Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-07
THE AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

Commissioner Frederick Watts, in his re:
port to Congress on the workings of the
Agricultural Bureau during the past year,
say that an intimate relation between the
agricultural colleges and his department
would be of great service to the country
He thinks that the course of agriculture in
the Southern States has not been conduct
ed with the care, skill and regard for u!ti-
mate results which have characterized the
operations of farmers in other States.
While their lands are continuously devoted
to cotton and tobacco until they have ar
rived at Il state of exhaustion, those of the
North are continually improving by rota-
tation of crops, which is absolutely essen
tial to the life of the soil itself. The de-
partment intends to aid the Southern States
as much as possible.
The commissioner also says that "the re-
port Of the superintendent of the seed di-
vision and his correspondence with practi-
cal farmers, strongly impress his mind
with the immense benefit which the dstr-
button OF seeds conters upon the country"
The commissioner considers the distribution
of the annual reports as an unnecessary
expense. In the division of horticulture
he considers that one of the most impor-
tant items of special work now engaging
the attention OF this division is the collection
OF facts illustrating the agricultural status
of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific
slope, showing the progress of settlement
and colonization, the yield and quality of
production, the peculiarities and profit of
agricultural labor, and the wants and ca
pabilties OF that great continental area.
During the last year the correspondence
of the chronological division has largely
increased. letters having been received
and answered concerning injurious insects,
birds, quadrupeds and other branches of
natural history, and fruits, fibres, and such
subjects as relate to the museum. Full
experiments have been made in rearing
the silk-worm. The plan of international
exchange of seeds has been of great SER
vice to the department. The Colonial Sec
retary of Jamaica has promised dona-
ton of three thousand plants of the Chin
chonas, embracing all the valuable varie-
ties. In regard to the agricultural prodpc-
tions of the year he says: 1.-The records Of
the department attest the value of perfect
drainage and good culture in warding off
dangers from drought and excessive moist
ure. Such has been the experience of the
present Year. The area planted with corn
was largely increased, and large breadth
otcorn was largely Sown. While the crop
of corn will not equal the great yield of
1870, nor that of wheat in the unparalleled
crop of 1869. there will be an ample supply
OF both for the wants of the country, and
tens of millions of bushels to supplement
the short crops of Europe. While the pro-
duct Of hay is somewhat less than usual,
its usual quality is good, and coarse tor
forage in all sections and winter pasturage
in the South and distant West are never
failing resources. Cotton will be gath
cred in smaller quantity, and sold at
higher price. Other crops, as whole,
promise very nearly average retuxns."