124 



gro^vth of the best varieties of Cinchona plants cannot be fonnd within 

 the present limits of the United States, where no suitable elevations 

 possessing an equable moist, cool climate, free from frost, can be met 

 with. 



2. That the island of San Domingo, located within the tropics and 

 traversed by extensive mountain ranges attaining elevations of over 

 6,000 feet above the sea, presents a larger scope of country especially 

 adapted to the growth of Cinchonas than any other insular region in the 

 western hemisphere. 



3. That the existence of successful Cinchona plantations in Jamaica, 

 within two days' sail from San Domingo, will aflbrd the material for 

 stocking new plantations in the latter island at the least possible ex- 

 pense of time and labor. 



THE COST AND PEOFIT OF THE DEPAETMENT OF AGEI- 



CULTUEE. 



No department of the Government appears to be more strongly 

 intrenched in the affections of the people than that of agriculture. It 

 is the uniform testimony of all informed and unprejudiced minds that 

 its meager appropriations have contributed in larger proportionate 

 measure to the general wealth than the average of the most judicious 

 expenditures of the Government. The evidence on this point is of the 

 most convincing character. It has excited no political antagonism, 

 aiming only to secure the progress of agriculture and the increase of its 

 production, and it enjoys the confidence and secures the cooperation of 

 "the administration" and "the opposition " alike. Occasionally some 

 individual, more solicitous of private than of imblic advantage, failing 

 to obtain coveted but unmerited favor, is moved to misrepresentation 

 and even vituperation. There are " ax-griiiders " constantly attempting 

 the exercise of their vocation, whose disappointment must naturally 

 take the form of opposition ; and there is ignorance and prejudice 

 ready to echo faintly the cry of baffled greed. 



The accompanying remarks of Mr. Welker, of Ohio, which are placed 

 upon record to show how small an amount of money has been expended 

 by this Department, are suggested by the following petition : 



To the honorahle the Senate and the House of Representatives : 



The uiiflersigued memorialists, citizens of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, would 

 respectfully represent to your lioaorable body the inutility of the Department of Agri- 

 culture as a national institution. 



Therefore, in cousiderationof the following reasons, as set forth by your petitioners, 

 we would most earnestly request that action may be taken at iiU early day whereby 

 that iustitntion may be discontinued. 



It has already cost the Government more than three millions of dollars, and without 

 accomplishing any benefit whatever. 



Its locality is not in any way suited for the propagation of such tropical plants and 

 seeds, from whence are derived the greater portion of our imported productions of the soil. 



It is contrary to the laws of nature for the climate of the District of Columbia to 

 reproduce tropical or semi-tropical Tilauts, «&c. 



Furthermore, to cultivate or experiment on such plants, in the green-house, is not 

 only expensive but impracticable, and never can be of any commercial value to the nation. 

 Hence the inutility of the Department of Agriculture. 



Rare seeds and practical works on agriculture (in all its bearings) are obtainable at 

 most of the reliable seed stores. 



By a speedy and due consideration of the foregoing, your memorialists will ever 

 pray, &c. 



The following names of men and boys of Camden (New Jersey) and vicinity are 



