The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-28
PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE.
Some Facts From the Annual Re-
port of Secretary Wilson.

large portion of the report covers the
subject of animal industry. The grand
total of animals and animal products
exported during the year exceeded $780,
10000 in value. This vast foreign mar
ket is only preserved to our producers
by the indefatigable efforts of the de-
partment and the rigid inspection eX-
ercised through the Bureau of Animal
Industry. This bureau inspected for ex-
port $4,000 cattle, 22S,000 sheep, and
$4,000 horses and mules, and nearly L.
600 vessels carrying live stock. Import
ed animals were also inspected to the
number of 342 900, and, where neces-
sary, quarantined. The secretary sug-
gests that with the enormous interests
our stockraiser have at stake, and in
spection or quarantine affording after
all, a relative, not an absolute guaran-
tee of protection, it might be we'll for
this country to follow the example of
Great Britain and exclude live stock
from other countries entirely. The meat
inspection service involved the inspec-
ton at time of slaughter of nearly b.
100000 animals. OF the more than 5000,-
600 cattle inspected the condemned car
casses were about one-fourth of l per
cent; of the 6,500000 sheep, one tenth
of 1 per cent; and 81 24,000, 900 hogs,
one third of l per cent. In the control
OF Indigenous diseases, 100000 inspec-
tons were made and over $4,000 cars
disinfected in the Texas fever service
alone. In the repression of scabies in
sheep nearly 100000 animals were in
spected, and over 1000 900 dipped I'M
der the supervision of the Department
inspectors. In combating the disease
known as BLACK Leg the Bureau dis
tributed over 100000 doses of vaccine,
the result being to reduce losses in af-
fected herds to less than 1 per cent,
where formerly it was in most cases
about 10 per cent. To aid in detecting
tuberculosis in cattle and CHAMBERS in
horses, over Az 900 doses of tuberculin
and 1000 doses OF mallein have been
supplied. The Secretary points out the
serious evil resulting from a system of
state inspection which, If 1t became
general, would effectually prevent the
marketing of live stock in some sec
tions, and would destroy much of the
usefulness of the federal inspection. He
regards the present conditions as SO
menacing to the interests of the cattle
industry in the West and Southwest
that he has requested the Attorney
General to cooperate in bringing the
matter before the Supreme Court for
decision as to the constitutionality of
these state laws. This request has been
favorably received and the assistance
of the Department of Justice promised.
work in Entomology.
Under this head the secretary reports
the successful Introduction and estab-
lishment in California of the fig-fer-
tilizing insect, with the result that ii
has been thoroughly established at sew
eral point. and that the Division of En-
tcmology is now ready to supply fig in
sects to any grower after he has sue
ceeded in raising to the bearing stage
caprifg and Smyrna fig trees. The dis
covery is reported by am expert of the
Division sent to Asia for the purpose,
that the San Jose scale is not indigo
nous to the Japan, but that ii is so in
North China. 1t has been found in a
section OF that country where there
have been no fruit importations, and
all fruits are of native sorts. Further,
in this district, it was found to have a
natural enemy-a ladybird beetle, of
which the expert in question has coll
lected many specimens and forwarded
them to Washington, and steps will be
taken to acclimatize this important
species. This importation will doubt
less prove OF extreme value TO fruit
growers in this country. Another val
liable importation of the ladybird bee
tie was Of one which feeds upon sew
eral distinct species of plant lice acct
dentally imported into this country
from Europe.
Expectation of Agricultural Pro-
ducts.
The highest record previously at
tanned in the export Of agricultural
products-in 1S9S--was surpassed by
over $50, ZOO, 900 in the fiscal year of 1901
when value of over $3.50. 900. 900 was
reached. OF the merchandise sent
abroad during the year. SIS per cent.
originated on the farm. OF foreign
customers for our agricultural prod
ucts. the United Kingdom stands first.
taking over so per cent. The next most
important markets are afforded by
Germany, France, the Netherlands. and
Belgium, in the order named. The
Section of Foreign Markets has begun
the preparation of a most comprehen-
sive report on the character of our
agricultural importations received by
the United Kingdom. they comprised
only one third of the foreign farm pro-
duce purchased by that country. Spe-
cial statistics have been compiled by
the Section of Foreign Markets rela-
tive to our trade in farm products with
our new insular possessions. Our ag-
IlculIuTdl exports 10 IuDa, Porto ItlCO,
and the Philippines during the year
comprised about So per cent of the do
nestle merchandise sent to these ISL
ands. Our imports of agricultural pro-
ducts from these islands exceeded our
exports by just $30,000.00o
The once of Experiment Stations.
The Secretary reports as the result of
broad inquiry made through the Of
fee of the Experiment Stations that by
far the largest part Of the work of the
stations has direct relation to the inn
portant agricultural interests of the
communities in which they are To-
Gated.
The work of the stations is becoming
better understood by the farmers. and
a broader. deeper foundation of scien-
tific inquiry is being laid each year.
Cooperation between this department
and the stations continues to increase,
and the value of these Cooperative
methods to the agricultural interest
are very generally acknowledged. As
a result of the practical confidence so
attained. Congress and the state Leg
islatures have shown a disposition TO
be liberal with this department and
with the stations. The movement for
the separation of the office of director
of the stations from that of president
Of the college has advanced. and at
present there are but eleven states and
territories in which the college presi-
dent exercises the functions of director
of the station. At the same time the
amount of teaching required OF station
officers has teen materially reduced.