CHAPTER III 



Cooperative Relations of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture WITH Other Federal Services and with 

 State Institutions 



As indicated in the preceding chapters, one objective in the 

 development of the organization of the Department of Agri- 

 cuhure, and particularly in the reorganization effected in 

 1915, has been the bringing together into one bureau or other 

 subdivision of those activities which are, by their nature, 

 closely related. In general, this has been accomplished with 

 marked success. However, there are certain to be here, as 

 in other administrative organs whose activities are numer- 

 ous and varied, many functions which are difficult properly 

 to classify and to assign. Should the investigation of soil 

 fertilizers and fertilization be made a part of the general 

 study of soils, or is it more closely related to the subject of 

 crop production? Should the work of eradication of insect 

 pests which are alike harmful to fruit trees, shade trees, and 

 forest trees be assigned to the Forest Service or to the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry? These and similar questions 

 are constantly being presented for solution. Indeed, the 

 proper distribution of functions so that they will be most 

 effectively performed, with a minimum waste of energy and 

 the least duplication of effort, is here, as elsewhere, a pri- 

 mary concern of the general administrator. Generally, 

 careful attention to all of the factors involved will make a 

 logical and satisfactory assignment possible. In rare in- 

 stances, an arbitrary decision may be necessary. 



Where the grouping of functions has not been prede- 

 termined by legislative enactment,^ it is the general adminis- 



1 Discussion of the fundamental problems here suggested, v'\z., 

 should administrative functions be assigned by legislative or by ad- 

 ministrative agencies? — has been purposely avoided as not properly 

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