Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-08-12
DISTINCTLYUSEFUL
Worlds Fair Exhibit Projected
by "Uncle Jerry"
NEW IDEAS FOR AGRICULTURIsTs.

To Be Developed and Made Plain by the
Proposed Observation-Disclosures wright's
Report on the Effect of the Tariff Law
on Prices-Neidringhaus the Tin-PIate
Man, Makes Oner to American
workers-Civil Service Reform in Navy
Yards-Capitsl Notes.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-The enthusiasm
of the agricultural department in refer
ence to the Worlds fair is still growing
Assistant Secretary Willis, who in the
absence of "Uncle Jerry" presides over the
department, explained in conversation
yesterday something of the proposed ex-
hibit. at is our intention to have an eX-
hibit which will not send spectators away
with thoughts of its beauty only" said
Mr.. Willis. But when they leave they
will, if they have been careful in their en-
animation, take away with them ideas
that, particularly if they are of the agri-
cultural class, will prove of great value to
them From Investigations which the de-
partment is now making we shall be able
to show what kind of product every part
of the country is best suited to yield
Valuable Investigations,
StINbih AItiuS AlpN bCllcT III Ou6 state
than another; wheat in one state is more
profitable product than corn, and vice
versa We shall take advantage thissyear
of the bountiful yield of crops to see Just
where the greatest success has been had.
For instance, our Investigations this year
show that in parts of Minnesota certain
kinds of seed wheat obtained from a
particular part of the country has yielded
wheat weighing sixty-nine pounds to the
bushel, and that other kinds have pro-
duced only fifty-seven pounds to the
bashel. Now, the reason and the lame OF
the better kind, accompanied by the con-
ditions under which it was cultivated,
etc, will be of great advantage to the
farmer
How to Increase the Cotton Crop.
"The same rule will be adopted with
other products. We shall show the best
kinds of tobacco for certain parts of the
country. the most successful method of
curing it. and the same with cotton. The
American farmer is of a conservative ma
ture-save possibly when he gets to pay
ing too much attention TO politics." Mr..
Willis interpolated with smile, but
when he sees what the agricultural de-
partment has to show him and when it.
points out TO him the way TO improve. he
will at least try our advice And when he
does the result will be wonderful. | ven
ture to predict that the cotton crop alone
can be increased in amount fully 80 per
cent by the discoveries which we have
made.
Farmers To he Asked to Help.
with products about which We have
not yet fully made up our minds, further
investigation will be made. We shall
furnish the best farmers in certain dis
tricts with seeds and ask them to grow
them. We shall then be able TO reap our
experimental harvests and make our re-
port in time for the Worlds fair in Chi
cago. Our DIR. Merriam, who is now with
the Alaska expedition, has made some
very valuable Investigations in Deaf h
valley. Some people laughed at our send
ing him there. Well, suppose people can
ind amusement at a funeral.
Observations to Temperature.
Nevertheless he started at the lowest
depth of the valley, 200 feet below sea
level, and climbing from that point to the
top Of Mount Whitney, a coo foet above
the level of the sea, he was enabled to take
zone observations which told him Just
what Temperature is best suited for
special products. This is, in the rough.
an outline cf the Investigations which we
have been making and propose to continue
making f0r 80 G-c.cGloural department
exhibit at the Worlds fair. And such
sugGes:icAs - any body cares to make
looking toward still further improve
ments "e snail Oe siad to receive"
EFFECT or TARIFF ON PRICES