Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-03
ARKANSANS WON
BY SUMTER CROPS
AND HOSPITALITY
Loud in Praises of Crops,
Energy and
Roads

With hearts bubbling over with
gratitude for the hospitality they had
been shown during the entire time
of their stay here, and their heads
and note books full of information
gathered from the amazing agricul-
tural development seen in their trip
of nearly 80 miles through rural
Sumter county, the special trainload
of 152 Arkansas farmers, bankers
and other business men left Ameri-
Gus at IL 80 last night for Athens
where they are spending today view
ing the agricultural college.
Their visit to Sumter county Us
a revelation to them. Scores ad-
mitted it to each other, and their
remarks to each other as they rode
through the country, overheard by
the drivers and other local men ac-
companying them, furnished the evil
dence. Many declared they had
learned enough the first day of their
weeks trip to amply repay them for
the time and expense of the entire
tour. 1t appeared that the produc-
ton in Arkansas is not high enough
because the rich land produced too
much plant and too little fruit. The
visitors learned how to control this
most parts of Arkansas commercial
fertilizer is unknown. They learn
ed here what can be done by its
use.
Fields Show at Best
Monday forenoon was spent in
the, eastern and southern section OF
Sumter county. The afternon was
spent in the southern and southwe-t-
ern section. A refreshing shower
had fallen during the noon hour and
the fields showed at their best. The
crops also looked more vigorous, and
the favorable impression created by
the morning trip was cllnched by
the beautiful fields seen in the after
noon.
The visit of the Arkansas men was
brought to a fitting and happy close
bv the banquet at the Windsor in
the evening, given jointly by tine
Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. More
than 200 men were seated, mostly
guests, and the members of both
clubs were on hand in full force as
a reception committee. On this oc-
casion the guests were warmyl well
coined and dined, and through prac-I
tical ks and answering of ques-
tions. .iven the facts they sought
in connection with their trip fol-
lowing the actual viewing of what is
being done here in the fields.
One matter of universal comment
and praise from the visitors was
Sumter county's good roads. Mile
after mile was passed over, with ey-
erv foot as smooth as a floor. In
places owing to recent working ano
q drv period of two weeks the dust
was disagreeable. 81 have travel
ed by auto over many states OF the
north and middle west," said rep
resentative of the party, and
have never seen dirt roads so good:
I am tempted to move to Georgia.
Another man, J. R. Alexander, Oh
near Little Rock, extensive planter,
head of the state agricultural
hoard. and one of the most progress
siye men in the state frankly de-
clared that the roads passed over
were unsurpassed in his experience
Handling is Praised:
The handling of the whole a11alr
here came in for generous praise
from the visitors. Partlcularly was
this true of J. E. Hightower, chair
rnan of the transportation committee,
who handled the dispatchlng OF all
~ 20 cars. "He must have been
an old circus transport mar" SAID
one of the party. But Mr.. High
tower did not take all of the credit:
Every man deserves an equal share,
he said today, "for every driver OF
car carried out orders precisely, and,
of course, there was no trouble ana
no mix,lps. | want to thank every
man who helped in any way. Inc
others who arranged the entertain
ment were frequently compllmented,
every facility being provided Ior Cne
comfort and convenience of the VS.
itors during their stay, ..-
The big feature Of the afternoon
trim was the stop at Plains. There the
townsneople were on hand to extend
q real welcome, and befo departure
erte1 tanned the visitors VITA melon
cutting in the grove near the business
r. section AS the visitors unloaded from
v their cars they were greeted by
MAGNIFICENT agricultural display, ar
ranged along the main street. Here
were bundles of wonderful corn, cot
ton. peanuts, alfalfa, velvet beans,
sweet potatoes and other crops
40 Bolls on Stalk
The cotton exhibited attracted the
most attention, the largest part OF
the visitors being particularly inter
ested in cotton culture on TINS TRIP.
One stalk, of below average size Tor
those shown, held 40 bolls, practically
all of them nearly matured: Inc
other stalks were well filled. On
display also were two huge country
cured hams, produced by ". W. Da-
Wis, but acquired by the Citizens COM
mittee for this occasion for presen-
tation to the two governors of Ar
kansas and Georgia, both of whom
were expected to be present. Govern