10 



A study of the chemical composition of forage crops of the arid 

 and semiarid West is being made in collaboration with the Office 

 of Farm Management, Bureau of Plant Industry, for the purpose 

 of securing data to be used in the improvement of depleted ranges. 



INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE LABORATORY. 



C. C. MCDONNELL, Chief. 



This laboratory studies the composition and methods of analysis 

 of insecticides, fungicides, and weed killers, investigates improved 

 methods of manufacture of these substances, and also studies the 

 chemicals entering into their composition. There are being made, in 

 collaboration with the Bureau of Entomology, experiments to deter- 

 mine the efficiency of certain insecticides and their effect upon foliage, 

 and, in collaboration with several experiment stations, studies of 

 more complete methods of analysis. 



TRADE WASTES LABORATORY. 



(Under Chief of Division.) 



To this laboratory is assigned the work of investigating the effect 

 of wastes from manufacturing operations upon animals, agricultural 

 products, and forests. Special investigations are being made of the 

 effect of smelter fumes upon plants and animals and the injury to 

 vegetation and soils by the contamination of irrigating waters by 

 mining wastes. The resistance of certain species of plants to the 

 effect of salts of copper and arsenic, and to sulphur dioxid, is also 

 being studied. 



MISCELLANEOUS WORK. 



(Under Chief of Division.) 



The hygienic section makes investigations relating to the public 

 health, the examination of poisonous substances in articles in com- 

 mon use, and the examination of the atmosphere of schools, public 

 buildings, railroad cars, etc. Other miscellaneous work includes 

 investigations of an official and public nature which may be properly 

 made by the Bureau of Chemistry and which do not come within the 

 province of other established laboratories. 



CONTRACTS LABORATORY. 



P. H. WALKER, Chief. 



The Contracts Laboratory was organized July 1, 1903, for the pur- 

 pose of examining materials submitted with bids or furnished on 

 contract for the various Executive Departments and to do collabora- 

 tive work provided for by law with other Departments which may 

 request such assistance from the Secretary of Agriculture. 



[Cir. 14] 



