Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-11-04
Our Agricultural Interests.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICuI-
TuRE--ISDusTglAI. coLlEGEs--souTHERN
Observation-Disclosures DisEAsE---GgAPR
crLTURE--THE CROPS of THE YEAR, ETC. |
The seventh annual report of the COM
missioner of agriculture and the accompany
ing report of the statistician of the depart
ment, have been completed. They are
valuable and interesting papers, containing
important suggestions and recommendations
and useful statistics Of production. exports,
markets, &c.
General Capron, the commissioner, in his |
report, speaks approyingly of the industrial
colleges now springng into being through |
out the Northern and Western States, which, |
lac says, though various IN character and |
aims, and AZ present, in the weakness and
inetiiciency q heir infancy, are destined to
be powerful sdjutorg in the legitimate
work Of this department. Already has the
d'22ussiga attendant upon their organization
sh j inquiry, Tected prejudices, diffused
iuls~ns4rn aD4 aroused enthusiasm for
5raetiSai educ lion, which cannot fail 10 ae-
compHs. good ults.
II is gratifying 10 observe, says the COM
missioner, tat evidences Of vitality in South
ern agricl. ne, which progressively and
successfully AaTshaiilg die forces OF recu-
peration, and gradually dispellng the des-
pondency resulting from the losses Of civil
war, the change in the labor system, the dis
iupton of families and the mpoyershment
OF estates An impetus has been given to
business by the introduction oil Northern
capitals and in the future more rapid pro-
gress may be expected from HE same cause.
Money, population and skill in special in
dustries are lhc requisites for success in de
ycloping the resources and extending aud
pcrtrciing the agriculture ii the South. ln
In view of all the circumstances affecting
cotton IL may he deemed rcmarka-
hle fact that The yicld has attained an cqa
NJ with that of 1850 and is hall Us great as
the excessive product Of $40 and $500
which gluttcd the markets If the world, and
would have caused Il disCoulaging dcpres-
sion in prices but for the cessation Of cotton
productions in the years that followed. The
cash receipts for the cropof lsG7 were larger
than those OF 1859, though of less actual
value as reckoned in deprecated currency.
The sugar interest is rapidly attaining prom
inence, the product having doubled in the
last two years. The total product of rice is
also increasing.
The report says that the farmers OF The
country, while enduring the necessary bur.
den Of internal revenue taxation. and sub,
hitting cheerlully to imposts upon all foreign
products consumed by them, will enter /
vigorous protest against any proposition fol
inc TcneWal ol lhc aDrOBatcu reciprocity
treaty, or any arrangement admitting IN
taxed and w-priced Canadian production,
customs free, or at lower rate Of duty tia,
is provided in existing laws regulating III,
tariff upon similar imports from othc
Dationalitics.
Alter referring To the great benefit to ia,
agricultural interests of the country of til,
system of internal exchanges the commits
sioncr refers at length to the prevalence O
fatal maladies among all varieties of farm
animals, resulting in the annual loss of no
less than $50, 900, 900, which demands, h,
says, the prompt attention OF this depart
mcnt, the vigilance Of the agriculture
associations, and national and State legis
la,ion. The report of Prof John Gamge
on the Texas cattle disease will, he says, b.
presented to Congress at an early day.
The production of grapes for table use ant
Tor wine making has become an interest o
great importance. General CaprOn says tina
vast sums of money and much valuable tim,
and labor have been expended in til,
endcayor 10 make the foreign grape a sue
cess, but without exception il has proved {
failure in open all culture
These failures, however, LAY had salu,
tary effect in directing attention to the i'm
provemant Of on, indigenous species, anc
the progress of amelioration is both marked
and rapid. The fact will be learned, soonel
or later, that east of the range of the Rocky
mountains has no climate yet been found
suitable for the continued healthy growth o.