1010] EDITORIAL. ' 303 



cooperate in the future planning, execution, and reporting of their 

 work." 



Similarly the agronomy committee hat Bough! by cataloging the 

 projects to bring about a closer relationship and a larger coordina- 

 tion in the main lines of effort, in order that new work may be 

 planned that the results will lit in with other work where the soil 



and climatic conditions arc similar. It has made considerable prog- 

 ress in outlining group projects, denning requirement - of comparable 

 effort, and suggesting the organization of work on the basis of soil 

 provinces. The committee has also been working in the direction of 

 improving the procedure in field experiments, directing work into 

 specific lines, and making the combined program of the station- 

 such as to more effectively cover the leading problems in a conclusive 

 way. This year its efforts in that direction were continued and a 

 number of specific recommendations made. 



The live stock committee likewise dealt this year with methods 

 and planning, the taking of data and recording of results, with a 

 view to strengthening experiments in some directions and to sys- 

 tematizing procedure. Its recommendations, embodying tangible 

 and concrete plans, should be of much value in strengthening the 

 attack and the conclusions in regard to various feeding questions. 



A matter bearing on a growing branch of agricultural industry 

 in the South was a carefully prepared and comprehensive report 

 upon oleomargarin, with special reference to its relation to dairying. 

 This was from a committee appointed last year to investigate the 

 subject, of which Director W. R. Dodson. of Louisiana, was chair- 

 man. The report was not apprehensive of danger provided existing 

 laws are enforced. 



The subject of soft pork resulting from certain widely used \'<'ri\<. 

 notably peanuts, was given much attention. Although not a new 

 topic it is regarded as one of the most important in southern agri- 

 culture, being related to the cropping and farming systems as well 

 as the returns in marketing one of the chief products. The matter 

 was discussed in its various aspects, added interest being given by 

 the presence of representatives of the packing houses who presented 

 their side of the problem. It was pointed out that Boft hogs can not 

 be marketed in the North except at greatly reduced price-, can not 

 be used for export, and are not suitable for making the high grade 

 products sold under nationally advertised brands. Consequently as 

 soon as the South has reached the limit of its own consumption of 

 this class of pork the market declines and prices and profits are 

 materially affected. The packers maintain that all pork cut- from 

 soft hogs show an unusually heavy shrinkage in curing, that they do 

 not chill properly in the cooler, and never become firm enough to 

 permit cutting into economical, attractive cuts. They also show a 



