The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-27
Fine Lot Of Young Men to Re-
ccivc Their Diplomas at Com
ing Commencement,
ARGUES WELL FOR FUTURE
Wealth, Happiness and Prospect.
ty OF the South Dependent
Upon Agriculture.
Especial to rho Times Dlspntch.I

who arc familiar with agricultural con-
ditons in the South realize that the
greatest problem requiring solution ut
the present time Is the Improvement OF
our landed areas and the permanent
maintenance Of soil fertility. On the
J contamination OF this most desirable end
rests the future status OF the South as
an agricultural country. Industrial de-
velopment has gone forward with tre-
mendous strides in the last few years.
and the natural resources OF the country
arc being exploited, and this process will
continue for many years to come. But
our landed areas. because OF exhaustion
through the continual growth of crops
like cotton. corn and tobacco. and the
neglect OF live stock industries. have In
many instances reached low ebb. This
condition Is n more serious one than some
OF us realize. and II Is high time that
efforts were being made to repair the
damage which ca-ecss culture has
wrought and renew confidence in agri-
4 cultural operations This is necessary
4 that industrial development MAY go on
unnterruptedly for the purchasing power
OF the country and the degree OF conf
dence enjoyed in business depends on the
prosperity OF the agricultural commune
Z ity, and at the present time industrial
development Is making far greater pro-
gress In proportion than farming. 1t is
no wonder. therefore, that unexampled
opportunities arc opening to young men
IN the South along agricultural lines.
Everywhere there la evidence of the need
OF better methods OF farm practice, more
careful and rational tillage Of the soil.
the application OF fertilizers adapted to
- Ltx,t,
they are applied, and the adaptation and
utilization OF labor-saving machinery to
supply in part the need OF the vanishing
negro la orer.
Leadership of High Order.
Do these things not call for leadership,
and leadership OF the highest type, Skill
is at a premium in every business except
that OF agriculture. and It Is gratifying to
know that the highest type OF Intelligence
on the farm Is now generally appreciated
and the need OF agricultural education n
recognized necessity. Educated leader
ship is therefore the slogan Of the farm
er OF to-day, and in a practically virgin
field, what greater opportunity can
young man wish for? Control OF markets
is an excellent thing, but very difficult
OF accomplishment. On the other hand.
the cost OF production can be mnimized
materially on many n farm crop. and the
certainty OF producing crop, unless
extreme climatic conditions intervene can
be Increased SO per cent. by the appica-
ton OF better methods OF cultivation.
It is surely a delightful and inspiring
thing to learn that the young men OF the
South are realizing more fully than ever
before the opportunity before them 10
become the leaders in agricultural thought
and practice, and to become an insTiIa-
Z ltion to their fathers and brothers. who
1 have not enjoyed equal privileges With
81 them 1t Is great pleasure. therefore.
to record the growing interest In educa-
ton that makes men both scientific and
practical, that trains both the mind and
the hand, and that teaches men how to
overcome difficulties through the assist
ance of science that have been regarded
as insurnountable for years and years.
That agriculture is vocation COM
manding the respect and attention of our
community is witnessed by the accompa-
nying picture of the graduating class In
agriculture and horticulture IN this In
stitution. These young men represent
every section OF the State and are the
scions OF q distinguished ancestry. which
OF itself Is most encouraging sign of
the times. We have every reason to feel
proud OF these young men, for they have
distinguished themselves in every walk
OF college life and 60 forth Into the world
with abundant promise OF giving noble
< account of themselves in their chosen voca-
ton. The mere fact that such large
number OF men should be following agri-
culture and horticulture as vocation Is
an evidence OF the trend OF public senti~
ment and indicates the widespread recog-
milton of both the need and the value OF
agrlculHral education.
Graduates and Their Plans.
The names and address and future
plans OF these young men may be briefly
5 indicated as follows:
Alfred Wilson Taylor, Knoxville Knox
county, Tenn, expects 10 pursue technlea
work in agriculture.
John Walton Grandy, Jr., Norfolk, Nor
folk county, Va, will follow Horticultural
James Hubert Broce, Blacksburg, Mont
gomery county, Va, will follow orchard
ing.
Edward Madison Mccullough, Blueheld
Mercer county. W. Va. expects 70 pursue
special work in agriculture.
Bernard G. Anderson, Farmv1lle, frlnce
Edward county. Va, Will ro!loW eAper1'
mental station work.
Alfred Washington Drinkard, Jr.. Wes'
Appomattox. Appomattox county. Vat
will pursue advanced studies In hortlcul
ture.
Randolph Preston Cooke. Bon Air, Ches
terrified county, Va, will follow specia
work along agricultural lines.
William Ludwell Owen. Turbevile, Hall
fax county, Va, expects to follow special
work in agriculture.
William Bowen Oglesby, Draper, Pulas
X! county, Va, will follow postgraduate
work In agriculture.
Frank Moore Humphrey Paxson, Lou
doun county, Va, will follow orchardinl
In Ioudoun county.
Edward Garter Turner, The Plains Eau
QUEER county, Va, expects to follow farm
Ing In his home community.
John Houston squires, Charlotte. Meek
lenburg county, N. !. G., expects to talk
up investigational work In agriculture,
Thomas Barksdale Hutcheson, Charlotte
Charlotte county, Va, expects to foloy
experiment station work.
Richard Turner Pratt, Port Royal, Car
oline county, Va, will pursue POSTCARD
uate studies in agriculture next year.
The Basis OF Wealth.
n. The wealth. the happiness and th