Page:The National Geographic Magazine Vol 16 1905.djvu/111

Cuban type of filler has also been tried in Ohio. The most important work in Ohio, however, has been the further introduction of the bulk method of fermenting cigar tobaccos. Over 655,000 pounds were fermented in 1902, over 4,000,000 in 1903. while in 1904 the quantity so fermented exceeded 10,000,000 pounds. Considerable demand has been made the past year upon the Bureau to assist the growers of the heavy export types. Experiments have been undertaken to grow the tobacco with different fertilizers and under different methods of culture to see which will give the best financial results. It is yet too early to give the results of the present season's work.

In 1903 the Department of Agriculture had practically ceased its work in Connecticut in the production of shade-grown tobacco, but in 1904 it conducted an experiment at Tariffville, Conn., where a crop has been produced on a 4-acre plat. Tobacco of this type was exhibited at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and received a grand prize as a leaf of the highest excellence for cigar wrappers. The Secretary presents a table which shows that 134 bales of Connecticut shade-grown tobacco have been sold for domestic use at an average price of $1.26 plus, the highest price obtained being $1.75 per pound for light wrappers. One hundred and forty-four bales were sold for export at an average of $0.34.

The most important work of the Bureau of Entomology during the year has been its combat with the Mexican cotton boll weevil. Under the provisions of the special appropriation of $250,000, made available January, 1904, this work was greatly enlarged. Over a thousand acres, divided among thirteen experimental farms, were devoted to experimental work, and it is believed that the cultural system these farms were designed to illustrate has so far proved to be the only practicable means of controlling the weevil. This is the outgrowth of several years of experimentation.

The discovery of the Guatemalan ant and its colonization in Texas is a feature of distinct encouragement. The eminent danger of the spread of the weevil, however, to other States indicates the necessity of continued active and energetic work on the part of the general government.

Field experiments have demonstrated that the cultural system of control recommended for the boll weevil furnishes the very best means also against the bollworm. Spraying and dusting with arsenical potions and the value of truck crops have been made the subject of careful experiments, and the department is now able to recommend measures which will greatly reduce damage from this pest.

The possibility of keeping injurious insects in check by the introduction of their natural insect enemies is a popular subject with fruit growers and farmers, and notable success has been achieved in this direction.

The general information gained from the study of insects damaging forests, carried on both in the field and in the laboratory, has greatly advanced the knowledge of forest insects and the means of controlling them. An expert has been placed in charge of investigations of insecticides, and fumigation