Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-25
The Department Of Agriculture.

The seed distribution as it has been
heretofore and is now managed, is simply
an outrage. Why should the seed trade,
OF all others, be selected for the opposition
of the great United States government,
and these goods he gire1s G1Cdy, while all
other trades are allowed to sell their
goods without government interference!
But if seeds are to be given-or thrown
away by the government, why should not
all seedsmen have chance in supplying
them? If there is an investigation, let
the investigation start ut the bottom and
first ask-Do we need department OF
agriculture-if so, what for? What shall
he its duties, and how shall the department
be made useful? The agriculturists of the
country have Il right to demand that il the
government NEEDLE with agriculture at all
1t shall do so i'll u manner that will not
belittle their pursuit. They do not want
IA department that seems TO he run for but
two ends-to afford an asylum for some
nobody, and to send out poor seeds at
public expense. Thus far the affair has
been simply ridiculous. The first COM
missioner was Newton, eX-milk-man, who
held his place through kitchen influence
at the White House-the story connected
herewith doing more credit TO Mr.. Lin
coins heart than to his judgment. Then
followed Col. Capron, who for the time
he held the place at least made it respect
able, but the emperor of Japan called
louder than Uncle Sam, and he went.
Then we had Mr.. Watts appointed, it is
said because he was hospitable to the then
president when he was on fishing eXcur-
sion. Watts was great on the signs of the
Zodiac, and when he took his pen in hand
The English language had to get up and
git" We never knew how Watts went
out, but he wont--Le Due came in, and
there we stop.-AgrjcUlturtI.
Probably there is no part of the machin-
cry of our government which has received
more criticism than the department OF
agriculture; no doubt much of it deserved
criticism. But very little of it is what
may be called comparative criticism. II
is generally sweeping, wholesale denunci-
alton, sarcasm or rdicule. But all this
time, while condemning the present condi-
ton so free y and fully, we do not remem-
Der Of seeing II single suggestion of 'cta
is the proper sphere and duty of the de.
partment, and how it should be run. OF
Mr.. LIE Due personally or Of his rela.
tons with Prof. Riley we know nothing
nor have we had any official connection
with him, but in this case, us in general,
we side naturally with the under dog in
the fight" and if Mr.. lie Due is not run.
ming his department properly, it is the
duty of the Solomons OF the press, not
only to tell him so (whicl>part Of theil
duty they fully perform), but to tell him
also how aud where he could do better.
Come now, o most wise and profound
eXpounderS of the agricultural filth and
knowledge, Just map out the proper
sphere and duties of n department, and a
commissioner of agriculture. We may
sometime be called to that position, wher
the people get to appreciate the fitness o.
the farmer and the agricultural editor fol
office, which lesson many seem 50 anxiou:
to teach; and then we shall want all sucl
assistance to carry on the department
properly, SO as to please everybody.