410 ANNUAL REPOKTS OE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



on methods of cutting and handling tlie product must be undertaken. 

 The main effort at present is being directed toward securing hirger 

 areas of camphor, but experimental work may soon begin on the older 

 plantings, and suitable apparatus for collecting the prunings must be 

 worked out in practice. 



Vegetable-oil crop investigations. — Laboratory work of a tech- 

 nical nature has been carried on by Mr. Frank Rabak and his assist- 

 ants, in cooperation with the ditierent branches of field work con- 

 ducted in relation to a large variety of oils of plant origin. In addi- 

 tion to the products of this class referred to in the report on field 

 work, results may be mentioned which are obtained by working up 

 sources of agricultural waste. The work of the year has demon- 

 strated good commercial values in raisin seeds, which accumulate at 

 packing houses where seedless raisins are prepared. From prelimi- 

 nary investigations on other oil-yielding residues it seems probable 

 that other valuable unutilized agricultural residues exist which may 

 also be made to yield favorable returns. A number of native plants 

 yielding volatile oils have been studied during the year, with good 

 results. 



In view of the great interest in vegetable oils now evidenced among 

 manufacturers of soaps, paints, and other oil-consuming products, it is 

 deemed desirable to press actively the investigation of the capabilities 

 of such oil-producing plants as promise well under American agricul- 

 tural conditions. Accordingly tests on sunflowers, sesame, castor 

 beans, and soy beans are called for. The work on volatile-oil crops 

 and on agricultural residues as sources of useful oils is to be con- 

 tinued in the laboratory and at the stations on a somewhat larger 

 scale, to permit of small commercial tests with promising material. 

 These demonstrations are usually sufficient to enlist the active inter- 

 est of both farmers and utilizers. 



The oil-crop work for the fiscal year 1914 will be undertaken on 

 a much broader basis than at present. The general demand for 

 vegetable oils for a great variety of purposes is large, owing perhaps 

 to the relatively high prices of animal fats and the decrease in pro- 

 duction of linseed oil and turpentine. This country is a relatively 

 large importer of this type of products, and efforts should be made 

 to render the United States self-supporting in this respect. To 

 diversify agricultural production in this direction will render good 

 service to American manufacturers. 



Hop INVESTIGATIONS. — Dr. W. W. Stockberger spent the early 

 months of the year abroad investigating the hop industry as devel- 

 oped in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and England. He was able to 

 compare and contrast European methods and results with those found 

 in America. He arranged for the introduction of desirable sorts. 

 The field and laboratory Avork on the improvement of quality and 

 yield of hops in America has been continued, the field methods in 

 use on the Pacific coast being given attention with especial reference 

 to increased yields. The breeding and selection work gives good 

 promise of obtaining superior new varieties. The work on hop con- 

 stituents in relation to commercial desirability has been continued, 

 the resins and volatile oils having received most attention. 



The hop work for the coming year will be continued along the 

 present lines, in order to get the results of the prior work on l;>reeding 



