The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-12-04
people than at any time during the
administration of the present Board, or
of their predecessor"
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The Report OF the Commissioner of
Agriculture includes the reports of the
Special Assistant of the Agricultural
Department, the Chemist of the Depart.
ment and the Superintendent Of Fish.
cries.
The Commissioner collected during
the year S25, ,2G2.16 tax on commercial
fertilizers sold in the State from Novem.
Der 1, 1888, to October 81, 1884. The
regulations governing sale of fertilizers
in South Carolina are reported, and the
opinion is expressed that by the enforce
ment of these regulations ample protec.
ton is afft rded consumers.
During the past season 905 brands of
commercial manures were admitted to
sale in South Carolina.
| The laboratory of the Department was
completed in time for the execution of
the analyses of fertilizers, as is shown by
the report of the Chemist.
The Commissioner calls attention to
the necessary expenditure in protecting
the right aud interest of the State in the
phosphate territory, and recommends
that all the expenses incurred in litiga.
ton be refunded to the Department out
of the phosphate royalty.
The report of the Special Assistant in
the phosphate department shows that
the market for rock during the last year
was not as good as was anticipated when
the last report was made. This is altri.
buted to the short crops of the previous
year, not only in this country but in
Europe.
During The year ended August 81,
1884, ISL, ,2i3 tons Of rock we're. removed
from the nGvigable streams OF the State,
against 129, ,31S tons in 1888, an increase
of 21,925 tons. This is the largest
amount ever removed in any one year.
The State has received for the last fiscal
year royalty on rock mined amounting
to S153,791.62, which exceeds the sum
realized from this source in the previous
year by S2s,004.48. Several important
suits for recovery of royalty due and to
prevent trnspass on territory belonging
To the State have been in progress during
the year, Of which full statements are
made in the Report of the Commissioner.
Much attention has been given during
the year to the preparation Of the exhibit
of the State at the New Orleans Exposi-
&ion, and the Commissioner thinks that
this exhibit will be entirely successful.
Statistical information relating to the
area and yield of the principal crops is
| given. The report shows slight de.
crease in the area devoted to cotton and
corn in 1884 as compared with 1853, but
an increase in yield; and the area and
yield of wheat and oats were both
increased over the previous year.
The Commissioner recommends if the
census of population is ordered by the
Legislature. that the scope of the work
be 80 extended as to include agricultural
statistics.
STATE AGRICULTURAL AND MEcHANI-
CAL SOCIETY.
This Society, which was organized in
1855, has done much towards the devel-
opment of the material interests of the
State. During the civil war, all of its
buildings were destroyed and its endow.
ment was lost. For several years past
the General Assembly has annually
appropriated s2,5OO in aid of the Society.
The erection during the last year of a
building larger and more commodious
than any of those heretofore in use adds
greatly to the facilities for the display of
the product, on exhibition, as we'll as to
the comfort and convenience of the large
crowds which attend the annual Fairs of
the Society.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Annual Report of the State Board
of Health contains detailed statements
of the operations of the Board during
the year, together with much useful and
valuable Information.
The great Importance of preventive
and sanitary measures in contributing to
the health and prosperity of the people
is generally recognized. 1t is gratifying
to learn from the Report of the Board
that interest in this subject is increasing,
and that its Importance is more appreci-
ated than ever before in this State.
commend to your consideration the
recommendations as to changes in the
law which, in the opinion of the Board,
are needed for the better preservation of
the public health. In this connection
would call to your attention a subject
referred to in the Report ofthe State Board
and concerning which the National Board
Of Health has recently addressed me
communication. I refer to the preva.
lence of Asiatic cholera in Europe in
epidemic form and to the danger which
it threatens to the people of this ccun.
try.
During the last two years this scourge
has pressed steadily Westward, and it
has now a foothold in European ports,
whence have been brought to our shores
more than one of the epidemics from
which, in the past, the peop'e of this
country have suffered. While with our
facilities for communication and our
increased intercourse with foreign pow.
ers we may not be able to prevent this
disease from obtaining lodgment within
our borders, we can, by proper precaution,
mitigate the suferings which will attend
its progress should it make its appear.
ance in our midst. Warned by the his
tory of similar epidemics which have
visited thiH country, we should make
such preparation as may be possible to
enable us to escape this disease, or st
least to limit its ravages. To this end 1
would commend to your consideration
the recommendation of the National
Board of Health, that such legislation be
had as will put the State in good sanitary
condition, and that the State Board of
Health be provided with every facility
for aiding and directing the local author
ities in their sanitary work.
STATE HOUSE.
The General Assembly, by concur.
rent resolution passed in December, 1882,
requested ME to obtain estimates of the
cost of completing the State House in
detail, according to the original design.
Mr.. j. R. NIiernsee, Of Baltimore, Mary.
land, the architect who designed the
building and who superintended its
construction until the work was stopped
in 1864, WAS employed by me TO make