Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-02
FARMER WILSON SAY
Our Agricultural Relations in
Foreign Fields
THE NEW ACQUISITIONS.
Resources Of Hawaii, Porto Rico, Cuba,
and The Philippines.
THE INSPECTION OF IMPORTS.
Measures Against Our Products
AbrOad-ExpOrt of Butter to Eu-
rOpe-CnttIc-Dippin
observation-disclosures.

WASHINGTON, December 1.-Secre-
tary-of-Agriculture James WILSON, in his
annual report, made public tonight. in
addition to discussing domestic problems.
reviews our agricultural relations in for
egn fields He calls for an emergency
appropriation Of a lump sum for future
requirements, that cannot all be antici-
pated specially.
Exploration by scientists of territorial
acquisitions and the sudden appearance
Of pests are some Of these possible eme,-
gencies.
Discussing the agricultural resources
in our new island acquisitions, Secretary
Wilson says:
I'm the territories recently brought un-
der the control of the United States
Government, the agricultural interests
urgently call for attention by this de-
partment. Hawaii and the West India
Islands depend almost exclusively for
their prosperity upon their agricultural
productions. 1t behooyes thR department.
therefore, TO place itself at she earliest
moment possible in a position to extend
TO the agricuturists of those territories
y
United states flag. the services and bene-
fits which it renders to the farmers Of
the United States. The increased trade
relations which may be looked for be-
tween the United States and its insular
dependencies. moreover render the cOnd-
tons Of agriculture in the latter. and the
Character and extent of their productions
matters of profound interest to the peo-
pie OF the United States. IT is urgently
necessary that Congress should as speed
ily as possible provide a sufficient fund
for the use Of this department IN making
such Investigations as may be necessary
into the agricultural resources and con-
ditions in Hawaii Puerto Rico, Cuba
and the Philippines"
BUTTER FOR EUROPE.
On the prlcticability of supporting dairy
products, the Secretary says that, owing
TO a better home demand, it is not CONNER
cially profitable TO send butter to Europe
just now, as the home demand at present
absorbs the supply. For the purpose of
obtaining for Gairymen all the facts re-
lating 10 the export of this article, the
department sent an agent TO Paris to as
certain what encouragement there would
be to ship butter TO that port, and an
agent 10 Hamburg to ascertain the facts
regarding the customs duties. as well as
prohibitions and other difficulties that
might meet exporters of butter To Ger
many. II was found that no line Of
steamers sailing 10 French ports direct
could furnish refrigerator space, so ship
ments could not be made during hot
weather. Whenever our home supply Of
finest butter exceeds the home demand,
the Secretary says. il can be prohtably
sent both to Germany and to France.
The American farmer is now selling cheap
grains and mil-feed to the European
dairymen, who meet MS I'm EurOrear
markets with products made from raw
material 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 ex-
porting the products of skill and intelli-
gence. The trade In American farm pro-
ducts IS growing in the China seas. and,
I'm order that markets may be opened up
I'm Japan. China. and other countries Of
the Pacific Ocean, an agent is now in
that region establishing agencies. 10 which
the department will make trial shipments,
and where it will gather all information
possible for the American producer
INSPECTION OF IMPORTS.
The Secretary recommends the eXten-
sion and adoption Of the law regarding
the inspection and certifcation Of meats
and meat products for export. so as 10
make them apply 10 butter and cheese.
"There is an evident necessity" the re-
port says. "fOr the inspection Of many
articles imported from foreign countries
that contain substances injurious 20 the
public health. The department chemists
are doing work along this line that sug-
gests a more comprehensive inquiry. The
department now buys samples for analy-
sis in the open market. IT may be neces-
sary. however. where there IS ground for
suspicion. and a necessity for the iden-
tification OF source, to open packages at
ports OF entry, as il is proposed in for
egn countries TO do with out exports in
certain cases"
This brief statement is the only refer
ence the Secretary makes 10 restrictive
measures adopted by certain governments
respecting our products
The experimental exports OF butter by
the Agricultural Department 10 Great
Britain were resumed ct the opening Of
the season OF 1898 on an enlarged scale,
and Secretary Wilson says a decided gain
Is evident In the favorable impression
made by butter Of the first quality from
United States creameries on the best class
OF butter trade in London and Manches-
ter. Lack Of proper attention to econo-
mic chemistry is complained Of and the
report says We pay lOirlSA tDNuiiltS
large sums for cOal-tar products. for ex-
ample. while we have skilled chemists,
capital and the raw material at home.
NATURE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS.
The Secretary enlarges upon the leed
OF nature-teaching I'm the common schools
He says that there is a growing interest
i'm education that relates to prodIcti0n,
and all classes OF intelligent people savo-
IT, with the exception OF the very few
persons who have found their way into
our agricultural colleges. the education
OF our people has not been designed 20
prepare them for producing from the soil.
The report suggests that the greatest
difficulties are 10 overcome the conser-
vatism Of the local boards managing cOun-
try schools, and 10 get competent teach
ers The scientific educational subject is
exhaustively discussed. and while there
is no university whore young farmers
may pursue postgraduate studies In all
the sciences relating 10 production. The
scientific divisions OF the Department OF
Agriculture, It is urged, 10 some extent
can provide postgraduate facilities.
The distribution Of young plants 10 va
rious parts OF the country reached a
total for the year of $4,000 plants, in