The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-05-19

great communities and achieves other
great things.
He closed with a tribute to the pa
triotism and higher citizenship Of the
farmers and their hospitality, and
{ asked for close cooperation between
the city and the rural districts.
Prof. w. II. Barton, of Clemson COL
lege Farm Demonstration Extension
department. was the real speaker Of
the day. Prof. Barton is one of the
most fluent. and at the same time in
tensely interesting and practical
speakers Of this state along cooper
ative educational lines. He spoke for
nearly one hour and gave a very in
teresting and instructive lecture about
development of the agricultural re-
sources, soil culture, fertilization, con-
servation Of soil forces, the value of
legumes or heterogeneous plants, etc.
He graphically referred to the down
fall of the Roman empire as due to
ignorance of natural conservation
agencies in their soils which finally led
to agricultural stagnation and COM
mercial decay followed by hope
lessness and helplessness, social
degeneration. and finally to govern
mental overthrow. Professor Bar.
ton delved back into ancient
history to show the futility of soil
robbing' which is practiced largely
today H.,
He said that If he was asked what
was the cause Of the fall of the Ro-
man empire he would say lack Of
vetch and clover" because the Ro-
mans were the greatest soil robbers
Of history. They plowed three feet
deep and plowed the land from three
to seven times They knew nothing
Of the value of humus. Of legumes
which provide nitrogen necessary,
they were unfamiliar with the value
Of renewing vegetable matter in the
soil and humus to hold moisture.
The speaker referred to the rela-
tions between the producer, and COM
merce, government, society, and fin
ance. He showed the boys and girls
the important part the rural school
pupils will play in conserving the
civilization and the very existence of
their nation.
Prof Barton's lecture was one that
was profitable as we'll as interesting
and eloquent. His discourse was a
combination of information for young
and old. He was given liberal ap-
plause at the conclusion and was hear
tily thanked by his appreciative aud
Iience.
The exercises over, the audience
was invited to a bountiful repast in
the shape of an olden time picnic din
ner. Just as the prayer Of thanks was
concluded before beginning to dispose
of the tempting bill Of fare. one of
the heaviest downpours Of rain Of the
season began to fall.
Most Of the guests broke for cover,
some running to Mr.. Coleman's resi-
idence, some got under the tables,
others, including ladies and children,
took refuge in buggies, carriages, and
automobiles, but each and every one
carried their we'll filled plates with
them. A few, the hungry men from
Sumter" included, stood manfully by
their plates at the table, while few
of the undaunted, fair, and charming
ladies Of the community remained to
see that the dinner was not spoiled by
the rain.
But when the Clouds had passed
away the ladies began to hand
around chicken pie, chicken roasted,
fried, cooked in rice, on top Of rice,
underneath rice, and every conceivable
kind of chicken except. live chicken,
macaroni pie, lemon pie. potato pie,
cocoanut pie, cherry tarts, cake of six
different varieties. and other delicious
delectables too numerous to mention,
country cured ham, delicious biscuits
Of the Bob Jones' variety where the
first bite forms a half moon," inden-
ton and the second bite brings a to.
tai eclipse.
Everybody was happy and they had
a right to be. The ladies were gra-
cious and charming. ....
After dinner there was a meeting
held at the new school house to form
a rural school improvement society.
This was well attended and when the
Sumter party was leaving Chairman
Dabbs had talked up thirty EIGHT dol
lars from those Of the patrons pres
ent and was still talking.