Evening star., 1915-02-28
AGRICULTURAL DEPT.

Members of the department who are
members Of college fraternities-and
quite number Of the employees of
the department are-are quietly smil-
ing over something that happened not
long ago. It appears that an agricul-
tural fraternity which has many local
alumni in the Department Of Agricul-
ture recently held a banquet.
reporter from one of the local
papers promptly appeared upon the
scene and asked for information. One
of the members Of the organization
was very kind. He explained things as
well as he could to the reporter He
even told the reporter how to spell
"Zeta." Which was very nice Of him.
of course, but-the fact is. the reporter
in question took three years Of Greek
in college. Also. he is member of
the college fraternity Of which Secre-
tary Houston is a member.
Charles E. Gage. assistant chief clerk
Of the bureau OF crop estimates, was
taken i'll with the mumps during the
week.
A. I. Mudd, chief clerk of the divi-
sion of publications, did something un-
usual the other day. At least it was
unusual for Mr.. Mudd. He took several
days leave of absence. Mr.. Mudd
doesn't often do it. It is said that if
employees of the government took no
more leave than Mr.. Mudd does. the inati-
tuition of leave taking" would be abol-
ished. However that may be. Mr.. Mudd
did take leave of absence from Friday
to Tuesday. He was moving.
Bowling "sharks' of the insecticide
and fungicide board. commonly known
as Insects" took two out of three
games from "duckpin' experts Of the
solicitors Office not long ago. Bowlers
of the latter office are known as Law
yers."
The duckpin game is coming along
nicely in the department, enthusiasts
aver ~ formal organization has not
been completed. but it is thought that
this may be consummated any time, be-
fore any one is quite aware of it. Those
interested in the game feel that the
department has as many and as good
duckpin rollers as any other branch
of the government service. perhaps, and
the desire for a permanent organization
on their part is but natural.
This is the season of the year when
a great many employees of the depart
ment are under the weather" One
bureau reports twenty employees on the
sick list for the week. The insecticide
and fungicide board on the other hand,
nf Tn fha fq of ha oil ifS
force is ION deck
Paul Jameson of the bureau of crop
estimates, who has been i'll for the past
month, continues to improve, and
friends in the office hope to see him
at his desk soon.
Leon Estabrook. chief of the bureau
of crop estimates. spent Washington's
birthday on his farm near Fredericks-
burg. Md.
F. B. Greene of the bureau OF crop es-
Inmates returned to the department
Tuesday after a short absence.
II. B. Cramer. statistical clerk in the
bureau of crop estimates. returned to
his desk Tuesday after an illness.
Capt. Almont Barnes of the bureau
of crop estimates was on the sick list
A seeming reinfection from all foci of
the foot-and- mouth epizootic has put
the bureau of animal industry on the
jump again. Officials declare that the
bureau is spending more money than it
has. 1t seemed as If the recent appro-
priation by Congress cleared financial
matters. but if the present state Of af-
fairs keeps up the bureau will be as
much in debt again as it was, it is de-
clared.
Hal F. Bryant, one of the latest ap-
pointees to the field service, was in
Washington during the week, visiting
the bureau of crop estimates. Mr..
Bryant has headquarters at Charleston,
w. Va. ~
One of the most important reports is-
sued by the bureau Of crop estimates is
to be the report on the stocks Of gain
in farmers hands March l, the report
to be issued March s. This is, of course,
IA most vital question in these war
times. Just before the 1st of March
reports from township agents will
come in to the bureau. Field agents
reports will follow, and at the latest
possible moment telegraphic reports
will be sent in to the department by
the agents.