The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-04
IN farmers BEHALF
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRI-
CULTURE IS ACCOMPLISHING.
Secretary Wilson's Annual Report on
the Beneficial Operations of His
Department.
WORK OF MEAT INSPECTORS
NEARLY 6O,OOO,OOO ANIMALS EXAM
INED AT COST OF 4 CENT EACH.
Introduction of Foreign Seeds-New
Methods of Growing TObaccO-Mag-
nitude of Farming Industry.

WASHINGTON, Dec. THE annual re-
port of James Wilson, secretary of agri-
culture. made public to-day, opens with a
reference to the educational work of the
department., which he says has grown in
effectiveness since his last annual report.
He finds that the demands of many public
institutions for men 10 conduct research
I'm scientific fields and for ability to man
age agricultural enterprises encourage
young men to take advantage of the OPP
portunities thus afforded. The teaching of
the science of agriculture and OF the
sciences relating TO it are receiving more
attention in the colleges instituted for the
purpose. many of which have neglected
their full duty i'm the past.
The past year affords gratifying evidence
Of the value of forecast warnings of the
Weather Bureau in saving life and prop
erty. Ample testimony is afforded that the
value OF property thus saved from loss
amounts to many times the cost of main
tanning the bureau. The secretary urges
the desirability of extending the distribu-
ton of daily forecasts co-extensively with
the rural free delivery. OF the 10000 rural
free delivery routes existing Aug. 1, 1902.
1t has been found possible TO serve only
loco. To make the distribution co-exten-
sive with the rural free delivery would, he
estimates cost about 100000.
Under the inspection service of the
Bureau of Animal Industry antemortem
Inspections for the year aggregate nearly
10000, 0QJ, at a cost of a fraction over l
cent each. The number of postmortem in
spections was nearly S~9.00O,O00. The meat
inspection stamp was affixed to over 3d.
100000 packages of meat products. and the
number of certificates OF ordinary inspec-
ton issued for meat products for export,
exclusive of horsefiesh, was g, 744. The
quantity OF pork examines microscopicaliy
and exported exceeded S3,M0,oo0 pounds.
Altogether the value of exports of animals
and animal productions for the year
amounted to S2f4, 33.Ob2- The clearanceS of
vessels carrying live stock was so, and the
inspection of these vessels mas reduced the
percentage of loss in ocean transit TO Ol3
per cent. for cattle, esq per cent for sheep,
and TO 0.65 per cent. FOR horses.
There were inspected and admitted from
Mexico over $500 cattle, and fully 5000
sheep. lambs and goats Inportations
from Canada of cattle numbered only
gT.7I6. We imported from that country
1883 III sheep. Tn ~strictest quarantine Is
maintained at the ports on the seacodst In
order to prevent the introduction OF animal
nisg,es I'm addition TO cattle and sheep
there were Guaranteed animals or various
species for menagerfeS ana geological
parks. The department veterinarian sta-
toned in Great Britain treated with tuber-
culin All cattle over six months old ces-
tined for export To the United States. OF
1.0s7 cattle So treated, lS were rejected.
FOREIGN SEEDS PLANTS.
During the year the lines of work on
Introduction of foreign seeds and plants
have been pushed forward as rapidly as
the means available would permit. The
agricultural explorers OF the department
have visited many countries and secured
many valuable introductions in the way OF
seeds and plants. Hon. Barbour Lathrop
has carried on extensive agricultural ex-
plorations at his own expense, and the de-
partment has given the assistance of ono
OF it's most experienced explorers. The In
PRODUCTION and establishment OF macaron
wheat in the United States may be regard
ed as accomplished. About two million
bushels of this wheat have been harvested
the past season. but the demand Is still liz
excess Of the supply. The winter wheats
introduced and tested promise great value