Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia, year ending September 30, 1898

REPORT
of tub
Commissioner of Agriculture
OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA.
YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1898.
R. T. NESBITT, Commissioner.

REPORT.
To His Excellency, W. Y. Atkinson, Governor: I have the honor to submit the following report of the work of
the Department of Agriculture for the year commencing October 1st, 1897, and ending October 1st, 1898.
CLERICAL FORCE.
Since my last report, the clerical force has been unchanged, save that I have employed a typewriter for a portion of the year. The force as now constituted is as follows: B. L. McIntosh, Gen eral Correspondent; U. G. Hardeman, Fertilizer Clerk; H. L. Ben nett, Mailing Clerk; Miss L. D Jones, Typewriter. A general book keeper is very badly needed but the small amount of money appro priated to the use of the Department renders it impossible to em ploy one.
ENTOMOLOGIST.
The Legislature, during its last session, at my earnest solicita tion, passed a bill authorizing me to appoint an Entomologist, upon the recommendation of the State Horticultural Society. Accordingly I have appointed, for a term of two years, Mr. W. M. Scott of Virginia, who entered upon the discharge of his duties on the 1st of last March, and whose work is giving satisfaction to the fruit growers of the State. Unfortunately for the usefulness of this Department the bill authorizing the appointment of an Entomol ogist. also contained the provision that #2500 of the usual appropria tion for the Department should be used in paying the salary and expenses of the Entomologist. I felt that this was a great injustice to this Department, which, with the small amount at its disposal, was striving, through its publications, to educate and elevate the Agricultural interests of the State, and for a time I was disposed to defer the appointment of the Entomologist to a more convenient

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season, and probably would have done so, but for the urgent need of such an official by the fruit growing interests of the State. The consequences of thus depriving the Department of one-fourth of its usual appropriation have been almost fatal to its usefulness. l The Monthly Talk, and Answers to Questions," which occupied six col umns of the weekly papers, was cut down to three columns, and the editions of the Fertilizer Bulletin and the Annual likewise curtailed. This is not fair to the farmers of Georgia and unless the fund aris" ing from the inspection of fertilizers is turned over to the Depart ment of Agriculture, as it ought to be, then the salary and expenses of the Entomologist at least should be provided for from that fund.

FERTILIZER INSPECTION.

As large as was the sale of fertilizers in the season of 1896-il7, it has been exceeded during the season just closed. Inconsequence, I have had to appoint a larger number of Inspectors than ever, in order that the work might be thoroughly done. The following gentlemen have been employed as Inspectors, and have been paid the salaries below mentioned:

S. B. Scott.............., Atlanta...................... ..............$ 999 96

W. W. Dews...........Cuthbert.................... .............. 999 96

E. R. Kilpatrick.. vVaverly Hall.......... .............. 999 90

H. M. Stanley ... .Dublin........................ .............. 999 96

E P Dobbs.......... Marietta.................... .............. 999 90

F. W. Griffin......... . Americus..................

J. E. McDuffie.... McRae ........................ .............. 874 98

J. S. Reid............. . Ealonton.......... .... .............. 374 98

W. A. Cooper. ... . Lawrenceville.......... .............. 374 98

\V S Sp.Iip.II .

.............. 374 98

IV. A. Terrell........, Greenville.................. .............. 374 98

M L. Johnson... .Cass Station............ .............. 249 99

S. R. Fulcher.... . Greens Cut................ .............. 374 98

T. E. Summerour.Warshaw................... .............. 374 98

J. A. Massey........ .Gordon...................... .............. 374 98

J. Y. McWhorter .Woodville.................. .............. 374 98

D. D. Strong........ . Blakely ................... .............. 374 98

H. I. Thompson . . Cordele...................... .............. 374 98

J. P. Callaway... . La Grange................ .............. 374 98 G. A. Whitehead Savannah .................. .............. 374 98 Y. A Daniel........ Winder........................ .............. 374 98

$10,916 16

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The cost of this inspection amounts to a large sum ; but if the work is to be thoroughly done, the cost of the work must grow with the increased sale of fertilizers.
Following is a statement of receipts and expenditures for the season of 1897-98:

Balance in Bank (from season ot 189(i-97)... .$ 2,050 95

Cash in Office............................................................

11 30

From sale of Tags (season of 1897-98)............ 42,974 60

$45 036 85

EXPENDITURES.
Salaries of Inspectors............................................$10 916 16 Traveling Expenses of Inspectors.................... 3,980 43 Paid for Tags............................................................ 2,159 75 Bottles, Corks Express, etc................................ 148 02 Turned into Treasury............................................ 26,123 85 Balance on hand...................................................... 1109 14
$45,030 85

Of the $26,123.35 turned into the Treasury. $8,2C0 is used in paying the salaries of the Commissioner, the Fertilizer Clerk and tire State Chemist with his two Assistant Chemists, leaving a bal ance of $17,923 33 which goes to the school fund. I have always insisted, and still insist, that this money arising from the inspection of fertilizers, should be retained and used by the Agriculture De partment, for the purpose of educating the farming classes of Geor gia The Department was never created to become a source of rev enue. and whatever amounts of money may be collected through its operation, should be devoted to the benefit of the agricultural interests of the State. There is no valid reason why it should be given to the school fund, nearly half of which goes to the educa tion of negroes, while our farmers are themselves anxious and eager for education on Agricultural topics.
The tax is collected from an article used by none but the far mers, and the money derived from this tax should be spent entirely for their benefit. A number of other southern states turn over the money derived from this source to their Agricultural Departments to increase their efficiency, and Georgia should do likewise if she expects to retain her commanding agriculture position among her

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sister states. With the present appropriation, I have been able to reach only from four to five thousand of the farmers with its publications, while by strengthening it with the money from fertil izer inspection, from thirty the forty thousand farmers would an nually receive the benefit of said publications. In addition to this, farmers institutes could be held in every portion of the State, than which there is no better way of teaching the principles and illustrat ing the advantages of enlightened and progressive agriculture.
If the Agricultural Department is doing the State no good, it should be abolished. On the other hand, if the good work it has done is patent to every thoughtful man in the State, then by all means strengthen it and make it more useful. I trust that your Ex cellency will see fit to call this matter to the attention of the mem bers of the Legislature, and to urge upon them, not only the ex pediency, but the necessity of giving more aid to this Department.

IN AGRICULTURE.

Georgia holds her own fairly well among ths other Southern States, and through the energy, enterprise and industry of her far mers is still entitled to be called the Empire State of the South. Year by year our farmers are learning the important lesson, that prosperity can only be attained by making their farms self-support ing, and to-day Georgia is nearer this desired goal than at any time since the cival war. And this result is being reached without de creasing her great staple crop--cotton--of which she made in 1897 over 1,500,000 bales, by far the largest cotton crop in her history. The continued low price of cotton is causing many of our farmers to turn their attention to other crops and stock raising, fruit grow ing, dairying and like industries are receiving more attention each year.
There is a gratifying increase in live stock in the State as com pared with the census of 1890, as the following Agues will show:

HORSES 1890.............. 103,000 1898.............. 111380

MULES 157 000 165,202

MILCH COWS 287,000 303,392

SWINES 1 396 000 2,073,254

During the same period there has been a decrease in the num ber of sheep and dry cattle, but this is readily accounted for by the vast numbers of both which were bought up in every portion of the state in 1897 and shipped to the ranches of Western States.

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With the exception of oats, our crops of all kinds have been good this year, and if the price of cotton was not so low--being decidly below the cost of production--our farmers, as a rule, would be in a fairly prosperous condition. But with our only money crop selling below what it costs to make it, the outlook is discouraging, particularly to those farmers who have not made their own food supplies. The excessive rains of August and early September, caused great damage to all bottom lands throughout the State, and seriously injured cotton on the up-lands. I estimate that the in jury to cotton amounted to from 10 to 20 per cent., and that not less than a million bushels of corn was destroyed.
A phenomenal peach crop was made this year, over twenty-two hundred car loads having been shipped to northern markets and in most cases with satisfactory results to the growers. Other fruits did not do so well, particularly water melons, which were much in jured by the dry weather in May and June. Throughout the State stock of all kinds are in good condition save in a few localities, where some Texas fever is reported among the cattle
THE TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
Not having closed at the date of my last Annual Report, I could not. at that time, make a statement of the expenditures made by the State for her exhibit. As you know, the State appropriated $2,000 for the purpose of making an exhibit at Nashville. Of this amount $500.00 was, by resolution of the Legislature, turned over to " The Ladies of Georgia" to aid them in making their display, of which amount they used $450.00.
Dr. Geo F. Payne, the State Chemest, was charged witli the duty of making the display of fruits and farm products, while Pro fessor W. S. Tates, the State Geologist got up the display of min erals, building stones and timber. Both these gentlemen made splendid exhibits, considering the limited means at their command. Mr. Augustus DuPont was employed as custodian of both exhibits during the six months of the Exposition and faithfully discharged the duties of his position. At the close of the Exposition, there was an unexpended balance of $1.60 on hand, which was turned into the State Treasury.
The following statement shows how the money was expended, vouchers for every item having been handed into your office prior to this report.

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Report of Receipts and Expenditures in making the G-eorgia State Exhibit at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, held at Nashville, from May 1st to Nov. 1st, 1897:
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation by the State.................... .................................... $2,000 00

EXPENDITURES.

Turned over to the ``Ladies of Georgia," by

resolution of the Legislature, $500.00, of

which they returned $50.00, leaving

$450.00, as per voucher................................ $450 00

Mch. 30. Neal & Massey, as per voucher.................. 1 25

June 3. Western Union Telegraph Co., as per

voucher.............................................................. 1 99

July 9. To Augustus DuPont (Custodian of

Exhibits) on salary............................ $ 50

Aug. 26. To Augustus DuPont (Custodian of

Exhibits), on Salary.......................... 75

Oct. 27. To Augustus DuPont (Custodian of

Exhibits), balance on Salary.......... 125-- 250 00

Oct. 29. To Augustus DuPont, as per voucher.... 19 15

Dec 10. R. T. Nesbitt, Commissioner, as per

voucher.............................................................. 8 00

Dec. 14. Sam Walker, as pervoucher....................... 1 45

Dec. 20. Willis Scandrett. asper voucher................. 1 50

Dec. 22. G. M. Smith, as per voucher........................

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July 6. W. J. Speer (State Treasurer), balance

left on hand...................................................... 1 60

To total amount placed in hands of Dr. Geo F. Payne, State Chemist, who was charged with making the Fruit and Agricultural Exhibit, as per accompanying vouchers.. 634 40

To total amount placed in hands Prof. W. S. Yeates, State Geologist, who was charged with making the Mineral Exhibit, as per ac companying vouchers.................................... 630 31
$2,000 00

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PUBLICATIONS.
Want of means has very much hampered the Department this year in ihe matter of publications. Instead of six columns each month in the weekly papers of the State, I have only been able to publish three, and for the last quarter of the year. none. I have published the Annual for 1897 -- a bound volume of nearly 500 pages. The edition only amounted to six thousand copies, which did not nearly supply the demand. I have also published an edition of two thousand copies of the Annual for 1898 and six thousand copies of the Fertilizer Bulletin for season of 1897-98. These dif ferent publications are all in great demand by the farmers of the State, and should be^ published in at least five-fold larger editions than at present. To do this of course requires a larger amount of money than has been available during my administration of the office; and I trust the present Legisl iture will recognize the needs of the Department, and do all in its power to render it more useful. The agricultural education of the farmers is quite as important as the education of the children of the State, and every dollar arising from the inspection of fertilizers should be devoted to advancing their interests. This I deem our imperative duty.
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
The introduction into our school system of such studies as would tend to upbuild the agricultural interests of our state is a question just now attracting, perhaps, more attention than at any former time in our history. It is a subject of great interest and of graver importance than at first sight appears. We are essentially an agricultural people, and although our manufacturing interests are increasing every day, it is from our farms at last that the supplies to sustain these enterprises must come With the increasing popula tion which these new interests bring, and the ever increasing de mands on our agricultural resources, there is no question that the successful farmer of the future must acquire a large and varied knowledge, not only of the best agricultural methods, but of mat ters scientific and matters business, as well. This question involves the place which our children, raised on the farm, and by far the largest part of our school population, shall take in the advancement of our future agriculture. Nearly 80 per cent, of the people of

10
Georgia are farmers, or directly dependent on farms, and four-fifths of the public school population belong to the farms and villages. In studying this subject we must note one fact, and that is the steady movement cityward of our rural population. Each year the changes produced by this tendency are becoming more and more marked and if not checked will seriously affect our prosperity, because, as a rule, it is taking from the country its Lest element, those from twenty to forty years of age, and leaving on the farms the old and infirm and the young and immature. In the history of the world the thoughtful student will observe that in all countries where this exodus from rural life to the towns has obtained to any large degree, the security and the prosperity of that country has begun to wane, and notably in the case of the great Roman empire, to finally totter and fall. Success in agriculture underlies success in manufacture, in trade and in commerce. According to the num ber of persons engaged in and directly dependent on it, the capital invested in it, and the wealth which it adds to the country every year, agriculture stands in importance far ahead of any other industry. It is a source of supply for all the others, and it furnishes, in large measure, the market for the disposal of their goods. There fore, to build up and sustain this main prop of a nation's prosperity is a duty which appeals directly and strongly to every thoughtful citizen.
In Georgia, from 1880 to 1890, the increase in cities of over 8,000 inhabitants amounted to over 3 per cent of the whole popula tion. and if we include towns of 500 inhabitants and upward, the increase amounts to over lOjii per cent, with an almost correspond ing decrease in rural population, and there is no doubt that the next census will show a still greater difference. Various reasons have been adduced to account for this fact, which becomes a subject for serious consideration, when we remember that ours is, first and fore most, an agricultural state and also that we have valuable lands to which we wish to direct immigration. Our system of education may not be the direct cause, but perhaps through it something may be done to check this increasing movement from the country to the towns. We are encouraged in this view by the present agricultural condition of France, which is pre-eminently the most advanced and most progressive of all civilized nations in the matter of agri cultural education.

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For the following facts we are indebted to an interesting article on "Village Life in France and England" by Rev. Mr. Tuckwell, an Englishman:
France has a population of 38,095,156; her farms are the best cultivated in Europe, and her produce per head has increased by one-half in the last quarter of the century. Let it be noted that it is within that period that agricultural education has been most carefully taught in the schools.
In each of tne eighty-six departments of France there are, besides the public schools, farm schools, apprentice schools, agri cultural orphanages and other institutions devoted to agriculture alone, and in this number we do not include the agricultural uni versity at Paris, famous the world over for its investigations and its contributions to successful agriculture ; nor the three national schools of agriculture, one of horticulture, one of dairying, three of veterinary science, two of forrestry and two shepherd's schools.
Let us examine some of the effects of the French system. Mr. Tuckwell says:
"In these small farms, as in all other holdings, we had seen that farming was extraordinarily skillful. Not only was the land far cleaner than most farms in England, * * * but we were arrested by the dextrous economy in laying out crops, the unexpected rota tions, the use of chemical manures. This was due, we were told, to the government agricultural college."
The following comparison enables us to judge of some of the remarkable results of this Fench system.
In England the owners of estates above one acre in size are 300,000. In france they are 7,000 000. In England the average ex tent of a single farm is 390 acres; in France 10 acres--4 000,000 own ers holding properties of two acres, while farms of 200 acres are so few that they can be counted on the lingers. In France the peasant is decent; well-to-do, independent, hopeful. In England, the country of large holdings, the landlord prospers, while the tenant is dissat isfied and often despairing. The statement is borne out by the fact that in sixty years about 8,500,000 emigrants have left England; less than 500 000 have left France. In England the rural population is 33 per cent, of the whole; in France upwards of 75 per cent.
In 1890 France exported about $120,000,000 worth of food, while England imported $360,000,000. As a tangible result of these facts, there are in the French post-office savings bank $600,000,000 in

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6,500,000 deposits, an average of less than $100 for each depositor. These figures speak for themselves, and seem to warrant the con clusion that agricultural education is not only beneficial, but is parhaps the most important motive power in the elevation and progress of a nation.
A comparison of our crop production in Georgia, with crop re sults in England, France and Germany, shows the need of a more general dissemination of that knowledge which will enable our far mers to successfully demand more from the soil and to utilize much that is now counted among the " waste products."
One of the greatest drawbacks to a general adoption of careful farm methods is the fact that men can live by careless methods. Of no other calling in life can this broad statement be made. The ele ments of success in other calling consist of an intelligent apprehen sion and a practical application of the duties belonging to that busi ness, and lacking these the way is blocked. But in farming, at least in our favored climate, a man can manage to exist even though by his careless and wasteful methods, he throws away enough to sup port a family in thrifty, progressive France. It is, as a rule, from these men, who have plodded along in the same old rut from year to year, that one hears the cry against ` book farming."
It is a lamentable fact that although farmers so outnumber the workers in every other industry there is no other class of people which have given so little study to acquiring a proper understanding of the fundamental principles of their business. Almost every other industry has made vast strides, but the great body of farmers move along today on very much the same lines that were followed a century ago.
The land is prepared, the seeds are sown, the crops are gathered The farmer rarely enquires as to the nature of the soil or its adapt ability to his different crops, the kind of fertilizer which may be required to restore to his soil the elements which may be lacking, in order to successfully produce those crops, or the requirements of the crops themselves. How many farmers are there who understand the things by which God has surrounded them in order to prosper their calling, their soils, their crops, their manures, the very air which they breathe, as well as the methods which will protect their crops from drouth or from the effects of too much rain? Every year there is a vast amount of labor wasted by the lack of this understanding, and many farmers prove by their daily practice that

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they do not believe that such knowledge is important. They do not understand it, and they will not profit by it. But once let the cor rectness of these views be established by practical teaching, let this teaching be organized, systematic, plain, practical and carried on through every agency which the state can command, in the way of schools, colleges, agricultural organizations of different kinds, ex periment stations and agricultural literature, and you have started a powerful force, which will permeate every section of our common wealth. Every thoroughly equipped graduate from an agricultural college will become the nucleus around which others will gather. His intelligent use of the forces which nature puts at his command, his revelation of the secrets locked up in earth and air and sky will arouse even the most listless, and the result will be better kept farms, the restoration of fertility, larger crops on smaller areas, less waste, more money. The farmer of the future must be fitted by education to require more from the soil and to obtain better pay ing results than characterize present agricultural conditions. While it may not be advisable to follow the lead of France in all partic ulars, her experience certainly warrants the conclusion that the education of the farming classes in their especial work is productive of good results. The imparting of a little agricultural information in our public schools would doubtless stimulate the interest and increase the attendance in our agricultural colleges, and the final effect might possibly be to so foster the spirit for agricultural im provement as to necessitate a general increase in these helpful insti. tutions.
Too much should not, of course, be attempted at first. The work should be gradual--with the understanding at the outset, that by teaching agriculture it is not intended to teach how to plow, how to harvest, or how to feed stock, but rather the why and wherefore. The instruction would at first necessarily be confined to only a small part of what is probably the widest and most comprehensive science known to man--the science of agriculture.
Quoting from high authority, I would say, in conclusion, that "these suggestions do not involve any upsetting or overturning of the present system of education, but rather an adaption to agricul ture as far as possible of subjects now upon the curriculum. If nothing more be done to start our rural pupils to thinking; to give them an impetus or a turn in the right direction; to develop in them

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a taste for agricultural study and investigati n; to arouse in them a desire to know more and to read more about agricultural affairs and especially to increase in them a respect for their work and a pride for their calling, then the most important end of their education will have been attained."
GENERAL REMARKS.
As this is the last report that I will make as Commissioner of Agriculture, I deem it a proper occasion to give a brief summary of my administration of the office.
Eight years ago the people elected me to serve them, as the head of the Agricultural Department. I was the first Commissioner of Agriculture elected by the people of Georgia, as up to my election the Governor of the State had made the appointment. Feeling deeply the responsibilities of the position, and knowing many of the needs of the farmers (having been one all my life). I entered heartily into the work, and for eight years I have conscientiously labored for the upbuilding of the State through Agricultural improvement. By addresses, letters, bulletins and other publications, and through the medium of the Weekly Press, I have sought to reach the farm ers with varied information that would be of service to them; and from the many grateful letters received, I have good reason to be lieve that the work of the Department has been productive of good, and has been appreciated by the farmers of the State. The opposi tion to the very existence of the Department, that was once so pro nounced, has entirely vanished, and its strongest supporters are now found among the intelligent farmers of the State. These are the men who have "held up my hands," and have encouraged and aided me in my work. For their support I shall ever be grateful, and I trust that my successor will receive from them the same cordial aid and sympathy that they have extended to me.
During my administration several very desirable changes have been brought about in the matters of inspecting oils and fertilizers. The total fees from oil inspection were formerly retained by the Inspectors, in some cases, amounting to several thousand dollars

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annually to a single Inspector. As soon as I assumed the duties of the office, and at my solicitation a law was speedily enacted by the Legislature by which the Inspectors received a small salary and a per centage of the fees collected by them, turning the remainder over to the State Treasurer. From this change the State has received, during my administration of this office, the large sum of $99,170 29, The appropriation for the maintainance of this Depart ment for the same period reaches a total of $80,000. It is therefore plain that the State has made a clear profit from this source alone of $19,170.29 over and above the cost of maintaining the Department.
Under my predecessors, fertilizers were sampled while still in the hands of the manufacturers after the mixtures had been made, but before they were sacked and shipped. When I took charge, this method was at once abandoned, and Inspectors were notified to sample goods only after they had left the factories. This order has been rigidly adhered to, and samples of guano, for analysis, are now taken from the sacks found in box cars, warehouses, or on the farmer's wagon, as the case may be. From this source the State also derives a revenue. With an inspection fee of only 10 cents a ton, the treasury has received through this source, during my ad ministration, the sum of $64,282.88 net, The fertilizer laws, as now administered in this State, are the best in the Union for the protec tion of the farmers, and I am safe in saying that, for several years past, no spurious fertilizers have been sold in Georgia. So good are our laws on this subject that other States are imitating them, and copying their special features.
The method of reaching the farmers through the weekly papers was introduced by me, and it is far more satisfactory to all parties interested than the old method of mailing a few monthly bulletins to each County. Nearly every farmer takes and reads his County paper, and through this avenue has been communicated to them much practical advice, bearing directly on their work.
During my administration, I have compiled and published a work called "Georgia -- Her Resources and Possibilities." This book has been in great demand from all sections of the Union, but on account of very limited means, the edition was small and soon exhausted. I have also published a large edition of a 65 page pamphlet, called " Georgia:--A Fair Field for Home Seekers and

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Investors." This pamphlet has been widely distributed over the North and West, and doubtless has had considerable influence in inducing immigratien to our State from those sections.
In addition to the usual duties of the office, it devolved upon me to see that the State made creditable exhibits, both at the Cot ton States and International Exposition, held in Atlanta, in 1895, and at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition held at Nashville, in 1897. That the State made splendid exhibits of her capabilities and resources at both these great Expositions, is attested by the thou sands. who viewed with just pride and pleasure the displays made by their loved State on these two occasions.
What I have written under this head is in no spirit of self-laud ation, but simply to put on record facts which will show that I have sought to do my duty to the people, who elected me, and to my native State, whose every hill and every plain I love, and in whose hospitable bosom I hope to rest when life's "fitful dream" is passed.
In closing this report, I would thank you cordially for the courtesy and consideration that I have invariably received from you, both in our official and private intercourse.
I also take this opportunity to thank all those who have, in any way, been associated with me during my administration of the Agricultural Department. They have performed their duties ably and faithfully, and to them, in great degree, is due the increased popularity of the Department. I part from them, one and all, with assurances of my esteem and gratitude.
Respectfully, R. T. NESBITT, Commissioner.
REPORT OF THE CHEMIST.
Labokatoey of the State Chemist, Atlanta, Ga., August 20th. 1898.
Hon. R. T. Nesbitt, Com. of Agriculture of the State of Ga. Deab Sik:--The season of 1897-98, just closing, marks the larg
est consumption of commercial fertilizers for any one year for any one State in the Union. Georgia consumed in 1897 over 22 per cent, of all the Fertilizers sold in the United States, or nearly one-fourth of the whole amount.

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The chemical analysis of one or more samples of all the 1,300 brands registered requires a vast deal of accurate, rapid work. First of all, the work must he accurate, as the analysis of each sample usually represents goods which have been sold, amounting to many thousands of dollars. The work must also be rapid to get it published before the farmers' notes fall due. Since the present State Chemist has been in office the number of brands has trebled, and the bulk of the inspections, instead of beginning the first of October, as formerly, have been so changed that the samples do not reach the State Chemist in any considerable number until the first of January and do not stop coming until sometime in August or September. During the fall months the Ellington bill samples, which are all worked twice, keep him very fully occupied, and are increasing in number.
The farmers of Georgia appreciate more and more the work of Department of Agriculture in protecting them against the sale of worthless fertilizers and the protection given them in securing fer tilizers which are actually up to guarantee. The Department of Agriculture has steadily improved in this good work, and each advance has shown where still further improvement can be made. As there is a large surplus each year from the inspection of fertili sers, it should certainly be utilized as far as necessary for the fullest protection of the farmer in the purchase of such goods. The pres ent system of inspection requires the sampling of all fertilizers after they have been sold and have left the hands of the manufac turers; this plan does not put the sample in the hands of the State Chemist for analysis until after the goods have been bought. The old plan of taking the sample at the factory before the goods were sold was not a good one, because the goods could easily be made over after the inspection, or a special lot could be made up for the early inspection. The present plan would appear at first glance to be all that the farmer who buys on credit might desire, and it would only be the man who pays cash who needs the analysis before pur chase. It is true that the farmer who buys on credit learns the analysis before his notes fall due, and if the analysis of the goods he bought runs below the State's requirements or the manufac turer's guarantee, he can secure proper redress as far as the value of the goods are concerned; but he is in no way reimbursed for the value of his lost crop, lost time and other advantages which a good

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fertilizer would have given him. A plan something like the follow ing would appear alike just to the farmer and the manufacturer, and would certainly tend to give a clearer insight to the farmer as to just what he is doing when he buys a fertilizer: Require each manufacturer to register his goods with the Commissioner of Agri culture as at present, and, in addition, what kind of ammoniate is always used in each brand of goods. If the manufacturer uses two or more ammoniates, and varies them from time to time, ac cording to their cost, he should be required to so state, that the farmer may know in what brands he is likely to get cotton seed meal or blood at one time and hoof, horns or leather at another under the same name and same guarantee. It is not fair to the farmer that a brand simply represents a certain guarantee. A name for a fertilizer should go further than this, and mean that in it will always be found the same ammoniates. One brand of goods is some times made up by several different manufacturers for some dealer who wishes to appear as a manufacturer, and in such cases a farmer may easily be pleased with the results from one purchase and not from another, for the goods might easily have the same guarantee, but be very unlike in their effect on the crops. Besides, one manu facturer may give a wide margin on his guarantee and another a small margin; one might use cotton seed meal for an ammoniate and another use hoofs, horns and leather. Let each manufacturer who desires to do so, deposit with the State Chemist a fair sample of his goods as soon as manufactured and ready for sale. Let the State Chemist analyze these samples and transmit the results to the Commissioner of Agriculture, to be published by him by the first of February of each year, in connection with a bulletin, which shall contain:
The names of the manufacturers, The places where manufactured, The names of the brands, The guarantees, The kind of ammoniate used, The analysis of the goods as offered for sale, as made by the State Chemist.
To secure the publication of such analysis, each manufacturer being required to guarantee that samples of his goods as taken by the State Inspectors in transit after having left his factory and before

19
being removed from the railroad depots by the consumer, shall ana lyze not lower than one-half of one per cent in available phosphoric acid, not lower than one-fourth of one per cent, in ammonia, and not lower than one-fourth of one per cent, in potash, below the analysis of the sample deposited with the State Chemist, at the beginning of the season; or if preferred the manufacturer might be required to guarantee the comparative commercial valuation of the sample first deposited with the State Chemist. If a manufacturer feels that he cannot guarantee his goods to fall no lower than this, or whatever reasonable margin that might be fixed, this first analy sis should not be published to his credit nor should he be permitted to use it in any way to sell his goods. The expense involved in such an enormously increased amount of work to be made during the fall, could be met by the State Chemist charging the owner of each brand who may desire such an analysis on which to sell his goods a proper fee to meet the extra expenses thrown upon the State Chemist to accomplish the work.
Some such plan as this could be arranged that would be mutually satisfactory to the farmers and the manufacturers. The former naturally wishes to see an analysis of the goods on which he can rely before he buys them. Many manufacturers would pre fer to sell their goods on analysis, for the present plan of guarantee only, does not tell the whole story by a good deal, and the clearer the facts stand out, the better it will be for the fertilizers which are the most valuable to the'farmer.
The State Chemist has accomplished every analysis sent to him each year either by the Commissioner of Agriculture or by the Ordi naries of counties. To do this has required a steady and persistent effort every year from the very beginning of each season until the last sample is sent in. Over 1,300 fertilizer analyses is a big job, and as fertilizer chemists of established reputation charge $25.00 for each complete analysis this shows how considerable has been the work done this season. The last sample sent to the State Chemist last year under the general fertilizer law, was on September 9, and every sample received up to date had been reported to the Com missioner by September the 15th. The last sample received this season was on August T7th, and every sample received up to date had been reported by August 20th.

20
The amount of work done on fertilizers during the season of 1897-98 was as follows:--
Moisture, number of determinations................................ 952 Phosphoric Acid, number of determinations................ 2654 Ammonia, number of determinations .... .................... 1119 Potash, number of determinations.................................... 1142
5867 Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. PAYNE, State Chemist.
REPORT OF FISH COMMISSION.
La Gbange, Ga., August 25, 1898. Col. R. T. Nesbitt, Atlanta, Ga.
Deab Sib:--In my report, from June 1897 to June 1898, 1 will say our distributions for same periods have not been as large as some of the former years, owing partly to changes in the depart ments at the several Government hatcheris to other kinds of fish, and the leaving off of Carp and Perch--two species formerly given to the South and Southwest, owing, no doubt, to their adaptability to these waters. Our next shipment will be Rainbow Trout, some time during this fall or early winter.
I have entered quite a number of applications with the Depart ment for fish to be delivered to applicants direct. In this kind of distribution we have no expense further than notice.
I have worked since 1893, constantly, to get the Government to establish a hatchery in Georgia, and I think now it is an assured arrangement. The hatchery is to be located at Cold Springs, in Merriwether county, near the Warm Springs, and right at the foot of Pine Mountain, on the Georgia Midland Railroad. We examined a large number of springs, finding this one, Cold Springs, to be quite cold and having a large, never varying flow of very excellent water. Some little legislation will be necessary to perfect arrange ments to perfect deeds to the fifteen acres of land upon which the hatchery is to be located. I feel confident a lot of good will result to the State by the locating of this hatchery in Georgia.

21
I have had a good deal of trouble during the last twelve months with violations of the fish laws. Traps are common all over the State, and a great many of them are built contrary to law. I have had several taken out and others changed to conform to the law.
Seining I find to be the greatest fish destroyer. Nine-tenths of the people who sein take all they catch, without regard to size, often leaving small fish on the ground to die that should never be caught, or if caught, should be put back at once. I shall ask the Legislature to pass a law prohibiting all seining in the fresh waters of the State for a period of two years; and after which, to fix the size of the meshes of seins so that all small fish can go through. I have kept iip the appointing of wardens, whenever I could find parties willing to serve. I have avoided prosecutions, as it incurs cost and expense, and the wardens are not willing to attend courts; makes a lot of enemies, etc , where there is no more good to them than the public morality.
I hope to report large distribution for 1898 and 1899. Respectfully submitted, J. D. EDMUNDSON, Fish Commissioner of Georgia,
REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.
Office of the State Entomologist, State Capitol. Atlanta, Ga., September 23d, 1898.
Hon. R. T. Nesbitt, Com. of Agriculture of the State of Georgia. Sir:--I have the honor to submit the following brief statements
concerning the work of this department since my appointment as En tomologist, March 1st, 1898, up to the present date:
The San Jose scale investigation has been pushed from the first. It lias been my aim to locate the various points of infestation and to adopt measures for suppressing this pest. The work thus far shows that the scale has gained a foot-hold in twentj'-one counties, involving 118 separate premises. The early part of the season was devoted to the inspection of orchards. Such as were too badly infested to war rant treatment were destroyed, and directions given for the treatment

22
of others. It is an appalling fact that over 100,000 orchard trees-- principally peaches, some plums--have been dug up this season on account of the San Jose scale, and it looks as though as many more will have to be destroyed this fall. It is encouraging, however, to note that considerable preparations are being made in different parts of the State for winter treatment, and it is our intention to have every orchard known to be infested either treated or destroyed. It is only by such vigorous measures that we can hope to control this pernicious enemy. Most of the growers are becoming awakened to the impor tance of such measures, while some are still careless and indifferent about the matter.
One of the most important features of my work is the inspection of nursery stock. Since nursery stock is the principal medium of wide dissemination of insect pests and plant diseases, the importance of nursery inspection is at once apparent. This work is being pushed now, and those nurserymen whose stock is found apparently free from dangerous insect pests and plant diseases, likely to be communicated from the nursery to the orchard, are given certificates to that effect; and stock found infested with dangerous pests, as the San Jose scale, is condemed and destroyed, and certificate witheld. Only a few nurs eries so far have been found infested with the San Jose scale, and the owners of these are making every effort to rid their premises of it.
At my suggestion, as a precaution against insect pests, a number of nurserymen are building fumigating houses to fumigate their stock with hydrocyanic acid gas before shipping; and, in fact, I have had to require some nurserymen to fumigate before allowing them to ship, on account of their premises being situated in suspicious sections.
My report, which is incorporated in the Annual of the State De partment of Agriculture, for i898, gives full directions for treating orchards infested with the San Jose scale, recommending three lines of treatment. Also a circular, concerning the various State laws against the San Jose scale and other injurious insects and plant disea ses, with suggestions as to the fumigation of nursery stock, has been issued for the instruction of nurserymen.
While the San Jose scale has consumed most of my time, I have at the same time had to deal with many other less important pests. Some fungus diseases of plants have also occupied a part of my time. Several important experiments with insecticides and fungicides have been conducted in connection with growers in different parts of the State, and in some cases very gratifying results have been obtained.
In closing, I beg to suggest thac our present pest law be amended so as to prohibit the shipment of diseased and scale infested nursery stock from other States into this State, and to provide that each ship ment of nursery stock shall be accompanied with a certificate of in spection from a State or Government entomologist.
It is also apparent that the amount of work to be done in this department--inspecting orchards, nurseries, truck farms, etc.; treat

23
ing the same; answering letters of inquiry; and issuing circulars of information; saying nothing of certain lines of investigation that ought to be conducted--is so great that an assistant is badly needed, and it is hoped that provision will be made for such assistant.
Acknowledgments are due the railroads of the State which have, with but few exceptions, kindly furnished me with free transportation to all parts of the State, without which, on account of lack of finan cial means, it would have been impossible to have done the work that has been accomplished.
Respectfully submitted, W. M. SCOTT, State Entomologist.

The following statement gives the amount of Oil inspected by the Inspectors of each district:

NAME OF INSPECTOR

DISTRICT

E. M. Durant................ Atlanta..........

John I. Morrissey... / John Screven............ f

Savannah ....

Glascock Darrett.......... Augusta........

T. J. Carling.............. Macon............

P. W. Fleming.............. Brunswick ..

J. VV. Murphey, Jr.... Columbus . ..

H. A. Dean.................... Rome............

J. R. Lyle........................ Athens ..........

R. N. Lamar.............. | E. P. Lugand............1

Milledgeville

Robt. Slappey................ Albany..........

Lynn Fort.................. j J. A. Cobb.................. j

Americus....

T. C. Candler................ Gainesville .,

L P. Gray...................... Fort Valley..

J. R. McAfee.................. Dalton........

R. G. Moris.................... Georgetown .

C. E. Murphey.............. Waycross....

W. B. Marshal.............. Cordele ........

W. T. Trammell............ Griffin............

W. VV. Reese.................. Elberton ....

J. I. Hopkins................ Thomasville

J. W. Worsham............ Covington ..

F. B. Barker.................. Marietta........

J. W. Clark.................... Valdosta ....

E. H. Smart.................... Bainbridge .

G. D. Speight................ Fort Gaines.

D. T. Paulk.................... Fitzgerald..

G. W. M. Tatum.......... Trenton ....

E. C. Gunn...................... Cuthbert ...

J. C. Harman................ Tennilie........

Total

No. of (xals. Fees Inspected Received
1,149,994| $5,749 97
211,702 1,058 52 1,183,366 5,917 98
565,273 2,827 31 393,724 1.968 61 159 844 799 22 276,865 1,384 30 206,431 1,032 09 199,700 998 50
34,852 174 25 11,656 58 28 109,803 518 94 73,284 366 37 32,186 160 92 65,113 325 53 45,848 229 21 71,823 357 97
2,311 13 13 54,800 274 01 70,048 350 24 84,099 420 46 46,554 238 76 65,170 327 32 52,462 262 29 71 040 355 19 13,959 69 79 43,649 218 24
3,516 17 55 24,320 121 58 18 618 256 21
6,157 30 78 53,770 269 85
5,402 237 27 182 30

Amount due State from each Inspector and paid the Treasurer:

NAME OF INSPECTOR.

DISTRICT

E. M. Durant..........

Atlanta..... >

J. I. Morrissey .... John Screven..........

Savannah ...

Glascock Barrett ..

Augusta........

T. J. Carling..........

Macon............

P. W. Fleming........

Brunswick...

J. W. Murphey, Jr

Columbus ...

H. A. Dean.......................................... Rome............

J. K. Lyle.......................................... Athens.........

R. N. Lamar.................................... ( E P. Lugand..................................f

Milledgeville.

Robt. Slappey..

Albany..........

J. A. Fort..........

Lynn Fort..........

Americus. J..

J A. Cobb........

T. C. Candler...

Gainesville ..

L. P. Gray........

Fort Valley.

J. C. Harman...

Tennilie........

J. R. McAfee...

Dalton..........

C. E. Murphy...

Waycross....

W. B. Marshall.

Cordele..........

W. T. Trammell

Griffin..........

W. W. Reese ...

Elberton........

J, S. Hopkins . .

Thomasville ,

J. W. Worsham.

Covington .,.

F. B. Barker....

Marietta ....

J. W. Clark ....

Valdosta ....

E. H. Smart....

Bainbridge ..

D. T. Paulk. ...

Fitzgerald...

Amount
4,404 94 814 19
4,388 73 1,260 99
776 16 174 72 397 09 252 35 241 47
17 36 2 76 102 36 62 00 13 32 36 96 80 23 30 97 9 37 47 41 18 18 35 48 57 75 8 90 42 47 30 08 69 29 6 60 27 63 5 27
$13,414 03