The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-29
ABOUT AGRICULTURE.
woRk OF THE BUREAU EXPLAINED.
tn. Good 1t Aeeeupll.A.. and IT. y.las to the
Farmen Of the COuntry-ssEotiAtIons for
the Purchase Of the Harpsr's Property
for Manufacturing Purposes.
From Our Special Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, D. O., January 28.-From
talk with Mr.. William Saunders, the Horti-
cuIturist and Superintendent Of the Agricul-
tural Department, is cleaned the following
information about this much abused and
ridiculed department. Mr.. Saunders said:
Congress passed an act to create this
Department May 9th, 1862. The following
July Of that year It was organized as dis.
tinct branch Of the Governments opera
tions. President Lincoln appointed Mr..
Isaac Newton, Of Pennsylvania, Commits.
sioner, an the 30th Of June. 1862. He
died in office, June 10Th, 1867. At his
death J. W. Stokes, the chief clerk, acted
as Commissioner from June 10th, 1867, to
December 4th, 1867, on which date Hon.
Horace Capon, OF Illinois, was appointed
Commissioner. He resigned July 3lst,
1871. On the 1st OF August, Frederick
Watts was appointed his successor. Watts
was succeeded by Le Due, and he by the
present incumbent, Hon. George B, Loring,
who Is Is an intelligent and practical agri,
cullurist."
"How was the agricultural interest OF
this country served before this Department
was established ?"
"Previous to the organization Of this de-
partment the agricultural interest received
the attention Of the Government in lin
tied degree through the Patent office, new
and valuable seeds, and plants, were intro
duced and carefully distributed. Agricul-
tural statistics were partially collected, and
made available for reference, Investigations
relating to the habits and general history
OF destructive insects were prosecuted, and
q large amount Of information upon agri-
cultural subjects was impaired TO the public
in essays and papers, that were instructive
and valuable to farmers, although these
operations were crude and unsystematic,
yet they were widely recognized as benef.
cial, increased interest was soon manifested
In agricultural improvements and expert
ments, which led to frequently expressed
desire on the part Of the farming popula.
ton for more comprehensive system OF
seed and plant distribution, more ex-
tended investigation OF the extent and
value OF the agricultural resources OF the
country, and also more permanent and
systematic organization OF government aid
10 the leading and most important industry
Of the nation. These facts being so urgently
and plainly presented by the demands OF
the people, that Congress passed an act TO
establish the Department of Agriculture"
"How is the working force Of the depart
ment arranged?"
at Is Systematically arranged in divis-
ions, each division Is directed by CON-
petent and responsible chief and are desig-
mated under the following heads: seed,
chronological, horticultural, propagating,
statistical, chemical, botanical, microscopic
cal, veterinary. and forestry. Through
these different divisions the Commissioner
Is enabled to execute the various duties
prescribed and contemplated in the or
ganc act Of Congress creating the Depart
ment Of Agriculture"
I SEED DIVISION.
"As the distribution Of seeds is the lead
ing feature Of the operations oil the Depart
ment, having for its object the introduction
and dissemination OF new and improved
varieties Of cereals and forage plants, as
well as every kind Of economical plant OF
promising interest, or OF unknown value by
this method new incentive is given TO new
productions, and the formation Of new in
dustries. The benefits obtained from
change Of seeds, from one climate and soil
to another, the advantages derived from
careful selections Of seeds, demonstrating
that diminished crops may result from
careless selections Of seeds as well as from
deterioration or exhaustive Of the soil,
AF hA onnUhf
be obtained by seed distribution. When
plants are introduced into climates mimi
cal to their perfect growth gradual deterior-
alton will invariably follow. The only
method Of insuring a succession Of remun.
erative crops Is by the introduction and
use OF seeds produced in climates favora-
bic TO their perfect development Another
important ebject Of seed distribution is that
OF testing the merits OF new seeds in differ
ent climates on diversity OF soils, in one
season. Seeds Of new but interesting varie.
ties are placed in the hands OF farmers in
selected localities for cultivation, who in
due time report the result to the commits
sioner, who Is thus placed in possession OF
data which enables him TO intelligently
direct future distributions Thus you see
every farm upon which these seeds are
tested become an experimental farm, so
far as that particular product Is concerned.
"How are the seeds distributed by the
Department" asked the reporter.
.tThrough agriculturals societies, by regular
correspondents OF the Department Senators
and members OF Congress, and in special
cases to individual applicants"
METEOROLOGICAL DIVISION.
The principal duties Of the chronological
division are those relating to the dessem.
ination Of information regarding the ma
tural history and habits OF insects, in.
iurious to vegetation, and the best known
remedies for their determination"
HoRrICuLTuRAL DIVISION.
"The duties charged to this division are
the following: The propagation and distri-
button Of such plants asare deemed worthy
Of introduction for their economic value,
to testing seeds and plants in regard to
their climatic adaptation, and experiment.
ING with species and varieties Of useful
plants for the purpose OF ascertaining their
comprehensiye merits. The exotic collec-
tion is mainly confined to plants having
economic @ value as furnishing dyes, sugars,
starch, gums, tibres, edibles, fruits, bever-
ages, &C., many Of which may be cultivat-
cd in this country. It Is also charged with
the arrangement and general super:
intendency Of the grounds attached
10 the department. the erection Of such
structures rs are required for horticultural
purposes, and all operations pertaining to
landscape gardening and garden archi-
lecture. About twenty acres ofground are
appropriated to the promotion Of an arbe.
toreum, which Is designed to include a
specimen OF every hardy ligneous plant,
arranged in accordance with botanical
classification, combined with the develop
ment Of landscape gardening effect. The
| nneraiinna Of this division are also intend.