The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-02-23

The Department Of Agriculture.

The Department Of Agriculture
The action of the Nationa
Z Grange, at it's late session in Wash
} ington, D. c., in regard to enlarg
, ing the scope OF the agrictural de
partment, has been the occasion Of
discussion in the leading papers oil
the country. DR.. Loring. the pres.
ent commissioner, has frankly and
, fully expressed his views on the
subject aud well says that, as sgri-
culture is SO intimately connected
with commerce, transportation and
general manufactures, a bureau TO
include this whole idea would be
too broad to fill the bill, while as a
whole the work could be better
done than by various divisions, as
now under the secretary of the in
terror.
A scrap Of history may not be
out of place here, showing that our
fathers were not the dull ploddsrs
some might think them to have
been. Judge Buell., of New York,
nearly fifty years ago, outlined the
work of an agricultural department
IN plain, concise language. These
same ideas have been introduced In
the work of the department 50 that
the plans referred to, which we glse
below, seem almost to have been
prophetic:
l. Collecting, arranging, publish
ing, and disseminating, for the ben
eft of the nation, statistical and
other useful information in regard
to agriculture in its widest accepta'
ton, embracing, not only the usual
cultivation Of the soil, but orchard
ing, plain and ornamental garden
ing, rural establishment, the veter-
mary art and household ecouomy.
In this connection the depart
ment should aim to teach or
recommend authoritatively, by con-
centrating the ripest agrictural
experience and scholarship, the
best methods OF culture, the choic-
est plants, vegetables and fruits,
the most valuable grains. grasses
and animals, domestic and other
wise. and the most improved im-
plements OF husbandry.
2. Collecting rom different parts
Of our own and foreign lands, such
valuable animals, cereals, seeds,
plants, slips and cuttings as may be
obtained By exchange, purchase or
gift, with information as to their
modes of propagation, culture, pres
ervation, aud preparation for mar
ket, and distributing the same
throughout the country. Trough
our postal Thanking privilege at
home, and our foreign ministers,
cOnsuls, merchants, missionaries,
travellers and the officers of our ma
val and mercant fleet, the govern
mont enjoys unusual facilities for
carrying out this object.
3. Answering the inquiries of
farmers and all others on matters
relating to agriculture, at the same
time stimulating inquiry, inviting
discussion, and rewarding research
by publishing agricultural statistics
of the various states and sections of
states, in order to guard against the
excess or diminution of given prod
ucts, thereby saving much time, la
Dor and capital to farmers. And as
this department has been created |
and sustained for their benefit, they |
are earnestly invited TO correspond |
with it in order that proper selec-
ton of subject may be afforded for |
A. Testing, by experiment the
value of different agricultural i'm
plements and their adaptation to
the purposes intended, as well as
testing the value OF cereals, seeds
and plants, and their adaptation to
our soil and climate, before trans
them to our farmer. In
order to carry out this object the
should have under its
control a model farm.
5. Analysis by means of chemical
OF various soils, grains,
and manures, and pub
fishing the results for the guidance
aud benefit OF agriculturists.
6. Establishing a proiessorship
of botany aid entomology. 1t is
well known that insects are annual
ly destroying vast amount of The
products Of our soil, and that their
ravGges appear to be on the increase.
Ii the damage done to our wheat
crop alone could be prevented, mil
ions of money would be saved TO
The country.
Z. Establishing an Agricultural
library and museum. In this libra
y the most valuable works would
accumulate by exchange,
ylft and purchase, forming a rich
nine OF knowledge. The museum
would embrace models of all the
most approved implements OF hus-
)andry, specimens of soils, rocks,
tc.; samples of the various produc
ions of the garden, field and forest;
-arieLies ol grain in straw and IN
ample, now generally cultivated or
ecently introduced mt the coun
~. with explanations respecting
heir soils, climates, weight, yield .
er acre, and their value as food.
Iere should be arranged specimens {
Tue component parts Oh SOILS, ma
ures, and all the products Of agri-
ulture, showing especially the val
es of different kinds OF food. On
lie walls OF this museum should q
ang the portraits of animals of the
ost celebrated breeds, and under :
3 roof should be gathered what
yer would tend to attract and in r
ruct persons of the highest taste q
Id education.
DIR. Loring in laying out the plars
r The work as outlined in the agri-
ltural convention, has shown that ste
fully appreciates the advantage go
e department can be to tie a
,rthy agriculturists OF the coun- -
=. II our representatives can DO T
ought to understand that foster
=