The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-02

DR.. S. w. Fletcher opened the night
session of the Farmers Institute with
plea for the proposed law requiring
the State to increase the appropriation
for the establishment and maintenance
OF sub-cXpcrimcnt stations in the
State so rs TO enable scientific work
to he done in connection with other
crops than tobacco to which the state
appropriation is now made and wholly
applied. He explained that Virginia
from the ocean to the mountains was
as widely diversified as to climate and
soil as Maine and the South. and
showed that the only experiment
station was financed by the Federal
government. True, lie said, there We're
six substatlons maintained by the
state ut the cost of $4,000, but that
they were solely for tobacco and crops
grown in rotation with it.
Els idea was to keep the contra !
station at Blacksburg, using Federal
funds there and to have the state
appropriate $4,000 for the establish
ment OF substations in every section
Of Virginia experimenting with every
crop that is raised In the state. The
matter was referred to the legislative
committee, which will appear before
the Senate Finance Committee THIS
morning at 10 O'CLOCK.
Took No Action.
Contrary to expectations, the dis
cussion of legislation to create the
office of director of farmers institutes
and to provide $4,000 for the holding
by him of Institutes throughout the
| state, the money to be taken out OF
the fertilizer tax, produced but little
| discussion.
| A few OF the members thought that
| the office should be created. and suS
gested that it not be made elective
| Mr.. Sproul, member of the Board OF
Agriculture, spoke against the meas
lure. saying that he felt that IT was
a slam on the board, which he said
| was doing all in It's power to aid the
| farmer and holding institutes as far
as finances would permit. He added
that the appropriation for this year
| would be greater, and that the board
| would accomplish practically all tha'
| could be expected of the director. He
| thought that the board might as Wen
ha dispensed with as to take away
| the income from the fertilizer taN
hope" he said, that you VIII helL
us and not try TO pull us down. .
| NJ Barker. also n member Oh N.
board. spoke on the subject ana tne
convention decided to take no action
Plans for Farmers Week.
Or. Fletcher outlined his plans foi
FARMERS Week" which will be join
or consecutive meeting of all the asrl
cultural interests of the state ~
gave his reasons for the feasibility o
this scheme. saying that the co-opera
| tiou would give more influence an'
would be economical to farmers wh'
cared to hear something about every
nhase OF their work. He said that SIX
teen States of the Union had adopted
! this nlan and had found 1t most sue
cessful. Under his plan each societ,
| will retain It's identity, but VIII NEE
at Intervals throughout the week TO
Joint sessions. The idea is similar t'
/ that adopted by the state Educationa
| Conference DR.. Fletchers scheme wa
! Endorsed by representatives, of man!
Of the associations. President Davi
referred the program TO the following
committee with power TO act: DR.. s. W
4 FLETCHER, W. W. Sproul and DIR. p. W
! McGruder
The session to-day will open at
O'Clock and will take up the best par
of the day with the exception or
short recess for lunch. II possible IN
4 full program will be completed, $
that all tomorrow may be given owe
to the corn show.
To-nig.. the convention ana mem
bers of the Legislature VIII be III