The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-15
CABINET OFFICER
N SEATTLE TODAY.
Secretary Wilson Leaves
Spokane for the Sound.
INQulRING INTO CROPS.
Anxious to Meet the Agricultu-
raj Mem Of the State.
Department Ought to Ne MaAe Use.
-Dairy Industry Needs Closer AZ.
tention-Raisiag Of Sugar Deets
Canaot he Profitable Unless
Waste 10 Av0ided-SeientiAc Ttll-
1AE of the Sell . Source o1 Great
Wealth-OveR-Irrfg May Be
11turious In Alkau Districts.

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intefiigencer
SPOKANE. July 1-James Wilson. sec
retary Of agriculture, spent the day in
this city. resting after his long journey.
Hs left tonight for Seattle He said:
MY visit to the West Is to obtain infor-
nation on the conditions In the agricul-
tural districts in the most direct manner.
The department OF agriculture has, Of
course. many data on hand. and has re-
ceiyed many reports OF the Western coun-
try. but / want TO come In personal con-
tact with the men who raise the crops,
and confer with them on such work OF
the department as will be OF the most use
to farmers. fruit raisers and stockmen. The
president Is anxious to make the aGricul-
tural department OF practical benefit to
the Western people. so ann here to get
acquainted with your people and your con-
ditions.
THE dairy industry Is something that
should be given more attention In the
West. You have several dairies establish
ed. yet / understand that IL Is common
practice TO import dairy products during
several months in the year.
II want to confer with farmers who are
raising sugar beets upon the advisability
OF using the sugar beet pulp for dairy cat
tie food. In the matter OF growing sugar
beets. II il important that there should be
no waste. otherwise the cost Of producing
sugar win be SO great that there cannot
be competition in the markets.
''of course. the West Is a new country
yet. and until the population Is consider
ably larger it VIII be difficult to convince
OF revenue Hes in the tilling OF the ground
In scientific manner / do not say this
with any idea Of disparaging Western pro-
duets, as / realize the enormous yi1ids and
understand what thoroughly practical men
are engaged in the business. but diversi-
fed farming Is get in its infancy in the
West. and conditions must be understood
In order that the land may be made to re-
tain its prcductiveness In the future.
Horse interests In the West are neg
lected. You have horses OF great courage
on the ranges, with good feet and legs,
but they are too ligat for export. A horse
mus; weigh 1,i00 pounds in order TO he used
as mount for the European army. and Is
worth 500. but here the horses weigh
from 7o0 to $40 pounds. Grazing condi
tions in the summer are splendid. but
colt must grow In the winter In order 10
get size and strength.
This brings up the question OF grazing
grasses such as can be grown on the up
lands, which cannot be irrigated, and
where the rainfall is light. The depart
men. has received specimens OF hrome
grass from the steppes OF Russia. and has
made some experiments. The grass lived
through six months drauth In California.
and grew magnificently when the rains
came again. We have also imported dry
land alfalfa from Turkestan 10 expert
ment with.
We ind thA; some OF the irrigated
lands In the great valleys OF the West are
injured by the use of too much water.
which brings the alksl to the surface.
Some orchards planted many years ago.
and which have been bearing heavily,
show the effects OF alkaH.
Thus. you see. there are many matters
OF interest 20 the West which mus. re
studied. and which the agricultural de-
partmeat Will take up in the effort 10 as
sist farmers N securing the most pratt
from their lands. The proper amount Of
WAFER necessary 10 successfully produce
anv given crop is one OF these studies. and
II must be borne in mind that different To-
caiities viii require differen; treatment.
These are the lines along which the de-
partnen, Is making inquiries through its
sixteen separate divisions"