Greene County GaArchives News.....The State Agricultural Convention March 2 1875
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Denise Murphy denisemurphy13@msn.com October 27, 2004, 8:51 pm

The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA, March 2, 1875
The State Agricultural Convention.
The State Agricultural Convention was held last week as Thomasville.  The 
attendance was large and the proceedings marked with interest.  From the 
Thomasville Times we glean many interesting facts about the meeting.

Mayor Hansell delivered the address of welcome, in his handsome and terse 
style.

General Colquitt’s opening address was replete with sound sense, practical 
suggestions and the most enlarged and thorough views as connected with the 
progress and future of the State Agricultural Society over which he has so 
ably presided ever since the organization of the society.
 
Prof. E. M. Pendleton, of the State Agricultural College, read his third 
series of reports upon the experimental farm at Athens, which is under the 
control of, and conducted by the State Agricultural College.  This able and 
exhaustive report was listened to with the closest attention by all, who 
receive many valuable hints as to the manner and mode of culture, kind and 
quantity of fertilizers, together with many other eminently practical 
suggestions, which, if carried out, must and will prove a great benefit and 
saving to the agricultural classes of Georgia.

The Pastoral Ode, by Col. J. A. Stewart, of Atlanta, was a most happy and 
felicitous piece of composition, containing much which should be remembered by 
husband-men and house-wives.  Some of his hits were decidedly apropos, and 
brought down the house.

Prof. H. O. White of Athens, delivered an able address; giving the analysis of 
wheat, and pine straws, peas and fertilizers, fully sustaining his reputation 
as a scientist.

Prof. W. LeRoy Broun delivered his lecture on the “Supposed influences of the 
moon on vegetable and minimal life.”  The well known reputation of Prof. 
Broun, together with the interesting subject drew a packed house, among whom, 
[unreadable] the preceding day; were a large number of ladies.  The learned 
gentleman in an easy flowing style, proceeded with his subject, clearly 
demonstrating that the tickle goddess of night, really and in fact exerted no 
influence upon animal and vegetable life.  Many old theories were exploded as 
the sharp, glittering blade of science flashed and cut away theories which 
have long been held in common by a large portion of the civilized world.  As 
the professor proceeded with his lecture, applying strict scientific rules to 
all supposed influences of pale luna, one after another collapsed and 
evaporated.  However, frequent shakes of the head indicated that many still 
held that they thought it best to plant in the moon instead of the ground.

Dr. W. L. Jones of Athens delivered an interesting address on the value of the 
cotton plant, as a fertilizer.  This scholarly and searching production 
challenged the closest attention of the convention, and demonstrated that Dr. 
Jones knew exactly what he was discussing.  Much valuable and useful 
information was contained in the report.  

Dr. E. C. Hood of Columbus delivered an address on “Green Fertilizers.”

Dr. Hood’s lecture like all the others, was listened to with the closest 
attention.  The planters of Georgia are largely indebted to this distinguished 
gentleman for his scientific researches and experiments.

R. H. Hardaway, of Thomasville, read an essay on “Gardening.”  No paper 
elicited more attention or was received with greater satisfaction.  Rev. D. E. 
Butler said that there need be no further efforts made to find the original 
garden of Eden, that it was undoubtedly in Thomas county.  The convention by a 
rising vote testified their deep appreciation of Judge Hardaway’s address.

Mrs. Hardaway made mention in his paper of Mrs. Julia Mitchell and the Misses 
Bowman, of Thomas, for successful farming.

The ladies mentioned honored the convention by standing up and created great 
applause.

Dalton was fixed upon as the next place of meeting.

Prof. George Little, State Geologist, was invited to deliver a lecture at the 
next semi-annual meeting of the convention on geology, in connection with the 
agricultural interests in Georgia.  On the report of the executive committee 
was read announcing that the next state fair would be held in the city of 
Macon, commencing on Monday, October 18th and continue fiv days.  The fair 
will be under the exclusive control and management of the state society.

Mr. James Davison of Green, offered the following resolution which was adopted 
after some little discussion:

Whereas, since our meeting in August last, the Department of Agriculture of 
the State of Georgia, in compliance with an act passed by the last 
legislature, has been established, by his excellency James M. Smith, Governor 
of Georgia, appointment Dr. Thomas P. Janes to the office of Commissioner of 
Agriculture, who has fully organized the department, and has it not in working 
order, therefore.

Resolved, That this convention congratulate the farmers of Georgia upon our 
State having taken important steps for their benefit, and we earnestly 
recommend every one ot foster, encourage and assist the department in its 
efforts to promote the agriculture of Georgia.

Resolved, That we are gratified at the zeal and efficiency of Dr. Janes in the 
discharge of his official duties.  We recognize, already, the value of the 
department, giving promise of very great and very important assistance to the 
tilles of the soil.

Resolved, That we return thanks to the Commissioner of agriculture, for his 
zeal in the cause of husbandry; for urging the farmers of Georgia to pursue a 
sustaining home policy, and giving formulas for compounding cheap home made 
manures; for the valuable information given in his annual report and the 
circulars from his department, and especially for his rigid enforcement of the 
laws relating to the inspection and sale of fertilizers.

Gen. W. M. Browne offered the following resolution which was unanimously 
adopted:

Resolved, That the members of this convention acknowledge with heartfelt 
gratitude the generous hospitality and considerate attention which have been 
extended to us by the citizens of Thomasville during our stay in their city, 
and that we severally bear with us to our respective homes an appreciation and 
lasting recollection of the many evidences of friendship and goodwill which we 
have received at their hands.

Gorman, who is now a granger, and inclined to join the Baptists, was in 
attendance.  He had his locks curled with cuckle burs, and sprinkled with hay 
seed, giving him quite a unique appearance.  In short, Gorman is a full 
blooded granger, and is looking for some girl who wears homespun dresses and 
thoroughly understands the culinary department of a saw mill.

Triplett, the incorrigible and ubiquitous Triplett of the Times, was 
everywhere, his genial face rippling over with smiles and beaming with good 
humor.

Thomasville acquitted herself most nobly in the entertainment of the delegates 
to the Convention.  Every one seemed to exert themselves to make the stay of 
members of the convention pleasant and agreeable.  To the ladies of 
Thomasville much credit is due, for surely they have contributed in no small 
degree to his happy result.

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