The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-11
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
COsYITTTTEE APPOINTED no En-
IIGHTEN THE LEGIsI1TURE
VIII Set Forth Facts Why the Depart
mcnt should Not BE Abolished-Pro-
ceedIngs OF the Meeting.


tee charged with the duty of appearing
before the proper committees OF the Leg
islature and setting forth TO them the
Importance Of the work being done by
the Board in the interests OF the farm
ers Of the state.
The meeting OF the Board was held
I'm the rooms Of the Department
Of Agriculture in the state Library
building al Il o'clock. The meeting had
been called 20 meet at 10 o'clock, but
Commissioner Whitehead was detained
before the Finance Committee of the
House. which necessitated a postpone
ment until u o'clock.
When the Board mot the following
members were present:
Messrs. a. J. McMath. a. ". Lindsay
John l.. Hurt. j. * Mccain. O. r.. Hine
r.. Kempcr Commissioner whitehead
and President a. 5. Buford who occupied
the chair.
IL was explained that Mr.. W W. Brand
of tho Sixth District. was detained at
home by reason Of illness.
AN AGRICULTURAL CALAMITY.
Mr.. Brand stated in his letter that he
regretted very much not being able 70
attend the meeting nc this time as the
existence OF tho Board was threatened,
and the farming interest OF the State
thereby made 10 suffer He added that
he thought the farmers OF the State are
duo this small recognition from the
Legislature.
Mr.. bland stated that he thought #
would boz an agricultural calamity 20
abolish the Board now. and he thought
the farmers n his part OF the State
would Doe heard from In the future 'if
this Che only recognition they have ever
had f. taken away from them now"
President Buford submitted a brief re-
port setting forth the purposes and ef-
forts of the Board during the past three
months. and showing the advantages 60
the agricultural interests % the State
as derived from the voluntary and un-
compensated services of the members OF
the Board.
President Duford's report commended
the efforts Of Commissioner Whitehead
and other members Of the Board In
furihering the interests or the new sugar
beet enterprise recently BROUGHT 90 the
attention and favorable consideration OF
tho agricultural people Of Virginia.
PROTECTED FARMERS
Mr. Hurt suggested that the report Of
the president should also contain some
reference to the movement before the
General Assembly TO abolish the Board Of
Agriculture. The Board said he. had
done more than any other power on
earth 10 relieve the farmers from con-
statnt litigation caused bv reason OF inn
pure fertilizers being sold 20 them by
dealers and manufacture and had
made 20 compulsory ON the part Of the
fertilizer people 20 furnish pure iertili-
GERS. This was an lncalculahlc benefit TO
the farmers. and should have effect upon
the LEGISLATURE in their consideration OF
the question now before them relative to
the Board
Some informal discussion followed Mr..
Hurts suggestion and 10 was also sug-
ecstod that % committee Doe appointed 10
go before the Legislature and set forth
Oh that body the work and advantages
of the Board I'm its efforts 10 helm and
advance the interests of the agricultural
classes.
NEW INDUSTRY.
Mr. Uine spoke of the large assembly
OF farmers at Fredericksburg on January
22d to- consider the matter of the SUGAR
beet Industry in the State. and TO learn
au chat they could as 90 how the nrac-
teal results might Doe derived therefrom.
TIE said that sevcnto n counties were rep
resented at a.. meeting. and that great
interest was shown in the now enterprise.
10 was evidently the desire and purpose of
thorc present go learn 90 they could about
Mr. Hiur cxnairod how "uoh good the
Board had done Do bringing This subject
before the farmers and showing Them
how the Industry could Doe develoned %
great ADVANTAGE. Tie looked for helpful
material results from the efforts OF the
Board and the small appropriation made
for That purpose.
Commissioner Whitehead also enoho of
the work the board had done in stimulat-
inc Interest ln THIS Industry among The
farmers and helpine them 10 develon the
cntorurlsa. TIo stated that De had all
ready noticed the growing interest among
the farmers ON this subject and their dee
sire 10 ascertain fhe practical results 10
hc derived from what was now AN eNoeri-
ncnt with the most encouraging pros
pects 90 heroroa 81 profitable and valuable
Industry in Virginia.
IN speaking 10 q resolution prepared
hv President Buford rs 10 thc appoint
ment Of n commit o. 10 set forth the
work of the Board before the proper
legislative committee Commissioner
Whitehead stated that IN recent visit 20
LvrchhurE he had met well known ciu-
zsns from CamuhelL Amherst and other
counties. and had not heard anyone eX-
press HIS views about the proposed aholi-
lion or The Board who was not empha-
ticailv opposed 10 such action He knew
that The farmers OF the State were thor
ouehly in sympathy with ths work OF the
Board
RESOLUTION PASSED
President Buford submitted the follow
ine which was unanimously adopted.
where's n discussion has recently
arisen and am apparent disposition mani
tested in the General Assembly now I'm
session 20 change or wholly dispense with
The work of me Board as organized and
conducted under the existing provisions
OF law constituting the Department Of
Agriculture connected with which the
Board deems 1t proper with reference 60
"a correct knowledge and apprehension Of
the interests involved that "a Committee
OF this Board shall Doe appointed % pre-
pare and pres emit TO the proper commit
tees of the General Assembly having this
matter under consideration a suitable
representation of the facts aud matters
So involved so FAR as the same are con-
nected with the present work and duties
OF the Board
Resolved That q committee of three
b. appointed by the President for such
purpose 90 act as the opportunities there
for will allow on behalf Of the Board"
biessrs Hurt. Hlne and McMath We're
APPOINTED by the President on this COM
miitse. and upon motion II Mr. Hurt.
President Ruford was added as a MEM
her and chairman OF the committee.
4 TEN CENT TAX.
Ii was suggested by Alr. Hine that the
Board would be willing 20 have their APP
Precipitation cut on and would meet It's
regular expenses by a tax OF l0 cents
nor ron frouaee1 uurn the fertilizer manu-