BUREAU OF PLAXT IjS'DUSTRY. 307 



much more restricted than has been generally supposed. One form 

 now used in breeding Avork for blight resistance has been found to be 

 distinct from any species previously described. Effort is now being 

 made to obtain through the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Intro- 

 duction material of all the tuber-bearing species in order that their 

 relationship with the cultivated potato may be accurately determined, 

 and when this material is available it will be possible to bring the 

 investigation to early completion. 



Investigations in botanical bibliography. — The special biblio- 

 graphical investigations which have enabled the botanical workers 

 of the Department to reach the literature of taxonomic botan}^ with 

 efficiency and economy have been continued, under the direction of the 

 Botanist in Charge, by Miss Marjorie F. Warner and Miss Alice C. 

 Atwood.' It is planned to issue a circular of information for the 

 convenience of those wishing to use the catalogue of botanical litera- 

 ture. It is believed that this work will prove of great value to 

 investigators both in and out of the Department. 



SEED-TESTING LABORATORIES. 



The Avork of the seed-testing laboratories has been carried on as 

 formerly under the immediate charge of Mr. Edgar Brown, 

 Botanist. 



General laboratory inat.stigatigns. — While the number of tests 

 made at the Washington Laboratory has increased slightly, no effort 

 has been made to increase the amount of routine seed testing. This 

 laboratory is devoting proportionately more time to the investiga- 

 tional side of seed work along such lines as the study of the distin- 

 guishing characters of nearly related groups of seeds; the perfecting 

 of methods of testing for vitality; the value of "hard seeds" and 

 treatment to improve their practical value; the proper condition of 

 storage which will best preserve vitality, including vacuum storage; 

 and other closely related problems. 



The examination of forage-plant seeds for the presence of adulter- 

 ants has been continued. As a result of the publications following 

 such examination the sale of misbranded and adulterated seed has 

 practically stopped. Avith the exception of Kentucky bluegrass and 

 orchard grass, and the sale of these has been reduced to less than one- 

 fourth of what it was formerly. 



Work of the field laboratories. — Three new laboratories were 

 opened during the past year in cooperation with state institutions in 

 Oregon, Indiana, and North Carolina, and those in Nebraska and 

 Missouri were continued. In each of these States an opportunity has 

 been offered farmers, as Avell as seedsmen, to have seeds examined by 

 experts who give definite information as to the quality of the seeds 

 submitted, including trueness to name, freedom from weed seeds and 

 chaff, and germination. This work has been well received, as is 

 shown by the number of samples of seed submitted for examination, 

 and especially, where the laboratories have been in operation more 

 than one year, the increasing number of samples examined each year. 

 As soon as any State is able to make examinations independently the 

 work will be turned over to it. New cooperative laboratories are to 

 be established in other States where seed testing has thus far received 

 little or no attention. 



