Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-30
W|LSONSREP0RT
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
DISCUSSES CATTLE, SHEEP
AND IRRIGATION.
HOPES FOR SHEEP SCAB CURE.
Black Leg Vaccine Has Worked Very
Nicely-Testlnonlals From Cat
tie Owners Are Given.

Washington, Nov. So.-The annual re-
port of Secreatry of Agriculture Wilson
states that during the quarantine sea-
son OF 1899 over a million cattle We're
moved under the supervision OF the bu-
reau from districts infected with the
southern cattle tick. The sheep indus
try has suffered greatly from sheep scap,
and much time and attention have been
given to securing its control and eradi-
cation.
Results SO far are encouraging and the
secretary believes that a few more years
OF earnest work will effectually eradi-
cate the disease. The work Of preparing
serum for treating hog cholera and swine
plague, and experiments in treatment
Herewith are continued with encour-
aging results Over one million dozens
of black leg vaccine have been distrib-
uted during the year. summarized re-
ports are given of 1000 cattle owners
who testify to it's efficiency. Consider
able space is given to the consideration
CT tuberculosis, the most prevalent and
destructive disease effecting mankind
and domesticated animals. Expert
mental shipments of dairy products are
still continued and shipments of butter
nave been extended to Cuba and Puerto
Rico. The secretary earnestly recon-
mends an inspection of dairy products
designed for export.
National legislation on the question of
food authorizations is urged as essentia
to supplement the work lone by the sew
eral states. Elaborate work in the inves-
tigation of food adulteration has been
continued. Most satisfactory reports are
received from California as to the re-
suits of the chronological work in the
~ - 80 80, x-1,-J, -
the Smyrna fig. In one locality more
than six thousand tons of Smyrna figs
have been produced. Ar important par
asite has been introduced to prey upon
the scale, SO injurious to the olive grow
ers of California.
Secretary Wilson cites the Introduction
of wheat from Russia. Hungary and
Austria. greatly exceeding in yield our
present varities and points out that if,
as the result of these ~introiuctions. the
wheat yield of the United States should
be Increased by one bushel per acre, this
would mean. at the farm price for wheat
in 1899, an addition Of $26, 900, 900 to the
income of our farmers.
AS a result of experiments conducted
IN Texas under the supervision of the
division of agriculture, the grazing pas
lures have been SO much improved that,
w l liiCC SNoiS oSo llVS y .
minated as capable of supporting n
steer to sixteen acres, they will now
maintain in good condition one steer to
eight acres. a gain of 100 per cent.
Warning is given of the possible dan
ger of the introduction and dissemina-
ton of Belgian hares and the destruc-
ton of prairie dogs becomes a practical
question of great interest to the farmers
The secretary notes a keener and wider
public interest in forestry. The total
requests for working plans for forest
preserves at the close of the year ex-
ceeded fifty million acres, of which two
and a half millions We're private land.
There is much inquiry regarding bet
ter roads and better methods of build
ing them, and much work has been done
An the past year in building roads.
Progress is noted in Alaska. 1t is adj
mitted hat Alaska can never become
an agricultural country but the prob
lem the department has undertaken to
work out is to determine whether a
sufficient agriculture may be developed
IN Alaska to form an important sub
sidiary industry to aid in development
of the mining. fisheries and numbering.
Much consideration is given in the re-
port to the irrigation Investigations
which cover especially two general ines
% lHNesllSdtlon, naihely tne STUDY Oh
the laws and institutions relating to
irrigation in different regions. and, sec
ondly, the determination of the actual
use made o Irrigation waters. Eight
typical streams in different parts of
California have been thoroughly studied.
Similar Investigations on a smaller scale
have been made in Utah, Colorado and
elsewhere. Interest in the use of irri-
cation to supplement rainfall in the
humid regions is growing, and valuable
investigations nave been undertaken in
Missouri and Wisconsin.