The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-24
HOW TO SECURE MONEY TO CON-
STRUCT THE NEW BUILD
ING AT THE A. AND II.
COLLEGE.

The Importance of the work of the De-
partment of Agriculture can scarcely be
overestimated. The character of much
of the soil in North Carolina is such
that the use of commercial fertilizers is
necessary to secure the greatest profit
to the farmers of many sections of the
State. The use of fertilizers has in
creased tremendously in recent years,
having more than kept pace with the in
crease of tobacco area, and the truck
area. 1t is exceedingly important that
the fertilizers sold to the farmers should
be of the best quality and should give
to the soil the properties that are need
ed and for which the fertilizer is bought.
There is no department in the South that
has done this work more efficiently and
in addition, has in so many ways served
well as the North Carolina Department.
The entire income of the department IS
realized from a ton tax on fertilizers,
and during the past two years it has
amounted in round figures to $134,0O
Every dollar of this money, of course. is
paid by the farmers, and it should be used
to promote agriculture and agricultural
education OF course some of this money
has been used fer other purposes, but the
IoI tat1
purpose as being analogous to agricul-
ture. There is no room to doubt that
some of the money has been used IN
wisely. For example. the large expend-
ture for what is known as the soil survey,
and the building of an elegant audi
forum in the Department building. We
understand that the large amount ex-
pended on the soil survey is to be dis
continued. except a small sum to finish
certain maps, and no more useless audi
forums will be erected.
During the Fusion Administration much
money was absolutely wasted in junkett-
ing trips and the payment of large SUMS
to unnecessary officials. When the Dem
considerable discussion as to what was
the best method of conducting the Agri-
cultural Department. Some suggested
that the entire income from fertilizers,
except that used for analysis of fertili-
zers. should be turned into the common
State Treasury, and appropriated with
the other money. There was serious OBJ
lection to this and well grounded OBJ
lection. There was even some suggcs-
abolished but of course this was not
seriously considered by thoughtful men.
1t was wisely decided to retain the de-
pertinent, restricted to its real work, and
to cut off all necessary expenditures. a
State veterinarian was appointed, an
cntomolcgst was selected capable chem
lists were put in charge of the analysis
of fertilizers, and the protection of the
State from food adulteration was under
taken. These were important, necessary
and valuable improvements.
Perhaps the most important act of the
Legislature two years ago, not in its
immediate results, but in its future pos
sibilities, was in committing to the Board
of Agriculture the control of the Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College. There
had been we'll founded belief that in
this college mechanical instruction had
been given too much prominence; that
too large a portion OF the States money
had been expended for mechanical in
struction and equipment, and too little
for agricultural instruction and equip
ment. 1t was hoped and believed by the
Governor and the other friends of the
college that, if the Board of Agriculture
had charge of the college as well as the
devise measures by which the agrcul-
tural instruction would not be secondary,
but of equal dignity and equal Importance
to the mechanical instruction. The
Board has not been able, because of the
debt left upon them by the Fusion Ad-
ministration, because of the large expen-
diture necessary to carry out the soil
survey and the establishment of test
| farms, to do as much along this line as
| had been hoped, but the number of agri-
cultural students has multiplied, by rea-
son of what has been done and the out
| look for the future development of the
agricultural end of the college work is
much more encouraging than it was two
years ago 1t is exceedingly important
| that this Improvement should be more
Marked and that the Board of Trustees
of the college and the General Assembly
should use every effort possible to put
the college in closer touch with the far
| mers of the State and to send back TO
the farms every year hundreds of the
| brightest and most intelligent sons of
farmers who will introduce new methods
| u,in 1avalop tho latent aorip,1It11ral