The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-01
YEARS WORK REVIEWED
BY SECRETARY WILSON
Annual Report Of Depart
meDt Of Agriculture.
PLANS FOR NEW BUILDING
Modern Meteorological Observatory to
Be Established in Blue Ridge
Mountains.
PLANS FOR NEW BUILDING

The seventh annual report of the
present Secretary Of Agriculture has
been submitted to the President. It
opens with a discussion of the educa-
tional requirements of the research
work of the department Although the
department has awaited itself to the full
est extent Of graduates of the agricui-
trial colleges. IL has been necessary, in
view of the rapid development Of the
work. to secure competent men wher-
ever they could be found. In the train
ing OF specialists for its various lines
OF work. the department has become
practically a postgraduate institution.
Mr. Wilson in illustration OF this fact
reports the admission TO me depart
ment since 1897 of 496 stud ants. 249 IF
these are stin in the department. not
less than 1872 having passed INFO the
classified service.
Export of Products
Secretary Wilson reviews At length
the production and exports Of American
agricultural products The increase in
the exports Of farm products for the
half century ended 1901 was from S147.-
100000 TO 1925. O00 OO0-550 per cent The
exports OF farm products for the clos
ing decade Of the last century was over
S700 600 900. and for 1903 over sS7S 900. 0G0.
an amount second only TO that OF 49,.
Although the consumption Of cotton
in this country is greater than that Of
any other country in the world, yet in
addition 20 supplying the nome market.
the South exported las year over
00.O00.000 pounds of cotton, worth $751;
100000.
OF grain and grain proGucts. the ex-
port exceeded in value s2zl 100000, and
IN the supply of animals. Hieats. and
meat products. the value Of exporta-
lion was s2l1, 10000.
A Meteorological Observatory.
Tt is proposed to establish at Mount
Weather, Bluemont, Va, a modern
meteorological observatory of the best
class A building for administration
and a school OF instruction is now be-
ing CONSTRUCTED. and there viii be a
suitable pos7erhouse and shop for bal
loon and kite ascensions- The Weather
Bureau is preparing to study. at first
hand, variations in solar activity and
corresponding changes in weather con-
ditions from season to season This
will require the best instrumental equip
ment, students, and a long series Of
observations The importance of the
results viii justify all efforts TO that
end.
OENEIaA SlDlldAalAt N-LtAtS nave DCIAA
laid, including one between san Fran
cisco and the Farallone Islands. A
wireless station is also being Installed
on South FarallOne Island 10 insure
communication should the cable be out
of order.
Distribution Of Seeds.
Mr. Wilson discusses at length the
distribution OF seeds and plants In or
der to secure satisfactory seed. he con-
cludes il must be purchased in open
market from men known TO be reliable;
and in addition. TO protect the depart
ment. its inspectors are constantly in
the field during the growing season look
ing after the crops grown for the de-
partment's use
Secretary Wilson reports satisfac-
tory development Of the beet sugar In
dustry. In 1896 Q, 22O tons OF sugar
were made, and a year ago 10000 tons.
Careful estimates put the present crop
at about $50, 600 tons. The growing Of
seed IN the United States Of a superior
quality is assured. He concludes that
the industry is now well established
Work in tel. culture invest legations
continues al SEmmerville, y. c, and a
new station has been established al
Pierce. Tex. At Summerville. though
the season has been somewhat unsatis-
factory. the wed of tea VIII probably
approximate 90o0 pounds.
Accounts and Disbursements.
II reviewing the accounts and dis
bursements Of the department he re-
ports the total appropriations for tho
fiscal year ended June 30. 1903. as S.. Ol3.-
s6o. The sum actually expended leaves
a balance of over sos. 900. most of which
however. IS covered by outstanding liza
bnlties. One June 80 500 all accounts
for tho fiscal year 1954 having been set
tied. an uneXpended balance FOR that
year Of SO. ~. 80 was covered into tbs
Treasury. The amount paid for rent OF
buildings in the District for the use Of
the DEPARTING h for the year 1908 wa.
81 700. 1hc expenditure Tor the Same
purpose for the current year is 81 so
New Buildings.
In regard II new buildings. the Sec
rotary repc.ts that plans have beer
prepared 50 as 10 provide for series
OF buildings connected with pavilion,
in such "A way as 10 make practically
one harmonious structure. The chic
advantage of this plan IS that IL vii
permit Of adding indefinitely 10 II as
the needs OF the DEPARTING ut grow The
scheme as a whole provides for the cree
ton of ten buildings, only three OF
which, however. can be erected for the
amount authorized by SJngress. Thesl
VIII have "A floor space OF 100000 sQuar'
feet which viii suffice to bring within