The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-01-02
FARMER MORToN's WORK.
The Government Should Encourage
The Agricultural Depn rtm emt.

The Government Should Encourage
the Agricultural Department
The department. of agriculture is so inti-
mately related to the welfare. of our peo-
pie and the prosperity of our nation that
it should constantly receive the care ana
encouragement of the government. From a
small beginning, it has grown to be the
center of agricultural science and the source
of assistance to our agricultural enorts.
Large sums are annually appropriated for
the maintenance of this department and 1t
must be confessed that the legislation rcat-
ing to it has not always been in the dirrc-
ton of practical farming, or properly guard
cd against waste or extravaganza SO far,
however. the public money has been ap-
p-opriat ted fairly and sensibly to help those
who actually till the soil. and no cNpendl-
ture has been more protitably made or more
generally approved by the people.
Under the present management OF the de-
partmcnt, it's usefulness has been enhanced
in every direction, and at the same time
strict economy has been enforced to the
utmost extent permitted by congressional
action. From the report of the secretary
it appears that through careful and prudent
financial management he has annually saVeu
Il large sum from his appropriations, agsrc-
eating during his incumbency and up to
the close of the present fiscal year. nearly
Onc-tifth of the entire amount appropriated.
These results have been accomplished by
conscientious study of the real needs Of
the farmer and such regard for economy as
the genuine farmer ought to appreciate.
supplemented by a rigid adherence to civil
service methods In the department which
should be conducted in the interest OF aSrl-
culture instead of partisan politics.
The secretary reports that the value of
our exports of farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to So1O.WO,OO0.
an increase of S17,OO0,OOO over those OF
the year Immediately preceding. This state
ment is not the less welcome because Of the
fact that, notwithstanding such increase.
the proportion of exported agricultural
III otlucts to our total exports of all descrip-
lions fell off during the year. The benefits
of an increase in agricultural exports being
assured, the decrease In Its proportion to
our total exports of all descriptions fell of
during the year. The benefits OF an IN
crease in agricultural exports 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 $75.OOO.OOO.
In my opinion the gratuitOus distribution
of seeds by the department as Mt present
conducted ought to he discontinued. No
one can read the statement of the secretary
on this subject and doubt the extravaganza
and questionable results Of this practice.
The profcssed friends of the farmer, ana
certainly the farmers themselves. are natu-
rally expecting to be willing to rid de-
partmct devoted to the promotion OF farm
ing interests of feature which TENDS so
much to it's dscredit.
The weather bureau now attached to the
department of agriculture, has continued
to extend its sphere Of usefulness. and by
an uninterrupted improvement in the accu-
racy Of it's forecasts has greatly increased
its efficiency as an aid and protection to all
l~,,, ,<.1n tEd tn n
conditions.
Omitting further reference to the opera
lions of the department. l commend tine
sccretary's report and the suggestions 1t
contains to the careful consideration Of the
congress.