The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-02

that II all the patrons of all the
schools IN Virginia were sufficiently
Interested TO ask foi II. more money
might be invested IN the development
OF the science OF growing food than
per cent OF thu total expenses
II is evident that the Importance OF
more efficient agriculture! education
Is matter OF general public interest.
a. Is evidenced by the fact that the
Richmond Times Dispatch for months
past has daily devoted two columns OF
its valuable space 10 the disscmina-
ton OF scientific agricultural inform
alton, prepared by Prof Massey
II may be that am dreaming
dreams bat without Imagination there
can be no invention. The future safe
~ OF society depends upon the farm.
In order that this dependence may not
disa ppoint our descendants il is es-
sential that agriculture be made profit
able. productive and permanent. that
the farm home be made comfortable
and beautiful, and that The farmer be
educated
!, will require enormous sums Of
money TO realize this dream. but | be-
leve il will be worth the expense.
The only possible way 10 accomplish
great results in a free country is to
convince the voters. and so TO secure
theii> co operat ton. While ii may not
be possible 10 appropriate all at once.
for the advancement Of agricultural
research and education, sum equal
To the money we spend every two
years for the insane, or for crimina Is.
ii has occurred to me that plan
might he worked out by which a very
large principal sum might be accumu :
lated for this purpose. the annual in
which would
handsome endowment and would prob
ably go a very long WAYS towards the
realization OF a greater efficiency.
In round numbers the public debt
OF the state amounts TO S25, 900 0O0
the annual interest on this sum
amounts 10 about $4,000. Under tha
law a sinking fund had 10 he crea ted.
by the terms of which the State must
set aside for the purchase of its bonds
one-half of per cent OF the total
until 1929, inclusive. and per cent OF
the total from 1880 until the bonds
are all redeemed. In compliance with
this law. since 1910 the State has been
making an annual appropriation TO the
sinking fund al 1T least Sl25.G00. The
bonds purchased. or redeemed, are re-
quircd by the law 10 be Cancelled Oy
the commissioners OF the sinking fund.
Finds No Legal Objection.
This law is statute law, which
presume can be changed, provided the
rights of the bondholders arc not in
juriously affected thereby II may be
that I have overlooked some legal OF
constitutional objection 10 my plan
but as yet have not been able to
discover any such objection.
In brief, my plan is that so
amend the existing law ms to provide
that. instead of being Cancelled. the
bonds purchased by the commission :
ers of the sinking fund shall be and
remain the property of the United
Agricultural Board of the State OF
Virginia. until such time as the Gen
eral Assembly may by law otherwise
direct: that such bonds shall not be
reissued. and that the interest thereon
shall be paid semiannually to the
said United Agricultural Board of the
State Of Virginia, for the advancement
of agricultural research. experiment
and education, in accordance with the
terms Of the act and amendments Gre
ating said board.
II this plan is constitutionally and
legally practicable, it would result,
eventually in the creation of an enor-
nous fund, tho annual Interest on
which would amount to $4,000 With
such sum available. it il safe &c
say that many Of the secrets Of nature
would be revealed by patient and SCI