REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 61 



for their further coordination with similar lines of work in the 

 various States. It is proposed that these directors shall not be subject 

 to removal except for cause. The reason for this is obvious. In an 

 institution such as the Dejiartment of Agriculture stability of tenure 

 is absolutely essential if the best results are to be secured. 



FUNDS FOR 1022. 



The estimates of the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year 

 ending June 30, 1922, aggregate $41,989,384, representing an increase 

 of $10,270,000 over the appropriation for the current year. Of this 

 increase, $950,000 for combating foot-and-mouth disease, $100,000 for 

 lighting and preventing forest fires, and $100,000 for the control of 

 emergency insect infestations, amounting in all to $1,150,000, are 

 merely insurance funds and will be used only in case of necessity. 

 Each and every item in the estimates has been carefully canvassed, 

 and the amount suggested represents the minimum that, in my opin- 

 ion, should be provided for the maintenance and prosecution of the 

 work of the department. It should be borne in mind, in this connec- 

 tion, that the appropriation for the regular work of the department 

 during the fiscal year 1921 was reduced by $2,180,977, the total 

 amount provided representing a reduction of nearly $0,000,000 below 

 the sum recommended in the estimates for that j^ear. 



If the increase proposed is allowed, it will be possible to restore 

 to their former status and to develop properly the important activi- 

 ties which have been discontinued or seriously curtailed because of 

 the lack of funds. It will be possible also for the department to pay 

 better compensation to its earnest and efficient Avorkers — provided, ^ 

 of course, the present limitations on salaries are increased as recom- 

 mended — and thus to cheek, in part at least, the abnormal turnover 

 in personnel ; and, lastly, the department will be placed in position 

 to attack important agricultural problems which are pressing for 

 solution, to enforce more completely the regulatory laws instrusted 

 to it for administration, and to provide for the more effective ad- 

 ministration and protection of our great national forest properties. 



AGRICLLTUnAL. AGENCIES EXPECTED TO HELP. 



Our great agricultural industry is in the midst of a difficult and 

 trying period. It is confronted with numerous and complex prob- 

 lems, and the people of the country are rightfully expecting the 

 agricultural agencies of the Nation— the Federal Department of 

 Agriculture, the State agricultural colleges and experiment stations, 

 and the State Departments of Agriculture — to render increasingly 

 important service in working out ways and means of solving them. 

 These institutions can not hope to measure up to their responsi- 

 bilities in this respect unless they are properly equipped and are 

 placed in position to secure and retain the services of the best trained 

 men and women in America. 



