272 AGRICULTURAL APPROPRL^TTON BILL, 1924. 



If that thing, in the first place, could be obviated and removed, it 

 would prevent the explosion. But so long as you recognize that in 

 mining operations you are going to find occasionally and beyond 

 human prevention the presence of metallic products or mineral 

 products that will of themselves, when (hr(•^\^l against machinery, 

 Ignite a spark which will of itself be suilicieiit to set off the explosion 

 in that whole establishment, you can appreciate the difficulty of 

 attacking it from that standpoint. 



One of the things that has been advanced and has been usually 

 found to be eifective. too, is what we call the inert atmospheric con- 

 trol. If we could provide an atmospheric situation at the plant 

 where ignition takes place, for instance, by the use of carbon dioxide, 

 we would stop in that way the transmission of this flame — through 

 the conveyor and other agencies that get into the bins where the dust 

 will be found in suspension and where the extreme explosion takes 

 j)luce always producing damage. 



Whether or Jiot that is a practical proposition remains yet to be 

 determined, and we are maknig progress m the study of that whole 

 question through observations that are made and experimental 

 work that is being done in the laboratories and in the estaolishments 

 themselves. 



I 



Monday, November 20, 1922. p 



BUREAU OF SOILS. 



STATEMENTS OF DR. MILTON WHITNEY, SOIL PHYSICIST 



AND CHIEF, AND DR. C. E. MARBUT, SCIENTIST. J, 



SALARIES. 



Mr. Anderson. Wc will take up your statutory roll as found on 

 page 190. 



r)o(tor WiuTNEY. There are three decreases. 



Mr. Anderson. Are the places fdled ? 



Doctor Whitney. One position of laborer is filled. 



Mr. Anderson. But you can get along without it, I suppose? 



Doctor Whitney. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Anderson. Then wi' will take up your next item, general 

 expenses, Bureau of Soils. Suppose you tell us a little about what 

 you are doing under this item on page 192, for chemical investiga- 

 tions of soil types, etc. 



Doctor Whitney. Mr. Chairman, I have prepared a statement 

 showing the work of the bureau as a whole and if you like, it can 

 go in tin- record. 



Mr. A.NDERSON. It nniy go in the record. 



OENKHAL STATKMENT OK WOUK. 



TIh' liun-uu (ii S(iiln (IcuIh with tlic inot<f fuiKliimcntal iiiul lnu^io inaterial in asjri- 

 cultiirc - the noil. It locatcM and cliiwitirM the dilTcront t*u\\ typet* ami issues reporla 

 Mliowin^ llic location of thcHc soil ty|H's, the kind oi aj,'rii-ulliirc practiced and crops 

 lnvNt ^Town upon the dilferenl types'. It studies the coin])osition and j)roi)erlies ()f tlie 

 auil in order to discovor tlioso most important and corrective means t») lit thorn bettor 

 for ttjfriculluriil use. It investipato« th.- fundamental jirohloms connoctod with the 



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