Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1894-12-06
SECRETARY MORTON.

SECRETARY MORTON.
Hls Report on Affairs in the Department
of Agriculture.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3O.-Foll flowing is
a synopsis of the annual report Of
lion. J. Sterling Morton, secretary of
agriculture:
Ihe report presents a statement showing
that CT the total exports of this country for
1894 Fiscal year, farm products aggregated
E6SS.OOO ooO, OF 25s per cent. OF the whole. The
markets OF the world, says the secretary, de-
mand from the America fnrmer the very best
quality of breadsturs and materials. The
farmer exchanges his products, the results Of
his labors. which have specific purchasing
power for money having general purchasing
power.
Under the heading, "For Prime Pork Give
Us Prime Currency" the secretary asks:
would the s6O) 900, 900 worth of farm prod
ucts from the United States sold last year to
foreign nations have been as remunerative to
the American farmer If they had been paid for
in silver as they would have been when paid
for in gold or its equivalent?
When the standard coin Of the republic
shall be made OF metal worth as much after it
Is melted as it purports to be worth in coin,
and the mint values and the commodity values
OF all metallic money approximately equal it,
will not the American farmer and all other cit
liens become more permanently prosperous?
If the American farmer. laborer and manu-
facturer are compelled by law to submit
to the measurement Of the value of the
products OF their efforts by silver standard,
will not the foreigner in buying those products
always use the same measure? With his beef,
pork and cereals the American farmer buys
money, and why should he not demand as
superlative quality in that which he buys as
the domestic and foreign purchasers insist up
on in that which he sells? =
If those buyers demand prime beef and
prime pork. why should not the farmer de-
mand prime currency, the best currency, the
best measure Of value, the most fair and facile
medium of exchange, in the most withdrawing
money which the world of commerce has ever
evolved?"
The secretary denies the frequent allega-
lions on the part of European governments re-
garding disease, etc, and suggests that if GER
tain European nations continued to insist on
microscopical inspection of American pork
and veterinary inspection of beef with gov
ernmental certiication to each, the govern
ment of the United States might we'll insist
upon inspection and certifcation by such for
eign governments of all importations there
from, whether edibles or beverages intended
for home consumption.
More than two years have passed without
the DEVELOPMENT Of any pleuro-pneumonia or
other disease in this country which might
be dangerous to British stock interests
The hoped-for revocation, nevertheless,
remains unrealized The scientific inves-.
LEGATIONS Of the bureau have progressed
steadily. Special mention is made in
the appropriation bill for the current
year of tuberculosis and sheep scab as dis
eases the secretary of agriculture is author
lied to guard against in view Of the danger TO
human life from tuberculosis. The steriliza-
ton OF milk has been thoroughly explained in
q leat1et which has had wide circulation. 1t
appears that sterilization OF milk may be
perfect safeguard wherever milk is used.
The secretary reviews the subject OF foreign
markets and gives figures of our agricultural
exports, especially those to Great Britain.
That country pad during the year 1893 for
American breaostuffs, provisions, cotton and
tobacco over 1924 00O,0 900. Including about slO,-
exports, the united kingdom took 54.3 per cent.
Of all exports OF breadstufrs, provisions, miner
al oils, cotton and tobacco.
OF dressed beef Great Britain took from us
during the first six months Of the year lS94
sl0.0)00O0 worth. Australasia is our chief
competitor for the trade. Mr.. Morton deems
it probable that the American farmer will
find more advantage from the shipment OF
dressed beef than from the expectation OF live
cattle.
He reports very large increase in the ex-
ports Of beef and hog products over the year
previous, with on, the other hand. a marked
decline In the exports Of wheat The review
OF the foreign market leads him to certain con-
illusions as to the future of our export trade in
agricultural products as follows:
Competition of Russia, Argentina, Aus
tralia and other countries favored by condi-
tionS which enable them to grow wheat at a
low cost. and especially by the proximity of
their wheat-growing regions to water COM
munication, warns American farmers to no
longer depend upon wheat as staple export
crop. On the other hand a 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 APP
piled. pre- mise to be in constant and increasing
demand"
With reference to the weather bureau the
secretary shows that nearly $4,000 has been
saved from the appropriation ana covered
back into the treasury. He shows that by
needing the admonitions OF the bureau rela-
tive to the great tropical storm of September,
1894. vessels valued at over $1,000 0O0 were
saved. So In October, when over l 200 vessels
valued at $40 900. 600, were kept in port, owing
to the bureaus warnings. Moreover, many
human lives were preserved.
The report indicates that the recent discuss
sion in several Of the larger cities resulting in
a lessening OF the cost OF bread and the better
ment OF the article itself, was the outgrowth
OF the department bulletins bearing upon the
nutrition investigations recently undertaken.
Secretary Morton devotes several pages
covered with tables in showing what the ex-
pense Of the department. has been each year
since 1878. He again reiterates the conviction
that the promiscuous free distribution of de-
partment publications should be abolished.
The secretary is opposed to the whole busi-
ness OF giving away seeds, and says "Educa-
tionally this enormous sum could be made of
great advantage to farmers if expended in the
publication OF practical bulletins, new ideas
being of more value than old Seeds
In lieu Of $160,OO0 the present appropriation
for seeds, he proposes $4,000 to be devoted to
the issue OF such bulletins II seed Is to be
given away gratuitously at all, it should be
done under the direction of the several expert
ment stations, the appropriation OF each being
increased $500 for the purpose.