REPORT OF THE COIVIMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 20 



thereon. At that exhibition there were collected samples of wool from 

 the different breeds of sheep exhibited, and their examination under- 

 taken with a view to their careful measurement for fineness of fiber, 

 tensile strength, &c. As this examination progressed, it became ap- 

 l)arent that most valuable information, both for the producer and con- 

 sumer, would result. The samples were largely augmented by contri- 

 butions from every wool-producing section, and a careful, patient, and 

 elaborate system of tests, and examinations, was entered upon to show 

 the varying tensile strength, ductility, and elasticity of wools from dif- 

 ferent breeds of sheep, and from the same breeds, under different condi- 

 tions of feeding, climate, and management. The report upon this inves- 

 tigation has long since been ready for the printer, the illustrations to 

 accompany it having been prepared and paid for. The work is a scien- 

 tific indorsement of the value of American wool. It shows clearly that 

 wool can be produced in the United States equal to that of any country in 

 the world, and embraces information which has cost many thousands of 

 dollars to procure and tabulate. The great wool industry is entitled to 

 the information which it was the evident design of Congress it should 

 have, and I would respectfully urge the imiDortance of the immediate 

 printing of the report for the benefit of all concerned. 



DEPARTlilENTAL REPORTS. 



In addition to 400,000 copies of the Annual Keport of the Department 

 for the year 1884, and 50,000 copies of the First Annual Eeport of the 

 Bureau of Animal Industry, both of which were ordered by special act 

 of Congress, the following named special, and miscellaneous reports, 

 have been published during the current year : 



DIVISION OV 8TATI8TICS — NEW SKRIB8. 



Ko. copies 

 printed. 



No. 14. Report of the crops of the year, and of freight rates of transporta- 

 tion. December, 1884, 60 pp., octavo 13,000 



No. 15. Report upon the numbers and values of farm animals ; on the cotton 

 crop and its distribution, and on freight rates of transportation 

 companies. January and February, 1885, 64 pp., octavo 15,000 



No. 16. Report on the distribution and consumption of corn and wheat, on 

 consumption of cereals in Europe, and on freight rates of trans- 

 portation companies. March, 1885, 47 pp., octavo 15,000 



No. 17. Report of the area of winter grain, the condition of farm animals, and 



on freight rates of transportation. April, 1885, 80 pp., octavo.. 15, 000 



No. 18. Report of the condition of winter grain, the progress of cotton plant- 

 ing, and wages of farm labor ; also on the freight rates of trans- 

 portation companies. May, 1885, 60 pp., octavo 15, 000 



No. 19. Report on acreage of spring grain and cotton, the condition of winter 

 wheat, and European grain products, with freight rates of trans- 

 portation companies. June, 1885, 56 pp., octavo 15,000 



No. 20. Report on the area of corn, potatoes, and tobacco, and condition of 

 growing crops, and on rates of transportation. July, 1885, pp., 

 64, octavo c 15,000 



