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BIENNIAL REPORT
for 7950=7952
NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
L. Y. BALLENTINE, Commissioner
RALEIGH. N. C.
C£3o,k
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Board of Agriculture 8
Personnel 9
Commissioner's Summary 16
Highlights of Board Meetings 19
Accounting Division 24
Chemistry Division 29
Fertilizers, Fertilizer and Liming Materials 29
Commercial Feeds 30
Economic Poisons 31
Linseed Oils 33
Antifreezes 33
Foods and Drugs 34
Oleomargarine 40
Credit Union Division 42
Dairy Division 45
Entomology Division 50
Nursery Inspection 50
White-Fringed Beetle 51
Japanese Beetle 52
Bulb Inspection 54
Apiary Inspection 54
White Pine Blister Rust Control 55
European Corn Borer 56
Phony Peach Disease 56
Dura Stem Borer 56
Markets Division 57
Tobacco 61
O Cotton 65
<V} Grains 66
4 N. C. Department of Agriculture
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Continued
Fruits and Vegetables 68
Milk 72
Livestock 77
Cooperatives 79
Commodity Distribution 79
Poultry and Eggs 82
Market News : 85
Museum Division 87
Publications Division 92
Seed Testing Division 95
Soil Testing Division 99
State Fair Division 104
Statistics Division 109
Test Farms Division 116
Coastal Plain Test Farm, Willard 120
Mountain Test Farm, Waynesville 123
Peanut Test Farm, Lewiston 125
Piedmont Test Farm, Statesville 126
Tidewater Test Farm, Plymouth 129
Tobacco Test Farm, Oxford 131
Upper Coastal Plain Test Farm, Rocky Mount 134
Upper Mountain Test Farm, Laurel Springs 136
Veterinary Division 140
Anthrax 140
Vesicular Exanthema 141
Anaplasmosis 141
Brucellosis 143
Tuberculosis 1 44
Mastitis 145
Report for 1950-52
—
Contents 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS — Continued
Horses and Mules, Diseases of 145
Hog Cholera and Other Swine Diseases 145
Rabies 146
Breeding Improvement and Pullorum Disease Eradication 146
Poultry Diseases 147
Poultry Diagnostic Laboratory 147
Public Livestock Auction Markets 148
Diagnostic and Research Laboratory , 148
Warehouse Division 149
Weights and Measures Division 150
L. Y. Ballentine
Commissioner of Agriculture
A. Hugh Harris
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
O. J. Holler Union Mills
J. Muse McCotter !?; New Bern
Miss Ethel Parker Gatesville
Charles F. Phillips1 Thomasville
J. H. Poole West End
A. B. Slagle Franklin
J. E. Winslow Greenville
1 Appointed by the Governor to replace W. B. Austin, Jefferson, resigned.
PERSONNEL
OF THE
STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
JUNE 30, 1952
L. Y. Ballentine, Commissioner
Administration
A. Hugh Harris Assistant Commissioner
Lillian R. Parker Stenographer Clerk I
Lydia S. Perry Stenographer Clerk III
Doris B. Wofford Stenographer Clerk III
Division of Accounts
A. R. Powledce Accountant II
Ella V. Dodson Accoimting Clerk II
Catherine C. DuPree Accounting Clerk I
Elsie W. Jordan Accounting Clerk II
Sallie H. Jordan Accounting Clerk II
Mrs. Grace H. Malloy Accounting Clerk HI
Myrna L. Nowell Accounting Clerk I
Publicity and Publications
Blackburn W. Johnson Public Information Officer III
Mrs. M. Pauline DeCosta Information and Editorial Assistant
Joseph A. Hunter Clerk II
Bettye T. Rogers -. Clerk I
Inspection
E. H. Cooper .....Tax Auditor III
Walter E. Burgiss Seed Specialist
Lindsey Ennis Feed, Fertilizer and Insecticide Inspector I
Harvey C. McPhail Feed, Fertilizer and Insecticide Inspector I
Renneth M. Mintz Seed Specialist
Joe N. Tate, Jr Feed, Fertilizer and Insecticide Inspector I
J. W. Woodside Feed, Fertilizer and Insecticide Inspector I
Markets .;
John A. Winfield Director Agricultural Marketing
Margaret L. Amandolia Stenographer Clerk I
Nancy W, Brackett Stenographer Clerk II
Gilbert Clark Marketing Specialist,, IV
Evelyn S. Conyers Laboratory Technician I
Grady Cooper, Jr Marketing Specialist II
J. B. Cotner Marketing Specialist IV
George C. Creech ...:.'....... Alarketing Specialist I
John Holman Cyrus Marketing Specialist II
Jay P. Davis, Jr Marketing Specialist HI
Mrs. Louise T. Dunn Stenographer Clerk III
Elizabeth C. Edwards Stenographer Clerk II
10 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Ollie W. Faison Marketing Specialist III
Jesse R. Ferrell Marketing Specialist II
Elvin H. Frazier, Jr Marketing Specialist I
Cleo M. Gault Laboratory Technician I
Joe B. Gourlay Marketing Specialist HI
Wendell P. Hedrick Marketing Specialist IV
Vernon W. Hill Marketing Specialist III
Ruby M. Hinson Stenographer Clerk III
Julius P. Jenrette Marketing Specialist III
Albert B. Johnson Marketing Specialist II
Fred P. Johnson Marketing Specialist IV
Ralph Bogan Kelly Marketing Specialist HI
Ethel Y. Kiker Marketing Specialist II
Hazel McA. Maddrey Accounting Clerk I
Pauline M. Maney Typist Clerk I
Mrs. Helen R. Marley Stenographer Clerk II
Hugh B. Martin Marketing Specialist HI
Margie B. Massenburg Stenographer Clerk HI
N. P. McDuffie Marketing Specialist I
Candler C. Miller Marketing Specialist HI
Marjorie D. Moore Stenographer Clerk HI
Hobart W. Myrick Marketing Specialist HI
Mrs. Mary L. Norman Stenographer Clerk II
Phoebe D. Powers Stenographer Clerk II
H. D. Quessenberry Marketing Specialist III
Mrs. Dorothy Y. Reaves Typist Clerk I
James Ritchie, Jr Marketing Specialist II
Carson W. Sheffield Marketing Specialist IV
Anne B. Stoddart Accounting Clerk I
Curtis F. Tarleton Marketing Specialist HI
Carl H. Tower Marketing Specialist III
Christopher H. Venters Marketing Specialist II
J. V. Whitaker Marketing Specialist IV
Credit Union
D. R. Graham Credit Union Superintendent
A. S. Bynum Fiscal Examiner II
Howard L. Pijahn Fiscal Examiner II
Mrs. Myrtice B. Wilder Stenographer Clerk II
Dairy
C. W. Pegram Director of Dairy Service
Delma B. Hall Laboratory Assistant
Elmo H. Hollomon Dairy Specialist II
Paul R. Jordan, Jr Bacteriologist
W. L. McLeod Dairy Specialist II
Francis Patterson Dairy Specialist II
James C. Plaster Dairy Specialist I
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 1950-52
—
Personnel 11
Seed Laboratory
Willard H. Darst Director of Seed Testing
Susie D. Allen Seed Analyst HI
Stella W. Etheredge Seed Analyst II
Lula Purvis Gray Seed Analyst II
Joan Massey Stenographer Clerk I
Mary A. Nicholson Seed Analyst II
Edith R. Rogers Seed Analyst I
Evalds Smits Seed Analyst 11
Mrs. Mildred W. Thomas Seed Analyst II
Analytical
E. W. Constable State Chemist
L. V. Amburgey Microanalyst
Caroline Andrews Chemist I
Henry W. Barnes, Jr Chemist II
Z. B. Bradford Chemist HI
Burney A. Britt Chemist II
David E. Buffaloe Chemist III
Mrs. Margaret B. Carter Chemist II
James A. Chapman Laboratory Assistant
Dorothy M. Davis Stenographer Clerk II
John J. Filicky Chemist II
Mrs. Evelyn A. Freeman Stenographer Clerk I
Chas. H. Godwin, Jr Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics Inspector
Heber B. Hatch Typist Clerk III
Samuel H. Hinton Laboratory Assistant
Eugene T. Hord, Jr Chemist II
Velva E. Hudson Typist Clerk HI
Berntce Jeffries Laboratory Assistant
Jesse G. Jerntgan Chemist I
Delwin P. Johnson Che7nist II
Rosa D. Kirby Chemist I
Ernest L. Long Chemist I
H. D. Matheson Chemist II
W. P. Matthews Chemist HI
Harry A. Miller Assistant State Chemist
L. M. Nixon Chemist IV
Tred P. Nooe Food, Drug and Cosmetic Inspector
H. F. Pickering Chemist III
J. S. Pittard Chemist III
John L. Ray Chemist II
L. B. Rhodes Food Chemist
Clyde W. Roberts Food, Drug and Cosmetic Inspector
William Sylver, Jr Laboratory Assistant
Robert T. Teague, Jr Chemist II
Hazel Willis Stenographer Clerk HI
Crop Statistics
Frank Parker Director of Statistics
John T. Richardson Administrative Officer
Mary Southall Allen Research Assistant
Ruth F. Allen Calculating Machine Operator
Mrs. Frances D. Chandler Research Assistant
Jean F. DeWeese Research Assistant
Mrs. Sarah F. Drake Research Assistant
George M. Ferrell Statistician I
Martha J. Frame Research Assistant
William C. Hinson, Jr Jr. Statistician
12 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Donald B. Jones Jr. Statistician
Pearl K. Joyner Vari-Type Operator II
Mrs. Willie M. Knott Vari-Type Operator I
Helen E. Kornegay Research Assistant
Mary D. Matthews Clerk II
Janie H. Murph Research Assistant
Francis M. Nine, Jr Duplicating Machine Operator II
Nancy C. Penny Stenographer II
Hans C. Wagner Duplicating Machine Operator II
Olaf Wakefield Sr. Statistician
Soil Testing
James Walter Fitts Director of Soil Testing
Maxine Bissette Chemist I
Margaret L. Brock Stenographer Clerk II
Mildred S. Combs Typist Clerk I
Lucy D. Elmore Chemist I
Arthur Giles Laboratory Assistant
Nancy Ann House Typist Clerk I
James S. Hunter Laboratory Assistant
Mildred K. Lowe Stenographer Clerk II
Adolf Mehlich Assistant Director
Nancy B. Smith Chemist I
Nannie Isabelle Smith Chemist I
Margaret E. Stancil Typist Clerk I
Mrs. Dixie R. Vick Stenographer I
Muriel M. Weathers Chemist I
Charles D. Welch Agronomist
Blister Rust Control
Olin D. Hefner Entomologist I
Veterinary
Hal J. Rollins State Veterinarian
Melva P. Alexander Laboratory Technician I
Josephine A. Allen Stenographer Clerk III
William Andrew Poultry Specialist I
W. R. Baynes Veterinarian III
Jeanette E. Bull > Stenographer Clerk I
G. I. Bullock Poultry Specialist II
Julius B. Cashion Poultry Specialist I
Jesse J. Causby Poultry Specialist I
Kenneth G. Church Poultry Specialist I
Henry B. Collins Livestock Inspector
Eugene C. Couch Poultry Specialist I
Elizabeth K. Cuddeback ._. Laboratory Technician II
Mary L. Daughety Stenographer Clerk II
W. J. Elkins Poultry Specialist I
L. J. Fourie Poultry Specialist HI
George D. Fuller Livestock Inspector
Calvin C. Gatz Veterinarian III
L. M. Greene Veterinarian III
Frank S. Hall Clerk I
Frank Howard, Jr Laboratory Assistant
G. W. Ivey Poultry Specialist II
R. Russell Jeter Veterinarian II
W. W. Keever Poultry Specialist II
Fred D. Long Poultry Specialist I
Peter S. Penland Poultry Specialist I
Report for 1950-52
—
Personnel 13
VKrlin E. Reese Poultry Specialist I
Phil R. Sandidge Poultry Specialist I
Arthur L. Shealey Veterinarian II
John R. Shivar Poultry Specialist I
Thomas L. Wellborn Poultry Specialist I
Charles S. Winston Laboratory Assistant
Auburn L. Wright Poultry Specialist 1
Thomas F. Zweigart, Jr Veterinarian II
Test Farms
Cecil D. Thomas Director of Test Farms
Helen L. Ray Stenographer Clerk II
Elwood A. Allen Senior Herdsman
Herbert W. Allen Farm Foreman II
Mrs. Lillian A. Bishop Stenographer Clerk I
Fenner B. Harris Herdsman
J. L. Rea, Jr Test Farm Superintendent
Clifton M. Blackwell Farm Foreman II
J. M. Carr Test Farm Superintendent II
Mrs. Mary P. Clark Stenographer Clerk I
Elizabeth Floyd Stenographer Clerk II
Chester Kearney Feed and Farm Laborer
Margaret W. Allsbrook Stenographer Clerk I
W. C. Allsbrook Farm Foreman II
R. E. Currin, Jr Test Farm Superintendent
Randolph Whitley Herdsman
Joseph L. Boone : ...Poultry man
Bernice H. Harrell Stenographer Clerk II
Garfield Harris Farm Foreman II
Murray R. Whisenhunt Test Farm Superintendent
R. L. York Dairy Herdsman I
James A. Graham Test Farm Superintendent
Gordon D. Sheets Farm Foreman II
Anna L. Shepherd Stenographer Clerk I
Dan L. Taylor Herdsman
Ernest W. English Poultryman
Thilbert A. Suggs Farm Foreman II
Jesse W. Sumner Test Farm Superintendent
Earl M. Wells Dairy Herdsman
B. L. Williams Stenographer Clerk II
Vester Noah Baird Farm Foreman II
Rose E. Bradford Stenographer Clerk II
J. W. Hendricks Test Farm Superintendent
Clyde Z. McSwain, Jr Farm Supervisor
Weights and Measures
-.-
C. D. Baucom Superintendent of Weights and Measures,
Director of Gasoline and Oil
Charles E. Dolan Heavy Duty Scale Inspector
Dorothy Goodson Stenographer Clerk II
Donald E. Haigler Weights and Measures Inspector
J. T. Jackson Weights and Measures Inspector
Celeste Mc. Johnson Stenographer Clerk II
Marion L. Kenlaw, Jr Weights and Measures Inspector
Grover R. Kiser Weights and Measures Inspector
T. Wavely Lucas Truck Driver
John I. Moore Weights and Measures Inspection Supervisor
William Shook Heavy Duty Scale Inspector
James E. Williams Truck Driver
S. M. Woolfolk Weights and Measures Inspector
14 N. C. Department of Agriculture
State Museum
H. T. Davis Museum Director
Ludie Virginia Ashe Maid
Mrs. 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 HI
Ralph Hamilton Veterinarian I
Custodial
Robert Harris Stock Clerk I
Worth Jeffries Stock Clerk I
State Warehouse System
A. B. Fairley Warehouse System Superintendent
Hazel K. Cobb Clerk II
Wayne B. Ferrell Warehouse Examiner
Mrs. Hallie K. Morrow Stenographer Clerk II
Hilda E. Strickland Stenographer Clerk I
Gasoline and Oil Inspection
T. W. Anderson Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Carey M. Ashley Chemist I
Milton Barefoot Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Boyd L. Barnette Chemist I
I. L. Blaylock Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Malver L. Boyette Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Luther J. Britt Gasoline and Oil Inspector
John A. Bynum Gasoline and Oil Inspector
William L. Carpenter Chemist II
Jack C. Connolly, II Chemist I
Joseph Denton Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Otto Duncan Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Odell A. Evans Calibrator
J. A. Galloway Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Elliott Harrison Laboratory Assistant
H. H. Hatcher Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Hugh F. Hayes Chemist II
Horace E. Herman Calibrator
Cecilia P. Holding .: Chemist I
Ira G. Holloway Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Alton R. Hoyle r Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Thomas S. Hughes, Jr Chemist I
Herman L. Jones Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Mary M. Lassiter Stenographer I
Roy A. McKeithan Calibrator
Francis W. Oakes Gasoline and Oil Inspector
W. T. O'Briant Gasoline and Oil Inspector
William C. Orth Chemist II
Douglas M. Pait Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Nellie A. Parrish Stenographer Clerk I
Harvey R. Pearman, Jr Chemist I
William B. Phillips .' Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Report for 1950-52
—
Personnel 15
Parley B. Rasmussen, Jr Chemist I
James R. Rivers Gasoline and Oil Inspector
H. L. Shankle Chemist IV
J. T. Shaw Chemist II
Harry W. Shelton Chemist I
Ray D. Sigmon Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Koy S. Smith Gasoline and Oil Inspector
Nina G. Sumner Chemist I
Fred Swanberg Chemical Engineer
Ralph G. Thornburg Chemist I
Thomas G. Trogdon Chemist II
Leon E. Van Brunt Calibrator
Marshall T. White Chemist I
Edna I. Williams Stenographer Clerk II
Hubert S. Williams, Jr Chemist I
Alice C. Younts Chemist I
BIENNIAL REPORT
OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
By L. Y. Ballentine
Commissioner of Agriculture
The biennium 1950-52 has been an eventful period for the State
Department of Agriculture, one marked by a noticeable quickening of
activities in each of the Department's 17 Divisions.
This is reflected in the succeeding chapters, each devoted to the
work of a particular Division. As far as possible, the text is accom-panied
by pictures giving a graphic presentation of many of the De-partment's
functions and accomplishments.
No effort will be made here to summarize all of this work, as it
would only mean unnecessary duplication of effort. Some develop-ments
of the past two years, however, are worthy of special mention,
either because of their outstanding significance or because they are
not dealt with elsewhere.
The Challenge Program
For some years there has been an increasingly cooperative spirit
among various organizations and agencies concerned with agricultural
conditions in North Carolina. This attitude has materialized in the
formation of an over-all planning and coordinating group known as
the North Carolina Board of Farm Organizations and Agencies, which
includes in its membership representatives of: The State Grange, the
N. C. Farm Bureau Federation; N. C. State College, including both
the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Agricultural Extension
Service: the U. S. Soil Conservation Service, the Production and
Marketing Administration; the Farmers' Home Administration, the
Division of Vocational Teaching of the N. C. Department of Public
Instruction; the Rural Electrification Administration, the State De-partment
of Conservation and Development and the State Depart-ment
of Agriculture.
No mere discussion group, this board has demonstrated its capacity
for achievement by developing and sponsoring the Challenge Program.
This is a united agricultural movement, already well under way,
Report for 1950-52
—
Administration 17
dedicated to: "Increased per capita income, greater security, improved
educational opportunities, finer spiritual values, stronger community
life, and more dignity and contentment in country living."
The ultimate success of this program remains to be seen, but the
enthusiasm with which it has been received augurs well for the future
of North Carolina agriculture.
"Nickels For Know-How"
Another project in which this Department has been vitally in-terested
is the "Nickels for Know-How" Program designed to supple-ment
existing funds for agricultural research and the dissemination of
research information. The 1951 General Assembly paved the way
for this fund by authorizing a referendum among farmers on the
proposal that an assessment of five cents a ton be collected by the
Department of Agriculture on sales of commercial feed and fertilizer
in the State, this money to be turned over to the Agricultural Foun-dation
of N. C. State College.
The referendum, held on November 3, 1951, went overwhelmingly
for the proposal. The vote was 61,004 for and 7,059 against, as certi-fied
by the State Grange and the N. C. Farm Bureau Federation,
which were designated by the legislature to conduct the referendum.
Collection of this assessment began on January 1, 1952, and re-ceipts
for the first six months totaled $105,368.37, which have been
paid to the Agricultural Foundation. Payments are made to the Foun-dation
on a quarterly basis.
Building Program
I am happy to report that, after some unavoidable delays, good
progress is being made on the new livestock judging arena and other
improvements at the State Fair Grounds. When these are completed
North Carolina will have an exposition plant that will reflect credit
upon the State and one which, I am confident, will prove of great
value in promoting better appreciation of the State's resources and
opportunity in agriculture, industry and commerce. Further details
about this improvement program will be found in the chapter relating
to the State Fair.
Work also is getting under way on the annex to the Agriculture
Building after many months' delay due to restrictions on building
materials. Besides providing new and modern quarters for the State
Museum of Natural History, this structure also will afford space for
offices and laboratories sorely needed to meet the increasing demands
on the Department's services.
18 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Many problems have come up during the biennium demanding
the attention of the Board of Agriculture, the Department's policy-making
body, and members of the Board have been unstinting in
their devotion to their responsibilities. I have found their judgment
sound and their wisdom broad.
Although the law requires only two meetings of the Board a year,
it has met at the call of the Commissioner 13 times during the past
two years. Appended hereto is a summary of its considerations and
actions.
HIGHLIGHTS OF BOARD MEETINGS
1950-1952 Biennium
Aug. 21, 1950
Raleigh
Budget—General
Budget—Special
Items.
Grain Storage
Seed Regulations
Sept. 27, 1950
Raleigh
Test Farm Land
Quarantine
Budget
Oct. 16, 1950
Raleigh
Gasoline and Oil
Inspection
Test Farm Land
Fertilizer—Bulk
Dec. 20, 1950
Raleigh
Present: W. B. Austin, Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin,
Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, J. H. Poole,
A. B. Slagle.
Heard budget requests for each of the Department's 16 divisions
for the 1951-1953 biennium. Suggested changes and authorized
revisions.
Insecticide controls — Discussed need for expanded activities and
instructed State Chemist to prepare special budget request to
finance this work.
Peanut test farm — Heard Commissioner's report on requests
from peanut growers for test farm in commercial peanut grow-ing
area; approved budget request for funds to purchase and
operate such a farm.
Veterinary research laboratory — Approved efforts to obtain
funds for establishing a veterinary research and dianostic labo-ratory
to be operated jointly by the Department of Agriculture
and N. C. State College.
Land for test farm — Approved special budget request for
funds to purchase garage building and lot adjoining Upper
Mountain Test Farm, Laurel Springs.
Instructed State Superintendent of Warehouses to ascertain
whether new legislation needed for extending loans to ware-houses
for grain storage.
Discussed proposal to amend seed regulations with reference to
labeling Ladino and White clovers; no change approved.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall,
O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Miss Ethel Parker.
Heard request from owners of property at Statesville, adjoining
Piedmont Test Farm, for privilege of purchasing narrow strip
of test farm land between their property and new highway.
Authorized Commissioner to appoint committee to investigate
and set price for land.
Extended quarantine areas in regulation for control of Camellia
Flower Blight.
Reviewed changes in budget requests outlined at previous meet-ing
and approved revised budget for the Department's op-erations
during the 1951-53 biennium.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, J.
Muse McCotter, Miss Ethel Parker, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow.
Superintendent of Weights and Measures introduced 12 chem-ists
employed to man new portable laboratories for gasoline
and oil inspection, and explained procedures to be followed in
this control work.
Heard report of committee appointed at September meeting
to investigate sale of land strip from Piedmont Test Farm.
Approved committee's recommendation to offer land at $2,000
per acre, or 4.6c per square foot.
Assistant Commissioner reported on new practice of delivering
fertilizer in bulk directly to farm fields. Board discussed possi-bility
of need for regulations governing such deliveries; deferred
action pending investigation by Assistant Commissioner.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall,
O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Miss Ethel Parker, Charles F.
Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow.
20 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Oath of Office
New Member
Fertilizer Law
Seed Inspection
Quarantine
Feed Standards
Milk Dispenser
Paint Control
Medicated Feeds
Departmental
Activities
Jan. 8, 1951
Raleigh
Grain Storage
State Fair
Buildings
Medicated Feeds
May 8, 1951
Raleigh
Oath of Office
—
Re-appointed
Members
State Fair
Peanut Test Farm
Grain Storage
Peanut Storage
Warehouse Loan
Test Farm Salaries
& Perquisites
Charles V. Phillips, new member appointed by the Governor to
replace W. B. Austin, sworn in by Secretary of State Thad Eure.
Heard and approved proposed changes in North Carolina Ferti-lizer
Law, as presented by Dr. R. W. Cummings, Director of
Research, N. C. Experiment Station.
Heard Commissioner's report on meeting with N. C. Seedsmen's
Association. Heard and discussed the Association's recommenda-tions
for changes in inspection and testing procedures and
revisions in North Carolina Seed Law.
Extend quarantine area in regulation for the control of White
Fringed Beetle.
Revised minimum standards for dairy and scratch feeds in feed
regulations. (To conform with standards set by Association of
Southern Feed Control Officials)
Heard request from manufacturer of mechanical refrigerated
milk dispenser for approval of its use in public eating places.
Authorized Markets Division to make a survey based on test in-stallations
of a few dispensers and report back to Board.
Discussed need for paint control law. Authorized study of
Virginia paint law and drafting of bill for presentation to
legislature.
Held hearing on medicated poultry feeds. Appointed committee
to confer with Experiment Station specialists and health author-ities
and make recommendations.
Heard reports of division heads on activities of their respective
divisions during the year.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler,
T. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, A. B. Slagle, J. E.
Winslow.
Heard report of Warehouse Superintendent on legal authority
to make loans to warehouses for grain storage. Instructed him
to draw up regulations covering grain warehouse operations.
Authorized and witnessed signing of contracts for construction
of Youth Housing Center and Livestock Judging Pavilion at
Fair grounds. Approved transfers of funds for these projects.
Amended regulations on medicated feeds in accordance with
recommendations of investigating committee.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall,
O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Miss Ethel Parker, Charles F.
Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow.
Oath of Office administered by Secretary of State to Claude T.
Hall, J. H. Poole and A. B. Slagle, reappointed by the Gov-ernor
to serve six-year terms.
Received Auditor's Report on 1950 operations of N. C. State
Fair.
Re-appointed Dr. J. S. Dorton as Manager of State Fair for
another year.
Authorized employment of full-time promotion director for
State Fair and fairground facilities.
Heard Commissioner's report on steps initiated to locate farm
suitable for peanut research.
Adopted regulations governing operation of grain warehouses.
Amended regulations governing peanut warehouses.
Approved loan of $20,000 from Warehouse Fund to Mutual
Gin Co., Mount Gilead.
Heard report of Commissioner and head of Test Farms Di-vision
on inequities in salary ranges and perquisite allowances
for test farm employees. Discussed matter with head of Person-nel
Division. Authorized committee to visit farms, investigate
and present recommendations.
Report for 1950-52
—
Administration 21
Test Farm Land
Bang's Disease
Quarantine
Milk Dispenser
New Laws
—
Administration
June 20, 1951
Raleigh
Fertilizer
Regulations
Milk Dispenser
Bang's Disease
"Nickels for
Know-How"
Agricultural Fairs
Test Farm Salaries
& Perquisites
Test Farm Land
July 26. 1951
Willard
Coastal Plain
Test Farm
July 27, 1951
Raleigh
Agricultural
Research
Soil Testing
Test Farm Land
Rescinded action of October 16, 1951, on sale of land strip
from Piedmont Test Farm. Agreed to offer land to property
owners at cost of survey and transfer of title.
Authorized State Veterinarian to hold hearing on proposed
tightening of dairy regulations to eliminate Bang's reactors
from dairy herds.
Amended Japanese Beetle quarantine areas.
Received report from Markets Division on results of test in-stallations
of milk dispensers, authorized at December 20 meet-ing.
Authorized Commissioner to call a public hearing in this
matter.
Heard reports of division heads on new or amended laws
enacted by 1951 General Assembly and explanations of how
they affect work of divisions.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall,
O. J. Holler, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle,
J. E. Winslow.
Adopted Official Fertilizer Grade List for 1951-1952.
Held hearing and adopted amendment to regulations pertain-ing
to mixture of insecticide Chlordane in fertilizers.
Held hearing on question of approving use of refrigerated me-chanical
milk dispensers in restaurants. Voted to defer action.
Held hearing and adopted amendment to dairy regulations de-signed
to eliminate Bang's reactors from dairy herds.
Received petitions from N. C. State Grange, N. C. Farm Bureau
Federation and N. C. Agricultural Foundation for authority
to hold referendum vote on assessments of five cents per ton
on feed and fertilizer, funds from said assessment to be used
for agricultural research. Voted to authorize referendum.
Held hearing and adopted regulations governing operations of
agricultural fairs.
Heard preliminary report from committee appointed to study
test farm salaries and perquisites. Authorized committee to con-tinue
its work.
Authorized appointment of a committee to investigate possibil-ities
of re-locating Piedmont Test Farm.
Present: Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, J. Muse McCotter, Miss
Ethel Parker, Glenn G. Gilmore, Charles F. Phillips, A. B.
Slagle, J. E. Winslow.
Ceremony and resolution honoring Charles T. Dealing, retir-ing
Superintendent of farm.
Introduction of new Superintendent, Jesse W. Sumner.
Discussion of farm's research program by Experiment Station
personnel.
Testimonial dinner in honor of Dr. Dealing.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler,
J. Muse McCotter, Miss Ethel Parker, Charles F. Phillips, A. B.
Slagle, J. E. Winslow.
Discussed at length the State's agricultural research program
and means for more complete and rapid dissemination of
research findings.
Heard explanation and report from head of Soil Testing Di-vision
on new publication, "Fertility Status of North Carolina
Soils."
Heard offer (presented through perquisites committee) from
J. L. Wiggins to buy small acreage from Upper Coastal Plain
Test Farm which he desired to flood in damming stream to
create a fishing lake. Board agreed long-term lease preferable to
sale, and instructed head of Test Farms Division to draw up
proposed rental agreement.
22 N. C. Department of Agriculture
October 15, 1951
Raleigh
Fertilizer
Regulations
State Fair
Promotion
Test Farm Salaries
& Perquisites
Cornmeal
Improvement
Cotton Fibre
Laboratory
State Fair
—
(Oct. 16)
Jem. 7, 1952
Raleigh
Tobacco
—
Curer inspection
Peanut Test Farm
Quarantines
May 1, 1952
Raleigh
Agricultural
Building Annex
Soil Testing
Director
Milk Containers
Test Farm Land
Peanut Test Farm
Test Farm Budget
Quarantine
Agricultural
Research-
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, Miss
Ethel Parker, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole,
J. E. Winslow.
Amended fertilizer regulations with reference to information on
tag regarding borax guarantees.
Introduction by Commissioner of John W. Fox, newly appointed
public relations and promotion manager of North Carolina
State Fair and fairground facilities.
Heard and adopted detailed recommendations of committee on
test farm salaries and perquisites.
Heard report of Commissioner on project of Markets Division
for improving quality of cornmeal.
Heard report on work of new cotton fibre testing laboratory
and made inspection tour of laboratory.
Inspected fairgrounds and attended opening of 1952 State Fair.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall,
J. Muse McCotter, Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B.
Slagle, J. E. Winslow.
Held hearing on Department's charges for seals of approval
to be affixed to tobacco-curer assemblies. Went on record as
favorable to request for reduction of charges, and authorized
study of receipts and expenditures to determine what the re-duced
amount should be.
Heard review of steps taken to locate suitable farm for peanut
research; received recommendations from advisory committee
for purchase of H. B. Spruill farm at Lewiston; authorized
purchase of the farm at a price of $50,000.
Amended Camellia Flower Blight quarantine areas.
Amended regulations for control of White Pine Blister Rust.
Present: Glenn G. Gilmore, Hoyle C. Griffin, Claude T. Hall,
O. J. Holler, Miss Ethel Parker, J. Muse McCotter, Charles F.
Phillips, J. H. Poole, A. B. Slagle, J. E. Winslow.
Heard report of Commissioner that material had been released
by National Production Authority for construction of new
agricultural building annex, and building operations were ex-pected
to get under way almost immediately.
Approved appointment of Dr. J. W. Fitts as head of Soil
Testing Division, replacing Dr. W. L. Nelson who resigned to
accept research and teaching position at State College.
Adopted clarifying amendment to dairy regulations with refer-ence
to use of single-service containers for serving milk in
public eating places.
Heard J. L. Wiggins (in favor) and Charles M. Killebrew (op-posing)
proposed lease of land to Mr. Wiggins for a lake
site at the Upper Coastal Plains Test Farm. Authorized rental
to Wiggins under conditions to be incorporated in proposed
lease agreement.
Authorized easement to Rural Electrification Authority for con-struction
of line across Coastal Plain Test Farm.
Declined offer from American Agricultural Chemical Company
to purchase small tract of land from Piedmont Test Farm for
erection of fertilizer plant.
Heard report on progress in preparation of new peanut test
farm for research work.
Authorized appointment of committees to visit all test farms
and make recommendations for their 1953-55 budget requests.
Adopted revised regulations for control of White Fringed Beetle.
Heard report by Dr. R. W. Cummings, Director of Research,
N. C. Experiment Station, on status of research program and
plans for the future.
Report for 1950-52
—
Administration 23
Upper Coastal
Plains Test
Farm Celebration
State Fair
Advisory
Committees
Tobacco-Curer
Inspection Fees
Board Room
Museum
June 17, 1952
Raleigh
Fertilizer
Regulations
Tobacco-Curer
Inspection Fees
Peach Inspection
Resolution
—
Dr. Nelson
Authorized Fiftieth Anniversary celebration at Upper Coastal
Plains Test Farm, Rocky Mount.
Received Auditor's report on State Fair operations in 1951.
Re-appointed Dr. J. S. Dorton as State Fair Manager for en-suing
year.
Heard Commissioner's report on plans for State Fair develop-ment
from surplus funds.
Approved suggestion by Commissioner for setting up advisory
committees of representatives from State's farm organizations
and agencies to confer with Board and Department executives.
Commissioner reported lawsuit instituted by Florence Mayo
NuWay Co. in matter of charges for seals of approval on to-bacco-
curer inspection fees.
Approved moving Board Room to more suitable location when
new annex to Agriculture Building is completed.
Authorized appointment of outside Museum advisory committee
and employment of an expert to plan renovation of exhibits
and equipment.
Present: Claude T. Hall, O. J. Holler, Miss Ethel Parker,
Charles F. Phillips, J. H. Poole, J. E. Winslow.
Adopted Official Fertilizer Grade List for 1952-1953.
Amended fertilizer regulations with reference to tolerances al-lowed
in respect to borax guarantees.
Amended fertilizer regulations pertaining to mixtures of DDT
with fertilizer.
Held hearing and adopted new formula for computing charges
in compliance with court order resulting from lawsuit of Flor-ence
Mayo NuWay Co. Reduced charge for seal of approval
from $1.00 to 65 cents.
Authorized Division of Markets to inspect and issue certificates
of approval on peaches sold at roadside stands and packing
houses.
Adopted resolution of appreciation for services of Dr. W. L.
Nelson, former head of Soil Testing Division.
A. R. POWLEDGE
ACCOUNTS
A. R. POWLEDGE
Chief Auditor
On July 1, 1949, a new system of collecting
revenue from sale of fertilizer and feed was
approved by the Department. This new meth-od,
known as the "Monthly Reporting Sys-tem",
has proven very satisfactory. Proof of
this is the decided increase in tonnage since
the new system was installed. For the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1951, the fertilizer ton-nage
was 1,838,500 tons. For this same period
the feed tonnage was 827,825 tons. For the year ending June 30, 1952
the fertilizer tonnage was 1,900,904 tons and feed tonnage 943,183.
These tonnages are highest in the history of the Department.
This Monthly Reporting system has proved to be a great saving
in time and labor to the Department and to the feed and fertilizer
manufacturers. However, our former system of tags and stamps has
not been discarded as many users prefer this method to the new sys-tem.
The "Nickels for Know How" Act was put into effect on January
1, 1952. Collections for the Agricultural Foundation have totalled
$105,368.37 on tonnage sold through June 30, 1952.
The financial report of the Department and the various divisions
follows:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Code 1101
II.
ill.
IV.
v.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Statement of Disbursements
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
SUMMARY BY PURPOSES 1951-52 1950-51
Administration $ 30,844.58 $ 32,475.56
Acounting Office 17,787.45 16,119.08
Publicity and Publications 29,419.76 28,087.35
Inspection 73,182.94 72,363.89
Markets 250,416.02 256,590.70
Credit Union 19,550.11 18,297.52
Dairy 48,330.91 41,302.83
Entomology 37,052.70 30,639.17
Seed Laboratory 34,778.62 35,343.14
Analytical 182,912.39 156,364.57
Crop Statistics 133,512.12 91,881.93
Report for 1950-52
—
Accounts 25
SUMMARY BY PURPOSES 1951-52 1950-51
X. Soil Testing 60,740.89 53,959.80
XL Blister Rust Control 4,271.26 3,909.90
XII. Veterinary 172,906.68 162,579.31
XIII. Test Farms 420,742.26 376,340.31
XV. Weights and Measures 66,673.31 71,363.99
XVI. State Museum 24,325.13 21,168.92
XVII. Hog Cholera Work 13,172.50 8,222.26
XVIII. Custodial 12,432.00 11,964.50
XIX. Miscellaneous 86,759.68 178,342.72
XX. Rabies 475.38 336.36
XXI. Japanese Beetle Control 2,509.75 7,477.36
XXII. White Fringed Beetle Control 9,900.00 9,977.52
XXIII. Indemnity Diseased Slaughtered Livestock 12,658.27 14,601.35
Total Expenditures $1,745,354.71 $1,699,710.04
SUMMARY BY OBJECTS 1951-52 1950-51
11. Salaries and Wages $1,075,562.17 $975,343.31
12. Supplies and Materials 110,310.78 109,578.82
13. Postage, Telephone and Telegraph 23,356.77 21,963.12
14. Travel Expense 167,111.03 167,730.38
15. Printing and Binding 29,838.62 29,152.32
16. Motor Vehicle Operation 14,998.19 12,496.18
17. Light, Power and Water 5,734.29 5,704.06
18. Repairs and Alterations 15,012.59 10,776.07
19. General Expense 97,499.14 78,168.22
22. Insurance and Bonding 2,465.24 2,409.76
23. Equipment 46,185.48 50,800.97
32. Additions and Betterments 25,622.01 77,723.39
33. Stores for Resale 19,298.66 17,415.12
Contribution to the Retirement System 62,359.74 40,448.32
Purchase of Land 50,000.00
Advance for Surplus Commodities Revolving Fund 100,000.00
Total Expenditures $1,745,354.71 $1,699,710.04
Less Transfer from RMA Fund 45,036.46 55,133.14
Less: Transfer from Cooperative Agreement 1,743.27 2,523.75
Test Farm Perquisites 12,882.42 8,861.01
Total $1,685,692.56 $1,633,192.14
Treasurers Cash June 30 134,978.72 145,572.76
Investments in Bonds and Premium on Bonds 103,874.98 103,874.98
Revenue Collections
Fertilizer Tax 461,712-29 462,142.38
Feed Tax 243,575.39 207,169.08
Contribution from General Fund 567,703.00 519,380.00
Other 402,107.84 377,301.43
Total Receipts $1,675,098.52 $1,565,992.89
Total Credit Balance June 30 $ 238,853.70 $ 249,447.74
26 N. C. Department of Agriculture
SHEEP DISTRIBUTION PROJECT
Special Fund — Code 3
Receipts and Disbursements
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Credit Balance—July 1 $ 30,614.94 $ 32,788.87
Revenue Collections 251,309.60 370,761.12
Disbursements 255,194.13 372,935.05
Credit Balance—June 30 $ 26,730.41 $ 30,614.94
DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES
Code 19
Receipts and Disbursements
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Credit Balance—July 1 |104,197.95
9/15/50 Transferred from Code 1101 $100,000.00
11/14/50 Transferred from Code 3 8,174.25
Repayments—Other Items 30,833.08 116,716.41
Disbursements 26,341.31 120,692.71
Credit Balance—June 30 $108,689.72 $104,197.95
RESEARCH AND MARKETING ACT, FEDERAL FUND
Special Fund — Code 51
Receipts and Disbursements
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Credit Balance—July 1 $ 5,843.85 $10,256.32
Receipts—RMA Matching Fund 43,000.00 50,720.67
Disbursements
Marketing Division Expenses in connection with
RMA project—Transferred to Code 1101 45,036.46 53,846.73
Crop Statistics Division Expenses in connection with
RMA project—Transferred to Code 1101 1,286.41
Credit Balance—June 30 $3,807.39 $5,843.85
SPECIAL DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT REPORTING SYSTEM
Code 52
Statement of Receipts
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Receipts
Cash—Bond Deposits (Reporting System) $3,500.00 $3,250.00
Credit Balance—June 30 .- $3,500.00 $3,250.00
Report for 1950-52
—
Accounts 27
GASOLINE AND OIL INSPECTION
General Fund — Code 320
Statement of Disbursements
July 1, 1950 —June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Revenue Appropriation $297,423.00 $227,168.00
Disbursements 205,281.65 203,836.27
Unspent Balance of Appropriation $ 92,141.35 $ 23,331.73
STATE WAREHOUSE SYSTEM — SUPERVISION
Special Fund — Code 1801
Financial Statement
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Credit Balance—July 1 $40,734.33 $43,208.69
Receipts
Revenue Collections 32,076.05 27,871.48
Miscellaneous Collections 30,193.24 13,195.30
Expenditures 28,996.27 29,849.47
Miscellaneous Expenditures 35,021.39 13,691.67
Credit Balance—June 30 $38,985.96 $40,734.33
STATE WAREHOUSE SYSTEM — PRINCIPAL
Special Fund — Code 1802
Statement of Receipts and Disbursements
July 1, 1950 —June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Cash on hand—State Treas.—June 30 $ 151.07 $ 49,326.07
Receipts
Repayment of Loans 24,083.56 5,825.00
Total Availability 24,234.63 55,151.07
Disbursements
Loans to Warehouses 15,000.00 55,000.00
Treas. Cash—June 30 9,234.63 151.07
Loans to Warehouses 187,021.44 183,805.00
Invested in 2i/
2% Gov't. Bonds 550,000.00 550,000.00
Total Worth—June 30 $746,256.07 $733,956.07
28 N. C. Department of Agriculture
COOPERATIVE INSPECTION SERVICE
Special Fund — Code 1803
Statement of Disbursements
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Treas. Cash—July 1 $ 66,391.52 $ 18,595.53
U. S. Treasury Bonds—2i/
2% par value 40,000.00 40,000.00
Credit Balance—July 1 106,391.52 58,595.53
Receipts 225,657.97 253,587.76
Disbursements 229,688.19 205,791.77
Credit Balance—June 30 $102,361.30 $106,391.52
CONTRIBUTION FROM THE GENERAL FUND
General Fund — Code 3212
Statement of Disbursements
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
1951-52 1950-51
Revenue Appropriation $567,703.00 $716,925.00
Expenditures
Contribution to Department of Agriculture—Code 1101 567,703.00 519,380.00
Unspent Balance of Appropriation $197,545.00
DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY
Dr. E. W. Constable
State Chemist
The work of the Division of Chemistry ap-plies
in main to certain agricultural products
such as fertilizers, liming materials and land-plaster,
insecticides and stock and poultry
feeds, also to foods, drugs and cosmetics, au-tomotive
anti-freezes, and linseed oils. This
work is based on State control laws applying
to these commodities. A common basic re- E. W. Constable
quirement is that all shall carry certain label-ing
and guarantees and that they shall measure up to these. Where
wholesomeness, health and safety are of concern, it is further required
that prescribed precautions to those ends shall be observed.
The work is carried out by the registration of some products, and
by the collection of samples of all of these commodities from all parts
of the State to be analyzed chemically and otherwise in order to deter-mine
compliance with guarantees and other requirements. The work
is further augmented by checking labeling and by inspection of manu-facturing,
handling and storage facilities where this is pertinent.
Fertilizers, Fertilizer and Liming Materials
Mixed fertilizers and fertilizer materials sold for consumer use
in the State are subject to analysis according to guarantees and pro-posed
use. These analyses may cover only one of, or varying combi-nations
of, the following: Nitrogen, phosphate, potash, calcium, mag-nesium,
chlorine, sulphur, boron, manganese and acid forming or
acid neutralizing qualities. Limes are analyzed for calcium, magnesi-um
and acid neutralizing value; landplaster for calcium sulphate.
Coverage for the biennium was as follows:
Official fertilizer samples 20,252
Unofficial fertilizers and fertilizer material for farmers 237
Official liming material, liming material with
potash and landplaster 119
Research—N. C. Experiment Station 68
Total 20,676
30 N. C. Department of Agriculture
The analyses of official samples collected during the biennium
showed that the fertilizers sold in this State during that period were
generally of good quality and measured up to guarantees made for
them. In a limited number of cases, analyses showed certain lots of
fertilizer to be below guarantee. In such cases, consumers were reim-bursed
according to deficiency and penalty provisions of the fertilizer
law.
Upon completion of individual analyses, reports were forwarded to
those concerned as promptly as circumstances would permit. All re-sults
were made available to the public collectively in annual issues
of The Bulletin published by the Department for that purpose.
Commercial Feeds
Commercial livestock and poultry feeds are analyzed for content
of protein, fat, crude fiber and, at times, urea. They are further an-alyzed
microscopically to determine the individual ingredients of
which the feed is composed. The coverage for the biennium was as
follows:
Official feed samples 4,803
Unofficial and miscellaneous samples 574
Total 5,377
Fertilizer samples are carefully weighed before analysis. Files in background carry
approximately 6,000 official samples.
Report for 1950-52
—
Chemistry 31
Samples of livestock and poultry feeds are analyzed under a microscope to deter-mine
the various components.
According to these analyses, the feeds sold in the State during
the biennium were found to be generally of satisfactory quality and
to measure up to guarantees. A number of lots, however, were found
deficient. Where these lots had been sold to consumers, they were re-imbursed
for deficiencies according to the penalty section of the feed
law. In other instances, manufacturers were required to repossess and
reprocess lots which had not gotten into the hands of consumers.
Detailed reports of analyses were forwarded to those concerned
as soon as the work was completed. Information on deficient brands
was published periodically in the Agricultural Review. Results on
all work were made available annually in a Feed Report issue of
The Bulletin.
Economic Poisons
The inspection and analysis of economic poisons during the pres-ent
biennium have been improved in a noteworthy manner. Up
through 1948, the year in which the present economic poisons law be-came
effective, the average yearly registration of brands approximated
300. Following that year and through 1952, this average has been
close to 2,000 per year; the latter part of this period, above 2,200.
Detail of that growth is shown in the following tabulation:
32 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Year Registrations
1941 232
1943 218
1945 317
1946 412
1947 524
* This year incomplete.
Year Registrations
1948 1214
1949 1797
1950 1864
1951 2351
*1952 2255
Obviously several things contributed to this increase in registra-tion—
the new law which brings in all economic poisons whereas the
preceding one covered only agricultural insecticides, the greatly in-creased
need and demand for these products, the development of many
new ones and the great expansion in the industry. It remains, how-ever,
that the large increase in use of agricultural insecticides alone
would have required a greatly enlarged control program if stability
in the insecticide field were to be maintained. This extends also to
the non-agricultural field.
Prior to 1947 the average number per year of official insecticide
samples collected and analyzed was approximately 300. For the year
1951 the first annual issue of The Bulletin which was devoted solely
to economic poisons was published. This followed the style of the
Insecticides are analyzed in this laboratory. The apparatus in the foreground
serves to separate benzene hexachloride into its component parts.
Report for 1950-52
—
Chemistry 33
annual issues of the Fertilizer and Feed Bulletins and comprised 144
pages. With other material pertinent to insecticides, it carried the
analyses for approximately 1,400 official insecticide samples. In ad-dition
to this, a number of unofficial and miscellaneous samples were
analyzed. The coverage in this work is being further increased for
1952.
During the preceding biennium, 1948-50, one new insecticide lab-oratory
was provided and was ready for use in the latter part of that
period. In personnel, one chemist was provided for the work. Other
help had to be borrowed or transferred, thus curtailing other pro-grams.
There are now three full-time chemists on this work. Clerical
help also is provided. Inspection and collection of samples has been
combined with stock feed inspections on a year-round basis. Three
full-time inspectors and part-time of another are now on this com-bined
work. Funds have been made available for additional lab-oratory
space and will be utilized as soon as the new annex to the
Agriculture Building, which is now under way, is completed.
A weak point in the present program is inadequate inspection
service. The present force cannot fully carry the needed field work
to keep both feed and insecticide work going. Therefore, request for
one additional inspector is included in the budget for the coming
biennium. In view of the critical nature of insecticide control it is
hoped that this need will be taken care of.
Linseed Oils
Following the practice of making cross-section surveys on linseed
oils, for checking composition, labeling and use of inspection stamps,
346 samples were collected and analyzed. Results showed these pro-ducts
to be on a very satisfactory level as to all claims and require-ments.
Anti-Freezes
Prior to the enactment of the automotive anti-freeze law of 1949,
these products were the cause of much trouble and damage. Along
with the reliable brands on the market, there were types put out by
the unscrupulous which were extremely damaging and destructive to
automotive equipment. Motorists could not discern between the good
and the bad until the damage had been done. This reflected on ali
brands.
This law requires registration and clearance of all anti-freezes with
this Department before their sale is legal. The law apparently has
afforded complete protection to both consumers and sound producers
34 N. C. Department of Agriculture
/./• :
,i
The apparatus shown in the foreground of this laboratory picture is used in mak-ing
some tvpes of food analyses.
since no single complaint has reached the Department subsequent to
the enactment of the law, nor has it been found necessary to decline
registration of any brand for which this was requested. Both industry
and the trade have co-operated fully in the enforcement of the law.
Application was made for registration of 75 brands in 1950-51 and
63 brands in 1951-52, a total of 138 registrations for the biennium.
All were found acceptable.
Foods and Drugs
The overall purpose of the food and drug work is to assure the
public of being provided with clean, wholesome, safe foods, drugs and
cosmetics. The work is carried out under the State's basic pure food
law—the North Carolina Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. This is sup-plemented
by specific laws dealing with bakeries, bottling plants,
flour and its products, corn meal and oleomargarine.
In the great majority of cases, those who handle and sell food pro-ducts
appear to have a high sense of responsibility and operate under
generally satisfactory conditions. Difficulty usually stems from a
minority, largely attributable to carelessness, or to indifference and
ignorance of both the ethics and responsibilities of the food and drug
industries.
Report for 1950-52
—
Chemistry 35
Inspection of Plants and Sales Outlets
The food laws require that foods shall not be exposed, stored,
handled or processed in a manner whereby they may become con-taminated.
Sound and wholesome ingredients also are required. Plant
inspections are made in order to determine if these requirements are
met. In case of minor defects, prompt correction is required. Suspen-sion
of activities or other action may be required in cases of gross
defects.
Summary—Food Plant Inspections
Bakeries and Doughnut Plants 2258
Bottling Plants 1485
Other types of plants (processing and packaging,
meats, pickles, seafoods, flour and meal, candy, po-tato
chips, fruits and vegetables, etc.) 2353
Total 6096
Plant Operations Suspended
(Largely Voluntary)
Bakeries 70
Bottling Plants 45
Miscellaneous plants 12
Total 127
Systematic inspection also is made of conditions in wholesale and
retail outlets and of the labeling of goods handled therein. Obvious
defects can be detected at this level and corrections advised. The oc-currence
of major defects or appearance of fraud may result in the
offending product being placed under embargo pending correction, or
in further action. In a number of instances unsatisfactory conditions
were required to be corrected. Of approximately 10,000 label inspec-tions,
708 instances of defective labeling were observed and corrections
required.
Adulteration and Misbranding of Foods
The various reasons for which foods fail to meet the requirements
of the law will place them under the classifications either as "adulter-ated,"
"misbranded" or both. Adulteration may come from many
causes such as unsound raw products, improper handling and pro-
36 N. C. Department of Agriculture
cessing, rodents and insects, exposure in various manners, etc. With
these is the intentioned adulteration for fraudulent purposes. Mis-branding
more often arises from oversight or lack, of information.
However, fraudulent branding and economic cheats are not un-common.
Among the actions taken during the biennium were three which
involved disregard of law and ethics. In one case a packing company
located near Washington, N. C, slaughtered and sold as food for hu-man
use pork from hogs which had been placed under veterinary
quarantine because of a diseased condition. Part of the meat was
consumed before the Division learned of the circumstances. By em-bargo
action, 12,160 pounds of this meat was removed from the market
and destroyed. In a recorder's court action the court concurred in
the destruction of the meat, but terminated the case with a warning
to the operators. This work was carried out jointly with the Beaufort
County Health Department.
In five North Carolina towns—Asheville, Forest City, Elizabeth
City, Roanoke Rapids and Wilmington—a total of 1,566 pints of
fresh oysters were removed from sale under State action, because of
containing excess water. These were cases of deliberate and fraud-ulent
adulteration. Since these oysters were shipped from sources out-side
the State, the actions were handled jointly with the U. S. Food
and Drug Administration.
Another version of deliberate fraud which was dealt with was the
marketing of horse meat, represented to be beef and sold as ham-burger
to school lunch rooms, hospitals and cafes. The towns prin-cipally
concerned were Asheville, Charlotte, Forest City, Gastonia,
Hickory, Marion, Rutherfordton, and Salisbury. Action in Asheville
courts resulted in conviction of offenders. The chief violator, oper-ating
from an adjoining state, is under indictment but has not yet
been apprehended. No repetition of the violation has been discovered.
The work was carried out jointly by State and Federal enforcement
officials and local health departments.
Official Samples
A basic factor in the enforcement of the Food and Drug Laws is
the collection and analysis of official samples. Chemical analysis is
the final qualifying factor in a great majority of instances. Since ana-lytical
work is tedious and time-consuming, it is important that sam-ples
be judiciously selected in order to obtain maximum coverage
with the amount of work that can be done.
Refokt for 1950-52
—
Chemistry
A1
37
These photos show damage resulting from fires at Oxford, N. C. The food products
shown here were damaged in varying degrees by fire, fumes, smoke and water. In
many cases such products can be partly salvaged for human use, but food inspectors
must supervise the classifying and clearing.
38 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Department inspectors collected 1,476 official samples during the
biennium. These were carried through appropriate analyses—chem-ical,
physical, microscopic, and optical.
A large number of unofficial samples are sent in from various parts
of the State each year. They represent a great variety of products and
interests. Effort is made to analyze as many of these as the individual
situations merit and as time may permit.
Fires, Floods, Storms, and Wrecks
Varying quantities of foods and drugs are involved in fires, floods,
storms and wrecks and are exposed to contamination, damage, or
destruction. Understandably, effort at a maximum salvage is most
likely to follow in order to minimize losses. The danger involved in
rerouting such salvage into channels for human consumption usually
is not known or is overlooked or ignored.
Immediate attention is given to these situations. All exposed pro-ducts
are placed under embargo, then separated and classified accord-ing
to their condition. Those which are satisfactory for human con-sumption
are permitted to be salvaged for that purpose. Those not
suitable for this use are denatured and diverted to other permissible
uses or are destroyed.
During the biennium the Division dealt with 14 fires of various
proportions, in which foods and drugs were involved. The most seri-ous
of these were in Whiteville and Durham, involving gross losses
of $164,000 and $124,200, respectively. Other such fires occurred in
Greensboro, Chadbourn, Lincolnton, Lenoir, Oxford (two) , Raleigh
(two) , Laurinburg, and Washington (two) . The gross losses of all
totaled approximately $446,000, involving some 1,700 tons of products.
Fortunately, the state suffered no storms or floods of consequence
during the biennium. There were two wrecks of minor proportion
which involved food and drug products.
Chemical Control of Drugs
The control of drugs as set up in the drug section of the North
Carolina Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is in general the least under-stood
of the control laws with which the Department deals. This
work often is confused with the practice of medicine or pharmacy.
It is no more the practice of medicine or pharmacy than is the manu-facture
of scalpels the practice of surgery. The purpose of drug con-trol
is to make available to the professions using drugs and to the
public a supply of reliable, honestly labeled drugs.
Report for 1950-52
—
Chemistry 39
The chemical control of drugs is exactly the same in principle
as the chemical control of foods or fertilizers. The law requires hon-est,
factual labeling in each case, requires that ingredients be listed
and guaranteed and that the products measure up to these guarantees.
Visual inspection will show whether the labeling complies with re-quirements.
However, when products are apparently labeled accord-ing
to requirements, the only final proof is chemical analysis.
In some instances packages have been found to contain an en-tirely
different product from that declared on the label. There was
just such an occurrence in North Carolina not so long ago. A con-signment
of a bottled product labeled "Castor Oil" actually contained
turpentine. It was sold and used as a purgative, a common use of
such oil. The results can well be estimated.
Another instance of this nature which the Division recently in-vestigated
was a situation in which an antiseptic was used instead of a
prescribed antacid for indigestion. This was due to lack of labeling.
These are examples of the too-frequently occurring miscarriages in
the handling of drugs. A more adequate plant inspection and control
program is the best means for curtailing these occurrences.
Regrettably, there occurs each year instances in which unsatisfac-tory
drugs appear on the market and are recalled because of trouble.
The Division dealt with five such cases during the biennium. These
were handled in co-operation with the U. S. Food and Drug Admini-stration.
Four involved non-sterility where absolute sterility was cri-tical.
One dealt with excess potency which rendered the product
dangerous when used as directed. In these cases prompt action was
critical in order to avoid repetition of the injury which brought the
defects to light.
Each year brings complaints of the illegal sale and misuse of dan-gerous
drugs which are restricted to use on prescription only. The
more common complaint involves the barbiturates (sleeping pills) .
These complaints were fewer for the present biennium than previous-ly.
Prompt action upon complaint is a deterrent, however more ade-quate
inspection and checking would be more effective. Three cases
of this kind were investigated and cleared.
Other cases dealt with a fraudulent "Cure for diabetes," offered as
a substitute for insulin, so called cures for epilepsy, teething powder
which caused mercury poisoning and a dandruff remedy which con-tained
a substance injurious to the eyes.
The "New Drug" section of the law is a very effective protection
to consumers. This section requires that all new drugs shall clear
under the State law or the similar Federal law. The Division dealt
40 N. C. Department of Agriculture
with 21 such items, among them being several cancer remedies and
cures for asthma. It is needless to record that the cures for cancer
and asthma regularly fail to pass muster.
Effective work is being done on drugs. However, coverage is not by
any means considered adequate or what it should be. Request is
being made to the 1953 Legislature to provide two food, drugs and
cosmetic inspectors and two chemists. One of the purposes for these
will be improvement in the drug control program. Further improve-ment
is anticipated when the new building annex, now under way,
is completed. This will make available space for an adequate drug
laboratory.
Oleomargarine
Change was made in the oleomargarine laws in 1949 which per-mitted
the sale of the colored product in public dining rooms, pro-vided
such sales were accompanied by placards and other identifying
means. The Division has checked on observance of these requirements
in a limited way, particularly where there was cause to believe there
was misrepresentation. The few cases of violation which were found
appeared to be due to ignorance of requirements. They were readily
corrected. The change in the law created a greatly expanded inspec-tion
job which, to fully cover, would be beyond the capacity of the
present inspection staff while carrying on its many other duties also.
The provision for new inspectors as now being requested will enable,
among other things, a broader coverage of this field.
Co-operation With Other Agencies
Full co-operation with other agencies concerned in the same or kin-dred
lines of work is a strong asset to both the Division and to those
agencies. The joint efforts of the Division with the N. C. Board of
Pharmacy and the State Bureau of Investigation promptly curbed
cases of illegal sale of drugs. Joint work wTith the Health Departments
of Charlotte and Asheville stopped the illegal sale of horse meat and
resulted in the trial and conviction of the offenders. Such action with
the Health Department of Washington, N. C. resulted in the destruc-tion
of a large quantity of diseased pork. Similar work with the U. S.
Food and Drug Administration quickly and effectively removed dan-gerous
drugs from the market. It also was very effective in curbing
the sale in this State of watered oysters shipped from other states.
These joint actions produced results much more promptly and effec-tively
than would have been possible otherwise.
Report for 1950-52
—
Chemistry 41
Laboratories and Equipment
The principal laboratory need is additional funds for setting up
and equipping laboratories in the space that will be available for that
purpose in the new building. This includes renovation and enlarge-ment
of some of the present laboratories in order to relieve congestion
which has developed over a period of years as a result of periodically
increasing load. Request is being made for such provision.
Personnel
In general, the character and efficiency of the personnel and its
work has been of a high order and merits appreciation and com-mendation.
Salaries have been improved, but there still is the diffi-culty
of ever rising costs. It is hoped that the coming Legislature
will be able to adjust salaries to relieve this economic pressure on
members of the staff.
Some of the programs are handicapped because of limited help.
To relieve this, request is being made for one additional inspector
for feed and insecticide inspection, two chemists and two inspectors
to enable bringing food and drug work up to a more adequate level
and one secretary to take care of the greatly increased load of office
work.
D. R. Graham
CREDIT UNION DIVISION
D. R. Graham
Superintendent
During the two-year period ending June 30,
1952, credit unions operating under North
Carolina charter showed an increase of 6,000
in membership and $2,000,000 in resources.
This is substantially the same increase shown
between 1948 and 1950. During the period,
nine credit unions were organized and six
liquidated for a net increase of three. Prior
to July, 1950, major emphasis had been placed
on organizing new credit unions. For the past two years, greater
emphasis has been placed on teaching credit union officials the phil-osophy
and mechanics of operating a credit union. During the period
of intense organizational activity, a number of credit unions were or-ganized
which for various reasons we now find it necessary to liquidate.
In most of these instances the groups show lack of interest or failure to
keep proper records. Both group interest and good record-keeping are
essential to successful credit union operation.
Credit unions are now operating in the majority of the counties in
the State and break down into the following classifications: Rural
community, 65; urban community, 38; manufacturing 27; public util-ities,
21; government, state, county and municipal employees, 19; post-al
employees, 16; retail merchandise, nine; newspapers, nine; restau-rant,
three; and miscellaneous, four. A number of credit unions listed
under other headings make loans for agricultural purposes. For ex-ample,
the credit unions at Champion Paper and Fibre Company, the
American Enka Corporation and Chatham Manufacturing Company
have a number of employees who live on farms and who finance their
farm operations through credit union loans.
Although North Carolina Credit Union Law is regarded as one
of the best in the nation, some changes are being considered. This
law, enacted in 1915 and altered but little since then, imposes a limi-tation
of $50 on unsecured loans. A corresponding provision in the
federal credit union law, enacted in 1934, has been amended from
time to time, increasing to $400 the maximum amount of unsecured
loans. Some credit union officers and members feel that the North
Carolina law should be similarly amended.
Report for 1950-52
—
Credit Union 43
Many North Carolina credit unions are helping their members to finance farm-ing
operations. For instance, the tractor and hay-baler in the top photo and the
poultry house in the lower photo were financed with loans made by the Chatham
Employees Credit Union, of Elkin.
44 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Credit unions operating within white groups have done an out-standing
job of taking care of their members' short-term credit needs
and in the last few years several Negro credit unions have forged to
the front in this respect. Three community credit unions among Ne-groes
in Gastonia, Winston-Salem and Chowan County, with total re-sources
in excess of $800,000, have done a remarkable job in not only
taking care of their members' short-term needs but in financing homes
and farms. Many of these people would never have owned property
had it not been for the credit union, as they were unable to obtain
credit elsewhere.
NUMBER, MEMBERSHIP AND ASSETS
OF STATE-CHARTERED CREDIT UNIONS
June 30, 1950 June 30, 1952
Active Credit Unions 208 211
Total Members 49,031 55,081
Total Assets $9,322,611.23 $11,314,522.03
NORTH CAROLINA CREDIT UNIONS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
June 30, 1952
Assets
June 30, 1950 June 30, 1952
Cash on Hand $1,340,364.74 $2,207,593.25
Loans to Members 5,864,501.56 6,998,183.61
U. S. Government Bonds 1,765,919.44 1,944,308.35
Other Assets 351,825.49 164,436.82
$9,322,611.23 $11,314,522.03
Liabilities and Capital
Shares $7,022,866.83 $8,584,978.68
Deposits 932,358.36 1,050,826.11
Reserve Fund 327,732.83 478,763.32
Notes Payable 615,124.80 710,775.00
Undivided Earnings 232,683.88 356,561.68
Other Liabilities 191,844.53 132,617.24
),322,611.23 $11,314,522.03
DAIRY DIVISION
C. W. Pegram
Director
Because milk and other dairy products play
an important role in the diet of North Caro-linians,
the State Legislature has from time to
time adopted laws to insure purity and quality
for the consumers. This Division is concerned
with investigating various aspects of the dairy-ing
industry and execution of existing laws C. W. Pegram
and regulations.
The Board of Agriculture made a distinct contribution toward
milk safety by adopting a regulation requiring permanent removal of
all dairy animals infected with brucellosis (Bang's disease) from
herds producing fluid milk—either raw or pasteurized—for human
consumption. This regulation became effective at the end of the
1950-52 biennium, and its State-wide application will place North
Carolina as a leader in animal health requirements for all milk sup-plies.
Enforcement will be a co-operative effort with the Veterinary
Division, and plans are being developed for a mobile laboratory to
be used jointly with the veterinary staff.
This Division is especially concerned with administering the fol-lowing
three important laws affecting dairy products:
1. The Ice Cream Law, which provides for standards in cleanliness
and sanitation, purity of dairy products, and correct tests of
butterfat.
2. The Milk and Cream Import Law, which provides for the con-trol
of milk coming into North Carolina, requiring the same
standards as those for milk produced in this State.
3. The Babcock Test Law, which provides for inspection, grading
and testing of milk and other dairy products offered for sale
by a milk producer, manufacturer or distributor.
The Board of Agriculture also amended the rules and regulations
to provide that milk or liquid milk products sold for consumption on
the premises shall be served in the original single service bottle or
container. This regulation offers consumers protection in that the
name of product, grade and name of processor are carried either on
the cap or the package. The consumer is also served standard measure.
46 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Soft type ice cream installations have increased throughout the State. During
the biennium inspections were made of 213 counter freezer and soft ice cream manu-facturers.
Ice cream is enjoyed by young and old, and national sales levels
for May 1952 show this State to be in 10th place, only slightly behind
the ninth position. The 1952 production was 12,137,000 gallons as re-ported
by the Federal and State Crop Reporting Service. This rep-resents
a per capita consumption of approximately 3 1/3 gallons. The
control program as carried on by the Division warrants some recogni-tion
for this phenomenal consumer acceptance.
During the biennium nearly 2,000 inspections were made of the
75 wholesale plants and 213 counter freezer and soft ice cream manu-facturers.
Along with these inspections 2,849 samples were analyzed
for butterfat, total solids and bacteria count. Results of all analyses
were sent to plants and retail operators. In cases where deficiencies
were found, follow-up field inspections were made.
During this period it was necessary to issue only ten closing orders,
embargo 73 gallons of ice cream and I2iy2 gallons of ice cream mix.
It was necessary to take court action in only one case. This low per-centage
of legal action may be taken as evidence that co-operation
has been received from the ice cream industry. Part credit for this
accomplishment is due to the ever-vigilant field men who, while having
been strict, have rendered assistance to the industry in regards to mat-ters
of sanitation and purity of product.
The use of foreign fats as a substitute for butterfat may present
distinct control problems in the near future. Several states are al-ready
confronted with this issue.
Report for 1950-52
—
Dairy 47
Despite the fact that Grade A milk production has increased dur-ing
the past ten years it has been necessary to import large amounts
of milk from other states. Approximately 28 million pounds were
imported in 1951, a considerable reduction over the 53 million pounds
imported in 1949. This shortage reaches its peak in the fall and
winter months, after the opening of schools. The deficit is also due
in some measure to demands of military facilities located in the
State.
The 1949 Legislature provided for regulating the movement of
emergency milk supplies from outside the State through a permit sys-tem.
Approved permits are required of the out-of-state supplier and
the state receiver.
Much effort is spent on this program by the Division as it is neces-sary
to make field inspections of the out-of-state supplier. Tanker de-liveries
are checked at delivery points and samples are secured for
laboratory analysis. It has been necessary to revoke a number of per-mits
and to refuse issuance to some applicants.
This activity has resulted in an improved milk supply for fluid
consumption and has prevented the State from being the dumping
ground for low quality milk.
Super markets and paper cartons are changing consumers' milk buying habits.
This movement undoubtedly has increased sales.
48 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Tanker transportation of milk has proved very satisfactory for long distance hauls
and there are indications that tankers may be used in the near future to deliver
milk from dairy farms to processing plants.
There is a great need for increased production of Grade A milk
in the State and such increase would be of economic value and would
further contribute to milk quality.
The butterfat test law was amended in 1951, giving clarification
to the matter of licensing testers and to methods of sampling and
testing. The Division acts in the capacity of a referee between the
producer and the buyer. Butterfat is variable for many reasons, and
is often the cause of suspicion between the producer and buyer.
The Dairy Division is proud of the progress made in test super-vision.
Testers are given strict examinations before licenses are grant-ed.
Approved methods of sampling, proper storage of samples, and
accurate testing equipment are required at all buying plants. A con-tinuous
system of check testing is followed, with approximately 385
investigations involving 20,000 fresh samples being made annually.
Over 5,000 notices are mailed yearly to producers informing them of
this Division's findings. Special investigations are made upon request.
The complaints are decreasing each year and this indicates the de-velopment
of confidence between buyer and seller.
The amended butterfat test law also provides for certain definitions
of milk, cream, butter, cheese, ice cream and other frozen desserts.
Provision was made for authority to issue "Stop Sales" in cases of con-tamination,
failure to meet standards and definitions, or misbranding.
Report for 1950-52
—
Dairy 49
Samples of milk and other products are purchased on state-wide
level. Securing of these samples involves auto travel over long dis-tances,
as it is necessary to get samples to the central laboratory on
the same day as purchased.
Plans are now in progress to establish a mobile laboratory which
will be used as an adjunct to our central laboratory. This should
result in greater efficiency and make for better state-wide coverage.
Standards for milk and dairy products are established primarily to in-sure
honesty and fair dealing with the consuming public. Their goal,
when reached, protects the honest manufacturer.
This Division's sampling plan of control offers the consuming
public worthwhile protection in regard to purity and quality of
product. This practice makes for better compliance with standards
and definitions. Consequently adulteration has been reduced to a
minimum.
Reports of laboratory findings are sent to all local health depart-ments,
and this information is of value to them in their control pro-grams.
Every co-operation is offered to all health agencies in regard
to providing the people of this State the best possible milk supply.
STATISTICAL REPORT
July 1, 1950 — June 30, 1952
Plant Investigations (Bntterfat check testing) 774
Testers Licenses issued (yearly) 98
Butterfat check tests (Fresh daily) 35,757
Composite samples (checked test) '. 1,620
Supervised Tests 466
Total 37,843
Milk and other Dairy Products analyzed—Official 3,872
Milk and other Dairy Products analyzed—Unofficial 250
Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts samples analyzed—Official 2,849
Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts samples analyzed—Unofficial 22
Ice Cream Plant Inspections 1,980
Dairy Farm Inspections 1,280
Court Convictions 1
Butter Plant Inspections 12
Cheese Plant Inspections 4
Sediment Tests s 2,109
Temperature checks :.'.'. 1,154
Methylene Blue Tests 2,000
Gallons Ice Cream Embargoes 73
Gallons Ice Cream Mix Embargoes 121i/9
Gallons Milk Embargoes 6,023
Out-of-State Milk Supplies Inspected 30
Milk Cans Condemned 40
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY
C. H. Brannon
State Entomologist
The Division of Entomology enforces the
State insect pest and plant disease laws and
regulations and administers the laws and
regulations pertaining to State bee diseases.
Assistance is given in the enforcement of Fed-eral
quarantines—such as the Japanese Beetle
C. H. Brannon and White - Fringed Beetle quarantines —
through co-operation with the U. S. Bureau
of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. Duplication and conflicts are
avoided, since close co-operation is maintained with entomologists and
plant pathologists of the North Carolina Extension Service, the Ex-periment
Station and the Federal government.
Nursery Inspection
The largest single project of this Division is the annual inspection
of all nurseries in the State. This work is performed by staff members
during the summer of each year. Nursery certificates totaling 170
Inspection of nurseries, of which there are more than 400 in North Carolina, is
one of the most important services of the Entomology Division.
Report for 1950-52
—
Entomology 51
One of the largest orchid establishments in the South is located in North Carolina.
It is the Carolina Orchid Growers, Inc., of Southern Pines, whose plant is shown
above.
were issued in 1936-37, and since that time the number of nurseries
has increased to approximately 400. In addition, approximately 100
State certificates are issued to dealers of nursery stock.
White-Fringed Beetle
The White-Fringed Beetle project is conducted jointly by this Di-vision
and the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine.
During the past biennium considerable aid in supplying insecticides
and labor was donated by counties, business firms and individuals.
The State furnished most insecticides and some personnel, and the
Federal government supplied spray equipment, transportation and
supervisory personnel.
This project is concerned with inspection, control and quarantine
enforcement. Since infestation is still limited in the State, control
work is being continued. In addition to the control work in the
known infested area, inspections for both larvae and adults were
continued in order to locate new infestations resulting from artificial
spread.
During 1950-51 the White-Fringed Beetle was discovered in Har-nett
and Wake, bringing the total infested area to 16,692 acres in
20 counties. DDT foliage treatment was administered to 6,083 acres
and 2,044 acres received DDT soil treatment. Certificates totaling
13,422 were issued for movement of nursery stock, soil, etc.
52 N. C. Department of Agriculture
No newly infested counties were found during 1951-52; however,
1,887 acres were added to the infested territory. An area of 373 acres
was designated as inactive, since no beetles were found there during
the preceding three years. DDT foliage treatment was applied to 4,204
acres and 954 acres received DDT soil treatment. Certificates for move-ment
of nursery stock and soil totaled 14,838.
Japanese Beetle
Japanese beetle control is also a co-operative project between this
Division and the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine.
The Federal Japanese beetle quarantine was extended to North
Carolina in 1951 and includes the following counties: Beaufort,
Bertie, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven,
Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Davidson, Duplin, Edgecombe, For-syth,
Gates, Guilford, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Henderson, Hert-ford,
Hyde, Johnson, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Mecklenburg, Washing-ton,
New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank,
Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Randolph, Rowan, Sampson, Tyrrell, Nash,
Wayne, Wilson, and Beaver Dam Township and City of Canton in
Haywood County, and Blowing Rock Township in Watauga County.
Japanese beetle infestation now covers parts of the entire State.
After a pest becomes widespread over the State it is physically and
financially impossible for the State and Federal governments to con-tinue
control activities, and they then become the responsibility of
individuals, communities, municipalities, or counties.
Mist-blower in action to control Japanese beetles.
Report for 1950-52
—
Entomology 53
~^pr
<^
"""^
Nematode damage in bulb field.
In the summer of 1950 traps were placed in 36 localities and Jap-anese
beetles were found in 32 counties. All nurseries were scouted
at least once, and nine localities received mist-blower foliage treatment.
Increased infestation was discovered in eastern and western parts of
the State.
The following summer 1,500 traps were used in scouting along
all the main highways in proposed non-regulated areas. During this
season all nurseries were scouted from one to three times. Thirteen
nurseries within the regulated area and three small nurseries in Cald-well
County were found infested. DDT mist-blower treatments were
applied at Marion, Boone and Blowing Rock.
Three sections of the State were placed under Federal quarantine
in August, 1951. The quarantined area includes 35 counties in the
east, seven in the Piedmont, and two and part of a third in the moun-tains.
Approximately 15,180,000 plants have been certified for move-ment
under the quarantine. Several approved treatments are avail-able
to shippers of regulated items when it becomes necessary to treat
for certification. Truckers have been notified that front vents must be
screened while their truck are within the heavily infested area during
the flight season of the beetle.
54 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Narcissus Bulb Inspection
The future of the narcissus industry in the State depends upon
this project designed to detect plants infected with eel worm or nema-tode.
This operation, carried on in the early spring, is confined largely
to New Hanover County with some work being done in Beaufort,
Chatham and Guilford counties. In 1951 the inspection included 129
acres on 14 properties. Presence of nematode was found in one prop-erty
and the infected bulbs were treated with hot water and the soil
was fumigated. The following spring 115 acres were inspected on 10
properties with infection being reported on three properties. One
infected property had not been previously inspected, and another was
infected from bulbs imported in 1951. All infected bulbs were sub-jected
to the standard hot water treatment or destroyed and all in-fected
soil was fumigated.
Camellia Flower Blight
Camellia flower blight was discovered in one Brunswick County
nursery in 1949. The owner of the infected nursery has given this
Division complete co-operation. Quarantine and control work has
progressed satisfactorily and it is believed that the spread of this dis-ease
can be prevented. Camellias grown under quarantine regulations
are carefully inspected and certified under expert supervision.
Apiary Inspection
This Division does not have a full time apiary inspector, but a
trained member of the staff performs such work in this field as his
other duties will permit. Following is a summary of the bee inspection
work during the past biennium:
Number of colonies inspected 3,972
Colonies infected with American foulbrood 64
Colonies infected with European foulbrood 100
Colonies infected with sacbrood 200
Colonies infected with nosema and paralysis 100
Colonies with other brood diseases 50
Number of queen breeders inspected 7
Number of package bee shippers inspected 12
Due to shortage in personnel, inspections were limited to queen
breeders, package bee shippers, transient beekeepers and others re-questing
inspection.
Insect Collection
The State insect collection continues to grow and thousands of
new insect records were added and catalogued during the past year.
Currently more than 13,000 different species of insects and near in-sects
are recorded from North Carolina. The State insect collection is
Report for 1950-52
—
Entomology 55
the largest in the South and more space is needed for efficient hand-ling.
Thousands of specimens continue to come in for identification
from all over the State. Many new kinds of insects have been recorded
from these inquiries, most of which were household pests or insects
affecting trees, animals and man. An increasing number of students
from colleges and schools use the facilities of the insect collection and
laboratory. Also many scientists from all over the United States have
referred to this collection for study and much material has been ex-amined
and exchanged.
During the past year some permanent equipment was added to
take care of the collection, but more will be needed when larger
quarters are available. A new supplement to List of Insects in North
Carolina has recently been published bringing up-to-date information
on insects newly found within the State. An increasing amount of ad-vice
and service is rendered to both State and Federal field workers.
White Pine Blister Rust
North Carolina has over 581,000 acres of white pine to be pro-tected
from deadly blister rust. This disease cannot be spread from
pine to pine, but must develop from pine through wild or cultivated
currants or gooseberries of the genus Ribes. This program for the
most part consists in eradicating Ribes from important white pine
areas. The disease can be spread from pine to Ribes over a distance
of some 150 miles, but Ribes cannot infect white pines over 900 feet
away.
Blister rust is now found on white pine in Ashe, Buncombe, Hay-wood,
McDowell and Yancey counties. Infected Ribes are found in
Avery, Graham, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania
and Watauga counties.
Resurvey was made in Madison County on 51,109 acres. Control
area examination and eradication were confined mostly to Yancey,
Mitchell and Avery counties, where 3,200 Ribes were removed from
402 acres of control area. Rust was found on white pine in Avery
County at 13 different locations, including four nurseries. It is the
purpose of the blister rust program to keep bushes down in order to
prevent commercial damage.
White pine is found in 25 western North Carolina counties and
annually yields about 30,000,000 board feet of lumber. The survey is
about complete in those counties where wild Ribes and white pine
are known to occur together. Work in the future will consist of mak-ing
sufficient surveys to keep up with the spread of the pine and such
eradication as is found necessary.
56 N. C. Department of Agriculture
The following shows the present status of control work:
Total control acres 1,361,532
Total control acres Ribes free 1,355,981
Total control acres Ribes bearing 5,551
Total Ribes bearing control acres on maintenance 2,891
Per cent control acres on maintenance total 99.8
Per cent control acres on maintenance Ribes bearing 52.1
Present and potential white pine in the State is valued at over
$28,000,000. Blister rust is a threat to this valuable timber, but it can
now be controlled at a small cost due to the long-range program of
this Division.
European Corn Borer
Scouting surveys show Craven County to be the only new area
infested with the European corn borer during the past biennium.
Phony Peach Disease
Scouting for phony peach disease began in 1930, when several
counties were found infected. As a result of systematic eradication
measures, the disease apparently disappeared after 1939. However,
later research proved that the native wild plumb is capable of spread-ing
the disease without showing signs of phony infection, and recent
investigations have shown that three species of leaf-hoppers spread
the disease from infected to healthy trees.
In the light of this later information a phony disease survey was
again made in the summer of 1951, when all commercial peach orchards
were carefully scouted in Polk and Rutherford counties. Two in-fected
trees were found in Polk County.
In 1952 the commercial orchards in Cumberland and Scotland
counties were surveyed, and two phony infected trees were found in
Cumberland. Inspections in the vicinity of nurseries growing peach
trees revealed no stock infected with the phony disease.
Dura Stem Borer
Due to a defective fumigation chamber at the port of Baltimore,
broom corn inported from Italy heavily infested with the dura stem
borer and the European corn borer was shipped into many localities
of North Carolina in March and April, 1951.
In co-operation with the Federal government, surveys were made
of infested stock at broom factories in the State. Many factories co-operated
in destroying infested straw, and one carload of it was fumi-gated
with methyl bromide at Greensboro, N. C.
While no infestations have been found in areas surrounding the
plants which received shipments of the infested broom corn, scoutings
must be made for some years to ensure against spread of these pests.
DIVISION OF MARKETS
John A. Winfield
Director
Diseases, insects and weather hazards, which
the farmer faces in producing his crops and
livestock, are replaced by a host of other con-trolling
factors when the commodities he pro-duces
are ready for market. To mention a few
of these, there is the problem of preparing
each product before selling, determining where,
how, and when to sell, and arranging for prop-er
methods of handling and transporting the John A. Winfield
commodities for sale.
These problems do not end with the producer sale, however. They
continue through each marketing channel from the producer to the
consumer. They become more prominent during periods of over-pro-duction
and times of short supply, and are lessened only through effi-cient
marketing methods.
Seeking to eliminate as many of these problems as possible, the
Markets Division, during the 1950-52 biennium, placed continued
emphasis on the establishment of additional marketing facilities and
efficiency in the use of existing ones.
The demand for marketing assistance and information from pro-ducers,
handlers and processors was enlarged to a record point during
the biennium as sharp increases occurred in the production of cer-tain
food and fiber crops, as well as in tobacco, the State's principal
cash crop. The short labor supply also added to this demand as the
need became more acute for major technical changes in facilities for
marketing all farm commodities.
Evidence of this is particularly noticeable in North Carolina's ex-panding
grain industry, which now is producing approximately 100,-
000,000 bushels of grain annually. Prior to 1950, suitable off-farm
storage facilities for 750,000 bushels of grain had been established.
During the past biennium, however, Division personnel were in-strumental
in arranging for the establishment of facilities for holding
approximately 760,000 additional bushels, bringing the total capacity
now to 1,510,000.
Technical assistance to cotton ginners, who willingly followed the
advice of Division specialists, proved highly valuable to the State's
large number of cotton farmers. It is conservatively estimated that
North Carolina ginners invest each year about two dollars in new
58 N. C. Department of Agriculture
gin machinery for every bale of cotton ginned. This was particularly
true during the past biennium when, as a result of modern equipment
and improved operating techniques, ginners reduced rough prep to a
record low of 1.1 per cent. The record low prior to that time was
5.0 per cent in 1948.
Meeting, in part, the demand for additional market news informa-tion
during the past biennium, the Division began compiling and re-leasing
daily price quotations on corn and soybeans in the fall of
1950. Prices on wheat, oats and milo were added in the summer of
1951. At present, prices are compiled and reported daily to the press
and radio from 14 local markets and four terminal points.
In co-operation with the Agricultural Extension Service, arrange-ments
were made in 1951 to begin collecting and releasing daily price
quotations on cotton from six of the State's leading markets. Ex-cellent
results were obtained in this venture and the demand for its
continuance is increasing.
Tobacco growers, who through the production of the flue-cured
and burley crop each year realize 57 per cent of the State's farm in-come,
are becoming more conscious of the need for recognizing the
U. S. Standard Grades under which tobacco is sold and are preparing
their offerings in such a way as to meet the requirements of the buyers.
Specialists instruct farmers in the proper sorting and grading of their leaf for
market.
Report for 1950-52
—
Markets 59
During the 1950-52 biennium, division specialists strengthened their
efforts to further promote this practice by conducting a service pro-gram
in 31 flue-cured counties and 18 burley counties. Further assis-tance
was given to more than 5,000 growers in improving their prac-tices
of grading and handling tobacco for market.
Special efforts were continued in the establishment of f.o.b. mar-kets
for a more orderly system of marketing the State's fresh fruit and
vegetable crops. Because of their perishable nature, these crops must
be moved to the processor or consumer as soon as possible after har-vest.
Typical acceptance to the f.o.b. system of sales may be found
among eastern North Carolina's commercial lettuce growers.
Encouraged by Division specialists and other agency personnel, a
small group of lettuce growers in the Castle Hayne, Wrightsboro,
and Burgaw sections marketed their 1950 crop on the f.o.b. basis. By
1951, the volume of lettuce handled through this method more than
doubled, and in 1952, practically all of the crop was sold f.o.b.
These are a few accomplishments made in the field of agricul-tural
marketing. There is still a great deal to be done.
North Carolina, as well as other southeastern states, is witnessing
a steady growth in population, brought about primarily by the rising
tide of industry. This means that the production of food and fiber
crops must be stepped up proportionately. It also means that our
shift from a seller's market to a buyer's market is being accelerated.
Despite the increased grain drying and storage facilities over the
State, there still exists a tremendous need for additional facilities.
These must be established before local manufacturers can be assured
of a constant supply of grain to meet their demands and before farm-ers,
in turn, can expect the highest possible return for their products.
Grading of corn and soybeans for commercial movement has in-creased
tremendously during the past few years. And the demand
by farmers, as well as handlers, for additional grading services is con-tinuing
to increase at a rapid pace. This is an important service that
is performed by the grain marketing specialists and is one that must
be continued. The time required for this work, however, is hamper-ing
the progress of the expanded marketing program for all grains.
Intensive work with tobacco growers must be continued if the over-all
improvement in preparation and marketing practices is to be-come
outstanding.
Because of its relatively small cotton crop and the varied condi-tions
under which it is grown, North Carolina is at somewhat of a dis-advantage
in marketing cotton. To overcome this disadvantage, it will
be necessary to continue to increase the distribution of fiber test re-sults
to the consumers who buy cotton for specific end uses.
60 N. C. Department of Agriculture
North Carolina's poultry industry is expanding. More than 13,000,000 pounds
of chickens and turkeys, most of which went to the armed forces, were officially
graded by Markets Division specialists during the past biennium.
North Carolina's poultry industry is continuing to expand each
year and consumer demand is gradually changing from fresh, ice-packed
whole chickens to more cut-up and tray-packed whole chickens
or parts, along with cut-up frozen poultry. To meet this demand,
local processors will require a considerable amount of technical assist-ance
from marketing specialists in changing their operations.
There are also definite indications that all dressed poultry moving
through interstate commerce channels will have to be processed under
the USDA inspection program. This means that several of the pro-cessing
plants in this State will have to rebuild, remodel or make ma-jor
changes before they meet these requirements if they expect to
continue distributing poultry to their present customers. Here again,
the demand for technical assistance will be great.
With an increased number of cattle in the State and a demand for
quality beef by consumers, the need for a more concerted program
of producing, processing, and distributing quality beef is becoming
apparent. Better marketing facilities also must be established to
handle the increasing numbers, and more grading service, both live
grading for stocker cattle and grading of slaughter cattle, is being
required. Division specialists in the livestock section will be called
Report for 1950-52
—
Markets 61
upon to do this work in addition to performing their other duties.
The rapid increase in milk production in North Carolina, along
with a growing consumer demand, has created a need for a better
marketing system in the dairy industry. This has been met in part
by the state-wide milk marketing regulations adopted in 1949 by the
Commissioner of Agriculture under the milk audit law and amend-ments
thereto. Additional technical assistance will be necessary in
the future, -however, in order to establish a more uniform and equit-able
system of marketing milk produced by the State's dairy farmers.
The program of distributing foods to schools and charitable in-stitutions
is steadily increasing. During the coming school year, the
number of meals served in school cafeterias will increase by five mil-lion
over the previous year. Since the volume of food handled is
based on the number of meals served, additional duties and facilities
for handling the increasing quantities of food will be necessary.
No one can accurately predict the future. However, present con-ditions,
and future production plans, point to a continued increasing
demand for marketing services. The Markets Division, although limit-ed
in personnel and equipment, stands ready to assist in every way
possible. Close co-operation from other agencies, long enjoyed by
Division specialists, will continue to be solicited in the coming years.
A summary of activities for the past biennium in the various phases
covered by this Division follows:
Tobacco
The marketing of flue-cured and burley tobacco, North Carolina's
most valuable agricultural crop and the source of 57 per cent of the
State's farm income, presents many complex problems.
Growers have a tendency to become careless in their preparation
and marketing practices during periods of emergency. Since the Ko-rean
conflict this has been particularly true, and specialists in the
tobacco section are placing stronger emphasis on the importance of
properly grading and handling tobacco for market.
The primary problem is the failure of growers to recognize the
U. S. Standard Grades under which tobacco is sold on the warehouse
floors, and to prepare their offerings in such a way as to meet the
requirements of the buyers. Such practices cause many lots of tobacco
to be graded down, and command prices below the true auction mar-ket
value. This is cutting into the tobacco farmer's margin of profit
from the marketing end, while inflation and increased cost of produc-
62 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Proper grading and handling increases the market value of tobacco.
tion is cutting his profits from the other end. The combination of
these factors leaves many growers with a very narrow margin on which
to operate their farm business.
During the 1950-52 biennium, Division specialists, through co-operation
with the U. S. Department of Agriculture under the Re-search
and Marketing Act, were able to spend more time assisting
flue-cured and burley growers with their preparation and marketing
problems. This service program was conducted in co-operation with
the Extension Service, Vocational Agriculture teachers, farm organi-zations,
and warehousemen in 31 flue-cured tobacco growing counties
and in 18 burley counties. Specialists are helping North Carolina to-bacco
farmers get a better understanding as to what the major prob-lems
are in preparing and marketing tobacco, and then assisting them
in making adjustments to meet the situation by starting at the source
of the problem. During the biennium, 5,203 growers were assisted by
specialists in improving their practices of grading and handling to-bacco
for market so as to increase the market value by making the
lots of tobacco more uniform in grade.
The second and third annual issues of the North Carolina To-bacco
Report were prepared during the 1950-52 biennium. The
popularity of this bulletin made it necessary to print 8,000 copies of
both the second and third issues, which were distributed to growers,
Report for 1950-52
—
Markets 63
warehousemen, dealers, libraries and others interested in tobacco mar-keting.
The Tobacco Report reaches many growers who otherwise
would receive very little marketing information, thus helping them to
get a better picture of the tobacco marketing situation.
In complying with the statutes of North Carolina, the Department
issued a monthly report of tobacco warehouse sales. These reports
were distributed to a mailing list of about 1,000, including growers,
bankers, railroad representatives, members of the industry, press,
radio, and civic and farm organizations.
During the 1951 marketing season, a large quantity of some of the
new varieties of Hue-cured tobacco appeared on the warehouse floor.
Because of the questionable characteristics of this tobacco it was dis-criminated
against by tobacco inspectors and buyers. This situation
caused many growers to receive prices far below the market value for
their tobacco. Marketing specialists, working with specialists from
State College, and officials from the tobacco branch of the U. S. De-partment
of Agriculture, immediately sought to correct this problem
and by the middle of the marketing season most of the trouble had
been cleared up. Data collected in connection with this problem in-dicated
that certain modifications should be made in the U. S. Stand-ard
Grades. Marketing specialists were instrumental in bringing about
OUTLETS FOR U.S. TOBACCO
BIL. LBS.
3 Cigarettes
Cigars
Smoking, chewing, snuff
Exports
1924-28 1934-38 1948 1949 1950 1951
AV. AV.
fAHM-SALES WEIGHT EQUIVALENT
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEG.47415-XX BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
64 N. C. Department of Agriculture
These technicians are testing cotton samples for uniformity of fiber length in
the Depatrment's new Fiber Testing Laboratory.
many of these changes, which will better classify the type of flue-cured
tobacco being grown today.
It is the unquestioned belief that cigarette and tobacco taxes are
at or near the peak at which continued increase in consumption of
tobacco products can be expected. Division specialists organized farm
groups to appear before the Ways and Means Committee of the U. S.
Congress in opposition to a proposed tax increase of 3 cents per
package on cigarettes. The proposed increase was held to 1 cent per
package which was considered a victory for tobacco growers.
Assistance has been rendered warehousemen on the Wilson, Green-ville,
Kinston, Greensboro, Windsor, Burlington and Ellerbe tobacco
markets in solving buyer and warehousing problems.
Co-operation and assistance was rendered to the Chambers of Com-merce
in Lillington, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Asheville in aid-ing
tobacco growers served in their respective areas.
The work thus far has made only a small dent in the surface. To-bacco
is North Carolina's major crop and it is grown in 94 of the
State's 100 counties. It will take many years of intensive work with
growers before an over-all improvement in preparation and marketing
practices will be noticeable, although much improvement on the in-dividual
basis is already apparent. This individual progress gives a
favorable trend in connection with work done during the past few
years.
Report for 1950-52
—
Markets 65
Cotton
The position of cotton production in North Carolina has improved
materially during the past biennium and is stronger today than at
any time since 1929. This advantage is attributable to (1) the in-tegration
of cotton production, in varying ratios, with other crops in
a diversified agriculture, (2) higher grade index, (3) improvement in
gin service, (4) modern production practices, and (5) more efficient
marketing procedures. Indications are that the average plantings will
level off at around 750,000 acres.
Activities of Division specialists during the past biennium were
concentrated primarily on (1) technical assistance to cotton gins and
(2) initial marketing practices. The objectives are (1) to sustain the
full potential value of seed cotton in the ginning process and (2) to
promote the marketing of cotton on the basis of grade, staple and
fiber qualities.
Projects of this nature are effective in direct ratio to on-the-spot
inspection and personal contact. During this biennium, 1,280 gin
visits were made for inspection of equipment and operating tech-niques
and to plan new facilities and improvements. Each year, the
ginners of North Carolina invest in new gin machinery about $2 for
every bale ginned. Modern equipment and improved operating tech-niques
have reduced rough prep to 1.1 per cent for the 1951 crop.
The record low prior to this biennium was 5.0 per cent in 1948.
The growing use of laboratory test results by initial consumers of
raw cotton, in buying cotton in large lots or for specific end uses,
places North Carolina at a disadvantage because of its relatively small
crop and the varied conditions under which it is produced. To relieve
this disadvantage, a fiber testing laboratory was set up by the Division
in 1951, but not in time to release results during the ginning and
marketing season. Arrangements have been made to test cotton fibers
from approximately 30 gins in 16 principal areas during the 1952
season. Releases will be made at 10-day or two-week intervals and
will go to the cotton trade, spinners, and producers requesting them.
These tests will include fineness, tensile strength, maturity, and length
uniformity.
All activities in connection with cotton have entailed close co-op-eration
with other agencies concerned with cotton, as well as all raw
cotton interest organizations.
As previously indicated, work with cotton is largely technical and
has necessitated the services of specialists with a modicum of engin-eering
resourcefulness. During the last year of this biennium, Divi-sion
specialists undertook, as an exploratory project, to provide tech-
66 N. C. Department of Agriculture
The Department has encouraged the construction of modern grain storage and
handling facilities. Shown here is the new Cargill plant at Wilson.
nical assistance to corn millers. The problem with these mills is
largely sanitation and the need to meet Pure Food Standards. This
program has, of necessity, been limited because it was undertaken
without any additional personnel. The demand for this service from
the very beginning was more than could be met with the personnel
available. It is hoped that necessary personnel can be added not only
to take care of the immediate problems of the corn millers but to
help expand this and other corn processing industries. Fortunately,
quite a bit of basic engineering is applicable to cotton ginning and
corn processing.
Grain
The rapid increase in production of all grains in North Carolina
has demanded better marketing practices through harvesting, drying,
storing and processing facilities.
North Carolina now produces 72 million bushels of corn, 14 mil-lion
bushels of oats, 9 million bushels of wheat, 5 million bushels of
soybeans, 1.5 million bushels of milo and 1 million bushels of barley.
This is approximately 100,000,000 bushels of grain with inadequate
storage on and off the farm.
The use of hybrid corn and the introduction of new small grain
varieties, have increased the yields of grain, without having adequate
storage or marketing facilities.
Storage alone is not enough. Proper care and conditioning before
and during storage can prevent a loss of an estimated ten million
bushels of grain annually in North Carolina.
Report for 1950-52
—
Markets 67
This map shows the distribution of North Carolina's corn acreage (1950 crop)
Each dot represents 1,000 acres.
Modern elevators and dryers erected for handling off-the-farm
storage of grain are listed below:
Storage Capacity Drying Capacity
Year Bushels Bushels Per Hour
1950-1951 300,000 800
1951-1952 460,000 1,200
Completed this biennium .. 760,000 2,000
Prior to 1950 750,000 3,800
Total completed 1,510,000 5,800
Planned for 1 952- 1953 400,000 2,000
These modern storage and drying facilities represent a step for-ward
in keeping quality grain safely over a 12-month period. When
the additional needs for storage facilities are met, local manufacturers
will be assured of a constant supply of grain to meet their demands.
Through a marketing program of this nature, surpluses at harvest
season, which always result in a depressed market, can be handled
more efficiently.
Grading of corn and soybeans for commercial movement has in-creased
100 per cent by truck; 100 per cent by rail; and 400 per cent
by boat. A continued increase in this work is certain.
Grain grading demonstrations were conducted in all grain-pro-ducing
areas of the State with farmers, buyers and processors attending.
Plans to promote the use of established Federal grades in grain mar-keting
were emphasized.
Through the efforts of Division specialists, a substantial saving to
North Carolina farmers has resulted from the use of U. S. official hay
grades. Hay can now be bought on U. S. grades with certificates at-tached.
68 N. C. Department of Agriculture
New equipment aids specialists in grain grading laboratory.
Operators of seed-cleaning plants were visited and instructed in the
preparation of seed for market so as to improve the quality of the
product.
Division specialists co-operated with N. C. State College on research
and extension problems in grain marketing, as well as with the Pro-duction
and Marketing Administration in grading grain for Farm
Storage loans. Co-operation was also extended the Department of
Food Chemistry on grain problems under the Pure Food Act.
The increase in grain facilities and the demand for grain grading
by farmers on the grain trade are now greater than the laboratory
facilities and grain personnel can handle. It will be necessary to en-large
the laboratory and office space as well as add additional grain
men.
Fruits and Vegetables
Improving the distribution of North Carolina's fresh fruits and
vegetables and expanding market outlets for these commodities were
the major objectives of Division specialists in fruits and vegetables
during the 1950-52 biennium.
To conduct this work specialists prepared and mailed a special
bulletin each year to more than 800 buyers of sound financial standing
and known buying capacity. The bulletin contained information on
Report for 1950-52
—
Markets 69
the volume and moving dates of all fresh fruits and vegetables pro-duced
in the State, as well as the location of markets or packing
houses. Specific crop letters were also prepared and mailed to these
same buyers about ten days before the harvesting date.
Additional work along these lines was handled through producer
group meetings which were attended by independent buyers and
chain-store and processing-plant buyers. Through these meetings, the
buyer and seller were brought together and, as a result, the producer
often received a greater share of the consumer's dollar for his com-modities.
Specialists continued to keep in close contact with chain-store and
independent-super-market buyers so that when a surplus of any one
commodity existed arrangements could be made for special advertising
and sales to help promote the movement of this commodity. Such
efforts were of tremendous value to growers of fresh produce in the
State and made it possible for many of them to harvest the remainder
of their crops and sell on the open market.
Special assistance was given commercial peach growers in moving
their crop to market. During the 1951-52 fiscal year, these growers
were assisted in moving almost 600,000 bushels of peaches through
various market channels without a surplus developing at any time dur-ing
the season. To do this, it was necessary to plan an effective ad-vertising
program. This was done by special announcements over
eight different radio stations, full-page advertisements in 16 news-papers
and a special mailing of 1,500 circularized letters to buyers,
prospective buyers and freezer locker operators.
Division specialists also inaugurated a system of marketing apples
in the commercial producing area in western North Carolina which
proved to be very satisfactory and encouraging to the growers. After
meeting with growers to discuss their needs, the specialists were in-strumental
in getting a sales manager to establish an office in the main
producing area and handle all varieties of apples grown on a com-mercial
basis.
Further assistance in this program was given through working di-rectly
with growers, advising them on the dates to pick, obtaining in-formation
as to the daily loadings, assembling small loads to make up
trailer or carloads, and supervising and assisting with proper loading.
One significant fact resulting from the work with commercial sweet
potato producers and auction markets was the consolidation of two
auction markets located only six miles apart. When these two markets
were first established, growers were driving from one to the other in
70 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Inspection of fresh fruits and vegetables for the armed forces during 1950-52
totaled more than 11,000,000 pounds.
an effort to get the highest price. With the two markets now combined
into one, it is rapidly becoming one of the best sweet potato markets
in the State.
By keeping a close check on the availability of good seed stock
specialists were able to assist sweet potato growers in purchasing con-siderable
quantities of disease-free seed stock. During the past fiscal
year, for example, more than 5,000 bushels of seed stock practically
free from internal cork were purchased. Each purchase of seed stock
was carefully graded and supervised by the specialists to insure the
grower of getting what he bought. By assisting growers in locating
good seed stock, it is felt that the quality of potatoes is greatly im-proved
and the grower is receiving a greater return from his labor.
Special assistance was also given in getting producers to change
from shipping to commission merchants to selling f.o.b., which was
found to be the best method of marketing fruits and vegetables. Es-tablishment
of the f.o.b. system of sales among the spring lettuce
growers in eastern North Carolina proved highly satisfactory.
When the f.o.b. system was first established among the lettuce
growers in 1950, it operated on a small scale. However, by the spring
of 1951, the volume handled through the f.o.b. market had more than
doubled.
Report for 1950-52
—
Markets 71
Aware of the support and interest of this system of marketing,
specialists arranged to get one of the State's largest fruit and vegetable
buyers to establish an office in the lettuce area and handle the entire
crop of these small producers before the 1952 spring lettuce crop was
ready for harvest. As the harvesting season became nearer, specialists
contacted growers as to their marketing intentions and found that
more than three-fourths of them were planning to pack their crop co-operatively
and pool their sales through f.o.b. market. Before the
end of the season, the demand for North Carolina lettuce was far in
excess of the supply, and growers once again felt that they had a most
profitable season.
Fruit, vegetable and peanut inspection and certification remains
an important service furnished by the Division specialists. It is im-portant
to note that the inspection program is self-supporting, and is
paid for in the form of fees by those who request the service. In view
of the fact that inspection is voluntary rather than compulsory, the
volume of inspections made is evidence of the importance placed upon
it by producers and shippers.
The men performing these services are employees of the Division,
and are properly trained and licensed under co-operative agreement
between the N. C. and U. S. Departments of Agriculture. All inspec-tors
are trained and instructed to render services beyond inspection
and certification duties. Included are such services as assisting growers
and handlers in proper grading, packing, loading, and careful han-dling
of the commodities. Greater emphasis is being placed on such
services that inspectors may render.
During the 1950-51 fiscal year the Division's licensed inspectors cer-tified
16,681 carlots and carlot equivalents of fruits, vegetables, and
peanuts. During the 1951-52 fiscal year 19,137 carlots and carlot equi-valents
were certified. Of the 35,818 total carlots, peanuts and po-tatoes
were the major items certified, with peaches, cabbage, apples,
green corn, and lettuce ranking next in importance for certification.
During the biennium the Division furnished licensed inspectors at
nine produce auction markets for grade determination on which prices
were largely based for the produce sold at the auctions. During the
1950-51 year a total of 1,851,229 packages were graded by inspectors at
the markets, and for the 1951-52 year 899,419 packages were inspected.
Sweet potatoes, peppers, cucumbers, snap beans, and strawberries were
the major items inspected, with squash, eggplant and lima beans next
in importance. The decline in volume of inspections at the auction
markets in the 1951-52 year was due to the unfavorable growing con-ditions
for vegetables during the 1952 season.
72 N. C. Department of Agriculture
Shipping point inspections are recognized as a valuable service to growers, ship-pers
and buyers.
F'ive of the Division's specialists who are qualified and authorized
to make receiving market inspections of fruits and vegetables, and the
federal supervisor of inspections, inspected and certified 448 carlots
of fresh fruits and vegetables for North Carolina produce receivers,
and 4,759,473 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables at, or for delivery
to, military installations. During the 1951-52 year 402i/
2 carlots and
6,550,172 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables were inspected and cer-tified
for the same purposes.
A large volume of produce inspected for military installations was
produced in North Carolina. This service rendered by the Division
is very important as a protection to produce handlers against fraudu-lent
practices by shippers of produce into the State, as well as furnish-ing
a market for a large quantity of North Carolina fruits and vege-tables.
The Armed Services require inspection of the produce bought
by the Quartermaster Market Center for use at military installations.
Milk
The dairy industry in North Carolina continued to show definite
growth and progress during the 1950-52 biennium. The rapid in-crease
in production of fluid milk and the increasing consumer de-mand
has created many marketing problems for the dairy farmers.
Report for 1950-52
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Markets 73
This is especially true in the peak production season when the supply
is in excess of consumer demand. Despite the steady increase in pro-duction
of Grade "A". fluid milk each month, North Carolina is still
deficit in fluid milk supplies for bottling purposes, except in the
peak production months of May, June and July. It is necessary to im-port
large quantities of fluid milk from other states in the fall and
winter months.
The State-wide Milk Marketing Regulations adopted in 1949 by
the Commissioner of Agriculture under the Milk Audit Law and
Amendments thereto has contributed much toward a more uniform
system of milk marketing in the State. Under this Act, the buyers of
milk are required to submit monthly reports of all receipts and use
of milk and must make uniform settlement to all producers in ac-cordance
with the class in which it is sold or used.
Marketing personnel have given considerable time and assistance
to dairy plants in an effort to effect proper accounting and payment
for milk received from milk producers.
Audits of plant records have disclosed underpayments to producers
in some cases and corrections have been made immediately.
Monthly information of the production, sales, prices paid for milk
and other data are collected by the Division. Complete information as
to the quality of ice cream, butter, cheese and other dairy products
manufactured is also collected. This information is compiled and
released to the dairy industry and milk producers quarterly.
During the peak milk production period, dairy marketing special-ists
assisted in the assembly and movement of excess milk from areas
of over-production to deficit areas in eastern North Carolina and other
parts of the State. In the past, the movement of this milk has been a
serious problem, due to the small quantities available from some
plants and the long distance to the markets in need of fluid milk.
This program has been improved materially, with the establishment
of a large producer-owned co-operative plant in North Wilkesboro.
This plant is operated as a bulk milk distributor and dairy products
manufacturer. The establishment of this plant has assisted greatly in
the assembly of milk for redistribution to deficit areas in North Caro-lina
and surrounding states.
Continuing the informational work of the dairy marketing pro-gram,
Division specialists worked with schools, colleges and adult
groups. Much of this work was of a promotional nature aimed at in-creasing
the use of dairy products. There still exists an important
need for further efforts in this program. For example, approximately
62,500,000 half pints of milk were served in the school lunchrooms
74 N. C. Department of Agriculture
during the year 1951-52 as compared with 7,722,141 half pints in
1943-44. Based on the average attendance in North Carolina, these
figures show that only about one in three school children are drinking
half a pint of milk for lunch. A great deal has already been accom-plished
in this endeavor; however, there is still a big potential market
to be reached.
Co-operating with the State Library Commission, Division special-ists
developed, upon request, approximately 2,000 bookmarks in sev-eral
designs which were used in promoting dairy products. These
were used by several libraries and bookmobiles over the State. An
additional 20,000 of these bookmarks were requested and will be
available shortly for use throughout the State.
A simple cookbook was prepared giving recipes suitable for class-room
work and for children at home. Several thousand copies of
this booklet were prepared and distributed during the 1950-52 bien-nium
and 5,000 more are in the process of being assembled. This
was done in co-operation with the N. C. Milk Producers Federation.
Grade "A" Milk Purchases From Producers By
Distributors in North Carolina
1950-51 1951-52
Lbs. Lbs.
July 37,150,439 42,301,008
August 36,149,980 41,614,473
September 35,202,110 39,675,934
October 35,668,192 39,334,465
November 35,136,211 36,806,458
December 35,774,562 3