Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-10


USEFUL WORK or THE DEPARTMENT..
Secretary Rusk il the first member Of th,
cabinet to complete his annual report and pre-
sent 1t TO the President. Today it 10 made pub
lie, and throughout the entire length of thu
interesting document there is not pessimistit
expression. Secretary Rusk looks most hope
fully ~ the agricultural situation and indicate,
the obvioas benefits TO farmers Of certain iegis
lation which he specifies. By comparing price,
at Chicago for October I6 Of 1880 and OF 1888.
| he shows q marked
| INCREASE IN THE VALUES OF AGRICULTURAL Pro
| DUCTS,
| especially Of cereals. tabular statement OF
agricultural imports Of the last fiscal year, in
GLIDING live animals, barley, hay, oats, hops,
i cheese. eggs, fax, wool. tobacco, wines, &C.,
| the old and new tariff rates being given for
each, indicates d material increase in the i'm
port duties on these articles and shows each to
have been imported in considerable quantities.
| The Secretary asserts, without ignoring the
| effects OF natural causes. that in enhancing
values it is evident that the economic legisla-
ton Of the last session Of Congress has directly
benefited the farmers; the improved value OF
rsalas - he believes, being largely due to the
SILVER Legislation, which, moreover, has less
| enSd the influence Of Russia and India, our
wheat competitors in British markets.
INCREASED EXPORTS OF CATTLE.
Our Increased export trade in cattle and ami
NAL products, another cause OF cougratulation,
| he traces to the energetic and effective meas
ures adopted for the eradication of pleuro-
pneumonia and to the growing appreciation at
suppress or effoctuslly control contagious ami
NAL diseases. As an important step toward Sc
curing from European governments which have
Disseminated against our cattle and animal
products some official recognition Of the immu-
nifty OF American cattle from contagious dis
eases he mentioned the system of inspection
| established by him with the assistance of the
Department. Of State, enabling American vet
erinarians in the service OF his department to
inspect all American cattle landed at British
ports and inspected by British officials. He
declares that not q single case Of contagious
plcuro-pneumonia has been alleged to exist
among American cattle shipped to British ports
since this action, not, indeed, since March
last
NEEDED LEGISLATION.
In the line Of further precaution the depart
ment is now prepared to carry out the inspec-
ton Of export cattle before shipment provided
for by the act of August 80. Similar energy
partment having already undertaken the in
spection called for by the same act The Sec
Rotary strongly recommends an inspection law
still moro comprehensive Of all animals slaught-
cred for interstate or foreign trade. He is con-
fident that all grounds for allegations against
the purity and wholesomeness of American
meat products, or against the freedom Of Ameri-
can animals from communicable Diseases would
be removed by the precautions which he could
thus enforce; that the government could then
insist upon the withdrawal Of all such charges
and that in case present determinations are con-
tinued we should be fully justified in employ
ing the rataliatory measures provided by law
The Secretary asks for greater authority to
enable the department to deal more effectively
with animal diseases.
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.
The outlook for o home sugar industry il
considered favorable. A good article of sugar
is shown TO have been produced probably
from sorghum, varieties Of which with large
sugar contents have been developed through
the efforts of the Department of Agriculture.
Analysis by the department chemist of beets
grown In various states from seed distributed
last spring indicate high per cent of sugar
and afford what is regarded as conclusive proof
that large sections of the country are adapted
to the successful culture Of the sugar beet
Practical results obtained in Nebraska and
Kansas, he says. demonstrate the feasibility of
home grown sugar manufacture. The Secre-
tary predicts that in the near future half of
our sugar will be thus supplied
TARIFF BILL INcoNsIsrEScrEs
In the provisions Of the tariff bill Secretary
Rusk finds what he regards as some glaring in
eousistencies in that it gives entire control of
sugar manufacturing and bounty payments to
a subordinate officer of the Treasury Depart
ment in spite Of the fact tn at heretofore the
Department of Agriculture has been charged
With the general supervision Of the sugar in
dustry, both in its culture and manufacturing
phases. 1t makes it the duty Of the Secretary
Of the Treasury, furthermore, to furnish regu-
iations as to the importation of animals. the
inspection Of which devolves upon officers Of
the Department Of Agriculture. and to decide
upon questions involving familiarity with the
whereas the Secretary of Agriculture is the
only officer required by law to be informed as
to the existence of animal diseases In foreign
countries, and as to the possibility or prob
ability Of such disease being communicated to
our dOmastic animals
USEFUL WORK OF THE DHPARrMHSr.
The Secretary's review in detail Of the work
OF the department indicates that the year has
been one OF unremitting activity throughout
the several divisions. Some have been con-
cerned with measures to prevent or control the
ills of plant and animal life; others have sought
means to promote the productiveness and
diversi6cation OF agriculture. Large amounts
for instance, are shown to have been saved to
vineyardists by methods suggested by the
division OF vegetable pathology. Valuable dis
coveries relating to Texas fever and hog
cholera are reported from the bureau of ami
NAL industry. In the same bureau arrange
ments have been perfected for dairy division
the establishment of which has been delayed
somewhat by the lack Of necessary legislation;
food sdulteration a. we'll ~ the work relating
to the sugar industry has continued to receive
she attention Of the chemical division; CO.
operation with the experiment stations has
been undertaken on important lines, including
experiments with grasses in the arid regions
and the trial OF new economic plants; the coll
lection OF agricultural statistics, Of reports of
the growing crops and OF the probable supply
OF staple products in the markets of the world
forms an important part OF the duty Of the de-
partment, and the Secretary shows how perse-
veringiy this work has been pursued, and indi-
Gates means for extending it SO a. to cover Q
range yet wider than heretofore. As pro-
lection against iilegitimate competition based
upon misrepresentation Of facts. authentic in
formation has become Of the utmost importance
10 the farming class.
SILK AND FLAX
The production Of raw silk a. an indigenous
industry u referred to in not very encouraging
terms, though its importance il emphasized by
reference to the imports Of raw silk, which have
largely increased during the year and are valued
for the year at upward of ga. 200 0OO but the
! necessity for favorable legislation as we'll as
for improvements in machinery, ID insisted
upon. Encouraging words are spoken with
| reference 70 fax culture, Secretary Rusk be-
heving that the recent changes in the tariff on
linens viii serve to encourage manufacturers
| tn n rkatf orh ou a.