Morning journal and courier., 1890-11-10
sECRErARx RUsK,s nEponr.

/ E
A Hopeful View OF .Agricultural Ar.
fairs Caused by Certain Legislator
lon Export Trade in Cattle and
Animal Products-Sugar and Raw
SILK - Transfer of the weather
Bureau.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-The secretary
of agriculture in his annual report ex-
presses hopeful view of agricultural af-
fairs, indicating the obvious benefits to
farmers of certain legislation which he.
specifies. he asserts that without ignor-
ing the effects of natural causes in enhanc-
ing values it is evident that the economic
legislation of the last session of congress
has directly benefited the farmers; the
improved value of cereals, as he belives,
being largely due to the silver legislation,
which, moreover, has lessened the infu-
ence of Russia and India, our wheat COM
petitors in British markets. Our increased
export trade in cattle and animal products
he traces to the energetic and effective
measures adopted for the eradication of
pleuro-pneumonia and to the growing APP
probation at home and abroad of the
departments ability to suppress or effect
ually control contagious animal disease. In
the line of further precaution the depart
ment is now prepared to carry out the in
spection of export cattle before shipment,
provided for by the act of August so.
Similar energy has been directed to our
pork interests, the department having
already undertaken the inspection called
for by the same act. The secretary
strongly recommends an inspection law
still more comprehensive of all animals
slaughtered for interstate or foreign trade.
The secretary considers the outlook favor
able for home sugar industry, and pre-
diets that in the near future half Of our
sugar will be produced from native cane,
sorghum and beets.
CONTROL OF SUGAR MANUFACTURING.
In the provisions of the tariff bill Secre-
tary Rusk finds what he regards as some
glazing inconsistencies in that it gives en-
tire control of sugar manufacturing and
bounty payments to a. subordinate officer
of the treasury department, in spite of the
fact that heretofore the department has
been charged with the general supervision
of the sugar industry both in its cultural
and manufacturing phases. 1t makes it
the duty of the secretary of the treasury,
furthermore, to furnish regulations as to
oAAO Uo01Ou VI dali11dAS, On0 luSHCCG1Oa
of which devolves upon officers of the de-
partment of agriculture, and to decide up
on questions involving familiarity with the
subject of animal diseases at home and
abroad, whereas the secretary of agricul
ture 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 probability of such disease
being communicated to our domestic ami
mails.
RAW SILK.
The production of raw silk as an indi-
geneous industry is referred to in not
very encouraging terms, but the necessity
for favorable legislation as well as for i'm
provements in machinery is insisted upon.
Secretary Rusk believes that the recent
changes in the tariff on linens will serve
to encourage manufacturers and provide a
market for homo grown fax.
THE WEATHER BUREAU.
Reference is made to the forthcoming
transfer of the weather bureau to the de-
partment of agriculture, with a declara-
ton of the secretary's desire to widen the
present scope of the bureau, SO as to in
crease its benefits to agriculture. He also
insists strongly upon the necessity for
more frequent representation of the de-
partment 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 far
mers and will become more familiar with
their wants and the best means for meet
ing them.