Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-11-04
THE ANNUAL RKPoRr

THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF the Secretary OF Agriculture
Work In the Several Divisions o.
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Rusk Ad'
vecates Meat Inspection Law.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The annual repor,
of the Secretary of Agriculture and the first
issue under the newly constructed depart.
ment makes the usual references to the work
of the several scientific and other divisions
In the department, deals at length with
plans for the thorough reorganization of
the department., and suggests several new
features in the interest Of the development
Of agriculture. The report says the first eff
forts toward reorganization were hamper
ed because the appropriations for the car
rent fiscal year were made entirely upon the
basis of the old organization. The secretary
insists upon the necessity for his relief from
this embarrassment and for adequate appro-
priations. He finds that the provision for an
assistant secretary in the new law was wise
one, and he has utilized this, he says, to d.
vide the department into two grand divis-
ions, one embracing administrative and ex-
scutive work, the other purely scientific
work. The problem which presented itself
70 the secretary OF getting. the re.
mere promptly before the people, has been
solved by the establishment Of q new divis-
ion, which furnishes promptly to the agri-
cultural and commercial press q synopsis of
the main points of every bulletin and report
published by the department. The division
OF statistios, the character and value of its
work is dwelt upon at some length. OF the
crop reporting system he says:
~ =
danger of becoming discredited by the popu-
lar acceptance of its results as exact and abb
solute in authority. 1t should be Yemem-
5ered that they are not the conclusions of
thorough census, though they may be far
better than the work of q poor census; that
they are the cancellations of LEGAL estimates
of agricultural experts and are intended as q
foil to the interested, biased and untruthful
statements that speculators issue to mislead
their victims.
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.
The condition of the sugar industry is re-
viewed in detail, and the results declared to
be of a mixed character, in some cases yield
ing we'll and in other cases disappointing.
The region where the sorghum industry may
be attended with success has SO far localized
In the southern part of Kansas, west and
south of Wichita, and in parts Of the Indian
territory, resembling 1t in soil and climate.
Many localities in the United States, espec-
tally in the north and on the Pacific coast,
are known to be specially suitable to the pro-
matter. The interest in this subject devel-
oped by the successful experiments in CALI
fornis, will be met by tho publication during
the coming winter of full report on the beet
sugar industry in the United States.
The report urges the duty of the govern
ment to assume a more definite supervision
Of such forest areas as are still owned by it
and as occupy position of importance in the
regulation of water flow and the irrigation of
arid lands.
AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS.
The subject of agricultural organizations is
dwelt upon earnestly. The farmers insti-
tutes are referred to particularly as one of
the greatest movements in the history of ag-
riculture and IS the strongest lever for rails
ing and unfolding the work of superior agri-
cultural education represented BY our system
of agricultural colleges and experiment sta
tons. The secretary recommends the en-
couragement of this work.
DISEASES.
Peuro- pneumonia, the report says, is now
effeetually under control and restricted to
Kings and Queens counties in New York
State, to New Jersey and a limited section in
each of the States of Pennsylvania and Mary
land. The secretary hopes for the proximate
complete eradication of the disease. Texas
fever, says the report, is generally spread
through the channels of Interstate COM
merce and therefore can only be efectually
controlled by the federal government, hence
the necessity of legislation which shall be
ample and clearly defined.
NEAT INSPECTION LAW.
The language used by the secretary in re-
gard to national meat inspection law is
pointed and vigorous The necessity for in
spection at time of slaughter, he says, is
first to enable the authorities to promptly To-
cate any cattle disease centers, and secondly
to avoid the anomaly Of leaving the inspec-
ton of our own meat products to the officials
of other countries. Mr.. Rusk accordingly
advocates "such an amendment to the law
under which the bureau is at present organ
lied as will provide for such official national
inspection as shall guarantee the fitness of our
meat product for food consumption under the
seal Of the United States government"
The growth of the mutton interest is referred
to as one to be greatly encouraged. As to
wool growing the reduction Of the tariff in
1883 ia earnestly deplored. To 1t is attribut-
ed the great reduction in the number of sheep
and the increase in the importation of wool.
Figures are submitted showing the i'm
portance of agriculture which produces an
annual yield of nearly $4,000, 900, 900, en-
ploying on the five million farms ten million
persons, representing population of 30, 000,-
600 people, while the value of live stock
alone is estimated at 81, SOY, 000, 900.
Agriculture underlies all other industries,
it alone making our vast commerce possible
and rendering the product of our mines valu
able. Referring to agricultural depression,
the report does not undertake the delicate
duty of our legislators in diagnosing its causes
and Analysing proposed panaceas, but the
rights of the farmer to the fullest enjoyment
compatible with the rights of his fellow
citizens of the benefit of the protective sys-
tenn, which is rock rooted principle of the
Republican party, is earnestly insisted upon.
'For all such articles as our own soil can
produce the farmer justly asks that protec~
ton which will insure to him all the benefits
of our home market"