Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-26
THE T0lLING TILLERS
pRlNciPLES OF AGRICULTURE DIS
cusssD BY PRACTICAL FARMERS.
x,rst ses.ioas of the Instifutc--The OBJ
feet OF the Alliance Presented by
Major Page.


hcautifulplacc in ahalf-Gnished barn were
seated and standing about $50 farmers and
perhaps fifty ladies. while over one hun
drcd persons were roaming over the lovely
Grounds or grouped on the outside of the
rev structure.
The breczcs famed the cheeks nnd
cbifled the bodies until the ladies put into
p.o all tho wraps they had with them, and
fle gentlemen who had overcoats con
ylnient drew them on. Coat-collars were
turned up 20 protect the neck. and hats
lldasido by sons Of toll were soon brought
into use again.
It was an unnropitious dav for the OPEN
SD. of the Farmers Institute. but the en-
fauS.asm and nrdor of the agricultural
people were not checked.
TuE ToILrEs GATHER.
Ten O'Clock was the time appointed 20
I.I Che meeting % order, but ~ that hour
y.rv low persons were present. IheY
f.~ecd the time bv inspecting the iarm
and admiring the fine stock and looking
With amaIemcnt upon the excellent crops.
air BE-. b. Ghafin. who owns the place
orl under whose skilful management the
.alendid improvements have been made,
showed tho visitors unlimited attention
AMI received the grateful praise OF all.
Towards n O'Clock the guests began 70
gather in the barn which ~ beng con,
errrtei Tho roof Is on but tho sides and
ends of the houso are only partially
vl.4thcr-h boarded and so the winds had al
r.,.t free access through the building.
seats made Of broad planks had been i'm
,r.vised and Al ono end Of the hoase a
i'sff. nm was made for the speaker and
invited guests.
THEY oEr TO WORK.
10 wac exactly I1.20 o'clock when Hon.
ltaalom KoIner, president OF the Board OF
Agriculture, VINO IN the absence OF ms
.vercoai had buttoued up closely IN his
linen dustcr. walked 10 the front OF the
platform and announced that the hrst
frmor.' institute ever held IN Virginia
was iu session.
ne stated that the first thing in order
was singing by the choir selected for the
occasion. and "AmcrIca-Swee Land ot
lihrtv.' was rendered IN very appro-
Ir.4te manner.
Rev. Lewis Guv. chaplain Of the Hen
rico Alliance. now invokeda a blessing upon
rho gathering and the interests repre-
tDutcd.
The choir acain rendered q selection
"Io the Work
WELCOME TO ALL.
Colonel Thomas Whitehead was intro
5ucei. and delivered an address OF well
come. lie roforTed 20 the institute rs
GREAT school for Virginia farmers and an
Institution which the agricultural people
lavo lone WISHED for. Agriculture, he
said. IS depressed, and the farmers feel,
and rightly. too, that something must bo
done % build up this industry. Inc state
Board If Agriculture had been asked 10
lnaururate the institute. and they had not
only voted the funds for that purpose but
fno members were there in person 10 cn-
c0urage the enterprise 10y their presence.
The Colonel SAID he felt that he was
aueakiur the sentiment Of the farmers ot
Virginia. certainly bis own, when he sgld
le was willing, even glad, to extend ms
hand ACROSS the bloody Chasm and vel
come 10 the State men from the Mort VINO
come 10 talk with our farmers about a
common interest.
Referrinc 10 the small attendance of
farmers the Commissioner reminded ms
hearers that "tail oaks from little acorus
crow &C.. and predicted that great
things would result from the meeting. In
conclusion he extended a hearty welcome
o. all present
THE ALLIANCE CHEZ
Major Mann Page. Of Prince George tho
president of the State Alliance, was nitro
ducel 20 respond % the welcome.
Ue was received with great applause,
and IN commencing his remarks SAID he
had left his home. whero ne had letters
mountain high from alliance people TO
come aud give bis endorsement to the III
stitute.
Continuing, the Major said the position
Of the alliance is not understood. Persons
not members of the organization are un-
n D the impression that 10 is something OF
aplhtlca party, with the purpose OF up
setting the even tenor OF things lns ls
Not true. The object Of the alliance IS 10
set things even. The farmers do their
Il 4tt..rr 81 D.
ward. Tie was glad 10 see the board III
au-urate the institute. 10 should be a
school for the farmer IT Is time for the
man who tills the soil 10 do something
besides plough all day and lay down 10
sleep few minutes after supper.
uIY ys. COUNTRY.
Farming was once remunerative. the
Mni0r went on 90 say. and 10 is hard now
20 sye what is WrouE. tie lived IN Rich
m0ud until tue city became ashes, and
then bee went 90 the country IN the hope of
making good living. lie Is now Door,
bat those who renamed with the ashes
seem o. have prospeI,d. lie was sorry he
did not see more of the businessmen OF
Richmond present. as he had hoped they
would have come out 20 confer with the
farmers iu order that II might be ascor-
tained why those who live iu the city have
apparently gotten on better than the
country folks
He reminded his hearers that the little
crowd present was larger than that which
met iu ST. Johns church and took their
stand for American freedom. The alliance,
the Major declared. is working for the very
same object as those Revolutionary pa
tr-ots They want this Government to be
hy the people aud for the people.
MUST DEMAND THEIR RIGHTS.
Al r. .e. De-
.41. 20 organize ia this day Of comblna-
ton. The agricultural people have the
numbers 10 go 10 the halls Of legislation,
State OF national. and demand measures
good and lust. lie would have II well un-
i.r.tood that the farmers do not propose
toask legislation for their exclusive bene-
it. What they desire is equal justice 70
.. They will not pull down other indus
tres 90 take position upon the RUNS. IL
the farmers cannot get by petition what
81 due them then they viii have TO demand
their rights.
ln conclusion, the speaker predicted that
ruch good would result from the meeting
AID all would 60 away benefited.
OUR FrREsmEs.
When Major Pace had concluded his re-
marks Mrs. II. Sa1tOn was introduced and
r..i au ESSAY on "Our firesides.n IL was
weil-preparcd paper ant was delivered
with fine eject. The duties OF husbands
ard wives. mothers and fathers. children
aal relatives. were clearly pointed out.
The lady was very literally applaud6d.
HON. y. DANFoRrH CURTIS.
President Koiner IN presenting Hon. +.
Uantorth Curtis. Of New York, referred 70
hm as one OF the greatest agricultursts
~ the country and professor OF a school
where the science of farming Is taught.
Mr. Curtis laughingly remarked that the
President had overwhelmed him. lie was
uot a professor. but only plain farmer
and practical dairynan. Continuing his
remarks. he proceeded 10 deliver Il very
plain and practical address, touching upon
several subjects OF interest 10 the farmers.
Mr. Curtis paid hish tribute TO the
character Of Washington and Lee, ana re-
marked upon their beautiful statues in
ths city. which he had taken great plea
sure n visiting.
II there is one thing more than another,
he said, Tor which he admires Nrgnians
it d their love for their state and IT'S ira,
dii0us. lGreat applause.l he regretted
that the people of New y orb have not the
i. Tot. - f..g