-3 The 
Empire not previously surveyed, would have been covered, 
Plans have been carefully formulated for the largest blister 
rust control program ever undertaken in the West, and a very mild 
Winter made it possible to start control work in the western white 
pine region of the Inland Empire about, May 1. If present plans are 
not altered materially, about 150 NIRA camps will be operated in 
this region. In addition, there will be 5 camps in southern Oregon, 
and about 35 in California. The average number of men to be employed 
for each.camp is 30, Thus work is in sight for approximately 5,700 
“men for the season. Technical leadership for this work is furnished 
by the Bureau of Entomology. The labor and camp overhead for the 
camps on the national forests will be carried by the Forest Service 
and for the camps on State and private lands by this Bureau. 
Field work in black stem rust prevention actively under way.-- 
Pielc labor activities in black stem rust control, interrupted by 
December weather, were resumed about April 1. By the first week 
in May 215 locally employed laborers were working in groups of & to 
10, each crew under the leadership of an experienced foreman, This 
seasonal field work is based on the preliminery inspection of terri- 
tory since January 1 by some 20 men trained in the scientific and 
informational phases of the stem rust control program. These men 
have prepared estimates for each area, giving the extent of the terri- 
tory needing inspection, the probable amount of chemicals required, 
and probable number of man-days of labor. Comprehensive maps of the 
territory to be given attention have also been prepared for use by 
the crew foremen after they have become established in the county 
in which they will conduct eradication work. The further expansion 
of field activity during May and June will be made as rapidly as 
weather will permit the,.°. transportation of chemicals and equipment 
and the effective use of locally employed laborers, The men will be 
selected from lists furnished.by the National Reemployment Office, 
An allotment of Public Works funds in August 1934, to supple- 
ment the regular appropriation for the work, led to the eradication 
of approximately 350,000 barberry bushes in 3 1/2 months--about 
three times as many as had been removed under the regular appropri- 
ation during the first & 1/2 months of the year. It is believed that 
last season's experience with the employment and handling of labor 
crews will add to the effectiveness of this season's program. The 
speeding up of this project materially benefits the present farm 
progrem by reducing the rust hazard, one of the great factors of un~ 
certainty in planned production of wheat, barley, oats, and ryc. 
Moreover, the project is proving to be an excellent means of engaging 
unemployed men in healthful, outdoor activity of service to the com 
munity and nation. About 73 percent of the money has been applied 
to payrolls. Analysis of previous occupations of laborers employed 
with Public Works funds on this project, shows that 158 different 
occupations were represented by 686 men, Further study of the past 
