Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-06-08
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRI-
CULTURE

The department of agriculture OF
our federal government possesses an
object lesson of progressive improve
ment and extension of service to the
rural residents of the country. 1t has
only had three secretaries during the
past tweny years, the present incum-
bent, recently appointed. being inclu-
ded. Its activities today extend far
beyond what was ever dreamed in 1889
when it became a coordinate depart
ment and it's secretary became a mem
ber of the cabinet.
Up to 1913, when the first democratic
administration commenced, this de-
partment was primarily scientific. I'm
der James Wilson, it became the lar
gest, the most impressive scientific
organization for investigating pur-
poses in the world. What the demo-
Gratis have added to the department is
we'll worth the analysis of farmers, for
their interests have been under con-
sideratiOn every minute.
Secretary Houston, President Will
sons appOintee, realized Immediately
the necessity of more pratical coop
GRAFTON between farmers and the de-
partment. That scientific investiga-
ton and experiment were highly de-
Sirable. he recognized, but at the same
time Mr.. Houston desired the extension
of service to a point where every far
mer would be Teaping some apprecia-
BILE benefit instead of only a limited
number as had been the case up to
that time
The first step was the establishment
Of the Rural Organization Service" :"
tn
and cooperation. Professor Carver of
Harvard, one of the few experts on
rural economics, became chairman.
The Bureau of Markets." was next
created to investigate modes of farm
marketing and the present marketing
situation, the aim being to work out
some systematic method, taking into
consideration the difficult problems of
transportation and service This un-
dertaking has encouraged a number of
states to do likewise. The greatest
accomplishment probably came in 1914
during the session of a completely
Democratic congress which fulfilled
practically every pledge that the party
had made in 1912. The Smith-Lever
Act provided an annual appropriation
OF $4,000 to each state to aid agri-
cultural Extension work, and for the
diffusion OF extension instruction"
The appropriation act of 1915 supple
mented this by an appropriation of
$6O0,O00 TO be increased each year
hereafter until 1922 by $500, 900. In
that year the total appropriation will
be $4,000 900. This appropriation, it
is planned will be continued each year
thereafter. The amount is being dis
tributed among agricultural states for
extension purposes and each state
doubles the amount it receives which
IS determined according to the pro-
portion its rural population bears to
the total rural population of the United
States. This will make the total agri-
cultural appropriation for rural ed
ncatlon and extension over $4,000, 900
in 1922. In addition Secretary Hous-
ton completely reOrganiZed the depart
ment in 1914. Many details of the new
system such as the county agents, ex-
tension education and vocational ed
ucatiOn for rural children, are fea-
lures with which farmers in general
are now acquainted.
The department of agriculture now
publishes some six bulletinS-the De-
partment Bulletin, The Farmers Bull
letin. Journal of Agricultural Re
search. the Department Year Book,
Monthly Crop Report and Educational
Weekly. These may be obtained by
addressing the department.
There are numerous other features
that could be discussed The record
of the department under the demo-
cratic administration is for The most
part. praiseworthy; the extension of
departmental activities should be a
pride to rural inhabitants.