each county; to hold annually a State dairy conference in connection with the State Dairymen's Association; to assist and permit the organization of agricultural, horticultural, and live stock associations; to apportion the stipend appropriated by the State to the various local agricultural societies; to make an annual report to the Governor containing, among other things, an itemized account of receipts and expenditures in his office; and to aid in the enforcement of the pure food laws of the State. The former State Board of Agriculture is abolished. An appropriation of $3,000 is made, above the salary of the commissioner, for the farmers' institutes and dairymen's work. (Laws of 1901, chap. 204.) STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Provision is made for the election of officers in the Maine State Agricultural Society, which is allowed to hold property the annual income of which is not to exceed $5,000. (Rev. Stat., 1883, chap. 58, secs. 8,9.) LOCAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. County and local agricultural societies are authorized to hold property the income of which shall not exceed $3,000 annually. (Ibid., sec. 10.) An appropriation is made from the State treasury of a sum not exceeding 1 cent for each inhabitant of the State, to be divided among the agricultural societies of the State in proportion to the amount of premiums actually paid by them at exhibitions, with a proviso that the State prohibitory liquor law is enforced at such exhibitions. Certain societies receive a direct appropriation not apportioned as above. (Ibid., sec. 11, as amended by Laws of 1897, chap. 288.) COMMERCIAL FEEDING STUFFS. The term "concentrated commercial feeding stuffs" is defined, and the sale thereof is regulated. Provision is made for the analysis and labeling of the same under the direction of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. The director of said station is required to report violations of the act to the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, whose duty it is to notify the offender of the violation and require him to comply with the law. (Laws of 1897, chap. 334.) [As the State Board of Agriculture was abolished by Laws of 1901, chapter 204, it is probable that this duty of the secretary of the State board now devolves upon the Commissioner of Agriculture.] DISEASES OF ANIMALS. The Governor has the appointment of commissioners designated as the State of Maine Cattle Commission, whose duty it is to investigate contagious diseases among cattle, establish and maintain quarantine, etc. (Laws of 1893, chap. 194; Laws of 1897, chap. 311.) ERTILIZERS. The law prescribes the conditions under which commercial fertilizers may be sold. Manufacturers are required to file with the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station a statement of analysis, prices, etc., and to send a sample. Penalties are imposed for selling fertilizers that contain a less percentage than the implied guaranty as indicated by the tags. (Laws of 1897, chap. 197.) MARYLAND. INDUSTRIAL BUREAU. The Chief of the Industrial Bureau of Maryland is appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and holds office for two years, at a salary of $2,500 a year. He has charge of a bureau of statistics and information concerning the various branches of industry in the State. A part of his duty is to collect information in regard to the agricultural condition and products of the several counties of the State, the acreage under cultivation and planted to the various crops, the character and price of lands, the live stock, and all other matters pertaining to agricultural pursuits which may be of general interest and calculated to attract immigration to the State. He is directed to classify and arrange the information obtained concerning agriculture and other industries, and publish it in substantial book form, revising and republishing the same annually. There is an annual appropriation of $5,000, to pay the salary of the Chief of the Industrial Bureau and the expenses incident to the execution of his duties. (Laws of 1892, chap. 29.) AGRICULTURAL FAIR ASSOCIATIONS. The sum of $5,000 annually is appropriated by the State in aid of agricultural fair associations. If in any county an agricultural association be incorporated whose capital stock shall be $10,000, and the same shall be subscribed and paid in, or real estate and improvements shall be acquired by such association to the value of $10,000, upon the filing with the controller of the certificate of incorporation and an affidavit by the president of the association that the stock has been fully paid in, or that said property has been acquired, such association shall be entitled to the benefit of the appropriation. But no agricultural society shall be entitled to the benefits of the act which has $500 surplus in its treasury or has within a year declared a dividend. All such associations are required to forward a statement to the controller on or before the first Monday in December of each year, giving fully the financial condition of said association. (Poe's Supp. Pub. Gen. Laws, art. 23, secs. 15a-15d, pp. 83-84.) FARMERS' INSTITUTES. A Department of Farmers' Institutes is established for the State of Maryland. Institutes are required to be held in each county of the State at least once a year, and oftener if desirable. They are placed under the management of a director appointed by the trustees of the Maryland Agricultural College. The director is required to be well versed in the profession of agriculture, and his duties and compensation are to be defined by the board of trustees. Such department of institutes is made a department of the Maryland Agricultural College. (Ibid., secs. 119-121, pp. 516–517.) An appropriation of $4,000 a year is made for the organization and support of this department. (Ibid., sec. 122, as amended by act of 1900, chap. 363.) COMMERCIAL FEEDING STUFFS. The term "concentrated commercial feeding stuffs" is defined, the manufacture and sale thereof regulated, and inspection and analysis thereof provided for. The enforcement of the act is lodged with the chemist of the Maryland Agricultural College, whose duty it is to report all violations of the act to the State's attorney of the proper county. Manufacturers and venders of such concentrated commercial feeding stuffs are required to affix to each package offered for sale a statement giving the name, brand, place of manufacture, name of manufacturer, number of net pounds in the package, source of food principles, and chemical analysis. (Acts of 1900, p. 287.) STATE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. A State Horticultural Department is established for the State of Maryland, under the direction of the board of trustees of the Maryland Agricultural College. The professors of entomology, vegetable pathology, and horticulture are respectively made State Entomologist, State Pathologist, and State Horticulturist. The purpose of the formation of the board is the prevention and suppression of plant diseases in the State of Maryland. Very careful regulations are made in the statute for the inspection of horticultural stock and products, and the places, vehicles, and methods of their storage and transportation. An annual appropriation of $8,000 is made to carry out the provisions of the act, and reports are required to be made to the Governor and General Assembly, and also to be published and distributed with the bulletins of the agricultural college. (Poe's Supp. Pub. Gen. Laws, art. 48, secs. 51-65, pp. 374-381.) Tree and fruit inspectors are provided for and their duties defined. (Ibid., art. 48, secs. 66-74, pp. 381-384.) DISEASES OF ANIMALS. The law provides for the destruction of animals dying of contagious or infectious diseases. (Laws of 1890, chap. 321.) HORTICULTURE. The State of Maryland has established a State Horticultural Department for the purpose of suppressing or eradicating the San Jose scale and other injurious insects, pests, etc. This department is under the control of the trustees of the agricultural college and experiment station, All nurseries of trees, vines, etc., within the State must be inspected once in six months by the State entomologist or assistants. The law provides for the conveyance of nursery stock from without and within the State. (Poe's Supp. Pub. Gen. Laws of 1890-1900.) FERTILIZERS. The regulations for the sale, inspection, and manufacture of fertilizers are under the Maryland Agricultural College. The law provides that the Agricultural College shall analyze, free of charge, samples of fertilizers sent to it by purchasers, under certain conditions. The Agricultural College shall publish from time to time the results of analysis of fertilizers, giving their commercial value in dollars and cents, etc. It is unlawful for manufacturers to defraud by labels or statements, and purchasers who are so defrauded may recover an amount equal to the purchase money of the said fertilizer and cost of suit, etc. It is unlawful to adulterate fertilizers or use the trade-mark of another. MASSACHUSETTS. STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. The State Board of Agriculture is composed of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, president of the agricultural college, secretary of the Board of Agriculture, one person appointed by and from the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, one person appointed by and from each agricultura, society receiving an annual bounty from the Commonwealth, and three other persons, to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Council. (Pub. Stat., 1882, p. 20, sec. 1, as amended by acts of 1894, chap. 144.) One-third of the appointed members of the board shall retire each year on the second Wednesday of January, according to their appointments. The vacancies thus created shall be filled by the Governor and Council, or by the agricultural societies as the offices were before filled, and the persons appointed to fill such vacancies shall hold office for 3 years. (Pub. Stat., 1882, p. 20, sec. 2, as amended by acts of 1896, chap. 254.) The members of the board receive no compensation from the Commonwealth while engaged in their duties as such members, except personal expenses. The board shall meet at least once a year, and as much oftener as may be expedient. The board is empowered to investigate such agricultural subjects relating to the Commonwealth as it may think proper, fix dates for exhibitions of 1ocal agricultural societies, and regulate the returns required of such societies. The board is required to report annually to the General Court. The secretary of the board is authorized under direction of the board to appoint suitable agents to visit the different parts of the Commonwealth, to collect information as to all agricultural interests, and encourage the establishment of farmers' clubs and libraries, and to disseminate information by means of lectures and otherwise, and these agents are required to report annually to the secretary. (Pub. Stat., 1882, p. 20, sec. 3, et seq.) The State Board of Agriculture is required to collect information with reference to abandoned farms, and an appropriation is made for the purpose. (Acts of 1891, chap. 280.) There is a similar provision with reference to tuberculosis in the food products of animals. (Acts of 1891, chap. 118.) The State board is permitted to set aside from the bounty allowed by the Commonwealth to any incorporated agricultural society such sum as may be recommended by the delegate from such society on the board, to be devoted solely to the premium list of such chartered poultry associations as such delegate shall recommend. of 1895, chap. 351.) (Acts The State board shall elect an agent of the Dairy Bureau to oversee its work. (Acts of 1900, chap. 368.) LOCAL AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. A State bounty to incorporated agricultural societies is provided for in an appropriation of $200 to be paid by the State for every $1,000 raised by said societies, under certain restrictions provided by the statute. (Ibid., chap. 114, sec. 1, as amended by acts of 1890, chap. 297, and acts of 1891, chap. 124.) Societies claiming bounty are required to file certificates verified under oath by the president and treasurer, specifying the sum so raised. The amount of the bounty shall be determined by the certificate filed the last preceding year; but the State Board of Agriculture, after hearing the society applying for the bounty, may by a two-thirds vote cut off the same. Societies claiming bounties must comply with the regulations of the State Board of Agriculture and make reports of their doings to that board. The bounty so received, or an equal sum, must be expended by the society receiving the same in the way of premiums or otherwise for the encouragement of agriculture, and such premiums shall be offered as prescribed by the State Board of Agriculture. Societies are required to offer premiums for the raising and preserving of forest trees suitable for ship timber. Such societies may hold exhibitions and regulate the same under the direction of the State board. Further provisions are also made for the policing of the same. (Pub. Stat. of 1882, chap. 114, sec. 2 et seq.) Provision is made for the incorporation of 10 or more persons for the promotion of agriculture or horticulture and for improving cities and towns by the planting and cultivation of shade trees. Farmers' clubs are permitted upon application to the State Board of Agriculture to receive copies of the publications of the State board, provided they make returns of their agricultural experiments to the State board. (Ibid., chap. 14.) No agricultural association receiving a bounty from the State may mortgage or sell any portion of its real estate without an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the society present and voting for that purpose, and without the approval of the State Board of Agriculture. (Acts of 1890, chap. 274.) COMMERCIAL FEEDING STUFFS. The director of the Hatch Experiment Station of the Massachusetts Agricultural College is directed to take samples of commercial concentrated feeding stuffs in the possession of any manufacturer, agent, importer, or dealer, not more than 2 pounds in weight, and cause the same to be analyzed, and publish the results of such analysis. Names of jobbers or local dealers shall not be published, but the commodity analyzed shall be described by its name, and the name of the manufacturer shall be given. (Acts of 1897, chap. 117.) HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Real estate of horticultural societies used for offices, libraries, and exhibitions is exempt from taxation. (Sup. Pub. Stats., 1882-1888, chap. 176.) DISEASES OF ANIMALS. The State Board of Health has charge of animals affected with contagious and infectious diseases. (Laws of 1897, chap. 178, and Laws of 1899, chap. 293.) A Board of Cattle Commissioners was created June 1, 1899, with power to make regulations concerning the extirpation, prevention, and suppression of contagious diseases among domestic animals, or concerning the care and treatment or destruction of affected animals, or animals which have been exposed to any contagious disease. The law provides for the action of the board when it is discovered that animals have contagious diseases. The board makes rules to conform to the regulations of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry for the inspection of meat for export and for interstate commerce. (Laws of 1899, chap. 408.) HORTICULTURE. The State Board of Agriculture is authorized to execute any reasonable measure to prevent the spreading and extermination of ocneria dispar, or gipsy moth, and make regulations to that end. It is unlawful to bring this moth into the State. Two hundred thousand dollars was appropriated in 1898, together with unexpended balance, to exterminate the moths. (Laws of 1898, chaps. 31, 290.) The State Board of Agriculture is authorized to exterminate the brown-tail moth. (Laws of 1898, chap. 544.) In 1899 $200,000 was appropriated toward expenses in the extermination of the gipsy and brown-tail moths. (Laws of 1899, chaps. 80, 268.) FERTILIZERS. Every lot of commercial fertilizer or fertilizer material offered for sale in the Commonwealth must be accompanied by a statement showing the ingredients, the address of the manufacturer, etc.; and a certified copy of this statement must be filed with the director of the Hatch Experiment Station, who causes an analysis to be made at least once a year, and collects an annual analysis fee of $5 for each of the three essential fertilizing ingredients claimed to exist. (Acts of 1896, chap. 297.) I C-VOL XI-12 MICHIGAN. STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. A State Board of Agriculture is established and incorporated, composed of the Governor, the president of the State Agricultural College ex officio, and six members to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, on or before the third Wednesday in January of each biennial session of the legislature. They are required to meet quarterly at the State Agricultural College, and as much oftener as may be determined by them. At their first meeting they must elect a president and secretary and treasurer. If the secretary is elected from the board a vacancy is thereby created. The treasurer may or may not be a member of the board. The secretary is the executive officer of the board and is, under the direction of the board, charged with the promotion of all agricultural, horticultural, and live-stock interests of the State, the collection and circulation of information, and the distribution of seeds and plants. (Comp. Laws of 1897, chap. 67, secs. 1834-1842.) The board also has supervision of the agricultural college. (Ibid., secs. 1850-1864.) The State board is authorized to publish from time to time information of experiments made by the agricultural college. (Ibid., secs. 1868-1870.) It has also control of agricultural lands granted by Congress. (Ibid., chap. 53, secs. 1434 et seq.) STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The State Agricultural Society is incorporated and authorized to hold not to exceed $100,000 worth of real and personal property, exclusive of its library and scientific collections. It is required to report to the legislature annually. The society has power to award premiums and hold exhibitions, and may determine the place of holding the same. (Ibid., chap 157, secs. 5939-5946.) LOCAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. County aid to local agricultural societies is provided where any auch society shall have raised annually the sum of $100 for the promotion of agriculture and mechanic arts upon certificate under oath by the president and secretary of the society to the clerk of the board of supervisors. The board of supervisors, for the purpose of providing the appropriation, is authorized to levy a tax of not more than one-tenth of a mill on the value of the property. The sum of money derived from the tax should then be apportioned by the board of supervisors as may seem to them proper. (Ibid., secs. 5947-5952.) The incorporation of county and town agricultural societies is authorized. Any such association is authorized to hold real estate for the purpose of its incorporation, including a farm not exceeding 160 acres of land, the total value of which shall not exceed $100,000 if a county or district society, or $20,000 if a town, village, or city society; also personal estate not exceeding $35,000 for county and district societies and $10,000 for town, village, or city societies. Conditions of membership are provided for, and further provision is made for the reorganization of such societies. (Ibid., secs. 5953–5970.) Any five or more persons may associate for the purpose of forming a horticultural, agricultural, or pomological society, and become incorporated on complying with the provisions of the statute. (Ibid., secs, 5976–5983.) All State and local agricultural and horticultural societies are exempt from taxation. (Ibid., se. 3830.) FARMERS' INSTITUTES. The State Board of Agriculture is authorized to hold farmers' institutes and maintain courses of reading and lectures for the same. It is required to formulate regulations for the above purpose. Twenty or more persons in any county may organize a county institute on complying with the provisions of the law and adopting constitution and regulations agreeable to those made by the State Board of Agriculture as above provided. The State board is required to hold an annual institute in every county where such county institutes are organized, and provision is made for the expenses of the same, and the maintenance by the State board of the Farm Home Reading Circle course. The State board is also directed to publish the Farmers' Institute Bulletin containing accounts of the work done. (Ibid., secs. 1878-1882, as amended by acts of 1899, No. 137.) |