MOXTHLY REPORT. 



Department of Agriculture, 



Wasliingto7i, February, 1865. 



This report contains various articles, arising out of tlie correspondence of the 

 department on topics interesting to the farmer, and demanding of him such an 

 effort on his part as will tend to lessen the evils they refer to. The greatlj 

 decreased value of much wheat because of the prevalence of smut in many 

 localities, is a loss that can easily be avoided, as Avill be seen from the letter of 

 Mr. Haden. If the evil is not arrested, it will continue to spread every year, 

 through the mode of threshing so prevalent in the west, where the smut most 

 largely prevails. 



The letter from Taft, Weeden & Co., of Providence, Rhode Inland, will be 

 read by all wool-growers, because it relates to a subject interesting to them. 

 The kind of wool most in demand is directory of the labor of the farmer, and 

 it will always be a leading purpose of these reports to present such facts and 

 opinions as will aid him to look forward to the future demand as present 

 circumstances indicate. It is a purpose, among many others, that has demanded 

 the publication of these reports as a means of constant communication with our 

 vast agricultural community. 



With a view of rendering every possible aid to agriculture, an agricultural 

 museum has been commenced in this department, so that specimens of every 

 product may be collected and compared. Among these, it is my aim to have 

 every breed of sheep exhibited, and their most useful crosses, that the farmer 

 may be guided to the production of such kinds of wool as he may deem most 

 profitable for him to grow. To render such an exhibition still more useful, it is 

 desirable to have specimens of foreign wools of every kind, just as they are 

 imported, tcitli their value and uses stated, that our farmers may more clearly 

 understand the varieties and qualities of wool necessary to manufacturers. 

 The Commissioner desires such specimens and information from manufacturers, 

 believing they will aid in establishing a more cordial understanding between 

 industrial pursuits so mutually dependent. 



And here I would remind all correspondents that the department receives 

 free of postage all mail matter proper to be sent to it, not exceeding two pounds 

 in weight. 



The letter of Mr. Hoag details an experiment in what may be called trans- 

 forming winter wheat into spring wheat. It is hoped that it Avill call forth 

 general experiments next winter, for if his success is found to be general, the 

 practical uses to which it can be applied will, in many seasons, render him a 

 public benefactor. 



The articles on agricultural education in England, hospital gardening, and 

 the profits of industry -^ill be interesting to all, the latter especially, when taken 

 in connection with the statistics of the croj)S published in this report. The 

 industry of the United States is so vast, and, when considered in its relation to 

 the war, so wonderful in its productive results, that its bearing on the ability of 



