THE PKO GEES SI Vjkf OCTOBEE J75 1887.
L. L. . POLK, - Editor.
Raleigh, N. C.
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RALEIGH, N. C, OCT. 27, 1887'
I This paper entered as second-clam matter at the Post
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THE STATE FAIR.
Never in the history of the North
Carolina Agricultural Society has it
"been subjected to such a trying ordeal
as the one through which it passed
last week. The hopeful spirit of our
farmers, the good crops, the thorough
advertising, the cheap rates on rail
roads, the liberal premiums offered,
all conspired to make the outlook for
the most successful Fair ever held in
the State, most auspicious indeed. But
alas, for human hope and human cal
culation ! Tuesday morning the
11 leaden sky " seemed to hover on the
house-tops dark, dreary, drizzling,
dripping clouds drenched the earth,
and thus it continued until Thursday
night. Sweet young girls, gallant
young men, sturdy farmers, horse-
jockeys, draymen, hackmen, hotel and
boarding house keepers, railroad men
all, at first looked perplexed.
Weather vanes on public buildings
were consulted to see if it was a " reg
ular northeaster," weather bulletins
were examined to know when a change
would come, but all to no purpose.
Still they came on every train by
hundreds and thousands, as if determ
ined to have a good time any how
Mud, slush, water everywhere ; but
they were not to be deterred. Never
were so many umbrellas and wraps
and drabbled dresses seen on the
streets of Raleigh ! at any one time ;
still they laughed and joked and pad
died on ; still the hacks and street cars
and hotels and stores and trains were
crowded; still they would go to the
Fair. Monotonous, dreary, drooping
and murky weather, and jolly) joy
ful, bouyant spirit, characterized the
occasion. The programme was utter
ly demolished, but the officers and
people took it all in the best possible
T ,,-VT 1?1 . ' 1
mooa. " iNounng iiKe it nas ever
been seen in the State, if it hadn't
rained," was heard on all sides. But
it was not all a failure. Floral Hall
was well filled with most creditable
exhibits of the handiwork of the ladies,
displays of musical . instruments, mer
chandize agricultural products, &c,
&c The display of poultry was never
better, and by those competent to
liirlrwA it- .'J ii , .1 'i
juu&0) 15, gam inai lt wag tne Dest
collection of , fine stock ever, seen o
the grounds. , , , . , . -, .
Mr. J. L. Stone, one of theTnost
successful advertisers in the State,
adopted a novel and most admirable
method of attracting the crowd to his
magnificent display of musical instru
ments. , Securing the 1 15 pound
pumpkin of Mr. W. C. Stronach, he
offered an organ as a prize to the for
tunate one who should guess thenum-:
ber of seeds it contained) and bf the
thousands who guessed, only one, Mr.
A. N. Butts, of Durham, happened to
name the luckv number 612. One
guessed 611, and.five otfiers 613. We
Jearn that Mr. Stone will give away a
magnificent $400 piano at our next
Fair.
. Sauntering through the ladies' de
partment, with its dazzling and almost
bewildering display of handsome ar
ticles, we were especially attracted by
feather work by Miss A. W. Duffy, off
Newbern, which would have done
credit to the skill of a professional
Parisian artist. Miss Helen Moore, of
Greenville, Pitt county, exhibited as
handsome piano cover as was ever
seen in the building. Little Mary
Palmer Mills, of Raleigh, showed
wonderful skill and taste in a crochet
dress for a doll all in one piece.
Little Minnie Sewell, of Raleigh, with
out the aid of lessons or instruction,
presented crayons remarkably well
executed. Master Frank N. Cook, of
Louisburg, son of Hon. C. M. Cook,
aged 11 years, exhibited crayons and
oil paintings which evinced remark
able talent. He should be cultivated
under the best Masters. Some lace
work by Mrs. J. N. Pogue, of Raleigh,
attracted universal attention and ad
miration, as delicate a gossamer and
as perfect as machine work. A crayon
portrait of a child by Miss Roberta
Best, daughter of R, W. Best, was so
well executed that it looked like a
thing of life. The delicate embroidery,
the folds, and even the shades of the
folds in the dress, were most beauti
fully and artistically brought out. We
saw among the relics an all-wool
coverlet, 150 years old, woven by a
girl 16 years of age and wonderfully
preserved. An elegant counterpane
made by Mrs. Rebecca Williams, of
Warren county, 100 years ago. We
shall endeavor to notice some of the
fine stock on exhibition as soon as we
learn the winners of the premiums.
The gentlemanly bearing of Chief
Marshal Jones and his fine looking
body of assistants was a subject of
remark at all times and places. Gov.
Scales, Capt. Denson and Gen. Ran
som all made happy little speeches at
the opening of the Fair. The speech
of Col. T. M. Holt, at the reception of
the Trades Procession, we think was
the best speech of his life, and we
hope to publish it. The response by
W. N. Jones was well timed and gave
universal satisfaction. The reunion
of the veterans of the 1st N. C. Cavalry
was not largely attended, but it was a
genuine old-soldier greeting.
We share the general regret that
the untiring, unselfish and patriotic
efforts of Col. W. F. Beasley, on be
half of the old disabled soldiers of our
State met with no more encourage
ment. He has labored with a zeal
and devotion in this noble cause,
worthy of all praise and admiration.
The State Farmers' Institute, al
though disarranged by the weather,
was voted unanimously a big success.
Inspired by the evident and grand
success which must have signalized
this Fair in all its departments, but
for obstacles beyond human control,
the friends of the Institution must go
to work at once with renewed energy
and determination to make the State
Fair of 1888 not only the best and
biggest Fair ever held in the State, but
to make it the leading Fair of all the
South. It can be done and it must be
done. ;
- .
Letters of inquiry from all parts of
the State show the deepest interest in
the Alliance movement. The work of
organizing will begin in earnest in a
few days.
THE FARMERS' STATE,.: I1JSTI-
If any could doubt the 'deep and
earnest interest that pervade3 the whole
farming class of our people, such doubt
must have been dispelled by the large
numbers who came from all parts of
ithe State last week, chiefly to attend
the Farmers Institute. We met gen
tlemen from at least a dozen counties,
who told us that they " came expressly
to be present at the Institute."' And
notwithstanding the continuous rain,;
day and night, and the slush and mud,
they were on hand , at each meeting
and evinced the deepest .interest. All
were delighted with the proceed ings,
although the programme : was . disar
ranged by the difficulties, growing out
of the unfavorable weather. We are
satisfied that hereafter the .Farmers'
State Institute is to become one of the
prominent , and most interesting fea
tures of the Fair; No session could
be held on the grounds.
On the night of the 9 th a large
crowd assembled in Commons Hall
and Dr. D. R. Parker, promptly at 30
minutes past 7 o'clock called the In
stitute to order, and in a characteristic
speech introduced Dr. Bird, of Ran
dolph county, who read an able paper
on " Grass and Clover," discussing the
peculiar merits and characteristics of
such species as are best adapted to
our climate and soils. His essay
evinced a familiarity with his subject,
which could have been acquired only
by hard study, wide research and
much experience. Lively after-talks
on this subject were made by John
Dorsett, C. McDonald, B. F. Hester,
A. Mclver, Dr. R. H. Lewis, A. Graves,
J. J. White and others.
The Chairman then introduced Mr.
Jno. Robinson, Commissioner of Agri
culture, who read a carefully prepared
paper on the great advantages of dis
cussion among farmers of those sub
jects in which they are directly con
cerned, and of the absolute necessity
of diversified farming in the South
and spoke hopefully and encouragingly
of the future of agriculture in the
South. Suggested that the State
Farmers' Institute be made a perma
nent institution, and was authorized
to tender a portion of the Exposition
Building for that purpose.
Prof. F. P. Venable, of our State
University, was introduced, who read
a most interesting and valuable paper
on "The Chemistry of Wines," and
stated he and Prof. Phillips had
analyzed a number of wines manufac
tured in our State and would most
gladly analyze any native wines sent
them at Chapel Hill. He presented a
table showing the analysis of a num
ber of native wines.
The Institute then adjourned to meet
again tomorrow.
Commons Hall, Oct. 20, '87.
Dr. D. Reid Parker opened the In
stitute promptly at 7: 30 and presented
a paper on "Plowing," by D. M.
Payne, of Randolph, which was kindly
read by that magnificent reader W. H
Burkhead, of the Tobacco Plant. We
hopS to present this philosophical and
practical paper to the readers of The
Progressive Farmer, for although
the oldest of agricultural implements,
and although every negro in the South
thinks he is a superior ploughman, the
reading of this paper will convince us
that this old and familiar implement
is not understood by one-tenth of the
men who follow it.
This was followed by Dr. D. W.' C.
Benbow, of Greensboro, on "The
Profits of the Cow," who dived right
down into his subject and took his
audience with him, and kept it with
him until he finished.
Dr. R. H. Lewis, of Raleigh, was
next introduced, who gave a splendid
talk on the new but most important
subject " Silos and Ensilage." :
Dr. Lewis, without the slightest
effort to " make a speech," has the
happy faculty of holding the fixed at
tention of his audience. His talks are
so smooth and well connected and so
clearly expressed, "that a verbatim re
pprt; of HbemJ would reaiwell. He
illustrated the "silo and the filling it
with a jnodel .which ', was sent to Mr.
Primrose by Prof. Myers, of the Mis
sissippi Agricultural College. In dis
cussing the merits of different crops
for ensilage, Dr. : Lewis stated that
corn gave 1 th'e greatest yield, but in
nutritive elements, clover or- the pea
vine were much richer. Numbers of
gentlemen propounded ' . questions
which were readily answered.
" The' Restoration ; of Worn-out
Lands," byi C. 'McD6nald was listened
to with unflagging interest through
out. He took the high ground that
we have no moral right to deplete, wear
out, rob and destroy our lands. "Any
fool," said he, " can wear out. and de
stroy good lands." ,IIe . used plain
and strong English, and his audience
were highly pleased. ' :
W. S. Primrose was introduced and
spoke on " Our Farmers'.Boysandour
State Agricultural and Mechanical
College."
We present this admirable paper
to our readers in this issue. Mr.
Primrose is one of the Trustees of
our Agricultural College and is apply
ing himself closely to the great work
entrusted to him and others, and his
thoughts are interesting and instruc
tive. That institution has no stronger
advocate, or more earnest and enthusi
astic friend, than Mr. Primrose.
The speeches and essays were all
good, and the influence of the first
State Farmers' Institute will be felt
in all parts of the State and will stimu
late our people to greater effort for
the improvement of our agricultural
ana industrial classes.
MR. W. G. UPCHURC
The State Agricultural Society did
itself honor in re-electing to the Presi
dency this most worthy gentleman
and splendid farmer and business
man. Under his administration, there
will be no such word as failure. We
believe that the unparalleled success
which all felt must have marked the
Fair just closed, but for difficulties
beyond all human control, inspired
every visitor with the fullest confi
dence in its management and will
secure to President Upchurch the
hearty co-operation and encourage
ment of hundreds in all parts of the
State who have hitherto appeared in
different to its success. Let the farm
ers all over the State and in all enter
prises designed for their advancement,
see to it that such men are placed in
charge of it and it will not be long be
fore they will see the agricultural in
terests of the State placed on a higher
plane.
FARMERS' INSTITUTE AND
STATE GRANGE IN EDGE
. COMBE. ce
The farmers of the East are begin
ning to move.X The State Grange will
hold its annualession at Tarboro on
the 15th and 16qi of December. At
the same time and place a County
Farmers' Institute will be held. We
hazard nothing in saying that this
will be one of the most interesting
occasions of the year. We are glad
to note this fraternal action on the
part of the farmers belonging to the
Grange and of those not connected
with it. It shows that a general con
viction is fastening itself on the minds
of all classes of thinkers among the
farmers that we must act together and
we predict that the day is not distant
when, even those distinctions among
farmers which now apparently divide
them, but which really exist only in
na me will fade away and one hundred
thousand farmers in our State will be
thoroughly and firmly bound together
for the advancement of their interests.
And we predict further that the farm
ers of Edgecombe will be among the
foremost in bringing about this happy
consumation. Let all the farmers of
that section be present. It will do
them all good.
r i . w j
in me scope oi its mgn aims and
noble purposes in its' possible capa
bilities for lasting good to the masses,
notning nas eveiengaged the minds
oi American farmers of superior mar.
nitude and importance to the Alliance
movement. r In all its plans, designs
and features, it is essentially progres
sive. Improvement, enlargement and
development must mark its every step
of progress. This must come of in
vestigation and study. Its true friend
and sincere promoter will ever be on
the Outlook to perfect its designs and
to increase, its usefulness. Hence
when our State Alliance met and
adopted our Constitution, it conceived
that a more efficient and more econom.
ical plan for organizing ? Alliances
could be devised than the one adopted
in other States. We are satisfied that
our State -Alliance found that plan. It
incorporated it into our Constitution.
But it will take a little time to perfect
and put the system in working order.
Better lose a little time and do the
work well and thoroughly. The Sub
ordinate Alliances are the stones in
the ground-work of the whole struc
ture. They should be of the best ma
terial, in the best shape and placed in
position in workman-like manner. If
the foundation be defective, the whole
structure must fall sooner or later.
Hence we gain time in this most im
portant matter, if we "make haste
slowly." Be patient, friends and
brethren. Our President is using
every effort to put good, safe, intelli
gent ' organizers in the field. He is
forking hard to perfect the plans
marked out in our Constitution, and
we feel safe in rjredictinp that, the '
- A 0
Alliance in North Carolina will ad-1
vance and develop under this plan as
rapidly as its most enthusiastic friends
could wish. We ventured to challenge
all our sister States, at the National 1
Alliance, by saying that North Caro
lina would bring up a report at the
next meeting that could not be sur-!
passed, if equalled, by any other State.
And we believe it will be done. It
cannot be done by rash or inconsider- i
ate work. If asked upon what the
Alliance must rely more than any-;
thing else for success, we should an-'
swer prudence, patience and fidelity.
Letters are coming in by every mail
asking us to send organizers. This ,
will be done as soon and as fast as
possible. Meantime, send on the ap
plications. We keep them on file to ,
aid our organizers in making out their
programme.
BIG MEETING IN GREENSBORO.
The NorthNCarolina Farmers' Asso
tion will hold its first annual meeting;
in the city of Greensboro on the sec
ond Wednesday W January next. As
will be seen by Reference to the pro
ceedings the fiiecutive Committee
held in this city lastweek, all arrange
ments for the accommodation of the
farmers will be made cheap rates
at hotels -end boarding houses and on
tq T i y-o i o ttqVi pnnnt.v in the.
State will be entitled to as many votes
as it has representatives in the lower
branch of the Legislature, but of course
can send as many delegates as it may
choose to cast that vote and to par
ticipate in the deliberations. The
Constitution of the Association says
those are eligible to membership only
whose chief interest is in farming.
Now let the farmers all over the State
take steps at once looking to a ful
representation of their respective
counties and see that they send their
best men. Let the farmers of this
good old State resolve that they wil
hereafter devote more of their time
and attention to their own business, an
let them show it by coming to our
meeting in Greensboro. It
grand success in this city on the
of January last, and we want it
grow and strengthen until it shal
recognized as a great power for g
in our State.
A WORD TO THE ALLIANCE