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THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA '•*»»**•' THE COLLECTION OF NORTH CAROLINIANA PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00017479756 This BOOK may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE CENTS a d the-eafter. It is DUE on the DAY indicated below: Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/biennialrepagric19521954 BIENNIAL REPORT NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE L. Y. BALLENTINE, Commissioner RALEIGH, N. C. OUR COVER PICTURE The photo reproduced on our cover shows the front of the recently com-pleted Annex to the Agriculture Building in Raleigh. The first two floors and a mezzanine are devoted to the State Museum of Natural His-tory. The other three floors provide additional laboratory and office space to meet the growing needs of the Department of Agriculture. TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Agriculture 8 Personnel 9 Commissioner's Summary 17 Highlights of Board Meetings 25 Accounting Division 31 Chemistry Division 36 Aerial Crop Dusting Law 36 Anti-freezes 42 Commercial Feeds 39 Economic Poisons 40 Fertilizers, Fertilizer and Liming Materials 37 Foods and Drugs 42 Linseed Oils 42 Oleomargarine 47 Credit Union Division 49 Dairy Division 53 Entomology Division 59 Markets Division 67 Commodity Distribution 88 Cooperatives 90 Cotton 68 Dairy 85 Fruits and Vegetables 71 Grain 76 Livestock 79 Market News 91 Poultry and Eggs 81 Tobacco 73 Transportation 92 Museum Division 95 Publications Division 101 Seed Testing Division 106 Soil Testing Division Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS—Continued State Fair Division 119 Statistics Division . . : 125 Test Farms Division 133 Coastal Plain Test Farm, Willard 142 Mountain Test Farm, Waynesville 140 Peanut Test Farm, Lewiston 137 Piedmont Test Farm, Statesville 145 Tidewater Test Farm, Plymouth 134 Tobacco Test Farm, Oxford 149 Upper Coastal Plain Test Farm, Rocky Mount 152 Upper Mountain Test Farm, Laurel Springs 154 Veterinary Division 160 Anthrax 161 Brucellosis 161 Hog Cholera 165 Hog Diseases 168 Horses and Mules, Diseases of 169 Poultry Diseases 168 Public Livestock Auction Markets 170 Tuberculosis • • • • 162 Vesicular Exanthema 165 Warehouse Division 171 Weights and Measures Division 173 L. Y. Ballentine Commissioner of Agriculture John L. Reitzel Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE L. Y. Ballentine, Commissioner Ex-Officio Chairman Glenn G. Gilmore Julian HoYLE C. Griffin Monroe Claude T. Hall Roxboro 0. J. Holler Union Mills George P. Kittrell^ Corapeake J. Muse McCotter New Bern Charles F. Phillips Thomasviile J. H. Poole West End A, B. Slagle Franklin J. E. WiNSLOW Greenville 'Appointed by the Governor to replace R. V. Knight, Tarboro. Mr. Knight served under an interim appointment from December, 1952 to May, 1953, to fill out the unexpired term of Miss Ethel Parker, resigned. Miss Parker had served on the Board continuously since June, 1941. PERSONNEL OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE JUNE 30, 1954 L. Y. Ballentine, Commissioner Administration John L. Reitzel Assistant Commissioner Lillian R. Parker Stenographer Clerk I Phoebe D. Powers Stenographer Clerk III Doris B. Wofford Stenographer Clerk III Division of Accounts A. R. POWLEDGE Chief Auditor Dorothy A. Cash Accounting Clerk I Mary B. Crawford Accounting Clerk 1 Ella V. Dodson Accotinting Clerk II Elsie W. Jordan Accountiyig Clerk III Grace H. Malloy Accounting Clerk IV Myrna L. Nowell Accounting Clerk I Helen C. Shinn Accounting Clerk 1 Lunelle Yeargan Accounting Clerk 11 Publicity & Publications Blackburn W. Johnson Public Information Officer III M. Pauline DeCosta Information & Editorial Assistant Ermine B. Hampton Stenographer Clerk II Joseph A. Hunter Clerk 11 Bettye T. Rogers Clerk I Inspection E. H. Cooper Tax Auditor III Lindsey Ennis Feed, Fertilizer & Insecticide Inspector I Clyde A. Jackson Feed, Fertilizer & Insecticide Inspector II Harvey C. McPhail Feed, Fertilize)' & Insecticide Inspector I Markets John A. Winfield Director Agricultural Marketing Dorothy L. Bailey Stenographer Clerk II Jo Ann C. Bell Stenographer Clerk II Wilbur S. Brannan Marketing Specialist 11 Gilbert Clark Marketing Specialist 111 Grady Cooper, Jr Marketing Specialist 111 J. B. COTNER Marketing Specialist III John H. Cyrus Marketing Specialist II Jay p. Davis Marketing Specialist IV Louise T. Dunn Stenographer Clerk III Ollie W. Faison Marketing Specialist IV Jesse R. Ferrell Marketing Specialist 11 Jean L Ford Stenographer Clerk II Cleo M. Gault Laboratory Technician I 10 N. C. Department of Agriculture Gladys J. Gooch Stenographer Clerk II Joe B. Gourlay Marketing Specialist III Thomas E. Green, Sr Marketing Specialist II John W. Hamby, Jr Marketing Specialist II Wendell P. Hedrick Marketing Specialist IV Vernon W. Hill Marketing Specialist III Ruby M. Hinson Stenographer Clerk III Leon Holland Marketing Specialist I Julius P. Jenrette Marketing Specialist III Albert B. Johnson Marketing Specialist II Fred P. Johnson Marketing Specialist IV Betty Lou Jones Stenographer Clerk II Ralph B. Kelly Marketing Specialist IV Ethel Y. Kiker Marketing Specialist II Hazel M. Maddrey Accounting Clerk I Pauline M. Maney Typist Clerk I Hugh B. Martin Marketing Specialist III Candler C. Miller Marketing Specialist III HoBART W. Myrick Marketing Specialist III Mary L. Norman Stenographer Clerk II Mary M. Patrick Stenographer Clerk III H. D. Quessenberry Marketing Specialist IV Evelyn R. Ramey Stenographer Clerk II Mildred S. Rawls Laboratory Technician I Dorothy Y. Reaves Stenographer Clerk III B. S. Rich Marketing Specialist IV Carson W. Sheffield , Marketing Specialist IV Horace A. Smith Marketing Specialist I Anne B. Stoddart Accounting Clerk I Curtis F. Tarleton Marketing Specialist IV Carl H. Tower Marketing Specialist III George H. Turner, Jr Marketing Specialist II Dew^ey C. Wayne Marketing Specialist IV James A. Williams Marketing Specialist I Earl M. Yandle, Jr Marketing Specialist I Credit Union D. R. Graham Credit Union Administrator A. S. Bynum Fiscal Examiner II Myrtice B. Wilder Stenographer Clerk II Howard L. Pijahn Fiscal Examiner II Dairy C. W. Pegram Director of Dairy Service Lafayette H. Boykin, Jr Dairy Specialist II Elmo H. Hollomon Dairy Specialist II Paul R. Jordan, Jr Bacteriologist W. L. McLeod Dairy Specialist II Robert L. Merritt Laboratory Assistant Francis Patterson Dairy Specialist II Mary M. Weathers Stenographer Clerk II Giles M. Williams Dairy Specialist II Mary Sue P. Williams Laboratory Technician II Entomology C. H. Brannon State Entomologist James F. Greene Entomologist I J. A. Harris Entomologist II Ellison C. Nelson, Jr Entomologist I Pauline P. Newsom Stenographer Clerk II D. L. Wray Entomologist II Report for 1952-54 — Personnel 11 Seed Laboratory WiLLARD H. Darst Director of Seed Testing Magdalene G. Brummitt Seed Analyst III Walter E. Burgiss Seed Specialist Mahlon B. Dickens Seed Specialist Stella W. Etheredge Seed Analyst II Joan M. Godwin Stenographer Clerk I Frances Hippert Seed Analyst II Bettie B. Hutchinson Seed Analyst I Murphy G. McKenzie, Jr _ Seed Specialist Kenneth M. Mintz ' Seed Specialist Evelyn J. B. Murdoch Seed A7ialyst I EVALDS Smits Seed Analyst II Joe N. Tate, Jr Seed Specialist Mildred W. Thomas Seed Analyst II Analytical E. W. Constable State Chemist L. V. Amburgey Microanalyst Henry W. Barnes, Jr Chemist II Elizabeth F. Bartholomew Chemist I Samuel C. Boyd Lahorator-y Assistant Z. B. Bradford Chemist III BuRNEY A. Britt Chemist II David E. Buffaloe Chemist III Margaret B. Carter Chemist II James A. Chapman Laboratory Assistant Dorothy M. Davis Stenographer Clerk II J. Whitt Davis Feed, Fertilizer & Insecticide Inspector I John J. Filicky Chemist II Evelyn A. Freeman Stenographer Clerk I Charles H. Godwin, Jr Food, Drug & Cosmetic Inspector Heber B. Hatch Typist Clerk III Samuel H. Hinton Laboratory Assistant Eugene T. Hord, Jr Chemist II Velva E. Hudson Typist Clerk III Jesse G. Jernigan Chemist II Delwin P. Johnson Chemist II H. D. Matheson Chemist II W. P. Matthews Chemist III Harry A. Miller Assistant State Chemist William A. Morgan Laboratory Assistant L. M. Nixon Chemist IV Fred P. Nooe Food, Drug & Cosmetic Inspector H. F. Pickering Chemist III J. S. PiTTARD Chemist III Elizabeth L. Powell Stenographer Clerk II L. B. Rhodes Food Chemist Bob S. Roberson Chemist I Clyde W. Robesits Food, Drug & Cosmetic Inspector William Sylver, Jr Laboratory Assistant Robert T. Teague, Jr Chemist II Muriel M. Weathers Chemist I Vernon A. Williams Laboratory Assistant Hazel L. Willis Stenographer Clerk III Crop Statistics John T. Richardson Administrative Officer Raymond R. Alford, Jr Duplicating Machine Operator I 12 N. C. Department of Agriculture Frances D. Chandler Research Assistant Sarah F. Drake Research Assistant Martha F. Early Research Assistant Jean D. Frazier Research Assistant William C. Hinson, Jr Junior Statistician Sallie H. Jordan Research Assistant Pearl K. Joyner Vari-Type Operator II William E. Kibler Analytical Statistician GS7 Helen E. Kornegay Research Assistant Roland C. Mullen Duplicating Machine Operator II Janie H. Murph Research Assistant Francis M. Nine, Jr Duplicating Machine Operator II Olaf Wakefield Senior Statistician Rosa M. Wrede Research Assistant Soil Testing James W. Fitts Director of Soil Testing Joanne S. Boerner Stenographer III Mildred S. Combs Typist Clerk I Winifred H. Cranor Chemist I Vera A. Culler Chemist I Joseph E. Douglas Laboratory Assistayit Lucy D. Elmore Chemist II Yvonne M. Finch Typist Clerk I Ruth S. Gardner Chemist I Arthur Giles Laboratory Assistant Estelle a. Grant Stenographer Clerk II Nancy Ann House Stenographer Clerk I Mary W. Mathers Chemist I Gerald D. McCart Agronomist I Adolf Mehlich Assistant Director Margaret E. Stancil Typist Clerk II Alice L. Wall Typist Clerk I Charles D. Welch Agronomist II Veterinary Hal Judd Rollins State VeteHnarian Josephine A. Allen Stenographer Clerk III William A. Andrew Poultry Specialist I John D. Baker Veterinarian II W. R. Baynes Veterinarian III Samuel 0. Benson Veterinarian II G. I. Bullock Poultry Specialist II Julius B. Cashion Poultry Specialist 1 Jesse J. Causby Poultry Specialist II Kenneth G. Church Poultry Specialist I James H. Clegg Poultry Specialist I William W. Clements Veterinarian II Henry B. Collins Livestock Inspector Donald E. Cooperrider Veterinarian IV Eugene C. Couch Poultry Specialist I W. J. Elkins Poultry Specialist I L. J. FOURIE Poultry Specialist III James A. Frazier Poultry Specialist I George D. Fuller Livestock Inspector L. M. Greene Vetei'inarian III Frank S. Hall Clerk I Frank Howard, Jr Laboratory Assistant G. W. IVEY Poultry Specialist II R. Russell Jeter Veterinarian II Report for 1952-54 — Personnel 13 Annie L. Justice Laboratory Technician I James D. Kelly Poultry Specialist 1 Fred D. Long Poultry Specialist I N. P. McDuFFiE Poultry Specialist J Sue F. Morgan Stenographer Clerk II Peter S. Penland Poultry Specialist I Betsy P. Penny Stenographer Clerk II YerIjIN E. Reese Poultry Specialist I James U. Richardson Laboratory Assistant Phil R. Sandige Poultry Specialist I Arthur L. Shealey Veterinarian II Barbara H. Weiler Laboratory Technician II Thomas L. Wellborn Poultry Specialist I John Williams, Jr Laboratory Assistant John R. Woody Poultry Specialist I Auburn L. Wright Poultry Specialist I Test Farms Cecil D. Thomas Director Test Farms Thomas E. Nichols, Jr Administrative Assistant Nancy C. Watlington Stenographer Clerk II Elwood a. Allen Senior Herdsman Herbert W. Allen Farm Foreman II Lillian A. Bishop Stenographer Clerk I Fenner B. Harris Herdsman Tidewater Test Farm J. L. Rea, Jr Test Farm Superintendent Clifton M. Blackwell Farm Foreman II J. M. Carr Test Farm. Superiyitendent Joyce H. Dixon Stenographer Clerk I Elizabeth Floyd Stenographer Clerk II Chester Kearney Feed and Farm Laborer Warren H. Bailey Test Farm Superintendent Hannah B. Goff Stenographer Clerk I Melvin R. Thomas Farm Foreman II Randolph Whitley Herdsman Joseph L. Boone Poultryman Rufus Curtis Dairyman James R. Edwards Dairy Research Supervisor Bernice H. Harrell Stenographer Clerk II Garfield Harris Farm Foretnan II William C. Holder Dairyman Murray R. Whisenhunt Test Farm Superintendent Gordon D. Sheets Farm Foreman II Anna Lee Shepherd Stenographer Clerk I Dan Lafayette Taylor Herdsman Dana F. Tugman Test Farm Sriperintendent Ernest W. English Poultryman Jacob B. Matthews Dairyman Thilbert a. Suggs Farryi Foreman II Jesse W. Sumner Test Farm Superintendent B. L. Williams Steywgrapher Clerk II Vester N. Baird Farm Foreman II J. W. Hendricks Test Farm Superintendent Rose B. Ingram Stenographer Clerk II Dwight C. Austin Farm Foreman II Clyde Z. McSwain, Jr Test Farm Superintendent Betsey M. Thompson Typist Clerk I Weights & Measures C. D. Baucom Superintendent Weights & Measures Director Gasoline & Oil Mary A. Britt Stenographer Clerk II 14 N. C. Department of Agriculture: Latta W. Cook Liquid Fertilizer Specialist Joseph P. Crawford Weights & Measures Inspector Charles E. Dolan Heavy Duty Scale Inspector Arnold B. Goetze Weights & Measures Inspector Dorothy Goodson Stenographer Clerk II Marion L. Kinlaw, Jr Weights & Measures Inspector Grover R. Kiser Weights & Measures Inspector T. Wavely Lucas Truck Driver EUFUS A. Malloy Weights & Measures Inspector John L Moore Weights & Measures Inspector Supervisor William Shook Heavy Duty Scale Inspector James M. Vestal, Jr Weights & Measures Inspector James E. Williams Truck Driver S. M. WoOLFOLK Weights & Measures Inspector State Museum H. T. Davis Museum Director LuDiE V. Ashe Maid Clare S. Johnson Clerk I Julian W. Johnson Museum Exhibits Designer Mary Knight Stenographer Clerk II F. B. Meacham Zoologist Owen Woods Janitor-Messenger Hog Cholera Work Charles R. Border Veterinarian III Ralph Hamilton Veterinarian I Custodial Robert Harris Stock Clerk I Worth Jeffries Stock Clerk I State Warehouse System A. B. Fairley Warehouse System Superintendent Elouise S. Byrd Stenographer Clerk II Hazel K. Cobb Clerk II Wayne B. Ferrell Warehouse Examiner Hallie K. Morrow Stenographer Clerk II Gasoline & Oil Inspection T. W. Anderson . Gasoline & Oil Inspector Gilbert L. Arthur Chemist I Carey M, Ashley Chemist I Milton Barefoot Gasoline & Oil Inspector Boyd Lee Barnette Chemist I I. L. Blaylock Gasoline & Oil Inspector Malver L. Boyette Gasoline & Oil Inspector Kathleen C. Brafford Chemist I Kenneth E. Brown Calibrator John A. Bynum Gasoline & Oil Inspector William L. Carpenter Chemist II Jack C. Connolly, II Chemist I William T. Crawford Gasoline & Oil Inspector Joseph Denton Gasoline & Oil Inspector Lemuel S. Dowdy Calibrator Otto Duncan Gasoline & Oil Inspector Report for 1952-54 — Personnel 15 Paul H. Etheridge Chemist I J. A. Galloway Gasoline & Oil Inspector Joseph E. Gillespie Chemist I Elliot Harrison Laboratory Assistant H. H. Hatcher Gasoline & Oil Inspector Hugh F. Hayes Chemist II Horace E. Herman Calibrator Ira G. Holloway Gasoline & Oil Inspector Alton E. Hoyle Gasoline & Oil Inspector Edwin H. Hutchins Chemist I Herman L. Jones Gasoline & Oil Inspector Robert H. McArver Gasoline & Oil Inspector Archie D. McGirt, Jr Chemist I Roy a. McKeithan Calibrator Virginia B. Moore Stenographer Clerk II Francis W. Oakes Gasoline & Oil Inspector W. T. O'Briant Gasoline & Oil Inspector Douglas M. Pait Gasoline & Oil Inspector Nellie A. Parrish Stenographer Clerk I Harvey R. Pearman, Jr Chemist II William H. Perry Calibrator Parley B. Rasmussen, Jr Chemist II James R. Rivers Gasoline & Oil Inspector David J. Secor Chemical Engineer H. L. Shankle Chemist IV J. T. Shaw Chemist II Harry W. Shelton Chemist I Ray D. Sigmon Gasoline & Oil Inspector KOY S. Smith Gasoline & Oil Inspector Nora Newton Stell Stenographer Clerk I Nina G. Sumner Chemist I Ralph G. Thornburg Chemist II Thomas G. Trogdon Chemist II Leon E. Van Brunt Calibrator 4) 0) -1-3 c s q; 01 _S bD ft '+J c -^-c cS 1^ c 'PQ:5 ;_, bjo cS 3 c -u '¥ o o ^ "T"* ^ g ao <^ ? T3 0) CO -t-3 OJ J5 o -C > -1-3 <1> o Eh 0) ^ 03 o (—< J=i o C oi _2 'S a> w c XI ^ a> s 03 o S c-s ^ as cc OJ T-H ^ lO x: OJ lO C Oi cS "j3 T-H aT r— 0) :-4 ^ ^ cS .;::.o o /^ m -i-j 5 0) ft (U QJ -t-J -C -u -l-J .o OJ t: c bjc 3 •r] ,£5 ^ +3 jn -rs +3 M b« f^ oT -M ^ -1-3 -M 03 ft s "^ 0) •J Q _c 7^ M '-^ OJ Tfi M cr. j:: M 0) <: -t-3 (U C vh 0) to 3 -Q . >. '— * 3 13 H 3 Q cS CQ ^ =M ij m -i-j -t-3 _ =M j3 3 -M M «w 0) -|J ?-4 c -1-3 a> 03 _aj > 0) > 3 at a" c ojO QJ a> BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE By L. Y. Ballentine Commissioner of Agriculture Two age-old recurring farm problems—drought and economic uncertainty—have occupied the foreground of the agricultural picture during the period covered by this report. Generally dry weather has, in fact, prevailed during the past four growing seasons, but in the last two years drought has reached disaster proportions in some areas of the state. Economic recession caught the farmer in a cost-price squeeze. While his production costs continued at a high level, the prices he received for many of his products declined. Adding to his uncertainty for the future has been the enactment of federal legislation to substitute flexible price supports for the rigid, 90-percent-of-parity on most controlled crops. The State Department of Agriculture has taken what steps it could to mitigate these and other special problems. Its part in the emergency drought-relief program is reported elsewhere in this section. It has vigorously opposed flexible price supports at every opportunity. It will continue to voice its opposition to this measure and to any other proposals for undermining the program which has given some stability to our agricultural economy. In times like these the Department's normal, everyday func-tions take on added importance. With production costs cutting more and more into farm income, enforcement of laws and regulations having to do with full measure, minimum standards of quality and true labeling means proportionately more to the farmer. The Department's free soil-testing service makes his fertilizer dollar go farther and increases his crop yields. Its farm market-ing program helps him to get the best possible price for his products. Its test farms in various sections of the state provide facilities for research applicable to farming in the area where each is located; and serve to demonstrate good farm manage-ment and cultural techniques for the local farmers. 18 N. C. Department of Agriculture These are but a few examples. More detailed discussion of these and other functions of the Department will be found in reports of the various divisions, each of which is assigned a chapter in this book. Building For Service New facilities constructed during this biennium mark a great forward step for the Department, and will add immeasurably to the effectiveness of its work. Through the years there has been a steady increase in the Department's responsibilities and activities. Yet in more than a quarter of a century very little was added in the way of office and laboratory space. This resulted in more and more crowding of personnel and equipment into quarters which became increas-ingly inadequate for operation at maximum efficiency. A five-story Annex to the Agriculture Building was completed late in this biennium. As this report is written, moving into the new quarters is well under way; and offices vacated are being renovated or remodeled for expansion of those divisions remain-ing in the old main building. Also completed late in this biennium were the combination cal-ibrating station and gasoline-and-oil laboratory for the work of the Weights and Measures Division; and a large-animal diag-nostic laboratory for use by the Veterinary Division. Both of these buildings are located on Western Boulevard in Raleigh. New buildings and improvements at the fairgrounds not only enhance the effectiveness of the State Fair as an annual event, but provide long-needed facilities for agricultural and other meetings throughout the year. Laws and Regulations Laws and regulations have added some new responsibilities to the Department of Agriculture in this biennium. Many of them are discussed in reports of the individual divisions which administer them. Others, however, are mentioned here because they devolve more directly upon the office of the Commissioner. In 1953 the General Assembly enacted a law creating the North Carolina Milk Commission. This law stipulates that the Commissioner of Agriculture shall serve as an ex-ofiicio member, and instructs him to provide "as far as practical without addi-tional compensation such technical and other services as may be Report for 1952-54 — Administration 19 necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act." Members appointed by the Governor took the oath of office on August 11, 1953, and on that day the newly created Commission began its work. A report of the Commission's accomplishments has no place here. But it is pertinent for me to report that I have devoted a great deal of time to meetings and hearings held by the Com-mission, and that the dairy section of the Department's Division of Markets has, from the very beginning, assisted and cooperated in the Milk Commission's work. Another law enacted in 1953 has to do with the licensing and regulation of rendering plants and rendering operations. Author-ity to adopt the regulations is given to the Commissioner of Agriculture, after consulting the rendering-plant inspection com-mittee. Under the law this committee is composed of three mem-bers, one each designated by the State Health Officer and the Commissioner of Agriculture and the third designated by the Director of the North Carolina Division of the Southeastern Renderers Association. Dr. H. J. Rollins, State Veterinarian, serves as the Department of Agriculture representative on this committee. Drawing up regulations which would be safe and reasonable and carry out the intent of the law has required considerable study and field work on the part of the inspection committee. This was completed just as the biennium drew to a close, and the regulations were promulgated on July 2, 1954. A law which permits growers to assess themselves for the purpose of promoting the use and sale of their products was amended in 1953 to authorize the Department of Agriculture to collect such assessments from buyers of the products, if the growers' association elects to have collections made in this way. Since October 1, 1953, the Department has been making such collections for the North Carolina Peanut Growers' Association. This association was certified by the State Board of Agriculture as the authorized agency representing peanut growers to con-duct a referendum on the question of an assessment. On August 29, 1953, the growers voted, by an overwhelming majority, in favor of an assessment of one cent per hundred pounds of peanuts sold. Firms and individuals engaged in buying farmers' stock pea-nuts in North Carolina deduct the assessment from the grower's 20 N. C. Department of Agriculture payment and turn it over to the Department of Agriculture, which, in turn, remits the funds so collected to the Peanut Growers' Association. This Department also makes collections under the law popu-larly known as "Nickels for Know-How." This law, enacted in 1951, authorizes the holding of referenda among farmers of the state on a proposal to assess themselves five cents a ton on sales of commercial feeds and fertilizers. The first referendum, authorized by the State Board of Agri-culture as provided by law, was held on November 3, 1951, and the proposal won by much more than the required two-thirds majority. Collections were started on January 1, 1952. During this biennium (July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1954) these have amounted to $285,032.98. These collections are turned over to the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., and are used to supplement existing funds for agricultural research and dis-semination of research information. Under the law this matter must be re-submitted to eligible voters at three-year intervals. In April, 1954, the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation and North Carolina State Grange petitioned the Board of Agriculture for authority to hold another "Nickels" referendum. This petition was granted and these three agencies, designated by the law to do so, plan to hold the referendum on October 15, 1954. A regulation adopted by the Board of Agriculture in June, 1953, will add a major undertaking to the Department's activ-ities. This regulation, which became effective July 1, 1954, re-quires each fertilizer manufacturer to report to the Commis-sioner of Agriculture the tonnage of each grade of fertilizer shipped to each destination in North Carolina. This measure was adopted at the request of the North Caro-lina Experiment Station to aid technical workers in research, and permit them to make fertilizer recommendations based on knowledge of plant food applications in various sections of the state. Alternative methods of reporting are provided in the regula-tions. Manufacturers may send a copy of the invoice or order (minus price quotation) on each shipment of fertilizer in or in-to the state ; or they may submit summary reports of shipments by grades and by destinations at six-month intervals. Coord- Report for 1952-54 — Administration 21 inating- and summarizing this mass of data into a form suitable for use will require the services of a statistician and a statistical clerk. This additional help has been included in the Department's budget request. During this biennium two emergency regulations were issued by the Commissioner under authority of a gubernatorial procla-mation of August 1, 1952. Both were essential in the control and eradication of vesicular exanthema, a virus disease which threatened the state's swine industry. The first was promulgated on August 1, 1952, to prevent entry of diseased or exposed hogs into the state. At that time North Carolina was free of the disease. In April, 1953, after several outbreaks of vesicular exanthema in the state had been traced to the feeding of raw garbage, emergency regulations were issued to quarantine all garbage-fed swine and prevent their movement to livestock markets. Such swine could be moved only under a permit from the State Veterinarian after inspection had been made to determine that the animals were healthy and had been fed on garbage which had been cooked by approved methods. The General Assembly had, two days earlier, enacted the Garbage Feeding Law, but this did not become effective until 90 days after its ratification. These stop-gap measures were necessary to prevent vesicular exanthema from sweeping the state, which would have resulted in closing down our hog-buying markets, halting the movement of North Carolina swine to other states, and untold financial loss to our farmers. Supervision of Fairs The value of local fairs has long been recognized. Their stimu-lation of competitive spirit and their educational worth are obvious. Unfortunately, however, the fair's deservedly good name was at times exploited by the unscrupulous to attract the solid citizens of a community to events which were mere enter-tainment, and often the worst type of entertainment. With a view to fostering bona fide agricultural and industrial expositions, the 1949 General Assembly enacted a law designed to prevent the word "fair" from coming into disrepute. Adver-tising as a "fair" any traveling show, carnival, circus or the like is forbidden in the law. To further carry out this purpose, the law provided for li-censing and supervision by the Commissioner of Agriculture of 22 N. C. Department of Agriculture all local fairs in the state, under regulations approved by the State Board of Agriculture. In 1952 licenses were issued to 67 fairs in 52 counties of the state, and all were inspected by representatives of the Depart-ment of Agriculture. In 1953 the number of fairs licensed in-creased to 77 in 58 counties, and 74 inspections were made. As a whole, there has been excellent compliance with the law and regulations. Only one or two fairs inspected failed to meet the minimum requirements. Emergency Hay Program When the prolonged drought of 1953 caused pastures and feed crops to fail in some areas of the state, livestock farmers were faced with loss of their foundation herds. Agricultural agencies of the state cooperated to assess the need and back Governor Umstead in his requests for federal funds to defray half the transportation costs of hay shipments to the drought-stricken areas. The Department of Agriculture, of course, took an active part in the preliminary phases of this program, and helped in mapping out procedures for distributing the funds granted. And the De-partment was made responsible for all disbursements under the program. The program was launched in early November and terminated on April 15 of the following year. In this period more than 15,000 tons of the emergency hay came into the state, for which freight reimbursements totaled $94,821. During part of this time freight rates on the hay were reduced fifty per cent by voluntary action of the railroads, and this meant an additional saving of around $70,000 on transportation. Assistant Commissioner John L. Reitzel, who supervised the Department's participation in this program, estimates that more than 10,000 head of livestock were fed, wholly or partially, on the emergency hay. Personnel Changes During this biennium the Department lost, by retirement, two of its oldest and most valued employees. Miss Susie D. Allen, supervising seed analyst in the Seed Testing Division, retired in the summer of 1953. She had held this position 38 years and Report for 1952-54 — Administration 23 made a vital contribution toward raising the Seed Laboratory to the eminence it now enjoys. With her retirement the labor-atory would have suffered irreparably had it not been able to obtain the services of Miss Magdalene Brummitt, who had trained under Miss Allen and worked with her for a number of years. Miss Brummitt has also had three years of valuable experience in federal seed laboratories. Frank Parker, who directed the Department's statistical work for 37 years, retired in the spring of 1953. In the dual capacity of State Statistician for the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of USDA and director of the Statistics Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Mr. Parker had through the years expanded this service from a one-man office to an organization employing 35 full-time workers, a number of other part-time employees and a small army of volunteer crop and livestock reporters. He developed statistical reports covering nearly every phase of the state's agriculture, and initiated the annual County Farm Census. He traveled the state and knew the farming pattern in every section. Shortly before his retirement he was awarded a superior service citation by the U. S. Depart-ment of Agriculture. The Department was most fortunate in the appointment of Henry L. Rasor to take over Mr. Parker's work. Mr. Rasor has held a succession of responsible assignments in the Crop Report-ing Service for 26 years. He was agricultural statistician in charge of the Louisiana office at the time of his transfer to North Carolina. In August, 1953, A. Hugh Harris, who had been Assistant Com-missioner of Agriculture since 1949, resigned to look after his farming and business interests. Mr. Harris had been "drafted" to his position in the Department and labored zealously here at the expense of his personal affairs. When these could no longer be denied his attention, his resignation was reluctantly accepted. A combination of fortunate circumstances brought John L. Reitzel to the Department to fill this post. Mr. Reitzel's train-ing and experience were such as to eminently qualify him for the job. A native of Iredell County, he holds a bachelor of science degree from North Carolina State College, he has taught voca-tional agriculture, served as assistant county agent in Cleveland and Haywood Counties, and as county agent in Wake County. 24 N. C. Department of Agriculture His release from active military service made him available very shortly after Mr. Harris' resignation, and he assumed his duties with the Department late in August of 1953. Board of Agriculture No report of this Department would be complete without recognition of the important services of the State Board of Agriculture. This policy-making and regulatory body is the guid-ing hand back of all the Department accomplishes. All busy farmers, the members of this Board give unstintingly of their time and efforts to the responsibilities of their office. In addition to the time spent in meetings of the whole Board, members work long and tirelessly on committees appointed to study and make recommendations on complicated matters which the Board must review. Particularly has this been true during the period covered by this report, when relocation of a test farm has involved all the investigations requisite to buying and selling large tracts of land. Many intricate or controversial regulatory matters have come before the Board also in this two-year period, and to all of these the Board has given careful, objective consideration and wise and impartial decision. Following is a brief listing of the meetings and actions of the Board during this biennium. HIGHLIGHTS OF BOARD MEETINGS 1952-1954 Biennium Aug. IJi, 1952 Raleigh Budget Sept. 2S, 1952 Raleigh Budget Test Farm Land Rocky Mount Tobacco-Curer Fees Feed Standards Protein (12<7c Dairy) Oct. 13, 1952 Raleigh Tobacco Weight Tolerances Quitclaim Deed—Old Fairgrounds Dairy Regulations Dept. of Agri-culture Exhibit —N. C. State Fair Dec. 8, 1952 Raleigh New Member Piedmont Test Farm Upper Mountain Test Farm N. C. Markets Authority Lease of Facilities Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, J. Muse Mc- Cotter, Charles F. Phillips, Miss Ethel Parker, 0. J. Holler, A. B. Slagle. Reviewed Department Budget requests for 1953-55 bien-nium. Suggested revisions. Appointed Committee to re-view and revise budget before its presentation to Advi-sory Budget Commission in September. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Attended hearing on Budget before Advisory Budget Com-mission. Approved terms of lease of land from Upper Coastal Plain Experiment Station to J. L. Wiggins for construc-tion of dam. Authorized presentation of lease to Council of State and recommended it be granted. Adopted order and findings of fact in matter of reduc-ing charges for seals of approval, in accordance with mo-tion passed on June 17, 1952. Amended chemical standards for mixed feed to include a 12 per cent protein dairy feed. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow Heard report on abuses of tobacco weight tolerances al-lowed under regulations and authorized the Commissioner to hold a hearing in this matter. Recommended that Council of State authorize execution of quitclaim deed to small strip of land which had been part of the old fairgrounds in Raleigh and to which legal title was defective. Approved recodification of one section of the Dairy Reg-ulations. Heard and discussed plans for an over-all Department of Agriculture exhibit at the State Fair in 1953 and ensuing years. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow, R. V. Knight Introduction of new member, Mr. R. V. Knight, of Tar-boro, appointed to unexpired term of Miss Ethel Parker, who resigned. Authorized Commissioner to take steps to effect trans-fer of Federal land to State at this Station. Approved Commissioner's proposal that he ask Dean of Agriculture at North Carolina State College to designate members of his staff' to work with Board's committee in locating new Piedmont Test Farm. Approved purchase of a commercial garage building and lot adjacent to Upper Mountain Test Farm, Laurel Springs, and requested Budget Bureau to approve trans-fer of funds for this purpose. Considered proposal to renew lease from Johnston County Commissioners for marketing facilities near Smithfield. Authorized Commissioner to investigate and act as he sees fit with reference to renewal. 26 N. C. Department of Agriculture Secy. & Treas. Japanese Beetle Quarantine Vesicular Exanthema March 11, 1953 Raleigh State Fair Audit State Fair, Appointment of Manager State Fair Promotion Director Insecticides in Fertilizer Feed Regulations, Urea and Fibre in Dairy Feeds Test Farm Land, Mountain Test Farm Elected John A. Winfield as Secretary-Treasurer of the North Carolina Markets Authority. Amended regulated areas under Japanese Beetle Quaran-tine— adding three counties and one township in another county. Heard report from Dr. H. J. Rollins, State Veterinarian, on measures taken to prevent entrance into North Caro-lina of infectious swine virus, vesicular exanthema. Present: Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, R. V. Knight, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. State Auditor's report on State Fair for calendar year 1952 presented by Dr. J. S. Dorton, Fair Manager, and accepted by the Board with commendation for the man-ager and his staff. Rehired Dr. Dorton as State Fair Manager for another year. Passed motion requesting Personnel Department to class-ify position and set salary for John W. Fox, promotion director. Heard recommendations from Experiment Station to add certain insecticides to those already permitted under reg-ulations for admixture with fertilizer. Agreed to call pub-lic hearing on this matter at next meeting. On recommendation of Experiment Station, Department of Animal Husbandry, amended regulation to restrict urea in feeds to two per cent of the total mixture. Deferred action on Experiment Station recommendation to change maximum fibre content of dairy feeds from 15 to 13 per cent. Postponed action on request from Henry Miller to buy strip of land from Mountain Test Farm (3/10 acre). Test Farm Relocation of Piedmont Station Approved purchase of three adjoining farms in Rowan County (approximately 1,000 acres) for relocation of Piedmont Test Farm. Requested Council of State to pro-vide funds and permit reimbursement from sale of farm at Statesville. Apr. 27, 1953 Raleigh Dairy Regulations Definition of Cream Milk solids not fat Labeling of Buttermilk Address on label of milk containers Diabetic Ice Cream Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, R. V. Knight, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Held hearings on proposed changes in dairy regulations (Chapter IV of Regulations.) Definition of (1) single cream, (2) double, or whipping cream, and (3) half and half. (Adopted as proposed.) Deleted definition of whipping cream from Chapter IX. Changed minimum per cent of milk-solids-not fat, from 8.50 to 8.25, wherever it appears in definitions. Heard proposal to permit Grade A labeling of buttermilk made from powdered milk, if powder is known to be made from Grade A milk for pasteurization. Voted against proposal. Amended regulation to require address of plant where contents pasteurized on all milk bottles. Adopted regulations for special dietetic ice cream to be sold as "diabetic ice cream," effective through October 31, 1953. Report for 1952-54 — Administration 27 Tobacco Weight Tolerances State Fair Regulations Mortars Urea in Feeds Loans From Warehouse Fund Interest Rate on Warehouse Loans Milling Grade of Corn June 22, 1953 Raleigh Fertilizer Regulations Fertilizer Grade List; High- Analysis Grades Insecticides in Fertilizer Grade Tonnage Reports Bread Standards Crop-Dusting Peanut Referendum Test Farm Land, Statesville Camellia Flower Blight Sept. H, 1953 Raleigh Labeling of Buttermilk Held hearing and amended regulations reducing tobacco weight tolerances allowable for variation due to changes in atmospheric conditions. Adopted regulations and rental schedules for operation of State Fair Arena. Approved transfer of mortars at front corners of Agricul-ture Building to Division of State Parks for removal to Fort Macon. Rescinded change in regulation regarding maximum urea in dairy feed, adopted at meeting on March 11, 1953. Approved loans of $33,000 to W. S. and W. G. Dean, Roanoke Rapids; $50,000 to Lincoln Bonded Warehouse, Lincolnton, and $25,000 to House Milling Co., Newton Grove. Voted to raise interest rate on warehouse loans from 4 per cent to 5 per cent. Considered telegraphic request from Western Corn Mil-ler's Association that Board established grade standards for a milling grade of corn. Deferred action until Department specialists could confer with USDA officials to see if grade and methods of checking could be established. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow, George P. Kittrell. Held hearings on changes in fertilizer regulations. Adopted official fertilizer grade list for 1953-54, includ-ing for the first time several grades of higher analysis. Added aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and toxaphene to list of insecticides permitted to be mixed with fertilizer under certain conditions. Adopted regulation requiring manufacturers to report shipments of fertilizer in or into the State by grades for each destination. Adopted new regulations pertaining to definition and standards for bread. Held hearing and adopted regulations governing aerial application of pesticides, under new law enacted by the 1953 General Assembly. Certified North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, Inc., as agency authorized to hold a referendum among peanut growers on the question of levying an assessment for pea-nut marketing promotion, and approved holding such referendum on August 29, 1953. Approved granting highway right-of-way through Pied-mont Test Farm, involving 15 acres at $250 per acre. Added area in Wilson County to Quarantine ai'eas in North Carolina. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Wins-low. Heard request from George Coble and others for permis-sion to use the word "churned" on cultured buttermilk, or definition for churned buttermilk to apply when cul-tured milk has butter added and undergoes high-speed agitation. Authorized appointment of a committee to draw up a proposed definition of "churned buttermilk" for dis-cussion at a later meeting. 28 N. C. Department of Agriculture Appointment of Division Head Seed Regulations Test Farm Land, Oxford Test Farm Land, New Piedmont Station, Rowan County Loan From Warehouse Fund Tobacco Curer Inspection Fees Oct. 19, 1953 Raleigh Liquid Fertilizer Warehouse Loan Application Feb. 2, 195i Raleigh Warehouse Loan Applications Concrete Block Regulations Employee Drivers Liability Buttermilk, Definition Approved appointment of Henry L. Rasor as head of Statistics Division, replacing Frank Parker, retired. Held scheduled public hearing on proposed amendments to seed regulations. Amended lists of restricted and pro-hibited noxious weeds and clarified certain administrative provisions. Approved exchange of 18.84 acres from Tobacco Test Farm for a like amount of land offered by City of Oxford. Test farm land needed by city to enlarge its reservoir. Heard report from Director of Test Farms Division that purchase completed and deeds delivered on three tracts of land in Rowan County for new Piedmont Test Farm. Approved loan from Warehouse Fund of $35,000 to Con-way Bonded Warehouse, Inc., to be used in construction of new warehouse for storage of cotton and peanuts. Amended regulations to set fee of 50 cents for tags to be attached to tobacco curer assemblies, in line with provi-sions of law enacted by the 1953 Legislature. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Held hearing and adopted regulations governing the handling and sale of liquid fertilizers. Received application for loan of $42,500 from Mount Olive Grain Co., R. B. Williams, President. Asked Warehouse Superintendent to obtain additional information. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, George P. Kittrell, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Wins-low. Gave further consideration to application for loan from Mount Olive Grain Co. Authorized appointment of a com-mittee of specialists to work with applicant in preparing working schedule and financial plan to ensure a profitable operation, and to make recommendations to the Board. Received application from Gurley Milling Co., of Selma, N. C, Inc., for loan of $150,000 from Warehouse Fund to construct a grain elevator at Selma. Authorized same com-mittee of specialists to work with applicant in the same way as above, and make recommendations to the Board. Approved increasing loan to Conway Bonded Warehouse from $35,000 to $45,000, because building costs were high-er than anticipated. Heard resolution of North Carolina Concrete Masonry Association, presented by secretary-treasurer, requesting Board to amend regulations to require registration by manufacturers of concrete masonry units, regular inspec-tion of plants, and publication of inspection results. Post-poned action until public hearing could be held. Adopted resolution requesting Governor and Council of State to make provisions for insurance coverage of De-partment employees when driving State-owned cars, as required under the Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act of 1953. Received proposed new definition of churned cultured buttermilk prepared by committee authorized on Septem-ber 14, 1953. Took no action. Report for 1952-54 — Administration 29 Buttermilk Label-ing, "Churned" Called Mis-branding April 7, 195i Raleigh Coastal Plain Test Farm Power Line Conveyed to C. P. & L. State Fair Audit State Fair Manager Appointed "Nickels For Know-How" Referendum "Nickels For Know-How' Report Loans From Warehouse Fund Concrete Masonry Units Admission of Brucellosis Vaccinates to Fairs and Live-stock Shows White-Fringed Beetle Quarantine Test Farm Land for Tobacco Research Went on record as being of the opinion that cartons con-taining cultured milk products and labeled "churned but-termilk" are misbranded under North Carolina dairy laws and regulations. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle. Approved conveying electric light lines and poles at Coastal Plain Test Farm, Willard, to Carolina Power and Light Co., for cash and other considerations. Received from State Fair Manager report on the audit of the North Carolina State Fair for the period January 1, 1953, to December 31, 1953, prepared by Department of State Auditor. Accepted and approved the audit report and adopted motion expressing gratitude and commenda-tion to Fair Manager for his fine work. Reappointed Dr. J. S. Dorton as manager of North Caro-lina State Fair for the ensuing year. Received petitions from North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., North Carolina Farm Bureau and North Carolina State Grange for authorization to hold a "Nickels for Know-How" referendum in 1954. Authorized referen-dum as requested. Heard report from L. L. Ray, Director of Foundation at North Carolina State College, on projects financed by "Nickels for Know-How." Approved loan of $4,000 to Wall Warehouse and Storage Co., of Wadesboro, for construction of facilities to store lespedeza seed and grain. Heard report on committee authorized February 2, 1954, to work with Mt. Olive Grain Co., Inc., and Gurley Mill-ing Co., of Selma, N. C, Inc. Committee recommended loan of $55,740 to Mount Olive Grain Co., for construction of facility with 107,000 bushels capacity, and this loan was approved by the Board. Committee recommended that loan to Gurley be limited to $135,000 maximum, because total of only $250,000 now available for lending from Warehouse Fund. Board with-held approval of loan because Gui'ley concern had not ob-tained finances for its half of construction costs. Board also agreed that not more than $100,000 should be put into any one loan. Adopted amendment to strengthen regulations governing registration, inspection and load-bearing strength of con-crete masonry units, as requested on February 2, 1954 by North Carolina Concrete Masonry Association. Heard requests from manager of Winston-Salem Fair that calfhood vaccinated animals showing a titer up to 18 months of age be allowed entry at livestock shows and fairs if they come from certified Bangs' free herds. Post-poned action pending hearing. Amended areas of quarantine for White-Fringed Beetle. Discussed advisability of buying land for tobacco research in areas where land is now rented for this purpose. Re-quested Department of Agriculture and Experiment Sta-tion personnel to confer and make recommendations. 30 N. C. Department of Agriculture May J,, 195A Raleigh Peanut Test Farm; Ease-ment for Power Line Test Farm Visit-ing Committee Brucellosis Vaccinates, Admission to Fairs May 26, 1954 Raleigh Seed Regular tions. Noxious Weeds Fertilizer Grade List Coastal Plain Test Farm Power Line Statesville Test Farm June 23, 195J, Raleigh Bulk Milk Dispensers Statesville Test Farm, Offer for Tract of Land Swine Diagnostic Laboratory Dairy Regulations, Babcock Test- Present: Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow. Approved granting easement to Roanoke Electric Service Corporation granting right-of-w^ay through Peanut Test Farm for poles and lines to provide povrer for the farm. Authorized committee from Board to visit test farms to study their appropriation needs for the next biennium. Held hearing on proposal of Winston-Salem Fair Manager presented at April 7 meeting. Agreed to make no change in the regulations. Present: Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Added wild mustard to list of restricted noxious weeds, limited to 500 seeds per pound of weed seed. Adopted official fertilizer grade list for year beginning July 1, 1954. Approved conveying additional power lines at Coastal Plains Test Farm to Carolina Power and Light Co. Authorized committee from Board to act for the Board in conducting preliminary negotiations for sale of land from the Statesville Test Farm, and to make recommendations on over-all policies to be followed in selling this farm. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Held public hearing on proposal to amend regulations to allows sale of milk from refrigerated bulk dispensers in public eating places. Authorized committee representing various interested agencies to draft proposed regulations permitting dispensers under safeguards as to sanitation, trade practices, size of servings, and effective date. Heard report of Statesville Test Farm committee on offer of firm to buy tract of land from Statesville Test Farm to erect factory which will ultimately employ 600 people. Representative of Department of Conservation and De-velopment expressed interest in bringing this business to North Carolina. Board authorized committee to proceed with negotiations. Mr. Kittrell reported interest of Eastern North Caro-lina swine producers in having a diagnostic laboratory in that area. Authorized a committee to investigate the feasibility of establishing such a laboratory and make rec-ommendations. Approved amendment to Dairy regulations to describe in detail procedures for testing milk and cream by the Bab-cock method. ACCOUNTS A. R. POWLEDGE Chief Auditor The financial report of the Department and the various divisions is as follows : DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Code 1101 Statement of Disbursements July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 A. R. POWLEDGE Summary by Purposes 1953-54 I. Administration $ 39,247.01 Accounting Office 28,468.42 Publicity & Publications 33,558.22 II. Inspection 50,943.21 III. Markets 289,296.09 IV. Credit Union 22,017.79 V. Dairy 53,580.42 VI. Entomology 50,079.17 VII. Seed Laboratory 66,294.02 VIII. Analytical 195,848.98 IX. Crop Statistics 139,488.57 X. Soil Testing 82,810.19 XL Blister Rust Control XII. Veterinary 224,812.62 XIII. Test Farms 452,076.03 XV. Weights & Measures 88,494.75 XVI. State Museum 29,101.67 XVII. Hog Cholera Work 14,692.34 XVIII. Custodial 13,326.00 XIX. Miscellaneous 97,821.74 XX. Rabies XXL Japanese Beetle Control 2,133.50 XXII. White Fringed Beetle Control 9,435.21 XXIII. Indemnity Diseased Slaughtered Livestock 13,641.22 XXV. Vesicular Exanthema 33,648.91 Total Expenditures $2,030,816.08 Summary By Objects 1953-54 11. Salaries & Wages $1,288,698.06 12. Supplies & Materials 118,042.93 13. Postage, Tel., & Tel., Express 28,359.20 14. Travel Expense 191,898.98 15. Printing & Binding 26,823.56 16. Motor Vehicle Operations 13,141.91 17. Light, Power & Water 5,363.59 18. Repairs & Alterations 11,177.81 1952-53 35,949.61 20,190.60 34,166.73 77,468.81 266,564.11 21,773.19 56,375.29 42,139.67 38,061.88 194,737.19 134,621.57 71,139.33 4,698.53 208,518.30 409,558.76 81,958.20 26,893.17 13,849.83 12,956.40 90,364.02 48.51 597.95 9,321.27 16,074.27 $1,868,027.19 1952-53 $1,192,595.58 107,912.55 27,283.25 174,014.72 27,941.94 13,830.40 4,756.19 13,228.82 32 N. C. Department of Agriculture 19. General Expense 105,677.44 108,062.01 22. Insurance & Bonding 2,801.43 3,667.98 23. Equipment 105,634.24 75,120.12 32. Additions & Betterments 39,537.52 33,080.16 33. Stores for Resale 19,211.47 22,437.83 Contribution to Retirement System 74,447.94 64,095.64 Purchase of Land Total Expenditures $2,030,816.08 $1,868,027.19 Less Transfer from RMA Fund 48,990.34 44,708.22 Less Transfer from USDA Cooperative Agreement 559.24 481.39 Less Test Farm Perquisites 8,125.00 7,230.00 Pulpwood—Lewiston 4,683.74 Total $1,973,141.50 $1,810,923.84 Condition of Funds Treasurers Cash—June 30 $ 51,100.38 $ 314,009.54 Investments in Bonds and Premiums on Bonds 103,874.98 103,874.98 Total Credit Balance June 30 $ 154,975.36 $ 417,884.52 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Code 1101 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Fertilizer Tax $ 448,977.85 $ 438,821.82 Cottonseed Meal 962.50 1,475.21 Feed 259,213.33 272,387.48 Seed Licenses 27,765.00 26,568.00 Condimental Feed 4,292.00 2,660.00 Serum 13,202.21 11,673.45 Costs 15,352.42 18,969.31 Linseed Oil 610.27 837.82 Bleached Flour 8,520.00 8,363.79 Bottling Plants 1,610.00 1,680.00 Ice Cream 1,550.00 2,978.00 Insecticides 25,340.00 23,790.00 Test Farms 133,478.59 138,558.94 Bakeries 2,420.00 2,520.00 Chicken Tests 46,341.69 35,330.57 Seed Tags 21,872.15 21,838.28 Inspection Entomology 6,452.00 6,011.05 Oleomargarine 1,375.00 1,500.00 Land Plaster & Agriculture Lime 19,872.06 23,297.85 Fertilizer Registration 5,143.00 4,942.50 Miscellaneous 2,842.24 1,229.30 Feed Registration 6,851.00 6,169.00 Canned Dog Food Registration 332.01 714.00 Lime Registration 504.15 360.00 Land Plaster Registration 50.00 Livestock Marketing Permits 8,300.00 6,100.00 Dog Food Stamps 9,653.98 7,977.05 Hatchery Fees &, Supplies 4,019.00 3,827.05 Permits for Out-of-State Milk 225.00 925.00 Interest on Investments 2,500.00 2,500.00 Report for 1952-54 — Accounts 33 Anti-Freeze Permits 1,375.00 1,250.00 Credit Union Fees 14,036.89 12,515.04 Weights & Measures Fees 13,984.00 16,993.15 Garbage Permits 958.00 Babcock Testers License 251.00 Total Agricultural Receipts $1,110,232.34 $1,104,763.66 Contribution from General Fund 600,000.00 885,191.00 Total Revenue $1,710,282.84 $1,989,954.66 SHEEP DISTRIBUTION PROJECT Special Fund—Code 3 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—July 1 $ 38,291.40 $ 26,730.41 Revenue Collections 96,678.25 152,661.37 Disbursements 114,171.42 141,100.38 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 20,798.23 $ 38,291.40 DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES Code 19 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—July 1 ' $ 109,681.70 $ 108,689.72 Repayments 5,852.76 9,762.75 Disbursements 9,119.33 8,770.77 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 106,415.13 $ 109,681.70 N. C. AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND MARKETING ACT, FEDERAL FUND Special Fund—Code 51 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—July 1 $ 1,099.17 $ 3,807.39 Receipts—RMA Matching Fund 50,000.00 42,000.00 Disbursements Marketing Division Expenses in connection with RMA project—Transferred to Code 1101 48,990.34 44,708.22 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 2,108.83 $ 1,099.17 SPECIAL DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT REPORTING SYSTEM Code 56 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Receipts Cash-Bond Deposits (Reporting System) ..$ 3,500.00 $ 3,500.00 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 3,500.00 $ 3,500.00 34 N. C. Department of Agriculture GASOLINE AND OIL INSPECTION General Fund—Code 320 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Revenue Appropriation $ 323,277.00 $ 379,257.00 Disbursements 280,377.83 342,916.49 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 42,899.17 $ 36,340.51 STATE WAREHOUSE SYSTEM—SUPERVISION Special Fund—Code 1801 FINANCIAL STATEMENT July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 Credit Balance—July 1 $ 32,696.92 $ 38,985.96 Receipts Revenue Collections 31,335.95 29,881.74 Miscellaneous Collections 11,424.04 3,377.37 Expenditures 34,463.34 35,470.78 Miscellaneous Expenditures 16,010.71 4,077.37 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 24,982.86 $ 32,696.92 STATE WAREHOUSE SYSTEM—PRINCIPAL Special Fund—Code 1802 STATEMENTS OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Cash on hand—State Treas.—July 1 $ 28,420.99 $ 9,234.63 Receipts Repayment of Loans 13,635.08 19,186.36 Sale of Bonds 105,393.19 Total Availability 147,449.26 28,420.99 Disbursements Loans to Warehouses 141,000.00 Transfer of Funds 749.43 Treas. Cash—June 30 5,699.83 28,420.99 Loans to Warehouses 295,900.00 168,535.08 Invested in 21/2% Gov't. Bonds 440,000.00 550,000.00 Total Worth^une 30 $ 741,599.83 $ 746,956.07 COOPERATIVE INSPECTION SERVICE Special Fund—Code 1803 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Treas. Cash^July 1 $ 29,035.30 $ 62,361.30 U. S. Treasury Bonds—2^/2% Par Value 40,000.00 40,000.00 Premium on Bonds 1,175.00 1,175.00 Credit Balance—July 1 70,210.30 103,536.30 Receipts 291,646.35 253,781.35 Disbursements 272,389.42 287,107.35 Credit Balance-^une 30 $ 89,467.23 $ 70,210.30 Report for 1952-54 — Accounts 35 north carolina educational radio & television commission General Fund—Code 637 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS August 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation (for 1953-55 Biennium) $ 12,000.00 Disbursements 2,423.91 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 9,576.09 NORTH CAROLINA MARKETING COMMISSION General Fund—Code 642 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS March 1, 1954-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation (for 1953-55 Biennium) $ 2,550.00 Disbursements 335.38 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 2,214.62 ADVANCE FOR LAND PURCHASE General Fund—Code 3213 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS August 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation $ 115,000.00 Disbursements 109,869.49 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 5,130.51 PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS—ADDITIONS AND BETTERMENTS Code 14391 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS September 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation $ 86,500.00 Unalloted Balance 22,500.00 Allotments Made 64,000.00 Disbursements 28,589.80 Unspent Balance of Allotment $35,410.20 EMERGENCY HAY PROGRAM Code 22 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS November 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—November 1 U. S, Department Agriculture Allotment $ 135,000.00 Disbursements 94,522.20 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 40,477.80 CONTRIBUTION FROM THE GENERAL FUND General Fund—Code 3212 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Revenue Appropriation $ 889,868.00 $ 712,565.00 Expenditures Contribution to Department of Agriculture—Code 1101 $ 600,000.00 $ 712,000.00 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 289,868.00 $ 565.00 Dr. E. W. Constable DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY Dr. E. W. Constable State Chemist The Division of Chemistry is concerned in the administration of control laws deal-ing with fertilizers; liming materials and land-plaster; livestock feeds; insecticides; foods, drugs and cosmetics; linseed oils; automotive anti-freeze; and the applica-tion of pesticides by aircraft. The latter is a new law enacted by the 1953 Legis-lature and is dealt with in detail in a following section. A requirement common to each of these laws, excepting the aerial crop-dusting law, is that the products covered shall bear specific labeling that must be true, and shall be given specific guarantees that must be met. Further requirements for foods, drugs and cosmetics are that they shall be wholesome and free from adulteration or exposure to insanitation and that drugs shall carry cautions and adequate directions for use. Pesticide labeling also must give directions for use, warning against dangers, antidotes and first aid procedures. Aerial Crop-Dusting Law The North Carolina Aerial Crop-Dusting Law became effec-tive July 1, 1953. It was the legislative response to complaints and fears which arose as a result of certain careless and irre-sponsible applications of pesticides by air. Such applications per-mitted pesticides to spread beyond the areas intended to be treated, involving other crops, pastures, livestock, fish ponds, travelers on public highways, residences and settlements. At times damage to power and telephone lines and to buildings by low-fiying airplanes was ignored by operators. This type of per-formance, while limited, served to bring disrepute on the entire airplane dusting industry. The purpose of the law and regulations promulgated there-under is to provide protection to farmers and to the airplane dusting industry. "Contractors" and "applicators" (pilots) are required to procure state licenses to engage in this line of Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 37 business. To qualify for such licenses, they must show reason-able knowledge of the proper use of pesticides, the dangers in-volved and the precautions necessary in handling these materials. Applicators must also carry not less than $20,000 liability in-surance against damage by aircraft to persons or property. Licenses may be revoked for fraudlent practices, for faulty, careless or negligent application or for other failure to comply. All licenses expire on December 31 of each year. During the first six months after the law became effective (July through December, 1953) licenses were issued to 34 contractors and 64 applicators. From January 1, 1954, to the date of this report, 57 contractors and 113 applicators were licensed. Considering all circumstances, compliance and cooperation have been effective, but the fact that no funds were provided for enforcement has been a handicap. By integrating this with feed and insecticide inspection and by employing additional temporary office help, the work has been carried on. However, it is obvious that a fully effective control program cannot be accomplished, nor adequate protection afforded, under these limitations. Therefore, a request is being made in the 1955-57 budget for one additional inspector to be employed jointly in aerial crop-dusting inspection and general insecticide inspection. Commercial Fertilizers and Liming Materials Among the provisions of the fertilizer and lime laws is the requirement that official samples be collected and analyses be made to determine whether these products meet the guarantees. Analyses of fertilizers may cover only one or a number of items, namely, nitrogen, phosphate, potash, calcium, magnesium, chlo-rine, sulphur, boron, manganese and acid-forming and non-acid-forming qualities. Liming materials are limited to calcium, mag-nesium and acid neutralizing value; landplaster to calcium sul-phate. The number of samples analyzed during the biennium was 21,122 an average of 10,561 per year. With present facilities this is about the maximum volume that can be effectively handled and prepared for publication in reasonable time. Special attention is given to brands which appear to be running off-guarantee. How-ever, in order that all brands on the market may be given due 38 N. C. Department of Agriculture evaluation and credit, it is necessary that a certain balance ac-cording to distribution be maintained. Coverage for the two years was as follows : Official fertilizer samples 20,697 Unofficial fertilizers and fertilizer materials for farmers 141 Official liming material with potash, and landplaster 153 Research samples, N. C, Experiment Station 131 Total 21,122 In order that the work may be of full value, every effort is made to turn out analyses and reports as early as possible. The flow of analytical reports during the fertilizer season therefore is exceptionally heavy. It is not possible for the regular staff to keep this work current. Part-time help has been employed for several years on lapsed and transfer funds. This cannot be de- Laboratory where fertilizer is analyzed for phosphorus. This is one of several laboratories for determining the various ingredients in commercial fertilizers. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 39 Commercial stock and poultry feeds are analyzed in this section of the laboratory. pended upon, however, and a budget request is being made to provide for a part-time employee from April through Septem-ber of each year. Commercial Feeds In keeping with the provisions of the feed law and the canned dog food law, official samples for checking are collected from all parts of the state. Chemical analyses are made for protein, fat, crude fibre, ash and urea, the latter having come into promi-nence as a component of certain feeds. The individual materials of which a feed is composed is an equally important considera-tion. These are determined microscopically. Canned dog foods are also analyzed for moisture. The capacity of the present laboratory and personnel is around 2,200 samples a year. As with fertilizer, while giving special attention to brands that tend to run off-guarantee, the general plan of operation is to prorate coverage in a manner so as to give all brands due evaluation and credit. 40 N. C. Department of Agriculture Results of the work for the biennium show that standards were maintained at a normal level. Coverage for that period was as follows : Official samples 4,825 Unofficial and miscellaneous samples 471 Total 5,296 Among the needs for this work is a more comprehensive cov-erage of drugs and antibiotics contained in medicated feeds, and of mineral supplements. New space now available will provide more room for such activities. However, in view of the limited number of such analyses that can be handled by an analyst and the full load that present personnel carries, expansion in this field will be dependent on additional help. Economic Poisons A period of rapid development and expansion has character-ized the insecticide field for a number of years, due to the greatly increased demand for these products and the development of many new ones. This trend now appears to have evolved into a period of relative stability, although there still are changes and additions. The prominent period of expansion was through the years 1946-1951, during which time registrations of insecticides grew from approximately 400 to 2,000 items per year. Following that period the number of items have ranged from 2,100 to 2,300 per year. Within certain bounds these trends have been reflected in the Department's activities in insecticide control. The number of official samples collected for analysis has increased from approx-imately 300 per year in 1946 to an average of 1,500 per year at the present time. This volume filled to capacity the Depart-ment's facilities for handling these products, particularly that of the field inspection staff. The insecticide control program was effective within the limits of the provision previously made for it. However, when the in-secticide need and demand shaped into a definite pattern, and when these limits became apparent, it was obvious that the cov-erage afforded was inadequate to permit a properly propor-tioned pesticide control program. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 41 Instrument laboratory for spectro-photometric and other types of analyses of various products Two bottlenecks which obstructed adequate coverage were lack of laboratory space and shortage of field inspection person-nel. The Legislature, in recognition of these facts and of the indispensability of adequate and reliable supplies of pesticides in bringing through the crops of today, provided for adequate laboratory facilities. The need for inspection help is the remain-ing bottleneck. This has been intensified because of the necessity of adding the inspection required under the aerial crop-dusting law to the duties of the feed and insecticide inspectors. As stated in the foregoing section on the aerial crop-dusting law, one addi-tional feed and insecticide inspector is being requested. Other problems of critical nature arise from carelessness and misuse of pesticides. These stem largely from failure to read labels and heed cautions and directions. Three cases of serious injury were reported, one involving the sickness of a baby due to exposure to an insect spray and two involving the loss of an eye. An example of misuse is the application of oil-base sprays to grain as a grain fumigant. Grain so treated is unfit for any fur-ther use except perhaps as seed. Every effort is being made to safeguard the use of insecticides. 42 N. C. Department of Agriculture Linseed Oil Linseed oil is highly susceptible to hidden adulteration. The purpose of the linseed oil law is to circumvent this type of fraud. Surveys for the biennium covered 531 lots of oil. With only several exceptions, these were found in good order and unadulterated. The unsatisfactory lots were removed from sale. Thirty-eight lots which did not carry the required inspection stamps were stopped from sale until these were applied. Automotive Anti-Freezes The internal combustion anti-freeze law has continued to show the high level of effectiveness which has characterized it since its enactment in 1949. No brand of anti-freeze has been offered for registration that has been found unacceptable. No complaints of damage to automotive equipment has reached the Depart-ment, nor has any illegal brand of anti-freeze been found on sale in the state. A large measure of credit for this level of effectiveness is due to the full cooperation of dealers, the Oil Jobbers Association and to ethical manufacturers. It appears practically impossible to sell any jobber or dealer in the state a stock of anti-freeze without showing that it is under current registration. This sta-tus doubtless reflects back to the great damage and loss suffered by citizens of the state prior to the advent of the present law. Fifty-nine brands were registered for 1952-53, and 56 for 1953-54. These represent 33 manufacturers. Food and Drugs The North Carolina Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is the state's basic law for affording its citizens safe and wholesome supplies of these products. It is supplemented by specific laws dealing in fuller detail with bottling plants, bakeries, cereal products and oleomargarine. These laws require that these products shall be free of adulteration by additions, abstractions or exposure to insanitation and that they bear factual labeling which shall not be false or misleading in any particular. Primary operations in accomplishing these purposes are the inspection of processing plants, storage and sales outlets and the collection and analysis of samples. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 43 Section of laboratory where various types of foods are analyzed. This work has been seriously handicapped by limited person-nel in inspection, chemistry and office work. North Carolina's population has grown over a period of years and demands have increased while the staff has remained static or has decreased. Present coverage is entirely inadequate, and a request is being made for two additional food and drug inspectors, two food and drug chemists and one stenographer-clerk. The latter is further explained under ''Personnel". Inspection of Plants and Sales Outlets One of the best methods of avoiding trouble is to prevent it^ occurrence at likely points of origin. This is the purpose of the periodic inspections of food processing plants, storage and sales outlets. It is required that certain standards be maintained as to environment, housing, equipment, facilities, processing, sani-tation and labeling and that only sound and wholesome materials be used. Systematic inspections are made of plants, storage and outlets to see that these standards are met. If defects of a minor nature are found, they usually can be corrected by suggestion. Major defects may require stoppage of operations until correction is made, embargoing of materials not meeting requirements, or other appropriate action as circumstances dictate. Of a total of 44 N. C. Department of Agriculture 8,081 labels inspected in detail, 645 were found to be defective and correction required. With only limited exception, those who engage in food handling have a high sense of responsibility and cooperate fully. Summary of Food Plant Inspections Bakeries and Doughnut Plants 2,055 Bottling Plants 1,373 Other types of plants (processing and packag-ing meats, pickles, seafoods, flour and meal, candy, potato chips, fruits and vegetables, etc.) 2,941 Total 6,369 Plant Operations Suspended Bakeries 17 Bottling Plants 3 Others 11 Total 31 Adulteration and Misbranding of Foods There are many ways through which the public's food supply may become unwholesome, fraudulent, or dangerous to health. These include addition of poisonous or deleterious substances, decomposition, insanitation, exposure to vermin, slaughter of diseased animals, misrepresentation, abstraction of valuable constituents, addition of cheap or worthless dilutents. One of the most insidious forms of adulteration arises from spoilage which results in food poisoning. A great majority of these cases, particularly the less serious ones, do not come to the attention of the Department. Twelve cases were dealt with during the biennium, known to have affected approximately 400 people. Involved were such products as custards and pies, meat and potato salads, seafoods, sandwiches, ice cream and meats. In the more serious ones, illness affected 275 school children, 70 college students, and 17 lunchroom patrons. A number of these were hospitalized. Dried egg powder (baby food) affected an unknown number of babies. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 45 Other instances of adulteration and misbranding were dealt with. In a total of 225 actions approximately 3,000 tons of food products were removed from the market and either destroyed or diverted to uses other than for human food. A large proportion of these activities are based on analyses of official samples. The Department food inspectors collect these from all parts of the state, both for routine checking and for the evaluation of situations in which unusual issues arise. A to-tal of 1,035 samples were collected by food inspectors during the biennium. Each year a large number of unofficial samples are submitted to the Department for analysis. They represent a variety of products and interests. Effort is made to analyze as many of these as the individual situations merit and as time vdll permit. Fires, Floods and Wrecks Fires, floods, storms and wrecks often involve quantities of foods and drugs. Overzealousness in salvaging to minimize loss always involves danger to consumers. The Division is partic-ularly attentive to such situations and acts promptly. Of this category, fires constituted most of the losses and prob-lems during this biennium. These involved food and drug sup- A Greensboro food store destroyed by fire. Little can be salvaged from this type of exposure that is suitable for human consumption. 46 N. C. Department of Agriculture plies in Charlotte, Clinton, Concord, Dunn, Durham, Elizabeth City, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Tarboro, Washington and Wilmington. One of the most destructive occurred in Wilming-ton, resulting in a loss above one and one-half million pounds of sugar, only a limited part of which could be salvaged. Storms and wrecks, fortunately, caused less damage. The approximate total losses involved were 5,800,000 pounds of foods, valued at $900,000. Drugs Chemical control of drugs is designed to make available to the professions prescribing and selling them, and to consumers, a supply of reliable, honestly labeled drugs; and to afford protec-tion from charlatanism and abuses. The Department's facilities for this work are limited, but every effort is made within these limits to afford the maximum protection. The more prominent activities in this field concerned illegal sale of dangerous drugs, removal from sale of unsatisfactory or harmful drugs, and the sale of "quack" or "cure-all" remedies. Some of the more powerful drugs are unsafe for self-administra-tion. Therefore, the law restricts their sale to prescription only. The barbiturates, or "sleeping pills", are prominent among these. Others are stimulants. The demand for these drugs makes them attractive items in the illegal drug trade. Twelve such cases in as many towns or locations were investigated. In some instances purchases were attempted to procure evidence. In all cases, either the procedure of investigation or a warning resulted in the cessation of such violation. Periodically, drugs appear on the market which by some de-fect or mishap are unsatisfactory or dangerous. Prompt atten-tion is given to stopping sale and recalling these. Twenty such instances occurred during the biennium. Close cooperation with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration is maintained in this activity. The "quack" and "cure-all" remedies are always a lucrative and inviting field to charlatans. Such remedies appear periodi-cally and include such items as soap bark at seven dollars per pound to cure arthritis; a tonic to remove kidney stones, made by boiling common brown wrapping paper in water ; and the in-herited secret formula alleged to cure many ailments, including Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 47 epilepsy and cancer. One such operation was set up in a small town near Raleigh. The entire stock and promotional literature were placed under embargo. These, abandoned by the owner who left the state, were destroyed. One death from epilepsy was asso-ciated with the sale of drugs by mail. This method of selling re-mains a problem. Oleomargarine Limited inspection has been carried out under the oleomarga-rine laws. Failure to display the required sign stating that oleo-margarine is served are found and corrected without trouble. An amendment to the law in 1949, permitting the serving of the colored product in public eating places, created a tremendous inspection job; but no appropriation was made for carrying this out. It is not possible for the present limited inspection staff to do this job adequately while performing the many other duties required. Under the section of the law requiring the licensing of wholesale dealers 111 licenses were issued. Cooperation with Other Agencies In line with the policy of cooperation with other agencies, work in certain lines was carried out on a level of effectiveness not otherwise possible. These agencies were the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and the Boards of Health of the state and various cities and counties. Among the items involved were stopping illegal sale of drugs, and removal from sale of deteriorated and dangerous drugs, in-jurious baby foods, fast moving and perishable products such as watered oysters, and other items of less critical nature. One item new in this area, and of particular concern, was contamin-ation of food crops by irrigation with stream water which was polluted with raw sewage. This resulted in the destruction, by court order, of a large crop of cabbage. Stream pollution becomes a hazard to the food supply. Laboratories and Equipment Since the new annex to the Agriculture Building is completed and additional space allotted, activities now are underway for 48 N. C. Department of Agriculture expanding and renovating laboratories. This is a much needed relief to the congested and crowded conditions which developed over a period of years as a result of periodically increased load and which have been a handicap both in the chemical work and to laboratory personnel. Personnel As discussed in preceding sections of the report, some of the programs have been handicapped by lack of adequate staffs. To correct this, requests have been made for additional personnel as follows : Part time help, six months per year, for work on fertilizer records and in getting out fertilizer reports ; one in-spector for joint field inspection in aerial crop-dusting, insecti-cides and feeds; two inspectors and two chemists for food and drug work, and one secretary to relieve the heavy overload of office work. The latter arises from the new laws added—insecti-cides, anti-freeze and aerial crop-dusting, as well as others — fertilizers, feeds, food and drugs, bottling plants, bakeries, lin-seed oil, bleached flour, etc. Commendation and appreciation are due the personnel of the Division for the level and volume of work carried out during the biennium. D. R. Graham CREDIT UNION DIVISION D. R. Graham SM2)eri7ite7ide7it The North Carolina Credit Union Law was enacted by the 1915 General Assem-bly. North Carolina was the third state in the union to adopt such legislation. Be-cause its primary purpose was to provide a way for farmers to take care of short-term credit needs through their own co-operative efforts, the law designated the Department of Agriculture as the admin-istrative agency. A credit union may be organized by any group having a com-mon bond of association, occupation or residence. Capital from which loans are made is accumulated from the savings of mem-bers, and loans are made at a maximum interest rate of six per cent per annum. When the Federal Government entered the field of assisting farmers in financing their operations, interest in rural credit unions lagged; but in recent years a number of rural credit unions, mainly in eastern North Carolina, have been organ-ized and many of them are going a long way toward taking care of the short-term credit needs of the people within their field of membership. Credit Union National Association, the trade organization of credit unions, has engaged in a nation-wide advertising cam-paign during the past two years, using magazines, newspapers and radio for the purpose of acquainting people throughout the country with the advantages of credit unions. A number of credit unions have been organized in this state as a direct result of this campaign. In the meantime, we have continued our efforts to weed out those credit unions which have not operated according to law and good credit union practice. The principal reasons for these liquidations continues to be lack of interest and failure to keep proper records. These groups are in the minority, but liquida-tion procedure is so cumbersome that a considerable part of our time is required for this work. 50 N. C. Department of Agriculture The following breakdown into classification does not include credit unions which are dormant or which we have in the process of liquidation : Rural community, 48 ; urban community, 32 ; manufacturing, 36 ; public utilities, 21 ; government, state, county and municipal employees, 19 ; postal employees, 16 ; retail merchandise, 2 ; newspapers, 9 ; restaurant, 3 ; miscellaneous, 17. laneous, 17. A new field of credit union service has recently been opened. The town of Hope Mills tried repeatedly to obtain banking serv-ice without success and upon learning of the credit union plan called on this Department for assistance. We set up a credit un-ion for them and it is operating very successfully. Although under the law credit unions are restricted and are unable to per-form many of the functions of a bank, the Hope Mills credit union is going a long way toward filling that community's need for banking service. There are numerous communities in the state which are too small to justify a bank and we are confident that within the next few years we will be able to carry the credit union plan to them^ in order that they may take care of their short-term credit needs at home and at the same time give the people of the community a convenient place where small amounts of money may be saved. Active credit unions as shown by the table below have only increased by two in number during the past two years. This small increase was brought about by liquidations referred to above. Total resources and loans to members continue to increase and we have every reason to believe that within the next two years we will be able to complete liquidation of the inactive credit unions and will then be able to devote our full time to the promotion of new credit unions and the careful supervision of the credit unions now in existence. NUMBER, MEMBERSHIP AND ASSETS OF STATE-CHARTERED CREDIT UNIONS June 30, 1952 June 30, 195U Active Credit Unions 211 213 Total Members 55,081 61,463 Total Assets $11,314,522.03 $14,704,742.81 Report for 1952-54 — Credit Union 51 Credit Union loans, large and small, help industrial workers to augment their income through farming operations. Down payment for the 4i-acre farm and orchard shown in the top photo, and money to purchase cows shown in the lower picture, were provided by loans to two members of the Enka Credit Union. There ai'e also many other types of groups benefiting from Credit Unions. Communities that are too small to support a bank can partially fill their needs for banking services through such an organization. 52 N. C. Department of Agriculture NORTH CAROLINA CREDIT UNIONS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET June 30, 1954 ASSETS June 30, 1952 June 30, 1954- Cash on Hand $ 2,207,593.25 $ 2,199,213.29 Loans to Members 6,998,183.61 10,297,167.68 U. S. Government Bonds 1,944,308.35 2,049,366.10 Other Assets 164,436.82 238,995.74 Total Assets $11,314,522.03 $14,704,742.81 LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL Shares $ 8,584,978.68 $11,648,608.28 Deposits 1,050,826.11 1,261,862.47 Reserve Fund 478,763.32 681,323.95 Undivided Earnings 356,561.68 480,439.42 Other Liabilities 843,392.24 632,508.69 Total Assets $11,314,522.03 $14,704,742.81 C. W. Pegram DAIRY DIVISION C. W. Pegram Director Dairying, one of North Carolina's basic industries, continues to grow. Data from the Federal-State Crop Reporting Service indicate that milk production for the first six months of 1954 was 907 million pounds, nine percent above the same period in 1953, and the largest production of record for these months. North Caro-lina dairymen received $56,209,000 cash income from sales of milk, cream and but-ter in 1953, and gross farm income from dairy products for that year was $101,931,000. During the last three years 1,527 new producers have gone into Grade A production. On January 1, 1954, there were 411,000 milk cows on farms, an increase of more than 19 percent since 1940. Average milk production per cow is now reported at 4,490 pounds, a marked increase over the average production of 2,600 pounds for 1900. These data indicate that North Carolina dairymen are materially increasing their efficiency in breeding and herd management. It is interesting to note that North Carolina ranks 23rd in the nation with respect to cash receipts from livestock and live-stock products. This is evidence that there is room for further expansion in dairying and other livestock enterprises. Over four million people depend on the dairy industry in this state for milk and dairy products. Despite sharply increased milk production, it was necessary to bring in from outside the state 42,000,000 pounds of milk in 1952, and nearly 16,000,000 in 1953. The greatest demand for milk is during the fall months. Many dairy-men would receive larger returns if they adjusted their produc-tion to this period of peak demand. Markets for milk and dairy products are being expanded. Paper cartons, technical advances in refrigeration, good rural roads and increased population have all played their part in this expansion. Milk is now available to all communities through-out the state. 54 N. C. Department of Agriculture Problems have also grown with dairy development, and the 1953 Legislature provided for the creation of a North Carolina Milk Commission. This Commission has been active for the past year. It has held hearings, divided the state into marketing areas, and has issued orders setting minimum prices to be paid to producers. Regulations governing base production plans have been established, and trade practices in the industry have been given attention by the Commission. The Milk Commission is a separate agency from the Depart-ment of Agriculture, but close cooperation exists between them. The Board of Agriculture has given considerable time and thought to dairy problems during this biennium. After several public hearings it rendered a decision interpreting the regula-tions relating to use of the word "churned" and other words or pictures on containers of cultured buttermilk which might tend to mislead the consumer. A proposal to permit "Grade A" label-ing of recombined buttermilk and chocolate milk, under certain conditions, was also considered and denied. The Board adopted new definitions and standards for single cream, double cream and sour cream. Regulations for butterfat testing were revised. The minimum percentage of solids-not-fat of milk, buttermilk, lactic milk and reconstituted or recombined milk was changed from 8.50 to 8.25, to conform with the U. S. Public Health Milk Code. Regulations pertaining to sampling and testing milk and cream were amended by the Board of Agriculture on June 22, 1954. The changes made were in line with recommendations promulgated by The American Dairy Science Association. The new regulations spell out the necessary steps to be followed in securing representative samples and accurate testing of milk and cream by licensed testers. North Carolina is the first state to adopt the procedures proposed by this association. The Board of Agriculture has received several requests that the dairy regulations be amended to permit the sale of milk from refrigerated bulk dispensers in restaurants and other public eating places. The restaurant industry, as well as manufacturers of the dispensers, have urged this proposal. The dispensers are permitted by law and regulation in numerous other state, and this Division has made an extensive survey of the experience and regulatory measures prevailing in those states. Report for 1952-54 — Dairy 55 Recently the Board authorized the appointment of a commit-tee, representing various segments of the dairy industry and the State Department of Health, to recommend regulatory pro-visions governing the use of such dispensers. This committee's work is nearing completion and its recommendations will be presented to the Board in the near future. Bulk tank cooling of milk at the farm, with tank truck pick-up delivery to milk plants, is another innovation facing the dairy industry. It is believed that this movement will lower collection and receiving costs and improve milk quality. It also eliminates the conventional 10-gallon can. However, this system has the disadvantage of being practical only for producers who have sufficient volume to justify installa-tion of costly farm bulk tanks. Regulations designed to provide uniformity of installation and sanitary practices are in process of preparation for consideration by the Board of Agriculture. Milk dispensers and farm bulk milk cooling tanks indicate that dairying is advancing with modern technology. As new systems of milk marketing and handling are adopted, new safe-guards and control measures are necessary, which increase the responsibility and activity of this Division. Perhaps the most outstanding achievement of this Division during the biennium has been the highly successful operation of a new mobile dairy laboratory. This portable unit has made a marked contribution to the milk control program and has pro-vided full laboratory services to communities which did not have adequate laboratory facilities. In many cases it was used to augment local health-department and dairy-plant laboratories. Full cooperation was offered milksheds needing assistance. As a result, milk coming to dairy plants is of better bacteriological quality than ever before. Ice Cream North Carolinians consume around 31/3 gallons of ice cream and other frozen desserts per capita annually. Estimated pro-duction for 1953 was 13,602,000 gallons. To maintain the standards of purity and identity, the field force of this Division is constantly checking all manufacturers. There are 65 ice cream plants and 230 counter and soft ice cream operations in the state. During the 1952-54 biennium 1,795 in-spections were made and 2,408 official samples were purchased 56 N. C. Department of Agriculture and delivered to the central laboratory where full analysis is made. If a product is found deficient in composition or carries a high bacteria count, it is embargoed by a Stop-Sale order. When violations are repeated or wilful, the offending manufac-turer is prosecuted. Milk Imports Seasonal fluctuations in milk production, and requirements of military installations located in the state, make it necessary to import some Grade A fluid milk from other states. The out-of-state supplier and the receiving plant in North Carolina are both required to obtain permits from this Department. Before such permits are issued, information is secured regarding the sanitary rating of the out-of-state supplier, and sometimes it is necessary to send a representative of this Division to make a plant inspection. During 1952 it was necessary to import 42,109,000 pounds of milk, but only 15,697,000 pounds were imported in 1953. With the rapid expansion of our dairy industry sufficient milk should be available in the state throughout the year in the near future. Exterior view of the Department's mobile dairy laboratory, which was put into service in the spring of 1953. This laboratory has proved of inestimable value in the Dairy Division's inspection and testing w^ork. Ranging the state, it moves from plant to plant and supplements the work of the central laboratory in Raleigh. Report for 1952-54 — Dairy 57 mmmmmm mmmglR Interior view of the mobile dairy laboratory. Used also to augment health-department and milk-plant laboratories, this mobile unit is now filling gaps in laboratory facilities which have existed in some communities. Supervision of Babcock Testers The Babcock Test Law requires every person testing milk and cream to be licensed. The Dairy Division supervises the testing and sampling of 106 licensed testers at 106 milk and dairy pro-cessing plants. During this biennium 1,000 plant investigations were made, covering 24,198 samples. Improvements in sampling and testing are noted throughout the state. To secure accurate samples from some weigh tanks, new regulations require that mechanical agitators be installed. Much time and travel is spent on this program, and it can be positively stated that our dairymen are getting accurate butter-fat tests. Milk varies because of many factors, such as lactation period, weather and other conditions. This Division, acting in the capacity of a referee, makes for better understanding be-tween producer and distributors. 58 N. C. Department of Agriculture Inspecting, Grading and Testing Dairy Products This important program has been accelerated during the past biennium. Over 10,000 official samples of milk and other dairy products were analyzed, including producers' milk as well as finished products. Laboratory analyses covered plate count for bacteria, butterfat and solids tests, including lactometer and cryoscope determination. In cases where samples showed de-ficiencies, reports were made to producer or plant and to local health officials. Follow-up field inspection was made whenever possible. Nearly 1,800 farm inspections were made. This project was carried on in very close cooperation with local health de-partments. The mobile laboratory was of great value in this work, as it was moved from plant to plant throughout the state. To prevent fraud and deception the regulations set up specific labeling requirements. To maintain the standards of purity and identity for these products, the Division's field men are con-stantly checking manufacturing and production practices. Milk from North Carolina Farms is coming to dairy plants cleaner and of better bacteriological quality than ever before. However, there is opportunity for further iiyiprovement. Our goal is to secure the best possible milk and dairy products for all our people. STATISTICAL REPORT Plant investigations (Butterfat check testing) 1,002 Testers Licenses issued (yearly) 106 Testers Examinations 25 Butterfat check tests (Fresh daily) 22,860 Composite Samples (check tests) 1,338 Total Butterfat Tests 24,198 Official Milk and other Dairy Products analyzed 10,123 Unofficial Milk Samples 371 Official Ice Cream and Frozen Dairy Products 2,408 Unofficial Ice Cream Samples 20 Ice Cream Plant Inspections 1,739 Dairy Farm Inspections 1,795 Butter Plant Inspections 10 Cheese Plant Inspections 2 Out-of-State Milk Inspections 15 Lactometer 1,110 Court Convictions 1 Gallons, Ice Cream Embargoes 24 Gallons, Ice Cream Mix Embargoes 140 Gallons, Milk Embargoes 378 Ice Cream Plants ordered closed . 3 Milk Can Warnings issued 1,115 DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY C. H. Brannon State Entomologist The Division of Entomology is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the state plant pest and honey bee laws, rules and regulations. It also cooperates with the Federal Government in the adminis-tration of Federal plant pest quarantines which apply to North Carolina. The Division also maintains an excellent insect collection which has been developed over a period of fifty years. Detailed records are also kept in connection with the collection. The collection and records are available for consultation by any competent entomologist. C. H. Brannon Nursery Inspection Fifteen years ago there were 150 nurseries in the state. Now there are approximately 500 nurseries in North Carolina. All of these nurseries are carefully inspected each year and issued certifiicates which permit shipment of nursery stock in North Carolina and to all other states. Such permits are necessary to comply with various out-of-state regulations. Serious plant pests would be spread all over the state and the nation, if it were not for this efficient inspection service, which requires over three months of concentrated effort by four staff members. Nurseries located in quarantine areas, or which may have a serious plant pest problem, are inspected repeatedly to insure the distribution of clean stock. The nursery industry of the state has always given this Division excellent cooperation. Nursery dealers (individuals or stores) are required to obtain a state license from this Division. Dealers must file a form with this office which lists their source of supply and pledges each to obtain stock only from certified nurseries. Each unit of a chain store group must obtain a separate license. Staff in-spectors check stores to enforce this requirement. 60 N. C. Department of Agriculture White-Fringed Beetle The white-fringed beetle was first found in North Carolina in 1942. Since that time infestation has been found in the fol-lowing 24 counties, all in eastern North Carolina : Anson, Bruns-wick, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Edgecombe, Harnett, John-ston, Jones, Lenoir, Mecklenburg, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Union, Wake, Wayne and Wilson. The white-fringed beetle project is a cooperative program with the Federal Government. The Federal quarantine furnishes twelve inspectors, cars and spray equipment. These inspectors are located at Albemarle, Burgaw, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Fu-quay Springs, Goldsboro, Jacksonville and Wilmington. In addi-tion to these permanent inspectors ten or fifteen temporary inspectors are also assigned to the state during the summer season. The state furnishes some personnel, insecticides and fumi-gants. Fifty-six group meetings were held during 1953 and ex-cellent cooperation was obtained for the program. Cities, coun-ties, nurseries, commercial concerns and railroads have provided funds for treating private properties. The North Carolina High-way Commission has furnished insecticides for the treatment of their rights-of-way. The insecticides used in this work at present are Dieldrin (especially the granular form), chlordane and DDT. The use of fertilizer-insecticide mixtures has increased during the past two years. The white-fringed beetle population has been drastically re-duced due to this very effective program. Therefore, serious dam-age by this pest is not an immediate threat to North Carolina. Bladen County has been released from the quarantine because no infestation has been found there for several years. Japanese Beetle The Japanese Beetle was first found in North Carolina in 1932, and the infested area was immediately placed under state quarantine. The seriously infested area in the state was placed under Federal quarantine in 1951, and includes the following fifty counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, David- Report for 1952-54 — Entomology 61 son, Duplin, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Gates, Guilford, Greene, Hali-fax, Harnett, Henderson, Hertford, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perqui-mans, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Rowan, Sampson, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne, Wilson, Beaver Dam Township and city of Canton in Haywood County, and Blowing Rock town-ship in Watauga County. A modern North Carolina nursery sales yard. The state, in cooperation with the federal government, spent over a half-million dollars in trapping and control work before the federal quarantine was extended into the state. This ex-penditure was an excellent investment in delaying severe damage in North Carolina. However, the Japanese Beetle has now spread to all sections of the state; and it is now financially and physically impossible to continue control treatments of several years ago, except in limited and strategic areas. The cotton boll-weevil, the Mexican bean beetle and many other serious insect pests found all over the state, were for-merly under quarantine. The State and Federal governments were forced to discontinue large scale control measures, thus placing control responsibility on counties, municipalities and individuals. During the last two years limited foliage treatments have been applied around produce packing and shipping sheds in certain heavily infested areas. This treatment has also been 62 N. C. Department of Agriculture applied along highways, where the infestation is heavy, to pre-vent beetles from flying into cars and trucks. Airports in the Asheville-Hendersonville area have been treated. The Coast Guard and Navy furnished material for treating their grounds near Elizabeth City. During the past two years approximately 30,000,000 plants, with a value of over $1,000,000, were inspected and certified for movement from plant growing establishments in North Carolina. European Corn Borer The European corn borer is now found in 48 counties of the State as follows : Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Catawba, Carteret, Chowan, Clay, Cleveland, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hyde, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Martin, McDowell, Mitchell, Nash, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Washington, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey. Thirteen new counties were found infested in 1952 and sixteen newly infested counties were found in 1953. Severe damage to corn has occurred in eastern North Carolina; slight damage to potatoes has been reported. Insect Collection The Entomology Division has in its care one of the finest insect collections in the nation. It is by far the most valuable in the South. The collection has been built up over a period of sixty years, and it is supplied almost daily with additions. This in-valuable collection contains approximately 15,000 species and a total of nearly 1,000,000 insects. Now housed in the new Agriculture Building Annex, the Division has for the first time adequate and suitable space to use and care for the collection. The specimens are in the process of being transferred from old wooden boxes to the very latest Cornell-type trays, which are enclosed in moisture- and pest-proof cabinets. The trays are removable for study at tables under windows which provide northern light. The new quarters also provide space for ready access to the Division's extensive entomological library. Report for 1952-54 — Entomology 63 North Carolina's valuable insect collection is now housed in new quarters and is being transferred to modern equipment. The top photo above shows how the insect trays fit into moisture- and pest-proof cabinets. Trays are removable for study, as shown in the lower picture. Windows facing north provide the best possible light for examining specimens. 64 N. C. Department of Agriculture Insect control work depends on accurate identification of an insect pest. Records of its previous occurrence are also invalu-able. Entomologists from North Carolina and many other states freely consult the collection and records. Federal entomologists from Washington frequently have occasion to consult the collec-tion and records. An experienced and well trained staff member has charge of the collection to insure proper care and classifi-cation of specimens. Camellia Flower Blight Camellia flower blight, a serious disease of camellia flowers, was first found in Brunswick County in 1949. The disease has spread into New" Hanover, Onslow and Wilson counties. This Division carefully enforces a quarantine against infected proper-ties in an attempt to prevent further spread. If this disease were not held under strict quarantine it might soon ruin all of the vast camellia plantings in North Carolina. Bee Work North Carolina has approximately twelve queen breeders who are inspected each year, and issued a state certificate. All states require that the colonies of queen breeders be carefully inspected and keDt under strict supervision due to the danger of spreading bee diseases wherever the queens may be shipped. Beekeepers who move colonies within or outside the state must obtain a permit certifying that their colonies are free from bee diseases. The last General Assembly provided $3,000 for additional bee inspection work. Several experienced, practical bee keepers are employed during the spring and summer to aid beekeepers in cleaning up bee diseases in their colonies. This is a very valuable service and should be expanded as additional funds may be available. White-Pine Blister Rust Quarantine The last General Assembly transferred the blister rust con-trol work to the State Forester. This is in line with the policy of the federal government and many other states. This Division, however, continues its administration of the blister rust quar- Report for 1952-54 — Entomology 65 antine, which controls the movement of white-pine trees or Ribes plants into or out of the quarantine areas in western North Carolina. All such movements are closely controlled. Narcissus Bulb Inspection Narcissus bulb inspection protects the valuable planting of North Carolina bulb growers from destruction by the bulb nematode. This serious pest would have destroyed the bulb grow-ing industry long ago if it were not for the careful inspection service each spring by experienced staff inspectors. Several weeks are required to complete this work each year. In the 1953 season 91 acres on 11 properties were inspected. No nema-todes were found. During the 1954 season 102 acres on 10 properties were inspected with no infestations located. All bulbs were also given a storage inspection. Alfalfa Nematode A new and serious pest of alfalfa in North Carolina was found for the first time in 1954. One field in Granville County was found infested. Research entomologists from North Caro-lina State College are working on this problem in cooperation with our staff. No quarantine action is considered feasible at present. Ground Pearl A mealy-bug known as the ''Ground Pearl" was found infest-ing lawn grass in Wilmington in 1954. Work on the problem is proceeding in cooperation with N. C. State College research staff. No quarantine action is contemplated at this time. Imported Fire Ant The Imported Fire Ant, a foreign introduction, was first found in the vicinity of Mobile, Alabama, over twenty years ago. This ant is a vicious attacker of farm animals, birds and man. Its mounds cause vast areas to be abandoned for cultivation. This insect was found in North Carolina in 1952. Treatments have been promptly made and it is hoped that serious spread in this state may be prevented. This problem is being closely supervised. 66 N. C. Department of Agriculture Golden Nematode Federal inspectors, cooperating with this Division have found North Carolina free from this serious pest of potatoes. The Golden Nematode is a serious problem on Long Island. Every-thing possible is being done to prevent its spread to other states by cooperative inspections which are extremely tedious to carry out over a wide area. Larger Staff Needed The Division of Entomology badly needs two additional staff members, when funds are available. The duties of the Division have trebled during the last ten years and we are able to carry out only the minimum requirements of the laws and regulations pertaining to plant pests and bee diseases. We should have an inspector located at Salisbury and another at Greenville to effectively supervise our manifold activities in the Piedmont area and Eastern North Carolina. Present staff members located at Wilmington and Asheville cannot do effective work in such a large territory. Additional summer bee inspectors are also urgently needed. New Quarters The Division of Entomology is most grateful for the excellent quarters in the new Annex Building. For the first time in a half century the Division has adequate space and modern equipment. The quarters and equipment of this Division are now second to none of any similar organization in the United States. DIVISION OF MARKETS John A. Winfield Dh^ector Plagued by extended droughts and un-certain economic conditions during the 1952-54 biennium, North Carolina farmers bolstered their efforts to offset as many of their production losses as possible by marketing their commodities in an orderly and efficient manner. This is evident from the unprecendented demand for technical assistance which John A. Winfield the Division of Markets experienced dur-ing the two-year period. Never before has there been such an earnest endeavor by farmers and market facility operators alike to seek advice on marketing problems and then follow it to the best of their ability. Just as the production of agricultural products has increased in complexity, so has the marketing of these products. Time was when a farm was symbolized by a cheaply paid plowboy following a mule. Research and experience, however, have fashioned expensive and complicated farm machines which re-quire men with training and intellect for their operation. Paral-lel advances in agricultural marketing have also brought de-mands for increased knowledge. The fact remains, however, that the average farmer's opera-tions are on too small a scale to warrant giving much of his time to marketing or to performing certain important marketing ac-tivities. While this results in one of agriculture's greatest marketing problems, it is only one reason why the ultimate in efficient marketing cannot be reached at a more rapid rate. Actually, there is no one marketing problem. The farmer wants a marketing system which will give him the largest pos-sible returns for the things he can produce. The middlemen have as their main objective the largest possible total net profit for the service they render. And the consumer wants a system which will provide adequate quantities and desired qualities of foods and fiber products at the lowest possible cost. With this in mind during the 1952-54 biennium, personnel of the Division of Markets planned their work toward: (1) Im- 68 N. C. Department of Agriculture proving market methods and facilities; (2) reducing distribu-tion costs; (3) narrowing the price spread between producer and consumer. The first comprehensive efforts in the field of transporation were undertaken in July, 1953, with the employment of an ex-perienced transportation specialist. While only one year has elapsed since the inauguration of this service, thousands of dollars have already been saved for North Carolina farmers through reduced transportation rates. Because of the vastness and complexity of our agricultural marketing system, it is difficult to measure in terms of actual value the accomplishments made from year to year. It is ap-parent, however, that definite progress has been made in the marketing of many of our commodities. The fundamentals of efficient marketing are generally constant but changes in production practices or trends have a direct in-fluence on marketing programs. Although many accomplish-ments were achieved in the field of agricultural marketing dur-ing the past two years, there is, of course, a continuing need for additional efforts along these lines. Several of the state's major farm enterprises are still expanding and, with each year's growth, the demands for marketing assistance likewise increase. It is the desire of the Markets Division to continue its close working relations with other agencies and to meet these demands as quickly and as completely as possible. Following is a summary of activities for the past biennium in the various phases covered by this Division, together with some discussion of problems and plans for the future. Cotton Since 1948, when the Division initiated its cotton marketing program and technical assistance to cotton gins, the percentage of rough preparation (ginning) has declined from a prior aver-age of 17 per cent to an all-time low of .01 per cent in 1953. In addition to increasing the comparative value of the state's cotton crop, improved ginning has expanded the market outlets for North Carolina cotton and reversed the tendency of the spinning industry to avoid, or over-discount North Carolina growths. Normal and better preparation is a prerequisite to the preserva-tion of fiber spinning properties in the severe pre-ginning proc- Report for 1952-54 — Markets 69 Pneumatic equipment for handling corn meal was designed by Division specialists and is now being used in the manufacture of approximately 50 per cent of the corn meal produced in the state. essing necessitated by machine and rough hand harvesting. Con-sequently, North Carolina is now in position to make a major contribution to the solution of the belt-wide problem of fiber quality. Near the close of the 1950-52 biennium the cotton section in-stalled a fiber testing laboratory equipped for testing strength, fineness, maturity and length uniformity. Laboratory test re-sults released at 10-day intervals during the past two gin seasons from 15 selected producing and marketing points in the state have provided North Carolina with a marketing service normally confined to areas of greater production. The release and use of laboratory test data have helped develop a more effective and practical working relationship between cotton specialists and mill technicians. This cooperation is essential to any appreciable progress in cotton quality improvement. The corn mill program, begun near the close of the last biennium, was designed to assist corn millers with processing and sanitation problems. According to the state chemist and commercial laboratories. North Carolina meal is improving, both in wholesomeness and in cleanliness. At least two items of needed equipment designed by Division specialists have been well 70 N. C. Department of Agriculture received by the milling industry. One of them, a pneumatic handling system, is now used in the manufacture of approxi-mately 50 per cent of the meal produced in the state. Other requests for technical assistance have come from seed cleaning and grading plants, feed mills, oil mills, grain handlers, and manufacturing plants using pneumatic conveying equipment. Field procedures for technical assistance are practically the same for all pre-marketing processing, regardless of the com-modity, and may be defined as "on the spot" attention to specific problems. In lending technical assistance to pre-marketing processing our specialists made 1,100 visits to cotton gins, 650 to corn mills, 100 to cotton mills and cotton merchants, and 50 to oil mills, seed cleaning and treating plants, feed manufacturers and grain elevators. In addition to numerous meetings and conferences with other agricultural agencies, all proper encouragement and assistance was given to trade associations in their organized support of state agency programs. Practically all technical assistance programs offered unusual opportunities to promote better inter- and intra-interests rela-tions and mobilize industry's support and cooperation in state agency programs. The ginner trade organizations in Carolina and Virginia began as a Department project incident to tech-nical assistance to cotton gins. Approximately one-half the ginners in the state are associated in county group organizations and meet monthly, functioning largely as agricultural groups. Working with corn mills gave Division specialists an oppor-tunity to organize the Western Millers' Association and to pro-mote their cooperation with the Eastern group and the recently organized Grain Dealers' Association. The resulting improve-ment in working relationships between industries and state agencies, and the co-ordination of state agency programs, have been so effective that credit for any progress must be shared with all agencies and interests concerned. Cotton production in North Carolina, apparently, has leveled off at approximately 750,000 acres, thoroughly integrated in a well balanced and diversified agriculture. The positive attitude of the several raw cotton interests toward the future of cotton in the state is reflected in the objectives of the Cotton Promo-tion Committee and the industry-sponsored Cotton Quality Im-provement Committee. Report for 1952-54 — Markets 71 Precooling peaches before shipment brought growers several thousand dollars in extra returns. Cotton is still the main source of livelihood for many North Carolina families and it occupies an important place in our diversified agriculture. But with North Carolina's relatively small acreage as compared with many of the other states, addi-tional efforts are needed to assist farmers in overcoming certain marketing disadvantages. These will be met by continuing to improve the pre-marketing processing of cotton and by increas-ing fiber test studies in the laboratory. North Carolina's rapid development as a corn growing state is accomplished by an equally gratifying expansion of the corn marketing and processing industries. The corn milling industry, in particular, recognizes vast possibilities of expanded market-ing outlets, both within and without the state. Fruits and Vegetables One of the Market Division's objectives is to assist producers and shippers of fresh fruits and vegetables in an aggressive marketing program that will protect and expand North Caro-lina's rightful share of her logical markets. The saleable products which can be converted into cash determine the degree of ma-terial progress attained. Marketing facilities and services play 72 N. C. Department of Agriculture a most important role in securing the value of these cash sales. Information and assistance to producers, producer groups, and shippers were emphasized during the biennium. Seasonal bulletins were prepared giving information as to anticipated volume, crop conditions, harvest dates, and location of the com-modities. This information was mailed to about 2,000 buyers annually in 17 states. Division specialists were instrumental in getting one of the nation's largest pecan buyers and shellers to establish buying points and a shelling plant in the state during the last biennium. Such facilities were greatly needed to furnish a ready cash outlet for p€can growers. This firm purchased more than a million pounds of nuts of the 1953 crop. In addition, one of the east's well established processors was encouraged to establish a modern pepper canning plant at Dunn. Several thousand dollars in extra profits were realized by North Carolina peach growers, who during the past two years, installed pre-cooling units in their packing sheds to increase the shipping quality and shelf-life of their fruit. Striving for more efficient marketing through more and im-proved facilities, Division specialists assisted in the organization and initial operations of four new produce markets within the state. Other assistance was rendered by: (1) Procuring approxi-mately 12,000 bushels of the best sweet potato seed stock avail-able for North Carolina growers; (2) inspecting seed Irish po-tatoes received by producers and handlers to determine if the seed stock met the requirements of the Seed Potato Law; (3) helping peach and potato producers make plans for holding a referendum which would give producers the right to assess them-selves a specific fee to raise funds for advertising and promoting sales of their products; (4) helping apple growers in carrying out their plans for promoting a more uniform grade and pack by means of central packing houses and cold storage facilities; (5) aiding peach growers in developing and carrying out a suc-cessful advertising program through radio, television and press releases. Inspection and certification work was again a major ac-tivity of the Division specialists. Fruits, vegetables, potatoes and peanuts are largely bought and sold on the basis of official grades, without which there would be no dependable basis of Report for 1952-54 — Markets 73 useful market price information and orderly trading. The appli-cation of the grades must necessarily be by impartial and well trained personnel. During the past two years 12,635 carlots of fruits, vegetables and cleaned and shelled peanuts were officially certified at various buying stations. In addition, the following quantities of produce were inspected at auction markets : 355,435 bushels of snap beans, 122,647 crates of corn, 537,497 bushels of cucumbers, 850,421 bushels of peppers, 169,056 crates of strawberries, 35,000 bushels of squash, 1,445,939 bushels of sweet potatoes, and 25,007 containers of miscellaneous products. Receiving market inspections totaled 774 carlots for whole-salers and 13,465,134 pounds of various fruits and vegetables at or for delivery to military installations or state and federal institutions. The annual cash value of the fresh fruits and vegetables pro-duced in North Carolina ranges from about $60,000,000 to $75,000,000 depending upon production and prices received by farmers. Our continuing shift from a seller's market to a buyer's market is increasing the effects of consumer preference on commodity prices.
Object Description
Description
Title | Biennial report North Carolina Department of Agriculture |
Contributor | North Carolina. Department of Agriculture. |
Date | 1952; 1953; 1954 |
Subjects |
Agriculture--North Carolina--Periodicals Agricultural statistics Cotton--North Carolina Crops Genealogy Livestock--North Carolina Tobacco--North Carolina |
Place | North Carolina, United States |
Time Period | (1945-1989) Post War/Cold War period |
Description | Imprint varies. |
Publisher | [Raleigh, N.C. :Dept. of Agriculture,1950-1972] |
Agency-Current |
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |
Rights | State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754 |
Physical Characteristics | 12 v. :ill. ;23 cm. |
Collection | Health Sciences Library. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Type | text |
Language | English |
Format | Reports |
Digital Characteristics-A | 8013 KB; 194 p. |
Digital Collection |
Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access, a North Carolina LSTA-funded grant project North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Title Replaced By | North Carolina. Department of Agriculture..Annual report |
Title Replaces | North Carolina. Department of Agriculture..Report of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture |
Audience | All |
Pres File Name-M | pubs_edp_biennialreportagriculture19521954.pdf |
Pres Local File Path-M | \Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_edp\images_master\ |
Full Text | THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA '•*»»**•' THE COLLECTION OF NORTH CAROLINIANA PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00017479756 This BOOK may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE CENTS a d the-eafter. It is DUE on the DAY indicated below: Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/biennialrepagric19521954 BIENNIAL REPORT NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE L. Y. BALLENTINE, Commissioner RALEIGH, N. C. OUR COVER PICTURE The photo reproduced on our cover shows the front of the recently com-pleted Annex to the Agriculture Building in Raleigh. The first two floors and a mezzanine are devoted to the State Museum of Natural His-tory. The other three floors provide additional laboratory and office space to meet the growing needs of the Department of Agriculture. TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Agriculture 8 Personnel 9 Commissioner's Summary 17 Highlights of Board Meetings 25 Accounting Division 31 Chemistry Division 36 Aerial Crop Dusting Law 36 Anti-freezes 42 Commercial Feeds 39 Economic Poisons 40 Fertilizers, Fertilizer and Liming Materials 37 Foods and Drugs 42 Linseed Oils 42 Oleomargarine 47 Credit Union Division 49 Dairy Division 53 Entomology Division 59 Markets Division 67 Commodity Distribution 88 Cooperatives 90 Cotton 68 Dairy 85 Fruits and Vegetables 71 Grain 76 Livestock 79 Market News 91 Poultry and Eggs 81 Tobacco 73 Transportation 92 Museum Division 95 Publications Division 101 Seed Testing Division 106 Soil Testing Division Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS—Continued State Fair Division 119 Statistics Division . . : 125 Test Farms Division 133 Coastal Plain Test Farm, Willard 142 Mountain Test Farm, Waynesville 140 Peanut Test Farm, Lewiston 137 Piedmont Test Farm, Statesville 145 Tidewater Test Farm, Plymouth 134 Tobacco Test Farm, Oxford 149 Upper Coastal Plain Test Farm, Rocky Mount 152 Upper Mountain Test Farm, Laurel Springs 154 Veterinary Division 160 Anthrax 161 Brucellosis 161 Hog Cholera 165 Hog Diseases 168 Horses and Mules, Diseases of 169 Poultry Diseases 168 Public Livestock Auction Markets 170 Tuberculosis • • • • 162 Vesicular Exanthema 165 Warehouse Division 171 Weights and Measures Division 173 L. Y. Ballentine Commissioner of Agriculture John L. Reitzel Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE L. Y. Ballentine, Commissioner Ex-Officio Chairman Glenn G. Gilmore Julian HoYLE C. Griffin Monroe Claude T. Hall Roxboro 0. J. Holler Union Mills George P. Kittrell^ Corapeake J. Muse McCotter New Bern Charles F. Phillips Thomasviile J. H. Poole West End A, B. Slagle Franklin J. E. WiNSLOW Greenville 'Appointed by the Governor to replace R. V. Knight, Tarboro. Mr. Knight served under an interim appointment from December, 1952 to May, 1953, to fill out the unexpired term of Miss Ethel Parker, resigned. Miss Parker had served on the Board continuously since June, 1941. PERSONNEL OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE JUNE 30, 1954 L. Y. Ballentine, Commissioner Administration John L. Reitzel Assistant Commissioner Lillian R. Parker Stenographer Clerk I Phoebe D. Powers Stenographer Clerk III Doris B. Wofford Stenographer Clerk III Division of Accounts A. R. POWLEDGE Chief Auditor Dorothy A. Cash Accounting Clerk I Mary B. Crawford Accounting Clerk 1 Ella V. Dodson Accotinting Clerk II Elsie W. Jordan Accountiyig Clerk III Grace H. Malloy Accounting Clerk IV Myrna L. Nowell Accounting Clerk I Helen C. Shinn Accounting Clerk 1 Lunelle Yeargan Accounting Clerk 11 Publicity & Publications Blackburn W. Johnson Public Information Officer III M. Pauline DeCosta Information & Editorial Assistant Ermine B. Hampton Stenographer Clerk II Joseph A. Hunter Clerk 11 Bettye T. Rogers Clerk I Inspection E. H. Cooper Tax Auditor III Lindsey Ennis Feed, Fertilizer & Insecticide Inspector I Clyde A. Jackson Feed, Fertilizer & Insecticide Inspector II Harvey C. McPhail Feed, Fertilize)' & Insecticide Inspector I Markets John A. Winfield Director Agricultural Marketing Dorothy L. Bailey Stenographer Clerk II Jo Ann C. Bell Stenographer Clerk II Wilbur S. Brannan Marketing Specialist 11 Gilbert Clark Marketing Specialist 111 Grady Cooper, Jr Marketing Specialist 111 J. B. COTNER Marketing Specialist III John H. Cyrus Marketing Specialist II Jay p. Davis Marketing Specialist IV Louise T. Dunn Stenographer Clerk III Ollie W. Faison Marketing Specialist IV Jesse R. Ferrell Marketing Specialist 11 Jean L Ford Stenographer Clerk II Cleo M. Gault Laboratory Technician I 10 N. C. Department of Agriculture Gladys J. Gooch Stenographer Clerk II Joe B. Gourlay Marketing Specialist III Thomas E. Green, Sr Marketing Specialist II John W. Hamby, Jr Marketing Specialist II Wendell P. Hedrick Marketing Specialist IV Vernon W. Hill Marketing Specialist III Ruby M. Hinson Stenographer Clerk III Leon Holland Marketing Specialist I Julius P. Jenrette Marketing Specialist III Albert B. Johnson Marketing Specialist II Fred P. Johnson Marketing Specialist IV Betty Lou Jones Stenographer Clerk II Ralph B. Kelly Marketing Specialist IV Ethel Y. Kiker Marketing Specialist II Hazel M. Maddrey Accounting Clerk I Pauline M. Maney Typist Clerk I Hugh B. Martin Marketing Specialist III Candler C. Miller Marketing Specialist III HoBART W. Myrick Marketing Specialist III Mary L. Norman Stenographer Clerk II Mary M. Patrick Stenographer Clerk III H. D. Quessenberry Marketing Specialist IV Evelyn R. Ramey Stenographer Clerk II Mildred S. Rawls Laboratory Technician I Dorothy Y. Reaves Stenographer Clerk III B. S. Rich Marketing Specialist IV Carson W. Sheffield , Marketing Specialist IV Horace A. Smith Marketing Specialist I Anne B. Stoddart Accounting Clerk I Curtis F. Tarleton Marketing Specialist IV Carl H. Tower Marketing Specialist III George H. Turner, Jr Marketing Specialist II Dew^ey C. Wayne Marketing Specialist IV James A. Williams Marketing Specialist I Earl M. Yandle, Jr Marketing Specialist I Credit Union D. R. Graham Credit Union Administrator A. S. Bynum Fiscal Examiner II Myrtice B. Wilder Stenographer Clerk II Howard L. Pijahn Fiscal Examiner II Dairy C. W. Pegram Director of Dairy Service Lafayette H. Boykin, Jr Dairy Specialist II Elmo H. Hollomon Dairy Specialist II Paul R. Jordan, Jr Bacteriologist W. L. McLeod Dairy Specialist II Robert L. Merritt Laboratory Assistant Francis Patterson Dairy Specialist II Mary M. Weathers Stenographer Clerk II Giles M. Williams Dairy Specialist II Mary Sue P. Williams Laboratory Technician II Entomology C. H. Brannon State Entomologist James F. Greene Entomologist I J. A. Harris Entomologist II Ellison C. Nelson, Jr Entomologist I Pauline P. Newsom Stenographer Clerk II D. L. Wray Entomologist II Report for 1952-54 — Personnel 11 Seed Laboratory WiLLARD H. Darst Director of Seed Testing Magdalene G. Brummitt Seed Analyst III Walter E. Burgiss Seed Specialist Mahlon B. Dickens Seed Specialist Stella W. Etheredge Seed Analyst II Joan M. Godwin Stenographer Clerk I Frances Hippert Seed Analyst II Bettie B. Hutchinson Seed Analyst I Murphy G. McKenzie, Jr _ Seed Specialist Kenneth M. Mintz ' Seed Specialist Evelyn J. B. Murdoch Seed A7ialyst I EVALDS Smits Seed Analyst II Joe N. Tate, Jr Seed Specialist Mildred W. Thomas Seed Analyst II Analytical E. W. Constable State Chemist L. V. Amburgey Microanalyst Henry W. Barnes, Jr Chemist II Elizabeth F. Bartholomew Chemist I Samuel C. Boyd Lahorator-y Assistant Z. B. Bradford Chemist III BuRNEY A. Britt Chemist II David E. Buffaloe Chemist III Margaret B. Carter Chemist II James A. Chapman Laboratory Assistant Dorothy M. Davis Stenographer Clerk II J. Whitt Davis Feed, Fertilizer & Insecticide Inspector I John J. Filicky Chemist II Evelyn A. Freeman Stenographer Clerk I Charles H. Godwin, Jr Food, Drug & Cosmetic Inspector Heber B. Hatch Typist Clerk III Samuel H. Hinton Laboratory Assistant Eugene T. Hord, Jr Chemist II Velva E. Hudson Typist Clerk III Jesse G. Jernigan Chemist II Delwin P. Johnson Chemist II H. D. Matheson Chemist II W. P. Matthews Chemist III Harry A. Miller Assistant State Chemist William A. Morgan Laboratory Assistant L. M. Nixon Chemist IV Fred P. Nooe Food, Drug & Cosmetic Inspector H. F. Pickering Chemist III J. S. PiTTARD Chemist III Elizabeth L. Powell Stenographer Clerk II L. B. Rhodes Food Chemist Bob S. Roberson Chemist I Clyde W. Robesits Food, Drug & Cosmetic Inspector William Sylver, Jr Laboratory Assistant Robert T. Teague, Jr Chemist II Muriel M. Weathers Chemist I Vernon A. Williams Laboratory Assistant Hazel L. Willis Stenographer Clerk III Crop Statistics John T. Richardson Administrative Officer Raymond R. Alford, Jr Duplicating Machine Operator I 12 N. C. Department of Agriculture Frances D. Chandler Research Assistant Sarah F. Drake Research Assistant Martha F. Early Research Assistant Jean D. Frazier Research Assistant William C. Hinson, Jr Junior Statistician Sallie H. Jordan Research Assistant Pearl K. Joyner Vari-Type Operator II William E. Kibler Analytical Statistician GS7 Helen E. Kornegay Research Assistant Roland C. Mullen Duplicating Machine Operator II Janie H. Murph Research Assistant Francis M. Nine, Jr Duplicating Machine Operator II Olaf Wakefield Senior Statistician Rosa M. Wrede Research Assistant Soil Testing James W. Fitts Director of Soil Testing Joanne S. Boerner Stenographer III Mildred S. Combs Typist Clerk I Winifred H. Cranor Chemist I Vera A. Culler Chemist I Joseph E. Douglas Laboratory Assistayit Lucy D. Elmore Chemist II Yvonne M. Finch Typist Clerk I Ruth S. Gardner Chemist I Arthur Giles Laboratory Assistant Estelle a. Grant Stenographer Clerk II Nancy Ann House Stenographer Clerk I Mary W. Mathers Chemist I Gerald D. McCart Agronomist I Adolf Mehlich Assistant Director Margaret E. Stancil Typist Clerk II Alice L. Wall Typist Clerk I Charles D. Welch Agronomist II Veterinary Hal Judd Rollins State VeteHnarian Josephine A. Allen Stenographer Clerk III William A. Andrew Poultry Specialist I John D. Baker Veterinarian II W. R. Baynes Veterinarian III Samuel 0. Benson Veterinarian II G. I. Bullock Poultry Specialist II Julius B. Cashion Poultry Specialist 1 Jesse J. Causby Poultry Specialist II Kenneth G. Church Poultry Specialist I James H. Clegg Poultry Specialist I William W. Clements Veterinarian II Henry B. Collins Livestock Inspector Donald E. Cooperrider Veterinarian IV Eugene C. Couch Poultry Specialist I W. J. Elkins Poultry Specialist I L. J. FOURIE Poultry Specialist III James A. Frazier Poultry Specialist I George D. Fuller Livestock Inspector L. M. Greene Vetei'inarian III Frank S. Hall Clerk I Frank Howard, Jr Laboratory Assistant G. W. IVEY Poultry Specialist II R. Russell Jeter Veterinarian II Report for 1952-54 — Personnel 13 Annie L. Justice Laboratory Technician I James D. Kelly Poultry Specialist 1 Fred D. Long Poultry Specialist I N. P. McDuFFiE Poultry Specialist J Sue F. Morgan Stenographer Clerk II Peter S. Penland Poultry Specialist I Betsy P. Penny Stenographer Clerk II YerIjIN E. Reese Poultry Specialist I James U. Richardson Laboratory Assistant Phil R. Sandige Poultry Specialist I Arthur L. Shealey Veterinarian II Barbara H. Weiler Laboratory Technician II Thomas L. Wellborn Poultry Specialist I John Williams, Jr Laboratory Assistant John R. Woody Poultry Specialist I Auburn L. Wright Poultry Specialist I Test Farms Cecil D. Thomas Director Test Farms Thomas E. Nichols, Jr Administrative Assistant Nancy C. Watlington Stenographer Clerk II Elwood a. Allen Senior Herdsman Herbert W. Allen Farm Foreman II Lillian A. Bishop Stenographer Clerk I Fenner B. Harris Herdsman Tidewater Test Farm J. L. Rea, Jr Test Farm Superintendent Clifton M. Blackwell Farm Foreman II J. M. Carr Test Farm. Superiyitendent Joyce H. Dixon Stenographer Clerk I Elizabeth Floyd Stenographer Clerk II Chester Kearney Feed and Farm Laborer Warren H. Bailey Test Farm Superintendent Hannah B. Goff Stenographer Clerk I Melvin R. Thomas Farm Foreman II Randolph Whitley Herdsman Joseph L. Boone Poultryman Rufus Curtis Dairyman James R. Edwards Dairy Research Supervisor Bernice H. Harrell Stenographer Clerk II Garfield Harris Farm Foretnan II William C. Holder Dairyman Murray R. Whisenhunt Test Farm Superintendent Gordon D. Sheets Farm Foreman II Anna Lee Shepherd Stenographer Clerk I Dan Lafayette Taylor Herdsman Dana F. Tugman Test Farm Sriperintendent Ernest W. English Poultryman Jacob B. Matthews Dairyman Thilbert a. Suggs Farryi Foreman II Jesse W. Sumner Test Farm Superintendent B. L. Williams Steywgrapher Clerk II Vester N. Baird Farm Foreman II J. W. Hendricks Test Farm Superintendent Rose B. Ingram Stenographer Clerk II Dwight C. Austin Farm Foreman II Clyde Z. McSwain, Jr Test Farm Superintendent Betsey M. Thompson Typist Clerk I Weights & Measures C. D. Baucom Superintendent Weights & Measures Director Gasoline & Oil Mary A. Britt Stenographer Clerk II 14 N. C. Department of Agriculture: Latta W. Cook Liquid Fertilizer Specialist Joseph P. Crawford Weights & Measures Inspector Charles E. Dolan Heavy Duty Scale Inspector Arnold B. Goetze Weights & Measures Inspector Dorothy Goodson Stenographer Clerk II Marion L. Kinlaw, Jr Weights & Measures Inspector Grover R. Kiser Weights & Measures Inspector T. Wavely Lucas Truck Driver EUFUS A. Malloy Weights & Measures Inspector John L Moore Weights & Measures Inspector Supervisor William Shook Heavy Duty Scale Inspector James M. Vestal, Jr Weights & Measures Inspector James E. Williams Truck Driver S. M. WoOLFOLK Weights & Measures Inspector State Museum H. T. Davis Museum Director LuDiE V. Ashe Maid Clare S. Johnson Clerk I Julian W. Johnson Museum Exhibits Designer Mary Knight Stenographer Clerk II F. B. Meacham Zoologist Owen Woods Janitor-Messenger Hog Cholera Work Charles R. Border Veterinarian III Ralph Hamilton Veterinarian I Custodial Robert Harris Stock Clerk I Worth Jeffries Stock Clerk I State Warehouse System A. B. Fairley Warehouse System Superintendent Elouise S. Byrd Stenographer Clerk II Hazel K. Cobb Clerk II Wayne B. Ferrell Warehouse Examiner Hallie K. Morrow Stenographer Clerk II Gasoline & Oil Inspection T. W. Anderson . Gasoline & Oil Inspector Gilbert L. Arthur Chemist I Carey M, Ashley Chemist I Milton Barefoot Gasoline & Oil Inspector Boyd Lee Barnette Chemist I I. L. Blaylock Gasoline & Oil Inspector Malver L. Boyette Gasoline & Oil Inspector Kathleen C. Brafford Chemist I Kenneth E. Brown Calibrator John A. Bynum Gasoline & Oil Inspector William L. Carpenter Chemist II Jack C. Connolly, II Chemist I William T. Crawford Gasoline & Oil Inspector Joseph Denton Gasoline & Oil Inspector Lemuel S. Dowdy Calibrator Otto Duncan Gasoline & Oil Inspector Report for 1952-54 — Personnel 15 Paul H. Etheridge Chemist I J. A. Galloway Gasoline & Oil Inspector Joseph E. Gillespie Chemist I Elliot Harrison Laboratory Assistant H. H. Hatcher Gasoline & Oil Inspector Hugh F. Hayes Chemist II Horace E. Herman Calibrator Ira G. Holloway Gasoline & Oil Inspector Alton E. Hoyle Gasoline & Oil Inspector Edwin H. Hutchins Chemist I Herman L. Jones Gasoline & Oil Inspector Robert H. McArver Gasoline & Oil Inspector Archie D. McGirt, Jr Chemist I Roy a. McKeithan Calibrator Virginia B. Moore Stenographer Clerk II Francis W. Oakes Gasoline & Oil Inspector W. T. O'Briant Gasoline & Oil Inspector Douglas M. Pait Gasoline & Oil Inspector Nellie A. Parrish Stenographer Clerk I Harvey R. Pearman, Jr Chemist II William H. Perry Calibrator Parley B. Rasmussen, Jr Chemist II James R. Rivers Gasoline & Oil Inspector David J. Secor Chemical Engineer H. L. Shankle Chemist IV J. T. Shaw Chemist II Harry W. Shelton Chemist I Ray D. Sigmon Gasoline & Oil Inspector KOY S. Smith Gasoline & Oil Inspector Nora Newton Stell Stenographer Clerk I Nina G. Sumner Chemist I Ralph G. Thornburg Chemist II Thomas G. Trogdon Chemist II Leon E. Van Brunt Calibrator 4) 0) -1-3 c s q; 01 _S bD ft '+J c -^-c cS 1^ c 'PQ:5 ;_, bjo cS 3 c -u '¥ o o ^ "T"* ^ g ao <^ ? T3 0) CO -t-3 OJ J5 o -C > -1-3 <1> o Eh 0) ^ 03 o (—< J=i o C oi _2 'S a> w c XI ^ a> s 03 o S c-s ^ as cc OJ T-H ^ lO x: OJ lO C Oi cS "j3 T-H aT r— 0) :-4 ^ ^ cS .;::.o o /^ m -i-j 5 0) ft (U QJ -t-J -C -u -l-J .o OJ t: c bjc 3 •r] ,£5 ^ +3 jn -rs +3 M b« f^ oT -M ^ -1-3 -M 03 ft s "^ 0) •J Q _c 7^ M '-^ OJ Tfi M cr. j:: M 0) <: -t-3 (U C vh 0) to 3 -Q . >. '— * 3 13 H 3 Q cS CQ ^ =M ij m -i-j -t-3 _ =M j3 3 -M M «w 0) -|J ?-4 c -1-3 a> 03 _aj > 0) > 3 at a" c ojO QJ a> BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE By L. Y. Ballentine Commissioner of Agriculture Two age-old recurring farm problems—drought and economic uncertainty—have occupied the foreground of the agricultural picture during the period covered by this report. Generally dry weather has, in fact, prevailed during the past four growing seasons, but in the last two years drought has reached disaster proportions in some areas of the state. Economic recession caught the farmer in a cost-price squeeze. While his production costs continued at a high level, the prices he received for many of his products declined. Adding to his uncertainty for the future has been the enactment of federal legislation to substitute flexible price supports for the rigid, 90-percent-of-parity on most controlled crops. The State Department of Agriculture has taken what steps it could to mitigate these and other special problems. Its part in the emergency drought-relief program is reported elsewhere in this section. It has vigorously opposed flexible price supports at every opportunity. It will continue to voice its opposition to this measure and to any other proposals for undermining the program which has given some stability to our agricultural economy. In times like these the Department's normal, everyday func-tions take on added importance. With production costs cutting more and more into farm income, enforcement of laws and regulations having to do with full measure, minimum standards of quality and true labeling means proportionately more to the farmer. The Department's free soil-testing service makes his fertilizer dollar go farther and increases his crop yields. Its farm market-ing program helps him to get the best possible price for his products. Its test farms in various sections of the state provide facilities for research applicable to farming in the area where each is located; and serve to demonstrate good farm manage-ment and cultural techniques for the local farmers. 18 N. C. Department of Agriculture These are but a few examples. More detailed discussion of these and other functions of the Department will be found in reports of the various divisions, each of which is assigned a chapter in this book. Building For Service New facilities constructed during this biennium mark a great forward step for the Department, and will add immeasurably to the effectiveness of its work. Through the years there has been a steady increase in the Department's responsibilities and activities. Yet in more than a quarter of a century very little was added in the way of office and laboratory space. This resulted in more and more crowding of personnel and equipment into quarters which became increas-ingly inadequate for operation at maximum efficiency. A five-story Annex to the Agriculture Building was completed late in this biennium. As this report is written, moving into the new quarters is well under way; and offices vacated are being renovated or remodeled for expansion of those divisions remain-ing in the old main building. Also completed late in this biennium were the combination cal-ibrating station and gasoline-and-oil laboratory for the work of the Weights and Measures Division; and a large-animal diag-nostic laboratory for use by the Veterinary Division. Both of these buildings are located on Western Boulevard in Raleigh. New buildings and improvements at the fairgrounds not only enhance the effectiveness of the State Fair as an annual event, but provide long-needed facilities for agricultural and other meetings throughout the year. Laws and Regulations Laws and regulations have added some new responsibilities to the Department of Agriculture in this biennium. Many of them are discussed in reports of the individual divisions which administer them. Others, however, are mentioned here because they devolve more directly upon the office of the Commissioner. In 1953 the General Assembly enacted a law creating the North Carolina Milk Commission. This law stipulates that the Commissioner of Agriculture shall serve as an ex-ofiicio member, and instructs him to provide "as far as practical without addi-tional compensation such technical and other services as may be Report for 1952-54 — Administration 19 necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act." Members appointed by the Governor took the oath of office on August 11, 1953, and on that day the newly created Commission began its work. A report of the Commission's accomplishments has no place here. But it is pertinent for me to report that I have devoted a great deal of time to meetings and hearings held by the Com-mission, and that the dairy section of the Department's Division of Markets has, from the very beginning, assisted and cooperated in the Milk Commission's work. Another law enacted in 1953 has to do with the licensing and regulation of rendering plants and rendering operations. Author-ity to adopt the regulations is given to the Commissioner of Agriculture, after consulting the rendering-plant inspection com-mittee. Under the law this committee is composed of three mem-bers, one each designated by the State Health Officer and the Commissioner of Agriculture and the third designated by the Director of the North Carolina Division of the Southeastern Renderers Association. Dr. H. J. Rollins, State Veterinarian, serves as the Department of Agriculture representative on this committee. Drawing up regulations which would be safe and reasonable and carry out the intent of the law has required considerable study and field work on the part of the inspection committee. This was completed just as the biennium drew to a close, and the regulations were promulgated on July 2, 1954. A law which permits growers to assess themselves for the purpose of promoting the use and sale of their products was amended in 1953 to authorize the Department of Agriculture to collect such assessments from buyers of the products, if the growers' association elects to have collections made in this way. Since October 1, 1953, the Department has been making such collections for the North Carolina Peanut Growers' Association. This association was certified by the State Board of Agriculture as the authorized agency representing peanut growers to con-duct a referendum on the question of an assessment. On August 29, 1953, the growers voted, by an overwhelming majority, in favor of an assessment of one cent per hundred pounds of peanuts sold. Firms and individuals engaged in buying farmers' stock pea-nuts in North Carolina deduct the assessment from the grower's 20 N. C. Department of Agriculture payment and turn it over to the Department of Agriculture, which, in turn, remits the funds so collected to the Peanut Growers' Association. This Department also makes collections under the law popu-larly known as "Nickels for Know-How." This law, enacted in 1951, authorizes the holding of referenda among farmers of the state on a proposal to assess themselves five cents a ton on sales of commercial feeds and fertilizers. The first referendum, authorized by the State Board of Agri-culture as provided by law, was held on November 3, 1951, and the proposal won by much more than the required two-thirds majority. Collections were started on January 1, 1952. During this biennium (July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1954) these have amounted to $285,032.98. These collections are turned over to the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., and are used to supplement existing funds for agricultural research and dis-semination of research information. Under the law this matter must be re-submitted to eligible voters at three-year intervals. In April, 1954, the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation and North Carolina State Grange petitioned the Board of Agriculture for authority to hold another "Nickels" referendum. This petition was granted and these three agencies, designated by the law to do so, plan to hold the referendum on October 15, 1954. A regulation adopted by the Board of Agriculture in June, 1953, will add a major undertaking to the Department's activ-ities. This regulation, which became effective July 1, 1954, re-quires each fertilizer manufacturer to report to the Commis-sioner of Agriculture the tonnage of each grade of fertilizer shipped to each destination in North Carolina. This measure was adopted at the request of the North Caro-lina Experiment Station to aid technical workers in research, and permit them to make fertilizer recommendations based on knowledge of plant food applications in various sections of the state. Alternative methods of reporting are provided in the regula-tions. Manufacturers may send a copy of the invoice or order (minus price quotation) on each shipment of fertilizer in or in-to the state ; or they may submit summary reports of shipments by grades and by destinations at six-month intervals. Coord- Report for 1952-54 — Administration 21 inating- and summarizing this mass of data into a form suitable for use will require the services of a statistician and a statistical clerk. This additional help has been included in the Department's budget request. During this biennium two emergency regulations were issued by the Commissioner under authority of a gubernatorial procla-mation of August 1, 1952. Both were essential in the control and eradication of vesicular exanthema, a virus disease which threatened the state's swine industry. The first was promulgated on August 1, 1952, to prevent entry of diseased or exposed hogs into the state. At that time North Carolina was free of the disease. In April, 1953, after several outbreaks of vesicular exanthema in the state had been traced to the feeding of raw garbage, emergency regulations were issued to quarantine all garbage-fed swine and prevent their movement to livestock markets. Such swine could be moved only under a permit from the State Veterinarian after inspection had been made to determine that the animals were healthy and had been fed on garbage which had been cooked by approved methods. The General Assembly had, two days earlier, enacted the Garbage Feeding Law, but this did not become effective until 90 days after its ratification. These stop-gap measures were necessary to prevent vesicular exanthema from sweeping the state, which would have resulted in closing down our hog-buying markets, halting the movement of North Carolina swine to other states, and untold financial loss to our farmers. Supervision of Fairs The value of local fairs has long been recognized. Their stimu-lation of competitive spirit and their educational worth are obvious. Unfortunately, however, the fair's deservedly good name was at times exploited by the unscrupulous to attract the solid citizens of a community to events which were mere enter-tainment, and often the worst type of entertainment. With a view to fostering bona fide agricultural and industrial expositions, the 1949 General Assembly enacted a law designed to prevent the word "fair" from coming into disrepute. Adver-tising as a "fair" any traveling show, carnival, circus or the like is forbidden in the law. To further carry out this purpose, the law provided for li-censing and supervision by the Commissioner of Agriculture of 22 N. C. Department of Agriculture all local fairs in the state, under regulations approved by the State Board of Agriculture. In 1952 licenses were issued to 67 fairs in 52 counties of the state, and all were inspected by representatives of the Depart-ment of Agriculture. In 1953 the number of fairs licensed in-creased to 77 in 58 counties, and 74 inspections were made. As a whole, there has been excellent compliance with the law and regulations. Only one or two fairs inspected failed to meet the minimum requirements. Emergency Hay Program When the prolonged drought of 1953 caused pastures and feed crops to fail in some areas of the state, livestock farmers were faced with loss of their foundation herds. Agricultural agencies of the state cooperated to assess the need and back Governor Umstead in his requests for federal funds to defray half the transportation costs of hay shipments to the drought-stricken areas. The Department of Agriculture, of course, took an active part in the preliminary phases of this program, and helped in mapping out procedures for distributing the funds granted. And the De-partment was made responsible for all disbursements under the program. The program was launched in early November and terminated on April 15 of the following year. In this period more than 15,000 tons of the emergency hay came into the state, for which freight reimbursements totaled $94,821. During part of this time freight rates on the hay were reduced fifty per cent by voluntary action of the railroads, and this meant an additional saving of around $70,000 on transportation. Assistant Commissioner John L. Reitzel, who supervised the Department's participation in this program, estimates that more than 10,000 head of livestock were fed, wholly or partially, on the emergency hay. Personnel Changes During this biennium the Department lost, by retirement, two of its oldest and most valued employees. Miss Susie D. Allen, supervising seed analyst in the Seed Testing Division, retired in the summer of 1953. She had held this position 38 years and Report for 1952-54 — Administration 23 made a vital contribution toward raising the Seed Laboratory to the eminence it now enjoys. With her retirement the labor-atory would have suffered irreparably had it not been able to obtain the services of Miss Magdalene Brummitt, who had trained under Miss Allen and worked with her for a number of years. Miss Brummitt has also had three years of valuable experience in federal seed laboratories. Frank Parker, who directed the Department's statistical work for 37 years, retired in the spring of 1953. In the dual capacity of State Statistician for the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of USDA and director of the Statistics Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Mr. Parker had through the years expanded this service from a one-man office to an organization employing 35 full-time workers, a number of other part-time employees and a small army of volunteer crop and livestock reporters. He developed statistical reports covering nearly every phase of the state's agriculture, and initiated the annual County Farm Census. He traveled the state and knew the farming pattern in every section. Shortly before his retirement he was awarded a superior service citation by the U. S. Depart-ment of Agriculture. The Department was most fortunate in the appointment of Henry L. Rasor to take over Mr. Parker's work. Mr. Rasor has held a succession of responsible assignments in the Crop Report-ing Service for 26 years. He was agricultural statistician in charge of the Louisiana office at the time of his transfer to North Carolina. In August, 1953, A. Hugh Harris, who had been Assistant Com-missioner of Agriculture since 1949, resigned to look after his farming and business interests. Mr. Harris had been "drafted" to his position in the Department and labored zealously here at the expense of his personal affairs. When these could no longer be denied his attention, his resignation was reluctantly accepted. A combination of fortunate circumstances brought John L. Reitzel to the Department to fill this post. Mr. Reitzel's train-ing and experience were such as to eminently qualify him for the job. A native of Iredell County, he holds a bachelor of science degree from North Carolina State College, he has taught voca-tional agriculture, served as assistant county agent in Cleveland and Haywood Counties, and as county agent in Wake County. 24 N. C. Department of Agriculture His release from active military service made him available very shortly after Mr. Harris' resignation, and he assumed his duties with the Department late in August of 1953. Board of Agriculture No report of this Department would be complete without recognition of the important services of the State Board of Agriculture. This policy-making and regulatory body is the guid-ing hand back of all the Department accomplishes. All busy farmers, the members of this Board give unstintingly of their time and efforts to the responsibilities of their office. In addition to the time spent in meetings of the whole Board, members work long and tirelessly on committees appointed to study and make recommendations on complicated matters which the Board must review. Particularly has this been true during the period covered by this report, when relocation of a test farm has involved all the investigations requisite to buying and selling large tracts of land. Many intricate or controversial regulatory matters have come before the Board also in this two-year period, and to all of these the Board has given careful, objective consideration and wise and impartial decision. Following is a brief listing of the meetings and actions of the Board during this biennium. HIGHLIGHTS OF BOARD MEETINGS 1952-1954 Biennium Aug. IJi, 1952 Raleigh Budget Sept. 2S, 1952 Raleigh Budget Test Farm Land Rocky Mount Tobacco-Curer Fees Feed Standards Protein (12<7c Dairy) Oct. 13, 1952 Raleigh Tobacco Weight Tolerances Quitclaim Deed—Old Fairgrounds Dairy Regulations Dept. of Agri-culture Exhibit —N. C. State Fair Dec. 8, 1952 Raleigh New Member Piedmont Test Farm Upper Mountain Test Farm N. C. Markets Authority Lease of Facilities Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, J. Muse Mc- Cotter, Charles F. Phillips, Miss Ethel Parker, 0. J. Holler, A. B. Slagle. Reviewed Department Budget requests for 1953-55 bien-nium. Suggested revisions. Appointed Committee to re-view and revise budget before its presentation to Advi-sory Budget Commission in September. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Attended hearing on Budget before Advisory Budget Com-mission. Approved terms of lease of land from Upper Coastal Plain Experiment Station to J. L. Wiggins for construc-tion of dam. Authorized presentation of lease to Council of State and recommended it be granted. Adopted order and findings of fact in matter of reduc-ing charges for seals of approval, in accordance with mo-tion passed on June 17, 1952. Amended chemical standards for mixed feed to include a 12 per cent protein dairy feed. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow Heard report on abuses of tobacco weight tolerances al-lowed under regulations and authorized the Commissioner to hold a hearing in this matter. Recommended that Council of State authorize execution of quitclaim deed to small strip of land which had been part of the old fairgrounds in Raleigh and to which legal title was defective. Approved recodification of one section of the Dairy Reg-ulations. Heard and discussed plans for an over-all Department of Agriculture exhibit at the State Fair in 1953 and ensuing years. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow, R. V. Knight Introduction of new member, Mr. R. V. Knight, of Tar-boro, appointed to unexpired term of Miss Ethel Parker, who resigned. Authorized Commissioner to take steps to effect trans-fer of Federal land to State at this Station. Approved Commissioner's proposal that he ask Dean of Agriculture at North Carolina State College to designate members of his staff' to work with Board's committee in locating new Piedmont Test Farm. Approved purchase of a commercial garage building and lot adjacent to Upper Mountain Test Farm, Laurel Springs, and requested Budget Bureau to approve trans-fer of funds for this purpose. Considered proposal to renew lease from Johnston County Commissioners for marketing facilities near Smithfield. Authorized Commissioner to investigate and act as he sees fit with reference to renewal. 26 N. C. Department of Agriculture Secy. & Treas. Japanese Beetle Quarantine Vesicular Exanthema March 11, 1953 Raleigh State Fair Audit State Fair, Appointment of Manager State Fair Promotion Director Insecticides in Fertilizer Feed Regulations, Urea and Fibre in Dairy Feeds Test Farm Land, Mountain Test Farm Elected John A. Winfield as Secretary-Treasurer of the North Carolina Markets Authority. Amended regulated areas under Japanese Beetle Quaran-tine— adding three counties and one township in another county. Heard report from Dr. H. J. Rollins, State Veterinarian, on measures taken to prevent entrance into North Caro-lina of infectious swine virus, vesicular exanthema. Present: Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, R. V. Knight, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. State Auditor's report on State Fair for calendar year 1952 presented by Dr. J. S. Dorton, Fair Manager, and accepted by the Board with commendation for the man-ager and his staff. Rehired Dr. Dorton as State Fair Manager for another year. Passed motion requesting Personnel Department to class-ify position and set salary for John W. Fox, promotion director. Heard recommendations from Experiment Station to add certain insecticides to those already permitted under reg-ulations for admixture with fertilizer. Agreed to call pub-lic hearing on this matter at next meeting. On recommendation of Experiment Station, Department of Animal Husbandry, amended regulation to restrict urea in feeds to two per cent of the total mixture. Deferred action on Experiment Station recommendation to change maximum fibre content of dairy feeds from 15 to 13 per cent. Postponed action on request from Henry Miller to buy strip of land from Mountain Test Farm (3/10 acre). Test Farm Relocation of Piedmont Station Approved purchase of three adjoining farms in Rowan County (approximately 1,000 acres) for relocation of Piedmont Test Farm. Requested Council of State to pro-vide funds and permit reimbursement from sale of farm at Statesville. Apr. 27, 1953 Raleigh Dairy Regulations Definition of Cream Milk solids not fat Labeling of Buttermilk Address on label of milk containers Diabetic Ice Cream Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, R. V. Knight, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Held hearings on proposed changes in dairy regulations (Chapter IV of Regulations.) Definition of (1) single cream, (2) double, or whipping cream, and (3) half and half. (Adopted as proposed.) Deleted definition of whipping cream from Chapter IX. Changed minimum per cent of milk-solids-not fat, from 8.50 to 8.25, wherever it appears in definitions. Heard proposal to permit Grade A labeling of buttermilk made from powdered milk, if powder is known to be made from Grade A milk for pasteurization. Voted against proposal. Amended regulation to require address of plant where contents pasteurized on all milk bottles. Adopted regulations for special dietetic ice cream to be sold as "diabetic ice cream," effective through October 31, 1953. Report for 1952-54 — Administration 27 Tobacco Weight Tolerances State Fair Regulations Mortars Urea in Feeds Loans From Warehouse Fund Interest Rate on Warehouse Loans Milling Grade of Corn June 22, 1953 Raleigh Fertilizer Regulations Fertilizer Grade List; High- Analysis Grades Insecticides in Fertilizer Grade Tonnage Reports Bread Standards Crop-Dusting Peanut Referendum Test Farm Land, Statesville Camellia Flower Blight Sept. H, 1953 Raleigh Labeling of Buttermilk Held hearing and amended regulations reducing tobacco weight tolerances allowable for variation due to changes in atmospheric conditions. Adopted regulations and rental schedules for operation of State Fair Arena. Approved transfer of mortars at front corners of Agricul-ture Building to Division of State Parks for removal to Fort Macon. Rescinded change in regulation regarding maximum urea in dairy feed, adopted at meeting on March 11, 1953. Approved loans of $33,000 to W. S. and W. G. Dean, Roanoke Rapids; $50,000 to Lincoln Bonded Warehouse, Lincolnton, and $25,000 to House Milling Co., Newton Grove. Voted to raise interest rate on warehouse loans from 4 per cent to 5 per cent. Considered telegraphic request from Western Corn Mil-ler's Association that Board established grade standards for a milling grade of corn. Deferred action until Department specialists could confer with USDA officials to see if grade and methods of checking could be established. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow, George P. Kittrell. Held hearings on changes in fertilizer regulations. Adopted official fertilizer grade list for 1953-54, includ-ing for the first time several grades of higher analysis. Added aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and toxaphene to list of insecticides permitted to be mixed with fertilizer under certain conditions. Adopted regulation requiring manufacturers to report shipments of fertilizer in or into the State by grades for each destination. Adopted new regulations pertaining to definition and standards for bread. Held hearing and adopted regulations governing aerial application of pesticides, under new law enacted by the 1953 General Assembly. Certified North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, Inc., as agency authorized to hold a referendum among peanut growers on the question of levying an assessment for pea-nut marketing promotion, and approved holding such referendum on August 29, 1953. Approved granting highway right-of-way through Pied-mont Test Farm, involving 15 acres at $250 per acre. Added area in Wilson County to Quarantine ai'eas in North Carolina. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Wins-low. Heard request from George Coble and others for permis-sion to use the word "churned" on cultured buttermilk, or definition for churned buttermilk to apply when cul-tured milk has butter added and undergoes high-speed agitation. Authorized appointment of a committee to draw up a proposed definition of "churned buttermilk" for dis-cussion at a later meeting. 28 N. C. Department of Agriculture Appointment of Division Head Seed Regulations Test Farm Land, Oxford Test Farm Land, New Piedmont Station, Rowan County Loan From Warehouse Fund Tobacco Curer Inspection Fees Oct. 19, 1953 Raleigh Liquid Fertilizer Warehouse Loan Application Feb. 2, 195i Raleigh Warehouse Loan Applications Concrete Block Regulations Employee Drivers Liability Buttermilk, Definition Approved appointment of Henry L. Rasor as head of Statistics Division, replacing Frank Parker, retired. Held scheduled public hearing on proposed amendments to seed regulations. Amended lists of restricted and pro-hibited noxious weeds and clarified certain administrative provisions. Approved exchange of 18.84 acres from Tobacco Test Farm for a like amount of land offered by City of Oxford. Test farm land needed by city to enlarge its reservoir. Heard report from Director of Test Farms Division that purchase completed and deeds delivered on three tracts of land in Rowan County for new Piedmont Test Farm. Approved loan from Warehouse Fund of $35,000 to Con-way Bonded Warehouse, Inc., to be used in construction of new warehouse for storage of cotton and peanuts. Amended regulations to set fee of 50 cents for tags to be attached to tobacco curer assemblies, in line with provi-sions of law enacted by the 1953 Legislature. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Held hearing and adopted regulations governing the handling and sale of liquid fertilizers. Received application for loan of $42,500 from Mount Olive Grain Co., R. B. Williams, President. Asked Warehouse Superintendent to obtain additional information. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, George P. Kittrell, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Wins-low. Gave further consideration to application for loan from Mount Olive Grain Co. Authorized appointment of a com-mittee of specialists to work with applicant in preparing working schedule and financial plan to ensure a profitable operation, and to make recommendations to the Board. Received application from Gurley Milling Co., of Selma, N. C, Inc., for loan of $150,000 from Warehouse Fund to construct a grain elevator at Selma. Authorized same com-mittee of specialists to work with applicant in the same way as above, and make recommendations to the Board. Approved increasing loan to Conway Bonded Warehouse from $35,000 to $45,000, because building costs were high-er than anticipated. Heard resolution of North Carolina Concrete Masonry Association, presented by secretary-treasurer, requesting Board to amend regulations to require registration by manufacturers of concrete masonry units, regular inspec-tion of plants, and publication of inspection results. Post-poned action until public hearing could be held. Adopted resolution requesting Governor and Council of State to make provisions for insurance coverage of De-partment employees when driving State-owned cars, as required under the Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act of 1953. Received proposed new definition of churned cultured buttermilk prepared by committee authorized on Septem-ber 14, 1953. Took no action. Report for 1952-54 — Administration 29 Buttermilk Label-ing, "Churned" Called Mis-branding April 7, 195i Raleigh Coastal Plain Test Farm Power Line Conveyed to C. P. & L. State Fair Audit State Fair Manager Appointed "Nickels For Know-How" Referendum "Nickels For Know-How' Report Loans From Warehouse Fund Concrete Masonry Units Admission of Brucellosis Vaccinates to Fairs and Live-stock Shows White-Fringed Beetle Quarantine Test Farm Land for Tobacco Research Went on record as being of the opinion that cartons con-taining cultured milk products and labeled "churned but-termilk" are misbranded under North Carolina dairy laws and regulations. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle. Approved conveying electric light lines and poles at Coastal Plain Test Farm, Willard, to Carolina Power and Light Co., for cash and other considerations. Received from State Fair Manager report on the audit of the North Carolina State Fair for the period January 1, 1953, to December 31, 1953, prepared by Department of State Auditor. Accepted and approved the audit report and adopted motion expressing gratitude and commenda-tion to Fair Manager for his fine work. Reappointed Dr. J. S. Dorton as manager of North Caro-lina State Fair for the ensuing year. Received petitions from North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., North Carolina Farm Bureau and North Carolina State Grange for authorization to hold a "Nickels for Know-How" referendum in 1954. Authorized referen-dum as requested. Heard report from L. L. Ray, Director of Foundation at North Carolina State College, on projects financed by "Nickels for Know-How." Approved loan of $4,000 to Wall Warehouse and Storage Co., of Wadesboro, for construction of facilities to store lespedeza seed and grain. Heard report on committee authorized February 2, 1954, to work with Mt. Olive Grain Co., Inc., and Gurley Mill-ing Co., of Selma, N. C, Inc. Committee recommended loan of $55,740 to Mount Olive Grain Co., for construction of facility with 107,000 bushels capacity, and this loan was approved by the Board. Committee recommended that loan to Gurley be limited to $135,000 maximum, because total of only $250,000 now available for lending from Warehouse Fund. Board with-held approval of loan because Gui'ley concern had not ob-tained finances for its half of construction costs. Board also agreed that not more than $100,000 should be put into any one loan. Adopted amendment to strengthen regulations governing registration, inspection and load-bearing strength of con-crete masonry units, as requested on February 2, 1954 by North Carolina Concrete Masonry Association. Heard requests from manager of Winston-Salem Fair that calfhood vaccinated animals showing a titer up to 18 months of age be allowed entry at livestock shows and fairs if they come from certified Bangs' free herds. Post-poned action pending hearing. Amended areas of quarantine for White-Fringed Beetle. Discussed advisability of buying land for tobacco research in areas where land is now rented for this purpose. Re-quested Department of Agriculture and Experiment Sta-tion personnel to confer and make recommendations. 30 N. C. Department of Agriculture May J,, 195A Raleigh Peanut Test Farm; Ease-ment for Power Line Test Farm Visit-ing Committee Brucellosis Vaccinates, Admission to Fairs May 26, 1954 Raleigh Seed Regular tions. Noxious Weeds Fertilizer Grade List Coastal Plain Test Farm Power Line Statesville Test Farm June 23, 195J, Raleigh Bulk Milk Dispensers Statesville Test Farm, Offer for Tract of Land Swine Diagnostic Laboratory Dairy Regulations, Babcock Test- Present: Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow. Approved granting easement to Roanoke Electric Service Corporation granting right-of-w^ay through Peanut Test Farm for poles and lines to provide povrer for the farm. Authorized committee from Board to visit test farms to study their appropriation needs for the next biennium. Held hearing on proposal of Winston-Salem Fair Manager presented at April 7 meeting. Agreed to make no change in the regulations. Present: Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, 0. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Added wild mustard to list of restricted noxious weeds, limited to 500 seeds per pound of weed seed. Adopted official fertilizer grade list for year beginning July 1, 1954. Approved conveying additional power lines at Coastal Plains Test Farm to Carolina Power and Light Co. Authorized committee from Board to act for the Board in conducting preliminary negotiations for sale of land from the Statesville Test Farm, and to make recommendations on over-all policies to be followed in selling this farm. Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, George P. Kittrell, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow. Held public hearing on proposal to amend regulations to allows sale of milk from refrigerated bulk dispensers in public eating places. Authorized committee representing various interested agencies to draft proposed regulations permitting dispensers under safeguards as to sanitation, trade practices, size of servings, and effective date. Heard report of Statesville Test Farm committee on offer of firm to buy tract of land from Statesville Test Farm to erect factory which will ultimately employ 600 people. Representative of Department of Conservation and De-velopment expressed interest in bringing this business to North Carolina. Board authorized committee to proceed with negotiations. Mr. Kittrell reported interest of Eastern North Caro-lina swine producers in having a diagnostic laboratory in that area. Authorized a committee to investigate the feasibility of establishing such a laboratory and make rec-ommendations. Approved amendment to Dairy regulations to describe in detail procedures for testing milk and cream by the Bab-cock method. ACCOUNTS A. R. POWLEDGE Chief Auditor The financial report of the Department and the various divisions is as follows : DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Code 1101 Statement of Disbursements July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 A. R. POWLEDGE Summary by Purposes 1953-54 I. Administration $ 39,247.01 Accounting Office 28,468.42 Publicity & Publications 33,558.22 II. Inspection 50,943.21 III. Markets 289,296.09 IV. Credit Union 22,017.79 V. Dairy 53,580.42 VI. Entomology 50,079.17 VII. Seed Laboratory 66,294.02 VIII. Analytical 195,848.98 IX. Crop Statistics 139,488.57 X. Soil Testing 82,810.19 XL Blister Rust Control XII. Veterinary 224,812.62 XIII. Test Farms 452,076.03 XV. Weights & Measures 88,494.75 XVI. State Museum 29,101.67 XVII. Hog Cholera Work 14,692.34 XVIII. Custodial 13,326.00 XIX. Miscellaneous 97,821.74 XX. Rabies XXL Japanese Beetle Control 2,133.50 XXII. White Fringed Beetle Control 9,435.21 XXIII. Indemnity Diseased Slaughtered Livestock 13,641.22 XXV. Vesicular Exanthema 33,648.91 Total Expenditures $2,030,816.08 Summary By Objects 1953-54 11. Salaries & Wages $1,288,698.06 12. Supplies & Materials 118,042.93 13. Postage, Tel., & Tel., Express 28,359.20 14. Travel Expense 191,898.98 15. Printing & Binding 26,823.56 16. Motor Vehicle Operations 13,141.91 17. Light, Power & Water 5,363.59 18. Repairs & Alterations 11,177.81 1952-53 35,949.61 20,190.60 34,166.73 77,468.81 266,564.11 21,773.19 56,375.29 42,139.67 38,061.88 194,737.19 134,621.57 71,139.33 4,698.53 208,518.30 409,558.76 81,958.20 26,893.17 13,849.83 12,956.40 90,364.02 48.51 597.95 9,321.27 16,074.27 $1,868,027.19 1952-53 $1,192,595.58 107,912.55 27,283.25 174,014.72 27,941.94 13,830.40 4,756.19 13,228.82 32 N. C. Department of Agriculture 19. General Expense 105,677.44 108,062.01 22. Insurance & Bonding 2,801.43 3,667.98 23. Equipment 105,634.24 75,120.12 32. Additions & Betterments 39,537.52 33,080.16 33. Stores for Resale 19,211.47 22,437.83 Contribution to Retirement System 74,447.94 64,095.64 Purchase of Land Total Expenditures $2,030,816.08 $1,868,027.19 Less Transfer from RMA Fund 48,990.34 44,708.22 Less Transfer from USDA Cooperative Agreement 559.24 481.39 Less Test Farm Perquisites 8,125.00 7,230.00 Pulpwood—Lewiston 4,683.74 Total $1,973,141.50 $1,810,923.84 Condition of Funds Treasurers Cash—June 30 $ 51,100.38 $ 314,009.54 Investments in Bonds and Premiums on Bonds 103,874.98 103,874.98 Total Credit Balance June 30 $ 154,975.36 $ 417,884.52 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Code 1101 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Fertilizer Tax $ 448,977.85 $ 438,821.82 Cottonseed Meal 962.50 1,475.21 Feed 259,213.33 272,387.48 Seed Licenses 27,765.00 26,568.00 Condimental Feed 4,292.00 2,660.00 Serum 13,202.21 11,673.45 Costs 15,352.42 18,969.31 Linseed Oil 610.27 837.82 Bleached Flour 8,520.00 8,363.79 Bottling Plants 1,610.00 1,680.00 Ice Cream 1,550.00 2,978.00 Insecticides 25,340.00 23,790.00 Test Farms 133,478.59 138,558.94 Bakeries 2,420.00 2,520.00 Chicken Tests 46,341.69 35,330.57 Seed Tags 21,872.15 21,838.28 Inspection Entomology 6,452.00 6,011.05 Oleomargarine 1,375.00 1,500.00 Land Plaster & Agriculture Lime 19,872.06 23,297.85 Fertilizer Registration 5,143.00 4,942.50 Miscellaneous 2,842.24 1,229.30 Feed Registration 6,851.00 6,169.00 Canned Dog Food Registration 332.01 714.00 Lime Registration 504.15 360.00 Land Plaster Registration 50.00 Livestock Marketing Permits 8,300.00 6,100.00 Dog Food Stamps 9,653.98 7,977.05 Hatchery Fees &, Supplies 4,019.00 3,827.05 Permits for Out-of-State Milk 225.00 925.00 Interest on Investments 2,500.00 2,500.00 Report for 1952-54 — Accounts 33 Anti-Freeze Permits 1,375.00 1,250.00 Credit Union Fees 14,036.89 12,515.04 Weights & Measures Fees 13,984.00 16,993.15 Garbage Permits 958.00 Babcock Testers License 251.00 Total Agricultural Receipts $1,110,232.34 $1,104,763.66 Contribution from General Fund 600,000.00 885,191.00 Total Revenue $1,710,282.84 $1,989,954.66 SHEEP DISTRIBUTION PROJECT Special Fund—Code 3 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—July 1 $ 38,291.40 $ 26,730.41 Revenue Collections 96,678.25 152,661.37 Disbursements 114,171.42 141,100.38 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 20,798.23 $ 38,291.40 DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES Code 19 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—July 1 ' $ 109,681.70 $ 108,689.72 Repayments 5,852.76 9,762.75 Disbursements 9,119.33 8,770.77 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 106,415.13 $ 109,681.70 N. C. AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND MARKETING ACT, FEDERAL FUND Special Fund—Code 51 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—July 1 $ 1,099.17 $ 3,807.39 Receipts—RMA Matching Fund 50,000.00 42,000.00 Disbursements Marketing Division Expenses in connection with RMA project—Transferred to Code 1101 48,990.34 44,708.22 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 2,108.83 $ 1,099.17 SPECIAL DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT REPORTING SYSTEM Code 56 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Receipts Cash-Bond Deposits (Reporting System) ..$ 3,500.00 $ 3,500.00 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 3,500.00 $ 3,500.00 34 N. C. Department of Agriculture GASOLINE AND OIL INSPECTION General Fund—Code 320 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Revenue Appropriation $ 323,277.00 $ 379,257.00 Disbursements 280,377.83 342,916.49 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 42,899.17 $ 36,340.51 STATE WAREHOUSE SYSTEM—SUPERVISION Special Fund—Code 1801 FINANCIAL STATEMENT July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 Credit Balance—July 1 $ 32,696.92 $ 38,985.96 Receipts Revenue Collections 31,335.95 29,881.74 Miscellaneous Collections 11,424.04 3,377.37 Expenditures 34,463.34 35,470.78 Miscellaneous Expenditures 16,010.71 4,077.37 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 24,982.86 $ 32,696.92 STATE WAREHOUSE SYSTEM—PRINCIPAL Special Fund—Code 1802 STATEMENTS OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Cash on hand—State Treas.—July 1 $ 28,420.99 $ 9,234.63 Receipts Repayment of Loans 13,635.08 19,186.36 Sale of Bonds 105,393.19 Total Availability 147,449.26 28,420.99 Disbursements Loans to Warehouses 141,000.00 Transfer of Funds 749.43 Treas. Cash—June 30 5,699.83 28,420.99 Loans to Warehouses 295,900.00 168,535.08 Invested in 21/2% Gov't. Bonds 440,000.00 550,000.00 Total Worth^une 30 $ 741,599.83 $ 746,956.07 COOPERATIVE INSPECTION SERVICE Special Fund—Code 1803 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Treas. Cash^July 1 $ 29,035.30 $ 62,361.30 U. S. Treasury Bonds—2^/2% Par Value 40,000.00 40,000.00 Premium on Bonds 1,175.00 1,175.00 Credit Balance—July 1 70,210.30 103,536.30 Receipts 291,646.35 253,781.35 Disbursements 272,389.42 287,107.35 Credit Balance-^une 30 $ 89,467.23 $ 70,210.30 Report for 1952-54 — Accounts 35 north carolina educational radio & television commission General Fund—Code 637 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS August 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation (for 1953-55 Biennium) $ 12,000.00 Disbursements 2,423.91 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 9,576.09 NORTH CAROLINA MARKETING COMMISSION General Fund—Code 642 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS March 1, 1954-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation (for 1953-55 Biennium) $ 2,550.00 Disbursements 335.38 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 2,214.62 ADVANCE FOR LAND PURCHASE General Fund—Code 3213 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS August 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation $ 115,000.00 Disbursements 109,869.49 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 5,130.51 PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS—ADDITIONS AND BETTERMENTS Code 14391 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS September 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Appropriation $ 86,500.00 Unalloted Balance 22,500.00 Allotments Made 64,000.00 Disbursements 28,589.80 Unspent Balance of Allotment $35,410.20 EMERGENCY HAY PROGRAM Code 22 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS November 1, 1953-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Credit Balance—November 1 U. S, Department Agriculture Allotment $ 135,000.00 Disbursements 94,522.20 Credit Balance—June 30 $ 40,477.80 CONTRIBUTION FROM THE GENERAL FUND General Fund—Code 3212 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954 1953-54 1952-53 Revenue Appropriation $ 889,868.00 $ 712,565.00 Expenditures Contribution to Department of Agriculture—Code 1101 $ 600,000.00 $ 712,000.00 Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 289,868.00 $ 565.00 Dr. E. W. Constable DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY Dr. E. W. Constable State Chemist The Division of Chemistry is concerned in the administration of control laws deal-ing with fertilizers; liming materials and land-plaster; livestock feeds; insecticides; foods, drugs and cosmetics; linseed oils; automotive anti-freeze; and the applica-tion of pesticides by aircraft. The latter is a new law enacted by the 1953 Legis-lature and is dealt with in detail in a following section. A requirement common to each of these laws, excepting the aerial crop-dusting law, is that the products covered shall bear specific labeling that must be true, and shall be given specific guarantees that must be met. Further requirements for foods, drugs and cosmetics are that they shall be wholesome and free from adulteration or exposure to insanitation and that drugs shall carry cautions and adequate directions for use. Pesticide labeling also must give directions for use, warning against dangers, antidotes and first aid procedures. Aerial Crop-Dusting Law The North Carolina Aerial Crop-Dusting Law became effec-tive July 1, 1953. It was the legislative response to complaints and fears which arose as a result of certain careless and irre-sponsible applications of pesticides by air. Such applications per-mitted pesticides to spread beyond the areas intended to be treated, involving other crops, pastures, livestock, fish ponds, travelers on public highways, residences and settlements. At times damage to power and telephone lines and to buildings by low-fiying airplanes was ignored by operators. This type of per-formance, while limited, served to bring disrepute on the entire airplane dusting industry. The purpose of the law and regulations promulgated there-under is to provide protection to farmers and to the airplane dusting industry. "Contractors" and "applicators" (pilots) are required to procure state licenses to engage in this line of Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 37 business. To qualify for such licenses, they must show reason-able knowledge of the proper use of pesticides, the dangers in-volved and the precautions necessary in handling these materials. Applicators must also carry not less than $20,000 liability in-surance against damage by aircraft to persons or property. Licenses may be revoked for fraudlent practices, for faulty, careless or negligent application or for other failure to comply. All licenses expire on December 31 of each year. During the first six months after the law became effective (July through December, 1953) licenses were issued to 34 contractors and 64 applicators. From January 1, 1954, to the date of this report, 57 contractors and 113 applicators were licensed. Considering all circumstances, compliance and cooperation have been effective, but the fact that no funds were provided for enforcement has been a handicap. By integrating this with feed and insecticide inspection and by employing additional temporary office help, the work has been carried on. However, it is obvious that a fully effective control program cannot be accomplished, nor adequate protection afforded, under these limitations. Therefore, a request is being made in the 1955-57 budget for one additional inspector to be employed jointly in aerial crop-dusting inspection and general insecticide inspection. Commercial Fertilizers and Liming Materials Among the provisions of the fertilizer and lime laws is the requirement that official samples be collected and analyses be made to determine whether these products meet the guarantees. Analyses of fertilizers may cover only one or a number of items, namely, nitrogen, phosphate, potash, calcium, magnesium, chlo-rine, sulphur, boron, manganese and acid-forming and non-acid-forming qualities. Liming materials are limited to calcium, mag-nesium and acid neutralizing value; landplaster to calcium sul-phate. The number of samples analyzed during the biennium was 21,122 an average of 10,561 per year. With present facilities this is about the maximum volume that can be effectively handled and prepared for publication in reasonable time. Special attention is given to brands which appear to be running off-guarantee. How-ever, in order that all brands on the market may be given due 38 N. C. Department of Agriculture evaluation and credit, it is necessary that a certain balance ac-cording to distribution be maintained. Coverage for the two years was as follows : Official fertilizer samples 20,697 Unofficial fertilizers and fertilizer materials for farmers 141 Official liming material with potash, and landplaster 153 Research samples, N. C, Experiment Station 131 Total 21,122 In order that the work may be of full value, every effort is made to turn out analyses and reports as early as possible. The flow of analytical reports during the fertilizer season therefore is exceptionally heavy. It is not possible for the regular staff to keep this work current. Part-time help has been employed for several years on lapsed and transfer funds. This cannot be de- Laboratory where fertilizer is analyzed for phosphorus. This is one of several laboratories for determining the various ingredients in commercial fertilizers. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 39 Commercial stock and poultry feeds are analyzed in this section of the laboratory. pended upon, however, and a budget request is being made to provide for a part-time employee from April through Septem-ber of each year. Commercial Feeds In keeping with the provisions of the feed law and the canned dog food law, official samples for checking are collected from all parts of the state. Chemical analyses are made for protein, fat, crude fibre, ash and urea, the latter having come into promi-nence as a component of certain feeds. The individual materials of which a feed is composed is an equally important considera-tion. These are determined microscopically. Canned dog foods are also analyzed for moisture. The capacity of the present laboratory and personnel is around 2,200 samples a year. As with fertilizer, while giving special attention to brands that tend to run off-guarantee, the general plan of operation is to prorate coverage in a manner so as to give all brands due evaluation and credit. 40 N. C. Department of Agriculture Results of the work for the biennium show that standards were maintained at a normal level. Coverage for that period was as follows : Official samples 4,825 Unofficial and miscellaneous samples 471 Total 5,296 Among the needs for this work is a more comprehensive cov-erage of drugs and antibiotics contained in medicated feeds, and of mineral supplements. New space now available will provide more room for such activities. However, in view of the limited number of such analyses that can be handled by an analyst and the full load that present personnel carries, expansion in this field will be dependent on additional help. Economic Poisons A period of rapid development and expansion has character-ized the insecticide field for a number of years, due to the greatly increased demand for these products and the development of many new ones. This trend now appears to have evolved into a period of relative stability, although there still are changes and additions. The prominent period of expansion was through the years 1946-1951, during which time registrations of insecticides grew from approximately 400 to 2,000 items per year. Following that period the number of items have ranged from 2,100 to 2,300 per year. Within certain bounds these trends have been reflected in the Department's activities in insecticide control. The number of official samples collected for analysis has increased from approx-imately 300 per year in 1946 to an average of 1,500 per year at the present time. This volume filled to capacity the Depart-ment's facilities for handling these products, particularly that of the field inspection staff. The insecticide control program was effective within the limits of the provision previously made for it. However, when the in-secticide need and demand shaped into a definite pattern, and when these limits became apparent, it was obvious that the cov-erage afforded was inadequate to permit a properly propor-tioned pesticide control program. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 41 Instrument laboratory for spectro-photometric and other types of analyses of various products Two bottlenecks which obstructed adequate coverage were lack of laboratory space and shortage of field inspection person-nel. The Legislature, in recognition of these facts and of the indispensability of adequate and reliable supplies of pesticides in bringing through the crops of today, provided for adequate laboratory facilities. The need for inspection help is the remain-ing bottleneck. This has been intensified because of the necessity of adding the inspection required under the aerial crop-dusting law to the duties of the feed and insecticide inspectors. As stated in the foregoing section on the aerial crop-dusting law, one addi-tional feed and insecticide inspector is being requested. Other problems of critical nature arise from carelessness and misuse of pesticides. These stem largely from failure to read labels and heed cautions and directions. Three cases of serious injury were reported, one involving the sickness of a baby due to exposure to an insect spray and two involving the loss of an eye. An example of misuse is the application of oil-base sprays to grain as a grain fumigant. Grain so treated is unfit for any fur-ther use except perhaps as seed. Every effort is being made to safeguard the use of insecticides. 42 N. C. Department of Agriculture Linseed Oil Linseed oil is highly susceptible to hidden adulteration. The purpose of the linseed oil law is to circumvent this type of fraud. Surveys for the biennium covered 531 lots of oil. With only several exceptions, these were found in good order and unadulterated. The unsatisfactory lots were removed from sale. Thirty-eight lots which did not carry the required inspection stamps were stopped from sale until these were applied. Automotive Anti-Freezes The internal combustion anti-freeze law has continued to show the high level of effectiveness which has characterized it since its enactment in 1949. No brand of anti-freeze has been offered for registration that has been found unacceptable. No complaints of damage to automotive equipment has reached the Depart-ment, nor has any illegal brand of anti-freeze been found on sale in the state. A large measure of credit for this level of effectiveness is due to the full cooperation of dealers, the Oil Jobbers Association and to ethical manufacturers. It appears practically impossible to sell any jobber or dealer in the state a stock of anti-freeze without showing that it is under current registration. This sta-tus doubtless reflects back to the great damage and loss suffered by citizens of the state prior to the advent of the present law. Fifty-nine brands were registered for 1952-53, and 56 for 1953-54. These represent 33 manufacturers. Food and Drugs The North Carolina Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is the state's basic law for affording its citizens safe and wholesome supplies of these products. It is supplemented by specific laws dealing in fuller detail with bottling plants, bakeries, cereal products and oleomargarine. These laws require that these products shall be free of adulteration by additions, abstractions or exposure to insanitation and that they bear factual labeling which shall not be false or misleading in any particular. Primary operations in accomplishing these purposes are the inspection of processing plants, storage and sales outlets and the collection and analysis of samples. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 43 Section of laboratory where various types of foods are analyzed. This work has been seriously handicapped by limited person-nel in inspection, chemistry and office work. North Carolina's population has grown over a period of years and demands have increased while the staff has remained static or has decreased. Present coverage is entirely inadequate, and a request is being made for two additional food and drug inspectors, two food and drug chemists and one stenographer-clerk. The latter is further explained under ''Personnel". Inspection of Plants and Sales Outlets One of the best methods of avoiding trouble is to prevent it^ occurrence at likely points of origin. This is the purpose of the periodic inspections of food processing plants, storage and sales outlets. It is required that certain standards be maintained as to environment, housing, equipment, facilities, processing, sani-tation and labeling and that only sound and wholesome materials be used. Systematic inspections are made of plants, storage and outlets to see that these standards are met. If defects of a minor nature are found, they usually can be corrected by suggestion. Major defects may require stoppage of operations until correction is made, embargoing of materials not meeting requirements, or other appropriate action as circumstances dictate. Of a total of 44 N. C. Department of Agriculture 8,081 labels inspected in detail, 645 were found to be defective and correction required. With only limited exception, those who engage in food handling have a high sense of responsibility and cooperate fully. Summary of Food Plant Inspections Bakeries and Doughnut Plants 2,055 Bottling Plants 1,373 Other types of plants (processing and packag-ing meats, pickles, seafoods, flour and meal, candy, potato chips, fruits and vegetables, etc.) 2,941 Total 6,369 Plant Operations Suspended Bakeries 17 Bottling Plants 3 Others 11 Total 31 Adulteration and Misbranding of Foods There are many ways through which the public's food supply may become unwholesome, fraudulent, or dangerous to health. These include addition of poisonous or deleterious substances, decomposition, insanitation, exposure to vermin, slaughter of diseased animals, misrepresentation, abstraction of valuable constituents, addition of cheap or worthless dilutents. One of the most insidious forms of adulteration arises from spoilage which results in food poisoning. A great majority of these cases, particularly the less serious ones, do not come to the attention of the Department. Twelve cases were dealt with during the biennium, known to have affected approximately 400 people. Involved were such products as custards and pies, meat and potato salads, seafoods, sandwiches, ice cream and meats. In the more serious ones, illness affected 275 school children, 70 college students, and 17 lunchroom patrons. A number of these were hospitalized. Dried egg powder (baby food) affected an unknown number of babies. Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 45 Other instances of adulteration and misbranding were dealt with. In a total of 225 actions approximately 3,000 tons of food products were removed from the market and either destroyed or diverted to uses other than for human food. A large proportion of these activities are based on analyses of official samples. The Department food inspectors collect these from all parts of the state, both for routine checking and for the evaluation of situations in which unusual issues arise. A to-tal of 1,035 samples were collected by food inspectors during the biennium. Each year a large number of unofficial samples are submitted to the Department for analysis. They represent a variety of products and interests. Effort is made to analyze as many of these as the individual situations merit and as time vdll permit. Fires, Floods and Wrecks Fires, floods, storms and wrecks often involve quantities of foods and drugs. Overzealousness in salvaging to minimize loss always involves danger to consumers. The Division is partic-ularly attentive to such situations and acts promptly. Of this category, fires constituted most of the losses and prob-lems during this biennium. These involved food and drug sup- A Greensboro food store destroyed by fire. Little can be salvaged from this type of exposure that is suitable for human consumption. 46 N. C. Department of Agriculture plies in Charlotte, Clinton, Concord, Dunn, Durham, Elizabeth City, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Tarboro, Washington and Wilmington. One of the most destructive occurred in Wilming-ton, resulting in a loss above one and one-half million pounds of sugar, only a limited part of which could be salvaged. Storms and wrecks, fortunately, caused less damage. The approximate total losses involved were 5,800,000 pounds of foods, valued at $900,000. Drugs Chemical control of drugs is designed to make available to the professions prescribing and selling them, and to consumers, a supply of reliable, honestly labeled drugs; and to afford protec-tion from charlatanism and abuses. The Department's facilities for this work are limited, but every effort is made within these limits to afford the maximum protection. The more prominent activities in this field concerned illegal sale of dangerous drugs, removal from sale of unsatisfactory or harmful drugs, and the sale of "quack" or "cure-all" remedies. Some of the more powerful drugs are unsafe for self-administra-tion. Therefore, the law restricts their sale to prescription only. The barbiturates, or "sleeping pills", are prominent among these. Others are stimulants. The demand for these drugs makes them attractive items in the illegal drug trade. Twelve such cases in as many towns or locations were investigated. In some instances purchases were attempted to procure evidence. In all cases, either the procedure of investigation or a warning resulted in the cessation of such violation. Periodically, drugs appear on the market which by some de-fect or mishap are unsatisfactory or dangerous. Prompt atten-tion is given to stopping sale and recalling these. Twenty such instances occurred during the biennium. Close cooperation with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration is maintained in this activity. The "quack" and "cure-all" remedies are always a lucrative and inviting field to charlatans. Such remedies appear periodi-cally and include such items as soap bark at seven dollars per pound to cure arthritis; a tonic to remove kidney stones, made by boiling common brown wrapping paper in water ; and the in-herited secret formula alleged to cure many ailments, including Report for 1952-54 — Chemistry 47 epilepsy and cancer. One such operation was set up in a small town near Raleigh. The entire stock and promotional literature were placed under embargo. These, abandoned by the owner who left the state, were destroyed. One death from epilepsy was asso-ciated with the sale of drugs by mail. This method of selling re-mains a problem. Oleomargarine Limited inspection has been carried out under the oleomarga-rine laws. Failure to display the required sign stating that oleo-margarine is served are found and corrected without trouble. An amendment to the law in 1949, permitting the serving of the colored product in public eating places, created a tremendous inspection job; but no appropriation was made for carrying this out. It is not possible for the present limited inspection staff to do this job adequately while performing the many other duties required. Under the section of the law requiring the licensing of wholesale dealers 111 licenses were issued. Cooperation with Other Agencies In line with the policy of cooperation with other agencies, work in certain lines was carried out on a level of effectiveness not otherwise possible. These agencies were the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and the Boards of Health of the state and various cities and counties. Among the items involved were stopping illegal sale of drugs, and removal from sale of deteriorated and dangerous drugs, in-jurious baby foods, fast moving and perishable products such as watered oysters, and other items of less critical nature. One item new in this area, and of particular concern, was contamin-ation of food crops by irrigation with stream water which was polluted with raw sewage. This resulted in the destruction, by court order, of a large crop of cabbage. Stream pollution becomes a hazard to the food supply. Laboratories and Equipment Since the new annex to the Agriculture Building is completed and additional space allotted, activities now are underway for 48 N. C. Department of Agriculture expanding and renovating laboratories. This is a much needed relief to the congested and crowded conditions which developed over a period of years as a result of periodically increased load and which have been a handicap both in the chemical work and to laboratory personnel. Personnel As discussed in preceding sections of the report, some of the programs have been handicapped by lack of adequate staffs. To correct this, requests have been made for additional personnel as follows : Part time help, six months per year, for work on fertilizer records and in getting out fertilizer reports ; one in-spector for joint field inspection in aerial crop-dusting, insecti-cides and feeds; two inspectors and two chemists for food and drug work, and one secretary to relieve the heavy overload of office work. The latter arises from the new laws added—insecti-cides, anti-freeze and aerial crop-dusting, as well as others — fertilizers, feeds, food and drugs, bottling plants, bakeries, lin-seed oil, bleached flour, etc. Commendation and appreciation are due the personnel of the Division for the level and volume of work carried out during the biennium. D. R. Graham CREDIT UNION DIVISION D. R. Graham SM2)eri7ite7ide7it The North Carolina Credit Union Law was enacted by the 1915 General Assem-bly. North Carolina was the third state in the union to adopt such legislation. Be-cause its primary purpose was to provide a way for farmers to take care of short-term credit needs through their own co-operative efforts, the law designated the Department of Agriculture as the admin-istrative agency. A credit union may be organized by any group having a com-mon bond of association, occupation or residence. Capital from which loans are made is accumulated from the savings of mem-bers, and loans are made at a maximum interest rate of six per cent per annum. When the Federal Government entered the field of assisting farmers in financing their operations, interest in rural credit unions lagged; but in recent years a number of rural credit unions, mainly in eastern North Carolina, have been organ-ized and many of them are going a long way toward taking care of the short-term credit needs of the people within their field of membership. Credit Union National Association, the trade organization of credit unions, has engaged in a nation-wide advertising cam-paign during the past two years, using magazines, newspapers and radio for the purpose of acquainting people throughout the country with the advantages of credit unions. A number of credit unions have been organized in this state as a direct result of this campaign. In the meantime, we have continued our efforts to weed out those credit unions which have not operated according to law and good credit union practice. The principal reasons for these liquidations continues to be lack of interest and failure to keep proper records. These groups are in the minority, but liquida-tion procedure is so cumbersome that a considerable part of our time is required for this work. 50 N. C. Department of Agriculture The following breakdown into classification does not include credit unions which are dormant or which we have in the process of liquidation : Rural community, 48 ; urban community, 32 ; manufacturing, 36 ; public utilities, 21 ; government, state, county and municipal employees, 19 ; postal employees, 16 ; retail merchandise, 2 ; newspapers, 9 ; restaurant, 3 ; miscellaneous, 17. laneous, 17. A new field of credit union service has recently been opened. The town of Hope Mills tried repeatedly to obtain banking serv-ice without success and upon learning of the credit union plan called on this Department for assistance. We set up a credit un-ion for them and it is operating very successfully. Although under the law credit unions are restricted and are unable to per-form many of the functions of a bank, the Hope Mills credit union is going a long way toward filling that community's need for banking service. There are numerous communities in the state which are too small to justify a bank and we are confident that within the next few years we will be able to carry the credit union plan to them^ in order that they may take care of their short-term credit needs at home and at the same time give the people of the community a convenient place where small amounts of money may be saved. Active credit unions as shown by the table below have only increased by two in number during the past two years. This small increase was brought about by liquidations referred to above. Total resources and loans to members continue to increase and we have every reason to believe that within the next two years we will be able to complete liquidation of the inactive credit unions and will then be able to devote our full time to the promotion of new credit unions and the careful supervision of the credit unions now in existence. NUMBER, MEMBERSHIP AND ASSETS OF STATE-CHARTERED CREDIT UNIONS June 30, 1952 June 30, 195U Active Credit Unions 211 213 Total Members 55,081 61,463 Total Assets $11,314,522.03 $14,704,742.81 Report for 1952-54 — Credit Union 51 Credit Union loans, large and small, help industrial workers to augment their income through farming operations. Down payment for the 4i-acre farm and orchard shown in the top photo, and money to purchase cows shown in the lower picture, were provided by loans to two members of the Enka Credit Union. There ai'e also many other types of groups benefiting from Credit Unions. Communities that are too small to support a bank can partially fill their needs for banking services through such an organization. 52 N. C. Department of Agriculture NORTH CAROLINA CREDIT UNIONS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET June 30, 1954 ASSETS June 30, 1952 June 30, 1954- Cash on Hand $ 2,207,593.25 $ 2,199,213.29 Loans to Members 6,998,183.61 10,297,167.68 U. S. Government Bonds 1,944,308.35 2,049,366.10 Other Assets 164,436.82 238,995.74 Total Assets $11,314,522.03 $14,704,742.81 LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL Shares $ 8,584,978.68 $11,648,608.28 Deposits 1,050,826.11 1,261,862.47 Reserve Fund 478,763.32 681,323.95 Undivided Earnings 356,561.68 480,439.42 Other Liabilities 843,392.24 632,508.69 Total Assets $11,314,522.03 $14,704,742.81 C. W. Pegram DAIRY DIVISION C. W. Pegram Director Dairying, one of North Carolina's basic industries, continues to grow. Data from the Federal-State Crop Reporting Service indicate that milk production for the first six months of 1954 was 907 million pounds, nine percent above the same period in 1953, and the largest production of record for these months. North Caro-lina dairymen received $56,209,000 cash income from sales of milk, cream and but-ter in 1953, and gross farm income from dairy products for that year was $101,931,000. During the last three years 1,527 new producers have gone into Grade A production. On January 1, 1954, there were 411,000 milk cows on farms, an increase of more than 19 percent since 1940. Average milk production per cow is now reported at 4,490 pounds, a marked increase over the average production of 2,600 pounds for 1900. These data indicate that North Carolina dairymen are materially increasing their efficiency in breeding and herd management. It is interesting to note that North Carolina ranks 23rd in the nation with respect to cash receipts from livestock and live-stock products. This is evidence that there is room for further expansion in dairying and other livestock enterprises. Over four million people depend on the dairy industry in this state for milk and dairy products. Despite sharply increased milk production, it was necessary to bring in from outside the state 42,000,000 pounds of milk in 1952, and nearly 16,000,000 in 1953. The greatest demand for milk is during the fall months. Many dairy-men would receive larger returns if they adjusted their produc-tion to this period of peak demand. Markets for milk and dairy products are being expanded. Paper cartons, technical advances in refrigeration, good rural roads and increased population have all played their part in this expansion. Milk is now available to all communities through-out the state. 54 N. C. Department of Agriculture Problems have also grown with dairy development, and the 1953 Legislature provided for the creation of a North Carolina Milk Commission. This Commission has been active for the past year. It has held hearings, divided the state into marketing areas, and has issued orders setting minimum prices to be paid to producers. Regulations governing base production plans have been established, and trade practices in the industry have been given attention by the Commission. The Milk Commission is a separate agency from the Depart-ment of Agriculture, but close cooperation exists between them. The Board of Agriculture has given considerable time and thought to dairy problems during this biennium. After several public hearings it rendered a decision interpreting the regula-tions relating to use of the word "churned" and other words or pictures on containers of cultured buttermilk which might tend to mislead the consumer. A proposal to permit "Grade A" label-ing of recombined buttermilk and chocolate milk, under certain conditions, was also considered and denied. The Board adopted new definitions and standards for single cream, double cream and sour cream. Regulations for butterfat testing were revised. The minimum percentage of solids-not-fat of milk, buttermilk, lactic milk and reconstituted or recombined milk was changed from 8.50 to 8.25, to conform with the U. S. Public Health Milk Code. Regulations pertaining to sampling and testing milk and cream were amended by the Board of Agriculture on June 22, 1954. The changes made were in line with recommendations promulgated by The American Dairy Science Association. The new regulations spell out the necessary steps to be followed in securing representative samples and accurate testing of milk and cream by licensed testers. North Carolina is the first state to adopt the procedures proposed by this association. The Board of Agriculture has received several requests that the dairy regulations be amended to permit the sale of milk from refrigerated bulk dispensers in restaurants and other public eating places. The restaurant industry, as well as manufacturers of the dispensers, have urged this proposal. The dispensers are permitted by law and regulation in numerous other state, and this Division has made an extensive survey of the experience and regulatory measures prevailing in those states. Report for 1952-54 — Dairy 55 Recently the Board authorized the appointment of a commit-tee, representing various segments of the dairy industry and the State Department of Health, to recommend regulatory pro-visions governing the use of such dispensers. This committee's work is nearing completion and its recommendations will be presented to the Board in the near future. Bulk tank cooling of milk at the farm, with tank truck pick-up delivery to milk plants, is another innovation facing the dairy industry. It is believed that this movement will lower collection and receiving costs and improve milk quality. It also eliminates the conventional 10-gallon can. However, this system has the disadvantage of being practical only for producers who have sufficient volume to justify installa-tion of costly farm bulk tanks. Regulations designed to provide uniformity of installation and sanitary practices are in process of preparation for consideration by the Board of Agriculture. Milk dispensers and farm bulk milk cooling tanks indicate that dairying is advancing with modern technology. As new systems of milk marketing and handling are adopted, new safe-guards and control measures are necessary, which increase the responsibility and activity of this Division. Perhaps the most outstanding achievement of this Division during the biennium has been the highly successful operation of a new mobile dairy laboratory. This portable unit has made a marked contribution to the milk control program and has pro-vided full laboratory services to communities which did not have adequate laboratory facilities. In many cases it was used to augment local health-department and dairy-plant laboratories. Full cooperation was offered milksheds needing assistance. As a result, milk coming to dairy plants is of better bacteriological quality than ever before. Ice Cream North Carolinians consume around 31/3 gallons of ice cream and other frozen desserts per capita annually. Estimated pro-duction for 1953 was 13,602,000 gallons. To maintain the standards of purity and identity, the field force of this Division is constantly checking all manufacturers. There are 65 ice cream plants and 230 counter and soft ice cream operations in the state. During the 1952-54 biennium 1,795 in-spections were made and 2,408 official samples were purchased 56 N. C. Department of Agriculture and delivered to the central laboratory where full analysis is made. If a product is found deficient in composition or carries a high bacteria count, it is embargoed by a Stop-Sale order. When violations are repeated or wilful, the offending manufac-turer is prosecuted. Milk Imports Seasonal fluctuations in milk production, and requirements of military installations located in the state, make it necessary to import some Grade A fluid milk from other states. The out-of-state supplier and the receiving plant in North Carolina are both required to obtain permits from this Department. Before such permits are issued, information is secured regarding the sanitary rating of the out-of-state supplier, and sometimes it is necessary to send a representative of this Division to make a plant inspection. During 1952 it was necessary to import 42,109,000 pounds of milk, but only 15,697,000 pounds were imported in 1953. With the rapid expansion of our dairy industry sufficient milk should be available in the state throughout the year in the near future. Exterior view of the Department's mobile dairy laboratory, which was put into service in the spring of 1953. This laboratory has proved of inestimable value in the Dairy Division's inspection and testing w^ork. Ranging the state, it moves from plant to plant and supplements the work of the central laboratory in Raleigh. Report for 1952-54 — Dairy 57 mmmmmm mmmglR Interior view of the mobile dairy laboratory. Used also to augment health-department and milk-plant laboratories, this mobile unit is now filling gaps in laboratory facilities which have existed in some communities. Supervision of Babcock Testers The Babcock Test Law requires every person testing milk and cream to be licensed. The Dairy Division supervises the testing and sampling of 106 licensed testers at 106 milk and dairy pro-cessing plants. During this biennium 1,000 plant investigations were made, covering 24,198 samples. Improvements in sampling and testing are noted throughout the state. To secure accurate samples from some weigh tanks, new regulations require that mechanical agitators be installed. Much time and travel is spent on this program, and it can be positively stated that our dairymen are getting accurate butter-fat tests. Milk varies because of many factors, such as lactation period, weather and other conditions. This Division, acting in the capacity of a referee, makes for better understanding be-tween producer and distributors. 58 N. C. Department of Agriculture Inspecting, Grading and Testing Dairy Products This important program has been accelerated during the past biennium. Over 10,000 official samples of milk and other dairy products were analyzed, including producers' milk as well as finished products. Laboratory analyses covered plate count for bacteria, butterfat and solids tests, including lactometer and cryoscope determination. In cases where samples showed de-ficiencies, reports were made to producer or plant and to local health officials. Follow-up field inspection was made whenever possible. Nearly 1,800 farm inspections were made. This project was carried on in very close cooperation with local health de-partments. The mobile laboratory was of great value in this work, as it was moved from plant to plant throughout the state. To prevent fraud and deception the regulations set up specific labeling requirements. To maintain the standards of purity and identity for these products, the Division's field men are con-stantly checking manufacturing and production practices. Milk from North Carolina Farms is coming to dairy plants cleaner and of better bacteriological quality than ever before. However, there is opportunity for further iiyiprovement. Our goal is to secure the best possible milk and dairy products for all our people. STATISTICAL REPORT Plant investigations (Butterfat check testing) 1,002 Testers Licenses issued (yearly) 106 Testers Examinations 25 Butterfat check tests (Fresh daily) 22,860 Composite Samples (check tests) 1,338 Total Butterfat Tests 24,198 Official Milk and other Dairy Products analyzed 10,123 Unofficial Milk Samples 371 Official Ice Cream and Frozen Dairy Products 2,408 Unofficial Ice Cream Samples 20 Ice Cream Plant Inspections 1,739 Dairy Farm Inspections 1,795 Butter Plant Inspections 10 Cheese Plant Inspections 2 Out-of-State Milk Inspections 15 Lactometer 1,110 Court Convictions 1 Gallons, Ice Cream Embargoes 24 Gallons, Ice Cream Mix Embargoes 140 Gallons, Milk Embargoes 378 Ice Cream Plants ordered closed . 3 Milk Can Warnings issued 1,115 DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY C. H. Brannon State Entomologist The Division of Entomology is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the state plant pest and honey bee laws, rules and regulations. It also cooperates with the Federal Government in the adminis-tration of Federal plant pest quarantines which apply to North Carolina. The Division also maintains an excellent insect collection which has been developed over a period of fifty years. Detailed records are also kept in connection with the collection. The collection and records are available for consultation by any competent entomologist. C. H. Brannon Nursery Inspection Fifteen years ago there were 150 nurseries in the state. Now there are approximately 500 nurseries in North Carolina. All of these nurseries are carefully inspected each year and issued certifiicates which permit shipment of nursery stock in North Carolina and to all other states. Such permits are necessary to comply with various out-of-state regulations. Serious plant pests would be spread all over the state and the nation, if it were not for this efficient inspection service, which requires over three months of concentrated effort by four staff members. Nurseries located in quarantine areas, or which may have a serious plant pest problem, are inspected repeatedly to insure the distribution of clean stock. The nursery industry of the state has always given this Division excellent cooperation. Nursery dealers (individuals or stores) are required to obtain a state license from this Division. Dealers must file a form with this office which lists their source of supply and pledges each to obtain stock only from certified nurseries. Each unit of a chain store group must obtain a separate license. Staff in-spectors check stores to enforce this requirement. 60 N. C. Department of Agriculture White-Fringed Beetle The white-fringed beetle was first found in North Carolina in 1942. Since that time infestation has been found in the fol-lowing 24 counties, all in eastern North Carolina : Anson, Bruns-wick, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Edgecombe, Harnett, John-ston, Jones, Lenoir, Mecklenburg, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Union, Wake, Wayne and Wilson. The white-fringed beetle project is a cooperative program with the Federal Government. The Federal quarantine furnishes twelve inspectors, cars and spray equipment. These inspectors are located at Albemarle, Burgaw, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Fu-quay Springs, Goldsboro, Jacksonville and Wilmington. In addi-tion to these permanent inspectors ten or fifteen temporary inspectors are also assigned to the state during the summer season. The state furnishes some personnel, insecticides and fumi-gants. Fifty-six group meetings were held during 1953 and ex-cellent cooperation was obtained for the program. Cities, coun-ties, nurseries, commercial concerns and railroads have provided funds for treating private properties. The North Carolina High-way Commission has furnished insecticides for the treatment of their rights-of-way. The insecticides used in this work at present are Dieldrin (especially the granular form), chlordane and DDT. The use of fertilizer-insecticide mixtures has increased during the past two years. The white-fringed beetle population has been drastically re-duced due to this very effective program. Therefore, serious dam-age by this pest is not an immediate threat to North Carolina. Bladen County has been released from the quarantine because no infestation has been found there for several years. Japanese Beetle The Japanese Beetle was first found in North Carolina in 1932, and the infested area was immediately placed under state quarantine. The seriously infested area in the state was placed under Federal quarantine in 1951, and includes the following fifty counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, David- Report for 1952-54 — Entomology 61 son, Duplin, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Gates, Guilford, Greene, Hali-fax, Harnett, Henderson, Hertford, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perqui-mans, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Rowan, Sampson, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne, Wilson, Beaver Dam Township and city of Canton in Haywood County, and Blowing Rock town-ship in Watauga County. A modern North Carolina nursery sales yard. The state, in cooperation with the federal government, spent over a half-million dollars in trapping and control work before the federal quarantine was extended into the state. This ex-penditure was an excellent investment in delaying severe damage in North Carolina. However, the Japanese Beetle has now spread to all sections of the state; and it is now financially and physically impossible to continue control treatments of several years ago, except in limited and strategic areas. The cotton boll-weevil, the Mexican bean beetle and many other serious insect pests found all over the state, were for-merly under quarantine. The State and Federal governments were forced to discontinue large scale control measures, thus placing control responsibility on counties, municipalities and individuals. During the last two years limited foliage treatments have been applied around produce packing and shipping sheds in certain heavily infested areas. This treatment has also been 62 N. C. Department of Agriculture applied along highways, where the infestation is heavy, to pre-vent beetles from flying into cars and trucks. Airports in the Asheville-Hendersonville area have been treated. The Coast Guard and Navy furnished material for treating their grounds near Elizabeth City. During the past two years approximately 30,000,000 plants, with a value of over $1,000,000, were inspected and certified for movement from plant growing establishments in North Carolina. European Corn Borer The European corn borer is now found in 48 counties of the State as follows : Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Catawba, Carteret, Chowan, Clay, Cleveland, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hyde, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Martin, McDowell, Mitchell, Nash, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Washington, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey. Thirteen new counties were found infested in 1952 and sixteen newly infested counties were found in 1953. Severe damage to corn has occurred in eastern North Carolina; slight damage to potatoes has been reported. Insect Collection The Entomology Division has in its care one of the finest insect collections in the nation. It is by far the most valuable in the South. The collection has been built up over a period of sixty years, and it is supplied almost daily with additions. This in-valuable collection contains approximately 15,000 species and a total of nearly 1,000,000 insects. Now housed in the new Agriculture Building Annex, the Division has for the first time adequate and suitable space to use and care for the collection. The specimens are in the process of being transferred from old wooden boxes to the very latest Cornell-type trays, which are enclosed in moisture- and pest-proof cabinets. The trays are removable for study at tables under windows which provide northern light. The new quarters also provide space for ready access to the Division's extensive entomological library. Report for 1952-54 — Entomology 63 North Carolina's valuable insect collection is now housed in new quarters and is being transferred to modern equipment. The top photo above shows how the insect trays fit into moisture- and pest-proof cabinets. Trays are removable for study, as shown in the lower picture. Windows facing north provide the best possible light for examining specimens. 64 N. C. Department of Agriculture Insect control work depends on accurate identification of an insect pest. Records of its previous occurrence are also invalu-able. Entomologists from North Carolina and many other states freely consult the collection and records. Federal entomologists from Washington frequently have occasion to consult the collec-tion and records. An experienced and well trained staff member has charge of the collection to insure proper care and classifi-cation of specimens. Camellia Flower Blight Camellia flower blight, a serious disease of camellia flowers, was first found in Brunswick County in 1949. The disease has spread into New" Hanover, Onslow and Wilson counties. This Division carefully enforces a quarantine against infected proper-ties in an attempt to prevent further spread. If this disease were not held under strict quarantine it might soon ruin all of the vast camellia plantings in North Carolina. Bee Work North Carolina has approximately twelve queen breeders who are inspected each year, and issued a state certificate. All states require that the colonies of queen breeders be carefully inspected and keDt under strict supervision due to the danger of spreading bee diseases wherever the queens may be shipped. Beekeepers who move colonies within or outside the state must obtain a permit certifying that their colonies are free from bee diseases. The last General Assembly provided $3,000 for additional bee inspection work. Several experienced, practical bee keepers are employed during the spring and summer to aid beekeepers in cleaning up bee diseases in their colonies. This is a very valuable service and should be expanded as additional funds may be available. White-Pine Blister Rust Quarantine The last General Assembly transferred the blister rust con-trol work to the State Forester. This is in line with the policy of the federal government and many other states. This Division, however, continues its administration of the blister rust quar- Report for 1952-54 — Entomology 65 antine, which controls the movement of white-pine trees or Ribes plants into or out of the quarantine areas in western North Carolina. All such movements are closely controlled. Narcissus Bulb Inspection Narcissus bulb inspection protects the valuable planting of North Carolina bulb growers from destruction by the bulb nematode. This serious pest would have destroyed the bulb grow-ing industry long ago if it were not for the careful inspection service each spring by experienced staff inspectors. Several weeks are required to complete this work each year. In the 1953 season 91 acres on 11 properties were inspected. No nema-todes were found. During the 1954 season 102 acres on 10 properties were inspected with no infestations located. All bulbs were also given a storage inspection. Alfalfa Nematode A new and serious pest of alfalfa in North Carolina was found for the first time in 1954. One field in Granville County was found infested. Research entomologists from North Caro-lina State College are working on this problem in cooperation with our staff. No quarantine action is considered feasible at present. Ground Pearl A mealy-bug known as the ''Ground Pearl" was found infest-ing lawn grass in Wilmington in 1954. Work on the problem is proceeding in cooperation with N. C. State College research staff. No quarantine action is contemplated at this time. Imported Fire Ant The Imported Fire Ant, a foreign introduction, was first found in the vicinity of Mobile, Alabama, over twenty years ago. This ant is a vicious attacker of farm animals, birds and man. Its mounds cause vast areas to be abandoned for cultivation. This insect was found in North Carolina in 1952. Treatments have been promptly made and it is hoped that serious spread in this state may be prevented. This problem is being closely supervised. 66 N. C. Department of Agriculture Golden Nematode Federal inspectors, cooperating with this Division have found North Carolina free from this serious pest of potatoes. The Golden Nematode is a serious problem on Long Island. Every-thing possible is being done to prevent its spread to other states by cooperative inspections which are extremely tedious to carry out over a wide area. Larger Staff Needed The Division of Entomology badly needs two additional staff members, when funds are available. The duties of the Division have trebled during the last ten years and we are able to carry out only the minimum requirements of the laws and regulations pertaining to plant pests and bee diseases. We should have an inspector located at Salisbury and another at Greenville to effectively supervise our manifold activities in the Piedmont area and Eastern North Carolina. Present staff members located at Wilmington and Asheville cannot do effective work in such a large territory. Additional summer bee inspectors are also urgently needed. New Quarters The Division of Entomology is most grateful for the excellent quarters in the new Annex Building. For the first time in a half century the Division has adequate space and modern equipment. The quarters and equipment of this Division are now second to none of any similar organization in the United States. DIVISION OF MARKETS John A. Winfield Dh^ector Plagued by extended droughts and un-certain economic conditions during the 1952-54 biennium, North Carolina farmers bolstered their efforts to offset as many of their production losses as possible by marketing their commodities in an orderly and efficient manner. This is evident from the unprecendented demand for technical assistance which John A. Winfield the Division of Markets experienced dur-ing the two-year period. Never before has there been such an earnest endeavor by farmers and market facility operators alike to seek advice on marketing problems and then follow it to the best of their ability. Just as the production of agricultural products has increased in complexity, so has the marketing of these products. Time was when a farm was symbolized by a cheaply paid plowboy following a mule. Research and experience, however, have fashioned expensive and complicated farm machines which re-quire men with training and intellect for their operation. Paral-lel advances in agricultural marketing have also brought de-mands for increased knowledge. The fact remains, however, that the average farmer's opera-tions are on too small a scale to warrant giving much of his time to marketing or to performing certain important marketing ac-tivities. While this results in one of agriculture's greatest marketing problems, it is only one reason why the ultimate in efficient marketing cannot be reached at a more rapid rate. Actually, there is no one marketing problem. The farmer wants a marketing system which will give him the largest pos-sible returns for the things he can produce. The middlemen have as their main objective the largest possible total net profit for the service they render. And the consumer wants a system which will provide adequate quantities and desired qualities of foods and fiber products at the lowest possible cost. With this in mind during the 1952-54 biennium, personnel of the Division of Markets planned their work toward: (1) Im- 68 N. C. Department of Agriculture proving market methods and facilities; (2) reducing distribu-tion costs; (3) narrowing the price spread between producer and consumer. The first comprehensive efforts in the field of transporation were undertaken in July, 1953, with the employment of an ex-perienced transportation specialist. While only one year has elapsed since the inauguration of this service, thousands of dollars have already been saved for North Carolina farmers through reduced transportation rates. Because of the vastness and complexity of our agricultural marketing system, it is difficult to measure in terms of actual value the accomplishments made from year to year. It is ap-parent, however, that definite progress has been made in the marketing of many of our commodities. The fundamentals of efficient marketing are generally constant but changes in production practices or trends have a direct in-fluence on marketing programs. Although many accomplish-ments were achieved in the field of agricultural marketing dur-ing the past two years, there is, of course, a continuing need for additional efforts along these lines. Several of the state's major farm enterprises are still expanding and, with each year's growth, the demands for marketing assistance likewise increase. It is the desire of the Markets Division to continue its close working relations with other agencies and to meet these demands as quickly and as completely as possible. Following is a summary of activities for the past biennium in the various phases covered by this Division, together with some discussion of problems and plans for the future. Cotton Since 1948, when the Division initiated its cotton marketing program and technical assistance to cotton gins, the percentage of rough preparation (ginning) has declined from a prior aver-age of 17 per cent to an all-time low of .01 per cent in 1953. In addition to increasing the comparative value of the state's cotton crop, improved ginning has expanded the market outlets for North Carolina cotton and reversed the tendency of the spinning industry to avoid, or over-discount North Carolina growths. Normal and better preparation is a prerequisite to the preserva-tion of fiber spinning properties in the severe pre-ginning proc- Report for 1952-54 — Markets 69 Pneumatic equipment for handling corn meal was designed by Division specialists and is now being used in the manufacture of approximately 50 per cent of the corn meal produced in the state. essing necessitated by machine and rough hand harvesting. Con-sequently, North Carolina is now in position to make a major contribution to the solution of the belt-wide problem of fiber quality. Near the close of the 1950-52 biennium the cotton section in-stalled a fiber testing laboratory equipped for testing strength, fineness, maturity and length uniformity. Laboratory test re-sults released at 10-day intervals during the past two gin seasons from 15 selected producing and marketing points in the state have provided North Carolina with a marketing service normally confined to areas of greater production. The release and use of laboratory test data have helped develop a more effective and practical working relationship between cotton specialists and mill technicians. This cooperation is essential to any appreciable progress in cotton quality improvement. The corn mill program, begun near the close of the last biennium, was designed to assist corn millers with processing and sanitation problems. According to the state chemist and commercial laboratories. North Carolina meal is improving, both in wholesomeness and in cleanliness. At least two items of needed equipment designed by Division specialists have been well 70 N. C. Department of Agriculture received by the milling industry. One of them, a pneumatic handling system, is now used in the manufacture of approxi-mately 50 per cent of the meal produced in the state. Other requests for technical assistance have come from seed cleaning and grading plants, feed mills, oil mills, grain handlers, and manufacturing plants using pneumatic conveying equipment. Field procedures for technical assistance are practically the same for all pre-marketing processing, regardless of the com-modity, and may be defined as "on the spot" attention to specific problems. In lending technical assistance to pre-marketing processing our specialists made 1,100 visits to cotton gins, 650 to corn mills, 100 to cotton mills and cotton merchants, and 50 to oil mills, seed cleaning and treating plants, feed manufacturers and grain elevators. In addition to numerous meetings and conferences with other agricultural agencies, all proper encouragement and assistance was given to trade associations in their organized support of state agency programs. Practically all technical assistance programs offered unusual opportunities to promote better inter- and intra-interests rela-tions and mobilize industry's support and cooperation in state agency programs. The ginner trade organizations in Carolina and Virginia began as a Department project incident to tech-nical assistance to cotton gins. Approximately one-half the ginners in the state are associated in county group organizations and meet monthly, functioning largely as agricultural groups. Working with corn mills gave Division specialists an oppor-tunity to organize the Western Millers' Association and to pro-mote their cooperation with the Eastern group and the recently organized Grain Dealers' Association. The resulting improve-ment in working relationships between industries and state agencies, and the co-ordination of state agency programs, have been so effective that credit for any progress must be shared with all agencies and interests concerned. Cotton production in North Carolina, apparently, has leveled off at approximately 750,000 acres, thoroughly integrated in a well balanced and diversified agriculture. The positive attitude of the several raw cotton interests toward the future of cotton in the state is reflected in the objectives of the Cotton Promo-tion Committee and the industry-sponsored Cotton Quality Im-provement Committee. Report for 1952-54 — Markets 71 Precooling peaches before shipment brought growers several thousand dollars in extra returns. Cotton is still the main source of livelihood for many North Carolina families and it occupies an important place in our diversified agriculture. But with North Carolina's relatively small acreage as compared with many of the other states, addi-tional efforts are needed to assist farmers in overcoming certain marketing disadvantages. These will be met by continuing to improve the pre-marketing processing of cotton and by increas-ing fiber test studies in the laboratory. North Carolina's rapid development as a corn growing state is accomplished by an equally gratifying expansion of the corn marketing and processing industries. The corn milling industry, in particular, recognizes vast possibilities of expanded market-ing outlets, both within and without the state. Fruits and Vegetables One of the Market Division's objectives is to assist producers and shippers of fresh fruits and vegetables in an aggressive marketing program that will protect and expand North Caro-lina's rightful share of her logical markets. The saleable products which can be converted into cash determine the degree of ma-terial progress attained. Marketing facilities and services play 72 N. C. Department of Agriculture a most important role in securing the value of these cash sales. Information and assistance to producers, producer groups, and shippers were emphasized during the biennium. Seasonal bulletins were prepared giving information as to anticipated volume, crop conditions, harvest dates, and location of the com-modities. This information was mailed to about 2,000 buyers annually in 17 states. Division specialists were instrumental in getting one of the nation's largest pecan buyers and shellers to establish buying points and a shelling plant in the state during the last biennium. Such facilities were greatly needed to furnish a ready cash outlet for p€can growers. This firm purchased more than a million pounds of nuts of the 1953 crop. In addition, one of the east's well established processors was encouraged to establish a modern pepper canning plant at Dunn. Several thousand dollars in extra profits were realized by North Carolina peach growers, who during the past two years, installed pre-cooling units in their packing sheds to increase the shipping quality and shelf-life of their fruit. Striving for more efficient marketing through more and im-proved facilities, Division specialists assisted in the organization and initial operations of four new produce markets within the state. Other assistance was rendered by: (1) Procuring approxi-mately 12,000 bushels of the best sweet potato seed stock avail-able for North Carolina growers; (2) inspecting seed Irish po-tatoes received by producers and handlers to determine if the seed stock met the requirements of the Seed Potato Law; (3) helping peach and potato producers make plans for holding a referendum which would give producers the right to assess them-selves a specific fee to raise funds for advertising and promoting sales of their products; (4) helping apple growers in carrying out their plans for promoting a more uniform grade and pack by means of central packing houses and cold storage facilities; (5) aiding peach growers in developing and carrying out a suc-cessful advertising program through radio, television and press releases. Inspection and certification work was again a major ac-tivity of the Division specialists. Fruits, vegetables, potatoes and peanuts are largely bought and sold on the basis of official grades, without which there would be no dependable basis of Report for 1952-54 — Markets 73 useful market price information and orderly trading. The appli-cation of the grades must necessarily be by impartial and well trained personnel. During the past two years 12,635 carlots of fruits, vegetables and cleaned and shelled peanuts were officially certified at various buying stations. In addition, the following quantities of produce were inspected at auction markets : 355,435 bushels of snap beans, 122,647 crates of corn, 537,497 bushels of cucumbers, 850,421 bushels of peppers, 169,056 crates of strawberries, 35,000 bushels of squash, 1,445,939 bushels of sweet potatoes, and 25,007 containers of miscellaneous products. Receiving market inspections totaled 774 carlots for whole-salers and 13,465,134 pounds of various fruits and vegetables at or for delivery to military installations or state and federal institutions. The annual cash value of the fresh fruits and vegetables pro-duced in North Carolina ranges from about $60,000,000 to $75,000,000 depending upon production and prices received by farmers. Our continuing shift from a seller's market to a buyer's market is increasing the effects of consumer preference on commodity prices. |