The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-03

J especially in the mountainous districts
where the rocky slopes, once denuded Of
their trees, will remain SO forever. There
the injury, once done, cannot be repaired
l fully concur with the Secretary OF the
Interior in the opinion that, for this reason,
legislation touching the public timber In
the mountainous Sntes and Territories OF
the West, should be especially well con-
sidered, and that existing laws, In which
the destruction OF the forests is not sutf-
GENTLY guarded against, should be speedi-
ly modified. A general law concern
ing this important subject appears to me
to be matter OF urgent public
necessity.
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR AGRICULTURAL IN
TEREsTs.
From the organization OF the Govern
ment, the importance OF encouraging by
all possible means, the increase Of our ag.
ricultural productions has been acknowl-
edged and urged upon the attention OF
Congress and the people as the surest
and readiest means OF increasing our sub
stantial and enduring prosperity.
The words OF Washington are as applica-
bic to-day as when, in his eighth annual
message. he said: at is not to be doubted
that with reference to either individual or
national welfare, agriculture is OF primary
Importance. In proportion as nations i'd
vance in population and other cir
cumstances OF maturity, this truth be-
comes more apparent and renders the
cultivation OF the soil more an object OF
public patronage. Institutions for pro-
noting 1t grow up, supported by the
public purse, and TO what object can II be
dedicated with greater propriety? Among
the means which have been employed to
this end none have been attended with
greater success than the establishment OF
boards composed of proper characters,
charged with collecting and diffusing in
formation, and enabled, by premiums and
small pecuniary aids, to encourage and as
sst tho spirit OF discovery and improve
ment, this species ef establishment con-
tributing doubly to the increase OF
improvement by stimulating to en-
terprise and experiment, and by draw
ing 10 common centre the results every
where OF individual skill and observation,
and spreading them thence over tho whole
nation. Experience accordingly hath
shown that they are very cheap instru-
The great preponderance OF the agricul-
tural, over any other interest in the United
States entities it 10 all the consideration
claimed forit by Washington: About one
half OF the population OF the United States
is engaged in agriculture. The value
of the agricultural products OF the
United States for the year 1873, is
estimated at three thousand millions Of
dollars. Theexports ofagriculturalp products
for the year 1877, as appears from the re-
port OF the Bureau OF Statistics, were five
hundred and twenty-four millions Of dol
lars. The great extent OF our country,
with its diversity OF soil and climate, en-
ables us TO produce within our own bor-
ders, and by our own labor, not only the
neCcssaries but most OF the luxurics that
are consumed in civilized countries. Yet,
Notwithstanding our advantages OF soil,
climate, and Accommodation, II APP
pears from the statistical statements in the
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 prac-
tice OF advanced agriculture which can
only be answered by experiments, often
costly and sometimes fruitless, which arc
beyond the means OF private individuals,
and are a Just and proper charge on the
whole nation for the benefit OF the nation.
1t is good policy, especially in times OF de-
preston and uncertainty in other business
pursuits, with vast area OF uncultivated,
and hence unproductive territory, wisely
opened to homestead settlemehtt to encour-
age,by every proper and legitimate means,
the occupation and tillagc OF the soil. The
efforts OF the Department OF Agriculture
to stimulate old and introduce new agricul-
turl industries, TO improve the quality
and increase the quantity Of our products,
to determine the value Of old or establish the
importance Of new methods OF culture, arc
worthy Of your careful and favorable consider.
alton, and assistance by such appropriations Of
money and enlargement Of facilities as may
seem 10 be demanded by the present favorable
conditions for the growth and rapid develop
ment Of this important interest.
The ahuse Of animals in transit is widely at.
tracing public attention. A national con-
yention Of societies specially interested in the
subject has recently met at Baltimore, and the
facts developed. both in regard TO cruelties TO
animals and the effect OF such cruelties upon
the public health, would seem to demand the
careful consideration Of Congress, and the en-
aotment OF more efficient laws for the preyen-
ton OF these abuses. tNI