598 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.35 



experimental purposes. The buildings are being remodeled and it is hoped 

 eventually to maintain a complete experiment station and agricultural school. 

 The work at present under way is largely of a preliminary nature with various 

 crops. 



Federal Agricultural Legislation. — In addition to the legislation already 

 noted (E. S. R., 35, pp. 101, 200, and 301) a number of other provisions of 

 agricultural and educational interest were adopted at the opening session of 

 the Sixty -fourth Congre.ss. 



The act making appropriations for the support of the army establishes a 

 council of National Defense consisting of the Secretaries of War, Navy, Inte- 

 rior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Labor. This council is to supervise and 

 direct investigations and make recommendations, not only as to purely mil- 

 itary measures but as to the increase of domestic production of articles and 

 materials essential to the support of armies and of the people during an inter- 

 ruption of foreign commerce and similar matters. It is also to nominate to 

 the President for his appointment an advisory commission of not more than 

 seven i)ersons, each of whom has special knowledge of some industry, public 

 utility, or the development of some national resource. An appropriation of 

 J?200,000 is provided for experimental work undertaken by the council, the 

 advisory commission, or subordinate bodies, for carrying on the work provided. 



A section in the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916, provides that soldiers 

 in active service shall hereafter be given opportunity to receive instruction 

 along vocational lines. Civilian teachers may be employed to aid the army 

 officers in giving this instruction, which may include training in agriculture. 



Under a provision in the Indian appropriation act, a farmer or expert farmer 

 appointed in the Indian Service after January 1, 1917, and receiving at least 

 $50 i)er month, must procure certificates of competency showing that he is a 

 farmer of actual experience and qualified to instruct others in the art of prac- 

 tical agriculture. These certificates are to be issued by the president or dean 

 of the agricultural college of the State in which his services are to be ren- 

 dei'ed or by the corresponding official of the college in an adjoining State. 



The Postmaster General is authorized in the appropriation act for the sup- 

 port of his Department to conduct experiments in three or more communities 

 tor the purpose of determining the most practical means of extending the 

 operations of the parcel post in promoting the marketing of products and 

 furthering direct transactions between producers and consumers. An appro- 

 priation of $10,000 is made for this purpose. 



A law which establishes standards for the so-called Climax baskets for grapes 

 and other fruits and vegetables and for other types of baskets and containers 

 used for small fruits, berries, and vegetables becomes effective November 1, 

 1917. Standards of 2, 4, and 12 quarts dry measure are provided for the 

 Climax or " grape " baskets, while other containers are restricted in size to 

 i pint, 1 pint, 1 quart, and multiples of 1 quart dry measure. Penalties 

 are prescribed for shipments in interstate commerce which do not conform to 

 these requirements. The Secretary of Agriculture is to establish rules and 

 regulations and to examine containers to determine their compliance with 

 the act. 



A standard " large barrel " of 280 pounds net and a " small barrel " of 180 

 pounds net are established for lime. All lime handled in interstate commerce 

 in barrels must be packed in barrels of these sizes or a fractional part of the 

 small barrel. Rules and regulations are to be prescribed by the Bureau of 

 Standards and approved by the Secretary of Commerce. Penalties are provided 

 for violations, beginning January 1, 1917. 



