The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-08-22


ural fertility of the soil of this state
mas enabled us ohaye as a rule good
crops without any special study or
preparation. As the forests are cut
away and the lands cultivated. there
is natural tendency of the land and
soil TO depreciate in the absence OF
scientifis farming. Our people are
now suffering from this tendency in
many sections OF the state. As long
as the new grounds" could be OPEN
ed from year to year, the old fields
could be permitted to waste, but the
grown Of our population renders ii
necessary at this time to study our
soils and conserve their natural fer
fifty. A farm life school will pre-
pare the farmers of the future to deal
with these questionsjust as our pro-
fessional schools are now training
physicians, dentists pharmacists and
lawyers TO deal with the problems in
cident to their professions. The far
mer has been neglected long enough
and we should avail ourselves of this
opportunity TO render him a service.
2. There is special reason why the
residents Of the City of Durham
should feel an interest in this. Most
Of our people are fresh from the farms
and have sentimental reason for
promoting Improvement and progress
there. But the people of the City of
Durham are directly interested in a
material way in this question. The
success of the different manufacture
ing enterprises has brought together
a large population within this city.
These people must be fed. We ought
not TO 10 koto Florida and other states
to the south and north of us for food
supplies. Durham is interested in
having fresh vegetables grown as near
the city as possible, and our interest
in this question is quite as great as
that OF the farmers who are growing
these products for the market. Many
of our people are engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits and it is TO the interest
Of these to have strong back coun-
try. The more numerous the coun-
try population. the more trade may be
expected by Durham merchants. As
the country population prospers our
merchants may expect their trade TO
prosper. During the last decade this
city showed larger percentage Of in
crease in population than any other
city in the state. tits not an ex-
aggeration to say this growth was due
to the grown OF manufacturing enter
priSes here. Some other cities in the
state grew al high rate without any
great increase in manufacturing en-
terprfses Their growth was due TO
the strength and growth OF the coun-
try surrounding those cities. Much of
their growth was due 10 good coming
from experienced farmers and scien-
tific methods OF farming While many
Of the farmers in Durham county have
done well. We must all recognize that
the attention Of the people or this
country has not been centered upon
agricultural enterprises. That field
now furnishes the finest opportunities
for progress and growth. The more
strength. wealth and prosperity we
can give our country people, the more
we can help ourselves. Therefore. in
my opinion any citizen Of this city
who feels that he has no interest In
the farm-life school makes a serious
mistake. Perhaps the most Just criti-
cism that can be directed to our coun-
try now Is that il is top heavy with
town. Recently we. by legislation,
added a township from neighboring
county. II We could qaadruple our
country population. the effect upon Us
Ell would be wholesome and good.
The farm-life school should and would
improve our farms. What makes for
the good OF the farm makes for the
good Of all
Respectfully yours.
VICTOR s. BRYANT.