The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-02
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE,
Continued from Second Page.
BILE and impartial examination and report
as to each case, under q general law.
DEPARTMENT OF AGR1cULrURE. /.
Farmers Have Had . Prosperous Year
Cattle and Meat Inspection.

Farmers Have Had Prosperous Year
Cattle and Meat Inspection.
The report of the secretary of agriculture
deserves especial attention in view of the
fact that the year has been marked in a
very UNUSUAL decree by agitation and or
ganization among the farmers, looking to
an increase of the profits of their business.
1t will be found that the efforts of the de-
partment have been intelligently and zeal
ously aroused to the promotion of the inter
ests intrusted to its care. very substantial
improvement in the market prices OF the
leading farm products during the year is
noticed. The price of wheat advanced
from 81 cents in October, 1889, to $1.OOM
in October, 1880; corn from 81 cents to SO q
cents: oats from 1874 cents to 43 cents, and
barley from 63 cents to 70 cents: Meats
showed substantial but no large increase.
The export trade in live animals
and fowls shows very large in
crease The total of such exports
for the wear ending June 3, 1880, was $3.50,
600. COO, and the increase over the preceding
year was over 100000. Nearly 100000
cattle and over 5000 more hogs were ex-
ported than in the preceding year. The
export trade in beef and pork and dairy
products was very largely increased, the
increase in the article of butter alone being
and the total increase in the value of meat
and dairy products exported being $751;
100000. This trade, SO directly helpful to
the farmers, it is believed will be yet
further and largely increased when the sys-
tenn of inspection and sanitary supervision
now prescribed by law is brought fully into
operation.
The efforts of the secretary to establish
the healthfulness OF our meats against the
disparaging imputations that have been put
on them abroad have resulted in substan-
tial progress. Veterinary surgeons sent
out by the department are now allowed to
participate in the inspection of the live
cattle from this country landed at English
docks, and during the several months they
have been on duty no case of pleuro-pneu-
monia has been reported. This inspection
abroad and the domestic inspection of live
animals and pork products, provided for by
the act of Aug. 80. 1880, will afford as,per-
feet guaranty for the wholesomeness of
our meats offered for foreign consumption
its non-acceptance will quite clearly reveal
the real motive of any continued restriction
of their use, and that having been made
clear the duty of the executive will be very
plain.
The information given by the secretary
of the progress and the prospects of the
beet sugar industry is full of interest. It
and is commercial success. The area
over which the sugar beet can be success
fully cultivated is very large and another
field crop of great value is offered to the
choice of the farmer. The secretary of the
treasury concurs in the recommendation of
supervision provided by the tariff law for
sugar of domestic production shall be
transferred to the department of agricul-
ture.