The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-11-17
THE FARMERS INSTITUTE.

One of the most important features
Of the fair was the Farmers Institute,
q session of which was held OF the
mornings of the 9Th and 9Th. The in
stitute is a state organization, organ
lied for the purpose OF aiding in the
developing Of our agricultural inter-
teresis. Ii has proven of great benefit
TO the farmers and planters of Lou
isiana, and We belieye that the discuss
ions of Major Lee and Prof. Barrow
/ will suggest new ideas to our planters,
which will result in an improved con-
dition of our fields and the growing of
better grade of whatever we may
plant.
The fret session of the institute was
opened with an address of welcome by
Judge j. Nj. Kennedy. Judge Kenne.
dy began his remarks by saying that
agriculture was the handmade of civil
izalion; tina! Egypt. the cradle of civil
cation, was the granary of the ancient
world; aud that Rome in her glory
was mistress Of the world as long as
the plowmap went to the fields with
the rising of the sun. That in the
middle ages, when Europe was wrapt
in gloom, agriculture was at lis lowest
ebb. That in our own times sgricul-
ture is recognized in one of the de-
partments of the United States gov
eminent, namely, the Secretary OF
Agriculture. That in Louisiana there
is Bureau Of Agriculture, that looks
after the agricultural development of
the State and the interests of the farm
ers. Judge Kennedy spoke of the i'm
portant factor the farmers institute was
in developing the country, and cited
an instance of gentleman from Min
neso,a telling him that the farmers
institute had done moro for Minnesta
than any other thing.
In conclusion, Judge Kennedy ex-
tended the thanks of the people to
Maj Lee and Prof. Barrow for visiting
East Carroll in their official capacity,
aud on behalf of the parish gave them
a hearty welcome.
After Judge Kennedy's address,
Capt r. N. Rea introduced to the
audience Major J. G. Lee. Commits
sioner of Agriculture, who responded
appropriately to the address of well
come and read an excellent paper on
"Soil Improvement" Major Lee said
that East Carroll was the first parish
to extend to the board of agriculture
az invitation to visit 1t. He stated
that East Carroll was the largest acre.
age producing cotton parish in the
State. That Louisiana was the first of
the Southern States to inaugura,e a
regular system of farmers institutes.
Major Lee also spoke of the great ad-
vantages of these farmers institutes
to the country at large, and cited the
west az an example. where great
strides has been made in recent years
by reason of the impetus given to
agriculture by them, and this fact is
80 generally recognized throughout the
west, that immense sums of money
have been devoted to agriculture by
most of the western states.
Major Lee stated that it was the
province Of the institute to discuss
every phase Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
live stock. horticulture, everything per-
tanning to farm life, in order that the
farmer may grow and raise the best
possible product and get for it the bes.
possible price. He boosted that East
Carroll and Louisiana wero 90 fertile
as any lsnds on the earth, and that our
natural conditions were conducive 10
agriculture. That Louisiana possessed
10000 square miles of alluvial land,
1000 miles of navigable streams, and
1900 miles OF Gulf coast. Aud that
with these advantages Louisiana
should go forward 10 that high posi-.
tion to which she is entitled by reason
of her wonderful resources But he
also stated that the coil, however fer
tile, if not improved and fortified
from time to time, will some day wear
out, and that Que of the main features
of successful farming was the improve
ment of the soil.
Major Lee, then read his able article
OH "Soil Improvement" after which he
congratulated our planters on the Or
ganization of a farmers institute.
Touching upon our fair, he stated that
nothing will more redown to the ulti-
mate good and the development of our
country than will these annual fairs;
for it creates spirit of friendly rival
~ and honest competition. He ex-
pressed the hope that they will be
kept up in the future.
At the conclusion of his remarks,
Major Lee stated that the institute
was open to the discussion of any ques-
tons that might be asked him by those
present, some of which We give:
let. What percentage of nitrogen
is Loaf by the cutting OF peas2
A Ahont / of the nitrogen re-