The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-11-12
RUSK'S ANNUAL REPORT.
Concerning the Department OF
Agriculture.
He Thinks Farmers viii be Benefited
by the Recent Tariff Legislation.

Suppression OF Pleur -Pneumonia Among
Cattle and Number of other Topics
Dwelt Upon In thu Document.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 Tho Secretary
OF Agriculture has presented his annual
report to the President He expresses
hopeful view OF agricultural affairs,
indicating the obvious benefits to farm
ers Of certain legislation which he spec
lies. BY comparing prices at Chicago
for October Of 1890 and Of 1889, he shows
o marked increase in the values Of agri-
cultural products, especially of cereals
Secretary Rusk asserts that without ig-
noring the effects Of the natural causes
in enhancing values, 1t is evident that
the economic legislation OF the last ses-
sion Of Congress has directly benefited
the farmers; the improved value OF
cereals, as he believes, being largely
due to the silver Legislation, which,
moreover, has lessened the influence OF
Russia and India, our wheatcompetitors
In British markets.
Our increased export trade in cattle
and animal products he traces to the
effective measures adopted for the Grad
ication Of pleuro-pneumonia, and to the
growing appreciation at home and
abroad OF the departments ability to
suppress or effectually control contagi-
GUS animal diseases In the line OF fur
ther precaution, the department Is now
prepared to carry out the inspection OF
export cattle before shipment, provided
for by the act OF August 80. Similar en-
ergy has been directed to our pork In
terests, the department having already
undertaken the inspection called for
by the same act The secretary strong
ly recomme ids an inspection law still
more comprehensive, OF all animals
slaughtered for interstate or foreign
trade.
The outlook for home sugar industry
is considered favorable The secretary
predicts that in tho near future half OF
our sugar will be thus supplied from
the sugar beet In the provisions OF
the tariff bill, Secretary Rusk finds
what he regards as some glaring incon-
sistencies, in that 1t gives entire control
OF sugar manufacturing and bounty
payments to a subordinate officer Of the
Treasury Department, in spite OF tho
fact that heretofore the Department Of
Agriculture has been charged with the
general supervision Of the sugar in
dustry, both In its culture and manu-
featuring phases
The production OF raw silk as an in
digenous industry Is referred to in not
very encouraging terms, though its i'm
portance Is emphasized by reference to
the imports OF raw silk, which have
largely increased during the year and
are valued for the year at upwards OF
S94, ,OOO, 900, but the necessity for favor
able legislation as we'll as for improve
ments in machinery is insisted upon.
Mr.. Rusk believes that the recent
changes in the tariff onlinens will serve
to encourage manufacturers to provide
a market for home grown fax.
Reference Is made to the forthcoming
transfer OF the Weather Bureau to the
Department OF Agriculture, with dec
laration OF the secretary's desire TO
widen the present scope OF the bureau
SO as to increase It's benefits to agricul-
ture He also insists strongly upon the
necessity for more frequent representa-
tion OF the department at meetings Of
agricultural and kindred societies, not
only to give them encouragement and
supply information, but for the benefit
Of the department workers themselves,
who will thus be brought into closer
contact with the farmers and will be-
come more familiar with their wants and
the best means for meeting them.
The possibility Of serving the corn
growers throughout the country by eK'
7 tending the market for Indian corn in
foreign countries has engaged the sec
retary's attention with the result that
he has appointed special agent abroad,
having special qualifications for this
duty, TO Investigate and report upon
the possibilities OF promoting the con.
sumption OF Indian corn In European
| countries.