The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-30
ANNUAL REPORT OF
SECRET ARR vii son
Work Done by Agricultural Depart.
ment During Past Year.
AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT.
AN INTERESTING DGcUN
Various Subjects Are Treated. Among
Them Csc Of Wireless Te,esrapby,
The Extent of Food AduItcration,
Prcvention of Disease In Cattle.

less telegraphy. Messages have been sent
over fifty miles of rough country. The
prospect Of further Improvement is very
promising. Storm forecasts have been ar
ranged for the North Atlantic, made pos
sibie by location of observers in the West
Indies, the bahamas, Bermuda. and those
arranged for from the Azores and Portu-
SaL We have also arranged for obser-
Nations from Great Britain and France.
IL is intended to make forecasts for the
first three days of outgoing steamers, and
the same for those leaving European ports
that place themselves in communication
with us.
Bureau of Animal Industry-This Bureau
deals with our animals; it inspects meats
for interstate snd international trade; it
aaspects pork with the microscope for coun-
tries requiring such inspection; it inspects
vessels that carry animals to foreign coun-
tries. looking to their adaptabi!ity: it in
spects imported animals 10 protect our
herds: it experiments with swine diseases
through serum treatment: it experiments
with blackleE in cattle through distribu-
ton of vaccine with prospects of eradica-
ton, and with sheep scab with like pros
poets. Rabies exists among dogs and other
animals in the District of Columbia and
adjoining States that can be exterminated
whenever public sentiment viii permit the
restraining of dogs from biting for term
ton. The Bureau finds that Texas fever
among cattle exists in Porto Rico, and
continues experimentation with dips and
other remedies.
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
Dairy Observation-Disclosures shipments
are being made of dairy products across
the Atlantic and Pacific and TO Cuba and
Porto Rico. Complete exhibits We're sent
to the Paris Exposition. Composition of
butter for tropical countries is being stud
led. Inspection and certification of dairy
products designed for export is discussed.
Division of Chsmistry-The work Of this
Division has embraced during the year the
extent and character of food adulteration;
an examination of horse meat; a study of
soils; susar-beet Investigations: expert
7nentation of foreign-food products; CO.
operation with other Departments, with
legislative branches of the Government,
and with other Divisions Of this Depart
Elent.
Division of Entomology-The Smyrna fig
is now successfully grown on the Pacific
coast as a result of the importation. by
this L Vision, of the insect that fertiizes
the blossoms. Over six tons Of this fruit
We're grown and packed the past season.
A scientist has prepared a life history of
this insect for publication. An African
insect has been imported that preys upon
the olive scale. a fungous disease OF
grasshoppers has been imported from
Natal that has destroyed swarms OF To-
Gusts in Colorado and mississippi
Division of Botary-The work of this
DIVISION includes resting of seed for Con-
Eressional distribution along lines of pur-
i,y, termination. and trueness to name,
the average purity of seeds sent cut last
year being 97.3 and the average germina-
ton GA: experiments with homegrown
and foreign clover seeds, and methods OF
seeding land with Bermuda grass; super
vision of The Introduction of seeds and
plants from foreign countries. and distri-
button among State experiment stations
and others making research: investigation
o. poisonous stock plants and preparation
of reports: inquiring into topical plants
of Porto Rico; Introduction OF Hungarian
Mlleats.
VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY
Division OF Vegetable Physiology and
Pathology-The diseases of cereals were
studied during the past year: cereals were
extensively shown at Paris: plant breeding
IS leading feature: orange hybrlds have
been placed in several Southern localities
with a view of harder trees: corn breed
ing for earlier maturity, drought. and
smut resistance. and increase in protein
content is being continued; hybr.dizing Of
cuttons for longer staples and other am
g1rovenents is being studied with prom
Using results. This Division co-operates
with the Division of Soils in tobacco re-
search: fermentation Of tobacco, 1t finds,
results from an agent within the plant
Diseases of tIle sugar beet are being stud
led and also diseases of forest trees.
Division of Pomology-The most import
ant work of this Division during the year
was that connected with our fruit eS-
1iibit at the Paris Exposition, which eX-
celled all other countries in many respects
being continuous from TIE opening 10 the
close: horticultural implements, seeds,
plants. fruits etc, We're shown Seven
teen states were represented in the apple
exhibit: tie apples were kept in cold stor-
age from the tree to the exposition table.
The testing of European grapes was con-
tinued during the year. Trees. plants,
and vines We're extensively distributed to
eXiferimenters
grasses is essential that The plant may
be suited to locality and condition. TIC
grasses are cur greatest source CT wealth;
the Division gathers. studies, and Dis
tributes II co-operates with State OK
pertinent stations and producers. The
farm and the range are being furnished
with plants better adapted &c their con-
d!t.cns. In edition to experiments Wi1n
our native grasses, explorers from the
Department search all countries for
gases. le-Imes. and other forage plants
for trial in all sections OF our country
Two hundred varieties az grasses have,
been distributed during lie past year, and
Q, publications have heen>issuso. This d.
vision prepared the exhibit of ANNA. foods
for the Par;s Exposition. AID will have
a grass garden at the Pan-Anerican EN-
position at Buffalo.
EXPERIMENTAL GROUNDS.
Experim ertal Gardens and Groun6s--1he
Department groul DIS have been brought
f. their present condition by Str. William
Saunders, dece6 sed. They are now under
MIR Galloway, who viii use them as an
object lesson. along horticultural lines. for
the adornment of the home, IN town and
country. for It study of nut and fruit
trees; for the training of agricultural aids
aicng lines of advanced knowledge IN nor
1Acultrrc. The production of American
tea is very promising. and capital IS now
seeking investment IN this Industry: the
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