418 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Hemp. — Experiments with hemp demonstrated that the crop can 

 be successfuJly grown in A\'isconsin and that fiber can be prepared in 

 a satisfactory manner by macliinery. The interest aroused has 

 caused some 200 acres of hemp to be phuited this season. 



Flax. — The work of breeding flax for the development of improved 

 strains for both fiber and seed has been continued. Laboratory tests 

 indicate a distinct improvement in the third generation of selected 

 plants. Experiments regarding the deterioration of fiber strains of 

 flax from American-grown seed have been begun in Minnesota. 



Ramie. — Many requests for information about ramie have been 

 received, and a circular has been prepared for use in answering them. 

 Experiments in the cultivation of ramie under irrigation have been 

 begun in California. 



Plans for future work. — The crops of leaves of sisal, henequen, 

 and zapupe will be harvested when ready in Porto Rico and Florida 

 Keys and a study made of the relative merits of several different 

 kinds of hard-fiber plants introduced there. Efforts will be made to 

 induce farmers to increase the cultivation of flax to supply the in- 

 creasing demand for seed. Experiments Avith ramie Avill be carried 

 forward to secure more definite information regarding the produc- 

 tion of fiber and possible profits in growing this crop. Plans are 

 being made for the extension of this work to Louisiana and Porto 

 Rico. Further experiments in the cultivation of hemji looking to its 

 introduction into new localities are to be taken up, and seed selection 

 for the development of a more uniform strain will be continued. 



GRAIN STANDARDIZATION". 



The investigations relating to improved methods of harvesting, 

 handling, transporting, and grading of grain have been continued 

 under the direction of Dr. J. W. T. Duvel. Special attention has 

 been given to corn, wheat, oats, and rice, but studies of other grains, 

 mainly barley, rye, flaxseed, kafir, and milo have been included. 



Grain standardization laboratories. — AVork at six grain stand- 

 ardization laboratories has been continued throughout the year: At 

 Baltimore. Md., in charge of Mr. I^aurel Duval; at Chicago, 111., in 

 charge of Mr. W. P. Carroll ; at Decatur, 111., in charge of Mr. C. A. 

 Russell ; at Fargo, N. Dak., in charge of Mr. L. M. Thomas ; at Kan- 

 sas City, Mo., in charge of Mr. E. L. Morris; and at New Orleans, 

 La., in charge of Mr. L. M. Jeffers. The work at the Fargo labora- 

 tory, in cooperation with the North Dakota experiment station, has 

 been confined mainly to a study of the milling and baking values of 

 different grades of W'heat. At the other laboratories the investiga- 

 tions have been in cooperation with members of the grain trade, 

 grain-inspection departments, and grain transportation and storage 

 companies. Approximately 20,000 samples of grain have been an- 

 alyzed at the various laboratories, including the one at Washington, 

 during the year. It is felt that the results have aided materially in 

 bringing about a better understanding of grain values and in empha- 

 sizing the urgent need of uniform and more definite standards for the 

 grading of grain in all markets. 



