The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-03
APERPLEXING QUESTION.
WHAT MIR. KOTNER SAYS IN RELh-
ton 10 IMNIGRfTION.


and Vegetables.
Colonel Thomas Whitehcad's report Of the
State Board Of Agriculture has just been pub
lshed in pamphlet form and the following
excerpts are taken from the same:
Mr. Absalom Koincr, chairman ofthc Board.
has the following 10 say: Immigration still
continues to be mixed and perplexing qucs-
ton in Virginia. with but little prospect Of
immediate solution. There are conflicting
local interests giving rise 10 conflicting
theories For nearly twenty years the prevail
ing opinion has obtained that relief 10 our
agricultural interests can be found IN promot-
ing increased foreign immigration 70 the
State At intervals immigration boards ana
societies have been organized 10 that chd.
Agents with publications have been sent 10
foreign lands 10 furnish information and IN
ducc immigration, but all have proven almost
entire failures.
In view Of this. and for the purpose Of pro-
curing land purchasers rather than mos Ia
borers. the Board. on entering on rs duties.
decided 10 direct the attention OF the people
Of the States and Of our own state 70 the va
riety Of resources. not only agricultural bnt
otherwise, which may be developed INTO COM
pensating values. here under the public eye,
and bordering on the whaivcs Of domestic and
foreign
qualifications and ability who had already
made the subject a study and had experience
in such society organizations. was employed 10
visit the best fields of operations and pre- M
The advantages of the State 10y public adj
dresses and printed matter He succeeded DID,
awakening considerable enquiry and personal
visits 10 the State.
"A system Of reception and information
committees for the several counties were drS-
ignated by the agent 10 direct and protect the
coming strangers from the grasp ana lmposl-
ton Of sharpers who had done the cause of
immigration harm in the past, by taking adj
vantage of the uniformed, who IN most
cases departed from the state with damaS-
ing report.
PLAN ARRESTED.
The plan had fairly commenced when n
was arrested 10y hostile criticism and potential
influences and finally this plan WAS aban-
doned and the agent discontinued The old
plan Of publishing matter and sending IL
abroad 10y the mails and by newspaper pln-
hcatons was again adopted under the direc-
ton Of the Committee of Immigration. Al
most the entire funds. which could be spared
from the working operations of the depart
ment were devoted TO this object -1t On" ln-
stance Of those who still had confidence IN
TINS mOde-upOn the suppl-ltlon that the
publications should bee uumOrOu, and very
extended There has not yet been sufficient
time 10 make full proof Of tins work. The
Commissioner reports that thus far thc PIE
durics for land are less frequent and the Nlel-
tors diminished.
ION the other hand, it is regarded almost
forlorn hope TO attempt to work The foreign
field With the small resources of the depart
mcut: that il were better 10 direct our 81 'it,
in securing bctt0r handling of the most proc
ductive lands and secure the most profitable
results from the expenditure made ln short.
we need better farming rather than more az
tempts al farming.
"io the attainment If SD desirable AN end.
all are agreed That more attention. study aAt
education in the higher developments oi acrI-
culture have become necessary to a. success
full prosecution of this great industry.
FNMER, INSTITUTES.
The States most advanced in agriculture
have. for some years, been making liberal app
preparations for the purpose of conducting IN
the various sections lectures and colleagues Ou
the several branches of hu,haudry n which
are presented the most valuable result, oi tine
Experimentation of EWope England, and
the American stations. and the most advanced
practice ia general farming. These schools oi
instruction follow the analogy OF the ieacu-
er,' Institutes" u D.. sought 90 instruct the
farmer I'm the scientific principles which gov
ern the laboratory of nature. while evolving
the products of tine SOIL and To- enable BON .p
conduct lls mann ulailDnS m harmony Nltu
the same.
"Wmlcth sciences involved in How Plants
Grow may not unfold tie mystery. yet they
disclose the component~ lu thcr Nauou, Stage,
Of formation and transformation. W.l.l Du-
able, the husbaudman tO furnish thn rrDui-lt"
food. While generous Mother Earth. 90 an
ages has afforded "a subsistence a. man, yet
her kingdom is governed by fixed laws. which
must be respected IN order To- accomplish thc
best results. Ihcurts employed boa tine various
departments of huehandry 10y the advanced
thinkers and practitioners are keeping pace
INV ont .t.ff lItf f
age. and dare NOT bee neglected hy the Virginia
farmer Business VIII not brook tine delay Of
obsolete customs. II Is on the rail. and they
who would prosper must he IA timc-'all
aboard
MOVED TO THE COUNTRY.
"On account of the reduction of the salary
of the Commissioner lac has removed his
family 10 the country. II ls To be regretted
that his salary Is not sufficient to enable liu
10 visit the different portions OF the state and
make "a personal examination of the agicul-
ture Of the State and acqualnt himself with
the different sections. Also. that hc might Doe
able 10 devote more time To- study and iuNr~tl-
cation, which would enable hmm to report
more fully on the varied resources of the
State. The office is one OF great public im-
pOrtance TO the material Interests of the whole
State.
COMMISSIONER OF AGEICULTURE.
1T Is TO his department that strangers first
ing competition, between the States for capt.
tai and population. Virginia should bee fully
prepared to do herself Justice The immense
and varied resources, the diversified and ever
increasing industries which are required hv
law to be investigated and reported upon by
the Commissioner. would fully engage Il mas
Ger mind fully up in the sciences. arts and
modern appliances. The labor and high Quail
ihcatons necessary 90 a proper discharge oi
tins important work Is not compensated hy
salary which does not give 20 comfortable SUD
port at the place Of business IL is time that
the changed condition of business affairs
should be recognized and fully met
Capital enterprise and invention. with cu-
thusiasuc expectation ON tiptoe in the uin-
eru belt OF Virginia. have 'astonishci the ua-
tlves by transforming the mountain wiIds
and the retired shady wales into thoruehtarcs
of marvellous activity, connecting new town.
built in year, and tlourishng cities in a de-
cade. This wonderful ongong of develop
ment and prosperity cannot submit 10 tile
tedium of incident Indulgence and tho re-
hearsal Of early traditions The slogan. 'on-
ward. excelsior and wealth is sounded alone
the mountains and valleys the steam whistle
abridges distance and reduces cost. ellie
trclty endeavors 20 keep pace with the fight
of time; thought only is still IN the lead
speedy adjustment TO the situation must he
accomplished. OF we VIII bc Left 4 thor
ough and able presentation of the constantly
80 ,,h. al