BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 309 



At Chico and Brownsville stock of spineless pear is being grown 

 for public distribution in cooperation with the Office of Seed and 

 Plant Introduction of this bureau. During the past year about 21 

 tons of stock was distributed to 1,500 applicants. Much interest is 

 manifested in these plants and more stock was called for than could 

 be supplied. Past experience has shown us more accurately where 

 the northern limits of the profitable culture of these plants lie. It 

 now appears that the area shown in Bulletin 140 of the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry must be reduced about 50 per cent. 



Native spiny varieties grown at Brownsville have yielded at the 

 rate of 50 tons per acre per annum, and the growth from old stumps 

 the past two years promises an even greater yield. 



Range investigations. — During the year the economic and scien- 

 tific study of the grama grasses has been completed and the results 

 are to be published in the Contributions from the United States Na- 

 tional Herbarium. Observations are still being conducted on the 

 Santa Rita Reserve in Arizona and important phases of the range 

 problems are developing. 



Weed investigations. — Investigations regarding the control of 

 quack-grass have progressed and a bulletin has been issued describing 

 the best means so far known of controlling this weed. 



Work is still progressing in the study of methods for controlling 

 the Canada thistle. Aside from the extensive experimental work, 

 general correspondence with the farmers has resulted in getting to- 

 gether the experience of many farmers who have been able to control 

 this weed on their farms. 



Extensive tests are being made with herbicides for controlling vege- 

 tation along driveways, railroad rig:hts of way, etc., for which there 

 is an increasing demand. Preparations have been completed for ex- 

 tending this work during the coming year. Attention is also being 

 given to the eradication of weeds in lawns, particularly dandelion, 

 plantain, and crab-grass. 



Hay-curing investigations. — Experimental work in the artificial 

 drying of hay has been continued with satisfactory results and 

 needed improvements and extensions have been made to the ma- 

 chinery to meet the requirements as the work developed. The study 

 of markets and market conditions for hay has been continued. 



Cassava investigations. — The cassavas grown last year yielded a 

 much heavier crop of seed than has been heretofore grown, while the 

 yield of roots has been equally as good, which would seem to indicate 

 that the work of acclimatization and the development of seed-pro- 

 ducing strains is progressing satisfactorily. Seed was saved from 35 

 out of 48 varieties grown. This seed was planted at the beginning 

 of this season and made a satisfactory growth. Canes packed last 

 fall in dry soil under a shed came through the winter in fine condi- 

 tion and have been distributed for trial. 



LoGGED-orr land investigations. — As reported last year, this work 

 ■was closed up with the end of the fiscal year, and the reports of all 

 the agents at work in the various States are now on file. A compila- 

 tion of all results to date has been prepared. 



