National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-11-22

Commissioner Lorlng, of the bureau Of agrl-
culture, in his report, says the statistical dc
partment now has 1900 correspondents in
this country, besides Mr.. Mofiht in London,
who Ore continually furnishing material for
statistical estimates. There are nearly 10000
observers, who have been selected with refer
ence to their Judgment and means Of obscrva-
tion, who report to the department and state
agents the facts from which crop estimates arc
made up. Formerly the averages of returns
OF yield per acre, were uniformly too high
now they approach figure that Is nearer the
test of actual measurement. The report of
the statistician shows that between 1860 and
1880 tho value of meats increased from $780,
100000 TO $500, 000,0O0 Of corn, from $500, ESQ.,
s7s to 1904, sls,3Oi; of wheat, from sl2iG35,5i5
TO 1896, 00S 1853; Of hay, from Sl52,67l 1858 to
SOD 500 Is3 of dairy products, from slb2 $50 900
70 S352 10000; of cotton from s2ll ,5l6,G25 to
S27l 1886, l2l, and other products In proportion,
more than doubling the aggregate of
value, and increasing II from Sl,60O,000 900 10
S3,6OO,0O0,0OO in round numbers. With good
prices the current production OF the agricul-
lure of the United States can be little short of
$1,000 100000, and the values are those of the
home markets The investigations Of the past
year show a tendency to further increase the
area OF corn and cotton and Of most of the
principal crops Of the country. The wheat
area is so much beyond the requirements of
consumption in this and other countries as to
depress tho price 10 a point Unprecedented In
of wheat In feeding for pork production.
The cotton crop has been injured by the
drought, yet 1t promises to exceed 100000
bales. Corn apparently averages twenty-six
bushels per acre, which is above the average
OF the prior period of ten years, giving a crop
not heretofore exceeded In absolute quantity.
bushels per acre, and q product exceeding
500,0O000O. The supply of cereals will average
fully iity bushels for each inhabltant.
While the destruction of our forests Is going
aNR0.l Lee Ill all
rate the work of planting trees for wind breaks
and for forest purposes Is rapidly increasing.
in Nebraska not less than 100000 trees have
been planted during the year and more than
1000 bushels of walnut and other tree seeds
planted. Continued investigations have been
made In regard to tho consumption of the
forests for legitimate purposes, as well as by
lire. This consumption for the manufacture
of lumber is increasing in a faster ratio than 1.
warranted by the increase of population and
The consequent natural demand. The lumber
market Is largely oyerstocked, and the process
of manufacture continues to be conducted In q
wasteful manner, when the fast decreasing
source of supply calls for the utmost economy
of material. At q recent convention o.
estimated capital of s56O,0OO,O6O, and called
for the purpose of improving the con
dition of the market by securing a check In
tho rate Of production, 1t was stated that the
stock of lumber then on hand was sufficient
10 supply all legitimate demands for eighteen
months II not another tree should be cut Of
sawn; SO far as the forests of the country are
in private hands there seems little reason Il
hope that their rapid consumption by the az
and by fire can be checked. Returns from one
state show yearly dlminution Of the torres
area during the past thirty years. The grea
pine forests of the northwest are now depleted
10 such an extent that the southern pine 4
brought into competition with 1t in the Chi
cago market and .perceptible inroads hav.
been made upon those vast forests which
cover so large a portion of the Gulf states
The same reckless and wasteful methods o
numbering are pursued there which have 81
rapidly consumed the northern and western
forests. This condition of things makes NOR
imperative every year the endeavor TO presery
the forests which form part of the publi
domain, and so to guard and control them b.
law ms to make them of the greatest and mos
lasting benefit to the country.
Important discoveries have been made as b
the insect destruction of forest trees in Maine
the enemies OF the cranberry and hop crops
those affecting wheat and small grains in tn
west, and those affecting the orange and othe
fruit trees In accordance with the act appro
priating 200 at the last session of congress
have appointed a special agent who, unde
his whole time TO the investigation of all sui
jeets relating TO the culture and raising of ray
silk. These, include among others I'm &c,
ready shown In the industry by the people {
the United States, the climatic adaptability
our country to this art and its present sericu
tural resources.
Arrangements have been made for the col
tinuation of the distribution of literature, sill
worm eggs, and mulberry trees, to all such .
may desire them during the coming year, an
TO furtherthe establishment of profitable rec
The silk industry seems in a fair way to b
added to the list of those, which, though {
one time considered essentially foreign, hay
become 80 successful in our country
The prominent work in the gardens an
grounds of the department has been the ties
ing of small fruits. The japanese persimmo
Ia nod IAtV.
tant additions to the standard orchard fruit
Russian apple trees are being introduced int
northern regions, where other varieties hay
failed. The tea plants ut the station net
afford, during the early summer OF next yea
leaves in sufficient quantities 10 warrant a
effort ut tea manufacture, If such an operatio
may be deemed necessary
"Ihat the Chinese tea plant can be grow
over o large portion OF the United States, an
that good teas have, and can again be mao
from such plants are facts which are not ma
tiers for dispute or surmise; but whether I,
tho requirement of commerce, and in SUI
cient quantities, and at cost whiC
will be profitable to the planter al
10 the manufacturer at the prevaiir
prices OF that commodity, are questions whlC
have not been practically demonstrated on
proper scale. But the proper factors of su
cessful tea production in other countries n
well understood, and 1t Is equally well reco
nized that in some essential conditions
principal one being deficiency In the averal
ralnfall) there Is sufficient reason for cautiC
IN planting the large area which makes 81
cess possible oven In the most favorable G
mates. The capability of growing the pl0
has not for half century back been questiC
of doubt In all localities where the thermom
ter does not reach u lower point than from
to 10 degrees above zero"
IN TwENTY-FoUR HouRs--''Benson's Ca
cine Porous Pasters cured my lame back