The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1918-06-13
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE is DOING
Little Items About Big War Jobs
That Are Helping American
Farmers to Feed Nations

in local towns. When it was realized
that the potato crop would be lost un-
less the farmers received help, the
State extension director, cooperating
with the farm-help specialist of the
Department of Agriculture, explained
the situation to the business men, who
closed their offices and stores, went
to the farms and worked with the po-
tato growers in harvesting their crop.
Such cooperation is meaning much
not only for the increasing of the food
supply of the nation but is breaking
down the barrier that in many cases
has existed between town and coun-
try, according to the U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture. Business men
and farmers are working hand in
hand to secure an adequate food sup
ply and to further the Nations great
cause. Other communities are plan
ming to follow the example set in
these Texas counties.
Animal tuberculosis Work Extended
Sixty-four Federal Employees and
Sd State employees are engaged this
year in fighting animal tuberculosis,
that widely distributed disease which
causes an annual loss estimated at
$25,00O,000. The bureau of Animal
Industry has recently extended opera
tions for the control of this disease to
81 States. Headquarters have been
established in IL important centers
from which the work will be supervis-
ed and directed.
Three Livestock Experts Join De-
partment's Staff
The Secretary of Agriculture an
nounces the appointment of John II.
Craine, III, now director of agricul-
tural extension at the Utah Agri-
tural College; De Witt C. Wing, as
sociate editor of the Breeders Ga
zette, Chicago, ILL.,; and Dan T. Gray,
professor of animal husbandry, North
Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical
College, as specialists in animal hus-
bandry, for cooperative duties be-
tween the Bureau of Animal Industry
and the States Relations Service.
These men are expected to assume
their duties Immediately, and will de-
vote their attention to questions of
policy concerning animal husbandry
extension work in the U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture. Mr.. Craine and
Mr.. Wing will devote their attention
to the. northern and western territory,
and Mr.. Gray will confine his atten-
ton to the southern territory. In
their travels in the field they will rep
resent both the Animal Husbandry
Division of the Bureau and the Exten-
sion Office of the State relations serv-
ice with which they are connected
To Show Grain Grading Methods
In order that farmers and other in
terested in Federal grain standards
will be able to know how the grading
is done, the Bureau of Markets will
take exhibits to many of the large
State and other fairs in the North
west this summer. A complete set of
apparatus for grain grading will be
displayed and demonstrations of the
actual grading of grain will be made
at these fairs by representatives of
the Federal Grain Supervision section
of the Bureau.
Seeking Outlet for Low-Grade Cotton
The Department has taken up with
the War Industries Board the ques-
ton of the utilization of the low
grades of cotton of which large sur
plus is accumulating. This low-grade
cotton is pilipg up because the ordi-
nary outlets for it are closed by the
war, and because cotton of higher
grades is being used by manufactur-
ers, particularly on Government con-
tracts, when cotton of the lower
grades might be used satisfactorily
instead.
Boys Help South to Feed Itself
Here is an incentive for boys clubs
in the South.-a 1917 record to sur
pass in 1918. Food and feed valued
at $4,019,121 was the total production
Of boy-club members in the South last
year, according to compilation re-
Gently made by leaders in the u. S.
Department of Agriculture. The re-
port shows that 115,745 were en-
rolled in the regular clubs in ID
States, Alabama not reporting. II
addition to the regular members prob
ably 100000 boys, it is estimated
were reached and were helped in food
and feed production through instruc-
tions gwen by agents in schools and
clubs, farm demonstrations and so on.
Investigations of Grades for Barley
and Flax
Investigations looking toward
standard erradea for ha arlay aro ha;n,,