Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1894-12-07
WRITE FOR FARMERS
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF SEC
RETARY MORTON
Says Wheat Should Not Be Depended
On as the Staple ExpOrt-More De-
mand for Barley and COrn-Objec-
tions to Our Beef and Pork.
Doesn't Like Silver.


The annual report of the Secretary of
Agriculture is particularly interesting be-
cause of its references to current troubles
with foreign governments over the i'm
portation of American products. The
Secretary reviews The subject of foreign
markets and gives figures of our agricul-
tural exports. especially those to Great
Britain That country paid during the
year 1898 for American breadstuffs, pro-
visions, cotton and tobacco over 1924, 000,-
BOO. Including about S10,000,000 worth
of mineral oils with agricultural exports,
the United Kingdom took 54.3 per cent.
of all exports of breadstuffs, provisions,
mineral oils. cotton and tobacco.
OF dressed beef Great Britain took from
US during the first six months of the year
1894 S10,000,000 worth. Australia is our
chief competitor for the trade. Mr.. Nor
ton deems it probable that the American
farmer will find more advantage 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 diseased, the Secretary expresses the
opinion that these allegations 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
abroad were shipped in the carcass, bear
ing the government certificate as to
wholesomeness, it certainly could not be
shut out on account of alleged diseases.
He suggests that if certain European ma
tons continue to insist on nnicroscopical
inspection of American pork and veterin-
airy inspection of beef, with governmental
certifcatiOn to each. the government of
the United States might well insist upon
such inspection and certificati0n by such
foreign governments of all importations
therefrom, whether edible or beverages
intended for human consumption.
He reports n very large increase in the
exports of beef and hog products over the
year previous, with, on the other hand, a
marked decline in the exports of wheat.
Better Raise Barley and Corn.
The review of the foreign market
leads him to certain conclusions as to the
future of our export trade in agricul-
tural products as follows:
Competition of Russia. Argentina,
Australia and other countries favored by
wheat at a low cost, and especially by
the proximity of their wheat-growing
regions to water communication, warns
American farmers to no longer depend
upon wheat as a staple export crop. On
the other hand, Il good market, at fair
prices. is to be found in the United King
dom for barley and corn, which. owing
TO the great variety of uses to which they
may be applied, promise to be in constant
and increasing demand"
The work of the Bureau of Animal In
dustry during the year has been greatly
increased. notwithste nding the reduction
in the appropriation.
The Secretary concludes a review Of
the inspection of export and Interstate
meat with the recommendation that the
law providing for the same may be so
amended as to compel the owners of the
meat inspected to pay the cost Of inspec-
ton. If, he argues the inspection widens
the markets, thus enhancing the price of
their property, they, as the direct pecu-
mary benefciaries, should agree to pay
for it.
Inc inspection of animals received in
the United States has been continued in
Great Britain, and it was hoped that,
having demonstrated that there is no
danger of introducing contagious dis
eases, the result would be the revoca-
ton of the British restrictions upon our
cattle trade.
no PIeurO-P for Two Years.
More than two years have passed with
out the development of any pleuro-pneu-
monia or other disease in this country
which might be dangerous to British
stock interests. The hoped-for revoca-
ton, nevertheless, remains unrealized.
The scientific Investigations of the
Bureau have progressed steadily. Special
mention is made in the appropriation bill
for the current year of tuberculosis and
sheep scab as diseases the Secretary of
Agriculture is authorized to guard
against in view of the danger TO human
life from tuberculosis. The sterilization
of milk has been thoroughly explained in
q leaflet which has had Il wide circula-
ton. 1t appears that sterilization of
milk may be Il perfect safeguard wher-
ever milk is used.
The Russian thistle is made the text for
a suggestion that seeds of new gras
and other plants from abroad must be
hereafter very carefully inspected.
Hhe report concludes with a statement
showing that of the total exports of this
country for 1894 fiscal year, farm prod
ucts aggregated $62S, 100000, or 72.5S per
cent. of the whole. The markets of the
world, says the Secretary, demand from
the American farmer the very best quality
Of breadstuffs and materials. The farmer
exchanges his products, the result of his
labors, which have specific purchasing
power, for money having a general pur-
chasing power.
Under the heading, For Prime Pork
Give Us Prime Currency" the Secretary
asks:
"Would the 100000, 900 worth of farm
products from the United States sold last
year to foreign nations have been as re-
munerative to the American farmer il
they had been paid for in silver as they
have been paid for in gold or it's equiv
alent?
eff those buyers demand prime beef
and prime pork, why should not the
farmer demand prime currency, the best
measure of value, the most fair and facile
medium Of exchange, in the most I'M
fluctuating money which the world OF
commerce has ever eyolvedV
hon of Cnlpp,-