Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-21
THE RGRTCJ-ITURAL BUREAU.


the former acts Of the Legislature es.
tablishing a Bureau Of Agriculture,
has been received with a considerable
degree OF adverse criticism, If not en-
phauc condemnation by that class of
our population most directly and deep
ly interested IN agriculture and immi-
grstion. This, however, we find upon
examination, to arise from anignorance
Of the provisions Of the bill and the
circumstances under which it was pre-
pared.
We are informed that the term for
which two Of the old Board were ap-
pointed has expired, that Gen. Jack
son, the President of the Board, has
intimated his purpose to resign, and
that the provisions Of this bill, in the
main, meet with his approval. So,
there IS really no autagonism between
the present bill and the views enter
tanned by tas members Of the old
Board.
That the Board as at present organ
lied has done most efficient service for
the State, none can deny. We confess
TO have been Of those who doubted the
efficacy Of the organization, as estab-
Eshed by the act Of 1873, and thought
the provisions for the appropriation to
have been too loosely drawn. In fact,
we did not hesitate to say as much;
but the excellent administrative
management Of the President, aided
by his associates and supple
mented by the truly great work
Of the Secretary, Col Kiuebrew,
on "The Resources Of Tennessee, - has
satisfied Us that the Legislature was
far wiser than we anticipated. But
what was not cumbersome and expen-
sive then, when a patriotic President
drew no salary and made no charge for
services, might prove to be in the fu-
tura, under different officials. both
severely cumbersome and expensive.
Hence the Importance, it may be the
necessity, Of the changes recon-
menled by Senator MarchbanLs.
We say changes, because the
bill is not q total adjustment yf the
Agricultural Bureau, but is intended to
place 1t upon a more Iastine, ec0nomi-
cal ana effective basis. TIE present
bill establishes "a Bureau Of Agricul-
ture, Statistics and Mines, under the
control Of one officer, who is 10 be APP
pointed 10y the Governor, with the al
vice and consent of the Senate, for four
years, and allowed a clerk. The salary
Of thi8 officer, the Commissioner, is
s., 500lper year, and travelling expenses,
provided such expenses do not exceed
$500 PeI.aunum. Il Is made his duty.
/. To collect specimens Of all Of the az
ricultural and mineral pr1ductsOfthe State.
and deposit The same In his room % the
Capitol, of which specimens he shall cause
a correct analysis 90 he made Of such as
may be deemed eNpe3leut, and record The
anne I'm a well bound book 60 be kept fo7
the purpose. >. l. shall he his duty also
10 obtain q fair sample Of all the fertilizers
offered r8r sale in the State, and have The
same analyza5 aud inspected, and If any
brand of fertilizers so tested bv said Com
missioner proves to be OF no practical
valae he shall make publication OF Che
same. 3. He shall also have under his os-
peCi D charge the study Of the different IN
secls that are injurious TO the various crops.
plants and fruits OF this state, examine
their habits and propagation, ana he shall
at various times, as DE- SHALL deem DC pro.
per, issue circulars IS 20 the probable mode
Of their destruction. 4. lie shall also have
under his especial charge the study IF tle
diseases OF tie grain, fruit and other crops
Of this State, and lie shall 40 various
times report upon remedies If said dis
eases. or any useful information OBJ said
subject. >. He shall also at his dis
C7etiOu, with She consent Of the Governor,
employ a chemist to assist him in making
analyses, and geOlogist 90 assist in making
minute surveys. and as far as
practicable, maps Of The various
counties composing the miner
al regions Of this State, which information
he shall from time 90 lime have printed IN
pamphlet form for distribution, and shall
continue this work until the whole OF the
mineral regions Ofthe State shall have been
surveyed and mapped all Of which shall
be done as rapidly as the means at the dis
posal Of the Commissioner will allow. 6.
1t shall likewise be the duty of The Com
missioner to collect statistics Oftha labor Cf
the Safe rs we'll Is the amount Of produce
shipped from the various railroad stations,
and landings on Davigable rivers # this
State; also the extent to which maDufaC-
turing is carried on ia tHis State-especial-
" Of cotton and iron. He shall also report
the special facilities Of the Sta.s for en-
gazing i'm such eutgTrrises-such as water
power, convenience Of coal and ore, con
tigllitv TO market. and such other facts as
may attract capital and labor TO the State.
AID upon ala Of these subjects he shall
make a biennial report to the legislature
Of this State"
To practically carry out the design
for which the department Is to be
created, the bill authorizes IN annual /
appropriation Of $4,000: out Of which !
to pay employees, expenses Of trans
portaton, printing, stationery, postage. !
assay Of minerals, and all other ex-
pcuses apperlaining to the department, |
in the administration Of which the |
Commissioner is directed to use every |
means TO attract capital and invite i'm
migration to the State.
We cannot, as at present advised, |
withhold our cordial appreciation Of
this bill Our agricultural interest isof
overwhelming Importance. The plan
proposed by Senator Marchbanks not
only looks to ITS protection ard ad-
vancement, but at the same time cx-
tends d guardian care to. our mining
and manufacturing resources and opens
wide our doors 20 healthful immigra-
ton