The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-12-09
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
A Great Deal Has Been Accomplished
During the Past Year.


been sent to many of the countries of the
Eastern and Western hemispheres fot
seeds and plants that may be useful to
the United States and with the further
view of opening up markets for our sur
plus products. The forestry division of
the department is giving special attention
to the treeless regions of our country. and
is introducing species especially adapted to
semi-arid regions. Forest fires, which
seriously interfere with production, espe
cially in irrigated regions, are being stud
led that the losses from this cause may be
avoided. The use and abuse of water in
many states of the west and collecting in.
formation regarding the laws of the states,
the decisions of the courts and the Gus
toms of the people in this regard so that
uniformity may be secured.
Experimental stations are becoming
more valuable every year. The appropria
ton of $702, 900 by congress is supple
mented by 100000 from the stations
Nationwide experiments have been con-
Quoted to ascertain the suitableness as to
soil and climate and states for growing
sugar beets. The number of sugar fac.
tories has been doubled in the past two
years and the ability of the United States
to produce it's own sugar from this source
Public Lands and Forest Reserves.
The public lands disposed of by the
government during the year reached
8, 453 1876. 90 acers, an increase of GA, $50 "a
acres over the previous year. The total
receipts from public lands during the
fiscal year amounted to S., 277, 995 IS, an in
crease of $3.50, O63. 80 over the preceding
year. The lands embraced in the IL forest
reservations, which were suspended by
the act of June 4, 1897, again become SUBJ
Ject to the operations of the prolama
lions of Feb. %, 1897, creating them,
which added an estimated amount
OF 19,951,36O acres to the area en-
braced in the reserves previously
created. In addition thereto two new
reserves were created during the year, the
Pine Mountain and Zaca Lake reserve in
California, embracing 1,044, 594 acres, and
the Prescott reserve in Arizona, embrac
ing 1920 acres, while the Pecos river re-
serve in New Mexico has been changed
and enlarged to include 120, 600 additional
acres ~
The department of the interior has in
augurated forest system, made possible
by the act of July, 1898, for graded force
of officers in control of the reserves This
system has only been in full operation
since August, but good results have al
ready been secured in many sections. The
reports received indicate that the system
of patrol has not only prevented destruc
tive fires from gaining Roadway, but has
diminished the number of fires.
Miscellaneous Recommendation.
The president reviews the Union Pacific
and Kansas Pacific railroad matters, and
congratulates the country upon the ex
cellent results obtained in the settlement
of bonded indebtedness of those roads
The crowded condition of the department
of justice is referred to and better quar-
tiers recommended. The inadequate &C
Communications of the supreme court are
also referred to. The work of the post
office department in meeting the greatly
increased demands upon it consequent up
on the state of war is warmly commended
The Importance of early legislation pro
viding for the taking of the Twelfth cen
sus is urged. The condition of the pension
department is stated, but no recommen
dations are made. The recommendations
of the commission and of the secretary
of the interior for the necessity of provid.
ing for the education of the $4,000 white
children resident in the Indian Ter
ritory are strongly endorsed.
Washington Would Celebrate.
In the year 1900 will occur the centen
NAL anniversary of the founding of the
city of Washington for the permanent
capital of the government of the United
States by authority of an act of congress
approved July 16, 1890. In May, 1900, the
archives and offices of the federal govern
ment were removed to this place. On the
18th of November, 100, the national
congress met here for the
first time and assumed exclusive
control of the federal district and city
This interesting event assumes all the
more significance when we recall the cir
cumstances attending the choosing Of the
site, the naming Of the capital in honor OF
the father of his country, and the interest
taken by him in the adoption of plans fol-
it's future development on a magnificent
scale.
|. These original plans have been wrought
out with constant progress and a signal
success even beyond their trainers could
have foreseen. The people of the country
are Justly proud of the distinctive beauty
and government of the capital and of the
rare instruments of science and education
which here find their natural home
A movement lately inaugurated by the
citizens to have the anniversary celebrated
with fitting ceremonies including, per-
haps, the establishment of a handsome
permanent memorial to mark so historical
an occasion and give it more than local
recognition, has met with general fsSoI
on the part of the people.
recommend to the congress the grant
ing of an appropriation for this purpose
and the appointment of committee from
its respective bodies.
1t might also be advisable to authorize
the president to appoint committee from
the country at large, which, acting with
the congressional and district of Column
bia committees, can complete the plans for
On appropriate national celebration.
The alien contract law is shown. by ex-
perience, to need amendment; measure
providing for the protection Of seamen is
proposed; the rightful application of the
8-hour law for the benefit of labor and
the principle of arbitration are suggested
for consideration and I commend these
subjects to the careful consideration OF
congress.
The several documentary reports will
be laid before you. They give in great
detail the conduct of the affairs of the
government during the past year and dis