486 ANNUAL, REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



veloped. A farmers' bulletin explaining the general principles 

 underlying the ventilation of barns and discussing the S3'stems of 

 barn ventilation in common use has been submitted for publication 

 as a guide to farmers in the operation of ventilating systems. 



An investigation made in cooperation with the Virginia Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station with respect to the possibilities in the 

 development of power from farm streams resulted in the prepara- 

 tion of a bulletin explaining the method of determining the power 

 available and estimating the amount of power required, the types 

 of apparatus used in transforming water j^ower into electrical 

 energy, the construction of simple dams and offering other helpful 

 information with suggestions relative to the development of power 

 from small streams. 



At a meeting held in Chicago in March, 1923, representatives of 

 the United States Department of Agriculture, the American Farm 

 Bureau Federation, the American Society of Agricultural Engi- 

 neers, and the National Electric Light Association discussed the use 

 of power, particularly electricity, in agriculture, and organized the 

 committee on electricity and its relation to agriculture. The com- 

 mittee found that although the development in American agriculture 

 has been due, in large measure, to the application of power to agri- 

 cultural production, no comprehensive study has been made of the 

 extent, distribution, and cost of such power. As the use of power 

 will unquestionably increase, the committee thought it highly de- 

 sirable that the farmer and others interested should be fully informed 

 as to the possibilities and limitations of various sources of farm 

 power, and that the information be in such form that the farmer can 

 apply it to his individual problems. A very comprehensive program 

 of investigation was adopted, in which the Department of Agricul- 

 ture and the various agricultural experiment stations are looked to 

 for research information on fundamental agricultural problems. 

 As one step in this connection, the farm-power committee of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture was requested to undertake a survey of the 

 use of power on farms and of the agricultural uses of electricity in 

 foreign countries. The division of agricultural engineering of this 

 bureau, for the farm-power committee of the department, has made 

 arrangements to begin this survey as soon after July 1 as possible. 



Good concrete as building material has qualities, particularly that 

 of permanency, which make it most desirable for many small farm 

 structures. If the concrete is not of good quality and properly 

 placed, failure and possibly serious loss may result. A bulletin, now 

 available, explains the principles and methods of making good con- 

 crete for any ordinary purpose. To supplement this there was pre- 

 pared another bulletin describing and illustrating the construction 

 of walks, floors, small tanks, manure pits, and dipping vats which 

 may well be made of concrete because of its durability. 



With a view to assisting the many farmers who, if they are to 

 equip their homes with modern conveniences, must do the work 

 themselves, there was prepared and sent to the printer the manu- 

 script for a farmers' bulletin on plumbing. Much has been written 

 regarding city plumbing practices, but very little comprehensive 

 information has been published that would enable the farmer to 

 work out his own special problems. He can not readily obtain the 

 free advice of city plumbing and water departments and it is often 

 impossible or too costly to employ an experienced plumber. Above 



