Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-04
Republican Campaign Orators
to aud Administration.
WORK FOR FARMERS GOOD
Accomplishments Of Department of
Agriculture to Be Favorite Theme.
EFFORTS IN SPECIAL LINES
Great Saving Made to Tillers of the
Soil by Stamping Out Dis
eases and Pests.

In the presidential campaign OF next
year the republicans will rely with. feel
ings of confidence on the work done by
the Taft administration in various depart
ments, and the republican speakers will
find one of their favorite themes to he
the accomplishments of the Department
OF Agriculture. While the activities OF
this department ramify in many direc-
lions Of interest ard concern to the peo-
pie at large. its principal work Is Tor
the betterment OF farm conditions and the
uplift OF farmers. In this respect the
republican speakers will have plenty OF
material to appeal to the rural vote.
which Is politically regarded as mighty
Independent in its trend at this time.
Secretary Wilson. proud of the work
of nearly all the bureaus of his de-
partment. regards with especial favor
the efforts Of the bureau of animal in
dustry in dealing with contagious dis
eases in live stock. Ticks that infest
the southern and southwestern parts of
the country, spreading the contagious
southern cattle fever. cause a loss esti-
mated at from $50.0OO.O0O to $500. 00O.-
900 annually. The ticks have been
eradicated over an immense territory,
the government cooperating with
state authorities everywhere. Much
territory under quarantine because of
the sheep scab and cattle mango in the
west has been released, and II is be-
lieved that in a few years these para
site diseases. which have caused mil
lions in losses to farmers and cattle
men, will be completely eradicated.
Hog cholera killed hogs worth $15,0O0,00O
i'm this country in 1909. After long re-
search the department experts have FOUND
q serum or vaccine that prevents the
disease The cooperation of the states
i'm the production OF the serum was Sc
cured and the prediction is made that
with continued cooperation between state
and national governments and intelligent
efforts Of farmers the huge losses from
the disease will be greatly lesSened and
in time prevented.
Study Animal Diseases.
A staff of scientists is constantly con-
Quoting research work in the study Of
animal diseases and is at the same time
working for the Improvement of live
stock through breeding experiments. The
bureau is encoura ging farmers and dairy
men to increase the milk yield OF their
cows by keeping records SO that un-
profitable animals may be detected and
eliminated.
In the bureau Of plant industry all sorts
of important results have been secured
in the last few years 1t is stated Dry
land agriculture in the great plains states
has been developed in a remarkable man.
ner. In the south the terrors OF the cot
ton boil weevil have been eliminated.
while the cotton planters have been in
system and diversity their paintings. the
result being an immense increase in the
yield Of corn last year. Selected strains
of Egg ptian cotton. Of which this coun-
try imports So ooO.0o0 year. have been
introduced into Arizona and southern
California. Camphor. for which this
country gays sl.5O0OO a year. is being
planted in Florida and elsewhere. with
promise OF becoming a commercial sue
cess. Durum wheat has been brought
been introduced, a rust-resistant aspara-
gus has been found. improved varieties OF
potatoes are being recommended. and
among new things brought over to this
country may be mentioned a remarkable
seedless and sweet persimmon from the
Min Tombs valley Of China, a hardy a.
falfa from Siberia. a new clover from
Persia, seedless grape from India and
many other plants.
The bureau of soils has been working
with unusual energy toward the proper
use of soils, thereby preventing waste.
and q preliminary soil province map has
been constructed showing where certain
soils adapted to certain crops and indus
tries can be found and utilized in the
most profitable manner. The bureau OF
entomology is still chasing the moths and
other insect pests that harm the American
farmers trees. Many importations have
been made of the natural enemies OF
moths and other destructive insects A
new method of dealing with the orange
lemon and pear thrips in California has
been found, being OF vast value to the
growers Of deciduous fruits.
Destruction of Rodents.
The biological survey is handling many
subjects of interest to the farmer and
stock grower. The work is directed to
the destruction OF predatory ANIMALS and
rodents that levy heavy toll upon the
farmer and stockman. Investigations
have been carried on for years to dis
cover the most practical methods Of do
ing away with rats, and In the west
work has been directed toward the ex-
Of small mammals that fol-
low seed paintings for reforestation. In
some forests so to Is per cent of the
seed sown has been destroyed. In some
portions Of the south crawfish do terri
BILE damage to young cotton and other
plants A means to poison them has
been found.
The bureau OF statistics continues to
mates and other facts that will enlighten
the farmer as to conditions and markets:
to find the cost of production of farm
products by states. to ascertain the cost
Of marketing farm products; supply OF
farm labor and rate Of wages paid:
transportation Of farm products. and
agricultural development as influenced
by transportation.
Through the Office OF experiment stations
many irrigation Investigations are being
made to help the farme who are settling
among the millions of acres In the arid
regions made available for agriculture
through the construction OF Irrigation
works The settlers are from humid
regions. and they are unfamiliar with
the practical operations involved In the
Of desert growth. preparation
OF the surface Of the fields for irriga-
ton. laying out Of bitches and applca-
ton Of the water to the soil.
AS a result OF the advice being given
to settlers by the department larger and
better crops are grown. II is said. and
there 10 a large saving In water. I'm
portant drainage investigations looking
toward reclaiming OF swamp and over
flowed cotton lands are constantly going
on, and the Once Of experiment stations