Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-14

formaldehy de. copper sulphate and potas-
sum nitrate have all been tested.
Since tho work began, $40 different areas,
lying in forty-four states and two terri
tories, have been surveyed and mapp d.
The total area surveyed to date is 15s.Ois
square niles. The department has a ficld
force Of sixty-two men, divided into small
parties, engaged in this work. The soil
experts not only examine and classify the
soils, but study the farm practice in
vogue, tho adaptation Of particular crops
to certain soils, the fertilizer requirements
and the changes which are advisable. The
department is cooperating with the recla-
nation service In surveying the soils OF
areas covered by the various projects. a
work which Will be Of immense value
when water Is brought to these lands.
FOOt-Rnd-MOuth Disease.
On November 10. 1908, report was made
or an outbreak OF foot-and-mouth d scase
In pennsylvania. Prompt investigation by
the department confirmed the truth OF the
report and a quarantine against the inter-
state movement OF cattle, sheep, swine and
goats from certain counties Of the state
was declared. Within a few days investi-
cations of reports from other points were
made, with the result that quarantine has
been declared on the states Of Pennsyl-
vanis, New York, Michigan and Maryland
This disease has not been known to
exist In this country since 1903. and It Is
supposed that the present infection was
introduced In some manner from abroad.
Meat Inspection.
The meat inspection force exercised strict
supervision over the Strengthening and pack
inR nraFnffano ~ -e5 ,-NakII.l---- - a..
211 cities and towns--a gain over the pre-
vious year OF seventy-nine establishments
and twenty-five cities and towns. In
spectlon was withdrawn from eight estab-
lishments because OF violations OF the regu-
lations. The thoroughness of the work on
the part OF the meat-inspection force has
mad the much desired effect of greatly
improving The sanitary conditions o. s.augh-
terhouses and packing plants and Of main
tanning confidence in the wholesomeness of
the products.
Animals inspected before slaughter num-
bered bS,99e51 Their order numerically
was hogs, sheep. cattle, calves and goats.
OF the animals inspected at slaughter, 49,
l26 carcasses and 7O4,6e6 parts were con-
demned, 1Os,b19 earcasses were passed for
lard and tallow, and So, $50, 692 passed for
food. Tuberculosis was the cause of con-
domination of about three-rourths OF the
cattle carcasses and about two-thirds of
the hog carcasses that were condemned,
and the majority of the other condemned
hogs were affected with hog cholera and
swine plague.
Near 6,OOO.OOO.OOO pounds of meat food
products were passed on by government
inspectors, and there were condemned on
reinspection 43, S44. 2O6 pounds of meat
products hat had become sour, tainted.
unclean or, in the case of fats,
rancid, since inspection at slaughter.
There was an increase OF 1873 per cent In
the quantity OF meats and products certi-
fled for export as compared with the pre-
vious year. Certificates to the number of
l22,2s5 were issued, covering 1856, 761, sos
Work of the Experiment Stations.
The relations Of the office of experiment
stations with the state stations have never
been more cordial than they are at pres
They are doing more scientific and
practical work. They are carrying. their
more thoroughly over the states
and reaching a larger proportion of tho
armers and their problems. During the
year they published 459 annual reports, bull
Ietins and circulars, which were sent to
over $4,000 addresses. The Alaska stations
devoted their attention principally to live ,
stock, horticultural crops. and cereal grow
The Kodiak station has about sixty I
lead OF Galloway cattle. horticultural in Z
at sitka are quite promising. '
rhe Hawaiian station continues work in the
Investigation of agriculture and shipping i
fruits. They may be successfully s
shipped to any point within thirty days
iirect communication with Honolulu. In {
Porto Rico highly favored Java coffees !
ire being planted to take the place Of the {
Porto Rican coffee.
There are fifteen state agricultural high .
schools and forty others receiving state
lid. lis state and county normal schools
preparing young people to teach agriculture
md sixteen privately endowed colleges and
'ver ESQ public and private high schools
md acadameis giving instruction In ngri-
over 2,OOO,OOO people are rep 4. te|
IS having attended the farmers insti "a
naetinU during the x,aar