Mr. RICHEY. The following is presented in explanation of this estimate: WORK DONE UNDER THIS APPROPRIATION General. The work under this appropriation consists of the identification of wild and cultivated plants, special systematic studies of grasses that serve as a basis for forage, range, and erosion collection work; the domestication and improvement of wild plants, particularly the blueberry; and weed-control investigations. Botanical studies conducted under this project serve as a starting point for numerous investigations made by the various branches of the Bureau of Plant Industry and other bureaus of the Department. With the increased demands made upon this project by the Forest Service, the erosion-control agencies, and the inevitable increase of duties resulting from development of the National Arboretum, work under this project has become of major importance. The studies and identifications under this project are essential to the development of accurate and dependable plans for future work. Botanical investigations.-Work on economic botany consists chiefly of studies and identifications of plants other than grasses for various bureaus of the Department. Assistance is also given to agricultural experiment stations, farmers, nurserymen, and other individuals and organizations. Information derived from this work is of primary importance in grazing and erosion work, investigations of plants poisonous to stock, forage experiments, and other lines of work. Accurate and dependable studies and identifications are essential as a basis for investigations if reliable results are to be obtained. Work on grass investigations includes systematic studies of both domestic and foreign grasses which serve as a basis for important grass investigations from the forage and erosion standpoint. The collection of grass specimens maintained is the largest and most valuable reference collection in the world. The botanical studies conducted and publications built up as a result of these studies comprise a reference collection of information which is the basis of all important grass investigations of the Department. With the increased importance of forage and soil-erosion projects, this work has become an important factor in the conduct of the investigations. Adequate and accurate reference is essential as a starting point for our grass projects. The principal work on blueberry investigations has been the breeding of new varieties of blueberries earlier and later than those now in use, or of still better flavor and other desirable commercial qualities, or adapted to a latitude and climate farther south than existing varieties. The wide interest in blueberry culture has developed a rather extensive correspondence on the subject. The blueberry investigations have resulted in the domestication and improvement of the wild blueberry; in the addition of a luscious and healthful fruit to the dietary of city dwellers; in the establishment of a thriving and growing new industry of blueberry culture; and in the utilization of areas of special, strongly acid soils not adapted to other agricultural uses. A similar project is conducted in breeding American varieties of gooseberries, using native species in themselves suited to our conditions but now of inferior quality. Weed-control investigations.-The work under this project is intended to provide information with respect to the most effective and least expensive methods of controlling or eradicating field bindweed, or European morningglory, and other noxious weeds. Investigations were inaugurated at the Fort Hays Experiment Station, Hays, Kans., July 1, 1935, in cooperation with the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Similar work will be undertaken in cooperation with other State experiment stations as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. The justification for these investigations lies in the very wide dissemination of bindweed in past years and the very great difficulty encountered by farmers in eradicating it. Farms otherwise productive have been abandoned because of bindweed infestation, and in several States the pest is considered so serious that loans cannot be secured on infested farms. It is very difficult to eradicate bindweed entirely once it becomes firmly established. It is believed that research with chemical treatments and with cultivating and cropping methods such as are contemplated under this project, will indicate feasible and economical methods of control. Funds for studies and development of chemical means for combating the bindweed and other obnoxious weeds are carried in the appropriation for the Bureau of Chemistry and Soils. Mr. CANNON. There is also no change requested in the appropriation under "Botany"? Mr. RICHEY. That remains unchanged. CEREAL CROPS AND DISEASES Mr. CANNON. We will take up the item for cereal crops and diseases: Cereal crops and diseases: For the investigation and improvement of cereals, including corn, and methods of cereal production and for the study and control of cereal diseases, and for the investigation of the cultivation and breeding of flax for seed purposes, including a study of flax diseases, and for the investigation and improvement of broomcorn and methods of broomcorn production, $505,721. Mr. RICHEY. The following explanation is presented for this activity: Appropriation act, 1936_ $501, 923 Allotment from "Forage crops and diseases" (for forage-sorghum production and improvement investigations) –– Total available, 1936. 505, 721 505, 721 1 This allotment is carried forward by means of a transfer in the estimates for 1937. WORK DONE UNDER THIS APPROPRIATION General. The work under this appropriation includes studies of cultural practices with cereal crops and the investigation of their possible improvement; comparison of yield and adaptability of different varieties to different regions and their quality for different uses, together with the breeding and selection of improved and better-adapted varieties; and the development of methods of control and of the diseases of all cereal crops, including the breeding of disease-resistant varieties. Cooperative experiments are carried on at most of the State agricultural experiment stations, but no independent field stations are maintained. The justification for this work lies in the importance of the cereal crops to the agriculture of the United States. Cereal crops not only supply directly an important part of the dietary requirements of the people. but as feed for livestock are the basis of our livestock and dairy industries as well. During the period from 1927 to 1931, inclusive, cereal crops occupied more than 225,000,000 acres e ch year, and even with the reduced acreages of 1934 they now occupy some 190,000,000 acres. Corn, the principal cereal crop, is the most important single crop of the country, in 1934 being grown on 92,500,000 acres. It is the backbone of American agriculture. On the basis of either unlimited or controlled production, increased efficiency and reduced costs are necessary for the profitable production of cereal crops and the consequent well-being of our agricultural population. Increased efficiency and reduced costs can only be attained through improvement in practices and varieties which will reduce the hazards incident to disease, reduced fertility, and, insofar as possible, the action of cold and drought. Without the improved varieties even now available the results of the disastrous drought during the season of 1934 would have been even more marked. The trained personnel eng ged in this work also constitute an effective safeguard for the future wellare of the country. During the drought emergency the existence of this effective going organization made possible the location and conservation of adapted seed stocks for u ceeding crops that otherwise were in serious danger of being lost. Barley investigations.-During the 5 years ending with 1931 barley was grown on approximately 12,000,000 acres annually. It has become increasingly important in recent years as a feed grain, and with the return of commercial brewing there is again availab'e an important special market for malting barley. Quality is a most important factor in determining price, high quality 47432-3616 carrying a substantial market premium. The control of diseases and the improvement of varieties to insure quality is imperative in order to meet market needs and to insure profitable production. Corn investigations.-Corn is the most important single crop grown in this country. It is the foundation of American agriculture. It normally occupies approximately 100,000,000 acres annually, and even with reduced acreage in 1934 there were 92,500,000 acres. Higher-yielding, better-quality strains are needed to eliminate preventable hazards and to reduce production costs and losses in commercial channels. Disease control also is badly needed to prevent stand reduction in seedling corn and reduced quality in harvested grain. Special types for certain technical uses also should be developed. Seed-flax investigations (also buckwheat).—Seed-flax production is not extensive, but in the areas where the crop is grown it is most important. During the 5 years 1927 to 1931 the average harvest was 2,915,000 acres. The amount, produced is less than domestic consumption, and there is opportunity for profitable increase in the present acreage. The production of this crop is entirely dependent on disease-resistant varieties, and in emphasizing this factor, oil yield and quality heretofore have not been given necessary attention. There is definite need for improved varieties combining disease resistance with seed yield and oil yield and oil quality. Sorghum investigations (also broomcorn, proso, millets, etc.).—Sorghums are normally grown on some 7,000,000 acres annually. The acreage is increasing. The crop is the standard feed and forage reliance of the entire south central United States, where drought- and heat-resistant summer crops are essential. Certain special types that can be harvested to advantage with machinery used for other grain crops have been developed, but more are needed to cover the entire sorghum growing area. Disease resistance to reduce preventable losses also is needed. Broomcorn varieties producing better quality brush and less affected in quality by weather conditions also are badly needed. Oat investigations.-Oats is the most important small grain feed crop of the country. It is also most important as a rotation crop for use in seeding clover and grasses throughout the country. In normal times some 40,000,000 acres of the crop are grown annually, and in 1934, with reduced acreage, 33,348,000 acres were harvested. The quality of the crop is often seriously reduced by heat and drought and by diseases, and while progress has been made in developing better varieties much remains to be done. Rice investigations.—Rice is a specialized crop grown on a limited acreage so far as the country as a whole is concerned (750,000 to 950,000 acres annually), but where grown in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and California it is the basis of agriculture and represents a large and specialized investment. Lands used for this crop also are less suited for other types of cropping. The peculiar conditions under which the crop is grown, requiring constant flooding of the land, introduce many problems in soil fertility, pests, diseases, and special considerations of culture and rotation that require solution. Varieties of better culinary value, also, are needed to increase market demands. Wheat investigations (also emmer, spelt, etc., and rye).-Wheat is the staple food crop of the country, is the basis of agriculture in a large and important area, supports an extensive manufacturing and processing industry, and is a most important export product. Profits in wheat production are dependent on reducing hazards from cold, drought, disease, and poorly adapted varieties and on the development of cultural and rotation practices that will reduce expense and at the same time stabilize production. Much has been accomplished along these lines, but much still remains to be done to obtain desirable types for all areas. Mr. CANNON. Under cereal crops and diseases you ask for additional funds. Mr. RICHEY. There is $3,798 added to "Cereal crop diseases" and a corresponding decrease from "Forage crops and diseases." That transfer resulted from a shift in responsibility for the sorghum work. We formerly carried on work with grain sorghums in the Division of Cereal Crops and Diseases and with forage sorghums in the Division of Forage Crops. With the passage of time the work became more and more closely related. Some of the so-called forage sor ghums were equally grain sorghums, and it seemed better to consolidate all the work in one division. This transfer puts that into effect. Mr. CANNON. In other words, it is really not an increase? Mr. RICHEY. It is not an increase in the Budget as a whole. COTTON AND OTHER FIBER CROPS AND DISEASES Mr. CANNON. The next item is: Cotton and other fiber crops and diseases: For investigation of the production of cotton and other fiber crops, including the improvement by cultural methods, breeding, and selection, fiber yield and quality, and the control of diseases, $406,435. Mr. RICHEY. The following justification is presented under this item: Appropriations Act, 1936_. CHANGE IN LANGUAGE $406, 435 406, 435 It is recommended that the language of the appropriation be changed by removing the proviso for the expenditure of $15,000 on sea-island cotton experiments. This proviso makes necessary an expenditure far in excess of what might reasonably be expended on this crop. It is planned to continue the investigations of the sea-island cotton as a part of the general cotton breeding and improvement program, but the removal of the proviso requiring the spending of a specific amount for sea-island cotton work is recommended in the interest of more effective use of the money appropriated. WORK DONE UNDER THIS APPROPRIATION General. The work done under this appropriation consists of the investigation of cultural practices for growing cotton; the breeding of superior varieties of cotton, including Egyptian and sea island; study of the effect of soil, climate, and other factors on the yield, quality, and values of cotton fiber; study of chemical, physical, and other properties of cotton fibers which determine values for specified uses and the measurement of probable values by means of these properties; investigation of cotton diseases and their control, including breeding for disease resistance; utilization and maintenance of superior strains of cotton through the organization of single-variety communities; and investigation of hemp and flax fiber production and of hard fibers and other fibers used for ropes, twines, etc. This work is conducted in cooperation with the Bureaus of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Chemistry and Soils, with the State agricultural experiment stations and extension services, and with certain counties and group organizations. Cotton production, improvement, and diseases.-The work under this project consists of breeding operations to develop strains and types of cotton superior in yield and in lint character and resistant to climatic and other factors reducing yield and quality. It also includes studies of the relation of climatic and other factors to fiber yield and quality and of means of measuring quality factors so that new cottons being developed may be tested for quality before distribution. It likewise includes studies on cotton diseases and their control and of all other factors having to do with growing satisfactory yields of highquality cotton. Cotton is the bread-and-butter cash crop of the entire cotton-producing area. The crop also is of primary importance in domestic commerce and manufacture, 6 million 500-pound bales, in round numbers, being the normal domestic consumption, and is the country's principal agricultural export product. The 1935 crop occupies about 29,000,000 acres and in the past has totaled in excess of 40,000,000 acres. The 1934 cotton crop, including the value of the lint and seed, was worth in excess of $750,000,000. Intensive research on cotton is justified by its importance in the livelihood of such a large part of our population; by the necessity of improving and maintaining the improvement of American cotton in order to hold the export market in the face of an aggressive competition from high quality foreign production; and by the ne essity for stabilizing production and for reducing production costs through removal of hazard's caused by low quality, poor producing strains, diseases, faulty cultural practices, etc. Fiber plants other than cotton.-Work under this project includes the investigation of hemp- and flax-fiber production in the United States and of hard fibers such as abaca (Manila hemp), maguey, sisal, and henequen in the tropics; and all plant fibers, except cotton, used for ropes, twines, yarns, woven fabrics, hats, matting, and stuffing or filling. Flax fiber production is now established as a profitable crop in Oregon, and experiments of the past 2 years indicate that this industry may be revived in certain areas in the East. An increase of more than 500 percent in the hemp acreage in this country shows increased interest in this crop. There is need for continued plant breeding of both fiber flax and hemp and further experimental work with relation to soil types and agronomic practices in growing these crops and preparing the fibers. Hard fibers, produced only in the tropics, are necessary for bindertwine and all high-grade cordage. It is important that coordination be kept up between twine and cordage manufacturers in this country and fiber producers in the tropics and that standards of fiber quality be maintained. Mr. RICHEY. There is no increase in that item. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Tarver, have you any inquiry to make on that subject? Mr. TARVER. I would like to know something about what has been done in the past year by this Division. Mr. RICHEY. You will recall that we got a very good increase in that item last year. That did not become available, of course, until July 1, and we have negotiated with the experiment stations in all of the cotton-producing States memoranda of understanding covering the research program on cotton. We have taken over certain State personnel temporarily while we were trying to get the program into running order. As I stated, the money did not become available until July 1, so it was impossible, of course, to undertake any new experimentation as such, but it was possible to make additional studies on experiments that already had been planted. We have taken on some new personnel, and we have plans made for going ahead this year. SEA-ISLAND COTTON Mr. TARVER. I notice you recommend the removal of the language permitting the expenditure of not exceeding $15,000 on sea-island cotton. That proviso, as I recall, was added in the Senate as the result of considerable interest on the part of those interested in seaisland cotton, and was intended to make definite the requirement that at least this much of the amount expended should be used for this purpose. As I understand the statement at the top of page 143 of your justifications, you have not done anything along that line. and recommend the removal of that requirement. Mr. RICHEY. We have done something along that line, Mr. Tarver, insofar as it was possible to do anything with crops that were planted at that time. At that time it was too late to plant sea-island cotton, but we have continued the sea-island work, and we have been living up not only to the letter but to the spirit of that proviso insofar as concerns the portion of the fiscal year that has elapsed. Mr. TARVER. You do not think this $15,000 is too much money to expend on a subject matter of that sort, do you, Doctor? |