The Washington times., 1902-10-31
WHERE UNCLE SAN NEEDS
CAPABLE YOUNG MEN
By JAMES WILSON. Secretary of Agriculture.

The growing demand of the various de-
partments of the Government for men OF
the highest ability raises the question
whether it is worth young mans while
to fit himself for the Government ser
vice.
The answer to this Is that in a ma-
jority of the departments open to civil
ians. ordinary college or professional
training is sufficient, and the question Of
accepting position under the Govern
ment becomes largely an accident Of
politics rather than matter OF express
determination, although In some In
stances pages in the Senate or House
have deliberately made, that the start
ing point for brilliant career In the
Government service.
A comparatively new branch OF the
service, rapidly increasing in promt-
nence. Offering peculiar honors and re-
wards and as yet not oyercrowded, Is
the Der artment of Agriculture.
A young man may go through any OF
lie 6. eat colleges of the country and
then not be of use to the Department OF
Agriculture We want the best intellect
the country affords, and it must be espe-
cially trained for US. s14
A boy OF young man who wishes
place among the scientific men OF this
department must take four years
course at an agricultural and mechanical
college. Then he can come to US. We
will start him at $50 month and pro-
mote him as he proves useful.
There is much for him to do. Look at
some of the work the department has ac-
complished We are trying to improve
corn until it shall have as much value
as wheat as food. And we are con-
stantly endeavoring to improve wheat
We have found and successfully tested in
the West a variety ofrwheata FROM The
volga that will grow in ten inches OF
rainfall. 1t is the very kind for the
drought sections Of this country.
Our soil analysts discovered in Con-
necticut ground suitable for raising Su-
matra wrapper tobacco, for which the
United States annually paid $s,O00.ooO;
there are now $4,000 acres OF 1t In Con-
necticut and Massachusetts,. These
scientists are now trying to discover
where we can raise the Cuban filler to-
bacco. and we have found two places.
We will soon save to the country $6.000,-
600 a year more on this product.
We are raising tea successfully IN
80, ra,;, .rd sstahlishing sta.
tion for its culture in Texas.
All this work requires the best quail
ity of brains. and can never get enough
men for the work. In the departments OF
forestry and dairy farming we always
lack the required number OF trained
men. am constantly trying to i'm
press the people with our needs in this
direction.
Very lately some private firm made
an cffer of $4,000 a year. with part
nership that would pay as much more,
to one Of the best men I had. He was
getting s1,Se0 year. That shows the
demand for such scientists. l not only
cannot get enough such men, but can
not keep those have. There are now In
my desk three letters from presidents
Of agricultural and mechanical colleges,
asking me to send them men TO take
in their institutions; and
they offer $1,000, 81, SEQ and $4,000 year.
I have not the men 10 send them.
We especially need men who can
stand up before q convention OF dairy
farmers and tell them things they do not
knox.
Some women are engaged in this de-
work. and they are paid as
we'll as men, although. obviously. there
ire some branches for which women ara
not fitted 1t would not do. for instance.
or a woman to be running about rough
woods. estimating the timber values to
he acre However, there is much they
an do.