Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-12-22
Agricultural Report.


TOR upon the industry il is supposed to
have directly in charge depends 10 the
main, the wealth OF this great country
The present Secretary 10 his 6rst report
to the President just made. discusses
with a great deal Of thoronghness and
makes many valuable suggestions in aid
Of the agriculturists. lie says:
OFFERS opuleut opportunities for the
exercise oftha most pronounced paternal-
ISM" hut he adds that there are many
proper ways in which the federal gov
ernment may legi;imately serve the
cause Of agriculture. He devotes con-
siderable space to a review Of what be
regards as an anomalous partnership be-
tween the government of the United
Sta.es and the governments Of the re-
spective states for the conduct and en-
couragement of state agricultural col
leges aud experiment stations.
The work OF the bureau Of animal
industry is reviewed in considerable de-
tail, each one of its principal features
being briefly considered The result of
the Texas fever reductions is pronounc-
ed to be highly satisfactory; but to in
crease their efficiency it is suggested
that a penalty should attach for viola
tioH of the department regul ltions by
railroad companies transporting infect
ed cattle. The t)tal number of import
animals inspected the past year was
463 3S9. the total export cattle inspect
ed Gil ,542 The microscopic inspec-
ton costs the country 6 IL per cent of
the value Of meat s1ld to countries de-
manding that inspection. Careful com
parison Of meat exports for 1898 with
1892 shows that microscopic inspection
has not increased our foreign sales, and
the secretary thinks it does not pay.
Reviewing with some detail our ag-
ricultural exports and their destination,
an earnest plea is made for the diversi-
deation Of agricultural reports and Wild
ening of foreign markets therefor eve
want free entrance to all the eoustries
of the globe which it is in our power to
supply with any product the varied sell
aud climate of this vast country will en-
able us to grow at profit"
Reference to the immense aggregate
of imports of agricultural products sug-
gests the inquiry, ought not large pro-
portion of these to be produced upon
our own soil in proximity to our own
markets where this immense demand ex-
lists And the reply is in the affirm
tive Hides. fruits, nuts and wines,
says the secretary, could all be pro-
duced in this country" So with con
siderable shsr- of the 6bers, II and
sugar. Our farners would s'f
ted by largo number 8
crops. the Ter production
staples avoided. the variety of Szsa
cultural supplies in foreign mafkNs in
creased and the markets themselves
multiplied All persons engaged in the
work of agricultural education and ex-
pertinent are erjoined to hold steadily
in view the memorable economic facts
affecting the production and disposal of
agricultural products. American farm
ers must produce what the world wants.
That the relation of supply AMI demand
is the sole regulator of value, that it
applies equally to the products Of the
farm an of .ha factory. fought TO be
engraved upon the memory and reject
ed in the Judgment and the plans of
every farmer in the union"
Concluding his report Secretary Nor
ton says that there are in the United
States more thaI 6 ,00O, 900 farms upon
which dwell more than 80, 0O0, 900 peo-
pie who furnish more than n per cent.
of the value of exports of this country.
The department, therefore, be argues,
intended to he charged with response.
bilily and duties touching interests in
timately affecting the life, property and
happiness of the whole people. AS no
edi6ce, however symmetrical and perfect
its superstructure can endure, except
the foundations be solidly laid, SO every
body. knows that the successful perpetu-
alton of the industrial activities of the
American people is based and possible
only on an intelligent and fecund agri-
culture.