REPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 25 



other companies, by planting a belt of trees along their lines, could pro- 

 tect their roads from drifting snows and driving \yinds. 



The review of the year is encouraging. The interest in the subject of 

 forestry has increased throughout the country. The publications of tlie 

 Department by themselves, and yet more as they have been republished 

 m whole or in part by our numerous newspapers, and the discussions of 

 the subject in agricultural and other conventions, have had the efiect to 

 extend greatly the knowledge of the subject. 



The establishment of arbor or tree-planting day, already adopted in 

 fifteen of our States and Territories, is one of the most encouraging signs 

 for the advancement of forestry. Its extension throughout the country 

 should be urged by every proper consideration. Its general establish- 

 ment would be among the most effective means of creating throughout 

 the community a proper sentiment in regard to trees, and lead to their 

 adequate protection. 



On the other hand, the waste of our forests goes on at an alarming 

 rate. Little, if anything, has been done to check the annual destruction 

 by fires, whether by willful violators of the law, or where occasioned by 

 sparks from locomotives ; the destruction caused by the ax of the lum- 

 berman, or the loss by depredations on the public lands. To stop these 

 several losses, each lamentably great, the division has done what it 

 could by making the facts known to the Commissioner of the Land 

 Office, the only one who is authorized to i)rosecute such offenders. 



In view of the continued destruction of the timber on the Government 

 lands, and the importance of preserving for permanent cultivators, and 

 use, such portions of forests as are adjacent to the head springs of rivers, 

 or which may be needed for climatic or other reasons, it is respectfully 

 urged that the further sale of timber lands belonging to the Govern- 

 ment, ought to be suspended until such time as a careful survey shall 

 ascertain what portion of them may be sold without involving injury to 

 the country, and what ought to be permanently held in the forest con- 

 dition. 



SEED DIYISION. 



Relative to the reforms instituted, those in the seed division call 

 for more than a passing notice. It is a division whose annually ex- 

 pended ai)propriation exceeds that of any other in the Department, and 

 proportionate to this should be the care and "SNisdom in its management. 

 Particular attention has therefore been given to improved methods in 

 the distribution of seeds. Experienced executive officers have been ap- 

 pointed to prevent an indiscriminate and useless distribution of seeds 

 in climates and soils to which they are not adai)ted ; to carefully study 

 the necessities and climatic condition of the several sections ; to thor- 

 oughly test, before distiibution, a sample of every variety of seed pur- 

 chased, to prove its vegetative qualities, and to skillfully subject such 

 seed to a rigid examination for the purpose of detecting the presence 



