The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-13
SHOULD BE SEPARATED.
A STATE HIGHWAr epAMISsiONER
no TtkE cHARGE or THE ROADS
r.. The virv of Colonel Wbitehead-The
Manifold Duties Of the Agricultural De-
parsmens aud tts small Cost.

partmeHt aust ~ <''s~'' >"'''
When the Good Roads Convention on
Friday morning considered the report
prenared nv the cornfhittee who were re-
auested TO compile all provisions which
might be embraced in a general road bill.
some opposition was raised against the
creation OF the office OF state highway
commissioner. II was claimed by some
delegates that the general supervision,
etc of the improvement OF the public
roads should be turned over to the Com
missioner Of Agriculture, who might ap-
roint an exncrt engineer TO carry out the
work. Others took the ground that the
Commissioner of Agriculture had already
his hands full, a>sd that II would be I'M
wise and injudicious 10 ioad MIN down
with this additional burden. After some
little discussion. the original section, pro-
viding for the creation OF the position or
a state highway commissioner, was
adonted. as reported in yesterdays
Times.
Colonel Whitehead. the present Com
missioner of Agriculture, attended the
session of the convention, but had very
I,ttla ia saw on the subject. In order,
however. 10 ascertain more In detail what
the duties OF the commissioner ana now
the adding Of the road department 10 MS
functions would affect him, called on
colonel Whitehead yesterday morning
al his office in the state Library oniio-
irG.
,vrhis department S. of course largely
interested I'm good roads said the COM
missioner. when [ had made known 10
I'm the object OF my VISIT TO look out
for good roads has been part of our
work. especially since the Legislature has
charged us with the establishing OF
bureau Of immigration. and while II -
part OF the duty Of the commissioner OF
agriculture To issue all literature needed
in that line. yet he could not carry out
the technical part of the work. Should
this rev department be placed under ms
gurervision he would have to have
thoroughly educated and experienced en-
greer to carry out the details OF the
technical work, and besides some one
would have TO be employed to do the
| clerical work man can therefore
| easily see that the State could not pos
sibly save any money In that manner
| and II will be far better more economi-
| cal and more adapted to the interests OF
all concerned 10 create a separate ana
| distinct department
AMOUNT OF MoSYY HANDLED LAST WAR.
Tho Department Of Agrclltlre during
the Ascl year just closed handled the
mants. which may give an idea OF It's
| inheritance The sum Of S9.llO vas re-
| ceived bv the collection OF the fertilizer
| tax. while the entire expenditures OF the
| department amounted 20 Sll. 1865. so that
| the total cost OF the department. TO the
taxpayers was only &,i25.l6. TWO cnen-
| ISIS are rcWlarly employed by the de-
| partment, and their time rs completely
! taken up by the numerous demands for
4 ri "a
opening OF the spring fertilizer season
SIS araiyses OF fertilizers had TO be made.
| Besides there were analysed during that
period sixteen samples Of soil, sixteen
| samples OF minerals. nineteen samples
| OF marble, ani twenty-four miscellaneous
| samples, sent directly by farmers. All
| these chemical analyses and the assaying
/ OF minerals ia done by the department
| without any expense TO the farmer, ex-
cept for postage in sending and return
| ing the samples, and n great saving Is
! there fore served for the taxpayer.
THE various branches of the work of
! the department make, of course. tho keep
! ing of the books and records not an easy
| task, and good deal OF time Is re-
duired in making all necessary entries,
issuing vouchers. checks. etc, necessiiat-
ing tho maintaining of special auditing
| department"
| section lbs OF llt 3oN' VI fH~iNih
| fixes the duties OF the Commissioner OF
| Agriculture in the following manner:
purus ~ The COMM s.IoNEI.
lie shall prepare 4 book, contain
ing description of the minerals and geo
logical formation of the several counties
| Of the State an estimate OF the general
capacity and character OF the soil of
each county. a careful analysis Of the
| sell, and information as 20 its adaptation
TO the various agricultural products.
The Commits sioner shall also have under
his charge the analysis Of fertilizers sold
TO be used for agricultural purposes In
this State. a fair sample OF every fer
| tilizer proposed = be sold for such pur-
pose shall be furnished him for anilyzirg
| purposes The Commissioner shall also
| give attention 10 the mining and manu-
! facti ring interests OF the State, and coll
| Isct such statistical and other informa-
ton as may be useful or iend TO encour-
| age the same. He shall establish IN his
office cabinet, where all specimens OF
rock, coal, ores, metals, and other min
, oral substances of the state are 10 be
| deposited, also specimens OF manutac-
/ tured articles, and models or inventions
useful to the agricultural and Industrial
pursuits OF the State. lie shall carefully
| label the specimens. designating the
counties from which they were obtained
| or the places where they were manu-
! featured. or made and arrange them in
proper order for public Inspection. lie
shall 80 keep in his office. OPEN 10 the
| inspection OF the public, All maps, sur
veys. and books and papers. Of a public
| character. belonging TO the department.
The commissioner shall inq lire into and
| investigate matters pertaining TO the cul-
! tivation Of the soil and raising OF crops.
| horticulfl,fe and fTlit- growing the
| dairy sheep and cattle raising. diseases
Of grain. fruit and other crops and the
remedies therefor. injury TO crops by
insects. and the prevention thereof. irri-
| CATION and enclosures. lie shall make
arrangements fo- the importation OF such
seeds as he may deem OF value to the
| people Of this State. and for the eX-
change OF seeds OF other States or for
eign countriea. FOR the seeds OF this