The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-04

m progress to ascertain the qualities Of different
soils the comparative Rutritiye properties Of diff
ferent animal and vegetable productions; and the
utility and efficiency Of various manures IN fertIl
izing and renovating the exhausted lands OF the
old States.
encouragement may be afforded to enterprises
like these and facilities furnished for the collection
Of seeds, plants, and vegetables from all parts Of
the earth, and their distribution throughout the
country.
Premiums may be offered for the best practical
treatises on the different branches Of husbandry,
which can be published and sent abroad among
the people. By means like these a spirit of phil
osophic inquiry may lie stimulated, and great
impulse given to the interests ofagriculture. Much
has already been done in this respect through the
agency Of the Patent Office but the subject is too
important to be left in this dependant condition.
The last annual report from the Department re-
commended the establishment OF an Agricultural
Bureau, to afford to this great branch Of Ameri-
can industry the encouragement which II so well
deserves. This Is no novel suggestion. 1t had
the sanction of Washington, who, in his last annu-
al message, referring to the propriety OF creating
an agricultural board, said "This species Of es-
adjustment contributes dc ubly to the increase Of
improvement by stimulating to enterprise and
experiment, and by drawing to common cen
ire the results, every where, Of individual skill
and observation, and spreading them thence over
the whole nation. Experience accordingly has
shown that they are very cheap instruments OF
immense national beneht.
therefore renew the recommendation of my
predecessor for the establishment OF separate bu-
reau, to be entrusted with the duty or promoting
the agricultural interests Of the country The vast
extent and rapid development OF the mineral re-
sources Of the country seem to require that ade-
auate provision Should also be made by law for the
collection and analysis of the various mineral sub
stances which have been or may be discovered, so
that their properties may be understood AM their
value correctly appreciated.
The purchase of farm in the vicinity of the
national metropolis, to be titled and managed I'M
der the direction Of the bureau, has been suggested
as an important auxiliary in illustrating the best
modes Of culture. If this idea should be favorably
received | would respectfully add that Mount
Vernon, whose soil was once titled by the hands
and is now consecrated by the dust of the Father
of his Country, should properly belong to the ma
ton, and might with great propriety become, I'M
der its auspices, a model farm to illustrate the
progress Of that pursuit to which he was SO much
devoted.
Census.
Shortly after the passage Of the act Of 23d of
May, 1885, for taking the seventh census, and for
other purposes, a superintendent appointed,
and the other measures deemed necessary to Sc
Ire the prompt and faithful performance of that
duty adopted. The returns which now coming
in daily from all parts Of the Union, give crafty
ing assurances that the census vii! be completed
within the time limited by law, and IN a manner
highly credtable to all who have been engaged in
it. In some few instances delays may occur IN
consequence Of casualties which could not have
been avoided, and in one or two Of the most re-
mote territories, in the receipt of the schedules.
The amount of valuable statistical information
collected and embodied in these returns will far ex-
coed any thing of the kind known in our past his
tory and it is therefore important that provision
should be made at an early day for printing such
abstracts as may be deemed Of practical utility, in
a style and form worthy of the subject and Of the
country.
The report OF the superintendent will show that
additional legislation may be necessary to do full
Justice to the marshals Of some Of the more re-
mote and sparsely populated sections of the
country.
.Merican Boundary Surrey.
NY predecessor reported to the President, on
the 18th OF May last, in answer to call from the
Senate for information relative to the progress of
this survey that the initial point on the Pacific,
and the point of junction of the Gila with the Colo
RADIO river, had been determined and fixed; that
the intervening line Of boundary had been run and
marked, and temporary monuments erected there
on, for distance Of about thirty miles; and that
the operations of the Joint commission had been
suspended about the LIST Of February last by an
adjournment to the LIST Monday in November u-
timo. The temporary monuments alluded to are
now being replaced by permanent ones, and the
joint commission Chat on the part or the United
States having been reorganized prior to my taking
charge Of the Department. have doubtless assem-
bed at Ell Paso, according to the terms Of their
adjournment, for the purpose of running and
marking the line thence westward to the river CHA
1t is the determination Of the Department that
this work shall be pressed forward to completion
with the utmost despatch, so that, If possible the
expectations Of Congress- as indicated in the ap
preparation act af 18th May last may be realized.
Public Buildings.
L ~ Il
the annual message of the late President to Con-
gress took occasion to invite attention to the con-
dition of the public buildings, and to show the
tendency Of the Capitol, Patent Office, and the
Treasury Blu ding to dilapidation, from the per-
ishable nature of the material of which they are
constructed. Personal observation has satisfied
me that his fears on that subject well founded.
Experience has demonstrated that the sandstone
of which they are built, when left unprotected
from the action of the atmosphere, rapidly dist :
tegrates.
The only temporary preventive which has yet
been discovered and applied, is strong coating of
paint, which, by closing the pores Of the stone,
prevents the absorption of water. This expedi-
ent has been found to be attented with partial sue
cess in the preservation Of the Capitol and Presi
dents house. | would respectfully recommend,
therefore, that an Appropriation be made OF an
amount sufficient to defray the cost of coating the
Treasury Building thoroughly with paint. But
at the same time it should be left discretionary to
adopt any improved method of eifecting the same
end
In regard to the Patent Office, as the wings are
to be of white marble, and the ends now pro- |
tected by being Joined to the wings, leaving only
the front and rear exposed to decay, and as not
merely dsintegration but actual dllapidation has
already commenced, would recommend that the
entire exterior facing of the front be removed, and
its place supplied by veneerlng of white marble
of the same quality as that used in the consruc-
ton of the wings. The whole building would then
present a uniform appearance, and be rendered
comparatively indestructible by atmospheric agen-
cy Practical workmen have expressed the opn-
ion that il be done at small cost when com
pared with its beneficial results, and without in
any degree endangering the security and stability
Of the walls. But should any doubt be enter
tanned the subject, scientific engineers might be
and means taken to ascertain the actual
cost in time for legislative action before the close
of the approaching session of Congress. If the
result should be favorable, it would then be time
to inquire how far the same system should be pur-
sued in reference to the Treasury Building. The
extent Of the coonnade in front of that building,
however, gives reason to doubt whether the same
system can he readily adoped in REGARD 10 it,