§ 1. State Board of Agriculture.
Section 1. There shall be a department established and maintained, known as the State Board of Agriculture.
§ 2. Composition of Board; residence of Commissioners; quorum.
Section 2. The said board shall be composed of three Commissioners of Agriculture, one of whom shall reside in each county in the State. Any two of them shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
§ 3. Appointment of Commissioners by Governor; tenure; vacancies.
Section 3. The said Commissioners of Agriculture shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of a majority of all the members elected to the Senate, one for the term of one year, one for the term of two years, and one for the term of three years; and thereafter all appointments of Commissioners of Agriculture shall be made as aforesaid for the term of three years, and they shall hold office until their successors are duly qualified; provided, that any vacancy occurring in the office of Commissioner of Agriculture before the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment as aforesaid for the remainder of the term; and provided further, that in case such vacancy shall occur when the Senate is not in session, such vacancy may be filled by the Governor without confirmation by the Senate until the end of the next session of the Senate.
§ 4. Abatement and prevention of diseases of fruit trees, plants, vegetables, cereals and livestock.
Section 4. The said board shall have power to abate and prevent, by such means as the General Assembly shall prescribe, all contagious and infectious diseases of fruit trees, plants, vegetables, cereals, horses, cattle and other farm animals.
§ 5. Plans for securing immigration of industrious and useful settlers.
Section 5. The said Commissioners may devise such plans for securing immigration to this State of industrious and useful settlers as they may deem expedient, and such plans may be executed as prescribed by the General Assembly.
§ 6. Compensation of Board members.
Section 6. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the compensation of the members of said board.
Section 7. The Board of Agriculture hereby established shall continue for eight years from the date of the qualification of the first member thereof, after which it may be abolished by the General Assembly.