Great Falls tribune., 1922-03-14
The Hdski,1 Letter = r1ss:.ss s::ss
Seeking Savings Through Science

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u1ent Of 1 new, American grown bev-
erage is one Of the latest projects
Of the versatile bureau of chemistry
in the department Of agriculture. In
South Carolina fields and in a labora-
tory here cassina is being carefully
studied in the expectation that some
day it may find favor with the Amer
lean public.
In another laboratory, scientists Of
the bureau are studying ways in which
concluded that IL each individual took
proper care of his shoes he might re-
duee the average number Of pairs
bought By each person in a year from
three to two-a saving nationally of
some $4,000, 900.
From leather, the bureaus interests
run to syrup, and it has developed
q long sought sugar cane syrup which
neither fernents 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 research
work were selected by Or. w. w. Skin
ner, In charge Of the scientific work
Of the bureau of chemistry as he ex-
planned how his bureau works for the
general public, and not alone for the
farmer, as many people think.
we are working said DR.. Skin
ner, towards greater utilization Of
primary agricultural products and by
products. The utilization Of by-prod-
product cheaper to the consumer and
at the same time the producer is able
to derive more profit from his mate
rails. Therefore, everyone is concerned
with the service which agricultural
try"
Dr. Skinner showed how in some
cases the service rendered BY the
bureau to the consumer is direct-as in
its suggestions on conservation Of shoe
leather
Would Save Importing Hides
I'VE are doing a great deal of work
on conservation of leather" DR.. Skin.
ner said. This country is having to
import more and more hides every
year for making leather. If we can re-
duce that import by saving leather
every user of leather in the country
would benefit"
A bulletin on this subject is one re-
suit 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 SUGGESTIONS:
An economical plan is to have two
pairs OF shoes which are worn on alter
nate days, thus permitting each pair
o become thoroughly 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. More
over, if dried too fast and without
proper attention, they shrink. becom-
ng hard and misshapen. To dry wet
boots and shoes properly, first wash
off all adhering mud and grit with
,epid water. and in the case Of work
or rough shoes at once grease them
the counter, heel, vamp and
OPP to the proper shape. and stuff the
shoes with crulnpled paper. which helps
hem to hold their shape and shortens
he drying period. F'inaly, set the
shoes aside in a place that is not too
xarm 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
lave become thoroughly dry"
Considering the cost OF shoes, the
Importance to everyone of knowing how
o get the most service out Of a pair
# shoes is obvious.
In other phases of the bureaus re-
earch work the general public is in
Iirectly concerned, as in the sugar cane
yrup Investigations. anonymously
this syrup project seems likely
o affect southern cotton growers first.
The cotton boil weavil which has so
devastated cotton fields in some south
I'm states has discouraged many grow
,rs. They know that if the land is
,lanted in different crops for several
seasons the boil weevil will die off
rom starvation and disappointment.
The problem is to find suitable and
profitable crop to replace the cotton.
Sugar cane is one possible crop, and
he bureau Of chemistry's syrup investi-
,ations show cane growing as one solu- :
Jus to leave. But the American