The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-12-08
DEPAn rMgNr OF AGRICULTURE;

Annual Report of Secretary Morton-nuf
Trade with Foreign Coustries-Competi-
ton Of Russia, Argentina, Austria, Etc..
The Weather Buresu--Scientifc Investi-
gations--Inspection OF Meat, Etc.
WASHINGTON, Nov. Gothic annual report
of the secretary CT agriculture is particularly
interesting. because of its reference to current
troubles with foreign governments over the
importation Of American products. DE re-
views the subject of foreign markets, and
gives figures Of foreign agricultural EXPRESSES
pecially those of Great Britain. That country
paid during the year 1898 for American bread
stufs. provisions, cotton and tobacco. over
1924, 900, 900. Including about sl0,OO0,OO worth
Of mineral oils. with agricultural exports, the
united kingdom took 5.3l per cent. Of all ex-
ports of breadstuis, provisions, mineral oils,
| cotton and tobacco.
OF dressed beef. Great Britain took from us
during the first six months OF the year 1884
$4,000, 900 worth. Australia Is our chief COM
| petitor for the trade Mr.. Morton deems It
probable that the American farmer will ind
more advantage from the shipment OF dressed
beef than from the expectation Of live cattle.
Referring to the frequent allegations on the
part Of European governments that i've AMI
mails from the United States are diseased. the
secretary expresses the opinion that these al
legations are sometimes based on the fear OF
infection, but are ut other times made Tor
economic reasons. He argues that If all Amer
lean beef going abroad were shipped in the
carcass, bearing the government certificate as
to wholesomeneSs. it certainly could not be
shut out on account of alleged diseases. he
suggests that IL certain European nations con-
tinue to insist on microscopical inspection OF
American pork and veterinary inspection
of beef, with governmental certification OF
each, the government of the United states
| MIGHT we'll insist unO0 Sflrh ipSnPctiOn and GER
LITIGATION by such foreign governments OF all
importationS therefrom, whether edible or bev-
erages, intended for human consumption He
reports a very large increase in the exports OF
beef and hog products over the year previous,
with, on the other hand, q marked decline In
the exports OF wheat.
THE FOREIGN MARKET.
The review Of the foreign market leads him
to certain conclusions as to the future Of our
export trade in agricultural products, as iot-
lows:
Competition OF Russia. Argentina, Australia
and other countsies, favored by conditions
which enable them to grow wheat at a low COST,
and especially by the proximity OF their wneat-
growing regions 10 water communications
warns American farmers to no longer depend
upon wheat as a staple export crop. On the
other hand, a good market at fair prices Is 10
be found in the United Kingdom for barley,
and corn, owing to the great variety OF uses TO
which it may be applied, promises to be neon
slant and incessant demand.
The secretary reports the inception OF two
important scientific Investigations, the first re-
lating to grasses and forage plants. The other
to agricultural soils and crop production. The
secretary believes that the Importance OF these
investigations ~justities the erection OF each
into one independent division, and he has so
provided in the appropriations for the ensuing
dscal year.
With reference to the weather bureau. the
secretary shows that nearly $4,000 have been
saved from the approximation and covered
oack to the treasury. He shows that by need
ing the admonitions of the bureau relative to
the great tropical storm Of September, 1884
vessels valued at over sl7 100000 were saved
Also, in October, when over LOO vessels val
ued at 3d. 600. 900, were kept in port owing tc
the bureaus warning. Moreover. many human
lives were preserved. The secretary concludes
chat the investment is a paying one. and may
properly come within the functions OF the gov
eminent
The work Of the bureau OF animal industr!
during the year has been greatly increased
Notwithstanding the reduction in the appro
p~riatiOn.
OF MEAT.
The secretary concludes a review OF the IN
spection Of export and interstate meat, viii
,he recommendation that the law providing TO
che same may be so amended as to compel thu
owners of the meat inspected to pay the COS
Of inspection. II, he argues, the inspectiol
widens the markets, thus enhancing the prize
OF their property, they, as the direct pecuniar,
benefciaries, should agree to pay for 1t. Th'
inspection OF animals received in the Unitet
States has been continued in Great Britain, ant
it was hoped that, having demonstrated tina
there is no danger of introducing contagious dis
eases, the result would be the revocation of thu
British restrictions upon our cattle trade. More
than two years have passed without the de
J yelopment of any pleuro-pneumonia or othel
disease in this country which might be danger
Gus to British stock interests. The hoped-fol
revocation. nevertheless, remains nrealized.
The scientific investigations OF the bureau
have progressed steadily. Social mention /:
made in the appropriation bill for the curren
year OF tuberculosis and sheep scab as disease:
the secretary of agriculture IS authorized Il
yuard against. and the danger to human life
from tuberculosis. The sterilization of mill
has been thoroughly explained in IA leaiet
which has had q wide circulation. 1t appear:
that sterilization ofmilk may be a perfect safe
guard wherever milk is used.
The Russian thistle is made the text for dis
cussion, as other plants from abroad, which
hereafter, must be very carefully inspected.
PRIME CURRENCY"
The report concludes with q statement show
= ing that Of the total exports Of this country TO
1874 tnScal Year, idim PiouuS'o "SSiS6o
= SOS. OOO.O oO. or 72.5s per cent of the whole. TIT
markets of the world, he saws, demand from
the American farmer the very best quality o
breadstuns and materials. The farmer ex
changes his products, the results Of his labors
= which have specific power, for money having
general purchasing power. Under the head
: ing, For Prime Pork Give Us Prime Cur
!. rency," the secretary asks:
..Would the 81, 90. 900, 600 worth Of farm prod
l nets In the United States sold last year to for
. eign nations have been paid for in silver. a
they have been when paid for in gold. or it
. equivalent? When the standard coin Of the re
public shall be made Of metal worth as mucl
I; after it is melted as it purports to be wortl
: in ccin. and the mint values and the com
modify values of all metallic money approx
imateiv equal, will not the American farme
and ali our citizens become more permanently
prosperous? II the American farmer, lahore
and manufacturer are compelled by law to sub