The Mena star., 1899-08-10
MANY EXPERIMENTS.
The Agricultural Department Inves-
 tigating Along Certain Lines.
PREPARING FOR THE CROP MOVEMENT
The Treasury Department Getting Ready for the Probable Demand for More Cur rency Enough Army Supplies
 Now for Emergencies.

Washington, Aug. 7-Dr. z. w. Al- len, assistant director of experiment stations in the agricultural depart ment, has just returned from a pro- longed tour of the west, made for the purpose of inspecting the various sta tions in that section of the country. He states that one of the most in- teresting lines of investigation which is being pursued in these cheese-malling. The station in Wis consin is taking the lead in this special work and discoveries have been made there which revolutionize the European theory that the ripening of cheese is due to bacteria. The American exper- iments demonstrate beyond doubt that the principal change in the albumi holds which take place in the ripening process Is dependent upon ferment which is contained in the milk itself and not to the bacteria. 1t is believed that this discovery will have an impor- tant bearing upon cheese manufacture in the future.
 In the stations throughout the semi arid region much attention is being given to the investigation of excessive alkali in the soil. In many sections, notably in California and Utah, there are large regions of irrigated land which are practically non-productive on account of the presence of alkali. Investigation makes it plain that this is due to irrigation and in many in- s.f fsA rha water applied to the soil brings the salts to the surface when it rises The work of the experiment stations in connection with this problem is to find remedy for this evil and this they are seeking to do by demonstrating that in most instances crops do not require nearly so much water as is applied to them.
 Dr. Allen reports a growing friend ship toward the experiment stations on the part of the farmers. When the stations were first established they were regarded as an innovation, but in many instances the farmers have come now to depend upon them, and most of them regard the stations with favor.
 PREPARING FOR THE CROP MOVEMENT.
 Washington, Aug. 7.-The treasury department has made acquisition upon the bureau of engraving and printing for the printing of $10, 900, GOO gold certificates in denominations of $20 each. The treasurer now holds a large unissued supply of cer- tificates of the larger denominations. 1t is the evident intention of the T to issue gold certificates freely for gold coin, should the fall movement of cur rency lead to a demand at the treasury for gold certificates in exchange for gold coin. It is to be noted that while gold coins can be freely had in denomi- nations of $5 and $i0, the law restricts the issue of gold certificates to denomi- nations of $20 or multiples thereof It is a debatable question, therefore, whether gold certificates will adequate ly meet the demand for money of small denominations. It is now appar- ent that in the fall movement of the crops there will be a pressing demand for more currency or paper money. As this can be furnished in no other way than by the issue of gold certificates, there will undoubtedly be demand more or less great upon the treasury for such certificates against the deposit of gold coin.
 ENOUGH ARMY SUPPLIES NOW.
 Washington, Aug. 7.-The army is now in possession of sufficient supplies to meet all probable emergencies. This condition exists for the first time since war was threatened. The quarter masters department has been behind in its efforts to supply the troops in thc field with suitable clothing. There was also for a long time lack of tent age and other equipment required by troops in the field. The supplies have been procured by the greatest effort on the part of subordinate officers, who realized the necessity of the army.