Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-03-02
WAS A GRAND SUCCESS.
Meeting Of the Interstate Farmers
Institute at Vicksburg.
Ex-GovernOr Hoard, of Wisconsin, Called
to Preside-Interesting and Instruct We
Papers Read by Number OF the
Delogates-TheN Northern Visitors
Pleased With Their Reception.

Vicksburg, Feb, 20.-Thc Interstate
Farmers Institute, whose session began
here this evening, could not have been
assembled under more favorable aus
pices.
The public ceremonies today began
with the military reception following
the arrival OF Gov. Stone and party
from jackson. Similar honors were also
aaid Gov. Jackson, Of Iowa, and the Wis.,
tsors from, the Northwest, who arrived
.nis evening, and several thousand peo-
pie escorted each party to its quarters.
Representative planters for hundred
miles around are here to welcome the
visitors, and the city is aglow with deco
rations.
The institute was formally opened at
$3.50 o'clock tonight with prayer by
bishop Thompson, after which addresses
of welcome were delivered by Gov.
Stone, Mayor Trowbrdse, and Hon,
Murray f. Smith, and responded to by
Gov. Jackson and other speakers.
Ex-Gov. Hoard, OF Wisconsin, elected
to preside over the institute, also spoke.
A crcditable agricultural exhibit is a
feature OF the institute.
SECOND DAY.
Vicksburg, Feb. 21.-Every steamer
and train arriving today brought addi-
tions to the crowds IN attendance upon
the institute, whose success eclipses
that of any public gathering ever held
here.
The hour set for resuming the session
this morning, $3.50, was too early for the
Northern visitors, to whom the attrac-
tions of tho balmy morning and sight
seeing had proven irresistible. They
visited the points Of interest on foot
and in every imaginable kind of vehicle,
and it was nearly 10 o'clock before
Chairman Hoard called the great assem-
bly, to order.
An entertaining address by Mrs. Vir-
ginia c. Meredith, OF Indiana, on
"Sheep IIusbandry," was full of prac-
tical information attractivciy presented.
The discussion of the topic "Can Hogs
Be Profitably Grown in the South" be-
gun by Col. Jed. Lake, of independence,
Iowa, brought forth humorous flight
from Gov. Stone.
One of the most valuable papers ad-
dressed to the institute was read by
Prof. Morgan, entomologist of the
Louisiana State University, and closed
the morning program. twas entitled
Enemies to Crops and How TO Subdhe
Them" and was material treatise on
a asubject Of special Importance to plant
ers in this section.
Tho afternoon was devoted to an ex-
cursion to the National cemetery. fol-
lowed by an informal reception given
by the ladies of Vicksburg in honor Of
the lady visitors.
The leading feature of the night ses-
sion was Prof w. c. Stubs splendid
address on the theme, "Aluvial Lands
of the Mississippi Valley Adapted to
Diversified Farming" The speaker is
the able director of the Louisiana State
Agricultural Experiment Station.
THIRD DAY.
Vicksburg, Feb. 29.-The Farmers
Institute closed its session at II o'clock
tonight, when Chairman Hoard declared
it ad diourned sine die, and called upon
tho immense audience to join in sing
ing the national hymn, America,
which was rendered most heartily. 1t
was thrilling scene, and an appropri-
ate conclusion for the greatest popular
gathering ever seen here.
The days sessions, three in number,
were distinguished by addresses by
Profs. $. M. Tracy, TAFT Butler, and w.
c. Wellborn, of Mississippi, Hon. j. M.
Samuels, of Kentucky, and Preside mt
Beardshear, of Iowa State College. Five
minute talks on the benefits Of the in.
stitute closed the proceedings. Gov.
Hoard was the last speaker, and woke a
hearty response from his audience.
In the afternoon Capt. Merry was pro-
sented by his friends from the North.
west with costly diamond pin, Gov.
jackson, of Iowa, making the presenta'
tion.
At the night session souvenir of the
institute, a heavy gold medal badge
suitably inscribed, was presented tc
Mrs. Meredith by the citizens OF Vicks
burg.