REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 135 



excessive moisture is the most dangerous factor in handling commer- 

 cial grain and that the artificial drying of corn increases its keeping 

 qualities. Milling and baking investigations and grain-dockage 

 investigations have been prosecuted vigorously. 



Among the most important experiments being carried on at this 

 time are tests to determine the effect on grade and the commercial and 

 feeding values resulting from the artificial bleaching or " sulphur- 

 ing " of oats. Satisfactory cooperation with grain-carrying rail- 

 roads, commercial grain exchanges, grain dealers' associations, grain 

 elevator companies, etc., has been had throughout the year, and this 

 has contributed largely to the success of the work. 



Since the organization of this investigation in 1906 an enormous 

 amount of work has been done, including many special experiments 

 and the testing of approximately 100,000 samples of grain. On 

 arrival at European ports 183 cargoes of American corn have been 

 examined, and the results of the examinations have been published, 

 while 9 cargoes of export grain have been accompanied from the 

 United States to foreign ports and observations and tests made of 

 them. Sufficient data are now available to establish standard gi'ades 

 for corn. 



DEVELOPMENT OF THE BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



'^I he beet-sugar industry has practically grown up during the 

 period covered by this report. There are now in operation 66 fac- 

 tories in 17 States, Avhich required and used for the past season 

 5,062,333 tons of beets from 473,877 acres. It is estimated that the 

 output of sugar from these factories the present year will be close to 

 700,000 tons, the largest yield in the history of the industry in this 

 country. 



The department has demonstrated the applicability of the Amer- 

 ican soil and climate to this crop and has shown the benefits that 

 have accrued to our agriculture from its establishment. The most 

 favorable localities have been pointed out, the growers given instruc- 

 tions for caring for their beets, and the general progress of the in- 

 dustry fostered. 



The diseases of the sugar beet have been studied and the causes 

 of a number of them have been worked out and satisfactor}'^ remedies 

 suggested. 



The production of American sugar-beet seed has been an aim of 

 the department for years. It has been demonstrated that seed of 

 good quality can be produced here, American strains have been bred, 

 and the commercial production of beet seed is now in sight. In con- 

 nection with this work field laboratories have been established witli 

 analytical and other facilities and experiments with cultural methods 

 have been carried on, particularly in the irrigated districts of the 

 West. 



