No. 4.] FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 27 



especially in some portions of the west, where other kinds 

 of wheat cannot be successfully raised, owing- to the lack of 

 sufficient moisture. Selected varieties of macaroni wheat 

 were accordingly procured in Russia and Algeria by experts 

 of the department sent there for the purpose, and these 

 imported wheats were given a trial in several of our western 

 States, where they were found to thrive under conditions 

 unfavorable to our native grain. The farmers of those 

 regions have been quick to, see the advantaoe of planting 

 macaroni wheats, and the demand for seed has been large. 

 During the past year the department imported and distrib- 

 uted 20,000 bushels. This kind of wheat is now beino' orown 

 quite extensively in such States as North and South Dakota, 

 Kansas, Nebraska and Texas. In the dry regions, where 

 the macaroni wheats thrive, they are said to yield from 25 

 to 50 per cent more than other varieties. The increased 

 production attained by the substitution of the imported seed 

 for native wheat has already more than repaid in value the 

 amount the department has expended in the experiment. 

 There is every reason to believe that before many years 

 macaroni wheats will be grown here in sufficient quantities 

 not only to supply domestic wants, but to provide a surplus 

 for exportation. 



Rice. 



To the Department of Agriculture should undoubtedly 

 be given a large part of the credit for the rapid develop- 

 ment that has recently occurred in the rice industry of the 

 United States. Several years ago it became apparent that 

 the rice produced in the south was not altogether the best 

 kind for milling purposes. It was finally decided that the 

 Kiushui rice of Japan would probably give the best results, 

 and the department proceeded to secure quantities of that 

 variety for trial in Louisiana and Texas. The outcome has 

 been highly successful. The production has increased with 

 such strides during the last few years as to lead to the 

 expectation that this country will in the near future be an 

 exporter rather than an importer of this cereal. 



