Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-11-23
THE FARMING INDUSTRY.
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson
Reviews the Work of His De-
partment for a Year.
A MASS OF INTERESTING INFORMATION.
Notable Improvement in the Dtner-
ent Branches OF the Service-he-
suits OF Experiments Made by
Agents of the Government-D Doc
McAtic Science In the COlleHes.

tue SECRETARY u agriculture Od"cS
Wilson, for the year 1897 has been filed.
Following is brief synopsis:
Seven tons of imported sugar beet seeds
were distributed last spring IN u states.
among 1900 farmers, through the expert
ment stations Of those states. to ascertain
where the sweetest beets can be produced
Samples are now being analysed at the
experiment stations. and where they are
not prepared to do the work the beets
are forwarded to the laboratory of the
department at Washington. There Is album
dant encouragement to lead US to conclude
that our country will within a few years
produce what sugar it requires.
Inspection of Animals.
The appropriation at the disposal OF the
bureau has not been sufficient to enable
1t to inspect all the animals slaughtered
state and foreign commerce. The force
engaged in the work has been enlarged
from time to time. and the number Of ami
mails inspected has increased each year.
During the past year all the beef exported
to Europe and a great part Of the pork
and other meat products have been in
spected in accordance with the law, but
the bureau has found 1t impossible to in
spect the large amount of meat slaughtered
for interstate trade. The force now used
in the inspection Is competent and efficient,
and 1t should be extended sufficiently to
meet the intent Of the law looking to the
inspection of all the meat entering into
interstate and foreign trade.
Spread Of Texas Fever.
The inspection and quarantine of cattle
from the Texas fever district Is an extreme
ly important branch of the service, and it
needs constant attention to prevent the in
lection Of the central stock yards and the
widespread dissemination of the contagion.
During the present year there have been
more violations of the quarantine than for
several years, owing, no doubt, to the in
creased demand for stock cattle. 1t will
be necessary to take increased precautions
during the next year to prevent the move
ment OF cattle contrary to the regulations,
or great damage to the domestic and ex-
port trade and q heavy loss Of stock will
result.
The Weather Service.
The extension Of the scope of the weather
bureau and its increase in usefulness are
well known to the American people, In
1883 weather maps were not issued except
at the central office in Washington Dur
ing the last fiscal year 4.3l5.OOO maps were
issued at 81 stations outside Of Washington,
and there has been an increase Of sSsooo
copies within the last two years to meet
the constantly increasing demands Of the
public. In 1883 forecasts and warnings were
sent to 1904 places by mail, no other method
OF distribution, except through the daily
press and the railroad train SERVICE be-
Au6 IACA III USE CuAl IIS tuc last IlSCal year
daily forecasts and warnings were sent to
6.694 places by mail, telegraph and tele-
phone, and there has been an increase in
the number Of places receiving forecasts
in the last two years Of nearly 10000.
Agriculture in Alaska.
Recent events have greatly augmented
the Importance of active measures to de-
velop the agriculture Of Alaska. The in
formation recently received from Unofficial
sources, as we'll as that previously gathered
by officers of the government, seems 20
make 1t clear that 1t will be practicable
to develop the agriculture OF that region
30 that it may furnish food supplies and
beasts Of burden for a considerable popu-
lation.
The development Of agriculture in this
region, as elsewhere, can undoubtedly be
greatly promoted by experimental inquiries
conducted systematically under the super
vision OF expert officers. l would, there
fore, urge that the appropriation for in
vestiga ting the agricultural resources and
capabilities of Alaska be continued and
that provision be made for carrying on
experiments In that region in case the Of
fetal inquiries now In progress there seem
to make this desirable.
Domestic Science.
Many of the colleges OF agriculture and
mechanic arts. together with scientific.
technical and industrial schools now main.
tain department OF domestic science
Cooking and sewing are quite commonly
taught in the public schools, and cooking
schools for women have been ORGANIZED in
numerous places. While useful instruc-
ton In these lines Is impaired it is general
~ recognized that much remains to be
done before the teaching Of domestic sci
ence can assume its most effective form.