The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-12-03
.dssGEsEssAL ooItsas.

people, and the conscqucnt lack Of prospsrity
that is becoming peiufdily evident In All
branches Of business. A Z strong sentiment has
thereby been developed In favor Of the establish
ment Of an educational institution devoted ex-
clusivcly to the promotion Of agriculture. The
| sentiment will probably force itself upon your
delibera tions in the form of demand for the
| founding of such an institution. The great
| preponderance of agricultural over oil other
| pursuits Of our people makes such demand
| entirely reasonable. The sharp competition
and great advance in all forms Of productive
industry all over the world, and especially
| upon this continent, renders compliance with
| it matter of necessity. The vast increase iu
| the facilities for International commercial inter-
course, in the multiplicity Of practical mechan-
ical inventions, in the adaptation Of scientific
| discoveries and, in general, the exigencies Of
| modern social life, imperatively demand that
| tho forces of education should be specialized
| and directed into technical channels. Ono Of
the conditions of success imposed by tho spirit
of the age is that young man must begin any
| pursuit with fair knowledge of what the
| world has already gained concerning il. Start
| ing without this and depending uponthe small
| annual incremen's of knowledge gained by
his own experience, he cannot hope to keep
| abreast of the current of progress and pros
perty moving around him.
Whether the resources of the State will bear
the expense of establishing aud supporting M
agricultural institution at this time, is ques-
ton to be decided by you who are the immcdl-
ate representatives of the people. Such an in
stitution should round out the circle of our
educational facilities without disturbing the
status of what has been already established.
To meet the wants of by far the larger part of
those who are TO be benefited, the course of
instruction should be directed TO practical
farm work upon the best models, and, at the
same time afford good academic training in
science and English branches. Tho provision
n, I,. L. ~
should be fully developed to afford ample
facilities for high scientific attachments to the
few whose means or mental abilities may enable
them to pursue higher course.
TIE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Department of Agriculture i, charged
generally with the promotion and advancement:
OF the agricultural interests of The State, and
especially with the protection of tho interest of
the State in the phosphate territory the prop
aSation and distribution Of fish the analysis
of fertilizers, to the end that frauds may be
prevented, and with the collection Of agrcul-
tural statistics.
The annual Report Of the Commissioner, in
Guiding the reports of the subordinate officials
connected with the Department, will be laid be-
fore you. 1t contains full tatements regarding
the work of the Department for the year 1886
The season during the yoar have not been
favorable throughout the State, and the abun-
dant harvest, for which tho people SO indus
triously struggled, has not been realized. In
addition to the loss sustained on account of the
seasons, and the low price Of cotton, much
property was destroyed by high water. These
considerations, following two years of short
crops, should impress upon the farmers, aud
all the people of the State, the Importance of
the slrictcst economy in the conduct of their
affairs.
Nothing has occurred to disturb tho couditi on
of farm labor. The relations between landlord
| and tenant are harmonious and pleasant, and
ali seem to be working for the advancement of
tho State. The same conditions exist in our
manufacturing institutions.
Upon these facts, considering the strikes and
strife, the discord aud destruction of property
that have been experienced else where, our
State should be congratulated and these facts
demonstrate the justice and the wisdom of
legislative vigilance in the matter of the rela-
tions bctreen employer and employee. The
statistics collected by the Department show u
large decrease in the amount of supplies pur.
chased by the farmers within the past few
years. In 1882 it was estimated that about
50 1000, 900 had been advanced on tho growing
crops; last year such advances only amounted
to about $50O0,00O. Such a reduction, oc-
curing in the years when the yield of the
crops was below an average, indicates progress
among our people in the management of their
affairs.
The analytical work Of the Department con-
sists chiefly Of the analysis of fertilizers, al
though tho examination of minerals, waters,
&c., a., has engaged part of the time and at
tention Of the Chemist.
The value Of the fertilizers used annually in
the State is about S., 600, 900. 1t is of the ut
most importance, therefore, that the strictest
supervision should be exercised, so that tho sale
of fraudulent fertilizers shall be prevented.
This important work the Department has en-.
deavored to perform. Difficulties are involved
in the adoption Of effective regulations, but the
Commissioner reports that the number Of brands
found deficient in essential ingredients is
rapidly decreasing, with corresponding in
crease in the chemical value of the fertilizers
The Department has & thoroughly equipped
laboratory, under the charge of q faithful and
efficient Chemist, and is prepared to make
analyses of any character.
Recently the services of Botanist and
Veterinary Surgeon have been secured. The
Botanist has examined number of specimens
Of grasses and plants.
The Veterinary Surgeon has visited various
sections Of the State to investigate contagious
disease, among farm stock. These officers will
continue their respective duties under the direc-
ton of the Board, and will publish monthly
articles of interest to the farmers of the State
The State weather Service, recently inaugu-
rated, has been Of great benefit in other sec
tions, and will be valuable here. Careful study
Of, and familiarity with, the system of weather
predictions will be interesting and profitable to
all who are engaged in farming or in stock
raising.
The Report of the Special Assistant shows
largely increased phoshato royalty received by
the State since the supervision of the phos-
phate territory was imposed upon the Depart
ment.
PENITENTIARY.
a. the beginning Of the last fiscal year there
were 945 prisoners confined in the Penitentary,
of whom 800 were colored, and 80 white.
During the year 553 prisoners were received,
Of whom GIG were colored, and 81 white. The
discharges during the year for various causes.
were 5l3, leaving in confinement at the end of