REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. LVII 



very moderate expense this work has been to the Department and to 

 the country during the past fiscal year, as follows: 



Per cent. 



Administrative expenses $10, 081. 68 25. 3 



Laboratories 5, 929. 45 14. 9 



Tobacco investigat ions 5, 609. 64 1 4 



Eastern soil survey 8, 828. 88 22. 2 



Western soil survey 9, 392. 45 23. 6 



39, 842. 10 100 



It is only necessary to compare the extent of the operations of the 

 Division, the results accomplished during the year, and the present 

 well-organized condition of the work with the total outlay involved 

 to show conclusively that the money appropriated has been wisely and 

 economically expended and that the results could only have been 

 secured by an excellent organization and by efficient and earnest 

 cooperation on the part of all employees of the Division. 



REVIEW OF SOIL WORK. 



This report marks an epoch in the work of the Division of Soils, 

 namely, the transformation of the Division into a bureau well organ- 

 ized and well equipped to carry on the work in a larger and broader 

 field than has ever before been possible. In this connection certain 

 features characterizing the work of the Division during the past year 

 invite special attention. 



Every impartial reader of this report will concede to me the right 

 to point to the work of the Division of Soils as work which fully and 

 thoroughly meets the supreme test of the Department's practical util- 

 ity, namely, the material benefits accruing to the tillers of the soil 

 with a very modest expenditure of public funds. 



The popularity of the work of the soil surve}% as shown in the 

 numerous requests for its extension which have come from all the States 

 and Territories, has been amply justified by the practical results already 

 attained by our field parties. The prophecy volunteered not so long 

 ago of the impracticability of a comprehensive and effective soil sur- 

 vey has been effectually disproved. To-day there is not only no diffi- 

 culty in securing active cooperation with State organizations, but 

 cooperation has been offered far in excess of our present available 

 force. The workers in our field parties are every season acquiring 

 new and valuable experience, which promises to make them more use- 

 ful in the future. The success of their work is attracting trained men, 

 who look to this as one of the most promising fields for research work 

 in economic lines. The lack of trained men previously commented on 

 has been met by thorough and conscientious training on our part of 

 promising young men in our laboratory and field methods, so that we 

 are practically independent in this respect and can meet any reason- 



