The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-11-23
Report Of virginias Commissioner Of
Agriculture

Report Of virginia's Commissioner Of
Agriculture
The following summary Of the re-.
port of the Virginia Commissioners Of
Agriculture is furnished the Baltimore
Sun by its Richmond correspondent
THE report Of Commissioners OF Ag-
rioulture Koiner, VIII probably be one
of the most interesting and valuable
publications that has ever been issued
by that department The respect IN
which It differs from any other Viz
ginia report Is that the subjects treated
in il are illustrated by half-tone cuts.
This not only adds to the attractive
ness of the book, but Is valuable aid
in making clear some Of the subjects
which are included in the report
The Commissioner has devoted much
time and study in the. preparation OF
this his first report. and 1t contains
great deal OF Information, the result OF
careful thought and systematic reading
| Of the bulletins that have been issued
by the great agricultural States OF the
North and West, rs we'll as those which
have been published by the United
States Agricultural Department AT
the experiment stations Of these States
many new methods have been adopted
in regard to the pursuit of agriculture.
and Mr.. koiner has kept himself in
| formed rs TO the new ideas advanced,
not only by a close study Of the bull
letins. but by corresponding with those
who were in position 10 give HIM
useful data on the subjects The Com.
missioner regrets that lack Of funds
has prevented him from publishing
bulletins from time to time, and thus
giving farmers Of the State the benefit
Of much valuable information which so
nearly concerns farm industries
A great variety Of subjects Is treat
ed in the report and all If them should
prove of interest 30 the agriculturlsts Of
the State. There are articles ON fruit
growing and spraying, the live stock
business in all its branches. the dairy
ing interest. poultry raising. the cnl-
ture Of tobacco. grasses and forage
sugar beet growing in Virginia and
fertilizers aud their uses
The chapter on fruit growing Viii
open the eyes Of many to the impor
lance Of this industry and viii show
that many orchards in this state make
annually small fortunes for their own
ers. The Commissioner thinks that in
10 years Virginia will be the greatest
apple growing State IN the Union.
The trouble at present seems 10 bee that
the trees are not taken proper are Of.
II spraying was IN general use IN this
State, as II is In others. the yield ~
many orchards would be increased %
per cent. and the fruit therefrom would
be Of a quality 10 command the high
est market prices. The commissioner
report gives formulas for the prepira'
tlon Of sprays and explains how and
when they should be used
The chapter on dairying also shows
that Virginia farmers are losing thou--
ands Of dollars IN neglecting this i'm
portant branch Of farm work The
fact is pointed ont that export butter
and cheese is sent through Virginia
from other States % be loaded ON yes
sells at Norfolk and Newport News
This trade. the Commissioner holds,
should be supplied by our farmers. who
can make as good export butter and
cheese az is manufactured in other
States more remote from seaport towns
In making export butter a different
process is employed from that used in
preparing the product for home con
sumption. The farmers could be taught
this by means Of bulletins on the sub.
ject aud the holding Of farmers in
stitutes, at which men who have made
a success at the business could explain
it. OF course. this would require the
expenditure Of some money. bat the
Commissioner thinks that as long as
the farmers bear the greater burden of
taxation the State could afford to ap.
propriate some Of the revenues 70 a de-
partment the business Of which Is 70
look after the agricultural interests
The farmers would derive the direct
benefits from the money so expended
Mr.. Koiner reports that the farmers
seem 10 have manifested an increased
interest in the department, as the let
ter files in his Office will show They
have made inquiries on practical sub
jects, which it has given him much
pleasure 10 promptly answer The
newspapers have also aided the depart
ment in no little degree by publishing
from time TO time information from
the Commissioner Office which has
been OF interest to their out.of-town
subscribers.
The Commissioner report 10 the
Governor gives, an outline OF the
work Of the department since the first
Of the year. and dwells upon the many
new departures which could be made
to advance the agricultural interests if
the State appropriated the necessary
funds to carry them out.
Grant Reed Must Hang.