24 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 



a trifling yearly appropriation for tlie purchase of seeds, &c., and 

 an insignificant place in a subordinate division of one of our de- 

 partments. 



A department of agriculture, with a vigilant head, whose whole 

 duties are devoted to a consideration of this subject, is demanded 

 alike by the magnitude of the pecuniary interests involved, and 

 the number of those employed in the prosecution of those interests. 



There are a variety of legislative enactments which need con- 

 stantly this supervision, and in the details of which there should 

 be constant reference to facts which ought to be collated and 

 prepared for use in such department. 



Scarce a treaty of commerce is made in which agricultural 

 interests are not involved, and for the want of such accurate and 

 careful knowledge as can only be acquired by continual research 

 and study, those interests it is believed in some cases have been 

 sacrificed, ind in others have not been so advanced as they might 

 have been. I would not be understood as disparaging in the 

 least, the work which has been done through the Patent Office 

 for the introduction of choice seeds and plants, and the col- 

 lecting and diffusing of varied and important experience and 

 knowledge. I appreciate it most fully, and in common with my 

 brother farmers, am grateful for it. 



But w^hat is the influence of American Agriculture upon the 

 commerce of the world ] Where can a better provision be made 

 for its extension ? What reciprocity treaties can be made with 

 other nations opening a market for our surplus? What present 

 restrictions can be removed or compensated for by removing 

 similar restrictions from the products of the country imposing 

 them 1 



These are questions only to be answered by a mind devoted to 

 this one subject at home and abroad, and which will have the 

 responsibility of these great interests laid upon it. A voice in 

 the treaty making power is demanded by larger considerations 

 than I have suggested. It may be alleged that all departments 

 of the government are interested in this great subject, and that 

 being regarded as the most important of all the subjects of legis- 

 'lation and protection, it is always cared for. I only answer that 

 the old maxim is applicable in its full force, " that what is every 

 body's business is nobody's business." 



