The herald., 1896-11-23
SECRETARY MORTON
MAKES HIS REPORT.
On Conditions of American
Agriculture
The WORK Ct THE Department
Is Much Improved by Civil Ser
vice Extension
FARMERS ARE PROSPEROUS
And Western Farms Are Mostly Free
From Mortgage
The Low Price Of Products Results From
Much Free Land
The Legislation Needed Is That Which
Will Furnish a Growing Market
Abroad for the Produce Of
Ann
FARMERS ARE PROSPEROUS
And Western Farms Are Mostly Free
From Mortgage
The Low Price Of Products Results From
Much Free Land
The Legislation Needed Is That Which
Will Furnish a Growing Market
Abroad for the Produce Of
American Farms.
associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-Secretary
Morton, in his fourth annual report,
tust made public, shows that with $780,,
900, which may be saved from the ap-
propriations from the current fiscal
year, there will have been covered back
into the treasury since March Z. 1893,
over $4,000. 900. out Of total appripria-
ton of $11.179.455.45.
That this great economy was affected
with no loss Of efficiency he attributes
In a large degree, to the Improvement
in the personnel Of the force under civil
service rules, which he declares to be
absolutely Indispensable to the main
tenance OF an economic and efficient ad-
ministration of the public service" To
complete the "already almost perfect
system Of civil service" in his depart
ment the secretary recommends the ap-
pointment of a permanent director IN
charge Of bureaus and scientific investi-
cations. Tho chiefs of scientific bu-
reaus and their assistants, he declares,
are not adequately compensated and
strongly recommends that the salaries
of this class of employees be increased.
The inspection of animals intended
Tor food is treated of at length and
flciency of the work due to the exten-
sion of civil service rules. which has
been rapid in this service.
The totr, number of ante-mortem In
specttens of cattle. sheep. calves and
hogs during the year was 35,9l7.4ob, an
increase over the previous year of fifty
per cent. The total n ,imber Of post
mortem inspections was 23,16A,S5S. an
increase of 25.per cent The total num-
ber Of abbattoirs under inspection in
1896 was 102 In twentysix cities; in
1892 there were but twenty-eight in
twelve cities, for the sake of economy
the experts Of microscopically inspected
pork to countries not exacting such in
speotion have been greatly discouraged.
The total amount thus inspected was in
round numbers 23,0O0.000 pounds. Of
which 21,500.000 pounds went to coun-
tries requiring inspection.
Clearances were issued to S91 vessels
carrying cattle and sheep. The num-
ber of cattle tagged for export was
3S7, $780, and 422,603 inspected sheep were
exported. The percentage of loss in
transit was considerably less than ever
before
Mr.. Norton urges strongly that gov
ernment inspection should be extended
to all animals intended for human food,
whether for consumption in the United
States or abroad. The cattle and meat
trade of Great Britain is reviewed at
length. OF live meat arriving In the
months of 1895 the United States sup
piled rs per cent Of the cattle and As per
cent Of the sheep. The testimony Of
the department representatives abroad
is that cattle from the United States ar
rive in English ports in excellent condi-
ton. The Glasgow market is especial
ly commended to American shippers.
ri OF aa irr q IN O.
demand in England for American
horses During the first nine months
Of the present year more of these ami
mails were shipped TO that country than
for any previous entire year.
Reviewing the work of the weather
bureau, special stress Is laid upon the
value of the many timely storm warn
ings which have been issued by the bu-
reau, and have resulted In the pro-
lection from loss or damage of many
million dollars worth of property. to
say nothing of the many lives saved
from impending dangers. An increase
in the percentage Of verifications is
noted.
During the year the department is
sued SO publications, mainly for
gratitous distribution The aggregate
number of copies printed was 6,561, 700.
The publication work has grown enor-
mously during the past few years and
increased appropriations must be pro-
vided, but the secretary declares neither
the department Of agriculture nor the
Government itself can continue for the
next five years to increase its publica-
tions for gratuitous distribution in the
same ratio as for the last five years
without disbursing millions Of dollars.
He protests against the intrusion in the
act of the appropriation Of the depart
mept for the current fiscal year of 49,
500 for reprinting horse books and cattle
books to be given away by congress.
The secretary again takes occasion to
express his opposition to the gratuitous
distribution OF seeds, and to express the
hope that the practice will be discontin-
ued
The work of the experiment stations
is reviewed at length. He opposes for
the present the establishment of an ag-
ricultural experiment station In Alaska,
but recommends an appropriation of
$4,000 for q preliminary investigation of
the agricultural resources of the terri
tory.
The secretary suggests some sort of
cooperation between the agricultural
colleges and the civil service commission.
with a view to certifying more readily
persons adapted for employment in the
scientific divisions of the department.
The report concludes with a compre-
hensive report of the review OF the con-
dition of American farmers.
Seventy-two per cent of the farms in
the United States occupied by their own
ars are absdlUtoly frAe from mortgages