Birmingham age-herald., 1894-11-29
SECRETARY MORTON Of the Agricultural Department Sends in His Report. FAV0RS PRIME CURRENCY In Exchange for Prime Beef. Hits Foreign Powers a
 Hard Lick.
FAVORS PRIME CURRENCY

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S.--In many re- spects the annual report oi Hon. J. Ster- ling Morton of Nebraska, secretary of agri- culture, differs widely from most of his predecessors. The secretary discusses the financial policy of the government, the sil- yer question and many other matters of broad and general interest not usually treated in an agricultural report and de- mands s.prime'' currency in return for .tprime' , beef or pork.
 The secretary denies the frequent alega- tions on the part of the European govern ments regarding disease in American hogs and beef products, and suggests that if certain European nations continue to insist on microscopical inspection of American pork and veterinary inspection of beef with governmental certication to each, the government of the United States might well insist upon inspection and certlfica- ton by such foreign governments of all importations therefrom, whether edibles or beverages intended for human consump- ton.
 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 for his different products. The work of the bu- reau of animal industries, the various branches of other scientific work and the weather bureau are highly commended Regarding the latter the secretary con- ciudes that the investment is paying one and the service may properly come within the functions Of the government.
 The report indicates that the recent de- csion in several of the larger cities of les seniug the cost of bread and the betterment of the article itself was the outgrowth of departmental bulletins bearing upon the nutrition investigations recently under taken.
 The Russian thistle is made the text for suggestion that seed of new grass and other plants from abroad must hereafter be very carefully inspected. Indeed, the secretary thinks IL might be well to demand guar anty as to freedom from weed seeds and tue absolute purity and fertility of seeds i'm. ported into thls country. The exports of American seeds might be vastly increased by exa1ting the standard of purity aud geriiiinaling 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 dis tribulion of department publications should be abolished. work and that of foreign governments is unfavorable u D to us. The secretary points out the exactness of the agricultural sta- tistics 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 Stales through similar agencies.
 The secreIaryi is averse to the whole bus- mess of gWing away seeds, and says: "Educationally this enormous sum could be made of great advantage to farmers if ex pended in the publication of practical bulletins, new ideas being of more value thanso.d sesas'' In lieu of the Sl60 ,000, the present appropriation for seeds, he pro- poses that $56, ,000 be devoted to the issue of such bulletins. If seed is to be given away gratuifously at all, it should be done under the direction Of the several experiment sta- tions, the appropriation of each being in- creased S500- for the purpose.