The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-28
SCHOOL FOR FARMERS
FIRST DAYS SPEECHES LISTENED
TO BY GOOD AUDIENCE.
Governor Cunningham Delivers nm Ap-
prOprfate Address the Need OF
Technical Education as Prep
aration for Farming.


Auburn, July 27.-(Special)-
ers from quite number OF counties
and an interested audience from Au-
burn, listened this morning to the
opening exercises of the summer
course of lectures for farmers given at
Auburn by the Alabama Polytechnic
Institute.
President C. c. Thach. in his address
of welcome, pointed out some of the
means by which this institution is
working for the uplifting of the farm
ers of Alabama, dwelling especially
upon the advantages of fertilizer analy-
sis, of the new law for combating in
sect pests, especially of fruit trees. and
of development along the line of animal
industry, cultivation of forage plants
and improvements in cotton culture.
Governor Cunningham then deliv-
cred a highly appropriate address or
the need of technical education as Il
preparation for farming. His speech,
in his usual happy style. was highly
appreciated and commended.
Mr.. Christie. from Iowa. made an
interesting Introductory talk on the
Importance of greater care in the So
lection of seed corn.
The afternoon session was devoted
to lecture on plant diseases by Dr.
Z. NJ. Wilcox, botanist of the Alabama
Experiment Station, and by n. c. Rev,
who has charge of the livestock at Au-
burn.
Following the lecture on livestock.
the farmers and instructors adjourned
to the farm of the experiment station
to practice judging the beef cattle in
the herds of Hereford. Shorthorns and
Angus, maintained by the institution
for the instruction of its students III
agriculture.
The Governor spoke at follows:
Mr.. President Ladies' and Gentlemen:
Once on a great occasion there was
Bible character who, after seeing
great demonstration of the Providence
of God in the salvation of the world,
said: Now, Lord. let thy servant de-
part in peace, for 1 have seen the sal
walton of the Lord"
When. upon an occasion of this kind
/ see samples of your agricultural prog
ress and look upon the gray headS'
representatives of the agricultural IN
terests of the State. here to go to
school again. l say. Lord, let they I'M
worthy servant live, that he may
little help in this, in which / see the
salvation of my native State"
j do not want to appear what ] am
not, and say frankly that I am not
farmer. l hoped the clods for nine
years, but am not going to do so any
more am a doctor (and a very good
one | Think, and nave no cause to re-
gret my occupation. There is, how
ever. such close connection between the
profession of the field and that of the
doctor that l feel we are following
closely connected lines. 1t Is my bust
ness to deal with the human body, the
highest type of creation 1t is my
business to understand this human
body, to study its needs, and, rs far as
science and art enable me, to advise
those conditions which cause the
healthy growth of the human body. 1t
is my duty to advise those conditions
which make the baby grow, get suitable
food, develop its muscles, and grow into
active childhood. 1T is also my bust
ness to protect that body from causes
from without that produce disease, and
from causes from within the body it
SELF. Again. If the injury is done to
the body. 1t is my work to remove the
cause and as far as possible remedy the
defect.
If can do this, what must l know?
I must know all nature as it is spread
out before me. l must know the in
fuences of the sun. the moon. the stars,
of all the winds that blow. of the flora.
fauna. of latitude, temperature, alti-
tude, moisture, and all influences which
enter into the environment in which
we live. must know the human
body his bones. his muscles, his nerves.
l must know man in health and in dis
ease / must know the effects and in
nuenccs Of light and darkness. of alti-
tude. or certain soils. the influences of
animal life and vegetable life. in order
that | may know how to advise "A man
how to preserve and regain his health
Now, ladies and gentlemen, strike out
man, and insert plants and animals in
what l have said. and there is no diff
ference between the doctor and the
farmer. OF course the man who deals
with the human body may get n little
more honor. but it does not require
any more brains nor any more educa-
zion to be Il successful doctor than to
be q successful farmer. The point l
want to make is this. that the old idea
that it takes only sunshine, rain and
elbow grease to make a farmer is "a
fraud. What / do want to impress
upon you is that while sunshine, rain
and elbow grease are necessary unless
behind the three there is an intelligent
man practised in the art of applying
them to nature then you are failing in
your vocation.
Then l want to tell you that your
business is "A profession. 1t does not
consist of mere physical energy. When
You are dealing with plants of whatsn-
ever nature or character you are deal
ing with life. We 90 not know what
life is but | want to lay down a propo-
Sition which we can understand. Here
is a grain of corn. 1t has three d
mansions, length, breadth and thick
ness, 1T has color and weight. You see