514 AGRICULTrilAL APPROPPaATlON BILJ., 1924. 



manner in which our people have carried on their work. I think we 

 have expended the money that you crave us last year to good advan- 

 taoje iiTid to tlie benefit of the country. 



I thijik that is all I have to say, uidess y(ju wish to ask me some 

 questions. 



Mr. AxDKRsox. ^fr. Secretary, I would like to ask you one ques- 

 tion: As you have observed the development of the department and 

 its relation to agriculture generally, what is your opinion with respect 

 to the probable necessity of larger appropriaticma to reduce the 

 hazards to plant life from plant diseases and msect pests ? 



INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS. 



Secretary Wallace. Gentlemen, I think you had as well make up 

 your minds now that there will be a necessity for probably steadily 

 increasmg appropriations for such purposes as the chairman has 

 mentioned. That is to say, as our population grows and our agricul- 

 ture becomes more intensive, and as the means and necessity for ] \ 

 communication with the outside world increase, the number of 

 injurious insect pests and plant diseases will increase right along, and 

 we are going to nave a constantly increasing fight against both plant 

 diseases and insect pests. That probably means steadil}^ increasing 

 appropriations for this purpose, or for eradication and permanent 

 control measures. 



Mr, Buchanan. Is there not a mistake made in the department in 

 recommending only certain amounts, about as last year, especially 

 in places where you have educated the public sentiment up to the 

 point where there is enthusiastic cooperation on the part of the 

 people in your eradication work? Where such a public sentiment 

 exists, would it not l)e a better policy to use all the money necessary 

 while tlie sentiment is good, because then the department could use 

 its funds much more efficiently in stamping out or eradicating the 

 insect pest or disease, rather than to continue it from year to year? 

 If it is continued over a long period of years, will it not cost a great 

 deal more money? For instance, in the matter of black rust in 

 wheat, our hearings show that the sentiment is in fine shape to 

 cooperate with the department in stamping it out. 



Secretary Wall^vce. Yes; but that is a little different from other 

 campaigns, because in that case the eradicati(ui program is clearly 

 indicated. In other cases it becomes largely a matter of continuing 

 control, or in effort to clieck or retard the spread of the pest rather 

 than to eradicate it. In the case of black rust in wheat, we have a 

 straight eradication program. 



]\lr. Buchanan. '^Fhose are the cases of which I am speaking, or 

 those in which there is a reasonable hope for eradication. 



Secretary Wallace. Tiien it becomes a question of how much 

 money, assuming that you have the money available, can be spent 

 in a thorougldy efiicient manner. Ti\iit is tlie only question to be 

 dctennined. there. 



Mr. Buchanan. I entirely agree with you. 



Mr. Anderson. We are very nuich obliged to you for ctuning up, 

 Mr. Secretary. 



Secretary Wai.i.ack. 1 am ghid that 1 have had the ojjportunity 

 to come. 



