The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-12
'. ?. is TRIBUTE
TO TH0S. 0. SANDY

Blacksburg. Va. July ll.--At A
meeting OF the board OF visitors of
the Virginia Polytechnic institute, held
a. Blacksburg. Va. June 80. the fol-
lowing paper was unanimously adopt
ed and ordered to he spread on the
minutes
The board OF visitors of the Viz
mia Polytechnic institute has learned
with deep sorrow of the death of T..
O. Sandy, formerly state agent Of the
extension work OF the V. +. /. The
high estimate Of the service OF Mr..
Sandy to the state of Virginia.
Thomas Oldham Sandy
Before farm demonstration was
VIZ II under way in other states and be-
fore it was ever thought OF fer VIZ
ginia, T. Q. Sandy was in demonstra-
ton work,
''on his farm In Sot,oway county
he worked out the fundamental prin-
cipies OF sound and successful farm
ing-namely deep blowing, lime as
necessity, rotation OF crops. iegumes
and f1rst-class live stock. He demon
strated on his own farm that the soy
called worn out soil Of Virginia woull
respond and respond at once to this
system. and that mixed grasses,
legumes and live stock could be sue
cessfully grown on even the poorest
lands properly handled. Possessing.
as he did in a most unusual degree. an
abiding interest in his fellow man and
his welfare. he did by precept and
example. pass on what he had found
to he good.
with genuine enthusiasm and
ca. nest zeal he took the message OF
better farming to neighbor. friend and
acquaintance and when the Virginia
State Farmers institute was organized
he was found proclaiming In his own
time and at his own expense this mes
sage to larger audiences.
''Iany men, now successful farm
ers, can definitely fix their starting
point as progressive farmers at some
meeting of the Farmers institute and
The source OF their inspiration in the
hearty. whoiesouled message of r. O.
Sandy.
TT was but natural-nay il was in
evitablep--that when demonstration
s ork was undertaken in Virginia tina,
r. o. Sandy was chosen to head the
work. 1t was In this big and broad
fi-'i Of endeayor. starting under many
ad erse conditions and in very small
way in two counties only. that the
real genius OF the man manifested it.
self His knowledge OF his subject
and his devotion to It; his kindly
| smile: his keen sense of humor: his
generosity and absolute unselfishness;
his wonderful tact. his modesty and
his Willingness to take suggestion and
Ito gain new knowledge from the ex-
perience of others: his wonderful faith
In the future; his boyish enthusiasm
and above all his deep rooted and
genuine love for the soil and for his
fellow man endeared him to hundreds
and thousands who came within reach
OF his influence.
MEN came to know aim, to love
| HIN and to follow him.
''TIe was the father of this great
niece of constructive work--this great
forward looking upward moving en-
| terprise---farm demonstration and ex.
teacion work in Virginia; and in his
years OF service probably did more
than all other agencies combined for
| tn agricultural uplift Of this state
"A farmer. a kind, sympathetic and
enthusiastic teacher friend to man
he has served well his day and genera
| ton and this old Commonwealth II 4
| better place because Of him."