The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-05-09
Science and Farming.
suE VARIETY OF INFORMATION SUPPLIED
ny THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

lhe growing lHlpOI1"hce ohu uiS-
nifty of the Department of Agricul-
ture is due largely to the intimate
connection which it maintains with
a large class of the population. 1t
is commonly supposed that the De-
partment is maintained for the bene
~ of the farmer, but this is not
strictly the case. The scope of the
Department has been so much
broadened of late years, the addition
of the Weather Bureau being no.
,,ceable instance, that its clientage
is much more extended than merely
those whose occupation is that OF
farming. The distribution of seeds
is an illustration in point. The
farmers are, of course, expected to
reap the main advantages from hav-
ing placed at their disposal, free of
cost, variety of seeds.
The fact is, however, that every
householder who has little patch
of garden has as much right to the
packages of seed rs if he titled acres.
The seed distribution has reached
such enormous proportions that
vigorous effort is being made to
bring it down within what is regard
ed as reasonable limits. The pres
ent Secretary estimates that since
the beginning of the system of seed
distribution, fifty-four years ago.
there has been expended over three
millions of dollars, an averge of near.
" sixty thousand each year.
IL is now the intention to furnish
only those varieties of seeds which
have been tested and which have
been found to be suitable for
cultivation in the various sections
of the country.
The ordinary varieties are not to
be provided by the government free
of expense. This change is largely
due to the establishment of the nc.
ricultural experiment stations which
sre scattered throughout the coun-
try. At these local points all sorts
of experiments can be made in re.
gard to soil and the adaptability of
seeds and plants to the conditions
of local climate.
In fact, the activity of the Depart
ment, on these practical lines, IL n
striking phase of its extensive OF
erations. Take, for instance. what
is being done in the examination OF
food preparations. The adultera-
ton OF various articles of food has
been such a crying evil that there
has been general demand for some
official supervision. State laws have
united with National laws in accom-
plishing good results. A marked
Improvement is found in the system
of canning goods so that posion
from lead tops is of rare occurrence,
and better quality of tin is used
for the cans. More care is exercised
in the use of the various acids EN-.
ployed for the preservation of the
goods.
The amount Of information that
has been disseminated from the De
partment of Agriculture in regard
to canned goods alone has practical
ly wrought an entire change in the
method of carrying on the business,
and has contributed materially to
the health of the people. A similar
reform may be noted in such articles
of common use as tea, and coffee,
and chocolate, and flour, spices, &c.
The inspection of meat should not
be overlooked This system applies
not only to meat intended for domes-
tic consumption, but to the products
for direct export. The microscopic
inspection has been made especially
rigid.
Information as to the best means
of preventing the ravages of de-
structive insects if furnished freely
to the public, and great assistance
as we'll as saving of money has re-
suited to the farmers of the country.
The extent of the information which
is supplied by the bulletins of the
Department can hardly be appreciat-
ed by any one who has not looked
into the matter carefully. Every
thing that affects growing plants in
all stages has been made the subject
of careful investigation, even the
habits of birds and animals destruc-
tive to plants having been studied,
and their geographical distribution
has been pointed cut. In this way
the farmer is enabled to form a
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