18 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
eases, the elucidation of the causes and tendency of plant-decay, and the 
discovery of a remedy, as well as the utilization of such eryptogams as 
can be made available for food, dye-stuffs, pigments, and other commer-_ 
cial purposes. 
The following will illustrate the general character of the ware of this 
division during the past year: 
Investigations relating to the rust of cotton-plant. + 
The structural appearance of sugar made from sorghum and maize, as ~ 
seen under the microscope, having relation to their starch, sugar, and 
general cell-contents during the process of ripening. 
The diametric measurements of merino wool of various breeds, show- 
ing the comparative results and value of cross-breeds and high culture. 
The structural examination of textile fibers, and other relative resist- 
ing power to chemicals, as seen under the miscroscope. 
The cellulose of plants and fruits in relation to their amylaceous and 
woody condition, whether digestible or indigestible, as shown by the 
action of sulphuric acid in the conversion of cell-tissue into starch, as 
shown under the miscroscope. 
The relation of dairy prime butter to Otome garine, as seen under the 
microscope. 
The characteristics of colored Demarara sugar, as shown by experi- 
ment under the microscope, at the request of se Treasury Department. 
Experiments relating to insecticides. 
Experiments relating to anti-fungoid solution. : 
The classification of the edible fungi of the United States, showing 165 
species. 
The investigation of sweet-potato rot, grape-rot, and quince-fungus. 
The relative tendency of different varieties of eee to decay under 
adverse conditions. 
The work of the Microscopist has, with a few exceptions, been con- 
fined to such investigations as could be conducted in the department. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL DIVISION. 
In this division, there has been greatly increased activity during the 
year. Its correspondence has become quite extensive, and aside from 
the numerous answers to communications regarding the names and 
habits of well-known injurious insects, and remedies for the same, many 
new species have been received and studied. While much has been 
added to our knowledge of a number of insects that may be considered 
of secondary importance only, from the fact that they are local rather 
than national in-character, and while much valuable informstion regard- 
ing them, with remedies and suggestions for their destruction, will be 
included in the forthcoming report of the Entomologist, he has occupied 
himself more particularly with four classes of insects that seriously affect 
American productive industries for good or for evil. These are, 1st, 
cranberry-insects, about which many important facts have been learned; 
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