Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-01-12
THE OLD DOMINION.
A Days'S Happenings as Told
by the Wires.
AGRICULTURAL REPORT.
Sena Or Stubs, of Gloucester De-
cides to Retire from the Legis-
re-WithdrawaI Of the Vigil
liant Company from the Fire
Department at Roanoke.

liant Company from the FIRE
Department at Roanoke.
The State board OF agriculture met in
Norfolk Tuesday Many matters pertaining
to the farming and mining interests OF Viz
ginia were considered. Comm 'ssloner
whitehead shbtn ted b report for the
titartcr endh December 81 il which he
made some important suggestions Below
is given The subs ance OF what he said
sS,tice the meeting Of the board, in Octd-
Der; the attention of the department has
been largely confined to getting out the an
nual report OF thu State board of agriculture
for 1893. The report this year was issued
earlier than heretofore, Notwithstanding the
fact that it was more voluminous and en-
tailed more work than any report since my
administration OF the Gffiirs OF this depart
ment. The range of Investigation bv the
toa.d Id matters pertaining to agriculture is
being more extended each year, especially in
the collection and publication of rel able
statistics AM glad to report to the board
that the bo5k has been well received, and
there We're Many complimentary notices In
regard to same id the various newspapers III
the State
'The fertilizer control. as exercised undet
the rules and regulations Of the board, has
afforded better protection to the farmers in
the matter of securing to them honest fert
lzers than ever before id the experience OF
the State. Much OF the trouble aud work of
investigation oh the complaint Of farmers
purchasing fertilizers grows out of their
neglect to follow the recomm ondations OF
the department in regard t. the purchasing
and sampling; minute instructions to in
spectors, with directions for purchasers, both
dealers and codsumefs Ind manufacturers
The present fertilizer law Is defective both
in manner of taxation for inspection and APP
pIjcation of th fund.- as we'll rs the pro-
vision for preventing and publishing viola
tions.
"The department has been used as
bureau OF information by the public and the
debartfi ats 6f the State and each year lit
erAture Of all descriptions bearing upon diff
iereHt agricultural did industrial Subjects
has beef dissem mated throughout the coun-
try. This work could be more advantage
ously prosecuted if there was legislation as
in many other States to enable statistics to
be collected through county officers.
"At this session OF the board ! would re-
epectfuly suggest that the following sub
! jeEts be considered aid some definite action
In rec ard to them be taken, viz:
"The establishment OF State weather
service in connection with the board of agrl-
culture. The establishment OF this bureau
would. without doubt, aid the department in
getting out crop Statistics, AMI especially
would it aid it from an economical stand
boihi, as all circulars seht out for these sta
tistics could, under this arrangement, be
| ranked thus saving to the department each
y mr. quite animeunt that is expended foi
postage. 1t would also give minute and ac>
curate climatic statistics from all sections
and in all seasons; -
"Tbe question 81 monthly bulletin, lef
undecided at the last meeting, should also
be disr osed of at this sess on OF the board, a
! 1t is The beginning OF the year, and the com
missioner s ould be advised on time What
expected Of him on tn line.
III would also suggest to the board that {
more Wig rous and definite policy in regar'
10 the holding of farmers's institute in tn
State Is earnestly asked for by many of tn
best in the State OF Virginia.
"The question OF immigration is one tina
Is undoubtedly closely connected with tn
agricultural interests Of the State 1t is tn
conccnsus of opinion that the outlook 70
immigration to Virginia wds never brighter
The board has. been working for some yea
upon this question without any adequat
legislation or appropriation. and the resu
OF their labors in keeping Virginia and II
resources before the eyes Of a migrator
public is about TO be realized. All that
needed is legislation to provide for a syst'
matte effort with the proper financial sur
port. The boarI with the means. at its dis
posal. has done something but cannot civ
the full financial support needed.
"Tbs report was accompanied by an a
count Of tho expenditures by the depart
ment for the quarter ending December 81
1888"