The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-12

"h"N ~ would De generally ad-
mitted that the agricultural college
should confine itself to such regula-
tory work as Is germane to the pro.
duction OF farm crops-tnat phase OF
agriculture in which regulation and
education are closely interviewer. The
analysis Of fertilizers. the veterinary
and live stock sanitary work, the study
and control OF crop diseases and insect
pests, the safeguarding Of purchasers
OF nursery stock7-these lines now car
ried on by the college are appropri-
ate activities for an agricultural co.,
lege. Organized marketing work
should also be carried on by the col
lege through it's extension service, be-
cause the marketing and production
of agricultural products are so inter-
calated that they cannot be separat-
ed to the advantage of either.
On the other hand. there is a dis
tict field of operation which belongs
to the police power OF the State, and
can well be exercised by an executive
branch Of the State government. The
inspection of oils and gasoline. COM
mercial feed stuffs. continental feeds
and tonics. and other finished or man.
ufactured products, can be very prop
erly handled by some agency other
than the agricultural college. There
Is a clear distinction that can be
drawn between the regulatory work
necessary to agricultural production
and regulatory work as necessary to
insure products being put on the mar
ket OF certain standards of quality,
and without adulteration. The Child
Labor Laws, the Messenger Boy Act,
the law governing the employing OF
women in industries. etc. lie distinct
ly outside of the natural field Of an
agricultural college.
The fertilizer inspection and
analysis belongs In a class to itself
among other manufactured products.
Aside from any obligation assumed
by the legislature to give the fertiliz-
er tax to Clemson College for it's sup
port. the quality OF fertilizers is fun
danental to production. The proper
testing Of fertilizers sometimes in
wolves not only chemical tests but
field tests to determine the availabn-
ity pf the xyo rio,,o so,,rcae ~ oc,r,o.;o
etc. and n technical oversight by
field experts in order to prevent the
use OF ingredients harmful or inef-
fective to plant life. ...>.
In the interest solely OF .efffciency. I
recommend that legislation be enacted
at shis session which. without dis
turbing the college or the department
in the work they are now doing. IN
der specific legislative enactment. will
prevent duplication. overlapping and
possible future conflict in the field of
agricultural service.
To that end the department of ag-
riculture. Commerce and Industries
should be renamed the Department
or commerce and Industries" and the
duties OF the commissioner should be
80 defined as to relieve him Of any
responsibility in the agricultural field
of production. marketing. etc.
BY such wise legislation two i'm
portant agencies will be properly CO.
ordinated. and each can work to tho
best advantage without jostiing or
wasteful duplication. Such legisla-
tson would be in line with the best
thought i'm other States. which have
long ago perceived the danger Of hav-
ing two rival agencies. both engaged
i'm the same work.
Game and Fish Laws.
Recent events have demonstrated
the impropriety Of delegating au-
thority to name a State official to a
private organization, such as the
Audubon Society of South Carolina.
II is not necessary that go into de-
tail In calling to your attention the
various wrangles that have played
such q prominent part I'm the recon-
nendation for appointment Of the
chief game warden. whose duty it is
to administer and enforce the game
protection laws.
| l am convinced that the solution
OF this matter rests in broadening and
enlarging the duties and powers of
the State Board OF Fisheries so that
the administration of the game laws
may come under the Jurisdiction of
that board 1 recommend that the
members OF the State Board Of Fish
/ cries be annninied hu tho oorarx az