The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-28
AGRICULTURE


The intrinsic msoranee " agriculture aud the nunber
Of people engaged in this pursuit Justify the expeAdt
has demonstrated the incaonlabo benenis which the
farmer has derived FROM The discoveries OF SCIENCE,
the general Infusion ii Intelligence has generally re-
his aversion 10 change IN the modes o. caMva-
ton. 80.
The agricultural reports which have been annually 10
sued from shs pave pssn
have been printed and widely circulated the Influence
exer,ed by them be ascertaned but their or
euaiioD has been follow led by spirit Of inquiry N the
public mind and readiness adopt methods Of cul
ture ana improved imp 'meus OF hnsbaDdry, AM ie
maDures from remote Islands, aod
for the introduction Of useful plants anu animals from
abroad
is impracticabe to open and conduct experimental
favm under the direction supervision Of this depart
ment upon which the value OF plants and new theo
ries III cultivation may be tested and determined This
task must be left 10 practical men who have direc-
rious agricultural associations composed. Each 80
siety, in is LEGALITY can cause each new
with certainty the usefulness and proitablenss
OF each These peculiar facilities Of the agricultural so
ubc service In the portion Of compiler of the facts
established and the Information obtained, through thsse
agencies and The experience Of private individuals.
For years. seeds and cuttings Of foreign aud domestic
growth have been distributed through IN the country
This has created such active and extensive demand tor
them that il impossible for the office TO meet 1t; and
consequently individual enterprise has enlisted In this
vice, and improved ties have become articles Of cam
me every part Of the country. Those who eossee
III this TRACE Justly complain Of The injury done
by gratous distribution by government OF large
quantities Of the very articles offered by them Ia market
The last Congress having greatly reduced the appropr
below forme estimates the policy Of distributing seeds
Of domestic growth abandoned, and no portion OF
II Is believed to be both wise and just TO conaue opera
lions TO the purchase and distribution Of such varieties OF
plants, Seeds cuttings, &C., as have not already been IN
The tea seed has been introduced from China and ger
minated in houses prepared for that purpose In Washing
ton The step next be taken to convey the plants To
suitable localities and TO them to be tested undes
The supervision Of intelligent and responsible persons
This viii do done the earliest practicable PERIOD and
with apprehension to their successful growth IN all
cases In which proper attention shall be given
Tho successful cultivation of the vino IN this country
longer remains experiment. The BREATH Of land
planted IN vineyards is every day extending and
the yield ia large and remunerative. The estimate
that We now nave more snan eleven b, nosa ,So
product Of Vineyards in the most favorable sea
son, has been eight hundred gallons 10 the acre. the
average crop per OF the whole country will compare
favoraby with that Of the most successful produc
ing countries Of Europe and its value is Ave six hun
drcd per cent greater at the places production
The different species OF native grapes have been sought
for and tar practicable the value of each tor the
manufacture Of wine has been tested by chemical analysis
The modes OF cultivation and the OF making and
preserving wine have been examined and much interest
ing and valuable information obtained large number
Of cuttings Of the best aud most approved varieties have
been prepared for distribution.
Steps have been taken to introduce from foreign conn
tries variety Of seeds, plants aud trees which may be
usefully cultivated and grown In this country.
number Of scientific gentlemen in various parts OF the
United States have been engaged for several years past
without compensation in making meteorological observa
toDs, which have been regularly communicated to the
Patent Oce the necessary Instruments being provided
joint expense OF the Patent Office and the Smthso
nian Institution To reduce these observations TO
densed tabular form has involved expenditure which
has alec been jointly sustained. These observations thus
condensed ready for the press and will
pany the annual report OF the Commissioner OF Patents
They exhibit the temperature Of the In dit
ere parts Of the country and thus furnish data
ed Of high importance in scientific agriculture aud Of
great value in supplying the facts which based
important theories Of the winds and storms that sweep
over the continent
justice the gentlemen who have devoted their time
and labor in this behalf these tables should be printed
but whether the expense should be betrayed by the
Smithsonian Institution by the government Is question
submitted for the determination Of Congress.
am, str, very respectfully, your obedient servant
j. THOMPSON
Secretary of the Interior.
The pRFs1pENT Of tho United States