The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-12-04
SECRETARY MoRTON's REPORT
Does Not Confne Himself to His Depart.
ment, but Discusses Finances.

Does Not Confne Himself to His Depart.
ment, but Discusses Finances.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 28.-In
many respects the report Of Hon j.
Sterling Morton, of Nebraska, Secre
tary of Agriculture, differs widely from
that of his predecessors. The Secre
tary discusses the financial policy of
the government, the silver question,
and many other matters of broad and
general interest, not usually treated in
al agricultural report, and demands
prime" currency in return for
prime" beef or pork.
The Secretary denies the fire quent
allegations on the part of European
governments regarding disease in
American hog and beef products, and
suggests that if certain European ma
tiOns continue to insist or miscrOscOpi-
cal inspection of American pork and
veterinary inspection of beef, with gov
ernmental certification to each, the
Government of the United States
might we'll insist upon inspection and
c~ertification by such foreign govern
ments of all importatiOns therefrom.
whether edibles or beverages, intended
for human consumption.
The Secretary deals somewhat at
length with the subject of the farmers
foreign trade, indicating where, in his
opinion, the farmer can best find a
market.
The work of the Bureau of Animal
Industry, the various branches of other
scientific work, and the Weather Blu
reau are highly commended. Regard
ing the latter, the Secretary concludes
that the investment is a paying one,
and the service may properly come
within the functions Of the govern
ment.
The report indicates that the recent
decision in several of the larger cities,
resulting in a ~lessening of the cost of
bread and the betterment of b article
itself was the outgrowth of Department
bulletins bearing upon the nutrition
Investigations recently undertaken.
The Russian thistle is made the text
for a suggestion that seeds Of new
grass and other plants from abroad
must be hereafter very carefully in
spected. Indeed, the Secretary thinks
it might be well to demand a guaranty
as to freedom from weed seeds and the
absolute purity and fertility of seeds
Imported into this country. The eX-
ports of American seeds might be vastly
increased by exalting the standard of
purity and terminating fertility, and
giving to other people the guaranty
we ask of them.
Secretary Morton devotes several
pages covered with tables, in showing
what the expense of the Department
has been each year, since 1878 He
again ~reiterates the conviction that the
prOmiscuOus free distribution of De
partment publications should be abol
ished.
The comparison between our stats
tical work and that of foreign govern
ments is unfavorable to us. The Secre
tary points out the exact necessity of
agricultural statistics of Great Britain,
stating that such eXactness is reached
through the revenue system Of that
country, and suggests that it might
possibly be obtainable in the United
States through similar agencies.
The Secretary is opposed to the whole
business of giving away seeds, and
says:
Internationally, this enormous sum
could be made of great advantage to
farmers if expended in the publication
OF bulletins, new ideas being Of more
value than old Seeds"
In lieu of $3.50, 600, the present appro
priation for seeds, he proposes $56, 600
to be devoted to the issue Of such bulle
tins. If seeds is to be given away
gratuitously at all, it should be done
under the direction OF the several eX
pertinent stations, the appropriation OF
each being increased $500 for that pur
pose.