was established by an act of congress, may, 1862. it is not, like the other departments of the executive branch of the government, superintended by a secretary with a seat in the president’s cabinet. its head is called the commissioner of agriculture, and he is appointed by the president, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, like other civil officers. the creation of this office is a recognition of the extreme importance of this industry to the prosperity and welfare of the nation. our country is eminently an agricultural one; and the interests confided to this department are those of a class of the people more numerous than any other, and on the[358] success of whose labors depends the well being of all. in proportion as this industry attains a high state of development, and is generally prosperous, do the professional, mercantile, and manufacturing classes increase in wealth. it is the foundation on which they build.
the great fertility of our country, and the breadth of area adapted to all the most useful products of the world, and the need of instruction, suggestion, and aid in properly adapting agricultural products to the soil and climate, by the large number of settlers in regions with whose peculiarities they are but partially familiar, give a special interest and value to this new department.
its duty is to watch over this large field and make such suggestions to congress in regard to legislation as shall seem called for; to disseminate such practical information among the people as it may be able to acquire by intelligent observation in this and other countries; and the testing and dissemination of rare and untried plants of other countries that promise to increase our agricultural resources.
for experiments in the latter case, a propagating garden and grounds are provided, and the most skillful and intelligent officers, bringing all the lights of science to their assistance, devote themselves to the study of these plants, as to the soil and climate best adapted to them, the proper modes of cultivation, and to acclimating them to our country. this branch of the department sends, to suitable sections of the country, such plants and seeds as it has reason to believe it will be profitable to introduce and cultivate. this usage, continued for many years, will, no doubt, contribute very greatly to the variety of useful products which add to our comfort and wealth.
the department keeps skillful chemists and naturalists constantly employed to gather information of various kinds, that may be useful to agriculturists. the character of soils, the influences of climate, the best system of farming, the diseases of domestic animals, and plants and their cure, the best[359] mode of preserving crops from the ravages of insects, and many others are the subjects of careful investigation, and the information thus gained is freely communicated to the country at large.
there is a statistical division, in which facts are gathered from the whole country and published monthly. this serves many useful purposes. it also collects data, for purposes of comparison and instruction, from foreign countries. whatever facts it may be most useful for farmers to know, whatever crops it may be most profitable for them to produce, and whatever improvements in the modes of agriculture and in agricultural implements are discovered to be possible are communicated to all without cost.
agricultural education receives much attention from the department, and all the facts and influences that can aid in making farmers thoroughly intelligent in their own pursuit, are gathered and employed with effect. agriculture cannot but improve immeasureably under this fostering care, and this department is likely to become one of the most important and useful in the government. it is yet in its infancy, but has already accomplished much good.
the commissioner reports annually to congress. he has power to appoint such officers as congress considers necessary. in 1868 a fine building for this department was completed at a cost of $140,000. it contains a chemical laboratory with all the necessary apparatus and materials, and a museum, or collection of specimens, of value in the study of agriculture, store-rooms for seeds to be sent throughout the country, &c. the beauty of the building and grounds adds a very attractive feature to the national capital, and the institution itself is a favorable comment on the wise and provident care bestowed by the government on the leading interest of the people.
