The Burke County news. [volume] (Morganton, N.C.) 1899-1901, 1899-01-13
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Mechanic Arts (colored).... 10. 10000
State Normal Schools (colored.. 10000 o
Total S135. 10000
The Geological Survey has continued Its
work OF examining and reporting on our va
1ious mineral, timber and water power re-
sources. and it is said To have been instru-
mental already in bringing several millions
of capital into the State. During the past
two wears it has also carried on an lnvestiga-
ton coucerniog the character and extent OF
the materials suitable for road building, in
both eastern and western counties, and the
result Of this investigation Will be embodied
in a forthcoming report.
In conjunction with the United States De-
partment Of Agrit ulture. investigation Is
now being carried on as to the rate OF growth
under different conditions Of the most I'M
portant timber trees Of the eastern counties.
In conjunction with the United States Geo.
logical Survey, it is continuing the work CT
preparing the large Topographic and geologic
map of the State. this work having been
nearly completed for the mountain counties.
In conjunction with the United States Coast
Survey and with the cooperation OF the au-
thorities of the several counties. the survey
Is also establishing at all Of the county seats
in the State a magnetic meridian post ana q
standard measure for surveyors chains, In
the expectation that this will lead In the ~.
ture to the more accurate survey OF all LANDS
and boundary lines.
1t has been estimated by the experts con-
nected with both the government and the
State forestry surveys, that in eastern NORTH
Carolina especially, during the present cen
fury, more timber has been destroyed BY for
est fires than has been cut and sold es lum-
Der. Twelve onths ago a single forest fire
along the border between North and South
Carolina is said to have destroyed, in two
days. one million dollars worth of property
and 15lives. It is not as yet clear how these
destructive fires may be prevented in North
Carolina, but I beg to cal your attention to
the fact that, during the past few years. leg
islation has been enacted in Maine, New
York, Pennsylvania and some other States.
which has, without any great cost to these
States. resulted in greatly diminishing both
theInumber and the destructiveness of these
fires.
more widespread and intelligent inter-
est in the betterment Of the public roads OF
tho Slate is everywhere apparent. This il.
terest has been steadily growing during the
last decade, and it Is evidently one Of the
most vital economic problems now before the
people. There is need OF better and more
uniform legislation in the interest Of this
movement and at an early day q report will
be presented to you embodying en- abstract
Of the different county and State road laws
now in operation. and also much infOrma-
ton concerning methods OF road building.
There is also great need in this State for
more intelligent and experienced road en-
gineers and supervisors. so as to avoid a
wasting of money and labor in carrying out
worthlt So plans for work. The plan OF EN-.
Iloying short-term convicts on the roads has
proved economical! and satisfactory in a
number of counties in this and other States.
and the system could be well extended. OF
course no amount Of legi, lation will OF itsel
radically change the existing conditions. but
perhaps laws providing for the working of
the public roads may be enacted SO as TO
stimulate and direct better work in this d.
reet1on. 1t Is coming to be generally recsp-
nized that the use cf wide tires on all waycno
aud other draft vehicles will greatly aid tie
Keeping OF the public roads in better con-
dition. 1t is desirable that legislation look
ing in this direction should be enacted in
North Carolina.
The report OF :he Board of Agriculture
transmitted herewith. gives IN detail the op-
~eratiOns of that Department for the last two
years. and the attention of the General AZ.
senoly Is directed to the recommendations
contained therein. The Department has done
some very valuable work since its last re-
Port to the General Assembly. but 1t ia be-
iteved that Its efficiency would be greatly in
creased II the farmers institute work in
which this Department engages. corld he
made 10 reach q greater number OF our farm
g..
The State Museum. under the control Of
ihis department., Is one OF the most axtea-
a"N s1o x aIEdIItl INSTITUTIONS OF ltS
Alnc IN tue country. 1t is not only honor
aele TO the men who have gathered and a.
ranged lis specimens and 10 the safe to
which 1t belongs. but it would be credi,abls
10 any state III the Uni0n.
The state Agricultural Society has done
good work during the Inst two years. The
taiE IN 1883 was the most largely attended ex-
tabiiioa OF the products Of our peoples in
1astry that has been held within the history
tihe society. II is hoped tina, the General
Assembly viii c~outiuu. TO trea; this society
generously. by doiaS whatever j.; may lie
Eecs->--g =" l." io increase i : efficiency md
.sSsn e-.lY.