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tions can thus be obtained by each State desiring the specimens for agricultural 

 colleges or State cabinets. 



In the collection of native birds the specimens are labeled to show at a glance which 

 are the friends of the farmer by destroying injurious insects, or which are the enemies 

 that prey upon his crops. The plates of insects are especially designed to show such 

 insects as are destructive to vegetation, so that the farmer or fruit grower may recog- 

 nize them at a glance. Then, by referring to a manuscript work by Professor Glover, 

 the entomologist of the Department, he can immediately learn all that is known of 

 their habits, and the best means to exterminate them. All inquiries relative to noxious 

 insects of the farm made by agriculturists or others desiring such information can be 

 readily answered and the besc known remedies recommended. 



In the cases devoted to the animal and vegetable fibers thej'^ are sliown in all their 

 stages, from the seed to the manufactured articles, or from the raw material, as in the 

 case of wool, to the various fabrics made from it. 



Tiie collection of domestic poultry shows type specimens of such as are recommended 

 as best for market, laying eggs, or for any particular purpose. The design of the 

 economic colkctiou of Hours manufiictured from cereals, dj-e-stuffs, gums, oils, &c., is 

 to show what can be made from various native materials, or to suggest the various 

 products imported from abroad that should be grown in this country, 



5. DIVISIOX OF IIOUTICULTURE. 



This consists of an experimental garden with the arhorefam, and is devoted to the 

 introduction of new and valuable and promising plants, shruljs, and trees, native and 

 foreign, suitable to the various sections of the Union. What is known as the Botani- 

 cal Garden has no connection with this division or the Department. 



WHAT IT HAS ACCO.MPLISHED. 



Now, Mv. Speaker, what has the Department accomplished ? Since the claims of 

 agriculture have been recognized and fostered by Government, the excellence and 

 variety of its machinery and imj)lemeuts have surpassed those of all other nations. 



In 1847 the number of agricultural patents granted was but 47 ; in 186.3 it had in- 

 creased to 390 ; in 1865 to 642; in 1866 to 1,778; and for each of the last tAvo years it 

 Las reached nearly 2,000. These improvements are rapidly revolutionizing the agri- 

 culture of the "West, and reducing to the lowest point ever attained the proportion of 

 manual labor employed in the operations of farming, saving at least fifty per cent, of 

 the manual labor required in agricultural pursuits. 



Under its present able head the Department has distributed the last year nearly six 

 hundred thoasand packages of seed, including upward of thirty thousand sacks of 

 winter wheat imported by the Commissioner, besides new varieties of oats and other 

 cereals, which have been sent into every congressional district in the Union ; thus 

 affording at ouce a more general dift'usion of new and valuable kinds of grain than 

 would or could be done by private enterprise in many years. As the result of this dis- 

 tribution of seed by the Department from year to year, there are now raised hundreds 

 of thousands of bushels of oats, incomparably superior to the old varieties, and in many 

 instances nearly doubling the crop. And so of the increased quantity and superior 

 quality of the wheat in many of the States. The same might be said of several of our 

 other products. This increase has contributed millions to the wealth of the country, 

 and alone establishes the Titility and great benefits resulting from this Department. 



It is said that ho who makes two blades of grass grow whei'e one did before is a pub- 

 lic benefactor. This Department has done this, and more, in many varieties of agri- 

 cultrnal products. It has established relations with organized associatioi^s for agricul- 

 tural improvements, whether governmental or otherwise, making exclianges of seeds, 

 plants, and publications. Through an extended correspondence with foreigTi societies 

 and our consuls abroad it is searching the world for new and valuable plants to 

 acclimatize, new varieties of cereals to test, and, when found valuable, to distribute, 

 thus finding and introducing into our agriculture the valuable products of all countries 

 suitable and xirofitable for our cultivation. 



Agriculture is the great civilizer of the world. Its improvements and advancements 

 mark national as well as individual progress. Whatever will add to its success, furnish 

 it with valuable inventions and discoveries, are so mauy steps toward accomplishing 

 the highest forms of civilization and human happiness. In this country, with its broad 

 and fertile acres, the cultivator of the soil is generally its owner. So large a projiortion 

 of our population being engaged in this pursuit it must ever be a leading occupation . 

 The great extent of our country and its capabilities make it necessary that there shall 

 always be a great diversity of agricultural labor. To give direction to this diversified 

 agriculture is one great purpose of the Department, and it will be able to lead the way 

 in processes of culture, as well as selection of products and their varieties, in the dif- 

 ferent localities, and thus enabling farmers to give attention to that culture which 

 promises and secures the best resiilts and rewards, 



