The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-04-15
FARMERS TRAIN
Good Crowd Hears Lectures
Here.
THE SUBJECTS SPEAKERS, ETC.

The speakers on the Farmers lnsti-
tute train, which is in charge of former
State Senator J. j.. Owens, present d.
rector Of Institutes of the State Depart
ment of Agriculture, have had fine
crowds 10 address at the stopping points
along the r., +. & =. K. r.
The meeting at Guneas, in Caroline,
was held at lOo'clock Wednesday morn
ing.
The Farmers Institute train arrived
here about o'clock. There was fine
gathering of farmers from the sur
rounding section and citizens of Fred
ericksburg, who heard the addresses
with evident interest.
The meeting was called to order
here by Mr.. owen, who stated that
the department would forward liter
ature to all who would send names
to the Department OF Agriculture.
Soil Impro, ement.
MIR. Owen then introduced Mr..
w. ID. Zinn, of West Virginia. who
spoke on Soil Improvement" Mr..
linn stated that he was a farmer
himself and willing to answer any
questions as far as he could, that
no one could know all about agricul
ture. lie said he would talk in a
practical way. A farmer should not
depend on commercial fertilizer en-
tlrely for soil improvement. Keep
ing good grades OF live stock are
\ best methods of improving soil.
The handling of manure properly
is an important matter.
The speaker commended the WORK
OF Commissioner KOiner. saying that
he had done a great DIAL for the
/ farmers. The first year he an
swered SOC communications, last
year he answered $4,000. He spoke
OF the importance Of drainage OF the
/ land. OF the methods OF some farm
ers I'm this section in letting the
/ land rest" as they term II, which
was entirely wrong land could
not rest If no crop was on 1t, that
some crop should be on the land
every year.
The burning of corn stalks was
entirely wrong. They contain the
organic matter which the land needs
The same applies to broom sedge
in the fall OF the year.
One OF the serious mistakes OF
farmers is having the land bare In
the winter. There should be some
growth on the land. something
should be sown when the corn
crops are cut Crimson ,clover'Vetch /
rye and other crops are good
for land.
Fertilizer for corn should not be
run In the hill or row of corn, but
il should be put on broadcast. II IS /
important to mix the fertilizer well
In the ground.
A mistake is often made in cut
ting grass from the land as long
as il will pay to harvest the hay.
The sod should be turned under
while # is heavy. thus affording
large amount OF organic matter.
Glover should not be allowed TO
ripen its seed. II it does 1t VIII
not have the growth the follow
ing year. 81.
A great many soils need line
500 pounds OF lime to the acre
would restore the land in many IN
stances.
Corn Growing.
Mr. J. f. Gordon spoke on Corn
Growing" in a very interesting tax.
The corn crop was the most
important crop grown and the Uni
ted States the greatest corn belt III
the world.
There is too much guessing ABOUT
the methods Of farming ana no,
enough knowledge. Farmers should
study the conditions OF the farm ana
the needs Of the various crops.
He smoke OF the importance OF as
pertaining the depth which various
soils should be plowed; the ma'teI
was one of business and should De
studied carefully.
The selection Of seed Is aho'nel
important matter; tests should DC
made and prove the merits OF inc
various kinds Of corn. -
Another important matter Is lie
time of painting; corn should CONF
nm within a few days and not lay
In the ground. , oo~r
The continuous working OF corn
Is important in growing corn, a.
the last working some crop shou'S
hc sown. the crop should be lea
TO a good grade Of stock ana inc
manure turned back on the lanu'
A Talk ON Health.
Dr A s. Freeman. of the state
Health department. spoke on hook
worm and typhoid fever, the TWO
disaases 10 which rural life Is SUP
iect He referred to the causes Vi
bo,h of these diseases, OF their Ell
sects on the human system, OF the
drainage of the blood by the hooA
worm and the loss OF vitality III
nerson who Is affected by TINS dreau
disease. ~. ..oo, deal
VI Mr. Gordon spoke on the growing
-, notatoee as a profitable crop ana
,ho nroner methods and fertilizers
TO use. 10, from
These addresses, coming On
nractical farmers, cannot iall 10 10
a great deal of good, ana
nrxber Of farmers listened very a.
tentiyelv TO the information ana au
vice. .-.oooor coach
90 Of Farmers Institute tram | es,1
crowded while here. one being l'''
ed with colored people. Az u,sb
A large number OF the lat"
eobool students attended the spear
inc The Normal and Industrlal -,
stitrte colored, was well represent
The speakers spoke in rotation .
going from one car to the o.net
md in this way all heard eac"
sneaker in turn. ,d.,t-
'pI After the speaking the Visit
ora and a large number oil CITIZENS CITIZENS
rensired to the Casino Amusement n
comnany's picture show on Ooln ON.
Do street. where a matinee was
ni v 70 those to whom tickets nau
Sad been issued. The Dui'uins
uas crowded. The pictures per
tained 10 rural life, we're especianS
~nod and greatly enjoyed by tne
Sisitors who, do not have an oppoi
unity 10 see them often.
Tsken as a whole the DAY was
most pleasantly, and 1t is pellev '"ho
nrofitably spent by the farmers VINO
attended. ...o,-,,iavy-