Evening star., 1900-12-08

proposed to do between FIVE and six times
this amount of work during the coming
year IL this increased appropriation be al
lowed by Congress. This sum. however, did
not include the cost OF the preparation or
the maps and the publication of the results.
For several reasons 1t is extremely desirable
that provision be made in the divisional ap-
preparation for the cost of publishing the
results of the field operations. The rapid
growth OF the publication work of the de-
partment taxes to the uttermost limit the
resources of the division of publications,
which controls. outside OF farmers bullet ms
put single fund, available for printing for
all the divisions. This fund. even II con-
siderably increased is liable to become ex-
hausted. indeed has on several occasions
been exhausted. before the close of the fis-
cal year. At such times the publications
certain divisions must necessarily. often uG-
fortunately, be postponed. A clause in Iht
divisional appropriation permitting expend
ture TO print would often avoid yeXat .ou-
and costly delays. While the total amount
asked for may seem large. the allotment 10
each state Is very moderate. and does NOT
begin to meet the demands from severai
of the states.
l am well aware that other states ha>t
already and will still urge the extension OF
the soil survey to their own peculiar local.
ties. These claims will have to be met in
the future, either by additional appropr.a-
uons If in the wisdom of Congress this is
advisable, or by shifting the force from
year to year to take in the principal agri-
cultural regions of the United States. 1t
would be pleasure to show anyone inter-
ested In the development of the work OF the
division the letters received In commenda-
ton of the work already done and in urging
the extension of the work. and also to show
the plans for the extension OF the work pro-
posed in this recommendaton-matte
which could not possibly be brought within
the compass of a report of this size and
character.
Porto Rican Tobacco.
Mr.. Whitney further states that Brig.
Gen. Davis. when governor general Of Porto
Rico. sent to the department a consignment
OF seventeen grades Of Porto Rican tobacco.
which have been recently thoroughly tested
in his division. |, was found that much Of
the leaf had a rich aroma, and while 1t has
not the desirable flavor and aroma of the
best Vuelta Abajo tobacco, 1t certainly
shows very promising field in which to
work for the development of a high-grade
tobacco. Unfortunately, the leaf has evil
IDENTIFY been badly managed, and there Is
without doubt big opportunity merely in
the proper handling of the leaf to develop
much more than has yet been realized.
This work should be undertaken at The
earliest possible time for the relief and ad-
yancement of the tobacco growers and to-
bacco interests of Porto Rico.
United States Exhibit.
The leaf tobacco exhibit of the United
states was by far the largest. most COM
plete and most attractive exhibit of the
kind at the Paris exposition and 1t was pro-
ncunced by many persons competent to
judge to be the finest exhibit ever made.
The exhibit consisted of about 1000 sam
pies, representing every type and grade OF
tobacco produced in the United States. 1t
took the grand prize, nine gold medals, five
silver medals. and honorable mention for
many of the exhibitors. Two significant
facts were brought out in the jury of
ha 10
was found to require twenty-five more
leaves to the pound of given grade than
the samples exhibited from the Island Of
Sumatra. 1t received twenty points of ex-
cellence against eighteen for the Sumatra
and was pronounced by the jury to be per-
feet. The bright yellow tobacco of Vir-
glnia and North Carolina was awarded
eighteen points of merit out Of possible
twenty, or the same as given to the Tur-
kish tobacco. which 1t resembles in many
points and with which it most closely COM
petes Many very strong letters have been
received. showing the appreciation Of the
growers and leaf dealers of this country in
the work the department did for the to-
bacco interest. and much verbal praise was
given by the jury Of awards and by visitors
to the exposition. 1t is firmly believed that
this exhibit has done much for the tobacco
interest Of this country in showing for
eigners the great variety Of tobacco grown
here and the excellence Of the different
types and grades.
Additional Room Needed.
The work of the division has grown SO
much in the past two or three years and
the force has been incre ID to such an ex-
tent that the available room In the build
ing rented for its use is much too small to
accommodate the present force. not to
speak of the proposed increase. 1 have been
compelled therefore. to ask for an increase
in the allotment for the rent of an addi-
tional building for this purpose. II this in
crease be granted by Congress. 1 would
propose, with your permission. to rent an
additional building somewhere in the neigh
borhOod where adequate accommodations
could be had, particularly for the field
force, which has to be provided for during
the winter months, when the members are
working over their notes and preparing
ports and maps. This is very urgently
needed.