Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-06
ABOUT AGRICULTURE
Secretary Wilson Views Appro-
priations as an Investment.
RESUME OF THE WORK DONE.
Over One Million Cattle Inspected in
1s99-Urges National Legislation on
Food Adulteration-conc 9th.
err Kinds of Wheat.

Washington, Dec. 1.-The annual re-
port of Secretary Wilson, of the ag-
ricultural department, was made pub
lie yesterday. The secretary believes
LIE appropriation for the department
should be regarded as an investment,
for the reason that they make direct
returns therefor by adding to the
wealth of the country.
Weather Bureau.
Important extensions of the weather
bureau have been made during the
year. Much stress is laid upon the
continued improvement of the fore
cast service, and the value of it's warn
ings.
Cattle and Sheep inspection.
During the quarantine season of
1899 over million cattle We're moved
under supervision of the bureau from
the district infected with southern cat
tie tick. In Texas alone over $4,000
caJule were inspected for shipment to
other sections. The sheep industry
has suffered greatly from sheep scab,
much time and attention having been
given to securing it's control and Grads
cation. The results SO far are encour-
aging. The secretary believes few
more years of earnest work will effec-
tually eradicate the disease.
Treating Hog Cholera.
The work of preparing serum for
treating hog cholera and swine plague
and experiments in the treatment
Herewith are continued, with the re-
suits which, while they do not war.
rant definite conclusions as yet, are
sufficiently encouraging to justify con.
tinued experiments, including some on
entirely new lines. Over million
doses of black leg vaccine have been
distributed during the year. The sum-
married. reports of two thousand cat
tie owners testify to it's efficiency.
Whereas loss of 10 to rs per cent
of young stock is reported in the dis
tricts where black leg prevails, the
loss where vaccination has been tried
has been less than one-half of per
cent.
tuberculosis.
Considerable space is given to the
consideration of tuberculosis, "the
most prevalent and most destructive
disease affecting mankind and domes-
ticated ANIMALS A great increase in
the disease is noted in the principal
countries of Europe, especially unfor-
tunately in those whence American
breeders desire to obtain animals for
Improving their stock.
Dairy Products.
Experimental shipments of dairy
products are still continued. Ship
ments of butter have been extended
to Cuba and Porto Rico. The secreta-
ny earnestly recommends the inspec-
ton of oairy products designed for ex-
port.
Food Adulteration.
National legislation on the subject
of food adulteration is urged as essen
tial to supplement the work done by
several states. Elaborate work in the
Investigation of food adulteration has
been continued. Very nttle horse meat
seems to be sold in the United States,
whether under it's own name or any
other name.
Concerning Wheat.
Secretary Wilson cites the intro
.duction of wheat from Russia, Hun
gary and Austria, greatly exceeding in
yield our present varieties, and points
out that if, as result of these intro.
auctions, the wheat yield of the Unit
ed States should be increased by but
one bushel per acre, this would mean
at the farm price for wheat in 1885, an
aaultion of $26,000,000 to the income
Of our farmers.
Belgian Hares.
Warning is given CT the possible
danger of the introduction and assem-
ination of the Belgian hare, and the
destruction of prairie dogs has become
practical question Of great interest
to farmers.
Forestry.
The secretary notes keener and
wider public interest in forestry. The
total requests for working plans for
forest preserves at the close of the
which two and a half millions were
were made for fifty-nine applicants.
Better Roads.
There is much inquiry in all sec
lions regarding better roads, and bet
ter methods of building them. Much
work has been done in the past year
in building experimental roads.
Experimental Stations.
Considerable space is given in the
report to the work of the experiment
stations. The secretary believes ex-
pertinent stations should be estab.
lished in Hawaii and Porto Rico.
irrigation.
Much consideration is given in the
report to irrigation and Investigations
o. the use of irrigation to supplement
rainfall in humid regions are growing.
Valuable Investigations have been I'm.
dertaken in Missouri and Wisconsin.
The secretary calls attention to the
fact that on the supply of water for
irrigation and it's equitable distribu-
ti.n depe nds the permanent expense
of civilized life in one-third the area OF
tile Union. Turnout this vast region
questions relating to irrigation are vi
tai to the ultimate solution of it's prob
lens, and must be found not only in
state legislation, but in the action OF