64 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



would consider it profitable to pay more than $2 or $3 per acre for 

 seed. The cost now of seeding an acre to hairy vetch is between 18 

 and $10. Plans have therefore been made for experiments on growing 

 seed of hairy vetch and also of rape seed, the use of which is rapidly 

 increasing in this country. 



CEREAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



A study of the methods and characters used in the determination of 

 different varieties of wheat has been made, and also a study of the 

 methods of chemical analysis applicable to the identification of varie- 

 ties and the determination of grades. The Algerian durum wheats, 

 including several varieties used in the manufacture of macaroni, have 

 been investigated in Marseilles and in Algeria with a view to their 

 adaptability for introduction into this country. An account of these 

 varieties has been prepared for publication. 



It is proposed during the coming year to conduct investigations 

 along three lines, as follows: (1) Wheat varieties; (2) wheat grades; 

 (3) the deterioration of corn in transit. 



The work on wheat varieties will include the devising of simple and 

 satisfactory methods for the accurate description of varieties of wheat 

 now being grown or likely to be grown in this country, the systematic 

 classification of the varieties, and the correction of the nomenclature, 

 so as to facilitate experimental and commercial work. 



The first work in connection with wheat grades will be the collec- 

 tion of data concerning methods of inspection and grading now in 

 use in the United States. This work is already well under way, and 

 is leading to the discovery of new and apparently valuable methods of 

 determining intrinsic qualities in wheat, upon which a rational system 

 of grading may be based. The system of grading now in vogue seems 

 to do very little but facilitate trade. A statement of grade is not a state- 

 ment of the real value of a grain, but rather a statement of its condition, 

 so that "legitimate" trading in grain is done very largely on a sample 

 basis. There remains to be worked out a system of grading such that 

 the market will discriminate in favor of what are really the more val- 

 uable grades, and that this discrimination may be in effect all the way 

 from producer to consumer. This will lead to the exclusive culture 

 of the more valuable sorts of grain and tend to greatly improve the 

 average quality of the product of the country. 



Investigations upon the deterioration of corn are well under way 

 and should be nearly completed by the close of the present fiscal year. 

 Complaints made by Liverpool merchants concerning the condition of 

 corn arriving at that port have been proved to be well founded, as 

 considerable quantities were arriving in bad condition. This was due 

 to the fact that the corn contained too much dirt and too much mois- 

 ture when put on board ship. Further investigations will be made to 

 determine the actual facts concerning the amount of moisture and of 

 dirt which makes the shipment of corn under those conditions imprac- 

 ticable, and also in regard to methods of improving the condition of 

 corn not fit for shipment. 



FIBER INVESTIGATIONS. 



Reports received from numerous stations where Egyptian cotton 

 was grown from seed distributed in the spring of 1900 by the Office 

 of Seed and Plant Introduction indicate that this variety may sue- 



