The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-24
THE NEW BOARD
TO Control the Department of
Agriculture.
Governor to Appoint One Member From Each
Congressional District. R, guIatiors
for Fertilizer.

for Fertilizer.
The act concerning the Department of
Agriculture amends chapter 81, Public
Laws of 1899 by repeating chapter IS, Pub
lie Laws of 1897 and section 2319 to 1924
of the Code inclusive, and all other laws
inconsistent with this act
1t is provided that the Department of
Agriculture, immigration and Statistics
shall be under the control and supervision
Of the commissioner Of Agriculture, with
the consent and advice of a Board of Ag-
riculture consisting of the former COM
missioners, who shall retain their places
until the expiration of their respective
terms, and one member from each Con-
gressional District, to be appointed by
the Governor and confirmed by the Sen
ate. No successors are to be elected to
the commissioners whose terms are to
expire in 1901 and 1903. All vacancies
occurring in the board shall be filled by
appointment of the Governor. The mem
bers from the First, Fourth and Seventh
Districts, elected by the Legislature of
1899 for terms of two years, shall be sue
ceeded by members appointed by the
Governor for terms of six years begin
ming March 9th, 1901. Those elected in
1899 for terms of four years shall be sue
ceeded at the expiration of their terms
by members appointed in the same way,
and so with those elected in 1899 for six
years.
Meetings of the Board are to be held
in Raleigh twice a year, and oftener if
called by the commissioner of Agricul-
ture. The members are TO receive COM
pensation of $500 per day while attending
sessions, and five cents per mile.
The Board shall elect from its body an
executive committee Of four and fl
nance committee of four, of both of which
the commissioner shall be ex-officio
member and chairman.
FERTILIZERS.
The commissioner shall investigate all
complaints made by purchasers of fertili-
zers, and he shall ascertain the actual
cost of the materials from which am
monia' or nitrogen is obtained of the
manufacture of acid phosphates, and Of
the sources of potash, and to publish the
same in the Bulletin; but he shall
not expose the name of any manufactur-
er in this State, who may give him in
formation on the subject, nor shall he
divulge any information concerning the
private business of any company manu-
featuring fertilizer solely in this State;
provided such company is not a part or
branch of any trust or combination. He
shall also publish in every fertilizer Bull
letin a price list of the market value OF
al the materials OF which fertilizers are
made.
DUTIES or THE COMMISSIONER.
The commissioner, with the advice of
the board, shall investigate and promote
all subjects relating to the Improvement
Of agriculture. use of fertilizerss.an and in
ducement of immigration and capital He
is especially charged with the supervi-
sion Of the trade in fertilizers to the best
interests of the farmers, and shall report
to solicitors and the General Assembly in
formation as to the existence of trusts
in fertilizers or fertilizing materials. He
is further charged with Investigations
to promote the improvement of dairy and
stock interests, Investigations relative
to the ravages Of insects, the introduction
and fostering Of new agricultural indus
tries, the subject Of drainage and irriga-
ton, the collection of statistics relating
to the subject of farm fences, the super
vision of all measures for the propagation
and culture of fish in the rivers and in
land waters of the State, the enforcement
and supervision of the laws enacted in
this State for the sale of commercial fer
tilizers, seeds and food products, with au-
thority to make regulations concerning
the same, the inducement of capital and
immigration by the dissemination of in
formation relative to the advantages of
soil and climate, natural resources and
industrial opportunities offered in this
State, such Investigations as will best
promote the improvements and extension
of diversified farming, the holding of
farmers institutes in the several eoun-
ties of the State. He shall keep a mu-
scum to illustrate the agricultural and
other resources and the natural history
of the State.
For the purpose of defraying expenses,
there shall be charge of 90 cents per ton
on fertilizers and fertiliizing materials,
except that which is sold to a manufac-
turer for the sole purpose of use in the
manufacture of fertilizers. Provided the
commissioners with the consent of the
Board may exempt such natural material
as may be deemed expedient.
FERTILIZER LABELED.
Every package of fertilizer or fertiIiz-
ing material offered for sale shall have
thereon plainly printed a label. a COPY
]
;ioner, which shall not be changed during |
the year for which such labels are issued I
There shall be delivered also to the com |
missioner statement of the materials |
from which the phosphoric acid, nitrogen |
and potash are each derived in each brand !
Of goods registered. No brand shall be |
changed to lower grade at any subse- t
quent registration. @
The commissioners shall publish list
Of brands or trade marks, in groups con-
tanning the same amount of identical
constituents. A brand name entered by
one person shall not be allowed to be
registered by another.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
1t shall be unlawful to sell fertilizers
1ot coming up to the following minimum
ID Complete fertilizer containing
ohosphoric acid, ammonia and potash, II
per centum aggregate.
(2.) Fertilizer containing pbosphoric