Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-04-25
State Agriculture.
THE BOARD OF AeR1CULTURE-THEE EXPERT
MENTAL STATION

1ue Dodlu VI Agriculture lcTeabeu unu0i
the provisions CT the act of the Legislature
approved March Bird, 1888. held its first
meeting in Richmond, and organized on the
18th instant. The law provides for mem
Der from each congressional district, who,
with the State Commissioner of Agricul-
ture, constitute the Board. No compensa-
ton for services is allowed. The actual ex-
penses of members of the Board are paid
out of the appropriation for conducting its
operations.
Hon. A. Koiner. of Augusta, was elected
President, and Major W. T. Sutherlin, OF
Danville, was appointed president pro tenn
pore. The Commissioner of Agriculture is
er-e6fcio Secretary and Treasurer.
Messrs. Koiner, Gaines and Whitehead
were appointed Committee to prepare
Bylaws.
Messrs. Sutherlin, Brown and Corbin,
compose the Committee on immigration.
Messrs. Koiner, Lyman and Beale, con-
stitute the Committee on farming interests.
The Commissioner of Agriculture was
directed to continue the conduct of the de-
partment in the manner as heretofore until
the next meeting of the Board.
The next meeting of the Board will be
on the 18th of May.
The Board of Visitors of the State Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College were in
session in Richmond also on the 18th in
slant.
The experimental station is established
at the College, and the Board under the
law appoints the officers. Colonel William
Ballard Preston, who for some years has
been farm Superintendent, was appointed
Director of the Station.
Mr.. Walker Bowman, of Lynchburg, ar
A. NJ. of the University of Virginia, who
has been four years ia Germany pursuing
his studies in Chemistry, was elected the
Chemist, but as he. does not intend to re-
iturn for some time, his father declined fol
him the appointment.
| Colonel Preston is sen of the late Col
onel James F. Preston, of Montgomery
and since graduating at the Virginia Mill
tary Institute, has had a continuous con
nection with the Col lege.
Captain G.. Julian Pratt, of Augusta
and A. G. Featherston, Esq, of Bedford
were both recommended for the Office O
Director, but the latter did not wish to b
considered candidate, if the salary at
tached was reduced from the amount origi
nally contemplated in connection with tn
office. That was reduced at the subsequen
meeting of the Board, after which the Di
rector was appointed. The salary is 81,
$780,
| Agriculture, in its multiform operations
has now received further recognition. tt
its proper development the laws of nature
must be observed by systematic processes
The great laboratory Of nature must be en-
tered by the application of the sciences ant
arts to explain the mysteries which have
been the subjects of conjecture only. Tht
Department of Agriculture was established
on this line of thought. AS the work opens
the need of an advisory body has been felt
hence the establishment of the Board o
Agriculture to direct and assist the Com
missioner of Agriculture I; but the Boart
a"e expressly prohibited from receiving an
pay for their services The scope of thei
c. ncern embraces the varied products, an,
capabilities of the soil of the whole State
their manipulation, utilization, the instru
mentalities employed and the live stock il
their great variety and values. To foste
diversified industries, to encourage immi
grafton with capital to collect statistic
relating to the various employments, ant
to publish for the information of the PEG
pie, not ouly the results of the investiga
tons in Virginia, but the instruction to b.
derived for the large expenditures MAGE b.
other States and countries, which, fare il
advance of us in this line of investigation
employing their most advanced thinkers
learned scientists, and practical operators
supported by appropriations more adequat
to full and thorough work than we Cal
afford. Let the tillers of the soil now TAX
fresh courage, introduce more system, ant
keep ARREST of the rapidly advancing age
The Board of Agriculture are representa-
tive farmers, and selected from every par
of thu State, and for talents, experience
AID interest in the important duties as
lsigned them, are the equals Of any tina
could have been chosen.
Agricultural knowledge and its progress
sive development by practical tests are sub
ljects which have long engaged the atten
ton of the gentleman who has been chosel
President of the Board, and in common
with his fellowcounty-men we take specia
pleasure in the recognition of bis ability b
the call for service in the general interes
of agriculture in the State.
|