The Caucasian., 1897-01-07
One Hundred Experimental Farms to be
Established Along the 8. A. L.

EstAOll0hod Along the b. a. l..
The Seaboard Air Line has taken one
step, which seems to be in advance of
every other railroad in the South,
looking to the benefit of the agricul-
tural interests of the country tributary
to it and to the enlargement of its ef-
forts to attract immigration and capi-
tai for investment. This is to be found
in the organization of plans for the
establishment of 100 experimental
stations along the line of its road, Civ
ing one experimental point to every
ten miles of its system. 1t is proposed
by the management to take 100 small
tracts of land immediatly along the
line of it's road, and under the direc-
tiOn Of the best experts to utilize these
bodies of land for showing what can
be done in the diversification of farm
int rests and for the growing of farm
products not now raised in the South.
The experiments Of this company in
proving that hops and other products
not heretofore raised in that section
can be successfully grown in that
territory have shown to the officers the
wisdom of very greatly enlarging the
scope Of these experimental opera
tioEs. These experimental stations
Will AOe OC ioI &c CuOu6u W Uc . uuou.
cial burden to the railroad, but at the
same time will be large enough to am
ply demonstrate the best methods of
crOp-growing and the best crops
adapted to the various sections of the
country. 1t is proposed to experiment
with large number of CROPS not now
produced in that territory, such as
hops, broom corn. New England beans,
celery, sugar beets and other products
which may be made to profitably
diversity the agricultural interests OF
the region between Norfolk and At
lanta.
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 the
heartiest commendation of every one
interested in Southern advancement.
These experimental stations will not
only prove of immense value to all
farmers 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 thus be
the means of greatly increasing i'm
migration to that region.
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 de.
partment, which will not only have
charge of the experimental stations
but which will also give careful atten.
tion to the study Of the best markets
to which such products should be
shipped, thus aiding the farmers il
securing the greatest returns. In
cluded in this general work will alst
be special efforts to improve tht
grade of the livestock on adjacent
farms.
In connection with these plans
there will also be established an in
dustrial department., in charge of Mr.
John T. Patrick, of Pine Bluff, n. c.
who for some years WAS State immi
grafton agent of North Carolina, ant
who has of recent years been identi
f3ed with extensive immigration ant
development work at Southern Pine
and other points along the line of thi
road.
This feature of the work will take il
the question of making known the in
dustrial resources and capabilities o
the county and of aiding to the ut
most extent in the development o
manufacturing interests.
While one or two other Southern
roads have each established an expert
mental farm, and while q number Q
/ Southern roads have immigration an
industrial departments, We do not be
lieve that any one has laid out such
, broad plan as has been outlined by th
Management of the Seaboard system
; It was to the success Of the expert
mental farm of the Georgia S0uthef
. & Florida Railroad that much of th
, immigration along the country react
ed by that road was due. When Aajt
. Glessner was carrying such larG
, numbers of Western fruit growers an
|, others to that territory and maxim
. such q great success of his work in .
5 tracing population and advancin
the interests of the country, his su
o cess WAS mainly owing (after givin
full credit to his untiring energy n
good judgment) to the experiment
;. farm which has been operated 90 su
I cessfully. But this was only one e.
= tensive farm, and could not be seen
= everybody. The SeAbea1d, on the COZ
trary, in having 100 smaller farms. c.
lries the work to . much greater exte
Q and with much better promise of Ii
/ ger results-