The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-31
FARMERS GATHER
AT. ALL-DAY PICNIC
Given at Model Farm at Ivor to
Families of Southampton and
Adjourning Counties.
Special to The Times-Dispatch.1

Especial to The Times-Dispatch.1
Ivor, Va. May ao.-Proper fertiliza-
ton OF land to increase production;
moro oonyeniencos In the homes on
the farms to tighten the labors OF the
women; encouraging young men and
women to remain on the farm by
giving them social centres: tho work
OF the state Department of Asricul-
ture in scattering Information bone
fetal to the farmers and tho work OF
the State Department of Health in
safeguarding the health of tho farm
er, as well as the residents Of cities,
were the subjects emphasized By
speakers to-day at the first annual Nav
picnic given the farmers Of South
ampton and adjacent counties at the
model farm of tho Norfolk and West
ern Railway. located here.
Upward Of 300 farmers. including
their families. accepted the invitation
OF the Norfolk and western Railway
to the picnic, and there were people
from as far East as Norfolk and as
far West as Radrord. The day was
pleasant and the hundreds of visitors
spent the morning viewing the places
OF interest about the noted Ivor farm
AT noon luncheon was served on tho
90" ~ Ina IL WIS typical country
luncheon topped with ice cream, coffee
and lemonade
President l.. +. Johnson wired his
regrets that he was detained in Phil
adelphia. and could not be present:
Hon. j. d. Eggleston, the newly elect
ed president OF V. 2. l.. was detained
on account OF illness, as was also e.
+. Guzzard. county demonstrators.
Judge George L. Cagseu OF East
ba Ave-
paid tribute To the nag drapcd over
the porch. compimented the beautiful
women and gallant men OF this sec
tion and urged that all the farmers
get together in social gatherings.
In sympathies and in efforts to bet
ter their farm work conditions. lie
emphasized that no county was better
than Its people make 1t, and no worse
than they permitted II to be-
He urged the Importance of the ball
lot in bringing about needed reforms.
and told the farmers that the character
OF the man they chose to make the laws
was clearly up TO them. as the women
had no voice in the ballot He enid
the high cost of living was due to ex-
travagance. Buying an auto when not
able TO afford a spring wagon. was
ctred as one cause of high living Econ
omy. the speaker said. should not be
practiced to the point OF stingiuess,
or. the State and the nation. He de-
nounced class legislation. and urged
that the farmers get together in all
progressive things and not TO turn a
deaf ear to suggestions made by the
State Department Of Agriculture. al
though they may be untried and of the
progressive order.
Other speakers were r. o. Sandy, the
exponent of concentrated farming, who
urged the placing OF greater conve-
niences in the farm homes; George w
DINER. Commissioner of Agriculture.
who said the department was always
willing and anxious to answer all cues
tons made by farmers, and eager to
cooperate with the farmers in bring
ing about greater production and better
conditions among the farmers He
said the most encouraging thing to
him was the fact that Virginia leads
all Southern States in the number Of
farmers who own their own property
j. S. Gates and DR.. a. s. Freeman also
spoke. the former on social communi-
ties TO brighten the life of the country
boys and girls. and the latter on the
work being done by the State Health
Board to eradicate disease and improve
the health of the State.
Music was rendered by the Ivor Band