14 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



the encouragement and development of the industry. Prior to July 1 

 the work in connection with this subject was performed by the ordinary 

 force of the Bureau and manuals of instruction, and silk-worm eggs 

 were distributed to applicants in all parts of the country. In accord- 

 ance with the act appropriating the sum above named, I have appointed 

 a special agent, who, under the direction of the Entomologist, will de- 

 vote his whole time to the investigation of all subjects relating to "the 

 culture and raising of raw silk." These include, among others, an ex- 

 amination into the extent of the interest already shown in the industry 

 by the people of the United States ; the climatic adaptability of our 

 country to this art, and its present serici cultural resources. To these 

 may be added a study of the means employed abroad to encourage silk 

 raising, in which study the division has been greatly aided by certain 

 valuable reports made by our representatives abroad to the honorable 

 Secretary of State. 



Arrangements have been made for the continuation of the distribu- 

 tion of literature, silk- worm eggs, and mulberry trees to all such as may 

 desire them during the coming year, and to further the establishment 

 of profitable reeling. 



A new impetus has thus been given to silk culture by the late act of 

 Congress, and the industry seems in a fair way to be added to the list 

 of those which, though at one time considered essentially foreign, have 

 become so successful in our country. 



The Entomologist has also prepared for the exposition at Kew Orleans 

 an elaborate collection of injurious and beneficial insects; of the chief 

 insecticides and insecticide machinery and appliances, together with an 

 exposition of bee culture and silk culture. 



BUREAU OF FORESTRY. 



The work of this division has been prosecuted during the present 

 year on the plan adopted by me in the reorganization of the division. 

 Through the agents in the field circulars of inquiry have been sent out, 

 more especially to those parts of the country deficient in a natural 

 growth of trees, asking information as to the kind of trees the planting 

 of which has been attended with success, as well as those the planting 

 of which has been followed by failure, and the causes of such failure. 

 To a large percentage of these Circulars, amounting to many thousands, 

 replies have been made. This information is now in the hands of the 

 printer and will soon be available for public use. Its publication will 

 be of great economic value to the country by enabling those engaged 

 in tree planting, the number of whom is rapidly increasing, to avoid 

 the mistakes and consequent losses which have hitherto occurred for 

 lack of the knowledge thus given, and which have often been so dis- 

 couraging to the planter. 



