REPORT 



OF THE 



SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



To THE President: 



The educational work of the Department of Ag'riculture has grown 

 in effectiveness since mv last Annual Report. The opportunities 

 offered to young men to fit themselves for special lines of experi- 

 mental work under the immediate care of our most experienced scien- 

 tists are being sought by greater numbers every year. The influence 

 of the Department is extending through cooperation with the scientists 

 of the experiment stations of the several States and Territories and 

 the isles of the sea under our flag. The demands of these institutions 

 for trained men to conduct research into so many fields of inquiry and 

 of private individuals and companies for the best organizing and 

 supervising ability to manage agricultural enterprises encourage 

 students to prepare for doing this work. 



The teaching of the science of agriculture and the sciences related 

 to it is receiving more attention in the colleges instituted for this pur- 

 pose, many of which in the past have neglected their full duty in this 

 regard. 



Research by the Department officials into the principles governing 

 the growth of plants and the creation of new species by hybridizing to 

 give varieties from which to select for new purposes has brought 

 gratifj'ing results. We have new fruits and grains of numerous kinds 

 adajDted to localities that have been needing them for many years. 



We are/ helping people in many localities to an intelligent knowl- 

 edge of their soils and of the most profitable uses to which they ma}' 

 be devoted. Results are showino- the value of this service. The best 

 sugar lands, rice lands, tobucco lands, truck lands, and lands best 

 adapted to particular fruits, grains, grasses, legumes, and other crops 

 are being discovered as ceitainly as any other unknown thing is 

 brought to human knowledge for the first time. 



Few of the plants of most value to our people are native to the 

 United States. They are products of other countries and have been 

 useful in their localities for long periods of time. Our various soils 



