Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-12-09

source of aid and encouragement to agri-
cultural efforts. Large sums of money
are annually appropriated for the mainte-
nance of this department and it must be
confessed that the legislation relating to
it has not always been directly in the in
terest Of practical farming or properly
guarded against waste and extravaganza.
So far however, the public money has
been appropriated fairly and sensibly to
help those who actually till the soil and
no expenditure has been more proftably
made or more generally approved by the
people.
Under the present management Of the
department it's usefulness has been en-
HANGED in every direction, and at the same
time strict economy has been enforced to
the utmost extent permitted by congress
sional action. From the report of the sec
rotary 1t appears that through careful and
prudent financial management he has an
nually saved a large sum from appropria-
ttons, aggregating during his incumbency
and up to the close of the present fiscal
year nearly one-fifth of the entire amount
appropriated. These results have been
accomplished by a conscientious study OF
the real needs of the farmer and such re-
gard for economy as the genuine farmer
ought to appreciate, supplemented by
rigid adherence to civil service methods in
a department which should be conducted
in the interest of agriculture instead Of
partisan politics.
Value of Our Exports.
The secretary reports that the value Of
our exports of farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to $500 000, 900,
an increase Of SIT 900 over those Of
year Immediately preceding. This state
ment is not the less welcome because of
the fact that, Notwithstanding such in
crease the proportion of exported agricul
tural products to our total exports Of
all descriptions fell off during the year.
The benefits Of an increase in agricultural
eXparts being assured, the decrease in it's
proportion to our total exports is the more
gratifying when we consider that it is
owing to the fact that such total exports
for the year increased more than 5,000,
900.
The large and increasing expectation Of
our agricultural products suggest the great
usefulness of organization lately estab-
lished in the department for the purpose
Of giving to those engaged in farming pur-
suits reliable information concerning the
condition, needs and advantages of differ
ent foreign markets, inaSmuch as the sue
cess Of the farmer depends upon the ad-
vantageous sale of his products, and in
asmuch as foreign markets must largely
be the destination of such products, it is
quite apparent that a knowledge of the
conditions and wants that affect those
markets Of the result in sowing more in
diligently and reaping with better prom
Use of profit Such information points out
the way to prudent foresight in the selec-
ton and cultivation of crops and to a re-
lease from the bondage of unceasing mon
otony Of production, a glutted and de-
pressed market, and constantly recurring
Improbable toll.
Secretary Morton Upheld.
In my opinion the gratutous distribu-
ton of seeds by the department. as at
present conducted, ought to be discontinued.
No one can read the statement of the sec
rotary on this subject and doubt the ex-
travagance and unquestionable results Of
this practice. The professed friends OF
the farmer, and certainly the farmers
themselves, are naturally expected to be
willing 10 rid department devoted to the
promotion of farming interests Of feature
which tends so much to its discredit.
The weather bureau now attached to the
department Of agriculture has continued
to extend it's sphere of usefulness and by
an uninterrupted improvement in the &C
curacy of it's forecasts has greatly in
creased it's efficiency as an aid and pro-
lection to all whose occupations are relat-
ed to weather conditions.
Omitting further reference to the opera
lions of the department, l commend the
secretary's report and the suggestions 1t
contains to the careful consideration Of the
Congress.