The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-04
LIVE STOCK ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL CONVENTION ADDRESSED
BY SECRETARY WILSON.
What the Department of Agriculture
Is EndeavOring to Accomplish
-Prize-Winning Cattle.

CHICAGO, Dec 3-The fifth annual con-
vention of the National Live Stock Associa-
tion began here at the Studebaker Theater
to-day with 800 delegates present The
delegates were called to order by President
Springer, who said he understood there
were twenty Governors of States in the
city and he invited them on the stage.
Governor Yates. of Illinois. was the only
Governor present, but Mr.. Springer said
the rest of the distinguished gentlemen
would appear during the convention. Mr.
Springer then delivered his annual address.
The report of Secretary Charles F. Mar
tin. which followed the presidents address,
was devoted TO the work accomplished
during the past year by the different COM
mittees and officers of the organization.
The membership is increasing and the
finances are more satisfactory than ever.
The feature of the afternoon session was
the address of Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson. He said:
"A well-arranged system of rotation con-
tributes greatly to the uniform utility of
the soil, and is also one Of the readiest
means by which to get rid of insect pests
The Department of Agriculture is search
ing the world over for plants that may be
useful in the several States and Territories
of the United States. TO be used as features
in systems of rotation. Where locality
becomes addicted to the habit of growing
one crop year after year. the average soil
deteriorates unless fertilizers are applied,
whether the crop be cotton or wheat, or
whatever is sold from the soil.
1T is found profitable in some parts OF
the United States TO grow ruta baga tur-
nips and feed them to domestic animals.
In other localities the mangel wurZel is
most in favor. The cabbage, potato and
other vegetables are useful along TINS
line when their price is low. The sugar
beet has been tried and gives very sat
isfactory tonnage. / do not think it needs
demonstration to show the wisdom or
growing something Of this kind TO feed TO
of the sugar beet under d system OF ro-
tation will obviate the necessity OF buy
ing the fertilizers that so heavily handicap
the people who grow sugar in tropical
countries.
1.-The Department of Agriculture is try
ing to find markets for the products of
the dairy anC OF many other things In
foreign countries. Wherever we go, wheth-
er east, west or south, We meet represent
atives of European countries as competi-
tors. who buy the grains OF the North
upon which they make a fine profit, in
addition to maintaining the fertility of
their soils. II is a transfer OF plant food
from cur country TO theirs; 1t Ia an &C
Acknowledgement that we lack either the
skill or the enterprise to our raw ma
terial to the best advantage. The hasten
Ing poverty Oh many SOILS WHERE
are grown for sale admonishes us that
we must stop selling plant food in the
shape of grain that are raw material
for other nations.
Resolutions indorsing the reference to the
Presidents message to the propriety of ir-
r.gating the arid lands Of the country and
urging the appropriation of adequate funds
to construct huge reservoirs, were present
ed by G. w. Maxwell. of Illinois, to the
resolutions committee. They were adopted
and ordered telegraphed to both houses
of Congress.