The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-09-26
M

has been holding Institutes. Two years
ago we had one in Graham which vas
a very pleasant affair. Alamance Go.
Alliance bore the expenses. Politicians
and those who live by politics did most
Of the speaking. Only one speech was
made by a~practical farmer. This was
by Thos. Hurdle on tobacco culture
and curing, DIR. G.. r. Faust read a
very interesting essay on fruit culture.
This being an off year in politics our
County Alliance appointed a commit
| tee, of which I was chairman, to make
arrangements to hold another this year
if the committee, after due elaboration,
thought it advisable. After consulta-
. ton we concluded not to hold one this
year. 1st, because cur farmers say
they can raise as much now as they
wish unless they can get better prices.
I'd. Those who do nothing towards de-
fraying the expenses of the institute
walk off with the honOrs and the
profits, so instead Of an ms itute We
are going to have, some time in Octo-
Der, a meeting of the Alliancemen,
their families and of all those who
favor reform. We want Mr.. Bilkins
to come up on that occasion.
A good crop Of wheat was raised,
also of oats. Our farmers diversified
and planted a fine lot of vegetables to
supply the people of our many fac
tories. But it seems that do the best
we may our best laid plans gang
aglee," With five roller mills for max
ing fine -four, wheat cannot be sold in
any quantity for SO cents per bushel
and oats have been sold as low as Is
cents per bushel in trade at the stores.
Peaches are selling at ten cents per
bushel and the vegetables are. for want
of a market, rotting in the fields and
gardens.
We were troubled some time ago
about an overproduction of corn, for
the prospect was never better in this
county, but six weeks of very hot and
dry weather has blighted of the
fairest prospects ever seen in Alamance.
Large fields in many places will not
yield a barrel to the acre.
Our county papers claim that the
farmers do not feal the panic. This
may be true with those who are out of
debt and have q little ready cash on
hand, but how is it with those who
have no money and attempt to get
money by raising tobacco when the
price on the market is So less per hun
dred than it costs to raise it? Mr..
Stokes, O prominent tobacco buyer.
planted a crop when it was much
higher in price than now. He said
that he could buy it much cheaper than
he could raise it. Mr.. Robinson, Com
missioner of Agriculture, says that it
costs 60 cents per bushel to raise wheat.
10 cents more than it sells for.
So for fear of further overproduction
our farmers are working moderately.
(there r few worms on the tobacco
and it is far too dry to phw for wheat,
oats or even to sow a turnip PATCH end
are spending much Of their time in
reading reform literature and attend
ing the protracted meetings, of which
there are now quite a number going
on. Love and marry seems to be the
tavorlte theme; and we hear very little !
OF "hades, sheol" or the old fashioned
tire and birthstone awaiting the i'm
penitent, as in former days. Hospital
lty and good feeling are the order of
the day, and the bitter feelings engen- |
dered by the late campaign seems to be !
passing away. Intact most of the PEG,
pie know now they were fooled in the
last campaign and that the ~reforners !
were right on the financial questions of
the day.
Thus far Cleveland's administration
has, to his supporters, been a disap- |
pointment.
There are Is cotton mills and one !
wooden mill In the county, and our
county Is dotted with villages, the
population of which depend upon the !
factories for a support. None of the
factories run on full time and would
shut down indefinitely but the opera.
tlves could not live without EMPLOY
ment,| so the factories run only a few
days IN the week while the operatives !
exc out a mere living hoping and wait
ing for Mr.. Cleveland to open one of
has cans OF prosperity, and in the mean |
time laying all the blame upon him.
We are pleased that Mr.. Vance is !
penltent and returning to his right
mind. The worst we ever said of him |
was that be had either side-tracked or
craWhshed, and wehope yet to see him
where, at heart, he belongs-among
Ghe Fopullsts, who are the only true
democrats. B. +. WHITE. !