Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-03

or decay of her husbandry? We do not
believe It. We do not expect ". oh
the contrary. wo expect substantial re-
vival OF the interests OF our agrlcuitu-
rists. and a reasonable and weH-sus
tanned improvement ir the results Oh
farm labor Hence. tho appointment
and work OF this board and this depart
mon, OF the state Administration-to
helm this revival to facilitate IT, to en-
large its influence. and strengthen us
continuaucc: IN all which We have the
Measure 10 know that we have tho SIN
core interest and cordial sympathy ana
co-opetation OF your Excellency.
How best 20 effect the most useiul re-
e,.ite FOR the Important interests thus
committed 10 tho care OF this deiatt
mont With the limited means pfoNltcu
by law Tor tho purpose, Is not uni'e-
ouen.iy q source Of perpleXing thousnt
and anxiety 20 the board ana us ON
cers The encouragement ana securing
30 ,,,n,crsnts OF a desirable character
10 occupy and utilize our large acreage
az untitled but fertile. lands IN every
norton OF the State. thereby increasing
o,ir resources for taxation. and the con-
ssopcut dirnlnution Of the aggregate
burden OF taxes by the constant IN
crease Of population and taxabie Weai'h'
,o nrot.ct our farmers from careless or
,n,eufional imposition and loss In the
ver- large expenditure they make IN inc
use OF fertilizers; the information ana
education OF our farmers. by farmers
Institutes and otherwise, In respect OF
,bo best modern means and methods Oh
securing the largest measure OF pro-
duction with the smallest measure OF
cxpeuse. he means and methods, as pro-
vlded nv statute and otherwise. Tor pro-
toctiug against infectious disease tho
valuable domestic animals, ana the sys-
tematio and substantial Improvement Oh
the public highways, are the chiei pre-,
scrlbed subjects of our jurisdiction ana
the constant objects Of our pest en-
deavoTs. ,,,,-
The report Of the Commissioner OF Asrl-
culture, which goes to your hNceIlei.eS
along with this, IS lucid ana comp, 1"''
eive statement In all material details, Oh
.ho rrorl, NJ the department for the year
nuch Of which. TO avoid repetition heoN
not he herein restated. That report mas
been considered by the board, and mas l'9
unqualified approval. Some legislation
heretofore suggested by the Commissioher
and referred to IN his report. looking 10 d
modification of the act OF Assembly OF t'O
last session. which transfers the JuilsulC-
zion Of all misdemeanoTs to Justices OF
the peace. so far as it affects the duties
Of this department. has been referred 10
the oppropriate committee Of this board
for mature examination and an apphcd-
ton in that behalf 10 the Generai As
sembly when again in session. Ihat SUI
iect. and probably one or two others
deemed proper for executive ana lesI9i@
tive consideration, will probably be made
tho subject Of further special communica-
tiou TO your Excellency at a later GATE
The announcement of our farmers ana
their enlightenment in respect Of pracu-
cable economies and the best modern
methods OF utilizing diversified production
has had the continued interest ana et-
forts of the board, not. however. always
with that success 20 which the WORK is
entitled.
Assemblies Of the farmers have been in
vited and Organized in different locali-
ties. and the most instructive and en-
uehtened discussions. by practical as Wen
as scientific men, have been cohducleu
with much satisfaction and proIt 10
those attending them. The CHIEF dlihculIS
has been in getting a general atteilualce
of farmers at these discussions As far
as practicable. with the limited means at
command for that purpose, the board VIII
continue this necessary work among our
people. -
FUNDS FOR IMMIGRATION.
Among the many important interests to
which the work Of the department is by
law directed. perhaps none is Of so much
nresent consequence and value TO the
state as that Of securing, as TAR as pos
sible. a desirable class Of immigrants 10
occupv and utilize our surplus lands. TO
effect this. the want of adequate means
g the chief obstacle.
The issue Of the Virginia Handbook
prepared by the Commissioner Of Agri-
culture few years since, has been ex-
hausted. The conditions that prevail
in q large portion of the western and
northern sections Of the United States
as we'll as m lch Of Europe. are unusu-
ally favorable for the attraction of a
sturdy and industrious class Of imni-
grants TO Virginia. The relative ad-
vantages Of our State, climatic and other
wise. are striking to all such when
known and understood. More or less
movement into our midst from the North
west as well as New England. is in pro-
eress. With well-directed effort and
adequate resources for disseminating cor
rect and authentic information in respect
Of the inducements here offered TO build
up permanent and desirable homes, we
believe this movement could be- and
should be, rapidly and greatly increased.
To this end. the board has taken steps
at a recent meeting to prepare and pro
vide, through the personal cooperation
of its several members. with the aid of
the Commissioner of Agriculture for dis
/ trjbution in various localities out Of the
State. an inexpensive cOmpend Of informa-
\ ton. setting forth, by counties. the physi-
cal conditions, the agricultural, and
mineral resources, the prevailing class
of farming the prices of improved and
| unimproyed lands. and such other gene
raj facts as viii be Of interest 10 imml-
grants seeking homes in the State. We
hope and believe this will prove to be an
effort in the right direction. and not
wholly Intellectual. 1t IS the best and
only means apparently practicable to the
/ board at present and I'm the absence OF
means for a broader work. Such broader
work can only come from better appre-
citation OF the subject. and corresponding
action by the General Assembly. to whOs'
| favorable consideration We commend
| through your Excellency this importan
public interest.
The establishment and maintenance o
a proper system OF improving our pub
| lie highways throughout the State Is
| continuing and almost universal publ
necessity, and of especial importance am
| value to our rural population. During TN
last two years. chiefly through the agenc!
! of the GOOd-Roads Association OF tn
State, with the cooperation Of oihceI
| and members of this board, a large ant
/ growing interest I'm the subject has beer
/ excited. resulting in the preparation an'
| presentation to the General Assembly a
| its last session, OF a bill for enactmen
lit