Evening star., 1894-02-22
THE RUSSIAN THISTLE.
secretary Morton Writes to Repre-
sentative Sibiey About Ii.

sehtat1Ne smiley About Ii.
Secretary of Agriculture Morton has writ
ten letter to Representative Sibley of
pennsylvania, which furnishes another chap
Ter IN the sharp controversy going on of late
over the determination of Russian thistles.
MI. Morton incloses a letter he wrote TO
no'. shortrldge OF North Dakota, in which
the Following language occurs:
NO one more than myself annreciatas
the Importance of exterminating this and
other noxious weeds which infest the farms
of the United States. But do NOT think ~
the business Of the government TO DESTROY
weeds for the people, any more than II is
10 raise wheat for them, or to cultivate
corn, by appropriations from the public
FUNDS Having given the lands to home
steaders, II seems that an Intelligent self
interest on the part of all the donees should
inspire them to so cultivate the lands 90 10
bring the highest possible price for the Ia nor
bestowed In that cultivation. The law of
seif-preservation ought to make Jealous
every farmer I'm the Dakotas, Nebraska and
Kansas to apply with might and main every
means at his command for either utiltzins
or eAterminating the Russian thistle But
leoera1 legislation can neither exterminate te
wss, we.dS no ny statute nor by attempting to in
many DO not pertain to itself"
Use of the Thistle.
Mr. Morton cites from letters and agri-
cultural papers as to the use which can be
made or the Russian thistle A letter from
MI Wangle of the Northwest Farmer. Win
hlpeg' Manitoba, states that Dakota farm
ers viii DO well to turn out sheep on the
tnistie lands, as thistles will furnish good
1000 Mr.. Roberts. I'm the Dakota Farmer. is
a. S,'eu 70 the enect that the thistle is bene-
III Iaener than curse, and that they can
pe useu Tor nay. or as a fertilizer The North
west armer is also quoted as stating: 1--WE
90 not look at the Russian thistle as some
Enon.r - Is one OF tne very best forage plants
hhoWn' ana certainly is one of the hest in
Dakota, Tor when it is so dry that nothing
VIII grow, then the thistle grows the tbicE
est ana one acre of Russian thistle will
clover" "es VI
hefeEring to these extracts Mr.. Morton
says IN his letter to Gov. Shortridge. .In
lem oh the DIVERSITY of opinion as to the
possibilities of the Russian thistle in the
Dakotas, above expressed by the nracticaI
farmers. see no reason for Changing INV
position as to the propriety of appropriaf
ing si,oo,ooo out of the treasury of the
United States for the purpose of emnloxin,1 o
commissioners and weed exterminaf fors
whose special energies shall be directed To
the determination of this weed"
secretary .Morton's letter to Representa-
1--WE Sibley bears date February ~ 4,
states that neither Gov. Shortridre nor
any other person has a letter from me
stating that L regard the Russian thistle as
a blessing to the farmer" The Shortridge
letter Is inclosed to show just what the
Secreatry has said.
The Secretary proceeds:
AS to Some Rumors
You remark that / am reported as an
tagonistic TO the bureau of animal industry
opposed to wheat inspection and adverse 10
the distribution of seeds to farmers A
copy of the animal report of the Secretary
oi Agriculture for 1898 is transmitted TO
you this day. Be kind enough, If you can
spare the time, to read that report and
permit IL to indicate my views Rumors
are vague and of uncertain origin Official
reports are the direct statements of the Of
fcers making them. You cite also other
reported utterances,' which are, in some
cases. wholly without foundation and in
Others grossly distorted. But l have neither
utterances,' nor is il necessary to anticipate
the yindication which time always awards
to rectitude and truth
May 1 hope that the inclosed letter Ito
Gov. Shortridge) can be given the same pub
licity which was given to the statement
that the Secretary of Agriculture had
declared the Russian thistle to be a benefit
and blessing in disguise.
1T will afford me great satisfaction to
meet you at the department whenever il
may suit your convenience to call. Mean
time, L respectfully assure you that after
having lived la the country, Oh the same
farm, among real farmers. for nearly forty
years L have very strong and abiding in
terest in the welfare of American agricul-
ture and a wholesome and honest ambition
to, in every legitimate manner. exalt its
character and increase its usefulness With
assurances, j. STERLING MORTON,
Secretary"