444 ANNUAL EEPOKTS Or DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



Little Rock from samples sent in by ginners from TO different coun- 

 ties of the State. A detailed study of the information gathered in 

 this survey is being made for the benefit of the growers. The com- 

 missioner of mines, manufactures, and agriculture and the extension 

 forces of the State cooperated actively in this work. 



About 93 growers of Mississippi and Louisiana formed a coopera- 

 tive association, and with the aid of a director of the Louisiana ex- 

 tension service and a representative of this Bureau, availed themselves 

 of the advantages of marketing on the basis of gi"ade and staple. 

 Many of these planters used the classifications made by this repre- 

 sentative in the course of his demonstrational w^ork as a basis for 

 settlement with their tenants. 



Demonstrational cotton marketing work was carried on last season 

 at Ealeigh, with branch offices at Tarboro, Wilson, and Lumberton, 

 N. C, and at Darlington, Sumter, and Orangeburg, S. C. Approxi- 

 mately 85,000 bales were classed in these States. A survey also was 

 made of the mills of both States with a view to determining the kind 

 of cotton consumed, prices paid for such cotton, and the channels 

 through which it was obtained. As a result of several years of con- 

 tinuous investigational and educational work associations have been 

 formed in these States for the purpose of marketing cotton direct. 

 The association at Orangeburg, S. C, has employed a seller who 

 makes outside connections, assembles the cotton in large even-running 

 lots, and sells direct to the representatives of mills and exporters. 



MARKETING COTTON SEED AND ITS PRODUCTS, 



Efforts to lessen the large amount of foreign matter, which an- 

 nually is purchased, handled, and transported with cotton seed, have 

 been continued as important economies could be effected if more care 

 were taken in cleaning and protecting this product. 



Investigations to determine the practicability of establishing 

 standards for cotton seed have been continued, and an investigation 

 has been undertaken to ascertain the average oil and ammonia con- 

 tent normally contained in seed grown in different sections of the 

 cotton belt. The possession of such knowledge and the use of prac- 

 tical standards would enable millers and producers to trade on the 

 basis of merit. An investigation also was instituted, in cooperation 

 with the Bureau of Chemistry, to determine the relative qualities 

 of different varieties of cotton seed Avhen grown under practically 

 the same conditions. It is hoped that this investigation Avill enable 

 the Department to promote the growth of varieties that are superior 

 both as to lint and oil. 



Investigations have shown that in many instances cotton seed 

 brought to the gin contains a large percentage of moisture. If the 

 seed is not immediately crushed, this moisture often causes damage 

 by inducing fermentation. It has also been found that cotton seed 

 is often sold without reference to the moisture content, which has a 

 most important bearing on its value. 



A survey has been started, in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant 

 Industry, to obtain information regarding the Avorld's oleaginous 

 materials and their products. The importation of these conunodities 

 into the United States has increased greatly during the past several 

 years. This work was directed by Mr. Fred Taylor, assisted by Mr. 

 C. F. CreswelL 



