626 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



EDITING. 



The niagnitudo of the work devolving upon the editors is apparent 

 when the vast number of publications issued and the enormous 

 amount of miscellaneous printinj^ required by tlio department are 

 taken into consideration. The duties are comparable to tliosc of 

 editors in a large publishing liousc, and involve expert knowledge and 

 experience. They examine and report upon the numerous manu- 

 scripts submitted and prepare them for publication in suitable as well 

 as the most economical form. In the progress of the work it is cus- 

 tomary to consult with the author of the contributing bureau, with 

 the view to perfecting the manuscripts and expediting their publica- 

 tion. The same vigilance is exercised in regard to miscellaneous 

 printing. Every detail is carefully considered and eveiy possible 

 economy effected so as to secure for the department the largest 

 amount of printing from the available fund. 



The policy of keeping the chiefs of bureaus informed concerning the 

 scope and character of all manuscripts submitted for publication has 

 been continued, with satisfactory results. This feature of the work 

 involved consultation with authors of manuscripts and with the 

 chiefs of the bureaus in wliich the manuscripts originate. This duty 

 and the frequent necessary visits to the Government Printing Office, 

 to assist in setthng questions and difficulties which arise in connection 

 with the printing of the department's publications, added to supervis- 

 ing the work of Ids assistants and keeping the necessary records of the 

 progress of the manuscripts, occupied a considerable portion of the 

 time of the assistant chief who is in charge of the editorial office. 



Considerable time was devoted to the job work of the department. 

 Advice and assistance was given in the preparation of blank forms and 

 other classes of work. In many cases large savings were eflected in 

 the cost by reductions or changes in the shape or size of proposed jobs, 

 thereby eiiminating waste in cutting the paper. Often the quality of 

 paper was changed when a cheaper grade would serve the purpose as 

 well as the more expensive. All proofs of job work were read in the 

 division. 



Many calls for the compilation of matter, for the preparation of 

 abstracts and press notices, and for the production of original matter 

 on a wide variety of subjects have been promptly and satisfactorily 

 met. Perhaps the most striking feature of the editorial work was its 

 success in promoting economy. Many manuscripts were reduced in 

 size; the illustrations were limited to those absolutely necessary to 

 elucidate the text; and the tabular matter was greatly condensed. 



The use of more durable paper for some of the publi' ations of the 

 department has been considered, with the result that fO percent rag 

 paper is now being employed for the regular bulletins which do not 

 contain any half-tone text illusti ations. This will insure the per- 

 manent preservation of the department's most valuable publications, 

 and at the same time the weight of the bulletins will be considerably 

 decreased. For those bulletins that contain half-tone text illustra- 

 tions 120-pound paper has been selected, the heavier 140-pound 

 paper having been eliminated. For publications issued in large 

 editions a much lighter paper, namely, 40-pound machine finish, has 

 been adopted, reducing the expense as well as the weight by a little 

 more than one-sixth. 



