The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-24
COL. NETHERLANDS REPORT.
He Tells Of the Splendid Crops Raised
by Farmers This Year.
REGARDING SALE OF FERTILIZERS.
North Caroiina's Regulations Better than
virgInia's--An Endeavor to Establish
sagar-Bect Factories--Gold-
Mining Being Pushed.

Colonel whitehead. In his forthcoming
report will touch upon variety OF IN
teresting subjects, and Will show py iacts
that the financial condition Of the VIZ
gina farmers has greatly improved.
When seen yesterday at has Office, the
Commissioner OF Agriculture said
"A have been busy lately investigating
some important matters. and my report
10 the Governor will be an interesting one.
The comparative sales OF fertilizers in
Virginia and North Carolina furnish food
for reflection. North Carolina from the
sale OF $4,000 tons Of fertilizers in 1896
received revenue OF sac 900, while Viz
ginia on sale of 1u,O00 tons received a
revenue Of $500.
''I'his year North Carolina sold over
10000 tons. receiving a revenue OF $4,000,
while Virginia. selling 1sS 900 tons, received
a revenue of less than 1900. and the same
brands and same quality OF fertilizers sell
at the same price IN both States.
The cause OF this great difference in
the revenues OF the two States is that
North Carolina has a tonnage tax Of Is
cents per ton. while Virginia has specific
tax OF $40 n brand, and where the manu-
facturer does not sell over 100 tons II is
$40 for his whole tax.
SUGAR-BEET CULTURE.
The department has been experiment
ing 10 develop sugar-beet culture and TO
establish one OF more factories. and have
found II 70 be an assured fact that beets
can be raised In Virginia on a large area
OF its lands that will average above u per
cent. and in very many sections can be
carried 10 an average Of fifteen per cent
THE great difficulty is to get an assured
supply for the costly factories necessary
to make sugar. Other States that are
able are giving bounties and legislating
10 aid the movement. Virginia can make
no appropriation for such a purpose. but
she could utilize the convicts in the peni-
Tertiary TO ensure a product around
Richmond that would secure a large fac
tory.
COMMITTEE At WORK.
II have fully set this out in my report,
and an able committee Of the State
Board, headed by the President, will
shortly issue a thoroughly prepared paper,
setting out all the facts and showing the
advantages TO the State and the feasibility
Of this move.
THE experiment OF producing fragrant
Havana cigar tobacco in Virginia will be
continued next year, under more favor
able auspices. as the seed was secured too
late this year to make perfectly satsfac-
tory experiments.
II am satisfied that II can be made ex-
CetOlnKlY DIOuldDlt. III ldCls lODJ1tO lNs
and always has been. the money crop of
Virginia
1t has been profitable last year and
this year, and all that is necessary to con-
tinue It's profit is that the planters be
careful in the selection Of grades suitable
TO their soils and use the same care in
curing and handling that their fathers
did.
FARMERS MAKING MONEY.
The farmers have come up through
much tribulation in the last five years,
but economy has been forced upon them
and they are generally out of debt and
the increased price Of wheat, good price
OF tobacco and apples is giving them con-
siderable loose money.
"AIbemarle, Amhurst. and Nelson coun-
ties have reported fine crops and good
sales already. Two farms on the line Of
Nelson and Albemarle declined an offer
OF $4,000 for the apple crop on the two.
"a shipment Of three cars OF apples
from that section to New York netted for
pippins nearly $3.50 a barrel. and mixed
lot OF pippins and reds melted 50 per bar
rel.
IAN the foothills Of the middle Blue
Ridge are full Of fine apples and they
ere being gathered and brought up in a
way TO secure safe profit TO their owners.
THE SPLENDID CROPS.
1T looks strange that I'm a year Of severe
drought the Almighty has so controlled 1t
that we have had a splendid wheat and
oat crop. fair crop Of corn, in many
places good first quality and a reasonable
quantity Of tobacco. and plenty Of vege-
tables"
The Commissioners report will also
show considerable movement in gold
mines.