The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-08-12
NEWS OF rsE FARMING WORLD.
0nr Washington Correspondent Reports
Several Matters Of Importance.

The Department of Agriculture has
collected and analyzed large number
of samples of insecticides and fungi
cides now for sale throughout the
United States. Of some 300 samples
received, those were rejected which
did not give fairly complete data as to
the price paid, name of makers and
name of retailer. After sitting down
the samples, 81 were finally chosen for
analysis which it is thought fairly
represent the present state of the mar
ket in the country.
The results are given in a bulletin
which is now in the hands of the gov
ernment printer. This will enable any
farmer to thoroughly understand the
composition of the insecticides or
fungicides he is using and in case of
failure to have some idea of the
cause.
In preparing the bulletin, the au-
thor, Mr.. J. K. Haywood, of the Bu-
reau of Chemistry, sent letter to the
various manufacturers of the COM
pounds, enclosing in each the result of
the analysis Of his particular product
and asking for comment on the same
before publication. This part of the
bulletin is very instructive as it gives
the makers reasons for the presence
of undesirable ingredients; at the
same time the effect has been to cause
him to remedy the evil.
The Koch theory that bovine tuber-
culosis is not communicable to man
has again found an echo in press dis
patches in the newspapers during the
past two or three weeks. A Northern
doctor has always combated the theory
of DR.. Koch, and in order to prove the
fallacy of such a statement, had inoc-
ulated a young girl with bovine tuber-
culosis, assuring her that he would be
able to cure her in case tuberculosis
developed. A short time later true
tuberculosis appeared, but the physi-
clan was unable to cure her and in a
moment of dependency, she commit
ted suicide.
Another well-known physician of
New York City, on the other hand, be-
lieved as did DR.. Koch, and to prove
his version inoculated himself with
the disease germs. In a short time
tuberculosis ulcers appeared and ac-
cording to last reports he is critical
ly i'll with a genuine case of tubercu-
losis.
At the recent session of Congress,
small appropriation was made for
Investigations of silk culture. In this
connection, DR.. L. o. Howard, Chief
of the Division of Entomology of the
Department of Agriculture, has sail
ed for Europe, where he will make an
extended tour through the silk worm
raising countries.
Certain classes of eggs contain di-
sease germs. These should be avoided
as it is through them that many an
epidemic is inaugurated. DR.. How
ards endeavor will be to obtain fer
tile eggs immune from the various di-
seases affecting silkworms. He will
investigate the various mulberry trees
raised by the silk culturists; on this
tree the silk worm subsists and where
good results are obtained from GER
tain varieties of trees, experimental
paintings will be made in this coun-
try. The mulberry is easily propa-
gated from cuttings.
DR.. Howard will make investiga-
tions of every feature of the silk worm
culture. Heretofore the obstacle in
the way of furthering this industry
in the United States has been the high
price of labor, but Secretary Wilson
believes that the Southern negro can
readily apply himself to this industry
and increase his worldly capital.
|
Consul Fee at Bombay reports the
government wheat crop estimated for
India at about 22O,OOO,OOO bushels,
which is some 100000 less than the
crop of last year. The area planted in
wheat is given at 23,OOO,OOO,OOO acres
showing a small average yield per
acre.
GUY E. MITCHELL.
Washington, D. @.
A healthy toad would take care of
the insects in one hot bed.