Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-11

of business. 1t is time that the changed
condition cf business affairs should DO REQ
ognized and fully met. 7e
"Capital, enterprise and inVea ton. swies
enthusiastic expectation on tiItoe3 IN tbe
mineral belt of Virginia, have 'astonished
the natives by Transforming the mountain
wilds and the retired shady wales into thor
oughfares of marvellous activity, connect
ing new towns, built in a year, and flourish
ing cities in decade. This wonderful on
going of development and prosperity cannot
submit to the tedium of indolent indulgence
and the rehearsal of early traditions. The
slogan, onward, excelsior and wealth. II
sounded along the mountains snd valleys
the steam whistle abridges distance and re-
duces cost: electricity endeavors to keep
pace with the flight of time ;thought only il
still in the lead. A speedy adjustment te
the situation must be accomplished, or we
will be left.' A thorough and able pre-
sentation of the constantly recurring new
phases and subjects of great State interest
should be made, not only to the Govern
ment, but also to the people; and to thai
end they should be kept we'll in hand TO:
the distribution of the latest information =
COMMISSIONER REPORT.
The Commissioner, Colonel Whitehead
makes the following report:
"The appropriation made to the depart
ment was $4,000. The new fertilizer Law
produced So, 100, and out of this the cost O.
carrying out that law was first to be paid
This was So, ,034. 12. leaving S.. .065 38; which
went into the treasury in part payment Of
the appropriation of $4,000.
"The Auditor decided that the sums paid
out by warrant of this department for ex-
penses of chemical department we're to be
deducted from the $4,000 appropriated,
and that the Board could expend no more
than $40, ,00O unless the fertilizer funds ex
ceeded $4,000. and then could only expend
such excess.
"The Board applied to the Attorney Gen
eral for his opinion, believing that undel
the new fertilizer law the chemical depart
ment was to be supported first out of the
fertilizer fund, and then any balance ol
that fund would go into the treasury of the
State; and that SO, 900 should be to theil
credit, to be repaid only by any excess oi
receipts over expenditures in the execution
of the fertilizer law. if any such excess.
.sThe opinion of the Attorney Genera
was received, which the Board believed
sustained them; but as no case could DC
made for judicial decision before the $1O, O0(
was exhausted, nothing was done, and the
Board proceeded to restrict their expendi-
lures inside the $4,000. necessarily cul-
failing immigration and other subjects or
account of the increased cost of the
chemical department under the new act.
ssOf the SIC, 900 appropriated. the Board
has expended $S, 446. %, So, 034 IL of which
sum was for the chemical department fol
seven months under the new fertilizer act.
ssThere has been paid to the State Treas
urer So, 100 under the new act aud $3Ol
under the old law, making $S. 400 paid by
this department into the Treasury during
the fiscal year-a sum lacking ouiy $46 %
of the whole amount expended for the an
nual appropriation, and this balance is re-
duced $41. .3S, reported in contingent fund
received from county immigration agents.
making the excess of expenditures of the
department over receipts 81 81"
REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR,
The following report is made to Governor
Mckinney by the Commissioner:
"The original act creating Department
of Agriculture directed the Commissioner
of Agriculture to perform certain specific
duties and make report, and these have
been re.enacted and embodied in the Code
of 1887. I respectfully report on these in
the order named in the Code:
''First. HE shall prepare, under his own
direction. a hand book My last report
describes book, Virginia As She Ia. pre-
pared by order of the board, with special!
reference to immigration. Five thousand
copies were printed, and at the last session
of the General Assembly about one half
had been put in circulation throughout the
Union.
"The demand tor the book by people in
the State was so pressing upon members OF
the General Assembly that but small sup
ply remained at the close of the session, aud
these were soon exhausted by applications
from the North, England. Ireland and SCOT
land, and hundreds of applicants from
every section of the country and Europe
have failed to be supplied.
"In view of the demand for economy in
the Immigration Department, toe board
declined to republish tho book, and select
ed cheaper style of literature to send to
applicants for information about Virginia.
'sThe demand for a handbook of tho
State, and for such book as thai describ.
ed, with maps, railroad Information, &c !,
is still asked for By correspondents in and
all before collected and published in former
hand books. and giving the resources Of the
State-miueral aud agricultural-as they
are now known. would be of great valne 10
attracting outside capital and population,
as well as Of great interest to our own peo-
pie.
and Analysis of Fertilizers sold in this
IF OF
the board organized the chemical depart
ment and laboratory work under the law
passed By tha last General Assembly.
"Ihis act changed the law from brand
registration fee of $50 to genera, registra.
tiou fee of $10O. allowing the manufactures
to register and sell as many brands as he
chose This greatly increased tho work of
the department., from the Commissioner
down to the porter.
REVENUE PRODUCED.
"The work of thu chemical department
under this law, has produced a revenue Of
IS. 100 to September 80, 1890, which, With
$500 received after Both September, 1890
makes $S, 400.
s'The chemists report will show the
number of brands tskea by the inspector
and analysed, as we'll as the number an
alyzed on agreement of bayer and seller,
also a number analysed for alliances, clube
&c., contemplating purchase.
81 have, by bulletins of analysis monthly
during the planting and sowing seasons
and BY circulars of advice in regard to fer
tilizers, endeavored to secure farmer
against deceiving themselves. or being de
ceived by others, and am satisfied with the
success.
"Duriug the year a very large lumber o
marls from Tidewster Virginia have beel
tested and analysed, and those cn whose
lands good beds have been found have beel
urged to use them in every way as CON
post beds and for lining grass lands; ant
where they are eocene (phosphatico or green
sand marD, as basis or mixture for home
made fertilizers. CottoL.seed meal ant
the meal of the sofa besn and COW pea.add
ed to good green sand mari, has been foun
fertilizer of value.
.'There is no doubt that Tidewatsr ha
wealth in these deposits, and that they ca
and will be the means of restoring fsrtilis
to the worn-ous lands of this valuable sec
n