Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-04
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Great Deal of Progress Made During the
Past Year.

Past Year.
The department of agriculture has
been extending its work during the past
year, reaching farther for new varieties
of seeds and plants; cooperating more
fully with the states and territories in
research along useful lines: making
progress in meteorological work relat-
ing to lines of wireless telegra ply and
forecasts for ocean-going vessels: con-
tinuing inquiry as to animal disease:
looking into the extent and character
of food adulteration; outlining plans
for the care, preservation and lntelli-
gent harvesting Of our wood lands:
studying soils that producers may cul-
tivate with better knowledge of condl-
lions, and helping to clothe desert
places with grasses suitable to our arid
regions Our island possessions are be-
ing considered that their peoples may
be helped to produce the tropical prod
the United States. Inquiry into meth
DDS of improving our roads has been
active during the year; help has been
given to many localities. and scientific
investigation of material in the states
and territories has been inauguarted.
Irrigation problems in our semi re-
gions are receiving careful and in
creased considerations.
An extensive exhibit at Paris of the
products of agriculture has made the
peoples of many countries more ia
miliar with the varied products of our
fields and their comparative excellence.
The collection of statistics regarding
our crops is being improved and sources
of information are being enlarged, to
the end that producers may have the
earliest advices regarding crop condi-
tons. There has never been time
when those for whom it was established
have shown more appreciation of the
services of the department
In my annual message of Dec. 5, 1898,
| called attention to the necessity for
some amendment Of the alien contract
law. There still remain important fea-
lures of the rightful application of the
eight-hour law for the benefit of labor
and of the principle of arbitration, and
/ again commend these subjects to the
careful attention of the congress
That there may be secured the best
service possible in the Philippine ISL
ands, have issued, under date of Nov.
TO- 1900, the following order:
'"The United States civil service
commission is directed to render such
assistance as may be practicable to the
civil service board. created under the
act of the United States-Philippine
commission, for the establishment and
maintenance OF an honest and efficient
civil service in the Philippine islands,
and for that purpose to conduct exam
lHdtloNS LOT the civil service OF the
Philippine islands uDon the request
of the civil service board Of said isl
ands, under such regula tiops as may be
agreed upon by the said board and the
said United States civil service commits
sion.''
The civil service commission is great
ly embarrassed in its work for want
of an adequate permanent force for
clerical and other assistance. Its needs
are fully set forth in its report / in
vite attention to the report. and es-
pecially urge upon the congress that this
important bureau of the public service,
which passes upon the qualifications
and character of so large number of
eminent, should be supported by all
needed approximations to secure prompt
ness and efficiency