to requests received from miscellaneous applicants. Therefore, _ 200,000 more Farmers’ Bulletins were distributed during the fiscal year under discussion than during the preceding year. Of the publications other than Farmers’ Bulletins distributed through the document section, the aggregate was 17,673,280, an increase of 2,773,550 over the previous year, or an increase of prac- tically 17 per cent. During the fiscal year upwards of 50,000 letters were received from Members of Congress requesting the forwarding of Farmers’ Bulletins to their constituents. The compliance with these requests neces- sitated the issuing of 42,000 orders on the Superintendent of Docu- ments. In addition to requisitions for Farmers’ Bulletins, Members submitted requests for 37,721 miscellaneous publications. Requests for documents of the department were received direct from 626,000 applicants, other than those received from Members of Congress, necessitating the issuing of 581,587 orders on the Superintendent of Documents and the forwarding of 626,000 cards acknowledging the receipt of the requests and quoting prices at which the Super- intendent of Documents would eeaiak the publications when the department’s supply had been exhausted. A card record was kept of 28,000 copies of the Yearbook that were distributed, by means of which duplication was avoided; and 65,000 addresses were written for the use of other offices of the department. A very important part of the work is the replying to requests for information by typewritten letters where the department has no printed matter on the subject. The press bulletin matter issued through the Office of Information reaches a widely distributed ee and frequently contains information that has not appeared in ulletin form. Interested persons seeing these notices write and request a publication covering the subject, making a specific letter necessary. Many thousand requests for information on subjects not properly coming within the scope of the Department are also received. Notwithstanding the fact that the Superintendent of Documents handles the larger part of the publications distributed by the depart- 970 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ment, 9,953,206 documents were distributed directly from the folding room in this section. In the preparation of these publications for mailing over 5,025,000 were received in such condition that they required folding before mailing, which work was also accomplished here, and 3,300 copies of various publications, including the Year- book and Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils, were wrapped, while nearly one million addressed envelopes furnished by other offices and bureaus were filled and sealed, and 13,950 placards or posters were incased in tubes, the completed work bemg mailed to addresses furnished by the issuing offices. Summary of the work done in the folding room. (A) Sent out: Monthly ‘Lists. {i..2:32.-te2:.2 ed. o58)1 2S: See Be tee SS 120, 000 Weekly News: Letters: ..-cnceegee hop ues ccna tees Soe REE ee aes 1, 930, 300 CULO OE Sale reo ninth oc phew oot oie eaegtl ewes eR one ogee pee ee 200, 000 Crop Reports}... 24802 2. etek ee sae CM See cee eine eben anes 24, 000 PresdiN oticéss2 22) 205. . o8titee tind; . EEC I. A Coes 1, 174, 290 Farmers’ Bulletin Lists (general)....-..-. 26 tagged shes CpeeeSs 3, 300, 000 Farmers’, Bulletin.Lists (City) otc Spa o= 700 Bureater PQlOCtCAL DONWON... 0 cee nem cece wile make mim mole ele ae oe 303 Bureau of Entomology..........----.----------- +--+ +e eee e ee eee eee eee 240 Office of Experiment Stations............-.---------+---++-+-+++-++++-- 3, 844 Forest Service......-- fo chuacapjap stare - BYR Ree SEs = Seda - Bees 5, 377 Insecticide and Fungicide............------------+-++++++++eeereeeeeeee 3, 416 Tibrary-.-..- Sec ek oe ce ae dene ee aes ete sess ein gagigm alias = iain 1, 392 BHederal Horticultural’Boandasise2 ass oe oe eee oat oe 3, 527 Bureau of Plant Industry.....-...--..----------- +--+ -++++++ee eee reese 62, 875 Division of Publications......-....--...------------+++++++eeeeereeee ee 6, 425 Public Roads. ...........--------- +--+ +222 02 ee een eee e tence rece recess 363 Bureau of Soils....-..-..--------------- +--+ +02 eres eee teeter e eee eee 231 Solicitors’ OMice se. lacs Sek Se PAS. eee a es os sig B eee 4 Total stumber-of stencils... o> Seen en ee eee 180, 798 DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 273 FOREIGN MAIL. Requests for sending publications to foreign countries are attended to in this office. During the fiscal year just ended 44,049 packages of publications were forwarded to foreign addresses. The aggregate weight of same was 22,560.5 pounds, requiring $1,646.75 for postage. There was a decrease of 14,497 in the number of packages over the number sent last year, but the weight increased 760 pounds. The increase in weight caused an increase in postage of $73 over the amount expended during the previous year A statement showing in detail the record of the foreign mail is given below: Summary of the foreign mail for the year ended June 80 1915. Packages requiring post- | “iiveuen the. Total. SEP: Smithsonian. Divisions. 8 = g, 3 3s 8 43 5 Sp 2 gi e a2 | 8 g = S 2 eis S 3 Z e eae eet eS Pe e > Lbs. Ozs. Lbs. Lbs. Ozs Atmumal INGUstiry q..<<. 22-252 s00 1,459 445 4 $35.62) 1,110) 704/$35.20) 2,569) 1,149 4] $70.82 Biological Survey.......-.------ 56 16 10 1.33} 262) 134) 6.70) 318) 150 10 8.03 CHEDIUSITY» 25 35s -c-25-ede ces oe 1, 751 481 14) 38.55} 569) 328); 16.40) 2,320) 809 14] 54.95 Crop) Estimates: . <2... -=.:5--.--- 2, 862 508 8| 40.68] 1,538] 746} 37.50] 4,400} 1,254 8] 78.18 HALO TMOG RY ae ersten ss cinc os ec 2,547 805 10} 64.45) 1,959} 942) 47.10] 4,506) 1,747 10) 111.55 Office of Experiment Stations...| 7,954) 6,880 4) 550.42) 324) 169) 8.45) 8,278! 7,049 4] 558.87 MOresti Service. 2.525 2.- = sence se 88 25 8 2.14) 207; 115) 5.65! 295) 140 8 5. 69 Journalof Agricultural Research.| 2,745} 2,711 14] 216.95 il 1) _.15] 2,746) 2,712 14] 217.00 MD VAL Yee ceincee cise coe hee sens 9,711 3,880 12) 310.46) 3,003) 1,554) 77.70/12, 714| 5,434 12) 388.16 Mankets men. sossscunsr ewes tasces 238 36 12 2.94 76 31} 1.55) 314 67 12 4.49 PAT OPM GUISE Yso. =.4-\02 82 <0ls ce nae 1,512 865 2| 69.21; 367 194] 9.70) 1,879] 1,059 2) 78.91 iaplieations=s. 2225-.22- ssececosc 4 al) -13 13 7.90 17 8 10 -48 WAGROSHeS casts cae he ctec ace aaees 17 Dees -44; 180 92) 4.60) 197 LM ie} 5.04 BGRIGlArY = se secccascce cs onecases 2,040 307 2) 2457) 72 283} 14.15] 2,761 590 2] 38.72 SICH Khoa Sp eeee Se eRe a eee ete eee 325 168 4{ 13.46) 410) 210) 10.50} 735} 378 4) 23.96 Mota ee see eto cee 33,309} 17,140 10/1,371.25)10, 740) 5, 510)275. 50/44, 049/22, 650 10/1, 646.75 Total for fiscal year 1914. ........ 45,352) 15,978 2/1, 278. 25/13, 194) 5, 910/295. 50/58, 546/21,888 2]1,573. 75 Total for fiscal year 1915......... 33,309} 17,140 10)1,371. 25/10, 740) 5,510)275. 50/44, 049|22,650 10/1, 646. 75 Gain during the fiscal year AQ1b ee ese eeas se (4) 1,162 8] 93.00) (2) (2) (2) | (8) 762 8! 73.00 Items. Packages.| Weight. Postage. : j Pounds. Packages to which postage was affixed... ...........--2.---.0---00---- 33, 309 17, 140.5 $1, 371. 25 Packages sent through the International Exchange, Smithsonian In- Spibution (ato: Oosperipound) == oe os ec ce ch vec eeacaeeee cee Sa facc ee dea c eee 4, 629 indiyadualiiarm: sl. ee fee 28,493 | “Applet Sok: Ses. oe eee eee 1, 758 County cottone.-a-e-- esse eens (QUA rel ODACCOReS c a72552c eas Bese Township eotton-U=2..2-3.40-5.-° 7, VIG )| Money beesc2 2222 hota ee 5, 050 Individual farm cotton.......-- 7,594) Sheep... . #2) S.<-4-20ces2 een 6, 225 Specialivoitone sc 12 c-re ess 5 O, 249" | SulCOce. ccs fan oe ee ee 145 Mills and elevators........-..--- 6£603 i"Truck crops. esis02 fesse ae ore 8, 000 Tivestock at. 2 betes Fa 4,514 OB poise peek “cates bee ne 850 Total. . it 4 Mae eG heels ge ee Se ongasadeounass 10 10 20 INGENGIS po acneesoeses= Ae 2 1 3 || United States Government Ratroadss2 23). 2s. eal) 2 5 17 documents (periodicals)... - 2 35 37 Manufactures 31 15 46 || Bibliography and _ library Flour and feeding stuffs, mill- CCOMOLNY Senne eer 21} 24 45 ing and baking............. ii 9 20 a ed Ice and refrigeration......... 2 7 9 Total eases ee sense 819 |1,518 | 2,337 a Annual reports, proceedings, and transactions not included. In addition to the above current periodicals appearing not less than four times a year, the library received 5,285 serials of less fre- quent issue, such as annuals, annual reports, proceedings, and trans- actions published by institutions and societies. MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS. The number of books and periodicals sent to the Government bindery was 3,832, an increase of 470 as compared with the preced- ing year. In addition to the above books and periodicals, which were pomaeay bound, 2,281 were placed in temporary binders at the ibrary, making a total of 6,113. During the year two lists of duplicate publications were sent out to the Library of Congress and the various agricultural colleges and experiment stations. The publications selected from these lists filled about 50 mail bags. The number of letters translated during the year was 302 and the number of articles 13. The number of employees carried on the roll of the maim library at the close of the year was 33; the number employed by the bureau, division, and office libraries was 33, a total of 66 in the main library and branches. This total includes librarians, library assistants, messengers, and charwomen. The consolidated list, maintained by the Library, of all the ad- dresses appearing on the various bureau and office foreign mailing lists for publications of the Department, comprises at the present time 3,127 addresses. This list is arranged geographically and may be called a foreign exchange list, as exchanges are received from a large proportion of the institutions and individuals included in the list, REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 293 BUREAU, DIVISION, AND OFFICE LIBRARIES. The approximate number of books and pamphlets contained in the various bureau, division, and office libraries is given in the fol- lowing table, and also the number of current periodicals which are sent to them regularly for review or filmg. For an account of the activities of these libraries during the past year see pages 38-5. For statistics in regard to the use of the books in the various branch libraries see page 6. Books, pamphlets, and periodicals in bureau, division, and office libraries. Approxi- Number of Number | mate num- aaa Name of library. Librarian. em- ber of periods ployed. | books and AEE pamphlets. received. Bureau of Animal Industry.........-.- Miss Elsie Moore........---- 1 a) 344 Bureau of Biological Survey...----.---- Mr. W. H. Cheesman......- 1 6 6,000 65 BuresmonChemistry...-. 2s 600 Office of Farm Management..........-- Miss Cora L. Feldkamp..... 2 6,457 216 pee of Markets and Rural Organiza- | Miss Caroline B. Sherman... 3 1,335 192 ion. Offica.of Public: Roads—. .£.5.2:-222.--- Miss Grace Francis. ......-.. 1 66,000 131 Officsofithe solicitors 2 s8 2 5420). seeeale |S aesto sont nnreldiacisswee sts steaelesetaewcac GSS) | eeeeststemiae = a No separate library collections maintained. b Approximate figures. Tn connection with the above table showing the approximate num- ber of books and pamphlets in the various libraries, it should _per- haps be explained that the proportion of pamphlets in nearly all the collections is large. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Unitep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Orrice or EXPERIMENT STATIONS, Washington, D. C., June 30, 19165. Sir: I have the honor to present herewith the report of the Office of Experiment Stations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. Respectfully, A. C. Trun, Director. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. INTRODUCTION. The work of the Office of Experiment Stations during the year ended June 30, 1915, as in previous years, dealt with (1) relations with agricultural experiment stations, (2) relations with agricultural schools and farmers’ institutes, (3) maintenance of experiment sta- tions in Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, and Guam, (4) irrigation inves- tigations, (5) drainage investigations, (6) home economics investiga- tions, and (7) the preparation of publications relating to these lines of work. The work of the office was, however, increased and its functions materially modified as a result of the development of the policy of more closely coordinating the department’s activities, par- ticularly in the line of extension work in agriculture and home eco- nomics, with similar work by the State institutions, and by the transfer April 1, 1915, of supervision of farm demonstration work and farm home management work from the Bureau of Plant Industry to the office and of Irrigation and Drainage Investigations from this office to the Office of Public Roads, these preliminary steps being taken in anticipation of the reorganization of the office as the States Relations Service July 1, 1915. RELATIONS WITH AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The advisory and supervisory relations of the office with the agri- cultural experiment stations in the several States were maintained in accordance with provisions of the Hatch and Adams Acts. These relations have been of an intimate character, with a view to con- structive assistance and the general advancement of the system of experiment stations. They have dealt with the work and general conditions at the stations as well as the supervision of the Federal funds. The activities of the office in this respect have been designed ‘ to strengthen the organization and the working force of the stations 295 296 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. as research institutions, to bring about conditions in the highest degree favorable to the station activities, and to improve the grade and the original character of the work. While seeing to it that the Federal funds were being strictly conserved for the purposes of experiment and investigation, the facilities of the office have been directed to the problem of making the investigations progressive and involve original features in order that when completed they may represent definite contributions. The customary personal inspection of each of the experiment sta- tions receiving Federal funds was made during the year, and a report covering their activities and general condition, including statistics as to their revenues, expenditures, and other similar data, was pre- pared for publication. Conferences with station officials and mem- bers of boards of control were frequently held during the year, and an active correspondence was maintained regarding questions of policy and the general progress of the work. In these relations the effort has been to develop local initiative and the necessary measure of direction and to encourage in every way a strong and aggressive local organization. Unsettled conditions in a number of the States have called for unusual attention. In one in- stance it was necessary to withhold the Federal funds from the sta- tion pending the establishment of stable conditions which would in- sure the legal and proper use of the funds. In several other instances unsettled policy and lack of efficient organization have required special effort to establish internal relationships and proper_under- standing essential to the welfare and position of the station. Changes in directorship resulting in the bringing in of new men unfamiliar with the station work, and the temporary appointment of acting directors with little authority or responsibility, have hampered the stations for a time in some instances, and have required closer super- vision and a larger measure of caution and advice. Many changes in the working forces of the stations, and increases due to the develop- ment of the work, have resulted in a large number of requests for as- sistance in filling these positions, which it has often been possible to render. As heretofore, the office has passed upon and approved in advance the projects to be conducted under the Adams fund. This requires a large amount of careful attention, and often involves special study of the exact character of the investigation and the status of knowl- edge in that line. A reasonably high standard has been set for research under that fund, and the projects submitted have been examined in their relation to such a standard and their ability to yield original data and deductions. As the projects progress from year to year, modifications or restatements to make them more definite and effective are often required. During the year 88 new projects and 18 restatements or modifications of the work as orig- inally accepted were approved. Where work on projects was con- ducted away from the station, as is sometimes necessary, some ade- quate means of supervision by the station authorities was required for the purpose of determining its needs and its general line of progress. The effort of the department to provide a medium for the publica-’ tion of the strictly scientific work of the stations, through the co- OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS, 297 operative administration of the Journal of Agricultural Research, has begun to bear fruit, and an increasing number of articles are furnished by the stations for publication in that journal. The As- sistant Director of the office has continued to act as a member of the editorial committee in charge of this journal. Much attention was devoted the past year by the office to the collec- tion and preparation of the agricultural educational exhibit by the agricultural colleges and experiment stations at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition at San Francisco. The general condition of the experiment stations the past year was excellent and represented steady advancement. They prospered in the extent and quality of their work and in the increased recognition of the value of research, as well as in the increased State and local appropriations for their maintenance. The sharper differentiation of their activities from those of the extension service, and the elimi- nation of demonstration features, has gone far to clarify their function and to establish them in the public mind as research insti- tutions. Now that the importance of extension work in agriculture is being emphasized and kept before the public, it is essential that the neces- sity for maintaining the experiment stations as efficient sources of new knowledge should be generally recognized and acted upon. The office has therefore lately given relatively more attention to emphasiz- ing the fundamental importance of the work of these institutions. The work of the office in its relations with the experiment stations was in special charge of the Assistant Director, Dr. E. W. Allen. RELATIONS WITH AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS. The movement for the introduction of agriculture into the cur- ricula of schools throughout the country continues as rapidly as in preceding years. There were 1,677 schools, an increase of 263, report- ing agricultural courses, with the number of pupils in such courses as 34,367, an increase of 4,552 over the previous year. With this growth of agricultural instruction in the schools there is an increased demand for aid relative to courses in elementary and secondary agriculture, suggestions as to laboratory equipment, illustrative material, and publications dealing with the various topics found in agricultural courses. The office continued to cooperate with the Bureau of Education in the preparation of an annual report on the progress of agricultural education at home and abroad, including the statistics of the land- grant colleges, published in the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Education. In cooperation with the State agricultural colleges, experiment stations, and State departments of education the office began the preparation of a series of bulletins on elementary agriculture for rural schools. Such bulletins have already been prepared for the schools of Alabama, Maryland, and Wisconsin. Other publications completed during the year dealt with correlating agriculture with the public-school subjects in the Northern and in the Southern States, exercises with plants and animals for southern rural schools, lessons on cotton for the rural common schools, school credit for home work 998 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. in agriculture, home projects in secondary agriculture, and judging draft horses and dairy cows as subjects of instruction in the secondary schools. Beginning with January, 1915, five numbers of Volume I of the Agricultural Education Monthly were issued. This monthly con- tains items of general interest pertaining to methods of teaching agri- culture in the secondary schools and furnishes references and sug- gestions upon timely topics suitable for subject matter. At the request of the Southern Commission on Accredited High Schools the office has prepared outlines of courses covering one unit, two units, three units, and four units of agriculture for accredited high schools in the South. In cooperation with the American Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Agricultural Teaching the office con- tinued to study the problem of the use of land in the teaching of agriculture in secondary schools. The problem in agricultural educa- tion studied in cooperation with the Association of American Agri- cultural Colleges and Experiment Stations was the training of exten- sion workers by the land-grant colleges. Studies were completed dealing with the content of courses of in- struction in home economics, with special reference to their develop- ment in relation to the betterment of rural homes and to agricultural conditions and products found in the environment of the schools. The supply of illustrative material, especially lantern slides, for instructional purposes, was increased to meet the rapidly growing demand for such material, the large amount of valuable illustrative material available in the different bureaus of the department being” drawn upon for this purpose. This division of the work of the office was in charge of Mr. C. H. Lane, chief specialist in agricultural education. FARMERS’ INSTITUTES AND MOVABLE SCHOOLS. As heretofore, information regarding farmers’ institutes, movable schools, and special agricultural meetings in the United States, also notes on agricultural extension work in foreign countries were col- lected and published. The special form of movable schools devised by this office, whereby community groups of farm men and women meet for study under the leadership of one of their number, has been further tested during the year. This form of extension work has been found so promising of good results that several courses are being prepared for this use on both agricultural and home economics subjects. These courses will be introduced in cooperation with agricultural colleges which will furnish the necessary library, laboratory equipment, and sup- plies, and conduct the examinations. The preparation of syllabi of lectures on agricultural and home economics subjects, illustrated by appropriate sets of lantern slides, which are loaned for purposes of instruction among rural people, was continued. In this and other ways the office has aided the exten- sion departments of agricultural colleges, the State departments of agriculture, the agricultural high schools, and other schools teaching agriculture, the county agricultural demonstrators, and numerous local organizations in their extension work. The loan of these OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. — 299 lectures and slides has proven a useful service, and much effort has been made to increase the list of lectures and improve the slides in every way possible. This division of the work of the office remained in charge of Mr. J. M. Stedman, as farmers’ institute specialist. PUBLICATIONS. The office issued during the year 58 documents, aggregating 3,569 pages. These included 21 numbers of Experiment Station Record, 2 reports, 9 technical bulletins, 5 Farmers’ Bulletins, 11 publications of the insular stations, 8 Yearbook articles, and 7 miscellaneous docu- ments. These publications, reflecting the activities of the office, dealt with the work and expenditures of the State experiment stations; the diversified operations of the experiment stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, and Guam; methods and materials of instruc- tion in agriculture; cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics; Federal laws, regulations, and rulings affecting the agricultural colleges and experiment stations; lists of college, station, and extension workers in agriculture and home economics in the: United States; irrigation structures, methods, and practice; progress of reclamation by drainage of swamp and overflowed lands; and foods and household equipment. Volumes XX XI and XXXII of Experiment Station Record, each consisting of nine numbers and the usual author and subject indexes, “were prepared during the year, in accordance with the general plan in operation for several years. These volumes contained 7,800 ab- stracts of the world’s scientific literature pertaining to agriculture, together with monthly editorials discussing important phases of the development of agricultural investigation and science, and brief notes on the progress of institutions for agricultural education and research in this country and abroad. The editorial management of the Record remained in charge of Dr. E. W. Allen. The other publication work of the office was in charge of Mr. W. H. Beal. WORK OF STATES RELATIONS COMMITTEE. In consequence of the passage of the agricultural extension act of May 8, 1914, the administration of which is given to the Secre- tary of Agriculture, a committee was appointed by the Secretary to carry out the provisions of this act. Since the act provided for co- operative relations between the department and the State agricul- tural colleges in demonstration and extension work in agriculture and home economics, it was deemed highly desirable to coordinate all the work of the different bureaus of the department in these lines with similar work of the agricultural colleges and to enter into general cooperative arrangements with the colleges, under which the department would work through them in all its extension activi- ties. The making of such arrangements was intrusted to the com- mittee, which was designated the States Relation Committee. Its members were the Director and Assistant Director of the office and the two officers of the Bureau of Plant Industry in charge of 800 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. farmers’ cooperative demonstration work, Messrs. Bradford Knapp and C. B. Smith. A memorandum of agreement between the Secre- tary of Agriculture and the presidents or deans of the agricultural colleges was drawn up and adopted by practically all the States. The assent of all the States to the provisions of the agricultural ex- tension act was obtained and an organization for the administration of funds granted to the agricultural colleges under this act, as well as of the other funds intrusted to those institutions for extension work, was formed in all the State colleges. These organizations practically establish divisions of agricultural extension in the col- leges, which resemble and are coordinate with the agricultural ex- periment stations and have at their head directors of extension work corresponding to the directors of the experiment stations. Through the extension divisions of the colleges a large number of projects for cooperative extension work in a great variety of lines have been formulated and agreed upon under the general memo- randum of agreement. Whenever these projects involved the ex- penditure of Smith-Lever funds they have been submitted to and passed upon by the committee. The appropriation act of March 4, 1915, provided that in the reorganization of the work of the de- partment, on July 1, 1915, the farmers’ cooperative demonstration work should become a part of the States Relations Service, and that the Director of this service should have general charge of all co- operative agricultural extension relations. Pending this reorganization the Secretary gave to the States Rela- tions Committee the administrative control of the demonstration work and funds, subject to the limitations of the appropriation act for the fiscal year 1915. In this way a large amount of work relating to the demonstrations was conducted by the committee during the last quarter of the year, including arrangements for the transfer of the demonstration force to the States Relations Service on July 1, 1915. Much time was spent during the past year in determining more exactly the fields which may properly be occupied by the demonstra- tion and extension work under Federal and State legislation and the relations of such work to the county and local organizations. Conferences were held with officers of the State agricultural colleges and representatives of the county governments and local organiza- tions with a view to establishing more complete and cordial coopera- tive relations. The field forces of the department and the colleges engaged in extension work have been brought into more definite and satisfactory relations. In general the development of the organiza- tion of a great unified system of practical instruction for farming people along the various branches of agriculture and home economics under State and National auspices to cover the entire country has been greatly advanced. The way has thus been prepared for the successful operation of the permanent agency which is to conduct the Federal business connected with the cooperative agricultural extension system. INSULAR STATIONS. The work of the several insular stations proceeded along about the same lines as formerly, crop diversification being the central idea of all the investigations. OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 301 There were a number of changes in the personnel of some of the stations, but there were no serious interruptions in the work. A plant breeder was added to the staff of the Alaska stations, and that work, which has been in progress for several years, will be featured more than formerly. The relations of the stations with those for whom they are working continues to be satisfactory in the main. The demand for advice, cooperative and demonstration work, publications, etc., is growing rapidly, and the requests have in some instances exceeded the ability of the stations to comply with them. More funds are needed for nearly every station in order to provide for the normal extension of the work. The loss of the sales funds, which had been available for the maintenance of the stations for a number of years, in the absence of any compensating appropriation, will necessitate a curtailing of some of the work. The appropriation of the Hawaii Legislature of $5,000, which has been available for several years for demonstration work by the station, has been withdrawn, but an increased fund was set aside for the cooperative marketing work, which is continued under the auspices of the station. An important feature of the work of the insular stations has been the cooperative aid given by the various bureaus of this department. This service has been of great value and without it some features of the stations’ activities would have been greatly curtailed. The appropriations for the insular stations for the fiscal year 1915 were: Alaska, $40,000; Hawaii, $35,000; Porto Rico, $30,000; and Guam, $15,000. These sums were increased by sales funds as fol- lows: Alaska, $7,823.11; Hawaii, $1,181.79; Porto Rico, $3,928.79; and Guam, $548.21. For the cooperative marketing work in Hawaii $13,500 was expended. In addition, local contributions amounting to $1,642.70 were available for the use of the station. The administrative work in relation to this office and the review of their financial affairs continue, as formerly, under the charge of Dr. Walter H. Evans and the accounting division of this office. ALASKA STATIONS. The ripening of many of the grains in the summer of 1914 was re- tarded by prolonged cloudy weather and an unusual amount of rain. In 1915 the spring opened earlier and the summer followed with more sunshine and less rain than normal. Along the southeastern coast this condition was unusually favorable to crops of all kinds, but in portions of the interior it almost amounted to a drought. As a re- sult the growth of grass and grain crops was short and the yields re- duced, although the quality was good. Harvest was earlier than usual and practically all varieties of grains matured. Even spring wheat, which has been the least successfully grown of any of the ce- reals, was fully ripened. At the Sitka station the efforts at plant breeding are being con- tinued and numerous crosses of strawberries, raspberries, currants, apples, etc., have been made and the resultant hybrids will be given thorough trial. The work with hybrid strawberries is still in prog- ress and many of the least desirable ones have been eliminated. The others are being critically studied to determine which ones appear to 302 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. possess the most promise for Alaskan conditions. The unusual weather had a marked effect on the fruit trees, and nearly all varieties of apples grown at the station promise to produce fruit this season. The cooperative work with settlers is being extended, and in addition to the distribution of seeds the Sitka station sent out 4,400 fruit trees and fruit bushes to 126 addresses in different parts of the Territory. In addition, large numbers of small plants, cuttings, etc., were dis- tributed. A number of plant diseases made their appearance in the nursery during 1915, but they readily yielded to control by spraying. The general conditions at the Rampart station were similar to those at Sitka. Seeding was finished earlier than usual and the early growth of crops of all kinds began favorably. The later develop- ment was retarded somewhat, though no serious injury followed the drought. Grain of all kinds, including several varieties of spring wheat, matured, and winter rye produced a good crop. Winter wheat ripened, but the stand was poor, owing to winterkilling. The yellow- flowered Siberian alfalfa (J/edicago falcata), Trifolium lupinaster, and Vicia cracca matured fine crops and produced abundant seed. A marked variation in the seedlings of some of these forage plants has been noticed and advantage is being taken of this to secure more vigorous, hardier, and more productive strains of these important plants. The hybridization work with cereals and alfalfa has been extended beyond what was previously possible, by reason of the presence of an assistant at this station. The work at the Fairbanks station suffered considerably by reason of the drought, and only partial successes are reported for all crops. Hay crops were light and the straw of grain crops was short, but on the north slopes of bench land good returns are reported for grain and potatoes. A considerable planting of Petrowski turnips was made for seed purposes and a light crop of seed for distribution was secured. This variety continues to be one of the most valuable for Alaskan conditions through its immunity to attacks of the root ot. iss the Kodiak station, where forage production for the live stock is being given special consideration, the dry summer severely cur- tailed the growth of pasture, hay,and silage crops. The dry weather, accompanied with high winds, interfered with the pasture renewal experiments, as the light volcanic ash was blown away, leaving the roots of the plants bare. The live stock has done well and there has been a normal increase of both cattle and sheep. Considerable trouble has been experienced on account of the brown bears, more than one-half the sheep and several of the cattle having been killed during the past year. This necessitates constant herding during the day and strong inclosures for night protection. With the announcement of the route for the railroad from Seward to Fairbanks a rapid influx of settlers into this region followed. As the climate and soils of the Matanuska and Seward Valleys differ materially from those at the several stations already established, it was believed desirable to provide for the establishment of an experi- ment station in this region. A scientist who has been connected with the Alaska stations made an agricultural survey of the region and selected a tract of 240 acres as a site for an experiment station near the junction of the Matanuska Branch with the main line of the rail- OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 303 road, and its reservation as an experiment station has been asked for. The development of this station will be dependent on future appro- priations, the present funds for the Alaska investigations being inadequate to provide for any new enterprises. HAWAII STATION. One of the important accomplishments of the past year was the organization of the extension and demonstration work by the station, as provided for by Congress. This work is of the highest importance at this time, for while the conditions on the larger sugar and pine- apple plantations are very satisfactory, those of the cultivator of small tracts of land are deplorable. The small farmers are not re- ceiving the proportionally increased price for their cane that the market would justify, and the prices offered for their pineapples are much lower than the estimated cost of production. The extension service is attempting to bring about a wider diversification of crops, and, through cooperative associations, to market the produce of the small farmers and purchase their necessities. There are a number of industries that are agriculturally possible in Hawaii, but it re- mains to show that they may be made economically profitable. The station is the only agency that has consistently stood for diversified agriculture, and, if the Territory is to produce its food rather than depend for it upon importations, this work should be considerably extended. The investigations of the station have been continued along about the same lines as formerly reported, and some of the results have been published. ‘The studies of the soils of Hawaii, their origin, chemical and physical characteristics, biological relations, and methods of management, which were begun several years ago, have been brought to a close, and a series of bulletins on various phases of the subject have been issued. The conclusions regarding the proper use of fertilizers are quite definite, and if more generally adopted they would doubtless considerably increase crop yields. A survey of the forage plants of the Territory has been made in co- operation with various ranchers, and a bulletin issued describing the more important species that have been tested, with suggestions for their proper management. An extensive test of green manure crops and forage plants is in progress at the station to determine their adaptability and relative efficiency. September seedings of jack beans and velvet beans have given higher yields of seed and green matter than did seeding at any other time. An introduced plant, Crotalaria sultiana, that has be- come widely disseminated in the islands, has been found valuable as a green manure plant, and its sowing as an intercrop with cane and rubber has been extensively practiced. A demonstration of the value of leguminous crops grown in rotation with pineapples is in progress at Haiku, on the island of Maui. Among the forage-plant experiments tests of a number of varieties of alfalfa have been made, and those from Spain, Kansas, and Utah have outyielded both Turke- stan and Peruvian strains where grown without irrigation and with an annual rainfall of only about 20 inches. Sudan grass, both for soiling and hay, has proved one of the most valuable of the station’s 304 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. introductions, and the plantings of this grass have been considerably extended. At the Glenwood substation large yields of honohono have been secured as a soiling crop for dairy cows, and the practica- bility of the use of cane tops for silage has been fully demonstrated. The silage kept well and was relished by cattle. The station continues to distribute valuable seeds and plants throughout the islands, and during the year many thousands of cuttings of hibiscus hybrids were sent out for planting as ornamental hedges, a large proportion of them going to Fort Shafter and Scho- field Barracks for the ornamentation of their grounds. Variety tests of different agricultural and horticultural crops and experiments in the best methods of handling them are in progress at the station, the results of which will be disseminated widely through the extension and demonstration service. As a result of preliminary investigations by several members of the station staff, the practicability of the use of arsenite of soda for the suppression of weeds, especially in pineapple and cane fields, has been definitely established. PORTO RICO STATION. During the past fiscal year the activities of the station have been continued along the principal lines enumerated in previous reports. The new plant house erected from insular funds has been put in use and valuable results have already been secured through this agency. The analytical and plat work conducted by the chemist and assistant chemist have been considerably extended. The experiments with sugar cane on red clay soils that included the study of more than 300 plats have been brought to a close and the results are being prepared for publication. As a result of the investigations of the station it is now possible to give definite information regarding the fertilizing of the cane crops on this type of soil. The survey of the island for deposits of bat guanos has been continued, and more than 40 caves have been explored. About 150 samples of bat guanos have been analyzed in the laboratory. These samples run from 5 to 30 per cent phosphoric acid and from 0.025 to 8 per cent nitrogen. Vegetation experiments are in progress to determine the availability of this phosphoric acid. The chemical work on lime-induced chlorosis has been continued, the investigations including studies on the iron nutri- tion of rice, selective absorption by the roots of plants, and the com- position of the ash of rice at different stages of growth. The cooperative work in the fertilization of citrus orchards has been brought to a close and the results published. It was found that nitrogen was the limiting factor in all cases, with phosphoric acid next in importance. For the lighter rolling lands on the northern coast a complete fertilizer gave the best results. In a similar way experiments have shown that nitrogen was the important lacking ele- ment required for the more profitable production of coffee and cane. Field experiments showed largely increased yields where fertilizers have been properly used. In connection with the improvement of the soil, extensive experiments have been conducted with leguminous cover crops, and a number of introduced as well as some native spe- cies have been found well adapted to the purpose. Some of the most OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 305 desirable ones are being grown at the station and the seed is dis- tributed for growing among cane, orchard, and other crops. An at- tempt is being made to induce the laborers on plantations to plant some of the quick-growing varieties of beans for the food obtained, while the planter at the same time receives the benefit of the cover crop and the nitrogen which has been taken from the air. The experiments on the supposed deterioration of vegetables grown from northern seed have been in progress for six years, and no deterioration due to environment has been observed in beans, tomatoes, okra, peppers, and lettuce. The coffee varieties under in- vestigation have been extended to include Guillon, Bourbon, robusta, and several selected strains of individual plants. The seed of the best of these is being distributed to planters. A study on the adaptability of certain types of soils to coffee production has been completed within the year, and the results of the investigation are being compiled for publication. Some interest has been manifest in vanilla production, and the station has sent out cuttings to planters who will undertake the growing of this crop. The mango collection has been extended to include about 60 varieties, and several thousand trees of the better varieties have been distributed. With the accessi- bility of good markets the growing of this and other tropical fruits for export should become an important industry. Other important horticultural work includes selection and fertilizer experiments with coconuts, methods for growing root crops, the introduction, testing, and distribution of economic plants, etc. The entomological work for the past year has included a study of coffee insects, the life history of the changa or mole cricket, insect pests of vegetables, and beekeeping. In connection with the latter there has been an extensive distribution of honey-yielding plants to regions where they are not already abundant. The work on the introduction and breeding of live stock has been continued along the original lines, and the station has built up a valuable herd of dairy cattle, containing Guernsey, Jersey, and Shorthorn breeds. There is an urgent need in Porto Rico for demonstration and ex- tension work among the people of the island. The station has a large amount of data concerning agricultural and horticultural prac- tices that would be of value if more generally adopted. There are at present no adequate means for disseminating this information, and one of the most pressing needs is for more funds, so that this work can be taken up by the station in a thorough, systematic manner. GUAM STATION. During the past year considerable attention has been given to pre- paring the newly acquired land at Cotot for experimental purposes. A large amount of fencing has been completed and arrangements have been made for caring for most of the live stock at this place, the central station not having enough land for pasture and forage production in addition to the area devoted to experimental purposes. A number of minor improvements and repairs were made to the station buildings. A new water supply was secured through the dig- ging of a large well, which at the end of the dry season yielded 9,000 22814°—acr 1915——20 806 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. gallons of water daily—an amount sufficient to more than supply the present needs of the station. With the acquisition of the Cotot farm, arrangements were made to transfer most of the live stock to that place. An attempt is being made to keep cattle under improved conditions as to range, etc., and a considerable area has been planted to introduced grasses to supple- ment the native pastures. On account of the presence of cattle ticks in Guam and the effect of their presence on the breeding stock, an experiment in tick eradication has been begun, with apparently prom- ising results. [Experiments are in progress in stock feeding, all kinds of native and station-grown feed being compared with standard feeds shipped from the States. It is intended by these experiments to thoroughly test all available sources of feeding stuffs, determine their deficiencies, and learn how they may be profitably supplemented. The field-crop work has been largely selection breeding of corn, preliminary experiments with cotton, and forage-crop investigations. Ear to row tests are in progress, with selections of corn, by which earlier maturity, greater uniformity, and better yields are sought. In the cotton work a number of varieties of upland, sea island, and Arizona-Egyptian types were tested, the largest yield—1,641 pounds of seed cotton per acre—being obtained from the Yuma variety of Arizona-Egyptian. Incidentally the late arrival of some of the varieties showed the importance of early seeding, a later planting of the Yuma variety yielding only 512 pounds of seed cotton. As a re- sult of this experiment, 10 bushels of Arizona-Egyptian cotton seed has been sent to Guam for distribution among the natives. The for- age-crop investigations include Para grass (Panicum molle), Pas- palum dilatatum, sorghums, kafir corn, feterita, and various legumi- nous plants, especially cowpeas and soy beans. The value of Para grass and Paspalum, introduced several years ago by the station, was emphasized, as they were about the only grasses to yield forage during the unusually prolonged dry season, A large amount of attention is being given to the introduction of seeds and plants to extend the range of valuable tropical economic plants in Guam, the office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the Bureau of Plant Industry heartily cooperating in this work. The distribution of station-grown seeds and plants that have been shown adapted to cultivation in Guam has been considerably ex- tended, more than 4,000 lots being sent out during the year. Through an arrangement with the insular authorities the proper planting and care of these crops is assured. The breeding work with horses, cattle, hogs, goats, and chickens has been continued along the same lines as formerly reported, and several pure-bred and grade animals have been added to the station herds and 'fiocks through natural increase. No new stock has been purchased, but the necessity of acquiring new blood is recognized, and some additional breeding animals will be secured as soon as opportunity for their transportation is offered. The veterinarian has begun a study of some of the live-stock dis- eases prevalent in Guam, with a view to their possible control. Among those reported upon are investigations of cattle ticks, liver flukes of cattle, hogs, and goats, stomach worms of cattle, kidney or lard worms of hogs, lungworms of hogs, and various diseases and internal and external parasites of poultry. OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 307 The apicultural work has been considerably extended, and, through the cooperation of the governor of the island, instruction in beekeep- ing is given in the schools in conjunction with school-garden work. The station has supplied nuclei, which are-to be increased until every school is provided with colonies of its own. The relations of the station with the various departments of the island government are satisfactory. On the whole, the station enjoys the confidence and good will of the naval authorities and the native inhabitants of the island to an increasing extent. IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. During the year the work of irrigation investigations continued to be largely devoted to scientific and technical studies, the leading subjects being the best practice in applying water to crops, as to time of application, quantity applied, and methods of applying; the measurement of irrigation water; the flow of water in canals and pipes; pumping for irrigation; and the operation of irrigation dis- tricts and mutual and cooperative canal companies. The investigation of use of water in irrigation, made during the season of 1914, consisted in field and plat experiments to deter- mine the effect of applying different quantities of water to crops, tank experiments to get more accurate results where conditions were largely under control, and soil-moisture determinations in the field to ascertain what part of the moisture applied in irrigation re- mained within the zone of plant roots and was therefore of use to the plants. The results of all these investigations tended to show that with the heavy irrigations usually given crops much of the water is lost by deep percolation. This suggested that equally good results might be obtained with the use of much less water if methods of applying the water, the quantities used, and the time between ap- plications could be adapted more carefully to the various types of soil. Consequently the investigations of 1915 along this line have dealt principally with the movements of soil moisture and the adapt- ing of irrigation practice to soil conditions. It is believed that in this line of adapting irrigation practice to soil conditions lie great possibilities for both economy of water and increased crop returns. The experiments with measuring devices at the hydraulic labora- tory at the Colorado agricultural college have been continued throughout the year. Reports of these experiments containing dis- charge curves and tables for various types of weirs have been pre- pared for publication, and two new types of measuring devices have been designed and calibrated. It is believed that these will be found useful under conditions where weirs of the standard types can not be used. At the New Mexico experiment station experiments with a submerged orifice have been made and a report giving the results has been approved for publication by that station. At the Davis farm of the University of California all the measuring devices commonly used in that State have been calibrated against standard weirs and the results have been published by the university. Other devices not in common use have also been tested at the Davis farm to determine their value under California conditions. The investigations of the flow of water in canals and other con- duits, begun in the previous year, have been continued. A bulletin 808 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. giving the results of the work on the flow of water in open chan- nels has been published during the year; the results of similar work on the flow in wood pipes have been compiled, and observations on concrete pipes have been begun. These experiments have proven to be of great value to hydraulic engineers by giving them more accu- rate data for the designing of new conduits. Pumping investigations for the year have consisted in mechanical tests in the laboratory of the New Mexico experiment station, me- chanical tests in the field in Idaho, Kansas, and Nebraska, and the collection of data on the cost of operation and maintenance of Work on a general bulletin on pumping for irrigation has continued. Studies of the operation of irrigation districts have continued. These studies have for their primary object the improvement in district legislation in such a way as to make district bonds more salable. The investigations of the operation of mutual and co- operative irrigation enterprises were continued, and reports of these investigations are in preparation. The irrigation investigations remained in direct charge of Dr. Samuel Fortier. GENERAL REVIEW OF IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS, 1898-1915. By order of the Secretary, on April 1, 1915, this work was placed under the general supervision of the Director of the Office of Public Roads, in anticipation of its transfer to the new Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering on July 1. By this transfer the irri- gation work of the office came to an end. This work was first pro- vided for in 1898, and has been carried on continuously since that time. While many phases of irrigation have been studied during these 17 years, two problems have been foremost. When the work started the greatest need of the arid region seemed to be a reform in the legislation relating to irrigation in the several States contain- ing arid land. Consequently much effort was devoted to studying the needs of the arid region in this regard and urging better laws. Largely through the efforts of the office most of the arid States have adopted codes of laws relating to irrigation conforming to the gen- eral principles urged in the earlier publications of the office. Next to the need for improved legislation seemed to be the need for a more economical use of water. The water supply of the arid region is sufficient for only a small part of the land which is arable except for the lack of water, while large areas are being ruined by excess water from irrigation. Therefore studies to determine first how much water was being used, then how much should be used, and methods of preventing waste and encouraging economical use have been a leading line of investigation. These studies have involved many others, both engineering and economic. An intelligent use of water in irrigation requires that the water be measured, and any general adoption of the practice of measuring water requires inexpensive and simple measuring de- vices. Since satisfactory methods of measuring water for irrigation had not been developed, considerable attention was given to this subject. A hydraulic laboratory used exclusively for this purpose has been established in cooperation with the Colorado agricultural college, at Fort Collins, where existing measuring devices have been calibrated and new devices developed. OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 3809 Measurements of water diverted from streams and that delivered for use disclosed very large losses of water in transit from stream to farm. Studies to determine the location and magnitude of these losses and means of preventing them have been carried on and the results published, resulting in great improvement in all classes of conduits and the saving of much water. It has been found that the types of contracts and regulations gov- erning the use of water have a large influence on the quantity of water used; that is, on the disposition of the irrigator to use water economically or wastefully, and much has been done to promote the adoption of regulations which will encourage economy of water. Along with the investigational work outlined above, the office has carried on extension work, devoting considerable time to personal advice to farmers and publishing a large number of bulletins giving practical direction for the guidance of irrigators, and describing structures of various kinds for the use of irrigation engineers. Sev- eral recent textbooks on irrigation are based almost wholly on the publications of this office, and the same is true of several foreign publications recently received. DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. Drainage work was carried on during the year in all of the arid States and in practically all those of the humid section with the ex- ception of the New England States. The investigations were in general similar in character to those of the last several years. They included the preparation of plans for improving (1) farm lands already under cultivation but too wet to produce maximum yields; (2) tracts of swamp and marsh which under present conditions can only be classed as waste land; (3) agricultural land that is subject to periodic overflow by streams; (4) land in the arid West or in part unpro- ductive owing to the rise of ground water and consequent concen- tration of alkali near the surface; and (5) technical investigations. As regards farm lands already under cultivation, the resources of the office were severely taxed to meet the growing demand for advice and assistance in the installation of tile drainage systems. In certain parts of the South, notably North Carolina and Alabama, the eco- nomic value of tile drainage is now generally recognized, while in the other Southern States, perhaps more especially in Maryland and Virginia, the growing appreciation of this form of improvement is very encouraging. A representative of the office was constantly avail- able in each of the Southern States to those seeking assistance in tile draining their land and in preventing hillside erosion. In a large number of cases complete surveys were made and plans worked out in detail. The improvement of tracts of permanent swamp and marsh was an important phase of the work. Such tracts, especially in the South, often compose the bottom lands adjoining a stream which is so shallow and otherwise inefficient as at no time to afford adequate drainage to the adjacent land. The largest project of this nature on which surveys and plans were made during the year was the Cow- castle Swamp drainage district, Orangeburg County, S. C., contain- ing 42,350 acres. 810 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. A number of projects involving the protection of land injured by periodic overflow of streams were taken up during the year. The most prominent among these, and for which detailed plans have been prepared, are the Mayfield Creek and Diamond Island Bend projects, in western Kentucky, the areas involved being 25,000 and 4,500 acres, respectively. A survey of the Panther Creek drainage district, con- taining approximately 60,000 acres, in Daviess County, Ky., was undertaken near the close of the fiscal year. A complete drainage survey of the portion of the Kootenai River Valley between the international boundary and the town of Crossport, Idaho, including about 40,000 acres, was made in accordance with an agreement with the proposed Kootenai River drainage district. The work in the arid West was carried on during the entire year by nine commissioned men permanently located in the irrigated sections, who devoted their time to overcoming the difficulties involved in the rise of ground water due to irrigation and to the collection of the technical data essential to the proper solution of these problems. The active assistance rendered by these men was in the nature of sug- gesting measures for the abatement of seepage and alkali conditions on individual tracts ranging in size from only a few acres to several thousand acres. An example of the latter class was the Maricopa drainage district No. 1, Maricopa County, Ariz. For this district, which contains 9,320 acres, complete drainage plans were prepared. Much work of this nature was done in the Rio Grande Valley, Tex., the Grand and Arkansas Valleys, Colo., and the Yakima Valley, Wash. Technical research in the field of drainage formed an important part of the work of the office during the year, both in the Eastern section and in the arid West. Stream measurements, for the de- termination of the proper coefficients of run-off and ditch flow, were carried on during the winter and spring in North Carolina, Missis- sippi, and Arkansas. Construction was started on a plant at Arling- ton Farm, Va., to be used for extensive experiments on the flow of water in drain tile. Investigations of run-off and of the cost of draining by the use of pumps were continued in southern Louisiana, and the results compiled and distributed. A study was also made of this method of drainage in the upper Mississippi Valley, and steps were taken preliminary to carrying on extended investigations of this nature in Florida. The collection of data relating to the dis- charge from tile drains was continued. Investigations relating to the construction, maintenance, and cost of drainage works was completed and a report on this subject pre- pared. Investigations with regard to the manufacture and use of cement tile were continued. In the irrigated sections, studies were continued in various States, notably in Washington and Idaho, in the determination of the dis- charge to be provided for by drainage works. Cooperative work with the California Agricultural Experiment Station was continued in the effort to ascertain the efficiency of underdrains in the removal of alkali. Joint investigations with the Bureau of Standards rela- tive to the durability of cement tile in alkali soil were also continued. Manuscript was prepared for a bulletin summarizing the seven years’ work of the office in the Grand Valley, Colo. Bulletins OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. $11 on the subject of tile drainage also were prepared for publication by the States of North Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama. S. H. McCrory, chief of drainage investigations, had direct charge of the work throughout the year. GENERAL REVIEW OF DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS, 1902-1915. On April 1, 1915, general supervision of the drainage investiga- tions was transferred to the Otice of Public Roads. In less than 13 years from the appointment of the first drainage expert, the staff increased to 27 engineers and the scope and influence of the drainage work increased correspondingly. Drainage investiga- tions are largely responsible for introducing tile drainage into the Southern States, from Maryland to Texas, for the amount of such work that had been done previously was quite inconsiderable and the people generally in those States were without knowledge of how their wet fields might be made more productive through this means. A great number of farms in that section are now underdrained and State institutions acting either in cooperation with the office or in- dependently have undertaken the work of informing those interested in agriculture concerning the advantages of drainage and the proper methods for controlling soil water. A most significant result of the drainage work is the fact that since 1909 at least eight States where our drainage engineers have been established have passed general laws providing for the establish- ment of drainage districts and for financing those districts through the one practical method of issuing bonds that are a hen upon the lands benefited. ‘These laws have been enacted at the desire of land- owners who have learned something of the value of drainage, the magnitude of the necessary reclamation works, and the methods of organization necessary. Under these laws hundreds of drainage dis- tricts have been organized, about fourscore in North Carolina alone, and hundreds of thousands of acres of swamp and overflowed lands have been drained for cultivation. The peculiar problems of drainage for reclaiming irrigated lands, injured by seepage and alkali, in the so-called arid States, have engaged the attention of the office since the beginning of the drain- age work. Satisfactory progress has been made toward under- standing these problems and their solution, and in introducing efli- cient methods of protection or reclamation by drainage. The engineering data collected and the published discussions of the engineering problems are serving a constantly increasing number of engineers and communities in planning improvements and de- signing drainage structures. HOME ECONOMICS INVESTIGATIONS. The work of the year in this division of the office was broader in scope than heretofore, since it included studies of clothing, house- hold equipment, and household labor, as well as food and nutrition. An experimental study of the nutritive value and digestibility of culinary and table fate showed that they are very thoroughly as- similated, although those with high melting point, like suet and 812 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. tallow, are a little less thoroughly digested than those with low melting point, like lard and butter. Kafir corn, milo maize, feterita meal and other products were found to compare favorably with similar corn products in digestibility of their carbohydrates. Their protein was not quite so thoroughly assimilated. Palatable dishes can be made from these grains and their use will help to make the diet varied. For this and similar reasons such grains are worthy of more extended use in the region where they are grown and else- where. Studies of honey showed many new and improved ways of using it in the home in the preparation of palatable dishes. Work was also carried on regarding the preparation of rice for the table and its place in the diet, and household uses of citrus and other fruits. As a result of studies of spots and stains and their removal from clothing and household textiles, methods were found which will greatly aid the housekeeper in the care of such materials. Simi- lar studies regarding the cleaning and care of other household equipment are in progress. The studies of household labor under- taken with the respiration calorimeter proved in general that the choice of equipment is an important matter, making it clear that poor equipment means a loss of labor and furnishing data to show how great the loss is. Of the types of labor so far studied (dish- washing and sewing), the former makes decidedly greater demands on the worker’s strength than the latter. A noteworthy feature of such experiments is that they yield quantitative data and so make it possible to discuss such questions with a greater degree of accuracy than has hitherto been possible. In addition to the above, which represent the more important features of the work, the usual routine matters received attention. The publications issued included a Yearbook article on the selec- tion of household equipment and two Farmers’ Bulletins, one on kitchen arrangement and equipment and the other on honey. As in previous years, the home economics investigations were in charge of Dr. C. F, Langworthy, REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS. U. S. DeparTMENT or AGRICULTURE, Orrice or Pusiic Roaps anp Rurat ENGINEERING, Washington, D. C., August 27, 1915. Sm: I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the Office of Public Roads for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. Respectfully, L. W. Pacs, Director. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. INTRODUCTION. In accordance with the act of Congress dated March 4, 1915, making appropriation for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year 1916, and effecting reorganization of certain branches of the work, the Divisions of Drainage and Irrigation, from the Office of Experiment Stations, and the farm architectural work from the Office of Farm Management Investigations, were to combine on July 1, 1915, with the Office of Public Roads, under the new branch designated as the Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering. Preparatory to this consolidation, the Secretary of Agriculture authorized the Director of the Office of Public Roads to assume supervision of the four branches named, on April 1, 1915, in order that the work of coordinating administrative details might be ac- complished and the work under the reorganization be in actual progress at the commencement of the fiscal year 1916. The four branches were accordingly removed during the month of May into necessarily larger office quarters in the Willard Building, Washington, D. C.; the clerical forces were combined in one work- ing unit; the number of the engineering field quarters was reduced from 32 to 3, to be located at Denver, Colo., New Orleans, La., and Berkeley, Cal. The total working force, therefore, under the super- vision of the Director of the Office of Public Roads on June 30, 1915, was 450, of which number 288 were on the rolls of the Office of Public Roads, the remaining 162 having been brought in under the other branches. GENERAL WORK OF THE YEAR. Under the names of their respective divisions, the work of the divisions of Drainage, Irrigation, and Farm Architecture since April 313 814 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 1, 1915, is given later in this report, while their usual yearly report will be given in the reports of the offices of their former chiefs. The total appropriation for the Office of Public Roads for the fiscal year was $352,560, of which $52,500 was for the statutory roll and $300,060 was for general expenses. The office was still engaged dur- ing the year in supervising the expenditure of $500,000 appropriated by Congress for the Post Office Department, to be spent in the im- provement of post roads, in addition to double that amount provided by the county or State in which the respective roads are located. The total number of square yards of road construction supervised by various divisions of the oflice this year has been nearly four times that of last year. FIELD ENGINEERING. As in last year’s report, the field engineering work is under im- mediate direction of the Assistant Director, and comprises the fol- lowing subactivities: Division of Construction, Division of Main- tenance, and Division of National Park and Forest Roads. This divisional arrangement of the field engineering work is for con- venience in management, but is elastic as to personnel, since the same engineers are used interchangeably in the several divisions. DIVISION OF CONSTRUCTION. VERNON M. Petrcr, Chief. A large proportion of the engineering force of this division has been engaged during the past year on post-road projects. As a result several of the standing projects of the office have been temporarily curtailed. The operations of this division in detail are reported as follows: OBJECT-LESSON ROADS. Object-lesson roads are constructed, upon application of township and county authorities, to demonstrate proper methods of construc- tion and the proper use of road-building materials. The office fur- nishes the services of an engineer, and the local communities are required to furnish all materials, labor, and supplies. Sixteen object-lesson roads were completed, and according to lo- cation and type were as follows: Arkansas, gravel, 1. Florida, oil- sand, 1; bituminous macadam, 2. Georgia, sand-clay, 1. Indiana, sand-clay, 1. Mississippi, gravel, 1. North Carolina, earth, 1; top soil, 1. Oklahoma, earth, 8. Tennessee, earth, 1. Texas, gravel, 1; earth, 1. South Carolina, gravel, 1. EXPERIMENTAL ROADS. Experimental roads are constructed to determine the relative merits and values of the various types of road construction, and of the various preparations and materials for use in road construction. Tn certain instances the office pays only a portion of the cost of these roads, since the balance is borne by the county in which the road is located. The cost of such roads built this year was charged in whole or in part against the $60,000 appropriated for this purpose. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 315 One experimental oil-coralline rock road at Buena Vista, Fla., was completed. Plans were prepared and contracts let for construct- ing a section of the Mount Vernon Road, 43 miles in length, and a section of the Russell Road, about three-fourths mile in length, both in Alexandria county, Va. Twenty-six experimental sections are be- ing constructed on these two roads and a detailed description of them will be given in a special circular which will be issued about March 1, 1916. POST ROADS. Of the 17 post-road projects mentioned in the last annual report as having been selected by the Postmaster General and the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to the provisions of the Post Office appro- priation act of August 24, 1912, but one had been completed. Work was continued this year on these roads, and five were completed, as follows: Iowa, Boone and Story Counties; Maryland, Montgomery County; Oregon, Jackson County; Virginia, Fairfax County; and Virginia, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and Hanover Counties. The total length of the five completed this year is 153 miles. Work progressed satisfactorily on the remaining 11 roads, practically all of which were 75 per cent completed at the close of the fiscal year. The appropria- tion act provided that a detailed report of this project should be made to Congress, which will be done as soon as all the roads are completed. BRIDGE WORK. Bridge designs were prepared for the following locations: Cali- fornia, 1; Kentucky, 6; North Carolina, 1; South Carolina, 5; and Virginia, 2. General designs and specifications for steel bridges pre- pared by State highway departments, also designs prepared by bridge companies for local communities, were examined and reviewed as an assistance to local officials. Nineteen inspections were made during the fiscal year 1915, in connection with which local officials were advised regarding their problems on bridges and culverts. COUNTY ROAD SYSTEMS. Systems of roads were planned and recommendations made as to the best methods of improving them for the following counties: Cal- casieu Parish, La., Alachua County, Fla., and Albemarle County, Va. SUPERINTENDENCE OF COUNTY ROADS. To demonstrate the advantages derived by having road construc- tion supervised by a skilled highway engineer, a senior highway engi- neer in charge of a post road in Fairfax County has, in cooperation with the State highway department of Virginia, alsc supervised the construction of about 34 miles of gravel road in that county. INSPECTION AND ADVICE. Engineers were assigned to study specific road problems and to give advice relative to their solution to local officials as follows: Arizona, 1; Colorado, 1; Georgia, 1; Indiana, 4; Kentucky, 2; Louisi- ana, 4; Maine, 1; Maryland, 1; Massachusetts, 1; Mississippi, 1; Missouri, 1; Nebraska, 1; North Carolina, 2; Oklahoma, 2; Pennsyl- vania, 1; Rhode Island, 1; South Carolina, 1; Tennessee, 3; Texas, 4; 316 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and Virginia, 6. In addition to the above, three engineers have been assigned to assist the State highway department of Kentucky in its State-aid work, and an engineer has been assigned to assist the State geologist of Georgia in an examination of the various road-building materials of the State. INSTRUCTION IN HIGHWAY ENGINEERING. The policy of this office to give a postgraduate course in highway engineering to graduates in civil engineering has been continued. From an eligible list established through competitive examination six graduates were selected and have been given practical instruction in the field and laboratories in addition to a course of lectures on mate- rials, construction, and road economics. SQUARE YARDS OF ROADS CONSTRUCTED UNDER OFFICE SUPERVISION. The following table shows the number of square yards of each type of road constructed during the past 10 fiscal years, 1906 to 1915, inclusive: Area, in square yards, of roads constructed during the fiscal years 1906-1915, inclusive. Material. 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 Bricks ccsaast o-c|ne aes ae|sece sees acne bin arecoe S| ptete onl eeaaose 2,055 |lSnan cane (Cima SAB noe) Posseoelasestore|norscoos|som=cene D004 socom ease 3,013 782 Oil-cement con- (GiGipeenssocnes| podsaoes peer eae br sceoes|beossocs| bas -eesbed UO |p se 2 s= AS. ee nea | ene ete Bituminous con- (Gre Sa eReeod POS CREHa padbsoe4| Sasa sees Sos 3so54] epeseen- oc es somone oc —cos Pee) Beene see) Orica sai Bituminous - sur- : {ACO CONCTOLOS = | 25 amr | oto wle a aan =) ia alate = Serine aoimint = wie miniem| = totem io 2 LW (00 ESRE AER Eb sees Bituminous mac- BOP Vas SE eo Been] Bea aaa So eekeee menor 45, 832 | 41,551 | 34,453 | 16,040 | 10,033 Purtacotreatment|. 522 25| soe a5 =| ection | seni iE ergata w= 2 aietal eter 6,386 | 15,911 Macadam.......- 51, 246 | 76,376 | 72,587 | 96,107 50,333 | 11,330 | 14,806 | 57,131 |168, 156 PAS Dali -Sla gee esoteric sec | tere Steletetel| aerate ce orem ttm lott pate sie lel etes ay fet) Rees eel Rise eicor| be Sanssig) ts -gorce Oikasphaltieravellee jenn = o|eceseee eee = eee se ceee | aaa aEee (0 Baaaeses erase tol se easeeliosssigs inc Oil-prayele- See ols ce see [asa eae ea aeen| Se eaeaae 45819 OF TTe: Whoa came | eae ae ae ae ee Gravel-macadam:|-2- 222.5] sseece oe oe eee ae ane e has eee eee eee ee eee 2; 60 false saseeeloeeeeeaete cane Bebe ssthece 7 tf : 59, 942 | 13,057 | 63,730 |255, 945 LORE Soned Seeeesee bascsced panbscnd bess tec meme Ot arises bee ee LE onebodc|boomodac ootanncc. Sand-clay 218,177 |103, 876 |128, 496 | 86,715 Shiai Begin) Sen94 Seamecee peesoces| Seaccose Rasecsee) Peabsesnebe| nos snabe|b-aeeas* GER 8) | Barnesos Socks o2- Burnt clay.. = mee Pests |) e409 Ol = Ser See eS el esos bb ass oe Bitaagor lone Seocce Shelly eee e ene cote GAB Wissmmetise Ui) UGS Raa eeaal loco se sl ete aase CSTV i SRE aSs be Sarco Marth: 5 .tos2eL eu ; 140,933 |556, 663 |162,696 |127,495 | 273,469 Top s0il:-: -stsa0<|- 22-2 =02|.2e¢ee-|Se-eues- |Sobo eee a|aeec seeker aes saber |poeeece| sapere 26,498 | 985,984 OiFsand’s 22 Fo8| ho 2 ca Dose cee Seh ooo a oS ate eRe on oe cee] semen are See ee om a eeeaeete 5 Total. ....-| 87,951 |200,711 |223,208 |690,059 |1,007, 569 |485, 102 |722, 855 |500, 028 |691, 535 |2, 266, 662 From the above table it is seen that during this year the engineers of this division have supervised the construction of 2,266,662 square yards of road, or 257.5 miles, assuming all roads surfaced to have been 15 feet in width. ROAD MAINTENANCE. BH. W. JAMES, Chief. The operations of this division during the fiscal year were con- ducted under 5 projects which are mentioned below in detail: STUDIES OF STATE MAINTENANCE, Studies in detail of the technical methods of*road maintenance were made in selected sections of Massachusetts, New York, New OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 317 Hampshire, and southern Connecticut. These studies, so far as they have gone, indicate that they are likely to be of much value in mak- ing the office a clearing-house of information regarding the details of maintenance work. STUDIES OF COUNTY MAINTENANCE, The study of maintenance in those States where all work is under the county unit furnished little of an instructive nature, but revealed the need of some adequate system of handling road work so as to in- sure practical maintenance of county roads. Work has, therefore, been started to develop an effective system of procedure along this line. MAINTENANCE OF COMPLETED POST ROADS, In order to observe the best methods of maintaining a considerable mileage of bituminous and concrete road and to secure maintenance costs where construction has been immediately under the supervision of the office in all details, maintenance will be continued beyond the period required to obtain the data asked for by Congress on certain of the post-roads built under supervision of this office. The Mary- land post-road, 5.4 miles in length, has been selected as one of these roads, and arrangements have been practically completed to carry on continuous maintenance of this road for an indefinite period. Simi- lar arrangements are also being made for maintenance of the Texas, Ohio, and Maine post roads as soon as they are completed, which will probably be in the fall of 1915. OBJECT-LESSON MAINTENANCE ON WASHINGTON-ATLANTA HIGHWAY, The demonstration maintenance work on the road from Washing- ton to Atlanta has been most successful in educating the local authorities in methods of work and in convincing them of the eco- nomical and financial value of maintaining roads for the construc- tion of which large sums of public money have been spent. The work of supervising maintenance was undertaken only in counties which had made formal application and had agreed to accept the super- vision of the engineer assigned and to allot for the work a definite sum per mile, to be expended only on the approval of the engineer. Out of the total of 1,037.8 miles of this highway, 723.7 miles are now under the supervision of this office. The need of construction over a large part of the through road was almost everywhere apparent and counties were encouraged to build their links of the road. In this construction work the office furnished every assistance possible and provided a special engineer in addition to the three engaged mainly on maintenance work. As a result of these efforts $101,819.85 has been spent on this construction work under supervision of the office during the fiscal year. For convenience in the work, this highway has been divided into the Northern, Central, and Southern divisions. An engineer has been assigned to each division and furnished with an automobile leased from the American Highway Association, with which this office is co- operating in this project. In the operation of the automobiles op- portunity has been furnished to secure very exact and complete cost data, which form the basis for a future report comparing the costs of road supervision using livery and that using motors. 318 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. EXPERIMENTAL MAINTENANCE OF SELECTED ROADS. During the year experimental earth-road maintenance has been conducted on about 8 miles of road in Alexandria County, Va. The data secured has closely checked that secured in the two preceding venus ene contract with the county for cooperation will not be re- newed. The experimental maintenance work has been continued in Mont- gomery County, Md., on the Rockville Pike and Bradley Lane, which are bituminous macadam, surface-treated; and on the Chevy Chase experimental road, which includes sections of bituminous macadam by both the mixed and penetration methods, as well as sections of brick and various kinds of concrete construction. Using reports from the traffic censuses conducted by the Division of Road Economics according to the French method in connection with the data obtained under this project, the two sets of data thus provided are being used to develop a system of expressing main- tenance costs on a basis of the ton-miles of traffic. These studies will be continued with the view to expanding the scope of this system so that the traffic limits may be found between which a given road sur- face is more economical in the long run that any other. The total mileage under observation during the fiscal year was 11.02 miles, and construction of other experimental sections during the same period, together with the surface treatment of the Montgomery County post road for experimental purposes, will increase the mile- age next year to 22.7. : The traffic census in Montgomery County indicates a weight of traffic for 6 months ending June 30, 1915, almost equal to that of the entire traffic during the calendar year 1914. This increase of traffic necessarily has increased the cost of the experimental maintenance and has made the entire reconstruction of the bituminous surface of Bradley Lane necessary. This work was begun during the fiscal year, but has not yet been completed. Arrangements are being made to cooperate with four counties in Florida in maintaining the road from Brooksville to St. Petersburg and from Fort Myers to Punta Rassa under similar conditions of co- operation as those prevailing on the Washington-Atlanta Road. NATIONAL PARK AND FOREST ROADS. T. WARREN ALLEN, Chief. This division has charge of certain road work in national parks, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior, and of road work in the National Forests, in cooperation with the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture. The work accomplished during the year follows: NATIONAL PARK ROADS. Arkansas Hot Springs Reservation.—An inspection of road conditions was completed. Wind Cave National Park.—An inspection of road conditions was made. Rainier National Park.—After an inspection of road conditions was made, a consultation was held with the superintendent of the park and recommendations made as to the best methods to take in widening the road for automobile use from Longmire Springs to Paradise Park. OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING. 319 Glacier National Park.—A location survey was made and plans prepared for the Fish Creek-McGees Meadow Road, which will be 5 miles long. " BOraT BISOD pm) ©1504 170) 11 (6) Smee SBN BUBS) “-""""9U0Z [eueD es i SO edie (4. 1 | soo" "epnULleg Gamers mex UL [p ey “"""spuvjs] veyed Ag IS POA Se am hula "oer ees Beasny “orjqnde xy eurjuesry "$0014 qn bas 2 “GI6L ‘0S aunp papua sah ayy burunp pasodua spaas puv syunjd fo sasspjo pun wibrio fo huyunog *SNOILVLUOdUWI HOOLS-AWASUON JO AYALVN ANV NIOINO JO AYLNNOD 858 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. RESULTS OF STATE AND FEDERAL INSPECTION OF IMPORTED PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS. As the result of State and Federal inspection the following pests were intercepted during the year: Egg masses of the gipsy moth were taken on six different occasions on stock received from Belgium, Holland, and Japan. Nests of the brown-tail moth were detected on three consignments of nursery stock, one from Ireland and two from France. Puparia of the European tussock moth (Notolophus antigua) have been frequently collected on stock from France and Holland. The European pine-shoot moth (Evetria buoliana), which is @ serious enemy to pine forests in Europe, has been detected on pine seedlings from Holland on no less than 23 different shipments, A closely related species, EH. resinella, has also been taken on pine seedlings from Holland. Citrus stock from Brazil was found infested with one of the white flies, Aleurothrixus floccosa, which is not as yet established in the States. The same material was also infested with an undescribed chaff scale (Parlatoria sp.). Citrus cuttings from the Philippine Islands exhibited a thick coh etsiian of the black chaff scale (Parlatoria zizyphus). An undescribed Aonidia was found thickly infesting the upper surface of the foliage of “‘cambuca” (Myrciaria plicato-coatata) from Brazil. Yams from the Philippine Islands exhibited a severe infestation with the tuber scale (Targionia hartit). Larve of what appeared to be one of the potato weevils, Rhigopsidius tucumanus, referred to in last year’s report, were again found in potatoes from Peru. Pear seedlings from France have been found thickly infested with the European pear scale (EHpidiaspis piricola). Avocado seed from Guatemala, imported under special permit, were found to be riddled with galleries made by the larve of a species of weevil (Conotrachelus sp.). In addition to the above, many insects of greater or less importance have been taken on plants of various descriptions. In all, some 165 species of insects have been reported on imported stock during the past year. ; A single infection of the common scab (Qospora scabies) was dis- covered on potatoes from Canada. Potatoes from Canada were also found to be affected with Rhizoctonia and silvery scuri (Spondylo- cladium atrovirens). Powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea) was detected by inspectors of the State of Washington on potatoes from British Columbia. Citrus canker was discovered on four shipments of citrus bud wood and on a collection of citrus herbarium material from the Philippine Islands. These interceptions were particularly fortunate in view of the fact that a part of the shipments were destined to go to citrus regions of California. Four shipments of citrus were found infected with wither tip (Colletotrichum gleosporioides), three of which were received from the Philippine Islands and one from Japan. Melanose (Phomopsis citri) was detected by the California authorities on citrus from Japan. Kudzu from Japan was found to be affected with a rust known scientifically as Woroninella puerariz. In addition to the above, it was possible to identify the causal organism of some 85 specific diseases entering on imported stock. FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 359 REGULATORY INVESTIGATIONS. FOREIGN INVESTIGATIONS. The exigency created by the discovery of living larve of the pink bollworm in seeds of cotton contained in bales of imported Egyptian cotton, referred to in preceding pages, made it essential for this board to have additional information in regard to the life history of the pink bollworm and its damage to cotton and other plants. Early in May, 1915, an entomological assistant of the Bureau of Entomology was commissioned to go to the islands of Oahu and Hawaii to secure first-hand information on these points. Information furnished by him relative to the ability of the larva to easily penetrate closely woven cloth has already resulted in amending the fregalutions Gov- erning the Importation of Cotton Lint into the United States by elim- inating the requirement that broken bales be patched at port of entry. A iedber of permits were issued in the early summer of 1915 for the importation of potatoes from British Columbia, as the Department had information to the effect that the western coast of Canada was free from powdery scab. Notwithstanding this information, several suspicious looking imported potatoes, forwarded to Wash- ington by our inspector at Seattle, proved to be infected with this disease. A scientific assistant of the Bureau of Plant Industry, then stationed at Jerome, Idaho, was authorized to proceed to British Columbia to determine, if possible, the source of the diseased potatoes. He found powdery scab at a number of places in British Columbia, and as a consequence all permits to import potatoes were promptly revoked. DOMESTIC INVESTIGATIONS. The investigations necessary to the determination of quarantine lines and as a basis for proper regulatory action in connection with domestic quarantines have been conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry in relation to the potato quarantine, and in cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology in relation to the moth quarantine in New England. No special investigations were neces- sary in relation to any of the other domestic quarantines. LIST OF PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS COVERED BY QUARANTINE, The following is a list of the plants and plant products now under quarantine in accordance with the various notices of quarantine issued up to June 30, 1915: Trish potatoes from Newfoundland, the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and continental Europe, except Denmark and part of the Netherlands. The quar- antine is still in force against the Provinces of Drenthe and Gronin- en in the Netherlands. There are no restrictions on the entry of oreign potatoes into the island of Porto Rico. Trish potatoes from the States of Maine and New York, except under rules and regulations prescribed.! 1 Discontinued Sept. 1, 1915. 360 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Cotton seed (including seed cotton) of all species and varieties and cottonseed hulls from all foreign localities and countries except the States of Neuvo Leon, Tashanltnas” Coahuila, Durango, Chihuahua, and Lower California, Mexico. Cotton seed (including seed cotton) of all species and varieties from the Mexican States mentioned may be imported under permit and bond for manufacturing purposes only. No restriction is placed on the use of cottonseed hulls imported from said States, or which may be obtained from cotton seed imported from said States. Cotton seed and cottonseed hulls from Hawaii. Seeds of the avocado or alligator pear from Mexico and the coun- tries of Central America. Oranges, sweet limes, mangoes, Achras sapotes, peaches, guavas, plums, and grapefruit, and their horticultural varieties, from Mexico. All citrus nursery stock, including buds, scions, and seeds, from all foreign localities and countries. The term ‘‘citrus’”’ as used here includes all plants belonging to the subfamily or tribe Citrate. Any fruit or vegetable from Hawaii upon which the Mediterranean fruit fly or the melon fly breeds, or which, from proximity of growth or the requirement of packing and shipping, may carry infestation, including alligator pears, bananas, carambolas, Chinese ink berries, Chinese oranges, Chinese plums, coffee berries, cucumbers, damson pis, eugenias, figs, grapes, grapefruit, green peppers, guavas, amani nuts, kumquats, free loquats, mangoes, mock oranges, mountain apples, melons, Natal or Kafir plums, oranges, papayas, peaches, persimmons, pineapples, prickly pears, rose apples, star apples, string beans, squashes, and tomatoes, except that bananas and pineapples may be moved from the Territory of Hawaii in manner or method or under conditions prescribed in the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture. Cotton lint from Hawaii may be shipped to the continental United States only in accordance with the regulations prescribed in the notice of quarantine. Living canes of sugar cane, or cuttings or parts thereof, from all foreign countries and from Hawaii and Porto Rico. There are no evel tie on the entry of such material into Hawaii and Porto ico. Indian corn from Java and India and Oceania, except Australia and New Zealand. All five-leafed pines! from Europe and Asia. Date palms or date-palm offshoots from Riverside County, Cal., east of the San Bernardino meridian; Imperial County, Cal.; Yuma, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties, Ariz.; and Webb County, Tex., shall be moved only in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable thereto. Coniferous trees, such as spruce, fir, hemlock, pine, juniper (cedar), and arbor vite (white cedar), known and described as ‘‘Christmas trees,’ and parts thereof, and decorative plants of the area quaran- tined for the gipsy moth (certain parts of New England), such as holly and Beaeell known and described as ‘‘Christmas greens or green- ery,’ ? shall not be moved or allowed to move interstate to points outside the quarantined area. 1 On and after July 1, 1915, all pines from all European countries and localities will be excluded. 2 It is proposed to allow the movement of these articles on and after July 1, 1915, under regulation. FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 361 Forest plant products, including logs, tan bark, posts, poles, rail- road ties, cordwood, and lumber, and field-grown florists’ stock, trees, shrubs, vines, cuttings, and other plants and plant products for planting or propagation, of the area quarantined for the gypsy moth (certain parts of New England), excepting fruit pits, seeds of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs, field, vegetable, and flower seeds, bedding plants, and other herbaceous plants and roots, shall not be moved or allowed to move interstate to any point outside the quar- antined area unless and until such plants and plant products have been inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture and pronounced free from the gipsy moth. Deciduous trees or shrubs of the area quarantined for the brown- tail moth (certain parts of New England), or such parts thereof as bear leaves, including all deciduous field-grown florists’ stock, vines, cuttings, grafts, and scions, but excepting forest-plant products, such as logs, tan bark, posts, poles, railroad ties, cordwood, and lumber, shall not be oe or awed to move interstate to points outside the quarantined area unless and until such plants and plant products have been inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture and pronounced to be free from the brown-tail moth. Coniferous trees and other evergreen trees are not affected by the brown-tail moth regulations. In the case of all foreign quarantines the embargo is absolute. * Hpeel sh wee Do ban rr say ; ase af s REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE OFFICE OF MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION. Unitep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Orrice or Markets AND RURAL ORGANIZATION, Washington, D. C., October 1, 1915. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the work of the Office of Markets and Rural Organization for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915. Respectfully, Cuarues J. Brann, Chief of Office. Hon. D. F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture. GENERAL STATEMENT. In the miscellaneous section of the act making appropriations. for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1914, a paragraph carried $50,000 for the acquisition and diffusion of useful information on subjects connected with the marketing and distributing of farm products. In the appropriation for the following year a similar paragraph was headed “Office of Markets,’ and the amount increased to $200,000. A new paragraph was placed in the miscellaneous sec- tion of the same bill appropriating $40,000 for a study of coopera- tion among farmers in the United States. In the bill for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916, both of these appropriations were removed from the miscellaneous section and combined in an appropriation for the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, with the total amount increased to $484,050. Of this sum, $75,000 was appropriated for the enforcement of the United States cotton futures act. This act was approved on August 18, 1914, and was designed “ to tax the privilege of dealing on exchanges, boards of trade, and similar places in contracts of sale of cotton for future delivery and for other purposes.” According to its provi- sions certain sections of this act were to be administered by the Department of Agriculture, and the Secretary made the Office of Markets and Rural Organization responsible for the consideration of all matters pertaining thereto. The act carried a continuing ap- propriation of $150,000 available for expenditures by the Depart- ment of Agriculture. Of this sum, $50,000 was set aside for ex- penditure during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915, leaving a 363 364 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. balance of $100,000 available for the continuation of the work, in addition to the amounts provided therefor in annual appropriations. The appropriation act for the fiscal year 1916 transferred from the Bureau of Plant Industry to the Office of Markets and Rural Organization the appropriation for the work on cotton standards. In order to coordinate the related lines of work as soon as possible, they were placed under one supervision by direction of the Secretary, effective April 1, 1915. Owing to these accessions and to the development of the work of the office as originally planned, it has been necessary to make many additions to the staff of the office, both scientific and clerical. The rate of increase in its personnel was 164 per cent, the staff number- ing 83 members on July 1, 1914, and 219 on July 1, 1915. In December, 1914, the office was moved into new quarters in a new building, making it possible to harmonize the physical loca- tion of the staff with its logical organization, with a consequent in- crease in efficiency of administration and decrease in waste motion. More adequate equipment was installed at this time and at subse- quent dates. During the course of the year the Office of Markets and Rural Organization published 7 bulletins of the Department Series, 2 Farmers’ Bulletins, 3 articles in the Department Yearbook, 4 Service and Regulatory Announcements, 2 Circulars of the Office of the Secretary, and 1 Document of the House of Representatives, con- taining in all 383 pages. In addition to this, a bulletin was issued in cooperation with the Bureau of Crop Estimates, and many mis- cellaneous articles were printed in the Agricultural Outlook and else- where. Other manuscripts have been submitted for publication but have not yet been issued. A great deal of preliminary work has been done in establishing the new projects of the office. Two of these—Marketing Live Stock, Meats, and Animal By-products and Marketing Business Prac- tice—were approved by the Secretary during the month of April, 1915; another project, Marketing Dairy Products, was approved on June 18, 1915; several others were submitted for approval late in the fiscal year but were not passed upon until after its close. As this is the first report for a full fiscal year of most of the proj- ects of this office, it is given in considerable detail, that it may serve as a basic report in future years. MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTING FARM PRODUCTS. Fourteen projects are grouped under this general heading. They include the original projects of this office with several additions. COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AND MARKETING. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, the work on this subject has been a continuation of work started in the previous year. The survey of farmers’ organizations has produced additional in- formation. The names of over 1,000 old associations and newly formed ones have been added to the list, which now includes over 11,000 entries. Information as to their formation and system of operation has been secured. It has been found that of this large MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION. 865 number of organizations only about one-sixth are truly cooperative, most of the organizations being governed and profits paid on the basis of capital invested. Many of these capitalistic associations are now being reorganized under new cooperative laws, and this office has drawn plans for reorganizing 12 of them on the basis of no capital stock, nonprofit, and the payment of patronage divi- dends, with a one-vote membership control. It has also been found that most of these organizations are held together by a loosely drawn membership agreement, with penalty clauses that are clearly illegal. A membership agreement which bases all sales upon a legally drawn power of attorney has been prepared so as to give more stability to farmers’ selling organizations. STUDY OF COOPERATION IN THE UNITED STATES. The survey of cooperation in the United States shows that it is far more prevalent than is generally believed, though not upon as strong a business basis as is needed. It is estimated that the farmers’ cooperative marketing and purchasing organizations will transact this year a total business amounting to more than $1,400,000,000. The conclusion seems warranted that in communities where coopera- tion is practically applied to the farmers’ business the results ob- tained are far more satisfactory than those secured by individual methods. An effort has been made to strengthen existing organizations and to guide new associations as far as practicable so that they may serve their members more effectively and avoid the many difficulties and failures which have resulted in the past from lack of experience and foresight. STATE COOPERATIVE LAWS. The laws of the various States relating to the formation and man- agement of farmers’ cooperative associations are being collected in collaboration with the Office of the Solicitor, and a digest of them is being prepared. A study of these laws shows that there is a great diversity among the laws of the various States under which farmers’ marketing organizations can be chartered. In fact, a majority of States make it necessary to organize under the regular corporation law, which makes no provision for the distribution of profits on the basis of the amount of sales and purchases made by the farmer with the organization. Drafts of proposed new laws to encourage co- operation in Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oklahoma have been prepared by State authorities and forwarded to this office for suggestions regarding improvement. In the case of 12 new asso- ciations, the necessity of conforming to State and Federal laws com- pelled the preparation of complete forms of by-laws. This work was done for associations in the State of Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. First-hand knowledge of the individual problems of cooperative organizations is essential for giving the most helpful service. Per- sonal visits have been made to existing and prospective organizations of farmers in Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, 366 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. and Arkansas, and definite advice has been given regarding plans of organization and methods of operation. Extensive work has been done among the fruit growers generally, the nut growers of the South, the cane and sorghum sirup makers of the South, the bean growers of Michigan and California, and the tobacco growers of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Maryland, and Kentucky. In addition to the direct aid given in this way, much valuable in- formation has been accumulated and is being prepared for publica- tion. Publications dealing with various phases of cooperative marketing have been issued. A treatment of the general principles involved in the organization and maintenance of cooperative marketing associa- tions was published in the Yearbook for 1914, and was reprinted as Yearbook Separate No. 637: Cooperative Marketing and Financing of Marketing Associations. Farmers’ Bulletin No. 656: The Com- munity Egg Circle, was also issued, both publications being now in the second edition. Much of the work reported under Marketing Business Practice was planned and conducted under this project before that work became a separate undertaking. The work under Cooperative Pur- chasing and Marketing is carried on by Messrs. Charles E. Bassett and Charles W. Moomaw. MARKETING BUSINESS PRACTICE. The investigations relating to the accounting, auditing, financing, and general business practices of cooperative organizations, which were conducted during the last fiscal year under the project Coopera- tive Purchasing and Marketing have been transferred to a new project, that of Marketing Business Practice. COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATION BUSINESS METHODS. After a comprehensive investigation of the accounting methods in use by cooperative marketing organizations throughout the United States it was found that there was a dire need for a text or hand book relating to the general business practices of these organizations, stated in simple form and giving plans for the business organization and the general business requirements for conducting a cooperative marketing organization. To answer this need a manuscript was pre- pared and published as Department Bulletin No. 178: Cooperative Organization Business Methods. This bulletin was issued in March, and exhausted. This publication serves as a guide in formulating the plans for the business organization of a cooperative marketing association and contains general accounting and business-practice information of material interest to officers and members of such asso- ciations. COUNTRY GRAIN ELEVATORS: SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS, BUSINESS PRACTICES. The system of elevator accounts which had been installed at the date of our last report, for experimental operation in four farmers’ elevators in the Northwest was installed in other elevators, making a MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION. 367 total of 14 country elevators, located in seven States, in which this accounting system was tried out in actual operation. After a season’s use in these organizations it was believed to have been developed to a point where it was worthy of recommendation to country elevators as a uniform system of accounts. To this end Department Bulletin No. 236, A System of Accounts for Farmers’ Cooperative Elevators, was issued. ‘This bulletin contains reproductions of the forms comprising the system, describes in detail their uses, and contains the necessary information for the installation and operation of the system, together with material relating to the business methods of these enterprises. Printers’ copies of the various forms were prepared for distribution to elevators desiring to consider the system for installation. Seven hundred and forty-six widely distributed elevators have requested these forms, and more than one hundred elevators were using them on June 30, 1915. Various printing firms throughout the country are printing the system, and it is obtainable at a nominal cost. Indica- tions are that during the fall of 1915 and the following spring the system will be installed generally by country elevators. Owing to the demand it has been necessary to request a second edition of the bulletin describing the operation of this system. COOPERATIVE FRUIT ORGANIZATIONS: SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS, BUSINESS PRACTICES. The system of accounts devised for cooperative fruit organizations, which was tried in experimental operation during the last fiscal year in three large fruit and produce exchanges, so well answered the pur- poses of a complete system of accounts for these organizations that it was considered advisable to recommend it as a uniform system for small cooperative fruit associations. The system and description of its operation was published as Department Bulletin No. 225: A System of Accounting for Cooperative Fruit Associations. Printers’ copies of all the forms described in the bulletin were prepared and made available for general distribution. At the end of the fiscal year 55 fruit associations had requested copies of these forms and were considering the installation of the system. Inasmuch as the bulletin was not available for general distribution until May 1, 1915, but few organizations have had time to install the system, although it is now in use in 15 fruit associations located in different parts of the country. COOPERATIVE PRODUCE ORGANIZATIONS : SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS, BUSINESS PRACTICES. A system of accounts has been devised for those produce exchanges which buy the members’ products outright. Inasmuch as there are but a few of these organizations in the United States, it was not deemed advisable to place the system in bulletin form. However, printers’ copies of the forms have been prepared and a description of their uses is available for distribution to organizations desiring to consider the system for installation. This system will be of greatest service to the small produce organizations in the South and West. At the close of the fiscal year requests from 87 produce organizations had been received for copies of the forms comprising this system. 368 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. LIVE-STOCK SHIPPING ASSOCIATIONS: SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS, BUSINESS PRACTICES. A system of accounts for live-stock shipping associations has been devised, this system having been prepared after an extensive investi- gation of the accounting and business methods of live-stock shipping associations. The system will be installed during the fiscal year 1916 for experimental operation in one organization in each of the following States: Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. After an experimental operation covering a year’s business, if the system proves successful it will be made available for adoption by live-stock shipping associations generally. RURAL CREAMERIES : SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS, BUSINESS PRACTICES, During the past year an extensive investigation was made of the accounting and business-practice methods of rural creameries. About 25 creameries, located in the States of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky were visited and a detailed study was made of their business methods. This investiga- tion showed that there was a great need for some business system which could be adopted generally by these enterprises, and which could be used with but few changes by both large and small con- cerns. A system of accounts has been devised and arrangements have been made to install it in one creamery in each of seven States. It is the intention to try this system in experimental operation until it has been developed to such a point that it is deemed of sufficient worth to be recommended as a uniform system of accounts for rural creameries. When this system is perfected it is intended to place it in bulletin form together with other information relating to the busi- ness methods of these enterprises. The work in perfecting this sys- tem is conducted in close cooperation with the Dairy Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry. FINANCING COOPERATIVE MARKETING ASSOCIATIONS. In starting a cooperative organization one of the most serious problems is that of financing its operation. Very few of these organ- izations have paid-in capital stock or surplus or other assets which are liquid, sufficient to meet the expenses of the business during the heavy marketing season. It is necessary therefore to secure funds from outside sources for these purposes. From the investigations of this office relating to cooperative organizations it was found that practically none of the smaller organizations have any idea as to the possibilities for developing credit and securing the necessary funds for conducting their business along approved and efficient lines. It was deemed advisable, therefore, to make a complete investigation of the financing of cooperative marketing associations, and ascer- tain, if possible, the methods used by the successful organizations in financing their enterprises. Personal visits were made to cooperative organizations in 17 States. The managers were interviewed, methods and plans of financing secured, and bankers and others making loans to the business were consulted. Bankers in Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Den- ver, New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia were interviewed for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent loans were made to MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION. 869 cooperative organizations or to smaller banks who in turn loaned to cooperative organizations, the security required, and the methods of obtaining these loans. Circulars were forwarded to over 300 organ- izations scattered throughout the country, and from those returned information as to the financing of over 175 cooperative organizations was secured. Irom a study of this material it has been possible to make recommendations to various organizations throughout the coun- try as to plans of financing and to make certain suggestions as to the type of organization which will be most successful from a financing standpoint. COOPERATIVE RETAIL STORES : INVESTIGATION, BUSINESS PRACTICES. Owing to the prevailing interest in the present status of the coop- erative retail stores, practically all of which are conducted for farmers and handle supplies for the farm, it was believed that the underlying principles of success and failure of these organizations should be ascertained, in order that the office could be in a position to state the facts relating to these enterprises. During the past fiscal year personal visits were made to 15 cooperative stores located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. A complete analysis of the business of these stores was made and a detailed his- tory of the organizations obtained. As it was decided to extend this investigation during the fiscal year 1916, it is planned to make per- sonal visits to cooperative stores located in the other sections of the United States, securing a complete analysis of the business of the stores visited from the time of their organization to the present day, ascertaining the reasons for success or failure, the benefits derived by the members, if any, and if possible to determine the exact status of the cooperative store in the United States to-day. In order that this movement may be looked upon in the light of the facts as to the past successes and failures, and the present economic position of these enterprises, it is necessary to make a complete study of these organi- zations. STATE LAWS RELATING TO COMMISSION BUSINESS. Investigations have been started relating to the commission laws recently passed in the States of Alabama, Colorado, Washington, and New York. These laws prescribe certain requirements of indi- viduals and concerns engaged in handling agricultural products on a commission basis. The purpose of these investigations is to watch the operation and ascertain the effect of the requirements prescribed in these laws upon the business in general, and the effect as it relates to the producer and the consumer. SURVEY OF THE BUSINESS OF COOPERATIVE CANNING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. In cooperation with the Bureau of Organization and Marketing of the Oregon State Agricultural College, a comprehensive survey of the business of canning fruits and vegetables cooperatively in the Pacific Northwest has been made. This survey covered the business of 21 canneries located in Washington, Oregon, and California. Over 80 per cent of the cooperative fruit and vegetable canneries in this territory have been complete failures. In order to determine the reasons for the great number of failures and the requirements 22814°—acr 1915-——24 870 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. for success in the conducting of these enterprises a complete analysis of the entire business career was made of the 21 representative can- neries. The information thus obtained shows clearly that the. busi- ness of a cooperative cannery is ordinarily a hazardous one, and that there are certain fundamental requirements, such as the neces- sary amount of green goods, proper management, and sufficient capital, to make the organization a success. The material collected in this survey is available for those considering the establishment of a cannery. Material was also secured from which a cost system of accounts for fruit and vegetable canneries is being prepared, the lack of proper accounting systems being one of the weakest points in these organi- zations. By securing a simple yet comprehensive and complete cost system of accounts which can be used by the smaller canneries generally, this business will be placed upon a much more stable basis and accurate statistics can be secured, the analysis of which will indicate changes necessary for the improvement of the business opera- tions of these organizations. MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES. An investigation was made of one of the oldest and most successful cooperative cheese-selling associations in the United States, as it was thought that a knowledge of the method of conducting this business would be of great value to the cooperative cheese factories through- out the United States. A plan was outlined for the organization of the hop growers in the States of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho into three State associations which are affiliated into a central selling association, this work being done by the field agent located at the em State Agricultural College, working in cooperation with this office. The aim of all the activities under Marketing Business Practice is to increase the business efficiency of individuals, cooperative organi- zations, and concerns engaged in the marketing, distributing, and storing of agricultural products. Any improvement in business methods means more economical conduct, resulting in smaller mar- gins and better returns to producers and a lessening of costs to con- sumers. The work of this project has been directed by Mr. W. H. Kerr, assisted by Messrs. G. A. Nahstoll, J. R. Humphrey, J. W. Boies, field agent, and Dr. Hector Macpherson, field agent, the last two being located in Oregon, in cooperation with the Oregon State Agri- cultural College. MARKET SURVEYS, METHODS AND COSTS. STUDY OF MARKET METHODS. Procepure.—During the summer and fall of 1914 surveys of mar- keting conditions were made in 23 important central and northern markets. A study was made of the machinery and marketing meth- ods employed in each market to determine the usual and necessary number of handlings before farm products, especially perishables, reach the consumer. A special study was made of the methods of handling and marketing cantaloupes and apples. MARKETS AND RURAL ORGANIZATION, ott The plan generally pursued was to station one market assistant in each city, who made a study of such items as the sources of supply, quantity and condition of arrivals, and the wholesale prices pre- vailing. After acquainting himself with general conditions, specific typical cars of fruits or vegetables were selected for detailed study. Careful tabulations were made of all ascertainable charges and costs accruing on these cars, including freight, refrigeration, selling charges, and transportation within the city. A record was made of the entire wholesale distribution of each. The product was then followed into the hands of the jobber and retailer, respectively, a record being made in each case of such items as the prices paid and received, the expense incurred for haulage and delivery, and losses through spoilage. In this way 91 cars were traced in part to the consumer. The largest proportion of any one car actually traced to the final purchaser was about 72 per cent. Frequently so many retailers participated in the distribution, and the product moved so quickly that it was practicable to obtain final prices on less than 5 per cent of the contents of the car. Resvtts.—The results of this work have been used in part in the preparation of several publications dealing with the marketing of specific products or with specific phases of the marketing problem. Department Bulletins Nos. 266: Outlets and Methods of Sale for Shippers of Fruits and Vegetables, and 267: Methods of Wholesale Distribution of Fruits and Vegetables on Large Markets, are the direct results of this work. Comprehensive reports covering the conditions found at each market have been prepared and placed on file as guides in the selection of suitable fields for further and more detailed investigations. Experience has been gained which has been valuable in outlining the further development of this work. STUDY OF SOUTHERN MARKETS. In January and February, 1915, eight members of the force de- voted a few weeks to an investigation of marketing conditions in nearly all of the larger cities in the Southern States east of Texas with especial reference to the possibility of their development as markets for products of diversified agriculture in the South. Re- ports were compiled and placed on file for use in outlining further work, although the investigations were not so detailed as to justify specific publications upon these markets. ORIGIN AND COMMERCIAL MOVEMENT OF SPECIFIC CROPS. Crors sELEcTED.— 2: ok - Sens = Sa ke tae a 336-337 reserves, purchase, work’and plans.2 . 0. <<. -2 2 ape tas pop oe ee 50-51 Apple — bitter rot, control in vestioations= 2... 205 4--e n= ee ae ae ee 146 TNsects, COMMO!WOLk. . 2. ss> Ge cc les eee ee eee eee eee 214 Apples; storage houses, studies... ...-.--- 22. ::.2. 22... esate ase ene eee eee 195 Arsenicals— injuries to pecan foliage °2 52 52S oosi acs Lb eee eee 215 pprays, analysis, electrolytic method ’.\2.02 202252. 5.2. .-2peeeeee ee 349 Arsenite of soda, use in weed eradication, Hawaii...................--------- 304 Astragalus mollissimus, cause of loco poisoning, studies. .............--.----- 148 Avocado— acclimatization in United States, value as food, etc..................--- 153 Seeds, Quarantine. ...5 sud Sco cecuges cp matbnase as cama sts seem 360 INDEX. 403 Page Bacteria, nodule-forming cultures, distribution and use.................-.-.-- 148 Paearete nM ShGted 0052 So 0s seas es kane tes hge eke os. ee ew. vey 102 Bad-Em-Salz, drug misbranding, decision. . Heer pig Mater ie Soo Barium chloride, removal from salt brines, ametitods. .) ey ylascall xe soak 194 Barley— CT eee Sees hee Seas tad miming oichcnens oy Deke ae eT pet ee es cp te 3 exports, 1914-1915, value, per cent of crop, increase................------ 4,5 eICes eee! GM NROVEAN Wallnn62:o, 2 2 ye ag st eb ome BaRNETT, CLARIBEL R., report as Librarian, 1915...............-....------ 283-293 Bat guano, deposits, investigations, Portotitvartide wp intine ce lige be wank 304 Beavers, mountain, injuries to small fruits and GhODS ase See Eon 236 Bee— CULLUEC WOK yl Oi ea ate Sia AGG SE BG. eS te aetna Bye sepa ee 230-231 Eeepme mam, extension). ... 2.2.2... 22. ee. 3 oe 2 de Sapte Ube 307 Beef— Rent Me EORSIOT WOGK 55525525) cisienoie cess os nein ee ee eS eR 84-85 imports GomCemwed es aoe ss Mec le SS Oe oa ec NE | oe eg ie ee 110 production, experimental and extension work....................-----++- 83-85 Bees— development, activities, and diseases, studies..................-..+-+++++- 231 wintering, investigations. . PARES Sra se ts Lem eeN Sas Lary PROI hth Pee aeereae ies Sr g43)] Beet— pel prerectiGn avon onmilic jo. Gi... eel esu he. 12 Geeta c eee eee 98 sugar, sections, conditions, etc., studies............. 22 222.22.-52 5222-50 152 Beetles, Dendroctonus, control, demonstrations...............--2..-.+s20-+ 224-925 Beets, sugar— insect pesteneauirol shudiess. 0 yaa Se eon ne so x ete bwaeS eae © 226 seed production in United States, rat seapeaen byuerdes Sant td erg dk eek ete 158 Berries, shipping by parcel post, experiments. . Hiei Eysla BAR SRL Beep ooo Bemesdadoxpermment Station, work... ...------- 22+ 52.222 2022-2 sees e eee 137-140 Bibliographical work, office and bureau libraries.......................---- 286, 287 ‘‘Bieneck,’’ calves, TEC sApee Ana Br Bh nines seihesadt: -edaebesh 120 Binding expenditures, 1915. and printing: ....5: Meecieiocee al pstne ioasete t 254-258 Biochemic TUSIRLON cs WORK. 05. js )n-.2i0- ce bet SSOHEN Lee dr, Petree: JA eed ae 123-133 Biological— prodiets;.canstel, progress). 445482120. - eeetivad sek eal coke) thee aiee 122 Sunvey,buresureport.ot chret,, 1910.2... sbi. reas eb oie - 233-247 surveys, progress, 1915.. Bee fait ears pete. hates Sat. Cae EE et wed A C40 Bird reservations, location, and reports. Kents ah cs Bah Bee es cet lis barn! cap rie ee 241-242 Birds— attinachine-m ethodssss sears ease seis ee Ee Se ee Gs Sol eee are cae 238 baglezical anvesiipations:.. ..2sse0- sets Jers bes deed 214: beac - hypais 239-240 ~ destruction by poachers, Laysan Island..-......................--------- 242 distribution and migration, numbers, etc..................-..----+++++-- 239 economic investigations Soe tea oe Mavetyeet aie aera tatn sb ion meh at Tae 236-238 importation, 1915, decrease... -..---- 222642525 s diets ee Leas: 4 - setesseee- 244 migratory— IOUdLAU IDLY IY CAHOA ONS. 2026s SS1 See Sy de hes Land dw dle Sehe-e 240 law, enforcement. . Br ae gu ete th Rp Eo 343 law, regulations and administration. . © OOZES Nag i ese A) Bison, Montana National ae RCP Ob Re ea eebere ae eke la ieet 41). 3-15 eeid 242-243 Bitter Folapple, control imvestications= 4 Aste seas sachet ak nln -crielee 146 Bituminous sand construction, Florida roads, studies.............:....----+- 324 Blackleg— MES PDE ara = = ==) -inini= =i = sath ints tte edts ets Sey ees ysis Sind se ge eis 10 MCRAE GRECO ION. 5 /-.5>. 24/55 yada) Une 20. | ott eigenen Se 121 Blister rust, white pine, investigations.....-...-.-----..--2-----+++¢2ersee ee 146 Blowflies, injurious to wool of sheep..---.-- 2-5-2: 44-+ +--+ 4-220 - o e+ en 219 Bluegrass, injury, by ereem-=bug attacks peso. See 8 ye pee elses = ey aie 221 Boll weevil, cotton— Gorieliohiidipains 2s, .. .. a5 ieee ee Ae ae he ete tae 216-217 dispersion and new infestations, area. ...-....-------------+++2+2+-2:- 216, 217 Bollworm, pink, quarantine regulations........-.-.----.-.------+--+--- 354, 355, 359 Books, collections in branch libraries returned to main 1}o37 13, eee Eee > = 286 Boone area, Appalachian forest lands, purchases..............-.---------++-- 336 Borax for control of house fly, comparison with hellebore.................--. 219 . 404 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Page. Borer, peach, control studies. 92': [sts 02 Set ~oealioo. peice Alen aes 214 Boys, club work— development, membership, results, etc......-..--.-----------++--eeee- 9-10 review by Secretary <. 2... 2. sso - Sobie cla tess Reet ae wee ek ee 42 BRAND, CuaruEs J., report as Chief of Markets Office. ................. ... 363-400 Branding ink, preparation and cost. 52 ts <. JS Lise ae eee 125 Breeding— Alaska, fruits, grain, and forage. ..... ....= -. 211-213 @usraNtiNe! 2. Sie sock wecce coe cere s} See ek SLE eee eee ene 354-361 spread) L9U5. 7. cece veer te ewe cites wb eee ere 212 Budworm, tobacco, control -.-_. -.-.4a: so ystehe unit Tatas eee ee oe eee 217 Buffalo, increase in Wichita National Forest....................---+-2s-sees 174 Buildings, dairy, architecture and engineering. -2....0.2 .22.1// 2:2. -iapencelieene dee Bulletins, new, various bureaus, etc., contributing. ...........2..........2.. 259 Bureau. See Animal Industry, etc. Butter— baeteriological investigations. ....~..22 020 52 ~. si. las bie. Se. ae 103 marketing— cooperative, investigations. < 22.2... 2 ceiae 387, 388 Investigations. - -~-22< ---<-sere~ see no~ + eee nate see 99 packing for Navy Department, changes, keeping qualities, etc............ 100 renovated, inspection and output..cLav220eike - See loose Wal ge 100 Cabbage insects, investigations... ..:vsetcil ween fee oii. shen depos 226 Cactus, varieties, breeding experiments in Texas. -... ....... 9/40: 292229. ~-222 150 Caffein, determination in admixtures.............22----200-000 02 ceee cece 194-195 Carrey, Francis G., report-as:Solicitor, 1915. ...~..10....8 tee. Roe ae 327-346 California— citrus-fruit insects, investigations 3.2 22 4 tevas Siotetere icra MASONS SEE pe 229 East Park, bird reservation, Teport:.:.. 42 GSE SOLS TOE eee 241 Klamath National Forest, insect control demonstration................ 224-225 splenetic fever, areas released from quarantine............. Jo. Abo Lee 111 Calosoma— spp., use in control of range caterpillar...................2..-22---2+.--- 220 sycophanta, spread and work against gipsy moth..............-...---...- 213 Calves— “‘bigneck,” note... =... 222.2 AR ee ie ees 120 Inspection for meat, Work; . ~~~ - 2:0: <1-wuein vs MESURE 105, 106, 107 white scours, investigations 3 ore ele ele ls letetetertaraictts se SRIIOA Ee Le ara 120 Cane, sugar— insects, control studies. .{./....0...6 ceo Je ee were, glee bee 217-218 QUATANGING. . ois vs = ae lew te we ose ee ce cee pec eins ee 360 tops— burning, destruction of beneficial parasites... ...-.............-..-- 218 silage, value for dairy cows, Hawali.-...-.........2020.0.02.000254 304 Canidiella, parasite of alfalfa weevil, establishment......................---. 223 Canker— citrus, injuries, control work and experiments. .............-.-..-. 24, 145-146 flax, investigations. =. <2. 6 0s< 59,5, simars ace deni dae MOSS widen shes Te 2Speie Enea Pit SSO ee Aled Goh OS. Pel bd ab bites staat ld 385 ie eradication, progress and importance. ..........-.---.------------- 10-11 ticks, Pinte MONON y «meets sls esse 5 4 au Seo Ws -= GE an ies doer 111 tuberculin testing for interstate movement, work.........-.-.- IR ie 113 tuberculosis, investigations Ait NSE EE SP iss. Tesi ae bes ps Social LEG See also Cows. weecerraiorire experiments.) Re. 2 esha Ut eee: osha wetiow ns 156 Beer, USCS: <->. 5 .\52 2s sandes sc teers cade Et CSPOT IUE bein. Lie eep lores bins 384 Cement— by-product of potassium, manufacture.......-..----- i oh pat pnd. gh ea sn 206 tile, manufacture, use, and durability, studies. ....... CMe SOE ae ks 310 Census— Pere tOL TOLD: PYOPTESS. ooe.a tte eerie dee ssWe cea dee: ose rode 239 traflic, Ca treATe Pat eAitae ok ul SUL), he Sena Ah. oe itehee 'aebiebapaes te 318, 320-321 Cereal— RESUMED OMNES EN ce = Lee Sede tae soe eso ons AMR Sete 5 wns Ha tbiac!s wee ee sore 146 SHANE SS ROG ea oe Ne RE DO REE _ 0 Dee eed Ju ees eeee 146-147 Cereals, utilization on reclamation projects, studies... ........-----+----++.- 155 Cerebrospinal meningitis, horses, investigations..............--.---- tel ets 117-118 Cerotoma larve, injury to cowpeas, inv estigations md fees: ae): Beets 22 Bier tus ove arene 222 Cheese— bacteriological investigations..................-.-- Meh iyses . Syne Se ters ora 103 manufacture, investications and work...--....2ve g-|s22 294-2 seid «le emer = 99-100 feline. association, study 208s escent abbeys. ele seed dees aepion alantjs= 370 MEREIEOSE MROMOEGE C79. oto hw Sale Netwrard wr mraiancrais drone ult tiie ee rh fey stoia ten 191-200 Chemistry Bureau— Sao perakive workess 2202 72st 15955 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 200, 349 cooperative work for Insecticide Board. ....-..--.--.------+--++-++++++-- 349 decisions and annouLicements: . oi ese g sees we yas Sas She oS ade se ne mon 197 inveshieahonal Wworks.-25< S4j02 ss s28 2 Se<2 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199 laboratory work for other bureaus, for year..............-- Oyaee ee 200 _ VoLLATSA” (iie a ear ae See mS Seen Samim Ptse vs See ear eS 195-200 relations to pouty and €fp inv estisaiinne Cie. oaewlawsbes idee near 193 Bes sua Pe oe eee ea oe pace ee eee eee 191-200 RGAE OCHA LIOEI Se Shorts ro Aa yes clo cae, ae PEE Ihe eters oer 205-210 Chenopodium oil, remedy: ior worms tm hegassv: eleiaisid -esagick } Sass se ert, 136 Chestnut, Chinese, resistant to bark disease............-..------seeeese sees. 153 Chinese dry-land elm, adaptability to northern plains, studies. ......-.......... 153 Chlorid, barium, removal from salt prines method =.cq5stnbreiins - eeen de aie 194 Cholera, hog. See Hog cholera. Chugach National Forest. aren location: and LesOUrCeS:.- <><. ssa ae 5H laoe Circulars, make-up, regulation. Beet Set) eee ilaen2 fs a JES Be tebe = 261 Cities, marketing ANd distributions Rbudied? sues. sk wdiolive apneeeee 378-379 Citrous fruits. See Citrus fruits. Citrus— canker— control experiments in China and Japan..........-..--------+------ 149 injuries, control work and experiments................-----..+----- 145-146 figure, prevalence, control work... ..-..--.... ===/-\aeite seine ns ieee 24 fruit— Pig= Prod Cis MMMPAUION . 2.5 223.222 Sons eens 35 asin ee 5 Se oe geen 192 canker-resistant, studies in China and Japan............--.---------- 149 diseases, stiaee cw -- aes 86 home-cured-meat, relation to pig-club Work; note. ...terc#:teeseee eee 86 pig, development and success of work.---.---.--<-:-:+25-42558-5-eaee 9, 85-86 poultry, membership, increase, benefits, etc.......-..---.-.--.----+-- 9, 89-90 Codling moth; investigations... ...-/...--:-: sti: sbiel= Wines ese ee 214 Coffee— adulteration, investigations... 42/22. eesescnns ee 2655 93> 55 195 varieties, investigations, Porto: Rico...20...ee .-2.- tes se ace 2 eee 305 Coke ovens, by- -product, source .of ammionia........<-- 22-22. - =. dete eee 207 Commerce Department, administration es Alaska game laws, note. .........-- 36 Committee— on examination of manuscripts, oak OL Year .oo no 46 Sos 5. 035s. ee eee eee 259 States Relations; work: 722s4e-Gu. + Seen aap feces ae = ee 299-300 Community fairs,-study -.......... c..a-..WbeSeeeeak 2 aeeEt eee eee See 392 Compsilura concinnata, use in control of range:caterpillar: 2 ss. 26 J oanaeaeess eens aeseiwen es see rk eee set ine ee cei ee oy 253-273 Education— agricultural— provisions of cooperative agricultural extension act.................. 38 AMY COUTAEE ROLCSA alam sonst aetna ta ae ony oe ene nin creeds ee 298 Putalwactiwities sas ws55.eedaes sts elle ee ee eee ee! 391-392 Eggs— Pandling Wohippineyetes<2 sarccacAcaeosteescnasce ees eee 193, 196 imfertiles production, advantages: 2/0092 sie Ba ee 90 production, experiments: with henssso25 5: Poser hats: 22a Sek ip 88-89 regulatory legislation, Illinois and Kansas..........-.-...-.-. hfe corned 196 Gisiibutioniny National Worests:222s75zess7esehsaisisc22he ee 174 ameresse. in National Forests. .2c2o2Ss2sessqer5ec2202220252: Sacra BSE Pes Pereervahionework, Wi yomine. <2 710222 Seay omeeen see ee ee 243-244 Elm, Chinese dry- land, ad abil to northern plains region............. sare 15 2) Emery, JAMES A., report as member of Insecticide Board.........-.-.-...- 347-350 Employees, misconduct charges, examination by Solicitor.......---.....-.-.. 331 Engineering— field, Roads Office, work of year. .......-. sangbe ned asa seocereune tens ae 314-319 Apt Up maat eT LRMCiA OM Maer S ei ate iw a a aye depois orole tena eon eee ol gente 316 Penomolorish woport, 1loadioseasevesse LOD LIS a a Se ee _ 211-231 Entomology Bureau— Rooperonon wish @gler DUT CRs eee ee eee re eee obeae ees 193 cooperative work for Insecticide Board. .......-..--.-------- Lirias. Medea 350 Orem Olomrenont OlvPmtomologist --., sic 391 Management Office, cooperation in woodlot studies. .....--..-.------+--- 184 Morgan horse, work... 22.2 on5 000 Seis o-= + -a'otine ihe ciemetel=|- eateee e 87, 93 products— marketing and distribution, projects...........-..---.----------+-- 364-889 marketing and distribution, work of Office of Markets and Rural Or- Sani 7ZahlON 2.2% sse J) shieke ese eigsidais Cease we ae see oe ee 26-36 marketing and purchasing, cooperative.........-.------+----------- 364-366 transportation and storage. 0-3. Gost seblacist seo -0 eee eee eee 376-378 Units 4 GISCUSsION 4c oe srs ce ee a aeieieleis tele ciate aye pee ae 28-29 Farmers’— cooperative organizations, methods, etc .. .364-366, 367, 368, 369, 380-382, 384-387 Institute, work, progress. 2.2 95.0, -< ahi «se beeetl eee eine soSbikaeeee 298-299 knowledge requirementsfor success........-.------------eeseeeee eee eee- 29 Farmers’ Bulletins— 1907-1915. and 1890-1915, with Congressional distribution. ...-.-.-.--- 258-259, 269 number printed, 1915, cost,.sources, (ete jo. fa g-(-=aiamelimeimi- Oh = 253, 255, 256, 257 sales by Superintendent of Documents. .........-.---.-.-2----+2-52250- 263 Farms, average acreage in various séctions..............--.------ss+-ssee5-e8 28 Fats— denaturing agents, studies. ...-2.....2.2.5-.,052.5.2 2.8 eee eee 124 nutritive value and digestibility, study . . . 2-22 s0.< i522 weer 311-312 Heeding, poultry... s-0..220 0-5... ssndh cece he ae ae eee oe 193 Feeds, ground, presence of weed seeds. .........-2--220- 22+ - eee eee n eee cone 158 Feldspar, source of potash— GISCUSSIONs 256 Seca sod SaiealSle a sdk Sele SSE SSE BERLE eee 26 InvestiPatOns 92 coud wc seer eee ee ee ee eens a ere fre Se 206 Fertility, soil, investigations, field and laboratory ..........--.------------ 209-210 Fertalizers, nitrogenous, study ..<<-(-- aee use oo-et ee see eee eee 210 Fever— splenetic, quarantine, areas released by States..........--------------++-- ill spotted, tick-control work. ..... -.sjc«o-.s=0s=s6=— =< == e eee 219 Texas, loss from...) .2<..2s oe cease cwigcae es = oeteivs 06 eee eee 10 Field— engineering, Roads Office, work of year............---«s-jeses- = 314-319 Inspection division, Work... 0.2.0 cine oe nee oa ce anienicle ee ee eee 110-113 Films, motion-picture, preparation in Publications Division.............--.-- 268 ae, Douglas, pitch moth, control _ _ 2... eu eh oke beet eeee eee te ee 224 al Tre—_ . control, National Forests, system and work .......-.-.-------------+++--- 44-45 danger to forests and protection from........-------- 20/4 == #-h26-nsee 179-180 Fires— forest protection, cooperation of Forest Service with States... ......... 179-180 National Forests, damage and control . .. . - .....:....02. «om: 326 9==- eee 4 National Forests, 1914, number and causes..........-.----------+--++-- 166-167 Fish, cooperative studies occ -cupvekotesidaecias sans Seca se ahaa Seer 193 Fish meal— effect, on: flavor ol MU os soca. cco 5 side's ocieijasaidee eee Eee 98 feed for hogs, experiments... .... ... .0cis.- deeine-eatiew Waconia 86 Flax— canker, investications. .- . < / sqcj (s/s lupreteis d.-\urw'ereyalide ainpphie nels: acta 146 siraw,, UcUliZation Studies... 2.5.2.2. ..nseniah ene ea. oea eRe eee 155 VATIOHY BELQIOS » au snc science ants OO. Seaton Ue ae 301-302 insects, control in packages........ .Uobkewreth douke aainieeeeteeaeee 228 INDEX. 413 Fruit—Continued. Page. organizations, cooperative, business methods................-2......2.--- 367 aurplus; Utilization ..~.2..-..uiwseaiaw at auot: oui) 2969 Use Dee 192 trees, spraying in bloom, effect on bees........ 2.22202... 0. 0. eee eect 231 Fruits— citrus, improvement, studies in California...............2..222222.2.2.... 150 deciduous, insects injurious, investigations............2...........0... 214-216 Howallan, quarantine. .:¢5~2....:..fakue oie bud evdeius: Sora 2 360 [ae Kotseee MV eRMINAIONIBG Sa 56 S22 ta cee etc oe ETO UTE, SL 375 shipping by parcel post; experiments... stern Aa eye oe Ag dL. 379-380 studies by Chemistry Bureau.. Be SPL E ne! BOT nh tet 1s hat ae TIS tropical, insects injurious, investigations. oO MN SVT LE ETE A, elon 228 Fumigation, improved method, testing.............02.. 2.22. 202 2.2 cece eee. 228-229 Puinel, Parasitic, stadles<-: -....< 47.0% -OBSsams eel aU. oieraed Je eY Ae 148 Fungicide and Insecticide Board, report............2 2022022022222 2222. 347-350 Fungicides— Banrples, collection, and. examination... 2209 S00 Byles eee. ule 348-350 studies by Chemistry Bureau...200e2 052... ee) fee Galas aT 193 Fur, Persian lamb, sheep-breeding experiments.....................---2-.--- 92 Fur-bearing animals— Alaska, administration of laws, changes................... ho Seb iad tue 36 investigations. Dich oom ets Go te Open Lemar Abie. fi eee 233-234 Futures, exchanges, rules and regulations, studies...................222..2.. 395 Game— quinals, large; anvestigations: \.......:.... 270% losutrs yretiee.ainsoolet - 240 Be enmMlenton Dy tine dire; OFEPON. ¢.Seenc03 bs. ee Seon ik sei ce eek le ee eek 242 interstate commerce, violations of law....................2222.222-2-. 244-945 Preservation works 10D. seco k. Sse Os SPOS ee. en 241-245 protection and increase, National Forests. ..................2-22222222.. 174 laws— Maske Jadmumistrationy changes! 2. S550 2. 6.5... 6... so 36 Alaska, amendments, recommendations by Secretary................ 36-37 Slate, NOTES 4ocheos. cee RR RIO Ee, Se oe ev eeyls Salton 245 BeEMaEC: Ba ROUTCO Ol MUTOP OM.) o 222s oe cae ws Poni ee oe bee's Hee and. se este es 207 Gastrophilus haemorrhoidalis. See Nose fly. Gelechia gossypiella, quarantine regulations. - ..........-.22-.-2222222620--- 354, 355 Georgia— pig clubs; development and work, note. -.dwitmnsreyss. sud yet at ean. 9-10 splenetic ‘fever, areas released from QuaraNLINe 5.52002 sheas soa ee 111 Gipsy moth— eoumol works AMIGA. < ocseccsw cts Hoses eteceaes cc Lee gE labia 211-213 POAPAMTINO! Si. SES sec ews en Senet toe OU: CE LTR 354, 361 Girls, club work— development, membership, results, etc ............2......22. 22222. c eee 9, 10 Foviewe by OOcretary . c's... 0. ce eee Jeena. ben. SUSU .deosdige.n 8p 9, 42 Glanders— eradication, cooperation with Interior Department. ....................- 112 Ri vertieations .'.:. ld J.2boosk Ae Le etageo2. neem A AAI oI ee 117 ASR O Tie 2 SiS Sis. osldicls US oss a ee wvin denne NOTRE AL, SSTTS. a 10 Goats— export, inspection OPE: oa itwerl ws. SOR at Sb eel Sete cae a 115 foot-and-mouth disease, outbreak, spread and control.................... 78-83 imports, number, ports of entry, inspection seco ci neki Ate. Asin 114 inspection for meat, WORK, ofa! d sini eid Seis eS Ne I ic DRE Ls 105, 106, 107 losses from foot-and-mouth disease......... Web eo. [aiete etal scope ROO OE. REN 82 mule sbreeding- experiments... waite 0 ee S eee e ems een 5 93 Gophers, pocket, extermination, experiments... ..//224 FAWes1 FUL ooustee him 235 Grades) market, investigations....-.... ~~... 2.80. Sea YE. SEU ie 20: 375-376 Grain— acidity;determination method, notes. ..J2)2.5:asohe2. se. Sold eee 157 dust, explosions in thrashing and milling, cooperative studies............- 194 elevators, country, business pmothods...... 2/3 .2sstsebab sate utara. 9 366-367 exports, 1915, percentage of crop, increase, etc. .... 2.2.2.0... 200222. e eee 4,5 growing, Alaska, PIOQTOSS. . 6.6. eae s'~ OURO Dee! GHA 301, 302 markeling, investigations. 5p, Sma a aN ee UNE rh ws la 389 production in cotton States; Increase; cause sisi tus smb cio eco ck 6 414 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Page. Grains, sorghum, digestibility, studies. ......-..-.....--22220.0.-22 0.022208 312 Granular venereal disease, live stock, investigations........................-. 119 Grape, enemies; control experiments». . see0b 2.4.90 oo. cues Se 215 Grapes— insects injurious, control studies. ..........-.-.-2-2-2-2-2428 Wear aia = - 215 packing in redwood sawdust, experiments...............-.2-+2--2--22----- 156 Grasses, African, varieties and value, studies. ................20220.-02.002. 153 Grasshoppers, control work... . 220.2 2...5 2+ seve ue ee Se eee 222 Grays, Henry S., reportias Forester: - = 25422 \232 2 Lea eee eee 159-189 Grazing— conditions; National Rorest:ranges. 32a ae eee 171-174 investigations, work of Forest Service. .........-------------...00-2-- 182-183 lands, National Forests, free use, acreage, 1915...-...............--.-.-- 172 lands, public, improvement, importance in meat production.............. 11 National Forests, permits, improvement, benefits..................-....- 46-47 National Forests, surveys and maps... {52)52 (cen. 25s. eee 173-174 permits, National Forests, details, by States..............-...22.2.... 171-172 sheep, aspen and alpine lands, studies..............-...------+-.+.-.-:- 183 Great Britain, live-stock exports to United States, inspection service. .... : >.. 114-115 Great Northern Ry. Co., and others, trespass case, National Forests.......... 334 Green bug, outbreaks, and control by parasites..............--..--2...--+---- 221 Ground squirrels, National Forest, controh: 22:26). 22: Lo: setup 235 Guam Experiment Station, work and expenditures, 1915............-.--..- 305-307 Guano deposits, Porto Rico, investigations, 1915...............--.2.--------- 304 Gulf States: citrusicanker; control work. 3-22... 2 Saab see 145-146 Hairy vetch seed, imported, adulteration................--222.22222-0605- 157-158 Hames‘ mushy; canse: studiess vie area os. 2 eS Se se eee 124 Hawaii Experiment Station, work and expenditures, 1915............ 301, 303-304 Hawaiian cotton, quarantine for pink bollworm...............-...----..---- 354, 359 Hawaiian Islands— bird reservation, investigations: .ccolicbsestinee: Steele oe See 242 " Territorial Board of Agriculture, cooperation with......................-- 230 ay— crop, 1914.20 2225222... Je Sree. Ae ee REA. 2 ee ee 3 utilization on reclamation projects, studies. -.....-.-............-.-.--- 155 Haywoop, J. K., report as Chairman of Insecticide and Fungicide Board.... 347-350 Health, insects affecting; investigations. . ac: .22o2. Pek soe ae 218-219 Hellebore — for control of house fly, comparison with borax...........-------.......- 219 larvicide for fly control). oc <...22-0.2 2223s Be ae he. See ee 193 Hemp, varietal studies; value,ete.....= -: 22252. 2eb ev Biss ans oe 152-153 Hens, feeding for egg production, experiments. .......--..--.--.---.+---.--- 88-89 HensuHaw, Henry W., report as Chief of Biological Survey .......-.-.....- 233-247 Hessian-fly outbreak, 1915, and control work............----.-----..-..-.--- 221 Hibiscus hybrids, growing and. uses; Hawail... 2.2 )2.2 262025524. eos eee 304 Hides, disinfection against anthrax, studies.............- vivax gees usd Lie 125-126 Highway Association, American, cooperation with Roads Office.........-.-...- 317 Highway engineering, instruction.....-¢ : 2c. 32.5226 ssn eee ee eee 316 Highways, State, systems, studies: c+ 222% 22h -. sais. ee ae ae 320 Hog cholera— : control, methods.and results: 2:22.22.) A<.2 See eee tgceedes 126-130 control, work with ‘serum’... . 2... 603 9:22 eee 20 educational work:on.... 2. 22..5.-224 232 sn5255-56 4 ee ee eee 132 eradication; Work -.< 225. -5223225:a- Sonn See 11, 126-132 loss ‘fFOM se eines es 5 ese ee eee 2 sa oe eee 10 recrudescence intreated:herds: ....28=)<.2a9 eee ee eee 129 sources of infection, investigations: -=.-=- 2-225, 4252 -aaee eee eee 128-129 Hog-cholera serum— contamination with foot-and-mouth disease germ, instance, results and PTOCAUMONS. os Le laise Fee atin, = sts Witte ole ea ee eee ee 18-19 efiicacy, production, legislation,.etc.... .2dcudzie2.oece eee ee Ee 11, 20-24 infected, source of outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. .............---.- 83 Eiptund, Svan, land.claim decision... .....-<. 2 -.-02..5 S822 ade 333-334 ogs— foot-and-mouth disease, outbreak, spread, and control.................-.- 78-83 losses from ‘cholera’, . 4 se aes cme oatece sewer ee Boece eee eee 10 INDEX. 415 Hogs—Continued. Page. losses from cholera in experimental counties, 1912-1914.......-.....-.... 130 losses from foot-and-mouth disease.....-..........--222--2222222 22 ee eee 82 pig-club, quality and value, comparison with, average........-....--..-- 85 poisoning by cottonseed meal, copperas as antidote, experiments. .....-..- 86 treatment against cholera, experiments and results. .............------ 127-128 TresMBCNE [OF WOTMS |. << win 4-6 ius 222geela eds 351-353 Inspectors, veterinary, educational requirements, note............-.-........ 137 Insular stations, work and expenditures, 1915........-.-.--.-.--.-.....-.. 300-307 Insurance, agricultural, investigations.......-.-.-----.------ ih beg ones 390-391 Interior Department, cooperation in eradication of glanders................... 112 Interior, Secretary, decisions in forest-land cases.......-.---..----...-.--... 333-334 Interstate commerce in game, violations of law.....-.....-..--.-2--+.-.-.. 244-245 Investigations, special, Crop Estimates Bureau............--.-..--2-----.2-.. 278-279 Irrigated land, drainage, work......-.---- wa Seiwa = bielse dee a(t. ae 310 Irrigated pastures, carrying capacity, studies...........-.....-.--2.----..... 150 Irrigation investigations— 1915, and review; 1898-1915... seemaseanse's ss 50sec eran tens nes eri see imansfer to Hoads! OmMce. jtotceseceds woces-- pyre nir esa neeGreeeee 295, 313, 326 Journal of Agricultural Research, cost and scope.....-...---.-.---.-.-2--... 258, 297 Judgment notices, preparation, work of Solicitor...........- = BS SM. eater 338, 342 Jujubes, introduction from China, adaptability for Great Plains region........ 153 Justice Department, cooperation with Chemistry Bureau in pure-food law pros- ECULlONE 5 oes Sh Sea e ties de wisisse ete sie ees cc cubes Oke eee a eee 198 Kafir corn, digestibility studies............... Boe chet a. eer eet tat eee 312 Kansas, crops and farm lands, damage by spring rains, 1915.................. 66 Kelp— go haak, giant, source of potash salts, development, discussion..................... 25-26 _ _ report, special appropriation for printing..................22.22.22-22...- 255 Kelps, giant, as source of potash, investigations...................--..-..2.-. 206 Kiln drying, lumber and timber, method studies................2..-2.-.....- 188 Kodiak Experiment Station, live-stock industry, progress.................... 302 Labor, household, studies with relation to equipment...........-............. 312 Laboratories— dairy products, research work, establishment, location, etc............- 102-103 meat-inspection,. Work... 22.2... +.ceeiaeueee Eke beers eee 110 Lacey Act— CnfOrceMont. 5.6. civics one dcp ser ene erieninma ss Se ee apeeer acl Ree nee 343 ViGIBLIONS. o\..-0cecnee-0s Sule’ Iota chai atest. alae: bate sek enter 244-245 Land— acquisition, National Forests, acreage approved, etc ..............-.-.... 179 claims, National Forests, administration by Solicitor .............- 329, 332-334 classification, National Forests, work of Soils Bureau ...................4- 202 exchanges, National Forest for private, discussion............-....-..+.. 179 overflowed, drainage projects. nic onic sist bo.-sstetevgeatys alee he eee ee 176 purchase under Weeks law, work of Solicitor...................---- 330, 336-337 Lantern slides, use in educational extension work.............-....---.-<-- 298, 299 Larkspur, eradication studies. . ..... 385 22814°—aer 1915——27 418 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Page. Live-stock shipping associations, business methods, studies. ........... 368, 385-386 Loans, interlibrary outside of Washington, 1911-1915..............-...--.-.-- 289 Logged-off lands, acreage unused in Washington and Oregon, note............ 48-49 Louisiana— citrus-fruit insects, investipations. . .-.. 45:65. 3.24 i Le eee. See 229 live-stock production in sugar-cane districts, experiments............... 141-142 splenetic fever, areas released from quarantine.................---.-.-.-- lil amber industry, studies. /.).2..2.. 25 Sede sete ke jcc ee ee ae 185-186 Machines, labor-saving, use in Publications Division. ...........-...-..... 271-272 Maggot trap, house fly extermination ......-...-.-.--.-.22--- 2 -eosinctewdee 219 Mageots, onion, control, studies..-.......-....2:----nstis-- 2 See eee See 226 Mail, foreign, Publications Division, work, 1915...............-.-.------.-.-- 273 Maine, gipsy and brown-tail moths, control work..........-.......-.-- 211, 212,213 - Mallein— distribution ..... 2.5. 2200.54 0h nese ee: 25 pe ee See ee ee 126 testing, horses and mules for interstate movement..................-...e 113 Mammals, importations, 1915, decrease: 22... 2.262.260). Hace eee ee eee 244 Manuscripts, examination committee, work of year.............-.-....----ee. 259 Maps, distribution of birds and mammals, preparation............--..-.---.-. 239 Market— prades.and standards. : 222.2). 022 5122.0 -saheiees fielee soos eee 375-376 news— investigations and experiments - .....<.0025.5 23 25-00--20e eee 372-374 service, work of Department: -:-. 5.....0.2252-05.2-5-22 242 eee 30-31 quotations, cotton)... 2. <2. <2 0.esanesnaqds-s--3- pe Ue ee 396 surveys; methods and costs - <2 2s.)500565.555..- 05 n5 dees aan 370-374 Marketing— adsoclations, financing... 22. .ca-.--2.5-eed- 2d 308 See eee See ae 368-369 business! practice ...¢ 5.5.02 «seenuk tec sete- go se 366-370 butter anvestibahions-ac2. SSS cece t ee oe eae eee 99 by parcel post and express, experiments. .................2-.---0-es650 379-380 cotton, studies..25i 2052 23.22 Sos) OED Se oe eee 380-382 farm products— Cooperative... ..<.<54<22+sses406 ds tlaseeeds she eee eee eee 364-366 projects of Markets Othiee. i322. Sec ea 364-389 investigations and work of Office of Markets and Rural Organization...... 26-36 problems... 2.0.4. -2 sasha sao ehee cess ae ees ga eae ae 27-30 Market-milk investigations) work: 2; .2.5 Jess Sei ae 97-98, 100 Markets— ; and Rural Organization, Office, establishment ..._....:2..-. 2... s2eseeeee 7 municipality-owned, ‘studies. 5: 2:..0.J 5. Mieebiesse ab ie sae 378 Office— cooperation with other units of Department ....... 7 Oe aA See 400 cotton futures act, cooperation of Solicitor...........--....-.. 327, 343-344 organization, and preliminary work - .........2.>.2--2+--. 280000 363-364 report, WLbs. Srasou Sse eek ce cme ses eee ee eee 363-400 Southern, study ° 25. 2.202484 sos/nn coyebee Se ee Se cee ae ee 371 spot cotton, investigations and designation ...............-.-.-..----- 395-396 Maruatt, C. L., report as Chairman of the Federal Horticultural Board.... 351-361 Martens; domestication, investigationss.41). 51222282 eee aoe eee 233-234 Marvin, C. F., report as Chief of Weather Bureau....... *; Sudsae Rh seseeied 57-76 Maryland— dairy cattle; tuberculin, testing! 2222 ie sone oe eee eee eee ee 116 road maintenance, experimental. \.....[oo25 eee ee eke Ruicae Us SASSER 318 Massachusetts, gipsy and brown-tail moth, control work..........-.-.-- 2 212 oe Matanuska, proposed new experiment station, Alaska........-.....--------... 302 zteanlee, reindeer, transmission to other animals, experiments............-.2.-- 134 Aeat— animals— condemned, number and/causesi.- 222 soeee ee eae eens eee eee 106-107 IWspection work: .. <220..)1s gs: 2se ne Se a ee ee ee 105-108 losses= 52 .ske ces Sd vin Sisaisiale clo ele lac 2 = SAREE oe ee ener 10 See also Live stock. food products— imports, Imspechlon - on inno aa so cele OF ae ane eee ee 109 inspection.<.22..5skk Oe ee eek. owe se Bea oa See eee 108 INDEX. 419 Meat—Continued. Page. imports, by countries from which consigned, Uuspechan sete aoa eG Tue ae apse MERE VARIENT, WOT Ecce once cas sc/ad ces oe os ss 255 Sa ss CUE 105-110 markets, reports, study See i tnd a oe Sane ee pa Blk ee ge a 386 packing, cooperative companies, study.....-.-...-...-..2..-2...2222-2e02 386 supply, increase, encouragement by Department...................-.... 9-11 Meat inspection— Ranaeebe ny WORE fee See enc cce es oS SSss oh tan csc UUs ee 110 law, adatiinistration.by Solicitor....... 220.00. F8u eh. LISS. 33898 Meats— Sold. starape,studiessstxre, Jeees se S2 eesti. be Seen Je ee lee als 28 123-124 Motheniic, seepectiON WOks/J.<.0-252-4222225.02-5c205-622--2- 222-525" 105-110 exemption from inspection........... 24 eS. . . 2208-109 exports, 1914-1915, value, increase (with dairy products)... AG SSIS SSORSIT RY 4,5 imports— EpMManinCd (fares podd ts cc ten sons eS ISS Ef. BOT SES. SUTIN IE SOE 110 eB pPeehiON=~-25~25-- Joost a= o= oe SUE SES TITS. OUTS SIS S48 109-110 mapecwon for Army and Navy 20-2223 /2. 20) $50). Sy 82 ees pf cR i) Beare tang AGUCIeR =. 26 caso ete = Foo FSIS SEER DN ITETI GN Ses 384-387 Medicines: Mmisbrandine prosecutions. 25.52. . bsl2eoceses [oss eat. ose Melon— eplin| Secontrol studiesssiton Jesascs Sette Faas. Fett SUS. LTS 226, 227 MY) QMEAEATIRRM Cnc ia sae hose ae oo. Soe. SERGE Sel SOE gee 353-354 Metvi, A. D., report as Chief of Bureau of Animal Industry................. 77-142 Meteorological records and publications.-..................-.-.-.--2-2222+200 68-70 PERCCOr Us MT SMOlOT, SPYCAM ee 2222 see 22 eae s LOL.) BIOS Pedi d 213 Mexico, quail, quarantine for disease. ...-....---...2...0----2 eee e ee eenees 244 Mice, pine, destructiveness and control demonstration..............--.---.-.- 236 Microbiology laboratory, Chemistry Bureau, establishment and studies...... 191-192 Mieratory-bird law— PRMRECAEON Ges Sle nt wea dae ok ote re ad cine poe aka Sees: 2. SOL ee 343 fepelavions 2nd, AGMINIStTALION « . .. 2525 < J. SSESE LIS III. SS SSS ES 245-246 Seach Ponts, breedinip experiments. v2escu forse boc eee eee 22 PSh Susie 93 Milk— SPNOMNA LOH. 2c noe cesocews a ddpasdakwomes = ose emcee os 123 bacterinbey eludes. c soso see Poteet tes. | ith ese nese 102 city supply, inspection and improvement, work..............-..-.-. 97-98,.100 Cetlicets MOEK 2. ose e sees hens Pos oe ee ee Sp Sea ae ae 98, 101 GHRCR OP MEE: INACCE 2S oc on ition Sein a Gea ra. sbch ov ay ys . Mises sores sheer sie es ee 6 234 Montana National Bison Range, report: .2....-220.02-25- 2b soles eee ee 242-243 Mosaic disease, tobacco, transmission by insects..............---.......---0- 217 Mosquitoes; salaria, control studies: }.. (5d: Wels ice e eae ee 218 Moth— borer) eusar-cane, control studies. ssscn os ocean ces esau gb eeeet cue eke e 217-218 pine-shoot, European, control studies...............0.0.ccececee econ eens 224 pitch. See Pitch moth. potato-tuber, life history, study, and control.................-22-000- ees Peer 420 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Moths, gipsy and brown-tail— Page. control work, 1915 ee ee eee reese eseee @eeeseeeeseseeoee tt eee eee eee 211-213 USESINEOS. oe eae een in wee reccceeceeseecebewe cbse’ See bse 354, 361 Motion-picture work, Publications Division...........-..-------+--++++---- 268-269 Mountain beaver, injuries to small fruits and crops .-..-......-.....----..-. 236 Mules— exports, 1914-1915, value, per cent of supply (with horses). ..........-... 4,5 See also Horses. Mutton, Imports condemned. 2-22.65. .cic2 252 - msi eee De ee eee 110 Naphthalene balls, use for control of insects in stored products. .....-.....-.. 228 National— Forests. See Forests, National. park roads, work of year 2.22 :.2:-52- eee ahi see ee .. 2 a B18-319 parks, beetle control, demonstration work ...........-..--.-------+-+-++. 225 Navy butter, packing, keeping qualities, etc... ...-.52..0.-.0—=-0 -!en ete os 100 Nebraska, Niobrara game reservation, work of year.........---------.-----+-- 243 Nematodes, plant-infesting, control studies.........-....---.----.-+--+---+-+-- 147 Net weight, cooperative experiments and studies...........-......-------- 195-196 Nevada, Anaho Iéland, bird reservation.......- 222). 2022. s02 2 ete soa 241 New England, gipsy-moth control work....:...-..-........2220:=--22--.-:- eee New Hampshire, gipsy and brown-tail moth, control work.............- 211, 212, 213 New Jersey, pipsy-moth invasion. . =... - 016.204.2222 hccnc nos 56 eee 212 New York, gipsy-moth control, progress, 1915.............2---+-+-----.--2228 212 News, market, investigations and experiments..................-----.------ 372-374 Nitrates, surface deposits in United States.............---.i225.--2.22- 252008 208 Nitric acid, production in Europe.....-.-.2--....-s08caLb fo! Ae see 207 Nitrogen— fixation methods, investigations iss -.2/st0) .sbiaeed 3. -2oseeciel eeoiee 207 sources for fertilizer use, investigations...............---------------:- 207-208 North Carolina— cotton marketing, investigations. ..... dase seo eesaiorbhs Bek eee 381 splenetic fever, areas released from quarantine...............-..--.---... lil Nose fly, invesiieatonss 252255. s.22k ct eran esc ee eaten ee nee ee 220 Nursery stock— distribution, by ‘States, 1914-1915... 2... 22.5.2 ..-.- se See 356 importations, inspection and control.............-...-.-. sornk he 355-358, 360 Nursery trees, insects, investigations.........-.- 2d OSS Se ee ee 215 Wut insects studies:.:° 20.05% 22.25 abSiek. see eee sees bese eee ee eee ee 215 Oats— adulteration, Investigations. ..-.. 62. .sc<.22-22---1-- Eee eee es ee ene oe CFOp, 1914. 2.252 ee Lites sierra. Sc RSE: See. pees eee eee eee 3 exports, 1914-1915, increase: ...< -s.cex'. Jetenmoeeene sits 2anre ealge ib poisoned, use in eradication of prairie dogs............------.---------- 234 root diseases, studies: .;... ce do Ee pees 4a nen 218 grasshopper control, cost per acre. ..2. 0. <2 ~-02% ttc -22 Joe Jee = 222 use in prairie-dog eradication. ssmidua bdoee Leh te uae meee 234-235 Poisonous plant investigations— ON STOCK TAN OSs oc cnislo Seeraetcrelere oe ciaiele wie baie Sie ene Oe er ee aero tee 148 transler. 7.2 osc es.c5 cic cis oe Se + ee ee ee See: See eee 184 Foren grapefruit, exportation from Florida to Japan............--.-.---+--+. 149 ork— imports condemned . .. ..... «cee seesceces ees «eh@am mere: - asco ee 110 production, MVvestiCations .....:5cec sa page eee attra ep alemeh ete nate eto 168-170 Saeuiode. Aeasons, CLC; , StUdIES... -.<...ison denice eda oeeii= omen 169-170, 182 slanting stock and distribution method i... 22) Seat <4 ee ten ade 169-170 Reindeer measles, transmission to other animals, experiments............---- 134 Renovated butter, inspection and output......)5.22 12.2 2s ote eee wns bacwes 100 Reports— _ Department, act authorizing publication..............------------++-+ 2 numbered, Secretary’s office, publication revived. .......-...--...------ 262 Research— laboratories, dairy products, establishment, location, work. ...........-- 102-103 work, experiment stations, SUperViSION. . 2... eeseeeeeee eee eee e eee eee -. 296 A494 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Page. Rhode Island, gipsy and brown-tail moth, control work.........-..-------- 211, 218 Rice; handling, storing, ete., experiments... <2. 297.950. 2 ee sete ete 157 © River and Flood Service, Weather Bureau, work..........-------+------2-+- 67-68 Road— county, management, investigations... 7. 2s. 2.22 See Be eee 320 materials, tests, physical and chemical. :.2.. 22.22.22 2.2. 22.52 2 eee 323-325 Roads— ; construction— and maintenance, work of year. 22.1 s-eeeocee- 22 2- ees oe eee 314-319 various types, 1906-1915, area. 2. i... ce eeceks hoe © enna 316 expermmental construction, 1915.2. i Serees nee te ee 314-315 inspection and advice, various States, by Roads Office. ............... 315-316 maintenance, State and county, investigations. ..............-....--- 316-317 National Horests, workiot Koads'Ofiiceses 22522 seeee es ee aree sates 176-177 Office— change of name and removal of offices. ....-..-...5-220..- 20.222 20e- 313 cooperation with Forest Service in road construction in National For- CS8tS 50.2 Fen See eRe SES BI ae es ale ees 176-177 cooperation with other bureaus in dust-explosion studies............. 194 report of chief 2)... 2... ese sea teeth oe eee ee 313-326 road construction and improvement in National Forests, list. . ..... 176-177 statistical and researchinvestications=- +2 22-22-2222 es eee eee eee oe 319-320 Rocks;road-building, testing... 2s. 2c Tia waters see ieee le ee ES Se 324 Rodents, destruction in National Forests, progress of work. .........-.---.-- 173 Root diseases, wheat. and-oats, studies... 2... 225 200 2M a ae 147 Rosin— grading, standard type, adoption by boards of trade, etc.........---..... 200 type samples, for grading, preparation and adoption................-.-.-- 200 Round worms sheep studies’ 5h. Fos anes Seca ee eee ln oe eee 134-135 Rural— credit— IN VEStIPAtIONS = 3/o3n.2 sao Joe e a ee caeece cats Eten ea eter eee 389-390 piudies'and Investications: 25. 2o seas coe se eee eee 34-36 systems, investigation by Solicitor. .-.:1.<... oes 5:2) eerie eee 328, 344 engineering work, transfer to Roads Office..............-.--------2---00- 326 organization— In Vestigatlons® «2. 2-35 .<,+,< Jee 42 eee 297-298 milk-testing, cooperative work in West. ....- 251532 -_-2 02 -eeceeen eee 101-102 movable, work of Farmers’ Institute specialist. ................-..----- 298-299 rural, bulletin series on elementary agriculture.......-.........------.-- 297 Sclerospora maydis, corn disease, quarantine order .........-..-----------ee-- 353 Scours,. 44.2. ose ee eee ee 377-378 houses, community, for apples, proposed publicatio:............-.------ 155 Stores, cooperative, business practices, investigations. ..............---+---. 369 Storm-warning signals, improvement: .¢ <2 /5/5.: < 9.02. 0.eell wk eee eee 66 Straw, flax, utilization studies: ....2...-.2. lb osc cee enie sa eee ee 155 Strawberries, supply and distribution, investigations...............-------- 372, 373 Strawberry leaf roller, ;conttol.. «oo. sakes a ee ee ee 227 Stumpage, National Forests, price increase.............0<-cess-sseeeeas bees 163 Sudan grass, value for hay, varietal studies, etc... ..........2..--22-eeeeece 153 Sugar beets. See Beets. Sugar-cane districts, live stock production, experimen!:......:.........2--- 141-142 Sugars, varieties, chemical studies: ...séscccecsennlecessenvonceonneneeeeee - 194 INDEX. 427 Survey— Page. Market MMe Mons ABULCOSISSasecsae cen sees Se cbiswescee Stee ee cece 370-374 soil, progress, 1915, and areas, by States. ....--.........2..cccscceecces 201-205 Swamp— a IMOENE CHEERS Janeen Seen nloc tow mi ccc ccceiace ea eb o. SET 120 lands. reclamation, work of Department..... 222.2225. 200.0 22225282 309, 311 Swans, mortality, California, investipation.-.../i..22...0.02...225. 0022 0.03 241 Sweet potatoes, utilization, cooperative studies............2-2-2-.------22-20. 155 Swine— BENOL MUAPCCLION. WOE stan oa ce essen oe ela OP TELA SANS Set BeOS 115 imports, number, ports of entry, inspection and quarantine. .....-..- Eee 114 BEBPCCHIGM iG MIEALS WORK 2 7< 5.05 5ue cee oo oo eee eee ce eke ow eee eat 105, 106, 107 treatment against cholera for interstate movement.........--------..--- 113 See also Hogs. Talc, adulteration of confectionery, decision. ................---220---e0-- 338-339 BIE EH RICE CUNBULEIICHI Ng Soto 2 ax eiale. 215 fn iwinisi= accin« ca c'ein a d'c.5 wie vboaine demesne = 194 ae worms: presence m ‘Alaska Goes... 22220 2 eee cee ne gees 134 TayLor, Wm: A., report as Chief of Plant Industry Bureau. .............-- 143-158 Telegraph Service, Weather Bureau, condition of various lines........-..-.- 63-64 Telegraph, wireless, distribution of weather forecasts.............-..-------- 66 Telegraphic work, market news service, experiments. ................-.----- 374 Telephone Service, Weather Bureau, condition of various lines.............-- 64 mernmitess destructiveness, and control. . +2. 2.5. .25522sc.saccesecss--kcee--s- 224 Texas— fever— MAUS PlOSS HOM eset ere ctiee cc\e oleic ow evwielelcicissicc c Oswieisie seein ne ole 10 See also Splenetic fever. FELCSMCONGTHMONS StU Giyem er eee on oe eee oe hae See fel es cane e bbe bene - 180 RREMTOMT HOURS: OTN LOND ee occas sno Soke bs eat cee oof seen sew 67 Panhandle— beef production, feasibility, discussion. .............--------------- 9 beef-cattle production, demonstration work, etc............-----.--- 85 splenetic fever, areas released from quarantine............-.---------2--- 111 Tick— fever. See Splenetic fever. fowl, transmission of spirochetosis, experiments...........-.-.-.--------- 121 BpULuEL Te Vier NCGNEEOL WOEKessuctaec tetas sassones sacee Sree rats eeaas Fe 219 ene Cable reradieation, WOLles ai: cujcab sane se 2h = oe one ne bees ance eens 111 Tile— cement, manufacture, use and durability, studies...........-.-.-.-.---.- 310 drainage, advice and assistance to farmers. .........---------------0-- 309, 311 Timber— cut— National Forests, fiscal year 1915, by States.........-.....-.-.-.- 163-165 National: Forests; quantity and value. 22 < .1..-2 2222 esi o.-sieene 160-166 SatimavessNahOnal: HORGSTS aeons: ap otee ee Re ao ep eaee eeee 165-166 free use, National Forests, quantity and value. ..............----------- 165 NeatronaleHorest subulizatione ae te Sect nias see nas ees ene cae ss sce iseterlae 186 National Forests, uses, annual cut, protection, etc...........--..----.-.-- 44-46 gales’ National Forests, quantity and ‘value.......-.-..5.--.2-...--2-.-< 160-166 Strecnuralsatnenp thr besbnes a2 aes eee se a ee ene a eee es accra nie a crate 187 trespass, National Forests, decrease, receipts, etc........-. ois amt e ae 166 Tobacco— EES mialnwaetad oka ob caea cme keene eins ale lao santa e ae ete 3 pram RUM Oe Seo Cerca tha chece cae wise ae Giianrs & eit See Ontereiteianl 4 Seen PICs, CONLTO! SLUdLES. o'er or cine ne eee eh eer aoe tlie 217 PIERRE AONE PME Se: 1s so eibgw ee one ee aoa Be ore ie cretaaa ean 147 statistics, collection methods, recommendations of Departments..........- 37-38 Tomatoes— pamiour adulteration, iivestivations:/ 5c. 0.cs.ccceeds comccameesansmenne 195 shipments and distribution, studies... . .22..- -- 0. os ences. cence sacencsons 372 Tongass National Forest, area, location and resources. .........-------------- Ble b2 Toxins, preparation, shipment, etc., law enforcement..........-...-.-.---- 341-342 Traction tests, Roads Office....seseeeesseee Dok cde una aEen e Sameee ee eases,..0e0 428 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Trade— Page. boards, various cities, adoption of rosin-grading samples of Chemistry ey ily: eee AN Ae le eee SOc rig Sar yen ere Sn A eons 200 Commission, Federal, cooperation with Forest Service in lumber study.. 185-186 ‘Traffic’ consis; studiessvic. 222% <2. sseece> «eas — seer A ess 318, 320-321 Transportation, farm products, investigations. ......-.-------------++----- 376-378 Treasury Department, cooperation in bird protection...........-------------- 242 Trees, coniferous, quarantine.....2.-..02).2% -- c-cd). aes BS 360 Trespasses, National Forests, cases handled by Solicitor] 2322225 ee 329, 334-335 Trichinosis, destruction. in pork, studies. ..-<.- ==... --.-2e 2202S 134 Truck crops— estimates, work of Crop Estimates Bureau. .......---------+------222-225 279 insect pests, investigations. ........-.---2-2.-s--2sbe2-- 222-2 bee e 225-227 True, A. C., report as Director of Experiment Stations Office, 1915........- 295-312 Tuberculin— distribution. < 24 <2ices5 s6's sas 2.s)s's 5.c sot 3 eta ge stele ren Mle atom inva miajcla iene 200 Wood-using industries, United States and State reports, preparation and dis- oie {UST be Saga RR Ba een Meee feat AL oie i oe nee a Ya ae Bye eee 188-189 Wood-waste exchange, establishment and value..........-........-------- 188-189 fen iat: sucep: New pest... 222.2 5eg se ane a ote sles Sain cn nae eee 219 Wools, preparation and classification, studies...............5.---+-+-seeceeee- 91 Worm, army. See Army worm. Worn-out cotton farm, improvement as dairy farm, demonstration work......- 97 Wyoming, elk refuge, work, 1915..................--- Soh cis Ria tear ei tee Bates 243-244 Miosrpogmnaistr! bution, 1915... ...- sscemevelescccees bee scn worunsenewecsce™= 269 ZAPPone, A., report as Chief of Division of Accounts and Disbursements.... 249-251 ( ) NA . f wi i ; ar . q Se r ry! t} on ees ah OME oy on fee. + Yriass "yo :ATOA MIE Goer itt apie retrace tee rentend rade qpecnleie ‘ oon beso uaenabene meee ald esipt Lepihen « ited apron htt ee DEE ed pee widows MSbpiih Ri ered , i Meee hs 4 Ute saved coke Soi are 4 aden nett et) ; oP A Pose Si rs « - » Pa - i ' 44 ee hays f ay phy ite re Usadie foe best} 7 eersioe 4 gun | =e mee. p me i v= rib = ; : a Taek edad davies sands rip ee ee Cte dS OM Loxpnen * sigatldis ailintnls bear hee Airs a es ey to accel “yd ayin oe en a ry aah ; (ie Sa ai aap i. tg paler Pe “i OE ee . an ‘ ‘ LRT che 2 ES ae TL bate ay 4) 1 rie se 3 5185 00258 9982 2th dare < ene - ia 5 eas uh i; seey soba % Aw Si Rr FS s | - a ts woes mx 5 Se: Sen sm ce seontee Sam aie : i a 33) SOUT? inet oo 5 nee 7 es 7 A y iy ee : oe f ; TG at ce aie oo CPt fessyss ‘ ie 2 ite : a - “ ee, eH fa, i ; AKG Ts oa SY, o ALY | : | i $ : d ss 443 ae G3 oo feir CRT ce MAD Nee A Ries xt) he ae : Tiekhs = ~~ a sei ae 43