The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-02
rTHEFARMERS' INSTITUTE
An INTERESTfNG AsSHMBLhGE or
xGRTCULTURISys Ar ASHLAND.
ppcncd by the student Choir-Col. Buford
Makes the Opening Address,
Fine Programme.

eighteenth Farmers institute "''"
IA Virginia WAS opened here ms
morning In the lecturc-room OF duncan
Memorial church with fair-slzed
crowd Tho proceedings were inauguraied
with tho singing Of America by large
choir. composed OF students OF kandolpn-
Macon College After prayer by Kew.
William T. Judkius. Colonc. THOMAS
Whitehead Commissioner OF Agriculture
introduced Colonel A. :. Buford, Of Rich
mond. president Of the state Board Of
Agriculture. who delivered Tie address
OF welcome
Colonel Buford. after extending hearty
greeting 10 all who were present. went
on 10 speak OF the good done by Farmers
Institutes and the purpose for ~hich
they had been inaueufated There had
never been time, he said. when the
agriculture OF the country was more
depressed. the causes of which were too
deep TO be discussed at present. but II
WAS imperative that the farmers should
get together and talk over the matter
intollgontly and cndcavor TO obtain some
redress. The condition of things should
not be hidden nor shirkcd but should
be looked squarciy TN the face ana
he said the farmers were organizing 10
try TO find the best way to remedy their
conditions. The objects Of the Institutes
was OF sufficient importance and gravity
10 commend the earnest attention oil the
most intelligent minds everywhere.
Another great object was 10 teach the
yoLng men how the best results could b"
obtained I'm the great field of agri-
culture The farmers, he said. were
~ lo4tr az IL
the country and had less intercourse.
They needed to be brought together. lie
was sure. he said. In conclusion. that
the Farmers Institutes would accom-
plish their objects If the people could be
brought 10 see the importance of learning
TO do things in a. manner TO accomplish
the best results
THE MATTER WITH FARMING.
At the conclusion OF Colonel Bufords
excellent address Professor X. H. Smithey,
Of tho chair Of Latin. Randolph Macon
College. was introduced as "a man who
always talked sense when he talked at
all by the Commissioner OF Agriculture.
Professor Smithcy replied, in behalf OF
the community. 10 Colonel Buford s ad-
dress OF welcome.
"In the name Of the whole community"
he said. IL bid the officers Of the institute
welcome. 1 bid you welcome FOR the
sake Of the cause which You represent
the agriculture of Nirginia-the most i'm
portant interest our State has ever had.
and the one upon which her prosperity
has been based
Continuing. Professor Smithey said that
while he admitted that this was a time
OF great agricultural depression, yet his
tory showed that about TWO hundred
years ago Virginia crops had brought
such low prices that the people had arisen
IN what was known the Tobacco Re
bellion."
THAT you will understand what is the
matter with agriculture and just what
To DO about IL. said the speaker. Il am
going TO tell you what Herbert Spencer,
the great scientist. says about 1t. All
progress" says Mr. Spencer, us from
state Of indefinite. incOherent homosenity
10 q state OF definite coherent hcttr0genf-
ty.' Now you see what is the matter with
agriculture. 1t must pass out OF this state
OF indefinite. incOherent hOmOgenity into
state Of definite coherent hcterogenity.
1t Is the duty OF this institute to settle
this question and il can be done by just
such discussions are you are holding"
Professor Smithcy concluded his adj
dress 10y extending the freedom of the
college and campus to the visitors. which
he hoped, he said. they would use and
enjoy TO the fullest extent.
ALL ABOUT THE WEATHER.
Colonel Whitehead next introduced to
the institute Mir. r.. A. Evans, Of Rich
mond, forecast official Of the United
States Weather Service. who made
practical and interesting address.
Mr.. Evans began by giving a running
sketch OF the weather from the time
when the earth emerged from chaos ~
10 the prcscn. day. Men, ne said had
B..
affected by the weather and had begun
10 study 81. They had found that Ger
tain conditions evolved certain other con-
ditions. and the result had finally been the
establishment of weather service
In Virginia, ne said. you md the best
conditions of weather and soil and the
question Is how the farmer should take
best advantage OF the warnings which
are sent out. Farmers are given 10
superstition. Some plant on the Eight"
and some the "dark" of the moon The
The Weather Bureau tells him when 10
plant certain crops, when TO cut his to-
bacco. grass. etc.
Last fail a severe frost DESTROYED about
one-fifth OF the tobacco crop OF Virginia.
The Weather Bureau knew il was coming.
but could not get news 10 the farmers.
The truck crop Virginia IS worth several
millions year. One-third OF this is saved
every year by means Of the Weather Bu-
reau, and more would be saved with
better facilities. The general government
IS spending large sums, but il cannot
thoroughly attend 20 the matter. II is Of
the greatest importance to agriculture.
and there should Doe Safe organization.
Flags should be put on trains and on
boats.
TELEPHONES FOR CROP WARN
INGs.
Mr. Evans said that telephones were be-
ginning 10 be- generally used 10 pro null
gate the information. and that the
telephone companies were doing the work
free Of charge. two hundred points be
INK reached boy this means.
The speaker was here interrupted by
MIR. a. Is. Clarke "a farmer who sug-
gested that free delivery Of the mail to
the farmers was the best solution Of the
question. Mr. Evans admitted that this
was an excellent plan but said that IL
rested wholly with the postal authori-
ties
The speaker went on 20 tell Of the ad-
Nanta4es OF the weekly weather crop
bulletin. which showed the conditions
existing IA various sections and gave a
complete history of agriculture I'm the
State. The farmer through them. were
enabled 10 make a calculation as 10 what
crops 70 plant and how much
Mr. Evans concluded 10y saving that
the only way Tor q good state weather
service 20 be- obtained was for the BOARD
OF Agriculture. the Weather Rurcau ana
the farmers al 20 pull together. 4 re-
cess was then taken until 800 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
A. the afternoon session an interesting