The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-27
COMMISSIONERS
 DISCUSS CROPS
Cotton States Association Meets
 in Nashville
ALABAMA IS REPRESENTED
Governor MeMillln, In Welcoming the Delegates to Tennessee, Says Agri- culture Is Foundation of All
 ereatness-Want Diversity.

Nashville August 26.-The Cotton l States Association of commissioners of l agriculture began it's fourth annual con yention here today in the senate hall at the state capitol. The following states are represented
 Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, vir- ginia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkan- sas.
 B. c. White and J. c. Orten are also in attendance. representing the United States department of agriculture
 Commissioner Thomas H. Paine of Ten nessee called the meeting to order and in- troduced President S. L. Patterson of North Carolina who presided.
 Governor McMinin on behalf of the state welcomed the association saying in part:
 Nothing but good can result from such gathering of those interested in the greatest of all industries agricul- ture. The course of time Is strewn with wrecks of countries that have lost their greatness by reason of the loss of agri- culture, It is the foundation of all great ness.
 We want more diversified agricul-
 
 ent on any one crop. We have been too long dependent upon one or two crops l want to see the time when forty acres Is sufficient to employ 30 to 40 men. Urge 1t in season and out of season. We have raised enough to enrich a dozen empires We have made New England. They have fattened by skimming the cream from our products. I want to see the time when our smoke houses will be brought from Chicago, and our cotton factories brought from New England.
 Discovery of OH.
 Referring to the discovery of oil in Louisiana and Texas he said it was not only the greatest oil field in the world, but would prove the greatest factor In developing the south. With oil, salt and sulphur, the greatest sugar and rice fields in the world and splendid crop of all products, what might not be expected of this territory.
 Governor McMillin urged that worn, wasted or washed lands be put in timber
 G. w. Koiner of Virginia responded for the association.
 Secretary Kilgore made a statement as to the question of uniform fertilizer, guar antees and laws saying some slight changes had been made in the Georgia law. but aside from the preparation of the bill published In the proceedings the committee had nothing to report
 The question of postage rates for de- partment publications was informally dis cussed and President Patterson suggested l that facts should be gathered showing the saving possible in postage rates by securing the franking privilege and get ting --.e best rates.
 It was decided to have each depart ment furnish information as to the pres ent amount of mailing matter that will be sent out from each department this information to be furnished the chairman of the committee.
 President Patterson's Address.
 The association then adjourned until 9 o'clock
 President Pattersons address opened, the proceedings of the afternoon He re- ferred to the fact that the United States spends $75O,00O annually through its de- partment of agriculture and the various states half that much He said the work of the states should follow closely that of the United States and be supplemental to the latter. He considered an analysis of fertilizers as probably the most im- portant state work. and thought the revenue from this source should be used In the development of science and pac- tice of agriculture. The state department should work to exterminate crop pests and disease. and east state should have at least one entomologist in its employ Live stock growing should be encouraged and the advantage of the section for growing forage crops should be im- pressed on farmers. He spoke of the great benefits derived from farmers in- stitutes, the advantage of issuing bulle- tins from headquarters and the gathering of crop statistics.
 Charles A. Keller, horticulturist at the Tennessee experiment station. discussed Apple Growing in the Mountains of the Southern States" saying it has become as much a speciality as live stock grow ing The convention adjourned for a ride over the city.