The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-12-08
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULrURE.
Extirpation of the Dreaded Pleuro-Pneu
monia from the W q .trrn states

Extirpation of the Dreaded PIeuro-Pneu-
monia from the Western states.
The Department Of Agriculture has continued,
with good measure Of success, its efforts 10 de
yelop the processes, enlarge the results and aug
Hent the profits OF American husbaudry. II has
collected aud distributed practical Information,
introduced and tested new plants. checked toe
spread OF contagious disease OF farm animals re-
sisted the advance of noXiOus insects and de-
stfuctiye fungus growths and sought 10 secure to
agricultural labor the highest reward Of effort.
the fullest immunity from loss. It's records OF the
year show that the season OF 1855 has been one Of
medium production. A generous supply OF the
demands OF consumption has been assured, and
surplus Tor expectation, moderate in certain
products AMI bouutiful ID others, viii prove d
oeneiaetion alike 70 buyer and grower.
-Four years age it was found that the great eat
tie ipdustry OF the country was endangered
and those engaged in IL were alarmed al the
rapid extension of the European luna plague OF
pleuro-pneumOnla. Serious outbreaks existed
in Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky and in Ten
nessee animals affected were held IN guaran-
tine Five counties in New York and from one
20 four counties in each OF the states OF New
jersey, Pennsylvania Delaware and Maryland
were almost equally affected. With this great
danger upon US and with the contagiOn already
in the channels Of commerce with the
alredy being caused by IL, and when
only prompt and energetic action could be
successful there were in hone of these states any
laws authorizing this department 20 -adicate
the malsdy or giving the state officials power TO
cooperate with il Tor this purpose The depart
ment even lacked both the requisite appropris-
ton aud authority. By securing state co opera
tion in connection with authority from Congress,
the work of eradication has been pressed sue
cesstully aud this dreaded disease has been ex-
urpated from the Western States and also nom
the Eastern States with the exception OF a few
restricted areas which are still under supervision
The danger has thus been removed and trade
and commerce have been freed from the vexg-
tious state restrictions which were deemed ueces-
sary tor time.
During the past four years the process of dtfftI-
sion, as applied 10 the Manufacture ot sugar
nom sorghum and sugar cane, has been intro
duced into this country and fully perfected By
the ex periments carried on by the Department
of Agriculture. This process is now universally
considered 10 be the best econou cal one. and II
is through it that the sorghum sugar industry
has been established upon a rirm basis ana the
road to its future success opened. The adoption
OF this diffusion process Is also extending in
Louisiana and other sugar producing parts Of
the country, and VJill doubtless soon be the only
method employed for the extraction OF sugar
from the cans
An exhaustive study has also. within the same
period, been undertaken Of the subject of food
adulteTaton and the hest analytical methods for
detecting il. part Of the results Of this work
has already been published by the department.
which with the matter in course Of preparation,
viii make the most complete treatise on thar
subject that has ever been published In any
country. The department seeks Q progressive
development. Ii would combine the discoveries
of science with the economies and ameliOr ati0n
OF rural practice. 4 supervision Of the endowed
experimental station system recently provided
for IS proper function of the department and
is now in operation. This supervision il very
important and should be wisely and virilsntly
directed to the end that the Decuniary aid OF the
government IN favor OF Intelligent agriculture
should be so applied as TO result in the general
good and to the beneut OF all our people t5us
iustifying the appropriation made from the pub
lie treasury.