The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-11-30
Hon. James Wilson Tells of Work
Of Agricultural Department for
Past Year-Discusses AMI
NAL Industry.

Washington, Nov 2s-The fifth annual
report of the secretary Of agriculture,
Hon. James Wilson, Is considerably
larger than in former years. rejecting
thereby the great growth and development
which has attended this department dur
ing his administration.
He announces an important extension Of
the forecast field of the weather bureau,
which now includes reports from certain
points in the British isles and on the con-
tinent of Europe, from the Azores, Nassau,
Bermuda and Turks Island. The Allan
tic forecasts based upon these reports now
form part of the regular night forecasts
issued in Washington. Three new fore
cast districts have been established-in
Boston, New Orleans and Denmark. An
extension of the forecast to farmers
through the rural delivery is contemplated.
A large portion Of the report covers the
subject of animal industry. The grand
total Of animals and animal products ex-
ported during the year exceeded $3.50 1000
in value. This vast foreign market is only
preserved to our producers by the indie
fatigable efforts of the department and.
the rigid inspection exercised through the
bureau of animal industry. This bureau
inspected for export $4,000 cattle. 228,000
sheep and 5000 horses and mules, and
nearly LOGO vessels carrying Live stock.
Imported animals were also inspected to
the number of. $4,000, and, where neces-
6diy, lue secretary Suggests
that with the enormous interests our
stock-raisers have at stake, and inspection
or quarantine affording after all a rela-
tive. not an absolute, guarantee of protec-
ton. it might be well for this country
to follow the example of Great Britain and
exclude live stock from other countries
entirely.
The organization Of the bureau of plant
industry is reported. 1t has brought to-
gether in one group investigations in
plant physiology and pathology, botany,
grasses and forage plants, pomology and
the experimental gardens and grounds. in
GLIDING the experiment farm at Arlington
and the introduction of foreign seeds and
plants. In regard to the congressional
seed distribution, the secretary states that
he has endeavored to meet the wishes Of
congress in every way possible and to Sc
cure seeds of as high character as can be
obtained under the conditions under which
the work is done.
Another of the newly organized bu-
reaus Is that Of forestry. The sec
rotary reports that this bureau is CO.
operating with the federal government,
with several states and many private own
ers in handling their forest lands. Alto
gether assistance has been asked for a
total area of 52,O00.O00 acres, of which 4,0c0.-
coo are held hy private owners. The work
of forest mana cement is reviewed in some
detail. During the year nearly SOC, GEO acres
under private owners were examined by
representatives of the bureau, ard four
detailed working plans, covering 226 600
acres, were prepared.
The secretary reports as the result of
broad inquiry made through the office
of experiment stations that by far the
largest part Of the work of the stations
has direct relation TO the important agri-
cultural interests of the communities in
which they are located. The work of the
stations is becoming better understood by
the farmers, and broader deeper founda-
ton of scientific inquiry is being laid each
year.
The station at Porto Rico has not yet
been fully established, owing to the diff
f1culty OF securing suitable land for the
purpose. In the meantime. such investiga-
lions will be undertaken as can be pur-
sued on lands leased or loaned by per-
sons ready to engage in cooperative work
with the Station director. Some prelim-
mary investigations in coffee culture have
already been arranged for.
He reviews very fully the great develop
ment in the work of farmers Institutes
In 1899 over 1000 farmers institutes were
held In this country, attended by over half
million farmers. These were held in
43 states and territories.
Referring to the grazing lands, he says
probably 40, 0,000 acres of the public do
main has no agricultural value except for
pasturage. 1t is at present an open COM
mon. with no laws for its protection or
disposal. He refers to the frequent con-
f1icts Of the farmers under irrigation with
the range stockmen, and recommends, az
a remedial and beneficial measure, the
leasing Of the grazing land in such way
as not to interfere with the homesteader.
The report concludes with a review OF
the development of agriculture and COM
rnerce during the past 20 years. and of
: the contributions by the department of
agriculture to the nrneresz of. evenfs aod
the building up of domestic and foreign
trade. The secretary says that coincident
with this growth numerous institutions
> have grown up in this country and abroad,
devoted to the application of science to
the service of agriculture, thus creating
a great demand, at good salaries, for the
right sort OF men. Es.o, nation is seeking
to extend Its productions, and Is depend
ing more and more upon the aid Of sci
ence.