REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 117 



publications is surprising when it is remembered that millions of 

 copies are distributed free, both by the Department of Agriculture 

 and by Members of Congress. During the last fiscal year 171,866 

 copies were sold by the superintendent of public documents, for 

 which he received $16,428. 



The magnitude of the work of disseminating the vast fund of 

 information so systematically sought and so scientifically verified is 

 commensurate with the enormous advance made in the ai^plication 

 of scientific knowledge to practical agriculture by the farmers of the 

 country — a result in which the department has been a marked factor. 

 The improved conditions on farms, the increased yields of crops, the 

 suppression of animal diseases and improved methods of breeding, 

 feeding, and selection of live stock, and the new varieties of fruits 

 resulting from the department's labors as detailed and explained in 

 its publications have added many millions tothe wealth of the Nation. 



PLANT INDUSTRY. 

 OUTLINES OF POLICY. 



In one of the earlier reports of the present Secretary of Agri- 

 culture he set forth the policy wnth respect to plant-industrial 

 work. It was stated that it would be the aim of the department to 

 bring the scientist to the help of the people; to ascertain what 

 imported crop plants might be produced in our country; to search 

 the world for grains, fruits, vegetables, grasses, and legumes that 

 might be found useful here; to secure new^ varieties of plants by 

 breeding and selection; to control destructive diseases; to open new 

 markets for plant products, and to improve methods of handling, 

 shipping, and marketing things the farmer grew, especially the 

 more perishable crops. Following is a brief review of some of the 

 more important results accomplished along these lines: 



In the earlier stages of the work a cohesive and effective organiza- 

 tion was lacking. Twelve years ago the first steps were taken to 

 bring all the forces together, resulting in the organization and devel- 

 opment of the Bureau of Plant Industry. Little need be said about 

 the methods and purposes of this bureau. Its work speaks for itself. 

 It has no police or regulatory duties to perform; hence, the energies 

 of its corps of nearly 1,500 laboratory and field men may be devoted 

 exclusively to helping the 6,000,000 or more farmers in ways that 

 have from time to time been set forth in these reports and which 

 have brought about the things herein briefly recorded. 



NEW CROPS AND NEW INDUSTRIES. 



Since 1898, when the plant-introduction work was inaugurated, 

 the department has actively pursued this field of study. At the pres- 

 ent time the department has six important field propagating stations, 



