VII[ FUNCTIONS OF MAJOR BRANCHES OF DEFT. OF AGRICULTURE 



(1) 'I'lic clicniical ami tciliuolo^^iL-al rescjuch unit applies tho soience of 

 cliPinistry lo the iiiipi'()Vi'iiit'iit of aKi'i'"ltnio. devc'lops la-ncessos for the utiliza- 

 tion of aKi'ieuitural products, aiirl makes hiolo^ieal investigations of foods, 

 inchKlintr studies of their physioloijical effects on the human orjjanisni. It 

 c-niiducts experiments on tlie utilization, for coloring, medicinal, and technical 

 I)uri)osos. of raw materials irrowii or ja-odiiced in the I'nited States; develops 

 improved processes lor ;:radin,!i. weiuhiiiL'. handlint;. transport inj:, and utilizing 

 rosin and turpentine; conducts investigations for the development of methods 

 of manufacturing insectii ides and fmigicidcs and studies chemical prohlems 

 relating to the comjinsition. action, and application of such materials; im- 

 proves methods for dehydrating materials used for foods; and develops means 

 to prevent farm tires and dust exi)losions and residting tires, inclmling tires in 

 cotton gins and cotton-oil mills. 



(2) The soil investigations unit studies, maps, and da.ssilies the soils of the 

 rnitcd States, and determines their suitaliility for agriculture. It investigates 

 tyiK's of .soil in relation to climate and natural vegetation and studies theii 

 chemical and ])hysical properties and their i)rodnctivity and resiKHise to fer- 

 tilizers and soil amendments; conducts research in soil microbiology; and 

 investigates the i)roliIem of soil erosion, with a view to determining the prin- 

 cil^les which should guide in the ((.ntrol ami prevention of soil erosion. 



(^^) The fertilizer and lixed-nitrogen investi.gations unit studies tlie fertilizer 

 resources of the United States. It studios the compatibility and mixing of fer- 

 tilizer materials, methods of preparing such materials, and their suitability for 

 agricultural use; investigates the economic utilization of the Nation's deposits 

 of natural phosphate rock and the utilization of greensands as a source of 

 potash; investigates the fixation of atmosi>heric nitrogen in relation to agri- 

 culture and national defen.se; gathers information regarding the develop- 

 ment of nitrogen tixation in foreign countries, and codilies and makes available 

 this information : and conducts research with a view to developing new and 

 mort' elticient methods for fixing atmospheric nitrogen. 



BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY 



The I'.nrean of Entomology conducts investigations in economic entomology, 

 involving studies of the life history and habits of insects in.jurious and those 

 Ixiicfiiial to agriculture, horlicullure. and arbor'cidture, with a view to devel- 

 ojiing practical methods for destn)ying those found to be in.iurious and promot- 

 ing the im-rease ami sjtread of tliose found to be beneficial. It studies bee 

 culture anrl beekeeping i)ractices and investigates the life history ami control 

 i>( insects alTecting the lu-alth of man and domestic animals. It is also engaged 

 in checking the sjiread of the gipsy mntb. brown-tail moth, satin moth, Japanese 

 beetle. Asiatic beetle. European corn borer, and other dangerous foreign insect 

 pcst< ihal have gained entry into this country. 



BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 



Tlir Uurcan of IJiological Survey investigates the rel;itions and environmental 

 needs of the wild life of the country, and makes reconimendal ions and demoTi- 

 sf rat ions for its conservation, economic utilization, and icasonable control, with 

 special reference to the needs of agriculture, h<»rticiilture. stock raising, foi(>stry, 

 and recicatioii. 



infoiinalion is gathered for educational and sci(>nlific purpo.ses and as a 

 basis for llio .service and regulat(u-y work of the bure.in through studies of the 

 natural histf)ry. distribution, and classification of wild birds and other animals, 

 native plant i-elationshi|is, and biological surveys of definite areas. Invest iira- 

 tions are made of the food habits of birds and other forms of wild-animal 

 life, with a view to the control of the harmful and the con.servation of the use- 

 ful species. The bureau also conducts investigations for the improvement of 

 Alaskan reindeer herds and for the projection and i)ropagation in captivity of 

 fiir-bearing .aidmals. including rabbits for meal and fur. and gives advice and 

 assistance to nrganizations and individuals engaged in these new industries. 



Exjiert leadcrshi]) is jirovided by the bure;iu in cooi)erative control operations 

 aL'ainst injurious rodents and predatory aidmals. It also maint.ains and ad- 

 ministers 7(5 national bird refuges an<l game preserves in continental United 

 St.iles and in I'orto Kico. Alaska, and Hawaii, and through rei)resentation on 

 the Alaska (Jame Conunission lends assistance in the protection of land fur 

 animals and game on reservations and elsewhere in Alaska. 



