The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-24
AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
INTERESTING MEETING OF THE
BOARD.
The Report of Commissioner Whitehead
Public Roadways-Analysis Of Soils
work Done In the Omce-saviDg by the
Fertilizer Law

terday morning in the Office oil commas
sioner Whitehead. The following mem
bers were presents President Absalom
Koiner of Augusta, Judge X. J.. Henley of
James City county, Judge X. NJ. Mallory oil
Brunswick, Captain Orris \. Browne OF
Northampton, ;. Wexford Corbin Of King
George, and Commissioner Thomas White
head.
The report of the Finance Committee was
adopted, in which 1t was shown mat by the
execution Of the fertilizer law. the fees re-
ceived had exceeded the expenses OF the en-
tire department 10y over 500.
The meeting then took recess untll :
O'Clock.
EVENING SESSION.
At the evening session Judge Henley re
ported as 10 expenditures 10 be incurred in
attending the Farmers Institute. AT the
morning session a point was raised as 10
whether the department could use heir
funds for that purpose. His report was
favorable, ii stating that such attendance
/ wOuld be of benefit to the agricultural IN
terests Of the state, and therefore be just
and right for the Board to make the eXpeh-
diture so long as a reasonable sum was eN-
penued.
/
his report as to the work done and money
expended in the fiscal year endihg Seplehl-
Der 80 1890 He said.
"rhe approprlntlon made for the Depart
menf was $4,000. The new fertilizer law
| ia oduced as 100, and out OF this the cost OF
carrying out the law was first 10 re pau.
THIS was s3O3117. leaving so,o 90 80 70 70
into the treasury in part payment OF me
$4,000 The Board applied 10 me Attorn ~ :
General for his opinion The Auditor having
Chained that al funds collected from Inc lei
tilizer law should he paid into the treasury,
| decreasing $4,000 without reference 10 the
cost Of laboratory and chemist Inc Boaru en-
deayOfed to adjust this difference without
success and being unable 10 make case iof
the judicial decree, they nave suDinltteu ~
/ the ruling Of the Auditor. , ~,
| Ofthe $4,000 appropriated only $751; .02
has been expended for all purposes, anu .ilS
fertilizer fund paid by your COMMISSIONER
into the treasury, is 50, 400
i VIRGINIA As SHE IS
The report that is 10 be made TO the Gov
ernur by the Commissioner was also read.
He stated that the handbook, Virginia AS
She Is has been IN much demand and the
supply exhausted. Five thousand copies
had been printed. The demand for such
book. with maps, railroad information, ETC.,
would be of great value in attracting
capital.
1ne changing of the registration fee from
500 to 500 had increased the work fthe De
partment very much. The system protecls
The farmers however. and has proven very
satisfactory to the purchasers ana consumers
of fertilizers. The guaranteed sample sys-
TEN has also proved advantageous TO the
farmer.
Large numbers Of specimens of ma RS
| from IideWatcr, Va, have been tested ana
analyzed. those Of he citizens on whose
lands good beds have been found nave betn
urged to use them. Underwater mas wealth.
i'm these deposits, restoring fertility 10 the
worn out lands of that section OF the state.
ANALYSIS OF SOILS.
The law recurring the chemist Of the De
partment to analyZe soils sent by owners OF
lands in the state has been carried out. There
mas also been large number Of ores, stones,
minerals. mineral waters, etc. sent 10
the chemist. but the absence OF apparatus
had made the analysis OF some OF them III
complete. I'LL, =,
the Piedmont and southwest districts. have
greatly increased. New mines are reported
as being opened, and putting out large guam
titles of IRON. zinc, coal, elc. MahuIacluIes
have also increased more rapidly than last
wear The explorations IN the mining depart
ment have been larger and fuller analysis
and essays more complete, and the discovery
OF minerals OF excellent Nuiue nteil hinue III
several parts OF the STATE. Especially is TINS
true of manganese. fire-clay, magnetic iron,
marble. and STATE.
A cabinet of minerals has been collected
| and added 10 eiti year, 80 lilti 1T lItNtuA IL
| ranks with any cabinet Of the country. The
| specimens have not been classified or cata-
lOgued, which should be done. Specimens
should be sent the Department Of sOapslOue,
| brOwnstOne. and pWDle.
| Apparatus for the smelling Of ores anc
| making analysis of these constituent metals
would be of great value 10 the people OF the
state.
ROTATION OF CROPS
Greater attention Is being paid the rotation
| Of la.4 il "a
| noticeable that improved and labOr-sa saving
machinery is being used, an increased diver
slfcatiOn Of crops. and an acreage uI clover
and peas for improving the SOIL. com ana
OATS are raised AT a clean loss every
| wear 10 a less extent, this is true as
10 tobacco and wheat The raising Of a
nOndcscript crop of tobacco has the elect OF
making the good crop sell for low price.
This wear the acreage Of the tobacco crop Is
| decreased and the quality greatly improved.
Light tobacco is being raised 10 great eX-
tent where dark tobacco has been raised be-
| fore
There has also been decided increase in
the making Of ensilage. Correspondents re
port a good crop of corn, tobacco, hay, pea
NUS, an inferior crop OF wheat and oats, ana
a good crop of early potatoes. The melon
crop was good and fairly remuneatiVe.
AGRICULTURE DEPRESSED.
Gardening and fruit growing are about as
they have been for several years as 10 the
acreage and the attention shown them. one
fifth Of the apple crop was a success this
year The crop of grapes were good when
proper attention was shown them. J he frost
| of early spring destroyed most of the fruit.
| There has not been such general failure for
several years. the advantages Of the Stale ms
10 climate and soil being exactly the con-
trary.
That general agriculture is depressed Is
| everywhere conceded. EXactOns, burdens.
and restrictions. impercepiibly growing year
and year, "A surplus of uncultivated land, and
Z # 90 fal
ship and cultivation Of land IN majority OF
the counties merely TO the securing of sup
port for the Owner and his family
Good roads and the drainage of private es-
tDtes are of paramount advantage To the
| farmers of the state. Inc United states
| department of Agriculture has not sent any
seeds 10 this Department. The dairylng and
livestock interests of the state have in
creased In the raising Of hogs there has
been no change.
The report was adopted after several UNI
important changes had been made.
PUBLIC ROADwAYs.
Colonel smith, Major Gaines Mr.. COrbin,
and Judge Henley discussed at length the
question of roads, after which Major Gaines
offered resolution that the Commissioner
of Agriculture be instructed to invite some
competent engineer TO read a paper
before the next Farmers Institute next
YEAR, upon the necessity, economy, and
ameliorating influences OF good system
of public rOadways upon the welfare and
progress of a community.
A motion was adopted that Judge Hen
lev as president of the Board, should make
supplemental report to the Governor.
1t was afterwards announced that Col
onel W. l.. Cutshaw would be asked TO de-
liver an address.
Atll:l5 the Board adjourned TO meet at
10 o'clock this morning. at which time 1t Is
expected the Immigration Committee will
make a report.
Police Court.
Robert Frayser (colored) was charged with
being suspicious character. He was COM
mitted in Default of 500 security for good be-
| haViOr for twelve months.
Robert Curtis and Robert Frayser, stealing
four chickens, were found guilty ofpetit lar
ceny. and sent on TO the grand jury.
Eliza cambridge, charged with using IN
decent language on the street, was commit
ted ia default Of 500 security for good be-
| haVior for thirty days
! Willie Winston ;cOlOred), fighting I'm the
street. Committed for thirty days In default
| OF security.
| ,.aA a