Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-06-26
AGRICULTURAL.
Experiment Station at MOrgantOwn-A Short De-
sCripdon Of It's Work-AdyantageS Of
Dairy Farming.
special conssponaencs ofMe Reaister.

Special Correspondence ofthe Register.
MoRGANTowN, w. VA, June "a
Although the University students have
left for their homes and the town,
grounds and buildings, which were en-
livened by their presence, now wear a
lean and hungry look, one OF the institu-
tions connected with the University, al
though not department of it, is as
busy rs ever. About the Agricultural
Experiment Station there is the same
activity and industry as during the
school months. Investigations are be-
ing carried on with unilagging zeal, and
the work which is some measure to
take the. place of geological and botan-
zeal survey of the State, being COM
pleted as rapidly as the means at hand
will allow.
The Agricultural Experiment Station
as it stands here to-day, is the product
of the Halch bill, which passed Con-
greSS in 1855. Under it, the sum of
SIS, 900 year was given TO each of the
agricultural colleges established under
the act of 1862. The object of the APP
preparation was to conduct investiga-
tiOnS into subjects of especial agricul-
tural interest. With this appropriation
the present station was established, and
DR.. John A. Myers, a native West Vir-
gilman, but recently of Mississippi, was
chosen director. DIR. Myers began his
work in the summer of 1888,
and since then buildings worth
$4,000 have been erected, and
a creamery, chemical department, a
botanical department, department of
microscopy, and an chronological de-
partment established. Each branch of
work is presided over by a skillful scien-
fist whose department is fitted with all
modern appliances, and the most COM
plete and accurate Investigations are
carried on. The apparatus used in the
various works, all of which have been
Suppliep since DIR. Myers assumed con-
troll, cost between $1,000 and $4,000,
and in all respects the station is one of
the most thoroughly equipped in the
country.
WORK OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
The important work done at the agri-
cultural station is so little understood
by the majority of West Virginians that
a description of it cannot fail TO be OF
interest. The chemical department lies
at the foundation of all experimental
work done at the station. The balance
and the crucible have to determine re-
suits in everything. Soils are Analysed
before and after the experiments in
progress, and all vegetable and animal
products are subjected to the same care
full examination in this department.
Any soil sent to this department from
any point in West Virginia will be an
alyzcd, if it is evident that any good
will result from the analysis. When
this soil analysis is complete, it will, in
connection with geological survey,
make perfect soil map of the State.
The botanical department of the
station is occupied in the examination
of the flora of West Virginia, especially
the economic plants. At present the
department is engaged in the special
study Of the diseases of plants, such as
rust, fungus growths, etc. 1t Is also
completing, as rapidly as possible, list
of all the plants found in the State.
The operations of the chronological de-
partment are, as its name indicates,
limited to the study of insects OF vari-
Gus kinds found in West Virginia. 1t
has only been recently established, but
it promises to be one of the most valua-
hle branches of the station.
TIE CREAMERY.
Owing so the care which has been
given the creamery, and the bulletins
issued on that subject, many people
have formed the idea that the Agricul-
tural Station was only an immense
creamery. 1t will be seen from the
above that they are badly mistaken,
but the creamery is the department
which will probably arouse the most
practical interest. From study Of
West Virginia'S advantages, DR.. Myers
was lead to the belief that the dairy
would prove a highly profitable indus
try, and he has set about showing this
fact in a highly practical way. To-day
the creamery at the Station is manu-
featuring into butter all the milk which
the farmers from the surrounding coun-
try can supply, and that butter is sell
ing not at and 10 cents pound,
the regular market price, but
an average rate of % cents. 1t will be
interesting to West VirginiarS to know
that the mistress of the White House,
Mrs. S. Il. Elkins, Mrs. Secretary Win
dom, the DuqueSne Club of Pittsburg
and n number of other distinguished
perSonages and organizations are amoug
the customers of the West Virginia
creamery.
DAIRY FARMING.
In a brief interview DR.. Myers, the
efficient director, said: ''Our idea is that
West Virginia is prominently live
stock State, and the creamery is the
entering wedge in the development
of live stock interests. There are many
reasons why dairy farming should be
source Of abundant revenue to the farm
ers. II will convert the farm products into
an article always salable; it will i'm
prove instead Of injure the soil; it will
relieve the farmer Of the great risks OF
crop failure, and lessen the amount OF
labor he must eSpcnd. We have been
instrumental in starting number OF
creameries over the State, and all have
met with fair degree of success. l am
convinced that dairy farming will be-
come more popular the more the people
understand its advantages.