and efforts tending to amelioration and accumulation have already begun to produce their fruits, and to dispel the despondency which last year brooded over the industry of that region, it is sincerely hoped that improvement and progress will steadily mark the course of southern agriculture and secure a prosperity unequalled in the past, and unsurpassed by that of any other States of the American Union.

In the reorganization of industry in these States it is believed that the great mistake of the past, the concentration of labor mainly upon a single branch of a single grand division of productive industry, will be avoided. This mistake has cost that section one-half the wealth it might have attained, and may have led to the sacrifice in war of a portion of the remainder. Excessive increase of a single product, tending to over-supply and reduction of price, and attended with heavy expense for ontward freights, and the purchase of all farm and family supplies burdened with cost of carriage and a long line of consuming commissions, points unerringly the way to national poverty and individual bankruptcy. A proper equilibrium of the products of industry, saving untold burdens of freightage, excessive profits and extortions of middle-men, insurance, breakage, and manifold losses, prevents reduction of prices from burdened markets, lightens damages from failures of single products, gives employment to all classes, conditions, and capacities of labor, insures remunerating wages for the workmen, renders possible necessary rotations and the prodnetion of farm manures, and increases the wealth, intelligence and power of a State. In political economy the smaller products of a diversified industry are far more than an equivalent for a single result of organized labor, however absorbing or important. The cotton crop, for example, of the empire State of the South, in 1860, was 701,840 bales, yielding little more than $30,000,000, while the butter of New York in 1865, one of several products of the dairy, was estimated at $60,000,000; and yet the census gives to New York but 370,914 farmers and farm laborers, and to Georgia, including white farmers and farm laborers, and only the males of the slaves, 316,478 persons engaged in agriculture. Besides the other dairy products, milk, cream, and cheese, and the multitude of smaller products of the farm, the prin cipal crops make an astounding aggregate-as in 1864, when the corn crop of New York was estimated at $38,000,000, the wheat at $25,000,000, the oats at $33,000,000, potatoes at $19,000,000, and hay at $90,000,000. Including the minor cereals, products of orchards and gardens, the production of beef and mutton from pasturage, and a great variety of miscellaneous and exceptional products, the currency value of the agricultural productions of this one State in that year was far greater than the money returns of any cotton crop ever produced in the country, and the gold value of such products would be more than equivalent to the gold value of half the cotton crop of 1860.

It is evident that the diversification of farm industry, which secures these results in one location, must be applied to reorganized southern agriculture, with modifications such as climate and soil may indicate; and while cotton, as is hoped and believed, will ever be a prominent crop, and a sure reliance for immediate cash returns, it will never again overshadow and dwarf other interests essential to permanent success in agriculture. And it is also equally apparent that a portion

of the labor of these States will eventually be diverted from agriculture and expended upon other departments of industry, especially manufactures; and that the day is not far distant when a portion of this cotton will be exported from the States in which it is grown in the form of yarns and coarse fabrics of various grades and styles. And such a day will bring surer prosperity and more abundant wealth than ever blessed those States in the past.

The necessity of the introduction of improved farm implements in southern husbandry is imperative. Year by year, in western farming, has the economic value of labor-saving appliances been cumulative. The increase of such machinery since 1860, and the labor and money saved by it, are enormous. That which was to the west a necessity, from scarcity of labor and high wages, has become equally indispensable to the south, from the same considerations. The difficulty of keeping down superabundant growths of grasses and weeds, in the early part of the season, and of picking the cotton in the later months, affords opportunities for the employment and invention of machinery which should prove an incalculable benefit to cotton production.

The interests of agriculture in the southern States, so injuriously affected by the events of the past few years, demand the special attention of this department. The deterioration of sugar-cane, a tendency to which in the best varieties is strongly marked, has progressed rapidly since 1860, and a new importation of the ribbon-cane of Java is a desideratum of future success in "sugar-planting" in the Lower Mississippi valley. It might be well, also, to import some of the best varieties of Egyptian cotton, for experiment in the gulf States.

The want of information, supplied by the regular series of agricultural reports of this department, is severely felt in this section of the country. Calls are continually made for these documents, which I am unable to supply. Anxious inquiry is made for the improved processes of the more diversified interests of northern agriculture, and for the means of more economical production of the old staples; and it is for Congress to consider whether the interests of the nation may not be subserved by the republication of small editions of these reports, from the original stereotype, to supply this manifest want. I, therefore, hope for your recommendation that Congress may favorably consider and generously aid this department in its increasingly arduous labors to extend, supply, and improve the great interests of agriculture, on which depend so largely the prosperity of the people and the welfare of our whole country.

Frequent complaints are made that the most valuable seeds and the annual reports of the department sometimes find their way into inappreciative and even more improper hands, while hundreds who desire and would utilize them are deprived of them. This evil (for any waste of the expense incurred by the gov ernment in procuring seeds and preparing documents for distribution is truly an evil) may be unavoidable; it is certainly not remediable by this department; but it is humbly submitted that if Congress would provide that a considerable portion now distributed to individuals by its members should be divided among the State, county, and local agricultural and horticultural societies, the evil would be greatly lessened. Not only so, but such a distribution would encourage the formation and yield material support to such associations, making them the agents

of government in dispensing such favors, and rendering it the interest of farmers to connect themselves as active members with such organizations.

This department has steadily endeavored to secure a judicious and most useful distribution. It has supplied, so far as it could, all those, and those only, supposed to be really desirous of cultivating the seed and reading the documents, and then dispensing to others the benefit gained thereby. It requires that persons applying for them shall do so in person or by letter. It sends none to private individuals for distribution. It is restrained by want of means from supplying liberal quantities even to agricultural societies. It has been my constant desire to make the county societies the centres with which smaller local associations should co-operate; and the State societies the great centres of communication and diffusion for the county associations; and this department the national head, to which all the State societies should communicate whatever they deem valuable and interesting, and from which might be most effectually dis tributed these favors of the government. Thus far but little success has attended my efforts in this direction, principally because of the want of a thorough interorganization of these various societies themselves; many of the State and county societies being fluctuating in their operations, and not a few having only a precarious existence. My exertions will, I trust, prove more effectual now that peace and returning harmony and prosperity invite the farmers to renew their social and co-operative efforts to improve their favorite pursuit.

The suggestion in my last annual report, of the pressing necessity of stringent legislation prohibiting the importation of cattle and hides, was promptly acted on by Congress, and the country has enjoyed entire infimunity from a scourge which has destroyed, in the past, many millions of European cattle, and which has wept away between two and three hundred thousand British cattle in a few months of the years 1865 and 1866. It is to be regretted that there is no general provision for immediate measures of repression, with which alone the dreaded cattle plague has been promptly extirpated in other countries, to meet the case of its possible invasion and rapid spread. The six months' delay of the British government, in 1865, costing many millions of dollars, and the instant action of France, in two separate cases of invasion, stamping out the disease with trifling loss, are important lessons for our guidance.

The distribution of seeds has been larger than that of last year, amounting to 992,062 packages, an increase of 222,831 packages. The number delivered to members of Congress was 407,793 packages, an excess of 172,848 over their supply of last year; and 162,664 packages were sent to agricultural and horticultural societies, and 421,605 to regular and occasional correspondents, and in answer to personal application.

The propagating garden is now in successful operation. The distributions embraced 34,000 plants during the year. These consisted principally of the small fruits, such as strawberries, grapes, currants, raspberries, &c.

The area of this garden is too limited to be available for any other fruits than those above mentioned; but all new varieties of such are early procured, the process of testing their respective merits zealously pursued, and the results disseminated for general benefit.

A new feature has of late been introduced that promises to be of much value, viz: that of furnishing examples of culture and arrangement, such as the "orchard. house," the "tropical fruit house," "specimens of hedging," "arrangement of plants," and objects of similar import. It is proposed still further to extend this by introducing the "orangery:" a collection embracing plants used in medicine; also those whose products are employed in the manufacture of fabrics. These would form a museum of growing plants, and also provide a nucleus for a botanical collection, which will undoubtedly, sooner or later, be considered as an indispensable auxiliary to this department.

Considerable attention is still being given to the native grape, both with reference to its use as a table fruit and for wine-making purposes. Nearly one hundred varieties have already borne fruit and been reported upon, many useless sorts discarded, and the most valuable more prominently brought into notice.

In distributing the products of this garden my aim has been to disseminate varieties through those localities and climates most suited to their growth.

Observations taken during the period of testing are of great assistance in determining such habits and peculiarities as are known to be requisite for certain climates, thus enabling me at once to distribute with most encouraging hopes of

success.

The operations and experiments of the experimental farm, though initiatory, and necessarily incomplete, have been interesting and suggestive. They abundantly warrant the most careful future management of the department, and the most ample facilities which the judicious and fostering care of the government may provide. By such means alone can the requirements of the law relative to testing seeds of foreign growth, prior to distribution through the country, be properly met.

Of fifty-five varieties of winter wheat grown, there were six worthy of particular remark. The Premium White Mediterranean, sown October 9, was harvested June 29, and produced forty-eight bushels per acre. The Red Bearded Mediterranean yielded nearly at the same rate. Both proved of fine quality, and are recommended for general cultivation. The Tappahannock and Russian "Scheffel" wheats succeeded admirably. Experiments will be continued during the present year upon the same varieties. Nine kinds from Glasgow and eight from the Royal Agricultural Exhibition at Vienna have been sown the present autumn. With the latter came one hundred varieties of seeds of cereals and vegetables, from the same exhibition, which will also be tested.

Sixty-seven varieties of spring wheat were sown, of which forty-six did well. The best success was attained by the Oregon; Red Bearded, or April, from Great Britain, (sown March 23, and harvested July 7;) Arnautka Hardy Spring, (sown March 24, and harvested July 7;) and several varieties from Germany. The Red Chili and Black Sea are worthy of special commendation.

Of the sixteen kinds of rye cultivated, Probstier and the Tirnia (from Saxony) are considered the best.

Seventeen varieties of oats were sown. The White Swedish, Yellow Lithuanian, Black Tartarian, Black Prussian, and Nun's succeeded best.

The Oderbruch barley, from the low but drained lands in the valley of the

Oder, celebrated among the porter brewers of the continent of Europe, was cultivated under unfavorable circumstances, being received too late for a proper test. Other kinds were tried, with fair results.

Four varieties of sorghum were cultivated successfully, one of which, from China, analyzed by the chemist, yielded seventeen ounces of clear juice from three pounds of stalks.

From seventy varieties of peas, all did well except a few from Germany. The earliest were Dixon's First and Best, Wheeler's First Early, Sangster's No. 1, and McLean's Little Gem, the latter a prolific, green, wrinkled, marrow pea, growing about fourteen inches high. McLean's Epicurean, McLean's Princess of Wales, and McLean's Premier, proved to be fine flavored and prolific, while Saxton's Prolific, Yorkshire Hero, and Magdeburg Gold, gained an enviable reputation as second-crop peas, coming in soon after the earliest varieties. These early and second-early peas are preserved for distribution.

In experiments with the clovers, the Alsike proved very satisfactory, growing with rank luxuriance in this climate, and remaining green and succulent to a late period in the season. It has been cut three times, and at the present writing (November 15) presents a fine appearance. The Lucerne was also grown with good success. The Esparset proved its remarkable adaptedness to the lighter soils. Experiments are in progress with a great variety of grasses, the results of which will be given hereafter.

Of potatoes, from Great Britain and the continent of Europe, as well as the best new varieties of this country, the Orono, Samaritan, and Early Goodrich, all of them native seedlings, proved worthy of standing first on the list.

A great number of melons, squashes, onions, and other vegetables were tested, with interesting and profitable results. A watermelon from China is worthy of especial mention, together with a great variety of other Chinese vegetables. The Silver Skin Buckwheat, from Germany, is deemed to be of especial promise, and has improved in a second sowing.

A considerable amount of seed of approved varieties has been saved, and will enter into the general distribution, saving an expenditure of no small magnitude. During the year past the interest in the subject of entomology, as connected with agriculture, has very much increased throughout the country, as has been evident from the numerous letters and insect specimens received. These letters have all been promptly answered, and the insects carefully preserved, together with the substances on which they feed. If proper cases could be provided in which to arrange and exhibit these specimens to advantage we should soon have a most interesting and instructive collection, and one which would be of great value to naturalists as well as to agriculturists.

The museum of the department, which is also under the charge of the entomologist, is, as it was last year, very much cramped for want of room, and no funds having been appropriated to carry it on, very few specimens of natural history have been added to it since the last report. The skins of birds and animals, which have been kindly donated, have not been mounted for want of means to have them done properly, but are carefully kept until the department may be able to have them put up.