Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-01

The fact that the agricultural products
of the United States annually exceed
in value that of all other industries
combined, is the only argument required
in defense of the most judicious Federal
legislation in aid of its development.
During the last decade this subject has
received special attention in Congress.
The tariff has been so adjusted as to
guard the interests of the farmer in
every possible manner. The Agricultu-
raj Department of the Government has,
under the auspices OF the Republican
party, been developed into an exceed
ingly important auxiliary in the adj
vancement Of agricultural science and
practice.
Previous to 1900 all that had been ac-
complished in that direction was simply
the annual collection of a few seeds
and plants, under the supervision OF the
Commissioner of Patents. These were
kept in a small room in the basement
OF the Patent office building, and at the
proper season of the year were distribut-
ed in small parcels to members of Con-
gTess and others who might apply for
them.
An act of Congress was passed in 1852,
aud approved on the 5th day of May,
establishing a department of Agricul-
ture." The first section of the act pro-
vided that there be established at the
seat of Government of the United States
"a Department of Agriculture, the
general design and duties of which shall
be to acquire and diffuse among the pee
pie of the United States useful informa-
ton on subjects connected with agricul-
ture in the most general and COmpre-
hensive sense of that word, and to pro-
cure, propagate, and distribute among
the people new and valuable seeds and
plants
The second section of the act author
lied the President to appoint Com
missioner of Agriculture, who, though
to he the head of an Independent depart
ment of the Government, will not be en-
titled to seat in the Cabinet.
Isaac Newton, of Pennsylvania, was
the first commissioner During the first
year (1863. his operations were confined
to collecting and distributing 1900, 900
packages of seeds and 5000 bulbs,
vines, cuttings, and plants. But the
| business of the department expanded
rapidly year after year. In 1867 Con
gress appropriated 800, 900 for the cree
/ ton of department building on por-
ton of the Government reservation front
! ING on the Potomac, south of the PreSi-
| dents mansion. The grounds offered
ample room for an experimental garden
| or small farm, which, since the organi-
zaton of the department, has been I'M
/ der the able supervision of William Saun-
/ ders "a Scotchman, eminently qualified
/ for the position. AS the result of the
/ Joint efforts of the successive commits
/ sioners and Mr. Saunders, these grounds,
/ surrounding the beautiful department
| buildings, are now by far the most at
| tractive in Washington. The extensive
4 conservatory of the department was
| commenced in 1870 and finished in
/ 1871.
Mr.. Newton died in 1867, and was
/ succeeded by Hon. Horace Capron, who
added largely to the efficiency and use.
| fuluess Of the department. Gen. Ca
prom resigned August /, 1871, to accept
a position as chief of commission OF
/ American gentlemen, organized by the
japanese Government, for the purpose
/ of introducing into Japan the American
methods of agriculture, and other fea-
lures of our industrial progress.
Hon. Frederick Watts, of Carlisle,
Penn, succeeded Mr.. Capron, and from
his extensive scientific and practical
knowledge of agriculture, he was ena
bled to bring to the department fund
OF information which has insured the
successful discharge of his important
trust
The range of the department opera
tions under Mr. Watts has been greatly
enlarged, and it now embraces the fol
/ lowing divisions of labor and scientific
investigation:
1. A division of statistics and publ
cation
.. Seed division.
5. Horticulture and propagating di
vision
4. Chemical division.
s. Botanical division.
6. chronological division.
Z. Museum.
8. Agricultural library.
9. Correspondence, records and ac
counts.
10. Distribution of documents.
For want of space, it will be impossi
Bile here to give in detail tGe duties anC
operations of each of these divisions OF
the department Nor is it necessary.
few illustrations will sufficiently indi
cate the general objects and results OF
each department.
In the first or statistical division, {
competent statistician and ten clerks are
employed. In each month reports ar
received from authorized and response
BILE, but unpaid, correspondents in near
" every county in each State and Terri
tory in the Union, giving answers t.
special Undergraduates concerning thu
acreage and condition of growing crops
and the yield and prevailing prices o
farm products. These reports, whel
all in, are Immediately edited and put in
to the hands of the printer, and abou
@, 900 copies are printed in convenien
form for circulation by mail They ar
sent to the newspaper press, farmers
clubs, State agricultural colleges and so
cieties, and to the regular correspondent
of the department. Copies are ais
mailed to members of Congress-, to on
diplomatic representatives abroad, an
to foreign Legations in Washington.
4 Annually a valuable compendium o
statistics and agricultural information
prepared and published by the depart
ment, copy of which should be in tn
hands of every farmer throughout tn
Union OF this annual report 25O,O
tcopies are usually printed, $4,000 Q
which are distributed by the depart
ment, and 225, 900 by members of Cor
gress, who forward them to their agr
cultural constituents. 1t is contempla'
ed to print larger editions in future,
be placed on sale in the book store
throughout the country, at actual cos
an that every farmer NAV he enabled
procure this repository of valuable agr
I cultural information. as.s.g :.
{ The seed division is invaluable to tn
i 1entire farming community, and the ia
ri mer who does not avail himself OF !