El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-06-17

Vt rum I1ApCAA 11lC
The growth of the national depart
ment of agriculture during the past ten
years has far exceeded that of all it's
preceding history. This was pointed
out by Hon. Charles T. Scott, chair
man OF the house committee on agri-
culture, in submitting the new agri-
cultural appropriation bill last win
ter. Its growth as marked by a de-
cade has been phenomenal, viewed
from the standpoint of its scope and
authority. its material resources. or it's
personnel
AS a full fledged department with
a cabinet minister at its head, the de-.
partment dates only from 1889. But
If we go back tC 1899. when\ $1,000 was
appropriated for agricultural stats
tics" and include every dollar appro-
priated out Of the treasury Of the
United States for agricultural purposes
down to and Including the year 1900.
the total. sum is, as Mr.. Scott pointed
out, only s45,102, 616, while the aggre-
gate of all the money appro priated
from the end OF 1900 to the end of the
current fiscal year reaches a sum
nearly double this or $90.012,05S. For
the fiscal year 1901 the appropriation
for maintenance was $1,000, 265-s7. This
year the department has at its dis
posal SIS, 40, 63416
Army of $4,000 Employees.
Ten years ago the total number OF
persons employed in the department
was 1888; this year. II all the rolls
were called, an army Of 1880 men and
women would respond.
Under the bill which the committee
submitted, and which after considera-
bic discussion and amendment received
the signature Of president Taft March
4, provision is made for an even great
er development during the ensuing
year. The aggregate amount carried
by the act is $4,000. Ole. which far ex-
ceeds that granted in any previous
measure, and Is 1857, $50 in excess of
the estimates submitted by the depart
ment.
Experiment Stations.
There is an apparent increase over
the appropriation act for 1911 Of s3.-
412,3S0s but Of this $4,000 is only
nominal since it merely replaces what
has hitherto been provided 1automati-
cally as permanent Appropriation to
the state experiment. stations under the
Adams act
One Of the largest increases in the
bill was accorded to the bureau of
plant industry, which will receive
$303,4S0 additional. making its total
S-,OoA'OoO- ne lump 1uuQ dpprCDT1a-
ton FOR general expenses is s1,44f.53e.
which is divided among 80 projects.
Some of the largest Of these are $780,
GOO for the boil weevil campaign "a net
increase OF $10s.s45); methods OF crop
production in the semi-arid or dry land
sections. and for the utilization of lands
reclaimed under the reclamation act.
for which net increase of SIS, 270 and
a total Of s143.0s0 is granted: s14z. go
for the farm management studies, OF
which $4,000 IS to be used IN agricuI-
tural reconnaissance work in Alaska;
studies Of the production, handling,
grading and transportation Of grains.
for which s1s5.005 Is available. an
increase Of s24,50O; packing and mar
keting fruits. which viii have $s7,7
The Investigations Of the cotton indus
try were extended TO include the gin
ming and wrapping OF cotton
Study Of Soils.
The appropriation Of the buerau Of
soils was increased to S262, 06e No
appropriation was made for soil eros
ion Investigations. for which $4,000 has
been allotted annually for many years.
The soil survey work received s145.-