The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-18

Secretary Morton's third annual report,
made public last night, is a shorter docu-
ment than the two which preceded it.
1t discusses the work Of the several bureaus
of the department, asserting that expendi-
lures have been reduced in some of them
for the sake OF economy and increased in
others FOR the sake of efficiency.
Much of the matter of the report has
been anticipated in publications from time
to time during the fiscal year anu since its
close. The more important information
and recommendations not heretofore made
public are subjoiDed.
Over 1850 900 animals, cattle and
sheep, were inspected for the foreign mar
kets, of which 81 900 were shipped
abroad Over $4,000. 900 pounds of pork
was inspected dmicroscupically and exported,
against 80, ,0O0, 900 in 1894 and 23,000,-
900 pounds in 1893. or the amount ex-
ported last year nearly $4,000, 900 pounds
went 10 Germany and over 5000 900
pounds went To France.
FRAUDS HURT OUR TRADE.
Speaking of the export trade In dairy
products Of the United States, the report
points out the fact that in cheese the United
States. while a large shipper to British
markets, holds the conspicuously unflat-
tering place in the extreme rear as to quality
and price and as the only one of the COM
petitors for this trade whose business shows
a serious falling off. This he attributes to
the deterioration in the quality OF American
cheeses by aduIteration with cleo and other
ingredients.
In butter the United States is out Of the
race, supplying less than 1 per cent OF the
British demand for foreign buffers, not
withstanding the fact that Great Britain
Inn ted in Ssk am ftD0
worth of butter.
The work OF the Weather Bureau for
the year cost SS7s, 43s, and owing to
reduced expenditures, which were ac-
cUmpanied by increased efficiency, $685.
900 Will ultimately be covered into the
Treasury from the amount appropriated.
II is claimed that the warnings OF cold
waves alone secured from freezing more
than S2. .2T5,000 worth of perishable ag
ricultural products which would otherwise
have been lost.
FOR AN AGRICULTURAL CENSUS.
The Secretary calls attention to the
report of the chief OF the Division of Stats
tics, which reiterates an argument in
favor of taking an annual agricultural
census.
Speaking OF the work of the division of
chemistry, Secretary Morton makes the
following vigorous protest:
The people are frequently misled by
perverted references to the analyses Of
this division by advertisers Of baking pow
ders, food products, etc, whose products
have been analysed 10 the course of inves-
legations of food authorizations or other
official work In the hundreds Of advertise
meDts that have been noticed in which |
the work of this division has been referred |
to, there is scarceiy a single case in which +,
the facts were accurately set forth as |
published. There is, therefore,
just reason for complaint. 1t seems to- the |
Secretary of Agriculture that there should |
be some method adopted by means of |
which advertising Misrepresentation OF |
official analyses, intended originally to |
protect the people. could be prevented
Improved road construction is progress |
ing in many of the States. notably in |
Massachusetts,. New Jersey, North Caro-
lima, and Kentucky.
FOR BETTER ROADS.
II is proposed during the coming year to
secure the co operation of agricultural |
colleges and experiment stations in the |
object-lesson method of disseminating in
formation regarding improved roads. They
will be taught to construct model roads
on the farms of their experiment stations
or on their college grounds. where they can
be regularly used. and thus become
it>Sou " an WHO WISH them.
The secretary condemns the gratuitous
distribution OF the publications of tue de-
Dartrnent. In the year 1Se4-96 they ag-
-regated in bulk 500 tons, the distribution
II which added 10 the deficiency Of the Post
,ffiee Department
He recommends THAT all publications is
sued by the department be furnished to
such citizens only as VIII pay for their
net cost and added postage, and that
sratuitous distributions be confined to pub
ic libraries aud benevolent and educational
Institutions, with the exception of such pub
licaeions as may be for specific purposes
and properly termed 'exigency' or 'emer-
eucy' documents"
FARMERS NOT IN DEBT.
The expenditures OF the department for
he year 1S93-95 and 95 were S1,311,-
'66 less than the amount appropriated for
that period. This SUN, together with the
wo or three hundred thousand dollars that
ould be secured from a sale OF the property |
low occupied by the Weather Bureau. Sec
-etary Morton recommends be invested
n the construction of a suitable build
ug for the department
The report closes with discussion OF the
future of farms and farming in the United
States in which the Secretary compares