Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-05
THE AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
Meeting OF the Beard aud what They
hid.


Meeting OF the Beard and what They
Did.
The Bureau of Agriculture for the State
of Tennessee has been in session two
DAYS at the State Capitol. This Bureau
created by the last General Assembly, de-
spite the contracted auspices attending pro-
visions for its maintenance, is destined IN
its future 10 be Of more practical benefit TO
the State than any statutory measure de-
vised by the last Legislature, its objects as
declared in the bill being Of the greatest i'm
portsnce totIe people, especially the farm
ing community. 1t is composed OF
six commissioners, two being from
each division of the State, appoint
ed by the Governor and authoriz d
TO organize Bureau of Agriculture. The
Busesu is authorized moreover TO appoint
competent chemist, whose duty Is, at pro-
per times to make the requisite analyses OF
soils, minerals, msnures, agricultural pro
ducts, when ordered, and report the informa-
ton derived therefrom to the Secretary. The
sixth section If the act obligates the chem
ist to call on the Secretaries Of The County
Agricultural and Mechanical Societies for
samples of the agricultural fertilizers offered
for sale In their county or Counties, so IS to
examine the character and test the prsctl-
cal quality and utility Of them, affor ling
thereby protection TO the farmers from i'm
position of worthless articles. The
Secretary is compelled by law
To visit the different parts Of
the State, to publish an annual report of
such statistics and other inform alton as the
bureau may deem essential for the advance
meut of the agricultural interests and ma
terial development of the people. He is
also REQUIRED to include in his report the
methods of farming in use, the variety OF
crops a d stock raised, the special cauact'
ties and sptiLudes OF the soils, the needs OF
the farmers and all other available matters
conveying a proper idea of the State to prac
teal men. The secretary has Travelled over
three thousand miles, visiting nearly every
county in Middle Tennessee, several IN
West, and will soon visit E s5 Tennessee to
spend some time there. With this view 1t Is
deemed adyi able by the bureau to puollsh
regular account of the different coun les III
their first report, and for sue purposes, re-
liable gentlemen who ara able to collect
facts are earnestly requested 70 co-opera5e
with The secretary. rhe bureau commits
sioners yesterday decided that an amend
ment TO the law was necessary to ensure
the proper collection of statistics and II
was considered that the sum appropriated
by our Leg stature was less than that ap-
propriated by any other State in propotion
tothe amount of labor done. The synpp.
sis of the Secretary's report as presented
embraces the following subjects:
l. The law creating the Bureau.
2. Proceedings of the Commissioners 81
their Two IN etings.
8. A general view of the State.
4. A special aud detailed account Of the
eight natural divisions of the State, under
which, is moulded:
l The Uuaka.
3. The Valley of E ast Tennessee.
3. The Cum ,erland Plateau.
4. The Highlan r IN.
3. The Central Bssn.
6. The Valley of the Tennessee River.
7. The Plateau of West Tennessee.
8. The Anuvial Bottoms of the Missis-
sippi. -, =,
Under each of these divisions will be
given respective essays upon the following
subjects:
l. The culture Of cotton.
| 2. The culture of tobacco.
| 8. The culture of wheat.
| 4. The culture of barley.
5. The'culture of peanu s.
6. Future progress of agriculture In
Tennessee.
| 7. The relation of education to the farm.
8. The horse of Tennessee.
9. The cattle of Tennessee.
10. The sheep of Tennessee.
IL. The relation of geology to the farm.
IL. The farm labor of Tennessee.
I3. The grape culture of Tennessee.
IA. The grasses of Tennessee.
| Is. The bee culture of Tennessee.
| II, Tea and cranberry culture in Ten
nessee.
The Bureau has the following members:
Gen. W. II. jackson, Prof. Hunter Nichol-
son, Major r. B. Hunt, of Jackson, Hon.
A. B. Haynes, of. Shelby, Thomas Crutch-
field, of Chattanooga, and Col j. B.Kiie-
brew, who is Secretary to the Board. The
synopsis of the report was presented to Gov,
Brown yesterday, and His Excellency
found its proposed subject matter most
practicable and desirable for the State. He
expressed high appreciation of the efforts q
the Board, and stated that the measures
sought by the Bureau met general &C.
ceptance with the practical men of the
State. In the afternoon, by invitation, they
visited Gen. Harding at Belle Meade, where
they partOok of that excellent hospitality SC
characteristic Of this pleasant gen.
tleman. Though it was a private
entertainment, aud all newspaper men ex-
Guided, those present were much delight
ed. To use the ideas OF one of the guests
the party commenced on turkey, ETC., eXil
lerated with cider, improved with brandy
jolliied with champagne, and what they
closed with is unknown. Gen. Harding is
noted for his generous hospitality and gra-
cious entertainments. To day the Bureau
meet informally, and by invitation visit
Belle Meade to witness the steam process:
of removing stumps. We do not mean to
say Gen. Harding has steam up and =
stumping he field.