6i6 AGRICULTURE. 



In 1869 the small botanical collection of the department was 

 greatly enlarged by the transfer of the extensive and valuable 

 collection of the Smithsonian Institution, which had been con- 

 tributed by various government surveying and exploring expe- 

 ditions. Dr. C. C. Parry, botanist, was placed in charge of the 

 herbarium thus created, and the botanical work of the depart- 

 ment remained in his hands until the fall of 1871. In 1870 the 

 large conservatory of the department was commenced, and in 

 1871 it was completed. 



On the 27th of June, 1871, Commissioner Capron tendered to 

 the President his resignation, to take effect August ist. 



Hon. Frederick Watts, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was ap- 

 pointed successor to General Capron, as Commissioner of Agri- 

 culture, and entered upon his duties on the ist of August, 1871. 

 Under Mr. Watts' management, the department increased in 

 importance, and the idea became firmly fixed in the minds of 

 the farmers that this department deserved further recognition. 

 In 1877 W. G. La Due took the place of Mr. Watts, as Com- 

 missioner of Agriculture, and proved eminently qualified for the 

 position. Under his guidance, the department spread out in 

 several directions, embracing many new features that added to 

 its usefulness, and showed still more the necessity of such a 

 department. Congress recognized that fact by making more 

 liberal appropriations. In 1 88 1 George B. Loring was appointed 

 commissioner, and again a happy selection was made. Mr. 

 Loring proved himself an efficient officer, and did much toward 

 bringing the department up to the high standard it now occu- 

 pies. Under his administration, many changes were made and 

 many new ideas put into practical operation. Mr. Loring gave 

 way, in 1885, to Mr. Norman J. Coleman, one of the ablest of 

 all those who have stood at the head of that department. Mr. 

 Coleman entered upon the duties of his office determined to 

 bring it up as near to the point of perfection as possible. He 

 labored hard, and his efforts were crowned with success. Mr. 

 Coleman proved to be the last Commissioner of Agriculture, as 

 Congress passed an act, in 1889, making the Chief of the Agri- 

 cultural Department a cabinet officer. Hon. J. M. Rusk, of 

 Wisconsin, was nominated and confirmed to that position, and 

 is now (1891) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. 



