1096 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



These reports are laid before the whole board at the weekly sessions 

 and after discussion each case is disposed of in accordance with the 

 facts developed. Cases may be referred back to the board member 

 concerned for check analysis, for more exhaustive tests, or for further, 

 investigation, or they may be recommended for permanent abeyance 

 or citation of the parties in interest preliminary to prosecution. 

 The Bureau of Animal Industry makes examinations of insecticides 

 and fungicides inteaidcd to be used in combating insects and fungi 

 which may attack horses, cattle, sheep, swine, or goats, and passes 

 upon questions relating to the efficacy of such articles. The Bureau of 

 Plant Industry representative passes on all questions relative to the 

 efficacy and injunousness of all fungicides mtendcd to be used on 

 vegetation and, in cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology, the 

 injurious effects of insecticides when used on A'Cgctation, carrying 

 on such spraying tests and making such botanical analyses as may 

 be necessary. AH questions relative to the efficacy of insecticides 

 and substances which may enter into the composition thereof, other 

 than those assigned to the Bureau of Animal Industry, are determined 

 by the representative of the Bureau of Entomology, for which work 

 an insecticide laboratory and testmg grounds are maintained at 

 Vienna, Va. The examination of insecticides and fungicides other 

 than those used on horses, cattle, sheep, s\vine, or goats is conducted 

 by the Miscellaneous Division of the Bureau of Chemistry, wldch 

 also passes on questions relating to the composition of such prepara- 

 tions. Therefore laboratories are equipped and maintained in the 

 Bureaus of Animal Industry and Chemistry, while laboratories and 

 testing stations arc operated by the Bureaus of Plant Industry and 

 Entomology at Arlington Farm and Vienna, Va., respectively. 



Of the 650 cases arising during the year, 246 have been disposed of, 

 182 being placed in permanent abeyance, while 64 have been trans- 

 mitted to the Attorney General for prosecution. Seven of the 

 prosecution cases have l^een considered by the courts with results 

 favorable to the Government's contentions in each case. Of the 

 remaining cases, 43 are imdergoing review in the Office of the Solicitor, 

 45 are awaiting reports of hearing, 43 are held pending receipt of 

 further information or the outcome of prosecutions of the same article 

 on identical charges, while in 273 cases the preliminary examination 

 and necessary tests are incomplete. The large number of cases in 

 the latter class is due to the increased ratio of receipts in the latter 

 months of the year after special collectors took up the sample 

 collection work. 



Since the organization of the board, 106 regular and special sessions 

 of the board were held for the purpose of assigning samples, disposing 

 of cases, and for the transaction of other routine business. 



On June 30, 1912, a total of 16 persons was employed in the diflPer- 

 ent bureaus in connection with the enforcement of the law, classified 

 as follows: Two experts, 8 chemists, 2 entomological assistants, 

 1 agent, 1 clerk, 1 laboratory helper, and 1 laborer. These assistants 

 were added from time to time as competent persons were found, 

 man)^ of them being recent appointees. The above figures do not 

 include the sample collectors nor the force of the executive office. 



