The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-01-02

" q 4
ton was paid to tat least not enough to
bring any practical results. / was sorry
the legislature failed to provide for the
publication OF handbooks, but ! think the
Information are TO gather VIII be OF
very decided value to the state"
How will you secure the facts you
speak OFF,
Through our correspondents" said Colo
mel NesDItt. The department has an eX-
cellent corps of correspondents in all parts
OF the state, who WILL 1 am sure, take an
active interest in this particular work and
viii DO their share toward making this OF
real value to Georgia.
Colonel NeSbltt went on to speak of many
races OF interest to the people and the pup
location Of which to the outside world would
be of undOubted value to the state at large.
nope. he continued, soon to have TINS
work thoroughly organized and then l am
sure the statistics we want will be easily
AS he spoke the commissioner pointed to
pile OF papers neatly arranged on the desk
before him: There said he, are a lot
OF letters from our correspondents. They
are from men thoroughly equipped for their
work and the information they furnish
nave found to be very accurate. In my
last report to the governor urged the
value of d handbook such as has been got
ten out i'll the past and Governor Northen
Killed the bill which passed the house We
couId have made a handbook which. 1 be-
neve, would have been of great value to
the state; we Will, however get these sta
1istlcS up in the best possible shape and |
hope they Will do as much good | believe
There is no branch of the states gov
efnment which has SO much meaning to the
farmers as this department Of agriculture,
ana everything concerning it is of interest.
Since assuming his office, in 1890, Colonel
NeSDltt has been thrown III very close touch
with the great majority Of the people OF
the state and has won hearty endorsement
OF the administration Of the affairs OF his
ONCE. Colonel Nesbitt is a native of Chat
nam and was born in 1870. he was edu-
GATED in Marietta and at Athens and when
Georgia seeded had just reached man
hoods estate. He entered the war with
CoDp legion and was Il brave soldier.
At the close Of the war, though he had
been educated for a profession, he adopted
flaming us his life's work. and has been n
thorough, practical farmer ever since. He
mas held lew positions Of political impor-
tance, though always being active in the
bblQttlq gI OF ne schools and churches. In
poth larry and Cobb counties he has been
a member OF the county school board work
ing always for the betterment of the
SchoolS. lie has always succeeded in max
ing a good living on the farm.
Ills hfst political office was in 1868 when
ne ne represented the ninth district in the
state senate. When the office of commits
Sioner Of agriculture was made elective. in
1881, at the solicitation of friends in Cobb
ana Fairly, he became a candidate, received
elected in 1892
Colonel Nesbtt has unquestionably done
great deal for The department of agri-
culture ana has brought it in close touch
with the farmers of the state. A believer
IN sei-sustalninS farming and diversified
agriculture, he has done much by pen and
speech TO encourage improved methods in
farming. He has made severai departures
IN the publications OF the department thar
nave enlarged the field and the scope of
me department work His monthly reports
appear each month i'll the weekly papers of
me state, thereby reaching the farmers
directly. This has been done without any
ADDITIONAL expense to the department. The
commissioners monthly talks are fun of
valuable facts and valuable suggestions to
the farmers. He introduced an inquiry
column IN the reports inviting queries on
the part of the farmers and others rn1o
tive to practical and scientific agriculture
IN order to encourage study and research
into such matters, thus advancing agricul-
ment in farm methods.
Among the important matters in charge
of the department is that of the inspecfi0n
OF fertilizers. Here, too, Colonel Neshitt
has brought about a most important change
The lrst year OF his administration showed
system, necessity under the then existing
laws. and It's inadequacy to furnish that
perfect protection that should be accorded
the farmer in the purchase of fertilizers
lie, therefore, presented to the legislature
a bill which became law, providing for
inspection after the goods had left the
hands of the manufacturer or dealer co
that the actual goods consumed by the far
mer might be analysed. This does away
cilitate analyses, he had the state CHEMISTS
office located in the capitol, where he might
be under the direct supervision of the com
missioner
Realizing that the compensation of the
inspectors Of oils was beyond fair re-
muncratiOn for the work performed Colo
mel Nesbitt WAS a strong advocate of the
Limitation Of their fees. BY. this about SIS
600 is annually covered into the treasury for
the benefit of the school fund
Commissioner Nesbitt believes in econ
ony. Right at the beginning of his adj
minstration he greatly curtaled the eX-
penses OF the department by "a reduction
Of the clerical force without injuring the
efficiency of the department, doing this in
the most practical Way-by taking q large
share Of the labor upon his own shoulders
He is an ncessant worker and is not only
the nominal but the practical head of his
department.
81 believe that's what I'm here for" he
said when I found him with coat off sleeves
rolled up, hard at work in his office I'm
here to do my share of the work"
And he certainly does it.