The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-07-22
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.
Occurrences of Interest at the
Rational Capital.
A National Convention Of Scientific
Agriculturists

The convention Of representatives OF agri
cultural colleges and experimental stations,
held few days since in Washington, was
called to order by W. F. Switzler, Of Mis-.
souri,. The assemblage took place In the
seed room Of the department Of agriculture
a hall of considerable size in the new build.
ing in the agricultural grounds The stores
OF last years seeds, now amounting to about
two car loads, were piled up in bags at one
end Of the hall and covered with bunting,
with which material and flowers and plants
from the hothouses, the hall was tastefuly
decorated. -
There were present at the opening between
fifty and sixty delegates, representing all
the leading agricultural colleges and expert
mental stations of the United States. Or.
ganization was effected by the election OF
Con missioner Colman as chairman and Pro-
fcssor George Fairchild MS secretary. A COM
mittee on credentials was named.
Commissioner Colman in his opening ad-
dress of welcome briefly sketched the discus
sions in Congress which preceded the mag
nificent grants Of lands for the endowment
OF agricultural colleges in the several States
of the Union, and said it would be conceded
that the general public professed degree OF
disappointment in the outcome Of these instt
tutions. The predominant idea in Congress
ing operations and in the fundamental prin-
ciples of plant culture by showing how they
might realize profits in raising crops. This
object was III some degrees failure.
A letter was received from Miss Rose Eliza
beth Cleveland asking IL the subject Of silk
culture would be considered by the conven-
tion. She said she took deep interest In
the silk industry, mot only because 1t seems
right and fitting that we should producs our.
own silk in successful competition with the
Old Word, but because this industry, when
SO established as it may be by encouragement
of the government, will afford one more ave-
nue. of self-support to women" The conven.
tion by resolution announced itself In SYM
pathy with Miss Cleveland's sentiments, and
invited her to be present at the meetings.
Mr.. K. Tamari, Japanese official commits
sioner Of the Worlds Exposition, said that
Japan was deeply interested in the questions
before the convention. fas ai5
At the afternoon session resolution was
adopted providing for the appointment OF a
committee to urge upon the attention OF Con-
the convention and to take steps to secure ia.
vorable action thereon.
A resolution offered by the committee on
the order of business was one in approval OF
the plan of the commissioner Of agriculture,
as set forth in his address to the convention,
for introducing upon farms connected with
agricultural colleges and experiment stations
the more valuable plants and trees adapted
to local climatic conditions from the various
parts of the world. This gave rise to spir.t
tied debate 1t seemed to be the opinion Of a
majority Of the speakers that ths distribution
Of seeds should be made entirely by the com.
missioner of agriculture, who was supposed
to be in position to know or to learn what
varieties would be beneficial to any particu.
lar locality, and who could be held RESPONSE
ble for results.
A number Of papers on agricultural topics
were read by delegates 80