REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1918. 71 



in that it shows, at a glance, the relative heat value of the different 

 articles of food, in a form easily comprehended by everyone, with- 

 out the necessity of comparing or interpreting the figures represent- 

 ing the chemical analysis. 



For the exhibit of foodstuffs and food conservation there was 

 also obtained from the Department of Agriculture, by transfer, 72 

 specimens of corn, soy beans, edible oils, and dehydrated foods, and 

 on loan 100 prize jars of canned food products put up by boys and 

 girls in State contests of club work. 



All of the collections under the care of the curator have been care- 

 fully inspected for insects, certain materials like wools and food- 

 stuffs having been fumigated from time to time. Most of the textile 

 exhibits received during the year have been installed. Owing to 

 changes in the staff the progress in the installation of woods, medi- 

 cines, and textiles was, however, much interrupted, but is now well 

 under way again. The crowded condition of the south hall pre- 

 vented the installation of many new specimens without the taking 

 down of exhibits already on display. In many cases older material 

 was replaced by new, but where exhibits requiring much time and 

 care in their installation are especially attractive the curator was 

 loath to make a change. 



An investigation of the early history of the first cotton spinning 

 frame and the first cotton card built in the United States, both of 

 which are now on exhibition, was begun, and data collected for a pub- 

 lication on this subject. During the latter part of the year much 

 time was given by the curator to planning an exhibit covering the 

 subject of the conservation of important foodstuffs. Assistance was 

 rendered by the division from time to time during the year, to the 

 United States Food Administration, the United States Shipping 

 Board, the Bureau of Standards, the Bureau of Plant Industry, and 

 numerous individuals, in furnishing special information on indus- 

 trial raw materials and the identification of specimens of fibers, 

 fabrics, gums, resins, seeds, and woods. The curator furnished the 

 identification of the cottons introduced by the Office of Foreign Seed 

 and Plant Introduction and Distribution, United States Department 

 of Agriculture, and for inquirers outside of the Government service 

 made bibliographical compilations on glue, rubber, perfumes, silk 

 culture, dehydrating machinery, and moisture contents of fibers. At 

 the request of the Food Administrator for the District of Columbia, 

 the curator, with the permission of the Secretary of the Institu- 

 tion, served as chairman of the Committee on Exhibits for the Dis- 

 trict, from May 14, 1918. 



Investigators who used the collections for research and the sub- 

 jects consulted included: Dr. L. P. de Bussy, director of the Colo- 

 nial Museum, Amsterdam, installation methods for textiles and raw 



