The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-02-06
Subject Discussed at Insti-
lute Held in LumbertOn
Soil Improvement
Live Stock on Farm
-GroWth of Pecans-
Boys Corn Club Work
County Committee
OumbertOn RoberSOnian.


The farmers institute. held here in I
the courthouse last Monday was
conducted by Mr. w. n. HUT. State
I{orticulturist. The meeting was
opened at II O'Clock, and Mr.. L. 3. |
Parker, director OF farmers insti-
tutcS was the first on the program
arranged for Lumberton. Mr.. Par
i."" has for several years been con-
ucctcd with this department Of the
States work. and it is needless to say
that he always makes an interesting
talk q talk that every farmer in the
state should hear.
Mr. Parker confined his remarks
pIil. .ipally 20 the Improvement Of the
soil lie cited many instances where
old Worn-out plantations had been
made rich Ly the use Of improved
methods, He said IL q farmer would
receive good results from his soil he
must keep it supplied with those ele-
mcnts essential in the production or
good crops. and as an illustration Of
this cact he said that If Il man con-
tinnes 70 draw checks on bank
without depositing money in the bank
that some day his checks will be
coming back protest ed If the farm
cr viii rotate his crops properly he
viii always have TO his credit--in
those clements necessary for the
growing OF good CrOpS-a good sum
in the soil The soil is nothing more
than Il StorehouSe for the plants. and,
ter. keeping it replenished with food
for the plants. He said that a sand
he'd had in it elements Of plant food.
but that it would not produce crop
because of the absence OF some Of
the elements essential in the growth
Of y crop. After the soil has been
sufficiently supplied or stocked with
plant food then the soil should be
put IN condition that will allow the
roots OF the plants to gather the food
stored in the land--which is done by
deep blowing and the like. The Of
ficc Of the farmer is to convert plant
food into crops. and to fill this office
well he must keep his soil supplied
with f0od-if the merchant dOeSnt
Keep his stock repienished his good:
viii all soon be sold The soil is ths
nome or the plant, and the farmer
should endcavor to make it a com
fort.4bic one. There has been a grea
Improvement within the last few
s2"rs In farming, and Mr.. Parker as
sign ed as one Of the reasons Of thi
iact deep plOWing which, he says
ehIarSeS tho home OF the plant. Sol
Should he so prepared that it will
""id an abundance Of water, and 70
thiS deep ploWing is best-and plant
viii stand more dry weather. II
si'a that reports received from tn
hoys corn clubs showed that dee
cultivation was by far the best Their
must he in the soil plenty OF vcge
table matter. but the farmer shoul
'o Particular in this respect, for ther
can be too much of it, just as on
can put too much sugar in coffee
hnt vegetable matter is absolutel
NNHH'ai iuu ttSTc Is not nuCn OST
ger OF getting too much OF it. II
~ pidAned how plant food could b
s"nnii"d by the planting Of soy beam
'i"Ner, coWDc:iS. Vctch and the lil
ihose things will prepare the soil
better stand either wet or dr.
"e"taer. lie says that soy bear
""Ne on" Of the best crops that h