The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-09
SECRETARY RUsK's REPORT.
Increase in Value Of Agricultural Pro
duots-M0At InapeCtiOn, Etc.

Increase In Value Of Agricultural FRO
duots--Aeat Inspection, Etc.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8.-Secretary Rusk. In
his third annual report, estimates the in
crease in value OF agricultural product over
last year to be not less than $7OO.OOOOOO.
He states that during the FIRST three months
Of the present fiscal year the exports Of
cereals aggregated $76, 600, 600. adding that
the indications now are that the exports
this year will largely exceed those of any
previous year. H0 notes the increase by
some $28, 900, 900 in imports OF agricultural
products during the first ten months under
the present law, but emphasizes the fact
that the present increase IL confined largely
to articles not competing with homo pro-
duots, such ~ sugar, tea, coffee, etc. At
the same time the changes in rates have
checked Importation of products which may
be produced at home.
Speaking OF the inspection Of meat for
sxportntion the secretary says: "Our peo-
pie demand something more than protec-
tion from communicable disease. In most
if not all European countries, inspectors,
according to their reports, freely pass for
consumption meat of animals affected with
foot and mouth diseases. Pleuro pneu-
monia and similar diseases, according to
the views and customs of this country, must
be condemned, but meat for foreign mar
kets is inspected the same as that designed
for home consumption. In this respect as
in others, we have met the objections raised
to American products and not only re-
moved the cause, but gone beyond what was
first Of October there was total
Of 1016,6l4 animals inspected and
G3.672 carcnsses Of hogs were examined
mioroscopnlly, and the total number con
dsmned was but 1876" The secretary ear
nestly recommends that congress be asked
to make an appropriation sufficiently large
to extend the inspection. He estimates
that the losses to pork raisers during the
past ten years. owing to the prohibition ~
foreign countries. aggregate over $260,
600. The inspection of imported animals
has been riRidly maintained. The result
has been to materially reduce the losses re-
sulting from lack of ventilation, over
crowding and weak fittings on vessels. The
secretary points out that for over year
there has been no we'll case
of euro-pneumonia in American cattle e1-
as highly desirable that the people of for
eign countries should be informed Of
the resources of the United States
and the facilities for supplying
their wants. He deems it the duty OF MS
department to keep the farmers fully in
formed of the market for their goods and
Just what their value il. He oonRratulates
the country upon the success OF the ex-
periments in extracting sugai from sorg-
hum, notes with satisfaction the general
and growing interest shown by the classes
in the cause Of agriculture, expresses de-
sire for closer cooperation between the
various educational forces in the country
for the advancement of practical aRricul-
ture, and urges that the slender thread con-
neoting the department with the agricul-
tural colleges and stations bs strengthened.
In reviewing tho work Of the division OF
chemistry with reference to the adultera-
tion of food, the secretary empasizes sspe-
cially tho adulterations of coffee, which are
found to extend to large percentage, not
only of ground coffee, but of the coffee
bean, wholly artificial beans having been
introduced into the market. In a large
measure artificial beans are imported, and
the secretary urges that such importations.
as we'll as their manufacture and use in
this country. be absolutely prohibited.
Touching the experiments in producing
rain, he states briefly that they have been
made, but he has no data yet at hand which
would justify him in Offering any conclu-
sions on the subject.