The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-13
SUGGESTS FUND TO
ADVERTISE STATE
COMMISSIONER KoINER RECON-
nIENDs APPROPRIATION
BY ASSEMBLY.
IN ANNUAL. REPORT
WORK OF DEPARTMENT HAS so
INCREASED THAT MORE HELP
IS NEEDED--THE YEAR
IN DETAIL.
IN ANNUAL REPORT

The need of a liberal appropriation
from the next general assembly to
enable the department of agriculture
Ito advertise to the world the SPLEEN
did opportunities offered here for men
of Industry, economy and some capital
to invest in our Virginia lands" is
the chief recommendation In the re-
port of Commissioner of Agriculture
George w. koiner, submitted to the
governor yesterday through President
Berkeley u. Adams, OF the State
board
we have not appreciated" says
the commissioner, the great value of
the State in widely and literally ad =
vertlsing her wonderful resources. We
have millions OF idle acres. This would
soon double the value Of cur land,
much OF which is now too cheap in
price. Many farms now too large
should be divided into smaller ones.
large and thrifty population In the
communities would infuse new life
into all kinds OF business"
The only income the departm MT re-
ceives, the commissioner points out.
is that derived from the small tom
mage tax on fertilizers and this is
barely sufficient for It's support, not
permitting such extension work as
would be possible and profitable.
cutive that Ii viii be necessary to
provide for additions to the clerical
force in his department. The present
force has been diligent and faithful
in the performance OF Its duties
working longer hours each day than
the law prescribes but the increased
demands upon every facility OF the
department by the farmers OF the
State has increased the volume OF
H.
force cannot cope with IL.
Every effort is being made to pre-
vent the inroads of the chestnut
blight disease. which has made It's ap-
pearance on the Maryland border, the
commissioner reports, and in this the
state department IL cooperating with
the national forestry bureau. The
department has established two new
experiment stations during the year.
making now Ave IN all.
lame Act
The operation of the lime grinding
act, the commissioner points out, has
been held up by litigation. The new
seed law for the short time II has been
in force has wonderfully improved the
quality OF seed sold In the State, and
has been OF far-reaching benefit 10 the
farmerG
The commissioner makes detailed
report n tt1T Growth u -rfU institute
work during the year. Special trains
were utilized and in addition 10 the
great number OF Individual institutes
conducted by lecturers from the de-
partment and marked increase In an
terest had been shown by the farm
ers. The commissioner hopes to es-
tahltsh a permanent institute in each
county before the next report.
The agricultural values In Virginia
IN 1900 were $4,000. 900 and In 1913
they had grown TO $3.50. 1000, 900, an
increase OF 132 per cent Virginia was
the only State In the South during
the year to increase the number OF
its tenant farmers.
The farmers Of the State are more
and more taking advantage of the
departments aid and advice and are
making free use OF its every facility.
especially the seed testing, fertilizer
and cholera serum departments. The
fertilizer laws have been carefully en-
forced. the commissioner says.
Their were more than a million
special bulletins printe. and dis
with every phase of agriculture in
Virginia.
In his letter Of transmittal Presi-
dent Adams heartily conmends and
endorses the work OF the minis
sioner and his staff
The report OF the department will
commissioners year book. and will
not be ready for distribution before
the first OF the new year.