The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-02
Agricultural Schools Ad-
vocated by Farmers
Institute.
PRESENT SYSTEM
ONLY A IRA VESTY
Country Schools Now Educate
for City Lifc-convict Labor
to Grind Lime for Farm
crs-Bill for Inspection
Of Seeds Is Favor
ed.

In advocating the need OF an agri-
cultural course in connection with the
public schools of the state before the
midwinter session Of tho Virginia state
Farmers Institute yesterday, several
speakers, including members of the
Legislature and superintendent of Pub
lie instruction Joseph D. Egglcston,
Jr.. stated that in spite of what was
being done the public school system
was not accomplishing the proper re-
suits in this state, or. for that mat
ter. in any part OF the United States.
Senator Charles u. Grayatt character
ICED the system as a travesty on edu-
cation, and Mr.. Eggleston spoke In
the same vein, saying that the country
schools hero and elsewhere were the
poorest kind OF limitations of the city
schools. They suggested plans where
By in cooperation with the schools
agriculture could be systematically
taught. which met with the hearty In
dorscment of the entire convention.
Both Senator Gravatt and Mr.. Eg-
gleston spoke in the highest terms OF
tho farm demonstration work now
going on among the sons of farmers
and conducted by demonstrators of the
United states government. They sus-
rested a plan for tho cooperation OF
the state Board of Agriculture. the
United States Department of ASricsl-
ture and the state Board OF Educa-
tion to increase the scope of that class
of work.
Addres, of President.
In htg report for the year President
westmoreland Davis discussed the
most important questions now before
farmers In q practical way. laying par
ticular stress on his plan for supplying
Virginia farmers with lime from state
ouarries at practically The cost price.
He got his idea from the State OF lili-
noig, where the plan OF working con-
ytcts in limo ouarr.es has proved most
successful. In reference to this impof-
tant question Mr.. Davis said:
During the past few years the
State of Illinois has caused Its peni-
tontiary TO furnish 10 the farmers OF
that State lime ground to finenesR
that passes 1t freely through screen
having sixteen mcshcs to the linear
inch for 60 cents per ton, and the
railroads, with foresight and public
spirit we'll worthy OF emulation mere.
aro hauling this product at y cent
q ton per mile: minimum charge, 20
rents per ton.
THE greater part of the land in Nir-
Sinla is acid. and all af it needs lime.
Legislation should be had establishing
uuarries TO be worked By conVicts at
points In the State where limestone
or shells can be ground and distrib-
uted throughout tho state most eco
nomically The oyster shells of the
Tidewater region should. If possible,
be utilized for that section. while the
limestone region should supply the sec
tfioua tributary thereto.
Charge Should DC Small
II have no sympathy with any sort
OF special legislation. believe that
the establishment OF quarries from
which our farmers may secure at a
minimum charge lime for application
to their land Is O step vital TO the gen.
eral welfare OF our whole State.
years of unscientidc cultivation
followed by great social and eco
nomtc revolution, have left much OF
our land in deplorable condition, and
there is not, in my opinion. an acre OF
land within the State which will not
be Immensely increased In value
through its increased productiveness
by the use of lime.
"At present lime is luxury to the
farmer. 1t should be regarded as 8
necessity. The high prices charged fol
lime by companies governing It's pro
tant charges demanded for its trans
portation by common carriers, have un
duly limited its use and checked the
rehabilitation Of our soils.
Il DO not advocate legislation tina
will cost the State penny other thai
the use of a portion of its convicts. q
would take. however, advantage o
every opportunity TO increase our pros
perity and the value of our land with
"a lt,,rr Jt,1, fsI a A
Best Use of Convict Labor.
Tho use of conyicts for the better
nlcnt of conditions in the State, rathe
than their letting by contract is nov
generally accepted as our proper pub
lie policy. Quarres may be operate
conjolntly for the furnishing OF tn
materials for roads and for the grind
Ing of lime for our farmers
II am an ardent advocate of goo
roads TO supply lime to the farmt
at minimum cost will do much
procure them However, much we ma
talk good roads, in the last analysis
that question, we shall find that the
are not to be had for the asking. The
arc costly to build and the none
necessary for their equipment az
maintenance is only to he had by tax;
ton,
while 1t is true that upon the u
auguration OF system of good roa'
most of 49, good things of country II
are attendant 1t is also equally tr,
that a community happy in its i
creased productiveness, is -more like
and better able to construct mod
highways than ono whose natural L
sources are dormant, undcvcloped N
neglected.
with Increased prosperity Will cor
the ability as we'll as the purpose
construct and maintain good roads.
I'VE shall expect, too the ralroa
or Virginia to be as publlc-spirlted
those OF Illinois have been in the me
ter of reduced cost OF transportatic
Our advantage will be their gain. Il
lining of the lands of the state w
add to their earnings through t
I, Z, IL &, i, Ia