The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-04-09
GRASSES DISCUSSED.
Professors SpiIIman and
Newman Spoke.
Fine Attendance and Much Interest
In Farmers Institute Last
Thursday.

Prof. w. j. Spillman, in charge OF
the United States Department. Of Agri-
cultures Forage Crops branch, adj
dressed a Farmers Institute in the
Court House Thursday at III a. m.
Prof. j. S. Newman, who holds the
chair Of Agriculture in Clemson Col
lege, was also present and delivered
an address.
Farm work was too lively in the
county for the attendance of farmers
to be very large, but at least so OF the
county's leading agriculturists were
present.
Prof. Spillman was induced to come
to Laurens by Congressman Johnson.
DIR. A. c. Fuller was called to the
chair and John f. Bolt was elected
Secretary.
Among prominent farmers present
were Robert @. Davis, Albert Garling-
ton, John r. Finley, S. ID. Darlington,
II s. Hairston, William Cunningham,
L. r. Simpson, j. d. Sullivan, DIR. w.
II. Dial, j. Warren Blakely, John N.
Nash, Lafayette Henderson, James
Todd. John II. Wolff, Joseph WATSON,
y. Simmons, ". e. Bobo, Wright
Sims, Jno. M. Clardy, w. A. Pullman,
w. p. Harris, w. FL. Hellams, Frank
Ramage, w. M. Hunter, James Wham
Hon. Wister Nichols, Miller Curry, W.
ii. Barksdale, j. F. Parks, John w.
Lanford, Il. B. Henderson, Calvin @.
Fuller, b. w. Lsnford, Walter Har-
mon, Sanford Knight, Ben "c'rv. w
b. McCuen, j. L. Bagweil, Enoch
Mitchell, w. d. Bird, l.. S. Bolt, J. l..
Swink, Hugh Wallace, Y. O. Hellams,
4. l.. Wolff, A. j. Smith and j. w.
Donnon. Perhaps one hundred men
from thn nifu woro ,,rnoorf ~ ollSt;oo
to the farmers.
Prof. Spillman spoke rapidly and his
address was marked with practical
suggestions. "Read the agricultural
papers, get agricultural books and read
them. but don't believe all you see in
them" he said. stake brains into your
farming; study your business" He
spoke of sorghum, crimson clover and
various forage plants. 1.-THE objection
to crimson clover is that 1t is hard to
get a stand sometimes, and it is an an
nual-requires to be planted each year.
Alfalfa, you call 1t lucerne here, is the
is hard to get a stand but once obtain
ed it is hard to be rid of it, unless you
pillow deep. But you don't want to be
rid OF it, L should say. 1t should be
planted on we'll prepared land in Au-
gust or September. Here it is best to
sow it In rows. 1t is a tender plant
aod should be cultivated the first
year,"
when you want a permanent pas
ture, plant Bermuda. Nothing else
will equal it. For hay plant Alfalfa,
sojer beans, etc. Texas blue grass
makes a good winter pasture plant"
Prof. Newman was then introduced.
He a that he had a number of bulle-
tins from the Experiment stations for
distribution and that all the farmers
should send their names to be placed
on the mailing list so that they could
receive the bulletins regularly. He
then spoke Of the State Farmers Insti-
tute to be held at Clemson College and
invited the farmers to attend it, ex-
planning the small cost. He called at
tention hen to some Of the wasteful
practices on the farm. One Of these is
burning off the broom sage fields, thus
destroying food that should restore the
lands. Another is placing valuable
fertilizers where there is no moisture.
I'VE must begin with growing such
plants as COW peas on our worn out
lands. Then they will be ready later
for alfalfa and richer grasses. The
cereals are all grasses and there is no
better hay in the world than oats hay.
Hairy vetch sowed with oats increases
It's value. Rye Is best winter grain
because it grows best in cold weather."
Both speakers were heard with
closest attention.
Prof. Spillman distributed a number
of parcels of seeds of the grasses about
which he. had talked.
John r. Bolt introduced the follow
ing resolutions which were unanimous
ly adopted:
WHEREAS at Laurens on the 3rd
day of April, there was gathered to
gether a large number of her citizens
to listen to the lecture of Prof. Spill
men, in charge OF forage crops branch
of the United State Department of
Agriculture, in Washington, and Prof.
Newman of the chair of Agriculture
in Clemson College,:
Resolved, 1st. That we tender our
thanks for the able and instructive
talks by each Of the allowed named
gentlemen.
Resolved, I'd. That we appreciate
very much the interest taken by Con-
gresham Johnson in securing the SER
vices OF these wide awake gentlemen
on tie present needs of the farming
class Of u county.