REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 35 
P ‘to the country itself, of the distributions of seeds which have been madey 
by this department—if there be any serious question in the minds of 
really intelligent men on the subject—would seem to be fairly met and 
- fully answered in the many letters received daily from all sections bear- 
ing ample testimony to the importance of what has already been done, 
and calling for further help. A few of these letters are appended as 
illustrating the general tone of them all. It will be seen that wherever 
a marked increase of crops has occurred the result has been attributed 
generally to the new or improved varieties of seeds which had gone 
forth inte those sections from this department, and that wherever a bet- 
ter system of cultivation has been inaugurated it is stated to have been 
greatly stimulated by the principles inculcated and the information con- 
tained in the numerous reports of the Department of Agriculture. Not 
infrequently do correspondents volunteer the statement that the seeds 
which we have sent them have increased the yield of crops from one- 
tenth to one-fourth, and in some instances an hundred-fold. Not the 
least of many resulting benefits, they say, will be found in the more 
mixed and varied husbandry which the introduction of hew seeds has 
made possible; the greater number of crops rendering the farm more 
self-supporting, and materially lessening the danger of total loss, as is 
often the ease where cultivation is confined to one or two staple crops. 
The following extracts from our correspondents indicate the almost 
invariable tone of the letters which are received on this subject: 
ALABAMA.—A correspondent says: ‘The wheat sent me by the de- 
partment possesses value above gold, and an adaptation above any other 
variety.” 
ARKANSAS.—“ The variety of wheat from the department yields more 
and suits this people better than any other ever tried here.” Another: 
“The winter rye sent here by the department is highly satisfactory, and 
has doubled the yield of that grain in the county.” Another: “The 
oats are a great improvement on any others ever grown here, and are 
the best in every particular.” 
ConNECTICUT.—“ The wheat sent us by the department is the ad- 
miration and wonder of all the farmers; the best ever raised here.” 
IypiAna.—< The introduction by the department of improved varie- 
ties of wheat has been worth thousands of dollars to our county.” 
Kansas.—‘ The two wheats sent here by the department are very 
valuable and a great acquisition.” Another: “The winter oats have 
largely increased the yield and crop in this State.” 
Kentrucky.—‘ The new wheats sent from the department are supe- 
rior and more popular, giving better satisfaction than any we have ever 
grown.” Another: “The oats are very productive and fully successful.” 
Matne.—‘ Wheat from the department is valuable, yields 16 to 22 
bushels per acre; average of the entire State before only 14 bushels.” 
Another: “Oats from the department prove to be just what we want.” 
MAaRrYLAND.— The wheat introduced by the department is very valua- 
ble; the best raised here; yields much above the average.” 
