158 ANI^UAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMEKT OF AGRICULTURE. 



from dangerous insects and diseases, and distributed for tests in 

 Florida, California, HaAvaii, Porto Eico, and Cuba. The varieties 

 introduced should have a wide range, as they represent types coming 

 from near sea level up to an altitude of more tlian 5,000 feet. 



BAMBOO AS A CROP FOR THE SOUTH. 



Sufficient progress has been made in the growing and testing of 

 bamboos to show that we now have six or seven types suitable for a 

 wide range of soil and climate and useful for a great variety of pur- 

 poses. A type suitable to the warmer parts of the United States has 

 been found useful in the manufacture of several kinds of brushes and 

 brooms. A valuable edible type has been obtained and is being prop- 

 agated. Tavo of the types adapted to a wide range of soil and climate 

 have been found useful in the manufacture of fancy fishing poles 

 and phonograph needles. Prior to the war, large importations of 

 canes were made from the Orient for these purposes. The greatest 

 use for the bamboo in the South will, it is believed, come from home 

 utilization for water pipes, poultry-yard fences, poultry protection, 

 light fences and gates, simple types of home furniture, outbuildings, 

 etc. Bamboos are being i^ropagated extensively with a view to in- 

 augurating plantings and making tests through cooperation with 

 boys' and girls' pig and poultrj- clubs in the South. 



NEW OS RARE FORAGE CROPS. 



Something like 1,200 bushels of new and rare soy-bean seed were 

 grown for special distribution. The Hahto soy bean, introduced in 

 1915, has proved a most useful food and forage crop. An extensive 

 distribution of this bean has been made in order that it may be given 

 a thorough trial. 



NEW STOCKS FOR AMERICAN FRUIT GROWERS. 



One of the big problems of American fruit growing is that of stocks 

 resistant to diseases and insects and suitable for our wide range of 

 soil and climate. Promising new stocks of pear, apple, peach, 

 cherry, and plum have been assembled from foreign countries, chiefly 

 the Orient. Nearly- 150 pounds of seed from pear trees supposed 

 to be resistant to fire-blight have been secured through exploration 

 in China. Seedling stocks are being grown at widely separated 

 places, and distributions are being made to nurserymen and others 

 in order to determine their disease resistance, congenialit}', and 

 adaptability to varying soils and climates. About 75,000 new pear 

 stocks have been distributed. 



BLIGHT-RESISTANT CHESTNUT TREES. 



The Chinese chestnut {Castanea mollksima) has been found one 

 of the most promising trees to combat disease. This chestnut was 

 found in China, where for years the trees had to struggle against 

 blight. Several thousands of these young trees are now being- 

 grown, also several thousand hybrid chestnuts, with the object of 

 testing them for disease resistance and nut production. 



