Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-28


growing of European grapes in the
south. The secretary commends the
experimental work now carried on at
SummerviIle, S. G. About 4,50G
pounds Of high grade tea, which found
ready market, were produced there
during the year
Valuable Seeds and Plants.
Great activity has characterized the
Introduction by the department of the
Japanese rice which, during
the past three years, has
been remarkable. At the same
time our imports of this product
have deceased from $154,000,0O0 to
100000 pounds. The United States
imports yearly 100000 worth of mac
aroni. Macaroni wheats have been
introduced in the past two years very
successfully into the Dakotas and also
into Kansas and Nebraska Fully 90
scr cent of the date palms
introduced i'll recent years
from Africa are now growing
vigorously in Arizona and southern
California. This year a collection of
the choicest varieties in Egypt has
been obtained. Progress is reported
In the introduction Of Egyptian cot
ton. The imports of this product now
anaeunt to $8,000,000 yearly.
Soil Survey.
An extensive review Of the work OF
soil survey shows that the areas sur
veyed and mapped during the year ex-
eeeded 100000 acres, making a total
of nearly 100000 acres surveyed dur
ing the past two years. The field
work including preparation of reports,
transportation, and supplies, has cost
an average of 1926 per square mile,
or about 81 cents per hundred acres.
part of the expense has been paid
by state organizations, and effective
cooperation has been had with the sta
tons. The demands for soil survey in
various parts of the country continue
to be received in excess of the ability
Of the bureau to comply. The secre-
tary enumerates sundry important re-
suits in the work of the survey, but
GwelIs especially upon what has been
achieved in connection with tobacco
Especially successful have been the
experiments made by the bureau in
the growing Of a fine type Of Sumatra
leaf on certain soils in the Connecticus
valley. During the past year nearly
SO acres have been grown under the
direct control of the department ex-
perts. An interesting feature of the
experiment is that the bulk of the cost
estimated at $4,000, has been invest
ed by the farmers themselves, and j.
is gratifying to record that their en-
terprise has been rewarded far beyond
their expectations. The recommends
tons of the department have also been
followed in the methods Of curing to-
bacco in Pennsylvania, with the result
Of effecting a saving from the ravages
Of the black rot, exceeding half a
million dollars. Urgent demands for
assistance in the tobacco industry
have reached the department from
New York, Wisconsin, Texas AM |
Florida Referring to the reclamation |
of alkali lands, to which attention has |
frequently been called in the reports |
OF the soil survey, the secretary says
that he is more and more convinced |
that to carry the lesson home to the
individual it will be necessary for the
itself to undertake q prac-
teal demonstration Of the efficiency OF
drainage.
Bureau of Chemistry.
In this bureau investigations into
he composition, nutritive value, and
adulteration of food products havel
been continued. This work during thel
rear was devoted particularly to the
study Of preserved meats, the compo-
'ition and nutritive value Of the pre-
served article being compared with
he original. and the preservatives |
any were employed, determined |
food products imported into this
country, and suspected Of adulteration
n of containing injurious constituents
ave also been examined
In connection with the bureau of
Urestry. the chemist is taking I'D the
york Of forest chemistry, and is study
ng forest trees in their relation to theI
oil and the products they yield
Among the chemical industries imme- {
lately dependent On forest produc- i
ions are the tanning industry. MANI t
acture OF wood pulp, production Of I