138 ANNUAL REPOKTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Drug-Plant and Poisonous-Plant In- 

 vestigations W. W. Stockberger, Physiologist in 



Charge. 



Physiological and Fermentation In- 

 vestigations R. H. True, Physiologist in Charge. 



Agricultural Technology N. A. Cobb, Technologist in Charge. 



Biophysical Investigations Lyman J. Briggs, Biophysicist in 



Charge. 



Seed-Testing Laboratories; Enforce- 

 ment of Seed-Importation Act E. Brown, Botanist in Charge. 



Cereal Investigations C. R. Ball, Cerealist in Charge. 



Corn Investigations G. P. Hartley, Physiologist in Charge. 



Tobacco Investigations W. W. Garner, Physiologist in Charge. 



Paper-Plant Investigations Directed by C. J. Brand, Cliief of Bu- 

 reau of Markets. 



Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant 



Investigations T. H. Kearney, Pliysiologist in Charge. 



Sugar-Plant Investigations C. O. Townsend, Pathologist in Charge. 



Economic and Systematic Botany Frederick V. Coville, Botanist in 



Charge. 



Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations.- E. C. Chilcott, Agriculturist in Cliarge. 



Western Irrigation Agriculture C. S. Scofield, Agriculturist in Charge. 



Horticultural and Pomological Investi- 

 gations .___ L. C. Corbett, Horticulturist and Po- 



mologist in Charge. 



Arlington Experimental Farm E. C. Buttei-field, Assistant Horticul- 

 turist in Cliarge. 



Gardens and Grounds E. M. Byrnes, Assistant in Charge. 



Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction-- David Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer 



in Charge. 



Forage-Crop Investigations C. V. Piper, Agrostologist in Charge. 



Congressional Seed Distribution R. A. Oakley, Agronomist in Charge. 



Demonstrations on lieclamation Proj- 

 ects A. C. Cooley, Agriculturist in Charge. 



Seed Stocks Committee R. A. Oakley, Chairman. 



From September 1, 1918, to August 31, 1919, the changes in the 

 l^ersonnel of the bureau were as follovv s : JResignations, 686 ; deaths, 

 13; transfers from bureau, 59; furloughs, 30; terminations of ap- 

 pointments, 957; dismissals, 1; making a total of 1,746 employees 

 dropped from the rolls during that period. In the same period 1,600 

 appointments were made, leaving a net decrease of 146 in the total 

 force of the bureau. On September 1, 1919, the numerical strength 

 of the bureau was as follows : In Washington, 868 ; outside of Wash- 

 ington, 1,235; total, 2,103. The total number of employees in the 

 bureau on the same date a year ago Avas 2,249. 



The activities of the bureau during the year are outlined more or 

 less fully in the 37 technical papers appearing in the Journal of Agri- 

 cultural Eesearch, 4 papers in the Yearbook, 29 Farmers' Bulletins, 

 and 60 Department Bulletins, circulars, etc. Certain of the more 

 striking results of the year's work, however, are here summarized. 



AGRONOMIC AND HORTICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



WHEAT. 



The classification of American wheat varieties is progressing rap- 

 idl}^ Complete descriptions of about 135 commercially grown varie- 

 ties have been given, and keys have been constructed by which 

 varieties may be classified and identified. This classification is being 

 checked in the field again during the season of 1919 and will then be 

 ready for publication. 



