REPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 135 



Studies of transportation conditions pursued on transcontinental 

 trains and in tlie receiving markets were also prosecuted. These 

 studies have resulted in the development of that preparatory treat- 

 ment of fruits for transportation known as precooling, which appears 

 destined to play a very important part in the future development 

 of transportation and storage of all perishable horticultural products. 



The beneficial results of this work are already apparent in many 

 fruit-gi-owing sections of the country where, with some modification, 

 the principles discovered in California have been applied in the com- 

 mercial handling of fruits, including the orange and pomelo shipping 

 in Florida and the peach, pear, grape, and berry shipping of both 

 the Eastern and Pacific Coast States. 



The viticultural industries of the country have been looked after 

 in connection with the general fruit work of the department. Ex- 

 perimental vineyards have been established in California and else- 

 where with the object of securing data relative to the governing 

 principles in the matter of successful crop production. 



A special effort has been put forth in encouraging the production 

 of grapes in the Southern States, especially those of the Muscadine 

 types. Nut culture has also received special attention in connection 

 with the progress of the general fruit work. Studies have been 

 made of the principal species of nut trees grown in the States east 

 of the Kocky Mountains with a view to determining the adaptability 

 of the varieties. Further studies have been made of the details of 

 orchard operations with a view to advising and assisting those who 

 are desirous of engaging in this industry. 



SEED DISTRIBUTION. 



It is gratifying to review the progress made in the securing and 

 distribution of seeds by the department. By a combination of clear- 

 cut business principles and scientific knowledge the work has de- 

 veloped smoothly along satisfactory lines. Within the last decade, 

 ever since the work has been handled exclusively by the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry, more than 7,000 tons of seed have been secured, 

 tested in the laboratory and in the field, assembled, and distributed. 



Early in the work it was determined to conduct it in such a way 

 that all the seed secured and sent out should be of high quality. It 

 was determined furthermore to eliminate costly practices of hand 

 work and to introduce, wherever practicable, modern mechanical 

 appliances for facilitating operations. 



Notwithstanding the fact that the quantity of seeds secured and 

 distributed has nearly doubled in the past 10 years, the actual cost 

 of handling the distribution is less now that it was 10 years ago. 

 The funds saved by good business management have gone toward 

 improving the quality and quantity of the seed and have enabled 



