National Republican., 1885-11-21

valuable pamphlet on THE Agricultural
Grasses Of the United States was published
and distributed by the department. During
the early portion Of the present year the
botanist prepared "Dcscriptive Catalogue
Of the Grasses OF the United States" in
tended in part to be explanatory of
the display of grassCs made at the
New Orleans Exposition, which was pub.
lishCd and widely disseminated. This cat
alogue contained both scientific and practi-
col information on the subject, and has
been highly commended by competent au-
thortios Another very important work
begun by this division last year relates to
the medicinal plants Of the United states,
which are described and illustrated by
plates.
THE MCRosCoPICAL DIVISION.
After alluding to the work of this di-
vision in investigating fungi which infest
plants, the mildew of the grape, the rot of
the potato, black-knOt Of the cherry and
the plum, the twig blight Of the apple anj
the pear trees, the yellows of the peach, the
rot or so-called sun.scald of the cranberry
the blight of the orange tree, the rot or
speck Of the fruits of apples and pears, and
other diseases Of fruits and plants, Mr.
Saunders referred to some recent discover
les Of the microscopist in respect Of the
characteristics OF various animal fats. The
investigation of this subject originated In
the endeavor to discover some well defined
mode by which pure butter could be dis.
tingushcd from olcomargarine, butterine,
aud other butter substitutes, so as to pro-
tect the public against the purchase OF
fraudulent compounds whichare frequently
sold instead Of pure butter
After numerous experiments the micro
scopist found that lard from swine fat, II
heated and allowed to cool slowly, pre-
| scented peculiar crystuls the fat of beef also
showed crystals OF form differing from
those Of lard, while pure normal dairy but
ter is wholly exempt from fatty crystals;
AID these distinctions are constant.
But when pure butter is boiled for few
seconds only, aud allowed to gradually cool
| for n certain period, II becomes crystalized.
and when these crystals are subjected -
| pOlarized light, in connection with the mi
| croscOpe, they exhibit o well-delned cross,
similar TO the letter Y, thus distinguishing
| butter from lard or beef fat. These expert
mcnts and results have been repeated by
| chemical and other experts, who agree in
the statement that undoubtedly butter may
now be distinguished from all other fatty
| mixtures. Successful convictions Of fraud
| ulCnt dealers have already been made in
consequence Of the DEVELOPMENT of these
facts.
THE FORESTRY DIVISION.
In speaking of the forestry division,
which was established in 1877, he alluded
to the relation Of forests to the temperature
| ard moisture of the air and to the regula-
tion of the flow of water in streams re-
marking that, whether the amount of rain
| fall is influenced by forests or not the
undue denudation of a country of its tim
Der undoubtedly increases destructive fresh
cts and dries up flowing springs. lie went
on to state that the forestry division is em-
ployed In spreading abroad these and other
facts regarding the relation OF forests to
agriculture. BY careful inquiry 1t is en-
deavoring to ascertain the extent and
| distribution of forests in the couu-
try, to learn where they are so
abundant that a portion may be safely
removed and give place to grain fields and
pastures, and where they are so scarce that
trees may proiltably be planted. 1t Is en-
deavoring to attract attention to the great
variety OF trees which abound in this coun-
try; to show the economic and practical
uses of our various woods II seeks to pro-
| mote an appreciation of the value, as well
as the beauty, Of trees. 1t would show how
to make the forests more profitable than
they now are, and also show how tree cul-
ture may he, in many sections of the coun-
try, as profitable us any other crop. II
would encourage tree planting in cities for
their sanitary value: in city parks and
school-house grounds for their shade and
beauty; around the country home, and in
every place where their presence would
tend to make life more pleasant and happy.
THE vETERINARY DIVISION.
The veterinary division was established q
few years ago, but is now merged in the
bureau of animal industry, established in
May, 1884, for the purpose of preventing
the expectation of diseased cattle and pro
vidng means for the suppression aud ex.
trpation of pluero-pnuemonia and Other
| contagious diseases among domestic ami
mails. After describing the work of this
bureau in inspecting herds of cattle and
carcasses in the east and giving the results
Of its investigation, Mr.. Saunders said
"Prior to the establishment of this bureau
IT was not known that leuro-pneumonia
existed in any part of the United States
west Of the Allegheny mountains, but In
August, 1884, 1t was discovered In the state
of Illinois. An investigation revealed q
very extensive and serious outbreak, in
volving herds in Illinois, Ohio, and Ken
lucky. Prompt measures were at once
taken to prevent the further spread of the
disease and secure its eventual extirpation
In the states of Ohio and Illinois, where thC
authorities earnestly co-operated with the
department, and later in the state Of Mis-
fsouIi, where most serious and extensive
outbreak was discovered in January Of thit
year, the disease is believed to have beer
eXtirpated.
The law, as II now exists Is considered tC
be very defective. II does not provide fo
the slaughter of diseased and infected ami
mails, and only authorizes such quarantine
measures as may be necessary to prcven
the spread Of contagious diseases from Onj
state or territory to another.
The scientific investigations relating t
the nature of communicable diseases, ant
the means OF preventing and combating
them, are carried on In the laboratory
where the contagia are studied and at til,
veterinary station of the department, wher,
animals Of different kinds are kept for eX
pertinent.
} The results of these experiments have al
ready thrown much light upon the natur,
and cause Of contagious maladies inciden
to domestic animals
After noticing the important work of th,
bureau IN investigating the nature of swim
plague or hog cholera and Texas fever, ant
in mapping the regions in which the latte
| prevails, Mr.. Saunders states that on Jul'
], 1884, the management Of the quarantin
station for imported cattle was transferred
from the Treasury Department to the de
partment of agriculture, and has become
, part Of the duties Of the veterinary division
Stations are maintained at the ports OF BOs
ton, New York, and Baltimore, and az
| rangements have recently been made b,
r which animals arriving at San Francisco ar
, also quarantined. Although this is the in
fant division Of the department, IL give
= promise of great value to the livestock pro
+ ducng interests OF the country.
THE pen is mightcr than the sword, an
, much of the wealth of this country Is due
the hog pen. St. Jacobs oil has been found t