Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-15
nuaI Report Of Secretary Houston Of
Agricultural Department-cits Need
Of Increase in Meat Animals-In-
roads Of Cattle Diseases.

Washington, Dec. Is. - Secretary
Houston's annual report places an es
innate of s9,s7s, 900, coo on the value of
American farm crops and animal pro-
ducts for last year, valuation without
precedent. This. however, probably will
be eclipsed by the present years show
ing.
This valuation is an increase, Of
about $S3,000,000 over the value of
1918, hitherto the highest ever re-
corded. The increase occurred in the
face Of q decline In cotton from 1925
cents pound for the 1913 crop to an
average Of 7,3 cents for 1914. The total
value of the 1913 cotton crop. estimated
at $S4S 100000. was $2S3,000,000 more
than the 1914 crop, altho the latter was
4 IA per cent greater In quantity.
OF the tremendous flood of exports
which began near the end of the fiscal
year covered by the secretary's report.
many hundreds Of millions represent
farm products.
Imposing Trade Balance.
Between Aug. l. 1914. and Feb. !,
1916" the report says. exports were
81, Isl. 000, 900 and imports s771 900, 900,
giving favorable balance Of S3SS.0O0.-
900. OF the total value of exports,
1861, 000, 900 represented agricultural,
and only s495.o0o,oo0 non-agricultural
commodities, chiefly manufactures.
THE total agricultural exports in the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, prac-
ticaly the first year of the war. we're
81, 40, 000, 600. which Is an increase Of
1856, 100000, or so per cent over those
of the preceding year. and Of $4,000
900, or nearly AZ per cent, over the av-
erage of the five years 1910-1914."
What is needed more. perhaps, than
anything else, the secretary says. Is an
increase in meat animals. To that end.
the department has extended its activi-
ties as far as its funds would permit.
Elimination Of common live stock dis
eases, from which losses are said to be
en.rmous. would result IN material
increase OF the meat supply.
Cost Of Live Stock Diseases.
1T has been conservatively esti-
mated" the report continues, ION the
basis OF data for Thirty years, that the
| annual direct losses from animal dis
! eases are approximately $4,000, 900.
The indirect losses, which also are
great. can not be estimated at all. The
direst loss ascribed to each disease. is
as follows:
Hog cholera. sa5,ooo, 900: Texas
fever and cattle ticks, $4,000. 900:
tuberculosis. $4,000, 900; contagious
abortion. SEQ 100000; bIackleg. $1,000
! 600: anthrax, $500. 900; scabies Of
sheep and cattle, s4,ee0,00o: glanders.
| $1,000, 900; other live stock diseases,
{ so GOO, 600: parasites, 5000. 900: poul-
:, try diseases, Ss,750,000."
| The citrus fruit industry Of the gulf
/ states, the report asserts. Is seriously
threatened by citrus 'canker, nightly
! infectious bacterial disease. While the
greatest number Of infected centers in
Texas. Mississippi and Alabama have
been eliminated, complete eradicate ton
| Of the disease from Louisiana and
| Florida. the department believes, will
require large expenditures for at leas,
/ two years.
The potash situation, the repor,
states, continues serious. There
lis practically no potash available fol
fertilizer and Indications are that the
supply for that purpose will not be
increased materially next year.
Recommendation Of Department.
Recommendation for Legislation
made by Secretary Houston to con.
gress include the following:
Legislation designed to promote bet.
tier handling and storage of farm pro-
!. ducts and trading on the basis OF hxet
grades and standards, including per.
mfssive warehouse act, cotton stand
ards act. a grain grades act, and pro
vision for a market-news service.
A land mortgage banking act In
tended to inject business methods int
handling farm finance and to plac'
farm securities upon the market in {
responsible way.
Assistance to communities near tn
national forests in road building ant
similar improvements thru plan In
lyolving the advancement Of funds TO
! these purposes to be charged agains
the states future share of receipts
from the forests. ST
Authority TO grant water-power per
nits within the national forests -
fixed periods. ~
More effective control over the pro
duction OF hog cholera serum. A plal
involving the establishment by tn
federal government Of station 10
testing all serum intended for ship
ment in interstate commerce. ID. out
lined.
Walled in by Bees.
A western newspaper. the Red Bluf
- - H.