Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-11-09
FARM AND FARMER.
A Synopsis of the Report of
Secretary Rusk.
ROSY OUTLOOK FOR THE GRANGER.

His Surplus Sure of Sale at Good Prices
Tariff Law-The Duty on Hides A
Growl at Great Britain-Circumventio
of the Middleman-Sugar Production
Doubtful About Rainmaking other
Matt rs.
WASHINGTON, Nov 9.-Secretary Rusk
has presented to the president his annual
report as secretary of agriculture.
The repor, opens with a general expression
of congratulation upon the outlook for agri-
culture, and calls attention TO the specially ne
uceabe feature regarding the crop values Of
the present year. They are so well sustained
In the presence of abundant yields that the
secretary estimates the probable increase in
the value of agricultural products for 1891 over
1870 at not less than S4OO,tEOOOJ.
Exports of the Granger Products.
Reviewing our exports and imports of agri.
cult ural products, Secretary Rusk states that
during the first three months of the present fis-
cal year our exports in cereals alone have ag-
gregated in value over s76,0O0,OOO, adding that
the indications now are that the sales abroad
of the surplus from our farms will during the
present year largely exceed those of any previ-
Gus year. He notes the increase by some S2S,-
0JUSO in the imports of agricultural products
during the first ten months under the present
law, by comparison with the same period during
the last yearof the old law.
a Fact He Emphasizes.
But he emphasizes the fact that the increase
Is confined largely TO articles not competing
with home products, such as sugar, tea, coffee,
etc. At the same time he states that the
change in rates has checked the importation
OF products which may be produced at home.
He notes a decrease in tobacco from Sl7,0O0000
TO S6,0J00O; a falling off in foreign barley of
nearly S3.500.00); in eggs, S1.250,GD; in horses
falling Off of nearly Sl.J00O0O, and a gradual
decline in the imports of all live stock.
Wants Duty on Hides.
He says that free hides have reduced the
2rNe of that commodity, and asks that the
outy be imposed wherever equal concessions
have not been granted to us; felicitates the
country on the opening of foreign markets to
our pork, and thanks the president for his
efforts in that direction, without which it
would not have been done; enlarges on the
perfect system of cattle inspection now in
vogue, and urges the inspection system for all
articles of food; declares that the governm ent
has used all reasonable efforts TO prevent the
export of diseased CATTLE and that these efforts
have been proved successful. where instances
of complaint, principally in England, have been
investigated it having been shown every time
that the complaint was groundless-
Complains of British Injustice.
The above facts, he says, Justify the strong.
est protest against the system of inspection
now maintained in England, which causes our
cattle raisers much trouble and expense, is
arbitrary and useless, and an evidence of
friendliness. He proposes that unless England
ceases to inforce this unfriendly and unjust in
spection the United States enforce the law
now suspended as matter of friendship TO
foreign goyernments-eXcludng all foreign
live animals from this country. we have a
better right to exclude English animals than
England has TO exclude ours.