Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-11-10
RUSK'S REVIEW.
The Agricultural Secretary
Makes Report.
NATTER ur INTEREST TO FARMERS

What the Department Is Doing to Adj
vance the Welfare of the TiIIer of the
soil Executing the Meat and Cattle
Inspection Laws-A Poor Outlook for
silk Cuiture-Hopes Tor the Beet su-
par Industry-Othcr Points from the
document.
WASHINGTON CRY, Nov 10 The Sec
get larry OF agricu ture has presente his
annual report 10 the president. By com
INling prices at Chicago for 0;t 10. 1899.
al,l of 1880 he shows marked increase
iii the values of agricultural products,
especially of cereals. Secretary Rusk as
serts that without ignoring the effects of
natural causes in enhancing values, it is
evident that the economic legislation of
the last session of Congress has directly
benefited the farmer; the improved value
of cereals. as he believes. being largely
due to the silver legislation which, more.
over. has lessened the influence of Russia
and India, our wheat competitors in Brit
ish markets.
Cattle and Meat Inspection Laws.
Our increased export trade in cattle and
ami NAL products, another cause of con-
graduation, he traces to the energetic
and effective measures adopted for the
eradication of pleuro-pneumonia and to
the growing appreciation at home and
abroad of the departments ability to sup
press or effectually control contagious an
imsl diseases In the line of further pre-
eau ton the department is now prepared
to carry out the inspection of export cat
tie before shipment provided for by the
act of Aug. 80 Similar energy has been
dire to our pork interests, the depart
ment having already undertaken the in
spection called for by the same act The
secretary strongly recommends an inspec-
tion law still more comprehensive of all
animals slaughtered for interstate or for
eigu trade.
sugar, Silk, aud Linen.
The outlook for home sugar industry
Is considered favorable. The secretary
predicts that in the near future half of
our sugar will be thus supplied from the
sugar beet. The production of raw silk
as an indigenous industry is referred to
in OF very encouraging terms, though
It's Importance is emphasized by r.fsssoce
to tire imports of raw silk, which have
largely increased during the year, and are
valued for the year at upwards of 81, QUO. =
900. but the necessity for favorable legis-
lation, as we'll rs for improvements in
machinery, is insisted upon. Secretary
Rusk believes that the recent changes in
the ariff on linens will serve to encourage
man utacturers to provide market for
HON e-grown fax.
Transfer of the Weather Bureau.
Reference is made TO the forthcoming
transfer of the weather bureau to the de-
part nent of agriculture. with a declara-
ton Of the secretary's desire to widen the
present scope of the bureau SO as to iu-
crease lis benefits to agriculture He also
insIsrs strongly upon the necessity for
more frequent representation OF the de-
part at meetings of agricultural and
kindred societies, not only TO give them
encouragement and supply information,
but for the benefit of the department
wor 6ers themselves, who will thus be
brought into closer contact with the
farmers, and will become more familiar
with their wants and the best means of
meeting them.
Sent tn Recommend Johnuy-Cake
The possibility OF serving the cor n
growers throughout the country by ex-
tend ng the market for Indian corn in
tary'a attention with the result that he
has appointed special agent abroad
having specia' qualifications for this duty
to investigate and report upon the posi-
biliti..s OF promoting the consumption OF
Indian corn IN European countries.
Situation of the Granger.
In concluding his report he says: Il feel
simply justified in expressing my general
satisfa action At the condition of agricul-
tural matters in our country" adding.
that n spite of the effects of former agri-
cultural depression, and OF such local de-
press on as must exist more or less at ali
times in some sections, at least of so vast
country as ours, yet "a careful review OF
the events of the past year. and a general
survey Of the agricultural field to-day, he
token marked improvement in the condi-
ton OF our agriculturists, and promise $
xtyafl for . has ft,tt