Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-03-16
w AsHINGToN, D. c., March .11.-De-

grown beverage is one of the latest
projects of the versatile Bureau of Chemistry
in the Department of Agriculture. In South
Carolina fields and in a laboratory here cas-
sina is being carefully studied in the expecta-
ton that some day it may find favor with
the American public.
In another laboratory, scientists of the
bureau are studying ways in which leather
If each individual took proper care of his
shoes he might reduce the average number
of pairs bought by each person in year
from three to two-a saving nationally of
some $50O,00O,000.
From leather the bureaus interests run
to syrup, and it has developed long-sought
sugar cane syrup which neither ferments
quickly nor turns to sugar This means that
if the cane syrup is commercially handled
New Englanders may be able to compare this
southern delicacy with their famous maple
syrup.
These random examples OF --rch work
were selected by DR.. W. S. Skinner, in charge
of the scientific work of the Bureau of Chem
istry, as he explained how his bureau works
for the general public, and not alone for
the farmer as many people think.
eve are working" said DR.. Skinner, "to-
ward greater utilization of primary agricul-
tural products and by-products. The utiliza-
ton of by-products sometimes makes the
primary product cheaper to the consumer
and at the same time the producer is able
to derive more profit from his materials.
Therefore, everyone is concerned with the
service which agricultural chemistry is rem
dering to the country"
DR.. Skinner showed how, in some cases,
the service rendered by the bureau to the
consumer is direct-as in it's suggestions on
conservation of shoe leather.
Would Save Importing Hides
eve are doing a great deal of work on
conservation of leather" DR.. Skinner said.
'This country is having to import more and
more hides every year for making leather.
If we can reduce that import by saving
leather every user of leather in the country
would benefit
A bulletin on this subject is one result of
extensive tests and experiments by scientists
in the leather laboratory. The following two
paragraphs taken from the bulletin show the
practical character of the bureaus sugges-
tons:
"An economical plan is to have two pairs
of shoes which are worn on alternate days,
thus permitting each pair to become thor
oughly dry between the periods of wearing
them.
"Great care must be taken in drying wet
boots and shoes, for they often burn before
it seems possible. Moreover, if dried too fast
and without proper attention, they shrink,
becoming hard and misshapen. To dry wet
boots and shoes properly, first wash off all
adhering mud and grit with tepid water and
| in the case of work or rough shoes at once
grease them. Straighten the counter, heel,
vamp, and top to the proper shape, and stuff
the toes with crumpled paper, which helps
them to hold their shape and shortens the
drying period. Finally, set the shoes aside
in a place that is not too warm and allow
them to dry slowly. Wet leather burns very
easily, much more readily than dry leather.
The shoes should not be worn until they
have become thoroughly dry"
Considering the cost of shoes, the impor-
tance to everyone of knowing how to get the
most out of a pair of shoes is obvious.
! In other phases of the bureaus research
work the general public is indirtcely con-
cerned, as in the sugar cane syrup 1nVestl-
cations. Incong ruously enough, this syrup
project seems likely to affect southern cot
ton growers first. The cotton boil weevil
which has so devastated cotton fields in some
southern states has discouraged many grow
ers. They know that if the land is planted
in different crops for several seasons the boil
weevil will die off from starvation and dis
appointment. The problem is to find suit
able and profitable crop to replace the cotton.
Sugar cane is one possible crop, and the
Bureau of Chemistry's syrup investigations
show cane growing one solution Of the
cotton growers dilemma.
Sweet Potato Syrup Next
Sweet potato syrup is another suggestion to
the southern farmer made by the bureau
after long Investigations crowned at last with
success. The sweet potato syrup produced by
the bureau experts is pronounced very de-
sirable syrup. 1t only remains to arouse pub
| lie interest in the new commodity. In Fitz-
gerald, Ca, where experiments have been
| made, government scientists are to produce