32 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
The Journal of Forestry and Estate Management, published at Lon- 
don, after speaking in high terms of the report of Dr. Hough, and the 
diligent manner in which he has prosecuted his investigations, says : 
From these sources he has been able to collect an astonishing amount of useful 
information, which he has arranged with laudable carefulness and great ability in the 
report now before us. 
The report was limited to a volume not exceeding 650 pages, which has compelled 
the author to condense or exclude much valuable matter; but still the book is com- 
piled in such a masterly manner that it forms the most complete and exhaustive trea- 
tise upon the subject that has yet appeared in the English language. For the present 
we would recommend the careful study of it to all arborists, who will find in it a per- 
fect mine of information calculated to instruct and interest all students of the science 
and art of forestry. 
-The Pioneer Press of Saint Paul says: 
The Report on Forestry, by Dr. F'. B. Hough, issued under the direction of the Com- 
missioner of Agriculture, is a work of great value. The author seems to have prose- 
cuted his inquiries with industry and intelligence, not only throughout the United 
States, but in foreign countries. It is indeed in foreign countries where the vital 
importance of preserving forests has been long understood, and where for many years 
they have been fostered under settled policies of the various governments, that we can 
learn most of the vital necessity of forest culture, and of the means best adapted to 
promote on a large scale the growth of woods and to preserve those which still survive 
the tremendous havoc and waste which are making in all our native forests. 
The following is an extract from a letter written by Prof. Andrew 
Llaurado, of the School of Forestry, Escura, Madrid, Spain: 
I know your name by your excellent work in the Report upon Forestry. I appreci- 
ate the extent of your knowledge and the wisdom of your government in charging you 
with the duty of writing upon so important and interesting a subject. 
Prof. W. 8. Clark, president of the Massachusetts State Agricultural 
College, says: 
I have just examined with pleasure your important Report upon Forestry, and hope 
your good work may be continued. 
Jos. L. Budd, Professor of Forestry, Iowa State College, says: 
I have received your very valuable Report on Forestry. It is a matter of extreme 
regret that this report could not be generally disseminated, and especially in the 
West. It is the only valuable and original work on this vitally important subject. 
DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS. 
The organic law establishing the department, and which has not been 
changed or modified in this respect, makes it the duty of the Commis- 
sioner to confine (see. 526) “purchase and distribution of seeds by the 
Department of Agriculture to such seeds as are'rare and uncommon to 
the country, or such as can be made more profitable by frequent changes 
from one part of our country to another,” We. 
By these express terms it becomes as much the duty of the Commis- 
sioner to distribute as to purchase these seeds. Both purchase and dis- 
tribution are devolved on himalone. But, for reasons not now apparent, 
the distribution came in time to be transferred from the department very 
largely into the hands of members of Congress, a division of the seed 
