The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-16
THE BOARD or AGRICULTURE. -
Suggestions From the Commissioners Re-
port.


Suggestions From the Commissioners Re-
port.
The State Board Of Agriculture met
in quarterly session at the Exchange
Hotel last evening. President w. r.
Sutherlin in the chair. The other mem
bers present were: Major II. V. Gaines.
Colonel w. i. Wickham and Messrs.
Corbin and Palmer.
The annual report OF the Commissioner,
Colonel Thomas Whitehead, was read and
considered. and the board adjourned TO
meet again at 10 o'clock this morning,
when other members will have arrived.
In his report the Commissioner makes
a number Of recommendations, among
which is one of reducing into one act the
duties and the responsibilities Of the
Commissioner Of Agriculture and making
plain the powers Of the Board Of Agricul-
ture, especially in regard TO the inspec-
ton and control of fertilizers, and the
application of the fund arising from the
work of the laboratory of the department.
Under this head is shown a great in
crease in the consumption Of fertilizers,
il having more than doubled during the
incumbency Of the present Commissioner.
The reports of the chemist and that
of the inspector of fertilizers are very
full. showing the workings in detail of
the department in the control Of this
trade.
Attention is called to the fact that the
fertilizer fund amounts TO IS COO, is car
ried into the State treasury. while the
chemical wolk producing this sum is paid
out Of the agricultural appropriation,
taking nearly one-half Of that appro-
priaton.
The report sets forth an arrangement
r.-ftl h., Il nd mi ca1
College at Blacksburg, by which owners
Of mineral lands can have their ores
assayed without cost, and suggests that
Il similar arrangement could be made for
determining the diseases of plants and
animals, the character and habits Of
insects injurious to agriculture, with
remedies for these evils. as well as for
testing the purity and vitality of seeds.
The Commissioner believes this could
be done with proper legislation without
increasing the agricultural approprla-
ton.
The report shows improvement in the
cultivation of the soil of the State and its
production per acre.
He recommends the introduction of cot
ton into other counties than those now
cultivating it, as a diversitcation of
crops. 1.-THE increased value and con-
sumption Of cotton seed meal gives the
production of this staple a new impor-
lance"
The Commissioner calls particular at
tention TO the increased acreage and pro-
ducton per acre of wheat in the past two
years as well as the increased use Of
DhOsphates in connection Herewith.
He also finds an increase in the acre
age Of corn by the increased use OF en-
silage for stock.
He says the fruit crop in Virginia Is
the smallest for many years, except as
TO grapes, wine-maldng having become
a prominent industry.
He finds a large increase in the live
stock industry and improvement in the
grade.
He thinks large focks OF wool-bearing
sheep can get along without legislation
as to dogs. but that measures are neces-
sary for the protection Of hocks for NUT
ton and spring lambs.
That poultry-raising is fast becoming
a large and profitable industry.
Farmers Institutes are discussed and
legislation suggested to foster them.
Eleven were held this year, and very
valuable essays secured for publication.
The Commissioner suggests, in cOnnec-
ton with the farmers institutes and the
distribution of seed directed by law, that
a State farm be established, making field
experiments and producing the best seed
ana utilizing convict labor. He claims
that it can be made self-sustaining.
He insists that legislation is necessary
to accomplish much practical good in the
way of immigration, for the occupancy
of the waste lands Of the State or for
reliable labor.
He concludes by saying this year may
be considered fairly prosperous for the
farmer