REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 11 



United States Department of Agriculture. This journey was un- 

 dertaken with two main objects in view: (1) To study the grasses 

 of the Philippine Islands in response to a request from the director 

 of the Philippine Bureau of Science (Dr. E. D. Merrill) to prepare 

 the manuscript on the grasses for a flora of the Philippine Islands; 

 (2) to study the native and cultivated bamboos of the Philippines, 

 Japan, and China with special reference (1) to their introduction 

 into the United States and (2) to the publication of a revision of 

 the economic bamboos of the world. 



Doctor Hitchcock arrived in Manila June 9 and spent 19 days in 

 the islands, mostly in Luzon. He visited Los Bahos and from there 

 ascended to the summit of Makiling, 3,300 feet, through virgin 

 forest. He also ascended Bagnio, 5,000 feet, and Santo Thomas, 

 8,000 feet. 



At the close of the year he was en route to Japan by way of 

 Hongkong. In Japan he intends to visit Hokone and to ascend 

 Mount Fuji and other mountains, studying and collecting bamboos. 

 From there he will proceed to China, and, if time permits, to Java, 

 returning to Washington the latter part of December. 



RESEARCHES ON A MULTIPLE-CHARGE ROCKET FOR REACHING GREAT 



ALTITUDES. 



As mentioned in my last report, Prof. Eobert H. Goddard, of Clark 

 University, is working under a grant from the Hodgkins fund of the 

 Institution, on a multiple-charge rocket for exploring the unknown 

 upper layers of the earth's atmosphere. During the year the work 

 has consisted entirely of the construction and test of a small model, 

 illustrating the multiple-charge principle. 



The experiments and tests carried on during the year have been 

 specifically for the purpose of eliminating jamming, of improving 

 and simplifying the firing devices, of securing proper protection for 

 the propelling charges, and of overcoming difficulties introduced by 

 changes in the manufacture of materials used. 



A parachute device for preventing damage to the rocket and any 

 apparatus or instruments carried has been made which operates for 

 a fall of 60 feet. In addition to this, a modification has been con- 

 structed suitable for operating the parachute after a short fall in 

 rarefied air, such as is to be encountered at high elevations. 



The intention has been to demonstrate as early as possible a model 

 multiple-charge rocket such as has been mentioned, a successful 

 demonstration of which, it is believed, should show clearly that a 

 larger multiple-charge rocket, constructed upon the same lines, will 

 make possible the reaching of great altitudes. 



