The Robesonian., 1918-03-21
THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE,
Farmers Urged to Grow Food Crops
10 Support the Boys at the Front
Farmers Institute Held at Ten
Mile Well Attended-Red Cross
Auxiliary Organized.

Several hundred people attended the
farmers institute held under the aus
plces OF the Robson county Farm
ers' union at Ten Mile yesterday. In
structlve addresses were made by In
A. H. Kerr, county farm demonstra-
tor, Mr.. I. 3. Parker, conductor of
farmers Institutes in North Carolina
and DR.. Jno. H. Jeffries, an expert in
gardening.
The institute was opened at II a
m. "America" was sung by the au-
dience and prayer was offered by Mr.
J. N. Regan.
Appeal for Organization.
DR.. Kerr was the first to speak and
he made strong appeal for the or
ganization of the farmers. He ex-
planned how the farmers of commu-
nifty, if properly organized, could get
the market reports and told of many
ways by which the citizens of a com
munity are benefited by being or
ganized. DR.. Kerr made a good i'm
preston upon the audience.
Farmers The Last Line of Defense
Mr.. Parker's address was in the ma
ture of a patriotic appeal He declar-
ed that any well-o"r ranized army had
several lines of defense. The young
men of our country, the speaker said
are making up the first line, and the
last line of defensc must be made by
the farmers Of the South.
The speaker declared that the peo
pie of America are facing a test that
should bring out the best of men anc
women. We as citizens of the United
States owe responsibility to oul
country and to our Cod. Robesor
county has already been honored be-
cause of the fact that at least two O.
her sons have given their lives for the
principles for Wh:ci? we are fighting
We must keep t'-e battle lines, il
Europe. If W f<,il to do this ther
they will come TO America, and ther
the American people will realize tina
war is going on.
Grew Food Crops.
! Declaring that all the allied soldier:
are our brothers, the speaker urged
the farmers to grow food crops and il
SO doing support the boys at the from
who are sacrificing their all for those
who are left at home. Unless we fur
we might as we'll surrender to Ger
many. Can we deny our own son:
this support? the speaker asked.
Il LII S1CSlIlS 1liS 1uOlCSS NlI I dI hC1
told of some plans for providing wate1
for growing crops. Plenty of vege
table matter he said, is one of thu
most important factors for supplying
water for crops.
Gardening.
DR.. Jeffries made a most instruc
tive lecture on gardening. The speak
er urged the Importance Of selecting
well-drained plots for a garden an(
also explained the Importance Of gooe
fertilization.
A picked male choir Furnished
splendid music for the occasion, which
as a whole was highly entertaining
and instructive.
! Mr.. w. P. Barker, ice-president O
the Robeson Farmers union, preside:
and introduced all the speakers.
After the speaking was over pub
lie dinner was spread on long tabl
in the grove. After all had feasted t.
their satisfaction many basketsful
were taken up.
Red Cross Auxiliary Organized.
A branch of the Lumberton Re-
Cross chapter was organized in tn
afternoon. Quite number of mem
bers joined.
}, Mr. Woodberry Lennon Of the Lum
berton bar made a stirring addres
on the work of the Red Cross befor
the organization.