The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-25
PLAN FOR CROP REPORTS.
FEATURES OF PROPOSED STATE
DEPARTMENT. OF AGRICULTURE.
Grain Inspector Wright Outlines
suggestions ms tn Work to he Ac-
compItshcd. the Purpose BEING to

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer.
TACOMA, Dec. 2f.-State Grain Inspector
George p. Wrieht believes that his plan
for the institution Of a.department OF ag-
riculture in connection with the work now
being done by his department is Of the
most far reaching Importance TO the farm
ers of the state contemplating as IL does
the fostering OF every kind of agriculture
al and farm work.
In the department Of statistics Mr..
Wright will undertake to show the varied
productions OF the state, acreage under
cultivation in each of the counties of the
state and will collect and have in the
possession of mis- bureau statistics and
data on all agricultural topics.
These statistics will show, among other
things. the various kinds of grains raised.
classifying all the grades and kinds of
wheat grown in different parts of the
state and take note OF the adaptabllity OF
climate and soil in the localities which
give the most successful grades grown.
Investigation will be made OF all noxious
diseases. weeds or pests that infest grain
or are trouble to farmers. Statistics
will be collected giving special instances
OF the production OF large yields of wheat.
with the history of the production OF such
yields. In other words, wheat raising will
be made a speciality.
But in addition the bureau will also
take up the culture of beets for sugar,
broom corn. Kaffir corn, dry land grasses.
fax and other diversified crops. Compar-
isons of different methods of farming and
harvesting of crops will also be made. In
formation will be collected regarding the
marketing of crops, the amount of grain
milied, the amount exported as whole
grain and to what countries shipped.
A live stock record will be kept per-
tanning to the importation and breediso
of pure blood stock. Data upon the
adaptability of certain breeds OF horses.
mules cattle. and sheep and swine to he
climate Of the state will be gathered.
Included in the same general plan Is a
system of crop reports weekly and
monthly, from voluntary correspondents.
showing the condition OF the crops
throughout every week In the year.
Matter Of Irrigation.
The department Of arid lands and irri-
cation will be one of the most important
features. II is desired 20 conduct nvestI-
cations and give descriptions of the ar
teslan we'll Irrigation OF the state, show
ing the cost of sinking the wells, their
depth in various sections, the amount of
now and the products raised upon the
lands watered by the wells. Pumping
plants and ditch irrigation will also be
treated upon, with the sources of the sup
ply or water, storage distribution, acreage
reclaimed, products raised by such meth
relative increase of land values In these
localities. The relation between ditch
owners and land owners will make up
part of the data collected, along with the
extension and Improvement of water sys-
TENS acreage of arid country tributary
and feasible propositions which have been
advanced for the reclaiming OF arid and
desert lands.
Especial attention will be given to the
breeding Of live stock OF all kinds. and
records VIII be kept OF owners of pure
bred stock. and additions to the herds OF
the state will be carefully made
The plan as outlined Is for the state
grain Inspector to add all of the work
mentioned 10 the grain department. using
the srain offices and the furniture therein
without extra expense to the state for Of
flee rent.
To sum up. the project is to establish
general department OF agriculture.
which win embrace.
|. An agricultural department.
Z, statistical department.
B. crop report bureau.
L. An arid land and irrigation depart
ment
g. An immigration agency
In Mr.. Wrights biennial report he
makes no recommendation for an appro-
priation for the support of his depart
interview this afternoon he stated to the
Post-Intelligencer correspondent that he
would recommend an appropriation OF
SO 600. He will make the recommendation
In a communication which he wfll forward
to the chairman of the committee on ap-
preparations of the coming legislature The
appropriation Of S23. 90 is the same which
Mr.. Wright recommended and obtained
two years ago.