260 



A resolution was also passed opposing iiatioual abridgment of the 

 authority of States in railway control. 



A paper from Dr. John A. Warder, on forestry, was read. It recom- 

 mends a national commission, the establisliment of forest schools, and 

 would make forestry a leading study in agricultural colleges. 



The speculations and abuses practiced uuder United States patent- 

 laws, and desired changes in patent legislation, intended to " secure the 

 greatest good to tbe greatest number," came up for discussion, and a 

 committee was appointed to prepare a suitable memorial to Congress on 

 the subject. 



A resolution, presented by Mr. Winter, of Alabama, was adopted, 

 deprecating so exclusive a reliance upon cotton as at present, declaring 

 that planting must remain unremunerative while it fails to furnish 

 agricultural supplies of prime necessity, and urging a better culture 

 and a greater diversity of production. 



Col. R. L. Ragland, of Virginia, from the committee on the tobacco 

 tax, made a report favoring the reduction of the tax to a uniform rate 

 of 12 cents per pound, which was adopted. 



Cincinnati was selected as the place of meeting in September, 1875, 

 and the following officers were chosen for. the ensuing year : 



Fresident. — Gen. W. H. Jackson, of Tennessee. 



Sea-etary.-rGeo. E. Morrow, of Washington. 



Treasurer. — J. J. Poole, of Indiana. 



Vice-Presidents. — Alabama, C. C. Langdon, Mobile ; North Carolina, T. M. Holt, Tar 

 River; South Carolina, W. M. Shannon, Canulen ; Virginia, H. E. Peyton, Waterford; 

 Arkansas, A. W. Bishop ; Tennessee, J. O. Griffith, Nashville ; Mississippi, C. E. 

 Hooker, Jackson ; Florida, W. H. Scott, Midway ; Georgia, R. A. Alston, Decatur ; 

 District of Columbia, J. S. Grinnell, Washington ; Illinois, W. C. Flagg, Moore ; Indi- 

 ana, Alexander Heron, Indianapolis. 



In accordance with the request of the congress as expressed by unani- 

 mous vote, the address on agricultural statistics, by the statistician of 

 the Department of Agriculture, is herewith presented : 



PRACTICAL HINTS FROM AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 



The members of the National Agricultural Congress too thoroughly appreciate the 

 importance of a systematic collection of the facts of agriculture, which necessarily in- 

 clude those illustrating almost every branch of natural and social science, to require 

 an elaborate argument to prove the utility and beneficence of agricultural sttitistics. 

 The range of such facts is quite too wide for bodily presentation, in however concise a 

 form, in the time allotted to the opening of this discussion. Nor is such epitome espe- 

 ciallv required iu this presence. Rather would it seem preferable to present a few 

 deductions drawn from classes of facts, designed to be eminently practical iu tendency, 

 suggestive of grand schemes of needed improvement, perhaps provocative of whole- 

 some criticism, and stimulative of thought and suggestion for the amelioration and 

 advancement of American agricultiire. A brief cousideration of the moans and appli- 

 ances of statistical collection may also be deemed appropriate and timely. 



USES OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 



It is the province of agricultural statistics to measure the extent of our vast re- 

 sources ; to contrast the actual with the possible in production, by living examples of 

 accomplished results ; to weigh the eftect of overproduction in the diminution of 

 prices ; to illustrate the folly of dependence on distant and uncertain markets for pri- 

 mary products; to show the correlation of the industries, and the advantage of aug- 

 menting numbers of consumers upon the prices and profits of agriculture ; and to mark 

 the progress of the sciences, iu their application to the business of the cultivator,, and 

 to aid the ruralist in keeping pace with such progress. 



There is great activity of statistical inquiry at the present time, and but little 

 patience of investigation ; there is frequency and tlippaucy iu statement, but less of 

 accuracy and thoroughness. There is a feverish desire to accomplish the census of a 

 continent iu one day, and proclaim its results the next. Few take time to weigh facts, 

 sift error from truth, aud reach broad and i)hilosophical conclusions. What is wanted 

 in statistics is more of thought and less of Hurry, more industry and less precipitancy, 



