The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-08
GREENsB0Ro's GALA WEEK.
Fun, Road Congress, Horticultural So
ciety.

: I'LL NOa0 SVASACSSJ E3OLL4CuIIuISl 60
ciety.
TIE people of Greensboro, together
with hundreds of visitors, had a gay
time last week. OF the fun we will not
speak at length, for amusement is only
temporary. The fremen had a great
meeting. A good roads congress was
also held, and a description Of it is
given in the following clipping from
The Raleigh Post:
The Good Roads Congress vas held
at the appointed time, a representative
crowd of intelligent farmers and bust,
ness men being in attendance. Nh. j.
| Van Lindley called the assemblage to
order, making a short but practical
talk. H. called on Mr.. Hutchinson,
of Mecklenburg county, who responded
with a short impromptu speech, ex
planning the system Of road building
in his county and telling OF many dis,
advantages under which they were
compelled to labor at the outset-be.
fore the people realized the worth Of
good roads. He impressed the neces-
sity of properly locating the roads and
of doing the work in the most economi
cal manner.
Prof j. NJ. Bandy, G-eensboro's city
engineer, was the next speaker, and
he started out by saying that il is IN
necessary at this advanced stage of
our industrial activity to speak of the
necessity and Importance Of good
roads; the main question is, why
have we not good roads9" Prot. Bandy
has spent much time in studying the
road question, and is therefore quail
fed to speak With authority. H8
claims that in a community Of poor
roads it costs a farmer 25 cents per ton
for each mile Travelled to market his
produce owe what it costs II a com
munisy Of good roads, and his calcula
tion is doubtless correct. He realizes
| the fact that the money Guiltord coun
ty is spending on the roads (1bout
So 600 a year is accomplishing but
little good; in fact, if the grading and
other work now being done is not fol.
lowed by macadam8ing this money is
practically thrown away.
Mr.. King, Of Forsyth, and Mr.. R ce,
of Rowan, both of which counties are
becoming interested in good road
building, followed Prof. B andy with a
few briet remarks.
Prof. J. A. Holmes, Of Chapel Hill,
State ~geologist, was present and de
livered a most practical address. His
speech was filed with good advice and
sound logic, and was listened to with
the closest attention throughout. He
started out by saying that it is a Gus
tom with US to do things as easily as
possible, without reference to per
maneEcy, and that we deal with our
public roads in this manner. He esti-
mated that this is costing Guilford
county 800, 600 each year, though our
people do not realize the great loss
they sustain through bad roads for the
simple reason that they have not
learned to value time. The macadam
road, he said, is the road for the poor
man. 1t is costly to build, but cheap
to use, and 10 this lies is great value
it is permanent. He explained that
there are three ways of securing money
for road purposes: First, by private
subscription; second, by a direct tax,
and third, by issuing bonds.
At the conclusion of Ptof. Holmes
address the Guilford County Good
Roads Club was formed, quite a mum
Der becoming members OF the club.
Mr.. J. Van Lindley was elected preei
dent.
1t is hoped that this organization will
be instrumental in arousing such a
sentiment in favor of permanent road
improvement that this coveted goal in
Guilford's industrial development may
soon be reached.
The State Horticultural Society held
a pleasant session last night. The at
tendance was not large, though much
interest was manifested in the topics
discussed. Prof. j. A. Holmes delight
ed those present with a carefully pre-,
pared and interesting address, which
was illustrated by stereopticon views.