The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-12-20

present uIldilIlildI 10 some OF the Bit
ish public, will probably be well
known before the end of many months.
Mr.. Frewen is now in England on a
mission which, whether it meets with
approval, or is regarged with suspi-
clon, cannot fail to excite the interest
of a very considerable portion of the
community. A strong feeling prevails
that the tendency of the Contagious
Diseases animals Act is to curtail
the agricultural resources of England
by preventing the complete re-stock
ing of our soil, and this at a cheap
rate. Recent legislation has been fav-
durable to this view, that it is desira-
able to import liye stock from those
countries whose cattle are free from
disease, and these are times in the ac-
ricultural world which require an in
telligent consideration of this position.
For Notwithstanding the exceptionally
good harvest, farmers are as dissatis6
ed as ever. There is no prospect of an
increase in the price of wheat, and al
together the outlook is exceedingly
black. Turnips will not provide for
rent and wages unless there are beasts
TO eat them, and it is probably true
that thousands of farmers are living on
their capital, while thousands more
have retired from their farms ruined
men. If Mr.. Moreton Frewen's rep
reservations can be relied upon, he
comes to bring them glad tidings of
great ioy-to show that there is still
future for English agriculture. Mr..
Frewen has been commissioned by the
Government Of the North Western
territories of America to negotiate with
the Privy Council for the release of
the great prairie districts, with their
millions Of the cattle, from the restric-
tions which now necessitate the slaugh-
ter of all American beasts on their ar
rival in our ports. He takes his stand
upon the fact that no contagious dis
eases have ever been known among
the prairie herds. When we consider
that many millions of animals are
roaming at will across the great I'M
fenced common lands Of the West, it
is certain that the arrival of any such
malady as. foot-and-mouth disease, or
rinderpest, would, by cutting off the
one cheap source of our dead meat
supplies, insure the recognition, in
deed the CONSERVATION, Of the whole
civilized world. The task Of Mr.
Frewen is not easy, however, ard he
will have to conyince the Privy Coun-
Gil that it would be positive gain,
instead of a risk, to open the ports of
Portland or Boston for the export
trade. His argument, summarized, is
that if a healthy source cf supply is
available, the addition to our stocks of
million or two cheap breeding cows,
which would enable Us to produce in
the future both our entire meat and
our dairy supply-instead of purchas-
from all nations also promise
a profitable future for our farmers,
and arrest the bankrupt proclivities of
the present generation of British land
lords. The argument is fair one,
and deserves 4 fair hearing. Mr.. Ere
wen is the last man to be driven from
his position by mere prejudice. He
will only throw up the sponge if he
finds that his opponents can take I'M
assailable ground. But who are his
opponents, and why should he have
any? He proposes to benefit the land
lords as well as the farmers, and the
consumers no less than the producers.
This would show Us Free Trade in a
garb that will attract even the Fair
Trade party, and unquestionably the
dead meat trade, however it may ben
eft the consumers, cannot but harm
the farmers. Dead meat does not
bring with it manure to feed the soil,
and it is sold at prices which the farm
er cannot under present conditions
hope to compete with. But Mr.. Ere
wen AYERS that lean live stock can be
brought from Wyoming to England at
price that will diminish the cost Of
production so as TO enable our farm
ers To undersell the trade in foreign
dead meat As matter of fact, Mr.
Frewen AYERS that it is cheaper to
send the live stock to England than it
is to feed it where the corn is grown,
Kill it in Chicago, and ship it dressed.
For the loss in quality and in freshness
OF the meat, results III comparatively
poor prices for the exported dead
meat, while the loss in weight and
condition on the live animal exported
fat, is an even greater tax OH the cat
tie trade The difference, too, of cost
of winter fattening in the rigorous eli
mate of the Western States as com
pared with the cost of the operation
here can best be decided by refer
ence to the laws Of the chemistry of
food but it is not reasonable to doubt
that the English farmer has advant-
ages in the direction of tattening
which are denied to his transatlantic
competitor Why then does the pres
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