The herald., 1898-12-02
FOR USE OF AGRICULTURAL
DEPARTMENT
FARMING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Must Be Given the Benefit of Expert
Experiments and Pests Must
Be Subdued
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHlNGION, Dec. l.-Secrectary OF
Agriculture James Wilson, in his annual re-
port, made public tonight, in addition to
discussing domestic problems, reviews our
agricultural relations in foreign fields He
calls for an emergency appropriation of
lump sum for future requirements that can
not all be anticipated specifically. Explora-
ton by scientists of territorial acquisitions
and the sudden appearance of pests are some
of the possible emergencies.
Discussing agricultural resources in onr
new island acquisitions, Secretary Wilson
says:
I'm the territories recently brought under
the control of the United States government
agricultural interests urgently call for at
tention by this department. Hawaii and the
West India islands depend almost exclusive
ly for their prosperity upon their agricul-
tural productions. 1t behooves the depart
ment, therefore, to place itself at the earliest
moment possible In a position to extend to
the agriculturist of those territories which
have or may come under the United States
flag the services and benefits which it rem
ders to the farmers of the United States.
The increased trade relations which NAV be
looked for between the United States and
its insular dependencies moreover, render
the conditions of agriculture in the latter
and the character and extent of their pro-
ductions matters of profound interest to the
people of the United States.
In the interest of our own agriculture not
only must the agricultural resources of these
islands be studied closely and intelligently.
but the dangers whica threaten agriculture
in these territories in the form of plant dis
eases or insect pests must be made the sub
ject OF special investigation, with view to
provide agriculture there with preventive or
remedial agancies, and also to secure our
own agriculture from the possibility of their
introduction into this country. 1t is urgent.
ly necessary, therefore, that congress should
as speedily as possible provide sufficient
fund for the use of this department in max
ing such investigations as may be necessary
into the agricultural resources and condi-
tions in Hawaii, Porto Rico, Cuba and the
Philippines"
The secretary enlarges upon the need of
nature teaching in the common schools.
The report announces that the bureau of
animal industry has perfected a din which
takes the fever ticks from cattle. So thew
can pe Drought north at any season; that it
has contiued experiments with anti-toxin
~ ~ VIM W Pie'cht anu cure nOg cholera and
1t Is recommended that this discovery. bav.
ing been made by public officials at public
expense, should not be diverted to priva Q
cost, and that the serum manufacture shouId
be continued under government control at
least Tor some years to come Texas fever
dipping stations will be established at con.
venient points before the next Quarantine
season. The results form the black lea vac.
cine indicate the percentage of loss in herds
has been reduced from 10 to 90 per cent
to less than per cent. This indicates that if
general, used it will tend to eradicate the
disease completely.
The report says that good work has been
done in hybridizing the orange and other
citrus plants and in the crossing Of n;ne.
apples, increasing the size and vieor and
vigor and greatly improving the flavor
Observation and forecast weather stations
have been extended around the Caribbean
sean and increased through the interior IS
this country and especially in the mountain
states.
The natural life zones of the United States
are being surveyed and the areas best adant.
ed to various crops determined.
Four scientific explorers of the depart
ment are abroad getting seeds and plants in