The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-18
WASHINGTON.
Special to the Star.

THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18-The scope of
the operations of the Bureau OF Agricul-
ture has been materially widepel under
the administration of the present Com
missioner. The subject of sugar produc-
ton in this country has received much
attention from Gen. LeDuc, and the ques-
tion OF 80 increasing the production of
sugar as to cut down the usual importa-
ZION OF upwards of $e3, 100000 Of foreign
sugars has been matter of deep thought
with the Commissioner.
He Is now in correspondence with
gentlemen throughot the South, who
have made the cultivation Of sugar
specially, and earnest efforts will be
made to extend the production through
out the section suited to its growth.
The result Of the inquiries as to the
cultivation OF tea, develops the fact
that Portions of California are well
suited to 1t, and many sections OF the
Pacific Coast offer the necessary climate
and condition for its successful cultiva-
Lion, and steps have been taken to inter.
est agricuIturists in the region for the
production OF this important article.
The question of irrigation throughout
the almost rainless tracts west of the
Rocky Mountains has long been a prob.
lem to the settlers Of thai section of the
country, and the Commissioner has
taken steps to have practical expert
ments made in order to determine the
best and cheapest methods of etf4cting
the same, and will give the results of
his efforts in this direction at an early
date for the benefit of those concerned.
In his annual report he will call atten-
tion to many matters of importance to
agriculturists of the country and ask
legislation thereon.
ANOTHER ARMY INCREASE SCHEME.
A proposition, said to have come from
prominent Southern men. is being con-
sidered by the Administration, 10 in
crease the infantry regiments to twelve
companies, % the same as cavalry and
artillery. The increase is to create the
following new officers: Twenty-Five
Lieutenant Colonels, twenty-five Majors,
fifty Captains and one hundred Lieuten-
ants, to disappointed from civil life. The
idea is to take these fir, m the South, and
by so doing get Southern members in
favor Of the scheme. The theory OF such
a basis for The army has long been
pet one with General Sherman.
International Prison Congress.
National Associated Press to the Star
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18-By invitation
Of the Swedish Government the Inter-
national Prison Congress will meet at
STOCKHOLM in the latter part of Aunust,
1878. The representative of Sweden at
Washington has, by the direction of his
Government, extended an invitation to
the Government of the United States to
send delegates to the Congress and to
officially take part In the proceedings.
The Supreme Bench Vacancy.
The question as to who will be ap-
pointed tn the vacancy on the Supreme
Court bench is again revived, and there
IS much talk in CONSEQUENCE Of the num-
Der of names mentioned in this couuec-
ton. Since The subject was before on
the tapis those OF Attorney General
Devens and S licitor General Phillips
being the ones most frequently heard.
The former would take the position if
pffered m, but 1t is said the President
does notiike TO spare him from his Cab
iuet, besides he halls from Massachu-
setts, and New England already has
representative on The beuch.
Judge Phil ps is thought to lead, as
his ability t fill the position is unques.
tionable, while he Is from the South,
mailing from North Carolina. His
chances arc enhanced BY the general be-
lief that The appointment, which will be
made about the 1st OF October, will be
.iyen 10 Southern man, that section of
he country not now having repre-
sentative among the Supreme Court
Judges.
On the Sitting Buil COmmissiOn.
Secretary sGAu,z yesterday designai-
ad Genera Jonn Mcneil, oi 81. Louis,
tie acs With General Terry on the Sitting