REPORT OF NATIONS. MUSEUM, 1919. 121 



labels were gone over and repaired where necessary, and many type- 

 written cards were added. The jars containing the food specimens 

 and those in the exhibit illustrating organotherapy were all newly 

 labeled with gummed letters. Large temporarv^ case labels em- 

 phasizing the importance of food conservation were prepared on the 

 printasigii machine and placed on the ends of the cases forming a 

 circle in the rotunda. 



Cataloguing. — The cataloguing on cards of the new specimens re- 

 ceived has been kept right up to date, and with the assistance of a 

 temporary cataloguer for a few months the large permanent con- 

 secutive registers have been practically completed, with the excep- 

 tion of that for the section of wood technology. 



Extracting and indexing. — The examination and indexing of new 

 textile terms and other special information contained in the large 

 number of trade papers and periodicals sent to the section libraries 

 of textiles, woods, medicines, and foods, occupy the time of the 

 preparators when not engaged in other duties. 



3. Present condition of the collections. — ^All of the collections 

 under the care of the curator have been carefully inspected for in- 

 sects, and certain materials like wools and foodstuffs have been fumi- 

 gated several times. 



In several of the halls the light has faded a number of textile 

 specimens, but in most cases these can be replaced. Several of the 

 large panels of Philippine woods have become warped, due to the 

 effects of this climate, while other specimens have checked and split 

 from the same cause. With these exceptions there has been no ma- 

 terial deterioration of the exhibit or study material assigned to this 

 division. 



4. Distribution and exchange of specimens. — At the request of the 

 National Library Service, Bureau of Education, Interior Depart- 

 ment, two small models illustrating the reclamation of arid land 

 were made in the laboratory of the division of textiles for the spe- 

 cial exhibition of the work of the Interior Department in May, 1919. 

 These models were made to show the possibilities and value of co- 

 operation between museums and libraries in interesting and educat- 

 ing the public in matters of local importance. 



