Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-02
OUR AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
Report Of Commissioners COlman.

Report Of COmmissiOner COlman.
EXPERIMENTAL sTATIoNs-CATTIE DISEASE TREE
PLANTING, ETC.
Mr. Norman J. COlman, Commissioner OF Agri-
culture in his annual report. states in regard to
the BENEFITS which will result from the establish
ment of agricultural experiment stations that he
has commissioned a special agent to visit and in
spect the experiment stations In order to aScer-
tain existing facilities and what has been actually
accomplished, and especially what are the needs
for future work.
VALUE OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS.
sThere can be no question:" he says, ''Of the
value OF these Investigations and experiments, If
literally supported and ably conducted, especially
in adjusting to its conditions the agriculture
dependent upon the worn landof the northern,
eastern and southern states. The stations and
colleges OF the several states constantly urged
to enlarged experimentation beyond present re-
sources, and often find themselves striking new
leads which they cannot follow, all for want OF
means. In nearly all cases there is land enough
and to spare, owned and Immediately available.
But the current expenses OF experimental work is
very heavy. Cheap labor and appliances will not
up their educational facilities and assume new Oh
legations OF this extent and character, however
well recognized the Importance OF the work. A
provision sufficient for the purpose. Where state
stations do not exist and colleges have begun such
work, it is apparent that further provision is
the very general interest in the bill
now before Congress for the estab-
ishment OF agricultural experiment stations in
connection with agricultural colleges and the
prevalent opinion OF It's Importance and the de-
sire for its early enactment" But the bill is not
free from defects and ii is suggested that ii be
amended as to insure the expenditure OF the sum
proposed to be given TO each state $4,000 in
Iablishing or strengthening one efficient insitu-
among several institutions Tail to realize the
sired purpose in any OF Them It is highly import
ant that provision be made in the bill for a cen
trail station office at Washington to receive,
criticise, digest, edit, and consolidate the results
obtained at the various stations and periodically
prOmulgate the same in form suited to popular
understanding and application. The already over
taxed clerical force OF the department cannot
properly perform this additional labor; and
new division with a competent chief and assist
ants is declared essential
THE SPREAD OF PLEURo-PNEUMoNIA.
In commenting upon the work OF the bureau OF
animal industry he describes the spread OF peuro-
pneumonia, and says: "Every effort possible
under existing laws has been made to locate the
exposed. 1t would have been most fortunate ii
every animal exposed TO the disease and Liable To
contract ii could have been Summarily slaughtered
and the cOntagiOn thus eradicated. The eXpe-
rience Of all countries has been that the malady
may be thoroughly and completely stamped out in
this way, and that there is no other means by
which the bovine species can be protected
from It's ravages. With dis
ease OF this character at Chicago it has been
country has reached a crisis There can be no
doubt that it will be soon and widely dissent
mated unless prompt and effectual action can be
instituted for its speedy suppression. To prevent
the spread OF this ScOurge, which has already
greatly effected our foreign and interstate CON-
merce 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 been
greatly leSSened. No work has been done in the
state OF New York, because it was evident that the
appropriation was not sufficient to secure any
favorable results there ON account OF the extent OF
the Injection. The disease also exists in New
Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, but the state
authorities have not yet accepted the rules and
regulations OF the department for cooperation.
UPON FORESTRY
there is practically no reproduction attempted or
forest planting done in comparison with the enor-
nous annual consumption. The land policy of
the United States requires change according to
the changed conditions OF the localities, and the
government might appropriately extend its opera
lions by planting on large SCALE in bodies OF
eral contiguous sections In the treeeSS states and
territories OF the vest but with the present faci
ties he Is unable to make specific Investigations.
INVITATIONS FROM ABROAD
The department is continually in receipt OF fnvf-
tattons from abroad to send representatives to ex
hibtions, &C., but uniform declinatiOn has to be
made to all these requests for conference and in
terchange of thought between the Two hemispheres.
This condition of things Should be reversed, says
the commissioner. National pride alone should
dictate the pursuance of different course. The
commissioner observes WIN pride the favor with
which the publications of the chronological divi-
sion are received In other countries, as evidenced
by letters acknowledged sent to himself and by
honors conferred upon the entomologist.
Political Notes.
Lieut. Gov Gibbs, of Texas, is in receipt Of let
ter from ex-senator Thurman and the committee
of the Jackson democratic club OF Columbus, O.,
requesting his presence at meeting OF party
lights January 7th, for the purpose OF discussing
the condition OF the party throughout the country
John Tyler Cooper, the fusion candidate for
were all the fusion cOuncflmen. The fusion ticket
was the result of a compromise between the pro-
hibitionists and the anti-prohibitlonists.
Speaker Carlisle says the grounds on which Mr..
ThObe's notice OF contest are based frivolous.
Official returns from the Washington Territory
election make the legislature republican by ma
delegate is as follows: Charles S. voorhees, (den.)
3,272; Chas. N. Shaw Tep.), n ,0SO; WA. Newell
In the matter OF the Injunction applied for to
prevent the secretary OF state, or Indiana, from
transmitting TO the speaker OF the house OF repre-
sentatives the result OF the vote for lieutenant
governor, Attorney General Michener yesterday,
On behalf OF the secretary OF state, filed demurrer
alleging, first, that the plaintin tHOn. Green
SMITH has no legal % capacity pa to sue; and second
cause for action. The case viii be called next
The republican state committee Of New Jersey
has adopted q resolution Offering reward OF
8, 600 TO any one who win furnish information
which will lead TO the arrest and conviction OF the
instigators in the criminal attempt to defeat the
lawful expression OF the viii OF the people, The
committee has employed eminent counsel to
contest, both before the house OF assembly and In
the courts, the election OF Turley:
elected the following oficers: Noah Davis OF
New York, president; Gen. E p. Hill, OF New
York, first vfce,prssident; Rev; Dr: @ b. Warden,
w. conway, OF Brooklyn, secretary. The report
Of the committees In favor OF the name New York