St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-06-04
FARM PRODUCTS.


through the press relating to the profits
of flax growing, and of the likelihood of
it Superseding the wheat crop in GER
ain sections, we find some facts and
figures in the May report of the statis-
tician of the agricultural department.,
which furnish valuable hints to the
farmers of the West and Northwest.
The heretofore popular impression that
Europe is largely dependent on us for
its wheat supply is upset by these sta
tistics, for it is shown that Europe
grows almost wheat enough to feed her
self without drawing on other cOun-
tries. Europe raises 1900, 900 bush
els yearly, and only imports about no.
100000 bushels, of which less than two
thirds comes from the United States.
Europe raises more potatoes than she
needs, and either one Of three states
Iowa, Illinois and MisSouri-can raise
corn enough to supply the whole Euro
pean market. Although Europe re-
quiles twice as much wool as is pro-
duced there, we cannot compete with
Australia, South America and the WOOL
producing sections of Asia and Africa.
Rice is largely imported into Europe,
but the cheap labor In China and the
West Indies shuts out our American
rice fields.
So it is demonstrated by the agri-
cultural department that there are but
comparatively few American farm prod
ucts that are in demand in Europe.
Fortunately for the Northwest, these
few are the very products that this sec
ton can furnish, notably cheese, butter
and flax. 1t is limited. however, by the
agricultural department, that our Amer
lean cheese and butter must be i'm
proved in quality before either can gain
much of reputation in the European
markets. The idea so popular among
our American dairymen that the meaner
sorts of dairy products are good enough
for foreigners is exploded by the de-
partment, and it is urged that if our ex-
ports are to he materially enlarged our
American dairymen must give more at
tention to the quality of the cheese and
butter intended for FOREIGN markets.
THOSE PUGET SOUND FORTS.
1t is not for us on this side of the line
to criticise our neighbors across the
Canadian border for adopting such
measures of military defense as they
deem wise, but it does occur to us that
there is an air of menace in the recently
expressed purpose of the Canadian gov
eminent to construct Notifications on
their side of Puget sound, which does
not comport with the supposed AMIGA
countries. There is uosapparent neces-
sity for the building of Notifications Oh
Puget Sound by either country. Yet, if
the Canadians build forts on their side,
it will then become military necessity
for this country to go into the fort
building business also; and altogether
the entrance to Puget sound will pre-
sent hostile appearance that will prob
ably be damaging to the Pacific trade,
to say nothing of the unneighborIy as
pect of it.
There has been good deal of talk
about annexation recently, which has
possibly prompted the dominion gov
eminent to take this step, with the idea
that the building of frontier fortifica-
tons would have restraining effect on
American anxiety for the annexation of
Canada or any part of it. If so, the
dominion government is mistaken in
American sentiment, and most surely
misunderstands the. temper of the
American people. In the first place,
nothing like forcible annexation has
ever been contemplated, for whatever
talk has been INDUCED in on this side
of the line has originated in the sup
posed anxiety OF the Canadian people to
be annexed to the United States. If
we have been mistaken in this SUPPOSE
ton, then all our talk amounts to
nothing. In the second place, if there
were a purpose on our part to force an
nexation, line of forts extending from
Puget sound to the mouth of the t.Law-
renee would not deter US from carrying
that purpose into effect. So that, in
either view Of the case, the Canadian
authorities are preparing for useless
| expenditure of large sum of money in
! the construction of their Puget sound
| Notifications.
We can see SO many ways that the
Canadians can more wisely apply their
surplus cash that we are astonished at
these unnecessary military prepare
ton. Yet it is their business, and moi
ours; but if they insist on going ahead,
we will follow the advice of the do.
minion's finance minister. who is quoted
as saying: IF the Americans object to
i LIZ