The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-05-13
A GREAT MEETING.
SECRETARY WILSON GREETED
By A THOUSAND FARMERS.
The Most Representative and Largest
Assembly of Farmers Ever known
In the History of South Carolina,
Said Commissioner T.. j. Watson.
From the Daily Item, May 8.

NA"Hi VIC D"iiS iteIIi, May 3.
The Farmers Meeting, held in the
Opera House today in honor of the yis-
1t of Hon. Jas. Wilson, secretary of az
riculture. to Sumter, was the crown
ing achievement of the week. The
building was crowded. stage, orches-
ira and balcony, and it was a real
farmers meeting, not political
meeting of near-farmers. Fully sew
enty-five per cent of the assembly
were farmers. They represented, per-
hapss 6. majority Of the counties Of
the State, but the greater part
came, Of course, from Sumter and
adjacent counties. The speeches
were all speeches for farmers and
had solid, substantial value-hard
facts. not generalities. 1t was a great
meeting and nothing that the cham
Der Of commerce or the city of Sum-
ter has ever conceived or carried out
begins to iequal this meeting in i'm
portance, in lasting value and as an
incentive to, other meetings on similar
lines here and elsewhere.
Mr.. r. I. Manning, as president of
the Sumter County Agricultural So
ciety and as chairman Of the Sumter
chamber Of commerce. to whom had
been assigned the duty Of welcoming
the farmers of South Carolina to
Sumter. performed that duty in a fe-
fictitious manner referring to the
pleasure that he felt in extending a
welcome to so large and so represent
ative a gathering Of farmers and the
pleasure that all present felt in hay-
ing with US the distinguished head
of the Agricultural Department and
other able and efficient workers in
that department-the branch Of the
government that is doing the most
practical good for the people of the
United States, Hon. Charles s. Scott,
Hon. A. #. Lever and other distin-
guished guests.
At the conclusion Of his address of
welcome he introduced Mr.. E. ].
watson, commissioner of agriculture
and immigration Of South Carolina,
the working head Of the industrial
branch OF our State government.
Mr.. Watson introduced Mr.. b. Har-
ris, president Of the 8. c. Farmers
Union, who briefly responded to the
address Of welcome. -
Mr.. Watson then made a brief
speech. the text Of which was the sig
nifcance OF this meeting, which fore
shadows q new era In agriculture and
Industry for South Carolina.
The prearranged programme,
which Is reproduced herewith. was
then taken up.
''The Need Of Better Farming
Methods and Seeds in South Caroli-
na"-Prof. ]. N. Harper. Clemson
college.
"The Necessity for and Benefits of
Farm Demonstration Mork"-Mr. T.
p. Campbell. in charge of federal,
THE Live Stock Industry and In
terests Of South Carolina"-Mr. B.
Harris.
Cotton: Needed Improvements in
Baling, Handling and Marketing
Mr.. w. o. Moore. Greenville former
special agent to Europe of the Farm
ers' Union.
Corn Growing and the Need for
Observation-Disclosures. McIver William
son. originator Of the Williamson
plan."
"The Trucking Industry on the
Coast: Its Possibilities as Affected by
the Drainage Of Costal Lands"-Hon.
James Cosgrove, Charleston.
''The Fruit Industry and Its Needs"
Col R., B. Watson, Ridge Springs.
The speeches were all brief, prac.
tical and to the point, any ohe OF
them would have amply repaid all
the trouble and expense of the meet.
Ing. The farmer who received these
speeches with an attentive ear has
food for thought for a lifetime.
Hon. A. F. Lever was introduced
by Mr.. Watson to whom, he said,
more than any other man Is due the
presence of our most distinguished
guests, Hon. James Wilson, Hon.
Charles s. Scott and Prof B. T. Gal
ioway. He felt that Mr.. Lever should
Introduce these gentlemen and to
him he would assign that we'll merit
ed honor.
Mr.. Lever was received with a storm
OF applause and he stood bowling and
smiling his appreciation Of the cor
dial welcome until the ringing cheers
and hand clapping subsidized. Mr..