The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-09-08
NESBITT REVIEWS
HIS EWARDSHIP
The Retiring Commissioner Of
Agriculture to Farmers.
GRATEFUL FOB SUPPORT

He Gives Brief Resums 81. the Inno-
vatsons and Rctrenchm~nts Inaugs-
rated sincc He Took Charge Of the
Department Eight Years Ago.
DEPARTMENT or AGRICULTURE,
ATLANTA. Sept /, 1893.
As this win perhaps be my last
monthly talk" to the farmers Of Geor.
gta before my successor takes charge of
the affairs OF the agricultural depart
ment wish through this medium to
thank the people of the state and the
farmers more especially for the manner
in which they have ''held up my hands"
in my efforts 10 build up the sgricult-
ural interests Of the state and to focus
public attention on some of the more
important Agricultural issues Of the day.
am indeed grateful for the considera-
ton and courtesy which have received
from large majority OF my fellow citi-
zens during my administration Of the
affairs OF the agricultural department.,
and feel that owe 10 to myself and to
them to givs q short review Of my stew
ardship since they entrusted me with so
important work.
Notwithstanding the wise and benefl-
cent aims Of Its founders, some I'M
checked abuses had found their way
into the agricultural department through
the inspection Of oils and fertilizers,
duties simple enough In themselves, re.
curing integrity Of purpose rather than
superior skill and knowledge, but which
brought dispropoxtionately large emolu-
ments to the fortunate holders Of such
positions.
u Justice to my predecessors it should
be stated that the condition referred to
was the outgrowth of an unforeseen
and rapidly increased consumption of
both oils and fertilizers, for which
no provision YVES made in the
statute law Of the state. At leading
central points like Atlanta or Savannah.
under this system, as much as %, 900 or
$4,000 annually were received by indi-
vidual inspectors Of OILS and fertilizers,
these two Offices being at that time con-
solidated. That Is, one inspector re-
ceiyed about as much as the entire SUI
preme Judiciary Of the state. In 1890,
when took charge, the farmers, whose
interests were especially to be served by
the department., having found few
tares amidst an abundance Of wheat,
were in the front ranks of those who
were willing to tear down an institu-
ton which had been built pp mainly
for their protection aud guidance. I
don't think I am assuming too much
when state that In the eight years OF
my incumbency the department has
J gradually been growing in favor with
the farmers and that my earnest efforts
to make it effectively and actively use
full to them are even now bearing fruit
The state Legislature was in session
when took charge in 1890, and i'm
mediately suggested and urged the abol-
ishment OF the system by which oil in
spectors were receiving such exhorbi-
tans fees. An act allowing them to re-
tain only $iS0 per mouth out Of inspec-
tors receipts and requiring them TO
make monthly returns to the state
treasury of all sums in excess of
this amount, was approved Dec.
20, 1890, and since then by this m
novation $1OO. 900 from oil and Sl25. 900
from fertilizers have been saved to the
state and placed in the treasury.
In December, 1891, following the
same line of retrenchment, the fixed
salaries Of the IL guano inspectors were
reduced from $lS5.0O to $50. 50 per
month, and only four Of these were kept
on duty the whole year. the others from
four to six months. Here was another
saving Of several thousand dollars. The
office expenses were also reduced by the
salary Of one clerk 81, 10000 annually,
and although the Office duties have
steadily increased until they have been
more than doubled and trebled, the work
has been carried on by the original
number OF clerks, with a slight increase
Of salaries.
During my administration the whole
plan of fertilizer inspection has been
revolutionized. The old plan was IN
bulk, and bsfors leaving the factories.
The new bill, which Is now the law,
was most carefully planned to give full
protection to both buyer and seller. 1t
provides that the inspecting shall be
done only after the fertilizer Is shipped
to different points and put upon the
market in separate packages. The pro-
visions Of this bill are such as to place
Georgia in the lead as to the judicious
and careful supervision of her immense
fertilizer trade. This law. as compared
with those in force in other states, is
superior, which is evidenced by the fact
that many inquiries have come on this
subject to this department from differ
ent southern states. The Georgia fer
tilizer law has finally become the basis
for similar laws in her sister states.
Another important change has been
the removal Of the state laboratory from
Athens to the capital, where the impor-
tant work Of analysing every brand put
on sale in the state, is carried on under
the immediate supervision and inspec-
tian of the commissioners Of agriculture.
This affords increased advantages and
facilities to the state chemist In his
daily routine work which has increased
tremendously since 1890.
Another innovation which has made
the department the medium Of commu-
eating valuable information to the farm.
ers throughout the state is the substitu-
ton of plate matter, furnished to the
weekly press, in lieu of the circulars
and bulletins previously issued. The
monthly talks" and answers to ques-
tions containing practical hints on topics
connected with the farm, the garden,
the dairy, the orchard and kindred sub
jects, carefully arranged as to time and
season of the year, are published in the
weekly papers of the state. These 20
to che remotest sections each month and
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