on through bureaus. The Department collects and publishes the latest information on the subject of agriculture. Most of its publications may be had without charge. The United States Weather Bureau takes observations day and night all over the country and sends out notices by telegraph and other signals of all weather conditions and changes both on land and on the water. Weather predictions are published daily for the benefit of the people. In this way farmers are given a chance to protect their crops against expected changes. Nearly every other kind of business is benefited by the Weather Bureau service.

Through the Bureau of Animal Industry diseases of domestic animals are investigated and stamped out. Most of the meat produced in this country must be passed by the Bureau's inspectors before it may be sold to the public. The Bureau also gives information about dairy farming.

The Forest Service, another one of the bureaus, saves great wealth to the nation. Our country's forests have been wasted. This has meant loss of valuable timber and has also increased the danger of floods. The Forest Service conducts investigations and advises in the protection and management of forests and their use. It also furnishes many valuable publications free of charge.

The Bureau of Chemistry prevents the sale or transportation of impure, falsely labeled, poisonous, or injurious foods, drugs, and medicines from one state to another or from other countries. The Bureau also improves ways of preserving fruit juices and of packing, shipping, and handling poultry, eggs, fish, and other foodstuffs.

Other bureaus of the Department of Agriculture are interested in studies of the soil in all parts of the country. Farmers are informed how to increase the fertility of the soil. The National Government coöperates with the State Departments of Agriculture. Experts carefully study inseets that are harmful to plants, animals, and human

beings. Steps are then taken to destroy these insects. The Department is always ready to serve the public.

Secretary of Commerce.-The Secretary of Commerce, head of the Department of Commerce, endeavors to promote the commercial, manufacturing, mining, and transportation interests of the people of the United States. The Census Bureau is a part of this Department. This Bureau

takes a census of the United States every ten years and collects such statistics as are required by Congress.

Secretary of Labor.-The Secretary of Labor, head of the Department of Labor, works to "foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage-earners of the United States, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment." He does this mainly by securing and publishing information regarding the conditions under which laborers live and work

and all other matters that affect them. The Department of Labor also includes the Bureau of Immigration, which has oversight over immigrants and foreigners living in this country. The Department also includes the Bureau of Naturalization, which has charge of the work of conferring citizenship upon people born in other countries. The Chil

dren's Bureau, which deals with problems of child labor and welfare, is a part of the Department of Labor.

Impeachment. In case the President of the United States or any other man who holds a United States office is accused of not doing his duty, the House of Representatives may inquire into the complaints against him. If the House of Representatives thinks he ought to be removed from office, it may make complaint against him and he must be tried. This is called impeaching the office holder.

Members of Congress themselves cannot be impeached. The Senate tries the cases of those impeached by the House of Representatives. If the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court presides at the trial. If two-thirds of the Senators who try the case vote against the officer, he must lose his office. He may never again hold a United States office.

1. What is the Executive Department for?
2. Who is at the head of this Department?
3. What are some of the President's duties?
4. For how long is he elected?

5. Can you become President?

children become President?

Give reasons.

Can your

6. How is the President elected? The Vice-President?

7. What are the duties of the Vice-President?

8. When does a new President take office?

9. What do we call that day?

10. Who assists and advises the President?

11. What are the duties of the different Cabinet officers? 12. What is meant by impeachment?

13. Who is President now?

14. Who served before him?

15. How many Presidents have we had?

16. Who was the first one?

CHAPTER IV

THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

United States Courts.-The Judicial Department of the United States Government consists of three classes of regular courts and two special courts. The judges of all these courts are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. They hold office during good behavior, which generally means for life, or as long as they are physically able to perform their duties as judges, unless they resign of their own desire.

The Supreme Court.-The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the country. Its decisions are final and must be respected by all the people in the United States. In case of dispute this Court decides what is the meaning of laws that have been made by Congress. It also decides whether or not Congress had the right to make a particular law. In case it decides that Congress had no right to pass such a law, then that law becomes void and cannot be enforced. Many cases are brought to it on appeal from the state courts. Thus it is at the head of the whole judicial system of the United States.

This Court consists of a Chief Justice and eight associate justices.

Circuit Courts of Appeals.-The United States is divided into nine judicial circuits or districts. One justice of the Supreme Court holds court in each circuit and is assisted by from two to five circuit judges, according to the number of cases to be tried. They hear cases that are appealed to them from the district courts.