Report of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture for the biennium ... |
Previous | 16 of 26 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
|
This page
All
|
aftl\t lmti?r0ttg nf NortI| (flarnlttta OIoUertt0n of Nortly OlaroUtttatta UNIVERSITY OF N,C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00020340908 This Book may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE CENTS a day thereafter. It was taken out on the day indicated below: aiApr'5:^ ti j^ ^ LUNC IOM-Ap 39 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/reportofagricul19381940 REPORT of The North Carolina Department of Agriculture For the Biennium 1938-1940 OWEX G. DUNN STATE PBINTEE NEW BEEN, N. C. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL To His Excellency, Clyde R. Hoey, Governor of North Carolina: Sir: In compliance with Chapter 248, Public Laws of 1929, I submit the following report of the work of the Department of Agricul-ture for the biennium 1938-1940. Respectfully, Raleigh, N. C, November 1, 1940. Commissioner of Agriculture. REPORT OF TKe NortK Carolina Department of Agriculture For the Biennium 1938-1940 PERSONNEL OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE W. Kerr Scott, Commissioner Mrs. L. L. Stevens Shawboro, N. C. C. S Young Shelby, N. C. D. R. NOLAND Clyde, N. C. Claude T. Hall Woodsdale, N. C. J. H. Poole. West End, N. C. M. L. Aderholdt Lexington, N. C. Chas F. Cates Mebane, N. C. W. G. Hargett ...Richlands, N. C. Lionel Weil Goldsboro, N. C. W. I. BissETTE ....Grifton, N. C. Administration W. Kerr Scott Commissioner D. S. CoLTRANE Assistant to the Commissioner Myrtha Fleming Principal General Clerk Mary Knight Principal General Clerk Louis H. Wilson Editor of Publications A. R. PowLEDGE Senior Auditor Donnie M. Norman Senior Accounting Clerk C. P. Deyton JPrindpal Accounting Clerk Katherine Palmer Junior Accounting Clerk Jerrie Wheless Senior Stenographer Clerk Chas. Higgs Janitor-Clerk Worth Jeffreys.^ Janitor-Messenger Robert Harris Janitor Messenger Inspection W. E. Fuller Junior Dairy Specialist Chas. H. Godwin, Jr, Senior Food Inspector Martin McCall... Senior Feed Inspector E. J. Harrington. Senior Fertilizer Inspector W. H. Ferguson Fertilizer Inspector Sidney B. Clement._ Fertilizer Inspector John F. Reinhardt._ Fertilizer Inspector J. W. Turner Fertilizer Inspector Markets R. B. Etheridge Chief Buxton White.... Senior Marketing Specialist C. W. Sheffield Senior Marketing Specialist Paul L. Fletcher Senior Marketing Specialist A. B. Harless Senior Marketing Specialist H. T. Westcott Senior Marketing Specialist W. P. Hedrick Senior Marketing Specialist Geo. R. Ross Senior Marketing Specialist Williard Holden Darst __ Associate Marketing Specialist Ralph Bogan Kelly Jissociate Marketing Specialist ISABELLE Moseley Junior Marketing Specialist 6 Biennial Report Grace Mildred Howell Junior Stenographer Clerk Mary C. Hutchinson Junior Stenographer Clerk Ruth Cash Junior Stenographer Clerk Celesta Ballance Junior Stenographer Clerk W. G. Jones Senior Telegraph Operator Credit Union D. R. Graham Senior Auditor Alex S. Bynum... Junior Auditor Jeanette Cohen Junior Stenographer Clerk Dairy C. W. Pegram - Dairy Specialis t Entomology C. H. Brannon Senior Entomologist J. A. Harris Senior Entomologist D. L. Wray.. Associate Entomologist C. S. Brimley Associate Entomologist P. G. Craddock ._ Senior Apiary Inspector Pauline P. Newsom Senior Stenographer Clerk C. H. Hill Japanese Beetle Inspector Seed Laboratory J. W. WOODSIDB Senior Botanist S. D. Allen...„ Senior Seed Analyst Elizabeth Eby._ Senior Seed Analyst Magdalene Brummitt Junior Seed Analyst Mrs. M. N. Mattocks Junior Stenographer Clerk Elsie W. Earp..._ Junior Seed Analyst Margaret Rarer Junior Stenographer Clerk C. H. Lutterloh Senior Feed Inspector Joshua S. James Senior Feed Inspector T. A. Holcombe Senior Feed Inspector Analytical B. W. KiLGORE.. Senior Chemist W. A. Queen..._ Senior Chemist L. B. Rhodes Senior Chemist E. W. Constable Senior Chemist L. M. Nixon _.._ Senior Chemist Z. B. Bradford ...Senior Chemist E. T. HoRD... ..Senior Chemist J. S. PiTTARD Senior Chemist H. F. Pickering Senior Chemist W. P. Matthews Junior Chemist L. W. PuRDY Junior Chemist H. D. Matheson Junior Chemist J. O. DuNSTON Junior Chemist David E. Buffaloe.__ Junior Chemist Charles C. Gates, Jr Junior Chemist Sarah G. Allen.__ Principal General Clerk Heber B. Hatch Principal General Clerk Velva Hudson Senior General Clerk M. S. BiRDSONG Junior General Clerk Mildred G. Jackson Senior Stenographer Clerk Grace Mewborn Senior Stenographer Clerk L. V. Amburgey Microscopist W. E. McNeill._ Senior Food Inspector James A. Belton Junior Food Inspector Moses Lord Laboratory Helper Elvin Rogers Laboratory Helper Robert L. Harris ..Laboratory Helper Commissioner of Agriculture 7 Crop Statistics W. T. Garriss Junior Statistician Henry G. Brown Senior Statistical Clerk E. R. Simpson Senior Statistical Clerk William T. Wesson Senior Statistical Clerk Russell P. Handy Senior Statistical Clerk Sarah Drake Senior Statistical Clerk Bessie Kellogg Senior Statistical Clerk Maragret Taylor Senior Statistical Clerk C. R. SuMRELL Junior Statistical Clerk Mrs. Espy S. Bolger Junior Accounting Clerk Herbert Barnes Senior General Clerk Museum H. T. Davis. Senior Curator H. H. Brimley Senior Curator RoxiE Collie Simpson Preparator and Taxidermist Pat Pittman... Junior General Clerk Owen Woods.. Janitor Pattie Daniels Maid Veterinary William Moore.„ ^.State Veterinarian L. J. Faulhaber Associate Veterinarian W. R. Baynes..... Associate Veterinarian Maurice A. Schooley Junior Veterinarian Joe F. Baxter Junior Veterinarian C. E. Cox Junior Veterinarian C. B. Randall Junior Veterinarian Charles R. Border ...Junior Veterinarian Wayne D. Collins ...Junior Veterinarian William R. Beasley .Junior Veterinarian Urban E. Whatley._ Junior Veterinarian C. Edwin Hofmann ..Junior Veterinarian L. J. Fourie... Junior Bacteriologist Woodson Futrell Junior Bacteriologist John J. Filicky.„. Junior Bacteriologist Grace John..... Senior Stenograhper Clerk Edna Lee Simpson Junior Stenographer Clerk H. S. Wilfong. Junior Bacteriologist R. C. Noble ..Hatchery and Flock Inspector T. L. Wellborn Hatchery and Flock Inspector Bruce H. Overman Hatchery and Flock Inspector E. L. Burgess.... Hatchery and Flock Inspector James J. Page Hatchery and Folck Inspector A. R. Gattis..... Hatchery and Flock Inspector Coleman Absher Hatchery and Flock Inspector J. H. Oliver Hatchery and Flock Inspector Carl H. Tower Hatchery and Flock Inspector Walter C. Smith..... Hatchery and Flock Inspector W. W. Keever Hatchery and Flock Inspector N. P. McDuffie Hatchery and Flock Inspector Frank Hall. ....Laboratory Aid Frank Howard Laboratory Helper Test Farms F. E. Miller.: Director Kathleen Harrison Senior Stenographer Clerk J. L. Rea, Jr Superintendent F. B. Harris... Herdsman Holland Allen Foreman A. P. Lefevers Assistant Field Crops 8 Biennial Report Carlos Manning Assistant Field Crops Herbert Allen Assistant Livestock Dempsey Allen Animal Feeder E.G. Moss Superintendent Joe L. Rand Foreman Clifton L. Blackwell._ Assistant Foreman E. Floyd Junior Stenographer Clerk R. E. CuRRiN, Jr Superintendent W. C. Allsbrook Foreman Mary W. Currin. Junior Stenographer Clerk Dean W. Colvard Superintendent J. R. B. Williamson Dairy Herdsman J. Ernest Love Poultryman W. M. Whisenhunt Foreman W. W. Ross.. Assistant Horticulturist E. W. Rhodes Assistant Field Crops R. L. York... Assistant Dairyman Hazel Drake Junior Stenographer Clerk Chas. T. Dearing.. Superintendent D. P. Southerland.. .....Foreman C. O. Bollinger Poultryman Fred Stevens, Jr Dairyman B. L. Williams Junior Stenographer Clerk J. W. Hendricks .Superintendent Grady Berry Foreman Lackey BENriELD.„ Assistant Horticulturist Rose E. Bradford Junior Stenographer Clerk Blister Rust H. B. Teague ....State Leader Carson W. Swanger... Inspector Mrs. Hazel W. Pettit Junior Stenographer Clerk Oscar V. Coulter Inspector Hobert a. Whitman Inspector Mark M. Ferguson Inspector Soil Testing I. E. Miles... Director Frank H. Brown Junior Chemist Mrs. J. F. Jeffreys, Jr Junior Stenographer Clerk Cornelia McKaughan Junior Stenographer Clerk Arthur Giles Laboratory Aid State Warehouse System A. B. Fairley Superintendent C. R. Reynolds Chief Cotton Classer Joe E. Trowbridge... Senior Cotton Classer Robert S. Pou Warehouse Examiner Fred P. Johnson Gin Expert Mrs. J. N. Mason Senior Stenographer Clerk Mrs. Hallie K. Morrow Senior Stenographer Clerk Elizabeth Fleming Junior General Clerk J. B. Haywood Cotton Classer E. L. Ufchurch..._ Senior General Clerk N. C. State Fair J. S. DoRTON Manager Edna Dees. Senior Stenographer Clerk G. C. Ellis Caretaker Weights and Measures C. D. Baucom '. .Superintendent John A. Cook — .Inspector Commissioner of Agriculture 9 George S. Turner..._ .....Inspector H. W. Hood Inspector G. C. BoswooD.. Inspector W. C. Barnett Inspector Doris E. Powell Junior Stenographer Clerk WiLBERT Spruell Helper Cooperative Inspection Service W. A. Barwick —Egg Grader G. H. Wheelous.... Egg Grader McRee Davis —Egg Grader H. D. Wilson Egg Grader H. P. Hall Egg Grader T, E. Peterson Egg Grader D. A. Bass Egg Grader S. M. James Egg Inspector BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE By W. Kerr Scott, Commissioner of Agriculture Creation of a public consciousness as to the need for an en-larged agricultural marketing program and the strict enforce-ment of regulatory, inspectional and control laws for the protection of farmers and honest manufacturers are among the outstanding accomplishments of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture during the biennium. Consistent with the demand for enlarged services in the fields of marketing and control work relating to farming, expansions have been made in all divisions directly serving the farmer. A more sympathetic understanding and appreciation of agri-cultural needs by the 1939 General Assembly has made possible many expansions of service to agriculture, including the estab-lishment of a Soil Testing Division which enables the Depart-ment to furnish growers valuable information as to the fertilizer needs of their land, information that will result in a more in-telligent and economical use of fertilizers. Changes have been made in laws and regulations governing inspectional and control work relating to agriculture only after hearings or consultations with farmers and representatives of affected industries. The strict enforcement of laws and regulations designed to protect the farmer and honest manufacturer has contributed to the building of a more profitable farm program and a more sub-stantial agricultural industry. Expansion of agricultural marketing work still heads the list of needs of North Carolina farmers. An enlarged, practical marketing program is essential to a well-balanced farm program. Substantial contributions have been made by the Department in bringing the need for better marketing facilities to the atten-tion of Congress. The Department will continue to campaign for an enlarged marketing program, recognizing such a program as vital to the economic well-being of the National and State farm population. A report of the Department's progress during the biennium follows : 12 Biennial Report Chemistry: Strict enforcement of regulatory, inspect!onal and control laws has increased the value of services rendered in the Chemistry division. A total of 14,181 analyses of fertilizers, fertilizer materials, feeds, cottonseed meals, limes and land plas-ter, limes and marl, insecticides and fungicides has been made during the biennium. A total of 4,019 samples of foods intended for human consumption were analyzed. A total of 3,555 food plant inspections were made in the interest of food sanitation. Test Farms: With the completion of a new Federal office building and laboratory with $80,000 appropriated by Congress, the Tobacco Station at Oxford is now recognized as the largest in the Nation. The addition of 248 acres of land adjoining the Upper Coastal Plain Test Farm at Rocky Mount gives the State the largest peanut research station in the Nation. All six test farms are in better physical condition than at any time in history. The agricultural research program on all test farms has been enlarged, particularly in the fields of tobacco insect and disease control, small grain improvement and peanut investigations. Other test farm programs have been improved in proportion to the increased research work and attendance at field days has totaled 25,000 a year. Markets: Marketing programs designed to increase growers' incomes through the promotion of better grading and packing practices have been definitely beneficial and successful. New pro-grams and expansion of other services include enforcement of an egg storage law enacted by the 1939 General Assembly; estab-lishment of grades for lespedeza seed ; promotion of dairy pro-ducts through the organization of Dairy Council units ; "rehabili-tation" of the commercial Irish potato industry through the promotion of approved grading, packing and merchandizing methods ; increasing the sale of North Carolina feeder cattle through a comprehensive marketing bulletin; expansion of agri-cultural market news services for growers and others ; enlarged service to tobacco growers in presenting valuable information on grades and marketing practices ; enforcement of new regulations to protect farmers from losses due to the sale of inferior seed Irish potatoes. Veterinary Division: Bang's disease, most destructive of the maladies affecting dairy cattle, "is definitely on its way out" in North Carolina. An appropriation was secured from the 1939 General Assembly to match federal funds to pay owners for diseased animals slaughtered, and during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1940, a total of $20,320 was paid on 886 claims. Definite progress has been made in eliminating Pullorum disease, a costly disease of baby chicks. Nine veterinarians have been employed Commissioner of Agriculture 13 in an effort to control hog cholera and other swine diseases in the commercial areas. Dahnj Division: Check tests for butter-fat have been made on approximately 25,000 samples, necessitating 1,500 investi-gations. The work of licensed testers has been checked and the sampling and weighing of milk has been supervised regularly. Legislation has been sponsored and enacted to secure records on creamery and milk products, thus enabling the Division to furnish accurate information on the growth of the dairy industry. Warehouse: A modern, brick building for cotton classing has been constructed at a cost of approximately $30,000, 40% of which was obtained from the federal government, enabling the Division to give prompt and efficient service in cotton classing for the farmers of the State. Sixty per cent of the State's cotton crop has been handled through this Division. There is a licensed warehouse in every cotton-producing county. Credit Unions: Fifty new credit unions have been organized during the biennium, bringing the total to 125. Membership has been increased from 12,343 on June 30, 1938 to 22,466 on June 30, 1940, and over the corresponding period loans have been in-creased from $5,863,366 to $10,704,704. Entomology : An extensive soil poisoning program to control the spread of the Japanese beetle, deadly enemy of 300 agricul-tural plants and grasses, has been made possible with an appro-priation of $90,000 by the 1939 General Assembly. Substantial progress has been made in controlling American foulbrood, a bee disease which is steadily decreasing. Blister rust, a disease of white pine, has been kept out of the State under a preventative program. Other control programs have been enlarged. Statistics: The North Carolina Crop Reporting Service is officially rated third in the United States. A dairy manufac-turers' report, special truck crop reports, grain reports of thresher operators, price information service rendered the coordi-nating committee of the U. S. Census, formation of Junior Crop Reporting Clubs are included in the expanded program of the Division during the biennium. Weights and Measures: A total of 122,467 weights, measures and devices were inspected of which 106,004 were approved, 13,346 condemned; 2,266 confiscated and 851 released. A total of 1,146 heavy duty scales were tested and requests for tests justify an additional testing unit. Accounts: Economy has been effected through the establish-ment of a centralized accounting office through which receipts and disbursements for all divisions are handled. Prompt and 14 Biennial Report efficient service has been rendered in the handhng of fertihzer, feed, seed and other tax tags. All accounts have been submitted and approved by the Budget Bureau. Seed Laboratory: A total of 23,802 samples of seed were tested during the biennium, representing a 15 per cent increase compared with the previous biennium. Cooperation with federal authorities in connection with the Federal Seed Act has resulted in a better control of the quality of seed produced in other states and purchased by our farmers. Strict enforcement of the State Seed Law has enabled growers to purchase seed of known quality. State Museum: More than 400,000 persons have visited the Museum during the biennium. Major additions to the exhibits total 1,116. Cooperative work with federal agencies has made it possible to further increase the number of exhibits. Valuable assistance has been rendered in revising the book, "Birds of North Carolina." Soils Testing: Established as a Division with funds obtained from a special tax levied on fertilizers by the 1939 General As-sembly, the Soil Testing Division has become one of the most valuable service units of the Department. Free soil tests are being made for growers ; they are furnished information on crop adaptations, together with the analysis and quantity of fertilizers needed to produce crops economically. Since the program was in-augurated July 15, 1939, more than 70,000 different tests have been made on 6,500 soil samples furnished by farmers. Publications: The "Agricultural Review" mailing list has been increased from 19,000 to 29,000 during the biennium, furnishing farmers and others timely information of value, in-cluding tables showing low analysis and incorrectly labeled feeds, adulterated and misbranded foods and mislabeled seeds. A general increase in stories furnished newspapers and press asso-ciations has been reported. Requests for feature articles for all publications have been answered promptly. Enforcement of regu-latory, inspectional and control laws has been made easier and more effective through publication of news stories and coopera-tion of newspapers and press associations. State Fair: The North Carolina State Fair, taken over by the Department in 1937 following operation under private lease, has been an outstanding agricultural, educational and financial success during the biennium. For four years, the number of individual exhibitors has been increased and premiums have been increased. The large attendance at each exposition and the in-crease in the number of individual exhibitors attest the confidence of the people in a State-owned and State-operated Fair. NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, 1939-40 D. S. COLTRANE Assistant to the Commissioner Although cash income from farm marketings in 1939 and 1940 • fell below the high 1937 and 1938 level, changes in farm pro-duction indicate that North Carolina farmers are taking steps toward a better balanced agricultural program. The production of hay and other feed crops, legumes for soil improvement, live-stock and poultry continued to increase. The largest crops on record were produced in 1940 for hay, soybeans and grapes. Peanut production was only slightly less than the record 1937 crop, and the largest wheat crop since 1901 was threshed. The number of cattle on farms on January 1, 1940, has been exceeded only once while hog numbers for the same date were the largest in 18 years. Tobacco production was cut drastically in 1940 from the record breaking 1939 crop, but cotton made a terrific ' come back, producing by far the highest yield of lint per acre in the State's farming history. As of November 1, the 1940 yield was estimated at 434 pounds per acre compared to 296 pounds in 1939 and 278 pounds for the 10-year (1929-38) average. Although the 1940 cotton acreage was increased only 10 per cent, the total production, second in lespedeza, seed and peanuts, and third in nearly twice as large as the 1938 harvest. North Carolina ranks ' fourth in the nation in cash income from crops, first in tobacco production, second in lespedeza, seed, and peanuts, and third in the production of sweet potatoes. EFFICIENT PERSONNEL It is gratifying to come to the close of another biennium with a feeling that we can give good account of the trust and responsi-bilities imposed upon us. We have an efficient and well qualified corps of employees, and they have diligently applied themselves to the tasks assigned them. They have proven their interest in the work and their loyalty to the State Department of Agri-culture as well as the people we have endeavored to serve. We can only express to them our deep appreciation of the support they have given the administrative division and for their willing-ness to put forth every effort to discharge the responsibilities and work assigned them. The State Department of Agriculture, as you no doubt realize, is one of the major agencies of the State. A careful study of these reports reflects the importance of the work assigned to this 16 Biennial Report Department, and discloses the magnitude of the problems with which we are confronted that directly affect the interest of our farmers, and in general, our entire citizenship. REVENUE The detailed financial statement shows the sources and amounts of revenue collected by the Department during the biennium. The total receipts for the biennium amount to $995,799.60 compared with $867,916.02 for the previous bien-nium, which is an increase of $127,883.58. The five cents per ton increase in fertilizer, feed, and cottonseed meal inspection taxes granted by the 1939 General Assembly, and made effective July 1, 1939, accounts for $76,947.02 of this increase. The remaining increase; namely, $50,936.56 is due to an increase in the sale of feed and seed tags ; in fact, increased revenue is reported from most all sources. This is, no doubt, due to strict enforcement of the revenue raising provisions of the laws, which the Department enforces. It is, also, due to revenue derived from such laws as the one regulating the sale of canned dog food, which in the fiscal year, July 1, 1939-June 30, 1940, brought in $3,619.05. An Act passed by the 1939 General Assembly providing for an annual registration of each brand of feed with the $1.00 registration fee produced during the first year $3,051.00. RECEIPTS SLIGHTLY EXCEED EXPENDITURES During the year 1938-39 the receipts of the Department amounted to $469,084.07, whereas, expenditures amounted ta $463,555.03. Receipts exceeded expenditures by $5,529.04. In the fiscal year 1939-40 receipts amounted to $526,715.53, whereas,^ expenditures amounted to $526,460.90. Receipts were in excess of expenditures by $254.63. For the biennium, the Department has received from inspection taxes, registration fees, etc., other than from the general fund a. total of $995,799.60, and has spent a total of $989,456.32. Re-ceipts for the year in excess of expenditures were $6,344.28. These figures do not include any appropriations made by the General Assembly for Japanese Beetle Control, Bang's Disease Control, Credit Union, and Weights and Measures. They do in-clude the expenditure of $26,350.00 for the Central Experiment Station, and $4,550.00 for seed improvement work, a total of $30,900,00, which this Department annually sends to the North Carolina State College. From the above figures, you can see that the Department of Agriculture is spending its receipts and does not have any extra funds for further expansion of the program. In all probability the fertilizer tonnage for the next biennium will not equal that Commissioner of Agriculture 17 of the past two years. If the tonnage should drop, there is a probabihty of our receipts for the next two years falling short of expenditures. In our opinion, the reserve in the agricultural fund is about as low as it should be. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR EXPANSION Additional funds are needed to expand the agricultural pro-gram. The Department of Agriculture cannot stand still. It will either go forward or backward. Certainly, we should go forward. Additional funds are needed for the following: Two additional feed and seed inspectors, six part-time fertilizer in-spectors, one marketing specialist, secretary for Publicity Depart-ment, complete renovation of agricultural building, scientific equipment in the chemical laboratory, ventilating or cooling equip-ment in the nitrogen laboratory where temperature now reaches 130 degrees in the summer season and chemists must work under almost unbearable conditions ; an agronomist in the Soil Testing Division to assist the director since the work of this division is rapidly expanding; two drug inspectors, however, they should, in our opinion, be paid from the general fund since they would render a service for the benefit of the entire State. Fertilizer and seed inspection taxes should not be used for services that are rendered the entire citizenship. The Department, as well as State College officials, are recom- » mending that a sufficient appropriation be made from the general fund for the North Carolina Experiment Station at State College, so that the $30,900 which the Station is now receiving from the Department funds may be retained. This will enable the Depart-ment of Agriculture to do those things which we have listed as most essential. FERTILIZER, LIME, AND LAND PLASTER Consumption of commercial fertilizers of North Carolina farmers reached its second highest level since the depression during the year ending June 30, 1939, the Department's tax tag sales showing a total of 1,208,934 tons. The tonnage for the fiscal year 1939-40 amounted to 1,084,725 tons, which is a re-duction of 10.3 per cent from the fiscal year 1938-39. Total tonnage for the two years of the biennium amounted to 2,293,659 compared with 2,334,770 tons during the biennium ending June 30, 1938, which is a decrease of 1.76 per cent. •* AGRICULTURAL LIME During the biennium, there has been sold according to tax stamps a total of 99,923 tons of agricultural lime. This does not include lime furnished as Grant of Aid by the Agricultural Ad- 18 Biennial Report justment Administration or shipments to fertilizer manufacturers for mixing purposes. A total of 74,657 tons of land plaster was used during the biennium. In addition to the consumption of fertilizer, lime and land plaster, during the past two years, as indicated by the tax tag sales, there was quite a large tonnage of super phosphate or triple super phosphate and limestone delivered in many counties in the State for use in connection with the Federal Government Soil Conservation Program. Inspection tax is not paid on these materials supplied by the Federal Government on Grants of Aid. According to E. Y. Floyd, State Administrator of the Agricul-tural Adjustment Administration, the total tonnage of limestone during the biennium distributed by the AAA amounted to ap-proximately 350,000 tons. If the Department of Agriculture had received the five cents per ton inspection tax on this lime, it would have amounted to $17,500. FERTILIZER INSPECTION Reasonable fertilizer inspection service has been provided during the past two years. During the peak season a total of twelve part-time inspectors actively covered their respective terri-tories. An effort was made to get samples from every company in proportion to the tonnage sold. Our fertilizer inspectors made 8,403 inspections and secured 9,873 samples, aggregating 64,368 tons. One sample of fertilizer was taken for approximately each 200 tons sold. In our opinion, more samples should be taken, at least one sample for each 100 tons sold. This will necessitate more inspectors as well as increased laboratory facilities. FERTILIZER OF GOOD QUALITY Reasonable quality in the fertilizer sold in the State is indi-cated by the fact that during the biennium, penalties wei'e assessed on only 513 lots of fertilizer of 9,818 official samples analyzed and reported, which is only 5%. If our inspection figures are indicative of the fertilizer move-ment as a whole, this means that 95 tons of every one hundred tons of fertilizer sold in the State either meet the guaranteed analysis or were found within the variations allowed by the fertilizer law. $1,500,081 EXCESS PLANT FOOD A study of the average value of fertilizer for the years 1938 and 1939 reveals that manufacturers gave North Carolina farmers an average of 671/4 cents per ton value in excess of plant Commissioner of Agriculture 19 food guaranteed or an excess of plant food value during these two years of $1,500,081. These facts substantiate the value of rigid enforcement of regulatory measures, and indicate the protection given the farmers as well as the manufacturers. The Department invites farmers to request inspectors to take special samples ; in fact, more farm samples are being sought. TRUCK MOVEMENT OF FERTILIZER For some years now the transportation of fertilizer has been undergoing a change, and the movement by truck in small lots from the factory to the barn, and even to the field, has grown by leaps and bounds. In the face of this situation, which is growing more difficult to overcome from an inspectional standpoint, it is felt that the results accomplished by the inspectors in the field point to alertness and commendable activity on their part. SAMPLES SHOULD BE SECURED AT THE FARM By precedent and in the interest of economy and eiSciency, most of our fertilizer samples have been secured at the dealer's warehouse, but there are some objections to this practice. If the ''dealer sample" is found deficient, he is called upon to furnish the Department with the name and address of the users of that lot of fertilizer, which in most cases he is unable to do. There-fore, the user of the deficient lot of fertilizer fails to receive the penalty to which he is entitled. The only way to correct this situation is to employ a sufficient number of inspectors to get the samples from the farmer, the actual user of the fertilizer. This is being done in Georgia and South Carolina. The Department needs funds sufficient to employ short-time inspectors so that it can have an inspector for every two or three counties. FEED SALES AND INSPECTION Computed from the sale of tax tags and stamps, there were 725,867 tons of feed sold in the State during the biennium com-pared with 571,110 tons for the previous biennium, an increase of 154,757 tons. According to the sale of tax tags and stamps, there were 180,434 tons of cottonseed meal sold in the State during the biennium compared with 237,228 tons for the previous biennium, which represents a loss of 56,794 tons of cottonseed meal in the two years' time. In our opinion, the decrease of 56,794 tons in the sale of cotton-seed meal is due to an increased use of soybean and peanut meal, which is reflected in the 154,757 tons increase of commercial 20 Biennial Report feed. If cottonseed meal is counted as feed, a net gain in total feed of 97,958 tons will be shown for the biennium. From all sections of the State, the inspectors have collected 3,126 samples of mixed feed. A reasonable number of samples were sought from each company and extra precaution taken to secure samples of brands previously found below guarantee. During the biennium, a total of 21,548 bags of feed were with-drawn from sale for various violations of the feed law, and the registration of seven brands were canceled. Three hundred and fifty-nine (359) lots of feed have been seized and held for satis-factory adjustment. Where the violations were of a technical nature, the feed was released for sale after the law had been complied with ; however, 2,162 bags were returned to the manu-facturer, 384 bags to North Carolina mills, and 1,778 bags to out-of-state mills. Penalties amounting to $595.23 have been assessed during the bienium to cover the cost of feed seizures. Using the Department's analyses, both chemical and micro-scopic, as an index, the feed sold in this state during the bien-nium is far superior to that of the previous one. Anyone can now buy feed with reasonable assurance that it will contain the guar-anteed ingredients and that the chemical analysis will equal the guarantee. Feeds are now branded so that the least informed farmer should not be deceived. Much progress has been made in the feed control program, but there is still considerable room for improvement. The minimum for any essential organic in-gredients should probably be limited to 3% or sixty pounds per ton; also, the maximum fiber in dairy feeds should probably be 12 or 14% SEED INSPECTION The Department's four or five seed inspectors have done an excellent job during the biennium. They have regularly called on each known person engaged in the sale of seed, and have collected a total of 2,648 official samples of seed. These inspectors have had to spend much of their time in col-lecting the $1.00 inspection stamps required on packaged seed. In our opinion, this provision of the seed law should be strength-ened so as to require the wholesale shipper to affix these stamps ; otherwise, repeal this provision of the law. We believe it unde-sirable to have the seed dealers to look on our inspectors as peddlers of stamps or revenue collectors. This, in our opinion, partially defeats the constructive seed control program that has been launched. It is most important that the seed inspection service be in-creased by the addition of at least two inspectors. An amendment to the seed law by the General Assembly pro-vided for a $1.00 license to sell seed up to $100 gross value which Commissioner of Agriculture 21 has resulted in an annual decrease of around $5,000 in revenue from seed dealers' licenses. Otherwise, this amendment has proven satisfactory. A total of 540 lots of seed have been seized and withdrawn from sale during the biennium. The Federal Seed Act, which became effective February 1, 1940, will be of much assistance in the enforcement of the State law. FERTILIZER GRADE REDUCTION PROGRAM During the spring of 1938, there were 202 different grades of fertilizer being sold to our farmers. During this biennium, a program has been launched to reduce the number of grades of fertilizer and to increase the plant food per ton. GRADE REDUCTION CONFERENCE A Grade Reduction Conference was called October 21, 1938. Farmers, agronomists, manufacturers, and fertilizer dealers at-tended this conference, and unanimously voted in favor of a grade reduction program. A committee was appointed and agreed on 22 different grades that would meet all requirements. This list, however, did not include some of the most popular grades such as 3-8-3. THIRTY-EIGHT GRADES ADOPTED Taking one of the most progressive steps in two decades, the fertilizer manufacturers agreed on the 22 recommended grades, adding only 16 other grades they believed necessary to meet the popular demand. This program has resulted in an increased use of the grades recommended by the North Carolina Experiment Station. Last year 96.6 per cent of the fertilizer used was of the thirty-eight approved grades with 42% of the total tonnage of grades recommended by the Experiment Station. We regret to report that the remaining 3.4 per cent represented 137 grades. These unnecessary grades should in some manner be eliminated from the market. In Mississippi and Louisiana it has been done by regulation. The Department is earnestly seeking the coop-eration of the fertilizer manufacturers in eliminating these un-necessary grades. County agents and vocational agricultural teachers can be of much assistance by urging farmers to use only those grades recommended by the Experiment Station rather than some unusual or unheard of grade. 22 Biennial Report UNIFORM FERTILIZER LAW In the interest of economy, efficiency and simplification of manufacture, inspection, and control, a program has been launched by the Department of Agriculture looking toward adoption of a uniform fertilizer law for the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia. The agricultural conditions in these states are so similar that a uniform fertilizer law is certainly expedient. Con-ferences have been held with manufacturers, agronomists, ex-periment station workers, and control officials of these four states. Proposed guarantees and penalty provisions have been agreed upon. Amendments bringing the North Carolina ferti-lizer law in line with these proposals will be submitted to the 1941 General Assembly. One of the most important items in these amendments will be a proposal to increase the minimum plant food from fourteen to sixteen units per ton; thereby, eliminating such low analysis fertilizers as 3-8-3, 2-8-4, 2-9-3 and 0-10-4. These are uneco-nomical grades ; in fact, they belong to the "horse and buggy days." DERELICT FERTILIZER FUNDS During the biennium, there has been collected as an imprest fund $2,141.44. These are derelict funds paid into the Depart-ment by fertilizer manufacturers when we are unable to locate the actual user of the fertilizer. Under the Escheats law, these funds, if not claimed at the end of five years, will revert to the University of North Carolina. In our opinion, a provision should be made in the fertilizer law whereby such funds could be used by the Department to pay the expenses of bringing outstanding agricultural speakers to the State for special meetings such as field days at the branch experi-ment stations, farmers' conventions and other special farm meetings. SUMMARY OF INSPECTION WORK Table showing activity of inspectors in the inspection of fertilizer, feed and seed during the biennium, July 1, 1938-June 30, 1940. Fertilizer Number of official samples taken 9,818 Number of tons sampled 64,368 Number of lots seized for various violations 110 Number of bags seized for various violations 6,972 Number of penalties assessed 513 Aggregate amount of penalties assessed $ 6,708.79 Commissioner of Agriculture 23 Feed Number of feed inspections 18,914 Number of tons sampled 5,271 Number of official samples taken by inspectors 2,788 Number of bags represented by samples 105,421 Number of miscellaneous samples 28 4 Total number of samples analyzed 3,327 Number of seizures for various violations 3 59 Number of bags seized for various violations 21,548 Number of bags returned to mills 2,162 Number of registrations canceled 7 Aggregate amount of penalties assessed $ 595.23 Seed Total number of seed inspections 13,793 Official samples (drawn by inspectors) 2,648 Individual samples 21,154 Total number of samples analyzed 23,802 Lots withdrawn for violation of revenue provisions. 3 23 Lots withdrawn on account of poor quality 59 Lots withdrawn for relabeling 158 PUBLICATIONS DIVISION Louis H. Wilson Accurate and concise news stories have been furnished the newspapers of North CaroHna with sufficient regularity to keep the taxpayers and other citizens of the State informed of the activities of the State Department of Agriculture. Commissioner of Agriculture W. Kerr Scott and the heads of the 16 divisions of the Department have been conscientious and cooperative in furnishing information for news releases designed to better acquaint the public with the regulatory, inspectional and service work available to farmers and others. The newspapers and press associations of the State have ren-dered invaluable service to the public by presenting agricultural information useful in building a better rural life and a more en-lightened farm population. In presenting all news stories, the Publications Division has attempted to be unbiased and mindful of the fact that readers and the press desire helpful information as well as accounts of the "stewardship" of all units of the Department of Agriculture. A continued expansion of the services of all divisions of the Department has necessitated an enlargement of the publications work. Special information or stories for press associations, news-papers and agricultural publications have been furnished promptly upon request. Newspapers: The Publications Division has been operated as a news bureau, offering the daily press "news when it is news". A weekly news service is also offered. Press Associations: Feature articles, current or "spot" news, advance releases on addresses and events, crop reports and statis-tical information as background for stories are furnished with regularity to the Associated Press, United Press and Association of Afternoon Dailies. A weekly newspaper story on some phase of the Department is prepared by the Publications Division and presented as a farm page feature by the Associated Press. Agricultural Revieiv: This publication is the official organ of the State Department of Agriculture and is sent twice-a-month to any citizen upon request. There are now 29,000 names on the mailing list for the "Re-view". More than 10,000 names were added during the past biennium. In addition to furnishing subscribers timely information of value, tables have been printed giving information on low analy-sis and incorrectly labeled feeds, adulterated and misbranded foods, and mislabeled seeds. Commissioner of Agriculture 25 A marketing service is also offered farmers through the want-ad section of the "Review". Bulletins: Improvements have been made in bulletins issued by the Department, including the addition of suitable illustra-tions, more comprehensive indexing. Specialists have attempted to present bulletin material in such a manner as to "give the greatest good to the greatest number". Pictures: Picture coverage for agricultural events is being furnished newspapers and magazines. Services of the Publica-tions Division have been offered to newspapers and Press Asso-ciations in presenting agricultural information. Special picture assignments have been given prompt attention. Radio: Material for special radio programs has been pre-pared and arrangements for broadcasting special events have been made during the biennium. The United Press has been furnished stories for "newscasts". Radio Stations WPTF and WRAL and other stations have made outstanding contributions in furnishing agricultural information to their listeners. Information: Requests for agricultural information have been handled promptly by the Publications Division or referred to other divisions when necessary. When information requested is not available through the Department, letters and inquiries are sent to the proper organization. State Fair: Newspaper and radio publicity for the State Fair has been handled through the Publications Division since the Fair was taken over by the State Department of Agriculture in 1937. Newspapers and press associations have readily accepted stories on the agricultural, educational and industrial features of the Fair. Agricultural leaders, State officials and others have termed the Fairs presented by the Department "outstanding agricultural and educational successes." Editorial writers throughout the State have been generous in commending the present Administration in connection with the regulatory, inspectional and control programs offered "for the benefit of the farmers as well as the honest dealers or manu-facturers". DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY B. W. KiLGORE The work of the Division of Chemistry of the Department covers a large and important list of materials in the field of agri-culture, and in general. Specifically enumerated these are ferti-lizers and fertilizer materials furnishing food for plants, com-mercial feeds for livestock and poultry, human foods and drugs, insecticides and fungicides for combating insect and fungus dis-eases of plants and the analyses of quite a large number of materials of a general agricultural nature. For the purpose of discussion and reporting, these may be considered under the following heads : FERTILIZERS Official Fertilizers 9,818 Fertilizers and Fertilizer Materials for farmers 359 Official Feeds _._. 2,788 Miscellaneous Feeds 539 Cottonseed Meals — 12 Official Limes and Land Plaster 5 Miscellaneous Limes and Marls 528 Fungicides and Insecticides 132 14,181 Fertilizers, fertilizer materials, feeds, cotton seed meals, in-secticides and fungicides and materials of a general nature have been analyzed and reports rendered on them during the biennium. The analyses of these products have shown the goods put on the market in this State to be generally of a good quality and what they were claimed to be. The determination of acidity or basicity of fertilizers in addition to the regular analyses as made hereto-fore has given good results which have been helpful to our farmers. Determination of magnesia in fertilizers gives helpful information to the farmer who is carefully studying his soil and the requirements of the crops he grows for the different kinds of plant foods. Commercial Feeds During the biennium a total of 3,327 samples were analyzed by the feed laboratory. Of these 2,788 were official samples taken by our feed inspectors. The other samples (539) were sent in by users of the feeds. All samples were analyzed promptly upon reaching the labora-tory and a report of each analysis was sent to the manufacturer and to the dealer. Commissioner of Agriculture 27 Those samples which failed to comply with their guarantees were reported to the office of the Commissioner of Agriculture for appropriate action. A law regulating the sale of canned dog foods was enacted at the last session of the General Assembly and many different brands of such canned dog foods have already been analyzed both chemically and microscopically by the feed laboratory, A con-siderable improvement in the qualities of these products has been noted. Microscopical analyses continue to be a regular part of the work of the feed laboratory and each sample is examined in this way in addition to the regular chemical analyses. This means that each feed found on sale in this State is checked in every particular through chemical analyses and microscopical exami-nation. Insecticides and Fungicides There has been considerable increase in the amount of work on insecticides and fungicides as the number of these products have increased and are assuming more importance each year for com-bating insect and fungus diseases of crops. It is being found more and more necessary to consider carefully the materials entering into these products from the standpoint of their useful-ness and effectiveness in destroying insect and fungus life. Foods As the New Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, passed by the Legis-lature of 1939, did not become effective until January 1, 1940, the food and drug work of the biennium, 1938-1940, was largely under the old Pure Food and Drug Act. In the enforcement of these laws during the biennium special effort was made to make both the manufacturers and the con-suming public "food law conscious." In carrying out the work along this line, there were four main objectives, viz: (1) To prevent the sale of adulterated, misbranded and worth-less goods found on the market. (2) To assist manufacturers and dealers in properly labeling and representing their products. (3) To assist canners in bringing their products up to U. S. Standard Grade. <4) To see that food producing plants were kept clean and sanitary. 28 Biennial Report During the biennium the following samples were received and analyzed : Bleached Flour ___ 710 Ice Cream _._ 633 Flavoring Products 745 Hamburger and Sausage 336 Vegetables, canned 241 Fruits, canned .__ 58 Coffee 88 Herring Roe 42 Fish and Oysters, canned 39 Oleomargarine „ 30 Mayonnaise and Salad Dressing 34 Bakery Products 35 Bottled Drinks 85 Jams, Jellies and Preserves ___ 32 Vinegar 18 Miscellaneous 337 Unofficial 556 Total 4,019 Inspections were made as follows : Number of Nuviher of Plants Inspections Bakeries -.. 164 986 Bottling Plants 241 1,067 Creameries and Ice Cream Plants 229 1,367 Total 634 3,420 Inspection of Canneries: Vegetable, Fish and Fish Roe 135 Total number of inspections 3,555 Flavoring Extracts To eliminate many spurious or worthless flavors which flooded the markets, regulations, definitions and standards of classifica-tion for all flavoring extracts and flavors were adopted by the Board of Agriculture under authority provided by the State Pure Food and Drug Law. Seven hundred and forty-five samples of flavoring products were obtained and analyzed, a large number of which were found to be offered for sale in violation of the law. More than thirteen thousand bottles of so-called flavoring products in bottles varying in size from three ounces to one pint were withdrawn from sale for the following reasons: misbranded, net contents not stated, adulterated in that they were too low in flavoring strength, and V in a few instances of imitation lemon flavorings, glycol, a poison-ous substance, was found. In the case of misbranding and net contents not stated opportunity was given to correct the labels or to ship the product back to the manufacturer. In instanceis where the product had little or no flavoring value, with the con- Commissioner of Agriculture 29 sent of the retail dealer, the goods were destroyed. More than six hundred bottles of such goods were destroyed. Damaged Goods Three grocery stores with large stocks of groceries were dam-aged by fire to the extent that it was thought advisable to with-draw all goods from sale pending official inspection. After in-spection, that part of each stock not too badly damaged for human consumption was released for sale for that purpose ; that part too badly damaged for human food but which could be used for animal feed was denatured and permitted to be sold for animal feed only ; that part too badly damaged for either human food or for feed purposes for animals was turned over to the city health authorities to be destroyed. In addition to fire damaged goods, due to spoilage from dust, dirt, insect infestation, decomposition from age, rusting of cans or other causes which rendered the products unfit for human food, the following were withdrawn from sale and either destroyed or permitted to be sold for hog feed only : Herring Roe 120 cases of 24 cans each Cut String Beans 15 cases of 24 cans each Infested Peas unfit for human consumption 1,091 lbs. Peanuts 375 lbs. Canned Goods A survey of canned fruits and vegetables on the market in North Carolina showed that about two-thirds of these products were below U. S. Standard Grade, due to short weight or slack fill or the failure to consist of whole or large pieces. A limited amount of spoilage was found due to insufficient processing or to being kept too long under unfavorable conditions, and in a few instances objectionable foreign matter was in evidence. A survey was also made of the canneries operating within the State with the view of helping the operators to bring their canned products up to U. S. Standard Grade. Whenever insanitary con-ditions were found such facts were pointed out and recommenda-tions made for improving such conditions. Great improvement was made along this line. This work was in conjunction with Federal authorities with the view of adopting standards and regu-lations under the new Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Meats Three hundred and thirty-six samples of hamburger and sau-sage were obtained from different sections of the State and tested for chemical preservatives. A large number of these samples were taken from places that previously had violated the 30 Biennial Report food law in the sale of ground meats adulterated with added sul-phites, and which places had been warned that future violations would be reported to the courts. As a result of this investigation, it was found necessary to draw indictments in nineteen cases in-volving seventeen firms and individuals, a conviction being ob-tained in each instance. Miscellaneous Samples, Poisons, Etc. Of the five hundred and fifty-six unofiicial samples received more than half of them were for suspected poisons or other harm-ful foreign substances. These samples consisted largely of foods, and beverages for human consumption ; animal and poultry feeds ; viscera and other specimens from animal bodies. Most of these samples were submitted by city and county officials, physicians, and farmers who could not otherwise account for the death of their poultry or stock and suspected either intentional or acci-dental poisoning. Poisons and foreign substances were found in a considerable number of these samples. Definitions and Standards for Ice Cream ,In April 1940, revised definitions and standards of identity for frozen desserts were adopted by the Board of Agriculture under authority granted by the North Carolina Food, Drug and Cos-metic Act. Inspection and systematic grading of ice cream plants under the Ice Cream Plant Inspection Law were continued during the biennium. Forty-nine plants which did not score the required grade were closed, some voluntarily. A large per cent of plants so closed remodeled their buildings and installed new machinery or otherwise brought their buildings and equipment up to re-quirements. After this had been done, inspections by agents of this Department were made, and, if satisfactory conditions were found to exist, such places were permitted to reopen. A few plants which could not be brought within the requirements of the law were permanently closed. An intensive drive was made to clear up the condition of almost general misbranding of dairy products. This drive has resulted in the elimination of by far the greater part of the misbranding heretofore prevailing. In addition to direct contacts with the industry, the work was carried on in conjunction with the manu-facturers of cartons and other containers who voluntarily agreed to work with the Department and to sell no merchandise which failed to comply with the labeling requirements for food products. Bottled Drinks Following a number of conferences with officials of the North Carolina Bottlers' Association, regulations acceptable to both the Commissioner of Agriculture 31 bottlers and this Department were formulated, and regulations for the sanitary operation of plants manufacturing bottled carbo-nated soft drinks, also regulations on the representation and labeling of carbonated and still beverages advertised or offered for sale in North Carolina were adopted by the Board of Agricul-ture under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. A satisfactory and workable scoring system for grading the sanitary condition of bottling plants was also put into effect. New Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law Perhaps the most important and far reaching achievement along the lines of food work in North Carolina during the past several years, as regards sanitation and prevention of adulteration and misrepresentation, was the adoption of the new Food, Drug ' and Cosmetic Act by the General Assembly of 1939. The new law also regulates advertising of foods, drugs, cosmetics and de-vices. It is a long step forward in that it corrects most of the defects of the old law and renders state legislation uniform with federal legislation on the subject. The drafting of general regulations for the effective enforce-ment of the North Carolina Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act has been virtually completed. The formulation of definitions and standards of identity, quality and fill of container has been, and will continue to be an almost endless task, due to the scope of the undertaking and to the changes which are taking place in the pro-duction of food products. To acquire the information prerequi-site to reaching intelligent and reasonable conclusions requires considerable time and study, which time has accordingly been given to the consideration of these problems. Chemists in the laboratories, the inspectors in the field and the workers in the office have performed their duties most agreeably, satisfactorily and efficiently, and for this they have our sincere appreciation. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY C. H. Brannon This Division respectfully submits the following report for the past biennium : Duties The Division of Entomology is engaged in regulatory and law enforcement work in connection with plant pests. It is also charged with the responsibility of enforcement of the N. C. Bee Disease law. This Division cooperates with the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine in White Pine Blister Rust Prevention, Phony Peach Disease eradication and Japanese Beetle quarantine, trapping, and soil treatment. Valuable work in connection with its excellent insect collection and records, covering a period of over 40 years, is also a major activity. The largest project of the Division of Entomology is the annual inspection of all North Carolina nurseries. This exacting work requires the full time efforts of two of our staff, Mr. J. A. Harris and Dr. D. L. Wray, during July, August and September. Nur-series which are in good condition and apparently free from dangerous plant pests are issued a State Certificate which expires September 30, of the following year. The North Carolina certifi-cate of Nursery Inspection is accepted by all States and the Federal Government. 200 nursery certificates were issued in 1938-39 and 193 nursery certificates were issued in 1939-40. Certificates are granted only after the inspection fee is paid. The nursery certificate fees are as follows : Three acres or less $ 5.00 Four to ten acres 7.50 Eleven to fifteen acres 10.00 Sixteen acres 12.50 Each additional acre .10 Native Plant Collectors Permit An annual fee of $10.00 is required for a permit to collect and ship native plants including boxwood. Approximately 35 such permits are issued each year. Nursery Dealer Certificate The annual nursery dealer certificate fee is $10.00. This ap-plies to stores or individuals. Approximately 30 such certificates are issued annually. A bond of $1000 is required of all who promise (orally or written) later attention to the Stock sold. Commissioner of Agriculture 33 Apiary Inspection The following report has been submitted by the State Apiary Inspector, P. G. Graddock, who is engaged in conducting the State bee disease control program and enforcing the state bee disease laws and regulations which give protection to the bee-keepers of the state. In June 1938 the State Board of Agriculture and the Com-missioner of Agriculture acting under authority granted to them by the State legislature revised the state apiary inspection regu-lations, and designated all of the state east of Highway U. S. No, 1 as a clean up area in which intensive work should be done for the purpose of controlling and, if possible, eradicating Ameri-can foulbrood, the most dreaded of all bee diseases. Since June 1938 the major part of the inspection work has been done east of U. S. Highway No. 1, but some time has been spent in the rest of the state. Colonies have been inspected in most of the Piedmont and mountain counties in order to locate and eradicate diseased colonies when possible. In the clean-up area the number of colonies of bees found in-fected with American foulbrood has been steadily decreasing, and with the continued support and cooperation of the beekeepers it is thought that the disease can eventually be practically eradi-cated in this area. Constant inspecting and checking of bees in this section will continue to be necessary in order that new out-breaks of disease may be located and cleaned up before they spread. Definite progress has been made in conrtolling and eradicating disease in the Piedmont where for the most part it is found in scattered localities around cities and towns. Some of the out-breaks have been eradicated and others greatly reduced during the past two years. Much of the inspection in the Piedmont and mountain counties has been done in cooperation with the County Farm Agents. From July 1, 1938 to June 30, 1939,-10,035 colonies of bees were inspected and 148 colonies or 1.5% were found infected with American foulbrood. Fourteen certificates for queen rearing were granted during the year. From July 1, 1939 to June 30, 1940,-12,048 colonies of bees were inspected and 141 colonies or 1.2% were found infected with American foulbrood. Eleven certificates for queen rearing were granted during the year. Several apiaries were inspected for beekeepers who reside in the northern states but who keep bees in North Carolina for the purpose of supplying bees to their northern yards. These bees were all found to be free from disease. 34 Biennial Report Burning is the method used in disposing of colonies infected with American foulbrood. European foulbrood, a disease which affects primarily the black race of bees, is widely scattered over North Carolina. The best control for European foulbrood is to requeen the infected colonies with either Italian, Caucasian or Carnolian queens, as these races of bees are resistant to the disease. No quarantine regulations have been put into effect to control this disease but considerable time has been spent acquainting beekeepers with the nature and control of this disease. A summer assistant is greatly needed in this work in order to facilitate eradication of bee diseases. North Carolina is fortunate in having undertaken this work before the whole state had become heavily infected. If intensive work can be expanded in western North Carolina there is a good chance of effective control of bee diseases for the entire state. Insect Taxonomy Dr. C. S. Brimley, one of the ablest minds in the field of ento-mology and natural history in general, in the United States, has charge of this important work. Dr. Brimley looks after one of the finest insect collections in the country which he has largely developed. The Division collection runs now well over 75,000 specimens representing more than 10,000 different species. This great collection with its records is of inestimable value to the State and is put to practical use every day in the identification of insect pests from all over the State. The collection and records are constantly consulted by workers in the State and by many from other states. Blister Rust Prevention It should be pointed out that this important program is preventive. The dreaded White Pine Blister Rust disease has not yet been found in North Carolina. It is causing enormous damage in many parts of the United States and is found in the State of Virginia. North Carolina has seen the wisdom of not waiting until the disease gained entrance to start action, and the results of the fine work under way should make it difficult for the disease to gain entrance into North Carolina. The following report has been submitted by H. B. Teague, of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, who is State Leader in charge of the project: During the biennium ending June 30, 1940 white pine blister rust control work was continued in Western North Carolina with 17 white pine growing counties receiving protection or being par-tially worked. The program, begun in 1934, has continued the destruction of Currant and Gooseberry bushes (Ribes) to prevent Commissioner of Agriculture 35 the spread of white pine bhster rust to the white pines of North CaroHna. Bhster rust, a fungus disease, produces spores both on five-needle pines and on currant and gooseberry leaves. The spores produced on diseased white pines in the spring are not capable of infecting other white pines ; but can, infect the leaves of currant and gooseberry bushes. Removikg Currant Axn Gooseberry bushes ix Westerx North Carolina, (u. s. d. a.) In late summer and early fall diseased currant and gooseberry leaves produce spores that are capable of infecting white pine trees. After trees are infected, the disease keeps spreading until the tree is killed. The following counties were worked, some being completed while others were still being worked at the end of this biennium : Avery Jackson Buncombe Macon Burke Madison Caldwell McDowell Cherokee Mitchell Clay Polk Graham Swain Haywood Transylvania Yancey Work during this period has been financed largely by W.P.A. funds supplemented by funds or workers supplied by the State Department of Agriculture, U. S. Department of Agriculture, National Park and National Forest Services with C.C.C. labor, N.Y.A. office workers, and Private owner cooperation. An average of more than 100 workers and 3 field supervisors were employed. W.P.A. furnished 85, N.Y.A. 4, C.C.C. 12 during the summer months, the State 2, and one owner 4 for one week. Actual and technical supervision was furnished by field super-visors. State and Regional leaders, the State Entomologist, W.P.A. and U. S. Bureau of Entomology officials. 36 Biennial Report Transportation Nearly all transportation was furnished by Government trucks owned by the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine with the exception of C.C.C. workers, A total of 15 trucks were in operation most of the time. Transportation costs were borne by W.P.A. State and the U. S. Department of Agriculture with C.C.C. supplying trucks and money for transporting C.C.C. crews. Preeradication Survey Several counties with only cultivated currant and gooseberry bushes were mapped by the "Spot" method of mapping. This system is merely a non-detailed survey with the general pine areas spotted on county maps as nearly to scale as the mapper can do without running a compass survey. In the winter of 1938-1939 a new system of surveying white pine areas was begun in those counties having wild (or native) gooseberries in the white pine growing sections. This method is called the grid system and is carried out on units of area one mile square. The units are established by the use of compass and chain and posts are placed at each corner of the square; with a temporary stake, numbered, being placed every 5 chains on the North and South grid boundary lines. Each square mile unit is then type-mapped by a crew of 2 or 8 men to show timber types and gooseberry and currant locations. A summary of Preeradication Survey work follows : preeradication survey Federal W.P.A. State W.P.A. State Dept. of Agriculture Total Nlimlipr nf nnnntips 10 71,231 42,844 114,075 239,684 46,493 5 22,767 10,363 33,130 69,460 78,637 2 1,288 537 1,825 7,526 926 17 Acerage of White Pine Mapped: Over 50 trees per acre Under 50 trees per acre Total White Pine acreage White pine acerage plus protective zone.__ Total Man hours used .- - ---.. 95,286 53,744 149,030 316,670 126,056 RiBES Eradication Currant and gooseberry bushes were eradicated from white pine areas on lands owned by the National Forest Service, National Park Service, City, County and individuals. Agencies doing the work were State, W.P.A. and C.C.C. The following table summarizes eradication work for the two years. Commissioner of Agriculture 37 C.C.C. Federal W.P.A. State W.P.A. State Dept. of Agriculture Total Average number of men used _ 13 9,026 409 75,029 86 19 42,452 174,335 287, 180 17,412 29 36, 145 64,710 138,252 884 2 381 6,597 2,919 106 63 88 004 246 051 Wild Ribes eradicated 503,380 Cultivated Ribes eradicated 18.488 Checking Two types of checking were carried out: 1. Checking in gardens, at house sites, and other places where cultivated bushes had been eradicated previously. This checking was not done at all places previously having bushes ; but enough places were checked to show that previous work has been good but that some sprouts are coming back at a few places. The cultivated checking needs to be carried out in all areas by 1945 to prevent the sprouts getting too large and spreading. 2. In all sections worked which had native (wild) Ribes a systematic checking program was carried out by running strip lines 5 chains apart. This gave a 5% check on all acreage in-volved. Areas or parts of areas found to have more than 25 feet of live stem of gooseberry bushes per acre were reworked. It is essential to eliminate as many leaf producing bushes as possible to prevent a concentration of blister rust spores in the pine areas. All areas are worked until the live gooseberry stems per acre are reduced to less than 25 linear feet. The strip checks made covered 1613 strip acres and a total of 3066 labor man hours was used. Economic Importance of White Pine From an economic viewpoint white pine in North Carolina is placed in two groups : 1. Ornamental trees. 2. Native and planted stands being grown for commercial purposes. One ordinarily thinks of values of trees in terms of the saleable value for wood or lumber. However, white pine has been used very extensively in Western North Carolina as an ornamental tree, and this is particularly evident in the Asheville-Biltmore, Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Blowing Rock, Roaring Gap and other tourist resorts. Value of the commercial white pine in the state is estimated at more than $10,000,000 ; and ornamental trees have been evaluated as follows : 38 Biennial Report . Trees less than 2 inches D. B. H | 4.00 each Trees 2"-6" D. B. H. 20.00 each Trees 6"-12" D. B. H. 40.00 each Trees 12" D. B. H. and over 60.00 each On the basis of the above figures the value of ornamental white pines in North Carolina is placed at more than $25,000,000. Costs The cost of blister rust control work during the past two years is as follows : Federal W.P.A. $ 43,641.02 North Carolina Department of Agriculture 9,782.11 U. S. Department of Agriculture, Regular 270.89 N.Y.A. 1,721.71 C. C.C. 3,070.15 State W.P.A. 40,039.84 Cooperative Services 5,383.58 $103,909.30 JAPANESE BEETLE WORK Quarantine The Japanese Beetle Quarantine is maintained in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. C. H. Hill, of our staff is located at Greensboro and has charge of the quarantine enforcement. Mr. Hill also aids in scouting, trap-ping, soil treatment and other activities of this Division. The following report was submitted by Mr. Hill : Japanese Beetle Quarantine The Japanese Beetle Quarantine includes townships in the vicinity of Charlotte, Greensboro, East Spencer, Spencer, Salis-bury, and Winston-Salem. No nursery, ornamental, or green-house stock, or other plants, plant roots, or sand, soil, earth, peat, compost, or manure, can be transported in any manner from the quarantined area without a special Japanese Beetle permit to show that the shipment has been inspected and is apparently free of Japanese Beetle larvae. This quarantine operates on a cooperative basis between The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and The U. S. Depart-ment of Agriculture. C. H. Hill is in charge of enforcing the quarantine, under the supervision of the State Entomologist, and Mr. E. A. McKnight, Agent, U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine of the Richmond Office. During June and July of 1938 and 1939 forty-four nursery and greenhouse establishments in and in the vicinity of the quarantined area were inspected two or three times each of these Commissioner of Agriculture 39 seasons by state and federal inspectors. These establishments had a total of 420,770 square feet under glass and 387.25 acres of outside stock. Nursery and greenhouse operators, and dealers, after proper inspection, are able to get, without cost, special Japanese Beetle certificates ; one of which must accompany each shipment of quarantined material out of the quarantined area. From July 1, 1938 to June 30, 1939, 3,028 such certificates were used. From Japanese Beetles Attacking Apple, (u. s. d. a.) July 1, 1939 to June 30, 1940, 2,254 such certificates were used. All certificates are voided at the end of each month. Those not used must be returned along with a report of the shipments on which certificates were used. Trapping During June and July, 1939, approximately 10,000 Japanese Beetle traps were placed in North Carolina. The number of beetles caught were as follows: Asheville 1,071, Burlington 5, Charlotte 36, Durham 29, East Spencer 637, Elizabeth City 46, Goldsboro 3, Greensboro 335, Hamlet 1, High Point 37, Rocky Mount 10, Salisbury 30, Sanford 38, Spencer 377, Thomasville 2, Wilmington 90, Wilson 4, and Winston-Salem 1,188. During June and July 1940 approximately 10,000 Japanese Beetle traps were again placed in the state. The results were as follows: Asheville 19,322, Burlington 34, Charlotte 37, Durham 58, East Spencer 985, Elizabeth City 29, Goldsboro 2, Greensboro 40 Biennial Report 100, High Point 77, Lexington 8, Raleigh 33, Rocky Mount 12, SaHsbury 87, Sanford 11, Spencer 157, Tarboro 1, Weldon 3, Wil-mington 43, Wilson 3, and Winston-Salem 366. Trapping is done in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of En-tomology and Plant Quarantine, and is the only practical method known to determine the early spread of the beetle. Quarantine and soil treatment is based upon the results of trapping. The traps are the property of the Federal Government and contain a chemical which attracts the Japanese Beetle. Approximately $3500 from State funds were allocated for trap-ping each year of the biennium. Soil Treatment Thru the wisdom and generosity of the last General Assembly an appropriation of $90,000 was made for soil treatment in Japa-nese Beetle control because of the threat of this dreaded pest to the agriculture of North Carolina. $65,000 of this fund has been expended and the additional $25,000 will be expended during the fall of 1940. *'4 ; ' Japanese Beetle Soil Treatment. Soil treatment consists in treating heavily infested areas with arsenate of lead to kill Japanese Beetle grubs in the soil. The Federal Government cooperates in furnishing large power sprayers necessary for the work together with personnel for handling the sprayers. Arsenate of lead and labor are furnished by the state. Commissioner of Agriculture 41 The following treatments have been made with 1,000 pounds of arsenate of lead per acre : SPRING 1939 Charlotte 6 acres, Durham 7, Elizabeth City 6, Greensboro 70, High Point 10, Raleigh 8, Sanford 10, Spencer 35, East Spencer 20, Wilmington 20, Winston-Salem 50. FALL 1939 Burlington 7 acres, Charlotte 15, Durham 10, Elizabeth City 10, Goldsboro 4, Greensboro 53, High Point 24, Lexington 5, Raleigh 5, Rocky Mount 10, Salisbury 22, Sanford 4, Spencer 12, East Spencer 30, Wilmington 7, Wilson 6, Winston-Salem 76. NARCISSUS BULB INSPECTION J. A. Harris and D. L. Wray have done the inspection work on this project. All inspections in connection with this work are extremely tedious and exacting requiring long experience for proper handling. The spring field inspections are especially diffi-cult because of the necessity of shading the plants with an um-brella in order to detect the slight discoloration indicative of nematode infestation. The North Carolina bulb industry would have been forced out of business long ago if the careful supervision of this Division had not been maintained. Excellent cooperation is received from the growers. During the storage inspection in 1938, 4,104 bushels of bulbs on 13 properties were inspected and certified as free from nema-tode and bulb fly. The hot water treatment was given 307 bushels which were found infested with nematode during spring inspec-tions. In the Spring of 1939, 134.1 acres of narcissus were inspected on 17 properties. One property was found infested and the in-fested bulbs were destroyed. During the 1939 storage inspection 7,010 bushels of bulbs were inspected on 14 properties and certi-fied. During the spring of 1940, 105.4 acres on 15 properties were inspected. Four of these properties were found infested with nematode. 1.92 acres were infested. Clean up and eradication measures were put in operation at once. The bulb inspection fee is $5.00 for three acres or less, and $1.00 for each additional acre inspected. This fee is for the field inspection but also includes the storage inspection if bulbs are to be shipped. PHONY PEACH ERADICATION J. A. Harris is State Cooperator in charge of this project which is carried out in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of En- 42 Biennial Report tomology and Plant Quarantine. D. L. Wray of our staff also works on this project. During 1939 inspections were made in 13 counties. Only three counties were found infected: Anson, Robeson and Stanly. In-spections were made of the environs of 13 nurseries growing 473,168 peach trees. No infected trees were found in the nursery environs inspection. A total of 2,938 properties were inspected and 5 found to harbor diseased trees. 68,904 trees were inspected and 5 trees found infected. These were promptly removed. Comparison of 8-Year Old Hiley Peach Trees. Phony, left; Normal, eight. (u. s. d. a.) The entire state is now free from the quarantine with the exception of Anson, Robeson and Stanly counties, because of negative finds for the past three years. During 1940 inspections were made on 1,514 properties in-cluding 16,417 trees in 3 counties. No infections ivere found. This invaluable work was undertaken before it was too late. The peach industry of the state would have been ruined should phony disease have ever spread widely in North Carolina. The eradication work has apparently eliminated the disease. How-ever inspections will be continued and if no disease is found dur-ing the next two years North Carolina will be declared free from the phony disease quarantine. EUROPEAN CORN BORER The European Corn Borer, a serious pest of corn and many other plants, was first found in North Carolina during 1939 on Knotts Island. J. A. Harris and D. L. Wray did the scouting work in connection with this infestation. Commissioner of Agriculture 43 Scouting in October, 1939 gave the following results : Camden County 3 fields infested Currituck County 12 fields infested Pasquotank County 1 field infested Extensive scouting was also carried out in Chowan, Gates and Perquimans counties with no infestation being found. Just what the future spread and damage from this insect will be in North Carolina is impossible to predict at this time. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to again thank the Board and the Commissioner for their full support. I am delighted to commend the entire staff for their efficiency and loyalty and to thank the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine for their hearty cooperation with the Division. DAIRY DIVISION C. W. Pegram The most important service rendered by the Dairy Division is the checking of butter-fat content of milk and cream sold by North Carolina dairy farmers. During the past biennium, check tests for butter-fat were made on approximately 25,000 samples, necessitating 1500 investigations. In addition to checking the work of licensed testers, the methods of sampling and weighing of milk and cream were supervised. Changes of personnel in dairy plants requires constant supervision and training. All testers must demonstrate their ability in actual practices before they are licensed. Sampling and Weighing Milk in a Modern Plant. Scales and balances were checked for accuracy periodically in cooperation with the Division of Weights and Measures. A total Commissioner of Agriculture 45 of 372 errors in butter-fat tests above the tolerance of two-tenth of one per cent were found. In all instances where such variations were found, the corrections were made by the licensed tester be-fore payment was made to the producer, or an adjustment was made after regular payment was made. Dairy plants have been consistently improving their testing laboratories. Nearly all plants use electric centrifuges which make for accuracy and convenience. Stress has been placed upon the importance of sampling as to regularity, accuracy and preservation. All of these factors may affect very materially the resulting test. More than 6000 reports were mailed to producers showing re-sults of check tests made. This has made for standardization and the building of confidence between producer and buyer which is vital to the development of the dairy industry within the state. Checking Tests of a Licensed Tester. L. J. Martin of Lexington is shown on the left and C. W. Pegram, Chief of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture is shown on the right. Dairy Production Statistics Law The General Assembly of 1939 enacted a statute providing for the keeping of creamery and milk products records. This was a progressive step, making it possible to obtain accurate figures on the State's growing dairy industry. The dairy statistics are se-cured in cooperation with the Federal-State Crop Reporting Service. Listed below is the results secured for the year 1939 : 46 Biennial Report Whole milk purchased by plants 100,955,354 Pounds "Whole milk sold for fluid consumption 61,306,517 Pounds Creamery butter made 2,365,668 Pounds Ice cream made (by plants) __. 3,477,311 Gallons Ice cream made (Counter freezers) 173,453 Gallons Total ice cream made 3,650,765 Gallons Ice cream mix sold 285,423 Gallons American cheese ___ 427,502 Pounds Cottage cheese 210,657 Pounds Condensed skim milk 928,082 Pounds Whole condensed milk 303,216 Pounds The gross value of all milk and dairy products for 1939 was estimated by the Crop Reporting Service to be $37,540,000 which exceeded the 1939 cotton and cotton seed crop value by $11,233,- 000. The milk and cream sales by farmers amounting to $12,630,000. This ranks North Carolina as thirteenth among the states based on gross value. The average production per cow was 3900 pounds which shows a steady increase from year to year. STATISTICAL REPORT—DAIRY DIVISION Buying plants and stations supervised 65 Plant investigations 1,475 Special investigations 1 5 Check tests made 17,103 Supervised tests made 6,931 Sample tests 858 Total 24,892 Tests found incorrect (changed) 372 Tests reports mailed to dairymen 6,371 Testers, weighers and samplers licenses issued annually 128 Cream haulers licenses issued annually 60 Licenses revoked 2 Milk and cream scales checked (In cooperation with Division of Weights and Measures) 122 Milk and cream scales condemned for repairs 29 Testing equipment condemned 10 Cream balances checked — 35 Cream balances condemned for repairs 6 Pieces glassware calibrated 536 Pieces glassware condemned 9 Oleomargarine licenses issued (Wholesale dealers) 68 Oleomargarine inspections (Eating places) 665 Tester's examinations given ___. — - 30 CREDIT UNION DIVISION D. R. Graham The records of the Credit Union Division reveal that the citi-zens of North Carohna are rapidly becoming aware of the bene-fits to be derived from the credit union plan. A credit union is a cooperative savings and loan association, having as its purpose (1) the promotion of thrift by providing for the membership an easy, convenient plan of saving and (2) from the savings thus accumulated taking care of the short term credit needs of the members. A credit union may be organized by any group having a common bond of association, occupation or residence. During the biennium ending June 30, 1940, fifty credit unions were organized as follows : teachers, 3 white, 2 negro ; business, professional and industrial, 33 white; rural community, 2 white, 6 negro ; and urban community, 2 white and 2 negro. The follow-ing counties were represented: Buncombe 10, Orange 1, Meck-lenburg 3, Tyrrell 1, Bladen 1, Gaston 2, Harnett 1, Durham 2, Guilford 4, Haywood 1, Catawba 1, Lenoir 1, Davidson 1, Gran-ville 1, Wake 6, Hyde 1, Clay 1, Warren 1, New Hanover 1, Forsyth 9 and Caswell 1. There are now 125 credit unions serving the people of North Carolina and inquiries received indicate that a considerable num-ber will be organized within the near future. Much time has been devoted to teaching members how to properly utilize credit union service and to the training of officers, directors and committeemen. Emphasis has been placed on supervision and the few irregularities that have been found have been readily straightened out. All credit unions have been examined at least twice during the biennium. The condensed statement below shows that the 22,446 credit union members in North Carolina have accumulated savings in the aggregate amount of $1,593,380.89. Had credit union service not been available, a large part of this money would not have been saved. During the period under review credit unions have made loans to their members in the total amount of $4,841,338.01, and it is reasonable to assume that thousands of dollars in interest charges have been saved. It is the consensus of all of those who are familiar with the plan that the State, through this service, is doing much to further the economic security of its citizens. 48 Biennial Report Ju7ie SO, 1938 June 30, 194Q Active Credit Unions_._ 78 125 Total Members 12,343 22,466 Total Assets -- -$ 921,548.99 | 1,593,380.89 Number of Loans Made Since Organization 51,281 89,463 Amount of Loans Made Since Organization $5,863,366.66 $10,704,704.67 CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CREDIT UNIONS AS AT JUNE 30, 1940 Resoueces Loans to Members $1,385,130.87 Cash on Hand and in Banks _.___. 146,629.76 Other Assets 61,620.26 $1,593,380.89 Liabilities Shares $1,093,869.77 Deposits 302,732.79 Other Liabilities 49,692.35 Reserve (Guaranty Fund) 77,498.81 Surplus and Undivided Profits 69,587.17 $1,593,380.89 DIVISION OF MARKETS Randal B. Etheridge I herewith submit Biennial Report of the Division of Markets covering the period from July 1, 1938 through June 30, 1940. With full recognition of the urgency for assistance to North Carolina farmers in securing more profitable distribution of their products, the Division of Markets has, during the biennium, ex-panded its services as far as financial support would permit. In addition to enhancements of previously established activities, four new projects were inaugurated and have been in operation during the past year. These are largely concerned with better preparation for market, standardization of grade and pack, and sales promotion of North Carolina farm commodities, including field crops, poultry and eggs, dairy products, and fruits and vege-tables— thereby, greatly increasing the variety and scope of work which should prove beneficial in helping to increase the income of our farmers. Field Crops Marketing Work A field crops marketing specialist has been laying the ground work for improved marketing conditions of lespedeza seed, small grains, peanuts, and commercial hays. On the basis of a study of more than 4,000 samples of lespedeza seed analyzed by the State Seed Laboratory, the official N. C. Grades for lespedeza seed were promulgated and became effective on November 10, 1939. These grades are now generally recognized and used by the seed trade in and out of the State and by producers of seed as standards of quality and as a basis for price adjustments. To tell the story of better marketing of lespedeza seed, a natural color moving pic-ture was made. This picture, supplemented by discussions, was carried to 27 adult farmers' meetings during February and March of 1940, reaching approximately 2,000 producers. The principal work in small grains has had to do with the con-dition of wheat as delivered to the mills. Members of the Pied-mont Millers Association have cooperated in this project, and farmers have been advised in regard to the proper harvesting with combines, ways and means of increasing weight per bushel, the control of wild onion and weevil damage, and the market problems of small grains. Attention has been given to the harvesting and preparation for market of peanuts. Better methods of harvesting, stacking, curing, and picking have been urged on the peanut growers. The possibilities for profitable marketing of commercial hays grown in the State have been investigated to determine the 50 Biennial Report sources of supply and demand for lespedeza, soybean, cowpea, and peanut hays. Growers have been urged to harvest at the proper time, to cure, and to bale their hay in order to be better prepared to meet the customary market demands. Promotion of Dairy Products A program formulated by the National Dairy Council was launched in the fall of 1939, designed to increase the consumption of milk and other dairy products in North Carolina as an aid to the dairy industry of the State, as well as to public health. Where population and consumption would justify, the organi-zation of permanent Dairy Council units was undertaken as the most effective means of establishing a higher level of milk con-sumption. Such a unit was put into operation for High Point and Greensboro. Later, Winston-Salem organized a council to serve Lexington and Mount Airy, also. The Raleigh-Durham Dairy Council and the Mebane Dairy Council had been previously established. Five meetings were held preliminary to the organi-zation of the Greensboro Council and 25 were conducted to per-fect the Winston-Salem organization. For the purpose of explaining the program or to impress the value of using more milk and dairy products, 26 group meetings of teachers, business men, doctors, dentists, lawyers, parents, nurses, and homemakers were held, the total reached in this manner being 6,495. More than 1,030 contacts were made with members of the dairy industry, and 626 other individuals have been conferred with. Four fair exhibits in the interest of dairy products were prepared and were seen by 98,000 visitors. Two sound films on milk have been shown to approximately 5,000 children and 500 adults. The foundation has been laid for far more effective work dur-ing the coming year. With the experience gained, it is the aim of this program to inform the people of North Carolina of the value of milk and dairy products, so that the present consumption will be materially increased. Egg Law Enforcement and Poultry Marketing The Storage Egg Law, passed in 1939, was enforced for the first time during the fall and winter of 1939 and 1940. This law required that storage eggs be plainly labelled as such when offered for sale in this State. Inspections were made in all of the principal towns of the State, the number of inspections in each town varying with the size of the town. In many cases, a number of visits were made to the same town in order that better compliance could be assured. In organizing this work, it was necessary to contact the wholesale Commissioner of Agriculture 51 trade first and then the local and chain groceries. Numerous inspections were made without too much interruption of business, and the trade reacted very favorably to this work. No prosecu-tions were necessary and many indications have been received that the law has benefitted both the producers and the consumers. The Federal-State Egg Grading Service supervision continues to require additional time. Inspectors at the various egg grading stations certified approximately 861,000 dozen eggs during the two year period, with the past year showing an increase of 130 per cent over the previous year. fEDiRAL-STAT OEPARTMtNl Of- AGeitULT-. kE L J Al-A.V Ralph Kelly, poultry axd egg gradixg specialist of the State Depaet- MEXT OF AGRICULTL'RE, IS SHOWX CANDLITV'G EGGS, WHICH IS AJfOTHER COOPERA-TIVE service rexdered by the Department's Markets Division. Eleven official egg grading stations were operated during this period. In addition, egg grading was carried on by several firms on an official basis. Numerous conferences were held with interested parties on marketing poultry and eggs as well as the grading of poultry and eggs. Demonstrations were conducted at all the State Test Farms and other places, such as fairs and poultry schools. Several com-petitive egg judging contests were held. The first of these con-tests between Vocational High Schools was staged with several schools participating. Poultry dressing plants were furnished advisory service in se-curing and installing modern equipment. In one case, this re-sulted in the securing of about $3,000 worth of new equipment 52 Biennial Report which has doubled the output and shown a very satisfactory profit for the year. The improvement was the means of putting a superior product on the market, making sales easier and giving the public a cleaner, more attractive product. The problem of relieving the surplus egg production during the spring and summer months has become more acute each year and resulted in the storage of approximately 350,000 dozen eggs in the past two years. Most of these eggs were graded before being placed in storage at Asheville and Raleigh, as well as at Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia. Fruit and Vegetable Marketing More active promotion of modern and adequate methods of attracting more profitable distribution of North Carolina fruits and vegetables was begun in the fall of 1939. Since the plight of the commercial early potato grower appeared most critical, a major portion of time and effort was devoted to this crop last year. An intensive program for rehabilitation of the industry was developed in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, the State College Extension Service, the N. C. Produce Growers Cooperative Association, Incorporated, and commercial interests. Moke than 3,000 farmers visited the cooperative potato train which toured EASTERN North Carolina carrying specialists and displays contributing to THE REHABILITATION OF THE COMMERCIAL IrISH POTATO INDUSTRY. Commissioner of Agriculture 53 This began with a series of nine grower meetings throughout the producing areas for consideration of the problems affecting the situation. Support of railroads and other agencies was en-listed in the operation of a Potato Demonstration Train, consist-ing of five cars which made 10 stops in the potato sections and was visited by about 3,000 producers. By exhibits, demonstra-tions, talks, moving pictures, and distribution of educational material, much interest was aroused in the approved practices of production, harvesting, handling, grading, washing, drying, packing, loading, and shipping of potatoes. Special emphasis was placed on the correction of carriage troubles which menaced so seriously the value of North Carolina potatoes in the terminal markets during recent years. Detailed specific recommendations for improvement of the potato industry in North Carolina were prepared and over 4,000 copies were distributed among commercial growers and shippers. Four regional meetings were held to consider needed adjustments in rail traffic regulations and a report of conclusions was pre-pared. Work with the railroads resulted in elimination of the $5.50 charge for use of dry refrigerator cars for Irish potatoes reduction of the minimum car weight from 30,000 to 24,000 pounds in the interest of better carriage and wider distribution ; and revision of some train schedules and diversion provisions to expedite terminal deliveries. Mr. H. A. Spilman, in charge of administering the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, came to the State for three meet-ings with shippers for explanation and discussion of the pro-visions of the Act. The development and location of sixteen potato washing and drying equipment installations in North Caro-lina this season were assisted. The adoption of two uniform master brands for potatoes—"Chief Manteo" at Elizabeth City and ''General Wayne" at Mount Olive—was secured. The First Annual Potato Tour of the State was conducted, through cooperation with the State College Extension Service, Experiment Station and the Federal Department, for first-hand field study of new and approved developments in the industry. The potato market news and stabilization clearing house at Wash-ington, North Carolina, operated during the harvest period by Mr. A. E. Mercker of the Federal Department, was given personal assistance. The support of shippers was secured in group adver-tising of North Carolina potatoes to the wholesale trade. The fact that the combined efforts in behalf of the potato producers resulted in definite progress toward better conditions is generally attested to by receivers in consuming markets. A circular, "What, When and Where of North Carolina Fruits and Vegetables," for the purpose of attracting more buyers was 54 Biennial Report compiled and 2,000 copies were distributed among potential whole-sale purchasers. Plans were developed for State authorized labeling for identification of top quality, officially inspected farm products as a means of stimulating consumer acceptance and premium prices. Specialists were assigned to the Western North Carolina produce section to work with growers and shippers in improving the quality and pack of apples and vegetables from that district. Members of the Division worked in cooperation with the Farm Agent of New Hanover County with considerable success in the establishment of new State outlets for produce from that section. The North Carolina Division of the Georgia- Carolinas Peach Marketing Board was assisted in raising funds for continuation of a nationwide merchandising campaign. Shipping Point Inspection Service The largest single project of the Division of Markets is the point of origin inspection and certification as to grade of fruits and vegetables for shipment out of North Carolina. This work, carried on in cooperation with the Agricultural Marketing Ser-vice, is available to growers and shippers on a self-supporting, voluntary basis. The fees paid by users are required to support this service. The inspectors are licensed by the Federal Depart-ment and act in a neutral capacity in describing the quality and condition and certifying as to the grade of a commodity. A major portion of the produce shipped from North Carolina is bought and sold on the basis of grade as determined by the inspectors. The voluntary use of this service proves its value to the growers and shippers, especially in the sight-unseen selling of their products. A total of 7,595,111 packages, equivalent to 21,330 carloads, of produce was certified as to grade during this period. The com-modities included Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, peaches, straw-berries, apples, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas, snap and lima beans, green corn, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, beets, carrots, squash, dewberries, huckleberries, mixed vege-tables, peanuts, and soybeans. During the peak shipping season, this service required a trained personnel of one hundred and thirty-five licensed inspectors. The temporary employment of that many qualified men, to see that they are properly trained, equipped and supervised, makes neces-sary a great amount of detailed planning for months in advance. This force normally falls into three different groups, each of which is qualified by training and experience to inspect certain, specific commodities in which they specialize. The setting up of 65 temporary field offices is required to handle this work at ship-ping points in all the principal producing areas of the State. Commissioner of Agriculture 55 A regulation was passed by the Board of Agriculture requiring that potatoes offered for seed purposes in North Carolina meet the specifications of U. S. Grade 1 or be plainly marked "not graded." Three specialists were employed during the time of ar-rival of seed potatoes in the State to enforce the provision and safeguard seed supplies. They made themselves available to the growers and receivers without cost and, in many cases, were re-sponsible for warning growers and dealers against inferior seed stocks. In some cases, hidden defects discovered by these in-spectors would have resulted in very poor production had the seed been planted. Dry type of freezing injury and excessive sprout-ing, both of which weaken seed materially, were the most preva-lent causes for complaint. The watermelon marketing agreement, with compulsory in-spection, continued through the 1939 season, but was suspended in 1940. No material effect was seen in the volume of inspections made between the compulsory and voluntary use of the service, as growers realized the benefits derived from inspection and con-tinued to avail themselves of grade certification. With the as-signment of five men for inspection work on peas at the new auction market in Elizabeth City, the volume jumped from 61,201 bushels which was the previous biennium to 140,730 bushels for this period, or more than doubled. For the first time a specialist of the inspection service was placed in New Hanover County to assist growers of lettuce and other truck crops on a voluntary basis. Foundation work was started there on grading and pack-ing and much of this inspector's time was given gratis to growers and shippers in an effort to improve the quality of produce offered for sale from that section. Another first for this service was the placement of an inspector at one of the larger apple orchards at Waynesville for a period of eight weeks. In addition to certi-fying for grade 21,330 bushels of apples, this inspector devoted his spare time to working with other growers in the preparation of their products for market. Inspectional work on Farmer's stock peanuts was renewed and 13,429 bags were certified as to grade for the Roanoke Mutual Association. Inspection of soybeans was continued at Elizabeth City, and, during this period, 16,820 bushels were certified for grade. Destination of Inspection Service Inspection, upon arrival at destination, is made at the request of receivers of commodities shipped into the State in order to determine the condition and grade. This kind of inspection nor-mally is called for only when the product is thought to be below contract specifications, and it is used as the basis for adjustments in the price originally agreed upon by the shipper and receiver. 56 Biennial Report Members of the Division made inspection of twenty-seven cars of inbound produce at various receiving points for the purpose as outhned. Stabilization and Standardization For the past two years, the Irish potato stabihzation clearing house at Washington, North CaroHna, operated during the har-vest period by Mr. A. E. Mercker, of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, has been continued. This work starts ahead of planting in the dissemination of outlook information tending to stabilize acreage and discourage over-planting when necessary. At shipping time, the growers and shippers are kept in close con-tact with the facts and figures influencing marketing of the crop in an effort to maintain orderly movement and uniformity of price. The personal assistance of members of the Division has been rendered this work. The Peanut Stabilization Cooperative was again assisted in its diversion program. Approximately 5,000 tons of surplus North Carolina peanuts were purchased, stored and crushed for oil with favorable eff"ect on market prices. These purchases were made on the basis of grade determined by inspectors licensed by the U. S. and North Carolina Departments of Agriculture. a typical strawbeeky auction market is shown above. Buyers are making their purchases on the basis of u. s. grades which were determined by the Cooperative Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture. Commissioner of Agriculture 57 Strawberry standardization work has been underway for a number of years and was given added impetus by the assignment of three full time specialists to this program, along with the avail-able time of the forty-five inspectors working strawberries. The increased returns to growers who packed their berries according L. P. Wells of Mt. Olive is one of the many strawberry growers is eastern North Carolina who has benefitted by- using approved methods for packing berries. The type of pack shown above has been cited as a model by the Markets Division of the Department of Agriculture. to approved specifications were quite notable and gained recog-nition on all the strawberry auction markets. Work of similar nature has been done successfully on most of the fruit and vege-table crops in the State by specialists and inspectors of the Di-vision of Markets. Considerable improvement has been made in the quality, condition and pack, which strongly influences prices, of a number of commodities. These activities have been tied in rather closely with the inspection service. 58 Biennial Report Surplus Commodity Purchases During the marketing periods of this biennium, surpluses de-veloped on Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage and snap beans for which no profitable sales could be found through regular chan-nels. In each of these cases a substantial measure of relief was secured by appeal to the former Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation, or the more recent Surplus Marketing Administra-tion, which came to the rescue. These purchases for removal of demoralizing surpluses, which tended to bolster crashing prices, saved growers from serious losses. Full support of the Division of Markets has been accorded the institution and prosecution of these programs. The surplus purchases have always been made on the basis of certification as to grade made by members of the inspection service who also assumed a number of responsibilities in accomplishing the helpful removal. New Produce Markets Some assistance has been given to local groups who were in-terested in developing more adequate markets. In the cases of Elizabeth City and Clinton, help was given in planning set-ups for auctions which have been functioning for two years and one year respectively. These required several meetings, as well as further information on the establishment of their scale of charges, method of conducting the auction and the designing of plans for the buildings. The Elizabeth City market has sold mostly early peas. The Clinton auction, operating for two months during the 1940 season, handled approximately a quarter million packages of beans, peas, corn, squash, huckleberries, dewberries, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes and proved highly successful. Much work has been done with the idea of establishing wholesale jobbing markets for farm products in Raleigh and Smithfield which would be designed to serve a wide territory for both re-ceiving and distributing. Tobacco Standardization Tobacco, providing the largest source of farm income in North Carolina, has been given a considerable amount of specialized marketing attention by the Division. Through a cooperative agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service, the demon-stration work in tobacco standardization has been expanded in the past two years. Demonstrations in proper sorting, tying, and better preparation of tobacco for market have been featured in an extensive series of meetings. With a total farmer attendance of 3,849, demonstrations have been held in 36 counties of the State in cooperation with local farm agents. Night adult classes Commissioner of Agriculture 59 have been held in 23 schools with an attendance of 682, in coop-eration with vocational teachers. Tobacco standardization has also been demonstrated in the vocaitonal departments of 70 high schools to 2,367 agricultural students. » >«*. r^ /** .«i^ Helping farmers to grade and better prepare their tobacco for market is A service rendered by the State Department of Agriculture. W. P. Hedrick (extreme right), tobacco marketing specialist, is shown dis-cussing grades with a farmer. Assistance was given Burley growers in Northwestern North Carolina in the establishment of a market at Boone. This new market has been highly beneficial to the growers in that area. Demonstrations were held in 15 Burley-growing counties with a total attendance of 2,145 tobacco farmers. The county agents arranged these meetings. Due to the continued changes in demand for tobacco products, manufacturers have been contacted often and helpful information acquired. This information passed on to the growers has enabled them to better prepare their tobacco for market to meet the demands of the buyers. Livestock Marketing The livestock grading and marketing program instituted in 1937 was continued, and improvements and expansions deemed expedient were made. 60 Biennial Report A total of 8,837 lambs were graded, and, with the cooperation of State College Extension Service, were marketed cooperatively for a net return of $52,794.94 for the 500 farmers served. The animals originated in Alleghany, Ashe, Camden, Currituck, Pitt^ Tyrrell, and Watauga Counties, and a substantial saving was effected in the marketing of these lambs. New York is the prin-cipal and the highest priced lamb market in the United States ; and in selling North Carolina lambs in this market, they must first be assembled in carload lots. Ownership can not be pooled satisfactorily unless the lambs are graded so that the owners may receive returns commensurate with the quality of the lambs they include in the pool. The grading demonstrates the type of lamb that farmers can best afford to produce for the market, which renders market news more understandable and makes sight un-seen trading possible. Farmers of western North Carolina "pool" their laxMbs for grading before THEY are sold ON NORTHERN MARKETS. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE State Department of Agriculture's Markets Division in cooperation WITH State College Extension specialists. A bulletin listing feeder cattle for sale in the counties of Alle-ghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Mitchell, Madison^ Yancey, and Watauga Counties was issued in the fall of 1939. A total of 15,000 cattle belonging to 650 farmers was listed. Around 2,000 copies of this bulletin were distributed among prospective customers in North Carolina and in nearby states. This market-ing project brought a number of new feeder cattle customers to the farmers of western North Carolina and enabled them to market their cattle more profitably. It also established closer relationships between the cattle feeders of the eastern section and the producers in the grazing area of western North Carolina. Commissioner of Agriculture 61 Grading assistance was rendered for the livestock auction in Asheville. Aid was provided for the promotion and estabHsh-ment of a grading and trading terminal station for feeder cattle In Asheville. Grading assistance by Department representatives was arranged for the fall of 1940. It is believed that this pooling and private sales arrangement will be of material assistance to the cattle producers of western North Carolina, as well as to feeders operating in eastern North Carolina. A moving picture showing services rendered by freezer locker plants was assembled and shown to various promotional, educa-tion, and business groups throughout the State. The freezer locker plant is destined to become more widely used in North Carolina. Such plants make available an economical supply of palatable meats to farmer families throughout the year, and, in addition, step up the efficiency of livestock marketing. The De-partment was instrumental in securing a Federal Grant to estab-lish one of these plants in West Jefferson, North Carolina. Information showing the cost of erecting and operating a meat packing plant was assembled for the Charlotte Chamber of Com-merce, and a detailed report showing balance sheets and operating statements was submitted. The marketing specialist was made available for use in leading livestock marketing discussions ar-ranged by teachers of vocational agriculture. A number of such meetings were held and were well attended. It is expected that demands of this nature will be of even greater number in the future. Market News Service North Carolina producers, buyers, and sellers are provided daily with accurate and unbiased market news from both the permanent Raleigh office and seasonal temporary field offices, the objective of which is "orderdly marketing by facilitating and equalizing distribution and the discouraging of the dissemination of fictitious and misleading market information by biased sources." For nearly three years, this information has been made avail-able each market day to the general public. Though the service is now usually taken for granted, it has become an indispensable factor in the American system of marketing. Reliable market news is now practically a necessity in the operations and plans of everyone who produces, buys, or sells. The basic information is collected in many ways; by interviews, telegraphic reports, warehousemen, inspectors, and by numerous contacts with other groups. To distribute the information in time to be of practical use, the Raleigh office is directly connected with the United States De-partment of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service's leased 62 Biennial Report wire system of more than 7,500 miles (airline) or leased tele-phone wires. As the information is received in Raleigh, it is decoded and edited and distributed by mail, radio, and press. Farmers can not market intelligently unless they know the market values of their products. Neither can they be on an equal bargaining basis if they are not familiar with prices being paid in the various price setting markets. With that thought in mind, we have endeavored to make available to the farmers of North Carolina market information that would place them on an equal basis with any section of the United States. Seasonal daily mimeographed reports, in cooperation with the Agricultural Marketing Service, are issued from temporary field offices at Chadbourn, Washington, and Hamlet, North Carolina. In addition, the Raleigh office releases daily and weekly press, radio, and mimeograph reports on cotton, tobacco, feedstuffs, peanuts, poultry and eggs, dairy products, livestock, and fruits and vegetables. Also, for the producer who is not operating in the market throughout the season, weekly and monthly reviews and summaries are available. The reports issued at Chadbourn dealt with strawberries ; those at Washington with commercial early potatoes ; and the ones from Hamlet with peaches and watermelons. Field reports issued showed the total U. S. carlot shipments by States; primary destinations and Potomac yard's passings of North Carolina shipments ; and North Carolina and competitive f.o.b. prices. Too, telegraphic reports were received and dissemi-nated from the principal wholesale terminal markets. These telegrams included the factors that influence market adjustments and wholesale sales. Market information, developed early in 1938 and expanded dur-ing the biennium, is disseminated by mail to 3,000 North Carolina farmers each week and daily by nine radio stations, five daily newspapers, and the two press associations. Mail reports are issued to poultry and egg, cattle, hog, sheep and lamb, and apple producers while the radio and press releases cover the major agricultural commodities. The furnishing of daily and weekly price reports on tobacco, in cooperation with the Agricultural Marketing Service, according to grade is also an activity of the Division. Information on the grade of tobacco is of little value to the grower unless he is pro-vided simultaneously with information on the average selling prices of the various grades. With specific information on grade, and the equally specific information on price, the grower is able to arrive at the approximate value and can decide whether to-accept or reject the auction bid. Commissioner of Agriculture 63 Mutual and Cooperative Organizations Much work has been done with mutual and cooperative asso-ciations in the last two years. In compliance with the law governing them, their annual reports have been received and filed; suggestions designed to benefit their organizations in a business way have been made; and assistance in more efficient operation has been given. It was found that many organizations needed changes in their set-up, and they were rendered assistance in amending their charters, by-laws, and marketing agreements. Fourteen new associations have been incorporated. The charters, by-laws, and marketing agreements for many of these associa-tions have been prepared by representatives of the Division of Markets. The dairy organizations found it necessary to borrow money to build and equip their plants. The Columbia Bank for Cooperatives at Columbia, South Carolina, furnished a source for such loans, provided the cooperative was properly formed and their business practices were approved. Valuable assistance has been given in making applications in proper form and further help in following through to the final securing of these loans. Two more such arrangements have been started. Moving Pictures on Marketing The use of moving pictures as a means of encouraging approved marketing methods was inaugurated during the past year. The following 16 mm. Kodachrome film subjects have been produced: "Lespedeza as a Seed Crop in North Carolina," "A Tar Heel Potato Pleads His Case," "Freezer Lockers and Custom Meat Cur-ing in North Carolina," "Tar Heel Strawberries March On," and "Creating Consumer Preference for Tar Heel Vegetables." Other films are in the process of making on soybeans, lambs, tobacco, peaches, hays and other commodities ; and several suitable film subjects, mostly with sound, have been acquired from outside sources. These pictures have been used to carry the message of modern marketing practices visually to thousands of farmers in meetings throughout the State. They have been made available for various farm group meetings and vocational agricultural classes in rural high schools. Miscellaneous Services Numerous other occasional activities of the Division of Markets do not logically fall under the headings already outlined. A few of these will sufl[ice to convey some idea of their nature. Repre-sentatives of the Division attended and assisted various meetings of commodity societies interested in bettering marketing condi-tions. Two meetings were attended in Washington, D. C, re-garding the Wage and Hour Law as it affects North Carolina 64 Biennial Report strawberry growers, and much information was assembled for the Federal Wage and Hour Administration. The Resettlement Administration was furnished information on the migratory harvest labor situation in this State. A summary of municipal ordinances regulating itinerant merchant truckers of farm products was furnished for a survey by the Bureau of Agricul-tural Economics. An investigation was made of the local mar-keting needs of communities throughout the State. A conference was attended in Atlanta, Georgia, to consider a proposal of the railroads to accept inspection records in lieu of weighing on all cars of watermelons from the Southern States. Members of the Division participated in a number of meetings called by groups concerned with marketing problems of peculiar interest to their localities. Assistance and advice was rendered to a large number of individuals on specific phases of marketing. Personnel of the Division The increase in value and scope of marketing activities during the biennium has necessitated an enlargement of personnel. The marketing specialists have been carefully selected for ability, training, and practical experience in this vital field of agriculture. It has been a matter of pride that both the permanent and temporary employees have demonstrated unusual qualifications in their lines. Their harmonious, loyal, and enthusiastic services have made for effective accomplishments. f ^ Acknowledgments In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge your sympathetic interest and support in the work of the Division of Markets. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with branches of the United States De-partment of Agriculture with whom cooperative agreements have been operated, the State College Extension Service and Experi-ment Station with whom we have had joint projects, and all others who have contributed to our programs. Particular ap-preciation is expressed to the county agents and vocational agri-cultural teachers, who have frequently rendered valuable assis-tance in accomplishments of the Division. DIVISION OF STATE MUSEUM Harry T. Davis Objectives: Presentation of our Natural History and Natural Resources to the State and out-of-State visitors has continued as our major function during the past biennium. All exhibits have been improved as such and new exhibits have been added in our Halls for Fossils, Rocks, Minerals, Forestry, American Indian, Fishes and Marine Life, Birds, Mammals, and Agriculture. The public response to this has been encouraging. Accessions: This is given in summary and indicates the large number of specimens which come to or are collected by an active Museum. For obvious reasons all accessions do not become good exhibits, but we make use of most of them and the detailed records make up a body of useful information. Because of brevity this report carries acknowledgment of only major ac-cessions. Accessions by groups were : Fossils 52 Rocks and Minerals 140 Forestry and Botany 16 American Indian 316 Invertebrates 34 Fishes 43 Reptiles 87 Birds 198 Mammals — _ 40 Agriculture - 46 Books -.- 72 Pictures 3 9 Lantern Slides 33 Total 1,116 Exhibits: The most notable collection of fossil specimens was made at a W.P.A. built sewage disposal pit near Stantonsburg. Hundreds of pounds of whale bone fragments along with shark and crocodile teeth and juniper wood came from this pit. Most of the rocks and minerals were species and varieties and for local-ities new to this Museum. Remarkable was a fulgurite collected on an ancient Indian village site at Collington. This is a sand tube fused by lightning. Working with the University Laboratory of Archaeology, most of our American Indian material is sent to Chapel Hill. In turn we have their aid in building related educational exhibits. Notable burial urns on exhibit have come to us thru Mrs. O. C. Bruton, Mrs. George W. Little and Mrs. Chas. T. Pate, A notable soap-stone vessel came from the late Dr. James A. Wray. 66 Biennial Report The two most notable additions to our fish exhibits have been a 75 pound Channel Bass from Ocracoke, by Fred Stedman, and a 594 pound Blue Marlin which was taken off Cape Hatteras by Marshall Dana on rod and reel. Both of these are records for the United States east coast and the latter was secured thru Tom Eaton. Other fish that were new records for North Carolina are a thirty-five pound Long-finned Albacore, a Rudder Fish and a Wahoo. New to our exhibits are a three foot Angel Shark, and a 58 pound Sail-fish. Among reptiles our live poisonous snakes in Hall I continue to be a major attraction carrying the knowledge of our native poisonous snakes. New mounts of non-poisonous species have been added. In Bird exhibits we added the firsts for North Carolina; in Glossy Ibis—by Clyde Mason—in Great Black-backed Gulls—by Sam Walker—and in Greater Shearwater and Audubon's Shear-water— by Mart Fulcher. Other birds new to our exhibits or skin collection are : Roseate Tern, Western Willet, Western Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Seaside Sparrow, Black Tern and Cory's Shearwater. The larger number of the birds received were used to build up our study and reference collection of skins, which is now one of the best in the southeast. Bird students and college classes are making greater use of these. The reconstruction and relighting of a large habi-tat group of Water Turkey, Osprey and Cormorant in our Bird Hall has been a noteworthy improvement. Our most notable addition to mammals was a female seventeen foot Beaked Whale which was stranded on the Gull Shoal Beach, Hatteras Island. This is a small whale which is quite rare. What was more unusual this female carried a well developed foetus, seven feet long. As exhibits we are preparing to show the mother and unborn young as well as the complete skeleton. Ben Dixon McNeill and the C.C.C. Camp at Manteo aided in securing these. In the Hall devoted to Agriculture we added interesting old home and farm implements. More useful were a series of to-bacco and egg samples with labels to explain the basis of grading of these products. These were prepared with the Marketing Division. The suggestion is in order that other Divisions of the Department might well consider presentation of some of their work thru the Museum. Much needed books have been added to our working library — in part thru donations—and other valuable publications from Museums and as subscriptions. Comparatively few pictures were added, but we greatly need more of these to clarify and publicize our exhibits. The lantern slides are principally of fishes, and we Commissioner of Agriculture 67 plan some of other subjects in order that we may better present our work to outside groups. Mrs. Thomas O'Berry presented us twenty-one valuable water-color paintings of native Flowers. These were painted by Gene Erwin and Frances Durant under the E.R.A. Art Project. One modern museum case was added and it indicates clearly what improvement can be made in exhibits. New fluorescent lighting was designed and installed in a few of our cases and the result is better light and more light. Our labels are being pro-gressively improved at low cost by using a small printing machine which was purchased jointly with the Hall of History. Publications:
Object Description
Description
Title | Report of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture for the biennium... |
Contributor | North Carolina. Department of Agriculture. |
Date | 1938; 1939; 1940 |
Subjects |
Agriculture--North Carolina--Periodicals Agricultural statistics Cotton--North Carolina Crops Genealogy Livestock--North Carolina Tobacco--North Carolina |
Place | North Carolina, United States |
Time Period | (1929-1945) Depression and World War Two |
Description | Imprint varies.; Issue for 1944/48 covers 1944/46 and 1946/48. |
Publisher | Raleigh, N.C. :Edwards & Broughton Co.,1934-1948. |
Agency-Current |
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |
Rights | State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754 |
Physical Characteristics | 7 v. ;23 cm. |
Collection | Health Sciences Library. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Type | text |
Language | English |
Format | Reports |
Digital Characteristics-A | 12447 KB; 180 p. |
Digital Collection |
Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access, a North Carolina LSTA-funded grant project North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Title Replaced By | North Carolina. Department of Agriculture..Biennial report |
Title Replaces | North Carolina. Department of Agriculture..Biennial report of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture |
Audience | All |
Pres File Name-M | pubs_edp_biennialreportagriculture19381940.pdf |
Pres Local File Path-M | \Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_edp\images_master\ |
Full Text | aftl\t lmti?r0ttg nf NortI| (flarnlttta OIoUertt0n of Nortly OlaroUtttatta UNIVERSITY OF N,C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00020340908 This Book may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE CENTS a day thereafter. It was taken out on the day indicated below: aiApr'5:^ ti j^ ^ LUNC IOM-Ap 39 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/reportofagricul19381940 REPORT of The North Carolina Department of Agriculture For the Biennium 1938-1940 OWEX G. DUNN STATE PBINTEE NEW BEEN, N. C. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL To His Excellency, Clyde R. Hoey, Governor of North Carolina: Sir: In compliance with Chapter 248, Public Laws of 1929, I submit the following report of the work of the Department of Agricul-ture for the biennium 1938-1940. Respectfully, Raleigh, N. C, November 1, 1940. Commissioner of Agriculture. REPORT OF TKe NortK Carolina Department of Agriculture For the Biennium 1938-1940 PERSONNEL OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE W. Kerr Scott, Commissioner Mrs. L. L. Stevens Shawboro, N. C. C. S Young Shelby, N. C. D. R. NOLAND Clyde, N. C. Claude T. Hall Woodsdale, N. C. J. H. Poole. West End, N. C. M. L. Aderholdt Lexington, N. C. Chas F. Cates Mebane, N. C. W. G. Hargett ...Richlands, N. C. Lionel Weil Goldsboro, N. C. W. I. BissETTE ....Grifton, N. C. Administration W. Kerr Scott Commissioner D. S. CoLTRANE Assistant to the Commissioner Myrtha Fleming Principal General Clerk Mary Knight Principal General Clerk Louis H. Wilson Editor of Publications A. R. PowLEDGE Senior Auditor Donnie M. Norman Senior Accounting Clerk C. P. Deyton JPrindpal Accounting Clerk Katherine Palmer Junior Accounting Clerk Jerrie Wheless Senior Stenographer Clerk Chas. Higgs Janitor-Clerk Worth Jeffreys.^ Janitor-Messenger Robert Harris Janitor Messenger Inspection W. E. Fuller Junior Dairy Specialist Chas. H. Godwin, Jr, Senior Food Inspector Martin McCall... Senior Feed Inspector E. J. Harrington. Senior Fertilizer Inspector W. H. Ferguson Fertilizer Inspector Sidney B. Clement._ Fertilizer Inspector John F. Reinhardt._ Fertilizer Inspector J. W. Turner Fertilizer Inspector Markets R. B. Etheridge Chief Buxton White.... Senior Marketing Specialist C. W. Sheffield Senior Marketing Specialist Paul L. Fletcher Senior Marketing Specialist A. B. Harless Senior Marketing Specialist H. T. Westcott Senior Marketing Specialist W. P. Hedrick Senior Marketing Specialist Geo. R. Ross Senior Marketing Specialist Williard Holden Darst __ Associate Marketing Specialist Ralph Bogan Kelly Jissociate Marketing Specialist ISABELLE Moseley Junior Marketing Specialist 6 Biennial Report Grace Mildred Howell Junior Stenographer Clerk Mary C. Hutchinson Junior Stenographer Clerk Ruth Cash Junior Stenographer Clerk Celesta Ballance Junior Stenographer Clerk W. G. Jones Senior Telegraph Operator Credit Union D. R. Graham Senior Auditor Alex S. Bynum... Junior Auditor Jeanette Cohen Junior Stenographer Clerk Dairy C. W. Pegram - Dairy Specialis t Entomology C. H. Brannon Senior Entomologist J. A. Harris Senior Entomologist D. L. Wray.. Associate Entomologist C. S. Brimley Associate Entomologist P. G. Craddock ._ Senior Apiary Inspector Pauline P. Newsom Senior Stenographer Clerk C. H. Hill Japanese Beetle Inspector Seed Laboratory J. W. WOODSIDB Senior Botanist S. D. Allen...„ Senior Seed Analyst Elizabeth Eby._ Senior Seed Analyst Magdalene Brummitt Junior Seed Analyst Mrs. M. N. Mattocks Junior Stenographer Clerk Elsie W. Earp..._ Junior Seed Analyst Margaret Rarer Junior Stenographer Clerk C. H. Lutterloh Senior Feed Inspector Joshua S. James Senior Feed Inspector T. A. Holcombe Senior Feed Inspector Analytical B. W. KiLGORE.. Senior Chemist W. A. Queen..._ Senior Chemist L. B. Rhodes Senior Chemist E. W. Constable Senior Chemist L. M. Nixon _.._ Senior Chemist Z. B. Bradford ...Senior Chemist E. T. HoRD... ..Senior Chemist J. S. PiTTARD Senior Chemist H. F. Pickering Senior Chemist W. P. Matthews Junior Chemist L. W. PuRDY Junior Chemist H. D. Matheson Junior Chemist J. O. DuNSTON Junior Chemist David E. Buffaloe.__ Junior Chemist Charles C. Gates, Jr Junior Chemist Sarah G. Allen.__ Principal General Clerk Heber B. Hatch Principal General Clerk Velva Hudson Senior General Clerk M. S. BiRDSONG Junior General Clerk Mildred G. Jackson Senior Stenographer Clerk Grace Mewborn Senior Stenographer Clerk L. V. Amburgey Microscopist W. E. McNeill._ Senior Food Inspector James A. Belton Junior Food Inspector Moses Lord Laboratory Helper Elvin Rogers Laboratory Helper Robert L. Harris ..Laboratory Helper Commissioner of Agriculture 7 Crop Statistics W. T. Garriss Junior Statistician Henry G. Brown Senior Statistical Clerk E. R. Simpson Senior Statistical Clerk William T. Wesson Senior Statistical Clerk Russell P. Handy Senior Statistical Clerk Sarah Drake Senior Statistical Clerk Bessie Kellogg Senior Statistical Clerk Maragret Taylor Senior Statistical Clerk C. R. SuMRELL Junior Statistical Clerk Mrs. Espy S. Bolger Junior Accounting Clerk Herbert Barnes Senior General Clerk Museum H. T. Davis. Senior Curator H. H. Brimley Senior Curator RoxiE Collie Simpson Preparator and Taxidermist Pat Pittman... Junior General Clerk Owen Woods.. Janitor Pattie Daniels Maid Veterinary William Moore.„ ^.State Veterinarian L. J. Faulhaber Associate Veterinarian W. R. Baynes..... Associate Veterinarian Maurice A. Schooley Junior Veterinarian Joe F. Baxter Junior Veterinarian C. E. Cox Junior Veterinarian C. B. Randall Junior Veterinarian Charles R. Border ...Junior Veterinarian Wayne D. Collins ...Junior Veterinarian William R. Beasley .Junior Veterinarian Urban E. Whatley._ Junior Veterinarian C. Edwin Hofmann ..Junior Veterinarian L. J. Fourie... Junior Bacteriologist Woodson Futrell Junior Bacteriologist John J. Filicky.„. Junior Bacteriologist Grace John..... Senior Stenograhper Clerk Edna Lee Simpson Junior Stenographer Clerk H. S. Wilfong. Junior Bacteriologist R. C. Noble ..Hatchery and Flock Inspector T. L. Wellborn Hatchery and Flock Inspector Bruce H. Overman Hatchery and Flock Inspector E. L. Burgess.... Hatchery and Flock Inspector James J. Page Hatchery and Folck Inspector A. R. Gattis..... Hatchery and Flock Inspector Coleman Absher Hatchery and Flock Inspector J. H. Oliver Hatchery and Flock Inspector Carl H. Tower Hatchery and Flock Inspector Walter C. Smith..... Hatchery and Flock Inspector W. W. Keever Hatchery and Flock Inspector N. P. McDuffie Hatchery and Flock Inspector Frank Hall. ....Laboratory Aid Frank Howard Laboratory Helper Test Farms F. E. Miller.: Director Kathleen Harrison Senior Stenographer Clerk J. L. Rea, Jr Superintendent F. B. Harris... Herdsman Holland Allen Foreman A. P. Lefevers Assistant Field Crops 8 Biennial Report Carlos Manning Assistant Field Crops Herbert Allen Assistant Livestock Dempsey Allen Animal Feeder E.G. Moss Superintendent Joe L. Rand Foreman Clifton L. Blackwell._ Assistant Foreman E. Floyd Junior Stenographer Clerk R. E. CuRRiN, Jr Superintendent W. C. Allsbrook Foreman Mary W. Currin. Junior Stenographer Clerk Dean W. Colvard Superintendent J. R. B. Williamson Dairy Herdsman J. Ernest Love Poultryman W. M. Whisenhunt Foreman W. W. Ross.. Assistant Horticulturist E. W. Rhodes Assistant Field Crops R. L. York... Assistant Dairyman Hazel Drake Junior Stenographer Clerk Chas. T. Dearing.. Superintendent D. P. Southerland.. .....Foreman C. O. Bollinger Poultryman Fred Stevens, Jr Dairyman B. L. Williams Junior Stenographer Clerk J. W. Hendricks .Superintendent Grady Berry Foreman Lackey BENriELD.„ Assistant Horticulturist Rose E. Bradford Junior Stenographer Clerk Blister Rust H. B. Teague ....State Leader Carson W. Swanger... Inspector Mrs. Hazel W. Pettit Junior Stenographer Clerk Oscar V. Coulter Inspector Hobert a. Whitman Inspector Mark M. Ferguson Inspector Soil Testing I. E. Miles... Director Frank H. Brown Junior Chemist Mrs. J. F. Jeffreys, Jr Junior Stenographer Clerk Cornelia McKaughan Junior Stenographer Clerk Arthur Giles Laboratory Aid State Warehouse System A. B. Fairley Superintendent C. R. Reynolds Chief Cotton Classer Joe E. Trowbridge... Senior Cotton Classer Robert S. Pou Warehouse Examiner Fred P. Johnson Gin Expert Mrs. J. N. Mason Senior Stenographer Clerk Mrs. Hallie K. Morrow Senior Stenographer Clerk Elizabeth Fleming Junior General Clerk J. B. Haywood Cotton Classer E. L. Ufchurch..._ Senior General Clerk N. C. State Fair J. S. DoRTON Manager Edna Dees. Senior Stenographer Clerk G. C. Ellis Caretaker Weights and Measures C. D. Baucom '. .Superintendent John A. Cook — .Inspector Commissioner of Agriculture 9 George S. Turner..._ .....Inspector H. W. Hood Inspector G. C. BoswooD.. Inspector W. C. Barnett Inspector Doris E. Powell Junior Stenographer Clerk WiLBERT Spruell Helper Cooperative Inspection Service W. A. Barwick —Egg Grader G. H. Wheelous.... Egg Grader McRee Davis —Egg Grader H. D. Wilson Egg Grader H. P. Hall Egg Grader T, E. Peterson Egg Grader D. A. Bass Egg Grader S. M. James Egg Inspector BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE By W. Kerr Scott, Commissioner of Agriculture Creation of a public consciousness as to the need for an en-larged agricultural marketing program and the strict enforce-ment of regulatory, inspectional and control laws for the protection of farmers and honest manufacturers are among the outstanding accomplishments of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture during the biennium. Consistent with the demand for enlarged services in the fields of marketing and control work relating to farming, expansions have been made in all divisions directly serving the farmer. A more sympathetic understanding and appreciation of agri-cultural needs by the 1939 General Assembly has made possible many expansions of service to agriculture, including the estab-lishment of a Soil Testing Division which enables the Depart-ment to furnish growers valuable information as to the fertilizer needs of their land, information that will result in a more in-telligent and economical use of fertilizers. Changes have been made in laws and regulations governing inspectional and control work relating to agriculture only after hearings or consultations with farmers and representatives of affected industries. The strict enforcement of laws and regulations designed to protect the farmer and honest manufacturer has contributed to the building of a more profitable farm program and a more sub-stantial agricultural industry. Expansion of agricultural marketing work still heads the list of needs of North Carolina farmers. An enlarged, practical marketing program is essential to a well-balanced farm program. Substantial contributions have been made by the Department in bringing the need for better marketing facilities to the atten-tion of Congress. The Department will continue to campaign for an enlarged marketing program, recognizing such a program as vital to the economic well-being of the National and State farm population. A report of the Department's progress during the biennium follows : 12 Biennial Report Chemistry: Strict enforcement of regulatory, inspect!onal and control laws has increased the value of services rendered in the Chemistry division. A total of 14,181 analyses of fertilizers, fertilizer materials, feeds, cottonseed meals, limes and land plas-ter, limes and marl, insecticides and fungicides has been made during the biennium. A total of 4,019 samples of foods intended for human consumption were analyzed. A total of 3,555 food plant inspections were made in the interest of food sanitation. Test Farms: With the completion of a new Federal office building and laboratory with $80,000 appropriated by Congress, the Tobacco Station at Oxford is now recognized as the largest in the Nation. The addition of 248 acres of land adjoining the Upper Coastal Plain Test Farm at Rocky Mount gives the State the largest peanut research station in the Nation. All six test farms are in better physical condition than at any time in history. The agricultural research program on all test farms has been enlarged, particularly in the fields of tobacco insect and disease control, small grain improvement and peanut investigations. Other test farm programs have been improved in proportion to the increased research work and attendance at field days has totaled 25,000 a year. Markets: Marketing programs designed to increase growers' incomes through the promotion of better grading and packing practices have been definitely beneficial and successful. New pro-grams and expansion of other services include enforcement of an egg storage law enacted by the 1939 General Assembly; estab-lishment of grades for lespedeza seed ; promotion of dairy pro-ducts through the organization of Dairy Council units ; "rehabili-tation" of the commercial Irish potato industry through the promotion of approved grading, packing and merchandizing methods ; increasing the sale of North Carolina feeder cattle through a comprehensive marketing bulletin; expansion of agri-cultural market news services for growers and others ; enlarged service to tobacco growers in presenting valuable information on grades and marketing practices ; enforcement of new regulations to protect farmers from losses due to the sale of inferior seed Irish potatoes. Veterinary Division: Bang's disease, most destructive of the maladies affecting dairy cattle, "is definitely on its way out" in North Carolina. An appropriation was secured from the 1939 General Assembly to match federal funds to pay owners for diseased animals slaughtered, and during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1940, a total of $20,320 was paid on 886 claims. Definite progress has been made in eliminating Pullorum disease, a costly disease of baby chicks. Nine veterinarians have been employed Commissioner of Agriculture 13 in an effort to control hog cholera and other swine diseases in the commercial areas. Dahnj Division: Check tests for butter-fat have been made on approximately 25,000 samples, necessitating 1,500 investi-gations. The work of licensed testers has been checked and the sampling and weighing of milk has been supervised regularly. Legislation has been sponsored and enacted to secure records on creamery and milk products, thus enabling the Division to furnish accurate information on the growth of the dairy industry. Warehouse: A modern, brick building for cotton classing has been constructed at a cost of approximately $30,000, 40% of which was obtained from the federal government, enabling the Division to give prompt and efficient service in cotton classing for the farmers of the State. Sixty per cent of the State's cotton crop has been handled through this Division. There is a licensed warehouse in every cotton-producing county. Credit Unions: Fifty new credit unions have been organized during the biennium, bringing the total to 125. Membership has been increased from 12,343 on June 30, 1938 to 22,466 on June 30, 1940, and over the corresponding period loans have been in-creased from $5,863,366 to $10,704,704. Entomology : An extensive soil poisoning program to control the spread of the Japanese beetle, deadly enemy of 300 agricul-tural plants and grasses, has been made possible with an appro-priation of $90,000 by the 1939 General Assembly. Substantial progress has been made in controlling American foulbrood, a bee disease which is steadily decreasing. Blister rust, a disease of white pine, has been kept out of the State under a preventative program. Other control programs have been enlarged. Statistics: The North Carolina Crop Reporting Service is officially rated third in the United States. A dairy manufac-turers' report, special truck crop reports, grain reports of thresher operators, price information service rendered the coordi-nating committee of the U. S. Census, formation of Junior Crop Reporting Clubs are included in the expanded program of the Division during the biennium. Weights and Measures: A total of 122,467 weights, measures and devices were inspected of which 106,004 were approved, 13,346 condemned; 2,266 confiscated and 851 released. A total of 1,146 heavy duty scales were tested and requests for tests justify an additional testing unit. Accounts: Economy has been effected through the establish-ment of a centralized accounting office through which receipts and disbursements for all divisions are handled. Prompt and 14 Biennial Report efficient service has been rendered in the handhng of fertihzer, feed, seed and other tax tags. All accounts have been submitted and approved by the Budget Bureau. Seed Laboratory: A total of 23,802 samples of seed were tested during the biennium, representing a 15 per cent increase compared with the previous biennium. Cooperation with federal authorities in connection with the Federal Seed Act has resulted in a better control of the quality of seed produced in other states and purchased by our farmers. Strict enforcement of the State Seed Law has enabled growers to purchase seed of known quality. State Museum: More than 400,000 persons have visited the Museum during the biennium. Major additions to the exhibits total 1,116. Cooperative work with federal agencies has made it possible to further increase the number of exhibits. Valuable assistance has been rendered in revising the book, "Birds of North Carolina." Soils Testing: Established as a Division with funds obtained from a special tax levied on fertilizers by the 1939 General As-sembly, the Soil Testing Division has become one of the most valuable service units of the Department. Free soil tests are being made for growers ; they are furnished information on crop adaptations, together with the analysis and quantity of fertilizers needed to produce crops economically. Since the program was in-augurated July 15, 1939, more than 70,000 different tests have been made on 6,500 soil samples furnished by farmers. Publications: The "Agricultural Review" mailing list has been increased from 19,000 to 29,000 during the biennium, furnishing farmers and others timely information of value, in-cluding tables showing low analysis and incorrectly labeled feeds, adulterated and misbranded foods and mislabeled seeds. A general increase in stories furnished newspapers and press asso-ciations has been reported. Requests for feature articles for all publications have been answered promptly. Enforcement of regu-latory, inspectional and control laws has been made easier and more effective through publication of news stories and coopera-tion of newspapers and press associations. State Fair: The North Carolina State Fair, taken over by the Department in 1937 following operation under private lease, has been an outstanding agricultural, educational and financial success during the biennium. For four years, the number of individual exhibitors has been increased and premiums have been increased. The large attendance at each exposition and the in-crease in the number of individual exhibitors attest the confidence of the people in a State-owned and State-operated Fair. NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, 1939-40 D. S. COLTRANE Assistant to the Commissioner Although cash income from farm marketings in 1939 and 1940 • fell below the high 1937 and 1938 level, changes in farm pro-duction indicate that North Carolina farmers are taking steps toward a better balanced agricultural program. The production of hay and other feed crops, legumes for soil improvement, live-stock and poultry continued to increase. The largest crops on record were produced in 1940 for hay, soybeans and grapes. Peanut production was only slightly less than the record 1937 crop, and the largest wheat crop since 1901 was threshed. The number of cattle on farms on January 1, 1940, has been exceeded only once while hog numbers for the same date were the largest in 18 years. Tobacco production was cut drastically in 1940 from the record breaking 1939 crop, but cotton made a terrific ' come back, producing by far the highest yield of lint per acre in the State's farming history. As of November 1, the 1940 yield was estimated at 434 pounds per acre compared to 296 pounds in 1939 and 278 pounds for the 10-year (1929-38) average. Although the 1940 cotton acreage was increased only 10 per cent, the total production, second in lespedeza, seed and peanuts, and third in nearly twice as large as the 1938 harvest. North Carolina ranks ' fourth in the nation in cash income from crops, first in tobacco production, second in lespedeza, seed, and peanuts, and third in the production of sweet potatoes. EFFICIENT PERSONNEL It is gratifying to come to the close of another biennium with a feeling that we can give good account of the trust and responsi-bilities imposed upon us. We have an efficient and well qualified corps of employees, and they have diligently applied themselves to the tasks assigned them. They have proven their interest in the work and their loyalty to the State Department of Agri-culture as well as the people we have endeavored to serve. We can only express to them our deep appreciation of the support they have given the administrative division and for their willing-ness to put forth every effort to discharge the responsibilities and work assigned them. The State Department of Agriculture, as you no doubt realize, is one of the major agencies of the State. A careful study of these reports reflects the importance of the work assigned to this 16 Biennial Report Department, and discloses the magnitude of the problems with which we are confronted that directly affect the interest of our farmers, and in general, our entire citizenship. REVENUE The detailed financial statement shows the sources and amounts of revenue collected by the Department during the biennium. The total receipts for the biennium amount to $995,799.60 compared with $867,916.02 for the previous bien-nium, which is an increase of $127,883.58. The five cents per ton increase in fertilizer, feed, and cottonseed meal inspection taxes granted by the 1939 General Assembly, and made effective July 1, 1939, accounts for $76,947.02 of this increase. The remaining increase; namely, $50,936.56 is due to an increase in the sale of feed and seed tags ; in fact, increased revenue is reported from most all sources. This is, no doubt, due to strict enforcement of the revenue raising provisions of the laws, which the Department enforces. It is, also, due to revenue derived from such laws as the one regulating the sale of canned dog food, which in the fiscal year, July 1, 1939-June 30, 1940, brought in $3,619.05. An Act passed by the 1939 General Assembly providing for an annual registration of each brand of feed with the $1.00 registration fee produced during the first year $3,051.00. RECEIPTS SLIGHTLY EXCEED EXPENDITURES During the year 1938-39 the receipts of the Department amounted to $469,084.07, whereas, expenditures amounted ta $463,555.03. Receipts exceeded expenditures by $5,529.04. In the fiscal year 1939-40 receipts amounted to $526,715.53, whereas,^ expenditures amounted to $526,460.90. Receipts were in excess of expenditures by $254.63. For the biennium, the Department has received from inspection taxes, registration fees, etc., other than from the general fund a. total of $995,799.60, and has spent a total of $989,456.32. Re-ceipts for the year in excess of expenditures were $6,344.28. These figures do not include any appropriations made by the General Assembly for Japanese Beetle Control, Bang's Disease Control, Credit Union, and Weights and Measures. They do in-clude the expenditure of $26,350.00 for the Central Experiment Station, and $4,550.00 for seed improvement work, a total of $30,900,00, which this Department annually sends to the North Carolina State College. From the above figures, you can see that the Department of Agriculture is spending its receipts and does not have any extra funds for further expansion of the program. In all probability the fertilizer tonnage for the next biennium will not equal that Commissioner of Agriculture 17 of the past two years. If the tonnage should drop, there is a probabihty of our receipts for the next two years falling short of expenditures. In our opinion, the reserve in the agricultural fund is about as low as it should be. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR EXPANSION Additional funds are needed to expand the agricultural pro-gram. The Department of Agriculture cannot stand still. It will either go forward or backward. Certainly, we should go forward. Additional funds are needed for the following: Two additional feed and seed inspectors, six part-time fertilizer in-spectors, one marketing specialist, secretary for Publicity Depart-ment, complete renovation of agricultural building, scientific equipment in the chemical laboratory, ventilating or cooling equip-ment in the nitrogen laboratory where temperature now reaches 130 degrees in the summer season and chemists must work under almost unbearable conditions ; an agronomist in the Soil Testing Division to assist the director since the work of this division is rapidly expanding; two drug inspectors, however, they should, in our opinion, be paid from the general fund since they would render a service for the benefit of the entire State. Fertilizer and seed inspection taxes should not be used for services that are rendered the entire citizenship. The Department, as well as State College officials, are recom- » mending that a sufficient appropriation be made from the general fund for the North Carolina Experiment Station at State College, so that the $30,900 which the Station is now receiving from the Department funds may be retained. This will enable the Depart-ment of Agriculture to do those things which we have listed as most essential. FERTILIZER, LIME, AND LAND PLASTER Consumption of commercial fertilizers of North Carolina farmers reached its second highest level since the depression during the year ending June 30, 1939, the Department's tax tag sales showing a total of 1,208,934 tons. The tonnage for the fiscal year 1939-40 amounted to 1,084,725 tons, which is a re-duction of 10.3 per cent from the fiscal year 1938-39. Total tonnage for the two years of the biennium amounted to 2,293,659 compared with 2,334,770 tons during the biennium ending June 30, 1938, which is a decrease of 1.76 per cent. •* AGRICULTURAL LIME During the biennium, there has been sold according to tax stamps a total of 99,923 tons of agricultural lime. This does not include lime furnished as Grant of Aid by the Agricultural Ad- 18 Biennial Report justment Administration or shipments to fertilizer manufacturers for mixing purposes. A total of 74,657 tons of land plaster was used during the biennium. In addition to the consumption of fertilizer, lime and land plaster, during the past two years, as indicated by the tax tag sales, there was quite a large tonnage of super phosphate or triple super phosphate and limestone delivered in many counties in the State for use in connection with the Federal Government Soil Conservation Program. Inspection tax is not paid on these materials supplied by the Federal Government on Grants of Aid. According to E. Y. Floyd, State Administrator of the Agricul-tural Adjustment Administration, the total tonnage of limestone during the biennium distributed by the AAA amounted to ap-proximately 350,000 tons. If the Department of Agriculture had received the five cents per ton inspection tax on this lime, it would have amounted to $17,500. FERTILIZER INSPECTION Reasonable fertilizer inspection service has been provided during the past two years. During the peak season a total of twelve part-time inspectors actively covered their respective terri-tories. An effort was made to get samples from every company in proportion to the tonnage sold. Our fertilizer inspectors made 8,403 inspections and secured 9,873 samples, aggregating 64,368 tons. One sample of fertilizer was taken for approximately each 200 tons sold. In our opinion, more samples should be taken, at least one sample for each 100 tons sold. This will necessitate more inspectors as well as increased laboratory facilities. FERTILIZER OF GOOD QUALITY Reasonable quality in the fertilizer sold in the State is indi-cated by the fact that during the biennium, penalties wei'e assessed on only 513 lots of fertilizer of 9,818 official samples analyzed and reported, which is only 5%. If our inspection figures are indicative of the fertilizer move-ment as a whole, this means that 95 tons of every one hundred tons of fertilizer sold in the State either meet the guaranteed analysis or were found within the variations allowed by the fertilizer law. $1,500,081 EXCESS PLANT FOOD A study of the average value of fertilizer for the years 1938 and 1939 reveals that manufacturers gave North Carolina farmers an average of 671/4 cents per ton value in excess of plant Commissioner of Agriculture 19 food guaranteed or an excess of plant food value during these two years of $1,500,081. These facts substantiate the value of rigid enforcement of regulatory measures, and indicate the protection given the farmers as well as the manufacturers. The Department invites farmers to request inspectors to take special samples ; in fact, more farm samples are being sought. TRUCK MOVEMENT OF FERTILIZER For some years now the transportation of fertilizer has been undergoing a change, and the movement by truck in small lots from the factory to the barn, and even to the field, has grown by leaps and bounds. In the face of this situation, which is growing more difficult to overcome from an inspectional standpoint, it is felt that the results accomplished by the inspectors in the field point to alertness and commendable activity on their part. SAMPLES SHOULD BE SECURED AT THE FARM By precedent and in the interest of economy and eiSciency, most of our fertilizer samples have been secured at the dealer's warehouse, but there are some objections to this practice. If the ''dealer sample" is found deficient, he is called upon to furnish the Department with the name and address of the users of that lot of fertilizer, which in most cases he is unable to do. There-fore, the user of the deficient lot of fertilizer fails to receive the penalty to which he is entitled. The only way to correct this situation is to employ a sufficient number of inspectors to get the samples from the farmer, the actual user of the fertilizer. This is being done in Georgia and South Carolina. The Department needs funds sufficient to employ short-time inspectors so that it can have an inspector for every two or three counties. FEED SALES AND INSPECTION Computed from the sale of tax tags and stamps, there were 725,867 tons of feed sold in the State during the biennium com-pared with 571,110 tons for the previous biennium, an increase of 154,757 tons. According to the sale of tax tags and stamps, there were 180,434 tons of cottonseed meal sold in the State during the biennium compared with 237,228 tons for the previous biennium, which represents a loss of 56,794 tons of cottonseed meal in the two years' time. In our opinion, the decrease of 56,794 tons in the sale of cotton-seed meal is due to an increased use of soybean and peanut meal, which is reflected in the 154,757 tons increase of commercial 20 Biennial Report feed. If cottonseed meal is counted as feed, a net gain in total feed of 97,958 tons will be shown for the biennium. From all sections of the State, the inspectors have collected 3,126 samples of mixed feed. A reasonable number of samples were sought from each company and extra precaution taken to secure samples of brands previously found below guarantee. During the biennium, a total of 21,548 bags of feed were with-drawn from sale for various violations of the feed law, and the registration of seven brands were canceled. Three hundred and fifty-nine (359) lots of feed have been seized and held for satis-factory adjustment. Where the violations were of a technical nature, the feed was released for sale after the law had been complied with ; however, 2,162 bags were returned to the manu-facturer, 384 bags to North Carolina mills, and 1,778 bags to out-of-state mills. Penalties amounting to $595.23 have been assessed during the bienium to cover the cost of feed seizures. Using the Department's analyses, both chemical and micro-scopic, as an index, the feed sold in this state during the bien-nium is far superior to that of the previous one. Anyone can now buy feed with reasonable assurance that it will contain the guar-anteed ingredients and that the chemical analysis will equal the guarantee. Feeds are now branded so that the least informed farmer should not be deceived. Much progress has been made in the feed control program, but there is still considerable room for improvement. The minimum for any essential organic in-gredients should probably be limited to 3% or sixty pounds per ton; also, the maximum fiber in dairy feeds should probably be 12 or 14% SEED INSPECTION The Department's four or five seed inspectors have done an excellent job during the biennium. They have regularly called on each known person engaged in the sale of seed, and have collected a total of 2,648 official samples of seed. These inspectors have had to spend much of their time in col-lecting the $1.00 inspection stamps required on packaged seed. In our opinion, this provision of the seed law should be strength-ened so as to require the wholesale shipper to affix these stamps ; otherwise, repeal this provision of the law. We believe it unde-sirable to have the seed dealers to look on our inspectors as peddlers of stamps or revenue collectors. This, in our opinion, partially defeats the constructive seed control program that has been launched. It is most important that the seed inspection service be in-creased by the addition of at least two inspectors. An amendment to the seed law by the General Assembly pro-vided for a $1.00 license to sell seed up to $100 gross value which Commissioner of Agriculture 21 has resulted in an annual decrease of around $5,000 in revenue from seed dealers' licenses. Otherwise, this amendment has proven satisfactory. A total of 540 lots of seed have been seized and withdrawn from sale during the biennium. The Federal Seed Act, which became effective February 1, 1940, will be of much assistance in the enforcement of the State law. FERTILIZER GRADE REDUCTION PROGRAM During the spring of 1938, there were 202 different grades of fertilizer being sold to our farmers. During this biennium, a program has been launched to reduce the number of grades of fertilizer and to increase the plant food per ton. GRADE REDUCTION CONFERENCE A Grade Reduction Conference was called October 21, 1938. Farmers, agronomists, manufacturers, and fertilizer dealers at-tended this conference, and unanimously voted in favor of a grade reduction program. A committee was appointed and agreed on 22 different grades that would meet all requirements. This list, however, did not include some of the most popular grades such as 3-8-3. THIRTY-EIGHT GRADES ADOPTED Taking one of the most progressive steps in two decades, the fertilizer manufacturers agreed on the 22 recommended grades, adding only 16 other grades they believed necessary to meet the popular demand. This program has resulted in an increased use of the grades recommended by the North Carolina Experiment Station. Last year 96.6 per cent of the fertilizer used was of the thirty-eight approved grades with 42% of the total tonnage of grades recommended by the Experiment Station. We regret to report that the remaining 3.4 per cent represented 137 grades. These unnecessary grades should in some manner be eliminated from the market. In Mississippi and Louisiana it has been done by regulation. The Department is earnestly seeking the coop-eration of the fertilizer manufacturers in eliminating these un-necessary grades. County agents and vocational agricultural teachers can be of much assistance by urging farmers to use only those grades recommended by the Experiment Station rather than some unusual or unheard of grade. 22 Biennial Report UNIFORM FERTILIZER LAW In the interest of economy, efficiency and simplification of manufacture, inspection, and control, a program has been launched by the Department of Agriculture looking toward adoption of a uniform fertilizer law for the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia. The agricultural conditions in these states are so similar that a uniform fertilizer law is certainly expedient. Con-ferences have been held with manufacturers, agronomists, ex-periment station workers, and control officials of these four states. Proposed guarantees and penalty provisions have been agreed upon. Amendments bringing the North Carolina ferti-lizer law in line with these proposals will be submitted to the 1941 General Assembly. One of the most important items in these amendments will be a proposal to increase the minimum plant food from fourteen to sixteen units per ton; thereby, eliminating such low analysis fertilizers as 3-8-3, 2-8-4, 2-9-3 and 0-10-4. These are uneco-nomical grades ; in fact, they belong to the "horse and buggy days." DERELICT FERTILIZER FUNDS During the biennium, there has been collected as an imprest fund $2,141.44. These are derelict funds paid into the Depart-ment by fertilizer manufacturers when we are unable to locate the actual user of the fertilizer. Under the Escheats law, these funds, if not claimed at the end of five years, will revert to the University of North Carolina. In our opinion, a provision should be made in the fertilizer law whereby such funds could be used by the Department to pay the expenses of bringing outstanding agricultural speakers to the State for special meetings such as field days at the branch experi-ment stations, farmers' conventions and other special farm meetings. SUMMARY OF INSPECTION WORK Table showing activity of inspectors in the inspection of fertilizer, feed and seed during the biennium, July 1, 1938-June 30, 1940. Fertilizer Number of official samples taken 9,818 Number of tons sampled 64,368 Number of lots seized for various violations 110 Number of bags seized for various violations 6,972 Number of penalties assessed 513 Aggregate amount of penalties assessed $ 6,708.79 Commissioner of Agriculture 23 Feed Number of feed inspections 18,914 Number of tons sampled 5,271 Number of official samples taken by inspectors 2,788 Number of bags represented by samples 105,421 Number of miscellaneous samples 28 4 Total number of samples analyzed 3,327 Number of seizures for various violations 3 59 Number of bags seized for various violations 21,548 Number of bags returned to mills 2,162 Number of registrations canceled 7 Aggregate amount of penalties assessed $ 595.23 Seed Total number of seed inspections 13,793 Official samples (drawn by inspectors) 2,648 Individual samples 21,154 Total number of samples analyzed 23,802 Lots withdrawn for violation of revenue provisions. 3 23 Lots withdrawn on account of poor quality 59 Lots withdrawn for relabeling 158 PUBLICATIONS DIVISION Louis H. Wilson Accurate and concise news stories have been furnished the newspapers of North CaroHna with sufficient regularity to keep the taxpayers and other citizens of the State informed of the activities of the State Department of Agriculture. Commissioner of Agriculture W. Kerr Scott and the heads of the 16 divisions of the Department have been conscientious and cooperative in furnishing information for news releases designed to better acquaint the public with the regulatory, inspectional and service work available to farmers and others. The newspapers and press associations of the State have ren-dered invaluable service to the public by presenting agricultural information useful in building a better rural life and a more en-lightened farm population. In presenting all news stories, the Publications Division has attempted to be unbiased and mindful of the fact that readers and the press desire helpful information as well as accounts of the "stewardship" of all units of the Department of Agriculture. A continued expansion of the services of all divisions of the Department has necessitated an enlargement of the publications work. Special information or stories for press associations, news-papers and agricultural publications have been furnished promptly upon request. Newspapers: The Publications Division has been operated as a news bureau, offering the daily press "news when it is news". A weekly news service is also offered. Press Associations: Feature articles, current or "spot" news, advance releases on addresses and events, crop reports and statis-tical information as background for stories are furnished with regularity to the Associated Press, United Press and Association of Afternoon Dailies. A weekly newspaper story on some phase of the Department is prepared by the Publications Division and presented as a farm page feature by the Associated Press. Agricultural Revieiv: This publication is the official organ of the State Department of Agriculture and is sent twice-a-month to any citizen upon request. There are now 29,000 names on the mailing list for the "Re-view". More than 10,000 names were added during the past biennium. In addition to furnishing subscribers timely information of value, tables have been printed giving information on low analy-sis and incorrectly labeled feeds, adulterated and misbranded foods, and mislabeled seeds. Commissioner of Agriculture 25 A marketing service is also offered farmers through the want-ad section of the "Review". Bulletins: Improvements have been made in bulletins issued by the Department, including the addition of suitable illustra-tions, more comprehensive indexing. Specialists have attempted to present bulletin material in such a manner as to "give the greatest good to the greatest number". Pictures: Picture coverage for agricultural events is being furnished newspapers and magazines. Services of the Publica-tions Division have been offered to newspapers and Press Asso-ciations in presenting agricultural information. Special picture assignments have been given prompt attention. Radio: Material for special radio programs has been pre-pared and arrangements for broadcasting special events have been made during the biennium. The United Press has been furnished stories for "newscasts". Radio Stations WPTF and WRAL and other stations have made outstanding contributions in furnishing agricultural information to their listeners. Information: Requests for agricultural information have been handled promptly by the Publications Division or referred to other divisions when necessary. When information requested is not available through the Department, letters and inquiries are sent to the proper organization. State Fair: Newspaper and radio publicity for the State Fair has been handled through the Publications Division since the Fair was taken over by the State Department of Agriculture in 1937. Newspapers and press associations have readily accepted stories on the agricultural, educational and industrial features of the Fair. Agricultural leaders, State officials and others have termed the Fairs presented by the Department "outstanding agricultural and educational successes." Editorial writers throughout the State have been generous in commending the present Administration in connection with the regulatory, inspectional and control programs offered "for the benefit of the farmers as well as the honest dealers or manu-facturers". DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY B. W. KiLGORE The work of the Division of Chemistry of the Department covers a large and important list of materials in the field of agri-culture, and in general. Specifically enumerated these are ferti-lizers and fertilizer materials furnishing food for plants, com-mercial feeds for livestock and poultry, human foods and drugs, insecticides and fungicides for combating insect and fungus dis-eases of plants and the analyses of quite a large number of materials of a general agricultural nature. For the purpose of discussion and reporting, these may be considered under the following heads : FERTILIZERS Official Fertilizers 9,818 Fertilizers and Fertilizer Materials for farmers 359 Official Feeds _._. 2,788 Miscellaneous Feeds 539 Cottonseed Meals — 12 Official Limes and Land Plaster 5 Miscellaneous Limes and Marls 528 Fungicides and Insecticides 132 14,181 Fertilizers, fertilizer materials, feeds, cotton seed meals, in-secticides and fungicides and materials of a general nature have been analyzed and reports rendered on them during the biennium. The analyses of these products have shown the goods put on the market in this State to be generally of a good quality and what they were claimed to be. The determination of acidity or basicity of fertilizers in addition to the regular analyses as made hereto-fore has given good results which have been helpful to our farmers. Determination of magnesia in fertilizers gives helpful information to the farmer who is carefully studying his soil and the requirements of the crops he grows for the different kinds of plant foods. Commercial Feeds During the biennium a total of 3,327 samples were analyzed by the feed laboratory. Of these 2,788 were official samples taken by our feed inspectors. The other samples (539) were sent in by users of the feeds. All samples were analyzed promptly upon reaching the labora-tory and a report of each analysis was sent to the manufacturer and to the dealer. Commissioner of Agriculture 27 Those samples which failed to comply with their guarantees were reported to the office of the Commissioner of Agriculture for appropriate action. A law regulating the sale of canned dog foods was enacted at the last session of the General Assembly and many different brands of such canned dog foods have already been analyzed both chemically and microscopically by the feed laboratory, A con-siderable improvement in the qualities of these products has been noted. Microscopical analyses continue to be a regular part of the work of the feed laboratory and each sample is examined in this way in addition to the regular chemical analyses. This means that each feed found on sale in this State is checked in every particular through chemical analyses and microscopical exami-nation. Insecticides and Fungicides There has been considerable increase in the amount of work on insecticides and fungicides as the number of these products have increased and are assuming more importance each year for com-bating insect and fungus diseases of crops. It is being found more and more necessary to consider carefully the materials entering into these products from the standpoint of their useful-ness and effectiveness in destroying insect and fungus life. Foods As the New Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, passed by the Legis-lature of 1939, did not become effective until January 1, 1940, the food and drug work of the biennium, 1938-1940, was largely under the old Pure Food and Drug Act. In the enforcement of these laws during the biennium special effort was made to make both the manufacturers and the con-suming public "food law conscious." In carrying out the work along this line, there were four main objectives, viz: (1) To prevent the sale of adulterated, misbranded and worth-less goods found on the market. (2) To assist manufacturers and dealers in properly labeling and representing their products. (3) To assist canners in bringing their products up to U. S. Standard Grade. <4) To see that food producing plants were kept clean and sanitary. 28 Biennial Report During the biennium the following samples were received and analyzed : Bleached Flour ___ 710 Ice Cream _._ 633 Flavoring Products 745 Hamburger and Sausage 336 Vegetables, canned 241 Fruits, canned .__ 58 Coffee 88 Herring Roe 42 Fish and Oysters, canned 39 Oleomargarine „ 30 Mayonnaise and Salad Dressing 34 Bakery Products 35 Bottled Drinks 85 Jams, Jellies and Preserves ___ 32 Vinegar 18 Miscellaneous 337 Unofficial 556 Total 4,019 Inspections were made as follows : Number of Nuviher of Plants Inspections Bakeries -.. 164 986 Bottling Plants 241 1,067 Creameries and Ice Cream Plants 229 1,367 Total 634 3,420 Inspection of Canneries: Vegetable, Fish and Fish Roe 135 Total number of inspections 3,555 Flavoring Extracts To eliminate many spurious or worthless flavors which flooded the markets, regulations, definitions and standards of classifica-tion for all flavoring extracts and flavors were adopted by the Board of Agriculture under authority provided by the State Pure Food and Drug Law. Seven hundred and forty-five samples of flavoring products were obtained and analyzed, a large number of which were found to be offered for sale in violation of the law. More than thirteen thousand bottles of so-called flavoring products in bottles varying in size from three ounces to one pint were withdrawn from sale for the following reasons: misbranded, net contents not stated, adulterated in that they were too low in flavoring strength, and V in a few instances of imitation lemon flavorings, glycol, a poison-ous substance, was found. In the case of misbranding and net contents not stated opportunity was given to correct the labels or to ship the product back to the manufacturer. In instanceis where the product had little or no flavoring value, with the con- Commissioner of Agriculture 29 sent of the retail dealer, the goods were destroyed. More than six hundred bottles of such goods were destroyed. Damaged Goods Three grocery stores with large stocks of groceries were dam-aged by fire to the extent that it was thought advisable to with-draw all goods from sale pending official inspection. After in-spection, that part of each stock not too badly damaged for human consumption was released for sale for that purpose ; that part too badly damaged for human food but which could be used for animal feed was denatured and permitted to be sold for animal feed only ; that part too badly damaged for either human food or for feed purposes for animals was turned over to the city health authorities to be destroyed. In addition to fire damaged goods, due to spoilage from dust, dirt, insect infestation, decomposition from age, rusting of cans or other causes which rendered the products unfit for human food, the following were withdrawn from sale and either destroyed or permitted to be sold for hog feed only : Herring Roe 120 cases of 24 cans each Cut String Beans 15 cases of 24 cans each Infested Peas unfit for human consumption 1,091 lbs. Peanuts 375 lbs. Canned Goods A survey of canned fruits and vegetables on the market in North Carolina showed that about two-thirds of these products were below U. S. Standard Grade, due to short weight or slack fill or the failure to consist of whole or large pieces. A limited amount of spoilage was found due to insufficient processing or to being kept too long under unfavorable conditions, and in a few instances objectionable foreign matter was in evidence. A survey was also made of the canneries operating within the State with the view of helping the operators to bring their canned products up to U. S. Standard Grade. Whenever insanitary con-ditions were found such facts were pointed out and recommenda-tions made for improving such conditions. Great improvement was made along this line. This work was in conjunction with Federal authorities with the view of adopting standards and regu-lations under the new Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Meats Three hundred and thirty-six samples of hamburger and sau-sage were obtained from different sections of the State and tested for chemical preservatives. A large number of these samples were taken from places that previously had violated the 30 Biennial Report food law in the sale of ground meats adulterated with added sul-phites, and which places had been warned that future violations would be reported to the courts. As a result of this investigation, it was found necessary to draw indictments in nineteen cases in-volving seventeen firms and individuals, a conviction being ob-tained in each instance. Miscellaneous Samples, Poisons, Etc. Of the five hundred and fifty-six unofiicial samples received more than half of them were for suspected poisons or other harm-ful foreign substances. These samples consisted largely of foods, and beverages for human consumption ; animal and poultry feeds ; viscera and other specimens from animal bodies. Most of these samples were submitted by city and county officials, physicians, and farmers who could not otherwise account for the death of their poultry or stock and suspected either intentional or acci-dental poisoning. Poisons and foreign substances were found in a considerable number of these samples. Definitions and Standards for Ice Cream ,In April 1940, revised definitions and standards of identity for frozen desserts were adopted by the Board of Agriculture under authority granted by the North Carolina Food, Drug and Cos-metic Act. Inspection and systematic grading of ice cream plants under the Ice Cream Plant Inspection Law were continued during the biennium. Forty-nine plants which did not score the required grade were closed, some voluntarily. A large per cent of plants so closed remodeled their buildings and installed new machinery or otherwise brought their buildings and equipment up to re-quirements. After this had been done, inspections by agents of this Department were made, and, if satisfactory conditions were found to exist, such places were permitted to reopen. A few plants which could not be brought within the requirements of the law were permanently closed. An intensive drive was made to clear up the condition of almost general misbranding of dairy products. This drive has resulted in the elimination of by far the greater part of the misbranding heretofore prevailing. In addition to direct contacts with the industry, the work was carried on in conjunction with the manu-facturers of cartons and other containers who voluntarily agreed to work with the Department and to sell no merchandise which failed to comply with the labeling requirements for food products. Bottled Drinks Following a number of conferences with officials of the North Carolina Bottlers' Association, regulations acceptable to both the Commissioner of Agriculture 31 bottlers and this Department were formulated, and regulations for the sanitary operation of plants manufacturing bottled carbo-nated soft drinks, also regulations on the representation and labeling of carbonated and still beverages advertised or offered for sale in North Carolina were adopted by the Board of Agricul-ture under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. A satisfactory and workable scoring system for grading the sanitary condition of bottling plants was also put into effect. New Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law Perhaps the most important and far reaching achievement along the lines of food work in North Carolina during the past several years, as regards sanitation and prevention of adulteration and misrepresentation, was the adoption of the new Food, Drug ' and Cosmetic Act by the General Assembly of 1939. The new law also regulates advertising of foods, drugs, cosmetics and de-vices. It is a long step forward in that it corrects most of the defects of the old law and renders state legislation uniform with federal legislation on the subject. The drafting of general regulations for the effective enforce-ment of the North Carolina Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act has been virtually completed. The formulation of definitions and standards of identity, quality and fill of container has been, and will continue to be an almost endless task, due to the scope of the undertaking and to the changes which are taking place in the pro-duction of food products. To acquire the information prerequi-site to reaching intelligent and reasonable conclusions requires considerable time and study, which time has accordingly been given to the consideration of these problems. Chemists in the laboratories, the inspectors in the field and the workers in the office have performed their duties most agreeably, satisfactorily and efficiently, and for this they have our sincere appreciation. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY C. H. Brannon This Division respectfully submits the following report for the past biennium : Duties The Division of Entomology is engaged in regulatory and law enforcement work in connection with plant pests. It is also charged with the responsibility of enforcement of the N. C. Bee Disease law. This Division cooperates with the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine in White Pine Blister Rust Prevention, Phony Peach Disease eradication and Japanese Beetle quarantine, trapping, and soil treatment. Valuable work in connection with its excellent insect collection and records, covering a period of over 40 years, is also a major activity. The largest project of the Division of Entomology is the annual inspection of all North Carolina nurseries. This exacting work requires the full time efforts of two of our staff, Mr. J. A. Harris and Dr. D. L. Wray, during July, August and September. Nur-series which are in good condition and apparently free from dangerous plant pests are issued a State Certificate which expires September 30, of the following year. The North Carolina certifi-cate of Nursery Inspection is accepted by all States and the Federal Government. 200 nursery certificates were issued in 1938-39 and 193 nursery certificates were issued in 1939-40. Certificates are granted only after the inspection fee is paid. The nursery certificate fees are as follows : Three acres or less $ 5.00 Four to ten acres 7.50 Eleven to fifteen acres 10.00 Sixteen acres 12.50 Each additional acre .10 Native Plant Collectors Permit An annual fee of $10.00 is required for a permit to collect and ship native plants including boxwood. Approximately 35 such permits are issued each year. Nursery Dealer Certificate The annual nursery dealer certificate fee is $10.00. This ap-plies to stores or individuals. Approximately 30 such certificates are issued annually. A bond of $1000 is required of all who promise (orally or written) later attention to the Stock sold. Commissioner of Agriculture 33 Apiary Inspection The following report has been submitted by the State Apiary Inspector, P. G. Graddock, who is engaged in conducting the State bee disease control program and enforcing the state bee disease laws and regulations which give protection to the bee-keepers of the state. In June 1938 the State Board of Agriculture and the Com-missioner of Agriculture acting under authority granted to them by the State legislature revised the state apiary inspection regu-lations, and designated all of the state east of Highway U. S. No, 1 as a clean up area in which intensive work should be done for the purpose of controlling and, if possible, eradicating Ameri-can foulbrood, the most dreaded of all bee diseases. Since June 1938 the major part of the inspection work has been done east of U. S. Highway No. 1, but some time has been spent in the rest of the state. Colonies have been inspected in most of the Piedmont and mountain counties in order to locate and eradicate diseased colonies when possible. In the clean-up area the number of colonies of bees found in-fected with American foulbrood has been steadily decreasing, and with the continued support and cooperation of the beekeepers it is thought that the disease can eventually be practically eradi-cated in this area. Constant inspecting and checking of bees in this section will continue to be necessary in order that new out-breaks of disease may be located and cleaned up before they spread. Definite progress has been made in conrtolling and eradicating disease in the Piedmont where for the most part it is found in scattered localities around cities and towns. Some of the out-breaks have been eradicated and others greatly reduced during the past two years. Much of the inspection in the Piedmont and mountain counties has been done in cooperation with the County Farm Agents. From July 1, 1938 to June 30, 1939,-10,035 colonies of bees were inspected and 148 colonies or 1.5% were found infected with American foulbrood. Fourteen certificates for queen rearing were granted during the year. From July 1, 1939 to June 30, 1940,-12,048 colonies of bees were inspected and 141 colonies or 1.2% were found infected with American foulbrood. Eleven certificates for queen rearing were granted during the year. Several apiaries were inspected for beekeepers who reside in the northern states but who keep bees in North Carolina for the purpose of supplying bees to their northern yards. These bees were all found to be free from disease. 34 Biennial Report Burning is the method used in disposing of colonies infected with American foulbrood. European foulbrood, a disease which affects primarily the black race of bees, is widely scattered over North Carolina. The best control for European foulbrood is to requeen the infected colonies with either Italian, Caucasian or Carnolian queens, as these races of bees are resistant to the disease. No quarantine regulations have been put into effect to control this disease but considerable time has been spent acquainting beekeepers with the nature and control of this disease. A summer assistant is greatly needed in this work in order to facilitate eradication of bee diseases. North Carolina is fortunate in having undertaken this work before the whole state had become heavily infected. If intensive work can be expanded in western North Carolina there is a good chance of effective control of bee diseases for the entire state. Insect Taxonomy Dr. C. S. Brimley, one of the ablest minds in the field of ento-mology and natural history in general, in the United States, has charge of this important work. Dr. Brimley looks after one of the finest insect collections in the country which he has largely developed. The Division collection runs now well over 75,000 specimens representing more than 10,000 different species. This great collection with its records is of inestimable value to the State and is put to practical use every day in the identification of insect pests from all over the State. The collection and records are constantly consulted by workers in the State and by many from other states. Blister Rust Prevention It should be pointed out that this important program is preventive. The dreaded White Pine Blister Rust disease has not yet been found in North Carolina. It is causing enormous damage in many parts of the United States and is found in the State of Virginia. North Carolina has seen the wisdom of not waiting until the disease gained entrance to start action, and the results of the fine work under way should make it difficult for the disease to gain entrance into North Carolina. The following report has been submitted by H. B. Teague, of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, who is State Leader in charge of the project: During the biennium ending June 30, 1940 white pine blister rust control work was continued in Western North Carolina with 17 white pine growing counties receiving protection or being par-tially worked. The program, begun in 1934, has continued the destruction of Currant and Gooseberry bushes (Ribes) to prevent Commissioner of Agriculture 35 the spread of white pine bhster rust to the white pines of North CaroHna. Bhster rust, a fungus disease, produces spores both on five-needle pines and on currant and gooseberry leaves. The spores produced on diseased white pines in the spring are not capable of infecting other white pines ; but can, infect the leaves of currant and gooseberry bushes. Removikg Currant Axn Gooseberry bushes ix Westerx North Carolina, (u. s. d. a.) In late summer and early fall diseased currant and gooseberry leaves produce spores that are capable of infecting white pine trees. After trees are infected, the disease keeps spreading until the tree is killed. The following counties were worked, some being completed while others were still being worked at the end of this biennium : Avery Jackson Buncombe Macon Burke Madison Caldwell McDowell Cherokee Mitchell Clay Polk Graham Swain Haywood Transylvania Yancey Work during this period has been financed largely by W.P.A. funds supplemented by funds or workers supplied by the State Department of Agriculture, U. S. Department of Agriculture, National Park and National Forest Services with C.C.C. labor, N.Y.A. office workers, and Private owner cooperation. An average of more than 100 workers and 3 field supervisors were employed. W.P.A. furnished 85, N.Y.A. 4, C.C.C. 12 during the summer months, the State 2, and one owner 4 for one week. Actual and technical supervision was furnished by field super-visors. State and Regional leaders, the State Entomologist, W.P.A. and U. S. Bureau of Entomology officials. 36 Biennial Report Transportation Nearly all transportation was furnished by Government trucks owned by the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine with the exception of C.C.C. workers, A total of 15 trucks were in operation most of the time. Transportation costs were borne by W.P.A. State and the U. S. Department of Agriculture with C.C.C. supplying trucks and money for transporting C.C.C. crews. Preeradication Survey Several counties with only cultivated currant and gooseberry bushes were mapped by the "Spot" method of mapping. This system is merely a non-detailed survey with the general pine areas spotted on county maps as nearly to scale as the mapper can do without running a compass survey. In the winter of 1938-1939 a new system of surveying white pine areas was begun in those counties having wild (or native) gooseberries in the white pine growing sections. This method is called the grid system and is carried out on units of area one mile square. The units are established by the use of compass and chain and posts are placed at each corner of the square; with a temporary stake, numbered, being placed every 5 chains on the North and South grid boundary lines. Each square mile unit is then type-mapped by a crew of 2 or 8 men to show timber types and gooseberry and currant locations. A summary of Preeradication Survey work follows : preeradication survey Federal W.P.A. State W.P.A. State Dept. of Agriculture Total Nlimlipr nf nnnntips 10 71,231 42,844 114,075 239,684 46,493 5 22,767 10,363 33,130 69,460 78,637 2 1,288 537 1,825 7,526 926 17 Acerage of White Pine Mapped: Over 50 trees per acre Under 50 trees per acre Total White Pine acreage White pine acerage plus protective zone.__ Total Man hours used .- - ---.. 95,286 53,744 149,030 316,670 126,056 RiBES Eradication Currant and gooseberry bushes were eradicated from white pine areas on lands owned by the National Forest Service, National Park Service, City, County and individuals. Agencies doing the work were State, W.P.A. and C.C.C. The following table summarizes eradication work for the two years. Commissioner of Agriculture 37 C.C.C. Federal W.P.A. State W.P.A. State Dept. of Agriculture Total Average number of men used _ 13 9,026 409 75,029 86 19 42,452 174,335 287, 180 17,412 29 36, 145 64,710 138,252 884 2 381 6,597 2,919 106 63 88 004 246 051 Wild Ribes eradicated 503,380 Cultivated Ribes eradicated 18.488 Checking Two types of checking were carried out: 1. Checking in gardens, at house sites, and other places where cultivated bushes had been eradicated previously. This checking was not done at all places previously having bushes ; but enough places were checked to show that previous work has been good but that some sprouts are coming back at a few places. The cultivated checking needs to be carried out in all areas by 1945 to prevent the sprouts getting too large and spreading. 2. In all sections worked which had native (wild) Ribes a systematic checking program was carried out by running strip lines 5 chains apart. This gave a 5% check on all acreage in-volved. Areas or parts of areas found to have more than 25 feet of live stem of gooseberry bushes per acre were reworked. It is essential to eliminate as many leaf producing bushes as possible to prevent a concentration of blister rust spores in the pine areas. All areas are worked until the live gooseberry stems per acre are reduced to less than 25 linear feet. The strip checks made covered 1613 strip acres and a total of 3066 labor man hours was used. Economic Importance of White Pine From an economic viewpoint white pine in North Carolina is placed in two groups : 1. Ornamental trees. 2. Native and planted stands being grown for commercial purposes. One ordinarily thinks of values of trees in terms of the saleable value for wood or lumber. However, white pine has been used very extensively in Western North Carolina as an ornamental tree, and this is particularly evident in the Asheville-Biltmore, Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Blowing Rock, Roaring Gap and other tourist resorts. Value of the commercial white pine in the state is estimated at more than $10,000,000 ; and ornamental trees have been evaluated as follows : 38 Biennial Report . Trees less than 2 inches D. B. H | 4.00 each Trees 2"-6" D. B. H. 20.00 each Trees 6"-12" D. B. H. 40.00 each Trees 12" D. B. H. and over 60.00 each On the basis of the above figures the value of ornamental white pines in North Carolina is placed at more than $25,000,000. Costs The cost of blister rust control work during the past two years is as follows : Federal W.P.A. $ 43,641.02 North Carolina Department of Agriculture 9,782.11 U. S. Department of Agriculture, Regular 270.89 N.Y.A. 1,721.71 C. C.C. 3,070.15 State W.P.A. 40,039.84 Cooperative Services 5,383.58 $103,909.30 JAPANESE BEETLE WORK Quarantine The Japanese Beetle Quarantine is maintained in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. C. H. Hill, of our staff is located at Greensboro and has charge of the quarantine enforcement. Mr. Hill also aids in scouting, trap-ping, soil treatment and other activities of this Division. The following report was submitted by Mr. Hill : Japanese Beetle Quarantine The Japanese Beetle Quarantine includes townships in the vicinity of Charlotte, Greensboro, East Spencer, Spencer, Salis-bury, and Winston-Salem. No nursery, ornamental, or green-house stock, or other plants, plant roots, or sand, soil, earth, peat, compost, or manure, can be transported in any manner from the quarantined area without a special Japanese Beetle permit to show that the shipment has been inspected and is apparently free of Japanese Beetle larvae. This quarantine operates on a cooperative basis between The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and The U. S. Depart-ment of Agriculture. C. H. Hill is in charge of enforcing the quarantine, under the supervision of the State Entomologist, and Mr. E. A. McKnight, Agent, U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine of the Richmond Office. During June and July of 1938 and 1939 forty-four nursery and greenhouse establishments in and in the vicinity of the quarantined area were inspected two or three times each of these Commissioner of Agriculture 39 seasons by state and federal inspectors. These establishments had a total of 420,770 square feet under glass and 387.25 acres of outside stock. Nursery and greenhouse operators, and dealers, after proper inspection, are able to get, without cost, special Japanese Beetle certificates ; one of which must accompany each shipment of quarantined material out of the quarantined area. From July 1, 1938 to June 30, 1939, 3,028 such certificates were used. From Japanese Beetles Attacking Apple, (u. s. d. a.) July 1, 1939 to June 30, 1940, 2,254 such certificates were used. All certificates are voided at the end of each month. Those not used must be returned along with a report of the shipments on which certificates were used. Trapping During June and July, 1939, approximately 10,000 Japanese Beetle traps were placed in North Carolina. The number of beetles caught were as follows: Asheville 1,071, Burlington 5, Charlotte 36, Durham 29, East Spencer 637, Elizabeth City 46, Goldsboro 3, Greensboro 335, Hamlet 1, High Point 37, Rocky Mount 10, Salisbury 30, Sanford 38, Spencer 377, Thomasville 2, Wilmington 90, Wilson 4, and Winston-Salem 1,188. During June and July 1940 approximately 10,000 Japanese Beetle traps were again placed in the state. The results were as follows: Asheville 19,322, Burlington 34, Charlotte 37, Durham 58, East Spencer 985, Elizabeth City 29, Goldsboro 2, Greensboro 40 Biennial Report 100, High Point 77, Lexington 8, Raleigh 33, Rocky Mount 12, SaHsbury 87, Sanford 11, Spencer 157, Tarboro 1, Weldon 3, Wil-mington 43, Wilson 3, and Winston-Salem 366. Trapping is done in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of En-tomology and Plant Quarantine, and is the only practical method known to determine the early spread of the beetle. Quarantine and soil treatment is based upon the results of trapping. The traps are the property of the Federal Government and contain a chemical which attracts the Japanese Beetle. Approximately $3500 from State funds were allocated for trap-ping each year of the biennium. Soil Treatment Thru the wisdom and generosity of the last General Assembly an appropriation of $90,000 was made for soil treatment in Japa-nese Beetle control because of the threat of this dreaded pest to the agriculture of North Carolina. $65,000 of this fund has been expended and the additional $25,000 will be expended during the fall of 1940. *'4 ; ' Japanese Beetle Soil Treatment. Soil treatment consists in treating heavily infested areas with arsenate of lead to kill Japanese Beetle grubs in the soil. The Federal Government cooperates in furnishing large power sprayers necessary for the work together with personnel for handling the sprayers. Arsenate of lead and labor are furnished by the state. Commissioner of Agriculture 41 The following treatments have been made with 1,000 pounds of arsenate of lead per acre : SPRING 1939 Charlotte 6 acres, Durham 7, Elizabeth City 6, Greensboro 70, High Point 10, Raleigh 8, Sanford 10, Spencer 35, East Spencer 20, Wilmington 20, Winston-Salem 50. FALL 1939 Burlington 7 acres, Charlotte 15, Durham 10, Elizabeth City 10, Goldsboro 4, Greensboro 53, High Point 24, Lexington 5, Raleigh 5, Rocky Mount 10, Salisbury 22, Sanford 4, Spencer 12, East Spencer 30, Wilmington 7, Wilson 6, Winston-Salem 76. NARCISSUS BULB INSPECTION J. A. Harris and D. L. Wray have done the inspection work on this project. All inspections in connection with this work are extremely tedious and exacting requiring long experience for proper handling. The spring field inspections are especially diffi-cult because of the necessity of shading the plants with an um-brella in order to detect the slight discoloration indicative of nematode infestation. The North Carolina bulb industry would have been forced out of business long ago if the careful supervision of this Division had not been maintained. Excellent cooperation is received from the growers. During the storage inspection in 1938, 4,104 bushels of bulbs on 13 properties were inspected and certified as free from nema-tode and bulb fly. The hot water treatment was given 307 bushels which were found infested with nematode during spring inspec-tions. In the Spring of 1939, 134.1 acres of narcissus were inspected on 17 properties. One property was found infested and the in-fested bulbs were destroyed. During the 1939 storage inspection 7,010 bushels of bulbs were inspected on 14 properties and certi-fied. During the spring of 1940, 105.4 acres on 15 properties were inspected. Four of these properties were found infested with nematode. 1.92 acres were infested. Clean up and eradication measures were put in operation at once. The bulb inspection fee is $5.00 for three acres or less, and $1.00 for each additional acre inspected. This fee is for the field inspection but also includes the storage inspection if bulbs are to be shipped. PHONY PEACH ERADICATION J. A. Harris is State Cooperator in charge of this project which is carried out in cooperation with the U. S. Bureau of En- 42 Biennial Report tomology and Plant Quarantine. D. L. Wray of our staff also works on this project. During 1939 inspections were made in 13 counties. Only three counties were found infected: Anson, Robeson and Stanly. In-spections were made of the environs of 13 nurseries growing 473,168 peach trees. No infected trees were found in the nursery environs inspection. A total of 2,938 properties were inspected and 5 found to harbor diseased trees. 68,904 trees were inspected and 5 trees found infected. These were promptly removed. Comparison of 8-Year Old Hiley Peach Trees. Phony, left; Normal, eight. (u. s. d. a.) The entire state is now free from the quarantine with the exception of Anson, Robeson and Stanly counties, because of negative finds for the past three years. During 1940 inspections were made on 1,514 properties in-cluding 16,417 trees in 3 counties. No infections ivere found. This invaluable work was undertaken before it was too late. The peach industry of the state would have been ruined should phony disease have ever spread widely in North Carolina. The eradication work has apparently eliminated the disease. How-ever inspections will be continued and if no disease is found dur-ing the next two years North Carolina will be declared free from the phony disease quarantine. EUROPEAN CORN BORER The European Corn Borer, a serious pest of corn and many other plants, was first found in North Carolina during 1939 on Knotts Island. J. A. Harris and D. L. Wray did the scouting work in connection with this infestation. Commissioner of Agriculture 43 Scouting in October, 1939 gave the following results : Camden County 3 fields infested Currituck County 12 fields infested Pasquotank County 1 field infested Extensive scouting was also carried out in Chowan, Gates and Perquimans counties with no infestation being found. Just what the future spread and damage from this insect will be in North Carolina is impossible to predict at this time. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to again thank the Board and the Commissioner for their full support. I am delighted to commend the entire staff for their efficiency and loyalty and to thank the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine for their hearty cooperation with the Division. DAIRY DIVISION C. W. Pegram The most important service rendered by the Dairy Division is the checking of butter-fat content of milk and cream sold by North Carolina dairy farmers. During the past biennium, check tests for butter-fat were made on approximately 25,000 samples, necessitating 1500 investigations. In addition to checking the work of licensed testers, the methods of sampling and weighing of milk and cream were supervised. Changes of personnel in dairy plants requires constant supervision and training. All testers must demonstrate their ability in actual practices before they are licensed. Sampling and Weighing Milk in a Modern Plant. Scales and balances were checked for accuracy periodically in cooperation with the Division of Weights and Measures. A total Commissioner of Agriculture 45 of 372 errors in butter-fat tests above the tolerance of two-tenth of one per cent were found. In all instances where such variations were found, the corrections were made by the licensed tester be-fore payment was made to the producer, or an adjustment was made after regular payment was made. Dairy plants have been consistently improving their testing laboratories. Nearly all plants use electric centrifuges which make for accuracy and convenience. Stress has been placed upon the importance of sampling as to regularity, accuracy and preservation. All of these factors may affect very materially the resulting test. More than 6000 reports were mailed to producers showing re-sults of check tests made. This has made for standardization and the building of confidence between producer and buyer which is vital to the development of the dairy industry within the state. Checking Tests of a Licensed Tester. L. J. Martin of Lexington is shown on the left and C. W. Pegram, Chief of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture is shown on the right. Dairy Production Statistics Law The General Assembly of 1939 enacted a statute providing for the keeping of creamery and milk products records. This was a progressive step, making it possible to obtain accurate figures on the State's growing dairy industry. The dairy statistics are se-cured in cooperation with the Federal-State Crop Reporting Service. Listed below is the results secured for the year 1939 : 46 Biennial Report Whole milk purchased by plants 100,955,354 Pounds "Whole milk sold for fluid consumption 61,306,517 Pounds Creamery butter made 2,365,668 Pounds Ice cream made (by plants) __. 3,477,311 Gallons Ice cream made (Counter freezers) 173,453 Gallons Total ice cream made 3,650,765 Gallons Ice cream mix sold 285,423 Gallons American cheese ___ 427,502 Pounds Cottage cheese 210,657 Pounds Condensed skim milk 928,082 Pounds Whole condensed milk 303,216 Pounds The gross value of all milk and dairy products for 1939 was estimated by the Crop Reporting Service to be $37,540,000 which exceeded the 1939 cotton and cotton seed crop value by $11,233,- 000. The milk and cream sales by farmers amounting to $12,630,000. This ranks North Carolina as thirteenth among the states based on gross value. The average production per cow was 3900 pounds which shows a steady increase from year to year. STATISTICAL REPORT—DAIRY DIVISION Buying plants and stations supervised 65 Plant investigations 1,475 Special investigations 1 5 Check tests made 17,103 Supervised tests made 6,931 Sample tests 858 Total 24,892 Tests found incorrect (changed) 372 Tests reports mailed to dairymen 6,371 Testers, weighers and samplers licenses issued annually 128 Cream haulers licenses issued annually 60 Licenses revoked 2 Milk and cream scales checked (In cooperation with Division of Weights and Measures) 122 Milk and cream scales condemned for repairs 29 Testing equipment condemned 10 Cream balances checked — 35 Cream balances condemned for repairs 6 Pieces glassware calibrated 536 Pieces glassware condemned 9 Oleomargarine licenses issued (Wholesale dealers) 68 Oleomargarine inspections (Eating places) 665 Tester's examinations given ___. — - 30 CREDIT UNION DIVISION D. R. Graham The records of the Credit Union Division reveal that the citi-zens of North Carohna are rapidly becoming aware of the bene-fits to be derived from the credit union plan. A credit union is a cooperative savings and loan association, having as its purpose (1) the promotion of thrift by providing for the membership an easy, convenient plan of saving and (2) from the savings thus accumulated taking care of the short term credit needs of the members. A credit union may be organized by any group having a common bond of association, occupation or residence. During the biennium ending June 30, 1940, fifty credit unions were organized as follows : teachers, 3 white, 2 negro ; business, professional and industrial, 33 white; rural community, 2 white, 6 negro ; and urban community, 2 white and 2 negro. The follow-ing counties were represented: Buncombe 10, Orange 1, Meck-lenburg 3, Tyrrell 1, Bladen 1, Gaston 2, Harnett 1, Durham 2, Guilford 4, Haywood 1, Catawba 1, Lenoir 1, Davidson 1, Gran-ville 1, Wake 6, Hyde 1, Clay 1, Warren 1, New Hanover 1, Forsyth 9 and Caswell 1. There are now 125 credit unions serving the people of North Carolina and inquiries received indicate that a considerable num-ber will be organized within the near future. Much time has been devoted to teaching members how to properly utilize credit union service and to the training of officers, directors and committeemen. Emphasis has been placed on supervision and the few irregularities that have been found have been readily straightened out. All credit unions have been examined at least twice during the biennium. The condensed statement below shows that the 22,446 credit union members in North Carolina have accumulated savings in the aggregate amount of $1,593,380.89. Had credit union service not been available, a large part of this money would not have been saved. During the period under review credit unions have made loans to their members in the total amount of $4,841,338.01, and it is reasonable to assume that thousands of dollars in interest charges have been saved. It is the consensus of all of those who are familiar with the plan that the State, through this service, is doing much to further the economic security of its citizens. 48 Biennial Report Ju7ie SO, 1938 June 30, 194Q Active Credit Unions_._ 78 125 Total Members 12,343 22,466 Total Assets -- -$ 921,548.99 | 1,593,380.89 Number of Loans Made Since Organization 51,281 89,463 Amount of Loans Made Since Organization $5,863,366.66 $10,704,704.67 CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CREDIT UNIONS AS AT JUNE 30, 1940 Resoueces Loans to Members $1,385,130.87 Cash on Hand and in Banks _.___. 146,629.76 Other Assets 61,620.26 $1,593,380.89 Liabilities Shares $1,093,869.77 Deposits 302,732.79 Other Liabilities 49,692.35 Reserve (Guaranty Fund) 77,498.81 Surplus and Undivided Profits 69,587.17 $1,593,380.89 DIVISION OF MARKETS Randal B. Etheridge I herewith submit Biennial Report of the Division of Markets covering the period from July 1, 1938 through June 30, 1940. With full recognition of the urgency for assistance to North Carolina farmers in securing more profitable distribution of their products, the Division of Markets has, during the biennium, ex-panded its services as far as financial support would permit. In addition to enhancements of previously established activities, four new projects were inaugurated and have been in operation during the past year. These are largely concerned with better preparation for market, standardization of grade and pack, and sales promotion of North Carolina farm commodities, including field crops, poultry and eggs, dairy products, and fruits and vege-tables— thereby, greatly increasing the variety and scope of work which should prove beneficial in helping to increase the income of our farmers. Field Crops Marketing Work A field crops marketing specialist has been laying the ground work for improved marketing conditions of lespedeza seed, small grains, peanuts, and commercial hays. On the basis of a study of more than 4,000 samples of lespedeza seed analyzed by the State Seed Laboratory, the official N. C. Grades for lespedeza seed were promulgated and became effective on November 10, 1939. These grades are now generally recognized and used by the seed trade in and out of the State and by producers of seed as standards of quality and as a basis for price adjustments. To tell the story of better marketing of lespedeza seed, a natural color moving pic-ture was made. This picture, supplemented by discussions, was carried to 27 adult farmers' meetings during February and March of 1940, reaching approximately 2,000 producers. The principal work in small grains has had to do with the con-dition of wheat as delivered to the mills. Members of the Pied-mont Millers Association have cooperated in this project, and farmers have been advised in regard to the proper harvesting with combines, ways and means of increasing weight per bushel, the control of wild onion and weevil damage, and the market problems of small grains. Attention has been given to the harvesting and preparation for market of peanuts. Better methods of harvesting, stacking, curing, and picking have been urged on the peanut growers. The possibilities for profitable marketing of commercial hays grown in the State have been investigated to determine the 50 Biennial Report sources of supply and demand for lespedeza, soybean, cowpea, and peanut hays. Growers have been urged to harvest at the proper time, to cure, and to bale their hay in order to be better prepared to meet the customary market demands. Promotion of Dairy Products A program formulated by the National Dairy Council was launched in the fall of 1939, designed to increase the consumption of milk and other dairy products in North Carolina as an aid to the dairy industry of the State, as well as to public health. Where population and consumption would justify, the organi-zation of permanent Dairy Council units was undertaken as the most effective means of establishing a higher level of milk con-sumption. Such a unit was put into operation for High Point and Greensboro. Later, Winston-Salem organized a council to serve Lexington and Mount Airy, also. The Raleigh-Durham Dairy Council and the Mebane Dairy Council had been previously established. Five meetings were held preliminary to the organi-zation of the Greensboro Council and 25 were conducted to per-fect the Winston-Salem organization. For the purpose of explaining the program or to impress the value of using more milk and dairy products, 26 group meetings of teachers, business men, doctors, dentists, lawyers, parents, nurses, and homemakers were held, the total reached in this manner being 6,495. More than 1,030 contacts were made with members of the dairy industry, and 626 other individuals have been conferred with. Four fair exhibits in the interest of dairy products were prepared and were seen by 98,000 visitors. Two sound films on milk have been shown to approximately 5,000 children and 500 adults. The foundation has been laid for far more effective work dur-ing the coming year. With the experience gained, it is the aim of this program to inform the people of North Carolina of the value of milk and dairy products, so that the present consumption will be materially increased. Egg Law Enforcement and Poultry Marketing The Storage Egg Law, passed in 1939, was enforced for the first time during the fall and winter of 1939 and 1940. This law required that storage eggs be plainly labelled as such when offered for sale in this State. Inspections were made in all of the principal towns of the State, the number of inspections in each town varying with the size of the town. In many cases, a number of visits were made to the same town in order that better compliance could be assured. In organizing this work, it was necessary to contact the wholesale Commissioner of Agriculture 51 trade first and then the local and chain groceries. Numerous inspections were made without too much interruption of business, and the trade reacted very favorably to this work. No prosecu-tions were necessary and many indications have been received that the law has benefitted both the producers and the consumers. The Federal-State Egg Grading Service supervision continues to require additional time. Inspectors at the various egg grading stations certified approximately 861,000 dozen eggs during the two year period, with the past year showing an increase of 130 per cent over the previous year. fEDiRAL-STAT OEPARTMtNl Of- AGeitULT-. kE L J Al-A.V Ralph Kelly, poultry axd egg gradixg specialist of the State Depaet- MEXT OF AGRICULTL'RE, IS SHOWX CANDLITV'G EGGS, WHICH IS AJfOTHER COOPERA-TIVE service rexdered by the Department's Markets Division. Eleven official egg grading stations were operated during this period. In addition, egg grading was carried on by several firms on an official basis. Numerous conferences were held with interested parties on marketing poultry and eggs as well as the grading of poultry and eggs. Demonstrations were conducted at all the State Test Farms and other places, such as fairs and poultry schools. Several com-petitive egg judging contests were held. The first of these con-tests between Vocational High Schools was staged with several schools participating. Poultry dressing plants were furnished advisory service in se-curing and installing modern equipment. In one case, this re-sulted in the securing of about $3,000 worth of new equipment 52 Biennial Report which has doubled the output and shown a very satisfactory profit for the year. The improvement was the means of putting a superior product on the market, making sales easier and giving the public a cleaner, more attractive product. The problem of relieving the surplus egg production during the spring and summer months has become more acute each year and resulted in the storage of approximately 350,000 dozen eggs in the past two years. Most of these eggs were graded before being placed in storage at Asheville and Raleigh, as well as at Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia. Fruit and Vegetable Marketing More active promotion of modern and adequate methods of attracting more profitable distribution of North Carolina fruits and vegetables was begun in the fall of 1939. Since the plight of the commercial early potato grower appeared most critical, a major portion of time and effort was devoted to this crop last year. An intensive program for rehabilitation of the industry was developed in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, the State College Extension Service, the N. C. Produce Growers Cooperative Association, Incorporated, and commercial interests. Moke than 3,000 farmers visited the cooperative potato train which toured EASTERN North Carolina carrying specialists and displays contributing to THE REHABILITATION OF THE COMMERCIAL IrISH POTATO INDUSTRY. Commissioner of Agriculture 53 This began with a series of nine grower meetings throughout the producing areas for consideration of the problems affecting the situation. Support of railroads and other agencies was en-listed in the operation of a Potato Demonstration Train, consist-ing of five cars which made 10 stops in the potato sections and was visited by about 3,000 producers. By exhibits, demonstra-tions, talks, moving pictures, and distribution of educational material, much interest was aroused in the approved practices of production, harvesting, handling, grading, washing, drying, packing, loading, and shipping of potatoes. Special emphasis was placed on the correction of carriage troubles which menaced so seriously the value of North Carolina potatoes in the terminal markets during recent years. Detailed specific recommendations for improvement of the potato industry in North Carolina were prepared and over 4,000 copies were distributed among commercial growers and shippers. Four regional meetings were held to consider needed adjustments in rail traffic regulations and a report of conclusions was pre-pared. Work with the railroads resulted in elimination of the $5.50 charge for use of dry refrigerator cars for Irish potatoes reduction of the minimum car weight from 30,000 to 24,000 pounds in the interest of better carriage and wider distribution ; and revision of some train schedules and diversion provisions to expedite terminal deliveries. Mr. H. A. Spilman, in charge of administering the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, came to the State for three meet-ings with shippers for explanation and discussion of the pro-visions of the Act. The development and location of sixteen potato washing and drying equipment installations in North Caro-lina this season were assisted. The adoption of two uniform master brands for potatoes—"Chief Manteo" at Elizabeth City and ''General Wayne" at Mount Olive—was secured. The First Annual Potato Tour of the State was conducted, through cooperation with the State College Extension Service, Experiment Station and the Federal Department, for first-hand field study of new and approved developments in the industry. The potato market news and stabilization clearing house at Wash-ington, North Carolina, operated during the harvest period by Mr. A. E. Mercker of the Federal Department, was given personal assistance. The support of shippers was secured in group adver-tising of North Carolina potatoes to the wholesale trade. The fact that the combined efforts in behalf of the potato producers resulted in definite progress toward better conditions is generally attested to by receivers in consuming markets. A circular, "What, When and Where of North Carolina Fruits and Vegetables," for the purpose of attracting more buyers was 54 Biennial Report compiled and 2,000 copies were distributed among potential whole-sale purchasers. Plans were developed for State authorized labeling for identification of top quality, officially inspected farm products as a means of stimulating consumer acceptance and premium prices. Specialists were assigned to the Western North Carolina produce section to work with growers and shippers in improving the quality and pack of apples and vegetables from that district. Members of the Division worked in cooperation with the Farm Agent of New Hanover County with considerable success in the establishment of new State outlets for produce from that section. The North Carolina Division of the Georgia- Carolinas Peach Marketing Board was assisted in raising funds for continuation of a nationwide merchandising campaign. Shipping Point Inspection Service The largest single project of the Division of Markets is the point of origin inspection and certification as to grade of fruits and vegetables for shipment out of North Carolina. This work, carried on in cooperation with the Agricultural Marketing Ser-vice, is available to growers and shippers on a self-supporting, voluntary basis. The fees paid by users are required to support this service. The inspectors are licensed by the Federal Depart-ment and act in a neutral capacity in describing the quality and condition and certifying as to the grade of a commodity. A major portion of the produce shipped from North Carolina is bought and sold on the basis of grade as determined by the inspectors. The voluntary use of this service proves its value to the growers and shippers, especially in the sight-unseen selling of their products. A total of 7,595,111 packages, equivalent to 21,330 carloads, of produce was certified as to grade during this period. The com-modities included Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, peaches, straw-berries, apples, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas, snap and lima beans, green corn, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, beets, carrots, squash, dewberries, huckleberries, mixed vege-tables, peanuts, and soybeans. During the peak shipping season, this service required a trained personnel of one hundred and thirty-five licensed inspectors. The temporary employment of that many qualified men, to see that they are properly trained, equipped and supervised, makes neces-sary a great amount of detailed planning for months in advance. This force normally falls into three different groups, each of which is qualified by training and experience to inspect certain, specific commodities in which they specialize. The setting up of 65 temporary field offices is required to handle this work at ship-ping points in all the principal producing areas of the State. Commissioner of Agriculture 55 A regulation was passed by the Board of Agriculture requiring that potatoes offered for seed purposes in North Carolina meet the specifications of U. S. Grade 1 or be plainly marked "not graded." Three specialists were employed during the time of ar-rival of seed potatoes in the State to enforce the provision and safeguard seed supplies. They made themselves available to the growers and receivers without cost and, in many cases, were re-sponsible for warning growers and dealers against inferior seed stocks. In some cases, hidden defects discovered by these in-spectors would have resulted in very poor production had the seed been planted. Dry type of freezing injury and excessive sprout-ing, both of which weaken seed materially, were the most preva-lent causes for complaint. The watermelon marketing agreement, with compulsory in-spection, continued through the 1939 season, but was suspended in 1940. No material effect was seen in the volume of inspections made between the compulsory and voluntary use of the service, as growers realized the benefits derived from inspection and con-tinued to avail themselves of grade certification. With the as-signment of five men for inspection work on peas at the new auction market in Elizabeth City, the volume jumped from 61,201 bushels which was the previous biennium to 140,730 bushels for this period, or more than doubled. For the first time a specialist of the inspection service was placed in New Hanover County to assist growers of lettuce and other truck crops on a voluntary basis. Foundation work was started there on grading and pack-ing and much of this inspector's time was given gratis to growers and shippers in an effort to improve the quality of produce offered for sale from that section. Another first for this service was the placement of an inspector at one of the larger apple orchards at Waynesville for a period of eight weeks. In addition to certi-fying for grade 21,330 bushels of apples, this inspector devoted his spare time to working with other growers in the preparation of their products for market. Inspectional work on Farmer's stock peanuts was renewed and 13,429 bags were certified as to grade for the Roanoke Mutual Association. Inspection of soybeans was continued at Elizabeth City, and, during this period, 16,820 bushels were certified for grade. Destination of Inspection Service Inspection, upon arrival at destination, is made at the request of receivers of commodities shipped into the State in order to determine the condition and grade. This kind of inspection nor-mally is called for only when the product is thought to be below contract specifications, and it is used as the basis for adjustments in the price originally agreed upon by the shipper and receiver. 56 Biennial Report Members of the Division made inspection of twenty-seven cars of inbound produce at various receiving points for the purpose as outhned. Stabilization and Standardization For the past two years, the Irish potato stabihzation clearing house at Washington, North CaroHna, operated during the har-vest period by Mr. A. E. Mercker, of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, has been continued. This work starts ahead of planting in the dissemination of outlook information tending to stabilize acreage and discourage over-planting when necessary. At shipping time, the growers and shippers are kept in close con-tact with the facts and figures influencing marketing of the crop in an effort to maintain orderly movement and uniformity of price. The personal assistance of members of the Division has been rendered this work. The Peanut Stabilization Cooperative was again assisted in its diversion program. Approximately 5,000 tons of surplus North Carolina peanuts were purchased, stored and crushed for oil with favorable eff"ect on market prices. These purchases were made on the basis of grade determined by inspectors licensed by the U. S. and North Carolina Departments of Agriculture. a typical strawbeeky auction market is shown above. Buyers are making their purchases on the basis of u. s. grades which were determined by the Cooperative Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture. Commissioner of Agriculture 57 Strawberry standardization work has been underway for a number of years and was given added impetus by the assignment of three full time specialists to this program, along with the avail-able time of the forty-five inspectors working strawberries. The increased returns to growers who packed their berries according L. P. Wells of Mt. Olive is one of the many strawberry growers is eastern North Carolina who has benefitted by- using approved methods for packing berries. The type of pack shown above has been cited as a model by the Markets Division of the Department of Agriculture. to approved specifications were quite notable and gained recog-nition on all the strawberry auction markets. Work of similar nature has been done successfully on most of the fruit and vege-table crops in the State by specialists and inspectors of the Di-vision of Markets. Considerable improvement has been made in the quality, condition and pack, which strongly influences prices, of a number of commodities. These activities have been tied in rather closely with the inspection service. 58 Biennial Report Surplus Commodity Purchases During the marketing periods of this biennium, surpluses de-veloped on Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage and snap beans for which no profitable sales could be found through regular chan-nels. In each of these cases a substantial measure of relief was secured by appeal to the former Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation, or the more recent Surplus Marketing Administra-tion, which came to the rescue. These purchases for removal of demoralizing surpluses, which tended to bolster crashing prices, saved growers from serious losses. Full support of the Division of Markets has been accorded the institution and prosecution of these programs. The surplus purchases have always been made on the basis of certification as to grade made by members of the inspection service who also assumed a number of responsibilities in accomplishing the helpful removal. New Produce Markets Some assistance has been given to local groups who were in-terested in developing more adequate markets. In the cases of Elizabeth City and Clinton, help was given in planning set-ups for auctions which have been functioning for two years and one year respectively. These required several meetings, as well as further information on the establishment of their scale of charges, method of conducting the auction and the designing of plans for the buildings. The Elizabeth City market has sold mostly early peas. The Clinton auction, operating for two months during the 1940 season, handled approximately a quarter million packages of beans, peas, corn, squash, huckleberries, dewberries, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes and proved highly successful. Much work has been done with the idea of establishing wholesale jobbing markets for farm products in Raleigh and Smithfield which would be designed to serve a wide territory for both re-ceiving and distributing. Tobacco Standardization Tobacco, providing the largest source of farm income in North Carolina, has been given a considerable amount of specialized marketing attention by the Division. Through a cooperative agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service, the demon-stration work in tobacco standardization has been expanded in the past two years. Demonstrations in proper sorting, tying, and better preparation of tobacco for market have been featured in an extensive series of meetings. With a total farmer attendance of 3,849, demonstrations have been held in 36 counties of the State in cooperation with local farm agents. Night adult classes Commissioner of Agriculture 59 have been held in 23 schools with an attendance of 682, in coop-eration with vocational teachers. Tobacco standardization has also been demonstrated in the vocaitonal departments of 70 high schools to 2,367 agricultural students. » >«*. r^ /** .«i^ Helping farmers to grade and better prepare their tobacco for market is A service rendered by the State Department of Agriculture. W. P. Hedrick (extreme right), tobacco marketing specialist, is shown dis-cussing grades with a farmer. Assistance was given Burley growers in Northwestern North Carolina in the establishment of a market at Boone. This new market has been highly beneficial to the growers in that area. Demonstrations were held in 15 Burley-growing counties with a total attendance of 2,145 tobacco farmers. The county agents arranged these meetings. Due to the continued changes in demand for tobacco products, manufacturers have been contacted often and helpful information acquired. This information passed on to the growers has enabled them to better prepare their tobacco for market to meet the demands of the buyers. Livestock Marketing The livestock grading and marketing program instituted in 1937 was continued, and improvements and expansions deemed expedient were made. 60 Biennial Report A total of 8,837 lambs were graded, and, with the cooperation of State College Extension Service, were marketed cooperatively for a net return of $52,794.94 for the 500 farmers served. The animals originated in Alleghany, Ashe, Camden, Currituck, Pitt^ Tyrrell, and Watauga Counties, and a substantial saving was effected in the marketing of these lambs. New York is the prin-cipal and the highest priced lamb market in the United States ; and in selling North Carolina lambs in this market, they must first be assembled in carload lots. Ownership can not be pooled satisfactorily unless the lambs are graded so that the owners may receive returns commensurate with the quality of the lambs they include in the pool. The grading demonstrates the type of lamb that farmers can best afford to produce for the market, which renders market news more understandable and makes sight un-seen trading possible. Farmers of western North Carolina "pool" their laxMbs for grading before THEY are sold ON NORTHERN MARKETS. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE State Department of Agriculture's Markets Division in cooperation WITH State College Extension specialists. A bulletin listing feeder cattle for sale in the counties of Alle-ghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Mitchell, Madison^ Yancey, and Watauga Counties was issued in the fall of 1939. A total of 15,000 cattle belonging to 650 farmers was listed. Around 2,000 copies of this bulletin were distributed among prospective customers in North Carolina and in nearby states. This market-ing project brought a number of new feeder cattle customers to the farmers of western North Carolina and enabled them to market their cattle more profitably. It also established closer relationships between the cattle feeders of the eastern section and the producers in the grazing area of western North Carolina. Commissioner of Agriculture 61 Grading assistance was rendered for the livestock auction in Asheville. Aid was provided for the promotion and estabHsh-ment of a grading and trading terminal station for feeder cattle In Asheville. Grading assistance by Department representatives was arranged for the fall of 1940. It is believed that this pooling and private sales arrangement will be of material assistance to the cattle producers of western North Carolina, as well as to feeders operating in eastern North Carolina. A moving picture showing services rendered by freezer locker plants was assembled and shown to various promotional, educa-tion, and business groups throughout the State. The freezer locker plant is destined to become more widely used in North Carolina. Such plants make available an economical supply of palatable meats to farmer families throughout the year, and, in addition, step up the efficiency of livestock marketing. The De-partment was instrumental in securing a Federal Grant to estab-lish one of these plants in West Jefferson, North Carolina. Information showing the cost of erecting and operating a meat packing plant was assembled for the Charlotte Chamber of Com-merce, and a detailed report showing balance sheets and operating statements was submitted. The marketing specialist was made available for use in leading livestock marketing discussions ar-ranged by teachers of vocational agriculture. A number of such meetings were held and were well attended. It is expected that demands of this nature will be of even greater number in the future. Market News Service North Carolina producers, buyers, and sellers are provided daily with accurate and unbiased market news from both the permanent Raleigh office and seasonal temporary field offices, the objective of which is "orderdly marketing by facilitating and equalizing distribution and the discouraging of the dissemination of fictitious and misleading market information by biased sources." For nearly three years, this information has been made avail-able each market day to the general public. Though the service is now usually taken for granted, it has become an indispensable factor in the American system of marketing. Reliable market news is now practically a necessity in the operations and plans of everyone who produces, buys, or sells. The basic information is collected in many ways; by interviews, telegraphic reports, warehousemen, inspectors, and by numerous contacts with other groups. To distribute the information in time to be of practical use, the Raleigh office is directly connected with the United States De-partment of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service's leased 62 Biennial Report wire system of more than 7,500 miles (airline) or leased tele-phone wires. As the information is received in Raleigh, it is decoded and edited and distributed by mail, radio, and press. Farmers can not market intelligently unless they know the market values of their products. Neither can they be on an equal bargaining basis if they are not familiar with prices being paid in the various price setting markets. With that thought in mind, we have endeavored to make available to the farmers of North Carolina market information that would place them on an equal basis with any section of the United States. Seasonal daily mimeographed reports, in cooperation with the Agricultural Marketing Service, are issued from temporary field offices at Chadbourn, Washington, and Hamlet, North Carolina. In addition, the Raleigh office releases daily and weekly press, radio, and mimeograph reports on cotton, tobacco, feedstuffs, peanuts, poultry and eggs, dairy products, livestock, and fruits and vegetables. Also, for the producer who is not operating in the market throughout the season, weekly and monthly reviews and summaries are available. The reports issued at Chadbourn dealt with strawberries ; those at Washington with commercial early potatoes ; and the ones from Hamlet with peaches and watermelons. Field reports issued showed the total U. S. carlot shipments by States; primary destinations and Potomac yard's passings of North Carolina shipments ; and North Carolina and competitive f.o.b. prices. Too, telegraphic reports were received and dissemi-nated from the principal wholesale terminal markets. These telegrams included the factors that influence market adjustments and wholesale sales. Market information, developed early in 1938 and expanded dur-ing the biennium, is disseminated by mail to 3,000 North Carolina farmers each week and daily by nine radio stations, five daily newspapers, and the two press associations. Mail reports are issued to poultry and egg, cattle, hog, sheep and lamb, and apple producers while the radio and press releases cover the major agricultural commodities. The furnishing of daily and weekly price reports on tobacco, in cooperation with the Agricultural Marketing Service, according to grade is also an activity of the Division. Information on the grade of tobacco is of little value to the grower unless he is pro-vided simultaneously with information on the average selling prices of the various grades. With specific information on grade, and the equally specific information on price, the grower is able to arrive at the approximate value and can decide whether to-accept or reject the auction bid. Commissioner of Agriculture 63 Mutual and Cooperative Organizations Much work has been done with mutual and cooperative asso-ciations in the last two years. In compliance with the law governing them, their annual reports have been received and filed; suggestions designed to benefit their organizations in a business way have been made; and assistance in more efficient operation has been given. It was found that many organizations needed changes in their set-up, and they were rendered assistance in amending their charters, by-laws, and marketing agreements. Fourteen new associations have been incorporated. The charters, by-laws, and marketing agreements for many of these associa-tions have been prepared by representatives of the Division of Markets. The dairy organizations found it necessary to borrow money to build and equip their plants. The Columbia Bank for Cooperatives at Columbia, South Carolina, furnished a source for such loans, provided the cooperative was properly formed and their business practices were approved. Valuable assistance has been given in making applications in proper form and further help in following through to the final securing of these loans. Two more such arrangements have been started. Moving Pictures on Marketing The use of moving pictures as a means of encouraging approved marketing methods was inaugurated during the past year. The following 16 mm. Kodachrome film subjects have been produced: "Lespedeza as a Seed Crop in North Carolina," "A Tar Heel Potato Pleads His Case," "Freezer Lockers and Custom Meat Cur-ing in North Carolina," "Tar Heel Strawberries March On," and "Creating Consumer Preference for Tar Heel Vegetables." Other films are in the process of making on soybeans, lambs, tobacco, peaches, hays and other commodities ; and several suitable film subjects, mostly with sound, have been acquired from outside sources. These pictures have been used to carry the message of modern marketing practices visually to thousands of farmers in meetings throughout the State. They have been made available for various farm group meetings and vocational agricultural classes in rural high schools. Miscellaneous Services Numerous other occasional activities of the Division of Markets do not logically fall under the headings already outlined. A few of these will sufl[ice to convey some idea of their nature. Repre-sentatives of the Division attended and assisted various meetings of commodity societies interested in bettering marketing condi-tions. Two meetings were attended in Washington, D. C, re-garding the Wage and Hour Law as it affects North Carolina 64 Biennial Report strawberry growers, and much information was assembled for the Federal Wage and Hour Administration. The Resettlement Administration was furnished information on the migratory harvest labor situation in this State. A summary of municipal ordinances regulating itinerant merchant truckers of farm products was furnished for a survey by the Bureau of Agricul-tural Economics. An investigation was made of the local mar-keting needs of communities throughout the State. A conference was attended in Atlanta, Georgia, to consider a proposal of the railroads to accept inspection records in lieu of weighing on all cars of watermelons from the Southern States. Members of the Division participated in a number of meetings called by groups concerned with marketing problems of peculiar interest to their localities. Assistance and advice was rendered to a large number of individuals on specific phases of marketing. Personnel of the Division The increase in value and scope of marketing activities during the biennium has necessitated an enlargement of personnel. The marketing specialists have been carefully selected for ability, training, and practical experience in this vital field of agriculture. It has been a matter of pride that both the permanent and temporary employees have demonstrated unusual qualifications in their lines. Their harmonious, loyal, and enthusiastic services have made for effective accomplishments. f ^ Acknowledgments In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge your sympathetic interest and support in the work of the Division of Markets. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with branches of the United States De-partment of Agriculture with whom cooperative agreements have been operated, the State College Extension Service and Experi-ment Station with whom we have had joint projects, and all others who have contributed to our programs. Particular ap-preciation is expressed to the county agents and vocational agri-cultural teachers, who have frequently rendered valuable assis-tance in accomplishments of the Division. DIVISION OF STATE MUSEUM Harry T. Davis Objectives: Presentation of our Natural History and Natural Resources to the State and out-of-State visitors has continued as our major function during the past biennium. All exhibits have been improved as such and new exhibits have been added in our Halls for Fossils, Rocks, Minerals, Forestry, American Indian, Fishes and Marine Life, Birds, Mammals, and Agriculture. The public response to this has been encouraging. Accessions: This is given in summary and indicates the large number of specimens which come to or are collected by an active Museum. For obvious reasons all accessions do not become good exhibits, but we make use of most of them and the detailed records make up a body of useful information. Because of brevity this report carries acknowledgment of only major ac-cessions. Accessions by groups were : Fossils 52 Rocks and Minerals 140 Forestry and Botany 16 American Indian 316 Invertebrates 34 Fishes 43 Reptiles 87 Birds 198 Mammals — _ 40 Agriculture - 46 Books -.- 72 Pictures 3 9 Lantern Slides 33 Total 1,116 Exhibits: The most notable collection of fossil specimens was made at a W.P.A. built sewage disposal pit near Stantonsburg. Hundreds of pounds of whale bone fragments along with shark and crocodile teeth and juniper wood came from this pit. Most of the rocks and minerals were species and varieties and for local-ities new to this Museum. Remarkable was a fulgurite collected on an ancient Indian village site at Collington. This is a sand tube fused by lightning. Working with the University Laboratory of Archaeology, most of our American Indian material is sent to Chapel Hill. In turn we have their aid in building related educational exhibits. Notable burial urns on exhibit have come to us thru Mrs. O. C. Bruton, Mrs. George W. Little and Mrs. Chas. T. Pate, A notable soap-stone vessel came from the late Dr. James A. Wray. 66 Biennial Report The two most notable additions to our fish exhibits have been a 75 pound Channel Bass from Ocracoke, by Fred Stedman, and a 594 pound Blue Marlin which was taken off Cape Hatteras by Marshall Dana on rod and reel. Both of these are records for the United States east coast and the latter was secured thru Tom Eaton. Other fish that were new records for North Carolina are a thirty-five pound Long-finned Albacore, a Rudder Fish and a Wahoo. New to our exhibits are a three foot Angel Shark, and a 58 pound Sail-fish. Among reptiles our live poisonous snakes in Hall I continue to be a major attraction carrying the knowledge of our native poisonous snakes. New mounts of non-poisonous species have been added. In Bird exhibits we added the firsts for North Carolina; in Glossy Ibis—by Clyde Mason—in Great Black-backed Gulls—by Sam Walker—and in Greater Shearwater and Audubon's Shear-water— by Mart Fulcher. Other birds new to our exhibits or skin collection are : Roseate Tern, Western Willet, Western Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Seaside Sparrow, Black Tern and Cory's Shearwater. The larger number of the birds received were used to build up our study and reference collection of skins, which is now one of the best in the southeast. Bird students and college classes are making greater use of these. The reconstruction and relighting of a large habi-tat group of Water Turkey, Osprey and Cormorant in our Bird Hall has been a noteworthy improvement. Our most notable addition to mammals was a female seventeen foot Beaked Whale which was stranded on the Gull Shoal Beach, Hatteras Island. This is a small whale which is quite rare. What was more unusual this female carried a well developed foetus, seven feet long. As exhibits we are preparing to show the mother and unborn young as well as the complete skeleton. Ben Dixon McNeill and the C.C.C. Camp at Manteo aided in securing these. In the Hall devoted to Agriculture we added interesting old home and farm implements. More useful were a series of to-bacco and egg samples with labels to explain the basis of grading of these products. These were prepared with the Marketing Division. The suggestion is in order that other Divisions of the Department might well consider presentation of some of their work thru the Museum. Much needed books have been added to our working library — in part thru donations—and other valuable publications from Museums and as subscriptions. Comparatively few pictures were added, but we greatly need more of these to clarify and publicize our exhibits. The lantern slides are principally of fishes, and we Commissioner of Agriculture 67 plan some of other subjects in order that we may better present our work to outside groups. Mrs. Thomas O'Berry presented us twenty-one valuable water-color paintings of native Flowers. These were painted by Gene Erwin and Frances Durant under the E.R.A. Art Project. One modern museum case was added and it indicates clearly what improvement can be made in exhibits. New fluorescent lighting was designed and installed in a few of our cases and the result is better light and more light. Our labels are being pro-gressively improved at low cost by using a small printing machine which was purchased jointly with the Hall of History. Publications: |