Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-04-12
SCIENCE AND FARMING.
The Variety of Information Sup
piled BY the Agricultural Depart-

piled by the Agricultural Depart
mcmi.
The growing importance and dignit
OF the Department OF Agriculture
due largely to the intimate conneclio
which it maintains with a large clas
of the population 1t Is commonl
supposed that the Department ha
been so much broadened Of late year,
the addition of the Weather Burea
being noticeable instance, that it
clicntage is much more extended thar
merely those whose occupation is tha
OF farming. The distribution of seed
is an illustration in point. The farm
ers are, OF course, expected to reap tn,
main advantages from having place,
at their disposal, free of cost, variet,
OF seeds.
The fact is, however, that every
householder who has little patch O
garden has as much right to the pack
ages OF seed rs ii he titled acres. The
seed distribution has reached such en-.
ormous proportions that vigorous ef-
fort is being made to bring it down
within what is regarded as reasonable
limits. The present Secretary es
Inmates that since the beginning Of the
system of seed distribution, tifty-foul
years ago, there has been expended
over three millions of dollars, All
average OF nearly sixty thousand each
year.
1t 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 ex.
pense. This change is largely due to
the establishment OF the agricultural
experiment stations which are scatter
ed throughout the country. At these
local points all sorts of experiments can
be made in regard 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, is d
striking phase of its extensive opera
tions. Take, for instance, what is be
ing done in the examination of fOot
preparations. The adulteration OF
various articles of food has been such
a crying evil that there has been g
general demand for some official super
vision. State laws have united with
National laws in accomplishing good
results. A marked improvement il
found in the system OF canning good.
so that poison 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
employed for the preservation OF the
goods.
The amount OF information that has
been disseminated from the Depart
ment of Agriculture in regard tc
canned goods alone has practically
brought 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 com
mon use as tea, and coffee, and
chocolate, and flour, spices, &c.
The inspection of meat should moi
be overlooked. This system applies
not only to meat intended for domestic
consumption. but to the products fol
direct export. The microscopic in
spec,ion has been made. especially
rigid.
Information as to the best means
of preventing the ravages of destructive
insects is furnished freely to the public
and great assistance as we'll as saving
of money has resulted to the farmers
of the country. The extend OF the in
formation which is supplied by the
bulletins of the Department can hard
ly be appreciated by any one who has
not looked into the matter carefully
Everything that effects growing plants
in all the stages has been made the
subject of careful investigation. even
the habits OF birds and animals
destructive to plants having been
studied, and their geographical dis.
tribution has been pointed out. In
this way the farmer is enabled to form
a judgment as to the character OF the
crops most likely to succeed.
In fact, if all the information that is
made available is acted upon by the
farmers, they ought to be we'll equipped
for practical work. Perhaps, more
over, the Agricultural Department
scientists are fond OF using unfamiliar
language, and perhaps their style il
not lively and interesting, and hence
the bulletins are not read and studied
as generally as their distribution nigh
imply.
The Good Of Advertising.