-3£- 



Annual reports exhibiting the condition of our agriculture, 

 commerce, and manufactures would present a fund of information of 

 great practical value to the country. While I make no suggestions 

 as to details, I venture the opinion that an agricultural and sta- 

 tistical bureau might profitably be organized. -J. D. Richardson, ed.. A 

 Compilatio n of the Messages and Papers of the Preside nts , 6:52-53 (Washington, 

 Govt. Print. Off. , 18S7). 



SECOND ANNUAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, DECEMBER 1, 1862 



In his second annual message on December 1, 1862, 

 Lincoln reported to Congress as follows: 



To carry out the provisions of the act of Congress of the 15th 

 of May last, I have caused the Department of Agriculture of the 

 United States to be organized. 



The Coirmissioner informs me that within the period of a few 

 months this Department has established an extensive system of cor- 

 respondence and exchanges, both at home and abroad, which promises to 

 effect highly beneficial results in the development of a correct knowl- 

 edge of recent improvements in agriculture, in the introduction of new 

 products, and in the collection of the agricultural statistics of the 

 different States. 



Also, that it will soon be prepared to distribute largely seeds, 

 cereals, plants, and cuttings, and has already published and liberally 

 diffused much valuable information in anticipation of a more elaborate 

 report, which will in due time be furnished, embracing some valuable 

 tests in chemical science now in progress in the laboratory. 



The creation of this Department was for the more immediate 

 benefit of a large class of our most valuable citizens, and I trust 

 that the liberal basis upon which it has been organized will not only 

 meet your approbation, but that it will realize at no distant day all 

 the fondest anticipations of its most sanguine friends and become the 

 fruitful source of advantage to all our people. - J. D. Richardson, ed., 

 A Compilation of the Message s and P apers of the P residents . 6:133 {7/ashington, 

 Govt. Print. Off.. 1897). 



