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Alabama. Dept. of Agriculture and Industries. Commissioner of Agriculture's administrative files, 1887-1989.

Title: Commissioner of Agriculture's administrative files, 1887-1989.

The Dept. of Agriculture and Industries is directed by a commissioner, a position that was appointed by the Governor from 1883 until 1901, when the commissioner became an elected official. This series of administrative files documents the various aspects of the department's operations and duties. The early correspondence reflects the relatively small staff, which was centralized in the commissioner's office, who carried out the programs of the department. During these early years the commissioner was not only an administrator, but also an active participant in various special and routine department projects. In 1901 the commissioner became an elected official and after 1901 a portion of the correspondence deals with political activities. In 1923 the department was reorganized and the name was changed from the Dept. of Agriculture to the Dept. of Agriculture and Industries. The early files, 1888-1915, are arranged by subject. The subjects discussed in the correspondence are land registration, immigration, poultry, fertilizer, state fairs, soil surveys, registration of pure food, feed stuffs, liquor brands, crop contest applications and forms, crop reports, and corn contests. In addition to correspondence, the subject files also consist of registration forms and contest applications. One of the major correspondents is Reuben Francis Kolb, who served as Commissioner from 1886-1890 and 1911-1915. As the department grew in size and responsibilities the volume and type of correspondence changed. In the 1950s and 1960s the series includes correspondence from the assistant commissioner and administrative assistants. Later files from the 1980s include much information concerning other agricultural related institutions and associations such as the USDA, Alabama Farm Bureau Federation, Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, Auburn University, Soil and Water Conservation Service, the National Association of State Depts. of Agriculture (NASDA) and Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE). Albert MacDonald served as Commissioner of Agriculture through much of the 1980s.

ArchivalResource: 108 cubic ft. (108 records center cartons).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122368288 View

Alabama. Dept. of Agriculture and Industries. Annual reports : state publication, 1883-[ongoing].

Title: Annual reports : state publication, 1883-[ongoing].

The annual reports function to document the activities of the department over the year, and are delivered to the Governor by the Commissioner of Agriculture. Among the subjects discussed in the reports before 1910 were the economic conditions of Alabama farmers and agriculture generally, communications to and among farmers, the establishment of agricultural organizations such as the Grange, the condition of soils, fertilizers and fertilization, the distribution of fertilizer licenses and tags, the establishment and growth of the district agricultural schools, the agricultural extension service, and the agricultural experiment stations in Alabama. Other subjects discussed include: the growing of various crops such as cotton, timber, poultry, and cattle, processes such as cotton ginning, the marketing of crops, crop diversification, farm labor, tenant farming, agricultural fairs, and the encouragement of immigration. The work of the state chemist received attention as well, including statistical reports on the analysis of fertilizers and other matters. The 1892 report lists the name of every person who received a fertilizer license. Financial information is given for each year. Some reports have organizational charts; i.e., 1969, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1984-1988, and more. The reports after 1910 discused the subjects already mentioned, though sometimes in different ways, and added other subjects such as pure food and drugs. Articles on specific crops and diseases are also included, such as a 1911 article on the boll weevil. Another notable article was on horticulture and included the membership list of the Alabama Horticultural Society in 1911. The 1911 and 1913 report are the longest of all. The reports between 1913 and 1918 are somewhat longer, and in the 1940s the reports begin to reflect the monitoring function of the department to oversee weights and measures, inspection of crops and livestock for disease and other matters. The first report is actually a triennial report, covering the years 1883 to 1886. There is also a biennial report covering the years 1963-1965. All the other reports are annual reports. There are no annual reports for the following years: 1887, 1896-1897, 1899-1910, 1912 (apparently none was issued that year), 1915, 1917, 1919-1923, and 1927-1945. The Commissioners of Agriculture represented in these reports and listed in alphabetical order include: R.C. "Red" Bamberg, Richard "Dick" Beard, E.C. Betts, I.F. Culver, M.D. "Pete" Gilmer, Reuben F. Kolb, Hector D. Lane, McMillan Lane, Albert McDonald, James A. Moore, J. Haygood Paterson, Frank M. Stewart, A.W. Todd, and J.A. Wade.

ArchivalResource: 3.7 cubic ft. (4 records center cartons).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122562667 View