REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 131 



DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS AND DISBURSEMENTS. 



While the appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for 

 the fiscal year 1910 were not much larger in the aggregate than 

 those for the fiscal year 1909, tlie work of the Division of Accounts 

 in connection with the disbursements for the later year was materially 

 increased by reason of the fact tliat the appropriations for 1910 

 were divided into a great many more subappropriations, each neces- 

 sitating the keeping of a separate account, than were the appropria- 

 tions for 1909; in fact, the number of the 1910 subappropriations 

 exceeded by approximately 150 per cent the number of the 1909 

 subappropriations. 



During the year there were received, audited, and paid 56,415 

 accounts, amounting to $10,389,784.78, exclusive of approximately 

 48,584 accounts of the Forest Service, which received an adminis- 

 trative examination in the Division. Of these accounts, moreover, 

 4,828 were so-called "combined" accounts, in connection with which 

 there was probably a saving of at least 24,140 checks, to say nothing 

 of the saving of other clerical labor in connection therewith. There 

 were also audited and sent to the Treasury for payment 1,473 accounts. 

 In the payment of the accounts settled directly by the Division 

 of Accounts it was necessary to draw 104 requisitions on the Treasury 

 and subtreasuries and issue 108,757 checks. There were issued 

 during the year 22,803 requisitions for supplies, 6,657 letters of 

 autliorization for travel, 32,418 requests for passenger travel, 553 

 requests on the Quartermaster-General for the transportation of 

 government property, and 2,626 department bills of lading, while 

 87,500 letters were written or received in the ordinary transaction 

 of business. 



To carry on the work of the Department of Agriculture during 

 the fiscal year ended June 30, 1910, Congress appropriated the 

 sum of SI 7,029,036, an increase of $965,930 over the preceding 

 year. Of this appropriation $12,225,036 covered the ordinary 

 expenses of the Department, $3,000,000 the permanent annual 

 expense f(jr meat inspection, $1,344,000 the agricultural experiment 

 stations, and $460,000 the printing and binding done under the 

 Public Printer. 



The disbursements of the Department for the fiscal year 1910 

 amounted to 813,794,231.97, and the greater part of the balance of 

 $1,676,402.19 will be required for the settlement of outstanding 

 liabilities. The apparent excess of disbursements over the appro- 

 priations for this fiscal year is due to unexpended balances brought 

 forward from "Administration, etc., Forest Reserves," and other 

 special appropriations. 



The amount for rent of buildings in the District of Columbia for 

 the several branches of the Department was $72,645. 



