The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-16
AGRICULTURE
The Annual Report Of the National
Com III missioner.

Com missioner.
Commissioner Colman, Of the Nationa
Agricultural department, in his annual re-
port says the year which opened in gloom.
threatening the destruction Of winter crops,
is closing with bright prospects of abundance
for man and beast, Produced at a cost whic
is not a burden to the producer, and to be
sold at a price which is not a barrier to the
poor consume.
He says it has become more apparent that
a more intimate relation is necessary between
the several agricultural and experimental
stations and the department. The colleges
were endowed by Congress. They are now
separately carrying on experiments without
any central head through which to report
and compare results. He submits that the
department should have authority to avail
itself of the peculiar advantages offered by
these institutions in order to test the adapta-
bility of new seeds to various sections.
The law establishing the bureau Of animal
industry he says, does not authorize the
slaughter of animals affected with conta-
gious diseases. The characteristics Of pleuro-
pneumonia make it a difficult disease to ex-
tirpate except by the slaughter Of affected
dIllluOlo anu ~ @uSA Va tNSA
all that have been exposed. Such is now the
policy OF most civilized nations. He de-
scribes the serious effect upon our for
eign trade in life stock resulting from the
existence of contagious diseases among cat
tie, and says that the reduction in the value
of cattle in the affected States has been enor-
nous.
In the chronological division the work has
greatly increased during the year. Much
attention has been given to agriculture, and
the work in respect to silk culture has been
much extended.
Inc statIsticlan of the department has a re-
view of the course Of agricultural production
during fifteen years, which shows an estl-
mated increase in corn Of 37,OOO,O O0 acres, or
80 Der cent; in wheat, of %, 900 ,0G0 acres, or
los per cent; in oats, Of II, 1000, 900 acres, or
142 per cont; in all cereals taken together,
III. C0O, 900 acres, or 81 per e
The commissioner says that many import
ant medicinal plants are perfectly adapted to
our climate, and could be cultivated in per-
lection; and it would seem well that means
should be taken to give them a proper trial:
The commissioner says that efforts should
be made to arouse the people to the dangers
which threaten us through the destruction
of forests. "Arbor days. should he instituted,
the science Of forestry should be taught IN
schools, and the organization OF local ana
State forestry societies should lie encouraged:
In view of the continued destruction OF
the timber on the government lands, and the
importance OF preserving such portions OF
forests as are adjacent to the head springs OF
rivers, or which may he needed for climatic
or other reasons, he urges that the further
sale of timber lands belonging to the govern
ment ought to be suspended until q survey
shall reveal, what portion may be sold with
out injury to the country and what ought to
be permanently held in the forest condition.
The commits ;ioner says that particular at
tention has been given to improved methods
of distributing seeds. He calls attention to
that feature Of the law which anticipates O
report Of experiments from those who receive
seeds, and says in a vast majority Of cases
this design of law is not met and is not likely
to be. He suggests for consideration whether
or not some systematic plan Of cooperation
NAV not be fixed upon between the depart
ment and members Of Congress by which the
former can nave q better control over the
distribution Of seeds than it now has, and
make the distribution q condition precedent
to a compliance with simple but important
requirements.
The commissioner describes the result OF
the work of the microscopical division in the
discovery Of a method of detecting counter
felt butter. and says that the unparalleled IN
crease during the past few years in the manu-
facture and sale Of various compounds,
%fraudu.ently Represented to the public as but
ter. threatens the destruction OF the legiti-
mate dairy BUSINESSMAN interest of the
largest magnitude. It is not, he says, com.
petition with dairymen that is deprecated, but
the stimulation of the true dairy products,
the use of impure substances and the dishon-
est sale, at high rates. of products otherwise
of little value, practices which demorallze
trade. defraud honest industry and deceive
To protect the public from these deceptive
practices he earnestly recommends the prompt
passage of q law by Congress to prevent the
continuance Of this business except under
such regulations as the necessities OF the. case
demands, the enforcement Of the Law, II
thought advisable by Congress, to be placed
under the control OF the internal revenue de-
partment.