The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-09-02
In the Interest of Rice Culture.

Editor Banner: Many of our people, especially
those owning allulia lands, are interested in pros
pective rice culture. The following letter has been
received from Judge Watkins:
Mnden, La, August Is, 1909.
Prof T. D. Burgess, Plain Dealing, La.
Dear Friend: Replying to your favor of the 9th
instant, will state that l have procured from the
Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. c..
the services of Messrs. j. A. Evans, w. F. Ward
and A. r. Right, who supposed to be familiar
with the questions about which you inquire. They
are to make addresses at Plain Dealing on Monday,
the 18th day of October, at eleven O'Clock. Mr..
A. r. Wright is thoroughly versed on the subject
of drainage; Mr.. J. A. Evans understands rice
culture, and Mr. Ward is specialist in the lines OF
animal industry, particularly in hog raising trust
that all the people interested in any of these sub
jects will come out on that day. | trust that you
will do all you to get crowd, and | am sure
that those interested will be greatly benefited
This is as near as l can come to complying with
your request. Truly your friend,
j. T. WATKINS.
Taking this matter up with our representative
citizens found that they unanimously in favor
of having barbecue or basket dinner to ittingy
celebrate the occasion and attract those specially
interested and people generally But as the date is
Monday we cannot have a barbecue and can
scarcely do justice to the preparation of basket
dinner. So | wrote to the Judge and received the
following answer from his son and Secretary:
Minden, La, August 26, 1909.
Nh Dear Sir: As Judge Watkins accepted an
invitation from the citizens of the Hawaiian Islands
to visit them and inspect their ports and harbors,
with several other members of Congress, he left
more than week ago to be gone several weeks.
In his absence, | have received your valued COM
munication of the 21st instant, and in reply will
state that believe that it will be advisable for the
matter to stand as it now is, with reference to
changing the date of the meeting at Plain Dealing,
which is now fixed for October 18th. | merely make
this suggestion it would be necessary for him to
advise the Department at Washington, the many to
whom a copy of his present iteniary has been sent,
and the change of form which he dictated for ten
thousand circulars to be printed.
While | appreciate the fact that the good people
of Plain Dealing are DESTROYS of making the gath
ering "a greater success by having barbecue or
basket dinner, still, | believe that you will agree
with me fully under the present conditions.
Assuring you that Judge Watkins vii; appreciate
the interest which you have manifested in this
matter and regretting very much that. he himself
is not here to attend to this matter, am with great
respect. Yours faltnfully,
4 w. K. WATKINS, Secretary.
Mr.. Guy l.. Stewart, Industrial and Agricultural
BILE of imparting information on this subject have
been invited to attend Among this NUMBER We
hope to have with US Messrs. Skannal, Ards ano
S. S. Hunter of Shreveport. The railroads have
been asked for special rates and we hope for
large attendance The meeting will be called at ter
O'Clock and every one will be welcome.
E. D. BURGESS.
\ Plain Dealing, La, August %, 1909.