The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-06
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Economical Reforms by Secretary
MOrtOn-ExpOrts and Imports.

MOrtOn-ExpOrts and Imports.
The report of the secretary of agriculture
will be found exceedingly interesting. es-
pecially to that large part of our citizens
| intimately concerned in agricultural occu-
pations.
On the eth day of March, 1S95 there were
upon it's pay-rolls 2,430 employees Of the de-
partment. This number has been reduced
TO 1850 persons. In view of a depleted pub
lie treasury and imperative demand of the
people for economy in the administration
of their government, the secretary has en-
tered upon the task of nationally reducing
| expenditures by eliminating from the pay
rolls Of all persons not needec for an eff
cient conduct of the affairs of the depart
ment. During the first quarter of the pres
ent fiscal year the expenses of the depart
ment aggregated $345, S76.76. as against S4O2,-
OH 42 for the corresponding period or the
fiscal year ending June 80. 1893. The secre-
tary makes apparent his intention TO con-
tinue this rate of reduction by submitting
estimates for the next fiscal year, less Dy
1894 $50 than those for the present year.
Among the heads of divisions of this de-
partmeRt the changes have been exceed
ingly few. These vacancies, occurring
from death and designations, have been
| filed by the promotions of assistants in the
same divisions. These promotions OF eX-
| perienced and faithful assistants have not
only been in the interest of efficient work,
but have suggested to those in the depart
ment who look for retention and promo
| The amount appropriated for the bureau
of animal industry for the current year is
$4,000: the estimate for the ensuing year
| is $4,000. The regulations of 1892. concern
ing Texas fever, have been enforced during
the last year, and the large STOCK yardS CT
the country have been kept free from in
lection. Occasional local outbreaks have
been largely such as could have been eff
fectually guarded against by the owners
of the affected cattle. While contagious
pleuro-pneumonia in cattle has been eradi-
Gated, animal tuberculosis disease wide
spread and more dangerous to human life
than pleuro- pneumonia, is still prevalent
Investigations have been made during the
past year as to the means OF It's commune
cation and the method of it's correct dag
nOsis. Much progress has been made In
this direction by the studies of the division
of animal anthology, but the work ought to
be extended in cooperation with local au-
thorities until the danger TO human life
arising from this cause is reduced to
The number of animals arriving from
Canada during the year and inspected by
Der from transatlantic countries was 1,2S7.
No contagious diseases were found among
the imported animals. The total number
Of inspections Of cattle for export during
the past fiscal year was 6l1.342 The eX-
ports show a falling off Of about 25 per
cent. from the preceding year, the de-
crease occurring entirely in the last half
of the year. This suggests that the falling
off may have been largely due to an in
crease in the price of American export
cattle. During the year ending June 80,
1893, exports of inspected pork aggregated
%, 677. 40 pounds, as against So 152 S74 pounds
for the preceding year. The falling off in
this export was not confined, however. to
inspected pork. the total quantity exported
for 1891 being 500 49, SIC pounds, while in
1893 il was only 527, 1856, 695 pounds.
join the secretary in recommending
that hereafter each applicant for the posi-
ton OF inspector or assistant inspector in
the bureau Of animal industry be required,
as a condition precedent to his appoint
irlO frnr
established, regular and reputable vetertn-
airy college. and that his appointment be
supplemented by such an examination in
veterinary science as the commission may
prescribe
The exports of agricultural products
from the United States for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1892. attained the enor-
nous figure Of $780, 900 in round num-
bers being 1873 per cent. of our total ex-
ports. In the last fiscal year this aggre-
gate was greatly reduced, but neverthe-
less. reached S6l5.O00,O0O. being 75.1 per cent.
of all American commodities exported. A
review of our agricultural exports, with
special reference to their destination, will
show that in almost every line the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland abb
serbs by far the largest proportion. OF
cattle the total exports aggregated in value
for the fiscal year ending June 3d. 1898, $780,
600 COO OF which Great Britain took con-
siderable over SIS 100000. OF beef products
of all kinds our total exports were .S2S Co.,
600. OF which Great Britain took $24, 100000.
OF other products the total exports were
sS4.00000o. of which Great Britain took
S03,UU0VUO. In breadStuftS, cotton and minor
products like proportions sent TO the same
destination are shown.
The work of the statistical division Of
the department of agriculture deals with
all that relates to the economics Of farm
ing. The main purpose of it's monthly re-
ports Is to keep the farmers informed as
fully as possible of all matters having any
influence upon the worlds markets in
which their products find sale. Its publ
cations re'ate especially to the CONNER
cial side of farming. 1t is, therefore, OF
profound importance and vital concern to
the farmers of the United States, who rep
resent nearly one-haf of our population,
country, that the work of this division be
efficiently performed. and that the informa-
ton it has gathered be promptly diffused
It is matter for congratulation to know
that the secretary will not spare any effort
to make this part of the work thoroughly
useful.
distribution of Seeds.
In the year 1899 congress appropriated
1900. to be taken from the patent Office
funds. for the purpose of collecting and
distributing rare and improved varieties
OF seeds. and for prosecuting agricultural
Investigations and procuring agricultural
statistics. From this small beginning the
seed division of the department of agri-
culture has grown TO its precent unwieldy
and unfustihably extravagant proportions
During the last fiscal year the cost OF
seeds purchased was s66 54s.61 The re-
mainder OF an appropriation of s135, 900 was
expended In printing the maps and dis
have entered the minds of those who
first sanctioned appropriations Of public
money for the purchase Of new and i'm