Omaha daily bee., 1889-11-04
SECRETARY RUSK'S REPORT.
The Overshadowing Importance of
Agriculture Demonstrated.
A UNION OF SCIENCE AND CERES
An Appeal For All the Aid For the
Farmer consistent With the
Rights OF Other industries
Protection Praised.
The Annual Agricultural Report.

BeStS several new features IN tue interest OF
the development of agriculture. The re-
port calls attention TO the fact that tho first
efforts toward reorganization were hampercd
because of the fact that the appropriations
for the current fiscal year were made en-
tirely upon the basis of the old organization,
no account being taken of the entire change
IN the status of the government.
The secretary anticipates portion of his
plan of reorganization in the estimates for
the Forthcoming fiscal year at 81, $4,000. He
says the aggregate sum asked for in his esti-
mates must not be measured by what
is past, but by what a great agricultural
country should do towards sustaining, pro-
tecting and promoting the calling which lies
at the foundation of its prosperity and
power" A striking contrast is drawn be-
tween this amount and the appropriations
for agriculture made in those countries
which the report says "are the most active
competitors of American farmers in the
worlds market"
A comparison shows that great Britain
appropriates for agriculture $l,50o,0O0.
Germany S2,s50,0OO, Brazil s2O,000,00o. For
agriculture ard mines, France IS. 900, 900 and
Austria more than 81, 100000
The problem of getting the results of the
work done by the department more promptly
before the people has been solved by the
establishment of new division, which fur
nlshes promptly to the agricultural and COM
mercial press synopsis OF the main points
of every bulletin and report published.
The division of statistics is dwelt upon at
length. OF the crop reporting system he
says,
"While only an approximate, it Is in dan
ger of becoming discredted by the popular
acceptance Of its results as exact in precision
an absolute in authority. IL should be re-
me IN mbered they are not the conclusions of
thorough census. They are consolidation of
the local estimates of agricultural experts
and ire intended as foil to interested,
biased and untruthfui statements that spccu-
lators issue to mislead their victims"
or the rapid development of agriculture in
the Rocky mountain districts he says:
ut will surprise the eastern states with
new views of the wealth and progress of the
great American desert of the recent past"
Special suggestions in regard to this diNi-
sion are the extension of local statistical
work and the enlargement of the corps of
state staticstiians by the appointment of one
in every state. comprehensive plan for the
agricultural surveys of the states and terri
tories is also suggested to be pushed as fast
as available means will permit
The intention is expressed to adopt
method by which the relations existing be
tween the department and its numerous
county correspondents can be utilized to Sc
cure a representation Of the department at
state and county fairs.
The condition of the sugar industry is re-
viewed in detail and the results declared are
of a mixed character, in some cases yielding
well and in other cases proving disappoint-
ing. Special attention is to be given to the
development of the varieties of sorghum
containing higher proportion of available
sugar. Important progress has already been
made in this direction Many localities in
the United States, especially in the north
ana on the Pacific coast, are known to
be especially suitable to the production of
sugar beet rich in saccharine matter. The
interest in this subject developed by the sue
cessful experiments in California will be met
by the publication during the coming winter
of full report on the beet sugar industry in
the United States.
The botanical department is to be es-
pecially occupied in an effort to solve the
problem of increasing the forage yield on
300, QUO, 000 acres of the arid region outside of
possible irrigation by promoting the pro-
ductiveness of the grasses now growing
there.
In regard to textile fibers, the question
now occupying tho attention of the depart
ment is the utilization of flax, jute, rumle
and other fibres. The report urges it as the
duty of the government to assume more defin-
ite supervision of such forest areas as are
still owned by II and as occupy position of
Importance IN the regulation of the water
flow and other climatic conditions, and en-
pnaSlZcS tne Importance OF Ul6 relatlOnS
which forests bear to the problem of irriga-
tion of arid lands and of their immense an-
nual product.
A special investigation was ordered a few
months ago, through the pomologlcal divis-
sion, to secure information regarding fruits
growing naturally in unsettled portions of
the country, and to collect specimens OF
them as an aid to determining the most suit
able varieties of our cultivated kinds for
propagation in that vast region.
n nf It,rrn nj, tia.n
is dwelt upon earnestly, their astonishing
growth during the past few years being
cited as strong evidence of the growth of the
spirit of self help among farmers. Farmers
institutes are referred to as one of the
greatest movements in the history of agri-
culture and as tho strongest lever for
raising aud upholding the work of superior
agricultural education represented by our
system of agricultural colleges and expert
ment statlons The secretary recommends,
without going into details, that the depart
ment should be empowered to afford aid and
encouragement to this work.
In regard to the bureau of animal industry,
pleuro pneumonia Is the first noticed, the
situation being regarded as most encourag-
ing. The disease is now effectually under
control and restricted TO Kings and Queens
counties in New York state, to New Jersey
and limited section in each of the states of
Pennsylvania and Maryland. A careful re-
view of the field. together with the arrange
ments made for the supervision of the limited
districts still infected justify, in the secre-
tary's opinion, the "most sangulne hopes"
in regard to the complete eradication of the
disease.
Texas fever Is generally spread through
the channels OF Interstate commerce. and
therefore can only be etfectually controlled
by the federal government, hence the neces-
sity Of les 6islaton which shall be ample and
clearly defined.
the language used by Secretary Rusk in
regard to the national meat inspection law
is pointed and vigorous. The necessity for
inspection at the time of slaughter he says
is first, to enable the authorities TO promptly
locate any cattle disease centers. and sec
Ondly TO avoid the anamoy of leaving the
| inspection OF our own meat products TO the
officials Of other countries, thus giving
| foreign governments some reason for the
| claim that they have better opportunities
| for learning OF disease among American cat
| tie than are enjoyed by our own government,
Authority aud means are also desired 10 en-
| able the department TO exercise close super
| vision OF the economic side of tile cattle mar
| kets, the characteristics of stock command
| ing the highest prices, the variations as to
age, weight and quality, and all facts bearing
| upon the cattle industry which VIII enable
| the bureau 10 supply TO farmers such infor-
| nation as 1t is impossible for them 10 obtain
| for themselves.
Sheep and wool re ceive special considera-
| tion in the report. The growth OF mutton is
| referred TO as one 10 be gaeatly encouraged.
| AS to wool growing, the reduction Of The
| tariff IN 1888 is earnestly deplored. To IL is
4 H.. s.. al. t.