EDITORIAL. 1035 



foreign countries, this inspection being for quality, condition, and 

 grade, and to serve as the basis for an official certificate. The bulk 

 of grain is now sold on the certificate of inspectors employed by 

 boards of trade and similar agencies, and there is frequently a lack 

 of uniformity in these certificates for similar lots. Questions arise as 

 to the accuracy of the certificate and the condition and deterioration 

 in transit, out of which dissatisfaction has grown which lias affected 

 our foreign t rade. 



The result of consideration of this matter was that the Secretary of 

 Agriculture was authorized " to establish at such points of export as 

 he may deem expedient, laboratories for the purpose of examining and 

 reporting upon the nature, quality, and condition of any sample, 

 parcel, or consignment of seed or grain." The amount named for 

 this purpose was $15,000, which will obviously provide only quite 

 limited facilities for such inspection, hut will afford a court of appeal 

 in doubtful or disputed cases. This is doubtless one of the features 

 which will grow in extent as its importance and usefulness are realized. 

 and may ultimately assume considerable proportions. 



It will thus be apparent that the Department is adding to its admin- 

 istrative and investigational functions extensive and important inspec- 

 tion work, which is broadened to include not only the special interests 

 of the farmers but the people as a whole. 

 3.3747— No. 11—00 2 



