The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-15
THE NATIONS FARMS.
Synopsis of Commissioner Cole
mans Annual Report.
Review Of the Country's Agricul-
tural and Forestry Interests.

Mr.. Norman j. Colman, Commissioner OF
Agriculture, has submitted his second an
nual report to the President. he sets
forth at length the benefits derived and TO
be expected from agricultural experiment
stations, and says he has commissioned q
special agent to visit and inspect e1-
perimental stations in order to ascertain
what facilities already existed in this country
for systematic experimentation, what has
been actually accomplished, and especially
what are the needs for future work.
the value of these Investigations and
experiments if literally supported and
ably conducted, especially in ad iusting
to its new conditions the agriculture depend
ent upon the worn land of the Northern,
Eastern, and Southern States. He points
out defe It's in the bill now before Congress
'for the establishment of agricultural ex-
perimental stations in connection with the
agricultural colleges" and suggests that
The expenditure OF the sum proposed to
be given to each State (Sl5, 900, in establishing
or Strengthening one efficient institution rath-
er than, by allowing its distribution among
several institutions, fail to realize the desired
purpose in any of them. He also holds it to be
highly iinpor. ant thatprovisions be madefor
a central station at once at Washington to re-
ceive, criticise, digest, edit, aud consolidate
the results obtained at the various stations,
and promulgate the same in form suited to
popular understanding and application.
He urges prompt and efectual action for
the suppression OF pleuro Pneumonia, and
says; AVN avn,
shadowing in urgency all others affecting our
I'm a n
also to every consumer of beef, of milk, OF
butter, and of cheese. Toprevent this scourge,
which has already greatly affected our for.
eign and interstate commerce additional
legislation by Congress is now essential.
Much valuable work has already been done
in Maryland, and the danger Of the dissemi-
nation of the contagion from that State has
done in the State OF New York, be-
cause it was evident that the appro-
priation was not sufficient to secure any
favorable results there on account of the in
fection. The disease also exists in New Jer-
sey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, but the
State authorit 'eS have not yet accepted the
rules and regulations Of the department
for cooperation: | greatly regret the ne; e
cessity Of announcing the existence OF
this dangerous disease over such a wide
area, but the serious results to be apprehend-
ed from it make it imperative that the truth
should be known, in order that such legisla-
tive action may be taken as is indicated by
the emergency"
Upon forestry he says there is practically
no reproduction attempted nor forest plant
ing done worth mentioning in comparison
with the enormous annual consumption. 'As
first step Of REFORM" he says. "undoubt:
edly, the land policy on the United
States in the timbered regions requires
q change according to the changed
conditions Of these localities A state
of affairs which allows railroad conf
ranies, minors, prospectors and settlers to
cut timber on the public domain as their
wants re luire without any proper supervi-
sion, without proper opportunity of acquiring
either material or timber-land by purchase,
holds out a premium for fraud, theft aud inn
morality"
The report expresses regret at the inability
of the department to send representatives to
conferences abroad where subjects Of agri-
cultural interest are discussed.