The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-12-26

crop production, the secretary calls
attention to the various plant diseas-
es. the work of the department in es-
tablishing standards in connection
with cotton and corn, farm manage
ment Investigations, and farm dem
onstration work in the south. In the
matter of animal diseases and dairy
ing, the department is working in
various ways to foster and promote
stock raising. Good progress has
been made in the era lication of the
cattle tick from the south. The ter
ritory released now amounts to 1867
395 square miles, being greater than
the combined areas of South Carolina
Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. In
anticipation of the increased entry Of
foreign meat, the department has had
two of its experts, one in Argentine
and the other in Australia, ascertain
whether these governments maintain
ed adequate supervision of their meat
industries. The purpose of these in
vestigations was to safeguard the Am
erican people from foreign meat
which might be carriers of disease or
which was slaughtered under condi-
tions which would not be permitted
in establishments within the United
States. 1t was found that the in
spection in those countries is quite
competent.
The Crop Outlook.
Very brief space is allotted this
year to a discussion of the crops in
the United States. Special empha-
sis is laid on the fact that the figures
quoted are estimates, and it is point
ed out that this fact should be con-
stantly kept in mind. From the es-
Inmates at hand it appears that the
production of the crops in 1918 was
materially below the average, the
yield per acre of all crops combined
being smaller than in any year in the
past decade with the exception OF
1911. The corn crop, the most ya.u-
able product of this country, accord
ing to the estimates fel lbelow g.
500, 100000 bushels which is smaller
than any crop since 1908: Wheat pro-
d1ction, with an estimated total of
1853, 100000 bushels, is the largest
ever recorded in this country This
crop was matured before the drought
became effective. Brief mention is
made as to crop conditions through
out the world. From the estimates
it appears that there were increased
areas sown to wheat oats, barley,
rye, and corn, and that the wheat
acreage has probably yielded rec
ord outurn. Barley, oats, and rye
are bountiful crops, but corn will
probably give the poorest result, in
20 years. ~
Recommendations ~,
The secretary concludes his report
with the following specific recommen-
dations: t,.t
That authority be given to codify
eristing legislation affecting the de-
partment in order to more clearly
define its duties and functions, and to
prepare and submit to the next con-
gress plan for reorganization with.
view to broadening the work, uni
flying it's efforts, promoting harmony.
and economy, and adjusting it's re-
lations with the states.
That legislation be enacted for eff
fectively conveying existing agricul-
|tural information to the farmer. The
method recommended are embodied
in bill submitted simultaneously in
the two houses of congress by Hon.
Hoke Smith and Hon. A. F. Lever.
That the food and drug act be
amended to permit the establishment
of legal standards for judging foods
and for a broader definition of a
drug"
That If federal aid is to be further
extended in the construction main
tenance of highways, any legislation
to that end should incorporate the
principle of cooperation with the
states on the condition that the states
provide an appropriation at least
double that provided by the federal
government; that no federal funds
should be expended until scheme of
road construction and maintenance
within state has been developed
and agreed upon; and that any money
appropriated by the federal govern
ment should be apportioned on the
basis of a n mber of factors.
That the name of the Bureau of
Statistics be changed to the Bureau
of Agricultural Forecasts as indicat-
ing more clearly the nature of it's
work.
That the present broad authority
for investigating the marketing and