Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-21
sournslos FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Practical Farming, Diversified Crops, Fer
tiiizsrs. and Other Subjects Discussed.

ffacbcnt y nrminE, DtNafstueu crops Fer~
tiiixsrs, aud Other Subjects Discussed.
fcorrespcndence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
BuRKYyILLE, Va, August 19.-The Farm
ers' Institute began its session here yes
terday at II o'clock.
The proceedings were opened with
PRAYER by Rev. II. w. Cridlin, followed by
scborus under the leadership Of Professor
W. b. Cridlin, with Miss Louie Gaines as
organist.
District, delivered an address of welcome,
and was replied to by Colonel Thomas
Whitehead, Commissioner OF Agriculture.
Colonel Ebey. of the local committee,
followed with short speech and read the
programme for the session.
AT The afternoon session Judge Mallory
introduced 70 the institute Major IL. V.
Games, Of Charlotte county, who made a
very interesting address OF two hours on
practical farming.
MAJOR oAISEs's ADDRESS.
He said that the course beingp pursued by
some farmers leads 10 ruin and bank
ruptcy: that We must leave behind the
oid-fashioned ideas and relics of the past
and learn by the scientific and practical
discoveries of the age what to and when
20 do IL. Read your agricultural reports,
the addresses of specialists on different
branches and above oil attend your insti-
tutes. IL you do not get information and
do better IL rs your fault. Provide not only
for what you want TO happen but for what
Won do not. A farmer should have more
= religion and common sense than any other
profession. The climate conditions of
this section OF country are the best in the
world for the raising OF tobacco on the
constructive principle. The trouble Is
We have the materials out don't know how
10 use them, and the day has passed now
for man TO undertake anything he is not
prepared for.
DIVERSIFIED CROPS.
He was followed by Professor W. b. Al
wood. of the Blacksburg Experimental
etation-subIect, The Diversificatlon of
Crops as Applied to This Section" He
explained the methods best used for the
production of a paying crop; that sclen-
tihc knowledge was merely classified
knowledge. and the farmer should try in
such way as to obtain the best knowledge
of facts obtainable. The meeting then ad-
journed until 8 Z. nj.
AT the night session Professor Atwood
WAS again introduced. and addressed the
institute on the subject of diseases OF the
app.e and other fruits. This lecture was
illustrated by drawings, and samples were
passed through the audience, and all who
heard were surprised to know how easily
these hitherto incurable diseases could
10 HftftntSat thet 'ao cOaNNe.ON "'@N
planting of an orchard is a very important
one. and the man who does not get down
on his knees in setting out one will surely
fail.
COMMERCIAL FERTILIzERs.
After singing by the quartette Colonel
Thomas Whitehead spoke on the subject
of commercial fertilizers. giving an analy-
sis of the kinds most suitable for different
crops He said that sometimes farmer
thought fertilizer he had tried no earthly
account simply because he has used II on
the wrong crop. Owing to the small at
tendance Of delegates the institute then
adjourned TO meet at 10 o'clock to-day for
its last session.
PUBLIC ROADS.
The meeting opened to-day with prayer
and music, after which j. L. Jackson,
editor of the Southern Planter. was intro
duced. He spoke for two hours on the
road question. he was thoroughly familiar
with his subject and gave many practical
hints as to construction. keeping In re-
pair, &c.
He was followed BY Colonel Thomas
Whitehead on sheep-husbandry. In the
course of his remarks he said that South
aide Virginia was one OF the best sections
for sheep-raising in the United States.
Resolutions of thanks were then given
TO Professor Cridlin. of the Southside In
stitute, for tho use of the chapel. and to
tho choir for their sweet music. after which
the institute adjourned sine die.