238 DEPARTMENTAL EEPORTS. 



by tlie Secretary of Agriculture. The estimates, including the $720,000 

 for agricultural experiment stations, aggregated $4:,10G,257. All dif- 

 ferences in the estimates from the appropriations of the preceding 

 year were, as usual, explained in footnotes for the information and 

 guidance of the proper committees of Congress, and were also 

 explained orall}^ to these committees. The Committee on Agriculture 

 visited the Department during the last session of Congress in connec- 

 tion with the estimates to scrutinize its expenditures and to inquire as 

 to its future needs. 



The main items of increase in the appropriation bill for 1901 are as 

 follows : For the distribution of seeds by Members of Congress, 140,000, 

 added at the request of over 225 Members of the House, who signed 

 a petition asking this increase. 



An increase of 138,000 was made for the purchase of ground for a 

 new quarantine station at the port of New York and the erection of 

 buildings thereon, the present station at Garfield, N. J., having to be 

 abandoned on account of extending streets of the town through the 

 same. 



The Bureau of Animal Industry has an additional $50,000 to meet 

 the constantly growing demands for the inspection of meats destined 

 for interstate and foreign commerce. 



The appropriation for forestry investigations is increased $40,000, 

 thus doubling the appropriation. 



The appropriation for botanical investigations is increased from 

 120,000 to 130,000; that for irrigation investigations from $35,000 to 

 $50,000; for tea-culture investXgations from $1,000 to $5,000; for 

 publications from $80,000 to $105,000. Eighteen appropriations are 

 increased, aggregating $297,478. 



The sum of $10,000 is provided to enable the Secretary of Agricul- 

 ture to undertake the necessarj^ improvements to establish and main- 

 tain a general experimental farm and agricultural station on the 

 Arlington estate, in the State of Virginia, in accordance with the 

 provisions of the act of Congress approved April 18, 1900, entitled 

 "An act to set apart a portion of the Arlington estate for experi- 

 mental agricultural purposes, and to place said portion under the 

 jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture and his successors in 

 oflice." 



The Weather Bureau receives an additional amount for the purpose 

 of erecting iron storm-warning towers in place of the wooden ones 

 now in use, which are constantly decaying and breaking down, and 

 also to meet the increased cost of paper and other material used by 

 the Bureau. 



By the appropriation bill a number of clerks were transferred from 

 the statutory salarj^ roll of the Secretary to the statutory rolls of the 

 several divisions where they are actually employed, thus reducing 

 the Secretary's roll by $9,G(iO, and correspondingly increasing the 

 other rolls. 



The fund which provides for messengers, laborers, and charwomen 

 was reduced $1,420 by Congress. This fund w^as already inadequate 

 to the demands upon it, and the reduction thus made has necessitated 

 a proportioimte cut in the jjay of certain laborers, and will prevent 

 the employment of necessary emergency help. 



For gi-eater convenience, the appropriations for "Contingent 

 expenses," "Furniture, cases, and repairs" and " Postage" were com- 

 bined under "Contingent expenses," for the fiscal year 1901. 



