Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-12-28
New Commissioners Of Agriculture.


The New York Tribune gives the following
sketch of Colonel Capron, the present Com
missioner of Agriculture who is we'll known
10 Maryland $50 -
Colonel Horace Capron is, perhaps, htty-five
years of age. He has white hair, a sprightiy
look, a quick step, and a business turn. 'Heis
a native of Maryland. Some years ago he be-
came possessed of about one thousand acres Of
land 10 Prince George county, which was so
completely exhausted that not enough grass
could have been cut from 1t to keep COW over
winter Having some capital, he went to work
to restore this land. Large quantities of lime
were bought to give basis to the soi to this
were added ashes muck, plaster, and other fer
tilizers, by which means stand OF clover was
obtained, and afterward Of grass. Upon this
foundation he was enabled to grow large crops
of grain, and at times the fields produced over
one hundred bushels of corn and from thirty
five to even fifty bushels of wheat to the acre.
In connection, Colonel Capron became inter
ested in Devon cattle, and he was so successful
in their breeding and care that he took prizes
wherever they were exhibited. Meanwhile, he
contributed largely to agricultural literature,
particularly in the American Farmer of Balti-
more. and he may be considered as one of the
founders OF this species of writing in this coun-
try. s."
In 1854 Mr.. Capron removed to McHenry
county, Illinois, where he purchased q large
farm In connection with farming he had en-
gagged in manufactures and he met with such
reverses that in manner he failed but he
went to work, and with his own hands, that is,
either in driving oxen or holding the plow, he
broke up over five hundred acres of new
prairie. Here he continued to improve his
Devons, and at the great U. s. Fair, held at
Chicago, he drew the highest prizes. About
ten years ago he removed to Peoma county, in
the same State Notwithstanding Col. Ca
prom 8 efforts to introduce the Devons, they
have not proved universal favorites, as they do
not take on flesh equally with the Durhams,
nor are they celebrated for milk. But for
working cattle they have no superior. Their
bright red, beautiful form and gentleness, give
them great value on the farm, and when gra-
ded with common stock, so as to preserve the
red, they have become enduring and heavy
mixers Upon the commencement OF the wal
Mr.: Capron volunteered and served as Colonel
with the appreciation of his fellow-soldiers and
citizens In many respects COL Capron resem.
bles many intelligent planters who, several
years ago, removed from Kentucky to Illinois,
and by their love Of country, by their hospital
ity and courteous but unaffected manners, they
have done much to adorn the society of the
Prairie State Practical men will note that
Col. Capron brings to his department. qualities
not often found in one Of his profession-that
is, knowledge Of the methods for restoring
worn-out land-a practical experience in hard
work and whatever uses arise from adversely:
In my interview with Colonel Capron, l
found him free to impart his views. SO tar as
they were matured, and they may be stated
about as follows The practice Of distributing
seeds, except those which are new and rare,
will be- discontinued. The expenditures must
not exceed the appropriations, and already re-
trenchment has commenced by the discharge
Of those hitherto employed in the seed depart
ment. He will solicit correspondence with
leading farmers throughout the whole country,
and he is more Inclined to make the agrlcultu-
raj press the medium of whatever information
he may have to impart, than to have medium
of his own. Whether it will be useful to SEND
out periodical estimate of crops he has not
vet decided. In particular, he would like TO
secure the assistance of the different State
organizations, and be would rather speak tor
them than to them. He does not claim to
know what is best, and he said with emphasis
that we have much to learn; in short, bis idea
is that The most good will arise from mutual
support and good will between the Department
and the agricultural press and the farmers
generally He finds that a reorganization OF
the Department is necessary.