The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-09
DRPARrMENT -0F -1GRICULTUHhE.

DEPARFAIENT rOF lAGRICULTUHE.
A bill has been introduced into the SEN
ate to create ga Department of Agriculture
for the State of Texas. The preamble re.
cites the benefits which have resulted to the
State from such organizations. The objects
Of this department VIII be the development
of the material resources of the State, and
the popular elevation of the people by the
promotion of agricultural, manufacturing
and other industrial interests, encouraging
the introduction and rearing of improved
breeds of domestic animals, and the adop-
ton of improved systems and Implements
of labor and the diffusion of information in
relation thereto. The business win be con-
Quoted by a board of one superintendent
and four directors, styled'the Texas State
Board of Agriculture, "and as body corpo-
rate, may have seal, power to acquire
SUD and be sued, etc in law and
equity. The board shall divide the State
into four agricultural districts, No contract,
oraward of said board shall exceed approprit
ationss ssOf the Legislature. The president and
directors OF the first society organized in
each county according to law and comply
ing with regulations Of the State board,
are recognized as the county board of said
county, ana annual fairs held and reported.
to the State board at which premiums are
distributed to the value Of $500, exclusive
of special prizes and of. all purses and
awards for racing, and such society, having
otherwise complied with al the regulations
OF the State board, shall be entitled to
500 from the State Treasury upon certif-
cate of superintendent and warrant Of Comp
troller. The superintendent shall collect,
classify and report annually to the Cover
nor, in tabular form, the productive indus
tries of the State, including acreage, agri-
cultural and horticultural products, the
number and kind of domestic ANIMALS i'm
ported and exported annually, relative
amount of provisions annually produced
and consumed in the State; may include
reports of State University, Agricultural
College, State Normal Schools and Military
Institute, and roll of other institutions of
learning, collegiate or academic. Shall In
ciude roster of civil and military officers of.
the State furnished by Secretary Of State
and Adjutant General shah give CONSOLE
dated report of county fairs. And such
meteorological and health tables as the State
Medical Board may prepare, and such sta
tistical information as may advance the de-
Partment.A Shall give general report Of ags
rioulturs and internal improvements, and
make such suggestions as may be beneficial.
The State shall furnish suitable rooms Ia
Austin for the exclusive use and control Of
the dsparEtmenE szs naa n,,sL EtT of go
J The superintendent shall be e1-e6Se0chair-
man Of the board and preside At its meet
ings. He shall receive annually for his ser
vices $4,000, payable sqnarterly. First SUI
perinteadent shall be appointed by the Gov
ernor, and hold office until January, 1873
Bis successor shall be elected at same time
and manner prescribed for the election of
Governor and other State officers. First.
directors shalIbe appointed by the Governor
and hold Office till January, 1876, and their
SUCCESSORS hchOssn by the county boards
composing the severalagriculturaI districts,
and shaIfhoId Office for two years and nm
til their successors are elected and qualified.
That the directors shall receive. such pay
as may be provided by Law for each day ac-
tually engaged on such board, and also for
each mile travelled to and from by direct
route. The number Of dayswill belimited,
and mileage only for attendance on one
meeting in each year, The first meeting Of
the board shall be in Austin, at the cali of
the superintendent. and afterwards as it
shall determine. Its transactions shall be
published and paid for out Of any appfopri-
ation for public printing. The assessor and
collector of each county shall require every
person, company or corporation IN his
county 10 report an agricultural, unanufac-
turing, industrial or stock interest in which
be or they may be engaged, and enter the
aggregate on blanks furnished by The board,
and return sane In thirty days to the Su-
perinte1dent. "A failure 70 do So shall be
cause oi removal The sum ot !. -
dollars Is appFopFiated from any unapprO-
Priated m0ney in the. treasury TO carry into
eject ths pr6visi6ns of ne aet. ssAct takes
efIect after its passage Such are the gems
eral features of the bill, 1t must be IA
mittsd that ihEill he. II prOpsrlg managed,
ofselyl great aa4anngSto the slat& Tt
win stimulate and aceelefate agricutu1a,
manufactunng and allindustral pursuits.
The raising Of stock and Improvement of
breeds viii be encouraged. TIE hehery,
avlafy ana agualiuIa GiIl also iorIn impor.
tant brsnches. Frpits and yeqeiables WIN
receive mon attention. InaWOrd, itWould.
be the awalconing % - ie.s-s he in
ihe stass, which NilI Eaiss ! hi wave Of
prosperity bearing on iis hcsoa into the
treasur5 q tha sints. rlilfons 81 dollars.
aCsnssny. onorsflss Faa11ns1 G EEuss
lIsaliry soeA a su1fiazyin tie coed ,1ofIz
they lI,vo hs 81 lor ne osd.ins eslssesi
Who. VIII dan siand up and 81 t,ai a in-
ion hich Vii hasten The nsteSial de-.
ssiapmora ofat1e state 6ughl Eotto Be e.
Ana clIcoufs Who s. nss d
pcpdcnt ciller ir'pnca ) g, rrInotelys
NOR ~ Grsng1rs and uonpfaclrrerIl 81
this any Il 5i1il Il.ors.ls ZEN nof a. 81
ola S1s IS ~ 70 SOP heS he
objects and 8 y y e fFon
The Department of Agriculture are 80 plain