The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-02-18
FOR AGRICULTURE.
Col. j. II. Brigham Delivers Inter-
esting Lecture in G. A. II. Hall.

The company which gathered in
Grand Army hall on Tuesday evening
to listen to the address delivered by
Col. j. II. Brigham of the city of
Washington, assistant secretary of ag-
riculture, was given an insight into
the varied workings and vast scope of
the department, that proved of the
keenest interest. Those who were
detained from attendance missed a
rare treat. Col. Brigham spoke in
part as follows; The agricultural in
terests are the most indispensable in
the country. For several years after
the formation of our government
these interests received but little at
tention at the hands of the govern.
ment, both general and State, in the
matter of legislation. All legislation
tended in the favor of manufactures
and commerce.
The first agricultural law was
passed by the Congress of 1889. At
that time an appropriation of 81, 900
was made and the work assigned to a
clerk in the patent office. In 1869
Congress seems to have appreciated
the Importance of the agricultural in
terests. AT that time it organized
department OF agriculture with
commissioner at it's head and made
fairly generous appropriation. Grad
ually several other commissioners
were added. Finally, the National
Grange, Patrons of Husbandry
conceived the idea of elevating the
department and making it's head
member of the cabinet; not in the
interets of the farmers alone but in
those of all the people connected with
husbandry. The effort was ridiculed
and secuted even by the farmeas
themselves. But the Grange kept
persistently at work until, after sew
eral unsuccessful efforts, in 1883 it
succeeded and member of the Presi-
dent cabinet was put at the head of
the agricultural department.
There have been four secretaries
altogether Coleman, who held the
office for thirty days Immediately
after its creation, Rusk and Morton,
who hsld it for four year each and
James H. Wilson of Iowa, the present
secretary, who has held the Office since
the election of President Mckinley.
Secretary Wilson is the first prao-
tical farmer to be placed in charge of
the department. Under his leadership
great success has been attained. Con-
gress appropriates over SO, 600, 600 an
nually for the department, and 1900
employees and agents carry on its
varied work. Among the various
lines of work Of the department may
be noted the following:
The weather bureau, which is able
to forecast, by means OF telegraphio
bulletins and other appliances, with
sufficient accuracy to save millions OF
dollars of loss every year to CONNER
cial interests. The work of the bu-
reau, time and experience will de-
velop.
The bureau of animal industry
deals with diseases of live stock. 1t
inspects all meats for export, thus
opening the markets of the world.
This bureau has abolished the old
system of shipping live stock by
tramp steamers that landed their
cargoes in very poor condition at
destinations, and has insisted upon
and secured vessels for that line of
traffic that are properly equipped and
that land the stock in as good condi-
tion as it was shipped. By this action
the department has enabled the insur-
ance companies to lower their rate OF
insurance from it's former figure OF
SO. 90 per head to the present rate OF
less than 81. 90 per head, saving enough
to more than pay the expenses of the
bureau. This bureau has succeeded
in stamping out the foot and mouth
disease, and the pleuro-pneumonia,
which has for years ravsged the, herd
of Europe, causing loss of millions
of dollars to the continental farmers,
besides many other diseases. All
animals entering this country, ever
to lap dogs, are quarrantined by thii
bureau and thoroughly inspected be-
fore they are admitted to the country
Parasites that ruin trees have beer
made the subjects of study and means
to eliminate them devised. The large
farmers in California attempted Il
raise figs. The trees would grow
beautifully but would not bear fruit
Instead of giving them the scripture
treatment, the officers OF the depart
ment of agriculture went to thu
home of the fig and carried on inves
legations until they found the insec
that fertilizes the fig trees. The,
imported these insects and ss result
we are producing some of the finest O
figs in the world.
Maccaroni wheat was introduce,
II. l. % tl.Nk ,1v aax,