The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-07

in the interest of efficient work, but
have suggested to those in the depart
ment who look for retention and pro
motion, that merit and devotion 10
duty are their best reliance. The
amount appropriated for the bureau
of animal industry for the current
fiscal year is $3.50, 900; the estimate for
the ensuing year is 100000.
/ The regulations of 1892 concerning
/ Texas fever, have been enforced dur
ing the last year, and the large stock
yards of the country have been kept
free from infection. Occasional local
outbreaks have been largely such as
could have been effectually guarded
against by the owners of the affected
cattle, while contagious pleuro pneu-
monia in cattle has been eradicated.
Animal tuberculosis is a disease as
widespread and more dangerous to
human life than pleuro pneumonia,
and is still prevalent. Investigations
have been made during the past year
as to the means of its communication
and the method of it's correct diagnosis
Much progress has been made in this
direction by the studies of the division
of animal pathology, but work ought
to be extended in co operation with
local authorities until the danger to
human life arising from this cause is
reduced to a minimum. The number
of animals arriving from Canada dur
ing the year and inspected by the
bureau officer was 10000 and the
number from transatlantic countries
was 1897. No contagious diseases were
found among the imported animals.
| Hhn total nf inann0finnG nF
cattle for export during the past fiscal
year was Gil, $40. The exports show "a
falling off of about 25 per cent from
the preceding year, the decrease oc
curing entirely in the last half of the
year.
This suggests that the falling off
may have been largely due to au in
crease in the price of American ex.
port cattle during the year ending
June 30, 1898; exports of inspected
pork aggregates 20,673, 40 pounds as
against SO. 1854 pounds for the pre-
ceeding year.
The falling off in this export is not
confined, however, to inspected pork.
The total quarterly exported for 1892
being 663, 490,616 pounjs, while in 1893
it was only 27,30S,6o5 pounds.
join the secretary in recommending
that hereafter each applicant for the
position of Inspector or assistant in
spector in the bureau of animal indus.
try be required as condition to his
appointment to exhibit to the United
| States civil service commission his di'
ploma from an established, regular
and reputable vetinary college and
/ &c I1o Inv o11oh on
examination in vetinary science as the
commission may prescribe. The ex
ports of agricultural products from the
United States for the fiscal year ending
June 30. 1899, attained the enormous
figure of $800,000,0t0 in round
numbers being 1877 per cent of our
total exports. In the last fiscal year
this aggregate was greatly reduced but
nevertheless reached $615, ZOO, 900, be-
ing 70. l per cent of all American COM
modities exported. A review of our
agricultural exports with special refer
ence to their destination will show
that in almost every line the united
kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
absorbs by far the largest proportion
Of cattle the total exports aggregate
in value for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1898. $26,000,000, of which Great
Britain took considerably over $25,
| 600. 600; of beef products of all kinds
our total exports were $28, 900, 900, OF
which Great Britain took 1874, 10000
OF products the total exports were
1884, 900, 900, of which great Britain took
$53, 900, 900 in breadstuffs. cotton and
minor products in like proportions
sent to the same destination are
shown. The work of the statistical
division of the department of agricul
ture deals with all that relates to the
economies of farming The main pur'
pose of its monthly reports is to keep
the farmers informed as much as pos
sible of all matters having any iutlu'
ence upon the worlds markets in which
their products found SALE Its publ
cations relate especially to the com
merclal side Of farming.
1t is, therefore, of profound import
ance and vital concern to the farmers
of the United States, who represent
nearly one. half of our population
and also of direct interest to the Who'll,
country that the work of this division
be efficiently performed, and that tn,
information it has gathered be prompt
ly diffused. 1t is matter for congratu
lation to know that the secretary will
not spare any effort to make this par
,, of his work thoroughly useful. In tn
year 1889 the congress appropriated
$1,000 to be taken from the patent of1ic
funds for the purpose of collecting ant
distributing rare and improved varie
, ties of seeds and for prosecuting agri
cultural Investigations and procurin,
agricultural statistics. From thi
: small beginning the seed division
of the department of agriculture
E has grown to its present un
: wieldly condition and the unjustifiabl
large appropriations for tn
purcha. e and distribution by member
: of congress of ordinary seeds, bulbs
8 cuttings, ETC., which are common i
i all the states and territories and ever
e where easily obtained at low prices
Q In each state and territory an agri
= cultural experiment station has bee
y established. These stations, by the
very character and name, are th
proper agencies to experiment wit
and test the varieties of seed. and "
l. this indiscriminate and wasteful di
l. tribution by Legislation and legislator
It continues, answering no purpose III
n less it be to remind constituents tn;