54 DEPAKTMENTAL EEPORTS. 



drug-producing plants, the object being to demonstrate the practica- 

 bility of growing such plants in this countr3\ The Agrostologist is 

 conducting experiments to determine the best pasture and meadow 

 grasses for wet lands. 



Washington. — The Agrostologist is conducting experiments at this 

 station to determine the best and most practical way of improving 

 forage conditions in the dry sections of the Northwest, and for renew- 

 ing the worn-out ranges and devising methods of managing them 

 wherebj^ the highest degree of productivity may be maintained. The 

 Pathologist and Physiologist is directing investigations in the matter 

 of improvement of cereals adapted to the Northwest. The Botanist is 

 directing experiments in the improvement and cultivation of certain 

 drug-producing plants, such as belladonna, aconite, digitalis, and 

 opium popiDy. 



Wisconsin. — The Pathologist and Phj^siologist is conducting cooper- 

 ative investigations with this station to determine the value of various 

 cereals, and to obtain information connected Avith the breeding and 

 improvement of the same. 



Wyoming. — The Agrostologist is conducting investigations at this 

 station to determine the best grasses and forage plants for arid and 

 alkali soils, and the best methods of establishing and maintaining 

 permanent meadows and i^astures. 



COOPERATION WITH OTHER BUREAUS IN THE DEPARTMENT. 



In addition to extensive cooperation with experiment stations, this 

 Bureau is also engaged in cooperative work with a number of other 

 Bureaus in the, Department. As stated in previous reports, coopera- 

 tion with the Bureau of Soils has been mainly in the direction of 

 investigations upon tobacco. Considerable attention has been given 

 to the diseases of tobacco and problems relating to fermentation and 

 curing of the leaf. Cooi)eration has also been carried on with this 

 Bureau in studies of alkali problems, and a representative from each 

 Bureau has been sent to Algeria and other coantries to make a special 

 study of the conditions there for the purpose of obtaining light on 

 problems of importance in connection with questions in the arid and 

 semiarid West. This work will be more fully referred to under " For- 

 eign agricultural exj^lorations." Cooperative work has been effected 

 with the Bureau of Forestry in studies ui^on the decay of timber and 

 allied subjects. The representative of this Bureau has been made an 

 officer in the Bureau of Forestry, and is so conducting his investiga- 

 tions as to harmonize all lines of work wliere the work of the two Bu- 

 reaus comes into close contact. The Bureau of Chemistry is cooperat- 

 ing with this Bureau in the matter of making special studies of fruits 

 under the direction of the Pomologist, and is also aiding and assisting 

 in work connected with the poisonous plant investigations and drug 

 investigations and the work on cereals. 



FARM MANAGEMENT. 



Since the Bureau was organized the need has been felt for a proper 

 coordination of tlie varied lines of work being carried on, and particu- 

 larly tlie application of several lines of investigation in the matter of 

 securing practical ends. With a view to making the work of the 

 Bureau of more direct practical benefit to agriculture, arrangements 



