Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-01-25
THE STATE BOARD
AGRICULTURE
WEDNESDAY, January II.

Board openedat Trenton last week We'd
nesday, with good attendance.
sidePrent E.. B. voorhees,, Of New Bruins
wick, in calling the meeting to order re-
ferred feelingly to Secretary Dyes illness
and expressed regret at the absence of a
man who for so many years has played so
prominent part in all the proceedings Of
the board, and in behalf of the board
hoped for his speedy recovery. In Mr..
Dyes absence L. B. Ketcham of Penning-
ton was chosen to act as secretary.
The following standing committee were
appointed by President Voorhees,
Credentials-S. B. Ward, Essex; E. L.
Barton, Salem; Charles Barton, Camden.
Resolutions "A. J. Rider, Atlantic; G.
B. Crane. Essex: W. NJ. Moreau. Mon
mouth.
Official Reports-L. 81. Bonham, Cum
berland; James I. Cook, Warren; Asa
Moore, Gloucester.
Entertainments Of Delegates John T.
Cox, Hunterdon; George W. F. Gaunt,
Gloucester.
The report Of the executive committee of
the board relative to the details Of its work
during the year was read by the COM
mittee's chairman, John 7. Cox, Of Read
ington. The report of the proceedings Of
the New Jersey State Grange, Patrons Of
Husbandry, was read by George W. F.
caunk of fSlounester
The annual report of the treasurer Of the
board, Walter Heritage, of swedesboro,
showed receipts to the amount Of S4,-
1870, which was all expended.
MT- Ks pan fOad Secretary Dye : al-
nuisl repor6, It showed that 1905 was a n
unusually prosperous pne for the farmers Of
this state. Il stated that while 1904 was
an exceptionally good year it was surpassed
by 1905 by more than half million dol
lars in the value of crops. According to
the report there are now "a, $50 farms in
New Jersey with an average value Of
81, ,692. The total value of land and build
ings is s162, ,591, ,Olo; of implements and
machinery, Sc, 3sO,03o; Of domestic ami
mails, $40, ,545, SIS, making total Of SIs2, =
466,515. The farm products for 1903 ag-
gregated 500, 4sl, ,sOe, which is equivalent
to gross acreage of SIS an acre.
On the question of automobiles the re-
port said:
asIf automobiles, which are but railroad
engines without their own tracks and with
out competent engineers, are allowed on
the public roads at all, it should only be
by we'll guarded legal provisions and not,
as is now the case, by usurpation; and they
should in all cases guard against frighten-
ing or injnring other travellers, their yehi-
cles and animals. The machines are capa-
BILE of much usefulness and if they were
driven with common sense and with due
regard to the rights Of all other users OF the
public roads, they would not be 50 much Of
terror
rhe game laws Of the state were discuss
ed. Mr.. Dye reported: "Our code of game
laws and methods Of their administration
seems to be growing worse. would sug-
gest Shat if the state assumes to own the
game, as it seems to, although the entire
list of wild animals and birds is feed and
supported BY the farmers, and to place
penalties against shooting or trapping this
game, eYen by farmers when those animals
or birds are destroying their property, then
suggest that a law be formulated making
the state responsible for the damage done;
that such damage be appraised and the bill
for damages be presented TO the state for
payment. Something should be done. =
This afternoon President Voorhees, pre-
sented his annual report. IN general, ii
reviewed the progress in farming in New
Jersey during the past 80 years. President
Voorhees, urged in a forceful manner for
more education among farmers if proper
progress is to be made in the future. The
address said:
Aside from the primary problem Of pro-
ducing crops and of conserving at the same
time the principal elements involved in
their growth, we must recognize that the
allied problems of labor, transporsion. social
conditions and political and economic forces,
which create 50 much dissatisfaction and
unrest among the farmers, as among others,
are the result, in part at least, Of the ignor-
ance Of the fundamental principles upon.
which the industry rests It is common
saving that farming as business depends
more upon the man than upon the condi-
tions, and if we will follow up this matter,
We shall find that where the individual is
successful, be is SO because be has, either
hy intuition Or force Of character, succeeded
ia educating himself.
There can be no good reason, il eco-
nonic conditions were properly adjusted,
why the farming business should not fairly
compete IN obtaining labor with the manu-
fact1rer. In the naatter Of trans
portation, too, it would Seem shat i eoo-s
nomio conditions were properly adjust d,
more equitable terms for the distrib1' 80 lot