Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-28
REVIEW OF ITS WORK
what The State Board Has Done 10 a.
Yancs Agricultural
o,rs.r conp,x's ANNUAL REPORT
c-,,,c,.e. the Legislature for ''s
FAILURE to Garry Out the ~
,o.ra-The Subject of imm'-
,,o,-.gcncics for Good

=, ,nts important department. % INC
e.,,o Government: o,,,o.-,,,
,us rxcelency Charles T. ofe''a'''
-,,e-nor OF Virginia;
oo''', r,.'.s,,ant 10 law. this seventh
-, report OF the Virginia STATE boa'u
az ..-icslture is respectfully submitted
Oh 60 with the annual report OF the
..,ss,oner Of Agriculture, IN which
ITS in detail the operations OF
5,o,rtment for the past year. "
,., attention is invited.
W" v,reinla state Board of Agricnl-
c~eated by act OF Assembly OF 'he
~, 1sv Of March. 1883, is composed Oh
r,snbers. appointed by the Governor
~, each congressional district In
-. state. together with the Commis-
- Agriculture, who Is ex ofhcio
,,,b.r OF the board. and who acts
.,o5,c,ce 20 the provisions OF the
...,,,e a. secretary and treasurer Oh
,... hoard. The aim and intent oil the
So. .-.,tinr the board was clearly with
-. ,se,v Of benefiting the agriculturls's
% .'e,,csl farmers Of more than average
t..cIfirence were selected TO serve upy.
,,o hoard. These men have ludlclousa'
ana economically administered lhS IN.
81 find appropriated. They have ial'h-
80 Sevoted their time, without pay OF
,.,,Clument OF any kind. TO the at'aiili"eue
og the end. They have drawn upon 'me
IN stores OF their experience as pi@e'
Iol farmers. who make their living by ayr
culture. and are thoroughly eohNe -,
tglfb the wants and needs OF the Calling
they represent. ..,-r,
LAWS THAT ARE NEEDED.
r,,ri,g the past six years the virginia
e,ote Hoard Of Agriculture has, by re-
80, pursuant 10 law. and by bills formu-
- ana presented 20 the legislative
branch of the State Government urseu
me necessity OF the enactment
or an equitable fertilizer law;
ar a sound and wise general road law;
- a TAR and comprehensive drainage
law; ,,..,o,,.
az a law 70 encourage immigration;
M a state Weather Service Bureau
to act in connection with and receive the
si5 and benefits offered by the Federal
Government; 49,
az law authorizing the expenditure
o. money in holding farmers institutes
Of a law for the inspection ana testing
q field seeds used by the farmers Oh the
IN a law modifying the present usury
laws and those governing the rate Oh
interest charged for the use OF money
an the appointment Of a competent
c.1loeist and mineralogist for the state
al n law for the protection OF sheep,
rlaclng a revenue value upon the enemies
N the same. and thus rendering a
double benefit TO the taxpayers OF the
state. -.
taxation;
And law compelling the commissioners
~ the revenue TO furnish the Commits
sioner of Agriculture data pertinent 10
and necessary for correct recital OF
statistical information required by the
farmers OF the state and which cannot
he obtained In any other way except by
large expenditure Of money.
TO all and every one OF the suggestions
enumerated above the Legislature has
turned deaf ear.
CAUSE OF IMMIGRATION.
IT is an object lesson and an instructive
commentary upon the policy now pursued
hv our legislators when we look in the
statute-books Of Virginia in vain for any
Lazy now in force authorizing the promo
lion and encouragement of immigration.
Even the dissemination of information
gs regards the fertility of our soil and the
DISABILITY of Virginia for homes, pub
ushed I'M the annual reports OF the Com
missioner Of Agriculture, is restricted 10
distribution within the state lie Is not
authorized by law 10 send one copy OF
bis report out OF the State. This lack
~ cooperative sustainment of the ef-
forts Of the board has been TO them the
source Of great disappointment ana oil
d.sheartening embarrassment In the dis
charge Of their duty, as they conceive II
o. he for the benefit of their con-
stiuents
Although the suggestions of the board
nave failed TO impress the members OF
tae legislature so as TO induce them &c
enact the laws recommended, they have
60 a limited extent been put to prac'
tea. test. with most acceptable and salts
factory results.
Farmers Institutes are a need and o
f-ecss
tentatively. the board has accepted
some % the benefits offered by the Fede-
Gel Weatner-Service Bureau.
After aborious research and careful
comparison Of methods the board formu'
la.el ana put into operation plan 10 pro
mote ard encourage immigration. Before
ne eel planted had time TO germinate
Wien ihe plan was in its incipiency, harsh
ana captious criticism, coupled with the
knowledge that there was no law au.
taorz.ng the expenditure OF money &c
encourage immigration. induced the board
io abandon II. There were indications
sufficient. however TO compel the belief
HAT if the work had been persisted in
very great benefit would have accrued to
tae State
THE FERTILIZER LAW.
Tho farffffvaF lax nh M fafr
equitable. and not embracing provisions
iecommendcd by the board, has been
faithfully administered, with the assist
hne- OF competent chemists and a vigil
aht commissioner. and has secured TO
iae farmers Of the State immunity from
ifall and imposition IN the purchase and
use o; fertilizers. A noteworthy feature
OF c.s law, proving the confidence the
members o. the Assembly have I'm the
integrity and ability OF the personnel OF
,.e toafd. Is the large power vested in
me board TO finally (and absolutely with
GA appeal adJudicate all cases OF appeal
rom The decision OF the Commissioner in
',sari TO the purchase and use OF fer
'.zers whore fraud IL alleged. Such a
case was decided in January last at Nor
lIS. involving some &.cO0 between the
standard Gnano Company and j. c.
L'e'w.ne. Whether it is judicious 10
nus invest this board even with re-
tuicted jurisdictiop) with Ike power
"'in the Court OF Appeals 90 question
'oI future experience TO determine.
WHAT AGENCIES WE HAVE.
The want Of concerted action between
l'r BOARD ana the Legislature suggests
olucsm IN regard TO the policy Of the
-hlnlstratlon OF AFFAIRS touching agricul-
-sis 10 the State. TO foster, TO attain.
sNl TO accomplish a common end. we
'-He now in the State OF Virginia:
fFaI Commissioner OF Agriculture.
Whose dntles are cnr,nlc,.--tI,nae r,r1-