604 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.43 



mal Industry. In addition there were ten subject matter divisions 

 and the Office of Experiment Stations. The plant industry work 

 was divided among several independent divisions, giving a lack of 

 coherence in related linos of effort. Ultimately these divisions were 

 brought together in a large Bureau of Plant Industry, whose scope 

 was rapidly expanded to meet advancing needs. Six of the other 

 divisions were raised to the grade of bureau as their lines became 

 more numerous, and special laboratories, offices and boards were pro- 

 vided to care for new features. 



Thus, farm management as a special branch of agriculture Avas 

 originated, and an office established. Animal husbandry was organ- 

 ized as a separate branch of the Bureau of Animal Industry, and 

 work in horse breeding, among other lines, commenced in several 

 parts of the country. Provision was made for systematic studies in 

 irrigation and drainage, with special officers in charge. Agricultural 

 extension was started under the name of the Farmers' Cooperative 

 Demonstration Work, especially as a result of the advent of the 

 cotton boll weevil and the necessity of more diversified farming in 

 meeting its ravages. An insecticide and fungicide board, and a 

 Federal horticultural board were organized, with laboratories and 

 specialists to meet their needs. 



A new feature developed soon after the Secretary came to the 

 Department was organized effort at plant introduction and the send- 

 ing of explorers to different countries of the world in search of crops 

 and strains adapted to the agriculture of the United States. Atten- 

 tion was given to such crops as the cereals, rice, alfalfa, the date 

 palm, forage plants, etc. Among these, the success in introducing 

 durum wheat into the northwestern semi-arid regions, where it 

 has become one of the great staples, may be specially mentioned. 

 Plans for a systematic survey of the soils of the country were put 

 into effect in 1900, the work being done to considerable extent in 

 cooperation with the States. In response to the growing interest in 

 better roads and the realization of their importance to agriculture, 

 this line of effort was greatly enlarged and strengthened, and the 

 way prepared for a nation-wide development which came a little 

 later. 



The beet sugar industry in this country practically grew up during 

 Secretary Wilson's administration, and largely through activities 

 under his direction. The more extensive production by the United 

 States of its own sugar supply Avas one of his early dreams, and he 

 soon set in motion an extensive campaign, in cooperation with local 

 agencies, to determine the localities most favorable for the growth 

 of the beet. Every phase of the production of this crop was given 

 extensive study, including not only the culture and handling of the 

 crop, but the control of disease and insect pests, the raising of Ameri- 



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