The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-05

AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
The report OF the secretary OF agricul
turo will be found exceedingly inter,
esting, especially to that large part OIL
our citizens intimately concerned in
agricultural occupations.
On the 7th day OF March, 1893, there
were upon its pay rolls 2,430 employees.
This number has been reduced to $50
persons. In view OF depleted public
treasury and the imperative demand OF
the people for economy in the admins
tration OF their government, the seCrG.
tary has entered upon the task OF ration
ally reducing expenditures by the elm
ina.ion from pay rolls OF all persons not
needed for an efficient conduct Of the
affairs OF the department. During the
first quarter of the present year the ex-
penses Of the department aggregated
S345, SIG 76, as against S402, 0l2 ~ for the
corresponding period of the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1898. The secretary
makes apparent his intention TO con-
tinue this rate OF reduction by sub
hitting estimates for the next fiscal
year less by 1904, $50 than those for the
present year.
The amount appropriated for the bu.
reau OF animal industry for the current
fiscal year is $Sj0,000; the estimate for
the ensuing year is 100000.
The regulations oil 1892 concerning
Texas fever have been enforced during
the last year and the large stock yards
Of the country have been kept free
from infection. Occasional local out
breuks have bHen largely such as could
have been etFectually guarded against
by owners OF the affected cattle. While
contagious pleuropneumonia has been
eradicated, animal tuberculosis, a dis
ease more widespread than pleuropneu.
monia, is still prevalent lnyestiga-
tons have been made during the past
year as to means Of its communication
and tho method OF its 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 cooperation with local
authorities until the danger to human
life arising from this course is reduced
to 4 minimum.
The exports show falling of Of about
25 per cent from the preceding year, the
decrease occurring entirely in the last
half of the year. This suggests that the
falling off may have been largely due to
an increase in the price OF American
export cattle.
Join the secretary in recommending
that hereafter each application the po-
sition Of inspector or assistant inspector
in the bureau of animal industry be re,
ouired as condition precedent to his
appointment to exhibit to the United
States civil service commission his di.
ploma from an established and reputa'
bio veterinary college and that this he
supplemented by such an examination
in veterinary science as the commission
may prescribe.
AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS.
The exports of agricultural products
from the United States for tho fiscal
year ending June 80, 1892, attained the
enormous figure of $500, 100000 in round
numbers, being 7S.7 per cent OF our to-
tai exports.
In the last fiscal year this aggregate
was greatly reduced, but, nevertheless
reached 6l5, 100000, being 75.l per cent
oil all American commodities exported.
a review Of our agricultural exports
with special reference TO their destina'
ton will show that in almost every line
the united kingdom Of Great Britain
aud Ireland consumed by far the largest
proportion. OF cattle the total exports
aggregated in value for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1898, S26,OOO,0OO, oil
which Great Britain took considerably
over s25,OO0,OOO. OF beef products oil
all kinds our total exports were SIS, 000r'
900, OF which Great Britain took S24,-
100000.
or pork products the total exports
wore SS4,00O,O 600, OF which Great Britain
took $53,000,000. The work OF the sta
tistical division OF the department Of
agriculture dealers with all that relates
to the economies OF farming. The main
purpose OF its monthly reports is tc
keep the farmers informed as fully n:
possible Of all matters having any in
fiuence upon the world is markets in
which their products find sale. It's
publication relates especially to the
commercial side OF farming. II is there
fore OF profound Importance and vita,
concern to the farmers OF the United
States, who represent nearly one.half oil
direct interest TO the whole country
that the work of this division DO eiiicl
entity performed, aud that the Informal
ton it has gathered be promptly dit
fused.
1t is matter for congratulntion to
know that the secretary will not spare
any effort to make this part Of his work
thoroughly useful
SEED DISTRIBUTION.
In the year 1899 the Congress appro
priated $1,000, to be taken from the
patent office funds, for the purpose oil
collecting and distributing rare and i'm,
proved varieties OF seeds, and for prose
cutting agricultural investigations and
procuring agricultural statistics. From
this small beginning the seed division
Of the department OF agriculture has
grown to its present unwieldy and un.
iustiflably eXLravagant proportions.
During the last fiscal year the cost OF
seeds purchased was SGG,5iS 81. The re.
mainder OF an appropriation OF Sl35,,
900 was expended in putting them u
and distributing them. It surely never
could have entered the minds OF those
who first sanctioned appropriations o!
public money for the purchase Of new
and improved varieties OF seeds FOL
gratuituous distribution that from this
vnutd ,,rnvy 10 ro,a annrnnFiatiOng fol