The herald., 1893-12-04


AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT..
The report OF the secretary ef agri-
culture will be found exceedingly inter
esting, and especially to that large part
OF our citizens intimately concerned in
agricultural occupation. On the 9TH
day OF March. 1893, there were upon its
payrolls 2430 employees. This mum.
Der has been reduced to 1860
persons. In view OF depleted public
treasury and the imperative demand of
the people for economy in the admins
tration Of their government, the secre-
tary has entered on the task OF ration
silly reducing expenditures by the elm
ination from the pay roll of all persons
not needed for an efficient conduct OF
the affairs of the department. During
the first quarter of the present year the
expenses OF the department aggregated
S3i5, ,97676, as against $402,O2 AZ for
the corresponding period OF the fiscal
year ending June so, 1893. The secre-
tary makes apparent his intention to
continue this rate of reduction by sub.
mitting estimates for the next fiscal
year, less by 1894, 2S0 than those OF the
present year.
Among the heads OF Divisions in these
departments the changes have been ex-
ceedingly few. Three vacancies occur
ing from death and designations have
been filed by the promotion of assist
ants in the same divisions. These
promotions of experienced and faithful
assistants have not only been in the
interest Of efficient work, but have sug-
gested to those in the departments who
look for retention and promotion that
merit and devotion to duty are their
beat reliance.
The amount OF appropriation for the
bureau Of annual industry for the cur
rent fiscal year is SS50,000. The esti-
mate for the ensuing year is $500, 900.
The regulations OF 1892 concerning
Texas fever have been enforced during
the last year, and the largest stockyards
of the country have been kept free from
injection. Occasionally local outbreaks
have been largely etfectually guarded
against by the owners OF the affected
cattle.
While contagious pleuro-pneumonia
in cattle has been eradicated, an animal
tuberculosis. widespread and more dan
gerous to human life than pleuro-pneu-
monia, is still prevalent. Investigations
hare been made during The pas: Jsss sc &c
to the means of it's communication and
the method OF its correct diagnosis.
Much progress has been made in this
direction by the studies of the division
of animal pathology, but the work
ought to be extended in cooperation
with the local authorities until the
danger to human life arising from this
cause is reduced to minimum.
l. ef l.. -.
Canada during the year and inspected
by bureau officers, was 462, ,002. and the
number from the transatlantic coun-
tries was 1897. No contagious diseases
were found among the imported ami
mails. The total number of inspections
OF cattle for export during the past
fiscal year was GIL ,542.
The exports show falling off of about
% per cent from the preceding year.
The decrease occurs 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.
During the year ending June 80. 1898,
exports OF inspected pork aggregated
320, 677, ,4l0 pounds as against $50, l52,
374 pounds for the preceding year. The
falling off in this export was not con-
fined, however, to inspected pork. The
total quantity in 1892 being 665, ,490. Gle
pounds, while in 1898 it was only 527,
F'I Jon JON sl essscre,sSy in recommending
that hereafter each applicant for the
position of inspector or assistant In
spector in the bureau of animal industry
be required as condition precedent te
bis appointment, to exhibit to the
United States civil service commission q
diploma from an established regular
and reputable veterinary college, anc
that this be supplemented by euch ar
examination in veterinary science as TIT
commission may prescribe.
The exports OF agricultural products
from the United States for the isca
wear ending June 80, 1892, at
tanned the enormous figure of $780,,
OOO, 900 in round numbers, being rs.
per cent of our total exports
In the last fiscal year this aggregst
was greatly reduced, but nevertheless
reached IS ,000, 900, being 75.l per cen
of all American commodities exported
A review of our agricultural exports
with special reference to their destins
ton, will show that in almost ever
line the United Kingdom of Grea
Britain and Ireland sbsorbs by far th
largest proportion. OF cattle, the tot'
exports aggregated in value for th
fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, $26
900 900, of which Great Britain toe
considerable over $4,000, 900. In be'
products of all kinds our tot
exports were $28,000,000
which Great Britain took $4,000. .00l
OF pork products the total exports we
S84. 900. 900, of which Great Britain too
$53, ,O0O,0 900. In breadstuffs, cotton an
minor products like proportions to tt
same destination are shown.
The work Of the statistical division
the department of agriculture dea
with all that relates to economies
farming. The main purpose OF
monthly reports ia to keep the farme
informed as fully as possible OF 9
, matters having any influence upon Il
/ worlds markets in which their produC
, find sale. Its publication relates especii
} ly to the commercial side OF farmln
t 1t ia therefore of profound importan
and vital concern to the farmers OF :
United States, who represent near
, one-half of our population, and also
direct interest to the whole countr
that the work of this division be o.
E GENTLY performed. and that the inf
= nation it has gathered be promptly d
: fused. 1t is matter for congratuiatl
n to know that the secretary will not sps
v any effor to make this part OF his wo
Q thoroughly useful.
: In the year 1889 congress appropriat
G $1,000, to be taken from the patent Off