Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-12-06
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Made in the Working Force by
the New Secretary

The report OF the secretary of agriculture Will
be found exceedingly interesting, especially TO
that large part of our citizens intimately con-
cerned in agricultural occupations. On the 9TH
day of March, 1898 there were upon its pay-rolls
2,43O employees. This number has been reduced
TO 1850 persons. in view of Il depleted public
treasury and the imperative demand OF
the people dor economy in the ad-
ministration of Their government, the, sec,
rotary has entered upon the task OF
nationally reducing expenditures by the elimin-
alton from the pay-rollS of all persons not needed
for an efficient conduct of the affairs Of the de
partment. during the first quarter OF the pres
cnt year the expenses of the department aggre-
gated S345,976.76 as against $40, 40 for the
corresponding period Of the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1893. The secretary makes apparent his
intention to continue this rate of reduction by
submitting estimates for the next fiscal
year less by s994,2SO than those. for
the present year. Among the heads of divisions
i'll these departments the changes have been eX-
ceedingly few. Three vacancies occurring from
death and resignation have been filed by the
promotion of assistants i'll the same divisions.
These promotions of experienced and faithful
assistants have not only been in the interest OF
efficient work but have suggested TO those in the
department who look for retention and promo.
ton that merit and devoted duty are their best
reliance.
The amount appropriated for the bureau OF
animal industry tor the current fiscal year is
SS50,0O the estimate for the ensuing year is
100000.
The regulations of 1892 concerning Texas fever
have been enforced during the last year and the
large stock yards of the country save been kept
ii &c from infection. Occasional local outbreaks
have been largely such could have been eff
fectually guarded against by the owners of the
affected cattle While contagious pneumonia in
cattle has been eradic2 ted, animal tuberculosis,
q disease widespread and more dangerous to
human lie than pleurO- pneumonia, l. still
prevalent Investigations have been made dur
ing the past year as to the means OF its commune
cation and the method of its correct diagnosis.
Much progress has been made in this direction
by the studies of the division of animal pathol-
ought extended
alton with local authorities until the danger 20
human life arising from this cause is reduced to
a minimum.
The number of animals arriving from Canada
during the year and inspected by bureau OH
GERS was 462, 092, and the number from trans-At
lantic countries was ,297 No contagious dis
eases were found among imported animals.
The total number of inspections of cattle for
export during the past fiscal year were GIL ,542.
The exports show falling off of about
Is per cent. from the preceding year,
the decrease occurring entirely in the
last half of the year. This suggests that the
falling of may have been largely due TO an in
crease in the price of American export cattle.
During the year ending June 80 1898. exports of
inspected pork aggc egated 20677,41O pounds as
against 49, 1884 pounds for the preceding year.
The falling fin this export was not confined,
however, to inspected pork, the total quantity
exported in 1892 being Sos, 49O,616 pounds, while
in 1898 it was only 527, 30S sos pounds.
l join the secretary In recommending that
hereafter each applicant for the position of in
spector or assistant Inspector In the bureau OF
precedent to his appointment to exhibit to the
United States ciVil-SerVice commission his
diploma from an established regular and re-
putable veterinary college, and that this be
supplemented by such an examination III
veterinary science as the commission may pre-
scribe.
The exports of agricultural products from the
United States for the fiscal year ending June so.
1892, attained the enormous figure OF $780, 0O0 900,
in round plumbers, being 1871 per cent. of our
total exports. In the last fiscal year this aggIe
gate greatly reduced. but nevertheless
reached S615, 100000, being ISL 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 absorbs by far the
largest proportion. OF cattle the total exports
aggregated in value for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1898, $40 900 900, of which Great Bria ain
took considerable over $4,000, 900. OF beef
products of all kinds our total exports were
SIS O0O, 900, of which Great Britain took S24 000,
000 OF pork products the total exports were
S84 900 900, of which CT eat Britain took S53 000,-
000 On the breadstufts, cotton and minor
products like proportions sent to the same deS-
tinatlon shown.
The work of the statistical division of the
Department of Agriculture deals with all that
relates to economics of farming. The main
purpose of its monthly reports is to keep the
farmers informed as fully possible of all
matters having any influence upon the world s
markets in which their products find sale. Its
publications relate especially TO the commercial
side of farming. 1t is therefore of profound i'm
portance and vital concern to the farmers Of the
United States, who represent nearly one-halt OF
our population and also of direct interest to the
whole country, that the work OF this division
be efficiently performed and that the 1ntorma-
ton it has gathered be promptly diftused. 1t is
IL matter for congTatulation to know that the
secretary Will not spare any effort to make this
part of his work thoroughly useful. In the year