REPOKT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. XXXI 



spread interest and attention from the first. As the season advanced 

 and the characteristics of the different grasses became manifest, dairy- 

 men and farmers from all sections of the country visited the plots and 

 were much interested in the object lessons they taught. 



A unique feature of this exhibit was a display of the sand-binding 

 grasses, the object of this being to illustrate how vast tracts of land 

 along our seacoast ma}' be made profitable at comparatively small 

 expense. A miniature sand dune was produced artificially, and on it 

 were planted the common beach grass of the Atlantic coast north of 

 Virginia, sand millet of the coast of Virginia southward, the sea lyme 

 grass from the coast of Oregon, long-leafed sand grass from the lake 

 shores, and other sand-binding types. Naturally these grasses are 

 never found except in drifting sands, for the fixing of which they are 

 well adapted. Altogether this work has done much to show in an 

 instructive way many interesting features of the grass and forage 

 plant investigations. 



COOPERATIVE WORK WITH EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



Another important feature of the work of the Agrostologist during 

 the year was the formulation of a plan for conducting experiments 

 with grasses and forage plants in cooperation with the experiment sta- 

 tions. Formal articles of agreement, setting forth the objects of the 

 experiments, the respective features of the work to be assumed by each 

 party to the agreement, and the manner in which the results obtained 

 may be used by each, were drawn up and the agreement signed by the 

 proper officials of the Department and the stations. In some cases the 

 Department assumed a part of the expenses connected with the experi- 

 ments, while in others it simply furnished the necessarj^ seed and 

 expert services in preparing the plans. 



In arranging for the work care was exercised in each case to select 

 a station in the locality where the solution of the particular problem 

 to be taken up seemed most important, and where the best facilities 

 were provided. The plans have met with general approval, and already 

 cooperative experiments are being conducted with 13 stations. The 

 problems taken up have widespread application, and the results so far 

 obtained lead to the belief that great good is to come from the work 

 as a whole. 



POMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



The fruit interests of this country have grown to enormous propor- 

 tions, and the pomological work of the Department is designed to pro- 

 mote them in every way possible. With this end in view, a large 

 exhibit was last year maintained at the Paris Exposition, the object 

 being chiefly to encourage a demand for American products. The 

 beneficial effects of this work are already showing in the increased 

 demand for American fruits, especially oranges and apples. In 1899 



