THE NEW EARTH 



number of animals allowed to browse. It has 

 done extensive work in the introduction of 

 the macaroni wheat, which will thrive on soils 

 where the common wheat will not, and much 

 is expected from this new cereal. 



The Department has had supervision of 

 other important work in lines allied to this, 

 notably in the cultivation of cotton. The cot- 

 ton-raisers of the South have been aided, not 

 only by the introduction of better methods, 

 but by the production of new types of cotton. 

 Rice, also, has been under the close study of 

 the Department, because it was seen that the 

 rice-raisers of the South were not getting back 

 from their labor an equitable return. So better 

 ways of cultivation have been suggested and a 

 rice-farm, or -plantation, has been established 

 in Louisiana by the Department for the solu- 

 tion, in a practical way, of the problems which 

 arise in the cultivation of this important food. 

 Much has been done, also, in the way of test- 

 ing new varieties of rice. The production of 

 rice in the South has been largely increased 

 as a result. 



The improvement of the sugar-beet seed 

 has been, for a long time, under way. Strains 



358 



