Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-03
ABOUT OUR FARMERS.
ANNUAL REPORT or THe PRESIDENT
or THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
He Talks About Fertilizers, the State
Handbook, the Experimental Farm.
and other Matters.

Major w. T. Sutherlin, president OF the
State Board OF Agriculture. has prepared
and VIII in day or so forward his annual
report 70 the Governor. The paper deals
with the affairs Of the department and
with matters Of interest to agriculturists
Of Virginia generally. lis an interesting
document. Here it is in full
have the honor TO submit the fifth an
nuai report of the State Board of Agricul-
iure, TO which your attention Is invite1
The board has found itself somewhat
embarrassed by the terms OF approprla-
tions, while the amount has been somewhat
increased. There is lack Of authority from
the Legislature TO use any part of the fund
appropriated directly for immigration,
The annual appropriation OF $4,000 has.
by the largely-increased work OF the de-
partment, been insufficient Tor toe ex-
penses IN properly carrying out the inten.
ton of the Legislature and the wishes OF
the people. The amount received from
fertilizer fees and work in the laboratory
has IN the past been put in gross into the
treasury. The last appropriation act
struck out this prOviso, but II was too late
in the fscal year for the board to avail II
self OF II fully, and only part could be
used and Si.47l.62 was returned 10 the
treasury on the 30th OF September. Legs
ed in regard 10 fertilizer control and the
direct application of the money arising
from the work Of the department laoora-
tory.
FARMERS INSTITUTES.
The board has been quite successful IN
holding farmers Institutes in different sec
lions of the State. and while the attend
anee Of farmers has been generally small
the addresses Of the distinguished gentle
30 cd thoCA
have been so full and so valuable in the
interest OF agriculture and diversified
industries that the board has deemed
il proper 90 publish most of them IN the
annual report for the instruction OF the
people Of tho State.
The inspection and analyses ottertl'lZers
has been much Larger than IN any previous
wear and has been attended WIN RreaIly-
increased labor and cost
Bv action Of the Legislature the ex-
penses OF the department have been con-
siderably increased by the cost or trans.
portation of all officers and employees OF
the department, which was heretofore
granted free Of charge.
The VIRGINIA HANDBOOK.
The board hss taken active measures TO
secure at an early day the publication OF
a hand book. as required under the law.
IL is their purpose 70 make this handbook
az full as possible. embracing a report
of each county III the State as well as gen.
eral report embracing all the information
necessary 70 give full exhibit OF popula-
ton and products, &c. of the different cOun-
ties aud sections Of the state with an &C,
curate map of Virginia. and also map ana
chart of her geographical deposits Win
their location, together with such other
literature es may be deemed necessary for
the interest and information of the farmers
of Virginia and other persons seeking the
same Ii is their purpose 10 publish q
sufficient number of haDd-books with an
ample supply of other literature to supply
the farmers and others OF Virginia ana also !
for distribution among the Visitors AZ tne
Worlds Far, which will, IN the opinion or
the board, afford such facilities for making |
Virginia known as she has never been |
offered before.
CROPS ARE DIVERSIFIED.
II is o source of congratulation that the |
farmers of Virginia during the present !
wear have given more attention TO dlyersi-
fed crops than heretofore. and while their
surplus Of the various products will have
10 be disposed Of at low prices, they Will
have q better supply of food at home than
Tor many years previous.
We would respectfully submit tor your
consideration the enactment of such laws
gs Will secure full and accurate annual
statistical report as will furnish reliable
information as 10 population, crops OF the
various kinds, new industries, &C., &C., as
Will hereafter show in all respects the
growth and improvement OF the state IN
reliable form as Is provided for IN most OF
the States.
We would direct your special attention
e the very full and elaborate report of the
commissioner and the accompanying docu-
ments. and especially his suggestion for
the purchase of an experiment farm, to be
operated largely by convict labor under
tne direction of the board.
This Is q new question in this State. and
while the board is not fully prepared to
endorse the suggestions OF the COM
missioner they are of the opinion
that under proper regulation OF law II
might be operated with some profit to the
State and the experiments might furnish
the farmers and others in Virginia yalua-
bic and reliable information.
The operation and success In other
States are we'll worthy of your investlRa-
ton IN forming conclusion on this sub
ject.
PRAISE THE COMMISSIONER AND OTHERS.
We deem it proper to state that the
commissioner and all the employees nave
discharged their respective duties well
and in manner satisfactory TO the board.
We would most respectfully direct your
attention to the suggestions for legislation
on various subjects for the benefit of the
farmers of Virginia contained in our last
annual report for such action as you may
deem proper. We have seen no reason to
change our opinion upon the recommen-
dations then made, and hope that some
future Legislature will take up these vari-
Gus subjects and give them the considera-
ton we think they demand.
Respectfully submitted,
W. L. SUTHERLIS,
President.