The evening times., 1898-12-03
NATURE-TEACHlNG
UNDER STATE AUSPICES
YEARS WORK FOR THE FARMER
Secretary Wilson Tells What the
Government Is Doing tn Promote
the Science of Husbundry.

the Department of Agriculture, for the
advancement of the farmers of the
United States is brought forth in the an
nual report of Secretary Wilson. The
document deals in an extended manner
with the detailed workings of the depart
ment.
The following abstract gives an idea of
the endeavors of this branch of the Gov
ernment TO have the American farmer
stand pre-eminent among the tillers CT
the soil throughout the world.
Weather Bureau.-Observation and fore
cast stations have been extended around
the Caribbean Sea, and increased through
the interior of the country, especially in
the mountain States.
Division OF Vegetable Physiology and
Pathology.-Good work has been done by
this division in hybridizinG the orange
and other citrus plants, and in the cross
ing of pineapples, whereby the size and
vigor of the fruit are much increased and
! the flavor greatly improved.
Section of Foreign Markets.-Our
knowledge of the islands of the Caribbean
and China Seas is increased by the, pubii-
cations of this section. Our foreign trade
| in agricultural products is over two-thirds
! of our domestic exports and is steadily
| growing, while the production of field pro-
| ducts introduced from foreign countries
| is rapidly increasing, causing a, corre-
| spending decrease in agricultural imports.
Biological Survey.-The survey is map
! ping the natural life zones of the United
| States and determining the areas best
| adapted 10 various crops.
Farmers Bulletins.-The Derartment is
unable TO furnish to members Of Congress
as many farmers bulletins as their con-
| stituents desire. The farmcrsdaant them,
! Congressman desire them. and the .appro-
priation for this purpose should be en-
! larged.
Scientific Exp!oration.-The department
has four scientific explorers abroad. get
ting seeds and plants-One in Russia, one
| in the countries around the Mediterra-
| mean, one in the China seas and one in
| South America.
Forestry-The treeless region is now
getting vigorous attention. Species adapt
! ed 10 dry regions are being introduced.
| Mr.. Pinchot, the new chief, is planning
! to introduce better methods of handling
forest lands in public and private owner
| ship. the private owners paying the eX
penses of department agents who give in
| struction. \ million acres in twenty
! States have been offered for experiment
| tation and 10000 acres are now under
management. A study of fire prevention
and fire fighting is being made.
Soils and Tobacco-Many States are in
terested in the heredity, fiavoring and fer
mentation of tobacco, and the department
! has these features under research. The
| division of soils is getting facts in regard
! 10 irrigation for the benefit of farmers in
| the mountain States who are making their
lands sterile by using too much water
| Postgraduate Work.-The divisions of
| the Department of Agriculture should be
available TO graduates of agricultural col
slxr ia cl.- ill
lines. thus securing the best facilities in
| the land for preparing teachers fer the
| agricultural colleges and economic scieh-
lists for department work.
! The Grasses.-The best pastures produce
| animals at least cost. The division Of
agrostology studies grasses and the grass
| requirements of localities. The depart
ment is endeavoring to find grasses and
! leeumes for worn-Out lands in the East
and South. and binding grasses, 10 arrest
sand drift.
Division of Botany.-This division is at
work TO reduce our importations of the
little things that have been costing us
IS O5l.OG9 annually, such as chicory, GIN
seng. etc.
Economic Chemistry.-We are not giving
ry-onar attention to economic chemistry.
we nav foreign countries large sums for
coal-tar products, for example, while we
have skilled chemists capital and raw ma
terial at home Attention TO this oy the
iawmaking power should find the re-ReIE.
Crop Statistics.-The division OF Stats
ties collects and publishes Information re-
gardtug the principal crops and the num-
her of farm animals at home ana abIodu'
so that the isolated producer may get
| poffca of quantities and demand as soon
ae the dealers Strenuous efforts are be
| ing made to get the truth concerning pro-
duction. and great care is taken to publish
| results for general information on y
Agriculture in Alaska.-A practical sci
| entist was sent to Alaska to select sites
for experimental work-to test grains ans
grasses. legumes and vegetables aho
| studv the possibilities Of future produc'
ton He grew all of these crops witf
great success. Alaska will grow along tins
coast oats. barley. fax, rye, grasses anc
vegetables of as good a quality as many
of our Northern States produce. The IN
| terror will be explored next summer. II
| order that its capacity to support popuia
| ton may be learned.
Road Inquiry-Good roads save tim'
and expense. Steel rails are, perhaps
the coming material where hard rock i:
not convenient.
Experiment Stations.-The experiment
stations are more effective than evel
before. and are doing more original work
The feeding of mankind is being studied
I'm connection with State institutions.
Nature Study in Common Schools.-Na
| ture studies should be introduced into thf
| common schools, so that the young far
| mer's mind may be turned early TO life
| work studies.
Animal Industry.-The bureau of anima
industry has perfected a dip that takes
the fever ticks from cattle, 50 that they
| can be moved north at any season Of the
year. The bureau has continued expert.
| mentation with anttoXin serum, for the
| prevention and cure of hog cholera.
Emergency Appropriation.-The nature
| of work in the department is such thai
future requirements cannot all be antic
ipated specifically in an appropriation
bill Urgent needs of producers call fol
| expenditures in special directions through
some of the scientific divisions: investi.
| CATION of animal crop conditions; inquiry
into conditions in foreign countries where
| we sell or with whom we compete; eX
| ploration by scientists of islands scomns
| under control of the United States, ant
such like call for a special appropriation
| to be used by the Secretary of Agricul
| ture subject TO the laws regarding vouch
ers and auditing.
Inspection of Foreign Goods.-There il
evident necessity for the inspection o
many articles imported from foreign
countries that contain substances inju
rious to the public health. 1t may become
| necessary, where there is ground for sus
picion, and where need exists 10 identif.
! the source, to open packages at the por
of entry, as it is proposed in foreigl
countries to do with Our own exports il
p certain cases.