The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-12

MSNW NNMN92 ing the first three
SECRETARY RusY months Of the
present fiscal year our exports in
cereals alone have aggregated $76,-
100000, 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 previous
year. He notes the increase by some $685.
100000 in the imports of agricultural prod
ucts during the first ten months under the
present law, by comparison with same
period during last year under the old law,
but 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 the rates has checked the impor-
tation of products which may be produced
at home. He notes a decrease in tobacco
from ST. 5000. to $4,000, 900, a falling off
in foreign barley of nearly 50, 900, 600; in
2 q &l,l25,0D0; in horses a falling Of
$l,50O.O 900, and a gradual decline in the fall
ing off of all live stock.
Referring to the import of hides free Of
duty, he states TINT this causes a great de-
probation in prices realized for hides of
home production, and earnestly recon-
mends that the duty provided for in section
8 of the tariff act approved Oct. l, 1890, be
imposed in all cases where the countries
from which such hides are shipped have
not granted equal concessions in regard to
the admission Of the agricultural products
of the United States.
In speaking of the inspection of meat for
export, the secretary says:
"Our people demand something more
than protection from communicable dis
eases. In most, if not all European coun-
tries, inspectors, according to their reports.
freely pass for consumption the meat of
animals affected with foot and mouth dis
ease, pleuro-pneumonia. localized tnbercu-
losis, RctinomyeosiS and similar diseases,
which, according to the views and customs
of this country, must be condemned. But
all this meat for the foreign market is in
spected 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 zone
beyond what was asked by our critics"
UP to the first Of October there has been
n total OF 1,016,614 animals inspected, both
before and after slaughter: there we're 63.-
672 carcassss of hogs examined microscope
ically, and the total lumber of ami
mails condemned and sent to the fertilizing
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: II
am of the opinion that the inspection of
animals and their marking for identifica-
tion may be accomplished for a sum not ex-
Gee ing three cents per head, and that the
cost Of mioroscopical examination Of hogs
will not exceed five cents per head" He
earnestly recommends that congress be
asked to make an appropriation sufficiently
large to extend the inspection to all appli-
SAINTS.
He estimates that the losses to our pork
r~aisers during the past ten years. owing to
the prohibition BY foreign countries, agQre-
gate over $2O0, 100000. Pleuro-pneumonia
he regards as quite under control, and linn
tied in territory to two or three counties OK
Long Island and in New Jersey. over which
a thorough quarantine is exercised. In
speotion by American veterinarians Of cat
tic landed in Great Britain has been con-
tinued, az we'll as the inspection of such
animals before shipment. Since the be-
ginning of this work there lave been in
speoted, altogether, up to Oct. !, 1891, 1885,
519 head of animals. Avery slight decrease
in the number of cattle exported is noted,
which is attributed to the increase in price,
cattle Bringing in june, 1891, from $1.25 to
$3.50 per head more b in June. 1890.
The inspection Of imported animals has
been rigidly maintained. The result of the
-inspection of vessels carving export cattle
has been to materially reduce the losses re-
sulting from lack OF ventilation, over
crowding and weak fittings, SO that the
total number of vessels examined since
July, l, 1891, has been 215. The super
vision by the bureau of the movement of
southern cattle has involved the separation
and keeping distinct for transportation. over
10000 cars containing 100000 head of cat
tie. While the results of this wosk have
been highly beneficial, he asks for further
powers to enable him to compel a strict
compliance with his regulations in the
movement Of southern cattle.
The secretary points ont the fact that for
more than a year there has been mo- we'll
authenticated case of pleuro-pneumonia in
American cattle exported to foreign coun-
tries, and adds that the condition of the
United States trade and the v~igilant super
vision of our Office. ~justifies the strongest
representation to the British government
of the grievance which our cattle raisers
suffer unjustly because of its arbitrary reg
~ulations inforced against American cattle,
coupled with an urgent demand for their
removal, adding that they have been clearly
shown to be useless, and that their mainte-
nance can only be regarded AS IN evidence
of unfriendliness. He concludes hat jus
tice az well rs proper self respect demands
such a course" and adds that he 'shall, in
the absence of the removal Of such un-
friendly restrictions, feel it his duty to
suggest the rigid enforcement of the law
now in existence prohibiting import into
the United States to all live animals, but Mt
present suspended az a matter Of friendship
to TO reign governments.
He regards it as highly desirable that the
people of foreign countries should be in
Termed of our resources and facilities for
supplying their wants, and refers to the
work done In Great Britain during the pnst
year by the special agent OF tho idepartment
Charged with introducing Indian corn and
its products to the attention Of Europeans
md as MI economic andnutritiOns substitute
for other cereal foods ind highly com
mends the work already done in this di-
~rection. a,s
The secretary deems IN the duty Of the
department to keep the farmer fully In
formed OF the market value OF his wares in
order that he might know before he mar
kotn hia goods just what their value Isl. ,
He congratulates tho country upon the
success OF the experiments in tho extraction
Of sugar from sorghum. '"Ihere seems to
DO no reason" hs says, why we should not
look orward with confidence to the day
when the Sl00,000,000 paid by Americans 70
foreign producers of sugars should be-
burned into the pockets of our people," In
all our efforts toward diversifying our crops,