THE ECONOMICS OF CROP DISPOSAL. 1 



By Carl S. Scofield, Agriculturist in Charge of Western Irrigation, Agriculture. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is now more than 20 years since the beginning of the investiga- 

 tions which were finally consolidated in the organization of the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry 12 years ago. These investigations have 

 been devoted primarily to the problems of crop production. Studies 

 of our native plants, the introduction of new plants, plant breeding, 

 the control of plant diseases, and investigations of plant nutrition 

 have been among the more important features of this work. We 

 have devoted but little attention to those problems which confront 

 the farmer in the disposal of his crop. In other words, the chief 

 aim of our investigations and of our educational work as well has 

 been to stimulate the growth of those " two blades of grass." 



In this work we have been measurably successful. Nevertheless, 

 the cost of living has continued to increase, and this is a matter with 

 which we are professionally concerned, since probably more than 

 any other single body of men we have to do with the fundamental 

 factors of that complex problem. It seems to me obvious that if we 

 are to attack that problem effectively we must look into the methods 

 of crop disposal as well as into those of crop production. Such an 

 inquiry, if undertaken seriously, may be expected to yield results 

 as striking, as far-reaching, and as beneficial as any that we have 

 already achieved. 



If it is a proper function of the Bureau of Plant Industry to work 

 out the problems of our agricultural industries, there can be no 

 doubt as to the need or the propriety of investigating the problem of 

 the disposal or utilization of crops. The advantageous disposal of 

 a crop is quite as important as its successful production. The pro- 

 ducer is continually harassed with doubt as to what crop or crops to 

 plant or where or how best to market those which he has already 

 grown. 



The stabilization of food supplies has been one of the fundamental 

 factors in the development of our civilization. From the time of 



1 Issued Mar. 22, 1913. 



This paper was presented Feb. 4, 1913, as one of a series of lectures given before the 

 scientific staff of the Bureau of Plant Industry. 



3 

 [Cir. 118.] 



