The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-22
MAJOR SUTHERLIN SPEAKS.
The President Of the State Board Of
Agriculture
MAKES 4 REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR.
Ne Discusses MANY Matters Of Importance
to immigration. AgricnjtuDe and Mining.
Work Of the Department Discussed.

Major w. i. Suthefiul' Ine piesiuent OF u
State Boar.N of Agriculture. 70 the Govern
OF Virginia 1t VIII be found to conta
much ~ site rest 10 all classes of reader
Mao SutbarLu says;
tn. limited appropriation by the Leeisl
turs AZ its last session has materially ahecte
it's osefulne.s They have, however. mad
such distribution. Of the funds as would
their Indictment be> , promote the agricul.ur,
interests OF the stat,
Hon. Absalom kot aer. the very able an
efficient president If ! he ooard. rendered hi
resignation. which was accepted the 2lth q
September. 1870. and I was elected % IN
board TO the position.
"iNMGRiTA IN
The board. Approaching he great impor
lance OF Immigration, afte, ihuch discus
sion aud consideration. mail. ' adopteu tht
plan for securing. II possible. hhnu-ooVhi
from each OF the different con 'h"es IN the
State. giving al the valuable inforn huVh NAV
immigrants would lkely need In SeleGths
homes. The Commissioner, under IL . ".ioc-
ton Of the board. proceeded at once 70 TAKE
steps to secure them.
ADVERTISING TIE STAFF.
The board also adopted q system of adver-
Using through the periodicals. and newspa
pers of Northern and Western States. Canads
and Europe. and much OF the matter pub
llSQeQ DIV tllS department was UlblElDuleQ III
foreign countries. The effort OF the board
was 10 secure immigrant. from the North and
Northwest as well as from Canada and tu
rope. IL being apparent that the great need ot
Virginia at this time IS more capital and more
people. with the knowledge OF the fact that
Virgins possesses a climate unsurpassed by
any State IN the Union. with an abundance of
the best timber and the largest deposit of
coal. iron. copper. gypsum, salt and other
minerals. with a fertile soil capable of pro-
ducing nearly all the crops low III any
country, together with her churches and pub
lie schools. generous and hospitable popula-
ton.
We feel sure that if We could only induce
people 10 come here and zee what we had
that thew would be disposed 20 settle among
us. We are encouraged 10 think that a large
portion OF tho 5000 people or more who have
settled IN Virginia In the last three years
were induced to do so in part, at least. by the
action Of the board. More than this. several
wealthy Northern men have purchased large
and elegant farms in the different localities of
the State, and are now living upon them.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
We deem it proper to say that the IN
settled condition of the public debt has pre-
vented some people and much capital from
coming 20 Virginia. and we trust that the
next Legislature will. II they can possibly DO
so on terms Just 10 the State. settle forever
this vexed question. We trust If II meets
your approval that through your aid the next
Legislature NAV be brought to see the great
need OF immigrants to Virginia, and make
such appropriation as will enable the board
TO make an enlarged and more energetic
move in this direction. We are Of opinion,
with the necessary means. a great deal moro
can be accomplished.
In October. 1888, the board adopted a most
vigorous and active policy on this subject and
secured the services of an immigrant agent-a
very intelligent. active and efficient man-to
push this work, but Just as they were about
TO make 1t a great success. as is shown by
after results, for the lack of means that sys-
tenn had TO be abandoned, and the system of
advertising, as heretofore referred TO. was sub
stituted.
II is gratifying to the board to be able TO
state that letters Of inquiry from persons out
SIDE OF the State desiring TO purchase lands.
and also 10 engage IN various ayocatiOns
within the State, are steadily increasing in
numbers.
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
The board in their efforts TO increase the m
terest in agriculture among our own people and
through the publications of our proceedings.
20 give valuable Information to persons out
eide of the State determined TO provide for
the establishment of farmers institutes. at
least in one In each congressional district in
the State. and appropriated the sum of S25Ofor
the establishments of each institute and adopted
a resolution stating that they would hold
"A farmers institute in an congressional dis
trict in the State upon the written petition
signed by 300 farmers in the district. request
ing them 10 do so. and pledging themselves In
attend under the action of the board.
-Four farmers institutes have been held. The ]
board was much gratlied with the deep in I
terest and enthusiasm manifested by the s
farmers at each place where institutes have I
been held. and they hope 10 see at an early day q
one held in each congressional district-in. J
deed we would be very glad. and think they
would be conducive of great good 10 the 8
farmers OF Virginia, If one were held in each L
senatorial district. and we might say in each l
OF the State. as provided for under v
the laws of our enlightened and progressive !
sister State. North Carolina.
REGISTRATION OF FARMERS. [
To facilitate the distribution Of informa. =
ton and TO place the farmers IF Nifcinia in 4,
easy communication with the Board and :,
commissioned of Agriculture. they author :,
lzed and directed that q book should be pro- .
vlded and the names secured with postoffice
of all the farmers of the State with
their agricultural specialties. This is a work t.
Of considerable labor, and requires time. In o
TO this date there has been received sc. 500 C
names and the list will be completed as soon a
b possible. %
Anumber of States requirethe commissioner G.
revenue or assessor of taxes 10 oil up such
of statistics as the Commissioner of q
Agriculture may furnish them providing by il
'eTvlces. Il
In view of the inquiry about Virginia and n. it
'apid development such an amendment 10 d
'ur avs would be of great advantage. Il
FEnTILIZERS. ,
The amendment TO the fertilizer law passed =,
~ the last Legislature gave TO the farmer bet +,
or protection. but 1t increased the labors of "
10 department without any increase Of "a. n.
'onue. ~
We think the law might be further amended ~,
o advantage by punishlng the offenders by n,
ndlctment rather than by suit. We also 90
blink that II would lie an improvement 10 re- ~
uire all sacks containing fertilizers 10 weigh an
hundred (200) pounds and taxed bv the II,
On. 70 be evidenced by labels. ~
This system would tax fertilizers sold and
OF the individuals who sold IL. and will not
A any way inlure the purchaser. With pro
or and sufficient penalties we think such at
law as tins would give greater satisfaction pr
D both buyer and seller, and not reduce the Ag
syenue for the State. IN,
The board will respectfully call vour s,ten- bu
on TO the law OF North Carolina ON this suL- wi
sct' IA copy Of which will be- fnrnisb,J Won ella
ne proximity Of North Carolina nnd V,r !
ma. close social and trade relations and on
lhiiarity OK crops render il highly proner be
ns' similar laws on this subject shonld e,ist lei
! ooeh states. A small tax under the nro- mC
isi0n OF such n law as we have ;ndica,sJ col
euaa IL applied to the purposes Of this bard