Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1895-09-26
IMPORTANCE or FARMING.
As Shown In National Legislation
and In the Development Of
the Agricultural de-
partment.
Especial to the P[SE

There les vague idea in some quarieie
that the occupation of farming is one
of the st arts, and that at the present
time comparatively few people are
engaged in it. What has, perhaps,
contributed to this impression more
than any thing else are the statements
which frequently find their way in The
public prints in regard to people
leaving their homes in the country and
going to the cities. II Is not sur
prisiDg then that there should be an
idea that farming is in its decadence,
and that the class q people who gain
their livelihood frrm the soil is grad
ually diminishing in numbers The
facts, howeve-, 10 not justifythis opin.
ion. According to Mr.. Morton, the
SECRETARY OF Agriculture, there are in
the United States more than 6.0O0,.
900 farms, where are located the
homes Of more than $4,000, 900 OF
the population of this country. 1t is
evident from these figures that nearly
fifty per cent. of the population live
in the country, as distinguished from
towns and villages. 1t is further esti-
mated by the Secretary of Agriculture
that these farm-dwellers furnish more
than seventy-four per cent. Of the val
ue of the exports of this country.
In point of numbers, as well as in
their contributions to the wealth Of
The country, the farmers constitute
perhaps the most important element
Of our population. 1t is evident that
the interest of this class are consid
red by Congress, especially if any
weight can be attached TO the amour
# money which is annually expended
under the auspices ofthe Agric ultursl
Department. During the year 1894,
the appropriations for the Agricultural
amounted to nearly three
and one half millions Of dollars, and
this large sum of money was expend
ed in Investigations and in directions
that were deemed of Importance and
value to the agric ultural interests.
The department itself is constantly
growing, and during the year above
referred to there was upon its psy-rolls
ome twenty-five hundred employees.
)f course all these were not located il ]
his city, but the force found necessary
o keep here is increasing in such pro
'ortions that the department has al
eady out-grown the present building
md additional room is found in struc
ures which have been erected on th,
The design of the depart
1ent is to afford assistance To the
srmer and to supply him with infor
,ati N which will be useful in his
alling. For this reason the depart
lent employs class OF experts, men
{ scientific training, who Investigate
oils, the effect of climate on plants,
be character or fertilizers and other
inject which present daily problems
, the sgriculturist. There is another
uty which has been assigned the de-
srtment, and its performance serves
, advance the interests of farming
lass, it also protects the public, and
,sG is the Efforts which ARE made to
revent the importation Of diseased
attle, and also to inspect meat. One
T the important functions O: the de-
artment is the study of the habits of
insects and the suggestion
the best means of putting an end to
lie damage which they cause and to
ad ultimately to their extinction.
great deal has been done by the
apartment in diffusing information
,lative TO the cultivation of fruits and
nall muts, calling the attention of
Irmerr and cultivators to the varieties
lat can probably be raised in the
arious sections Of the country, and in
her ways showing how farmers can
>tend their business and increase
leir income. The influence OF de-
Artment 10 felt throughout the
,untiy; bat N order that its work
light b made more effective, sys-
IN of experiment stations has been
in various localities where
ae local needs are studied and where
tactical methods ars worked out and
,e result make known to the farmers.
he fact that farming has held its
wn in the contest with other occupa-
ons 10 an evidence that the cultiva-
,rs of the soil have kept abreast Of
10 times and that modern methods
DIV rule the farms. The Agricultu- ,
j Department is now one of the
'ear executive departments Of the
with its secretary occu
ring a seat in the cabinet. A few
,ars ago it was a mere bureau Of the
'vernment and q very small and
one at that. This COM
lrisou illustrates in a rather forcible
~ the charge that has taken place !;
sgricultuEl methods in this coun- )
Y.
Blood Flows.
Hopkinsville, KY, Sept. 23.- u