Brenham weekly banner. [volume] (Brenham, Tex.) 1877-1907, 1881-02-10
Horticulture.

Il SCutdlifC III liiC lCSlSldluIC lids
introduced a bill to be entitled
Gan act, for the promotion of
the agricultural interests OF Tex
as, and for the. collection and
distribution of scientific infor-
nation and statistics concern
ing the same" The bill was
referred to the house commit
tee on agricultural affairs and
has been reported on favora-
bly,.
The bill provides for the es-
adjustment by the state of a
Department of Agriculture to
be presided over and be under
the control and management of
one officer to be known as the
commissioner of agriculture.
The commissioner is to be ap-
pointed by the governor and
confirmed by the senate; said
commissioner is to be allowed
one clerk and is to have his Of
fee at the capitol.
He is to prepare under his
own direction a book, to be
known as the Handbook of
Texas, describing fully the geo
logical formation of the sever
al counties OF this state, with in
formation as to the general adap-
ton of the soil Of the various
counties for the productions of
the section in which they are
situated; and for the purpose of
giving more general and care
full estimate of the soil of the
counties of this state; and to OBJ
tain a correct analysis of the
same. A chemist is to be en-
ployed and is to have the use of
the instruments Of the A. and
M. college. The commissioner
is also authorized to employ a
geologist to assist him in max
ing a geological survey Of the
state, and for other purposes
that he may deem of interest to
the people. All information
obtained is to be collected, con-
densed and published by the
commission and furnished to
citizens and associations upon
such terms as the governor and
commissioner prescribes.
1t shall also be the duty of
the commissioner to provide for
the distribution of all the seeds
that the commissioner of agri-
culture of the United States
may desire to introduce into
the state of Texas, etc.
The commissioner is to have |
under his special charge. the
study of the various insects that
are injurious to the crops, plants
and fruits oft state, their hab- |
its and propagation, and he
shall issue circulars as to the
proper mode of their destruc-
ton, or prevention and any 9TH
er information he may deem of
to the citizens of
this state.
Said commissioner is also to
have under his charge the sub
ject of fertilizing and fertilizers,
and shall report upon the value
of any that may be found in the
state; stock raising and wool
culture as well as the disease of
sheep are to be investigated
and reported upon.
The commissioner is also TO
investigate the subject of ira
cation and wheat portions of
he state can be benefited there
~; also fencing, land drainage
md labor.
His salary is to be $4,000 per
,ear and that of the clerk not
exceeding $1,000. To carry out
he intention of the act the sum {
If $4,000 per annum is to be T
appropriated. I
In the main the objects pro-
,osed to be accomplished are /
,ood and would result in vast a
'enefit to the state, the duties
# the commissioner are proba- !
'ly more extensive and varied :
han one man is capable of per r
orming and the appropriation,
10000, will be found far too Q
mall for the accomplishment
f the objects proposed. If the !,
tatistics and information, as +
in the bill can be OBJ o
aimed, they should be publish P
d in book form and distributed
enerally throughout the Uni !;
ID States, Great Britain and in b
Europe; such a publication
'ould do much towards Undue u
lg immigration, but the force o
uthOrized by the bill to be en- +,
loyed and the money to be !
ppropriated will fall far short D .
f the object desired to be ac- u