The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-23
An Agricultural Bureau.

The speech of Mr.. NEWTON, of Ohio, in the
House of Representatives on Tuesday, will re-
mind the country Of the continued indisposition
of Congress to decide on the long pending pro-
position for the establishment of an Agricultu-
raj Bureau. The only imaginable excuse that
can be urged in defence of the delay is, that
what has remained undone-though admitted
to be desirabe-from the days of WAsHINGroN
may, without much offence, be postponed at
least session longer. At every available pc
riod during his Presidential career, WASHING
TON dwelt upon the necessity of measures to
elevate and improve agricultural pursuits; and
| a majority of his successors have followed his
example in this respect. JEFFERSON; MADISON
Monroe, ADAMS, JACKSON, Polk, TAYLOR,
| and FILLMORE have In their messages recon-
mended consideration Of the subject, on grounds
which, so far as we know, have never been
disputed. Still there has been no action upon
it, beyond the preparation of bills, which have
been presented, incidentally discussed, and
then quietly sheved without conjunction or
complaint.
la his message of December, 1850, Mr..
FILLMORE wrote as follows:
"More than three iourths of our population arc
engaged in the cultivation Of the soil. The com
mercial, manufacturing, and navigating interests
are all, to great extent, dependent tho agri.
cultural It's, therefore, the most important in.
tcrest OF the nation, and has just claim 10 the
fostering care and protection ef the Government
20 far as they be extended consistently with
the provisions Of the Constitution. As ths cannot
be done by the ordinary modes Of legislation, re-
spcctfully recommend the establishment of an Ag-
ricultural Bureau, to be charged with the duty Of
giving to this leading branch of American indus.
try the encouragement which il go well deserves
In view Of the immense mineral resources Of our
country, provision should ALEC be made for the EN-.
ploymont Of competent mineralogist and che
mist, who should be required, under the direction
Of the head Of the bureau TO collect specimens Of
the various minerals Of our country. and TO sscer-
tain. by careful analysis their respective elements
and properties and their aptstion to useful pur.
pOses He should alec be required to examine and
report upon the qualities OF different SOLE and the
manurcs best calculated to improve their produc-
tiyeness BY publishing the results of such expert
ments, with suitable explanations, and by the col
lection and distribution of seeds and plants,
with instructions to the beat system Of cutiva-
ton, much may be done TO promote this great ma
tional interest"
And in his message to the present Congress
he renewed the recommendation. at is sin
gular fact, /" he said, chat
whilst the manufacturing and commercial in |
tercsts have engaged the attention Of Congress |
during large portion of every session, and our |
statutes abound in provisions for their protection
and encouragement, little has yet been do ne di-
recuy for the Advancement Of agriculture. 1t is
time that this roproach to legislation should be
l..
Congress will not close their labors without adopt
ing efficient means 70 supply the omissions Of those
who have preceded them.
Gan Agricultural Bureau, charged with the duty
IF collecting and disseminating correct informa-
ion to the beet modes Of cultivation, and of the
most efectual means of preserving and restoring
he fertility Of the soil, and Of procuring and die
ributing seeds and plants and other negotiable
productions, with instructions in regard to the
oil. climate, and treatment best adapted to their
growth, could not fail TO be, in the language Of
Washington, in bis last annual message to Con-
yrcss, very cheap instrument Of immense ma
'ona benefit"
Ii may well be doubted whether our repeat
ID acquisitions of territorial possessions have J
ot in great degree tended to hide from the /,
ubc know ledge Of the wan, of science as !
ppIicable to agriculture. The quantity of ac- S
essible land has Withdrawn attention from the '
Importance of improving the quality of that :
lready cultivated. Eastern farmers have been :,
rome to act on the principle Of extracting as f
luch as possible from the soil with the least /,
ossible labor, and with little regard to ulti-
rate consequences; and when, at length, fields r
hitch at first produced thirty bushels per acre @
wlndIed to ten, and even five, they have been p