REPOKT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. XVn 



final destinations. A net return has been realized equal to, and in 

 most cases in excess of, domestic values. It is shown also that the 

 net return for a given fruit is largely influenced bj^ the kind of pack- 

 age in which it is forwarded, and by the methods of packing and 

 shipping it. 



These preliminary investigations have already encouraged growers 

 to ship some of these fruits in a commercial way and to adopt the sug- 

 gestions brought out bv the Department investigations. The fruit 

 export trade needs careful investigation, both at home and abroad, in 

 order that the methods of the American fruit grower may conform 

 more closely to the foreign practices of handling and distributing our 

 fruits and to the requirements of the foreign consumer. 



I wish here to point out the necessity in work of this kind for a 

 thorough and systematic study of the difi^erent foreign markets, in 

 order that the American farmer and fruit growler may act intelligently 

 in making shipments. To this end a plan is being devised whereby an 

 experienced man will be sent to one or more of our most promising 

 foreign markets to study all the prevailing conditions, and to secure 

 and handle experimental shipments of fruits and vegetables, noting 

 the condition in which various shipments arrive, the methods of pack- 

 ing which give the most satisfactory results, and looking after numer- 

 ous other details which can be determined in no other way. Such 

 an agent would also be in a position to secure valuable facts regard- 

 ing the products with which we are compelled to compete, and would 

 be able to point out methods by means of which we could best meet 

 this competition. 



To make this work still more valuable, the Department's agent or 

 agents could do much toward enlightening the general public in such 

 foreign countries in regard to the value of our products for general 

 consumption. There is no reason why many of our fruits and vege- 

 tables can not be sent abroad and sold at a price that would place them 

 within the reach of the average consumer, provided he was aware that 

 he could obtain them, and knew something of their value as food. In 

 other words, it seems that the time has come for decisive action in the 

 matter of exploiting abroad such products as have been mentioned; 

 and tp accomplish this with the best resajts trained men, and men of 

 good judgment, will be required. If sufficient funds are available, it 

 is planned to inaugurate this work the forthcoming 3'ear in a limited 

 way. 



Plant Physiology and Pathology, 



The practical utility of thorough scientific investigation of agricul- 

 tural problems is nowhere better demonstrated than in the Department's 

 work in the broad field of physiology and patholog3\ While the 



greatest scientific accuracy is demanded on the one hand in the study 

 AUK 1902 II 



