The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-08
FOR THE FARMERS.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF AGRI-
CULTURE.

DRAINAGE or LAND.
Mr.. Corbin read the bill drafted by him
self 10 be presented 10 the General Assem-
blv about drainage. IL states that any per-
son or persons desiring 10 drain land and u
appearing that the drainage Of said land
affects.oihcr lands. then application Is 20 be
made 90 the Board Of supervisors and there
is 10 be appointed three appraisers. who
with a surveyor. shall assess the land dam
ages. The bill goes deeply into details how
all this routine work is 10 be done. If the
land Of others is benefited by the drainage,
then those persons are to pay for the bene-
fits and all claims acts as lien on the
| land. The appraisers and surveyor are 10
ret 81 Der day. All dissatisfaction Is 90 De
referred to the judge Of the County Court.
Mr. LYMAN read a bill on drainage
drafted by himself. His bin provides that
when citizens deem il proper for health or
welfare % run drainage ditch they shall
file that fact with the County Clerk ana
give bond when the petition IS nled Inc
route is 10 be located by survey nd the
same filed with the County Clerk. III any
of the owners Of land along the line shall
have complaint, 10 shall Dee bled
with the Board Of supervisors. where the
complaint Will bee heard. All persons claim
ing damages must file same i'm writing win
the county supervisors before the third day
Of session. else the failure Will De attributed
TO the owner of the land 10 have waived
conversation. II the supervisors ma the
ditch or drain necessary they shall proceed
10 locate and establish such ditch. drain or
water course. But if any application ior
conversation has been made. proceedings
shall stop. and the matter certified to the
county Judge who shall try the case ana as
sess the damages. The bill then gives the
usual details for it, operation. Both bills
- ON. calendar and Will NN
discussed and acted on this morning.
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Mr.. Lyman read a long letter from Hon.
Edward Wiletts, assistant secretary ol
Agriculture. on the nature ana value oil
farmers Institutes. lie was 10 have spoken
at the Farmers Assembly, but could not.
The letter suggests:
First. 4 limited appropriation for, say
live Institutes. perhaps ten, distributed M
three or i've grand divisions of the state
whose pioneer purpose shall be 20 cover the
conditions peculiar totheir divisions.
Second. 10 pay no man ANYTHING for an
address. If one is invited from district
locality, let his expenses be paid.
Third. BE sure that at least one half the
programme, il not more shall DE made mp
from the locality, and you VIII ma aiier
proper consideration that each locality Is
moved boz some special topic of interest.
There were other suggestions Of general
character.
Mr. Lyman read the bill proposed 10 be
offered i'm the General Assembly. IL pro-
yides that after the passage Of this act the
State Board of Agriculture Of Nirginia shall
organize and have conducted throughout
this State during the season most conNen-
lent % the agriculturists series OF ldfin-
ers' institutes for the instruction of citizens
81 I.f fIIIIl II lNrTI-
culture i'm its various branches. I'm select
Ing sections for said institute preference
shall be given 90 practical. successful farm
ers. possessing aptitude for the work. The
exercises shall Dee so arranged as to present
the result of the most recent Investigations
i'm practical agriculture.
The board is 90 apply exclusively to the
support of said institute any money which
may come into DO, possession under any act
which the Federal Congress may hereafter
pass in aid Of farmers Institutes. BIZ
monthly reports in detail are TO De made the
Governor.
ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
Major W. 4. suihorlin wrote long letter
DO Mr.. COrbin, chairman Of the committee,
explaining that hc had been sick ever since
he was i'm Richmond last. The letter Mr..
COrbin read TO the board. Major >utherlln
had been designated by the committee TO-
draft the bin ON roads, but which his illness
had prevented him from doing. The bill ON
roads was referred back 10 the committee.
The provisions of the bill are about as
follows. 10 is said: twill be general law
providing for the construction and mainte-
nance of ihe roads: il viii advise the em-
plOyment 10y the State (and at the expense
of the ~tate) all male convict. in the con-
structiOn of the main county roads under
survey and direction of state cadets OF the
Virginia Military Institute, who may grad
nate. and who may elect 90 render this
service 90 the state in lieu of the two years
teaching now demanded.
Further jurisdiction Of the subject will
be vested In tine board Of supervisors, and
not i'm county judges as heretofore.
The bin will provide for the abolition of
statutory labor as now cXicted Of the citi-
zens, or in lieu of this feature AN increase
of three days service, making total of
five days at thirty cents day. i'm the hope
that the average citizen Will pay Sl.jO
sooner than work the five days.
The bin will provide for the leyying Of a
direct tax upon all real and personal prop
prtv 90 maintain the road after ID is con- /
stTuctcd and put in order by the state. and /
no county is 90 have the benefit of the work |
of construction by the state unless 10 /
pledges its taxpayers to the expense of /
properly maintaining and keeping in /
thorough order the main roads which the /
State constructs.
Provision is made for the pay and election |
of a county road master. After the road is /
constructed and iu condition To be received /
for maintenance by the county. the super /
yisofs may exact q license wheel and h00f /
tax ON other than those engaged in agricul- !
ure or the transportation of agricultural |
products
SALE or FERTILIZERS.
Mr.. COrbin stated that the committee was /
ready 10 report the bin 10 Dee presented 90 /
the Legislature regulating the sale of fer I
tilizers in the state. Mr.. Lyman stated /
that while the committee WAS ready 10 RE- /
port, he thought it wiser 10 report this .
morning. There was present Mr. Wright. /
from the House Of Delegates. who was very
much interested IN fertilizers had intro /
duced a bill Ia regard 20 same and by this /
morning there would De an Interchange Of /
views.
Mr.. koincr chairman stated he was
gratitcd 10 see SO many members Of the /
General Assembly present, and invited any /
one present 20 speak on the matters before |
the board.
Mr. Wright read his bin now pending in
the General Assembly. lthad been modelled |
mainly ON the Georgia law. There was |
quite "a discussion, or rather interchange OF
views, on the question Of analyzlng icrii-
lizers.
DR.. Broadwater spoke q short while on
drainage matter In which be was in- /
terested-and at his request the two bills ON
the calendar bearing on the subject were
handed him 20 examine.
Mr. C0rbin read an interesting letter from
Germany. which was referred 10 the COM
mittee on immigration. The board adj
i0urned 10 meet this morning at . o'clock.
FISHERIES COMMISSIONER.