120 
demands the allotment of steel for the manufac- 
ture of farm machinery must be limited to the 
amount strictly necessary to enable our farmers to 
maintain crop production, and that the multiplicity 
of types and designs now existing places an un- 
necessary ‘burden upon steel mills in preparing 
steel and iron therefor; and whereas we believe 
the reasons given are just and valid and that the 
demand upon us is in line with the demands made 
upon other industries: Therefore be it 
Resolwed, That we indorse the schedule of elimi- 
nations submitted by the Department of Agricul- 
ture, with certain minor changes, with the under- 
standing and with the assurance on the part of 
those who have prepared the schedule that no 
change in design of any implement has been made 
which will lessen its strength or efficiency, and no 
machine or implement has been eliminated which 
is essential for the efficient production of agricul- 
tural products in any extensive region, and the 
work performed by which can not be as efficiently 
done by other machines, the manufacture of which 
shall be permitted. We recommend, however, that 
measures be taken to afford full protection to 
farmers owning machines of types eliminated by 
Tequiring that manufacturers make and place on 
the market repair parts for eliminated machines or 
eliminated parts of machines for a length of time 
equal to the average normal life of such machines 
or parts. 
The committee passed resolutions urging the 
Department of Agriculture to insist on the 
standardization of parts of farm implements, 
such as cultivator teeth, mower and harvester 
guards, mower and harvester sections, threads 
on bolts, skeins on wagons, surface cultivator 
knives and many other parts on which patents 
haye expired. It was the opinion of the com- 
mittee that this would result in very material 
economy in every way and increased conven- 
ience to the farmer in securing implement 
parts. 
8. After discussing the prevalent prices of 
farm machinery and the advances made 
during the past three years, the committee 
passed a résolution asking for an investiga- 
tion at the earliest possible date, into the cost 
of manufacturing farm implements and asked 
that the industry be required to operate on a 
basis of cost plus a reasonable profit. 
9. The committee recorded its appreciation 
of the good work done by the Food Adminis- 
SCIENCE 
[N. S. Vou. XLVIII. No. 1231 
tration in increasing the consumption of 
potatoes, thus partially relieving the stress 
arising from the production of a heavy spring 
crop in the south, with large storage stocks 
held over in the north. 
The promotion of war gardens was com- 
mended, as it was believed by the committee 
that the results not only showed a larger 
supply of fresh vegetables but converted many 
acres to the growing of staple crops that 
helped to increase the total food supply and to 
lessen transportation difficulties. 
The Department of Agriculture was com- 
mended for its work in the selection and breed- 
ing of potatoes in the various potato-growing 
sections. 
Much interest was expressed in the dehy- 
dration of vegetables, especially potatoes, and 
it was recommended that this work should be 
followed up. 
Record was filed, briefly reviewing the 
poultry conditions of the country, showing 
that although the price of poultry had not 
advanced in keeping with the price of feeds, 
more eggs have been shipped and stored than 
at the same time in 1917, this being partly due 
to the early warm season and partly to the 
patriotic adherence to the industry in spite 
of adverse conditions. 
A resolution was passed expressing the 
opinion of the committee that the vegetable 
forcing industry was important, and so blended 
with the forcing of plants for field crops, that 
the industry should be fostered and protected 
as far as the exigencies of the war may permit. 
10. On reports of members of the com- 
mittee from the west and south where wheat 
has already been harvested, regarding the 
highly efficient service rendered by the Farm 
Labor Division of the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture and the Federal Depart- 
ment of Labor, in the mobilization and dis- 
tribution of harvesters to the wheat fields of 
the south and west up to the present time, 
the committee asked for a continuation of this 
service to the completion of the harvest in the 
spring-wheat region. 
11. The following resolution was adopted by 
the committee: 
