Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15


Washington D. c., peering for hours
at time through high power
microscope What he sees there must be ALL
absorbing, for, despite frequent interruptions,
his attention continues to be riveted on tiny
sontainer that rests on the table before him.
This scientist, whose name is known to all
the research world, is DR.. N. A Cobb OF the
Bureau of Plant Industry He bears the unique
title of 'nematologist," and he had spent the
most fruitful years Of his life studying nemaS
tiny organisms with mysterious habits whose
existence the average person probably never
heard about.
DR. Cobb is one Of the many scientists in
Uncle Sans vast research organization who
spend months years and even lfetimes study
ing problems which to the man On the street
seem extremely queer, to say the least. Yet
every one of these novel jobs has vital inn
portance concerned directly or indirectly with
the health and prosperity of the nation.
There is, for instance, the case of The nema
expert. Explains DR.. Cobb:
1.-THE strange creatures, variously known as
nemas. nematodes and threadworms, live free
in the soil or are parasitic on plants. Their
method of entering the host plant varies.
Sometimes they get in through the roots, climb
the stems, and penetrate the leaves and flowers
and thence the seed
Most forms reach a length between one
sixtieth and one eighth of an inch. A few
yards is all they are able to travel in lifetime.
But that is enough to enable these notorious
disease carriers to transport germs from in
fected plants to others. Often hundreds or even
thousands of these minute organisms may be
present at single disease center.
"Nemas are often carried long distances by
outside agencies such as water, wind and
animals or by man himself, who may inadver-
tently slip them on seeds or transport them
with soil or footwear, tools and other articles"
UNUSUAL, too, is the job of H. A. Spillman,
basket authority for the Department Of
Agriculture. He.keeps watch on how the
standard basket container act of 1923 is being
upheld throughout the length and breadth of
the land. Passed by the Seventeen Congress, the
act established, for the first time in history,
standard capacities for hampers, round stave
baskets and split baskets for fruits and vege-
tables. 1t requires makers of all these types Of
containers to submit specifications TO the de-
partment for official approval.
Another strange job in the Department Of
Agriculture is that of "bagasse expert" filled
by Sidney F. Sherwood. His prime interest is
to encourage, on behalf of the Government,
the widespread use of sugar cane waste.
He says: "Bagasse is that part of the cane
been removed. Until very recently it was
universally despised in the industry It con-
siSts largely of fiber and pith, and after partial
drying, makes a satisfactory fuel for sugar.
factory use.
until recently this was the only purpose for
which it was used. Today. however, bagaSSe
is also valuable as an ingredient of cattle feeds
as an absorbent in the manufacture of ex-
plosiveS and for the manufacture of wall board
and OF a coarse grade of paper. Suggested COM
mercial possibilities include its use in the max
ing OF artificial silk and in the production of
alcohol"
Every one has sympathized with the humble
actor, whose sole claim to dramatic excellence
rests upon his ability to portray the voice off,
stage Somewhat paralleling this fellows job,
though outstripping it in certain respects, is
that Of the man selected from time to time to
act as the voice behind the cow during i'm
portant exhibits shown throughout the country
by the Department of Agriculture.
Not only does the cow in question talk ir
Stentorian tones, giving monologue about all
the intestinal factors that are called into play
for the manufacture Of her milk supply, but
she moves about in decidedly realistic fashion.
SO 1t would seem that the manipulation of the
dozen or so control switches in the rear of
"Bossy" has an important role to play.
THESE operating controls are all centralized
at single point. Six consist of switches that
turn on lights and motors, while five are cords
that operate the cows tail and illustrate the
stomach maneuvers. Moreover, there is a lever
for moving the cows head up down and side
ways, and finally there is an electric phono-
graph for producing the sound effects.
nR DAVID FAIRCHILD is one of the most
lovable scientists in the Government.
Known as the grand old man of American
exploration his life has been mainly series
Of journeys into remote lands in quest of plants