The Washington critic., 1885-11-26

At the swine breeders convention at
Chicago an address was delivered 10y the
stotistcian of the department Of agricul-
turc, J. II. Dodge, which showed the cS-
traordluary development Of the purl. pack
ing interest and the expectation Of pork
products. The six successive corn crops
above the average, from 1875 to 1880 cheap
cncd and enlarged production immensely
and brought expectation to the highest
figures ever Rnown-iu lSSO'Sl, 1,233,0l5,-
le7 pounds, valued at SlOl,GG0,065, which is
S1S.0OOCOO moro than at any previous or
later year
About that time the prohibtory dccrces OF
foreign governments We're put In operation
IN Germany, France, Italy, Spain, aud other
minor states, which reduced the quantity
exported TO G2IOg3,4i pounds in 1883.
There has been some increase since, but the
reduction has been equivalent to about
100000 hogs. The decline in value Of OK
ports amounts TO over $3O,0OO00O.
MIR. Dodge showed that the prohibition
was for the purpose of increasing home
production, to which no objection could be
made, as every nation has the right to direct
its domestic economy, but denied the right
TO exclude by o false pretcnsc Of unhealth-
fulness, for which there was no warrant
whatever The pretensc Of trichina was
considered, and IL was shown from official
investigation Of the prohibiting govern
ments that American pork is as free from
parasites as any other, and that all out
breaks Of trichinosls had been traced 10
domestic and not 10 American pork.
The fact was demonstrated that the con
ditions under which our pork Is made and
packed are not surpassed for hoalthfulness
IN the worlds The records OF boards OF
health were examined, and the deaths from
the presence Of trichiua were found TO be
very few and far between, and due TO the
disgusting habit of eating pork raw.
The address closed with the following
suggestion;
doubtful advantage, yet, II misreprcsenta-
tion continues and prohibition Is still made
against the United States alone, we shall be
false TO ourselves IL we DO not resent 10;
and, IL nothing else will prevail, let us en-
barge French wines and German cloths and
hosiery, or place Il duty on them which
shall practically amount to the same thing.
'' To set Mt rest honest suspicion OF these
products. let provision be made for in
spection, thorough microscopic examination
of all or part of the meats intended for
export. This would extend the sale In for
oign countries, and it would have some in
fluence in extending the consumption in
our own country, for there are multitudes
IN Cltles VINO nave Deen ulIecJeu Dy Jnls
clamor, or some long-standng preiudices,
which this action might heal The expense
of this examination, If paid by packers,
would be repaid in an increased price of the
products and a greater demand for them.
FINALLY, would remind producers that
the stimulation Of the demand by the
semi-iamine OF several years in western
Europe has caused an overproduction.
There is not so much wanted abroad, for
their ability to feed pigs has relatively in
creased.
"They must correct foreign prcjudices,
prove the real excellent quality of the
product, seek every open market, find new
ones, adapt them in form and style to pre-
vaiing customs of each country. There
may be foreign harvest failures again, aud
we must be able to supply the poor with
cheap meat. There is u tendency to greater
consumption Of meats in Europe. As that
grows we must he ready to supply them.
"0ur country is growing, too, and more
meat will be demanded. So with wisdom,
intelligence, economy of meat making
there may still be fair profit for larger
production than at present. an escape from
foreign complications and domestic veXa-
tions, and full share in the general future
prosperity of American industry