REPORT 
OF THE 
^ 
OF THE 
STATE OF GEORGIA, 
EMBRACING THE YEARS 1883 A 1881. 
J. T. HENDERSON, Commissioner. 
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: JAS. P, HARRISON & CO., STATE PRINTERS. 
 
 0939416^ 
 
REPORT 
OF THE 
 
OF THE 
STATE OF GEORGIA, 
EMBRACING THE YEARS 1883 & 1884. 
 
J. T. HENDERSON, Commissioner. 
 
ATLANTA, GEORGIA *. JAS. L\ HARRISON A CO., STATE PRINTERS. 
1SS4. 
 
  ANNUAL REPORT. 
To His Excellency, Henry D. McDaniel, Governor: Dear Sir--I beg leave to submit herewith, my report of the 
operations of this Department for the period of two years, ending on the first day of October, 1884. 
ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT. 
Daring the period under review, several changes have occurred in the clerical force in the Department, and also in the employes in the work of inspecting fertilizers. On the 3lst day of July, 1883, Mr. J. 8. Newman, who had been connected with the office from almost its very inauguration, tendered his resignation in order to accept a prominent position in the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts of Alabama. In anticipation of this event, I had secured the services of Capt. Augustus R. McCutchen, of the County of Walker, to fill the vacant place. This gentleman was already well known to many of the citizens of the State as an accomplished, practical geologist and mineralogist, having served as Assistant State Geologist in the recent partial survey of the State, under Dr. George Little. On the first of January, 1883, Col. Thomas C. Howard was appointed Commissioner's Clerk, vice Troup Butler. These comprise all the changes that have occurred in this office proper. 
The following changes have been made among the Inspectors since my last report: On September 15, 1883, Mr. W. H. Howell was removed from Columbus, and relieved Dr. W. P. Harden at Brunswick ; Mr. W. S. DeWolf was appointed at Columbus; Mr. Troup Butler succeeded Mr.'Samuel Hawkins at Augusta ; Mr. L. W. Livingston was appointed at Macon vice E. L. Thomas. 
On the 15th of November, 1883, Mr. Howell was discontinued, and Gen. E. L. Thomas appointed in his stead ; and on the 1st day of April Mr. Ker Boyce was appointed at Brunswick, vice E. L. Thomas. 
 
 4 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[224] 
 
The present Organization of the Department, and of the Inspec tors of Fertilizers, is as follows : 
J. T. Henderson .................................................. Comissioner. R. J. Redding.........................................................Assistant, Commissioner. T. C. Howard.......................................................... Commissioner's Clerk. A. R. McCutchen.................................................. Editing Clerk and Geologist. W. B. Henderson.................................................. Fertilizer Clerk. H. C. White............................................................Chemist of Department. 0. T. Rogers........................................................... Inspector at Savannah. Ker Boyce................................................................Inspector at Augusta. Jno. II. Pate...................................................... . .Inspector at Brunswick. J. S. Lawton............................................................Inspector at Atlanta. L. W. Livingston..................................................Inspector at Macon. W. S. DeWolf....................................................... Inspector at Columbus. Dr. II. H. Cary........................................................ Superintendent of Fisheries. 
 
INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZERS. 
The office work incident to the execution of the laws for the inspec tion and the analysis of commercial fertilizers and chemicals con sume a large part of the time of myself and the employes of my office, during eight months.of the year, commencing in September and practically closing about the first of June. During the period embraced in this Report, the law has been executed with increasing: vigilance, and has continued to afford a high degree of protection to^ the farmers of the State, who purchase and use fertilizers. Whilethe law is not perfect, yet I am assured that the objects sought tobe accomplished in its enactment and operation, viz : the protection of farmers from frauds and impositions, and the elevation of thestandard of excellence and purity of commercial fertilizers, havebeen realized in higher degree than in any State of the Union. In the matter of inspecting fertilizers, Georgia is a pioneer State.. Having no precedents to guide legislation on this important subject,, she has enacted laws, and provided a system of inspection, that have become precedents and patterns for others. In some respects, our system has been improved upon : but judged by the degree of suc cess in securing the objects cf the law, the Georgia system of in spection has probably not been equaled by that of any State. After an experience of four years in administering our law, aided by the watchful efforts of six Inspectors and a most experienced and skillful chemist, I am prepared to express the opinion, that no State law of a similar character has been more faithfully executed, proved 
 
 '[225] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
5 
 
more beneficial to the State and her citizens, or better served the purpose of its enactment and cost the State less, than the Fertilizer Law of Georgia. 
It is not claimed that there have been no vhlations of the law-- all good and wholesome laws are more or less violated. Still less is It claimed that the law itself is perfectly well adapted to the purpose for which it was enacted. There is certainly no one who enjoys opportunities for judging of its effective operation, or facilities for discovering violations, equal to those available to the Commissioner of Agriculture. Repeated legislative investigations have developed little in regard to the efficiency of the Inspection System, or over sights in the inception, or defects in the details of the law, that were not familiarly known to the Commissioner. The committee which was raised by the last General Assembly for the purpose of "inves tigating the Department of Agriculture, and the mode and manner of Inspecting Fertilizers," after a long and arduous season of dili gent inquiry and labor, accomplished but little more than to acquire some familiarity with the workings of the Department, a d the operation of the Inspection Law. No facts were biought to light that had been before hidden, or difficult of access. The Commis sioner offered every facility that might aid the committee in discharg ing the duties imposed upon them. In the progress of the investi gation, the defects in the Inspection Law became apparent to each member; and, as a result of their labors, the committee recommended 'the passage of a bill to amend and codify all laws on the subject of the Inspection and Analysis of Fertilizers. It was believed that this bill--had it become a law--would have resulted in much greater efficiency in the work, and increased satisfaction to both consumers and manufacturers of fertilizers. It embodied the joint conclusions and the wisdom of four prominent members of each branch of the General Assembly, after several weeks spent in carefully investigat ing the system in all its details. On its consideration, however, the bill was "ridered" with such inconsistent and emasculatory amend ments as would have defeated the object of the committee, even if it had finally passed. The advocates of the original bill, therefore, aided in defeating it in the final vote; and the fertilizer law of 1877 remains substantially unaltered. 
Of the features of the present law, I desire to call attention to 
 
 6 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[226} 
 
one only: Section 1553 (J) of the Code of Georgia, provides that,. "It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Agriculture to forbid the sale of any acid phosphate or dissolved bone, which is shown by official analysis to contain less than ten per centum of available phosphoric acid; and also, to forbid the sale of any ammoniated superphosphate which is shown by official analysis to contain less than eight per centum of available phosphoric acid, and two per centum of ammonia. ..." 
In enacting this provision, it was probably the intention of the General Assembly simply to prevent the introduction or sale of lour grade fertilizers, and not to prescribe the relative proportions of the several elements that usually enter into the composition of commer cial superphosphate, or ammoniated superphosphate or dissolved bone. At the time of the adoption of this provision, the standard soerected was considered a high one, and the general effect of the law was to raise all fertilizers to which it was applicable, up to this standard, and there maintain them. 
But with the improved methods and machinery now brought to bear in the manufacture of fertilizers, a grade of eight per centum of available phosphoric acid and two per centum of ammonia is by no means difficult of attainment. Especially is this the case when no other element of value enters into the composition of a fertilizer but ammonia and phosphoric acid. Therefore, the original purpose of the law is no longer subserved, since it is an easy matter to man ufacture a much higher grade of simple superphosphate, or an am. moniated superphosphate--neither of them containing potash or other recognized element of agricultural value. But the effect of the law has been different, in another respect, from what was in tended. In the range of formulation to suit the demands of dif ferent soils and different cereals, the manufacturer is restricted and embarrassed by the necessity of so proportioning the ingredient as to always meet the legal requirement. This is not at all times easy of accomplishment. A truck farmer on the coast wants a fertilizer for his early spring vegetables that shall contain six per cent, of ammonia, the sune of potash, and, say four percent.of phosphoric acid. Under the present law (the section quoted) such a formula, notwithstanding the fact that the result would be a very high grade fertilizer, would not pass inspection. It would not contain 
 
 [227] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
7 
 
the requisite eight per centum of available phosphoric acid. To bring it within the requirements of the law, the manufacturer must, in some way, increase the per centage of available phosphoric acid. To do this--while still maintaining the relative proportion of the three ingredients--he must use more expensive materials, and there fore the cost to the consumer will be correspondingly increased. His formula must be so elevated in standard that it will give eight per centum of available phosphoric acid, twelve per centum of am monia, and twelve per centum of potash. As a business proposi tion this is impracticable,though easily accomplished in the laboratory by using comparatively pure and costly chemicals. I have stated an extreme case the better to illustrate the embarrassment under which the manufacturer often labors in endeavoring to meet the demands of his customers. The committee bill, to which reference has been made, met this difficulty fully, by allowing a latitude in formulating fertilizers restricted only by the requirement that all such fertilizers shall contain, of valuable ingredients (phosphoric acid, ammonia and potash), not less--in the aggregate--than the equivalent of twelve per centum of available phosphoric acid. My decided conviction is, thac an amendment to the present law, involving substantially this provision, should be adopted, and I re spectfully recommend the same. 
There are other features of the committee bill which commend it to my judgment, but the foregoing is of the most practical impor tance, involving as it does, an important principle. 
As a matter of interesting information, I beg to present the fol lowing statistics of the Inspection and Analysis of Fertilizers for the past two seasons, as compiled from Circulars 43 and 55. 
 
 8 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[228] 
 
STATISTICS OF FERTILIZERS. 
TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OR TONS OF ALL KINDS INSPECTED BY EACH OF THE IN 
SPECTORS DURING THE SEASONS OF 1882-3 AND 1883-4. 
 
INSPECTORS. 
 
Season of Season of 
 
1882-8. 1883-4. 
 
Tons. 
 
Tons. 
 
0. T. Rogers, Inspector at Savannah............................................. 31,229.05 48,340.45 
 
Samuel Hawkins, Inspector at Augusta*...................................... 25,994.20 
 
Troup Butler, Inspector at Augusta.............................................. 
 
49,784.00 
 
J. S. Lawton, Inspectoral Atlanta................................................. 20,513 58 19,681.20 
 
W. P. Harden, Inspector at Brunswickf...................................... 19,977.52 
 
Troup Butler (Temporary i /ceHarden), Inspect, at Brunswick 0,458.25 
 
W. H. Howell, Inspector at Brunswick........................................ 
 
20.00 
 
E. L. Thomas {vice W. H. Howell), Inspectoral Brunswick..... 
 
3,839.70 
 
Ker Boyce {vice E. L. Thomas), Inspector at Brunswick........... 
 
841.20 
 
E. L. Thomas, Inspector at Maconf..... ......................................... 4,830.5(1 
 
L. W. Livingston, Inspector at Macon.......................................... 
 
8,521.60 
 
W. H, Plowell, Inspectoral Columbust....................................... 16,373.83 
 
W. S. DeWolf, Inspector at Columbus.......................................... 
 
20,821.40 
 
Totals...... ...................................................................................... 125,376 93 151,849.55 
 
*rhe Inspector at Augusta includes, also, large amounts inspected at Charles ton, S. C. 
fThe work of the Brunswick Inspector, during both seasons, and that of the Columbus Inspector, during the season of 1883-4, was chiefly done at Savannah, Ga.; and that of the Columbus Inspector for 1882-3, and of the Macon Inspector for 1883-4, was done at Atlanta, or in territory tributary thereto. 
 
 [229] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
9 
 
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS MADE DURING EACH OF THE SEASONS 1882-3 AND 18884, AS* 
THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF EACH. 
 
INSPECTORS. 
0. T. Rogers.................. Samuel Hawkins......... Troup Butler................ J. S. Lawlon.................. W. P. Harden.............. W. H. Howell............. E. L. Thomas................ Ker Boyce...................... L. W. Livingston........ W. S. DeWolf............... 
Totalsand averages 
 
SEASON OF 1882-3. SEASON OF 1883-4. 
 
No. of In spections 
 
Average Amount of 
Each. 
 
No. of In spections. 
 
Average Amount of 
Each. 
 
316 98 tons. 
 
428 113 tons. 
 
135 192 tons. 
 
86 75 tons. 
 
298 167 tons. 
 
194 105 tons. 
 
284 69 tons. 
 
178 112 tons. 
 
104 157 tons. 
 
1 20 tons. 
 
46 105 tons. 
 
45 85 tons. 
 
16 53 tons. 
 
135 63 tons. 
 
214 97 tons. 
 
959 130 Ions. 1.421 107 tons. 
 
COMPARATIVE TRADE IN FERTILIZERS. 
 
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE NUMBEK OF TONS INSPECTED FOR EACH OF THE LAST 
 
TEN SEASONS: 
 
There were inspected during the There we^e inspected during the There were inspected during the There were inspected during the There were inspected during the There were inspected during the There were inspected during the There were inspected during the There were inspected during the There were inspected during the 
 
season of1874-5..................................... season of1875-6.................................... season of1876-7.................................... season of1877-8.................................... season of1878-9.................................... season of1879-80.......................... season of1880-1.................................... season of1881-2.................................... season of1882-3.................................... season of1883-4.................................... 
 
48,648 tons 55,316 tons 75,824 tons 93,478 tons 85,049 tons 119,583 tons 154,404 tons 125,427 tons 125,377 tons 151,849 tons 
 
Total for ten years.....................................................................................1,034 955 tons Average per annum...................................................................... .......... 103,495 tons Average annual per cent, increase....................................................... 16 per cent 
 
The number of tons of A.cid Phosphates or Dissolved Bones in spected in Georgia during each of the past nine seasons is as follows : 
For the season cf 1875-6 .................................................................................... 6,499 tons For the season of 1876-7.................................................................................... 12,842 tons For the season of 1877 8.................................................................................... 15,332 tons For the season of 1878-9........................... !........................................................ 10,291 tons 
 
 IO 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[230] 
 
For the For the For the For the For the 
 
season of 1879 80................................................................................. 13,900 tons season of 1880-1................................................................................... 22,036 tons season of 1881-2................................................................................... 20,602 tons season of 1882-3................................................................................... 31,017 tons season of 1883-4................................................................................... 39,154 tons 
 
Of the whole quantity inspected, the percentage of Acid Phos phates for each season is as follows: 
 
For 1875-6.. For 1876-7.. For 1877-S... For 1878-9.. For 1879 80, For 1880 1.. For 1881-2.. For 1882-3.. For 1883-4.. 
 
11.66 per cent 12.82 per cent 19 62 per cent 12.24 per cent 11.63 per cent 15.11 per cent 16.42 per cent 24.73 per cent 25.78 per cent 
 
The following average analyses for the past ten seasons will be found interesting, viz: 
 
GENERAL AVERAGES OF ALL FERTILIZERS. 
 
Available Phosphoric Ammoina. 
Acid. 
 
For the season of 1874-5................................................ 9.23 
 
2.55 
 
For the season of 1875-6................................................ 10.94 
 
2.53 
 
For the season of 1876-7................................................ 10.87 
 
2.52 
 
For the season of 1877-8................................................ 11.43 
 
2.79 
 
For the s.ason of 1878-9.................... ......................... 11.95 
 
2.70 
 
For the season of 1879-80.............................................. 16.24 
 
2.58 
 
For the season of 1880-1............................................... 10.96 
 
2 53 
 
For the season of 1881-2.............................................. 10.88 
 
2.48 
 
For the season of 1882-3................................................ 11.03 
 
2.53 
 
For the season of 1883 4................................................ 10.82 
 
2.47 
 
Potasn. 
5.17 2.49 2.75 2.23 1.66 1.33 1.41 1 47 1.50 1.55 
 
These are the general averages of all fertilizers, including Acid Phosphates, for the seasons named. It is proper to remark that the averages of Ammonia and Potash are of those brands only which are shown by analysis to contain these elements, and not of the whole number of brands analyzed. 
 
 [231] 
 
COMMISSIONER'S REPORT 1883-84. 
 
11 
 
AVERAGE OF AMMONIATED FERTILIZERS. 
 
Avai lable Phosphoric Ammonia. 
Acid. 
 
For the season of 1874-5................................................... 8.73 
 
2.84 
 
For the season of 1875-6................................................... 10.36 
 
2.98 
 
For the season of 1876-7................................................... 10.51 
 
2.73 
 
For the season of 1877-8................................................... 10.83 
 
2.79 
 
For the season of 1878-9................................................... 11.52 
 
2.70 
 
For the season of 1879 80................................................ 
 
9.53 
 
2.59 
 
For the season of 1880-1.................................................... 10.30 
 
2.53 
 
For the season of 1881 2.................................................... 10.20 
 
2.48 
 
For the season of 1882-3................................................... 10.22 
 
2.53 
 
For the season of 1883-4................................................... 9.78 
 
2.47 
 
Potash, 
5.31 2.79 2.43 2.25 1.64 1.35 1.45 1.58 1.48 1.57 
 
AVERAGES OF NON-AMMONIATED FERTILIZERS. 
 
Available Phosphoric 
Add. For the season of 1874-5.................................................................... 11.05 For the season of 1875-6................................................................... 11.99 For the season of 1876-7.................................................................... 11.68 For the season of 1877-8.................................................................... 13.10 For the season of 1878-9.................................................................... 13.20 For the season of 1879-80.................................................................. 12.44 For the season of 1880-1.................................................................... 12.60 For the season of 1881-2.................................................................... 12 48 For the season of 1882-3......................................... ........................ 12.55 For Ihe season of 1883-4.................................................................... 12.59 
 
Potash. 
3 85 4.64 4.54 2.16 1.63 1.28 1.30 1 05 1.56 1.48 
 
The number of brands inspected, analyzed and placed upon the market for each season since the organization of the Department, is as follows : 
 
For the season of 1874-5. For the season of 1875-6, For the season of 1876-7 For the season of 1877-8 For the season of 1878-9 
 
110 brands 101 brands 125 brands 127 brands 162 brands 
 
 12 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[232] 
 
For the season of 1879-80.................................................................................... 182 brands For the season of 1880-1..., ............................................................................... 226 brands For the season of 1881-2...................................................................................... 270 brands For the season of 1882-3...................................................................................... 351 brands For the season of 1883-4...................................................................................... 336 brands 
These are exclusive of chemicals and other preparations for mak ing or composting manures at home. 
The number of brands of Ammoniated and Non-ammoniated Fer tilizers for each season is as follows. 
 
^'ootated No~o- 
 
TTnr tFp cpacuvn nf 174-f> 
 
........ ........ ......... 86 
 
li'nr f.TiP ssAAQrvn nf 
 
68 
 
33 
 
TTnr fVip <5Pncinn nf 1 X7fi-7 
 
.............................................. 85 
 
40 
 
TTnr the season nf 1877-8.11Ittt,t......................................... ......... 90 
 
37 
 
For the season of 1878-9................................................................... 119 
 
43 
 
TTnr +Tip spasnn nf 1 87<1 80 
 
............................... ........... 135 
 
47 
 
TTnr fVP Pnnri nf 1880-1 .... .............................................................. 163 
 
66 
 
For the season of 1881-2.......................................................... 
 
187 
 
83 
 
TTnr flip c!Ponr* nf 1889-2 
 
................................. 
 
239 
 
115 
 
For the season of 1883-4........................................................... 
 
210 
 
126 
 
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES INCIDENT TO THE INSPECTION OF FERTILIZERS, SEASON OF 1883-4. 
 
RECEIPTS. 
 
Fees on 151,849.53 tons inspected during the season......... 
 
.$75,914 92 
 
EXPENSES OF INSPECTION. 
 
.....8 3,780 86 
 
Express charges on tags, samples and other incidental ex- 
 
penses .......................................................................... 
 
600 11 
 
Balance paid into the Treasury............................................. 
 
71,533 92 
 
$ 75,924 92 $75,924 92 
 
Total amount paid into the Treasury......................... 
 
$71,533 92 
 
Inspectors' salaries to September 1, 1884............................ .....$ 6,400 00 
 
Chemist's salary to September 1, 1884.................................. 
 
3,000 00 
 
Leaving net balance in the Treasury of.............................. 
 
62,133 92 
 
$ 71,533 92 $71,533 92 
 
 [233] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
13 
 
The net balance in the Treasury for the season of 1877-8 was. For the season of 1878-9................................................................ For the season of 1879-80 ........................................ ..................... For the season of 1880-1................................................................ For the season of 1881-2 ................................................................ For the season of 1882-3................................................................ For the season of 1883-4.............................. ................................. Increase compared with 1882-3..................................................... 
 
$35,905 77 31,267 67 46,438 3& 64,060 28 50,251 32 50 810 90 62,133 92 11,323 02 
 
COMPARATIVE RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR SEVEN SEA SONS. 
 
1 
 
at 5lc per Ton. j 
 
i 
 
SISSONS. 1877*8...a............... 
 
I 
 
| Amount Pal 
 
| Total Fees Collected, 
 
spected.--Tons, 
 
Total Amouut In- 
 
Expenses Deducted From Fees Re ceived. 
 
w> 
 
3Q  01 S3 
 
4e3e CO. 0. 
 
 
 
sir 
 
o'H 02 
 
EC 
 
Nf 
 
u 
 
m 
 
>> Salaries of Gnem- 
 
3<04sn31- 
 
ist and In 
 
spectors drawn .3 
 
from 
 
jge . 
 
'O H^ 
 
Intc 
 
the Treasury. 
 
0 
(3 3 
 
csb-abraJ- 
 
a!H 
 
Inspectors. 
 
SEP 4O3 
 
j 
 
i 
 
| 
 
93,478 $ 46,739 $ 1,608 $.............. $ 45,131 $ 3,000 $ 6 600 $ 35 531 
 
1878-9..................... 85,049 42 524 2,053 
 
40,472 3 000 6 204 31 968 
 
1879-80................... 119,583 59,791 2 582 
 
57,210 2,900 4 871 49 438 
 
1880-1...................... 152,464 75,986 3,289 436 65 72,260 3,000 5,200 64,060 
 
1881-2...................... 125,426 62,713 2,882 434 50 59,397 3,000 6,146 50,251 
 
1882-3...................... 125,377 62,688 2,843 459 41 60,627 3,000 6,816 50,811 
 
1883 4.................... 151,850 75,915 3,781 600 14 71,534 3,000 6,400 62,134 
 
Total 7 seasons. 853,227 $426,356 $ 19,038 $1,930 70 $406,631 $20,900 $42,237 $ 343,49S 
 
STATE CHEMISTS' REPORTS. 
 
In this connection I beg to incorporate the final reports of the State Chemists for each of the two years : 
 
REPORT OF CHEMIST FOR SEASON OF 1882-3. 
 
Hon. J. T. Henderson, 
 
Department op Agriculture, 
 
) 
 
Office of State Chemist, 
 
[ 
 
Athens, Ga., June 1st, 1883.) 
 
Commissioner of Agriculture, 
 
Atlanta, Georgia. 
 
Dear Sir--I have the honor to present the usual annual report of the opera tions of this laboratory for the past year. 
 
The work of the laboratory has been confined almost exclusively to the an 
 
alysis of fertilizers. 
 
 14 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[234] 
 
The total number of original samples analyzed and reported upon to date is 448, divided as follows : 
Acid Phophates.............................................................. Acid Phosphates with Potash................................................................... 56 Ammoniated Phosphates............................................................................... 34 Ammoniated Phosphates with Potash.................................................... 263 Chemicals, etc ................................................................................................. 31 
448 The number of revisions made, at your direction, is 56. The total number of actual determinations made in the course of the analyses of fertilizers is 3095. The number of samples analyzed is 86 in excess of the number examined the last season. A full statement concerning the labor and expense entailed upon this office by this unusually excessive work has been made the subject of a special communication to you, and I deem it unnecessary and improper to dis cuss the matter in this general report. The methods pursued in the analyses were the same as heretofore employed in this laboratory. An accurate and uniform method for the determination of "reverted" phosphoric acid has not yet been devised to meet the general ac ceptance of analysts. A considerable amount of work has been done? during the past year, by a number of chemists, looking to a solution of this vexed question. This laboratory has borne its share of the labor. In the present unsettled state of opinion on the subject, I have deemed it proper to continue the use of the "Washington method," satisfied as I am of the approximately uniform results which it yields, in my hands at least. So far as I am aware no well founded objections have been made to the results reported. During December last, after the fertilizer season had well opened, you called my attention to the great discrepancy between our calculated commercial values then in use and the actual prices at which goods were sold in the market. After careful investigation, examination of prices current, and conference with deal ers and manufacturers, it was decided to change our commercial valuations as follows: The price per pound for available phosphoric acid was decreased from 12)4 cents to 10 cents; for Ammonia, from 25 cents to 20 cents; for Potash, re mained unchanged at 6 cents. These latter figures were adopted for the sea son and no complaint has, I believe, been made as to their approximate ac curacy. Generally speaking, the usual high grade of the fertilizers sold in this State has been maintained during the past season. A number of the samples, how ever, were found to yield results below the required standard and were duly reported to you. The general character of a number of the samples submitted to me has led to the belief that the goods represented by them were made by simple mixture, generally on a small scale, no doubt, of materials purchased in their individ ual farms. Such goods very often was found to be of good quality, but the mechanical conditions in many cases were decidedly bad. The utilization of local sources of fertilizing materials, as of cotton seed meal, hull ashes, etc., 
 
 [235] 
 
COMMISbIONER'S REPORT 1883-84. 
 
15 
 
in the neighborhood of oil mills, is certainly to be encouraged, but I would recommend .the manipulators in such cases to use great care to secure perfect and uniform incorporation of the materials they employ. 
I have noted with much satisfaction the increased extent to which cottort seed meal has been used as an ammoniator in commercial fertilizers, as I am of opinion that this article furnishes a cheap nitrogenous manure, especially adapted to our soils and climate. 
So far as I can judge the inspections for the season have been carefully and properly made. A certain amount of unnecessary labor in the analyses has been caused, however, by the lack of care on the part of those requesting in spections in stating the ingredients claimed to be present in their goods. In a number of cases, for example, ammonia determinations have been asked for in goods which, on analysis, were found to be non-ammoniate, and were, of course, shown to be such by the owners. I would respectfully beg you to call the especial attention of dealers to this point. 
The fertilizer work of the season has been so heavy that but little time has been afforded for other work of interest to your Department. The following additional matters have, however, received attention : 
Complete analyses of-- Three (3) specimens of marl. Four (4) metallic ores. One (1) cave deposit. One (1) mineral water. One (1) sample Dhourra Corn. One (1) sample seed of "Mock Orange." Partial analyses of-- Five 15) minerals. Three (3) mineral waters. A second report has been made upon the field experiment , relating to the Nitrogen supply for cotton. I have in preparation reports upon certain matters of interest to your Depart ment, which will be presented when completed. Messrs. Jas. A. Wotton and C. Morton Strahan, graduates of the University, have been regularly employed as assistants during the season, and have ren dered very faithful and efficient service. Permit me to express to you, sir, in conclusion, my sincere gratitude for your uniform kindness and considerate courtesy which has been especially manifes ted in the course of the unusually arduous labors of the past year. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
H. C. White, State Chemist. 
 
 16 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[236] 
 
REPORT OF THE CHEMIST FOR SEASON OF 1883-t4. 
University of Georgia, Chemical Laboratory, Athens, Ga., .Tune 1, 1884. 
Hox. John T. Henderson, Commissioner of Agriculture: Dear Sir--I have the honor to submit the usual annual report of the official 
work of this Laboratory. The number of samples of commercial fertilizers examined during the pres 
ent season is 384, of which 350 were from regular inspections and 34 from special inspections. These comprised as follows : 
Acid Phosphates............................................................................................... 54 Acid Phosphates with Potash........ .............................................................. 38 Ammoniated Phosphates.............................................................................. 30 Ammoniated Phosphates with Potash.................................................... 224 Chemicals........................................................................................................... 38 
384 The number of revisions, made by request, is 35. The number of samples analyzed is somewhat less than the number last sea son. This fact is due to the kind exercise of careful discrimination on your part, whereby unnecessary repetitions of analyses of the same brands have been prevented. Without such judicious oversight it would have been impossi ble for me, with the means and force at my disposal, to have accomplished the work of the year satisfactorily. The samples sent me showed the goods represented by them to be, generally, in good mechanical condition, and to be composed of good and suitable mate rials. In proportions of fertilizing ingredients, the goods analyzed this season do not vary materially from those of last season. The average quality of the goods inspected continues about the same. The methods employed in the analyses have been the same as heretofore used by me in official work. On May 15th last, pursuant to your call, a con vention of agricultural chemists was held in Atlanta, to consider such modifi cations in analytical methods as had been suggested since the meeting of the Washington Convention in 1880. A large number of prominent chemists was present. The proceedings of this convention will be published elsewhere. The only change in method recommended was an increase of temperature in the determination of so-called "reverted' ' phosphoric acid. This recommenda tion will be adopted by me for the work of next season. At the beginning of the present season it was found necessary to change cer tain of the valuations used in the estimations of commercial values, in order to make these conform more nearly to actual market prices. Available phos phoric acid was left unchanged, at 10 cents per pound, ammonia was changed from 20 cents to 18 cents, and potash was changed from 6 cents to 5 cents per pound. In addition to the fertilizer work, analyses of the following have been made and reported: 
 
 [237] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
17 
 
Lime Stone and Marls.................................................................................... 11 Other Minerals and Ores................................................................................ 9 Mucks.................................................................................................................. 2 Mineral Waters................................................................................................. 7 
 
In January last, at the request of the State Capitol Commission, I made a 
 
number of analyses and other tests of certain building materials--granites, 
 
marbles, etc.--designed for use in the construction of the new State Capitol. 
 
A full report of the results was made to the Commission. 
 
At the last meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University the chair of 
 
Scientific Agriculture was annexed to my chair in the University and the ex 
 
perimental farm was placed under my charge. Desiring that the experiments 
 
conducted upon the farm should be made to yield as many practically useful 
 
results as possible to the farmers of the State, as well as to solve certain theo 
 
retic problems, I have taken the liberty to consult you frequently during the 
 
management and course of the experiments. You have very kindly responded, 
 
and by your advice and by a number of personal visits to the farm, have ably 
 
assisted me in my wrork. You have, moreover, exercised great liberality in 
 
supplying me with certain chemicals and fertilizers for the experiments which 
 
the means at my disposal would not permit me to purchase. I desire to thank 
 
you sincerely for your kind services in these particulars, and to express the 
 
belief that through your co-operation, thus extended, the farm may this season 
 
be enabled to furnish results of experiments of value to our farmers. A full 
 
scheme of the experiments with details of conditions, objects, etc., is filed in 
 
your office, and the results will be furnished you when obtained. 
 
I beg leave to reiterate here my opinion, which has been repeatedly ex 
 
pressed, that Georgia imperatively needs an agricultural experiment station, 
 
such as those which are now established in many of the other States. I 
 
sincerely trust that arrangements may be speedily made for such an establish 
 
ment. Until the State authorities shall see proper thus to meet the needs and 
 
wishes of our farmers, it shall be my earnest endeavor to make the little farm 
 
of the University do such service in this direction as our limited means will 
 
permit. In this effort I am confident I shall secure your hearty co-operation. 
 
Thanking you for many courtesies extended in connection with my official 
 
work by yourself and the gentlemen associated with your office, I have the 
 
honor to be Respectfully yours, 
 
H. C. White, State Chemist. 
 
 i8 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[238] 
 
CONVENTION OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTS. 
 
I had the honor in May, 1880, to issue a call for a convention of the " Commissioners of Agriculture, State Chemists, and Professors of Chemistry in State Universities and State Agricultural Colleges in those States using large quantities of commercial fertilizers," to meet at some convenient point in the following July, in order to devise some uniform method for the analysis of commercial fertil izers. The convention so called met in Washington, D. C., and a full account of the proceedings was submitt d to his Excellency Gov. Colquitt, in my Annual Report for the year 1880. 
The method adopted at that convention, known as the "Wash ington Method," has been in general use in the laboratories of State chemists since its promulgation ; but the experience of four years has indicated the necessity for some modification of that method, and therefore, in accordance with the wishes of many of the original members of the convention, I called another meeting of a similar character to meet in Atlanta May 15, 1884. The response to the call was liberal in numbers, and represented the highest talent of the profession. I enjoyed the honor of presiding over the deliber ations of the body, and can bear testimony to the harmony, zeal and ability which characterized the discussions of the matters under consideration. 
The result of their deliberations was the adoption, for one year, of a modification of the Washington Method, relating to the deter mination of reverted phosphoric ac n In addition to this specific -result, many papers of exceeding interest a d value were read be fore the Convention. 
The following extract from the published minutes of the Conven tion embodies the method of determining phosphoric acid as reported by the committee on that subject, and adopted by the Convention: 
 
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE METHOD OF DETERMIN ING PHOSPHORIC ACID IN FERTILIZERS. 
 
The Committee on the Determining of Phosphoric Acid beg leave to report 
 
that we recommend for general use, during the tw elve months immediately 
 
following this date (May 15th, 1884), the methods given in detail herewith. 
 
The Committee will undertake further investigation and report at a future 
 
time. 
 
S. W. Johnson, H. C. White, W. C. Stubbs. 
 
 [2393 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
19 
 
determination op phosphoric acid in fertilirers. 
1. The sample should be well intermixed and properly prepared so that separate portions shall accurately represent the substance under examination, without loss or gain of moisture. 
2. Water-Soluble Phosphoric Acib--Bring 2 grams on a filter j add a little wa ter ; let it run out before adding more water, and repeat this treatment cautiously until no phosphate is likely to precipitate in the fi ter. (The washings may show turbidity after passing the filter.) When the substance is nearly washed in this manner, it is transferred to a murtar and rubbed with a rubber-tipped pestle to a homogeneous paste (but not further pulverized), then returned to filter and washi d with water until the washings no longer re-act acid with delicate test paper. Mix the washings. Take an aliquot (usually corresponding to one-third or one-half of a gram of the substance), and determine phosphoric acid as under totalphosphotic acid. 
3. Citrate-Insoluble Phosphoric Acin--Wash the re-idue of the treatment with water, into 150c.c. ilask with 100 c.c. of strictly neutral ammoniam citrate solu tion of 1.09 density; shred and add the filler paper; cork the flask securely ; place jn a water bath with constant temperature of 65C., and digest for 30 minutes with frequent shaking. Filter the warm solution quickly, and wash wiih water of ordi nary temperature.'* 
Transfer the filter and its contents to a porce lain capsule. Ignite until the or ganic matter is destroyed ; treat with 10--15 c.c. of faming hydrochloric acid ; di gest over a low flame until the phosphate is dissolved ; dilate to 200 c. c.; mix ; pass through a dry filter; take an aliquot, and determine ph isphoric acid as under 
Total. 4. Total Phosphoric Acid--Weigh 2 grams into a capsule, add and mix inti 
mately with 4--7 c.c. of a nearly saturated solution of magn sium nitrate, dry, ignite gently, if necessary, moisten the residue with nitric acid and i nite again to destroy all organic matter; add to the residue 15--20 c.c. of fuming hydrochlur.c acid; digest at a gentle heat until all phosphates are dissolved ; dilute to 200 c.c.; . mix; pass through a dry filter; lake 50c.c. of filtrate; neutralize with ammonia; add 15 grams dry ammonium nitrate, and to the hot solution, for every decigram of P2 05 that is present, 50 c.c. of molybdic solution. Digest at about 65C. for one hour ; filter and wash with ammonium nitrate solution. (Test the fi trateby renewed digestion and add tic,n of more molybdic solution.) 
Dissolve the precipiiate on the filter with ammonia and hot water, and wash into a beaker to a bulk of not more than 100 c.c. Near y neutralize with hydrochlor ic acid ; cool, and add magnesia mixture from a burette, slowly (one drop per sec ond), stirring vigorously. After 15 minutes add 30 c c. of ammonia solution of density 0.96. Let stand several hours. (Twohouis is usually enough.) Filter; wash with dilute ammonia; ignite intensely for 10 minutes and weigh. 
5. Citrate-Soluble Phosphoric Acid--The sum of the water-soluble,and citrateinsoluble, subtracted from the total gives the citrate soluble. 
PREPARATION OF REAGENTS. 
1. To prepare Ammonium Citrate Solution--Mix 370 grams of commercial citrate acid with 1,500 c.c. of water; nearly neutralize with crushed commen ial carbonate of ammonia of 410 grams; heat to expel the carbonic acid; cool; add ammonia un- 
Thls filtration should not exceed 15 to 20 minutes in durati n, and in difficult cases is best effected by use of a pl ated filter of very porous paper, or by help of a filter pump of moderate power. 
 
 20 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[240] 
 
til exactly neutral (testing for excess both of acid and alkali by aid of delicate red and blue litmus papers), and bring to volume of two liters. Dilute further until the density is 1.09 as tested by the balance or accurate specific gravity spindle. 
2. To prepare Solution of Magnesium Nitrate--Dissolve 320 grams of "calcined magnesia'' in nitric acid, avoiding excess of the latter; then add a little "calcined magnesia" in excess and boil; filter from the excess of magnesia, ferric oxide, etc., and to bring volume of two liters. 
3. To prepare Molybdic Solution--Dissolve 100 grams of molybdic acid in 400 :grams, or 417 c. c. of ammonia of sp. gr. 0.96, and pour the solution thus obtained into 1,500 grams or 1,250 c: c. of nitric acid of sp. gr. 1.20. Keep the mixture in a warm place for several days, or until a portion heated to 46C. deposits no yellow precipitate of ammonium phosph^-molybdate. Decant the solution from any sediment, and preserve in glass stoppered vessels, 
4. To prepare Ammonium Nitrate Solution--Dissolve 200 grams of commercial ammonium nitrate in water and bring to volume of two liters. 
5 To prepare Magnesium Mixture--Dissolve 22 grams of recently ignited "cal"Cined rnagne-ia" in dilute hydrochloric acid, avoiding excess of the latter. Add a little "calcined magnesia" in excess and boil a few minutes to precipitate iron, ^alumina and phosphoric acid; filter; add 280 grams of ammonium chloride,700 c.c.  of ammonia of sp. gr. 0.96 and water enough to make the volume of two liters. In stead of the solution of 22 grams of `calcined magnesia, ' 110 grams of crystalized 1 magnesium chloride, MgCl(2). 6H(2)0., maybe used. 
6. Dilute Ammonia for Washing--One volume ammonia of sp. gr. 0.96 mixed with three volumes of water, or, usual'y, one volume of concentrated ammonia with 6 volumes of water. 
On motion of Mr. Chazal, the Report of the Committee was adopted provis ionally for twelve months, by the Convention, and it was 
Resolved--That this method be not considered as binding upon any one, but 
that the Convention recommend it to the profession, and hopes that all, not bound by conflicting obligations, will follow it. 
The Committee on Methods of Determining Nitrogen, Mr. Chazal, Chairman, 1 asked to be allowed until the Philadelphia meeting to make their Report. 
Agreed to. The Committee on Potash reported, that for the present they could recom mend nothing better as an outline of a plan to be pursued in determining pot" ash than the programme drawn up and adopted at the Washington Conven 
tion, They recommended that until we have more light on this subject, the  chemists to adhere to that plan. 
The Report was adopted. 
The Convention finally adjourned to meet at Philadelphia, in 
connection with the Annual meeting of the American Association 
for the Advancement of Science, September 8th and 9th, 1884, 
where the members organized themselves into an "Association of 
'Official Agricultural Chemists," by the adoption of a Constitution. 
The action of the Atlanta Convention was approved and contin 
ued of force to be used by members (except where a different method 
is prescribed by State law) for the space of one year. 
 
 [241] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
21 
 
INSPECTION OF OILS. 
 
In my last biennial report, I was only able to give the amount 
 
of oils inspected during the nine months ending September 30th, 
 
1882, as the present law went into operation January lr-t, 1882. 
 
The following statement exhibits the total amounts inspected, and 
 
the total fees received for each of the years ending, respectively, 
 
September 30th, 1883, and September 30th, 1884: 
 
Gallons. 
 
Total Fees. 
 
Year ending Sept. 30, 1883 .... 1,695,962 $10,71902 
 
Year ending Sept. 30, 1884 .... 1,762,113 11.649 77 
 
Total for the two years .... 3,458,075 2^,368 79 
 
Much the greater portion of the total amounts were inspected in 
 
the cities and inspection districts controlled by the Inspectors of 
 
Fertilizers, who are ex-officio Inspectors of oils. These are : Atlan 
 
ta, Savannah. Augusta, Macon, Brunswick and Columbus. 
 
The laws tor the inspection of oils have been faithfully executed 
 
by the Inspectors, and there has been little disposition manifested 
 
by dealers to avoid its wise provisions for the security of life and 
 
property. It i.- my conviction that carefully gathered statistics of 
 
accidents from the use of ;lluminating oils would show a material 
 
decrease in the number during the period that has elapsed since 
 
the passage of the present law. Indeed no instance has come to 
 
my knowledge, where there was reason to believe that the accident 
 
was caused by the use of defective oil. 
 
The law not only prescribes a higher standard of quality, but its 
 
provisions have been far more rigidlj' enforced, than were those of 
 
the previous law, and well illustrates the wisdom of its concep 
 
tion and enactment. 
 
DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS. 
 
I have no reason to abate my convictions of the great value of a wise selection and judicious distribution of choice farm and garden seeds. It should be considered an essential feature of a Depart ment organized for the improvement of the agriculture of a coun try. The use of pure seeds of choice, prolific varieties of corn, cotton, wheat, oats, etc., is certainly not less important as a means of promoting the best results in the field, than the selection and employment of the very best types and breeds of animals in secur ing the most satisfactory and profitable results in stock-breeding. 
 
 22 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[242] 
 
The importance of the latter is generally recognized, if not uniform ly practiced, and has resulted in a remarkable improvement of domestic animals and their adaptation to special purposes. It has been the practice of a majoiity of our farmers, for many years, to plant the same seeds, with very little effort at improvement by se lection or interchange. I am gratified to report that a spirit of improvement in this respect is abroad in the land, and that the farm ers are learning to appreciate the value of good seed. 
The conservatism of farmers in regard to the adoption of new plants and products, and in the substitution of different means of gratifying, or providing for certain daily and universal wants of themselves and families, is remarkable. They are exceedingly slow to adopt a new and previously strange plant or crop. This is wit nessed in the persistent adherence to Indian corn as the food crop for stock, and for bread, and the devotion shown to cotton as the "money crop'' of the farm. 
"While not disposed to underrate the value of these crops, and others that have been a long time cultivated, I am of opinion that there are several plants of comparatively recent introduction, that will yet prove worthy of permane.it adoption by our farmers. Among these is the plant know as "Millo Maize," whose value as a forage plant, its capacity to resist the effects of the most severe drouths, its large yield of seed, and the adaptation of the latter for the purposes of bread-making, seem to warrant the conviction that it will prove to be an acquisition of great value to the South. The productiveness of Millo Maize seems beyond question. It will probably double the yield of corn, and treble the yield of wheat on the same land. The grain, when properly ground into flour or meal, makes a very palatable and fair-looking bread--supe rior to "corn bread," and but little nferior to ordinary family flour. 
Teosinte, (Euchcena Luxurians) a plant very closely allied in habit to Indian corn, gives promise of excellent results as a forage plan*. It yields enormously, bears repeated cuttings, and is able to withstand very severe drouths. In the climate of upper Mid dle Georgia it does not fully mature before frost. Indeed, in only one instance known to me, has it put forth the seed shoots in the State. 
Persistent cultivation, however, of seeds annually obtained a lit tle farther north than before, will in time overcome this tardy habit. 
 
 [243] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
23 
 
The following table shows the gross amount and number of pack ages of each of the principal kinds of seeds that have been distrib uted during the past two years. The number of packages is ap proximate, only, but very nearly correct. A considerable variety of other seeds were distributed in small quantities. I am also under obligations to Hons. Joseph E. Brown and Alfred H. Colquitt, our Senators in Congress, who have kindly placed at my disposal, for distribution to citizens of Ceorgia, such seeds as were received by them from the United States Department of Ag-iculture. 
 
LIST OF SEEDS DISTRIBUTED. 
 
FALL OF 1882. 
 
Quantity nf each kind. 
 
No. of Packages. 
 
10 bushels Chili Wheat......................................................................................... 160 40 bushels Henderson Winter Oats.......................................... ....................... 640 
 
SPKING OF 1883. 4 bushels Cleveland's 1st and best E. Peas ...................................... ........... 4 bushels Carter's Premium Gem Peas ...................................................... 4 bushels Forty-fold Peas..................................................................................... 2 bushels Crystal Wax Beans.......................................... ................................... 77 bushels Red Rust-proof Oats...................................................................... 4 bushels Burt Oats................................................................................................. 7 Bushels Millo Maize.......................... .................................................................. 10 bushels Coffee Peas (field Peas)............................ ........................................ 5 bushels Egyptian Wheat.................................................................................. 10 bushels Broom Corn Seed................................................................................ 4 bushels Herlong Cotton Seed........................................................................... 
 
1,024 1,024 1,024 
512 1,232 
64 1,792 2,560 1,280 2,560 
128 
 
FALL OF 1883. 5 bushels Iowa Double-headed Wheat............................................................... 148 bushels Hawkins-Hill Oats........................................................................... 190 bushels Burt Oats............................................................................................. 
 
1,280 2,368 3,040 
 
SPEING OF 1884. 150 bushels "Bob" Cotton Seed........................................................................ 20 lbs. Brazilian Artichoke Seeds.................... ................................................ 20 bushels Brazilian Artichokes (tubers)........................................................ 20 pounds Teosinte Seed....................................................................................... 20 pounds Prickly Comfrey .............................................................................. 10 bushels Searcy Corn (Indian)...................... .................................................. 
 
2,400 320 640 320 80 640 
 
25,088 
 
 24 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. [244] 
 
PUBLICATIONS. 
The following manuals and circulars of a general character have been published and distributed during the last two years: 
 
No. of Circular. 
 
SUBJECT. 
 
Pages 
 
C'ojJes Published 
 
33 September Crop Report--1882................................................ 11 10,000 
 
.. Annual Report 1881-2............................................................... 70 5,000 
 
34 Supplemental Crop Report 1882............................................ 46 10,000 
 
35 Soil-Tests of Fertilizers--1882............................................... 48 5,000 
 
36 Address to the People of Georgia, on the subject of the 
 
Boston Exposition of 1883.................................................... 4 10,000 
 
37 Analyses of Commercial Fertilizers...................................... 8 5,000 
 
38 Analyses of Commercial Fertilizers...................................... 11 5,000 
 
39 Manual of Sheep-Husbandry in Georgia--Revised Ed.. 35 10,000 
 
40 Analyses of Commercial Fertilizers...................................... 12 7,000 
 
41 April Crop Report--1883......................................................... 43 15,000 
 
42 May Crop Report--1883................................ ............................ 30 15,000 
 
43 Analyses* and Statistics of Commercial Fertilizers Season 
 
of 1882-3.............................................................................. 
 
20 8,000 
 
Manual of Poultry...................................................................... 56 isiooo 
 
44 June Crop Report--1883............................................................ 45 16,000 
 
45 July Crop Report--1883........................... ................................. 32 15,000 
 
46 August Crop Report--1883.................. .................................... 36 17,000 
 
47 Rules and Regulations for Inspection--Season of 1883-4. 8 2,000 
 
48 September Crop Report--1883................................................ 23 16,000 
 
49 Supplemental Crop Report--1883.......................................... 32 15,000 
 
50 Soil-Tests of Fertilizers--1883.............. .................................. 38 5,000 
 
51 Analyses of Fertilizers............................................................... 10 5,000 
 
52 Analyses of Fertilizers............ ............................................ 10 5,000 
 
53 April Crop Report--1884......................................................... 48 17,000 
 
54 May Crop Report--1884............................................................. 40 17,000 
 
55 Analyses and Statistics of Commercial Fertilizers Season 
 
of 1883-4-.-.v................ ............. .. 
 
20 7 000 
 
56 June Crop Report--1884............................................................ 40 17,000 
 
57 July Crop Report--1884..................... ....................................... 16 17,000 
 
58 August Crop Report--1884 ...................................................... 30 17,000 
 
28 
 
882 325,000 
 
The above table does not include blanks and circulars, distributed as a means of collecting information, but only those manuals and circulars which were published for the purpose of disseminating in formation. 
MANUAL ON POULTRY. 
 
In pursuance of the original plan of preparinora series of manuals on domestic stock-raising, I have prepared and published a Man ual on Poultry, as a companion volume to those previously pub lished. 
 
 [245] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
25 
 
MANUAL ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY* 
The demand for this little work, the first of the series, and pub  lished during my predecessor's first term, had exhausted the origi nal edition before my own term of office began, and I have judged it expedient to publish a revised and enlarged edition, which was done during the summer of 1883. 
 
HAND BOOK OF GEOKGJA. 
.No book of the same character, ever issued by the Department, has been more in demand than the Hand-Book of Georgia, pub lished in the year 1876. The edition consisted of only three thou sand copies, and being well bound, the book not only served the purpose of its original publication--to an extent limited by the smallness of the edition--but also as an enduring advertisement of the existence of such a work. So frequent have been the requests received from abroad the State, for detailed information of the material resources of the State, that I have concluded that it would be a wise and judicious expenditure of time and money to prepare a work of similar design and scope to that of the old Hand-book, but more accurate, and still more comprehensive in its features. The approaching Exposition at New Orleans makes it extremely desirable that such a publication should be printed in season for distribution at that assembly of all nations. I have therefore already inaugurated the work and am pressing it to a conclusion as fast as possi <le without interfering with the ordinary business of my office. 
tkAnslations feom m. geobge yille. 
The labors of this eminent agricultural scientist, both in the field and in the lecture room, have made his name a household word, not only in France and other countries of Europe, but also in the United States. The excell mt translation of his Chemical Lectures, by Miss E. L. Howard, published in 1872, proved to be so engaging and simple in style,so precise and accurate in the details of soil experiments with manures, the results of which are so applicable to the agriculture of this country, that it became very desirable to learn more of the experiments and results of so profound a searcher after the truths upon which a prosperous system of agriculture must 
 
 26 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[246] 
 
be built. I have, therefore, supplied Miss Howard, by subscription therefor, with several of the leading agricultural piurnals of France and Germany, and engaged her, at a very moderate salary, to fur nish for publication some of the more recent lectures of Prof. Yille, and other foreign essays and reports, and several of these transla tions have already appeared in the monthly Crop Reports of this Department. This added feature of the monthly reports has been received with great favor by the intelligent reading farmers of the State, and I am of opinion that the continued publication of these, and other foreign lectures, will add greatly to the value of my re ports and aid in the education of the masses in the principles of ag ricultural science. 
As illustrative of the style and character of these lectures, I beg refer you to the one published in my August crop report--prob ably the most interesting of the series, so far--as it appears in the Appendix to this Report, marked "A." 
 
EXPERIMENT STATION. 
The experience of the past two years has only added strength to 
my convictions of the importance of an Experiment Station, in or 
der to the advancement of our agriculture. I beg to present here 
a short cxtiact from my last official report made to Governor Col- 
quit, bearing on this subject: 
You will remember that in my report for the year 1880, I took strong ground in favor of the establishment of an experiment farm, or station, and endeav ored to show how important, if not absolutely indispensable, such an institu tion would be to the proper investigation of agricultural truth, and how help ful to the progress of the calling in which three-fourths of the people are en gaged, and on which the prosperity of the whole depends. I recur to the sub ject only to reiterate, and, if possible, to emphasize my convictions then ex pressed. 
In the course of my endeavors to enlighten, direct and encourage the farmers of Georgia, and to protect and promote their interests by every means in my power, the necessity and desirableness of such a means of direct investiga tion is constantly suggested to my mind. Very few, even of the most intelli gent farmers, are prepared to conduct experiments in fertilization, culture, stock-breeding, stock-feeding, improvements of seeds, trials of costly machi nery and implements, and especially purely scientific investigations bearing upon practical agriculture, in such a manner as to prove of value to the masses of farmers of the State. A system of experiments must be the result of care ful consideration of the subjects to be investigated, with reference to their practical importance to agriculture, and of a clear understanding of the appli cation that is to be made of the truths developed. It is almost indispensable that the director of an experiment station should be a man of enlarged views, and that he be not hampered or embarrassed in the investigations directed or conducted, by considerations of present cost or danger of pecuniary loss. His 
 
 [247J 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
27 
 
principal, if not sole object, should be the elucidation of truth regarding the profit and loss of the experiment only to the extent that they' are essential features of the investigation. It is also of the highest importance that the published reports of such experiments should be of an official character, in order to carry conviction and inspire confidence. Many other considerations might be urged to show that one or more such stations should be estab lished and placed under the control of this department, and that such an ap propriation should be made as would be sufficient to purchase the necessary land and fully equip the same for the purpose indicated. I have little doubt that a farm, or farms, suitably located, would be donated to the State for this purpose, by public-spirited corporations or individuals, to continue for a term of years, or so long as such lands may be used as experiment stations. 
The State Agricultural Society of Georgia, a body of intelligent men themselves, and representing directly the intelligent farmers of the State, at its recent session in Marietta, by unanimous vote, resolved to memorialize the General Assembly in favor of the establishment of such a station. It is to be hoped that the Legislature will give careful attention to the memorial that may be presented by the committee appointed for that purpose. 
It may be truly said that experiment and observation are the 
means wheieby we extend and confirm our knowledge of nature. 
Investigation by actual experiment is a distinguishing feature of 
modern methods of inquiry. It is by constant and repeated ex 
periment that physics and chemistry have made such great progress 
within the last century. One of the essentials of an experiment is 
the setting aside or elimination of all nonessential circumstances 
that so often conceal the real relations of things,-and embarrass us 
in forming correct conclusions. An indispensable requirement of 
the experimenter is thorough acquaintance with the relation which 
the factors of an experiment bear to each other, and the means of 
counteracting or discounting disturbing conditions. 
In addition, he should have a perfectly clear idea of what he 
wishes to ascertain, and be able to appreciate the practical value of 
the results of an experiment and understand their application to act 
ual farm operations. 
Every farmer of any degree of intelligence or power of observa 
tion is necessarily an experimenter. The most successful tillers of 
the soil are those who closely observe and rightly apply the teach 
ings of experience. But experiments on the farm are too costly, the danger of pecuniary loss too imminent, and the prospect of 
substantial and immediate individual benefit too uncertain to justify 
an ordinary farmer in devoting much of his time and money to 
pure experimentation, even if he were otherwise well qualified for 
the work. If the field of experimental investigation is to be ex plored by voluntary individual efforts alone, the work, with few 
xceptions, will be ineffective, and the results conflicting and alto 
 
 28 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. [248] 
 
gether unsatisfactory. On the principle of the homely proverb-- "What is worth doing at all is worth doing well"--it would be far better to concentrate the intelligence and the labors of the many scattered over the State into one or more stations, where all the means and appliances for correct and reliable investigation and ex periment may be under the direction of one well qualified mind. 
It is unreasonable to expect that agricultural truths will be developed, and systems of culture or methods of improvement will be promptly inaugurated, upon the basis of the desultory experi ments of individuals here and there over the State, when it is notorious that such experiments are not only far from conclusive, in most cases, but are often absolutely at variance with each other. The aggregate expense of labor and appliances employed in such unsatisfactory and often delusive experiments is far in excess of an amount sufficient to establish and thoroughly furnish an experiment farm of the most comprehensive character. 
I do not wish to be understood as discouraging individual effort on the part of farmers, for it has already been intimated that the intelligent farmer is necessarily an experimenter, but 1 am convinced that a State composed so largely of farmers, so dependent upon the prosperity of agriculture, with a treasury or resources so largely drawn from the pockets of the farmers, should be more liberal in providing tor the increased development and more substantial and rapid progress of agriculture. 
By reference to the report of the receipts into the treasury from the inspection of fertilizers, on page 13, it will be seen that during the last seven years, or since the enactment of the present fertilizer law, the net amount left in the treasury, after the payment of all the expenses of inspection and analysis, was $343,493.00--emery dollar of which has been taTcenfrom thepockets 'fthe farmers alone. If we set aside other considerations, surely the payment of such an amount of taxes over and above the ordinary property and poll tax, to which all are liable, justifies the demand made by the-most intelligent farmers of the State for the establishment of an Exper iment Farm. But if we bear in mind that the use of commercial fertilizers--a modern innovation, and yet an evidence of progress in our agriculture--has involved an outlay by the farmers of not less than $40,000,000 in the last ten years; and that the use of these fer tilizers, together with domestic manures, is, and must continue to 
 
 249] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
29 
 
be, one of the most powerful factors in our agricultural progress, the establishment of a well-ordered station for the investigation of the relations of fertilizers to soils and to crops--to say nothing of the great benefits which may be reasonably expected from the scientific investigation and practical application of the principles of stockbreeding and feeding, drainage, preparation of soils, culture, the selection and improvement of varieties of farm plants, etc., (which are a proper and essential feature of a comprehensive experiment)-- would seem to be dictated by the commonest principles of political economy. 
As illustrative o? the objects of inquiry and methods of procedure on an Experiment Farm, I beg to refer again to the admirable lec ture of M. George Yille, appendix " A," and also to his lecture on "Practical Instruction for Establishing Experimental Plats, and the Interpretation of the Results," printed in the September Report of this Department, just published. 
In conclusion on this subject, I respectfully invoke your careful consideration of the subject, and ask that you will make such recom mendations to the General Assembly as may deem to be wise and expedient. 
FISHERIES. 
The amount appropriated to the propagation of fish in the waters of this State is too small to justify the establishment of hatcheries, or to much more than pay the actual expenses of the Superintend ent and the cost of distributing the quota of carp supplied by the United States Fish Commissioner. I desire, in behalf of the people of Georgia, to express my gratitude to Hon. Spencer F. Baird, Chief of the Commission, for his unvarying courtesy, and for his liberal apportionment of carp and the distribution of them to our eitizens. 
I ask to incorporale here the report of Dr. H. H. Cary, Superin tendent of Fisheries, and make it a part of my own report: 
 
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. 
State op Georgia, Department op Agriculture.) Office of Supt. of Fisheries,  [ 
LaGrange, Ga., October 16,1884. ) 
Hon. J. T. Henderson, Commissioner of Agriculture: 
I herewith submit my third biennial report, covering the time since my last report, dated October 10th, 1882. The same regret is now as then expressed, 
 
 30 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. [250] 
 
that the very limited appropriation at the disposal of the department has lim 
ited and embarrassed this important work. Still, it is believed that the best 
possible use of these limited means has steadily advanced the work of the 
fish commissioner, and that fish culture is now no longer regarded as an ex 
periment, but as a sure means of increasing and cheapening the food supply. 
In my first report of October 16th, 1880, at some length I took occasion to call 
to your attention the fact that the geographical distribution of our rivers is 
admirably adapted to the propagation of the anadromous (migratory) fishes, 
and particularly the shad, which is well known to be peculiarly adapted to our 
waters. I beg leave to here reproduce a paragraph from said report: 
`1 Beginning at the Savannah river, which, fortunately, is under the exclusive control of Georgia, extending westward across the State, we meet, in turn, the Ogeechee, the Oconee and the Ocmulgee, the last two uniting and forming the Altamaha a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and all these emptying into the same; next the Flint and Chattahoochee uniting near the extreme limit of the State, and forming the Apalachicola, which empties into dhe Gulf of Mexico. The Chattahoochee, from West Point down, as far as Alabama is concerned, forms the western boundary of Georgia, and, like the Savannah, is exclusively under the control of this State. Near West Point this river ceases to he the boundary of this State, but having its headquarters in the extreme northeast part of the State, among the mountains of that region, where it can almost shake hands with the headwaters of the Savannah, it passes diagonally across the State nearly parallel with the Air-Line and Atlanta and West Point Railroads, being but a few miles from Gainesville and Newnan, and six or seven miles from Atlanta. The Etowah and Oostanaula with their confluence at the city of Rome, by their numerous ramifications, liberally supply North west Georgia. At Rome they form the Coosa, which empties into the Ala bama, which flows finally into the Gulf of Mexico. These rivers being so uni formly distributed over the State, and our system of railroads generally cross ing them, would make the distribution of fish from the rivers very easy. To illustrate: a line drawn from Augusta, by Macon to Columbus, would paps through sixteen counties, every one, with a single exception, touching a rail road." 
But most and perhaps all of these rivers have many obstructions to the 
passage of anadromous fishes to their spawning grounds 
In this report I shall confine myself mainly, in treating of the migratory 
fishes, to the Shad, as many years' experience has demonstrated the fact that 
the temperature of the water of the rivers of this State is well adapted to the 
wants of this fish. Further on I shall endeavor to show that the temperature 
of the rivers of Georgia does not suit some of the migratory fishes. And to 
show the absolute necessity of overcoming these obstructions, I will take this 
occasion also again to allude to the habits of the Shad. A salt water fish like 
many species of its class, it seeks its spawning grounds in fresh water, passing 
up the long rivers to near their sources, to seek such shoals as may be found. 
There are three varieties of fish eggs --the floating, the adhesive, and the sink 
ing ; to the last class belong the shad eggs. Shad eggs, when deposited in water, 
immediately subside to the bottom, where ordinarily soon covered with sedi 
ment, suffocation ensues, and very few hatching. The instinct of the shad 
leads her to seek the shoals among the highlands, that the eggs may be depos" ited in the pools and kept in agitation by the action of the water. Thus it will 
he seen an absolute necessity exists for allowing the shad to have a free passage 
' rom the ocean to the head-waters of the streams. Fortunately science has 
 
 [251] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
31 
 
pointed out a way to keep such passages open without injury to the property 
invested in mills or manufactories. In the "Forest & Stream," August 7tht 
1884, an exceedingly able paper published in the city of New York, is an edi" 
jorial article so able and so completely covering the ground embraced in this 
subject that I introduce a part of it here: 
" Within the pasty ar there has been great activity throughout the Eastern States in building fishways. It has taken a long time to convince the public that those living above dams have rights that dam-owners are bound to respect, and also that the fishes which are seeking upper waters to spawn must reach them or become scarce or extinct. Judging by the number of fishways built last year and those now building or contracted for, we believe that the benefits to be derived from a properly constructed fishway are much better understood than they were ;en years ago. This may be due ip part, to the increased knowledge of the rights and needs of both the people and the fishes. What ever may be the cause, it is a fact that the building of fishways has increased greatly, and within the next ten years it is safe to prophesy that there will be one over every dam in this country where a fishway is desired. The McDon ald Fishway Company of Washington already have so many orders for build ing fishways on hand that they have declined to contract for more at present, and Col. McDonald is absent putting up works in Scotland. New Jersey wants several and is negotiating with the company for them; New York wants more on the Oswego and Salmon rivers, while other States are contemplating build ing new ones or substituting the McDonald way for older patterns. The plans for the large fishway at the Great Falls of Potomac have been accepted, and work will soon begin on the monster fishway under Government engineers. New York needs fishways on the upper Hudson in order that the fish may ascend not only to spawning but also to feeding grounds. The million young shad placed at Glen's Falls by the United States Fish Commission last spring will find feeding grounds that are occupied by their species, and therefore will not find competitors in the struggle for life, and as the shad originally ascended the Hudson asfar as Miller's Falls, they might do so again if suitable fishways were provided. A good fishway benefits those below the dam as well as those above, and no person or corporation should be allowed to bar the ascent of fish in a great river, o small one either, in order that he or they may make money. Certainly the State of New York should build a broad fishway over its dam at Troy, which was constructed to furnish water for canal navigation." 
Under a resolution of the Legislature of the State of Georgia, approved 
September 28th, 1881, His Excellency, Governor Colquitt, appointed a com 
mission to perform certain duties in reference to the examination of the Au 
gusta canal dam. It was provided among other things, that, "thirdly, the 
feasibility of providing sufficient fish-ways in the Augusta canal dam by the 
city of Augusta to allow the freer passage of fish up and down said river over 
or through said dam." The writer of this report had the honor of being a 
member of such commission. Report was made to the Governor that it was 
believed that a fish-way would be entirely feasible to subserve the purposes de 
sired. By executive order the commission w'as directed to proceed North to 
examine the working of the various fish-waystheninuse. The result was the 
recommendation of the McDonald Fish-way, invented by Col. M. McDonald, 
of the United States Fish Commission, a model of which is now in the Depart 
ment of Agriculture in Atlanta. This fish-way was adopted by the city of Au 
gusta, and one is now in operation in the canal dam. The importance of this 
subject has induced me to be somewhat lengthy, and I earnestly request that 
this subject may be brought to the attention of the Legislature. 
 
 32 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[252] 
 
SHAD. 
While our appropriation has not permitted us to establish one or more hatch eries for the artificial hatching of the eggs of the shad, still by the aid tendered us by the United States Fish Commission, we have, by the planting of the fry furnished to the State, been able to replete our rivers so that at several points, milters and spawners can now be obtained for artificial propagation. Since my last report, the methods of hatching shad eggs artificially have wonderfully improved and it is now also proved that the eggs can be transported m re readily and with greater safety from the point where the parent fish are captured than the young fry; so that the eggs can be carried to or near the point where the planting is desired, and then hatched artificially. The invention of the Mc Donald Hatching Jar supplies a long-felt want. This consists of a glass jar with the capacity of about one gallon, and susceptible of hatching 110,000 eggs at each filling, and with water at a temperature of 80 will hatch in 58 hours. These jars act automatically. The water is introduced into the bot tom of the jars through flexible tubes--the water being supplied from a reser voir, requiring only a few feet of pressure. The action of the water under pressure gives the eggs the requisite motion, and by an ingenious contrivance the dead eggs are automatically separated and passolf with theoveflow. Un der favorable circumstances over 95% of the eggs can be hatched. With these improved methods, the expense of establishing hatcheries is greatly dimin ished, and in fact they can be located at places impossible under the old methods. In 1880, 1,000,000 shad fry were planted in the waters of Georgia, and in 1881, 1,800,000. This was the work of the United States Fish Commis sion. In three years after the planting they returned to find their spawning grounds. Of the planting of 1880, 400,000 were released in the Chattahoochee, at Iceville near Atlanta. It was not expected that these fish could pass up further than Columbus till fishways were placed at the obstructions at that place. The fry constituting this plant were reported to me as being the Connecti cut river shad. It is well-known that the Connecticut river shad will take the bait, and the sportsmen can find in the Northern markets tackle for shad fish ing. The South Atlantic shad do not take the bait. True to their instincts shad appeared in 1883 in the Chattahoochee river below Columbus, and were taken with the hook and bait. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that the fish thus taken were of the planting of Iceville in 1880. Of the 1,800,000 shad planted in 1881, 1,000,000 were released in the Ocmulgee at Macon. The fish, of course, were due on their return in the spring of the present year. I have recently visited Macon and made careful investigation in regard to the ex pected return of these fish, and I am pleased to say that I have not been dis appointed. While there was no particular arrangement for catching shad, and hence the catch was light, still they must have appeared in large numbers, as a sporting gentleman informed me full grown shad were taken in considerable numbers, the fishermen standing on the bank of the stream and capturing them with the dip net. I mention these facts to show with what facility a bar ren river can be impressed by liberal plantings of the shad fry. But in this connection I beg leave to emphasize one fact--that while we need an increased appropriation to carry on this work, our protective laws need amending. In 
 
 [2S3] 
 
commissioner's REPORT 1883-84. 
 
33 
 
the main such laws are exceedingly good, but there is no direct provision lor carrying them into effect. "An act to encourage the propagation of fish in the waters of the State of Georgia, approved February 29th, 1879," has the follow 
ing sections; 
Sec. IV. "Be it further enacted, That from and after the passage of this 
Act there shall be a ` closed time' in all the rivers of Georgia in which shad are caught, of 48 hours, commencing at sunrise on Saturday morning of each week and ending at sunrise on Monday morning of the next week, during which ` closed time' no shad or other migratory fish shall be caught by nets,, wires, (weirs,), pounds or any other means whatever; neither shall such nets, wires, (weirs), pounds or other apparatus be left set in said rivers during said < closed time.' The meshes of. nets or other apparatus for catching said fish shall not be less than five inches. 
" Sec. V. Be it further enacted, That no shad shall be taken by any means 
whatever except betwedh the 18th day of January and the 20th day of April of each year, except for spawning purposes, to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
"Sec. VI. Be it further enacted, That any person or persons violating the 
provisions of this Act shall be guilty of misdemeanor, and on conviction of the same shall be punished as is now provided in section 4310 of the Code of Geor gia as last revised." 
It will be seen at once that these sections of the fish laws of 1876 give the needed protection, and provide the penalties for the violation of the same; but , it is not made the duty of any one to look after the enforcement of these laws;. and while any citizen may become a prosecutor, very few will like to become voluntary informers. What is absolutely needed is the appointment of fish, wardens at all needed points to especially look after the provisions of the fish. laws. Without such provisions the interest of the many will be sacrificed tothat of the few. A very noted case will forcibly illustrate this point. Early in May last the Fish Commissioner of South Carolina gave notice that the fish laws of Georgia were not respected at the dam in the Savannah river, at the  head of the locks above Augusta. It was stated that a fish warden appointed under the authority of South Carolina, and stationed near the dam, was power-  less to stop illegal fishing, as the river is under the exclusive jurisdiction of . the State of Georgia. I at once repaired to the place indicated, and found that the representations made were true. Just below the McDonald fishway here tofore mentioned in this report, was a large fall trap ready to capture any fish . that failed to make the passage up the fish-way, with a line of similar but . smaller traps extending nearly across the river at the foot of the shoals; and.. in addition to these traps several "gill nets" were in position among the shoals; all this was being done daily, in face of the laws cited above. I had . attention called to these violations in the daily papers of the city of Augusta,. and gave notice that the traps must be removed and the fishing stopped. A. promise of compliance was made on the part of the violators. At the' same  
time fisheries were in operation in the river below the city. From the best, information I could obtain, several thousand shad were thus captured, many of which were ripe. I urgently request that you call the attention of the Le gislature to the foregoing facts. 
GERMAN CARP. 
Since my last report, the interest in the culture of this fish has increased-. 3 
 
 34 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[254] 
 
enormously, not only in this State, but in nearly every State and Territory in the Union. Col. M. McDonald, of the United States Fish Commission, page 261, Uulletin "I the Commission, says: "The cart), wherever planted under favorable conditions, and receiving reasonable care and attention, have grown, bred and multiplied rapidly. Thirty thousand distinct bodies of water in every section of the United States, have been occupied with this fish. These repre sent an aggregate area of 100,000 acres of- waste wa:er which have been con verted into pr ifitable, almost spontaneous, production, yielding, at a moderate estimate, 20,000,000 pounds of footl per aimuiu, and adding $1,000,(XX) annually to the value of the products of the country." 
EDIBLE QUALITIES OF CARP. 
To those having eaten carp, no proof is needed of its fair table qualities; but  so frequently inquiries are propounded, asking what is the best pond fish, -that it is deemed that a few paragraphs are appropriate. That the carp in the -Southern States takes on the most rapid growth of any known pond fish is conceded. As occasionally an adverse criticism appeared in the public prints, -Prof. Uaird took uncommon pains during last year to settle the question. Mi Charles W. Smiley, in charge of the Bulletin of the United States Fisli Com missioner, was directed to send out certain inquiries to those to whom carp had been sent out by the United States Fish Commissioner, of the hatchings of 1879 and 1880. The circular sent out contains fifteen questions, covering the whole field of carp culture. One of these questions was, " Have you eaten carp?" How were they cooked? and what was the opinion of their edible - qualities ?" At the time publication was made, 600 replies had been received,  coming in from 28 States and territories; up to that time 350 had not tasted carp, 242 had oaten them. The answers were classified as follows: moderate praise, from fair to very good, 40; unqualified praise, and very emphatic ex pressions of approval, 96; comparison with other fish, very generally compli mentary, 89; criticism as to softness or muddy taste, 19; indili'erent and un complimentary reports, aside from muddy taste and softness, 10. A few opin ions as regards bones, 7; favorable reports containing hints on the various ways of cooking carp, 31--Total, 242. 
Of these 242 reports, 38 only contained the slightest reflection on carp. -Many of these criticisms were decidedly slight, and nearly every one of these -criticisms can be explained away, it is a fact well known to fish culturists that no fish is first-class fur table at or immediately after the spawning time. It may be conceded that the carp is a fair table fish: many of the correspond ents alluded to above stating their qualities equal to shad, trout, or rock fish. There are several things pertaining to carp culture not yet well understood, and prominent among these is the necessity to completely drain every carp pond. Cheapness and efficiency are two important items. The drain pipe should pass out from the bottom of the kettle or receiver, so that the drainage may he complete, I have examined or tested many plans, and have finally decided on the following, and shall soon remove from my own ponds the ex pensive iron piping, with their gate valves, and supply their places with this. The defect in the plan where the main piping is used is tins: the strainer at the end of the pipe being placed in the collector, is soon completely clogged 
 
 [255] 
 
commissioner's refort 1883-84. 
 
35 
 
by the action of the carp, in turning up the mud with their heads, so that when the gates are turned no water will pass through the pipes; and if the pond is several feet deep it is exceedingly difficult to remove the obstruction. 
 
The wood cut above represents this simple apparatus that is recommended a, is a wooden box running crosswise through the dam, from the lowest point in the kettle, so that it will insure the complete emptying of the pond, made of heart pine plank being twelve inches wide and two thick, securely nailed together. The upright part, &, is of the same material and size and joins it at right angles, and of sufficient length to extend some distance above the water line. This is made secure to the horizontal portion and it will be of great advantage to give the whole a dressing of coal tar. The side of the up right next to the pond is left open and narrow strips are nailed to the uprights on the inside to constitute grooves for the gate pieces, c c cc. d, is a strainer of wire, secured in a frame of the same size as the gate pieces e. When it is desired to empty the pond, remove the highest gate piece c, and substitute the strainer, d. When the water line is lowered to the next gate piece, remove it and substitute the strainer for it, as in the first instance, and so on until the water is drawn down nearly to the collector, then the mud can be removed from the collector, the fish dispersing while this is being done. The water can then he drawn off until the fish are drawn into the collector or kettle, when they can be readily removed with the dip net, when the last gate piece can be taken out and the kettle completely emptied. The only defect is ia making the gates tight. If the water supply is abundant this is of no conse- 
 
 $6 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[256] 
 
quence, as the leakage would not allow the small fish to pass out and still might constitute a part of the overflow. But if the water supply is limited this might lower the pond at a time when you could not afford to lose any water. Fortunately this defect can be easily remedied. Prepare a plank of the size of the opening of the box, a, let it be green lumber so that it will not swell; to prevent its being withdrawn pass this down along the side of the upright, b, so it will include the opening in a, then b can be filled with saw dust for a foot or two, and a little dirt if necessary, which will entirely stop the leakage. 
Overflows.--To make these efficient and of the least possible trouble, the strainers should be under the surface of the water. This will entirely prevent clogging by the leaves and trash brought down by the rains. A very simple plan is to make a box with a joint something like the representation in the preceding wood cut, having a short leg and extending when in position a foot or so below the water line, the strainer being attached to the lower end of the short leg. 
Enemies.--These are very numerous. But fortunately many of them can be readily disposed of with the shot gun. Snakes are exceedingly troublesome. Dr. Hessel, superintendent of the carp ponds at Washington, states that on the 26th of August, 1883, since the first day of the preceding July 900 snakes were killed, mostly with the shot gun. He states that a medium sized snake will destroy forty young carp a day. This shows the imperative neces sity of keeping these pests out of the ponds. 
Time of Hatching.--I have again been placed under obligation to Mr. Eman uel Heyser, of Madison, Ga., for the details of some experiments made by him during the present year. His grounds are fortunately so situated that he can extemporize small ponds for the purpose of experiment, and it has been conclusively proved that the eggs with the high temperature of water, say 85, will hatch in 56 hours. He also gathered eggs and they were sent to the in terior of Pennsylvania. Young fry just hatched were also sent. The fry bore transportation well, and the eggs hatched with a moderate loss, although the transportation was conducted very roughly. 
CALIFORNIA SALMON. 
 
In my iast report it was Stated through the courtesy of Prof. Baird and the South Carolina Fish Commission, I was enabled to plant in the head waters of the Savannah 160,000 small fry of this fish. They, like the shad, are Imigratory, but enter the rivers for spawning during the fall instead of the spring. Their return is ordinarily in four years from planting. Being released in 1882, they should return in 1886. Many of the States having older fish com' missions than our own have been planting their fish for quite a number of years, but I regret to say up to this time, with opportunity, no gratifying results. The difficulty seems to be, that the temperature of our rivers, par ticularly those of the Southern States, is too high to suit their habits. Hence, for the present I would not recommend farther experiments in this line. 
 
 [257] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
37 
 
BROOK TROUT. 
I am satisfied that the brook trout can he successfully propagated in our mountainous counties, and it will be very desirable to do so when the means at our disposal will permit it to be done. I beg leave here to state that I have been under great obligations to Spencer F. Baird, of the United States Fish Commission, for continued courtesies, and to all the railroads of this and several of the adjoining States for their appreciative favors to the Fish Commis sion of Georgia. 
H. H. CARY, Superintendent. 
 
GENERAL VIEW. 
A calm and dispassionate view of the history of Georgia agricul ture for the past two years, by one who is familiar with the losses and embarrassments of the last twenty years--that have pressed far more heavily on the farmers than upon any other class of our citizens--cannot fail to impress the observer with the fact that Georgia farmers, as a whole, are making some progress towards re gaining their normal condition of prosperity and independence. Some of the more intelligent, reading and observing farmers, are making decided, and in some instances, very rapid progress in adapting themselves to the altered condition under which we live, and are annually accumulating wealth and enjoying more of the comforts and luxuries of life. A very large number, however, continue in much the same old way, making little, if any, effort to get out of the old ruts. 
The great need of the country is education of the masses, educa tion that will prepare them for the observation, study and applica> tion of th 3 principles that underlie success in their avocations. This remark is especially applicable to the farming class, by reason of the embarrassments already mentioned. 
On the whole we have reason for profound gratitude and even astonishment that the condition of the country is so much better, in the chief respects, than would have been predicted, twenty years ago, as the result of the enforced change in our system, following the ordinary losses and demoralization of a civil war. We are inclined to be impatient at the apparently slow progress we are making, for getting that such a violent and sweeping change in a system of agriculture as the conversion of willing, obedient, and efficient 
 
 38 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE*--GEORGIA. 
 
[258] 
 
slaves into voters and office-seekers--ignorant, idle, heedless of obli gations--is usually succeeded by a very long period of depression, poverty, and despair, extending to several generations and even longer. Farmers are notoriously conservative. A large share of their knowledge, skill, habits and methods, is handed down from father to son. A generation is not usually sufficient in which to effect any great revolution or change of system. The hope of our State--not less in respect of agriculture than of the other great in terests of life--is in the rising and immediately following genera tions. 
 
IN CONCLUSION. 
I am largely indebted to the efficient labors of my subordinates in this office, the skillful services of the State chemist, the gratui tous zeal of the Superintendent of Fisheries, and the faithfulness of Inspectors ofFertilizers, for whatever measure of success has been achieved by this Department. I desire also to thank the vol unteer Weather and Crop Reporters for their valuable assistance. Nor am I unmindful of the support and active sympathy of the State Agricultural Society. Finally, permit mo to express my thanks for your Excellency's unvarying courtesy and valuable co operation. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 
J. T. Henderson, Commissioner of Agriculture. 
 
 [259] 
 
commissioner's REPORT 1883-84. 
 
39 
 
APPENDIX " A." 
 
[REPUBLISHED FROM AUGUST CROP REPORT, 1884.] 
 
LECTURE BY M. GEORGE VILLE. 
 
SOIL ANALYSIS BY PLANTS. 
 
(Translated from the Freni 3h by Miss E. L. Howard ] 
 
Oar conference to-day will be of an essentially practical nature. We have to do with neither theories nor systems--our purpose is to analyze the soil--define what it contains and in what it is lacking in an agricultural po nt of view, and lastly, to get fixed facts on the nature of the fertilizers to be used under all circumstances. You doubt'ess remember, gentlemen, that the main point of our last conference was to prove the necessity of classing the elements of the soil according to the functions they fulfilled--of separating those which simply supported vegetation from those which contributed to their nutrition, and whose substance became part of the vegetal constituiion itself. The followingaccura e table represents this part of our studies and gives them in an essentially practical and experimental form. 
 
SOIL 
 
Mechanic elements. Active assimilable elements 
 
r* 
t 
1 Minerals 
 
Assimilable elemen's in reserve 
 
f Sand. 
Clay. 
j Limestone. [ Gravel, 
f Ammonia. { Nitrates;. ( Phosphoric Acid. 
Sulphuric. Chlorine. Silica. Potash. Soda. Lime. Magnesia. Oxide of Iron. Oxide of Manganese. Humus.  Organic detritus. 
i_ Undecomposed minerals* 
 
What does this table show ? That there are three orders of elements in the soil: Mechanic elements active assimilable elements, assimilable elements in reserve. 
Mechanic elements have only a passive function to fulfill. They serve as a seat and a place of attachment for vegetation, but do not contribute of their substance to nutrition. They are represented by sand, calcareous matter, clay and gravel. 
 
 40 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[26o] 
 
In the second place come what are called active assimilable elements always in yery small quantities as compared to the above. In fact, whi e they represent but a few hand edths of the mass of the soil, the mechanic el erne its are 90-100 of the whole. The real productiveness of the soil, however, lies in them. 
Finally come the assimilable elements in reserve, which share in the passive functions of the mechanic elements, but are susceptible under certain circumstancei, of aiding in vegetal nutrition and owe this power or faculty to the pro ducts born of their own decomposition. 
Detritus of animal or vjgetable origin which cannot serve as plant food bat as it changes its nature, is an e>a nple of this. Another example is found in the rocks of the family of silicates, feldspaths and feldspathic sands, which belong to the list of mechanic elements as long as they preserve their integrity, but when disinte grated and then decomposed by the combined action of cold, heat and the carbonic acid and oxygen of the air, increase the available potash, lime and soluble silica of the soil and thereby add to its value. 
If we make an artificial soil by the association of the three divisions of the ele ments above mentioned, varying the proportions of the mechanicni elements, sand clay, lime stone and gravel from four to ten and even twenty per cent, of the whole weight, the degree of fertility will not be affected. 
But on the contrary, increase or diminish the one-hundred thousandth part of the weight of nitrogen, ammonia or the nitrates, or the ten thousandth part of the weight of potash or acid phosphate, and a sudden change is produced--the harvestw 11 be increas-d or diminished, like the production of vapor in a steamer, accord ing to the amount of combustible material burnt. 
You will notice, gentlemen, here is no system, no interest to be furthered, noth ing but simple facts, open to the whole world and carrying their own evidence. It is useless, however, to remind you of these distinctions unless we insist a'so on the means we used to prove them. They have been entirely experimental It was not by analysis of the soil, but by composing it. entirely with pure substances, that we established these distinctions and sljowrd the contrasts existing between {he me chanical and the assimilable elements of the soil. 
The first form that wonderfully compact, yet mobile and permeable medium through which the most delicate roots ramify, water penetrates easily and air eireu ates freelr, carrying vivifyingand powerful affinities to the greatest depths. 
The second, the assimilable elements, have noinfluence on the physical proper ties of the soil, but flourish thep'ant and regulate activity of growth. 
I have already said the assimilable elements hi reserve are at first confused with the mechanical elements, hut later thev become assimi! able by the products of their decomposition. By the light of these distinctions and the help of these tables which show them plainly, it is easy to understand why chemistry, when using the methods cm cloyed for industrial experiments, has failed to define the agricultural value of a soil! 
I give as example, one of the greatest names of contemporary science, Sir Hum phrey Davy, to whom we owe the discovery of the alkaLne metals, potassium and sodium, for he was the first to isolate them by the useof the pile. 
Starting with this idea, it was natural tosuppose that soils belonging to different geological formations often possessed the same degree of fertility. Davy thought that by comparing term for term, the composition of different soils of equal agri cultural value, but of different formations, he would find certain agents in all that were the source and condition of their equal fertility. 
 
 [261] 
 
COMMISSIONER'S REPORT 1S83 84. 
 
six Boils of different origin, and all noted for their fertility, were analyzed by 
 
Davy. 
 
What was the result? 
 
. heir ]earned author. Look at the 
 
The refutat'on of the idea which had inspired 
 
g Yqu flnd only contrasts 
 
table where are collected the results of those m* 
 
^ composition oI the six 
 
and opposition. Imp issible to find the least anai 
 
soils which were, I repea*, of the same degree of er 1  
 
SOIL ANALYSIS BY SIR HUMPHREY DAVY. 
 
Sand and Gravel. Alum inum . || Carbonate of 
Lime Carbonate of 
Magnesia. Oxide of Iron. Salts and 
Organic Matter Sulphate of Lime, j Moisture. Loss. 
 
ORIGIN OF SOIL. 
 
4 
 
Kent............................................. Norfolk........................................ Middlesex................................. Worcesters h ire....... ............... 
Valiev of Teviot...................... Salisbury........................................ 
 
0Q 
 
66.2 5.2 3.2 4.7 88.9 1.6 1.2 69 600 12.8 11.6 11.2 60.0 16.4 14.0 56 83 3 7.0 6.8 06 91 12.7 6.3 57.2 
 
0.7 07 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 
 
1.2 8.0 0.3 8.5 44 8.5 1.2 28 08 13 1.8 12 7 
 
0.5 0.5 0.5 
0.5 05 
05 
 
4.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 
 
5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5 5/ 
 
Compare these six analyses, term for term, and you find the proportion of sand varies from 9 to 90 per cent., that of soluble silica from 1 to 10 per ce nt., the carbon ate of lime from 0.6 to 57 per cent., etc . 
Neither one of these soils resembles another. All are different. They, however, possessed, as I before said, the same agricultural value. Chemical analysis is thus in entire discord with plants, which, you see, speak quite a different language. How explain this contradiction? Nothing is easier. It is only necessary to refer you to the classification of the elements of a fruitful soil which I gave in my experi. ments where it was entirely artificial. 
What did this table say? That the meehanio elements have but a slight indirect influence on the fertility of the soil--that their function is eminently passive--that, although very necessary, they are in reality but a means of holding the food of the plants. 
This being so, how could Davy's analysis explain the difficulty? He took account only of tiie mechanic elements, gravel, sand, clay and lime, without inquiring either into the active assimilable elements, which are the source of present production, or the assimilable elements in reserve, which are the safeguard of the future. 
The silence of Davy on this point explains the failure of his attempt, but this is not surprising. In his day they had-very imperfect ideas of vegetal composition or the agents of their.production. 
Here is, however, a new difficulty. The chemists of our day know perfectly the elements needed for plant life and those whose presence or absence in the soil makes it either poor or fertile. It appears then that the chemists of our day can do what Davy could not. Still, look through the analyses of soils published in the last ten years. What have they taught us of value in agriculture? Nothing practical, ab solutely nothing. This declaration on my part may surprise you, but I can jus tify it. 
 
 42 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[262] 
 
Here is a soil nalys;s bv a very eminent mining engineer, Mr. Rivot, Both me chanical and assimilable elements are given. 
ANALYSIS OF SOIL NEAE CHALONS ON THE MAKNE BY MB. EIVOT. 
Sand and gravel............................................................................................................ 42 25 Fine matters.......................................................................................... ....................... 52 20 Organic matter............................................................................................................. 1.80 Hygrometric water....................................................................................................... 2.70 Combined moisture.................................................... .................................................. 5.92 Carbonic acid.................................. ............................................................................... 33.20 Quartz sand............................................................;........................................................ 310 Clay.................................................................................................................................. 6.00 Attachable silica............................................................................................................ 3 10 Oxide of iron.................................................................................................................. 2 00 Aluminum..................................................................................................................... 0.15 Lime................................................................................................................................. 40.50 Magnesia......................................................................................................................... traces Alkalies........................................................................................................................... 0.38 Sulphuric acid............................................................................................................... 0.28 Phosphoric acid.............................................. ............... ............................................... 0.12 Nitrogen and chlorine...;............................................................................................ traces 
Total......................................................................................................................... 99.75 
This is certainly a complete analysis. Nothing is omitted, but it is not more useful than Sir Humphrey Davy's. The testimony of farmers is that it responds to none of their wants. It is impossible to say from this with certainty what will be the crop of wheat, or any other plant on such soil; for how many years it. might, be cultivated without manure, when the need of manure will be felt, and what would be the best fertilizer to use. Can you call an analysis practically useful which can not answerthese questions? 
To what strange conclusions we are forced. I tell you that we know the nature of the agents which render the soil fertile; I have shown in my previous lectures, that by the use of these agents we can grow as fine crops in burnt sand as in the most fertile alluvial soils ; and then I dec'are an analysis which shows these agents in the soil to be unable to enlighten us on the most important questions in agri culture. 
What strange contradictions! No, gentlemen, the contradiction is only seeming. Imagine a soil containing sand under two different forms, as feldspathic sand and silicate sand, like the grey sand of Fontainebleau. The silicate sand is pure silica, the feldspathic sand, on the contrary, is a silicate mixed with po'ash, soda, lime, magnesia and iron. As long as this sand is in its first formation ilis useless as plant food, from the combination of its bases. But let a chemist attack it with his re actives, decomposing it and separating all the elements of the feldspathic sand, isolating them and attributing to them a degree of utility which in reality they do not possess in an agricultural point of view, what have we gained ? 
Phosphoric acid also exists in three different forms, as phosphate of lime, phosphateof alumni and phosphate of peroxyde of iron. Yery efficacious as phosphate of lime, it is much less so, if it has really an appreciable action, when in combina tion with iron and aluminum. 
Of what value to know that a soil contains phosphoric acid, potash, nitrogen, etc., if the active and neutral parts are mixed in a heterogeneous mass ? 
 
 [263] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
43 
 
Although true in indications, chemical analysis of the soil is a dead letter in re gard to the wants of plants as long as the roots do not use either the acids or alka lies, nor any of the means of attack which chemists employ. 
My conclusion is then formulated as follows: Chemistry is powerless to enlighten ns as to the agricultural qualities of the soil, either in its resources or its wants, because its indications mix together both the active assimilable elements and as similable elements in reserve ; the active parts and the inert or neutral parts. 
But I carry my demonstration further, au . to have more freedom in criticism, use as example, an analysis of my own from soil on the Experimental Farm at Vincennes. What did this analysis say ? That the available quantity of phosphoric acid per acre was.................1,734 poundsThe quantity of potash.................................................................................2,209 pounds. And the lime.................................................................................................. 39,345 pounds. 
Are these results certain ? Perfectly certain and cannot be denied. Plere then it a soil liberally provided with the three minerals essential to vegetation, neverthes less cultivate this land in wheat for four consecutive years, giving it only nitrogen and sulphate of ammonia without addition of potash or phosphate. The fourth year the crops that were originally fine were reduced to almost nothing; yet the four crops of wheat had only taken away 
70 pounds acid phosphate, 114 pounds potash, 64 pounds lime, Where the analysis showed 1,734 pounds acid phosphate, 2,209 pounds potash, 39,345 pounds lime. The plant declares a soil poor which the analysis proved to be rich. Why this contradiction ? Because the plant knov s only the elements it can make use of, while the analysis shows those parts of the same agents which are engaged in combinations from which the plants cannot extract them. But it may be said: Why not imitate the processes of nature ? Why not treat the soil with water alone so as to place it in the same condition that the plants do? The idea seems excellent and the method founded on washing the soil with water a perfect method. It is not, however; a few figures show its inadequacy. It, like the first method, is condemned by vegetation. Treating the earth with chlorohydric acid we find 1,734 pounds phosphoric acid per acre; treating it with water alone we find but 27 pounds phosphoric acid and 184 pounds of potash, instead of 2,209 pounds. Now if this same soil is cultivated for four consecutive years in beets you find 148 pounds phosphoric acid and 324 pounds of potash. Why this new contradiction ? Because water, used in a large mass for irrigation, acts quite differently from water in small quantities acting by absorption through the roots of the plants. In the first case, the effect obtained is entirely due to the dissolvent action of the water, while in the second case three new influences are brought into action. The air, which penetrates the interstices of the soil and operates by slow combustion, carbonic acid, produced by decomposition of organic matter, whose affinities realize the conditions of attack and dissolution which water alone could not produce, and finally, the breathing of the roots, which is equal to irrigation under pressure. The small quantity of phosphoric acid and potash found in the water used in irrigating is a proof of this. 
 
 44 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[264] 
 
But more than this; make two parallel experiments; sow wheat in soil that is irrigated and the same soil without irrigation; the crop will be better in the first. 
 
Here is a new contradiction. In showing the inadequacy of actual analyses you 
 
will think and believe them entirely useless and deny by anticipation the possi bility of ever arriving at satisfactory results. Nothing is farther from my thoughts. 
 
I wish simply to show things as they are, to warn you against hopes which will lead to deception, and prove that in the present state of affairs analysis cannot en 
 
lighten you upon the most vital and essential question of practical agriculture- 
 
But if chemical analysis fails, what shall we do ? Question the plants themselves; use them both as guides and chemical reactives. 
 
What did I tell you in our last meeting? That we can bring the poorest sand to the highest degree of fertility by the addi 
 
tion of these four substances: phosphoric acid, lime, potash and nitrogen. We 
 
also find that although these four substances are always efficacious, they only show their full activity when the four are associated and reunited; that as soon as one 
 
was suppressed the other became so inert as to lose almost the greatest part of their activity. 
 
We have also said that these four bodies have not the same effect on all plants ; 
 
that nitrogenous matter is most efficacious for the cereals, rape and the beet phos phoric acid for corn, sugar cane and the turnip, potash for the legumes and the potato. 
 
If you realize these three fundamental propositions you will understand by wbat 
 
natural deductions we can found a method of practical analysis easily accessible to all. 
 
Suppose we experiment on the same soil with five different fertilizers; first, the fertilizer composed of the four terms which you know, and to which we have given 
 
the name of complete fertilizer, and parallel with this four fertilizers composed of 
 
only three terms, from which we exclude by turns, one after the other, nitrogen ous matter, potash, lime and phosphoric acid, making the following series: 
 
Complete fertilizer. Fertilizer without Nitrogen. 
 
Fertilizer without Phosphate. Fertilizer without Potnsh. 
 
Fertilizer without Lime. 
 
, 
 
Soil without any fertilizer. 
 
What does the plant say in this case? That the comp'ete fertilizer produced 
 
fifty-six bushels; the fertilizer without nitrogen only eighteen bushels ; the fertili 
 
zer without phosphates twenty-four bushels; the fertilizer without potash forty bushels; that without lime fifty-three bushels, and the soil without fertilizer only 
 
fifteen bushels. The conclusion is evident and forced, the soil is entirely wanting in nitrogen; 
 
supplied with lime, but not well provided with potash and phosphate of lime. 
 
Now, what analysis can you find perfect enough to give you such delicate and 
 
definite results? 80, according as the crops grown with the incomplete fertilizers differ from or 
resemble those grown with the complete fertilizer, we know the soil is wanting in 
 
the element excluded from the fertilizer. To be more precise, we collect in a table the crops from the experimental farm : Crops per Acre. 
 
Complete fertilizer............................................................................... ................ 58 bushels Fertilizer without lime...... ......................... ....................................................... A3 bushels 
 
 [265] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
45 
 
Crops per Acre. Fertilizer without potash.......................................... ............... ........................ 40 bushels Fertilizer without phosphate........................................... ................................ 24 bushels Fertilizer without nitrogen...,....... .................. ..... .................................. ....... 18 bushels Soil without fertilizer............................. ...................................... ..................... 15 bushels 
 
I therefore repeat, the element wanting at Vincennes was nitrogen. But this is not all. There are two parts to every soil, the surface soil and the subsoil, the su perficial and the deeper layers. Do these two layers possess the same degree of fer tility ? This is a very important question to be determined. 
How shall we do it? It is very easy. Instead of planting wheat take a tap root like the beet, which penetrates to a great depth, experiment with it in the same manner, and you will have as concise and perfect indications as from the wheat, only this time it will be from the subsoil instead of the surface soil. 
And what have we ? 
 
Crops per Acre. Complete fertilizer............................... .............. ...............................,49,000 pounds beets Fertilizer without lime....................... ..................................... .....45.000 pounds beets Fertilizer without potash................................... .............................. 39,000 pounds beets Fertilizer without phosphate..........................................................35,000 pounds beets Fertilizer without nitrogen................. ................. ..................... ,...34,000 pounds beets Soil without fertilizer.........................................................................20,000 pounds beets 
Indications from the Irish potato are not less exact or instructive ; 
 
Crop per acre. 
 
Complete fertilizer.................................... ..................... ........... ........... .....................27,330 
 
Fertilizer without lime......... ........ ............ ...........................................22,331 
 
Fertilizer without phosphate...... ........... .................... ................. ............................ 17,522 
 
Fertilizer without nitrogen............... ................................................................... .....15,377 
 
Fertilizer without potash................................................... 
 
10,286 
 
Soil without fertilizer........................................................................................ ...... . 7,528 
 
What does the Irish potato say ? That the soil of Vincennes contains but very small quantities of potash and nitrogen, and if it shows potash particularly want ing it is became this is the dominant of the potato; that is, the element which most affects the crop. 
The testimony of these two plants is not opposed to each other, on the contrary they complete each other, and you see how the superior action of the dominant helps toward the analysis of the soils. 
To have a correct idea of the true fertility of the soil at Vincennes we must com pare the two crops of wheat and potatoes. 
What does the series with wheat say ? That the quantities of nitrogen and potash are equally limited and the series with the potato stregthens and confirms this double testimony, only the crop of potatoes without potash is proportionately feebler than the wheat, because potash is the dominant of the potato and only a subordinate element for wheat. 
This is a perfect system of experimenting and one whose teachings are entirely practical and of immediate application. 
What other system of investigation could furnish like indications ? With an ex perimental field we can always find out what elements the soil contains that will be useful to our crops as well as those in which the land is wanting. 
In this way we know positively the nature of the fertilizer most profitable to be used. But you ask is this a delicate and sensitive method? Is it possible that a 
 
 46 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[266] 
 
plant can tell all the variations in the composition of a soil? No question is easier 
 
to answer. The quaniity of soil spread over the surface of an acre is 3,910,000 
 
pounds. Well* with 200 pounds of sulphate of ammonia, containing 40 pounds of 
 
nitrogen, that is, with the one hundred thousandth part of total weight of the soil 
 
we can increase the yield of wheat from seventeen to twenty-one bushels of grain 
 
and the weight of straw from three to four thousand pounds per hundred pounds 
 
of nitre, Containing about ninety-four pounds of potash, is sufficient to increase the 
 
yield of the Irish potato from 10,000 to 28,000 pounds a difference of 18,000 pounds. 
 
The effect of phosphate of lime on sugar-cane is equally striking. If the fertilizer 
 
contains 586 pounds of acid phosphate we have 78,222 pounds of stripped cane per 
 
acre; if only 391 pounds of phosphates we get but 39,111 pounds of cane. What 
 
scientific method is equal to this in accuracy, delicacy or usefulness? 
 
Having proved the value of an experimental field, we will show how one ought 
 
to be made. They vary according to circumstances. 
 
I 
 
, 
 
If the farm is large, a piece of ground should be chosen representing the average 
 
fertility of the whole, and the experimental field divided into six plats, each thirty 
 
yards square, including the following combinations; 
 
No. 1. Barnyard manure, 58,666 pounds per acre. 
 
No. 2. Barnyard manure, 29,333 pounds per acre. 
 
No. 3. Intense complete fertilizer. 
 
No, 4. Complete f. rtilizer. 
 
No. 5. Ferdlizer without nitrogen. 
 
No. 6. Fertilizer without phosphate of lime. 
 
No. 7. Fertilizer without potash. 
 
No. 8, Fertilizer without lime. 
 
No. 9. Fertilizer without minerals. 
 
No. 10, Soil without fertilizer. 
 
Here is a system which responds to all the needs of a regular farm. Thanks to 
 
this series of cultures, one can methodically follow the exhaustion of the soil. Like 
 
a sentinel in advance, the experimental field shows with certainty the precise time 
 
when the soil should receive such and such fertilizer, whether nitrogenous matter, 
 
potash, phosphate of lime, etc. But you will say in every farm there are different 
 
soils. 
 
The objection is correct and we answer it. The experimental field We speak of 
 
will not answer alone for a large farm; each field must have a small experimental 
 
plat of-----, divided into four plats, on which only four fertilizers are used -com* 
 
plete fertiEzer, mineral ferti'izer, nitrogenous fertilizer, and the fourth plat with 
 
out fertilizer. By multiplying experiments with these four combinations of fer 
 
tilizers we arrive at fixed ideas as to what the soil needs. The first mentioned 
 
experimental field will, from its size and the number and variety of experiments, 
 
be a guide for the whole farm. 
 
When one isonce familiarized with this modeof investigation, every plantgrown 
 
gives information concerning the condition of the soil in regard to fertility or 
 
exhaustion. 
 
Here are some examples: On two contiguous plats of the same size sow peas 
 
and wheat without any fertilizer. This little experiment, if rightly understood, 
 
will show whether the soil is provided with nitrogen and minerals. What did we 
 
say in our first conference? That nitrogenous matter was the dominant of wheat, 
 
and that this matter had very little if any effect on peas, whose dominant was pot 
 
ash. In this way a small experiment becomes of great importance. 
 
If the two squares of wheat and peas are equally fine we know the soil contains 
 
 [267] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
47 
 
both mineral and nitrogenous matter. If, on the contrary, the wheat is inferior and yellow, while the peas are vigorous, we know the soil is wanting in nitrogenous matter and well supplied with miuerals, particularly with potash. 
Let us extend our observations. Lucerne has roots which penetrate the subsoil to a great depth where it fin..8 t..e miuerals wnich it requires, Now, if the lucerne is fine while the peas are poor, what shall we understand ? That the surface soil is wanting in potash and phosphate, while the subsoil is supplied with them. If the two plants succeed equally well we know both surface and subsoil are provided with minerals. 
You see, gentlemen, by starting from the exact and certain premises, deduced from experiments in burnt sand with pure substance, avoiding all unknown agents, we end by gaining essentially practical ideas to answer the important questions ; \\ hat are the useful agents iiie suii contains V In what agents is the soil wanting? The more extenued and Complete my studies, and the longer my intercourse with the agricu.tural world, the more convinced I am of the value of the experimental plat or Held, as a means of giving every farmer a cheap and pract cal analysis of his sod. 
To those who are already convinced it is a never-failing guide, and to those who are doubtful it triumphs over the most systematic objections. 
If, gentlemen, you will listen to me: mu.tiply your experimental plats, which the Italians ngudy call "proof piats.;' Ail our colleges, primary schools and agri cultural establishments 01 any kind, even our societies ougnt to have them. 
Three or foursquares, ob teet each, are amply sufficient for primary schools, and for them 1 advise parallel and alternate culture of Irish pota.oes and wheat. 
The Uelds belonging to the agricultural societies should serve as guides for all the country around tuem. 
Four parallel cultures of wheat, beets, Irish potatoes and peas would show, in a striking manner, the necessity 01 varying the composition of the complete fertilizer for eacii of tnese plants, not only as to the number of substances contained, bru the relalive proportions of each, and the value of understanding the dominant of each plant. 
Resides the instruction gained from a field like this, which speaks both to the eyes and the brain, as each one can judge for himself what he sees, it is valuable for showing wliat plants are best suited to the natural soil and climate of the sur rounding country. 
An experimental field of this importance would awaken the curiosity of the neighboring population, excite them to similar experiments and naturally diaw forth useful comparisons between the experimental field of the agricultural society and their own plats. 
The farmer w.ii wish to be certain he is up with the experiments of the society, and the discussions thus induced will result in spreading new ideas through ail classes of the people. 
In 18by Mr. Lurny, then minister of public instruction, a man of progressive ideas and devoted to ihe public good, had tne happy thought of spreading the view 1 have just explained to you among the children of the public schools. He left me tree to carry the project mto execution. 
Believing it much more essential in educating fora farmer to give a child positive ideas as to the agents and causes which regulate vegetal activity than simply to teach him tne use of tools, my plan was quite simple. 1 determined to impress three tacts upon the children's minds. In the first place, prove to them practically that with a very small qua.,tity of & certain powder they could grow better crops 
 
 48 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRTCULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[268] 
 
than with a large mass of manure. In the second place, that the suppression of 
 
one of the four substances composing this powder was sufficient to greatly reduce 
 
the good effects of the three others. It occurred to me that if the children's minds 
 
were imbued with these ideas there would be lasting results to them, for they 
 
would, with their own hands, handle both the fertilizer and the crops from it, and 
 
though they had but a vague idea of the nature of phosphate of lime, potash and 
 
nitrogen, they would not forget the experiment and would always remember that 
 
they had seen and helped to grow crops with something that was not barnyard 
 
manure, and that in tne compo-ition of this powder there were substances whose 
 
action possessed a variable degree of importance according to the nature of the 
 
plant to which it was applied. 
 
Imagine, gentlemen, an experimental plat attached to the village school where 
 
the children see hernp growing six feet tall, and right along side this in the same 
 
soil the same plant only -- tall. What could have a more durable and lasting 
 
effect on the mind of a child? But you say perhaps this is only imagination. Are 
 
there experimental fields that produce such results ? The answer is easy. Cast 
 
your eye upon these two tables: you find there the product of 900 experimental 
 
fields classed by departments, which show the results from Mr. Durny's experiment. 
 
These tables relate to two different cultures, the beet and the Irish potato. With 
 
67,555 pounds of barnyard manure the beet produced only 37,337 pounds of beets 
 
per acre; with 1,173 pounds of chemical fertilizer the return was 42,988 pounds, 
 
while the soil without any fertilizer produced only 23,795 pounds. 
 
This series certainly needs no commentary : 
 
Per Acre. 
 
Chemical fertilizer.................................... ................................................... 42,988 pounds. 
 
Barnyard manure....... .................................................................................37,337 pounds. 
 
Soil without fertilizer...................... .......................................................... 23,795 pounds. 
 
We then experimented also With a mineral fertilizer without nitrogen, composed of phosphate of lime, potash and lime; the crop was but 32,891 pounds. 
With nitrogeneous matter alone the crop was kept at 37,279 pounds ; mixing min erals with nitrogen it went up to 42,988 pounds. 
We were able to show the following facts to several thousand children, scattered over three hundred and fiftydifferent points in France, viz.: The possibility of grow ing more abundant crops with chemical fertilizer than with barnyard manure; the necessity of following the teachings of science in the use of these new substances, and that a slight modification of their composition was sufficient to produce a marked difference in their effect. 
The experiments with the Irish potato were not less significant although late in the season and during exceptional drouth. This time there were 564 experimental fields. 
What did they say ? With barnyard manure................. . ...........................................................15,151 pounds. With chemical fertilizer....... ........................................................... ......... 16,099 pounds. On soil without fertilizer............................................................................. 10,755 pounds. 
Do you think it would be possible to diffuse more useful ideas than these through the country ? 
Do you believe that a child who has seen and followed such experiments as these will forget them when he becomes a man and has to battle lor himself with the realities of life? Do you believe such teaching will remain a dead language ? 
You see by this example what advantages may be drawn from an experimental field, whether for analyzing the soil on a large scale, or for explaining the laws of 
 
 [269] 
 
commissioner's REPORT 1883-84. 
 
49 
 
vegetation and the practical conditions of successful cultivation, to the laboring classes. 
This method of teaching in the primary schools would have become the basis of instruction for all the agricultural schools in the country hut for the changes of government in 1870. 
In thirty-four farm schools 45,444 pounds of barnyard manure produced 37,752 pounds of beets per acre ; 1,173 pounds of chemical fertilizer 39,313 pounds, while the soil wiihout fertilizer yielded only 23,466 pounds. The results at Grigon were the same; very large quantities of barnyard manure gave 61,600 pounds of beets peracre, while the chemical fertilizer gave 64,533 pounds. 
This method of analysis is capable of even more extended application ; with it we can read the soil of distant countries. Mes1 rs. Lawes and Gilbert, in England, have conducted experimtntson a large scale similar to those pursued at Vincennes. 
There is a similarity on certain points between the crops grown by these gentle men and those grown here, and a contrast on other points. 
The returns are the same with the complete fertilizer, both in Rothamstead and Vincennes; the mineral fertilizer is superior at Vincennes, while niirogenous fer tilizer is most efficacious at Rothamstead. 
The conclusion to be drawn from this comparison is, thatthesoil of Rothamstead is better supplied with minerals than that of Vincennes, and the latter had in the beginning more nitrogen--I say in the beginning, because now it has less than at Rothamstead. 
You see, gentlemen, how, by comparing results obtained from using the same fertilizer we can define the analogies and contrasts existing between soils of very different origin. 
There are cases in scientific investigation where no other method will solve the problem. If I say that I can prove to you ihat the air composing our atmosphere was quite different at first from what it is now, that it then contained more carbonic acid, nitrogen and ammonia, you will think I have made a bold assertion, and will ask on what principles I found my demonstration. 
You know, gentlemen, that coal originated in past ages from a vegetation belong ing to the grand family of vascular cryptogams. Now, we know from the fossil remains of this vegetation that it had immense leaves and a small tap-root. This contrast between two equally essential organs of the same plant shows that the greater part of its food was drawn from the air, and but little from (he soil. They grew to colossal dimensions. The plants of our day of similar organization belong to the humble class oflycopods, hardly three feet high. 
To produce such a change in size of vegetation there must have been a corre sponding change in the nature of the surroundings, and the atmosphere which de veloped calamites and lepidodendrons cannot he the same as now grows the lyco podium. 
What could have been these surroundings? Principally an atmosphere charged with carbonic acid and ammonia. 
Place a large leaved plant, a caladium for instance, grown in burnt sand, in a similar atmosphere, and it will suddenly be enormously developed, Ihe leaves will spread over six feet, the activity of development will surpass anything you see around you, and you will feel as if assisting at the birth of a new world. 
Now, have you not a right to conclude an identity of cause from a similarity of effect? 
In the first epoch of the world the earth was formed of mineral elements; there was no detritus as we have now. Now, since it is possible in such a soil to give 
 
 SO 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRTCULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[270] 
 
vegetation an enormous activity by infusing some traces of ammonia in the air it follows that the atmosphere in the first ages must have contained a nitrogenous composition which has since disappeared: But this is not all. We know that the disposition of a people and the changes of their history is influenced by the mate rial conditions in which they live. 
Primitive soils are decidedly unfavorable to the full development of life and of the moral and intellectual faculties Races degenerate on such soils, and if excess of heat and moisture are added to the unfavorable effects of soil, they become de graded. 
Soi's covered by water at the diluvian period are greatly superior to the above. But the most f-.vorable to present life are the alluvial soils of recent formation-- the alluvial soils of this period. 
The observation of the historian has added other facts--for example, that the re gion where man's intelligence has attained the highest development are in the zones where the cereals are cultivated, and among the cereals there is a difference between wheat, barley and rye in their effect on the organization of the population. 
This idea gives a new light to history and is susceptible of practical application as soon as formulated in precise terms. Experimental fields, by showing the true agricultural value of the soil, will allow of this. 
I give an example now under our own eyes : Half the lands in the Department of Avignon are composed of schist, gneiss and mica-schist. The other half is of jurassic formation. These two lands are mark edly opposite in structure. We will call the first rye land, and the second lime land. The inhabitants of the rye land are poor, thin, angular and small, rather ugly; 
the animals proportionately small. The inhabitants of the lime land are large, full in figure and fine looking. Ask a chemist to analyze the two soils and tell you how to better them. He can 
not answer you by the use of a chemical apparatus. A few little experimental fields will soon show that the rye land is wanting in 
nitrogen and phosphate, and the lime land in potash and nitrogen. Follow these indications; use nitrogen, phosphate, potash and lime, and suddenly you will see the growth of rye restricted, while barley will yield well, soon to be followed by wheat. When only barnyard manure is used in cultivation, this succession of cul tures is not possible, the manure cannot go beyond its origin ; if the soil that pro duced it is wanting in phosphate, it is also wanting in phosphate. The rye land will always remain rye land, and the inhabitants small in stature ; his faculties will be under the yoke of a power he cannot throw off. But hy the help of science he can throw it off. 
Master of the conditions ruling plant life, man can change those which oppress him, and turn the course of his destiny by modifying the organization of the plants and animals on which he feeds. By giving nitrogen and phosphate to the soil wanting in nitrogen and phosphate, he can live on wheat instead of rye. By con tinuing this course for three or four generations, he will rise in the biological scale; his organization will be more perfect, his faculties extended, and this conquest over the native inferiority of the race he will owe entirely to the teachings of science and the energetic persverance of his own will. 
You see, gentlemen, when we raise a corner of the veil which still hides from us the laws regulating life, we are dazzled. There was formerly an impenetrable bar rier between man and nature ; we instinctively feel, nay more--we assert that this barrier must give way. By penetrating into the effects of life, man becomes mas 
 
 [271] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
51 
 
ter of the growth of life, as he has mastered steam, electricity and the winds. By making use of them he re-acts upon the conditions of his own life and equalizes them. 
Soccieties or nations are vast arenas where two powerful elements--death and life--are eternally at war. 
Increase the productiveness of the soil, the conditions of life are bettered and population increases. Disregard the laws of restitution, exhaust the soil, the pop ulation diminishes and death overcomes life. 
Unfortunate is the people to whom these laws are unknown. Now, let us examine, in detail, the testimony given us by the experimental field. The first lesson is, that with the four fundamental elements which you know, we can grow a maximum crop; second, by varying the proportion of nitrogen for wheat, hemp and the beet we can grade these crops ; third, while nitrogen is so ef ficacious for wheat, hemp and the beet, the Irish potato and the pea require the mineral elements. To discern the full benefit of an experimental field, you ought to visit it at differ ent seasons so as to follow the progress of a plantfrom the germination of thegrsin to the full maturity of the crop. You have before you, then, at the same time, a proof of the efficacy of the chemi cal fertilizer for all crops; the inequalities produced by the suppression of such and such elements, and the value and profit of a judicious and intelligent applica tion of the dominant of a plant. Learn nature from facts, see, judge for yourselves, and draw your own conclu sions. 
 
 APPENDIX B. 
LIST OF COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES, ETC., IN THE SEVERAL STATES 
The following list of the names of the several Fish Commissioners was prepared with great care and labor by Superintendent Dr. H. H. Cary, and was submitted in his report which appears in the body of this publication, but is here inserted as a part of the "Appendix." Superintendent Cary acknowledges with gratitude, 
the aid derived from the Bulletin of Hon. S. F, Baird, and from the issue of the " Forest and Stream," for Oct. 1, 1884, in preparing this list: 
List of Fish Commissioners--With the Annual Appropriations. 
UNITED STATES--SPENCER P. BAIRD, COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
Alabama--Commissioners first appointed 1881--Chas. S. G. Doster, Prattsville, Ala.; D. B. Hundley, Mooresville, Ala. 
Arizona, $250--Commissioners first appointed in April 1881--John T. Gosper, Prescott, Ariz.; Richard Rule, Tombstone, Ariz ; J. H. Taggart, Yuma, Ariz. 
Arkansas--Commissioners first appointed Jan'y 25, 1876--J. H. Hornibrook, Lit tle Rock, Ark.; H. H. Rattaken, Little Rock, Ark 
California, $5,000--Commissioners first appointed April 25, 1870--A. B. Dibble, Grass Valley, Cal.; B. H. Buckmham, Washington, Cal.; J. D. Redding, San Fran cisco. Cal. 
Colorado, $3,250--Commissioners first appointed Feb. 9, 1877--W. E. Sisty, Idaho Springs; E. V. Bogart, Superintendent of Hatchery. 
Connecticut, $5,000--Commissioners first appointed Sept. 11, 1866--Wm. M. Hudson, Hartford, Conn.; R. G. Pike, Middletown, Conn.; J. A. Bill, Lyme. 
Delaware, $150--Commissioner first appointed April 23, 1881--Enoch Moore, Jr., Wilmington, Del. 
Georgia, $500--Commissioner of Agriculture, by Legislative act, 1876--Hon. J. T. Henderson, Atlanta, Ga.; Dr. H. H. Cary, LaGrange, Ga., Superintendent. 
Illinois, $2,500--Commissioners first appointed May 20, 1875--N. K. Fairbank, Chicago, Ill.; S. P. Bartlett, Quincy, Ill.; S. P. McDole, Aurora, Ill. 
Indiana, $1,000--Commissioner first appointed Sept. 1881--Calvin Fletcher, Spen cer, Ind. 
Iowa, $3,700--Commissioners first appointed March 30, 1874--A. W. Aldrich, Anamosa, Iowa; A. A. Mosher, Spirit Lake, Iowa. 
Kansas, $1,000--Commissioner first appointed March 10, 1877--W. S. Gile, Venan go, Kans. 
Kentucky, $2,500--Commissioners first appointed, March 22, 1876--J. B. Walker, Madisonville, Ky.; C. J. Walton, Munfordville, Ky.; Jno. A. Steele, Versailles, Ky.; W. C. Price, Danville, Ky.; John H. Mallory. BowlingGreen, Ky.; W. Van Antwerp, Mount Sterling, Ky.; J. M. Chambers, Independence, Ky.; A. H. Goble, Catletsburgh, Ky.; P. H. Darbey, Princeton, Ky.; Wm. Griffith, Louisville, Ky. 
Maine, $5,000--Commissioners first appointed Jan. 1, 1867--H. O. Stanley, Dixfield, Me.; E. M. Stilwell, Bangor, Me. 
Maryland, $10,000--Commissioners appointed April 1874--Dr. E. W. Humphries, Salisbury, Md.; Geo. W. Delawder, Oakland, Md. 
Massachusetts, $5,000--Commissioners first appointed May 3, 1865--E. A. Brack ett, Winchester, Mass.; E. H. Lathrop, Springfield, Mass.; F. W. Putnam, Cam bridge, Mass. 
Michigan, $7,500--Commissioners first appointed April 25, 1873--Dr. J. C. Parker, Grand Rapids, Mich., President; John W. Bissell, Detroit, Mich.; Herschel Whit aker, Detroit, Mich. 
 
 [273] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
S3 
 
Minnesota, $5,000--Commissioners first appointe * in May, 1874--Daniel Cameron, La Crescent, Minn., (1st District); W. N. Sweney, M.D., Red Wing, Minn., (2d Dis trict); R. 0. Sweeny, Saint Paul, Minn., (3d District). 
Missouri $3,500--Commissioners first appointed Aug. 2, 1877--J. G. W. Steedman, M.D., Saint Louis, Mo.; Col. John Reid, Lexington, Mo.; Dr. John S. Logan, Saint Joseph, Mo. 
Nebraska, $3,700--Commissioners first appointed June 2, 1879--W. L. May, Fre mont, Neb.; R. L. Livingston, Plattsmouth, Neb.; B. E. B. Kennedy, Omaha, Neb. 
Nevada, $1,000--Commissioner first appointed in 1877--Hubb G. Parker, Carson City, Nev. 
New Hampshire--Commissioners first appointed Aug. 30, 1866--Geo. W. Riddle, Manchester, N. H.; Luther Hayes, Milton, N. H.; E. B. Hodge, Plymouth, N. H., Superintendent. 
New Jersey--Commissioners first appointed March 29, 1870--F. M. Word, New ton, N. J.; R. S. Jenkins, Camden, N. J.; Wm. Wright, Newark, N. J. 
New York, $15,000--Commissioners first appointed April 22, 1868--R. S. Roose velt, New York, N. Y.; W. H. Bowman, Rochester, N. Y.; R. U. Sherman, New Hartford, N. Y.; E. G. Blackford, New York, N. Y.; Setti Green, Rochester, N. Y., Supt.; Fred Mather, New York, N. Y., Supt. 
North Carolina, $8,012--Commissioner of Agriculture by Legislative act, April 12, 1877--Hon. Montford McGehee, Com'rof Ag'r, Raleigh; S. G. Worth, Supt. of Fisheries, Raleigh. 
Ohio, $5,000--Commissioners first appointed May 3, 1873--Col. S. H. Harris, Cin cinnati, 0.; C. W. Bond, Toledo, O.; George Daniel, Sandusky, O. 
Oregon--Commissioner first appointed April, 1879--A. B. Ferguson, Astoria, Ore gon. 
Pennsylvania, $7,500--Commissioners first appointed April 15, 1866--John Gay, President, Greensburgh, Pa.; James Dufly, Treasurer, Marietta, Pa.; H. H Derr, Secretary, Wilkesbarre, Pa.; A. M. Spanger, Philadelphia, Pa.; Arthur McGinnis, Swiftwater, Pa.; Aug. Duncan, Chambersburg, Pa. 
Rhode Island--Commissioners first appointed in 1868--J. H. Barden, Rockland, R. I.; H. T. Root, Providence, R. I.; Col. Amos Sherman, Woonsocket, R. I. 
South Carolina, $2,286--Superintendent Fisheries first appointed Dec. 23, 1878-- A. P. Butler, Columbia, S. C.; C. J. Huske, Columbia, S. C., Supt. 
Tennessee--Commissioners first appointed Jan. 14, 1877--W. W. McDowell, Mem phis, Tenn.; H. H. Sneed, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Edward Hicks, Nashville, Tenn. 
Texas, $5,000--Commissioner first appointed Sept 26, 1879--J. T. Lubbock, Aus tin, Tex. 
Utah, $850--Action regarding fish culture dates from 1871. Vermont, $1,000--Commissioners first appointed in 1865--H. A. Cutting, Lunen burg, Vt; Herbert Brainard, Saint Albans, Vt. Virginia, $2,500--Commissioner first appointed in April, 1874- -Marshal McDon ald, Berryville, Va. Washington--Commissioner first appointed Nov. 9, 1877--A. T. Stream, North Cove, Washington. West Virginia, $500--Commissioners first appointed June 1, 1877--Henry B. Mil ler, Wheeling; C. S. White, Romney; N. M. Lowry, Hinton, W. Va. Wisconsin, $7,000--Commissioners first appointed March 20, 1874--The Govereprior ex-officio; Philo Dunning, Madison, Wss.; C. L. Valentine, Janesville, Wis.; J. V. Jones, Oshkosh, Wis.; John V. Antisdel, Milwaukee, Wis.; Mark Douglass, Melrose, Wis.; C. Hutchinson, Beetown, Wis. Wyoming, $750--Commissioners first appointed Dec. 13, 1879--Dr. M. C. Barkwell, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Otto Gramur, Laramie City, Wyo.; E. W. Bennett, Warm Springs, Wyo ; P. J. Downs, Evanstree, Wyo.; T. W. Quinn, Lander, Wyo.; W. W. An drews, Buffalo, Wy. Dakota, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana and New Mexico have not as yet had any fish commissioners. 
INSPECTORS OF THE FISHERIES OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 
Canada--W. F. Whitcher, Ottawa, Ont.; S. Wilmot, Supt., New Castle, Ont. New Brunswick--W. H. Venning, St. Johns, N. B. Nova Scotia--W. H. Rogers. Amherst, N. S. Prince Edwards Island--J. H. Deevar, Alberton, P. E. I. British Columbia--Alex. C. Anderson, Victoria, B. C. 
 
 INDEX. 
 
A 
Asst. Commissioner....... . Acid Phosphates.............. Ammoniited Fertilizer Ammonium C trate....... Angus'a Dam at.............. Appendix............................ 
B 
 
......... 4 
.9, 10, 11 ............11 
........... 19 ..........S3 ........... 39 
 
Butler, Troup............................................................................................................................................3 
 
Boyce, Ker............................................................................................................................................ 3. 4 
 
Brands, Number of.............................................. 
 
12 
 
Brown, Jas. E......................................................................................................................................... 23 
 
Baird, Hon. S. F.................................................................................................................... 34, 36. 37 
 
Brook Trout...........................................................................................................................................37 
 
c 
 
Commissioner's Clerk............................................................................ ........................ .................3, 4 
 
................................ 4 
 
f'Jnm miQQinnpr Asst 
 
...............................4 
 
f!hprrnst fttatp 
 
. ... ................................. 
 
........................4 
 
flnry H R 
 
............................................................... 
 
............................4 
 
PnWTrTMTTAW mr A riPTr'TTT.TTTR A T, CJWTtllVTTSTS ..... .............. .... ............................................ 18 
 
fJnlrp'iitt Alfrprl H 
 
... ... 
 
....... 
 
..........................................23 
 
Carp, German........................................................................................... ....................................... 33, 34 
 
/~1cirp Timp nf HatpViinjr 
 
............. . 
 
......... 
 
............................................ 36 
 
flulifrvrnio Solmnn 
 
........... 
 
........................................... 36 
 
r^PTMPT.TTSTAM T W 
 
............................. ....... ..............................................38 
 
rirnp T?ppnrt. 
 
.... 
 
.......... ...... .............................................38 
 
Complete Fertilizer............................................................................... .............................................44 
 
D 
 
DeWolf, W. S................. Distribution of Seeds. Draining Carp Ponds.. 
E 
 
......... 3, 4 21, 22, 23 34, 35, 36 
 
Editing Clerk...................... Experiment Station...... Euohoena Luxurians........ Edible Qualities of Carp 
F 
Fertilizer Clerk....................................... Fisheries..................................................... Fisheries, Superintendent of........... Fisheries, Superintendents Report. Fertilizers, Statistics of...................... Fees, Inspections................................... Fish Ways.......................................... 
 
................... 
 
4 
 
17, 26, 27, 28, 29 
 
......................... 22 
 
............................ 34 
 
..........4 .........29 
........... 4 
29 to-- 8, 9, 10 ...12, 13 ...30, 31 
 
t 
 
 [275] 
 
commissioner's report 1883-84. 
 
55 
 
G 
 
Geologist...................................................................................................................................................... 4 
 
Georgia System of Inspection............................................................................................................4 
 
General Assemb'y..................................................................................................... 
 
5, 6 
 
German Carp.................................................................................................................................... 33, 34 
 
General View..... .................................................................................................................................37 
 
H 
 
Howard, T. C............................................................................................................................................ 3,4 
 
Howell, W. H.......................................... 
 
3 
 
Harden, W. P.............................................................................................................................................3 
 
Hankins, S.......................................................................... 
 
3 
 
Henderson, J. T.........................................................................................................................................4 
 
Henderson, W. B.....................................................................................................................................4 
 
Hand-Book of Georgia.........................................................................................................................25 
 
Howard, Miss E. L................................................................................................................................ 25 
 
I 
 
Inspectors of Fertilizers........................................................................................................................4 
 
Inspectors at Savannah........................................................................................................................ 4 
 
Augusta................................................ 
 
4 
 
Brunswick............................................................................................................................ 4 
 
Macon................................................................. 
 
4 
 
Columbus................................................................................ 
 
4 
 
Atlanta.................................................................................................................................. 4 
 
Inspection and Analysis of Fertilizeks..........................................................................4 to 17 
 
Inspection Laws of Georgia................................................................................................................5 
 
Inspection of Oils................................................................................................................................ 21 
 
L 
 
Little, Dr. Geo................................................................ 
 
3, 4 
 
Livingston, L. W............................................................ 
 
3, 4 
 
Lawton, J. S.................................................................................. 
 
4 
 
M 
 
McCutehin, A. R....................................................................................................................................3,4 
 
Millo Maize.............................................................................................................................................. 22 
 
Manual on Poultry.............................................................................................................................. 24 
 
Manual of Sheep-husbandry............................................................................................................ 25 
 
McDonald Hatching Jar.............................. 
 
32 
 
McDonald Fishway...................................................................................................................... 30, 31 
 
N 
 
Newman, J. S...........................................................................................................................................3,4 o 
 
Organization................................................................................................................... 
 
3 
 
Oils, Inspection of.......................................................... 
 
21 
 
Overflows of Ponds...............................................................................................................................36 
 
P 
 
Pate, John H............................................................................................................................................ 4 Phosphoric Acid, Determination of............................................................................... 18, 19, 20 Publications............................................................................................................................................24 
 
 56 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--GEORGIA. 
 
[276] 
 
E 
 
Redding, R. J........................................................................................................................... 4 Rogers, 0. T..............................................................................................................................4 Receipts of Fees for Inspections........................................................................................ 12 
 
s 
 
Superintendent of Fisheries.............. Statistics of Fertilizers........................ State Chemist's Reports....................... Seeds, Distribution of.......................... Sheep-Husbandry, Manual of............ Shad......................................................... Shad in Ocmulgee River at Macon... Shad in Chattahoochee. Columbus..., South Carolina, Fish Commission of. Salmon, California............................... State Agricultural Society................. Soil Analysis by Plants...................... Soil Analysis by Sir H. Davy............ 
 
4 ............. 6 
;:.'.'.'.i3,'i3 
21, 22, 2 ............ 25 ............31 ............ 32 ............ 32 ......33, 36 ........... 36 ........... 38 ............39 ........... 41 
 
T 
 
Thomas, E. L. 
 
..3 
 
Tags. Cost of... 
 
12 
 
Teosinte......... 
 
22 
 
Trout, Brook. 
 
37 
 
u 
 
Department of Agriculture, U. S................. 
 
23 
 
United States Fish Commission................... 
 
32 
 
y 
 
Ville, George 
w 
 
.25, 26, 39 
 
White, H. C................................................................................................................. 4, 13. 16 Washington Method..........................................................................................................18 Weather Observers.............................................................................................................38