The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-23
HAS MONEY TO SPEND
\ u
For CanyasserS at Large to
Sow the Word of the
Faithful.
QlIT LAC MOT ONE HEMI
BUT HAS NOT ONE CENT
TO OFFER FOR THE BENEFIT OF
THE FARMER HIMSELF.
LATEST IoB OF AGRICULTURE BOARD
Provided for More Inspectors at SIS per Month
and Expenses but Refused to Offer
Premium for Farm
Produces.

The latest instance of the jobbery
with which the whole administration of
State affairs is honey-combed came out
in the meeting of the Board of Agricul-
ture
AS was stated in the former report
of the proceedings the board passed n
resolution comforting upon John
Smith, Commissioner of Agriculture, and
J. c. l.. Harris. chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Board, the power
to employ such additional inspectors
of fertilizers as may seem 10 t1e,n nectS
sary at a salary of $50 per month and
expenses.
These men are to see that i;lrn East
TO West the iniquitous fertilizer dispen-
ser does not impose on the guiieleSs
tiller of the soil. They are to carry a
foot-rule and measure the lettering on
every bag to see that it is mot less
than two inches high" and woe betide
the fertilizer man whose letters stand
but 10 inches in their stocking-feet. The
paternal wrath of the board will come
down upon him like an aggregation or
the hungry faithful on the pie counter.
And this $50 month business at the
discretion of the Commissioner and the
chairman? There are no brakes attached.
ANY number and any kind may be APP
pointed. They are to get down to work
at once The need is urgent. Accord
ing to the discussions in the Board a
host of ferOciOus fertilizer sharks are
in wait for the farmer as wheat sowing
time approaches. The additional pre-
cautions are matters of urgent moment.
The election occurs just after wheat
sowing time.
These fertilizer inspectors at STD per
month and keep will make excellent can
vassers at large; they will make true
and trusty agents when such agents are
needed: they will be a wonderful saving
OF campaign funds, and funds will be
needed. Is not the board just too cute?
A fertilizer of really vilainous proof
is being dispensed at Pine Hollow. The
farmer is being robbed. They are also
making it warm for the faithful and
the faithful are wavering. Then the
valiant inspector. footrule in pocket
and with a handbag of campaign docu-
ments, hurrieS to the rescue, smells the
fertilizer and measures the letters: he
also encourages the faithful, strengthens
the aint-hearted. distributes his docu-
ments,- and returns to report to his SUI
periOr on the fertilizer and also on exist
ing needs and conditions. A more beau
tifully bifurcated arrangement it would
be difficult to concOct.
1t should be noted that from now I'M
til January 1st is not the time of year
when the burdens of the fertilizer in
spector are heavy. The only fertilizer
used is that for wheat while in the
spring the cotton, tobacco and truck
farmers are buying. The present force
would have been amply sufficient to do
all the inspecting required. 1t could not
inspect and campaign at the same time
however. And that is the work to be
done.
When the running gear Of this scheme
had been properly looked after Il resolu-
ton was introduced to appropriate $1,000
to be handled by a committee of five
appointed by the board, to go as pre-
miums to farmers on agricultural pro-
ducts displayed Mt the State Fair. The
products were to be grown under condl-
tions prescribed by the committee. The
resolution provided that the premiums
were to be given on products grown in
actual field tests with various fertilizers
The State Fair management was to have
nothing whatever to do with the eXpen
diture of the $1,000. 1t would have gone
directly into the pockets of the farms
The man who grew the finest products
would have gotten the money for his
skill and labor.
When the resolution was Jfferel the
boardclosed up with a snap that loosened
Secretary Ramsey's wisdom teeth. Strong
pleas were made for the passage OF
the resolution, but there were no jobs
about it. 1t was a straight open and
shut proposition with no pie attachment
Therefore it was defeated by vote OF
to Z. All the money at the disposition
of the board was needed for purposes
Of inspection. 1t was better to give 50,
600 to the campaign fund Indirectly thar
$1,000 to the farmers directly.
The gentlemen Of the board put them
selves on record as follows:
For the appropriation for field tests--.I
w. Bailey John Brady. 3. +. Aycock
G. f. Flow. j. NJ. Allen, A. Q. Holla-
day, John Graham.
Against. G. l.. Harris. J. ID. Maults
by, Howard Browning. H. Il. King. !
+. Shore, J. G. Ray, X. 3. Lineberry, J
X. Joyce.
If any members vote is incorrectly
placed he can speak out.
The board met again yesterday morn
ing and agreed to build DR.. Ramsey ;
coal house before the chilly blasts OF
August begin to fan his auburn ringets
1t also appointed committee TO g
down to Southern Pines and look at thu
German Kali works and the experiment
farm with a view to purchasing an inter
est with the returns from the inspection
department. Having thus repaid thu
poor farmer for paying the members
mileage and per diem to Raleigh to ut
tend the Radical convention the board
adjourned sine die and sine cash t,
await another urgent occasion for it
services.
Mr.. Chas. M. Sticff. the reliable plan,