Thomas County cat., 1890-12-04
Department of Agriculture.

The report OF the secretary of Ggricul-
ture deserves special attention in view OF
the fac. that the year has been marked IN
a very unusual degree by agitation and
organization among the farmers looking
to the increase in the profits OF their busi-
ness.
1t will be found that the efforts OF the
department have been int diligently and
Zealously devoted 10 the promoting OF the
int ests intrusted to its care. A very
substantial improvement in the market
prices of the leading farm products dur
ing the year, is noticed.
EXPORT TRADE IN MEATS.
The price of wheat advanced from 81
cents in October. 1889, TO $1,000 in Octo-
ber, 1890; corn from 81 cents TO 5ol4
cents: oats from 191 cents to 43 cents,
and barley. from 63 TO IS cents. Meats
showed a substantial but not so large
an increase.
The export trade of live animals and
fowls shows IA very large increase, the
total value of such exports for the year
ending June 50, 1890, was S33,0OO,OOO
and the increase over the preceding year
was $l5.O00,030 Nearly 100000 more
cattle and over 5000 more hogs were eX-
ported than in the preceding year.
The export trade in beef and pork
products and in dairy products was very
largely increased. Tbs increase in the
article of butter alone being from II, ,5O4,
9O1 pounds to 29,1IS,042 pounds and the
total increase in the value of meat ana
dairy products exported being S34, 900, COO.
This trade so helpful to the farmer, it
is believed will be yet further and very
largely increased when the system OF in
spection and sanitary supervision now
provided by law is brought fully into op-
GRAFTON.
The efforts OF the secretary to estab-
lish the healthfuiness of our meats
against discouraging imputations that
have been put upon them abroad have
resulted in substantial progress. Neter-
mary surgeons sent out by the depart
ment 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 contagious
pleuro-pneumonia has been reported.
This inspection abroad and the domestic
inspection of live animals and pork
products provided for by the act of Au
gust 3O,1So0, will afford US perfect a
guaranty for the wholesomeness
of meats offered for for
eigu consumption as is anywhere
given to any food product, and its nom
acceptance will quite clearly reveal the
real motive if there is any continued re-
striction of their use; and that having
been made clear, the duty of tho execu-
tive will be very plain.
BEET SUGAR.
The information given by the secretary
ofthe progress and prospects of the beet
sugar industry is full of interest. 1t has
already passed the experimental stage
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 the secretary
of agriculture that the official supervis-
ion provided by the tariff law for sugar
of domestic production shall be trans
ferred to the department of agriculture.
The Civil Service
The law relating to the civil service,