The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-29
MORTON'S ANNUAL REPORT.
The Secretary Discusses a Wide Range
Of Topics.

He Touches on the Governments FL
nancisl Policy, the Silver Question
and Demands a Prime Currency in Re-
turn for Prime Beef or Pork-The
European Allegations Of Disease in
American Pork Denied-The Russian
Thistle and the Distribution Of Seed.
Washington, Nov. 2S.-In many respects,
the annual report of Hon. J. Sterling Nor
ton, of Nebraska, secretary Of agricul-
ture, differs widely from thac Of his pre-
decessors. The secretary discusses the
financial policy Of the government, the sill
yer question, and many other matters Of
broad and general interest not treated in
agricultural reports and demands prime"
currency in return for prime beef or
pork.
The secretary denies the frequent ale
cations on the part of European govern
ments regarding disease in American hog
and beef products, and suggests that If
certain European nations continue to in
sists on microscopical inspection of Ameri-
can pork and veterinary inspection of
beef with governmental certihcation to
each, the government of the United States
might we'll insist upon inspection and
certiication by such foreign governments
of all importations therefrom, whether
edibles or beverages, intended for human
consumption.
The secretary deals somewhat at length
with the subject CT the farmers foreign
trade, indicating where, in his opinion, the
farmer can best find a market for his diff
ferent products.
The work of the bureau Of animal indus
tries, the various branches of other scien-
tihc work, and the weather bureau. are
highly commended. Regarding the latter,
the secretary concludes that the invest
ment is a paying one and the service may
properly come within the function of the
government
The report indicates that the recent dis
cussion in several of the larger cities re-
sulting in a lessening of the cost of bread
and the betterment of the article itself,
was the outgrowth of department bulle-
tins bearing upon the nutrition investiga-
tons recently undertaken.
The Russian thistle is made the topic
of a suggestion that the seeds of new
grass and other plants from abroad
must hereafter be very carefully in
spected. Indeed, the secretary thinks it
might be we'll to demand a guarantee
as to freedom from weed seeds and the
absolute purity and fertility of seeds i'm
ported into this country. The exports of
American seeds might be vastly increased
by exalting the standard of purity and
terminating fertility, and giving to other
peoples the guaranty we ask of them.
Secretary Morton deVotes several pages
covered with tables TO showing what the
expenses of the department has been each
year since 1873. He again states his con-
button of department publications should
be abolished.
The comparison between our statisti-
cal work and that of foreign govern
ments is unfavorable to us The sec
rotary points out the exactness of the
agricultural statistics of Great Britain,
stating that such eXactness is reached
through the revenue system of that
country, and suggesting that 1t 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
II expended in the publication of prac-
teal bulletins. new ideas being of more
value than old seeds. In lieu of $3.50 600
the present appropriation for seeds, he
proposes $4,000 TO be devoted to the issue
of such bulletins. If seed 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 the purpose"