Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-30
DARESDANGERAG
Myer, Government Botanist,
Off for China'S Wilderness.
TO BE GONE THREE YEARS
Plans to Penetrate Region Which
White Men Have Seldom
Entered.

+. y. Myer, Regarded as one OF the
most remarkable botanical explorers of
the Department of Agriculture. has de-
parted for another exploring trip
through China Mr.. Myer returned about
two months ago from two years. spent in
the most inaccessible parts of Man
churia. central Siberia and the edge OF
European Russia and Chinese Turkestan.
He was especially interested in finding
drought-resisting trees and fruits. He
found some trees that stand an absolute
Arctic temperature with no rain to speak
OF and sent back specimens that will be
tried in some of the cold and arid sec
tons OF the northwest where no trees
have been grown before.
Scene Of Future Work.
HIS trip again is in the cold. dry re-
gion of China and almost an unexpiored
section by white men. Proudon, the Eng
Iish botanist. tried to get in there two
wears ago, but failed. The region Is the
province of Kansu, the most northwest
ern of the Chinese provinces. There has
never been an agricultural explorer there
before.
Mr. Myers previous experience with
Manchuria and Siberia was romantic and
adventurous in the extreme On one oc-
death. At that time he found a curious
scientific system for protection against
typhoid in use among the natives
Carried Copper Canteens.
1t was before the days of prophyfactic
incubation for typhoid and the field
force of the Department OF Agriculture
carried copper canteens. especially where
they were suspicious Of the drinking
water. This was scientific fact devel-
oped in the laboratories Of the depart
ment that was not generally known. 1t
was satisfactorily proved. however, that
water that had been In contact with cop
per developed strong properties for killing
typhoid germs even though there were
not enough copper in the water to show
trace by chemical analysis. At first ply
sicians laughed at the idea OF enough
copper being absorbed to have any EFF
feet at all, but it was proved later that
the water had strong germicidal tend,
encies. Thus most Of the department field
force carried copper canteens.
On the occasion when Myer and his
party nearly starved and were reduced
TO such short rationS that they We're pc
culiarly liable to typhoid infection he
found that the native Manchurians Of
the party carried copper cash in their
mouths all the time as q protection
against: typhoid et,. 80 Ls's;e
Source Of idea Mystery.
Where they got the idea OF the copper
solution being a protection is mystery.
In fact, it is certain that they had not
the remotest idea Of the scientific expla-
nation. but they attributed the protec-
ton rather to some spiritual or religious
action by the copper coins.
1T Is expected that on the present trip
Mr.. Myer will be absent about three
years. When he returned to Washing
ton last summer he declared that roll
top desk looked so good after his wander
ings that he would never again get far
Their away from one than q street car
would take him. but the lure of the viii
derness was too strong and he Is OF on
another protracted hike.