PREFACE 
This publication contains the papers presented at a symposium on 
agricultural chemicals, sponsored by the Agricultural Research Serv- 
ice, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and held at Beltsville, Maryland, 
April 27-29, 1960. Some 500 scientists attended, representing Federal 
research and regulatory agencies, State agricultural experiment stations, 
and chemical companies. 
Symposium speakers discussed new developments in research 
dealing with agricultural chemicals; the responsibilities of Federal 
agencies and industry in assuring the safety of chemicals used in pro- 
ducing, processing, and distributing foods; and the potentials for solving 
current problems in this field through the joint efforts of scientists, 
regulatory workers, and the chemical and food industries. 
It is hoped that both the symposium and the publication of the 
presentation papers will contribute to greater advancement in research 
on agricultural chemicals and to a more complete understanding of the 
part they play in providing our Nation with a wholesome, safe, and 
abundant food supply. 
