Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1894 — WRITE FOR FARMERS [ARTICLE]

WRITE FOR FARMERS

THE ANNUAL REPORT OF SECRETARY MORTON Says Wheat Should Not Be Depended On as the Staple Export—More Demand for Barley and Corn—Objections to Our Beef and Pork. Doesn’t Like Silver. The annual report of the Secretary of Agriculture is particularly interesting because of its references to current troubles with foreign governments over the importation of American products. The Secret ar™ reviews the subject of foreign markets and gives figures of our agricultural exports, especially those to Great Britain That country paid during the year 1893 for American breadstuffs, provisions, cotton and tobacco over $324,000,000. Including about $10,000,000 worth of mineral oils with agricultural exports, the United Kingdom took 54.3 per cent, of all exports of breadstuffs, provisions, mineral oils, cotton and tobacco. Of dressed beef Great Britain took from us during the first six months of the year 1894 $10,000,000 worth. Australia is our chief competitor for the trade. Mr. Morton deems it probable that the American farmer will find more advantage from the shipment of dressed beef than from the exportation of live cattle. Referring to the frequent allegations on the part of the European governments that live animals from the United States are diseased, the Secretary expresses the opinion that these allegations are sometimes based on fear of infection, but are at other times made for economic reasons. He argues that if all American beef going abroad *vere shipped in the carcass, bearing the government certificate as to wholesomeness, it certainly could not be shut out on account of alleged diseases. He suggests that if certain European nations continue to insist on microscopical Inspection of American pork and veterinary inspection of beef, with governmental certification to each, the government of the United States might well insist upon such inspection and certification by such foreign governments of all importations therefrom, whether edible or beverages intended for human consumption. He reports a very large increase in the exports of beef and hog products over the year previous, with, on the other hand, a marked decline in the exports of wheat.

Better Raise Barley and Corn. The review of the foreign market leads him to certain conclusions as to the future of our export trade in agricultural products as follows: “Competition of Russia, Argentina, Australia and other countries favored by conditions which enable them to grow wheat at a low cost, and especially by the proximity of their wheat-growing regions to water communication, warns American farmers to no longer depend upon wheat as a staple export crop. On the other hand, a good market, at fair prices, is to be found in the United Kingdom for barley and corn, which, owing to the great variety of uses to which they may be applied, promise to be in constant and increasing demand.” The Secretary reports the inception of two important scientific investigations, the first relating to grasses and forage plants, the other to agricultural soils and crop production. The Secretary believes that the importance of these investigations justifies the erection of each into an independent division, and he has so provided in the appropriation for the ensuing fiscal year. The work of the Bureau of Animal Industry during the year has been greatly Increased, notwithstanding the reduction in the appropriation. The secretary concludes that the investment is a paying one and may properly come within the functions of the Government.

The Secretary concludes a review of the inspection of export and interstate meat with the recommendation that the law providing for the same may be so amended as to compel the owners of the meat inspected to pay the cost of inspection. If, he argues, the inspection widens the markets, thus enhancing the price of their property, they, as the direct pecuniary beneficiaries, should agree to pay for it. Tue inspection of animals received in the United States has been continued in Great Britain, and it was hoped that, having demonstrated that there is no danger of introducing contagious diseases, the result would be the revocation of the British restrictions upon our cattle trade. No Pleuro-Pneumonia for Two Years. More than two years have passed without the development of any pleuro-pneu-monia or other disease in this country which might be dangerous to British stock Kiterests. The hoped-for revocation, nevertheless, remains unrealized. The scientific investigations of the Bureau have progressed steadily. Special mention is made in the appropriation bill for the current year of tuberculosis and sheep scab as diseases the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to guard against in. view of the danger to human life from tuberculosis. The sterilization of milk has been thoroughly explained in a leaflet which has had a wide circulation. It appears that sterilization of milk may be a perfect safeguard wherever milk is used. The Russian thistle is made the text for a suggestion that seeds of new grasses and other plants from abroad must be hereafter very carefully inspected. The report concludes with a statement showing that of the total exports of this country for 1894 (fiscal year) farm products aggregated $628,000,000, or 72.58 per cent, of the whole. The markets of the world, says the Secretary, demand from the American farmer the very best quality of breadstuffs and materials. The farmer exchanges his products, the result of his labors, which have specific purchasing power, for money having a general purchasing power. Under the heading, “For Prime Pork Give Us Prime Currency,” the Secretary asks: “Would the $600,000,000 worth of farm products from the United States sold last year to foreign nations have been as remunerative to the American farmer if they had been paid for in silver as they have been paid for in gold or its equivalent? I “When the standard coin of the republic shall be made of metal worth as much after it is melted as it purports to be worth in coin, and the mint values and the commodity values of all metallic money approximately equal it, will not the American farmer and all other citizens become more permanently prosperous? If the American farmer, laborer, and manufacturer are compelled by law to submit to the measurement of the value of the products of their efforts by a silver standare, will not the foreigner in buying those products always use the same measure? With his beef, pork, and cereals the American farmer buys money, and why should he not demand as superlative quality in that which he buys as the domestic and foreign purchasers insist upon in that which he sells? “If those buyers demand ‘prime’ beef and ‘prime’ pork, why should not the farmer demand ‘prime’ currency, the best measure of value, the most fair and facile medium of exchange, in the most unfluctuating money which the world cf commerce has ever evolved?”