Robeson County Farmers Club, 1946

From the April 4, 1946 issue of the Maxton Citizen

The Robeson County Club was reactivated Thursday night as it met at the armory in Lumberton, and elected 16 directors to serve for the current year.

Frank H. Jeter, agriculture editor of N.C. State College, addressed the club, delivering a very entertaining and enlightening discourse on the prime importance of farming to the development and welfare of North Carolina.

Following the serving of an enjoyable supper by the ladies of Raft Swamp Home Demonstration club, the meeting was called to order by President Adrian B. McRae of Elrod. The invocation was given by W.M. Bethune.

Jasper C. Hutto, secretary of the Lumberton Chamber of Commerce, gave the address of welcome. C.S. Stafford, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Fairmont, responded with several humorous remarks.

George T. Ashford of Red Springs, president of the N.C. Ginners Association, spoke briefly on the progress of the campaign urging farmers to plant cotton as a sound part of a well-balanced farming program, and noted the importance of cotton in a well-rounded farming program in Robeson County.

C.E. Morrison of Rowland reported on the corn contest, which is being sponsored by the Robeson County Club. Mr. Morrison explained that prize money given for the contest had already been secured and asked contributions of the County Club members to finance the cost of measuring land and other incidental expenses to the end that the contest be conducted on a very high and impartial plane.

J.A. Sharpe, very active in the formation and development of the Robeson County club, presented the speaker, Mr. Jeter.

In Mr. Jeter’s address, he pointed out that there was no place under the sun where food was as plentiful as in these Untied States, specifically referring to the amount of food left on the tables after the meal Thursday night as an illustration. He reminded the audience that before the next crop is harvested, thousands of people will die the most agonizing of all deaths, slow starvation, because there is simply not enough food in the world today to feed the population. This condition, Mr. Jeter emphasized, was brought about by the failure of men to properly appreciate and work with the forces of nature.

He spoke briefly on the important contributions scientists make to the growing of bigger and better crops, and mentioned that their work resulted in new and better ways to plant crops, spray, treat land, breed animals, and grafting.

Mr. Jeter said that what has “made” North Carolina and Robeson County is what has been “dug out of the land.” Unwisely in some instances, said Mr. Jeter, but never the less coming from the land. Soil, he said, is the basis of wealth.