Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-09-27
IMPORTANCE OF FARMING.
As shown In National Legislatton
and I'm Development of the Agri.
cultural Department..

WASHINGTON, Sept. 90. 1895.
There is vague idea in some quar-
ters that the occupation of farming is
one of the lost arts, and that at the
present time comparatively few people
are engaged in it. What has, per-
haps, contributed to this impression
more than anything else are the state
ments which frequently find their way
in the public prints in regard to people
leaving their homes in the country
and going to the cities. 1t is not sur
prising then that there should be an
idea that farming is in its decadence,
and that the class OF people who gain
their livelihood from the soil is gradu-
ally diminishing in numbers. The
facts, however, do not justify this
opinion.
According to Mr.. Morton, the Secre-
tary of Agriculture, there are in the
United States more than 6,OOO, 900
farms, where are located the homes of
more than 100000 of the popula-
ton 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 estimated
by the Secretary of Agriculture that
these farm.dwellers furnish more than
seventy-four per cent. of the value of
the exports OF this country.
In point of numbers, as we'll 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 interests OF this class are consid.
cred by Congress, especially if any
weight can be attached to the amount
of money which is annually expended
under the auspices of the Agricultural
department. During the year 1894,
the appropriations for the Agricultu-
raj Department amounted to nearly
three aud one-half millions of dollars,
and this large sum of money was ex.
pended in Investigations and in direc-
tiOns that were deemed of importance
and value TO the agricultural interests.
The department itself is constantly
growing, and during the year above re-
ferred to there was upon its pay-rolls
some twenty-five hundred employees.
OF course all these were not located in
this city, but The force found neces-
sary to be kept here is increasing in
such proportions that the department
has already outgrown the present
building and additional room is found
in structures which have been erected
on the grounds.
The design of the department is to
afford assistance to the farmer and to
supply him with information which
will be useful in his calling. For this
reason the department employs class
of experts, men OF scientific training,
who investigate soils, the effect OF eli
mate on plants, the character OF fertil-
izers, and other subjects which present
daily problems to the agriculturist.
There is another duty which has been
assigned the department, and its per-
formance serves TO advance the inter-
ests OF the farming class, it also pro-
tects the public, and that is the ef-
forts which are made to prevent the
importation of diseased cattle, and
also to inspect meat.
One Of the important functions OF
the department is the study of the
habits of destructive insects and the
suggestion of the best means of put.
ting an end to the damage which they
cause and to lead ultimately to their
extinction. A great deal has been
done by the department in diffusing
information relative to the cultivation
of fruits and small nuts, calling the
attention OF farmers and cultivators to
the varieties that can profitably be
raised in the various sections OF the
country, and in other ways showing
how farmers can extend their business
and increase their income.
The influence of the department is
felt throughout the country; but in
order that its work might be made
more effective, a system Of experiment
stations has been inaugurated in yari-