Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-01-01
AGRICULTURE.
The Report of the Secretary Deserving
Especial Attention.

The report OF the secretary Of agriculture
deserves especial attention in view of the
fact that the year has been marked in q
very unusual degree by agitation and Or
ganization among the farmers looking to an
increase in the profits OF their business. 1t
will BIO found that the efforts OF the depart
mcnt have been intelligently and zealonsly
devoted TO the promotion of the interests
intrustcd to its care. A very substantial
improvement in the market prices OF the
leading farm products during the year Is
noticed. The price ofwheat advanced from
ST cents IN OCtOber, 1883, TO SI.DO94 In Uc-
tOber, 1890; corn from 81 cents to504 cents;
oats from 1914 cents TO 43 cents and ba riley
from 63 cents to IS cents. Meats showed a
substantial but not so large an increase.
The export trade in live animals and fowls
shows a very large increase. The total
value in suGh exports for the year ending
June so, 1890, was S3a, 100000. and the in
crease ON er the preceding year was SIS
100000. Nearly 100000 more cattle aud
$50, 900 more hogs were exported than in the
preceding year. This export trade
In beef and pork produ is
and in dairy products was very
largely increased, the increase in the arti-
Gle Of butter alone being from 15,504, 97S
pounds to 29,54s,042 pounds, the total
increase in the value OF meat and dairy
products exported Being s348, 600 900. Tnis
trade, so directly helpful to the farmer, it
is believed, will be yet further and largely
increased when the system OF inspection aud
sanitary supervision now provided by law
is brought fully into operation.
The efforts OF the secretary to establish
the healthfulness of our meats against the
disparaging imputations~ that have been
put upon them abroad have resulted in
substantial progress. Veterinary surgeons
sent out by the department. are now allowed
to participate in the inspection of the live
cattle from this country landed at the Eng
lish docks, and during the several months
they have been on duty no case of conta-
gious pleuro- pneumonia has been rel Orted.
This inspection abroad, and the domestic
inspection Of live animals and pork pro-
ducts provided for by the act of Aug. 80,
1890, will afford as perfect guaranty for
the wholesomPness OF our meats offered for
foreign consumption as is anywhere given
TO any food product, and its nom acceptance
will quite clearly reveal the real motive of
any continued restriction OF their use; and
that having been made clear, the duty OF
the executive will be very plain.
The information given by the secretary
of the progress and prospects of the beet
sugar industry is full Of interest. 1t has
already passed the experimental stage and
is commercial success. The area over
which the sugar beet can be successfully
cultivated is very large, and another field
| crop of great value is offered to the choice
of the farmers. The secretary OF the treas
ury concurs In the recommendation of the
secretary of agriculture that the official
| supervision provided by the tariff law for
sugar OF domestic production shall be II ans
| ferred to the department Of agriculture