Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-14

IA, 1905.
iuets In 1905 being worth H,O17,OOO. the OK.
ports OF foreign agricultural products $40.
.Vo'Ooe. and the imports of agriculture
products S4O,Oo0,0OO, a balance Of trade OF
The enormous value Of s4SS. 10000 in favor
OF the farm products Of this country re-
suits, an amount exceeded only in 1901 and
1888.
Prosecution OF Offenders.
In 4o1 cases brought at the insugation OF
the department against railway companies
.or violating the twenty eight-hour law
limiting the number of hours stock can be
Kept in cars without unloading). fines and
costs amounting to nearly $1,000 have re-
suited.
In twenty-five cases OF violation of auaran-
tine laws, the fines and costs have ex-
oeeded $500.
Last year the enforcement of the food
and drugs act began in earnest. The cases
reported by the department to the attorney
seneral numbered 1856, Of which ninety
seven were for criminal prosecution and
thirty eight for seizure and condemnation.
- WI NNNAA VI AAib GIlIlIndl cases the OF
tenders had to pay fines from IS to s7Oe,
besides costs; and in fourteen Of the seizure
cases resulted in forfeiture OF the goods.
Many cases are now pending in the courts
and not a single case has yet been decided
adversely to the government.
The organization of the plant industry
bureau has become so widespread, so COM
prehensive, that 1t reaches into every Sec
ton of the country, almost into every To-
cality. while 1t draws material and informa-
ton from the farms of nearly all foreign
nations. Its work vitality affects the culti-
walton Of every principal crop and most Of
the minor crops. 1t studies a wide range OF
scientific problems and a wider range of
practical problems.
Dry Land Farming.
One of the subjects to which the secre-
tary of agriculture is giving special atten-
ton is the so-called dry land farming"
In the west are millions Of acres of fertile
soil so situated that they can never be irri-
gated. If farmed at all. these lands must
be planted to drought-resistant crops, and
cultivated according TO the best moisture
conserving methods. Eleven stations have
oeen established In the great plains area
FOR the scientific study of the best methods
OF tillage, crop rotation, etc. The depart
ment Is also seeking drought-resistant
pants In other parts Of the world for in
and is testing them under our
conditions. Efforts are also be-
ing made to utilize and improve the best
species native to this region.
me forage value of cactus has been fully
demonstrated, and the details OF its cult
va ton are now being worked out.
Special attention is being given to
drought-resistan cereals. As a result OF
the first years work a number OF varittes
nave been found which outyielded the or
binary sorts by 20 to 80 per cent.
Improving the Highway.
n freight hauled to railroads over
wagon roads exceeds $50, 600, 900 tons a year. |
not including the immense tonnage hauled
10 wharves and docks for shipment nv
water. With an average cost OF at least |
% cents per ton per mile and an average |
haul Of nine miles, the resultant sum rep
the annual cost Of wagon trans
portation passes the $500, 900, 900 mark.
The total cost of our 2,151,OOo miles of
road is over 81, 100. 900. OoO, while the per-
of improved roads was only TIA
N 1904, and is probably not in excess of
per cent at the present time.
twenty states have adopted the state
aid plan of improving roads, either by ap-
oropriating money from the state treas
lries or by providing skilled supervision
or both.
For many years the department has been
.sndeavoring to bring into general use
throughout the south the sand clay method
II constructing roads. Experimental roads
we're constructed at Engelwood and Dodge
1ty, Kan, and II these prove as success
as conditions now indicate, inestimable
'enefits will accrue to the people OF the
treat plains states.
The burnt-clay road can be made to
acceptably as a substitute for maca-
roads, and in places where road-build-
ng rocks are available 1t can be con-
at about one-third the cost of
nacadam
An international road congress was con-
-ened at Paris, France, in October, which
vas attended by delegates from twenty
governments, which effected the or
of an international bureau of
Dads. The director of the office of public
Dads represented this department.
Department Finances.
The amount estimated for the fiscal year
e1O in the regular appropriation bill is
l4,610,62. which includes $4,000 for agri-
ultural experiment stations. In addition
VIII DC u permanent appropriation
I 100000 for meat inspection, a perman-
mt appropriation of s624,OoO for additional
to agricultural experiment sta
Ions under the Adams act, and $4,000 for
rtnting and binding under the Public
rinter, making a grand total Of SIS, n4,69s,
7hcih IL an increase over the fiscal year.
,O9, of S3.cS4,590. or 1877 per cent. The prIncl-
al items Of increase each year are for
he maintenance and improvement Of the
ational forests and for carrying into eff
the provisions of the food and drugs
The appropriation for the national for
SITS Is offset by the revenue from the sales
( timber and grazing. which amounted to J
,SSs,374.92 during the year ended June 80 J
making the national forests practically {
disappearing. !
National Forests.
The number of national forests is now :
q and the total area l6S, 1900 acres. At ,
per 1000 feet stumpage the timber stand ,
Ig In these forests Is worth $500, 900. 900. ,
hese forests now contain one-fifth OF the 9
anding -merehantable timber in the coun-
y. ,
The efficient management OF these for ,
It's and especially the protection from /
re have made permanent improvement 8
,cessarv. During the wear such in1nrova- {