The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-12-25

the raising of stock and that they
must see the great object of the tiller
of the soil, should be to preserve his
capital invested in the fertility of his
soil and in the improvement of his
stock, that unless he properly cares
for his property in land in stock and
in crops, according to now well-defined
and we'll understood laws of nature,
that his property will gradually de-
preciate in value and his business be a
failure. Your committee submit that
the great straits to which the farming
classes have been reduced at the dense
centers of population have developed
great progress in the art and science
of agriculture in recent years and
hat agricultural education is well de-
fined and understood, and there has
now been reduced to scientific order,
certain great elementary principles,
well defining what is essential and
necessary to maintain, to restore and
to increase fertility in land also for
the proper care and growth of stock
and crops, that i'm Europe in late years
these great principles have been sue
cessfully taught in the common schools
fitting the children of farmers for at
C engaging intelligently in that
pursuit from which they must obtain
a livelihood, that success has been so
far attained by this thorough process
of agricultural education in the col
leges and common schools that for the
last twenty years the yield per acre all
over Europe has been gradually in
creasing instead of diminishing as in
the United States. That in this coun-
try there are now certain textbooks
covering the elementary principles of
agriculture so simplifed as to present
the leading mechanical features of the
science and art of agriculture as to
bIing it within the comprehension of
boys and girls capable of studying
and imbibing the studies now taught
in our commo schools all over the
country. That at certain colleges and
schools it has now been demonstrated
beyond doubt that children more read
lily take hold of these practical mat
tiers affecting their everyday life, and
with which they constantly come in
contact and see beyond them in nature
than they did, the essential yet dry
facts connected with the study of
reading, spelling, arithmetic, grammar
and similar studies. Your committee
feel assured that positive action of
this body on this subject pointing to
the necessity of instruction of the ele-
mentary principles of agriculture in
the common schools will at once pro-
duce suitable textbooks to meet the
wants and necessities of the farming
classes. Your committee further find
that there are already two most excel
lent and suitable textbooks now pub
lished prepared by Prof. F. A. Gulley,
Director of the Agricultural Expert
ment Station of Texas, and by DR..
Lupton, Professor of Chemistry in the
Agricultural and Mechanical College
of Alabama.
We, your committee, deem this re-
port of the highest Importance to the
people we represent; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we recommend that
each State Alliance memorabilia it's
legislature and most earnestly petition
it to pass some law requiring 1nstruc-
ton of the children attending all pub
lie schools as herein recommended.
T. B. HOWELL,
/. w. L. BECK,
S. D. LEE.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON COOPERATION.
WHEREAS, A large per cent, of the
products of this country are produced
by. the colored farmers and laborers
and a large proportion of supplies are
purchased by them; therefore be it
Resolved, That it is detrimental to
both white and colored to allow CON
ditions to exist that forces our colored
farmers to sell their products for less,
and pay more for supplies than the
markets justify, therefore, we recon-
mend hat the following plan of o
operation be adopted:
l. That a common secret work be
formulated to be given to all farmers
organizations which shall comply with
the following conditions: That they
admit none but farmers, farm laborers,
country mechanics, country doctors
and country school teachers and coun,
try ministers, and any member engag-
ing i n any occupation that would
render him ineligible shall be given a
withdrawal card, provided it shall not
apply to members employed to tran
sact business for the organization.
=. That thew Striot1u fOrhiA nartiSan.