Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-09-02


his home here to-day.
James Wilson was head of the de-
rtment of agriculture for * years.
ring which he contributed largely to
( phenomenal agricultural develop
ent Of the United States. His long
rvice in the cabinet constituted a
eord Albert Gallatin. once Secretary
the Treasury. had previously held
record with service of nearly 13
ars
Mr Wilson se"vice. however. was
bre notable for the constructive work
hich it included rather than for the
In a rka bly, Iona time which he held
portfolio, with complete acceptable
under three presidents of diverse
m peraments Mckinley, Roosevelt
Taft.
lr Wilson was an Iowa farmer. Born
gust IS. 1895, he was the son Of a
otchman, who left Ayrshire Scotland
1852 to settle his family In the United
htes. Near the present town Of Traer,
the family founded the new home and
that neiEhborhood the son, James began
political career with election to the
va State Legislature. In 1872 he was
Inns. He was regent of the Iowa State
diversity from 1870 to 1874, and for six
airs prior TO becoming secretary If
riculture. he was director of the State
pertinent station and professor Of agri-
ture at the Iowa State Agricultural
llege. His application of science to
ricultural practice brought him to such
|tionel prominence that President Nc
nley made him secretary Of agricul-
Re March a. 1897.
When Mr.. Wilson took Office the agricul-
raj development of the country was
ready remarkable. but in the years dur
which he was at the helm of its In
rests so far as the federal government
Ls concerned this development was in
based far beyond the boundaries of
tural promise which mere land and
brk afforded The increasing helpful
BIS which the federal government exer-
ed in this development lie indicated to
me extent by the fact that when Mr..
ilson became secretary there were 2.444
hployee In the department. and that
hen he left It there were apprxima tely
boo. This increase, involving altogether
tger and larger appropriations, Mr.. Will
h obtained on the merits Of one achieve
pnt after another. until it became a uni
rsaI belief among the farmers that the
partment of agriculture was working
IN a single-rninded purpose for their
neAt.
Secretary Wilson introduced into the
ktted States a great number Of valu-
le crops which hitherto had beer
ccessful only in foreign countries
none these was DA1rum wheat. which
me to yield nearly s5o,o00,Ooo year
the farmers Of the Northwest. He
US extended the possibilities Of wheat
owing far beyond the former china.
limits Under his ah administration the
ct sugar industry was also fostered
serum for hog cholera was discovered
whole country was aroused on ths
bject Of tuberculosis in cattle. ant
care and handling Of milk wa,
stematized and improved. Sample sec
pms of good roads were built in al
pst every State. and communities
ERE instructed how to build good road
tn their local material. The forest,
ere studied and msrkable advanced
ade toward the conservation of them
q the re-planting of the deforestet
cas-. In connection with the depart
ent's active work. the official aEri
end that departmental bulletins be
me a great value among the farm
Q. presented as they were In simple
nguage along practical lines
AS an octogenarian Mr.. Wilson wa
III erecs and vigorous. man ST.
ct tall, all bone and muscle. In low,
old friends and associates knew
nn affectionately as "Tama Jim" o
e Presbyterian faith, he was. as
~, made familiar with the oil
etrical version of the Psalms from
hich he frequently quoted In a quadn
~ with remarkable effect. No formal
es ever hedged about him; the plain
farmer who visited his office Il
ashington received the same gras
the hand and courteous attention
at was given to leaders in officia