276 HEARINGS BEFORE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. 
It would be a modest claim to assert that 5 per cent of the annual return derived 
in this country from apiarian products is to be attributed to the promulgation by the 
United States Department of Agriculture of improved methods in the care of bees 
and the introduction of more productive races of bees than were formerly raised. 
The sum named by the Census Office, nearly $7,000,000, as the valuation of apiarian 
products for the year 1900 is assuredly lower than would be the case were all reports 
obtainable. On this basis, however, the work of the Department in the develop- 
ment of bee culture may be credited with $350,000 annually. 
Mr. Burteson. How do you propose to expend this additional 
$5,000; how much of it will go to salaries? 
Mr. Howarp. I should like to raise that man’s salary to $2,000, and 
let him have an assistant at $1,800, and keep the other money for lab- 
oratory expenses and supplies, and things of that kind. 
Mr. Bowie. It is an addition, then, of nearly $3,600? 
Mr. Howarp. Yes, sir; for that particular branch of the work. 
However, we can do a great deal if we have the funds. 
The Cuarrman. Now, you have $15,000 for expenditure in silk 
investigations? 
Mr. Howarp. Yes, sir; that is a question in which the Secretary of 
Agriculture is very much interested. I felt, myself, last year very 
doubtful as to the ultimate success of any investigations or experi- 
ments in the way of introducing silk culture in the United States, but 
I feel more hopeful this year. We sent out last year mulberry cut- 
tings, and distributed eggs to those who had mulberry trees already 
growing, and at the end of the season we published manuals of infor- 
mation and instructions, and purchased at the European market rates 
the cocoons that were raised. We have imported two experienced 
cocoon breeders, and the cocoon crop is about completed now. 
The Cuarrman. Last year that appropriation was a separate item? 
Mr. Howarp. No; that was the year before last. Last year it was 
a general Department appropriation. 
Mr. Henry. Why do you ask an increase of $5,000? 
Mr. Howarp. We want to send out more eggs and more mulberry 
cuttings. The demand for these is very great indeed. We were able 
to send out only a small number of eggs. 
Mr. Bowrr. How much of the extra $5,000 will go to salaries, and 
how much to eggs and the extension of the work? 
Mr. Howarp. I have not estimated it in detail, but I should think 
we would be obliged to retain a considerable sum for the employment 
of reelers. 
The Cuarrman. How much was done under the previous investiga- 
tions on this subject, twenty or thirty years ago? Have you not all 
that data, so that you do not have to go over it again’ 
Mr. Howarp. Yes, we have that data, but it is very largely a ques- 
tion of labor now, and the conditions, according to the Secretary's idea, 
have changed. It is certain that commercial reeling establishments 
can not be established in this country unless there is a guaranteed sup- 
ply of cocoons. That isa sure thing. We want to educate and get as 
many people in the country as possible interested and acquainted with 
the methods of raising the silkworm. We want to get enough mul- 
berry trees started in order to guarantee a supply of cocoons. 
Mr. Scorr. If it is true that a reeling establishment will not be 
established unless a supply of cocoons is assured, is it not also true 
that a supply of cocoons will not be assured without the reeling 
establishment? 
