Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-12-09


the importance of AN authorization, by Congress,
OF commission, under the direction OF the Agri-
cultural Department, TO examine minutely the plan
Of organization, the construction of buildings, man
agement of grounds and general workings OF the
industrial colleges organized under the Congress
siOnal land grant with instructions to report TO the
next Congress for the information of the country
and the benefit of institutions OF similar character
yet to be organized.
that so many still adhere 70 the impractlcable idea
OF locomotive traction. The reports of the actual
work of the five steam plows now in operation by
stationary engines, In this country are extremely
favorable to the idea Of ultimate success In the
luton OF the problem Of steam in plowlng as an
adjunct of our agriculture.
Silk culture in California has been attended with
great success mp TO the present time, silk cultur
lists claiming that the climate Of that State Is pecu
liarly adapted to the rearing of silk-worms ac-
count of the dryness and equality Of the tempera-
ture, and the rare occurrence OF severe thunder
storms. In Utah experiments have been made
with success In feeding the worms upon the leaves
Of the Usage orange instead of the mulberry. The
Japanese silk-worm, SdD'ei cynthia, on the allan
thus, is now perfectly acclimated, and breeds in
the open air in BROOKLYN. Phiadelphia. and other
places, but as yet have heard nothing OF the use
of its cocoons in manufacture. Two other silk
producing worms, Aftdcln vdntd mai and DerNW,
have been bred this season In Brooklyn, but are
yet too scarce to he of any value.
The Commissioner speaks Of the Cinchona or
Peruvian bark tree as one deserving Of great con-
sldcration. The supply Is limited and precarous,
with no means OF extension by propagation or
cultivation In South American nations. He recon-
plantations at points selected on account of their
favorable climatic influences. The time is now
opportune for commencing such work, since
supply OF young trees Is easily obtainahle from
source whence no real difficulty arising from
transport and transportation would occur. The
propagation of the Cinchona has been commenced
in the experimental division of the department
with highly successful results, and several hun
dred specimens now on hand will be increased to
thousands whenever facilities are afforded for
testing the feasibility Of successful growth in the
open air. The Commissioner earnestly hopes that
an appropriation will be granted by Congress for
The Commissioner. after referring to the high
order of talent required In the clerical force Of
the department, saws that for such labor the most
meagre compensation only IL offered, and 1t is
found difiicult to obtain an increase Of suitable
service, and impossible TO remunerate properly
that already employed. which Is found to he most
efficient and reliable while that which is practical
ly useless for the purpose IL offered In unlimited
measure. He therefore believes that Just and
wise revision OF clerical salaries would greatly in
crease the efficiency of the department.
The work of the past year includes the collection
of the facts OF production and experiment through
ont the world, the publication of general and spe
cial reports, investigations in natural science in its
relation to rural efforts the Introduction and prOpa-
cation OF many new and promising plants and the
increase and Improvement of farm products by the
dissemination of seeds and plants.
The Commissioner again calls attention 70 the
important necessity of establishing a division of
veterinary surgery in the department He saws the
value of stock lost annually from disease is enor-
mons, andthreatens not only to decimate our ami
from the consumption of unwholesome meats.
A quarto edition of the reports arising from
the cattle disease investigation, conducted under
the auspices OF the department, some of them
never before published, is in course Of publica-
ton.
The correspondence of the ontomoloeical djyi-
sion has largely increased during the year. inquiries
in regard to noxious insects having been received
from all parts of the country. The cotton army
usual and few complaints of loss from other cotton
insects have been made, while insects injurious to
fruits and vegetables have been unusually numer-
ous and destructive. 1t Is in contemplation to pub
lish, whenever suitable authority Is given for the
printing and illustration, work on entomology,
prepared by the entomologist of the department. in
which known American insects OF each order will
he accurately figured upon copper-plate. and which
has been declared. by those competent to Judge,
the most complete and exhaustive effort ever made
In this direction
During the year many valuable additions have
been made TO the museum, under the charge of the
entomologist, by voluntary contributions or ex-
change without the aid of any appropriation
whatever for the purchase of new or rare speci
large accessions to its materfa eptiuues to receive
and illustration of the vegetable kingdom. The
addition for the present year already exceeds foul
thousand species. The design Of establishing al
the seat of government a collection of plants
worthy the name Of a national herbarium is thus
in process of rapid accomplishment, at compara-
lively small cost.
The library has been increased during the wear
by the collection of eight hundred and fourteen
volumes obtained through exchanges and by pur-
CHASING. many Oi winch ana V0luaDle: and
one hundred volumes OF periodicals. new ready
for binding with further additions yet to be made
viii swell the total increase for the year to about
one thousand volumes.
The department grounds are referred to encour-
agingly by the Commissioner, and many of the inn
provements cited. The new conservatory Is
also referred to. and the names of many OF the
ornamental plants given. The Commissioner be-
lieves that there can he no doubt whatever that
many new plants may be successfully accimated.
any one of which may exceed in value the total
amount of appropriations hitherto made to this de-
partment.
The number of packages issued during eleven
months OF the year number 35S.3g1, of which 133
0i3 were sent to members of Congress, II .S65 to
agricultural societies. II 400 10 the corps of the sta
tstical correspondents 1860 to meteorological OBJ
servers. The distribution includes seeds of cereals
grasses, hemp, jute, ramie, opium. poppy, sugar
beet tobacco, sorghum forest and shade trees, and
edible, medicinal, and hbrous.
The total amount expended by the department
since November 80, 1869, Is $16q 1924 under the
following appropriations. to-wit
Compensation OF Commissioner, clerks,
and employees. .SOS, Il2 w
Collecting statistics and material for an
nuai and monthly reports -. 80. 142O6 81
liable seeds ..,.,,.......,............ 2O7S9 81
purchase Of plants, etc .,,,....i.,..' 1O195 5s
Contingencies Stationery, fuel, freight,
herbarinm, keep Of horses, etc. -. 151Os 96
No. aS..D..,'...',.,...,,. ....,.....:.. 1o,Oi7 70
Erection of glass structures for the Guilt
vation of medical, textile and economic
plants %, ,46s 81
Miscellaneous ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1,727 95
Total. Recommendations. S169,175 20
Leaving total balance unexpended OF the ap-
propristion for the current fiscal year of $l073T0.