286 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



NECESSITY FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. 



The merest reference to the record of the work done preceding 

 these recommendations will afford conclusive evidence of the neces- 

 sity for a considerable addition to our force, if we are to perform the 

 duties devolving upon us with promptness and efficiency. In this 

 connection it is important to reiterate the fact that it is not in my 

 power in any way to reduce the quantity of work save by good man- 

 agement in its disposition. The amount of work depends entirely 

 upon the general work of all the several Bureaus, Divisions, and Offices 

 in the Department, any addition to which involves, necessarily, an 

 increase in the labors and responsibilities of the Division of Publica- 

 tions, which is the channel through which all published results of 

 work done must reach the public. That a sufficient force be main- 

 tained, therefore, in this Division, to secure promptness in the publi- 

 cation of manuscripts submitted, is of such importance as to be rep- 

 resented by a very considerable money value to the country. Delay 

 in publication for a few weeks may frequently postpone all possibility 

 of any practical results from the information given for twelve months. 



The distribution of documents is subject to the same conditions as 

 the rest of our work, in this case a great desideratum being prompt- 

 ness and accuracy. The requests for publications and correspond- 

 ence in regard thereto result in an average of letters received of 

 about 1,000 a day, all of which must be carefully read, in most cases 

 orders transcribed, and in all cases some form of reply sent. 



Taking into account the great increase in our work in all directions, 

 the impossibility also of foreseeing the exact amount of work to be 

 done during the next fiscal year, as explained above, and the serious 

 consequence of delay, the necessity for a considerable enlargement 

 of our immediately available resources will, I think, amply account 

 for the increased appropriation asked for — an increase amounting to 

 $45,800. 



ADDITIONAL FARMERS' BULLETINS. 



The provision for the current year for Farmers' Bulletins, 80 per 

 cent of which are subject to the orders of Senators, Representatives, 

 and Delegates in Congress, will involve an increase in the total num- 

 ber of bulletins to be handled of 3f millions at least, to say nothing 

 of the probable increase in our technical and miscellaneous publica- 

 tions. The force which can be maintained upon the present appro- 

 priation is utterly inadequate to dispose of this additional work, and 

 unless Congress shall see fit to provide additional funds, available 

 for expenditure during the current year, the work of the distribution 

 of these bulletins must necessarily be intermitted. 



It is found quite impossible to obtain any additional service from 

 the teams now employed in the Department, and it will be necessary 

 that, for this Farmers' Bulletin work t a special wagon and team be 

 procured and maintained. 



ILLUSTRATION WORK. 



Reference to the estimates will show that a special appropriation 

 is asked for illustration work, including also additional assistance 

 when necessary, and for the purchase of valuable manuscripts. The 

 total amount asked for these objects is considerably less than the sum 

 appropriated for illustrations alone ten years ago, when the number 

 of publications was barely one-fifth of those issued to-day. 



