Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-16
UNION AND AMERICAN
AGRICULTURAL BUREAU,
Third DAVIS ProceedIncs,

Third Days Proceedings
An members present, and also the chem
list elect, DR.. j. NJ. Stafford.
The proceedings, so far as the sugges-
tons made in reference to asking the direc-
tors of the various fairs to require detail
ed statement of the premium articles, were
read, and the intention was explained to be
that this should only be applicable TO the
premium articles CT agricultural products
and stock.
Prof Nicholson asked an extension of
time for preparing the circular letter to TIE
agricultural societies, and to be allowed to
submit it for approval to the President and
Secretary of the Board, which time and re-
quest were granted.
DR.. Stafford thought the soils Of the
State should be classified and an ANALYSIS
of each given, with a geological reference as
to the character of tie contiguous rocks
The reason why soils are sometimes, after
overcropping, restored by suffering them TO
lie fallow, is that the small particles of rock
which constitute soil and furnish the food
for plants are further disintegrated by the
action of the weather and atmosphere, and
so new supply of plant food is suppli, 4
It was suggested by the President that
the duties deyolving upon the chemist were
defined in the law creating he Bure al, one
of which was the analysis Of soils aud fer
tilizers. This portion of the law was for
the protection of the farmer in The use OF
commercial fertilizers.
Prof. Stafford said that he would like TO
do something more for the Bureau than to
make simple analysis of fertilizers. He
would like to classify the soils Of the Stale
He expressed the opinion that there was a
greater variety of soils in the State than IN
any other. In his classification, he would
leave out the geological idea, but not tie
geographical, as the value Of such a work
would depend upon knowing where certsin
soils prevail.
Mr.. Nicholson thought all makers Of fer
tilizeTs should be required to mark the name
on the bag with the ingredients comprising
the fertilizer. If then the article does not
come up to the representation, a Iemedy
exists in law for the protection OF the farmer.
He has to but send sample TO the Bureau
for analysis, and if it does not come up 10
the character given, he can have his re-
course upon the seller.
The idea was suggested that with few
changes in the geological map Of the State it
might be made an agricultural map, and
that such map would indicate at a glance
the adaptability Of the soils for the various
products of the State. The different cOlor-
ings would show where limestone soils,
sandy soils or alluvial soils prevail This
map should be published with the annual
report, and Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Crutfield
generously proposed to defray the expenses
Of the preparation Of such map, and rely
upon a future legislature to reimburse
them.
The following resolution was ofere and
adopted:
Resolved, That the Bureau chemist be
requested to prepare for publication a brief
paper, setting forth in plain terms what ill.,
gradients are of value in fertilizers; and
what are the relative values Of these ingre-
dents for the leading crops in the State.
When this essay IS prepared, the Prrsi-
dent shall have the same published in the
city papers, with request that the papers
throughout the State be requested 10 copy
the same.
Commissioner Hurt moved that the
President appoint two delegates to tho
Southern Agricultural Congress, which
meets in St. Louis on the fourth Monday
in May. j. NJ. Coulter, of Gibson, and +
Ewing, of Montgomery, were appointed
said delegates.
Commissioner Nicholson moved that the
President be required to prepare paper Oh
the subject of farm labor. Carried.
The Secretary moved that President
jackson and Commissioner HAYNES be ap-
pointed to represent this Bureau in the N
tiOnal Agricultural Association which meets
in st. Louis on the fourth Monday IN May
next.
Commissioner Nicholson offered a resolu.
ton that the President and Secretary pro-
cure persons to write essays on the follow.
ing subjects, which essays shall De pub.
lished as the one heretofore mentiOueu
l. Future Progress Of Agriculture in Ten
nessee. 2. The Relation Of Z iucatiou tC
the Farm. 3. The Horse Of Tennessee
4. The Cattle of Tennessee. .. The Sheei
of Tennessee. 6. The Relation of &c
ology TO the Farm.
The regular sessions Of the Board, by
resolution, takes place on the first Tuesday
in November and March, aud as much
Oftener as the President shall designate.
just before the adjournment, Mrs. Has
kell appeared before the members IF The
BOARD, and presented each member with Z
copy Of the Geology Of Tennessee, prepared
by DIR. Stafford. Whereupon Mr.. KllieOreW
offered the following resolution, " hich wa
unanimously adopted
Resolved, that the Lhanksof the members
Of the Bureau Of Agriculture are de, ant
are hereby extended to Mrs. Paralee Has
keil, State Librarian, for the veIy accep a
BILE and valuable gift of copies Of the GeoI
ogy of Tennessee, prepared by DR.. Stafford
State GeOlogisl; also for her kindly atten
tons and accommodations during this ses
sion of the Bureau.
The Bureau then adjourned sine die.