BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 93 



SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS. 



In addition to the recommendations and suggestions already given 

 under the reports of the executive officers, special attention is called 

 to the necessity of pushing vigorously a number of important lines. 

 In the work carried on by the office of the Pathologist and Physiolo- 

 gist, important studies should be taken up of various fungi and bac- 

 teria which affect either detrimentally or beneficially the flavor, odor, 

 wholesomeness, and market value of various agricultural products. 

 It is now largely an accident whether many of these products are good 

 or bad, as it depends largely upon what organism or ferment happens 

 to gain the ascendency during the particular stages of manufacture. 

 If the question were reduced to the basis of exact knowledge, it would 

 be possible to make American products that could compete in quality 

 and price with the very best to be had anywhere in the world. Requests 

 have been received from flax growers for pure cultures and inform tion 

 concerning the organism which brings about the retting of flax. In 

 this country, at least, the retting of flax is a mere hit and miss busi- 

 ness, and the product may be good, indifferent, or worthless; but if the 

 manufacturer could start with pure culture inoculations of a given 

 organism serious losses would be avoided and a uniform and high- 

 grade product obtained. Studies of the fermentation processes which 

 go on in the silo should be taken up, as well as those which have to 

 do with bread making and the softening of pickles, olives, etc. 



Another line of important work which wili require special attention 

 is a study of the diseases of forest trees and construction timber. 

 Attention has already been called to the importance of this work, but 

 to enlarge and push it as requirements demand will necessitate addi- 

 tional funds. 



In the botanical investigations and experiments it is highly neces- 

 sary, to push as rapidly as possible the important work in the methods 

 of sowing clover and other field seeds, in order to secure a standard 

 under various conditions of soil or climate. The work on the meth- 

 ods of treating and preserving seeds should also be pushed without 

 delay. Problems along these lines arise with special urgency in 

 respect to the seed of cereals, sorghum, soy beans, and vetches. Con- 

 siderable work must be done before we are in a position to explain the 

 cause of the deterioration of seeds and to suggest preventive meas- 

 ures. It is also highly important to extend as rapidly as the means 

 can be secured investigations on tropical crops. Already the Depart- 

 ment is receiving many inquiries as to the best crops for our tropical 

 possessions, and special funds will be required to extend the work so 

 as to answer these inquiries. The important work inaugurated last 

 year in this office on the study of the loss of grain in export shipments 

 also needs funds for rapid extension. To carry on these and other 

 important lines of work in the office of the Botanist, increased appro- 

 priations have been estimated for. 



Some of the most important problems having to do with agriculture 

 and agricultural development in this country are those pertaining to 

 the grass and forage-plant investigations. The Agrostologist is making 

 a strong effort to push this work as rapidly as funds will permit. To 

 broaden the investigations in a way commensurate with their impor- 

 tance will require additional funds, and it is urgently recommended 

 that these be allowed. Of the special work in this connection, it may 

 be said that it is highly important that a thorough investigation be 



