The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-13
EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
The Seahoard Air Line Proposes to Estab.
Ilsh One hundred Along Its System.
WILL HAVE A FARM EVERY TEN MILES
The object is to Show the World
Wbnt Southern Soil Gun BE Made
TO Do In the Way of Growing Di-
vcrsihcd Products-The Company
VIII Introduce New Crops.

Several Of the railroads Of the South,
recognizing the Importance of the agri-
cultural development of the country
through which their lines run. have es-
tabHshed experimental stations and i'm
migration and Industrial departments
with view to encouraging the settle
ment OF farmers from the North and
West. The Seaboard Air Line, however,
has taken step looking to the develop
ment of the country tributary TO II
that Is considerably in advance OF either
an experiment station or simple immi-
grafton departments.
ONE HUNDRED FARMS.
Allusion, is made to the organization
OF plans to establish 100 experimental
farms along the road, one farm 10 every
ten miles of its system. The manage
ment proposes to purchase 100 small
tracts of land along the road, and under
the direction OF expert, practical, aGri-
culturists show what Southern lands
are capable Of The company also pro-
poses to endeavOr to bring about the
greater divers!fication Of Southern crops
and for the introduction or crops not
grown in the South. BY recent expert
ments the Seaboard has proved that
other products, notably hops, not grown
in territory tributary ITO its road, can
be grown successfully, and these expert
ments have led the management to I'M
dertake experiments on a larger scale.
stations will not be large enough to be
financial burden ITO the railroad, but
at the same time will ne large enough
to amply demonstrate the best methods
OF crop-growinG and the best crops
adapted to the various sections of the
country.
NATURE OF EXPERIMENTS.
1t is proposed to experiment with "a
large number Of crops not now produced
in that s.territorS. such. as hops. broom
corn. New England beans, celery. sugar
beets, and other products which may be
made to profitably diversity the agricul-
tural interests of the region between
Norfolk and Atlanta.
The South annually spends immense
sums for products of this kind, which
are brought from other sections, and
which could be raised at home to even
better advantage than elsewhere. In
taking the lead in this kind of educa-
tional work, the Seaboard deserves she
heartiest commentator OF everyone in
terested in Southern advancement
These experimental stations will not
only prove of Immense valueGo all farm
ers now located along the line of the
road. but will be the means of showing
to Thousands of prospective settlers
from other sections what can be done
in the South. and will l.hus be the means
of greatly increasing immigration TO
that region.
WILL STUDY THE MARKETS.
This, however, is only part of the
plans OF the Seaboard looking to the
development of the territory along its
line. 1t is proposed to organize a de-
par.ment, which will not only have
charge of the experimental stations, but
which Will also give careful attention 10
the study of the best markets. to which
such produtcs should be shipped, thus
aiding the farmers in securing the
greate2t returns. Included in this gen.
eral work will also be special efforts TO
improve the grade of the livestock on
adjacent farms.
In connection with these plans. there
will also be established an industrial de-
partment, in charge of Mr. John IT. Pat
rick, or Pine Bluff, n. c., who for some
years was State immigra ton agent of
North Carolina, and who has of recent
Years been identified with extensive i'm
migration and development work at
Southern Pines and other points along
the line of this road.
The feature of the work will take in
the question OF making known the IN
dustrtal resources and capabilities of the
country, and of aiding to the utmost
extent in the development of manufac-
turing interests.
1t is said that 1t was to the success
OF the experimental farm of the Georgia
Southern and Florida railroad that much
of the immigration along the country
reached by that road was due
But this was only one extensive farm
and could not be seen by everybody
The Seaboard, on the contrary, in having
100 smaller farms, carries the work IN
a much greater extent and with promise
OF larger results.