The leader., 1898-10-26

from the best milk of the best cows.
fed in the best manner, and cared for
with skill, has been sent abroad unfit
for market. This has been largely be-
cause of the carelessness and indif-
ference of the railroads which have
uuloaded their cargoes Oh the wharves
Of New York, and allowed the butter
to lie there and spoil before it entered
the holds of the ships which were 10
take it abroad. You might also say
that the vessels have shown consider
able indifference in the matter. On
account of such things, some of our
best butter has gone abroad unfit for
use. and gwen us bad name as butter
producers. This must be stopped.
Here in Washington thousands of
people eat eleomargarine, but it is
legally labeled, and they know what
they are getting 1t is cheap, and not
unwholesome. But they don't get any
of that product onto my table. have
been used to eating good American
creamery butter all my life. and moth
ing else will suit me.
while ] am secretary of agricul-
ture, propose 10 do my best to extend
the markets of our farmers, dairy
men and stockmen. That is what this
department was originally created
for. That is what the farmers expect
of the department, and that is what
the secretary has for his prime duty.
Therefore am working constantly
to secure increased European markets
for our people.
The scientific men employed here
are fully imbued with the importance
of the work devolving upon them, and
they. cordially cooperate in the work
committed to their several divisions.
Some of the best men i'll the country
have from time to time been employed
here, and. many of them have become
fixtures in the department.; not alone
cause of their special fitness for the
positions which they occupy.
The clerical force is efficient, but il
could be improved if we had our way
about it entirely. We expect TO inn
prove the character and quality of the
eeds furnished by the department in
tie future, and our bulletins from the
bureau of animal industry ought to
aid in the improvement of our meat
products.
"The weather bureau is well con-
| Quoted and its work has been of meal
culabe value to our people, not only
to those engaged in agriculture. but
| also to those engaged in commerce
and navigation. This bureau should be
enlarged by the increase of the num-
Der of its signal stations.
but to return to our agricultural
commercial agents. The departing t
| of state has for many years relied upon
| its consuls and consul generals, not
only for diplomatic information, but
| for commercial information to be used
by the treasury department. In max
| ing appointments CT consuls 1t has
never occurred to our presidents and
| our secretaries of state that we ought
| to have agriculturists for consular po-
sitions. The politicians have never
considered that phase of the subject.
But you can see how important it is
| that we should have men versed in
agricultural affairs, as we'll as in poll
ties and diplomacy. for such positions.
do not mean that all of our consuls
should be farmers. They should be
graduates of agricultural colleges,
however; certainly those who arc APP
pointed to positions of particular re-
sponsibflity in countries with which
we have commercial relations.
you know there is an army officer
and a navy officer, called an army or
naval attache, at the headquarters of
our ambassadors and ministers, 10
give counsel on military and naval af-
fairs In my judgment we should also
have an agricultural attache to every
embassy and legation. By following
this plan during the next ten years
this country would have consular and
diplomatic service which would be
none the less valuable in the world OF
international diplomacy, but vastly
greater in every respect because of its
broadness.
II recently had a conversation with
an ex-minister about the horses of Eu-
rope, and he was absolutely unable 10
tell me anything about them, except
that he had seen thousands of them.
/ am anxious to find out all about the
characteristics Of the horses which are
required for the heavy cavalry and ar
tillery of the armies of Europe. You
see, there is a big market for our
horses, and we ought to have some
good men in Europe all of the time,
sending US information about the
breeds most popular with the different
army commanders, and which will
bring the best prices.
THAT, you will understand, is prac-
teal inllustration of what mean
when say shall urge constantly the
necessity of sending men versed in ag-
ricultural affairs to consular posi-
tions. By looking over the list of APP
poin tments made during the present
administration, and ascertainiEg their
antecedents, you will find that quite
a number of them are farmer boys"
Secretary Wilson is very earnest
man, and talks with energetic en-
phasis. He has undoubtedly ex-
pressed his vigorous views to the presi-
dent; and therefore deserves credit
for having had farmers boys APP
pointed In the consular service. Those
who know him appreciate the fact
that he will hammer away on this idea
until it becomes an accepted admins
tratiye policy. SMITH D. TRY.