The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-02-04
The Meeting a Success Lake Charles
Chosen as the Next Place
Of Meeting.

ed the Convention to order, alter
which prayer was offered by Rev. I.
K. Fauntleroy.
Judge w. L. Blacktnan then step
ped forward and delivered tue address
of welcome, the Substance of which is
as follows:
'sThe City Council" he said, chad as
signed to him the pleasant DUTY OF greet
ing you on this occasion and extending
to your Association, and to each one OF
you individually, a hearty welcome to
our city. Let me assure you that we duly
appreciate the compliment, by this yonr
apnuai meeting, and we ieei q deep inter
est in the objects and purposes of your
Association, which is the development,
the progress and prosperity of agriculture
throughout the State. Agriculture being
the leading occupation OF our State on
which all other occupations, trades and
professions, in q great measure, lean for
support, there is no subject that arouses
such universal interest, and no society
organization that viii accomplish such
great re suits and lasting benefits to
large class of our people, by the dissemi
nation OF useful knowledge, gained by the
practi cal experience Or by scientific in
yesti gation made by your various members
and experimental stations.o
| The Judge continuing, said: Leaving
| this subject, which is pregnant with such
| grave matters for reflection, | desire to
surrounding country, which you have
honored by your presence.
''fhls section OF Louisiana, 80 rich and
fertile has not for many reasons exhibited
| those quiet reci.peratiye process that have
so happily characterized other more
| favored sections of Our State. Within the
last few years, however, the farming in
terest has groWn in strength, and many
waste places have been brought under
| the dominion OF farmers and planters;
new homes have been built; new indus
tries have been organized; new hope has
been planted in the bosom OF tie des-
pairing, which gives greater promise for
the fatufe-stiiI there are thousands Of
! aeras OF rich and fertile soil, re1nainillq.
| uncaltivated, which, in price, is il tho
reach Of any thrifty farmer. However,
| with new ard additional railroads center
| ing at Alexandria, bringing us into easy
communication witt The great Northwest;
with traffic and travel each year increas-
| ing we entertain bright hopes for our
| future.
"Again Mr.. President and gentlemen.
in behalf of the City of Alexandria and
the people OF Rapidas parish, welcome
you to our midst, and may your efforts
for the good OF your State be compared
with that brilliant SUCCESS commensurate
with the patriotic motives that prompted
tIiem."
Col. J. W. Nicholson, president OF the
Louisiana State Mechanical College, at
Baton Rouge, responded to the address Of
Judge Blacklnan. Col. Nicbolson's speech
was listened to with great interest and he
was appiauded time and again.
He spoke in substance as follows:
'This occasion is indeed an important
one. A convention OF agricGituraiists is
second to no other in intrinsic dignity, in
the interests involved, and in the vast and
mCmentous questions which lie within
inc range Of its consideration and solu.
tlon. l would that could take advantage
OF such an auspicious occasion TO say
something that would arouse the public
mind to action and give il strong food for
thought.
s'Let me begin with asking and answer
ing three simple questions: {) What is
the most important OF all the interests OF
our State? Ans. Agriculture. (2) What
would most benefit the State? Ans. The
improvement aud development OF agri-
culture. 60 How eau this great desider-
alum be best secured2 Ans. By educat-
ing the agricUlturalist.
"Ouc agricll5urnlists must be educated,
because success in agriculture depends on
q knowledge o: the laws of vegetation, the
influence OF. climates, tie properties Of
fertilizers, the analysis OF soils, etc. In
proportion IS men are educated they make
skull take the place of muscles, aud with .
given power accomplish better results.
Gan scientific knowledge is but e col
lection OF facts; each new ald useful idea
that we acquire tends to enlarge our e<.u-
cation, and enhance the possibilities OF
our success. Scientific agriculture is The
outgrowts of three simple suggestions:
enrich the soil; 81 Drainage TO prevent
waste. Every farmer, no matter how
limited his opportunities, could at least
master these three prerequisites, and thus
secure the basis OF iirBt-class aGricul-
toral education.
"Again, cur planters should be eduoat-
ed AZ least 10 this extent, because eduea-
ton gives Jicr:ty TO labor. Why is it
that the work of the farmer or mechanic
is regarded rs less respectable than that
of the lawyer, doctor OF editor? The great
reason is that the work is more physical
than mental, or rather that the lnte.li-
gence OF those engaged In it takes so
small part in the work being done. Ii
is not that it is less cleanly; for phyei-
c1ans end surgeons perform work lar less
c!eanly than fall TO the 10. OF the farmer,
yet they are not degraded by it, because
Intelligence and education give dignity to
their labors. 1t is the msn who deter
mines the dignity OF an occupation, and
not the occupation which measures the
dignity OF the man.
$40 awaken Z greater interest among
the masses in the improved methods OF
agriculture, to discuss the varied means
OF promoting this greatest OF all interests,
to elevate the dignity and increase the
efficiency OF farm labor, age the objects for
Wnlcn TINS association was Organized AID
for which it holds its annual meetings.
The great good it has accom- pllshed is but
prophetic OF the stili higher career which
awaits il.
ut affords as great pleasure to meet In
your beautiful aud prosperous city. This
pleasure 10 in tensitied by the very hearty
welcome when has been extended us.
Thus supported and encouraged by the
generous and intelligent people OF our
State we are encouraged in The paper that
the association will continue to progress
in all that constitutes true aud lasting
efficiency in agricultural development
and achievement
A recess was then taken.
The afternoon session was very
interesting.
Hon, Howell Carter, of East Felic-
lana, delivered an able address Oh