The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-01-26
REMARKS OF DIR. II. B. BATTLE
IN THE FARMERS ASSOCIA-
TON ON THE REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL-
TURE.

experimental work is desired, and the
benefits that will be expected to &C
crue from it in the future to the masses
of the people throughout the State is
that material aid will be given in the
advancement of the farming class and
in the advancement of agriculture as
a profession. And the work to be
carried on should have for it's object
whatever would best advance the ag-
ricultural class. The needs of various
States are widely different, and no
similar work can be conducted at once
adapted to the requirements Of all the
States. The work must be varied to
suit the needs of those living in the
various sections. The requirements
of New Workers are not the require
ments of North Carolinians, nor are
the needs of the people of North Caro-
lima the same as those of the people of
Maine. AS a rule, especially in the
cotton States, these needs in my opin-
ion can best best be fitted by an infu-
ence educating in it's character-by
teaching the people the knowledge
they most lack in the proper conduct
of their farming operations. This can
be done by disseminating information
obtained best by work in this State
flor here it will have the best e%ffect)
or through information from any other
source, if this cannot be done. This
work should include that which would
prove the most practical, and give the
most immediate relief as far as pos
sible to the farming class.
The opinion as given in the last SEN
tence is shared by a number Of our
representative farmers in various por-
tons of the State with whom | have
corresponded on the subject and |
have every reason to believe that it is
held by all Of our people.
1t is not my idea for the purely
scientific work which would not bring
quick returns to be excluded, but
should at present, until the masses are
ready to digest them, be subordinate
to that more practical in character.
With this preface the following
plan for experimental work, more
especially adapted to this State, will
better be understood.
The work, in my opinion, that would
be best to undertake, should be as [
have said-entirely practical in it's
character, and such as would give the
most immediate and beneficial results
for the use of our farmers. and should
include
|. The effect of fertilizers on various
soils and crops, carried on in conjunc-
ton with the experiment station by
individual farmers throughout the
State. With such a diversity Of soil
and climate as this State possesses.
this is a necessity to obtain results of
value.
2. The best system for the rotation
of crops, and the effect of the time of
planting of each.
3. The best treatment of WORKOUT
lands to render them productive.
4. A study of the cultivation of the
staple crops looking to the improve
ment in the present system.
5. The utilization of waste farm
products in the manufacture of fer
t~ilizers and composts and the exam
ination of natural products for the
same object.
6. Investigation as to the growth of
other crops than those now planted,
to ascertain if more valuable crops
might bes substituted in part or in
whole for those we now have. Such
investigation might include among
others the study of sorghum as to the
best practical plan for planting, gath
ering, expressing and utilizing the
juice the growth of root crops; the
growth of plants yielding fibre, such
as ramie, jute and the best plan for
preserving the fibre; a study of the
various grasses of value; to ascertain
how far the raising Of hay can super
sede the planting Of cotton and other
staple crops SO exhausting to the soil.
Z. Experiments relative to the feed
ing value of the various forage crops
grown in this locality, also of the
grasses now grown Or proposed to be
grown in this State. and to instruct
our farmers in the value of the stand
ard hays and grasses, of the nutritive
value of each; and to determine from
the analysis of the plants grown in
this latitude the proper ration for
work, brood and fattening cattle, using
the recognized feeding standards to
that end.