48 DEPAKTMENTAL EEPOKTS. 



and general encouragement of the industrj-. Encouraging i-esults in 

 the use of macaroni A^heat by factories secured. Hard Russian wlieats 

 proved successful in a number of western States where other hardy 

 varieties liad failed. A new and simple method of rapidly propa- 

 gating and distributing nitrif^'ing organisms discovered, making it 

 practicable to materiail}' improve cultivation of leguminous crops. 

 The value of American-grown clover seed over the European product 

 demonstrated. New method of cleaning and handling grass seed dis- 

 covered, materially increasing the value of the crop. Investigations 

 of drug and medicinal plants inaugurated, to determine the practica- 

 bility of growing plants which are now largely imported. Increased 

 facilities for the study of western ranges and their improvement 

 secured. Investigations inaugurated to secure substitutes for red 

 clover. Extended experiments inaugurated to develop the possibilities 

 of alfalfa culture in the Eastern United States and in the South. A 

 number of successful experiments in the shipment of American fruits 

 to foreign countries made. Peaches shipped from Georgia and Con- 

 necticut to London markets yield handsome profit. Pears and apples 

 also successfully shipped. Experiments to determine the best methods 

 of handling, wrapping, and shipping such fruits gave encouraging 

 results. Extensive experiments inaugui'ated to determine best metli 

 ods of fruit storage. Methods discovered whereby the injury through 

 "scald" in storage may be materially lessened. Varietal tests of 

 apples to determine their relative storage value made. Viticultural 

 investigations inaugurated, having for their object the encouragement 

 of grape culture in all parts of the country, special studies of resist- 

 ant stocks being made. Experiments in the methods of bench and 

 field grafting Vinifera grapes inaugurated. Experimental vineyards 

 established in North Carolina and other Southern States gave inter- 

 esting results. Simple method for rapidl}^ cultivating the pecan jind 

 other nut trees discovered. Work of gardens and grounds reorgan- 

 ized and placed in charge of tlie Horticulturist. New glass houses 

 constructed and facilities for advanced horticultural work secured. 

 Arlington Farm surveyed, drainage work continued, and experimental 

 investigations in a number of lines inaugurated. New facts in regard 

 to commercial tea culture secured and improvements made in the gen- 

 eral methods of cultivation, pruning, and handling the product. 

 Nine thousand pounds of commercial tea produced, most of wliicli 

 ranks with the high-grade imported kinds. The work of securing 

 and distributing seeds and plants reorganized. New cereals, includ- 

 ing wheats, oats, rye, and barley introduced and distributed. New 

 varieties of rice secu^red and distributed in the rice-growing sections 

 of Texas and Louisiana. A shipment of 225 date trees secured from 

 Persia and planted in the experimental date orchard in Arizona. The 

 date orchard now comprises 11 acres and contains 580 imported trees, 

 besides 80 native seedlings, all doing well. Successful introduction 

 of Egyptian clover, or bei'seem, from Egypt. Successful introduction 

 of the Jordan almond. Successful introduction of a number of alkali- 

 resistant alfalfas and cottons. 



Under the accompanying heads some of the more important details 

 connected with the foregoing synopsis are given. 



WORK OF THE YEAR. 



In accordance with the recommendations made by you in your last 

 report and submitted in your estimates, the several lines of plant 



