472 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



applying especially to samples coming directly from source. Im- 

 proved methods for the determination of the several sulphur com- 

 pounds in sulphur waters will be given especial attention and certain 

 chemicals used in the purification of water for potable and technical 

 purposes will be studied. Irrigation and drainage waters and 

 metliods of analysis especially applicable to them will furnish another 

 line of investigation. 



INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES 



In addition to the examination of insecticides and fungicides and 

 the carrying out of analyses in connection with chemical problems 

 relating thereto, as called for by other bureaus of the department, the 

 following work and investigations will be prosecuted: (1) Analyses 

 of insecticides for the Insecticide and Fungicide Board in connection 

 with the enforcement of the insecticide act of 1910; (2) the study of 

 the cause of injury to fohage of fruit trees by lead arsenate and 

 methods for preventing this injury; (3) orchard and laboratory tests 

 of poisonous compounds not at present used as insecticides, with the 

 view to finding some substance which may be so used on peach and 

 other tender fohage; (4) the supposed injury to fruit trees from the 

 accumulation of toxic salts in the soil, due to the use of insecticides, 

 in cooperation ^vith the Bureau of Entomology; (5) the arsenic and 

 copper content of fruit to which materials containing these substances 

 have been applied in spraying operations. 



CATTLE FEEDS, ETC. 



The examination of the cattle and poultry feeds entering interstate 

 commerce, also a study of range forage crops, in cooperation with the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, will be continued. There will be, as usual, 

 considerable miscellaneous work for the various bureaus and depart- 

 ments of the Government to assist them in solving problems relating 

 to the analyses, feeding value, commercial importance, etc., of grains 

 and other feeding stuffs. It is planned to aoapt a chemical method 

 for the measurement of the deterioration of corn by-products, such as 

 hominy feed, corn bran, etc., caused by mold, heating, etc.; also to 

 make a chemical examination of the Osage orange, considered as a 

 feedstuff. The methods used in determining the various constitu- 

 ents of cattle foods will be studied, and, if possible, the constituents 

 of the ether extract of such feeding stuffs as alfalfa, grasses, and other 

 materials, whose ether extract contains large quantities of substances 

 other than fat, will be examined. 



SMELTER WASTES, ETC. 



The effect of smelter waste on animal and vegetable life will be 

 continued if such work is requested by the Department of Justice. 

 Investigations relative to the sulphur trioxid content of foliage, which 

 is killed otherwise than by smo'tcrs, will also be continued. If time 

 permits, the effect of various trade wastes on vegetation and animals 

 will be studied. Sanitary studies relative to poisonous substances in 

 household articles and articles of food will be continued as heretofore. 



