The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-29

of Secretary Norton.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S-The annual re-
port of the Secretary of Agriculture is par
ticularly interesting. because OF its refer
ences to current troubles with foreign gov
rnments over the importation of American
products. He reviews the subject OF for
eign markets and gives figures of our ag-
ricultural exports, especially those OF Great
Britain. that country paid during the year
1888 for American breadstuffs. provisions,
cotton and tobacco over &2f.oD.ooo. Includ-
ing about 500 600 worth OF mineral oils.
with agricultural exports. the United King
dom took a.31 per cent. of all exports OF
breadstuffs. provisions, mineral oils, cot
ton and tobacco. OF dressed beef Great
Britain took from us during the first six
months of the year 1894. SIC. oco.oo worth.
Australasia is our chief competitor for the
trade. Mr.. Morton deems it probable that
the American farmer will find more adj
vantage from the shipment of dressed beef
than from the expectation Of live cattle.
Referring TO the frequent allegations on
the part of the European governments that
live animals from the. United States are
found diseased. the Secretary expresses the
opinion that those declarations are some
times based on fear OF infection but are at
other times made for economic reasons.
he argues that if all American beef going
biOsu were cltIltI III the Carcass. Nt1IIIE
the government certificate as 10 whole
someness. il certainly could not be shut out
on account of alleged diseases. He suggests
that N certain European nations continue
TO inst on microscopical inspection OF
American pork and veterinary inspection OF
beef, with governmental certification TO
each, the government OF the United States
might as well insist upon inspection and
certihcation by such foreign governments
OK all importations therefrom, whether edi-
bles or beverages. Intended for human con-
sumption. He reports a very large increase
in the exports of beef and hog products
over the year previous. with. on the other
hand. a marked decline i'm the exports OF
wheat.
The review of the foreign market leads
him 10 certain conclusions as TO the fur
of our export trade in agricultural
ucts, as foliows: Competition of RI =.
fayored by c A@sira1,a a wS,ch ot ansh HE e1 pSem 's -
grow wheat at a low cost, and especially
Dy the proximity of their wheat-growing
regions TO water communications, warns
American farmers to no longer depend upon
wheat as a staple export crop. On tie 9TH
e TO h be found a go IN the tinted cd XII kipf ps1Ges for g
barley and corn, owing to the great variety
of uses to which IL may be applied. prom
| mand."
The Secretary reports the inception OF
two important scientific Investigations the
first relating to grasses and forage plants.
the other to agricultural soils and crop
production. The Secretary believes that
titles the erection of each into one indie
pendent division. and he has so provided IN
the appropriations for the ensuing fiscal
|, year.
With reference to the Weather Bureau,
the Secretary shows that nearly $4,000
have been saved from the appropriation
and covered back into the treasury. He
shows that by needing the admonitions OF
the bureau relative TO the great tropical
| storm of September, 1894. vessels valued at
| over ST.. 900, 900 were saved. So In October,
when over twelve hundred vessels. valued
at SIG. 000. 900, were kept in port owing ID
| the bureaus warnings. Moreover, many
human lives we're preserved. The Secre-
tary concludes that the Investment is a
| paving one, and may properly come with
| in the functions of the government.
The work of the Bureau or Animal In
| creased. Notwithstanding the reduction in
| the appropriation.