Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-20
lFOr the Dlspatch.l
IIVI II4U HI' IuVVII'I
Tho Agricultural InstitutiOnS.


In the Democratic platform occurs the
following:
80. We are in favor of a law requiring
the agricultural institutions of the State
TO be placed under the control OF practi-
cal farmers
The State has an Agricultural College
which was founded for the purpose of
teaching her farmer boys oil that is known
of the best agricultural practices and such
sciences relating to agriculture, with their
application, as would make its pupils
skill full, progressive. and above all sue
cessful farmers.
There is an agricultural experiment sta
ton attached to the college which was en-
dowed with $4,000 year for the purpose
of ascertaining and informing the farmers
how far and with what notifications the
most profitable methods and products of
other places may DO applicable TO our con-
ditions, and especially how by new pro-
cesses and new crops we can turn to our
advantage the peculiarities of our soils and
climate.
That we are not getting the desired bene-
fits from these institutions Is shown by
the discomfort and deStitution so general
amongst our farmers. The college has not
scattered abroad through the State in the
eighteen years Of its existence the expected
leaven of progressive and successful young
farmers, whose example and farms would
constitute practical schoolfor their neigh
bors. The experiment station has not made
itself known by us good works. OF the
quarterly bulletins Of progress required to
be issued to the farmers only two have APP
peared in the nearly two years of its exist
ence, and one of these was only list of
the fruit-trees and grape-yines planted at
the station.
The truckers of Norfolk and the fruit
growers of Piedmont have asked that the
station would make some investigations
that would be of benefit to them, but these
requests have not been needed.
The Democratic convention last summer,
aware that the farmers had just cause for
complaint, promised in its platform that #
their party was supported by the people
they would no longer allow these institu-
tons TO be controlled By gentlemen who,
engrossed in other and foreign avocations;
have no knowledge of the needs of our
agriculture and little interest in its pros
perity, and pledged itself that if power
was again cOnfided 20 them that law
should be passed requiring these institu-
tons to be placed under the control Of
practical farmers.
The farmers have done their part faith
fully and well. The gentlemen nominated
on this platform were triumphantly elect
ed. The farmers, trusting TO the honor
and good faith of the Democratic leaders,
rallied almost TO a man 10 their support.
and they are expecting the pledges and
promises of the platform 10 be fulfilled in
the spirit in which they were understood
during the canvass. The Governors re-
cent appointments did not give the expect
cd control OF these institutions 10 the
farmers. Ii therefore remains for the De-
mocratic majority in the Legislature to re-
deem the pledge of the party by enacting
such law as was declared for by the plat
form and demanded by tue Farmers As
sembly. If something is not done in thus
matter with what countenance can Demo-
cratic speakers hereafter face an audience
of farmers and ask their confidence and
trust tor Democratic candidates and policy.
Respectfully, IL. N. MAcEUDER.
Easthom, Va.