Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-17

anu III is .UllG IlleullOu VI 1tAG
ment to follow the system of distrib-
uting mail in the farming districts
with information regarding weather
conditions.
During the past three years impor-
tant problems concerning the sup
preston and eradication OF contagious
and infectious diseases of domestic
animals have been carefully studied.
The diseases selected for Investigation
have been those which experience and
recorded observation have proved to be
most injurious from an economic point
Of view. Especial attention has been
given to the cattle disease known as
blaclleg, disease which, altho it oc-
ours more or less thruout the United
States, was not recognized as cause
of very serious losses until about four
years ago. The animal parasites of
sheep have been given careful atten-
ton, and comparative tests have been
made of the most promising methods
of treatment. The preparation af anti
toxic scrums foF hog cholera and
swine plague has beenpconducted on a
large, practical and experimental scale.
The method of serum treatment at
present is not perfect, but it has given
uniformly much better results than
any other method of treating these
diseases in swine than has hitherto
been suggested.
Experimental exports of selected
creamery butter We're made to England
with the purpose of directing attention
to the fine butter produced in this
country and gaining information for
persons desiring to sell in English
markets. The operations We're regard
ed as reasonably satisfactory, in a
business way as well as otherwise,
while, at the same time, a number Of
points were developed showing where
greater economy could be practiced in
the experiments which We're to follow.
Some interesting and satisfactory eN-
periments in the shipment of eggs,
with the same objects in view, have al
so been conducted. Within a few
weeks shipments of sweet potatoes
have been made to Great Britain with
a view to teaching the people over
there the value of that article of food
and also to ascertain the facts regard
i ing practical methods of shipment
The inspection of live stock and it's
products is now being carried on at
14S abattoirs in forty-five states. In
spection has been established at one
abattoir where horses are slaughtered
and the flesh prepared for expectation.
The regular inspection of horses ex-
ported to foreign countries has been
established, and this has been extended
to the examination of horses which are
imported from foreign countries into
the United States. Measures have re-
Gently been adopted for preventing
the interstate traffic in sheep infected
with scab, and efforts made for CO.
operation with state authorities for the
eradication of this disease.
Experiments with grasses and for
age plants have been vigorously prose-
cuted during the past three years.
These experiments are necessary in or
der that ranchers and farmers may be
informed of the kind of grasses suit
able for their respective districts. AZ
ter these preliminary facts are deter.
mined, promising varieties can be
adopted without further serious eXpen-
diture of time and money. Many of the
vast cattle ranges of the west have
been practically destroyed by mis-
management and overstocking, and it
has become serious question as to
what are the best grasses with which
to re-seed them. The division has spent
much time and energy along this line
of investigation, and, thru its work in
the field, and it's experiment, is prepar-
ed to meet many of the most impor-
tant forage problems of various parts
of the United States.
San Investigation Of the trees of
arid regions in foreign countries have
been begun to determine such species
as will be suitable for the plains and
arid regions of the United States. Elk
plorers OF the department. thruout the
world are seeking for such species of
trees as may be suitable for the sew
eral localities of the United States.
The activities Of the division of forest
ry have been transferred from the Of
flee to the forests. Practical forestry
on a large scale has been introduced
among the lumbermen, beginning of
effective cooperation with tree plant