BUEEAU OF CHEMISTEY. 193 



Experiments in relation to the absorption by crop plants of boron 

 applied to the soil through manure treated with borax to destroy the 

 larvae of the housefly were completed. The results of these investi- 

 gations are in the course of preparation for publication. 



Shellfish and fish. — A new method was devised for the bac- 

 teriological examination of shellfish. In cooperation with food offi- 

 cials of interior States, investigations and experiments were con- 

 ducted regarding the bacteriology of shucked oysters. It was dis- 

 covered that a yeast was the probable cause of the reddening which 

 affected thousands of gallons of oysters during the past season. A 

 method was devised for determining the adulteration of scallops with 

 water. In cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries, investigations 

 were commenced in regard to the freezer storage of fish treated in 

 various commercial ways. Complete analyses of many fish were 

 made. Continuance of the sardine investigations resulted in a fur- 

 ther improvement in the quality of the pack. Methods for utilizing 

 waste in the sardine industry were recommended. In cooperation 

 with the Bureau of Animal Industry, the feeding value of fish meal 

 was determined. 



Poultry and eggs. — Nutrition investigations were commenced to 

 determine the best methods of feeding poultry, after receipt by the 

 packer, for increase in weight and in quality. Studies upon th© 

 breakage of eggs in transit were the basis of definite recommenda- 

 tions to the industry on bracing eggs in cases, bracing cases in cars, 

 and bracing, buffing, and shifting cars in transit. The adoption 

 of these recommendations has largely decreased damage in transit. 

 Department Bulletin 51, "A Bacteriological and Chemical Study of 

 Commercial Eggs in the Producing Districts of the Central West," 

 was published. Demonstration work in the transportation, storage, 

 and general handling of dressed poultry and eggs was extended to 

 new territory in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Indiana. A partial de- 

 scription of this work was published in a Yearbook article, "The 

 Egg and Poultry Demonstration Car "Work in Reducing our $50,- 

 000,000 Waste in Eggs." 



iNSECTicroES AND FUNGICIDES. — Several new lead arsenates and 

 lead-chlorarsenates were prepared and their properties studied. The 

 cause of injury to foliage by di-lead-arsenate — of which several 

 thousand tons are used annually for spraying purposes — was found 

 to be due, in many cases, to its decomposition by salts that occur 

 naturally in the waters which are used for its application. A lead 

 arsenate which is stable under these conditions was prepared. This 

 is now being tested by the Bureau of Entomology to determine its 

 efficiency for spraying purposes. 



In cooperation with the Federal Horticultural Board, a method 

 was devised of fumigating cotton bales with hydrocyanic acid gas, 

 in order to guard against the introduction into this country of the 

 pink bollworm through the importation of Egyptian cotton. 



In cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology, it was found that 

 hellebore is a practical and effective larvicide for preventing the 

 development of the house fly in manure without affecting its fertiliz- 

 ing value. A summary of this work, with similar work of the pre- 

 ceding 3'ear, was published in Department Bulletins 118 and 245. 

 22814°— AGR 1915 13 



