The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-27

being insufficient to erect new building adapted
to the purpose of their permanent preservation, 1t
thought best to remove that part oil the struc-
ture which interfered with the foundation OF the
Patent Office and rebuild it in a cheap manner, 50
as to preserve the plants until Congress might fix
upon spot on which a permanent building should
be constructed and select adjacent grounds Tor the
cultivation Of the harder plants OF thu collection.
Something has been done within the present
son towards enclosing and protecting the waste and
neglected portions Of the public grounds; but,
owing to the limited appropriation for that object,
but little in planting or adjoining them. And IN
carefully looking the best planted portions OF
the grounds, near the Presidents mansion and
about the Capitol, il cannot but be observed how
meager is the collection of trees and shrubs both
native and exotic. la planting the newly enclosed
grounds this defect ought to be reedied at least as
to those ofour native forests, OF which many varie
ties, and some of them the most beautiful and the
best fitted for plantations and lawns, have been
wholly neglected. rich variety OF exotics,
though desirable, is of less importance, as there are
within the temperate zone on the eastsgs continent
but few trees shrubs which have trot their con
generic on this, of at least equal luxuriance and
beauty.
make the requisite appropriation, considerable pro-
gress may be made in the coming season in collect
ing choice varieties of forest trees and shrubs and
planting and improving the grounds
The report of the Commissioner of Public Build
ings will show the expenditures already made on
the various Improvements under his care, and also
in the work thus far done on the wings OF the Pa
tent Office building, together with an estimate OF
deficiencies for the present, and accessory appro-
priations for the next fiscal year.
PATENT OFFICE.
The Patent Office, which marks the progress and
collects the results of the inventive genius of the
American people, is object OF increasing interest
and importance The skilful and ready applica-
ton of the accumulated stores of human knowl-
edge especially the natural sciences to the wants
and purposes of man. is distinguishing character
stic of the present age. Not but that the discove-
ries of science are pressed as vigorously and with
as great intellectual power in this as in the past
but the present is especially marked by the practi
cal application of every thing known, and which
becomes known, to the daily wants and uses and
purposes OF life.
In this noble struggle for the earliest attainment
of the useful in the arts; this pressing forward &c
the amelioration of the condition of man, the in
creasing Of his comforts and lessening his tolls by
the application of science TO the improvement OF
his industrial pursuits, that country will be fore
most in which enlightened mind is most generally
| and most Immediately brought into contact with
operative labor.
1t is i'll that fortunate concurrence of pursuits,
where the hours of labor in the workshop made
to alternate with these of study and research that
there are cultivated and matured minds like those
of Franklin, Rittenhouse, Watt, and Davy, rich in
nductve science, and ready in its application to
all that is useful ennobling. Many of the best
and ripest minds of own country belong 10 this
are still devoting themselves witt signal success to
scientific discoveries and mechanical improvements
and inventions
There ia, as a matter OF course, among the inven-
tons of the day, mixed with the we'll directed and
the useful, much that is wild and visionary, and
therefore abortive; and sometimes, perhaps, the
vague and, for the present, useless foreshadowing
of important future discoveries. But the aggre-
gate value of the labor and study of the class OF
inventors is beyond all estimate. They have proved
themselves bcnefactors to their country, and are
entitled TO the especial consideration and care Of
the Government. The report of the Commissioner
of Patents, which will be presented at early day
will show a large surplus fund accumulated from
their contributions, part of which was appropri
ated at the last session OF Congress towards th'
erection Of the wings of the Patent Office building
No part of this addition is considered necessary FOL
the of that office. Instead of thus directing TIN
fund TO general purpose of the Government, i
would seem but just to apply it as the COMMISSIONS
recommends, or in some other manner that thu
wisdom of Congress may suggest, for the cncour
agement of the inventive arts and the reward o
successful inventors.
AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
The agricultural interest stands first in import
in country, and cmbodies within itself th'
principal elements Of our national wealth and pow
err; and il should be with us, it has been and Il
with all other prosperous civilized nations, lead
ing object of public care and patronage. The prn
cipal nations of Europe have their agriculture
boards, known by various names, under the dircc
ton of men of high scientific attainments, support
ed out of the revenues and connected with the ad
ministration Of the government. And, TO borrow
the language of the Father of his Country in hi
last annual message: "Tbis species of establish
mcnt contributes doubly TO The increase of i'm
provement, by stimulating to enterprise and ex
pertinent, and by drawing TO "A common centre
the results every where of individual skill and OBJ
| servaton. and spreading them thence over tia,
| whole nation Experience accordingly has shown
that they are very cheap instruments OF immens'
national benefit"
No direct aid has been extended by our Govern
ment to agriculture, except by the yearly collection
and publication, through the Patent Office, of som
agricultural experiments and statistics, and recent
ly the analysis of some soils and vegetable produc
tons. The means thus applied, though useful II
their results, are wholly inadequate
To meet the great object fully, and give to thi
| leading branch Of American industry the aid which
il well merits, respectfully suggest the estab
| hshment of an Agricultural Bureau, connected
with this Department, but separated from the Pa
tent Office. The expense would be small compared
with the end to be accomplished.
| If this suggestion should meet with the approba
ton of Congress aud the organization Of the bu
reau become a subject of consideration, much ale
| may be derived from consulting the systems adopt
| cd by France and Belgium, both Of which have dom
much towards the Advancement Of agriculture as
science Belgium, il il believed, has the best or
ganized agricultural department, and, partly ow
ing TO this partly to the natural fertility Of its soil
| the best cultivated and most highly productiv
country in Europe.
| PENSION OFFICE.
| The amount of business in the Pension Bureau /
| large. The number of invalid pensioners has in
creased during the last year nine hundred an,
| eighty mine. The whole number now on the list
| four thousand one hundred and fifteen.
The amount of claims for bounty land warrant
filed prior to the 9TH November lest
| about .............. S5,VO
| OF these there have been suspended or re-
! jected about 5000.
The number which remain to be filed may
be estimated at. ....................., 2O,OO
Making an aggregate oi.............. lO3,OO
| PUBLIC LANDS.
| II will be seen by the report Of the COMMISSIONS
of the General Land Office, that the surveys of pub
| lie lands have been pressed forward with diligenc
and energy, so as TO bring new and good land
into market sufficient 10 supply the wants Of cm
/ grafton.
| The quantity sold for cash in
! the first three-quartcrs of the