Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1890 — SECRETARY RUSK’S REPORT. [ARTICLE]

SECRETARY RUSK’S REPORT.

Operations of the Agricultural Depart* ment— Improved Condition of Farm era. The Secretary of Agriculture has pro. sented his annual report to the PresidentBy comparing prices at Chicago for Oct. 16, 1890, and Oct. 16, ISB9, he shows a marked increase in the values of agricultural products, especially of cereals. A abular statement of agricultural imports of the last fiscal year, including live an is mals, hay, potatoes, hops, cheeset eggs, flax, wool, tobacco, wines," etc., the old and new tariff rates being given for each, indicates a material increase in the import duties on these articles, and shows ■ each to have been imported in considers able quantities. The Secretary asserts ( ,that without ignoring the effects of natural causes in enhancing values it is evident that the economic legislation of the last session of Congress has directly benefited the farmers, the improved value of cereals, as he believes, being largely due to the silver legislation, which, moreover, has lessened the influence of Russia and India* our wheat competitors in British markets. Our increased export trade in cattle and animal products, another cause of congrat ulation, he traces to the energetic and efs fective measures adopted for the eradication of pleuro-pneumonia, and to the growing appreciation at home and abroad of the department's ability to suppress or effectually control contagious animal diseases. He declares that not a single case of contagious pleuro-pneumonia has been alleged to exist among American cS'ttle shipped to British ports sinco March last. In the line of further precaution, the de . partment is now prepared to carry out the inspection of export cattle before shipment, provided for by the act of Aug. 30. Similar energy has been directed to our pork interests, the department having already undertaken the inspection called for by the same act. The Secretary strongly recommends an inspection law still more comprehensive, of all animals slaughtered for interstate or foreign trade. The present immunity of northern cattle from Texas fever he believes to be due to a general compliance with the regulations of the de. partment issued last spring, assurances to this effect having been received from large dealers in cattle, who report a conse. quent facilitation of this business, and a saving effected by reduced insurance rates* which, for the season, will aggregate over a million dollars.

Tho outlook for a home sugar industry is considered favorable. A good article of sugar is shown to have been produced protltabfy from sorghum, varieties of which, with large sugar contents, have been developed through the efforts of the Department of Agriculture. Analysis by the department chemist of beets grown in various States, seed distributed last spring, indicate a high per cent, of sugar, and affordswhat is regarded a 3 conclusive proof that large sections of country are adapted to the successful culture of the sugar beet. Practical results obtained in Nebraska and Kansas, he says, demonstrates the feasibility of home-grown sugar being cheaply manufactured. The Secretary announces the establishment of three national sugar experiment stations, devoted one each to cane, sorghum aud beet sugar. In the Bureau of Animal Industry arrangements have been perfected for a dairy division, the establishment of which has been delayed somewhat by the lack of necessary legislation. ...Co-operation with the experiment stations has been undertaken on important lines, including experiments with grasses iu the arid regions and the trial of new economic plants; the collection of agricultural statistics, of reports ©f tho growing crops and of the probable supply of staple products in the markets of the world. The production of raw silk as an indi* genous industry is referred to in not very encouraging terms, though its importance is emphasized by reference to the imports for raw silk, which have largely increased during the year and are valued for the year at upwards of $14,000,000, but the ne~ iCessity for favorable legislation, as well as for improvements in machiuery,is insisted upon. ■ ■ ■_ ._ j .; ■ Encouraging words are spoken with reference to flax culture. Secretary Rusk believes that the recent changes in the tariff on linens will serve to encourage manufacturers to provide a market for home grown liax. The possibility of serving the corngrowers throughout the country by extending the market for Indian corn in fors eign countries has engaged the Secretary's attention, with the result that he has ap* pointed a special agent abroad, having special qualifications for thi% duty, to in' vestigate and report upon the possibilities of promoting the consumption of Indian corn in European countries. In concluding his report he says: "A careful review of the events of the past year, and a general survey of the agricultural field to-day betoken marked improvement in the condition of our agriculturists and promise well for their future well being.” He ends by declaring that he looks forward with confidence to the "time when, in the high quality of its work as well as in the magnitude of its enterprise, tho agriculture of the United States shall not only lead other industries in this country, but shall be the leader ih this great industry of all other countries. ’•

Gustave Cartright, wife and child lived in a cabin six miles from Rockford, Sj. D., where he : worked a placer claim. * The family had recently got a Newfoundland dog, of which they thought a great deal. While the husband was working the claim the wife had occasion to punish the dog for something, and immediately thereafter went down to tho spring, which was about one hundred feet in tho rear of the house. She left the baby and dog in front of the house. On her return she discovered that the dog had attacked tho child and had literally eaten off its head. The mother gave one piercing slmek and fell senseless to the ground. Tho cry was heard by the trdaband, who hastened to the cabin, and seizing an ax killed the dog on the spot. The mother Is reported to obe a raving maniac.