23 



for example, there are an infinite number 

 of problems connected with foot! produc- 

 tion, such as selective planting, the selec- 

 tion of seeds, soil enrichment, the use of 

 plant bacteria, soil antisepsis, crop protec- 

 tion, and so on. 



The problems of agricultural waste will 

 also come within the held of this depart- 

 ment. Aside from that incidental to faulty 

 planting — improper adaptation of the crop 

 to the soil — there is an enormous waste 

 even' year thru careless or ignorant harvest- 

 ing, improper packing, delayed transporta- 

 tion and unwise marketing of fruits and 

 vegetables. Vast quantities of these val- 

 uable food products are allowed to spoil and 

 rot for one reason or another. It is no un- 

 common sight in the Fall to see the ground 

 in • many an orchard covered with apples 

 or other fruits that the owner cannot — or 

 will not — get to the market. This Depart- 

 ment of Research and Conservation should 

 have a bureau whose sole duty should be 

 the education of the farmer in regard to 

 proper harvesting, packing, etc., keep him 

 supplied with market information; and give 

 him assistance in getting his produce 

 promptly and profitably to the consumer. 



A system of dehydration of rapidly per- 

 ishable vegetables and fruits should be 

 worked out, as a very great saving has been 

 effected in this way in countries where such 

 methods are in use. At small cost pro- 

 ducers can have their own dehydrating 

 plants, and thereby reduce waste and loss 

 to a minimum. Larger and more elaborate 

 plants can be established in each community 

 by the local town or city government, or by 

 groups of farmers themselves on a co- 

 operative basis. The process of dehydra- 

 tion removes the water, but leaves every 



