Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-29
AGRICULTURE AND FINANCE.
Secretary Morton's Report" ffimo '"r-
re,cv for "Priine" Beef or Fork.


WASHINGTON. November 2S.-ln many
respects the annual report OF Hon. D.
Sterling Morton. of Nebraska secretary
Of Agriculture. differs widely from that
80 his predecessors. The Secretary dis-
cusscs the financial policy of the govern
mont the silver question, and many other
matters of broad and general interest
moi usually treated in an agricultural
rcnort and demands prime currency
I'm return for prime" beef or pork.
The Secretary denies the frequent ale
pations on the part Of European govern
ments regarding disease In American hUS
and beef products. and suggests that IL
certain European nations continue 10 III
eist an microscopical inspection or Amerl-
can nork and veterinary inspection OF
beef with governmental certiication OF
occb the Government OF the United states
,nirht well insist upon inspection ana Ger
tifcation by such foreign governments Oh
all importations therefrom. whether edi-
bles or beverages, intended FOR human
consumption.
The Secretary deals somewhat AT ieng'h
with the subject of the farmers 4oi
trade. indicating where, IN ms opliiioh'
the farmer can best find market.
The work Of the Bureau OF Animal
Industry. the various branches OF other
scientific work, and the Weather Bureau
are highly commended. Regarding the
last-named, the Secretary concludes that
the investment is q paying one, ana mat
the service may properly come within
the functions of the government
The report indicates that the recent ue-
cislon in several of the larger cities re-
sulting in "A lessening of the cost OF bread
and the betterment Of the article ltstIi'
was the outgrowth of department bulle-
tins bearing upon the nutrition investga-
tiOns recently undertaken
The Russian thistle Is made the teXt
for a suggestion that seeds of new grass
and other plants from abroad must Dc
hereafter very carefully inspected. IN
deed. the Secretary thinks 1t might be
well to demand guaranty as TO Tree
dom from weed seeds, and the aDsoiute
nurltv and fertility Of seeds imported
into this country The exports OF Amer
can seeds might be vastly increased 10y
exalting the standard of purity and ger
minating fertility. and giving TO othei
peoples the guaranty we ask of them.
Secretary Morton devotes several pages
covered with tables, 10 showing what the
expense OF the department has been eacl
year since 1873. He again reterates the
conviction that the promiscuous free dis
tribution OF department publications
should be abolished.
The comparison between our Statistical
work and that of foreign governments Il
unfavorable to us. The Secretary point:
out the exactness of the agricultural sta
tistics OF Great Britain, stating that sucf
exactness Is reached through the revenue
system Of that country, and suggesting
that II might possibly be obtainable II
the United States through similar aBen
cies.
The Secretary Is opposed 10 the whole
business of giving away seeds and says
Internationally this enormous sum coulC
oe made OF great advantage TO farmers i
expended in the publication OF bulletins
lew ideas being Of more value than OLE
seeds" In lieu OF $4,000. the present ap
preparation for seeds. he proposes $500
10 be devoted TO the issue of such bulle
tins. If seed is to be given away gratui
tously at ALL II should be done under thu
direction Of the several experiment sta
tlons. the appropriation 10 each being in
creased 500 for that purpose.