14 ANNUAL REPORTS OP DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



seed stocks and secured and distributed good seeds to farmers for 

 cash at' cost; acted jointly with the Treasu/y Department in making 

 loans from the President's special fund to distressed farmers in 

 drouth-stricken sections ; aided in transporting stock from the drouth 

 areas ; gi-eatly assisted in the marketing of farm products, and, under 

 enormous difficulties, helped the farmers to secure a larger supply of 

 fertilizers. At the direction of the President, it is administering 

 under license the control of the stockyards and of the ammonia, ferti- 

 lizer, and farm-equipment industries. 



The Department maintained intimate touch with the War and 

 Navy Departments, the War Industries, War Trade, and Ship- 

 ping Boards, and the Fuel and Food Administrations. Through 

 the Bureau of Animal Industry, it not only continued to safe- 

 guard the meat supply for the civilian population, but it also in- 

 spected the meats used at the various cantonments, training camps, 

 forts, posts, and naval stations, and aided in the organization of 

 the veterinary corps. Through the Forest Service it rendered valu- 

 able assistance to practically all branches of the Government 

 having to do with the purchase or use of forest products and to 

 many industries which supply war material to the Government, 

 made a thorough study of the lumber situation, aided in many 

 directions the Bureau of Aircraft Production and the Navy Depart- 

 ment in the execution of their aeroplane programs, conducted co- 

 operative tests on a large scale at the Forest Products Laboratory, 

 and collaborated in the organization of the forestry regiments. 

 Its Bureau of Markets handled the distribution of nitrate of soda 

 to farmers for cash at cost, cooperated with the War Industries 

 Board in broadening the channels of distribution and stimulating 

 the use of stocks of low-grade cotton, and worked with the Food 

 Administration in the handling of grains and in other of its ac- 

 tivities. Its Bureau of Chemistry assisted other departments in 

 preparing specifications for articles needed by them, aided the 

 War Department in the organization of its chemical research work 

 and in making tests of fabrics and supplies, worked out formulas 

 for waterproofing leather, and maintained intimate touch with the 

 related services of the Food Administration. The Department 

 collaborated with the War Department in its handling of the draft, 

 with special reference to its problem of leaving on the farms the 



