Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-12-12
Vol. XIV. Whole No. 1926. No. 50.

| ton touching the public timber in the
mountainous states and territories of the
| Weet should be especially well considered
aud that existing laws in which the de-
struction of the forests is not Sufficiently
guarded against should be speedily modi-
fled. general law concerning this i'm
portant subject appears to me to be MAJ
ter of urgent necessity.
AGRICULTURE.
| From the organization of the government
| the Importance of encouraging by all posi-
bic means the Increase of our agricultural
production has been acknowledged and
urged upon the attention of Congress and
| the people as the surest and readiest means
of increasing our substantial and enduring
| prosperity. The words of Washington are
as applicable today as when in his eighth
annual message he said, 1T is not to be
doubted that with reference either to indi-
vdual or national welfare agriculture is o
primary Importance, In proportion as ua-
| tions advance in population and other Gil
cumstances of maturity this truth becomes
| mora apparent and renders the cultivation
of the soil more and more an object of pub
| lie patronage. Institutions for promoting
J 1t grow up supported by the public purse,
| aud to what can it be dedicated with great
er prosperity
Among the means which have been en-
| ployed 10 this end none have been attended
with greater success than the establishment
OF boards. composed of proper characters,
charged with collecting and diffusiug infor-
nation, and enabled by premiums and
small pecuniary aids, to encourage and as
sist the spirit OF discovery and improve
/ ment, this species nt establishment contrib
| utlns doubly TO the increase of improve
| ment by stimulating TO enterprise and ex-
peric.ent, and by drawing to a common
centre the results everywhere of individual
! sAili and observation, and spreading them
thence over the whole nation. Experience
accordingly hath shown that they are very
| cheap instruments of immense national
| benefit The great preponderance OF the
agricultural over any other interest in the
United States entities it to all the consider
alton claimed tor it by Washington.
About one-ialf of the population of the
United states IS engaged il agriculture
The value OF the agricultural products of
the | nited States for the year 1873 is esti-
mated at 5000, 900, 900. The exports of
agricultural products for the year 1877 as
appears from the report of the bureau OF
statistics were 1924 100000. The great ex-
tent of our country with its diversity Of
soil and climate enables us to produce with
in our own borders and by our own labor
not only the ncceSsaries but most of the
luXurjes that are consumed in civilized
countries, yet Notwithstanding our advan-
/ tages OF soil, climate and ntercummunIca-
ton it appears from the statistical state.
ment- in tie report OF the commissioner of
agriculture that we import annually from
foreign lands many millions of dollars
worth OF agricultural products which could
be raised in our own country.
Numerous questions arise in the practice
of advanced agriculture which can only De
answered by experiments of too costly and
sometimes iruItlesS a nature which are be-
| youd the means OF private individuals and
just and proper charge on the whole ma
( ton tor The benefit of the nation. 1t is good
policy, especially in times of depression
and uncertainty IN other business pursuits.
wl'h a vast era of uncutivated and hence
productive territory wisely opened TO
homestead setlcment. to encourage by
every proper aud legitimate means the oc-
cupatlon aud tillage OF the soil
The efforts OF the Department of Agri-
culture TO stimulate Old and introduce new
agriculture. industries, to improve the
quality aud Increase the quantity OF our
products, to determine the value OF the old,
methods Of cultiGiire are @toAqGe 2.f Jhe new
iul and favorable consideration aud assist
ance by such appropriations OF money and
enlargement OF facilities rs may seem to be
demanded by the present favorable condi-
/ tionS for the growth and rapid development
( OF this important interest.
ABUsE OF ANIMALS IN TRANSIT.
/ The abuse of animals in transit is widely
attracting public attention. A national
convention of societies specially interested
in the subject has recently met at Balil-
+ unn unI ha tI..ynIatNaI bgt /,
( gard to craeities to animals and the effect
OF such cruelties upon the public health
would seem to demand the careful consid-
GRAFTON OF Congress and the enactment of
more efficient laws for the prevention OF
these abuses.
BUREAU OF EDUCATION.
/ The report OF the Commissioner OF the
/ Bureau of Education shows very CRAFTY
I ing progress throughout the country in all
/ the Interests committed to the care OF this
/ Important office. The report Is especially
encouraging with respect to the extension
/ ut the advantages OF the common school
! y lstcm in sections of the country where
the general enjoyment of the privilege of
The tree schools IS not attained. To edu-
4 cation to more than any other agency We
are to look as the resource for the advance
ment OF the people in the requisite knowl-
| edge aud appreclatOns OF their rights and
| responsibility as citizens, and | desire to
| repeat the suggestion contained in my
| former message III behalf of the enactment
| of appropriate measures by Congress for
the purpose of supplementing with ma
tiOnal aid the local systems of education in
/ several states.
| Adequate accommodations for the great
| library which is overgrowing the capacity
. b..r Nt.l II
| should be provided without further delay.
! This valuable collection of books, manu-
script and illustrative art has grown to
! such proportions In connection with the
| copyright system OF the country as to de-
mand the prompt and cariul attention of
! Congress to save it from injury in its pres
ent crowded and insufficient quarters
As this library is national in its charac-
ter, and must, from the nature of the case,
| increase even more in the future than
| in the past, it cannot be doubted that the
people will sanction any wise expendi-
ture 10 preserve 1t and to enlarge its use
| fulness.
The appeal of the regents of the Smithso-
nian Institution for the means to organize,
exhibit aud make available for the public
benefit the articles now slowed away, be-
longing 10 the National MuseumI heartily
recommend to your favorable consldera-
| ton.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
| The attention of Congress is again in
| vited to the condition of the river front of
the City OF Washington. 1t is matter Of
vital Importance to the health of the resi-
dents OF the National Capital, both tempor-
airy and permanent that the low lands in
front OF the city now subject to tidal over
flow should be reclaimed. In their prese Mt
condition these fats obs,ruct the drainage
of the city. and are a dangerous source of
maarial poison. The reclamation will I'm
prove the navigation of the river by re-
stricting. aud consequently deepening its
channel and is also of importance when
considered in connection with the exten-
sion of the public ground and the enlarge
ment OF the Park west and south of the
Washington monument.
The report OF the board of survey here
tolore ordered by act of Congress on the
: Improvement of the harbor of Washington
and Georgetown is respectfully recon-
Il