Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-12-07
REPORT BY WILSON.
WORK OF THE AGRICULTURAL
BUREAU REVIEWED.
'pep.rtment,. Head Tell. of Effort. in
Behalf of Farmers-weather Service
Good-Experiments In Treatment Of
Cattle, Wheat Planting and Irrigation

Secretary Wilson of the Agricultural
Department, in his annual report, says
that important extensions of the weather
bureau have been made during the year.
Much stress is laid upon the continued
improvement Of the forecast service and
the value Of its warnings. The Secre-
tary points out that Notwithstanding the
gree ber of craft plying the Gulf of
the time OF the Galveston
slU.- a, G warnings were so timely that
there was no disaster upon the open wat
ers. Successful experiments have been
made with wireless telegraphy.
During the quarantine season of 1890
over 100000 cattle were moved under
the supervision Of the bureau from the
tick. In Texas alone over 357 GOO cat
tie were inspected for shipment to other
sections.
The sheep industry has suffered greatly
from sheep scab, and much time and at
tention has been given to securing its con-
troll and eradication. Results so far are
encouraging. Over 100000 sheep were
inspected, and nearly 627, 600 dipped, un-
der the supervision of the inspectors. The
work of preparing serum for treating hog
cholera and swine plague and expert
ments in treatment Herewith are contin-
ued, with results which are encouraging.
Considerable space is given to the con-
sideration of tuberculosis, "the most prev
alent and most destructive disease affect
ing mankind and the domesticated ami
mails"
Experimental shipments of dairy pro-
ducts are still continued and shipments
Of butter have been extended to Cuba and
Porto Rico. National legislation ON the
subject of food adulterations is. urged as
essential to supplement the work done
by the several States. Little horse meat
seems to be sold in the United States,
whether under its own name or any other.
Secretary Wilson cites the Introduction
Of wheats from Russia, Hungary and
Austria, greatly exceeding in yield our
present varieties, and points out that il,
as the result of these introductions, the
wheat yield of the United States should
be increased by one bushel per acre, this
would mean $26,O00,O0O added to the in
come of our farmers.
Warning is given of the possible danger
of the introduction and dissemination of
the Belgian hare and the destruction of
prairie dogs has become Il practical Ques-
ton of great interest to the farmers.
The Secretary notes a keener and wider
public interest in forestry. Much consid
Grafton is given in the report to the irri-
CATION investigations, which cover two
general lines of investigation.
Under the head of the section of for
eign markets the report says that the
study of markets abroad with special ref
erence to extending the demands therein
for the agricultural products of the Unit
ed States has been prosecuted with zeal
and intelligence.
Five years ago our total shipments of
domestic merchandise to Asia and Ocean.
lea were valued at S43, 100000, of which
only $9,1O0,000 were agricultural. In
1900 our export trade with the Oricn;
amounted to $1O7, 100000. of which 500.
OOO,OOO worth was farm produce.