Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-09
Rusk on Cattle.

Rusk on Cattle.
WASHINGTON, Nov S.-Secretary Rusl1 in
his third annual report of the department
of agriculture, says that Notwithstanding
the abundant yield of crops this year. val
ues are well sustained, and estimates that
the increase in the value of agricultural
products over last year will be not less
than 500, 100000. In speaking of the in
spection of meat for expectation, the
secretary says: Our people de-
mand something more than pro-
lection from communicable diseases.
In most, if not all, European countries III
spectors, according to their reports, freely
pass for consumption the meat of animals
affected with foot-and-mouth disease,
pleuro pneumonia, localized tuberculosis,
actinomosis and similar diseases which,
according to the views and customs of this
country, must be condemned But all meat
for the foreign market is inspected the same
as that designed for home consumption. In
this respect, as IN others, we have met the
objections which have been raised to
American products and have not only
removed the cause, but have gone
beyond what was asked by our
critics. Up to the first of October
there has been total of 1,016,6l4 animals
inspected both before and after slaughter.
There were 63,673 carcases of hogs exam
med microscopically, and the total number
of animals condemned and sent to the fer
tilizing tanks was but 1876 The cost of the
work has been within the anticipated limit,
and is being considerably reduced as the
work proceeds"
Secretary Rusk says: 81 am of the opinion
that the inspection of animals and their
marketing for identification may be accom-
plshed for sum not exceeding three cents
per head and the cost of microscopical eX-
animation of hogs will not exceed five cents
per head.''
He earnestly recommends that congress
be asked to make an appropriation suf1-
GENTLY large to extend the inspection
to all applicant. He estimates that the
losses to our pork-raisers during the past
ten years owing to the prohibition by for
eign countries aggregate over S26O, 0OO, 600.
Pleuro-pneumonia he regards as quite
under control, and limited in territory to
two or three counties on Long Island and in
New Jersey, over which a thorough quaran-
tine is exercised. Inspection by American
veterinarians of cattle landed in Great
Britain has been continued, as well as in
spection of such animals before shipment.
Since the beginning of this work there has
been inspected altogether up to October l,
slight decrease in the num-
Der Of cattle exported is noted,
which is attributed to the increase
in price, cattle being in the beginning Of
June 1881, from Sl.25 to S1.50 per head
more than in June, 1890. The inspection of
maintained. The result of the inspection
of vessels carrying export cattle has been
to materially reduce losses result
ing from lack of ventilation,
overcrowding and weak fittings.
The total number of vessels examined
since July l. 1884, has been 2l5. The super
vision by the bureau of the movement Of
Southern cattle has involved the separation
and keeping distinct in transportation over
40 900 cars, containing 1000, 900 head of cat
tie While the results of this work have
been highly beneficial, he asks for further
power. to enable him 10 compel strict
compliance with his regulations in the
movement of all Southern cattle. The sec
rotary points out the fact that for more
than a year there has been no well authentic
Gated cases of plepro-pneumonia in Ameri-
can cattle exported to foreign countries, and
adds that the condition Of the
United States trade and the vigilant
titles the strongest presentation to
the British government of the grievance
which our cattle r;isers suffer uDiustly 6y
reason of its arbitrary regulations enforced
against American cattle, coupled with an
urgent demand for their removal. adding
that they have been clearly shown to be
useless and that their maintenance can only
b, regarded as evidences of unfriendliness.
He concludes that justice as well as proper
self respect demands such u course.
He regards it as highly desirable that
people OF foreign countries should
be informed OF our resources for
supplying their wants, aud refers
to the work done in Great
Britain during the past year by the special
agents OF the department charged
with introducing Indian corn and
it's products to the attention
of Europeans as an economic
and nutritious substitute for other cereal
foods, and comments highly upon the work
already done in this direction. The secre-
tary deems 1t the duty of his department to
keep the farmer fully informed of the mar
ket value OF hogs in order that he may
know before he markets his goods just what
their value is. In all our efforts towards
diverSifying our crops climatic con-
ditions play an important part,
and in this connection he declares his
conviction of the importance and value to
the agricultural interests OF the transfer to
his department of the weather bureau. He
takes occasion to highly commend the Sc
lection by the president of Professor Har-
rington as chiefaof the bureau. The secre-
tary notes with satisfaction the general and
growing interest shown by all classes in this
country in the cause of agriculture and
work OF the department He expressed q
desire for closer cooperation between the
various educational forces in the country
for the Advancement OF practical agricult-
ure, and urges that the slender thread con-
Meeting the department with the agricult-
ural colleges and stations be made
stronger withou: any way limiting the
independence OF these Institutions. He
refers to the representation Of the de-
partment at Munich at the congress
Of meteorologists by Prof. Har-
rington. He concludes by suggest
ing that, as these international
,ia1 and