The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-08-13
FARM NOTES.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEORGETOWN
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
1t Was Meeting of Leading Farmers,
Men Who Know Something Of the Science
Of Agriculture 0ne-Gallus
Man Was Absent.

Edited by John C. Edgar, puval, to whom al
communications should be addressed."l
The Farmers institute, announced
last week to be held at Georgetown
was attended by the writer, and ]
propose devoting the space at my
command to a sketch of the proceed.
ings, as far as they came under my
notice, together with such reflections
and suggestions as occurred to me.
AS there seemed to be doubt
amongst some of the farmers and
other citizens of Williamson county as
to the scope and object of farmers in
stitutes, and as the same thing may
have troubled those of other counties.
[ will try and make the matter clear.
A farmers institute is simply a meet
ing of farmers and anybody in any
way interested in agriculture, horti-
culture or stock raising. There is no
condition of membership, in fact, no
membership. Themeeting, or institute
is called. Everybody interested is in
vited and welcomed. No questions
asked or obligations undertaken. No
charge of any kind made for admis-
sion and no hat sent round at the
close of the meeting.
Everything free as the gospel to all.
The object of the institute is mutual
instruction and improvement in the
agricultural art, taken in it's widest
sense. The promoters of the meeting
are always progressive, successful and
loyal citizens whose aim is to help
their brother men to more profitable
ways of managing their business; and
incidentally receive knowledge of
benefit to themselves.
The institute is simply school for
instruction, but it is school in which
every one is a scholar, and every
one Ought to beg teacher, for there
are none so clever that they "know it
all" and none so ignorant but they
can tell something of advantage to
others.
The institute, to accomplish it's best
results, should be like Methodist
love feast, where everyone relates his
experience; failures as well as sue
cesses.
The value of these meetings is
now beginning to be well I'M
derstood in every section in which
they have been held. The effect is
visible in better kept and cultivated
farms, improved stock, and an in
creased demand for good agricultural
literature.
But they are, it must be confessed,
failure in one respect. They fail to
interest and draw in, the very class
that needs them the most; but that is
a failure shared equally by the
churches, and is no proof of their I'M
usefulness. The Georgetown Insti-
tute, like every other Ihave attended,
was noticeable for the absence of the
one gallus farmer; the man who
thinks he "knows it ALL" and hasn't
time to fool away amongst such
cranks. He wasn't there, but, as one
of the speakers suggested might be
found holding down some beer saloon,
or playing dOminoes on an inverted
dry goods box at the country store,
wearing out the seat of his pants;
while his cotton was buried in grass
and cockleburrs.
nrn ,,,uef ba Soma ut hon x,yoxy -,
vented for reaching these fellows if
they are to be reached. 1 have no
idea how it is to be done; but
have an idea that they are
hardly worth reaching and are
incapable of reclamation or they
with the abundant facilities at hand
would have been saved long ago.
Just as there will be candidates for
sheol, when old Gabe toots his horn,
and they will come from communities
where they had the greatest spiritual
so will there ever be a
class of farmers that will die as they
have lived-in Ignorance of the first
of their vocation.
Williamson county has Estate repu-
tation for her rich soil and en-
III dlu
that reputation is justified by the
gathering under notice. 1t was never
my fortune to meet with more in
telligent and progressive set of agri-
culturists. / had been placed on the
to tell them chow to
make farming pay"
/ knew had undertaken big con-
tract, but not until / got there and
found out the quality of nay audience
did l realize the extent of my temer-
ity. 1 felt that my remarks were a
good deal like carrying Goals to New
castle,n or in other words, "giving adj
vice where it was not needed"
My advice was really intended
for the fellows who were
not there. If they failed to
be benefited the fault was not mine
and the loss theirs.
Capt. j. A., Rumsey, president of
the institute, whose farm is near Corn
hill, told his hearers what he knew
about wheat-growing, and what he
does not know is hardly worth trying
to find out. While he does not de-
spise King Cotton, but is a loyal sub
iect Of that potentate, he believes that
tho coil and Iaootio, i, o6a Mod