442 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Investigations of a preliminary character have been carried on with 

 regard to the marketing of broom corn. Information has been ob- 

 tained from local freight agents regarding the amount of standard 

 and dwarf varieties shipped from stations in important producing 

 territories, and the uses and distribution of broom corn have been 

 studied as a basis for more specialized future investigations. 



SEED MARKETING INVESTIGATIONS. 



During the first half of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, investi- 

 gations were made to determine the effects of the war on commercial 

 seed production, seed imports and exports, domestic demand, size of 

 stocks carried, prices, etc. 



A study has been made of seed marketing on the farm and much in- 

 formation has been obtained. Among other things, these data include, 

 in percentages for the various classes of seed, the sources of the farm- 

 ers' seed suppl}^ in every State and show how he prepares and disposes 

 of his seeds. 



Some of the leading seed markets in Europe were visited in order 

 to make recommendations for increasing and stabilizing, if possible, 

 the seed trade between the United States and European countries. 



Production and consumption maps for clovers, grasses, millets, 

 sorgos, cowpeas, Canada field peas, and soy beans were prepared in 

 order to show the counties normally having a surplus, sufficiency, or 

 deficiency of each of the kinds of seeds. 



These investigations Avere supervised by Mr. W. A. Wheeler. 



GRAIN STANDARDIZATION AND GRAIN HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION. 



During the last fiscal year investigations Avere made of factors to 

 be considered in formulating standard grades of oats, barley, rice, and 

 flaxseed. This and other related Avork, as well as certain iuA-estiga- 

 tions regarding grain handling and transportation, Avere supervised 

 by Mr. S. A. Regan. 



xVs a result of the iuA-estigations concerning oats, official standards 

 for this grain Avere promulgated under date of March 14, 1919, to be- 

 come effective June 16, 1919. Before promulgating the standards a 

 series of hearings Avere held throughout the United States to obtain 

 the opinion of the grain trade as to their Avorkability. 



Specifications for tentatiA'e or permissiA'e standards for milled 

 rice Avere prepared and announced in Markets Document No. 15, 

 issued September, 1918. A supplemental publication relating to 

 standards and entitled " Instructions for the Sampling, Handling, 

 Analyzing, and Grading of Samples of Milled Rice " Avas published 

 ns Markets Document No. 16, in October, 1918. These standards Avere 

 adopted by the United States Food Administration and used by its 

 rice committee in grading all rice purchased by the Government for 

 the Army, NaA^y, Belgian relief, and the allied nations. The several 

 rice-grading offices of the United States Food Administration were 

 visited from time to time and instructions in grading were giA^en so 

 tiir>t tlie tentatiA^e standards might be correctly interpreted. 



Much AYork has been done to determine the practicability of clean- 

 ing grain by means of special attachments on thrashing machines. 

 These investigations haAC resulted in the development of a special 

 pneumatic cleaner to be attached to the thrashing machine, which is 

 proving effective. 



