The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-05-03
ATMOSPHERIC FERTILIZATION
A Gift of the Agricultural Department to
the People.

Washington, d. c., April 22.-The
American people have become accus.
toned more Or less, to surprising state
ments emanhting from the Depart
ment Of Agriculture. Organized as
concession to the rural vote and with
very little thought as to its possibili-
ties, this department Vas for many
years known as the "oow department"
and was the subject Of many para
graph, not always animated by kind
ly spirit.
For the last eight years, however,
under the direction Of real leader of
men, and positive force in the per-
son of James Wilson, the department
has forged ahead until it has taken
front rank in the field of governmental
activities.
Not long ago Representative Mann,
of Illinois, in remarks on the floor of
the House, stated that in his judg-
ment one dollar spent by the Depart
ment Of Agriculture was the equiva-.
lent, in actual returns to the people
of fifteen dollars spent in any other
line Of governmental activities, end
the facts bear out the Illinois Con-
gressman's statement. We knew, in
vague way, and have known, that
the agricultural interests are the bone
J and sinew Of the republic, and all
political partisans are wont to appeal,
particularly at election time, to the
man who is ''close to nature and
who lives the simple life" as the
hope of the republic, but concrete
facts are necessary to enable us
thoroughly to appreciate the condi
tions.
The Republicans made the air vocal
from the Kennebec to the Rio Grande,
and from Puget Sound to Palm Beach
last fall talking Of the prosperity of
the last seven years and the enormous
balance Of trade in favor of this Gov
ernment. AS matter Of fact, were
it not for the agricultural products of
this country there would have been,
every year for the last fifteen years,
balance of trade against this country
ranging from forty to seventy
million dollars year. In other words,
the farmers, with their wheat, their
corn, and their dairy products, have
not only paid the excess of imports
and exports in other lines, amounting
in ten years to q half million dollars,
but have piled up in the peoples oof-
fere surplus fund OF over three hum
dred millions Of dollars in single de-
cade. There is, therefore, no reason
why the Department Of Agriculture
! should not receive, not only attention,
but generous treatment, at the hands
4 Of Congress.
4 There is no department Of the Gov
ernment where men Of high ability.
devote more conscientious effort to
= the service Of the people. Secretary
4 Wilson has grouped around him
s corps Of scientists whose reputation.
al mas become world wide. When Ar
entina desired to start meteorologi-
& cal bureau, DR.. Willis Moore, of the.
/ Department oe Agriculture, had to.
ia furnish the men. When the new
Cuban Republic began work along
lines similar 60 those followed by our.
EGovernment, they sought, but sought
Pin vain, for some Of the scientists Of
the bureau Of soil surveys to examine
Heheir own agricultural possibilities.
France, Great Britain and other for-i
EPign countries have tried to avail.
hemselves Of The results Of: our work,
md it is safe TO Say that to-day no.
aountry in the world has 90 efficient
And able Bureau off Agriculture as
E3ur own. 53s .! 81, 81 Is 1850
Agriculture, according to Mr.. Will
Jon, is = pretty wide term. at in..
Hludes remarkable series Of expert.
Psnts in wireless telegraphy, in the
tl0p and weather bureau service. It
bhcludes the treatment Of the water of.
landing lakes and reservoirs with
anocious chemicals to remnye algae,5
rasitic groRths and Injurious ami.
Aalculea, and the work has been sue
mssful to . degree that private enter.
iso and medical science have not
eamed 9. . Mr.. Wilson has carried
farmers paign against the
osquito, as ID our boyhood / days We:
G,ght the crow and woodch:ack, buts
Bth much more soient;do methods
4 correspoDdingly saperior results.
81 used to hear something about the;