Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1875-11-19
Z. 8. AGRICULTURAL DE.
PARTMENT.
Its Value to Farmers.

We have received from the Hon.
Frederick Watts, Commissioner OF
Agriculture, the annual report Of the
operations Of his Department for the
wear 1875. A more enthusiastic dew
otse to agriculture than Judge Watts
is probably not to be found in the
country. An eminent member OF the
Bar in Pennsylvania and distinguished
as a jurist, he gave for many years
all the spare hours Of a busy profess
sional life to the pursuit Of agricul-
ture, becoming practically as we'll as
theoretically familiar with all its op.
erations. Four years ago he was I'M
expectedly called by President Grant
to take charge Of the National Agri-
cultural Department and reluctantly
accepted. The peculiar fitness of his
appointment has been slgnally illus
trated in his admirable administration
Of the duties OF the place. lie has
brought the Depa. tment into fullest
sympathies with the great agrlcnl-
tural interest Of the country, and far
mers warmly acknowledge the yalua-
Bile aid which the Commissioner has
rendered in the progress OF agr'cuI-
ture. His engrossing interest in all
developments that are Of value to
farmers and men Of science is shown
in every page Of his report. The De-
partment is now felt to be Of the high.
est Importance to the country.
The report gives an interesting re-
view Of the operation in the several
divisions Of the Department, staflstl-
cal, horticultural, chemical and bo-
tanical, in each Of which new and
valuable facts ard information have
been collected. In the distribution
Of seeds, a work Of invaluable benefit
to the country has been done. The
department has taken the utmost
pains, says the Commissioner, ITO keep
itself informed of all improvements
or new discoveries which effect the
interests of the farmer, whether it be
in the kind or quality Of seed, the
best mode of its cultivation. the i'm
plements best adapted to the pur-
pose, and the quality Of soil and con-
dit;on of climate congenlal to its
growth; and in the distribution Of
seeds the Depar tmcnt takes no risks
as to the quality, always taking care
that they shall be the very best of
their kind, and adapting each to that
locality where the product will be the
most profitable, impressing upon the
minds Of all to whom theJ are sent
that their community will be bene-
fitted by the result of their expert
ments. A correspondence with all
parts of the country gives me the as
surance of the wonderfully beneficial
results which have been attained BY
this distribution of superior seeds.
Farmers are now more than ever con-
WINGED that the success of their crops
is in a great measure dependent upon
the quality of seed they sow. l do
not hesitate to say that the crops of
wheat and oats in this country have
been Increased many millions Of bush
els by reason Of the quality Of seeds
distributed by this department. The
occupation of the farmer necessarily
isolates him from the sources Of in
formation with regard to the progress
and improvements which are always
being made in his business; hence the
inestimable value of the central point
which this department affords for the
collection Of facts and seeds, and their
periodical distribution to those who
have no other opportunity of obtain
ing them
We should like to give further ex-
tracts from this interesting report but
have not the space.