152 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



A study of the hemp industry of Kentucky will be taken up during 

 the present year. This will comprise an examination of the typical 

 hemp soils, together with a study of the crops which are grown thereon. 

 In conjunction with this chemical work an economic investigation of the 

 hemp industry, with reference to the methods of culture, yields, man- 

 ner of preparation, uses, and markets, will be made. There have been 

 collected 80 samples of soil representing the hemp section, and at the 

 time of harvest samples of the crops grown in the locality where the 

 soils were obtained will be secured. 



This laboratory will have its annual routine work in the analysis of 

 the crop samples from the pot-culture experiments. In addition, it 

 will make analyses of the soils used in the pot experiments. 



DAIRY LABORATORY. 



During the last year the dairy laboratory was transferred to the 

 Bureau of Animal Industry. By the order of the Secretary of July 1, 

 1902, the dairy laboratory was again placed in the Bureau of Chemistry, 

 but no appropriations have been made therefor. Previous to January 

 1, 1902, this laboratory was in the Bureau of Chemistry, but the ex- 

 penses thereof were charged to the Bureau of Animal Industry. Now 

 that this laboratory has been permanently restored to the Bureau of 

 Chemistry, it is necessary to make a special estimate for its mainte- 

 nance, and this has been done in the estimates which follow. Five 

 thousand dollars will be sufficient to carry on this work for the first 

 year, unless the collaborative work with the Bureau of Animal Indus- 

 try should be larger than is anticiijated. It is necessary in this work, 

 upon which the officers of the law often depend for analytical data, 

 to be thoroughly equipped to secure such data promptly, in order that 

 the execution of the law may not be delayed. 



CENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



The importance of the cenological investigations in the manufacture 

 of wines and ciders has already been set forth in the first part of this 

 report. The improvement of the character of cider which has been 

 secured is most marked, and no greater benefit could be conferred on 

 our cider makers than the continuance of this work, in order that the 

 best methods of fermentation and cellar treatment for ciders may be 

 pointed out, and also that the fermentation germs which make the best 

 flavored products may be provided and distributed to them. What 

 is true of ciders is also true of wines, although our investigations have 

 not yet extended further than the analysis of the wines themselves. 

 The importance of this work is such as to warrant the establishment 

 of a special laboratory in the Bureau of Chemistrj^ for its conduct, 

 and an estimate for 15,000 for this purpose has been submitted. 



MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATIONS. 



Our increasing knowledge of the importance of microorganisms, in 

 connection with the changes which take place in soils and manures, is 

 constantly presenting chemical laroblems of great scientific interest 

 and importance. Most of these problems are so strictly chemical in 

 their nature that they can only be successfully investigated in a well- 

 equipped chemical laboratory. The routine work would be facilitated, 

 however, by the employment of a person skilled in the isolation and 



