Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-09-18
FARMERS ARE SCARCE
IN WEST VIRGINIA
Hon. James Stewart, of w, Va. Ex.
pertinent Station, Discusses
the Matter.
the Matter.

Wheeling. W. Va, September H.
In the 1obbies OF the hotels, the one
question that is being discussed among
the prominent men OF West Virginia.
is the gas question. During the past
week many have expressed themselves
as very much in favor of Governor
Glasscocks views. Among those al
the hotels yesterday was Mr. James
Stewart. of Morgantown, who has.
charge Of the Agricultural Experiment.
station. In discussing the big Fair.
Mr.. Stewart, said:
Il am very much impressed with
your fair and think IT a big success.
The agriculture and cattle display is
excellent but was very sorry TO note
that the agricultural and cattle display
was mainly from other states and
West Virginia was very poorly repre-
scented. For a state like this, so we'll
adopted for raising these products, not
Sufficient interest is given the subject
/ saw some very fine Irish potatoes
specimens OF what can be raised in
this state and yet last year there were
over TWO million bushels of potatoes
brought into this tate beides what
We're raised here. A single firm in
worth of cabbage in this state that
was raised in other states ! have sent
reliable men to each city in the state
and find that the West Virginia farmer
is not raising enough farm truck TO
supply this state and many thousands
Of dollars worth of garden truckage is
being shipped mere each year.
1926. 000. 600 was spent last year for
staff shipped into this state that could
have been raised hera. Much meat,
poultry and dairy products are also
shipped into this state each year and
West Virginia is better adapted for
this kind of products thrn many OF
the states that are shipping the goods
here. ! think the farmers should be
urged TO raise mUr proc pcts ON their
farms. Many or the farmers have sold
their gas. coal and oil lands and are
now living in luxury, moi raising hard
ly enough products on their farms to
pay the taxes.
Wheeling last year paid $4,000, 900
for products that were raised in other
states and shipped here. This amount
of products could have been raised in
this pan handle alone. Hunting
ton, Charleston and Fairmont, spent
twice this amount while Clarksburg
spent nearly three times this amount"
In discussing the gas question Mr..
Stewart. said: When the gas and oil
of West Virginia has given out what
viii the state do? 1t will be a matter
of a short time until both of these
products become exhausted. I have al
ways been in favor of placing a tax
on gas and am with Governor Glass
cock, ON this question. / think he de.
serves much credit for the stand he
has taken in the matter. If a tax can
be placed on ga It should have been
done long ago as the gas is rapidly
being pumped into other states and
West Virginia, is not deriving any ben
eft from it. II is a thing that the pub
Tic are interested in and the public
are anxious to see "a tax placed ON 1T.
THE state experimental station at
~Morgantown, is doing tine work and
is being appreciated by the people. In
and about Wheeling in a fine farming
section and n of the lost wool rails
ing sections east of the Mississippi
river. There should be ever twice the
amount Of sheep raised in this section
that there fs.'