The progressive farmer and the cotton plant., 1905-01-24

Dau Deen reaulng only tWenty-tOur weeklleS and
fourteen dailies. In the territory covered by
Route No. 3, there had been an increase of more
than go per cent in the number of weeklies read,
while the number of farmers taking dailies had
grown from one to thirty-three. And the number
OF rural free delivery routes is steadily growing.
Three years ago, there were only about a dozen
routes in all North Carolina; within a few months
more, we shall have nearly or quite one thousand,
several entire counties being even now covered
by the service.
Hardly less valuable is the rural telephone sys-
tenn. This is yet in its infancy, but it has a great
future. Already in one North Carolina county
nearly every land-owning farmer has a telephone.
Here the country residents were talking about
the attack on President Mckinley within two
hours after Czolgosz fired the fatal shot in Buff
falc. They keep In close touch with the markets.
They can confer with doctor, or merchant. or
neighbor without the loss of time and labor. The
women and children find farm life much less
lonely. Crime has decreased because criminals
find it almost impossible to escape capture. And
the cost has been trifling. The farmers have a
cooperative company ;they cut their own poles,
string their own wire, and conduct all the bust
ness. This is the record of Union County, and
what Union has done other counties will DO.
Farmers Clubs and Scientific Agriculture.
Moreover, we are recognizing the Farmers
Alliance, with its political features eliminated.
One of these days we shall have thousands of
such farmers clubs in all parts of the State
neighborhood organizations of the farmers and
their families meeting at The school houses once
of twice ench month. These clubs will quicken
the social life of the communities and will take
the lead in all matters looking to neighborhood
improvement. They will do much to promote the
very movements of which / have been speaking;
all will work together for better schools and bet
ter school-houses, better roads and better mail
facilities, better farming methods and a more
beautiful country life. Years ago, we had similar
organizations in nearly every township, but poll
tics wrecked most of them. We are now building
anew, and more durably than before, even if
somewhat more slowly.
Some other progressive forces of which I should
like to speak I must pass over with only a word
or two of comment. Our State Board of Agricul-
ture, our Agricultural Experiment Station, our
A. & M. College, and our agricultural papers are
doing much to hasten the coming of practicable,
profitable, scientific farming. Diversifcation of
crops is taking the place of the ruinous one-crop
system of other days. Improved machinery, bet
ter methods of cultivation, and wiser feeding and
fertilizing practices are winning their way into all
sections. The agricultural faculty of the A. d M.
College has been greatly strengthened, and the
number of students in the agricultural courses
has increased 800 per cent within the last three
years. Farmers institutes, in the summer
months, are bringing the agricultural educators,
experimenters, and scientists into actual touch
with the men behind the plows. The manufacture
and sale of liquor in rural districts has been for
hidden by State statute, thus insuring greater So
hrietv and less law-making. Finally, the Southern
Education Board is accomplishing much good by