The times., 1899-11-30

Secretary Wilson has just issued his
annual report covering the operations Of
the Department Of Agriculture for the fiscal
year ended June 30. The Secretary prcfaces
the report with d summary. in which brief
reference is made TO one or two salient fea-
lures in connection with each bureau, di-
vision. and office Of the department
The Secretary lays stress on the service
rendered by the Weather Bureau TO com
merce and agriculture and by the Bureau
Of Animal Industry to the stock growers
OF the country He makes a strong plea
for the wide extension Of the forestry
work for which he urges greatly Increased
apprcpriaiions He dwells at some length
on the losses due 10 the injudicious use Of
water in alkali lands Of the irrigated re-
gions. and pleads for a special appropria-
tion Of $1,000 for The investigation Of the
subject.
Much work has been undertaken on be-
half OF tobacco looking 10 as wide sunst-
tuition a. possible of home grown fer i'm
ported product by improving the quality
OF the former. Interesting Investigations
as TO the causes affecting flavor and aroma
are being carried on. He congratulates
the country on the increasing cooperation
between the department and the State eX-
pertinent stations in many lines OF i'm
pCrtant work and strongly urges special
appropriations to enable the Secretary OF
Agriculture to establish agricultural eXpe-
rimenr stations in Hawaii, the Philippine
Islands. and Porto Rico.
Legislation on Irrigation.
The Secretary discusses the subject OF
irrigation at considerable length, giving
strong reasons for a general study OF the
Mid g
difference IN laws and methods prevail
ing in the different States dependent upon
irrigation. and states that most important
rivers have streams supplying irrigation
10 half a dozen States. Inevitably, under
these circumstances. differences will arise
calling for legislation by Congress, which
should therefore. be put in possession OF
all the facts affecting his important sub
iect as early as possible. II is not posi-
bic. he declares. at the present time fol
1he owner Of an irrigated farm 10 know
lust what his rights are. and he pro-
pounds as a problem calling Tor carry
solution whether the control of this ele-
ment OF production is to be left 70 the
States or whether il VIII have TO De as
sumed by the General Government Re
viewing at length the work that viii have
10 be done in acquiring information OF
this subject. the Secretary lays stress
upon the difficulties encountered in find
ing properly qualified persons 10 assist II
the work He also points out that tht
usefulness OF this investigation is by NJ
means limited TO the arid region but ina
irrigation could be proftably employed II
large areas in the Eastern and Southern
States.
For the fiscal year ending June 80, 1899
Congress appropriated for the Department
Of Agriculture s. S29, ,702. BY the same &C
S-2g 600 was provided for the fOrty-eigh
agricultural experiment stations. The lota
expenditures for the year ended June 80
1899. amounted 10 s., Tg7 1919. The IN
expended balances were covered into th'
Treasury.
From z study Of the imports of Denmark
especially OF American grains and OIL cake
the Secretary concludes strongly against
policy which sterilizes our lands at th
same time that 1T supplies other countTie
with the means Of producing meats an'
dairy products for foreign markets Whicl
We could ourselves supply. He points on
that the Danish farmer with the he'll
thus received from this country. supple
British markets with S35. .00O,e00 worth O
these products yearly
The Secretary earnestly denounces N
methods by which our former hourishin
cheese export trade was destroyed and III
own efforts al extending the demand 10
ing interfered with. He attributes sue
methods to the lack of a system OF expor
inspection 10 guard our reputation fror
practices OF unscrupulous dealers. he en-
dorses such inspection Of dairy products fo
export under authorization OF Congress an
points out that this policy has been en
dorzed by national and State dairy organl
zatIons. commercial bodies. and indiyidus
exporters throughout the country.
Distribution of Seed.
Nr Wilson reviews at some length I'll
subject o. seed distribution. He warml
defends such distribution in 50 far as
adheres 20 the original intention Of Cor
gress. which was TO search for and gatbt
iu various localities OF the Old World use
ful seeds and plants 70 be distributed
the United States tC the several regioI
where they would he most likely to su'
ceed. The department is at present er
deavoring 70 bring back the practice Z
much as possible to this original intention
q large. per cent of the $3.50 600 appropriate
being now spent in securing, importing, al
distributing rare and useful seeds ar
plants He cardidly admits the exisJen'
O. a strong feeling against the seed di
trIbution and declares his own convictiC
that ia so far as the distribution by II
department competes with the sales
seedsmeu distributing the same kinds
seeds with no experimental feature or il
telligent direction beyond what is provid'
by dealers. il is cues tionable. But the in
portation and distribution of the best qua
ity Of sugar beet seed. Of drought and rus
resisting grains OF improved grasses. SD
cially adapted 10 certain soils and cond
tious. an such and many other measur
Of like character. he declares TO be just
liable and wise-''rhe introduction Of the
and man other seeds and plants being b
yond the ability Of private individuals
compa
The tea growing experiments IN SOU
Carolina are commended and their INTEL
gent prosecution advocated. The interes
ing fact Is noted that the tea gardens
Summerviile produced 2 600 pounds OF &
The past season. Irrigation experiment
Improvement Of varieties by importau
and by hybridizalioH. are indicated as IN
pcrtaut steps 10 be studied.
In regard TO public lands the SecreJa
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