The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-30
REPORTS.
Points from the Annual Report of the Asri-
cultural Department.

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cultural Department..
WA%sHINGToN, Nov. 29.-Commissioner Col
man, in his annual report, says the year, which
opened in gloom, threatening the destruction Of
winter crops by severity of temperature, is clos
ing with bright prospects of abundance for man
and beast, produced at a cost which is not a bur
den to the producer, and to be sold
at q price which is not a barrier
to the poorer consumer. For many years
it has become more and more apparent that one
great need of the agricultural interests of the
United States is a better understanding and a
more intimate relation between the several az
rlcultural and experiment stations, and a more
practical cooperation between these institu-
tions and the Department of Agriculture. These
colleges were endowed by Congress-. They are
now separately carrying on experiments at an
expense of time and means, and yet without
any central head through which to re-
port and compare results with each other.
He submits that the department should have full
authority and ample means to avail itself of the
peculiar advantages offered by these endowed
institutions. in order to test in a manner and on
a scale sufficient to determine all questionable
points, the adaptability Of new and rare seeds to
the various sections of our country. Of the
Bureau OF Animal Industry he says:
"The law establishing the bureau does not
authorize the slaughter of animals affected with
contagious diseases, and it is impossible for the
department to maintain under it an e~fectual
quarantine"
He describes the serious effect upon our for
elgn trade in live stock resulting from the ex-
lstence of contagious diseases among cattle,
sheep and swine, and says that the restrictions
upon our interstate commerce from the same
cause have been a very great burden, and that
the reduction in the value of cattle in the affect
ed States has been OF the work of
the division of chemistry he says the investiga--
ton of the Influence of the climate and soil in
the composition of cereals has progressed far
enough to scientifically determine what parts of
the country produce the best cereals. The ex-
perimentS are described which were undertaken
with a purpose to check the present enormous
waste of sugar-fully one-half-in the mill pro-
cess, and with highly gratifying results. The
division has also begun an important series of
Investigations in food adulteration. The work
has, SO far. been chiefly with butter and honey,
but it is proposed to extend it until uniform
methods OF examination and stand
ards Of comparison are established.
The enlargement of the wheat area
of partial failure of the crops of western Eu-
rope, and the extension Of the breadth in maize
was aided by the increase of the foreign trade
in beeves and fresh meats. and by the sudden
enlargement of exports of pork products, in
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ton of oats has received special impetus from
the seeding of rust-proof varieties in the South,
and from the necessity of less heating feed for
horses than a conclusive maize ration.
The average estimated product of the princi-
pal food crops of the last five years, as compared
with the average of ten years preceding, from
1870 to 1879, inclusive, shows an enormous
annual increase in the aggregate as we'll as per
acre. The yield Of corn, per acre, has been
q. 8 bushels per acre, against I'll for the pre-
codinp DoFlOQ. the aVer1pa ValuA has theraf0rQ
been higher, Al. 7 cents per bushel, instead of
42.6, and the average value of
an acre $780,, instead of $1l.54.
The average yields of wheat in the
bushels, respectively, but the price has averaged
90. cents, instead of ST.. 04.9, the demand not
being equal to the supply.
The Commissioner, referring to the request of
the American Pharmaceutical Association that
the Commissioner of Agriculture take measures
for the introduction into this country of such OF
the important foreign medicinal plants as
would be adapted to our climate, says:
There is no doubt that many of the most
important medicinal plants are adaptable to our
climate, and could be cultivated in perfection,
and it would seem well that means should be
taken to give them proper trial"
The Commiss Toner says there is, perhaps, no
subject in which the department can be used to
greater benefit than forest interests; and, con-
sidering the vast importance to the Nation of a
proper investigation of the subject. no
branch has been more poorly endowed
by Congress. Efforts should be made
at once to arouse and enlighten the people to
the dangers which threaten through the destruc-
ton of the forests. "Arbor day" should be in
stituted in all the States. The science of for
estry should be taught in schools, and the
organization of local and State forestry associa-
tons should be encouraged.
The Commissioner concludes his report with a
reference to the usefulness and growing impor-
lance of the department.