The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-22

Armstrong. they were shown thrt ugh all ii
VI departments, Agricultural and me chanicai.
in the Colored Normal Institute. VIII ere there al
q about ono thousand negro and In dian pupil
" and so far as they had the on portunity I
Judge the Institute seemed 10 be exceedingl
r. well managed and conducting a large ayr
a cultural and mechanical work with perteC
:, system and order.
IN TIDr1yATLR.
- The board spent tho night at Norfolk
where the next morning they were met b
, Mr.. letters. editor of tho 'CornucOpia, al
q agricultural journal. who showed then
; through some OF the lare est and most elegan
u trucking farms of that section. and elaine.
. by some to be the best in the United States
This trip att rded an o pportunity TO man
or theIooard to learn q Teat deal about tn
: oyster and fish interests 0 ( Virginia. and from
what they saw and learne, from talking witt
, the people Of that section many OF them real
, IZed for the first time the immense wealth Of
the oyster and fish interes - of Virginia.
The board was also G elighted with the
great wealth Of the State. not only III its oys
ter and fish interests. out US trucking. farm.
ing and timber interests. a nd by tho location
Of tho cities and towns arc md the great At
lantic barbOr and cOaling station and their
connecting great trunk rally lays of the State
with direct ocean communi cation with the
world. assuring not only that section but the
State OF II brilliant future.
THIRD QUARTERLY VI sErING.
The third quarterly meeti pg Of the board
was held at the thrifty grow pg town Of Pu-
laski City. III association with ( be WoSld's Fair
! convention. They had the opportunity Of
meeting w.t. the farmers OF the great South
west. and after disposing of the business Of
the board a Farmers Institute was held.
which gave q eat satisfaction TO the farmers
and stock raise rs of that section
The board had the opportunity OF seeing
the develOpn, mt OF the great mineral and
agricultural resources OF that part Of the
State.
BIOLOGISTS.
Tire number Of minerals tested at the de
partruen and u 10 amount Of money spent by
owners of min eral lands in surveying and
testing their n lnerals. ~ well IS securing to
the STATE the knowledge of its varied re-
sources requires a competent g~eOlOgist and
minersfogist either as a separate department
or in cOuJunctldn with this.
The necesslty TO the farmers Of pure seeds
calls for some lie, ~,islation for bis protection.
LegislatI on providing for sale under guaran-
tee inspection and testing by a botanist Of
the department ia necessary to secure the
farmers of this Ste te against impure seeds.
SHEEP.
The board would respectfully recommend
such legislation as would protect sheep hus-
bandry from destf uction by dogs. Sheep
raising promises 10 become ono of the great
Industries of the State. To secure this they
deem II important. II not absolutely neces-
sary that SOME Legislation be had on this
subject as sn evidence OF the great importance |
of this matter.
A member of this hoard who takes a deem
interest in The sheep Industry has furnished
the following paper, winch IS published as
part of this Export.
The large number Of inquiries from parties
who desire to come 10 Virginia and engage in
sheep husbsEdJy Justly demands the serious
consideration Of the State Board of Agrlcul-
ture.
Many valuable additions to the export sheen
breeders and large Rdditie ms TO the number
OF sheep in the State have Aeen prevented be-
cause Of the absence Of any law protecting
them against the rsvages of dogs. In view
of these facts and of the large area of land I'M
and seeking purchasers. we urge the
recommendation of legislation TO foster and
encourage this industry in every possible
Five million sheep can be taken care Of
economically and proftably III addition to
the number already in the State. This
would give an annual additional income on a
estimate Of fifteen millions OF dollars.
PUBLIC ROADS.
The board is of the opinion that it is a rec
fact throughout the State of virginia
that something must he done 10 improve pub
nc roads. This they regard NJ one of the most
interests of the State.
They think 1t Is generally conceded that
this cannot be accomplished without Taxation
n some form. The great difficulty has been
to find some plan upon which the
people can agree. =
They call your special attention TO this sub
IN the hope that you may be ablo To- for -.
nulate and recommend TO the Legislature ,
'omo plan that Will meet the necessiti es Of o.,
he case. Virginia cannot grow and prosper :,
she should until something IS done TO i'm -
,roye her public highways. =,
The board, approaching the absolute neces- .
lty OF action on this question. will. If desired =
most cordially cooperate with YOU and the !
legislature IN the adoption of some plan that -
WI be acceptable 70 the people and accom- I
,lish the object. +
Captain Orris A. Browne. "A member of this -
'oard, presented for tho consideration Of the \
'oard. a most interesting paper III the form -
+ a bill, bnt the board deemed it proper not g
submit any, specific bill on this subject. n
to leave that 70 the executive and 80
he law making powers OF the State.
CONDITION or AdRICULTUR1STs.
The board is much gratifed at being able I,
D report the improvement in the condition h
{ the farmers Of Virginia. The fairly rood p
rops for the past two years that have found Isl
ready mrrket at reasonably compensating &c
financially. col
The board found tho agriculturists in the Ia
iherent sections visited by them generally to
4 good spirits, and much better satisfied .Qi
nan they have been for years. and they found Iii
ne agricultural interests of the State in all of iii
: different departments III much better con an
ition now than it has been ut any time since ah
10 war. fe
This wo think has been brought abopt ye
llef1y by diversified crops. and civine
eater attention 10 little things which have
ecu heretofore very mnch neglected. 80,
III Is a source OF great qualification TO the -
)ard 10 witness the most excellent exhibi- a."
Oh at the State Fair held in this city. IL is 10
1t only highly creditablc 10 the exhibitors w
1t reflects the highest credit upon the man Jos
.ement Tor rs great success. which has been ~
complished under many difficulties and in vi
unusually short time. aud We most heart ~
cOlnmend II TO the patronage and support -.
the people of the State. inc
The COMMISSIONERS REPORT. so
The board desires TO especially direct vorr cat
tentlon to thelyery intelligent. full and com for
obensive report of the Commissioned OF pc
which not only presents a state ear
ent Oh the expenses and financial condition .
discusses almost every interest connected !
III agriculture III the State IN a clear and sen
.boTate manner. ter
Many of the doiails in reference to the vari- un6
= subjects discussed by him, Will. we think BIO
found interesting not on:y bv your Excel. Nh
but - the people of the State. and we tho
'st respectfully commend it to your careful and
lsideration. " ele'
81 order Of the board. the COMMISSIONS dee