River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
DOMESTIC PROBLEMS.
Secretary of Agriculture James VIII
son Speaks of Them in His
Annual Report.

Washington, Dec. 2. - Secretary of
Agriculture James Wilson in his annual
report, IN addition to discussing do
mestic problems, reviews our agricul-
tural relations in foreign fields. He
calls for an emergency appropriation
Of a lump sum for future requirements
that cannot all be anticipated speeihcal-
ly. Discussing agricultural resources
ia our new island acquisitions, Secre-
tary Wilson says;
In the territories recently brought under
the control of the United States govern
ment the agricultural interests urgently
call for at ntion by this department. Ia
wall and me West Indian islands depend
almost exclusively Tor their prosperity
upon Their agricultural productions. 1t be-
hooves the department, therefore, to place
itself at the earliest moment possible II
a position to extend 10 the agriculturtsts
of those territories which have or may
come under the United States flag the serV-
ices and benefits which it renders to the
farmers of the United States.
On the practicability of exporting dairy
products the secretary says that, owing
to a better home demand, it Is not CONNER
ciaIly profitable to send butter 10 Europe
lust now, as the home demand at present
absorbs the supply. Whenever our home
supply Of finest butter exceeds the home
demand, the secretary says, 1t can be pToht-
ably sent to both France and
The American farmer is now selling cheaT
| grains and mill feeds to the European
dairyman, who meets us in European mar
kets with products made from raw mate
rial furnished by US. But there IS reason
to believe that there is a growing tendency
toward the consumption Of grains and mill
feeds at home and exporting the products
of skill and intelligence. The trade IN
American farm products is growing ~ tins
China seas, and, in order that markets
may be opened up in Japan, China arc
other countries of the Pacific ocean, al
agent is now in that region establishing
agencies.
The secretary recommends the extension
and adoption of the provisions of the law
regarding the inspection and certllcatlor
Of meats and meat products for export, SC
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 products as come
up to the required standard Of quality
This would place the good butter and
cheese OF his country In foreign markets
under the Identifying label and guaranty
Of the United States government.
There is an evident necessity" the re-
port says, for the inspection of many arti-
cles imported from foreign countries that
contain substances injurious to the public
health. The department chemists are do.
ing work along this line that suggests q
more comprehensive inquiry. The depart
ment now buys samples for analysis in the
open market. 1t may be necessary, how
ever. where there is ground for suspicion
and a necessity for the Identification OF
source, to open packages at ports of en-.
try, as it is proposed in foreign countries
20 do with our exports in certain cases"
Continuing, the secretary speaks Of the
need OF nature teaching in the common
schools. He announces that a dip which
takes the fever ticks from cattle has beer
perfected so they can be moved north al
any season. Other matters Of minor i'm
p~ortance are also touched upon.