The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-03-03
u 5. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICVZ1V RE
Its Various Divisions and Scope of Work
W. f.

gravers and photographers, together
with long roll of clerks and laborers
who attend to the details of distribu-
ton. The number of bulletins printed
during the last fiscal year amounted to
nearly six million copies. Under the law
four-ffths of this number were placed
at the disposal of Senator's and Repre-
sentatiyes; the balance being distrib-
uted by the bureau over which, as man
aging editor, Mr.. George William Hill
has presided for many years.
The Bureau of Statistics estimates,
tabulates and gives forth to the public
the annual products of the agricultural
world. Detailed statements of the results
of investigations concerning both domes-
tic and foreign agriculture are issued
through the medium of an official pam
phlet entitled the Crop Reporter, de-
signed for general circulation among
producers and consumers. 1t may be
here observed that this investigating
bureau has recently been investigated
and found to possess leakage" qualities
that have placed it in a position of unre-
liability as well as being charged with
favoritism in the matter of reports af-
fecting the stock markets of the nation.
1t maintains general field service, with
State agents and voluntary correspond
ents numbering a quarter of a million.
A statistical expert is kept in London,
who furnishes the bureau with foreign
crop reports.
The Experiment Station office covers
relations with home and foreign agricul.
tural institutions, with the various sta
tions in the different States of the
Union and the dependencies of Alaska,
Hawaii and Porto Rico the promotion
of farmers Institutes, Investigations on
the nutritive value and economy of hui
man foods and irrigation and drainage
investigations.
The office of Public Roads completes
the list of bureaus. It is of recent intro
duction, but has field of operation
so vast as makes it an important factor
IN the public service. 1t collects sta.
tlstics concerning systems of road man.
agement and all phases of road improve
ment; investigates methods of road.
building and furnishes expert assistance
to rural sections in road construction.
tests road materials; co-operates with
schools and colleges in highwayengineer.
ing construction and publishes informa.
ton OF value concerning road improve.
ment for free distribution" Each wear
the subject of good roads is receiving
the attention of the people more and
more, regardless of section, and to M
class of the community is it's Importance
more apparent than that of the farmer
whose highways and by-ways, as a rule
are in condition provoking denuncia.
ton OF county and State officials, who
fall 70 see the necessity of using publ;c
moneys for the public good along the
line OF good roads for farmers to travel
to reach town or railway station.
The foregoing may be dry details hu+
they re late to a department of our Cow.
eminent that comes more directly IN
contact with the farmers of the cor;ntrv
than-excepting perhaps the postoficey
any OF the others. Its machinery ia vast
and comprehensive, requiring the hast t
intelligence that can be commanded Co.
effective work. There have been somo
irregularities, no doubt, criminal ootO
TO be charged to some of its subord;'
mates; but in this it is no different than
other Cabinet departments. The ex~o
rlence OF late years will be as seed sown
IN good ground for a harvest of nur;tu
OF motives from which the petty meth.
DDS OF politicians and the bascneso nt
graft will be eliminated and a b;obor
plane of public service for the nphI;o
good he reached, in the interest Of that
class s,m OF whom Lord Chatham said.
trade increases the wealth and plorr
Oh OF country; but its real strength and
stamina are to be looked for among tho
cultivators of the landn 0"e 'he