The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-04-02
Or. J. A. Holmes, Director of
United States Bureau of
Mines, Tells of This
OFFERS MORE ADVAN
THAN ANY OTHER STATE

1--OtIdltOh VI dSIllH2I On. II. ~, |
in ADDRESS at Alumni Dinner in
Washington, Declares He Knows of
No state and No People That Have
Made More Real Progress in Past
Ten Years.
That North Carolina as a State is
making great progress is recognized
throughout the country, and North
CaroIinians everywhere are taking a
just pride in the splendid advance the
State is making. 1t is a State Of ad-
vantage and opportunity equal to all
other states and superior to many.
This condition was ably and clearly
set uut by DIR. j. A. Holmes, the pres
ideut Of the University Of North Car
dina Alumni Association Of
ncr given by the Association
in Washington on March 27th.
Or. holmes, who was for many years
a professor in the University of North
Carolina and State GeOlogist, is now
Director Of the United States Bureau
Of Mines, Department Of the Interior.
Because of his attainments the de-
gree Of IL. D.. was conferred on him
by the University of North Carolina
sl u lCsSl I1C l. q
graduate Of Cornell University and
for the first time since his graduation
was present at the last commence
ment, and at it was elected president
Of the Cornell Alumni Association.
The address of DR.. Holmes at the
dinner Of the University Of North
Carolina Alumni Association in Wash
ineton Will be read with great inter
est. In it, discussing Progress in
North tarOlina.o he said.
Address of DR.. j. A. Holmes.
Tho best citizens Of a State are
those that make best use Of the re-
sources at their disposal for their own
welfare and for the welfare of the
State. The best States in the nation
the most efficient use of their advan-
tages in behalf Of both the temper
airy and permanent welfare Of their
citizens and of the nation. Such a
State is North Carolina.
North Carolina does not happen to
nave as great natural advantages in
certain directions as have some other
States, but she has a variety of i'm
portant that do now and
Will hereafter on a larger scale con-
Tribute to the permanent welfare OF
her citizens. l have travelled extern
slyelE in this country during the past
Ten years, and l know Of no State
and no people that nave made more
real Progress during these years thar
nave the people of North Carolina;
nor do l know Of any State that Of
fers a greater variety Of real advan
tages TO her citizens than does the
good old North State. For thirty
Years | have been watching her pro
sress, and la done what little
could to help that progress along. II
has been my good fortune to be sue.
GfcNpd 40 State GQO1OQlSf nv l)T
Joseph Hyde Pratt, who has done
more toward this progress than
could have done had l continued tt
serve ITS State Geologist.
The following are some Of the line
81 progress in behalf Of which W.
should combine all available influence
of the State and Federal governments
societies and individuals:
IN agriculture we hOu endeaVOr
ny preventing the surface erosion Q
The soils, by improved methods o
culture, by drainage of lou
swamp lands, by rotation Of crops, an
otherwise, TO make permanent the fer
HIly and productive power OF tn
farm IN every section Of the State.
By the Improvement Of the cOuntr
schools, the extension Of telephon
mes and the continued improvement
~ the public roads, we should en-
ueaNor to SO increase the advantage
~ the country life as to make it satisf
me demands and needs of the rura
population n keep the young peOpl
on the farm.
The building of township, count
ana state a should be encourage
~ every possible way az one Of tn
important agencies OF industrial de
.elopment. | am especially anxiou
70 see a series of good highways COZ
S,ructed in every county, and anon
me great and beautiful mountains {
western North Carolina. Good roal
mere will ope up the finest count
IN the world.
ihe forests should be perpetuate
and should be encouraged to cove
al n landed areas of the State tn:
are moro suited for forest growth tina