Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-11-13

FARMER RUSK.
Report Of the Department Of
Agriculture.
FARMING PROFITABLE AND PLEASANT.
The Secretary Credits Much of the Pros
perIty to Tariff egislation-Sugges-
tions to Bring Agriculture to
the Front.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-The Secretary
of Agriculture has presented his annual
report to the President He expresses
a distinctly hopeful view of agricultural
affairs, indicating the obvious benefits
to farmers of certain legislation which
he specifies. By comparing prices at
Chicago for October 16, 1890, and of 1889,
he shows marked increase in the value
of agricultural products, especially of
cereals. He asserts that without ignor-
ing the effects of natural causes in en-
hancing values, it is evident that the
economic legislation of the last session
of Congress has directly benefited the
farmer, 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, Americas wheat competitors in
British markets.
The increased export trade in cattle
and animal products, another cause of
congratulation, Mr. Rusk traces to the
energetic and effective measures adopt
ed for the eradication of pleuro-pneu-
monia, and to the growing appreciation
at home and abroad Of the depart
ments ability to suppress or effect
ually control contagious animal dis
eases In the line OF further pre-
caution, the department is now pre-
pared to carry out inspection of export
cattle before shipment provided for by
the act of August 80. Similar energy
has been directed to the pork interests,
the department having already under
taken the inspection called for by the
same act The Secretary strongly rec
ommends an inspection still more COM
prehensive of all animalsslaughteredf for
Interstate or foreign trade. The pres
ent immunity of Northern cattle from
Texas fever he believes to be due to
general compliance with the regulations
OF the department issued last spring.
The outlook for home sugar indus
try is considered favorable. The Score
tary predicts that in the near future
half of the sugar will be thus supplied
from the sugar beet In the provisions
Of the tariff bill he finds what he re-
CARDS as some glaring inconsistencies
in thatit gives entire control Of sugar
manufacturing and bounty payments to
subordinate officer of the Treasury
Department in spite of the fact that
heretofore the Department Of Agricult-
ure has been charged with the general
supervision of the sugar industry, both
in its culture and manufacturing phases
The production of raw silk as an in
digenous industry is referred to in not
very encouraging terms. though it's 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 upward of
S24, 600. 600, but the necessity for favor
able legislation, as we'll as for improve
ments in machinery, is insisted upon.
He also believes that the recent changes
in the tariff on linens will serve to en-
courage 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 declar-
alton of the Secretary's desire to widen
the present scope of the bureau SO as to
increase its benefits to agriculture. He
also insists strongly upon the necessity
for more frequent representation of the
department at meetings of agriculture
and kindred societies. not only to give
them encouragement and supply In
formation, but for the benefit of the
department workers themselves, who
will thus be brought into closer contact
with the farmers and will become more
familiar with their wants and the best
means for meeting them
The possibility of serving the corn
growers throughout the country by ex-
tending the market for Indian corn in
foreign countries has engaged the Sec
retary's attention with the result that
he has appointed a 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 Enrouean