The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-28
AgricuItural Department
CONDUCTED BY FULTON s. WHITE.
GREAT FARMERS MEETINGS.

GREAT FARMERS MEETINGS.
 The past week I have been engaged in assisting Prof. ". P. Perkins Of the A. and M college of Mississippi in holding farmers meetings along the Frisco rail- way, this being joint arrangement be- tween President J. c. Hardy of the A. and M. college and the Frisco industrial department The meetings have been of great interest and well attended at every point where held. want to notice some of the features of these meetings as well as to say something of crops and the possibilities of the country where we have spent the week. But first of all I want to say few things for and about the people.
 Large Crowds Attend.
 We found the people most kind and hospitabe and eager to hear what we had to say. Great crowds came to hear us at all our appointments, and it has never been my pleasure to have talked to a more patient and appreciative people any where. I usually talk from one to four hours, according to the interest. l never want to tire a people out, but as long as they are interested I continue the talk. My talks average about one and one half hours, but to give some idea of the great interest that the people along the line are taking in these matters l will mention our meeting Saturday.
 This meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock, and as we had to leave the place at D. m. 1t was decided that we hold until 2 p. m., then have dinner, which was served on the ground. Two speakers preceded me and held a great crowded house filled with men, women and chill dren up to 12 o'clock. I took the floor at 12 clock and held the crowd clear up to o'clock.
 Now when people will sit from 10 to 2 o'clock to hear farm matters discussed, 1t shows that an unusual interest is felt, 1 and further that the pople are beginning to realize that they have not been get | ting all that they should from the soil and that great reformations are needed.
 Will Have to Change. The people all along the line say that they will be forced to change their methods of farming; that they cannot | longer afford to cultivate three to four acres of land to get one bale of cotton. They say that the labor question com pels them to change and they are ready and anxious for any information that will give the many hope of relief.
 There could not have been a more op- perfume time for our meetings. The questions we discussed were many of them new to these people. They have | good country and have managed to make a living under the old system. and so have not given these new agricultural | thoughts very much consideration. But now they begin to see their lands are be- coming worn and washed and each year the yield is reduced, while the expenses of cultivation are increased and so they receive us gladly, give us the closest at- tention and when the meetings are over they crowd around us and thank lis for the information given and urge us to re- turn at our earliest convenience. I hope our meetings will result in great good and feel sure that they will, and I feel greatly encouraged and benefited by my visit among these kind and appreclative people,. I shall ever look back upon the last weeks work with pleasure and kind remembrance.