Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-02-15


pondingly increase the value oflands.
The distribution of seeds, as we'll as
the Interchange of seeds brought about
by the State Agricultural Department,
wouldsbe found to be mutually beneficial
to the States.
The diseases ofthe cereals is subject
about which the State Department Of
Agricnltuge could give valuable infor-
nation that is very much needed.
The Importance Of the subject Of fer
filters may not; he Acknowledged by
many who have not given it much
thought.s-The- State has.iong been de-
p,eted by worthless fertilizers. and it is
time that something was done to correct
this crying evil. The inadequacy Of the
present law is apparent, and the remedy
should be applied.
Tila,State Should brand the fertilizers
and notallow the Every oftenl dishonest
manufacturer do It. The State chemist
should give the analysis, and not the
Interested manipulation. as permitted by
the present law. This terrible fraud
must be, stopped, or our farmers will be
ruined. The Commissioner Of Agricul-
ture Of The State Of Georgia estimates
| that Georgia saved two million Of dol
lars year before last. and half q million
last year by requiring all fertilizers
brought into the State to be analysed by
the State chemist at the manufacturers,
expense, and monthly circulars to be
published. Georgia does not expend
more than Virginia for fertilizers, and
/ believe an incalculable amount would
be saved to our farmers. which is now
going to our Northern sharpers, princi-
pally wrilng from Our honest husband
men. This is enc of the secrets Of the
wantof success Of the farming interest,
which the State has the power to correct.
Is it not plain that the law now on our
statute book is imperative. and worse
than worthless practically to cure the
evil Of which we very justly complain
\ manufacturer IS now permitted to put
his own analysis on the bag, and then
fill It with an article far inferior to the
analysis. aud the credulous farmer. not
being an analytical is fieeced ALWAYS.
By requiring q disinterested agricultural
department to analyZe and brand all the
fertilizers. through It's county inspectors,
the farmer will soon know absolutely
what lie is buying, whether worthless
sand, or valuable phosphoric acid, with
the rest of the rich and costly chemical
constituents Of good fertilizer so es-
sential to plant life and growth. The
statistics published on this subject will
at once cause the thievng manufacturer
to raise the standard Of his fertilizer. or
be exposed by the damaging exhibit
showing the enormous difference be-
tween the real commercial cost Of the
article and the price asked by the MAN.
llfacturot. The farmer can then select
his fertilizer more intelfgentlT, and
with & view to & proper adaptation to
| his soil.
have thus, Mr.. Speaker, presented
some Of the reasons why, in my iudg-
ment. this General Assembly should
establish an agricultural department for
the State, believing that no more
/ important bill vii, Re considered here
/ this winter. It IS a necessity, and its
/ establishment IS only a matter Of time.
Shall Virginia have it nov, like NAM
OF the States, from Maine 10 Tennessee
/ and California, and from Georgia to
| Minnesota ana Kentucky, and al the
/ prosperous States Of tie Union, whose
/ iaralaajIs reports are now before YOU?
1 Or shan we continue to suffer and to
wait? Are not ournecessitjes sufficient
/ to demand Il now or shall they become
more glaring. more oppressive and more
intolcrable? What has the farmer ever
asked at the hands Of the State? Are
moi 4 large proportion Of the people
! agr:cultucists Who are among the
! largest taxpayers and supporters Of
| the government! This is very
oppoItune time fer the interests Of the
/ farmer to be taken seriously into COM
sidorat;on.
! IS VIII regret that have witnessed
the Indifference Of some to tlGs subject.
j am sure It IS not from a want Of
cultivated thought. Others again are
SO busy.W;.h then own peculiar interests
that the agriculturists are swept
( c0ntemptueuslv ont Of the way with
glance Of scorn and derision. Dc we
mean to sag by this that we care not
| for the material interests Of the State !;
or do we thereby admit our culpable
and Ellfui want Of acquaintance with
/ the real necessities Of the State? Intelli-
I gence can't be smothered. It won't
d9,gs at any ones bidding. Farmers
can't be prevented from becoming in
| telligont when all other classes are ad-
Yancing. Why, then, not take time by
, the forcloch and advance the agriculturist
/ a step with the balance Of the world.
Look at what other States are doing
North and south. VIII not this arouse
Us? It Is idle to say that Virginia will
submit longer t. the old ways Of the
dead past.
The fact IS. she can't afford TO neglect
her farming interests any longer. Our
land must be renewed in fertility, and
we must call i'll all the helps that science
gives us. Our foretathers and fathers
we're successful agricultarists, lust rs
! the people Of the new States and
Territories are at the present time !;
bat the agriculturists Of the past would
have to adopt q new order Of things
now. OF q want Of success would at
tend their efforts. One hundred wears
Of farming the same land will extract
the observation-disclosures Of the soil so
necessary as plant food to such an
extent as to render it sterile, unless
renewed. The wilkins Of the imprac-
ticables msst be sci aside and necessary
sid given 10 the bone and sinew" OF
the land 10 do this thing.
I therefore appeal to this Legislature
not 10 LET this good bill fail. It IS
fraught with Immense benefit to every
portion Of the State The people
depend on It. To q great degree the
prosperity Of our State depends upon
the advancement OF the agriculturist.
ard We simply go to the root OF cur
financial difficulties when We endeavor
to improve our lands, thereby increasing
their production. II IS the way ont Of
our pecunlary difficulties as State and
surely that alone should be enough to
secure The speedy passage Of this bill.
Tae Electoral Commission,
W AsE-rNszroN Tpb Q Tho n1nS.