The times., 1898-06-12
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULT LTURE
CONTINUED from Ninth Page)

PRODUCTION of seeds and the proper distri-
brtion of farmers bulletins giving infor-
nation concerning them Our farmers
can raise horses as cheaply as they can
cattle. We already have a large export
trade in cattle and can be equally so
with our horses. The number of horses
imported in four countries Of Europe in
1896 amounted TO 2l0.523 head, valued at
SS3 Il9.I25 OF this number 24,4l3. valued
at SS7I7.7 74S was from the United States.
Our horse raisers have advantages over
any other nation for raising all classes of
horses. The opportunity for opening up
and maintaining a large ad profitable
trade with European markets for Amefi-
can horses is now open for US. The de-
partment is making efforts TO gather ac-
curate information as TO style in draft
and road animals that each market re-
Quires. With this information the Ameri-
can horse dealer viii be prepared to act
inteIligently and to successfully conduct
his sales in those markets at a better
price than formerly. The worlds mar
kets are now in close touch with the far
rners Of this country. and through the De-
partment Of Agriculture the Information
as 10 them will be carried to the homes
Of every producer, who desires it. where
by he can intelligeutly direct his efforts
in changing conditions as they may be
suggested. Experiments Of exporting but
ter last year by the Secretary Of Agricul-
ture has proven q great success in open
ing new markets with the Old World for
the surplus Of high grade American but
Ter. Early in the Spring of 1897 it be-
came known that large amount of but
ter of the best grade would be placed on
the market. which never had occurred be-
fore. 1t was also pain to the farmers
and daiTymen that If such a condition
prevailed the price of fine varieties of
butter must decline.
IN such event all grades would be de-
pressed before midsummer The bes:
creamery goods were offered at prices
lower than were ever known before In
view Of this condition of affairs, Secretary
Wilson conceived a way by which the
surplus butter Of our creameries could
find a market in Europe. He decided 10
make a number of experiments by eX-
porting fine grades Of butter TO the Eng
lish market. He bought tons of the best
creamery make from various States and
had IL prepared and shipped in good con-
dition TO the London market. It was rated
there with the best English brands and
was sold under the supervision of an
agent OF the department. with a view of
obtaining the requirements of foreign buy
ers Of American butter. The results have
been most satisfactory, and large con-
tracts have since been made for American
butter. which is sold on the English mar
ket as the best Canadian. Australian
French, Danish and English butter. The
butter exported by the department prov
ed to contain less water and a greater
proportion Of pure butter fat than any
for sale on the London market.
Secretary Wilson viii make similar ef-
forts 10 extend the markets. for fruits
eggs and ali surplus farm products.
The sugar beet industry was taken up
last year by Secretary Wilson in a prac-
tical way 20 obtain the best results from
experiments. He bought several tons of
the best imported varieties of the sugar
beet seed and distributed them among
2. coo farmers in twenty-seven States.
Each farmer was furnished with full in
structions Of how 10 plant the seed and
10 cultivate the growing plants, how TO
harvest them for analysis and for the
sugar factories. When the beets were
ripe samples were sent to the State ex-
pertinent stations and to the chemical di-
vision Of the Agricultural Department
for analysis. Several thousand samples
of beets were received at each place. and
the best results were reported from the