26 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
At present the disease seems to be circumscribed by narrow limits, — 
and could be extirpated with but little cost in.comparison with the sum 
that would be required should the plague be communicated to the count- 
less herds west of the Alleghany Meuntains. This disease is of such a 
destructive nature as to have called forth for its immediate extirpation 
the assistance of every European government in which it has appeared, 
many of them having found it necessary to expend millions of dollars in 
its suppression. The interests involved in this case are of so vast a. 
character, and of such overshadowing importance both to the farming 
and commercial interests of the country, as to require the active inter- 
vention of the Federal Government for their protection, and for this 
reason the considerate attention of Congress is respectfully asked to 
this important matter. 
THE PARIS EXPOSITION OF i878. 
The United States having been invited by the Republic of France to 
take part in a universal exposition. of the productions of agriculture, 
manufactures, and fine arts, to be held at Paris in 1878, an appropriation 
of $150,000 was made by Congress December -15, 1877. This sum was 
subsequently increased by another appropriation to $190,000. Out of 
the sum first appropriated $10,000 was assigned to the Department of 
Agriculture as its proper proportion of the fund, with which to make a 
display of the agricultural productions of this country. From the second 
appropriation of $40,000 ma¢le toward the close of the second session of 
the Forty-fifth Congress the department received $5,000 additional for 
this exhibit. 
The first appropriation was not available until some weeks after the 
approval of the dill, and the exposition was,to open about the Ist of 
May, thus leaving a very short time and, that at an unpropitious season, 
in which to collect, prepare for exhibition, and transport such produe- 
tions of our agricultural industry as would do credit to the country. 
Every effort was made that the limited time and meager means would 
permit to make such an exhibition as would attract attention of the peo- 
ple of all nationalities, and thus enlarge the markets for the consump- 
tion of our products. Our exhibition of agricultural production, though 
not by any means such as could have been made, or such as would have 
been made had more time and money been devoted to it, was in some 
degree creditable to the country, and has received the approval and 
commendation of the French authorities and the people of other coun- 
tries who attended the Exposition. 
The former chemist of the department, Dr. McMurtrie, was especially 
charged with the care of this exhibit; but as he has not yet returned 
or reported thereon, more particular mention of the part which the 
Agricultural Department has taken in the Paris Exposition is left for a 
subsequent report. ; . 
