The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-30
Large Amount of Labor, Investiga-
terest of Farmers and Others.
BLOW AT SEED DISTRIBUTION
NEW ISLAND POSSESSIONS A GOOD
FIELD FOR NEW WORK.
An Imported Forage Plant-COrn-
stalks as Food for Live stock
What Was Done by Life Savers

WASHINGTON. Nov. 29.-The annual re-
port Of Secretary Wilson summarized an inn
mense amount OF valuable work done by
the Agricultural Department during the
past year. He m particularly on the
successful extension of the weather bureau
service around the Caribbean sea, giving
timely storm warnings to the vessels of the
navy and merchant marine.
The division of entomology has done VAL
liable work this year in showing fruit grow
ers on the Pacific coast the proper method
of fertilizing Smyrna figs. 1t is believed
that in a few years the Pacific coast will be
able to produce as fine figs as are now i'm
ported from the Mediterranean.
The department has gathered much in
formation regarding the plants which supply
India rubber and gutta percha and expects
during the coming year to locate In our Is
land possessions zones suitable for the cul-
ture Of these plants. The United States
now imports about thirty million dollars
worth of rubber annually and 1t is thought
that a large portion of this supply can be
raised in our new island possessions. The
same is true of Egyptian cotton, of which
we import five million dollars worth annu-
ally, while he thinks that $500 900. 900 worth
of tropical products which we now import
each year can all be raised in Porto Rico,
Hawaii and the Philippines.
Much work has been done in the hybridiz-
ing of grains to secure varieties which will
resist drought, rust and cold. The same
methods are being used to produce hardy
orange trees and sea island cotton which
will be immune to the fungus disease now
attacking that staple.
Practical forestry work is being done on
a large scale among the lumbermen of sew
erel States.
Irrigation work in the West has been car
ried on and much alkali land has been re-
claimed. The secretary's recommendations
In this line include irrigation experiments
in the Eastsand South outside of the arid
region. He thinks that congressional action
may also be necessary in the West on the
subject of water rigatS and reservoir sites.
The experiment station work of the de-
partment has been extended to Alaska and
should be extended TO Hawaii. Porto Rico
enabled to supply the Uni, ed States with the
tropical products of which our imports are
now 500, OO0,VO0 annually.
Extensive experiments are being carried
on in road construction, in cooperation with
the local authorities of the several States
including the building of sample roads from
the materials found In different localities
and the laying of steel track wagon roads.
The third year of experimentation with
hog cholera shows that from 20 to ~ per
cent. Of the hogs injected with serum are
saved.
The secretary strongly recommends a
more rigid inspection of our export dairy
products. to counteract the injury that has
been done to this trade by INSCRIPTIONS
dealers in the past.
Regarding seed distribution, the secretary
says that there is no need for the DEPART
nlent to come into competition with the sales
of seedsmen, but that there Is room for
valuable work in the collection and distri-
button Of such foreign seeds and plants asare
adapted to this country, but would not be
secured by private enterprise.
Tea growing experiments in South Caro-
lima are commended, and he notes that $500
pounds of good tea were raised in the gar
dens at Summerville in the past season.
Turkestan alfalfa introduced by the de-
partment has been found a valuable forage
plant in the Northwest for resisting both
cold and drought. Its Introduction. Ii Is said,
probably will add millions of dollars to the
annual hay product of the country.
A valuable quality of rice has been intro
duced from Japan. 1t is superior to the
domestic product, and should 1t succeed in
louisiana, hundreds of thousands of dollars
will be added yearly to the rice-growing
industry.
The secretary asks for $40. 600 to prosecute
a technical and scientific investigation OF
native drug plants in cooperation with the
congress.