Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-06

lars Of those held In Virginia under the
| auspices OF the State Board Of Agricul-
| tHre. 1t IS conceded that no industrial
| class has greater need OF specific informa-
| ton and education IN regard TO the pro-
! fitable production Of what they sell than
| the agriculturists. When the prices OF
| agricultural products are low. the mar
kets glutted and depressed. everything
| that tends TO cheap production or en-
| nance the market prices is important,
whether on planting. cultivation, gather
Ing, transportation, or marketing field
crops. or In the selection OF stock the
1 rearing. handling, and sale OF animals
| and poultry; or the production of milk,
| butter. and cheese, or the plant
ing, cultivation, pruning, gathering.
packing. and preserving Of fruit. So.
also, in these latter days, Is the great
value OF preventing the depreciation OF
insect and fungus diseases. The environ
ments Of the man who depends on the
soil for his living are such that he needs
the experience Of everybody that has gone
before him, IL he can secure 1t.
THE APPLICATION OF SCIENCE.
Book farming has, in these latter days.
been tested: science has been applied to
the smallest, humblest, and cheapest in
dustries. and for the benefit of the tiller
OF the soil. for the classes that feed the
world. publications Of the researches and
experiments OF the ablest scientists, aid
ed by the appropriations OF governments.
have been scattered free among the peo-
pie, and men have made money in agrl-
cultural Industries dlsregarded and never
utilized In Virginia before the war. The
old planters OF cotton and tobacco in the
South never dreamed OF the millions OF
dollars from melons. turnip-salad. truck.
and small fruits. Southern poultry was
consumed by the family and the big
meetings" and dairying consisted Of hav-
.ng plenty OF butter and buttermilk for
the hands" Spring chicken" Candle
eggs." ''gilt-edged Jersey butter" and
'aerated milk" are results OF science and
education. Just here the farmers insti-
tutes come in. II is said that the
English Department had a scientific
dairy carried around on wheels to
each butter making In the rural
districts. Now New York appropriates
$1,000 per annum; Pennsylvania, $500;
Michigan. Wisconsin, and other North
western States, from 1900 TO $500, and
ohio si5 to each county. to be supple
mented by each board OF supervisors.
North Carolina provides by law that the
Commissioner Of Agriculture shall hold
an institute once in two years. in every
eeeding. and the farmers are said 10 take
great interest in them.
The State Board Of Agriculture OF this |
state at first appropriated $50 for an |
institute In each congressional district. |
and the members OF the board had charge |
OF arranging for its session and work, |
ard the Commissioner OF Agriculture |
was required to give any assistance upon |
the call OF the members. This appro- |
priation was never fully used, and was |
reduced to 800. but this has not been 1
fully used. The farmers OF the distriDs |
never appear to have taken active part |
In the matter. and so much OF the money |
Set apart for the advantage OF tho agri- |
OF the different localities has |
gone back into the State Treasury. I'M
ess the agriculturists themselves take
an interest in these meetings and make
the call on their representative on the
BOARD. nothing can be done.
THIS WEEKS INSTITUTE.
Three splendid and successful institute.
AVE been held this year. and all gave
,reat satisfaction 10 the farmers pres
mt. Colonel A. s. Buford, the mem
,er OF the board for the Third Con-
'ressional District. has been invited TO
all for an institute the Sth OF October.
t the Exposition Grounds. during the