The leader., 1898-12-07
DOMESTIC PROBLEMS.
Secretary of Agriculture james WIZ
son Speaks of Them In Hts
Annual Report.

Washington, Dec. 2. = Secretary of
Agriculture James Wilson in his annual
report, in addition TO discussing do
nestle problems, reviews our agricul-
tural relations in foreign fields. lie
calls for an emergency appropriation
Of a lump sum for future requirements
that cannot all be anticipated specimen
~. Discussing agricultural resources
in cur new island acquisitions. Seere-
tary Wilson says:
I'm the territories recently brought uhder
the control of the United States govern
ment the agricultural interests urgently
call for attention by this department. Ha-
wall and the West Indian Islands depend
almost exclusively for their prosperity
upon their agricultural productions. IL pc
hooves the department, therefore, 10 place
itself at the earliest moment possible IN
a position to extend to the agricuiturls's
Of those territories which have or may
come under the United States flag the serV-
ices and benefits which IL renders 10 the
farmers OF the United States.
on the practicability Of exporting dairy
products the secretary says that, owing
to better home demand, II is not CONNER
cially profitable to send butter to 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. II can be proflt-
ably sent to both France and Germany.
The American farmer Is now selling cheap
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 IL a growing tendency
toward the consumption of grains and mill
feeds at home ard exporting the products
of skill and intelligence. The trade in
American farm products is gre wing in the
China seas. ard, in order that markets
may be opened up in Japan. China and
other countries of the Pacific ocean, an
agent is now in that region establishing
agencies.
The secretary recommends the extension
and adoption of the provisions of the law
regaid ding the inspection and certification
of meats and meat products for export, so
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 this country in foreign markets
under the Identifying label and guaranty
Of the United States government.
There is an evident necessity, the re-
port says, flor the inspection of many arti-
Giles imported from foreign countries that
contain substances injurious TO the public
health. The department chemists are do
ing work along this line that suggests
more comprehensive inquiry. The depart
mcnt 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
to 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 been
perfected so they can be moved north at
any season. Other matters of minor i'm
portance are also touched upon.