The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-04
AGRICULTURAL REPORT,
Statistics and Suggestions From Sec
retarv Morton's Statement.
FARMERS loTTHE DEBToRcLAss

He Dsplorss the Una ,ttsring Place Held
In Foreign Markets by Our Cheese
Apple Exports Booming--Improvsd
Road Constructiou-.The Future Of
Farms and Farming. :.
Secretary Morton's third annual report on J,
the Department Of Agriculture Is g -brieiee
document than the two which preceded II
Il discusses the work OF the several bureaus
ofthe department, asserting that expendi-f
lures have been reduced in some OF them for
The sake Of economy and increased In others
Tor the sake Of efficiency. Much Of the mat-
ter Of the report has been anticipated In pub
lications from time to timeiduring the fiscal
year and since its close The more impor-
tant points not heretofore made public ara
subjotned.
Speaking Of the export trade in dairy prod
uce Of the United States, the report points
out the fact that In cheese the United States,
while large shipper to British markets,
holds the conspicuouslys unfattering place
In the extreme rear as to squsltty and price,
and as tho only one Of the competitors for
this trade whose business shows serious;
falling of. This he attributes to the de-
terioration in the quality OF American cheeses:
by adulteration with oleo and other ingredi-
ents. In butter tho United States Is out OF
the race, supplying less than one per cent.
OF the British demand for foreign buttersj
Notwithstanding the fact that Great Britain
imported in eight months $4,000, 900 worth
The work Of the wessher Bureau for the
year cost $s7s, ,4s9, and owing to reduced ex-5
penditures, which were accompanied by In;
creased efficiency, $55, 900 viii Ultimately bs
covered into the Treasury from the amount
appropriated. It is claimed that the warn;
ings Of cold waves secured from freezing
more than 900 worth Of perishable
agricultural products which otherwise would
have been lost.
During the fiscal year there were SIS, III.
barrels Of apples shipped abroad, valued
at 81 .s54,S18 and 7.1S7 .s42 pounds OF dried
apples, OF the value OF &481, ala. The variety,
which has sold for the highest price in Brit
ish markets Is the Albemarle pippin, which
Is successfully grown to its greatest perfec-y
tion In the State ofYirginia. California fruits
made marked gains In European markets,
during the year.
Improved road construction Is progressing
In many CT the States, and more than halt
the States have passed new road laws within
the last year. 1t Is proposed during the COM
ing year to secure the cooperation OF agri-
cultural colleges and experiment stations In.
the object lesson method Of disseminating
information regarding improved roals. They
will be taught to construct model roads on
/. he farms of their experiment stations or on
their college grounds, where they can be
regularly used, and thus become q lesson to
all the farmers who visit them.
The expenditures OF the department for the
years 1898-45 were 81 ,311 1855 less than the
amount appropriated for that period. The
Secretary recommends that this sum. to-
gether with the two or three hundred thou
sand dollars that could be secured from q
sale OF the property now occupied By tho
Weather Bureau. be invested In the construc-
ton Of q suitable building for the Depart.
ment. q *.
The report closes with a discussion OF ithe
future Of farms and farming in the United
States" In which the Secretary compares the
indebtedness OF the various classes OF own
ers. "These figures" he says. SHOW an
enormous and constant Indebtedness OF the
banks and bankers. alongside OF which the
money in farm mortgages and the debts
owned by farmers are relatively insignificant.
The debts of railroads, bankers, manufac-
turers. and merchants entitle them. and not
the farmers to be called the debtor class In
Americah ~ -E.fE. .:iEz#t is-.fsi