The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-29

entertainments and for exhibitions or
shows to interest and amuse the poo
pie. would call II the High School
and Farm and make 1t the most at
tractive and inviting place in the coun-
ty It would soon become sclf-sup-
porting and In time Yield, over and
above all expenses, m annual income
to the school funds OF tho county, be-
sides being pleasing and ever-pres-
ent picture OF the best country life for
the encouragement and emulation OF
all the people.
Establish such n farm. and education
and agriculture will go hand in hand
and develop together superb and
incalculabe benefit to the State ofsVlr-
GINA. DO you not think that every
young boy would be impressed with
It's s,lggestiveness? Would he not say
to himself that he would like to have
Just such a farm and home? Would
not this wish sink deep into his heart
and memory, and would 1t not take
the place or the absorbing vision OF
life in the overcrowded. city or town.
which in reality has little indeed OF
the comfort and happiness Of life In
the country
The Desertion Of the Farm.
Our State. 1t is said Is retrograd-
ing: not keeping UP to the high stand
ard she has set for herself the past;
not keeping step with some Of
our sister States In agricultural
wealth and enterprise. II 1t Is
true. my friend. 1t is due solely
to the desertion by her sons of the
forming lands OF the State. and tile
pell- nell rush 20 the cities of the bone
and sinew of our material prosperity
| / tell you State is great and rich and
prosperous through and by reason Of
her great body OF thrifty. enterprisins
farmers. and when the farmer abap-
dons the farm for the city (and we
must not shut our eyes to the fact that
they are doing 1t, 1t is a sad day for
the welfare OF any State. And there
fore. I say. 1t Is for US to set an ex-
ample; teach the child the dignity and
honor and contentment, and happiness
that lie in agricultural persuits. Point
out the folly of leaving the home In
the country, to lose his indemnity and
exc out. perhaps. a miserable existence
| amid the turmoil. and selfishness, and
gree of the crowding city, and lift
II to his conatant gaze in the lorna =
| tive period OF his life the picture OF
such farm and home as l have just
suggested. Look to-day at the great
army OF unemployed in the large cities
| of this country. There are at this
| moment thousands Of men In Washing
ton city waking the streets In pow
lerty and misery with no work or occu-
| patton. who left comfortable homes in
the country. and who know well the
art of agriculture, but conceived The
fce4ish idea that farming was desrad-
ing and unworthy OF their best effort
and atention; forgetting that some
OF the greatest men of our nation. aud
the best educated anu cultured were
farmers. We need point TO no less
illustrious example than George Wash
ngton himself, or George Mason, ct
Gunston Hall. and many of the dis
tinguished statesmen since the birth
OF the repu1lic. who have dignfied
farm la-or as the highest and best
life that any man can lead.
| Have Every Facility.
The soil of Virginia is rich and fer
| tile; our people are the hest people IN
earth: our climate is unsurpassed our
government honest and able; our re-
sources almost boundless; our unde-
| veloped mineral wealth vast. and ret
underlined: our territory is expansive,
| and our broad area invites intelligent
| manhood to Its development and &c
| cupancy, and promises untold returns 10
capital. And believe the establish
mont high school and farm. rs
1 have indicated, will advance the agri'
i e