The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-13
To RAISE SUGAR BETS.
rs THE ADyICE or THE SfdTE
BOARD or AGKICULTCRE
Thorough Experiments 10 he Made In
Various sections OF the state-favora-
BILE Reports on Tobacco. Cattle etc.

called meeting yesterday morning
at II O'Clock in the Office OF
the Commissioner Of Agriculture.
in the State Library building.
for the purpose OF considering the ques-
ton Of Issuing the new handbook.
The following members were present:
Col. a. 5. Buford of Richmond, presi-
dent; w. w. Brand. OF Roanoke; o. f.
Hine. Of Fairfax: j. II. Kemper. Of Au-
gusta; r. NJ. Mallory. of Brunswick; Col.
! Thomas Whitehead. Of Richmond. Com
missioner Of Agriculture. Mr.. Thomas
| ii. Bigger recorded.
The Chair stated that he had received
a telegram from Hon John l.. Hurt, of
| Plttsylvania, stating that that gentleman
! had missed railroad connection, but he
| would reach Richmond by CLOCK IN
| the afternoon.
SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY.
Colonel Buford then presented reports,
| both on the question of the raising OF
! sugar-bects and the conference which Was
| held I'm Washington last week.
Colonel Buford accompanied his report
with q detailed explanation Of the action
Of the conference held recently in Wash
| ineton. lie then brought up the ques-
! ton Of introducing the sugar-beet IN
dustry I'm the State OF Virginia, which
| brought OF an interesting discussion on
this important subject.
Mr.. Hine suggested 10 send out cir
cular throughout the State. setting forth
that the Board would furnish the seed
TO any farmer who was willing TO put an
eighth OF an acre in beets.
He had no doubt that one farmer could
be found ia every county who was willing
TO make the experiment. In analyzing
the contents of the loets raised in the
various sections it would be an easy mat
ter to ascertain where IL would be adj
vantageOus TO cultivate beets.
As 10 the results of tho introduction OF
this industry. he referred 10 Germany,
which formerly only produced one-siAth
Of the sugar which it consumes. from
bects, while at present it not only pro-
duced an the sugar II consumed. but In
addition q still larger amount for eX-
port.
Colonel Duford stated that there were
no necessary requirements for the Guilt
walton OF sugar-beets. They should only
be raised II a. factory for the production
Of sugar was established. and in the sec
ond place such a factory should be cstab-
lished in tho immediate vicinity Of the
land whore the beets were raised.
RESOLJIlDN ADOPlLD.
The several members Of the Board par
ticipatcd in the discussion, and some val
liable information was also furnished by
Mr.. John j. Jackson, Of the Southern
Planter, who was present.
The following resolutions. offered by
Mr. Ilne. was finally adopted:
"The attention OF the Board having
been called TO the subject Of beet sugar
production 10y the president of the Board.
who submitted letters upon the subject
from Mr.. o. IS. Lapham. Of Staunton,
Va. n man of experience in both pr0duc-
ton and manufacture. IL Is ordered that
the Commissioner Of Agriculture be and
is hereby empowered TO prepare circu-
Jar as TO the best mode of cultivation OF
the sugar-bcot. and 20 send the same
TO number of farmers in each county
in tho state. informing them that seed
OF the best known variety will be fur
nishod free. II the person receiving the
same shall pledge himself TO raise al least
one-Quarter acre of such bcets and fur
nish fair sample Of the same 10 tho
State Board for analysis as to their
value I'm sugar.
For the purpose Of carrying out this
order the sum of $780, or so much thereof
as may Doe necessary. is hereby appro-
urated.
was continued for further action and
report The committee then took re-
cess until ! o'clock I'm the afternoon
Tho board met again shortly after
o'clock and Hon. John L. Hart. Of Pitt-
sylvania. made his appearance, having
arrived IN the meantime.
THE HANDBOOK
The committee on publication OF tNe
handbook through Colonel Whitehead.
submitted the following report which was
received and fled:
1.-THE Committee on Publication re-
spoctfully report that the material as
prepared boy the members from seven Of
the Congressional districts is I'm hand.
and they are ail ready for publication and
delivery to- The printer and they can ar
range in q short time for the other three.
The committee therefore ask for further
time and ask for authority TO have the
printing begun at once. so as to answer
the enquiries for information now press
ing the department. and that they report
the expenditure TO the next meeting of
the board
The committee was authorized to give
ont the work.
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Colonel Whitehead told some Of has
experiences at the farmers institute he'd
at winchester ana uOilIt lNc -'iflhl
discussion which ensued. the several
members OF the board made reports ass %
the agricultural prospects in their re-
spectire sections OF the State. which We're
very encouraging n was stated by Ma
ior Hart that The tobacco in Amhers.
Campbell Nelson Pittsylyanil and
ucighNorine counties had been very en-
couraein- and that during the past sixty
days farmers in that section had more
money sent TO them for their tobacco
than during the same period for a nan-
Der of years past.
ln 90 similar manner 81 was stated by
other members that cattle raising and
wheat raising had also been greatly I'M
proved and their products now brought
better prices
Mr. Brand offered resolution which
was adopted. providing that the next
quarterly meeting OF the board be post
poned from the first Tuesday I'm April 20
the first Tuesday in May.
The Board then adjourned.
IHPROJ LWENT or JAMES RIVTR
IN Interesting Committee Meeting Mrior