The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-07-24
The New Agricultural Department.


The New Agricultural Department.
Among the important measures passed by
Congress at its session just closed, was the
Act establishing the new Department of Ag-
riculture," at Washington.
President Lincoln, in his first annual Mes
sage, recommended the establishment of an
Independent Bureau for this great interest, and
the Secretary Of the Interior, in his first Re-
port urged the maintenance of such Depart
ment, separate and distinct from any other
Bureau. Formerly, the agricultural interest
was managed as a subordinate branch, con-
trolled by the Patent Office, and in charge of
clerk, only; by the passage of the late act of
Congress, an entire new Department is author
lied, and Hon. Isaac Newton, ofPennsylvania,
has been appointed commissioner, and chief ex-
ecutive officer, by the President,
Mr.. Newton brings to his high position pc
culiar talents for this place. His practical and
thorough acquaintance with the agricultural
wants and interests of the country, and his
enlarged experience i'm matters pertaining to
this important subject render his acceptance
of the appointment especially fortunate to the
Administration, while it proves highly salts
factory on all sides, to the great community of
American farmers and horticulturists, who
will be benefited by this long needed and i'm
portant auxiliary of the national government.
Richard C. Mccormick, ESQ.,, of New York,
has been selected as chief clerk of this Depart
ment, and his extensive information, and ripe
acquaintance with the minute of those sub
jects which must come under the supervision
of this Bureau, affords ample guarantee of val
liable and efficient aid in that direction. Mr..
Mccormick has been for many years enthus-
astic in his devotion to stock-breeding, and
general agricultural matters. He has trav-
elled widely in Europe, as well as in his own
country, and is a progressive man." in the
most generous construction of the term.
Commissioner Newton-aided by his chief
clerks now busily occupied in organizing
his Department at Washington. The object
of the New Agricultural Bureau, we under
stand, win be to simplify and present. in ac-
ceptable forms TO the country, such reports re-
lating to agriculture, commerce, and manufac
lures, probably, as from time to time can be
gathered and arranged-to collate statistical
information upon these subjects-to gather
from the States and Territories correct state
ments regarding the nature of soils, and their
adaptation to the various crops-and, in the
language of the act establishing this Depart
ment-"to acquire and diffuse among the peo-
pie ofthe United States, useful information on
toI ..;.l. l.
cially) sin the most general and comprehens-
i've sense of the word, and to procure, propa-
gate, and distribute among the people, new
and valuable seeds, plants etc.
The commissioner is directed to acquire and
preserve in his Department, all information
which he can obtain through books or CORES
pondence, by practical and scientific expert
ments, by collecting statistics, or by any other
appropriate means within his power, and which
may be agreeable with his judgment; to cell
lect valuable seeds and plants, to test these by
cultivation, to propagate such as he may deem
worthy, to distribute them among agricultur-
lists, to make an annual General Report to
Congress, and such special reports as he may
consider desirable, or when the same shall be
required by the President, or by either House
OF Congress, and to direct the expenditure of
all monies appropriated in form to this Depart
ment.
The Committee Of Congress who reported
the bill instituting the new Department, de-
clare that annual reports from such Bureau
as this is designed to be-setting forth the
condition OF our agriculture, manufactures,
ETC., with comparative statements regarding
similar facts in foreign countries-must evil
IDENTIFY prove most valuable repertories of in
formation, the absence of which Gfften occa-
sons incalculable loss to the material interests
of the country. A properly arranged and Wig
ilantly conducted Bureau ofthis character. con-
trolled and directed by an efficient and COM
petent head, will come to be appreciated, in
very brief space of time; and it is the design
of the present Commissioner, aided by able
subordinates, to make the new department
lasting and valuable institution, which will
legitimately commend itself to the best good
wishes of the Government and the people of
the country.
The farming and producing interests of the
United States, beyond question, is the prime
foundation of all other interests, as well as the
first grand source of the nations prosperity.
"The cultivation ofthe earth was the first duty
assigned to man-and when its culture shall
have reached its highest point of perfection,
under the guidance of science, art, and skill,
man may hope to find the whole earth trans
formed into the beautiful garden that he left
i'm the olden time"
1t is the duty as it is the pleasure of our
Government to foster and care literally for
this important interest; and to this end, the
new Department is now being organized-hav-
ing prominently in view as its object the con-
slant advancement of the interests of agricul-
ture throughout the country. 1t is desirable
that an earnest cooperation shall be enlisted
of those for whose benefit its manager, under
the fostering smiles ofthe Government, devotes
his time, his energies, and his talents, in order
that "the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber," may be realized, so far as the efforts of
this Department may be concerned Commu-
nications therefore, embracing facts as to the
results of agricultural, horticultural, or floral
MISUNDERSTANDING reference to improve
ments and economy in stock-breeding-the
production of wool, or the nature and improve
ment Of soils-regarding the culture of fruit
trees, vines, plants, and kindred subjects, will