July, 1908.] 



61 



Miscellaneous. 



conditions and prospects to this paper. 

 Great progress has been made in the 

 study of animal and plant diseases and 

 likewise in Economic Entomology." 



The editing, illustrating and publica- 

 tion of results reached by the several 

 branches of the service grew with the 

 extension of the Department's activities. 

 No effort has been spared to present 

 facts of practical value in actual farming 

 in terms perfectly plain to farmers 

 of every position in life, so that all 

 may receive the benefits paid for by all. 

 At the same time statements of progress 

 in scientific research have been in techni- 

 cal language in limited number for the 

 benefit of persons associated more or less 

 directly with Department scientists in 

 their investigations. The illustration of 

 these books was directed to making 

 clear the statements of the text. The 

 Year-Book Series of the Department, 

 which had recently been started when 

 Mr. Wilson came into office, was con- 

 tinued and improved. It has received the 

 commendation of American farmers and 

 farm journals as well as Europeon autho- 

 rities. The distribution of Department 

 publications to farmers constituted an 

 important feature in connection with 

 these publications. Press notices, lists of 

 new and of all available publications 

 were issued to keep the people informed 

 as to what information and aid could be 

 obtained. At the same time methods of 

 keeping records of where valuable books 

 have been sent, as well as of enquiry as 

 to where they are needed, were combin- 

 ed to secure the greatest Usefulness from 

 these books to the farming world. The 

 demand for these publications has 

 so far exceeded the supply that it has 

 been necessary practically to do away 

 with all free distribution except to 

 persons who contribute by service ren- 

 dered to the Department work. Sales of 

 them have increased notably in recent 

 years. Special efforts by indexing were 

 made to keep easily in reach of farmers 

 and students such information as has 

 been secured by the Department." 



"The Library of the Department 

 affords a means for the study by persons 

 fitted for independent investigations of 

 what has already been done in the lead- 

 ing Agricultural problems that is already 

 equalled anywhere else in the world." 



"The need of specially trained assis- 

 tants in the Department work and the 

 existence of unusual opportunities for 

 study joined to make practicable a 

 system of admission of young men and 

 women into certain branches of Depart- 

 ment work at low salaries with the pur- 

 pose of continuing their studies along 

 their chosen lines. From these student 



assistants, the Department has selected 

 a number of capable officials, whose 

 service has justified the establishment 

 of the system." 



The investigation of the Cotton Boll- 

 worm weevil has resulted in the estab- 

 lishment of experimental farms in the 

 cotton regions with the consequent wide 

 introduction of improved and diversified 

 farming. 



Again Congress, through the exertions 

 of the Agricultural Department, has 

 passed bills for the protection of game, 

 and a special survey and study of birds 

 and mammals is being conducted. 



As mentioned above, the first special 

 buildings for the Department were 

 erected in 1867. In that year Congress 

 appropriated $100,000 for the construc- 

 tion of an office building. This was 

 ready for occupancy in 1868 ; about the 

 same time houses for use in the propaga- 

 tion of plants for distribution were con- 

 structed aloug with conservatories and a 

 grapery for testing foreign grapes. The 

 total cost of these buildings was $140,000. 

 In 1881 after the Atlanta Exposition, the 

 Museum received so many additions that 

 it was found necessary to provide more 

 room. Accordingly §10,000 were appro- 

 priated for the construction of a build- 

 ing. Various other additional buildings 

 were found necessary as the various 

 sections of the Department increased, 

 but up till 1897 not more than $210,000 

 had been spent on buildings. Iu order- 

 to keep pace with the rapid development 

 of the various departments, buildings 

 had to be constantly added from time to 

 time, till in 1903 Congress appropriated 

 §1,500,000 for a magnificent building 

 which provides accommodation for all 

 sections of the Agricultural Department. 

 This building is only now approaching 

 completion. 



During the last decade numerous ex- 

 perimental stations have been estab- 

 lished all over the country as well as in 

 Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Philippines. 



So much for the development of 

 Scientific Agriculture in the United 

 States Department of Agriculture. 

 Now, let us turn to the work which it 

 has accomplished and analyse the value 

 of the results obtained in comparison 

 with its cost to the nation. The layman 

 usually expects results in less time than 

 is necessary for accurate investigation. 

 Instances of this are common in India, 

 and sceptical people in India should 

 study American results. The American 

 Agricultural Department has been in 

 existence for nearly fifty years, and the 

 list of work accomplished should influ- 

 ence the opinion of those who doubt the 



