The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-05-03
Secretary Wilson Visits Anderson.

Rarely if ever is it our good fortune
to have such distinguished personages
as Cabinet officers in our midst. On
last Monday morning at II o'clock quite
number Of representative farmers
from the County, some business and
professional men from town, and a
Company Of Cadets Of the Patrick
Military Institute assembled to hear
Mr.. Wilson on the subject OF Agricul-
ture.
Mayor Hood, after calling the meet
ing to order, introduced our represen-
tative in Congress, Mr.. A. c. Latimer,
who expressed great regret for not
finding the Court House packed on
such an important event, pointing to
the high position occupied by the gem
tleman he is about to introduce to the
audience as being one who guards over
the welfare of millions Of farmers in
the United States, and that Mr. Will
son, as the Secretary of Agriculture, is
of the highest authority in the land on
matters pertaining to his office. Mr..
Wilson rose in a very unassuming
manner, calling himself plain Iowa
farmer, stating that he was perfectly
delighted with what he had seen here,
that he was very enthusiastic over our
national resources. climatic conditions
of heat and moisture so essential to
plant Development, and pointing to our
numerous streams available in the
coming industrial development for the
manufacture of cotton goods.
With a keen eye he points to the time
when all our cotton raised here will be
converted at our doors into various
fabrics, supplying the world with it,
thereby creating prosperity, which
also means a higher citizenship. In
speaking of the department. Of agricul-
ture; he stated that in this department
alone 5000 scientific experts are en-
ployed, whose business tits to study
the conditions in plant life, make ex-
periments with soil, climate, &C., Sc,
and to constantly keep the department.
posted on new developments.
E He then spoke Of DR.. Sheppard, near
} Charleston, as the pioneer in the cul-
stture of tea in this State, that50 acres
planted in tea last year produced $500
pounds, which sold at s1.O0 per pound,
being Of high quality, that this nation
imported last year so million dollars
worth Of tea, and that we can raise as
fine a quality sis raised anywhere in
the world, that the experiments worth
the farmers attention.
Speaking Of Cuba and tobacco cul-
ture, he is Of the opinion that with the
amount Of rainfall in this section, we
could enter as competitors with mark
ed success, improving gradually as we
became more familiar with its culture; );
80 with butter and cheese, if looked
into, would add greatly to cur wealth.
Last year the State of Iowa sold 30
million dollars worth OF butter and
cheese in the face of having to buy our
cotton seed for feed.
Touching upon the grass crops OF the
United States, he asserted, in most
positive. te.ms, that this is a grass
State, deserving more careful attention
than heretofore paid to it.
In short he touched upon every detail
Of importance in agriculture, the rais-
ing Of high-blooded horses. which
bring good prices in Europe, and bacon
hogs, in particular, which can be raised
here successfully.
It is only to be regretted that every
man, woman and child living in Ander-
SON County could not be hereiso as to
hear from trained mind and an expe-
rienced teacher of high authority on
such matters, how easily the road to
prosperity can be reached, if we will
only admit that we are not too old to
learn something yet, and that there is
still room for Improvement even on
farming.