Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-12-16
ANNUAL REPORT OF COMMITS
SI0NER CAPRON.


TEE following is an abstract Of tho agricultural
report OF Commissioner Capron for the present
year:
The Commissioner begins by expressing his
gralhcauon at being able to represent the great
interest OF agriculture as prosperous although he
asserts the present season has been one to test
severely the capabilities of our soils. He says,
however, that the fact of increased production, in
ty assumed to be liable to injurious extremes of
temperature and seasons of continued aridity, af-
lords strong evidence of the available depth and
fertility of our arabic land.
An examination in detail of the facts of the
years production, in the light of enlightened ag-
r1cultural experience and Of science applied to
husbandry, would furnish hints to improvement
and aids to progress, which, If adopted generally,
would increase the present value Of farm produc-
tion to the extent of $500 100000 Itwould do more
1T would tend to the increase of the fertility of
the soil, which, pow in nine farms ont of ten, is
annually decreasing, and 1t would proportionally
advance its intrinsic as well as market value.
1t Is gratifying to believe, from indubitable evil
dence the examples Of rational and recuperative
culture are relatively increasing however slowly,
and gradually making inroads upon the destructive,
irrational modes SO generally prevalent. These ex-
amples are most numerous in the Middle States,
are seen with comparative frequency in the older
sections of the West, are found occasionally in New
England, and are beginning to be noted in the South
ern States; but there is no State In which exhaust
i've and irrational culture is not predominant. While
the cost of good land is less than the interest on its
intrinsic value, and its yearly income may be en-
HANGED at the expense of the permanent investment,
there is little hope that the present necessity
short-sighted greed will fail to work its improve
ment; but with high prices both of land and labor,
it is more than folly to expect remunerative profits
from unsystematic and unscientifc culture.
After specifications, the Commissioner discusses
the subject of industrial education He refers to
agricultural colleges In existence in many States,
and says that he is confident that these institu-
tions are destined to become vital power in the
land, which colleges weighted with curriculum" "
of studies of classical ages can never exert; but
1t will be many years before their best fruits will
begin TO appear and many mistakes will be made,
(some of them, possibly, almost fatal in their
character), misconceptions of the sphere of their
highest utility will occur and inefciency will I'M
doubleday mar the beauty of their practical results
bgt Ultimately. when the grand idea OF PRACTICAL
and their faculties shall be composed of young
and vigorous men, developed within these institu-
tons and under the influence of higher progress
sion in physical and practical science, then their
true utility and benefcent influences will begin to
appear. In View of this he respectfully suggests
the Importance of an authorization, by Congress,
o. commission, under the direction of the Agri-
cultural Department., to examine infinitely the plan
CT organization, the construction of buildings, man
agement of grounds, and general workings of the
industrial colleges organized under the Congress
siona 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.
The Commissioner thinks it is to be regretted
hat many still adhere to the impracticable idea
of locomotive traction The reports of the actual
stationary engines, in this country, are extremely
favorable to the idea of ultimate success in the So
luton of the problem of steam in blowing as an
adjunct of our agriculture. ta
Silk culture in California has been attended with
great success up to the present time, silk cultur-
lists claiming that the climate of that State is peeu
liarly adapted to the rearing of silk-worms on &C.
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
inet m
Japanese silk-worm S0Daed cynthia, on the allan
thus, is now perfectly acclimated, and breeds in
the open air In Brooklyn. Philadelphia, and other
places, but yet have heard nothing of the use
of its cocoons In manufacture. Two other silk
producing worms, Attacas yan'o mai and oefnW
have been bred this season in Brooklyn, but are
yet too scarce to be of any value. LsiiA
The Commissioner speaks of the Clnchona or
Peruvian bark tree as one deserving of great con-
sderatiOn. The supply is limited and precariOus |
with no means of extension by. propagation or
cultivation in South American nations. HE recon-
mends the establishment of one or more national |
plantations at points selected account of their
favorable climatic influences. The time is now |
opportune for commencing such work, since |
supply OF young trees is easily obtalnable from |
source whence, no real difficulty arising from |
and transportation would occur. The |
propagation of the Cinchona has been commenced
In the experimental division of the department |
WIN nightly successful results, and several hum |
dred specimens now on hand will be increased to |
thousands whenever facilities afforded for |
lestlng the feasibility of successful growth in the
am appropriation will be granted by Congress for
this purpose.
The Commissioner, after referring to the high |
order OF talent required in the clerical force of
Lhe department. says that for such labor the most
neagre compensation only is offered. and it is
FOUND difficult to obtain an increase of suitable
service, and impossible to remunerate properly /
mat already employed, which is found to be most /
efhclent and reliable, while that which is practical
y useless Tor the purpose is offered in unlimited
MEASURE He ther sfore believes that just and
wise revision of clerical salaries would greatly in
crease the efficiency of the department.
Inc work OF the past year includes the collection
Oh tne facts OF production and experiment through
put the world, the publication of general and spe-
clal reports investigations in natural science mi
relation to rural efforts, the Introduction and propa-
gaton OF many new and promising plants, and the
increase and improvement of farm products by the I
dissemination of seeds and plants.
inc Commissioner again calls attention to the
important necessity of establishing division of
Veterinary surgery N thedepartment. He saysthe /
value OF stock lost annually from disease is enor
nous and threatens net only to decimate our ami
nals but to expose the human family to disease
rom the consumption of unwholesome meats.
a quarto edition Of the reports arising from
ne, cattle disease investigation, conducted under
ne auspices of the department, some of them
never before published, is in course of publca-
ion.
The correspondence of the chronological divi-
on has largely increased during the year, inquiries