The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-03-03
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composition of grains and sugar pro-
ducing plants.
The Bureau of Soils has six divisions,
as follows: Soil Physics, in charge of
soil surveyors, under the immediate d.
rection of the chief of the bureau. Thir-
ty-six assistants are required to carry
on, the various branches connected with
the division. Their work is of such pub
lie interest that reports made and print
ed in separate volume. The tobacco
division states the adaptability of vari-
GUS soils for new varieties, especially
those from Sumatra. The introduction
by the department of the high priced Su-
rnatra wrapper into Connecticut and
its successful cultivation there, prom
ises to check the large importations to
the extent of many millions of dollars
per year, which goes to show the value
of the Investigations made. There is an
alkali division which conducts investi-
cations connected with the arid lands
and seepage waters of the Rocky Noun
tain region. The soil management divis-
ion is of recent creation, designed. to
supplement the work of the soil survey,
handling special problems, improved
methods of cultivation and handling of
farm lands.
The Bureau of Entomology is not the
least important of the various divisions.
Bugs devastate crops every year to the
extent of millions of dollars and no Sec
ton of the country is exempt from their
ravages. Twelve divisions have charge
OF the various matters belonging to the
bureau, and the information gained is
published from time to time in bulletin
form and distributed to those interested
The department of insects in the Ma.
ti0nal Museum is the result of work
along this line and insects are identified
and classed for experiment stations, pub
lie institutions and private individuals.
These are the various divisions: Field
crop insects, in separate sections for the
North and South; fruit insects, both for
deciduous and tropical fruits; truck and
small fruit insects; forest insects;
stored products insects, such as grains,
-four, meal, seeds, dried fruits, drugs.
tobacco, as well as dried meats, cheese,
etc. "The investigations are directed
toward study of the life history and
the determination of means of prevent
ing the ravages of the insects concerned;
shade trees and ornamental plants; in
sects in relation to diseases of man and
other animals, under which head are
classed malaria, yellow fever, and the
house-fy in connection with typhoid
fever. No doubt, after the experiences
OF New Orleans and other Southern
cities (including our own Pensacola) the
mosquito will soon be reported upon by
this bureau; agricultural, which goes to
show that the busy bee has assumed an
Importance demanding a special section,
in which the crossing of different varie-
ties are being conducted with view
to the production of a superior honey
producing strain. Who knows, perhaps
some day a stingless bee will be intro
duced to apiarians!
The work of the Biological division
relates to the geographic distribution of
animals and plants, the economic rela.
tions OF birds and mammals. and is
charged with carrying into effect the
Federal laws for the importation of wild
birds and animals and the protection of
native game. It's work is divided into
three divisions, the most important one
being that devoted to Investigations de-
termining the relation of birds to agri-
culture.
The Division of Publications is the
publishing house of the department from
which issue all the yearbooks. reports,
bulletins, circulars, etc. that are dis
tributed free or for which a nominal
charge is made. It's force comprises edi-
tors, proof readers, compilers, indexers,
abstractors, artists, draughtsmen, en-.