The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-01
INSTITUTE At WAKEFIELD.
Speeches by Commissioner Patterson
and Profs. Massey and Johnson.

Speeches by Commissioner Patterson
and Profs. Massey and Johnson.
Wakefield, \. c., July 29.-(Staff Cor
fespondence THE first farmers instl-
tute of the season was held here stoday.
| The citizens Of the town and community
| turned out and gave the speakers a
warm welcome. Music by the Wakefield
String Band added much to the occasion.
lOr. &. NJ. Bell, of Wakefield, was master
Of ceremonies, and introduced the speak
ers. The first speaker was Mr.. Samuel
l.. Patterson, Commissioner Of Agricul-
ture
He said they had not come to teach us
how to farm, but for mutual conference
to suggest some ideas and to awaken
interest along certain lines. The prov
ince of his speech was to tell us what
the Agricultural Department was doing
and still further what it hoped to ac-
complish. His speech consisted largely
Of striking statistics and comment upon
them i'll practical way.
\ sumptuous feast was spread i'll the
grove, and all invited to partake.
After dinner Prof. w. T. Massey, of
the A. a. NJ. College was introduced.
He spoke at length along the line of
improving the soil As is well known,
this is done most economically by rota-
ton or diversified farming. Many think
that diversified farming means raising
some of everything which will grow in
this climate and soil. This is the height
of folly. The Professor, though far
from recommending the single crop
system, still thought the farmer as well
as those of other professions, should be
specialist in some particular branch.
To this end all his farming should tend
If he is a cotton farmer, all the crops he
raises should tend to the Improvement
and preparation of the soil and better
ment of the condition for growing cot
ton. He told in detail how this should
be done.
Prof. Massey spoke quite while in
an informal way, and was frequently in
tcrrupted by questions from the farmers.
He was listened to throughout with in
terest.
The speaker then told us that Prof.
johnson, of the a. & NJ College, would
give us practical hints about the feeding
of forage.
Prof. Johnson is a young man, but
seemed to be thoroughly versed. and had
his subject matter well i'm hand
lac first explained to us thoroughly the
various points by which we might recog
nize a good milk COW or good beef cow
He then at some length, in an interest
ing way, discussed the dairy business.
More than half the audience was com.
posed of farmers wives and daughters,
and they appreciated fully this branch OF
the discussion.
After Prof. Johnson had finished. Prof
Massey, for the benefit of the ladies.
gave some practical hints about the cult
vaton of flowers.
/ believe that these institutes held this
summer, if well attended, will result in
much good to the farmers. and bring
them i'm close touch with that depart
ment of agriculture which is endeayor-
ing to do so much for the agricultural in
dustry of North Carolina.
The next institute will be held at Re-
Springs, in Robson county, August
2nd, Bird and 18th The farmers Of Robe
son viii be well repaid for attendance
Other institutes will be held at Chad
bourn on the It'll and Sth and at Clark
ton on the 9th and 10th.
II. A. CHAPPELL.