The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-02
TERRITORY ADDED TO
The Domain of United States
Demands Extra Work
And a Corresponding Increase
in Appropriations to Meet It.


domestic problems. reviews our agri-
cultural relations in foreign fields. He
calls for an emergency appropriation
Of a lump sum for future requirements
that can not all be anticipated speci-
dcalIy. Exploration by scientists of
territorial acquisitions and the sudden
appearance of pests are some Of the
possible emergencies.
Discussing agricultural resources in
our new island acquisitions, Secretary
Wilson says:
In the territories recently brought
under the control of the United States
government agricultural interests, ur-
gently call for attention by this depart
ment. Hawaii and the West India is
lands depend almost exclusively for
their prosperity upon their agricultural
productions. It behOOves the depart
nent, therefore to place itself at the
earliest moment possible in a position
10 extend TO the agr1cultur1StS OF those
territories which have or may come I'M
der the United States flag the services
aud benefits which it renders to the
farmers of the United States. The in
creased trade relations which may be
looked for between the United States
and its iusular dependencies, moreover,
render the conditions of agriculture in
the latter and the character and extent
of their productions matters of pro-
found interest to the people of the Uni
ted States In the interest of our own
agriculture not only must the agricul-
Gural resources of these islands then
be studied closely and inteligently, but
the dangers which threaten agriculture
in these territories in the form of plant
diseases or insect pests must be made
the subject of special Investigation
with a view to provide agriculture
there with preventive or remedial agen-
cies, and also to secure our own agri-
culture from the possibility of their in
PRODUCTION into this country. 1t is ur-
gently necessary therefore that con-
greSS should as speedily as possible,
provide a sufficient fund for the use of
this department in making such invest
dgatiOnS as may be necessary into the
agriculture resources and conditions in
Hawaii, Porto Rico, Cuba and the Phil
ippines.'
On the practicability of exporting
dairy products, the secretary says that,
owing to a better home demand, it is
not commercially profitable to send
butter to Europe just now, as the home
demand at present absOrbs the supply.
For the purpose of obtaining for the
exports of this product the department
sent an agent to Paris to ascertain
what encouragement there would be to
snip buJCer to that port, and an agent
TO Hamburg to ascertain the facts re-
gardtng custom duties, as well as pro-
hibitions and other difficulties that
might meet exporters of butter to Ger
many. It was found that no line of
steamers sailing to French ports di-
rect furnish refrigerator space, so ship
mentS could not be hade during hot
butter exceeds the home demand the
secretary says, it can be profitably sent
in both France and Germany. The
american farmer is now selling cheap
grains and mill feeds to the European
dairy men, who meet US in European
markets with products made from raw
material furnished by US. But there
is reason to believe that there is a
growing tendency toward the cOnsump--
ton Of grains and mill feeds at home
and exporting the products of skill and
intelligence
The trade in American farm products
is growing in the China seas, and in
order that markets may be opened up
IN Japan, China. and other countries of
the Pacific ocean, an agent is now in
that region esta blishing agencies to
which the department will make trial
shipments and gather all information
possible for the American producer
The secretary recommends the ex-
tension and adoption of the provisions
of the law regarding the inspection and
certification of meats and meat products
for export, so as to make them apply to
butter and cheese.
The brands, pure butter and ''full
cream cheese should then be affixed
by United States inspectors to such
produce as come up to the required
standard Of quality This would place
the good butter and cheese Of this coun-
Try on foreign markets under the iden-
tifyinE label and guaranty of the United
States government.
The dairy products of Denmark and
COIDDeL1TOTS
OF the United States in the markets Of
Great Britain, bear the inspection certi-
fcate and guaranty of quality from
their respective governments.
There is an evident necessity" the
report says, for the inspection Of many
articles imported from foreign coun-
tries that contain substances injurious
to the public health. The department
chemists are doing work along this line
that suggests a more comprehensive in
quiry. The department now buys
samples for analysis in the open mar
ket- 1t may be necessary, however,
where there Is ground for suspicion and
q necessity for the identification of
source, to open packages at ports Of
entry, as it is proposed in foreign eoun-
tries to do with our exports in certain
eases"
This brief statement is the only refer
enee the secretary makes to restrictive
measures adopted by certain foreign
governments respecting our products.
The experimental exports of butter bv
IIltaln were resumed at the opening of
the season of 1898 on an enlarged scale.
and Secretary Wilson says a decided gain
made by butter of the first quality from
United states creameries on the better
Glass Of trade in butter OF London and
chemistry Is complained of, and the re-
port says we pay foreign countries large
while we have skilled chemists, capital
and raw material at home
Inc secretary enIarges on the needs of
nature teaching in the common schools.
in education that relates to DI7oducti0n
ana al classes ot Intelligent people favor
Il More kno4Tledge by the farmer Of
what he deals with every day would en-
able Nun TO control conditions, produce
more from an acre and contribute more to
the general welfare
With the exception of the very few per
49, VINO nave found their way into our
agricultural colleges, the education Of our
people has not been designed to prepare
A4iela TOT producing from the soil. Moth
~ Is Beng done in most Of the common
AN1o0l4 q the states To cultivate q taste