1098 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



inspection (listricts of tlic Biiroau of Animal Industry. Approxi- 

 niatoly 250 jobbers and dealers were fjranted hearings, in the man- 

 ner above des('ril)ed, througli arrangements effected by the executive 

 oflieer of the board. 



Six special hearings were lield ])y tlic l)oard during the year for the 

 purpose of discus.siiig with numufacturi rs general questions of com- 

 mon interest relating to the construction and cITective enforcement 

 of the insecticide act. 



INSECTICIDE DECISIONS. 



Insecticide decisions, while they do not have the force and effect 

 of the Insecticide Act of 1910, or of the regulations officially promul- 

 gated thereunder, are regarded as a valuable adjunct in attaining 

 harmony of view between the department and manufacturers re- 

 specting the solution of dubitable questions which may arise con- 

 ceriung the precise meaning or proper construction to be given to 

 different provisions of the act. Th(^y serve to acquaint interested 

 parties \^dth the attitude of the department relative to the questions 

 at issue and it is manifest that if tlie department's interpretation of 

 the law is accepted there can be no divergence of opinion, and prose- 

 cutions under the law may be avoided. Whenever inquiries of the 

 same nature are secured in sufficient number to indicate a general 

 desire for the illumination of an apparently obscure or indistinct 

 clause of the law or regulations, a decision is prepared and published 

 setting forth the department's view of the matters involved, after 

 due consideration of all the factors pertaining thereto. However, 

 many of the questions which have arisen are so complex as to be 

 determinable only after the most exhaustive laboratory processes 

 in cooperation with thorough field tests conducted during such crop- 

 growdng seasons as may bo suitable. Six insecticide decisions have 

 thus far been issued, while several others of far-reaching importance 

 are in course of preparation, which, if approved, will be published 

 in the near future. 



SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS. 

 INSECT POWDEE. 



The many requests received from manufacturers and dealers for 

 a decision giving the position of the department regarding the use of 

 "insect flower stems" and touching the propriety of the use of the 

 name "insect powder" in connection with proprietary preparations 

 composed of other ingredients than the powdered flowers of cer- 

 tain species of chrysanthemum, indie atea the necessity of special 

 investigation of this subject. Through the courtesy of the Bureau 

 of Chemistry an expert was sent to the various importing trade 

 centers, who interviewed a large number of importers and whole- 

 salers, collected samples of the raw and finished prodisct, studied 

 the processes of manufacture, and embodied all of the data obtained 

 in a comprehensive report. Written and oral statements were se- 

 cured and practical tests with various pyrethrum products were 

 carried out. All of the data thus obtained was carefully digested 

 by the board and the conclusions published as Insecticide Decision 

 No. 1. 



