LETTER.

Last week we briefly noted the fact that Hon. J.B. Grinnell, of Iowa,
Secretary of the Committee of the National Cattle-Growers' Convention,
appointed to secure legislation for the protection of live stock from
contagious diseases, had issued a circular letter to the public. In this
letter he discusses with his usual intelligence and ability the
important question in hand. As it will form the basis of Congressional
discussion and prove an important factor in shaping legislation, we give
the letter space in our columns. Mr. Grinnell says:

To find a legitimate market for our surplus products is a
question of grave concern. After meeting home demands the
magnitude of foreign consumption determines in a large degree
the net profits of production. It thus becomes the especial
concern of the American agriculturist and statesman to find
the best market for meat products. The profits in
grain-raising for exportation, which impoverishes the soil,
are exceptional, while our animal industries enrich it,
augmenting the rural population in the line of true economy,
the promotion of good morals, and the independence and
elevation of the citizen. Under the laws of domestic animal
life gross farm products and rich, indigenous grasses are
condensed into values adapted to transportation across oceans
and to various climes with little waste or deterioration;
thus the brute a servant, becomes an auxiliary to the cunning
hand of his master, blending the factors which determine our
facilities for acquisition in rural life, and attractions
which stimulate enterprise, adventure, individual
independence, and contribute to National wealth.

THE MEAT PRODUCTS.

No nation has so large a relative portion of its wealth in
domestic animals, and none can show such strides in material
advancement during the present century. But what is our
foreign trade? The exports of provisions from the United
States during the last fiscal year were in value about
$107,000,000. Those in 1882 amounted to $120,000,000, equal
to a falling off in a single year of $13,000,000. Our exports
of manufactured articles for the last year aggregate
$211,000,000, against $103,000,000, a gain of $108,000,000 in
a single year. It was a reasonable expectation that our
animal exports would have increased in like ratio as the
manufactures,