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is a greater necessity for frequent introduction of samples of superior grain. I 
have endeavored to give efficiency to the distribution of cereals, not only by 
sending larger packages, but by discriminating in the selection of persons to 
test them, that inducements for a greater care in the experiment, and a proba- 
bility of more general subsequent distribution, may better secure the beneficent 
aims of the department and accomplish better results for agriculture. To this 
end I have relied, and still propose to rely, upon boards of agriculture, and 
officers of agricultural societies, boards of trade, and such representative farm- 
ers as may be recommended by members of Congress and others. 
It was my purpose to secure varieties of wheat for experiment the present 
spring, particularly for Minnesota and spring-wheat-growing States of the 
northwest, but was not able to satisfactorily execute my designs in the limited 
time from the date of my accession to this office and the period of spring sow- 
ing. I did succeed in obtaining a quantity of seed from Canada, which failed 
to answer my expectations, and I declined to permit its distribution. 
It is my intention to make special efforts to procure new varieties of spring 
wheat (as well as winter wheat) for the section which you represent. The 
importance of the subject is fully admitted, and its promised pecuniary results 
are even greater than appears in your representation. I know of no single 
accomplishment possible for this department by which results so immediate and 
beneficial can be attained. 
I am not prepared to indorse the suggestion of Mr. Mann, to send an agent 
to Minnesota, “rent a farm, plant it with new varieties of wheat, and sell the 
seed to farmers at a price sufficient to cover the expenses of the enterprise ;” 
not so much because of the inherent impropriety of such a course, which is 
common under foreign governments, but from the popular (and I believe well- 
founded) opinion, that this government should advise and facilitate such enter- 
prises, leaving to individuals the direction, pecuniary responsibility, and profit 
of them. Such a course is certainly more simple, safe, and, I imagine, will 
prove more satisfactory and beneficial in the final result. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
H. CAPRON, Commissioner. 
Hon. I. DonneLLY. 
AMERICAN PLOUGHS IN EUROPE. 
The following notice of American ploughs at the Paris Exposition is translated 
for the Monthly Report: 
American ploughs at the Paris exhibition, 1867, were few in number, but furnished a com- 
plete illustration of the excellent construction and solid execution of farming implements in 
the United States. With but few exceptions, all these ploughs were furnished with beams 
and handles of wood, but this was of such excellent quality, that wood in this instance, on 
account of its extraordinary toughness, withstanding the utmost amount of tear and toil, 
is to be preferred to iron most decidedly. With us, such an excellent material (white oak and 
hickory ) is wanting entirely ; otherwise it ought to be substituted for iron at once. 
The form of the American smoothing board has been applied with us long ago, and wher- 
ever the soil is too cohesive for the Ruchadlo plough, it always has proved to be the best, as 
it holds a middle place between the long, sharp, and screw-like English board and that of the 
Ruchadlo plough, composed of two straight sides uniting above in form of a triangle. As the 
English board excels in heavy, tough clay soil, while the latter is adapted best to loose, 
falling ground, the American share is the best fora medium soil to be turned entirely 
upsidedown. All these ploughs exhibited were swing ploughs, sometimes with a stilting-wheel 
attached to the fore part of the beam, as also frequently used with us, while fore-carts, (run 
ning on two wheels to rest the beam, ) such as are used in England and on the continent, seem 
to be but of little use in America. 
The cutter is peculiar in most American ploughs; either a common cutter like ours, attached 
to the beam or to the share, in form of a vertical blade, as high as the plough is to go down 
