REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 7 



It has been my purpose to accomplish all the work of the Department 

 through the instrumentality of its immediate employes, and it affords 

 me great pleasure to say that they are quite equal to the task, and are 

 now so completely organized as to require no further aid. Siiecial sub- 

 jects sometimes present themselves, and so concern our agricultural 

 interests as to require the consideration and discussion of the profess- 

 ional scholar, and under such circumstances I do not fail to bring into 

 common use the fruits of their study and learning. 



I should not fail to note the marked change which has been wrought 

 during the past few years in the appreciation which all classes of society 

 now bestow upon the principles of science as applicable to their several 

 employments. Congress, keeping pace with this expression of public 

 sentiment, at its last session made a liberal appropriation for "a system 

 of observations and rex^orts, in charge of the Chief Signal-Ofificer of the 

 Army, for such stations, reports, and signals as may be found necessary 

 for the benefit of agriculture and commercial interests," thus responding 

 to the universal sentiment, " God speed the jilow." 



I cannot close this report without referring to the earnest interest 

 which this Department has taken to induce Congress to adopt active 

 measures to protect the yet existing forests of the country, and to induce 

 their planting on prairies where they are so much needed j and I take 

 this occasion to suggest that no part of the public lands should be dis- 

 posed of without the condition that a tenth of it should be reserved in 

 timber where it exists ; and where it does not exist, that inducements 

 should be offered for planting it. The importance of this subject de- 

 mands immediate attention. 



With regard to the publications of this Department, it has been my 

 constant eiiort to avoid any delay which would depreciate their value, 

 and I have great satisfaction in saying that this effort has been fully 

 appreciated by the Congressional Printer, whose part of the work has 

 always been promptly and efficiently done. 



The total amount appropriated to this Department for the fiscal year 

 ended June 30, 1872, was 8197,070; $10,451.41 of this amount was 

 expended by my i^redecessor, and of the balance I have expended 

 $179,339.74, as follows : 



Salaries $G8,814 97 



Collecting statistics 13, 074 8t} 



Purcliase aud distribution of seeds and plants 45, 000 00 



Experimental garden 9, 292 04 



Contingent expenses 12, 464 03 



Fnrniture, cases, aud repairs 4,514 50 



Museum and herbarium 2,000 00 



Library 1,909 G9 



Laboratory 2,969 05 



Improvement of grounds 19, 300 00 



179,339 74 



Leaving a balance unexpended of $1,278.82. This amount will cover all 



