The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-22

\ ME. WeDDGF next 1uGullOuCt NuC A0d1 StAh
of soils and other new department. This was
also started in 1891. A great deal OF soil
survey work had been done in this State,
nearly 5000, 900 acres had been surveyed IN
| North Carolina. Maps Of these surveys
could be used in determining what locali-
ties were suited for what kind of crops.
| And this is only one line of their work.
They are studying also the ques-
ton of soil management and soil
condition.
The experiments in the growing of SUI
matra tobacco In Connecticut had been
conducted on large scale, at an enormous
expenditure of capital, for it all had to
be grown under canvas.
The next great bureau was that of
Forestry. Here forest management was
the vital question Everyone knows that
now lumbermen are careless of conserving
the forests, for instance In the case of the
cypress trees, and in the boxing of trees
for the turpentine industry. Means are
being devised for using these woods with
out seriously injuring the trees.
Then the Bureau of Chemistry was doing
great work in the soils and in the food
products.
The Division of Entomology is studying
questions which are of the greatest i'm
portance to the cotton growers, especially
the boll-weeyll of Texas, for the crop OF
Texas Is the determining measure OF the
crop OF the world, and this boll-weevil
which has come over from Mexico is
creating the utmost consternation
Recently she department sent to Texas
the King Cotton, variety grown here,
and which could be planted early and
gathered before the deadly weevil could
get In its work.
All these bureaus and departments were
doing all they could to help the farmers
Of every State in the Union. And any
one thing done for those of one State was
done also for the others.
As to the publications, there was the
Year Book, containing papers on all sub
jects in which farmers are interested.
These books are supplied to the Congress-
men.
Then bulletins are published on all sorts
Of subjects, and many practical treatises
on special subjects.
HON. R. w. SCOTT.
The next topic was 1.-THE Building Up of
Worn Out Clay Lands in Middle North
Carolina Hon. r. w Scott, of Alamance
county, first addressed the convention on
chis subject.
He said that before the war the GUS
tom was, when lands became worn out,
to let them lie neglected for years, and
finally clear them again. Even now the
lands are not being cultivated as com
pletely as they should be. These lands are
especially adapted to dairying, and there
IS no need of our sending west for these
products.
The great strides made in manufactur
ing have attracted many of the young
men of that section, and they are leay
ing the farms
He was sure the majority of the people
did not realize what these farms were
capable of producing, with a proper sys-
tenn of rotation of crops Several we'll
known farms in this section were cited
to show what could be done on these
very same WORKOUT lands. What those
men whave done others can do.
He rejoiced to see that the leaders OF
thought IN our State were beginning to
see that there was need of agricultural
education for the boys of the State to
get the most out Of the farms, and he re-
being given at this college and other like
institutions throughout the country.
Mr.. Scott then talked very interest
ingly Of his own place at Melville, telling
how he took hold of it twenty-five years
ago, when it was in terribly worn out
and neglected condition. 1t consisted Of
some 500 acres, with only small portion
under cultivation. Many of the fields
u-ara full Ofi rroo,,Iar
condition of affairs he compared the State
Of his farm now and explained in some
detail how he had gone TO work and what
methods he had pursued to attain this re
suit
The rotation he had found most favor
able was: first, cotton; second. wheat
third, oats and clover, and fourth clover
to be mown for hay; fifth, peas to be
mown or picked for hay. He would sub
soil whenever he could That made the
full five years.
He keeps about fifteen registered Jersey
COWS, and feeds them on cotton seed meal
The manure he carts direct from the
stables to the bad places in the fields.
He said he could not have succeeded
as well as he had if it had not been for
mis- wife and family His wne had al
ways kept books for him, and many said
she was better farmer than he was.
Then his boys helped in various ways that
had been of very material assistance to
him. CThe convention applauded this).
DR.. Winston said that two years ago he
had visited Melville and it had made him
hope very much for the future of North
Carolina. Last spring he had visited the
farm again, and had taken New Hamp-
shire Yankee with him. That New Hamp-
shire man said that was the best place
he had seen in North Carolina to make
money There were the herds of cattle
and of sheep and the little boys tending
them, one only four years old.
Someone asked how many boys there.
DR.. Winston said there were eight in that
crowd. (Applause.) And three more in
another group. Mr.. Scott ought to have
said that it was his wife and those eight
children that had mdae him successful
The trouble was that so many farmers
started with eight children, but got no
farther.
Mr.. Scott was the man, said Dr. Win
ston, who had introduced the bill in the
last Legislature that was going to give the
A. and M. College a $5O,OOO building for
tha ct. M