Evening star., 1916-11-12
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING

i IN OVXAVu
. to 10 cents. indicate Increased sales Of
moderately high-priced domestic waters
that have become valuable substitutes for
waters previously imported.
New York led in number OF CONNER
cial springs and in quantity of mineral
water sold, and was second to Wiscon-
sin in total value of production and in
value OF table water. California was
first and Indiana was second in value
Of medicinal waters.
Potatoes are grown in most countries
as an article of food, and in many Of
tho European countries these
potato potatoes are utilized to the
highest degree, the waste
saving. being saved as we'll as the
bad potatoes, according to reports
which have been made by agents of
the Department of Commerce who have
gone into the matter thoroughly.
In this country. where generally the
supply of potatoes is not equal to the
demand for human consumption, and
prices are usually so high. it is impos-
sible to use tubers for manufacturing
purposes
Those experts who made a study of
the situation both here and in foreign
countries say that there are seasons
when even In the United States low
prices make it possible to use at least
the poorest grades of the crop for man.
ufacturing starch. and it is not un-
likely. they say. that in the future GER
tain portions of the crop will be con-
verted into alcohol.
In view Of these facts the status of
the potato In European countries. es-
pecially In Germany, is interesting It
Is said that the German potato crop is
about four times that of the United
States. and the methods of utilizing
the tuber In the starch. spirit and dried
fodder Industries are most interesting
and could well be copied by manufac-
turers in this country
In the United States starch is made
principally from corn. In 1909 about
100000 f1fty-six pound bushels Of
compared with some $500, 900 sixty-
pound bushels of potatoes The corn
starch was valued at S15,962,916: the
output OF potato starch was valued at
only ss23,019
The irrigation Of orchards and gar
dens Is given but little attention ex-
cept in those sections of
1rrigating the country where the
nroh,,d, production of fruits and
vegetables is specialized
On the average farm where diversified
farming is followed, the irrigation of
the trees. shrubs and plants amounts
to no more than the incidental spilling
of little water down the rows when
the crops in adjacent fields are being
irrigated.
That special attention to methods of
culture and irrigation of fruits and
vegetables is worth while in sections
specializing in these crops, say ex-
pertS of the reclamat ton service is
proof that the same special attention
is worth while on any farm in any sec
ton.
1t has been demonstrated, say off,
Gals Of the service. that the color and
flavor as well as the texture of fruits
and vegetables may be greatly in
fiuenced by the methods of irrigation
and cultivation followed. These prod
ucts are among those where the price
and demand are Influenced directly by
appearance. flavor and texture.
1t is said by experts of the service
that the general rule for irrigation Of
vegetables is to keep the ground moist
from seeding time until the period of
ripening is reached, furnishing the
greatest amount of water at that stage
OF growth. as when the peas are form
ing in the pods or the tomatoes are
setting on the vines. then reducing or
shutting off the water sufficiently and
in time to permit the vegetables to
ripen or come to maturity naturally.
When water is applied in too great
quantities, they say. and for too long
period. the quality of the vegetables
deterforates. In some sections of the
country some vegetables are kept green
and are caught by frost before they
are given time to ripen.
Doctors disagree" in the irrigation
Of orchards, say experts of the service
IT Is diHcult. they say, to get two
fruit growers to agree on just what
plan is best. In the warmer sections
where heavy freezes are not expert
enced every winter some of the diff
Guilty OF irrigating orchards is removed
Where cold weather is experienced care
has to be taken to prevent injury. 1t
Is the opinion of the reclamation serv-
ice officials and many others that water
should be furnished the trees to per-
NIT them to make healthy growth up
until July Is to August Is. depending
on the length of the frost-free season
after which, they say, water should be
withheld to permit the new growth to
ripen thoroughly before freezing
weather.
Some of the most interesting investi-
e"'''N WV tiIdt iidS Deen carried on
by the public health
Sanitation in the service has been
Philippines. pins II Islands 'nv "i1'p Tbs
progress of sanitation there, they say
may best be thought of by classifying
IT into two periods: First, the period of
elimination of the graver epidemic dis
eases. and. second. the period of con-
structive sanitation.
The first period, or that of the elm
ination of grave epidemic diseases, ex-
tended from the beginning Of the
American occupation to and including
the year 1908. The second period or
that of constructive sanitation, began
in 1906. when Investigations were be-
gun with view to improving the gen
eral water supply of the islands Ar
tesian wells were decided upon, and
therefore the supply today in large meas
ure, Is through such wells
In Pasg, with 1852 inhabitants, a
commission was formed to look both into
the water supply and into the health
of the people. The mortality, per thou
sand Inhabitants. was during the year
1914. the latest statistics available
Sc GA per cent as COmDared with 90 4 L.,