Official Document, No. 6. 



F^EF^OP^^r 



OF THE 



SECR'ETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



Hairisburg, Pa., January 1, 1902. 



Hon. WILLIAM A. STONE, Gove)mo7' of Pennsylvania: 



Sir: In compliance with the requirements of Sections 2, 3 and 6 of 

 the act of Legislature of ^larch 13th, 189.5, establishing this Depart- 

 ment, I have the honor to present herewith my report for the year 

 1901, being the SeA^enth Annual Keport of the Department of Agricul 

 (ure of Pennsylvania. 



The duties imposed by the laws of this State upon the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture are more comprehensive and varied than is gen- 

 erally understood. The undue emphasis that has been given by the 

 public press to the law which protects butter from adulteration and 

 fraudulent imitation has brought many to suppose that this, if not 

 the only purpose, is at least the principal object for which the Depart- 

 ment was established, whereas it is but one of many duties, equally as 

 important and salutary, imposed upon the Department for fulfilment. 

 The scope of the Department, as outlined in the act creating it, is as 

 wide as the needs of agriculture. The law directs ''That it shall be 

 the duty of the Secretary of Agriculture, in such ways as he may 

 deem fit and proper, to encourage and promote the development of 

 agriculture, horticulture, forestry and kindred industries; to collect 

 and publish statistics and other information in regard to the agri- 

 cultural industries and interests of the State; to investigate the 

 adaptability of grains, fruits, grasses and other crops to the soil and 

 climate of the State, together with the diseases to which thev are 

 severally liable and the remedies therefor; to obtain and distribute 

 information on all matters relating to the raising and care of stock 

 and poultry; the best methods of producing wool and preparing the 

 same for market, and shall diligently prosecute all such similar in- 

 quiries as may be required by the agricultural interests of the State 



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