Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-09-03


sons. The almost total neglect OF the study
of agriculture as a science or an art, III
great State peculiarly agricultural like Viz
ginia, is reproach to the age, and to our
entire educational system. Congress has
very feebly commenced the work by a small
appropriation, and l do not know how far
that is directed in the proper channel, though
it is to be hoped that i'll our own state, at
Blacksburg, much is being done at this time.
We want the agricultural statistics OF the
State. so strangely neglected. We do not
need immigration schemes, being satisfied OF
their UtOpian character. We have more Ia
Dor than money now. We want to know
how best to utilize what we have. We want
efficient government and abundant capital
to 20 together. Let Virginia show by her
statistics that we are happy and independent
in the conscious possession of geological, ag-
ricultural and mineral wealth, and we Will
not need State appropriations to get immi-
grants they will come without buying them.
Cease looking for foreign developers, but
develop home industry, and we will be re-
spected and courted. Virginia must exert
her means and energies in developing her
own resources, when foreign capital aud
labor will come.
An agricultural department would greatly
aid the hortculturist and pomologist by sta
tistical information relative to soil and eli
mate. as the orchard and garden arc sources
of wonderful wealth. Virginia peaches aud
pears. and melons, and strawberries, prove
that her soil and climate are well adapted to
the choicest and best.
Her vineyards only prove her undeveloped
wealth in this direction and her need of in
formation.
Her aparies only show the immense wealth
the busy bee has in store for her so soon
as needed information on this subject is more
generally diffused. Entomology or the sci
ence of "bugology' is little understood,
although the grasshopper and the various
insects injurious to the crops, plants, and
fruits, and their habits and propagation
might be brought under intelligent control.
Irrigation, as largely practiced in Cali
fornia. and to some extent in other States,
or the operation Of causing water to flow
over lands for nourishing plants, IS neglected,
although the loss by drought in this State IS
very great, and might be remedied in certain
localities with very little cost when directed
By intelligent industry. The loss by drought
in the State of Georgia alone, last year, we
are informed, Is estimated at ten million dol
lars And has Virginia been free from IT.
Has she no natural means of irrigating the
soil of easy access and cheap, that might be
utilized to immense profit, which is now be-
ing wasted for want of agricultural educa-
ton and little geological information, to
be obtained by an Agricultural Department
of the State We have only to compare sta
tistical facts of other States on this subject,
relative 10 the value Of the grasses and
cereals IN a drought and wet season. 1t is
said that in India, Italy, and California irri-
CATION has increased production from one to
four hundred fold the value of lands from
ten to fifty fold and the population double
Could Virginia learn nothing on that sub
ect Shall individual enterprise be the only
developer. or shall the State seize the pres
cnt to establish an agricultural department
and lead the way as other States are doing
Again, the State could aid immensely the
intelligent direction of the dairy and OF
sheep husbandry, so as to yield the Common
wealth astonishing profits aud correspond
ingly increase the value of lands.
The distribution of seeds, as well as the in
terchange Of seeds brought about by the
State Agricultural Department, would be
found to be mutually beneficial to the States.
The diseases of the cereals is a subject
about which the State Department Of Agri-
culture could give valuable information that
is very much needed.
The importance of the subject of fertilizer.
may not be acknowledged by many who
have not given it much thought The State
has long been depleted by worthless fertili-
zers, and it is time that something was done
= l.