REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



11 



and supply lias been successful. Our agent in London is gradually 

 extending and perfecting his machinery for collection of desired and 

 prompt information. The Division of Eailroad Transportation has also 

 been eflicient in the work of reporting changes of rates of transportation, 

 to which it was assigned by direction of Congress. 



BUREAU OF BOTANY. 



During the past year the work of this Bureau has been prosecuted 

 with vigor. 



Very numerous inquiries from correspondents of the Department re- 

 lating to plants, seeds, fruits, grasses, &c, have been properly consid- 

 ered and and answered. 



An increased interest in the subject of agricultural and other grasses 

 has been manifested, and numerous inquiries have been received from 

 different parts of the country for such information on that subject as 

 would enable farmers and others to obtain a knowledge of the common 

 cultivated and wild grasses occurring in the various sections of the 

 country. In order to meet this demand, the botanist has prepared a 

 pamphlet on the "Agricultural grasses of the United States," to which 

 is added a paper on their " Chemical composition," by the assistant 

 chemist, and this pamphlet has been published by the Department. It 

 is believed that this work will supply a widely-felt want on this subject. 



The work of improving and perfecting the herbarium has been steadily 

 carried forward, and very important additions have been made to it by 

 contributions, exchanges, and purchases. One large box of botanical 

 specimens has been received from the Museum of Natural History of 

 Paris, France. One box containing over 800 specimens has been for- 

 warded to the same institution. Also, one box of 800 specimens has 

 been sent to the Boyal Herbarium of St. Petersburg, Kussia, and other 

 packages to prominent specialists in Europe and this country. 



The work of distribution of our duplicate specimens to agricultural 

 colleges and other institutions of learning has been continued. Among 

 those to whom such duplicates have been sent are the following : The 

 Colorado Agricultural College, at Fort Collins ; the Ogoutz School, 

 Montgomery County, Pennsylvania ; the Hillsdale College, Michigan, 

 and the Media Academy, Media, Pa. Several boxes of sections of our 

 native woods have been distributed as follows : One box to the Perkins 

 Institution for the Blind, Boston ; one box to the Media Academy, 

 Media, Pa; one box to Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich.; one box to 

 the Northwestern University, Evanston, 111.; and one box to P. H. 

 Dudley, esq., New York City. 



BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY. 



During the past year the Bureau of Chemistry has been engaged in 

 the following investigations and miscellaneous work: 



1. A continuation of the study of American cereals with reference to 

 the composition of the grains, their relation to moisture, variation in 



