The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-11-14

partment, for the extraction Of sugar
from sorghum. The practical tests
have realized all the anticipations
formed in the laboratory experiments,
and the cost of the process is found to
be so trifiing as to be practically insig.
nificant. There seems to be no rea.
son." he says, "why we should not,
therefore, look forward with confidence
to the day when the 500, 900. 900 paid
by Americans to foreign producers for
sugars should be turned into the pock-
cts of our OWE people"
In all our efforts towards diversity
ing our crops, climatic conditions must
play an important part, and in this
connection he declared his conviction
of the Importance and value to agri-
cultural interests of the tran sfer to his
department of the weather bureau;
transfer which has, he finds, been gen.
orally received with great satisfaction
since the increase in signal stations
from $50 to 1000. and of voluntary OBJ
servers from 1,sOO to 1900. Plans have
been agreed upon and undertaken
with view to enlarging and extending
the work of the bureau especially in
aid of the agricultural interests
Secretary RusS devotes considerable
space to review of the work of the
bureau of animal industry. 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
quarantine is exercised. He earnestly
recommends increased appropriations
to extend meat inspection to all appli-
cants
"The benefits" he says, (which have
already accrued by the opening up OF
the foreign markets to pork products,
the increased demand for beef products.
and the re-establishment of their repu-
tation for wholesomeness and sound
ness in the markets of the world, to-
gether with the protection which this
inspection furnishes to our own con-
sumers, amply justify a liberal appro-
priation."
In reviewing the work of the division
of chemistry with reference to the adul-
teration of foods, the secretary empha-
sizes especially the adulterations of
coffee, which are found to extend to a
verv large percentage, not only OF the
ground coffees, but of the coffee bean,
wholly artificial coffee beans having
been introduced into the market, OF
which many samples bought on the
open market were found to largely con.
sist. These artificial beans are sold to
the trade at four cents pound. In
large measure, they are imported, and
the secretary urges that such importa-
ton, as well as their manufacture OF
use in this country be absolutely pro,
hibited.
OF the rainfall experiments he states
briefly that they have been made, but
that as regards the production Of rain
he has no data yet ut hand which
would justify him in expressing any
conclusions on the subject.
In concluding his report he indicates
| that from the time he assumed the
reins of Office he has devoted his per-
sonal attention to a general enlarge
ment of the scope of the work of the
II
department in the interest of practical
agriculture, especially the extension
| of the market for the disposal OF the
surplus of our great staple crops, in
cluding the cereals and our vast animal
products, and the enlargement of oul
productive capacity, so as to achieve
the gradual substitution of home
grown for imported products, and tc
bringing the department into such closs
/ relations with the farmers as would nc
quaint them with its work. inspire then
with confidence in its ability to serve
them, and forcibly impress upon the of
fice-s of the department themselves thu
wants and conditions Of the tiller of th'
soil These objects he believed to have
been measurably attained, and further
he is of the opinion that by steadily keep
ing them in view and extending ant
developing the means already adoptet
towards their accomplishment, we maj
reasonably entertain the hope of plac
ing this department upon a plane o
usefulness commensurate with th'
fondest anticipations of all those WHIT
Iabored so long and earnestly to rails
it to its present official dignity. and Il
extend its opportunities for valuable
work.