The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-08
FACTS FOR FARMERS.
Comprehensive Review of the Work
of That Department.

The department of agriculture Is so init
mately related to the welfare of our people
and the prosperity Of our nation that it should
constantly receive the care and encourage
ment of the government. From small begin
ming, 1t has grown to be the center of agri-
cultural science and the source of assistance
to our agricultural efforts. The large sums
annually appropriated foF the maintenance of
this department and 1t must be confessed
that the legislation relating to it has not al
ways been in the direction Of practical farm
ing, or properly guarded against waste or
extravaganza. So far, however, the public
money has been appropriated fairly and SEN
Slbly to help those who actually till the soil
No expenditure has been more profitably
made or more generally approved by the peo-
pie.
Under the present management of the de-
partment, its usefulness has been enhanced
in every direction, and at the same time
strict economy has been enforced to the ut
most extent permitted by congressional action
From the report of the secretary it appears
that through careful and prudent financial
management he has annually saved large
sum from his appropriations aggregating dur
ing his fncumbency and up to the close of
the present fiscal year, nearly one-ffth of the
entire amount appropriated These results
have been accomplished by a conscientious
study of the real needs of the farmer, and
such regard for economy as the genuine farm
er ought to appreciate, supplemented by a
rigid adherence to civil service methods in
a department which should be conducted in
the interest of agriculture instead of partisan
politics.
The secretary reports that the value of our
exports Of farm products during the last fiscal
year amounted to $570, 200, 600. an increase of
ST 900 600 over those of the year Immediately
preceding. This statement is not the less
welcome because of the fact that notwith-
standing such increase, the proportion of ex-
ported agricultural products to our total ex-
ports OF all descriptions fell off during the
year. The benefits of an increase in agri-
cultural exports being assured, the decrease
in its proportion to our total exports is the
Putin yl10V7
owing to the fact that such total exports for
the year increased more than SIS 900, ,GOO
The large and increasing expectation of our
agricultural products suggests the great use
fulness of the organization lately established
in the department for the purpose of giving
to those engaged in farming pursuits reliable
information concerning the condition needs
and Advantages of different foreign markets
Inasmuch as the success of the farmer de-
pends upon the advantageous sale of his
products and inasmuch foreign markets
must largely be the destination Of such prod
ucts it is quite apparent that a knowledge Of
the conditions and wants that affect those
markets ought to result In sowing more in
telligently and reaping with better promise
of profit.
Such information points out the way to
prudent foresight in the selection and cultiya-
tion of crops and to a release from the bond
age of unreasoning monotony of production.
a glutted and depressed market and constant
ly recurring Improbable toll.
In my opinion the gratuitous distribution of
seeds by the department as at present con-
Quoted ought to be discontinued. No one can
read the statement of the secretary on this
subject and doubt the extravaganza and ques-
tionable results of this practice. The pro-
fessed friends Of the farmer, and certainly
the farmers themselves, are naturally expect
ing to be willing to rid a department de-
voted to the promotion of farming interests
of a feature which tends so much to its dis
credit
The weather bureau now attached to tho
department of agriculture has continued to
extend it's sphere of usefulness, and by an
Its forecasts has greatly increased it's effci-
ency as an aid and protection to all whose
occupations are related to weather condi-
tions.
Omitting further reference to the operations
of the department, commend the secretary's
report and the suggestions it contains to the
careful consideration Of the congress.