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respective States, boards of relief, and individual application, thereby reaching all classes who were in want; and, as far as I know, not ono applicant was refused out of the thousands who made application.

It will be seen from the tabular statement, that, in addition to the large amount of vegetable-seeds, other kinds have been distributed, such as wheat, oats, rye, corn, field-pease, sugar-beet, tobacco, &c. This does not, however, include the wheat bought by the Department and distributed by the governor of Minnesota, which, if added to our dis tribution, would increase it largely. The value of the vegetable-seeds alone which were distributed to the grasshopper districts, at five cents a paper, (and that is a very low estimate,) would amount to over $35,000, showing conclusively that, by proper management and economy, the work was done more cheaply by the Government than it could have been done by individuals appointed for the purpose. Our general dis tribution embraces all kinds of seeds of known or reputed value to the American agriculturists. These seeds have been selected, in this and other countries, with great care, and distributed through the various agencies adopted by the Department for that purpose.

How far the Department has been successful in this respect, it is only necessary to glance at the many reports received testifying to the good quality of the seeds. In nearly all cases they report that the Department seeds are far superior to the old varieties grown in their respective districts; and these reports are not confined to any one section of country or to one class of seeds, but are from all parts of the United States and embrace all kinds of seeds, showing how much good can be and is being done through this Department.

By referring to the tabular statement, it will be seen that our general distribution has exceeded that of last year by over two hundred thousand packages, making the largest distribution in any one year since the organization of the Department.

The great want of the seed division is more room. During the past summer, a structure has been erected which will give temporary relief in stowing away the grain and other seeds until needed for distribution. This division is working very harmoniously in all its branches. A regular account is kept of all seeds bought by the Department, from whom purchased, and the cost of the same, and all materials used. In the distribution, everything is charged to its respective account kept for that purpose; and any information in regard to the kinds of seed sent, to whom, &c., can be readily obtained.

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Tabular statement showing the quantity and kind of seed issued from the Department of Agriculture under the general appropriation, from July 1, 1874, to June 30, 1875, inclusive; also, amount issued under special appropriation to the sufferers by grasshopper ravages.

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In the fiscal division of the Department the books of accounts are kept with the utmost accuracy, exhibiting all its pecuniary transactions in the most minute detail.

The following table exhibits, in a condensed form, the appropriations made by Congress for this Department, the disbursements, and the balance to be covered into the United States Treasury, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875:

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The amount to be covered into the Treasury will be slightly reduced by obligations incurred by the Department during the last fiscal year that are yet unsettled.

My experience in the past four years teaches me that the people of the country estimate highly the beneficial influence which the operations of this Department exert upon its agricultural interests, and prompts me to say that any action which Congress may take to increase its usefulness will be highly acceptable. I speak with the more confidence on this subject from the intimate and extensive correspondence of the Department, where there are received from two hundred to four thousand letters every day, the larger number being in those seasons when the distributions are made of seeds and reports, the demand for the latter always exceeding our means of supply.

Which is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant,

To the PRESIDENT.

FREDK. WATTS.

E.

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Consulates, statistics concerning fees, salaries, and emoluments.

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