New-York tribune., 1898-12-02
PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURE.
SECRETARY WILSON'S ANNUAL REPORT
MADE PUBLIC
RESOURCES OF NEW POSSESSIONS DISCUSSED
MEAT INSPECTION AND CATTLE DISEASES
OTHER WORK FOR THE BENEFIT

Washington. Dec. I.-James Wilson, the secre-
tary OF Agriculture. In his annual report, made
public tonight. in addition to discussing domesti,
problems reviews agricultural relations in foreign
fields He calls for emergency appropriation
OF lump sum for future requirements which
cannot all be specifically anticipated Exploration
by scientists OF territorial acquisitions and the
sudden appearance OF pests some OF these pos
sble emergencies. Discussing agricultural re-
sources in the new island acquisitions Secretary
Wilson says
IL, In the territories recently brousht under the con
eSnTa ,,t Interests urgenty call for attention by by
ands depend almost exclusively for their prosperity
upon tpn their agricultural productions 1t behooves
to the asriculturists Of those territories which
have may come under the United States hng
the services and tenents which it renders to the
farmers OF The United States The increased trade
United States and its insular dependencies. more
over. render the conditions OF agriculture In the
ductons matters Of profound interest TO the people
OF the United States In the interest Of our own
sources Of these islands be studied closely and
intelgently but The dangers which threaten agri.
culture In these territories IN the form OF piahht ph
diseases or insect pests must be made the SUB
agriculture there with preventive or remedial remedial
agencies. and also to secure our own agriculture
country. It is urgently necessary therefore. that
SongTess should as speedily as possible proviue
In making such investiga tions as may be necessary
lnio the aCrcuIiurai resources and condt,ons III
On the practcabity Of exporting dairy prod
ucts. the Secretary says that owing to better
home demand II Is not commercially profitable 10
send butter to Europe just now, the home de-
mand ahsorbs the supply
The trade In American farm products is grow
Ing in the China seas. and IN order that markets
may be opened in Japan China and other East
establishing agencies to which the Department
will make trial shipments and gather all informa-
tion possible for the American producer.
MEAT INSPECTION.
The Secretary recommends the extension ana
adoption OF the provisions OF the law regarding
the inspection and certifcation OF meats and meat
products for export. to make them apply 10
butter and cheese The brands OF pure butter
and "full cream cheese" should then be af1xed
by United States inspectors to such products as
up 20 the required standard Of quality ms
would place the good butter and cheese or TINS
country In foreign markets under the identliylng
label and guarantee OF the United States GOV
crnment There is evident necessity. the
report SAYS for the inspection Of many articles
Imported from foreign countries that contain SUD-
stances injurious to the public health Inc be-
par men, chemists doing work along this line
that suggests a more comprehensive inquiry Inc
Department now buys samples for analysis In the
where there IS ground for suspicion OF neces-
sty for the Identification Of source, to open pack
ages at ports OF entry 1t is proposed In foreign
countries TO do with our exports In certain cases
This brief statement is the only reference the
Secretary makes to restrictive measures adopted
by foreign governments respecting american
products.
The Secretary enlarges the need of nature
teaching in the common schools. He says that
there Is a growing interest in education that re-
lates production. and all classes or inteIigeh'
people favor IT, More knowledge by the farmer
or what he deals with every day would enable
him TO control conditions produce more from
an acre and contribute more to the general well
fare.
FIGHTING DISEASES OF ANIMALS.
The report announces that the Bureau OF Ami
NAL Industry has perfected dip which takes the
fever ticks from cattle so they can be moved
North at any season: that IT has continued ex-
perments with antitoxin serum to prevent and
cure hog cholera and It is recommended that this
discovery having been made by public officials
at public expense should not be diverted TO private
gain. and that the serum manufacture should be
continued under Government control at least TO
some years 10 come The Texas fever dppin: std
tions will be established at convenient points be-
fore the next quarantine season. The results from
the backeg vaccine indicate that the percentage
Of loss In herds has been reduced from 10 or % per
cent to less than per cent This indicates tha;
II generally used IL VIII tcnd 10 eradicate tne us
ease completely
Other features Of the report briefly follow:
Quick and timely information has been gained
OF foreign markets. under the direction or t'hcI
Hitchcock and the knowledge OF the Islands or
the Caribbean and China seas largely increased
our foreign trade in agricultural products is
shown to be over two-thrds OF our domestic ex-
ports and is steadily growing, while the raising
Of field products introduced from foreign countries
is rapidly increasing. causing a corresponding de-
crease in agricultural imports. Good Work mas
been done in hybricizing the orange ana otHr
citrus plants and in the crossing OF pin,appes
Increasing the size and vigor and greatly I'M
nrovng the flavor. Observation and forecast
weather stations have been extended around Ihe
Caribbean Sea and increased through the int"rl'r
of this country. especially in the mountain states.
The natural life zones Of the United States are
Leicp surveyed and the areas best adapted 10
various crops determined Four IIefitlhc eN-
niorers OF the Department are abroad getting
seeds and plants in Russia, the Mediterranean
r.pjon the China Sca and South America Sirenu-
Gus efforts are making to perfect crop statlsucs,
and Statistician Hydc's successful measuresa 10 10
nrovent premature statements of the ohclal
figures are commented Oh. The Alaskan IN
rerior will be explored mex, summer 10 learn
,ts capacity TO support population. while coastai
reeourres have already been determined. SteeI
rails arc stated be the coming material .'
good roads where hard rock Is not convenient
REgard,ng forestry species adapted to dry re
eions are now being introduced. better methoaS
of handling forest lands IN pubic ana lpr. pnroan:
ownership are being introduced by G9vernmen,
o~anfe and FIRE prevention and flre-hghiing are
be,ng studied The report also refers 10 the Naiur
and nonuIaritv Of the official farmers bulletins
and to soil and tobacco researches