The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-30

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The an
nual report of Secretary Wilson sum-
marizeS an immense amount of work
done by the Agricultural Department
during the past year.
The Division of Entomology has done
valuable work this year in showing
fruit-growers on the Pacific Coast the
proper method of fertilizing Smyrna
figs. 1t is believed that in a. few years
the Pacific Coast will be able to produce
as fine figs as are now imported from
the Mediterranean.
The department has gathered much
information regarding the plants which
supply India rubber and gutta percha,
and expects during the coming year to
locate in our island possessions zones
suitable for the culture of these plants.
The United States now imports about
$3O000,000 worth of rubber annually,
and it is thought that a large portion of
this supply can be raised in our new
possessions.
The same is true of Egyptian cotton,
of which we import $5,000,00 worth
annually, while he thinks that $500
100000 worth of tropical products
which we now import can be raised in
Porto Rico, Hawaii and the Philippines
Much work has been done in the hy-
bridizing of grain to secure varieties
which will resist drouth, rust and cold.
The same methods are being used to
produce hardy orange trees and sea
island cotton which will be immune to
fungus disease now attacking that
staple
Practical forestry work is being done
on a large scale among the lumbermen
of several States.
Irrigation work in the West has been
carried on, and much alkali land has
been reclaimed. The Secretary's recon-
mendations in this line include irriga-
ton experiments in the East and South
outsidas IL the arid region. He thinks
that Congressional action also may be
necessary in the West on the subject
of water rights and reservoir sites.
The experiment station work of the
department has been extended to
Alaska and has also been extended to
Hawaii. Porto Rico and the Philippines.
so that they may be enabled to supply
the United States with the tropical pro-
ducts, of which our importations are
now $200000,000 annually.
Extensive experiments are being car
ried on in road construction in con-
several States, including the building of
sample roads from the materials found
in different localities, and laying of
steel track wagon roads.
The third year of experimentation
with hog cholera shows that from 70
to so per cent Of the hogs injected with
serum are saved.
The Secretary strongly recommends q
more rigid inspection of our export
dairy products, to counterfeit the in
Jury that has been done to this trade
by unscrupulous dealers in the past.
Regarding seed distribution, the Sec
retary saws there is no need for the de-
partment to come into competition with
the sales of the seed men, but that
there is room for valuable work in the
collection and distribution of such for
eign seeds and plants as are adapted
to this country but was to not be Sc
cured by private enterprise.
Tea growing experiments in South
Carolina are commended, and he notes
that $500 pounds of good tea were
raised in the gardens at Summerville IN
the past season.
Turkestan alfalfa introduced by the
department has been found a vaiuapie
forage plant in the Northwest for re-
sistance of cold and drouth. It's nitro
duction, it is said, probably will ADA
millions of dollars to the annual nay
product of the country.
A valuable quality of rice has oeen
introduced from Japan. 1t is superior
to the domestic product, and snouiu IL
succeed in Louisiana, hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars will be added yearly 10
the rice-growing industry.
The Secretary asks for $4,000 to
prosecute a technical and scientific IN
vestipation of native drug plants. in
co-onaration with the Pan-American
Congress.